Michigan State’s Independent Voice
THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2020 ELECTION After a suspenseful election week, there’s hope for change in the community PAGES 6-7
Protesters gather at a “Stop the Steal” rally at the Michigan State Capitol on Nov. 7 following the release of the presidential election results. Photo by Alyte Katilius
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COVID-19 developments in Ingham County throughout the fall term
International students hopeful for future after Biden’s projected win
COLUMN: Coffee kindles kindness; let’s pass the cup
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
EDITORIAL
Traveling home for the holidays? Read this to keep your family safe By The State News Editorial Board feedback@statenews.com
A
s the cold weather settles in and the holiday decorations slowly make their way up onto doors and windows, college students are preparing to make the annual trip to their hometown for the holidays. However, this holiday season is different from previous years. COVID-19 cases are reaching record numbers in Ingham County, throughout Michigan and across the country. Hospitals are reaching capacity, grocery stores are implementing new policies to prevent panic buying and medical professionals are bracing for the pandemic to continue to get worse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends against traveling during the pandemic, as it heightens the risk of exposure and transmittal to your community. New regulations by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer limit family gatherings to just one other household beginning Wednesday, Nov. 18. We recognize that family gatherings during the holidays are an important time to reconnect with loved ones during an otherwise isolating year. We want to see our families too. Be wise. Reckless travel risks not getting to see your family next year. We encourage everyone to follow public health recommendations and restrictions to their fullest extent especially given the rise in cases. We cannot condone any level of disregard for public health. While we understand that a worsening global pandemic isn’t enough to stop some from traveling home to put down your masks, hug your loved ones and share a meal around a non-socially distanced table, we want to urge against complete dismissal of all necessary public health orders and precautions. So, if you choose to travel home for the holidays, here are some recommendations to keep you, your family and the community you are traveling to safe. You should wear a mask around anyone you don’t live with and socially distance as much as possible. Eating the family dinner outside reduces the chance of transmitting the virus significantly, plus it’s
While we understand that a worsening global pandemic isn’t enough to stop some from traveling home to put down your masks, hug your loved ones and share a meal around a non-socially distanced table, we want to urge against complete dismissal of all necessary public health orders and precautions.
a good way to get some much needed vitamin D during the colder months. While virtual events offer the lowest risk of exposure, small outside gatherings are the next best thing. Families should avoid buffet style and sharing serving utensils at all costs. Instead, we suggest one person serve each dish to other family members. Also, everyone should wash their hands constantly throughout the day and avoid touching their face. Sanitize frequently-touched surfaces during the day and limit time indoors, gathered in a closed space. Taking such measures will not completely guarantee your safety but can reduce the risk of exposure. It’s important that students quarantine for 14 days before traveling to their hometowns. Avoid large protests, tailgates, parties and other social gatherings. Attending these events heightens your exposure risk, even if you follow the other guidelines. You should avoid these gatherings at all times, even if you aren’t traveling. Getting tested before you
travel provides a false sense of security and the result is only applicable for the time you got tested. However, getting tested before you travel home is a great way to determine if you could be exposing your family members and community to COVID-19. We want to emphasize the importance of taking precautions on your journey home. Use disinfectant wipes on gas pump handles, airplane seats and any other public surface. Wear a mask when you stop for food, at gas stations, or walk through the airport. Additionally, wash and sanitize your hands as often as possible. Just because you were COVID-negative when you left East Lansing, doesn’t mean you will avoid exposure to it during your trip. False negatives and missed testing windows are also risk factors to account for. The CDC recommends that after exposure, even if you test negative for COVID-19 or have no symptoms, you should quarantine since symptoms may appear two to 14 days later. At a time like this, it is difficult to know for certain if you have been exposed to the virus at any given time. Getting tested after you return from holiday travels is also a good idea. Michigan State will resume its COVID-19 Early Detection Program, or Spartan Spit, on Nov. 30 for students, right after the Thanksgiving holiday. As case counts increase, diagnostic swab tests may be needed for those who have symptoms, but Spartan Spit is a good starting point for asymptomatic travelers. Of course, you should not travel home if you currently have COVID-19, might have been exposed within 14 days of your travels or have symptoms of COVID-19. Instead, the CDC recommends you attend a virtual holiday celebration so you don’t miss out on the festivities. The holidays are a happy time for many people. But if we don’t do our part for the community, the result can be overwhelmed hospitals, more fatal COVID-19 cases and more isolation from our loved ones in the future. Do the right thing and follow the guidelines. Save the lives of your family members and the greater community. Have a happy and safe holiday season.
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The State News Editorial Board is composed of Editor-in-Chief Evan Jones, Managing Editor SaMya Overall, Campus Desk Editor Karly Graham, City Desk Editor Kaishi Chhabra, Culture Desk Editor Devin AndersonTorrez, Sports Desk Editor Jayna Bardahl, Copy Chief Mark Ostermeyer, Audience Engagement Editor Sophia Kalakailo, Multimedia Manager Tessa Osborne, Photo Editor Alyte Katilius, Staff Rep. Wendy Guzman and Diversity and Inclusion Rep. Di’Amond Moore.
