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STUDENT GOVERNMENT
SG halts affirmitive action resolution By Nashwa Bawab @nashwabawab
A Student Government resolution in support of racial consideration in the holistic admissions process will not hit the floor before the Fisher v. University of Texas case is heard by the Supreme Court on Dec. 9.
John Falke, Universitywide representative in SG and co-author of the resolution, pulled his sponsorship — the only sponsorship — from the resolution, essentially killing it after some executive board members stated their dissatisfaction with the resolution. The resolution was originally supposed to be fast-tracked
in order for the assembly to vote on it before the case — which will determine the constitutionality of UT’s racial admission policies — is heard before the Supreme Court. The motion to fast-track was rejected by speaker of the assembly Tanner Long. “With a fast-track, usually you have to have some sort of
time-sensitive material,” Long said. “With this particular case, it wasn’t necessarily timesensitive because there had been plenty of time leading up to it.” SG administrative director Amber Magee said she thought the resolution did not represent student voices well enough, which is why
she showed opposition to it before it was able to reach the SG floor. Magee said she believes the resolution would not have impacted the Fisher case because amicus briefs have already been sent to the court by student leaders, students of color and leaders of diversity
AFFIRMITIVE page 1
FOOTBALL
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Jenna Von Hofe | Daily Texan file photo
Fans file into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium before a game. Compared to an average attendance of more than 100,000 in 2011, DKR now sees roughly 89,000 fans per game.
Ticket sales decline in wake of poor performance By Samuel Williams @smwilliams27
Texas football isn’t what it used to be. And fans are starting to realize. In the past five years, home football attendance has declined 11 percent. Texas averaged more than 100,000 fans per
game in 2011, but Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium now attracts closer to 89,000 per game. Texas Athletics measures attendance as the number of tickets it sells — when factoring in noshows, turnouts are likely even smaller. “Attendance is an area of
UNIVERSITY
focus for all collegiate programs,” Steve Hank, chief revenue officer of intercollegiate athletics, said. “As based on data from the completion of the 2014 season, overall attendance has declined for six consecutive years. The good news is that, based on surveys conducted at the end
of last season and one that is in progress now, we’ve made great strides in the atmosphere and overall gameday experience.” Students for Texas Athletics, a liaison between the athletics department and student body, offers input to the department. The organization also
focuses on increasing student attendance. “Any decrease in student attendance should be a student issue first,” Andrew Bramlett, liaison vice president and Plan II and business sophomore, said. “That’s something that we
ATTENDANCE page 3
bit.ly/dtvid
UNIVERSITY
Altercation at Israel Studies lecture under investigation By Samantha Ketterer @sam_kett
The University is reviewing a confrontation that occurred Friday between members of the Palestine Solidarity Committee and a professor and unidentified attendee at an Institute for Israel Studies event, UT President Gregory Fenves said Tuesday. Following the lecture, the committee posted a video of the occurrence online which shows the committee protesting and then being confronted by the director of the Institute, Ami Pedahzur. In the video, committee organizer and law student Mohammed Nabulsi spoke in protest against the institute’s event “The Birth of the Israeli Defense Forces’ Military Culture.” “We want to talk about the fact that the Center for Israeli Studies exists on our campus to whitewash the state of Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people,” Nabulsi said in the video. The video shows an unidentified attendee confronting the protesters and then taking a Palestinian flag from the hands of the students. Following this incident, Pedahzur also confronted the protesters and is heard saying, “You are students, you know nothing.” The committee members said in a Facebook post they were planning on making a two-minute statement and leaving, which the committee has done before at past UT events. The video also claims that the students were physically intimidated by the professor and one other graduate student at the event. The video has since gone viral on social media. Fenves said the University has received several complaints, and the Office of the Dean of Students and the College of Liberal Arts have started interviewing students,
ALTERCATION page 2
CAMPUS
UT to increase diversity Student activists present on race relations with added scholarships By Ellie Breed
UT Amnesty International members display hashtags in support of black students facing discrimination at the University of Missouri. The hashtags were a response to the racial tensions happening at the university.
@EllieBreed
By Matthew Adams @MatthewAdams60
UT is expanding an effort to diversify its campus by providing $20 million in scholarships over a fouryear period to low-income students who might not otherwise consider Texas. Diane Todd Sprague, director of the office of financial aid, said about 28 percent of UT students are considered lower-income and are eligible for some form of Federal Pell Grants. Todd Sprague said UT’s percentage — compared to Texas A&M’s 22 percent and other universities around
the country — is healthy. Texas Advance, a scholarship program heading into its second year, provides 945 scholarships to low-income students from the state of Texas. According to a previous report from the Houston Chronicle, 82 percent of parents of scholarshipeligible students make less than $59,999 and 23 percent make less than $20,000. Carolyn Connerat, associate vice provost for student success initiatives, said the goal of this initiative is to make sure the scholarship program is open to
AID page 3
Issues of racism on college campuses should be handled more effectively than they were at the University of Missouri, according to business sophomore Yanusha Yogarajah. Yogarajah presented for Amnesty International, a student-led human rights organization, regarding racial unrest at the University of Missouri. Beginning in September, protests at the university related to the underrepresentation of minorities at the school led to the resignation of Missouri system president and chancellor of the Columbia campus. A
Jesús Nazario Daily Texan Staff
student’s hunger strike and a boycott by the football team also contributed to the pressure for the resignations and general awareness. “As a person of color, I
cannot speak for black students, but I recognize the importance of recognizing people’s requests and concerns,” Yogarajah said. “Just because we might not be aware of
NEWS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE&ARTS
ONLINE
City Councilmen talk housing and transportation. PAGE 3 Cockrell School announces new certificate. PAGE 3
Affrimative action is still necessary on campus. PAGE 4
Sophomore Palladino thrives as walk-on. PAGE 6
UT alumna releases book about life, racing cars. PAGE 8
The Intrafraternity Council hosts Movember CEO Adam Garone.
Public figures should talk about mental illness. PAGE 4
Softball prepares for spring season. PAGE 6
Spider House hosts storytelling night (un)Spoken. PAGE 8
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these microagressions … does not give us the right to dismiss them as some school officials did in Missouri.”
