Issue 08, Volume 83

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Issue 08, Volume 83

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The story of ‘Simba’

Despite his trademark long hair, special teams freshman stands out for another reason — his speed. | PG. 6

NEWS

Free rides through October

Due to Harvey’s extensive damage, Houston METRO has chosen to extend its free ride program through the end of the month. | PG. 4

OPINION

Men versus masculinity

Masculinity is a privilege granted to men, but it creates a hindering standard of bottled emotions and large responsibilities that begins in their youth. | PG. 10

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Kaylee Dusang, EDITOR

HISTORY

Former Houston mayor brings pieces of LGBT history to UH Special Collections AUTUMN RENDALL

STAFF WRITER

@RENDALLAUTUMN

Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker and her wife, Kathy Hubbard, made a significant donation of archival material to the LGBT History Research Collection in the special collections department of the M.D. Anderson Memorial Library, according to their website.

Parker and Hubbard donated an assortment of LGBT and political-related ephemera, such as meeting minutes, newsletters, articles and audio-visuals.

According to their website, the majority of the collection comes from the Houston GLBT Political Caucus, which was founded in 1975 as the South's oldest civil rights organization dedicated solely to the advancement of LGBT rights.

Parker and Hubbard are co-cabinet members of the library’s Special Collections Department, which is part of Dean of Libraries Lisa German’s initiative and capital campaign for UH libraries, said special collections archivist Vince Lee. “(Parker and Hubbard) want to contribute and make their primary source materials available to the next generation of students that may not know about Houston’s LGBT history,” Lee said. “They have been strong advocates for the library and also our LGBT research collections.”

Parker and Hubbard have been active members with the LGBT community for decades.

In 1986, Parker was president of the Houston GLBT Political Caucus. In 1997, she won a seat on the Houston City Council, becoming Houston's first openly gay elected official. She then made history in 2009 by becoming Houston's first gay mayor.

Documenting activism In the early to mid-2000s, the Special Collections Department received Parker’s political papers, which Lee said included nine boxes related to her political career as city controller and city council member prior to becoming mayor.

“I think she realized there is another component to her career, an activism that she wanted to contribute to UH libraries, which documents her

i

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ISSUE STAFF CLOSING EDITORS

Emily Burleson Jasmine Davis COPY EDITING

Traynor Swanson COVER

Thomas Dwyer

Former Houston mayor Annise Parker donated archives to the M.D Anderson Memorial Library Special Collections, including documents and audio recordings chronicling Houston's LGBT past. | Autumn Rendall/The Cougar

i

Center for Student Media uh.edu/csm

ABOUT CSM LGBT involvement within the community, both politically and as a member of the community to raise awareness and promote equality,” Lee said.

Part of the audio-visual materials donated are cassette tape recordings of threats the caucus received in the 1970s and 1980s.

Lee said these tapes are still frightening 30 years later.

A box filled with an assortment of gay and lesbian yellow pages from across the country is also a part of the collection.

Lee said he believes these are great resources because they document services, activities and businesses that have served the LGBT community.

"It's super important to keep these pieces of history because

13 different areas of focus. Lee said the LGBT History Research Collection has grown exponentially within the last year.

“It’s a very new collecting area that we have created,” Lee said.

According to the the LGBT History Research Collection's website, its collecting area includes library collections, personal papers and organizations records, which preserve and promote understanding of Houston’s and the region’s LGBT communities and service organizations.

UH Libraries is also involved with the Houston Area Rainbow Collective History group, a team of historians, archivists and collectors who document the

“This memorabilia is super important to newly out or questioning people to explore their history and identities and to see how far we've come and how far we have to go."”

Ethan Tullos, Biology sophomore it's easy for queer history to be overlooked and ignored since we're a minority community," said biology sophomore Ethan Tullos.

The Special Collections Department comprises the rare books, archives and manuscript section of the library, which has

LGBT community in Houston, said Head of Special Collections Christian Kelleher.

Kelleher said the department provides materials to students and researchers that is relevant to their scholarship and learning, allowing them to explore their scholarly interests. The

The Center for Student Media provides comprehensive advisory and financial support to the university’s student-run media: The Cougar newspaper, Student Video Network and COOG Radio.

Former Houston mayor Annise Parker | Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

department focuses on primary source materials that require students and researchers to do critical thinking.

Exploring history Kelleher said that the library looks to find community members who can represent and help build each of the priority special collection areas.

“Having community members who have had the foresight to collect this material and now to preserve it and make it available to students and scholars here at University of Houston libraries is really going to support vibrant scholarship, vibrant teaching and vibrant engagement within campus and our local community,” Kelleher said.

INVOLVING COMMUNITY

Continues on page 4

Part of the Student Life portfolio in the Division of Student Affairs, the CSM is concerned with the development of students, focusing on critical thinking, leadership, ethics, collaboration, inter-cultural competence, goal-setting and ultimately, degree attainment.

While our students are engaged in producing and promoting media channels and content, our goal is to ensure they are learning to become better thinkers and leaders in the process.