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COVID-19 developments in Ingham County throughout the fall semester
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Professionals, MSU students, faculty and staff are encouraged to apply “I joined the board as a freshman at MSU. I am glad to be a part of an organization that touches the lives of all MSU students. Providing a unique voice and perspective is important to me.” Nama Naseem State News Board of Directors
By Sara Tidwell stidwell@statenews.com With no end in sight, the number of COVID-19 cases rose to more than 6,000 as of Nov. 16, according to the Ingham County Health Department, or ICHD digital dashboard. That means Ingham County residents have spent nearly all of 2020 under restrictive orders from high level health officials, while scientists edge closer to finding a lasting drug treatment or vaccine to end this viral warfare that has continued to negatively impact both our population and economy. To date, the New York Times, or NYT has tracked more than 10.4 million confirmed positive cases, with 130,553 occurring just on Nov. 9. There have been approximately 241,070 deaths in the U.S. due to COVID-19. Over the last 14-days, the NYT totaled a 69% increase in cases and a 23% increase in deaths. The number of cases across the entire country is more than the number of individuals that reside in the state of Michigan alone, according to the U.S. Census Bureau database from July 1, 2019. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, or MDHHS has performed more than 5.5 million diagnostic and approximately 342,000 serology tests, tracking approximately 252,000 cases and 8,100 deaths — these
numbers include both confirmed and probable aspects. More locally, the ICHD has tracked approximately 5,685 confirmed positive cases and 79 deaths. Back in July, the death count was stable for a solid two months between June and August. Since then, Ingham County has seen it more than double, while the case count has more than quadrupled. The ICHD added a new section to their website Oct. 30 that tracks countywide hospitalizations, emergency room visits and intensive care unit , or ICU, holds.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Though COVID-19 numbers began to slow down in August in Ingham County, they skyrocketed when the Spartan student body returned to their stomping grounds at the beginning of the school year, though a majority of students are off-campus. Michigan is currently labeled as high risk, along with 42 of 50 states, according to a map by COVID Act Now. This means the states are either facing an active outbreak or could be in the future — the preparedness level has dipped under standards, while the cases have not. Ingham County is also at the highest COVID-19 risk level on the MI Safe Start Map. “MDHHS is very concerned about the COVID-19 numbers that have been increasing
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dramatically statewide. That’s why it’s important that people follow COVID-19 safety protocols — including mask wearing, physical distancing and frequent handwashing,” said Bob Wheaton, MDHHS public information officer. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer attempted to tighten restrictions again to combat increased cases but the Michigan Supreme Court ruled her authority unjust, and on Oct. 2, they took her emergency powers away. The ICHD and MDHHS reacted fast. On Oct. 9, they both released very similar orders that reissued the governor’s mask requirements, restrictions on gathering sizes of all types, restaurant capacities, protection for employees and contact tracing procedures. However, it’s all up to the community to follow through and make the right choices.
BREAKING DOWN COVID-19 STATISTICS
The ICHD digital dashboard breaks down the cumulative totals into smaller, demographically-centered numbers and percentages. Another U.S. Census Bureau database estimated that the population of Ingham County on July 1, 2019, was just under 293,000: •75.6% identified as white •12.4% identified Black or African American •7% identified as Asian •0.6% identified American Indian and Alaska Native •0.1% identified Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander •8% identified as Hispanic or Latinos •4.2% are two or more races Of that, the individuals infected with COVID-19 are: •65% white •13% Black or African American •5% Asian •17% are other or unknown Of these individuals infected with COVID-19, 37% are between the ages of 20-29. Also, 20% of the individuals are younger and 43% are older than this median. The U.S. Census Bureau database recorded
that 9.9% of residents were found to be under the age of 65 with a disability between 20142018 and 6.3% are found to be under the age of 65 without health insurance. Of these COVID-19 infected individuals, cases are mostly spread evenly among sex. Ingham County is home to 22 zip codes. Of this, the 48823, or part of East Lansing, the area has the highest range of COVID-19 infected individuals, resting between 1,961 and 2,000. That’s a 1,161 case range gap between the
next highest zip code. Other zip codes and their case ranges include: •1-40: 48819, 48827, 49285, 49264, 48821 •41-80: 48892, 48917, 48933, 49251 •81-120: 48825 •121-160: 48840, 48895, 48915 •201-240: 48842, 48854 •241-280: 48906, 48864 •361-400: 48912 •441-480: 48910 •761-800: 48911
The 48872 and 48921 zip codes are listed as 0 and 48909 is not listed. The status of each patient changes daily, as one might observe. On Nov. 10, of the population: •3,995 have recovered •450 are at home under monitoring •79 have died •113 are hospitalized •12 are in the ICU •44 emergency visits have been made
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THE 2020 ELECTION: Voting during a pandemic By The State News Photo Desk feedback@statenews.com The election process in 2020 was unlike any before it. With masked voters, socially distanced waiting lines, constant sanitization, and a record breaking number of mail-in votes, voting during the COVID-19 pandemic was a long process and foreign sight. After the results of the election were released, citizens took to the Capitol in protest or celebration. The State News photo desk set out to document this historic election, as well as the fallout.
