African American experiences and collections were highlighted at Choices African American and Contemporary African Art from Private collections at Southern University Museum of Art.

Randell Henry, Associate Professor of Art, served as the curator and organized the exhibit introducing the works of Angel White and Ronald Kennedy.

“About 10 years ago…. I began thinking about bringing works of major African American artists. I named the exhibit choices clue to all the choices I had to make to narrow the collectors down to two. Irvin Jones and Gregory Spann, “ said Henry.

Henry hopes that students would be inspired and see

the positive culture of African Americans.

“ Hope they will be inspired to be creative in their own lives and works. I hope they fi nd the art intriguing, beautiful, and full of energy, see all the positive aspects of African American culture that the artists bring out, “ said Henry.

The exhibit featured the works of artists including; Artis Lane, Sam Gilliam, Thornton Dial, John Thomas Biggers, John Scott, and Elizabeth Catlett

“ Students are able to see original art in this museum instead of only in textbooks and pictures, “ said Henry.

Angel White won fi rst place

for her art from Jack and Jill of America. She deemed her self-portrait as her personal favorite; and feels her family and growing up in New Orleans her major inspirations.

“ This exhibit and art gave me a chance to open up with my ideas as an artist. It’s important to have that outlet as

at young age… So that you can be successful, “ said White.

White discussed two of her pieces, her free spirit, and the inclusion of her background in her art.

“ I call my work African expressionism. It’s a different form I use contemporary techniques and traditional African form, “ said Ronald Kennedy, retired SLU Professor and artist.

Kennedy discussed his evolution and how he uses shapes and colors from masks and patterns from African fabric.

“Over 20-25 years my art has evolved. I started on a fi at canvas and kept working with the idea and concept. You have to fi nd your own niche and create what you want to do, “ said Kennedy.

Art collector Irvin Jones talked about how he became a collector and the factors that lead to his 450-piece collection.

“An older black man in Virginia had a large collection of African American art. Told me it was too late to collect art. I was determined to see if I could collect art with a very limited budget, “ said Jones

Jones shared how he acquired his eyes and knowledge; and the

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su puts on ‘antigone’Students perform tragedy. pg. 3

STATE AND NATION

both parties to blameDebt falls on both sides. pg. 4

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su gears up for key seriesAlso: Tennis goes for repeat. pg. 5

The races proved to be closer in Student Government Association runoff elections Wednesday as Kiara Stewart edged over Myeisha Webb by 60 votes.

Chisolu Isiadinso won the Miss Southern crown, Maurlence Martin earns the Chief Justice position, and Amber Jarrell earned Miss Senior in Royal Court.

“I’m just so happy. Thank you, “ said Stewart with happy tears.

Opponent Myeisha Webb vowed to participate in the SGA legislative branch after her loss.

“It’s fine. I’m gonna take the Senate seat, be pro temp of the senate and be ready next year, “ said Webb.

Isiadinso made plans to do her best and put her best foot forward.

“ I’m very excited I have worked hard this week and as Miss junior so now I plan to bring my ‘A’ game as Miss Southern University, and I will continue my platform and do the best that I can do, “ said Isiadinso.

Amber Jarrell, Miss Senior 2011-2012 explained she is ready to get started, and thanked those who participated in the political process.

“I’m really excited, I Just really appreciated everyone who came out to vote even if the vote wasn’t for me

and I’m ready to get to work, “ said Jarrell.

Opponent Terah Gibson wished Jarrell luck in her new position.

“I wish Amber all the luck. I think that she is a really good candidate, I wish her all the luck, “ said Gibson.

Martin and Smith were unavailable for comment about the Chief Justice position.

