The Reveille 2-3-22

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‘IT FEELS LIKE A PUNISHMENT’ PUNISHMEN T’ Students with disabilities express frustration with lack of accomodations on LSU campus.

Read on

MATTHEW PERSCHALL/ The Reveille

A sign points to the handicap accessible entrance on Jan. 24, at Acadian Hall in Baton Rouge, La.

NEWS

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Explainer: How does redistricting work and how will it affect Louisiana this year?

ENTERTAINMENT

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The Baton Rouge Art Council’s exhibition “Healing History” exhibition is a testament to Black life this February.

SPORTS

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Gavin Dugas will be repping the No. 8 on the field this season as Coach Jay Johnson starts his reign at the Box.

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“Even though I am excited to graduate, my time spent at college has gone by relatively fast.”

L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le

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‘We Feel Isolated’

B-16 Hodges Hall Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, La. 70803

Disabled students share negative experiences on campus

BY MADDIE SCOTT @madscottyy Note: Louisiana legislators will decide what to do with a significant surplus of cash available to the state in the next legislative session in March. Ahead of the session, The Reveille is dedicating a string of stories looking at LSU’s infrastructure. This is the fourth story in the ongoing series.

Linda Bui stood next to the opening of the elevator in the Dalrymple building, home to her office and lab. She measured the doorway, which was 27 inches wide – 9 inches short of what the American Disability Association requires of openings so people in wheelchairs can enter and exit safely.

If a wheelchair did fit in the elevator, there would not be enough room for the person to turn around and exit without blindly reversing out. Even then, they likely wouldn’t want to enter the elevator, which Bui, an environmental science professor, nicknamed the “Tower of Terror.”

On the elevator door, a sign reads “CAUTION! Elevator old and cranky! Please CLOSE gate!

Check floor level; enter cautiously! Relevel by running once!”

Bui dreads the day she has a disabled student who won’t be able to access her lab on the second floor. She reluctantly tells her students that if they have mobility devices, permanent or temporary, they can’t do work in the lab, a vital part of any science class on campus.

“It’s embarrassing and horrifying that it’s 2022 and we’re still having to discuss disabilities for everyone,” Bui said. “We shouldn’t be having to complain about accessibility for all students.”

Bui said a janitor got stuck on the elevator once and had to be rescued by the Baton Rouge Fire Department. Students have been stuck too, Bui said, and they now avoid the contraption.

Several LSU students have complained of poor disability access on campus, like faulty elevators, broken “push to open” buttons, cracked sidewalks, nonhandicapped bathrooms and difficulty obtaining disability recognition through the university’s Disability Services Office.

Blind LSU students have complained about incorrectly marked braille signage around campus and the difficulties they face at LSU. Jennie Stewart, LSU’s ADA coordinator, said those issues are in the process of being resolved.

“The issue of wayfinding related to braille is a project underway through Facility Services,” Stewart said. “The project should be out to contractors for pricing.

Once under contract, the manufacturer will create the signs, which will take a few weeks, with instillation soon to follow.”

Both public and private colleges and universities must provide equal access to postsecondary education for students with disabilities, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Though Stewart nor anyone else in the ADA Office was able to give The Reveille a formal interview, Stewart gave the following statement: “Disability Services provides

Hall]—they have a huge staircase to go down,” Pendry said.

“I had to throw my scooter down there to take a test. Just those few months were so hard for me around campus. I can’t imagine doing this full time.”

Just getting recognition of a disability isn’t a seamless process.

Social work junior Allie Moore broke her ankle and has been fighting for recognition of her temporary disability by the university. Pointing to her cast, Moore said she is “obviously broken” and has to travel on campus

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

The “Push to Open” button shines in the sun on Jan. 24, at the entrance to Camellia Hall on Campus Lake Road in Baton Rouge, La. accommodations to students, whereas the ADA Coordinator is looking from a 30,000-foot view regarding accessibility, including receiving complaints regarding barriers,” Stewart said. “The other issues haven’t been brought to my attention, but I’d be happy to receive information regarding areas in which concerns exist. Reports help me to identify areas in need of repair and put forward to our Facilities folks for repair.”

‘We Feel Isolated’ When social work junior Kate Pendry broke her foot freshman year, she required a scooter or crutches to get around LSU’s campus. Pendry lived in McVoy Hall at the time, where she says there was no handicap bathroom. Unable to take a shower, Pendry traveled on her scooter to her friend’s separate dorm.

On top of that, LSU’s bumpy and cracked sidewalks made the journeys painful.

“There were so many cracks in all of the concrete and so many bumpy areas that it was impossible to go through without hurting my foot really bad,” Pendry said.

While most LSU buildings have disabled-accessible entrances, Pendry experienced difficulty finding them, as the entrances are often poorly marked or nonexistent.

“The testing center [Himes

with a scooter.

“My doctor has to fill out pages long of information when all they need to know is that I have a broken ankle and can’t walk,” Moore said. “They want an overdetailed description, and it’s so annoying that you’re having to go through this because I’m just trying to get to class, and they’re not even helping me a little.”

Only able to walk for more than 10-15 minutes on crutches each outing, Moore requested to move her classes to Zoom. The university denied that request.

“I wish [LSU] understood how much of a struggle it is each day to not be able to walk,” Moore said. “It takes a toll on your mental health. We feel isolated from everyone basically.”

‘It Feels Like a Punishment’ Mass communication and political science junior Kimsey Stewart has a disability affecting her digestion. After meeting with an adviser with LSU’s Disability Services and providing documentation, she was given accommodations that allow excused absences, permission to consume food and water in class and access to the bathroom whenever needed.

She sends her disability papers to her professors at the beginning of every semester so they all understand her accommodations. When emailing

one professor at 4 a.m. that she couldn’t attend that day’s class due to her disability, her professor suggested she drop out of school.

“It might be better to sit out this semester in order to recover from your illness,” the email read. “You could retake the class in the spring when you might be better able to concentrate. This is a suggestion rather than a command: only you know your exact physical and mental state.”

A few days later, the professor again suggested Kimsey not attempt to finish the semester.

“I ask once more: are you sure finishing the semester is a good idea?” the second email read. “20 years from now, when you are settled down comfortably somewhere, you will hardly remember that you took an additional four months to finish college because of a health issue.”

“I don’t think a professor should be encouraging a student to drop out of school for any reason,” Kimsey said.

Kimsey, a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, notices illegal parking in the nearby handicapped parking spots next to the sorority house, even though there are at least four girls in her area that require handicap parking.

