SEE INSIDE for
The Kent Stater
KENTSTATESPORTS.COM
KENTfSTATE.
HOME is where the HYPE is
The
Kent Stater
@KentWired
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER | MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2018
Page 8
Pink in Public Square: Women’s March 2.0 4
157 Lounge bar co-owner files complaint against Kent State
6
Flashes lose third straight game at Ball State
13
Kent State ‘unable to accommodate’ white nationalist speaking event
4 The Kent Stater
Monday, January 22, 2018
NEWS
157 Lounge bar co-owner files complaint against Kent State Brandon Bounds Enterprise Reporter A downtown Kent bar owner filed a complaint Dec. 15 in the Ohio Court of Claims against Kent State and one of its student-run magazines, Fusion. Matthew Guska, one of the co-owners of 157 Lounge on S. Water Street, said in the complaint that the magazine, which covers LGBTQ issues, defamed him and caused physical and financial damage to him and his business. Guska asked for monetary damages. MJ Eckhouse, Fusion’s student editor, was originally named in a lawsuit Guska filed in the Portage County Common Pleas Court in September 2017. Eckhouse briefly published an online article about a Facebook post made by Sarah Andrews, a Kent State alumna, who wrote about her experience working at the bar.
‘‘
Andrews was also named in the lawsuit. Guska requested a temporary restraining order against Andrews for publishing “false statements” 157 Lounge on S. Water Street in downtown Kent Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. Austin Mariasy / The Kent Stater about him that included sexual complaint did not quote or mention the Eckhouse and Fusion were dropped harassment allegations. The restraining order from the case in Portage County after their Fusion article and that “[Guska] has alleged would require Andrews to take down any attorneys argued the county court did no basis for this case against KSU, which “defamatory” posts and prevent her from not have jurisdiction over a state entity. makes this case dismissable on that ground making them. Andrews’ case was moved to her county alone.” Guska said Andrews was fired from the bar of residence on Nov. 30 at the Cuyahoga The university also said, in court because she stole money from the business. County Common Pleas Court. documents, an article could “never give rise Andrews denied it in court documents. In his complaint to the Ohio Court of to a defamation claim” for multiple reasons, Andrews filed for a civil protection order Claims, Guska requested a hearing for as it “would be protected under the neutral (CPO) against Guska. She wrote in her the court to determine whether Eckhouse reportage privilege.” The reporting would request that Guska took a photo of her face, can be granted immunity from the case. be protected because “allegations of sexual took it to a shooting range and shot multiple Guska said in his complaint Eckhouse assault are plainly matters of public interest,” holes in the picture. acted with “malicious purpose” and the university said. “should be held personally liable for Brian Taubman, Guska’s lawyer, statements and actions.” declined to comment on the case. A Despite the request, Eckhouse was message was left for the Attorney dismissed from the case Dec. 18 by General’s office. magistrate Robert Van Schoyk. Court The case management conference for the documents explained that under Ohio law, Court of Claims case is scheduled Feb. 15 only state agencies can act as defendants in a and the trial is set to begin Feb. 11, 2019. case at the Court of Claims. Judge Shirley Strickland Saffold was Kent State’s response to Guska’s assigned to the case in Cuyahoga County. A complaint said it was “largely cut-andcase management conference is scheduled pasted” from his original lawsuit against Jan. 23 at the Cuyahoga County Common Andrews in Portage County. The university Pleas Court. said in the court documents that his Contact Brandon Bounds at bbounds@kent.edu.
[Guska] has alleged no basis for this case against KSU, which makes this case dismissable on that ground alone.”
– University comments in court documents
Monday, January 22, 2018
KentWired.com 5
KentWired's Q&A with winner of MTV's 'Amazingness,' Michael Weber Henry Palattella Assigning Editor The following is a Q&A with junior advertising student Michael Weber, who recently won the $10,000 grand prize on an episode of MTV’s “Amazingness.” KentWired: With “Amazingness,” how did MTV find you, and how did you go about being on the show? Michael Weber: Producers of the TV show contacted me via email, and they expressed their interest in having me be a part of the show. They had seen some videos of me on Youtube, and they were interested in what I was doing. From there we had about a month of correspondence. From there, I made a couple demo performances of what I would do on the show in my recording studio, and I made these videos of what I would do. After a couple, they sent one back and said that’s what they would want. Next thing I knew I had a plane ticket and was in Los Angeles and was on the set of the show. It was a fun ride. I was happy to be included among the other great talents that were on the show. The other guys on the show were some of the greatest people with their talent, I was just honored to be among them. Being an Akron area guy my whole life, I’ve played regionally, but it was really cool to have my first time on national TV and play for a very
Michael Weber performing with his band, The Michael Weber Show. Michael Weber / Contributed photo