Vacancies in SGA to be filled in the Fall include; AWS Vice President, two senior class justices, senior class senators, one junior class justice, two junior class senators, one sophomore class justice, two sophomore class senators, and freshman class offices. chisolu isiadinso defeated Janea Jamison in

Wednesday’s runoff to win Miss southern.

photo by david clarK iii/digest

by evan taylorDiGesT MANAGiNG eDiTor

MISS SOUTHERN

Chisolu Isiadinso 601*

Janea Jamison 547

SGA VICE PRESIDENT

Kiara Stewart 569*

Myeisha Webb 509

CHIEF JUSTICE

Maurlence Martin 675*

Corey Smith 488

MISS SENIOR

Amber Jarrell 144*

Terah Gibson 119

Isiadinso, Stewart win in runoff

Artist Angel White showcases her work at choices exhibition in southern University Museum of Art.photo by evan taylor/digest

Choices exhibit opens at SUMA by evan taylorDiGesT MANAGiNG eDiTor

CampusBRIEFS

woman coming of age in the south where her grandmother guides her through the world of hats and what they mean to southern women. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3-12) for additional information contact Blanche Smith, President or Jerrie Booker Or D’Angela Dummons at 225.778.0720

changing temposJohn B. Cade Library

will host Tiffany Samuel, Esq. in a book discussion about Changing Tempos. The book discussion will feature a jazz quartet. Tuesday April 19, at 11 am. The discussion is sponsored by John B. Cade Library; students will be able to enjoy the discussion and the entertaining sounds of a jazz quartet.

prospective su mba student info sessions Any students who

are interested in the SU MBA program have an opportunity to attend the information session held by the program, The session will be a source of information and place to get your questions answered about the SU MBA program. The last session will be held on April 21. The session will be held in T.T. Allain Room 313 from 6-7pm.

retool southern

university Student Orientation

Leaders and Ambassadors encourage all students, faculty, staff, and Southern University community members to vote to retool our school. Visit www.re too lyourschoo l . com and vote for Southern University and A&M College. The last day to vote is April 22.

behavioral studies poster session

The Department of Behavioral Studies would you like the Southern University community to support our graduate students with media coverage as they participate in a poster session exercise. These students are preparing for the world of counseling and as part of becoming a counselor, they have been asked to develop a topic of interest and deliver their findings in a form of a “Poster Session”. The session will be held on April 25 at 6pm in Seymour Gym.

fresh campusPlease join Southern

University and A&M College System; Agricultural Research and Extension Center in creating a Fresh campus. Find out the details of the Tobacco education initiative at www.myfreshcampus.com. For more information on how to get involved please contact Linda Brown or Fatemah Malekian at 225.771.2242.

AIDS online course in School of Nursing The School of Nursing will offer the online course, “AIDS: A Nation in Crisis” during the University’s Summer 2011 session. The course will be taught by Dr. Leah S. Cullins, APRN, MSN, FNP-BC, and Assistant Professor in the Southern University School of Nursing. Includes discussion and analysis of history and epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Explore the HIV testing process including private and governmental influences, and importance of health education in maintaining prevention of transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Blaine Moore Hall). For more information, please call (225) 771- 4660.

sicKle cell aWareness WalK

Southern University’s Alpha Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. will host its Sickle Cell Awareness Walk at 9 a.m., April 16, on Southern University’s campus. The event is a fundraiser for the Baton Rouge Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation. The walk will start at F.G. Clark Activity Center and end in front of Smith-Brown Memorial Union. They will provide screenings and information concerning blood pressure, blood sugar, hemoglobin levels, etc. This event is free to the public. Food, drinks, and music will be provided.

7th annual JaZZ brunch and silent auction

Southern University’s Center for International Education’s 7th annual Jazz Brunch and Silent Auction will be held on April 16 from 10am- 1pm. The sounds of smooth Jazz by the Herman Jackson Jazz Ensemble, international dancers, an international fashion show and a silent auction of items from around the world will be featured. Funds generated from the brunch will assist students and faculty members their travels for the University’s Study Abroad program. Tickets are $35 each, $250 for a table of 10. For group table reservation or to purchase tickets, call 225.771.2613.

JabberWocK presents “croWns”

Join Baton Rouge Sigmas Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta as they present “crowns” a moving celebratory musical about a young

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The paper is free to students, staff, faculty and general public every Tuesday & Friday morning on the sUBr campus. The southern DiGesT student offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The offices are located on the first floor of T.H. Harris Hall, suite 1064.