AMNESTY page 2 REASON TO PARTY
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Wednesday, November 18, 2015
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Volume 116, Issue 70
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organizations on campus. “It wasn’t to say we don’t support UT’s stance in the Fisher case,” Magee said. “But this wasn’t the best product, and the fast-track motion would have removed student voice from that.” Falke said he originally planned to overturn the motion rejecting to fast-track the resolution with the help of other assembly members, but, after hearing word of Magee and other’s dissatisfaction, he pulled his sponsorship. “We weren’t going to get the votes necessary to fast-track, so it would have been pointless to do it without the fast track,” Falke said. “I just think it’s important that Student Government states our opinion on [UT’s racial admissions policy] that is very well about to be struck down. I think we’re failing the students when we don’t do that.” Falke said the Graduate Student Assembly and Senate of College Councils could still
pass their versions of the resolution, but he will not attempt to bring it back next semester. “Oral arguments are being heard on December 9th, so we failed,” Falke said. “People don’t think I’m going far enough, and I’m legitimately trying to be an ally, and I legitimately have good intentions.” Magee said she did not want the bill to be pulled but rather wanted it to go through the normal process for committee, although Falke said that would have meant the resolution would not have passed until after the Supreme Court case. According to Magee, SG passed a resolution in support of affirmative action in light of the Fisher case in 2012, making the resolution unnecessary. “SG already had an opinion that was officially published back in 2012,” Magee said. “Republishing it now just makes it seem like we are patting ourselves on the back for a policy that hasn’t changed from the first introduction of the Fisher case.”
ALTERCATION
continues from page 1 faculty and staff. The Palestine Solidarity Committee has also filed a formal complaint with the University and has hired a lawyer, according to Nabulsi. Fenves said at a press conference Monday that the University will be guided by the values of free speech, although he said he does not think any disruption is constructive. “What is important to me is that the University is a place where free speech is a fundamental value,” Fenves said. “We are taking the allegations seriously and looking into them very thoroughly.” Pedahzur said on his blog Monday that the event required RSVPs and he felt compelled to call UTPD because they were “very agitated and started yelling ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Long live the Intifada.’”
Co plans Jesús Nazario | Daily Texan Staff ability Demo hear how Intifada, a term that liter- of Muslim students onunder ally translates to shaking off, our campus.” Wi Randy Diehl, dean ofvoters refers to Palestinian uprisings that sought Palestinian the College of Liberal Arts,large said in a statement that thesepar independence. Pedahzur also said in Israeli Studies programPrevi the blog that he believes strives to be a platform toCoun Nabulsi and another grad- debate issues including thelarge. uate student use the names Israeli-Palestinian conflict.the C of known terrorists as Diehl said his office is insystem monikers online. Nabulsi the process of speaking toversit said the committee is also all parties involved and de-issues filing a complaint about termining whether proto- Gr col for on-campus protest-sents the accusation. Nabulsi said the blog ing was followed. Distri “We are gathering more post will only cause negative attitudes toward Mus- information and looklim students on campus, ing for ways to improve especially following Fri- the constructive dialogue day’s terrorist attacks in on campus,” Diehl said incont Paris that left more than 120 a statement. UTPD spokesperson people dead. The terrorist organization Islamic State Cindy Posey said the poclaimed responsibility for lice received a call about a disturbance, and the comthe attacks. “This comes at a particu- mittee members were asked larly heightened moment to stay for questioning. The given the tragic events in matter is no longer under Paris,” Nabulsi said. “His UTPD investigation and is comment is not only big- now being looked into by oted and hateful, but it the Dean of Students’ office, also endangers the lives according to Posey.
ATT
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Cockrell to offer teaching certificate By Eunice Ali @euniceali
Engineering graduate students transitioning into faculty positions can now breathe easily — teaching help is on its way. This year, Maura Borrego, associate professor in mechanical engineering, launched a program designed to equip engineering doctoral students with practical teaching skills. Classes for the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education program are already available for students, and certificates will be awarded beginning fall 2017. To put together the program, Borrego said she worked with engineering faculty members and the interdisciplinary STEM education graduate studies committee, which consists of faculty members from education, engineering, natural sciences and geosciences. Jill Marshall, member of STEM education committee and associate professor in curriculum and instruction, said courses on engineering teaching have long been offered through engineering and education departments separately, but “a coherent program” was never available until the launch of this certificate program. According to Borrego, approximately 9 percent of graduating engineering doctoral students move directly into faculty positions, as listed in UT’s Graduate Student Information System. This
Rachel Zein | Daily Texan Staff
Graduate students listen to Professor Flavio Azevedo in a graduate STEM education course called Knowing and Learning in STEM Education.
means potentially there are 125 new engineering Ph.D. students interested in the program every year, according to Borrego. “Every week, one student is going to have to run the class,” Borrego said. “They don’t just lecture about what everybody reads, but they’ll need to run more interactive activities such as group discussions, working on problems or trying to design something.” Jeehyun Park, fourthyear biomedical engineering graduate student, said she is more prepared to teach after taking Borrego’s course on curriculum and assessment design in spring 2015. Park, an aspiring K-12 engineering curriculum developer, said she is eager to design her own lesson plans. “I feel I have the tools and literature to apply some creative teaching techniques in my classes, even in my
outreach activities,” Park said. Gerald Speitel, associate dean for academic affairs in engineering, said the program will impact graduate student preparation for academic careers. “[The program] will provide our Ph.D. graduates who take University positions with a stronger foundation for launching their teaching careers,” Speitel said. “I’d also like to think that the program will make them more competitive in securing such positions.” The program will not directly impact graduate student or faculty hiring, according to Speitel. Cockrell School of Engineering has a general policy of not hiring its own graduates right out of school, so current graduate students would have to get several years of teaching experience elsewhere before coming back to UT, according to Speitel.
AMNESTY
continues from page 1 The presentation chronicled the events on Missouri’s campus and addressed the related criticism some of the protests have faced, including claims that protesters were denying access to the media. Jonathan Rufram, international relations and global studies junior, said there’s a difficult distinction to be made between protecting the students who are being threatened and protecting the press’ freedoms. “I think that it is hard to pinpoint where freedom of speech ends and where freedom of privacy begins, especially in terms of the safety of students,” Rufram said. “There is real, clear danger for some students that are black on that campus and others.” The presentation intended to put the events surrounding Missouri into a perspective students at UT could understand, according to journalism sophomore Isabella Bejar. Amnesty International works to track human rights issues as they arise, Bejar said. “We have talked about the Black Lives Matter movement and issues regarding people of color, so this fits with what we discuss,” Bejar said. “We have a long history in Texas of racial tension, so it is important to have forums like this where we can inform people of the issues.”
