The Student Printz: November 4, 2020

SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • NOVEMBER 4, 2020 | VOLUME 106 | ISSUE 13

JAZZ BAND THEME

PG 3

HIGH ENROLLMENT PG 5

QUEEN NAIJA ALBUM PG 7

Southern Miss stalls in conference matchup against Rice

CHARLIE LUTTRELL SPORTS EDITOR

Transfer quarterback Trey Lowe III makes his debut for Southern Miss after Jack Abraham leaves with an injury against Rice.

Photo by Sean Smith | Printz

outhern Miss (1-5, 1-2 Conference USA) failed to score a touchdown in its conference matchup against Rice University, ending up in a 30-6 blowout.

“I really thought we played hard today,” Interim Head Coach Tim Billings said. “But at some point and time, we’ve got to execute. We got behind. We had

three turnovers in the first half and two of them were on our half of the field. That gave them momentum[,] and we gave up a couple of big plays defensively in the first half.”

The Golden Eagles once again failed to stop its opponents’ success in passing the ball, allowing Rice’s quarterback Mike Collins to throw four touchdowns. Collins

finished with 233 yards, getting 12 completions for 17 attempts.

“We had a good [game plan] coming in, we just didn’t execute well enough,” Southern Miss linebacker Hayes Maples said.

“That’s it, really.”

Southern Miss started the game successfully by moving the ball downfield, but could not score.

On the first drive, the Golden

Eagles drove into the redzone, but failed to convert on a fourth and two situation. Cornerback Miles McCord stopped another redzone drive by intercepting a pass from quarterback Jack Abraham.

Southern Miss’s defense made a goal line stop on the next drive

CONT. ON PG 8

NEWS

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

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MEET THE STAFF Executive Editor

Brian Winters brian.s.winters@usm.edu

News & Features Editor Mary Murphy mary.s.murphy@usm.edu

Entertainment/Opinion Editor Meg Fuller meghan.fuller@usm.edu

Sports Editor

Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu

Photography Editor

Meg Fuller meghan.fuller@usm.edu

Multimedia Editor

Blair Ballou blair.ballou@usm.edu

Social Media Editor

Bethany Morris bethany.morris@usm.edu

Design Editor

Marissa Haas marissa.haas@usm.edu

Courtesy of MofďŹ tt Health Center

The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submission must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@ gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

BRIAN WINTERS EXECUTIVE EDITOR

n October 29, 2020, the Student Printz published an article about the Moffitt Health Center and the steps the Moffitt takes for quarantine. The Moffitt Health Center was not contacted for comment for the article, and the article was unpublished from the website. After the Moffitt Health Center is contacted, the story will be updated and republished. The Student Printz regrets not contacting the Moffitt Health Center for comment.

NEWS

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

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Little Big is theme for Southern Miss Jazz Lab Band’s Fall Concert BRIAN WINTERS EXECUTIVE EDITOR he University of Southern Mississippi Jazz Lab Band will present its Fall concert of its 2020-21 season in a live streaming event from Marsh Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.

The program, unlike previous years, will feature music for a Little Big Band, a reduced size ensemble.

A traditional big band includes four trumpets, four trombones and five saxes along with a rhythm section of drums, bass, guitar and piano. The Little Big Band, meanwhile, only features seven to eight horns with a rhythm section.

“This is actually something I have wanted to do for a long time, but always felt compelled to do traditional big bands in order to provide performance opportunities for as many students as possible during their studies at Southern Miss,” said Larry Panella, Director of Jazz Stud-

Photo courtesy of University of Southern Mississippi Jazz Lab Band

ies. “Now, because of COVID-19 rehearsal space restrictions, we’ve ventured into this new direction and the students are really enjoying the music and the more open setting it provides for soloists and ensemble performance.”

The COVID-19 pandemic and its social distancing requirements made it so that a Little Big Band is a much more viable performing option. Though made famous in such landmark recordings as Miles Davis’ ‘Birth of the Cool’ and saxophonist

Art Pepper’s ‘Art Pepper +11’, the Little Big Band previously was mostly viable as a cost saving measure while touring.

