facebook.com/TheTSUHerald

twitter.com/TheTSUHerald THE TSU HERALD | March 12, 2014

Vol 66 | Number 12

CAMPUS NEWS

SPORTS

OPINION

WHERE ARE THEY NOW: OMAR STRONG

“15 To Finish”

Campaign encourages students to take more credit hours

5 THINGS TO DO IN TEXAS DURING SPRING BREAK

LIFE & STYLE

page 2

BY Mariea Boyd

Deeper Than Race:Your Character Defines

You

BY SIDNIE HOLMESpage 11

lies within the heart of the Robert

James Terry library

Photo credit: Buck Bedia

The Heartman Collection

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BECOME ONE WITH TSU DURING ANNUAL TIGER DAY TOUR

page 3

page 9

page 5

HOPE FOR FOOD OASIS IN HOUSTON’S THIRD WARD

page 10

2

Campus News

EDITORIAL STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFMECOLE’ HAYESCampus News EditorMARIEA BOYD

Life & Style EditorSENORA HARRIS

Sports EditorBUCK BEDIA

Opinion EditorLINDSAY GARY

Publications ManagerTIYOSHA TURNER

AdvisorsSERBINO SANDIFER-WALKERMICHAEL BERRYHILL

The TSU Herald is published by the students of

Texas Southern University. Opinions expressed are those

of the writer and do notnecessarily reflect those of the

administration. The newspaper is printed biweekly, except

during holidays andexamination periods.

For additional information, call (713) 313-1976.

Universities across the country are tak-ing on a new campaign, 15 to Finish, probing students to take 15 credit hours per semester to insure that they will graduate in four years. The campaign was created to change the 12 credits per semester culture on college campuses and to raise on-time graduation rates. A study by Complete College America and conducted by Nate Johnson of Postsecondary Analytics, including 329 2- and 4- year colleges and universities, con-cluded that most “full-time” students through-out the country fail to take enough credits to ensure on-time completion of their degrees. HawaiiUniversitywasthefirsttocreate a campaign of this kind called “15 To Finish.” On April 11, 2013, members from the University of Hawaii took the stage at the

“15 To Finish” campaign encourages students to take more credit hoursBY MARIEA BOYDCampus News Editor

Competitive Carriers Association convention in Denver, Colorado, to share the details of their highly successful “15 To Finish campaign. “It was such an honor. This team has been working on this for over a year and a half, and to be asked to come here and share it with these 22 states and the District of Colum-bia is a real tribute to our ten campus efforts. To think that what we’ve done in Hawaii is going to inform these states — we should all be so proud,” University of Hawaii Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost Linda Johnsrud said. After the campaigns launch, the uni-versity saw an increase of 38 to 56 percent in students taking 15 or more credit hours a semester. “It’s always hard to get large numbers of students to do something different. So that

makesitevenmoresignificantwhattheUni-versity of Hawaii has done,” Stan Jones, CCA president said. “And that’s one of the reasons that we call it a game changer, because they’re moving thenumberssignificantly.That’swhyallthesestates came through a blizzard to get here to listen to the Hawaii team and learn about their program.” If you were a student at Texas Southern University two years ago you probably saw the 15x8= GRADUATE t-shirts. In 2012, TSU joined the movement urging its own students to opt- out of the normal 12 hours and reach for higher goals. “I never took anything less than 15 hours,” Electronics and engineering technol-ogy student, Kenyata Thomas said. Thomas enrolled in the fall of 2011 and will be graduating on time in the spring of 2015. “The key is strategically planning to take easy with hard classes just in case you do not do so well in a class the easy will outweigh the bad and your grades will not suffer,” Thomas said. More universities like the University of Denver, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, University of central Missouri, and the South Dakota board of regents haveadopted the “15 To Finish” plan hoping for a success story such has the University of Hawaii, and raise on-time graduation rates.