large audience. KW: On the show, they identified you as “shredhead.” Is that your nickname or what MTV called you? It’s actually what they came up with for the show. The show is an offshoot of “Ridiculousness,” another Rob Dyrdek MTV show, and I know on that they do a lot of names for the show. So I was told that they were going to give us all special names that they would call us. It’s kind of funny, I don’t consider myself a shredder. For the mainstream, a lot of people see you play a guitar and think you’re a shredder. I was just happy to be called anything and be a part of it. KW: What was it like going up there and performing not only for the audience there, but knowing it would be on MTV? MW: It felt great. For me, there’s always nerves. Every time I pick up a guitar, I wonder if I’m able to do this. The key is that I think there’s a certain level of confidence that’s necessary. Playing guitar is one of the few things in my life where I can really bask in the moment. When I’m playing guitar, I’m in the moment, and I’m loving it. I don’t really remember most of being taped on the show because I was in the moment of playing guitar. If I don’t do it like that the performance comes off as much more sterile. KW: What was it like watching the episode for the first time? MW: It was great. It’s interesting because they videotape about three hours of each show and it gets whittled down to a 30-minute show with commercials. At the end I didn’t know what was going to be taken or what was going to happen, but I was glad to see how it came out. I got plenty of text messages after the show, and it was fun to hear from people I haven’t heard from in a while. KW: What kind of background do you have in music, and what are your musical aspirations? MW: I’ve been playing guitar my whole life. Now I lead a band called The Michael Weber Show, but I also play in other groups. I’m also a drummer, bass player, pedal steel guitar player, so I try to diversify music. I also own a music studio called Silver Swamp studios, I spend a lot of time down there working with myself and other clients. My first professional-style gigs came along when I was eight years old, and I’m on the neverending quest to try to search for greatness in music. How can I learn to do something that is on par with people I idolize? That’s the dream that I chase. I think the idea of being a rock star is kind of silly in most situations, the real dream for me is finding a way to put bread on the table playing guitar. I’m a hard guy to satisfy musically because I’m
Michael Weber on MTV's "Amazingness." Michael Weber / Contributed photo
very critical of what I do. I think that’s a way for people to progress, because if you think you’re great, you probably don’t succeed. KW: What was your favorite genre of music growing up? MW: When I was little I was exposed to lots of rock and blues music. I also had a VHS player and a smaller TV next to my parents’ TV where I would spend hours shoving in different tapes of performances of rock and blues bands. As time has gone on, I’ve developed a fondness for deeper cuts. I’m a record-collector, and I like deeper cuts. Rarities, stuff like that. Sometimes, a lot of blues guys like myself don’t really talk about alternative rock and punk rock, but I have a huge passion for old punk and alternative rock. Music is a true melting pot of so many different ingredients, and I think sometimes people tend to get so lost in the stuff they like the most that they don’t realize where it came from. KW: Do you also want to go into the recording and producing aspect of music as well? MW: I’m interested of going into every aspect of music that I possibly can. If I can spend time in the recording studio or spending time as a session player on recordings, that would be another dream come true. I’m just happy being around music. I think that if you love it, you have to work in a lot of different parts of it. If you love football, you can’t just think about the quarterback; there’s a lot of other guys on the field. KW: How did you end up at Kent State? MW: Well, I live in Silver Lake, so I’m a
commuter. I’m an advertising major, and I’m happy to commute. I have my recording studio in my basement, and I’m kind of a loud guy. I’m not really a dorm-living guy because I’m a musician. There’s always loud noise or records blaring early in the morning, and I know if I had a roommate they’d want to kill me within two weeks. KW: How do you hope to use your advertising major to help you in your career in music? MW: What I like about advertising is that it’s pretty relatable to a lot of things in life. When you’re writing a headline or copy for an ad, there’s a huge component of song writing in the same way that, when I’m writing a song, I’m looking for a hook to draw people in. KW: Do you prefer acoustic or electric guitar? MW: I’m primarily an electric guitar player, but I’ll still play acoustic. On my latest record called “The Hollywood EP,” I spent a lot of time on acoustic guitar. Most of the basic tracks on the tunes were recorded with live drums, bass, vocals and acoustic guitar. So, from that perspective, acoustic is an important piece. The issue is that a lot of the live shows are done with a trio, so there isn’t much room for me to have an acoustic guitar because I need more noise. Weber will be performing at the Akron Civic Theater on Feb. 16 and the Lorain Palace Theatre on Feb. 17. Weber’s show on Feb 17 will be a live recording for the B-side of his upcoming record. Contact Henry Palattella at hpalatte@kent.edu.
