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@kentwired KentWired.com WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017
Octavia Spencer to speak at spring commencement
Octavia Spencer attends a special screening of "Gifted" at the New York Institute of Technology on Thursday, April 6, 2017. Andy Kropa / Associated Press
Erin Zaranec Social Media Director
Junior nursing major Colten Dalton stands outside Tri-Towers on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Angelo Angel / The Kent Stater
Senior zoology major Kaitlin Bennett sits outside Franklin Hall on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Angelo Angel / The Kent Stater
Right-leaning students feel unheard in wake of Republican presidency Caelin Mills Student Politics Reporter Senior zoology major Kaitlin Bennett remembers students wiping quotes off the white board outside of her dorm room, seeing screenshots of her Facebook posts circulating Twitter and being yelled at while painting the Rock on Kent State's Front Campus. These things all happened due to her right-leaning political views, she said. Conservative, Republican and libertarian students — like Bennett — continue to feel backlash on campus following a controversial presidential election. A Pew Research report stated 51 percent of millennials aged 18-33 identify as a Democrat or lean toward the Democratic party. 55 percent of voters in this demographic voted for Hillary Clinton, while only 37 percent voted for Donald Trump. Young voters are statistically more
likely to vote for a Democrat over a Republican for a variety of reasons, political science professor Ryan Claassen said. “A tendency to start your life fairly liberal may be because of the situation most people are in earlier in their life,” Claassen said. “They’re not as well established professionally, they have less money, they are going through education, they maybe have a greater need for government assistance than they do in their middle, professional life.” Colten Dalton, a junior nursing major and the president of Young Americans for Liberty, said his political views come from conducting his own research on issues important to him. As an openly gay student with conservative political views, he initially found it difficult to fit in. “It’s not more from Republicans though; it’s more from the gay commu-
nity in general,” Dalton said. “I have received quite a lot of backlash from them — calling me a self-hate gay or that I have internalized homophobia. (I’ve been called an) Uncle Tom. So it’s not from Republicans. Honestly, they are 10 times more accepting.” Dalton made a friend with a similar ideology: Bennett, who is also a member of the Young Americans for Liberty. Bennett said she knew coming to college that many people wouldn’t share her political beliefs but had no idea she would feel like such an outsider. Bennett said she thought the tension from election season would have subsided by now. Claassen said this is a result of heightened political engagement and participation due to protest movements and counter-protests. “Our popular votes tend to be fairly close and that means that there is a
significant portion of the public, after every presidential election, that isn’t happy about which side won,” Claassen said. Dalton and Bennett list misconceptions of conservatives as anti-gay, anti-woman, racist and xenophobic. Dalton said people see conservatives as white people who all think the same way. “I know people from different walks of life, but when I used to go to PRIDE!, they all thought the same. They all did the same. To me, that is worse than all looking alike. I’d rather you think differently than to look different, to me that’s diversity,” Dalton said. Bennett said the criticism has become personal. Rather than attacking a group, she feels personally targeted by peers on the left.
SEE REPUBLICAN / PAGE 2
Actress and author Octavia Spencer will address Kent State's Spring 2017 graduating class during the university’s main commencement ceremony on May 13. Known for her iconic roles in movies like "Hidden Figures" and "The Help," Spencer created her legacy in Hollywood, becoming a champion for women and minorities. Spencer recently made headlines with her Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Dorothy Vaughan in "Hidden Figures." In 2011, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Minny Jackson in "The Help." Spencer will serve as the commencement speaker for the 10 a.m. university-wide ceremony at Dix Stadium. In October 2016, the university announced plans to hold an outdoor ceremony open to students from the entire Kent State campus system, the first of its kind for Kent State. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Todd Diacon said the university-wide ceremony would allow for resources to be focused on one main ceremony, with smaller ceremonies being hosted across campus in the afternoon. The goal, he said, is to give students “a very impressive, impactful commencement as a whole with a very important and famous speaker and then ... go to their college ceremony and their name will be called, and they’ll go across the stage ... it will be a much more intimate and meaningful experience as well.”
SEE SPENCER / PAGE 2
Man sought in Cleveland Facebook killing found dead
Security aides provide safety resources in residence halls
Associated Press
As night approaches, security aides begin their rounds throughout the residence halls on Kent State’s main campus. At a time when students should be quiet and settling down for the evening in their dorm rooms, a select few are dubbed “runners” to act as the messenger for their floormates. Sophomore sports administration major Sirya Banks and her friends will send a runner out to “go to the bathroom” at the times security aides make their rounds. If they pass an aide in the hallway, they send a text to the rest of the group back in the room, warning them to quiet down. Although Banks said she gets along with the security aides in her building, she and her floormates still do what they can to stay out of trouble. “The security aides we have are chill, but we still don’t want to take any risks,” Banks said. “We know when they typically come around, and we get quiet until they pass.” While aides enforce policies, they don’t see themselves as the “bad guy”
Pennsylvania State Police say the suspect in the random killing of a Cleveland retiree posted on Facebook has shot and killed himself after a brief pursuit. State police say Steve Stephens was spotted Tuesday morning by state police in Erie County, in the state's northwest corner. Authorities say police tried to pull Stephens over and, after a brief pursuit, he shot and killed himself. Stephens was wanted on an aggravated murder charge in the shooting death of a 74-year-old retired man in Cleveland on Sunday. He posted video of that shooting on Facebook. Follow KentWired for more updates.