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Kaylee Dusang, EDITOR

TRANSPORTATION

METRO continues free rides through October ANA GONZALEZ

STAFF WRITER

The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority will extend free rides to students through the month of October in attempt to ease post-Harvey recovery efforts.

METRO decided to extend the free ride program another month based on the extensive need for help in Houston after Harvey, said Metro spokesperson Laura Whitley. According to the Houston Chronicle, Harvey's effects likely ruined 500,000 vehicles in Texas.

“METRO is aware of the need in the Greater Houston community due to our involvement in the relief efforts," Whitley said. "Since the very beginning of the storm, METRO has responded to calls for help from our community partners."

Transportation will be free for pre-school through college students and parents escorting their children. High school and college students will be required to show a valid student ID, according to

Houston Metro extended free rides for students through October in the wake of Hurricane Harvey's aftermath.

Students need to show a valid student ID to receive free transportation across the city. | Nabil Ahsan/The Cougar

ABC13.

A regular non-student fare is $1.25, and the normal student price is 60 cents, according to the METRO website.

Robert Browand, director of UH Parking and Transportation Services, said that METRO made a good choice by deciding to extend this offer because many

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students are still dealing with the effects of Harvey.

UH and METRO collaborate frequently to facilitate transportation for students, Browand said.

This is convenient for commuter students like accounting junior Angella Rodriguez, who rides the bus Monday through Friday.

“I don’t have a car, so this is the best way for me to get home,” Rodriguez said.

It also serves as a chance for students to explore public transportation and potentially use it more in the future, Browand said.

“Our hope is that some of the students trying out METRO this month decide to join our (Coogs on Alternative and Sustainable Transportation) program, so that

INVOLVING COMMUNITY Continued from page 2

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members for the LGBT research collections because they wanted people who are known within the community to support and raise awareness, Vince said.

“Mayor Parker and Ms. Hubbard are leaders in Houston, Texas, and indeed, the country," German said. "Their papers and materials that they’ve collected over the years tell the story of our LGBT population and culture."

Vince said students, faculty and staff are welcome to go through the materials to utilize them for course plans, research opportunities and paper topics.

"Since queer history and dis-

they can continue to have all or most of the cost of their commute using METRO covered by UH Parking and Transportation,” Browand said.

As PTS' most recent project, the COAST program was implemented in 2016. So far, 1,918 students have enrolled, Browand said, and PTS hopes to keep that number growing.

METRO representatives usually come to sustainability meetups, new student orientations and host events on campus to talk about their services, Browand said.

Students get free rides when UH or Texas Southern University host football games, and UH-Downtown provides a subsidy for students who forgo the parking pass, Whitley said.

Multiple bus routes and the METRO Light Rail Purple Line are accessible to UH, according to its website.

Although UH and METRO are already working closely, PTS is looking to expand the COAST program to those who would like to use the bus or rail and park on campus. Browand said his department plans to release this option later this year.

“This is designed for those with a night class, lab or other commitment that keeps them on campus past METRO hours, so that they can still receive a financial incentive to use alternative transportation as much as possible,” Browand said. news@thedailycougar.com

course throughout history isn't really taught in schools, this memorabilia is super important to newly out or questioning people to explore their history and identities and to see how far we've come and how far we have to go," Tullos said.

Students are currently able to access the donated materials, but the librarians ask that students reach out to them in advance because it is a newly acquired collection, and they have not had the chance to fully process and rehouse the items.

A finding aid will be published online at a later date, allowing people to view available items. news@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 | 5

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Kaylee Dusang, EDITOR

STUDY ABROAD

Applications open for first STEM France program NOLA VALENTE

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR @ NOLAVALENTE

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics students can enjoy a freshly baked baguette and a view of the Eiffel Tower while adding an overseas experience to their resume in spring 2018.

UH received a $20,000 grant from the French Embassy to allow STEM students to take relevant coursework and participate in research at Université Paris Sud. Engineering technology professor Heidar Malki received an award to visit France last October, then received an invitation from the French Embassy to write a grant for the exchange of students when he returned to the United States.

“We are going to send up to 10 students, and each student will get $3,300 in scholarships for one whole semester to go to Université Paris Sud,” Malki said.

This is the first program at UH that offers STEM students the opportunity to study in France, and the idea now is to expand the trend, said Vice Provost for Global Strategies and Studies Jaime Ortiz.

Each year, up to seven undergraduates and three graduate students will be selected.

Advancing experiences The University of Houston has two formal study abroad programs in France.

A bi-annual Hilton College partnership with Université Angers allows two students per spring semester to study French, international marketing and specialized hospitality and tourism topics.

A first time partnership between École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales in Paris and the Bauer College of Business sent up to 24 graduate students to the city of lights for a week. Students learned the history and marketing of Luxury Brands, and doing business and conducting marketing activities in an International setting.

Bauer intends to repeat the program in 2018.

“Learning abroad is pretty much all either arts, architecture, social sciences and so on, but not so much in the STEM fields," Ortiz said. "So that’s what we are working very hard to emphasize and strengthen across campus."

