On the day of its’ release, “What’s Next” debuted at #1 on US iTunes, #1 on US Spotify, #1 on Apple Music US and had over 360K first week US sales. “Wants and Needs” featuring Lil Baby is the second single from the three-track EP and it debuted at  #9 on US iTunes, #2 on US Spotify, #7 on Apple Music US and had over 305K first week US sales.  The third single from the EP is “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” featuring Rick Ross and it debuted #12 on US iTunes, #11 on US Spotify, #3 on Apple Music US and had over 230K first week US sales. 

On March 15, Drake made history by becoming the first music artist to occupy the top 5 spots on the Hot 100 Billboard charts. This is a major accomplishment; Drake is one of the three artists on the planet to ever have songs in the top three spots on the Hot 100 charts. “What’s Next” debuted at No.1, “Wants and Needs” featuring Lil Baby debuted at No.2 and “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” featuring Rick Ross debuted at No.3. “What’s Next” is Drake’s eighth number one on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and his twenty-fourth number one on the US iTunes charts. 

By looking at Drake’s stats, it’s obvious why his industry peers are delaying their projects and scared of what’s next to come. In just 10 days, Drake made history,  achieved over 895K pure sales and accumulated over 170 million streams. If Drake can make history in less than 20 days with a three-track EP, what do you think he can do with a full body of work? Scary sight isn’t it? While speaking on OVO Sound Radio, Drake mentioned that “Certified Lover Boy” is on the way stating that, “ I don’t have an exact date, but it’s in the pot and it’s coming soon.”

Enjoy ‘Scary Hours 2’ and stay tuned to see what Drake does next!

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She was born on April 04, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri however; Dr. Angelou spent her early childhood in the rural town of Stamps, Arkansas. Dr. Angelou endured the bitterness and stench of racism in the South.  Her innocence was stolen from her when she was seven years old. The retaliation she witnessed by her uncles toward her rapist left a scar in her life. She refused to speak for five years and found refuge through poetry. 

A voice that once lay dormant rose to a frequency that broke down barriers in the Civil Rights movement.  She loved the arts and learned to dance and sing on a professional level. When I was in high school, I remember listening to her cite her poem “Still I Rise.” Through time and space, those words have remained an inspiration to rise out of any unpleasant situation.

In January of 2021, Barbie Mattel released a new barbie doll in the image of Dr. Maya Angelou, which sold out online within the first five days. Moreover, the “Maya Angelou Doll” is part of the toymaker’s “Inspiring Women Series” collection. Dr. Angelou once said that, “You are the sum total of everything you’ve ever seen, heard, eaten, smelled, been told, forgotten – it’s all there. Everything influences each of us, and because of that I try to make sure that my experiences are positive.” Despite her passing in 2014, her essence continues to live on. Rest in peace, Dr. Maya Angelou.

If you would like to purchase the “Maya Angelou Doll” from Barbie Mattel, the link is below.

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“����Vlog��ý-Little Rock is unique in that it is the only university to offer graduate degrees in Information Quality. The MSIQ [Masters of Science in Information Quality] degree was created in 2006 with support from the MIT Information Quality program and Acxiom Corporation,” said Dr. John Talburt, coordinator for the Information Quality master’s program.

Dr. John Talburt has a long-standing history with ����Vlog��ý-Little Rock working in what was previously known as the computer and information department from 1983 to 1995. During his time away, the department split into two different, more specific departments. He has been with the information science department since 2005. 

The university is ranked among the top 20 along with some of the top public universities in the nation. This report evaluates online master’s degree programs in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information systems, and information technology. The ranking includes both the online Master of Science in information quality and Master of Science in information science. 

“Many universities are flocking to offer education online, because of the covid pandemic. Although face-to-face instruction can be better in some ways, online instruction is better in other important ways – time, convenience, gas money, even parking lot, and classroom construction,” said Dr. Daniel Berleant. “Luckily the online information science graduate program began before all of this, so we have experience and a jump start on universities that are just getting into it now. Our online program also noted for its reasonable cost.”

Dr. Daniel Berleant has worked for the University of Arkansas system for over 20 years, starting at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville as an assistant professor and then associate professor in the computer science and computer engineering department from 1991-1999. He has worked for the information science department since 2006.

