Portland State Vanguard

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VIKING PAVILION RENOVATION BEGINS p 4 PSU JAPANESE COMMUNITY IMPACTED p 7 PARTY AT BE HONEST DESIGN SHOWCASE p 10 THE HIJAB: MODEST OR OPPRESSIVE? p 13

VOLUME 70 • ISSUE 33 • APRIL 26, 2016

BE HONEST DESIGN SHOWCASE APRIL 3O p 10

Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Interested in graduate school?

Want to conduct research as an undergraduate?

Interested in obtaining a PhD? The Portland State University Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program can help you with these goals! The program works with motivated and talented undergraduates who want to pursue PhDs. Through academic seminars and a summer research internship, the program introduces PSU juniors and seniors, who are first-generation and low-income, and/or members of under-represented groups, to academic research and to effective strategies for getting into and graduating from PhD programs. Scholars work closely with faculty mentors on original research projects.

Benefits include:

THE PSU STUDENT MEDIA DEPARTMENT IS

NOW HIRING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES!

• • • •

A research internship & stipend to complete an original research project One-on-one faculty mentoring Participation in academic research conferences & other scholarly activities Enrollment in the McNair program seminar

Applications available online www.pdx.edu/mcnair-program Office Location: SMSU M302 Phone: 503-725-9740

OPEN TO ALL ACADEMIC MAJORS! FOR OUR PRINT & DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCTS

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Monday, May 2, 2016 for the program starting Winter 2017 and running through Summer 2017

+

Earn REAL MONEY (hourly plus commission) selling print and online advertising solutions to local, regional & national businesses.

+ Gain experience in account management and relationship building with Portland’s top companies. +

Prefer sophomore or junior standing.

+ Candidates must be PSU students registered for 8+ hours for Spring Term 2016 and and able to make commitment through Spring Term 2017.

+ Position may promote to Advertising Sales Manager in Winter 2017. + Training starts immediately upon hire, with flexible hours around your school schedule. + Have an on-campus office and flexible hours. + Enhance your resume with real-world experience. Must enjoy meeting new people and networking!

The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program is funded by a five-year

$1,155,000.00 grant from the US Dept of Education. Portland State University provides cost-share funds over the same five-year period.

MS, Operations & Technology Management 4+1 Program

Complete an MS degree in just one year after graduation Pursue your current undergraduate field of study along with a business focus Juniors and seniors can apply today:

MSOTM students develop the skills necessary to engineer a competitive advantage with innovative solutions

ALL MAJORS WELCOME!

Employers have taken note: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT PSU STUDENT MEDIA ADVERTISING MANAGER STUART NEUBERGER 503.725.5686 or neub@pdx.edu

Pepsico/Frito-Lay, Nike, Daimler, Blount International, Columbia Sports-wear, Adidas, Cambia and Audigy Group are just some of the global employers, Fortune ranked and fast-growing companies that have hired our OTM students

Deadlines

July 15: Priority Deadline for Fall Semester Start December 15: Priority Deadline for Spring Semester Start Contact: Melissa McCarthy, Program Director (503)943-7225 or McCarthy@UP.edu

NEWS INTERNATIONAL COVER ARTS & CULTURE OPINION ETCETERA CALENDAR

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Join PSU’s graphic design program for the annual Be Honest Showcase. Students will display their work across four full floors at the nearby Wieden+Kennedy ad agency, followed by an award ceremony and variety show. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. Open and free to the public. Photo Courtesy of Nicolle Clemetson

COVER BY ELISE FURLAN

The Vanguard is hiring leadership positions for Summer 2016 INTERNATIONAL SECTION EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

The International Section Editor is responsible for maintaining the international section of the newspaper. Candidates for the position should demonstrate a strong interest in and knowledge of international affairs, with an emphasis on PSU’s diverse community of international students. The position pays $1,600 per term and requires a time commitment of 15–20 hours/week, with an emphasis on Monday and Friday office hours.

The Creative Director–also known as the Production Manager–is directly responsible for overseeing layout and design for the Vanguard’s weekly print issue. Candidates for the position should demonstrate strong leadership and managerial skills, ability to work well under pressure, and proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. The position pays $1,600 per term and requires a time commitment of 15–20 hours/week, with an emphasis on Monday and Friday office hours.

Job Duties: • Generating and editing weekly content related to international events • Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of worldwide news and events • Remaining actively aware of PSU campus and community issues related to international affairs • Hiring, training and maintaining consistent staff of international writers

Job Duties: • Overseeing print layout and design • Hiring, training and managing a team of designers • Concept collaboration with editorial staff and designers for layout, infographics, photography and illustration.

To apply for International Editor, complete an application at psuvanguard.com/jobs and submit a cover letter to current International Editor Molly Ozier at international@ psuvanguard.com and Editor-in-Chief Colleen Leary at editor@psuvanguard.com by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10.

To apply for Creative Director, complete an application at psuvanguard.com/jobs and submit a cover letter to current Production Manager Nimi Einstein at production@psuvanguard.com and Editor-in-Chief Colleen Leary at editor@psuvanguard.com.

Applicants for both positions must be PSU student enrolled in at least 6 credits per term, with the exception of summer term.

MISSION STATEMENT: The Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with a quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills that are highly valued in today’s job market.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Colleen Leary editor@psuvanguard.com

MANAGING EDITOR Claude Akins managingeditor@psuvanguard.com

ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Serina Hersey associatenews@psuvanguard.com

COPYEDITORS Alexis Woodcock Cora Wigen

NEWS EDITOR Jeoffry Ray news@psuvanguard.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER Nimi Einstein production@psuvanguard.com

MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Sophia Bagby

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Daniel Finnegan arts@psuvanguard.com

PHOTO EDITOR Silvia Cardullo photo@psuvanguard.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER Stuart Neuberger neub@pdx.edu

OPINION EDITOR Brie Barbee opinion@psuvanguard.com

ONLINE EDITOR Andy Ngo online@psuvanguard.com

ADVERTISING DESIGNER Sam Hicks

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Molly Ozier international@psuvanguard.com

COPY CHIEF Chelsea Lobey copy@psuvanguard.com

DESIGNERS Arlen Cornejo Terra Dehart Elise Furlan Rachel Goldstein

Shannon Kidd Peter Le CONTRIBUTORS Gray Bouchat Myles Boyns Yuni Choi Catherine Johnson Jennee Martinez John Pinney Jessica Pollard PHOTOGRAPHERS Audrey Bond Beverly Frisk Jessica Pollard ADVERTISING SALES Dennis Caceres Cody Layton

Becca Propper ADVISER Reaz Mahmood ADVERTISING ADVISER Ann Roman The Vanguard is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent those of the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration.

NEWS

VIKINGS CELEBRATE PAVILION GROUNDBREAKING AHEAD OF SPRING GAME MYLES BOYNS AND JEOFFRY RAY

The Portland State Viking Pavilion is now more than a banner and a promise.

Groundbreaking and renovation has officially kicked off alongside the football team’s annual spring game.

The Vikings celebrated the groundbreaking ahead of their spring game last Saturday, with officials from both PSU and Oregon Health and Science University in attendance.

President Wim Wiewel introduced OHSU President Joseph Robertson to speak on the recent collaborations between the universities.

Alumnus and contributor Peter Stott, Director of Athletics Mark Rountree and defensive back Xavier Coleman also spoke during the ceremony.

