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@kentwired KentWired.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017
Yemen Iran
Somalia Iraq
Emad Khazraee. Deidre Pulley / The Kent Stater
Mitch Felan Senior Reporter
Sudan
Syria
Libya
Kent State associate professor Emad Khazraee remembers where he was the night of Nov. 4, 2008. He was sitting in front of a television set in Iran, waiting through an eight-anda-half-hour time difference to see the election of Barack Obama, America’s first AfricanAmerican president.
FAMILIES TORN BY TRAVEL BAN Cameron Gorman and McKenzie Jean-Philippe Senior Reporter and Diversity Editor In the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt travel from seven countries for 90 days and refugee admission for 120 days, dissent has not only crept up in airports across the country — it has hit close to home for many at Kent State. The order, which was signed last Friday, first barred all travelers from the affected countries, including those with valid green cards and visas. Since then, however, the green card ban has been relaxed.
The entire situation is unconstitutional” LAMA ABU-AMARA PRESIDENT OF MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Seven countries have been named in the ban: Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. According to the CIA, these are countries in which the majority of citizens are Muslim. Michael Taylor, a marketing and communications specialist in Kent State’s Office of Global Education, said as of Fall 2016, 75 international students at Kent State are from the countries listed in the order. While the Trump administration insists the executive order has been put in place to ensure the safety of Americans, there are some who feel it does more harm than good.
Anthony Harris, a senior economics major, is a board member for both Kent State’s Muslim Students’ Association and Salaam Cleveland. “They’re coming from Syria with a life very similar to yours, only a different language,” he said. “When you talk with these people, you see things that are very hard to explain. You see a whole wealth of emotion in one word sometimes. They’ll say something and you can see that they’re darting back through everything they’ve been through; from moments when they were fleeing gunfire, to moments where they were waiting for interviews to come through, to the moment they finally first step foot into this new land that they’re calling home.” Harris said Salaam Cleveland aims to help refugees from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia, ease into their transition to the United States. While helping refugees learn English, get placed with employers and obtain their driver’s license, Harris has heard the perspective of many fleeing violence. Not all citizens from the seven countries have come to the U.S. seeking refuge from war. Some, like the international students at Kent State, are simply here for an education. Now, following the release of the executive order, many are unsure of their future at the university. Ibrahim Albadri, a junior applied engineering major from Tripoli, Libya, is an F-1 visa holder. In addition to rocky communications with officials in his country, the details laid out in Friday’s order created additional worries for Albadri. “Since my country is a mess, my money doesn’t get transferred that fast,” he said. “It takes (a) couple of months, so like this semester, if my money doesn’t arrive at March, I’ll probably get my classes dropped, and I can get a leave of absence. With a leave of absence, Albadri said, an
individual leaves the country for a semester and then returns. However, since there’s a ban, he said, “I wouldn’t come back. I wouldn’t apply for any visa to come back.” Echoing President Beverly Warren’s statement made to the university community Sunday, Taylor said the university is advising those with student visas to stay in Kent for the time being in order to finish out the semester. In the meantime, the university is deciding its next steps in order to better help student visa holders. “We’re getting calls and emails from (students from banned countries),” Taylor said. “We are going to be putting out an announcement — this is what we’ve been working with (University Communications and Marketing) about — to all the students and basically tell them that we’re going to be setting up some hotlines and things like that that help the students.” The Office of Global Education is planning a support event for affected students in the KIVA, as well as setting up hotlines for help. As of Tuesday, however, nothing is set in stone. “I’m sure some people are going to be in distress about this,” Taylor said. “We want to be able to provide them with accurate, helpful information (and) support them as we need to.” Morteza Shakeri’s wife, Mansoureh Shasti, is a Ph.D student at Kent State. Currently out of the country, Shasti can’t resume her studies until she is allowed to re-enter the United States. “My wife and I, we came to the United States about six years ago,” Shakeri said. “It was 2011, and she was a student. I was a student after her, so we just — we always have been in the United States. Not any travel outside of the country.” Because of some family issues happening in Iran, Shakeri said, his wife and one-year-old daughter had to go to visit family around two months ago.
