Volume 56, Issue 1 December 17, 2021 advocate-online.net
FOR THE STUDENTS BY THE STUDENTS
MHCC Offers Incentive for Vaccine PAGE 2
Activities Available in Fall PAGE 5
Resources for Hunger on Campus PAGE 7
SHIPPING CRISIS' IMPACT ON THE HOLIDAYS
PAGE 2
Meet MHCC's New Volleyball Coach
PAGE 3
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
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NEWS
A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T
GLOBAL SHIPPING CRISIS COULD HINDER HOLIDAY SHOPPING Kevin Barth
The Advocate Global supply chains have been suffering over the past few months – with cargo containers piling in up in seaports and incoming container ships being forced to wait at sea before they can be unloaded, due to the ever-growing backlog of work in ports. Meanwhile, stores and manufacturers are waiting for those goods to be delivered, leading to product shortages and manufacturing constraints. And these problems are only going to be exacerbated as holiday shopping draws ever closer. Just how did this crisis start, and what effects will it have on the economy going forward? According to MHCC economics instructor Peter Cunningham, this is in part resultant of U.S. and multinational firms shifting
production to China and other emerging nations to reduce labor costs during the time of globalization in the early 2000s, and the disruption that the COVID pandemic drove into that system. “During normal times when shipping costs are minimal, (many) firms can have products and components arrive ‘just in time’ to be integrated into finished products, Cunningham said. The pandemic significantly reduced demand in certain industries, which led to reduced shipments.” The ‘just in time’ model described operates on the idea of responding to demand by ordering supplies only as needed – with a narrow turnaround time – to avoid the cost of maintaining warehouses for storage. As a result, there is not a surplus of products that can be relied on when demand quickly surges, and as such the shift from low demand during the pandemic
to high demand these past few months is a major contributor to the shipping crisis. However, the pandemic also worsened a nagging problem that had slowly been growing in the background. The issue illuminated is a shortage of truck drivers, which has contributed to products getting stuck in ports and warehouses, anotherheadache that other countries, suchas the UK, are experiencing. While the pandemic has contributed to the shortage by worsening working conditions, two noteworthy factors in America, low pay and retention, are the result of federal deregulation of the trucking industry in 1980. “All of these transportation industries have been slowly deregulated since the 1970s and we are seeing the impact now,” Cunningham said. Pay for truck drivers prior to deregulation was
50% higher than currently, with the current median annual wage as of 2020 in the United States being $47,130 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While truck fleets are now raising wages and offering bonuses to entice new workers, Cunningham predicts there will be a shift of focus by the federal government to re-regulating this key transportation industry. Unless working conditions, pay for, and retention of long-haul and port truck drivers improve, this will be a major factor that will continue to perpetuate the shipping crisis. While some ocean-spanning ships are trying to avoid the most congested U.S. ports by detouring to ports such as those in Portland, the strategy of U.S. retail giants to circumvent the shipping crisis so they can prepare for the holiday shopping rush could only worsen the crisis. Their attempted solution? Chartering their own vessels. While
this ensures their goods can get across the sea and provides cargo liner firms a lucrative opportunity, this will only serve to put strain on the already short supply of truck drivers here. As for how the ongoing shipping crisis will impact the global economy, the one headache most people in America will experience firsthand is soon paying higher prices for high-demand products. “We are seeing gas prices creep up every week at the pumps as one high-profile indicator,” Cunningham noted. A pressing issue that is even more domestic is that measured inflation is currently at 5.4%, nearly triple the target inflation rate for any country before intervention by the country’s central bank to slow the economy is necessary.
MHCC WORKS TO GIVE $500 FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS TO GET VACCINATED Brad Le
The Advocate Nearly a dozen Mt. Hood Community College students are set to receive a nice payout, in the school’s latest effort to confront the COVID pandemic. In a schoolwide email sent Oct. 7, MHCC, in cooperation with the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), announced it had secured grant money to provide any unvaccinated Saints students and faculty/staff with a monetary incentive of $500 if
they acted to get a COVID vaccination. Initial confusion among some was quickly clarified with another schoolwide email from MHCC President Lisa Skari: She explained that only individuals who had not previously received any vaccine shots would be eligible for the payment. This was per terms of the grant, upon guidance from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NAFSAA) – its specific purpose to increase vaccination rates in the community and not reward those persons already vaccinated. How many people have responded?
