T H E L U M BE R JACK
SEPT. 20, 2018 – SEPT. 26, 2018
DIVERSITY A SPECIAL ISSUE
Online at JackCentral.org
From the Editor
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hen I heard that one of our special issues this semester would be diversity, I was sparked with excitement and inspiration. In today’s world, where the political climate is so polarized, where everyone is focusing on their differences rather than similarities, diversity is important. At a school where 63 percent of the students are white, with the other whopping 37 percent make up all other ethnicities, we need to read about diversity. As a mixed-race black woman, I have always felt the need to push people to embrace the benefits of diversity. There are two things we as a society need in order to do this: knowledge and empathy. To be able to accept another culture or another value that we do not personally hold, we need knowledge. We should not remain complacent, but rather push ourselves to learn about each other. Without knowledge there is no understanding. Without understanding there is no acceptance. Without acceptance there is no room for diversity. Empathy toward people who are different than us is something the world has always struggled with. PEGGY In fact, it is an even bigger fight now. We are in the era of Trump, the era of PACKER acceptable police brutality, the era of “all” lives matter ... unless they are brown, or OP-ED EDITOR gay, or a woman. When we fail to show empathy, we also fail to show our society that we do not agree with these things. Lack of empathy toward the people society chooses to ignore and disrespect shows everyone else that we don’t care what happens to the rest of the world. We care what happens to us. This is selfish. We need to stand up for the people who have been robbed of their voice in the name of diversity. At the end of the day, what matters is that we are all human. Everyone you encounter is someone’s friend, someone’s son or daughter, someone’s something. Remember that. Show empathy and embrace your differences. In this issue of The Lumberjack, you can read about the problems we still face today in terms of diversity, such as lack of professional sports for women, the loss of job opportunities for people with “non-American” names and what it’s like to be a white-passing person of color. While the struggles are still many, we are on our way to a world where diversity is celebrated. We just have to learn to do so.
“There isn't much action that's been put into indigenous People's day ... to celebrate that day with meaningful intention. It's like having a birthday without the cake or the presents.” - Flagstaff High school senior makaius marks, Sept. 18, 2018
Thank you for reading.
Darrell Marks (Left) and his son Makaius Marks (Right) discuss indigenous issues Sept. 18 at the ICE protest outside of Flagstaff City Hall. Shannon Ainsley Cowan | The Lumberjack
THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 107 ISSUE 5
Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Editor-in-Chief Matthew Strissel
Managing Editor Ariel Cianfarano
Director of Digital Content Conor Sweetman
Copy Chief Ashley Besing
Faculty Advisor Annette McGivney
Faculty Advisor, Visuals Valerie Devoy
Sales Manager Marsha Simon
Print Chief Brady Wheeler
Media Innovation Center Editorial Board News Editor Owen Sexton Asst. News Editor Chandler Staley Op-Ed Editor Peggy Packer Asst. Op-Ed Editor Maria Angulo Culture Editor Sebastian Moore
Features Editor MaryAnn Witt
Director of Circulation Director of Photography Deja Berkstrsser Shannon Swain
Asst. Dir. of Photography Asst. Features Editor Asst. Dir. of Circulation Shannon Ainsley Cowan Devyn Coons Sebastian Kwit Senior Photographer Michael Patacsil Sports Editor Director of Social Media Director of Illustration Kade Gilliss Teana Long Katie Dobrydney Asst. Sports Editor Bailey Helton
Director of Multimedia James Lemarr
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Senior Illustrator Colton Starley
On the cover Illustration By Katie Dobrydney
Corrections & Clarifications In the article titled “Cultures clash at Museum of Northern Arizona” in the Sept. 13, 2018 issue of The Lumberjack, the article described Native tribes as Naive tribes. This was a spelling error. In the article titled “Why lying about rape should be a hate crime” in the Sept. 13, 2018 issue of The Lumberjack, the illustration is credited to Pruthvi Khilosia. The illustration was actually created by Brooke Berry. The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Matthew Strissel at mbs263@nau.edu.
PoliceBeat
COMPILED BY CHANDLER STALEY
Sept. 10 At 3:22 p.m., a subject reported a student was having difficulty breathing near the Social and Behavioral Sciences building. Flagstaff Fire Department (FFD), Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) and an NAUPD officer responded and rushed the student to Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC).
reported a student was in possession of a weapon in Campus Heights. It was discovered that the item was a plastic role-playing weapon.
At 12:02 a.m., a student called to report someone was following them near McConnell Hall. An NAUPD officer responded and took a report. At 4:54 p.m., an RA reported finding an unknown drug in a refrigerator at Gillenwater Hall. NAUPD officers responded, and the student who possessed the drug will be referred or deferred. Sept. 11 At 11:57 a.m., an NAU staff member reported a student was having domestic violence issues off campus. An NAUPD officer responded and took a report. At 7:37 p.m., a Cowden Hall RA reported a student in possession of marijuana. NAUPD officers responded, and the student was deferred for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Sept. 13 At 10:55 p.m., a student reported his car had been broken into while parked in the service drive. The responding officer took a report, and facilities were notified to clean up the glass. At 6:05 p.m., a staff member reported that a Calderon Learning Community residence had been burglarized. An NAUPD officer responded and took a report.
At 1:16 a.m., an RA called to request assistance for an intoxicated student at Cowden Hall. FFD, NAUPD and GMT responded but the student refused transport. They were deferred for under age consumption of alcohol. Sept. 16 At 3:16 a.m., an officer initated a traffic stop at the corner of the Beaver Street Transit Way and University Drive. The driver was a student and was cited and released for minor in consumption and possession of alcohol.
Sept. 14 At 12:47 a.m., an RA in Mountain View reported subjects playing loud music and refusing to answer the door. NAUPD officers responded and deferred five students for under age consumption of At 12:43 p.m., an NAU alcohol. staff member reported a student had fallen from their At 6:17 p.m., Reilly Hall skateboard and hit their head staff reported that a student at the HLC. FFD, NAUPD had been videotaped in an and GMT responded but inappropriate manner. An the student refused medical NAUPD officer responded transport. and took a report. The case is still open. At 12:46 p.m., faculty called to report that a student Sept. 15 was having difficulty breathing At 12:10 a.m., an at the HLC. FFD, NAUPD NAUPD officer stopped a and GMT responded and the vehicle driving without its student was transported to lights on. There were two FMC. students in the car. The driver was cited and released At 9:41 p.m., staff for possession of marijuana reported an odor of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The at Wilson Hall. An NAUPD passenger was criminally officer responded, and one deferred for underage alcohol student was referred for a code consumption. of conduct violation.
At 1:49 p.m., a student checked into the NAUPD office to report an injury from a fall. While the student refused medical transport, they were escorted to the Health At 12:14 a.m., an RA and Learning Center (HLC). requested assistance for an intoxicated student at Reilly Sept. 12 Hall. FFD, NAUPD and GMT At 10:07 a.m., a student responded and transported the fell from their skateboard on student to FMC and will be the pedestrian path. NAUPD, given a deferral for underage FFD and GMT responded and consumption of alcohol. transported the skateboarder to FMC. At 12:25 a.m., an RA
At 3:57 p.m., an employee in Cline Library called NAUPD to report hearing about a subject possibly fondling themselves. An officer responded and didn’t see any criminal activity. The suspected subject was warned of trespassing and left campus.