6 The Kent Stater
Monday, January 22, 2018
SPORTS
Kent State redshirt sophomore guard Megan Carter shoots a layup against Ball State Saturday. Carter finished with seven points in a 79-58 loss. Austin Mariasy / Kent State University
Kent State senior forward Jordan Korinek, Ball State junior guard Carmen Grande and senior guard Frannie Frazier battle for a loose ball Saturday. Ball State went on to win, 79-58. Austin Mariasy / Kent State University
Struggling Flashes can’t overcome slow start in loss to Ball State Cameron Hoover Sports Editor
It’s a story Kent State has heard all too often this season. Unforced turnovers and poor three-point shooting sunk the Flashes again as the team dropped its third straight conference game to Ball State (15-3, 4-3 MAC), 79-58. Kent State entered Saturday’s contest with the second-most turnovers in the MAC (314), and the team’s sloppy play continued against the Cardinals. The Flashes turned the ball over 22 times, marking the seventh time this season the team had 20 or more giveaways. Four Flashes finished the game with three turnovers or more. Ball State scored 29 points off Kent State giveaways and held a 26-2 advantage in fast break points. “You’ve got to read defenses,” coach Todd Starkey said. “We don’t want to try to force the ball. It’s stuff we’re coaching every day. They just get a little frustrated and try to make some plays that aren’t there. … The preventable ones
are the ones we’ve got to get rid of.” Ball State started the game on fire, shooting 16-for-29 (55.2 percent) from the field and 8-for13 (61.5 percent) from three-point range in the first half to jump out to a 49-31 lead at the break. The Flashes showed signs of life early in the second half, cutting the lead down to 12 with 6:13 left in the third quarter, but had trouble mounting any serious comeback, due in large part to senior forward Jordan Korinek’s foul trouble. Korinek, the team’s leading scorer, picked up her third foul with 4:54 remaining in the third quarter and her fourth just four minutes later. With Korinek one foul away from disqualification, she was forced to sit for large portions of the fourth quarter. “It impacted (the game) in a big way,” Starkey said. “(Jordan’s) obviously our go-to player, and when she’s on the bench, it changes our offensive flow. I think with the way we defended in the second half, if we had Jordan the whole time, … I think we could’ve made it interesting.” Kent State didn’t get close again, shooting
18.8 percent from the floor, including 0-for-5 from beyond the arc and 2-for-6 from the freethrow line, in the fourth quarter. The 21-point loss is Kent State’s second-largest margin of defeat this season, only lower than the team’s 25-point loss to Stanford earlier in the season. Despite only playing 24 minutes, Korinek still led the Flashes with 18 points on 8-for16 shooting, adding six rebounds. Forward McKenna Stephens, a graduate student, added 11 points, all in the first half, and four assists. Sophomore guard Ali Poole chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, while junior guard Alexa Golden pulled in eight rebounds. Ball State guard Carmen Grande’s speed gave the Kent State defense fits all game; the junior guard, who leads the MAC with 9.6 assists per game, led the Cardinals with 15 points and 10 assists, her seventh doubledouble of the season. Grande has now had over 10 assists in four consecutive games. “They’ve got a phenomenal point guard,” Starkey said of Grande. “She’s as good as most
of the point guards we faced in the Power Five when I was at Indiana. If you don’t limit her angles, she takes advantage of you.” Senior guard Frannie Frazier also scored 15 points for Ball State, adding four rebounds and five steals. Senior forward Destiny Washington and junior guard Jasmin Samz scored 12 points each, while leading scorer Moriah Monaco finished with 10 points. Kent State has lost three games in a row by an average of 11.7 points per game. The loss to Ball State leaves the Flashes’ record at 9-10, marking the first time the team has dipped below .500 this season. The Flashes will look for a desperately needed win at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Savage Arena as they take on Toledo (13-6, 4-3 MAC). “There’s no magic speech you can give them,” Starkey said. “Toledo’s not going to take it easy on us. It’s one of the toughest places to play in the league. … It’s not a really complicated gameplan at this point. “I’ll tell them to just keep fighting.” Contact Cameron Hoover at choove14@kent.edu.
Monday, January 22, 2018
KentWired.com 7
Flashes’ struggles on the road continue with tough loss at Toledo Cameron Hoover Sports Editor The difference between Kent State’s home and away records has been night and day: 7-2 at the M.A.C. Center, but just 2-7 in neutral site and true road games. While the Flashes definitely saw improvement over some early road defeats, the team couldn’t finish down the stretch, resulting in a 72-65 loss to MAC Westleading Toledo (13-6, 5-1 MAC). “It’s tough to play on the road anywhere in this league,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “(Toledo’s) a good team. They played well tonight — well enough to win.” As has been the case with many of Kent State’s road losses, the Flashes came out of the gates sluggish. A three-pointer from Toledo junior guard Jaelan Sanford put the Rockets up, 15-3, with 13:25 remaining in the first half. Senderoff quickly called a timeout, and Flashes’ junior guard Jaylin Walker, who came off the bench for the third straight game, caught fire, showing Kent State fans a glimpse of what they’ve been waiting for all season. Walker scored 14 points in the first half, ending with a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 30 heading into the break. Many of Walker’s shots came after a series of dribble moves with Rockets draped all over him; his ability to make shots over tight defense is an aspect of Walker’s game that has been missing over the first 20 games of the season. Walker lost his touch down the stretch, however, missing three shots from beyond the arc in the final minute as the Rockets sealed the game from the free-throw line. Walker finished with 19 points on 7-for-16 shooting, including 5-for-10 on three-pointers. “Jaylin’s one of our main players, so he’s supposed to play well,” Senderoff said. “He played great in the first half, but he’s supposed to play well. He’s a good player.” Kevin Zabo continued his impressive scoring run after tweaking his knee early in the second half. The senior guard finished with 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Zabo
Kent State center Adonis De La Rosa attempts a shot during the second half of the game against Cleveland State in the M.A.C Center Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. Carter Adams / The Kent Stater
has now scored 20 or more points in three straight games, and he is averaging 18.7 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting in conference play. “Kevin’s playing well,” Senderoff said. “We need him to continue to play well.” Junior center Adonis De La Rosa added nine points and 14 rebounds, tied for a season-high. “He did a good job on the glass tonight,” Senderoff said. “At the start of the game,
we didn’t do a good job rebounding. But for about 35 minutes, we did a really good job. Adonis had a big part of that.” Senior guard/forward Tre’Shaun Fletcher, who entered the game third in the MAC in scoring (18.2 points per game) and rebounding (8.2 per game), led the Rockets with 17 points and 12 rebounds, his seventh double-double of the season. Sophomore forward/center Luke Knapke
added 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting and nine rebounds off the bench, while junior guard Jaelan Sanford made all four of his free throw attempts en route to a 14-point performance. Kent State will look to bounce back at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the M.A.C. Center as the team plays host to Ball State (12-7, 3-3 MAC). Contact Cameron Hoover at choove14@kent.edu.
