Vol86Issue9

M THE MANEATER The student voice of MU since 1955

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Vol. 86 Issue 9

october 23, 2019

STUDENT ORGANIZATION

PROJECT

Organizations emphasize cultural mindfulness during Halloween season

College of Business student project aims to better prepare businesses displaced by disasters

With many business owners not prepared for the damage brought on by the Jefferson City tornado, several students are looking into how they can be ready for future disasters.

ALEX FULTON

Staff Writer

Students gather in Memorial Union on Oct. 10, for a discussion about cultural appropriation vs. appreciation hosted

by The Asian American Association. | COURTESY OF FACEBOOK VIA @MIZZOUAAA

The Asian American Association partners with Four Directions to define and examine appropriation in American culture.

ELISE DIESFELD

Reporter

The Asian American Association hosted its monthly general body meeting, Oct. 10 in collaboration with Four Directions to discuss the difference between cultural appropriation

and cultural appreciation.

The group participated in a game of “This or That,” deciphering and debating whether “White Chicks,” Halloween costumes, blackface and dreadlocks were appropriation or appreciation.

AAA defines appropriation as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of customs, practices and ideas of one culture by members of another, typically more dominant culture.” Cultural adoption was considered appreciation when elements

“What was the recovery process like?” junior Natalee Fitzgerald asks the woman over the phone.

“There’s no recovering,” Lakaisha Sutherland, owner of Joy & Gladness Children Academy responds. “The building’s completely destroyed and there’s no rebuilding it. I can’t afford to rebuild it.”

Last May, about two dozen people were injured and three killed as several tornadoes caused catastrophic damage in Jefferson City, leaving a 3-square-mile path of destruction, according to The Washington Post.

Additionally, 66 commercial buildings, 382 residential buildings and 29 government buildings were damaged in the city limits, according to a joint assessment from Jefferson City and Cole County published in 13KRCG. As the interview continues, Fitzgerald asks Sutherland if she is going to reopen the 24-hour daycare facility demolished by the Jefferson City tornado.

“She said that it's really hard to find buildings right now

FOUR | Page 4

CLEANUP

Students, staff lead post-homecoming cleanup efforts A total of 22.5 truckloads of solid waste and recycling were collected after homecoming.

AUSTIN WOODS

Reporter

While MU students and other Columbia community members were still reveling over the Tigers’ homecoming victory the day after the game, landscape services and independent contractors were occupied with something

| GRAPHIC BY JACOB LAGESSE

different: all the loose trash scattered around campus.

According to Karlan Seville, communications manager for the division of MU operations, the university’s solid waste team worked nearly 56 hours on trash and recycling cleanup for homecoming from Friday night through Monday.

Furthermore, Seville indicated that there were 22.5 total truckloads of solid waste and

that are open because everyone's kind of going through the same thing,” Fitzgerald said. “Business owners are all scrambling to either find a building or fix their building, and so that's been rough.”

Next, Fitzgerald asks Sutherland if she has any advice for other business owners affected by natural disasters.

“Do research on your insurance to know which ones you should have in case there's a disaster,” Sutherland responds.

“I didn't have the type that covered disasters. I was just at a loss, and so are all those families that have kids that need to be watched.”

WASTE | Page 4

JEFF | Page 4

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T H E M A N E AT E R | N E W S | O CTO B E R 2 3, 2 0 1 9

INSIDE THIS THE MANEATER The Student Voice of MU since 1955

Vol. 86 Issue 9 2509 MU Student Center • Columbia, MO 65211 573.882.5500 editors@themaneater.com www.themaneater.com

Twitter: @themaneater Instagram: @themaneater Snapchat: @the.maneater facebook.com/themaneaterMU The Maneater is the official student publication of the University of Missouri and operates independently of the university, student government, the School of Journalism and any other campus entity. All text, photos, graphics and other content are property of The Maneater and may not be reproduced without permission. The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the University of Missouri or the MU Student Publications Board.

“You’re gonna yodel in Walmart and you’re gonna like it.”

Reporters for The Maneater are required to offer verification of all quotes for each source. If you notice an inaccuracy in one of our stories, please contact us via phone or email.

page 6 MU celebrated National Coming Out week.

FOLLOW THE MANEATER ONLINE INSTAGRAM: @THEMANEATER TWITTER: @THEMANEATER FACEBOOK: THE MANEATER

Editor-in-Chief Leah Glasser

Graphics Editor Emily Mann

Managing Editor Maureen Dunne

Photo Editor Tanner Bubeck

Copy Chiefs Caroline Fellows Zoia Morrow

Production Coordinator Marisa Whitaker

Student Politics Editor Ben Scott University News Editor Laura Evans MOVE Editors Janae McKenzie Joe Cross Opinion Editor Bryce Kolk Sports Editor Emily Leiker

S

Write

TheManeater.com

Designers Billie Huang Alex Fulton Delanie Shores Faith Rush Social Media Manager Jake Reed

Adviser Becky Diehl

Online this week: An event showcasing Indian culture through dance, fashion and music, assistant professor speaks about human trafficking and more at themaneater.com

RESEARCH

Researchers discover autonomy increases family tension at the end of life A graphic thermal image of a T. rex with its dorsotemporal fenestra glowing on the skull. | ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF BRIAN ENGH.

DINOSAUR

3D tyrannosaurus rex skull model brings unexpected results The T. rex skull has been considered to be like that of a bird or snake, but an MU team developed a 3D model that shows that might not have been the case.

WICKER PERLIS

Senior Staff Writer

One of the great mysteries in the fields of paleontology and anatomy may

have been solved by an MU team that created a 3D model for the skull of a tyrannosaurus rex.

These scientists and researchers had long wondered how the dinosaurs were able to shatter bones of their prey without damaging their own skulls.

MU scientists are now arguing that the T. rex’s skulls were stiff like those of mammals and crocodiles, rather than flexible like skulls of snakes and birds.

“Previous beliefs about T. rex assumed that T. rex had what we could call a wiggly head. More technically

we would call it cranial kinesis,” Kaleb Sellers, a Ph.D. candidate who worked on the model, said.

This assumption was based only on looking at the dinosaur's joints and comparing them to the joints of modern animals with flexible skulls. By creating the 3D model, the team was able to show that it would make much more sense for the skull to be hard.

“Our research showed that

3D | Page 5

HISPANIC

Students and faculty commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month Community members with Hispanic backgrounds celebrated and reflected their heritage in many different ways during this month.

AUSTIN WOODS

Reporter

Sept. 15 marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. As Oct. 15 approached, Hispanic students and faculty reflected on their heritage and what it means to them.

Miguel Ayllon, director of the study abroad program, said he finds the city

of Columbia welcoming and diverse.

“In many ways, the world is already here in Missouri because you can meet faculty and students from different parts of the world,” Ayllon said. “Even as you walk around campus you can hear different languages. It’s very neat.”

Ayllon moved to the U.S. from Peru in 1999 to study business and communications at Bryan College in Tennessee. He began working for Residential Life at MU in 2008 after his sister-in-law, who attended the university, recommended it to him.

Ayllon said he stays connected to his heritage through his involvement with Voz Latina, an on-campus organization dedicated to empowering the local Latino community.

Prior to studying in Tennessee, Ayllon attended one year of high school in Georgia. Ayllon said he was consistently treated with respect and kindness in the states he has lived in.

“I have been very blessed,” he said.

“There was always someone that gave me a hand and willing to share their life with me. As a Hispanic-American now, I want to give back to the new students and new faculty.”

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, Ayllon said he reflected on his journey to citizenship, which he gained in April after 20 years.

For other students and faculty

MONTH | Page 5

Human Development and Family Sciences professor Dr. Jacquelyn Benson and other researchers found a central theme to reasons behind conflict at the end of life.

JESSICA FITZGERALD

University News Reporter

Oftentimes caregivers struggle to manage family conflict when they deal with the approaching death of a loved one. The discoveries from research conducted by Human Development and Family Sciences professor Dr. Jacquelyn Benson, Debra Parker Oliver, Karla Washington and George Demiris in a clinical trial found the central theme behind this problem: autonomy.

The five-year study began with Demiris at the University of Washington. People in the study were randomized into two different groups, one of them being a control group.

In the study, the researchers asked caregivers of people with terminal illnesses what strategies they used to help manage conflict.

When the researchers at MU joined the study, they analyzed the data from Demiris’s original trial, according to the research paper written by Benson.