Now, artists such as the late Maynard Fergusen, Michael Bublé, and Harry Connick Jr. have routinely used this smaller sized band for backing for vocal performances during COVID-19. This pandemic has resulted in a chance to explore new and old music in a format that straddles the genres of the Big Band and combo.

The Jazz Lab Bands are conducted by Larry Panella, Director of Jazz Studies and Gabriel Scavassa Borin, Graduate Assistant to the Jazz Studies Program. Works by Marty Paich from the ‘Art Pepper +11’ album along with arrangements by Mike Tomaro and Rob McConnell will be performed.

While not open to a public audience, the concert will be streamed free of charge on the School of Music’s YouTube channel at youtube. com/usmmusic1.

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NEWS

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM Southern Miss defies national trends, reaches highest enrollment in six years

Photo courtesy of University of Southern Mississippi Facebook page

BRIAN WINTERS EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Additionally, the Class of 2024 he University of South- set a university record with the highest average GPA of 3.45 ern Mississippi anand average ACT score of 23.06. nounced enrollment Similar to total enrollment, numbers for the Fall Southern Miss students are per2020 semester, with a total enrollment at its highest level since forming well above the national average. The official ACT web2014.

Southern Miss reported that its site reported that the average ACT composite score declined total Fall 2020 enrollment rate is 14,606, a 473-student increase this year to 20.6, the lowest level from the Fall 2019 enrollment of in 10 years.

The average ACT score rep14,133. In realizing a 3.3 perresents an increase of nearly a cent increase, Southern Miss is defying the national enrollment full point from the average Fall 2013 figure of 22.074, while the trend. The National Student average GPA (3.21) that same Clearinghouse Research Center year is nearly a quarter point recently reported a 1.4 percent higher. decrease in undergraduate “The University of Southern enrollment at public four-year Mississippi has demonstrated universities due in part to comthat our institution’s forward plications from COVID-19.

progress has not been interrupted by the events of the past year,” University President Rodney Bennett said. “The grit and determination of our people allow USM to succeed even in challenging times. What this institution, propelled by our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, is accomplishing would be noteworthy in any year — increased academic achievement, record fundraising, and now a substantial enrollment increase — but it is truly remarkable[,] given the challenges of 2020.”

University leaders point to a continued focus on retention and graduation as a reason for the increased enrollment numbers. Since 2015, the University has established numerous offices

to facilitate a seamless transition to Southern Miss, and developed multiple programs to enhance student success. These investments are paying off. In Fall 2020, freshman retention rates have been the highest in four years, with new transfer students from last year also returning at the highest rate on record.

“This fall, we were thrilled to see the increased retention of students, despite the many challenges of the pandemic,” Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Steven R. Moser said. “Our students are determined and resilient, and we look forward to supporting their accomplishments in and out of the classroom with new and ongoing student success efforts.”

ENTERTAINMENT

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

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‘Social Distance’ feels repetitive, but truthful MEG FULLER ENTERTAINMENT/OPINION EDITOR hile quarantine documentaries and films feel a bit repetitive, ‘Social Distance’, released on Netflix Oct. 15, seems all too real compared to the apocalypse-type genre many directors are turning to.

Though it’s no shocker that there’s yet another pandemic-related release from the entertainment industry, this show tends to hit on real life issues that many of its contemporaries are missing. With various characters struggling with alcoholism, death, depression and job loss, ‘Social Distance’ feels more like a reality show than an anthology series.

Many episodes and various issues seem extremely relatable, especially the feelings of loneliness or confusion from the characters. After all, no one truly knew what to expect when COVID-19 first began. Now, we have shows that allow us to see that our feelings were valid all along.

It’s a given that its creator, Hilary Weisman Graham, had to go to great lengths in order to create such a show in the middle of a pandemic. This is shown

best in the structure of the show itself.

All of the actors throughout the series are filming within their homes, sometimes with their families. However, some of the episodes feel extremely drawn out and repetitive as a result.

In “A Celebration of the Human Life Cycle”, Oscar Nuñez stars in what could only be described as a poorly executed Zoom call of an extremely painful memorial service. I don’t say “painful” due to the situation at hand, but due to the acting. Throughout the episode, the memorial seems more drawn out and awkward than it should be. The writers definitely could have added more to the scenes instead of the countless “muting difficulty” jokes that Zoom users are tired of hearing.