8 The Kent Stater
Monday, January 22, 2018
Monday, January 22, 2018
COVER
Women’s March 2018: One year later Faith Riggs and Brandon Bounds Women’s and Gender Issues Reporter and Enterprise Reporter
‘‘
Hundreds of women and men chanted through Cleveland during the Women’s March Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
Thousands packed Cleveland’s Public Square, creating a sea of pink and celebrating the continuation of the Women’s March. On Jan. 20, 2017, hundreds of marches took place around the country in response to President Donald Trump’s inauguration. This year, the march took place exactly one year after his official presidency. The Cleveland marchers were there to stand in support of equal rights, immigration and reproductive rights. Many demonstrators, such as 20-year-old Lauren Morales, were there in response to the current “#MeToo” movement. “I wasn’t going to come this morning, but then I thought about work and my boss,” Morales said. “Recently there
We’re standing against racism, bigotry and sexism. We’re not moving backward. We’re moving forward.”
– Kathy Wray Coleman Guest speaker People start making their way toward the Public Square in Cleveland as the crowd for the Women’s March starts to gather Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
have been issues with my boss being inappropriate, and when I contacted the Human Resources department, they responded by saying that’s just his personality and how he is.” Morales felt it was necessary to attend and stand in solidarity with other women who share a similar experience. The “#MeToo” movement garnered a lot of attention in 2017 after many women and a few men came forward about the sexual assault they faced in the workplace. The movement also led to the resurfacing of the “#TimesUp” movement that originated in 2006. Other attendees reiterated Morales’ message as they marched with handmade signs reading: “My body. My choice,” and “#Timesup.” Betty Sutton, a Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov. and speaker at the march said she believes last year’s march inspired more women to stand up and speak out against sexual harassment. Mary Gibson, a retired school teacher, said the “#MeToo” movement worries her. “We really need to be very careful with the men we’re accusing,” Gibson said. Along with other critics of the “#MeToo” movement, Gibson fears accused men are wrongfully seen as guilty following an accusation. Mike Chrobot, a retired carpenter, attended the march with his wife Kim Gladden. They both agreed that women’s rights are human rights and were happy to see so many people showing support for the movement. Amanda Maldonado, a Cuyahoga Community College student in her final semester, said the march made her feel more assured. “The solidarity here is incredible,” Maldonado said. “Sometimes I get scared because it’s a ‘man’s world,’ but it’s great seeing all the people standing here and getting involved.” For Nancy Schultz, participating in the Women’s March means strength,
unity and making her voice heard. “People don’t agree with the direction federal and state politics is taking,” the 59-year-old social worker said. “We need to make our voices heard.” The demonstration started off with a variety of guest speakers. Kathy Wray Coleman, a Cleveland activist, opened the event with a discussion on moving forward. “We’ve had enough,” Coleman said. “We’re standing against racism, bigotry and sexism. We’re not moving backwards. We’re moving forward.” Sutton spoke about more women needing to be elected into office. “Let’s be clear: We don’t want one woman, two women representing one table or tables,” Sutton said. “We need women (to) represent us at every single table.” Sutton also spoke about power in persistence and how women, black or white, can make a difference in society. “(Women) are what we need,” she said. “You are the leaders. You are the soldiers. You are what we need to make this happen.” LaTonya Goldsby, the co-founder of the Cleveland chapter of Black Lives Matter, advocated for inclusiveness within the women’s rights and equal rights movements. “We need to continue inclusiveness with our community and this movement,” Goldsby said. Once demonstrators took the streets, they held their signs high and chanted phrases like “we are unstoppable” and “no hate, no fear. Everyone is welcomed here” as people rushed out of buildings to join the marchers and drivers honked in support. “We’re not here to make history,” Coleman said. “We’re here to make change.”
KentWired.com 9
On the Cover:
A single sign sticks out through the crowd of dozens in support of feminism at the Women’s March in Cleveland Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
“Need to Him-peach,” “Make America think, care, dream Again,” and “We the people” signs are held high as the crowd makes its way through the streets of Cleveland Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
Contact Faith Riggs at friggs@kent.edu Contact Brandon Bounds at bbounds@kent.edu.