SEPT. 20, 2018 – SEPT. 26, 2018 | THE LUMBERJACK 3
NEWS
Hawaiian students respond to SCOTUS hearings Jayna Arola
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uring Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings Sept. 6, United States Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, released a confidential email from Kavanaugh on her Twitter account. The tweet came a day after the confirmation hearings had begun. At NAU, Auli’i Solomon, vice president of the HAPA Hawaiian Club, explained why she along with her fellow club members were extremely shocked with Kavanaugh’s comments. In their view, the comments showed that Kavanaugh did not truly understand where the Native Hawaiians originally came from, how they got there and how the islands came to be a state. “We’re indigenous, but under different circumstances. We come from a different history,” said Solomon. “So for us to be
even compared to a Native American or indigenous tribe is something completely different.” The overall scrutiny of Native Hawaiians also caused a rise in concern of HAPA Hawaiian club members as they question why they will be treated differently. Since the Hawaiian islands were annexed by the U.S., it had shown Native Hawaiians that the U.S. wanted them as part of their country. “We didn’t ask for annexation,” Solomon said. “It was brought upon us. What if we were to forcibly annex to the United States and then all of a sudden say, ‘now we need to watch you, but we don’t want you to be a part of our country.’ It doesn’t make any sense.” Despite being 16 years old, Solomon stated Kavanaugh’s email was still relevant and Hirono’s scrutiny was justified because despite the comment being advice in 2002, Kavanaugh could
Junior strategic communication major Auli’i Solomon (left center) is the vice president of the HAPA Hawaiian Club, Sept. 18. After the reveal of Kavanaugh’s emails, Solomon expressed concern over the treatment of native Hawaiians. Jack Mehl| The Lumberjack
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now possibly try to implement his views when deciding on laws if he gets the nomination. HAPA Hawaiian Club secretary Brandie Peltier added she feared discrimination. “Now that he is a nominee, he could possibly have a higher power, and I wouldn’t want someone that would discriminate against our ethnicity,” said Peltier. The club members are not taking Kavanaugh’s comments lightly and hope that those currently deciding the nominee’s fate do the same. Sen. Hirono decided to release the emails because she and many other Native Hawaiians have taken issue with Kavanaugh’s previous statements in a 2002 email while working for the Bush administration. “These are the docs Rs [Republicans] don’t want you to see because they show that Judge Kavanaugh wrongly believes that Native Hawaiian programs are constitutionally questionable,” wrote Hirono in the tweet. Kavanaugh argued Native Hawaiians were not entitled to the same constitutional rights as Native Americans because they originally came to the Hawaiian islands from Polynesia. “I think the testimony needs to make clear that any program targeting Native Hawaiians as a group is subject to strict scrutiny and of questionable validity under the Constitution,” wrote Kavanaugh in the 2002 email. He sent it to then Office of Management and Budgeting Analyst Lisa Macecevic. She was working with the Treasury Department to decide how to invest within Indian Country and asked Kavanaugh for advice. Macecevic’s question revolved on whether lands held as Native Hawaiian lands should be treated the same as Native lands on North America by the federal government during hearings on capital investments by the congressional committee. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., also released emails related to Kavanaugh’s hearings. Both releases broke Senate rules as the documents both senators tweeted were “committee confidential.” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, later clarified the document releases, stating that the emails were not actually confidential and were preapproved. The email comments were not the only thing Hirono brought up when she questioned Kavanaugh during his hearings. A day before releasing the email, she asked him about a 1999 oped he wrote for the Wall Street Journal. “If Hawaii can enact special legislation for Native Hawaiians by analogizing them to Indian tribes, why can’t a state do the same for African Americans? Or for Croatian Americans? Or for Irish Americans? After all, Hawaiians originally came from Polynesia, yes the [State] department calls them ‘indigenous,’ so why not the same for groups from Africa or Europe,” Kavanaugh wrote in the 1999 op-ed. Kavanaugh is currently going through the second round of confirmation hearings and is already facing more controversy including sexual assault allegations stemming from an alleged assault of an classmate of his when they were both in high school. Kavanaugh has denied these allegations.
NEWS
The Applied Research and Development Building showcases energy efficiency and renewable energy, Sept. 16. It is built to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. Buildings like this add to the efforts NAU makes to be a more sustainable campus. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack
Sustainability director announces resignation Jake Grosvenor
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tarting Oct. 9, NAU will no longer have a sustainability director to head the Sustainability Program. In a Sept. 6 email, NAU sustainability director Ellen Vaughn announced her intention to resign. She will be moving forward with her career at University of California Santa Cruz. “While I am extremely excited to be moving towards new sustainability opportunities at UC Santa Cruz, I regret that our partnership in serving the NAU campus community has come to an end,” Vaughan wrote in the email. Vaughan has worked with NAU for years to create a campus that supports environmental
changes and involved everyone from students to staff. She turned sustainability from something most left out of the culture at NAU, while simultaneously fighting budget cuts from the university. Caitlyn Burford, chair of the Environmental Caucus at NAU, worked closely with Vaughan. “She has done all this work despite the university, as a whole, losing a lot of administrative support for environmental positions,” said Burford. Vaughn had a large part in taking environmental issues students and facility were normally left out of the loop on and promoting change within how the issues were handled, involving more of the university. This included making water usage on campus more
environmentally friendly. Throughout her time at NAU, Vaughan also created other opportunities like the Sustainable Citizen Program, which focuses on educating students on how to take on sustainability challenges. “She’s created it [the sustainability program] to be a university-wide program where faculty and staff and students are all involved,” Burford said. “Not just the one concentrating on reducing groundwater and things like that, but in fully trying to create a campus-wide culture of sustainability. She’s done an incredible job.” Burford also explained how Vaughan devised strategies to get student employees for the Sustainability Program and other methods for students to be directly involved with
sustainability issues. With all the work Vaughan has done, her departure coupled with the university’s slowing financial support for the sustainability program has some students and faculty worried about the future of the program. “In many ways, she’s the last woman standing on campus,” Burford said. “She’s one of the last funded positions related to sustainability on campus ... now without her there, I’m worried that there’s no one to be able to pick up the slack and a lot of things that would’ve fallen through the cracks without her.” So far, no replacement for Vaughan has been announced by NAU. The Lumberjack reached out to Vaughan but she declined to comment on the story.
SEPT. 20, 2018 – SEPT. 26, 2018 | THE LUMBERJACK 5
NEWS
NAU professors weigh in on anonymous author Chandler Staley
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he New York Times published an op-ed claiming that a group of senior officials inside the White House have been secretly opposing President Trump’s agenda. The author of the article claims to be one of these senior officials but wishes to remain anonymous. The New York Times has stated that they have confirmed the identity of the author, despite not releasing a name. The author clarified that these staff members are, “not the popular ‘resistance’ of the left.” Although the anonymous source claims the president has had some success in leading the country, the writer critiques his method of guidance. Their attempt to thwart the president in such a fashion has created chaotic waves in the White House. Stephen Wright, a political science professor at NAU, elaborated on some of the chaos that the op-ed has likely created. “It makes it difficult for decision making, trust and honest conversations,” said Wright. “When you’re in a room and you don’t know who’s on your team or who’s going to leak information, it’s quite destabilizing.” He explained another issue this op-ed brought up is that one of Trump’s cabinet members was the author, showing a possible lack of trust between the president and his own closest staff. The United States has always had checks and balances within its government. It is the duty of the president’s advisers to oppose him or her if they believe what the president is doing is either unconstitutional or will harm the country. What makes this situation different is Trump’s staff has not openly confronted him. They are disagreeing with him behind his back. “Trump can be like a lot of politicians and can be very vindictive,” Wright said. “There may be that calculation of selfpreservation. Once you come out publicly, you’re gone and lose influence.” Wright believes if the anonymous source revealed their identity or the names of others secretly opposing Trump, they would no longer have the opportunity to monitor the situation and keep opposing Trump. Ultimately, the assumption is that the group would be made an example of and replaced with a more compliant staff. NAU criminology professor Michael Costelloe argued that he thought the anonymous group would be fired if discovered, and pointed out a moral gray area in the fact they are choosing to remain anonymous. “We don’t have access to a lot of information so it’s hard to tell where the truth lies,” said Costelloe. “They’re really not doing us any favors by remaining anonymous. They’re not a hero, but they’re not a villain either.” This is a common problem with anonymous sources. They are typically whistle blowers who fear retribution, yet still want to get what they know out through media channels. But the act of remaining anonymous makes it a lot more difficult to prove the validity of their claims. News organizations have to be vigilant about anonymous sources. Reporters must confirm with their editors and news directors that the source is in fact real before publishing the story, otherwise their organization could lose credibility among readers.
