The February 18 Issue of The Southern Digest

STATE & NATION

Blacks returning to the south

SPORTS

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Also: SU women hang on for win. pg. 5

Program teaches culture. pg. 6

echoes from africa heard

su baseball season nears

Census shows reversal from past. pg. 4

estABLished in 1928

WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2011

VOL. 57, ISSUE 8

Faculty addresses issues

SUS students sue Regents

By evan taylor

By evan taylor

digest managing editor

digest managing editor

Southern University faculty senate discusses concerns about current issues within the SU community at a meeting in the Henton Room of Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

The senate addressed the faculty’s perspective on low completer programs, chancellor search progress, academic calendar status, and the SUNO/UNO merger.

“A chairperson can do one of three things; Accept the decision, plea for continuation, or plea for consolidation. The threat of low completers or no completers is real,” said Sudhir Trivedi, Faculty Senate President.

Trivedi provided a list of low completer programs on the back of the agenda and urged the importance of faculty, deans, and chairpersons in this process.

“The Board of Regents needs to

apartments to $100 across the board with a new $50 (non-refundable)

Southern University System students filed a lawsuit against Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Board of Regents of Louisiana.

Seven students along with attorneys filed a petition for declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, and restraining order against the Board of Regents to ensure the board is representative of the state’s population by race and gender to ensure diversity.

“We want the Board of Regents to become constitutionally sound. Louisiana Constitution Article 8 Section 5 (A)(B)(1) states appointments should be representative of Louisiana residents based on the 2000 census,” said Venese Morgan, senior political science major in Baton Rouge.

The seven students are initiating this petition with the help of attorneys including Cleo Fields. They urge SU to be on one accord for the success of this order.

“First and foremost, everyone has to be on one accord; students, faculty, and staff.

Students should pay attention. We need for everyone to be together,” said Dadrius Lanus, junior political science and history major from Baton Rouge.

The seven students represent the Southern University System including the campuses at Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the SU Law Center.

According to the petition filed, students involved include SUNO students Eugenie Tobin and Ellis Brent; SUBR students Kye Lewis, Dadrius Lanus, Nykeshia Bryer and Venese Morgan; and SULC student Charles Toney Jr. The case is expected to result in a halt to the study of the merger of SUNO/UNO and a Board of Regents representative of the Louisiana residents.

“If I could picture a new Board of Regents it would be a board that’s rich in diversity.

That represents all minorities and genders,” said Bryer, a senior political science major from Greensburg, La. The students and their attorneys expect for the suit to solve some issues that under the current board are not being addressed objectively.

According to the filed petition: “Wherefore the petitioners pray that: This honorable court enter a temporary restraining order without bond, prohibiting the Board of

See REs lifE page 3

See lawsuit page 3

photo By evan taylor/digest

Faculty senate president sudhir trivedi looks over to the secretary as the senate discusses issues on the agenda at the Faculty senate meeting in the henton room of smith-Brown memorial Union.

get the recommendation by February 28th and the Chancellor (will) have gotten it today. We are running behind because the recommendation has not been finalized,” said Trivedi.

The decisions are left up to the deans and chairs of the low completer programs to choose what to do with their programs. Trivedi mentioned each department’s dependence on the faculty regarding the issues within their department.

“In a department no one knows better than the faculty,” said Trivedi.

Low completer programs are rated based on an absolute number and not a graduation rate. In order to be considered a low completer it must be below eight graduates per year for a bachelor program, five per year for a master’s program, and two per year for a Ph. D program.

Chanika Jones, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice discussed an update on the progress of the Chancellor See faculty page 3

Residential Life receives student input By evan taylor

digest managing editor

Residential Life looked to the students to gain input on issues and concerns of housing conditions and policies.

Shandon P. Neal, Director of Residential Life came before the students to discuss living conditions from the student’s perspective.

“The purpose of this was to get feedback about living conditions and to get input on the possible changes,” said Neal.

Each student who attended the meeting was asked to respond to the proposals attached to their agenda.

Proposal one read, “Increase the student room deposit from $50 to $200 for all student residents that live on campus effective for Fall 2011.”

This proposal would increase the current deposit for the apartment style dormitories by $50 and the current dormitories (Shade, Totty, U.S. Jones,

photo By evan taylor/digest

shandon p. neal, director of residential Life discusses student concerns in town hall meeting in J.s. Jones hall.

and Boley) increased by $150.

Proposal two read, “To increase the room deposit from $50 in residence halls and $150 in university

THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE DIGEST WILL BE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25.

PARTLY CLOUDY HIGH

75° | 51° LOW

INSIDE S O U T H E R N

CAMPUS BRIEFS...............2 STATE & NATION................4  A & E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 NEWS.............................3  SPORTS....................5 VIEWPOINTS......................7 U N I V E R S I T Y ,

B A T O N

R O U G E ,

L A .

CAMPUS BRIEFS Page 2 Page 2 - Friday, February 18, 2011

www.southerndigest.com

HI - 46° / LO - 30° 30% CHANCE OF RAIN

THE SOUTHERN DIGEST 4 - DAY WEATHER OUTLOOK

SATURDAY, FEB. 19

mostly sunny HI - 73° / LO - 53° 20% CHANCE OF PRECIP

Classifieds Writing papers

Word Power Writing Services. Editing, proofreading, typing papers.

College student discount.

Call 225.571.4611.

SUNDAY, FEB. 20

partly Cloudy

HI - 73°/ LO - 57° 20% CHANCE OF PRECIP

They are offering the following workshops: Writing topic sentences on Feb. 18 at 11 a.m., and Comma Errors: What are commas really on Feb. 24 at noon. All the workshops will be held in Harris Hall, Room 2024.

Seating is limited to 18 students per workshop.

Campus Briefs

FEBRUARY 21

TODAY

stateWide redistriCting meetings

CaFÉ laCumBa

Come join your colleagues and faculty for a delicious and healthy lunch! All items are made fresh and can be enjoyed as dine-in or on-the-go. Café Lacumba will be serving up sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, snacks, and beverages every Wednesday from 11 a.m.1:30 p.m. starting Feb. 9.