Both programs require 33 hours of course work to graduate and are rigorous in their structure. Since its launch in 2006, the online master’s in information quality has made a great impact on its students. It is career-oriented focused on practice, skills, and theory. The curriculum is centered around information quality theory and implements the industry’s best practices using state-of-the-art tools and technology. The program was developed with the guidance of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Information Quality Program. 

Dr. Talburt expressed how the ����Vlog��ý-Little Rock information quality stands out from other programs in the country.

“Many companies recruit our [Information Quaility] and [Information Science] graduates because of the growing emphasis on data quality, data governance, data engineering, data analytics, and data science. The MSIQ and MSIS programs prepared students for these kinds of roles,” said Dr. Talburt. “Also, both programs use a synchronous on-campus and online webcast delivery so students have the same experience and quality of education regardless of whether they are on-campus or online.”

The online master’s degree in information science is intended to give students advanced knowledge, skills, and technologies for working with large amounts of complex data. Students learn to design database schemas, maintain databases, the privacy of personal data, and much more. Both degrees can serve as a step towards a Ph.D. in the field or a great job in the growing industry of information technology. 

Both departments are focused on seeing their students succeed after graduation. They ensure that students are heard and helped when needed and provide resources for their continued learning. 

“We want our students to have wide and deep knowledge and well as project skills and leadership ability that they can use to contribute to their organizations after graduating,” said Dr. Berleant. “We focus on getting students to succeed. By teaching at the level that enables students to learn the most, not too easy, not too hard, but just right, learning can be delivered most efficiently and successfully.” 

Dr. Talburt has a similar ideology in helping his students succeed and understands the complexity of the program can sometimes prove difficult to navigate. However, the department’s hard work and experience in the field have allowed them to maintain a high-quality program. 

“Many of the faculty have worked in industry and some are still actively engaged in consulting in their subject areas. Because of the uniqueness of the program, the graduates have formed a close network in which they not only help each other but also reach out to students currently in the program,” said Dr. Talburt. “Many of the program’s graduates are now in leadership roles in large companies and when hiring, contact faculty members to post openings and to recommend current students.” 

For the 2021 rankings edition, U.S. News evaluated schools on five categories, including engagement, faculty credentials and training, expert opinion, service and technologies, and student excellence.

With the great leadership that both programs have, their hope is to have continued success for the years to come. 

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Harris made history as the United States’ first female, first black and first Asian-American Vice President, signaling the nation’s path toward equality, equity and the future. During her first speech as V.P., Harris struck the same tone as Biden: a call for unity amongst the nation by calling upon the ambition, determination and aspirational drive that every American possesses.

After the past four years of continually growing hyper-partisanship in politics that have bled into our communities, along with the volatile rhetoric recently used by elected officials, it’s hard to imagine this type of behavior disappearing in response to a call for unity one day. The former President Trump’s absence at the Inauguration, the first absence by a presidential predecessor in over 150 years, is an example of this behavioral deficiency. This poison must be eradicated, though it won’t happen overnight.

Starting with his Inauguration Day speech, President Biden set out to differentiate his message and the tone for his presidency from that of his predecessor. Acknowledging how far the country has evolved since its birth, Biden underscores this with how much the nation still has to go.

His message of unity is an aspiring one, for a nation struggling with racial justice, a climate crisis, a deadly pandemic, a poor economy, and the rise of political extremism. President Biden acknowledges the path forward towards unity will be a difficult one, but it is a path we as a nation must endure together. The past four years have led to a historic culmination of crises that we must embrace head on, as one nation. Start reaching out and saying hello to someone new in your community, a single act of kindness goes a long way.

Passionately declaring himself to be a leader to all Americans, President Biden calls for an end to the un-civil war being waged between republicans, democrats, conservatives, liberals or anyone with differing views or opinions. Achieving unity can’t happen when disagreements lead to disunion, highlighting the devolving political atmosphere on Capitol Hill.

Further highlighting the need for unity, President Biden commemorated the historic peaceful transition of power and its tradition of ensuring a continuous democracy. This moment was highlighted in response to the attempted insurrection of the Capitol on January 6, a couple weeks prior. Unity in the face of an insurrection and violent dissent is a courageous act, and its path to success will be an uphill battle. As Americans, I believe we are well equipped to win that battle.

