CAMPUS SEES SURGE IN VIRUS CASES SEE PAGE 3
October 2020
Bethune-Cookman University • Daytona Beach, Florida
Wildcats ready to get back on the field B-CU’s starting quarterback Devon Black says team is itching to play
By Julian Bacon Special to the VOICE Fall is when the Wildcats football team usually suits up to take the field but not this year. Because of the coronavirus and concerns about it spreading, the 2020 season has been far from anything that could’ve been predicted. The decision to cancel the fall season, while disappointing, could turn out to be positive in some ways, according to the team’s redshirt starting quarterback Devin Black. “The time off gave everyone time to focus on themselves. So, now that we’re back together, the comradery should make us a very solid unit,” Black says, adding the Wildcats are now a more cerebral team and will be fighting hard every time they take the field. “We’ve always had naysayers saying that this won’t be our year or that we aren’t good enough. It's added fuel to the fire and caused us to become more focused and determined,” he says. A native of Tampa and graduate of Armwood High School, Black was highly recruited by colleges in Iowa, Louisville, Tennessee, as well as the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University. “I had a lot offers …but they were not really interested in me. They offered me verbally but I didn’t get the paperwork,” he said, adding he found the place for him at Bethune-Cookman University, where officials solidified their offer in writing with a scholarship. “Colleges only take two quarterback (recruits) a year,” Black says. “When I came to B-CU, they had three freshmen quarterbacks including me.” Black, 21, started playing football when he was 7, following in the footsteps of an older brother. A junior majoring in mass communications, Black says this was supposed to be his year to lead the team. The Wildcats are just resuming workouts after a six-month quarantine period that had players and coaches separated. Continued to page 3.
Shortly before publication, B-CU officials cancels all athletics for the spring semester, including football.
What's inside:
PAGE 2 OPINIONS
PAGE 3
PAGE 4, 5 FEATURES
PAGE6?
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OPINIONS
October 2020
The Voice of the Wildcats is written, edited and published by members of the student body at Bethune-Cookman University. All opinions are solely those of the author.
Students share their first time voting experience By Sidney P. Brown Voice Sports Editor
Feature Writers Sayvon Shaw Amber Courtney Entertainment Timothy Moss, Music Sports Writers Julian Bacon, Reporter Sydney Brown, Editor News Writers Photographers Victor Minikwu, Eugene Robinson Joshua Payne, Elijah Morris, Sikera Murray Layout Editor Tatiana Tyler-Addison Publication Director Dr. Keith O. Hilton
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
Sidney P. Brown has officially cast his first ever votes! Usually I write about sports, but I decided to switch it up for once and tackle an even bigger story. On Saturday, Oct. 24, I achieved an important milestone--voting in my first ever election! I remember back to 2016 when I was only 15 years old…when I was too young to vote and wondering what the next four years would be like after Republican Donald Trump was declared
the winner of the presidential election against the Democrat nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was considered one of the most pivotal elections ever before! But it’s not nearly as pivotal as this year’s election. That was my thought process entering in the Fletcher Town Hall in North Carolina to officially cast my vote. Leading up to Saturday, I had been told by so many people how one vote could make a difference. But, I honestly thought they were exaggerating. However, when I went to fill out my ballot on Saturday, I knew it was strictly business. There was no turning back. Personally, I am absolutely disgusted with the current administration in office, so I definitely was confident in who I was voting for. Due to the coronavirus pandemic concerns, my voting center took the necessary precautions. The center had us do the elections on a touch screen, but not with our fingers. Instead, they gave us cotton swabs to tap the screen with. I must admit, the process was very
stressful for me. I prayed to God before I started making my selections. I was asking the assistants a lot of questions. I just wanted to get my first election right, you know? The whole process took me about 15 minutes total. It was actually a lot shorter than I thought it would be, but that was a good surprise, nevertheless. Finally, I officially printed out my ballot and inserted it into the ballot box. It was over and I walked out of the room. I now can only hope that my vote and many others will create the change that this country needs. The last four years have been a mess, so hopefully my vote has as much power as advertised. Moreover, regardless of who is in presidential office, that won’t change the crazy nature of mankind. This country needs to turn to God immediately. If this country would do that, we would be in a much better situation. Sidney P. Brown is a sophomore mass communications major.
