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FIGHTING THE FLAMES
Ohio drought causes wildfires in Wayne National Forest
The recent substantial drought in Ohio has caused multiple wildfires to break out in Wayne National Forest.
FINN SMITH | FOR THE POST
Five reported wildfires occurred Oct. 30 within Wayne National Forest as a result of the severe drought in Southeast Ohio.
The fires remained isolated on forest land and were promptly extinguished by the Wayne National Forest’s Fire Management Program, according to a press release by the U.S. Forest Service.
The five occurrences are just a few of the fires the Athens area has experienced recently.
Andrew Pascarella, Wayne National Forest’s fire management officer, said there have been eight fires in the Wayne National Forest, all occurring within the last two weeks.
According to a press release by the U.S. Forest Service, the fires that occurred Oct. 30 took place in the Marietta Unit, the Athens Ranger District and the Ironton Ranger District.
The Blair Fire was the largest, stretching 9 acres in the Marietta Unit. The Athens Ranger District experienced two fires, one in North County, which was half an acre, and one in Salt Run, which was 2 acres. Two fires broke out in the Ironton Ranger District. The Brady Creek Fire spanned 2 acres, and the 93 fire spanned half Pascarella said there is currently no estimate on the financial impact of the fires, but the fire management office did seek more resources for them.
“We don’t have exact dollar amounts, but we did request funding through our regional office,” Pascarella said. “(The funding is) called Severity to preposition resources on the forest to provide an uptick in the amount of people around for protection.”
The wildfires are mostly caused by the unusually dry climate in the Athens County area. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, the land the Wayne National Forest is located on is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
Aaron Wilson, the state climatologist, said these conditions have ripened the area for disasters like wildfires.
“This is the time of the year where fuel and fire potential goes up every year because
typically in the lower relative humidity, windier conditions, and dry conditions, but the drought sort of exacerbated these conditions this year,” Wilson said.
Wilson said the current drought in Southeast Ohio is one of the most intense since 2002, with previous severe droughts occurring in 1999 and 1988.
Wilson also said the Division of Forestry highlighted the availability of long-burning fuels, such as downed trees and wheat litter, which increased fire potential. This created more available fuel for the fires which sparked Oct. 30.
To help protect the local land, Ohio has initiated a seasonal burn ban, which prohibits open burning from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The burn ban is expected to last until Nov. 30 and is a regular restriction that aims to minimize the possibility of wildfires.
In addition to the burn ban, the U.S Forest Service urges local residents to remain diligent and careful when lighting a fire at night, according to a press release. They also ask locals to report any sightings of smoke or fire to emergency authorities immediately.
Wilson said the Hocking Hills area has had over nine inches of rainfall below average over the last six months, with some areas in Noble County and Guernsey County experiencing over a foot of deficit.
The summer heat and evaporation have further depleted soil and surface moisture, adding to the current wildfire risk, Wilson said.
The conditions in the area have become better, as the state has been experiencing increased rainfall. Wilson commented on how the circumstances are a positive sign that the local land will be less fire-prone in the coming weeks.
“Last week was a week where most of the state picked up a little bit above average precipitation per week,” Wilson said. “We hadn’t had a week like that in quite some time ... that will help alleviate drought conditions.”
Wilson said the improvement has just begun and signs point to continued positive changes through the winter season.
FS227223@OHIO.EDU
Police Blotter: Stolen signs, campus crashes
ELIZABETH TALAGA | SLOT EDITOR
8 Fri____________________________
Sign stolen at Jefferson Hall
The Officers from the Ohio University Police Department responded to Jefferson Hall for a theft offense Nov. 8.
A report was taken for theft of a sign at 10:42 a.m., according to OUPD.
No gas here
Officers from OUPD responded to Ohio University Transportation Services at 100 Factory Street for a report of property damage Nov. 8.
A report was taken in the evening for damage to fuel pumps, according to OUPD.
Disorderly Conduct
OUPD officers responded to an ambulance request from Sargent Hall early in the morning Nov. 8.
An individual was charged for having a fake ID and disorderly conduct by intoxication, according to OUPD.
Oh deer...
Deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office found an injured deer while on patrol Nov. 8.
The deer was later dispatched and deputies returned to duty, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
9 Sat____________________
Next exit: James Hall
OUPD officers responded to James Hall for destruction of property early in the morning Nov. 9
A report was taken for a stolen exit sign, according to OUPD.
Suspicious vehicle
Deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office discovered a suspicious vehicle Nov. 9 while on patrol in The Plains.
Deputies spoke to the individuals, found they were waxing the floors of a business and returned to patrol, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Fleeing the scene
OUPD officers responded to a traffic crash at Ping Recreation Center in the afternoon Nov. 9.
A report was taken for a hit-skip traffic crash, according to OUPD.
10 Sun____________________
Must have been a good game
Deputies from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office responded to Alton Street in Albany for a report of an individual slumped over the wheel of a vehicle Nov. 10.
The driver was found to be playing a game on her phone and deputies returned to duty, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
11 Mon____________________
Chore chart troubles
Deputies responded to Summit Street in Glouster for a third-party report of a dispute Nov. 11.
