Winthrop University
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Donald Trump addresses supporters at Winthrop Coliseum Friday. Trump holds a sizable lead in the state according to state polls. The state is the first state in the South to hold a primary.
Jacob Hallex / The Johnsonian
Trump Rocks the Hill Billionaire turned politician Donald Trump filled Winthrop Coliseum with supporters and protesters Mickayla Catoe Staff Writer
GOP front-runner Donald Trump brought thousands of supporters – and many protesters – out to Winthrop Coliseum Friday evening. Hundreds of people waited for several hours in the cold before they were allowed to enter the rally. Vietnam veteran Jim Yates was waiting for Trump at 10 a.m., even though the event did not start for another nine hours. “I waited because we have somebody here who supports what we actually need,” Yates said. “The people in office now are not doing what they should, and America needs somebody who can run a straight show.”
Susan Rieger of Chester was also one of those hundreds of supporters who were willing to wait in the cold to get a good seat. “If it were snowing out I would still be standing here,” Rieger said. “I just love him and his beliefs on how he wants everyone to come into the United States legally.” However, several “hecklers” or attendees not in support of Trump’s campaign, were removed from the event during Trump’s speech. The audience was instructed to chant “Trump” if they saw any sign of protest, which they did when Trump spoke on more serious matters including foreign policy. A Muslim woman, Rose Hamid, from Charlotte was forced to leave the rally after people “Trumped” her into the spotlight. Hamid was wearing a Hijab, a religious headwrap, and a T-shirt with “I come in peace” printed on it and a yellow button with “Muslim” printed on it as well. She was videotaped in the audience silently standing while Trump suggested that Syrian refugees fleeing war in Syria were affiliated with ISIS. Even though Hamid was not yelling or chanting, this was enough to have her ejected from the event. And while she was escorted from
An inspiration for all Beth West westb@mytjnow.com Winthrop geology professor and Rock Hill native, Dr. Irene Boland, 74, passed away Sunday, Jan. 3. Boland dedicated much of her life to Winthrop, as she attended kindergarten through third grade at Winthrop Training School, then later earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology with a minor in secondary education, and later earned a Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in chemistry at then-Winthrop College. While teaching part-time at Winthrop in the mid-1980’s, discovered a passion for
the event, many Trump supporters got in her face and were yelling offensive remarks as she quietly left the coliseum, according to an interview with Hamid on CNN. Many Winthrop alumni, students and faculty expressed their “disappointment” and “embarrassment” on Facebook following the rally. Winthrop alumna Raven Brown posted a link to a story about Hamid’s exit. Brown wrote, “I’m in disbelief and disappointment that Winthrop, which prides itself on diversity and embracing different cultures (so much that attending cultural events is required in order to graduate), would allow this man to use our coliseum as a platform to spout/promote his ignorance.” University of South Carolina freshman and Rock Hill native Pamela Benavente said she was not happy with all that transpired at the Trump event. “He doesn’t know politics, and he doesn’t love all people,” Benavente said. “If he loved all people, that Muslim woman wouldn’t have been kicked out. Or the other people who simply had on ‘End Islamaphobia’ buttons and stood up.”
4see TRUMP pg. 3
INSIDE
NEWS
4PG 3
Update on Democratic and Republican presidential candidates.
A&C Photo courtesy of Taylor Davis.
geology and earned a Ph.D. in 1996 from the University of South Carolina. Boland then returned to Winthrop and became a full-time professor of geology.
4see BOLAND pg. 4
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January 13, 2016
WEATHER Wednesday Clear 47 °/26 °F
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Monday Clear 45 °/25 °F
Featured Photo: Muslim woman escorted out of Trump rally
Jacob Hallex/ The Johnsonian
Rose Hamid was escorted out of the Donald Trump campaign rally held on campus over winter break. Hamid was escorted out after standing in silent protest while Donald Trump was speaking on the link between Syrian refugees and the self proclaimed Islamic State.
For those that want to manage time more efficiently in the coming semester, calendar apps such as Google Calendar can help keep track of time and tasks. Having class times and locations listed in a digital calendar on your phone can help locate classes and arrive on time in the first few weeks while getting used to the new schedule. Important dates like exams and project due dates can also be listed with reminders of work and study times.
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NEWS TRUMP • from front The Republican presidential candidate and businessman spoke on the “immigration problem” in America, which he hopes to solve by “building a big wall” and making Mexico pay for it. “We have to be strong on immigration and we have to build a big, beautiful wall,” Trump said. Following this statement, he had the crowd chant back “Mexico” three times when he asked who would pay for the wall. The Second Amendment was also a hot topic due to the recent executive order from the Obama Administration concerning gun laws. Trump promised that he would protect the Second Amendment, because he sees the value in the right to bear arms, especially the right belonging to servicemen and women. The idea of having gun-free military zones, simply put, is
theJohnsonian January 13, 2016
lost if people would have had the “stupid,” according to Trump. arm power to protect themselves “You know what a gun-free zone against the ISIS attackers. is to a sicko? That’s bait,” Trump “In France, said. generally, you can’t Executive Search get a gun in unless Firm Owner of you’re a bad guy. If Charlotte Bill somebody in Paris Mitchell has followed had guns, during the the Trump campaign since it began and attack, it would have been a whole different said he agrees with story, folks. There almost all of his would have been beliefs. bullets going two “It is madness, pure ways,” Trump said. madness to have a Council of Student group of trained and Leaders Chair Ray able-bodied men McKetty said he that serve to protect was interested in American citizens learning more about without guns,” the businessman’s Mitchell said. approach to foreign Trump also said Donald Trump policy and dealing he sees the value Republican Presidential Candidate with ISIS. in self-protection. “I would really Trump referred to like to hear him go more in-depth the Paris Terrorist Attacks late last about foreign policy,” McKetty year and how he believes that 130 innocent lives would not have been said. “I know he has a lot of big
“”
We have to be strong on immigration and we have to build a big, beautiful wall.
ideas concerning how to deal with ISIS – some that not many people agree with.” Trump also took a hit at President Obama when he started to talk about ISIS. “Obama doesn’t understand the game. He doesn’t know radical Islamic terrorism. He refuses to say the name. If you can’t even say the name, then you can’t solve the problem. I know the game,” Trump said. Winthrop Coliseum has not come close to holding as many people as it did Friday night with over 6,000 people in attendance. This is the most that has turned out for a single presidential candidate yet. Winthrop Political Science Professor Dr. John Holder said he sees the value in hosting large scale events such as the Trump rally. “It is good publicity for the university,” Holder said. “The attendance does not ever get like this for games or even graduation.”