Top left, David Richey, a pastor from Vassar, MI prays on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol following the news that Joe Biden had won the presidential election. “Abortion is very dear to my heart. There is so much turmoil. There’s so much going on. We all need God.” Photo by Alyte Katilius. Top right, volunteers checking voting stations at Southside Community Center while voters wait in line in Lansing, Michigan, on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Photo by Di’Amond Moore. Middle, protesters gather at a “Stop the Steal” rally at the Michigan State Capitol on Nov. 7 following the release of the presidential election results. Photo by Alyte Katilius.
Left, Michelle Logan leaves the Hannah Community Center, having just voted, on Nov. 3. Photo by Lauren Snyder.
Right, a voter submits their ballot at Willow Elementary School in Lansing on Nov. 3, 2020. This site housed two precincts and had people trickling in for both. Photo by Annie Barker.
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Nathanael Jefferson, resident of Lansing, Michigan standing in a crowd of Trump supporters at the “Stop The Steal” rally at the Michigan State Capitol on Saturday, November 7. Photo by Di’Amond Moore.
Top left, wrappings of “I voted stickers” sit in a bin at Willow Elementary in Lansing on Nov. 3, 2020. This site housed two precincts and had people trickling in for both precincts. Photo by Annie Barker. Bottom left, a Biden supporter and Trump supporter take turns speaking on the steps of the Michigan State Capitol on Nov. 7. Primarily Trump supporters, but a few Biden supporters, flocked to the Michigan State Capitol after Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election. Photo by Annie Barker. Above right, a poll worker congratulates a first-time voter at Willow Elementary School in Lansing on Nov. 3, 2020. This site housed two precincts and had people trickling in for both. Photo by Annie Barker.
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International students hopeful for future after Biden’s election win By Morgan Womack mwomack@statenews.com Social work senior Caroline Khombe tossed and turned in her room on Election Day, that soon became a late election night, constantly refreshing her feed. With her eyes glued to her phone, she couldn’t bring herself to relax and get some sleep. As an international student from Malawi in Africa, Khombe had never experienced an American presidential election before. She would have preferred hearing the winner announced after the votes were counted, rather than viewing the changing live results. “I’m seeing it red, then I see blue then back to red and I’m like ‘Okay, this is not happening,’” Khombe said. “I guess seeing it live really affected me. I couldn’t sleep the first day of the election.” Photo courtesy of Khombe said she Caroline Khombe is looking forward
“I feel like the behavior from the President can influence the whole dynamic of the country...” Shawn Luo Accounting and business senior
to President-elect Joe Biden’s term. She hopes he handles COVID-19 better, providing a new perspective than President Trump. “I was hopeful things will and might get better,” Khombe said. “I don’t have family (in the United States) ... if something happens to me how long will it take for people to find out that something happened to me?” Khombe said she feels more comfortable with the representation of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris as a Black woman in power. “Especially having Kamala as a Vice President ... I feel like for me, maybe things would be
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safer,” Khombe said. Ishitta Vasudevan, a cognitive neuroscience junior, also said Biden’s election makes her feel more welcome and safe. She is from India and said her friends who live there currently were following it as much, if not more than she was. “If there’s an Indian election happening, I wouldn’t expect people in the U.S. to be posting about it and following it, but if it’s happening in the U.S. everyone back home is also really into it,” Vasudevan said. “My friends would text me constantly, (asking) ‘What is the electoral college? How does this work?’ ... For most of the people my age it was like the first time they were experiencing it so closely.” Vasudevan said the Trump administration influenced her experience because there were many bans on international students, immigration and visas. When the COVID-19 pandemic first came, some students didn’t think they would be allowed to study in the U.S. “This was a blow for most international students because it’s almost like we are paying almost double of in-state tuition and we are getting thrown out of the country almost, through no fault of ours which was very disturbing to a lot of students,” Vasudevan said. Finance sophomore Raymond Lawi said his, and many other international students’, lives were also impacted. “We’re just not really living the experience,” Lawi said. “We came to the States to experience American culture, meet new friends, walk around. Now we’re sort of in confinement, just Photo courtesy of looking out from Raymond Lawi our rooms.”