SEE FAMILIES / PAGE 2
“That was a turning point in, not only the history of the United States, but in the world. I wanted to be a part of that progress in society,” he said. “That was only 50 years after the ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. (It proved the U.S.) was a country that reconcile with itself at the time in my mind.” Khazraee is an Iranian immigrant who moved to America just a year after that election. He was one of 19,000 Iranian immigrants who came to the country that year, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security. “America was painted for me as a land of opportunities and the land of tolerance,” he said. But now, things have changed for Khazraee. Obama is no longer president and Khazraee has a new-found fear he didn’t think he would ever experience in America; he is from Iran, one of seven countries banned in President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive order. “This fear and terror in me probably started sometime around June or July. It just landed on Nov. 8,” he said. “But what happened in the past week … I’m a bit scared whether democracy can protect itself.” Khazraee, who has been teaching at Kent State since 2015, has lived in the United States with his wife, a professor at The University of Akron, for eight years. Amy Reynolds, dean of the College of Communication and Information, where Khazraee works, said that his colleagues have been offering nothing but support. “I immediately thought about Khazraee (when I heard about the order),” she said. “He has been someone who’s been an amazingly quick contributor. He works all across the college, he’s an outstanding citizen and he’s very valued here.”
SEE TORN / PAGE 2
Students engage in open political dialogue during Trump KENTtalk Caelin Mills Student Politics Reporter Kent State students gathered in the TriTowers lobby Tuesday night for the fifth installment in the KENTtalk series, “Let’s Talk Trump: Understanding Both Sides of the Vote.” The goal of the KENTtalk was to create a civil platform for people on both sides of the political aisle to discuss their differences and opinions. Anthony Harris, senior economics major, was excited about the event. “I’d hope that in meeting people who are not like you, in a friendly environment, that you will understand the idea,” Harris said. "We tend to see each other as one of two things: we see each other as either the ingroup — my core group of
friends — people that have the same views as me, people that have the same opinions as me, and the out group, which is all those others." Through the course of the evening, the conversation centered mostly on the recent executive order preventing travel from seven Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Libya and Sudan. “I am analyzing the difference between what the policy actually says and what people think it says. I’m here to get an understanding of how people have interpreted his words, rather than what his words actually are,” Harris said. He discussed the current divisions in modern politics. "In the American political system, you see this a lot. You see the Democrats who say, 'all
Republicans are just like this' and you’ll see the Republicans form up and say 'all Democrats are just like that,' and they stay within their party. I’m hoping that being in a place like this, where it’s very hard to pin down the exact location of someone, will allow people to open their mind and ingest actual information,” Harris said. The room filled quickly, leaving only standing room for many in attendance. Nico Rushh, sophomore philosophy major, reflected positively on the evening. “Through communication and through understanding other people's identities and experiences, that’s how we grow, and that’s how we learn and that’s how we come together as a unit, to then better ourselves and to then make America great,” Rushh said.
Although Rushh may have not agreed, they acknowledged the importance of unity and listening to those who may have different opinions. “A lot of Trump supporters or people who identify themselves with him have the same conscious thought that there’s something wrong and there’s something we need to fix. No matter how rude or ignorant the view is, you should still take time to listen because then by you just getting up and arguing with someone, then you don’t get to hear their point,” Rushh said. They acknowledged the importance of continuing this dialogue: To create more comfort in speaking up for those who were hesitant.
SEE TRUMP / PAGE 2
Page 2 | Wednesday, February 1, 2017
The Kent Stater
University named one of top LGBTQ-friendly online schools McKenna Corson Diversity Reporter Kent State was named one of the top 2017 LGBTQ-friendly online schools by the SR Education Group due to its inclusive and open practices for LGBT students. The criteria was judged by Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to making universities more LGBT-friendly. Campus Pride created the Campus Pride Index, a tool used to
measure the inclusivity of a school, to compare institutions across the country. Kathleen Mattise, a program coordinator for the LGBTQ Center, was excited to hear of Kent State’s success. “It’s cool to be recognized,” Mattise said. “Having our name out there lets other folks know that at least we’re aware that LGBTQ people exist and that we’re working to serve them and make them feel welcome, whether that is online or on campus.” The Campus Pride Index looks at
about 50 potential LGBT inclusive aspects that a university could have, such as support groups, gender-inclusive housing, career services and safe space programs. Kent State earned a pride score of 3.5 out of 5. The list consists of 57 other institutions with scores ranging from 3 to 5. Each school must offer at least 15 online degree programs to be considered. Matisse is proud of the steps Kent
State has made to be a more LGBTinclusive university, but she said there is still plenty to be done. “I think it’s important to acknowledge the work that we’ve done so far,” Matisse said. “However, it’s also important to acknowledge the work that we still have to do. I think this achievement is a good motivator to continue to build upon the stuff we’re already doing and the institutional support we already have and push forward.” mcorson2@kent.edu
Student political leaders respond to Trump's executive order Caelin Mills Politics Reporter President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday putting a temporary ban on admitting refugees, green card and visa holders from countries with high terrorist activity. The action has sparked unrest throughout the country. The countries affected by the 90-day ban include Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. After its enactment, protests erupted across the country as current visa holders faced trouble returning to the United States. Kent State President Beverly Warren sent out a statement about the issue in a university-wide email Sunday. “The faculty and staff of Kent State University affirm our longstanding commitment to be a welcoming, inclusive environment where all feel at home. That commitment does not change as political or social movements change. Our values define who we are
and what we stand for in a community that aspires to advance the creativity and belief in the invaluable benefits of an increasingly global society,” Warren said. The university statement was appreciated by both sides of the political spectrum. “President Warren’s response was very heartwarming and reassuring,” said Anthony Erhardt, president of the College Democrats. “I think Kent is a very welcoming community, and I think that it goes to show that politics is far reaching and affects everybody. I read a story today about a refugee from Ohio. These are real people and I think it puts an emphasis on this being a real issue. Even if it doesn't affect you, it still has ramifications.” In her email, Warren strongly encouraged international students and scholars "to reconsider travel outside of the United States for the time being." Across the aisle, Jennifer Hutchinson, president of the College Republi-
TRUMP Students engage in open ...
