Cicely Tyson: The face of change
Serena Bonnette Opinions Columnist Cicely Tyson was a seasoned American actress and model whose career spanned more than seven decades. According to Wikipedia, she received three Primetime Emmy Awards, four Black Reel Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, one Tony Award, a Peabody Award and an honorary Academy Award. She passed on Jan. 28. This year, Hollywood lost a legend. Tyson was mostly known for her roles and portrayals of strong Black women. These roles shattered the stereotypes of the 70s and ultimately made her a star. According to the New York Times, one of the most notable parts of Tyson’s career was her groundbreaking efforts for civil rights in the film industry. Tyson refused parts and roles that demeaned Black people and encouraged others to do the same. This notion alone is so important because even today, refusing any kind of a role in the theater or film industry is a huge risk that can cause actors to get blacklisted. Because of her refusal, early in her career she went without work but with dignity. She was a critic against film and television that only portrayed Black people as criminals and low-lives, and, according to The New York Times, insisted that Black people, even if they are portrayed as poor, should also be portrayed with dignity. Tyson became familiar toContinue Reading
We need more Black representation in academics
Krista Hanson Viewpoints Editor The portrayal of Black people has become so uniform. This monotonous depiction of the Black community is negative in its effort of boxing in people. It changes how society perceives them. A study from Yale University showed the implicit bias preschool teachers had against their Back students resulted in lower expectations and lower referral rates into gifted programs. Black people begin toContinue Reading
“Slave Play” is as dark as it sounds
Serena Bonnette Opinions Columnist “Slave Play” is a dark comedy play written by Jeremy O. Harris that premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop in December 2018. It is the recipient of the Rosa Parks Playwriting award and was nominated for a best play Tony. “Slave Play” eventually made its way to Broadway, opening at the John Golden Theatre and running from October 2019 to January 2020 for a short but impactful run. The New York Theatre Workshop says the themes center around race, interracial relationships, generational trauma, sex and power relations. The blunt, forceful, in your face production quite literally took the theater world, history and Broadway by storm. The play features three interracial couples attending role play therapy for couples on a former plantation. The set was decoratedContinue Reading
The hardworking thoughtfulness of Javonti
Lora Luquet Arts and Living Editor When Javonti Thomas enrolled at Northwestern State University, he originally signed up to be an English Education major. “I never really thought about communications until I was at orientation, I wasn’t an actual communications major. I actually changed the day of my freshman orientation,” Thomas said. “IContinue Reading
“The Last Five Years”
The musical that set the bar for COVID-19 Mary Fletcher Reporter In Jason Robert Brown’s musical, “The Last Five Years,” Brown tells the story of a struggling married couple in New York trying, and eventually failing, to make their differences work. Its small cast size allowed for artists in theContinue Reading
How to Look Hot When It’s Clearly Not
Mary Gaffney Fashion Columnist Demons, the great freeze is upon us again, but my mood is not shaken. Valentine’s Day has come and gone. Still, I feel like Aphrodite being born from…well, never mind about that. The point is I’m not ready to bundle up again. I want spring to appear. I wish that groundhogContinue Reading
Loving Layers (Especially if They’re Your Partner’s)
Mary Gaffney Fashion Columnist With the snow melting I want to bring in spring, but my dreams of frolicking in flowers may come to a halt with the less than desirable weather coming up. Still, looking cute and being put-together can’t be put on hold. There are tons of ways to love your layeredContinue Reading
NSU gets snowed in
Staff Report NSU was hit with severe snow the week of Feb. 15 to Feb. 19, which caused problems across the city of Natchitoches and the campus itself. “It is anticipated that this area could experience extremely cold temperatures with wintry mix over the next several days. We will continue to monitor localContinue Reading
NSU Food Pantry is helpful source amidst pandemic
Christian Bell Reporter It has been nearly a year since the pandemic dramatically changed the lives of Northwestern State University students. NSU’s Food Pantry has been on the front line of keeping students healthy during this crisis, especially when they don’t have enough money to buy food. According to recent article inContinue Reading
COVID-19 can’t stop Greek life
Timothy Holdiness News Editor The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped the Office of Greek Life at Northwestern State University. Derrick Varnado, a freshman communications major and member of Sigma Nu, noted that the onset of COVID-19 has caused a lot of people to forget about the Office of Greek Life. “It is still a great experience and opportunity to go Greek,” Varnado said. For some, recruiting hasContinue Reading