The Kent Stater - March 2-5, 2017

The

Kent Stater 3/2 – 3/5

FLASHIN’

FASHION Stitching together the fabric of KSU’s fashion legacy

Features Edition

THE WEEKEND GUIDE TO ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND STUDENT LIFE

Rodgers and Silverman: The storied lives of Kent State’s influential fashion duo Alum Denzel Washington, last year’s Rock the Runway host, poses in the Franklin Hall photo studio on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016. Photo courtesy of Matt Baker

Payton Moore Features Correspondent

In 1982, a pair of donors gave Kent State a gift that stunned residents, students and fashion collectors worldwide. Jerry Silverman and Shannon Rodgers donated more than 5,000 artifacts, costumes and accessories to the aptly-named Kent State University Museum.

Today, students are greeted with lifelike sculptures of the duo upon walking into Rockwell Hall, but many are left curious as to the lives that led to one of the defining moments of the university.

A kid from Ohio

Shannon Rodgers. Photo courtesy of Kent State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives.

Rodgers was born in 1911 in Newcomerstown, Ohio, and began his career in fashion by styling costumes for plays and musicals at the Cleveland Playhouse. Shortly after, Rodgers transitioned under Bergman Studio in New York after a colleague told him, “Look, you’ve gotta get out of Cleveland, go to New York.”

Shortly after assisting scenery and costumes in the play “The Warrior’s Husband” (starring Katharine Hepburn), Rodgers was contracted by filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, who asked the producers,

Rock the Runway to revive Roaring '20s on Saturday

A model showcases one outfit from Rhinestone Revolution, the winning collection by Kelly Nieser at Rock the Runway on March 5, 2016. Deidre Pulley / The Kent Stater

Paige Miller Fashion Reporter At Kent State's 13th annual Rock the Runway fashion show this weekend, students will travel back in time to make the twenties roar again.

Students of all majors participate in the annual show and showcase unique designs throughout the event.

The winner for the best design will receive $2,500 toward fall tuition, and the audience choice winner will win a $500 gift card to Mood Fabrics in New

York, the acclaimed fabric store featured on "Project Runway."

The show is scheduled to take place on Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Kent State Student Center Ballroom.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to inspire and involve students all over campus who have an interest in design,” said Sydney Sheets, a junior theatre studies major. “A theme like the '20s involves crucial detailing. The designs are going to be impeccable.” pmille39@kent.edu

“Who did the ornament on the Greek costumes?”

They told him, “A kid from Ohio.”

Under DeMille, Rodgers worked in the costume industry during the ‘30s, assisting in designing scenery on some of Hollywood’s biggest sets like “Cleopatra” and “The Adventures of Marco Polo.” Rodgers was dressing the Golden Era’s leading ladies — but was drafted for the war, which put his creativity on hold.

He returned to Hollywood eager to change positions and study jobs. One day while visiting New York City, walking down the street in his uniform, an old friend stopped him.

Museum Director Jean Druesedow said the friend pointed at the building they stood under and said, “You know, there’s a guy hiring upstairs in this building. You really ought to go in and see him.”

Rodgers said no.

Until he heard who the man in the building was.

Martini designed

In 1938, Silverman left the Levy, Kraus and Lehman law firm — despite graduating from Harvard Law School at the age of 16 and began working as an assisting designer for Martini Designed, a clothing company.

SEE FASHION / PAGE 2

Jerry Silverman. Photo courtesy of Kent State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives.

Hard work pays off as fashion alumna finds success Rachel Duthie Student Life Reporter Blake Campbell moved to New York City with no money and no job. It was 2015, and she’d graduated from Kent State with her fashion merchandising degree two weeks earlier. Her family did not favor the decision, but Campbell didn’t care — to her, it was the only way to begin her career.

Three years later, she is working as an assistant merchandiser at the Ann Taylor LOFT corporate office.

The journey to get there, however, wasn’t as glossy as one might expect.

“It really opened my eyes to what I was getting myself into,” Campbell said. “It’s a really fast-paced environment and it’s not as glamorous as people might seem to think.”

Campbell is among many alumni who defy the stereotypes of the fashion industry with gritty, exhausting and sometimes not-so-vogue work.

“Most of us are not pulling designer samples out of a closet and wearing Louboutins to our jobs every day,” Campbell said. “There is a lot more to it.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of

fashion designers is projected to grow three percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average of all occupations.

The outlook for fashion merchandisers is even lower, with employment for purchasing managers only growing one percent.

"I'm scared of the competitive nature of the industry, although I'm also excited for it," said Danielle Ritter, a freshman fashion merchandising major. "I believe it's all about meeting the right people and getting into the company I most like."

Despite New York City being the second best city for fashion, at first, Campbell could not find a job in her field. She said she was so desperate for money that she spent her first several months working at Designer Shoe Warehouse, now called DSW Inc. “It typically takes eight months to a year for someone to get started in the industry,” said Tameka Ellington, assistant professor of fashion design. “It all depends on the economy, as the fashion industry relies a lot off that.”

It isn’t as reminiscent of "The Devil Wears Prada" either, with sleek offices full of employees who spend all day picking and choosing their favorite clothes. "It's not that fluffy,"

Ellington said.

Computer work, Excel spreadsheets and lots of numbers are what Campbell — and a lot of first hires — had when starting in the industry.

As an assistant merchandiser, Campbell is responsible for developing each seasonal collection for Ann Taylor LOFT. She sources the best materials at the best value, finding pieces that fit in with the brand.

Her occupation requires so much math that she finds herself constantly looking back at her retail notes from her day as an undergraduate at Kent State.

“I think we don’t get credit for that work and we are made out to be shallow, materialistic people,” Campbell said. "I love the argument that fashion isn't a real major, because it's not true."

The fashion industry isn't to be viewed as abysmal, though, Ellington said.

"There is real money to be made in fashion," Ellington said. "A lot of money, actually. This is a real career that pays the same tolls as any other occupation." rduthie@kent.edu

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FASHION Rodgers and Silverman...

During his time at Martini Designed, he rose to vice president and subsequently hired Rodgers to serve as a designer for almost 10 years.

In 1949, Silverman began his own line with Rodgers, named “Jerry Silverman.” Their concept? Market with mom-and-pop stores the same way they treat the high-end department stores and create better women’s clothing.

“And everybody liked him,” Druesedow said. “The business was really, really booming.”

Shannon’s innovative mindset was focused on creating a dress for the American woman that enabled her to never need assisting hands while styling herself. He created simple, functional dresses that were an immediate success in the industry due to the American woman’s lifestyle in the ‘50s.

In the 1959 first-season line, eight of the dresses created at “Jerry Silverman” grossed over half a million dollars.

Old Hollywood dreams die hard

With the line’s substantial financial receivings, Rodgers couldn’t help but still be enthralled with the costume industry.

Cora Ginsburg, a major dealer in antique costuming, became Rodgers’ close friend and accomplice in purchasing antique costumes in excellent condition. Rodgers and Silverman rented out a specific loft in Chelsea, New York, just

The Kent Stater to house their collection.

Over the course of the next 15 years, Rodgers — and sometimes Silverman — collected more than 4,000 garments, accessories, historic artifacts and over 5,000 books.

Druesedow laughed, quoting one of Rodgers’ friends and sellers Madeleine Ginsburg. “‘Shannon, of course you can buy that. But it’s like dope. Completely addictive. First you buy one, then you buy two, then you buy four,’” Druesedow said. “‘Then you trade two for four more. And for goodness sake, don’t do accessories, and don’t do ethnographic pieces’ — which of course he did.”

Druesedow said there was no question that the collection would be one of the finest in private hands. The line was successful, Rodgers’ eye kept the collection’s value increasing and then, Silverman was diagnosed with cancer.

A large donation in small-town Kent

With the news of Silverman’s cancer, Rodgers set out to place their collection in a museum strongly attracted to his home state in Ohio. The two sold the business and began by contacting the Newcomerstown Historical Society. After speaking with an old friend from his high school in need of fundraising, he was convinced to put on a fashion show tied to Kent State.

Brage Golding, president of Kent State at the time, was thrilled with the idea of mending not only relations between the Kent town and university, but also felt intrigued at how the public responded to the fashion show.

