NOVEMBER 5, 2015 | @THEHILLTOPHU | VOLUME 100 ISSUE 17

Aaron DassStaff Writer

The 2015 Women’s Southwestern Athletic Conference soccer tournament begins today and the Howard

University’s women’s soccer team will be competing as the reigning SWAC champions as the No. 4 seed.

Held at the John Hunt Soccer Complex in Huntsville, Alabama, the Bison have been hard at work to

“We’ve been focusing on playing out of the back and playing off of our center forwards,” Senior

midfielder Dytria Ruddy said. “We’ve also been spending a lot of time on finishing.”

Last year, Howard finished the regular season with a respectable 11-7-1 record. They completed the

For Ruddy, this is her last tournament run as a collegiate athlete so she is more focused than ever on

“It’s bittersweet going into my last few games, but I just want to do what I can to help us become repeat

champions and get a bid into the NCAA tournament.” Ruddy said.

The Bison are three wins away from achieving this feat, but face a tough first game against the No. 5

When these teams met during the regular season, freshman midfielder Makela Davidson proved the

deciding factor, as she scored the team’s only goal

in a 1-0 shutout win.

UAPB will look to their sister-forward duo of Karissa and Ciera Fenwick who have 17 goals between

them and goalkeeper Makayla Cowles to steer them to a victory against Howard.

“We are going to play every game like it’s our last,” Junior midfielder Sara Vaughan said. “It’s important

for us to go out hard, even against teams that we have beaten in regular conference play.”

A win in this fixture sets up a potential meeting with the No. 1 seed Mississippi Valley State, who the

Bison beat by a whopping 4-1 score-line in their Oct. 23 head-to-head matchup.

In order for the Bison to continue strong, Kela Gray and midfielder Whitney White will need to continue

Gray and White have combined for 27 goals so far and will hope to add to their tallies during the

tournament. Freshman goalie Mackenzie Diotte and the rest of the defense will also need to have big

games as their form will likely prove decisive in the coming days, especially against MVSU’s Nykosi

Simmons, who has 23 goals on the season and is the country’s highest ranked offensive Division 1 player.

BACK TO BACK? Women’s Soccer looks to Reclaim Conference Title

COURTESY OF HU BISON

Built Bison Tough:

Ford College

Ambassador

Challenge gets a

Black Tint

COURTESY PHOTODisa Robb, Contributing WriterToday, Built Bison Tough will be hosting a test-drive fundraiser event this Thursday, Nov. 5 at Howard University’s College of Medicine.For the first time, Howard University has been selected to participate in the Ford College Ambassador Challenge to compete against eight other schools in a three-part marketing contest. The group, known as Built Bison Tough, is com-prised of Kevin Page, Disa Robb, Deneil Mullings and Rachel Hampton. Built Bison Tought will be evaluated on their ability to cre-atively market and socially engage Howard University students and the surrounding community about the Ford Brand. The test-drive fundraiser event will allow stu-dents and community members to register for a Zipcar account and test-drive a Ford vehicle around campus. With each test-drive and RSVP, Ford will donate $20 and up to $2000 to the char-ity of their choice, NAACP. For event registration, visit www.fordcolleg-echallenge.com/events to register. Follow @BuiltBisonTough on Instagram and Twitter for more information.

2 NOVEMBER 5, 2015 THE HILLTOP

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By Matthew Holmes, Contributing Writer

On Monday, Nov. 2, an exclusive pre-screening of Carter High was shown at the Armour J.

Blackburn University Center in the Digital Auditorium. This was the first public screening of the

movie in the Washington, D.C. area. The event was hosted by the members of Kappa Alpha Psi

Fraternity, Inc. with the help of the Student Sports Alliance student organization.

“It was a huge success,” said Charles Whitlock II, senior broadcast journalism

major/sports administration mrinor from Cleveland, OH.