Café Lacumba is located in 161 Pinkie E. Thrift Hall (between Tourgee A. DeBose Hall and James Blaine Moore Hall). For more information, please call 225.771.4660. red Fashion shoW

Southern’s University’s College of Engineering presents a “RED” fashion show on Friday, Feb. 18 at noon in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom in Smith-Brown Memorial Union. The show will include performances by ACEAT Models, Alpha Phi Alpha, and SU’s AP (Administrative Professional) models.

Door prizes will be given and tickets are $5 to benefit the American Heart Association. grammar Workshops

The English Department is offering Grammar Workshops during the month of February.

The workshops will be facilitated by Professor S. Tohline and are a great review for Freshman Composition and the Writing Proficiency Exam.

Meetings will be held to discuss the upcoming redistricting process. One meeting will be held on Feb. 21 at the HoumaTerrebone Civic Center and 6p.m. Louisiana Board Room in the Louisiana Building at Baton Rouge Community College.

On Feb. 22, a meeting is scheduled for the Buccaneers Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center at 10 a.m. All meetings will be streamed and archived.

For more information visit http://house. louisiana.gov/H_ Redistricting2011/ FEBRUARY 22 relationships and trouBles

The Rape Crisis Center, Student Affairs, and Student Life present “Relationships and Troubles” in J. K Haynes Auditorium on Feb. 22.

FEBRUARY 23 Carter g. Woodson leCture

Carter G. Woodson Black History Society presents a lecture program at 9 a.m. on Feb. 23 in Higgins Hall Room 118119.

MONDAY, FEB. 21

partly Cloudy

partly Cloudy

HI - 76° / LO - 54° 20% CHANCE OF RAIN

HI - 67°/ LO - 49° 20% CHANCE OF RAIN

FEBRUARY 25 stateWide ConFerenCe oF BlaCk eleCted oFFiCials

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs host a statewide conference of black elected officials. On Feb. 25 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Cotillion Ballroom of Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

FEBRUARY 28 BlaCkout poetry lounge

NAACP presents the “Blackout Poetry Lounge” on Feb. 28 in the Lakefront Room in Smith Brown Memorial Union.

Johnson and Johnson sCholarship

Business, Engineering, and Computer Science students pursuing supply chain management are encouraged to apply for Johnson and Johnson supply chain management scholarship. For more details e-mail toni_ jackson@subr.edu. Feb. 28h is the deadline to apply. su mBa sCholarship

SU MBA students with a 3.2 GPA or higher are encouraged to apply for the SU MBA scholarship.

There is an essay required.

For more information contact Toni Jackson at 225.771.5460 or via e-mail toni_jackson@subr. edu devin addison Book sCholarship

Business majors with a 2.5 GPA are encouraged to apply for the Devin Addison Book Scholarship.

There is an essay required.

For more information contact Toni Jackson at 225.771.5460 or via e-mail toni_jackson@subr. edu MARCH 1 Boeing sCholars

Business majors with a

GET 36 ISSUES FOR JUST $40 Name: Address: City/State/Zip: Daytime Phone: (

TUESDAY, FEB. 22

)

For more information call 225.771.5833 or mail your subscription payment of $40 to: The Southern Digest Subscriptions, PO Box 10180, Baton Rouge, LA 70813.

Business, cashiers checks and money orders accepted only. No personal checks or credit card orders accepted. Make all payments to The Southern Digest.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

sUite 1064 – t.h.harris haLL p.o. BoX 10180 – Baton roUge, La 70813 225.771.2231 phone / 225.771.5840 FaX WWW.soUtherndigest.com

3.0 GPA are encouraged to apply to be a Boeing scholar.

There is an essay required.

Contact Toni Jackson at 225.771.5460 or via e-mail at toni_jackson@subr.edu.

Deadline to apply is March 1. gala on the BluFF sCholarships

Business majors with 2.7 GPA are encouraged to apply for a Gala on the Bluff scholarship.

Scholarships include; Agnes Andrew Allstate Insurance Scholarship, Louis Henry scholarship, and Hollywood Casino Scholarship. There is an essay required for all scholarships. For more information contact Toni Jackosn at 225.771.5640 or via e-mail at toni_jackson@ subr.edu.

MARCH 25 12th annual greek variety shoW

The Greater Baton Rouge Pan Hellenic Council presents the 12th annual greek variety show on Friday, March 25. The show will be in F. G. Clark Activity Center at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in the Student Programs office located in Smith-Brown Memorial Union, Second Floor, Suite 203.

Women in media sCholarship

Women in Media, Inc.is providing applications for the Jean Wheeler Memorial Scholarship to be granted to an outstanding full-time senior female student during the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters. Applicants must have 3.0 overall and in their major and must be a major in Journalism, Mass Communications, Theater, or media related field.

Applications and details can be found on the women in media website. www. womeninmedia.net.

MARCH 31 Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Students are encouraged to submit an application to become a Ronald McNair scholar. Students will gain a stipend, mentored research experience, graduate school visit assistance, and GRE preparation assistance.

Students must have a 3.0 GPA, be a first generation college student, have earned 60 hours of college credit, and have the desire for a Ph.D. Applications are due March 31. Contact Veronica Freeman at 225.771.4717 or come by Higgins Hall room 208D to pick up an application.

issn: 1540-7276. copyright 2008 by the southern University office of student media services. the southern digest is written, edited and published by members of the student body at southern University and a&m college. all articles, photographs and graphics are property of the southern digest and its contents may not be reproduced or republished without the written permission from the editor in chief and director of student media services. the southern digest is published twice-weekly (tuesday & Friday) with a run count of 6,000 copies per issue during the southern University - Baton rouge campus fall, spring semesters. the paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every tuesday & Friday morning on the sUBr campus. the southern digest student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., monday - Friday. the offices are located on the first floor of t.h. harris hall, suite 1064. the southern digest is the official student newspaper of southern University and a&m college located in Baton rouge, Louisiana. articles, features, opinions, speak out and editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the administration and its policies. signed articles, feedback, commentaries and features do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors, staff or student body.

