The Independent Student Newspaper of Sam Houston State University
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
The Official News Source of Sam Houston State University NEW HIRE P.2 Sam Houston State University announced the hiring of a new associate vice provost. Volume 129 | Issue 5 SPORTS FEATURE:
From walk-on to record breaker
SHSU CREATES, P.3 Freshman Theatre major Chris Henson tells his upbringing and thoughts on music culture.
MACKLEMORE, P.4 Associate Editor Ethan Horn reviews Macklemore’s new album titled Gemini.
/HoustonianSHSU
@HoustonianSHSU
ALLOWANCE, P.5 Opinion: Cassie Knust examines the benefits of not giving a child an allowance in childhood. @HoustonianSHSU
QUIDDITCH, P.6 Sam Houston State Quidditch is hosting the Breakfast Taco Tournament on Saturday. HoustonianOnline.com
Rec Sports lays hammer on SHSU lacrosse
Brian Blalock | SHSU Athletics
CATCHING HISTORY. Senior wide receiver Yedidiah Louis had perhaps the most important catch of his collegiate career on Saturday. Four years ago, he was a walk-on. Today, he is a Southland Conference record holder with 230 career receptions.
TYLER JOSEFSEN Sports Editor Senior wide receiver Yedidiah Louis began his collegiate career as a walk-on at Sam Houston State University. He was redshirted in 2013. The following year, he would be a standout at SHSU as he led the Bearkats with 71 receptions. In 2015, he would begin to gain attention throughout the Southland Conference, as his 994 receiving years held the top spot in the conference. 2016 would prove even more successful as Louis was named to the first team All-Southland Conference team after being named the SLC Offensive Player of the Year. With his statistics seeming to improve every week, and the accolades continuing to pile up, Louis would turn his attention to making history in 2017. He entered the season with the all-time Southland Conference career receptions record within grabbing distance. Before SHSU’s game Saturday against Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana’s Simmie Yarborough held the top spot with 229 catches. With 27 seconds left to play in the first half, senior quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe surveyed the field and connected with Louis for his third catch of the game and number 230 of his impressive collegiate career. The 10-yard completion not only gave the Bearkats a first down that would lead to a touchdown on the next play, but also gave Louis sole position atop the list of career receptions by an SLC receiver. “It was just like any other play,” Louis said. “What was on my mind was just to catch the ball and do what I could do.” Standing at just 5-feet-8-inches and 180 pounds, Louis carries himself with the humility and composure of a true leader. The admiration and compliments he receives from his teammates and coaches are endless. “When we got here, we heard some good things about this little kid,” head coach K.C. Keeler said. “Then you get him out on the field and this kid is special.” Keeler always speaks highly of —
RECORD, page 6
Photo courtesy Roberto Quintos Jr.
STICKIN’ IT TO THEM. Fans will not see the Sam Houston State University men’s lacrosse team on the field this season. Recreational Sports has banned the program for two years, and they had a $10,000 reason for doing so.
HIVAN MORENO Asst. Sports Editor The Sam Houston State University men’s lacrosse team is exploring its options after discovering the team has received a two year ban. The team was recently placed under a ban handed down from the Recreational Sports department after falling into a $10,000 debt during the 2016 school year. The team was spending their money as well as additional funds they did not have. “Most of our veteran players didn’t pay and there was a lack of commitment between the team members which ultimately lead to the breakdown of the men’s lacrosse program,” team president Kenny Jonga said. “As of now, we are under a ban from Rec Sports so we are trying to come back on
campus.” The team is currently trying to raise funds to pay off the hefty debt. They plan on holding a fundraiser, selling lacrosse merchandise as well as possibly doing a car wash in the future. “Myself and others from the 2016 team are trying to levitate that ban so we can have a program for the future,” Jonga said. “We will also contact previous lacrosse players who have graduated to see if they are willing to donate so we can get the program up and running again.” Although the team’s debt is $10,000, they plan on taking small steps to reach the full amount. “I would like to start off with a small goal, so around $2,000,” Jonga said. With the ban, the team will not be able to return until the fall of 2020. The club plans on assigning new leadership roles for setting a
plan to resolve their money management issue. “There will be more structure and better money management,” Jonga said. “That was a big issue. Our money management ultimately dissolved the program. We would also like a new sense of leadership and more contact with rec sports and vendors. Most importantly we want everybody to know that we have learned our lesson.” Another main issue the lacrosse team had were the players themselves. The team showed a lack of leadership from the upperclassmen that showed no interest in the club because they were graduating that year. “Compared to the leadership shown by the underclassmen, they showed that they didn’t wanted to be here,” Jonga said. “That’s why I have hope for my team members because they have a passion for the
club unlike the seniors last year.” With the end of his collegiate career coming to an end, Jonga knows that he will not be able to play lacrosse at SHSU again. He only hopes to get the team back up and running for future Bearkats who look to play the game. “I’m really the oldest out of the group so I know I won’t be around to see the club come back, but I want there to be a club for those in the future,” Jonga said. The men’s lacrosse team has a large fan base of students and past lacrosse players. Last year’s alumni game had a huge turn out of fans and former players showing that there is a following for the club. The team hopes that they can reach out to the alumni for their support. “I would like to think they would,” Jonga said. “They didn’t really —
BANNED, page 6
Counseling Center aids Dreamers RYAN REYNOLDS Editor-in-Chief Sam Houston State University responded to the announced gradual appeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on Sept. 15, and stated that the university has a plan to take action and support colleagues and students impacted by the DACA changes. In those plans, the SHSU Counseling Center established a Dreamers and Allies Support Group in order to provide those effected with critical information and emotional support. “I’m glad that we, as a Counseling Center, were able to provide a brief support group for those impacted by the recent DACA changes,” Counseling Center staff psychologist Dr. Danielle Sirles said. The support group met on Sept. 20 and Sept. 22 in the Low-
man Student Center for two one hour sessions. The group allowed people to share their reactions, learn coping strategies and gain strength and encouragement from each other. “While the meetings were small,” Dr. Sirles said. “Attendees used the space to share their concerns and offer support to each other. Therapists conducting the groups also provided attendees with self-care tools to help attendees build resilience during this difficult time.” With the DACA repeal, the Federal Government is no longer granting DACA approvals, meaning that current recipients will be able to retain their status and work authorization permits until they expire. Over 140 SHSU students and faculty members are among those DACA recipients. The Counseling Center choosing to aid those effected showed a lot about what the university stands for.
