Sports
A&C
Spotlights: Katelyn Arledge & Sam Ross
New lacrosse coach •pg.7
•pg.8&9
Winthrop University
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Feeding Winthrop
S&T
History of community garden •pg.5
Rock Hill, SC
tj Photo courtesy of SOAR
Fresh produce grown in gardens or on farms is not sold at convenience stores on campus at eagle express or at stores near campus such as Walgreens or CVS.
Students and faculty weigh in on the magnitude of the students facing food insecurity at Winthrop Mikayla Mangle manglem@mytjnow.com Food insecurity is defined as a “state in which consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year,” according to the USDA. Food insecurity can be not having access to nutritional, healthy foods such as fresh produce and proteins or not having access to transportation to get to a store that sells affordable, nutritional
foods. Although Winthrop does have grocery stores that sell a variety of foods within walking distance to the campus such as Earth Fare and convenient stores such as Walgreens and CVS. However, these stores are either not affordable or do not sell food that contains much nutritional value. “I mean Earth Fare is convenient as far as nutritional value but not financial. Other places like Walgreens or CVS are good with affordability but only offer snack foods or frozen food which are really high in sodium and don’t have the nutrition that I need, like protein, since I have an iron deficiency,” Grace Johnson, a student at Winthrop said. Johnson lives off campus, doesn’t have a car at Winthrop, and doesn’t have a meal plan this year. For Johnson, and many students like her, it is difficult to get to an
affordable grocery store in a timely manner. Many college students don’t work or only work part time due to taking a full set of classes,
“”
Around 38-40 percent of our students are struggling with food insecurity Wanda Koszewski
department chair for human nutrition
meaning most students don’t have a stable income to afford health food stores such as Earth Fare. This leaves many students at Winthrop to struggle with food insecurity. “…around 38-40 percent of our students are struggling with food insecurity. I do think
not having a grocery store close can hurt students, especially since Earth Fare is a little high priced. It does seem to impact the students a little on access to lower price stores with good quality of selection.” Dr. Wanda Koszewski, the department chair for human nutrition at Winthrop said. Having over 35% of Winthrop students struggling with food insecurity leaves many Winthrop students wanting a solution. As of now students facing food insecurity are having to rely on friends for transportation or even go without groceries. “…it’s not worth getting an Uber just for a 5 minute drive (or 30 minute walk) [to the nearest neighborhood Walmart]…I usually wait for one of my roommates or friends to go shopping and I’ll tag along with them,” Johnson said.
4see Food pg. 6
Trustees approve new budget, work on improving Following a loss of $4.4 million, the Board of Trustees approve a budget to help recoup this loss of revenue. Anna Sharpe sharpea@mytjnow.com
On Nov. 2, Winthrop’s Board of Trustees met to review and approve the University’s budget and share updates from the committees on finance, enrollment and retention, student life and athletics, institutional advancement and development, and academic quality. Justin Oates, vice president of finance and business, opened the meeting by presenting the budget for 2019. Due to a decrease in the number of students enrolled, roughly $4.4 million dollars were lost from the budget. Oates proposed a solution to make up for the lost revenue. “We’ve been put into the situation where we need to reduce the budget now,” Oates said. He said that the university should focus on managing vacancy savings, which are funds that arise when a faculty member resigns or leaves during the
year, utilizing Courtyard funds and reducing the operating budget to $1.6 million. The board voted to approve this plan. While there are specific meetings with divisions to decrease spending in some areas, across the board spending cuts will not be taking place. One of the reasons for the decrease in enrollment was an increase in four year and five year graduation rates by 7.7 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively. These increased rates were partially responsible for the loss in students. Not only are first year enrollment numbers down, but retention rates have dropped as well. Julie Fowler, the chair of the committee on enrollment and retention, said that Winthrop is struggling to getting admitted applicants to commit and are losing out to other, larger institutions. “The National Clearing House Report provides information to us on students who were admitted to WInthrop but chose to go somewhere else. Our applications are up, our inquiries are up, but closing the deal, sealing the deal and getting those students to actually commit is down,” Fowler said. To help attract students to Winthrop, the committee on institutional advancement and development is working to
mytjnow.com
Anna Sharpe/ The Johnsonian
CSL Chair Ximena Perez, addresses the board increasing the number of events on campus, as well as dedicating 64 percentww of the marketing budget toward digital marketing. Improving retention rates was also a topic the board discussed. President Daniel Mahony said that adding new academic and non-academic programs, as well as destination programs that are unique to Winthrop, will help with retention rates. Another hit to the budget came from less students opting to live on campus. Walk2Campus, a private off-campus
apartment complex, is currently full and there was an increase in students who chose to live at home. Approving a new budget and working to improve enrollment and retention were the main goals of the meeting. The board said that they hope Winthrop will see the benefits of these efforts in the coming months.
Index: News 3 | Science & Tech 5 | Sports 6 | Arts & Culture 8 | Opinion 10
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PAGE 2 theJohnsonian November 7, 2018
About The Johnsonian The Johnsonian is the weekly student newspaper of Winthrop University. CONTACT INFORMATION Our offices are located in suite 104 in the DiGiorgio Campus Center. Phone: (803) 323-3419 Email: editors@mytjnow.com Online: mytjnow.com
LETTER POLICY Letters and feedback can be sent to editors@ mytjnow.com or by mail at The Johnsonian, 104 Campus Center, Rock Hill, S.C. 29733. Comments submitted online at www.mytjnow.com may be printed as letters and may be shortened for space and edited for clarity. Please include
your name, major and year if you are a student; your name and title if you are a professor, or your name and profession if you are a member of the community. Letters, cartoons and columns reflect the opinion of the authors and are not necessarily the opinions of The Johnsonian Staff.
Editor-in-Chief TĂŠa Franco francot@mytjnow.com Managing Editor Cheyenne Walsh walshc@mytjnow.com
S&T Editor Mikayla Mangle
Layout Editor Carmen Little
Sports Editor Greta Conboy
Graphic Designer Jordan Farrell
Illustrator Assistant Sports Kamrie Ownes Gabby Gardner
Ad Manager Mariah Houser houserm@mytjnow.com A&C Editor Ad Representative Dillon Oneill Victoria Howard howardv@mytjnow.com Assitant A&C Caleb Hinkley News Editor Caroline Riggs Opinion Editor
Assistant News Anna Sharpe
Erin Streetman
Photographers Sam Ross Paige Denney Camille Riddle Copy Editors Casey Smith Matt Thrift Haleigh Altman
theJohnsonian
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November 7, 2018
Eagles stand up for what they believe in
Caroline Riggs/ The Johnsonian
Standing in Peace
Students gathered to show their support and love of those people affected by recent acts of racial violence.
