The Xavier Herald @xulaherald
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
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Xavier University of Louisiana
New Orleans, La.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
Di v i s i o n o f B u s i n e s s Walk A Mile In Her Shoes: Denim Day 2017
Uber Changed My Life. For Real. by Wakeelah Ollie Contributing Writer My name is Wakeelah Ollie and I am a senior from Chicago. From the moment I stepped on campus, I was determined to major in Business Management then go on to get my law degree because I came to Xavier to become an attorney/sports manger. But all this changed when I became an Uber driver.
During December of my junior year, I decided that I needed a change. I moved into my own place, broke up with my boyfriend at the time and started tutoring. Everything was going well until school started back up and my schedule changed, which threw off my tutoring schedule and caused me to start losing clients. Living on my own was becoming too expensive, and I couldn’t find time to get a better job that would work with my schedule until my best friend from Chicago suggested that I give being an Uber driver a try—at least until I get back on my feet.
It was the perfect solution. As an Uber driver, I could set my own schedule and it solved my money problems. Uber allowed me to pick up deliveries or people based on my schedule. With the pay offered for the different Uber options, I could make the money I needed to cover my expenses—and more. With the arrival of Uber, it became not just a
chance to make extra money but also a chance to network. The people I met and the businesses I delivered gave information about what they do and also offered insight to make what I do better. The info was useful as I started to set up a routine and began to collect clients who would regularly use me to make sure I had money that would be coming in without worries.
by Breon Robinson Staff Writer One in 5 women, and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted while in college, and more than 90 percent of victims do not report the assaults. Sexual assault is an issue that happens worldwide between men and women, and April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault activists have been raising awareness about it since the ‘70s, but lawmakers have only recently began to acknowledge the month. April 2001 was the first time the U.S. has observed this month as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Denim Day, a campaign that honors Sexual Assault Awareness Month, was created in response to Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign was triggered by a ruling made by the Italian Supreme Court when a victim’s case was overturned due to her decision to wear
Uber changed my life and helped me see the entrepreneur aspects of being my own boss. With that in mind, I began to build with customer service as the focus to continue to grow my business. I can pick it up any week and make a guaranteed amount.
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tight jeans. The day after, women who were apart of the Italian Parliament wore tight jeans to work in solidarity with the victim. The group “Peace over Violence” started the Denim Day campaign, and every year in April for the last 18 years, it has continued as a symbol of protest against the attitudes toward sexual assault. Although this year’s Denim Day is April 26, Xavier is taking part by participating in the campaign a few days earlier, on April 19. Chantel Gant, a counselor at the Xavier Counseling and Wellness Center, said the group of counselors were concerned about student’s schedule conflicting with the 26. “We have the event on April 19 because we were concerned that students may have lab finals and be preparing for finals,” Gant said. “We did not want that to turn anyone away from the event. We know as it gets
closer to finals, it may be more high stress.” After the day’s activities there will be a panel discussion from 6-8p.m.in the Uc Gallery. It will speak on sexual assault with many local agencies present at the discussion. The Counseling and Wellness Center is also hosting an event called “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes,” which will be held on April 20th in the UC on the first floor from 3-5p.m. Gant said, “Anyone can participate in ‘Walk A Mile in Her Shoes.’ Really, the name of the event should be ‘Walk A Mile in My Shoes’ because anyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation can be impacted by sexual assault.”
Students can use Denim Day as a fashion statement, as well as a way to speak up on the attitudes towards sexual assault, and join them April 20 in ‘Walk A Mile In Her Shoes.’
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
HELPFUL TIPS TO AVOID STRESS OVERLOAD by Natese Dockery Photography Editor April is Stress Awareness Month, so with the end of the semester looming, it’s fitting for students to learn healthy coping skills. Common sense dictates most of the do’s and don’ts, but when was the last time you saw a stressed out student with common sense? Why are students stressed to the max? We procrastinate. Eat and drink too much of the wrong things. Worship caffeine. Take drugs we know we shouldn’t. Chew our finger nails to the nubs. Twirl our hair until it yanks free. Binge on Netflix. Yada. Yada. Yada. But seriously, take some time to reacquaint yourself with the “official, for sure” do’s and don’ts.
• Don’t procrastinate.
Do’s
Procrastination adds to stress and overloading. Eliminate distractions that get you off track: phones, friends, games, helicopter parents.