Although the support group met on two separate occasions, the Counseling Center is planning future sessions to continue support. Counseling services are available during normal business hours throughout the year (including breaks between semesters) except on university designated holidays. “We, as a Counseling Center,
hope to host similar drop-in group session in the future to continue to show our support for Dreamers and their allies,” Dr. Sirles said. For more information, call the Counseling Center at (936) 2941720 or stop by to schedule an appointment.
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/news | Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Page 2
Houstonian Chats Seven added to Hall of Honor ETHAN HORN Associate Editor Last week, The Houstonian published an article regarding soft skills – the subjects not traditionally taught in the classroom but vital to everyday life post-graduation. Here are some reactions. Renee Vailes – “I think colleges should have an entire class devoted to the skills you mentioned. They could call it “Life Management Skills 101.” or “Things you need to learn to do as an adult 101.” Brandi Marek - I think this is a wonderful idea! I think it would be great to learn about taxes, home ownership, credit scores and what to expect when entering the work force. A degree sets you up with what is essentially a very LIMITED set of principles for your course study then life happens. You gain experience. While college is very important, it only scratches the surface of what is waiting for you out there. Just a general “Life After College” class could cover this wide range of very important things that would be great to know when truly stepping into the REAL WORLD. Lila Alvarado – “Everyone doesn’t go to college, myself included. These skills would probably help more people if taught in high school.” Marina Rea DeLeón – “I definitely agree that students NEED these skills. We never had classes in high school that taught us soft skills (at least my high school didn’t) and my parents have never taught me any soft skills. It seems fair that we should get them here. So, why not have a course that is open to all classifications (either required or as an elective). I’m sure the vast majority of students feel clueless about how to actually “adult.” This course could help students in the long run. Maybe not at 8 a.m., but after we graduate.”
The consensus seems to be that these skills are valuable, and that they aren’t being adequately taught or represented in the current system. There are classes available, currently, that help students begin to grapple with some of these questions, such as UNIV 1301 and other freshman focused introduction courses. Promoting these courses would be a step toward helping more widely provide soft skills education, and the expansion of this one class to a series of courses might provide a larger breadth of information to students. But as Lila noted, soft skills might need to be integrated even earlier than college if we want to ensure that future generations step into the adult world confidently, equipped with the knowledge they need. Next week, we want to hear your thoughts on Satire. Two weeks ago Saturday Night Live won a whopping nine Emmy’s, but in a world full of satire, it’s important to ask whether it’s a good thing. What do you think of satire? Where do you see the most satire, and who does the best? Is there such a thing as too much satire? If the goal of satire is too critique, does it accomplish this goal? As prep for this week’s response, we recommend a couple of things. First, check out the SNL sketches that won Emmy’s, as these are presumably some of the best televised examples. Second, to get an idea of the critique of satire, check out the Tenth episode of Malcom Gladwell’s podcast Revisionist History, which we will link to in the online version of this article. Thanks to everyone that responded. We love hearing our community’s thoughts on important issues. Remember, you can comment your thoughts on Facebook or email them to us at eic@houstonianonline.com. We’ll be looking forward to hearing from you.
TYLER JOSEFSEN Sports Editor Nov. 3 will be a special day as seven new members will be inducted into the Sam Houston Hall of Honor. Four men and three women will be recognized at a special dinner in the Lowman Student Center at 6 p.m. as part of Lettermen’s Day Weekend. Track and field greats Kendall Bass (2008) and Karina Mancias (2003) will be accompanied by volleyball alumnus Yolanda Royston (2003) as the three female inductees for the Sam Houston Women’s Letter Association Hall of Honor. Four men will join them as Greg Atunes (golf, 1975), Darryl Harrison (football, 1993), Adam Wooten (track and field, 2005), and Steve Sparks (baseball, 1987) will be enshrined in the Sam Houston Lettermen’s Association Hall of Honor. “I’m completely humbled by this honor from Sam Houston,” Sparks said. “My time in Hunts-
ville was the best memories of my life. I’m very grateful for the opportunity they gave me.” This year’s inductions will raise the Lettermen’s Hall of Honor members total to 194, the first dating back to 1971. The first women were inducted into the women’s Hall of Honor in 2007, and this trio will bring the member total to 46. To this day, Bass remains of the all-time top field events performers in SHSU history. She helped lead the Bearkats to three outdoor conference titles and the indoor league championship in 2008. Mancias holds a unique designation of earning all-conference honors in three different sports—cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Royston was a four-year starter and earned All-Southland first team honors twice, and still holds the SHSU record for most blocks in a threeset match with 10. Atunes was a two-time letter-winner in 1974 and 1975, and he placed sixth individually in the 1975 NAIA National Cham-
pionship tournament. Harrison led the 1991 Bearkats football team in tackles as that season brought SHSU its first ever Southland Conference championship. He lettered in all four of his seasons from 1989-1992. Wooten’s success seemed boundless as he was a four-time individual champion and eight-time all-conference performer in 2003 and 2005. Sparks led SHSU to back-to-back Gulf Star Conference baseball titles in 1986 and 1987. He was undefeated in his 1987 season, going 11-0 and eventually being drafted the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth round. This is just one of the events that will take place during the Lettermen’s Day Weekend activities surrounding the football game at Bowers Stadium against the University of the Incarnate Word on Nov. 4. Tickets to this annual banquet can be purchased for $50 per person by calling (936) 294-2415 or by emailing events@shsu.edu. Anyone wishing to attend will need to RSVP by Oct. 20.