“Brage recognized the real possibility of bridging a chasm,” Druesedow said. “He

offered a curriculum in fashion design and merchandising that would utilize the collection. And Shannon said yes.”

But where on campus would the collection idealistically fit? Druesedow said that Golding offered the possibility of Moulton Hall. Shannon looked around Golding’s office, which at the time was the University Library, and said there would be fine.

The two appraised their collection through the State of Ohio at $5.3 million and granting that same amount to renovate the library into what is now known as the Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising. Their work was completed and the building officially opened on Sept. 27, 1985.

The museum today

Rodgers and Silverman’s friend Geneva Damron has helped sustain the ongoing process of keeping the museum fresh, innovative and appealing to the masses.

In 1978 and 1980, Damron visited Silverman and Rodgers in their New York City apartment to discuss the gift to the university. She described her visits as always memorable.

Damron said the men were advanced not only in their own style, but for all that exists: friends, movie stars, fine dining, social galas and, of course, clothing.

“To date, I am privileged to have the opportunity to support the gem of Kent State University: the Fashion School and the (Kent State University) Museum,” Damron said. “Jerry and Shannon would be proud of what they have become in 2017.”

Silverman died of cancer in October

Student team pioneers wearable distress tech Nicholas Kotch Consumer Tech Reporter Two Kent State fashion design majors incorporated safety into fashion during this year’s Fashion Tech Hackathon with their hands-free distress technology.

Sophomore Elizabeth Tarleton and junior Olivia Pickard teamed with Connor Stout, a University of Pittsburgh applied mathematics major, for the 36-hour challenge that began Friday, Jan. 27.

“We knew who our team was before we even got there,” Pickard said. “While everyone else was formulating their teams, we were already looking at the technology and fabric we could use.”

“The idea for the garment came together during the first couple hours of the Hackathon,” Tarleton said. “Originally, we wanted a mini Taser to be located on the wrist for warding off an attacker, but the project just evolved as we worked on it.”

The product, later deemed “An Eve Without Adam,” consists of a piece of conductive plastic underneath the leaves on the neckline and a piece on the wrist. These pieces are connected through a battery pack and a series of small single-board computers called Raspberry Pi. “If we had the technology available, we could have easily made it wireless,” Pickard said, “which would be ideal, because having wire running against you all night could prove to be very uncomfortable.”

When the wrist connects with the neckline for a two-second time period — just long enough to remain inconspicuous while in the public eye — an SOS message is sent to a predetermined phone number.

“A lot of people went the protection route,” Tarleton said. “We took more of an uncomfortable situation route.”

Currently, the technology is not affiliated with a mobile app, but it is a perfectly feasible idea, according to the team. If paired with an app, users could change the message sent and the recipients beforehand.

“We considered having different leaves on the dress be able to send different messages, or multiple conductors that would allow for various gestures,” Tarleton said.

The technology can also be applied to men’s clothing, accessories or a child’s backpack, and is not limited to specifically “in distress” situations.

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Tarleton

“If you have issues with anxiety, the product can also be used for that,” Pickard said. “Maybe you’re having an anxiety attack but you don’t want to draw attention to yourself and need to alert someone.”

The team was awarded best use of technology in creating new fashion products at this year's Hackathon.

The team is in the process of working out a patent for the dress.

“I think patenting the product is a great idea," Tarleton said. "It could be a nice side company for us.” nkotch@kent.edu

1984, less than one year before the museum opened. Rodgers lived to witness the museum coming to fruition, passing in 1996. Rodgers, during the museum’s first impactful years, couldn’t have been happier seeing the collection used and studied.

And that is Druesedow’s work: studying the pair. Having to describe Rodgers in a single word, she chose “showman.”

“I was here for the last few years of Shannon’s life,” she said. “(Every day at) noon, I would pick him up and we would (eat) lunch at the Pufferbelly, and I would hear tales and gleam at all of the stories.”

Current faculty at the museum note that the influence of Rodgers is evident — despite the museum’s history and the ever-evolving world of fashion.

“Much of the collection is shaped by (Rodgers’) interests and ideas. The furniture from their apartments is still part of the collection. Shannon also had a distinctive style in how he presented the exhibitions,” said Sara Hume, associate professor and museum curator. “He was very ostentatious and there are lots of things in the room where we prepare mannequins that we still find that have his style: extra bows and flounces of lace.”

For those still heavily involved in the museum today, the legacy of Rodgers and Silverman lives strong in a place many would never have dreamed fashion would exist.

“My favorite part is having the opportunity to provide people with a chance to see things and learn things that they otherwise wouldn’t have exposure to,” Hume said. pmoore22@kent.edu

Study abroad program provides unique fashion experiences Paige Miller Fashion Reporter Fashion students at Kent State have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fashion capitals of the world, while also pursuing their degree through education abroad programs in New York City and Florence, Italy.

Cooper Robar, a sophomore fashion design major, said he decided to study in Florence during the Fall 2017 term because of the city’s history, culture and art.

“I'm really inspired by Italian fashion from the Baroque and Rococo time periods," Robar said. "The idea of incorporating that into modern and contemporary fashion is such an interest of mine. Where else to learn a lot more about it than the place it came from?"

Students studying in Florence are located in the birthplace of many fashion empires, including Gucci, while students in New York study in the heart of the Garment District. As part of both programs, Robar said students are allotted more time for their coursework in order to focus on other career-propelling and culturally-enriching opportunities.

“I heard Florence is a very lenient program, and they understand that you're going to be traveling, so they give more time for due dates to accommodate you,” Robar said.

Enya Hennings, a junior fashion merchandising major who is currently studying in New York City, said she wanted more fashion experience after returning from London, so she decided to travel to New York.

“One of my favorite parts about the New York program are the professors. They have such an array of experiences and are the type who have settled down to teach after having

The following article was contributed by A Magazine, Kent State’s student-run fashion publication. Read more online at theamag. com, and look for its print issue on stands now.

Trends are in the air for spring and a new, improved wardrobe might be in order for the warmer upcoming months. Out on the streets, Kent State students are defining this spring season with some new pops of color, tried-and-true streetwear and classically refined denim — and so are attendees of Fashion Month.

According to Glamour, “Three designers — Balenciaga, Céline and Valentino each showed some pretty lust-worthy pink dresses. And they weren't your average rosy hues.” With some impactful names repping the pastel pink, could it be this season's “it” color?

Vibrant colors have been on the rise since New York’s Fashion Week, and according to The Doneger Group, “The vernal season is known to have a positive effect on people's moods and this time, bright is right.”

A joyful color scheme evokes easy and dreamy vibes to any outfit, whether you’re strutting it in Milan, London, Paris, New York or Kent, Ohio.

“When it comes to talking about pink, I think we have been in a cycle where pink has been a big color

in fashion for a while,” said Connie Marsh, a faculty member in fashion design and merchandising. “It’s been a little more focused on that soft pink or blush pink, but I do agree that we are moving toward the hot pink being a big color.”

Marsh explained that she thinks different versions of pink over the last few years are going to drive its ongoing popularity and that the transition into hot pink is a “natural evolution.”

Sophomore fashion merchandising major Adelaide Derosia Fenn said a passion for visual expression is essential to her. She describes her style as a blend of trendy and feminine. Her ideal outfit? A cropped sweater paired with high-waisted jeans.

Fenn loves her black, but doesn’t neglect colorful pastels like pink, shown through her street style. For her, it’s all about the preppiness, edginess and everything in between.

Streetwear, or urban fashion, has taken hold on the runways and in Kent. There's a large focus on not just abstract designs and colors, but functionality for a person on the go, and the collision of print, color and texture.

For Cooper Smith, a freshman fashion merchandising major, ready-to-wear is his goal.

“I want to start up a label and eventually move to Fairfax, California,” Smith said. “A lot of streetwear fashion is originated from the L.A. area and the strip on Fairfax is a very high-end streetwear clothing area with expensive boutiques like that.”

Smith said he aims to start out selling products like shirts, hoodies, pullovers and jackets. The influence for these pieces, and his brand overall, will be from some

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incredible careers in fashion,” Hennings said. “Learning from them has been one of the most enriching and worthwhile parts of my experience.”