• Get enough sleep.
Students need 8 hours a night. Sleep allows the brain to rest and recharge—and process information.
• Don’t use alcohol or
• Take a nap. Can’t get
drugs to deal with stress. Remember those ads: this is what your brain looks like on drugs. Add alcohol to the scenario. Be smart.
those solid eight hours? Brain experts suggest either a 20-minute power nap or 90-minutes of uninterrupted sleep. No more, no less to avoid screwing with our natural sleep patterns.
• Eat smart. The saying “you are what you eat” couldn’t be any truer. What you eat directly affects ✔your brain and mood.
• Avoid artificial energy
• Exercise. Get some
fresh air. Exercise reduces stress by increasing endorphins in the brain. \
boosters. “Energy drinks” may give you a brief surge, but artificial means fake, unnatural. The brain needs rest to properly function. Turn to naps instead of fake stimulants.
• Exercise also enhances
• Get emotional support.
mood and improves our ability to sleep. Walk. Take the stairs. Shoot some baskets. Run. Just move.
Good relationships reduce stress and talking about our problems helps us feel better. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
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Don’ts • Don’t Cram. Don’t
overextend yourself. Take small breaks to give your brain time to process information.
• Don’t overindulge in
junk food. What you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and your mood. Healthy foods make for healthy brains.
For additional tips on coping with stress, contact the counseling center, 504.520.7315, send an email to counseling@xula. edu, or drop by the center in the St. Joseph Academic and Learning Center next to the UC.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
Confucius Institute to Host Louisiana-China Economic Forum by Dr. Yu Jiang Director, Confucius Institute Since 2008, Louisiana has ranked first in the U.S. in per capita foreign direct investment and China is the second largest investor in Louisiana, according to the Louisiana Economic Development office. China is also the largest export market for Louisiana, with nearly $8 billion in exports in 2016, thus sustaining thousands of jobs
related to trade with China. In this context, the Confucius Institute will host the Louisiana – China Economic Forum on Tuesday, April 25, from 10:45 a.m. to noon in the Convocation Annex, Room 111. The forum will focus on trade policy and practices between Louisiana and China, job opportunities related to such trade, and the skill sets students need to have for those jobs.
The Xavier Herald Staff
Forum speakers include Dr. Jose Bautista, J.P. Morgan Chase Endowed Professor of Economics at Xavier’s Division of Business; Karl Turner, President of A La Carte Specialty Foods; and Teddy Lee, Managing Director of Gulf Marine Products, CEO of Wild Ocean China, and Board Member of the UC Finance (China).
Spring 2017
Co-Editor-in-Chief: Kaelin Maloid Co-Editor-in-Chief: Nicholas Davison Managing Editor: Ayanna Robertson Photography Editor: Natese Dockery Web Content Manager: Mark Veals Graphic Design Nicholas Davison Chandler Rigby
The event is free to students and the general public.
Photographers Dat Le Kaelin Maloid Vashni Balleste Brooklyn Thibodeaux
Staff Writers
Ayanna Robertson Yen Ngyuen Joe Brown Breon Robinson Brooklyn Thibodeaux Ashley Harris
Contributing Writers Telvin Cambell
Faculty Adviser: Melinda L. Shelton 504.520.5096, mshelton@xula.edu
HERALD CONTACT INFORMATION
Herald Office: Email Stories: Advertising:
Xavier South, 112B 504.520.5096 herald@xula.edu 504.520.5096
The Xavier Herald is an award-winning newspaper produced by, for and about students at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, La. While The Herald is housed in the Department of Mass Communication, its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the department or Xavier University. The Herald is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and as such adheres to the collegiate journalists’ code of ethics. The Herald staff reserves the right to accept, edit, or refuse content.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
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“Tee Nada, Tee Nada”- XU Grad Vashni Balleste Finds Her Groove with Baby Dolls Biopic
by Brooklyn Thibodeaux Staff Writer When Xavier Mass Communication alumna Vashni Balleste undertook her first documentary, The Baby Dolls Preserving Culture, during Mardi Gras 2016, little did she know, recording, transcribing interviews and shooting b-roll would extend beyond her May 2016 graduation. Director of the documentary, Dr. Tia Smith, head of the department of Mass Communication, tweaked the documentary until it’s March premiere to a full house at the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans. Not only did Balleste learn a vast amount about her subjects, the iconic Baby Dolls, and their culture,
she also discovered the art of learning while on the job. “I learned a huge bit about myself making this doc,” Balleste said. “I was able to fill my artist void. I always knew I was an artist and like to create and connect with people, but with this project I was able to produce something with deeper meaning. Something that would make people feel a way at some point during the film and promote discourse”. “Any good artist searches for the ‘thing’ over and over again. Every project is like a cycle. Through the Baby Doll documentary, my purpose become more vivid to me and I knew the moment my passion for the story took over, causing me to complete the project and be present
Member of the Baby Dolls crew in her costume.