PUBLICATION ASSOCIATIONS the southern digest is a member of the Black college communications association (Bcca), national association of Black Journalists (naBJ), University - Wire network (U-Wire), associated collegiate press (acp), college media advisers association (cma), society of professional Journalist (spJ), Full member of the associated press (ap) and the Louisiana press association (Lpa).

ADVERTISER MEMBERSHIPS the southern digest subscribes to the american passage, alloy m+m, 360 Youth, Zim2papers, all campus media, ruxton group and college publishers on-Line services.

STUDENT MEDIA OFFICE www.subr.edu/studentmedia director - tBa assistant director - tBa publications asst. - Fredrick Batiste advertising mgr. - camelia Jackson CONTACTS (area code 225) advertising office - 771.5833 digest newsroom - 771.2231 student media services- 771.5812 the Jaguar Yearbook - 771.2231 YearBooK newsroom - 771.5829 ego magazine newsroom - 771.5829 southern University and a&m college at Baton rouge is accredited by the commission on colleges of the southern association of colleges and schools, 1866 southern Lane, decatur, georgia 30033-4097, telephone (404) 679-4500, Website: www.sacscoc.org.

MISSION STATEMENT the mission of southern University and a&m college, an historically Black, 1890 land-grant institution, is to provide opportunities for a diverse student population to achieve a high-quality, global educational experience, to engage in scholarly, research, and creative activities, and to give meaningful public service to the community, the state, the nation, and the world so that southern University graduates are competent, informed, and productive citizens.

Website: www.subr.edu.

The Office of Student Media is a Division of Student Affairs.

SPRING 2011 DIGEST STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF norman J. dotson Jr.

CULTURE EDITOR patrick galloway

MANAGING EDITOR evan taylor

LAYOUT EDITOR trevor James

COPY EDITOR erica s. Johnson

DIGEST STAFF WRITERS samantha smith Kalisha Black

PHOTO EDITOR david clark iii SPORTS EDITOR morris dillard

DIGEST PHOTOGRAPHERS robert Florida Jr. polite stewart

A&E EDITOR Billy Washington

PAGE 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS & PAID CLASSIFIED INFO CLASSIFIED the southern digest is not responsible for the contents, promises, nor statements made in any classified and reserve the right to reject any ad request with explanation. no classified ads will be accepted or processed over the telephone and must accept the type font sizes of the digest. aLL cLassiFied mUst Be paid in adVance BY cashiers checK or moneY order. no personaL checKs accepted. students must have proper id and phone numbers to get student advertising rates. rates do not apply to students who are representatives & employees of the company. in the event an error is made in a classified ad, immediate claims and notice must be given within 15 days. the digest is only responsible for one replacement or run in the next publication. classified are due one WeeK prior to run date. paid classified can be ordered by contacting the student media advertising manager at 225.771.5833.

PAGE 2 / CAMPUS BRIEFS all submissions must be received by 3 p.m. each Friday for Tuesday’s Issue and by 3 p.m. each Wednesday for Friday’s Issue. page 2 is only available to officially registered campus organizations, southern University departments. all briefs should include a date, time, contact name & number. submit announcements to: the southern digest - suite 1064 harris hall, attn: page 2 CORRECTIONS Fact and accuracy is our goal and our job. as the voice of the southern University student body we are committed to ensuring to most fair, truthful and accurate accounts of our work. in the event of an error we will make all corrections on page 2.

Bring corrections to the southern digest office located in suite 1064, harris hall.

Friday, February 18, 2011 - Page 3

www.southerndigest.com

Faculty discuss low completers By evan taylor digest managing editor

Faculty Senate members discussed the status and realities of low completer programs under review by the Board of Regents Thursday.

Programs go under review by the board and if any do not reach the specific graduation requirements they are deemed low completer.

This title will help in the discussion of deletion of such programs.

Program lists include 12 graduate programs and 24 undergraduate programs.

“A chairperson can do one of three things, accept the decision, plea for continuation or plea for consolidation. The threat of low completers or no completers is real,” said Sudhir Trivedi, Faculty Senate President.

Trivedi provided a list of low completer programs on the back of the agenda for senators to see. He urged the importance of faculty, deans,

and chairpersons in this process.

“This is very serious and is not about to go away. Deans and faculty must make a plea for their programs. This is a serious matter and the faculty need to take it seriously,” said Trivedi.

Trivedi discussed a timeline for the committee he serves on to release their recommendation to the Board of Regents.

“The Board of Regents needs to get the recommendation by Feb. 28 and the Chancellor (will) have gotten it today. We are running behind because the recommendation has not been finalized,” said Trivedi.

The decisions are left up to the deans and chairs of the low completer programs to choose what to do with their programs.

Trivedi mentioned each department’s dependence on the faculty and how knowledgeable they are regarding the issue within their department.

“In a department no one knows better than the faculty,” said Trivedi.

Low completer programs are rated using an absolute number and not a specific graduation rate. In order to be considered a low completer it must be below eight graduates per year for a bachelor program, five per year for a master’s program, and two per year for a Ph. D program.

Dr. Diola Bagayoko, Physics Professor recommended that someone in the committee read all of the documents that are submitted so the departments will be seen for what they do and who they educate.

At this time the committee is looking at the completer data.

The programs discussed should make sure all of their students are documented and the dean and faculty are doing what they need to do, Trivedi said.

The current numbers from the Board of Regents do not include or reflect the Summer and Fall of 2010.

administration adjust and communicate. Students could express their opinions,” said Desmond Ford, a sophomore criminal justice major from Newellton, La. Neal addressed how the students can get involved and contribute to Residential Life.

“We want to try to get more students involved in Residence Hall councils and get students to be vigilant of student activities and actions,” said Neal.

Students had their own solutions to suggest to RL to solve what they felt was a lack of communication.