Deputies found the incident not to be a dispute. Juveniles in the home were not doing their chores or listening as instructed, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
12 Tues____________________
Can’t skip this one
Deputies assisted the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office locate an individual involved in a hit-skip accident in Franklin County Tuesday.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies located the individual on Chase Road in Albany and informed the individual to contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
13 Wed____________________
Another campus crash
OUPD officers responded to University Terrace for a traffic crash Wednesday. Officers took a report for a non-injury traffic crash in the offense of failure to control the vehicle and accident leaving the scene, according to OUPD.
Relationship challenges
Deputies responded to state Route 691 for a report of a suspicious person and vehicle Wednesday.
Deputies located the individual on Lemaster Road and found he was having relationship issues and needed someone to talk to. Deputies returned to duty after speaking to the individual, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency hospitalization
OUPD responded Wednesday to Read Hall for a report of an emotionally disturbed person.
The individual was transported to O’Bleness Memorial Hospital for an emergency prescreen evaluation, according to OUPD.
Warrant requested
Deputies responded Wednesday to Ohio Avenue in The Plains for a report of criminal damage.
On the scene, deputies spoke to a witness and the complainant and took a report. A warrant for the arrest of the suspect will be requested, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
14 Thurs____________________
That’s not how to change the channel
OUPD responded to Walter Fieldhouse on reports of destruction of property Thursday.
A report was taken for a damaged TV, according to OUPD.
ET029322@OHIO.EDU
Student Senate aims to improve residence hall safety
PAIGE FISHER| FOR THE POST
Student Senate’s Residence Life Commission is working with Ohio University to ensure student safety and well-being in residence halls.
Officers from the Ohio University Police Department arrived at Ewing House, located on South Green, at 6:31 p.m. Nov. 4 in response to a female student reporting seeing a man with a knife inside her dorm room.
According to the police report, the student had left her door open while using the restroom and the man was inside her room when she returned.
OUPD reported having thoroughly searched the area but were unable to locate any suspects who matched the description provided by the student.
A police report was filed and students were notified about the incident in Ewing House around 8 p.m.
Mae Hu, a senior studying finance and political science, is the residence life commissioner in Senate. She said although she lives in a sorority house off campus, many of her housemates felt uneasy about the incident at Ewing.
“People weren’t sure if they were even going to be able to leave the house,” Hu said. “There was a lot of uncertainty, and people didn’t feel safe that night.”
Hu said she also felt it was unjust OUPD could not find the suspect that induced fear on campus, and more should have been done to prevent an incident like this from happening.
To combat this injustice, Hu is using her position as residence life commissioner to work with the university and students to increase safety within residence halls.
University spokesperson Alex Semancik said OU currently offers several resources for students to support safety and well-being on campus.
The university provides students with a full-service police agency that works to handle all crimes and dangerous behavior on campus, Semanick said. Semancik also said students are encouraged to call 911 or OUPD directly if they witness any suspicious activity.
Some safety measures Hu is working with the university to improve involve the security cameras located inside every residence hall.
Hu said she recently met with OU Housing and Residence Life and learned
that all security cameras are high resolution and placed in ways which will identify perpetrators.
“(The cameras) are strategically placed, but there should be a more ideal way if these perpetrators aren’t getting caught,” Hu said.
After her meeting, Hu said she was redirected to OUPD Captain Tim Ryan to focus on the security camera issue and alternative solutions.
Along with working with the university and OUPD, Hu has also talked to students to hear their perspectives on campus safety. She said many agreed security camera placement would be a good start to amending safety issues within residence halls, but students had more ideas beyond that.
“In addition to (more security cameras), people were suggesting increased police around the residential greens because what I figured out through my meeting with Housing and Residence Life is that these types of incidents occur on all of the greens,” Hu said.
With incidents such as the one in Ewing House, the university also offers resources to help students process and manage the stress that comes with these difficult situations.
“OHIO offers a wide range of on- and off-campus well-being and counseling support options, including 24/7 emergency and crisis services support when needed,” Semancik wrote in an email. There is no timeline on when Hu’s ideas will be implemented campuswide, but in the meantime, she and the Residence Life Commission are trying to market safety practices to students so they can protect themselves.
“We want to let students know the ways that they themselves can make themselves safe, but given that’s not enough on its own right, and so it’s a combination of student behavior and advocating for different policies,” Hu said.
Semancik said OU also encourages students to protect themselves by keeping their doors and windows locked at all times, even if they are only leaving for a short period.
“No one should feel unsafe in their dorm room, and though the majority of people feel safe, there’s always room for improvement,” Hu said.
@PAIGEMAFISHER
PF585820@OHIO.EDU
The Living Learning Center on South Green in Athens, Sept. 14, 2024. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
Companies bid over right to frack Leesville Wildlife Area
AVERY ST. GEORGE | FOR THE POST
The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission approved the nomination to accept bids from fracking companies, opening up 62 acres of Leesville Wildlife Area to fracking.
The OGLMC said it considered all perspectives before approving the nomination.
“Per Ohio law, the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission is charged with deciding whether or not to lease state mineral rights,” Karina Cheung, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, wrote in an email. “The OGLMC considers nominations, as well as comments submitted by the public and state agencies, before approving or denying a nomination.”