Sarah Heber Safety Reporter
out to get students in trouble. “Students think we’re out to get them, but that's not true,” said Jonathon Ishmael, a sophomore criminology and justice studies major. “We’re not here to bust you, but we are here to keep you safe by enforcing hall policies.” Ishmael, a security aide, said the most commonly violated university policies are noise and having alcohol in ‘dry’ halls — places where alcohol is prohibited. He also noted Eastway typically has the most incidents, but it does change from semester to semester. Matthew Jones, a sophomore physical education major, works as a dispatcher for the aides. While a dispatcher doesn’t patrol the dorms at night, Jones said he still understands the lengths students will go to hinder an aide's work. “We sometimes have all these outside factors working against us, and it’s frustrating because we’re just trying to do our jobs,” Jones said. “Students get so scared of us and think that we’re going to be jerks, but we’re really not like that.” While residents can make the job a difficult one at times, the aides have other challenges to face. They work every night until
Junior criminology and justice studies major Kelli Shumate completes a round through Stopher Hall on Wednesday, April 12, 2017, while on duty as a campus security aide. Alyssa Keown / The Kent Stater
2:30 a.m. or 4 a.m. depending on the day — including times when the university is on break. Even if the university closes, security aides still must report to work.
“This job is year-round and doesn’t get cancelled when the university closes, though it’d be nice,” Jones said.
SEE SECURITY / PAGE 2
Page 2 | Wednesday, April 19, 2017
The Kent Stater From Page 1
REPUBLICAN Right-leaning students...
As part of Islam Awareness Week, the Muslim Students' Association hosts an event at Risman Plaza on Monday, with the opportunity for students to try on a hijab. McKenna Corson / The Kent Stater
Muslim Students' Association hosts hijab Islam Awareness Week McKenna Corson Diversity Reporter The Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) gave students the opportunity to try on a hijab and explore the religion of Islam Monday as part of Islam Awareness Week. Monday marked the first day of a week consisting of events centered around informing students on the Islamic religion. Students picked from a variety of colored and patterned scarves, and a member MSA carefully instructed how to properly wear the headscarf. Lama Abu-Amara, a junior chemistry major and president of MSA, was happy to see people approach the organization's table on Risman Plaza to either talk about Islam or receive a hijab. “The purpose of this event was for students to learn how to wrap a hijab and learn of its From Page 1
SECURITY Security aides provide... Security aides have been a part of campus safety since 1973, Brian Hellwig, an assistant director of Residential Communities, said. For the last 44 years, security aides have worked to keep the students living in residence halls safe, but the program at Kent State differs from other universities. Hellwig said the program is unique because the security aides fall into the category of housing rather than public safety. At other universities, housing and public safety are two separate departments. At Kent State, the Office of Safety and Security resides inside the Department of Resident Services. “We patrol the residence halls, we do lockouts (and) we do the escort service,” Hellwig said. “To the extent that we have it, you won’t find anything else like this in the country.” Out of all the services provided by the aides, the escort service gets used the most, Hellwig said. The escort service is offered to on-campus students who need an escort to get from one location to the next. “Our priority is escorts actually,” Jones said. “If we have someone that needs an escort, we’ll make sure we get an aide out to them right away.” Hellwig said he can tell how safe students feel on campus depending on the number of escort calls the office receives. “We usually get two or three escort calls per night,” Hellwig said. “When we see issues occurring, we definitely see a spike in the number of escorts, which means it’s a pretty good gauge to how students feel.” While Resident Services’ priority is the escort service, the department also provides security to each residence hall. “We divide the campus up into five different areas and each area has two or three security aides per night,” Hellwig said. “They walk through checking (that) the exterior doors are locked and secured. Checking the kitchens, public areas, restrooms, fire safety equipment and enforcing university policies when they have to.” It is not a job for the lighthearted, Jones said. He also said memorization is imperative to be successful as an aide. “If you can stay up late and memorize things and walk around, it’s the easiest job on campus. But you also have to have a backbone when people
significance,” Abu-Amara said. “We want people to approach us and see that we’re open to questions and are welcoming." Members of MSA also held signs with the words “Am I Muslim” and encouraged people to ask questions. Amal Alhadabi, an evaluation and measurement graduate student and member of MSA, was happy for the opportunity to teach others about Islam and correct common misconceptions. “I want students to learn that Islam is a religion of peace,” Alhadabi said. Alhadabi said MSA chose to celebrate Islam Awareness Week because of current events and effects they've had on the current climate. Nicole Barle, a senior integrated social studies major, said she came to the event for the opportunity to learn. “I love learning about different cultures and new ways of life,” Barle said. get stubborn,” Jones said. “If you can’t remember things — especially when you’re half asleep at 2 a.m. — you’re going to have (a) rough time because we need things to function quickly and smoothly over the radio since (Kent State Police Department) can hear us.” Kelli Shumate, a junior criminology and justice studies major, likes the community that comes with being an aide. Shumate is an area advisor for residence halls in the Quad — Olson Hall, Lake Hall, Stopher Hall and Johnson Hall. “My freshman year, I had no friends and didn’t do anything. I just kind of studied and watched Netflix,” Shumate said. “This semester, since becoming a security aide, I’ve made so many friends. Not