A woman holds her “Proud immigrant from a shithole country” sign as a veteran stands by in support at the Women’s March in Cleveland on Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
8 The Kent Stater
Monday, January 22, 2018
Monday, January 22, 2018
COVER
Women’s March 2018: One year later Faith Riggs and Brandon Bounds Women’s and Gender Issues Reporter and Enterprise Reporter
‘‘
Hundreds of women and men chanted through Cleveland during the Women’s March Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
Thousands packed Cleveland’s Public Square, creating a sea of pink and celebrating the continuation of the Women’s March. On Jan. 20, 2017, hundreds of marches took place around the country in response to President Donald Trump’s inauguration. This year, the march took place exactly one year after his official presidency. The Cleveland marchers were there to stand in support of equal rights, immigration and reproductive rights. Many demonstrators, such as 20-year-old Lauren Morales, were there in response to the current “#MeToo” movement. “I wasn’t going to come this morning, but then I thought about work and my boss,” Morales said. “Recently there
We’re standing against racism, bigotry and sexism. We’re not moving backward. We’re moving forward.”
– Kathy Wray Coleman Guest speaker People start making their way toward the Public Square in Cleveland as the crowd for the Women’s March starts to gather Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
have been issues with my boss being inappropriate, and when I contacted the Human Resources department, they responded by saying that’s just his personality and how he is.” Morales felt it was necessary to attend and stand in solidarity with other women who share a similar experience. The “#MeToo” movement garnered a lot of attention in 2017 after many women and a few men came forward about the sexual assault they faced in the workplace. The movement also led to the resurfacing of the “#TimesUp” movement that originated in 2006. Other attendees reiterated Morales’ message as they marched with handmade signs reading: “My body. My choice,” and “#Timesup.” Betty Sutton, a Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov. and speaker at the march said she believes last year’s march inspired more women to stand up and speak out against sexual harassment. Mary Gibson, a retired school teacher, said the “#MeToo” movement worries her. “We really need to be very careful with the men we’re accusing,” Gibson said. Along with other critics of the “#MeToo” movement, Gibson fears accused men are wrongfully seen as guilty following an accusation. Mike Chrobot, a retired carpenter, attended the march with his wife Kim Gladden. They both agreed that women’s rights are human rights and were happy to see so many people showing support for the movement. Amanda Maldonado, a Cuyahoga Community College student in her final semester, said the march made her feel more assured. “The solidarity here is incredible,” Maldonado said. “Sometimes I get scared because it’s a ‘man’s world,’ but it’s great seeing all the people standing here and getting involved.” For Nancy Schultz, participating in the Women’s March means strength,
unity and making her voice heard. “People don’t agree with the direction federal and state politics is taking,” the 59-year-old social worker said. “We need to make our voices heard.” The demonstration started off with a variety of guest speakers. Kathy Wray Coleman, a Cleveland activist, opened the event with a discussion on moving forward. “We’ve had enough,” Coleman said. “We’re standing against racism, bigotry and sexism. We’re not moving backwards. We’re moving forward.” Sutton spoke about more women needing to be elected into office. “Let’s be clear: We don’t want one woman, two women representing one table or tables,” Sutton said. “We need women (to) represent us at every single table.” Sutton also spoke about power in persistence and how women, black or white, can make a difference in society. “(Women) are what we need,” she said. “You are the leaders. You are the soldiers. You are what we need to make this happen.” LaTonya Goldsby, the co-founder of the Cleveland chapter of Black Lives Matter, advocated for inclusiveness within the women’s rights and equal rights movements. “We need to continue inclusiveness with our community and this movement,” Goldsby said. Once demonstrators took the streets, they held their signs high and chanted phrases like “we are unstoppable” and “no hate, no fear. Everyone is welcomed here” as people rushed out of buildings to join the marchers and drivers honked in support. “We’re not here to make history,” Coleman said. “We’re here to make change.”
KentWired.com 9
On the Cover:
A single sign sticks out through the crowd of dozens in support of feminism at the Women’s March in Cleveland Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
“Need to Him-peach,” “Make America think, care, dream Again,” and “We the people” signs are held high as the crowd makes its way through the streets of Cleveland Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
Contact Faith Riggs at friggs@kent.edu Contact Brandon Bounds at bbounds@kent.edu.
A woman holds her “Proud immigrant from a shithole country” sign as a veteran stands by in support at the Women’s March in Cleveland on Saturday. Adrian Leuthauser / The Kent Stater
10 The Kent Stater
Monday, January 22, 2018
OPINION
The president needs a lesson: Compassion 101
JOSEPH McGRELLIS’ VIEW
Andrew Atkins A white envelope appeared in my mailbox last week. It only had my name scribbled across the front in purple pen. Inside was a small card. The front was decorated with a picture of pink and purple tulips backlit by golden sunlight. Across the bottom, a baby blue banner. In white text within the banner: “May the Lord reward you for all you have done. Ruth 2:12.” Now, we’ve discussed before that I’m not exactly a person of any particular religion. I’m agnostic, sure, but I’m never one to turn away good intentions. Inside, in the same script and purple ink as my name on the envelope, was a message from one of my colleagues. “Dear Andrew, I want to take this moment to thank you for your tremendous contribution to our staff,” it began. “I wish you all the best in 2018. I pray for you,” the letter concluded. The colleague of mine who wrote this card to me also wrote at least 12 more cards for every other staff member. I was moved by his kindness. But then, my thoughts wandered to our president. My colleague is from Rwanda. Something you may not know about the country seated in the heart of Africa is it was the location of a genocide. An estimated 500,000 to 1 million people were killed, and countless more felt the ramifications of the slaughter. My colleague was no exception. But he, like so many others, sought a brighter future. He came to the United States, got his bachelor’s degree, and now works toward his master’s. I was disappointed, but not surprised — like so many of us these days — at the president’s suggestion that we allow fewer immigrants into our nation. Specifically, from “shithole countries” such as Haiti, El Salvador and African countries. Including Rwanda. Historically, our country has been built by immigrants, and it stands to reason we should embrace them. However, some argue that immigrants are criminals and take away jobs from U.S. citizens.
