AS Review - May 06, 2013

Review

News // Events // Student Life

Local Natives performed at Western on April 28. See more photos on page 6.

Vol. 28 #24 5.6.13

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SUCK:

Keeping up with Western’s Stand Up Comedy Klub

By C Hayley Halstead

Imagine standing before a crowd with all eyes glued on you with the expectation that you are to make them erupt with laughter. The WWU Stand Up Comedy Klub (SUCK) can tackle this top fear of public speaking while also escalating the decibels in the room through the audience’s chuckle with the club members’ lineup of jokes that flow one after another.

SUCK was founded about two and a half years ago by Travis Nelson and Justin Shepherd with the purpose of banding together a group of comedians for support, comedic improvement and honing an environment where people could perform standup.

“There were a lot of people doing stand-up at open mic nights that didn’t have a place where they could do stand-up strictly,” said Cole Finchen, the current SUCK president.

During meetings, members begin by discussing upcoming shows and share who is attending Open Mic Night at the Underground Coffee House. Following the planning stage, SUCK encourages members to bring in a standup comedy clip for the club to watch. When it comes to understanding comedy, it’s more than just thinking whatever rolls out of a comedian’s mouth is funny; there is a formula comedians use that SUCK evaluates. When clips are brought in, the club will explore how a specific joke works and uses their findings to create jokes of their own.

The jokes fall into different categories that comedians tend to follow. For example, Jake Foerg, the budget authority and a leader in SUCK, considers his type of jokes as a mix between stories and ideas on a topic.

Following the joke analyzing, a workshop session gives members the opportunity to tell the rough premises for their non-polished jokes. Essentially, when SUCK members are stumped with how to develop their jokes, the group will tag each other’s jokes by suggesting ideas for where that joke could go.

“We want to make people laugh, and we want to grow as comedians,” said Benjamin Crabill, one of SUCK’s first-year members. Crabill has been involved with standup comedy since middle school.

“You feel like you’re doing something good if you’re making people laugh,” he said.

After the planning stage of meetings, the club has the opportunity to perform in front of people by hosting a show the third Thursday of each month in the Underground, with what Crabill refers to as “pure unadulterated standup.”

At meetings prior to shows, a set list is created by having members volunteer themselves for timeslots they feel comfortable with. Less-experienced members start out the show with quick five-minute slots, which gradually move into ten-minute spots for experienced members and finally, 25 minutes allocated to the most

experienced group members.

In order to really have people learn standup, Foerg believes that members need to actually experience it by having those small slots to try something new.

“We are really supportive of each other. Our meetings feel like half hanging out with a group of friends and half getting business done,” Foerg said.

In terms of content, SUCK has established rules for sensitive topics. During their rehearsals, the members are very straight forward with each other and suggest reworking jokes into something more tailored and appropriate for the audience.

SUCK plans to work more with Western’s improv group, Dead Parrots Society, and also try to go beyond Western’s venues to perform and develop themselves as comedians. They also hope to have more women involved to have more diverse shows.

“Everyone gets so stressed, so it is nice to take a breath and shut the outside world off for one or two hours to have fun and laugh,” Foerg said. “That’s something a lot of people don’t appreciate.”

Students of all comedic levels, including those who are purely interested, but have no experience are encouraged to join the club. Meetings are every Friday at 3 p.m. in Humanities room 109.

FOURTH WALL FILMS

Sub-group of KVIK holds film festival on May 8

By Nick Markman From music videos to silent movies and puppet films, the students behind Fourth Wall Films have done it all. A student collective under KVIK, Fourth Wall Films allows student film enthusiasts to explore and create different styles and genres of film.

The Fourth Wall Films Premiere will be held on Wednesday, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the Old Main Theater.

Anyone can attend the event for free and witness the premiere of several student films produced during this school year.

There is no dress code for the event, but Associate Executive Producer Rebecca Ortega said the film’s directors will be in formal attire, and that attendees are encouraged to do the same.

“As with any film premiere, we would love it if people dressed classy for this, but we won’t stop you from wearing blue jeans if that’s what you’re more comfortable in,” Ortega said.

One film that will premiere at the event is “Joan,” a modern take on the story of Joan of Arc. “Joan” is a great example of how classic movies can

be retold and reworked to be applicable to modern issues. [The film] is crewed and acted almost entirely by WWU students,” Ortega said. “It really is a testament to what influences the director, Kyle Wavra, has as a filmmaker and what sparks his creativity.”