Randi Pokladnik, a chemist and volunteer at Save Ohio Parks, raised concerns about making the wildlife area available for fracking. Fracking consumes large amounts of water, and adding additional fracking could create issues with the already depleted water supply in Ohio.
Leesville Wildlife Area is part of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District which controls the lakes and rivers in 18 counties of Ohio.
Anne Sparks, a steering committee member of Save Ohio Parks, said the MWCD recently decided to stop using water from Atwood Lake for fracking because the water levels were extremely low. It decided instead to get the necessary water from other local sources, including Leesville Lake.
Sparks said Leesville Lake already has low water levels due to the recent drought affecting parts of Ohio, including
Carroll County. Sparks said she is worried Leesville Lake will not have enough supply to handle additional fracking.
“Leesville is the backup water supply for the county,” Sparks said. “It’s not good for that water supply to be affected. It’s not good for any of our water supplies to be affected at the amount that’s being taken.”
Sparks said the Leesville area and other parts of Eastern Ohio are home to shale rocks extremely rich in natural gas and are lucrative for the fracking business.
Pokladnik lives on a lake near Leesville and said fracking has been in the area since 2012. She said she is worried fracking companies will continue to move into the area, negatively affecting the local environment.
Pokladnik said most people in the area rely on well water and the drilling could potentially contaminate the water supply, leaving communities with no options for clean water.
“There are countless spills on these well pads, and if the containment devices do not hold that solution, then it runs off,” Pokladnik said. “It runs down and gets into the local landscape or into our streams.”
The OGLMC maintained fracking does not affect communities in the area because it occurs below the surface and the Leesville Wildlife Area will remain unharmed throughout the process.
“The winning bidder is only awarded subsurface rights, and there will be no impact to the surface of the Wildlife Area,” Cheung wrote in an email.
In addition to water pollution, Pokladnik said she is concerned about light
pollution and how that could affect the ecosystem. She said the drilling occurs at night and requires bright lights which can confuse animals in the area.
“My husband and I went past one at night, and you can just see the fumes pouring off those diesel generators, and they have them lit up like a Christmas tree,” Pokladnik said. “That does affect migration patterns, mating habits of organisms and animals that live in the area, and so many effects on a forested ecosystem.”
Pokladnik also said the effect on the local economy has been practically nonexistent and most citizens in the area have not received any money from fracking endeavors.
“If they have property, a lot of property, and they sign leases, they may have become rich, but most people around here have not become rich,” Pokladnik said. Sparks explained that the effects on the economy are due to fracking rights being bought by companies outside of Ohio. The companies will often bring in their own crews and employees, resulting in a minimal number of jobs being added.
Sparks also said the Leesville Lake area has campgrounds, specifically children’s camps, and she cautioned about the health risks to children near fracking zones.
“My main concern about Leesville is the children there, in addition to all the other concerns that we have any time an area is being fracked,” Sparks said. “Especially, like Leesville, when the area is actually being used for recreation and children’s recreation.”
Sparks mentioned a collection made by
the Physicians for Social Responsibility, which cited a greater risk of cancer, asthma and skin disease for children living within a mile of oil and gas operations.
The Physicians for Social Responsibility noted data gathered from more than 15 million Medicare recipients and records from more than 2.5 million gas and oil wells. Harvard University found citizens 65 years old and up living near wells were at higher risk of dying earlier than those who lived in areas without fracking.
Sparks said now that the proposal has been approved, her goal is to try to inform the public of the repercussions of fracking in the area.
Sparks said Save Ohio Parks is still trying to prevent the MWCD from accepting any of the bids from fracking companies for the Leesville Wildlife Area.
The sign at the entrance of Ohio Department of Natural Resources District Athens, Nov. 13, 2024. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
Bobcat Nutrition launches on Court Street
Bobcat Nutrition, a new local business, opened on Court Street. It serves up a number of different protein shakes, smoothies and energizing teas for customers.
Located at 5 N. Court St., patrons can modify their beverage and add boosters, flavors or supplements.
The business is open Monday-Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Some of the popular drinks offered include protein shakes, which are $9 dollars, and tea bombs which are $8 dollars for the standard size and $11 dollars for the mega size. Add-ins such as boosters and protein powders cost extra.
The newly founded wellness-centered business stands out because it offers weekly and monthly specials depending on the season. This fall season it has had a rotating menu of pumpkin pie, apple and “Hocus Pocus” themed drinks.
The business is a popular spot for students, whether it’s getting a caffeine boost before class or grabbing a protein shake after exercising at Ping Recreation Center.
Katelyn Knodell, a junior studying nursing, enjoys how many options there are to choose from.
“I like that it's really customizable because I go with my roommate and she gets the combos,” Knodell said. “So she gets the teas ... and she'll get an energizing drink, and then a shake.”
According to Knodell, the business offers a drink for any mood and caters to a crowd with diverse preferences.
“No matter what I'm in the mood for, I can find something, whether it’s fruity or chocolate, they have something I can at least try and be like, ‘okay, yeah, that's good,’” Knodell said.
"You
can customize the shakes a lot and add whatever type of protein you like, which is something I really like about it.”
Despite many other drink shops around the area that sell coffee, smoothies and teas, what sets Bobcat Nutrition apart is the variety of drinks and flavorings.