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Wednesday, November 18, 2015
AID
CITY
continues from page 1
Gabriel Lopez | Daily Texan Staff
Austin City Council members (seen left to right) Delia Garza, Gregorio Casar and Sabino Pio Renteria gathered Tuesday evening to discuss how the Council has changed under the 10-1 system.
Council members discuss affordable housing By Forrest Milburn @forrestmilburn
Concerned with City Council plans to tackle housing affordability, members of Austin Young Democrats gathered Tuesday to hear Council members discuss how the Council has changed under the 10-1 system. With the new 10-1 system, voters elect the mayor atlarge and 10 members from separately drawn districts. Previously, voters elected the Council’s six members atlarge. Throughout the event, the Council members said the system has allowed for more diversity when discussing the big issues facing the city. Gregorio Casar, who represents parts of North Austin in District 4, said the 10-1 system
ATTENDANCE
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should try to take ownership of. I think a lot of it has to do with students deciding that they want to be there to support the team.” Still, the 2015 decline was steepest — a 5 percent drop from 2014. Reports say rising ticket prices are a leading factor. Former athletic director Steve Patterson increased season ticket prices by an average of 6 percent after 2014. Roughly 10,000 ge 1 fans did not renew their season tickets. Additionally, Patterson limited faculty and staff benefits. This season’s faculty and staff ticket pass — the “FAST” pass — only provides tickets on a standby basis the day before each game.
has forced Council members to represent their constituents well but also to think about the concerns of other districts, especially when considering issues such as housing. “There are lots of good things about the 10-1 system,” Cesar said. “At the same time, if we can’t, as progressives, build the constituency that’s looking towards the future and really big progressive ideals, then it’s easier for us to retrieve into the smaller, little stuff that’s going on in our districts.” Councilwoman Delia Garza and Councilman Sabino “Pio” Renteria spoke alongside Cesar. Casar said reducing traffic is a necessary part of addressing affordable housing. “We need to simultaneously be ready for massive “Pricing is the first thing that alienated a lot of people,” graduate program administrator Phillip Guerrero said. “The biggest argument I had against the new faculty and staff pricing scheme was the fact that you pay $199, but you’re not guaranteed at all that you will have tickets. So had the football team been doing very well, and every game was sold out, I would have never gotten seats to a football game.” Still, Hank said athletics considers fans a priority. “Our relationship with all of our constituents — fans, students, donors, faculty, staff and our coaches and student athletes — is always the primary focus of the athletics department,” Hank said. “That philosophy will continue moving forward.” Data indicates perfor-
investments in affordable housing, paired at the same time with massive investments in mass transit,” Casar said. “I think that folks understand traffic and the need for alternative transportation — not a big plan — but a plan that is supported by transit users.” Architecture junior Frank Onuorah said he came to hear Casar, his City Council member, talk about how the new system has influenced the Council’s actions on affordability. “I feel a little bit more obligated to be more aware of … the way big issues, like affordability, are handled by our big leaders in government,” Onuorah said. “With the three Council members here tonight, they’re super big about promoting affordable measures to make housing mance could also affect attendance. Although Texas is averaging 20 more yards and 4 more points per game than it did in 2014, the Longhorns have entered 80 percent of this season’s games with a sub-.500 record. Last year, the Longhorns kicked off at home with a losing record only twice. In higher-scoring years, the stadium consistently surpassed its 100,119seat capacity. From 2011 to 2013, the Longhorns averaged 416 yards and 31 points per game. In Charlie Strong’s first two years, those numbers dropped to roughly 350 yards and 23 points per game. Crowd size now rarely hits 92,000. But Texas’ record and ranking correlate more
feasible for more Austinites than what they are currently feeling.” According to Casar and Garza, one way the City Council is currently taking on affordable housing is by considering reducing regulations on accessory dwelling units, which are residential units located on lots larger than 7,000 square feet. Council members will take up the units at its next meeting Thursday when it could vote to reduce the minimum lot size requirement to smaller lots and create design standards. “I see the argument of affordable housing, but I guess I’m concerned about some issues,” Garza said. “I don’t know where I’m landing just yet, and I’m looking forward to the conversation.” closely with attendance than offense does. Texas posted a 25-14 record from 2011 to 2013 and consistently ranked within the top 25. More recently, Strong’s team was ranked briefly in 2014 before losing to BYU. The team has not cracked the top 25 since. Even so, Hank said athletics anticipates strong attendance in 2016. Home opponents will include Notre Dame, TCU and Baylor. “While the on-field results are certainly not where any of us would like them to be, we are confident the future is bright for Texas football,” Hank said. “We’ve seen the emergence of a number of great young players throughout this season. … We are looking forward to
students of all economic backgrounds who otherwise might not choose to attend UT. “We had a record number of applications last year, and we think part of that is because we promoted this around the state, especially through high schools that we know are from underresourced backgrounds,” Connerat said. Connerat said that in addition to Texas Advance, UT has a total of $8 million in scholarships through the next seven years for students in the Houston area. Erasto Renteria, president of the Hispanic Student Association and advertising junior, said his parents encouraged him to pursue scholarships after they sent his siblings to college. “I sure wouldn’t be here if it were not for scholarships,” Renteria, who is from the Rio Grande Valley, said. “Being the youngest of four, my brother and sisters went to a community college in the area because it was cheaper. With me, [my parents] pushed me to look for scholarships and leave where I am from.” Renteria said the increase in scholarships for minorities has helped the number of Hispanics at the University grow, evidenced by the fact that Hispanics comprise UT’s second-highest minority population behind Asians. Despite the success for these two minorities, Renteria said the University still needs to educate and teach students about diversity. “We all come from different backgrounds and cultures,” Renteria said.
