The Southern University Presidential Search committee met Thursday to hear reports from the consultants of DHR International on system presidential candidates. DHR International has been a leading, privately held provider of executive search solutions with more than 40 offi ces spanning the globe.

Board Member Walter Dumas, before departing to handle a pressing issue, expressed to the committee that they should take into consideration the fact whether or not each candidate has at least read the Postsecondary Education Review Commission bill.

“My feelings are that if you haven’t read the Tucker Commission, then I’m at a loss with you,” said Dumas before exiting the conference room.

Many other board members felt that just reading the bill isn’t enough to make a candidate qualifi ed to become system president.

“To just have read the Tucker Commission is sort of irrelevant to me, whether they can lead us to the environment the it outlines is much more important,” said board member Adam Knapp.

Thirteen candidates have completed their application and designated that their names be brought in front of the board for evaluation to determine whether or not they should continue in the pursuit of the presidency. Each candidate has submitted a full application consistent with the requirements published through the search committee’s website as well as other media

outlets.These thirteen candidates include:•Adesoji Adelaja, Ph. D; John A. Hannah

Distinguished Professor in Land Policy, Michigan State University

•Belinda Childress Anderson, Ed. D; former president, Virginia Union University

•Mohammad A. Bhuiyan, Ph. D; Director and Endowed Prof. of Entrepreneurship, Fayetteville State University

•Charles A. Green; retired president, Bermuda College

•Leonard L Haynes III, Ph. D; Senior Advisor of Postsecondary Education, U.S. Department of Education

•Robert R. Jennings, Ed. D; Partner, GEM Learning Academy

•Gerald D. “Jerry” Jensen, JD; President and CEO, Siskin Children’s Institute

•Carolyn W. Meyers, Ph. D; President, Norfolk State University

•Roosevelt Newson Jr.; Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Bowie State University

•Kenneth Reeves; Vice President, Vice President of Human Resources, Textron Inc.

•Kevin U. Stephens Sr. MD, JD; director, City of New Orleans Health Department

•Karl S. Wright, Ph. D; former president, Florida Memorial University

•Marvin L. Yates, Ph. D; Vice President of

The Southern University office of Financial Aid hosted the third College Goal Sunday in the Cotillion Ballroom Sunday.

“This is the university’s second time hosting the event,” said Melanie Amrhein, Executive Director for the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.

The program allowed students and parents alike to find out more about the FASFA application process. The doors were open to all students, though the audience was composed mostly of graduating high school seniors and their parent(s). This program was also open to all students, regardless of the institution the student looked to enroll.

“I’m glad to see parents and students wanting to get help now,

instead of waiting until the summer or the beginning of the semester,” said Raymond Clark, Assistant Director of Southern University’s Financial Aid.

The program began with Clark welcoming all attendees. The program proceeded with presentations from Edith Cox, Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Xavier University of Louisiana, Erica Hughes, Clark and Amrhein.

In his presentation, Clark, who had been coordinating the event since the fall, informed students to remember the deadline to complete the FAFSA application for the Fall semester is July 31. Hughes picked up informing the audience that is important that the student name placed on the application matches the name found on the student’s social security card. Also, Hughes stated that prior to beginning the application process, young men 18 and older who have

need registered to vote need to register for selective services, and my do so by visiting www.sss.gov. Also, students were advised to check with their respective universities’ financial aid office to assure that the

university didn’t have any addition requirements.

“I think the program was good”,

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2010WWW.SOUTHERNDIGEST.COM VOL. 55, ISSUE 8

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STATE & NATION

obama: health pact in doubtTalkfest ends with no results. pg. 4

SPORTS

1st-place jags head to alcornSU women nurse half-game lead. pg. 5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

artwork raises awarenessGroup drops knowledge through art. pg. 6

robert clayton, a dHr international consultant, presents the thirteen candidates to the presidential search committee thursday afternoon.

photo By norman j. dotson jr./digest

By norman j. dotson jr.diGest editor-iN-cHieF

southern University Financial aid adviser Jason Haynes assists an incoming freshman with her financial aid during college Goal sunday.

photo By kenyetta m. collins/digest

By mary daVisdiGest MaNaGiNG editor

See goal page 3

See search page 3

13 names in pot for SU post

College Goal Sunday helps potential students

c.o.B. student conVocation

The College of Business Student Leadership Council will hold a two-part student convocation in Room 313 of T.T. Allain Hall. All business majors are strongly urged to attend.

