THE
BLUE &GRAY
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER
PRESS
OCTOBER 1, 2015
VOLUME 89 | ISSUE 4 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE
1922
Kristen Green visits UMW, brings insightful dialogue EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH News Editor
Kristen Green, author of newly released “Something Must be Done about Prince Edward County” and University of Mary Washington graduate of the class of ’95, spoke about the extent people will go to maintain prejudice during a talk given in the Hurley Center’s Digital Auditorium last Monday. The hour-long presentation, talk and slideshow Green gave explained her experience researching and writing her book, which was based in the hometown where she grew up, Prince Edward County, roughly three hours from UMW. Following the court case Brown vs. Board of Education, where the Supreme Court ruled segregation in public schools in May 1954, Prince Edward County, a small Virginia town where Green was raised, closed and barred its public schools. The decision forced hundreds of black families and children to relocate or grow up without an education. Public schools were closed five years following Prince Edward County’s resistance. In its place, county leaders opened “Prince Edward Academy,” an all-white private school that did not admit black students until 1986. In her slideshow, Green included the pictures of several students affected by the school closings, and she told their stories, including a student named Dorothy Lockett who pretended to live in a home in an adjacent county in order to go to school. “White parents would sacrifice a child’s education to avoid their children sitting next to black children,” Green said. For Green, beginning the topic on racism can be a difficult experience, but worth it. “Working towards equality means making yourself vulnerable,” Green said. “That’s the only thing that works to overcome racism and xenophobia.” She also advocated for a discussion on racial equality involving the avoidance and defensiveness about racial inequalities that take place today. “The entire discussion of race in America hinges on protecting white people’s feelings,” Green said. “But it’s time to stop being defensive, and to acknowledge how racial oppression continues to play out in this country today via mass incarceration, police shootings of innocent people and infringement on voting rights.” In addition to discussing racial equality, students also gave their opinions in how best to understand the experiences of different races. John Martin, junior English and ed •Green | 11
IN THIS
ISSUE
UMW participates in community walk to end Alzheimer’s to Baldwin, particularly if it affects one’s family member or a parent. Early-onset Alzheimer’s affects “up Beginning in 1989, the Walk to to five percent of the more than 5 milEnd Alzheimer’s is an annual event to lion Americans with Alzheimer’s,” acraise support and awareness for Alzcording to the organization’s website. heimer’s disease. Last year, more than Baldwin added that people who are 49,000 people participated nationwide away from family members for longer and raised approximately $67 million. periods of time, such as college stuAt the event, participants held Promise dents, are usually the first to notice the Garden flowers, plastic flowers meant to early signs of the disease. When a sturepresent Alzheimer’s in different ways dent goes home for Thanksgiving break while symbolizing a promise to spread and sees a family member he or she has awareness for the disease. It is their not seen for a long time who happens way of showing their loved ones with to have the disease, Baldwin said, “it the disease that they care and want to is easier for them to tell. It’s easier for support them. Each flower’s color had them to see the early warning signs.” a different meaning: blue represented These early warning signs of the disease someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, include decreased purple represented or poor judgment, those who have “PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO memory loss and lost a loved one changes in mood TALK ABOUT IT” to the disease, yeland personalilow was for a curty according to rent caregiver and the Alzheimer’s -JEFF BALDWIN, orange was for s s o c i a t i o n ’s anyone who supON ALZHEMIER’S DISEASE A website. Baldwin ports the cause. emphasized that Many attendees held signs proclaiming there is a stigma surrounding Alzheitheir support for loved ones, some even mer’s disease. brought their dogs along.Jeff Baldwin, “People don’t want to talk about it,” the Alzheimer’s Association director of he said. “Someone’s parents or spouse communication, shared his personal exmay have the disease, but people are perience with the disease. afraid to talk about it.” “My grandmother died last August Jennifer Hedgpeth, sophomore Enfrom Alzheimer’s,” Baldwin said. “She glish major, also commented on the was 87 years old, and my mom was the lack of awareness and communication primary caregiver until she died.” about Alzheimer’s. When someone is around a person “I feel like people know what Alzsuffering with Alzheimer’s disease, heimer’s is, but it’s not like breast canhe or she “can see firsthand what the cer,” Hedgpeth said. Fredericksburg disease does to a loved one,” Baldwin community members got involved as said.While Alzheimer’s seems removed well. Local resident John Cleveland from a typical college student’s life, it participated in the walk because he has could affect them indirectly in the form a family member who is struggling with of early-onset Alzheimer’s, according Alzheimer’s. •Alzhemier’s | 10
LYNSY SPROUSE Staff Writer
flickr.com
Students make most of Mindfulness Week ESTER SALGUERO & EMILY HOLLINGSWORTH Assistant News Editor & News Editor
This week, the University of Mary Washington is highlighting the importance of living in the moment by hosting Mindfulness Week. Mindfulness Week, beginning Sept. 28 and ending Oct. 2,includes activities ranging from silent meditation and reflection to workshops that describe mindfulness and its benefits. So mindfulness, what is it? Angela Pitts, associate professor of classics, gave us her definition of the term. “A useful definition of ‘mindfulness’ that I find helpful is: ‘moment-to-moment, nonjudgmental awareness of what actually is,’” Pitts said. The goal of hosting this week-long event, now in its third year, is to encourage students, faculty, staff and the community to use mindfulness in their daily lives. Several events are still to come, including the week’s keynote speaker, Dr. Miles Neale. Neale, the assistant director of the Nalanda Institute of Contemplative Science, will be presenting on the transition of mindful meditation. Mindfulness meditation originated in Indian Buddhism 2,500 years ago and has become very popular in therapy and educational programs in Western civilization today. Neale will explore how mindful meditation can be integrated •MINDFULNESS | 11
NOISES OFF
BERNED OUT?
PLAY TIME
UMW’s theatre kicks off first performance.
Bernie Sanders considered too extreme.
Women’s Soccer gets ready for CAC play.
LIFE | 6
VIEWPOINTS | 5
SPORTS | 3