Students who attended the pre-screening where not only able to view the film, but they were able

to gain detailed insight on the developments within it from Arthur Muhammad,

director of

In addition to being the director, Muhammad also played wide receiver for the Carter High

football team depicted in the movie. Muhammad stated that he had the script for this movie for

almost ten years, but he knew the timing had to be just right.

“One hard thing for me was not to sell out to Hollywood, but to tell the truth of what happened

down at Carter High,” said Muhammad. “This was such a great time filming and the cast could

feel how real it was during the takes.”

The students also had a special guest host in Traci Braxton. Joining her to host the event was one

of the star actors in the film, Aundre Dean. Dean is a proud graduate of Texas Christian

University and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

“Carter High” is true story based on the 1988 David W. Carter High School football team in

Dallas, Texas. If you’ve ever watched of the film “Friday Night Lights”, then you’ll recognize

the high school name as the rival team that beat the Permian High School football team in

“Friday Night Lights”.

The Carter High School football team would go on to the state championship despite dealing

with a plethora of legal issues along the way. Despite the team’s great successes, problems begin

to amplify after the season ends and the pads came off.

Currently, Carter High is showing in select movie theaters within the Dallas and Houston,

Texas. area. The film will hit movie theaters nationwide midway through November.

“CARTER HIGH” SCORES BIG IN EXCLUSIVE PRE-SCREENING AT HOWARD

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4 NOVEMBER 5 , 2015 THE HILLTOP

NEWS

Cameron ClarkeContributing Writer

Each year, a huge majority of Americans are unable to participate in seasonal

elections. Such underclass of Americans are legal citizens, but have been stripped of their right to vote due to past errors in judgment – or too often, a corrupt and onerous criminal justice system.

Felony disenfranchisement, or the forfeiture of voting rights for felony convictions, is a sheer example of the many ways institutions and individuals have been working to circumvent, weaken or erase the 15th Amendment since it was put to paper.

The number of Americans that are unable to vote due to a felony is staggering, totaling 5.85 million. Such number makes it difficult to understand the magnitude of the injustice.

\

In 2012, an election where the incumbent, President Barack Obama, won by a margin of only 5 million votes out of 129 million cast, nearly six million US citizens were barred from participating in the electoral process.

Of those nearly six million Americans with felonies on their records, more than 82 percent were convicted of non-violent offenses, losing their right to vote over crimes as “heinous” as graffiti and vandalism, marijuana possession, curfew violations or loitering.

An overwhelming majority of those citizens are either on probation or have completed their sentence, according to research conducted by the Sentencing Project. And yet, in most cases, these individuals,

who even by the corrections systems’ standards are considered reformed, are still prevented from voting in local, state or federal elections.

Felony disenfranchisement is an antique of the founding of our nation. Felony disenfranchisement is still the last holdover from an era where an individual’s sex, income and skin color were the most important factors in determining whether they were protected by the Constitution.

According to Marc Mauer, the executive director of the Sentencing Project, convicted felons are the last fundamental group that’s still excluded from democratic participation

And, it’s an overwhelmingly African-American group, the study found. In states with disenfranchisement laws, nearly seven percent of Blacks are banned from the polls, compared to 1.8 percent of all other races. In Virginia and Florida, key battleground states, the numbers are even more emphatic, with one in five African-Americans not allowed to vote in each of these states.

When we find that convicted felons are overwhelmingly African-American voters, it’s perhaps unsurprising to discover that the states like Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia have the highest numbers of disenfranchised citizens and are

overwhelmingly Republican with large populations of black voters.

The push to disenfranchise the previously incarcerated individuals has no basis in either moral or ethical theory. The motive is as blatantly and fundamentally political as the poll taxes and grandfather clauses of the Post-Reconstruction era.

Republican legislators in districts with large Black populations throughout the United States were found to be far more likely to be in favor of felon voting prohibition than any other, for the simple reason that Black voters are by far the largest and most consistent threat to their political longevity.