cmills11@kent.edu From Page 1
FAMILIES Families torn by travel ... In order to go back to Iran, Shasti traveled to Canada to be granted a new visa. Now, it’s not certain if she can reenter the country. “If (the) executive order (is) going to be continued in that way, there is no chance for us,” Shakeri said. Lama Abu-Amara, president of the Muslim Student’s Association, sees how the order is already affecting various MSA members, some of who are dualcitizens and natives of countries like Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Libya. She said while Trump had mentioned targeting the Muslim community throughout the campaign, seeing his words become a reality is surreal. “The entire situation is unconstitu-
‘‘
can Civil Liberties Union) is fighting it." Hutchinson said she is wary of the choice, but she sees the reason behind the action. “My concern is this is a problem the United States is facing, (and) that there are groups that want to do horrible things to this nation and will unfortunately take advantage of something like the Syrian refugee crisis," Hutchinson said. "I don't think we can play ignorant about that. We need to figure out the best way to bring them in that’s safe for them and safe for us. I don’t know if this is the best way to do it ... however, I think it’s a response to a legitimate concern." Putting differences aside, the common theme remains of keeping Kent State’s international students in mind. “I think we all need to just offer as much perspective as possible and offer that support to our fellow students,” Hutchinson said. cmills11@kent.edu
A lot of people choose not to speak out because then you have that face-to-face interaction, so then people who have the opposing view feel like they can’t speak on it.”
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"A lot of people choose not to speak out because then you have that faceto-face interaction, so then people who have the opposing view feel like they can’t speak on it," Rushh said. Kent State sociology professor Richard Serpe moderated the evening. He reflected on his experience, holding the student participants in high regard. “I was very pleased,” Serpe said. "I think this could’ve gone for another two hours. The engagement in the people here was encouraging. What I heard today was a lot of hope, and I heard a lot of empowerment from people believing they have some ways of helping themselves and in the process helping others, making our communities better." The importance of civility and participation was the most prevalent lesson throughout the talk. Serpe concluded the evening by relating Kent State students to his own activism and criticism of younger generations. “What I heard today, different language, different topics, but the same commitment, the same engagement as people talked about in the '60s,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with young people today. Their issues are different. Their challenges are different," Serpe said. "They’re going to act differently than us in our ‘60s because their view is different than ours, their future is different than ours."