Presidential Election Update The race to the White House has shown to be a tight one Beth West westb@mytjnow.com Winthrop has played host to a fair amount of presidential candidates. To date, we have had nine candidates step foot on campus, including Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul [he was in the Rock Hill area], Bernie Sanders, Carly Fiorina, Ben Carson, Donald Trump, and do not forget the MSNBC Democratic Forum which brought Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley and the return of Bernie Sanders. There have been several polls conducted throughout this campaign season in an effort to see which candidates are leading and which candidates will most likely win their primary election. This political update has taken information from the CNN/ORC International poll. This poll was conducted between Dec. 17-21, polling 1,018 adults over the phone. Each adult was asked to identify their party affiliation and if they were registered to vote. There is a 3 percent error within the poll, and out of all those polled only 927 of them were registered to vote. Each person polled, after being separated by their party affiliation were asked a series of questions in regards to which candidate could handle certain aspects of the position. In response to the economy,
the adults who leaned towards the Republican candidates said that they believed Trump could handle it best, with Cruz and Rubio behind him. Regarding illegal immigration, Trump also came in on top, with Cruz and Rubio respectfully. The final question for the Republican supporters was about who could “best handle ISIS.” Again, Trump received the most poll responses for this as well, with Cruz and Bush respectfully. The Democratic candidate supporters that were polled gave Clinton the most responses with Sanders and O’Malley following. In response to foreign policy, they felt that Clinton was the best candidate with Sanders and O’Malley following. The Democrats polled said that they felt that Clinton could best handle ISIS, with Sanders and O’Malley following as well. Since the CNN/ORC International poll, NBC and Survey Monkey released the poll results on Jan. 6, and while the exact numbers were different, the candidates were still in the same position. The Republican candidates were ranked in the following order: Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. The Democratic candidates were ranked in the following order: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders with Martin O’Malley. This campaign season, which has not truly officially started, has been an interesting and widely popular one. Candidates have called each other out for menial things, like shoes and the types of things they do in their personal time. Each side has fallen victim to the twoparty system. If the race results are anywhere close to the poll results, this election will be a close one and a ground
Beth West | News Editor westb@mytjnow.com
Reagan Martin / The Johnsonian
breaking election either way. Both of the front-runners for the White House will do something that has never been done before, Trump would be a president who has no previous political experience and Clinton would be the first female president. The South Carolina Election Commission will host the Republican Primary vote on Feb. 20 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
and the Democratic Primary vote on Feb. 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The deadline to apply for absentee voting, through mail, is Feb. 16 at 5 p.m., for the Republican Primary and Feb. 23 at 5 p.m., for the Democratic Primary and in person on Feb. 19 at 5 p.m. for the Republican Primary and Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. for the Democratic Primary.
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January 13, 2016
Winthrop community reacts to Donald Trump visit
Students, alumni express concern after Muslim woman was escorted from WU coliseum Jacob Hallex hallexj@mytjnow.com Rock Hill was in the national spotlight yet again after a visit by a well-known controversial presidential candidate. But this time around, the press hasn’t been all positive. Rose Hamid, a Charlotte flight attendant, made headlines at Donald Trump’s campaign rally held at the Winthrop Coliseum. She was escorted out after standing in silent protest while Trump was speaking on ISIS and the Syrian refugee crisis. Her shirt read, “Salam I come in peace” and she was wearing a yellow patch with the word “Muslim” inscribed. A hostile crowd began shouting at her as she was taken away. By her account one man asked her repeatedly “do you have a
bomb?” Five other protesters were near Hamid who also bore yellow patches reading “Stop Islamophobia” and “No Racism”. They were escorted out of the venue as well. Police were informed to escort anyone out who made a disturbance. In a press release, Winthrop University emphasized its commitment to host political events regardless of speaker’s ideologies. The university also stated that, “These appearances do not constitute an endorsement of any party, candidate or ideological perspective.” In general, the Winthrop Jacob Hallex / The Johnsonian community of students, faculty Protestors at the Donald Trump Rally wear Stars of David reading “Stop Islamaphobia” and No “Racism”. and alumni have been supportive of Hamid. are rights made exclusive to people apology from the Trump campaign. “As an Alumni, I'm disheartened "The image of a Muslim woman that look and think like they do. by the blatant disrespect and being abused and ejected from Mrs. Hamid, I want to assure you prejudice displayed in the town that they are wrong and that you are a political rally sends a chilling that (sic) I decided to make my message to American Muslims and courageous,” Brooks said. home based on my undergraduate to all those who value our nation's Some users took to Facebook to experience at Winthrop University. object to Trump’s visit to campus traditions of religious diversity and Donald Trump actions were in the first place. “It's Trump... He civic participation," Nihad Awad, predictable but the taunting and CAIR Executive director said in a should never have been allowed to bystander effect by the audience was be there. statement. surreal,” Facebook user Shaneequa What did you think was gonna Many users identified the right Evans commented on an earlier of the Trump campaign to kick out happen? He is the lowest most article about the event from The whomever they please from political hateful person... Just shameful! Johnsonian’s website. rallies. And shame on the ppl that Current student Ryan Brooks The next politician to visit the participated ....you are an penned an open letter in support of embarrassment to this nation (sic),” area will be Ted Cruz. Cruz will be Hamid. “Many of the same people in user Lisa Horton said. speaking at a town hall event in Fort that crowd seem to believe that life, The Council on American-Islamic Mill on Friday, Jan. 11. liberty and the pursuit of happiness Relations is now calling for an
energy into my life, and not just academically. She supported me While at Winthrop, Boland first-hand when my step-mom earned the James Pinckney died last semester. She sent Kinard and Lee Wicker Kinard me words of encouragement Award for Excellence in and hope when my husband Teaching and the Phi Kappa was deployed (and she even Phi Excellence in put his name in Teaching Award. her church's prayer The university request bulletin), also named Room and she help fund 209 of Sims my undergraduate Science Building, geology research,” where Boland Davis wrote. “Having taught historical my SC Natural geology every fall History class last semester for the spring was the best last 20 years, in class I've taken and her honor in 2014. I'm very thankful When asked for the memories about Boland, I've made with her. students and She cried when she faculty say she was hospitalized and was a pleasure to couldn't come to learn from and an my graduation. I've inspiration. never had someone Winthrop care that deeply for alumna Taylor me even though Taylor Davis Davis, who she didn't know me Winthrop Alumni graduated from for very long. She's Winthrop in touched my heart. May 2015 with a degree in Dr. Boland was a saint and she environmental science, posted will be missed.” on Facebook on Jan. 4, honoring Boland’s funeral will be her former professor. held Jan. 13 at 3 p.m., at the “Dr. Boland is very special to Episcopal Church of Our me. She invested her time and Saviour.
BOLAND • from front
“”
I’ve never had someone care that deeply for me even though she didn’t know me for very long.
WU game changer
Athletics motivates students with Game Changer Scholarship Thomas Calamia calamiat@mytjnow.com The Winthrop Athletic Department has been pushing students to attend more Winthrop sporting events by giving them an opportunity to win money to go towards their tuition. The Game Changer Scholarship program was introduced last semester at Winthrop Men’s and Women’s Basketball games. When a student swipes their cards while attending a Winthrop basketball game, that student is entered into a drawing for that game. As long as the student has swiped their card and is sitting in the student section at Winthrop Coliseum after Winthrop wins a game at home and the fight song plays, a total of $2000 will be split four ways. Three random students will receive a $500 scholarship added to their Winthrop account. The last $500 is then put in a reserve fund. Students must still be present at the end of the game in order to win. At the end of the last men’s and women’s of the season, two random students who have attended at least five home games will win the reserve fund of all the collected money as a scholarship at the end of the last men’s and women’s games respectively. “Donors were solicited to make contributions following each home win for both men’s and women’s basketball to cover the cost of the scholarship awards,” said Tom Hickman, Winthrop Athletic Director. “The $500 award is posted to their student account in the financial aid office and goes to help offset their tuition/
housing/meal charges.” The idea for this program came from Winthrop President Dan Mahoney in an effort to increase attendance at sporting events. The money for the scholarship program was collected from alumni and donors. The reserve fund will be awarded to the students even if Winthrop loses. The effectiveness of this scholarship has already begun to show. According to numbers provided by Aimee Kline, Director of Event Management and Promotions, student attendance is up, especially during the break. In the 2014-2015 men’s season the 5th game of the season saw 20 students, the 6th game saw 67 students and the 7th game saw 25 students. This season, the 5th game saw 63 students, the 6th game saw 82 students and the 7th game saw 79 students. “It is still a bit early to determine the success of the program although it does appear that it has had some impact during times when students are present,” said Tom Hickman. “Our teams need your support and there is a chance to win scholarship money and you can win more than once,” said Kline. With the current program only applying to men and women’s basketball, students are curious to know if the program will be expanding to any other sporting programs. According to Hickman “At this time there have been no discussions about expanding the program.” However, other faculty think that it could be possible, if there is enough interest from students. “Investigating ways to increase student support at any and all Winthrop events is always of importance to the institution,” said Scott McDonald, Associate AD for Compliance, Student Services & Donor Relations. “Any feedback on the program or other initiatives that the students believe would increase support and attendance would be greatly beneficial.”