BREAKING GROUND WITH OHSU SUPPORT The Viking Pavilion marks the second collaborative building between PSU and OHSU. Wiewel and Robertson both touted the success of the Collaborative Life Sciences Building; Robertson heralded the project as “doing everything and more than we anticipated.

“It’s a milestone in our evolutionary journey,” Robertson said of the Viking Pavilion project.

OHSU contributed $7.5 million to the nearly $50 million price tag of the renovation. Wiewel acknowledged OHSU’s support as instrumental, pointing out that Robertson stepped in to offer support as PSU administrators scrounged to get on top of the fundraising goal. “[Robertson] just came through because he decided

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that this made sense for OHSU,” Wiewel said.

Wiewel and Stott also said the pavilion would benefit both the greater campus community and Portland community at large. Wiewel said the pavilion would play host to athletic events, lectures, concerts, convocations and other functions.

“It will not just be a building for athletics,” Wiewel said. “It will be a building for the whole campus, allowing study space, meeting space for students.”

Stott also asserted that the new facility will bring a sense of community to the PSU campus.

“This building will transform [PSU] and the community,” Stott said. “I think it will become the hub of the campus. It will help attract student athletes, and students in general. It will give them a place to call home on the campus.”

Stott joked that the project was not simply an effort to get a new basketball arena, arguing that he felt the site would foster higher retention rates, as well as stronger alumni ties, and thus, contributions.

“This will usher in a new era in athletics at [PSU],” Stott said.

VIKINGS OFFENSE PUNCHES THROUGH DURING SPRING GAME Stott field was filled with fans and recruits eager to watch the PSU football annual spring game. The 2016 spring game comes on the heels of a 2015 season upset, when the Vikings finished with a 9­­–3 record and their first playoff appearance in 15 years. People turned out to observe how BarneyBall—a term used to describe the team’s recent success under Head Coach

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

Bruce Barnum—would translate to the coming year.

In the first quarter, quarterback Alex Kuresa found receiver Josh Kraght for an early 15-yard touchdown against the first team defense.

The momentum of the second team defense carried into the second quarter. The first team defense pressed the first team offense, failing to reach the quarterback but not allowing many positive yards.

Kuresa responded by completing a 53-yard pass to wide receiver Blair Cavanaugh to set up a Nate Tago touchdown run.

The first team offense kept moving, as Tago broke through the line for an 80-yard touchdown run early in the second half. This sparked things up for the Viking first team offense as Kuresa found Cavanaugh for a 40-yard gain, which led to a 22-yard field goal by Jonathan Gonzales.

“Kuresa is fun to watch,” Head Coach Bruce Barnum said after the scrimmage.

With the spring game in the books, the Vikings head back to practice in preparation for fall camp before their season opener on Sept. 3 against Central Washington.

ANNUAL SPRING GAME THAT WAS KICKED OFF BY THE VIKING PAVILION GROUNDBREAKING EVENT. BEVERLY FRISK/PSU VANGUARD • DEFENSIVE BACK XAVIER COLEMAN OFFERED HIS PERSPECTIVE AS ONE OF THE PLANNERS INVOLVED WITH THE RENOVATION PROCESS. JEOFFRY RAY/PSU VANGUARD

PSU VIKING PAVILION:

BY THE NUMBERS PROJECTED COMPLETION: MARCH 2018

STATE BONDS: $24 million PRIVATE GIFTS: $17 million OHSU INVESTMENT: $7.5 million STUDENT BUILDING FEE: $1.5 million TOTAL RENOVATION BUDGET: $50 million

NEWS

THE RACIAL ENVIRONMENT IN HIGHER ED STUDENTS AND ACTIVISTS WEIGH IN JESSICA POLLARD Last Tuesday, the Portland State School of Social Work created a cultural conversation on race and higher education.

Students and community members gathered in Parkway North at the Smith Memorial Student Union to hear thoughts on race in higher education from a panel of five that included students and community activists.

Panelists included students and Black Lives Matter activists Robin Davis and Tessara Dudley, Somali Student Association President and Student Labor Action Project member Ladan Abdi, BLM and All-African People’s Revolutionary Party organizer Adrienne Cabot, Co-director of Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays Portland Black Chapter Leila Haile.

“We’re going to start off by asking how we define higher education. Is the current state of higher education actually working?” moderator and student Jaboa Lake asked to kick off the panel.

“I don’t see myself in the curriculum, I don’t see myself in the student body,” Davis said.

“I don’t see myself in the faculty, and especially the full time and tenured faculty.”

“There are times when there are really racist things said by students that teachers let go

by. There are things that are taught in the curriculum that we don’t question that are from the dominant culture that I know don’t speak to my community—that are patronizing, that are dismissive of our cultural practices in a lot of ways—and teachers don’t want to interrupt that,” Davis later continued.

“I really love my professors, and I really love my program,” Abdi said. “However, it’s really isolating being the only Muslim Somali American.

People are always asking my opinion and view and I always have to prove myself.”

PSU’s website reports that just three percent of the student body identifies as African American, as of the fall 2015 academic term. In comparison, census.gov places Portland’s African American population at 6.3 percent.

“Being one brown face in a sea of white is not cute, and it can actually be psychologically damaging to someone,” Haile said.

“We see at PSU how the administration is trying to accommodate black students with cultural centers and Islamophobia teachings,” Abdi said. “To be honest, they’re trying to accommodate us but it’s really like a bandage. It’s a quick fix to a problem.”

CRIME BLOTTER

According the Associated Students of PSU, resources for students are funded by the Student Incidental Fee, which is allocated by a small group of students on the Student Fee Committee. The SFC similarly funds athletics, educational activities, and SMSU. Dudley criticized the process by which funds are allocated.

“Pitting communities against each other—that’s not okay,” Dudley said.

In just under two hours, the five panelists went on to discuss the recent deputization of campus police, the rise of Islamophobia and failure on

behalf of the university to that white people can join to Haile and Abdi both sugprovide more transparency. cultivate social justice change, gested that students interDudley shared their expe- such as Showing Up for Racial ested in the DisarmPSU rience finding Islamophobic Justice and the Marilyn Buck movement join the walkout posters on campus this term, Abolitionist collective. from classes on May 10. a problem they say that CPSO “If you are a white person “I think that if you are a is keeping an eye on. and you go to panels like this, student of color at PSU and “I think we need to shift the that is a really great first step, you feel like you cannot conversation about what di- but if this is all you do it is not go on, find other students versity and equity actually ac- enough,” Cabouet said. of color,” Cabouet said. complish for us,” Cabouet said.

“When folks of color call “PSUSU is an incredible orDuring the second half of you out on stuff, you’re go- ganization, DisarmPSU is the panel, audience members ing to feel defensive in the an incredible campaign.” were allowed to submit anon- first moment,” Dudley said.

The next Culture & ymous questions. According to “We don’t like to be criticized. Conversation event will be Lake, about five people asked That’s real. Do not try to auto- held Thursday, April 28 at the questions regarding what a clapback. If your friend calls Women’s Resource Center and white person can do to help in you out, it’s because they feel feature panelists from We Are racial justice movements. invested enough in that re- BRAVE, a reproductive justice The panelists made sugges- lationship to help you be a organization. tions for various organizations better person.”

THE STATE OF HIGHER EDUCATION: A CONVERSATION WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER PANEL WAS PART OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK’S ONGOING CULTURE AND CONVERSATION SERIES. JESSICA POLLARD/PSU VANGUARD

Week of April 16–22

APRIL 16 Criminal Mischief II Blumel Residence Hall At approximately 3:20 a.m. an unknown male knocked on a student’s door and threw a container of “offensive liquid” in the dorm room, according to a subsequent April 18 report filed by Officer David Baker.