New associate vice provost hired the Shadow: George H.W. Bush and the End of the Cold War.” Maynard taught history and political science at Dakota State University and subsequently the University of North Alabama. At UNA, he served as chair of the Department of History and Political Science from 2008-2014 and then associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2014-2017 before being appointed to his current position at SHSU. “I look forward to serving our students and helping them achieve success by embodying our university’s motto,” he said.
LANE FORTENBERRY Today@SAM Christopher Maynard, who most recently served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Alabama, has been appointed associate vice provost for Sam Houston State University. “I am excited to join such an outstanding leadership team in the Provost’s Office,” Maynard said. Originally from Louisiana, Maynard holds a doctorate in history from Louisiana State University. His extensive research on the end of the Cold War has resulted in numerous publications. The most notable is his book, “Out of
Christopher Maynard
Health Inspector Report: Keeping Restaurants Clean
Domino’s Pizza Score - 2411 Ave. I - 81 ∙Improper cold hold ∙No ceiling tiles above pizza dough prep area to prevent cross-contam nation. ∙No sanitizer available in preparation areas to sanitize food contact surfaces. ∙Spigot leaking on 3 compartment sink needs to be repaired. ∙Employees have 30 days from the day of hire to obtain food handler cards. ∙Handsink removed from prep area. ∙Walls inside kitchen must be easily cleanable non-absorbent. ∙Shelves on prep cooler, wall behind 3 compartment sink and heat lamp shelves need to be cleaned and sanitized. Floors need to be cleaned under and around equipment. Farmhouse Sweets & Eats - 1112 11th Street - 93 ∙Improper cold hold ∙Improper hot hold ∙Large white container needs to be labeled with product name. Humphrey’s Bar & Grill - 1930 Sam Houston Ave. - 87 ∙Improper cold hold ∙Sanitizer tested to weak ∙Doors on pizza prep cooler need to be repaired to maintain product temperature. ∙Cutting board on pizza prep cooler needs to be replaced. ∙Employee personal items must be stored properly to prevent cross-contamination. ∙Stained ceiling tiles need to be replaced. Mr. Hamburger - 1019 Ave. J - 99 ∙Floors need to be cleaned under back prep table and coolers need to be cleaned. Raising Cane’s Score - 277 IH-45 - 93 ∙Employees have 30 days from the day South of hire to obtain food handler cards. ∙Product held longer than 24 hours must show 7 day expiration date. ∙Health permit must be posted for public view. ∙Placard and Food Manager certification must be posted for public view. Taco Bell - 129 IH045 - 94 ∙Chemicals must be stored properly to South prevent cross-contamination. ∙Employees have 30 days from the day of hire to obtain food handler cards. ∙Counter under steamer, hot press, reach-in warmer and floors under equipment need to be cleaned. Toasted - 1932 Sam Houston Ave. - 95 ∙Employees have 30 days from the day of hire to obtain food handler cards. ∙Prepared cooked product held longer than 24 hours must show 7 day expiration date. ∙Side of fryers need to be cleaned.
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Page 3
SHSU Creates: Nick Henson, musically digest RACHAEL VARNER Senior Campus Culture reporter Music is universal. Transcendent of time, space, and culture, people don’t need to speak the same language to understand what another feels when they pour out their hearts in song. Music comes in many forms, from Latin chords resonating off the arching ceilings of a sanctuary, to the hardcore beats of classic rock vibrating the very bones of one’s body. Artists and composers have expressed themselves and their beliefs through music across the ages. It is how they choose to change their world. Music has meaning, and with meaning comes power. It brings healing to the hurt, comfort to the disheartened, a home to the lost. Many musicians accomplish this goal without having to write a single note, like Nicholas Henson, a freshman Theatre major at SHSU, who taught himself to play the piano by ear. “Theatre and music are my passions; I like to enjoy having a time where I can throw the world aside and play make-believe because that’s what theatre is at the heart of it,” Henson said. “I feel like it’s important for humans to express themselves and to let their imaginations run wild.” Henson’s fascination with the piano began at a young age. He
not only enjoyed its pure, melodic sounds, but he also realized how influential it could be to learn other instruments. The piano is a so-called “gateway” instrument that, because it is structured so similarly to others, allows fledgling artists to grasp them more easily. However, one memory in particular inspired him over anything else. “When I was a kid...there was one night my family went to eat at a nice restaurant, and there was a lady playing the piano,” Henson said. “She was playing some random song that I knew from a TV show and [it made me] so happy.” Henson has been playing the piano for the last six years, starting just two keys at a time. From there, he began to memorize the tone of each key individually and in conjunction with all the other keys. Sheet music has little effect on him at present for lack of knowing
many aspirations. However, that has not stopped him from pursu-
Freshman theatre major Nick Henson
day, every day, his dedication has definitely paid off. “Say I hear a song and I listen to it pretty regularly, and I want to play it on the piano, I can usually play it,” he stated. “It does vary, but...it probably takes me about a minute to, not perfect it, but to get the keys down.” As a freshman just beginning his journey, Henson’s future goals are still largely undetermined. Theatre, musical theatre, music, dance and even business have crossed his mind. Although any one of these may one day develop into a flourishing career, for now, the piano serves as his primary outlet for self-expression. “Sometimes it’s hard for me to want to openly express my emotions, and music is really important to me because it lets me do that freely,” he said. “I put my heart into the piano whenever I play it; it’s an emo-
“Now that I’m getting older, I’m no longer working in the hospital as much, so by being an educator, it gives me the opportunity to mold the next generation of nurses,” - Nick Henson
how to read it, but learning how to play “correctly” is one of his
ing his passions. For practicing his skills for 30 to 60 minutes a
tional connection.” A skill juxtaposed with his
frantic fingers is the use of his voice. For the past four years, Henson has been coached in the most unusual style still yet to be named, but could be summarized as “getting into your mix.” This rare style is taught by only four vocal instructors in Texas. The idea is to balance the high and low ranges of one’s voice to meld into a favored middle ground. Other benefits include more easily meeting desired notes and improved breathing methods. This, too, has encouraged Henson’s abilities to create his own music. “I have about six or seven [songs] that are performance-worthy, but I’ve [created and memorized] tons of songs that I’ve either never finished, or they don’t live up to the standards that I feel I should be able to show people.” This has incurred quite the contradiction; however, because many of his rehearsals take place, not only in his dorm or the Belvin practice rooms, but most afternoons in the Lowman Student Center Art Gallery for everyone to hear. “I feel like there’s no point in playing music if you have no one to hear it,” Henson said. “Some people may be annoyed by it, but if there’s just one person who’s like, ‘Man, that was great,’ and I just made their day better, then that’s something that I love. I love making people smile.”