Althea Holenko / The Johnsonian
Thomas Calamia | Assistant News Editor calamiat@mytjnow.com
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S&T
theJohnsonian January 13, 2016
Tech Review: Steam Controller
Precision of a mouse, functionality of a controller Daniel James jamesd@mytjnow.com
While I prefer the precision that a quality mouse provides when playing video games on my computer, it has been quite an adjustment having grown up using console controllers. But in November, Valve Corporation released a controller meant to provide the best of both worlds. Over the winter break, I tested out the new controller and while there are some problems that I have with it, Valve did a good job in their Photo courtesy of Valve Corporation design. Valve replaced the right analog and D-pad of a traditional video game controller with haptic feedback trackpads. The first things that gamers are likely to notice about the Steam Controller are the Another issue with the controller is the 2 using both a Steam Controller and an Xbox circular trackpads on the front. The combination awkward shape. The wide shape make is more controller, the computer was confused. It seemed of these two pads imitate the movement of a difficult for those with smaller hands to reach the to be treating my controller as a mouse instead of mouse’s trackball and the scroll wheel, even on ABXY buttons while still holding the controller a keyboard, which meant that there was no input games not formatted for controllers. properly. for the movement keys (WASD). The buttons are fully customizable and Steam I notice that I have to take more breaks with It should be noted that he was using a thirdcomputer application allows users to save this controller than an Xbox controller. party Xbox controller, which may have had an mappings for each game, share them with the One fix for this issue is the presence of buttons effect. In that same sitting, 3 other multiplayer gaming community, and choose from control on the back of the controller. When playing Elder games worked without any issues, so it may mappings posted by others. Scrolls: Skyrim, the functionality of the X button, be luck of the draw until Valve is able to apply Each individual game can have its own control which handles drawing a weapon, extended to the firmware updates to address issues. scheme and will automatically change based on right back button. When it comes to power, the controller uses the chosen game. This can be a double-edged sword as in the heat standard AA batteries, which are included. These The ability to map controls should not be of a battle it is easy to accidentally squeeze the can be replaced by rechargeable batteries or users confused with requirement of mapping controls. handles and click the buttons, which translates to can bypass the need for batteries completely by Games that are already formatted for controller putting weapons away in the middle of a fight. plugging the controller in to the computer using a such as Battlefront, Fallout 4, Call of Duty: Black Another thing that could easily be seen as a Micro-USB adapter, which is also included. Ops 3 default to the traditional controller scheme problem is the dependence on Big Picture mode The main reason that it came with nonused by Xbox controllers with the left trackpad and the Steam rechargeable AA batteries is likely to keep costs taking the place of the D-pad and the right Use of the controller requires a Steam account low. The price of the controller is $50, which replacing the right analog stick. and for the application to be present on the is comparable to the price of an Xbox One The right analog is normally used for aiming computer. controller. in first person shooters, which some gamers say As a matter of fact, the controller did not Overall the controller worked very well and was is less accurate than PC’s use of a mouse for this work correctly when I first plugged it in to my reasonably priced. It was more accurate than my function. computer as the right track pad was receiving Xbox One controller and all but one of my mice. The Steam controller really does seem to have constant input. In order to fix this issue, I had to The ability to play games not meant for controller more precision on these games than a controller download a firmware update on Steam by going without having to use a program like JoyToKey as well as most mice I own. into big picture mode and selecting Update under has been a real treat. The pad provides haptic feedback, which means Settings. TL;DR – Pros: intuitive control mapping, that it vibrates as the thumb moves over it so Because Steam saves the control mapping, it mouse precision, haptic feedback, easy transition the user knows exactly where the thumb is at a has to be run through Steam in order to work from other controllers. given time. The down-side to the feedback is that effectively. While this was not an issue for me, it Cons: Awkward to hold, may not be compatible there is audible clicking, which can at times be could be for someone else. A more pressing issue with older controllers in couch co-op, clicking can irritating to the user and others in the room. is incompatibility. be annoying if not turned off, requires Steam to Luckily, if it is an issue, this functionality can When my roommate and I tried to play Portal use. be disabled in the configuration screen.
A psychological perspective to New Year’s Resolutions
A new year may bring another chance at a new beginning, even if it didn’t last year Daniel James jamesd@mytjnow.com
Every year, almost half of the US population make New Year’s resolutions, but research by the University of Scranton suggests that only 8 percent are successful in achieving the goals that they set and 25 percent fail within the first week. According to researchers at the American Psychological Association, while the New Year can be seen as a chance at a new beginning and allows for people to look at the previous year and decide what they might want to change, this perspective can be harmful if perceived the wrong way. “Setting small, attainable goals throughout the
year, instead of a singular, overwhelming goal on January 1 can help you reach whatever it is you strive for,” psychologist Lynn Bufka said. “Remember, it is not the extent of the change that matters, but rather the act of recognizing that lifestyle change is important and working toward it, one step at a time.” This means that choosing difficult or even unattainable goals as well as multiple goals that are easier to reach may overwhelm and make it even more difficult to succeed. Part of the reason that many goals are discarded is that inability to keep resolutions in the first few months can increase anxiety and lead to feelings of hopelessness. In order to help keep resolutions, however, it is important to take time to reflect and find what exactly needs to change and make a specific resolution to lead to change. The example that the APA uses is instead of saying that the goal is to exercise more, choose a specific number of days of exercise and keep track. In addition, it is important to start small such as 3 or 4 days of exercise for 30 minutes as opposed to every day of the week. This can go for grades as well. If a student wants to get better grades in the coming year, the simple answer is to study for exams and take quality notes. According to economics professor Robert Stonebreaker’s Strategies for Success, one hour
Daniel James | Science & Technology Editor jamesd@mytjnow.com
of daytime study, which could be used between classes, can be just as productive as one and a half hours at night. It is also a good idea not to go at resolutions alone. The APA urges people to find others that want to achieve similar goals and work together to meet milestones and provide support. Walking with a friend can be much more enjoyable than walking alone. For academics, a desire to get better grades could be as simple as visiting the Academic Success Center, forming a study group, and even asking a professor for help. Meeting with a professor during their office hours or even by an appointment could be the difference between success and failure. Change takes time and old habits are difficult to break, but setting specific goals and breaking them into smaller, easier to attain tasks over time can enhance resolutions. Instead of setting a goal to read a full book in a week, break that book into smaller segments. Reading 4 chapters each day seems much easier than reading a book, and scratching reading those four chapters off a to-do list can give feelings of accomplishment and help encourage reading the following day. The most important thing to remember is that no one is perfect. Even if someone missteps in their journey of self-improvement, it is better to return toward working at those goals a little worse for wear than to give up.
