www.mississippilink.com VOL. 26, NO. 18 FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2020 50¢ Alcorn State University Statement Holmes County 6th-graders on off-campus shooting experience HOPE; ASU mourns the passing of students other grades targeted James Carr and Tahir Fitzhugh Special to The Mississippi Link The Community Students Alcorn State University Learning Center (CSLC), in Public Relations partnership with the Holmes Statement from the Offi ce of County Consolidated School Alcorn Public Relations District and other key part- Overnight Monday, Feb. 17, ners, is implementing HOPE Alcorn State University was noti- (Health Optimization and Pre- fi ed by local authorities that four vention Education). of our students were involved in The CSLC HOPE program a shooting that occurred at a non- offers a healthy relationship life goals. university event venue 13 miles evidenced-based curriculum to With informed parental con- north of campus off Highway 61 the students of Holmes County sent, sixth-graders at S.V. Mar- in Claiborne County. titled Love Notes, Life and shall and Williams-Sullivan Three of the students were Work by Dibble’s Institute. A middle schools were the fi rst transported to the Claiborne program of the U.S. Depart- to complete the 13-lesson ses- County Medical Center in Port ment of Health and Human sions last semester just prior to Gibson. We are deeply saddened Services Offi ce of Population the holidays. to report that two students have Affairs (OPA), TPP19, HOPE “My son really benefi t- passed as a result of critical in- targets youth in 6th-12th ted from HOPE,” said parent, juries suffered in the shooting. grades. Christie Davis. “He said it was One student is being treated at It helps students to better ‘good’ and he really enjoyed the hospital and is listed in stable Carr Fitzhugh understand themselves – their Ms. Saffold.” Aisha Saffold is condition. past experiences and how they one of several CSLC HOPE Claiborne County and state instituted a lockdown on all cam- selors available to any students, tends our heartfelt prayers to the shape current life, their person- facilitators trained in the Dib- law enforcement authorities in- puses. The lockdown has been faculty or staff impacted by this families and loved ones of the ality style, and their qualities ble’s Love Notes EBP 3.0 cur- dicate one of the alleged perpe- lifted and the university is open tragic and traumatic event. We students we lost and humbly ask and strengths as well as growth riculum. trators is still at large. Although for normal business operations. also ask the public and media for the university community’s challenges. The curriculum en- “I think HOPE is very much campus safety was not compro- The university’s Division of to respect student privacy at this thoughts and prayers for the full courages youth to explore and needed in our community,” mised, out of an abundance of Student Affairs Offi ce of Coun- time. clarify their values, relation- Alcorn Holmes caution, Alcorn Campus Police seling Services will have coun- Alcorn State University ex- ship expectations and to set Continued on page 10 Continued on page 3 Princeton’s Eddie Glaude Jr. to keynote MVSU’s MLK Black History Convocation, Feb. 27 The Mississippi Link Newswire the black and blue in America. Mississippi Valley State Uni- His most well-known books versity will celebrate Black His- “Democracy in Black: How tory Month with its annual Dr. Race Still Enslaves the American Martin Luther King Jr. Black Soul” and “In a Shade of Blue: History Convocation. Pragmatism and the Politics of This year’s event, themed “Af- Black America” take a compre- rican Americans and the Vote,” hensive look at black commu- will be held Thursday, Feb. 27, nities and reveal complexities, in the Carver A. Randle Auditori- vulnerabilities, and opportuni- um, located in the William Butts ties for hope – Hope that is, in Social Science Building. one of his favorite quotes from The keynote speaker will W.E.B Du Bois, “Not hopeless, be Mississippi native Eddie S. but a bit unhopeful.” Glaude Jr, chair of the Depart- Glaude’s other “muses “in- ment of African-American Stud- clude James Baldwin, Malcolm ies and the James S. McDonnell X, and Bobby “Blue” Bland. In Distinguished University Profes- addition to his readings of early sor of African-American Studies American philosophers and con- at Princeton University. temporary political scientists, Organizer Dameon Shaw, who Glaude Glaude turns to African-Ameri- serves as the interim vice presi- can literature in his writing and dent for University Advancement are excited to have Dr. Glaude In addition to serving as the teaching for insight into African- at MVSU, said he’s excited to visit and discuss the important chair, Glaude is a university pro- American political life, religious have Glaude visit MVSU’s cam- topic of African Americans and