“What we did in the study was we just explored specifically what type of

FAMILY | Page 5

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JEFF

Sutherland had coverage for her business’s vehicle but did not have insurance on the building or tornado or Continued from page 1 flood insurance.

Fitzgerald and six of her classmates are working on a project to develop recommendations, specifically with insurance, for businesses affected by natural disasters through interviews with business owners in Jefferson City.

As part of the Business Administration 3500 course, each student enrolled is required to assist in a group service project for various cities across the state of Missouri.

Fitzgerald and her group selected the Jefferson City Tornado Post Assessment project.

“A lot of the answers that the businesses have been giving us are [that] they don't understand the insurance they had [and] they should have done more research on what their insurance covers,” Fitzgerald said. “There was only one person I talked to that had loss of income insurance. She is doing okay because she has loss of income insurance, but the other ones who had their businesses destroyed don't have any income.”

The team completed NATO disaster relief training prior to starting the interviews, with basic disaster relief tips and the process of how these businesses start up explained. However, they did not undergo any emotional or mental training besides their adviser telling them that the interviews could get tough when discussing the effects of the disaster. “[When Joy & Gladness was destroyed] I cried, I just couldn’t believe it,” Sutherland said. “I was distraught because I couldn’t believe what I had seen in front of my eyes ... I was having nightmares after that. That night I didn’t sleep at all. I thought it was a dream, so I went back there to make sure it wasn’t.”

Throughout the project Fitzgerald has utilized empathy, a skill she said she was taught in all of her business classes.

“These people probably haven't talked about it this in depth [with] someone,” Fitzgerald said. “So, I just asked the question, and I let them just talk as long as they want and just actively listen, instead of trying to get out things that I want to ask or say because I know they need to talk about this.”

Fitzgerald said the process has taught her to understand empathy, but at the same time allowed her to realize things can get emotional and the importance of remaining professional. The skill is something Fitzgerald said she will continue to use in her future endeavors, with hopes of obtaining a job in Human Resources.

In addition to beginning the interviews, the team met with a representative from the State Emergency Management Agency and the Jefferson City Mayor on Oct. 2 to discuss the desired outcome of the project.

“As a mayor of a community that’s just gone through something like this, I realize firsthand that it can happen,” Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin said. “Even in a community like ours where we thought we would never get a tornado and it hit ... It really means a lot that the students care about and want to take this project on to help others in the future. I think what they’re doing can really have an impact statewide for many businesses to come.”

Edited by Laura Evans levans@themaneater.com

FOUR

of a culture were being used while honoring Continued from page 1 the sources they originated from.

Most of the group maintained that nearly all of the topics from their game appropriated minority cultures.

Even opposers qualified that dreadlocks still had implications of appropriation. AAA Advocacy Chair Maleigha Michael was one of the leaders of the discussion.

“I think that if a culture is being taken for reasons other than the cultural background they were made for, such as fashion, even if it’s unintentionally appropriated, it’s still appropriation,” Michael said.

Throughout the meeting Michael emphasized that the concept of appropriation is relative to the cultural composition of a country. Adoption of other cultural practices is mainly considered

WASTE

Through communicating with groundskeeping, Marks learned that the key time for cleanup is immediately after the Continued from page 1 homecoming parade and after tailgates. This allows the waste to be picked up before the recycling collected after the game and that wind or animals can cause an impact. much of the recyclables had to be discarded “We were able to pick up quite a bit of due to being mixed with trash. trash,” she said. “I think we did pretty well “We do not have the labor to separate waste for our first from recycling,” time.” she said. “About Marks was 25% to 30% of inspired to recycling bags organize the were able to be cleanup after recycled.” recalling the Seville said amount of the Facility trash that Operations team was scattered is in charge of outside the emptying trash residence hall cans on campus, she lived in last while the year. landscape services “[I saw] so staff is in charge much trash on of collecting loose the sidewalk trash lying around and in the campus. parking lot,” The amount of she said. “You loose trash can couldn’t park be minimized by without parking not putting trash on top of trash.” in cans that are Tony Wirkus, already full, as director of event wind tends to blow management, the overflowing helps identify Empty ice cream cups pile into an overflowing trash can. trash onto the spaces where | PHOTO BY PHOTO EDITOR TANNER BUBECK ground. there will “Any time be tailgaters people can put [their trash] in a secure bag and coordinates cleanup efforts with the they should,” she said. independent contractors who clean up around Initiatives have been enacted to decrease the stadium. the amount of waste left around campus after Wirkus said it’s important that game homecoming. The Sustainability Office has attendees be conscientious about making Tiger Tailgate, which hands out recycling it easier on the contractors and on the bags at tailgate lots to later be collected. university cleanup staff by taking proper It also sends student ambassadors to give precautions with their waste. presentations at fraternities, sororities and “One of the biggest things an individual residential halls about minimizing their can do is make sure they’re being proactive environmental impact. in getting recyclables to recycling containers, Cassandra Marks, a sophomore economics and, if it’s not recyclable, getting it to and political science double major, decided the correct trash can,” Wirkus said. “When to help out with the cleanup efforts by someone doesn’t choose to make that choice on their own, it makes it harder and more organizing a cleanup of her own.

Marks organized this with the help of the time consuming for the cleanup staff.”

Edited by Ben Scott College of Arts and Science student council, bscott@themaneater.com Sustain Mizzou and landscape services.

appropriation when a member of the dominant race endorses them. This is because when a minority race partakes in the cultural normalities of the dominant race, it is more assimilation than appropriation.

“I think being able to give those cultures a voice is important, and it goes along with allyship,” Michael said. “Where if you’re the dominant culture, and you know something is wrong, you should give them a platform to speak about it, and I think that’s where we can start appreciating it.

And then, much farther after that, we will be able to assimilate it hopefully in a non-offensive way.”

The meeting was strategically planned around Halloween when MU students will be planning their costumes in hopes of standing out. However, costumes involving other cultures including geishas, Native American garments and mariachi players are cultural appropriation by the group’s definition, especially when hypersexualized.

“If it's something like Halloween that is

| GRAPHIC BY EMILY MANN

premeditated on what you’re going to dress as, I think that’s kind of on you to research and make sure you’re not being offensive,” Michael said.

“But if you accidentally do it, I think all you can do is learn from it.”

Next month, AAA is focusing on mental health awareness for their general body meeting to assist students on coping with stress.

Edited by Ben Scott bscott@themaneater.com

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3D

anatomically and functionally, the evidence supports a stiff skull for T. rex,” Sellers said.

Casey Holliday, an associate Continued from page 3 professor of anatomy at the MU School of Medicine, further explained the relationship between the joints and skull to MU News Bureau.

“Dinosaurs are like modern-day birds, crocodiles and lizards in that they inherited particular joints in their skulls from fish — ball and socket joints, much like people’s hip joints — that seem to lend themselves, but not always, to movement like in snakes,” Holliday said to MU News Bureau.

“When you put a lot of force on things, there’s a tradeoff between movement and stability.”

This broad principle, when applied specifically to the T. rex, showed why the evidence suggests a stiffer skull.

“Birds and lizards have more movement but less stability,” Holliday said. “When we applied their individual movements to the T. rex skull, we saw it did not like being wiggled in ways that the lizard and bird skulls do, which suggests more stiffness.”

Sellers said this type of 3D modeling can be used not just for the T. rex, but for all dinosaurs and even other animals with fossil records.

“The wider impact of this study on paleontology is that it provides a rigorous way to evaluate the wiggliness, or cranial kinetic status, of fossils,” Sellers said. “T. rex is a sexy example, but it's far from the only interesting animal that paleontologists have an interest in accurately reconstructing.”

MONTH Continued from page 3 members of Hispanic background, Ayllon said he hopes they work to connect and bond with other groups.

“I think really good things happen when we get out of our comfort zone and we reach out across the aisle and say ‘help me understand your experiences,’” he said.

Sabrina

Salinas-Medina,

a

freshman

biology major, said her Mexican heritage plays a large role in her life, from the food she eats to the language she uses with her family.

Salinas-Medina said her parents moved to the U.S. on the same day they got married.

They haven’t gone back to Mexico since.

“They’re

technically

still

on

their

honeymoon,” Salinas-Medina said. “It’s a funny story.”

She said she encourages other Hispanic community members to retain a sense of community through cultural forces such as music.

“Music can bring all of us together,” she said. “It reminds me of so many things every time I listen to the music [of my culture].”

Spanish

instructor

Pablo

Serna,

commemorates his heritage in his everyday A 3D image of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull showing muscle activation. MU scientists created one of the first 3D models showing how ligaments and joints in the skull of a Tyrannosaurus rex work. | COURTESY OF THE MU NEWS BUREAU

FAMILY

Continued from page 3

Colombianos en Columbia … Missouri.

