49er
2 Thursday, March 13, 2014
Korie
Continued from Page 1 talking to a friend on the phone when she walked outside to retrieve her laundry from the laundry room around 11:30 p.m. She said the laundry room is maybe a 20-second walk from her front door, as it is attached to the townhouse she lives in. Within a few seconds, she saw a light-skinned male who said something to her, which she couldn’t quite make out. When she asked him what he said, he responded with, “You’re a lovely lady.” She said “Thank you,” and as she turned to walk away, she saw a second man — one she described
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www.Daily49er.com “It was almost impossible to breathe,” she said. “It was really weird. I don’t remember falling unconscious, but apparently I did. I just remember waking up to voices.” She said it felt like she was in a movie, as the lights and sounds faded in and brighter and louder. “I just remember looking,” she said. “It was so hard to open my eyes, and I could not open my mouth at all.” Korie said when she woke up, she
said she didn’t suffer from any broken bones, fractures or a concussion. She spent three nights in the hospital and was released the morning of Thursday, March 6. Since the incident, Korie said the only thing missing is her phone, which she doesn’t miss at all. “It’s cool because I had a really dumb phone before and now I got a smart phone, so they can have my phone,” she said. “I’ve also been getting a ton of free food lately from people.” A POSITIVE OUTLOOK Since her release from the hospital, Korie has spent time with her family, recovering
I still feel like I’ve won, and
— approach her and raise — Korie, assault victim his arm to throw a punch. She said it didn’t register squeezed the hand of a man who was that he was about to punch her in the holding her hand to let him know she face; it didn’t feel real. was aware. The EMTs repeatedly asked “I don’t remember feeling any pain,” her name, but she said her mouth was she said. “I don’t remember my glasses so swollen that she couldn’t speak, so she wrote her name in the air with her laundry hamper falling out of my hand, but I do remember feeling my head hit The EMTs lifted her onto a stretcher the concrete several times.” and into the ambulance, and then transBefore she knew it, he was over her ported her to St. Mary Medical Center, she tried to take a breath to scream for cial injuries. help, but he grabbed her throat with his While she did suffer from head trauright hand and continued punching her ma and a “really beat up face,” Korie with his left.
complex near campus, which she and her four roommates are moving into on Friday. She said she sees the incident as more of a positive one than a negative one. “It’s brought my family together. It’s brought my apartment community together.” She laughed as she said, “We now know the neighbors.” She said she’s been back to her townhouse several times with her family since the incident, but that even now, she doesn’t feel scared. She said she never felt scared. “It’s made me stronger,” she said. “I’ve recovered. I’m good. They tried to beat me, but in the end, I won. Even though they haven’t really been caught yet, I still feel like I’ve won, and without Korie said she is so positive follow-
S peaKer
Continued from Page 1 standing, a man who has made a great
toDD Johnson | DaiLy 49er
Professor Ngugi wa Thiong’o speaks to students and faculty as part of the African Distinguished Speaker Series on Wednesday.
The event was held at the Karl Anatol Center and was organized by a number of different groups on campus, including the International Education Committee and the Africa Subcommittee, among others. The event began with an introduction of West African dances and chants. To show appreciation, the crowd offered a warm welcome by rising to their feet and applauding Thiong’o as he entered. “I liked the introduction,” said Faw Ezsh, a sophomore engineering major. “I wish they could have concluded the event with it. It gave us a real depiction of African culture.” After the lively introduction, Thiong’o spoke about the importance ence his mother had on his life, both of
Long Beach PoLice DePartment
Sketches of the two suspects wanted in connection with the assault. ing the incident because “for every bad incident or bad person,” there are “at least 100 good things to celebrate.” “I’ve seen that because two guys attacked me … but I’ve had so many people checking on me,” she said. “I’m just getting so much love.” Aside from missing normality and a little alone time, Korie said the only thing she’s been wanting since the incident is a burger. “I can’t eat a burger yet because I can’t open my mouth all the way ... maybe in a few days,” she said. “I stand by what I told the nurse. I am hungry, and I will get that burger.” Long Beach Police have not identition with the assault and are seeking the
which are themes in his book. “My mother is the one who sent me to school,” Thiong’o said. “My mother did not know how to read or write, but every time I came home from school, she would say, ‘Is that the best you could have done?’” As a renowned theorist of post-colonial literature, Thiong’o elaborated on the importance the human body plays in combating colonization. “Colonization is the process of alienating some people from their body,” Thiong’o said. “In colonization they say your body is a problem, that the color of your skin is a problem, and you begin to think you are a problem yourself.” As a result, Thiong’o said the bodies of those who are colonized are not used for their own production, but inon a plantation or in a factory. He also stressed seeing the good in one’s self, which is an idea his mother reinforced. “She encouraged me to set the high-
public’s help in providing any information that may aid in the investigation. The suspects are described as a light-skinned Hispanic or black male, 20 to 22 years old, who is about 5 feet 10 inches tall and approximately 180 pounds. The second subject may be a 20 to 22 year-old black man with a stocky build, who is about 5 feet 9 inches tall and roughly 195 pounds. Both men were seen wearing dark clothing, according to police. Anyone who has information regarding the incident should contact Long Beach Police Department Detective Mark Steenhausen at 562-5707465. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 800-222-8477, texting TIPLA at CRIMES (274637), or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
est standards for myself,” Thiong’o said. “She instilled in me the sense that I carry within me the best, and I create my best.” Thiong’o also criticized common practices in African culture, such as bleaching skin and wearing fake hair, commonly known as weaves. “The moment you see yourself as negative, you are already lost. Nobody should ever make us think that our body is a problem,” Thiong’o said. “Buying and wearing other people’s dead hair is very disturbing for me. Our hair is no better or worse than other people’s hair. We are made to believe it’s a problem.” His message of self-acceptance resonated well with the attendees, such as Chicano and Latino studies professor Melissa Moran. “His message of alienating from oneself is very important for our students,” Moran said. “The way people are taught not to accept themselves and the way he addressed that is an important message for anyone.”
