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, New Human Relations Committee Studies 'Sensitive Area" Problems, October 26, 1973
Kit Gorman
This article discusses the formation and purpose of a new Human Relations committee comprised of seven faculty and six students. The committee has left the definition of "sensitive areas" undefined so as to not limit what issues can be brought to them.
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Newspaper Article, Big Joe Williams: He Brings His Blues and His-9-String Guitar Here, February 27, 1973
Bill Goudelock
This article announces an upcoming concert of renowned blues signer, Big Joe Williams, in Lee Hall at Mississippi State University. The article gives an account of Big Joe Williams and his impressive career and also includes details for the night of the concert. Photographs of Big Joe Williams playing his guitar are included with the article.
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Newspaper Article, FCA, AA Plus Made Life Easier for Robert Bell, January 26, 1973
Bill Goudelock
In this newspaper article, Robert Bell recounts his time and experiences as one of the two first African American football players at Mississippi State University. He explains how the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization helped acclimate him to life at the university and provided him a support network. Bell also discussed his post-graduation goals and how he would like to try for a management trainee position at a company. An illustration of Bell is included with the article.
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Newspaper Article, Black Voices Plan Spring Concert, March 23, 1973
Elaine Graves
This article advertises the Black Voices of Mississippi State's spring concert, "Quiet Fire-Burning Fire." It goes on to explain the meaning behind the title of the concert and gives some information about the group.
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Newspaper Article, MSU Wants Black, Women Professors, January 26, 1973
Elaine Graves
In this article, Elaine Graves describes the issue that Mississippi State University faces in hiring a more diverse faculty and staff. Dr. John K. Bettersworth and Dr. Chester McKee Jr. offer their thoughts on why the number of African American professors and instructors, especially women, is so low and how the university plans to combat the problem.
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Newspaper Article, Tamale Salesman Found Innocent, April 4, 1973
Elaine Graves
This article discusses the trial of Richard Briscoe, a Mississippi State student who had opened a tamale stand on the side of Highway 12 in Starkville. He was charged with operating without a license. He was found innocent by a jury of six and makes plans to reopen his stand to the public.
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Newspaper Article, 'Sounder': Of Sharecroppers and the depression, August 31, 1973
Tim James
This article reviews a movie titled "Sounder" which stars a primarily Black cast and is deemed "Black oriented" by the reviewer. The review praises the cast as talented and gives a brief synopsis of the film's plot.
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Newspaper Article, 'Dame a Pleasant Surprise, October 23, 1973
Virginia A. Lewis
This article is a review of the MSU Readers' Theatre production of "The American Dame.' The reviewer expresses being pleasantly surprised at having enjoyed the production. The review goes on to provide a synopsis of the production.
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Newspaper Article, Senate Elections: Council Rules Statutes Unconstitutional, Leaves Them in Effect for Thursday Vote, October 19, 1973
Virginia A. Lewis
This article discusses the verdict of the Judicial Council on whether or not separate districts for Black and foreign students is unconstitutional and rules that it was. The article states that changes must be made before the next year's election, leaving the districts in place in the meantime.
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Newspaper Article, Let Us Remember King Legacy, April 6, 1973
Mercury Morris
This article discusses Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's legacy and the tragedy surrounding his assassination. It also calls for continued progress towards the future that Dr. King imagined.
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Newspaper Article, Nigerian Track Star, Seigha Porbini, Feels 'Right at Home', March 16, 1973
Mercury Morris
This article discusses track star Seigha Porbini and his transition to the United States from Nigeria. Porbini notes the changes he had to adapt to in the US and his reasons for furthering his track career at Mississippi State University.
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Newspaper Article, Phares, Dowsing Participate in Post Season Bowl Game, January 16, 1973
Mercury Morris
In this article, Mercury Morris discusses the postseason accomplishments of Ken Phares and Frank Dowsing, two Mississippi State University football players. Dowsing and Phares were invited to play in various bowl games at the close of the regular season. Dowsing participated in the Blue-Grey Classic in Montgomery, Alabama and the Hula Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. Phares played in the Blue-Grey Classic as well and was scheduled to play in the prestigious Seniors Bowl but was not able to due to a knee injury.