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PAGE 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS & PAID CLASSIFIED INFO

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visual arts eXhibition 2011The Visual Arts Gallery

in Frank Hayden Hall will host works from the Seniors in Visual Arts in their Senior Student Visual Arts Exhibition. The exhibit will be in the gallery until April 27. Gallery hours are from 10am to 4pm.

antigone in hayden hallThe Frank Hayden

Hall Theatre will host Sophocles’ ANTIGONE adapted by Emily Mann on April 13-16 at 7pm. Tickets will be sold at the door $5 for adults and $3 for students.

poatryThe Creative Arts

Society hosts an open mic night “PoArtry” in Hayden Hall Room 12. The mic will be open for anyone who would like to share. Friday April 15 from 7-9pm. Come join the Creative Arts Society in a night of poartry; an experience to remember.

cafÉ lacumbaCome join your

colleagues and faculty for a delicious and healthy lunch! All items are made fresh and can be enjoyed as dine-in or on-the-go. Café Lacumba will be serving up sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, snacks, and beverages every Wednesday from 11AM-1:30PM. Café Lacumba is located in 161 Pinkie E. Thrift Hall (between Tourgee A. DeBose Hall and James

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NEWSwww.southerndigest.com

The cast of “Antigone” pose in character at the casting call. The play was directed by Dr. Aileen Hendricks.photo by evan taylor/digest

by melinda deslatteAssociATeD press WriTer

L e t y o u r v o i c eb e h e a r d !

S e n d a . . .L e t t e r t o t h e e d i t o r

CHOICES from page 1

by charles haWKinsDiGesT sTAFF WriTer

need for African Americans to patronize art museums and the artist of our community.

“ After taking an art appreciation class at Howard I learned to have a good eye. The knowledge of where to look and a good eye helped. Read, have an eye, and put the art in places where it will be patronized and it will uplift, “ said Jones.

Some pieces highlighted in the exhibit included; pieces of Gregory Spann’s collection as well.

“When I would collect art I was mainly looking for vivid colors, texture I had the fortune of visiting Africa a few times to purchase the art,” said Spann.

Ronald Mason, Southern University System President stopped by to share words of encouragement and discuss the need for the Save our Southern campaign and the efforts to Save SUMA as well.

Mason urged attendees to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of SUMA and prepare for the future by contributing to the museum and the investing in the future of the museum.

The exhibit will remain in SUMA until May 30.

Talent, drama and tragedy were presented in Hayden Hall Theatre Wednesday during the dramatic adaptation of Antigone by Emily Mann.

The play was directed by professor Aileen Hendricks and featured students in the theatre department.

Kirkland Long, a sophomore accounting major from Nashville, Tenn., starred as lead character Creon. He said, “ Overall the play had a lot of relevant issues like God’s law versus man’s law. “

The cast members displayed a good understanding of the story’s plot and setting in their dialogues. “ Going over lines, thinking about what the characters thought, and by looking at issues of that time, “ said Long in discussing the series of of preparation for the play.

He later went on to say that the cast had been preparing for this play for about two months.

A realistic style of the

play’s setting was used in this performance.

“ Kinda intense, because of it being a tragedy and my character being a rebellious character“ said Amber Hazely a senior music performance and education major from Morgan City, La. on the atmosphere of the play.

Some of the best moments of the play were when Creon and Haemon were having intense dialogues as well as Creon and Antigone.

Antigone is a tragedy that was written by Sophocles in which two brothers, Polyneices and Eteocles, die in a civil war. The play picks up at this point with Antigone, played by Amber Hazely, is begging with her

sister Ismene, played by Jamie Hartry, arguing over whether or not to bury Polyneices because of him not siding with their home country of Thebes. The ruler Creon disagrees with her actions, and threatens to put her death, but when he finally decides to change his mind she has committed suicide which triggered her fiancé Haemon, Creon’s son played by Jarrod Smith, to follow suit as well as Creon’s wife Eurydice.

