Volume 46, Issue 21 [ 02/17/2021] - The Bengal Newspaper by The Bengal Newspaper

Inside this Issue

Idaho Looking to Pass New Drug Laws | Page 3

How to Deal With Difficult Professors | Page 5

The Bengal

isubengal.com 17 February 2021

Shopping Black Businesses | Page 8

Volume 46 Issue 21

The Independent Voice at Idaho State University Since 1910

Graduation in Spring 2021 Andrea Diaz Reporter Graduation is a time when many students look forward to celebrating their successes. In order to accomplish this, Idaho State University students have to pay fees and complete paperwork in order to graduate. Students for this upcoming graduation can expect differences in the process due to COVID-19. Idaho State University is tentatively planning two in-person graduations for Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Holt Arena. Since this semester is not the only semester that has been affected by COVID-19 students from previous semesters are welcome to join. With the uncertainty of COVID-19, the university will have plans for in-person graduation or a cancellation if needed. “In the event that adjustments or cancellation of the in-person event is needed, a final decision about the spring commencement ceremony will be communicated by March 1. Please note that alternate arrangements are being made in the event that an in-person ceremony is not feasible due to COVID-19,” said Director of University Events and Protocol, Allyson Johnson. In the event of in-person graduation, there will be precautions in place

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such as wearing a mask and mandatory physical distancing. “Traditional activities such as handshakes, hoodings and other ceremony staples that do not allow for social distancing will not occur. In addition, plans are being reviewed by public health officials regarding the feasibility of having an in-person audience,” Johnson said. ISU students are required to fill out paperwork and pay a $20 fee to graduate, then they can pay an additional $20 for a cap and gown. With students having to pay for these required fees the question of where the money is being used by the university may come up. “The graduation fee that students pay is used to support the processing of graduation applications and the cost to print and mail the diplomas. Graduates do not pay a fee to the university that goes towards caps and gowns, or anything else related to the ceremony. Graduation regalia is handled by Jostens, an outside vendor,” said Johnson. The pricing of graduation regalia Continued on Page 2

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The Bengal at Idaho State University

17 February 2021 • Page 2

NEWS

Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu

Improving Financial Literacy through the College of Business

Jack Sherlock Reporter Depending on a person’s financial status, there could be a few disgruntled, negative feelings that come with discussions on money management. However, a few key leaders in Idaho State University’s College of Business are looking to take any preconceived notions about the difficulties of finance management and rid of them as they redefine the outlook on the economic sector of our daily lives. They will do this by implementing community-wide access to two brand new programs offered here at ISU--financial literacy and professional selling. Collectively, these two programs aim to put responsibility and confidence in the hands of those that struggle with financial literacy, all while assisting learners to wield these tools carefully through the potential minefield and pitfalls of the financial landscape. The expected outcome is expertise

and smooth sailing while playing active roles in the financial game we all buy and sell in to. “All are welcome in the discovery of securing a better financial future,” said Bob Houghton, Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Informatics with ISU’s College of Business. Houghton first emphasized that this opportunity is not just for those studying within the College of Business, nor is it just for ISU students. This opportunity is offered community-wide, and the program leads encourage anyone and everyone to sign up and take advantage of honing their skills in personal and professional finance. “We truly believe that the financial literacy certificate is offering life skills that every single college student, well, every single person should know, so we are really pushing hard for everyone to take that,” says Houghton. The financial literacy program covers concepts of banking, understanding credit evaluations and funda-

mentals of building good credit, budgeting techniques, accruing and paying off debt and how financial programs like a 401K and other personal investment opportunities are structured. The second certification program offered is in professional selling. Learners in the course will evaluate finances from a professional, entrepreneurial standpoint, where the practice of salesmanship, marketing, and developing & delivering a good product are a few key points to capitalizing on creativity to consumers that are looking to buy. According to Shane Hunt, Dean of the College of Business and original visionary to these new programs, “Sales is at the heart of every business, and providing the sales certificate for students of all majors will help them as they build their professional lives.” Both of these programs are 9 credits total, with no previous experience required from any learner interested. Additionally, prerequisites are not a concern due to the

linear-forward formation of the program. “The classes build into each other, so follow the steps outlined in the certificate and you will complete the program without any requisite issues,” said Houghton. Starting in the fall of 2021, any ISU student can add either one of these programs to their current degree plan. However, community members not affiliated with ISU as a student will only be able to partake in the financial literacy program, as of now. This program will be offered through the Continuing Education Workforce Training department. For more information on these programs, you can reach out to Ashley Larson (ashleylarson@isu.edu) or Tara Smith (tarasmith@isu.edu) and they can provide a listening ear for questions, comments and concerns.

Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University

Graduation, Continued from Page 1 has increased, however, the university is responsible for the rise in pricing and it is instead the independent vendor. “The cost of regalia has likely increased over the years, but that cost is controlled by Jostens, our regalia vendor, and not by the university. Jostens is an outside vendor,” said Johnson. ISU students that have paid for a cap and gown can pick them and any other regalia up at the ISU Bookstore during regular business hours if they are not able to attend the Grad Finale on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM or Thursday, Feb. 18, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the ISU bookstore. Important dates for graduating seniors

to remember include the student speaker applications which are due March 19, 2021, RSVP Deadline for Winter Commencement April 1, 2021 and the aforementioned dates above for the Grad Finale. If students have any questions about eligibility, honors or diplomas they may contact the Registrar’s Office at (208) 2824874, if they have any questions concerning seating, logistics, or the program they may contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at (208) 282-2930, and lastly if they have questions regarding caps, gowns or tassels they can contact the University Bookstore at (208) 2823237.

Page 3 • 17 February 2021

The Bengal at Idaho State University

NEWS

Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu

Idaho Looking to Pass Additional Laws on Psychoactive Drugs Joanna Orban Copy Editor Although all of Idaho’s border states, except Wyoming, currently allow marijuana in some capacity, Idaho’s legislature is looking to implement a new amendment to the constitution. Senate Joint Resolution 101: Psychoactive Drugs (SJ 101) seeks to reinforce Idaho’s current stance on marijuana. According to the Idaho Statesman, “The new section of the constitution would ban “the production, manufacture, transportation, sale, delivery, dispensing distribution, possession or use of a psychoactive drug”. This amendment may seem a bit redundant as marijuana is already illegal in Idaho. This new amendment to the state constitution seeks to make it harder to legalize marijuana by making it an integral part of Idaho’s constitution. Idaho’s Senate passed the resolution in a 24-11 vote last week. If Idaho’s House of Representatives passes the bill with a ⅔ majority, Idaho residents will vote on this new amendment in the general election of 2022. As of right now, Idaho is one of only six states across the country where marijuana is completely illegal, both medically and recreationally. Some traditionally conservative states like Utah, allow for medical marijuana. According to Senator Van Burtenshaw (R), as quoted by the Idaho Statesman, “Senators, I beg of you, we have to keep this state clean. The future of Idaho is on our shoulders. We need to step up and do the right thing.” This measure is under fire given the proven research on how marijuana can be medically helpful. This bill would also inhibit the legalization of medical marijuana. According to Senate Minority Leader

Michelle Stennett (D) as quoted by the Idaho Statesman, “The measure would not only ban medical marijuana but prevent Idaho residents from benefiting from medical breakthroughs due to the requirement that the FDA would need to approve the drug to be used. The Food

of any disease or condition and thus has not determined that cannabis is safe and effective for any particular disease or condition. The agency has, however, approved one cannabis-derived and three cannabisrelated drug products. As Stennett’s quote

Photo Courtesy of Adobe Stock and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved straight cannabis as a medical treatment. It states on its website, “To date, FDA has not approved a marketing application for cannabis for the treatment

illustrates, if the amendment is passed, Idaho residents would not be able to utilize medical marijuana, unless the product is approved by the FDA. Regardless of whether or not this

amendment is passed, marijuana is still illegal in the state of Idaho. According to idaho.gov, “Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance under Idaho Law. It is illegal for any person to manufacture, deliver, possess with intent to manufacture or deliver, or possess marijuana, which refers to all parts of the plants of the genus cannabis, including or any preparation of cannabis which contains tetrahydrocannabinol.” While the bill and much of its surrounding debate was in regards to marijuana and its many derivatives, ‘psychoactive drugs’ is a wide term that can apply to substances that go beyond marijuana. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Psychoactive drugs have different degrees of restriction of availability, depending on their risks to health and therapeutic usefulness, and classified according to a hierarchy of schedules at both national and international levels.” According to Ballotpedia.org, the bill does provide some additional information on what requirements psychoactive drugs would have to meet in order not to be banned. They are: • Allowed under the Idaho Uniform Controlled Substances Act and approved by the Food and Drug Administration • Part of a clinical investigation approved by the Food and Drug Administration • Allowed under Idaho’s Right to Try Act or • Documented and held for the purposes of a law enforcement investigation or regulated testing laboratory. The full explanation of the bill can be found here: legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/ billbookmark/?yr=2021&bn=SJR101