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The New York Times released an op-ed article written by an anonymous source from within the Trump administration. Photo illustration by Caleb Autry
Whenever using an anonymous source a news organization must be prepared to lose credibility, even if the source turns out to be true. David Harpster is an expert on the topic, as he was a journalist for 22 years before teaching the subject at NAU. He admitted that utilizing an anonymous source had its problems, but highlighted the benefits. “There’s been more public good done through reporting using anonymous sources than there has been bad,” said Harpster. Harpster referred to historical examples such as Watergate, the Pentagon Papers and NSA’s spygate, all of which involved government grievances that were brought to light thanks to
anonymous sources. Anonymous sources can be important if what they claim turns out to be true. Wright, Costelloe and Harpster all agree the tension between the presidency and the press have never been this high in their lifetimes. “We believe our first duty is to this country, and the president continues to act in a manner that is detrimental to the health of our republic,” said the anonymous senior official in the op-ed. While past presidents have had issues with the media, Wright noted Trump’s aggressive attitude toward the media is what sets him apart. And whatever one thinks of The New York Times op-ed and its author, it has further divided Trump and the media.
SEPT. 20, 2018 – SEPT. 26, 2018 | THE LUMBERJACK 7
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8 THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG
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OPINION-EDITORIAL
Put girls in the game William Kerrigan
Prejudice or preference?
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here is no arguing that interracial relationships are more common in our generation than our grandparents’ or even our parents’. We are no longer restricted by racial boundaries in terms of who we can pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with. However, that doesn’t mean everyone is getting down with the swirl, and that’s OK. In today’s political climate, with racism proving to be at the core of the United State’s values, it is easy to say that not wanting to date someone of a different race is racist. The problem here is that we are failing to recognize the difference between prejudice and preference. Physical attraction plays a large role in the success of most relationships. Some people are more PEGGY attracted to certain races than others. This PACKER does not mean they are racist against that OP-ED EDITOR race, but more so that they have a sexual or emotional preference for the other. This is the distinct line between preference and prejudice. The fact of the matter is, we can’t force people to be attracted to people simply in the name of equality. Not only is it impossible, but unfair. We don’t make people who only like brunettes date a few blondes. We don’t force people who are only attracted to tall men to date shorter men for a few months. So you say you’re only attracted to Asian men? Cool. Love is already hard to find. Now we’re requiring people to make sure they’re acknowledging people they aren’t really attracted to in the name of being fair. You can’t force attraction. Let people be attracted to whomever they want without the fear of being labeled a racist after a few people notice your last four boyfriends have been a certain shade of brown. In other instances, some people choose to date people of a certain race because they have a similar level of understanding. Common experiences and understanding also play a big role in a relationship, and sometimes it’s easier to find that if the person you’re with understands what it’s like to face the struggles that come along with that race. Liking a certain race — or certain races — is not damaging until it becomes a fetish. If you only like dating Black or Latinx because they have a little “spice” in them, then that is not a physical preference. That is a fetish based on a stereotype. This is an instance where preferring to date a specific race can be problematic. However, if it really is only about physical attraction or having a certain level of understanding, then liking a specific race shouldn’t be something worth being chastised over. Being more attracted to some races than others does not make you a racist, but putting down another race or acting like they are less than you does.
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I
n the United States, there are three sports that dominate the country: football, baseball and basketball. Two of these three sports don’t have a women’s league of their own. Why is that? Why is there only a professional basketball league for women but not for baseball or football? Football and baseball have been played by pretty much men only for as long as their sports have been in existence. There are some cases where a woman tries out for one of these sports in high school or college, but they never seem to make it out of the college level. I can personally see the reason to keep women out of the men’s league of football due to the violent nature of the game. But if there are enough women that are willing to play the game, why not make a league of teams and see how it goes? I’m all for a women’s football league. There was an attempt at making a professional football league for women, but it was extremely sexist and on the same level as WWE wrestling, more of a show rather than a sporting event. These teams were made up entirely of women, but they did not have the basic uniforms you see NFL players wear on Sundays. This league required the players to wear lingerie as uniforms. Shoulder pads and helmets were used as well, but that does not make this idea any better. It was honestly awful to watch. Women dressed in nearly nothing tackling each other to entertain the men in the stands. This women’s league was rebranded in 2013 and now is called the Legends Football League, but the players still use minimum clothing to play. Baseball is not on the same level of football when it comes to violence. Not even close. Therefore the idea of women being allowed into the MLB is not a huge thing to ask. Yes, softball is similar to baseball, but there is no professional softball league that is anywhere close to the MLB. If women want to play baseball, I believe they should be given a chance to tryout. If there are enough women out there who want to play competitive baseball, then they should form a league
Photo Illustration By Maria Saldivar
and let the numbers speak for themselves. The WNBA is the only major American sport to have a league of its own for women. They don’t generate as much publicity as the NBA, for reasons I’m not sure of, but they continue to be able to play out a season every year. The NFL and MLB need to take the WNBA idea into consideration. There might be a major breakthrough for women sports waiting to be let out. The argument to even consider a league in football and baseball for women
is the money factor. Is it going to be profitable or not? Everything nowadays in the world of sports is going to be related to money. Will the players be paid reasonably for their talents? Many other questions arise from this argument. Will there be a time in the future that women will have their own professional football and baseball leagues? I think so. But as of right now it probably won’t happen for a while, which is the sad thing about it. But one day it will. We just have to wait and see.