Savannah Scott/ The Johnsonian
Taking back the night
Students walk together across campus to bring back confidence and empowerment for survivors of sexual assault.
Caroline Riggs riggsc@mytjnow.com
Savannah Scott Staff Writer
survivors. She said The U.S. has seen many incidents
any reason anyone feels as if they
of gun violence and assault in recent
didn’t have the opportunity to come
said that their strength and resil-
people understand the severity of
years, especially in places of educa-
today or they don’t have a resource,
ience helps them recover from their
sexual assault.
tion and worship.
know that it is there and we do have
trauma.
On Oct. 27, a man opened
faculty and staff on campus that spe-
Survivors of sexual assault have
that spreading awareness will help
“The purpose of tonight’s event
The Sisterhood of the Traveling
was to spread awareness of sexual
fire in a synagogue in Pittsburgh
cifically identify with these issues,”
Panties and the Office of Victim
assault and telling our personal
in an anti-semitic attack. This has
Perez-Velazco said.
Assistance hosted an event, Take
stories just really hits people in their
Back the Night, to honor a victim of
feelings because they realize how
sexual assault.
real it is and how it happens to
come with many racial commentary
President Daniel Mahony
and attacks on people and students
said that this event helped students
around the country.
organize their thoughts and con-
Some of the people in charge of
cerns together into something that
organizing the event said that they
these attacks and racist views with a
helped benefit the entire campus
wanted to tell the victim’s story and
moment of silence in front of Owens
and showed everyone that Winthrop
to show that her resilience through
hall on Oct. 30 and an invitation to
is a place of acceptance and inclu-
adversity is what defines her, not her
of Victim Assistance counselor, who
all students, faculty and staff to pray
sion.
situation.
attended the event to offer support,
Winthrop responded to
and show the community how they
“I think that one of the
They also said that she got the jus-
people you don’t think it would happen to,” Gardner said.
Beverly Holbrook, an Office
spoke out for those that have been
are celebrating diversity and inclu-
things we want to do is to create
tice she deserves and that she wants
assaulted but have not seeked help.
sivity.
a welcoming committee and this
to empower those that have experi-
“It’s not about reporting, it’s not
certainly helps with that. That’s one
enced sexual assault.
Ximena Perez-Velazco, a
senior human nutrition major, is the
of the things students look for when
president of the Council of Student
they go to college where they feel a
began at 6:30
Leaders. She said that these events
part of something and feel a part of a
p.m. on Oct. 30
are happening everywhere in the
family,” Mahony said.
in the parking
country and that now Winthrop
Mahony said that students
The event
lot of Margaret
students are having to deal with all
should seek help from campus re-
Nance. Members
of the effects racism and bigotry at
sources. He said that the faculty and
of the Sisterhood
home.
staff are here to support you through
joined together
times like this and that more people
to share poems of
should take advantage of that.
empowerment and
She said that although
there may be extreme cases of racial discrimination and violence across
“People are here to listen,
people are here to support you. I
survivors of sexual
of including and diversifying their
mean not just the students, we have
assault.
student body and faculty.
counselors, others and if you feel
“These events, unfortunate-
ly, stem from a place of darkness and bigotry and that is something
After they
the need to seek help, you should,”
shared poems
Mahony said.
the group walked
Jared T. Garrett, a senior
Most importantly
“”
strength for other
the U.S., Winthrop does a good job
about getting someone in trouble.
in silence to the
it is about getting
if you don’t tell anyone you’re going to be consumed with loneliness and I think that no matter how much it sucks you should tell someone because they will understand
the help you need
Gabby Gardner
with our office. We
sophomore integrated marketing communications major
to overcome and that’s why I would invite anyone who has been assaulted anytime in their life. If you have not gotten counseling there’s no better time than now. It’s free and you have unlimited visits want to offer those services because we
I consider myself very lucky to not
sport management major, is the vice
Amphitheatre to
want people who
have to know here,” Perez-Velazco
president of the Council of Student
honor the victim.
have been hurt to
said.
Leaders. He said that this event was
Some of the other members shared
find healing and hope again,” Hol-
put on in the hopes of bringing to-
poems about their experience and
brook said.
more elementary education major
gether students and faculty to ensure
how it does not define them but
who said that he came to the event
that they feel safe and welcomed at
makes them stronger.
to show his support. He feels he has
Winthrop.
Quest Morris is a sopho-
Gardner said that the Sisterhood of the Traveling Panties is an im-
Gabby Gardner, an integrated
portant resource and support group
marketing communications soph-
on campus for many victims and it is
comfortable and with these events
omore, said that writing holds a
open to anyone.
that happened throughout this past
special place in her heart and has
making sure our students know that
week, we just want to let you guys
helped her on the road to recovery.
we’re here for them in this time of
know that Winthrop is a place where
tragedy and I know that we had a lot
everyone is comfortable and every-
wanted to get across that there’s
all understand each other. So I think
of students who have been affected
one is your family,” Garrett said.
hope and it’s been a long time
it’s very comforting to know that it’s
coming but through therapy it gets
a safe place for all of us. To speak
welcomed anyone struggling with
so much better and I think our main
up about it to tell someone cause if
acceptance or people who feel they
message is that there’s hope and
you don’t tell anyone you’re going
offers many safe zones and places
have been discriminating against or
that everything will get better. No
to be consumed with loneliness and
for students to recover and heal
affected by the events in these past
matter how much you think nothing
I think that no matter how much
from events like this.
few weeks to contact the CSL.
is going to get better it does. You just
it sucks you should tell someone
have to keep fighting,” Gardner said
because they will understand,” Gard-
to show other students that they are not alone.
“Standing in solidarity and
by this so I feel like this was only necessary,” Morrison said. Perez-Velazco said that Winthrop
“Our Alma Mater says
“We want everyone to feel
Perez-Velazco and Garrett
“If there’s anything we can do to
“Through my letter I just really
‘Together We Stand’ and we are a
offer you comfort or console please
Gardner shared her thoughts
family here. I wouldn’t work in the
feel free to contact us at anytime,”
about what this event meant and
position I do if we weren’t and if for
Perez-Velazco said.
why it’s important to her and other
Caroline Riggs | News Editor riggsc@mytjnow.com
“We are judge free zone, we don’t judge anyone. We have all been through very similar situations, we
ner said.