Hennings said the transition from Kent to a big city is overwhelming at first for most students in the program.

“The coursework in the beginning was pretty light, but relevant. As the semester (has) gone on though, the pressure has definitely increased to get projects done,” Hennings said.

“Deadlines have shortened as we've adjusted to living here.”

Students interested in either program must complete a study abroad application, and while most students are placed in their desired city, some choose to participate in both programs.

Margaret Manning, a senior fashion merchandising major, spent the Fall 2016 term in New York City and decided to study in Florence immediately following for the current Spring 2017 term.

“I chose both because I wanted to gain an experience outside of Kent’s fashion world," Manning said. "There's a different aspect of fashion from state to state and country to country. I had to see it firsthand."

Ultimately, Manning said whether students choose to study in New York or Florence, the opportunities surpass experiences in a typical classroom and create an irreplaceable memory.

“I think Italy has been the biggest breakthrough. New York was an amazing adventure, but it didn't even come close to what I have experienced in Italy,” Manning said. “Italian fashion is authentic and holds history. Being here brings a new light into my love for fashion. It ignites an undiscovered interest I never knew I needed to know.” pmille39@kent.edu

KSU Street Style: pink and denim Payton Moore and Olivia Orolin Editor-in-Chief and A Magazine Reporter

The

of his favorite brands, like Supreme, Stussy and Bape.

During fashion week, we watched Dion Lee, Public School and Marc Jacobs tip their hats to the influence of hip-hop culture — a punk, hip-hop vibe that a younger generation will be drawn to. Smith’s ideal look revolves all around the skateboard. His mindset for styling a casual outfit? Teaming up basics with prints and a pair of jeans. Edgy, yet laid-back, this guides the way for our third trend evident all around campus — denim.

Spring 2017 denim is showing structured classic button-up jackets, chambray shirts and slouchy, highwaisted pants as a student’s uniform when it comes to mixing up the classic trend. Denim is never going out of style, and it rises to the top of runway shows.

The oversized denim jacket was popular during fashion month, with brands like Yeezy, Alexander Wang and Calvin Klein.

For sophomore fashion merchandising major Montana Moyer, denim is essential for its casual, yet simple qualities for dressing up a look.

Junior fashion merchandising major Todd White credits his style to the quirkiness of the denim trends from the early 2000s. Ideally, White said he strives to push the denim trend all the way, sporting a full-on Canadian tuxedo, but usually denim is worn to dress down an outfit.

Students continue to stick to their signature aesthetic of cool, casual and laid-back style, and the brands we watch during fashion month are evident even before the clothing hits the stores. We’re onboard with embracing these easy to wear, everyday looks whether you’re sporting hot pink platform pumps, sneakers and streetwear or bell-bottomed Levi’s. oorolin@kent.edu and pmoore22@kent.edu

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Thursday, March 2, 2017 | Page 3

The Kent Stater

Take cover: Tornado season begins Sarah Heber Safety Reporter

As if on cue, the first day of tornado season kicked off with sirens sounding in Kent around 6 a.m. on Wednesday.

Among the thousands of students living on campu was Sirya Banks, a sophomore sports administration major. Like many others, she said this was the first tornado warning she experienced and felt unprepared.

“I know it’s rare for tornadoes to happen, but this is a case where it did happen and no one knew what to do,” Banks said.

Students living in Kent State’s dorms awoke to city sirens and their residence hall alarms Wednesday morning. Each residence hall has an alarm system that notifies students of tornado warnings and directs them to seek shelter in the lowest level of the building.

If it weren’t for Leebrick Hall’s alarm system, Banks said she would not have woken up and headed to a crammed first floor. Banks said that fitting all 12 floors of Leebrick residents into one hallway was “rough and not ideal.”

“I slept through the city’s sirens, but as soon as the alarm and flashing lights went off in my room, I was up,” Banks said. “(I) ran out of the room (and) soon after I got there — since so (many people) were in the hallway — some people even had to go into the bathroom.”

Although residence halls have alarm systems, Olivia Johnson, a junior middle childhood education major, said she felt unprepared as well.

“We practiced this as a kid and I know if there isn’t a basement, going (into) a bathroom or a lower level away from windows is what you do,” Johnson said. “However, there was confusion today. It’s never been talked about before, though, so I just had to guess what to do.”

Thomas Schmidlin, a geography professor whose focus is on tornado hazards, said he wished Kent State had drills to teach students Students crowd Kent State’s Stopher/Johnson Hall basement during Wednesday’s tornado warning. Photo courtesy of Anna Huntsman. what actions to take when tornado warnings “I knew in this situation that I had to go to the always follow the crowd and hope for the best.” and West,” Schmidlin said. “We’re vulneroccur.

Lack of knowledge could lead to students The City of Kent tests its sirens twice a month on able enough that everybody should be aware lowest level, but I wasn’t sure what the building the first Wednesday at 11 a.m. and the third Wednes- of what to do and campuses especially are procedure is,” Johnson said. “We do enough drills going outside during severe weather and vulnerable because there are so many people in (high) school. But in college, it would be nice to heading to their cars or dorm rooms, but day at 6 p.m., according to the city’s website. be told what the procedure is at least once here.” Schmidlin said going outside could be the Kent State does not participate in any drills or clustered in one place.”

With the sirens going off as early as they worst decision to make.

Schmidlin noted that the Ohio Spring testing when these alarms go off.

“Going outside (during a tornado is) coun“We practice fire drills, but we don’t practice Severe Weather Awareness Week usually did, a majority of students were in residence tornado drills in college,” Schmidlin said. “I’ve occurs during Kent State’s spring break. This halls or not on campus yet. Schmidlin said no terintuitive when lightening and everything advocated that once a year, at 11 (a.m.) on that year, it falls on March 19 through 25, which is matter where someone is, it is important to be else is going to be a problem,” Schmidlin said. aware at any place and any time the potential “We have a lot of sturdy buildings (on campus). day when the sirens go off, we ought to all go one week before spring break.

(Everybody) is better off in one of these buildings “Ohio’s tornado safety week often occurs for severe weather to happen. to shelter.”

“The university needs to think about what to than they are at home. Any campus building is an Schmidlin said the fire department should during the university’s spring break, so the camwalk through the building the way it’s done pus misses out on that too. So all those activities do when there are lots of people in one building, engineered structure that won’t just blow down.”

Johnson said she would feel “much safer” during fire practice to make sure everyone is and news items that come out about tornado like at an event at the (M.A.C. Center) later in the safety get missed,” Schmidlin said. “But if you day,” Schmidlin said. “When the warning goes with more preparedness. safe.

“Everyone was unsure of the exact proceWhile Northeast Ohio isn’t like Oklahoma or keep reminding people about hazards, that’s off, it’s a good time for people to think, ‘What dure today and I was even trying to think if Texas when it comes to the number of tornadoes good because they tend to forget about if after a would I do right here, right now?’”

Banks said she doesn’t think often about there was a pamphlet on what to do,” Johnson per year, that doesn’t mean such an event never few years without reminding them.”

Johnson agreed that more awareness and what they would do in the event of a tornado. said. “I think having a better plan is imporhappens in or around Kent.

“I don’t know what to do anywhere on campus tant and necessary.”

“We’re in a medium risk on the national communication would be beneficial when it besides my dorm,” Banks said. “I’ll probably just scene and the risk is greater to the Midwest comes to tornado safety on campus. sheber1@kent.edu

Delaney Cordova, vice president of Kent State's International Justice Mission student organization, and architecture sophomore Nathaniel Williams spread red sand into the cracks of the K in the middle of Risman Plaza on Wednesday.

Alexander Wadley / The Kent Stater

IJM ensures human trafficking won’t fall through the cracks McKenna Corson Diversity Reporter Tornado warnings and rain didn’t stop the International Justice Mission (IJM) from filling in the cracks in the sidewalk along Risman Plaza Wednesday morning.

The movement — the “Red Sand Project” — raises awareness of human trafficking across the globe.

Despite weather warnings, members of IJM stood hunched over sidewalks and roads with small bags of ruby-red sand, filling in any holes or crevices.