OPINION-EDITORIAL
A difficult name means no job Ray Anne Galzote
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ave you ever gone to a new place or sat in a class where a student, or even the teacher, could not pronounce your name? Have you ever been judged because your name is hard to say or because your name is different from everyone else around you? Don’t worry. Many people experience exactly this when looking for a job. Those who are considered foreign or people of color are heavily discriminated against when applying for jobs. No, not because of what they look like, but because of how difficult it is to say their names. These people are either not being hired, or simply not even given an interview, because of their names. This is absolutely ridiculous. I remember seeing a thread post on Twitter about an Asian male who tried applying for an entry-level job. He mentioned that he migrated to the United States, so his name isn’t a typical “American” name. Instead, his actual name was in a different language. After applying for a job that he noted he was overqualified for, he was rejected within days and not given an interview because the employer told him that his name would be hard to say around the office. According to a study done by the University of Toronto in 2017, “Applicants with Asian names had a 28 percent reduced likelihood of getting called for an interview compared to applicants with an Anglo name.” The study also noted employers
Photo Illustration By Rylee Flowers
indicated Asian names could pave the way for language problems and heavy accents. I personally think this is plain racism and discrimination. Even if this was a valid excuse for not hiring Asian or foreign people based on their names, it shows that employers can still be ignorant within the workplace. Not only does this rejection hurt those applying, it also can hurt companies. In some cases, many employers could possibly be breaking some discrimination laws that are in place specifically for the workplace. Also, by not hiring those who are qualified or overqualified due to their name, employers can hurt profits and
the beneficial growth that their company may need in the future or for competitors. However, many employers are still not giving people with non-English names a chance, and those looking for jobs are forced to do something else. These people will either find another job somewhere else, get a different job altogether or change their name. Referring back to my experience with the tweet I saw, the Asian male ended up changing his name to a more common one. Then, he went back and reapplied for the initial job with his new name and with the exact same resume. As a result, he was hired within days. According to a study done by Harvard Business School, “companies are more than twice as likely to call minority applicants for interviews if they submit whitened resumes than candidates who reveal their race.” This shows that, despite there being several equality movements and discrimination laws in the workplace, employers and companies are still being openly racist toward people with foreign names. These people need to realize that not everybody is named John. There are so many different cultures, countries and traditions that people come from and their names are what makes them unique. It is extremely unfair to deny someone a job position just because the big boss can’t or doesn’t want to say their name. We as a society must be better educated or at least recognize when someone deserves a chance, regardless of their name.
The struggles of being white-passing Gabriella Johnson
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struggle to navigate this seemingly black-and-white world and locate myself within it. I am half white and half Indian but grew up surrounded by Indian customs, language and religious stories. I identify as Indian, but am forced, because of my light skin color and white features, to acknowledge and accept that I am half white and, consequently, white-passing. I have to admit to myself and others that I have white privilege. That feels bad to me. I realize that people of my culture — and even my family — have a much more difficult life because they have darker skin and maybe grew up in India and perhaps have an accent. Because of that, they face racism and xenophobia. Maybe it’s weird, but I wish I could relate. I wish I could be in the struggle with them. I don’t want to be able to access white privilege anytime I feel uncomfortable when other people are not able to do that. I long for a sense of belonging as well and wish I could be seen on the outside as how I identify on the inside. So much of how we view race is on visibility or perception of race, what facial features you have, hair type and color of skin. I experience race based on what I look like and how others perceive
me, but I experience ethnicity or culture in my family’s traditions, food, language and more. I constantly struggle with the question: “What are you?” What am I? I feel like I don’t fit into any one group. I’m too white and too disconnected to fit in with the Indian community. I do have many white friends, but I just wish that more of them could understand how it feels to be a white-passing person of color. On the other hand, there are many people of color who do not identify with their ethnicity or know anything about their family history. Just because someone can be perceived as being Indian, doesn’t necessarily mean that they can make, or they even enjoy, bhaji or poori or some other Indian food. It can not be assumed that someone who looks Indian knows the stories of Hindu gods or even practices Hinduism. Someone could have distant family from India, but not identify with an Indian culture or know an Indian dialect or language. It’s a difficult process, but I know that I need to work on feeling secure with my sense of self and identity, knowing that I am both Indian and white, even if I don’t know my Swedish side of the family or understand what it means to be Swedish.
I am working on trying to understand that, despite the fact that a lot of what race and ethnicity are is based on physical appearance. I am who I am and no one can take my experiences and identity away from me. Perhaps we should all get better at telling the stories of our families and ancestors, as well as not assuming that just because someone is light-skinned and maybe has features widely recognized as being white features, does not mean they are white. But for those of us who are people of color, but are white-passing, it is also important to recognize that we probably have white privilege. Race and ethnicity are very complicated and little to nothing can be assumed about someone based on the perception of their Illustration By Colton StarlEY race or ethnicity.
SEPT. 20, 2018 – SEPT. 26, 2018 | THE LUMBERJACK 11
FEATURES
Fifth year senior strategic communication major Dominic Smith plays guitar at Holy Trinity Catholic Newman Center Sept. 15. Smith hopes to help build a spiritual atmosphere with his music. Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack
A piece of Flagstaff history comes back to life Kirsten bublitz
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ften called the “pink church” downtown, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is home to many Catholic student-life events. “I felt in awe of this beautiful church that was unlike anything I had ever seen in Phoenix,” said Fr. Matt Lowry, chaplain of Holy Trinity Catholic Newman Center. “It spoke to me of a history that I didn’t know — how many thousands of people had passed through those doors and knelt on those kneelers and lit candles and offered prayers for loved ones. It was a space of a lot of heartfelt prayers where people could encounter God.” As documented by M. J. Riordan in his article, “The History of the Catholic Church in Flagstaff,” some of the first people to kneel on the kneelers and light candles at Nativity
were Messrs. T. E. McCullough, Raymond Babbitt, Henry Albers, John Verkamp and P.J. Lindeman. These Flagstaff historic members were on the board of trustees in 1928 who laid the groundwork for what would become the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Originally, a smaller nativity church was built south of the train tracks and was completed in 1888. “Mass was said in the new church for the first time at midnight on the morning of Christmas, and in commemoration of this, the church was given the title of the Nativity. He planned to secure property in the residence north of the tracks, toward which the population was evidently tending,” wrote Riordan in the article. Although the chapel was a momentous accomplishment for the newly established town, pastor Father Freri was inspired to build a bigger church. It wasn’t until Dec. 1, 1930 that
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the church was completed and it became local Catholics’ new home. Nearly a century later, Nativity is still considered an important place to many locals, including NAU alumna Margie Christopher. “I’ve always felt at home at Nativity,” said Christopher. “There are so many memories there, attending weekly mass with the school and mass with my family. You start those traditions when you’re young and they stay with you.” Christopher is a descendant of the Babbitt family who were instrumental figures in building Nativity all those years ago. Almost 50 years after the church was constructed, Christopher’s great-grandmother, Viola Babbitt, persuaded a local artist to paint a floor-to-ceiling mural inside the chapel. “She thought about that mural for years and years,” Christopher said. “I knew the artist’s daughter. We were friends in high school and
early parts of college. They didn’t want anyone to see the painting before it went on the wall.” The painting was created by artist Stephen Juharos. Christopher explained many of Nativity’s visitors believe the mural to be of Mary holding Jesus, when it is in fact Saint Ann holding Mary. To honor Babbitt and her vision for the painting, Juharos inscribed Babbitt’s name on a scroll held by one of the figures in the painting. “She did so much for the community.,” Christopher said. “She commanded a presence. When I go in that church and look at the mural, I’m reminded of my grandmother.” Today, the beauty of the church, mural and all, does not go unnoticed said Anna Hoffman, San Francisco de Asis Parish manager. “There are a lot of people inside and outside the Catholic church that just love that chapel,” said Hoffman.
FEATURES Over the past 20 years, the Flagstaff Catholic community has been in the process of consolidating their three parishes — Guadalupe, Nativity and St. Pius — into one parish, which has become San Francisco de Asis. Now, instead of mass being held at the three churches, there is mass at the newly built church on McMillan Mesa. “A lot of people were saddened when we were consolidating,” Hoffman said. “Now, we’re in this post-consolidation phase. Now [we need to ask ourselves], how do we want Flagstaff Catholic churches to look moving forward and how do we utilize our historic chapels?” Hoffman explained that Nativity is now undergoing a restoration project with the hope of preserving the chapel for years to come. “My goal is to make Nativity ready and usable for the next 100 years. Every generation has their responsibilities,” Hoffman said. “When it was built in the ‘20s, that was that generation’s responsibility to the city of Flagstaff. Our generation has the responsibility to maintain the churches and preserve the historic significances.” Lowry realizes Nativity’s significance and has taken steps to incorporate Nativity back into the Flagstaff community as Hoffman mentioned. A few years ago, the Newman Center hosted an event called “Night Fever.” This year, Night Fever is a monthly event hosted at the chapel.