“Residential Life needs to send out e-mails and have more meetings so, they can see what’s going on,” said Ford.

Some students recognized that RL is trying but changes still need to be made.

“Yes this was necessary, a lot of stuff needs to change. They

are trying the best they can. They need more people, and to get the students involved, “ said Kayla Richards a sophomore nursing major from New Orleans, La. Neal felt achievement; his purpose was accomplished: informing students and receiving student input.

“It was an enlightening experience.

Some things (students) may not have hindsight about. They were able to get a holistic perspective of the department,” said Neal.

Plans for more information about housing conditions are to be distributed to the students in multiple ways.

“We will host residence council meetings. We are looking at doing some informational booths in the union,” said Neal.

If students have any questions or concerns they can reach Residential Life at 225.771.3950.

RES LIFE from page 1 administrative processing fee for all student residents that live on campus effective for Fall 2011 school year.”

This proposal would increase the current dormitory deposit by $100 and the current deposit for the apartment style dorms would remain the same.

Students in attendance voted on these proposals.

Students felt the discussion was necessary and very important.

“They had to let the students know what’s going on. We are paying for this. We need to know what the changes are and they will do,” said Tamira Coleman, a sophomore computer science major from New Orleans.

The meeting discussed the changes anticipated in room and board prices, possible renovations, and how students can get involved, “This was important to let students and the housing

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Today in History

The historic “Germantown Protest” in Pennsylvania abolished slavery and the slave trade. This was the first formal protest against slavery in America by an organized group of white colonist in English America created by Germantown Quakers at a periodic meeting. The meetings would lead to more periodic meetings without any action being taken on it until they finally came to a decision. The protest was drafted on this day in history February 18, 1688 in Thones Kunders’s house. The Thones Kunders House was the location of the first meetings for the group of friends in Germantown. This protest became the first step in the fight against slavery in America. This fight was nonstop throughout the history of America eventually leading up to the Civil War. It is a battle that has roots deep in America’s history. This day also marks the 300th Anniversary of the Germantown Protest against slavery. The three friends wrote a petition constructed upon the Bible’s Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” urging the many men in the meeting to abolish slavery in America. In the honor of the protest stands an indicator where the Kunder House once stood at this historic site at 5109 Germantown Ave.

faculty from page 1 Search committee.

“There was mistrust amongst the search committee with the search firm about transparency,” said Jones.

She referred to the issue of the search firm being hired in the midst of the committee in active search for a new Chancellor.

Jones explained how the candidate will be chosen.

“The search committee will develop a rubric for the candidate that is needed on this campus that the search firm will use to score the candidates,” said Jones.

Jones mentioned the argument for transparency from Demetrius Sumner, Student Government President. Trivedi interjected his personal opinion about the search firm and his plans to recommend candidates from the Baton Rouge campus.

“For the record I was against hiring the search firm. I was not pleased with their performance in the presidential search.

I will personally nominate some candidates on campus to be looked at in the Chancellor search,” he said.

Once the rubric is developed plans are for the search firm to score the candidates applied for the position after March 1st.

James Taylor, Faculty senate secretary mentioned the status of the recommended changes to the academic calendar.

Trivedi commented, “We took the issue we had here and addressed them.”

Dr. Diola Bagayoko drafted a resolution concerning the SUNO/UNO merger on behalf of the Faculty senate and passed unanimously by executive vote.

According to the resolution,” Whereas UNO and SUNO belong to the LSU and SU systems respectively, and UNO is a research institution while SUNO is not. Whereas these two institutions have vastly different missions, admission criteria, tuitions and fees, campus climates or atmospheres, with the difference in admission criteria such that a merger means that African American students who would normally attend SUNO will no longer have access to a public university in New Orleans.”

This resolution is in opposition to the merger on behalf of the Faculty Senate on SUBR campus.

The document continued, “Therefore be it resolved that we, the faculty senate and the entire faculty of Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge (SUBR), vigorously oppose any notion of merger of SUNO and UNO.” Trivedi concluded the meeting with the announcement of the faculty handbook feedback from senate members so, that the handbook can be approved by the Academic council.

The next faculty senate meeting will be March 10th at 11am in the Henton Room of Smith-Brown Memorial Union.

lawsuit from page 1 Regents from taking any actions regarding any proposed merger of Southern University at New Orleans and University of New Orleans with respect to petitioners pending further proceedings on this matter.”

The restraining order would prevent the board from any actions towards the merger study or decision until proceedings conclude.

The document continues: “After bearing is held, that this court enter a permanent injunction, restraining the Board of Regents from taking any and all actions relating to any proposed study and merger of Southern University at New Orleans and University of New Orleans pending further orders of the court.”

If the decision of the court is held as petitioned, the Board of Regents will have no power to make decisions regarding the merger or study by orders of the court.

This part of the document concludes: “Thereafter a permanent injunction issue in the form and substance of the preliminary injunction and lastly issue a declaratory judgment ruling, that the Board of Regents in unconstitutional due to it’s current racial and gender composition.”

If this ruling is rendered the Board of Regents will no longer serve as authority and management over many decisions relating to public institutions of Post Secondary Education of the State of Louisiana, inclusive of proposed creations, mergers, management boards, and transfers.

“We are expecting justice to be served on the Board of Regents,” said Morgan.

Bryer expressed the need for support inside and outside the courtroom.

“This is proof that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 didn’t mean anything. The best thing is to fight on the outside and inside.

Have student rallying on the outside with us fighting on the inside,” said Bryer.

Lanus discussed his confidence going into this suit.

“I feel confident. I feel as though all of this is necessary. I feel all the information needs to be heard by the public. The Governor didn’t follow procedure and no one is above the law,” said Lanus.

The hearing for this case will take place in the 19th Judicial District Court on Feb. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

STATE & NATION Page 4 - Friday, February 18, 2011

www.southerndigest.com

More blacks moving to South

Obama certificate bill tabled By mark niesse

the associated press

By hope yen the associated press

WASHINGTON — The Great Migration, the 60-year escape from segregation and racism that brought American blacks to the North, has reversed course.