Lawi said he hopes Biden’s morals might guide students through the pandemic. “I think, personally, we need a leader that obviously listens to science and not downplay any form of pandemic because that way people will actually take it seriously,” Lawi said. “While I’m not that fond of Joe Biden ... at least he listens to science. I think that plays a major role in the outcome.” Lawi also appreciates Biden’s ideas about unity through diversity and he hopes he might help repair the political divide that he saw from an outsider’s perspective living in Indonesia. “It seemed like the States was spiraling out of control,” Lawi said. “People fighting amongst each other, it was just hard to watch, really. It’s a lot of infighting despite being under the same flag. Everyone’s still American, but the way they talk about each other is sort of dehumanizing, so to speak. It just seemed like absolute pandemonium.” Accounting and business senior Shawn Luo is excited for the new President for similar reasons. He is an international student from China and said the surge of xenophobia worried his family. Photo courtesy of “I feel like the Shawn Luo behavior from the President can influence the whole dynamic of the country, because (Trump is) saying like ‘it’s all China’s fault, it’s a Chinese virus,’” Luo said. “I know my parents, they were really worrying about my personal safety and my future plans.” Luo doesn’t expect that dynamic to switch immediately, but he sees the country moving in a better direction in terms of equality and the pandemic because of the new President-elect. “My community, the international students, the LGBTQ community, the Asian community, and so many more will get an environment they need to survive ... and be treated equally,” Luo said. “It gave me the hope that there will be changes and some of them will be really beneficial for my communities and my personal development in the future.”
“I think, personally, we need a leader that obviously listens to science and not downplay any form of pandemic because that way people will actually take it seriously. While I’m not fond of Joe Biden... at least he listens to science.” Raymond Lawi Finance sophomore
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NextGen Michigan mobilized youth vote in 2020 election
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By Griffin Wiles gwiles@statenews.com By registering 13,340 of Michigan’s young voters aged 18-34 — NextGen Michigan, a group dedicated to getting young people to vote, mobilized the youth vote in the 2020 election. The organization registered nearly 11% of the total number of young voters registered by all NextGen organizations from battleground states, leading to key victories that may have helped secure President-elect Joe Biden’s wins in those states, according to a press release from the organization. “Our word for today is unprecedented,” NextGen Michigan Press Secretary Lateshia Parker said in an email. “This year has been unprecedented for us all, but the turnout of young voters has been unprecedented to the state and country. The youth will not be ignored, nor will they silently stand by and allow people to make decisions for their future without making their voices heard.” More than 570,000 young voters in Michigan requested an absentee ballot for the November election, a 324% increase over the number of absent voter ballots cast in the prior presidential election, according to NextGen Michigan State Director Jay Williamson. Additionally, the number of absentee ballots requested for the 2020 general election was more than four times greater than the number of absentee ballots returned in 2016. “This proves that the idea that young people don’t care about voting is a myth; they’ve always cared, but their voices have been purposefully and systematically suppressed,” Williamson said in a press release. “No reason absentee voting and same-day voter registration have uplifted the voices of thousands of Michigan’s young voters and resulted in storming the ballot box. If anyone can turn the tide this year in Michigan, it’s young people.” According to a press release from NextGen Michigan, over 1,100 volunteers collected 33,482 pledges to vote. The parent organization funneled over $59 million into young voter mobilization, with NextGen Michigan spending nearly $5.5 million.
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“Voting is one of the most powerful forms of protest young people have available to them, and kickign the officials who allow this mess out of office is one way we can start to win back our power.” Lateshia Parker NextGen Michigan Press Secretary Out of the organization’s 11 initially targeted battleground states, eight found the majority of their voters electing Biden to the White House. Of these eight states, four — including Michigan — turned from red to blue this election. According to Deputy Organizing Director Arva Hassonjee, the mobilization of the youth vote in these key states played an integral role in the Biden-Harris victory. “In 2016, we saw that the blue wall fell, and I think it’s really incredible that so many organizations this year were able to really get out the youth vote and focus on college students and speak to them in a respectable manner rather than just telling them to go vote without talking to them or engaging them,” Hassonjee said. “So, I think when you look at why Democrats were elected this year, I think paying attention to the youth vote is critical.” To encourage young people to get out and vote, NextGen
T UESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020
Logo courtesy of NextGen Michigan
Michigan volunteers made over 795,316 phone calls and sent over 2,520,000 text messages prior to the election. Additionally, they reached over 775,000 young voters with digital ads. Despite the coronavirus pandemic halting planned in-person initiatives, the many college-aged NextGen volunteers were able to creatively expand the ways in which the organization reached young voters through the digital sphere. “Given COVID, we weren’t able to do our normal campus operations, which would have consisted of tabling and clipboarding,” Hassonjee said. “So, we really had to have our organizers and our campus interns be as innovative as possible in the digital space.” In addition to phone banking and text messaging, Hassonjee said volunteers did “class raps” in which they coordinated with professors to deliver a pitch to students to get them to vote. Additionally, NextGen America forayed into the use of social media and digital games like Animal Crossing to reach students and encourage them to vote, according to a statement from NextGen America Executive Director Ben Wessel. Since the conclusion of the election, Hassonjee said NextGen Michigan is focused on thanking the volunteers that helped to get out the vote. After a truly unprecedented year, Parker said she hopes young voters use their vote to protest against the officials in power now. “This year, we’ve seen unprecedented racial uprising and social unrest, and we’ve encouraged voters to translate their emotions into action,” Parker said in a press release. “Voting is one of the most powerful forms of protest young people have available to them, and kicking the officials who allow this mess out of office is one way we can start to win back our power.”
