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 photograph, MSU OCT. 15, 1969: People Around Campus, October 17, 1969
The Reflector
In this photograph, the Reflector pictured student life at Mississippi State in collage format. The pictures depict chapel services and interactions at the Drill Field.
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Newspaper photograph, Problems: YMCA Free University Course, September 23, 1969
The Reflector
In this photograph, a student volunteer is pictured interacting with a child. A caption noted that such fieldwork proceeded despite criticism over Head Start.
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Newspaper article, Globe Trotters Amaze Capacity Crowd With Display of Basketball Antics, January 10, 1969
G Weatherly
In this newspaper article, Weatherly positively reviewed the Harlem Globe Trotters' appearance at a sold out show. He noted the group's international fame and wrote of them as informal diplomats for America.
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Letter to the Editor, April 23, 1968
Thom Fewel
In this letter to the editor, Thom Fewel expresses their observations of the Dr. King memorial service and their opinions on the effectiveness of the university's police group.
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Newspaper Article, Controversial Speakers Still Present Problems To Colleges, April 26, 1968
Walter Grant
In this article, the University of Alabama held its annual Emphasis program which many controversial speakers were invited to attend. Some of the committee members were worried about the repercussions associated with extending these invitations.
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Newspaper Article, White Power Strengthens, Black Power in the South, May 7, 1968
Walter Grant
In this article, the author claims that white college campuses will become new centers of Black power due to the endless discrimination Black students face while attending white colleges. Many examples of outright and subtle discrimination are explained and used to show the minimal progress of integration.
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Newspaper article, Destruction and Construction May start soon, November 8, 1868
Carroll Jackson
This article discussed the Starkville city government's plan to begin an urban renewal project around the Cotton Mill and Needmore areas. Voters approved the urban renewal plan in 1966, surveyors made studies over 1967 and 1968, with actual work anticipated to begin in 1969. The project's main goal was to construct new residential housing up to city code.
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Newspaper Article, Reporter Beats System of Student Registration, September 13, 1968
Glen Koury
In this newspaper article, the Reflector shows how easy it is to circumvent the registration system and register for classes out of turn. The Reflector assigned Wayne Cottingim to demonstrate and report back.
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Newspaper Letter to the Editor, From Elizabeth C. Loftin, April 19, 1968
Elizabeth Loftin
This letter to the editor speaks out against the person responsible for raising the American flag, which was supposed to be flying at half-mast in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, on the parade grounds of Mississippi State's campus.
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Newspaper Article, Students Honor Dr. King With Silent Vigil, Service, April 9, 1968
Sam Love
In this article, Mississippi State students honor Dr. King with a silent vigil service on the Drill Field and a memorial service in the Chapel of Memories which was interrupted by a group of white protesters who waved a Confederate flag and threw a rock through the Chapel's stained glass window. Part of an article about mock elections is also on the page.
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Newspaper Article, Urban Renewal: Proposal-Project Provides Essential Improvement to family units In 'Needmore' Area, May 14, 1968
Sam Love
This newspaper article describes the Urban Renewal project embarked in the city of Starkville. It describes the costs and intentions and includes a small map.
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Newspaper Article, Cry For Equality is Two-Faced, September 17, 1968
Mike Mears
In this article discusses the double standards of values in the American society. The author complains that discrimination has turned on white people, saying that Black people can do and say things that would get a white person who did the same ostracized.
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Newspaper article, Blacks: The Hidden Face, September 24, 1968
Jim Meli
This article discusses the history of Black people and their history with the United States.
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Newspaper Article, Unrest Hovers Over Campus Sunday Night, April 9, 1968
Merill Merkle
This article discusses the rise of tensions at Mississippi State among the students. During a memorial service for Dr. King, a stained glass window in the Chapel of Memories was broken, flagpole ropes were severed on the Drill Field, and trees were burned near Hilbun Hall.
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Newspaper article, Ole Miss Bans Evers; by injunction, October 4, 1968
Merrill Merkle
In this article, the State College Board attempted to reinstate Mississippi's speaker ban to prevent Charles Evers from speaking at Ole Miss. Judge William C. Keady, a Federal District Court judge, served an injuntion to Ole Miss's chancellor to allow Evers to speak. Uncertainty lingered how Mississippi State University's Young Democrats' invitation for Evers to speak at MSU would be received.
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Newspaper article, State Students Seek Action Against Trustees on Evers, October 18, 1968
Merrill Merkle
In this newspaper article, the hearings begin for the four Missississippi State students. The students signed as complaing parties. It is to reverse the decision by the Board of Trustees that denied the civil rights' leader Charles Evers permission to speak on campus.
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Newspaper article, Afro-American Plus Promotes Social Life by Bessie Elaine Minor, October 8, 1968
Bessie E. Minor
In this newspaper article, Minor interviewed Afro-American Plus club president, Roy Pearson. Pearson described the club as a vehicle to improve African-American student life at Mississippi State by establishing connections with students of all races at MSU and to facilitate the educational advancement of African-Americans outside of MSU.
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Newspaper Article, Community Project Interferes With Residents' Social Lives, May 14, 1968
Bessie E. Minor
This newspaper article discusses a recent survey conducted by the Reflector says the general public opinion of the people liked the idea of the Urban Renewal project, but worry that it would affect their social lives and effect family ties. Many are dissatisfied with the project.
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Newspaper article, School Funds Stripped, May 10, 1968
Laurance R. Mitlin
This article discusses the loss of federal funds to the Starkville school system is causing a re-examination of the city's integration programs in schools.
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Newspaper Article, McCarthy, Peace Top Choice '68 , May 7, 1968
Phil Semas
In this article, the results from the Choice '68 voting has been released. A brief breakdown of the results is listed.
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Newspaper Article, Choir Creates Baptist Conflict, September 17, 1968
Macy Shipp
This article discusses the closing of Baptist churches in Starkville to the newly-integrated BSU choir. The BSU asks the churches to reconsider, and the churches affirm their stance.
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Newspaper Advertisement, In lasting tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Medallion, May 3, 1968
The Reflector
In this newspaper advertisement, A medallion is made with Dr. Martin Luther King's face on it in support with him and his teachings. A neck medallion or key chain medal is available for purchase. Money to be sent to Memento's LTD. The advertisement includes an illustration of the medallion.
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Newspaper Advertisement, The 5th Dimension and The American Breed, May 7, 1968
The Reflector
This newspaper advertisement informs the MSU student body that The 5th Dimension and American Breed are performing at the Animal Husbandry building Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The advertisement includes two photos of the two advertised bands. Members of The 5th Dimension: Florence LaRue, Ronald Townson, Billy Davis Jr., Patrice Morris, Lou Courtney. Members of The American Breed: Gary Loizzo, Lee Graziano, Chuck Colbert, Al Ciner.
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Newspaper Advertisement, The Student Association Presents The 5th Dimension, the American Breed, April 19, 1968
The Reflector
In this newspaper advertisement, the Student Association presents two musical groups, The 5th Dimension and The American Breed performing at the Cow Barn May 8th, 8:00 p.m.
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Newspaper Article, Afro-American Plus Hosts MFDP Leader, December 17, 1968
The Reflector
This article details the Black student group, AA-plus, invitation for Fannie Lou Hamer to speak at Mississippi State University. Her speech was on the future of Black Americans in Mississippi.