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SPORTS
theJohnsonian
January 13, 2016
Jacob Hallex / The Johnsonian
Winthrop point guard Keon Johnson drives to the basket in Eagle’s homecoming game against Hampton.
Eagles knock off Panthers Eagles pick up win heading into nationally televised game with the High Point Adarrell Gadsden gadsdena@mytjnow.com Coming off a three game losing streak, the Winthrop men’s basketball team started the semester off right with a 81-63 win over Ferrum College at home Monday night. After a tough one-point loss to UNC Asheville, the Eagles went into Monday’s contest sitting at 9-6 on the season, and at fourth place in the Big South Conference.
Leaving conference play for one game to lock up with the Panthers might have been just what the doctor ordered for the Eagles. Four Winthrop players would end the game in double figures; graduate student Jimmy Gavin would lead all players with 19 points. Joshua Davenport, Keon Johnson and Zach Price each accounted for 10 points. The Eagles shot 56.1 percent from the floor while knocking down nine of their 18 three-point field goals. On the defensive end, Winthrop struggled to contain the Panthers star player Josh Grimard. Grimard would go 5-of-6 from behind the three-point line and finish the game with 19 points. The 18-point win also comes a few days before the Eagles step into the national spotlight. Winthrop will be back in action on Thursday night when they face off conference foe High Point and their star forward John Brown at the Winthrop Coliseum. High Point currently sits atop Big South Conference standings, with no losses in conference play all season. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and will be between the league’s best shooting teams. This will be the first of two matchups between the Eagles and the Panthers of High Point. The Panthers swept the series last season, the Eagles losing both games by a combined four points.
Women’s basketball looking for conference win
Lady Eagles find themselves at bottom of Big South Conference standings Adarrell Gadsden gadsdena@mytjnow.com
It’s been a down year thus-far for a Winthrop Women’s basketball team that was the preseason pick to finish second in the Big South Conference, but with a season ending injury to star center Shaquilla Nunn, those chances may
have been shattered. However, the Lady Eagles may not want to start looking for the restart button just yet. Currently sitting at 2-11 and last place in Big South Conference standings the Lady Eagles have one conference win on the season, an 81-62 shellacking of foe GardnerWebb at home in early December. While the team has some time to turn their conference season around it has to start now, as they head into the home stretch, and while winning the conference regular season trophy isn’t completely out of the question, it would be a tough feat for this Winthrop team right now, but making a run into the Big South Conference Tournament in Asheville could give them a chance of taking that crown. The Lady Eagles will look to lean on star forward Erica Williams,
Adarrell Gadsden | Sports Editor gadsdena@mytjnow.com
guards Aliyah Kilpatrick and Jimecheia Banks to get the offense flowing. The team is currently the league’s worst in scoring offense, three-point shooting percentage, and assist per game. The Lady Eagles will also have to find a way to better get the ball to 6-3 freshman Arianne Whitaker who has proven that she can be a dominant force in the paint. In the Lady Eagles most recent contest at Radford the Highlanders were able to pull down 60 rebounds to Winthrop’s 34. While Winthrop is missing the dominant play of Shaquilla Nunn. The question for the Lady Eagles is can some of the team’s current players make up the difference? The Lady Eagles only managed to pull down ten offensive rebounds in the contest, and with the lowest
Eagles will look to lean on star forward Erica Williams, and gaurds Aliyah Kilpatrick and Jemechia Banks.
shooting percentage in the league and ineffectiveness in rebounding the ball on the offensive end it’s hard to come up with wins. Winthrop will currently look to the coming week as the face two the league’s best three teams in hopes of turning their season around. Winthrop will face off with Presbyterian College at home on Tuesday evening. The Lady Blue Hose currently sit at second in the conference and a win at home might just be the start of the turnaround Winthrop is so desperately looking for to jump start their season. The score to the Lady Eagles game Tuesday night against Presbyterian College were not available at press time. Following the game with Presbyterian College the Lady Eagles will face Liberty University Saturday in Lynchburg, Virginia at the Vines Center. The Lady Flames are currently sit at third place in Big South Conference standings. Liberty currently averages 53.9 points per game, eighth best in conference.
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January 13, 2016
Eagle of the Week: Morgan Lowers Men’s Basketball 1/14 @ 7 p.m. Winthrop Coliseum 1/16 @ 4 p.m. Winthrop Coliseum Photo courtesy of Winthrop alumna Morgan Lowers
Emily Gill gille@mytjnow.com
A lot of freshman strike out in the first semester, but Morgan Lowers is not one of them in the field or in academics. Lowers, 18, plays on the Winthrop softball team. She is majoring in mass communications with a focus in broadcasting and minoring in Spanish. From the start Winthrop has been a place of comfort for her. “I was exposed to WU through the softball coaches and found the program was full of opportunities,” Lowers said. “The campus was exactly what I wanted and I feel like I am at home during the semesters.” For an athlete, home doesn’t just include friends. It includes teammates. Lowers believes team chemistry already present on her team and they are “ready to work hard for the upcoming season.” Lower’s personal goals involve mind and body. “I personally would like to improve on my mental aspect
of the game and be able to perform at my best under the collegiate level pressure. I would also like to improve my speed and strength,” Lowers said. Improvement and even maintaining normality can be difficult for student athletes. Athletes spend a significant amount of time working on strength in the weight room, at practice, conditioning, in required study hall hours, etc. “Even during the off season, we work just as hard, if not, harder than we do during season,” Lowers said. Still, Lowers is grateful for the opportunity to be at Winthrop. “Playing [here] allows me to play with teammates that are more enhanced in their softball skills. I love that opportunity because it drives me to want to better myself,” Lowers said. Lowers loves to share her passion for sports as well. “People should come to softball games because all students should show school spirit and the games are free for WU students, so why not?”
Women’s Basketball 1/16 @ 2 p.m. Lynchburg, VA 1/19 @ 7 p.m. Winthrop Coliseum 1/23 @ 1 p.m. Winthrop Coliseum
Track and Field
1/16 Angry Birds Invitational
Men’s Tennis
1/16 at South Carolina
Women’s Tennis 1/18 at Wake Forest
Game Changers kick off the new semester Emily Gill gille@mytjnow.com From the strong opening game of the season against Hampton University, the men’s basketball team has proven its abilities, scoring a minimum of 60 points per game. Of the 12 games played so far, only three have resulted in a loss for the Eagles. Students especially should be rejoicing over this season’s likely winning streak because of the Game Changers initiative, which was formed under university president Dan Mahony. If the men or women’s basketball teams win a home game, three lucky students at each game
will each be awarded $500 scholarships. Jessica Doscher, a junior English major, thinks Winthrop sports win in another area of Winthrop’s priorities: an emphasis on international cultures. “Sports not only showcase a truly international aspect of the Winthrop community, but it helps to create a common interest that binds us all together,” Doscher said. Matthew O’Brien, a senior sports management major, thinks that the Game Changers initiative particularly can draw out Winthrop’s international emphasis. “The Game Changers initiative gives students who aren’t sports fans a reason to attend and root for their school. The hope is that these students
will find that they enjoy cheering on their team with the rest of the student body even if they don’t enjoy the sport itself. Ideally, the Game Changer initiative would just become a bonus for those students,” O’Brien said. According to The Herald, President Mahony has stated that “he would like Winthrop to be the best, or one of the best, schools in the Big South Conference for game attendance at men’s and women’s basketball games.” While a few lucky students have already won scholarships, the greater number of home games provides the chance for more students to win and fulfill President Mahony’s goal. We’ll see you on the court.