cans, commended Warren for her swift response to the executive order. “In regards to President Warren’s message, I think it was well-written and a needed response," Hutchinson said. "We are a university home to many international students. I think it was important for her and the university to reach out to them and if they have questions or concerns that the university wants to work with them on what protocols they should take." Despite the positive response for Warren’s statement, there are still differing viewpoints on Trump's executive order. “I was appalled by it and the precedent that it’s setting — especially how broad it is in its scope. You can dress it up however you want; it’s a Muslim ban," Erhardt said. "The countries that have been banned have not perpetrated attacks against the U.S. in 30 years. I think it will make it harder for us to work with our Muslim allies in that region and I’m glad to see the (Ameri-
Political activist Rita Witt listens while taking notes during the Kenttalks “Let’s Talk Trump” event on Tuesday. Carly Bronikowski / The Kent Stater
– Nico Rushh sophomore philosophy major
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tional,” Abu-Amara said. “It targets people based off of their religion, off of their nationality. It’s like a collective punishment ... And now it’s kind of a lot more real and a lot more serious. I know that he’s mentioned the Muslim registry and so we’re kind of on edge on that. Because it means that there’s gonna be collective surveillance of an entire community.” Citing the fact that no American citizens have been killed in the last 40 years from the seven countries listed in the order, Albadri didn’t understand Trump’s motive. “Every person has a different way or a different opinion of how to fight, but I don’t know if his way is the most effective way,” Albadri said. “He’s saying (the U.S. has) a plan to attack them, but I don’t know, what is the plan? He never described it. Banning seven countries that never attacked the U.S. or haven’t
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TORN Families torn by travel ... Reynolds said that professors in the college have been contacting their representatives and senators since the announcement. One office even made “I’m with Emad” posters complete with the Iranian flag. Khazraee and his wife were both in America at the time the order was finalized. As a result of it, both professors have had to make changes to their schedules. “I was also invited to the U.K. to teach at an institute, but that is cancelled. I planned to attend a conference in U.K. as well, and one of my main conferences is in Columbia … (but) that’s not going to happen,” he said. As an academic, Khazraee said, "you build your credibility through travel." But now, he said, “We cannot travel to any places." What hurts most for Khazraee and his wife, however, is the recent birth of their first child, whose Iranian grandparents had to cancel their
done any extremist acts? I don’t see that as a plan.” Even those not personally affected by the ban in the Kent State community are reaching out through activism. History professor Richard Steigmann-Gall signed a petition for academics who oppose the order. He said he found the petition through social media. “Regardless of our personal or family histories — whether we migrated here from the other side of the world, or were born and raised in Ohio — we are united by our love of the rule of law, the rights of the individual and due process. That’s what motivated me to oppose the ban,” he said. Although he is not being personally affected, Steigmann-Gall maintained that this fact did not dampen his strong opposition. He feels that Trump should reverse the order. “It’s already hurting the academic
trip to America. “My mother-in-law was on the way to visit our baby for the first time and also to help us because my parental leave will end soon," he said. "That’s canceled now." Khazraee's wife is also a concern for him. She is an archeologist who has worked on overseas projects in Turkey, Oman, Iraq and Iran. “Her whole future is under threats. How can you be an archeologist and not travel?” he said. But despite the circumstances, Khazraee said that his family is lucky in one way: they stayed together. “We believe that we are the lucky ones. The three of us are together,” he said. His friends cannot say the same: One of Khazraee’s colleagues — who teaches at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill — is now trapped overseas, as he left for a family emergency before the ban was placed. Another is in Canada, unsure if she will be able to cross the border to see her husband and child. A few of Khazraee’s friends from New York University were also detained while trying to board a plane. “It’s extremely hard when you feel your life is under siege,” he said. “I started feeling like what it would have been like to be a Jew in 1933
community more broadly, by keeping scholars, scientists and doctors out of the country whose talents would make this country a better place,” SteigmannGall said. “And whose talents earned them visas to do their work here. That process has already begun. That loss is already being felt.” For now, though, many are just waiting for what’s next. “It’s so hard, you know? Especially when you have a child. It’s so hard that you cannot be here. We used to play together with my daughter, every night,” Shakeri said. “When this order says ... (it) wants us to protect the United States from terrorists and from dangerous people, I agree with that. But ... the students are not dangerous. The students are useful for this country.” cgorman2@kent.edu and mjeanphi@kent.edu
Berlin. All of a sudden, things are happening, and you cannot expect things are going to stop.” But Khazree said that there is still hope. For one, he said that he has been in much worse situations. “I grew up during eight years of the longest Northern war in the 20th century between Iran and Iraq. I witnessed many of my classmates’ parents dying. We were living in the cities that were facing the landing of the missiles. That was how I grew up,” he said. “Even when we were babies, we learned that we should not talk about things because maybe you had an uncle or a friend who had been executed for being a political dissenter.” But, as he later admitted, the United States’ new administration may also be helping with his research. Khazraee specializes in studying the effect of new media on political action and protest. He said it started with the Women’s March on Washington and continued to airport protests around the country following the executive order. “I usually study non-democractic societies and oppressive regimes, but I never thought I would have to use the same research methods to study the United States,” he said. “We are going
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to see a new era of strong social movements in the United States, because we see all the elements: they’re coming out of the grievances and injustices.” The studies do not change his thoughts on the travel ban, though, which do not bode well for his thoughts about the new president. “This executive order does not have any foot in evidence or truth. I’m a scientist. Everything, for me should be evidence-based,” he said. “It’s just a showoff. The president wants to tell his supporters: ‘I banned Muslims.’” He said support from his colleagues makes the situation easier on him. Support from Kent State President Beverly Warren to Reynolds has been a source of hope for him. “We want our colleagues to know that we care deeply about how this is affecting them,” Reynolds said. "Obviously we can't directly challenge an executive order made by the president, but we are going to do what we can to support him." mfelan@kent.edu
The Kent Stater
Wednesday, February 1, 2017 | Page 3
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH In honor of Black History Month, The Kent Stater will be featuring Q&As with black student leaders throughout the month of February. The Stater spoke with Isaac Floyd, senior nutrition major and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. president, regarding his position as a student leader at Kent State and his views on being black in America.