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Newspaper Editorial, From the People: Council Unfair; Reflector Biased, October 19, 1973
Jon Naugher
This editorial, submitted by a Mississippi State University student, states that if Black and foreign students want to be equal they should not expect special treatment such as separate precincts in the SA elections. The letter goes on to suggest that The Reflector staff are biased and intentionally sabotaged students and interested parties' attendance at the Judicial Council meeting that ruled on the subject by printing the wrong location and time. The Reflector's brief response is printed beneath the editorial.
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Newspaper Article, Buddy Miles Pleases Cow Barn Audience, April 27, 1973
Michael Spragins and Jaci Fentriss
This article discusses the response to Buddy Miles's concert at the Cow Barn. He and his band performed to a crowd of over 4,000 students and were received well. The article also includes an interview with Miles that focuses on his career and experiences as a musician. A photograph of Miles with a towel over his shoulders is included with the article.
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Newspaper Article, McKissick Wants Economic Equality, Feburary 9, 1973
Cheryl Stroud
In this newspaper article, Floyd McKissick, former national director of the Congress of Racial Equality, lectured on "The Contemporary South," during a discussion held in Lee Hall on Mississippi State's campus. He talked about the problem of open segregation in the 1960s, three major types of demonstration strategies, and the issue of economic desegregation and economic equality in the 1970s. He also calls for higher education for Black students so that they are able to compete professionally. A photograph of McKissick speaking behind a lectern is included with the article.
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Newspaper Advertisement, The Buddy Miles Band in Concert, April 10, 1973
The Reflector
This advertisement provides details for The Buddy Miles Band's concert being held in the Cowbarn. It lists the date and prices for admission.
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Newspaper Advertisement, The Buddy Miles Band in Concert, April 13, 1973
The Reflector
This advertisement provides details for The Buddy Miles Band's concert being held in the Cowbarn. It lists the date and prices for admission.
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Newspaper Advertisement, Tonight Buddy Miles in Concert, April 17, 1973
The Reflector
This advertisement gives details for The Buddy Miles Band's concert being held in the Cowbarn. It lists the date and prices for admission.
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Newspaper Announcements, Briefs, April 6, 1973
The Reflector
This briefs section displays several advertisements for different events happening on Mississippi State University's campus and the surrounding area. The briefs include events such as the sidewalk art and handicraft show the Union Fine Arts Committee is putting on, the American Institute of Chemical Engineer's weekly meeting in the Union on campus, Phi Alpha Omega's raffle ticket drawing, and the "Old-Time-Religion Sing" being held at the Methodist Student Center.
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Newspaper Announcements, Briefs, September 28, 1973
The Reflector
This section of the newspaper, named "Briefs", provides brief announcements of events and notices of things happening on the Mississippi State University campus including the upcoming student association elections.
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Newspaper Article, 14 Freshmen on 'Dog Varsity, September 11, 1973
The Reflector
This article discusses the fact that Mississippi State University's 1973 football team will have the youngest team in "recent memory". The article goes on to describe the players and what to expect from the first game of the season against Northeast Louisiana.
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Newspaper Article, Affirmative Action Plan Applies to All, August 31, 1973
The Reflector
This article describes the affirmative action plan put into place at Mississippi State University by the MSU president, William L. Giles. The plan, aimed at academic, professional and administrative employment positions, "forcefully reiterates a policy of non-discrimination in hiring and pay schedules." The article goes on to describe how the plan can readily apply to all who work and study at MSU.
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Newspaper Article, A Question of Constitutionality
The Reflector
This article discusses what the Student Association constitution in light of a protest against the "constitutionality" of having precincts established for Blacks and foreign students at Mississippi State University.
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Newspaper Article, "A Very Regrettable Situation", February 9, 1973
The Reflector
This newspaper article discusses the discrimination a group of Black people face as they attempt to attend a Sunday worship service at First Baptist Church of Jackson. It also calls attention to the persistent policy of segregation that the church continues to uphold. The article is a guest editorial form the Daily Mississippian.
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Newspaper Article, Black Art on Display, October 5, 1973
The Reflector
This article describes an exhibit at the Art Lounge at Mississippi State University that features Black composer, writer, and teacher, James Weldon Johnson. The article goes on to describe the exhibit and give a brief biography on Johnson and his work.