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COLUMN: With 1 win, the Spartans might’ve just been a flash in the pan
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All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Rd. (517) 351-7160 Sun. Worship: 8am, 10am, & 5pm Sunday School: 10am www.allsaints-el.org Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Road East Lansing (517) 337-9703 Sunday worship: 10:00am Sunday Bible study: 8:45am Thursday Bible study: 2:00pm www.ascensioneastlansing.org Crossway Multinational Church 4828 Hagadorn Rd. (Across from Fee Hall) (517) 917-0498 Sun: 10:00am crosswaymchurch.org Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. (Meet @ University Christian Church) (517) 898-3600 Sun: 8:45am Worship, 10am Bible Class Wed: 1pm, Small group bible study www.greaterlansing coc.org Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St. (517) 332-1916 Shabbat – Services@ 6pm / dinner @ 7, September–April www.msuhillel.org instagram: @msuhillel
The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-4309 Friday Services: 12:15-12:45pm & 1:45-2:15pm For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/ Martin Luther Chapel Lutheran Student Center 444 Abbot Rd. (517) 332-0778 Sun: 10:30am & 7pm Wed: 7pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) www.martinluther chapel.org The People’s Church Multi-denominational 200 W Grand River Ave. (517)332-6074 Sun. Service: 10:30am with free lunch for students following worship ThePeoplesChurch.com Riverview Church- MSU Venue MSU Union Ballroom, 2nd Floor 49 Abbot Rd. (517) 694-3400 Sun. Worship: 11:30am-ish www.rivchurch.com St. Paul Lutheran Church (ELCA) Worship with us on Sundays at 10am 3383 E. Lake Lansing Rd 517-351-8541 www.stpaul-el.org officemanagerstpaul el@gmail.com
St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C Ave. (517) 337-9778 Sun: 8am, 10am, Noon, 5pm, 7pm M,W: 5:30pm T & Th: 8:45pm F: 12:15pm www.stjohnmsu.org University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd (517) 332-5193 Sun. Bible Study: 10am Sun. Worship: 11:15am www.universitychristianwired.com University Lutheran Church (ULC) “We’re open in every way” 1020 S. Harrison Rd (517) 351-7030 Sun. Worship: 8:30am & 10:45am Fridays@Five: Dinner, discussion & fun 5pm Mon. Bible Study: 6:30pm @Wells Hall Quad www.ulcel.org Facebook: ULC and Campus Ministry University United Methodist Church 1020 S. Harrison Rd (517) 351-7030 Main Service: Sun: 11am in the Sanctuary Additional Services: NEW contemporary service Sundays at 9am with band titled ‘REACH’ TGiT (Thank God its Thursday): Thur: 8pm in the Chapel of Apostles universitychurchhome.org office@eluumc.org WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Rd. (517) 580-3744 Sat: 6:30pm msu.edu/~welsluth
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MSU quarterback Payton Thorne (10) carries the ball for MSU in a game against Indiana University in Spartan Stadium on Nov. 14. PHOTO BY ALYTE KATILIUS
By Joe Dandron jdandron@statenews.com
It was there, then it was gone. Since the 27-24 win by MSU over Michigan, the Spartans have been outscored 73-7 in two games. The 49-7 loss in Iowa was followed up by a 24-0 extermination of MSU by No. 9 Indiana. “Obviously, again, turnovers and penalties in the first half against any type of team, any team, you do not give yourself a chance,” MSU Head Coach Mel Tucker said. “That was basically the story of this game.” MSU turned it over four times, which gives them 14 in four games on the year. I’ve always heard that turnover margin is the most important stat in football. Well, yeah. The Spartans are 1-3. Indiana, who is thriving under Head Coach Tom Allen, is 4-0. Two programs in very different places. After that win in Ann Arbor, one that not even Vegas expected, I thought this team had caught lightning in a bottle. I was wrong. Since that game, which will stick out as an outlier in a weird year, MSU quarterback Rocky Lombardi is 20-of-44 with five interceptions and no touchdown passes. Heading into Iowa, I really thought he could be the guy. Ricky White had just caught 10
eight passes for 196 yards. It looked like the Spartan passing game, as fragile as this season and team is, had found legs it didn’t have since 2017. It was a flash in the pan. Michigan is 1-3 with their only win against a 1-3 Minnesota team. For a second week, Lombardi wasn’t getting it done. MSU turned to redshirt-freshman Payton Thorne who on his first snap, proceeded to run 38 yards, knifing into the Hoosier secondary and running for his life. Lombardi made two poor decisions on two throws, both picked off by IU defensive back Tiawan Mullen. The team that everyone saw on Saturday against Indiana was closer to Rutgers than Paul Bunyan trophy winners. Is Indiana a great football team? Yes. But that doesn’t change the fact this MSU team could easily be 0-4. Where do you go from here? I think if MSU goes all in that this is a rebuilding year, they should turn to Thorne full time and live with the results. He has obvious talent, a throw rolling to his right on a rope to Jayden Reed, who made a great grab on the IU sideline during the fourth quarter, was proof of that. He can spin it, but with how much consistency? I don’t know. Regardless, he deserves a chance. Things have already swerved from good to bad week-to-week with Lombardi under center. He’s a leader in the locker room, so maybe Tucker decides to stick to the oldest guy in the QB room. Only time will tell. A defense that didn’t give up a point in the second half of Saturday’s game deserves credit. Even if they’ve given up 49 and 24 points, if this MSU offense was more efficient,