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The Bengal at Idaho State University

17 February 2021 • Page 4

LIFE

Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu

Advice for Cancer Prevention

Kyran Cates Reporter In the United States, nearly 1.8 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Are you taking steps to avoid this common diagnosis? COVID-19 has taught us the importance of noticing symptoms early on, but many people don’t know what signs to look for when it comes to cancer. In addition to Black History Month, February is National Cancer Prevention Month, which is why we’ll be going through tips for staying cancer-free, and troubling signs to watch out for. Firstly, it’s important to know your family’s medical history. Cancer is often genetic, especially breast, colorectal,

ovarian and prostate cancer. Knowing your family’s medical history will help you determine what signs to watch out for, and when to see a doctor. One of the most common cancer diagnoses in the U.S. is breast cancer, which both males and females are susceptible to. Commonly noticed as a lump or a patch of red or thickening skin, breast cancer can usually be felt by hand. Signs of breast cancer include dimpling, puckering or bulging of the skin. Also watch out for redness, soreness, rashes, swelling or a nipple that has changed positions or become inverted. Visit breastcancer.org to read the five steps for performing a selfexam to check for lumps or thickening of the breast tissue. Next up is lung cancer, which will likely

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be more difficult to detect without the help of a doctor. Lung cancer may begin as a cough that progressively worsens and doesn’t go away. Eventually, you may notice hoarseness, wheezing, constant chest pain, headaches, coughing up blood and loss of appetite. Like many cancers, you may also notice unexplained weight loss. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., which is why it’s crucial to notice abnormal symptoms as soon as they begin. Following breast and lung cancer is colorectal cancer, this term includes both colon and rectal cancer. According to Mayo Clinic, while screenings for colorectal cancer typically aren’t recommended until age 50, this may differ based on your family’s medical history. Talk to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms: rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, weakness or fatigue, a feeling that your bowel doesn’t completely empty or persistent abdominal stress such as cramps, pain or gas. People at age 50 are at higher risk of colorectal cancer, and the risk only grows every year onward. Prostate cancer is another difficult disease to notice. Solely affecting males, prostate cancer will kill nearly one in every 41 men, but this does not need to be the case. Around one in every eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, but most of them survive. You can be treated for prostate cancer if you take action when you notice: difficulty urinating, urinating very frequently or rarely, urinating blood or experiencing erectile dysfunction or pain in your hips, spine or chest. The most common type of cancer in the U.S. is skin cancer, in fact, over two people die of skin cancer every hour. Often appearing on the face, head, arms and hands, skin cancer is a direct result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Skin cancer can materialize as different colored bumps or sores, moles that change color or bleed, external scarlike lesions and much more. Visit Mayo Clinic’s webpage on skin cancer to see a complete list of symptoms with pictures, and make sure to watch your skin for any unusual arrivals. The more exposure you have to UV radiation, the higher the risk of developing skin cancer is. The list of possible cancer diagnoses is a very long one, so it’s essential that you notice any major changes in your body’s’ functions and seek help if these changes persist. General signs of cancer include unexplained weight loss, skin changes, fatigue, fever and pain. Any of these symptoms could indicate the presence of cancer, but it is important to be careful with self-diagnosing before seeing a doctor. There are many ways to avoid cancer, but living a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way to do this and stay well altogether. To help people care for themselves, Mayo Clinic put together a list of things to keep in mind to reduce your chances of getting cancer. Most importantly, don’t use tobacco. Chewing and smoking tobacco has been linked to numerous types of cancer. Next, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight and be physically active. While being a healthy individual doesn’t guarantee you will remain cancer-free, it is a good way to reduce your risk. Unsurprisingly, protecting yourself from the sun will reduce your risk of getting skin cancer. Lastly, get vaccinated, avoid risky behaviors such as unprotected sex and get regular medical care. If you discover any signs of cancer, contact your health provider immediately and get checked out. Catching and treating cancer early on is vital to remission and recovery.