Being the youngest of four, my brother and sisters went to a community college in the area because it was cheaper. With me, [my parents] pushed me to look for scholarships and leave where I am from. —Erasto Renteria, Hispanic Student Association president
“Discussions are happening, but it is important to teach about the different cultures and races. I get some did not grow up with the same experiences, but there needs to be more than just naming the issues.” David McDonald, a former student director for Leonard Moore and the Minority Student Recruitment Initiative, said the initiative has helped connect with African-American students and educate them about the resources available to them. With the success the recruiting initiative has seen, McDonald, an applied learning and development and African and African diaspora studies senior, said he wants to see this program continue. “We have seen an increase in black students over the past year, and this is more proof that having a diversity initiative is going to be beneficial to our recruitment, and if there are more funds, let’s continue to support Dr. Moore and his efforts,” McDonald said.
HOME GAME ATTENDANCE Attendance dropped in the last years
Attendance dropped from last year
YEAR 2015
AVG. ATTENDANCE 89,182
AVG.POINTS OVERALL PER GAME RECORD 25.4 4-5
2014
94,103
21.4
6-7
2013
98,976
29.3
8-5
2012
100,884
35.7
9-4
2011
100,524
28.1
8-5
5
Graphic by Virginia Scherer| Daily Texan Staff
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NOV.
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4 OPINION
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CLAIRE SMITH, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | @TexanEditorial Wednesday, November 18, 2015
COLUMN
Affirmative action is necessary By Ashvin Govil
Daily Texan Columnist @ashvio
The upcoming Supreme Court case Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin II has brought the debate on affirmative action back into the spotlight once again. The decision could possibly bring changes to the way UT and other public colleges in the U.S. use race as a factor in the holistic admissions process. Critics of affirmative action say the policy is a form of reverse discrimination that gives an unfair advantage to minorities since it often lowers the bar for minorities to be accepted to prestigious state and private universities. But, this is a strange argument to make considering minorities are still underrepresented in colleges despite the supposed advantage provided by affirmative action programs. UT’s student body is only 4 percent black and 21 percent Hispanic, compared to the general population of Texas, which is 11 percent black and 37 percent Hispanic. Racial backgrounds often correlate with socioeconomic differences that make a huge impact in college admissions. Important college entrance test scores, such as the SAT, scale directly with the income of a student’s family, since poorer students sometimes can’t afford expensive SAT tutoring. Critics also say colleges should use socioeconomic status alone to help the holistic process, but history creates unique problems for minorities.
Valerie Strauss, reporter for the Washington Post, said that “black families and their children suffer from compounded and inherited disadvantages that are unique, not like those of white or immigrant families who happen to be from lower social classes.” These disadvantages root themselves in historical injustices from slavery, government mortgages only being offered to white people during the 20th century and strict drug laws from the 1980s enforced disproportionately against black people up until the current day. The result is a palpably unequal society where black children are three times more likely to be living under the poverty line than their white counterparts. They also face problems unique to their race such as disproportionate levels of police brutality. Recent protests for racial reform in many colleges across the country show that these problems are still real and pervasive for many students. All of these factors combined lead to minorities often having a distinct disadvantage in the college admissions process before they even start school. Proponents of a so-called “meritocratic” process for admitting students are really just pushing a system where people of color are even more underrepresented in colleges than they are today. Removing affirmative action could lead to a situation like that of Caltech, whose student body is only 1 percent black with no affirmative action policy in place. Student Government President Xavier Rotnofsky said in a recent amicus curiae brief
Charlie Pearce | Daily Texan file photo
Abigail Fisher addresses the press outside the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Nov. 13, 2013. Fisher v. University of Texas, filed in 2008, will be reheard by the Supreme Court in December.
filed for UT-Austin that student body diversity provides tangible benefits for the general student body. “Students benefit from a diverse student body because students learn from each other from different backgrounds,” Rotnofsky said. “[Since] the case could bar UT from using race in its holistic admissions process, it could hurt that experience on campus.”
Diversity only happens naturally when the society it draws from is entirely equal. Until this day arrives, affirmative action programs are absolutely necessary to maintain the diversity of universities, provide minorities a ladder to raise their socioeconomic status and increase the quality of the students’ experiences. Govil is a computer science freshman from Austin.
COLUMN
Talking about mental health is essential for policy change By Emily Vernon
Daily Texan Columnist @_emilyvernon_
People struggling with mental illness need freedom. Freedom from stigma, freedom from the fear often associated with the topic and freedom from seasonality. For this to happen, people in the public eye — such as politicians and celebrities — must speak more openly about mental health. By not talking about the subject proactively, we are essentially failing to disprove the negative stigma that the mentally ill are unreliable and inept, which limits our chances of affecting policy. UT director of clinical training Martita Lopez wrote in an email of a study that proves the majority of mentally ill people are not violent, contrary to what many people believe. “Leaders can help by providing more treatment resources for those with mental health
diagnoses, at the same level that they provide treatment for those with other types of medical diagnoses,” Lopez wrote in an email. “Education of the public is also important. There is too much ‘blaming the victim’ when someone has a mental illness and also too much fear of those who have mental health problems, which is perpetuated by the entertainment and news media.” Texas recently instituted a policy to help the well-being of veterans. Senate Bill 55, which passed in June of this year, allocates $20 million to funding for mental health programs for veterans and their families. This is, without a doubt, a vital piece of legislation. Nearly one in four veterans show signs of mental illness upon returning home, according to a study by JAMA Psychiatry. Texas is correctly addressing an issue that has proven an oftentimes unfortunate side effect of the atrocities of war and should be applauded for that. However, the conversation of mental health needs to extend beyond the limits of veterans.
GALLERY
The issue is not unique to one group of people or one event and therefore needs to be discussed by people with a platform in broader terms. The issue is not unique to one group of people or one event and therefore needs to be discussed by people with a platform in broader terms. It should be discussed as any other physical illness is — health, no matter what it entails, should not be shameful. It is time for the negative connotation of mental illness to be replaced by information and support. The UT Counseling and Mental Health Center offers various support systems to students
that promote mental well-being, including counseling and other psychiatric services. This is partly funded by the state-mandated tuition students pay. This is a positive shift, and it needs to continue. Katy Redd, assistant director for Prevention and Outreach, said the CMHC offers various informational services that extend outside the Student Services Building — such as workshops for organizations and FIGs — in an attempt to promote mental well-being. “I think mental health is very important,” Redd said. “We think about how important our physical health is, but we often neglect our mental health.” It is time for an unapologetic understanding of mental health. Education and awareness programs that are used for physical health should extend to mental health. Health is health, and every aspect of it needs to be given equal weight of importance and discussion. Vernon is a PACE freshman from Houston.