3

Campus News

A bit of excitement erupted from the TSU Recreation Center on Friday, February 28th, as a swarm of high school students ap-peared on campus for TSU’s Tiger Day. TexasSouthernUniversity’sOfficeof Admissions hosted a number of events for high school students inquiring about the uni-versity, including Tiger Day. “Tiger Day is a campus-wide event that showcases the university’s academic pro-grams, enrollment services, campus activities, and organizations to prospective and transfer students,” Director of Admissions, Brian Armstrong said. Since the event was designed for prospective students, many organizations took part in showing what they have to offer. Some of these included: The TSU Her-ald, the Ocean of Soul marching band, Univer-sity Program Council and a number of Greek organizations. The students learned of scholarship op-portunities, the study programs the university has to offer (including the Honors College and major and minor programs), and the avail-able housing arrangements, including the new dorms that will begin construction starting this month. They also had the opportunity to meet

withacademicandfinancialadvisors,thatassisted them with the best options for their academic careers. Tiger Ambassadors and student leaders at TSU administered campus-wide tours while prospects received real testimonies of students’ experiences at Texas Southern. All high schools were encouraged to come and witness Tiger Day, especially those in the Houston area. Even if the capacity was reached on the list of attendance, there were still other events and tours that were scheduled for the schools that couldn’t make the Tiger Day in order for their students to see what the university has to offer. “Tiger Day is hosted twice a year, [once] during homecoming and [another] dur-ing the spring semester,” Armstrong said. AlthoughtheOfficeofAdmissionsisthe sole host of Tiger Day, faculty, staff, and student organizations were welcomed to par-ticipate. TSU’s Recruitment Council also aids in the planning of Tiger Day activities. Elvonte Patton, Admission Adminis-trator, on a board of seven staff members also aids in putting Tiger Day together. His favorite part of Tiger Day was

High school students become one with TSU during annual Tiger Day tourBY LENZI CAUSEYContributing Writer

“seeing the campus come together to showcase the “TSU Proud” spirit,” he said. As a matter of fact, any TSU student can help with planning or volunteering for Tiger Day if he or she desires by applying to serve on the Recruitment Council at the uni-versity or register to volunteer. To conclude the day’s activities, a rally was hosted outside of the sports arena to add in a little fun for the students who visited, where everyone: current students, organiza-tions, prospects, and administration mesh togethered, if even just for a moment. TSU, with its many additions and reno-vations to accommodate students, is adamant about getting through to the community and any person ready and willing to further their education. Overall, as TSU grows and advances, it is pushing for its students and even prospects to do the same. It all starts with reaching out at events such as Tiger Day. To get more information on, register, or inquire about Tiger Day, visit www.tsu.edu/tigerday,orvisittheAdmissionsOfficeoncampus.

4

Cover Story

If you’ve visited the Robert James Terry library at Texas Southern University, most likely, you’ve seen or heard of the mu-seum that sits within its east wing. This is not your ordinary museum, as it is the home to various collections that contain ancient artifacts and primary sources that are linked directly to African history and the Afri-can American culture. One collection in particular, a very popular one at that, is The Heartman Collection. “The Heartman Collection is split into a couple of different areas,” special collections archivist, Gary Chaffee said. “But the bulk of the collection actu-ally centers on African American and African culture from the late 1800s to the middle of the 20th century.” The Gallery of Traditional African Art, Ollington Smith papers, and the university archives, are all apart of The Heartman Collec-tion. The university purchased the collection in the early 1950s from a noted book dealer in the Houston area by the name of Charles Heartman. Heartman specialized in collecting materials that related to the black experience. “He was the amazon of the early part of the 20th century,” Chaffee said. “Sometimes libraries and universities would approach him to buy entire collections, and that’s actually how The Heartman Collec-tion started.” Upon purchase, The Heartman Collection was originally housed in the Fairchild Building but was later moved to the current library when it was built in the 1970s. During that time, the collection cir-culated which allowed student and faculty members to check the materials out and return them at a later day. Itwasn’tuntiluniversityofficialsandarchivists discovered that the materials were rare editions and that many of them contained

rare signatures, that they then became a non-circulating collection. “The librarian at the time actually spotted the fact that this was a rare collection, and that it really needed to be kept all in one piece, and to be given some protection, which is why it is now apart of our non-circulating collection,” Chaffee said. Although students no longer have the luxury of checking the materials out and tak-ing them home to be read in comfort of their homes, they can still be used from eight until fivep.m.throughouttheweekduringthemu-seums operating hours. Many students do not know that The Heartman Collection exists, let alone, that it contains a bulk of history that relates directly to the African American culture and the his-tory of the university. “I remember having to take a tour there during freshman seminar and learning new things about our culture that was never taught to me throughout school,” junior, Elijah Brown said. “Not only was it interesting, but it was inspiring to know how big of a role Texas Southern alumni and faculty members played in the development of our culture in Houston.” The Robert James Terry library and museum are working to make the library more visible to students on campus. “We have the internet now and I’m trying to get the word out there via our webpage just to let people know what we have available and to stir up some interest,” Chaffee said.