Freshmen and soph-omores will meet Tuesday at 3 p.m., while juniors and seniors are scheduled to meet Wednesday at 3 p.m. Important dates and opportunities will be discussed.

For more information, contact Toni Jackson at 225.771.5460, ext. 222.

louisiana cpa taX hotlineThe Society of Louisiana

CPAs will sponsor its annual Louisiana CPA Tax Hotline Wednesday from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Callers can expect to spend five to ten minutes with a Certified Public Accountant and get free, professional assistance with basic personal or corporate tax questions.

The Louisiana CPA Tax Hotline can be reached by dialing toll-free 1.877.852.1040 (in the New Orleans area 904.1111). Phones are only operational during hotline hours, but the LPCAs website (www.lcpa.org) features many helpful tax season resources including a free tax saving tips brochure ready for download.

BudgetBall competitionDo you have a small

team interested in winning $500? Participate in the Budgetball Competition

Southern University’s Spanish Club, meets Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in Room 320 of T.T. Allain Hall. If you are unable to attend the meetings but still like to participate, please send your name, contact number and valid e-mail address to SouthernUSpanishClub@gmail.com

pi gamma muPi Gamma Mu, the

international honor so-ciety in social sciences, is inviting juniors, seniors and graduate students to join. Students must be in the upper 35 percent of their class, have a grade-point average of “B” or better and 20 semester hours in social science courses.

There is an international initiation fee $40 and an additional local chapter fee of $10. If you are interested in joining Pi Gamma Mu pick up an application from Dr. Shawn Comminey, Louisiana Epsilon Chapter Adviser, in Room 429 of Higgins Hall.

css seminarsThe Center for Student

Success is offering its “Reducing Test Anxiety” seminar Monday-Thursday at Stewart Hall’s Lawless Auditorium.

CSS is offering the seminar Monday at 4 p.m., Tuesday at 2 p.m., Wednesday at 1 p.m. and Thursday at 3 p.m. The seminar is designed to teach students creative ways to reduce test anxiety.

peer tutoringPeer tutoring is available

in the Center for Student Success in Stewart Hall Room 107. Available hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays. Follow the Center for Student Success on Twitter to see exciting upcoming events: www.twitter.com/jaguar_nation.

Baptist student unionWant to become a

member of the Baptist Student Union? Want to fellowship with other students during the week? Need a place to worship? Need a place to attend for bible study, special events and trips? Need a quiet place to study? Need a place to relax and watch television?

Join the T.J. Jemison Baptist Student Union, located at 724 Harding Blvd., across from LaCumba’s Den and the tennis courts. For more information, call 225.774.8924.

los jaguares latinosLos Jaguares Latinos,

March 13 for your chance to do just that. The Southern University Law Center Clinical Education Department, the Financial Literacy Project and the Sports and Entertainment Legal Association are sponsoring this competition.

In Budgetball, teams of 6-10 members compete in a game that combines physical play with fiscal strategy. The game is a noncontact sport that is similar to Ultimate Frisbee and flag football, but does not require any physical skill.

The deadline for registration is March 3. For more information, contact Sonja Cajuste or Sirena Wilson at 225.771.3333.

race for the cureThe Susan G. Komen

Race for the Cure Walk/Run will be held on March 6 at 8:30 a.m. Registration for the event is now $30. For more information visit the Facebook group: Southern University—Race for the Cure Walk, email su.komen@gmail.com or contact Breanna Paul at 225.625.4252.

jaZZ Brunch & silent auctionThe Southern University

Center for International Education will hold its Sixth Annual Jazz Brunch and Silent Auction Saturday, March 20 in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The brunch is held annually to raise money for scholarships to support students and faculty members as they participate in the center’s Study Abroad programs held in Mexico, Africa, China and Belize. The international education program also assists faculty members in their quest to work in other countries as well as those from other areas who come to the U.S.

The silent auction includes items from various countries and other items donated by local patrons. Tickets are $35 each, and the amount is tax-deductible. For more information, call 225.771.2613.