The report did not specify the nature of the offensive liquid in question.

APRIL 18 Theft, Computer Crime, Credit Card Fraud Neuberger Hall, room 171 A PSU employee had a wallet stolen between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Credit cards within the wallet were reported used at various stores. An investigation is ongoing.

APRIL 20 Park warning—sound device PSU Park Blocks After receiving multiple complaints around 3 p.m. against nonstudent street preacher Ronald Underwood, Officer Chris Fischer arrived to catch him employing a speaker and microphone. Underwood ceased using the device after spotting Campus Public Safety Officers. According to the CPSO report, “Someone ‘assaulted’ the street preacher by throwing a tomato onto Underwood’s head.”

Fischer issued Underwood a park warning after he left, informing him that using an amplified device was against park regulations.

Citation—Harassment Neuberger Hall A female PSU student reported at 3 p.m. that a male student made unwanted advances. Sergeant Michael Anderson later located and issued the male student a criminal harassment citation.

APRIL 22 Exclusion Smith Memorial Student Union Officer Nichola Higbee saw the suspect ride his bike to the bike rack on the east side of SMSU. The individual took two saddle bags off of a parked bike and placed them on his handle bars. Officers Fischer and Higbee did an area check and found him at Southwest Broadway and Clay Street going through the bags. The individual immediately said they were not his and wanted to return them. Officer Matthew Masunari located the victim who did not want to press charges and just wanted the bags back.

The bags were returned and the individual was issued a PSU exclusion.

MAX Platform trash can fire Southwest Sixth Avenue and Mill Street Dispatch received a call of a trash can fire on the MAX platform on Southwest Sixth Avenue next to the PSU Bike Hub. CPSO arrived prior to the arrival of fire rescue and extinguished the small fire. The Portland Fire Bureau arrived and used water to soak the trash can so there would be no recurring flare-ups.

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

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INTERNATIONAL

TELEMEDICINE INCREASES INFANTS’ SURVIVAL OF ZIKA VIRUS YUNI CHOI Pediatric cardiologist Sandra Mattos has developed a medical system that is helping thousands of babies suffering from the Zika epidemic in Brazil. Mattos has increased access to specialized medical care through the system of telemedicine.

A few years ago, Mattos established the Heart Network based on her experience with telemedicine outside of Brazil.

“Using telemedicine, you can concentrate the expertise in some areas and spread it to much bigger areas, and more

people will benefit from it,” said Mattos in an interview with NPR News.

Telemedicine is a cost-effective method of connecting patients with health care providers to receive diagnosis and treatment via computer or smartphone devices.

This system allows Mattos to check in on her pediatric patients from her laptop.

Through a split screen monitor, Mattos is able to see multiple hospital rooms around Brazil’s northern Paraiba state. Because she is able to

diagnose and treat patients without requiring them to physically be there, Mattos provides help for more people, including those who live in remote communities.

Mattos’ system is addressing one of Brazil’s biggest obstacles in combatting the Zika crisis: logistics. Due to ineffective infrastructure and unequal access to health care, it is very hard for a family suffering from Zika-related defects to seek help. For families living in remote areas, it is especially inconvenient to see

THIS WEEK AROUND THE WORLD APRIL 21­–APRIL 25 Molly Ozier

APRIL 21:

APRIL 24:

APRIL 24:

APRIL 25:

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Volkswagen reached a deal with U.S. authorities following the diesel emissions scandal. Owners have the choice between VW buying back their cars or having their cars fixed, yet owners are concerned they don’t have enough detail as to how much compensation will be attained.

Three years following the eight-story factory collapse in Bangladesh, protesters feel as though justice has not been met. No one is accountable for the disaster and many families are still financially suffering from the catastrophe. The collapse killed more than 1,100 people and injured more than 2,000.

The 1,000-year-old Thazhathangady Juma mosque allowed women to enter its doors in Kerala, India for the first time. The mosque is known for its architecture and wood carvings. Women are not allowed to pray, and men aren’t allowed in while women are present, but the president of the mosque said the committee decided to allow women for visitation.

Nepal is still recovering from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people when it struck one year ago today. There has been little done to reconstruct the damage that devastated the Himalayan country. That day, 800,000 buildings collapsed and virtually none have been rebuilt. Despite the government’s promise to pay families $2,000 (£1,390) to rebuild their homes, little has actually been paid.

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

INFANT SUFFERS FROM MICROCEPHALY, A SIDE EFFECT OF THE ZIKA VIRUS. COURTESY OF USER INTERESTING ON THE PLANET THROUGH YOUTUBE a specialist at a clinic hours away from where they live.

Since this system was put into effect, 127,000 infants with heart conditions have received care.

This network was adapted to deal specifically with one of the biggest problems in the state of Paraiba—transporting infants with congenital heart defects to hospitals to receive necessary care. The system involves 22 regional hospitals and more than 100 doctors who provide aroundthe-clock care. Such consistent provision of care is made possible by transportation methods that deliver specialized equipment to facilities in rural communities.

Vehicles delivering specialized care to remote areas are called “echo taxis.”

Every week, three echo taxis go to three villages in the

countryside of Brazil where temporary pediatric cardiology clinics run for the entire week. With equipment delivered, the local health workers who received training in the operation of this equipment are able to diagnose and treat patients with the supervision of the specialist doctor via telemedicine.

Using data analysis, specialist doctors can determine patients who need to be seen in person. This system allows smaller clinics in various locations to avoid overcrowding and unnecessary visits to big clinical centers that are often far away.

Big data on infant health was unavailable in Brazil before Mattos’ program.

Due to the success of this system in cases of pediatric heart disease, it could easily be utilized when Zika out-

breaks occur. Due to the Zika virus, there are superfluous cases of microcephaly (abnormal developments in the brain of infants).

Because Mattos already has access to rural areas through her program, providing care to patients with brain complications instead of heart problems has been an easy changeover. Echo taxis have begun delivering equipment to treat infants and specialist cardiologists were substituted with neurosurgeons.

Furthermore, the system’s collection of big data associated with babies and Zika-related birth defects in the region of Paraiba became important analyzable information.

Telemedicine saves time, money and resources that it takes to train specialist to provide care.

INTERNATIONAL

JAPAN QUAKES: RESPONSE FROM PSU JAPANESE COMMUNITY SERINA HERSEY A series of earthquakes continue as a 7.0 magnitude mainshock hit southwest Japan Thursday, April 14, and on Saturday of the same week another 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the country.

According to USA Today, at least 41 were killed and a thousand were injured.

Thousands of people evacuated their Kumamoto homes.

In Kumamoto, the closing of more than half the schools affected around 150,000 children. Schools may be closed until May 10.

Along with many displaced from their homes and not able to go back to school, trains have gone out of service and cars were derailed on the lines.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will create an additional budget for Japan, and is planning to visit the affected area.

This was the strongest quake to hit Japan since 2011, which was at a 9.0 magnitude.

The Vanguard spoke to Sachie Horie, vice president of the Japanese Student Union, and Japanese international student Nagisa Sasaki, to speak about anyone who was or is affected, their personal experiences and how JSU is taking part in aiding Japan during this crisis.

They are both from Osaka, a city in Kyushu—a region affected by the quake.