A silent short film, a puppet film and music video for the band Cassiopeia will also premiere at the event.

KVIK Coordinator Robert Bojorquez said the diversity of films at the premiere is a testament to the nature of Fourth Wall Films. “[Fourth Wall Films] isn’t content-specific, whereas all the other shows [in KVIK] have a specific kind of genre,” Bojorquez said. “It’s going to be a good mix of content. The show should be about an hour long and directors will be able to get up and say a little bit about their projects before they are screened.”

Executive Producer Roxy Ewing said what makes Fourth Wall Films special is how students with different specializations within filmmaking come together to teach and learn from one another so that each member gains a better grasp of the process as a whole.

“It’s really nice because not everyone knows everything about filmmaking and people can kind of hone in on something that is their favorite and sort of have a specialty,” Ewing said. “At the same time, if people know more about one thing or another, you can go to those people and learn from them.”

For those interested in joining Fourth Wall Films, the group meets every Wednesday night at 6 p.m. in Miller Hall Room 135. The group is open to individuals hoping to get involved in any aspect of filmmaking, be it producing, directing, acting, filming, writing or assisting.

Ortega said the premiere will last around one and half hours.

“If you’re interested in the filmmaking process, this is a wonderful chance to see the kind of product you will be capable of creating given enough practice and guidance by our wonderful FWF members,” Ortega said. “All of these films started as simple ideas, little bits of inspiration, and this event really displays how much an idea can grow if given the right resources.”

Monday May 6

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Tapped Film Showing 6:30-8 p.m.

Library presentation room Bottled Water Sculpure in Red Square 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Water Week is an entire week devoted to raising awareness and gaining appreciation for water! Join Students for Sustainable Water each day in activities ranging from bedazzling your water bottle, creating a rain barrel in a workshop at the Outback, and more

Tuesday May 7

Bedazzle Your Water Bottle 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in VU Free

Wednesday May 8

13th Annual Culture Shock Event 6:30 p.m. in the PAC Concert Hall Free

Culture Shock is an annual event held by the Ethnic Student Center, where students have a chance to share and their talents and cultures for an audience.

Thursday May 9

4th Annual Queer Experience 7 - 9 p.m. in VU 552 Free

The Queer Experience is a memoir performance in which individuals in the Queer community break down barriers and reclaim their truths.

May 6, 2013 • 11

Friday May 10

Water Fun and BBQ Dinner 4 - 8 p.m. at Lakewood Free

Celebrate the conclusion of Water Week at Lakewood Park for fun, games and a BBQ dinner.

4th Annual Queer Experience 7 - 9 p.m. in the MPR

The second night of performances for the Queer Experience.

GREEN ENERGY FEE BRINGS EIGHT NEW PROJECTS Student fee goes towards environmentally-friendly programs

By Spencer Pederson

Each year, the student body pays the Green Energy Fee, which is used to fund the Green Energy Fee Grant Program. These grants are allocated to teams of students, staff and faculty who have created a conceptual proposal to promote sustainable learning and practices on campus.

The Green Energy Fee Committee, also composed of students, staff and faculty, is in charge of selecting which teams are awarded the grant money, and this year they have selected three large-scale projects and three smallscale projects.

The large-scale projects receive funding between $9,000 and $185,000; while the small-scale projects receive between $500 and $2,000. This money is put towards projects such as sustainable and energy efficient dorms, hydration stations to promote water bottle refilling, a sustainable film festival, energy efficient lighting for the campus theatres and other environmentallyfriendly programs.

President Bruce Shepard will formally congratulating the recipients of the grant funding on May 30 at the Green Energy Fee Awards Ceremony & Expo. The campus community is welcome to attend the event at the Skybridge on Academic Instuctional Center West from 4 – 5:30 p.m. to learn more about these projects and how to get involved with the Green Energy Fee l Grant Program.

- The following are the eight projects that were awardn ed funding from the Green Energy Fee Committee:

SUSTAINABLE AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT DORM PILOT A proposal to install energy-efficient fixtures and appliances in a Buchanen Towers Classic dorm room to educate students and the campus community about personal energy use and to act as a trial space for new energy-saving technologies. Funding has been approved for $9,546.

ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH HYDRATION STATION A proposal to install a water bottle refilling station in the Wilson Library. Funding has been approved for $23,457.

DRIVING DOWN ENERGY CONSUMPTION WITH DASHBOARDS - INFORMATION IS POWER! A proposal to pilot interactive campus energy consumption displays. The Dashboard monitoring systems will be implemented at the Viking Union, Buchanen Towers, and Fairhaven Complex Funding has been approved for $184,735.

GREEN LIGHTING THE BLACK BOX A proposal to convert the rehearsal lighting in the theaters to have energy-efficient fixtures. Funding has been approved for $2,000.

GREEN RESIDENCE CERTIFICATION PILOT This proposal recognizes students for the small steps they take to protect our planet. This group is creating a

Green Residence Certification Process for dorm rooms.

Funding has been approved for $1,975.

OUTBACK AND ARBORETUM ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION A proposal offering WWU students opportunities to explore campus natural areas and increase the native biodiversity of the Outback and Arboretum. Funding has been approved for $1,935.

THE BUILT TO LAST PICTURE SHOW A proposal to hold a sustainable film festival at Western Libraries. A sustainability film festival will run for three weeks in the Western Libraries beginning on Earth Day. There will also be a do-it-yourself art project that encourages the use of reusable coffee mugs. Funding has been approved for $500.

PROJECT MUG A proposal for a reusable mug pilot program. Rent a reusable mug to reduce waste. The pilot will take place at the Viking Union. Funding has been approved for $1,926.

Visit the Green Energy Fee webpage to learn more www.wwu.edu/gef For more information on the Green Energy Fee program or the review process, contact Katie Savinski, Associated Students Vice President for Student Life, at asvp.life@wwu.edu or at (360)650-3736.

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THE QUEER RESOURCE CENTER PRESENTS THE FOURTH ANNUAL

QUEER EXPERIENCE MAY 9 AT VU MPR MAY 10 AT VU 565* FREE

7-9 PM *Locations on posters are switched.

Queer Experence on May 9 is VU 565 and on May 10 in VU MPR Poster by AS Publicity Center

A TWO-NIGHT EVENT WHERE STUDENTS SHARE EXPERIENCES For disability accommodations please call (360) 650 – 6120 Western is an equal opportunity institution

By C Hayley Halstead

Bullying, harassment, abuse and neglect are just some of the things experienced by the queer community.

With about a third of suicides among youth being for sexual orientation or gender expression, many seek an outlet for safety and opportunities for expression.

The Fourth Annual Queer Experience offers 15 students the opportunity to share their accounts of what they have undergone, due to their self-identity, by letting their voices be heard.

The first showing will be on Thursday, May 9 in the Multi-Purpose Room from 7 - 9 p.m. and at the same time on Friday, May 10, in VU 565. Both events are free to all.

The process for this event started in mid-March with the Queer Experience Casting Calls. In the past, the casting calls allowed queer allies to participate, but this year, it is reserved for those who identify as queer.

“We recognize that those who identify as queer have specific experiences due to oppressed identity,” said Briana Fitzpatrick, the Associated Students Queer Resource Center coordinator.

During auditions, potential cast members filled out a form with different questions on identity and went through an interview process. One of the reasons for the auditions was for facilitators to make sure they had a well-rounded cast.

However, they wanted to leave the definition of queer to be defined by the people who auditioned,

Fitzpatrick said. All of the cast members selected have not been part of the Queer Experience before due to the fact that the facilitators try to have new people each year to ensure they are giving space for all who would like to participate.

Ling Schulman and Nick Phillips, who are previous cast members, have been working closely with Fitzpatrick to facilitate this event. One of the bigger changes this year is that there will be two performances instead of just one to give people more opportunities to attend the show.

At the introduction of the event, the facilitators will talk about what to expect and then let the cast members have the stage. Some performers will have their memoirs memorized, while others may sing their memoirs; it is open to what the cast members want to do.

The takeaway that Fitzpatrick said he hopes the audience will have is that queer awareness is not simply what is often viewed on television; there are a lot of struggles people go through on a daily basis. Fitzpatrick also emphasized that the event will teach people how to be a good ally and advocate for the queer community.

Desirée-Kay Robinson will be one of the cast mem-

bers in this year’s event and shared that, despite the fact she and other performers will be disclosing a memoir that is not all positive, she does not want to instill guilt upon the audience members. Instead, she hopes that the event will be an uplifting experience for viewers to take a new perspective on the queer community.

