THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS Volume: 60 Issue: 1
unodriftwood.com
AUGUST 17, 2016
WHILE YOU WERE GONE
BLM DOMINATES SUMMER NEWS FEED
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES END
RIO OLYMPICS: CHAOS & GLORY
In early July, jaws dropped across America as video of a man being shot several times at point-blank range by a Baton Rouge police officer circulated through social media. Known as the “CD man,” Alton Sterling was killed while selling CDs outside of a convenient store. While police claim his crime was reaching for a gun, many people feel his only crime was being black in a world where black lives don’t matter. Thousands joined in protest of his murder, with the names of every other innocent black life taken by police close in their minds, written on their poster boards, and forever in their hearts. As the list of names continues to grow, however, the patience of concerned citizens continues to shorten. In a popular chant it is made clear: “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now.” Expanded story on pages 6-7
After a season defined by multiple Democratic email scandals, a hostile takeover of the Republican party, and a candidate thriving off of controversy, America’s most bizarre primary season in memory came to a close. The Republican party continues to eat crow as they back a candidate whom many of them initially refused to endorse. The Democrats try to unite their party after the unusually drawn-out primary season ended with Hillary Clinton struggling particularly among white males. With both candidates reaching record disapproval ratings from their own parties, this election is perceived as choosing between the lesser of two evils. Hillary Clinton is edging farther ahead in the polls in key swing states while the Trump campaign tries to convince the GOP establishment its cause is worth fighting for.
The months leading up to the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics painted a chaotic picture of the event; seemingly nothing was going right with the preparation of these games. There was speculation that the games might be cancelled due to concerns, including the Zika virus, waste-filled waters, security in the face of a police strike, terrorist threats, and body parts washing up onshore; all amid the biggest political crisis in Brazil’s history. Thankfully, the games appear to be going smoother than expected, with the United States currently leading the gold medal count by a wide margin. Viewership is still down from the games in London, but it’s starting to pick up as more people become intrigued by newcomers Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, along with tried and true Michael Phelps. The closing ceremony is set to take place on the 21st of August.
BRITAIN LEAVES EUROPEAN UNION
TERRORISM INSTILLS FEAR
POKÉMON GO INVADES
The world watched in amazement, this summer, as Britain decided to do the legislative equivalent of cutting off its nose to spite its face. Britain voted to leave the European Union, citing concerns over unregulated immigration of Syrian refugees as the major deciding factor. The young, urban, educated areas of Britain voted to stay in the Union, while uneducated voters in rural areas voted to leave. Britain’s economy immediately took a massive hit and continues to fluctuate, while the European Union’s economy has since stabilized. The insurgent party that lead the campaign to leave the European Union admitted it had no idea what to do next and handed the power it had won back over to the original party, then quickly disappeared.
MAY 7
Iraq – 160 dead – Remains of 160 people found in mass grave, killed by Islamic State
JUNE 12
Orlando – Lone wolf kills 49, injures 53 in Pulse Nightclub
JUNE 28
Turkey – 44 dead, 239 injured, Brussells Airport attack
JULY 3
Baghdad, Iraq – 340 dead
JULY 14
Nice, France – 85 dead at parade
Pokémon GO, released on July 6, took the world by storm; old fans and rookies alike quickly became obsessed with the app. Capturing the original game’s spirit of adventure and discovery, the game encourages players to get out of their homes and explore their cities. After a few days on the App Store, Nintendo’s stock soared, reaching its highest point of the last few years, as the game was downloaded millions of times. That is, until Wall Street realized the game was not created nor owned by Nintendo, but instead by a California software company, Niantic. Niantic merely acquired the rights to use the Pokémon creatures in their game; Nintendo had little to do with its creation. Nintendo’s shares plummeted, negating virtually all effect the game ever had.
Compiled by Leo Castell, Anjanae Crump, Nathan Nguyen and Christopher Walker
Democrats, Republicans blame each other for TOPS cut BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief Students were in for a rude awakening when the press warned, as the Louisiana legislature went into session, that TOPS might either be cut altogether or drastically reduced for the upcoming year. When the session ended, TOPS funding for the spring 2017 semester was cut to 47 percent of what was originally promised students. “It’s a major inconvenience to so many
kids either planuation in which the ning on going state legislature to college or altook away someready in it. It’s a thing promised to deal-breaker for them. Democrats some. So many and Republicans - Conrad Appel, US Congress (R) students saw blame each other. TOPS as their But the primary opportunity for higher education and it’s cause is evidence to condemn both sides’ been cut in half,” said junior business major ability to cooperate and put the people they Brad Luquette. represent first. Students want to know what happened; Although Democrats and Republicans they want to understand why they’re in a sit- point to the current local recession brought
It’s politics, and it’s sad that students get hurt
on by low oil prices as a factor, both are in agreement that the majority of the problem comes from elsewhere. Democrats, as evidenced by statements made by the the governor, cite reckless tax cuts by the Jindal administration as a leading cause. “[Reckless] use of one-time money, excessive fund sweeps, tax exemptions and credits that are more generous than we can afford…bring us to the unfortunate situation that all of us will face in the coming year”.
Continued on page 2
2
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
Democrats, Republicans blame each other for TOPS cut CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 On the other side of the political aisle, Republican Congressmen Conrad Appel blamed the governor for making the TOPS funding a political matter. “The governor used TOPS as a wedge issue to try and force Republicans to vote for massive tax increases…It’s politics, and it’s sad that students get hurt.” Why is education always getting the short end of the stick? Does Louisiana not believe education is a priority? The governor has said, “higher education and health care are the only two large areas of the budget expenditures with no constitutional or statutory protection from the budget axe.” Why are these two budget areas the only ones that can be cut back? Turns out it’s because of things called statutory dedications, funds that are constitutionally bound to be spent on what they were signed into law to be spent on. Over $3 billion a year
is allocated to these statutory dedications. That’s enough money per year to make up for the budget shortfalls nearly twice over. Typically, each statutory dedication is typically either a congressman’s pet project, or funds that benefit an extremely select group of citizens. State Representative Conrad Appel told Driftwood “...TOPS funding has our full priority...We had passed an amendment bill that mandated 33.3 percent of all new money that comes into the treasury would go towards TOPS. The governor vetoed it. My suggestion is that you and your parents contact the governor and make it known that TOPS hostage hurts Louisiana’s future.” Congressmen Appel said although he was disheartened by the cutbacks to TOPS, “Louisiana has been substantially more generous than almost any other state when it comes to this form of scholarship and even with the changes we continue to do so.”