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Saturday’s outcome would have looked different. Indiana scored 17 of its points on drives starting at the MSU 16, 24 and 50-yard lines. MSU’s job on offense isn’t to put pressure on their own defense. They were supposed to do that to the Indiana defense. More often, just as it did in the Rutgers game, the MSU offense is putting the defense in spots that just are not conducive to success. It’s simple. MSU might need to reckon with this season and commit to the rebuild. Consistency, which all the coaches preach, only comes in the form of averaging 3.5 turnovers a game on the year. After the past two weeks, the next four just become critical to see who on this roster is going to give the Spartans their best chance to compete at the highest level. Injuries are a problem, but not an excuse. MSU didn’t dress Jackson for the second straight week, and was missing starting players in the secondary. The result of that manifested in the form of Ty Fryfogle, who, frankly, I’m not sure even the hand of God could’ve stopped in the first half of Saturday’s game. He had 178 receiving yards in the first two quarters and finished with 200 total on 11 catches and two touchdowns during the game. That’s No. 7 all-time in IU program history for a single game. The Spartans are scheduled to play Maryland on Saturday, but after the Terrapins’ game against Ohio State was canceled due to COVID-19 outbreaks, it might be scrapped if things continue to trend this way. That game is on Nov. 21 and Maryland, at 2-1, looks to be more than just an equal to MSU right now.
TUES DAY, N OVEM B ER 1 7, 2020
OPI N I ON
Column: Coffee kindles kindness; let’s pass the cup By Jack Falinski jfalinskil@statenews.com
I’ve recently been trying to wake up earlier, something my girlfriend has inspired me to do. But it’s hard … really hard some days. Monday, Nov. 9 was no exception. I expected the grogginess to cast a lullaby over my ambitious attempt to start the day and week with a champion-like attitude aimed at bettering myself. Oh, how I learned something about myself during that pink-skyed Monday morning. You see, I’ve been in a rut lately, as I feel a lot of us have. Remote classes (and even remote work), although undoubtedly necessary during an unyielding pandemic, has caused us, in some aspects, to be stagnant. For me, I’ve had trouble escaping the grounds. My apartment is homey, so it makes working remotely comfortable … sometimes too comfortable to the point where I don’t want to leave it, which is fair. As I said, an unforgiving virus remains, beating its heart in the air. That’s why I decided to dedicate Monday’s sunrise to me, treating myself to a store-bought coffee in hopes of jump-starting the week with a jovial jolt. In this simple coffee-driven journey, however, I found myself plonked (I love that word) deep inside a philosophical juncture rather than in a drive-thru line. Weird, I know. I didn’t expect it either. As I sat in line listening to a rediscovered Kenny Chesney song, I paid close attention to its lyrics as they echoed through my vacantmorning mind: “Laugh and live with a half-full cup. Yeah, happy is as happy does.” I inched my way toward the window, and when I finally pulled up, I was greeted by a familiar face — a good friend of mine whom I grew close with during our Case Hall residency together freshman year. But as we moved out of the dorms the following year, our encounters shrank, so I treasure when our paths cross unexpectedly. She handed me my morning brew, and I handed her my credit card, which she immediately gave back and said, “Nope,” allowing me to drive off with the surprise gift of free coffee. This was not a planned column. As the election meets its aftermath, my plate is covered with story assignments, but that day-making event was not a planned occasion. Sometimes, though, when a moment like that makes your heart so full, you have to act on your own inclinations. I picked up my computer and wrote. I couldn’t stop thinking about how happy seeing my old-time friend and receiving a coffee on-the-house made me. How could I pass it on? Remember those commercials, those Pass It On PSA’s sponsored by The Foundation for a Better Life? I do. I remember always seeing them during commercial breaks as a kid when I watched the Detroit Tigers play on TV. Yes, they were cheesy, but you’d call me a liar if I said that I didn’t like a little mozzarella sprinkled on top of my life ... O.K., what I’m getting at is this: My friend didn’t have to grace me with free coffee. She chose to. And doing so probably
Fundamentally, I think we all intrinsically know the importance of looking out for each other, showering each other with love and kindness. wasn’t anything too significant for her; she probably didn’t give it much of a second thought. But it meant something to me. And that’s the key. You never really know the influence your undertakings will have in somebody else’s life, especially during a time filled with strife and disease. The smallest tokens of care and compassion — a big smile, a quick compliment, a brief check-in over the phone — those are the memories people will remember you by. Those are the twinkles that shine back to you as you recap your day. I called both my mom and my girlfriend later that night. The first news I led with was: “My friend got me free coffee today.” They’re little gestures, but they have such a lasting impact. They can alter days, weeks, months and even years. In some cases, they can alter lives. Again, we never really know the influence our undertakings will have on somebody else’s life. Fundamentally, I think we all intrinsically know the importance of looking out for each other, showering each other with love and kindness. If you’ve read any of my columns before, you’re probably well aware that I center my attention around humanity. This column does not stray from the former, but it serves as a reminder because I think this is a message that can regularly get shoved aside. When the world gives you a gift, give a gift back to the world. It’s not hard to do, it’s just easy to forget. So, thank you, friend. Thank you for reminding me about the beauty behind being nice. I believe the world can learn so much from people like you.