Studies by the Cato Institute and The Sentencing Project demonstrate, however, immigrants commit fewer crimes and are incarcerated far less often than U.S.-born citizens. For those who assert that immigrants take away our jobs, the opposite proves true. As Avianne Tan reports for ABC News, David Kallick, the director of the Immigration Research Initiative at the Fiscal Policy Institute explains that immigrants improve wages and create more job opportunities for native workers. “The fact is that immigrants often push U.S.-born workers up in the labor market rather than out of it,” he said. So, while our politicians in Washington spit out derisive comments and demean entire continents (I’m looking at you, Mr. Trump), my colleague feels welcomed and safe. He acts with kindness, empathy and compassion. Maybe our president should take a page out of his book. And if you agree with him, maybe you should, too. Andrew Atkins is a columnist. Contact him at aatkins5@kent.edu.
‘‘
For those who assert immigrants take away our jobs, the opposite proves true.” – Andrew Atkins
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 bbeidack@kent.edu) and guest columns. Submissions become property of the Stater and are subject to editing without notice.
Monday, January 22, 2018
KentWired.com 11
What makes a school - well, a school NUMBERS Bruno Beidacki
Every time I meet someone new at Kent State, they ask me: “Why did you leave the warmth of Brazil to come to school in Ohio?” While I wonder that myself on cold, snowy mornings, the answer is always the same: College in Brazil meant driving to class, sitting in a lecture hall and then driving back home. On the other hand, American universities provide a world of opportunities, activities and experiences for their students. In other words, I came to the United States to study because I wanted a school that offered me stuff to do. And that’s the thought process of many high school graduates around the country. The academic quality of a program is the number one reason to attend a school, of course. However, there’s a reason students are drawn to big sports schools. An academic experience transcends
going to class and absorbing as much as you can from a professor. It’s about the speakers you get to listen to, the networking events you take part in and, yes, even the activities that entertain you. That’s why investing part of our tuition money in subsidizing our athletics department, concerts and a recreational center is not a waste of funds. For those of you who are still skeptical, I pose a question: Being honest to yourself, would you ever attend a university if they did not offer any sports or entertainment events? The real concern is not if we should invest in those departments, but whether the investments are being made wisely and purposefully. We should not be asking the university not to spend our money on sports and performers, but we can and will show our concerns if we think those in charge of making these decisions are not listening to the students. For example: Our football team has consistently underperformed for the last several years. The hiring of a new head coach and restructuring of the rest of the coaching staff is a step in the right direction, but is it enough? The same can be asked about the
recent artists brought to Kent by the Undergraduate Student Government recently. Students were vocal about their dissatisfaction with the return of Rae Sremmurd and the constant prioritizing of hip-hop artists over musicians of other genres. In the USG’s defense, however, is the fact that these concerts virtually sold out, while country and pop performers did not have the same turnout. While college is extremely expensive, the amount spent on entertainment and athletics is only a very small percentage of our total tuition. Furthermore, if we didn’t have certain events offered in the area, we would have to search for entertainment in cities like Cleveland and Akron, which would mean even more money spent. It’s obvious that the choices of funding will never please every student. If the university is listening to the students, though, to make their decisions, we will all be better off. Until then, I can keep dreaming of seeing Khalid perform at Kent State. (You hear that, USG?) Bruno Beidacki is the opinion editor. Contact him at bbeidack@kent.edu.