NEWS
Don’t write off Greek Life
BY ARIANA LONGORIA Member of Sigma Kappa Sorority Fraternity and sorority members are usually portrayed in movies and television shows as a bunch of pretentious and promiscuous almost-adults, who spend their time binge drinking at parties, flunking out of school, and trying to be as similar to each other as possible. This misrepresentation could not be further from the truth. In reality, members of Greek Life are motivated, hard-working, and involved students who want to make the most out of their college experience. Through Greek Life, you get to know many individuals; some are similar to you, others who are very different. Unlike the commonly held
Student Legal Services
We cannot: • Represent you in court • Advise you on any dispute you have with the UNO administration, a UNO faculty or staff member, or another student
ways. If you are someone who prefers to spearhead and take the reins on a project, there are leadership positions for you. If you are someone who prefers to sit in the backseat and have less of a direct impact in making plans, there are places for you as well. It’s no coincidence that most UNO campus leaders are Greeks; Greek Life breeds leaders. These people want to participate in various organizations on campus and get involved in the community. A huge component of being a Greek is service. Each fraternity and sorority has various charities they support and raise money for. By doing this in college, a sense of service is instilled in you and will continue to shine long after you cross the Graduation stage. I was hesitant before joining Greek Life because of my misconceived notion of what it was in the first place. I do not regret joining my sorority in the slightest. What I cherish most about my first year of college is the friendships I have made through UNO Greek Life, and the changes I’ve seen in myself because of it.
SPONSORED BY: UNO STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
What we do:
• Give legal advice • Write letters and negotiate on your behalf • Assist withdrafting of wills, living wills, and powers of attorney
belief, you are not paying for your friends. These people, who you are privileged enough to call your brothers or sisters, genuinely love and care for you like family. They’ll help you change a tire when you get a flat, keep you company at Yummy Sushi while you pig out, and be there at your side on your wedding day. Most importantly, your brothers and sisters are there to keep you focused on why you are in school in the first place. In order to be in Greek Life, you must maintain a high GPA; so if it encourages anything, Greek Life motivates you to keep your grades up. Greek Life not only positively affects your schoolwork, but it helps you network, which can have a huge impact on your life after graduation. By being an active member in your fraternity/sorority, you make connections with chapter alumni, who are sometimes ready to offer you a job before you receive your diploma. Don’t worry about conforming or becoming someone that you’re not. Greek Life celebrates and encourages each person’s differences by utilizing them in unique
• Review and notarize documents • Help you prepare to go to court • Help with divorce, custody, landlord/tenant disputes & traffic offenses
CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!
I
Michael Tusa, JD (504) 280-6229 Wednesday 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM Thursday 1 PM - 6 PM
NEWS
Electronic cigarettes banned on campus
BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief The University of New Orleans has joined the rest of the Louisiana public education system in its decision to ban electronic cigarettes from campus. Effective immediately, there will be a penalty for any student using an electronic vaping device on campus grounds. Unlike the government-mandated tobacco ban that took place in fall of 2014, this rule is one that the university has decided to implement without prodding from the government. UNO is actually one of the last major public educational institutions to ban the devices. Louisiana State University
is no shutdown. It’s going to take them probably about three years to evaluate, assess, and get everything regulated. So in that time frame, there is a real chance of harmful chemicals being in the vapor. So until we understand that, we have decided to err on the side of caution and ban e-cigs.” Some students are not happy with the new rule, claiming that the issue is not black and white. Brian Legendre, a senior majoring in business management, said he thinks that the ban won’t do much good for student health. Photo by Christopher Walker “I don’t think it’s going to help students’ health at all. If you’re and the University of Louisiana at addicted to nicotine, this isn’t goLafayette have already outlawed ing to stop you from vaping on them, citing similar concerns campus. Students are just going to about unregulated nicotine juices go to their car or vape in secluded spots. The tobacco ban didn’t stop and devices. According to Dean of Student students from smoking on campus, it just made them make sure Affairs Brett Kemker, the univerthey’re not caught. Same with sity is acting in accordance with this.” information that is slowly evolvMany students agree that the ing. “The evolution of e-cigs has ban will do very little to stop vapexploded. All of a sudden people ing on campus. Other students are have hundreds of options. The glad; what they feel are risky deFDA was slow in their reaction vices are going to be off campus, to it, and it’s only been since last or at least not in plain sight. May that the FDA has any kind of Sophomore Clayton Constant control over the regulation of elec- said, “Honestly, I’m happy betronic cigarettes.” cause we don’t know the long“That’s going to take two or term effects of those e-cigs. For three years for them to really get a all we know they could be a lot handle on them. As of now, there worse than people already think.”
