VOL. 88 | NO. 24

THE SIGNAL IN A MINUTE STUDENT ON ACADEMIC ALUMNI, WINNING ARE EPISODE 19 @GSUSIGNAL EXCLUSION TRIES THE KEYS TO GEORGIA

ON INSTAGRAM, RETURNING TO GEORGIA STATE FILLING THEIR EST. 1933 WEDNESDAY STATE. PG. 03 SEATS PG. 08

Independent, impactful & impartial

ILLUSTRATION BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL

@gsusignal georgiastatesignal.com BLOTTER MARCH 31 APRIL 1 Didn’t you hear “Don’t make me tell Keep your hands, about the five-finger you again.” feet and thoughts to discount? EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF At the Urban Life yourself. At the University Lofts, Brooklyn Valera Building, the Georgia [email protected] At 1:23 p.m. at the a Georgia State student MANAGING EDITOR State University Police Landmark Diner, the was a victim of theft at Sharayah Davis [email protected] Department arrested a non- Georgia State University 6:44 p.m. The case is still MARKETING MANAGER Georgia State offender for Franky Huang Police Department arrested active. [email protected] trespassing at 11:59 a.m. a non-Georgia State APRIL 5 EDITORIAL after receiving prior notice. “We’ve got you NEWS EDITOR offender for simple assault. Vacant Did you forget? Six now…” [email protected] ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR feet apart, please. The Georgia State Vacant University Police OPINIONS EDITOR A Georgia State student Kenneth Lockett III Department arrested a [email protected] was a victim of harassment ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR at 2:15 p.m. at 112 non-Georgia State offender Callie McNorton for simple battery and an ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Courtland St. The case is Jada Jones outstanding warrant on the [email protected] still active. ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIVING EDITOR corner of Pryor Street and Isa Cordona Wall Street at 1:32 a.m. SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Freedman [email protected] ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Erik Indrisano COPY EDITOR Miro Georgiev [email protected] PRODUCTION PRODUCTION EDITOR S LOCAL NATIONAL GLOBAL Evan Koenigs [email protected] ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION EDITOR F Georgia residents warned U.S. Capitol Police Officer dead Russian leader Putin signs law Myah Anglin

PHOTOGRAPHY E about potential vaccine scams following targeted vehicle crash allowing him two more terms PHOTO EDITOR Matt Siciliano-Salazar I [email protected] According to WSB-TV, the Georgia On Friday, U.S. News reported that a driver Vladimir Putin signed a law that gives ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR

R Department of Public Health and Georgia rammed into a vehicle barricade injuring two him the opportunity to remain Russia’s Harry Wyman DIGITAL Attorney General Chris Carr are alerting officers. The driver exited the vehicle holding leader until 2036, according to ABC News.

DIGITAL EDITOR B Georgia residents about scammers. Scam a knife. After refusing to respond to verbal The law resets Putin’s previous term limits, Caitlin Whisby [email protected] artists are using the vaccine to exploit commands, police shot and killed the driver. allowing him to run for president two more ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR people by calling, texting and emailing with The two injured officers were transported times. Putin is currently in his fourth term

Vacant S VIDEO EDITOR Andre Walker the promise of giving them the vaccine, to two different hospitals. At Friday’s press which is scheduled to last until 2024. He has [email protected] scheduling an appointment or putting them briefing, Acting Chief of Police Yogananda held power for an inconsecutive 15 years ASSOCIATE VIDEO EDITOR Vacant W on a waitlist. Officials are informing the public Pittman announced that one of the injured and claims the law will help his lieutenants PODCAST EDITOR not to give their Social Security number or focus on their work rather than searching for Timo Clark E U.S. Capitol Police officers died as a result of THE SIGNAL BUREAUS bank account information over the phone. the injuries. Russia’s next president. ALPHARETTA BUREAU CHIEF

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Students on academic exclusion must appeal the exclusion, and with enough documentation, attempt to prove PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL why Georgia State should allow them to re-enroll.. Georgia State student on academic exclusion files appeal Kevin Hazrati cites financial insecurity and family deaths in fight to re-enroll

JADA JONES Arts & Living Editor

ccording to the U.S. Department of Education, 43% of learning and the effects the pandemic had on his personal life, but right direction. After trying to secure an appointment with an full-time undergraduate students are employed. Many that alone was not enough. exploratory advisor to discuss the appeals, the advisement office A students work a full-time job and take a full course “I submitted my first appeal, [and] I thought it’d be sufficient canceled his appointment. load to pay their tuition and graduate on time. enough to talk about how it’s kind of been hard for everyone lately “I made an appointment saying, ‘I need to speak with an But some of those students end up getting left behind due to with COVID and everything like that,” he said. exploratory advisor and follow up about my second appeal,’” he their jobs or personal emergencies taking up studying time; that is Now, Hazrati awaits the decision on his second appeal, and this said. “Then I got an email saying, ‘The appointment is not needed; what happened to Kevin Hazrati. appeal will make or break his academic career at Georgia State. here’s the appeal form for the second appeal,’ and that was it. I just Hazrati is a senior psychology major at Georgia State, and he’s The process of re-enrolling at Georgia State after being on didn’t know exactly what to do after that.” in a situation most students do their absolute best to avoid: he’s on academic exclusion is called academic renewal, and it’s a strenuous Hazrati took to resources on the internet to help him complete academic exclusion. process. When a student is on academic exclusion and the his appeals, using the information available on the Dean of Hazrati began his journey at Georgia State in 2015 as a university denies a student’s appeal, that student cannot re-enroll at Students and the Office of the Provost’s websites and social media computer science major but realized that was not the path he Georgia State for at least five years. If that student becomes eligible sites like Reddit. wanted to take. After changing his major, he took a few semesters for academic renewal and wants to return to Georgia State, they Georgia State did not make any exceptions or revisions to off here and there, as life’s challenges got in the way of pursuing his cannot attend another university within those five years. its academic exclusion or appeal policies to accommodate the degree, and by the start of 2020’s spring semester, Hazrati wound Hazrati’s second appeal is a more personal one. He said that pandemic or its effects on students. Aside from not being able to up on academic probation. Georgia State wants the details of his personal life and how those talk the process out with anyone in person, the policies equate the But students lucky enough to not pay their way through college, events affected his academia. After submitting an account of his struggles students face during the pandemic to the struggles they or those who can successfully balance work and school, sometimes declining mental health, struggles with financial insecurity and faced pre-pandemic. see students like Hazrati as someone who maybe just didn’t work grieving his grandparents’ deaths, all he can do is wait. “It’s the same, but only harder because usually, you’d be going in hard enough. “I just spoke to some past counselors I’ve had,” he said. “So I was to speak to people,” Hazrati said. “Now, it’s all digital, so I guess it’s “It’s hard to put yourself in the situation of someone who’s this thinking maybe some documentation of depression and anxiety, even less personal. With the pandemic, you‘d think there’d be some far behind,” he said. and those [were] possibly interfering with my course work. But kind of lenience.” The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many unique roadblocks aside from that, I can’t do much else.” and hurdles for students like Hazrati. “COVID anxiety,” financial Hazrati considered all of his choices before appealing his While Hazrati awaits the decision of his second appeal, he and housing insecurity and family deaths on top of maintaining exclusion, but unfortunately, to continue at Georgia State, there thinks about what his plan will be if it gets denied. good grades affected many students’ mental health and academic weren’t any other options. “Right now, I’m … just trying to figure out if I have any other performance. “Before anything else, I spoke with an advisor towards the end options,” he said. “Also, I could take whatever credits I have and Academic exclusion at Georgia State means that a student of the fall [2020] semester just trying to understand my options,” just transfer to another school, but ... I think I want to go work placed on academic probation did not raise their cumulative he said. “And they just said, ‘An exclusion appeal is the next option, somewhere for a while and clear my head about school.” GPA above the 2.0 minimum during that semester. It is the most and there’s this option of an emergency withdrawal,’ but I found Hazrati found that the stipulations of academic exclusion, restrictive educational discipline level at Georgia State. Students on that that’s extremely hard to actually have happen.” the process of appealing it, and figuring out what to do next are academic exclusion cannot enroll in classes and must appeal their To obtain an emergency withdrawal, a student must experience stressful and emotionally taxing. He wants other students in any case to re-enroll. an extreme, non-academic emergency that hindered them from form of academic discipline to reach out and find resources early; The pandemic also posed an issue for students on scholastic voluntarily withdrawing from their classes. A detailed statement it’s something he wishes he did. discipline due to closed offices, creating a disadvantage to only with proof of the crisis, when and where it happened and how it “[T]he whole academic disciplinary system, there’s a problem access assistance virtually. affected their coursework is mandatory. with it and the stigma that it gives, [and] the lack of anyone Hazrati submitted his first appeal to the Office of the Provost The appeal process is one that Hazrati feels he navigated on his reaching out as you’re a struggling student,” he said. “I just think soon after finding out he was on academic exclusion; they denied own. He mentioned it was difficult to get someone on the phone the only time I’ve been pushed to reach out myself is at this point, his appeal. He explained that he included the difficulties of online at the University Advisement Center who could guide him in the and it’s almost too late.” TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021 NEWS 4 Students have new options to study abroad More scholarship opportunities increase affordability