Computer engineering technology junior Pedro Saiz said exposure to a different culture, language and styles of learning would be an asset for a resume

Jaime Ortiz, Alain Mermet and Heidar Malki collaborate to send STEM students abroad with scholarship to Université Paris Sud. | Nola Valente/The Cougar

and future interviews.

Saiz found UPS to be a worldclass researching institution and said he would like more experience to become familiar with their research methods through networking with foreign professors and students.

"I think it is amazing STEM majors are finally being granted the opportunity to go overseas," Saiz said. "I think this exchange program is going to generate very possible results that will probably lead to more opportunities for future students."

Undergraduate-level courses are offered only in French, but graduate level courses and research opportunities are available in English.

“That’s gonna be a little difficulty for some of our students, but they could maybe take other courses that they have,” Malki said.

“We are not going to restrict them and say it has to be in say, electrical engineering. They could maybe take some French courses and do some research.”

Malki said he hopes to enable underrepresented students and minorities in STEM fields to study abroad.

Giving a group the opportunity to learn about culture and academics from other countries can begin a chain reaction, Malki said, because they bring back their own experiences, become ambassadors and encourage others to go overseas, too.

“Both universities are great institutions," Mermet said. "Paris Sud has a lot of Nobel Prizes. It’s known for this in France in the STEM field, so I am confident that it’s going to be a very successful partnership between the two institutions."

He said he noticed a huge

transformation in his students who returned to France from the Unites States during his time as a professor and study abroad adviser at Université de Lyon.

They were more mature, open and independent, he said.

“I think it’s 100 percent benefit for all the students, and I think it has to be the same for American students,” Mermet said.

Global awareness will be an asset for prospective employees and forthcoming generations overall, Mermet said. Considering the number of French companies, he said, it’s important to have cultural knowledge along with scientific training if students want to find a job in these types of companies.

For some, financing a studyabroad program can be a concern.

Mermet and Malki both highlighted the major cost-contrast in the respective countries’ education systems. Each year, public universities in France cost 500 to 800 euros, compared to approximately $10,000 at the University

of Houston for in-state students, they said.

But there are other ways to make studying abroad affordable.

“It depends where you shop, where you go for restaurants.

In some areas it was cheaper than Houston,” Malki said. “Even restaurants, sometimes you just pay like 20 euros for a three course meal. Here you can’t buy that for $20. Transportation, you don’t need a car.”

Once in France, the partner university will handle all the logistics involved in hosting students and vise versa when French students come to Houston in the exchange, Ortiz said.

The deadline for the online application is Oct. 30. An essay where students explain how this opportunity would benefit their career is required.

For more information, students can contact Malki at malki@ uh.edu. news@thedailycougar.com

BUY-Sell-TRADE

COSTUMES!

Transforming students Alain Mermet, attaché for science and technology at the Consulate General of France, works to foster collaborations between France and the United States in terms of research, higher education and innovation. He said the connections are there, but they need to be strengthened.

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Frank Campos, EDITOR

SWIMMING

Q&A: All-conference sophomore named team captain PETER SCAMARDO

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR @PLSCAMARDO2

After one year of collegiate swimming experience, sophomore Peyton Kondis has been elected as one of three team captains of the swimming and diving team. But the choice was a no-brainer.

In her first year with the Cougars, the Pittsburgh native was one of the driving forces behind the program's first conference title. In addition, Kondis was named all-conference in the 100-yard breaststroke, 200yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay.

Her summer was spent competing at the U.S. World Trials, and even though she did not qualify for the championships, her sights have been set high for year two. The Cougar took a moment to sit down with her.

The Cougar: You've had one meet this season at North Texas on Sept. 29. How does the team look to you?

Peyton Kondis: The team is looking really good this year. We’re getting beat down even harder

As Peyton Kondis finishes her daily practice, her mind is fixated on a title for the Cougars. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar

than we did last year. With the whole new group of freshmen, it’s basically a whole new team.

So it’s a big change for everyone

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involved, but I think this year we look really really good and set up for a great season.

TC: Being from Pittsburgh, what was the recruiting process for you like?

PK: It was really interesting. I was probably in the middle of my recruiting process when I got an email from Coach Hannah (Burandt), and I was super stunned. Other than hearing about it through football, I didn’t know much about the University, but I was interested, so I got in contact with her. We talked for a while, and she’s an amazing person. She’s what made me want to come here for a recruiting trip, and that’s what all the girls always say: She’s the person that gets them down here. And once I came down here, I loved it so much I didn’t really feel like I could go anywhere else and be as happy as I could be here.

TC: What was your mindset going into your first season?

PK: I was really nervous. I knew it would be a big adjustment, especially because I had never lifted, done dry land (or) run — anything like that, which is a huge adjustment for anybody. And I also saw how fast the team had gotten the year before, where (head coach Ryan Wochomurka)’s impact really started being

shown. I didn’t know if I would make the impact that I hoped I would make. So I was nervous but super excited because I had seen what Ryan was capable of doing, and that made me want to come here and get better as soon as I could.