Members started at 9 a.m., wearing raincoats and clutching umbrellas.

Brooke Davis, junior communica-

tion studies major and president of Kent State’s chapter of IJM, described the purpose of the project.

“The ‘Red Sand Project’ is actually a separate movement from IJM, but they work to raise awareness for modern day slavery and for human trafficking, as well as a big social media campaign,” Davis said. “They really encourage people to take pictures of the red sand on the ground and in the cracks and upload it to social media to raise awareness.”

Delaney Cordova, a sophomore communication studies major and vice president of IJM, brought up the importance of a demonstration instead of other methods of spreading awareness.

“The ‘Red Sand Project’ is activism through artwork rather than being in people’s faces throwing statistics at people, which doesn’t really help or create any change,” Cordova said. “We’re just sparking people’s curiosity and starting conversations that then lead into being able to educate them on human trafficking and modern day slavery.”

The bright color of the sand is supposed to be shocking, Davis said.

“It looks really eerie, so people want to stop and ask, ‘Hey, what is this?’ and that’s your opportunity to talk about human trafficking and modern day slavery to people who might not have any idea.”

The sand is also symbolic of indi-

viduals the group wished to uplift.

Davis said it represents those who have “fallen between the cracks in society.” This includes women who are forced into bondage and children used for cybersex trafficking.

Anyone was allowed to take part in the project. They could take a sand-filled bag and fill in cracks.

“We have little tool kits that have the information in them and packets of sand that students can have as they come and ask questions. They are more than welcome to join us and pour sand into the sidewalks, and many have,” Cordova said.

Matthew Tapparo, a freshman integrated social studies major and mem-

ber of IJM, said he was grateful to join the organization and help spread the group’s message.

“I joined because human trafficking is a really big issue all around the world,” Tapparo said. “I want to help fight the injustices.”

He said he is optimistic that the project will inspire others to learn.

Davis said she plans on doing more projects similar to the “Red Sand Project” at least once a semester.

“It’s a really easy way to get involved and make a difference, because I think raising awareness is the biggest thing you can do to start the movement,” she said. mcorson2@kent.edu

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The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily en­dorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor (email them to jmill231@kent.edu) and guest columns. Submissions become pro­­perty of the Stater and are subject to editing without notice.

Opinion Editor: Lucas Misera Senior Editor: Karl Schneider Sports Editor: Henry Palattella Assigning Editor: Jack Kopanski

THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED VIEWS.

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JOSEPH MCGRELLIS’ VIEW // To see all the cartoons this semester, visit KentWired.com

Kent PRIDE! and Hillel partner to bring first openly gay Orthodox rabbi to campus Megan Ferguson Religion Reporter Steven Greenberg, the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi, will visit Kent State on Monday to spread the message of inclusion and diversity in collaboration with Hillel and PRIDE!, an activist organization for the LGBT community.

See KentWired.com for full story.

Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... a proper send-off.

Students in Scotland gave their deceased class pets, two goldfish, a viking funeral.

Jeers to ... growing up. A library in Oregon is offering a class called “Adulting 101” geared toward millennials who can’t seem to figure out the “real world.”

The real story of income inequality Republican VIEW

Editor’s Note: Per the author, data from the column is taken from Thomas Sowell’s “Intellectuals and Society.”

Income inequality began gaining traction as a legitimate political issue during the 2016 elections, specifically due to Bernie Sanders’ campaign.

Income inequality refers to the distribution of average income in a country. The argument presented by the left is that a plurality of the wealth is concentrated among the highest of income earners, and that this is unfair to the average worker. Many will say that this is a serious problem for the country, and cite the top 20 percent of income earners control nearly 80 percent of the nation’s wealth. However, this argument is misleading and does not tell the full story.

Thomas Sowell, an economist and former Stanford professor, argued that the full story is not being addressed and that income inequality is not a problem.

While it is true that the gap between income brackets is widening, there is no mention of how people move in and out of those brackets. When looking at the people over time as opposed to the statistical category, the story is much different.

According to data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, those income earners in the bottom 20 percent bracket saw their incomes rise by 91 percent between 1996 and 2005, and — in the same timeframe — the top quintile saw their incomes rise by only ten percent. Finally, those in the top 5 percent saw their incomes decline in this time frame, and those in the top 0.1 percent saw their incomes fall by a staggering 50 percent.

These statistics show what happens to the category is not the same as what happens to real people.

What Sowell argues is the average income of a statistical category is irrelevant because people move in and out of these brackets constantly.

Once again, according to Sowell, 56 percent of American households will be within the top 10 percent of earners in their lifetimes.

While only 13 percent of those in the top 1 percent of income earners will stay there for more than 2 years, three quarters of Americans in the bottom 20 percent of income earners in 1975 were in the top 40 percent of income earners by 1991.

Finally, from 1967 to 2000, median household income rose by 31 percent and rose 122 percent per capita. America does not have an inequality problem to address. Income mobility in the country is extraordinarily high, and how much more someone earns should not be concerning unless it is earned through illegal means.

However, we should be concerned with poverty in America and lifting people out of it, which is best done through the private market.

Over the last four decades, Americans in all income brackets have made tremendous strides.

The private market produces more high quality goods at an affordable price, and that has transformed the living standards of all Americans.

Three-quarters of Americans living in poverty have air conditioning, while 97 percent have color television and 98 percent have a DVD player.

All of these products were very scarce just four decades ago.

The reality is that Americans enjoy more freedom and more prosperity than any other nation on Earth. Income mobility is high for everyone, and even those at the bottom enjoy one of the highest living standards. The best way to continue to increase this prosperity is through limited government and private markets.

Jacob Tabler is a member of the College Republicans, contact him at jtabler2@kent.edu.

Yellowstone National Park, the last remaining national park in the United States, closed just a few weeks ago back in late March 2019. Located primarily in Wyoming, Yellowstone was established in 1872 and was recognized as the first national park in United States history.

But after an almost 150 year run, the park officially closed as President Trump ordered the construction of another major oil pipeline.

Much like the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines before it, the fittingly named Tyrant Pipeline will snake through the middle of Yellowstone and expand to the Rio Grande

As Poe puts it:

Trump uses Navy Seal’s widow for personal gain during speech Matt Poe Columnist Let’s get the logistics out of the way before we begin.

President Cheeto gave his first address to Congress Tuesday in a speech that delivered the same message from this administration, yet unequivocally different in tone. While His Orangeness was still his bombastic self at times, this address marked a shift toward a more, shall we say, casual tone from the president.

Many pundits are already praising the speech, as if it will serve to foreshadow some massive change in policy for an administration that continues to place its needs above the rest of the 99 percent of us. Hell, the way some have reacted to this speech, you would have thought this was the second coming of Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy.

Remember, kids: Words are just words. In life, things we leave behind are a result of our actions and the actions from this administration in terms of policy and procedure do not appear to sway from its usual rhetoric.

But I digress.

That being said, there was one moment during His Orangeness’ address that seemingly brought all political ideologies together. The widow of former Navy Seal Ryan Owens, who was killed in a raid in Yemen just over a month ago, was recognized for her husband’s duty and received a twominute standing ovation.

Regardless of how you feel about this president or his cronies, it was a moment that was hard to resist in terms of compassion and empathy. You could see the pain on Carryn Owen’s face as the ovation unfolded. Her grief. Her sorrow. Her devastation.

She deserved every second of that applause, as did her late husband.

Putting political beliefs aside, Democrats and Republicans almost universally agree that our active and fallen military men and women should be honored for all they do so that blobs like myself can do things like write columns for (hopefully) your entertainment.

And yet, something about that ovation and its place in this address felt off. No one questions what Carryn Owens felt; that’s a line I would never dare to cross. But make no mistake about it: Donald Trump used this moment to his advantage as a way of

shedding a different light on himself as a president.

He used it as a way to gain your approval and sympathy watching from home.

He’s not the first politician to use such a tactic to gain positive opinion and he will certainly not be the last. It’s a tactic that breaks down some of the most intense emotions a person can feel and broadcasts them to millions of people. Its “Truman Show”esque, and I don’t know any other way to describe it, made me feel like I was watching an intimate moment that I wasn’t meant to be a part of. I’ve felt that way about this for a long time.