“We are going to tell our [stories], but we don’t want it to be a depressing event,” Robinson said.

After cast members were brought onto the Queer Experience team, they met frequently to not only check in with each other, but also to participate in activities, writing, discussions about fears and coming out stories.

Robinson referred to these meetings as a kind of support group.

One of the purposes for many of the cast members is to reclaim their experience, and by having the opportunity to write a memoir and share it with the Western community, it will guide them through this process.

After the performance, the facilitators plan to have a time to follow up with all of the cast members to ensure all of the participants’ needs are met. Some of the resources that the Queer Resource Center can offer students include a library of books, videos, a safe space, peer advising as well as connections to other resources on campus and the community.

One of the purposes for many of the cast members is to reclaim their experience.

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The Local Natives performed at Western on April 28.

Photo by Cade Schmidt

review

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©2013. Published most Mondays during the school year by the Associated Students of Western Washington University.

We are a student-produced, alternative campus weekly covering news and events that are of interest to the Western community. We support all programs, offices and clubs affiliated with the AS. We have a direct connection to the AS board of directors, and although we report on board actions objectively, our relationship should be made clear.

Submissions: We welcome reader submissions, including news articles, literary pieces, photography, artwork or anything else physically printable. Email submissions, or send them to the mailing address above. They will be returned as long as you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

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Staff

Editor in Chief Assistant Editor Lead Photographer Copy Editor Contributing Designer Writers

Megan Thompson Spencer Pederson Cade Schmidt Serena Imani Korn Bradley O’Neal C Hayley Halstead Isabelle Hoonan Nick Markman Lauren Prater Lauren Simmons Kylie Wade

Adviser Jeff Bates

NEWS

4

GREEN ENERGY FEE The recipient projects of the Green Energy Fee funding is listed

EVENTS

9

VIKING CON People invited to celebrate “nerd culture”

12

QUEER EXPERIENCE Students share memoirs with the Western community

STUDENT LIFE

8

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION The protest of “The Disco” on April 5 leads to debate

FEATURES

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SUCK An introduction to the Stand Up Comedy Klub

Sara Sigle performs during last year’s Queer Experience on May 12, 2012. Read the full Queer Experience story on page 12.

Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review

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MEDIA MISINFORMATION New age social media technology spreads misinformation during times of crisis

May 6, 2013 • 3

THRONE: CHAIR EXHIBITION IN VU GALLERY

Attendees converse during the opening reception of “Throne” on May 1 in the Viking Union Gallery. The showcase of Western’s Chair Collection, co-sponsored by Western’s Industrial Designers Society of America chapter and AS Productions VU Gallery, will be on display until May 17.

Industrial Design student Bailey Jones made this cake, for the opening reception of "Throne" on May 1.

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THE MISINFORMATION AGE The mass media’s coverage of the Boston bombings was anything but accurate

Editorial by Isabelle Hoonan In a mass-media-infiltrated world, where free press With no forthcoming apologies for accusing the two can be abused and corporate greed often controls innocent young men or measuring the death rate at 12 prominent media conglomerates, sometimes we don’t instead of three, New York Post owner Rupert Murknow which sources to believe. With social media such doch’s only statement on the issue was a tweet that said as Twitter and Facebook quickly becoming people’s go“All NYPost pics were those distributed by FBI. And to sources for fast news, information on events such as instantly withdrawn when FBI changed directions.” the tragic Boston Marathon bombings can be a platform In an article published on April 16, the New York for spreading information within seconds of events hap- Post also claimed that authorities had taken a 20-yearpening, yet can be clouded with misconstrued facts. old Saudi Arabian man into custody for the attacks, only Speculation about the unfolding of events and to later have authorities confirm that the man was actususpects of the April 15 Boston bombings on Twitter ally a victim of the Boston Marathon bombings. and established news organizations, such as CNN, were Among the falsely accused suspects was now deproductive in using technology to push information out ceased Brown University student Sunil Tripathi, 22, toward the public—but at the cost of faulty accusations. whose name was wrongly tagged as a suspect on both In a rush to be the first to break details, uncovering the Twitter and Reddit. Tweets claiming Boston Police vast volume of information caused media outlets to proj- Department’s scanner identified Tripathi as a suspect ect misreported findings. forced Tripathi’s family to shut down their missing son’s According to the Huffington Post, CNN was the first “Help Us Find Sunil Tripathi” Facebook page, after major news outlet to correct their erroneous reporting the accusations began on April 18. Tripathi’s name was after CNN and other outlets, later cleared by law enforcement including Fox News and the sources after being cited by NBC With the public eager for Associated Press, claimed an News Correspondent Pete Wilinformation, the inaccurate liams who took to Twitter after 2 arrest was made in the hours after the bombings.