Like the Jim Crow laws and literacy tests that preceded them, felony disenfranchisement statutes have been systematically engineered by a political and popular minority to preserve the minority’s power in the government, at the expense of African-Americans and the poor.

To treat the laws as anything else would be a grave misunderstanding of their essential motives and impact. As long as felony disenfranchisement, and laws like it, remains on the books, your right to vote is as fragile and flimsy as the ballots it is used on.

The State of American Voting Rights: FELONY DISENFRANCHISEMENT

OP-ED

INSTAGRAM

THE HILLTOP NOVEMBER 5, 2015 5NEWS

Dayesha SimsContributing Writer

Once-bullied teen Valerie Weisler, 17,

is now the chief executive officer (CEO) of a global movement called The Validation Project, proving that it is possible to turn an adverse situation into positive one.

“[Weisler] is a true inspiration to kids everywhere that are being bullied,” said Sydney Davenport, a sophomore majoring in journalism. “It’s always good to report bullying to an adult, but even better when you can prove the bully wrong [with your accomplishments].”

Established in January 2013, The Validation Project matches teens with

mentors from leading companies that match their skill-set. After gaining experience and enhancing their skill set, young adults are then able to apply their skills to help the community. About 6,000 teens have participated in this program so far in over 900 chapters in schools across the nation.

Often an easy target due to her shyness, the young CEO’s peers frequently made false accusations and spewed derogatory remarks toward her. Despite the pain she endured, the young mogul was able to not only forgive the bullies, but let them intern for her program.

Many people have commended her for helping the individuals that once took so much from

her. Monica Samuel, a graduate student studying psychology, believes that doing such exemplifies Weisler’stenacity.

“[Giving back to her bullies] showed that she is not only strong-willed, but that she was able to find the strength to take herself out of her situation and turn it around to be in her favor,” Samuel said. “I believe that [her past circumstances] make her want to never be in a position to be bullied again and control her own destiny.”

Weisler’scompany is continuing to grow. A winner of the National Jefferson Award for Peace and Justice, Weilserhas traveled to seven countries this summer to spread awareness of her project.

17-Year-Old Teen Once Bullied, Now CEO

YOUTUBE

6 NOVEMBER 5, 2015 THE HILLTOP NEWS

Aesha AtherleyStaff Writer

40-year-old Samuel Sarpong Jr., former co-host of MTV’s “Yo Momma,” died on Oct. 26 by taking his own life on a bridge in California, according to CNN.

Pronounced dead by Pasadena Fire Paramedics, Sarpong jumped off the Colorado Street Bridge in Pasadena, California after communicating with police for nearly seven hours until he made his life departure. He was first spotted on the bridge by witnesses. During his life, Sarpong played an influential role in the entertainment industry.

In addition to serving as a co-host of the “Yo Momma,” Sarpong walked various runways, appeared on numerous television shows and even had

his own clothing line entitled “Future Stars Collection.” According to E! News, Sarpong was set to have a lead role in the TV show ‘American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson,” which will debut in 2016.

The reason the actor and supermodel committed suicide is unknown, but Sarpong is just one of many celebrities who have taken their own lives, including most recently this year Robin Williams. According to the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), individuals that commit suicide often have an underlying mental illness and substance abuse problem at the time of their death.

Howard University student Shamara Phillips believes that in many cases, close friends and family members should should

be able to pick up on possible signs of suicide or depression, especially considering its prevalence in our society.

“I think we all should start making an effort to pay a little more attention to possible signs coming from friends and family of all personalities to save more lives,” Phillips said.

If you come into contact with a person that is suicidal, it is important to show concern and compassion. It is also important to take them to a doctor mental health professional or hospital emergency room as soon as possible.Call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for help.

On Howard University’s campusUniversity Counselling Service is available for students at 202-806-6870.