“They really do have so many different things that you can try and like,” Knodell said. “If you're not a shake person, they have other drinks. They have weekly specials, daily specials, even seasonal specials. And no matter what, I can try something new every time that I go in.”
Knodell feels despite the business being on Court Street, it doesn’t seem to be super well known to locals outside of the student population.
“Unless people really know about it, it's kind of harder to find,” Knodell said. "So I think it gets spread by col-
lege students and that is what really spreads their business. I think a lot of the locals don't really know about it because it's kind of hidden.”
Cadee Bowen, a junior studying women, gender and sexuality studies, said her favorite aspect of the business is the staff’s interactions with customers.
“I follow them on their (Instagram) and they look like they're pretty friendly with their customers,” Bowen said. “Sometimes they'll post pictures of their customers holding their drinks and smiling.”
Along with its kind service quality, she really enjoyed her drink.
“I went there just before Halloween, and I tried one of their ‘Halloween T bombs’; I think it was called Casper,” Bowen said.
Bowen also figured much of their business is from students rather than locals.
“I'd like to think (their business is mostly from) college students just because they need that caffeine,” she said.
Gage Allen, a sophomore studying psychology, also likes to get his protein from their shakes after hitting the gym.
“I've tried the protein shakes and the boosters,” Allen said.
Although coffee shops offer caffeinated beverages, Bobcat Nutrition offers energizing refreshers, teas and shakes without espresso. This is often a better option for those wanting an energetic drink without the espresso.
“I like that (Bobcat Nutrition is) different from other places, because (other) places focus on coffee, while this one focuses on energizing (drinks),” Allen added.
@HADLEYLYNCHH HL526522@OHIO.EDU
HADLEY LYNCH | FOR THE POST
People wait on Court Street for the Homecoming Parade to start, Sept. 28, 2024, in Athens.
(MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDITOR)
Red Brick Tavern hosts cornhole competition
ASHLEY POMPLAS FOR THE POST
Over the years, the Athens’ rich history of taverns has included The Tavern, Century House, Wings and Rings and now Red Brick Tavern. Red Brick Tavern, located at 14 N. Court St., is one of the oldest establishments in Athens, according to the bar’s Facebook page. A fun sports bar with 11 big-screen TVs, 14 draft beer taps, a large selection of whiskey and a welcoming staff, the bar is home to a number of activities. The most recent addition to this roster is cornhole.
Torion Cross, the game night manager at Red Brick, said he was asked to fill the position as a favor to advertise and work game nights for the bar. He has been working the game nights and helping advertise them since August.
Anybody can come to play cornhole at Red Brick every Monday between 7-9 p.m. Cross came up with the idea to play cornhole to give the bar a different look and atmosphere. Cornhole was something the bar had never done before, so it is still new to the establishment.
“We started out doing regular trivia,” Cross said. “Then we wanted to do something for the people in town that was more inviting and could meet a spirit of competition.”
Cross also said every time he talks to people about it, everyone lights up. There is still open seating right now for people
to sign up, and the tournament will begin once there are enough teams to fill a bracket. When there are enough teams to fill a bracket, the tournament will likely run until right after winter break, Cross said.
Playing cornhole in Red Brick had been in the works since August, but Cross said they made it a reality in October. According to Cross, it will go until late January or early February.
One of the drawing factors to playing is there are cash prizes involved for teams once the bracket is filled.
The cash prizes are awarded weekly and there is a grand prize at the end of the competition. Every week, the team selected as the best team will be named “Champion of the Week” and win $50. In the championship round of the competition, which will take place after winter break, the championship team will win $150.
It is free for teams to register to play cornhole at Red Brick.
Cross said only about eight teams have been able to show up weekly and the hope is to have eight more teams sign up to create a full 16-team bracket for the competition. Now, the Tavern is doing a seating rotation with the teams signed up where open games are being hosted for anybody to play.
“Anyone can play anybody,” Cross said. “It's the best two out of three setup, just so we get an idea of how well each team
plays, so we can seed everybody one through 16. That way, I know how to actually organize the brackets. It's not just a free-for-all kind of thing.”
Red Brick has not posted its cornhole tournament on social media yet, but there is a flyer going out soon to help get the word out to those who don’t frequently visit the bar. Cross said he has been advertising it on his personal socials, but hopes to get the word out on the bar’s socials.
Preston Hayes, a senior studying marketing, said he learned of the opportunity to play when he met Cross at the bar.
“(Cross is) in here quite a bit,” Hayes said. “(He said), ‘We're doing a cornhole tournament, so if you want your buddy to sign up.’ So I just gave him (my buddy and I’s) phone number and (we) signed up. That's pretty much how that happened.”
Hayes said after signing up, he has enjoyed playing corn hole so far and hopes they can get enough teams to start the tournament soon.
“It's a lot of fun,” Hayes said.
“I know a lot of people in it, like a lot of my buddies. I mean, it's a good time. We get a pretty good crowd here. Even if you're not playing, it's still fun to watch, like my buddies play, we'll still just hang out and watch everybody else.”
The competition is still accepting new teams of all different skill levels.
“If you are at home on a Monday, you just want something fun to do, come out and play,” Cross said. “If you're not studying (and) you don't want to go out to drink, there's just not much to do in Athens. But this way we're giving you a viable option to just want to have fun.”