19. reporting became a widely a.m.InonanApril Called out by NBC News interview with Democpublicized failure when two racy Now Correspondent Amy as inaccurate information, despite reporter John King’s innocent men were accused Goodman, Pete Hart, activism citing of multiple sources, director of media watch group former FBI agent Tom Fuen- as suspects in addition to Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting, tes went on CNN to address spoke of the misjudgments. the false arrest claim. that no arrest was made, and “So we have seen this rush to no one was nor was anyone even in custody. characterize this bombing, without necessarily saying “Initial reports, so often, are wrong,” said Anderson precisely that we know who the perpetrators are, but to Cooper, CNN’s resident spokesperson for handling high put it in this context,” he said. “And I think that creates conflict issues diplomatically. a climate of fear and suspicion, particularly directed With the public eager for information amidst the toward certain communities.” chaos and confusion of the two blasts, the inaccurate reAddressing the media mishaps of speculating withporting became a widely publicized failure when two in- out affirmed accuracy of fact, President Obama released nocent men were accused as suspects in addition to the a statement directed toward media frenzy, which can false arrest claim. The hunt for suspects of the Boston warp the accuracy of public knowledge.

Marathon bombings, which took three lives and injured “In this age of instant reporting and tweets and more than 264 people, drew racially charged accusations blogs, there’s a temptation to latch on to any bit of inforin separate incidences. CNN reporter John King told mation, sometimes to jump to conclusions,” Obama said viewers that a “dark-skinned male” was being sought afin the wake of 19-year-old suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s ter by authorities. The New York Post published a front capture. “But when a tragedy like this happens,… it’s page headline blasting “BAG MEN: Feds seek these two important that we do this right.” pictured at Boston Marathon,” highlighting the faces of Misinformation in the media is a high-profile embartwo men whose names were later cleared by police. rassment to news networks as well as infringing upon After the photos were circulated around Reddit, a wrongly accused citizens, undoubtedly. Perhaps a lesson Gawker reported that Reddit users described one of from this clout of misreporting is there is sometimes a the identified men as “a Moroccan-American kid, a price for media representatives for being wrong: mislocal high school soccer player and track runner… who trust from their audience and the calamity of wrongfully works at Subway and likes ‘How High’ and ‘The Hunger accused individuals based off of loose racial or religious Games!” identifications.

May 6, 2013 • 5

Sini-Gang, a dance group within the Filipino American Student Association, blows attendees away during last year's Culture Shock on April 12, 2012.

Photo by Cade Schmidt // AS Review

CULTURE SHOCK CELEBRATES DIVERSITY

By Lauren Prater and Megan Thompson

From diverse ethnic cultures, hip-hop culture, spoken word culture to popular media culture, Ethnic Student Center’s event, Culture Shock, celebrates the hidden diversity at Western.

The 13th Annual Culture Shock event will take place on May 8 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall and is free.

“There is a drought of culture and representation on our campus,” said ESC Program Coordinator Daniel Espinoza-Gonzalez. “We want to let people know that diversity still exists here.”

The event began years ago by an ESC club and was then called International Night. Recently, the staff of the ESC took over the event and renamed it Culture Shock.

Performances will consist of Irish step-dancing, original ukulele songs, a Korean pop dance group, and many other songs, dances and spoken words. Along with

new performances, many of the acts are repeated from previous years, Espinoza-Gonzalez said, and some even come back to Western to participate in the event.

“At many culture events you only get to see one type of culture,” said ESC Public Relations Coordinator Dylan Koutsky. “With Culture Shock, you get a wide spectrum of performances and cultures.”

Acts applied through an open-call process that was widely publicized to reach diverse groups, EspinozaGonzalez said. Then, the ESC staff screened applications and acts to make sure their performances were related to culture, and that the staff selected a diverse group of participants. After being selected, participants rehearse once together with the ESC staff present, EspionzaGonzalez said.