She says none of the sorority houses are wheelchair accessible and is trying to bring awareness to the issue.

“I have to call them [LSU Parking and Transportation] every single time someone is parked there,” Kimsey said.

Kimsey said that LSU Parking and Transportation has never taken action to any of her reports.

“It’s not difficult to walk around campus and see problems,” Kimsey said.

History and communications senior Madeline Holmes has hip dysplasia which limits her mobility. When she received a major surgery the past semester, she had to travel campus with crutches for almost two months.

“I’m sitting in the Quad right now, and I can count how many buildings don’t have elevators or fully accessible elevators,” she said.

When she requested to switch classrooms, the university would not allow the professor to do so unless Holmes presented detailed documentation from her doctors. Holmes wasn’t seeing her doctor for another two months and felt her disability should be recognized from the fact she was on crutches.

“There’s so many bureaucratic steps and red tape that I have to go through to get to the accommodations that should be afforded to you in the first place,” Holmes said. “It almost feels like a punishment. I feel like I have to earn my accommodation.”

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ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication.

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NEWS REDISTRICTING

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Four LSU students impacted by

What is it and why should you care?

BY PIPER HUTCHINSON @PiperHutchBR Louisiana legislators will begin formal deliberations on the redistricting process Tuesday evening, when the first session kicks off.

While the redistricting process has been going on for months, with public hearings that began in October, the threeweek session beginning this week will be when legislators vote on what maps will be sent to the governor’s desk for approval or veto.

Redistricting happens once every 10 years, meaning that this is most of the legislature’s first time partaking in the process. It is also Gov. John Bel Edwards’ first time going through it as an executive.

For college students who were not paying attention in civics class during high school or simply need a refresher on the redistricting process and why it matters, this guide may answer some questions.

What is redistricting?

Every 10 years, after U.S. Census results are delivered, state legislatures are tasked with redrawing district lines, which determine how areas of the state are represented politically on each level, from local to federal.

Louisiana’s maps for U.S. House of Representatives, state legislature and other statewide and local districts will be redrawn.

The 2020 census shows that Louisiana has become less rural and more diverse in the last 10 years, which will affect how different parts of the state are represented.

The data also show significant population loss in northern Louisiana, while more urban parts of the state around Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans grew significantly.

These population shifts will affect how lawmakers redraw the maps.

BY PIPER HUTCHINSON @PiperHutchBR

What criteria is considered during redistricting?

Per the U.S. Constitution, each district needs to contain roughly the same number of people, with a small margin of error. The federal Voting Rights Act also requires that minority voters have an equal opportunity to elect their representatives.

There are other values that lawmakers may consider as well, like compactness, or keeping districtings in small, contiguous areas.

Who is involved in the process?

Although a small number of states use independent commissions to redraw their state’s district lines, Louisiana relies on the legislature. Lawmakers take input from the public and other interest groups like the NAACP, ACLU and Louisiana Progress.

Within the legislature, the process is handled primarily by

law or veto them, at which point the legislature could either draw new maps or override the veto.

After maps are approved by the governor, there is likely to be a legal fight. That fight could take place in state or federal courts. The process is likely to include activists, lawyers from the NAACP and/or the ACLU, as

Shortly after midnight on Jan. 21, Charles Desobry was woken up by the sound of firetrucks and shouting outside his open window. Living near a college campus, he was used to late night party crowds, and living near the Highland Road fire station, the sound of firetrucks wasn’t unusual either. He went back to bed.

Around 1 a.m., Desobry was awoken again, this time by frantic banging on the doors of apartments near his. He got out of bed this time, suddenly afraid that it might be his apartment on fire.

His suspicions turned to anxiety when he opened the door to find an enormous cloud of red smoke.

Desbory, a second-year graduate student studying art at LSU, lives at the Bradshaw apartments.

One of their buildings was destroyed by a fire in the early hours of Saturday Jan. 21. Fortunately for Desbory, it wasn’t his.

No injuries resulted from the fire. Twelve Bradshaw residents were displaced and four LSU students were impacted. Campus Life is following up with them to make long-term plans, LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard said.

Mollie Tinnin is the disaster

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see FIRE, page 4

GRAPHIC BY CAILIN TRAN

the Joint Governmental Affairs Committee, made up of both the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, which is chaired by Rep. John Stefanski, a Crawley Republican, and the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee, which is chaired by Sen. Sharon Hewitt, a Slidell Republican.

After the maps are drawn, they go to the governor, who can either sign the maps into

BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY

Gov. John Bel Edwards denies he delayed probe in deadly

BY JIM MUSTIAN, JAKE BLEIBERG & KEVIN MCGILL Associated Press BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards defiantly denied Tuesday that he delayed or interfered with investigations into the deadly 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene — and for the first time he characterized the actions of the troopers seen on video stunning, punching and dragging the Black man as racist.

“I can’t imagine if Mr. Greene had been white he would have been treated that way,” an emotional Edwards told a news conference. “We have to acknowledge racism when we see it. We have to call it what it is.”

The Democratic governor rejected the idea that his response to the Greene case was driven by a tight reelection campaign that depended heavily on the Black vote. He said that notion is nonsensical because prosecutors had

the Greene case well before his election.

“Nothing like that has ever happened because of me,” he said. “That is not who I am as a person.”

Edwards’ remarks were the first since an Associated Press report last week that showed he had been notified by state police within hours of Greene’s May 2019 death that troopers engaged in a “violent, lengthy struggle,” yet he kept quiet for two years as police told a much different story to the victim’s family and in official reports: that Greene died from a crash following a highspeed chase.

Edwards stayed mostly silent on the case until last May when the AP obtained and published long-withheld body camera video showing what really happened on a dark roadside near Monroe: white troopers jolting Greene

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COURTESY OF LSP / Associated Press

This image taken from video from Louisiana state trooper Lt. John Clary’s body-worn camera shows trooper Kory York standing over Ronald Greene on his stomach on May 10, 2019, outside of Monroe, La.

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residents who lost their homes.

He talked to one resident who returned from his night shift only to find his apartment burning. Desobry spoke to another, a woman, visibly distraught, who was frantically calling people, leaving voicemails, and calling again, trying to find out if her friends and neighbors were okay.

“That was probably one of the most difficult parts of the night,” Desobry said. “It was a situation where I was outside looking in at this fire.”

The next morning, Desobry went into the charred apartments. “​​ Looking back [that] was probably not a smart thing to do, considering the fact that I think one apartment on the first floor had its ceiling collapsed in on itself,” he said.