COLUMN
Universities have no place silencing student journalists By Mary Dolan
Daily Texan Senior Columnist @mimimdolan
Illustration by Erica Ndubueze| Daily Texan Staff
ONLINE Our commentary doesn’t stop on the page. For more of our thoughts on the issues of the day, check out our blog, A Matter of Opinion, at dailytexanonline.com.
LEGALESE | Opinions expressed in The Daily Texan are those of the editor, the Editorial Board or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily those of the UT administration, the Board of Regents or the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees.
“Who wants to help me get this reporter out of here? I need some muscle over here.” These were just a couple of the things spoken by University of Missouri professor Melissa Click on Nov. 9 as she attempted to prevent student journalists from accessing protesters who did not want to interact with the media. Click ended up resigning, and her actions sparked conversation about student journalists and their place on college campuses. Student journalists have been around since the advent of college newspapers (Dartmouth claims theirs is America’s oldest), but the rise of social media and financial struggles at many college media entities have made it difficult for these reporters to maintain a dominant presence. However, student journalists and college media outlets still play an important role in the dissemination of news on college campuses. They are able to confirm or deny rumors and ensure that students receive relevant and helpful information that impacts their daily lives. More importantly, they can provide a place for students to make their voices heard. Sociology and journalism sophomore Jasmine Barnes said this is why she supports student media. “Student journalism is important because it gives students a venue to express their voices about campus-related issues,” Barnes said. “Without student journalists, we would only hear the opinions and desires of administrators and UT faculty. I think it’s really necessary for students to have ways to
SUBMIT A FIRING LINE | Email your Firing Lines to editor@dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be more than 100 and fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability.
When student journalists are kept from reporting on campus issues, they are unable to report on details that may matter to students. protest, raise awareness and report on issues that matter to them.” When student journalists are kept from reporting on campus issues, they are unable to report on details that may matter to students and are prevented from raising awareness about issues affecting University workers and attendants. That’s why it’s dangerous when one person — such as Melissa Click — attempts to dictate what these students can and cannot do based upon her own personal views and desires. Journalism junior Noelle Darilek said student journalists have a responsibility to disseminate important information. “It’s important for college students to be informed about what’s happening around them, whether it affects them directly or not,” Darilek said. “Student journalism is one of the best ways to spread information to many and to give those reading the stories details about what is currently happening.” Student journalists should not be dismissed or bullied into covering only what a select few want them to cover. Instead of being threatened with “muscle,” student journalists should be encouraged to report on stories that have a true and lasting impact on campus. Dolan is a journalism sophomore from Abilene.
RECYCLE | Please recycle this copy of The Daily Texan. Place the paper in one of the recycling bins on campus or back in the burnt-orange newsstand where you found it. EDITORIAL TWITTER | Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@TexanEditorial) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.
CLASS 5
LIFE&ARTS
5
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
CAMPUS
UT students volunteer at shelter for immigrants By Brandi Davis @thedailytexan
In 1986, Austin civic leader Ed Wendler bought a house to provide refuge for people fleeing war in Central America. Today, the house, Casa Marianella, provides shelter and safety for immigrants from all over the world. Casa Marianella, located in Southeast Austin, is an emergency shelter for immigrants and provides many services including English classes, housing and food. UT students volunteer at the shelter through organizations such as Lions Club and the University Catholic Center and courses such as Architectures of Migration. Casa Marianella’s executive director Jennifer Long has been involved with the shelter for 27 years. Long said it’s important for immigrants and the roughly 200 UT volunteers to have the opportunity to work together. “If you can imagine coming to a new country and spending time with people who are generally interested in you and interested in you as a human being, it bridges immigrants and the community,” Long said. “It’s important in shaping an understanding of the immigrant population and seeing what it’s like on a human level.” Renee Frederick, Plan II and urban studies senior, teaches English classes at the
UNSPOKEN
continues from page 8 Smythe said. “But it’s my truth — a part of my past. Being able to say that in a safe space allows me to forgive myself for those choices.” UT alumna and author Mo Daviau will also speak and plans to share her story about a previous emotionally abusive relationship with someone she
shelter. She said she enjoys the opportunity to form relationships with the residents at Casa Marianella. “It’s important to take care of the community, and Casa Marianella does this by providing resources that are often difficult for immigrants to the U.S. to receive,” Frederick said. “It’s important to take care of our city, and the more we take care of each other, the stronger we are. Everyone is important.” The shelter hosts immigrants from 26 different countries, including Latin American and African countries. It shelters immigrants who have just arrived as well as those who are escaping homelessness. Priority is given to immigrants seeking refuge from war and persecution. “My favorite part of the job is the social stew of it all,” Long said. “Amazing interactions are happening all the time between immigrants, volunteers and staff. 60 million [people] are displaced in the world right now. The U.S. is one of the richest countries but has a small capacity to take people in.” Many immigrants who once resided in detention centers now stay at Casa Marianella. Latin American studies graduate student Sara Zavaleta is part of professor Sarah Lopez’s Architectures of Migration class. The class collaborates with Casa Marianella and is believed had narcissistic personality disorder. Daviau said the relationship continued to haunt her, but, after reading an essay online written by one of her ex-husband’s victims, she could finally begin the healing process. “[Her essay] changed everything in my perspective,” Daviau said. “I stopped self-blaming. I started believing what my therapist
Briana Vargas | Daily Texan Staff
Renee Frederick, Plan II and urban studies senior, teaches English classes at the Casa Marianella shelter in East Austin. The shelter provides resources that are often difficult for immigrants to the U.S. to access.