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November 7, 2018
Casting the first vote
Anna Sharpe/ The Johnsonian
The Nov. 6 elections found many first time voters going to their polling places to cast their first ballot
Voting is the first time that many students have said they can directly participate in America’s democracy Anna Sharpe sharpea@mytjnow.com
The Nov. elections will be the first time many students will be voting and many of them have said that this is not only exciting, but also confusing and intimidating. Nov. 6 was election day for the gubernatorial and local elections. Students were given the day off to vote in the midterm election. For those students who were unable to go home and vote in person, Winthrop mailed their absentee ballots for free. Olivia Phillips, a freshman human development and family studies major, was one of the many students who chose to vote absentee. “I would have much rather enjoyed going and actually voting and getting to press all the little buttons, but it was okay. It gave me time to sit back and research all the candidates, so I didn’t have to go on impulse,” Phillips said. The midterms marked Phillips’
first time voting. She said that she Limberg opted to vote absentee felt as though she had a voice in in person. She was able to cast her society. vote before election day by going to “I felt empowered and that I was her district’s registration office and contributing to the community and voting in person. that I actually had a voice for once. “I was really excited to vote before There’s people that love to complain I came here, but I think Winthrop about what goes made a really big on in society deal about voting. but if you’re not They brought in voting, you’re local candidates, so not contributing I thought that was Voting helps make to it, so how can cool,” Lindenberg the country the you complain said. about it?” PhilFaculty, staff and place you want it to lips said. student organizabe. Emma Lintions all worked to denberg, a freshprepare students Mason Vujicic man integrated for the election. Pre-engineering major and first The university marketing time voter communications offered registration major, said that drives, forums, voting for the debate screenings, first time felt tablings, to even like she was driving students to contributing to the polling places the community. on election day. “[Voting was] invigorating. It was Many students have said that cool. It felt like I was an adult and this was very helpful to encouragI was making a difference in the ing them to vote, but it is still very world, one vote at a time,” Lindenintimidating to actually go out and berg said. cast their vote.
“”
Ryne Courtney, a freshman biology major, said that as a first time voter, figuring out who was on the ballot was daunting for her. “There’s so much information out there and it’s so hard to start. I went online to try and start sorting through, what exactly are we voting for,” Courtney said. Courtney also said that her parents influenced her to go out and vote, despite their own personal beliefs. “I want to vote, my mom doesn’t really vote, but my dad does, so my mom’s opinion is that it doesn’t really matter who [you] vote for because everybody else is going to vote for the other person. I feel like it’s important,” Courtney said. Mason Vujicic, a sophomore pre-engineering major and first time voter, offered similar sentiments about the importance of voting. “Voting helps make the country the place you want it to be. Voting does matter and if everyone gets to vote then the country becomes more of what they want it to become,” Vujicic said.
Bring it to the table
Students were invited to engage in civil discourse and use their passions for politics to stop arguing and begin creating an impact on their community Anna Sharpe sharpea@mytjnow.com Civil discourse brought students and faculty together on Nov. 1 to discuss the future of the United States. Bring It To The Table, an interactive event about civil discourse, was held in Tuttle Dining Room. A documentary, “Bring It To The Table,” and a follow-up discussion were held for the attendants. Jessica Lynn, executive director of SC Campus Compact, introduced the documentary by defining civil discourse and how people can discuss issues without arguing about their opposing beliefs. “Civil discourse is conversation not for the sake of talking, but conversation for the sake of listening and understanding,” Lynn said. She also said that it is important for people to remember that you aren’t supposed to feel comfortable and reach an agreement by the end of the conversation, but that you should be learning and growing with each other. “My encouragement to you is to go out and have conversations and not conversations where you are sitting down to talk, but conversations where you are sitting down to listen and to learn and to make you feel a little uncomfortable and push yourselves to be a little stronger in your beliefs,” Lynn said.
The documentary “Bring it to the Table” is the story of Julie Winokur’s journey to become more tolerant as she learns to listen rather than just talk at people she disagreed with.
asked people of varying political beliefs, religions, backgrounds to sit at the table and answer questions about politics. On the table, Winokur placed a yellow flower. She asked her tablemate to place it on the left or right of the table, according to how they felt they leaned politically. This allowed her to visualize where they stood and have an open conversation with them. Winokur said that this helped her develop an understanding and become more tolerant of those with opposing political ideologies. After the showing of “Bring It To The Table,” participants split off into pairs and have their own versions of Winokur’s ‘table talks.’ A wide variety of issues were available for discussion such as gun control, marijuana legalization and banning plastic products. Participants were told to find someone who opposed their political beliefs. Christine Dunn, a freshman biomedical research and business major, said that having those uncomfortable conversations are necessary in order to make change. “I think if we want to make things better, Official movie logo we have to start looking at other people’s point of views because it’s very easy to look at Winokur, a devout democrat, was told by her your own personal experiences and not someson that she was the most intolerant person that body else’s. I think that everybody comes from he knew. In response to this, Winokur said that different backgrounds in their lives and it really she wanted to change. does affect where people are going to go in their She traveled the country and set up a table. She life,” Dunn said.
Anna Sharpe | Assistant News Editor sharpea@mytjnow.com
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S&T
theJohnsonian November 7, 2018
food from front Having to wait on transportation from other people to get to and from the grocery store can take valuable time away from a person, especially a college student who needs that time to study and go to class. Some students believe there is more that can be done to help with the food insecurity issue on campus. “We just finished putting an abstract together on this project [food insecurity on campus] and this is what we put in it: The final question on the survey asked students to provide feed[back] on how to help them with their financial resources when it comes to food security. The most common themes
were food scholarships, longer dining service hours, development of financial literacy program for students, lower meal plan prices, and an online food bank so students could donate café cash and meal swipes,” Koszewski said. Overall students believe there are a few things that can be done regarding ways to acquire food on campus. Many ways to get food on campus are very expensive, such as the expensive meal plans and the prices at eagle express. Although it seems to be a silent issue, many students at Winthrop are struggling with food insecurity and many
are going without groceries or the proper nutrition they need. They are paying their tuition and for their textbooks but cannot afford food. “In past years I’ve gone without groceries but not this year since I’m living in an apartment with friends that have cars and most of the groceries we buy are communal…but getting my own groceries has to be more planned out and I don’t get to do that for days at a time sometimes,” Johnson said.
There is now Tinder for dogs! The app Tindog helps you meet dogs & their owners in your area.