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goal from page 1

said parent Carolyn Williams. However, according to Williams “I think they did a little too much reading and should develop a more initiative way of doing things.”

Mail-outs were issued informing students of the event. Southern University was chosen out of 17 other possible sites throughout the state. Other sites include Grambling State University, St. James High School and Delta Community College.

“I think we had more attendees this year. We sent out correspondents to religious organizations and high schools telling them when the event will take place,” said Ursula Shorty, Director for Southern University’s Office of Student Financial Aid.

Throughout the program different Financial Aid Staff

members assisted Clark in giving away door prizes. The recipient of all awards was chosen completely at random, by matching the last four digits of the ticket they received upon entering the room, to the ones being called by the hosts. High school senior Luke McKnight won two door prizes early on. The program closed after the financial aid staff awarded their final door prizes, one in the amount of $500, the other for $2000. LOSFA presented the Louisiana Association of Student Aid Administrators’ Mildred D. Higgins Scholarship Award in the amount of $500. The funds for the one time award will be dispersed to the institution the student enrolls into. Rolanda Davis, senior at Baker High School won

the $500 scholarship. Davis intends to pursue a Degree of Nursing at BRCC. The other scholarship was presented by Southern University and was in the amount of $1000 for two semesters. The winner of this award, Josh Smith is undecided as to which university he wants to attend, but has narrowed it down to Southeastern Louisiana University, LSU and SU.

“Winning the scholarship has given me something to think about,” said Smith. Smith is a senior at Scotlandville High School and plans to pursue a career in either business or kinesiology.

The College Goal Sunday is a nationwide effort to help familiarize students with the FASFA application process and the importance of the completing the form.

In the state of Louisiana, the program is funded through the LUMINA Foundation for Education. The grant, written by the Office of Student Financial Assistance offered about $150,000 to be used over the course of 3 years. The estimated cost spent per program is $50,000. Though this is the last year the program is covered by the grant, Amrhein says there are hopes of continuing the program in the Baton Rouge area.

“I think it (the program) went better this year. I hope that the even continues to grow,” said Clark.

The university staff and LOSFA worked in partnership with Wal-Mart, Raising Canes, Sams, LASFAA, and Miss Black Louisiana.

“I would like to thank the

Administrative Office, who assisted with volunteers; Office of Student Affairs, who provided refreshments, and the SU bookstore for the door prizes,” said Shorty.

The financial aid office is offering what they call, “help sessions” to student organizations, athletes, band members, and any other department on campus. The help sessions are to help students do their FASFA. Students interested in the help session are advised to make an appointment with Clark. Also, the financial aid staff is looking to extend efforts of helping students with their FASFA application by setting up tables in the Union sometime in March. FASFA deadline for the summer, fall, and spring semesters is March 31.

Academic Affairs, Southeastern La. University

Degree qualifications were also brought into question, a few candidates did not meet the preferred degree specifications. The board did decide that although a doctoral degree was preferred they are however not required.

Due to the absence of a few board members, the concern about completing the evaluation of the candidates was

an important factor to the consultants. Robert Clayton pushed that the board members find a way to complete their evaluations by the end of business today so that they can stay on what he called an “aggressive timeline.”

“We want to be in position by Monday to give back to you all considered to be the most favorable candidate,” said Clayton. “If there are those who can not complete

by close of business Friday so be it but Monday we are going to give you the benefits of our deliberations, you have got to stay on your aggressive timeline.”

According to Co-Chair Domoine Rutledge the committee has been challenged to narrow the number of candidates down to about 3 to 4 names to send to the Board of Supervisors who will ultimately choose the next system president.

When asked whether or not student opinions would be involved in the process Rutledge stated “I think it would be appropriate when we got that close to a decision that there should be some sort of student forum where they as well as others could come ask questions.”

These meetings are always open to the public to come sit in and give their input on this situation.

search from page 1

JACKSON, Miss.—A former Ku Klux Klansman convicted in the 1964 slayings of three civil rights workers has sued the FBI, claiming the government used a mafia hit man to pistol-whip and intimidate witnesses for information in the case.