As of Oct. 29, the MHCC Human Resources office in charge of administrating the grant funds confirmed that 11 individuals – all students – have submitted the required documentation to show they have gotten/intend to get the vaccine shots. Eligible individuals may seek the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, with a Dec. 31 deadline looming. “Booster” shots do not qualify. Students and faculty/staff were emailed separate web links where they can upload their documentation.
for the students by the students Editor-in-Chief Brad Le
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Graphic Design Editors Hannah Hart Mae Cossu
Social Media Manager [Position Open]
Staff Writers
Kevin Barth Shalynn Rivas Nell Little Samantha Kellebrew Advisers Dan Ernst Howard Buck
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PA G E 2
SPORTS
DECEMBER 17, 2021
NEW COACH BRINGS NEW ENERGY TO MHCC’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM Shalynn Rivas The Advocate
I recently had the pleasure of getting to know some of the women that represent the Mt. Hood Saints volleyball team – Coach Kirsten Day and returning players Alyssa Asuncion, Josie Jansen, and Samantha Brewster. Since spring 2021, Day has been the head coach and driving force of this group of strong, dedicated group. She is a former MHCC student who played volleyball for the Saints in 1983-84. Seven years ago, she wanted to apply for the same position but was unable to without a bachelor’s degree on her résumé. Since then, she obtained her degree and has returned to take the position that she had always desired. “This has been a great opportunity for me. Everything has come full circle,” Day exclaimed. Day has coached in Portland for 40 years and has experience coaching players of every age and skill level. She has been a club coach for over 25 years and is the director for the NCVBC (North Clackamas Volleyball Club). She said she believes in making a connection and establishing trust with each of the women she coaches. “I have learned through the years that it is important to relate to the players, by making sure they know I care about them as a person and believe in them on and off the court,” she said. Respect and pride are core values that are
Score 1 point for Hood!
Photo Credit: Shalynn Rivas
Coach Day (left) at 10/8/21 home game.
present at every practice and every game. “I have a lot of pride in coaching, I take it very seriously,” Day continued. “I want to do the best that I can. I want my players to have pride in themselves and pride in the program that they play for. There is a history that we want to continue and add on to, and I don’t want to be here unless I bring 100%.” At practices, she fills a white board end to end with drills, statistics, strategies, expectations, and motivational quotes. The players appreciate the whiteboard because they can see the skills they are working on for that day and where they stand, and it helps keep practice at a nice flow and on time. They do warmups, discuss mindset, and work on basic mechanical skills. Practice is based on trust and building it from the very beginning, with each player and as a group. Goals are regularly set and revisited while acknowledging accomplishments and areas to improve. “The practices are very focused, but I do try to keep it a little light” for the players, said Day. “It’s important to have fun while learning and competing, because if they don’t have fun, then why are they here?” This year has presented multiple issues for the team, one of them being the snowstorm
Photo Credit: Shalynn Rivas
last February that caused extensive water damage to MHCC’s main court floor in the gymnasium. Repairs were anticipated to be completed by August, but were pushed out to October. The volleyball team had to rent vans and move practices away from home. That changed on Oct. 1, when Day could coach on the main court for the first time after Mt. Hood played seven straight matches away from home. The Saints won that contest with Umpqua Community College, and have won four of their five home games this month. Said Jansen, the Saints’ 6-foot-2-inch middle blocker, “I am looking forward to more home games on the new court. It is nice to have our own consistent atmosphere and not having to travel. It is hard to adjust to a new gym every time we practice.” Unfortunately, there is very limited capacity in the Yoshida Events Center. Each player is allowed passes for only two spectators and they must complete the COVID screening process prior to entry. The team wishes more fans could come support them in person, but they can still provide support for them on the MHCC Athletics YouTube Channel, where matches are being live-streamed. “We hope that once spectators can attend sporting events they come in droves,” Day