Shovels up for the community
An interview with the Rock Hill Community Gardens’ Master Gardener about their history with the Community Gardens and their passion for community service Zuri Anderson Staff Writer Education, feeding the hungry, supporting the community: those are some the motivations and passions DeHavilland “Dee” Morgan, the Master Gardener of the Rock Hill Community Gardens, said in an interview with The Johnsonian. A member of the York County Master Gardeners for 13 years, she said that she enjoys the presence of Winthrop students in the community gardens, and how much they contribute to it. Her interview is below: What are your duties and responsibilities? The Master Gardener is always there. They schedule people in and out of gardens, help take care of the planting, scheduling the planting, ordering the plants, getting the seeds, etcetera. We have five or six Winthrop students who are very active in the gardens, and we always get together and plan the activities for the gardens they love. It’s not just me, there’s other people out here. I just happen to be out here every week to schedule the activities and make sure the gardens are in good shape. How long have you been working in the Community Gardens? How did you get involved? I’ve been working in the community gardens since its inception back in 2010. I am a member of the Master Gardeners, who were involved in the creation of the çardens, and that’s how I got involved. What inspired you to work in the Community Gardens?
It was a project of the Master Gardeners, and I’ve always been active with the gardeners from years ago, like all my ancestors. All of them were gardeners, and we’ve always had gardens throughout my life. So, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get involved in the volunteer hours, but to learn more, be able to teach others, and not only that, but be able to feed the hungry out in Rock Hill. Most of the vegetables we grow are donated to Project HOPE and some of the churches around town that have the luncheons, feed the hungry at noon. Project HOPE is one of our biggest users of Garden produce. What were you doing before you became a Master Gardener? I started my career as a data processing person. When I moved to Rock Hill about 40 years ago, I was a director of data processing for Lowensteins Textile Corporation. Then, Springs brought out Lowenstein’s, then I moved to Lancaster, South Carolina with the Springs Group to work in the management facilities. I worked at Lowenstein’s and Springs for 25 years. Both of those companies are out of business. I retired in 2005, and became a Master Gardener that same year. What is your main motivation to work at the Community Gardens? What do you want to be your lasting impact? The biggest impact we’ve had is teaching others how to garden, letting others know that we have a garden and being able to advise them on what vegetables grow in this area of South Carolina.
Courtesy of Dee Morgan
Dee Morgan, a Master Gardener of the Rock Hill Community Gardens, is passionate about educating others about gardening and produce and “feeding the We also teach you how to prepare your soil, how to fertilize, how to feed the vegetables you got, and also, how to prepare them for the table -- how to cook them, how to use them, so you don’t grow something you can’t use. Education is a big part of what the Master Gardeners do around here. The Winthrop students come out -- we have groups of students that come out four or five times to a year to put in their volunteer hours of required service. That’s a big part of our community… for people to participate in community service and give back to the community. What is your hope for the future of the Community Gardens?
Mikayla Mangle | Science & Technology Editor manglem@mytjnow.com
Since we have so many students at Winthrop involved with us, we would like to continue to build the Gardens, to teach the student how to grow, harvest the vegetables and use them themselves. We had an international student from China who was out here two years ago, and he had a plot all by himself. He raised different kinds of vegetables and fed himself out of his garden plot for a year. He was a vegetarian. We have lots of students who are growing plants out there right now, students who come out and work their own gardens, help others and do other chores around the gardens. They really enjoy it, and it provides them fresh vegetables for whenever they want it.
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SPORTS
theJohnsonian
November 7, 2018
Four eagles earn Women’s Soccer All-Conference honors
Four soccer players of the Winthrop Women’s Soccer Team were awarded AllConference Awards Joseph Calamia Calamiaj@mytjnow.com On Oct. 25, 2018, four members of the Winthrop Women’s Soccer team were awarded positions in the Big South All-Conference Teams during the annual awards. One of the members, Senior Joanna ‘Jojo’ Taylor, was named a part of the All-Academic team, Juniors Allie Thomas and Dylan Patterson were named on the Big South Second Team and Sophomore Arryana Daniels was named on the First Team. Head coach of the women’s soccer team, Spencer Smith, was proud of the four soccer players’ effort, which led to their honors, as well as to the soccer team’s success this season. “I am very proud of these girls for the honors they received this year. In their own way, these four players helped lead our team to a successful season. As a senior, JoJo was instrumental in
transition for me at first, but this award was a confidence boost and I am very grateful.” The Big South Conference awards are part of the NCAA soccer conference, which picks players from 11 soccer teams in the Big South area to be on the First and Second Teams. “I could not be more excited for my other teammates who have worked hard and received acknowledgement for it. I think everyone on our team deserves some type of an award, but I know I am a bit biased. It is always amazing to see my teammates get recognized for their hard work,” Taylor said. Thomas and members of the women’s soccer team were proud of their teammates receiving honors. “I wouldn’t have gotten this recognition without my teammates and coaches. They push me every day on and off Photo provided by Winthrop Athletics the field to be the best that I can. It’s a team sport, so I really have leading the team both on and off the field, and to give all my thanks to them,” it’s nice to see Dylan, Arry and Allie rewarded for Thomas said. their hard work,” Smith said. This season for the Winthrop women’s soccer Taylor, a sports management major, explained team started off strong, but the team suffered how the honors from Big South were given out to multiple players facing injuries. college soccer players during the current season “Although we stepped up this season, we did and how they were selected. fall short on some of our goals,” said Patterson. “These are awards that are given out at the “But I think this has been the best season since end of the season to members of all teams in the I have been here at Winthrop. The team really Big South. They are just awards given to certain needed it.” individuals who have had a good season and are Taylor noted how the hard work of the women’s recognized for it,” Taylor said. soccer team was rewarded throughout the season Thomas, an integrated marketing during practice. communication major, was thankful to receive “Hard work in training and practice relates to another award from her athletic career based on how it will be in game situations. It is important her efforts this season. to work hard at practice so you can improve. “I feel extremely blessed to be on the second When everyone works hard together at practice, team all-conference this year. Last year I made it shows during games and allows for a better the First Team All-Conference, so of course I season because everyone is giving it their all,” wanted to make that again this year. I fell short. I Taylor said. did not score as much as I had last year. However, The Winthrop women’s soccer team is planning it is still an honor to make the Second Team,” to learn from this season and work harder in the Thomas said. next Big South Conference. Patterson, a sports management major, was “I think we have a good group of returning surprised at receiving her honors with her efforts players and a good amount of freshmen. We’re this season with being in a new position. going to build off the success we had this season “In past years I have always been a defender, to our next season,” Patterson said. but this season I was moved into a midfield position,” Patterson said. “It was a tricky
Winthrop Athletics raises awareness for hurricane relief
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Raises Over 500 dollars for Hurricane Relief Dylan Patterson Special to the Johnsonian The Big South conference member institutions and their student athletes have truly emphasized their dedication to serving their communities this October. All the Big South schools came together to mark October as Hurricane Relief Month. Student-Athlete Advisory Committees across the conference held fundraisers, special events and other opportunities to assist with relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Florence, which devastated the east coast in September. Specifically, Winthrop’s SAAC launched their relief efforts Oct. 20 to 27. To support this cause, the SAAC raffled off athletic gear packages donated by Winthrop’s sports teams. To raise awareness, SAAC members utilized on-campus campaigns and social media to promote this event. In the end, there were 12 winners and a total of $515 was raised and 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the American Red Cross. Vice President of the Winthrop SAAC Gabriel Boscardin Dias said, “I think that the fundraiser was an awesome initiative from Big South Conference, and it is great that SAAC was involved on it. I believe that it is extremely important to have student athletes giving back to the community in many different ways, and helping those in need is almost like an obligation for us.” Dias said, “Our university is full of generous people, and everyone seemed to be extremely interested in helping and supporting the cause during the week of tabling. It is incredible to see our student athletes using their voices and energy to make our community a little bit better, and I am proud to be part of this program.”