Emily Gill | Sports Editor gille@mytjnow.com
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A&C
theJohnsonian January 13, 2016
Recapping pop music moments of 2015 Jay Grice gricej@mytjnow.com This last year was a great 12 months in the music industry. Here are my top picks for 2015. Adele: The year 2015 can’t simply be recapped in any way without a mention of the triumphant return of British singer-songwriter Adele. Her first album “19”, was released in 2008. “19” gave Adele a career in Britain and a foot in the door of American pop radio. Two years later, the singer released “21”, her sophomore album. “21” took off all around the world to an unprecedented amount of success that Adele herself says today that she was completely unprepared for. After doing press for the album throughout the year of 2011, the singer went into a hiding of sorts. And over the next four years, while her songs from “19” and “21” still played on the radio, Adele took time to slip back into a somewhat normal life. After years of waiting for new material, the internet went absolutely mad over a thirty second clip of the first single from Adele’s “25” that premiered during an episode of The X Factor. Soon after, Adele stepped back into the music world with her first single “Hello”. When the album was officially released in November, it immediately was the number one selling album all over the world. In the United States, “25” broke the record for largest single week sales of an album with 3.38 million copies sold. This completely shattered the previous record holder, *NSYNC’s “No Strings Attached” which sold 2.42 million copies in 2000. Though she was only active towards the end, 2015 was the year of Adele and there would be no surprise if 2016 is as well. Missy Elliott Steals the Show: While the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show was officially Katy Perry’s, Missy Elliott definitely stole the entire show. Perry invited Missy Elliott and Lenny Kravitz to join her on stage, making for the most watched (118.5 million viewers according to Billboard)—and possibly one of the best — halftime shows of Super Bowl history. Missy performed singles released over a decade before the performance, “Get Your Freak On” and “Work It”. The aftermath of the show left Missy in the iTunes Top Ten for the following weeks. Later in November, she released her first music video in nearly a decade, “WTF (Where They From)” and is set to release her 7th studio album in 2016. Nicki Minaj Calls Out MTV… and Miley Cyrus: Hours after the 2015 VMA nominees were announced, Nicki Minaj set out a series of tweets showcasing her disappointment with the
Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine
nominations. Minaj was particularly upset that her video for “Anaconda” was not nominated for video of the year, while “‘other’ girls drop a video that breaks records and impacts culture they get that nomination…If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year,” Minaj said via Twitter. The tweets were widely assumed to be a diss towards Taylor Swift, who had received said nomination. Minaj was quick to clear up the confusion, saying she had no problem with Swift but rather the executives who use their power to give nominations to white artists doing the same things she was. While rumors swirled for weeks, Minaj and Swift made it clear there was no bad blood between them when they opened the show together. Later in the show however, Minaj sparked another social media frenzy when she called out the night’s host, Miley Cyrus live on air. Minaj was upset that Cyrus had recently dissed her during a press junket. From this moment came that now infamous phrase of Minaj’s: “And now, back to this bitch who had a lot to say about me the other day in the press… Miley what’s good?” Miley Cyrus and the VMA’s: As if her hosting gig for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards wasn’t enough fodder for Miley Cyrus’ evening, her finale for the show was crazier, wilder, and more entertaining than the rest of her antics from the show. Cyrus performed her new single “Dooo it!” in a collaborative performance with The Flaming Lips. Alongside the two were over two dozen drag performers dancing in the fashion style Miley had been showcasing on her Instagram all year long. As the performance concluded the show, Miley announced her new album Miley Cyrus And Her Dead Petz was available for free online right at
that moment. While the performance and album were certainly not for everyone, there is no denying that everyone was talking about it. Cyrus sure knows how to get people talking. Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”: Rihanna began the year of 2015 with a heap of excitement around her new album that was dubbed R8 at the time. With three singles including “FourFiveSeconds” featuring Paul McCartney and Kanye West, “Bitch Better Have My Money”, and “American Oxygen”, Rihanna had fans eagerly awaiting the drop of the entire album. At the beginning of the year, the singer tweeted to a fan that the album would be dropping ‘soon’, but fans are still — nearly a year later — waiting for the album which is not officially entitled ANTi. While Rihanna failed to deliver an full album or any music for that matter, she sure did keep the music industry buzzing all year long. One Direction: Since One Direction’s formation in 2010 on the British television series, The X Factor, the group has been an international pop sensation. The success of One Direction was largely propelled by their mostly young fandom of “Directioners” who constantly dedicated ample social media presence to the group. Fans were devastated to learn this past year that Zayn Malik, one of the five band members, was leaving the group permanently. Malik took to the solo game nicely, creating quite a buzz around himself. As for the rest of One Direction, the group is on a temporary hiatus following the release of their fifth studio album. The members will be working on independent projects over the next year. Zayn has also announced plans to release his own work soon.
The Force Awakens premiere review
May the force be with you Rickey Baisley Staff Writer
Set “long ago in a galaxy far far away”, the Star Wars series has enthralled millions since A New Hope first debuted in 1977. The original series shows a group of rebels as they struggle to free the universe from the powerful Empire. These movies introduced the world to Jedi, the Force (that mystical power Jedi can use for good, or bad if they are tempted by the dark side) and gave us wonderful characters such as Han Solo, Leia Organa, and the bounty hunter Boba Fett, to name a few. The original trilogy set the bar high, and the prequels failed to capture the wonder inspired by the first three movies. However, with The Force Awakens a new hope for the series was born. Episode 7: The Force Awakens takes place after the events of the original trilogy. The Empire has been disbanded and in the power vacuum that followed a new evil has taken its place, the First Order. Led by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and his master Supreme Leader Snoke
(Andy Serkis), this evil force is planning on doing what the Empire couldn’t and taking control of the galaxy. The Force Awakens focuses on the First Order’s search for Luke Skywalker, and the rebellions attempt to thwart their efforts and find him first. Abrams proved to be a good director, and the Force Awakens was a great installment in the series. The returning characters play a meaningful part in the story; however their presence does not overshadow the New Characters. Finn, Rey, and Poe Dameron, played by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac, respectively, steal the show from the old cast and really come into their own throughout the course of the movie. Kylo Ren is an interesting villain, and brings unique force powers to the fight. And, speaking of the force, the lightsaber fights are wonderfully choreographed. These intense sequences bridge the gap between the slow and measured pace of the Original Trilogy and the crazed fighting of the prequels. Individual styles can be seen, and the action is exciting yet readable. Abrams chose to use physical effects as much as possible throughout the course of the movie, leading to wonderful use of new alien puppetry. This effort really shows,
Kali Coleman | A&C Editor colemank@mytjnow.com
and the world feels real because of it. BB-8, that lovable little droid we have come to claim as our universal cinnamon roll, would not have come across nearly as well if he were CG. This movie has the usual Star Wars twists that leave one wanting more, and the Force Awakens ends with many questions unanswered. Overall this movie was a nostalgic and action-packed entry into the space opera Lucas started many moons ago. The only negatives I can think of are matters of opinion. Episode 7 closely mirrors Episode 4, as both are prime examples of John Campbell’s Hero’s Journey formula. The Force Awakens has the unwilling hero on the desert planet, the crack pilot, the escape from a space station, and a final yet desperate attack on a fortified enemy position. This mirroring provides a similar structure that fans are familiar with, but some believe that Abrams should have tried for something a little more unique. This movie also had a lot of action. Almost too much action, there was little of the downtime found in other movies that allowed the characters time to talk, or to provide for world building. While I thought it mostly worked, it felt a little inconsistent in a Star Wars
movie. Despite these small qualms, I loved the movie and saw it twice. And with The Force Awakens recently breaking Avatar’s domestic box office record, I am not the only one. Episode 7 has made enough money for Han to pay off Jabba the Hut tenfold. I viewed the premiere of the Force Awakens, and though most fans thought JJ Abrams was a good choice to direct this film, there was still fear that this movie would turn into the ill-fated prequels and not stand up to the massive amount of hype that had built up for it since the release of the first teaser trailer (on Nov. 28, 2014). However, for the most part there was excitement throughout the crowd waiting for the movie to begin. Young and old looked forward to seeing a Star Wars movie in theaters, some for the first time. Our audience was very reactive, and when the rolling dialogue began the excitement was palpable. The appearance of returning characters provoked clapping and cries, and the surprises and jokes were meant with cries of shock and laughter. When the final credits fell, and we walked out of the darkened theater we, like Han, felt that we too had returned home.