Because the episodes only last for twenty minutes, the acting should feel more rushed and energized. However, in episodes such as “Delete All Future Events”, many of the scenes feel stale.

Granted, there is little to no room for setting alterations due to the pandemic, but creativity in the entertainment industry is far from scarce. They could have at least brought up the energy a bit.

While most quarantine work that has been released throughout 2020 has proven necessary to keep the entertainment

Illustration by Marissa Haas | Printz

industry alive, this series overall seems to be lacking. Because the pandemic is still happening, it doesn’t truly make sense for the show to explain the effects of quarantine on human life. This is due to the fact that we don’t truly know how this story will end. So any conclusion an audience can hope is dashed away.

While many of the experiences that are portrayed throughout the show feel extremely accurate, the show seems to be making light of the situation at times.

While the show succeeded in the comedic aspects of the pandemic through technology issues and familial hilarity, it fell short in relation to the serious side of a global pandemic that has killed millions.

‘Social Distance’ has its flaws, but it truly proves how a show about a pandemic is actually relatable, especially now.

‘The Celluloid Closet’ shows the hardships of queer culture SARAH BURSE PRINTZ REPORTER he Celluloid Closet’, based on Vito Russo’s 1981 book of the same name, is an eye-opening documentary to watch.

The film, which was directed and written

by Rob Epstein and Jeffery Friedman, was initially released in 1995. It talks about homosexuality in early Hollywood films, and how queer actors and directors have attempted to portray it despite severe censorship.

“In 100 years, homosexuality has only rarely been depicted on the screen, if it did appear it was there for something to laugh at, pity or even something to fear,” Russo explained.

In the early days of film, homosexuality was a forbidden subject to talk about or depict. However, movies were starting to be heavily censored in 1934. This is due in part to the Federation of Women’s Club, which pushed for the censorship of movies that didn’t depict things entirely socially and religiously moral. This included, but was not limited to, open-mouthed kissing, lustful embraxes, “sex perversion”, seduction, rape, abortion, prostitution, white slavery, nudity, obscentity and profanity.

“We hope that it will not be necessary to close all of the motion picture housing because of some of the ones that are not desirable, but that we have cleaner and better motion pictured so that they stay open,”

Photo courtesy of The Film Experience

Gustav Ketterer, a founding member of the Federation of Women’s Club, said in one speech about censorship.

Because of this, the older, vintage films that were shown throughout the documentary

never spoke about homosexuality directly.

The audience instead used clues from the character’s mannerisms to discover whether or not a character was gay, and see how they should be treated accordingly. Usually, they

were not treated well. In the background of several interviews throughout the film, black and white films showed viewers how homosexuality was used as a joke.

This film also features a lot of actors talking about their experiences as LGBTQ+ people in Hollywood, showing how fictional depictions of homosexuality affected their real lives. Some of the actors that spoke with Epstein and Friendman included Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin, Quentin Crisp, Susie Bright and Richard Dyer.

The actors in the movie talked about watching certain films which featured coded gay characters as children. For people of the LGBTQ+ community who have a hard time finding other people like them, television and media are like their guide. But this was not enough for many of them. They were unable to be themselves, and if they acted like they wanted to, they were put into a box of isolation from the outside society. The films shown throughout ‘The Celluloid Closet’ influenced kids who were homosexual how to act, and rarely served as good models.

“Your ideas about who you are don’t just come from inside you, they come from the culture- and from this culture, it comes from the movies,” said actor Richard Dyer.

Before watching the film, I didn’t know it was a documentary. ‘The Celluloid Closet’ made me realize how hard it had to been to be a homosexual or queer actor before the 2000s. Even now, some celebrities find it hard to come out as LGBTQ+. Homosexual actors should not have to hide who they are and should have an avenue to express themselves on film.

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 ‘Bad Hair’ is relatable, terrifying

ENTERTAINMENT

SARAH BURSE PRINTZ REPORTER

ad Hair’, which released Oct. 23, is a horror film that was written and directed

by Justin Simien. It captures both the relatable and horrific struggles of black women in the 80s

due to their hair.