Greta Conboy | Sports Editor conboyg@mytjnow.com
Picture Provided by Dylan Patterson
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November 7, 2018
Men’s Basketball returns to the nest Winthrop men’s basketball ranks second in Big South preseason poll
Matthew Shealy shealym@mytjnow.com In the midst of the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball season beginning, the Big South Conference held its annual Basketball Media Day where the preseason poll results were announced. Winthrop finished second in the poll, only behind the defending Big South champion, Radford. Head Coach Pat Kelsey commented that he had seen the Eagles ranked anywhere from second to seventh in various publications this preseason and said “that is a good indication that our league is wide open this year.” According to senior Jermaine Ukaegbu, “Rankings don’t really matter to our guys. It’s something we try not to focus on.” Ukaegbu also called his teammates unselfish and said the team just wants to win. “No matter what we’re ranked, we just come to practice every day ready to compete and make each other better,” Ukaegbu said. Last season, Winthrop finished tied for second in the regular season standings but lost to Radford in the semifinal round of the Big South Tournament. Senior Bjorn Broman said, “We have already talked about coming up short last year, and we’re working even harder to make sure it doesn’t happen this year.” Going a step further, he added, “We have the players and coaches that can get us to the national tournament. We just have to put it all together.” As a part of their 19-12 record last year, Winthrop was 11-3 at home. On top of that, Winthrop has not lost more than three home games during a season since the 2012-2013 season. “I think we have the best fanbase in the Big South,” said Ukaegbu. “They’re not only fans, but they’re family. We interact and see people who are watching from the stands all the time, so it’s just really nice to know that they have our backs.” Winthrop will
Picture Provided by Winthrop Athletics
play many competitive opponents at home this season, including East Tennessee State on Nov. 17 as part of the Homecoming festivities. Redshirt freshman Keondre Schumacher insisted that Winthrop students should attend basketball games, saying, “creating an environment where we can consistently have a lit student section can be a deciding factor in some close games.” Schumacher, who did not play last year, is enthusiastic about for the start of the season. “I’m just excited to be able to step on the court this year and make some plays and play with this fun group of guys,” he said. This season, Winthrop will face a couple of particularly strong lineups on the road. The Eagles will travel north to face Kentucky on Nov. 21 before heading south to compete against Florida State on New Year’s Day. The Wildcats are currently ranked second overall in the nation, while the Seminoles are ranked 17th nationally.
Kentucky also appeared in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament last season, while Florida State advanced all the way to the Elite Eight. However, Winthrop is not intimidated by these opponents. “We are going into those games with the mindset of winning,” said Broman. Although he acknowledged having nerves before games, Broman also said, “It is a blessing to be able to play on a big-time stage against those teams, and once I step on the court, the nerves go away and I just get lost in the game.” Winthrop has 10 total players returning this season, including junior Josh Ferguson, who was voted to the preseason all-conference second team. With that experience and chemistry, the Eagles are hopeful to be Big South Champions again and make another appearance in the NCAA Tournament, as they did two seasons ago.
SPORT SPOTLIGHT: Fellowship of Christian Athletes Serve Winthrop Athletics FCA Leadership dedicates time to support their peers Greta Conboy conboy@mytjnow.com
Photo provided by Angie Lainer
The Winthrop Fellowship of Christian Athletics focuses on serving communities around the globe by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world through the gospel. Winthrop FCA Chaplin Angie Lanier said, “As the Winthrop FCA campus ministry representative, I have had the pleasure of coming alongside these leaders to equip, serve and strengthen their faith and support Winthrop Athletics. We support the athletic department and help guide and support them throughout their time in this program.” This past month, Winthrop FCA has been gathering in fellowship to support various Winthrop Athletics teams. Every few weeks, students dedicate their support to a different Winthrop sports team. “The FCA community is so important to me because it gives me a place of commonality. I love people, believer or not, but FCA is a home base. Seeing their support on and off the field has meant so much to me. It has helped me to grow deep in in my fellowship with other students,” said Natalie Royaards, who is on the women’s soccer team. Winthrop FCA is open to all students and meets every Monday night in Owens G02 with the goal of helping athletes to know and grow in Christ and encourage others to do the same.