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January 13, 2016
Newspaper editors set sail for spring semester From the Johnsonian to Europe Kali Coleman colmank@mytjnow.com Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity for college students, especially at Winthrop when some international colleges will let you study there for the same price as your Winthrop tuition. Being such a desired prospect for students, two of The Johnsonian Fall 2015 editors chose to study abroad this semester. Elizabeth Ponds, a former copy editor for The Johnsonian was accepted last semester to study abroad at the Dublin Business School in Dublin, Ireland. Our former co-editor for Arts and Culture, Christine Buckley, is studying abroad this semester at Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy. While Ponds embarked on her trip to Dublin last week, Buckley still has a few weeks before she flies out. Both Ponds and Buckley will be spending roughly 3 and 1/2 to 4 months abroad. This trip is the first time either Ponds or Buckley have been to Europe or even on a plane. “I’m super nervous! Never been on my own before. I am a commuter student at Winthrop, so I still live with my grandfather,” said Buckley on how she’s feeling about studying abroad. While both Buckley and Ponds admit to their nervousness, Ponds said despite her freak out days before she left, after being in Dublin for only a few days, she thinks she has adjusted pretty
well. “I’m hopeful and ready. I think I’m capable of this, despite my intense introversion,” Ponds said, giving hope for other introverted students. Both say while learning at another institution in another country will certainly be useful, the experience itself is what led them to decide to study abroad. “I read so many books based in the UK and watch so many BBC TV shows, but I wanted to experience these interesting cultures and people groups for myself,” said Ponds. In terms of being a Winthrop student, Ponds sees it as a way to immerse herself in a diversity that Winthrop values, and Buckley sees it as an ability to further her college life, after already being apart of an honors society, the campus newspaper, and club sports. “Winthrop highly values diversity, and Dublin is diverse in the extreme (in a good way). I think I’ve heard more than fifteen different languages spoken as I’ve passed by people on the streets, and I’ve seen just as many differing ethnicities,” Ponds explained. Buckley says that she can’t be 100 percent sure what awaits her in Italy. While she can do all the research she wants, when she gets there, things may be completely different from what she expected. After being there a few days, Ponds can attest to this, joking about how she didn’t prepare comfortable enough shoes because she walks 30 minutes to get everywhere. While studying abroad may not be for everyone, both Buckley and Ponds agree that all students should at least consider it and perhaps do some research about it. “Consider it, yes, though it isn’t
Elizabeth Ponds / The Johnsoinan
Elizabeth Ponds, former Copy Editor for The Johnsonian, posing in Howth, Ireland. always practical for everyone. It can cost a lot if you don’t apply for and get scholarships, and if you don’t plan classes out really well, you may have to stay in college an extra year, which costs even more money,” said Ponds. Buckley even admits that it was hard for her to get this trip, even though she eventually worked it out. “It was tough getting this far, but not impossible. I had to take out an extra student loan, been turned down by scholarships, get a passport, and make a random
trip to Charleston just to get a paper signed for my visa,” Buckley explained. However, if you do have an itching to visit other countries, studying abroad is one of the best ways to do it. Buckley and Ponds agreed that the opportunity they get to go abroad with the study abroad program is one they might not get again. If you want to find out more about studying abroad, you can search the Winthrop website, or visit the International Center on campus in 218 Dinkins Hall.
Top 10 fashion trends of 2015 Converses make a comeback & half buns start a hair revolution Emily Leamy Staff Writer As the New Year comes upon us, it is always interesting to reflect on the events of the previous year- and one of these details is what people wore during these events. 0From Tumblr blogs to Pinterest pages, fashion was a big focus this past year. Below are the top ten trends in 2015. 1. Marsala Ah, the highly anticipated Pantone color of the year announcement. This past year it was Marsala, or for those of us non-art majors, it’s basically burgundy. It was everywhere -- dresses, booties and sweaters, even lips. Winthrop was definitely on trend with our garnet (burgundy) and gold, but then again, aren’t we always? 2. Athleisure Athleisure is the fashion concept of wearing what you’d generally wear to the gym or the yoga studio to school or to run errands. This isn’t just a pair of old Adidas and Nike shorts -- it’s more of a strategic pairing. Think less Regina George’s
mom and more jogger sweatpants, stylish hightops and a leather jacket on top. 3. High-top converses Playing off of the Athleisure trend, fashion sneakers became a big thing in 2015. White high-top converses were probably the most seen around Winthrop’s campus, but New Balance and Adidas also made comebacks in everyday outfits. Some celebrities even teamed up with designers to create unique, high-end designs such as Kanye West’s ‘Yeezy’ Adidas line. 4. The Half-Bun The half-bun, the man-bun, whatever you want to call it, putting one’s hair in a bun seemed to be a pretty big beauty trend this past year. From guys pulling their long hair back and instantly making a fashion statement to girls pulling their hair into a half-bun, half-down style, it was here, and looks as if it is probably here to stay. 5. Crop Tops Crop tops were a huge trend in 2015. This trend didn’t stop as the warmer months came to a close -- cropped sweaters and turtlenecks were popular in the winter months as well. The short shirts were generally paired with high-waisted pants or jeans, but for those brave enough to flaunt a 2003-Britney Spears torso, they could be worn with jeans. 6. Booties Booties were for sure the fall and winter shoe to own in 2015. Both girls and guys were rocking the boot that barely touched the top of the ankle. Flat booties were worn generally with the jeans
rolled right above the cuff of the boot, and wedge peep-toed booties were a big nighttime outfit essential. 7. Fringe 2015 fashion took a cue from the 1970s with this fashion trend. Fringe made a huge comeback this year, beginning in the spring. The embellishment usually seen exclusively at music festivals, such as Coachella and Bonnaroo, was also seen on booties and on the hemlines of skirts. The thread-like flapper fringe was seen a lot in eveningwear. 8. All-Black Wearing black is always in vogue, but 2015 saw a reemergence of this minimalist style. The color was generally worn in clean lines in anything from the year’s bootie trend to a crop top with black skinny jeans. 9. The Lob The ‘lob’ is the concept of a long bob haircut, and this cut was definitely a trend in 2015. Many a celebrity, from Lucy Hale to Beyoncé, cropped their locks in order to achieve this shouldergrazing look. It was most commonly worn with either a middle or side part in loose waves. 10. Denim Those favorite pair of Levi’s will always be in, but two styles of denim really made a comeback in 2015: the flared jean and the overalls. The latter was typically tight through the thigh and flared beginning at the knee, and the overall was typically worn dressed up with nice sneakers or even stilettos.