LEAH LI Staff Reporter n March and April, year programs and short- Georgia State’s term programs for students I Study Abroad to choose from during the Program offers multiple standard fall and spring virtual advising sessions semesters. for students, which inform them about many related points such as exchange programs, scholarships, affordability and alumni opportunities. We are In the spring 2021 semester, the big initiative delighted for studying abroad focuses “ on the “free passport to report initiative,” enabling Georgia State students who have that never held a U.S. passport to interest get their first passport. Laura Boudon, director in study of Study Abroad Programs, said: “This helps students BeWellGSU is providing students with essential wellness services. PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL abroad take the first step in planning for a program remains abroad, and we have been excited that students high across BeWellGSU provides wellness services have responded with considerable interest in the campus. program.” for Georgia State students Boudon said this initiative is so popular that more than The organization hosts virtual mental health and well-being events 1,700 students have started — LAURA BOUDON LEILA DAVIDSON Staff Reporter applications for it. “We are delighted to Director of Study eWellGSU Integrated Health • Student Victim Assistance health and wellness services. BeWellGSU report that interest in study Abroad Programs is a Georgia State organization • University Career Services. abroad remains high across ” hopes to resume HIV and STI testing for B that provides students with Currently, BeWellGSU has 50 student students in the fall has been put on pause campus. Through virtual “[Our mission is] to services and initiatives to create well-being volunteers and employees, both graduate advising and other outreach enable our diverse students by BeWellGSU due to the pandemic. for students struggling with physical and undergraduate, working with the events, our staff is meeting to participate in safe, health, stress or mental health. organization and has openings for student Through the Counseling Center, with over 200 interested inclusive, high-quality, “We should all think beyond physical positions year-round. individual, group and couples counseling students per month,” international academic health, and BeWellGSU is really an BeWellGSU has integrated virtual is offered by the University for students. Boudon said. for-credit experiences that opportunity for students to connect with events and programs during the The Counseling Center also provides The COVID-19 pandemic contribute to their success themselves and their wellness, well-being pandemic, which has increased their a Substance Use and Risk Reduction affected the program as students and their global and their health,” Tammy Turner, the outreach for virtual events and programs program to provide students with the arrangements, but it offered citizenship, support faculty on-campus advisor for BeWellGSU to the Downtown campus and the students a more convenient as they create and lead these support and resources to start their Integrated Health, said. Clarkston, Perimeter Alpharetta, Decatur, way to take courses and programs, and serve as a During April, BeWellGSU is hosting Dunwoody and Newton campuses recovery from drug and alcohol-related learn about other countries resource to our university numerous events for students to attend for through their online services. problems. at the same time. community on international their wellness, including: The organization offers safe sex The Student Victim Assistance provides “Additionally, several of education,” the Study • Peaceful Place Meditation materials such as condoms and lubricants students with help related to trauma our study abroad programs Abroad Program’s PIN page • Monday Mile to students through the Student Health from personal experiences through crisis have flipped to virtual study states. • Student Victim Assistance Coffee Clinic. But since the pandemic, they abroad options, so there are Regardless of major, all intervention and support. They provide Chat are offering this service via mail for still opportunities to take Georgia State students can • #TakeCareofYouGSU off-campus students to request online. students with options and information on exciting summer courses study abroad, and most of • Blue Table Safety Talks with Students in housing can order the how to respond to their experience and and learn about other the programs are taught in Student Victim Assistance materials online to pick up from the provide a confidential disclosure site to cultures by faculty who English, making it easy for The organization provides services housing office at 75 Piedmont Ave. students affected by sexual assault, dating are experts in these world students to learn and have a through several programs and offices on Through the organization, the violence, domestic violence and stalking. regions,” Boudon said. memorable life experience. campus: Georgia State Counseling Center hosts According to Panther The $1,000 International BeWellGSU has the resources to • Georgia State Counseling Center weekly virtual events for students stress Involvement Network Education Fee scholarship • Access and Accommodations management: provide students with assistance with (PIN), Georgia State offers has made studying Center, • Monday Meditation body, food, mind, academics, self, over 75 study abroad abroad possible for many • Campus Recovery Program • Journal Time GSU Live relationships, money and sexual culture programs in more than 25 students. Georgia State • Office of the Dean of Students • Take Care Tuesday through their various programs. To access countries. offers various study- • Panther’s Pantry, Recreational • Thankful Thursday these resources and all the programs, The programs are flexible, abroad scholarships and Services • Mindful Walk and the office is always aid for interested students, BeWellGSU offers information through • Student Financial Services • Sunday Pounce on Joy available during spring including university-wide • Student Health Clinic In the fall 2021 semester, BeWellGSU is their website and the Panther Involvement break, the May-mester scholarships, college and • Student Health Promotion planning an in-person mobile health clinic Network website, where students can and the summer semester. department-specific ones • Student Nutrition Services event for students to receive access to RSVP to events. There are also academic and national ones.

