April 2017 - The Bridge

the

bridge for the students, by the students

APRIL 2017

VOL 47/ISSUE 07 L&C Students Devour Soul Food

Student Activities ended Black History Month with a traditional soul food dinner.

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Is Alton Crime on the Rise?

Cutest Pet Contest

Is crime rising in the Alton area? The answer may depend on who you are and where you live.

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Take a look at all of the contestants and vote on the pet you think is the cutest.

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of Lewis and Clark Community College | www.thelcbridge.com

HATE HAS NO HOME AT L&C HELEN JARDEN hjarden@lc.edu

A rampant uptick in hate crimes has occurred since the 2016 US presidential election, according to new studies by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

The rise in hate crimes has made many at Lewis and Clark Community College, and other institutions, realize the everincreasing importance of promoting diversity. In response, L&C has launched the “Hate has No Home Here” initiative.

Professor of Communications Christina Chapman is the leader of this initiative, and the first to start it at L&C. “I saw a sign with this saying on it that was hung over Broadway Street in Columbia, Missouri, by Stephens College,” Chapman said in reference to the Hate Has No Home Here movement.

“It really struck me, and I started to think about how we could do something similar.

There has been an uptick in hate crimes that have been happening in the past year or so, and I didn’t want anything like that to happen on our campus. I presented a proposal to the Diversity Council, and they accepted my proposal. We started by creating the display that is posted by the Reid Cafeteria. We have expanded to many other activities since then.”

For Chapman, the initiative is important not only to the school, but to the people who attend it.

“Another reason that I wanted to do something is because of my students,” Chapman said. “Students learn best when they feel safe, and I had several students come to me last semester to express their fear that they might be targeted because they felt that they were different in some way. I felt that by all of us working together to send a message that Hate Has No Home Here, we would let all students know, no matter their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or ability, that they are welcome on this campus and belong here. I hoped that that we could send a message that we will not tolerate bullying or hateful behavior towards anyone on our campus.”

Most recently, the SPLC has collected 1,372 reported bias incidents between the day of the election and Feb. 7. As the number has continued to rise, many

colleges across the country have realized that action must be taken.

The state of Illinois is facing a widespread problem in regards to intolerance, because there are 32 active hate groups in the state, according to SPLC. Some of these groups involve neo-nazism, white nationalism, antiLGBT and anti-Muslim messages.

“It’s really disturbing to me,” Chapman said. “I see a normalization of hate groups and of people like David Duke who is now being quoted on a regular basis. There is a push by some to see our country as falling apart, and then a push to blame this ‘falling apart’ on groups of people who are not in the majority. It’s an old and ugly trick, and unfortunately, it is a trick that works. I think that it is more important now than ever, to hold ourselves to the standards of our mission statement and our values. Our mission is to empower people by raising aspirations and fostering achievement through dynamic, compassionate and responsible learning experiences. Our values include Service, Respect, Responsibility, Compassion, and Integrity. I think that if we are to be true to our mission, and even more so, to our values, then we need to take a stand against hate crimes and those who encourage, normalize, or perpetrate them.”

Another person who has been crucial to the initiative is Assistant Sociology Professor Jenn Cline. Her Race and Ethnic Relations class will be hosting a panel discussion on race in the criminal justice system on April 12 at 1:30 p.m in Hatheway Hall. Several guest speakers will be sharing their ideas on how racial concerns and disparities occur on every level of the justice system and what can be done to mitigate those issues.

“Students are planning from, beginning to end, the panel discussion and are wanting to understand the complexity of issues with the overrepresentation of People of Color in the system,” Cline said. “The greater social structure that we will be exploring will illustrate that the issue is more than the problematic idea of the ‘culture of poverty.’

We will be moving beyond respectability politics and hoping to direct us away from hate, and more to understanding.”

March 22, Cline invited Sidney Keys III to speak at her Race and Ethnicity class. Keys, an 11-year-old boy from St. Louis, started his own reading club for boys called Books N Bros. The club not only celebrates African

Photo provided by: L&C Flickr

American literature, but also has encouraged his peers to enjoy reading.

“Sometimes, sociology, especially Race and Ethnicity can be focusing on the negative impacts of society,” Cline said. “I have been working to look for people at the grassroots who are making a change in their own communities.

I saw the story on St. Louis Public Radio, and decided to invite him to campus. It fit in perfectly with Hate Has No Home Here.

There is a theory in sociology called “contact theory.” At the basic level, the idea is that the more contact we have with people who are different from ourselves increases the variety of information we have about categories of people. If we dismantle our stereotypes and look for the positive, awesome things people do in communities that are often stereotyped, we often prove ourselves wrong. We can also empower ourselves to be agents of change.”

Professors Cline and Chapman have also invited their students to make a meal for immigrants and refugees, which will be taken to the International Institute in St. Louis as a part of a potluck event.

“We are joining our classes together to make a meal for New Americans (immigrants

and refugees) at the International Institute in St. Louis,” Chapman said. “We are making Moroccan chicken with baked lemons, hummus, tzatziki, pita break and various desserts. We are doing this as part of our efforts to reach out to others and help students have new experiences. I would encourage other faculty to participate in any way that they think would fit in with their classes. The idea is simple: Hate Has No Home Here. How does that fit in with a history class, a biology class, a psychology class would be up to the faculty member to determine. I am happy to help think of ideas, if anyone is interested!”

Even the Springfest theme pairs with the initiative. One of the biggest events at L&C, Springfest’s 2017 themed is “Lewis and Clark has Heart.” Participating clubs are decorating their booths in ways that best show how L&C cares about its community.

For example, WLCA, the college radio station, will be encouraging students to take a “Hate Has No Home Here” pledge, and the Bridge will be collecting “L&C has Heart” nominations. Chosen nominees, who make L&C a more welcoming and friendlier place, will be featured in the Bridge.

Sidney Keys, an 11 year old from St. Louis, created a book club called Books N’ Bros to help teach younger kids about African American Literature. - Photo by Krystie Morrison

Smart Start Workshop Speaks to Salary Negotiation

KELLY RULISON

krulison@lc.edu

An American Association of University Women (AAUW) Start Smart Salary Negotiation Workshop took place March 7 at Lewis and Clark Community College.

“The workshop really helped me to be more prepared on how not only handle my next interview but also to know how to make sure I get the best pay possible,” L&C student Callie Logan said.

The workshop aimed to teach women the facts about the wage gap and how they can fix it. One of the reasons men make more than women is because men are not intimidated by the idea of negotiating their salary upon arrival at a new job, according to AAUW Spokesperson Jennifer Urish, the workshop coordinator.

“I do believe the class was beneficial, based upon the feedback we received,” said Speech

Professor Elizabeth Grant. “Students were given great research tools so that they could know what the ‘going wage’ for their prospective position would be. The role playing exercises allowed them to practice their negotiation techniques and empowered them with language choices and questions that would lead them to higher wages.”

The majority of workshop participants were women, but a few men also attended. Roughly 35 people showed up to the free class, some of who did not sign up or signed up late.

“We capped the class at 40 entrants based on the facilitator’s request,” Grant said. “The day of the event, 25 were registered, but many more showed up for the event, which was terrific. That may be why it looked as if it were overbooked, but in reality, we were still at around 35 registrants.

We were very excited about the turn-out!”

For more information about the Smart Start Workshop Negotiation class contact Elizabeth Grant at eegrant@lc.edu.

AAUW member, Jennifer Urish, presents for the first time in southern Illinois at Lewis and Clark Community College about salary gaps between men and women.

Photo by: Krystie Morrison

thebridge

Campus News 02 Vol. 47 Issue 7 April 2017

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Upcoming Campus Events

LC JOB FAIR 2017

APR 5

Commons 100-“The Grove” Wednesday 9AM STUDENT ART EXHIBIT

APR 7-21 MondayFriday

Hatheway Gallery Banquet Opens at 8:00AM FILM - “THE HUNTING GROUND”

APR 10

Ahlemeyer Atrium/TR141 2:00PM & 6:30PM

Monday

FREE FOOD & MUSIC

APR 10

Commons 100-“The Grove” 11AM

Monday

SPRINGFEST 2017

APR 12

Crossroads Plaza (Hunt sculpture area) 11AM

Wednesday

VISITING ARTIST SERIES

APR 18

L&C Students Devour Soul Food Dinner

JACOB WATTERS jwatters@lc.edu

L&C Student Activities ended Black History Month with a traditional soul food dinner, served to students in the Reid Cafe, on Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.