As the nation edges closer to dystopia with each passing day, President Biden pledges to act as a healer and lead the U.S. into a better future. The Inauguration of Joe Biden marks a shift from a country dealing in “alternative facts” to operating by one shared set of facts, with President Biden asking us to place more value in truth. President Biden stopped short of romanticizing the nation’s tumultuous past and making false claims of goodwill during his speech, being straightforward with the American people.

The spirit of the American people is strong, ambitious and aspirational, determined, bold and optimistic. This American spirit is exactly how we, together as one nation, can rise to occasion for the call to unity. It will take each and every one of us working together, reaching across ideological, political, and partisan lines to work with one another toward a shared goal of unity, prosperity, equity, and justice. As President Biden said, “The American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. On ‘We the People’ who seek a more perfect Union.”

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Christopher Williams, an Assistant Professor of Political Science here at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock who specializes in elections, public opinion and democratic governance, says that Biden’s win was “absolutely” historic.

“It represents a clear break from the often radical-right and anti-system policies of Trump,” he said. “The election of Joe Biden likely means a return to the existing global order. At the domestic level, we can expect to see major differences in immigration policy, education policy, tax policy, environmental policy, trade policy, etc.”

Drew Martin, the chair of the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock College Republicans Chapter, says that the Presidential race is not quite over yet, and points locally to why there should be some concern with the projected results.

“Fraud and incompetence in elections are always a concern,” he said. “Locally we know that 327 ballots were counted in Pulaski County that should not have been. The director of elections (Bryan Poe) admits that, and two house races have margins well within these bounds.”

Martin is referring to 327 absentee ballots in Pulaski County that had been disqualified accidentally being included with absentee ballots when being added to unofficial totals.

“The problem with proving these cases in court is the necessity of a paper trail, and we have not clearly seen that in many of the states where Joe Biden maintains slim leads,” Martin said. “There is a constitutional question at play in Pennsylvania as it relates to segregated ballots. I do believe though that President Trump’s case will and should have its time in court so the Judicial Branch can make its decision.”

Williams disagrees with Martin, Trump and many Republicans claiming fraud, saying that there is a slim chance this election was fraudulent.

Fraud or not, Martin says that Biden’s win isn’t as victorious as many might think.

“There is still the decision to be held in the judicial branch; but make no mistake about the results of the election: this was not a Biden mandate,” he said. “We were told across the country that Joe Biden would win in a landslide with coattails electing many more Democrats to the Senate and House, and that simply is not the case.”

Currently, President Trump still has not conceded the election, which Williams says will have both short term and long term effects.

“The short term regards the outcome of this specific election,” he said. “In reality, Trump refusing to concede will likely have little effect on the outcome of this election. On Dec. 14, the electors will meet and elect Joe Biden, this will be certified by Congress and on Jan. 20, 2021, Joe Biden will become President. If Trump refuses to leave, he will likely be escorted out of the White House by the Secret Service.”

Williams says that the long term effects of President Trump not conceding may have large effects on the health of American democracy.

“Democracy only survives when elites (e.g. candidates, parties, media, etc.) agree to the rules of the game,” he said. “They drive the public in accepting the outcome of elections and the peaceful transfer of power, which are imperative for democracy. Trump and others in the Republican Party undermining this election leads to many in the public believing the election was not legitimate, which makes them more likely to believe that future elections are not legitimate. It also increases the likelihood of violence.”

Williams and Martin both agree that this election has caused the country to become even more divided than before.

“I think what you see is a country that is divided ideologically,” Martin said. “There is so much more that unites us, but you would not know that from looking at the election results. For now, I think we (the Republican Party) need to focus on the two senate runoffs in Georgia, so that we preserve the Republican Senate.”

Martin is referring to the two runoff elections in Georgia, between current Republican Senator David Perdue against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff and current Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler against Democrat challenger Rev. Raphael Warnock, which both Martin and Williams agree will have a major impact on the outcome of the election as Democrats need to win both these races in order to gain control of the Senate.

“Changes under the Biden administration will, in part, be determined by the outcome of the two Senate races in Georgia,” Williams said. “If the Democrats lose at least one of those seats, the Republicans will control the Senate, and that significantly restricts what Biden can get done as he won’t have unified government.”

Even if Republicans don’t have a substantial victory in the federal elections, Martin points out that they did have some here in the state of Arkansas.