WINTHROP EVENTS CALENDAR / / Jan. 13 - 19 WED
THURS
FRI
Cozy by Kristin Smith
Cozy by Kristin Smith
Cozy by Kristin Smith
Open Mic Night
2016 Rock Hill National Kidney Foundation Kidney Walk
Rutledge Gallery 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
DiGiorgio Campus Center The Concourse 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Athletics Welcome Back Tailgate
DiGiorgio Campus Center Campus Green 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FOR FUN
Rutledge Gallery 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SAT
MON
No Events
MLK Day of Service
Rutledge Gallery 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
DiGiorgio Campus Center Richardson Ballroom 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WU Swing Dance
DiGiorgio Campus Center Richardson Ballroom B 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
SUN
DiGiorgio Campus Center Main Lobby 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
No Events
DSU Presents: Warming Back Up
2016 Spring Poster Sales Event DiGiorgio Campus Center Main Lobby 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Krispy Kreme Sale
DiGiorgio Campus Center Main Lobby 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Death Café: Cake and End-of-Life Conversations Owens Hall - Owens 201 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
DiGiorgio Campus Center Main Lobby 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM CULTURAL EVENT
TUES
FILM
GALLERIES
DANCE
THEATER
MUSIC
This calendar may not represent all events on campus. More detailed calendar coming soon at mytjnow.com
Jay Grice | Assistant A&C Editor gricej@mytjnow.com
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OPINION
theJohnsonian
January 13, 2016
A new era of blood donation
FDA Lifts ban on gay, bisexual men from donating blood Alyssa Danaher Staff Writer The ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood, first enacted 32 years ago, has finally been lifted, according to the FDA. It was not until the discovery of AIDS in 1983 that the ban was implemented. When it was enacted, it “prohibited men from donating blood if they had at any point since 1977 had sex with another man,” according to health care reporter Kimberly Leonard of U.S. News. The reason for the ban’s implementation, as Leonard goes on to state, was “to protect people from HIV, a virus most often passed through sexual contact that can progress to AIDS if left untreated.” Although the ban has ultimately been disregarded, gay and bisexual men still must meet certain credentials in order to donate their blood. The FDA states that gay and bisexual men are only allowed to donate if they have not “had sex with another man for the past 12 months.” FDA regulators also maintain that “a female who has had sex during the past 12 months with a man who has had sex with another man in the past 12 months” may not donate blood until a year has passed since her initial sexual encounter. Although the ban was lifted just recently
(December 2015), the FDA states that the company has “revisited its donor deferral recommendations to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV several times over the past 10 years.” Four of these 10 years have been spent, per the Advisory Committee for Blood Safety and Availability (ACBSA), conducting numerous studies The FDA explains that “In 2010, the ACBSA found that the deferral policy for men who have had sex with other men was suboptimal and it recommended that studies be conducted to better inform a potential policy change.” When the studies were completed in 2014, the results were presented to ACBSA, which then was, and still is, under the name of the Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability (ACBTSA). “After considering the results,” the FDA explains, the ACBTSA, rather than banning gay and bisexual men from donating, “recommended that a shorter deferral period was appropriate.” The U.S. is not the first to make arrangements to this ban. In 2000, Australia made this same yearlong blood donation deferral process among homosexual and bisexual men that the U.S. is now following.
Althea Holenko / The Johnsonian
“The epidemiology of HIV [in Australia] is similar to that in the United States,” says the FDA, and there was “no observable adverse effect associated with the change to a 12 month deferral” since Australia lifted the ban 16 years ago. So what does this mean for the future? The FDA ensures that they “will closely monitor the effects of the current changes over the next few years in order to help ensure that blood safety is maintained.” Now that the ban has been lifted, it means people in need of blood will get more chances to receive it. As long as the yearlong deferral process is maintained, chances of those receiving blood donations from homosexual or bisexual men contracting HIV or AIDS are slim to none.
Reading into book empowerment
A look in book shaming, being a “book snob” Brittany Rauch rauchb@mytjnow.com No matter what you read whether it’s romance, young adult, self-help, or even the occasional online Facebook article - you are gaining something from it. You gain new knowledge. You gain new vocabulary words. You gain insightfulness and you gain something that has a lasting effect. A home can tell a lot about a person. Neatness can be a sign of OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder, or it can be a sign of someone who feels out of control in their lives and takes control in the space that they feel most comfortable by cleaning and keeping that area as pristine as possible. This is known. But, what can a bookshelf or - to be more particular - what can the books on said bookshelf tell about a person? Books have a way of empowering people, of showing them who they really are. Writers insert themselves - like some mastermind criminals do in their own investigations - into their own books. Often times, they divide pieces of themselves - the best parts they see of themselves and, sometimes, what they see as their biggest flaws - and put them
into the characters of their novels. This is what makes books and their characters so relatable. Despite the fact that books are a form of empowerment and freedom, the world wouldn’t be the place it is without a little bit of darkness on the edges. Book shaming - much like music shaming - is a real issue. One definition of a “book-snob” references people who believe in a superior form or genre of book. One genre that is often most criticized is romance. Many people believe that feminism and romance novels do not belong in the same sentence other than to say that “feminism and romance novels do not belong in the same sentence.” But, I can say with my own certainty that they can, in fact, go hand in hand with the term “empowerment” added into the mix as well. Romance isn’t the only genre to be criticized, however. What a person reads invites a certain stereotype to not only the genre, but to the person reading the genre as well. Poets or readers of poetry are often depicted in movies as dark, brooding, starving artist types wearing all black with an infused culture that, often times, is portrayed in such a manner that I, personally, find difficult to watch. However, the movies did have a little something correct. What a person reads does, at least in some ways, reflect who they are. This is similar to how a person’s living area can tell someone they’ve never met several things. For example, many times, people who read self-help suffer from what they believe is a failing or flaw in
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Our offices are located in suite 104 in the DiGiorgio Campus Center. Phone: (803) 323-3419 E-mail: editors@mytjnow.com Online: mytjnow.com
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Althea Holenko / The Johnsonian
their everyday life. Perhaps they want to spark up their love life, get that promotion, or have an urgent need to better their self confidence. People who indulge in only or more primarily online articles probably have a busy schedule and they can’t usually take more than a few minutes a day to read. Books can often seem like a major time commitment and those with either physically draining or time intrusive careers may not have the time or energy to indulge in a full-fledged Editor-in-Chief CAROLYN RENNIX rennixc@mytjnow.com Managing Editor JACOB HALLEX hallexj@mytjnow.com
Please include your name, major and year if you are a student; your name and title if you are a professor; or your name and profession if you are a member of the community. Letters, cartoons and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Johnsonian staff.