Better jobs and quality of life in the South are beckoning, as is the lure of something more intangible — a sense of home.

“It’s no coincidence that the shift is happening as we encounter economic turmoil that is being felt disproportionately among blacks, such as mortgage foreclosures, loss of jobs and economic devastation in major Northern hubs,” said Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP’s Washington bureau. “With major changes and less racial devastation in the South, people are finding their way back.”

The nation’s black population grew by roughly 1.7 million over the last decade. About 75 percent of that growth occurred in the South — primarily metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami and Charlotte, N.C. That’s up from 65 percent in the 1990s, according to the latest census estimates. The gains came primarily at the expense of Northern metro areas such as New York and Chicago, which posted their first declines in black population since at least 1980.

Illinois had its first decline in the black population in the state’s history, with the number of African-Americans decreasing by 1.3 percent since 2000, according to official 2010 census figures released Tuesday.

In all, about 57 percent of U.S. blacks now live in the South, a jump from the 53 percent

photo by david goldman/ap photo

Shelton Haynes, 33, left, plays with nephew Chase Haynes, 4, while visiting the home of Haynes’ parents with wife Tiisha, rear left, son Jamir, 2, brother Kennan Haynes and his wife Carla, Tuesday in Duluth, Ga. The nation’s blacks are leaving big cities in the Northeast and Midwest at the highest levels in decades, returning to fast-growing states in the once-segregated South in search of better job opportunities and diverse cultures.

share in the 1970s, according to an analysis of census data by William H. Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution.

It was the surest sign yet of a sustained reverse migration to the South following the exodus of millions of blacks to the Midwest, Northeast and West in the Great Migration from 1910 to 1970.

“The Great Migration of millions of disenfranchised blacks from the South to Northern cities has now completely turned around,” Frey said. “Blacks now look to states like Georgia, Texas and North Carolina as the places with the most promise in the 21st century — a prospect that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.”

The converts include Shelton Haynes, 33, a housing manager in Atlanta. He grew up in New York City and lived in Harlem for many years with his wife and two children before growing weary of the cost of living and hectic pace. After considering other places in the South such as Charlotte, the two settled on Atlanta, where Haynes’ brother, sister-in-law

and parents now also live.

“We have a great support network of family and friends here, and there is good community involvement, with our kids involved in swimming, tennis and basketball,” Haynes said. “In Atlanta, I also see a lot of African-Americans do very well in a variety of professions, so it was good to see things changing.”

The findings, based on 2009 data, are expected to be highlighted in official 2010 results that show changes in non-Hispanic black populations in states such as Texas, New York, Georgia and Florida. Illinois’ official 2010 data was released Tuesday. The recent census figures for blacks refer to non-Hispanic blacks, which the Census Bureau began calculating separately in 1980.

Historically, the South was home to roughly 90 percent of the nation’s blacks from 1790 until 1910, when AfricanAmericans began to migrate northward to escape racism and seek jobs in industrial centers such as Detroit, New York and Chicago during World War I. After the decades-long

Great Migration, the share of blacks in the South hit a low of about 53 percent in the 1970s, before civil rights legislation and the passage of time began to improve the social climate in the region.

The current 57 percent share of blacks living in the South is the highest level since 1960.

The latest estimates show that the Atlanta metropolitan area increased by more than half a million blacks over the last decade to about 1.7 million, making it the metro area with the second-largest black population. Despite losing blacks, the New York metro area continued to be home to the largest black population, at roughly 3.2 million.

The Chicago metropolitan area, which previously was ranked No. 2 in black population, slipped to No. 3.

Broken down by state, Georgia was tops in the total number of African-Americans, edging out New York state. It was followed by Texas, Florida and California. California in recent decades has seen its black population slip or remain largely unchanged.

HONOLULU — A proposal to sell copies of President Barack Obama’s birth records to anyone for $100 is going nowhere in the Hawaii Legislature.

The bill died when it didn’t get a hearing before a Friday deadline for bills to advance to their final committees.

House Health Committee Chairman Ryan Yamane said Thursday he won’t consider the legislation because he doesn’t think it’s appropriate to sell private information to the public — even if it’s the president’s birth documentation.

“We shouldn’t take knee-jerk reactions. Just because there are these people who want this information, that doesn’t mean we should change our state statute so a private, personal record could be accessible for $100,” said Yamane, a Democrat.

Hawaii’s privacy laws bar the release of birth records unless the requester is someone with a tangible interest, such as a close family member.

So-called “birthers” claim there’s no proof Obama was born in the United States, and he is therefore ineligible to be president. Many of the skeptics question whether he was actually born in Kenya, his father’s home country.

Republican Rep. Kymberly Pine said efforts to reveal Obama’s birth information fuel unfounded suspicions that he wasn’t born in Honolulu.

Hawaii’s former health director said in 2008 and 2009 she verified Obama’s original records. Public notices were published in two local newspapers within days of Obama’s birth at a Honolulu hospital.

Amnesty alleges Egypt military abused protesters By sarah el deeb the associated press

PHOTO BY hussein malla/ap photo

An Egyptian attaches portraits of those who where killed during the anti-government protests on a memorial at Tharir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday.

CAIRO, Egypt — Detainees held in lockups run by Egypt’s military say they were forced to strip to their underwear, whipped and subjected to electric shocks, according to testimony published Thursday.

The detainees had been rounded up as part of a crackdown on antigovernment protesters in the days before the ouster of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Feb. 11.

After Mubarak’s fall, the military took charge and promised

to transfer power to a civilian government in coming months.

Amnesty International, the London-based human rights group, urged the military to halt mistreatment in its lockups and release all protesters still in detention.

“The Egyptian military authorities have committed publicly to creating a climate of freedom and democracy after so many years of repression,” said Amnesty’s regional director, Malcolm Smart. “Now they must match their words with direct action.”