“We here in Arkansas had a fantastic night for Republicans,” he said. “We re-elected Congressman French Hill by double digits and we expanded our majorities in the state house and senate by multiple seats each. This state ‘Democratic’ up and down the ballot a decade ago, but the Democratic Party of Arkansas has essentially given up on the working people in this state, not even contesting many races and sometimes running half-hearted campaigns. I believe the Republican Party of Arkansas is ready for the years ahead, and the Democrats have a lot of soul searching to do.”

In the federal government, Williams says that a lot of changes may come under the Biden administration as opposed to the previous one, even if he doesn’t have a unified government.

“Under all conditions, I expect the U.S to immediately rejoin the Paris [Climate] Accord,” Williams said. “I also expect Biden to reinstitute DACA. If Biden doesn’t enjoy unified government, he will also likely use an Executive Order to cancel substantial student loan debt. If he does enjoy a unified government, I expect student loan debt will be cancelled through legislative means along with a repeal of parts of the Trump tax cut. Further, I would expect some movement on passing a Voting Rights Act and even statehood for Washington, D.C.”

Martin, however, says that there is a real concern about Biden’s lack of vision from a legislative standpoint.

“Biden’s initial moves post-election give the appearance that he will govern much the same as his former boss, President Barack Obama,” he said. “However, he has no clear vision, no clear agenda, no clear first move. I believe that concerned many voters who saw him as a Trojan horse for leftist ideology, which you will see a hard push from the far left of the Democrat party to influence the Biden Administration.”

Martin says that the Biden Administration will be a huge contrast from Trump’s four years in office from an accomplishment perspective.

“The Trump Administration, whether you liked the bluster or not, was filled with accomplishments,” he said. “Record low unemployment for Americans of all backgrounds, an American-centered foreign policy where we kept our word to our allies, criminal justice reform, circuit and Supreme Court judges who embrace the Constitution, and historic funding for HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). I expect the Biden years to be quiet and to honestly pass no major legislation, instead, relying on executive orders to put together whatever they can deem as satisfactory. The Biden years will be quieter, but they also will not deliver results for the American people.”

Whatever the results of the election might be, it was a historic win for all Americans when it comes to engagement and voter turnout as we saw the highest percentage of eligible voters vote since the election of 1900 with both Biden and Trump breaking the record for most votes for an individual candidate (formerly held by Obama in 2008).

“Voter turnout was exceptionally high, but what is interesting is that it was high on both the right and the left,” Williams said. “Republicans turned out in huge numbers, with Democrats showing up in even greater numbers. On the Democratic side, this comes down to anger with Trump’s policies, Trump’s mismanagement of the pandemic, and an extensive Democratic organization, led by people like Stacey Abrams in Georgia, encouraging voter turnout. On the Republican side, it appears that a substantial amount of the voter turnout was driven by Trump himself. In 2018, Democrats in statewide races did better in almost every swing state than Joe Biden did. This is because Republican turnout was substantially lower in 2018 than in 2020. This indicates that Trump brought a huge number of Republican voters to the polls.”

Martin on the other hand points to social media as another factor in why voter turnout was so high in this election.

“Politics continues to consume more and more of our lives as we continue to consume more of it,” he said. “Nobody could open Facebook or Instagram without constant reminders about voting. Every celebrity, from Youtube stars to Hollywood A-listers, repeatedly hit voters with the same reminders.”

Martin, like Williams, also points to events of 2020 as major factors as well.

“We also cannot take COVID out of the picture,” Martin said. “We saw during the George Floyd protests during the summer that being socially distanced for long periods of time spurs people to get outside and to become involved in causes they care about, on both sides. Campaigns also continue to reinvent the wheel on get out the vote efforts, making use of increased absentee voting among other items.”

The Forum reached out to the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock College Democrats Chapter for comment but did not get a response.

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Stone is a star instructor for “Dancing With Our Stars,” which is Arkansas chapters’ largest fundraising event that helps raise funds for children diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue.

Professor Stone has participated in “Dancing With Our Stars” for 3 years. In 2018 and 2019, Stone partnered with ����Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate students, Anthony Bryant and Victoria Vender. This year, Stone began the new decade with a new dance partner, Elicia Dover from KATVs “Good Morning America”. During his performance at the “Dancing With Our Stars Reimagined 2020” virtual event, Stone and Dover entertained viewers with an amazing tribute to a Hollywood golden era musical.