The Heartman Collection lies within the heart of the Robert James Terry libraryBY MECOLE’ HAYESEditor-in-Chief

“Not only was it interesting, but it was inspiring to know how big of a role Texas Southern alumni and faculty members played in the development of our culture in Houston.” - junior, Elijah Brown

One of many rare textiles and ancestral figures in the Gallery of Traditional African Art.

The circulating collection of paperback books of the Heartman Collection.

5

Life & Style

Five things to do in Texas during Spring BreakBY SENORA HARRISLife & Style Editor

Having a good time during Spring Break doesn’t necessarily mean strolling on a beach in Jamaica, or going on a gondola ride in Italy. There are plenty of great things that to do and see right here in Texas.

Barton Springs If one is a fan of swimming and hap-pens to be in Austin during Spring Break, visiting the Barton Springs Pool is highly recommended. Although it’s a simple pool attraction, it is a great one for beating the heat. Because the pool receives its water from a natural spring, the temperature never falls below 68 degrees, and never gets warmer than 71.6 degrees. In addition, the pool extends for three acres, making it possible for one to relax in the water without worrying about bumping into childrenwithfloaties. This iconic Austin site more than beats your standard neighborhood pool.

Pleasure Pier Astroworld may be gone, but that doesn’t mean that Houstonians can’t get their amusement park thrills. ForthosehopingtofillthevoidthatAstroworld left behind, they can visit Pleasure Pier. Since opening in Galveston during summer 2012, Pleasure Pier is one of the new-est amusement parks in Texas. Pleasure Pier offers things to do, which include classic midway games, restaurant din-ing, shopping, and of course plenty of different rides. For just an hour long drive from Houston, people can enjoy all that comes with Pleasure Pier.

Natural Bridge Caverns For those who are looking to have a fun but educational time while on vacation, they can visit the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio. Since being discovered in 1960, these caverns are now a national landmark and the largest commercial ones in the state. Visitors have an opportunity to learn about the caverns through walking tours, whichallowsforfirsthandexplorationunder-ground. In addition, one can take a walk on the wild side by attempting their latest attraction: the Canopy Challenge and Zip Lines. Visitors have the option of completing different obstacles courses at 60 feet in the air, as well as zip lining over the vast Texas Hill Country. The Natural Bridge Caverns are a great alternative to visiting the Alamo if in San An-tonio for Spring Break.

South Padre Island Here in Texas, it’s very common to hear “South Padre Island” and “Spring Break” used in the same sentence. Because of their affordability, South Padre Island has grown to become a staple destination for college students. South Padre Island is well known for their parties, which take place at the beach, bayside, and the pool. There are also other options for fun in the sun at South Padre Island. Visitorscanenjoywindsurfing,dolphinwatching, parasailing, and horseback riding on the beach. Students don’t have to get a passport for a nice tropical getaway.

RodeoHouston Because of the Houston Rodeo, stu-dents staying in Houston during Spring Break can enjoy themselves right here in town. This annual event celebrates every-thing southern, and is Texas sized as well. During the day, there are many things going on at the Rodeo, located in Reliant Park. One can eat fried Oreos while at carni-val, go on a horse led trail ride, or see one of the many livestock shows. At night, the main attraction is avail-able: the rodeo. After events such as the bull riding and team roping, famed bands and musicians perform live in concert. RodeoHouston can provide for a good country time.

Upcoming Rodeo Houston

Schedule:

Thursday, March 13:Rocking the Rodeo Runway Fashion Show at 5:30 p.m.

Maroon 5 at 9:00 p.m.

Friday, March 14: Keith Urban at 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 18: Robin Thicke at 9 p.m.

6

THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR TIGERS

10.

12.

Texa

s Sou

ther

n U

nive

rsity

Exce

llenc

e in

Achi

evem

ent

1. 2.

4. 5. 6.

8.9.

13.