even just people in security but also residents and (Resident Assistants).” With more than 50 students employed, Hellwig said someone who is honest and dependable has hirable qualities. “Someone who is committed to helping students and just being a resource for students,” Hellwig said. “It’s a good learning experience for students who do want to be security aides. The skills and knowledge that they learn here, (they) can’t get from any other job on campus.” To become an aide, students must first get hired, then complete over 100 hours of training before they go out to do rounds alone. “This is really a job where you learn by doing,” Hellwig said. Jones helps train new hires and makes sure they know their role. “When I’m training people, I always like to say that while we are the office of safety and security, safety does come first,” Jones said. The training focuses on enforcing hall policies through nonviolent actions. “(Aides) don’t have weapons per se; the only thing they have is their voice. So, deescalating a situation with their words alone is pretty powerful,” Hellwig said. While many aides tend to be criminology and justice study majors, that’s not a requirement for the position. In fact, Jones said the position is for any major. “Many people don’t think about it, but any position in our office can be applied to almost any major and career,” Jones said. “It all looks good on a resume, especially if you start to get promotions.” The positions include dispatchers, security aides, area advisors and supervisors. Together these positions make up the department. See full article on KentWired
Barle said she saw the importance of experiencing a different culture first hand. “Given the current administration, people dislike people who don’t look like them,” Barle said. “By putting on a hijab, you’re able to experience what different people experience and see that they’re just like us.” Islam Awareness Week features a number of other events such as a discussion about women in Islam, stories on the Prophet Muhammad and a campus prayer. All events are open to everyone of any background. “Everyone is encouraged to come and learn more about Islam,” Abu-Amara said. “Because of the current climate and potential misconceptions people could hold about Islam, it’s important for people to learn what Islam is.” mcorson2@kent.edu
“(Liberals) will resort to insults and profanities when I want to have a conversation," Bennett said. "Put feelings aside and talk about the logical side of policies and facts. Yet, they claim that they love everybody and want everyone to be accepted.” While painting the Rock on Front Campus to take their stance against federal funding for Planned Parenthood, they were screamed at by passerbys. Dalton alleged that one individual said, “Thanks for paying for abortions.” “She was halfway out of her car screaming, ‘I love abortion. I love Planned Parenthood,’ like that’s a pretty nasty thing to say,” Bennet said. Dalton said his biggest concern about how conservatives are treated regards future students who won’t feel like they have a voice. He said running for student government gave him perspective of the bias on campus. Running as an Undergraduate Student Government writein-candidate for the College of Nursing, he said students urged one another to not vote for conservative students in the election, leading two more people to start campaigning the week of the election. Dalton won. He said he believes the majority of the groups on campus are led by left-leaning students, which he thinks creates bias due to their platform and ability to reach people. “It’s not every left-leaning person, it’s not every liberal. It’s specifically the people who are leading these clubs who are in these leadership positions on campus and it’s concerning,” Dalton said. Bennett agreed and said future students will be hesitant to start their own groups and get involved when they see how conservatives are treated. “Someone started up an Israel group, and they bash her and that leaves other conservative people on this campus who will think, ‘Well, do I really want to start something? No one else feels like me, I’m not even going to have any members. Are they going to treat me
like that?’” Bennet said. Claassen said the divisions at Kent State represent the politics of the entire state. “Kent State is actually a fairly ideologically and politically diverse campus. There would be other campuses in the country that are less diverse in both directions. Ohio is a battleground state, this is a state university, I think we reflect some of the close political division of the state more generally,” Claassen said. At an April 11 College Republicans meeting, members voiced varying experiences about stating their opinions on campus. Jennifer Hutchinson, a senior political science student and president of the College Republicans, said it’s not individuals that are ostracized, but the overarching attitude about the Republican Party. “It’s become acceptable in classes to bash on the Republican party as if no one in your class would align with those views in any way,” Hutchinson said. “I think that’s the problem: the assumption that being a Republican is bad and that everybody else in the classroom agrees with that consensus — that plays into why people don’t speak up.” Cole Nosse, a freshman computer science student, said people assume conservatives are just following their parents’ ideology without having an informed opinion. He said it doesn’t earn you any social capital to be a conservative. Being labeled for having a conservative political opinion is a common worry for many rightleaning students on campus. Jeffrey King, a junior managerial marketing major, said the day after the 2016 election, a classmate told him he didn’t understand why she was upset because he was a white male. “To me, I get that label that she’s thinking I’m a racist, confederate flag-loving, gay-hating person,” King said. He believes if the roles were reversed and Hillary Clinton would’ve won the election, sitins and walkouts by Republicans wouldn’t have been as tolerated as they were when students organized events to protest Donald Trump and his executive actions. See full article on KentWired
Local artists brace for Thursday's FlashFest
Chil Rock Band performs at a concert in Lakewood, Ohio, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. Photo courtesy of Nick Batton.