OPINIONS April 6, 2021 WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS It’s time to update teacher guidelines A teacher’s racist remarks causes social media uproar

ALYSSIA HARDGE Staff Columnist ditor’s Note: racist remarks or actions. The writer is a Pebblebrook already E former student has a bad reputation from Pebblebrook High when it comes to being School. in the news. Within When we were the past two years, the younger, our parents school has received sent us to school with a new principal, and the idea that we would right now, the school be taught, respected is undergoing new and tucked away from construction. During the world’s problems. the 2019-20 school year, Little did they know, the schools they were there were many school sending us to are the board meetings with breeding grounds for teachers, students and those said problems. parents regarding social School shootings, issues within the system. bullying, mental health However, not many ILLUSTRATION BY ERICA DEAN | THE SIGNAL issues, sexism, racism things were done by the and eating disorders are county. Most of the time, just a few things students the school tried to cover Everything is… more sexist in deal with regularly. up bad things by saying So what happens when that they care about the some of these issues community and want Texas come to light in the everybody to express media? their concerns. Then, Abortion laws in Republican states are oppressive On Feb. 26, Susan they throw a sporting McCoy, a science teacher CALLIE MCNORTON Associate Opinions Editor event or a community at Pebblebrook High event to defer from the School in Mableton, GA, veryone knows the saying continue to be oppressed, unsafe abortions without an abortion clinic. Abortion is issues going on within “everything’s bigger in Texas.” discussed the topic of will become the norm in states like Texas. healthcare and should be easily accessible the school. But bigger does not always to all. Forty-five states allow health care Breonna Taylor’s death E In the U.S, 5,000 of 1.2 million illegal As Pebblebrook mean better. abortions ended in death before Roe v. providers to refuse an abortion. Forty- with her students during alumni, I enjoyed my Texas has put some questionable laws Wade. If Texas lawmakers continue to three states prohibit abortions unless a Zoom meeting: time at the school. I in place over the years. Recently, we have fight their battle against pro-choice, we under certain circumstances regarding the “I’m sorry she was created many memories, seen this in more than one way. These may find ourselves at square one. woman’s health after a certain point in the killed, but you know, but I don’t want to come decisions made by Texas lawmakers are According to the Guttmacher Institute, pregnancy. when you hang around dangerous and damaging to anyone who back in 15 to 20 years 43% of Texan women live in counties Georgia is not a perfect peach either, people with guns and isn’t a cis-gendered, straight white man. with 95% of Georgia counties having no shootings, you’re likely to a school that has On March 9, A Texas lawmaker clinic that provides abortions. Patients to get caught in the not made any changes made a push for the criminalization of have to receive state-directed counseling, crossfire.” because they refuse to abortion. A bill was filed by Rep. Bryan Georgia is and funding is only available in This statement and accept the fact that there Slaton, abolishing and criminalizing circumstances of life endangerment, rape others she made during are social issues. abortions, with no exception for rape or not a perfect and incest. Furthermore, there is a lack of the meeting’s duration Cobb County School incest. Women and physicians who take proper education and awareness of sexual were recorded by a District needs new part could receive a charge of assault or peach either, “ wellness in Georgia schools. student and posted on guidelines when it comes homicide. The worst part is, those charges We have come to a point where we Instagram. This caused are punishable by death in the state. with 95% to their faculty. It’s look at our leaders and say, what next? an uproar on social Even though this bill will probably not only going to get bigger media. Current students, make it very far, it is a clear example of of Georgia President Biden has said he wants to and worse. The school faculty and alumni the continued attack on women. In Texas protect Roe v. Wade, stop state restrictions district needs to accept counties and plans to restore federal funding to reshared the video so and other states, laws are continuing to the fact they can’t run Planned Parenthood. much that it caught be passed that limit reproductive rights. having no from the problem. They “Abortion rights groups and national attention. In 2019, The Texas Legislature banned can’t buy the hearts of progressives in Congress have been calling Students and alumni government affiliations with abortion clinic that the community. The providers or their affiliates. on the Biden administration to do more, then started recalling school district has a “This cuts off vital support to provides including scrapping Trump rules,” Alice past encounters with responsibility to its communities who rely on these low-cost abortions. Ollstein for Politico wrote. McCoy, stating that she clinics for basic health care like birth Under Biden’s administration, we have has made racist remarks students to better its control, gynecological exams, cancer hope for reform. However, there is a long in the past. social existence. screenings, diabetes testing and much — CALLIE MCNORTON fight ahead when politicians like Rep. She is not the only To fix the social more,” ACLU Texas said. Bryan Slaton are still pushing for such faculty member in Cobb problem, they need to Countries that restrict abortion have Associate Opinions oppressive abortion laws. County School District look within the walls of higher rates of abortions. If women Editor” Unfortunately, Texas will still be Texas. who has been accused of their schools. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021 OPINIONS 7 The most anticipated Netflix films in 2021 Netflix promises one new original film every week this year