Overall the play was really good, and many audience members thought it was a solid play as well. Attendee and Brooklyn native Petrouchka Moise said, “ I enjoyed the play because it’s a classic, I’ve seen it before, and read about it.”

Also Hazely went on to say that the play displayed versatility and that African Americans actors can do more roles than what is portrayed in Tyler Perry Movies.

The play has two more nights of showing on April 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. before it officially ends.

“Only fifty people were here with a campus of thousands,” said Niesha Bailey, a Southern theater graduate. “People should support the theater program.”

The play was directed by Aileen Hendricks, Professor of Speech and Theatre and produced through a special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Ill.

SU puts on Antigone

A state lawmaker from Shreveport wants to place a Ten Commandments monument at the Louisiana Capitol, suggesting a divisive idea that has mired other states and municipalities in lawsuits over separation of church and state.

The proposal by Democratic Rep. Patrick Williams was filed Thursday and will be considered in the upcoming legislative session that begins in two weeks.

Williams said he wants to promote the historical value of the Ten Commandments and wasn’t attempting to wade into a controversial dispute over religion in government.

“Most laws were based off of this and I think that’s an important issue what we need to get to,” he said in a phone interview. “I’m not even looking at the religious aspects of it. I’m looking at the historical aspects of it.”

The bill would require the governor’s commissioner of administration to arrange for the monument, which could be up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide and would be placed somewhere among the historic buildings, azalea bushes and oak trees at the capitol complex, where former Gov. Huey Long is buried in the gardens.

“There are a lot of monuments that are already there on the grounds, and I thought this was one that was more important than

some of the others that are already there,” he said.

Williams said he would prefer the display be placed inside the Capitol building’s main entranceway.

Gov. Bobby Jindal backs the creation of the monument. “We support the bill and the Ten Commandments,” Jindal spokesman Kyle Plotkin said in an e-mail.

The proposal stipulates that the monument’s cost wouldn’t be paid by the state. Instead, private entities would offer proposals for creating and erecting the display, with the governor’s commissioner of administration choosing a proposed design by Dec. 31. The entity that constructs and installs the monument would be responsible for maintaining it, according to the bill.

Williams said he doesn’t have a specific private group in mind and hasn’t been contacted by any.

Similar monuments have drawn legal challenges around the country.

Marjorie Esman, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, called Williams’ bill unnecessarily divisive, though she wouldn’t say if the ACLU would oppose it during the regular session.

“It’s a distraction from the really important issues that need to be addressed in this legislative session, and it fails to take into account the very important fact that religion flourishes best when government

is not involved,” Esman said.In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court said

in two cases that determining whether the Ten Commandments could be displayed on government property was a case-by-case affair. The closely divided court allowed a 6-foot granite monument outside the Texas Capitol, but struck down framed copies of the Ten Commandments in two Kentucky courthouses.

The court said the key to whether a display is constitutional hinges on whether there was a religious purpose behind it. Ten Commandments displays are allowed if their primary purpose is to honor the nation’s legal traditions. Some displays have survived court challenges by displaying the commandments along with other legal and historic documents like the Bill of Rights or the Code of Hammurabi. Locations also factor into the consideration.

In his bill, Williams refers to the Texas Capitol case, saying the text on the monument at Louisiana’s Capitol will be the same as that used on the Texas display, suggesting that will make it pass any legal challenge based on the Supreme Court’s prior decision.

The bill would require the monument to describe the commandments as “pivotal in the religious history of America and Louisiana’s legal system,” along with the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Bill proposes to put Commandments at Capitol

WASHINGTON—Two cent-uries after America’s birth, the national debt was a bit under $1 trillion when Ronald Reagan took office in 1981. Just three decades later, it has soared above $14 trillion, and accusations of blame are flying. Both Republicans and Democrats played major roles in driving the figure sky high.

If the tab were divided up now, it would come to roughly $47,000 for each man, woman and child in the United States.

In what is shaping up as the next bruising economic battle, Congress is being asked by President Barack Obama to authorize fresh borrowing once the nation’s fast-growing debt slams into the current debt ceiling of $14.3 trillion — something the Treasury Department says will happen no later than May 16.