The Confession Tapes: Well composed documentary NICK DUNCAN Contributing reporter In the justice system of America, a confession is one of many legal tools in the prosecution of crimes. What if the confession was false, or simply coerced? These scenarios are presented within The Confession Tapes, a 2017 documentary series exploring crime cases where law enforcement use creative, yet questionable interrogation tactics. Is it justified, or is it one of the many symptoms of a flawed system?
The documentary series covers six cases over seven episodes, each trailing around 45-50 minutes as each case is explored. The pacing of each episode is slow, but the pacing is consistent enough to keep the viewer’s interest as the cases are explored. Each episode is structured in the same manner that typical real-life crime shows such as 48 Hours. The segments bounces back and forth between law enforcement, reporters, friends, the families affected by the crime and the convicted murderers themselves. These multiple viewpoints help
to enable the viewer to put themselves in the shoes of the investigation. In doing so, we can understand the story of those affected by these questionable confessions and maybe why they happen in the first place. The documentary is well composed in their choice of shots, combining atmospheric establishing shots as well as making sure it doesn’t detract or heavily contrasts with the talking head segments. It is also interesting how the series incorporate police videos of the confessions and interrogations, but those new to crime
shows might want to pay attention during these parts due to the audio being slightly muffled compared to the regular audio of the show. When it comes to what I don’t like, there’s surprisingly not many things that I could see being a problem. The only thing that I wish is that this series was longer, as it is rather short in my opinion. We also don’t get to see a lot more cases due to that and I think that if this show continues, hopefully, we will get to see more content. It doesn’t help that two of the seven episodes are for one
case, while the rest are one-offs of other cases. Those who decide to watch The Confession Tapes will find a very interesting series in the works. I believe with another season, the production team will be able to take on more cases and help to inspire people to ponder on what our justice systems does to obtain confessions. Is it ethical what these officers do, and is justice truly being solved? It might be up to us as citizens and the next generation of criminal justice to find that answer.
Sports video game genre on the come up TRACE HARRIS Senior reporter The fall video game hype is upon us again, and many have not been disappointed. “Madden 18” came out in late August and is widely regarded as the best game EA has produced. “2K18”, the basketball equivalent has also brought in a revival to its system that will have fans playing for hours on end. “Madden” has been known for its graphics, but gameplay has been less than spectacular. This year, that is not so. There are hundreds of different challenges
to play to build your team, with new ones available each day to expand the game’s replayability. One of the biggest complaints when comparing “Madden” to “2K18” was “Madden’s” lack of a storyline. This year “Madden” answered the call. “Madden” added a storyline called Longshot. It follows former high school five-star recruit Devin Wade, his teammate and best friend Colt Cruise as they try out for the NFL. Wade lost his father before his third game as a Texas Longhorn and threw the game, and then quit the team entirely. Cruise finishes his time at Texas. At the combine, Wade is ap-
proached by TV executives of a new show where NFL Longshots and a former NFL head coach try and make it back into the league. Longshot is influenced by decisions the player must make. It is one of the best storylines of any sports video game to date. It plays out like a movie and takes about four hours to complete. “2K18” released teasers for their new “my player” mode called the Neighborhood. Additionally, a prelude to the game was released a week before pre-order to allow players to get a taste of “2K18” before it released. Perhaps the best attribute to “2K18’s” “my player” is the ability to scan one’s
face to make a player that looks just like them. The neighborhood allows the player to go around and play games at the “2K18” arcade, shop at Footlocker or the NBA story, get tattoos, haircuts and play streetball. The story in “2K18’s” my player is a former college player who became a DJ and plays street basketball on the side. NBA scouts attend the streetball game and invite the DJ to a tryout from the player’s favorite team. He gets a shot on the team and the road to “99” begins. The goal is to raise your player to a score of 99 through various practices and modes. You attend practices
and train at the Gatorade training facility and earn virtual currency (VC) from playing games to upgrade your player. The storyline and game is much more drawn out than Longshot, but is very fun and exciting to play. For any sports video game fan, “Madden 18” and “2K18” are games you will not want to miss. These are by far the best sports games yet. “FIFA 18” and “NHL 18” also hit the shelves recently and add to the sports game firepower. “FIFA 18” added new gameplay mechanics to improve its realistic feel, and “NHL 18” added a new three-on-three cooperative mode.