DORIAN ROSENBURG Staff Columnist

ith streaming “The Woman in the services Window” — Release W dominating the film industry during Date: May 14, 2021 the current global “The Woman in the pandemic, many high- Window” is a psychological profile actors and directors thriller about a woman have found refuge with obsessed over uncovering companies such as Netflix, the mystery behind a brutal Disney+ and Amazon murder she witnessed from Studios. the window of her home. With no sign of the The film was initially set to pandemic slowing down, release in theaters last year Netflix has promised its but was later bought by viewers one new original film each week in 2021. Netflix to forgo a complete A feat this large would streaming release. require immense talent 1. Amy Adams in front of and behind 2. Gary Oldman the camera coupled with 3. Julianne Moore large scaling budgets, all 4. Anthony Mackie ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA MADRZYK | THE SIGNAL of which Netflix has as the “Army of the Dead” most successful streaming — Release Date: May service of all time. Protect the welfare of Americans Netflix released a video 21, 2021 teasing a few of their “Army of the Dead” upcoming films. follows a group of and raise the minimum wage “Don’t Look Up” — mercenaries as they Release Date: TBA navigate the perils of The American Dream is becoming a fantasy for many “Don’t Look Up” might a zombie outbreak in ABIR ODEH Staff Columnist be the most star-studded Las Vegas. The film is cast in film history, with a Zack Snyder’s directorial aising the minimum wage $0.25, slowly increased to the current day, sometimes overtime, picking sounds like common sense, $7.25 in 2009. Georgia’s minimum tomatoes or assembling factory items whopping 15 cast members comeback after the Snyder right? I mean, who can live wage is $5.15 an hour, one of the only and barely making enough to buy having A-list status within Cut was released on HBO R off of $7.25 an hour in this day and states to have a lower than federal food? Hollywood. The film stars Max this past month. The age? minimum wage. The current minimum wage does Leonardo DiCaprio and movie is in talks to develop Jennifer Lawrence as two I would agree; it does sound Initially, the minimum wage was to not account for the inflation in into a franchise, with scientists embarking on a simple. As the times change, ensure fair wages to jobs that require market value; the federal minimum actors such as Henry Cavill publicity tour around the monetary value changes, so the little to no training or schooling. In wage reached its highest actual country to warn citizens wanting a nod at a role in minimum wage should be set 1938, it was to protect workers from value in 1968; at the time, it was about an approaching the forthcoming films. accordingly. the greed of capitalism. Capitalism $1.60. Since then, the minimum meteorite that will destroy 1. Dave Bautista A full-time worker works 40 hours does not care about workers because wage’s value has not kept up with the world. 2. Ella Purnell a week at $7.25 an hour, a gross wage it cannot profit above the welfare of productivity growth. Had it grown at 1. Leonardo DiCaprio 3. Huma Qureshi of $15,080 a year and $1,256.67 a its workers. So to both protect the the rate it was in 1968, it would now 2. Ariana Grande 4. Omari Hardwick month. This is before deductions free market and the laborers, the be $24.18 in 2020. 3. Jennifer Lawrence “Bruised” — Release such as FICA taxes, which are 7.65% minimum wage was introduced by However, raising the minimum of your paycheck, and federal income 4. Chris Evans Date: TBA President Franklin D. Roosevelt. wage abruptly to $24.18 or even 5. Meryl Streep taxes, which fall in the lowest income Over the years, minimum wage to $15 would disrupt the economy “Bruised” stars Halle 6. Jonah Hill tax bracket of 10 percent. A single jobs became entry-level jobs, by impacting job security, hurt 7. Cate Blanchett Berry as a disgraced person with no dependents takes populated mostly by teenagers, businesses and forcing some to close, 8. Kid Cudi martial arts fighter, home only $13,673.38 a year with all students and other part-time increase the price of goods, increase 9. Timothee Chalamet working her way back to deductions taken out. workers. The characteristics of the cost of housing and so many 10. Matthew Perry the top while balancing Following that linear thinking, minimum wage workers in 2020 other things. “Red Notice” — the upbringing of her we would also figure that raising showed that one-fifth of hourly Even raising the minimum wage Release Date: TBA six-year-old son. The the minimum wage would lift many paid workers were under the age to $10 or $15 would still be under its “Red Notice” is an film was initially set to Americans out of poverty and debt. of 25. They made up 48% of paid inflated value. This also means that American action-comedy star Blake Lively, with It sounds like a win-win situation, federal minimum wage, among other all workers working on an hourly thriller centered around Nick Cassavetes attached right? So why so much controversy? attributes of workers. wage are subjected to the same issues capturing the world’s as director. However, Because raising the minimum But there is a kink in the system; as the minimum wage worker. most notorious art thief. Halle Berry took over the wage has a more significant effect those entry-level jobs are not just These arguments have some basis; on the economy than simply lifting populated by students, teenagers and however, the cost of consumer goods The film has one of the lead role and directorial thousands of people out of poverty part-time workers; there are people and housing has already increased, largest budgets on this position, with this film list, estimated at around and debt. who have no education or training but the minimum wage has not. being her debut behind the $200 million and stars Gal The federal minimum wage was that rely on the jobs to make a living. Profits and bonuses for many camera. Gadot, Dwayne Johnson created in 1938 under the Fair Labor There are families, immigrants and companies and their CEOs have and Ryan Reynolds. 1. Halle Berry Standards Act (FLSA) to guarantee impoverished people dependent on rapidly increased, yet their bottom 1. Gal Gadot 2. Adan Canto fair and minimum wages, overtime a stable entry-level job — even if it’s line wages have not. 2. Ryan Reynolds 3. Shamier Anderson pay and child employment standards not meant to support a family. If the minimum wage remains as 3. Dwayne Johnson 4. Steven Mckinley to protect children from child labor. How can we be okay with is, for many, the American Dream is 4. Ritu Arya Henderson In 1938, the minimum wage was workers who tirelessly work all becoming a fantasy. This Week’s Spread: Sports

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS Georgia State’s stands are usually empty. But why? Location, success and marketing all play pivotal roles

By: Andrew Freedman - Sports Editor & Julian Harden - Sports Reporter

or any sports fan, attending events in person often creates an emotional connection to their favorite teams and athletes. They get to embrace each F moment, looking to their friends and family in disbelief, saying, “How can a human do that?” Some games bring an amalgamation of lifelong stories for fans: Hank Aaron’s 715th home run, Kobe Bryant’s 60-point final game and the New England Patriots’ historic comeback in Super Bowl LI. But it’s not just across the globe where history happens. It happens in our backyards with Georgia State Panthers athletics. Fans’ eyes will always glow when they talk about the Panthers roaring into Neeland Stadium and shocking the sports world in front of over 85,000 people. They will tell the story of RJ Hunter and his shot against Baylor in 2015 to their children. Neither of these events was supposed to happen, but it sums up what recently has become a re- spectable collection of teams. Now more than ever, fans are itching to secure tickets for live sporting events, but can the same be said regarding the Panthers’ athletic programs? Associate athletic director Mike Holmes thinks that the recent success stems from a variety of circumstances. Atlanta is a busy city and a common tourist attraction for many who live outside of the state. Not many of those tourists are looking to see all that Georgia State may have to offer, even on game days. “It’s not that we’re just going against Georgia and Georgia Tech for fans. We’re going up against the Falcons, and Atlanta Unit- ed, and the Hawks, and the Braves and other events like Music Midtown,” Holmes said. “There’s a reason we’re all drawn to the city of Atlanta, and it’s because there’s so much great stuff to d o.” Holmes has been at Georgia State in some way, shape or form since 1998. Over the 22 years, he’s seen plenty of other schools supported on campus with Georgia Tech, Georgia and Clem- son hoodies, among other schools. As the Panthers continue to pave their way into people’s lives, Holmes and the athletics department are looking to modernize their Panthers brand’s marketability. “What we’ve got to do is get young adults that are growing up as Georgia State fans, and when they come to Georgia State, that’s all they care about,” Holmes said. However, Holmes is hoping that head coach Shawn Elliott and the Panthers’ football team can change that, but it won’t be im- mediate and may take a generation or two of alumni to change that. “I’ve joked around before [that] if you walked around campus before 2010, you could see an equal number of Georgia sweat- shirts, [Georgia [Tech] sweatshirts, Clemson sweatshirts cause we “We live in a culture that wants overnight changes. didn’t have football,” Holmes said. And we would love overnight changes, but I think However, the athletics department also understands that they aren’t a we’ve seen even things like the Tennessee win,” Holmes mainstream school like the three Holmes mentioned. said. “Great win for the program, did a million things for it, we couldn’t just sit back the next week [knowing the rest of our games would be sellouts].” Unlike the Yellow Jackets, and more notably the Bulldogs and Tigers, the Panthers are still building a football program. Lack of attendance is a sore spot when it comes to Georgia State football. Rival fans are quick to pounce on the large swaths of empty seats in Center What we’ve got to do is get Parc Stadium. young adults that are growing Georgia State’s 2021 “up as Georgia State fans, and football schedule looks to rectify that when they come to Georgia issue, with games State, that’s all they care about, against multiple power five programs, — MIKE HOLMES including Auburn and Associate Athletic Director North Carolina. How- However, how concerned should Georgia State be ever, the Panthers will about the lack of support? need to play more meaningful games at home to grow the fanbase. ” Over 30,000 fans showed up to watch the Panthers’ “If the Panthers manage to get wins against a team like Auburn and first football game in 2010. Yet, the Panthers have North Carolina, fans will come,” Moore said. “It all comes down to failed to reach the same turnout since they defeated Shorter winning, and Georgia State has to win consistently.” University that September day. In other sports, such as basketball, Georgia State consistently wins With over 50,000 students, Georgia State is the largest university in while playing in the GSU Sports Arena, what some consider the Sun the state. Those numbers haven’t translated to students at football Belt Conference’s worst arena. With the new Convocation Center’s games. construction, the Panthers will look to raise their profile and atten- One of the most significant issues is the lack of engagement within the dance. student body. “The stadium is a selling point for fans and recruits,” Moore stated. However, the other factor not discussed when looking at attendance is “I can’t wait to see the crowd when the Panthers play Tech in the new the quality of opponents. Georgia State lacks the advantage that UGA stadium.” and Georgia Tech have, playing quality opponents from their Power-5 Former alumni Jack Brinson aka the ‘Blue Bandit’ highlights while conferences to fill seats. still cheering on the Panthers, it comes down to lack of wins. Except for games against Georgia Southern, the stands are pretty “I’m happy with the progress, but it feels like it’s taking too long to get empty. where we need to be as a football program,” Brinson said. Ben Moore of 247Sports sees the quality of matchups as a critical rea- When it comes to fan attendance at State, there are a variety of issues son for attendance or lack thereof. at play. However, for the Panthers to cultivate an active fanbase, they Moore is a Georgia State alum and insider for the program. He’s also require a breakout season in all programs. While it’s easier said than seen Georgia State athletics’ rise and understands that building a done, the Panthers will have to carve out a niche in a crowded college program essentially from scratch in a college-crazed city like Atlanta scene in Georgia. is easier said than done. Regardless of Holmes’, Moore’s and Brinson’s associations with Geor- “No one is clamoring to watch Georgia State face Louisiana-Monroe,” gia State, it’s an open secret that the Panthers are far from where they Moore said. “Except for Southern, [Georgia] State has to make their want to rank in attendance columns. Each of the three understands games an event to watch for fans.” the common goal: win games and watch the fans fill the stands.