“The rehearsal is to gauge where acts are [in the creative process] and to see what kind of energy they

have,” Espinoza-Gonzalez said. “When we start to construct the line-up, we want acts that will flow well together.”

After that one rehearsal, the acts are ready to perform. “[My favorite part of Culture Shock] is the night of the event,” Espinoza-Gonzalez said. “We get to showcase all the diverse campus groups that aren’t usually shown. This is an opportunity to show how diverse Western really is.”

Along with watching the performances, the audience will also get an inside look into the students’ world as they are immersed in their cultures.

“There are such a wide variety of talents and performances taking place,” Koutsky said. “Everyone will find interest in something.”

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Photos by Cade Schmidt // AS Review

Local Natives The Los Angeles-based band visited Western on April 28

May 6, 2013 • 7

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CULTURAL APPROPRIATION Conversation heats up at Western after “Tribal Disco II” event

By Isabelle Hoonan and Lauren Simmons Cultural appropriation is a prominent topic being tribe had copyrighted its name, they won the lawsuit discussed on Western’s campus since the protest of with the popular clothing store. the “Tribal Disco II” music event on April 5. ProtestWhen learning about cultural appropriation, Olsen ers brought up concerns with misrepresenting cultural said he found how overlooked the topic is in today’s imagery and enabling stereotypical images among other society. individually placed concerns, the Associated Students “It’s a form of racism that shows up on this campus,” was quick to address the protest.

Olsen said. “When I refer to racism, I’m referring to the “We have a vibrant club system, including over 240 definition that racism is an institutional or paradigm that student-led organizations, which reflect the diverse kind of sets the norm that marginalizes a specific group interests and opinions held within our student body,” of people based on their race or ethnicity.”

Carly Roberts, AS vice president for activities, said in Connecting this issue to Western’s campus, cultural the AS Communications Office press release. “We hope appropriation is demonstrated in hipster fashion, Olsen this structure allows for robust and safe dialogue across said. Native American cultures and garb portrayed differences.” in hipster fashion via dyed The event was renamed “The feathers being turned Walking around wearing a chicken Disco,” which was organized by the into headdresses and worn headdress or wearing ‘tribal’ Music Producers Club of Western, to parties, headbands and all an AS club, was shut down halfway makeup [is] the same kind of the like. These examples are though the show after two indiaspects from Native American racism that people are more viduals started a physical altercation cultures that were oppressed outside of the event. aware of when someone goes by the white dominant culture, Ean Olsen, coordinator for the AS and puts on black face. and are now being adopted Social Issues Resource Center,defines by the newest subculture. The cultural appropriation as taking history of oppression involved aspects of another culture, generally in these pieces of someone’s done in a manner that continues to marginalize people culture is being overlooked in order to make a fashion who have already been marginalized by the dominant statement that has no respect for the original context, culture.

Olsen said.

“I would define it as the use of elements from other Cultural appropriation as it stands is a more subtle cultures, outside of that culture, despite the intention of form of racism, and demonstrated with “The Disco,” the appropriator,” explained John Feodorov, associate most students are not educated and don’t recognize this professor of art at Fairhaven College. issue all around them. The subtle nature of cultural apIn many situations, cultural appropriation occurs propriation stems from it being the institutional norm, with so-called “good intentions,” as opposed to racist Olsen said. ones, Feodorov said. Once confronted with their ac“After you start paying attention to it, it’s no longer a tions, the appropriator is usually, or at least claims to be, subtle thing, it’s just in your face,” Olsen said. “Walking oblivious to the issue. around wearing a headdress or wearing ‘tribal’ makeup Cultural appropriation permeates all aspects of our [is] the same kind of racism that people are more aware cultures, but the most glaring examples occur within of when someone goes and puts on black face.” pop culture, Feodorov said. For example, Urban OutfitFor Western students who do not understand the ters found itself in a lawsuit with the Navajo tribe over a concept of cultural appropriation, Olsen suggests they line of women’s underwear branded as “Navajo panties,” get involved in conversation and remember to be rewith so-called Navajo designs on them. Since the Navajo spectful.

