The Daily Texan 2020-02-17 by The Daily Texan

Serving The University Of Texas at Austin Community Since 1900 @thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com

Monday, February 17, 2020

Volume 120, Issue 101

NEWS

OPINION

SPORTS

LIFE&ARTS

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Students participated in the Austin Half Marathon that ran through campus Sunday.

Contributors criticize Gov. Abbott for denying refugee settlement in Texas.

“Wendy” director talks untraditional casting, production style.

Texas basketball continues to struggle, dropping its fourth consecutive game.

UNIVERSITY

Blanton to redesign exterior

UT students celebrate Black accomplishments in STEM field By Tori Duff @torianneduff

Students attended the second annual Black Excellence in STEM Festival on Friday to celebrate diversity and success of Black people in STEM fields. The Cockrell School of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences hosted the event in the middle of Black History Month. Both colleges had presentations on influential Black people within the disciplines of STEM, as well as food, raffles, music and a dance performed by the African Students Organization. “It is important for people of color to see others that had great accomplishments in the past and know that they can do it as well,” mechanical engineering sophomore Trent Walker said. “It is important to see someone like yourself succeed.” Walker gave a presentation about Ervin Perry, a UT civil engineering assistant professor and the first African American professor at a major southern university, who the Perry-Castañeda Library is partially named after. Mechanical engineering sophomore Victor Winston said he wanted people to realize at this event that one face or stereotype does not symbolize success. Winston, Walker’s presenting partner, said that it is important for others to recognize success does not look a specific way. “It inspires all people, not just Black, to know you can achieve anything no matter what race, what gender or what religion you are,” Winston said. Presentations were given on people such as Mark Dean, the first Black International

amy zhang

/ the daily texan staff

The Still Water Foundation donated $5 million to the Blanton Museum of Art to remodel the building’s exterior and an additional $5 million to Landmarks, UT’s public art program in the College of Fine Arts. Still Water is an Austin-based, private and family foundation, which primarily donates to arts, education and the environment.

Blanton Museum of Art receives $5 million donation from the Still Water Foundation to remodel. By Neha Madhira @nehamira14

The Still Water Foundation donated $5 million to

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the Blanton Museum of Art to remodel the building’s exterior, according to a UT press release on Tuesday. The foundation donated an additional $5 million to Landmarks, UT’s public art program in the College of Fine Arts. This will help the program create an endowment to expand educational initiatives, outreach to new and more diverse audiences and conservation and communications efforts, according to the press release. Carlotta Stankiewicz, Blanton’s marketing and communications director, said the museum is in the

”The idea is that we have got this wonderful experience of art inside our galleries, so we want to bring that experience from indoors also to outdoors.” CARLOTTA STANKIEWICZ marketing and communications director

process of redesigning the exterior of the building to give it more of an identity. Stankiewicz said the

outdoor installation, “Austin,” by Ellsworth Kelly, elevated awareness of the Blanton in national and international media. “We want to make (the museum) more accessible,” Stankiewicz said. “The idea is that we have got this wonderful experience of art inside our galleries, so we want to bring that experience from indoors also to the outdoors.” Stankiewicz said the exterior and the ground will be open and designed in a way to facilitate their different programs. “We do a lot of music

programs and art-making, so we’ll be able to bring some of that outside as well,” Stankiewicz said. “We also want this to be (an area) where people can gather and have a nice community space as well.” Stankiewicz said the renovations will complement a pedestrian mall that is being constructed across the street. The redesign will also form a much-needed connection between the University, the city of Austin and the Texas State Capitol Complex, according to B L A N T O N PAGE 3

CAMPUS

Decorative fruits, veggies add beauty to campus

Prospective LGBTQ students attend visit day, make long-lasting friends

By Nataleah Small @nataleahjoy

Landscape Services plants annual crops, such as ornamental fruits and vegetables, during the winter to add aesthetic beauty to the most visible areas on campus, said Landscape Services horticulturist Ty Kasey. “We picked many of the frilliest, most colorful varieties we could so that they would really pop to the eye, and it’d be a suitable replacement for just planting flowers,” Kasey said. Students can find the largest displays of edible herbs and leafy greens in the upper tier of Littlefield Fountain, the Graduate School of Business Plaza and the northwest corner of the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Kasey said. There are many fruit and nut trees across

campus, including ornamental pomegranate, Mexican plum and pecan trees, said Jennifer Hrobar, supervisor of urban forestry for Landscape Services. Hrobar said there are also a wide variety of fruit trees in the orchard by Waller Creek, including sour orange, sour kumquat, Mexican and Japanese plum, peach, fig, and pomegranate trees. Kasey said because the campus belongs to the students, Landscape Services cannot prevent students from consuming the fruit and vegetables grown on campus. However, he said the group does not encourage people to participate in a “free-for-all.” “We do know that some people help themselves, and we can’t stop that,” Kasey said. “In the end, it’s not really a problem per se if there’s V E G G I E S PAGE 2