Leaders of both parties acknowledge that failing to raise the limit could force the government to begin defaulting on some of its obligations — for instance making interest payments on Treasury bills and bonds — with severe adverse consequences, including possibly pushing the economy back into recession.

Creative accounting may help forestall the crisis for a few additional months. But then the effects could be severe, or as the White House warns, “like Armageddon, in terms of the economy.”

Republicans like to blame Obama and congressional Democrats, citing heavy spending that they claim has done little to end the recession or create jobs. Democrats argue that the stage for fiscal ruin was set by Republican President George W. Bush, with large tax cuts that favored the wealthy, two wars and a vastly underfunded prescription drug program for the elderly. They accuse Bush of squandering a budget surplus handed him by President Bill Clinton.

“We lost our way” during the Bush years, Obama suggested on Wednesday as he laid out his own prescriptions for taming the nation’s long-term budget woes, a move the administration hoped would also smooth the way for a debt-ceiling vote.

In fact, spending far outpaced revenues in both the Bush and Obama years. And the main culprit in addition to war spending was the devastating 2007-2009 recession, which not only prompted hundreds of billions of dollars in downturn-fighting spending by both the Bush and Obama administrations, but also resulted in a sharp dip in tax revenues due to sagging individual and corporate incomes.

The main reasons for big increases in the national debt in the years ahead are fast-growing obligations for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and other entitlement programs as tens of millions of baby boomers reach

retirement age.Congress has raised the

debt limit ten times in the last decade alone, most recently in February 2010. But this year, the stakes are higher than usual, with Republicans and some Democrats warning Obama that they will not vote to raise it unless he agrees to mandatory restraints on future spending.

It was against this backdrop that Obama on Wednesday countered Republican budget plans with a series of his own proposals that he held out as better balanced. They included wide-ranging spending cuts, tax increases aimed at the wealthy and a “debt failsafe” trigger for additional across-the-board spending cuts and tax hikes if deficits are not headed down by

2014.“That should be an incentive

for us to act boldly now, instead of kicking our problems further down the road,” Obama said. Still, his plan faced difficulties ahead, with GOP opposition to new tax increases and complaints from some Democrats that his spending cuts are too drastic.

The U.S. has never defaulted on its debt. Its bonds are viewed as among the safest investments in the world. In addition to millions of Americans, many foreign governments and investors have vast holdings in Treasury securities, with China leading the pack.

The GOP now is in the majority in the House of Representatives after mid-term elections last November that many victors and

tea-party activists viewed as a mandate for deep spending cuts.

“My members won’t vote to increase the debt limit unless we’re taking serious steps in the right direction,” says House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

After a White House meeting with Obama on Wednesday to preview the speech, Boehner said, “I think the president heard us loud and clear.” He agreed that passing a debt-limit extension is highly important. “Not meeting our debt obligations is a very bad idea,” he said. But Boehner also insisted that higher taxes not be part of any debt relief deal.

The national debt is the total accumulated indebtedness of the U.S. government. As of Wednesday, it stood at $14.27 trillion.

by tom raumAssociATeD press WriTer

Page 4 - Friday, April 15, 2011

state & nationwww.southerndigest.com

The Legislature’s approved proposed map of congressional districts now goes before the U.s. Justice Department for final approval.

image courtesy of louisiana state legislature

president Barack obama outlines his fiscal policy during an address at George Washington University in Washington, Wednesday.

photo by charles dharapaK/ap photo

Both parties helped run up debt

Louisiana’s towns and parishes have been carved into legislative and congressional districts by state lawmakers, but the new political boundary lines won’t be used until they pass muster with the U.S. Justice Department.

Legislative leaders who shepherded the reshaped maps to completion this week said they believe they will meet the anti-discrimination requirement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, but black lawmakers said they’ll challenge the maps as diluting minority voting strength.

“By far, this is not over,” said Rep. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, a member and former chair of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus.

Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the redesign of the congressional, state House and state Senate plans on Thursday, a day after lawmakers ended a three-week redistricting special session Wednesday

to account for population shifts over the last decade as shown in the federal census data.