I’ve said it hundreds of times, and I’ll continue to say it: We don’t do enough for our military personnel. We don’t provide them with enough mental and physical care to help them not only cope, but get better as they recover from whatever injuries or experiences they’ve sustained.

I can’t state that enough, much like I can’t state enough to you that Carryn Owens deserved to have her husband honored in whatever way she saw fit. She undoubtedly deserves that. She deserves any service or help that can allow her to handle losing the person she arguably loved most in this world.

But sometimes, I wish these moments weren’t broadcast for all of us. I wish we could empathize and sympathize with her pain in a way that didn’t redirect our emotions to how nice of a gesture it was from Trump to “give” her that ovation.

Because lest we forget the following: Trump called that mission, which resulted in the death of Owens, civilians and children, a success. He apparently conducted the raid with outdated and questionable intel.

He then seemingly deflected the blame of Owens for U.S. generals to bear the burden.

He then commented that Owens was happy in the afterlife (whichever you believe in) because the aforementioned ovation broke some record, as if that somehow mattered in any way, shape or form.

If at any point you didn’t stop reading this column, thank you. The point was not to dishonor Ryan or Carryn Owens or any military person who receives warranted recognition. The point in all this is that some things should not be seemingly used for personal gain to improve how people feel about you. Some things pale in comparison and I need not remind you that this is one of them. mpoe3@kent.edu

Women’s basketball deserves your attention Henry Palattella Sports Editor This weekend will be the end of an era for Kent State women’s basketball.

Saturday will be the final home game for the five seniors on the team’s roster. Coming into the season, their tenures on the team looked to be ones that would be defined by blowout losses and sparse crowds.

This season, however, has been a drastic change for the team as their win over Miami University (OH) on Wednesday not only gave them their 18th win of the season, but clinched first place in the Mid-American Conference East Division for the Flashes and a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament.

To put that into perspective, they had only won 18 total games over the past three years.

Despite this unfathomable turnaround, the team still plays in front of minute crowds, which is inexcusable. One of the main gripes that I’ve heard from people is that they don’t want to go to the games because of how slow the pace is.

While that may be the case for some women’s college basketball teams, that isn’t the case for the Flashes who scored 97 points in a loss to Northern Illinois University this season.

The Flashes also have one of the best players in the nation on their team in the form of senior guard Larissa Lurken who is currently averaging 23.3 points per game this year, almost two full points higher than the Kent State record held by Bonnie Beachy.

While Lurken may be having one of the best years out of anyone in college basketball, that doesn’t mean that the Flashes are a one-woman show on offense. Junior forward Jordan Korinek has emerged as a potent offense threat in the paint, while senior McKenna Stephens and junior Alexa Golden are both proven threats on the wings. The Flashes are also one of the deeper teams in the MAC, as it’s no anomaly for coach Todd Starkey to go 10 deep in his bench in a half.

The team also exonerated some of their old demons this season by sweeping both the University of Akron and Eastern Michigan University. The win over the Zips was the first for every member of the team, while their win over Eastern Michigan was a form of cathartic release for the Flashes; their past two seasons had ended in Ypsilanti in the MAC Tournament.

However, these positives haven’t resulted in crowds.

The Flashes’ biggest home crowd came this past Saturday when they faced off against Akron, an announced crowd of 1,073, more than 200 of whom I would say were Akron fans.

The Flashes have one more home game this coming Saturday against the University at Buffalo. It happens to be senior night and, consequently, the last game for five core members of the team.

After that, the team will travel to Cleveland for the MAC Tournament in hopes of extending their season.

They could use your support. hpalatte@kent.edu

Thursday, March 2, 2017 | Page 5

The Kent Stater

Summit Street Improvement Phase II begins Monday Hannah Coleman Parking and Transportation Reporter Kent State students and community members need to start planning extra time in their commutes to prepare for the Summit Street Improvement Project Phase II. Beginning Monday, traffic will be reduced to one-way, eastbound traffic from Morris Road to Willow Street until May. Construction crews will be working on shortening the hill, changing the functionality of the Lincoln and Summit Streets' intersection and adding additional lanes.

“You’ll see a right and a left turn lane, and a through lane, bike lanes and wider sidewalks," said James Bowling, superintendent of engineering and deputy service director for the City of Kent. "Coming east, you’re prohibited to turn left onto Lincoln. We will remove that and make it so you can turn left. We’ll put a left turn lane in and make it safer for there."

Additional traffic lights will also be installed.

"There will be a new signal system that will be timed with the other signals in the corridor. There will be a bus stop on Lincoln off the road so the busses aren’t blocking traffic," Bowling said.

"The signals will have the audible push buttons for the blind like you see on Main Street."

As of now, the intersection is one of the most dangerous in the City of Kent. The work done will improve safety and traffic flow through that area.

“Right now, there’s an angle point in the intersection. If you’re driving down Summit Street going west, you look like you’re going right into the new philanthropy building," Bowling said. "We’re going to put a curve in the road so when you go through that intersection, you’re facing the road instead of the building. It won’t be as steep coming down because we are cutting that hill down on one end and we are going to be raising the ground a little bit on the other."

Safety is the primary concern for the City of Kent and the contractors working on the project. Phase I, which was completed last semester, went “fairly well,” Bowling said. However, the city saw increased congestion on East Main Street in front of campus, which overloaded the signal system during peak Construction continues around and on Kent State’s main campus on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017. Kayla McMillen / The Kent Stater commuting hours during the day.

Detours will be posted online and on changeable message for the second phase. the second phase to make things easier for commuters. boards down Summit Street.

“Any time you use public transportation, you’ll have a more The city worked with the university and the contractor to begin “I wouldn’t panic at all," Bowling said. "Follow the detour; relaxing ride. Someone else is driving, and there’s less cars on working in stages during the latter part of Phase I. Phase II will be (Route) 261, we put it there for a reason. It has the most capacity to the road," Bowling said. "If that works in your schedule, I would done in stages with the intersection of Lincoln and Summit Streets take more cars, and if you need to go west, you can take Route 261 heavily encourage that. And if it doesn’t, the roads are still open as the first part. to Route 43 and it will be your quickest route. It may not be per- for people to use.”

Updates and information regarding the Summit Street ceived that way, but it is that way. Legally, you can go 55 (mph)."

Originally, the plan had Summit Street reduced to one-lane, Improvement Project can be found at kent.edu/summitstreet.

PARTA bus routes will remain the same throughout the project. one-way traffic up to Fraternity Circle for the entire duration of hcolema4@kent.edu They put all the busses eastbound in response to the first phase Phase II. But, the city learned from changes that worked out well of the project and made no changes to the routes in anticipation during the first phase, and are implementing those ideas during

Trump idea to expand health care competition faces hurdles Jonathan Coope and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar Associated Press Allowing insurers to market health care policies across state lines is one of President Donald Trump's main ideas for bringing down costs.

While supporters of the idea cast it as a way to make insurance policies more competitive, critics say it's unlikely to result in more affordable plans and could undermine stronger consumer protections in states such as California and Hawaii. Such a "race to the bottom" could leave some older consumers with health problems unable to afford coverage.

And there's another complication: Trump's proposal appears unlikely to pass Congress unless Democrats cooperate. Congressional aides involved with health care legislation say the proposal to allow cross-state insurance sales would need 60 votes in the Senate.

In his speech to Congress on Tuesday night, Trump said the nation must turn to new ideas to help control costs.

"The t im e h a s c o me t o g i v e Americans the freedom to purchase health insurance across state lines," the president said.

The estimated 20 million Americans who buy coverage directly from an insurer would be affected. Their health plans are regulated by state

governments, which decide the minimum benefits that must be covered and mediate disputes between insurers and their customers, among other consumer protections.

Variation between the states was extreme until former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, which raised the minimum standards for legal coverage nationwide.

In New York, health plans had to cover everyone at the same price, whether sick or healthy, young or old. In California, patients must be able to see a primary care doctor within 10 days.

Trump and congressional leaders have vowed to repeal the law and replace it, although the details of their plans remain in flux.