What is it like for you to be black in America, particularly with the current social and political climate? I think being black in America is perhaps as empowering as ever but also as challenging. It is empowering because in this time we are a part of a conscious movement. With our generation, like us or not, we have access to a lot more knowledge than generations before us that will help us succeed in the current global climate.
A:
Who is someone black who inspires you or that you look up to?
A:
The dean of the University College, Dr. Eboni Pringle is someone who I look up to and someone who really inspires me. It is inspirational that she is a woman of color in a leadership position.
WITH ISAAC FLOYD
Q
How has your experi- How did you become ence with being black involved in your orgaat Kent State been? nization? How did you My experience at Kent assume your leaderState has been interesting, to say the least. Attending ship position?
A:
a PWI (predominately white institution) is kind of a preparation for the workforce, especially in my field of nutrition science, which is majority caucasian females. I probably won’t come across a lot of people who look like me. Attending Kent State has given me an opportunity to promote awareness to people outside of my cultural roots. While I’ve been here, the black community has been very vocal and has offered a lot of support. Although it can be challenging at times, I have enjoyed my experience here thus far.
Do you think it is important for black students to take on leadership roles on campus?
A:
I think that it is very important for black students to take on leadership roles. In today’s competitive workforce having a degree is just not enough. It is important to set yourself apart from the rest, especially being a minority. Being in a position of leadership helps add to one’s personal wealth and opens opportunities. Since I’ve taken on leadership roles, I’ve realized a lot of personal growth.
A:
I constantly sought out mentors that had qualities that I would like to have. N.J. Akbar and Cason Brunt, who are also a part of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. mentored me. They carried themselves so well and they upheld such a good reputation; they were examples of the type of man that I wished to be. When I found out that they were Alphas, the choice was easy. After doing some research and discovering we are the first black fraternity – and had other honorable members like Martin Luther King – sparked my interest as well. I think that we just decided that me being president was what was best for the group. I have leadership experience, as I previously was the president of BUS (Black United Students), a network that I work with on campus that would help us build additional connections, and I am a senior. Through the network that I work closely with, we will be able to build connections that will help my brothers even after I leave. It was time for me to step up and I have accepted the role.
Olivia Williams is the AfricanAmerican student life reporter and transcribed this interview. Contact her at owillia8@kent.edu.
Alpha Phi Alpha president Isaac Floyd poses for a portrait in Oscar Ritchie Hall on Tuesday. Aaron Self / The Kent Stater
Jewish Studies plans spring break trip to Poland Megan Ferguson Student Life and Religion Reporter Twenty-four Kent State students will be studying abroad in Poland over spring break for a class called ‘Perception and Remembrance: The Holocaust in Literature, Film, Theater, and Public Display.’ “You get to see humankind from a whole new perspective,” said Alyssa Mazey, assistant director of international programs and Education Abroad. Mazey will chaperone the trip alongside Chaya Kessler, director of the Jewish Studies program, who also teaches the class. On this trip, students will not only learn about the Holocaust,
but also the Jewish life and culture in Poland. Although junior psychology major Jessica Kotik said her family isn’t Jewish, they were still affected by the Holocaust. Kotik wanted to learn more about where her family came from, which she said made her decision to study abroad in Poland easy. Kotik has studied abroad before, and she said she wanted to go abroad one more time before graduation. While the trip is centered around the Jewish culture, only two out of the 24 students that are going are Jewish, and Kessler said students do not need to be a Jewish studies minor to go on the trip. The estimated total cost for an in-state student is $3,700, but Kessler said there are scholarships available to assist students. Students traveling abroad will meet with a Holocaust survi-
vor and a righteous gentile whose family hid 15 Jews during the Holocaust. Julia Mandel, an English graduate student, will also be attending the trip. She is Jewish and said she is excited to learn more about her heritage. Mandel said she knows this trip will be emotional and topics will sometimes be hard to hear about, but she felt that “sometimes the hardest things to do in life are the most important.” Kessler said it is up to people today to keep the story of the Holocaust alive. “It’s not just a Jewish story, it’s a human story,” she said. mfergu15@kent.edu