Edgar Ray Killen, an 85-year-old former saw mill operator and one-time Baptist preacher, was convicted in 2005 of manslaughter based in part on testimony from a mistrial 40 years ago in Mississippi.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court seeks millions of dollars in damages and a declaration that Killen’s rights were violated when the FBI allegedly used a gangster known as “The Grim Reaper” during its investigation.

“Money is secondary, we really just want the truth out,” said Robert A. Ratliff of Mobile, Ala., who represents Killen. “What we’re looking for is the complete, unredacted FBI file. Stand up and tell us what happened.”

Killen has maintained his innocence in the killings. He is serving a 60-year sentence at a prison in central Mississippi.

Ratliff said one of the defense lawyers, the late Clayton Lewis, who represented Killen and several others in a 1967 federal trial was a paid FBI informant.

And, he said, known gangster and killer Gregory Scarpa Sr. was hired by the FBI allegedly for $30,000 to coerce witnesses to tell where the bodies were

buried and who put them there.The FBI has never acknowledged using

Scarpa. FBI spokeswoman Deborah Madden had not seen the lawsuit and had no immediate comment.

Killen walked out of federal court in 1967 because the jury couldn’t reach a verdict.

Some of the information and testimony from that trial was later used to convict him, when many witnesses were dead and he no longer had the chance to question his accusers, Ratliff said. Some of that testimony was based on information gathered by Lewis and Scarpa, he said.

Stories about Scarpa, who died in 1994, has been the stuff of gangland lore. But in 2007, Scarpa’s mistress testified in an unrelated case involving an FBI agent.

Linda Schiro said she came to Mississippi with Scarpa and he once shoved a gun into a Klansman’s mouth to get information for the FBI. Her entire testimony during that trial was later questioned, though, and an FBI agent accused of conspiring in a mob murder spree was cleared.

Still, after that trial, New York Supreme Court Justice Gustin Reichbach said he was troubled by Schiro’s testimony and referenced the Mississippi Klansman story.

“That a thug like Scarpa would be employed by the federal government to beat witnesses and threaten them at gunpoint to obtain information ... is a shocking demonstration of the government’s unacceptable willingness to employ criminality to fight crime,” the judge said.

WASHINGTON—After a day of debate and disagreement, President Barack Obama con-cluded Thursday’s unprece-dented live talkfest on health care with the bleak assessment that accord between Democrats and Republicans may not be possible. He rejected Republican preferences for seeking a step-by-step solution or simply starting over.

Obama strongly suggested that Democrats will try to pass a sweeping overhaul without GOP support, by using controversial Senate budget rules that would disallow filibusters. And then, he said, this fall’s elections would write the verdict on who was right.

“We cannot have another yearlong debate about this,” Obama said at the end of a 7 1/2-hour marathon policy session.

Neither side gave much ground, sticking mostly to familiar

arguments and talking points. The president urged Republicans to “do a little soul searching” but said majority Democrats would decide quickly how to move forward on a priority that has eluded leaders for half a century.

“This will take courage to do,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. said in her own closing speech. “But we will get it done.”

With the conversation veering between mind-numbing detail and flaring tempers, Obama and his Democratic allies clashed with congressional Republicans over the right prescription for the nation’s broken health care system. Though there was much talk of agreement, each side held onto long-entrenched positions that left them far apart. Democrats seek a kind of broad remake; Republicans favor much more modest changes.

“We have a very difficult gap to bridge here,” said Rep. Eric Cantor, the No. 2 House Republican. “We just can’t afford this. That’s the ultimate

problem.”With Cantor sitting in front of a

giant stack of nearly 2,400 pages representing the Democrats’ Senate-passed bill, Obama said cost is a legitimate question, but he took Cantor and other Republicans to task for using political shorthand and props “that prevent us from having a

conversation.”And so it went, hour after

hour at Blair House, just across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House.

It was essentially a condensed, one-day version of the entire past year of debate over the nation’s health care crisis, with all its heat, complexity and detail, and a crash

course in the partisan divide.Obama and other Democrats

argued that a broad overhaul is imperative for the nation’s future economic vitality. The president cast health care as “one of the biggest drags on our economy,” tying his top domestic priority to an issue that’s even more pressing to many Americans.