The Trump proposal on cross-state sales would "eviscerate the ability of state legislatures and state governors to decide what the appropriate consumer protections are for their state's consumers and businesses," said Dave Jones, a Democrat who regulates some of California's health plans as the elected insurance commissioner.

The concept of cross-state sales has been around for at least 10 years, but experts say there is a good reason why it hasn't advanced: It might not deliver as promised.

"Premiums really reflect the cost of care where an individual lives," said Barbara Klever of the American Academy of Actuaries, a professional group

that represents experts who advise on health care and pension programs.

Health insurance is a little bit like real estate, in that costs reflect local conditions. If an insurance company based in a low-cost state such as Utah is allowed to sell policies in a high-cost state such as New York, its premiums for New Yorkers would reflect medical costs in their own state, not Utah.

Economist Joe Antos of the business-oriented American Enterprise Institute, said the idea of cross-state health insurance has an instinctive appeal because Americans have seen competition drive down costs in other areas, from credit cards to air travel.

But Antos said it's a "faulty analogy" when it comes to health insurance because where the competition really needs to happen is among hospitals and doctors. And they are increasingly consolidating into bigger units, partly to fend off insurer demands to cut fees.

"You have to have competition at the service-delivery level, as well," Antos said. "The most expensive part of health care is hospitalization, and that is pretty much going to drive the price of insurance."

Out-of-state insurers also face the challenge of building local networks of hospitals and doctors that would make their product appealing to consumers. And then there's a conundrum over who would regulate the

out-of-state carrier.

"A consumer who had a concern about their claim being denied couldn't go to their local insurance regulator," said Trish Riley, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy, a nonpartisan group that advises states.

Concerned that repealing the Affordable Care Act would eliminate consumer protections, Democratic lawmakers in some states, including Hawaii and Nevada, have introduced legislation to preserve the act's consumer protections in state law. Allowing cross-state insurance sales could undermine those efforts.

"We have a small market ... and it would take a lot for some company from the mainland to try to come out here and get a foothold," said Hawaii state Sen. Rosalyn Baker, a Democrat who heads that state's committee overseeing health care.

Cross-state insurance is popular with conservative lawmakers who believe extensive state-level regulations require people to buy coverage they don't want or need and drive up costs for consumers, particularly those who are young and healthy.

"If you live in the state of California or New York and you wanted a policy that had fewer state mandates and might be cheaper, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to go to the state and find a plan that supports your needs," said Sally Pipes, president of the Pacif-

ic Research Institute, which advocates free-market ideas.

In his speech to Congress, Trump projected a sense of confidence about his health care proposals as he challenged Republicans and Democrats to work together. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said there's a "strong consensus" for cross-state sales.

But behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, there's lots of uncertainty about whether the proposal will get very far.

There's doubt it can meet the test for inclusion among budget-related items that Republicans can push through the Senate with just 51 votes under special procedures.

Normally 60 votes are needed to pass contested legislation, and there are 52 Republican senators. That's why Republicans are planning to use special budget-related procedures to pass most of their "repeal and replace" legislation.

A House GOP leadership document prepared for lawmakers refers to cross state sales as an idea that Republicans will pursue through "regular order."

The translation: 60 votes would be needed in the Senate.

A legislative referee called the Senate "parliamentarian" will make the final ruling on whether cross-state insurance can be considered under the special procedures that require only 51 votes to pass legislation.

Texas court considers case to diminish gay marriage rights Will Weissert Associated Press The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a Houston case that top Republicans hope will provide an opening to chip away at the landmark 2015 ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide.

A coalition of religious and social conservatives sued America's fourthlargest city in 2013, challenging its decision to offer same-sex spousal benefits to municipal employees. Last year, Texas' elected, all-Republican court refused to hear the matter on appeal, effectively allowing the marriage benefits in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that the Constitution grants gay couples seeking to marry "equal dignity in the eyes of the law."

But the state Supreme Court reversed itself in January, amid pressure from Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton, as well as dozens of other conservative elected officials, church leaders and grassroots activists. They filed a parade of briefs saying the case may help Texas limit the scope of the Supreme Court ruling — especially in how it's applied to states.

Texas' highest civil court reconsidering a previous decision is unusual, but not unprecedented. As a result, justices listened to about 50 minutes of arguments. A ruling isn't expected for months.

Jonathan Mitchell, an attorney representing the groups suing, said that though the U.S. Supreme court ruling legalized gay marriage, it doesn't

require governmental entities to offer taxpayer-funded, same-sex benefits to their employees.

"The meaning and scope of Obergefell remain open to debate," Mitchell said.

He further argued that the nation's highest court didn't declare spousal benefits a fundamental right of marriage, meaning it should be up to the states to decide the legality of offering them. Lawyer Douglas Alexander, appearing on Houston's behalf, agreed that such benefits weren't a fundamental right but said that the nation's high court's ruling means that all marriages are equal, so anything offered to opposite-sex couples must be offered to same-sex ones as well.

"Obergefell answers every question in this case," Alexander said.

The groups suing have further pointed to the case as a chance for the Texas Supreme Court to defend religious liberty and take a stand on social issues, arguing that state justices should challenge not only the U.S. Supreme Court's legalization of gay marriage but also its striking down last summer of many of the state's tough abortion restrictions.

Houston counters that the case is a matter of settled law and shouldn't have anything to do with advancing social conservative causes.

The justices asked frequent questions Wednesday, including interrupting Mitchell barely a minute into his opening arguments. Many wondered about the court's jurisdiction in a matter involving a municipal decision over spousal benefits when the marriage question had already been

Gay rights supporters celebrate in front of the Colorado State Capitol Supreme court rules in favour of same sex marriage, Denver, Colorado on Friday, June 26, 2015. Marshall/REX Shutterstock

decided nationally.

Mitchell said Texas' governor and others in filings have argued that "an opinion of the Supreme Court does not have the same status as constitutional text," because, if it did, the nation's high court would never be able to rule against its own precedents.

Jared Woodfill, a conservative activist at the center of the case, said afterward that he hopes this case will reach the U.S. Supreme Court, which

could then rule on the "invalid expansion" of its 2015 decision. The office of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement saying the city "is confident that the Texas Supreme Court will follow its practice of requiring strict compliance with decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court."

Texas voters had, in 2005, approved a state ban on gay marriage, and attorney general Paxton initially suggested that county clerks with personal reli-

gious objections could defy the U.S. Supreme Court order and refuse to issue marriage licenses for same sex couples. But gay marriages have been unimpeded in the state since then.

Texas isn't the first state to go down this legal road. Last March, the Alabama Supreme Court dismissed a challenge seeking to bar gay marriage there in defiance the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling.

Page 6 | Thursday, March 2, 2017

THE

The Kent Stater

WEEKEND BUZZ FRIDAY

THURSDAY

SUNDAY

Foreign Film Festival

Painting Nights

Men’s Basketball vs. Akron

Wind Ensemble Concert

Hosted by Phi Sigma Iota, this film series brings different cultures and backgrounds to the screen at 6 p.m. in the Ludwig Theatre in the Center for the Performing Arts.

Tonight’s covers American Sign Language, but future installments will include Spanish, Arabic and Hindi.

It may be a paint-and-sip minus the sip, but this free instructional canvas painting event, held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Student Center, is perfect for any curious amateur artist on campus looking for guidance on technique and inspiration.

Celebrate Kent State’s rivalry with The University of Akron as the Flashes and Zips face off again, this time at home. The game tips off at 7 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center.

In partnership with the Norton High School band, the Kent State Wind Ensemble will perform a concert titled “Around the World in 60 Minutes.” Beginning at 3 p.m., the show will include music from America, Spain, Japan and Greece in Cartwright Hall.

Further Reading

“FOLLOWING A PATH OF FASHION IN ROTC”

by Adriona Murphy

“STUDENTS FIND MIXED BAG IN FASHION GURU INTERNSHIP” by Dominique Pishotti

Read up on more of Kent State’s fashion life with these other stories on

“COLORING CAMPUS: STUDENTS USE HAIR AS FORM OF EXPRESSION” by Keisha Burley

“ARCHITECTURE STUDENT BUILDS CLOTHING LINE”

by Dominique Pishotti

This feature follows a fashion merchandising major who uses the disciplines she learned in the National Guard in her career.