Serna moved to the U.S. from Colombia in 2006 and dedicates his time to ensure

“It’s an opportunity for Colombians to feel connected somehow,” he said. “We’ve helped people that have moved here find places to live, given them rides and picked them up from the airport. It’s a very strong thing that keeps us together.”

Serna said in his personal life he keeps certain traditions alive for his family through a novena, an important set of traditions and prayers performed before Christmas.

Serna said he also makes an effort to take his two children to Colombia whenever he has the opportunity.

“I think it’s very valuable to be grateful for what you have and where you’re from,” he said.

Clearly, Hispanic Heritage Month marks a time of reflection among MU faculty and staff. Despite the month coming to an end, Ayllon, Salinas-Medina and Serna all agreed that maintaining traditions and a sense of community ought to persist.

Edited by Ben Scott

other Colombian community members feel

Edited by Laura Evans levans@themaneater.com

conflict

life by running a Facebook group called

| GRAPHIC BY MICHELLE GUTIERREZ

welcome through the Facebook group.

and

tension family caregivers

ends of the situation can eliminate conflict tension experienced.

Benson also said that communication, support

experience,”

and self-care are critical for caregivers to reduce

asked them a lot of questions regarding what the

not a negative thing, but it rather forces people to

Benson said. “We

experience of those conflicts was like for them.”

Throughout her research, Benson found that the

distress. She also hopes people realize conflict is change behavior.

“[It is important to think] of conflict as a way

caregivers struggled deeply with a lot of things.

of changing dynamics within a family, changing

on underneath all these arguments [was] just a

within a system so it can lead to change,” Benson

“What we found was that really what was going

general tension about autonomy, and by autonomy we just mean control,” Benson said. “A lot of times

being a caregiver limits your time outside that role. It’s hard for them to be able to prioritize their personal life and their career.”

According to Benson, the best way to relieve

these tensions among families is to talk about them.

“We propose in the study that health professionals

working directly with caregivers and families have

them for the better, possibly changing dynamics

said. “Change is oftentimes very good, especially if what has been transpiring in the past has just been recurring behaviors that lead to the same outcome.”

One of the researchers, Washington, said the

serious illness. They have a number of different

that sometimes the end of life process is often not

family caregivers of people who are living with a

during the end of life processes are normal, and

studies going on frequently, Washington said.

portrayed correctly.

“This work is one piece of that of trying to find

Benson believes that a lot of conflict management

members,” Washington said. “We tried to design

is key to avoiding tensions in the caregiving

process. Having a sense of understanding on both

Washington also hopes that those who read and learn about the study know that conflict

a way that we can develop an intervention that

and understanding where the conflict stems from

| GRAPHIC BY JACOB LAGESSE

research team is highly focused on supporting

conversations with families about this central tension,” Benson said.

bscott@themaneater.com

hopefully, healthcare providers could offer family interventions that are really scalable, so that

can disseminate it, and it can be used in lots of different healthcare settings.”

“When a lot of people love the same person and want what’s best for them, it makes sense that some of these tensions are going to arise,” Washington said.

Edited by Laura Evans levans@themaneater.com

6

A student waves a rainbow flag in the wind during the annual Pride Photo at the MU Columns on Oct. 15. The Pride Photo is one of many events hosted by the LGBTQ Resource Center during Coming Out Week. | PHOTO BY PHOTO EDITOR TANNER BUBECK

LGBTQ

Coming Out Week fosters atmosphere of pride, allyship A week-long schedule of events helped faculty and students embrace their identities and be allies to those around them struggling to do the same.

MADDIE SCHUCK MOVE Culture Staff Writer For many, college is a time of self-expression and an opportunity for exposure to diversity. Coming Out Week celebrates both of these experiences and more through a series of events and programs held across campus. The festivities occur annually and are sponsored by a variety of MU organizations advocating for diversity and inclusion. This year, the celebration took place from Monday, Oct. 14 to Friday, Oct. 18.

To kick off the week, the LGBTQ Resource Center hosted a cupcake social from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday in the MU Student Center.

Students were encouraged to stop by for a treat and to find out about events happening later in the week. Coming Out Cupcakes both drummed up

“I think Coming Out Week is important because

Thursday. Later in the afternoon, the RSVP Center

it’s good to celebrate what is, for a lot of people, a

presented information about violence in LGBTQ

really hard thing to do but a really important thing

relationships, which is an often overlooked issue.

to do,” junior Hannah France said.

Coming Out Week wrapped up on Friday with

The next few days featured events including

two final events. The Queer Liberation Front

an open discussion about asexuality, the annual

put on a presentation about lesbian history,

Pride Photo at the MU Columns and a showing of

particularly during the 1920s. In the Women’s

the film “Happy Birthday, Marsha!” followed by a

Center, attendees got a look into the increasing

discussion. Students of all identities were invited

social prevalence of lesbianism around the world

to show their pride at a photo booth with props set

in that decade.

up in the student center.

“They really embraced themselves and they

On Wednesday, an Open Safe Space Training aimed to equip students and faculty with the

didn’t really care what other people thought,” sophomore Rachael Bagnell said.

knowledge to be effective allies to the LGBTQ

Finally, a night of LGBTQ trivia open to all

community. The first part of the training focused

marked the end of Coming Out Week on campus.

on learning LGBTQ-inclusive terminology, and

Players could compete solo or play as teams, and

the second half centered around putting the new

prizes were offered to winners. Games ran from 7

information to use in ways that make others feel

to 10 p.m. at The Shack and questions focused on

safe and accepted.

the past in honor of LGBT History Month.

“It was a lot of information I did not know

All of the festivities offered throughout the

before,” freshman Tobias Davis said. “I did actually

week brought together the LGBTQ community

learn a lot about the different pronouns and stuff

and those working to be better allies to them. The

to use.”

week was just one of the ways MU works to foster

The LGBTQ Resource Center hosted a lunch

excitement and highlighted the goals of Coming

where

several

transgender

and

non-binary

Out Week.

students shared their coming out experiences on

an inclusive atmosphere on campus.

Edited by Janae McKenzie jmckenzie@themaneater.com

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7

MUSIC

Mason Ramsey proves good things come in small packages

Country singer Mason Ramsey plays the guitar while singing on stage at the Blue Note on Oct. 18. The young performer began his career by yodeling in Walmart. He has since released several albums and EPs, performed at Coachella and is now touring across the U. S. | PHOTO BY PHOTOGRAPHER ANDREW MOORE

Mason Ramsey quickly went from the “yodeling Walmart kid” to America’s singing sweetheart, and he brought his talent to Columbia Friday night.

over, the crowd began to chant Ramsey’s name. Soon, someone lowered the mic stand for the pint-sized singer, and a giant banner bearing his name was unveiled. The lights lowered and the cheering rose to a level that could surely be heard from the street.

Ramsey took the stage in a blue silk shirt and accessories larger than he MADDIE SCHUCK was, from his hat and boots to his acoustic guitar. He opened with “The Way MOVE Culture Staff Writer I See It,” immediately displaying a level of energy one would expect from a 12-year-old. Energy continued to be Ramsey’s theme for the night as the Outside The Blue Note Friday night, crowds lined up around the corner crowd swooned with every signature spin move and charming tip of his hat. and down the alley waiting for doors to open. College students and families, A large part of Ramsey’s story is his upbringing. Raised in rural Golconda, some spanning three generations, waited excitedly outside the venue. The Illinois, by his grandparents, he had little exposure to technology, but a great crowd sported cowboy hats, boots and flannel. A few concert-goers even deal to the country legends his family loved. The singer paid tribute to these copied the exact outfit worn in the video that rocketed the night’s performer influences through impressive covers like Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” to fame.

The high point of the night, in fact, came when Ramsey belted out the Mason Ramsey, known to many as the “yodeling Walmart kid,” became a classic that started it all: Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues.” The audience viral sensation in 2018 when a video of him performing inside a Walmart went wild as he yodeled the famous tune and displayed a power in his voice blew up overnight. Since then, the 12-year-old has gained a massive following that was shocking for his size. and signed with Atlantic and Big Loud recording labels. Ramsey has played Ramsey engaged the audience all night, throwing out guitar picks and on famous stages from Coachella to the Grand Ole Opry, and is now on the signed T-shirts and telling a few jokes. Everyone inside The Blue Note second leg of his “How’s Ur Girl and How’s Ur Family” tour. Columbia-area enjoyed themselves during the set and their cheers let Ramsey know. fans have long anticipated their chance to experience his talent.