with the Baby Dolls.” The Baby Dolls Preserving Culture, tells just a portion of the decades-long history of the purely New Orleans Dolls. Through the use of interviews with various groups of Baby Dolls such as the Creole Belle Baby Dolls, Gold Digger Baby Dolls and the Wild Tchoupitoulas Baby Dolls, as well as their family members and friends, Vashni shows the complexity of what it truly means to be a Baby Doll. Everything in always peaches and cream in the life of Baby Dolls, the film also showcases the fuming rivalries between two Baby Doll groups the Creole Baby Dolls and The Renegade Rebel Baby Dolls is also represented. The Treme Million Dollar Baby Dolls,,The Black Storyville
Baby Dolls and The Golden Eagle Baby Dolls also contributed to the film. Under the direction of Dr. Tia Smith, and a budget of $0, 2015 Xavier grad Vashni Balleste alongside associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Kim Vaz-Deville succeeded in capturing the full essence of the newly revived Baby Dolls Carnival in the film. Dr. Kim Vaz- Deville was the perfect fit as Co-Producer, being that her 2013 book, The Baby Dolls: Breaking the Race and Gender Barriers of the New Orleans Mardi Gras Tradition, sparked the revival of these iconic figures. Dr. Tia Smith states that being and “African American woman and a storyteller, I am connected to those voices
that are disenfranchised and trying to make a name for themselves, I also grew up in the inter-city and I always felt like my story could never be told... so I understand that” as the driving force for creating this piece. Vashni pronounces that she would like Xavierites to take away “that they can do ANYTHING if they set their mind to it. It’s such a cliche but it’s true…I want Xavier students to try different things, be curious about the world and people and never be afraid to take risks”
Mama Pretty and The Creole Belle Baby Dolls parade through the streets of Treme.
Photos by Vashni Balleste
Baby Dolls show off their costumes down Treme street.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
X av i e r ’ s A c c l a i m e d J a z z E n s e m b l e Prepares for Two Fest Perform ances By Yen Nguyen Staff Writer Students who haven’t had the opportunity to immerse themselves in jazz music or who need a break from endof-semester stress can see Xavier’s jazz ensemble perform right on campus when Xavier University hosts its annual free jazz festival April 25-27. According to longtime ensemble director Dr. Tim Turner, the three-day event includes evening performances, guest musicians and workshops for students and the community. The university’s ensemble will perform Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in the Blanche M. Francis Music Building. Their set will be a tribute to Frank Foster and feature Donald Brown. They perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Presented by Shell on Saturday, April 29, at 12:20 p.m. on the Lagniappe Stage. Dr. Turner said he keeps his students motivated by selecting quality music by quality composers, and he also makes sure his students have fun with the performances by featuring solos and special riffs. During rehearsals, he is strict and meticulous, expecting nothing but perfection. However, he often makes jokes to keep a lively atmosphere—and to keep the musicians on their toes. He hopes these and other public performances help to prepare the students for their professional careers in music,
whether as a teacher, performer, or historian. He also hopes the students learn more about jazz music through this experience.
Students in the XU Jazz Ensemble volunteer to be part of the performances. Trumpet player Johnny Fisher says he and his colleagues strive to demonstrate the hard work they put into preparing for performances—and to show the community what Xavier has to offer. He practices when he completes his homework and studies, and even practices on the weekends with his bandmates. Sedrick Holmes, a trombonist, has been playing since middle school and hopes these and other XU performances will demonstrate his continuing improvement. Other ensemble members include: Dr. Marcus Ballard - Alto Saxophone; Maddison Boyd - Alto Saxophone; Markell Allen - Tenor Saxophone; Pierre Hall - Tenor Saxophone; Zachery Gaston - Baritone Saxophone; Dr. O’Neal Douglas – Trombone; Sedric Holmes – Trombone; Monica Rocco - Trombone/ Euphonium; Kevin Borne Bass Trombone/Tuba; Alijah Jett – Trumpet; Johnny Fisher – Trumpet; Shane Anderson – Trumpet; David Thomas – Trumpet; Caleb DeBose, - Acoustic Piano; Wayne Matthews – Drums; Ronald Davis - Electric Bass; Ajene Johnson – Guitar.