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Page 5 •17 February 2021

The Bengal at Idaho State University

Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu

How to Deal With Difficult Professors

LIFE

Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University Chloe Reid Reporter Being in college, it’s fair to say that most of us have experienced professors throughout our years that just aren’t up to par. Whether from assigning undoable amounts of work, to those who just simply don’t seem like a helping hand when you need it, sadly there are many professors in the industry who seemingly end up being a total downer rather than an educator. “I used to have a professor that wouldn’t follow my disability guidelines and was extremely hard to communicate with,” said ISU sophomore Allason Williams, a Liberal Arts major. No matter what the situation may be, there are several ways to deal with those professors who make class time seem like a prison sentence instead of a valuable learning experience. 1: Take advantage of office hours. A professor’s office hours are a great resource to reach out to them outside of class and talk to them about your issues. If you’ve been stuck with the type of professor who tends to go on tangents in class and leads lectures in a way that’s nearly impossible to understand, this is an especially effective method. Email them beforehand to schedule a time that works best for the both of you, and sit down with your professor and have them further explain what’s been happening in class. Office hours are there for a reason, don’t miss out on the opportunity that’s readily available. 2: Visit the administration. There may come a time where you find yourself in class with a professor who isn’t necessarily bad at teaching, but rather

seems to have a gross personality, won’t follow school guidelines or just puts a damper on the class environment. If this is the case, skip the one on one meeting with the professor themselves and have a discussion with the administration on campus. In this type of situation, discussing with the professor about their own issues will most likely not be helpful, as it’s their energy towards the class that needs to be changed. Remember even though professors are the authority figures during classes, you’re still someone who is deserving of respect. For the best results, reach out for the department head of whichever department the professor is in, or reaching out to the dean of students on campus. 3: Be approachable. With many of us now attending most of our classes through a video call format, most professors have found it more difficult to teach adequately. “I would say the best way to connect with any professor is to participate. Any professor is willing to help you more when you make their life easier, and the best way to do that is by being attentive and respectful. I would argue most professors find it extremely frustrating when everyone is unresponsive in Zoom calls. Therefore, if you were to stand out and be responsive even if it’s scary, then they would feel appreciated, and would most likely be more willing to cater to your needs in the future,” said junior Zane Webb, an accounting and finance major. 4: Cater to yourself. Being in classes with below-average professors can really make the rest of the day feel like a drag. Despite their inferior tactics, remind yourself it’s still important to show up to class regardless and do the best you can. However, it’s important to

Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University

take care of yourself and your own mental wellbeing as well. Try wearing your favorite outfit to this class, or bringing your favorite drink or snack. It might help a little in boosting the overall mood of the class by associating good things with the typically negative environment. 5: Stick to the course outline. Sometimes professors seem to sway their coursework away from the predesigned syllabus for the semester. If this is the case for you, knowing the syllabus and what the class is supposed to consist of can help a lot in the long run for professors who decide to switch up the path. For example, if the professor gives you a 0 for an assignment you turned in an hour late, but the syllabus clearly states that you’ll only get 20% taken down per late day, you can use this to your advantage in getting a

better grade in the class. 6: Use outside sources. A difficult professor doesn’t give you a direct path to get a bad grade in the class. While these professors might make it harder to attain your desired A compared to other classes, you can still make the classwork in your favor and finish out the semester with a great grade. Even though the professor might not be helpful in explaining in-class topics, go online and do some research on whatever you’ve been learning. There’s a very high chance that someone on the internet will have done a better job of explaining the topic of choice, giving you a better chance of passing the class with flying colors. Photos for this story are for relevance purposes only. The Bengal does not intend to imply that persons in photos for this article are related to this article.