TC: How did you have such a successful year as a freshman?

PK:Definitely the team atmosphere really helped me. Everyone is super supportive. There are certain sets that are so hard, I know I wouldn’t be able to do them by myself. And also just (head coach) Ryan (Wochomurka) and Hannah’s philosophy — they are amazing coaches. They know exactly what they are doing, and as long as you follow what they tell you to do, and you communicate with them, that’s how you improve.

TC: You helped the swimming and diving team earn its first conference title in program history, and you were named all-conference in three events.

What was that whole experience like?

PK: Conference was amazing. It’s probably my happiest memory actually. That was such a huge goal for us. Before Ryan came here, this team was like the doormat of the conference. We got sixth almost every year, and once he got here, we immediately

moved up to third. That in itself was a big feat. So going from third to first is almost unheard of.

So it was amazing that we could do that and that I could have an impact on that. It was just an incredible experience overall.

TC: Even though you didn’t get to the World Championships, you did compete at the U.S. Trials.

What was that like?

PK: Again, it was just a great experience. Ryan was excited to get somebody to go to that meet from the team, and I know that next year we’ll have even more girls that are qualified for nationals. It was just a great opportunity to swim with the fastest people in our country, and it just prepares me for other meets, like hopefully the NCAA championships this year.

TC: So that’s the goal you’ve set for yourself this year?

PK:Yeah, the goal is to go to NCAA’s in the 100 breaststroke; 200 would be nice, too, but the 100 is my main focus. Definitely to be sub-one minute this year in the 100 breaststroke. And I’d also love for our team to be able to become a national presence, where people know our names, and I think that we’ll definitely get there this year. sports@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 | 7

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Frank Campos, EDITOR

FOOTBALL

Special teams freshman adds flair to the field ANTHONY CIANCIULLI

SENIOR STAFF WRITER @TONYCIANCIULLI

"Simba," the Swahili word for lion, serves as a nickname for a Houston defender on special teams whose competitive ferocity and long blond mane carry uncanny similarities to the African predator.

Freshman Grant Stuard's road to Houston is as complex as the reasoning behind his five-year hiatus from visiting a barbershop.

The Texas native grew up just 45 minutes north of Houston, where he attended Oak Ridge High School. After an impressive multisport career, the charismatic defender received offers to play football at the collegiate level.

SMU sent Stuard one of those offers, but when he attempted to commit, the coaches informed him that there were no spots available. With only two weeks remaining until National Signing Day, the defensive back signed non-publicly with Yale but received an offer from Houston shortly after.

"The Yale coaches told me if I took the Houston visit that my offer would be taken off the table.

But it was Houston… I had to," Stuard said. "So, I took the visit, and I really enjoyed it."

The visit went well, but Stuard wasn’t fully convinced. So naturally, he left the decision up to his jump shot.

"I actually de-committed then committed over a game of HORSE," Stuard said.

Stuard was playing HORSE at an indoor basketball court with a couple of friends when he made a bet that if he lost at the game he would have to commit to UH. His jumper may need some fine tuning, because the freshman committed with Houston after the

contest.

The safety's physical appearance and style of play landed him the nickname Simba, which was given by senior defensive end Nick Thurman. Ferocious, cunning and always fast, the stout 5-foot-11inch, 200-pound special teams player prides himself on defensive tenacity and being able to reach the ball quickly.

"The biggest thing I try to emphasize in my play is my speed," Stuard said. "I have to make sure I use my speed and my effort, you know? It can get you to make a lot of plays."

Stuard's hard work hasn't gone unnoticed by head coach Major Applewhite, who confirmed his young defender's claims.

"He plays and practices with great effort," Applewhite said. "If you give great effort, play hard and you’re a physical football player, you’re going to have a place on our football team"

Pride on the field Special team units are unique.

They step foot on the field once every blue moon and can serve as a stepping stone for players looking to establish a role on their respective teams. For now, it is the only playing time Stuard receives.

"The few reps I get, I want to make something of them," Stuard said. "I don’t want to just be on the field because I’m not redshirting.

I want to make something of this year."

The freshman has recorded two assisted tackles in five games this season. While these numbers may not jump off the page, Stuard finds a way to impact the game in ways that can't be quantified or tallied on a stat line.

Pride is a term used to describe the social circles formed by lions.

The African cats are unique in

Freshman Grant Stuard celebrates a successful kickoff Saturday. His long hair makes him easy to spot within the special team unit. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar

this aspect, being the only of its species to form these groups.

Stuard also hunts in a pack known as the special teams unit.

But Stuard's pride is his own, and he carries it with him each time he steps onto the field.

"He has tremendous pride as an athlete," Applewhite said. "He's very competitive. No matter what you ask him to do, whether it’s being on defense, punt team, kickoff return team, kickoff coverage or punt return, he just takes tremendous pride in his assignment."

More than just a style Stuard's self-proclaimed "fro" that reaches the mid of his back is more than just a fashion motif.