“Soul food is a key part of AfricanAmerican customs,” said Student Activities Representative Taylor Vaughn. “And, as part of Student Activities, we want to celebrate Black History Month with a traditional meal while welcoming others to join us.”

The dinner, provided by the Reid Cafe staff, consisted of collard greens, blackeyed peas, yams, ribs, mac and cheese, cornbread, and smothered chicken breasts

with a mushroom cream sauce.

The whole of the meal was received well by the students and staff in attendance, with many praising the flavor and tenderness of the ribs, which were covered in a sweet barbecue sauce and tender enough that the meat easily pulled away from the bone.

“We’re thankful for the Reid Cafeteria staff who cooked the meal for us,” Vaughn said.

Some of those in attendance praised Student Activities for bringing together the L&C community so that they might celebrate Black History Month together and experience traditional African-American food together.

“I didn’t know anyone that I was sitting

with,” said Kyleigh Kristenson, an L&C student athlete. “Events like this are a good way to meet other students, and the food is always great.”

The dinner drew more than 20 members of the L&C community together to mingle and share for over an hour in celebration.

“The food was wonderful and it was actually really nice,” said WLCA 89.9 Production Director Kole Dugger. “Quiet, peaceful, relaxing. I really wish more people had been there though.”

Vaughn expressed his happiness with the turnout.

“We’re very thankful for everyone that came out to join us for this wonderful evening,” Vaughn said.

Hatheway Gallery 12:30PM

Tuesday

HAMFEST 2017-L&C RADIO CLUB

APR 22

George Terry Riverbend Arena 7AM

Saturday

MAD SCIENCE

APR 25

Commons 100-“The Grove” 10:30AM

Tuesday

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FESTIVAL

APR 26

George Terry Riverbend Arena 11AM

Wednesday

LC HONORS BANQUET

APR 28

Commons 100 - “The Grove” 5:30PM

Friday

For more upcoming events visit: www.lc.edu/event

Our Staff

Left: Student activities members and Jared Hennings wait for the masses at the soul food event Feb. 28. Right: Student Activities member serve up some mac and cheese.

Photos by: Donald Becker

Students, faculty members and visitors eagerly wait in line for a combination of soul food.

Photos by: Donald Becker

Soul food is served up to Lewis and Clark Community College students.

Photos by: Donald Becker

Contacts for The Bridge Helen (Paige) Jarden | Editor in Chief hjarden@lc.edu Hannah Auston | Associate Editor hauston@lc.edu Kelly Rulison | Copy Editor krulison@lc.edu Karen Hancock | Layout Editor kmhancock@lc.edu Callie Logan | Ad Manager clogan@lc.edu Matthew Monroe | Webmaster mmmonroe@lc.edu Shelby Wallace | Graphic Designer shjwallace@lc.edu Shelby Clayton | Graphic Designer slclayton@lc.edu Jessie Regot | Graphic Designer jregot@lc.edu Jesse Baalman | Writer jbaalman@lc.edu Justin Forrest | Writer jforrest@lc.edu Jacob Watters | Writer jwatters@lc.edu Matthew Rhoads | Advice Columnist mrhoads@lc.edu Krista Davenport | Photographer kbdavenport@lc.edu Krystie Morrison | Photographer kemorrison@lc.edu Donald Becker | Photographer/Writer dobecker@lc.edu Louise Jett | Advisor ljett@lc.edu

03 Campus Vol. 47 Issue 7 April 2017

News

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Paid Family Leave Speech Hosted at Lewis and Clark

JACOB WATTERS jwatters@lc.edu

Lewis and Clark Community College celebrated the beginning of Women’s History Month with the 13th Annual Women’s History Brown Bag Event hosted

by Kelly Obernuefemann.

Students, staff, and members of the L&C community gathered in the Ringhausen Music building on Wednesday, March 1, to listen to a lecture titled “The Past, Present, and Future of Family Leave Policies in the United States,” presented by Megan Sholar.

Sholar, a native of Godfrey who attended Marquette Catholic High School in her youth, is an instructor for the Honors

program at Loyola University Chicago. Her fields of study include, but are not limited to, Comparative Politics and Women in Politics.

Sholar has also written a book, published through Temple University Press, entitled “Getting Paid While Taking Time: The Women’s Movement and the Development of Paid Family Leave Policies in the United States.”

Sholar began the lecture by defining and discussion what “family leave” actually is. “Family leave is not just about having a child, though that often is the focus,” Sholar said.

Sholar said family leave is made up of maternity leave, which is available to mothers following birth or adoption;

A big crowd of students gather in Ringhausen Atrium March 1 to attend a lecture from Megan Sholar, who spoke about the benefits of paid family leave.

Photos by: Krystie Morrison

Exposing the Truth Behind Sex Trafficking DONALD BECKER dobecker@lc.edu

Lewis and Clark Community College’s Diversity Council held a talk on sex trafficking March 9 with Trude Jacobsen, from Northern Illinois University, in the Ahlemeyer Atrium.

Sex trafficking is a world epidemic that is being ignored and brushed under the rug as if it does not affect the entire world, Jacobson said.

Jacobsen spoke of tourists and travelers who seek out prostitutes and unknowingly contribute to the problem. She said many prostitutes are sick with sexually transmitted diseases and being forced to live in brothels because they are out of other options.

“I wanted students to be exposed to these truths about sex trafficking,” said Adrienne Reed, coordinator of Diversity and Inclusion. “I wanted to bust the myth that most victims are taken unwillingly and inform them that this is the only option and/ or last resort for most of the young girls and boys.”

Many times, sex trafficking victims are

more than likely willingly participants in an effort to take care of medical needs for themselves or family members, according to Jacobsen. They are made to feel that they owe their mothers their lives and are trained to believe that this is an honorable way of giving back to their mother, who is usually living in poverty.

A vast silence took over the auditorium after Jacobsen finished her talk, most likely because the narratives and facts she presented were so grim.

“Personally I felt helpless and sick to my stomach during the whole presentation, but these are harsh truths that need to be openly discussed,” Reed said. “It is my prayer that someone who was listening will take on the same crusade as our speaker to try and find ways to educate these men and women, offer them options and educate others so that even if we can’t stop it completely we can noticeably slow the progression of sex trafficking and perhaps donate to World Vision to adopt one of these girls or boys so that they won’t become sex slaves.”

For more information, contact Jacobsen at tjacobsen1@niu.edu.

Trude Jacobson explains the vast problem in Brunei and the allegations made against the prince.

Photo by: Donald Becker

paternity leave, which is available to fathers on the same basis; parental leave, which is a gender-neutral version of maternity and paternity leave; and leave to care for a sick or injured family member or loved one.

Sholar went on to discuss how the United States is one of only eight countries in the whole world that does not offer paid maternity and how, of the eight, they are the only developed country to not offer it. She continued by covering the socioeconomic benefits that paid family leave would offer to the United States.

“Businesses benefit because they have higher employee retention rates… It costs 150 percent of a salaried employee’s annual pay to hire and train a new employee,” Sholar said.

She also mentioned the fact that the United States has the highest infant mortality rates of the developed world, due, at least in part, to the fact that many parents feel that they must return to work shortly after the child’s birth because they are unable to take paid family leave.

Sholar closed out her lecture with a question and answer panel, where she fielded difficult topics such as whether paid leave furthered the separation of social classes and what could be done to address that.

Sholar provided the L&C community with a look at issues that many will soon face and helped to launch a dialogue about not only family rights, but also women’s rights, for Women’s History Month.

Megan Sholar explains how important an increase in gender equality is when it comes to paid family leave.

Photos by: Krystie Morrison

thebridge

Campus Life 04 Vol. 47 Issue 7 April 2017

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Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, I am writing to ask Lewis and Clark Community College students and friends to save the date, May 6.

Please celebrate with me and join us announcing my 17th year of supporting asthma awareness and lung health education annual events!

All you have to do is to show up for our 2017 American Lung Association, Asthma Awareness & Lung Health Education Event, on Saturday, May 6, 2017, beginning at 10 a.m., at Glazebrook Park, at the concession stand, ample free parking and dog friendly area.

Since it’s my 17th year walking through the alphabet, my team is on “Q.” “Q” is for Quit! Yes, the ALA has tips to help you to quit smoking, to improve the quality of your life.