2017 Xavier University Jazz Festival Schedule All Events are Free, Open to Public Held in the Blanche M. Francis Music Building Tuesday, April 25 @ 7 p.m. Traditional Jazz Day with Dr. Michael White & The Original Liberty Jazz Band Wednesday, April 26 @ 7 p.m. Contemporary Jazz Day with the Edward “Kidd” Jordan Group Thursday, April 27 @ 7 p.m. Frank Foster Tribute by the Xavier University Jazz Ensemble, featuring Donald Brown; Tim Turner, director. Thursday, April 27 Clinic/Workshop Artists Day @ noon to 4 p.m. Music business seminar, noon to 12:50 p.m. Louis Hilliard, moderator; panel of music business representatives Featured musician workshops Dr. Michael White: 1-1:50 p.m. Edward “Kidd” Jordan: 2-2:50 p.m. Donald Brown: 3-3:50 p.m.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
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Black LGBTQ Photo Exhibit in UC Makes Xavier History E n c o u r a g e s V i s i t o r s t o ‘ S e e ’ T h e i r H u m a n i t y, S a m e n e s s
Morgan greeted guests at the unveiling ceremony. “If you take away anything from this work, leave with this: When you see these pictures on these walls, I want you to see a human inside of these people. See them for who they are, not just how they identify. SEE them! And when you really see them, you will see yourself,” Morgan said.
by Brooklyn Thibodeaux Staff Writer The Xavier University Center gallery was filled to capacity for the April 4, 2017, unveiling of the New Orleans People Project: New Orleans Black Pride Edition exhibit by award-winning photographer Gus Bennett Jr. The self-guided photo exhibit will be open through May 4 and has accompanying podcasts featuring the exhibition’s participants at www.xula.edu/nolablackpride/ podcast.html. Xavier professors, Dr. Kimberly Chandler obtained a grant for the project and assisted her mentee/student Andre’ Morgan in getting the project off the ground with Bennett and the portrait subjects.
“Working with Andre’ on this aspect of a larger research project focused on the African American LGBTQ community is a wonderful opportunity to visibly demonstrate our commitment to, and recognition of, this great community of freedom fighters’ historic legacy of social justice advocacy,” Chandler said.
She continued, “This is an exhibition that allows everyone to see themselves in every photograph on the wall of the UC first floor gallery. Isn’t that our heart’s desire? Don’t we all just want to be seen for who we are in this world? If we are to create a more just and humane society, it starts with expanding our
Wendi, left, and partner S. Mandisa Moore-O’Neal celebrate the unveiling of their portrait.
L-R: CAS Dean Anil Kukreja, Dr. Kimberly Chandler, Dr. Marguerite Giguette, Dr. Joe Melcher, and Sister Monica, SBS
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spiritual, emotional and intellectual capacity to see—not tolerate—see in a way that allows us to accept, affirm— and dare I say even love—the gift that is humanity. My hope is that this work will challenge all of us to see our African American LGBTQ Brothas and Sistas in just this way,” Chandler said.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
Si er r a Bl a n c h a r d - Hod g e S ay s Bryan Redmond: XU will ‘Btransparent’ Farewell to Being SGA President To the Xavier University of Louisiana student Body:
To my Beloved Xavierites,
It seems like not too long ago I was being sworn in as the 2016-2017 Student Government Association President. I will admit that I was more nervous than excited, but I was honored above all. I was honored to serve a university that had given so much to me and helped me become the woman that will be graduating on May 13th, 2017 at 10am in the Convocation Center (but who’s keeping tabs). I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of the position, but I made the promise to myself that when it was all said and done I would have given it my all.
I write you from the third floor study room of St. Martin De Porres Residence Hall, with a bowl of pistachios to the left of my laptop and PowerAde at my lips. I am elated. Thank you for supporting my candidacy as Student Government Association President 20172018. I hope this letter assures the expectations you have for me.