Desobry was shocked by the scene: doors left open, showing remnants of people’s physical belongings. Beds, completely charred, children’s toys burned, melted televisions.

“It was pretty surprising to see a fire that bad, you know, basically destroy an entire building,” Desobry said.

The cause of the fire is undetermined and still under investigation, said Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Justin Hill. Damages are estimated to be up to $2.5 million.

program manager for the Louisiana Capital Area chapter of the American Red Cross. She was first on the scene for the organization.

The first thing she noticed when she arrived at the scene shortly after 2 am., beside the large number of fire personnel on the scene, were the shivering tenants standing outside the burning building. The temperature in Baton Rouge was around freezing that night.

“It was a challenging night just because of the unique temperatures of that night,” Tinnin said. “So the first thing I noticed was the need to find a warm place to move everybody.”

By 2:45 a.m., Tinnin had ushered the residents to a nearby hotel lobby, where the real work began. Her main job that evening was intake, which requires getting residents’ information, but also listening to their stories.

“I want to let them debrief about what they experienced and have that conversation and make that connection with them to where it’s not just I’m giving you some sort of assistance, but I’m also allowing you to sit here and process what you’ve been through,” Tinnin said.

Tinnin said that the residents she assisted were in a state of

COURTESY OF BRFD

Baton Rouge firefighters respond to a large apartment fire at the Bradshaw Apartment Homes Friday night. shock after being driven from their homes by a fire only to be greeted by freezing temperatures.

By the time they were warm again, residents had to contend with the fact of temporary homelessness.

“The emotional atmosphere was one of just shock, you know,

fear of the unknown, fear of what you’re going to go back to or not go back to,” she said.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the Red Cross helped the residents with temporary aid, like shelter and transportation. Long-term assistance will be made available to those who

need it, Tinnin said.

Nobody was injured during the course of the fire, and residents who lost their homes were able to move into other units in the same property.

Desobry eventually returned to the warmth of his apartment, but not before offering comfort to

REDISTRICTING, from page 3

EDWARDS, from page 3

well as any number of judges. It could also end up in the U.S. Supreme Court.

with stun guns, punching him in the face and dragging him by his ankle shackles as he pleaded for mercy and wailed, “I’m your brother! I’m scared! I’m scared!”

The governor’s news conference came just minutes after a heated, closed-door meeting with the Legislative Black Caucus that at times erupted with members cursing over his muted response to Greene’s deadly arrest.

Some caucus members asked why Edwards did not speak out or follow up more forcefully when informed of the circumstances.

“A man died in custody. You don’t ask his name? You don’t ask what happened? You don’t get any facts?” one of the caucus members said, according to audio of the meeting obtained by the AP. “This matter will not go away until there is an acknowledgement that there was a cover-up,” said another.

Edwards at one point said, “I am not going to tell you everything that has happened with the state police since I’ve been governor has been perfect.”

“They’re alleging that I have been personally involved in these things and I have not,” Edwards told the caucus.

In his news conference, the governor also denied the state House speaker’s contention that he sought to discourage a legislative inquiry into the case last year by blaming Greene’s death on a car wreck.

Edwards directly contradicted Rep. Clay Schexnayder’s account that Edwards told him just that in June and called his relation-

What is the Voting Rights Act? The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed to protect against race discrimination in voting, a problem that has plagued many U.S. jurisdictions since the passage of the 15th amendment of the Constitution in 1870.

The VRA includes numerous provisions, one of which is outlined in Section 4. This section requires jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression (including Louisiana) to submit proposed changes to the U.S. Justice Department for approval before implementation.

This section was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2013, meaning that this is the very first redistricting cycle since the passage of the VRA that Louisiana does not have to seek federal approval.

What is reapportionment?

Reapportionment is the redistribution of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives based on changes in population.

In 2011, Louisiana lost a congressional seat because of population loss in the previous 10 years. This time, Louisiana will keep the same number of seats.

The state’s population grew nearly 3%, the 10th slowest rate in the U.S. Out of 64 parishes, only 19 saw their population increase, with much of the growth focused in the southern half of the state.

A few other states will either

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

The State Capitol building sits on Sept. 29, 2020 in Downtown Baton Rouge. gain or lose a seat. Notably, Texas is gaining two seats, and Montana will have a second congressional district for the first time since 1993.

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is a way of manipulating district lines to favor a certain group, most commonly a political party or race.

Gerrymandering can happen in a variety of different ways, including packing and cracking.

Packing forces a large number of voters from one group into a single or small number of districts to lessen their power in other districts. Cracking dilutes the power of those voters into many districts.

Will the governor approve the maps?

That is the question politicos and journalists have been talking about for months. While Edwards has not explicitly stated what maps he would veto, he has offered a few comments on the general idea.

“I will veto bills that I believe suffer from defects in terms of basic fairness,” Edwards said during his monthly call-in radio show in November.

In December, Edwards expanded on what “fairness” meant to him.

“Fairness, if it can be done, would be to have two out of the six congressional districts be minority districts,” he said.

ship with the powerful Republican House speaker “especially strained.”

Schexnayder told AP outside the House chamber Tuesday that “I stand by my comment.” Asked whether his relationship with Edwards is “strained” he said, “I don’t have any ill will toward the governor.”

Leaders of Louisiana’s GOPled legislature have vowed to take action against Edwards over his handling of the Greene case.

The drama is playing out amid a more than two-year-old federal civil rights investigation into the deadly encounter and whether police brass obstructed justice to protect the troopers who arrested Greene.

Edwards expressed private frustration with the amount of time it has taken federal authorities to file charges in Greene’s death.

“Are they ever going to come out and have a charge?” the governor asked during his meeting with the lawmakers, adding he believed the troopers’ treatment of Greene had been criminal “from the very first time I saw” footage of it in October 2020.

Edwards at times struck a dejected tone during the meeting, telling the lawmakers: “This is the worst. I can’t imagine a worse day in my life than today.”

“I apologize with the core of my soul that we haven’t made the progress over the last year that I hoped to have made and that I thought we were making with state police,” he said. “I am more disappointed in me than probably you are.”

Mustian reported from New York and Bleiberg from Dallas.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Email information to editor@lsu.edu.

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The Robert Cray Band L’Auberge Casino Cousins Maine Lobster Grammy award-winning and Blues Hall of Fame inductee The Robert Cray Band will perform live at 7 p.m. The Robert Cray Band has been playing blues, soul and R&B for four decades and has over 20 albums under their belt. Tickets start at $25, and attendees must be 21 to enter.