Quaylyn Hairston and Nicholas Kotch Entertainment Reporter and Consumer Tech Reporter The 23rd annual FlashFest, hosted by the Undergraduate Student Government, is set for Thursday night, taking over the Student Green at 5 p.m. In addition to free music, food, games and prizes that will be available to students, rapping duo Rae Sremmurd will perform with special guest Sammy Adams for an exclusive, studentonly crowd in the Student Center. “From a business standpoint, we are bringing back an artist that performed two years ago at FlashFest 2015 — with Jeremih and The Chainsmokers — who since has been on the Billboard Top 100 multiple times, ranking No. 1 song of the year for 'Black Beatles' and winning their first Grammy,” said Samuel Graska, president of USG. The return of the performers From Page 1
SPENCER Octavia Spencer to speak... The critically acclaimed actress with a career twodecades in the making matched caliber of the speaker the university was looking for. “Commencement is among the most important events in the lives of our students and families,” said Kent State President Beverly Warren in a uni-
was met with mixed emotions from students on social media. While some are thrilled at the return of Rae Sremmurd, other students are not so enthusiastic. Dakota Craig, a junior business management major, said he will not be attending FlashFest this year. “I feel as if the artists don't compare to what we've had in the past," Craig said. "Considering the fact we had Rae Sremmurd here two years ago, I would think there would be better artists that fit the budget and bring someone new to perform at Kent State.” Solomon St Clair, a freshman visual communication design major, said he will be attending FlashFest and is excited for the multiple acts that will be performing Thursday night. “I’m paying $10 for a concert where I’m going to have fun with my friends,” said St Clair. “'Black Beatles' is my jam.” According to Graska, the outside lineup will consist of local versity news release published Tuesday. “We are delighted that this inaugural One University Commencement will feature the compelling story of Octavia Spencer, whose meaningful voice and inspiring example are sure to be a highlight of this momentous ceremony.” According to The New York Times, Spencer was born in Montgomery, Alabama, as the sixth of seven children in her family. She received a Bachelor of Science in liberal arts from
and student talent as a showcase before the headliner. This includes DJ Kyle Conley, a senior communication studies major; Omar Azem, a senior integrated life sciences major; Chil, a band comprised of four students; and wedding band Walk of Shame. “Students in attendance should expect a fantastic show out of Rae Sremmurd, a solid throwback performance from Sammy Adams, and overall, a great time outside,” Graska said. “Last year's lineup was obviously a bit larger of names, but the quality of music and talent will still be well worth being in attendance.” Mixed emotions aside, senior entrepreneurship major Nicholas Batton of the band Chil is excited for the opportunity to play at the concert and feels as if it’s a homecoming for the band. “There’s nothing like coming home,” Batton said. Sean "Spiffy" Styles, lead vocalist of Walk of Shame, does not know for sure what he and the band will be walking into. They play music for all different demographics, including covers that people know and like. “It is great to have the opportunity, and we appreciate it,” Styles said. “We hope students come out and are supportive.” Another performing artist that is not worried about FlashFest’s outcome is Azem, a hip-hop rap artist. “Either you let skepticism paralyze you or you let it move you,” Azem said. “I’m not worried about FlashFest at all.” qhairsto@kent.edu and nkotch@kent.edu Auburn University, where she minored in theatre. Spencer's appearance in "A Time to Kill" in 1995 was the actress's first on-screen role. She has since held various on-screen roles in film and television and has written two young adult novels. Individual college commencement ceremonies will also each have keynote speakers, including Kent State alumni and former Kent State employees. ezaranec@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.
THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED VIEWS.
JOSEPH MCGRELLIS’ VIEW // To see all the cartoons this semester, visit KentWired.com
Opinion Editor: Lucas Misera Senior Editor: Karl Schneider Managing Editor: Alex Delaney-Gesing Sports Editor: Henry Palattella Assigning Editor: Jack Kopanski Assigning Editor: Andrew Atkins
On
Social media’s awareness of news
Julia Hazel TV2 Reporter
It only takes one click, swipe or tap to share, retweet or post information on social media. After gunman Steve Stephens posted the shooting and killing of Robert Godwin Sr. to Facebook, people began commenting and sharing posts, some of which were fake news. The Kent Stater and TV2 urge students to seek awareness on real and fake news in situations like these. See the video on KentWired.
Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... the little guy. A beaver in Saskatoon, Canada managed to herd over 100 cattle on a farm after the curious farm animals followed the unlikely visitor around the pasture. Jeers to ... clogged toilets. Firefighters had to free a Texas woman’s hand from a commode after she tried to unclog it without a plunger.
Can humans compete with tech in the workplace? Lucas Misera Columnist Since the Industrial Revolution, the fear of machinery and technology destroying jobs has gripped society. At the turn of the 20th century, automobiles brought forth a new era of transportation, simultaneously rendering blacksmiths and wainwrights obsolete. The combine harvester, also an invention of the early 20th century, obliterated demand for agricultural human capital in the U.S. The examples are endless, but these two exhibit a larger point: An underlying dread of technological advancement has persisted throughout centuries, and the sense of panic remains. Robotics and artificial intelligence threaten to render human labor an artifact of some inefficient past — a semblance of an era of high production costs. Should American workers be worried? When automobiles destroyed business for blacksmiths, the new industry also opened a door for employment on Model-T assembly lines, repair shops and boosted productivity abroad through more effective transportation. As of 2012, slightly over 2.1 million Americans considered their primary career field to be farming. Although the 20th century saw these jobs eliminated, the net benefit to society came through less expensive food for consumers and the progression of an economy based on skilled rather than agricultural labor. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if there is a threshold at which technology no longer complements human production. Mid- to late- 2000s technology is a threat to the middle class. While the common — though misled — school of thought is that automation will devour the labor market from the bottom of the chain in regards to skill, this isn’t the case. The jobs in peril today are easily routinized, tasks that may require a fair amount of skill but can be replicated via computerization. They lack a distinctive human element. Low-skill workers typically practice customer service and minute physical tasks not easily automatable. High-end employees, on the other hand, require a level of critical thinking and decision-making not easily programmable into non-human capital. The middle-skill workers (think office clerks, secretaries, accountants and some construction workers) are unlikely to find higher wages once displaced by technology. Unless they return to school or attain more education, it’s likely that they’d be forced into the low-skill labor market. The result? Exasperated income inequality. My fears of technology are widely dispersed and cannot be pinpointed to one element of the economy. If technology becomes a destructive force within the labor force, the effects would be widespread and have societal, as well as economic ramifications; complicated questions will shape our future. Should everyone have a guaranteed income to protect from automation? Do individuals necessarily need to hold a job in order to be a productive member of society? Should the beneficiaries of automation — executives and shareholders — be held accountable for the elimination of jobs? Maybe a supercomputer might be able to forecast our fate. After all, you might be surprised where we’re at with artificial intelligence. lmisera@kent.edu
Why it’s different this time in North Korea
Undivided Democrats
Democrat VIEW
Matt Poe Columnist Cue up that old DVD copy of “Team America: World Police” for optional accompaniment to this column. While a plethora of important things are happening in the world, tensions between the United States and North Korea have overwhelmingly dominated the news headlines for the last week plus. First, some background context. The continued threat from North Korea and its leader/toddler-at-heart, Kim JongUn, culminated this past weekend when the country celebrated its most important national holiday, “The Day of the Sun.” Kim Jong-Un vowed to launch a new missile test and a possible forthcoming sixth nuclear test. The missile test this past Sunday failed, according to U.S. and South Korean officials, as many of these previous tests have done so in the past. After all, North Korea threatening the world with nuclear warfare is as much a long-standing tradition as hot dogs and hamburgers on the Fourth of July. Vice President/enemy to the LGBTQ community Mike Pence also visited the Demilitarized Zone to puff his chest and play “military guy” on Monday, sporting a bomber jacket like he was Tom Cruise in “Top Gun.” God, he looked like a schmuck. We dealt with these tensions for years when Kim Jong-Il was in power, and now it’s his son’s turn to lose his mind and spark global tensions. Why? Because he’s nothing more than a spoiled four-year-old who wants to play with some shiny toys, while simultaneously being trapped in the shell of a dad bod that sports a crappy haircut on top. And while nuclear war should never, ever be an option that this planet and its leaders resort to, we all know it would not end well for Kim Jong-Un and the poor people he rules. I hate to dismiss the possibility of nuclear warfare in such a nonchalant manner, but it’s important to realize that we’ve essentially been dealing with this possibility from the Kim Jong-Nutjob lineage for well over a decade now. World leaders will continue to condemn North Korea’s nuclear program and will continue to impose sanctions on the country until it ceases nuclear testing, even though Kim Jong-Un would rather see his people starve and die before giving up his coveted collection of missiles. They’ll keep launching missiles that will likely continue to amount to nothing more than a proverbial smack on the wrist from the rest of the world. Lather, rinse, repeat — nothing more to see here, folks. Few things have changed in that regard
Brian DiPaolo is a member of the College Democrats. Intersectionality generally is the belief that identities overlap to create a whole. It is often applied to gender, race and social constructs in a political sense. In applying the theory of intersectionality to an ideology, one is better able to understand the parts that make up a whole. Intersectionality shows differences, but it also can enable solidarity. In the coming years of the Republican Trump administration, progressives must be united in order to best resist and persist against conservative policies, which threaten that which we Democrats stand for. The way I see it, the more unified the Democratic Party is, the more successful it will be at doing this. A lot is at stake and under attack. In order to be successful — in order to win — in 2017, 2018 and beyond, Democrats must understand that they are an intersectional party and embrace such intersectionality. Too often, Democrats label themselves as a certain kind of Democrat — a “civil rights Democrat” or an “environmental Democrat.” With this sort of mindset, Democrats will not win elections in the future. Democrats must realize the issues that the party supports are not self-contained. The progress many of the identities of the Democratic Party pursue are actually connected and mutually bound. This calls for different factions within the Democratic Party to make a better attempt to support one another. It does this party no good if teacher unions are printing on non-recycled paper. It does this party no good if the people showing up to support the Planned Parenthood clinics are not buying union-made products. It does this party no good if the people attending the Women’s March aren’t going to the Pride March and if the LGBTQ community and allies championing the Pride March are not supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. For years the Democratic Party has been divided on the grassroots level. This past election it was greatly divided and, as a result, witnessed catastrophic losses. This country cannot afford for the Democratic Party to remain divided for much longer. We have to be indivisible. For this to happen, Democrats need to talk to each other. LGBTQ Democrats must realize that the battle they wage for their rights is similar to that of women and people of color (which I am sure many of them do). These communities can only do so much divided, but together in the Democratic Party they can champion a bold movement for equality. Environmental interests and labor unions have got to come to the conclusion that their causes can help one another. Jobs being outsourced and eliminated by automation can be replaced by a new generation of green jobs. Prochoice voters and teachers ought to team up to provide safe relationship education in schools. Each of these identities of the Democratic Party are connected, and each of them hold a common cause: progress. In order for progress to happen, the Democratic movement must not be divided. Democratic interests must unite under a big tent of progressive causes and support each other. Then, when the union members are escorting women back to their cars at Planned Parenthood clinics, the LGBTQ community is printing its literature on pre-recycled paper and the public school teacher is petitioning their congressman for a $15 minimum wage in order to eliminate the gender gap, then we as a Democratic movement will see intersectional victory.