By Jasmine Lopez @jazzilo99

The Gender and Sexuality Center and UT Admissions hosted its third annual visit day for prospective LGBTQ students Saturday. This year, the center and UT Admissions partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area to bus in local Austin students, said Liz Elsen, director of the Gender and Sexuality Center. Elsen said campus visits help prospective students meet current students who share their identity. “Unless you’re really intentional about outreach, there’s a lot of different communities that don’t perceive UT as a place they can

go or (don’t) think that they would fit in here or thrive here,” Elsen said. The day included general presentations about the University, its admissions process and financial aid. Prospective students had the opportunity to ask a panel of current students questions, while parents asked Elsen questions. Elsen said students and parents come with questions about policy, student organizations and gender-inclusive housing and bathrooms. “A lot of times folks ask about safety, and the difference between feeling safe and actually (feeling) full-on welcomed to an institution (is crucial),” Elsen said.

destiny alexander

Ariel Juarez, radio-television-film sophomore, came to

the event their senior year of high school with questions. For

/ the daily texan staff the last two years, they LGBTQ

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S AVA N A D U N N I N G

News Editor | @THEDAILYTEXAN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

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NEWS

UT students make strides toward personal goals at annual Austin Marathon fundraiser

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AUSTIN WEATHER TODAY Feb. 17

HI LO

78º 64º

/ the daily texan staff

Runners push through the home stretch of the Austin Half Marathon on Sunday. Over 17,000 people ran in this year’s race with runners from all 50 states and 37 different countries.

TOMORROW Feb. 18

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UT students were among the 17,000 runners taking part in the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K, which carved a course through campus on Sunday. The marathon has been an annual event since 1992, raising funds for nonprofit organizations in the Austin Gives Miles program. The course stretched across Austin, running past landmarks such as South Congress, the UT Campus and the Texas Capitol. Chemical engineering freshman Karen Sculley woke up at 6:30 a.m. to support her friend, Daniel Li, a Plan II and economics freshman. “This is absolutely insane what he’s doing,” Sculley said. “I know this is very important to him … we

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Business Machines Corporation fellow, Katherine G. Johnson, an African American mathematician whose calculations aided NASA’s spaceflights, and Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American woman physician and to publish a medical text. Walker said he hopes attendees learned about one new person from the event. “One person may inspire them to further themselves in that field,” Walker said. In addition to the presentations, food was provided from local Black

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vendors. They served jerk chicken and plantains from Tony’s Jamaican Food, sausage and brisket from Brown’s Bar-B-Que, and injera from Aster’s Ethiopian Restaurant. Mechanical engineering sophomore D’Andra Luster gave a presentation about Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, a nonprofit founded when Bryant noticed there was not a place designed for Black women to learn coding. Luster said seeing Black figures create their own paths in fields dominated by white people inspired her. “When you can’t find something that fits you, you create something for you,” Luster said.

just want to be here to give him support on his big day.” As Daniel Li made the last turn in front of the Capitol toward the finish line, he stopped to high five Sculley and his other friends as they cheered him on. It was Li’s first time participating in the half marathon. “Oh man, the adrenaline is just incredible,” Li said. “It’s not gonna be the fastest time … (but) I’m super grateful for my friends showing up.” Architecture junior Andrea Puente said she had run the half marathon before, but this was her first year without her parents and siblings running by her side. “I’m usually not nervous, but I was this year,” Puente said. “I usually (run) it with my brother, who was also a UT student who graduated. So it’s my first year running it alone. … There was no moral support for me in the

morning, so it was harder.” Computer science senior Keegan Black said he chose to sign up for the marathon as part of a bet with his roommate. “I’ve always wanted to run, but I’ve always felt like I’m bad at it,” Black said. “That’s my excuse, but at some point I made a bet with my roommate where if I don’t finish a marathon by the time I graduate, I owe him $500, and if I finish a half marathon, I only owe $250.” Black said he plans to run another marathon before he graduates to pay the other $250. Black said although the bet gave Black the motivation, the marathon was a goal he had been working toward. “Making a bet … really helps me,” Black said. “It’s not as much about the money, honestly. It reminds me that I should be working on this.”

lily dayanim

nothing damaged.” Hrobar said she posted signs in the orchard for people not to break branches or rip fruit off the trees. If the fruit is ripe and within easy reach, she said she welcomes people to take some and leave some for others. “We want to have it there for everybody to enjoy,” Hrobar said. However, students should be cautious of contamination if they choose to try the leafy greens planted on campus, Kasey said. “One of the easiest ways to die (from) food poisoning is eating leafy greens,” Kasey said. “For all their health benefits, they’re a great way to food poison yourself.” The leafy greens

alice liu

/ the daily texan staff

Shown here are vegetables grown at the northwest corner of Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. These vegetables are grown around campus to provide aesthetic winter greenery. planted on campus are sourced from an organic vegetable grower in Williamson County, Kasey

/ the daily texan staff

Students enjoy free African and Caribbean food at the Black Excellence in STEM Festival held in the Engineering Education and Research Center on Friday. This event was a collaboration between the Cockrell School of Engineering and the College of Natural Sciences to celebrate historical and current Black influence in STEM.

said. All organic fertilizer is used everywhere across campus except in the annual beds where the leafy

greens are grown, he said. Kasey said because the annual beds are changed frequently, the plants

require more nutrients, so Landscape Services uses a stronger fertilizer. Although the plants are sprayed with clean water, Kasey said because a stronger fertilizer is used, the plants are not 100% organic. Computer science freshman Shikhar Gupta said he didn’t know edible plants were grown on campus. Gupta said he would be cautious if he were to try them because he doesn’t know exactly which plants are safe to eat. “You have to advertise these are safe to eat or these are still growing because I don’t know enough to go up to a plant and pick it,” Gupta said. If students are interested in learning about the plants on campus, Hrobar said they can visit the Landscape Services website for information.

NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

LECTURE

Visiting professor promotes immigration discussion By Andrew Zhang @andrewczhang

A visiting associate professor spoke to the UT community Friday about immigration and American history as a part of the Gender, Race, Indigeneity, Disabilities and Sexuality Studies Initiative. A. Naomi Paik, an Asian American studies associate professor from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, explained her current research. Paik’s research argues current immigration policies, such as the Muslim travel ban, the United States and Mexico border wall, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, reflect American policies and practices from the past. “We need to grapple with the fact that these attacks on our neighbors and our democracy are neither new nor historically unique,” Paik said. “These historical threads are rooted in the settler-colonial foundations of the United States, the origins of immigration restrictions in the late nineteenth century and the escalating processes of criminalization in the late twentieth century to the present.”

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have been on the panel answering questions. “When I came to these events, I wouldn’t have thought that this event would make me have friends that are long-lasting and (who) I’m still friends with now,” Juarez said. Elsen said the event is important because it gives prospective students a more intimate visit. “Not only are they

Government freshman Ronnie Mazza said she attended the lecture for personal reasons and appreciated Paik’s academic approach to this political topic. “I wasn’t so aware of my religion, of my parents’ homeland and of our culture in general being different … until (the Muslim travel ban) was put in place,” Mazza said. “We really need to recognize that other people are thinking of (us), and that we all see the problem — it’s not just you, it’s not just in the back of your head.” Karma Chávez, department chair and associate professor of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, said academic perspectives are important when discussing immigration. “We always want to bring in the best, most cutting-edge researchers we can who can challenge the ideas that we take for granted,” Chávez said. Paik also spoke about sanctuaries, cities or states that limit their cooperation with federal immigration law, according to the Congressional Research Service. “An abolitionist approach to sanctuary can not

getting to connect with the campus, they’re getting to connect with each other, and so if several of those students are admitted, they already have friends,” Elsen said. Undeclared freshman Allie Manning Lorino said she had always wanted to come to UT, but attending the LGBTQ visit days during her junior and senior year of high school made her want to come even more. “It was nice that I already knew (Elsen) and

jacob fraga

/ the daily texan staff

A. Naoimi Paik, an Asian American studies associate professor from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, explains her research to the UT community on immigration and American history at the Gordon-White Building on Friday. This talk is a part of the Gender, Race, Indigeneity, Disabilities and Sexuality Studies Initiative. only help us defend communities right now, but also help us envision and build the future that we deserve,” Paik said. Chávez said should stu-

(could) go to the GSC,” Manning Lorino said. Elsen said anyone admitted to UT is welcome to email UT Admissions or the Gender and Sexuality Center with questions, but it feels different to email someone they have already met. “(Students) are starting off the school year with a sense of community, which can really make a difference on how someone feels the first couple weeks on campus,” Elsen said.

dents learn about sanctuary from experts such as Paik. “She’s not just standing up here going off about her politics,” Chávez said. “She’s deeply researched

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the press release. Stankiewicz said the museum will release a blueprint of what the finished renovations will look like soon. She said there will be different branding and design elements that will announce an art experience that’s at the Blanton as a part of the renovations. “We also want to emphasize that the Blanton will be open during the entire reconstruction process,”

this issue and really thought about it and then brings it for us to consider.” Mazza said these talks can help inspire people to fight against injustice.

Stankiewicz said. “There may be some different pathways to get in, but we will be open the whole time.” “Arts is one of our biggest areas of giving, so these donations line up perfectly with our values,” said Ellen Ray, the foundation’s executive director. “We are just excited to support the Blanton and (UT’s School of Fine Arts), so they can create high-quality work that can be available to students and professors.” Still Water is an Austin-based, private family foundation, and it primarily

“We have to all mobilize and we have to all come together,” Mazza said. “If we all fight for everyone else’s rights, it’s the same as fighting for your own.”

donates to arts, education and the environment, Ray said. The foundation has also been a supporter of the Blanton for several years, according to the press release. Mechanical engineering sophomore Peyton Liang said that she likes how the Blanton is free for students. “The (Blanton) provides students who may not have access to as many cultural aspects of the world or art, with that opportunity,” Liang said. “The fact that they are trying to accommodate it more for students is really nice.”

CAMPUS

UT fraternity helps Scouts BSA earn merit badges

Congratulations, UT Graduates

COME TAKE YOUR FREE

GRADUATION PICTURE FOR THE CACTUS YEARBOOK!

aria jones

/ the daily texan staff

Scoutmaster Pete Rubio III helps Venya Vuyyuru learn to tie a knot at the University Teaching Center on Saturday. The UT Alpha Rho chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service organization held their annual UT Merit Badge University event to help kids in Scouts BSA. By Cameron Castilaw @CastilawCe