To close the show, Ramsey welcomed Ernest back for a rendition of his Mason Fitzgerald and Rachel Lipsey came from Fayette, Missouri, to see recent release “Twang.” This, of course, left fans chanting for an encore.

Ramsey.

Ramsey took the stage one last time to duet his most popular hit “Famous” “I’m excited to see who comes out, like the age range,” Lipsey said. “I’ve with Paulette. seen a lot of children and families.”

Nobody left right away, taking time to soak in their experience with one of Ramsey’s age gives him an innocence that draws in many younger fans. the most famous internet stars of the last few years. Eventually, concert-goers However, what he lacks in height and experience, many say he makes up for dispersed, all the while raving about the pure energy and talent Ramsey in vocal talent. brought to the stage.

“I’m ready to see him yodel,” Fitzgerald said before the show.

“I was actually impressed with his stage presence since he’s so little,” As the start time drew near, the standing area in front of the stage became Claire Parker said following the set. a sea of people working for the best view. Two openers joined Ramsey to A packed Blue Note was fully entertained by the young star Friday night warm up the crowd. Western singer Jenna Paulette performed a handful of as he charmed crowds long past the bedtime most fans had at his age. Then twangy originals that had the crowd stomping their boots and clapping along. again, Ramsey is clearly not the average 12-year-old, and his dynamic Later, Nashville singer-songwriter Ernest gave the crowd a mix of originals performance proved it.

Edited by Janae McKenzie and tracks he has written for other artists like Morgan Wallen and Chris Lane. jmckenzie@themaneater.com As Ernest said goodnight and the crew worked to get the stage switched

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DANCE

African dance group gives Columbia audiences a tour in percussion, dance celebration Wontanara brought masters of both dance and percussion to showcase their vibrant talents and passion for African performance.

GEORGE FREY

MOVE Culture Reporter Citizens of Africa, a continent spanning thousands of miles and containing thousands of cultures, came together under one roof Saturday night to give American audiences a taste of various styles of dance and percussion. The organization that brought these groups together is Wontanara.

The troupe’s name comes from a word used in the West African nation of Guinea, and it translates to “we are one.”

Artistic Director Julie Staveley-O'Carroll managed to bring performers from all across Columbia, the U.S. and Africa to participate in the celebration. Staveley-O’Carroll originally began to study the art of African dance in 2000 in Pennsylvania and began to develop an interest in the nation of Guinea specifically.

“Myself and another community member, Pam Fleenor-Benton, set up [Wontanara] together and then we all worked as a team to make it grow,” Staveley-O’Carroll said. “Our mission is to celebrate diversity in Columbia through the performing arts of Africa. We just want to share it with our community and bring people together.”

Since the founding of the nonprofit in 2018, Wontanara has pulled in dancers from various corners of Africa and given them a platform to impact the community through their individual performing arts styles. From Zimbabwe to Guinea to Nigeria, dancers, drummers and other artists shook audience members to their core with their resounding talents. The deep beats of the drums, vocal techniques and steps all came together to create a mixture of powerful sensations that overcame audience members and made them an integral part of the act.

Guinea native Seny Daffé grew up with dance as an integral part of his culture.

The rhythms and beats almost create a language, and every single movement, beat and step has a specific meaning, like words in a sentence. Daffé, who now lives in Vermont, comes to Columbia yearly.

“I have studied dance since I was 7, because in Africa, dancing and drumming is part of our culture,” Daffé said. “It surrounds you, and it surrounded me all the time … All the dance and music in Africa means something; we don’t dance for fun. I mean, dancing is fun, but in Africa all dance means something.”

For Missouri-based Wontanara members, this organization has been an integral part of their experience with dance as a whole. Johanna Milord, originally from New York, had practiced the art of dance for much of her life but has only recently become involved in African styles of dancing. It’s a great way to keep her connected.

“Since I was a little kid, I did ballet and tap, but African dance is more new for me,” Milord said.

“It was great, it was more freeing, less rules and less rigidity. When you dance with a studio or with a school team, it’s very technical, you have to be perfect. There’s synchronization in African dance, but it’s more about expression and creativity.

Wontanara has helped enrich my cultural life in Missouri.”

Africa is a continent with some of the oldest forms of art, with civilizations and cultures spanning back thousands of years to the very cusp of human history. The first steps of humankind as

| PHOTO BY REPORTER GEORGE FREY

we know it were in Africa. Since then, the arts, dance and percussion of the continent have shaped the human experience of performing arts as a whole worldwide.

In 2013, Staveley-O'Carroll traveled to Guinea for the first time and was inspired to bring the art of dance back with her and give Americans a broader window into the culture of Guinea and Africa as a whole. The immersive nature of Guinea’s dancing, and the happiness of Guinea’s people gave her a window into developing a content community.

“Guinea is so different,” Staveley-O’Carroll said. “It’s a really beautiful culture and they really value music and dancing. People don’t have a lot of money in Guinea and they’re actually really content … they value community and always help each other. We want to continue what we are doing, and one of our goals is to foster community.”

Edited by Janae McKenzie jmckenzie@themaneater.com

VIDEO GAMES

COMO Game Jam puts speed into game development Local video and tabletop game developers made new games in just 48 hours.

BEN WICHE

Senior Staff Writer Columbia College held the sixth annual COMO Game Jam on Friday.

Starting at 7 p.m., developers had 48 hours to brainstorm, code and test new video and tabletop games. Each game was to interpret this year’s theme: “Morality.” The event was hosted by COMO Game Dev, a local nonprofit focused on nurturing the local indie game community.

Awards were given out for the tabletop and video games with the best use of theme, best art and the best overall game. Prizes consisted of development resources and a month in a downtown development space.

Clover Ross, owner of Dream’s Universe Games LLC and a staffer at the Game Jam, said that Game Dev started as a way for developers to build a community in a unique area.

“It’s an association that started a couple years ago … since there are a lot of developers in the Midwest but not a whole lot of resources for us, we grouped together,” Ross said. “That’s the nice thing about the indie dev community: we’re super willing to help each other.”

Ross thinks the Game Jam is especially helpful for new game designers.

“We knew that we wanted to get mid-Missouri more interested in indie dev … give them space to feel it out and teach them stuff,” Ross said. “You come in, regardless of the amount of experience you have. You can learn.”

Ed Czebrinski, developer of the tabletop game Big Pharma Inc., thinks the game jam was a good way to connect with other developers.

“If you pitch an idea, other people are welcome to come join you,” Czebrinski said. “One of my team members knew about the pharmaceutical community and wanted to join in.”

The 48-hour time limit forced developers to make quick important decisions, as local game designer Miles Fogle found out.

“Originally, we were planning on making a strategy [and] resource management type game,” Fogle said. “About 11 hours before the deadline, I realized the game design of that wasn’t gonna be that interesting, so I made the tough decision to scrap the game, take the code we had and morph it into a puzzle game.”

Fogle’s game, Collateral, still won Best Video Game.

All of the games made at the Game Jam can be downloaded at https://itch. io/jam/como-game-jam-vi/entries.

Edited by Janae McKenzie jmckenzie@themaneater.com

9

T H E M A N E AT E R | M OV E M AG A Z I N E | O CTO B E R 2 3, 2 0 1 9 FILM

MU students make movies in one week with Campus Movie Fest MU students are given a chance

will pick their top 16 movies to be premiered at

to win prizes and represent their

7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 in Jesse Auditorium. The

Senior Michael Berry is also a film production

school in a national Hollywood film

top four films will receive the Jury Award and

major and a top four finalist from last year’s Campus

represent MU at a June film festival in Hollywood,

Movie Fest. His winning film “Cult Capades” took

California. This will be the Campus Movie Fest’s

the comedic route, which he intends to take again

third year visiting Columbia.

this year. Berry has always been intrigued by

festival.

ABBY PROFFER MOVE Culture Reporter Casual movie buffs and film students alike competed to make an award-winning picture in the Campus Movie Fest from Oct. 16 to Oct. 22.

The 2019-2020 Campus Movie Fest tour expects to visit 50 universities across the country. This past week, MU students were given the opportunity to

“This is the only thing I can see myself doing.”

“We’ve seen some pretty cool stuff,” Ramirez

sketch comedies like “Mr. Show” and “Saturday

said. “We always tell students, ‘We’re not looking

Night Live.” He is a big fan of “The Muppets”

for 'Avengers: Endgame,’ but some of them really

creator Jim Henson, and says that he even tries to

strive to give us that. It’s just a variety of what the

internalize his creativity when storytelling.

student is willing to try out.”