The Bengal at Idaho State University

17 February 2021 • Page 6

SPORTS

Trevor Delaney | Sports Editor Contact: bgsports@isu.edu

Idaho State’s Soccer Opener Ends in 3-3 Tie Trevor Delaney Sports Editor

Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics

Bengals Women’s Soccer team began their 2021 season on Sunday, February 14 playing an exhibition match against the College of Idaho Yotes at the Holt Arena in Pocatello. Finding their hopes for a win stalled, the Bengals came away from Sunday’s match with a solid tied score of 3-3 against their challengers. With a display of both natural talent and well-honed skills from players on both teams, fate would have it that this match was destined for a tie. Far from an unexciting match, Holt Arena was the stage for an honorable season opener for ISU. The Yotes stole the first goal less than twenty minutes into the first period, but the Bengals scored a successful goal less than seven minutes before the end of the first period with freshman forward Megan Vawdrey making the scoring shot. Closing out this closely contested first period with a single goal each, both the Bengals and the Yotes started out the second period with an obvious determination to best their opponent on the field. When the Bengals come out to play, they mean business. Idaho State scored their second point of

the night when freshman midfielder Meagan Tamashiro landed her shot. The Bengals’ one goal lead was taken back by the Yotes with less than thirty minutes of regular play-time to spare. Fighting against the odds, Jordyn Roth managed to make another goal for ISU late into the second period. This was followed up by another goal by the Yotes, taking the score back to three goals each at the end of the second period. The exhibition match went into overtime twice, but neither team could get another goal after the tumultuous second period. With the Big Sky soccer season just weeks away, the Bengals have some more time to sharpen their skills before they face off against Northern Colorado in their first Big Sky match of 2021. The Bengals will be playing their next match against Northwest Nazarene at 1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 in Pocatello. While the match is scheduled to be played on the ICCU Practice Field, if the weather is anything like Sunday the match may need to be moved indoors again. If there is one thing teams playing Idaho State can be sure of, the weather in Idaho is anything but predictable.

Bengals Win Big in the Battle of the Domes Brandon Davis Reporter The Bengals hosted the University of Idaho in a two-game series last Thursday and Saturday, winning big time in both games taking the first 69-43 and the second 64-58 in overtime. The two games were huge wins for the Bengals as the men improved their record to 11-7 overall and 7-3 in the conference. Game one began quickly with the Bengal’s Austin Smellie hitting a 3 pointer in the opening moments of the game. With this the Bengals seized control and never looked back, their largest lead of the half being a sizable seventeen points and the halftime score being 38-23. The

dominance of the Bengals continued after halftime with Tarik Cool hitting back-toback three-pointers extending the lead even further, coupled with the 9-0 run put the Bengals up 55-39 with 9:20 remaining. The end of the half was more of the same, the Bengals were up by as much as 31 points after Daxton Carr hit a layup making the score 63-30. With that, there wasn’t really any hope of a comeback. The game ended 69-43. The story of the game was the ball control and defense of The Bengals. The game plan of pushing inside, getting the ball down low then passing out to the shooters, if needed, paid off big time as the Vandals just couldn’t keep up with the pace. Cool led the impressive outing with

14 points, four rebounds and one steal. Following him were Smellie and Brayden Parker who each scored 12 points as the Bengals took the series lead with a spectacular performance. Something must have changed on that Friday because when Saturday rolled around the Vandals were a completely different team. Gone was the team outmatched on the post, the team that was outscored by 31 points. The Vandals came to play with intensity, an intensity that was matched by the Bengals every step of the way. It was a brutal back and forth affair with there being eight lead changes and six ties. The game started heated, with both teams missing a pair of jumpers and a

Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics

vandal personal foul before Smellie hit a pair of three-pointers. The Vandals kept it close though with the Bengals entering halftime 28-27. This didn’t continue going into the second half as the Vandals struck quickly taking the largest lead of the game going up 44-36. The Bengals mounted a comeback but were still down three points with only seconds left to play. With the game in his hands, sophomore Daxton Carr stepped up once again and sank a three-pointer tying the game 54-54 with 1.3 seconds remaining and sending it into overtime. When asked about the shot afterward Looney said, “I was thinking, just find a way to make it go in.” From here the Bengals took a deep breath, cleared their memory and didn’t let up, they outscored the vandals 10-4 and once again stood victorious. The difference in the game here was foul trouble by the Bengals and the pace control by the vandals. While Thursday’s game was a defensive and offensive effort with the Bengals in control, Saturdays was a much slower story with the vandals moving at their pace saving the shot for the last seconds of each possession. This is what kept them in the game, but when overtime came around they were forced to play faster, forced to play at the same speed as the Bengals. According to Looney, “I think we learned a lot, it was extremely ugly proud of our team for finding a way to win a game in the conference when we were nowhere close to our best.” Cool led the Bengals once again scoring 22 points, hitting three 3-pointers, and five rebounds. Smellie put up an impressive 10 points and Parker nine along with five blocks. With these wins, the Bengals continue their massive turn around from last year. Last season the Bengals ended at the bottom of the division with only eight wins. Something has changed in these Bengals, they’ve already nearly doubled their conference wins and are standing at third place in the Big Sky. “Anyone who watched us a year ago, and watches us now can tell we’re a completely different team,” said Looney.