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Tank and The Bangas with People Museum Chelsea’s Live

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Grammy-nominated and New Orleans-based band Tank and The Bangas will perform live at 8 p.m. Their music mixes funk, soul and hiphop. The group has played for numerous festivals and talk shows and unanimously won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest.

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Rebirth Brass Band Chelsea’s Live The Grammy award-winning jazz-funk band will perform live at 8 p.m. The Rebirth Brass Band combines New Orleans brass band tradition with jazz, funk, soul and R&B to create tunes they call “the soundtrack of the Crescent City.” They’ve been playing for over 35 years and have performed with bands like The Grateful Dead, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Green Day.

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Thursday, February 3, 2022

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BR Arts Council unveils Black History Month exhibition

BY VIVI NGUYEN @vivi_ngynn In honor of Black History Month, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge unveiled its newest exhibit during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.

“Through an open and honest examination of the past, the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and its Artist Advisory Board hope to impact the present and future, while highlighting Black voices and stories in an effort to promote a more just society,” the council said in a statement.

“Self Portrait” by artist, activist and gallery owner Kristen Downing is the first painting that immediately draws attention with its large size and hot pink color. It features Downing’s side profile with a white Magnolia flower tucked into her elaborately-styled hair. The viewer feels as though they are looking down on Downing, as it was painted from a high perspective.

“With my art comes history about my ancestors. A lot of these stories isn’t told in our textbooks so I use my platform and art to speak for the voiceless,” said Downing.

Two other striking pieces from Downing make up the series “Mother and Child.” With a vivid turquoise color, the first painting shows a woman sitting on a chair playing with a child on her lap. The second shows the child holding a metal pick comb while still sitting on the woman’s lap as she is adjusting the child’s shirt.

“A lot of single mothers — what I have seen from those queens was strength. I saw pain; I saw joy; I saw happiness; I saw all the struggles,” Downing said.

Photographer and founder of Visionary Blessings Antione Lacey contributed three images in celebration of the beloved Baton Rouge community activist Sadie Roberts-Joseph, who suffered an untimely death in July of 2019. The black and white images displayed were taken during the candlelight vigil of Roberts-Joseph, where hundreds gathered to honor her memory.

“I took them in black and white to give it a nostalgic, film feel to convey the emotion of what was going on,”Lacey said.

Lacey’s “Afro Lady” photograph features a woman holding a sign while donning a shirt

reading, “A True Legend Sadie Joseph Roberts.” Her facial expressions seemed to be an indi-

united the community.

“Everyone knew Mrs. Sadie and she was the founder of the

FRANCIS DINH / The Reveille

The new Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge exhibit “Healing History” hangs Jan. 26 in the new Cary Saurage Community Arts Center on 233 St. Ferdinand St. cation that while she was griefstricken, she was proud of how the legacy of Roberts-Joseph

(Baton Rouge) African-American museum as well, so my photos take place during her candle-

light, and it’s like a healing type of ceremony to let her go as our final goodbye,” Lacey said.

The people in Lacey’s photographs had lost the woman who, through her activism, made it her mission to tell the world that their lives matter.

The artists did well to keep the idea of healing in mind throughout their creative process.

“Being that person that don’t ask for help and going through your problems alone, I would want people to see this exhibit and know that it’s okay to ask for help,” said Downing. “Hopefully this exhibit will heal someone because art is healing.”

The exhibition also featured works by artists Ashli Ognelodh, Randell Henry, Kayla Magee, Mike Weary, Darlene Moore and Rayne Myers. All pieces were curated by Kristen Downing and can be found in the Shell Gallery of the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, located at 233 St. Ferdinand St. The exhibition is open to the public during regular business hours through Feb. 24.

“We envision a healthy community where color is art, not a dividing force in society,” the Arts Council stated.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

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The Lounge: the only spot on campus that serves alcohol

BY EDDY HAGE @hage_eddy The Lounge is LSU’s newest addition to dining for students and faculty. Art decor, poboys, live music and more — The Lounge features many firsts for restaurants on campus, but most notably is the only full-service sit-down dining with alcohol on campus.

Located at The LSU Club at Union Square, The Lounge is the only place on campus that sells alcohol and, with that unique honor, comes specialty cocktails.

Their specialty options include classic cocktails labeled “Core Curriculum,” and modern cocktails as “Electives.” Grey Goose, tequila, bourbon and champagne are available in the mixes. Other cocktails are also available along with beer, wine, soda, lemonade and tea.

“The drink menu features classic favorites, like an Old Fashioned and a traditional Vesper martini, along with some on-trend options, such as the spicy margarita,” Special Events Coordinator Sarah Wronkoski said.

“All cocktails feature catchy names that are a nod to LSU, like the Tigerbait cocktail, a twist on a New York sour with a red wine float, or the Early Registration, a daytime sipper with raspberry and champagne.”

The options include rotating weekly specials and seasonal cocktails. The campus senior culinary team worked in collabora-

tion with The Lounge to create the menu, and the chef’s various backgrounds are reflected in in the available dishes.

The Lounge offers diverse food options from multiple cuisines.

and cheese boards. Prices for food ranges from $8 to $15, depending on the item.

“The Shrimp Poboy features fresh Gulf shrimp on the unparalleled Leidenheimer French bread.”

are the perfect level of heat and spice, which pair perfectly with the ‘Hold That Tiger’ margarita, which balances blanco tequila with chile liqueur, fresh lime, and agave.”

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

Guests gather and try the dishes available on Jan. 28 at The Lounge at the corner of Highland Road and Veterans Drive in Baton Rouge, La. Entrees include salads, BLTs, burgers and poboys with a side of Zapp’s chips or fries. Appetizers include calamari, hummus, wings, bao, bacon-wrapped dates

Wronkoski said. “The Red Bean and Tasso hummus is a unique local play on the Mediterranean staple. And both the Sweet Heat and Chili Garlic Chicken Wings

With 20th-century architecture and vintage decor, The Lounge feels like the campus’ own speakeasy. The restaurant has recently undergone renovations to spruce

up and modernize the interior and decor. Club chairs, art deco wood panels and a grand interior make The Lounge feel like the classiest spot on campus.

“The renovation of the Lounge space consists of modern touches, which were added without losing the existing charm of its historical features,” Wronkoski said. “The original pattern of the wooden doors is reflected in the wood of the bar, the leather sofas, deep club chairs and white marble tabletops modernize the design.”