A year later, I can say that I kept my promise. I won’t say that being SGA President is the most glamorous job, but I will say it is the most humbling and rewarding. There were many times I shied away from telling people what my position was, but I remembered that the student body choose me to be an ambassador for their institution and to do anything less would be a disservice. I have had the privilege of representing the university in a number of spaces and have not taken this honor lightly. I’ve enjoyed talking about our rich history, family-like atmosphere, and academic XUllence with those who were not privileged enough to know Xavier the way I do. I can say with confidence that Xavier has been and will continue to be a premier institution. When I look back over the year and remember the things we’ve gone through together, some memories make me laugh and some make me cry, but all make me proud to have served as your Student Government President. We’ve practiced with the XU Swim Team, but have also begun making prominent changes with our wireless system and our dining services. We regained a former Gold Rush player into our family as Head Men’s Basketball Coach and suffered the devastating loss of our Chief of Police. We’ve been honored on a number of national platforms, while continuing to be a valuable lifeline to our local communities. As a university known for having dedicated faculty and staff and for producing leaders in a number of professional fields, we have continued the vision of our founder, St. Katharine Drexel “to promote a more just and humane society”. I have no shame in saying I became teary-eyed writing this letter. Parting with such a highly respected positioned at a well-known university to not an easy task. But I hope that my time serving will leave a legacy that will continue on long after my name is no-longer mentioned. Xavier University of Louisiana, I have given you my all and I hope I have served you well. And to my successor Mr. Bryan Redmond, I know you will do well. This university deserves nothing but your best and soon you will see that, if you have not already.
My experience in social justice began my junior year in high school. I served as an AmeriCorps Service member at the nonprofit BRIDGES, Inc. I was honored to facilitate a curriculum that focused on diversity inclusion, racial justice, student involvement, teambuilding, and critical thinking to students of various backgrounds across the Greater Memphis area. My primary responsibility, though, was to survey students in the Shelby County Schools (SCS) system, using Participatory Action Research methodologies, on the issues they wanted to see addressed in their schools. I have been trained in and applied Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Steps to Nonviolent Social Change to devise, write, campaign for, and pass a policy through the county’s school board that connected students in the SCS system to decision makers: school board members. I hope to utilize such experience to create positive change at our beloved University. The leading principle of our campaign was, colloquially, Btransparent, or “be transparent”. I am confident, with your collaboration, that this is an excellent starting point for progress at Xavier. My goal is to make clearer the decision making, institution shaping processes on our campus. Expect this mechanism in the fall. Furthermore, as your liaison to the President and representative on the Board of Trustees, I will ensure you are connected and your voice is heard, with an especially tuned ear to those that are not the loudest. Over the last three years I have been involved in a variety of University activities. They span cultural, recreational, academic, and spiritual boundaries. I have dapped, cried, hugged, laughed, and shaken hands with Xavierites on student and administrative levels. There is a tremendous amount of love in the hearts of a diverse body of people for Xavier University of Louisiana. To Sierra, the shoes you left me are spacious! In them, though, I step on solid ground. Thank you for establishing such a foundation for me, functioning as my mentor as I enter Presidency, and showing me what it truly means to love XU. I love Xavier too and I am grateful to be your ambassador. Thank you.
With Peace and Gratitude, Bryan Vincent Redmond SGA President Elect, 2017-2018 Junior, Psychology Pre-Medical
God Bless You and God Bless Xavier University of Louisiana, Sierra Blanchard-Hodge President 2016-2017 Student Government Association *drops mic*….Sierra out.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
Learn How to Help Stop Sex Trafficking with an App by Ashley Harris Contributing Writer We all remember the “never walk anywhere on campus or around campus by yourself” speech, right? It should definitely ring some sort of bell because each year Xavier University Police Department officers and XU housing directors host a mandatory meeting explaining the dangers of being a young woman in the city of New Orleans, La. But there’s more to New Orleans than its abounding culture and stellar nightlife.