FORMER MTV “Yo Momma” CO-HOST DIES AT 40

EW.COM

THE HILLTOP NOVEMBER 5, 2015 7

VAR IET Y

Kendra ScottContributing Writer

Every young scholar knows about the end-of-the-semester struggle. Assignments are getting lengthier,

deadlines are getting closer and the workload can feel absolutely overwhelming. Stress compounded with sleepless nights, filled with last-minute cramming. Performing at your best and protecting your sanity can become your biggest challenge by the end of the semester. But seeing that health is your first wealth and scholarship is the key to success, check out five life hacks that will help you balance both.

STUDY TO UNDERSTAND NOT JUST TO REGURGITATE

Information is easier to remember if it makes sense. Even though memorization can play a key part in learning, it has no definitive use unless it can be understood

and applied. You will find that most information can be memorized naturally if understood. Adopt a study habit that allows

you to use your comprehensive skills.

MAKE PRESSURE BENEFICIALReferring to the Nixon P. Stress Response Curve (1979), as stress increases, so does

performance. So what does this mean? Let the pressure propel you to access, not unhinge you. Stay calm and allow

your body to kick into overdrive for the remaining part of the semester.

PROTECT YOUR BODYMany love Starbucks because coffee and energy drinks give us a jolt. We

often indulge in anything that will help heighten our senses and keep us energized.

However, it’s important to be mindful that over consumption is harmful to our

bodies. Remember, our bodies are naturally equipped with the chemicals it needs to help us function naturally. Protect your body by

not over-indulging in energy drinks and caffeine. Focus on a healthy and balanced

diet so your body is in tip-top shape to take on the end of the semester.

THINK AHEADLooking at your course syllabus can be

quite intimidating. But what is more rewarding than meeting those deadlines as the semester progresses? As time passes,

we must perform accordingly. Get a head start on some readings, or pitch some ideas for an upcoming paper. Soon enough, these

things too will be crossed off of your “to do” list.

REALIZE YOUR POTENTIALThe only thing keeping you from making

the grade you want...is you! Okay- maybe your instructor can throw in a few

challenges, but you can overcome it! Trust your abilities. We are able to execute tasks at our full capacity if we acknowledge and

embrace our capabilities!

IT’S A MARATHON NOT A SPRINT: TIPS TO HELP FINISH THE SEMESTER STRONG

8 NOVEMBER 5, 2015 THE HILLTOP VARIETY

TUMBLR.COM

Jazmin GoodwinCampus Editor

Young Thug didn’t waste any time dropping Slime Season 2. Although, many rappers built hype around releasing a mixtape this past Halloween, Young Thug was the only one to deliver.

After only a little over a month a part from his September release of “Slime Season,” the “Barter 6” rapper made sure to stay true to the format of his last tape: it’s length totaling up to 22 tracks with a span of over an hour, minimal guest features and the music produced by London On da Track and Metro Boomin.

“Slime Season 2” proves to be a great example of why Young Thug is the standout rapper. The mixtape meshes Thug’s unconventional take and delivery on rap that is often times grouped with artists like Future and Migos.

With just one listen of Thug’s latest tape, “Don’t Know” ft. Shad Da God proves to be a classic favorite. The track embodies the unique characteristics that have drawn so many hardcore fans to his side:

a catchy melodic blend of what can be called “gibberish rap” with the unmatched production foundation laid by London On Da Track.

When it comes to rhymes, Young Thug delivers a compilation of flows from his braggadocious lyrics about getting money on “Thief in The Night,” to strange lyricism on “Don’t Know.” Young Thug even shouts at Howard University in “Don’t Know”, as many famed rappers do, saying “graduated from Howard, I’m the s***, no bowel. “

Whether you love or hate Young Thug, his mixtapesareones that haveand continue to keep the rap world talking. With everything from the mysterious cover art- it’s a depiction of Young Thug being up hoisted up by puppet strings- to his confusing choice of words on songs like “Hey, I,” “She Notice,” and “No, No, No.”

Overall, the tape provides the consistency hardcore Young Thug fans are already hip too. For those aren’t familiar with Young Thug’s body of work, “Slime Season 2” might go a little too deep into the twisted mind of Young Thug. Newcomers are recommended to ease their way up the mixtape by checking out his other work.