Originally an on-campus hotel and restaurant, the LSU Faculty Club was built in 1939 to provide entertainment, housing and food to Club members. Billiards, television, concerts and more were available to give faculty members a place to hang out. That original goal has stayed with The Club, which now serves anyone on campus with the hopes of bringing the community together.

Happy hour at The Lounge is Wednesdays through Fridays from 4-7 p.m., and regular hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Throughout the semester, The Lounge plans on hosting live music, trivia nights, wine tastings and other special events.

Wronkoski hopes the Lounge at the Club at Union Square becomes a popular destination for everyone on campus.

“A place where students, faculty and the general public can appreciate the charm of one of campus’ greatest gems.”

FOOD & DRINK

Switch up your Mardi Gras treats with King Cake variations

BY VIVI NGUYEN @vivi_ngyn

fun spin on the classic toaster pastry. Swing by the shop at

With the Mardi Gras holiday on the horizon, everyone is on the hunt to get their hands on some delicious seasonal pastries.

Whether you’re in search of the tastiest king cake or looking to switch it up with some alternatives, this list has got you covered. These Mardi Gras-themed options will satisfy your sweet tooth and get you in the spirit of Carnival season.

Gourmet Girls This Mardi Gras season, Gourmet Girls offers Queen Cake for the ladies, featuring a delectable champagne filling.

The newly released Mardi Gras menu also includes a wide variety of other King Cake options, including chocolate bourbon, pink champagne, strawberries and cream, cinnamon and cream cheese, along with baby King Cakes and King Cake cupcakes. The shop is located at 1660 Lobdell Ave. CounterspaceBR Just looking for a quick snack?

CounterspaceBR’s Mardi Gras Pop-Tarts are your go-to. These themed pop-tarts filled with cinnamon and cream cheese put a

3753 Perkins Road to get yours.

Creamistry of BR Winter might not be over quite yet, but Creamistry’s King Cake Creation is worth trudging through the cold. It’s made with liquid nitrogen, ice cream, whipped cream and, of course, King Cake. Stop by at 7707 Bluebonnet Blvd. to cool off with the ice cream concoction.

Reginelli’s Pizzeria Reginelli’s King Cake bread pudding is coming in hot (literally). It’s roasted to perfection, served in a cast-iron skillet and finished off with sprinkles and whipped cream. You can find it at 684 Jefferson Hwy. Gambino’s Bakery Gambino’s best-selling King Cakes come in cream cheese, strawberry, praline and Bavarian cream. These King Cakes are hand-made and baked fresh every day. The sweet Danish dough is mixed with cinnamon swirls for a rich flavor. You can order by going to 8646 Goodwood Blvd. or by visiting their website.

Elsie’s Plate & Pie Just one bite of the King Cake Pie at Elsie’s will leave you wanting more. This must-

COURTESY OF 225BATONROUGE.COM

have dish is made with cinnamon toast cereal, marshmallow crust, cream cheese and cinnamon-sugar swirl filling. Visit 3145 Government St. or Elsie’s

website to order.

PJ’s Coffee Finally, we can’t forget about specialty drinks to top things off. PJ’s King Cake flavored bev-

erages menu features the King Cake Latte, King Cake Protein Velvet Ice and the Zulu Coconut Iced Mocha. Stop by and order at 100 Lafayette St.

SPORTS GREAT NO. 8

page 8 OPINION

‘This was something that I had always dreamt of as a kid’

BY MACKAY SUIRE @macthetiger Just like any other kingdom, LSU baseball is rich in history and tradition. Among these traditions is the honor of being deemed worthy to wear the No. 8. The jersey number, similar to No. 18 for LSU football, signifies that the player is a passionate and determined leader, both on and off of the field. This year, that knight in shining armor is redshirt junior Gavin Dugas.

The Houma native was using his summer as a time to physically reset and gear up for the approaching season. About a week before he was due to return to Baton Rouge in August to prepare for the new season, Dugas received a call from new Head Coach Jay Johnson, letting him know that he would be the one to wear the time-honored jersey.

“I was just so excited,” Dugas explained. “This was something that I had always dreamt of as a kid, and it made me feel so trusted that he was comfortable enough with me representing such an honorable number. It was very eye-opening and such an exciting moment.”

Dugas was especially surprised at the coach’s words due to the little time the two had spent together since Johnson’s tenure

Column: LSU won National Signing Day DYLAN SANDERS @dillysanders

in 2009 by outfielder Mikie Mahtook, who found his place in the majors after his time at LSU. He played for the Tampa Bay Rays for a couple of seasons, and then for the Detroit Tigers for three seasons. Many of the greats from LSU’s program have donned this number on their backs – Alex

Five star linebacker, freak athlete, defensive white whale of the 2022 recruiting class Harold Perkins has signed his commitment to the LSU Tigers. According to 247 Sports rating system, he is the eighth best recruit in the class, and LSU’s 16th best recruit of all time.

I have been a huge fan of Perkins since the beginning of the recruiting cycle, so I’m actually very excited about this commitment.

Going into the day, I said that as long as LSU left with Harold Perkins it was a success.

Harold’s recruitment has been a wild one. He committed to Texas A&M on the TV broadcast of the UnderArmour All-American game on Jan. 2, only to then visit Florida on the 14th, decommit from A&M on the 24th, visit LSU on the 28th, and then announce

see DUGAS, page 9

see RECRUITS, page 9

PETER NGUYEN / The Reveille

LSU baseball redshirt junior outfield Gavin Dugas (8) hits balls in a batting cage Jan. 28, in Alex Box Stadium on Gourrier Avenue in Baton Rouge. in Baton Rouge began. Johnson, though, was certain that Dugas was exactly the person that he wanted to carry on the legacy.

“As I researched the team and players upon my arrival at LSU, Gavin was the clear-cut choice to wear No. 8 here this year,” Johnson stated. “Not only is Gavin a great player, but he is a great competitor, a leader, has elite charac-

ter and constantly has a positive effect on his teammates and everyone around him.

“Gavin will be a tremendous representative of what wearing the eight jersey at LSU means and he will add to the legacy of great players and leaders that have worn the number in the purple and gold.”

The tradition of No. 8 began

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Sloppy first half, missed layups, LSU drops five of last six

BY HENRY HUBER @HenryHuber_ After a tough stretch of the schedule that featured key injuries, strong opposition and questionable officiating, many fans expected a break from the stress with most key players back from injury and a considerably easier stretch of games. That sense of relief quickly transitioned into a chokehold of despair, as the team played its worst half of basketball against Ole Miss.