@ASHLEYPOMPLAS AP125920@OHIO.EDU
Shade Winery provides handcrafted wines, relaxed atmosphere
LECLAIR | FOR THE POST
In late 2010, someone driving on Gilkey Ridge Road in Shade, Ohio, might happen upon a sign touting Shade Winery, and see the rolling hills and the log cabin dotting the landscape. Shade Winery opened Labor Day weekend that year and spent some time finding its stride. Now, it guarantees on its website a dining experience with “upscale and regional and international cuisine using whole foods from scratch,” and a wide selection of handcrafted wines.
Neal Dix, the cofounder of Shade Winery, started his vision in 2004 when he started making elderberry wines from scratch. In 2007, he planted the first grape vines on the property. Today, the vineyard stretches up to the restaurant and continues behind it.
“It's gone through a number of stages,” Dix said about the vineyard. “I initially planted grapes that I knew were going to grow here, as well as some grapes that I wasn't sure how well they were going to grow here. Most of them did well … But then when we opened this for retail, it gave me less time to work in the vineyard … and so we decided to put in other vines that are a little easier, more forgiving in southeast Ohio's climate.”
Ordering wine there could be anything from a white “multiflora rose Chambourcin” to a sweet “bobcat blush Niagara” wine. With the first being $29 for a full bottle, and
the latter going for $26, according to the Shade Winery website. Both are donned with the Shade Winery label, which advertises a “taste of place.”
Sheridan Boyd, a freshman studying education, has been to the winery multiple times, especially after her parents got more into wine after visiting France. She finds the winery very “scenic” as well.
“Shade Winery is more of a nicer feel,” Boyd said. “If you dress up or if you have to go to a prom or something after, that'd be a good place to do it.”
Karsyn Raines, a server at Shade Winery, agrees that there is more traffic to Shade on popular weekends, such as graduations, Halloween or Ohio University weekends such as
Moms Weekend.
“We're always super busy hanging out with everybody,” Raines said. “I'd say those are the most memorable. Halloween is a really good one. We hang out, dress up and do everything.”
Raines has been working at Shade for about two years. She said it is a very “experience-based” place in that it takes a hands-on approach to connecting with guests.
“I love the people,” Raines said. “We have so many regulars who come in weekly, monthly, every couple months, I'd say. There's a bunch of people who love the experience here, love the food, and they're just super enjoyable to serve and hang out with.”
Boyd said Shade is a good option
There’s a bunch of people who love the experience here, love the food, and they’re just super enjoyable to serve and hang out with.”
– Karsyn Raines, a server ar shade winery
over some of the chain restaurants in Athens because you can “totally take pictures there.” Dix, however, goes more in-depth as to why he believes Shade is unique.
“We do our best to have the best food we can possibly have,” Dix said. “The best, precious ingredients we can possibly get from farmers market stuff, local farmers stuff that doesn't even get to the farmers market but just comes directly here, fresh seafood, direct as quickly as you can get it here, fresh scallops, fresh salmon, things like that. Good service, comfortable atmosphere.”
Shade Winery is open four days a week, 4-9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 12-9 p.m. Saturdays.
“Come for a comfortable experience with really good food, peace of mind, good service and a nice atmosphere,” Dix said.
ML858121@OHIO.EDU @1MAIA_B
MAIA
Shade Winery and Restauant at 401 Gilkey Ridge Road in Shade, Ohio, Nov. 15, 2024. (ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
Outside of The Red Brick Tavern, located on Court Street, Athens, Sept. 25, 2024. (AUDI REED | FOR THE POST)
Snail Satan rocks to its own beat
ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST
Many bands choose to stick to a consistent sound throughout their careers, rarely deviating from one genre or another. But many do not mean all, a fact Snail Satan proves.
Not only does the undefinable band blend multiple genres within one song, but each song is almost completely different, with some leaning toward folk while others are almost fully punk. Singer and guitarist Cassidy Lakes, a fifth year studying integrated social studies education, said her songwriting style is very different from her bandmates.
“Our music is whatever the hell we feel like playing that day; it kind of changes up a lot,” she said. “We all have very diverse tastes in music, and our songwriting differs a lot. I tend to write slower folky acoustic songs, but Jane on the other hand tends to write a lot of punk songs.”
Pulling inspiration from artists on all ends of the spectrum, from Joni Mitchell to King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, not one sound can be prescribed to the group. Drummer Jane Hoover said King Gizzard especially influenced her writing.
“They play around with just not really giving a s--- about genre and just writing music,” she said. “I guess it's just like, ‘I wrote a song, let's see where it goes from there.’”
With all members having different tastes and influences, the band can come up with ideas it otherwise wouldn’t. Lakes said she was told to surround herself with
musicians she looked up to so she could grow as a musician.
“Elliott Hogue of Little Guy and Rug once told me, ‘Play with musicians that are better than you, and you will get better,’” Lakes said. “I consider all the musicians I try to surround myself with better than me because I learned so much from them, and it makes me a much better musician.”
The band’s name comes from when they used to practice in guitarist Jon Slater’s basement. On the wall was a spray-painted snail, from which the band looked for rhyming phrases and eventually settled on Snail Satan.
Even when the band is not practicing or performing, they still try to surround themselves with the opportunity to create music whenever possible. Slater said he makes sure to have his guitar on him as much as possible whenever an idea hits.