Instead, the mane serves as a commemorative tribute to an aunt who passed away during his childhood.

"My aunt was like, 'You should grow it out. You would look so good if you grow it out.' But it would get to that awkward stage, and I would always cut it off," Stuard said. "I think it was fifth grade when my aunt passed away, so when I grew my hair out again, it reminded me. I started thinking of her, and ever since then, it’s just become my trademark or style, and it looks cool on the field."

The freshman also credited players and coaches who have helped him transition to the college level.

"My biggest mentor right now is probably Coach (Dan) Carrel," Stuard said. "He’s pretty much taken over and helped me a lot with academics ... making sure I’m where I need to be on time, because growing up I didn’t have much structure, so coming here

was a big change."

The freshman defender has the unique opportunity of playing with a talented defense that includes defensive tackle Ed Oliver and safety Garrett Davis.

Playing and practicing among some of college football's best has given Stuard a template for success.

"Those types of people make it easier as a defense," Stuard said. "If there are leaders doing great things, you can easily follow behind them, and naturally you’ll do the same things they do. It lets me know I can be as great as them, because I see them every day like normal people. So, as long as I give the same amount of effort, there’s always that possibility of being a great player." sports@thedailycougar.com

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Frank Campos, EDITOR

Kyle Postma searches for an opening against the SMU defense at TDECU Stadium on Saturday. The senior has led the team to two straight wins against conference opponents. | Thomas Dwyer/The Cougar

FOOTBALL

Backup quarterback finally getting his shot FRANK CAMPOS

SPORTS EDITOR @FRANKCAMPOSJ

The Cougars' most reliable back-up, senior Kyle Postma, is finally starting games at quarterback.

After a long two years bouncing from the bench to the field 16 times, he seems to have cemented in that role, replacing high school superstar and Texas A&M transfer Kyle Allen.

The Seven Lakes High School alumnus has been a constant presence with the Cougars as the door revolved around the team with a new head coach, players and even Allen waiting in the wings to take over the quarterback position.

Postma finally has an opportunity to cement his legacy with the team as a starter who has earned his job instead of filling in for others.

The legacy of the 6-foot-2-inch and 200-pound graduate will likely be his miraculous comeback victory at TDCEU Stadium against the Memphis Tigers two years ago.

After taking over for the injured Greg Ward Jr., Postma went 21-of-33 for 236 yards in the fourth quarter.

All this while rushing for 49 yards, including a game-winning

touchdown with 1:27 left in the fourth quarter.

Getting a chance With his first two starts with the Cougars this season, Postma led the team to two victories against conference opponents and appears to have a firm grip on the starting job.

“It feels great to be the starter," he said after the team’s 35-22 victory over SMU. “I’m just trying to get my confidence level up more. I made a few bad throws and decisions, but I just have to clean those up in practice. I just have to come out and do the best I can for the team.”

Postma’s journey to where he is now is a strange one, to say the least, but not uncommon.

College players who don’t want to ride the bench when they think they have something more to contribute often transfer to get their chance.

Whatever it takes After redshirting his first year of eligibility, the redhead played for Trinity Valley Community College in Trinity. While there, Postma helped the team to a 12-0 record behind his 3,328 yards passing and 38 touchdowns.

The team averaged 58.6 points per game and helped Postma make a name for himself in college football. After that stellar year, he transferred to UH but did not see the field as quarterback -- instead, he played wide receiver.

Postma appeared as a wideout in three games before Tom Herman switched him back to quarterback — but not before he managed to catch six receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback battle After serving mostly as a fill-in, Postma had a shot to finally become the starting quarterback before the season. He and Texas A&M transfer and junior Kyle Allen competed all summer for the starting job. Although Allen eventually won the job, Postma's competitiveness made it a difficult decision for Applewhite.

“I want whoever’s playing the best to play,” Applewhite said.

“There’s nothing personal involved with it. I want production with every position, and I want it deep.

It’s a long season, and you’re seeing that some guys have to step up.”

Allen hung onto that starting job for just three games. He was

almost perfect against Rice, but he struggled against Arizona and Texas Tech by throwing multiple interceptions and failing to move the offense down field.

Allen was eventually benched in favor of Postma in the 27-24 loss.

After the game, Applewhite left the door open for a change at quarterback.

“Every job is open," Applewhite said. "I know what it’s like on the outside. We don’t discuss any other position differently. Whether it’s right guard, quarterback, kicker or punter. It is always open. Everybody on the team deserves that.”

Final shot Applewhite later talked to both quarterbacks the morning of the Temple game and informed them over breakfast that he would be starting Postma over Allen.

Postma is not alone in carrying the team. D'Eriq King, who was promised a starring roll as a quarterback on the Cougars when he was recruited by Herman, is seeing his patience pay off. He has been heavily featured at running back and wide receiver and has built a good chemistry with Postma.

Duke Catalon had a career game

against the Mustangs on Saturday with 177 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Although Postma wound up with three total touchdowns, he still took a backseat to King and Catalon after throwing two interceptions.