PAGE DESIGN BY EVAN KOENIGS & ILLUSTRATION BY ARIEL WALTER | THE SIGNAL ARTS & LIVING April 6, 2021 WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

In light of the upcoming Van Gogh exhibit, Atlanta artists share how they combine their PHOTO SUBMITTED BY NEILL PREWITT work with technology. Art comes to life with technology Atlanta artists discuss the upcoming immersive Van Gogh exhibit

ISA CARDONA Associate Arts & Living Editor

an Gogh - The Immersive Experience” is coming They got people from around the world to submit work interaction,” Prewitt said. ”My art practice grew out of to Atlanta in May, and visitors have a chance that would be projected onto these panels at night. playing and performing music in what I would call like a V to step into the artist’s famous works. The Like the Van Gogh exhibit, the Window Project also DIY scene.” exhibit will incorporate 360-degree digital projection, VR used mediated architecture to merge digital art with His work explores how performance can be fun and experience and dynamic lighting and sound to provide a physical reality. The Window Project’s vision paved the practice embodied and critical inquiry. Prewitt sees that unique perspective. way for much higher-end projections with the current digital media is especially relevant right now, not just The combination of technology and art is not new, LED display using NanoLumens at the Creative Media artistically but culturally with the digitization of life. but it’s becoming all the more critical with the rise of Industries Institute. He started making videos to go along with his music the digital age. Multimedia and multidimensional art Maggie Kane, also known as Streetcat.media, is an when he was younger and playing in bands, but they is becoming more inclusive and easier to share and Atlanta-based artist and activist who creates interactive weren’t traditional music videos. Instead, he created compensate artists. experiences that explore technology in creative spaces. imagery that fit the theme and would evoke a mood for it. Elizabeth Strickler is a senior lecturer and director They work in an intersection of art and community In a video titled “My Heart Beats,” Prewitt creates a of entrepreneurship programs in the Creative Media organizing. A lot of the work Kane does is within open whimsical mood by utilizing his voice along with imagery Industries Institute at Georgia State. Her work focuses on source technology and community-based events. of floating objects in a black void. future business models inducing blockchains and NFTs. As a self-taught technologist with a background in art, One by one, seemingly mundane things like a lampshade NFTs, or a non-fungible token, is a data unit on a digital Kane uses their skills to teach and create. They believe that and shovel enter the void, playfully poking in and out from ledger called a blockchain, where each NFT can represent education can fundamentally be a part of activism and all directions. At the same time, a voice is making sounds a unique digital item. resistance as it brings autonomy and agency back to the that relate to the object. NFTs can represent digital files such as art, videos, songs people. “There’s a bunch of those sounds, and they start and albums. Strickler saw how it was possible to own “I like connecting with people, and part of mutual repeating, then they start building up into a song,” Prewitt something digital because, in her perspective, the internet aid is not necessarily being an expert or gatekeeper of said. “Because it’s all on this black void, they’re all kind of is a giant copying machine. knowledge,” Kane said. “I try to be a facilitator, and I love like coming into this one space and adding up together.” “I got really excited about that and have been working researching, so I compile resources whenever I can, and Prewitt recently exhibited an installation version of “My in that space at the intersection of decentralization and then I share them whenever they’re appropriate.” digital labor,” Strickler said. “And how people who are Kane has always been a hands-on person who loves Heart Beats.” The video’s projected on all four walls of the creatives can actually make a living because they can own to work with physical elements and doing direct action. room, with a speaker on each wall. He placed the objects and monetize everything that they create.” This passion led to them designing and leading the builds from the video on different walls so they would surround Even with a computer science background, Strickler of free public food shelters for Free99Fridge, an Atlanta- the audience. admits that navigating that space is complicated, but it gets based grassroots organization committed to fighting “What I was interested in doing with that is taking the easier over time. She has a passion for helping others learn for food justice and addressing the community’s needs video and making it more immersive, and putting the how to succeed in this growing business model. through mutual aid. audience in that black void,” he said. “I have a really strong desire to teach non-computer- “I eventually want to create a very detailed step-by-step As for the future of art, Prewitt expects to see more oriented people technical concepts so that they can process of how to build a shelter and publish it online young people incorporating technology into their work. participate in the new economy,” she said. “I feel like if so that anyone in any community can build one,” Kane He finds the upcoming Van Gogh experience fascinating, you don’t understand technology, you are going to get left said. “I want to make it kind of like a toolkit for people to not only because it’s bringing one of the most famous behind.” [follow].” artists to life but also emphasizes the potential of art with Strickler was the first person to do projection Some immersive art uses installations and participatory new technology. installations at Georgia State. These installations were performance, which Neill Prewitt, an artist, lecturer in “If students want to make work like this, it’s not gonna part of the Window Project. Stickler and her co-workers foundations and the foundations coordinator at Georgia look like the Van Gogh experience straight out, but if you projected videos on six panels of frosted glass on what is State, does. have a smartphone, you can create VR, augmented reality now known as the Creative Media Industries Institute. “I would say [my art] is imbued with playfulness and and make your art immersive too,” Prewitt said. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021 ARTS&LIVING 11 IO Interactive’s Hitman 3 is a bloody good time The ‘World of Assassination’ finale released in January