“It was a way of helping people reconnect with their spiritual roots or to be nourished in a spiritual way.” -Fr. Matt Lowry “I had heard of Night Fever in France. The idea was that they had these old churches and people don’t really see them as much,” Lowry said. “It was an opportunity to let the local people come inside to light a candle and say a prayer. It was a way of helping people reconnect with their spiritual roots or to be nourished in a spiritual way.” The event takes place every first Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. Student missionaries of the Newman Center go out on the streets of downtown Flagstaff and invite people to visit the historic chapel where they can light a candle, pray and listen to music. The music is performed by senior strategic communication major Dominic Smith who has been facilitating music at Holy Trinity Catholic Newman Center since his freshman year. His
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on West Cherry Avenue, also known as the “pink church,” is only open to the public on certain occasions, Sept. 16. Jay Soliz | The Lumberjack older sister, Bernadette, taught him the ropes by passing along the responsibilities that come with being a music intern onto him after she graduated at the end of his first year at NAU. “Night Fever is not exclusive to the Newman Center or Catholic community,” said Smith. “For Night Fever, I like to play more instrumentals so it allows for a more personal encounter with God.” Smith has been fascinated with music from a young age thanks to his parents who led music at his home parish in Mesa. Along with
being the music intern, he is a member of the band Ezekiel, which also comprises of his sister and friends MaryAnne Muglia and Christian Nguyen. The up-and-coming band released their single, “Marvelous Mystery,” nine months ago — a song about the mystery of Christ. Smith hopes that Night Fever will help put Nativity on visitors’ list of places to visit. “Locals might recommend places like Monte Vista or Hops on Birch but as it’s more consistent on First Fridays, Nativity could be one of those spots,” Smith said.
Thanks to Night Fever, the chapel is being introduced to a new generation who can appreciate the church for its unique history. Nativity has become an irreplaceable piece of Flagstaff thanks to community members like Babbitt family and artists like Juharos. “I think it’s an important icon of faith and of a history of the people that have wanted God to be present here in the mist of messy community and church politics,” Lowery said. “God wants to be in the middle of that and do something beautiful and good.”
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Righteous voter registration ramps up on campus Jacob Hall
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ith the midterm elections approaching fast, multiple organizations on campus make it their mission to encourage and educate students about the election process, while also providing clear and convenient avenues for getting people to register to vote. Voter registration campaigns are prevalent on college campuses across the United States, and NAU is no exception. Attention toward voter registration and voter turnout among college students is at an all-time high. As older generations start to wane in size and power, newer generations are given the opportunity to ensure that their voice is being represented by our elected officials. Reeling from the 2016 presidential election, students’ voter-turnout was eye-openingly lower than the previous presidential election. This is one of the prime motivations for nonprofit groups to spend their time and money encouraging students to become more engaged with their communities, and in turn, more cognizant of their individual power in the election process. There are multiple groups on NAU’s campus that are currently performing voter registration campaigns. One such of these groups is the Public Institution of Research Groups (PIRG). This nonprofit, nonpartisan organization started in 1970 in Oregon, and has since become one of the largest nonprofit grassroots organizers in the country, boasting voter registration and voter turnout campaigns across many diverse communities. Hannah Picknell is the lead organizer for the PIRG’s efforts in Arizona and hopes to see over a thousand new students register to vote by the voter registration Oct. 9 deadline. “Since the beginning of the semester, we’ve registered about 700 students on campus, and we want to be able to register another 100 by the end of the week,” said Picknell. “So we’re feeling really good about reaching our goal, and everyone is just really excited.” To ensure their target goal, Picknell and NAU campus organizer Renee Ormone seek to enlists the help of volunteers on campus with their voter registration efforts. Ormone said volunteering through grassroots campaigns
provides individuals with helpful skills that go far beyond the election. “I think everything you learn here is applicable in the real world,” said Ormone. “We help you be able to connect immediately with people. And we give people the tools and tricks to be able to feel comfortable with scheduling, talking with your superior and networking. Even if you go into a job at a bank, you will be able to sit down and negotiate a raise because you feel comfortable talking to one of your superiors, you have good communication skills and you know what you’re asking for.” Through groups like PIRG, students are presented with volunteering and internship opportunities, no matter the discipline or the qualifications. According to PIRG, everyone has a voice that deserves to be heard. As a result, every student should feel compelled to help fellow students find theirs. “Studies show that students typically don’t register to vote because they don’t know how,” Ormone said. “No one has ever told them, so that is literally our goal. Solve that issue. Bring the registration to the student, and make sure that they have all the information that they need to be educated voters.” PIRG has been one of the most active groups on campus, encouraging students from all disciplines to join their ranks and learn invaluable skills in the process. Volunteers are presented with a litany of diverse opportunities, ranging from canvassing outside the University Union to visiting various classrooms, all in an effort to register as many voters as possible. While some of these tasks might seem intimidating, Ormone believes this is all part of the plan. While tasks might seem intimidating, Ormone is confident that PIRG will be able to help students realize their potential. “We’re with you every step of the way. We want to support our volunteers and our interns as much as possible and really build them up as leaders,” Ormone said. “Maybe you didn’t realize it, but you could be a great leader, and we really just want to bring that out of you.” PIRG is not the only group registering voters on campus, however. Outside of the Union nearly every weekday NextGen America is out in the heat, trying to register as many voters as possible. NextGen America is another nonpartisan grassroots organizer that prides itself on trying to make political engagement
“studies show that students typically don’t register to vote because they don’t know how. ”
-NAU campus organizer, Renee Ormone
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more fun and interesting. Senior political science major Kyle Nitschke is the NAU campus organizer for NextGen America, and one of his goals is to change the culture of voter registration. “We want to make voter registration fun. I realize that it can be boring, so we try to put out fun events as well,” said Nitschke “What we have upcoming is a big silent disco on November first in the University Union, just to get the word out, and get as many people as possible to the polls on November sixth.” In tandem with NextGen’s creative approach to political engagement, it is also completely run by students at NAU. How NextGen differs from a group like PIRG is that they perform issue-based advocacy. Junior secondary education major Megan Brown explained issue-based advocacy is based around focusing on inquiring and informing students about specific issues, rather than focusing on a particular candidate. The issue NextGen is focusing on most at NAU is climate change. They are employing creative techniques to advocate for their beliefs with climate change, while simultaneously promoting civic and political engagement within the community. “Over this past summer, my favorite thing we did was an event called ‘buggin’ out for the youth vote.’ We went out on Heritage Square with a bunch of exotic bugs, and we had fun and tied how climate change is effecting these insects native to Flagstaff,” said Brown. “So, we have a lot of fun, but we always try to connect it to the important issues.” NextGen is also a club on campus, so they are actively seeking students who are interested in learning about grass-root campaigns or looking to find out some more information in a civil and friendly environment. Additionally, the Arizona Democratic Party enlists volunteers to pursue voter registration off campus. Volunteers go door-to-door ensuring that Flagstaff locals have accessibility and knowledge about the election process. Garrett Chott, a local civil engineer working for Speedie & Associates, was visited by a volunteer from the Arizona Democratic Party and subsequently registered to vote. Chott appreciated the convenience and admitted that he wasn’t sure exactly how to register otherwise.