Page 7 • 17 February 2021

The Bengal at Idaho State University

SPORTS

Trevor Delaney | Sports Editor Contact: bgsports@isu.edu

Bengals Return From Moscow with 63-58 Win, 56-73 Loss Trevor Delaney Sports Editor The Idaho State University Women’s Basketball team played two tight games this past week up in Moscow against the University of Idaho Vandals, taking the win on Thursday night and then a loss on Saturday. The Vandals took the lead in the first quarter of Thursday night’s game by five points over the Bengals 11 points. When the dust settled over the court at halftime, the Bengals had roared back to life with 18 points to the Vandals’ 13 points in the second quarter. This five point surge from ISU brought the game to an evenly matched 29-29 before the third quarter started. The second half of the game was even closer than the first, with ISU narrowly gaining a three point edge over U of I in the third quarter. The Bengals made it abundantly clear that teamwork really does make the dream work, finding the right moves to keep the ball moving. When the buzzer rang out at the end of the fourth, ISU had added another two points

to the scoreboard. This brought the final score to 63-58, with the Bengals tipping the hopes of the Vandals’ potential victory by a solid five point margin. The tone of the game on Saturday was blazing with intensity as the two teams faced off once again in the frosty northern Idaho city of Moscow. The Vandals kept up with the Bengals, only trailing by two points behind ISU’s 22 points in the first quarter of the game. Taking an even more substantial lead in the second quarter, the Bengals scraped up another eight points to edge out the Vandals 30 points to 20. The Vandals played with a fury in the third quarter that swept the Bengals, despite their noble attempt to maintain their ten point lead. With the Bengals leading by only two points at the beginning of the last quarter, the Vandals made a considerable effort to take the game. The fourth quarter ended with Idaho State at six points for the quarter to Idaho’s 25 points. When all was said and done the Bengals lost the game by a striking 17 points, with a final score for the game of 56-73. Coach Seton said in a postgame interview that the team

played “great defense” in the first half, but that there were some challenges that the Bengals couldn’t overcome. The Bengals’ 2021 Big Sky Conference play has been undefeated until now, making U of I the first team to take them down this year. With Idaho State now

sitting at 11-1 in Big Sky play and 15-2 overall this season, they are well prepared to take on the Montana State Bobcats next for the first time this year. The Bengals are scheduled to battle the Bobcats at 7 p.m. MST at Reed Gym in Pocatello on Thursday, Feb. 15.

Featured: Diana Konate Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics

ISU Men’s Tennis Team Takes Loss at BYU Trevor Delaney Sports Editor Still licking their wounds from last weekend’s two losses against Montana State, the Idaho State University Men’s Tennis team suffered another defeat on Sunday at the hands of the Brigham Young

University Cougars, with a final score of 0-7. This is only the seventh time that the Bengals have ever played the Cougars in Tennis, with BYU maintaining their undefeated winning streak. Anyone who follows college tennis knows that BYU knows tennis, and their home turf of Provo is where they tend to play best. With these

Featured: Patrick Trhac and Aleksander Petrovic Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics

towering odds stacked against them, the Bengals are only one of many teams to fall to BYU despite an admirable effort on their part. Idaho State took a short-lived victory in the first doubles match of the afternoon, but Brigham Young’s team won the next two doubles matches. This gave BYU the doubles point, but the Bengals were still in the game to try to make up for it in the singles matches. The optimism of the ISU team slipped away when all six singles went to BYU, culminating in the final 0-7

score. As the Bengals well know, when taking on the Cougars sometimes you may end up getting shredded. With a season total of six losses, the team has more than a month to get geared up for their first match of the Big Sky Conference play against Northern Arizona University. Idaho State can hope to make a comeback when they travel to Boise next weekend. There they will be playing Boise State University on Friday, Feb. 19 at 5 p.m., followed by George Fox University at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The Bengal at Idaho State University