“I’ve been making videos for the better part of

Film production major and sophomore Sofia

my life, so when I got time to, being in college, it

Voss made the top four at last year’s festival

just made perfect sense to do,” Berry said. “I like

for her comedic horror film “La Belle.” that led

to be funny and I like to make people laugh.”

submit their best five-minute movie using either

her to the national competition in Atlanta. Her

The Campus Movie Fest paves the way for

the company’s equipment or their own.

inspirations are directors Richard Linklater and

college students across the country looking for a

David Lynch, and she is making a return to this

way to share their artistic vision. One week’s visit

year’s fest with another parody.

to MU could open the door for the next big movie

“At the end of the day, you get to create something that you’ve never created before, and it’s absolutely free,” promotions manager Luna Ramirez said.

An anonymous judge panel from the university

“I tend to gravitate more towards either

star or director.

comedies or coming-of-age types because those are

Edited by Janae McKenzie

just the two areas that I really enjoy,” Voss said.

jmckenzie@themaneater.com

MUSIC

DIY venue PDM fosters underground music community The warehouse space hosts concerts

Brewing Company. Then about six years ago we

flyers or the internet, PDM tells people to ask a

and acts as a practice area for local

moved here.”

local punk or record store worker to find out. This

bands.

BEN WICHE MOVE Culture Reporter The Columbia DIY music scene persists at Peste De Merde. The underground venue puts on a variety of metal and hardcore shows. PDM’s graffiti-covered warehouse has both a concert space, as well as four rooms that serve as practice spaces for local bands. The venue is run as a collective by committee members who pay a portion of the rent for the space.

Committee member Jacob Smiff notes that PDM is just one in a long line of underground venues in

Smiff thinks the Columbia underground music scene has a blend of members.

is done for an important reason.

“It’s an illegal venue,” Smiff said. “We get

“It’s pretty transient ‘cause students come and

cops here all the time. It’s not like a big secret or

go,” Smiff said. “We get a lot of bands that pop

anything, but if someone wanted to file a noise

up and leave. But it’s cool ‘cause we have a lot of

report having the address public would make it

core locals that have been playing together for a

that much easier for them.”

lot of years.”

Because anyone can book a show at PDM, the

PDM provides a familiar and inclusive space

crowds can vary greatly in age and culture. Smiff

for both local and touring musicians, like Daniel

also notes that a few jerks are to be expected at

James of Milwaukee’s Indonesian Junk.

any punk show.

“I love it,” James said. “I love DIY spaces and

“Depending on whose show you’re attending,

basement shows and stuff like that. Everyone’s

you’re

there for the music and the community. We play

experience,” Smiff said.

bars and that’s fun too, but I grew up playing basement shows, and it feels like home.”

gonna

have

a

drastically

different

PDM will host Iowa death metal band Dryad on Oct. 19, and a night of Harsh Noise on Oct. 26.

“PDM is home to a lot of good bands and a lot

Shows at PDM have a cover ranging from $5-$10.

of good musicianship” Terrorvision guitarist Justis

However, Smiff says the cover works as more of a

“For 10 years … we had a venue called The

Jenkins said. “There’s a really good feeling of

donation.

Hair Hole,” Smiff said. “It was a punk space [that]

companionship and brotherhood between everyone

did a lot of DIY shows. They tore it down so we

who comes here.”

Columbia.

moved to another venue which is now the Logboat

Instead of publishing their address on show

“We won’t turn anyone away,” Smiff said.

Edited by Janae McKenzie jmckenzie@themaneater.com

10

T H E M A N E AT E R | M OV E M AG A Z I N E | O CTO B E R 2 3, 2 0 1 9

MUSIC

‘If I’m gonna be famous’: social media’s effect on celebrity status Mason

first

Show. Now on his second eight-

today is specific to this generation

you either go with it or you don’t,”

the

stop tour, he’s become a bonafide

and marks a turn in who influences

Broadway said.

public a year ago through

recording artist, signing with Big

and is influenced by us.

became

Ramsey known

to

a video of him yodeling at a Walmart. Now he’s come to Columbia with his band.

RACHEL BEHRNDT Reporter

Unlike the rise of fame in the past, celebrity status now comes in shades of gray.

Being “famous” could be starring in a movie or having a lot of followers on Instagram. Now, people who hours ago may have been completely unknown can experience a meteoric rise to stardom.

This week, two very different

Consumers are responsible for

There was no record label executive

bestowing fame now more than ever

MU

or casting director who discovered

before. By simply retweeting a video,

students at the Sigma Kappa house.

Ramsey. Instead, it was his fans who

an individual can tip the balance

The sorority won a social media

discovered him and lifted him to the

between someone achieving stardom

competition that allowed its members

level of celebrity.

Loud Records.

Ramsey

spent

time

with

to meet the singer on Friday. Mason

Ramsey’s family said they always

was accompanied by his cousin

expected him to find fame, which

Daysha Broadway.

Ramsey now describes as being

“We always knew Mason was gonna

do

something

someday,”

Broadway said.

“good.”

Once Ramsey found fame, he and his family had to decide whether or

As Ramsey took pictures with MU

not to capitalize on his overnight

students, it was striking just how

stardom and pursue a singing career.

young he was. At the age of 12,

It wasn’t an easy choice for the

Ramsey has capitalized on his meme

family.

status to transform into a celebrity.

How someone becomes a celebrity

“We hope[d] he would have been older, but you get your moment and

or having a momentary spotlight.

For MU students, the promotion of a joke or a single person is something they participate in on social media every day. For sophomore Sophie Gurfinkel,

seeing

the

effects

of

internet fame was surprising.

“It's odd to see someone who you first became acquainted with online in person and so successful,” Gurfinkel said. “Obviously he’s a really talented kid, so I just hope this is what’s best for him.”

Recently conducted poles point to

breeds of “internet stars” visited

the legitimacy of internet fame. In a

Columbia. Cody Ko and Noel Miller

May 2019 Harris Poll survey, almost

brought their “Tiny Meat Gang” tour

30% of 3,000 children ages 8-12 in

to Columbia to a sold-out crowd.

the U.S. and U.K. said they wanted to

Mason Ramsey also rolled into

be a YouTuber as a profession.

town to much fanfare from social

According to a 2017 YouGov

media popularity, as sororities and

Omnibus survey, 36% of people

fraternities of MU competed for

ages 18-24 said they would like to

a chance to meet the 12-year-old

be famous on social media. Social

singer.

scientists are finding that fame drives

As these celebrities arrived in

behavior more so now than in the

Columbia, it pegged the question of

past, according to Psychology Today.

how the word celebrity has evolved

In this new age of fame and

and the role students at MU play in

celebrity, where new platforms for

creating it.

attention pop up every couple of

Ramsey grew to fame in 2018 when

months, new generations of child

he was filmed at a Walmart yodeling

stars will continue to achieve sudden

to “Lovesick Blues” in Harrisburg,

and viral fame — the effects of which

Illinois.

Within

days,

his

video

became an instant meme and led him to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres

Mason Ramsey performs at The Blue Note on Oct. 18 as part of his “How’s Ur Girl and How’s Ur Family: Part II” tour. The country singer became famous after a video of the star yodeling in Walmart went viral and has since found success in the music industry. | PHOTO BY PHOTOGRAPHER ANDREW MOORE

are still unknown.

Edited by Janae McKenzie jmckenzie@themaneater.com

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

We want to hear your voice.

Submit a letter to the editor by emailing editors@themaneater.com.

THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY THE MANEATER COLUMNISTS DO NOT REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE MANEATER EDITORIAL BOARD.

EDITORIALS REPRESENT THE MAJORITY OPINION OF THE MANEATER EDITORIAL BOARD.

THE DOUBLE TAKE

Column: Black trans women are facing an epidemic Black trans women in America keep dying. Why isn’t it getting better?

Opinion Columnist

In recent years, there has been an

unfortunate trend in violence against black transgender women. In Kansas

City, Brooklyn Lindsey, a 32-year-old homeless black trans woman, was

found dead on the porch of a vacant home.

Bailey Reeves of Baltimore, another

black trans girl, was shot fatally shot in the torso while celebrating Labor Day with friends. She was only 17.

Dana Martin, 31, of Montgomery,

Alabama, was found dead from a gunshot wound in a car. Martin

was misgendered by the Montgomery Police Department.