Special guests will include Kim Willis, who is with Kohl’s Alton Store and returning as fellow employees Team Captain. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSSI) will have an opportunity to earn or renew their Asthma Awareness Patch, under GSSI leadership.

Please know! You and your child can overcome the dangers of breathing difficulties, whether or not being diagnosed asthmatic, by learning preventative measures, how to react, when minutes count. Questions? Please contact me at jaris@piasanet.com.

Sincerely, Jaris Waide

Transfer Day Introduces Students to Universities KELLY RULISON

krulison@lc.edu

Lewis and Clark Community College welcomed more than 38 university and military representatives looking to recruit students on Wednesday, March 8, in The Commons from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Each of the different universities and military branches had booths set up with representatives and information about their places for students to explore. For a complete list of all of the universities and military branches that participated, visit www.lc.edu/ News_Story/SpringTransferDay2017.

“This is a brilliant idea for students to see where they would like to go,” said Brenda White, L&C accounting major. “Everyone should take advantage of this day because even if you aren’t sure where you want to go or what you want to do it’s a chance to explore many possibilities.”

Free pizza and refreshments were offered to students while they checked out all of the schools and military branches. There was also a raffle ticket for students who had a representative from any one of the tables fill out. The winner would get a free lunch provided by the school.

“It’s nice of the school to offer incentives to attend events like this and get them here to see the schools,” said Lisa Harrison, L&C Graphic Design major.

If a student plans to transfer from L&C and didn’t make it to Transfer Day, he or she should contact their academic advisor or call (618) 468-2222 to set up an appointment.

For more information about Transfer Day contact Ann Naylor at (618) 468-5101.

A representative for McKendree University speaks to a member of the public about the different programs the college offers.

Photos by: Krystie Morrison

One student checks out the Army ROTC table to see what it takes to earn a scholarship

Photos by: Krystie Morrison

would get picked to represent Lewis and Clark Community College, so to get that opportunity is a real treat,” Black said.

Both students were required to pick one piece of artwork they felt represented them, as well as L&C, to show at the Art St. Louis’ Varsity Art Show.

“I hadn’t known that L&C qualified to enter the show but I really appreciate the opportunity,” said L&C Art Student Morgan Laughlin. “I am so grateful to be showing alongside my friend Marion, but I was a little overwhelmed by having to pick one piece to represent myself and L&C.” On March 3, both students headed to St. Louis to see their artwork showcased next to other artworks from the surrounding areas.

For more information about the art students or the Art St. Louis’ Varsity Art Show, contact Jeff Vaughn at jlvaughn@lc.edu.

From left: Art students Marion Black and Morgan Laughlin.

L&C Students’ Artwork Showcased in Varsity Art Show KELLY RULISON

krulison@lc.edu

Two of Lewis and Clark Community College’s art students got invited to show their artwork at Art St. Louis’ Varsity Art Show March 3.

L&C art students Marion Black and Morgan Laughlin were given the opportunity to showcase a piece of their artwork to the Art St. Louis’ Varsity Art Show.

“Getting to this point wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for my professor, Jeff Vaughn, and my eyes for seeing things differently, I guess,” said L&C Art Student Marion Black. “Jeff has helped me for four years now and has got me to where I want to go by exposing me to other photographers who have similar styles as I do.”

Jeff had asked me if I’d be interested in entering my work in this show to see if I

Spring is here!

Photos by: Krystie Morrison

05 Campus Vol. 47 Issue 7 April 2017

Life

thebridge www.thelcbridge.com

L&C Participates in Local Blood Drive

Regional Coordinator for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Organ and Tissue Donor Program Damarius Blanks talks about getting people registered to be organ/tissue donors.

Photo by: Donald Becker

Lewis and Clark Community College students and faculty members are donating blood and making a difference Feb. 27.

Photo by: Donald Becker

Donors receive free food, drinks and a shirt for participating.

Photo by: Donald Becker

Opinions 06

thebridge

Vol. 47 Issue 7 April 2017

www.thelcbridge.com

Trump Administration Can’t Stop Lying About Russia

MATT MONROE

mmmonroe@lc.edu

Donald Trump is a pathological liar. From when he first ascended the escalator of Trump Tower to announce his campaign for president, to now, two months into his presidency, Trump has consistently and blatantly lied to the American people nearly anytime he’s opened his mouth.

One thing Trump and his administration staff have consistently lied about is Russia.

For example, at a press conference in Florida in July, Trump stated that he has never met Russian president Vladimir Putin and in an interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos, also said he doesn’t have a relationship with Putin.

Multiple interviews Trump did going back to 2013 contradict these statements though, as when asked by Thomas Roberts of MSNBC in November 2013 if he had a relationship with Putin in, Trump flat out said, “I do have a relationship, and I can tell you that he’s very interested in what we’re doing here today.”

Along with denying his relationship with Putin, Trump also said that he had no contact with Russian officials as a presidential candidate. This was proven false by AMERICABlog News, who recently picked up on a report by the Wall Street Journal done in May last year, which said that Trump personally met with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak.

Speaking of Russian officials, while Trump

spokesperson Sarah Sanders said on Feb. 20 that the Trump campaign had “no contacts” with Russia, over the course of the election and the transition period, Russian officials met with at least four of Trump’s campaign officials.

These include Attorney General Jeff Sessions (who lied under oath about his contacts with Russia as a campaign official), former National Security adviser Michael Flynn (who was fired by President Trump after caught lying), former foreign policy adviser Carter Page, and former national security policy aide J.D. Gordon.

And that’s just people who met with Mr. Kislyak, as the rabbit hole goes deeper once again with Flynn and former campaign manager Paul Manafort, who both had constant contact with Russian nationals according to U.S. intelligence.

Look, I could go deeper and deeper into the Trump administration’s ties with Russia, as there’s a lot of them; however, what I’ve told you so far should alert you, even if you voted for Trump.

There’s nothing wrong with presidential candidates speaking with foreign officials, as that’s to be expected throughout the course of the campaign. The problem here is that Trump and his campaign and administration staff lied to the American people about these contacts with Russia.

All of this has to make you ask, ‘What are you hiding, Mr. Trump?’

Photo provided by: travelallrussia.com

Is Alton Crime on the Rise?

DONALD BECKER dobecker@lc.edu

Is crime rising in the Alton area? Well, the answer would probably vary depending on who you asked or where they lived. I myself live in what is known as the Downtown Alton neighborhood and in my opinion crime is rising.

Whether it is the Bank of America on Washington Avenue being robbed or the Verizon store on Homer Adams having its door smashed in, instances like these are happening more often.

I have tried to contact Alton Police Department, asking if the department had seen a rise in crime, and if so what efforts it is utilizing to combat the increase. They have yet to respond, but that’s another story!

At some point we need to not rely on our local, state, and federal governments to “protect us” and start taking steps towards making our streets, our neighborhoods safe again.

A lot of what I am seeing is property crimes, which may be handled by the citizens before the crimes happen. I suggest neighborhood watch groups install cameras on personal businesses and homes. This would be a simple deterrent that may persuade the perpetrator to move on.

We allow ourselves to be victims, it is time to make a stand and fight for our streets. I do not mean literally fight, I mean we can all play a role in making our streets safer.

“So, the first thing is for people to not make themselves a victim,” said Jessica Noble, Lewis and Clark Community College’s Criminal

Justice coordinator. “A lot of times people leave cars, homes, campers, etc., unlocked and this is allowing people to take items of value.

“The second thing we can do to not be victims is by not leaving anything of value in our cars that is visible to someone, this includes but is not limited to: phone chargers, ipads, computers, change, anything that is of reasonable value,” Noble said. “The third thing that we can do to protect ourselves is always be

alert of what is going on in our neighborhoods.

“We should be diligent and watching to see if there is suspicious activity or if we hear of any we should definitely make sure we are taking protective measures, such as locking our doors, not leaving things out on our porches, lawns, etc, and talking to your neighbors to find out if they have had any issues too,” she concluded.

According to www.journalistsresource.org, citizen policing programs were associated with

a “significant reduction in crime.” On average, there was a 16 percent decrease in crime in Neighborhood Watch communities when compared with control areas. However, the results are mixed and show that some programs work well, while others appear to work less well or not at all.

Sixteen percent may not seem like a giant achievement, but it is. That 16 percent means a lot less crime, all due to preventive measures.