The 12.5-point favorites looked like 20-point underdogs, as LSU materialized into its worst version to date. They fell to a max deficit of 24 points with just under six minutes left in the first half, with the defense being even more ineffective than it had been against TCU in its previous game.

Ole Miss ultimately shot 65% from the field at the half and topped that off with an absurd 63.6% from three-point range on 11 attempts.

Will Wade described the first half implosion as a surprise, as he felt like the team was ready to go based on their performances at

practice and shoot-arounds.

“I thought we were ready to go,” Wade said. “It was more surprising that I got caught off guard.

Usually, I have a pretty good feeling for when we’re ready to go and when we’re not ready to go.”

A defense that gives up 60 points per game was on pace to give that number up in the first half, with Ole Miss scoring 43 points through the first 15 minutes of the period. But the Tigers finally seemed to wake up, going on a 13-2 run to finish the half with a slightly more manageable deficit of 13.

For a moment, LSU looked like the team that had beaten two top20 teams in one week, forcing turnovers, causing missed shots and converting fast breaks into points, but the disappointments from this game were not over yet.

The disappointment from the first half came from an uninspired, sluggish start that resulted in the team being put in a horrible position early in the game. The disappointment from the second half came from how many times the Tigers got within striking distance whilst failing to capture a

single lead.

They got within five points through the first seven minutes of the second half before giving up an 8-0 run in just over a minute and a half of play to place LSU in the exact same position it was in at the beginning of the half.

The Tigers got within two points with a minute and a half remaining, stole the ball on their next defensive possession and had the ball stolen. And just when they had the chance to get the stop on defense and the ball back with a full 30 seconds left, they committed a foul with just six seconds remaining on the shot clock.

They had ample opportunity to erase the mistakes they had made in the first half and failed. But the season isn’t over yet by any means, and Coach Wade believes that they can still find a way to turn this season back into a great one.

“I still believe in this team,” Wade stated. “Our margins are razor thin, particularly without Pinson at full strength, but we still have a good group and we’re going to find a way to dig something out here down the stretch.”

CHYNNA MCCLINTON / The Reveille

LSU men’s basketball sophomore forward Tari Eason (13) goes up for a shot over an Ole Miss defender Feb. 1, during LSU’s 72-76 loss against Ole Miss in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center on North Stadium Drive in Baton Rouge, La.

Thursday, February 3, 2022

page 9

DUGAS, from page 8 Bregman, Antoine Duplantis and Daniel Cabrera, who happens to be a close friend of Dugas.

A common theme within those who have been lucky enough to wear this jersey is that many of them carry their career into the majors. Though a professional baseball career is a burning desire for most who wear a college baseball uniform, the thing that stood out to Dugas about these players wasn’t their success, but their character.

“One thing I have noticed about these players is that they are all very honorable men,” he said. “They know how to lead a team. I try to resemble that ‘LSU’ way in everything that I do, and I can guarantee that I will do everything in my power to be that for the team.”

There is no doubt that those who have come before Dugas that have worn this number for the Tigers have been exceptional ballplayers. Dugas is no exception. On paper, his stats speak for him, and this outstanding player, both on the field and in the box, is an obvious asset to LSU’s arsenal of talent. Who Dugas is, beyond these stats, however, is what set him apart from others when Johnson was deciding his pick.

“Picking who wears this number means picking someone who’s

RECRUITS, from page 8 his commitment to LSU now on Feb. 2.

According to Adam Gorney of Rivals and Yahoo Sports, Perkins has dreamt of playing in Tiger Stadium for a long time. He is a New Orleans native who grew up a fan of the Saints and LSU. In the same report, Gorney mentioned that Perkins’ interest in the Tigers initially fell because of a lack of communication from Brian Kelly when he first got the job. That has now obviously changed, and LSU continually gained steam as time went on.

He wants to win. That’s what it boils down to. He believes his best chance to compete, and compete quickly is at LSU. During his recruitment, on Instagram, a Miami fan suggested going to “the No. 1 team in Florida.” His mother responded, “My son doesn’t have time to waste.” While that is a funny and ruthless comment, it may truly reflect how he feels.

Perkins brings so much to this defense. The linebackers room is losing a big name this offseason in Damone Clark, a hole that we could see Perkins fill from day one.

When you watch him play, his athleticism is instantly noticeable.

It was almost useless to watch any of his high school tape because he was just faster and stronger than anyone else on the field. He was a fantastic running back in high school and could easily be a bluechip recruit at that position as well.

Another thing that speaks to his talent that I noticed was his ability to read the quarterback’s eyes with tenacity and then close

PETER NGUYEN / The Reveille

LSU baseball redshirt junior outfield Gavin Dugas (8) reads the pitch Jan. 28, in Alex Box Stadium on Gourrier Avenue in Baton Rouge. selfless; someone who puts the needs of the team above their own,” Johnson explained. “Moving into the season, that’s what we will continue to need from him.

We just need Gavin to be Gavin.”

Though the players chosen to represent the Tigers in the No. 8 jersey have all displayed similar

qualities, Dugas hopes that he can represent a leader as someone who also has their fair share of doubt or weaknesses.

“I just want to represent this number and everyone that wore it before me by being myself,” Dugas explained. “I made a promise to my team to embrace every role

that every player needs me to be, no matter what that may entail. I want to be that guy that I would go to for help myself. I need help sometimes too, both physically and mentally, so I just want to be that type of role model.”

Dugas himself has had many role models that he admires and

on the ball to make a play. The first player that came to mind when watching him play was Tyrann Mathieu. Just watching him strip

tackles, 26.5 tackles for a loss, 14 pass break-ups, nine sacks, seven turnovers and three defensive touchdowns. That’s just

this, outside of the Perkins signing itself, is a masterclass of closing the deal that newly-returned Associate Head Coach Frank Wil-

MATTHEW PERSCHALL / The Reveille

Mike the Tiger runs across the endzone in celebration on Nov. 20, during LSU’s 27-14 victory over ULM in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. the ball brought back memories of the Honey Badger. Obviously, those are huge shoes to fill and I won’t expect that much out of him, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he has at least a fraction of that impact on the Tigers.

During three years of varsity football, Perkins accrued 128

on defense. On offense, he had over 2,600 rushing yards, 37 rushing touchdowns, over 750 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches. It’s just some absurd output for his high school career, and so many avenues he found success through.