developing a project with the The New School’s Humanities Action Lab in New York City. The project is a traveling exhibit allowing universities across the U.S. to present about architecture involved in both mass incarceration and detention centers. Zavaleta said students compile information for the exhibit through cognitive
mapping interviews which revolve around maps residents create of their memory of detention centers. “We’re trying to make scaled representations of buildings so people can feel connected to the experience of what it’s like to inhabit these spaces within detention centers,” Zavaleta said. “People get a sense of what the
experience is like by hearing the stories of people who have lived those experiences.” Zavaleta said she has spoken to immigrants who have traveled hundreds or thousands of miles from their homes. She said they’re trying to understand how the architecture of a building affects more than just the physical experience but also the living experience.
and friends were telling me. I had to hear it from her, and I did.” Lea Comte and Stefannie Clendenen will also perform. Comte will discuss her brother, mental illness and the absence of social support for families. Clendenen will talk about chronic illness, sexuality and finding health in balance. After the performances, the
audience will have a chance to write down and submit their own stories to be read aloud. “[(un)Spoken has] a rawness and a vulnerability that is palpable — not in just the feeling and the energy in the room but also in the confessions,” Gillis said. “The confessions show us that there are a lot of people feeling a lot of things they need to talk about.”
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murdered several writers working for the satirical magazine, left French citizens to spend the new year mourning the victims. Sky News produced a half-hour special report documenting the three days spent searching for the perpetrators.
CLASSIFIEDS THE DAILY TEXAN
AD INE FO ONL
continues from page 8
“In the interviews I’ve done so far, what’s really struck me is the sense of relief [residents] feel in living at Casa Marianella,” Zavaleta said. “This feeling definitely has to do with the story of migration and how stressful that can be. Casa does a great job of supporting people who do come to the U.S., and [there are] few places that do so.” The film shows shocking footage of the violence, while also analyzing exactly what happened during the attack. The report also focuses on how the world responded to the assault on freedom of speech and examined how other countries stood in solidarity with the French in a way that mirrors current events.
ADVERTISING TERMS There are no refunds or credits. In the event of errors made in advertisement, notice must be given by 10 am the fi rst day of publication, as the publishers are responsible for only ONE incorrect insertion. In consideration of The Daily Texan’s acceptance of advertising copy for publication, the agency and the advertiser will indemnify and save harmless, Texas Student Media and its officers, employees and agents against all loss, liability, damage and expense of whatsoever nature arising out of the copying, printing or publishing of its advertisement including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees resulting from claims of suits for libel, violation of right of privacy, plagiarism and copyright and trademark infringement. All ad copy must be approved by the newspaper which reserves the right to request changes, reject or properly classify an ad. The advertiser, and not the newspaper, is responsible for the truthful content of the ad. Advertising is also subject to credit approval.
6 SPTS
6
JORI EPSTEIN, SPORTS EDITOR | @texansports Wednesday, November 18, 2015
SOFTBALL
Texas ready to contend in spring season
SIDELINE NCAAM (8) OKLAHOMA
By Bradley Maddox @MaddoOnSports
Texas softball went 6-1 this fall, with its lone loss at the hands of Texas State. As the Longhorns rest prior to their spring slate, they have set lofty offseason expectations. Junior pitcher Tiarra Davis — who appeared in every game this fall — said she is excited to enter spring healthy after suffering an ankle injury last March. “The injury made me a better teammate,” Davis said. “I learned to give my 100 percent in everything I do to make sure I get back out there for my team.” Davis, a left-hander from Henderson, said that this offseason offers a chance to prepare and capitalize on lofty goals. “I want to be an AllAmerican,” Davis said. “And of course we want to win a national championship. That starts with pitching and perfecting everything I can.” Head coach Connie Clark said Davis leads the team by example. “I’m excited to see Tiarra healthy and ready to go,” Clark said. “She’s pitched great during the fall, and I know she’ll work on her stuff leading up to the spring.” Another veteran looking to lead the way is senior
MEMPHIS
(2) DUKE
(5) KENTUCKY
NHL STARS
SABRES
TOP TWEET
Mike McGraw | Daily Texan Staff
Junior pitcher Tiarra Davis throws the ball toward home plate. Davis appeared in every game duing the Longhorns fall season after compiling a 5-4 record in the spring of 2015. Davis ended the year with a 3.60 ERA and two shutouts.
second baseman Stephanie Ceo. Ceo said she sets goals she may not be able to accomplish. But Ceo, a captain, said the difficulty of the goals motivate her to work hard when she’s on the field. “My two biggest goals I’ve set for myself for this season are academic All-American and on-the-field AllAmerican,” Ceo said. “I know they’re extremely high goals. But it helps
VOLLEYBALL
me to have something to strive for and make sure my focus is in the right place.” Clark is proud of what she sees of the experienced teammates. “I really like our leadership,” Clark said. “Our captains, like Ceo, are so significant in the things we’re going to do. They come out every day and set the tone for our whole group.” Last year’s team fell
short of their goals, going 38-17 before losing in the NCAA regionals. But this year’s team looks to come together and compete for a Big 12 title. “As we get ready for the upcoming season, it’s important for them to know what it means to buy into our standards here,” Clark said. “They’ve done well so far, and they’re going to keep working on becoming a complete team.”
The injury made me a better teammate. I learned to give my 100 percent in everything I do to make sure I get back out there for my team —Tiarra Davis, Junior pitcher
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Sophomore Palladino thrives in walk-on role By Claire Cruz @clairecruz5
Despite having top recruiting classes every year, not all the players for No. 5 Texas are big-name recruits. Fans are familiar with AllBig 12 players Amy Neal, Chiaka Ogbogu and Molly McCage. But they don’t tell the whole story of the Texas program. “Our team is a unit,” head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “It’s not just one- or two-star players. Everyone has their role and fills it to the best of their ability. They play well together, they feed off each other and they make each other better.” One unnoticed player is sophomore libero Kate Palladino. In her two seasons at Texas, she has played in just five matches, but she embraces her walk-on role and responsibilities. “I really don’t focus on the walk-on part of it,” Palladino said. “It’s been a great experience, and we’re all working toward the same goal. My position is really deep, and my role is to challenge the starters.” Palladino is from Pflugerville, Texas, just 17 miles north of Austin. She watched Longhorn volleyball growing up. But her journey to Texas wasn’t easy. Palladino’s high school ranking left her just outside the automatic admission quota. As a walkon, she didn’t receive a
—Kate Palladino Sophomore libero
Charlotte Carpenter | Daily Texan Staff
No. 5 Texas celebrates followng a home victory at Gregory Gym. The Longhorns currently sit atop the Big 12 with a record of 22-2.