said. “We’re fun to watch, and we need that fan support.” Indeed, the Saints have been on a roll. As of Oct. 25, they had won four straight matches, and seven out of their last eight. They held an 8-4 won-loss record in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) South Region, good for a tie for third place in the standings. Despite the outside issues, the Saints are focused, staying positive, and supporting each other on and off the court. “I consider us as a family and everyone on the team respects and loves the grind,” said Brewster, a 6-foot middle blocker/outside hitter. “We all go out and give 100% every time we step on the court,” she said, pushing every day to improve, their sights set on winning the NWAC. There‘s also plenty of internal drive on display. “I stay motivated thinking about everything that I been through and how I would never be here if I didn’t push myself by doing workouts, open clinics, and playing with other people,” Asuncion said. “My parents motivate me to do better, and I want to make them proud to see that I am growing as a person.” Outside of volleyball, Asuncion, a 5-foot-1inch libero who comes from Honolulu, Hawai’i, performs Tahitian dance and competes in dance shows. Brewster said she loves being outdoors and going paddleboarding, besides going to movies, traveling, and seeing new things. And Jansen spends her free time hanging out with the people that she plays volleyball with. Truly, members of the MHCC volleyball team are happy to be back on their home court, are working hard, and miss seeing their fans. “We want people to know we are here, to believe in their volleyball team, and recognize our potential,” Jansen said. “We wish (more) could come and support us in person, but please, support us virtually,” she said. Check the Saints out at: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCw_iKk0nIpvj6MEIeS0JqOg
GET TO KNOW THE ADVOCATE
Cover by: Advocate Staff On the cover: Graphic Design By Mae Cossu
Contact us! E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Website: advocate-online.net Mt. Hood Community College Room 1369 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham OR 97030
Hannah Hart Graphic Designer The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board. The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length. Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print. Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.
Hannah Hart is a second-year graphic design student at Mt. Hood. Hannah likes to spend her free time doing fine arts and running when she isn’t bogged down by work or school. Hannah has a twin sister who was described by a former teacher as a “night and day difference” with Hannah being the outgoing one. Hannah plans on working for a printing company for a little bit after graduating MHCC this year. She hopes to eventually work for Disney as a storyboard artist. PA G E 3
OPINION
A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T
UNIONS ARE A NECESSITY Nell Little
The Advocate One of the most powerful sentiments I’ve heard about the changing times with the COVID pandemic is that with times of global transition like this comes a broader conversation of what the world will be like after that change has come. Currently, deep, meaningful conversations such as this have led to protests, worker shortages, and one of the most important debates, in my opinion – over workers’ rights. This past year has led to a great number of employees going on strike, such as the 10,000-plus John Deere workers from 14 separate locations, 1,400 Kellogg’s workers from six locations, roughly 60,000 IATSE film crew workers (staging and production technicians), and many more. With the increase in demand for products from many companies due to the pandemic came an even bigger need for workers to make these products. And, because of the amount of workers who started seeing the disparity in the work-fromhome jobs compared to unruly conditions at places like John Deere (such as consistent overtime, 10-12 hour workdays, unending tensions between workers and management about layoffs and pay, cuts to retirement plans, inadequate pension plans, and inadequate wage increases) workers facing similar conditions are starting to revolt against outdated and inhuman work expectations. Even here in Oregon, there was recently a successful strike from workers in the Nabisco plants that resulted in a yearly pay raise, higher 401k contributions, and a $5,000 union contract ratification bonus. Because of these victories, a lot more workers are beginning
to open up to the conversation of joining a union, going on strike, or using collective bargaining skills to demand better rights. Even for my own minimum wage job at a store, I’ve had lots of conversations on the idea of joining a union with other workers that have been met with similar positive emotions. However, these discussions taking place do carry risk, because technically an employer can take disciplinary action if a worker is caught talking about unionizing while on the clock. So, the best course of action is most likely to discuss these issues with other employees outside work or during lunch breaks. Unions can bring a lot of benefits to a worker because they utilize a much more democratic system for negotiating pay, benefits, and overall treatment of employees. If you are interested in joining a union, going on strike, or demanding better workers’ rights, the best course of action is to develop a close-knit group of your fellow employees, aside from the managers. (Those managers are excluded from this conversation because they usually have to go through hours of training to destroy any thoughts of joining/forming a union, which is why when you have conversations with a manager you are expected to have them by yourself, away from other workers.) Once you have a majority of the workers in this group, it’s best to not necessarily idealize just a union, but instead gather a list of grievances that the workers might have, such as pay, treatment, harassment policy, etc. Just be empathetic to one another and understand that all employees have separate ideas of positive management change. This unionizing process is not something that can be done in a day, week, or month, even – and even then, it’s hard to accumulate the necessary consent to force management changes.