The UT Alpha Rho chapter of the national Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service organization held its annual Merit Badge University event Saturday. Merit Badge University serves as a way to help members of Scouts BSA, formerly known Boy Scouts of America, earn merit badges. Merit badges are awards earned by members based on activities within the area of study, according to the Boy Scout Trail website. The event provides scouts the opportunity to visit a college campus and experience a college environment first-hand, co-coordinator Samuel Gillette said. “It gives kids a chance to see themselves in a college classroom — a lot of times with a college professor,” said Gillette, an international relations and global studies junior. “It’s a great way to come in and see what the environment is like.” Scouts attend classes throughout the day and receive corresponding merit badges following the event, co-coordinator Sebastian Davila said. The classes, led by volunteers and UT professors, help scouts fulfill requirements necessary to earn merit badges, bilingual education sophomore Davila said. Biology senior Rachel West said the event hosts 50 merit badge classes,

with serious classes including emergency preparedness and first aid, as well as more fun classes such as chess and painting. Gillette said scouts from anywhere in the state can register. “We bring in students from our organization who specialize in the different badges or community leaders or different professors from around campus to teach based on whatever their expertise is,” Gillette said. There is a list of requirements that have to be completed to earn the merit badge, urban studies junior Robyn Lee said. Reports are sent afterwards to the troop leaders, who then give the badges to the kids, Lee said. UT Merit Badge University was started in 2001 by then Service Vice President Tim Francis. The event initially had 47 Scouts its first year, according to the website, and had 1,179 Scouts in attendance this year, West said. The event is now the biggest Merit Badge University event in the country, Gillette said. Volunteers helped set up at 5 p.m. the night before and over 50 teachers and 117 volunteers helped the event run smoothly Saturday, Lee said. Davila said he attended the event with his troop in 2011 and went multiple years afterward. “It was honestly an amazing experience. … It comes full circle from me participating, to me now running this event,” Davila said.

Thursday, February 20 2–6 p.m. Friday, February 21 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday, February 22 11 a.m.–4 p.m. HSM Building Lobby 2500 Whitis Open to all fall 2019, spring and summer 2020 graduates, including graduate-level degrees. No appointment necessary. Business Casual attire recommended. Receive a $10 discount off of the Cactus Yearbook with your picture.

SPENCER BUCKNER

Editor-In-Chief | @TEXAN OPINION

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019

FORUM

hilda rodriguez / the daily texan staff

End of refugee resettlement sets harmful precedent, sparks widespread criticism of Texas government By Julia Zaksek and Maggie Lazaroski Forum editors

For the last decade, Texas has received more refugees than in any other state, resettling 10% of all U.S. refugees. However, in early January, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that this year, Texas will not accept any new refugees. Abbott is taking advantage of President Trump’s September executive order, which requires state governments to provide their written consent for refugee resettlement within their state. Abbott claims that this ban will allow the Texas government to focus attention on people currently residing in Texas, be they Texas residents, recent im-

migrants, already resettled refugees or members of Texas’ homeless population. Abbott’s excuse rings hollow for several reasons. Perhaps most notably, Texas immigrants and refugees have a long history of bringing additional taxable income into Texas. This decision also ensures that the $17 million in state funding allocated to Texas for resettlement is now lost. Additionally, if Abbott’s recent policies targeting homeless populations in Texas — particularly in Austin, are any indication — it seems like Abbott cares little about the actual well-being of Texans experiencing homelessness and more about punishing people for being poor. This decision by Abbott has been rebuked by religious organizations, charities and minority groups as a huge blow to populations who need help the most.

It denies those who are fleeing persecution, violence and extreme poverty a safe place to live and the opportunity to create better lives for themselves and their families. Banning refugees from Texas puts thousands of lives at stake. In this forum, Mehlam Bhuriwala, a Palestine Solidarity Committee steering member, discusses the U.S.’s role in creating the global refugee crisis and Texas’ responsibility to displaced peoples of the world. Russell Smith, Refugee Services of Texas CEO recounts his experiences working with Texas refugees and explains the impact Abbott’s policy will have on vulnerable populations. As always, if you have any thoughts on this topic or any other, please feel free to reach out to us at thedailytexanforum@gmail.com

FORUM

Refugees need empathy, Texas’ support, not settlement ban

Refugee resettlement ban harms those in need at Texas’ cost

By Russell Smith Contributor

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently appeared on “Fox & Friends” to defend his decision to abandon the U.S. refugee resettlement program in Texas — a decision that has received widespread condemnation from nearly every corner of the state. Texas was the first state to say “no” to resettlement, after 42 other governors (from both parties) had announced they would continue to welcome people fleeing from war, oppression and persecution. Thankfully, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s executive order that provided Abbott with the authority to veto refugees from resettling in Texas, since such action likely violates federal law. While the courts will eventually rule on the executive order, our hope is that Abbott reverses his decision and comes to understand the truth about refugees, and the resettlement process, and how refugees make our country, our state and our communities stronger. Texans are a particularly open and resilient group of people, and the backlash the governor is hearing from Texans regarding his disappointing decision is proof. The governor’s notion that serving refugees and other populations in need, such as the homeless, is a false and short-sighted suggestion for Texans who can tackle any issue they set their mind to, and the vast majority support welcoming refugees and helping the homeless. Texas has a strong and extensive network of non-profit organizations that tackle many problems and provide help, comfort, and support across a wide array of populations. While Refugee Services of Texas (RST) focuses specifically on assisting displaced populations, some of our sister agencies, like Catholic Charities, provide programs that assist the homeless. I agree with Gov. Abbott that there is much more we can do to end homelessness and to address the root causes of poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity. However, nonprofits have evolved over the years to address the very problems that government could not or would not address. While there are a few multi-service agencies, most address one or two specific issues or populations to better utilize their resources.