Vanguard: How does Japan as a whole respond to catastrophic events like this?

For example, rebuilding infrastructure, neighborhoods helping each other out, etc.

Sachie Horie: There are volunteer programs that send people to Kumamoto. One of my friends who lives in Osaka right now went to Kumamoto a few days ago. Her and her [volunteer] group helped serve food and provide stuff necessary to live.

Nagisa Sasaki: I read an article that a woman, originally from Okinawa and living in

“There may be many people that don’t know what happened, but there are still individuals in America who care and worry.

Let’s overcome by working together.”

[the] Kumamoto and Oita area, Tohoku quake. Osaka didn’t went back to her hometown shake as much, but all the with her children and told trains stopped. the American troops there to VG: How is the JSU playing help Kumamoto people with a part in helping Japan durwhat they need with water and ing this time? food. The American armies reSH: We are actually not alsponded to her request that lowed to do any fundraising day. I thought that was a really or donations. What we’re trygood and quick response. ing to do right now is to spread VG: Do you know anyone information. At our event last who was affected? What were week we handed out flyers that their experiences? have information about the SH: We have a friend from earthquake. I found out that Kumamoto but her family some people didn’t even know was OK. it happened. I think it’s a good NS: My grandparents are way to get more people aware living in Miyazaki. They’re of what’s happening in Japan OK, but since they’re old and right now. anxious about the quake, and VG: As a representative of since it was happening all day, the JSU, do you have a mesmy mother said they can’t sage toward Japan and the sleep. victims of the earthquake?

VG: Have you experienced SH: 私はそんなめっちゃ出 any other earthquakes in 来るわけじゃないけど、そして Japan? What did it feel like? 大変だと思うけど、私もPSU SH: I’ve only experienced で出来る限り情報を広めたり small ones [in Japan] but it とか、出来る限りのしたいこと always makes me anxious. をしたいと思っています。知ら When it happens at midnight ない人も多いけど、心配してく or something, I usually can’t れる人もアメリカにもいてるし、 sleep. Even if we’ve never ex- みんなで頑張って、乗り越え perienced big earthquakes, て、行けたらいいと思います。 we know how terrible it is beTranslation: I can’t really do cause of newspapers and sto- a whole lot here, and there must ries. I’m always like, ‘What if be a lot of work that needs to be there will be bigger ones.’ It done. Despite this, I am going makes me worried about big- to help as much as possible at ger earthquakes.

PSU to spread the news. There NS: I’m from the same area may be many people that don’t as [Horie] so I have a simi- know what happened, but there TOHOKU lar experience. I was really lit- are still individuals in America 9.0MW, March 2011 tle when the Hanshin Awaji who care and worry. Let’s overDaishinsai [Great Hanshin come by working together. earthquake] happened, and VG: Any final comments?

HANSHIN AWAJI DAISHINSAI my parents were really afNS: [Horie] made the flyer 7.0MW, January 1995 fected by that quake. I to- for the earthquake and it was tally don’t remember, but my handed to many people. There mother said I was always cry- was a girl from Kyushu area KUMAMOTO ing after the quake. I was seven and she showed a lot of ap- 7.0M , April 2016 W months old and would watch preciation. On her Instagram the kid’s anime shows on TV. she posted the flyer and said After the quake happened, ev- to her followers: “Even in the erything was replaced by news. US, people are worried about I feel like when these things you guys, family and friends. I happen, anime should be there appreciate that and I am very for children to comfort them. impressed.”

SH: Even during the SH: I didn’t know about Tohoku, I remember watch- that! I’m so happy. ing all news on television. We OHASHI BRIDGE HIT BY A LANDSLIDE DUE TO THE MOST RECENT EARTHQUAKE. COURTESY OF USER HIDEKI KIMURA THROUGH were back home during the WIKIMEDIA COMMONS | MAP-INDICATION OF WHERE THREE MAJOR EARTHQUAKES HIT JAPAN. ARLEN CORNEJO/PSU VANGUARD

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

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COVER COVER

A WAKE-UP CALL

PSU TAKES BACK THE NIGHT FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS SERINA HERSEY

SEXUAL ASSAULT STATISTICS CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: • 1 in 5 women have experienced completed or attempted rape.

1 IN 5 WOMEN

• Most victims first experienced sexual violence before age 25.

US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS

WOMEN WHO HAVE REPORTED EXPERIENCING RAPE OR ATTEMPTED RAPE

ALL PEOPLE IN THE U.S.

• For male rape survivors, 93 percent of the time, a man was the perpetrator.

• From 2005–10, about 55 percent of rape or sexual assault victimizations occurred at or near the victim’s home, and another 12 percent occurred at or near the home of a friend, relative or acquaintance.

THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY ON SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT:

• 25 percent of women and 16 percent of men have been sexually abused as children.

16%

• For men who are abused as children, 62 percent of their offenders were men, 38 percent were women.

WOMEN WHO WERE ABUSED AS CHILDREN MEN WHO WERE ABUSED AS CHILDREN

• For female rape survivors, 98.1 percent of the time a man was the perpetrator.

• From 2005–10, females who were age 34 or younger, who lived in lower income households (less than $25,000), and who lived in rural areas had some of the highest rates of sexual violence.

ONE IN FOUR: 25%

• More than one-quarter of women (27 percent) who identified as American Indian or as Alaska Native and 1 in 3 women (34 percent) who identified as multiracial non-Hispanic have experienced rape in their lifetime.

• For women abused as children, 92 percent of perpetrators were men.

• Approximately 1 in 5 black (22 percent) and white non-Hispanic (19 percent) women, and 1 in 7 Hispanic women (15 percent) in the United States have experienced rape at some point in their lives.

• 9 percent of college men admit to acts meeting the legal definition of either rape or attempted rape.

• 75 percent of all transgender, gender expansive and questioning students reported experiencing sexual harassment on campus, in a survey conducted by the Association of American Universities.

• A significant percentage of students say they did not report because they were “embarrassed, ashamed or that it would be too emotionally difficult,” or “did not think anything would be done about it.”

Portland State Women’s Resource Center is hosting the annual Take Back the Night on April 26, as well as various other events as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

TBTN is an international event that works to end sexual, relationship and domestic violence. It began in the 1970s, when people marched in response to a series of violent crimes against women. The official TBTN organization was formed in 2001, and the WRC has been sponsoring events annually since 2002.

This year, the event will be located at the Smith Memorial Student Union, where there will be workshops and activities throughout the day.

The Take Back the Day Symposium will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is part of the 2016 Pacific Northwest Higher Education Best Practices Conference on Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response.

According the the WRC website, “The focus of the symposium ​will be on antiracist sexual violence prevention, response practices and ​ educational ​dialogue​.”

Dr. Treva Lindsey, assistant professor of Women’s, Gender,

and Sexuality Studies at Ohio State University will be the keynote speaker. Her speech will be about how intersectionality ties in with Title IX and sexual assault on campuses.

There will also be student-led workshops by the University of Oregon Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team.

They will put on an “original performance on the intersections of oppression and identity with sexual violence,” according to the event website.

TBTN will follow the symposium from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and will feature queer disabled femme writer and performance artist Leah Lakshmi PiepznaSamarasinha as keynote.

“I’m looking forward to hearing Leah speak,” said Tayler Oakes, head of the Publicity and Social Media Team of the Take Back the Night committee. “Just having that kind of character on campus would be really cool.”

Along with guest speakers, there will be student contributions as well, and participants will march around campus with signs.