7

THROUGH THE EYES OF OUR TIGERS

1. Two TSU students enjoying a nice day on the plaza.

2. Opinion Editor, Lindsay Gary and Ms. Birtenna Bennett share a laugh during their #MeetThePress interview.

3. Life & Style writer, Lenzi Causey getting the inside scoop onTheTSUShufflefromitscreators.

4. Jessica Carter participating during the live “20 Questions” segment at #MeetThePress.

5. President Leon Spencer hosts the 2nd Annual “Swag vs. Success” seminar in the Tiger Room of the SSLC.

6. TSU students asking Leon Spencer questions during Swag vs. Success.

7. The Beta Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. putting on a show during Tiger Day.

8. mtvU reps passing out information to high school seniors during Tiger Day.

9. The Delta Gamma chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. sturt their stuff during Tiger Day 2014.

10. The Nu Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. had the crowd hype during their stroll at Tiger Day.

11. The Gamma Psi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. stroll to their favorite Uncle Luke song during Tiger Day.

12. These lovely ladies shared stories and personal experiences during UPC’s Big Girls Don’t Cry forum.

13. Ally Banks and Dari Hester collecting nominations for the Tiger Choice Awards coming soon during Spring Fest.

14. The Epsilon Alpha chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. collaborate on a clothing drive to kick off the week.

As the weeks go by here at Texas Southern University, our photographers capture all of the moments and current events on campus.

11.

14.

3.

7.

Photos courtesy of: Buck Bedia, Cameron Butler, Jerry Webb, and Mariea Boyd

8

Life & Style

Women’s empowerment group rips the runway with local HBCU graduates in scholarship fundraiser fashion showCourtesy of JORDAN HARRISThe Live Wire Agency

Houston, TX— This weekend, Mocha Millennium Women teams up with Project 1855 to present “The Women of HBCUs Fashion Show, A Cream & Canary Affair” featur-ing women graduates of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) of diverseprofessions, modeling clothes from some of Hous-ton’s local rising fashion designers and popular boutiques. The event will be held at the Houston Mu-seum of African American Culture (4807 Caroline Street, Houston TX 77004) from 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM. Proceeds will help support scholarships for students attending Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University. “The Women of HBCUs Fashion Show” will showcase and celebrate everyday women from diverse professions, each who’ve graduated from HBCUs including Hous-ton’s Texas Southern Uni-versity, Prairie View A&M University and Grambling University. The women will model the lat-est trends from Melodrama Boutique, Dame Elegante Boutique, Kingdom Citi-

zens Boutique, Ankara Fashions BB Sexy Couture, Shiekh Shoes, makeup by Lamik & Double Dutch, INC, and hair by Sovereign Styles. The fashion show will feature Nzuri Top Natural models, local celebrity MiMi Irvin aka and creator of Meye label and Miss Black Texas, Roneshia Ray. Houston HBCU alumni and commu-nity supporters are invited to enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, three live deejays an open bar, a party following the fashion show and are asked to sport their most stylish cream and canary colored apparel. Ticketscanbepurchasedathttp://defi-nitionofaparty.eventbrite.com. Mocha Millennium Women founded by Dr. Teriya Richmond is an organization dedi-cated to empowering women through fashion, fitness,women’shealthoutreach,andphilan-thropy. Project1855isanon-profitdevotedtoforming partnerships with other individuals and business that are designed to eliminate the barriers that create the unemployment dispar-ity between African Americans and other ethnicities. The two organizations have come together to in support of refashioning,influencing,andimprovingcorporate and small business relationship within African American community. Representatives of Mocha Millennium Women are available for comment and inter-views. Select members of the media are invited to “The Women of HBCUs Fashion Show, A Cream & Canary Affair.” For media inquiries, interview oppor-tunities and media access to the event, please contact Jordan Harris at 281.935.8339

9

SportsSports RundownBY BUCK BEDIASports Editor

TSU Take Momentum into Tourney Winning 6th Straight over Southern 67-64

BATON ROUGE, LA- Seeding was the motiveintheseasonfinaleasTexasSoutherngrabbed the number two seed with the defeat of Southern 67-64 Saturday night. Jose Rodriguez came off the bench and had the hot hand for TSU going 8 for 11 from thefieldwith18pointsin26minutes. Aaric Murray might have had a quiet night offensively but the recently named SWAC Player of the Year, had 10 rebounds and 4 blocks to go with 7 points caused havoc inside the paint. With the number two seed, we get afirstroundbyeandplaythewinneroftheJackson St vs. Grambling game on March 12th at 12:30 p.m. So get to the game and support TSU at the Toyota Center.