Young Thug

Does It Again with

“Slime Season 2”

For U.S. shoppers, the collection will be available in select stores and online.

The collection will go live on H&M’s U.S. e-commerce site at 8

a.m.ESTon Nov.

All retail stores will open at 8 a.m. on Nov. 5 Confirm with your local H&M store beforehand to make sure it is carrying the

collection.

The first 420 shoppers in line for the Balmain x H&M collection will be given a colored bracelet —  there are 14 colors with one for each group

of 30 people.

Each group will have 15 minutes to shop the collection. After the last group, whatever is left will be available to everyone in

the store.

Purchases online are limited to one per style per customer.

Purchases in stores are limited to two per style per customer.

Returns in the original form of payment or exchanges are offered until Nov. 8 (with receipt and a valid photo ID) for purchased items from

the collection in stores. After Nov. 8, all refunds will be issued as store credit at the current selling price.

Returns in the original form of payment or exchanges are offered on purchased items from the collection online and must

be postmarked within three days of its package receipt.

Accessories are not returnable for hygiene reasons. All merchandise must be returned in its original selling condition.

Diandra BoltonVariety Editor

If you aren’t Kendall Jenner or one of Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing’s supermodel besties,getting your hands on the H&M x Balmain collaboration will be a lot harder than one might think. Shoppers have been eagerly awaiting the release of this collection ever since Rousteing slayed on the Billboard Awards red carpet with the

Jenner sisters and Jourdan Dunn in elaborate pieces from the collection. Seven months, an Instagram leak, a Kendall Jenner twerk video and a Backstreet Boys concert later, the public is finally able to get their hands on the luxury collab.

Unlike previous collaborations, H&M has released a set of rulesdictating how individualscan shop the collection online and instores. The rules are an attempt to control the shopping experience, as in the pastpopular collaborations have immediately sold out or shoppers have bought the

Check out the shopping guide below:

H&M x Balmain Is Here: Here’s What You Need to Know!

GOODSEARCH.COM

THE HILLTOP NOVEMBER 5, 2015 9VARIETY

10 NOVEMBER 5, 2015 THE HILLTOP

SPO R T S

BISON LOOK TO BUILDON FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON

Nkechi NnoromSports Editor

The Howard University football team finally secured their first victory of the season, after knocking off the Tigers of Savannah State University 55-9 at Greene Stadium last Saturday on Halloween. With that victory under their belt, the Bison must travel to Stony Brook, New York to face their sixth road test of the season: the Seawolves of Stony Brook University (2-5 overall, 1-5 America East Conference).

The Bison (1-7 overall, 1-5 in the MEAC) have yet to win a game on

the road, let alone score over 20 points. With the stakes increasing, all the attention and pressure is on Bison rookie quarterback Kalen Johnson to prove that last week’s performance was indeed not a fluke, but rather evidence of his maturity and growth into the starting position.

Johnson, a redshirt freshman, connected on four touchdowns in the air and one on the ground, earning him the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week honors. He threw for 219 yards on 14 of 20 passing with no interceptions, in addition to rushing for 29 yards. Saturday’s

win marked just the fourth start for Johnson.

“I’ve just gotten more comfortable with what I’m seeing from defenses and I’ve been trying to make the right decisions in a timely manner.” said Johnson.

His performance was indicative of his belonging on the field. Through six games, Johnson has totaled 647 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, and no turnovers.

However, the Seawolves defense may pose a threat to Johnson’s success. Although the Seawolves are coming off a 21-7 loss against Elon University,

their defense gave up a mere 71 rushing yards—2.5 yards per each attempt—and forced two fumbles, however the defense conceded 202 yards through the air.

With the help of a seasoned offensive line, Johnson will have chances to orchestrate his dual threat capabilities of running and throwing the ball that he exhibited during his high school career in Pearland, TX.