“The reason why we chose this song is because the message is so positive that we want to put out into the world,” said Stone.

In the early 1980s, while attending Laurinburg High School in North Carolina, Stone studied jazz and developed an interest in musicals. Shelby Hasty, Stone’s first dance teacher, gave him a chance of a lifetime. Hasty was impressed by Stones talent while attending one of his high school’s musical. During that time, Hasty offered Stone two months free dance lessons at the local dance studio in North Carolina. While dancing those two months, Stone advanced in jazz and tap dance.

Although Professor Stone majored in math and science at the University of North Carolina, he never gave up on dance. During a calculus exam, Stone made a decision that changed his life and led him to become who he is today. After turning in the calculus exam and walking to the register office to change his major to dance and performance, Stone began taking ballet classes and never looked back again.

Performing and dancing means a lot more to Professor Stone than most people, it’s his specialty. Stone considers dance a diverse entity, dance can be considered art, entertainment, or ceremonial. Even though Stone values all types of dancing, his top three that he holds close to heart are ballet, musical theater, and symphony.

Stephen Stone is a performer who expresses himself through dance, which is why “Dancing With Our Stars” sparked his interest. Being able to entertain while serving an important cause and learning more about how to help children diagnosed with NF, is what Stone values the most about his experience as a star instructor for “Dancing With Our Stars.”

The actor, singer, professor, choreographer, and musical director Stephen Stone, is an inspiration to all ����Vlog��ý Little Rock students transitioning between a college major change while still trying to find their true purpose in life. Stone’s life story is an example that dreams can come true and that you can also live your dream while doing great things for others in need.

“If you follow your heart, everything will fall into alignment,” Stone said.

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The forum aims to enhance equality and inclusion on campus through thoughtful and constructive dialogue from students, staff and faculty.

There was a Student Forum on Race and Ethnicity on Sept. 9 that lasted about an hour and thirty minutes. The forum’s format was webinar styled, so everyone’s cameras besides Chancellor Drale’s and a set of panelists were unavailable. The panelists included Dr. Mia Phillips, the Director of Student Experience and Inclusion Programs, Sharon Downs, the assistant Vice Chancellor for Wellness and Inclusion, and Chair of the Diversity Council. The panelists on the forum also included Lauren Wilson, a graduate assistant in the Multicultural Center and an American Sign Language interpreter.

The students were able to ask questions and share their thoughts through the chatbox on Zoom. Wilson would check the chatbox for questions and comments and relay them back to Chancellor Drale and the other panelists.

At the beginning of the discussion, Drale mentioned that the university would be relaunching the Multicultural Center on campus.

“We are going to locate that Multicultural Center in Ottenheimer Library,” she said.

Wilson was one of the first participants to propose a question to Drale.

“How will you specifically be working to ensure these effects last beyond your term as a chancellor or beyond this time where it’s being publicized in the news and being talked about globally?” she asked.

Chancellor Drale acknowledged the fact that these systematic racial issues will be long-lasting and will take time for improvement to be noticed.

“Those are things that are not just ‘oh we’re going to talk about it and do a discussion today then a year from now nothing has changed or we’ve forgotten everything that we determined was important,” she said.

Drale said that one way to combat the issue is to start with its roots and address those problems first.

“These issues didn’t form overnight,” she said. “They won’t be solved overnight either.”

Drale also mentioned that establishing a standing committee whose purpose is to continuously examine how racial issues would be a good place to start.

“By doing that, we can have a better chance of addressing those systemic problems that need to be acknowledged,” she said.

Landon Dekay, the Student Government Association (SGA) president, asked if it would be in the interest of the University to make African American history a core requirement for graduation.

“It would probably be a good thing,” Drale said. “The problem is that the curriculum is the purview of the faculty, so it’s not something a chancellor can dictate. However, one of the things I think that has been a positive aspect of this discussion is that faculty, chairs, and deans want to promote their courses that are already available to students about this topic. They want to encourage not only students to sign up, but for the faculty and staff to audit them.”

Another student asked about the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), a council that consists of nine predominantly Black sororities and fraternities, and if it was possible if the NPHC could have their own spot on campus that could be used for events once deemed acceptable by the university.

Phillips stated that they have been working on this long-standing issue.