“It was a pretty convenient experience. I had no idea it would only take me a few minutes to fill out the form, and I really did feel good after I registered,” said Chott. As one would imagine, the Arizona Democrats also have some suggestions for voters as they do their door-to-door registration campaigns. Chott did not register as a democrat, but did not mind the political message associated with his experience. “I think the pros of them coming right to your door definitely outweighs the con of having to listening to a pitch about Tom O’Halleran,” Chott said. Ultimately, the efforts put forth by these nonprofit organizations show that there is a combined effort to increase political interest and engagement within the millennial generation and create a community in which things might not be so polarized. Ormone hopes her efforts, along with other voter registration campaigns, lead more students to realize that the power is in their hands. “Voting is a really amazing opportunity that we have, and it is one of our basic human rights, and so, we should all take advantage of it,” Ormone said.
Illustration By COLTON STARLEY
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CULTURE
LEFT: Gamma Rho Lambda members (from left to right) Goose Mitchell, Schuyler Smith, Connor Kozloski and Autumn Shorts stand together Sept. 17. Gamma Rho Lambda is an all inclusive multicultural and LGBTQ+ sorority. RIGHT: Sophomore Gamma Rho Lambda member Goose Mitchell holds a sorority hat Sept. 17. Michael Patacsil | The Lumberjack
A new chapter in NAU’s LGBTQIA community Trinity Archie
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GBTQIA students and faculty make up a large portion of the NAU population. The university has several programs in place to offer academic, emotional and social support. These programs include NAU’s LGBTQIA Commission and Gamma Rho Lambda, the campus’s all-inclusive Greek chapter. Many of the university’s LGBTQIA organizations are looking to expand and reach out to even more students. NAU’s LGBTQIA Commission provides support and promotes acceptance of all students, faculty and staff, including extended campus community members. The commission aided in developing many of NAU’s policies to protect the rights of the university’s LGBTQIA community members. April Peters is co-chair of the commission. Peters recalls some of the policies the organization was able to implement at NAU. “We were able to compile a new list of all the gender-neutral bathrooms on campus so folks can have access to that fairly quickly,” said
Peters. “Last year we also implemented a name preference letter based on some student feedback.” Per student request, this letter informs faculty members of a student’s preferred name and correct pronouns. Policies like this bring NAU closer toward developing a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA students and faculty. The LGBTQIA Commission has also been reaching out to other organizations in the Flagstaff area to expand the program. “We have been collaborating with existing groups in Flagstaff that support the LGBT community,” Peters said. “We are trying to not only work with our campus partners, but also establish relationships with community partners so that there is a structure in place.” Another goal of the university’s inclusivity-driven programs is to better understand the experiences of NAU’s LGBTQIA community. The LGBTQIA Commission has also begun developing steps toward a solution for this. Peters explained how opinion surveys could be useful. “From our perspective, we really
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want to see the university actively pursuing climate surveys so that we’re taking note of what peoples’ lived experiences are on this campus,” Peters said. “Climate surveys could help the university address difficulties students and faculty face on the NAU campus.” Ainan Bauvas is also a co-chair for the commission and explained the commission is ready to move forward. “I think we finally have a really good foundational level and we’re ready. We’re ready to put in the work and we’re ready to make the changes,” said Bauvas. “There is a huge need for programs like the LGBTQIA Commission at NAU.” The commission focuses on encouraging LGBTQIA students to define their own path within their community. The organization supports faculty and staff who do not want labels to define them. “We’re going to advocate for self-determination, making sure that the student is the one defining who they are,” Bauvas said. “We don’t want to give them a set of check boxes saying here are your only options for identity.”
Another organization that promotes diversity at NAU is Gamma Rho Lambda, the university’s only LGBTQIA and multicultural Greek organization. This all-inclusive chapter works to create a sense of community for its members while rallying for social change. The organization hosts many events throughout the year to provide a safe space for students and establish long-lasting bonds between members. Connor Kozloski, a senior criminology and criminal justice major and Gamma Rho Lambda Theta chapter president, explained the organization has been busy hosting events to recruit new members. “Our rush event allows potential members to come and learn more about joining GRL,” said Kozloski. “We provide free food and organize fun activities.” Gamma Rho Lambda provides members with resources such as scholastic guidance and emotional support. This is one of the organization’s main focuses as these resources help students during difficult points in their college transition. “We help students with
education guidance and support when they need it most,” Kozloski said. “Members create bonds and find their own community.” For students and faculty looking to educate themselves on LGBTQ+ awareness, NAU’s SafeZone provides training that increases inclusivity and diversity acceptance. The program offers two workshops: SafeZone 101 and 102. These workshops include training about sexual and gender identities as well as the many ways an individual can provide support to LGBTQIA friends and family members. After completing both sessions of the SafeZone program, a participant has the option to receive a placard indicating that they have completed the program and want to promote acceptance and nonjudgment at NAU. NAU is actively looking for ways to improve and expand programs. There are many ideas in the works to better promote inclusivity at NAU. Organizations like the LGBTQIA Commission and Gamma Rho Lambda help the university’s LGBTQ+ population establish a sense of fellowship.
CULTURE
Latin dancing is more than just Salsa Andrew Buckel
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tudents gathered at the International Pavilion to join in the NAU Latin Dance Club, which had its first meeting of the semester Sept. 10. The peppy music, energetic dancing and friendliness of its leaders drew in students from all over campus. Together they danced, had fun and learned new dance steps. The club, as the name implies, is dedicated to teaching various dance styles hailing from Latin America as a method of fitness and performance. The club has recently undergone a change of leadership since its previous student staff graduated in May. Its new staff consists of President Mikalya Mews, a sophomore studying dental hygiene, Coordinator Rebekah Martz, a senior secondary education major and Treasurer Yesenia Garcia, sophomore criminology and criminal justice major. The trio are also the teachers of the club, instructing new steps, techniques and guiding the other members through each new move. Outside of the scheduled meetings, the club is also active in the community. “We actually do a lot of personalized and individualized events. We call [them] flash-dancing, where we will kind of just end up in a location and we’ll throw on some music,” said Martz. “Last time we did it was [at] Del Taco. We also do performances at the Peaks retirement home.” Students who join the Latin Dance club do not need any prior experience in dancing. The club starts with the basics and works its way up with each meeting. This allows newcomers who are unfamiliar with dancing in general to get a feel for what the club does. Their first meeting of the year covered the basics of Bachata style, a three-step and tap style that also incorporates Cuban hip movements. Three other styles are on the teaching schedule for the semester: Merengue,
Rebekah Martz and Mikayla Dominguez teach students new dance moves during the Latin Dance Club meeting. This meeting is held in the International Pavilion every Monday at 7 p.m. Bess Valdez | The Lumberjack
Salsa and Zouk. These other styles are more complex, which is why they will be taught later in the semester. Teaching in the club is done through verbal instruction and demonstration by the club leaders along with lots of practice and repetition.