BROCKHAMPTON rocks Houston MORGAN PHILLIPS Viewpoints Editor ARTURO MOSQUEDA Campus Culture Editor All 23 stops on BROCKHAMPTON’s Jennifer’s Tour, the group’s first tour, was sold out weeks before each show. The tour was announced in late July, and a month later they released their sophomore album, SATURATION II. BROCKHAMPTON has labeled themselves “America’s best boy band!” and
the title is deserved as they bring a new style to the moniker. When The Houstonian arrived at Warehouse Live in Houston on the Sept. 19, there was line stretching around the location. By the time we were able to get into the venue, we were packed into the smaller side of the concert hall. To some it might have felt extremely uncomfortable, but to the writers we felt that it increased the atmosphere of the show. The show opened with BROCKHAMPTON DJ Romil
Hemnani playing clips of rap music that got the crowd energized for the main set. When BROCKHAMPTON came on one by one to their song “HEAT,” all I could hear was the screams from the crowd. When organizing the tour, I don’t think the group understood how excited the crowd would react and often the PA system was overshadowed by the shouts and screams from the crowd. This did not dimin-
ish the show, but next time I see BROCKHAMPTON I hope the issue is resolved. The lighting design for the show was superb and added something extra to the mood. The show ended with BROCKHAMPTON playing their hit song “STAR” five times in a row. By the time of the meet and greet we were extremely exhausted, but the show did not dampen the kindness of the members. We
cannot wait for their upcoming album SATURATION III and next tour. BROCKHAMPTON brings a message of acceptance and hard upbringings in their song lyrics that is hard to find in today’s popular music. SATURATION I and SATURATION II are available both on Apple Music and Spotify streaming.
Arturo Mosqueda | The Houstonian
BROCKHAMPTON. The boy band rocked a sold out show at Warehouse Live in Houston on Sept. 19.
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/campusculture | Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Page 4
Foo Fighters: Concrete and Gold review MASON GONZALES Campus Culture reporter “Concrete and Gold” is the ninth studio album to come from the major rock group The Foo Fighters. It was produced by Greg Kurstin and comes out to a runtime of 48 minutes with 11 tracks.
“Run” is by far the best track of the listing, with “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” being a close second. “Run” has a vibrant and rock centric sound. Then again, this could be based on personal preference, so I do recommend giving the album your own listen too, if you decide to pick it up. The rest of the tracks are love songs, songs telling stories, and
songs raising questions for the audience. Some of which, including “The Sky”, are songs that are meant to illustrate band front man Dave Grohl’s frustrations towards current U.S. politics and the 2016 election. Many of the other songs included on the album make political references, but are slightly subtler. These are not bad songs by any means, but their
slow paces and melodic moods can possibly take you out of the album if you are a more rock fan. The guest vocals of Justin Timberlake are used effectively as well as the backup drums provided by Paul McCartney. They do not take away from the album, but enhance the songs. “Concrete and Gold” is another good album created by The Foo
Fighters. Fans of their work will enjoy this album, but then again, the only downside to the album is the lack of any new sounds in any tracks. This is not a bad thing in any capacity, but it can take away from the experience of listening. The Foo Fighter’s “Concrete and Gold” is still overall very enjoyable and worth the money if you choose to purchase the album.
Macklemore drops “Gemini” sans Lewis ETHAN HORN Associate Editor On Sept. 26, Macklemore released “Gemini”, an eclectic mix of tracks that are the artist’s first release since a break with long time producer Ryan Lewis. Macklemore has a history of self-production beginning back in 2000 with a mixtape titled “Open Your Eyes”. After that he released his first studio album in 2005, “The Language of My World”. Most fans know Macklemore from his meteoric rise with co-creator Ryan Lewis, a partnership in 2009 with the pair’s EP “The Vs. EP”. “Gemini” is in many ways a distillation of the pair’s work more than a reduction back to his purely solo work. It’s obvious that Macklemore learned more about his style and production methods that have bled into the new album. That’s apparent from the first track, “Ain’t Gonna Die Tonight”. Belting lyrics come from featured artist Eric Nally, soon joined by a blasting horn and a lifting chorus of choir vocals. Children’s chanting mixes in with a popping kick drum to provide the backdrop of Macklemore’s rap. The song is
saccharine, saturated in boisterous, youthful fervor, the same fervor that turns listeners onto (or off of) Broadway tunes and sincere indie artists. That sincerity is a running theme throughout the album. Whether reflecting on religion, relationships, lifestyles, or decisions Macklemore brings a certain veneer of authenticity to his sound and lyricism through earnestness. The featuring of artists is something that shouldn’t be overlooked, every single track on the album, save for “Ten Million”, sees a new artist joining Macklemore. “Ain’t Gonna Die Tonight”, “Glorious”, “Marmalade” and “Willy Wonka” lead off the hourlong album with a light atmosphere that at points alludes to the albums greater themes of purpose and value. Each one is up tempo and carries a boisterous quality that harkens back to the hits of past albums. The next four, “Intentions”, “Good Old Days”, “Levitate” and “Firebreather”, are a quick dip and revival to the tempo of the album. The first two deal with wrestling with nostalgia, and present the idea that while living
may seem disappointing at the time as time passes it sweetens. The next two are livelier, specific genres of party anthems. That’s what all four of these tracks carry amongst themselves, each is a commitment to a unique style of music. With heavier basslines and grooves that speak to the tradition of funk, these blend Macklemore’s lyricizing with the featured artists sound. “How to Play the Flute”, “Ten Million”, “Over It” and “Zara” all deal with relationships, tying in the idea of how relating with significant others might play into the established questions from the last set of songs. The tempo of these songs starts high, continuing from “Firebreather”, and drifts down, leading to the culmination of the album. “Corner Store”, “Miracle”, “Church” and “Excavate” draw in Macklemore’s ideas to as close a singular point as he manages in the album. “Corner Store” will be a hit, it has the most technically impressive rapping thanks to featured artist Dave B and Travis Thompson. It also is the last high note, celebrating the things Macklemore loves, the ‘good old days’ of relaxation and hedonistic revelry.
The last three songs are where Macklemore reckons with this sort of revelry. He takes on his approach to religion that has been teased in the album since “Glorious”. All three are slower, more thoughtful, and more melodically. They see Macklemore talking instead of yelling, reserved, and introspective. The trio draws into focus the most important song on the album, “Intention”. “Intention” is a blueprint for the themes and styles of the album, while Macklemore wants one thing idealistically, he finds himself doing something else practically. That sort of dissonance is a defining style of his, and something that makes the artist’s style relatable to his contemporaries. “Gemini” is an album that is interesting to approach as an examination of typical culture. It provides a number of unique and interesting songs, and plenty of heart. A few of the tracks will hold out as fan favorites and see continued radio play, but not the important ones. The important ones must be taken in with the whole product for them to stick.