Muhlaysia Booker, only 23, of

Dallas, Texas, was found lying face

down in the street from what the Department

called

“homicidal violence.” Only a month before, a man attacked her for $200.

Tracy

contribute to their deaths.

Violence

within

relationships

Williams,

a

23-year-old

homeless woman from Houston, was

found stabbed in a parking lot. Her boyfriend was arrested for the murder

after the Houston Police Department

of

trans

individuals

experience

intimate partner violence compared

to 28% and 33% of cisgender people experiencing partner violence.

homeless trans individuals. Earlier

this year, HUD Secretary Ben Carson

Transgender challenges

The concept of intersectionality

The poverty rate for black transgender women is over 3 times that of the general population

0.75

trans black people reported living

0.50

in poverty. Compared to the 29%

of the U.S. population that lives in

General population

Black transgender women

poverty, it’s no wonder trans people

three of these identities, it makes

experiences of facing more violence than

their

counterparts.

often have to turn to things that put

“Paris

them in danger.

is

white

and

cisgender

Burning,”

a

1990

documentary about New York City

A common line of work that black

ballroom culture among the black and

42%

trans women find themselves in is

brown LGBTQ community, highlights

prostitution. When you can legally

the death of Venus Xtravaganza, who

be fired for being transgender in 26

was found strangled in a hotel room.

states, it’s no wonder that up to 42%

Although the visibility of the trans

of black trans women have turned

community has increased in the past

toward sex work to make a living,

according to the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Many black trans women have the

When black trans women possess all

and brown trans women have had

12% 0.00

types of discrimination in the U.S.

Even before this decade, black

black trans-women’s favor. When you

compare that statistic to the 12%

people and trans people face various

the bottom of the societal totem pole.

0.25

in poverty, the odds are not in

roaming

create new instances of experiences

sense that statistically, they are on

38%

of trans people in general that live

while

identities that come together to

identities.

for Transgender Equality, 38% of

killed

overlapping of different marginalized

It’s no secret that women, black

a report by the National Center

been

by black feminist scholar Kimberle

for people who possess these multiple

1.00

the issue of poverty. According to

42% of black transgender women turn to sex work at some point in their lives

20 years, there is still much to be

Source: Center for Transgender Equality

terms as cisgender people.

| GRAPHIC BY JACOB LAGESSE

done in terms of making sure that

they get to live on the same equitable Democratic presidential candidates

streets. Some are as young as Ashanti

introduced a rule that would allow

like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Sen.

started sex work in order to make

LGBTQ people shelter on the basis of

epidemic of black trans deaths,

Carmon, who was only 16 when she money due to her homeless status.

She was 27 when she died.

federally funded shelters to deny religion.

Although both transgender people

Even if these women do not turn

and black people individually can

facing homelessness still poses a risk

worse for trans black women is that

Up to 51% of black trans women

experience before their untimely

partner violence, to sex trafficking

shelters

face that leads to their deaths is

population experiences homelessness,

and

homeless

discrimination against trans people

Another thing black trans women

have experienced homelessness in

homelessness

Although

trans women of color.

Crenshaw, intersectionality is the

happened this year, only showcase a

From

constant shelter.

often results in limited options for

to the women who endure it.

deaths.

“creates insurmountable odds” for

of racism, sexism and transphobia

shows that between 31% and 50%

community to identify Williams.

few of the things black trans women

of danger when they don’t have

women like Lindsey face threats

is not a new thing. Coined in 1989

to sex work in order to make a living,

These five cases, all of which have

magazine, he says the combination

open their doors to people in need,

waited 10 days to contact prominent members of the Houston LGBTQ+

With no determined place to stay,

transgender people being murdered.

A study by UCLA’s School of Law

Elizabeth Okosun is a sophomore journalism student at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about social issues.

Police

women face a slew of issues that

is one thing that often leads to

ELIZABETH OKOSUN

Dallas

and calculated attacks, black trans

their life. Only about .17% of the U.S.

according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

face these issues, what makes it

their problems are intersectional,

Cory Booker have talked about the but on the other side of the aisle

conservatives like Carson are rolling back protections, which makes it

easier for these individuals to face the threat of violence.

However, it takes more than just

according to Rev. Louis Mitchell.

a few candidates to talk about these

the executive director of Transfaith,

society as a whole must make a place

Mitchell is a black trans man who is a

nonprofit

that

spiritual leadership.

supports

trans

In a statement he gave to Time

heinous murders while campaigning;

for black trans women to exist safely.

Edited by Bryce Kolk

bkolk@themaneater.com

12

T H E M A N E AT E R | O P I N I O N | O CTO B E R 2 3, 2 0 1 9 ROGER THAT

COLUMN: Actions speak louder than words — that goes for companies too When it comes to marketing, companies like to pretend they are being socially responsible, but it only counts if the words are followed by action.

ABIGAIL RUHMAN Abigail Ruhman is a sophomore journalism and political science major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about student life, politics and social issues for The Maneater.

The culture of consumerism and capitalism tends to exclude minorities. Marketing to the people who never see representation is just a part of a bad system. However, when a company does show that they are progressive, it can feel fake.

Corporations may be agreeing with the mission, but is the motive sincere? While this sounds like nitpicking, it’s important to be critical of how companies move in the public eye.

Companies shouldn’t receive brownie points for appearing to support statistical and marginalized minorities. Messages of support should be backed up with concrete actions they’ve taken to help solve the problem. The sentiment of being there for these communities isn’t enough. Without action, corporations are commercializing minority identities for the sake of expanding the consumer base.

When it comes to discussions of culture and marketing mistakes in recent history, Pepsi feels like the natural starting point. The 2017 ad that featured Kendall Jenner as the bridge between minorities and the police sparked controversy by trivializing social rights movements. Pepsi responded to the backlash by stating, “Pepsi was trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize. We did not intend to make light of any serious issue.”

The apology seems to cover all the bases of a corporate apology. After all, nobody’s perfect.

However, this wasn’t Pepsi’s first protest-themed ad that flopped. In 2015, Pepsi made light of student-led protests and hunger strikes in India.

After a public outcry, Pepsi explained, “At PepsiCo we take great care to ensure that our campaigns do not hurt viewer sensibilities.” Looking into a company’s past is an easy way to see if the statement is something they believe in or something they’re willing to invest in.

Ed

Razek,

former

the chief

marketing

officer

for L Brands, the parent

company

of

Victoria’s

Secret. than

Rather addressing

the ethical issues associated with a lack of diversity, Forbes

explains,

“Razek

also

specified that there was little interest to

include

size

models

plusin

their fashion show …

Victoria’s Secret wanted to market their products to their customer base, which according to Razek is not transgender or plus-sized people.”

The company further explained, “Even though Razek indicated that Victoria’s Secret does not market its product to transgender or overweight individuals, by not being inclusive of these groups, they may be losing business to other retailers that are more inclusive.” Social responsibility has been restructured as a marketing tool, but that isn’t what social responsibility is.

In comparison to Pepsi, other companies may look good for having an attempt at a socially conscious ad that doesn’t go south. The only problem with that is people are accepting companies who say the right thing without visibly mocking social issues. An ad that doesn’t make light of a serious social issue, but barely mentions or helps a social movement is given extensive praise simply because they didn’t do as badly.

In January, Gillette released an ad that sparked a discussion about the male role in ending bullying and harassment. The ad itself is moving and feels like a shift in the way the world is thinking, and it deserves some recognition for that. While there is no way to be sure that change was implemented within its company culture, it did pledge money to nonprofit programs that work to fulfill Gillette's motto, “The best a man can be.” While the timeline and amount of money they are offering is limited, they are still putting something behind their words.

Similarly, Audi released an ad that featured a father worrying that he would have to tell his daughter that she will be valued as less than every man she meets. As she wins her race, he considers a world where he wouldn’t have to say that. The

| GRAPHIC BY EMILY MANN

the commitment to equal pay is important, Audi’s leadership board only has one woman on its sevenmember board. It may pay female employees the same, but it isn’t giving them equal opportunities to advance. Equal pay shouldn’t be a radical political statement that receives praise — it should be standard. Showing that they are giving women an equal chance to advance would be worthy of praise.

All these examples can make it seem like it’s impossible for a company to ever be socially conscious, but it is possible. Lego announced that it wanted to accomplish two goals: make all the bricks sustainable by 2030 and get to 100% renewable energy in the next three years.