Picture Provided by Winthrop Athletics
Gabby Gardner | Assistant Sports Editor gardnerg@mytjnow.com
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A&C
theJohnsonian Novemeber 7, 2018
Artist Spotlights:
Samantha Ross
The Johnsonian sits down with student artist Sam Ross to learn about her artistic past
Photo provided by Ross
Portrait of Ross
Dillion O’Neill oneilld@mytjnow.com For as long as she can remember, Samantha Ross has been making art. “I was always the art kid in school. Whenever we had a project where we had to draw for it everyone would turn to look at me,” Ross said. At an early age Ross began drawing, doodling and designing anywhere she could. With the full support of her parents, Ross began pursuing art. Over one summer, just after fifth grade, Ross was enrolled in a county art program where she was first given the chance to experiment with photography. It was then that she “fell in love.” “My teacher was like, “You have the eye for photography,’ and I was like, ‘Sure!’ and ran with it,” Ross said. Ross later began college at Winthrop to study photography. After her beginning foundation courses, she took a class on photo media studies
of her proudest accomplishments. It began with an assignment focused on archiving. At first Ross was stumped. So she turned to the friends she had made. Ross gave a few of her international friends large jars and asked them to fill them with objects they had collected from their time in New Zealand. “These jars are encapsulate the people, their memories and their time here,” Ross said. Ross intended to lay the contents of each jar flat and photograph the scene. However, when it came time for her to do so, it “didn’t feel right.” Photo provided by Ross The jars became a piece by The final jar project themselves. This resulted in an over five foot tall that reaffirmed her passion for photography. photographic collection detailing these jars and Initially Ross was focused in on commercial their contents. photography, but she has recently been exploring Back at Winthrop this semester, Ross was what type of photography she prefers more. Ross encouraged to submit some of her work to a believes change, as an artist is vital. Throughout gallery that was to be judged by the president the different styles of photography Ross has of the Bechtler museum in Charlotte. Ross was tried, the singular theme on connectivity lingers. shocked to be chosen. “I keep coming back to this concept of “I feel like I have low expectations of my work, friendship or how people are connected,” Ross and I probably shouldn’t,” Ross said. said. “You may not know someone personally, Ross’ work is currently on display in the but there’s still some way you’re connected to student galleries on the third floor of the them.” McLaurin building. She continues to work on Ross spent last spring in New Zealand studying her photography style and looks to expand into her art and traveling the island. Much like her sculptures or 3D additions to her photos. In passion for drawing and art, Ross has always had addition, Ross works as a photographer for The the desire to travel. Johnsonian. “I went to New Zealand because I really didn’t “I feel like there’s always more that you can know where I wanted my work to go, or what I learn, and I just want to keep going and keep was doing so I kind of went to find myself,” Ross exploring and not stay in my comfortable bubble, said. even though I love it,” Ross said. In a sense it worked, Ross came back feeling more confident in herself and her art. She also created a work of art that is now one
A Night at the opera
The Winthrop Opera Theatre hosted a night of powerful and interesting solo musical numbers. Joseph Calamia Staff writer
The Winthrop Opera Theatre hosted its annual showcase “A Night of Musical Theatre” to students and families on Oct. 29. The wellreceived program featured 90 minutes of the Winthrop Opera Theatre students performing select songs from classic or modern musicals. Jeffery McEvoy, the director of the Winthrop Opera Theatre, was pleased with how the performance allowed students to express their voices to their friends and family. “The highlight for me is seeing the students have an audience to perform for,” McEvoy said. The opening number was “Some Enchanted Evening” from the 1949 musical “South Pacific,” which was performed by junior piano major Nicholas Willey. He chose this song because “South Pacific” was his favorite musical and works as a compliment to his performance in the show. “One of my favorite musical theatre eras is the 1940s to 1950s” Willey said. “This song was perfect for my bass voice.” Freshmen music vocal performance major Lauren Pace, performed “Jimmy” from the 1967 musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “She Used to be Mine” from the 2015 musical “Waitress.” Pace found herself dealing with an
Dillon O’Neill | A&C Editor oneilld@mytjnow.com
unexpected roadblock during the show, which she was able to manage. “I was sick, so it was hard to overcome the sick voice,” Pace said. Professor of music and director of Jazz Studies L.H. Dickert and instructor Lannia BroñolaDickert were part of the performance playing the bass and piano respectively. Their music helped provided the appropriate tempo and music to help the students convey the emotion of each song. “Lannia played the piano for all of our rehearsals and the performance,” McEvoy said. “We had Dickert to join us on the bass [for the show].” Another highlight of the performance was junior choral music education major NeTorrian Patton. Patton performed the songs “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” from the 1950s musical “Guys and Dolls” and “This Is the Moment” from the 1990 musical “Jekyll and Hyde.” The opportunity to sing “Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat” let Patton try something new. “I just wanted to explore some character tenor for this semester,” Patton said. Another highlight of the evening’s performance was “Gethsemane” from the 1971 musical “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Junior choral music major Cameron Wesley Jr. performed with passion what complemented the rock opera tempo which he researched before performing. “There was a lot of research on how [the song] was performed in the past,”
Wesley said. Some of the key songs and performances by students during the show included “Ladies Who Lunch” from “Company,” “I Believe” from “Book of Mormon,” “Maria” from “West Side Story” and “Make Them Hear You” from “Ragtime”. “I thought everyone did an amazing job, so I can’t pick my favorite song,” Pace said. Overall, the performance of the Winthrop Opera Theatre was a success and McEvoy is expecting the students to improve from this performance and work on their upcoming shows in the spring semester. “I’m looking to see how [the students] top it again this year,” McEvoy said.
theJohnsonian
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November 7, 2018
& Katelyn Arledge
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Winthrop University will soon open their first dance production of the fall. Oriana Gilmore Staff writer
Winthrop Dance Theatre’s upcoming concert is a collection of works that have been choreographed by faculty and guest artists. It will include several styles and feature Winthrop students. One of these students is senior dance and economics double-major, Katelyn Arledge. Arledge is from the Spartanburg, SC area and has been dancing since she was three years old. She was put into dance classes by her parents and soon found it to be her passion and she could not stop dancing. The dance classes she is currently enrolled in each bring her new
Photo provided by Katelyn Arledge
Senior Dance and Economics double-major Katelyn Arledge will be performing two pieces in the upcoming Winthrop Dance Theatre Concert. challenges and opportunities to grow. Arledge has performed in other Winthrop Dance Theatres, Student Showcases and “The Rite of Spring.” Rehearsals for her upcoming performance in Winthrop Dance
Photo provided by Katelyn Arledge
After graduation, Arledge hope to keep connections to dance and the dance industry.
Theatre are in full swing. One can assume that having to balance the stress of exams and schoolwork can be a nearly impossible challenge, but a seasoned performer like Arledge is able to pull it off. “Rehearsals for Winthrop Dance Theatre can become exhausting at this time of the semester, but it’s very exciting,” Arledge said. The show consists of eight different pieces choreographed by Winthrop’s faculty. Arledge is in two of them. “The pieces I am in touch on giving women a voice and the obesity epidemic in America,” Arledge said. Arledge also mentioned that the show would incorporate “modern, ballet and an aerial piece.” After graduation, Arledge still plans to keep close ties to dance. She hopes to hold a role in an administrative side of a dance company or arts organization.
She believes it is hard to prepare dance majors for the professional world and gives credit to Winthrop’s dance program. “Winthrop prepares us for the professional world by requiring us to educate ourselves on these various aspects through technique classes, required performance credits, choreography courses, pedagogy courses, a dance kinesiology course, dance history courses, and a careers course that further explores real world options,” Arledge said. The Winthrop Dance Theatre Concert opens on Thursday, Nov. 8 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 12. There will be a special outreach performance on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018 at 10 a.m. The performances will be held in Johnson Theatre. Tickets are $5 with a Winthrop ID and $10 for the general public. All seating is general admission. Arrive early to get the best seats.