Photo by: Karen Hancock

MCT Proposes Reroute of #10 Bus DONALD BECKER dobecker@lc.edu

Many Lewis and Clark Community College students ride the number 10 Madison County Transit (MCT) bus. It is convenient for students trying to save money and use alternative forms of transportation, as it comes to the school every 30 minutes.

However, that’s all about to change, if MTC has anything to say about it. MCT has proposed a change to the number 10 that would affect many. The proposition is as follows: Re-route all #10 trips to serve the Alton High Speed Rail Station.

Provide service on the segment of Elm from Alby to State, previously operated by the #8.

Introduce 60-minute service to Alton Square, with a connection to the #9 Washington Shuttle.

Reduce frequency from 30 minutes to 60 minutes at Alton Station.

Introduce 30 minutes’ service between Alton High Speed through Godfrey to LCCC and Walmart.

Create a timed transfer from the #7 to #10 facilitating a faster trop to and from Alton, Wood River and Edwardsville to LCCC. This would mean a longer and

inconvenient trip for L&C students. MCT held a public forum on March 16 from 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Alton station. Over fifty people came to voice their opinion on the matter. I attended the forum, but what good did it really do me? After all, MCT

is a business and at the end of the day they are looking for ways to further line their pockets. In my opinion, the only thing that will stop the changes from occurring is an act of God. With that, I dismiss the fact they even had

a forum. It was a show, an act to make it seem as if they care what the public had to say. My money is on MCT still changing the route. A lot of L&C students will need to start planning for the extra time it is going to take to get to campus.

Photo provided by: STLToday.com

07 Opinions

thebridge

Vol. 47 Issue 7 April 2017

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Brushing Up Your Dental Hygiene HANNAH AUSTON hauston@lc.edu

Often times when someone says the word ‘cancer,’ many different types come to mind - but how often does oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OOC) cross through your thoughts?

Cancer of the mouth and/or throat, that’s what OOC is. Over 49,000 individuals will be diagnosed with OOC in 2017 alone, according to cancer.org, and over 9,000 will die as a result.

OOC is often missed by most individuals upon regular brushing and flossing due to OOC’s ‘hot spot’ locations, which is why it can become so deadly, so fast. Most dental offices perform two examinations in addition to your cleaning: one is an ‘extraoral exam’ and the other is an ‘intraoral exam.’ In an extraoral exam, the hygienist or dentist massage the outside of your face, checking for any lumps or bumps. In an intraoral exam, the hygienist or dentist are also checking the inside of your mouth for anything unusual lumps, bumps, or discolored spots. These are two quick checks to make sure that everything is normal and doesn’t raise any red flags.

Usually OOC looks like a white or red patch in the mouth, or a sore throat or trouble swallowing. Now that’s not to say the next time you have a sore throat or a patch in the mouth that you should go running to your dentist claiming you have OOC. Generally speaking, these areas should heal within two weeks, so if it’s been more than two weeks, then I would recommend going and seeing your dentist.

The most common spots for OOC to develop is on the floor of the mouth, all surfaces of

Graphic by: cochincancersociety.org

the tongue, hard and soft palates, the inside of the lips, and the inside of your cheeks. So once a week, maybe take a quick look inside your mouth (to the best of your abilities), and if something doesn’t seem right, keep an eye on it.

Now that I’ve told you what OOC can look like and I’ve stressed the importance of getting regular check-ups, you’re probably wondering who is at risk of developing it.

Men are twice as likely as women to develop

OOC; however, Caucasians and AfricanAmericans are equally at risk of developing it. Other factors play a role, too, putting you more at risk, including: any kind of tobacco use, alcohol use, combined tobacco and alcohol use, human papillomavirus (HPV), age, genetics, and exposure to UV light.

It is my hope that by now you will catch on that I am not trying to force down your throat to go to the dentist; however, there is such a large link between your oral health and your

10 Ways to Reinvent Yourself Post-breakup SHELBY WALLACE

shjwallace@lc.edu

Graphic by: Shelby Wallace

We’ve all been there - the dreaded breakup. Whether you and your significant other were together for six months, two years or a decade, break-ups are hard no matter the situation.

When you go from always talking with someone, to completely removing them from your life, this can take a toll on your mental well-being. And while crying, watching “The Notebook,” and finishing off a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is to be expected, here are 10 ways to reinvent yourself post-breakup, to show your ex, exactly what they are missing out on.

1. Clean out all your junk This may seem like an obvious one, but you need to throw away ALL of your ex’s belongings (granted, that you’ve offered them back at least first). Whether they bought it for you or it’s a souvenir from a date, throw it all away (or at least box it all up).

Once you’ve done that, give your personal space some much-needed attention. Wash your sheets, fold that huge pile of laundry, maybe even do some vacuuming and dusting. Take your car to the car wash, get rid of clothes that don’t fit or you don’t wear.

You’ll feel a thousand times better, just by making your living areas feel sparkly and brand new (just like you).

2. Make appointments You’ve probably been putting off that dentist appointment for a while, because hanging out with your S/O was much more important than getting that filling re-done, right? It’s time you make your appointments - and stick to them.

Once you’ve gotten all your yearly check-ups (doctor, dentist, oil change for your car, nail trim for your dog), take some

time to treat yourself. Get a new haircut, or if you are feeling daring, go for that color!

Get your nails done, or even a massage.

The truth of the matter is, you deserve it, granted that you’ve gotten all the essentials taken care of first.

3. Spend some time with your loved ones The old saying goes, “We only have ourselves.” This is not quite the motto you want to live by. Everyone needs friends or family, and unlike your ex, these are the people that have your back no matter what.

Call up your grandparents, take your mom and dad out to lunch, and see your old friends that have been put on the back burner. Make amends for lost time, and if they care, they’ll understand. Thank them for being there for you. Having a good support team can do wonders in helping you realize you don’t need your ex to be a happy, wonderful you.

4. Be healthy Nothing makes the mind and body feel better than treating them right. It doesn’t have to be crazy, but start evaluating your current lifestyle and make a list of what you want to change. Do you want to eat better?

Drink less soda? Hit the gym more? Set some health goals for yourself and stick to them. The more motivated you become on your own health, the less energy you are wasting thinking about your ex.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to go the gym if you’ve never been. Gyms welcome newcomers and will do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable. Bonus: Some even have a sauna or swimming area.

Nothing like relaxing in a steam room, to make all your troubles melt away.

5. Find a hobby Has your old canvas been collecting dust? Guitar need tuned? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to go rock climbing or learn a new language. Find your niche’, try different things. Whether it’s reading a book, or going out skydiving, find a hobby that makes you happy. Because at the end of the day, your happiness is the most important above everything else. Having a hobby can provide a sense of much-needed purpose - and also keeps you busy.

6. Quit your addictions Do you spend too much time at the casino? Maybe you are just obsessed with online shopping. Or perhaps, you smoke to take the edge off. Either way, addictions can be extremely harmful, and also take out funds that you could be using for something worthwhile.

Quitting an addiction is never an easy task. But, think about how your ex would feel, seeing you happy, healthy and carefree.

Call your doctor, get a solid support team, and keep track of your progress. Find better alternatives to your addictions, and put that

money towards a greater necessity.

7. Educate yourself Have you been thinking about going back to school? Or perhaps, you just want to learn more about something. Take some time to learn. Education and knowledge is very refreshing, and can potentially help you later in life! Documentaries and bookstores can be your greatest asset, but if you want to go back to college, fill out a FAFSA and call the college’s financial department.

8. Decorate Since you’ve thrown out all the old, it’s time for something new! Check out some flea markets, or even search on ebay or amazon. The easiest way to decorate is to buy some picture frames and fill them with pictures of your loved ones. But if you want to be more daring, try checking out posters, paintings, clocks, etc! Find what you love, and display it so that you can remind yourself who you are, every day you wake up.

9. Make amends This is a very hard task to do. But if you feel confident in who you are, and have learned what mistakes were made on both parties in your last relationship, perhaps it’s time to make amends. Whatever you do, do NOT go back to your ex. But making amends - telling them you had a part (however big or small) in the break up can help you feel better and set any demons to rest. They may not accept your apologies; or they may try and win you back. Either way, say your dues and walk away knowing that you are a brand new you, with a whole world waiting for you. Chances are, no matter how your ex took it, they’ll feel pretty cruddy knowing how strong you’ve become.