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Fracking protesters: ‘Keep the oil in the soil’ Roughly 20 people protest fracking outside Long Beach City Hall. By Todd Johnson Photo Editor
Anti-fracking demonstrators protested outside Long Beach City Hall during the California Coastal Commission meeting yesterday morning while wearing hazmat suits, carrying boogie boards and chanting anti-fracking slogans. Roughly 20 protesters showed up to voice their concerns about the controversial procedure that, according to the Center for Biological Diversity, involves blasting water and industrial chemicals into the ground at pressures high enough to crack geologic formations and release oil and natural gas. “We are here to tell the Coastal Commission to stop fracking off the coast of California because it is extremely dangerous and toxic,” said Hillary Aidun, an organizer for the Center for Biological Diversity. “The Coastal Commission is tasked with protecting our ecosystem, and obviously they can’t allow fracking to happen while protecting the coastal ecosystem.” Opponents of fracking say the procedure pollutes ground water and destabilizes the Earth’s crust, while advocates claim that it is a safe method of oil and natural gas extraction. The issue of fracking was not on the Coastal Commission’s agenda, but
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Todd Johnson | daily 49er
Solomon Leyva chants during an anti-fracking protest at the California Coastal Commission meeting in Long Beach on Wednesday. the Center for Biological Diversity’s staff attorney, Miyoko Sakashita, spoke about fracking during the public comments portion of the meeting. “We are asking the Coastal Commission to do everything they can to protect our coast from fracking,” she said. “It is a dirty and dangerous activity.” Sarah Christie, the legislative director for the Coastal Commission, said her organization takes environmental concerns into account. “The commission takes its responsibility to protect ocean water quality and wildlife very seriously,” she said. “We are currently engaged in a process to determine how best to do that within the existing law.” She added that the Coastal Commission is looking into Senate Bill 1132, which could potentially ban fracking. “We are following legislative efforts in
Sacramento to address these issues,” Christie said. “The public has been engaged with the commission. I think the commission is According to the Center for Biological Diversity, four offshore wells in Long Beach Harbor were fracked in December. The Center for Biological Diversity also plans to join more than a dozen organizations to protest fracking outside of the State Capitol on Saturday. Solomon Leyva, one of the protesters who wore a hazmat suit and chanted, “Keep the oil in the soil,” said that he doesn’t understand why the Coastal Commission would allow fracking off the coast of Long Beach. “I want them to know that they can’t get away with doing this without anyone noticing,” he said. “I have to do something.”
Thursday, March 13, 2014
B ath S altS
thing more potent than cocaine and methamphetamine; two of the more dangerous drugs,” he said. “I think Continued from Page 1 it’s scary to know these things exist and to know people are abusing these foaming at the mouth.” things.” For the study, Olive and his colOlive also explained the effects that leagues tested two different types of designer drugs cause, such as hallubath salts that they purchased online cinatory psychotic episodes that have for less than $100. resulted in death and murder, Olive In the study, lab rats were able to press a lever in order to receive a dos- said. According to Olive’s research, the age of methylenedioxypyrovalerone effects of bath salts can be long last(MDPV) or a serotonin transporter, ing. two types of designer drugs, accord“Som et i m es ing to Olive these psychotic Before the behaviors last rats could for not just a receive drug couple of hours I think it’s scary to know these dosages, but for days or however, they things exist ... weeks,” he said. had to press the As of 2010, — Santi Decunto, lever a certain the use of bath junior psychology major amount of salts has intimes, he said. creased throughThe research out the U.S. found that the rats would not press the In 2011, there were about 20,000 lever more than 60 times. bath-salt-related emergencies reOnce the rats had been exposed ported, Olive said. to the designer drugs, they were Following recent media attention, more likely to choose the drugs bath salts now go by many different over food and potential mates, he names, such as iPod cleaner, plant said. food, glass cleaner, legal cocaine or The research ultimately found that the drugs that stimulated effects com- legal ecstasy, and come in a white powder form that is injected, snorted parable to 3, 4-methylenedioxymethor smoked. amphetamine (MDMA), or ecstasy, These drugs can easily be purwere less preferred than bath salts. chased online despite the DEA’s Other forms, like MDPV were more constant effort to shut these websites addicting than methamphetamines, down. Olive said. “These things are not good,” Olive Junior psychology major Santi Decunto said he thinks it is important said. “They come in a white powder and you have no idea what’s in it, what that people are educated about the concentration, [and] what other things effects of designer drugs. are in it.” “We are talking about some-
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Opinions
4 Thursday, March 13, 2014
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Our View: Leave the Miracle Cross alone If you build it, they will come. Or in this case, if you put a cross up at the site of the 9/11 terrorist attack, atheists will come to take it down.