DESMOND LEAKE Staff Reporter tealth games do anything to change as a genre are this trend. The story is S practically serviceable at best; it does nonexistent in the current not detract from the game, gaming landscape. Despite and while the cutscenes are popular Triple-A games well animated, they do not such as The Elder Scrolls enhance the game. V: Skyrim and Cyberpunk Where narrative in 2077 incorporating these games shines is in its optional stealth elements as Mission Stories. Mission part of the gameplay, pure Stories are assassinations stealth games have not seen that focus on the targets’ widespread attention. narrative. Players find Hitman 3 and its two out more about the level predecessors in the World they are playing and get a of Assassination trilogy unique opportunity for a stand out for being one of kill. the few pure stealth games The best mission is released today. Hitman 3 “Death in the Family,” Visitors can see hundreds of murals and structural installations stands out for being the PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL where players can disguise on the Atlanta BeltLine. most refined iteration of themselves as a private the trilogy. investigator and unravel a The core gameplay murder-mystery plot. Creative minds behind Atlanta’s loop of the “Hitman” Despite having only series revolves around the six levels, Hitman 3’s player character, Agent 47, biggest draw comes from self-guided street art tour trying to kill at least two its replay value. While designated targets on large one could just play the sprawling maps filled with Jonathan Bowling discusses how he created a 10-foot-tall sculpture levels once and then go hundreds of people. back to another game, COLE PODANY Staff Reporter How a player kills their the number of different target is entirely up to proud mare stands with one hoof His larger-than-life creatures reflect The steel fish business was profitable options incentivizes players them, and that is where raised by the Atlanta BeltLine an artist’s handiwork with over 20 years because Bowling could sell the affordable to experiment with their the beauty of HITMAN AEastside Trail, her young filly by of professional experience, but Bowling items one-by-one, but larger animals like murderous toolbox. started small. After graduate school at East lies. Whether one wants to her side as he curiously gazes at passersby. the horses displayed on the BeltLine called That does not even forgo the stealth mechanics Their coppery manes seem to flow in the Carolina University, he started making his name. He found himself much happier include the almost infinite altogether and go in guns spring breeze, but they are completely still. fish. Many people purchased them to working on a larger scale — and horses player-made missions and hang on the walls of their beach houses. blazing, commit the perfect These grand horses, made entirely of were the perfect subject. the in-game escalations, repurposed steel, are together known “I could stack a few hundred of [the crime or snipe your targets “I got into [art] the same way as side missions with different as Mare and Filly. Mare and Filly is one fish] on a trailer and just drive,” Bowling in a flamingo costume, anybody,” Bowling said. “Every three- conditions required to structure on the Atlanta BeltLine self- said. Hitman 3 provides ample year-old is an artist; some people lose it, complete a level, such as guided street art walking tour, which options for every player’s and others don’t.” killing a target by drowning offers a walk at your own pace through preference. Bowling grew up on a small farm in The previous maps in them in a toilet. the most prominent art and sculpture Kentucky. As the youngest sibling, he the World of Assassination However, Hitman 3 park in the southeastern U.S. Art is an spent his free time alone making up trilogy all have incredibly still shares some of its Along with structural installations like identity and intricate details and predecessor’s baggage. Mare and Filly, those strolling along the games and building makeshift structures sprawling crowds of Namely, the always-online 3.1-mile self-guided walking trail can see a paycheck,” outside. requirement, which “ “I liked to draw; I got into that when NPCs whose behaviors almost 100 murals and street art pieces. players must learn. is somewhat baffling “[The Atlanta BeltLine] is for the city, by Bowling said. my grandmother gave me a Ranger Rick Players immediately see in a game that has no the city,” Sundiata Rush, an Atlanta artist, magazine,” Bowling said. “I was always that Hitman 3’s maps are multiplayer features. said on the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine’s “I [create art] into making hay forts and little dams in of similar quality in the It does not help that website. for that ‘aha’ the creek with rocks.” opening level. progress is only made while Like Mare and Filly, some structural As he did in his childhood, Bowling The first level places playing online. Therefore installations became a part of the moment and works with the materials available to him. players in Dubai with the game locks players’ BeltLine’s “continuing collection” and He works with repurposed steel most progression behind an a skydiving sequence remained in place for years, while other that pleasure often because it withstands the elements arbitrary hurdle that should onto a skyscraper above pieces cycle out annually. Jonathan and requires minimal maintenance. not exist. Additionally, the Bowling, who created Mare and Filly, also of knowing the clouds. This detailed “I work with what I can find, as level also translates to the final level to cap off the made Longhorn, a sculptural work that opposed to saying, ‘I want this exact quality of its maps from trilogy of games is barely a temporarily called the BeltLine home in you’ve … made shape, so I’ll cut this shape out,’” Bowling a gameplay perspective. level. It scraps the open- 2017. something said. Almost all the maps have ended design of every other Though horses are Bowlings’ favorite multiple opportunities for level with a straight path animal to portray in his art, he also from nothing. Bowling’s work is his livelihood, but it’s players to be creative with towards the target. creates pigs, goats and mythical creatures more than just a way to keep the lights on; their kills. Despite its flaws, Hitman like a 10-foot-tall pegasus. They live it’s a part of who he is. However, the 3 is a bloody good time and permanently in zoos, downtown centers “Art is an identity and a paycheck,” trilogy’s narrative is is a satisfying conclusion to and art exhibitions all over the southeast. — JONATHAN BOWLING Bowling said. “I [create art] for that ‘aha’ not groundbreaking, one of the few pure stealth “Horses are a lot of bang for the buck,” moment and that pleasure of knowing and Hitman 3 does not franchises still out there. he said. Atlanta” Artist you’ve … made something from nothing.” SPORTS April 6, 2021 WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS Aris Briggs: From the Panthers to Blue vs. White Real Salt Lake scrimmage set Former Georgia State star looks to earn his spot in the MLS for April 16 ERIK INDRISANO Staff Reporter or any fan of Georgia State I could have never seen myself in Coach Elliott and Georgia State soccer, the name Aris Utah,” Briggs said. “This whole still observing position battles F Briggs reigns supreme. For experience has been surreal coming three straight seasons, the forward out here.” JASON RICHBURG Staff Reporter dominated the Sun Belt game in Transitioning from the Panthers and game out. This boost of play to RSL wasn’t made any easier pring is upon spots. landed Briggs in the crosshairs of with new COVID-19 guidelines us, which Darrien Grainger many professional clubs. On Jan. placing Briggs in a mandatory week S means Georgia and Mikele Colasurdo 21, Real Salt Lake selected the quarantine on arrival. State football offseason battling for the second former Georgia State forward in “That first week was really tough. training is live and in full spot behind Cornelious the third round (61st overall) of the I was just laying in bed a lot, effect. Brown IV at quarterback MLS Superdraft. playing FIFA and wasting a lot of The Panthers started could become intriguing “[Getting drafted] was awesome. time,” Briggs said. spring practice back on in the next few months. I wasn’t expecting to get picked,’’ After his quarantine ended, March 9. Their annual “I think we got Briggs said. “I watched some of Briggs got approval to join the team Spring Game, a first three great quality the first round; I didn’t see myself and officially meet his coaches, chance for the public to quarterbacks. It’s see the team, comes on getting picked, so I stopped teammates and higher-ups in It’s a trial period right now. I knew something a lot of April 16. [watching the draft].” the club. This experience for the it was a great opportunity, [to] people don’t have The game will be the But that call came when he least former Panther allowed him to feel getting my foot in the door,” Briggs an opportunity to expected it. at home almost immediately. first time the fans see the experience, whether said. “ I still know there is a lot team play at Center Parc “I went to go train, and I had “The hospitality [in Utah] has it’s in their coaching to be done to officially be called a Stadium since beating just got back home and was in been great. Everyone is really career or as a player professional, but I’m excited.” Georgia Southern 30-14 the shower when I got a call from nice and welcoming. They have on the team. But I Since being drafted, he hasn’t in November. [Georgia State head soccer coach definitely helped make this feel a think our quarterback taken a day off training to ensure It seems like time is Brett Surrency] that I had been little more like home,’’ Briggs said. room has been a huge he can compete with the country’s flying, as the team just drafted,” Briggs said. In this situation, however, improvement,” Elliott best. He knows that the transition wrapped up a great 6-4 Getting the professional call a contract is not guaranteed. said. from college to the pros will bring season with a win over meant relocating from Atlanta and Briggs joins a group of draftees During his discussion challenges, including training Western Kentucky in the Center Parc Stadium to Salt Lake looking to make a statement to the with the media, Elliott’s alone. Lending Tree Bowl. City across the United States. coaches and staff and earn their enthusiasm echoed to “I wasn’t able to train with the The Panthers spring “It was a mix of emotions coming professional spot on Real Salt Lake. the media, expressing Georgia State team, so really it was game will feature 22 his excitement for the out here, leaving my family behind. “I still haven’t signed a contract. returning starters, a lot of stuff on my own. Going developing wide receiver headlined by wide to the park and getting some battle. receiver Sam Pinckney, drills done there with cones and “If I was probably running back Destin lots of cardio,” Briggs said. “[I] going to say there is Coates, safety Antavious was definitely doing a lot of work going to be a battle Lane and tight end Roger amongst battles, I think getting myself ready.” Carter. it’s the wide receiver As Briggs begins training and In addition to the room,” Elliott said. team practices as a young rookie, returning players, head Elliott and the his mind envisions success. coach Shawn Elliott Panthers are ecstatic “[My goals] are to prove myself, brings in versatile to watch what Jamil to prove that I belong with these transfers, glistening with guys. I know I can,” Briggs said. the potential to make Muhammad does after a massive impact at transitioning from Georgia State. offense to defense. Transfers Darren “Jamil has great speed, Grainger from Fordham, power and intelligence Ja’Cyais Credle from … he is going to make an [My goals] Central Florida and impact on the defensive are to prove Shamar McCollum side of the ball for us,” from Wake Forest have Elliott said. “ Last year, the Panthers myself, to impressed Elliott early on. converted Muhammad to prove that I “They all fit in nicely, linebacker after playing and they’re all going to quarterback under now- belong with be big contributors for assistant coach Dan us,” Elliott said. Ellington. these guys. I Elliott’s optimism Across the field, know I can, for the 2021 transfers the Panthers will have also stems from their talented individuals at seamless transition every position, and it — ARIS BRIGGS into their roles as the will be up to the team to whole team continues make sure they come out Real Salt Lake “embracing” one another. strong. April 16 could Forward Although Sept. 4 is bring an opportunity for ” far away, the Panthers the program to excite Former Georgia State star, Aris Briggs, looks compete daily in their fans and energize to earn a contract with MLS team Real Salt PHOTO COURTESY OF GSU ATHLETICS practice, battling for the team to follow up on Lake. playing time and starting last year’s success. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021 SPORTS 13 Braves Bulletin: Opening Weekend Reflections The Braves are looking to start 2021 strong but need key players