A majority of these artists are relative unknowns, save for a few front of the box names like Kesha, Lil Yachty and Skylar Grey. The unknowns are good though, if you like their vocal styles as you listen through “Gemini”, don’t neglect them.
Ringo Starr: Give More Love album review BRANDI GOMEZ Music reviewer Ringo Starr’s “Give More Love” came out earlier this year. The 14-song album was released in celebration of Starr’s 77 birthday. Starr is best known as the drummer for The Beatles, and although The Beatles’ days have passed, Starr has continued his
career in the music industry as a singer and songwriter. He is gaining fans from all generations, both old and new. His rockadelic pop style of music brings listeners back to the 60s, but also establishes a modernized sound. Starr introduces the album with the song “We’re on the Road Again.” It gives the listener a way to jump into the album with a
lively song, showing off an electric guitar playing in the background, shaping it perfectly. Not only is it introducing the album, but also introducing Starr as an artist, apart from The Beatles. Coming in around the middle of the album is a country rock style of beat. With instantly catchy verses, “Standing Still” reminds me of a camp song, giving off a sing-a-long tune. Although
the song was far from what I expected, it was surprisingly satisfying, and gives proof to the idea that Ringo Starr is his own artist. With this country sound to the album, this diverse quality is what the fans loved. “So Wrong for So Long” sits at the falling resolution of the album. This song really emphasizes Starr’s voice. It was apparent that Starr was more than a drummer.
I loved it! It gives his fans something to hum and whistle to. The 10 song on the album, leading up to the conclusion, is “Give More Love”. As the song is also the title of the album, it really emphasizes the meaning of Starr’s creation. That is, to express a lively attitude through his Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/viewpoints | Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Page 5
Leave the allowance or spoil the child
CASSIE KNUST Senior Viewpoints writer
Growing up, I was a part of a family that didn’t believe in allowances. Our allowances were having a roof over our head, food in our stomachs, a bed to sleep in, an education and a family that provided everything I needed. To be fair, this mindset partially stems from the fact that my siblings and I were adopted by our grandparents, who both grew up towards the end of The Great Depression. That background really puts things into perspective. They couldn’t afford to waste anything for fear
of going without in the future. Whether or not children and teenagers ought to be given allowances is entirely up to debate (and circumstance). Each side has valid points. Those who support the idea believe it teaches responsibility in money management, and if done correctly, it could provide a valuable foundation for the future. I’ve heard methods such as starting off with small amounts, and increasing monthly payments over time. Provided a family has the means to pay their children, and the dedication to teach them how to earn and manage it, this could work out. Of course, not all families can afford to pay their children allowances. Many people against the idea believe it teaches entitlement and spoils the child. There is a saying that is relevant to this idea: “People want acknowledgment for things they should already be doing.” It’s a parent’s job to teach their children responsibility. Chores such as cleaning their room, helping around the house, doing their laundry, getting good grades, or even going the
extra mile are things we are all responsible for once we’re old enough to do them. Never,
“It’s a parent’s
job to teach their children responsibility.” -Cassie Knust even as an adult, have I been paid to complete any of these responsibilities. Rarely have I ever wished to be paid for them either. Now, this is not to say my parents never rewarded me, but they taught me to never expect payment for doing the right thing. I would watch how both
my parents handled their finances, and learned the value of being frugal. They would sit down with me and explain to me what they were doing. They encouraged questions. Of course, every household is different. Like many, my parents couldn’t afford to give me an allowance, so they taught me the value of responsibility the way they were while growing up: through hard work and gratitude for everything I had. As someone who was adopted, a different choice several years ago could have put me in very different circumstances. I knew this. The roof over my head, the food in my stomach, the very bed I slept in — they didn’t have to be mine. How could I expect my parents to pay me for things I should already be doing? They didn’t hire me; they worked hard day in and day out to make sure I had a good home. It was my responsibility to honor those choices by doing everything I could to give back. While it’s true my background affords me this conservative perspective, it’s a perspective anyone could benefit from.
Pa ws UP
Paws up to the weather slowly moving into the mid 80s, feel that cool humid breeze.
Paws down to the roadwork on Interstate 45, guess I’ll see you in a month Mom.
Netflix thinks Pennywise is a gay icon
NICK WARD Senior Viewpoints writer
So Pennywise and the Babadook are gay and are in a relationship. No, I did not make that up, the internet did. This comes from a meme that has been appearing on social media of an illustration of the two horror movie icons holding hands, while Pennywise is holding a bouquet of balloons matching the colors
of the Gay Pride Flag. Now, the majority of the people reading this article are probably really confused by how this happened. Well, it started because of Netflix. Whenever you pull up your Netflix account, the home page will have recommended movies from specific genres based on your previous choices. With this system, Netflix has gained a reputation for miscategorizing movies. A particular example relevant to this meme was the miscategorization of The Babadook. The Babadook is a critically acclaimed Australian horror movie that follows a widowed mother and her son being stalked by the titular creature after reading a pop-up book, and for some reason Netflix categorized it as an LGBT film. Someone took a picture of this, and it went viral. However, people started to realize that the mistake is not that crazy. In the movie,
The Babadook is stalking the mom and the son so they will acknowledge him, and when the mom does not, things only get worse with the mom slowly turning into a monster herself. Looking the plot, it can obviously be seen as an allegory for coming out of the closet, and the rejection from a homophobic society. A huge majority of the LGBT community also picked up on this too, and that is why you have been seeing images of The Babadook associated with LGBT pride photos. LGBT interpretations of horror movies and stories are nothing new due to a population trying to find representation in a society that has until recently been very hostile towards this group, and The Babadook is arguably one of the best ones. But then you now have Pennywise. When you look at the clown in the new adaptation of Stephen King’s It, Pennywise is
downright terrifying. However, when it was revealed what actor Bill Skarsgard looks like outside of the makeup, people found him to be generally attractive. This became a meme in itself, even a joke within the child actors of the film, and someone found parallel of this with an icon sign at the first ever gay pride parade in New York City: “I am your worst fear, I am your best fantasy.” Thus, Pennywise is now a gay icon. The story is really funny, but should the LGBT community be making Pennywise as a LGBT icon? With the Babadook, you have someone who just wants to be noticed, but Pennywise’s entire goal is to lure little kids and kill them. Even with the duality of Skarsgard and Pennywise being the intent behind Pennywise’s gay icon status, most people are not going to read that deep into it. Plus, anti-LGBT advocates could easily take this as an opportunity to demonize the
Pa ws
DOWN
LGBT community, especially since Pennywise luring little kids into the dark could easily be respun as an allegory for pedophilia by homophobes. I understand the need to make symbols out of figures of pop culture (especially how the Babadook has become of these symbols), but the LGBT community should find better candidates besides killer clowns that eat children.