“This issue has been present since I’ve been at the university,” Phillips said. “We recognize that their is not fair treatment as far as space and reservations for events for Greek organizations. However, each organization is important and valuable to the university, and we will continue to fully combat this issue.”

More Forums like these will appear throughout the school year.

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Ruby Trotter, a junior majoring in Chemistry and Spanish here at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, attended a BLM protest in Fort Smith back in May shortly after the protests across the country began.

“The protest lasted for 8 hours, but I was only there for about 30 minutes,” Trotter said.

Trotter says about 100 people were lining both sides of the street down Rogers Avenue in front of the Chick-Fil-A. She also said there were many different types of people at the protest.

“The protest consisted of students, adults, and other community members,” she said. “I was incredibly touched to see people of all races out there in support. I actually cried on the way in because I saw a lot of White people passionately protesting for our rights. It was so nice.”

Trotter says that the protest she attended was nothing but peaceful.

“It was mostly just protesters lining Rogers Ave, holding signs, and chanting,” she said. “There were even protest coordinators handing out water and snacks for the protesters. It was a super positive environment.”

However, according to Trotter, not everyone was entirely positive.

“There were some people who would drive by and throw up their middle fingers,” she said. “They would also yell at us.”

Trotter says there was an incident that occurred after she left the protest. She says that there was a man who attempted to be violent against protesters and that he had a weapon on him. However, law enforcement quickly deescalated the situation and arrested the man.

Trotter was taken aback from the amount of support other races were showing the Black community.

“The thing that stood out to me the most was how white people and other races were standing proudly with us,” she said. “I had seen some touching videos like that on social media but it was incredible to see in person. Just knowing that we are not alone in this struggle was so refreshing. I often feel like everything we are doing is in vain, especially with this recent Breonna Taylor ruling. But thinking back to that gives me a little hope.”

Breonna Taylor was a 26-year-old black woman who was shot in her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky on March 13. The officers were at Taylor’s home for an alleged drug raid. Allegedly, Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, were involved with drugs. The police officers involved busted into Taylor’s apartment on a no-knock warrant. Walker fired shots when he realized someone had busted into the apartment. The police officers fired back, killing Breonna Taylor in her own home. One of the three officers was fired. None of them have been charged and convicted to this day.

Gage Pipkin, a Junior majoring in Theatre Arts, said he attended two BLM protests.

“I attended two BLM protests in Jonesboro,” he said. “One took place on the road in front of the police department. The other protest took place downtown.”

Pipkin says the protest in front of the police department lasted for quite a while.

“The protest that took place near the police department was almost an all-day event,” he said. “However, I only stayed for a few hours because I had to go to work later that day.”

Pipkin says that the protest downtown lasted a few hours, so he was able to stay the whole time. He also says there were quite a lot of people at both protests.

“At the first protest, there were mainly adults,” he said “There were police officers there too. I do remember some kids being present. At the second protest, there was a mixture of adults and students.”

Pipkin emphasized that both protests were peaceful, however, there was an incident at one of the protests.

“During our walk to where we started, a vehicle ran into the crowd and a man with a gun appeared,” said Pipkin. “No shots were fired, but people did start running.”

Pipkin stated that people ran towards the man’s van and the police soon followed. Pipkin mentioned that he wasn’t sure of the outcome of that incident.

Despite that incident, Pipkin relished on how united the protests and the protestors were.

“We marched around downtown and ended the march with a moment of silence that lasted for eight minutes and 15 seconds,” he said.

Eight minutes and 15 seconds was how long Officer Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who is currently being charged for the death of George Floyd, had his knee on Floyd’s neck.

“It honestly was magical at how everyone treated each other at this protest,” Pipkin said.

Pipkin also mentioned that the police officers mainly acted as bystanders at both protests.

“They were there to help block off the roads,” he said. “They wanted to listen. At the start of the first protest, the police and community members set up a time to talk about the issues they face. It felt very proactive from my perspective.”

Pipkin said that what stood out to him the most about the protests was the fact that people still believe that protestors have a part in creating violence.

“For example, the man who had pulled a gun on the protestors,” he said. “It was known that he tried to hit protestors with his van. Then he pulled out his firearm. Protestors proceeded to take matters into their own hands to stop the man.”

He mentioned that many of his fellow peers claimed that the protestors started the violence.

“It’s crazy what people want to believe to fit their hidden agendas,” he said.