Q AND A w first time voter nadia reese Faculty Adviser Prof. Valerie Whitney PUBLICATION MEMBERSHIP The Voice of the Wildcats is a member of the Black College Communications Association (BCCA), College Media Advisors Association (CMA) and National Asscociation of Black Journalists (NABJ). ADVERTISER MEMBERSHIPP The Voice of the Wildcats subscribes to the 360 Youth Send Correspondence to: Editor The VOICE, Fine Arts Building Room 124 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Phone: (386) 4812707 voiceofthewildcats@ gmail.com
Did you or are you planning to vote in this upcoming election? If yes, will this be your first time? Yes, I will participate and no this is not my first voting but it will be my first time voting in the national elections. If you know anything about the candidates, tell me your opinion about each of them. Personally, I’m voting for Joe Biden I like to remain unbiased as a Journalism major but if I had to say anything, Trump is racist and Joe Biden has proven himself to be better. I was hoping for Kamala Harris to stay in the running for President but at least she’s the VP. How do you feel about contributing
in a major election that will affect this country's state of being? And why did you decide to vote? It’s very important especially as a woman of color to contribute to this year’s election. Between COVID-19 and a President who has once again shown the true colors of this nation and I say once again, because this isn’t the first time a group of white people have portrayed their hatred or dislike for anyone of color, it’s very important to me and it should important to all other groups of color (i.e., Latinos, Arabs, Asians, etc.) it’s important as a new generation to make a change in America instead of making America, “Great Again.” I decided to vote this
year because one, it’s my first time voting in a national election, who wouldn’t be excited to vote, two, people have died for me to vote, both women and people of color, three, every voice matters so I feel like I’m contributing to my country by doing it and four, I’ve always been passionate about politics.
October 2020
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
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Spike in COVID-19 cases prompts lockdown Students can head home earlier for the holidays than expected due to a spike in the number of positive cases of COVID 19 on campus. At the same time, all spring athletic competitions has been cancelled, too, apparently out of caution. In an email sent out campus wide Monday, President E. LaBrent Chrite said face-to-face classes will end effective Oct. 28. After that date, he said, all classes as well as finals will be remote. At the same time, he said students have the option of heading home now or waiting until Nov. 20 when finals would be finished. “After discussions with the University’s faculty and academic leadership team, we have concluded that it is in the best interest of our community to begin reducing the on-campus density for the remainder of the fall semester,” Chrite said. “Because of spikes in COVID-19, the faculty will be pivoting to an on-line modality, utilizing Canvas and integrating Zoom and other platforms, for the remaining three weeks of the semester.”
Officials announced last week that almost three dozen students had tested positive for the coronavirus. Some were asymptomatic, according to John Pittman, vice president for fiscal affairs. Pittman said the school has been conducting random testing of about 150 students a week. The Voice has heard from one student that had been hospitalized early last week. In addition to allowing students to leave three week earlier than scheduled, Chrite also said all spring athletics have been cancelled. This come just days after officials had announced the spring football schedule. “The recent spike in COVID-19 positivity rates in the state, across Volusia County and on our campus provides clear and unambiguous evidence, in our view, that now is not the time simply not the time to resume athletic competition,” he said. “While the decision to opt out of spring competition is the only responsible one for us at this time, it was not made lightly. We know that this decision greatly impacts our student athletes, our coaching staff, our Marching Wildcats and others.” He said he will be working with Lynn Thompson, vice president of athletics, and his colleagues “to minimize and ameliorate the im-
pact of this decision.” Students that chose to stay on campus for the reminder of the semester must observe an 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. They also are discouraged from congregating in groups with more than 10 people.
A mask-wearing Chase Phillips during a recent campus event. Photo by Victor Minikwu
Quick Facts about Black quarterbacks:
Wildcats continued... ontinued from page 1.