Turnovers Do Lady Tigers In, They Lose 71-66 to Southern

BATON ROUGE, LA- The Texas Southern Lady Tigers basketball team could not handle the pressure from the Southern Jaguars on Saturday losing 71-66 at the F.G. Clark Activ-

ity Center. Brianna Sidney and Alexus Johnson led all TSU scorers with 14 points each. Texas Southern led most of the game and took a 39-30 lead into the half. In the second half, the Jaguars began to apply their full court defensive pressure forc-ing TSU into several critical turnovers late in the game. As the number two seed going into the SWAC, the Lady Tigers will play at 10:00 am against the winner of the University of Arkan-sas Pint-Bluff and Grambling State University.

Aaric Murray and Jazzmin Parker Earn Top SWAC Honors

TSU is the home of the two best bas-ketball players in the SWAC. On Monday, the SWAC acknowledged top players in the conference naming Aaric Murray and Jazzmin Parker as SWAC Player of the Year for both men and women. Parker led the SWAC in scoring, aver-aging 19.2 points a game coming off the bench in Coach Hayes-Perry system. Parker also received First Team All-

SWAC honors. Murray also led the conference in scoring, averaging 21.2 points per contest. He also was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and honored on the First Team All-SWAC. Other honorees include; junior guard Sarah Williams was named Newcomer of the Year and junior center Morgan Simmons was named Second Team All-SWAC.

Tiger Golf Place 2nd place finish in Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, LA- Thefirstroundwastheonly round due to weather in the Texas South-ern Greater Alexandria Collegiate Invitational. Officialshadonlyoneroundtogooffof for a winner, and Texas Southern women’s golffinished2ndwithanoverall359. Kassandra Rivera placed 3rd over-all individually shooting an 85, and Carmen Gonzales tied for 4th one stroke behind Rivera with an 86. Themenfinished2ndaswelloverallwith a score of 340. Connor Mathers shot an 81 good enough for 8th overall.

As one of the top scorers in the South Western Athletic Conference (SWAC), Omar Strong led the Texas Southern University Men’s Basketball team to the conference championship. Strong, a 5’9 combo guard from Balti-more, Maryland, came to Texas Southern from Cecil Community College in the fall of 2011 and instantly became one of TSU’s leading players. He immediately impacted the confer-ence by becoming the SWAC Player of The Year and set a record by making the most 3-point shots amongst players from the univer-sity. Now playing for BC-Beroe in Bulgar-ia, we took the time to catch up with Strong to

learn more about what it’s like overseas, what motivates him, and his plans after playing in Bulgaria.

CC: What is the name of your team, and how long did you sign for?

OS: BC Beroe in Bulgaria, Stara Zagora, I signed for a season.

CC: What is it like playing overseas?

OS: It’s very different. The setting, the people, but the same in a way. It’s a great experience. I’m just taking everything in and making the best of my situation.

CC: What are your plans after this season is over for you?OS: My plans are to go back home to see my family for a few, and head back to Houston to train with former NBA player and coach John Lucas to stay prepared for the next opportu-nity.

CC: What motivates you to play basketball?

OS: Baltimore is home of the crabs. It’s like a thousand crabs in a bucket and people trying to bring you down in any way possible. If you look at the crime rate, we are top 3 almost ev-ery year. I used basketball as an escape to stay out of trouble. Other than that, my son moti-vates me to the fullest, I play for him.

Where Are They Now: Omar StrongBY CHELSEY CUMMINGSContributing Writer

10

OpinionHope for food oasis in Houston’s Third WardBY LINDSAY GARYOpinion Editor

According to research from the United States Department of Agriculture, the Third Ward is home to one of Houston’s largest food deserts. Definedasareasbarrenofacces-sible and affordable fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food options, food deserts are prevalent throughout most of the city and have contributed to the 26 percent of Harris County residents living without access to fresh pro-duce,afigureabovethenationalaverage. Food deserts are particularly common inimpoverishedareaslikethethirdandfifthwards, revealing the inequitable gap between the rich and the poor. Inhabitants in these areas have higher and rising rates of malnutrition and obesity as they are almost completely absent of grocery stores. As a result, residents, many whom rely on public transportation, are forced to pur-chase food from convenient stores and small marts that carry processed, sugary, and fatty foods, and alcoholic beverages rather than healthy options. This gap was perpetuated by Houston’s ordinance that prohibited the sale of alcohol within 300 feet of churches, public hospitals, and some private schools and within 1,000 feet of public schools and other private schools. Because most supermarkets maintain aisles with alcohol in order to remain competi-tive in the industry, they were banned from being built in areas like Third Ward that are densely populated with churches. For decades, this ordinance has fos-tered nutrition-related diseases and ultimately deaths in poor, largely black and Latino com-munities. This past January however, govern-mentofficialsfinallytookastandagainstthisissue when Houston City Council passed a revision to the ordinance wherein supermar-kets,definedasbuildingsofatleast10,000square feet that offer mostly canned and frozen foods, fresh produce, and less than 25 percent of alcoholic products, are now permitted to sell wine and beer near churches and schools. This policy encourages the placement