“I really wanted to learn different types [of ] Latin dance styles,” said Joe Torres, junior psychology major and club member. “I see it as a good opportunity to meet people and learn something as well.” Arizona has a very close
connection with Latin American culture as a whole and, as such, the dance styles taught at the club could feasibly be used at public events. In addition, the dances may be familiar to some students who grew up in Arizona or the surrounding states. The
club’s varied styles hail from places such as Central and South America, the Dominican Republic and Cuba. The variety gives the club an inviting feel and the friendliness of its leaders makes the atmosphere comfortable. Club members are partnered up to dance and have plenty of time to socialize between dances. The entire second half of a meeting is designated as an open dance where members practice the dances they are familiar with and socialize with each other. In addition to being a fun experience, the meetings build the relationship between the dancers, which helps with their coordination on the dance floor. “I actually joined because when I came on campus, I felt a little out of touch culturally and socially,” said Garcia. “When I went to the club fair they had on campus I ended up finding this club. It keeps me in touch with my culture.” While the room at the International Pavilion could seem a bit cramped for dancing at first glance, it actually provides plenty of space for movement and does not feel excessively large. “It was very, very fun. That was my first Latin dance class ever,” said Rylie Gonzales, a freshman with majors in biology and Spanish. “I think I really picked it up. I felt comfortable, so it was a good space. It made me feel welcome at NAU. I’m coming back here [every] week.” The NAU Latin Dance Club has begun to spread its influence through its members after just one meeting. The club hopes to continue growing this spirit throughout the semester, to both its veterans and its newcomers. With this goal in mind and in motion, the Latin Dance Club could be on the path of success. The Latin Dance Club meets weekly on Mondays in room 104 of the International Pavilion from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m, and food is available to members throughout the meeting.
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Hospitality impresses international students Collin Clayton
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any are unaware of NAU’s growing population of international students, a subcommunity of scholars from around the world who live and thrive within a deeply diverse student body. According to Dylan Rust, threetime NAU alumnus with a doctorate in educational leadership and director of international student retention and inclusion, 1,372 international students, representing 84 countries of origin, are currently enrolled at NAU. 205 people participate in foreign exchange programs — swap schools with American students — typically for a semester or two. The other 1,167, despite being great distances away from friends and family, choose NAU as their primary learning institution. Making the journey from one continent to another is no small feat. Many students who struggle through the logistically inconvenient process of obtaining an American visa are greeted on arrival by an unavoidable language barrier. Rust detailed the effects of linguistic disparity on international students. “It’s more difficult for students who don’t have an incredibly strong English [speaking] background,” said Rust. “A lot of the time they have to take an extra amount of time listening to a lecture, to study or to write.” Rust went on to describe some of the academic differences experienced by students from other countries. “Educationally I think it’s difficult, regardless of the country that students are coming from, to get used to the academic coursework in the United States. A lot of [international] students are used to just high-stakes tests that they can study for and cram at the end,” Rust said. “Here, homework and regular assignments are such an important part of the syllabus and the curriculum, it’s just a lot more work than they’re used to.” Niko Tatidis, a German exchange student and business major at NAU, shared his experience with educational differences and the transition it took
Xuexin Zheng is a foreign exchange student from Beijing, China. Zheng reads a book at Cline Library Sept. 12. Chanel Smith | The Lumberjack
moving from another country. “I noticed that from the beginning, you have to do assignments, homework and quizzes every week,” said Tatidis. “In Germany, there’s only one final exam and that’s it. So, you don’t have to do [anything] for four months, and then only study for the final exam, which is pretty difficult.” Academics are not the only reason students from overseas are attracted to the university. A spirit
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of acceptance and amiability toward newcomers permeates inherent social barriers. Xuexin “Sylvia” Zheng, a senior English major is from Beijing China. She shared details about her interactions with American students and described a surprisingly smooth transition into her new social life at NAU. “People are not that judging of your appearance. That gives me so
much more confidence in expressing myself. I became more confident in having conversations with others and taking on a minor,” said Zheng. “The residents here in Flagstaff, first off, are very friendly, like much friendlier than I thought. No one is being mean to me, or rude to me — no one.” Having had similar positive experiences with his American peers, Tatidis said he was also surprised about how kind people are here.
“Every person I met wants to help you,” Tatidis said. “For example, when you’re going somewhere, the person who’s coming out, or going in, they are holding the door open for you. No one does that in Germany.” These simple gestures, such as holding the door or offering directions, are commonplace at the university and are having an overwhelmingly positive effect on the way international students view its student body. The school’s Center for International Education (CIE) is a hub for programs and events catering to these students. According to CIE’s website, the primary goal is to promote the inclusion of international students in campus life and to provide them with the tools necessary to succeed academically. Rust detailed some of the events put on by the center. “Some of the most popular things we do are our culture nights, where students from different countries have booths about their countries. There’s authentic food from those countries for students, as well as performances throughout the evening,” Rust said. “Those are a great opportunity for students to either represent their own culture here and really feel appreciation for their own culture or to learn about other cultures while they are in the United States.” The culture nights provide a forum for students from a variety of different backgrounds to gather together and celebrate their diversity. “Having those opportunities to me is really important for students [who] want to stay here so that they feel welcomed at NAU and in Flagstaff,” Rust said. The efforts of CIE, paired with the affability of NAU students and staff, help to reinforce an atmosphere of tolerance and inclusion across campus. Despite inherent challenges, international students from around the world continue to choose NAU for its stunning location, academics and its appreciation for diversity.
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The ethical divide between the NFL and NBA
oston Celtics guard Jabari Bird was charged with assaulting his girlfriend over the course of several hours Sept. 13. The list of charges includes kidnapping, strangulation or suffocation, assault and battery of a family/ household member and battery with a dangerous weapon. Following the accusations, the Celtics released the following statement: “Most importantly, our thoughts are with the victim of this incident. The Celtics organization deplores domestic violence of any kind, and we are deeply disturbed by the allegations against Jabari Bird.” Running back for the Buffalo Bills LeSean McCoy was accused of domestic KADE violence back in July, when a graphic photo GILLISS through Instagram displayed his girlfriend SPORTS EDITOR with a welt beneath her left eye and dried blood that streamed down her face. ESPN sports writer Adam Schefter later released the Bills public statement after the photo surfaced, saying, “We have spoken to LeSean and have been in contact with the National Football League. We will continue to gather information.” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated the league was “reviewing the matter.” That was it. Between these two recent events, the team’s public statements tell you exactly where their priorities are held. It speaks to the underlying culture of theses two professional sports. The first sentence in the Celtics’s statement provides more substance and integrity than anything the NFL has spewed in recent years through numerous cases of domestic violence. For every negligible, imbecilic and bone-headed mistake the NFL makes, the NBA seems to get it right. This all starts at the top. For every progressive and ethical approach NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has made, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been the complete antithesis. On the road to morality, Goodell takes the wheel, busts through the highway divider and prays for minimal casualties. Just this past summer, two employees for the NFL Player Association Commission on Violence Prevention left after the league put off recommendations toward dealing with domestic violence cases in the future. The two employees, Deborah Epstein and Lisa Goodman, were told to conduct a national study on players’ wives for input on supporting victims and handling those cases. The final study report collected dust in the cupboards of the National Football Players Association for two years before the two left out of frustration. “I would come back and reiterate my suggestions,” said Epstein in an article by The Baltimore Sun. “Eventually I found out that communication would just die on the vine.” If the NFL wants to avoid withering away, it should rip out the infectious root that is Goodell.