Black says perhaps his biggest challenge now is learning to breathe through a mask while working out. “It’s an adjustment that must be made to get better,” he says. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced in late summer that because of COVID-19 it was postponing all fall sports and planned to resume play in the spring. “Sounds weird,” Black says. “Usually that’s our off season and we’ll be playing while spring sports are in season, also. (I’m) just
curious to see how it will play out.” The turnaround from a spring season to a fall one also will be challenging because players then will have just three months to prepare for the 2021 fall season as opposed to eight or nine. The change to spring football means there will not be a Florida Classic or homecoming game this year, Black says. “We don’t get to enjoy either until after the game is over, but we do feel the energy on campus those weeks,” he says.” This semester is weird because we’re just
students currently, yet we don't get to enjoy the regular festivities.” Playing football in the spring also means the MEAC will be having its first-ever conference championship game. In years past, the winner of the conference just held the best conference record or teams could have a share of the championship if their records were tied. This year the top two teams will battle it out for the title MEAC football champions. According to Black, this does not change the desire for a conference title for the Wildcats. “It's just the same
as before there was a game.Every year the goal is to be at the top of the MEAC, whether we have to play a championship game for it or not.” This season is the final one in the MEAC for the Wildcats as they start a new journey in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) beginning fall 2021. Black says he is anxious to see what the SWAC has to offer and is looking forward to playing against some new teams such as Alcorn State, Grambling State and Southern University. “I think it’s going
to be fun to see what the SWAC has compared to what I’ve already seen in the MEAC,” he says. After graduating from college, Black has his eyes set on playing professional football. “The NFL is not the only league. There is the Canadian league and even arena football,” he says, adding that he hopes to work as a sports commentator or analyst. Julian Bacon is a junior mass communications major.
Frederick Douglas “Fritz” Pollard Sr. was the first Black quarterback to play in the National Football League. After service in World War 1 Pollard became head football coach at the Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and began playing professional football for Akron in the informal Ohio League in 1919. Doug Williams was the first African-American quarterback to win MVP in a Super Bowl. As quarterback for the Washington Redskins football team, he not only helped win the game, but was named the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXII on Jan. 31, 1988 in San Diego, California, according to myblackhistory.net.
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October 2020
FEATURES
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
Alumni Focus: Josue Jeune talks about making his way in the world of photography and cinematography By Sayvon Shaw Feature Writer Bethune-Cookman University’s department of mass communications is home to some of the most creative students on campus. Here is where you find students interested in all forms of media including television, radio, print, photography and more recently shooting feature films. One such person is Josue Jeune, a photographer, videographer and graphic designer from Orlando. Prior to graduating, he released two short films, “Spring Break” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” The latter examined male rape, which is a topic not often talked about in films. I sat down and talked with Jeune during his senior year last spring about what goes into building up one's craft and creating a legacy, as well as how Jeune sees himself, his work, his ambitions and more: Q. Who would you say Josue Jeune Is? What is all that comes with being Josue? What do you want people to know? A. “I'd say Josue is just a guy following his dreams while at the same time trying to figure out what his dreams are exactly.” Q. What inspired you to take on things such as photography, cinematography and so on? Something had to lead you on to doing what you do. A. “When I was younger, my brothers were the ones playing with photography, but they weren't doing it professionally, they were just messing around with some cheap point-andshoot cameras. They would never let me touch their cameras, so I would have to go and play with them while they were away. “This sparked a small interest, but it wasn't until my mentor gave me my first camera while I was in the 9th grade that my interest really peaked. That is when I started taking pictures for the school yearbook and became the lead photographer. From there I started to do photography for weddings and I just stuck with photography until I got to college which is where I learned about video and graphic design.” Q. There is plenty of work within your portfolio that I've come across, I'm sure you have a favorite project you've done...right? A. “My favorite project is “Isn't She Lovely.” Yes, there are plenty of projects that I have enjoyed, but I believe when it is a personal project that is when you truly enjoy it. It took the most time and effort than any other project that I have done, it was the most frustrating project that I've worked on but also the most rewarding. I have learned a lot from it.”
Q. Moving on, I see that the word “storytelling” means something to you.... can you tell me how you would describe it? Is there a reason to why you do it? Is there something you want to get across? What is out there to tell? A. “I believe there's no reason to pick up the camera if you’re not planning on telling some type of story. I've been told time and time again by each person that I've learned from, that "story is king." There are plenty of people and videos that can elaborate on this for hours upon hours but to make it as short as possible. “When it comes to video or photographs, nothing has to be perfect, and nothing will ever be perfect. All that matters are that you are capturing that moment in such a way that when you look back at that photograph or video you are able to remember that moment and what was happening there. “Even if it's a short film, the lighting may not be right, you may not have the best audio, or even camera, but as long as you tell the story that you are trying to tell in the best possible way you have succeeded in the project” Q. So, that leads me to asking you about shooting and capturing things with your camera, no question that it’s an artform. But still, when having these ideas in your head and trying to portray them how you see fit... how much work does that take? Does it ever get frustrating or does it just come naturally for you? A. “Photography and cinematography definitely do not come naturally to me; I have had to work to better my craft each and every day. It takes a long time for me to bring the vision that is in my head into reality. I watch countless YouTube videos every day to learn new techniques and just general information about the craft.”