“

“

EAN OLSEN

“People have a tendency to just get in flame wars on Facebook and YouTube about these kind of things, and I don’t think that those are meaningful conversations,” Olsen said. “I don’t feel it’s appropriate to just walk up to somebody and start asking them about their feelings on it. It has to be facilitated in a way that the discussion is actually going to create some sort of meaningful education for every party because [someone] is sharing an aspect of their identity that is oppressed in this way, so just making sure that those are facilitated conversation that are happening in an appropriate manner.”

Facilitating healthy discussions of cultural appropriation on campus is a broad topic, which the Ethnic Student Center deals with on a general individual basis.

Although the ESC was not involved with organization of “The Disco” protests, they hope to serve Western’s students as a safe place for all students wishing to discuss their views on the event.

“When I first heard about the protest I could understand where students were coming from,” said Dylan Koutsky, senior and ESC public relations coordinator.

“I could also understand the confusion coming from other students perceiving the event, because cultural appropriation is a really serious topic but it can also come about in really subtle forms. It’s not always blatantly in your face and that’s what I think brought about some of the confusion.”

The protest wasn’t an official ESC protest. However, members of the ESC attended a discussion in the Viking Commons the day of “The Disco,” where two of the event’s organizers came to speak to students about their concerns. Faculty voiced their concerns, as well.

“We tried to make the conversation about what people found problematic about the event,” Koutsky said.

“Our role is providing support for students, especially students who feel marginalized on campus.”

Koutsky thinks discussions of cultural appropriationcan are important, but need to be done respectfully and people should take the time to understand the concept.

“Having these types of conversations are most effective when they happen naturally with people. Trying to listen to where someone’s coming from in an open, respectful way expands perspectives,” Koutsky said.

Important terms defined

Racism: A system of advantage based on race and supported by institutional structures, policies, and practices that create and sustain advantages for the dominant white group while systematically subordinating members of targeted racial groups.

Prejudice: Prejudices are individual acts directed at, or beliefs about, other individuals or groups of people based on preconceived notions and personal biases.

White: Refers to people of European ancestry.

Perceived race can sometimes be equally as important in a racist system as is actual race. If one appears to be

white, they can benefit the same privileges afforded to the dominant white culture.

Internalized Oppression: Internalized oppression is the manner in which members of an oppressed group come to internalize the oppressive attitudes of others toward themselves and those like them. For example, sometimes members of marginalized groups hold an oppressive view toward their own group, or start to believe in negative stereotypes.

Cultural Appropriation: The adoption of some specific elements of one culture by a different cultural

group. It describes acculturation or assimilation, and becomes at once problematic when a dominant group appropriates one or more aspect of a minority culture.

It can include the introduction of forms of dress or personal adornment, music and art, religion, language or social behavior. Appropriating aspects of another culture marginalizes that culture by reducing their cultural elements to singular and simplistic representations of a larger tradition.

Note: these definitions were taken and adapted from the AS president’s blog by Ethan Glemaker. The full blogpost can be found at aspresidentblog.blogspot.com

By Kylie Wade This Saturday, the world of comic books, video games, graphic novels and nerd culture in general will descend upon the Viking Union. The Associated Students Productions Office is holding a massive, day-long convention called VikingCon. “VikingCon, much in the vein of the famous ComicCon is a pop culture comic convention that we’re hosting here at Western,” said Jordan Renshaw, the convention coordinator and AS special events coordinator. “We have lots of different panels with different discussions ranging from sexism and stereotypes to zombies and scifi literature. There’s definitely something for everyone.”

The planning committee for the event, comprised of different members with various areas of expertise, has been planning the event since before winter break.

“I heard a lot of feedback from different clubs on campus and different people saying that year after year someone attempts to put on a VikingCon event but it never really comes into fruition, so I just wanted to kind of make that happen,” Renshaw said.

A celebration of pop culture, comics and more, VikingCon will feature a series of panels and activities, an exhibition hall and a costume contest. It will also feature keynote speaker William B. Davis, who many will recognize from his role as the Cigarette-Smoking Man on “The X-Files.”

“He’s done everything in the business from acting on stage to directing to teaching drama,” Renshaw said.

“He’s been in all angles of the business, of all different types of fantasy and sci-fi, so I think he’s just a really well-rounded speaker that can provide a lot of insight.”