“I don't know if it's just something that I learned from someone or I intuitively picked up over a long period of time, I carry my guitar with me everywhere,” he said. “For me, it’s just being able to have that thing in the moment, wherever that song is coming from.”
Part of experimenting with different musical styles is also learning that perfection is not everything. Bassist Haley Byas, a fifth-year studying applied math, said she would rather add interest to the song than play it completely perfectly.
“It's so important to play the dynamics and the expressiveness in band pieces
more than it is to get every single note and rhythm right,” she said. “I think that when you root yourself so deeply in perfection, you end up getting something that doesn't sound like anything.”
Even though Snail Satan occasionally plays cover songs, the group tries to make each cover its own. Hoover said original music of any kind should be shared with the world, and bands should not rely on covers to perform.
“If you are too scared to even begin
anything on stage that's a good way to start,” Hoover said. “But if you write original music, how dare you keep that all to yourself? Show me the art that you make.”
The band is performing Saturday at Benefest at The Union, 18 W. Union St. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and tickets will be $8 for those 21 and older and $10 for those who are not.
@ETHANHERX EH481422@OHIO.EDU
CIS hosts International Student Documentary Film Festival
MARY KATE MCNAMEE FOR THE POST
The Center for International Studies collaborated with the School of Media Arts and Studies and the Scripps College of Communication to present the International Student Documentary Film Festival Sunday.
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of CIS, faculty and students gathered at 7 p.m. in Schoonover Center, located at 20 E. Union St. The event was free for all attendees.
Several short films were featured, including one directed by Zohal Nasrat, an alumnus of Ohio University. Titled
“Aftershock of a Trauma,” this film follows Nasrat’s personal experience of watching her home country, Afghanistan, fall to the Taliban after freshly coming to OU.
Gerard Chukwu, a master's student studying information and telecommunication systems, discussed what he was looking forward to with the event.
“I look forward to mind change … We hope that through this show, and hopefully there’ll be more to come, (others) will get to understand people’s experiences,” Chukwu said.
To Chukwu, this event is important because it showcases the different cultures of international students. Although he is from Nigeria, Chukwu said he could learn about other African cultures through the
documentary festival.
“The international (students) learn about the international (students) because I’m from Nigeria, and Ghanaians might learn about my culture and what it’s like to be Nigerian, and vice versa as well,” Chukwu said. “Cultural competency is the summary of one thing.”
Chukwu said it is important for the university to hold these events to promote a plethora of different voices enrolled at OU.
“The end goal is to ensure that this campus is diverse, not just in identity, but then with the cultures, the languages, the traditions,” Chukwu said.
Brian Plow, a professor of media arts and studies, helped organize the event. Plow said this event was a long time in the making.
“We’re celebrating along with the 60th anniversary of the CIS, and we’re using that as a platform to celebrate 10 years of international student documentaries,” Plow said.
Plow said the films featured represent a vast group of cultures and identities, extending from many different populations and cultures.
“We have a range of documentaries made by people from all over the world, in terms of who made the film and who appears in the film,” Plow said. “We’re representing upwards of 20 different countries from five different continents.”
The festival showcased all sorts of topics, presenting fun, lively films to serious, heavy films. Plow also discussed the importance of the university having this event.
“For us, to celebrate the CIS as being one of the core pillars of that community,”
Plow said. “Then to have an event like this that celebrates storytelling and the stories that oftentimes we don’t get to know and see and hear and enjoy.”
Plow said college students should come to events similar to the festival to broaden their knowledge and horizons.
“What a great way to spend an evening and to see stories that really are by and about people from all over the world, and have that really help you grow as a human being,” Plow said.
Parwana Hamdam, a first-year Ph.D student at Scripps College of Communications, thought this event was a great way to promote cross-cultural exchange.
“I think by these documentaries and screening we can promote diversity a lot, so I think that’s very important to bring on the screen and have students together to watch,” Hamdam said.
Hamdam said OU is a university filled with many international students, and it’s important for them to be welcomed into the environment.
“If international students are coming here, the environment should be appropriate for them, and it only happens when awareness is there,” Hamdam said.
The International Student Documentary Film Festival provided a space and time for students and faculty to gather to learn more about diverse and different cultures.
“Learn not just about the world, but also about yourself relative to the world,” Plow said.
Snail Satan poses for a portrait on the steps of the Athens County Courthouse on Court Street in Athens, Nov. 13, 2024. From left to right, the band is Jon Slater, Cassidy Lakes, Jane Hoover and Haley Byas.
(ETHAN HERX | FOR THE POST)
Cars drive by the outside of Schoonover Center, Nov. 11, 2024, on Union Street, in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | PHOTO EDIOTR)
Football: What to know before Ohio takes on Toledo
ROBERT KEEGAN III | SPORTS EDITOR
CHARLIE FADEL | SPORTS STAFF WRITER
Ohio (7-3, 5-1 Mid-American Conference) is preparing for its biggest game of the season, a matchup with more title implications than any other against Toledo (7-3, 4-2 MAC). Ohio enters on a streak of three straight wins of multiple scores, while Toledo comes in fresh off a 27-point win against Central Michigan.