“We have one of our committee members singing and she’s a student as well,” said Kimberly Becerra, TBTN committee member and emcee for the event. “We’re trying to make it very stu-

• About a quarter of students generally believe they are knowledgeable about the resources available related to sexual assault and misconduct.

ATTENDEE AT THE POSTER MAKING EVENT FOR TAKE BACK THE NIGHT. AUDREY BOND/PSU VANGUARD

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COVER COVER

RESOURCES If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, there are multiple resources both on and off campus that are available.

Call 911 in case of an emergency.

ON CAMPUS STUDENTS CAN VISIT THE WRC, A FACILITY INCLUSIVE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS. The WRC mission statement says: “The Portland State University Women’s Resource Center advocates for the best educational and campus experience for all members of our community. We accomplish this by advancing social justice, ensuring access to personal empowerment for women, and by working toward a safe and healthy campus.”

The WRC is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The WRC provides a safe space where students can study, eat and meet, as well as connect students to other resources and organizations.

THE CENTER FOR STUDENT HEALTH AND COUNSELING PROVIDES HEALTH, COUNSELING AND TESTING SERVICES FOR STUDENTS. Fully incorporated into SHAC, the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program supports student survivors of sexual misconduct. A police report does not have to be made to receive SANE services.

SHAC is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SIGNS USED DURING TAKE BACK THE NIGHT. AUDREY BOND/PSU VANGUARD dent-led and [include] a lot of ally important because you student contributions.” get other peoples’ experiThe WRC hosted vari- ences and knowledge and get ous other events to lead up to participate in that.” to TBTN. On Tuesday and They also held fundraisThursday last week, individ- ers, such as the Zumbathon uals gathered at the WRC and bake sales. Proceeds for a sign making event for help the WRC provide safe the march. shelter for women fleeing “The signs are very inclu- domestic violence. sive,” Becerra said. “We have TBTN committee had some signs in Spanish and weekly meetings to plan chants as well.” the events.

Oakes was in charge of the “[At the meetings] we adplanning behind the poster dressed every new item we making event, and is in should add,” Becerra said. charge of distributing posters, “The hashtag just happened getting out press releases and last week, so it’s really cool updating the PSU Take Back that we can keep up with the Night Facebook page. each other even though we #PDXTBTN was also cre- have so many different comated so people can partici- mittee positions.”

THE WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER pate on social media during The TBTN committee en- REPRESENTATIVES WORKED THROUGHOUT the event. courages both students and APRIL TO SPREAD SEXUAL ASSAULT Other workshops included nonstudents to come and AWARENESS ON CAMPUS. SILVIA Survivor Speak Out on April 19, participate.

CARDULLO/PSU VANGUARD an event dedicated to sexual assault survivors in which they shared their stories and YWCA Sexual Assault Dynamics to ADDITIONAL RESOURCES understand the roots of sexual violence and how marginRAINN alized communities are more The largest anti-sexual violence organization in the nation convulnerable than others. stitutes of connecting victims to services, educating the pubStudents participated in lic on the visibility of sexual violence, improving public policy giant volleyball on April 21, and providing consultation to other institutions. RAINN serves where participants learned millions a year across the U.S., using media and other forms of more about TBTN while enoutreach. joying a volleyball game with an oversized volleyball.

RAINN HOTLINE 1-800-656-HOPE. “There’s a lot of really cool Help is free, confidential and available 24/7. workshops,” Becerra said. https://rainn.org/get-information “I’ve been to a lot of marches, Spanish website: https://ohl.rainn.org/es/ but I think going to sympoContact your local emergency services at 911 siums and workshops is re-

PSU’S SEXUAL MISCONDUCT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE WEBSITE (pdx.edu/sexual-assault) features numerous resources for getting help, reporting and receiving medical attention in times of crisis. It also lists faculty and staff resources, which include faculty and staff conduct and reporting obligations, an employee and community resource list, and a printable contact list for students. Furthermore, it overviews victim’s rights and highlights the Campus Safety Module—a learning module required for all students to take to create a safer campus.

CPSO 503-725-4404 Shattuck Hall, 1914 SW Park Ave., suite 148 pdx.edu/cpso/

SHAC 503-725-2800 University Center Building, 1880 SW 6th Ave., suite 200 pdx.edu/shac

WRC 503-725-5672 Montgomery Hall, 1802 SW 10th Ave. pdx.edu/wrc

Filing a Student Conduct Code Complaint via the Office of the Dean of Student Life (for incidents perpetrated by PSU students) (503) 725-4422 askdoslife@pdx.edu SMSU pdx.edu/dos Filing a complaint with the Office of Equity and Compliance (for incidents perpetrated

by PSU faculty or staff) and Portland State University’s Title IX Coordinator (503) 725-5919 diversity@pdx.edu Market Center Building, 1600 SW 4th Ave., suite 830 pdx.edu/diversity

PORTLAND IF HELP IS NEEDED OUTSIDE OF SHAC HOURS, OHSU, PSU’S CLOSEST HOSPITAL, has a 24-hour emergency room service and provides SANE services.

THE PORTLAND WOMEN’S CRISIS LINE also offers 24-hour support for survivors of sexual violence. In addition to the crisis line, PWCL has in-person sexual assault response 24/7 and specialized advocacy for those in special populations, such as homelessness, and support groups hosted throughout the year.

THE MULTNOMAH COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE are further there for survivors through the legal and medical process.

PORTLAND WOMEN’S CRISIS LINE 503-235-5333 888-235-5333 (toll free) pwcl.org

PORTLAND POLICE BUREAU Emergency number: 911 Non-emergency number: (503) 823-3333 PSU will assist victims in notifying PPB, if the student requests assistance.

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

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ARTS & CULTURE

IT’S NO LIE: BE HONEST SHOWCASE CELEBRATES DESIGN 1

CATHERINE JOHNSON On April 30, Portland State’s graphic design students will display their work at the seventh annual Be Honest Showcase, a combination of portfolio show, open house, alumni reunion, award ceremony and variety show.

“It’s our program’s prom,” said Kate Bingaman-Burt, the associate director of the School of Art and Design.

“It’s a party.”

The event began as a way to give students an opportunity to share their work with one another and the public. The formerly small affair has steadily grown since then. This year, 133 students will show their work to family, friends, alumni and working professionals in Portland.

It’s also used as a recruiting tool, drawing local high school students.

Unlike most portfolio shows, this is not just for graduating seniors. Students of all levels will be displaying and discussing their work.

Bingaman-Burt said this is very important to the faculty because they don’t want students waiting until their senior year to talk about their work.

“I’m a big believer in the more you talk about your work, the better you’re going to be [at] talking about your work [and] the less scary

it’s going to be when you talk to people you don’t know,” Bingaman-Burt said. “It’s just a good habit to get into to share what you’re doing.”

For the third year in a row Be Honest will take place at Wieden + Kennedy, a Portland advertising agency, where it will occupy four full floors. The first three hours of the evening consists of students showcasing their work followed by local designer Adam Garcia who will host a variety show including other designers and a dance troupe.

The theme of the performance will revolve around what Bingaman-Burt calls “good nervous,” which is the way students feel when they’re preparing for an event like this and doing something they haven’t done before. “Students get nervous,” Bingaman-Burt said. “But it’s a good nervous.”

The showcase itself also has a theme: Best in Showcase.