Heart of Wisdom Panel
A critical look at the Buddhist teachings or Sutra with a Buddhist Monk Joseph Calamia calamiaj@mytjnow.com Considering the troubling events of today’s world, people would feel nervous about their interactions and their perception of reality. Numerous philosophies and religions, like Buddhism, seek to help people cope with today’s world by not only bettering themselves mentally but also by seeking a new perspective. The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies hosted a panel on Oct. 30 discussing the aspects of the Heart Sutra of Buddhist teachings. The panel was led by ordained Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Tilopa. Tilopa spoke about helping people spiritually as he usually works in North Carolina to support Buddhist missions in the southern United States. “We give authentic Buddhist teachings and it has a lot of success in helping people to find happiness,” Tilopa said. Winthrop religious studies professor Kristin Kiblinger currently teaches RELG 335 about Buddhism. Kiblinger opened the cultural event to students outside her class to explore the concepts of Buddhism. “We live in a multicultural, interconnected world, so for students’ general education it is good for them to learn something about this culture,” Kiblinger said. “Also, Buddhism is quite different from the Judeo-Christian culture prevalent in the U.S. and thus students can gain better perspective on and insight into Judeo-Christian
culture by comparing it to a different one.” Kiblinger had learned about the Buddhist mission in North Carolina from Kadampa Meditation Center North Carolina, which helped bring the Gen Tilopa to Winthrop University and explain more about Buddhism. “Gen Tilopa has lectured for cultural events on campus twice previously over the years, so I had his contact information and invited him,” Kiblinger said. Originally from Scotland, Tilopa had been searching for meaning in life, which eventually led to him to discover Buddhism and become ordained as a monk. “It was like coming home,” Tilopa said. “One day a friend gave me a call about Buddhism and a few years later, I decided to get ordained.” One of the concepts he mentioned during the panel is seeking Buddhist wisdom with the perceptions of our reality and how finding wisdom in living beings and their identity. The Honorable Gen also provided the audience with copies of The Heart Sutra to read and discuss on the inner teachings of Buddhism. “Buddhist wisdom is about how things exist. We think whenever we see something or someone, we think they exist the way they appear,” Tilopa said. At one point, Tilopa performed an experiment where he presented the audience with a flower. He removed the petals
and stems over time. The purpose of the experiment was to show how the appearance of the flower was a mental concept to the audience. “The whole issue is not what exists. The real issue is how it exists dependent on how it’s caused,” Tilopa said. Buddhism is very popular in Asian culture and is the fourth largest religion. Buddhism focuses on using spiritual meditation and detachment from the material world to free oneself of suffering. “I think the students learned more about the Buddhist concept of emptiness (Sanskrit: sunyata) and generally about the goals of Buddhism,” Kiblinger said. One of the interactive moments was Tilopa asking the audience
members to close their eyes and meditate about the emptiness of our minds and seeking perception of ourselves. “Outer peace begins in your heart to remove jealousy from our minds,” Tilopa said. “When we are pure of mind, the world we see is of peace.” Tilopa closed the panel by holding a quick Q&A with the audience members on how, regardless of denomination, we must try to meet the problems of the world with a mind of compassion and mercy. “If we continue to retaliate, then peace never rises,” Tilopa said. “We have to start where we are, we can practice by cherishing people around us and gradually extend that to people we don’t know or like.”
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Caleb Hinkley | Assistant A&C Editor hinkleyc@mytjnow.com
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OPINION
theJohnsonian
Holding on for dear life November 7, 2018
Will Earth survive the Trump administration? The answer may be more dire than anticipated. Erin Streetman streetmane@mytjnow.com
144 countries participated in the Paris Agreement which sought to keep the global warming trend to well below two degrees celsius. Scientists predict that the average global temperature will increase by at least 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century if environmental regulations are not increased drastically in the next couple of decades. Climate change is here, and yet the Trump administration refuses to believe it. But even if he does nothing to curb carbon emissions or protect the environment, will the world survive four or eight years of Trump? Will 1.5 degrees make a big difference? What would happen if earth became even two degrees warmer? To put this number in perspective, according to Peter deMenocal, a paleoclimate scientist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University in New York, just about five degrees celsius separates the modern world from the last ice age, which ended about 15,000 years ago. According to National Geographic, if the world were to increase in temperature by just one degree celsius, the arctic would be ice free for half of the year. Tens of thousands of homes around the coast would flood and hurricanes would begin to hit the south atlantic. Severe droughts in the western U.S. could cause deserts all the way from Texas
to the border of Canada. Shortages in global grain and meat markets would occur, changing the global diet and leading to overall food shortages across the globe. According to Tech Insider, if the global climate were to increase by two degrees Celsius, sea levels would rise 1.6 feet, flooding coastlines across the globe and destroying homes. While freshwater may increase for high latitudes, the subtropics could lose nearly onethird of available freshwater. On top of this, heatwaves could intensify, affecting the growth of staple crops such as wheat, corn, rice and soy. According to the European Geosciences Union in 2016, changes to sea life could be drastic, with irreversible damage to 99 percent of coral reefs which would disrupt the ecosystems for up to 9 million different species. Overall, the average temperature of the Earth has always fluctuated. Varied in temperatures and climates, as well as varied carbon dioxide levels, are not unusual. In fact, during the Cretaceous period, it has been estimated that carbon dioxide levels could have been up to five times higher than they are today. So what is the big deal about carbon
Jordan Farrel/The Johnsonian emissions and global warming? The rate of climate change and emissions today are unprecedented in all of Earth’s history. Humans have introduced carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases at a rapid rate, stimulating such a change in the climate that Earth and its ecosystems simply cannot keep up. Climate change on this scale would result in disruption of food and water supply, flood homes worldwide and disrupt the worldwide energy grid. These threats could come sooner than you think. According to deMenocal, the Earth is predicted to exceed the 1.5 degrees Celsius milestone between 2032 and 2039 and is predicted to exceed 2 degrees Celsius between 2050 and 2100. If we continue on the current rapid emissions rate, these changes could come even sooner than predicted. The answer to these problems
is obvious, painfully so: the world must transition to renewable resources. These resources are available, cheaper in the long term and will offer jobs and stability in the environment and economy. Trump, however, sits with the coal industry, where workers who must make a living in coal companies call for help. These workers must be trained in renewable resource production or other job areas so they can support their families while not laying waste to the environment. Changing to renewable resources may put these workers out of jobs for a short period of time, but it will create jobs for others and will allow for a safer earth for all people. These workers can be put through training for other jobs to help the environment and make a living in order to provide for their families, while also protecting the Earth from climate change effects.