History will be against Ohio as it walks into the Glass Bowl, a place where it holds an abhorrent 1-16 all-time record.
Toledo holds one of the best home-field advantages in the MAC, having lost just one home game this season, but Ohio will have plenty of motivation to win. With two weeks to play in the season, Ohio controls its destiny. If Ohio can take down Toledo Wednesday and then Ball State in the season's final week, it automatically clinches a spot in the MAC title game. Here is all you need to know about Toledo.
HEAD COACH
Jason Candle is the reigning MAC Coach of the Year after Toledo’s run to the MAC Championship Game in 2023. Candle is one of the conference’s winningest coaches, with 68 career wins over nine seasons.
Candle has won two MAC Championships with Toledo, one of which was against Ohio in 2022.
QUARTERBACK
Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason has been one of the most efficient passers in the conference in nine games. Gleason is ranked second in the MAC in passing yards per game, averaging just over 225 per contest.
The Rockets junior quarterback has been careful with the ball all season, with 19 passing touchdowns to seven interceptions, one of the best ratios in the MAC.
RUNNING BACKS
The Rockets are a more passing-heavy offense, ranking ninth in the MAC in rushing and taking a committee approach to the running back position. Sophomore Connor Walendzak is the leading rusher with 368 yards and one touchdown this season.
Behind him are backs Jacquez Stuart, Sevaughn Clark and Willie Shaw III. The trio has totaled 571 yards on the season and five rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Tucker Gleason is also a reliable threat on the ground with 268 yards and six touchdowns this season.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Headlining the Toledo receiving group is senior Jerjuan Newton. The Florida native has been very productive this season, going for 823 yards and 10 touchdowns, numbers that are good for third and first in the MAC among pass catchers.
The second option behind Newton, Junior Vandeross III, is no slouch either, as he is sixth in the MAC in receiving with 653 yards and four touchdowns. Anthony Torres rounds out the group as the third receiver with 241 yards and six touchdowns.
DEFENSE
Toledo's defense is a solid unit, ranking above average in the MAC in almost every category. The Rockets are fifth in both scoring and yardage defense while ranking third in rushing defense and sixth in passing defense.
Linebackers Daniel Bolden and Maxen Hook are the anchors of the defense, ranking first and second on the team in tackles. In the back end, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Braden Awls make for a great safety duo as they are third and fourth on the team in tackles.
@ROBERTKEEGAN_ BK272121@OHIO.›EDU @CHARLIEFADEL CF111322@OHIO.EDU
Rodney Harris II (11) catches the ball over an Eastern Michigan defender, Nov. 13, 2024. (REECE MERKEL | FOR THE POST)
Men’s Basketball: What to know about the Myrtle Beach Invitational
LOGAN ADAMS | SPORTS EDITOR
After a five-year hiatus, Ohio (1-3) will once again head to Conway, South Carolina, to take on the Myrtle Beach Invitational and its loaded roster of mid-major programs. The invitational will take place between Thursday and Saturday, with each of the event’s eight teams playing three games against three different opponents.
Here’s everything to know ahead of the invitational.
RECENT HISTORY
Ohio last participated in the Myrtle Beach Invitational in 2019. It took two games against Utah and Middle Tennessee and dropped one against Baylor. Then-sophomore Jason Preston, redshirt sophomore Ben Vander Plas and redshirt senior Jordan Dartis led the Bobcats that season.
In 2023, Liberty won the Myrtle Beach Invitational Championship in a 71-61 victory over Vermont. The Bobcats will have to go through a gauntlet of respect-
able mid-major programs if they wish to follow the Flames.
THE BRACKET
Ohio will play in game 1 of the invitational Thursday at noon against Middle Tennessee (3-1), the same program it played its final game of the 2019 Myrtle Beach Invitational.
Depending on the result of its matchup, Ohio will then play the winner or loser of South Florida's (2-2) matchup with Portland (2-2) Friday at 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m.
Aside from Middle Tennessee, these are the only two teams Ohio can confidently plan for as the range of potential opponents widens following the second round.
The other participants in this year’s invitational are Bradley (3-1), Texas State (2-2), Princeton (4-1) and Wright State (32). Ohio will be the only team under .500 entering the tournament. The most dangerous team is Princeton, the Ivy League’s projected No. 1 team, led by Preseason All-Ivy First Team selectees Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce.
OHIO NOTES
It is no secret the Bobcats have struggled out of the gate, especially offensively. This is for a variety of reasons; preseason All-Mid-American Conference First Team selectee AJ Clayton is still finding his stride. Additionally, preseason All-MAC Second Team selectee Shereef Mitchell, the team’s most productive offensive player thus far, has missed the last two games against Illinois State and Memphis for an unknown reason.
Ohio has seen big contributions in
CAMPUS EVENTS
recent matchups from its trio of junior guards: AJ Brown, Elmore James and Ajay Sheldon. Brown leads the team in scoring with 14.0 points per game on 47.4% shooting from 3-point range, while James and Sheldon have both made an impact off the bench.
Mitchell’s return for the Bobcats has no set date, so Ohio will look for those three to continue contributing while getting more out of Clayton. Transfer guard Jackson Paveletzke has shown signs of being able to lead the struggling Ohio offense but has struggled with shooting and turnovers as he acclimates himself to a new role.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE NOTES
The Blue Raiders are led by a balanced offensive attack featuring five players, averaging 11.3 points per game. Atop the list is senior Jestin Porter, an All-American Conference Second Team selectee in 2023-24. Porter leads the team in points and steals on the season.