In my career, I’ve had the privilege of running agencies that provided Head Start services to children and families in poverty. These agencies provided mental health services to children and adolescents, funded school reform efforts, engaged artists and writers to do workshops in Title 1 schools, and provided support to people with Alzheimer’s and their family members. Each had its unique challenges and funding structures, and each made up a small part of the mosaic of service providers. Had funding for Alzheimer’s been cut, the agency would not have been able to pivot to become a food bank or animal rescue organization, though both are needed services. The budget for refugee resettlement comes from the federal government and from private sources, such as faith-based groups like church congregations and synagogues, and the spending is to help refugees get a fresh start to become taxpayers and eventually, U.S. citizens. Refugee Services of Texas has stepped up in recent years to provide services to those seeking asylum, and has a large and growing program providing services to domestic and international survivors of sex and labor trafficking in communities across Texas. We applaud the governor for his leadership on this issue, but we believe we can serve these populations simultaneously and that helping survivors doesn’t preclude welcoming refugees. Legal immigration through refugee resettlement has long been a strength in Texas for more than 40 years, providing much of the fuel for the great jobs machine that powers the Texas economy. Without the newcomers, it would be impossible for the state to keep growing jobs at roughly double the national rate, economists have said. Nearly 178,000 refugees lived in Texas in 2015, according to a study by the New American Economy, and they paid over $422 million in state and local taxes. Their estimated spending power was $4.6 billion, second only to California. By every measure, after a short period of resettlement, refugees are positive tax dollar generators — not tax burdens. Refugees add to the fabric of our communities and our economy. We urge the governor to drop his opposition to refugee resettlement in Texas and open his heart to welcome refugees with all the pride with which he speaks as a Texan. Russell A. Smith, LMSW, is CEO of Refugee Services of Texas.

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.

By Mehlam Bhuriwala Contributor

We are witnessing the largest number of displaced peoples in recorded history. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 70.8 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes. More than half of nearly 26 million refugees are under the age of 18. This group includes millions of stateless people who lack access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of travel. To place the numbers in perspective, one person is displaced nearly every two seconds. Put briefly, we are facing an unprecedented displacement crisis. War, economic exploitation and neocolonial land-grabbing have rendered places such as the Gaza Strip unlivable for millions of residents packed into 140 square miles in the world’s largest open-air prison. For the millions of refugees forced out of their homes, little refuge actually exists. Communities spend generations languishing in poorly serviced refugee camps, many of which lack basic necessities such as running water, while waiting to be resettled to a country of the U.N.’s choice. Meanwhile, the United States, which has had the world’s largest economy since 1871, is on pace to accept the lowest number of refugees since 1980 when Congress created The Federal Refugee Resettlement Program. In September, President Trump mandated that resettlement agencies get written consent from local and state government officials anywhere they want to resettle migrants. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott responded by declaring that Texas will be the first state refusing to accept any new resettlements. This is a reversal of recent leadership from the state in handling resettlements. Several Texas cities have large refugee populations, and Texas took in more refugees than any state in 2019. Abbott justified this decision by saying resettlement agencies “have a responsibility to dedicate available resources to those who are already here.” Abbott’s reasoning is highly flawed. For one, most refugees who come here immediately begin the process of bringing their families, many of whom are still suffering in camps and areas devastated by violence and persecution. Abbott’s order channels the same evil logic that drove the Trump administration to tear families

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.

apart at the border. It is no longer the responsibility of the world’s most prosperous country to echo the timeless call to “Give me your tired, your poor … The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.” Thousands of resettled refugees have come here with the promise that they could deliver the same liberation to their loved ones. Ending this long chapter of aid to the world’s needy tells us that those values of honesty, integrity, and multiculturalism have lost their weight. Texas’ denial of new refugees also cuts off a critical bloodline for the state economy. In 2015, Texan refugees contributed $422.3 million in taxes. Across the United States, more than 180,000 refugee entrepreneurs generated $4.6 billion in taxable business income. Texas’ opting-out of Trump’s already low resettlement plan will cost the government $17.1 million in 2020 alone. The loss of federal funding for resettlement, much of which is spent on supporting local businesses, only adds to this deficit. Assuming the governor is aware of this fact, it’s clear that Texas is using the last strand of anti-refugee thought and blatant xenophobia to justify this decision. Beyond the economic capacity to support refugee resettlement, the U.S. has a moral obligation to protect the world’s refugees. Only intensifying under President Trump, the U.S. has inflated the global refugee population with unrelenting military operations that have destroyed communities and caused thousands of civilian deaths. The U.S. has encouraged partner militaries and combatants to ignore international humanitarian law and commit war crimes, fostering a breakdown in international norms related to war conduct and the protection of civilians. An institutional fascination on military conquest has real consequences for target populations. Like it or not, Texas has benefited from war campaigns that have brutalized and displaced more than 70 million would-be doctors, teachers, writers, farmers and architects. It is the political, economic and moral imperative of the state government to do its part in mitigating the impacts of the U.S.’s actions abroad. It is our responsibility as citizens of this nation to critically discuss our complicity in the necessity of refugee resettlement. That conversation starts with a phone call to your local representative and the governor’s office at (512) 463-1782. Mehlam Bhuriwala is a Middle Eastern Studies senior and Palestine Solidarity Committee steering committee member.