Once everyone has an idea of what they want from a better workplace and seems comfortable with the changes proposed, the next step as a group is to look for a union to join, which can range in several ways based on your industry. Once you find the right union, a union representative will contact your workplace and initiate a democratic vote for the change to an official union workplace. This process is very much easier said than done, speaking as someone who tried to unionize their workplace. Part of the problem is that especially in a store that separates each type of worker (stockroom, security, cashiers, day/night shift, sales floor, etc.), these conversations are not very accessible to everyone unless you are a full-time worker for any position in the store. Ideally the best way to have these conversations, from what I’ve found, has been from working in a fast-food restaurant, where there’s only one type of worker in a small space with plenty of understanding where the manager is at each moment and knowing who you can truly trust, along with the smaller number of workers. Overall, I’d say that unionizing is one of the most beneficial and rewarding movements and conversations you could try to pursue, even if it’s not successful, because each attempt is a learning experience that increases your friend group and gives a better idea of what an ideal workplace can be: where direct conversations between workers becomes more common and the faces you see at work have more meaning than someone simply meant to help you do a job. If you manage to get such an effort to work, the workplace would be more moldable to what you and everyone else needs, and no longer would it be “just another crappy job.
PLASMA SHOULD BE PAID FOR Brad Le
The Advocate Charity, donations, volunteering, etc. – there’s honestly no way to get around it: You are selling your plasma, for “compensation,” monetary aid, reward, etc. The companies are giving you money for your plasma. There’s not a single person that denies the usefulness of blood plasma for treating many illnesses and yet, we still cannot wrap our brains around how morally dubious it seems that you are selling a part of you. But it is time for us to admit to ourselves that the only sustainable way to get enough plasma supply not just in America, but globally, is by paid donations. One of the most common arguments against paid plasma donations is that we are able to (at least relatively) meet the demands of blood strictly through volunteer donating. However, according to the American Red Cross, there is currently a “severe shortage” of blood supply while the U.S. continues to be exporting plasma. The immediate reaction to this fact is that the COVID pandemic is believed to be the reason why people have not been donating sufficient blood. This actually supports the idea of the necessity of paid donations for PA G E 4
plasma, as despite the pandemic the U.S. is still able to export plasma, indicating that the minimum demands for plasma here are at least met primarily through the transactions of paid donation. Paying for plasma ensures that even during a pandemic, the demand for plasma is still being met or, at least, there is not a serious shortage. There is another factor in why people should be paid to donate plasma, which is time. While one might expect the process of donating blood and plasma to be relatively the same, the time it takes to donate plasma is significantly longer. Donating blood itself takes about 8-10 minutes, while giving plasma takes about 45 minutes. In addition, the Red Cross will only accept blood donations every 8 weeks or more, while most plasma donation centers will accept visits as often as twice a week. While 2-month gaps are distanced enough that one wouldn’t mind spending about an hour (including travel) to donate blood, twice weekly visits at 1.5 hours per visit is (including travel) is a lot more demanding on schedules. If an individual was earning $15 an hour, for example, through opportunity costs they would lose only $7.50 per month (unpaid time from work) if they donated blood at the maximum frequency allowed by the Red Cross but would lose $45 per month if
they took the time to donate plasma. The most reasonable argument against plasma donation, in principle, is that individuals will lie to donate their plasma in order to get paid. This is unfortunately hard to avoid and there is no simple solution. In fact, when I asked the plasma center staff about the subject, it was confirmed anecdotally that there were instances of donors’ deceit. Nothing would stop me from saying I didn’t have my blood contaminated through a tattoo shop even if I did, for example. The plasma industry accepts this potential as a reality and so it makes sure to test all plasma before it is used. In my case, while I never lied to the donation center about any situation that could’ve disqualified me that day, the staff made sure to test me and on one occasion, I failed the blood pressure test and was sent home to test again. This reassures the ulitmate patients that the plasma used to make their medication is safe, and reassures the public that it would be difficult to contaminate the plasma supply with a bad apple. This also reassures the donors that the process is safe, if protocols are followed. If all my arguments here fail to persuade, at least consider the ripple effect of what paid donations have done for the global community and the poor. The U.S. supplies
around two-thirds of the world’s plasma and despite this, only 40% of the world’s demand for plasma is met. What if the U.S. were to stop exporting all of our plasma to the world? Now instead of 40% of the global demand being met, only about 12-14% would be met and the countries who relied on American exports of plasma would either have to pay an even bigger premium for plasma, which burdens their poor even further, or they would have to go without plasma, which also hurst their citizens. This could be avoided if more countries adopted the paid plasma donation system. In addition to the greater ability to meet demand, paid plasma donation also provides a relatively safe way to supplement income for the poor. In a similar argument, say, from the pro-choice movement regarding abortions, banning the sale of blood plasma doesn’t eliminate the need for income but only gets rid of one safe avenue to earn income. At least selling one’s plasma helps those in legitimate need. And at the end of the day, does it really matter how we make money if it is a safe means to feed ourselves and our families, wipe out our debts or simply just earn spending money?
