This collection includes articles and images from the Reflector, Mississippi State University’s student newspaper. This collection ranges from 1965-1975 and represents the first ten years after integration at MSU. The collection includes articles highlighting MSU Black student organizations, efforts to recruit students and faculty of color, MSU’s first Black student athletes, and notable speakers on campus.
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Newspaper Article, State Bulldogs Prepare for SEC Indoor Track Meet, February 8, 1972
The Reflector
This article describes the preparations made by the Mississippi State University track team's track meet at Montgomery's Garrett Coliseum. The article names the Southeastern Conference teams that will be meeting and discusses the statistics of the teams. An illustration of a track runner jumping a hurdle is included with the article.
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Newspaper Article, State Bulldogs Sink Vanderbilt Commodore's Ship, September 26, 1972
The Reflector
This article details the Bulldogs' win over Vanderbilt and includes plays, states and mistakes during the game. Two photographs taken during the game are included at the top of the article.
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Newspaper Article, Teaching Program Bridge Gap, October 6, 1972
The Reflector
This article details a new program for teachers sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program provides actual field experience for MSU students with partnerships through he Oktibbeha County schools. A photograph of pupils and teachers, and program teachers is included with the article.
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Newspaper Article, "The People" Deliver Message Sunday Night", November 14, 1972
The Reflector
This article describes an upcoming performance of a group called "The People" that consists of MSU students and local residents who are slated to perform a production titled, "The Message." The article goes on to detail the members of the musical group and what to expect from their performance. Priscilla Dean, a former Miss MSU contestant and "veteran" singer in the Starkville area is highlighted as a performer.
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Newspaper Article, Waller Appointees to College Board Will Serve, May 9, 1972
The Reflector
This article names the 28 "last hour" appointees to the Mississippi State College Board, including three Black people and one woman. Dr. Robert Walker, a Yazoo City dentist was the first Black man in history to serve on the college board. The article goes on to discuss the appointment of Civil Rights activist, Cleve McDowell, to the state Penitentiary Board and the appointment of Marvin Morgan, a Black man who was the assistant high school principal in Lake, Mississippi as the first Black person on the State Board of Public Welfare. A large advertisement for Hainon Miller's congressional run is on the left side of the page.
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Newspaper Article, Washington Elected Y Prexy, May 5, 1972
The Reflector
This article discusses the election of new officers at the Mississippi State University YMCA, with Eddie Washington having been elected president. The article goes on to name the other officers elected and what they hope to accomplish for the Y during their tenure.
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Newspaper Column, Sports Briefs, September 19, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper column includes six brief articles about the football program at Mississippi State University.
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Newspaper Column, Sports Briefs, September 8, 1972
The Reflector
This column contains seven brief articles about the 1972 Mississippi State University football team.
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Newspaper Letters to the Editor, Students Question Validity of Black Requests, March 14, 1972
The Reflector
The first letter to the editor ponders what can be done to help the Black student body at Mississippi State University feel more included. The second letter addresses a previously published article wherein the Black student body made requests. The third letter questions the subjectivity of the enforcement of laws that varies from one police officer to another.
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Newspaper Letters to the Editor, Those Without the Holy Spirit Can't Understand It, March 28, 1972
The Reflector
The top of the page contains two articles, one about the rehabilitation of convicted persons and the other an anecdote about state politics. The first letter to the editor is a rebuttal to a staff column previously published about Christianity. The second letter to the editor calls out the racial prejudice within a letter written previously about the "Oktibbeha Lake Five" and explains the details of their encounter with the Ranger working at the Oktibbeha County Lake the original letter addressed.
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Newspaper Photograph, Black History Week Was Celebrated at MSU This Week, February 8, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper photograph shows three men viewing a Black History Week photography exhibit. The men are all wearing dark clothing. The photograph is captioned "Black History Week was celebrated at MSU this week."
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Newspaper Photograph, Bulldog Quarterback, Melvin Barkum, Being Tackled at a Game, September 12, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper photograph pictures MSU Bulldog player, Melvin Barkum, being tackled during the game. The photograph caption complements Barkum's skill and notes the Bulldogs' victory over Auburn.
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Newspaper Photographs, Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose Come to the Cow Barn, November 14, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper photograph includes the members of the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose in an announcement for their upcoming concert at the Cow Barn. The caption includes the details of the concert.
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Newspaper Survey, Opinion…, September 12, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper survey for The Reflector polled a group of students asking if they are in favor of the Student Association spending $2,500 of their budget on the Miss MSU Pageant this year. The majority of the students polled were against it. Photographs of the students are included with their answers.
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Newspaper Survey, Opinion…,September 26, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper survey for The Reflector polled a group of students asking who they feel should decide the dormitory visitation policy and if they want visitation in their dorm. The overwhelming opinion was that students should decide on the policy and have visitors whenever they choose.
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Newspaper Survey, Students Declare Bookstore Service Unsatisfactory, August 1, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper survey for The Reflector polled a group of students asking what MSU students think of the campus bookstore with the overall response being that it could be better.
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Newspaper Survey, Students Discuss Summer Reflector, June 20, 1972
The Reflector
This survey provides some students' response to the idea of having a summer Reflector with all but one of the seven people surveyed in favor of the idea. Photographs of the students are included.
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Newspaper Survey, What Do Students Think of Democratic Candidates?, July 11, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper survey for The Reflector polled a group of students as to what Democratic nominee the students are supporting in the upcoming Presidential election.
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Newspaper Survey, What do Students Think of Visitors…, July 25, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper survey for The Reflector polled a group of students as to how they feel about visitors on campus. The majority response was along the lines of "they're fine but get in the way."
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Newspaper Survey, What do Students Think Starkvillians Think of Students?, August 8, 1972
The Reflector
This newspaper survey for The Reflector polled a group of students asking what they think the local residents of Starkville, Mississippi think of Mississippi State University students. The overall response is that the local merchants overcharge them for items and the general population dislikes them.
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Newspaper Article, Waller Demonstrates Desire to Join "New Breed", May 5, 1972
Times-Picayune
This article, reprinted from the Times-Picayune, discusses how Mississippi governor, Bill Waller, is leading the state as a "sincere moderate" and his desire to bring the state into a more progressive era. The article goes on to describe how Waller is committed to appointing black people to "responsible positions" in government and how his plans to create a "state bi-racial council".
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Newspaper Article, Black Viewpoint: Hatred Killed by Innocent Few, November 30, 1971
Leon Adams
This article artfully discusses Medgar Evers, John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luthor King, and Robert Kennedy's efforts at dispelling racism through Civil Rights works though the article refers to their work as bringing "death to hatred."
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Newspaper Article, Black Viewpoint: He Smiles While I'm Watching, October 19, 1971
Leon Adams
This article, written from the perspective of a former enslaved person, addresses the issue of the Black population escaping slavery only to now face hatred, persecution, and discrimination from White people.
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Newspaper article, Anarchy?, March 26, 1971
Mary C. Brumfield
In this article, Brumfield responded to another student's article challenging the Civil Rights Movement's efforts to postively enforce equality through law. The student, Wells, argued that laws restricted freedom. Brumfield countered that laws were a necessary mechanism to adjudicate interactions between citizens for the overall good.
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Newspaper Article, Evers Accepts Invite to Luau, September 21, 1971
Hob Bryan
This article discusses the invitations sent to Charles Evers and Bill Waller to attend a Hawaiian luau at Mississippi State University along with 500 other guests. The article goes on to describe how each man received an invitation and discusses the confusion of Waller being labeled "guest of honor".