Students shared varying perspectives about an internship that has them blog about their styles on campus.

Students across campus expressed why they decided to join in on the colored hair trend.

This student found an entrepreneurial venture in his clothing brand Diablo Conglomerate, despite pursuingmajor outside of the

ARTIST: These are The Days SONG: Busy Signal

ARTIST: Hustle SONG: Popcaan ft. Pusha T

Busy is a dancehall DJ/artist that has been around since the early 2000s. Nicknamed by his friends because he was always extremely busy. He hasn’t released an album since 2012 and has been fairly quiet since his song release with Major Lazer in 2013. This song from 2003 examines some of the things wrong with current times and cultures, but definitely remains still relevant today.

A collab from Popcaan’s newest album “Where We Come From” released in 2014, this mixes the Island vibes with Pusha T’s cold-cut lyrical verse, to show why they “hustle for the money.” Popcaan worked on most of the album including this song with New York producer Dre Skull who also has Popcaan signed to his label Mixpak. Dre Skull helps to transcend genres to create a new dancehall sound.

ARTIST: Bugle SONG: Don’t Blame Life One of those songs that helps you get through the day, Bugle’s “Don’t Blame Life,” gives positive vibes as well as spitting a lyrical life lesson. Released in 2010, this song definitely gives you the energy and vibes to make it through the Daze. Bugle, a fairly unheard of dancehall/reggae artist, delivers one of his best songs to date. With smooth jazzy island production, Bugle reiterates how important it is to not blame life, but instead blame the way you live it.

BSR Beats: Conquering the ‘Daze’ The Daze, or the individual reality in which we’re all living in, doesn’t get any easier, so this playlist is catered to help get you through it. With a nice blend of vibes and lyrics this playlist focuses on the Jamaican Reggae/Dancehall culture. Tune in to “FriiiDaze” every Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. on BSR for good vibes helping you conquer The Daze.

ARTIST: Runkus SONG: Kindness Runkus uses the cliché “kill them with kindness” to create this song that provides you those positive sunny island vibes but also includes a verse touching on Jamaican history as well as struggles faced throughout life to deliver the complete package.

The second part is a soulful acoustic version featured on his album “Move In” released in 2016. Both parts of the song provide similar vibes that help you kill all the haters with kindness throughout the Daze.

ARTIST: Protoje SONG: Who Dem Ah Program Protoje remakes a song originally created by fellow Jamaican Pappa San, sampling the beat and some lyrics, he gives the song new life. Making it his own, he adds his own twist to it and definitely revamps the production in order to provide the “New Reggae” sound. Protoje released this song as a single on his project titled “The Eight Year Affair” released in 2013, highlighting the trials and tribulations faced within the system.

Police to investigate Baylor’s handling of sexual assaults Jim Vertuno Associated Press Texas' top law enforcement agency has opened a preliminary investigation into Baylor University and how it handled reports of sexual and physical assault over several years.

The Texas Rangers confirmed Wednesday they are working with the McLennan County prosecutor's office to "determine if further action is warranted."

A group of state lawmakers had called Tuesday for the Rangers to investigate Baylor, which faces several federal lawsuits from women who say the school ignored or mishandled their reports of assault for years.

Baylor officials say an internal investigation found at least 17 women who reported being sexually assaulted by 19 football players in recent years, although one lawsuit puts the number at more than 50 women.

The statement from the Texas Rangers didn't say if the agency was looking at specific cases or current or former school employees and students.

"Baylor University pledges to extend our full cooperation with the Texas Rangers surrounding the issue of sexual assaults that occurred within our campus community several years ago, as we have done with other external inquiries that are currently underway," the school said in a statement.

Baylor fired former football coach Art Briles in 2016 and demoted former President and Chancellor Ken Starr, who later resigned. Former athletic director Ian McCaw also resigned and is now at Liberty University in Virginia.

Briles sympathizes with anyone who was a victim of assault and would welcome a chance to speak with the Texas Rangers, said his Former Baylor football player Sam Ukwuachu, left, leaves the 10th Court of Appeals with his attorney, William Bratton III, following arguments on Wednesday in Waco, Texas. Ukwuachu is waiting on a ruling attorney Mark Lanier.

"If this is an honest and thor- for a new trial after his conviction in 2015 for the rape of a woman. Jerry Larson / Waco Tribune Herald ough investigation it can only be Alex Zalkin, the attorney for Jasmin Hernan- response to sexual violence, spending more The law firm reported to school regents that good and useful," Lanier said. "Anybody who it found years of mishandled cases and that the dez, one of Elliott's victims who is suing Baylor, than $4 million in recent years on federal Title was responsible should be held accountable."

IX response services. The school also says it has Lanier said Briles has not been contacted by football program operated as if it was "above the welcomed a Rangers criminal investigation.

The Associated Press generally doesn't iden- adopted most of the recommendations presented rules" as coaches and staff failed to report allegathe Rangers.

The nation's largest Baptist University has tions and even interfered with some witnesses tify sexual assault victims, but Hernandez has by the law firm it hired to investigate itself.

Baylor this week said football player Travon spoken publicly to draw attention to the case. been engulfed in the scandal since 2015 when and investigations.

"We're both after the same thing: We want Blanchard had been suspended after a woman's A litany of legal action followed. Baylor faces football player Sam Ukwuachu was convicted of sexually assaulting a Baylor student. Media at least six lawsuits from women who say the to know the truth of what went on at Baylor," request for a protective order against him had been granted by a court. She has accused him of coverage of that case and the 2014 sexual assault school ignored them or bullied them into silence, Zalkin said.

To date, only two of Briles' former players multiple acts of violence and threats against her conviction of former football player Tevin Elliott and that the campus and football program fosled the school to hire Philadelphia law firm Pep- tered a culture of sexual violence. The school had have been tried and convicted of sexual assault, dating back to last year.

And last month, new football coach Matt per Hamilton to investigate how the university already settled with at least two other women and another is currently charged in a 2016 Rhule fired an assistant strength and conditionassault. and the football program handled reports of before they filed a lawsuit.

Baylor officials have tried to emphasize ing coach who had been arrested in a prostituBaylor also faces a federal civil rights investiassault. changes they are already making to improve tion sting. gation and a probe by the NCAA.

Thursday, March 2, 2017 | Page 7

The Kent Stater

Classifieds Ray’s GREAT FUN Ray’s You got it...

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SUDOKU

Page 8 | Thursday, March 2, 2017

The Kent Stater

Sports

SPORTS EDITOR: HENRY PALATTELLA // HPALATTE@KENT.EDU

Flashes beat RedHawks, clinch MAC East title Henry Palattella Sports Editor In the waning seconds of Kent State’s Wednesday night matchup against Miami University (OH), the Flashes’ bench looked as relaxed as it had all season.

Senior forward Chelsi Watson sat on the ground, her back propped up against her teammate’s leg. Junior guard Naddiyah Cross and sophomore forward Merissa Barber-Smith exchanged handshakes and high-fives with the coaches.

And right in the middle of all the gleeful madness — just like they had been for much of the season — was senior guard Larissa Lurken, junior forward Jordan Korinek and senior forward McKenna Stephens.

The final horn sounded a couple moments later, and suddenly the Kent State women’s basketball team officially earned the title of Mid-American Conference East Champions.

The Flashes (18-11, 12-5 MAC) used 44 combined points between Korinek and Lurken to help them upend the RedHawks (10-20, 4-13 MAC) by a final score of 78-51.

“I’m really proud of the way we played,” Kent State coach Todd Starkey told 640 WHLO’s Dave Wilson after the game. “We had one stretch where we lost ourselves … We kind of fell asleep at the wheel and let them back in it.”

The Flashes jumped out to an early 40-26 halftime lead, thanks in part to Lurken and Korinek, who each scored 10 first-half points. Korinek put together a double-double that consisted of 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Lurken led all scorers with 24 points, while Stephens joined the two in double figures with 14 points.

Lurken — who came into the game averaging 23.3 points per game — not only kept her torrid pace from the free throw line (8-10), but also continued her attack on 1982 graduate Bonnie Beachy’s scoring record for a season.