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
DECEMBER 17 , 2021
FALL ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES Samantha Kellebrew The Advocate
Autumn has finally arrived, and with it, the smell of pumpkin spice and apple cider. Many of us look forward to autumn with eager anticipation – the comfortable sweaters, warm mugs of tea and soup, decorations, the crisp air, and crunchy leaves. The weather is not too warm but not too cold, and many of us want to go out and experience what autumn has to offer before we are forced back inside by the bitter cold of winter. However, with so much to do on top of our normal everyday lives, a lot of us may feel overwhelmed – especially those of us with children. Between, work, caring for our children and now returning to school (possibly both children and parents alike), you may feel too tired to try and find something fun to do. I am here to help you! This article will propose many activities that are safe and fun for people of all ages. I’ve even taken the liberty to take my own child out to these events to test out what ages would be best for certain activities. Liepold Farms Fall Festival – in Boring, Oregon Last weekend, Liepold Farms opened for its annual Fall Festival, continuing through Oct. 31. I took my 2-year-old son with me to explore the farm. The hay bales and pumpkins for decoration were a remarkable sight. When we first arrived, we presented our tickets and were told to wear our COVID face masks, even outside. Once we entered, we started with the apple sling-shot activity. The sling-shot was a lot of fun; however, I would not recommend it for a 2-year-old without some help. It’s easy to pull back, but a 2-year-old lacks aiming skills, and mine nearly nailed one of our friends in the head! I would say ages 5 and up would be better for the sling-shot. The corn maze was a little muddy; I recommend rain boots and bringing an extra pair of clothes. The hay ride was a favorite for both of us, meantime. The pumpkin patch is highly recommended. And the children’s pavilion was perfect for toddlers and older children. Liepold also has a café available for food and drinks. I brought our own food and didn’t try the café.
2-year-old to do, and we both had fun. Dogs are also allowed in the farm, if they are on a leash. There is also a patio area you can go to, to try the farm’s root beer, wine, beer, ciders and more. See: https:// www.mtvieworchards.com/ Leach Botanical Garden, at 6704 SE 122nd Ave. in Portland, is a beautiful place to see the changes of fall. The garden is offering free admission from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday, until spring of 2022, and I recommend it for all ages; the trails are stroller-friendly. See: https://leachgarden.org/ Hoyt Arboretum, at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. in Portland (just north of the Oregon Zoo, in Portland’s West Hills) is available with free admission 5 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. This park, with numerous hiking trails, is a beautiful place to watch the trees change colors. I recommend this hike for all ages; the trails are stroller friendly, though are a little rough in spots due to tree roots and some gravel. I recommend bringing snacks and lots of water. See: https://www. hoytarboretum.org/ Visit your local library: There are many libraries located in Oregon, and they have started to open their doors to us once again. The Multnomah County Library branch in Gresham is open 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. on most days; same for the Sandy Public Library; and several Portland-are libraries have reopened, as well. Hours may vary. See: https://multcolib.org/ Visit your local parks! Many parks are allowing people to come back and play on the children’s playgrounds. I highly recommend visiting a local park and playground. There are many fall activities to do near and far, free and already paid for. Whether you choose to venture close to home or not, you’re bound to find something fun to do with the whole family. Go out and explore – adventure awaits us all.