The promise may sound big, but in May, Lego was already running on 100% renewable energy three years ahead of schedule. In 2018, it released its first line of sustainably produced blocks made of sugarcane plastic. Lego is proof that a company can make a promise linked to social progress, as long as it actually commits to it. The fact that Lego finished its 100% renewable energy promise three years ahead of schedule shows that they cared more about meeting its goal than just advertising it.

Social responsibility shouldn’t be treated as the next big marketing trend because trends fade and change all the time. Being socially responsible should be a commitment to make a company more aware of its influence in the world. Bragging about being socially conscious doesn’t automatically make you socially responsible, but pairing it with actual thoughtful and helpful action does.

Marketing shouldn’t be a game of who can look the most woke. It should be a place where consumers are getting an accurate image of what the company stands for.

This logic is more plainly stated by Forbes

ad ends with the statement “Audi of America is

in relation to a transphobic comment made by

Edited by Bryce Kolk

committed to equal pay for equal work.” While

bkolk@themaneater.com

T H E M A N E AT E R | O P I N I O N | O CTO B E R 2 3, 2 0 1 9

13

ROGER THAT

COLUMN: The best way to be right is to be wrong sometimes In order to truly embrace intellectual and academic growth, society needs to start accepting that some people may not know the right answer, and that’s okay.

ABIGAIL RUHMAN Opinion Columnist Abigail Ruhman is a sophomore journalism and political science major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about student life, politics and social issues for The Maneater.

When it comes to intellectual growth, understanding that you aren’t always going to know the answer to every single question is vital.

The fact that no one can know every single piece of information isn’t a shortcoming of the human race. It’s just reality. Accepting that you may not know the answer or that your answer may be wrong can be difficult, but it is a critical aspect of learning.

In a society that seems to push perfection into everyday life, even the smallest mistakes can feel like failing. But there is value in making mistakes.

The constant need to have the right answer leads to a lack of deeper, conceptual learning that

helps people truly grasp what they are trying to understand, according to Robert A. Kenedy, a sociology professor at York University. Kenedy explains that being wrong doesn’t mean that you failed — it means that you have the opportunity to learn.

This concept may sound cliche, but treating small mistakes as learning opportunities is actually good for you. Kathryn Schulz, author of “Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error,” explains that being right does little to show people where they actually are in life or in learning. While correct assessments of the world are needed to survive, being wrong is a part of the process. It teaches us how to adapt and think critically.

Viewing mistakes as failures isn’t fair to yourself or others. Learning from your mistakes not only teaches you the right way to do something — it also means you learned how not to do that same thing. After inventing the lightbulb, Thomas Edison stated, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

By testing and retesting his hypothesis, Edison was able to eliminate multiple possible routes to creating a lightbulb, which eventually led to him finding the right answer. If Edison had allowed fear of making mistakes to stop him from even trying, then all he would have was a bunch of ways not to make a lightbulb.

Not knowing the answer or not having the right answer shouldn’t keep you from learning. In their book “Art & Fear,” David Bayles and Ted Orland discuss the idea of perfection through the lens of a ceramics class. A ceramics teacher divided

his classroom in half, and decided that each half would either be graded on quality or quantity.

Those who were judged on quantity were told to make as many pots as possible and were graded on how much their final products weighed. The second group was only allowed to make one pot the entire semester.

The teacher found that the best pots were made by the group that was making as many pots as possible. While the quality group was putting all their effort into reading and theorizing, the other group was able to see how their actions actually impacted their pottery. The quantity group was able to test out their ideas with no consequences, and they learned more because of that.

Allowing people to be wrong or to just accept those gaps in knowledge leads to more intellectual and mental growth. The ability to ask questions or answer without fear of being ashamed means that everyone in that space gets to learn what isn’t the correct answer. Whether it’s a test or a task at work, knowing what the answer is not can be just as useful as the actual answer.

If you aren’t sure of the answer, knowing that you won’t be criticized for being wrong can mean that you are more open to asking a question. In other words, you become more open to growth.

While feeling like the smartest person in the room can be an amazing self-confidence boost, asking questions and getting things wrong is just a part of life.

Edited by Bryce Kolk bkolk@themaneater.com

SOFI SAYS

Column: Is society’s dependence on instant communication worth social repercussions?

In a world that is constantly evolving on a technological basis, people often experience a sense of dependency. Is this a toxic relationship?

SOFI ZEMAN

Opinion Columnist

Sofi Zeman is a first-year journalism major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about interpersonal growth and interaction.

In today’s social climate, it seems that having the convenience of technological communication is all the rage. We live in a society that is entirely dependant on the use of mobile communication.

At the click of a button, the world is becoming progressively smaller every day by connecting people from every corner of the globe. While instant messaging has evident social gains, it is also paired with various drawbacks. Is instant communication making us less personal, and are these social costs worth the rewards?

A vast majority of U.S. citizens have some form of access to a phone or mobile device. Despite being given an outlet to talk with others, people

with cellphones choose to do the opposite. These days, we often opt out of both in-person and phone call conversations due to the presence of instant messaging. Each day, people choose to text rather than engage in person-to-person conversation. Though admittedly convenient, the fact that people actively decide to pass on human interaction is cause for concern.

While it was initially believed that this lack of social desire primarily impacted teens, this applies to phone users of all ages. We’ve all seen it. In social settings, many sit on their phones instead of interacting with each other. We watch videos of exciting milestones, rather than being a part of them.

Nearly everyone has met that person who attends events solely for pictures to post, rather than the actual experience. For some reason, people these days want to communicate and share their experiences with with everyone – except for whom they’re actually with while it’s happening.

The concept of living in the moment and recording an entire concert are mutually exclusive.

Additionally, communicating via text or online gives us confidence that many human beings simply do not possess. Whether this can work to a person’s advantage or downfall can vary. Many act completely different online than they do in person.

Not having time to form a calculated response can make a person seem more awkward than they behave over the phone. As a result, this has the potential to make us less inclined to engage in interpersonal contact.

This has been proven multiple times via online dating stories. On MTV’s “Catfish,” a show where online relationships are tested in the real world, many have claimed they held off meeting their partner in person because they weren’t sure their partner would be interested in them. Even those who were the person they claimed to be on screen feared their partner’s rejection after getting to know their everyday behavior as compared to the way they speak and appear via text.

Of course, it’s undeniable that the use of instant communication is vital to the progression and success of mankind. It is through this platform that foreign relations, business connections and important bonds are formed. The world we live in now would not be able to properly function on its own if all mobile devices disappeared in a single day. While these social drawbacks are significant, there is no way the world is going to move backward to correct them.

Edited by Bryce Kolk bkolk@themaneater.com

Online this week: Return of the Border War, women's basketball and more at themaneater.com VOLLEYBALL

Missouri volleyball moves to 4-2 in SEC after 3-1 victory over Tennessee The Missouri offense hit .413 in the match.

CAROLINE STIEFBOLD

Senior Staff Writer

No. 25 Missouri (12-4, 4-2 SEC) won its second match of the weekend Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Tennessee (9-9, 3-5 SEC).

“We are building off our inconsistency,” interim head coach Joshua Taylor said. “We played really well the first two sets and then there was sort of a lull. But we came out in the fourth and responded like champions. I was very pleased with that.”

Missouri came out strong in the first set, hitting .400. The Tigers were able to hold onto the lead for the entire set after a 1-1 start, eventually winning 25-14.

Tennessee started off with an early lead in the second set, but never regained the lead after Missouri tied the set at 5. The Tigers held Tennessee to a hitting percentage of just .088.

Missouri hit .394 in the set, winning 25-16.

The Tigers started to look a little unfocused in the third set, letting Tennessee jump out to a 6-1 start. Tennessee’s offense hit a match-high .552, while committing just one error.

“Going into the fourth, we really trained our minds to do the little things right and to be disciplined on defense,” junior Leketor MemberMeneh said.

After dropping the third set 18-25, Missouri

MATCH | Page 16

Junior Tyanna Omazic prepares for a kill during Missouri's win over Tennessee on Oct. 20. | PHOTO BY ANDREW MOORE

FOOTBALL

Missouri blindsided by 21-14 loss to Vanderbilt The loss was Missouri’s second of the season and on the road.

EMILY LEIKER

Sports Editor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Late in the third quarter, Vanderbilt’s Mo Hasan exited the game after a hit

by Tyree Gillespie — flagged as targeting, and rightfully confirmed as so — left the quarterback wobbly.

Riley Neal, who started the past six games for the Commodores, entered in Hasan’s place. The graduate student has thrown for 1,147 yards on 177 attempts this season.

On his first pass attempt on Saturday, he was intercepted by sophomore linebacker Cameron Wilkins.