ATLANTA—After days of controversy over a white group’s win in a step competition, sponsor Coca-Cola says the second-place team will share top honors.

Coca-Cola said in a statement Thursday that a review of the scoring from Saturday’s national contest revealed a “scoring discrepancy” that it declined to explain. This is the first year of the Sprite Step Off competition, but

step contests are typically dominated by black sororities.

Step is a historically black art form of rhythmic stepping and clapping. A YouTube video of the winning performance by a group of white Zeta Tau Alphas from the University of Arkansas generated hundreds of comments, some of them inflammatory.

Coca-Cola said Thursday the Alpha Kappa Alpha team from Indiana University, whose members are black, would share first place.

By holBrook mohrassociated press Writer

Page 4 - Friday, Febraury 26, 2010

state & nationwww.southerndigest.com

in this photograph taken by ap images for sprite; Members of Zeta tau alpha sorority from the University of arkansas celebrate being named the winner of the sprite step off competition with a grand prize of $100,000 in scholarships, triumphing in the largest prize pool ever of $1.5 million in scholarships and 80 teams competing from 40 universities.

file photo By john amis/ap images for sprite

By dionne walker & kate BrumBackassociated press Writers

senate Minority Leader Mitch Mcconnell of Ky., right, and Health and Human services secretary Kathleen sebelius, center, listens to president Barack obama during a health care reform meeting at the Blair House in Washington, thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. (ap photo/pablo Martinez Monsivais)

photo By paBlo martineZ monsiVais/ap photo

Step show prize to be shared after Internet stir

Obama: health deal doubtfulBy ricardo alonso-ZaldiVar & jennifer loVenassociated press Writers

Convicted ex-Klansman sues FBIClaims government used mafia hit man during investigation

With three games left in Southern’s season, the Jagaurs fi nd themselves on the outside looking in on the SWAC Tournament.

Southern (4-23, 2-13) travels to The Reservation Saturday to take on last-place Alcorn State (1-27, 1-14) two-and-a-half games behind Grambling State (6-16, 4-10) for the eighth and fi nal spot in the tournament.

The Jags need to win Saturday and sweep Prairie View A&M (14-11, 9-5) and Texas Southern (12-14, 8-6) in the fi nal two regular season games —along with hope for a Grambling meltdown in the Tigers’ fi nal four games— in order to reach Shreveport for the tournament.

Southern defeated Alcorn 84-75 at the Minidome in the teams’ earlier meeting.

“We can’t take them for granted,” Jags swingman Jazz Williams said. “We just have to outwork them and make (center) JaMarkus (Holt) work.”

The Jags’ road troubles continued in Alabama last weekend, getting swept by both Alabama A&M and Alabama State. Southern has now lost six straight in conference play, including 10 straight away

from the Minidome and 20th-straight loss overall.

The Hornets became the fi fth team in the league to sweep SU in the regular season, winning 73-64 in Montgomery despite SU having fi ve players in double fi gures. SU

has not beaten ASU in the Acadome in over a decade.

“We just started the game off slow,” guard Brandon White said. “We’re still getting to know each other, and that’s really been the main problem all season.”

Friday, February 26, 2010 - Page 5

SPORTSwww.southerndigest.com

SPORT SHORTS

By morris DillarDdigest sPorts Writer

By justin wootendigest sPorts Writer

southern’s ashley augerson goes up for basket over alcorn state’s Kiara ruffin (12) and 24 amanda davidson (24) during the first meeting between the teams. the sWac-leading Jaguars head up to the reservation saturday to take on the Lady Braves while holding a half-game lead over Prairie View and alabama a&M.

photo by april buffington/DigESt

digest neWs serVice

Hall earns fi rst SWAC POTW of season

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Southern University’s Frazier Hall has earned the SWAC fi rst Player of the Week honor in 2010, for his play in last weekend’s MLB Urban Youth Invitational.

Hall hit .364 with two runs scored and six RBI in games vs. UCLA, Cal-State Northridge and Bethune-Cookman.

In his top game of the week, the junior from Baton Rouge went 2-for-5 with three RBI in Southern’s 12-9 come-from-behind win over Cal State Northridge.