Then, within 10 days to two weeks, packages of maps, census data, legislative testimony and statistics will be sent to Washington for a Justice Department process called “pre-clearance” to ensure the plans don’t discriminate against minorities in a state with a history of inequity.

If approved, the maps will govern elections for at least 10 years.

House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Terrytown, and Senate President Joel Chaisson, D-Destrehan, say the maps approved this week follow the legal requirements.

“I believe we will go on from here and be successful in dealing with the federal government as it relates to the Voting Rights Act,” Tucker said.

The timeline is tight. Legislative elections are scheduled for Oct. 22. The secretary of state’s office needs the district lines by Aug. 29, before the candidate sign-up period begins a week

later.The Justice Department didn’t return

a request for comment Thursday about the redistricting review.

Louisiana’s track record is mixed.

The House plan has never been given preclearance on its first submission, and the Senate’s only achieved that once in the last three rounds of redistricting, House clerk, Alfred “Butch” Speer said.

Special session over, next stop Justice Departmentby melinda deslatteAssociATeD press WriTer

When Southern baseball coach Roger Cador thought about what challenges his team may face against Prairie View, he identified pitching and leadoff hitters.

The Panthers pitching staff have gone 2-1 and totaled 23 strikeouts against the Jaguars so far this season.

He added that they haven’t been able to hit the ball well enough with runners in scoring position, their biggest downfall lately.

“We leave a ton of runners on base and that has created a lot of problems for us,” said Cador, whose team has lost three of its last four games. “We’re going to have to figure out a way to handle their pitching and keep their leadoff hitters off the bases. I think if we do that we’ll be in good shape.”

Southern (19-12, 11-4) hosts Panthers (16-13, 8-7) this weekend in a three-game series that begins with a doubleheader at noon Saturday, followed by another at 3 p.m. The series concludes Sunday with a 1 p.m. game.

If the Jaguars want to hold onto sole possession of the West, then they’ll need to snap back quickly. Prairie View

carries their No. 3 ranking into Lee-Hines.

“Our game plan is basically to come out and play these guys hard,” senior fi rst baseman Frazier Hall said. “We just haven’t been able to get the job done. There’s no other way to describe it.”

For leadership, the Jaguars’ can turn to Hall, who leads the Southwestern Athletic Conference in batting average (.417) hits (48), runs batted in (43) and homeruns (8).

“It’s important that we win this entire series,” Hall said. “We need to win out because it will put us in a better position for the SWAC tournament. It’s critical that get these wins so we can retain our first place status.”

Southern last won the SWAC Baseball Championship in 2009 over Alcorn State, its 26th title overall.

The one area Prairie View differs from Southern is in offense. The Panthers are ninth in the SWAC in runs scored (150), sixth in batting average (.272) and have 153 strikeouts, the fewest in the league. Southern leads the SWAC in runs (253) and batting average at .320.

Hitting has allowed Prairie View to remain in the West Division league race with 14 games left to play. For example, they’ve scored 38 runs and

had 41 hits in their last four games-all wins for a team ninth in the league in runs scored at 150.

In the Panthers’ 15 SWAC games, six games have been settled by one or two runs which include two wins against Southern. Prairie View is 3-6 on the

road and 9-4 overall in games decided by one or two runs.

“We need to win because it allows us to maintain our lead,” Cador added. “We have to continue to play good solid fundamental baseball in order to do that.”

A year ago, ninth-year tennis head coach Jeffery Conyers and his team claimed the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament title — the program’s fifth in eight years. Southern defeated Jackson State 4-0.

This time, SU won’t be sneaking up on anybody.

SU will be the No. 1 seed from the Western Division in the SWAC 2011 SWAC Tennis Championships, which begin today at the Alexandria (La.) City Park Tennis Complex and the Alexandria Racquet & Aquatic Club. Play continues through the weekend, ending Sunday with championship matches.

For Southern, who finished undefeated in the conference 7-0, will compete for their sixth title in the past nine years and 10th title overall.