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LIFE&ARTS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2019

“Wendy” is a fantasy drama film by Oscar-nominated director Benh Zeitlin. In this scene, the children of “Wendy” rejoice in their youth on the edge of a cliff.

w e n dy

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The cinematography of “Wendy” captures the fantastic wonder and unpredictability of being a kid. Camera shots are often up close with the action, but loosely floating around

f a n ta s y

continues from page

script. “Fantasy Island” plays a lot with interconnected storylines and hidden backstories. Unfortunately, many

when following the scrambling children. Close-up shots emphasize a sense of immersion for the audience, making viewers truly feel like they are running alongside the eternally youthful children. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous, ranging from sunlit shores to glowing caverns. Despite the

large and sprawling natural location, the small protagonists are able to inhabit it with a magical presence. The story and message of “Wendy” are truly where the film exceeds expectations and shines beautifully. The concept of growing up, parental reliance and innocence are emotionally

explored throughout the context of the story. Wendy’s journey, as she searches for eternal childhood, becomes more meaningful and heartwarming as she slowly begins to realize the reality of life and the importance of growing up. Several sequences highlighting musical harmonies, pure childhood joy and

heartbreaking dialogue are true tearjerkers. Zeitlin took a well-known children’s story and converted it into a wholly original and fine-tuned tribute to the wonders of childhood and life. By taking a familiar tale and incorporating an emotionally poignant message, mesmerizing visuals, performances and wonder, Zeitlin has created a

of these elements are revealed in rushed and shoe-horned twists and muddled character motivations. While most of the fantasies are enjoyable at face value, many of them don’t reach their full potential. Some feel more important than

others, with several feeling relatively tame when compared to other sequences. Throughout the film, random characters are added to the protagonist grouping, forcing audiences to immediately root for and

sympathize with characters who serve solely as plot devices. As intriguing as the “Fantasy Island” storyline is, it failed to reward audiences with a cohesive and cathartic conclusion. “Fantasy Island” may be

enjoyable for a gaggle of teenagers looking for a late night scare, but fans of the original series and Blumhouse’s more prestigious horror entries such as “Get Out” and “Halloween” will surely be disappointed.

Wendy Fantasy, Drama PG-13

GENRE

R AT I N G SCORE

masterpiece of storytelling and thematic expression.

Fantasy Island GENRE

Horror PG-13

R AT I N G SCORE

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Actresses Lucy Hale (Melanie) and Portia Doubleday (Sonja) star in the supernatural horror film, “Fantasy Island” by Blumhouse Productions.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

BASKETBALL

Texas haunted by Sims’ absence

Iowa State took full advantage of Jericho Sims’ absence in Texas’ 81–52 blowout loss to the Cyclones. By Stephen Wagner

@stephenwag22

exas’ season keeps going from bad to worse. Less than a week after the Longhorns lost freshman forward Kai Jones and junior guard Jase Febres in the same afternoon, head coach Shaka Smart announced that Texas would take on eighth-place Iowa State without junior forward Jericho Sims. In Saturday afternoon’s 8152 loss to Iowa State, the 11–14 Cyclones took full advantage of Sims’ absence, continually exposing Texas’ rebounding problems and struggles in the paint. What should have been a cakewalk for the Longhorns, playing against a struggling Cyclone team without star sophomore guard Tyreese Halliburton, quickly turned into a demoralizing rout. “We just ask (those that are healthy) to fight,” Smart said. “We didn’t have enough of that today. I thought against (No. 1) Baylor our resolve was very good, but this was not the fight level you need to go on the road and win.” Without Sims, an athlete renowned by Big 12 coaches like Kansas’ Bill Self and Baylor’s Scott Drew, Texas had no answer for Iowa

joshua guenther

/ the daily texan file

Junior forward Royce Hamm Jr.’s (above) first career start left plenty to be desired, as Texas’ frontcourt was dominated by Iowa State’s experienced veterans. With junior forward and leading rebounder Jericho Sims sidelined indefinitely, head coach Shaka Smart is scrambling for a quick fix to his frontcourt problem. State forwards redshirt junior Solomon Young and senior Michael Jacobson. “On the defensive end, we didn’t do a good enough job standing up to them inside,” Smart said. “When their starting bigs (shoot) 12 of 14, that’s a heck of a game from those guys, and we didn’t stand up well enough.” The two combined for 24 first-half points, at one point outscoring the Longhorns

themselves. Young attacked junior forward Royce Hamm Jr. relentlessly, who made the first start of his career in place of Sims. Hamm picked up two fouls in less than four minutes, adding to the troubles of the already shorthanded Longhorns. With Hamm on the bench, Smart was forced to turn to freshman center Will Baker, a former five-star recruit who has shot less than 20% from the field

on the year. Baker’s size was no match for the speed, strength and savvy of the veteran Cyclone forwards. Iowa State, the second-worst defensive rebounding team in the Big 12, outrebounded Texas 40-27. Texas’ situation only became more desperate when junior point guard Matt Coleman III was forced to sit most of the second half with an apparent heel injury. Forced to heavily rely on

Baker and freshman guard Donovan Williams, Texas was outscored 44-26 in the second half. “I thought their energy and juice level was very high,” Smart said. “We did not match that. That was really the difference.” Sims’ injury and Texas’ uninspired performance couldn’t have come at a worse time. Texas is desperately scrambling for each win as it

tries to cling to its NCAA tournament hopes. But with Saturday’s loss, its tournament chances likely rest on winning the Big 12 Tournament. Texas still has to travel to No. 24 Texas Tech and play No. 14 West Virginia in Austin, who handed Smart the worst loss of his tenure at Texas in their last meeting. The Longhorns next play TCU in Austin on Wednesday.