UNO Bookstore: not your only option BY MINDY JARRETT Driftwood Staff As a new school year inches closer, so do its tuition due dates. Eight in ten college students worry about repaying their student loans, reports Campbell Rinker, a company that conducts research for nonprofit organizations. But high tuition prices aren’t the only culprits stressing students; the survey also reports that students expect to pay around a thousand dollars per year on textbooks alone. While over half of students forego the use of a textbook due to its price and pray for the best, this is not a risk every student is able to take. Many classes have textbooks that are absolutely essential to the course, not an optional accessory. But when students walk into the University of New Orleans bookstore, many are surprised at the prices. Used textbooks costing hundreds of dollars line the shelves. The UNO Bookstore,
contrary to popular belief, is not a part of the University. They are a private company contracted by the university that “provides a revenue stream to the university in the form of rent and a percentage of sale,” UNO Bookstore manager Karin Coelho said. Some students feel like the bookstore is not out for their best interest. Junior Austen Schexnaydre says “you walk in there for a pack of pencils and this super aggressive sales team tries to sell a summer abroad in Tokyo to you. I want to tell them ‘leave me alone, I’m just browsing the pencil selection.’ They really wanted me to spend a lot of money in there.” Many students are not aware that there are options other than their campus bookstore for attaining textbooks. But what is the best option for students when it comes to buying books? The comparison tool on either the CampusBooks.com app or website presents cheaper options for students: a simple book search
results in a price-ascending list of various purchase or rental options available. The site itself does not buy or sell any books, nor does it charge for its services. Rather, it provides a direct link to the bookseller’s site. This presents a wonderful opportunity for students to spend less time stressing and searching for books, in order to spend more time focusing on classes. The comparison tool is able to search through thousands of booksellers, including Amazon, Chegg and Barnes & Noble. It can also search through local campus bookstores’ inventory, even though the UNO Bookstore does not appear in the top ten campus bookstores in Louisiana for textbook pricing. Of course, there are benefits to shopping locally; students who prefer to attend the first day of class before purchasing books may be daunted by shipping times, benefitting from a campus bookstore that might have the class-specific book in stock.
FOR BETTER OR WORSE Devastating flooding in central Louisiana
TOPS cut over 60 percent for spring semester
New Orleans Saints pre-season starts
New Orleans documentary on Steve Gleason is a hit
Whole home Airbnb rentals banned by city council
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What was your favorite summer film? “Suicide Squad,” I really like the action and super hero part of it. I was a really big fan of Batman and stuff when I was a kid. KYLE COLGLAZIER Freshman, N.A.M.E.
“The Jungle Book,” it was really cool that they took a classic movie and turned it into something new. I was really impressed. PAIGE GUILLORY Freshman, Urban Studies & Planning
“Suicide Squad,” some people thought it didn’t live up to the hype, but I did. Jared Leto was OK, but I really liked the movie. CALEB GURRY Freshman, Pre-Med
“Me Before You,” the guy actor was really cute and the movie touched my heart. I actually got emotional. KAREN PLEASANT Freshman, Sociology
“The Purge,” because it was funny. JOHARI REYNOLDS Freshman, Anthropology
Compiled by Nathan Nguyen
3
4
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
SPORTS
Photo coutesy of UNO Athletics
Soph Blessing Dunn named preseason All-Southland Conference BY UNO ATHLETICS
Photo coutesy of FAMU Sports
Privateer men’s basketball signs Jorge Rosa BY UNO ATHLETICS The University of New Orleans men’s basketball team added a final member to its incoming class for the upcoming 2016-17 season as the Privateers inked 6-foot-4, 195-pound wing Jorge Rosa from Indian Hills Community College to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday afternoon. A native of Orlando, Florida, Rosa comes to the Lakefront with two years of collegiate experience, playing as a true freshman at Florida A&M in 2014-15 and at Indian Hills CC as a sophomore last season. Along the way, he helped lead Indian Hills to a 29-5 overall record and claimed a spot on the NJCAA Region 11 Second-Team Academic All-Regional squad in 2015-16 while garnering College Court Report Mid-Major National Freshman of the Year and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Rookie Team recognition at FAMU two years ago. “Jorge brings an added dimension to our roster,” UNO head coach Mark Slessinger said. “He has the ability to shoot the 3 and has a great deal of experience. Jorge had a very productive year offensively as a freshman at Florida A&M and then played on a great junior college team at Indian Hills Community College, winning 29 games last year for Coach (Hank) Plona. He was a part of a great team that was well coached and I know he looks forward to continuing that here.” As a sophomore last season, Rosa played in 32 games with 10 starts while averaging 5.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per outing. He scored in double figures four times, including a career-best 26 after sinking 9-of12 field goals, including a 7-of-9 effort from beyond the 3-point arc, and draining his lone free throw opportunity vs Barton on Nov. 6, 2015. Rosa pulled down four or more rebounds four times, with a
career-high eight boards vs Illinois Central on Nov. 14, 2015, while adding three multiple-assist and four multiple-steal performances During his lone season at Florida A&M, Rosa led the Rattlers in 3-point baskets (51), 3-point percentage (.325) and free throw percentage (.705) while ranking second on the team in points (286), points per game (10.6), field goals made (90), minutes played (807) and minutes per game (29.9), third in free throws made (55) and steals (18), fourth in rebounds per game (2.7), fifth in rebounds (72) and blocked shots (5) and tied for fifth in assists (19) He scored in double figures 14 times with four 20-plus point contests, including a season-best 22 vs North Carolina A&T on Feb. 14, 2015 and again at Bethune-Cookman on Feb. 21, 2015. Rosa had four-plus rebounds on seven occasions, with a season-best effort of seven at Morgan State on Jan. 17, 2015, and added five multiple-assist and seven multiple-steal outings Rosa was tabbed MEAC Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week on Feb. 16, 2015 after averaging 19.0 points and 2.5 rebounds over a pair of games and named MEAC Rookie of the Week on Nov. 24, 2014, after averaging 9.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in a two-game effort. “I’m very excited to be part of the basketball program at the University of New Orleans,” Rosa said. “I was looking to go to a place where I felt like the coaches saw something in me and needed what I bring to the court, and I feel I found that at UNO. New Orleans is a great city and a UNO degree is something that will mean a lot to me. “I’ve been to a few different schools and that’s helped me figure out what is important to me. I want to be at a great school, with coaches I trust and part of a program that’s getting better. I found all that at UNO.”