Pipkin stated that Black Lives Matter is a call to action to address a major flaw in our justice system and to create equality among the people.

“It is a call that minorities’ lives matter just as much as the majority,” he said. “BLM is choosing life.”

Pipkin said that he went to the protests because he knows what it’s like to not be granted equal rights as others.

“As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I would not have the rights that I have today if it was not for the queer POC (People of Color),” he said.

Pipkin is mainly referring to Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender Black woman who is known to have started the Stonewall Riots, a major turning point in the gay rights movement.

“I needed to show my respect, solidarity and love,” he said.

Pipkin mentioned that his best friend is a Black woman and that she has had a major influence in his life.

“If I don’t stand with her, then what value would our friendship have?” he said.

Pipkin did say that his support for the movement has affected some of his personal relationships.

“My family and friends all know where I stand,” he said. “I have had deep conversations with them. At the end of the day, they either understood my point of view or they agreed to disagree with me. If those close to me did not feel the need to speak up or support the movement, I pointed it out and would ask why they have chosen silence.”

Statistics show that 93% on the BLM protests have been peaceful. There have been times where protests became violent, but the majority of them were peaceful.

According to the official Black Lives Matter website, BLM is a global movement and organization whose mission is to “eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.”

The movement was adopted after the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s killer, George Zimmerman, in 2013. Martin was only 17 years old when he was murdered in the street in central Florida. Martin was walking home on a February evening in 2012. He had a bag of skittles and an Arizona Peace Tea in his hands. A fatal encounter occurred between Martin and Zimmerman; Zimmerman was a neighborhood watchman at the time. He claimed that Martin looked “suspicious.” Against the dispatcher’s orders, Zimmerman followed Martin. The scuffle between the two led Martin to run down the neighborhood screaming for help. His screams could be heard through the phone when one of the neighbors called 911. Zimmerman fired rounds at Martin, ultimately ending the young boy’s life. From this incident, BLM was born.

BLM and its supporters have been protesting for Black lives for seven years now. People have been protesting for Black lives for decades. More and more people are recording unjust incidents against black people on their phones and sharing them on social media. The Rodney King beating by four LAPD officers in 1991 was caught on tape. Eric Garner’s death was also caught on tape. Around late April of this year, the video of Ahmaud Arbery being gunned down while on a run by three white men was released on several media and social media platforms; He was killed in February.

All of these black mens’ death sparked uproar within the United States. However, George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, was the straw that broke the camel’s back. George Floyd was allegedly arrested for paying with a counterfeit $20 bill at a store. A video surfaced on social media of a Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for approximately eight minutes and fifteen seconds. During the recording, you can hear Floyd pleading for his mother and telling the officers, “I can’t breathe.” Floyd died from mechanical asphyxia. All four of the officers involved in the arrest were fired. But that wasn’t enough as citizens of all different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds demanded that justice be served for the unarmed killing of George Floyd. This is where the worldwide protests in favor of justice for George Floyd, and justice for all black lives, began.

WRITER’S THOUGHTS:

As a Black woman, I wholeheartedly support Black Lives Matter. It’s not a trend that lasts for a few months; It’s a lifelong commitment to justice. A lot of people who bash BLM fail to realize that it’s an equal opportunity organization and movement. Yes, we’re screaming “BLM!” in the streets and advocating for the justice of black people who have been killed because of police brutality. The message isn’t that black lives are more valuable than any other races’ lives. The message is that black lives matter just as much as everyone else’s lives. But since our justice system has continuously failed to acknowledge that for years, we will continue to march and protest until our demands to equal rights be considered and direct action is taken. All lives can’t matter until black ones do.

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Republican Candidate Donald Trump

The republican party selected current president Donald J. Trump and Mike Pence. Though recent controversies such as audio leaks of telephone conversations and tax reports leaking through the media, President Trump is looking for a repeat as he gears up for the upcoming debates. Trump believes he’s the only candidate right for the United States and he’s done a lot of great work for the American people. Trump is standing on the policies of defending the police, ending reliance on China, and creating jobs for the American people. He’s also taking the stance of defending the second amendment and the US citizens rights to bear arms. He believes that he is the safest choice, however other candidates believe otherwise.