Looking ahead Postma is firmly in the driver's seat of a 4-1 team that can take advantage of a weak Tulsa team Saturday in Oklahoma. If he can continue doing what he has done so far with the Cougars, then he might finish the year as a starter and play in either a conference championship or even a bowl game.

Despite the added pressure of playing as the starter and Allen waiting for his next shot, Postma just wants to win games.

“Kyle (Allen) is a real good quarterback. Obviously there is going to be competition,” Postma said. “We both know how to play football. You really never know what’s going to happen, and it's just competition.

I love everyone on this team, and I want to play for them. I want to do everything I can to win games for this team.” sports@thedailycougar.com

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 | 9

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SPORTS

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Frank Campos, EDITOR

BASKETBALL

Hoops are back: Get to know returning players TRENTON WHITING

STAFF WRITER @ YUNGTREKKA

The Cougar basketball team has been gaining talent to attempt an NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 2010 after a first-round exit from the National Invitation Tournament last season.

Losing popular forward Danrad "Chicken" Knowles to graduation and shooting guard Damyean Dotson to the New York Knicks in a second-round draft left sizable holes in the roster. But there are Junior Galen Robinson is one returning player looking to lead the basketball team to success. | File photo/The Cougar quite a few returning players that will try to pick up where they left First Team All-American Athletic on the perimeter against Memaveraged 22.1 minutes per game. off last year.

Conference. phis that prevented a possible His 48.4 shooting percentage from Redshirt senior guard Rob Gray Junior guard and defensive game-winning shot. He’ll be look3-point range last season was the Jr. will try to lead the American standout Galen Robinson has ing for more performances like highest average of his career.

Athletic Conference in scoring returned from a foot injury that that this year.

VanBeck will be working on for the second year in a row. Gray prevented him from participating Senior guard Wes VanBeck will repeating that kind of shooting averaged 20.1 points per game last in offseason activities. Before the be providing elder leadership to performance in the upcoming season and scored a season-high injury, Robinson was leading the the team as he enters his final season, which should be special.

31 in two games last year. He also Cougars in assists and became season.

Redshirt senior forward Devin led the team in steals per game the 18th Cougar to have multiple After three years on the team, Davis will aim to avoid the injury with 1.2. seasons with 100+ assists. he is primed for a prominent role. problems he faced last year and His prolific season on both A notable highlight from his VanBeck played in all 32 games bring his patented form of hustle sides of the10-11039_Cougar ball saw him named 2016-17 season was a clutch for the Cougars last season and and energy to the squad.

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Davis made several diving plays for 50/50 balls and would sacrifice his body to help the team win. He was also the second-best rebounder on the team with 5.3 rebounds per game. Every team needs a do-it-all player, and Davis takes pride in accepting that role for the Cougars.

Along with the returning Cougars, several transfers will aid the team and potentially push Houston into the postseason.

Corey Davis of San Jacinto College, Gabe Grant of Three Rivers College and Breaon Brady from Saddleback College are veterans who should be able to make an impact early. With the addition of these players, there will also be some competition for minutes and starting roles with the team.

Regardless of who earns the minutes, the Cougars will be boasting one of their deepest rosters since they last joined March Madness in 2010. sports@thedailycougar.com

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Dana C. Jones, EDITOR

CULTURE

Masculinity: Exploring why men don't cry

I

grew up in a city one-third the size of our beloved Houston, but I was raised in the small community that my two brothers and I created in our living room, under large and surreptitiously constructed pillow forts, summer camp solidarity and afternoons pretending we were wizards and witches from Harry Potter.

I want to say that as we became older, there became an apparent veil between MIA VALDEZ ASSISTANT the three of us OPINION EDITOR that can easily be explained by growing older. But even in our youth, we were different. That difference is attributable to a few things: our differences in age, priorities and genders.

But was that last difference a manifestation of some externality or a truth that lies in our DNA? We were equally competitive and athletic, but they always seemed to be interested in physical, athletic activities -- not only in actually playing them but in the theoretical and mechanical aspects of those sports.

They watched baseball and tennis tournaments for hours, and they would watch men and women analyze those tournaments to no end. I mean, I loved sports, but I never wanted to spend hours watching other people play them.

Like most children, we were emotional. Once, after a particularly bad sporting loss to an opponent, my brother came home, and for the first time, I saw him cry.

I soon got the impression that our differences had been drawn across a gender line.

Wanting to know more about the male experience, I set about on a short-lived interview spree of some of the University of Houston’s finest bros. I asked them how it feels to enter manhood and feel their youth coming to a halt. I asked about their insecurities and how they define masculinity.

I interviewed Bryce Clausen, a white pre-psychology freshman; Zaman Janani, a Muslim prebusiness sophomore; Joey Lee, an Asian interpersonal communications senior; and Howard Mokolo, a Nigerian computer science junior.

All of them are UH students,

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STAFF EDITORIAL The Staff Editorial reflects the opinions of The Cougar Editorial Board.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Sophomore Zaman Jasani and freshman Bryce Claesen bro around before an interview. Writer Mia Valdez found that the men she interviewed wanted more space to express their vulnerability. | Thomas Dywer/The Cougar

and all of them are young men.