of large grocers in Houston’s poor neighbor-hoods. Proponents argue that this long-awaited decision will not only increase the population in these areas and create jobs for residents, but most importantly, it will give residents con-venient and affordable access to healthy and fresh food, eventually improving the diets of marginalized Houstonians. Critics contend that because residents are so far below the poverty line, they will not be able to afford to shop at the grocery stores regularlyandthusgrocerswillnotgainprofits;this risk will discourage the building of large supermarkets in food deserts. Despite arguments presented by critics and businesses, it is the role of the government to ensure that all citizens have the same social and economic opportunities. It is inequitable and unjust for the rich and middle class to have convenient and af-fordable access to fresh food, while poor and working class citizens do not. Houston’s revision of its alcohol sales ordinance is working to bridge the gap be-tween these populations by ensuring that all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, have equal opportunities. In order to successfully eliminate food deserts and decrease the “grocery gap” long-term, further action must be taken. Cityofficialsshouldcontinuetopromote the building of grocery stores and healthy restaurants like the Third Ward’s Sun-shine’s and Green Seed Vegan in low-income neighborhoods, institute mobile food vehicles that deliver healthy food to those without transportation, and work to convert convenient stores by adding fresh foods to their products.

“California! I will be spending quality time with my family on the beach.” - Sophomore,

Dezarai Evans

“Party, relax, and SKATE!” - Freshman, Emory Thomas

“South Padre!” - Sophomore, Shanice Williams

“I’m going to visit my family and friends in Jamaica and do some modeling.” -

Sophomore, Stanley Azubike

What are your plans for Spring Break

2014?

“City officials should continue to promote the building of grocery stores and healthy restaurants like the Third Ward’s Sunshine’s and Green Seed Vegan.” - Lindsay Gary

11

Opinion

IremembertheveryfirsttimeIcastmy vote, it was 1992, and I was in the second grade! The teachers of the second grade that year, had decided to participate in a lesson on teaching us how to vote just like our parents, aunts, uncles, pastors, and coaches did. We were casting our vote for the Presi-dency that year between candidates Democrat Bill Clinton, Independent Ross Perot, and the incumbent President George H.W. Bush. Later that evening, we watched the news believing that our vote had counted. Bill Clinton won that election and later on became one the greatest and most lovable Presidents to date. Who knew, that nearly two decades later, we would be voting to RE-ELECT an African American as Commander in Chief? Barack Hussein Obama is a man that has done what I’m sure the entire world didn’t think was possible. He was elected as President of the United States. A black man voted into the white house seems farfetched even now, although it happened. There are many things people can say about this election that has changed their out-look on life, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the greatest barrier in American society still, RACE. He is still “judged by the color of his skin and not the content of his character” as Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had hoped for us in the centuries to come as we continue to fightthebattleofcivilrightsonmanylevels. President Obama has faced many things while on his journey to become a presi-dent and even still, today as the president. Out of all 44 presidents, President Obama has endured the greatest amount of disrespect or at least in the opinion of some, with a great amount of facts to support that theory. Our current President has taken on the