In addition to delivering the keynote speech at a VIPonly keynote brunch, Davis will speak on a “Science Fiction Through the Ages” panel and will also be selling and signing copies of his memoir, “Where There’s Smoke…

The Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man.” VikingCon will offer an assortment of entertainment options, all carefully scheduled to allow people to select which events they most want to attend. The day will be broken into three panel sessions, featuring panels such as “The Good, The Bad, and the Elvish: Character Archetypes in Fantasy Fictionl;” “Talking Dead: Zombies in 2010s Cinema & TV;” “Feminist Geek Culture: A Presentation;” and “Video Gaming as an Art.” Meagan Malone, the event’s panel coordinator, said that the panels are organized to include typical panels, where a group of people with inside knowledge or expertise will have a discussion led by a moderator, as well

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as panels that will be more hands-on, such as the “Comic Writing Workshop.” The panels will each feature three to four professionals with relevant expertise, but Renshaw said the panels have been carefully selected to address different sides of each topic.

“We wanted to get very differing perspectives,” Renshaw said. “On the gaming panel, we wanted to have not only a gaming fan, but writers and developers so that we get the entire industry’s perspective.”

During the last panel session, Malone said speakers from several of the other panels will come together to present a special “Getting Into the Industry” panel, designed to give tips and advice to people who want to break into the comic, graphic novel and video game industries.

The convention will also feature a series of activities, a showing of “Gothingham,” a film created by Western students that follows the adventures of a Bellinghambased Batman and Spiderman, as well as rooms dedicated to Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering and even short-form murder mysteries organized by the Foulplay club. There will also be a cosplay (short for costume play) room featuring make-up and apparel for people to experiment with, as well as staff on hand to provide tips and instruction.

“People will definitely be coming dressed up, but this is also a chance for people that didn’t come dressed up to learn the basics,” Renshaw explained.

VikingCon will also feature a massive exhibition hall, coordinated by Samantha O’Brochta. O’Brochta said the exhibition hall will feature vendors like Anime Haus and Darkslinger, in addition to activities such as a presentation on lightsaber fighting techniques and a photo booth with cut-out figures for people to pose with.

The exhibition hall will also be a place for Western clubs to come together. Malone, who has been involved with several AS clubs, was particularly excited about the role VikingCon could play to unite different clubs on campus.

“I thought it would be really cool to get some of the nerdy clubs involved to sort of have their own little info fair for people who they know have similar interests,” Malone said.

Clubs that have confirmed they will be tabling in the exhibition hall include Harry Potter Club, Button Mashers and the Starcraft 2 Club. Two newly formed clubs, the League of Vikings and the Graphic Novels and Comics Club (Graphicom), will also be present.

The League of Vikings is dedicated to the game League of Legends and is led by Josh Weaver. Graphicom was started by Sanae Kato and is dedicating to discussing and sharing graphic novels. It officially became a club only a few weeks ago and Kato said she is thrilled about the opportunity to connect with other clubs and students who share similar interests at VikingCon. “This will be the perfect opportunity for me to get my name out and to meet other people who would potentially want to join the club,” Kato said. “The demographic is pretty well matched.”

Kato welcomes everyone to check out Graphicom, regardless of whether they have a background in graphic novels or not.

“If you’ve never read a graphic novel or even touched one, but you’re interested in the idea or anything that goes into making graphic novels, then I welcome anybody to come,” Kato said.

She also encouraged people to come to VikingCon even if they don’t have a passion for, or even an understanding of, the material presented there.

“You should go and leave your judgments at the door because VikingCon and comics and graphic novels aren’t always what you think they are,” Kato said. “A lot of people think that comics fall under a stereotype as a nerdy, superhero battle but in reality, so many graphic novels address controversial topics, political topics, cultural topics.”

Renshaw echoed that VikingCon is mean to be accessible to everyone.

“My goal was to steer our panels in a way where anyone can come,” Renshaw said. “There’s going to be something for everyone and I didn’t want to exclude people who weren’t into this nerd universe.”

The convention is on May 11 and registration can be completed online at vikingcon.wordpress.com. It will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Standard registration is $5 for students and $12 for non-students, but for an additional $5, guests can register for the VIP All-Access Package. VIPs will receive a special badge, as well as entrance to a 4 p.m. show and the keynote brunch, which is open to VIPs only.

For a full schedule of panels and activities, check vikingcon.wordpress.com. Anyone interested in learning more or in volunteering at VikingCon can contact Renshaw at as.specialevents@wwu.edu.