10. Put yourself out there If you feel confident in yourself, and your feelings for your ex have diminished over time, maybe you should try getting back out in the dating-scene. But make sure you are ready. There’s no rush to jump into something new, but getting back out there can boost your confidence and provide a sense of companionship that you just can’t get from friends and family. Try some dating sites (but be wary), maybe even see if your friends know of any suitable matches.

Whatever you do, take it slow, take the time to get to know someone before making any commitments.

Time heals everything, and it may take you some time to try any of these steps. But once you start caring about yourself, the sadness and hurt from your breakup will start disappearing a lot faster than sitting at home, crying over them. The past is the past, and there’s nothing you can do to change that. All you can do is look forward to the future, and make yourself the best you that you can be.

overall health. OOC is just as serious as any other type of cancer and should not be taken lightly. Some individuals who develop OOC will also develop cancer in another part of the body later on, as to why frequent check-ups with your physician and dentist are especially important. For more information on OOC, visit cancer.org and please, schedule your regular dental exams or come visit me in the dental clinic on campus - who knows; it might just save your life.

 KEEP CALM AND ASK MATT MATTHEW RHOADS mrhoads@lc.edu

Dear Matthew, I have three kids in need of dental care and can’t find a dentist who will accept their insurance. I am to the understanding there is a dental program at L&C. Can you give me more information about it?

Thank you, A concerned parent Dear concerned parent, Dental bills can add up very quickly, leaving a lot of work undone. The dental students at L&C do provide some hands- on procedures as a learning process. Dental treatment is provided by the students under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental hygienists. The school offers a wide range of procedures such as dental assessments, treatment plans, x-rays and much more.

The dental school is very affordable with a set rate of $28.00 for things such as exams, x-rays, and preventative services. While L&C doesn’t cover all your immediate dental needs, it is a great place to get started on a great smile. You can call and schedule a screening appointment at 1-618-468-4463.

The school also offers referrals to help continue your dental work outside of their limits. The dental school proves to be a worthwhile experience in helping you find out how much work you may or may not need. Looking for a dentist that accepts certain insurances can be a very frustrating experience. I have been looking online by searching for dentists that accept my type of insurance in the immediate area.

The struggle can be time consuming, but the dental school gives a great place to start while you research further options.

Matthew Rhoads

Cutest Pet Contest 08

thebridge

Vol. 47 Issue 7 April 2017

www.thelcbridge.com

Coco

Purdy

Bean

Branno

Brooks

Fritz

Lizzie & Minnie

Cutest Pet Contest Entries

Sparky

Thank you to all those who entered the Bridge’s Cutest Pet Contest and helped us raise $200 for 5A’s Animal Shelter. Now, it is time to vote!

Anyone can vote either by emailing thebridge@ lc.edu with the pet’s name in the subject line or by visiting our Facebook page, www.facebook. com/thelcbridge. Duplicate votes will not be counted; please only vote once. All votes are due by April 17 at 4:30 p.m. The winning pet will be announced in our May edition. Please email Louise Jett at ljett@lc.edu with any questions.

Gatsby

Gannon

Holly

Loki

Max

Scout

Pippi

Tulip

the

bridge for the students, by the students

VOL 47/ISSUE 07

APRIL 2017

SECTION B Characters Come to Life in Beauty and the Beast Reboot An animated children’s classic gets a modern retelling with Disney’s latest live action fairy tale remake. Page 2B

of Lewis and Clark Community College | www.thelcbridge.com

Comic Books are Literature STAFF SPOTLIGHT ON STEVE HIGGINS

Steve Higgins poses with fellow Ink and Drink Comics editor Carlos Ruiz.

JACOB WATTERS jwatters@lc.edu

For many, the phrase “comic books” brings to mind a list of very specific names and phrases: Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, Batman, Superman, the X-Men, “Pow” and “Kerpunch,” among them. It elicits superheroes and villains, clad in the colorful garb of their trade, bounding their way across Metropolis, Gotham, or even plain old New York City.

But, comic books are so much more than fancy costumes and figuring out how to save Mary Jane this week, and one member of the Lewis and Clark Community College family is trying to make that point known.

Associate Professor of English Steve Higgins teaches a selection of classes that focus on reading and literacy, as well as building and maintaining a level of command over the English language. In addition, he also teaches a class titled Comic Books as Literature. Higgins has taught at the collegiate level since 2001, and 2017 marks his 12th year teaching for L&C. Higgins is also a member of a St. Louis based collective of comic creators known as Ink and Drink Comics. Every six months, the collective releases an anthology of themed

stories, including some of his own creation, which Higgins co-edits and helps publish.

Ink and Drink Comics newest book, Chaser, a short collection of crime-themed stories will debut at Wizard World St. Louis over the weekend of April 7.

When asked about how he arrived at the idea of teaching a course that focused on dissecting comics as a form of literature, Higgins replied that when he began teaching comic books were just not in use in mainstream academia. They were only used in a few fringe cases, although they were beginning to gain acceptance thanks to Alan Moore’s Watchmen and Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman.

“Some of the lesson plans I created during my education courses in college focused on books like Maus and the genre of the superhero,” Higgins said. “Then I read Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud, and it blew my mind. It made me think that I ought to teach not just a unit using comics as a text but an entire course on analyzing comics as you would any other form of literature.”

One of the many struggles that Higgins has faced throughout his career as he developed the curriculum for the class was getting students to realize that there are more to

Photo provided by: L&C Flickr

comic books than superheroes.

“Even with The Walking Dead being one of the most popular shows on TV, and it having its basis in comics, people still often equate the medium of comics with the genre of superheroes,” Higgins said. “So, I try to get my students to see a world in comics beyond spandex, basically.”

Students that take the class are exposed to many different styles of writing in comic form, from the familiar tales of caped crusaders, to gritty crime novels, epic tales of fantasy and science fiction, and even chilling horror stories.

“We end on realism, comics that reflect the realities of daily life, because it’s the genre students usually have the least experience with,” Higgins said. “That’s a bit ironic though, considering most comic strips from the newspaper, everything from Peanuts to Calvin and Hobbes, are funny little reflections on the minute details of daily life.

But still, it’s not what students think of when they think ‘comics.’”

Those who are looking for an interesting class or are looking to expand their knowledge of comics beyond just superheros may want to give Higgin’s Comic Books as Literature class a try.

Cover of the Ink and Drink Comics book, “Myriad.”

MO PLEASURE

BAND

Student Activities director, Jared Hennings sings with the Mo Pleasure Band. Photo By: Krystie Morrison

The Mo Pleasure Band performs for students in Reid Cafe Wednesday afternoon. The band played classic hits by famous acts like The Temptations and Prince. Photo By: Krystie Morrison

Entertainment 02 Characters Come to Life in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Reboot thebridge

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JESSE BAALMAN jbaalman@lc.edu

Image provided by: fandango.com

An animated children’s classic gets a modern retelling with “Beauty and the Beast,” Disney’s latest live action fairy tale remake that does right by its source material even if it is not as up-tothe-minute as it thinks it is.

It is 1700’s France, again, and Belle (Emma Watson) is an independent girl who is called “odd” by her fellow villagers of Villinueve and

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“ahead of the times” by her widow father. Belle needed some retouching and this story does a service to her pioneer character by casting Watson as the lead and adding layers of backstory such as an explanation for her mother’s absence.

As for the beast (Dan Stevens), writers Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos have colored him a few shades darker as well.

Bill Condon, helmer of “Dreamgirls” and “Mr. Holmes,” does a fairly good job with revamping this beloved romance with the same sense of beauty and redemption as the original.

While some scenes like the introductory ballroom dance are well detailed, others like the “Be Our Guest” sequence are less visually impressive.

Luke Evans proves he can make everyone hate him as Prince Gaston, who is a bit more unlikeable than before. Lefou (Josh Gad), Disney’s first openly gay character and sidekick to Gaston, earns plenty of laughs along the way, but usually he feels like more of a device than an actual character. Other split-second suggestive nods during the two-hour film leave a bad aftertaste rather than its intended progressiveness.

Lumiere and Cogsworth are back and the supporting voice cast of Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci,

and Gugu Mbatha-Raw do distinctive work as the Beast’s loyal servants-turned-antiques who have seen him at his best and worst.

One of the best aspects of the story is Condon’s imagining of Maurice, Belle’s father, played by a believable Kevin Kline. The scenes with Maurice and Belle all have a certain delicacy to them because of the acting. Emma Watson is a breezy on-screen presence that elevates her princess role to greater heights while also lending her voice to old and new songs.