Lurken currently has 676 points on the season, which is 56 points off from Beachy’s record.

The Flashes put together one of their most complete showings of the Junior guard Larissa Lurken goes for a rebound while sophomore forward Jordan Korinek comes in for support in a game against the University of Akron on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2017. The Flashes lost 78-66. year on Wednesday as they finished Aaron Self / The Kent Stater with a 48 percent shooting percentStarkey summed up his feelings with fewer momentum that they carried into their next The sense of dejection turned into elation for age from the field, 15 offensive rebounds and words. three games, all of which they won by 10 points the Flashes, however, as they followed it up with nine steals.

“I’ve never been a part of anything like this,” or more. a three-game winning streak that started with “It’s definitely an improvement,” Cross said he said.

The victory was the extent of their win streak, their 68-65 win over Ohio University in Athens. of the Flashes’ performance. “(Starkey) said 'Stay The Flashes will return home for the final this however, as they closed their non-conference As Ohio came into the season as the pre-seafocused … and keep playing hard.'”

Saturday to take on the University at Buffalo on schedules with losses to the University of Iowa son favorite to win the MAC East, the win not One of the few facets of the game in which their senior night. The team will honor the five and the University of Minnesota, both of which only jump-started the Flashes' season, but also Kent State struggled was in their three-point seniors on the roster before the game. Tipoff is are Big Ten teams. put the rest of the MAC East on notice. shooting, as they only managed to go 5-17 from scheduled for 2 p.m.

The Flashes went 2-2 in their next four games Those two losses seemed to linger longer behind the arc. than the Flashes wanted, as they followed them and dropped down to third in the MAC East — Season Recap The Flashes held a 18-9 lead with 55 seconds The Flashes' season started out with two up with conference-opening losses to Central something that initially looked like a massive left in the first quarter, but the lead was shortstraight wins when they defeated Bradley Uni- Michigan University and Ball State University roadblock for the Flashes, as they needed to leaplived as the RedHawks went on a 11-2 run to tie frog MAC East powerhouses Buffalo and Ohio. by scores of 91-78 and 71-47, respectively. the game up at 20 with six minutes left in the sec- versity and Eastern Kentucky University, the And leapfrog them they did, as the Flashes The Flashes recorded the first definitive same record that the team opened with in 2015. ond quarter. The Flashes took the lead back for ripped off a five-game win streak that is still win of the year on Jan. 7 when they beat Eastgood, however, on a Lurken jumper with their That, however, is where the comparisons to past ern Michigan University 86-67 in Ypsilanti. The active after Wednesday's win over Ohio. The years stop. next possession.

The Flashes dropped their next four games, win was a form of revenge for the Flashes, who winning streak not only included a win over “(We) got a little slow on defense,” Korinek two of which were in the Gulf Coast Showcase. had their past two seasons end in defeats to the Ohio, but also two wins over rival University of said of the RedHawks’ run. “(We) tried to focus Akron, the first time that anyone on the team Ironically, that showcase was where the Flash- Eagles in the MAC Tournament. on getting stops.”

The emotional victory was followed up by a had beaten the Zips. es first showed the potential they had.

They The win capped off a complete turnaround The Flashes got their big break when Bowlhigh-scoring 98-97 loss to Northern Illinois Unifor the Flashes — who went from winning six dropped their first game of the tournament to versity, a loss that not only gave the Flashes a ing Green State University (8-20, 4-12 MAC) beat then No. 5 Baylor, 84-42. games last year to winning 18 games overall — They followed that up with a 79-73 loss to 1-3 conference record at the time, but seemed to Buffalo (19-8, 10-7 MAC) on Saturday, which as well as the MAC East title.

Western Kentucky before finishing the tourna- serve as the low-point of the season for the Flash- gave the Flashes the inside track to the MAC “It feels amazing,” Cross said of the turnes, as numerous members of the team seemed East crown. around. “It feels like our hard work went to (a) ment with a win over Florida Gulf Coast Uni- dejected after the loss. versity.

That final victory gave Kent State some hpalatte@kent.edu great place, (but) we still have work to do.”

Wrestling heads to MAC Championships Samantha Ross Sports Reporter The Kent State wrestling team (2-15, 0-8 Mid-American Conference) spent the past week practicing hard in the hopes that they will do well at the MAC Tournament and have some wrestlers advance to the NCAA Championships.

“We think if guys can wrestle like they did (at Old Dominion University) at the MAC Tournament, we’ll have some hope to get some guys to the national tournament,” coach Jim Andrassy said.

According to Andrassy, each wrestler needs to be mentally prepared going into the MAC Tournament.

“This is the part of the season where it becomes an individual thing because you’re trying to earn a spot to the national tournament which happens individually and not as a team,” Andrassy said. “If you want the season to be over, it’s going to be over. If you go in there with the idea that this season is coming to an end and I want it to be over, you’re going to get your butt whooped and you’re going to be done. If you go in there with the idea that I want the season to last two more weeks and you wrestle really hard, maybe you upset some guys and you can make it.”

Anthony Tutolo has been in and out of the season with a knee injury, but he will be wrestling in the MAC Tournament, and will be wrestling as a six seed.

“I’ve been out for a little bit here and there,” Tutolo said. “I’ve been doing a lot of rehab. I’ve been getting myself back to full strength or as best as I can be and everyone has been working with me. I’ve been getting a lot of extra work in the wrestling room just to get myself mentally and physically ready for it (MAC Tournament).”

Andrassy said that Tutolo still helped the team get to the tournament.

“We’ve brought one spot to the tournament, which is the least I’ve ever brought as a coach, but in the same sense, Tutolo did bring a spot,” Andrassy said. “That means if he places to his ranking and to his RPI, he will qualify, but you actually have to do that and he hasn’t wrestled in a while and we really don’t know what we’re going to get out of him once we get there.”

Casey Sparkman is seeded the highest out of all of Kent State wrestlers at number four. He will wrestle Ohio University’s Cullen Cummings first.

“Sparkman is really really close, he’s on the fringe, but he didn’t bring

a spot, so he has to have a good tournament and either upset someone or, at that point, hope that there aren’t that many people at his weight class so that he can still get voted in,” Andrassy said.

Chance Driscoll will wrestle University of Northern Iowa’s Jake Hodges in a pigtail match, and if he wins, he will wrestle the number one seed.

“I would say every guy in the MAC Tournament at my weight is within five points of each other on any given day,” Driscoll said. “I can beat anybody in the bracket. Kent State sophomore Casey Sparkman throws his opponent across the mat in the Flashes’ meet against There were a whole lot of close University of Northern Iowa on Sunday Jan. 29, 2017. Aaron Self / The Kent Stater matches in the MAC this year and it’s going to be the guy nament is going to be a really tough and pushing them,” Andrassy said. that brings his best stuff to the MAC match,” Bast said. “I know there’s a “You don’t want the kids to hate the Tournament, is the freshest and has couple guys like Daniel Lewis (Mis- sport at this point. We’ve been doing his mind right. That’s going to be souri) and the Northern Iowa guy this since the middle of September the guy that wins and does well.”

(Bryce Steiert) that are going to be so this is a long time to be doing this Devin Nye is seeded number sev- pretty tough matches, but I look for- sport. At this point in the year, you en. Last year at the MAC Tournament, ward to them.” want to shorten things up, keep them he finished in third place.

According to Andrassy, one way fresh, keep them healthy.”

“I’m forgetting about the season and that the team is getting ready for the The tournament will be held in just training,” Nye said. “You know MAC Tournament is by cutting down Cedar Falls, Iowa, this coming Saturyou can’t really worry about what hap- on practice time. day and Sunday and will be televised pened, but what’s going to happen.”

“You try to have them leave prac- on ESPN3.

Isaac Bast, a seven seed, said that tice being happy and being excited for sross39@kent.edu he's trying to just think of it as another the end of the year rather than weartournament. ing them down and beating them up “I know anyone at the MAC Tour-

The Kent Stater

Thursday, March 2, 2017 | Page 9

Page 10 | Thursday, March 2, 2017

The Kent Stater