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Politics and Activism

UW’s Nigel Hayes: ‘To White America, Black Athletes Should Only Entertain’

Wisconsin Badger basketball players speak up about police brutality and the oil pipeline.

Sabrina Johnkins

Sep 27, 2016

Black Lives Matter

UW’s Nigel Hayes: ‘To White America, Black Athletes Should Only Entertain’

wisn.com

Wisconsin basketball star Nigel Hayes took a stand on Twitter Wednesday night in response to this week’s officer-involved shootings.

"Racism towards black people isn't getting 'worse'," Hayes tweeted Wednesday Night. "It's getting filmed and shared for all to see what actually goes on #BlackLivesMatter," This was just one of 44 tweets regarding social inequality and police brutality against the black community.

Hayes took a particular interest in the shooting of Terence Crutcher, a 40-year-old Tulsa man who was shot to death by a police officer after his vehicle stalled in the middle of the road.

"I urge you to view the Tulsa killing of #TerenceCrutcher." Hayes tweeted. "Maybe a video is good enough to not be a 'bailout'."

Betty Shelby, the Oklahoma police officer that killed Crutcher, has been charged with manslaughter after the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office found that she "reacted unreasonably" and became "emotionally involved to the point that she overreacted," according to NBC News.

After receiving a number of tweets criticizing his beliefs on the issue, Hayes made it clear how he felt about minority athlete's role in American society.

"To White America, black athletes should only entertain. Once they speak on social issues, they've gone too far..."One individual tweeted at Hayes saying, "It really is a bummer to read all your tweets tonight. You've painted all whites with a very broad brush."To which Hayes responded sarcastically, "Crazy. What kind of person would do that? I'm glad they don't do this to black people..."

Hayes also stressed the fact that he feels there is a double standard when it comes to civilian riots.

"Blacks riot when people are murdered without consequences... Whites riot when sports teams win championships..."

Hayes isn't the only Badger speaking up about important social issues. His fellow teammate and star point guard, Bronson Koenig, drove 13 hours from Wisconsin to Fort Yates, North Dakota to stand with protestors in opposition to the oil pipeline, according to NBC Sports.

Their recent display of activism certainly has not gone unnoticed. Democratic lawmaker, Mandela Barns, recognized the young men for their efforts.

"So dope to see @NIGEL_HAYES find his voice and@BronsonK_24's activism on the DAPL," Barns tweeted. "Hottest duo in sports right now."

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

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And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

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December... it's full of finals, due dates, Mariah Carey, and the holidays. It's the worst time of the year, but the best because after finals, you get to not think about classes for a month and catch up on all the sleep you lost throughout the semester. But what's worse than finals week is the last week of classes, when all the due dates you've put off can no longer be put off anymore.

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28 Daily Thoughts of College Students

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I know every college student has daily thoughts throughout their day. Whether you're walking on campus or attending class, we always have thoughts running a mile a minute through our heads. We may be wondering why we even showed up to class because we'd rather be sleeping, or when the professor announces that we have a test and you have an immediate panic attack.

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The Great Christmas Movie Debate

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

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One staple of the Christmas season is sitting around the television watching a Christmas movie with family and friends. But of the seemingly hundreds of movies, which one is the star on the tree? Some share stories of Santa to children ("Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"), others want to spread the Christmas joy to adults ("It's a Wonderful Life"), and a select few are made to get laughs ("Elf"). All good movies, but merely ornaments on the Christmas tree of the best movies. What tops the tree is a movie that bridges the gap between these three movies, and makes it a great watch for anyone who chooses to watch it. Enter the timeless Christmas classic, "A Christmas Story." Created in 1983, this movie holds the tradition of capturing both young and old eyes for 24 straight hours on its Christmas Day marathon. It gets the most coverage out of all holiday movies, but the sheer amount of times it's on television does not make it the greatest. Why is it,
then? A Christmas Story does not try to tell the tale of a Christmas miracle or use Christmas magic to move the story. What it does do though is tell the real story of Christmas. It is relatable and brings out the unmatched excitement of children on Christmas in everyone who watches. Every one becomes a child again when they watch "A Christmas Story."

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15 Thoughts Going Through Your Head Before Finals

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As this semester wraps up, students can’t help but be stressed about finals. After all, our GPAs depends on these grades! What student isn’t worrying about their finals right now? It’s “goodbye social life, hello library” time from now until the end of finals week.

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UW’s Nigel Hayes: ‘To White America, Black Athletes Should Only Entertain’

Wisconsin Badger basketball players speak up about police brutality and the oil pipeline.

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For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

Who isn't stressing out over finals right now?

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