At the high school level, Rosa played as a freshman at Freedom for coach Bobby Rego, as a sophomore and junior at Life Christian Academy for coach Kevin Hosford and as a senior at Faith Christian Academy for coach Tony Medina, before spending the 2013-14 season as a member of the post-graduate squad at Lee Christian Academy in Maine. He helped lead his high school teams to a combined 68-34 overall record and three district titles, including 23-6 mark and a 6-0 showing in District 6-2A action during his year at FCA. As a senior, Rosa was named honorable-mention All-Volusia County after averaging 18.7 points per game At Lee, Rosa earned 2A Player of the Year and all-district recognition while claiming a spot on the State All-Tournament Team after averaging 25.2 points per game, including a career-high 39 in a Christmas Tournament game vs Union High. Off the court, he was a member of the A-B Honor Roll. Rosa is the fourth signee to join the Privateers program for the upcoming campaign, joining Spring Signing Period recruits Makur Puou (Vincennes University) and Bryson Robinson (Mequite High School) and NCAA Early Signing Period prospect A.J. Cheeseman (Collins HS). In addition, the Privateers will have a fifth newcomer on the squad in 2016-17 in walk-on freshman Gavin Sabo (Baytown Christian HS). Rosa comes to New Orleans with two years of college eligibility remaining and will join a team that returns 10-of-13 lettermen from last year’s team, including third-team All-Southland Conference and honorable-mention All-Louisiana selection Christavious Gill. Last season, the Privateers posted a 10-20 overall record, a 6-12 mark in SLC action and advanced to the conference tournament for a second-consecutive season.
University of New Orleans volleyball standout Blessing Dunn was honored as one of the premier student-athletes in the Southland Conference.The sophomore outside hitter from Jacksonville, Alabama, was named to the league’s Preseason All-Conference First Team based on a vote of SLC head coaches. The distinction comes one season after Dunn was named honorable mention by the Southland Conference as well as earning Louisiana Freshman of the Year and first-team all-state recognition by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. She becomes the first Privateer to earn preseason first-team all-conference recognition since UNO joined the Southland prior to the 2013-14 school year. “It’s truly an accomplishment for our program to get a student-athlete earn preseason firstteam honors,” said Millicent Van Norden, now entering her third season as head coach of the Privateers. “You won’t find a harder worker than Blessing. She had a brilliant freshman campaign and we’re looking for her to continue her positive progression this season. This is a nice recognition and a great reflection on how far we have come since joining the league.” As a freshman in 2015, Dunn saw action in 111 sets over 32
contests with 26 starts. The rising sophomore paced the Privateers in points (352), points per set (3.17), kills (304) and kills per set (2.74). She proved to be more than just an offensive threat, ranking third on the team in digs per set (2.31) and fourth in both digs (256) and service aces (32). In her collegiate debut, Dunn showed her potential on the court with 15 kills and 13 digs for a double-double in a victory over Presbyterian on Aug. 29. She ended the season with six double-doubles, highlighted by a 22-dig and 16-kill outing at Nicholls on Oct. 6, both marking career-highs for the then freshman. Last season, UNO recorded a program-record seven Southland Conference victories to qualify for the conference tournament as a fifth seed after pulling off the third-best turnaround in the country in wins and losses with a 1916 overall record. The Privateers open the 2016 season on Friday, Aug. 26, when they travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to take part in the Redhawks Drury Hotels Invitational when they will take on host Southeast Missouri State before battling Louisiana Tech and Illinois-Chicago on Aug. 27. UNO will hold a preseason intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Human Performance Center. Admission to that contest and all home Privateer matches is free.
Interested in contributing to Driftwood? Contact: driftwoodeditor@uno.edu We’re looking for writers, photographers and videographers.
FEATURES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
5
FINANCING YOUR FUTURE TODAY
Welcome to wealth
BY FERNANDO J. SABALLOS Driftwood Contibutor
Photo by Nathan Nguyen
Listen up, freshmen BY REGINE MERIDY Driftwood Staff As a former freshman, I feel that it is my duty to guide you through your first year of college. So listen up, newcomers! Pay attention to the jewels of wisdom that I’m about to drop. First and foremost: GO. TO. CLASS. I have seen countless greenhorns go wild with their first taste of freedom and sleep in, thinking class is an option, then flunk out. Don’t be foolish; the truth is that college is not all that difficult if you make school a genuine priority. The second jewel of wisdom I shall bestow is that you can remake yourself in college. Nobody on this campus has to know who you were or what you did in high school. Were you the quiet kid in high school? Congratulations, you can now become the loud, party animal! Were you super social, always throwing a party or rushing to a meeting for one of the 50 clubs you were in? Great, you can take a backseat and relax for a while. Who you were does not
have to dictate who you will be. Get involved on campus! Don’t write off Greek Life just because you’ve heard bad things or seen movies where it’s non-stop partying. Give it a fair shot, I have so many friends that are glad they’re in Greek Life that started their time at UNO with absolutely no interest in it. Even if it’s not a sorority or fraternity, find at least one club or organization to dedicate your time to; you’ll be glad you did. Also, when scheduling for your spring semester, pay careful attention to which professor is teaching the class. The professor is everything! The professor can teach you how to think, how to debate, and how to challenge yourself daily. Or he or she can just show up, do the bare minimum, and collect a paycheck. Remember, a difficult professor is not the same as a bad professor, so be wary when your friends complain about a class! Look online for books before getting them from the bookstore. And make sure to hold off on purchasing that book until you’ve been to at least one class. Nine times out of 10 you can find the textbook you need for the in-
tro-level classes cheaper online, and sometimes the professor will say the book is optional. Don’t forget that your health is important. For a lot of freshmen, this is going to be the first time he or she is away from health-conscious mom and dad. You don’t have to go on a diet, but eating nothing but junk food is going to make your energy levels soar briefly and then crash hard, so please try to fit healthy food into your meals! I can’t count the number of times I’ve overheard freshmen trying to one-up each other about how little sleep they got the previous night. It’s not cool to be sleep-deprived, no one wants to hear about how you pulled an all nighter to write a paper that probably could have been done in under two hours. The truth is, no matter how much you prepare or how much advice you listen to, you’re going to make mistakes your first year. And I sincerely encourage you to make those mistakes because there really is no better way to learn than to fail. Don’t stress out about it. You’re only a freshman once.