The biggest thing to glean from

son put on. He was a huge part of Brian Kelly’s new staff, and this shows exactly why. He was the lead guy on the case to get Perkins to LSU and he succeeded.

The future of LSU recruiting is still in good hands, despite what some of the fans felt at the very beginning of the Kelly tenure.

credits his character to.

“I’ve been around a lot of great people in my life,” he reflected.

“But my family, in general, have been my biggest role models in my life. They taught me how to carry myself as a human being, how to treat people with respect and honor and how to respect myself. I try to always carry this aspect of keeping my head down and working hard while leading by example. I always do my best to resemble the type of people my parents are.”

So far for Dugas, this method of building the type of person he wishes to be has been paying off.

In regard to the future of this season and his role as a leader, Dugas says that his main focus is now, the present. And in less than 20 days, that is exactly what Dugas will have to do.

Coming up for the Tigers in their first matchup is Maine on Friday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m., right here in Alex Box Stadium.

As Dugas has been a constant leader within LSU’s program, there should be no doubt that his character will continue to drive his team, and himself, into what is projected to be a phenomenal season.

“I’m trying to take this season one step at a time, day by day,” he explained. “Right now, I am just so excited to take the field with these guys.”

Last Monday, LSU offered 3-star cornerback Jaelyn DavisRobinson out of Waxahachie, Texas. Nine days later, the Tigers landed his commitment, and got him to sign.

Davis-Robinson is the 47thranked cornerback, 71st-ranked prospect in the state of Texas, and the 491st-ranked overall recruit in the Class of 2022 (according to the 247sports Composite Rankings).

He came to Baton Rouge four days after LSU offered him, and we were not the only ones he visited. Boston College, Oregon, UNLV and Wyoming all got him to take a visit to their school. However, LSU, his most recent offer, was able to make the biggest impact.

The 6-foot, 175-pound prospect is the lone player from Texas to sign with the Tigers, but he joins 4-star Laterrance Welch as the two cornerbacks in the LSU high school recruiting class. Jarrick Bernard, a transfer from Oklahoma State, and Greg Brooks Jr., a transfer from Arkansas, join the pair as cornerback newcomers for the upcoming season.

Davis-Robinson, who runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, is a physical defender, and stays on top of the player he’s defending.

He can even drop back and play more of a nickel role, or even safety.

It’s always great when the Tigers land out-of-state prospects, especially when they are in opponent territory. Despite LSU making an offer late, this commitment will prove to be valuable in the long run.

Tyler Harden contributed to this report.

Classifieds

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THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 Chicken __ king 4 Word attached to driver or ball 9 Canned meat 13 Melon casing 15 Popeye’s love 16 “Old King __ was a merry…”

17 Spouse 18 Part of a suit jacket 19 Thoroughfare 20 Comfy chairs 22 Whitney & Wallach 23 Boys 24 Color 26 McCallum & Arquette 29 Moisture 34 Dark wood 35 Half of a ’60s folk rock group 36 Place to park 37 Suffix for respect or replace 38 Poe’s bird 39 Desert in Asia 40 Journal 41 Cartoon cat 42 “Terrific!”

43 Frightens suddenly 45 Phil Mahre & Picabo Street 46 Words before a honeymoon 47 Fishing worm, e.g.

48 __ splints; runner’s ailment 51 Portico 56 “__ is not to reason why…”

57 Steer clear of 58 Wheel tracks 60 Sheet of ice 61 Josh with 62 Foot warmer 63 Prepares animal hide 64 Wrapped up 65 Timid around others DOWN 1 Location of the humerus 2 Fibber 3 Prefix before chamber 4 3-dimensional figures in geometry

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews

5 Hatfields & McCoys 6 Like a soft peach 7 Hardly __; seldom 8 Cardiff resident 9 Examine job applicants 10 Popular spot in summer 11 Jai __ 12 Prescriptions, for short 14 Courteously refuse 21 Woman 25 Shake-__; drastic reorganizations 26 Distributes cards 27 Man of the cloth 28 Europe’s longest river 29 Bette or Viola 30 Tip-top 31 Skip the big ceremony 32 Not smashed 33 Uses a coffee spoon 35 Not at all ruddy-faced

2/3/22

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC All Rights Reserved.

38 Move 39 Stringed instruments 41 Bouquet delivery co.

42 Dermatologist’s concern 44 Pours water over 45 Made wood smooth

2/3/22

47 U.S. state capital 48 Velvety 49 Island dance 50 Press clothes 52 GE appliance 53 Washerful 54 Singing couples 55 Engrave 59 Wild blue yonder

OPINION

page 11

Practice minding your business this Black History Month GOOD FORTUNES GIDEON FORTUNE

@gidfortune

This column is the closest you should get to Black business this month.

Black History Month is a time of year where we focus predominantly on the past triumphs of Black people. W.E.B. Dubois’ teachings, Maya Angelou’s writings, George W. Carver’s inventions and Martin Luther King’s activism, to name a few. Learning about history is essential to moving towards a bright future.

Nobody can question the importance of this facet of Black History Month.

While the celebration is all good and well, there is not much action in it. Funnily enough, the best action non-Black people can take is no action. Leave us alone this Black History Month. Celebration often borders on annoyance; we can do it ourselves. The most significant transgression committed on Black History Month is annoying a Black person. We only

have one month, the last thing we should encounter are annoyances.

An excellent start to making the lives of Black people easier is getting out of the way. I should be treated like Moses when walking through the Quad this month. Not having to think about altering my strides sounds like an ideal Black History Month.

Black people love to celebrate.

Having a good time is in our blood. No matter the situation or the potential consequences, Black people will have a good time, and you’ll hear the laughs. This month, when you inevitably hear it, mind your business. If you see someone blasting music out loud or singing at the top of their lungs, mind your business.

When that suburban comes through your neighborhood swerving and playing YoungBoy so loud that you can feel it vibrating inside of you, just nod your head in approval. While it is pretty obnoxious and does not consider others, that’s an experience Black people often encounter. It is only fitting that it is flipped this month.

Minding your business goes further than ignoring the nega-

tive. It also includes not indulging in the activities of which you approve. Do not try to dance with me, do not ask for a plate and do not dare ask to hit my joint. Black people are not gatekeepers. If you seem cool enough to partake, we will give you the go-ahead. Otherwise, keep your hands to yourself.

Keeping your glances to yourself is also a good practice. Black women and Black transwomen are subjected to more dirty looks than any other members of our society.