BASKETBALL

Longhorns suffer blowout loss to last-place Jayhawks By Robert Trevino @robtrev22

Head coach Karen Aston’s squad needed a pick-me-up going into Saturday night’s game in Lawrence, Kansas. The Longhorns headed into the matchup with the Jayhawks after an 18-point loss at home to Iowa State earlier this week. They did not get any sort of reprise, as Kansas — who sits at the bottom of the Big 12 standings — pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 8267 win that could put Texas’ NCAA tournament chances in jeopardy. “I thought that (the Jayhawks were) the aggressors tonight, no question about it from the start of the game,” Aston said. “I thought that our turnovers in the first half and lack of toughness really gave them confidence, and once they got confidence on their home

court it was a tough night for us.” The Jayhawks, who picked up just their second conference win of the year and are now 13–11 on the season, took advantage of a good shooting performance and a defensive stand in the second quarter to take down Texas. Senior forward Joyner Holmes, who started for the Longhorns, led the team with 17 points. Holmes was part of the Longhorns’ inside attack that earned praise from Aston after the game despite the loss. “I tried a different lineup tonight to see if it would give us a little different vibe,” Aston said. “I thought we did a better job of getting our bigs involved tonight, but the difference was the guard play. There’s no question we couldn’t stay in front of their guards all night.” The Jayhawks ended the game with four of their five

starters in double figures. Kansas shot the ball well, going 29-for-54 from the field to finish the day at over 50% from the field. The Longhorns fell for the ninth time this season, and for the first time this season, Texas has now taken consecutive losses. The parity in this year’s Big 12 has taken a big step up, something Aston spoke on after the game. “(The Big 12) is a lot tougher than people think it is,” Aston said. “I think that ... some of those that haven’t necessarily been rewarded with wins are a little disrespected. The bottom line is from top to bottom, I said this before we ever started league play, that this was the best I’d seen in years.” That type of deep conference means that the Longhorns face stiff competition nightly, even against the last-place team in the conference.

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joshua guenther

/ the daily texan file

Saturday afternoon’s blowout loss to Kansas in Lawrence drops the Longhorns to 7–5 in Big 12 play. Sophomore center Charli Collier (above) chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, but the Longhorns dropped consecutive games for the first time this season. “Every night is pretty tough, and especially when you get to that second round (of games) where everybody knows each other really well,” Aston said. What’s plagued the Longhorns as of late has not been a matter of talent. Texas cruised through much of the conference season as one of

the top teams in the Big 12. Aston’s squad just hasn’t been able to put together a complete performance. “We haven’t necessarily played four quarters in a while,” Aston said. “And if I had an answer, I would fix it.” The Longhorns have no time to rest, as they return to Austin for a date with West Virginia, who won a nail-biter against Texas

just over a month ago in Morgantown. If there was any lesson from Saturday’s matchup, it’s that there’s just no rest for Texas women’s basketball in the gauntlet that is the Big 12. “We didn’t shoot the ball well, and we just had a really difficult time staying in front of their guards tonight,” Aston said. “(T)hat’s the difference in the game.”

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Comics Editors| @THEDAILYTEXAN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

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T R I N A DY J O S L I N

Life&Arts Editor | @TRINADY05

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2020

Q&A

LIFE&ARTS

Benh Zeitlin directs the title character, Devin France, on the set of “Wendy.” The movie is based on the classic “Peter Pan” story.

‘Wendy’ director talks filmmaking Oscar-nominated director Benh Zeitlin discusses new movie loosely based on the classic story, ‘Peter Pan.’ By Noah Levine @ZProductionz

scar-nominated director Benh Zeitlin is back with a new film titled “Wendy.” The film is a loose adaptation of the classic story “Peter Pan,” focusing on young

Wendy as she discovers an island where children remain young forever. The Texan sat down with Zeitlin to discuss the filmmaking process of his new youthful adventure. The

Daily

Texan:

What is your advice for student filmmakers? Benh Zeitlin: It’s a mistake to try to figure out what other people want you to make, especially when you’re a student. So much of your life is just learning and watching film. I think you can fall into the trappings of wanting to make a film that is like another film or like a combination of other films you like. I always feel like the best film you can make is the film that’s inside you. It’s an expression of your experience (and) who you are.