A military spokesman rejected

Amnesty’s allegations of abuse, and denied that the military targets activists or protesters.

“Where is this information from?” Lt. General Ismail Etman, spokesman for the military said on state TV. “No soldier would lay a hand on the body of an honorable citizen.”

He said the military has received a list of detainees provided by activists and is “searching” for them.

The military was deployed in Egypt on Jan. 28 to try to restore security as police disappeared from the streets amid the mass protests.

SPORTS

Friday, February 18, 2011 - Page 5

www.southerndigest.com

SPORT SHORTS

Jaguars look to stay on top of SWAC

digest news serVice

Allen earns SWAC, HRSN honors

By morris dillard digest sPorts editor

Tanika Jackson, leading scorer in the SWAC, and Hannah Kador, 2010 SWAC tournament MVP, headline Saturday’s game.

Hannah Kador scored 29 points to lead the women’s basketball team to a 70-61 double-overtime victory against Mississippi Valley State Monday night.

“Her role on our squad is to provide a lot of scoring for us,” associate coach Carlos Funchess said. “Basically she kept working and getting more and more consistent at the right time of the year.”

Ashley Augerson added 13 points and Freda Allen earned her fourth doubledouble this season, with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Despite sweeping the season series this spring against Valley, Southern was able to photo By david ClarK iii/digest extend their win streak, 10 straight games (second most in school history) and remain southern’s freda Allen (40) and carneta Henderson talk during a break in the action. the atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference first-place jags host Alabama state saturday and Alabama A&M Monday. regular-season title race.

“We’re definitely going to have to play Southern (15-8, 12-1) is the only one lost “We are playing well as a team,” said better defense,” Freda Jackson, head of Funchess. “We need to stay focus, try team in the conference.

Southern will play Saturday afternoon at coach of ASU. “Southern does a good job of to improve and get ready to go into the conference tournament and try to win the 2:00 p.m. against Alabama St (6-17, 3-9) running their offense and making you have to play defense for a long period of time.” inside the F.G. Clark Activity Center. championship.”

Lady Jags hit road to take on LSU By morris dillard digest sPorts editor

digest File photo Head coach nancy Marshall and the Lady jags travel to Houston to take on Lsu.

Nancy Marshall, as usual, arrived early to practice. This time, with the understanding she would have to answer questions about the women’s softball teams slow start. But as the ninth year coach prepares for the new season, she has made it clear she is confident in her new team.

“We’re going to play some tough competition this year.

When we decide to take the SWAC championship, we are not going in as a no.16 seed.”

Marshall said.

Prior to meeting with the Southern Digest, Marshall gave players batting lessons, alongside the batting cage, before ending practice Wednesday afternoon.

Marshall expressed once the team’s hitting comes along, they will stride for a productive season.

“It helps us for conference.

It helps us to know that we can compete against anybody.”

Marshall said.

“Sometimes we have to maintain a strong pitching staff, if we don’t it’s a tough thing.”

SU (1-5) will travel to Houston to play the Louisiana State Tigers at Cougar Field.

LSU won 6-0 last season.

“Any team can be beat on any given day,” said senior first basemen Jasmone Williams.

“If we go and do what we have to do, like we prepare ourselves every day, I don’t think it will be a problem.”

Marshall said.

Read the at WWW.southerndigest.com

Southern’s Freda Allen has been selected as SWAC CoPlayer of the Week, along with Alcorn State’s Kiara Ruffin, following their performances this past week. Allen was also tabbed as the Heritage Sports Radio Network National Player of the Week.

The 6-foot-1 senior from Lake Providence, La., averaged 13.5 points, 15.5 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots per game in two outings last week. In Saturday’s 72-49 win over UAPB, Allen posted her fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 18 rebounds.

Two nights later, Allen had 10 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. She also averaged 2.5 assists and 2.5 steals in both games last week.

Weeks, Brewers agree on new pact

After a record-breaking season, the Milwaukee Brewers took the risk that Rickie Weeks’ injury-plagued career is firmly in the past.

The former Southern AllAmerican agreed to a $38.5 million, four-year contract with the Brewers Wednesday that contains a 2015 option which could increase the total value to $50 million.

Weeks hit .269 with 29 homers, 83 RBIs and 112 runs in 160 games as the Brewers’ primary leadoff hitter last year, shattering most of the franchise’s marks for a second baseman while putting up the best power numbers in his career.

Weeks will receive a $4 million signing bonus, of which $1.5 million is payable upon approval and $2.5 million on July 15. He will receive salaries of $3.5 million this year, $10 million in 2012, $10 million in 2013 and $11 million in 2014.

Weeks’ option year is for $11.5 million, but the club can void 2015 if he does not make 600 plate appearances in 2014 or 1,200 plate appearances over 2013-14 combined.

TSU mourns loss of Robinson

HOUSTON—Former Texas Southern baseball head coach Candy Robinson died Tuesday morning after a long battle with cancer. He was 70 years old.

The funeral will be 11 a.m.

Saturday at Brentwood Baptist Church. The viewing is at 10 a.m.

Robinson served as head coach of the Texas Southern baseball team for 19 years. He joined the program in 1989 as the first TSU head coach who only coached baseball.

He recorded 332 wins during his career. He led the Tigers to their first two SWAC titles and their first two NCAA postseason appearances (2004, 2008).

arts & entertainment Page 6 - Friday, February 18, 2011

www.southerndigest.com

Sounds of Africa echo during program By brandy haydel digest contributing writer

The tribal sounds of Africa roared as the dancers imitated the beat of God’s heart on Tuesday.

Origin of Life on Earth, an African Creation Myth, was a play presented by the Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center and Roots Productions.

“This event is to assist our students with an understanding of our black heritage,” said Julie Wessenger, the assistant vice chancellor for student affairs. She continued, “The Black History Committee pulled together solely for putting activities on for the month of black history.”

According to the producer, Dollie Eaglin-Monroe, the production hopes the information from the play will dispel stereotypes and untruths about traditional African thought, culture, values and beliefs.