Welcome back to school, Privateers! And welcome to a new Driftwood column devoted to elements of building personal, financial wealth. You might not realize it, but all of you have already made one of the most significant investments of your life by pursuing higher education. What I hope to accomplish with this weekly piece is to open up a world of opportunities for my fellow students who might previously have been uninformed or uninterested in wealth management. I’ll touch upon the different aspects of money allocation, such as investing in the market via stocks, bonds, etc., to loan repayments, and how credit scores and interest rates can affect your debt, to tips on budgeting and saving, and finally, to the most exciting and highly encouraged investment strategy: saving toward retirement in the form of IRA’s, 401Ks, and mutual funds! We invest money for tuition, housing, books, etc., but we also invest years of our time and effort by attending class, studying, participating in organizations and deferring current compensation in hopes of a greater salary when we graduate. The opportunity cost here is significant, but just like any worthy investment, the risk-reward ratio is in your favor if you understand what you’re dealing with and how to maximize your potential for growth. While the academics of finance courses might not pique the interest of the collective student
body, money, as a subject, has a fundamental importance on our everyday well being. Currency is a universal means of exchange and a transaction that each party can benefit from. For incoming Freshmen, the last thing on your mind is probably discussing finances, but it’s vital to understand one notion: it’s never too early to start allocating your money appropriately. Whether it’s by saving for a car, travel, housing, emergencies, or by saving in an interest-bearing account, such as a Certificate of Deposit (CD) or by investing in a long-term security, such as an index fund, or by trading in the stock market, it’s a habit that can open many doors toward longterm wealth. Financial security can be a frightening concept, and the impending adult world with entry-level wages and potential loan repayments, among other expenses, doesn’t make students eager to get out there. If you’re interested in an in-depth technical how-to of finance, then, Finance 2302: Intro to Investing, which has no prerequisites, might be a wise usage of an elective credit. For now, here’s a list of affordable news outlet subscriptions that provide substantial information and access, not just to investments, but also world news, current trends, politics, all of which can likely affect your financial health. If this column is your initial exposure to this financial world, then these outlets will serve as invaluable educational resources for further advancement. I look forward to helping the student body of the University of New Orleans create wealth for a prosperous financial future! The Wall Street Journal – Digital and Print: $15 for 15 week student price (renewable) The Economist – Digital and Print: $12 for 12 weeks Barron’s – Digital and Print: $12 for 12, $26 for 26, or $52 for 52
secure your spot! Live here and meet the University of Louisiana System on-campus residency requirement!
avoid disappointment and secure your room at Privateer Place today!
make yourself at home!
stop searching, start living!
free parking
no meal plan required
housing scholarships accepted
fully furnished units
2000 Lakeshore Drive | Located near the Cove lease online privateerplaceUNO.com call 504.270.1979
swimming pool
*Terms & Conditions apply.
6
FEATU
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
Black Lives Matter dominates summer new BY ANJANAE CRUMP Managing Editor This summer, thousands of people across the country joined together for one purpose: not justice for all, as the pledge of allegiance suggests, but justice for the black lives in America. They cried for justice for Alton Sterling, for Philando Castell, and for the other innocent black men and women shot dead by police. This is not the first time the nation has cried for justice, and it will not be the last. According to 2015 news reports, public records and internet databases, at least forty-three unarmed black people were killed by police. The number already stands at twenty-one this year. Countering the people who point out that police kill white people too, Nathaniel Field, a member of the Progressive Black Student Union (PBSU) “It is a true fact that all lives matter. I speak for the Black community when I say that we are not saying that black lives are the only ones that matter, but at the rate and frequency at which the police are pulling the trigger on African Americans, it almost seems like some of these guys just do not care. It almost seems hopeless.”
Photos by Kalin Norman (Instagram: @cre.at.ive)
BUT WHY ARE THEY KILLING BLACK PEOPLE? “I feel like the police keep killing black people because they know they can get away with it. Because of their position, which is to ‘serve and protect’, people think it’s always right what they do with no questions asked,” said another member of PBSU, Demi Williams. “I think they are afraid that people of color will refuse to be treated as less than equals and actually unite for a greater good and they feel threatened,” said Destinee Merida, president of Louisiana State University’s Black Student Union. Austin, Texas police officer, Bryan Richter cited “violent tendencies” as the reason he aggressively detained a black woman, which was caught on his patrol car’s camera. While statistics show that homicide of police officers is higher in areas with large black populations, does this justify murder? In situationally similar incidents, white subjects involved were apprehended peacefully while their black counterparts were shot and killed. For instance, in 2014, two drunk white men walked into an Idaho Walmart, opened and loaded two BB guns and started to shoot. They were taken into custody unharmed.
However, John Crawford, who held an air rifle he picked up from the sporting goods section of an Ohio Walmart while he talked to his wife on the phone, was shot and killed without question. Twelve-year-old Tamir Rice was shot without question for holding a toy gun at a park. In 2015, intoxicated Jed Frazier drove his car off the road and pointed a gun at police officers, refusing to open his door. He was eventually extracted and taken into custody. Philando Castile, who was licensed to carry a firearm, informed police that he, indeed, had his weapon with him, yet was shot instantly as he reached for his ID.
BUT WHY ARE THEY WALKING FREE? One of the main concerns among the black community is the fact that, despite numerous incidents, officers are often never held accountable. “In elementary school, when you did something wrong and got away with it, you would try it again correct? That’s the same way I feel about police officers that keep killing black people. Until someone is held accountable and there are consequences, it’ll keep happening,” said Merida. Of the 43 murdered black people in 2015, only two police officers have
been convicted; only one has served actual jail time. According to the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think tank, the conviction rate for officers charged with criminal misconduct is about 1 in 3, which is half the average rate among the general population. “I think police officers, as a whole, are great men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to protect the people in their community. An officer should always analyze what type of individual he or she is dealing with, then act accordingly,” said Field. This mindset is taken on by a large portion of society and is confirmed by the continuous innocent verdicts granted by juries across the country, . Because of the nature of their jobs, police are judged on their subjective belief and assessment of the danger they were in, rather than whether or not they were actually in any danger. They are given the power to make this decision and are subsequently trusted because of it.