main elements to trafficking: the act (what is done to recruit, transport, transfer, harbor or receive human beings), the means (how it is done using threats of or actual violence, force, coercion, abduction, buying, exploiting vulnerable human beings), and the purpose of “exploitation, which includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or similar practices and the removal of organs.” In 2015, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center was notified of 5,973 cases of human trafficking and of those, 4,142 were sex
the TraffickCam application. The TraffickCam app enables anyone to combat sex trafficking with just the touch of a button. Since traffickers regularly post photographs of their victims posed in hotel rooms for online advertisements, the Traffickcam app works to identify these rooms, so these photographs can be used as evidence to find and prosecute the perpetrators of these crimes. In order to use these photos, however, investigators must be able to determine where the photos were taken. And this is where the Traffickcam app comes into
introduced me to the app, which led to this story. For years, Ritter has personally made sure that the hotels her company hosts events at are trafficker-free and signed onto ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) USA. Her national connections linked her with the students from Washington University in St. Louis, who were in the process of making a database that could be open to the general public. Their interactions led to the creation of the TraffickCam app. Hughes is a member of the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, which uses Nix Meeting and Management Company to organize their conferences. Sister Barbara was one of the first to hear that the application was finally finished with beta testing and was now available to the public. “Since New Orleans is often a center for trafficking, I felt that thousands of students downloading a simple app could easily bring down this growing evil and raise awareness of its presence in our communities,” Hughes said. Kristina Hicks, a sophomore here at Xavier, downloaded the application because anything could happen.
New Orleans is a booming tourist destination—and a major hub for human trafficking. The U.S. Department of Justice ranks NOLA at #11 on its list of human trafficking hotspots.
related (polarisproject.org). In 2015, Louisiana, tallied 244 documented cases of human trafficking, with 47 of those in New Orleans, according to the Louisiana Department of Social Services.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as “the action or practice of illegally transporting people from one country or area to another, typically for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.”
TraffickCam app developed
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime explains that there are three
To reduce these astounding numbers, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and representatives from the Exchange Initiative, an organization committed to combating commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and to providing resources, information and networking solutions to combat sex trafficking in the United States, created
play. The purpose of TraffickCam is to create a database of hotel room images that an investigator can efficiently search, in order to find other images that were taken in the same location as an image that is part of an investigation, according to traffickcam.com. Here at Xavier University, Sister Barbara Hughes, a beloved professor in the history department, learned about the TraffickCam app from Kimberly Ritter, a senior account manager of the Nix Meeting and Management Company. Hughes then
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“There have been plenty of times that I’ve lost sight of my friends in the French Quarter and had a random guy slide up beside me offering a drink,” Hicks said. “I know not to take that drink, but some people don’t and are taken [kidnapped] as a result. If it were me, I’d be grateful that there was something out there that made it easier to find me and lock my captors up.” Gabrielle Gaston, a junior at Xavier, downloaded the application because “it’s a way to take an active part in combatting trafficking without any real complications. It’s basically an easy way to save lives,” she said.
If you are interested
in taking a stand against trafficking, simply search TraffickCam in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and it will be the first application on the page. After downloading and installing the app, open it. The application will open to a page where you can enter the name of the hotel you are staying at and the room number. Under these entries there will be four camera icons. You can submit your photos by tapping on those icons and if you are not sure of what pictures to take, the application explains what would be the best angles to shoot. After uploading the pictures, you will submit images and there you have it. Your photos have been catalogued into a database to help investigators link rooms to sex trafficking ads. The app is free so anyone can download it and is compatible for most mobile devices including iPad, and iPod touch. You can always upload photos onto the Traffickcam website, traffickcam.com and can also learn more about the Exchange Initiative on their website, exchangeinitiative.com.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
Xavier Gets First in HBCU-CFE Contest by Breon Robinson Staff Writer Recently, Xavier’s Counseling and Wellness Center won a national contest between many HBCUs. The contest, which was through the HBCU Center for Excellence, held a campaign on behavioral health with a poster or video contest. Xavier, who entered the poster contest, won 1st place on their poster that dealt with body image and self esteem. Chantel Gant, one of the counselors at the center, gave a rundown about the contest and what the center of excellence is about, as well as Jameshaulyn Fernandez, an HBCU-CFE intern who came up with the theme of the award-winning poster.
Gant also mentioned how though this grant, schools who are involved get to host workshops on many various topics. “We’ve had workshops before on college health, relationships, misogyny with music, suicide prevention, etc,” Gant added. Gant also mentioned how two of the HBCU-CFE interns on our campus, Fernandez and Ilia King, were very instrumental in putting together the awardwinning body image poster.