YOUR VOTE MATTERS MIDTERM ELECTION I VOTED
WHO IS ELECTED?
Federal offices:
WHAT IS IT? General election held in November every four years near the midpoint of a president’s four-year term of office.
All 435 seats of the House of Representatives and 33 or 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate.
State and Local Offices:
Some states elect governors to four-year terms and many states also elect officers to state legislatures. Elections are also held for many mayors, local public offices, and citizen initiatives.
GENERAL TRENDS
According to Pew Research Center, presidential
elections usually include voter turnouts of about 50-60 percent while midterms usually include only 40 percent of registered voters.
Voting in Midterm
Voting in Presidential
HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME? Midterms are the best way to get your voice heard. These elections affect not only federal offices, but also state and local offices, which decide things such as infrastructure funds, education funds, emergency medical services, public works, public transprtation and more. Your local governing bodies will affect your state governing bodies, and your state governing bodies will affect your federal governing bodies. You can change the country by starting small, but you can’t change the country if you do not vote.
Erin Streetman/The Johnsonian
Erin Streetman | Opinion Editor streetmane@mytjnow.com
theJohnsonian
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November 7, 2018
Birthright citizenship and other outrageous claims Trump once again makes wild claims regarding what he can do as President, saying that he will end birthright citizenship. Victoria Howard Staff Writer
Making waves in media once again, President Trump said that he would use an executive order to end the right to citizenship for children of immigrants born on U.S. soil. Along with this, he claimed that the United States was the only country in the world to offer this right. “We’re the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits.” Trump said in an interview with HBO Axios posted on Oct. 30. These claims are wildly inaccurate. In fact, according to WorldAtlas.com, at least 30 countries have the same policy. These countries include Canada, Mexico and many other countries in the Western hemisphere. This policy is something that should be expected within countries that are modernizing. Trump’s claims that he would be able to change the 14th Amendment with an executive order have been deemed untrue by many members of the United States Congress. This includes the Republican House Speaker, Paul Ryan, who in a radio interview on Oct 31 dismissed the comment, saying that it is impossible under the Constitution. Social media blew up after Trump’s initial comments and once again when Ryan took back the comment. To many, it felt like every week
order could not change an amendment of the Constitution. The law can change, however, and it is important that Americans realize that. Trump saying untrue comments causes a flurry of people trying to fact check and correct him in the media. Some citizens will only hear the comment and never realize that it is inaccurate and dangerous. This could eventually create an issue. If those elected to Congress chose to change the laws regarding executive orders, those who felt moved by Trump’s original comments would support changes to the law. If the presidential office gained more power, the checks and balances in place would no longer matter and we could quickly turn into a dictatorship. If Trump continues to make inaccurate comments like those about birthright citizenship, he will generate enough support for a change of the checks and balances. With enough support and the right people in Congress wanting to please those in their state, America could be thrown into chaos. It Carmen Little/ The Johnsonian is important that these ridiculous claims stop garnering so much media attention. Coverage Trump continues to make outrageous, far-fetched should shift from immediate reporting of initial claims. It is difficult to keep up with what he says comments to immediate fact-checking. If and to sift through what is true. coverage stays how it is, Trump’s now outrageous With comments like these, however quickly comments could begin to affect Americans’ daily shot down by officials, the question comes up lives. over whether or not Americans should worry that an attempt to actualize these claims will be made. With the law as it is currently, an executive
Bright, shiny and… a total waste
Jordan Farrel/The Johnsonian
Planned obsolescence is no new trend, but is it all bad? Erin Streetman streetmane@mytjnow.com We all know the drill: you buy the newest or best products out on the shelf and you take them home, bright, shiny and new. For a while, a few years even, everything is great. You take care of your product, you hope to get the best out of it. Then, the company releases a new edition. Suddenly, your product starts failing. It slows down, the battery lasts for only a few hours or the parts start breaking and you are left buying the next newest edition. Giles Slade, the author of “Made to Break: Technology and Obsolescence in America,” defines this phenomenon, planned obsolescence, as the assortment of techniques used to artificially limit the durability of a manufactured good in order to stim-
ulate repetitive consumption. So what does this mean? Companies will plan for parts to have a limited lifetime in order to get consumers to continuously buy their newer, nicer, and generally more expensive products. Companies will purposefully make parts that break, fail or wear over time in order to force consumers to buy upgrades. Examples of this are everywhere. Light bulbs, for example, are made to fail. Some of Thomas Edison’s light bulbs are still going strong in some museums, yet light bulbs today need to be changed about once a year. Manufactures realized that by tweaking the design, they could make consumers come back again and again. College textbooks is another great example of this. The information in many new editions of college textbooks are not all that different from the edition before: a sentence here, a photograph there. Perhaps all they did was switch around the chapters or change the cover. Yet they can charge you hundreds of dollars more simply because it is a newer edition. Sound familiar yet? Video game consoles do the same thing. These compa-
nies, however, work to prevent backwards compatibility, where new games cannot be played on old consoles, but new consoles can still play old games. Planned obsolescence is not a new phenomenon, although it has come up a lot recently. Several companies have been accused in the past of using this type of marketing technique, one of the most prominent being Apple. Many have accused Apple of using planned obsolescence to slow down older versions of iPhones, using updates or bad batteries, to force buyers to upgrade to newer, more expensive iPhones. Many companies, including Apple, use a strategy known as psychological obsolescence, where buyers are persuaded to invest in upgrades through the desire to own something a little newer and a little better before the product they own fails or wears. So is planned obsolescence a bad thing? The answer is yes… and no. Planned obsolescence can create jobs, push for progress in technology, society, and environmental well-being, increase economic growth and create profit. But it also
forces many consumers to spend money they do not have in order to keep up with the rest of society. It creates landfills of wasted parts of technology, pollutes the environment and can waste consumers’ hard-earned dollars in an economy where there often isn’t enough to go around. There are some countries, however, that do not use planned obsolescence, or at least not at the rate that consumerist economies such as that in the U.S. use it. Many countries still repair old devices and products using tailors, shoemakers, grinders, etc. So what should be done about planned obsolescence? Companies should adopt new marketing strategies that help the environment and answer consumers’ needs without useless or unnecessary features. Simpler and lasting products will help those who need upgraded products but who do not have the money to continuously buy the “next best thing” and will save the environment from unnecessary waste.
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theJohnsonian
November 7, 2018