Democratic Candidate Joe Biden

Vying for presidency, democratic candidate and former vice president Joe Biden and his chosen vice president Kamala Harris are moving to upset Trump in the upcoming presidential race. Biden and Harris have started their administration on the thoughts of providing what he believes is more adequate leadership during the times of covid, ending gun violence in America, and reforming the systems on climate change and the police force. Biden believes that under the Trump administration America has become divided and needs to come together in order to battle the problems of systemic racism and ending the increase of violence. Biden intends on becoming president and bringing America back together; however, both the republican and democratic candidates have to worry about their other opponents as well.

Libertarean and Green Parties Candidates 

Other than the main two presidential candidates we also have the Libertarian Candidate Jo Jorgensen with her running mate Spike Cohen and the Green party candidate Howie Hawkins and his running mate Angela Walker. Jo Jorgensen believes that the Republicans and Democrats have done nothing but leave us with debt, involvement in foreign wars, and a broken retirement system. Jorgenson wants to reduce the cost of  healthcare by 75% by allowing real price competition. The Jorgenson administration also wants to remove government barriers to replace coal and oil power plants and make the US into a giant Switzerland that is armed and neutral.

Hawkins and his administration wants to create the Green New Deal, which they believe will bring 100% clean energy by 2030. They also believe in legalizing marijuana and end the war on drugs. Hawkins also wants to create a sustainable agriculture system where each region could be self-reliant with the use of farm belts.

As the climax of the presidential election draws near and undecided voters paying attention to the presidential debates, candidates are working diligently to gain voters. Undecided voters can find out more information about each candidate and their views and ideas on their respective websites for their candidacy. 

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In 2020, Dr. Anne Williamson’s success is evidence that the Women’s Rights Movement held a century ago was a massive success. The nationwide housing policy expert, Williamson is thrilled about her new position at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

“It’s a real honor to join such a talented faculty and a school with marvelous programming,” Williamson said. “The faculty has a strong commitment to community engagement and to issues of social equity. I would like to build on the excellent work that is already happening so that we can be part of the solutions for issues facing communities in the state and the country. We hope to serve as an example of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education and how scholars can be strong collaborators in the ���dz����ܲԾ��ٲ�.”

Dr. Williamson is more than a director, she’s a woman with expertise on a mission to massive success. The vision of Williamson’s plan as the new director of the School of Public Affairs is revolutionary. Williamson has led more than 20 externally funded public service research projects such as the HOPE VI evaluations and has also used her expertise to provide important information about housing discrimination in the U.S. Federal Court. The Social Science Quarterly and Urban Affairs Review are two of Williams notable journal publications contributions.

Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education says Williamson brings with her leadership experience and expertise in both public and private sectors that help the University.

“She is adept at working in multidisciplinary teams on pressing community issues such as fair housing and youth homelessness,” Dr. Estes said. “She is lauded as an exceptional teacher. Her visionary leadership will enhance our ability to collaborate with our community and city as we educate future leaders.”   

Women who are pursing a degree in Political Science or have a minor in Non-Profit Leadership Studies at ����Vlog��ý t Little Rock can look at Williamson’s success story as a guide for their career after graduating college. Before becoming a director, she earned her Ph.D. in Public Administration and was a prominent scholar are several universities such as The University of Texas at San Antonio. Williamson has accomplished many achievements since the beginning of her career as a director and her skills in housing policy, tax policy, public budgeting and community development are superior.

“All of these areas are interrelated,” she said. “I look at how states have made use of federal resources for affordable housing, participation in public meetings by historically underrepresented groups, and effective means for community collaboration to address complex issues like public student homelessness.”

Arkansas student homeless rates have increased amid a global pandemic, which is why Williamson is implementing the “Impact KCK” program in the city of Little Rock. This program was a massive success in Kansas at lowering student homelessness rates and will be beneficial to the ����Vlog��ý of Little Rock homeless students seeking an education.

“Impact KCK began in the poorest of the 105 counties in Kansas,” Williamson said. “By using effective collaboration and social service innovations to reduce poverty and housing instability, this has resulted in 95 percent housing stability in the families with children served. That was important before the pandemic. Now, it is tough to calculate the amount of people who are facing housing instability or homelessness.”

Applied research, non-profit organizations, and public service are a big part of the School of Public Affairs’s main focus, which makes Williamson the best leader to be chosen as the new director of the School of Public Affairs at ����Vlog��ý of Little Rock.

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