BUT WHAT CAN WE DO? “The black community needs to come together and stand for what’s right, not only saying something once, but actually doing it persistently. We need to watch our backs at all costs and remain humble. America needs to acknowledge this wrongdoing and face the fact that the people who were
set to protect and serve are not their job and stop trying to ma police look like they are always suggested Williams, who also be protesting is the only way that who genuinely care about these will get their voices heard. “Although I think protesting essary and a major part of the ment, I don’t think it’s the mo fective. I think policy change changing who our federal laws p is what we lack,” Merida cont “I’ve seen police chiefs step and some departments trying ou cameras but even so, justice ha failed when it comes to trials an one paying time for the lives los Ultimately, that is where the stands at the moment, in the fac concept called justice, wonderin to serve it best, protesting, boyc and hoping for change. That is we stood four years ago when Tr Martin was killed. And two yea when Michael Brown was killed again when Sandra Bland was And yet again, with every other life ended by police. Field concluded, “These typ changes would have to endure f cades in order to see the slightes of change in our society.” What i in the meantime will determine changes and the time it actually The black community shows it w rest until that day comes.
URES
ws
t doing ake the right,” elieves people e issues
is necmoveost efes and protect trasted. down ut body as been nd anyst.” nation ce of a ng how cotting where rayvon ars ago d. And killed. r black
pes of for dest form is done e those y takes. will not
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
7
Another city, another shooting BY ANJANAE CRUMP Managing Editor Milwaukee has been riddled with protests and violence since the shooting of another black man occurred on August 13. Unlike most of the victims in the media, Sylville Smith was armed with a fully loaded gun as he led Milwaukee police on a foot chase after being pulled over for a burglary. His family and others in the city still feel that other measures should have been taken before deadly force was executed, such as the deployment of a taser. That night, people took to the streets and expressed their outrage. They set fire to buildings and threw rocks at the police. One officer was injured and three protesters were arrested. The next day Mayor Tom Barrett addressed the incidents and called for peace. “If you love your son, if you love your daughter, text them, call them, pull them by the ears and get them home. Get them home right now before more damage is done.” Citizens all over America are tired of what they believe is racially-targeted murder and this incident in Milwaukee shows the growing intolerance.
8
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
ENTERTAINMENT
“Homegoing” review Roots; a story that follows multiple generations of slaves taken from Africa and forced into servitude in the United States. The book was released in June and has since become summer’s runaway critical hit. It would be impossible to write a more insightful review than those usually done by national publications, and I urge you to read those fascinating pieces on this book. Literary critics have tried to outdo themselves in heaping praise on the novel in an embarrassing circus of one-upmanship, but the praise is nevertheless deserved. This is the debut novel of stun Photo courtesy of Knopf ningly young 26-year-old writer BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Yaa Gyasi; she has used this book to cement herself as perhaps the Editor-in-Chief definitive up-and coming literary talent this year. The pictures of Homegoing is the literary cous- Africa and its inhabitants Gyasi in of ABC’s classic miniseries paints rank among the most unique
STAFF PICKS you will encounter this year; Gyasi has delivered the best literary work of 2016 thus far. Spanning six generations and hundreds of years is a monumental task that Gyasi handles with grace, and never does the book feel too long or too abbreviated. Characters last for just one chapter before the novel skips forward a generation and a new set is introduced. There is little time to linger, and it helps the narrative keep a brisk pace. Homegoing is not a nail-biting page turner, nor is it a thrilling ride from start to end. It is dense and dry; and it will not appeal to the average reader. But for the few who choose to take the time to study it, the book gives back rewards in spades. It is no stretch of the imagination to picture this book being taught in schools around the country in 25 or 50 years. Homegoing is one hell of an achievement.
APPS
CHRISTOPHER WALKER - AUDIBLE I loved reading as a kid; I devoured books. When I got to college, with a heavy school workload and a busy social life, I put down the books. I got out of the habit of reading a little bit each day, and I was scared I might never get back into it. But then I found out about audiobooks, the app Audible, and my life changed. I promise you: the time you spend in your car each day can be put to better use. Instead of listening to your music library for the umpteenth time, turn on an audiobook. You’ll be delighted when you rediscover reading.
LEO CASTELL - POCKET CASTS If you’re anything like me, then you probably enjoy listening to podcasts in between the commute from hometo-school-to-work and back home again. Unfortunately, every free podcast app I know of is abysmal. Well, you’d be pleased to know that for a little more than the price of a Happy Meal you can download Shift Jelly’s excellent Pocket Casts app for Android and iOS. $4 gets you a podcast app devoid of ads and automatically downloads any new additional episodes of your favorite shows. A $4 investment rarely returns on 400+ hours of entertainment, but this one certainly will.
ROXANNE ARDEKANI - LYFT I experienced my first Lyft ride recently and I was 100% satisfied with my experience. When we reached our destination, I realized I had put in the wrong address and had a moment of panic. With Uber, I would have had to get another ride and make another payment, but my Lyft driver told me to enter the correct address into the app and we proceeded to the new location. Along with being cheaper, Lyft seems more intuitive, and I recommend it over Uber.
ANJANAE CRUMP - RTA GOMOBILE I love the RTA app. I hate to carry cash, and being able to buy certain tickets straight from my phone makes it very convenient. It’s also much quicker than having to insert a wrinkled dollar or a bunch of coins while on a moving bus. I definitely recommend it to anyone, whether you use the RTA every day or every blue moon.