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Junior cornerback Khalil Dorsey lines up against his opponent from Eastern Washington during the football game Sept. 8. Victoria Kaschl | NAU Athletics
The triple threat of NAU Athletics Nadya Armenta
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early every biography you read of an athlete in college tells you their hometown, who their parents are and their personal information. But not every biography you see has two other student athletes in their personal information. Born one year and three months apart, both studying fitness and wellness after making the move from Ontario, California to Flagstaff, Arizona, it is the
Dorsey takeover. Juniors Khalil Dorsey and Tommie Dorsey are not only teammates, but are also brothers for the NAU Football team. The family bloodline doesn’t end at brothers Tommie and Khalil Dorsey. Their cousin, redshirt senior volleyball middle blocker Brittni Dorsey is also a Lumberjack. As a fifth-year graduate student studying public relations, Brittni Dorsey embraces having family in Flagstaff. Having the Dorsey brothers at NAU has made Brittni’s Dorsey experience more
lively, as she often runs into people who ask if she’s related to the brothers. Brittni Dorsey takes pride in having family close as well as sharing mutual friends with her cousins. Brittni Dorsey is a two-time Big Sky All-Academic selection, who knows what it takes to be a part of a sports program and not overlook the classroom aspect of her student athletic career. Cornerback Khalil Dorsey is making his mark at NAU, being dedicated to both the football team and his studies. He also
SPORTS
Redshirt senior middle blocker Brittni Dorsey celebrates with her teammates during a close game against California State University, Northidge, Sept. 8. Cody Lane | NAU Athletics
finds time to participate in track and field during the football offseason. Khalil Dorsey has competed in the Big Sky Conference Championship with track and field and finished second in multiple races. But it does not stop there, Khalil Dorsey plays a huge role during football season being a key part to the top returning secondary in the Big Sky Conference. After a year of football play at Mt. San Antonio College, Tommie Dorsey transferred to NAU in 2017. He is now a redshirt junior at NAU. As a family at NAU, the three athletes have become closer but it has not always been like this, at least not for Brittni Dorsey. She is from Quartz Hill, California and grew up with her brothers. According to Brittni Dorsey, when
the three Lumberjacks were little, they would only see each other for the holidays and special events. Brittni Dorsey said being at NAU has resulted in her becoming closer to her cousins, as she often sees her cousins in the treatment room and continues to run into them elsewhere on campus. “I am proud that they are here and that we are able to share this experience,” said Brittni Dorsey. This triple threat does not stop in the classrooms — they are all highly competitive people in nature, both on and off the field or court. Khalil and Tommie Dorsey have a unique experience not many would understand. Khalil and Tommie Dorsey play opposite positions on
Redshirt senior Tommie Dorsey walking on to the field with his teammates as they take on Univeristy of Texas at El Paso, Sept. 1. Jorge Salgado | NAU Athletics
the field. Khalil Dorsey is a defensive back and Tommie Dorsey a wide receiver, which means that they compete a lot on the field. As practice heats up, they are able to hone in each others’ skills by learning from one another and working toward that competition. “Our competitive spirit never dies between siblings,” said Tommie Dorsey, referring to the relationship him and Khalil Dorsey have as brothers and teammates. Khalil Dorsey likes to say that “iron sharpens iron,” referring to his brother. Khalil and Tommie Dorsey compete with each other every day in practice, and Khalil Dorsey stated that his brother is better than a lot of wide receivers he has faced. The Dorsey family is full of support and they are a true representation of what it means
to be a family here at NAU. NAU football head coach Jerome Souers believes that for the two brothers, this experience has been both encouraging and rewarding. “I think having a chance to share this experience with a family member like that is a great opportunity,” said Souers. The understanding that these two brothers have respect for themselves, each other and their team shows when they are not arguing and trying to duke it out on the field. “Going to college together is pretty unique,” Tommie Dorsey said. “I take pride playing with my brother.” The college world is riddled with uncertainty, but the Dorsey family has maintained a foundation of consistency at NAU.
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The impact of the swoosh Tyler Day
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Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.” Colin Kaepernick, the star of Nike’s new commercial, says this phrase against an image of the American flag projected onto a building in what seems to be located in a metropolis city as the background. His phrase can be seen all over social media as a form of empowerment or for uses of satirical humor. One thing is for sure: he is making a bigger statement than before. Kaepernick, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, was the center of controversy when he decided to sit during the national anthem back in August 2016. That changed Sept. 1, 2016, when former Green Beret Nate Boyer suggested he kneel instead out of respect for the soldiers of the United States Armed Forces. Since then, he has been called many names: the hero, the villain, a social change enforcer or a rebel. Either way, Nike seems to be standing with Kaepernick — or rather kneeling — having the controversial figure also narrate throughout the entire commercial. Since the airing of the commercial, there have been mixed reactions throughout the world. There has been a trending reaction against the advertisement, by individuals taking a flame to their swoosh accessories and setting them ablaze. Some even took scissors and cut out the iconic logo straight from the pants or from the calf-high socks. The other half still sported the swoosh by buying more Nike products. According to Bloomberg, the Nike stock had reached an alltime high from a short-lived boycott that was provoked by the commercial. What effect has this commercial had on our fellow student athletes here at NAU? Did Nike, a worldwide powerhouse, make a good choice by sticking with Kaepernick? Caitlin Malvar, junior psychology major and an NAU women’s basketball player, is all for the commercial. “For two years he has been in the dark about things,” said Malver. “I felt like Nike was waiting for the right time.” She was glad that a corporation of Nike’s magnitude is taking a stance on a controversial topic and has given athletes and people a platform where they can express their ideas. Clarissa Maxey, senior public health major, and track and field runner at NAU, had the
same ideas as Malvar, in reference about how impactful the brand is to the world. “Nike is a brand that people look up to,” said Maxey. Heather Donais, soccer athlete and junior elementary education major, had a different view point on the commercial. “I really liked how Nike seemed to have grabbed [Kaepernick],” said Donais. “The only reason why I think its OK is because he had facts and a reason to do it.” Kaepernick’s whole reason for kneeling during the
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national anthem was that he was making a statement and protesting against police brutality. In a 2016 article from NFL media reporter Steve Wyche, he quoted Kaepernick saying, “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color.” “People mistake patriotism for nationalism nowadays,” said Eb Odeh, junior neuropsychology major and linebacker for NAU football. Odeh said it was a good choice for Kaepernick to kneel because there
Illustration By Katie Dobrydney
should be no wait for social change to happen. He said people will look back on this moment and see the impact that happened to the world on behalf of Kaepernick. “Nobody knows in the moment,” Odeh said when explaining that the act of kneeling is echoing past figures that stood up for a change during a time when people were thought it was wrong. Granted, the major reason why people are either praising the ad or becoming frustrated is because of the focal point that is being used. However, some NAU athletes looked at the broader scope of the commercial. “It shows intersectionality. It shows how individuals with different backgrounds and experiences can be out there changing the world,” Odeh said. The commercial shows athletes being bigger than just another player with a number on their uniform. Kaepernick brought light to an athlete in the aired commercial that has been through their own journey of being looked over. According to INSIDER, the Hijab-wearing boxer is Berlin boxing champion Zeina Nassar and is facing discrimination for being a person that practices the Muslim faith. Another figure in the commercial that also stands for social change is female skateboarder Lacey Baker who is the only boarder on the Nike Skateboarding team to be openly gay. All the athletes that were interviewed all viewed the commercial as empowering or inspirational. Like all typical Nike ads, they are supposed to show the heart of an athlete or show that nobody has limitations — only yourself can be the limitation. The different aspect of this commercial, which is being aired during the “JUST DO IT” 30th anniversary, is that it shows diversity and figures of social change. There are no stills of Odell Beckham Jr. laying out for a one-handed snag. Instead it shows Shaquem Griffin laying a player out with one hand only because that is all he has. There are no shots of Muhammad Ali knocking out a fellow boxer; it shows a Muslim boxer who is fighting a different battle outside of the ring. With Nike being one of the most powerful brands in the world, they can get away with casting public enemy No. 1 as the face of the one of the biggest commercials in a while. So for Kaepernick, sacrificing everything could be the right thing to get a push for social change.
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