“It would be tremendous for our program,” said Conyers. “It would speak great heights for us, not only for Division I competition, but on a national stage as well. It will definitely play a huge role in bringing more high-powered recruits to this university as well as bringing more publicity to what we’re accomplishing here at Southern University.”

Conyers expressed that his team was eager to play against East Division champs Alcorn State.

“Emotions are high right now,” said Coach Conyers, “The girls are really focused and eager to get back to the same stage that they were on last year. Advancing on to the NCAA and wanting to capture another title for Lois Alexis, who had to sit out last season, seems to have the girls as motivated as ever and ready to play.”

The players seem to be prepared physically as well as mentally as they prepare to capture their 10th overall title, Conyers said. The team is looking to stay aggressive throughout the entire day in an attempt to show the world why they are currently HBCU national tennis champions.

Southern was crowned SWAC Western Division champion in March after defeating Prairie View, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and Grambling in the SWAC Western Division Roundup in Houston.

“I feel as though we match-up well with anyone competitor,” said Conyers. “It’s very important that we maintain aggressiveness and secure that first doubles point. Capturing that first point will definitely make our journey to another championship a lot smoother.”

Friday, April 15, 2011 - Page 5

SPORTSwww.southerndigest.com

Southern head coach Roger Cador, left, said his team must find a way to keep the top of Prairie View’s order off the basepads during this weekend’s key SWAC Western Division series. The three-game series begins at noon Saturday at Lee-Hines Field.

PHOTO BY MORRIS DILLARD/DIGEST FILE PHOTO

BY MORRIS DILLARDDIGEST SPORTS EDITOR

Tennis set to defend SWAC title this weekend

BY SPENCER THOMASDIGEST SPORTS WRITER

SU goes for back-to-back titles, 6th in nine years

Jags to host Prairie View in key series

www.southerndigest.comPage 6 - Friday, April 15, 2011

Japan was rocked by an earthquake, a tsunami and nuclear reactor explosions. Together, these three events have caused grief to well up in us all.

It has moved Americans to donate and help the relief, but it has also sparked some comments that raise eyebrows.

In some communities, and even in the media, there are those who chose to compare Japan’s situation to the 2005 Gulf Coast natural disaster, Hurricane Katrina. People are also wondering Why would Japan,an independent nation that has a stable government and economy, need the help of America?

The question arises because the president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies happens to be Tadateru Konoe. He was the head of the Japanese Red Cross Society, and in his position as head of all Red Cross Societies, Konoe has had many disasters to deal with.

Not only has he dealt with Japan’s recent problems but also disasters in

Haiti, problems in the Middle East, and in war-torn African countries. He is more than capable of dealing with disaster relief. Americans have always had bleeding hearts when it comes to foreign countries and their plights.

Now comes the unfortunate comparison of Japan’s disaster to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

The amount of media coverage that was given to this hurricane was the same as any other, but the problem was blown to the level of an international disaster. The hurricane victims were constantly called “refugees” even though they are American citizens.

Unlike Japan, relief from the American government was slow to come and when it finally arrived, for some, it was too late. The Federal Emergency Management Agency took too long to provide funds, supplies and temporary homes to those affected.

Another difference is that the damage in Japan is much greater than that in New Orleans. And the disaster has a greater global effect because of Japan’s position in the global community.

It is currently the foremost in the technology and automobile industries. Japan is also a major manufacturer of parts used for American products.

But New Orleans is only one city in the U.S. The city itself depends largely on the tourism industry to support the economy.

So far the two happenings do not even belong in the same sentence.

Japan has had three major disasters in a week - an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown. The latter being the most devastating because of the long-lasting health effects to

the citizens of Japan. They could experience deformities in their children and different forms of cancer in the years to come.

Katrina’s effects are still being felt because of the mental state of those who survived, as well as their financial state. Some parts of the city are still under reconstruction, but the process has begun.

There was also a social dynamic that made Katrina seem worse - the racial disparity between those who were left behind and those who were able to f lee. Japan does not have this problem because the country as a whole was affected.