fessor in Princeton’s Department thought, gender and class. pus. the vote. I’ve had the pleasure of of African-American Studies – a Known to be a convener “Black History Month is a spe- hearing Dr. Glaude speak previ- program he fi rst became involved of conversations and debates, cial time when we honor the leg- ously, and I believe this will be with shaping as a doctoral candi- Glaude takes care to engage fel- acy and sacrifi ces of those who a very informative and impactful date in Religion at Princeton. Glaude came before us,” said Shaw. “We Black History Convocation.” He is a scholar who speaks to Continued on page 3 Rev. William Barber’s Olympic Pride, Share this issue with a friend Poor People’s Assembly American by mailing it to: and Moral March in June Prejudice Inside will be “generationally transformative” Page 12 Page 17 IN MEMORIAM 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2020 www.mississippilink.com Eric DeVaughn “Ricky” Stringfellow August 31, 1960 - Februrary 5, 2020 Eric DeVaughn Stringfellow, “Ricky,” as he editor and was a member of the newspaper’s was known to his family, was born August 31, EDitorial BoarD anD starteD his own column. 1960 in Meridian, MS to Clint and Delores He was the founDing chairman of Tougaloo Stringfellow. He departed this life Wednes- College’s Department of Mass Communica- day, February 5, 2020, following a brief ill- tions. He served as executive director of Uni- ness. versity Communications at JSU and interim Stringfellow was a member of New Hori- chair of JSU’s Department of Mass Com- zon Church International in Jackson, MS. munications. In 2018 he moveD to Hawkins, Stringfellow received his education in the Texas to serve as Director of Mass Commu- Jackson Public School system, graDuating nications at Jarvis Christian College. from Provine High School in 1978. While at Stringfellow is past president of the Jack- Provine, he played quarterback on the football son Association of Black Journalists, the 100 team, served as a member on the basketball Black Men of Jackson, former boarD member team as well as many other clubs and organi- of Mission Mississippi, Baby Steps and the zations. He was nameD “Mr. Provine.” After Tiger FunD. He was a member of the Marga- graDuating from Provine, he attenDeD Jackson ret Walker Alexander Research Center and a State University where he was a member of board member of JSU Sports Hall of Fame. the JSU football team. He received both his Stringfellow was the recipient of the Mary undergraduate and master’s degree from Jack- Church Terrell Literacy Club Award for Jour- son State University. He was a life member nalism, Alpha Phi Alpha’s Community Ser- of the JSU National Alumni Association, Inc. vice Award, Phi Beta Sigma’s Community Stringfellow had a career in media that Service Award for Journalism, the Mississippi spanned decades. He began his journalism ca- Black Chamber of Commerce’s Charles Tis- reer at The Commercial News in Danville, Ill., dale Award for Journalism and the 2008 Mis- where he served as an intern and a gen-eral as- sissippi Humanities Council Teacher of the signment reporter. During his fi rst stint at The Year for Tougaloo College. Clarion-Ledger he serveD as general assign- Stringfellow leaves to cherish his memories ment reporter, county government reporter his devoted parents Clintorice and Delores and City Hall reporter before leaving for The Stringfellow, son Courtney (Kianca); grand- (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. He served Ohio’s son Braxton; four sisters, Deborah, Felicia largest newspaper as a general assignment re- Wilson (Dewayne), BrenDa Williams (Bobby) porter and later covered state courts and fed- and Yolanda; one brother Clintorice Jr.; fi ve eral courts. He also served as president of the nephews, three nieces and a host of great- Cleveland Chapter of the JSU National Alum- nieces, great-nephews anD other relatives and ni Association anD presiDent of the Cleveland friends. Association. Services were helD at New Horizon Church After returning to The Clarion-Ledger, he International in Jackson, MS, February 13, served as night editor, political editor, public 2020. www.mississippilink.com FEBRUARY 20 - 26, 2020 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 3 Alcorn Continued from page 1 60 years ago: recovery of those injured and impacted as a re- and loved ones to know that the deepest and sult of this unfortunate event. As more informa- most heartfelt sympathies and prayers of Alcorn tion is gathered, we will share it accordingly. State University are with them at this time.” The passing of a student deeply affects the Individual and group counseling services are Students launched entire Alcorn family and is especially diffi cult available to students, faculty and staff through and heart breaking. Alcorn State University the university’s Offi ce of Counseling Services.