Hallie Walker is a senior in the graphic design program and one of the primary organizers. “It’s a real dog show themed event,” Walker said. “There’s going to be lots of ribbons and medals, lots of fun tongue-in-cheek dog puns.”

In addition, there will be a market called Good Market, a pop-up shop where stu-

dents will sell work they’ve made, from prints and cards to t-shirts and buttons and other original artwork.

The event also strengthens the program’s relationship to working professionals in the community. “It’s events like this that really help lay the groundwork for that,” Bingaman-Burt said. “We do a lot of public, forward-facing community events that involve the creative community of Portland.”

Bingaman-Burt believes that holding the showcase off campus is also important because it allows students to see their work in a professional context. “By talking to people and showing their work in an inspiring agency setting, that makes it feel real and makes it feel even more special.”

Walker said it’s one of the best experiences to see what students at every level are producing.

“There’s such a high caliber of work coming out of our program and you don’t ever get to see it all in one spot until we get to this event,” Walker said. “It makes it so much easier to connect with your peers and connect with professionals and the rest of the community.”

Doors open at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

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PORTLAND STATE DESIGN STUDENTS DISPLAY THEIR WORK THIS SATURDAY. | 1: RACHEL GOLDSTEIN 2: COURTESY OF NICOLAS MEIER | 3: COURTESY OF KATE KOBIELSKY | 4: NIMI EINSTEIN | 5: COURTESY OF GABRIELLA MCKENZIE

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ARTS & CULTURE

OPERA PROGRAM BRINGS MUSIC HISTORY TO LIFE WITH ‘DIE FLEDERMAUS’ GRAY BOUCHAT Die Fledermaus, an operetta composed by Johann Strauss, is about a sophisticated masked ball hosted by a Russian prince.

The opera is enjoying a run of seven shows (including a matinee) now through May 1 in the Lincoln Performance Hall.

Christine Meadows, Portland State Opera Production Manager, has played a part in the program for 10 years.

She said she is excited for Die Fledermaus to commence and for the audience to get a glimpse into the workings of Strauss. “[I think this is] one of the greatest operettas ever written,” Meadows said. “It’s based on a lot of dance forms.

It’s very lively.”

Full opera productions have been performed at PSU for the last 45 years. PSU is also one of the only schools

on the West Coast to host a full production with an orchestra every year.

Meadows chose this year’s production, and she is confident it will be a hit.

“The music is very frothy,” she said. “It’s funny, a romantic comedy…great singing and staging,” Meadows said. She tries to choose something different for every year. “I’m trying to cycle through different languages and periods.”

Meadows said she always keeps students in mind, as she wants them to have a well-rounded opera college experience. “[I want] our students to have a chance to learn the different styles musically,” Meadows said. “The different styles of singing that they have to be able to do, and singing in different languages.” She added that the most important aspect, however, is mak-

ing sure she chooses the best production to encompass the voices of her singers.

The writer of the opera, Johann Strauss, was known as the Waltz King because he wrote this opera back when the waltz was a very popular dance. This is one of the challenges the students faced.

“We have all come a long way,” Meadows said. “There is a big party scene where there is quite a bit of waltzing.”

Opera student Darian Hutchinson, who plays Gabriel von Eisenstein in the performance, is also excited for Die Fledermaus. He said it’s the most fun opera he’s ever been in. “Act II in this opera is a big party scene.

Being on stage with all your friends and peers, and just having fun has been a really great time.”

For anyone who might be interested in joining the op-

era program, Hutchinson offered some advice.

“First, I would find someone who has been in an opera before and who could show you some operas to watch that would be fun and engaging and get you excited,” Hutchinson said. “I would also find a voice teacher who could transition you in that direction.”

Meadows is expecting about 2,500 people to attend Die Fledermaus, and said she is thankful the Portland community is supportive of the opera program.

Tickets are $30 general, $25 seniors, and $17 for students.

Upcoming performances are scheduled for April 29, April 30 and May 1.

ILLUSTRATION BY SHANNON KIDD

GRAD STUDENT CHALLENGES SCI-FI CONVENTIONS IN DEBUT NOVEL CATHERINE JOHNSON Kellie Doherty has always loved science fiction, but she finds many of the tropes and conventions limiting.

A second year graduate student in the book publishing program at Portland State, Doherty published her debut science fiction novel Finding Hekate on April 8 through Desert Palm Press.

It’s a story about transformation. “The takeaway for my reader is, no matter how bad your past is and no matter how horrible the things that have happened or the choices you’ve made, you can always change,” Doherty said. “People can still accept

you and you can still move on from it and learn.”

Doherty likes the fantasy genre as well, and was strongly influenced by the Harry Potter series. She even sought to emulate the way J.K. Rowling depicted the group dynamic of Harry, Hermione and Ron in her own book.

She was also inspired by the television show Firefly. The universe Doherty created is similar in that it is ruled by a central government and includes backwater planets.

Doherty was compelled to write this story because she wanted to see a female character that was as sinister as

many of the male characters she was so used to reading.

“I’ve read so many books like that before,” Doherty said. “I wanted to change it up a bit.”

The book started as a short story, but after sharing it with a writing group, Doherty’s peers loved the protagonist, Mia Foley, so much they encouraged her to expand it into a novel. So she did and now it’s the first of a duology.

Doherty has challenged long-standing science fiction conventions by making Mia Foley a lesbian.

Brianna Dym, a friend of Doherty’s from the University of Alaska, and one of those

who encouraged her to turn the story into a novel, said she feels Doherty’s novel is significant precisely because of how it expands the science fiction genre in this way.

“It is extremely frustrating to walk into a bookstore and know that as a queer woman my unique experiences will only be reflected in a finite amount of fiction,” Dym said.

“To see queer main characters in her story, something that is science fiction first and romance not even second or third in its priorities, is a breath of fresh air.”

Dym values some of the archetypes and tropes of

the genre as valuable tools, but still sees them as molds that need to be broken. She said that Doherty does this by writing a diverse cast of characters, many of whom fall somewhere on the LGBT spectrum.

“It presents the reader with a familiar enough stage for science fiction and uses it to critically examine characters, not some contrived plot twist, to create a satisfying story,” Dym said.

Finding Hekate has been a labor of love for Doherty since she wrote the story in 2010. For her, one of the most memorable moments of this

achievement was holding her book for the first time.

“Seeing something I thought up when I was an undergrad, and the whole process of writing it, rewriting it, tearing it apart and putting it back together again, and then actually holding it and it being this physical object that I created and that other people can read, I think that was the most rewarding aspect thus far,” Doherty said.

There have been many iterations of the book since the last draft Dym saw, so she’s especially excited to read the book.

“It will be like rediscovering a favorite ice cream” Dym said.

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

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OPINION

KEEP ‘LOOKING FOR ALASKA’ IN THE LIBRARY All That Isn’t Jennee Martinez The American Library Association for Intellectual Freedom released its list of “Most Challenged Books of 2015” after compiling reports from schools and libraries across the country. The list is released to heighten the awareness of parents, teachers and supervisors regarding material in certain books deemed inappropriate by some.

These books, currently found on the shelves of libraries across the country, may eventually be banned and removed.

The 2015 list includes the Bible, which is being challenged because of its religious content, and features John Green’s young adult novel Looking for Alaska. Coming in at number one, Looking for Alaska is the book the greatest number of people across the country want to see removed.

Dammit, John Green! You went from writing heart-wrenching love stories featuring teenagers with cancer to writing risqué, offensive, coming-of-age stories? Has fame corrupted you?