They love you then they hate you then they love you again
TODAY IN HISTORY
1949
Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman Jackie Robinson wins the National League MVP award. Robinson hit for a .342 batting average while stealing 37 bases.
SPORTS BRIEFLY
I don’t really focus on the walk-on part of it. It’s been a great experience, and we’re all working toward the same goal.
scholarship to Texas. She chose to attend her backup school, Texas A&M, for a year before transferring to Texas. “I was afraid of what the coaches would say,” Palladino said. “But they told me they still wanted me, and they would check up on me all the time. It was great knowing they still cared.” Although she isn’t in the spotlight, Palladino is glad she came to Texas. “I grew up watching Texas, and I would have regretted not taking this opportunity,” Palladino said. “Having any part on this team is really great.” Texas has just three regular season games on its schedule. The Longhorns face Baylor on Wednesday night at Gregory Gym with hopes of staying atop the Big 12. “Baylor’s looking up and trying to make it in the tournament,” Elliott said. “They need a signature win, so they’re going to come in and play hard. We’ll need to be focused, consistent and do what we do.”
Quandre Diggs @qdiggs6
Joshua Guerra | Daily Texan Staff
Center Kelsey Lang shoots the ball during a matchup with UTSA on Saturday at the Frank Erwin Center. The Longhorns beat the Roadrunners, 90-53, in the team’s season opener.
Longhorns prepare for battle with Northwestern State By Jasmine C. Johnson @AllThatJasss
Five thousand Central Texas students will flock to Frank Erwin Center on Wednesday to watch No. 11 Texas (1-0) face Northwestern State (1-1). The 11 a.m. game marks the fourth annual 40 Acres Field Trip. “We call it the scream game because [the kids] scream for the entire game,” head coach Karen Aston said. “Our players love it, and I think the young ones like watching our team play.” Aston is excited to see
There have been times in the past where we knew we had an advantage in the paint, and we just try to shove it in there and make bad decisions. —Karen Aston Longhorns head coach
how her team will play with the early start time. The Longhorns play 11 games this year at 2 p.m. or earlier, including matchups against No. 4 Tennessee, No. 5 Baylor and No. 15 Stanford. “I actually think this is a really good game because we can look forward to prepping for a game like this on a Saturday or Sunday,” Aston said. “That obviously means a lot when you get into Big 12 play.” The Longhorns are coming off a 90-53 victory over UTSA in which six players scored in double figures. Despite the impressive showing, Aston still said her team has room for improvement. “I like where we are right now,” Aston said. “But I do think we’re in a place where we can grow.” Aston said she was impressed with how her team balanced its inside and outside attacks. The Longhorns made nine threepointers but still managed to feed the ball inside. Aston said Texas struggled in previous years to find offensive balance.
WHAT TO WATCH NSU @ Texas
Day: Wednesday Time: 11 a.m. On air: LHN
“There have been times in the past where we knew we had an advantage in the paint, and we just try to shove it in there and make bad decisions,” Aston said. Texas should again have an advantage in the paint. Northwestern State’s tallest player stands at 6 feet 2 inches, while Texas centers Imani Boyette and Kelsey Lang are 6-foot-7 and 6-foot-5, respectively. Aston said she hopes her players continue to balance outside shooting and passing it inside. “There just comes a time when you have to decide that the big girls haven’t touched it in a while,” Aston said. “But I definitely don’t want to get in a situation where we’re forcing the ball inside.”
Longhorns shine in Week 10 performances
A slew of former Longhorns made an impact in Week 10 matchups. New England defensive tackle Malcom Brown compiled seven tackles and one sack this week against the New York Giants. The 2014 first team All-Big 12 selection recorded a key sack on third-and-5, forcing the Giants to kick a field goal with two minutes left in the game. Former Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs was key in breaking the Lions’ 24-game losing streak at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Of nine passes in his direction, Diggs only allowed defenders to catch two. He recorded two tackles and one pass deflection. Sunday night’s matchup between the Cardinals and Seahawks featured a myriad of Longhorns. Outside linebacker Alex Okafor returned to the Cardinals after a Week 5 calf injury, recording one tackle, while Cardinals defensive end Cory Redding left the game early with an ankle injury in the second quarter. Seahawks safety Earl Thomas posted five tackles, one pass deflection and one interception in a loss. —Leah Vann
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Wednesday, November 18, 2015
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DANIELLE LOPEZ, LIFE&ARTS EDITOR | @thedailytexan Wednesday, November 18, 2015
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ALUMNI
Alumna pens memoir on life in the fast lane By James Rodriguez
Mica Mosbacher is the author of “Racing Forward,” a book describing her journey from journalism to race car driving.