“We just game planned for it and just workin’ it into action,” Wilkins said. “Really takeoff, just ‘saw ball, get ball.’ It was just an amazing feeling soon as I touched the ball to my hands.”

The turnover set Missouri up for a 6-yard touchdown run by Larry Rountree III on the

following play, tying the game at 14 heading into the final quarter, and giving Missouri a flicker of hope.

That hope, like any other moments the Tigers saw potential on Saturday, was quickly extinguished.

No. 22 Missouri (5-2, 3-1) fell to Vanderbilt (2-5, 1-3) 21-14 on the road in Nashville, most likely bumping it back out of ranked position this week.

The loss was a bit of a blindsiding one to coach Barry Odom.

“And that’s maybe even more frustrating because I felt like we had great practices,” Odom said. “I felt like we were ready to go. Pregame felt right.

We obviously didn’t bring it. For winning football, a lot of areas we weren’t close.”

The Tigers struggled the entire game to find any sort of consistent offensive momentum. After a scoreless first quarter — its first since last season’s loss to Kentucky — Missouri allowed its opponent to score first for the third consecutive game. The Commodores got on the scoreboard with a 1-yard touchdown run by Ke’Shawn Vaughn early in the second quarter.

Missouri managed to respond to that score on its

ensuing drive with a 4-yard Albert Okwuegbunam touchdown on a fade from Kelly Bryant. When the Commodores scored again near the end of the quarter to take a lead though, and the Tigers went into halftime trailing for the first time since Week 1.

Much of the game went on the same way, with Missouri seeing glimmers of a possible comeback and not being able to capitalize on them. Perhaps the most inconsistent part of Missouri’s play, however, came from senior Tucker McCann.

The senior missed three field goal attempts, nine points that could have made a difference in the outcome of the game. Last week, McCann made four field goals from similar distances.

Overall though, it was Missouri’s struggle to maintain momentum that led to its demise.

One such moment when this was particularly apparent came around five minutes into the third quarter. Missouri was given an extra chance by a roughing the kicker call following McCann’s second missed field goal, a 32-yarder that went far

LOSS | Page 16

15

T H E M A N E AT E R | S P O RTS | O CTO B E R 2 3, 2 0 1 9 FOOTBALL

Penalties doom Missouri in loss against Vanderbilt The Tigers were flagged for 12

That’s the game of football. Let’s regroup and snap

defense was on the field at its own 33-yard line

penalties totaling 120 yards.

out of it and get onto the next one, and we didn’t

with two timeouts. It would likely take a missed

do a very good job of that the entire game.”

field goal, but if it could keep the Commodores out

WILSON MOORE Assistant Sports Editor

In total, Missouri was flagged for 12 penalties totaling 120 yards.

of the end zone, the offense would have the ball with potentially a minute left in the game.

“That’s probably the most disappointing part

Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott made that

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Redshirt senior Johnathon

of this game because that’s something we control

mission harder with a first down offsides penalty,

Johnson lined up to quarterback Kelly Bryant’s

completely,” tight end Albert Okwuegbunam said.

moving Vanderbilt up five yards. Vaughn’s runs of

right on Vanderbilt’s 20-yard line. He burst off

“[We] definitely need to learn from those mistakes.

one and two yards respectively brought up third

the line of scrimmage, taking three hard steps

That simply just can’t happen again.”

and two. Then, in perhaps the most fitting way

downfield, looking to get open and convert an early third down.

On first and 10 from just shy of midfield in the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt quarterback Riley Neal

Vanderbilt could have gotten a first down to seal the game, Elliott jumped offsides again.

A referee holds back linebacker Cameron Wilkins and free safety Joshua Bledsoe during Satruday’s loss to Vanderbilt. Penalties were a problem for the Tigers throughout the game. | PHOTO BY PHOTOGRAPHER MADELINE CARTER

There was only one problem: the ball hadn’t

checked the ball down to running back Ke’Shawn

“It’s as simple as staying onsides,” linebacker

Vaughn. Vaughn picked up nine yards as a flag

Nick Bolton said. “Jordan, that’s my dude. I’m not

Johnson was flagged for a false start. On the

landed in the middle of the field at the end of the

gonna bash him. That’s my dude. He came up to

next play, Bryant was sacked for a loss of seven,

play. Redshirt junior defensive lineman Markell

me after the game and said that was on him. We

Utsey was called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

just accept accountability.”

been snapped yet.

pushing Missouri to the edge of kicker Tucker McCann’s range. McCann pushed his 50-yard attempt wide left and the Tigers came away from the 12-play drive with nothing.

It wasn’t the only time Missouri shot itself in the foot on Saturday, as ill-timed physical and mental mistakes sent the team back home to Columbia with its second loss of the season.

“Any time you’re in position to maybe convert on a third down and you’ve got a penalty, and then the next snap, you miss a field goal, that’s draining,” coach Barry Odom said. “But also, you’re gonna have plays that don’t go your way.

The 15-yard penalty moved the ball to Missouri’s

This isn’t the first time penalties have been

24-yard line, and Vanderbilt scored three plays

an issue for the Tigers. In Week 2 against West

later to take a 21-14 lead it didn’t relinquish.

Virginia, they committed 10 for 100 yards. That

“We gotta be smart,” Odom said. “One guy said

afternoon, they played well enough in other facets

something. He said something back. They flagged

of the game to win. That wasn’t the case Saturday.

him. They usually get the second guy. That’s the

“You can’t win shooting yourself in the foot,”

way it works. We’ve talked about that over and

offensive lineman Trystan Colon-Castillo said.

over and over.”

“Killing drives or the defense letting drives keep

Despite the mistakes, the penalties and the poor

alive. We gotta address it and we gotta fix it.”

decisions, Missouri still found itself within range

Edited by Emily Leiker

of tying the game in the final three minutes. Its

eleiker@themaneater.com

16

T H E M A N E AT E R | S P O RTS | O CTO B E R 2 3, 2 0 1 9

MATCH

Continued from page 14

came into the fourth set with a new mindset. The Tigers hit .516, compared to Tennessee’s .148.

“That fourth set we did an excellent job

of resetting ourselves mentally so that it made us feel like we knew we were going to win that set,” Taylor said. “It’s just continuing to remind them to put their focus in the right spots that will restore their confidence and result in high level play.”

Four Tigers posted double-digit kills in the match, led by junior Kylie Deberg with 17. Member-Meneh and junior Dariana Hollingsworth-Santana had 13 kills apiece, while junior Tyanna Omazic added another 12 for the Tigers. Member-Meneh and Omazic led the team in hitting percentage, hitting .619 and .500, respectively.

“It puts so much pressure on the other team when we are able to get everyone involved in the offense,” Taylor said. “We become a pretty formidable threat.”

Missouri will head to Fayetteville for a match against Arkansas on Friday, before returning home for a match against Mississippi State on Sunday.

“There is still room to grow, and it’s all physiological,” Taylor said. “When they are confident, our girls are playing out of their minds.”

Edited by Wilson Moore

Redshirt senior Riley Sents leads the Missouri volleybal team out of the locker room prior to its match aganist Tennessee on Oct. 20. | PHOTO BY ANDREW MOORE

wmoore@themaneater.com

LOSS

on defensive lineman Markell Utsey.

The Commodores possessed

Continued from page 14

the ball for almost six more

right, Bryant was intercepted

minutes throughout the game

in the back of the end zone by

than the Tigers.

Vanderbilt redshirt sophomore

“Defensively, it felt like we

Allan George.

were close, we just couldn’t get

“I felt like offensively — overall

offensively

—

off the field,” Odom said.

we

After

weren’t very good,” Odom

Kentucky next weekend hoping

connect on down the field

to redeem a heartbreaking loss

throws, we weren’t there.

we weren’t good enough to

to

practice, it will head to Lexington,

I thought the opportunity to

because they made us off and

returns

Columbia during the week for

said. “And that’s all 11 guys.

We were off. Credit to them

Missouri

from last season against the Quarterback Kelly Bryant walks off the field following another unsuccessful drive during Missouri's 21-14 loss aganist Vanderbilt. The Tigers are 0-2 on the road this season, and travel again next week. | PHOTO BY MADELINE CARTER

overcome it.”

Vanderbilt didn’t manage to do much more

of its own offensively either. Its game-winning

touchdown by Cam Johnson ended a drive that was aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty

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Kentucky, Wildcats and earn its first road win of the season.

Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CST. Edited by Wilson Moore wmoore@themaneater.com

@maneatersports

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