’Mr. Robot’ and its groundbreaking job of hacking TV
Joseph Langan
Loosely inspired by the real-life phenomena of Anonymous and the Arab Spring, the fiction of “Fight Club” and “The Matrix” and a healthy dose of David Lynch, USA Network’s “Mr. Robot” is pushing the boundaries of television. For those unfamiliar, “Mr. Robot” follows Elliot, a cybersecurity engineer by day and vigilante hacker by night. After being recruited by an insurrectionary anarchist played by Christian Slater, Elliot joins the hacktivist collective of society, becoming entangled in a breakneck-paced plot to wipe away the world’s debt. Under the Kubrickian direction of Sam Esmail, “Mr. Robot” is one of the most visually arresting shows on TV. Like “Breaking Bad” and “The Wire,” “Mr. Robot” is uncompromising in its depiction of the hard choices that haunt our harrowing realities. Much of the show is told through Elliot, who suffers from clinical depression, anxiety and dissociative identity disorder. Not only does the show depict mental illness in one of the most compassionate and authentic ways, it utilizes Elliot’s point of view
for some high-stress plot sequences. Elliot, whose worldview is inundated with delusion and paranoia, creates the viewers as an imaginary friend to help him make sense of his situation. This dynamic unfolds into a myriad of metafiction where the audience is forced to constantly consider what is real and what is not. It’s a show that respects its audience as keen observers and critical thinkers. The framing of every shot is stunning enough to be the envy of even the greatest Hollywood cinematographers. Unlike the socially networked society we’re all ensnared in, the script focuses on the human elements, highlighting the disconnection inside our digitally saturated world. Outside of the breathtaking visuals that — with a fraction of the budget — make Game of Thrones look dated, the show is both intimate and unapologetically global. A female Muslim hacker is a part of the main gang. The many, many women leads are written with depth and sincerity. Rami Malek, who plays Elliot, is of Egyptian descent, just like the director — who was inspired to make the show
after Egypt’s revolution in 2011. Many shows today profess diversity, and there’s no shortage of sitcoms with female leads or gay best friends. Many of the leads are gay or bisexual, but most importantly, their characters aren’t defined by their sexuality. In fact, Mr. Robot boasts what may be TV’s bestwritten transgender character. Under her male persona, she masquerades as Zhang, the Chinese Minister of State Security. Wh1ter0se is the password to unlock who she truly identifies as: the hacker and oligarch leading the Dark Army, a widespread criminal network of sleeper agents ruthless enough to make the CIA jealous. “Mr. Robot’s” first season was a winding road of plot twists and nonstop action. The second was a slower, character-driven epic with a meditative pace and film noir influences. The third, which finished airing a few weeks ago, balances the contrasting elements of the previous two. The tendency is for the show to continue to impress, as it has been renewed for a fourth season. Joseph Langan is a columnist. Contact him at jlangan3@kent.edu.
TO KNOW:
1
Government shut down For the first time in history, a government shuts down with a single party controlling the presidency, Congress and the Senate.
3
NYC shooting leaves three injured
Another shooting with injuries took place in the Big Apple. As of the time of publication, the NYPD reported no fatalities.
Cheers&Jeers
Cheers to ... goat yoga. There is a new craze on the rise: Goat Yoga, a version of the traditional physical exercise that adds baby goats to the equation.
Jeers to ... Canadian police. A Canadian ended up getting a parking ticket after making a fake car out of snow; apparently his work was well-done enough to trick the policeman.
12 The Kent Stater
Monday, January 22, 2018
Review
‘The Post’ is a gem in current political climate
Maria McGinnis Entertainment Reviewer
Steven Spielberg’s latest project, “The Post,” is a captivating, accurate depiction of a major event in journalism that shaped the powers of the press to this very day. This suspenseful drama follows Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep), the first female publisher of The Washington Post. Along with her sidekick, editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), they compete viscously with The New York Times, its rival newspaper, to publish newsworthy stories. The movie is based off true events, which gives it an engaging plot line. It follows Graham and Bradlee as they work to expose a monumental blemish on United States history that has been a hidden issue for the past four presidencies: the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war. With this information being such a highprofile government secret, as Graham decides to publish these stories, she puts her career — and the life of The Washington Post — at risk. The retelling of these events portrays rich and politically influential factors that resonate within the field of journalism and the world. With the heat of current political and cultural events, the First Amendment right guaranteeing the freedom of the press seems to be more important now than ever. Not only does this film touch on the importance of the nation’s First Amendment rights and the press’s duty to the public, but Graham’s dynamic personal journey
‘‘
and rise to professional respect is incredibly empowering to women — especially in the field of journalism. At first, Graham is a reluctant publisher. She acts cautiously and is constantly pushed aside by the men in the industry. She puts the men in charge of making any “big decisions” for the newspaper. When Graham finally decides (against the opinions of many of her male “partners”) to publish the Pentagon Papers, her personal character makes a dramatic shift. She becomes empowered, stunningly confident and respected by everyone around her. Graham takes serious risks that have proven to define her, her career and The Washington Post for years to come. In plain terms, “The Post” is a fantastic movie. Whether the audience is interested or educated in the events in journalism or not, the movie is engaging from start to finish. Streep, a strong actress herself, portrays such a strong woman in a way that makes it impossible to picture anyone else in her role. With Hanks as her partner in crime, the duo is unstoppable. The Washington Post is a very well-known and powerful newspaper. From the Pentagon Papers to the Watergate Scandal, its fearless reporting has granted it well-deserved publicity that is not easily attained. “The Post” very accurately displays that, making it an enjoyable must-see for all. Contact Maria McGinnis at mmcginn9@kent.edu.
Whether the audience is
interested or educated in the events in journalism or not, the movie is engaging from start to finish.” –Maria McGinnis Reviewer
Movie poster courtesy of 20th Century Fox
Monday, January 22, 2018
KentWired.com 13
Kent State denies space request for white nationalist speaking event Ben Orner Enterprise Producer for TV2 Kent State University is "unable to accommodate" a request from an associate of white nationalist Richard Spencer because a venue is not available. In a statement, Eric Mansfield, the university’s executive director for university media relations, said Kent State responded to Cameron Padgett, who has scheduled speaking engagements on college campuses for Spencer. On Wednesday, Padgett requested use of the Student Multicultural Center on May 4 and said in the request he planned to invite white nationalists
Richard Spencer and Michael Peinovich for a discussion about the Kent State shootings and "violent left-wing Antifa protestors." "The weeks of April 30 – May 12 are always an exceptionally busy time on our campus, with numerous activities marking the end of our academic year," Mansfield said. "Kent State values respectful dialogue from all points of view, including ideology that is controversial or offensive," Mansfield continued. "Consistent with our core values, we encourage open dialogue, freedom of expression and respectful discourse in an inclusive environment."