— well, except for Donnie Boy being in the White House and having the nuclear codes, which remains a huge cause of concern for anyone who doesn’t want to be engulfed in nuclear fallout. I read a great article over the weekend from Kathy Gilsinan at The Atlantic, and I bring it up here because I don’t want to act like this was some original idea of mine (shocking, I know). I also bring it up because it’s a read that certainly warrants your time and attention. I’ll dumb it down because I’m really good at doing that. The article basically details how past presidents have largely treated North Korea’s nuclear program as the unstable, unsuccessful program it is. They’ve proceeded with caution when it comes to any sort of talks of retaliation or threats of preemptive strikes against the communist nation. It’s the equivalent of a teacher who has to deal with an insubordinate child: We all know who’s really in charge here, and we all know your ass is going to the office if you don’t shape up, Kim Jong-Un. But with Trump, those types of talks may cease because this man himself is similarly unpredictable, irrational, indecisive and flip-flops on just about everything he comes across. He has been adamant about displaying our nation’s military might, and when the risk of nuclear war is on the table, nothing could be more stupid or dangerous than two unstable men with nuclear arms at their disposal attempting to call one another’s bluff. It’s like me at a poker table at 2 a.m. with a couple of bourbons and cigarettes in my system. Is the possibility that we’re marching toward a real standoff inevitable? Yeah, sure; that possibility always exists. Is it likely? I still would say no, and Gilsinan outlines and articulates those ideas much better than I can. With the insertion of Trump into the equation, that “Z” variable becomes much more complex, and the situation becomes more uneasy like a Cuban Missile Crisis in slow motion, as it’s been described by some. We need not yet run for the hills as the cable networks would prefer to have us believe. Cooler heads will likely prevail, which is the case with a great many things. Remember when that used to be the norm? While this administration may like it otherwise, I long for that line of thinking and rationale to return from whatever exile it was cast off to. mpoe3@kent.edu
bdipaolo@kent.edu
Page 4 | Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Perspectives
The Kent Stater
Photos and multimedia through the lenses of Kent State students
Flag throwers wave their flags, marked with Florence, Italy’s symbolic lily, leading The Scoppio del Carro toward the Duomo, known as the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Brindellone, or the nine-meter-high cart filled with fireworks, makes its way from its home on Porta al Prato to the Duomo, where it explodes for crowds of excited locals and tourists.
A volunteer hands out various flowers to the audience before the firework display begins.
SCOPPIO DEL CARRO CELEBRATING EASTER IN ITALY
The Archbishop of Florence blesses the crowd on Easter Sunday before the Explosion of the Cart. He is also responsible for lighting the fuse in the colombina, which then launches into the cart, setting off the fireworks.
The Scoppio del Carro, the main event of Florence, Italy’s Easter celebration, explodes in an extravagent, smoky and fiery display.
Onlookers capture photos of the brilliant firework display from the Scoppio del Carro on Easter Sunday. Superstition states that if the ceremony runs smoothly, the upcoming year will be filled with good luck and good fortune.
Easter in Florence, Italy is a colorful maze of springy storefronts, fancy desserts and carts exploding in front of the Santa Maria del Fiore. The city’s most famous Easter tradition is The Scoppio del Carro, or “The Explosion of the Cart.” For nearly 350 years, the I' Brindellone, the two-story cart topped with fireworks, is paraded to the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo. After arriving at 10 a.m., a ceremony complete with song and dance occurs around the cart. At 11 a.m. the Archbishop launches a dove-shaped rocket — called the colombina — into the cart, setting off a loud and smoky firework display. The ceremony stems from the courageous acts of Pazzino de’Pazzi, a young member of
Florence’s renowned Pazzi family. He was the first soldier to scale the walls of Jerusalem during the First Crusade. His bravery was rewarded with the gift of three flints from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The flints were carried back to Florence and to this day are used to light both the Easter candle and the coals in the I’ Brindellone. The beauty of Florence lies within its strong connection to its past. Its identity will be forever intertwined with its Renaissance legacy. As long as Florence is breathing, it will continue flaunting its vibrant history through extravagant ceremonies and reenactments — each one equally as breathtaking as the Scoppio del Carro. Written and photographed by photojournalism major Carrie George.
The two-story exploding cart, or Brindellone, arrives in front of the Duomo at precisely 10 a.m. After about an hour of song, dance and religious ceremony, the rocket is launched and the firework display begins.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 | Page 5
The Kent Stater
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: HENRY PALATTELLA // HPALATTE@KENT.EDU
Flashes down Penguins on the road Nick Buzzelli Sports Reporter Joe Vranesic had never pitched in a regular season game in his collegiate career prior to Tuesday’s afternoon game. The Kent State redshirt freshman took the mound as a reliever in a fall ball game in October against Malone University, but he hadn’t recorded an appearance — either as a starter or reliever — in any of the Flashes’ 31 games this season. However, Kent State coach Jeff Duncan gave Vranesic the start against Youngstown State University, and the right-hander made the most of his opportunity, giving up only one run while striking out four in five innings of work en route to his first career victory and the Flashes’ (20-12, 7-2 Mid-American Conference) 6-3 non-conference win over the Penguins (9-24) at Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio. Kent State began the game with three consecutive hits — back-to-back base hits by junior Mason Mamarella and senior Luke Burch and a junior Dylan Rosa double – and was able to take a 2-0 lead before YSU starter Javier Alvarez recorded his first out. Four batters later, sophomore catcher Pete Schuler hit a double down the right field line on an 0-2 pitch to put the Flashes up by four, leading to Alvarez’s early departure from the mound. On the other end, however, Vranesic was able to record four consecutive outs before surrendering his first-ever hit at the Division I level, a one-out single to Youngstown State’s Nico Padovan. But Vranesic, a native of Englewood, Ohio, then got the next two batters he faced to fly out to end the inning. The only blemish on his first career start came in the third when the Penguins recorded their first run after stringing together an Anthony Rohan single and a Lorenzo Arcuri double. Kent State then had two runs at the top of the sixth to extend its lead to four. In the bottom half of the inning, Vranesic was pulled in favor of right-hander Aaron Tadian, who let two runs across the plate on a Padovan single to left. However, the Flashes’ bullpen of Zach Schultz and John Matthews were able to hold YSU scoreless from that point forward and secure the victory, Kent State’s first over Youngstown State this season after dropping an 11-6 decision at home on April 4. Kent State looks to sweep its season series against the University of Pittsburgh on the road Wednesday at Charles L. Cost Field before returning to Schoonover Stadium this weekend to host University of Toledo for a three-game series. nbuzzel1@kent.edu
Redshirt junior Reilly Hawkins slides safely into second base against Youngstown State University on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. Kent State lost 11-6. Aaron Self / The Kent Stater