AARON WILSON JR Staff Reporter ow. It has two-run shot over the been a week right-field wall to spoil a W full of highs dominant performance and lows for Atlanta from Phillies ace Aaron Braves players and fans Nola. after just a few games. In the end, the Without further ado, let’s Braves left too many go to the board. opportunities wasted, and Bryce Harper and the Mike Soroka’s Phillies were able to walk story back to an MLB it off in the 10th inning mound to spoil an Opening Day Mike Soroka has taken comeback. another significant step All in all, it was a towards returning from sloppy Opening Day; the a torn right Achilles he mistakes could be easy suffered on Aug. 3. fixes, though. The Canadian ace saw two innings of work The MLB made the New commits rank Georgia State 103rd in the nation and 5th in PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL in the final Grapefruit right call on the All- the Sun Belt Conference. League game, his first Star Game action since the August On Friday, Major injury. Competing against League Baseball A peek at some of Georgia State’s MLB competition was Commissioner Rob one more step for him. Manfred announced the Surrendering a home run 2021 All-Star Game’s 2021 football recruits while dealing with an Removal due to Georgia’s error from his fielders, newly passed Georgia On both sides of the ball, players oozing with talent Soroka ended his spring Voting Laws. MEADOW BARROW Staff Reporter debut with a double play, While this is the so Tuesday was positive correct statement by the he 2020 Georgia State come down and play some inside pushing him, and you’ve got [Darren] for everyone. MLB and MLB Players football starters brought stuff [that could] really help us on Grainger that’s transferred in now. Association, categorizing T historic success on the the run [game] in a lot of situations,” So there’s going to be some real good Opening Day this as a gut-punch would offensive and defensive sides of the Elliott said. “I think he’s going to be a competition.” reflections are here! be an understatement for ball. complete player.” Thursday saw baseball’s every MLB fan, writer So why not bring back the team Jamarion Ellis, or as Elliott calls him, return and the Braves’ and Georgia as a whole. that had a 6-4 record and topped “Jam,” committed to Georgia State in first meaningful game For fans looking a successful season off with a December as a three-star recruit after since the NLCS’s painful forward to attending All- LendingTree Bowl win? topping off his final season at IMG culmination against the Star Weekend in Atlanta, Well, that’s what head coach Shawn Academy with a perfect 8-0 record. Los Angeles Dodgers. the news comes as a Elliott and his staff did. They returned He’s quick as “Jam is going to be one of the more Facing off against the disappointment. 20 of 22 starters from last season, 11 on interesting stories,” Elliott said. “He’s Philadelphia Phillies As a central hub, the offensive and nine defensive ends. a cat, and it’s bulked up a little bit — bigger, stronger Atlanta hosting the All- But, there also will be some new “ on a windy, 40-degree hard for guys [and] faster. I think Jam’s going to be afternoon, luck was not Star Game could have faces and talent that will be sporting a huge contributor. I think he’s maybe with the defending NL brought potential hope blue and white. to get him one of the most explosive players that East Champions as Max for economic recovery Georgia State’s 2021 football we do have on the offensive side of the Fried, Dansby Swanson following the pandemic. recruiting class ranked 103rd in down ball. He’s quick as a cat, and it’s hard for and company would In terms of making a the nation and fifth in the Sun Belt guys to get him down.” discover early on. statement to everyone, Conference. Tylon Dunlap, a defensive lineman Fried, and his fielders, the MLB did just that. With that said, 15 fresh, new signees from Harding University High in looked out of sync as Still, it is plausible that across southeast states, including — SHAWN ELLIOTT Charlotte, North Carolina, is the only the lefty struggled with choice did not feel fair North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, early enrollee who is not a transfer. his grip all day. Fielding to Georgia’s citizens, Mississippi and Georgia, will join the Georgia State Head In his 2019 season as a high school mishaps saw the Braves especially those openly roster in August. Football Coach” Junior, Dunlap recorded 106 tackles miss easy outs. against the law. In addition to incoming freshmen, and 19 sacks with Harding University Despite that, Fried In the end, the MLB the Panthers signed three transfers: Cornelious “Quad” Brown earned High. scratched and clawed his made the best statement Shamar McCollum from Wake Forest the starting quarterback position All other commits will officially join way through five innings they could. But the fans University, Ja’Cyais Credle from last year, making Mikele Colasurdo the football program in June. of work, eating innings and business owners were the University of Central Florida his backup. But competition will “As far as communication with our and keeping the Braves left in the cold due to a and Darren Grainger from Furman undoubtedly arise for the backup other signees, we do exactly [what] close with a 2-0 deficit collision between sports University. They will make their first position as Darren Grainger, a 6-foot- we’ve always done,” Elliott said. when he exited the game and politics. In the era appearances during spring practice. 4-inch, 204-pound quarterback, storms “Constant communication, whether with 94 pitches logged. of player empowerment, Shamar McCollum, standing at in from Furman. it’s a phone call, text, FaceTime or His gutsy performance this was a decisive step a staggering 6 feet, 4 inches and “We still have to go out there and Zoom. All of those other guys will was not all in vain, for chance by a sport that weighing 222 pounds, adds his spice to compete at every position,” Elliott said. be here in June, but the three that we though, as Pablo has not had the most the team as the nation’s leader in sacks. “Of course, Quad has the upper hand, do have here are ready to get started, Sandoval displayed his appreciated track record “He is a bigger guy and a stronger, having started [all season], but you’ve and they’re ready to go out there and power and muscled a for promoting change. more powerful guy that could probably got Mikele Colasurdo that’s going to be practice some football.” April 6, 2021