“It really touched me and let me know that we’ve always been the dominant race,” said Dwain Fuselier, junior majoring in political science from Baton Rouge.

The character Obatala was

sent to create life on earth however he became intoxicated after overindulging on coconut juice. His irresponsibility caused disabilities in the people yet he still found beauty in their imperfections.

Life was good for the people until “the snatchings” began as Europeans separated families, tore villages, and massacred the African culture. The enslavement led to the mental oppression of the people who then began to secretly meet to practice their original tribal customs.

A New Orleans native, Travis Harris, junior majoring in history, commented, “I enjoyed how they expressed themselves through dance and music to tell a story.

That was awesome!”

The finale ended with a New Orleans style second line featuring a live performance from Luther Gray on the drums. It was the voice of Obatala who concluded the correlation between the beat of God’s heart and the drum.

“My favorite part of it was the end,” said Katee Smith, a junior majoring in business management from Pittsburg.

The play was expressed through

photo by evan taylor/digest Ashe’ Cultural Center Dancers perform at the Origin of life on Earth program Tuesday in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom.

dance therefore the actors had few if any lines at all, which some students found boring.

After being asked what he liked most about the show, Ronald Green a junior physics major from Baton Rouge said with a smile, “I liked them sexy black women.”

He immediately elaborated, “I didn’t know much about African creation stories but now thanks to Southern University I know.

I really appreciate that about Southern.”

Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center is under the umbrella of Efforts of Grace, Inc. which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping surrounding communities.

According to the Ashe’ website their mission is to “promote, produce, and create, and support programs, activities, and creative works that emphasize the positive contributions people of

African descent make to their community”.

Origins of the Earth is only one of the many events being hosted by the Ashe’ Cultural Arts Center this month. On Saturday, a film documentary called Prince Among Slaves: The Cultural Legacy of Enslaved Americans will be featured at 12:30 p.m.

Medical Empowerment, a wellness workshop, will be conducted on Feb. 24 from noon-1 p.m.

viewpoints

Friday, February 18, 2011 - Page 7

www.southerndigest.com

SUNO ... pointless?

Earlier this week, a writer for the Daily Reveille (LSU’s student newspaper) wrote a column that in essence deemed our beloved SUNO as pointless and useless. I only have one question for him, who the hell are you to deem anything useless or pointless?

I guess it’s easy for someone with absolutely no ties to the university or the system that it resides in to suggest getting rid of a whole institution. You don’t have any rights to make such a claim unless you have at least been enrolled in one of the schools in the SU system, better yet, unless you have something to lose from it. I doubt that your one semester at UNO is enough to make you an expert on SUNO, nor does the facts that you quickly pulled from the Board of Regents website count either.

Yes, it’s true that historically SUNO has had low graduation rates.

However if I’m not mistaken UNO’s 21 percent isn’t a passing grade either. This does not mean that these schools do not accomplish their main objectives, which is to educate people and help those people better their lives in the process.

The problem comes when you have a state and people with a mindset that quantity and speediness are more

NORMAN DOTSON JR. important than quality and efficiency. The problem lies within the content of conversations… and oh yeah, columns and comments on websites.

I can admit that the rates are low and something should be done to fix it but I know that takes hard work and dedication from like-minded people who want the same things. I can also attest to the fact that whatever we have been doing has not been working and that there is a problem. How can you be against politicians calling for abandoning New Orleans and calling it unfit to rebuild after hurricane Katrina —but all for shutting down an institution of higher learning in New Orleans?

Isn’t that a bit hypocritical?

Wait; are you even in the demographic affected by this?

Surely in your one semester spent at UNO you would have seen the damage Katrina brought on SUNO and UNO first hand, giving you a better understanding of what both

institutions have been facing since that time. Even in spite of said setback —coupled with the decrease in population in New Orleans— SUNO has dramatically increased in enrollment over the past several years.

I may not have, what you call, a “strong defense” on whether or not to close SUNO but I do know that neither do you. It is down right disrespectful to those individuals who chose SUNO to say it’s a “so-calleduniversity” and it’s for damn sure disrespectful to not only me, but also everyone else in the SU family to say such a thing.

The claim that SUNO is the only place where a 35-yearold can walk back into education was only half false; there are many factors in considering which institution to attend. One being cost, SUNO is much more affordable to those who are poor and can’t ask mommy and daddy for money. Also you have to consider that a school like UNO —who in everyone else’s opinion has “better enrollment standards”— wouldn’t even give a 35-year-old who 17 years prior didn’t consider education important and had a low GPA coming out of high school the chance to reap in the benefits of higher

education.

If you ask me an institution that turns away someone who is obviously eager to better themselves, and in turn their community, simply because that person had a low GPA should be the closing.

Education is about giving people an opportunity to better themselves and taking away SUNO would essentially be doing the opposite.

What’s pointless to me is the conversation of closing or merging two institutions that were developed to serve different demographics.

What’s pointless, is writing an editorial for something you have no rights to or have any stake in. What’s pointless is the work and effort to drum up facts to close a school when the same effort could be put into finding ways to save it. Also what is useless, is the opinions of someone who hasn’t spent a whole year at the institution right next door.

SUNO is very important part of not only our system but to the city of New Orleans. To deem it pointless is to deem education for those with fewer opportunities than others pointless. So do us all a favor next time think before you speak, the words you use to represent a university also represents those apart of it.

Living in a time of Revolution I was out of town listening to the radio when I heard the history making news pertaining to Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak stepping down from office.

It was predicted by various critics that he would step down from office some time in September, but the people of Egypt were so furious and disgusted with the Egyptian Government suppressing the oppressed citizens for so long they eventually decided to do something about it.

They were full of rage.

They were mad.

They were angry.

These factors are the most important because this is what creates the sparks to igniting the fuel that will eventually develop into a massive fire. This is the way a true revolution, a complete change, is usually conducted. It’s absolutely obvious the people of Egypt made a vow to protest and made a powerful statement for the whole world to observe until President

BILLY WASHINGTON Mubarak stepped down.