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
FEATURES
October 2020
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The wait is over for hip-hop fans; Mulatto's debut album delivers By Timothy Moss Voice Music Critic Finally, it arrived. After much anticipation from fans of hip-hop music, including yours truly, rapper Mulatto released her debut studio album “Queen of the Souf ” in late August. For the uninitiated, the Atlanta resident “burst on the scene” after being crowned the first winner of the Lifetime reality series “The Rap Game” in 2016. She was 16 at the time. The first track on her debut album “Youngest N Richest” comes in with this rapid orchestral sample that sounds fierce and rigorous. It is followed by typical trap production with the high hats and 808 bass backing it. When the next track, titled “In n Out” played, I literally groaned out loud. I am fine with sexual orientated content in rap if the artist does it well and has some pretty dope lyricism and intricate bars to back it up with. That hook was probably the most annoying thing ever on this project. The next tune, “He Say She Say” is one of my favorites. It has that catchy, bouncy trap-based beat, and the 21-year-old has some aggressive lines in her verses. Plus, that hook went hard. The skit called “Tina Turnup Talks” and the music that's being played behind that conversation transitioned smoothly and most definitely had me hype for that next song “On God.” The beat was so hype and was perfect for club
Mulatto Photo credit by Raphael The Cam Killa Simien
42 Dugg, “My Body,” and “Blame me.” “Off Top” was fine but why are bringing, to me, one of the trashiest rappers right now on a track he didn’t’t contribute anything to the song but aggravation. Likewise, “My Body” and “Blame Me” are R&B-ish tracks that felt forced. It wasn’t good because, sorry Mulatto, but baby you can’t sing. The album’s last track “B**** from Da Souf,” featuring Saweetie and Trina, was a great outro track because it gave me that aggression Mulatto back at the beginning of the album. Oh yeah, about her name. Mulatto, who says she started rapping when she was 10, identifies as biracial. Her father is Black and her mother is mother. She first adopted the stage name Miss Mulatto. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this album. It is perfect for party settings, with women present of course, and the production is really good. It’s not perfect but nor is it terrible. It’s just good. Check it out.
hopper track. Mulatto (aka Alyssa Michelle Stephens) felt laid back but it matched the essence Timothy Moss is a mass communications major. of the track. Her transition to the next song was really smooth. On “Look Back it,” she keeps that mood from the previous song, putting that energy into the description of her booty and how every male is seduced by it. The album, however, took a nose bleed drop with the next three songs -- “Off Top” featuring
Juene continued from page 4. now enough already? Q. Speaking of having a craft, as you know everyone has the opportunity to be a creator like yourself, doing whatever it is that they love nowadays. But not everyone knows how to go about it.... any tips? Are there things you learned while mastering your craft that you didn't know before going forth with it? A. “The only tip that I can give that I believe that will provide true value, is JUST DO IT. The conditions will NEVER be perfect, there will never be a right time to start, and most likely you won't ever have all of the equipment you want. “So, forget about all of that stuff, stop waiting for an opportunity make something and create your own.” Q. Okay, now anyone who heavily creates, began as an avid dreamer, and with all dreamers there are heights they usually set for themselves. Is there a place you eventually want to be? A goal that you want to achieve someday. Or, is what you do right
A. “I never think I'll do 'enough' I work hard every day to get better and I'm going to continue doing so, I do hope to someday be as good as some of my mentors and YouTubers that I look up to, but overall... I hope to never stop learning.” Q. You’ve spoken about your people who’ve been in your life, leading you to where you are now... Is there someone you would thank or owe success to? A. “I wouldn't say that I owe my success to anyone because it's something from within that makes me work towards my goal, but I can say that some people have definitely helped speed up the process, my mentors gained at Cookman; Brandon Stewart, John Reeves and most of all Terrence Nealy.” Q. Finally, I think it fair to say that we all have a story about ourselves that we want to go a certain way. There’s a legacy that every-
one in some fashion wants to leave. Is there a lasting impression you want to leave with not only your work but with the people you meet? How do you want people to see or remember Josue? A. “My legacy... I just want people to remember me for being genuine and a hard worker, I don’t want to be known as “the best” or anything. Just a really nice genuine guy that worked hard for what he wanted....” You contact Josue and view his work on his website and social media listed below: https://josuejeune.com @JoeJuene on Instagram and Facebook
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SPORTS
October 2020
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
NFL Cancels 2021 Pro Bowl, Looks ahead to 2022 It’s official. There will be no Pro Bowl game this season.