Richard Spencer speaks at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas, Dec. 6, 2016. Spencer's campus tour organizer is suing the University of Cincinnati's president, saying the school wouldn't rent space for Spencer to speak on campus unless a nearly $11,000 security fee was paid. An attorney for Spencer and the organizer said requiring such payment because a speaker is controversial or prompts hostile reaction is discriminatory and unconstitutional. AP Photo / David J. Phillip
Contact Ben Orner at borner@kent.edu.
THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS ADVERTISE IN THE SPRING RENTER’S GUIDE TO FILL YOUR REMAINING VACANCIES!
Run a half page or larger and receive a FREE Tweet!
All ads include full color. Ad design is free with space purchase.
Run Date: Thursday, January 25th
Ad copy due: Wednesday, January 24th
Special Pricing! Full Page $975
Half Page $495 (choose vertical or horizontal)
Quarter Page $295
Eighth Page $150 Contact your account representative today at ads@ksustudentmedia.com or 330-672-2586 today to reserve your space!
14 The Kent Stater
Monday, January 22, 2018
CLASSIFIEDS FRANKLIN SQUARE DELI The Tastiest Sub’s In Kent One Bite & You’ll Know! Since 1983, Downtown Open Just Till 5:00, 7 days
Franklin Square Deli This Area’s #1 CUBAN Sandwich Just $6 Ð All Day Wed.
Kent’s longest running DELI STYLE Restaurant. Now that your settled in, it’s time to find your way to FRANKLIN SQUARE DELI Downtown, on the main square, Daily until 5:00PM, 7 Days Short Term delivery 2-4:30
SOUP, SOUP, SOUP, CHILI, SOUP, SOUP, CHILI 35TH Year! Franklin Square Deli
Come join numerous other Kent State students and be a part of our Moose family at Happy Moose Streetsboro 9436 State Route 14. Now hiring hostesses, servers, bartenders, cooks, dishwashers and food runners. Close to campus, parttime hours and great work environment. Apply online at happymoosebarandgrill.com or stop in to fill out an application.
Brimfield Beef O’Brady’s needs servers and bartenders. Flexible hours! Apply online at beefobradys.com
All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real
estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information.
Pinewood Apts. Studio and 1 BR Off Street Parking Single Story Park Like Setting Call Today 330-673-2403
Houses for spring semester and 2018-2019 school year. 2 & 3 bedrooms. 330-547-1212 Nice 1&2 bedroom apartments. Good location. Responsible tenants, non-smoking. No pets. 330-688-1187.
Kent: Beautiful, large 2 bedroom. Freshly painted walls. $700/month. Heat, water and trash included. 330-472-9671.
Buckeye Parks Management Serving Kent for over 30 years Now Renting for 2018-2019 August Move In Call to schedule a showing today! 330-678-3047 www.BuckeyeParksMgmt.com
Five Bedroom House for Rent $325 per student. Available July or August 2018. Call 330592-1848.
Leasing for fall 2018 Spacious 2,3,4,&5 bedrooms with 2-3 full baths. Great condition, A/C, washer/dryer, dishwasher, deck, garage. Starting at $350 a room. 330808-4045
REBUS
5 bedroom 2.5 bath. All appliances and washer/dryer. SPECIAL $390 a month/ per person. All utilities and cable/internet included. 2 bedroom 1 bath $750+ See JLCASTO.COM 330-6887040 AVAILABLE NOW. Short term leases and leases in August available. Close to campus. 2 and 3 bedrooms, details for special move-in. Landlord pays heat, water and trash. Good parking, central air. 330-6769440.
East Townhomes - group of females looking for a roommate 1 Bedroom available for January Ðand- for August/Fall 2018 Rent is $450/m with 1 month FREE special = $385/m! Rent includes ALL utilities, tv, and internet Call/text Keith 330-689-8888 KSUtownhomes.com
7 bedroom houses, great location - 1 block from campus, large bedrooms, free parking, big front porch, washer, dryer, lawn, trash and handyman service incl. $345/mo., owner pays partial util. Must have a group of 7. Call or text 330607-2569
4 bedroom 2 bath, Neat and Clean $270 per month per person plus utilities. Parking available one half block from Mcgilvrey Call Nancy at (330)-472-0501
6 Bedroom 3 Bath North Lincoln 1 Block from Campus Neat and Clean $365 per month per person plus utilities. Please call Nancy at (330) 4720501.
HOW TO ADVERTISE For information about placing a Display ad please call our offices at 330-672-2586 or visit us at 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Our office hours are from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Classified ads can be placed by fax at (330) 672-4880, over the phone at (330) 672-2586 or by e-mail at ads@ksustudentmedia.com. If you fax or e-mail an ad, please be sure to include run dates, payment info and a way for us to contact you.
STATER SCRAMBLE