As we can see, the protest lasted for nearly three weeks with hundreds of thousands of protesters, from various regions, with different religions and creeds. They all came together for one cause, on one accord, and proclaimed loudly and valiantly that they wanted a change in their government structure.

We must realize this is a significant moment that will be marked down in history books for our upcoming generations to discover and recover. When I say recover, I mean they will learn from it and possibly utilize the same techniques and ideas to construct a revolution during their

time. It is absolutely amazing to know that this revolution in particular was started through Facebook, a social network. There have been several articles written about internet social networking sites being used to create a revolution or social change. I wonder if those who thought that way now see the power of internet social networking?

The Egyptian Revolution is also an example that illustrates to us that we must realize and never under estimate the power of the people. As a matter of fact, the citizens of Iran started protests in central Tehran on Monday where they yelled at the top of their lungs “Death to the dictator.” These events that are taking place in the eastern hemisphere of the world are real examples of protests and demonstrations. Western civilization may look upon those demonstrations as being militant, radical and outrageous, but in order to

send a true message for the world to see, people must be passionate about their revolutionary vision. For example, when Malcolm X wanted to simply defend himself with a rifle and spoke about African Americans having their own states, they looked upon him as being militant and a communist, but when Martin Luther King Jr. led several marches throughout the nation, people respected and applauded the peaceful demonstrations.

No, I am not a terrorist or a person who is an admirer of riots, but I do believe if the majority of people are not pleased with their current condition, due to being oppressed for so long, in order for a true revolution to occur people must be furious, people must be willing to make huge sacrifices, and people must work together collectively, regardless of their color, heritage, religion or creed.

SPEAK OUT

What do you feel the black community needs to do to progress?

BY Robert Flordia jr.

Digest photographer

brandon williams belle rose, la. senior criminal justice

“The black community needs to come together and focus more williams on the youth and not on BLACK-onBLACK violence to progress.”

Keith batiste New roads, la. freshman nursing

batiste

better jobs.”

“Stop killing our black brothers to unite and progress towards an education and

kayshea whitaker opelousas, la. senior elementary education

“In order for the black community to progress we whitaker should all unite as one and work together on making the same decisions.”

shanay haywood

new orleans junior therapeutic recreation

haywood

waste of energy.”

“As a community, we must stop making excuses and start creating solutions.

Complaining is a

SUBMISSIONS POLICY

The Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorial and opinion pages. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed.

Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mail to digest@ subr.edu.

Editorial policy

Staff editorials represent the opinions of the author and the majority opinion of the Southern DIGEST Student Editorial Board, which is comprised of the student staff of editors and columnists. The Southern DIGEST provides an open forum to educate, inform and enlighten the students, faculty and staff at Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.

diversions Page 8 - Friday, February 18, 2011

The Knight Life

ACROSS 1 Rounds up, as cattle 6 Pass time in reverie 11 Seizes the throne 13 Fillet 14 The outdoors 15 Use a compass 16 Brand of razor 17 Units of wt.

18 Cleveland hoopster 21 Like tweed 23 Craze 26 Time to celebrate 27 Room service item 28 Trevi Fountain site 29 Product from flax 31 Minute openings 32 Clan leader 33 Drop or bead 35 Circle parts 36 Exude moisture 37 Cosmonaut space lab 38 Blended whiskey 39 Categories 40 Was idle 41 California’s Big — 42 That guy’s 44 Provided capital 47 Sign for 51 White water 52 Camel relatives 53 Geneva’s river 54 Liszt opus DOWN 1 Horde member 2 NASA counterpart 3 Muddy track 4 Defeat badly 5 Ran fast 6 Churchill Downs event 7 Slugger’s stats 8 Job-ad letters 9 Novelist Beattie 10 Got acquainted 12 Fasten tightly 13 Theater sound system 18 Bottom floor 19 Place for birds 20 Canal city 22 Pester 23 Public meetings 24 Ms. Earhart 25 Saguaro habitat 28 Be a thief 30 Almost-grads 31 Cool treat 34 Deadly 36 Dictionary entries

www.southerndigest.com

By Keith Knight

Today’s Answers

Astro-Graph

By Bernice Bede Osol

Today’s Answers

39 Type of jacket 41 Hot-dog part 43 Sing like Fitzgerald 44 Icy remark?

45 Contented sigh 46 Navy noncom

48 Green-egg layer 49 Walk barefoot 50 Mao — -tung

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19): Don’t expect others to do something for you once they find out that you simply can’t be bothered. Be prepared to be on your own.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20): Regardless of how many things over which you and your mate disagree, when in front of others, support him/her all the way. There should be no hint of disapproval.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Instead of imposing your way of doing things on co-workers, let them use their own methods. You might be surprised at how much their procedures complement yours.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A serious erosion of your finances is likely if you lack the discipline rein in your spending habits. Remember: you might really need what you so easily fritter away now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In hopes of ridding yourself of a problem, you could manage it so tightly that you smother any means of resolving the dilemma. Loosen up so you can see what is happening.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Any tall tales you have to tell won’t impress those with whom you’re associating, but people might sit up and take notice if what you say makes sense.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): It behooves you to steer clear of any high-rolling

acquaintances. Chances are they will lead you down their wasteful path and cause you to live much too high on the hog.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It would be wise not to boast about things that you are working on but have yet to accomplish. If the results are good, the bragging rights will speak for themselves.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Someone who expounds on his/her ideas with bold, dramatic terms might make you feel inadequate, yet unless this person has proof of success, what s/he has to say is of little consequence.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22): It might not be too wise to enter into a partnership in which you’re offered a minor position with no possibility of ever being anything else. It’ll stifle your growth.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21): Underestimating your adversaries could have strong, undesirable consequences. You need to be extremely realistic about the caliber of those with whom you joust.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t think you can go around looking for everybody else to do all the heavy lifting while you give the orders. You’re not likely to find volunteers.

——— Copyright 2011, United Feature Syndicate, Inc.