I asked them how their specific masculinity — be it white, black or Asian — relates to the other races. I chose my subjects based on their race, to see how different masculinities vary among different cultures.

I expected to receive hypermasculine answers like: “If another guy walks in a room, and there is a chick there, I automatically know what’s up.”

But I didn’t get that.

The space between what I expected the men to tell me and what I actually heard is laughably wide and comically touching. As it turns out, all the men I spoke to brought up one thing that they all shared: They wanted to cry.

Not during our interviews or anything, at least — I hope. But they shared a response when I asked this question: Do you feel that being a man has limited you in any way at any time in your life?

They all said that if they experienced limitations explicitly because of their gender, it was that they were expected by their peers and relatives to hide their emotions.

As it turns out — contrary to popular belief — men are complex people with deep ranges of emotion.

They are people with

responsibilities, like all of us. But because of the traditional role of the protector they feel obliged to fulfill, the men I interviewed believed at one point or another that allowing any sign of an emotion, like sadness, meant that they had betrayed their own masculinity.

While masculinity has its perks and privileges, the men I interviewed claimed to have experienced a pressure that began in their youths, urged by their relatives and peers to bottle up their emotions.

“Masculinity basically means that any responsibilities you have, you get them done," Mokolo said.

"You don't make excuses. You just get them done."

Mokolo talked about how his blackness might hinder him from completing his responsibility of getting a job.

"I have to get a job and start my life," Mokolo said. "Because of my race, I hear that because I'm black, I have to work harder, so I have to do better than everybody else."

Each man revealed something about his personal struggles with responsibilities and the pressures of what that encompassed — all while not being able to cry, even in the most despairing circumstances.

I spoke with two underclassmen, sophomore Zaman Jasani and freshman Bryce Clausen, about their impending arrival into manhood.

"It's how you present yourself in situations, and it's kind of looming over you," Clausen said.

One responsibility was comical one.

"If there's a bug in the house, you have to force yourself to get up to kill it," Jasani said. "It's assumed responsibility."

Those responsibilities stretches beyond killing bugs: the most damaging manifest from gender roles, like playing the breadwinner, blocking emotions, being the disciplinarian and so forth.

For the most part, they were confident in what it means to become a man today: a lot of responsibilities and a lot of privileges.

Whether that responsibility is completely real or imagined, I hope that one day they can express themselves.

And I really hope that, if the moment comes, they can all have a really good cry.

Assistant Opinion Editor Mia Valdez is a creative writing senior.

She can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

The Cougar welcomes letters to the editor from any member of the UH community. Letters should be no more than 250 words and signed, including the writer’s full name, phone number or email address and affiliation with the University, including classification and major.

Anonymous letters will not be published. Deliver letters to N221, Student Center North or email them to editor@thedailycougar.com.

Letters are subject to editing.

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OPINION

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Dana C. Jones, EDITOR

HARVEY

Saudi refinery purchase sends clear message

A

ramco, the Saudiowned goliath of the oil and gas world, acquired full ownership of the United States' largest oil refinery in Port Arthur in May. Yet CNN Money was one of the only U.S.-based media outlets to cover the takeover, and when the refinery shut down ANUSHEH SIDDIQUE temporarily SENIOR STAFF during WRITER Hurricane Harvey's flooding, even that coverage barely mentioned the refinery's new owners.

Considering our president's concern with international influence in the U.S.'s capitalist sphere, you would think this new takeover would have led to a flurry of belligerent tweets.

But perhaps his intimate relationship with the Saudis has changed his mind.

At first glance, this acquisition seems innocuous.

The Port Arthur refinery yields 600,000 barrels daily, and its new owner has received very little media attention.

The site provides employment opportunities to Texans, and despite the new owner, U.S. laws of employment policy still apply, so austere and discriminatory Saudi rules won't have much playtime here.

Ed Hirs, a lecturer in UH's Department of Economics, said while the ownership of the refinery is arbitrary, the true point of concern is “whose oil we will be refining."

But because Saudi Aramco owns this refinery, it has a guaranteed market for its own crude oil.

This follows the precedent set by the Venezuelan purchase of Citgo in 1986, which established the notion of foreign ownership of U.S. refineries and gave priority to Venezuelan oil.

Citgo, 50 percent owned

by Venezuela's government, is exempt from financial sanctions imposed on the country's other businesses.

The Saudis could receive

these benefits as well.

The greater issue with this trade deal is the message it conveys to the international community.

To Saudi Arabia, granting women the right to drive is considered progress. It’s laughable that the United States, a country supposedly enshrined in freedom, happily allies and conducts trade negotiations with Saudi leaders.

Its utter lack of the middle class and the massive wage discrepancies are only a glimpse of the social injustices of that country.

What makes this partnership different is its social implications. While the Trump administration seems staunchly anti-Muslim, our president has much in common with the Saudi regime, such as the tendency to polarize citizens based on race and mistreatment based on gender.