Many people know of Simien because of his show ‘Dear White People’, which currently has three seasons on Netflix. This film, however, is different from Simien’s comedy-drama. This horror film, though it still features Simien’s signature sense of humor, tackles its subjects differently. This is due to its subject matter, which shows why weaves became so popular in the black community.

‘Bad Hair’ is set in Los Angeles in the 80s, when black women were moving into corporate America and in the business world.

For decades, black women’s natural hair was -- and is still -- seen as unprofessional. Some black women wore weaves so they could get the same opportunities that white women received. They could spend as much as $1,000 for a good weave that looks natural.

The struggles of “looking professional”

didn’t end once a black woman actually bought a weave. In the 80s, weave was typically sewn in with a curved needle and thread. The hair was braided around the head and then each track (a piece of hair) would be sewn into the braided hair and then pulled tightly.

This film may be a horror film, but I was more frightened by the parts in the movie that were normal. I was triggered by the horrific events black women had to go through to feel accepted and beautiful. Watching the main character get her hair sewn into her scalp made me cringe. As a black woman, I can tell you from experience that getting hair sewn in is painful. Not only was it painful to get my hair sewn, but it also hurt other black women who wore their hair naturally. These women were teased by both white and black people, as natural hair wasn’t seen as attractive nor characteristic of a black person.

This is best shown in the very beginning of the film. ‘Bad Hair’ begins with Anna, the main character, getting a relaxer by her older sister. For those who have not endured the pain of a relaxer, let me explain. A relaxer is a chemical that is used to straighten hair. It starts to burn at around 15 minutes, but you must keep it in, or it doesn’t work. I remember being seven-years-old with my scalp on fire, screaming for my mom to wash it out.

Anna was also clearly in pain throughout,

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Illustration by Marissa Haas | Printz

but her sister was not sympathetic. Her sister, who was light skinned, naturally had long, straight hair, so didn’t understand why she struggled so much with the relaxer. Anna’s sister tried to keep her using the relaxer by saying, “Your hair wouldn’t be nappy and maybe you can pass as my sister.”

This quote is the reason why black women in the film felt the need to have straight hair.

From childhood, black girls are told they are not beautiful, especially by people who look just like them. The only thing more heart-

breaking than this is how relatable it still is today.

‘Bad Hair’ is a great horror movie. I was so scared after watching this film, I almost threw away all my wigs. However, the film brought up some great points about self-love despite societal pressures. I would gladly watch another film by Justin Simien after ‘Bad Hair’, and recommend others do the same.

All hits, no misses with Queen Naija’s debut ‘Missunderstood’ JAKORI BEAUCHAMP PRINTZ REPORTER he R&B and Soul singer Queen Naija returned this Friday with her debut album, simply titled ‘Missunderstood’. After two years of an iffy Queen Naija fandom status, I can truly say this album was worth the wait and deserves the hype.

Queen Naija originally dropped four singles before the album, including the sleeper hit “Butterflies Pt.2”, the follow up to her platinum song “Butterflies” on her debut EP. These singles are also featured throughout the album. All of the singles she dropped were enjoyable, which heightened my anticipation for the album.

‘Missunderstood’ has a lot of features throughout, including rappers Russ and Toosii, R&B singers Kiana Lede, Lucky Daye and Jacquees, along with Instagram comedian Pretty Vee. All of them worked really well with the material, which only added to the crisp production value throughout the project.

The highlights of ‘Missunderstood’ were the songs “Too Much to Say”, “Dream”, “Pressure” and “Trial and Error”. The subject matter, production and instrumentation on “Too Much to Say” was immaculate, making it a great album opener. Queen Naija talked about her struggles with abuse, her divorce, co-parenting and alluded to sexual abuse within the lyrics of the song. She left no room for error with the album opener

Illustration by Marissa Haas | Printz

since it dealt with such heavy topics, and was unflinching in her discussion of her struggles.