17 February 2021 • Page 8

OPINION

Jacob Gutridge | Editor-in-Chief Contact: bgchief@isu.edu

Shopping Black Businesses Lesley Brey Reporter This story is part three in an ongoing series by The Bengal Newspaper regarding Black History Month. Others parts in the series can be read at isubengal.com. Although the end of the pandemic is in sight, for many of us relief can’t come soon enough. All across the nation workers have faced lay-offs, dangerous working conditions and increasingly strained social safety networks. If times are tough for the individual, then that goes double for small businesses. According to CBS at least 400,000 small businesses have been permanently shuttered since the start of the pandemic, with the actual number likely being far larger. Although businesses will see some support from the next COVID-19 relief bill, whether or not it will be enough to keep them afloat will depend on if consumers can make up the difference. Statistically, the businesses that have been hit the hardest are black owned. CNN reports that black owned companies have been closing at twice the rate of white owned business, as well as at elevated rates compared to other minority owned businesses. This trend could prove to be especially problematic when it comes to economic recovery in a post-COVID-19 world. In an effort to reverse course, many Americans have started to participate in “Buy Black” programs, which focus on directing consumers towards black businesses either within their communities or online. Here in Pocatello, less than 1% of the permanent population is black according to government census estimates, however, there are still ways Idaho State University students can support black businesses. With a stable internet connection, shopping black can be as easy as a few simple clicks. The easiest way to get started is to visit websites like WeBuyBlack.com and Supportblackowned.com. These sites serve as a catalogue for hundreds of black vendors. As to what types of products these sites offer, the list is almost as extensive as Amazon’s. From cleaning chemicals to clothing to books to toys, there are tens of thousands of listings from thousands of black businesses. If you’ve ever shopped on Etsy, you’ll be familiar with the quality of items that come from small businesses. Oftentimes in an effort to cut costs, large chains will use subpar materials and cut corners while manufacturing. Just this month unsafe levels of arsenic were found in dozens of popular commercial baby foods, in a report released by the United States Federal

Government. While you should always be mindful of what you’re buying, shopping from a small business provides the customer with a direct line of communication with the manufacturer. Furthermore, shopping small allows consumers to find products that are normally unavailable, or scarce regionally. Items for hair and skin care are sold at value, as opposed to the markups they are given in big-box stores. In 2021 no one should have to face the frustration of not having the products they need available for them simply because they are a person of color. However, shopping black is about more than just convenience. Beyond the current pandemic black businesses have faced nothing short of open hostility for centuries. In the period immediately following emancipation, black wealth thrived. In cities such as Tulsa OK, Birmingham AL, and Richmond VA, bustling economic growth led the way to the creation of “Black Wall Streets.” Even though the American government never followed through on its promise for reparations, black americans

were still able to build communities and start businesses. In response, white lawmakers in several states and even federally sought ways to destroy what was being created. Black business owners were subjected to unequal taxation practices, lynchings, predatory land speculation, and disenfranchisement. Many white Americans are surprised to learn about the Tulsa race massacre of 1921, wherein a white mob stormed the black economic district of Tulsa pillaging and looting. Over 35 city blocks were torched, and although there we may never know the total death toll, a 2001 state commision estimated that as many as 300 black residents may have been murdered by the rioters, many of whom were hastily buried by the city in mass graves throughout the destroyed area. You can read more about the massacre at Tulsahistory.org, the official website of the city museum. Idaho too, has a legacy of anti-black sentiment. In 1864, a year before the emancipation proclamation, Idaho passed a law that among other things limited voting in

school elections to white males, as well as placed racial limitations on witnesses at trials. Black residents and other residents of color could not testify at trials involving white litigants. Furthermore, the Idaho state legislature didn’t repeal anti-miscegenation (interracial marriage) laws until 1959. Furthermore, Idaho has been home to dozens of anti-black terror groups over the years, ranging from several branches of the Ku Klux Klans to the self-described Nazis of the Aryan Nation setting up shop in the city of Coeur D’Alene. Through the use of threats and violence, these terrorists have played a heavy role in preventing black Idahoens from thriving or establishing businesses. Supporting our black classmates, neighbors and friends extends far beyond tagging something as #blm or posting a fist on instagram. As consumers, we wield enormous power to support small businesses and uplift black voices. Shopping black is one way students can make an impact this Black History Month.

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