Deeper Than Race: Your character defines youBY SIDNIE HOLMESContributing Writer

weight of the African American community by not adding to stereotypes that has plagued our culture for decades, although Ted Nugent doesn’t necessarily agree. Nugent felt the need to state how he felt about the leader of the free world by call-ing him a “subhuman Mongrel.” Bydefinitionsubhumanmeansalowerorder of being other than human. Mongrelhasbeendefinedasadogofnodefinabletypeorbreed,andassadandun-believable as it may be, Nugent publicly made that remark about our Commander in Chief. Ted Nugent is a rock singer and has been for quite some time now. He has always been involved in some kind of controversy over the years, but this new Republican opinion of his has landed oth-ers in a path of answering unwanted questions. It somehow involved, Republican Greg Abbott with reporters wanting answers and confirmationsonhisstance. Does Ted Nugent speak for all repub-licans? Nugent spoke at the NRA convention back in 2012 as an opener for Mitt Romney. So this arrogant, outspoken, Kanye West of the republicans is not new to the cam-paign trails and stating his opinion. There have been many instances where President Obama has been on disrespected with trivial things and not for the things has done and is currently doing for the country. For instance, he is always being at-tacked about his birthplace. RememberthefiascoofDonaldTrumpwanting the president to show him his papers? How about how the Commander in Chief seems to never be addressed as President Barack Obama, as all other former Presidents and even Governors are addressed. He is simply Obama, like a brand.There have been many instances where the has been outright disrespected in front of America. The infamous Bill O’Reily interrupted the president at least 45 times during his short interview.

BackduringhisfirstyearsasPresidentin 2009, he was told “you lie” by a member of the congress, or a governor from Arizona, pointingafingerinhisface,appearingtosaythings in an impolite manner. A congressman back in 2011 decided to announce publicly that he would not be at-tending the President’s speech given on Sep-tember 8th that year. Who needed to know that? His ability to get to the debt ceiling raised was probably one of the more noticeable signs of disrespect being that it had happened 69 times since 1962. Seven of those times were under the leadership of the George H.W. Bush. Needless to say, even though we have a number of past presidents who should or could be mocked and ridiculed for some of their behaviors and actions in the past, there is no excuse as to why any president should be taunted and disapproved publicly without any repercussions. Icanonlyimaginewhatthefirstfemale president will have to endure in the future.

Organizations To Join in 2014:

UNA-USA Campus AdvocatesPresident: China McClainContact: c.mcclain104@gmail.com

History AssociationPresident: Lindsay GaryContact: tsuhistoryassociation@gmail.com

12

Our calendar is reserved for the advertisement of on and off campus events. If you are interested in having your event placed on our calendar, then please stop by room 221 of the Student Center or call us at (713) 313-6710.

Monday - 3/17

Monday - 3/10

Tuesday - 3/18

Tuesday - 3/11

Wednesday - 3/19

Wednesday - 3/12

Thursday - 3/20

Thursday - 3/13

Friday - 3/21

Friday - 3/14

The Weekend 3/22 & 3/23

The Weekend 3/15 & 3/16

What’s Happeningon campus & around town

Spring Break

SWAC BASKETBALL TOURNEY

Rec Center presents:March Madness Bracket ChallengeRec Center

Collegiate 100 Women presents: Writing Our Own Success Stories

UPC presents:Hump Day6-8 p.m.The Point

63rd Annual TSU Relays- Durley Stadium

20 Questions1. If enrollment at TSU is so low, why is tuition still so high?2. Why are there full kitches in UAV, Courtyard etc., yet students are still forced to pay for meal plans?3. Why are the housing and meal plans at TSU the highest in the state of Texas?4. Why do students complain about organizations that they are not active in?5. Can we be mindful of who we elect as our SGA representatives this Spring?6.Cansomeonedefinerunningtheyard?7. Is it based on programs and community serivce or just strolling and being seen?8. Why aren’t more students participating on TigerFans.net boards?9. Why don’t inquiring young minds do more independent research before asking silly questions?10.Whyaren’ttherealternativeclassesofferedforgraduatingseniorswhosefinalcourses aren’t offered in their graduating semester?11. Why are the known unprofessional faculty members allowed to continue theirpractices?12. Are people really submitting qestions about themselves to make the paper? 13. Is the Royal Court really going to start receiving a $500 stipend each semester? 14.Whyareweasapeople,interestedinlookinggoodfirstandgettingeducatedsecond?15. Isn’t a 2.5 GPA required to hold a position within any campus organization?16. Does it not apply after receiving the position?17. Who’s doing these grade checks?18. Fantasia?19. or Porsha Stewart?

ask.fm/TsU20QUesTions

DISCLAIMER: The questions are submitted by the student body and are not the views of The TSU Herald or Texas Southern University as a whole. Feel free to bring your questions to room 221 of the Student Center. Questions are printed at the discretion of The TSU Herald.

Anonymously submit your

questions via Ask.Fm

today