Trump selects conservative Judge Gorsuch as Supreme Court choice Julie Pace and Mark Sherman Associated Press President Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch, a fast-rising conservative judge with a writer’s flair, to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, setting up a fierce fight with Democrats over a jurist who could shape America’s legal landscape for decades to come. At 49, Gorsuch is the youngest Supreme Court nominee in a quarter-century. He’s known on the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals for clear, colloquial writing, advocacy for court review of government regulations, defense of religious freedom and skepticism toward law enforcement. “Judge Gorsuch has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline and has earned bipartisan support,” Trump declared, announcing the nomination in his first televised prime-time address from the White House. Gorsuch’s nomination was cheered by conservatives wary of Trump’s own fluid ideology. If confirmed by the Senate, he will fill the seat left vacant by the death last year of Antonin Scalia, long the right’s most powerful voice on the high court. With Scalia’s wife, Maureen, sitting in the audience, Trump took care to praise the late justice. Gorsuch followed, calling Scalia a “lion of the law. Gorsuch thanked Trump for entrusting him with “a most solemn assignment.” And he said, “Standing here in a house of history, I’m acutely aware of my own imperfections and pledge that if I am confirmed, I will do all my powers permit to be a faithful servant of the Constitution of laws of this great country.” Some Democrats, still smarting over Trump’s unexpected victory in the presidential election, have vowed to mount a vigorous challenge to nearly any nominee to what they view as the court’s “stolen seat.” President Barack Obama nominated U.S. Circuit Court Judge Merrick Garland for the vacancy after Scalia’s death, but Senate Republicans refused to consider the pick, saying the seat should be filled only after the November election. Trump’s choice of Gorsuch marks perhaps the most significant decision of his young presidency, one with ramifications that could last long after he leaves office. After an uneven start to his presidency, including the chaotic rollout last week of a controversial refugee and immigration ban, Trump selection of Gorsuch appeared to proceed with little drama. For some Republicans, the prospect of filling one or more Supreme Court seats over the next four years has helped ease their concerns about Trump’s experience and temperament. Three justices are in their late 70s and early 80s, and a retirement would offer Trump the opportunity to cement conservative dominance of the court for many years. If confirmed, Gorsuch will restore the court to the conservative tilt it held with Scalia on the bench. But he is not expected to call into question high-profile rulings on abortion, gay marriage and other issues in which the court has been divided 5-4 in recent years. Gorsuch has won praise from conservatives for his defense of religious freedom. In two cases that involved the contraception mandate under the Obama health care law, he sided with businesses and nonprofit groups that voiced religious objections to the requirement that they provide cost-free birth control to women covered under their health plans. The judge also has written opinions that question 30 years of Supreme Court rulings that allow federal agencies to interpret laws and regulations. Gorsuch has said that federal bureaucrats have been allowed to accumulate too much power at the expense of Congress and the courts.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Neil Gorsuch, his choice for Supreme Court Justices in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Tuesday. Carolyn Kaster/ AP Photo
Like Scalia, Gorsuch identifies himself as a judge who tries to decide cases by interpreting the Constitution and laws as they were understood when written. He also has raised questions about criminal laws in a way that resembles Scalia’s approach to criminal law. University of Michigan law professor Richard Primus said Gorsuch “may be the closest thing the new generation of conservative judges has to Antonin Scalia.” Gorsuch, like the other eight justices on the court, has an Ivy League law degree. The Colorado native earned his bachelor’s degree from Columbia University in three years, then a law degree from Harvard. He clerked for Supreme Court Justices Byron White, a fellow Coloradan, and Anthony Kennedy before earning a philosophy degree at Oxford University and working for a prominent Washington, D.C., law firm. He served for two years in George W. Bush’s Department of Justice before the president nominated him to the appeals court. His mother was Anne Gorsuch, who was head of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Reagan administration. Gorsuch is expected to face intense scrutiny from DemocratSome liberals have demanded that Democrats block any Trump
choice, underscoring the deep partisan discord surging through Washington. “Now is not the time for business as usual,” MoveOn.org’s Ilya Sheyman said in a statement. Gorsuch was among the 21 possible choices for the court Trump released during the campaign. Other finalists also came from that list, including Thomas Hardiman, who serves alongside Trump’s sister on the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and William Pryor, a federal appeals court judge and Alabama’s attorney general from 1997 to 2004. If Democrats decide to filibuster Gorsuch’s nomination, his fate could rest in the hands of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Trump has encouraged McConnell to change the rules of the Senate and make it impossible to filibuster a Supreme Court nominee — a change known in the Senate as the “nuclear option.” A conservative group already has announced plans to begin airing $2 million worth of ads in support of the nominee in Indiana, Missouri, Montana and North Dakota, four states that Trump won and in which Democrats will be defending their Senate seats in 2018.