Thankfully Green, his messages, morals and writing style are still completely intact. Due to the author’s rise in popularity after two of his books, The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns, made it onto the big screen, Looking for Alaska began to rise in popularity as well. After announcing a permanent screenplay and casting decisions regarding Looking for Alaska’s journey to the silver screen, the 10-year-old book is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves.

Looks like it might have gotten the wrong kind of attention, though. After being on the shelves for over 10 years, the content of Looking for Alaska is now being challenged specifically for its “offensive language” and “sexually explicit content.”

Due to over 50 swear words and scenes including drugs, alcohol and oral sex, it sounds almost reasonable that a book like this would be expected to be removed.

Content is meaningless without context.

Looking for Alaska follows Miles “Pudge” Halter through his first year of college, where he not only experiences his first taste of the real world as he leaves home, but also has first-time encounters with parties, drugs, alcohol and girls. Along with the confusing process of self-discovery and exploration, Miles expe-

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PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

riences problems all teenagers go through while growing up: the confusion that comes with personal discovery, the awkwardness of first-time sex, the frustration of school and the heartbreak of death.

Looking for Alaska is not only a real account of what all first-year college students are exposed to, but also addresses the hard-to-ask questions that accompany some of the most confusing, difficult situations life throws at everyone.

This book is honest and raw when it comes to addressing the hard-to-dealwith subjects that society tends to shy away from. Naturally, it is going to contain some difficult content.

However, unlike other television shows, movies and music that not only condone but promote promiscuous behavior and illegal activities, Green graciously approaches these issues from a relatable 18-year-old point of view.

With Miles as the narrator, not only does it allow the reader to fully understand the thoughts that run through a person’s mind while confronting many of these confusing, defining moments, but it allows readers to explore the many different choices and decisions young people face. This not only makes the audience aware of the different paths we all take when we find ourselves in similar situations but highlights the effects—both positive and negative—of each choice.

The friendships Miles creates also impact the audience as readers are exposed to the different types of relationships that form outside of high school boundaries and comfortable settings.

Romance explored in Looking for Alaska not only highlights the awkwardness and worry of first time hook-ups and relationships that develop outside of Mom and Dad’s careful watch, but represents to readers different approaches and perspectives in which these situations occur.

Looking for Alaska teaches audiences about the real-life, awkward, scary and difficult decisions and experiences that come with growing up. By addressing these things, not only

DUTTON JUVENILE/2005 does Green teach readers the different challenges one is faced with after graduating and taking on the world, but he gives readers the opportunity to reflect on the characters’ decisions.

Readers not only become more informed, but begin to question themselves, exploring what they would do or how they would act when faced with similar situations.

Exposing students to content like this not only makes them aware of what may be to come, but allows them to not only explore how they feel about them, but what they would personally do if confronted with similar circumstances. Looking for Alaska prepares readers for real life.

What is the point of removing a book like this from library shelves when the very instances described in the book are going to occur in the students’ lives? Are we protecting students by guarding them from these real-life situations? Or are we simply prolonging the harsh wake-up call and shock of reality?

OPINION

THE PARADOX OF HIJAB A CRITICAL EXPLORATION OF THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF AND MY EXPERIENCE WEARING ONE AS A MAN

Moral Clarity Andy Ngo

Event organizers from San Diego to New York have promoted wear-a-hijab days to express solidarity with Muslim women who said they felt targeted after the San Bernardino attacks last year. The female shooter, Tashfeen Maliq, wore a face veil and abaya in an expression of the conservative interpretation of Islam she practiced.

Earlier this month, Portland State’s Muslim Student Association hosted its own Hijab Day. Standing before the booth, I asked myself, “Which ideology would I be expressing solidarity toward if I supported this symbol?”

Three years ago, headscarf promotional events started gaining popularity with the founding of World Hijab Day. Its mission is to challenge the idea of the scarf as “a symbol of oppression and segregation.” The organization and campaign is run by Nazma Khan, who formerly owned a headscarf business.

Digging further into Khan’s campaign, I struggled to delineate the line between choice and subtle coercion. In Khan’s interview in Narratively, she states that covering up “makes [her] feel peace at heart knowing that [she] obey[s] the command of [her] creator.” She adds, “Peace can be only found in obeying the commands of the one who created me.”

By framing the headscarf as a matter of following the command of the creator, the unstated message is that not covering disobeys God. This rigid interpretation helps me understand why states like Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as groups like the Islamic State, feel sanctimonious in their brutal enforcement of veiling. To them, the hijab is the unofficial sixth pillar of Islam, a commandment that must be implemented when a society lives under Sharia, or Islamic, law. Those who transgress are faced with fines, violence or even murder.

The Muslim woman who does not live under such circumstances, still faces the blurred line between choice and dogmatic coercion. The veneer of “choice” should be dropped if headscarves are taught as a divine obligation. Obligation, by definition, removes choice.

Further, the term hijab itself is a misnomer. In Arabic, hijab is translated as “barrier” or other similar derivatives. It never means headscarf. The few verses contained in the Quran that are often used to justify covering up place emphasis on modesty, rather than specific dress.

Veiling only became scripturally explicit later through various ahadith, or reported sayings and actions of Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. These collections were compiled centuries after Muhammad died and many are of questionable origin.

THE AUTHOR TAKES A SELF PORTRAIT AT PSU’S HIJAB DAY EVENT AFTER PARTICPANTS HELP HIM TRY ON A HEAD SCARF. ANDY NGO/PSU VANGUARD Those who advocate for head and body coverings based on Quranic verses point to the khimar (headcover) and jilbab”(body wrap) as evidence of a holy mandate. Both clothing items are pre-Islamic influences of the Sassanian and Mesopotamian cultures.

I concede that interpretation involves bias but I’d argue that a religion of peace and equality is one where its core texts are allowed to be informed through the paradigm of humanism.

At PSU’s Hijab Day, I had the opportunity to both reaffirm and challenge my views by engaging with the headscarf instead of judging from a distance. Among the smiles, I felt nervous to approach a phalanx of women to ask if I could participate. I wanted to understand why many women around the world risked so much just to remove this piece of fabric.

Is the hijab really that bad? Could I try it on?

I asked and received some uncomfortable laughs. One friendly Muslim Student Association member welcomed my request. During our personal interaction, the student opened up about her personal experiences. She was required to veil by age 10 and for many years viewed the headscarf as an oppressive symbol.

Only much later, after immigrating to the United States, did she personally find covering up valuable. The United States’ protection of religious freedom and practice allowed

her to reclaim the headscarf for personal empowerment. She subverted a previously oppressive symbol to mean something new to her.

Is the hijab a symbol of misogyny or modesty? It can be both—that is the paradox of the hijab. Binary discourse on headscarves doesn’t reflect the realities of how the symbol is used across the world. It is not wrong to view it as a sign of oppression against female autonomy and sexuality. That reality exists, either institutionalized or enforced in family and community honor codes. However, many women willingly wear it of their own accord as an expression of identity. Theology may not even be relevant.

Let’s be honest about this spectrum of experiences before demonizing or glorifying it.

As for my personal experience in the hijab, I missed the gentle blow of the spring breeze on my hair, a simple right I never really considered valuable until it was momentarily taken away. The fabric around my ears muffled the sounds of urban life and I felt like my head was in a cage. I had the freedom to move, but the cage moved along with me.

I only wore it for a few minutes as an experience and was happy to take it off. If only every woman had the privilege of the event’s participants, myself included—the freedom to cover or not to cover—we would truly be in a place of freedom.