Artwork by Hannah Hart
PA G E 5
NEWS
A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T
COLLEGE CAMPUS HUNGER AND FOOD RESOURCES Shalynn Rivas The Advocate
Everyone knows the stereotype of the broke college student surviving on packs of instant ramen noodles. The cliché has made its way into popular culture and has long been considered just a part of college; some may go as far to say it is a rite of passage. The reality is, many college students struggle to cover basic needs. Those who don’t have family support are more likely to face challenges affording food. Prior to the pandemic, food insecurity was a common issue among college students, but now the COVID pandemic has exacerbated the problem. According to a 2020 study conducted jointly by Chegg, Swipe Out Hunger, and the Born This Way Foundation, 29% of college students have missed a meal at least once a week since the beginning of the pandemic. At least 49% of students who also are parents have experienced food insecurity, compared to 27% of students who are not parents. And overall, 51% of all students have reached out to family for food support, while 24% say they had to take out loans to cover the cost of food. It’s not easy to concentrate on an empty stomach. Students who experience food insecurity have decreased academic achievement, earning lower grades than other students. Hunger can also cause a delay in graduating from college by
forcing students to start and stop school. Consuming cheap food such as instant ramen can affect academic performance, as well. According to Healthline, most instant ramen noodles lack important nutrients the body needs to function properly – including protein, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B-12, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Not to mention, the packaged noodle meals are also packed with sodium, around 1,150 mg or more per serving (U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day). What’s more, students facing hunger have increased symptoms of depression, such as feeling sad,
tired, and lack of interest – and these symptoms impact their schooling. There is also the added stigma for people having difficulty affording food. Embarrassment and shame can prevent students from seeking help. Students who are wanting to ask for help may not know where to find it. A study conducted by The Hope Center found that 52% of students who faced food or housing insecurity in 2020 didn’t apply for any support programs because they didn’t know how. All this paints a rather bleak picture. But for Mt. Hood students, there’s good news: MHCC Student Basic Needs is here to help, dedicated to connecting
Web Photo
students with resources they need to support their academic goals. Students can utilize these resources to help overcome barriers that get in the way of their success. Barney’s Pantry is an oncampus food bank that was created for MHCC students by students, currently available by appointment only inside the Student Union on the main Gresham campus. Fill out a pantry request form online, and a staff member will get in touch with you to schedule a pickup time for a food box. The Pantry staff can also help challenged students with WinCo Grocery Cards, SNAP Benefits, loaner laptops, WiFi hotspots, emergency bus passes, gas cards, and housing. MHCC Student Basic Needs
also connects students with nocost professional counseling services and referrals for support services related to depression, stress management, anxiety, and suicide. For more on MHCC Student Resources, see: https:// www.mhcc.edu/StudentResources/ Places to hang out out indoors on campus during cold season: MHCC Library Monday, through Thursday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Study or borrow books and calculators. Computer Lab, AC1451 Monday through Thursday, Saturday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Computers, technology assistance, and AVID services available. Math and Sciences: Tutoring Area, AC3300 (upstairs from the Library). Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Enter via the stairs between Public Safety Office and Black Rock or use elevator from the Library lobby. Sources: https://www. chegg.org/covid-19-foodinsecurity-2020 https://www. healthline.com/nutrition/ramennoodles#sodium https://www.fda. gov/food/nutrition-educationresources-materials/sodium-yourdiet https://www.forbes.com/ advisor/personal-finance/collegestudents-food-insecurity/ https:// www.phillyvoice.com/collegestudents-struggling-money-rentfood-insecurity-cares-act-temple/
PLACES TO HANG OUT INDOORS ON CAMPUS DURING WINTER TERM: Location
Days
Math and Sciences Tutoring Area, AC3300 (upstairs from the library)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
MHCC Library Computer, AC1451
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Monday-Thursday Monday-Thursday, Saturday
Hours
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Info
Study or borrow books and calculators Computers, tech assistance and AVID services available. Enter via stairs between Public Safety Office and Black Rock or use elevator from the library lobby.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
DECEMBER 17, 2021
VLAD III: THE MAN BEHIND DRACULA Kevin Barth