Page 4 | Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Opinion
The Kent Stater
SUBMISSIONS
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.
EDITORIAL BOARD Opinion Editor: Lucas Misera Senior Editor: Karl Schneider Diversity Editor: McKenzie Jean-Phillipe Sports Editor: Henry Palattella Assigning Editor: Jack Kopanski
THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED VIEWS.
Kent State must rally behind diverse community In Monday’s edition of The Kent Stater, our editorial staff published an “Our View” condemning President Donald Trump’s 90-day ban on entry into the United States from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Of those seven countries, six are represented within Kent State’s student body. The executive order — despite the administration’s argument that the ban is in the best interest of the American people — scoffs in the face of our democracy. It derails this nation’s role as a land of equality, opportunity and prosperity. The ban is not only an affront on our national identity, but it also deviates from our university’s mission to “transform lives through the power of discovery, learning and creative expression in an inclusive environment.” According to Fall 2016 data from the
‘‘
Office of Global Education, more than 100 countries are represented at Kent State. Each country boasts its respective flag on this page, ranging from Albania to Zimbabwe. Barring Antarctica, every continent is represented at this university. Kent State, perhaps against the agenda of the Trump administration, prides itself as a global community. It is now the student body’s responsibility to ensure that this country’s leaders can’t take that away. In May 1970, Kent State students stood up to what they believed was an unjust expansion of U.S. military operations into Cambodia. The legacy of activism left behind by Allison Krause and Jeffrey Miller — both students killed by the U.S. National Guard while protesting on our very campus — must be perpetuated now more than ever. Robert F. Kennedy once famously stated in his “Ripple of Hope” speech that, “Each
time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” If our own president fails to uphold the fundamental values of our great nation, then the responsibility falls on each of us to be that tiny ripple, sweeping down Trump’s walls of oppression and resistance. Until those tiny ripples create a wave of change, those living in fear of Trump’s authoritarianism can be certain that we who oppose this executive order will not abandon the cause. The above editorial is the consensus opinion of The Kent Stater editorial board, whose names are listed above.
Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” – Robert F. Kennedy
Wednesday, February 1, 2017 | Page 5
The Kent Stater
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: HENRY PALATTELLA // HPALATTE@KENT.EDU
Stypinski transforms into Walker’s late free throws power elite all-around performer Flashes past Eastern Michigan Nick Buzzelli Sports Reporter
Scott Lendak Sports Reporter Many gymnasts would boast about their individual awards and accomplishments, but that doesn't matter to junior Rachel Stypinski, who would much rather focus on her team's success than her individual success. “I try not to think about myself as much because I like to think more about the team,” Stypinski said. Stypinski’s selfless attitude hasn't stopped her from becoming one of the most dominant and best all-around gymnasts in the Mid-American Conference, though. In just three career meets, Stypinski has won the all-around title in two of them, and she is also undefeated this season at meets in which she competes in the all-around. “She just has that dislike of losing, which is really a great quality to have,” head coach Brice Biggin said. “She makes things look so easy it’s incredible to watch her perform as an athlete.” She may make it look easy, but Stypinski said the switch to the all-around was extremely hard on her, both physically and mentally. “Your body definitely takes a beating, adding two more events,” Stypinski said. “You’re mentally and physically drained and are asked to step up and clear that from your head and keep going if I want to help my team.” Stypinski said the event she had the most trouble adjusting to was the vault. “Vault was hard because it’s a completely new vault,” Stypinski said. “I haven’t even done it in club when I was in high school so coming in we had to go to other gyms, go to the pits, then come here and learn it here. I still need more numbers under my belt to improve, but it’s coming along.” Stypinski posted her best all-around score of 39.525 in a home meet against Western Michigan Jan. 20, a mark that tied former gymnast Jessie James for the fourth-best mark in school history. “It was really awesome seeing that because I know it wasn’t my best meet and I can improve and do better,” Stypinski said. “Maybe I could get the best all-around score that Kent State has ever had, but I also want my team to have the
Then-sophomore Rachel Stypinski performs her balance beam routine, February 7, 2016. Deidre Pulley / The Kent Stater
best all-around score Kent State’s ever had.” Stypinski won the M.A.C. Gymnast of the Week award in the first two weeks of the season, and she has improved her all-around score from 39.400 to 39.525 throughout the course of the season. “She has really turned into a fierce competitor,” Biggin said. “She’s always been good, but she’s taken it to a different level this year and it’s really enjoyable to watch.” Stypinski and the rest of the Flashes will take on West Virginia at the M.A.C. Center at 2 p.m. Saturday. slendak@kent.edu