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

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ACROSS 1 It may provide stout worker with right footwear (8, two words) 5 It’s normal to pay for a round when disheartened (6) 10 National flag makes university angry (15, three words) 11 Review of Armageddon’s not good, some stars revealed (7) 12 One provides waterworks in country following great wrangling (7, two words) 13 Metalworker preserves legend, according to hearsay (8) 15 Woody section of dhal lentils?

(5) 18 He trains boxer in two senses (5) 20 It provides light material for bedspreads (8) 23 Rector failed degree in rare lapse (7) 25 One poet or another replacing daughter with son (7) 26 Presumably this selected group never sits? (15, two words) 27 Attractive sort I heard puts on weight in India (6, two words) 28 Modified gas-ring conserves energy but is more problematic (3,5) DOWN 1 Soundly prohibited acts of resistance in places where musicians play (6) 2 In reshuffle, real idiot becomes leader (9)

3 Dad made fun of son’s glib behaviour? (7) 4 Duke’s daughter gets warning from US cops (5) 6 Jazz fan gets into opera, but not second composition (7) 7 Together or by oneself, finally removed Government (5) 8 Ring home when placed in digs – mobile is breaking up (8) 9 Treacle-beer from Cornwall perhaps not the drink in London area, it’s held (8) 14 Reach white heat in raging science debate, chiefly about article (8) 16 Pest harassed Diana endlessly, assuming special right to interfere (9, two words) 17 Hypocrite split hairs in letter (8) 19 Hardline revolutionary tours northern area of Germany (7)

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A TRIBUTE TO OUR FALLEN PRINCE

In honor of Prince, Vanguard illustrators have curated a tribute page to spread the purple love he exemplified throughout his life.

TERRA DEHART

SHANNON KIDD

PETER LE

PSU Vanguard • APRIL 26, 2016 • psuvanguard.com

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CALENDAR & HOROSCOPES FOR THE WEEK OF WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

A P R I L 26 –

M AY 2

JOHN PINNEY

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 BE HONEST GRAPHIC DESIGN SHOWCASE

WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP

SHIFT: ADVANCED SCULPTURE

12 p.m.

Parson’s Gallery Come and sit in on this two-part series that tells the story of women professionals in a variety of career paths in their own words as well as learn about how to negotiate for wages.

5 p.m.

Autzen Gallery (NH, second floor) Today is the last day to view the sculptural creations brought to you by some of the School of Art and Design’s more premiere student artists. This gallery promises mixed media irreverence.

SPRING MIDTERM STRESS RELIEF 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

SMSU, room 101 Though it doesn’t feel like midterm week, it certainly is. The Portland State Programming Board invites you to come and unwind with snacks, dog therapy, massages and free coloring books. Make sure to bring your student ID.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28

IRISH DANCE CLASS 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Winona Grange #271 (Tualatin) Fee: $5 Feel free to drop in for a classic Irish jig, no matter your skill level. Each week sees a new cast of dancers with a variety of experience learning and making friends in a fun and casual group setting. Drop in any Thursday night that isn’t Thanksgiving.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)

SUNDAY, MAY 1

50 WORKS PROJECT 5 p.m.

MK Gallery (Art Building, second floor) This is the last day to view the 50 Works Project, which highlights skills of the advanced painters here at PSU. The idea is to create a small work each day for 50 days, showing not just the imperfect skill but also the impromptu creativity of those involved.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30

PEE WEE’S BURLESQUEHOUSE 9 p.m.

Dante’s Fee: $10–$15 If you were into the colorful, campy, wacky or subversive world of Pee Wee’s Playhouse, just enjoyed the movie, or have the holiday special playing every year for reasons you don’t even understand anymore, you might enjoy this adult take on your favorite clubhouse.

5 p.m.

Widen+Kennedy Ad Agency Join PSU’s graphic design program for the annual Be Honest Showcase. Students will display their work across four full floors at the nearby Wieden+Kennedy ad agency, followed by an award ceremony and variety show. Free and open to the public.

CAPE LOOKOUT DAY HIKE 8 a.m.

Outdoor Program office Fee: $25 member, $50 non-member The registration deadline for this activity is April 27. Come and see a stunning ocean view from a 400-foot cliff after a moderate hike. There may be some grey whales, but even if there aren’t, the beauty of Oregon’s nature should be more than enough.

THE AMAZING FAMILY RACE 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Campus Rec Bring your family and work together to conquer a variety of obstacles in record time! Even if you don’t get the win, you’ll still get a prize and even littler ones will find something fun to hold their skill level and attention while others play ping pong, swim and rock climb.

Virgo (Aug 23–Sep 22)

USED BOOK SALE 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Gresham Station Shopping Center If you have empty book space or are a collector of CDs and vinyl, then this weekend-long sale is a great way to give back to the community while adding some literary and musical class to your home. Books start at $2.

•FEATURED EVENT• PORTLAND CELLO PROJECT The Old Church Friday, April 29 8 p.m.

Fee: $20–$40 For nearly a decade now, the PCP (as their fans call them) have been regaling us with a growing catalogue of over 8,000 hits transmogrified for strings and woodwinds. I hear that no two shows are ever the same, which means every time they come “back” to town you’ll just have to see them again.

What to expect when you get there? Anything ranging from four to 12 cellos, a choir (or two), winds, horns and skins (or drums, if you like). I don’t think even ABBA was that varied.

Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)

A sense of justice winds its way through your psyche, often causing your moral compass to point toward passion. Translate that passion to compassion or you’ll find yourself a lot more alone than you’d like.

This week, your imaginative and inquisitive nature will come to the forefront in a positive way. Be prepared to defend your creation, which could have unintended impact further down the road.

Some people want to take what you’ve done and make it their own. You should not object to this because your work of passion ceases to be yours once it goes public.

Gemini (May 21–June 21)

Libra (Sep 23–Oct 23)

You’re able to see prejudice where others might choose blindness and it’s difficult for you to express the pain and anxiety this makes you feel. Try to let it out this week and see what good you can accomplish.

You represent a dying art and a lost cause on its last breath, but you have the power and love inside of you to take this representation and make it something much bigger than yourself.

While striving for more, realize that sometimes you have to be able to take a moment to breathe. You don’t have to be a slave to your vices or ambitions, because balance is achievable.

Cancer (June 22–July 22)

Youthful innocence can come in handy sometimes. It can protect us from a world that seems to be nothing but chaos and it helps distill our desires down to their very cores.

Leo (July 23–Aug 22)

There is always a chance that your life’s work won’t be remembered through the decades. People and passions are fickle. Be happy with what you accomplish in the now and leave the dead to bury themselves.

Though you’ve never known where you fit, you have always known what is right. You’ve taken your skills and chances and have been rewarded with so much more than you’ll ever know.

Don’t discount love on account of your fear. The patterns and cycles that have dimmed your light can’t suppress it forever. And that which is supposed to be always comes true.

Scorpio (Oct 24–Nov 21)

Sagittarius (Nov 22–Dec 21)

Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 18)

Pisces (Feb 19–March 20)

The truth is, everyone on Earth needs people. Our stories, hopes and desires are all intertwined. Life cannot be lived alone, even if everyone you meet annoys you for whatever reason.

Aries (March 21–April 19)

You are not nearly as invincible as you think. Though you feel stronger than all the world can throw at you, there are always consequences for hubris and your weaknesses do shine through.