Players, coaches react to Trump’s comment
TRACE HARRIS Senior reporter
On Friday, Donald Trump called players who kneel during the national anthem “sons of bitches” at a rally in Huntsville, Ala. Immediately, players, coaches and team owners hit back at Trump. Trump, in his war against athletes, also specifically called out Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry. The Golden State Warriors, including Steph Curry, all said they would not attend the White House’s recognition of their championship. However, Trump exclusively tweeted about Curry,
saying, “Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating; therefore, invitation is withdrawn!” Many noted Curry had already declined the invitation, and therefore, he could not withdraw the invitation. Cleveland Cavilers star LeBron James quickly replied to Trump, saying, “U bum @StephenCurry30 already said he ain’t going! So therefore, ain’t no invite. Going to White House was a great honor until you showed up!” James’ tweet has already become one of the most liked and retweeted of all time. The NFL replied to Trump’s comments about athletes in a memo, saying, “The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to fully understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.” Trump replied, saying, “Roger Goodell of NFL
just put out a statement trying to justify the total disrespect certain players show to our country. Tell them to stand!” Patriot’s owner Robert Kraft sent out a statement on Trump’s comments, saying, “I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities. I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal,” Kraft said. “Our players are intelligent, thoughtful, and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful.” Saturday night, America saw the first Major League Baseball player, Catcher Bruce Maxwell of the Oakland Athletics, take a knee during the national anthem. As suspected, Sunday’s slate of games saw not only many players kneeling, but most teams protesting the national anthem. Most teams stood arm in arm
during the anthem, including the Jacksonville Jaguars in the early morning game in London, along with owner Shahid Kahn. Kahn is himself a Pakistani immigrant, a group persecuted by Trump and his supporters. The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed in the locker room during the national anthem to protest. The game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tennessee Titans saw both teams stay in the locker room during the anthem. In primetime, on Sunday Night Football, just miles away from the White House in Landover, Md., players from the Washington Redskins were linked arm in arm, while players from the Oakland Raiders sat on the bench. The protests were that much more powerful with their proximity to the White House. In an early morning tirade, Trump said, “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend! ...NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love
our country. League should back U.S.” Of course, Trump’s comments about NFL ratings are untrue. In fact, Sunday marked a presidential milestone: in the first 8 months of his Presidency, Trump has a 39% approval rating, much more important ratings than the NFL’s. Trump’s disparaging comments on athletes have only unified and joined players and teams against him. However, as we have seen with most nonsensical statements by Trump, this probably serves as a distraction from the important issues, such as North Korea, Betsy DeVos ending Title XI protections for rape victims and Trump’s embarrassing comments, such as naming a made-up African nation at the UN. Perhaps the more important story surrounding Trump’s comments is how he criticized black athletes compared to his responses to Nazis, who he called “great people” and Visit HoustonianOnline.com for the entire article.
ADVERTISING DEADLINES
Editorial EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ryan Reynolds ............... 936-294-1505 STAFF Ethan Horn.............................Associate Editor Morgan Phillips..................Viewpoints Editor Tyler Josefsen ............................ Sports Editor Arturo Mosqueda.....Campus Culture Editor Arda Küçüköz ..... ................................Web Editor
STAFF, cont. Jordan Likens............................... Copy Editor Masey White............................Assistant Editor Indya Finch .............................Assistant Editor Emily Davis..............................Assistant Editor Hivan Moreno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Editor Natalie Boyd .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Intern CJ Marshall. . . . . . . . . .Senior Photographer
Editor’s Note Subject matter in this newspaper and on www.HoustonianOnline.com does not are subject to the approval of listed information, call 936-294-1505.
Faculty Advisor Marcus Funk ......................... (936) 294-3553
Call for pricing and deadlines
Advertising
BUSINESS MANAGER Paty M ason ........................... 936-294-1500 ADVERTISING MANAGER Carlos Medina............ .................. 936-294-1495 ADVERTISING STAFF Alyssa Chavez .................Social Media Director Elizabeth Ruiz................. Marketing Consultant Caleigh Cooper..............Marketing Consultant Kaitlin Huckeba..............Marketing Consultant
The Houstonian | HoustonianOnline.com/sports | Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Page 6 BANNED, page 1 — help out last year in terms of funds. I’m going to extend my hand and explain to our current situation and ask for their help” With money being the center issue, fans of the club have the right to question if the team will make the same mistake with the money being donated. The team has stressed that they have learned from their mistake and will move forward from the issue. “It has crossed my mind a lot,” Jonga said. “Hopefully our alumni and our fan base can understand that mistakes do happen and that we are ready to get on the right path. I really hope they are forgiving.” The team will look to have a GoFundMe page up and running next month.