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Page 6 | Wednesday, April 19, 2017
The Kent Stater
Female cadet serves as role model in ROTC Troy Lee Military Reporter Captain Julie Kassner’s involvement in the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) means a lot to the 72 cadets involved in the Air Force ROTC program, but it means even more to the handful of women. “She never complains, she shows an example and loves developing us into leaders,” said senior international relations major and cadet Hunter Rininger. “(The) key word is ‘show,’ because although she does tell, her actions say a lot.” Kassner, who is also a professor in aerospace studies, began her involvement in the Air Force at Bowling Green State University. She learned Russian and participated in the AFROTC program. Kassner was commissioned as an intelligence officer after graduating. Her skill with the Russian language proved beneficial, allowing her to travel to three bases in the US. Most recently, she was in Oklahoma at Tinker Air Force Base. Kassner arrived at Kent State in June — four years into her Air Force career — and this brought her the joy of teaching others. Kassner said she learned the same things during her time in the AFROTC program that she's teaching now. It was a different time for women who wanted to be involved in the military while at college. She said she was one of the only woman in the program all four of her years. As of January 2016, however, women are officially allowed to serve in a combat position, replacing the 1994 rule prohibiting it. In 2016, the Navy and Air Force branches made up the highest percentage of women in the military with 16.4 percent and 19.1 percent, respectively. Kent State’s ROTC program currently fields 11 female cadets this semester. For those women, Kassner serves as a role model. “It is cool to see a woman come in and teach us,” said freshman pre-nursing major Hannah Schwegmann. “We can have casual conversations that are both professional and personal.” Kassner's husband works at Kent State as an assistant learning specialist. Kassner said she feels the constant moving may hinder his ability
Captain Julie Kassner is an instructor for ROTC cadets. Troy Lee / The Kent Stater
to find work at his degree level. “Finding someone who is willing to put up with the constant moving and long hours is important," she said. "They are in the military as much as you are.” Kassner, who is eight months pregnant, said her husband is strong. “We are expecting a baby soon, so it could be difficult for both of us to be working and taking care of a child,” Kassner said. “I’m not sure what it’s like to be in his position, but I appreciate it.” Out of the near 1.5 million members in the military, 43 percent have children. “This is something I am not concerned about,” said cadet Sophia Siddall. “Family is so far from now that I am not even caring about it.” Siddall has served in leadership positions for the AFROTC flight wing since field training last summer. Siddall said she is interested in being
involved in Special Operations after graduation, a challenging combat-oriented field that has opened up to women recently. All five wing leaders were female last semester. “Everyone’s leadership personality is different," Siddall said. “For me, I want to mentally challenge those who just got back from field training. Make them uncomfortable, but help guide them and show they can do these things.” Not compromising is a key for the women in the program. “It is important for the upper-class ladies to mentor them with how it really is,” Rininger said. “All the ladies need to set good examples and be a confident woman.” Twice this year, Rininger hosted a get-together for the women in the program — a time to mentor the underclass cadets and have fun.
Schwegmann joined the program with intentions of entering the Air Force following graduation. Growing up, the military was a large part of her life, with her grandpa and uncles having served, Schwegmann said. “Having leaders in Siddall and Rininger inspire me through fitness and more personally,” Schwegmann said. “Seeing Kassner, about to have a baby but still (leading) labs and work is very inspiring too.” Kassner said she takes pleasure in cadets looking up to her because she knows people need an example. She does recognize she is an instructor for more than just the women in the program though. “Overall, all the cadets are ambitious and have that drive to be a leader," Kassner said. tlee25@kent.edu
Flint mayor says water switch ‘too risky’ after lead crisis
Local pastors listen to a question-and-answer session with media during a press conference on Tuesday at City Hall in downtown Flint, Michigan. Jake May / The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, (second right), is briefed by U.S. Gen. Vincent Brooks, (right), commander of the United Nations Command, U.S. Forces Korea and Combined Forces Command, as Pence's wife Karen, (second left), and his two daughters Charlotte and Audrey, stand from Observation Post Ouellette in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), near the border village of Panmunjom, South Korea on Monday. Sipa USA / AP
Pence: US won't rest until North Korea gives up nuclear weapons Associated Press The U.S. will not relent until it achieves its objective of ensuring the Korean Peninsula is free of nuclear weapons, Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday while visiting Japan. After meetings with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other leaders, Pence told reporters that President Donald Trump was confident that economic and diplomatic pressure has a chance of compelling North Korea to cooperate. "It is our belief by bringing together the family of nations with diplomatic and economic pressure we have a chance of achieving a freeze on the Korean Peninsula," Pence said. "We will not rest and will not relent until we obtain the objective of a denuclearized Korean Peninsula," he said. The Trump administration has signaled a more forceful U.S. stance toward North Korea's recent missile tests and threats, including a warning from Trump that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has "gotta behave." So Pence struck a stern tone after arriving at a U.S. naval base from South Korea. "We appreciate the challenging times in which the people of Japan live with increasing provocations from across the Sea of Japan," he said. "We are with you 100 percent." On Monday, Pence traveled to the tense Demilitarized Zone dividing North and South Korea, where he warned North Korea's
leaders that after years of testing the U.S. and South Korea with its nuclear ambitions, "the era of strategic patience is over." A senior North Korean official then accused the United States of bringing the countries to the brink of thermonuclear war. Pence, on a 10-day Asia trip that will also take him to Indonesia and Australia, said Trump hopes China will use its leverage to get its longtime ally North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program and ballistic missiles. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a fresh appeal for calm. Wang told reporters that although U.S. officials have made clear that a military strike remains a possibility, he believes that Washington would still prefer to de-escalate tensions through multi-sided talks. Abe said Japan likewise hopes for peaceful dialogue with Pyongyang, "but at the same time, dialogue for the sake of dialogue is valueless." Pressure on North Korea is crucial, the prime minister said. After meeting with Abe, Pence held talks with Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso on a new U.S.-Japan "economic dialogue" to be led by the two. The new forum for trade talks was launched by Trump and Abe during the Japanese leader's visit to the U.S. in February. In part, it is meant to take the place of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the regional trade pact that Trump withdrew from shortly after taking office.