ENTERTAINMENT
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
Photo courtesy of HBO
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures
“Sausage Party,” good but not great BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief Sausage Party, the latest endeavor from Seth Rogen & Friends, is the very first R-rated animated CGI film. It’s juvenile, vulgar, offensive, and completely inappropriate throughout its 90-minute length. It’s also pretty funny. Seth Rogen voices Frank the hot dog, and together with his girlfriend Brenda the hot dog bun, they live in a supermarket where every can of food, every vegetable, and every liquor bottle is an anthropomorphic being waiting to be picked up by a human. The inhabitants of the supermarket believe the humans that visit the supermarket are gods and being picked up and brought out of the store will bring them to the Great Beyond. Frank and Brenda await the day they’re chosen by the gods, and when the day finally comes, they fall out of the cart, lost in the supermarket, and must find their way home. Meanwhile, their friends continue to the Great Beyond, where they find out the horrible
truth of what happens to food when humans take them home. Like most of Seth Rogen’s work as of late, Sausage Party is designed strictly for the 30-and-under crowd, coming across like the dream project of a group of teenage boys. But the immature style of the film is the entire point; the juvenilia is what you expect, and what you get. Filled to the brim with cursing inanimate objects, bath salt drug binges, and a sophomoric heavy-handed existential theme, there’s little in here to appease the wine-and-cheese crowd. If the thought of watching hot dogs ride into battle on bottles of horseradish doesn’t amuse you, you most likely won’t enjoy the film. Although it starts out strong, the film loses its comedic steam when it leans on the tried-and true Hollywood plot structure of its middle act. Unlike South Park, whose genius lies in condensing traditional film plot structures and making fun of them, Sausage Party leans heavily and unsatirically on structure, and it feels like a missed opportunity to make fun of Disney and Dreamworks films that use the
same blueprints. Thankfully, the last act is an all-out blast with hands-down the year’s most bizarre sequence closing out the film. Trust me, you’ll know it when you see it. Setting aside the weak middle act, the film starts and ends on wonderfully high notes, complete with a great musical number and a dazzling battle. All parts are cast terrifically, although it’s a shame that it’s not much of an exaggeration to say that the majority of words that come out of these talented actors’ mouths is some iteration of “fuck”. It loses its comedic impact 5 minutes in after it’s been said 50 times. Sausage Party is typical at this point in Seth Rogen’s career. Along with The Night Before, The Interview, and Neighbors, he’s proven again and again that he’s talented enough to put together a wholly entertaining film. But Superbad and Pineapple Express are starting to seem more and more like distant memories, like bygone glory days. Rogen looks like he’s losing the ability to create something endlessly re-watchable.
9
Bill Simmons: The best thing to happen to sports TV since…ever BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief Sports journalism: in today’s world, the phrase is almost a misnomer, as the vast majority of sports writing is embarrassingly inept. Sports journalism, true journalism, is virtually nonexistent. The constant chest-thumping, male bravado perpetuated by ESPN and every other network is oftentimes nothing more than background noise in households. It’s a loud, loud world where seemingly the only way to be heard is to talk louder than your opponent. But turning the channel over to HBO’s Any Given Wednesday With Bill Simmons is akin to dipping in a calm lake after being tossed around in rough seas. Gone are the $5,000 dollar suits, gone is the constant need to talk over one another, and gone is the chaos and noise and clutter. Bill Simmons, a small, skinny, middle-aged white man dressed in what looks to be a $60 outfit, hosts the show. He is a direct antithesis to the mayhem of daytime SportsCenter. Soft-spoken and immensely intelligent, Simmons spends a good amount of time on
his show talking about the higher concepts in sports. Not strictly game-by-game analysis (although there is some of that), but about what sports mean to people; what sports, at its best, represent. In political terms, ESPN and Sportscenter are Donald Trump: loud, abrasive, proud of their inherent obnoxiousness. Bill Simmons is akin to Bernie Sanders: gentle, nonviolent. Simmons currently has his show split into three segments. The first segment involves, a brief introduction to what his show will be covering this week. In the second segment, Simmons interviews either current or former professional players spanning any and all leagues and sports. The final segment features an interview with a celebrity who may or may not be an athlete, and they talk about how sports impacted their lives. Unlike every other sports show in existence, Any Given Wednesday refuses to be background noise at your party. It demands to be seen with as much attention as any other television show. Bill Simmons proves, without a shadow of a doubt, that he’s the most intelligent man on sports television.
Check out our brand new website!
UNOdriftwood.com Featuring original video content, news, sports, features, entertainment, opinions and more
10
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
COMICS & PUZZLES
Guillermo‛s molding By: Delvonte Smith
Word Search Puzzle
Fo
Solutions for Distric
word search
sudoku L J J Y L J P P O B N E O A Q
X L W G L I E J H O O T U I Q
F O A C N C W O P O M A Z E R
G R T B N I M O C K E R G X R
BASKETBALL BASKETBALL BLACK BLACK BOOKSTORE BOOKSTORE CONFEDERATE FINANCE CONFEDERATE FRESHMAN HOMEGOING POKEMON SAUSAGE TOPS VAPING
L Q E A T E P P Y S K E N S V
H G N S G E Z A E T O D O J O
W I F O H R K B V O P E D R V
F Q I P H M C S C R H F T U A
E N A A Z P A K A E Y N M B R
FINANCE FRESHMAN HOMEGOING POKEMON
G K C A L B X N S B N O S R S
S A S U B U P D F Z Z C Z E T
T O E L L A B Y E L L O V T J
What We Offer S Q H P S A U S A G E R O D Q
E F D I M G Z X L U A P O Q D
L G V E S A M Y O Q S V G F R
SAUSAGE TOPS VAPING VOLLEYBALL
OPINION
EDITORIAL Journalism is not, should not be neutral If you ask a student “what should a newspaper should strive to be?” the word neutral would likely come up as one of the few defining characteristics of good journalism. The newspaper’s job is to report what happened and let readers decide where they stand. Fair, balanced, unbiased facts. While putting together this first issue of Driftwood, we knew we wanted the primary focus to be on Black Lives Matter, the defining social cause of the last two years, a cause that has been brought to the forefront of the nation’s attention this summer with the recent incidents of police brutality and the violent backlash against officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. The cause boils down to the idea that in America, there exists an institutionalized bias against blacks and other people of color in Amer-
ica, that there is a system in place that makes it easier to ascend the social and financial hierarchies of America if you are white, specifically if you are a white male. As we put together articles, sought out interviews, and assigned writers to specific topics, we knew we were tackling the issue from the angle that this prejudiced system exists. And that gave us pause. There is another side to this issue, a huge portion of the population that believes this system does not exist, that it’s a product of a paranoid, politically correct culture. To be totally neutral, we would need to collect interviews and write articles from this perspective. And we could not publish nor collect these ignorant, uninformed interviews in good conscience. The job of a journalist is not to