The romantic progression is not as dramatic as watching pedals fall off of a rose, but seeing the beast open up his library to a bookworm like Belle as she warms up to him is all the more enchanting because of the artists at work and visual effects that are not distracting or substandard.

Times have changed, but the beast must still learn to love and be loved. “Beauty and the Beast” is not always a breathe of fresh air, but it does bring to life an iconic character in an accessible, finely-tuned fashion.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film debuted to a $170 million weekend and broke the record for top domestic opening of all time for a PG movie, #7 launch of all time for any movie, and biggest debut ever for a femaleled film.

Upcoming Live-Action Disney Fairy Tale Remakes

1. Mulan - November 2, 2018 2. Mary Poppins Returns December 25, 2018 3. Pinocchio 4. The Little Mermaid 5. Aladdin 6. The Lion King 7. The Little Mermaid 8. Cruella (101 Dalmations) 9. Peter Pan 10. Dumbo for more info visit: moviepilot.com

Love Season 2 Sticks the Landing JESSE BAALMAN jbaalman@lc.edu

In the second season of Netflix’s “Love,” creators Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin, and Paul Rust dive deeper into the inner workings of their characters in a way that balances its bittersweet title better than the first season of the romantic comedy.

Season one set the stage by gradually pulling these characters out of the ashes of their prior lives and bringing them together unconventionally. Picking up where the last episode left off, Gus (Rust) and Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) are a Los Angeles couple who are learning how to have a healthy relationship with each other.

This 12-episode season is still slow burning like its predecessor, but it does not feel like a ticking time bomb as the writing is wittier and the actors all outdo their performances. Gillian Jacobs is becoming a more versatile artist with every project she does as shown by her work in the acclaimed indie, “Don’t Think Twice,” and other shows such as “Community” and this one.

Mickey is as real as characters come in

these days of introspective television and Jacobs keeps her already well-drawn character interesting through a variety of scenes. Rust is as likeable and geeky as ever and his chemistry with Jacobs is undeniable despite their characters’ contrast.

Claudia O’Doherty brings back her gleeful Bertie and a relationship that she develops with a man named Randy (Mike Mitchell) adds layers to her that viewers have yet to see.

Iris Apatow and Brett Gelman return in the recurring roles of Arya and Greg, the teen that Gus tutors and Mickey’s coworker.

From the people behind “Freaks and Geeks” and “Girls”, “Love” showed promise from the beginning. Now, each episode has multiple high points and moments of wide-ranging emotion.

Apartment complex lockdowns, psychedelic drug trips, and meeting the parents for the first time are all storylines that make for great chapters in this season. Some of the episodes are directed by Maggie Carey, Lynn Shelton, and Joe Swanberg using vibrant LA locations and techniques that make the sitcom feel broad and intimate at once.

The unapologetic approach that is given to Gus and Mickey’s relationship elevates both

Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and Gus (Paul Rust) star in Netflix’s “Love” created by Judd Apatow, Lesley Arfin and Paul Rust.

the light and dark elements of the show for viewers.

In a season that confirms “Love” as a worthy addition to the plethora of exciting TV comedydramas, Gillian Jacobs and Claudia O’Doherty

jwatters@lc.edu

For years now, in certain musical circles, the name Emmure has been more or less a laughing stock.

Known for repetitive breakdowns and lyrics that sounds as if they were written by an eighth grader going through his super hero phase and first break up at the same time, the band has long been labeled “juvenile,” “boring,” and “unoriginal.”

However, their new album “Look at Yourself,” is a clear departure from their old sound. This is thanks, in large part, to the entirely new line up that vocalist Frankie Palmeri assembled in the wake of the rest of the band breaking ties with him to go and form their own project.

This line up consists of almost the entirety of progressive metal giants Glass Cloud: guitarist Josh Travis, bassist Phil Lockett, and drummer Josh Miller.

Released almost exactly one year after the Image provided by: billboard.com public departure of the rest of the band, “Look at Yourself” draws clear influences from Travis’ time in Glass Cloud and The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza.

While the album features its fair share of old school Emmure style breakdowns and chugging riffs, especially during the album’s phenomenal

Ed Sheeran’s ‘Divide’ is Worth a Listen jbaalman@lc.edu

Featuring an assortment of refreshing, genreblending tunes, Ed Sheeran’s “Divide” is worth a listen whether or not his efforts on this album are as impactful as the previous two. “+” and “x” brought Sheeran to the spotlight because of his genuine, original style that is influenced by pop, hip-hop, and folk genres.

Released on March 3, it is definitely connected to those two previous works, but this one moves even further from the artist’s roots while still preserving his lived-in, melodic sound.

His style is recognizable and it is easy to connect the dots between his first big hit, Grammy nominated “The A Team,” and his recent ballad, “Photograph.” If fans of these songs are looking for more of the acoustic, swooning Sheeran, look to songs such as “Perfect.”

While he explores different techniques and rhythms, he always stays true to the sounds that made him famous. For fans of all his experimental sides, “Shape of You” is what might be the biggest clue as to where he is today.

It is always good to see an artist try out different sounds, especially when they are dealt with as thoughtfully as they are on this collection. He doesn’t always get it right and not all of his ideas are song-worthy, but most are noteworthy.

Forgettable tracks on the album include “Eraser” and “Dive.”

A fitting album for the day, week, or season of newness and growth that is upon us, “÷” has a positive yet reflective tracklist that is rough around the edges. Sheeran shows evident signs of growth in his now six year long career with plenty of new material to sink into. Results may vary, but this one is hard to not appreciate as it is something simple and exciting: something different.

are the real MVP’s for their dedication to a story that shows love for as simply complicated as it is. Season three of “Love” has been announced and it is until then that Netflix users can find out what happens in this modern love story.

Emmure Departs from Old Sound on “Look at Yourself”

JACOB WATTERS

JESSE BAALMAN

Photo provided by: indiewire.com

Members of the band ‘Emmure’.

opening track “You Asked For It,” no longer do they make up the entirety of the listening experience.

In addition, they’re mixed carefully between ambient guitar leads, such as the intro to “Ice Man Confessions” and “Torch,” and bouncy guitar riffs that highlight Travis’ skill, such as “Natural Born Killer” and “Gucci Prison.”

Unfortunately, while the instrumentation on the new album shows a clear departure from the old Emmure style, the same cannot be said for the lyrics. Palmeri continues to pen the lion’s share of the lyrics and, while he has moved away from screaming about superheroes and break ups, they aren’t much better this time around, instead focusing on creating a tough guy image that ultimately falls flat.

The only positive aspect about his performance on this album is that the vocals are much crisper and stronger sounding than their previous albums, especially when compared to his performance on 2009’s “Felony.”

Standout tracks on the album include “You Asked For It,” “Natural Born Killer,” “Flag of the Beast,” and “Ice Man Confessions.”

Overall, “Look at Yourself” is a decent album, but it’s nothing to write home about or run out and buy; but, if you’re looking for a good way to kill 30 minutes, give it a spin.

Photo provided by:metrolyrics.com

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Wolverine Slashes His Way Through “Logan” JUSTIN FORREST jforrest@lc.edu

Loosely based on the comic story “Old Man Logan,” the movie “Logan” is the final story of everyone’s favorite crass, clawed, Canadian: The Wolverine.

Thanks to Fox’s first foray into R-rated territory, “Deadpool,” we finally get a fully realized and proper Wolverine story. I mean, you can’t have a story about a guy with knives that come out of his hands with out a little blood shed.

Not only is there lots of blood and gore (and oh boy, is there lots of gore!), foul language also runs roughshod throughout the movie. Something still new to the superhero genre.

One of the biggest proponents to this isn’t The Wolverine himself, but Sir Patrick Stewart’s aging Charles Xavier. Xavier having gone through serious trauma, both mentally and physically plays the blunt voice of reason and also the heart of the story.

The story itself takes place over 20 years in the future, where almost all mutants (Along with the X-Men) are all dead. The also aging Logan is slowly dying from metal poisoning, due to his metallically coated skeleton.

Yet, this hasn’t stopped him from trying to

take care of his mentor and surrogate father Xavier. Soon their lives change dramatically when not just a young girl, but a young mutant falls into their hands.