Give them some well-deserved and overdue privacy this month.

You may be looking at this column already looking forward to the sins of March. This article is about Black History Month, but these sentiments extend beyond the Gregorian calendar. Minding your business should be observed all the time, and minding Black business is a most egregious sin.

Any editing of this article for publication purposes is, in my eyes, an act of explicit racism.

Gideon Fortune is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from New York, NY, and Entertainment Editor for The Reveille.

QUICK TAKES

ARE YOU SAVORING COLLEGE OR WAITING FOR GRADUATION? Growing up, college was always portrayed as a great time, and I can unapologetically say that popular culture got it right. I am having a blast in college, and every day is a new adventure with new possibilities and new people. As for graduation, I try not to think about that too much.

Charlie Stephens @charliestephns

I don’t know whether I’m looking forward to moving onto the next chapter in life or seeing graduation as a bittersweet moment. It seems like it would be a waste if I only focused on graduating instead of using the short time that’s left to make memories at LSU while I still can.

Drake Brignac @drakebrignac

I’m looking forward to graduating and not having to go to class anymore, but I have enjoyed my college experience so far. I’m not one for sentiment generally, but I do think that when I graduate college I’m going to miss it. That’s partially because of how much I like LSU, but also because we tend to see the past with rose-colored glasses.

Frank Kidd @FK446852315

I am very much looking forward to graduation. However, that is because I am graduating in May. I believe that if I wasn’t a senior, I wouldn’t be counting down the days to graduation as much. Whenever I was a freshman, I enjoyed college. But now that I am a senior, I do have major senioritis.

Kacey Buercklin @0kacey1

As a senior graduating in May, I can say that college went by way too fast. I was expected to go to high school and then expected to go to college and now expected to be an adult. So I am savoring every moment of my last semester and trying to enjoy my classes and time with my friends before I enter the adult world.

Lura Stabilier @lstabilier3 THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Lara Nicholson Enjanae’ Taylor Josh Archote

Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor

Bella Dardano

Deputy News Editor

Claire Sullivan

Opinion Editor

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University.

The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to editor@lsu.edu or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Quote of the Week “One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple.”

Jack Kerouac American novelist 1922 — 1969

Thursday, February 3, 2022

page 12

We should thank millennials for rewriting the rules of marriage THE STABILIER SCOOP LURA STABILIER @lstabilier3 Millennials and Gen Z are pushing back against traditional marriage norms and making their own rules.

According to Pew Research Center, only 44% of millennials were married in 2019, compared to 53% of Gen X and 61% of Baby Boomers. Millennials also fall behind previous generations in childbirth rates and are less likely to live in a family unit.

The oldest of millennials are 40 years old, while the oldest of Gen Z are 24. It is too early to determine exact marriage statistics for Gen Z, but if they follow the current trend, they will likely choose to marry even later than millennials, if they choose to marry at all.

Some blame this disinterest toward marriage on the prevalence of hookup culture. The American Psychological Association describes hookup culture as brief, uncommitted sexual encounters between individuals who are not romantic partners.

Although commitment does not seem to be a popular choice among younger generations, this is not because of a strong desire to remain single. Rather, the rules of dating and relationships have simply changed.

We now live in a world where apps like Instagram, Snapchat, Bumble and Tinder play a big part in forming romantic relationships. It is normal for couples to live together before engagement or marriage. Before

tying the knot, many couples sign prenuptial agreements.

People are taking a more realistic approach to marriage, prioritizing financial security and individualism.

And let’s be honest, how much can you really know about yourself and your future in your early 20s? I could not tell you what I am eating for lunch tomorrow, much less my aftercollege plans or when I plan to marry and start a family.

Pew Research Center found the three main reasons people say they remain unmarried are not finding the right person, being financially unprepared and not wanting to settle down. People are taking more time to get to know their partners than in decades prior, and also seem to consider financial security and a stable career prerequisites to marriage.

With feminism at the forefront of social conversation, women are more valued in the workplace than ever before.

Many women prioritize career goals over marriage and family goals. The role of men as breadwinners and women as homemakers is luckily a dying tradition.

The success of millennials’ attitudes toward dating and marriage are evident in the 24% decline in the U.S. divorce rate since the 1980s.

So, let’s thank millennials for rewriting the rules. I hope Gen Z continues to push back against traditional marriage norms.

Lura Stabiler is a 21-year-old journalism senior from Baton Rouge.

CARTOON BY EMILY TRAN

Desexualization of brand mascots an injustice, calls for riot DRAKE’S TAKES

DRAKE BRIGNAC @drakebrignac The never-ending attacks of the woke mob have reached a new low. Not even our favorite brand mascots are safe.

In a Jan. 21 segment, Tucker Carlson—America’s favorite Swanson-stepchild-turned-populist pundit—spoke about the Mars Corporation’s decision to revise their M&M mascots to make them

more inclusive. The green M&M will trade her “sexy boots” for “frumpy shoes” and the brown M&M will trade her stilettos for block heels.

“M&M’s will not be satisfied until every last cartoon character is deeply unappealing and deeply androgynous until the moment you wouldn’t want to have a drink with any one of them,” Carlson said. “Once you’re totally turned off, we’ve achieved equity.”

Tucker Carlson exposing M&M’s, like a modern Paul Revere, gives America an early warn-

ing about the progressive assault on our beloved corporate images.

The modern age will topple mascot after mascot. Our classic, at times awkwardly-adult branding from our most banal products will be a thing of the past.

Imagine that future. The Brawny man will ditch his flannel in a forest for a graphic tee in a coffee shop. The Chiquita banana woman will don a pantsuit. The Michelin Man will put on pants.

Mrs. Butterworth might even get divorced.

We aren’t our Puritan forbear-

ers; we are red-blooded Americans. We want to see Mr. Clean seductively shake his butt. We want to see more mascots like Schick razor robots with masculine, muscle-like limbs or feminine bosoms because it’s our right to needlessly sexualize inanimate objects and nonexistent characters.

Like Carlson said, why would I even consider buying a product if I can’t see myself having a cocktail with its brand mascot? After all, consumers are just lumbering homunculi. It’s not like we have

the capacity to feel more than our base instincts.

The anger of the M&M’s rebrand is not just a media pundit overreacting to boost ratings or a company virtue signaling through its fictional, anthropomorphic chocolate dollops to sell more candy.

No, it is a flat-out assault on American life.

Drake Brignac is a 21-year-old political communication and political science senior from Baton Rouge.

CARTOON BY EMILY TRAN