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2016
11
PERSPECTIVE
be objective, it is to report the truth. Should journalists give equal time to 9/11 conspiracy theories as they give to interviews with victim’s families? Or should a journalist stop an interview with a meteorologist to interview someone who claims that the sky is purple? Of course not, the idea is ridiculous. To stay completely neutral is to give false equivalence to ideas that do not deserve equal amount of time. Institutional racism is not an opinion or a theory. It is a fact. The recent police shootings have not been isolated incidents, they are indicative of a larger problem. This paper is not, and does not claim to be, neutral on all topics. Racism, hatred, and unfounded fear should not have equal time with love, inclusion and hope.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR New editor, new Driftwood BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief Welcome back! As Driftwood editor-in-chief, I would like to use this space in our first issue to address some changes we are implementing here at Driftwood for the coming year. First and foremost, we are extremely excited about our brandnew website, UNOdriftwood.com; a shining example of a contemporary student-news website, and we are thrilled to finally have a stylish, digital presence. All journalistic innovation is taking place on the Web, and Driftwood is happy to be part of that conversation. You will notice links to our new media platform “The Drift” on our website which will regularly feature short videos related to the University of New Orleans and the surrounding community. Alongside our digital makeover, we have upgraded our paper stock
and made some other adjustments along the way. You may have noticed several new, eye-pleasing newspaper stands around campus that are weather-proof and even have space for recycling. We are also expanding our coverage beyond campus events by putting an eye on national politics, events, and issues that directly impact our students. We no longer want Driftwood to have tunnel vision on strictly UNO’s events and issues. We are introducing new feature ideas as well. At least bi-weekly I will recommend a work of contemporary fiction that was recently released. This week is Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing, next week will be a review of Emma Cline’s The Girls. Literature is still an important part of our culture, a part far too often neglected by college students. And lastly, perhaps most importantly, we have changed how Driftwood thinks. I came in with the idea that each issue of Driftwood should
focus around one central topic. This week it’s Black Lives Matter. Next week, the focus is on drugs. Driftwood, as a weekly publication, has to be written with a different mindset from a daily newspaper. You are unlikely to first learn about major news events from us; but what we can do is present a unique interpretation of the major news events with an analysis provided by experts. We are looking for talented writers who believe in our vision to join our staff. We welcome those with writing backgrounds and those who just want to give journalism a try. We also encourage students to write to us if they have strong feelings, whether positive or negative, about one of our pieces, in a letter to the editor. We are looking forward to the upcoming year and to the changes that are happening. We hope you share our enthusiasm. Pick up our paper. Read it. You just might learn something.
Christopher Walker Editor-in-Chief driftwoodeditor@uno.edu
Anjanae Crump Managing Editor driftwood@uno.edu
Visuals Director | Grant Campbell • • • • • • driftwoodart@uno.edu Copy Editor | Mindy Jarrett • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • mjarrett@uno.edu Adviser | Vickie Kennedy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • vkennedy@uno.edu Reporters: Leo Castell & Nathan Nguyen Contributors: Roxanne Ardekani, Ariana Longoria & Fernando J. Saballos Illustrators: April Curran & Delvonte Smith Driftwood is produced solely by students of the University of New Orleans. Driftwood publishes every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters with the exception of holiday breaks and midterms/finals week. Editorials are the opinions of the Driftwood editorial staff and do not reflect the opinions of the University of New Orleans, its administration or staff. Letters to the Editor and columns are the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinion of the Driftwood editorial board. All letters to the Editor are subject to editing for length, style and grammar. Please limit letters to 500 words. Submissions can be emailed to driftwoodeditor@ uno.edu and must be sent no later than 5p.m. on the Monday before publication. 2000 Lakeshore Drive, UC 252, New Orleans, LA 70148 (504) 280-6377
COLUMN Confederate flag is hate, not heritage
BY LEO CASTELL Driftwood Staff One can’t look back on America’s checkered past and gloss over the uncomfortable parts. The same country that was built on the idea,
“all men are created equal,” clearly had footnotes on that statement. The short-lived Confederate States of America, after its failed coup attempt, was made to fall in line with the Union’s demands and the United States of America remained one country. Why is it then this dark chapter of American history endures, while emblems of Southern heritage are frequently celebrated among the populace, the most iconic of which is the Confederate flag? It’s important to recognize that the modern-day Confederate flag most people are familiar with never actually served as the national flag of the Confederacy. The
“Southern Cross” as it is known now, was actually the battle flag used by Robert E. Lee’s army of North Virginia. Two of the Confederacy’s three flags were pure white with the “Southern Cross” image in the top left-hand corner. Why then has this incarnation of the Confederate flag endured while others have faded into obscurity? Its resurgence into the mainstream is due to the use of the flag by the States’ Rights Democratic Party, or Dixiecrats, as they were known circa 1948. The Dixiecrats, a white supremacist party, were founded on principles that opposed desegregation in favor of Jim Crow Laws. This was
a time when the ideologies of the two major political parties were reversed; the nation had conservative Democrats and progressive Republicans. Though the Dixiecrats were ultimately short-lived, they had a long-term impact by planting seeds of what would become the Southern Strategy, a tactic used by post-civil-rights era Republicans to appeal to the racist underbelly of disenfranchised southern Democrats. And what better way to appeal to those people than with a flag that represented a bygone era built on the idea that whites were, by their nature, more whole than others? Those who choose to fly the
Confederate flag understand why people may find it offensive; yet they insist that the flag is strictly a symbol of southern heritage. They claim it no longer carries the stigma of racism and white supremacy. But they only know of the flag, they only fly it because of its reintroduction by white supremacists a relatively short time ago. Perhaps to some, the Confederate Flag really is just a symbol of southern heritage. But slavery and racism are also parts of that heritage; the south’s past is just a lesser part of the greater American history. One flag was on the side of slavery and the other was on the side of freedom.