The Jaguars return to action today with a 1 p.m. exhibition against Baton Rouge Community College at Pete Goldsby Field, followed by a home tilt Tuesday against Loyola-New Orleans.

Mitchell to get same salary as Richardson

New Southern University football coach Stump Mitchell will be paid the same salary as his predecessor, Pete Richardson.

Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said on Wednesday that Mitchell got a three-year contract at $200,000 per season with a fourth year as a mutual option.

Richardson, who spent 17 years as Southern’s coach, was paid $200,000 for his fi nal seasons. He retired after last season and was replaced by Mitchell, a former Washington Redskins assistant coach, in January.

LaFleur said Mitchell will have $400,000 available to pay his assistant coaches. Richardson had $335,000 to spread among six assistant coaches last season.

SU falls to NW StateThe SU softball team fell

9-4 to Northwestern State Wednesday.

Southern (0-7) was led by Victoria Stewart, who fi nished the game with three hits and two runs batted in. Audrey Phillips ended the game with a run and a hit. Brittany Hymes recorded a run while and Chastoni Jones add an RBI and two runs to her stat sheet.

Joei Glynn picked up her fourth loss of the season after facing 31 batters.

The softball team’s next action comes this weekend at LSU’s Tiger Invitational. SU opens play today against Jacksonville State at noon, followed by a game against LSU at 5 p.m. SU will take on Houston at 11 a.m.

the southern ball club must defeat alcorn state saturday and sweep Prairie View and texas southern next week, along with get hope for outside help, to clinch a sWac tourney spot.

photo by D’MarCo Craft/thE hornEt tribunE

The Southern University women’s basketball team is three wins shy of clinching the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season title, along with the top seed in the upcoming SWAC Tournament in Shreveport.

In many other ways, persever-ance can steer them in that direction.

Southern (17-8, 11-4) heads into Saturday’s game against Alcorn State (6-17, 6-9) atop the conference standings. However, that lead is only a half-game over Prairie View A&M (13-10, 10-4) and Alabama A&M (14-9, 10-4) with three games left on the Jagaurs’ schedule — including home games next weekend against PV and Texas Southern to close out the regular season.

“It’s going to be a battle these last three game,” assistant coach Carlos Funchess said. “As a coach, you look at it one game at a time.”

First things fi rst, SU must

get past a Lady Braves team fi ghting for its postseason life. Alcorn is in a three-way battle for one of the fi nal two SWAC Tournament berths with Mississippi Valley State (9-17, 6-9) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (7-18, 6-9). The trio are one game behind Alabama State (9-14, 6-8).

Southern routed Alcorn 70-43 in their earlier meeting at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. However, the road has not been totally good for Southern. “It’s tough on the road,” said assistant coach Carlos Funchess. “Defensively, I think we been solid; offensively we been up and down.”

The Jaguars head into Saturday’s game 6-6 away from the Minidome. Southern split a 65-62 loss at AAMU with a 44-41 at ASU over the weekend.

SU led the Lady Bulldogs 55-48 with 5:29 left in regulation before AAMU outscored the Jags 12-7 for the win.

SU led Alabama State 40-28 before the Lady Hornets went on a 13-4 run in the fi nal 6:37.

SWAC leader SU to face Alcorn

SWAC Tournament hopes getting slimmer for SU

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The Scotlandville community has a rich history, hidden behind the pothole-ridden roads and run down business. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, blacks owned their own businesses, families were close knit, and the community as a whole looked after each other. The streets were clean, homes were maintained, and blacks appreciated and valued education. Today, Scotlandville is flooded with drugs, homes are being taken by the city, and the importance of education is taken for granted by our generation, but a developing student organization, named K.O.S. (Knowledge of Self) has made a positive and productive step towards bringing the importance of education back and self pride back within the Scotlandville area.

Scenic Highway is known for being an industry highway lined up with tire shops, mechanic shops, beauty salons and barbershops, but the community is missing a certain element that makes a community and that is beauty. K.O.S. took the initiative to paint a mural on the corner of Scenic Highway and Osprey Street. An Olmec head, along with an illustration of a Sankofa bird, is vividly shown next to a beauty salon building with a bold statement above the painting,

which reads, “We Came B4 Columbus”. Travelers, headed towards Baker, can easily see the mural.