RECORD, page 1 — his receiving core that he repeatedly mentions is the best in the country with their excellent speed and great hands. “We have three of the best receivers in the country,” Keeler said. “And Yedi is the leader of that group. This kid is one of the best I’ve ever coached.” That receiving core is complimented by the strong right arm of Briscoe. On a team filled with record-holders and award winners, Louis has the opportunity to be a key weapon for a special kind of high-octane offense. “Yedi is special,” Briscoe said. “He sees everything the same way I do. Rarely will Yedi and I have miscommunication.” With his name now standing alone in the record books, Louis still has the rest of his senior year ahead of him to build on his already spectacular numbers. He became the seventh 1,000-yard receiver in school history with a stunning performance against Chattanooga in last year’s playoffs to cap off a season where he led the Southland in receptions (76), receiving yards (1,152) and receiving touchdowns (14). His consistency on the field has helped the Bearkats to a perfect 3-0 start in 2017, and Louis puts this SHSU team on a high pedigree. “As long as we go out there and execute, we believe we can’t be stopped,” Louis said.
Photo courtesy Joe Buvid
Quidditch: A snitch in time
W HO’ S T HAT
K AT ? Clue #1: He was born November 18, 1996.
Photo courtesy Rec Sports
UP IN BROOMS. Sam Houston State University quidditch is gearing up for 2017 with the Breakfast Taco Tournament.
TYLER JOSEFSEN Sports Editor Sam Houston State University actually has a quidditch team. They do not fly in the technical sense, but they do ride brooms and have seekers that chase the snitch during games. “Quidditch is literally the most fun thing I’ve ever done in my life,” president Travis Ward said, “There is so much potential for personal growth in this sport.” The SHSU quidditch program (and the sport of quidditch itself) has grown rapidly in the last seven years. There are club sports at colleges across the country and a professional league in multiple countries around the globe. “The community has over 100
teams in the United States as well as 70-plus teams internationally,” Ward said. Many people associate quidditch with Harry Potter, but Ward has stated that you certainly do not need to be a fan of the franchise to enjoy the game. A lot of players do love the series, though, and playing the mortal version of the magical game is a key part of the fun. “For me, quidditch has been a dream come true,” seeker Jacob Keddy said. “I grew up reading and watching Harry Potter. Now, I can actually live it out!” Keddy is the seeker for Deathrow Quidditch, the SHSU B-team. He and Ward are both excited for the upcoming season. “We have six freshmen on the A team this year,” Ward said.
“They will have to decide if they want to work hard to get better. If they do, we will have the strongest team SHSU has seen yet.” “We have had the biggest turnout of new recruits the club has ever seen,” Keddy said. “I wholeheartedly believe both teams will have their best seasons yet.” One of the most unique parts of the quidditch community is the balance between friendships and competition. “The sport has the best community of anything I’ve ever played,” Ward said. “Some of the friendships I have formed with players will last my whole life.” The quidditch team is getting ready for their season with a special all-day tournament Saturday at Holleman Field in Huntsville. The Breakfast Taco Tournament
Clue #2: His favorite movie is Remember the Titans. Clue #3: Off the field, he enjoys duck hunting and fishing with his teammates.
will begin at 9:00am and give the Bearkats and visiting teams the opportunity to get back on their brooms and back into the swing of things before the competitive season starts.
Bearkat volleyball wins in straight sets
Photo courtesy Brian Blalock
KILLIN’ IT. The Sam Houston State University volleyball team defeated the Nicholls Colonels Tuesday in straight sets.
GABRIEL MYERS Sports Reporter The Sam Houston State Bearkats defeated the Nicholls State Colonels 3-0 in straight sets Tuesday night at Johnson Coliseum. The Bearkats (5-9, 2-0) began the first set looking like they were stuck in the mud. It was a set filled with unforced errors
and mental mistakes for SHSU. However, when push came to shove, the senior duo of outside hitters Brooke White and Jordyn Vaughn showed up in a big way. Just as it seemed like the Colonels were about to take control of the set, it was the dynamic duo that made sure that would not happen. Combining for 12 of the team’s 15 kills, they carried the Bearkats to a 25-22 win in the opening set. “I thought the first set we were
lucky to get out of there winning it,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “That second set I kind of mentioned to them, ‘Hey, we got to throw a different arsenal at them.’” The adjustment worked for the Bearkats to the tune of six straight points to start the set, including three aces from White. SHSU took control of the second set immediately. Once the Bearkats got the first six points they
Players of the Week
NATHAN STEWART WIDE RECEIVER
Sophomore wide receiver Nathan Stewart had a career day Saturday in SHSU’s dominating 66-17 victory over the Nicholls State Colonels football team. Stewart had seven receptions for an outstanding 147 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He finished his 2016 freshman campaign with 52 receptions, 12 for a touchdown, and a total of 1004 yards. He set a Southland Conference record with 268 receiving yards in a game last season against McNeese.
CARLOTA SUAREZ CRESPO FORWARD
Sophomore forward Carlota Suarez Crespo was an impact player in the Sam Houston State soccer team’s 2-0 victory over the Texas A&M Corpus-Christi Islanders. Suarez scored her fifth goal of the season in the 32 minute to put the Bearkats ahead, and they would not look back. She was a standout in 2016 with 24 goals in her freshman campaign and was selected First-Team All-Region with Tyler Junior College.
never took their foot off the gas pedal as they ran away with the set 25-8. “We had to figure out how they were going to be against us,” junior outside hitter Taylor Cunningham said. “That’s why we got off to a slow start, but then it got better in the second and third set.” Once the third set began the outcome was all but certain. The offensive attack of the Bearkats proved to be too much for the Colonels to deal with. Cunningham and freshman middle blocker Courtney Littlefield also got in on the action and proved to be highly effective with seven and five kills, respectively. The Bearkats would go on to win the third set 25-14, clinching the match.
Photo courtesy Brian Blalock