The overall message is this: Regardless of the Saudis' countless human rights violations, such as the airstrikes on Yemen and imprisonment of political dissidents, it is OK as long as they provide us with oil.

All of this culminates in the enigmatic relationship the United States retains with Saudi Arabia. The Trump administration makes it practically impossible to discern the virtues and vices of our demonized ally in the east.

The flurry of anti-Muslim rhetoric couples oddly with the cozy misadventures of Trump and King Salman, making it impossible to divorce appearances from reality.

The message sent by the United States to the rest of the world is that we will reward Saudi insolence with a guaranteed market for their oil, a site to refine and impunity from infamy.

This refinery symbolizes a lot more to the international community than the residents of Port Arthur recognize.

Staff writer Anusheh Siddique is a political science freshman.

She can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.

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Dana C. Jones, EDITOR

CIVIL RIGHTS

Exposing bigotry: Transgender people deserve privacy

Senate Bill 6 recently left the Texas Legislature saying that transgender students must use the bathroom for the sex that they were born as. But these laws still affect transgender students. | Dana C. Jones/The Cougar

F

ormer President Obama added a new protection for transgender students under Title IX, allowing them to use the bathrooms that matches their gender. In June, however, the Texas Senate passed S.B. 6 in an attempt to prevent transgender Texans from using their logical bathrooms.

DANA C. Ultimately, JONES the bill did OPINION EDITOR not pass, but Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he still wants to pass a similar piece of legislation.

This and other efforts are stripping away safety in one of the most private places — the bathroom.

Everywhere, from small towns to large cities, from elementary schools to universities, this debate affects transgender people. Just one example: Mik, a political science and history junior.

Mik, a political science and

history junior, a transgend Mik is a Muslim and has felt that he was a boy since the age of five when he wanted a Power Rangers birthday cake and wanted to play dress-up as a boy.

“Sixth grade to eighth grade, I said I was a lesbian," Mik said.

“That’s usually the transition for most ( females to males).

It’s 'I’m a little gay. I’m gay; I’m a lesbian.' Then, 'No, I’m transgender.'"

In Mik's freshman year of high school, he learned about the term transgender from a long-term friend, who is also transgender. By his sophomore year, he came to terms with it. By his senior year, Mik began telling his teachers his preferred name and pronouns. When he came to UH, Khan said people were very accepting.

'Traumatizing' bathrooms Many elementary school bathrooms are painted with pink for girl and blue for boys.

The enforcement of gender roles through colors and

Equality Texas seen protesting during an S.B. 6 hearing at the Capitol Building in Austin. In the end, the bill failed to pass both chambers. | Courtesy Equality Texas

bathrooms can leave children who cannot yet explain they are transgender confused and uncomfortable.

“The bathroom for me growing up was very traumatizing,” Mik says. “I feel like I belonged in the men’s restroom. It’s weird. I felt like I was a guy in the women's restroom.”

As Mik started to transition, he started passing as a man in public. Even though he was not completely out, Mik said he still get weird looks walking into the women's bathroom presenting as a man.

“I started going to the men’s bathroom and see friends that knew me as a female but wouldn’t say anything and assume that I was transgender,” Mik said.

The Obama Administration extended Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in public schools, to protect gender identity. President Donald Trump rescinded the order in February 2017, leaving that power to each state's discretion.

“By the time it was February, I was already resigned to the fact that he was president, and now would be the time for a social setback,” Mik said.

How to fix it The rights of transgender people have been added to the growing list of modern civil rights activism. Along with activists' goals of raising awareness, there is a plan for fixing the issue that goes along with it.

In the case of bathrooms, Mik says there should be more gender-neutral or unisex options. In liberal cities like

Equality Texas is a nonprofit that works for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Texan equality through education, community organizing, and collaboration. | Courtesy of Equality Texas

Portland, Los Angeles, and New York, more gender-neutral bathrooms have been added in public buildings.

“Bathrooms for transgender people who aren’t passing, you let out this sigh of relief,” Mik said. “You can go in and don’t have to worry about if you’re passing enough, or if people are going to look at you weird.”

Mik said that creating bathrooms specifically for transgender people would create division not only among transgender people but in the entire LGBTQ community.

“Bathrooms specifically for transgender people is a lot like segregation," Mik said. “For someone to use that specific bathroom, it’s like coming out.”

Contacting your senators and local representatives also does a great deal of help.

“If you send enough letters and make enough phone calls,

that’s the way to get through to them --even if they’re Republican," Mik said. “If they see enough support from people under their jurisdiction, they’ll have to listen because — more than their values — politicians care about re-election.”

Even with the S.B. 6 dead and gone, there is still more progress to be made. The continuation of the fight for equality is not over until every marginalized group is tended to and accounted for.

Meanwhile, the cities that acknowledge these oppressed groups will have to lead the way until the rest of the country can catch up.

Opinion Editor Dana C. Jones is a print journalism junior. He can be reached at opinion@ thedailycougar.com.