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Kent State senior guard Deon Edwin lays the ball in against Central Michigan at the M.A.C Center on Saturday. Kent State lost 105-98 in overtime. Nate Manley / The Kent Stater
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It was a game that featured 54 combined personal fouls, 60 free throw attempts and four technicals. But the most critical mental mistake came with 12 seconds remaining and the score knotted at 64. Looking to give his team the lead, Kent State sophomore guard Jaylin Walker launched a stepback three pointer with the shot clock winding down that fell short, hitting the front of the rim. Though it might not have been the exact shot the Flashes were looking for, redshirt senior guard Deon Edwin was able to corral the offensive board, his fifth of the game. But he couldn’t convert the contested layup in the paint. Walker – staying with the play – came streaking toward the basket from the top of the key, grabbed the board and was subsequently fouled by Eastern Michigan’s Baylee Steele, who was also whistled for the technical. So, Walker went 2-2 from the line and freshman guard Mitch Peterson, who was fouled on the ensuing inbounds, drained both of his shots from the charity stripe, enabling Kent State (1210, 4-5) to hold on for the 70-64 win Tuesday night over EMU (13-9, 5-4) at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Michigan. “Tough, hard fought game. That’s the MAC,” head coach Rob Senderoff told ESPN following the game. “We had a lot of turnovers, we didn’t shoot it well, but we grinded it out and that’s what you need to do.” Kent State scored the game’s first nine points and its defense forced two early turnovers, but Eastern Michigan, which missed its first four shots from the field, countered with a 10-pointrun to take the lead 12 minutes, in courtesy of a James Thompson IV layup. Both teams then traded baskets for a majority of the second half, but the Flashes went ahead, 59-56, for good on a senior forward Jimmy Hall jumper with 3:21 left. Nearly one minute later, however, Hall fouled out with his team clinging to a four point lead. He finished with his 13th double-double of the season (24 points and 11 rebounds) in 27 minutes of play. Kent State went the final 2:40 without a field goal and scored its last eight points via the free
throw line, four of which came from Peterson, who finished with a career-high nine rebounds. “[Hall fouling out] is definitely kind of a blow to the team, but next man up is our attitude and we pulled through and the guys stepped up,” Peterson told Ty Linder on the Golden Flashes Radio network. “[I’m] just doing whatever it takes to help the team win. It ended up being rebounding and knocking down a couple of free throws at the end of the game. …” Kent State continues its two-game road trip Saturday at Miami (OH) before returning to the M.A.C. Center to take on Bowling Green Feb. 7. “Just trying to get one at a time and try to get as many as we can here, each win is precious in this league. It’s tough to get them,” Senderoff said. “We’re happy with tonight and try to move on, get ready for Miami.”
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Page 6 | Wednesday, February 1, 2017
Perspectives
Land of the free?
President of the Muslim Student Association, Lama Abu Amara, sits for a portrait at the Student Center on Tuesday. Amara was born in Saudi Arabia, grew up in Dallas and is ethnically Palestinian. Saudi Arabia is one of the predominantly Muslim countries not listed in the travel ban, but she sees the executive action as specifically targeting Muslims. “If you notice…there are certain countries that are excluded because Trump may have business with them. The entire situation is unconstitutional. It targets people based off of their religion, off of their nationality. It’s like a collective punishment,” Amara said. Eslah Attar / The Kent Stater
The Kent Stater
Photos and multimedia through the lenses of Kent State students
Junior applied engineering major Ibrahim Albadari outside the Student Center on Saturday. Albadari was born in Libya. He believes President Trump’s travel ban is unfairly targeting Muslims. “If you look at the six or seven countries that he banned, there were no terrorist attacks from these countries. For the last 40 years, there was nothing recorded. When was the last time you heard that a Libyan did an explosion in America or any terrorist attack?” Albadari said. The executive order reminds Albadari of some of the tactics Prime Minister Muammar Gaddafi would employ when he was in power. Angelo Angel / The Kent Stater
Junior applied engineering major Alaa Aboaof outside the library on Tuesday. Aboaof is from Medinah, Saudi Arabia and came to Kent State because his cousin told him how much he loved the school. Aboaof is now rethinking staying in the United States after he graduates. Upon finding out about the travel ban, Aboaof said he was shocked and dissapointed. “I do not feel safe anymore like I used to,” he said. But Aboaof is hopeful. “I have faith in the American people, because they are educated and smart. They can change this executive order.” Jana Life / The Kent Stater