She went on to explain this yearly contest saying, “With the HBCU program, they do a PSA campaign for the year. Xavier has won second place in the past for an eating disorder one, and also XUFitness did a video where they also won “The HBCU-CFE Grant, or the second place for fitness. It’s a PSA campaign for each college HBCU Center for Excellence that is part of the HBCU-CFE is a center that is based at the Morehouse School of Medicine,” grant where they can do a print campaign or a video, so it can Gant said. “The grant has been be any form of electronic media, around since 2009, allowing with any form of creativity.” students from various HBCUs to become interns at behavioral Fernandez also helped come health agencies.”
up with the body image poster design. “My partner (Ilia King) and I wanted women to build and improve self esteem, body image, and have a sense of confidence,” Fernandez said. “We wanted them to feel comfortable in their bodies and embrace their beauty.” As for where they got the theme from, “Magazines are widely viewed. The cover is the most important piece because it gives the targeted audience a glimpse on what the magazine will be about. The image itself is very important as well, making it what attracts the eye of the audience,” Fernandez said.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
F or u m to A d d r e s s W h y O v e r d o se D e at h s N o w O u t- n u m be r H o m i c id e s by Natese Dockery Photo Editor Statistics tell a somber story: Overdose deaths have surpassed homicides in Louisiana, and New Orleans leads the state in drug-related deaths. According to Orleans Parish Coroner Jeffrey Rouse, in 2016 New Orleans experienced a surge in drug-related deaths, which surpassed the city’s abysmal homicide rates. Rouse reported that in 2016: •
Accidental drug-related deaths were more than double those in 2015.
•
There were 211 drugrelated deaths compared to 92 in 2015.
•
Toxicological analysis in most drug-related deaths revealed the presence of multiple drugs.
•
•
Opiates were discovered in 166 drug-related deaths, compared to 81 in 2015. Within this group of accidental opiaterelated deaths in New Orleans, there was a more than threefold increase in the frequency of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.
•
48 persons died accidentally with fentanyl in their system, compared to 13 in 2015.
•
Cocaine was present in 105 accidental drug-related deaths in 2016 as compared to 34 in 2015.
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Methamphetamines/ amphetamines were present in 18 accidental drug-related deaths in compared to 4 in 2015.
•
Males represent 80 percent of the drug-
related deaths. •
African-Americans were 45 percent of drug-related deaths in 2016, compared to 28 percent in 2015.
“New Orleans is in the midst of an accelerating public health crisis of drug-related deaths, driven chiefly but not exclusively by the ongoing national opiate epidemic,” Rouse said. “Medically, expanding access to all levels of addiction treatment is the solution—before persons end up in my office.” To address the steady increase in drug overdose deaths, Xavier is hosting a community forum on Thursday, April 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Pharmacy Auditorium. Panelists in the forum, “Truth behind the numbers: Why Overdose Deaths Have Surpassed Homicides in Louisiana,” include Michael Cartwright, CEO for the American Addiction centers; Roy Ary Emergency Medicine Specialist, Jessica Johnson Associate profes-
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sor at Xavier’s College of Pharmacy, Thomas Maestri Clinical Assistant Professor at Xavier’s college of Pharmacy and Howard Wetsman Chief Medical officer for Townsend. Johnson wants Xavier students especially to attend the forum because they can benefit personally from a fact-based understanding of the disease, scope and causes of the problem, and resources for addicted persons. Johnson continued by saying she would like Xavier students to be in attendance because each generation offers their own unique perspective on the problem and solutions, and students can contribute to the conversation in a way that leads to real change. Maestri says the biggest takeaway from the forum is realizing that not every person that does drugs or is addicted to them is a bad person. We have to realize they are family members, friends, or loved ones that have been placed in an unfortunate situation that has predisposed them to the
risk of being affected by this epidemic. Knowledge on addiction and overdose are imperative to the demise of this epidemic and this forum will serve as a platform for spreading the necessary knowledge to students and the community on this issue. For more information contact Joy Sutton, Public Relations Manager for the American Addictions Center, jsutton@contactaac. com.
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April 11, 2017 - May 14, 2017
Snaps David Whitfield strolls during Springfest picnic.
Photos by: Kaelin Maloid
Collin Davis strolls to “Knuck if You Buck” during Springfest picnic.
XULA student falls during a game of “Battle of the Sexes” tug of war.
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