The painting turn heads because people are unaware of the meaning and message hidden behind the mural, which was a clever plan devised by the members of K.O.S. to motivate people to conduct further research on the two images.

“The Olmecs were an ancient civilization that traveled from Africa to the western hemisphere over a thousand years before Jesus and we just wanted to enlighten the Scotlandville community about that part of history many of us may never have heard of”, said Perry Brooks, a SU alumni and member of K.O.S.

The concept of the mural, which is also painted above the Sankofa bird, is to look to our past to find our future.

“Hopefully this will raise the awareness of the community and our history in general and the fact that we were here before Columbus is often hidden from us, so the whole concept is for our community to look into their past to find their future,” expressed Ses- I Ra, SU alumni and sketcher of the design.

This startling part of history, which is hidden from many school history textbooks, is finally coming to fruition with the contributions made by many scholars, such as Ivan Van Sertima, yet

this significant information still has not been incorporated into the public school curriculums.

“The phrase is true, we did come before Columbus”, stated Wesley Thornton, a sophomore psychology native of New Orleans. “Our people need to understand the stones of the Olemc heads are our history.” continued Thornton.

The murals’ goal is to also attract mainly the youth of the Scottlandville community.

“Images speak to you”, said Karenka Williams, native of Baton Rouge and member of K.O.S. “When people see this image they (the youth) will realize this is

something from our past and hopefully it will tap into their curiosity and conduct research,” continued Williams.

Children are always researching over the Internet but the mural is supposed to motivate and encourage children to utilize their available resources, such as YouTube and Google, to analyze their own history.

“The mural is primarily for the children of the community,” said Amber Owens, SU Law School major and native of Pittsburgh. “ I think children, instead of adults, will pass the corner and wonder what the image is and hopefully internalize the information they find.”

Page 6 - Friday, February 26, 2010

arts & entertainmentwww.southerndigest.com

By Billy washingtondigest a&e editor

Members of the K.o.s. group hope their mural painted on a building at the corner of scenic Highway and osprey street inspires as much as it beautifies.

photo by april buffington/DigESt

Student group uses art to beautify, give deeper meaning

When people think about black history the first thing that comes to mind is African American achievements, but the month of February is a time to reflect on “Black” history. This means we should give homage to those who participated and contributed in the civil rights movement, the Antebellum period, and ancient civilizations within the continent of Africa. During the 28 days recognized as black history month, we are usually informed of the same people year after year. For example, the most common names that come to mind during Black history month are Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and etc. We seldom hear about The Noble Drew Ali, Nat Turner, David Walker, Marcus Garvey and a plethora of other contributors to Black history.

I honestly believe the reason we seldom hear of the people I previously listed is because they were considered to be “revolutionary.” Someone does not want us to know about these individuals, because they fear of riots. Why would a riot

occur? Maybe a riot would occur because we, as African Americans, have been lied to over and over. Our history, which is a crucial and critical part of a human being formulating an identity, has been stripped from us. We have been ignored by the government whenever we make demands. We have been abused, misused, and now we are confused, but if we were to find out about our late and great “REVOLUTIONARIES” all hell would break loose.

For example, during J. Edgar Hoovers time as the Director of the FBI, Black Nationalists groups were springing up everywhere across the nation, there were many black nationalist groups such as the Black Panther Party, US, The Nation of Islam, Republic of New Africa, and many other groups that demanded a change. Hoover and the FBI

feared that riots would occur throughout the states and they also feared they would lose the fight; therefore, they created COINTELPRO which was a counterintelligence program designed to neutralize leaders of the black movement. (Don’t believe me? Look it up for yourself. )

During that time we were organized. We were fighting for a real revolution, a complete change, but the enemy won because of the massive flooding of drugs in our communities, which has our brothers locked up, strung out, or dead. Which in turn, leads to broken homes and single mothers and the revamped Willie Lynch perpetual cycle continues. It is up to us to stop the “family breaking” cycle by researching the current problems of Black America.

