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, Black Perspective: A Black Man Looks At Integration In Mississippi, February 24, 1970
Micheal Shields
This article examines the history of white attempts to circumvent and avoid integration in Mississippi schools between 1954 and 1970. This article mentions the Jackson Citizen's Council, white insistence on Separate but Equal, and President Kennedy's pressure for integration. It then discusses contemporary efforts to avoid integration such as complaints about busing.
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Letters to the Editor, An Open Letter To Black Students, February 27, 1970
The Reflector
In these letters, three people write to the Black students of MSU complaining about hostility and obscenity from the recent Black history display. Each of these authors mention feeling Black hostility towards whites and state that they would be willing to "talk straight" with any African American student on campus who was willing. Another letter mentions the scheduling of the traditional thanksgiving-day football game, and another thanks the team of The Reflector for their kindness in a recent visit. This page also contains an image of a U.S. postage stamp depicting a caricature of a Native American man titled "The American Indian."
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Letters to the Editor, Black History-A Farce, February 20, 1970
The Reflector
In these letters, Bill Bartlett complains about the Black history booth in front of the MSU bookstore. He says that the displays are obscene and immoral and challenges Mr. Giles. George Farr is critical of university programs and Grey and Bev Kamback inquire about marijuana recipes.
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Letters to the Editor, 'Black History' Defended Bartlett Challenged, February 24, 1970
The Reflector
Three of these four letters defend Mississippi State's Black history booth from the accusations of Bill Bartlett. The fourth discusses the meeting of the John Birch Society and its conspiracies about communists taking over the U.S. This article contains half of a political cartoon labeled "Burn war gas! Save out oceans!"
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Letters to the Editor, Boycott Questioned, March 17, 1970
The Reflector
A series of letters regarding the previous editorial "black perspective" and a heavy critique of The Reflector.
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Newspaper advertisement, AA Plus, January 30, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector announced an AA Plus meeting.
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Newspaper Advertisement, A A Plus, March 13, 1970
The Reflector
This notice advertises a meeting of Afro-American Plus at the Student Union on March 14th, 1970 at 2 p.m. All members are expected to attend.
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Newspaper Advertisement, A A Plus, May 5, 1970
The Reflector
This notice advertises a meeting of Afro-American Plus at the YMCA coffeehouse on May 5th, 1970 at 7 p.m.
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Newspaper advertisement, AA Plus, November 6, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector announced an AA Plus meeting.
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Newspaper advertisement, AA Plus, October 2, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector announced an AA Plus meeting.
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Newspaper advertisement, AA Plus, October 23, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Relfector announced an AA Plus meeting.
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Newspaper advertisement, AA Plus, October 9, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector announced an AA Plus meeting.
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Newspaper advertisement, AA Plus, September 25, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector announced an AA Plus meeting.
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Newspaper Advertisement, Big Man, March 10, 1970
The Reflector
This article and photo promotes the arrival of Bill Russel, a basketball star and first Black coach for any major league team to MSU. Bill Russel says he is looking forward to his visit. The notice is accompanied by a photo of Bill Russel.
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Newspaper advertisement, Dogs Meet 9th Ranked LSU in Tiger Stadium, November 13, 1970
The Reflector
In this article, the Reflector anticipated a tough game for Mississippi State against Louisiana State University.
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Newspaper advertisement, In Concert, April 17, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector announced two groups' appearances at MSU: Friends of Distinction and Fred Smoot.
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Newspaper advertisement, In Concert, April 21, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector announced Friends of Distinction's appearance for April 22.
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Newspaper advertisement, MSU ROCK Revival, March 17, 1970
The Reflector
In this article, the Reflector advertised three musicians' forthcoming appearance at the university.
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Newspaper advertisement, Requested Aid, December 15, 1970
The Reflector
In this advertisement, the Reflector solicited donations for a Black woman and her grandchild who lived in a shack without running water. An accompanying photograph pictured the grandmother and grandson.
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Newspaper advertisement, Stand Up, March 24, 1970
The Reflector
In this article, the Reflector called on MSU's student body to unequivically support President Giles as he came under criticism for supporting student's right to political expression and his advocacy for a voluntary ROTC program.
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Newspaper Article, Basketball Star Bill Russell Comes To MSU Tuesday, March 6, 1970
The Reflector
In this newspaper article, former Boston Celtics basketball star Bill Russell, the first Black coach of a major league team, is scheduled to speak at MSU. The article gives Russell's background and mentions that he is scheduled to speak as part of the Lectern Series. The article is accompanied by a photo of Russell.
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Newspaper Article, Bill Russell Speaks On His Celtics Career, March 10, 1970
The Reflector
This newspaper article notifies that Bill Russell will speak on March 10th, 1970 about his career with the Celtics. Tickets will be sold at the door and high school basketball players will get in at special rate. The article gives background information for both Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics.
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Newspaper Article, Bill Russel, March 3, 1970
The Reflector
This advertisement provides notice that Bill Russel as the third speaker in the Lecture series at Mississippi State University at Lee Hall.
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Newspaper Article, Black Perspective: Oktibbeha County NAACP Foresees 'Black Easter', March 13, 1970
The Reflector
In this newspaper article, Michael Shields discusses the upcoming Easter boycott by Black citizens of most of Starkville's stores and merchants. Until the demands and grievances of the black community are met, only a few stores in Starkville will receive Black business. The article lists the grievances - lack of equality - and mentions the effectiveness of a similar boycott in West Point.
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Newspaper article, Bond Arrives Tomorrow As Lectern's First Speaker, October 2, 1070
The Reflector
In this article, the Reflector announced Julian Bond's forthcoming talk. It was part of the Student Association's Lectern Series.