DT: Can you talk about the

I think you can fall into the trappings of wanting to make a film that is like another film or like a combination of other films you like. I always feel like the best film you can make is the film that’s inside you.” BENH ZEITLIN director

handheld, spontaneous cinematography decisions in the film? BZ: We wanted it to feel like we just stumbled upon the kids tearing down this mudslide, running along this perilous cliff, and we just started chasing after them not knowing where they’re going to go. Obviously, there’s an immense amount of planning behind all of that stuff. Making it safe enough to let the kids just do whatever they wanted was a huge ordeal. There’s a couple of instances where we’re just like, “Slide down this hill as many times as you want to get as messy as you want.” We just let them go. DT: What was it like working with Yashua Mack who plays

young Peter in the film? BZ: He does not like authority, he does not like rules (and) he does not like to be controlled. If you were to come on set and just give him orders, he would just say no. What we did, both in order to teach him how the scenes were supposed to go and motivate him to do them, is we had one of his friends on set. We would teach (the friend) the scenes, (and) he would rehearse the scenes with our actors. We would start shooting with him as a stand in, and Yashua (who plays Peter) would watch (and) learn the scene from him. When we were going to shoot (Yashua’s) coverage, I would go up to (him) and just say like, “Hey, so you think you can do that better?” And he’d be like, “Yeah, yeah,

watch this.” And then that would motivate him to really show what he could do. It just was a matter of making it a game for him. DT: Can you talk about your unique casting process? BZ: We cast all nonprofessional actors, and we do it in a very grassroots way, for lack of a better word. The same method you would use to try to get people to vote who usually don’t vote is the same way we go after our cast. We’re going to schools, we’re going to community centers, churches, and just trying to get people to consider performing who haven’t ever had that experience before. We needed to find kids that felt like they would really run away and follow Peter off to Neverland.

FILM REVIEW | ‘WENDY’

‘Wendy’ excels in magical, emotional coming-of-age tale By Noah Levine @ZProductionz

The island of eternal youth is returning to the silver screen in the visionary tale “Wendy.” “Wendy” is a retelling of the classic “Peter Pan” story through the lens of Oscar-nominated director Benh Zeitlin. The film follows a young girl named Wendy and her twin brothers as they

travel to a mysterious island where eternal childhood is promised. As the youthful adventure progresses, several elements from the iconic original story begin to find their rightful place among the narrative. The shining star of “Wendy” is Wendy herself, played expertly by Devin France. The young actor’s performance is subtle, innocent, mature and mesmerizing all at once. Her performance is

shockingly effective and insightful for her age. She serves as the film’s moral compass, providing a gateway for viewers to join in on the narrative. Both her line delivery and her physical acting are flawless. Her performance beautifully conveys all of the wonder of childhood, while also hinting at the onset of maturity and growth. Another first-time actor, Yashua Mack, is equally

electrifying in the role of Peter himself. His unchained energy is absolutely infectious, injecting pure entertainment into all of his scenes. He’s physically all over the place, scattering around the set pieces and dancing all around, emulating the true spirit of the iconic character. It’s extremely heartbreaking to watch the joy in his eyes fade during the more emotional moments, which only adds to the

effectiveness of those scenes. Zeitlin was able to work alongside two previously unknown performers and turn them into absolute scene-stealers. The rest of the young ensemble is wonderfully innocent and unique in their various quirks and personalities. Twin brothers Gage and Gavin Naquin play two sides of the same coin in their portrayal of Douglas and James. Their performances are unpre-

dictable and bursting with energy. As the narrative progresses and a divide forms between the pair, it is fascinating to watch them tackle more serious thematic moments as such young actors. Gage Naquin incorporates a defeated angst into his portrayal, clashing with the seemingly perfect world the children of the island have achieved. WENDY

PAGE 5

FILM REVIEW | ‘FANTASY ISLAND’

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‘Fantasy Island’: twisted, unpredictable adventure By Noah Levine @ZProductionz

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“Fantasy Island” is the newest genre film from horror production company Blumhouse. The film, loosely based on the original TV series from the 1970s, follows several guests who arrive at a vacation getaway where their greatest fantasies are said to come true. What ensues is an unpredictable and twisted adventure featuring magic water, “Dr. Torture,” masked gunmen, imaginary husbands and more twists than a game of “Twister.” The main cast of “Fantasy Island” is led by an eclectic group of seemingly random vacationgoers. Lucy Hale’s (“Pretty Little Liars”) Melanie is exceptionally sharp and occasionally crude with

her dialogue. Her character’s flirtatious yet intimidating personality comes through with her entertaining performance. Jimmy O. Yang and Ryan Hansen play a duo of step brothers named Brax and Bradley. Their over-thetop and exaggerated acting results in several cringeworthy moments — no thanks to the weak script. Maggie Q portrays Elena, who is a much more mature and reserved character. Unfortunately, that’s the extent of her performance. Patrick, played by Austin Stowell, is a police officer striving to become a soldier to honor his late father. Stowell portrays Patrick as a gentle, defensive character, often doing much of the heavy action work throughout the film. What should’ve been an extremely interesting and

off-putting character in Michael Peña’s Mr. Roarke, the island’s owner, is simply boring. Peña lacks charisma and isn’t as menacing as he should be. “Fantasy Island” shines in its usage and portrayal of the fantasies themselves. Haunting scenarios overlap into one another, offering some really intriguing connecting sequences. The elements and scares of each fantasy feel interesting enough, showcasing tense torture style horror, frightening war scenes and drug cartel brawls. The antagonist designs are devilishly cool costumewise, ranging from grinning masks leaking with black ooze to disgustingly stitched mouths. Blumhouse’s newest fright flick’s downfall is its lackluster and nonsensical FA N TA S Y

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