The song “Dream”, featuring up and coming R&B artist Lucky Daye,

was my favorite cut of the album. The instrumentation within that song was simply immaculate, with the instruments complementing both Daye’s and Naija’s voice. Queen Naija and Lucky Daye’s

tones complimented each other very well with very little clash. The best part of the song was the bridge, which served as the climax of the song.

The next song, “Pressure”, is another one of my highlights for the album because it is truly an R&B song. In this day and age, the R&B and Soul genres aren’t truly R&B or Soul anymore. They use more hip-hop or trap beats and instrumentation, with so-called R&B singers performing over them. It is quite rare to find mainstream R&B or Soul music that maintains its initial instrumentation.

“Pressure” is one of these songs, with the instrumentation, vocals and lyrics that made this one of my favorite album cuts on ‘Missunderstood’.

Finally, “Trial and Error” was my last highlight of the album because of the subject matter. In “Trial and Error”, Naija talks about the problems of staying relevant on social media, especially regarding topics she does not always know about. As someone who grew up in the social media age, it’s very easy to be judged and get ridiculed for harboring some ignorance towards certain subjects and topics. It also makes it easier for people to sit on their high horses, acting as if they are above making mistakes by deleting it off the Internet. So, I ended up relating to this song a lot more than anything else on the album.

The overall instrumentation, vocals, lyrics and creativity of ‘Missunderstood’ make it a very standout R&B project for this year. I am excited to see what Queen Naija has in the future and what will become of this album era.

SPORTS CONT. FROM PG. 1 and limited Rice to a field goal.

However, as Southern Miss stalled on offense, the Owls continued to roll on.

At the beginning of the second quarter, Collins passed to wide receiver Austin Trammell, who broke past the Golden Eagles’ secondary for a 72-yard touchdown. The Owls recovered the kick-off and scored on its first play of the next drive with another touchdown pass from Collins to wide receiver Jake Bailey.

Southern Miss responded to its 16-0 deficit with a 45-yard field goal from kicker Briggs Bourgeois in the middle of the second quarter. However, on the next drive, Abraham fumbled and was injured in a scramble. Abraham did not return to the game and finished with 12 completions on

Photos by Sean Smith | Printz

NOVEMBER 4, 2020 17 attempts for 112 yards. The fumble also set up another Rice touchdown, as Collins passed to Trammell for a 13-yard score.

Quarterback Trey Lowe III, a recent transfer from West Virginia, stepped in to make his debut as a Golden Eagle. After Rice fumbled a punt, Lowe led the offense down the field with three straight completions to set up a field goal before halftime. Southern Miss went into the locker room at halftime down 23-6.

Lowe described going on the field for the first time at Southern Miss.

“My teammates were hyped up for me and I was excited to be out there,” Lowe said. “I’ve been waiting [for] my opportunity[,] whenever it was going to come[,] and it just so happened to be today.”

Southern Miss prevented Rice from scoring in the third quarter, but could not get any points on the

board, either. The Golden Eagles stopped the Owls on a fourth and one at the eight-yard line. On its next drive, linebacker Santrell Latham sacked Collins to force a punt.

“I really thought we challenged the guys and defensively, we finally started playing better in the second half and I was happy with that,” Billings said.

However, Southern Miss’s offense only accumulated 54 yards and passed the ball three times in the second half. Lowe finished his debut with five completions on six attempts for 57 yards.

With six minutes remaining, Trammell grabbed his third touchdown of the day with a 14yard reception to put Rice up 306. Trammell finished with seven catches for 143 yards. He has earned five touchdowns through Rice’s first two games.

Rice continued to run out the clock in the fourth quarter with

WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM the services of running back Juma Otoviano. Otoviano finished the game with 111 rushing yards on 25 carries.

Wide receiver Tim Jones checked in with Southern Miss for the first time since his injury against Louisiana Tech. Jones finished with three catches for 33 yards, all of which came in the first half. Wide receiver Jason Brownlee remained at the top of his game, with five catches for 35 yards.

Maples describes what he believes the team can improve on for next week’s matchup.

“We’ve got a great team and we’ve got enough talent for anybody,” Maples said. “It’s just putting it all together, coming back to work every day and trying to get better every day throughout the season.”

Southern Miss will play next on Nov. 7 against North Alabama.