GAMES SUDOKU

UNIVERSITY STATE NATIONAL

Women’s track and field’s strong Braves struggle in Philadelphia to Stanford Cardinal win the women’s outing in Florida open the season national championship The Panthers’ women’s track and field team The Atlanta Braves entered the 2021 season with high The Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team posted career-best performances at the South Florida expectations surrounding them, but this past weekend defeated the Arizona Wildcats 54-53 to win the team’s Invitational on Saturday. saw them struggle to score runs against the Philadelphia first national championship since 1992 on Sunday night. Simone Harper, Jaeda Hunt, Jordyn Braswell and Phillies. In three games, the team scored three runs, Stanford entered the women’s NCAA tournament Imani Flanagan finished second in the 400-meter relay. including none in game two. as the top overall seed in the field. Head coach Tara They posted the fourth-fastest time in the Sun Belt Travis d’Arnaud hit a solo home run on Sunday, but VanDerVeer’s third championship as a coach ranks Conference this season with 46.43, and Chelsea Tate, the Braves didn’t score another run after. As a team, they behind Geno Auriemma (11) and Put Summit (8) for Camarii Tellis, Destiny Nash and Taylor Roache took hit .128 against the Phillies’ average pitching staff. They’ll the most all-time. fourth at 46.70. have to do better, and it starts with Freddie Freeman and Final Four Most Outstanding Player Haley Jones led Ronald Acuna Jr., who combined to go 2-21 over the the Cardinal with 17 points and eight rebounds. weekend. THREE THINGS THREE BIG TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2021 THE KICKBACK 15

The lost community at the bottom of Lake Lanier One of Georgia’s most well known lakes has a murky history MONIQUE ROJAS Staff Reporter

ake Lanier is a popular weekend destination In 1940, Oscarville resident Clarence Waldrip After Lake Lanier first filled in 1959, old Oscarville suitable for fishing, boating, and sun-tanning, detailed in the Atlanta Journal how other farmers in became virtually non-existent, solely living through old Lbut its existence lends itself to a history of state- the area replaced cotton with chickens to replenish newspaper articles and ghost stories. sanctioned theft. Despite many instances of accidental the soil. The farmers did so by using chicken feces and Patrick Phillips’ 2016 book, “Blood at the Root: A drownings, the lake remains a top vacation spot for financially recuperated from the boll weevil infestation. Racial Cleansing in America,” sparked a newfound locals. Unfortunately, Oscarville’s status as a farming town made interest in the long-forgotten Oscarville. Phillips detailed Named after Sidney Lanier, a poet and Confederate it easier for Atlanta to claim the land with the mayor’s the 1912 lynchings and subsequent riots that began with army veteran, Lake Lanier resides in North Georgia help. the sexual assault and murder of a young White woman between Gainesville and Buford. Mayor William B. Hartsfield, the partial namesake of named Sleety Mae Crow. Before its completion in 1956, beneath Lake Lanier Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, sought Out of fear, roughly 1,100 Black residents were several small towns once occupied by farmers. One to propel Atlanta into the new age by expanding Atlanta fled Oscarville and Forsyth county to escape of the more well-known towns absorbed by the lake is and minimizing urban areas that neighbored the city. racialized violence. Despite the town’s agricultural Oscarville. Although portions of old Oscarville, Georgia, As Atlanta grew, so did its need for power, water and to still live on the map, the original city survived through diminish the floods that plagued the city. accomplishments, this is the story that defines Oscarville. lore. Written and oral history did not give the other In April of 1947, the Industrial Bureau met with the With whispers of ghosts and curses, Georgians find towns purchased by the state the same grace, and they Chamber of Commerce and decided to greenlight the Lake Lanier’s position above several old towns to blame remain unknown. Buford Dam’s construction. The dam would provide for many visitors’ deaths. Oscarville, located north of the perimeter in Forsyth resources to Atlanta and strengthen commerce. Since 1994, nearly 200 people have died at Lake Lanier. county, began as a small rural town in 1870. The town Over two years, Newport Dam Development kept in Although the lake is 152-feet deep at its lowest point, was an agricultural marvel because local farmers touch with the court system to ensure the state could underwater forests with trees as tall as 60 feet rest at the fought off the boll weevil infestation that tormented seize land from Oscarville residents. They asked all but bottom. The trees, remaining chicken coops, building Georgia from 1915 to the 1990s and survived the Great five residents to forfeit their land to build the Buford foundations and cemeteries make it challenging to Depression. Dam. The $1 billion project took four years to complete. dredge Lake Lanier for bodies.

THE KICKBACK UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

Student Victim Assistance Life After Graduation Overcoming Obstacles with FAITH Zone: Interfaith Coffee Chat 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm Grit - Saul Flores Awareness & Ally Training Time Virtual 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Time 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Virtual 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Baldwin Book Club Coping with Culture Shock 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Being a Pantherpreneur Underground Couture 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Virtual 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Fashion Show APR 06 APR 09 APR APR 07 APR Virtual 08 APR Virtual 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Virtual

SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY

Atlanta Travel & Adventure Atlanta and the Civil Good Morning Georgia Show Rights Movement, 1944- State 9:00 a.m. 1968 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm Centennial Olympic Park All day Multiple campuses (Atlanta, Woodruff Park Decatur, Clarkston, Newton & GameDay Tailgate Built by Alpharetta) The Home Depot Final Fantasy VII Remake APR 11 APR APR 10 APR 11:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. 12 APR Music Monday College Football Hall of Fame Atlanta Symphony Concert 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hall Virtual