Illustration by Hope Ann Flores
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CULT U R E
Language and identity: The stories behind the world’s endangered languages By Verena Daniel vdaniel@statenews.com As Europeans began to colonize North America, Native Americans were placed in reservation boarding schools, where students were taught English and subjected to forced cultural assimilation. This forced assimilation took a toll on linguistic diversity on the continent and as a result, North American indigenous languages have been on the decline since 1790. For human biology sophomore Alexa Oldman, language revitalization is critical to keeping indigenous North American languages and identity alive. “It’s important for not only me but all other Native Americans to revitalize the language, because that is a part of who we are,” Oldman said. “Our ancestors fought to keep the traditions alive and try to speak the language, even though they were reprimanded for it.” Since the age of two, Oldman has participated in cultural events and learned traditional Native American dances. She said she believes language preservation efforts are crucial given the centuries of struggle her ancestors endured in order to keep their culture and language alive under colonization. Oldman has ties to two tribes: Northern Arapaho in Wyoming, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa in Petoskey, Michigan. Her grandmother was among those who were placed in English boarding schools, resulting in language loss. “My grandma had attended a boarding school, and her mom and dad were both fluent speakers in Anishinaabemowin,” Oldman said. “Due to having to go to the boarding schools, my grandma then lost how to speak their own language.” Despite her grandmother losing her family’s native tongue, Oldman said her family has managed to pass Native American customs down the line. “I had attended ceremonies — Native ceremonies — when I was younger as well, and up until now,” Oldman said. “Even my mom herself grew up the same way too. So, that’s why she taught me my cultural ways. ... There’s Seven Grandfather Teachings that we learned about when we were younger, and that we learn to live by and follow throughout our life. And then we learn about the four different directions. And we practice Sun Dance, which comes from my Northern Arapaho tribe out in Wyoming, which is only specific to them.” These teachings continued to influence and shape Oldman as a young adult. “The Seven Grandfather Teachings, and a few that would be respect, truth, and honesty,” Oldman said. “And because we live by that, then it teaches you to respect people, respect your peers. Be truthful and be honest in certain situations.” Anishinaabemowin’s status, according to the Endangered Language Project, or ELP is threatened, with about 1,500 native speakers left. So, how important is revitalization? Every 14 days, a language becomes extinct. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) predicts that by the year 2100, half of the world’s languages will no longer exist. Today, there are approximately 6,500-7,000 known
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languages. Of those living languages, around 43%, or about 2795-3010 languages, are listed as endangered. Linguistics and Swahili professor Deogratias Ngonyani said there’s much more at stake than just language loss. Just like biodiversity, linguistic diversity makes the way we live more sustainable and supports the ways we connect to other humans. “We want to think of the world as very much like some biological environment,” Ngonyani said. “A garden is supposed to have colors. You just don’t get a garden that’s Alexa Oldman’s grandfathers pose for a picture on Nov. 13. Oldman has ties to two tribes: Northern just white or just red. A garden is going to Arapaho in Wyoming, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa in Petoskey, Michigan. Photo be beautiful when you have different colors courtesy of Alexa Oldman. and that’s how we like it. ... If we take language to be very much like how we sustain places like that,” the source said in a text. “If technology has made English even more acour lives as human beings, how we sustain you have a party of more than 5 Uyghur peo- cessible to many, many people in the world.” our living and our world outlooks then hav- ple in the restaurant, then you have the limPolitical science/pre-law freshman Michael ing just one language. As things are evolving, itations of 2 hours. More than that, the offi- Cerbin’s maternal family descends from the we are increasingly becoming users of single cers will come in and check everyone’s ID.” Quitos tribe of Quechua, a family of cultural languages. We become very much people or There are about 10 million native Uyghur languages indigenous to the Andes region of organisms that are feeding only on one kind speakers. The vitality status is considered South America. Cerbin said his family mainof food. ... And so threatened, with tains their ancestral ties to the tribe. language is one of the Eastern dia“They can trace their roots all the way back the things that we lect being crit- to the Quitos tribe which was slowly being have in our humanically endan- annexed into the Incan empire when the ity — in our shared gered, due to Spanish came,” Cerbin