•All preseason games for the NFL’s 32 teams were canceled.
National Football League officials made the announcement on Oct. 14 that the annual game will be canceled for this season due to coronavirus outbreak.
•Also, on Oct. 18, which marked week six of the regular season, 10 games have been rescheduled due to outbreaks involving several teams across the league.
The Pro Bowl was scheduled for Jan. 31, 2021, in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium. Instead, the 2022 Pro Bowl will be played in Las Vegas, according to the NFL.
These are the current teams that have reported positive coronavirus cases so far:
Although the game and the other various competiPhoto courtesy of Sportingnews tions of the event won’t be played this year, the league is working to replace them with creative virtual activities to celebrate the accomplishments of the top players in the game. This isn’t the first NFL event to be compromised by COVID-19 this season. So far this year: •The NFL Draft, also originally scheduled to be played in Las Ve gas, was held completely virtual from April 23-25, 2020.
•New York Jets •Atlanta Falcons •Jacksonville Jaguars •Indianapolis Colts •Philadelphia Eagles
•Tennessee Titans •New England Patriots •Kansas City Chiefs
As the season goes on, more games and events are highly possible to be postponed or canceled. Updates will be coming later as the season progresses. Sidney P. Brown is a sophomore mass communications major.
WILDCAT ROAR By Frederick Carson
If you could spend one day with one person, who would it be and why?
Halima Green Mom, I love my mom a lot and she literally my best friend and I can’t live without her.
Dakeira A. Flowers If I could spend the day with one person, I would choose to spend it with my sister. Why ? I believe her departure was to soon. I would love to make up for the time lost and share my accomplishments of the obstacles I’ve overcame with her.
Antaysia Josep Momma, because she’s my best friend and I truly don’t know what I’ll do without her when she leaves me.
October 2020
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
Quanita May: This and that Who is the elected city representative for the district that includes B-CU? Your local City Commissioner for Zone 3 is Quanita May Has she been to our campus? You bet I have. I was a sponsor for the online D.J. party fundraisers for B-CU and I have a radio show on the Wildcat radio station AM 1380 WELE every Wednesday at 12 p.m. Has she spoken to the students? Every chance I get. I enjoyed coming to the campus and speaking to students in the classroom. I have also supported the student body by attending events. Always happy to partic-
City Rental Assistance Program… Open to all resident who have lost income due to Covid? To find out if you are eligible call 386-777-2588. Go ahead and call. You may be able to receive up to two months of rent (max $3,000). Internet service ipate! for under $10 a Do we matter to her? month…Contact Yes, you do! It was AT&T and ask about your belief in me and the ACCESS program your student vote that or go online. No dehelped to elect me. posit or contract, free What can you do for installation and home us Commissioner WI-FI. May? As your elected ofI can bring you inficial my goal is to formation about serve and to connect community resources you with information accessible to students, and resources. and I can ask you to contact me when you Your Daytona Beach have questions. My City Commissioner contact info is mayZone 3 quanita@codb.us. Quanita May For example: PAID ADVERTISING
NEW LAYOUT EDITORS NEEDED! Intrested in becoming A Layout Editor for The Voice of The Wildcats? If you have the PASSION and DETERMINATION for design, become part of the layout design team at The VOWC newspaper. This is a major opportinity to develop the DRIVE and PUNCTUALITY it takes. Apply your “Wildcat Pride” in the news that reaches the student body of B-CU. EMAIL: voiceofthewildcats@gmail.com
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October 2020
VOICE OF THE WILDCATS
And the Wildcat band plays on… No halftime show or for the band homecoming here would to strut it stuff. But, band be complete without the members are not idle. Marching They can be heard pracWildcats Band. The ticing on COVID-19 pandemic has campus in the evenings. canceled opportunities Photos/Victor Minikwu