@jamie_rod
Just days after the burial of her husband, UT alumna Mica Mosbacher stood in the pits at the racetrack in Daytona wondering what was next. The loss of Robert “Bob” Mosbacher, a former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, oilman and the love of her life, weighed heavily on her mind. Nevertheless, she had accepted an invitation from her brother, race car driver John McCutchen, to attend one of his races. As the engines began to roar around her, Mosbacher knew she was hooked. “I felt my adrenaline kick in, and I just came alive,” Mosbacher said. “Next thing I know, I’m on the block, and I’m asking all sorts of technical questions. I was just completely consumed.” An award-winning journalist, philanthropist, member of the board of directors for several organizations and Honorary Consul General of Iceland, Mosbacher is now working toward a new passion: racing Ferraris. Her book, “Racing Forward,” which was released in October, details her journey from building a journalism career as a single mother to embarking upon a whirlwind lifestyle with her husband, only to face the challenge of redefining her life after his death. “Loss is what we have to contend with almost on a daily basis, and it’s important to learn how to embrace change,” Mosbacher said. “So that’s what occurred to me: I’m not in my comfort zone anymore, so I need to
Mike McGraw Daily Texan Staff
do something different in my life. I need to have something to race toward to propel myself out of bed.” In her book, Mosbacher also writes openly about her experience overcoming sexual assault. Mosbacher was sexually assaulted in London during a trip as a college student and said she decided to be open about her experience when former Texas First Lady Anita Perry asked her to help raise funds for Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. “I realized it was a topic that if I was open about it and I had survived and I was okay, it might help other
women,” Mosbacher said. “Since then, I’ve had a lot of women talk to me about it and fathers and men.” By the time she met Bob, Mosbacher had gone through two failed marriages and a sudden layoff. A single mom in her 40s, Mosbacher spent her days working at Saks Fifth Avenue and her evenings developing story ideas, eventually making a living as an independent journalist. When she met Bob at a sailing event, her life took another unexpected turn. She put her writing career on hold and became heavily involved in politics and
CAMPUS
charity, rubbing shoulders with celebrities and top political figures. Mosbacher said she always planned to return to writing and began to put her thoughts on paper in the wake of her husband’s death. “At first I thought it was reading like a novel,” said Cristina Adams, the book’s editor. “My initial reaction was, ‘Seriously? There’s no way.’ But she had her own story to tell, and that’s what I thought was even more interesting.” Soon after Bob’s death in 2010, Mica texted a picture of a Ferrari to her brother, a longtime driver
and the founder of charity racing team Godstone Ranch Motorsports. “She said, ‘What kind of car is this? This is the most fantastic car I’ve ever seen,’” McCutchen said. “I said, ‘Look, I have never in my life heard you excited about any automobile. I think you ought to go to the Ferrari dealership and buy it.’ And she did.” At the time, Mosbacher’s personal car was 10 years old, and she was afraid of driving fast. She began to test out the Ferrari on the track, eventually gunning the engine to 160 miles per hour. She is now
taking classes to compete in sanctioned races. “It gave me a new purpose in life,” Mosbacher said. “Life goes by so quickly. Don’t get so consumed in your everyday career and your life that you don’t do anything that you’ve always wanted to do.” With plans to continue racing, participating in charity and perhaps learn a new instrument, Mosbacher said she does not anticipate slowing down. “I have decided that my life will always be controlled chaos,” Mosbacher said “I feel an obligation to give back and help other people.”
FILM
Four documentaries to watch following Paris terror attacks By Alex Pelham @TalkingofPelham
In the wake of the horrific Paris attacks this weekend, The Daily Texan has compiled a list of documentaries focusing on past terrorism in Europe and the Middle East.
Graeme Hamilton | Daily Texan Staff
Sadie Smythe, left, and Julie Gillis, right, are producers for (un)Spoken. (un)Spoken is a live show in which participants share powerful personal stories as a form of emotional justice and community strengthening.
(un)Spoken speaker series explores personal battles By Elizabeth Hlavinka @hlavinka_e
Sadie Smythe walked across her back porch and settled in to a comfortable chair, opening a pack of cigarettes and taking a deep breath. She unfolded her notebook to a story she had been struggling to write for months: a tale of her addiction and the self-loathing that came with it. Smythe will be one of four storytellers sharing her story Wednesday night at the Spider House Ballroom during (un)Spoken, a new series from the producers of BedPost Confessions — an Austin-based group that hosts live shows aimed to increase dialogues around sex. Whereas stories submitted to BedPost Confessions are often humorous and entertaining, (un)Spoken approaches more vulnerable, sensitive issues. The themes of the first two (un)Spoken performances were “Losses and Gains” and
“Betrayal.” This week’s theme, “Take Care,” will expose issues of emotional and bodily health. Producer Julie Gillis said (un)Spoken is a form of emotional justice, and her goal is to provide a platform for the audience to share their own stories. “When you get to tell a story on stage, you’re releasing yourself from the power of the shame attached to the story, reconciling your role in that narrative and giving the audience permission to note, in their minds, similar situations,” Gillis said. “It helps [the audience] form a community and form a better pathway to finding the support they need.” Smythe, also a producer for (un)Spoken and BedPost Confessions, said the shows demonstrate the power behind storytelling. She said she hopes talking about her own experiences with addiction will allow listeners to identify and reflect on their preconceived notions of
(UN)SPOKEN Where: Spider House Ballroom When: Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., doors open 7 p.m. Admission: $10, all ages
addiction and to reconsider their perceptions. “If I stand up and talk about my own journey with addiction, my hope is that other people will see either their own addicted selves or their family and friends’ addicted selves and not judge them as harshly as people invariably judge addictions,” Smythe said. Addictions can include anything from drugs and alcohol to Facebook and exercise, Smythe said. Regardless, talking about addictions strips away part of their power. “[My story] is not something I’ve never shared even in a group of close friends,”
UNSPOKEN page 5
The Rise of ISIS This PBS documentary takes the time to explore the events that caused the formation of the Islamic State while also examining the militia’s rampage through the Middle East. Viewers can learn how Al-Qaeda’s efforts eventually morphed into this new, destructive terrorist group. One section shows a small cluster of Islamic State soldiers who took control of Mosul, one of the largest cities in Iraq that fell despite being protected by the Iraqi army. Many military strategists chime in to comment how the group managed to
expand its rampage through dozens of settlements. The film also explains the Islamic State’s funding of its operations and gives insight on their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The Islamic State This 2014 Vice News documentary explores the Islamic State’s reign, telling the story of the group’s take over of large areas in Iraq and Syria. The hourlong look at the violent nature of the militant group pulls no punches, as it displays graphic images of those who’ve died at the group’s hands. Vice News gives viewers a look at how the group influences and threatens civilians to join their ranks. Seeing images of children wielding the Islamic State flag is sickening but delivers an informative look on how the group has successfully bred a new age of terror in the Middle East.
7/7 London Bombings: 10 Years On Produced by Sky News, this documentary looks back on the 2005 bombings that shook London and reminded the world that terrorist attacks by foreign agents were still a scary possibility. The film explores how coordinated suicide attacks on public transportation systems took the lives of 52 people and injured hundreds more. Featuring several interviews from survivors of the tragedy, the film puts a human face on the attack. The accounts of the injuries and loss of family members are brutal, but hearing tales of how commuters banded together to help in the aftermath is inspiring. Paris Attacks: Three Days of Terror The Charlie Hebdo shootings, in which AlQaeda-affiliated terrorists
FOUR FILMS page 5
Photo courtesy of PBS
In the documentary “Rise of ISIS,” PBS details the formation of the Islamic State and its rise to power in the Middle East.