were found laying in the debris a few days after Sept. 11, 2001. When the beams were discovered, they appeared to resemble the proportions of the Christian cross. The Miracle Cross was temporarily sent to St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, which faces the World Trade Center reconstruction site, to await the opening of the 9/11 Museum. It has served as a source of inspiration and hope for passersby and even Americans across the country. However, a New Jersey group called American Atheists has made headlines for its efforts to prevent the cross from being placed in the 9/11 Museum. According to the Los Angeles Times, the museum will be operated with both public and private funds. The American Atheists group has sued for unequal treatment, arguing that the cross disrespects non-Christians who died on Sept. 11, 2001 and also violates rights to separation of church and state. The group is currently in the middle of appealing the decision of a lower court, which determined that the cross is more historic than religious. We do not think that this cross is necessarily a sign of religion, rather simply a sign of faith and inspiration. We oppose efforts that seek to keep the cross separate from the site where it was found. This sentiment is shared with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a group that has argued “museums
Fox News. Edwin Kagin, national legal director for American Atheists, was reported in the Washington Times saying that the cross “screams group’s concerns that the placement of what they feel is a religious symbol on public property alienates atheists. The group has indicated that it could be satisfied with the placement of something that specifically includes the atheists and nonreligious individuals who died in the attack. Religion News Service reported that Kagin suggested a plaque that simply says, “atheists The politicized nature of this conf lict has left us frustrated. We sympathize with the Americans who have taken great comfort in the Miracle Cross, and feel that to legally separate it from the 9/11 incident will send a discouraging message. The cross was found by construction worker Frank Silecchia, who said on NBC’s Today Show that the cross is not about religion, and commented that it merely comforted him at a time when he was “tired and plaque would be more disrespectful than inclusive because it would signal that politics and legal balancing of interests take precedence over a restoration of hope in the wake of a national tragedy. Allowing the 9/11 Museum to host the Miracle Cross is not a breach of separation of church and state, and it is not an intentional, government-led effort to exclude atheists. The country has enough of a cross
Animal rights conflict should teach SeaWorld a flippin’ lesson By Danielle Carson
The legislation is based on last year’s
Diversions Editor
documents the harm done to orcas kept in captivity. PETA, an animal rights group supporting the bill, has said that animals in human care “should be considered slaves under the 13th amend-
A state law, though, may not be the right solution to help SeaWorld discontinue its practices of animal cruelty. State Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, along with “Blacktwo former SeaWorld orca trainers and an animal welfare activist, comprise the gung-ho crew that has proposed legislation that would ban orca shows at SeaWorld.
SeaWorld is almost built on opposition. In part, it’s a conservation agency, hiring experts who can provide the best care for and understanding of extremely complex and intelligent creatures.
It’s really sad that the animal cruenough to make SeaWorld change its ways. Now that it’s gone to Congress, SeaWorld orca’s are dealing with a whole new audience — politicians. While some lawmakers are considering the bill, others strongly oppose it simply because special interest groups, like PETA, are behind the push, according
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to an nbcsandiego.com article. Others oppose it because its passing would be costly for San Diegan jobs and tourism.
Courtney Tompkins Kristine McGowan Rabiya Hussain Crystal Niebla Priscella Vega Shane Newell Donn Gruta Andrew Spencer Scott Bosco
with guilt about the pressures they received from SeaWorld to do things that they believed would harm the whales. SeaWorld said in a statement against the bill that they are committed to an enriching and educational experience for park guests. On the contrary, it seems
they make from the killer whale shows. The show has become more lights and spectacle than education. In an article in the San Antonio Business Times, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said that SeaWorld San Diego employs 2,500 people during the winter and 4,500 during the summer. The park attracts more than four million visitors a year and pays the city more than $14 million in annual rent, as of last year, according to a Tech Times article. Even though whales would stop being an attraction for paying fans if the proposed legislation passes, the whales wouldn’t be released into the wild because their chances of survival after such an extended period of time in captivity are slim.
The results would not be as immediate as many behind the bill hope; the bill says that if the captive orcas cannot be released immediately, they will stay in sea pens. Therefore, the only immediate result is a suffering Mission Beach economy. Politicians backed by activists should send in experts to work with SeaWorld to gradually lessen whale captivity and change its business model in order to Legislators, along with animal rights activists need to investigate the issue orcas more humanely. SeaWorld’s attractiveness doesn’t need to come from pretty lights and
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