The Advocate When it comes to iconic gothic horror figures, few are as memorable as the vampire count of Transylvania, Dracula. When it comes to the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s character, some attribute it to Vlad III Dracula who is better known by his infamous posthumous nickname, Vlad the Impaler. While it is possible that Stoker was inspired by the infamous figure, there is more to the Wallachian prince than the notoriety his ruthless actions earned him. Vlad III was born in the year 1431 in Sighisoara, Transylvania, as the second son of Vlad II Dracul, whose induction into the knightly order known as the Order of the Dragon by King Sigismund of Hungary had earned Vlad II the surname ‘Dracul’ from the old Romanian word for dragon, ‘drac.’ Thus, Vlad III had the surname Dracula, which means ‘son of Dracul.’ This shared surname with Stoker’s work is why Vlad III is often said to be the inspiration behind Count Dracula, yet academic author Elizabeth Russell Miller suggests in her book “Dracula: Sense and Nonsense” that in Stoker’s notes from a book about Wallachia that Dracula means “devil” within Wallachian language. And while Stoker’s Dracula had strong ties to Transylvania, Vlad III’s ties with the historical region was cut short as Vlad III moved to Târgovişte in the principality of Wallachia in 1436, when his father took the reins of it. However, the events that would shape the son’s later actions began in 1442, when his father went to a diplomatic discussion with the Ottoman Sultan Murad II, with both Vlad III and his brother, Radu, in tow. While sources provide conflicting views – either that Vlad and his brother were given to the Ottomans, or he and his family were captured and his father was let go on the condition that Vlad III and Radu were their hostages – what is certain is that he and his brother were taken captive by the Ottomans. Their imprisonment was not horrible, as the
Ottomans did tutor the two in science, war, and the arts. Yet despite this positive treatment that brought his brother to the Ottomans’ side, Vlad III would remain opposed to the Ottomans later in life. While he was in captivity, his father and older half-brother were assassinated by the Wallachian nobles, and a year later, once freed from captivity, Vlad III would begin his attempts to reclaim his father’s seat as ruler of Wallachia. His first attempt happened that same year of 1448, with him successfully taking back the seat with military support from Ottoman governors along the Danube River in northern Bulgaria while the current ruler, Vladislav II, was away in the Balkans fighting the Ottomans for the Hungarian governor, John Hunyadi.
However, his first rule of Wallachia would come to an end two months later when Vladislav returned and deposed him with aid from Hunyadi. Over the next eight years, Vlad III would shed his ties with the Ottomans, take up a strong anti-Ottoman position, and ally himself with Hungary in the ongoing conflict between the two. This led to Vlad III receiving the military support of King Ladislaus of Hungary who, according to medieval history professor Florin Curta of the University of Florida, happened to dislike Vladislav II. The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453, coupled with his established opposition to the Ottomans, led to Vlad III being proclaimed ruler of Wallachia in 1456. And his first order of ending tribute to the Ottoman sultan that had maintained peace
between Wallachia and the Ottomans, coupled with the actions he took to consolidate power, would result in the stories that earned him his historic, infamous title. One of the first gruesome stories that was documented from his rule was how Vlad invited hundreds of Wallachia’s nobles to a banquet and had them killed and their still-twitching remains impaled on spikes. Pamphlets from the 1460s and 1470s are evidence that there is some truth to this story and some of Vlad the Impaler’s other infamous moves. Another such event he was credited with in 1456 was impaling dozens of Saxon merchants who had worked with the nobles. As for the Ottomans, one story claims he had the turbans of a group of Ottoman envoys nailed to their skulls after they cited a religious custom to not remove them. Another story states that when Mehmet II, the man who had led the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, invaded Wallachia and made it to Târgovişte, he found it deserted – with the corpses of all the Ottoman prisoners of war that Vlad had taken impaled in front of it. Un f o r t u n at e l y for Vlad, he was forced into exile in Hungary shortly after having been unable to repel Mehmet II. During his exile, he married and had two children while his brother Radu, who had supported the Ottoman war effort, Graphic By Hannah Hart became governor of Wallachia. After Radu’s death in 1475, Vlad made one last attempt to reclaim his place as ruler of Wallachia with support from Stephen III the Great, ruler of the principality of Moldavia. While this attempt was successful, Vlad and some of his soldiers were ambushed later that year as they marched towards battle with the Ottomans, and Vlad died. Vlad III Dracula’s victories against the Ottomans were celebrated throughout Wallachia and Europe at the time, even earning recognition from Pope Pius II. And despite pop culture’s focus on his brutal actions, Vlad remains a positive figure in Romania to this day: not as a bloodthirsty monster, like Stoker’s Dracula, but as a fierce yet just ruler.
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