said in a text. “A few humanity.” the lack of Uy- of the people in my mom’s family still have The Uyghur peoghur courses ties to the tribes today. She has an uncle who ple, an ethnic miin Xinjiang or has his own band and he got really into his nority that lives East Turkestan tribal roots and now plays for the chief of a primarily in the schools. local tribe.” Xinjiang autonWith so few Cerbin and his family continue followomous region of members of ing Quechua traditions, like celebrating China, speak the younger genera- All Saints Day with cultural foods, like los language, Uyghur. tions of Uyghurs wawas de pan — loaves of bread baked in China incorporated being taught the shape of babies and decorated with frostXinjiang in 1949, and allowed to ing — and colada morada — a drink made but the Xinjiang openly use the with spices and fruits, most of which are only Conflict has been language, it’s found in the Andes region. ongoing since the poised to die Quechua remains the most spoken indigeearly 1930s. out. nous language in the Americas, with around One source Ngonyani said eight million speakers throughout the Andes, speaks Uyghur as a this is one of according to the Penn Language Center. first language. The the most comHowever, it’s on the UNESCO list of endansource said that mon factors that gered languages because it’s become overwhile they spent lead to languag- shadowed by Spanish, which is the language most of their life es becoming in- of commerce in much of South America. It’s living in Xinjiang, creasingly more also vulnerable because it’s generally used as the crackdown on a spoken language, rather than for documenDeogratias Ngonyani vulnerable. Uyghur culture “There is al- tation purposes. Linguistics and Swahili professor and language only ways a large Ngonyani said the most important step to began in the last number of lan- be taken in the hopes of revitalizing these decade. guages that languages and cultures is providing instituUyghur language and history teachers were have very few speakers,” Ngonyani said. tional support. Without proper funding for largely detained after the schools were shut- “Now the number itself may not be a bad resources like language classes and awaretered, and Uyghur students were moved to thing. The bad thing happens when you find ness efforts, these languages will die out Mandarin-speaking schools, ultimately lead- that the young ones are not learning the lan- with the last generation of native speakers. ing to Mandarin becoming the dominant lan- guages of their parents. And so increasingActivism is good, but without the backing guage in Xinjiang. ly, you’re finding that children are learning of governments, the speakers of these lan“They don’t allow us to take our own histo- languages that appear to be more dominant, guages will come up short. ry class, to take our own language class,” the more mainstream.” “It’s very easy for people to dismiss the insource said. “So, they don’t allow us to say Aside from targeted erasure, other languag- digenous languages and say ‘We don’t need our own language in China, so this is why my es are being phased out unintentionally. In them; we already have English or French,’” first language is endangered.” an effort to keep up with our ever-changing, Ngonyani said. “... The successes for different The source said after the internment highly connected global society, certain lan- efforts for documentation and just archiving camps started opening in Xinjiang, their life guages have emerged as “universal” tongues. language materials have different levels of changed drastically. Up until that point, they Today, English is the most widely known success in different places.” had been allowed the same freedoms as the language, with over two billion speakers in As the world becomes increasingly conChinese living in the region. Now, Uyghur the world. British imperialism began under nected and the need for a dominant lanpeople must go through a security checkpoint Elizabeth I in the 16th century. At its height guage continues to prevail, it’s important to before entering public spaces like malls. in the early 1920s, the empire’s flag flew over be mindful of the impact globalization has on linguistic diversity and cultural identity. On top of an added security presence, Uy- some 24% of the world’s land. “In the process of globalization, everyone For languages with endangered or vulneraghur people in large groups are only allowed to occupy public spaces for a set amount of wants to think of more of a language that ble status, time is running out. can reach more people than before,” NgonFor the 573 known extinct languages, time. “You can’t speak Uyghur at any official plac- yani said. “Therefore, the more you find the there’s no more time. es like school and departments and any other dominant languages like English. So, modern
“If we take language to be very much like how we sustain our lives as human beings, how we sustain our living and our world outlooks then having just one language. As things are evolving, we are increasingly becoming users of single languages. We become very much people or organisms that are feeding only on one kind of food. ... And so language is one of the things that we have in our humanity — in our shared humanity.”
TU ESDAY, NOV EM BER 1 7, 2020