If you can’t find a problem, here are a few:

According to Jawanza Kunjufu, author of Solutions for Black America, 1 out of 3 African American males is involved in the penal institution and it is projected that by 2020 2 of 3 African American males will be incarcerated. Twenty percent of African American Adults

and 50 percent of African American children live below the poverty line. Forty percent of the homeless are African Americans. African Americans constitute 12 percent of the population, but African American males account for 43 percent of HIV cases and African American women are 64 percent. All of these problems can be solved if we pick up where our true revolutionaries ceased.

People develop a negative connotation of the term “Revolution” because of the social propaganda of revolutionaries being militant. I believe they were militant but the main element they possessed was LOVE. Fred Hampton LOVED his people. Stokely Carmichael LOVED his people. Geronimo Pratt LOVED his people. Everyone has heard of the gnomic saying, “LOVE CONQUERS ALL”; therefore, I challenge everyone within the Jaguar Nation to reflect deeper during the remainder of Black history month and ask yourselves: Is the current condition of African Americans acceptable? What can I do to make a change? The Revolution can only begin with YOU and LOVE.

Throughout the course of my almost 20 years of living, my life has basically revolved around Southern University. My mother and father both graduated from Southern University.

All of my maternal aunts and uncles graduated from here minus one and my paternal aunt graduated from here (my paternal uncle graduated from LSU). Most of my cousins graduated from here. Needless to say, I have a lot of ties to this university. Let’s not forget about football games. I was born in May; therefore I attended my first football game when was 4 months old. My brother was born in September and went to the Bayou Classic.

My immediate family and I also were featured in “The Advocate” for tailgating. We had a motor home and tailgated at every home game and most of the away games at spot 52 by the

flag pole in the Mini-Dome parking lot. For homecoming, we would stay overnight. We had a set breakfast menu and different menus for each game. All my parents’ friends would come and spend the day with us. My grandparents would come. It would be a family affair.

My mother worked for Southern for 10 years. I spent many days doing my homework in her office listening to student-athletes fight for their eligibility to play their respected sport. All of them wanted to “do their university proud.”

I always dreamed of

coming to SU. I thought it was the best place ever. It was so fun and had a great atmosphere. Everyone seemed so happy and glad to be a part of the Jaguar Nation. Students, alumni and everyone who attended the games had so much pride.

To make a long story short, I didn’t come to SU right after high school. I went to Clark Atlanta University for my freshman year and then transferred here after my freshman year.

My, how things have changed from when I was a little girl to now, me being a sophomore here. Student’s pride is now almost non-existent. When I was growing up, the basketball games were a full house. You had to get there early just so you wouldn’t have to sit in the yellow bleachers. Very few students have “school spirit.” Nowadays, no one goes to the games (mainly because

the men suck). And the only thing on everyone’s mind is refund checks. No one seems to care that the “Ole Southern Tradition” is going down the drain.

Now that I have named all of the problems, how do we change it? We have to go back to the ‘90s and even before were Southern was fun. When students were able to participate in extra-curricular activities AND still go to class and get their school work done. We need to care about our school. This starts with little things like picking up trash. Has anyone seen the parking lot of Shade and Totty? I’m sure you can find a bag from every restaurant on the ground in the parking lot. We need to get back where we were and care about what’s ours. I mean you pay to go here, so let’s start caring about our university so it can be here for OUR children to attend.

Friday, February 26, 2010 - Page 7

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www.southerndigest.comget online @

brEanna paul

billy WaShington

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.com.

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.

Do you feel SU students, faculty and

staff lost its pride?

alton scott iisLideLL, La.fresHMannUrsing

“I feel the faculty and staff have pride, but the students don’t. We have problems, but never try to solve them or take them to people

that can.”

scott

austinhickersonBaton roUge

fresHManMass

coMMUnication

“As a whole, I feel the students have because no one is taking action

towards making campus life better.”

HicKerson

jamalthomas

neW orLeansfresHMan

coMPUter science

“I think student pride has left due to the university’s failure to meet its promises to the

students.”

evancooper

BeaUMont, texasfresHManMarKeting

“I feel the faculty and staff have pride but the students will have to gain it with longevity.”

speak outBy trevor jamesdigest PHotograPHer

tHoMas

cooPer

“That Old Southern Spirit” i s missing

Where’s the love?

www.southerndigest.comPage 8 - Friday, February 26, 2010