“The offensive line does a great job of forming a good pocket so the majority of the time, I have nothing to worry about as far as pressure,” remarked Johnson.

A tough front seven and physical secondary by the Seawolves will be the Bison’s roadblock to capturing their second victory. Nevertheless, if Johnson is able to stay resilient in the pocket and exude the confidence necessary to tuck the ball and run, the Bison will have their first set of back-to-back wins, since their wins over Delaware State and Savannah State sparked a four game winning streak to end the 2014 season.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. eastern time. Game coverage can be heard on Long Island’s 94.3 The Shark.

COURTESY OF HU BISON

THE HILLTOP NOVEMBER 5, 2015 11SPORTSSPORTS

RECAP: WOMEN’S BOWLING AT FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON NJ JAMBOREE

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL COMPLETES SEASON SWEEP OF HAMPTON

HU Bison

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NJ -- Over the weekend, the Bison women’s bowling team traveled north to compete in the Fairleigh Dickinson Uni-versity New Jersey Jamboree in North Brunswick.

Despite some solid individ-ual performances, the Bison (6-17) finished last in the 26-team field after going 1-9 over the two-day Traditional competition (10/30-10/31) and 0-2 in the Baker Bracket (11/1).

TRADITIONAL HIGH-LIGHTSHIGHEST SCORE: Senior Moneshia Smith (223) in Howard’s win over Sacred HeartHIGHEST AVERAGE: Sophomore Sydney Reece (177.30; 1,773 pinfall in 10 games / high of 205)

TOP 100: Five Bison finished in the Top 100 of all competi-tors in Total Pinfall:- Reece: No. 63 (1,773)- Junior Trinity Yates: No. 64 (1,752)-Kristyn Mitchell: No. 76 (1,571)- Smith: No. 79 (1,553)-Sophomore Justice Davis: No. 82 (1,546)

NEXT UPHU will begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play at the year’s first MEAC Meet, which will be hosted by Coppin State University beginning on Saturday, No-vember 14.

COURTESY OF HU BISON

HU Bison

HAMPTON, VA --- Behind a near double-double by soph-omore outside hitter Khaila Donaldson and a season high from junior outside hitter Dominique Cleggett, the Howard women’s volleyball team sealed its season series against the Hampton Univer-sity Lady Pirates with a 3-1 (25-10, 25-18, 17-25, 25-23) victory over the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Confer-ence (MEAC) champions Sunday afternoon.

Donaldson finished with a match-high 16 kills and came up one dig shy of a double-double for the fifth time this season. Including her two nine-kill, 10+ dig performances, and Don-aldson has nearly added seven double-doubles to

her team-leading total of 11. For Clegett, her 10 kills matched a season high mark she has reached on two other occasions (9/5 vs Western Carolina; 10/23 vs Maryland Eastern Shore). Cleggett also swung better than all players in the match, converting her attacks at a .533 rate (10-2-15).

Junior setter Briana Jackson assisted on a match-high 24 of Howard’s kills while freshman setter Tamia Dockery added 21 assists, marking the fourth time both players reached the 20-assist plateau in the same match. Junior libero Morgan Marl-brough’s match high 16 digs came in her 16th straight contest with 10 or more digs.

With the victory, Howard has claimed two-game confer-ence series sweeps over five

opponents (Hampton, Cop-pin State, UMES, Delaware State and Norfolk State) and moved their record above .500 for the first time all season (14-13, 10-1 MEAC). The win was also the team’s ninth straight, giving the Bi-son their longest streak under head coach Shaun Kupfer-berg’s four-year tenure.

The only thing standing between the Bison earning at least a share of the MEAC Northern Division for the second consecutive year and clinching their third straight winning season is a Senior Night matchup with Mor-gan State - the only team to defeat Howard in conference - on Friday, November 6 at 7 p.m. at Greene Stadium.

NOVEMBER 5, 2015 | @THEHILLTOPHU | VOLUME 100 ISSUE 17