Although both were major losses, a comparison of this nature cannot and should not be made. These events are completely different in nature, therefore should not be put in the same category.———

Jessieca Gafford writes for The Gramblinite, the Grambling State University student newspaper, which originally published this article.

A few weeks ago a bill was passed in our lovely state of Florida that banned the common fashion statement of sagging pants for individuals in grades K-20. Pause. Does this mean that I no longer have to walk around campus looking at people’s underwear?

Praise God!Don’t get me wrong, fashion

statements are just that. However, I (and I’m sure many others would agree) do not want to know if you wear boxers or briefs, nor do I want to know if Hanes or Fruit of the Loom is your brand of choice.

Now right now some of you are thinking, does it matter how I wear my clothes? Truth be told, compared to other issues out government should be focused on, it really doesn’t. But in lawmakers’ minds, this is a pertinent issue that directly deals with the well-being of the citizens of the state of Florida blah blah blah.

And to a certain extent they are

correct. How would you feel if you and your 91-year-old great-grandmother were walking in the grocery store and she starts f lipping out because the guy who works there stocking the shelves has his pants so low she can see things that she doesn’t want to. Wait, why does he still have a job if he is sagging his pants at work to begin with? I digress…

The point is, be courteous to others and wear your pants right. Belts were invented for a reason. Invest. As far as I am concerned, children

in grades kindergarten to fifth grade shouldn’t even be sagging to begin with. You are four-years-old, what on this good green earth do you know about sagging? Absolutely nothing that’s what. And the fact that parents are allowing their elementary aged children to sag is beyond me in the first place. But like my mom always said, “You can’t tell people how to raise their kids.”

And now the NAACP is dead set against this bill. They feel that the ban is targeting just blacks alone. But for some reason I feel this is a little hypocritical. The NAACP doesn’t want blacks to sag their pants; however, now that a bill has been set in motion to ban the practice there is a huge issue about it being “racist?” Okay…

But here’s a little “news f lash,” people from all races in America, for the most part, sag. Unfortunately, black youth sag more than others… that can’t be denied. And furthermore, do you honestly think

that sagging your pants makes you look thuggish? How on earth are you going to look thuggish but you are attending a university? Thuggery and academia do not, I repeat, do not go in the same sentence. Nor does sagging at a professional setting. So I hate to break it to you but you are, in Twitter speak, #epicfailing.

A lot of you who sag are disagreeing with this article and the bill itself. I’d be surprised if you were still reading this article, to be straightforward with you. But it is what it is. Just like the bill to ban sagging pants. I guess stores are going to be selling out of belts soon. Because like previously stated, many of you are going to be investing in them real soon. ———

Khristanda Cooper is opinions editor of The Famuan, the Florida A&M University student newspaper, which originally published this article.

SUBMISSIONS POLICYThe Southern DIGEST welcomes letters from readers commenting on current issues and other matters of general interest to the SU family and public. We set aside this space to publish these letters for others to enjoy. This newspaper is not responsible for individual opinions expressed on its editorial and opinion pages. The Southern DIGEST reserves the right to edit any contributions and or reject them without notification. Authors are encouraged to limit the length of submissions to 300 words. Letters should not include libelous statements. Offensive and personal attacks will not be permitted. The DIGEST will not print “open letters” addressed to someone else. All contributions must be type written, signed and must include the author’s address and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Southern University students should include their majors, hometowns and year in school. When referring to specific DIGEST articles, please include the date and title. All materials should be directed to the editor in chief of The Southern DIGEST, P.O. Box 10180, Baton Rouge, La. 70813. Materials may be delivered by hand to the DIGEST office located in Suite 1064 Harris Hall or can be e-mail to digest@subr.edu.

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

Friday, April 15, 2011 - Page 7

VIEWPOINTSwww.southerndigest.com

Florida anti-sagging bill get support

Japan, Hurricane Katrina chatter not warranted

www.southerndigest.comget online @

KRIS TANDACOOPER

BL ACK CO L L EGE W IRE

JES S IECAGAFFORD

BL ACK CO L L EGE W IRE

www.southerndigest.comPage 8 - Friday, April 15, 2011