Pence and Aso said they believed the dialogue could yield opportunities to create new jobs on both sides and to fortify the economic aspects of the alliance. "We would like to seek the best shape and forum for our bilateral relationship," Pence said. "The TPP is a thing of the past for the United States of America." He said Trump is certain that negotiating trade deals with individual countries was the best way to ensure they yield "win-win" situations for both sides. The talks Tuesday did not delve into sector-by-sector issues such as auto exports. With no U.S. trade representative yet in office and other key positions still unfilled, such nitty-gritty discussions will have to come later. The loss of U.S. participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership was a blow to Japan following strenuous negotiations, especially over opening its long-protected farm sector to more imports, especially of dairy and meat products. For now, both sides seem eager to downplay potential for conflict, with Aso repeatedly saying that trade friction has been vanquished in a "new era of cooperation." As Indiana governor, Pence saw firsthand the impact of Japanese automakers Toyota, Honda and Subaru, whose factories employ thousands of people in his home state. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who met with Japan's trade minister, Hiroshige Seko, earlier Tuesday, said he hopes to soon begin talks on a free trade agreement with Japan.
Marcia Dunn Associated Press Flint's mayor reversed course Tuesday and recommended that the Michigan city beset by a man-made crisis that left the water supply contaminated with lead continue getting its drinking water from a Detroit-area system long term, saying a third switch would be too risky and expensive. Flint would remain a customer of the Great Lakes Water Authority for the next 30 years under the proposal instead of transitioning to a new Flintarea pipeline as planned. A previous money-saving decision to join the Karegnondi Water Authority in 2013 set the stage for the disaster when stateappointed financial managers controlling Flint in 2014 decided to temporarily tap the Flint River while the regional pipeline to Lake Huron was being built. The river water was not treated to reduce corrosion for 18 months. As a result, lead leaching from old pipes and fixtures caused elevated levels in children and left residents to drink and bathe with bottled or filtered water. "This protects residents from any potential fears or anxieties that would come from another change in our water source, especially at a time when the water has improved and is now meeting federal and state action level standards," Mayor Karen Weaver said during a news conference at City Hall with top federal, state and local officials who supported her decision. "Ensuring the public's health and safety is our No. 1 priority." During the public health emergency, there also were E. coli detections and high levels of a carcinogenic disinfectant byproduct. Experts suspect a deadly Legionnaires' disease outbreak was tied to the water. Flint returned to the Great Lakes Water Authority, which services much of Detroit and the suburbs, in 2015. Last June, Weaver — who was elected after the crisis exploded — reluctantly announced that the city of 100,000 residents would still switch to the Karegnondi Water Authority pipeline after the system was ready, even though she had threatened to break the agreement before concluding it would have been too difficult. But she reevaluated that decision as a condition of Flint receiving $100 million in federal funding to address the disaster, the first wave of which is expected to arrive in May. A dozen options were explored, and Weaver said staying with the Detroitarea system under a new 30-year con-
tract and using the local county as a backup would be the cheapest, costing $269 million over 20 years and keeping already-high customer bills in check. Flint estimates it would save $58 million by not having to upgrade its own troubled water plant to treat water coming from the new pipeline — more if the facility is closed. The savings could be used as part of a $177 million update of the city's aging and deteriorating distribution system, including fixing leaky water mains and replacing 18,000 lead service lines, said David Sabuda, Flint's interim chief financial officer. The city remains on the hook for $7 million annual bond payments to the Karegnondi Water Authority, but Weaver said that cost would be offset by credits from the Detroit-area authority in exchange for gaining Flint's water rights to the KWA. The Great Lakes Water Authority would benefit by keeping Flint — one of its 10 biggest customers — as a long-term customer and, in a partnership with the Flint-area authority and Genesee County, provide backup to Flint and other nearby customers. "This redundancy means that these member communities will be more secure in their water service should an emergency or issue with the GLWA system arise," said CEO Sue McCormick. Officials hope the City Council approves the proposed deal by June. Weaver will brief council members Wednesday and hold a public town hall meeting Thursday. Bob Kaplan, acting regional director for the Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, said the agreement is the "best long-term solution." And Rich Baird, a top adviser to Gov. Rick Snyder — who has apologized for the crisis blamed largely on his administration — said it positions Flint to have a "state-of-the-art" water system with real-time testing and metering. After an event in Grand Rapids, Snyder told reporters that the plan is a "major step forward" that benefits Flint, the county and the Detroit regional water system. Flint can deploy the federal money "to the highest and best use," he said. Flint Councilman Eric Mays said he understands the safety concerns over switching water sources again, but he will still scrutinize the mayor's proposal — especially any diminishment of Flint's stake in the newly built pipeline. "I'm concerned about that," he said. "If you look at that asset 25 or 30 years down the road, it's a great asset possibly for Flint."