A mutant that has the same powers as Wolverine. They both are tasked with taking this young girl to a supposed mutant sanctuary cross country, all the while avoiding government agents and scientists who want the girl for themselves.

While this story is dramatic and brutal enough for a proper send off to everyone’s favorite X-Men character, I did find issue with the pacing of the movie. Sometimes the movie felt too slow and sluggish with not enough of an emotional hit for me at times.

When the action did finally ramp up it felt satisfying, but didn’t exactly break new ground. If you’ve seen other Wolverine fight scenes, you probably know what to expect.

The other big issue I had with the film is you don’t get enough time to get invested into the side characters and worst of all, the villains.

You just don’t get to know enough about them and why you should want them to be defeated. Beyond that they never really feel like a legitimate threat, especially considering our heroes are older and weaker than they’ve ever been before.

Despite its flaws, this is still a very good movie. Hugh Jackman puts all the love that

Actor Hugh Jackman as Logan and introducing Dafne Keen Image provided by: rottentomatoes.com as young mutant, Laura.

he’s built for this character these past 15 years all into this film for one final grand adventure.

And if you’re an X-Men fan like me, who has been with this series almost my entire life, then you too will probably feel closure on what could be for now, the end of the X-Men movie franchise.

For those parents thinking of taking your

children to see this superhero movie, take caution. Because Logan is the best in the world at what he does, and what he does isn’t very nice.

I give it four reels out of five.

Samurai, Vikings & Knights Join Forces in ‘For Honor’ JACOB WATTERS jwatters@lc.edu

Samurai, Vikings, and Knights, oh my! For those that have ever wondered what would happen if these three warrior groups ever met in open combat, look no further than Ubisoft’s newest release, “For Honor.”

Made by Ubisoft Montreal, published

by Ubisoft, and released on Feb. 14 for Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Windows, “For Honor” puts the player in the role of a mythical warrior fighting for their people’s survival in a world ravaged by war and natural disasters.

The key thing to note about “For Honor” is that it has absolutely zero offline features.

Now, that isn’t to say that it requires a paid subscription for Playstation 4 or Xbox One players to be able to enjoy the majority of the game, as players can play all game modes against the artificial intelligence (A.I.).

None of the game’s content can be accessed if a connection cannot be established with Ubisoft’s servers, which is definitely something to keep in mind. After two weeks of hands-on time with the game, I’ve found a handful of things that leave a sour taste in my mouth, despite the massive amounts of fun to be had.

The first, and most frustrating, of these

Image provided by: ign.com

issues would be the connection issues. Outcry from the online community has shown that the issues are there on all three platforms.

Since accessing any of the game’s content requires a connection to Ubisoft’s servers, any loss of connection to the servers results in the game promptly kicking you back to the main menu with an error message.

This can even happen during the campaign, which I did experience, costing me roughly 30 minutes of time when it lost connection during the ending cutscene of a mission.

And speaking of the campaign, it seems as if it might as well not be there. The

Fans of Stranger Things Eagerly Await Season 2 JESSE BAALMAN jbaalman@lc.edu

For all lovers of ‘Stranger Things,’ the series that took the world by storm last summer, new information is released regarding the second season of the popular science fiction series.

Ross and Matt Duffer, twin brothers and creators of Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things,’ have revealed information about the second installment of their Screen Actors Guild award-winning television series to Entertainment Weekly.

In the article, The Duffer Brothers promise a thrilling return to Hawkins, Indiana and all the beloved characters from the first season.

Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) is grappling with the effects of his time spent in the Upside Down, along with his friends Mike, Dustin, and Lucas (Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin).

Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder) begins dating an old high school classmate named Bob (“The Goonies”’ Sean Austin) in order for her sons, Will and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), to have a father figure in their lives. Meanwhile, Police Chief Hopper (David Harbour) must keep the supernatural events that occurred a secret to protect the town.

Of course, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) will reappear, but her storyline is kept under wraps other than the fact that her backstory will be explored in a way that gives the character an emotional expansion. Assuming she still likes Eggos, her character has plenty of room for development as the series digs deeper into its mysterious, paranormal world.

Mike Wheeler and his older sister, Nancy (Natalia Dyer), will no longer be the only sibling duo with Billy (Dacre Montgomery) and Max (Sadie Sink)

joining the cast and changing up the town of Hawkins.

Paul Reiser has a role as Dr. Owens, the one who is now entrusted with running the enigmatic Hawkins National Laboratory.

Brett Gelman also joins the cast as a conspiracy theorist and former journalist.

Matt Duffer told Entertainment Weekly that while the first season drew inspiration from the work of Stephen Spielberg, the second was influenced by some films

by James Cameron and will work with different elements of horror. Also revealed in the interview is that the series is planned for a four of five installment run.

The investigative drama that pays homage to films of the 1980’s is a crowdpleasing and thoughtfully written series featuring childlike heroes. It became not only the hit of the summer upon its July release, but went on to become the show of the year. Its return is set for a fitting Halloween premiere, and the anticipation will only grow until then.

Image provided by:empireonline.com

campaign is split up into three chapters with six missions each, with each chapter being devoted to one of the three factions.

The campaign, in its entirety, plays like a glorified tutorial, with a threadbare excuse of a plot. A glorified tutorial that doesn’t even teach you how to play all of the heroes available to each faction.

In addition, the Samurai chapter of the campaign feels like it was rushed. It lacks the narrative flow and fun of the other two campaigns.

Despite the game’s shortcomings, it has areas in which it absolutely shines,

namely gameplay and art. The gameplay, while nothing innovative, is addictive and engaging.

Weapons feel like they actually have weight to them and combat is satisfyingly lethal. Fights can be over in as few as two or three swings of an axe if either hero makes a mistake, which forces players to learn how to fight defensively and look for openings in their opponent’s strategy.

And the art of the game is simply beautiful.

It is gritty, dark, made up of a great deal of muted colors, but it all works.

The various battlefields that players take to easily look like they’ve seen the many years of fighting that the lore says they’ve been through. Everything is slowly breaking down or hastily patched, including wooden walkways built over broken castle walls and bridges with large portions broken away by siege equipment which routinely rains fire down over the map.

All in all, “For Honor” is a fun and enjoyable game, if you can get past the glaringly obvious issues that it has. Don’t get it if you’re looking for a wonderful story and don’t get it if you don’t have access to the internet on your console or PC. However, if you’re looking for a fun online brawler that plays and looks like a cross between “Dark Souls” and “Dynasty Warriors,” then give it a try. Rating: 3/5

Image provided by: slate.com

A Modern Horror Masterpiece MATT MONROE

mmmonroe@lc.edu

We’re living in fairly dark political times right now, and in these dark times we’ll be seeing a lot of pieces of art and media try to capture the cultural feel. Some will fail to connect, but others will succeed. “Get Out” not only captures the cultural feel, it shakes it to its very core.

The film is the directorial debut of comedian Jordan Peele, who is most notable for his sketch comedy series “Key & Peele” with fellow comedian Keegan-Michael Key. The jump to horror might be surprising at first, but by the end of the movie you’d think Peele had been making horror films his whole life at just how effective the story is in the movie.

The plot deals with Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a black man, and his white girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), visiting her family’s estate over a weekend after a few months of dating.

Over the course of this weekend, Chris begins to uncover something sinister about the estate and his girlfriend’s family.

And that’s about all I can give before getting into spoiler territory. If I tell you anything more it’ll ruin some of the movie’s best moments, as watching the story unfold is a massive trip. If you can, go see this movie in the theater as having a good audience improves this movie by a tenfold.

Another thing to appreciate about the movie is how it approaches race. Due to the

smart writing from Jordan Peele, it’s easy to understand the everyday microaggressions black Americans go through daily. While these microaggressions are exaggerated at times to help move along the plot, they never lose their basis in reality.

Getting into some of the more technical aspects of the movie, it’s really well shot throughout, as there’s some really breathtaking cinematography at times, surprisingly so for a movie that cost only $4.5 million to make.

Even more impressive considering this is Peele’s debut.

Honestly, I’m just shocked there really isn’t much to hate about the movie. Despite playing within usual horror tropes, Peele subverts them and embraces them appropriately, keeping the audience on their toes consistently.

If there’s anything to complain about, there’s some slight pacing issues throughout, as the first and second act go on a little too long, leaving the third act to be shorter than expected and slightly less satisfying.