Brittany Rauch | Opinion Editor rauchb@mytjnow.com
Ad Manager Nykia McKenzie mckenzien@mytjnow.com News Editor BETH WEST
Assistant News Editor THOMAS CALAMIA Opinion Editor BRITTANY RAUCH Arts & Culture Editor KALI COLEMAN Assistant Arts & Culture Editor JAY GRICE
Science & Tech Editor DANIEL JAMES
novel. There we are, two examples, back-to-back on how a person can interpret what a person reads as to how it relates to a person and their lives and personalities. Some people crave success and believe that they can gain it by tapping into their inner psychologist (I will admit to nothing). Personally, however, I have seen how even the lack of a college education can be overcome with book empowerment. Sports Editors ADARRELL GADSDEN EMILY GILL Head Copy Editor ADAM MATONIC Copy Editor ELIZABETH MCKNIGHT Lead Graphic Designer ALTHEA HOLENKO Graphic Designer REAGAN MARTIN
Layout Editor ERIKA SMITH Multimedia Editor JANAY REECE Faculty Advisor GUY REEL Webmaster ROMAN VITANZA
theJohnsonian
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January 13, 2016
America doesn’t need to follow Trump Brittany Rauch rauchb@mytjnow.com As hundreds of people filed into Winthrop’s Coliseum - the arena of Trump - this past Friday on January 8, attendees witnessed the reality of a man that has pulled America apart. Cheers erupted across the room. Love for a misinformed business man was written on the faces of his supporters. There was no president in sight. It is shocking to realize just how many people believe that Trump can make America great again. His supporters believe that “he tells it like it is.” But, they, too, are misinformed. Trump tells what he believes is true. Everyone has their own lense through which they see the world, his is laced with fog and gold. He sees things how he wants to see them. Though someone who loves to read as much as I do has to escape fantasyland every now and then, it appears that he is firmly locked in his. Despite my disagreement with some of Trump’s beliefs, I respect him for having the courage to stand up and speak his mind. I would never, however, support him as anything, most certainly not as president of the United States of America. Trump may have convinced a staggering amount of people that he is “honest” and “unable to be bought,” but the truth is he sold his soul so long ago that he probably doesn’t even remember what its warmth feels like. I say this, and I’m not even sure I believe in the object of a soul or that God that he claims to have been raised with. His God is no God that I’ve ever been introduced to. Nor one that I would like to be introduced to. I believe that he is the part of humanity that many people try to turn a blind eye to. Many people look away and pretend it doesn’t exist. Now, he’s a screaming child, demanding attention. Trump is a child with the pride
of a grown man. He’s afraid of the dark, scared to turn on the light and see the monsters hiding in the shadows. Perhaps, that is what he tells himself. That it is better to kill the monsters, to eradicate them, than see if they are truly monsters at all. But the thing is, I’m not so sure Trump even understands himself. He’s not really afraid of the dark. He’s afraid that he’s wrong, and his pride won’t let him admit that he might be. He’s afraid that if he turns on the light, he’ll realize that the only monster in the dark is the one staring back at him in the face in the mirror. The face of someone who is in too deep and is too prideful to contemplate his own failings. African Americans. Muslims. Syrian refugees. They aren’t the monsters, Trump. I’m not saying the members of ISIS who murder and terrorize aren’t monsters. I’m not saying terrorism isn’t real. I’m not even saying that Trump is a terrible person. He is simply the face of bigotism, racism, sexism, and intolerance. America is the land of the free. Yet, keeping people from getting married - no matter their sex - isn’t freedom. I understand that others may believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. Sure, it can be. But really, marriage is between souls - the body that the soul lives in matters naught. America is the land of liberty and turning dreams into reality. It was built on hard work. Calling hard working men rapists based upon their ethnicity is ignorant and not what my country stands for. That belief is equivalent to likening all white people to Ted Bundy. I do not believe that a good president, and I say “good” because Trump could never be great as a president, would allow such disrespect towards peaceful anyone - protesters or not - in his rallies. Despite that, I understand that Trump is not who his supports are. I am glad that Winthrop had Trump here. Because if we had rejected even hearing him speak, that would
It is shocking to realize just how many people believe that Trump can make America great again.
Jacob Hallex / The Johnsonian
Supporters arrived early to cheer on Donald Trump. have been ignoring a set of views being hateful or violent. But of being because we disagree with it. all too human. From what life has taught Compassion alone does not a me, I believe that humans are human make. We are all parts dark capable of kindness, compassion, and light. We need the people like understanding, mercy and love. Trump to help us grow because However, I also believe that we we’re not plants, we need all colors are capable of great violence, hate, and all kinds of light and dark. murderous rage, and irrational Without the dark, light would chaos. have no existence. So, while I These are the two sides of what it believe that people like Trump means to be human. I think that is remain in the dark. that doesn’t what makes people so afraid. Not mean that America has to follow.
The pride of music diversity Why having music diversity shouldn’t make you an outcast Nehemiah Hope Staff Writer Being a black male in America means you are entitled to only two genres of music: Rap and R&B. The reason being because the artists who are in these genres are mostly black men and women. While growing up I was introduced to these genres by my parents, which is how I think most kids get their musical tastes , and why they like who or what they like. When I was younger the artist I listened to was Ashanti, Destiny Child, TLC, Ja’Rule, Faith Hill, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and others within this style of music. That all changed when I got older, while I did mainly listen to these artists, I had others I did not feel like showing to the public, because every time I would show my other music tastes to my family and friends, they would call it weird or say I was white, and that is something I still don’t understand to this day. By not listening to the type of music that people of my own race and the people I associated with, I was outcasted and considered “white”. My cousins loved to laugh at me and call me white in sing song voices because I didn’t know the words or dances to the latest rap song, and this made me hide my love for other artists like Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne, Feist, Hillary Duff, and other artists outside the Rap and R&B genres, and more importantly, who weren’t black. By the time I got to middle school, I found a music artist who would change the way I view and listen to music to this very day, and that artist is none other than Lady GaGa. She became, and still is, my idol, someone that look up to and
and made me realize that it’s okay to rock to my own beat and be the person I wanted to be. I made it pretty clear by then what music I called home, it was pop music. Pop music has serviced me well and given me the the thrills and chills that the music I grew up with did not. As I expanded my music tastes I was still considered weird and white. It seemed like if you were Black and did not know who new rappers were or what slow jam R&B song was blowing up the radio at the time you couldn’t and wouldn’t be accepted within the Black community. It felt like being caught in between two worlds because I felt like no one truly understood me and my music is a part of me so I thought no one would understand my essence as an individual. While figuring out how to deal with no one understanding who I was as a person, I found other genres of music that helped with this coping process. I turned to Soft Rock, Grunge, and Alternative music, and this really made me into a pariah. I listened to Kerli, Tokio Hotel, Seether, Evanescence, Three Doors Down, Nirvana, and more just like them. This was around the end of middle school and I was getting ready to go into high school. While listening to these artist and others I changed my style. I wore more black, I liked skulls, and I questioned religion. The songs reflected what I felt and I liked that. By the time
Althea Holenko / The Johnsonian
that phase ended I realized it’s okay to like more than one type of music and to not care what others thought. I let the voices of others change me, and that was something I didn’t want to happen again. So, I went back into pop music and I considered once again that this is where I belong and I’ve stayed this way ever since, but I am now musically diverse and listen to any and everything. I have favorites from each genre and those favorites have made me the musical person I am and I embrace that because there are still others who are afraid to listen to who or what they want and it breaks my heart. It’s okay to be musically diverse and if you are a certain race that does not mean you have to listen to music within your race because music wasn’t built that way, so who says you have to be?
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theJohnsonian
January 13, 2016