Letter from the president:
LONG HAULERS: THE UNHEARD SIDE OF COVID-19
Jim Collins addresses campus Page 3
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Sept. 17, 2020 — Vol. 99, Issue 1
A SNEAK PEAK OF WHAT’S INSIDE
photo by JULIA MEDINA
Workers remove bushes to break into the stone and expose the base of the Bishop Loras statue. The statue, located at the corner of Loras Boulevard and Alta Vista, was taken down around 2pm on September 8th after research confirmed that Mathias Loras owned a slave.
Athletics: To play or not
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Senior Spotlight: Emma McLaughlin
Bishop Loras statue removed Historian research confirms Mathias Loras owned a slave by MEGAN HIMM staff writer
On Sept. 8, Loras College president Jim Collins sent out an announcement regarding the history of its founder, Bishop Mathias Loras. It had recently come to light that Bishop Loras owned a slave, Marie Louise, for 16 years. Addressing the issue, Collins stated: “Slavery is an evil in any age, and its legacy of dehumanizing injustice persists. Bishop Loras’ abhorrent conduct is antithetical to the mission, vision, values,
and Catholic identity of this institution. Consistent with these values, Loras College denounces racial injustice and hate in all its forms.” This announcement came during the national scholar strike; and although surprising, the announcement was fitting. Because the values of Loras College are not reflected by the actions of Bishop Loras, the Board of Regents met and decided to remove the memorial statue of the Bishop. College Diversity Officer Sergio Perez was consulted throughout the discussion. Describing the process, Perez explained that the Board of Regents,“really processed everything that was going on, the new information, and what this meant. I think
they did a very good job of first setting those values of transparency. They then worked on building trust with the campus to know that they took it seriously and wanted to act clearly.” The statue of Bishop Loras stood on Keane Hill, one of the highest points in Dubuque, along Loras Boulevard. Upon its removal, it was placed in storage until a final decision can be made about what to do with it. In regard to the removal of the statue, Perez commented that “it was a necessary step. It’s not that we are erasing the man, he will always be our founder, but let’s teach the whole story.” continued on Page 2
National Scholars Strike for Racial Justice Black Loras athletes hold panel to increase awareness by JORGE RAMIREZ staff writer
Four Duhawks were asked to discuss personal anecdotes, experiences and struggles they have had growing up in a society that challenges them due to their skin color. On Tuesday, Sept. 8, over 150 Loras College students and staff members gathered at Loras College’s AWC to show their support for Black students and condemn systemic racism and police brutality. The event, titled Power in Our Voices, featured a panel of Black student-athletes. Senior Dimitric Young, junior Marion Edwards,
photo by SERGIO PEREZ
Left to right: Dimitric Young, Marion Edwards, Terriana Black, and Tyreke Winston pose for a pict ure after speaking about their personal experience as a black individual on and off campus.
junior Tyreke Winston, and senior Terriana Black were responsible for this event. “White people that might not be rich in economic or financial terms still get the benefit of the doubt from those in positions of power. People of color never get those benefits,” stated Young.
None of the four students in the panel hesitated to indicate their true beliefs when directing their words to the many people sitting in the stands. continued on Page 2
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Q uarantine life Student shares experience of isolation upon arrival by JUAN LUNA staff writer
Knock! Knock! Knock! I hear the sound loudly. I’ve been anticipating those knocks all day. I know who is on the other side of the door, so I yell, “Hi Janell, thank you!” I wait, giving Janell time to move away from the door before I open it. I see her as she walks down the basement hall of Binz. I look down to see the bag of goodies she’s left behind for me. My daily sustenance. My food! I’m a curious person, so I peak around at the hall. I count the bags outside the other doors. There are at least three of us here who are being isolated. I clutch the bag tightly as I slip back into my room and close the door. I wonder who the others are; how did they end up in quarantine? My story starts in my home country, Colombia, where everything was a little crazy due to COVID-19. Airports were closed while businesses were just starting to reopen. I chose to return to my school in the United States, Loras College, so I was forced to take a special flight that was strictly for those who could prove their travel was necessary and not tourism. The flight to the U.S. is always a timeconsuming journey but well worth it to me. I leave from Cali, Colombia, flying across all of Central America to get to Florida. I have to make several stops on my way back to Loras. My first stop is Fort Lauderdale. I was lucky to have the chance to stay there for two days this time. This time I was able to go to nearby Miami. continued on Page 2