Besides that though, “Get Out” is one of the best horror movies I’ve seen in recent history and I’m extremely excited to see what Peele does next. Also, for the love of God, go see this movie twice if you can, as there’s a lot of stuff thrown in the movie that has a double edge on repeat viewing. I’m giving “Get Out” 5 out of 5 reels.

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TALK TO THE BRIDGE

Why is diversity and inclusion important to you?

Photos by: Shelby Clayton

Louise Jett

Carlinville, Illinois Media Services “Everyone has strengths to bring to the table. When we promote and celebrate diversity and inclusion we not only empower others, but we also empower ourselves.”

Kelly Rulison

Springfield, Illinois Associates in Science “Diversity and inclusiveness are both very important subjects that all people should be exposed to.

Diversity allows a person to grow and become aware of new thoughts and ideas.

Inclusiveness is crucial for mental health and allowing a person to accept diversity.

Both of these things are very healthy and people need them in their lives..”

Matt Monroe

Alton, Illinois Radio Broadcasting Major “When it comes to getting a good, well-rounded point of view of the world, you need to hear a lot of very diverse perspectives. You can’t trap yourself in your own world with a singular look at things, you have to open up to new people, people who are different than you, Wuthout diversity and inclusion, who know’s where any of us would be right now? It definitely wouldn’t be kind.”

Callie Logan

Kane, Illinois Accounting Major “The more welcome people feel the happier they are. The happier they are the better their chance of success. If I felt out of place I could still do good in school, but being included has made it much easier to get involved and go above expectations. Like the saying goes, “A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected.””

Helen Jarden

Alton, Illinois Associates in Arts “Diversity has a broad spectrum of contributions to society. Having a diverse group of people contributing their unique perspectives benefits our schools, workplaces, and out society.

Inclusion strengthens our country and enriches our lives.”

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Spring Maze Graphic by: Shelby Clayton

Graphic by: Jessie Regot

Graphic by: Shelby Clayton

Campus Events 06 L&C Veteran’s Club to Host Spring Events thebridge

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HANNAH AUSTON hauston@lc.edu

Many events will be taking place around campus these last couple of Spring months, and it’s all thanks to the Lewis and Clark Community College Veterans Club.

If you’re currently in the market for a new job, the Career and Veterans Services Department will be hosting a Job Fair on April 5, from 9 a.m. til noon in the Commons. There is no fee to attend this event, and it is open to all L&C students, as well as the general public.

“A wide variety of area employers take part, which means lots of different opportunities for job seekers,” said Terry Lane, director of L&C’s Career and Veteran Services. “Wireless access and computers will be provided so job seekers can visit employer websites or complete applications online. Technical assistance will also be available. Be sure to bring a copy of your resume, and don’t forget to also dress in your best, as this is potentially a job interview, and first impressions are everything!”

Krispy Kreme doughnuts will be available in the Reid Cafe hallway for purchase on April 19 from 7:30 a.m. until they sell out. The price is $7 for a dozen,

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and they will be freshly baked and picked up by an L&C Veteran’s Club member that morning! You can also call ahead and order them to be delivered (within a reasonable distance) for orders of 5 dozen or more. The Veteran’s Club will be using the proceeds to fund veteran and militaryrelated activities, both on-campus and throughout the community.

Lane said, “The doughnut sales have allowed the Vets Club to make donations to several different organizations throughout the years, like the SGA fundraisers, STL veteran hospitals, Wreaths Across America, the Gary Sinise Foundation, etc.

We appreciate faculty, staff and students helping us help other vets.”

To close out the semester strong, the Veteran’s Club will also be hosting a blood drive in the Commons on May 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An appointment is preferred, but walk-ins are also accepted.

The donor must present a valid photo ID to donate, however, regardless of scheduling ahead of time or just walking in that day. They also need to eat well and hydrate before donating, as this will help the well-being of the individual donating blood.

“By partnering with the American Red Cross, the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and radio station KSHE-

Members of the Veteran’s Club

95, the Vets Club is able to facilitate the collection of over 700 units of blood each year on the Godfrey Campus. We are proud to be affiliated with these organizations as they work to save lives,” Lane said.

Photo provided by: L&C Flickr

For more information on these events, visit the L&C campus page at www.lc.edu/ events, or to schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: LewisClark1.

Free Food & Giveaways to be Offered at Springfest DONALD BECKER dobecker@lc.edu

Lewis and Clark Community College is hosting it’s annual Student Activities Springfest on April 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will be held outside Hatheway Hall or, in the case of inclement weather, Riverbend Arena. All students, family, and friends are invited to join in on the festivities.

Coordinator of Student Activities and Facility Manager Jared Hennings said, “We’re expecting Springfest to be its usual exciting time with something for all

students. From free food, to giveaways, contests and music, we’re planning for 3 hours of non-stop activity. Also we’ll have inflatables and opportunities for students to socialize and make new acquaintances.”

The theme for this year’s Springfest is “Lewis and Clark Has Heart.” The event will feature activities that will give students opportunities to embrace diversity and encourage a sense of belonging among their fellow classmates. There will also live music, inflatables, face painters, caricature, free food and much more.

For more information about this event, contact Hennings at jhenning@lc.edu.

Students Invited to “Chillax” during Finals KELLY RULISON

krulison@lc.edu

The week before finals, Lewis and Clark Community College will be holding a Relaxation Day for students Wednesday, May 3, in the Hatheway Gallery from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The L&C’s Health and Wellness Committee invites students to ‘chillax’ before finals week with dog therapy, music, hula hooping, stress screenings, health rhythms, neck massages, exercise, coloring, free snacks and more.

“Over the last few years, the L&C Wellness Committee initiated and organized a Relaxation Day of activities for students on campus during their physical and mental challenges in their Final Exam week,” said Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene Vicki Hake.

Wellness is defined as the state of being

in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal. Or rather taking care of oneself even though things need to get done.

“Each year the committee recruits a diversity of experiences for students to relax,” Hake said. “‘Chillax’ is a complimentary relaxation opportunity for all L&C students, and the committee continues to add experiences from student surveys after the event which is the sole purpose of the Wellness committee – for the well-being of all.”

All the activities are free for L&C students.

The committee hopes students will take advantage of this opportunity as a day of rest, because, even if stressed, it can make a lot of difference by letting the mind relax for a bit.

For more information on the Relaxation Day email Sheila Emerick at semerick@lc.edu.

Graphic by: Shelby Clayton

A student poses with therapy dog at the Chillax event last year.

Photo provided by: L&C Flickr

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L&C to Honor National Volunteer Week KELLY RULISON

krulison@lc.edu

Lewis and Clark Community College will again be hosting L&C Cares, a week of student volunteering in honor of National Volunteer Week, April 24-29.

“This is the fourth year this project has been available for our students,” said L&C Student Activities Director Jared Hennings.

“For club advisors, you may have priorities for community service. I wanted you to also receive the information, to possibly motivate your club members to volunteer.”

L&C Cares is designed for our students to connect with community organizations, while making a positive impact.

“You don’t really understand the impact of volunteering until you do it,” Hennings said.

“Just the effort of giving up your free time to help your community hopefully is gratifying to volunteers. It becomes a win-win… both for the organization and the student.”

Students will be volunteering at the following organizations: Alton Housing Authority, Alton Memorial Hospital White Cross Auxiliary, Alton Main Street, Alton

Museum of History and Art, Alton Boys and Girls Club, Boots on the Green – Arlington Green Golf Course – Veterans Golf Outing, Collinsville Recreation District, Caravan Oasis Women’s Resale Shop, Catholic Children’s Home, Crisis Food Center, Five A’s Animal Shelter, Hope Center – Cottage Hill, Godfrey Knights of Columbus, North Alton Godfrey Business Council, Riverbender.com Community Center, Riverbend Head Start, Brighton North Primary School - Head Start Agency, Bethalto Head Start, Senior Services Plus,

Sierra Club, Piasa Palisades Group, and Alton YWCA. There may be some Edwardsville area volunteer locations as well although they are not confirmed yet. Depending on interest, those locations may include Watershed Nature Center, Main Street Community Center and Restore Décor.

Those wanting to volunteer or get more details on the exact addresses of these locations and/or what the jobs entail can contact Hennings at jhenning@lc.edu or 618-468-6400.

In 2016 more than 80 Lewis and Clark Community College students volunteered in the community as part of L&C Cares Week, a week dedicated to giving back to our communities.

Photos provided by: L&C Flickr

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