Behind Porter in scoring is the team’s leading rebounder, graduate student Essam Mostafa. Mostafa appeared in 30 games for TCU last season and has flourished in his final season of eligibility, averaging 12.3 points per game and 8.3 rebounds per game.
The Bobcats will need to limit multiple offensive outlets for the Blue Raiders if they hope to bounce back from consecutive losses.
@LOGANPADAMS LA486821@OHIO.EDU
November 19th - December 5th
Social Engagement & Student Org Events
Tuesday, November 19
Mindful Eating Event
hosted by OU Mindful Based Living 6:00 -7:00 pm Morton Hall
Cultural Diversity Fashion Show hosted by Student Alumni Board
6:45-9:00 pm
Seigfred Auditorium
Wednesday, November 20
Movie Screening: Knives Out
Hurricane Helene fundraiser hosted by Phi Alpha Theta / OU History Assoc & History Grad Assoc
7:00 - 9:30 pm
Athena Cinema
Accepting non-perishable food donations
Thursday, November 21
Rock Painting hosted by OU Recovery Community 10:00 am -2:00 pm
Baker Center FREE GOODY BAGS
Friday, November 22
Friday’s LIVE Season 53 E05
hosted by Olivia Freeland & Bre Reidl 8:00 pm
Studio C (RTV 515)
Thursday, December 5
Design Exhibition hosted by Interior architecture grp 5:00 - 6:00 pm upper/lower Studio
Regular Discussion hosted by Bridge USA OU Chapter 6:00 -7:00 pm Gordy 302
Weekly Gathering of CRU
7:30 - 8:30 pm Morton 201
November 22 & 23
Oregon @ OHIO 7:00 PM
December 6 & 7
Maryville @ OHIO 7:00 PM
(follow on X for streaming link)
* To have your event included on this calendar make sure it is registered on Bobcat Connect!
Jackson Paveletzke (13) attempts a three point shot against UNC Asheville at The Convo in Athens, Ohio, Nov. 9, 2024. (JACK TATHAM | FOR THE POST)
Volleyball: Ohio’s 2024 season comes to a close
LOGAN ADAMS | SPORTS EDITOR
Ohio didn’t truly know if its season would be over following the finish of its loss against Bowling Green Saturday. The team would still have a chance, albeit a slim one, depending on the result of Toledo’s match against Kent State.
Had Ohio won either of its two matches in its final series, a postseason spot would have been secured without the dramatics. However, after fighting back to force a fifth set against the Mid-American Conference’s top seed, Ohio couldn’t secure the win, and as Toledo obliterated the MAC’s bottom seed, Kent State, the 2024 season came to a close.
Ohio finished its conference schedule with a 10-8 record, the same as Toledo. However, with a split head-to-head series, Ohio’s worse overall record of 14-15 gave Toledo the sixth seed.
That said, Ohio leaves fans with a lot to look forward to in 2025, a year that will feature Ohio coach Geoff Carlston’s first roster made up of only players he’s recruited.
Carlston’s first three classes have been excellent. His first since returning to Ohio features juniors Anna Kharchynska, Chariti McKellar and Leah Rogers. Kharchynska had a stellar season, leading the MAC in kills and points with 436 and 492.5, respectively. McKellar provided steady setting as one-half of the team’s productive duo of distributors with 428
assists, averaging 5.16 per set.
The sophomores are where Ohio got the majority of its production, a group of seven players. Kam Hunt was the Bobcats’ other headliner alongside Kharchynska, ranking second in the MAC in kills and points with 424 and 469.5, respectively.
The group featured three other consistent starters: libero Kendall Hickey and middle blockers Emily Waddell and Olivia Gardner. Hickey led the team in digs with 4.08 per set, the sixth-highest mark in the conference. Waddell and Gardner were consistent factors on both sides of the net, as Gardner was third on the team in kills with 199 while Waddell ranked fourth on the team in blocks with 44.
Ohio's freshmen were one of the team’s most exciting groups. Outside hitter and defensive specialist Darbi Ricketts and setter Bryn Janke were consistent starters and made names for themselves on the court.
Ricketts was one of the team’s most versatile players, ranking first on the team in service aces, second in digs, fifth in kills and fifth in points. Janke led the team in assists with 623, the ninth-best mark in the MAC. Rounding out the group of four is outside hitter Sierra Evans and setter Lexi Grissett, who showed talent in limited play.
In 2025, Ohio will be without the contributions of Elizabeth Hoerlein and Makenna Schafer, who are both graduating. Hoerlein was the team’s most com-
mon option at middle blocker between Kharchynska and Hunt, ranking fourth in kills and second in blocks with the seventh-best hitting percentage in the conference.
Schafer had her best season as a senior, tallying 61 of her 95 career kills. As Ohio attempted to limit Kharchynska and Hunt’s swings late in the season, Schafer stepped up big, recording a career-high 18 kills against Central Michigan.
Although Ohio’s finish was a disappointment given the program’s long-standing standard for success, another year of growth for the team’s immensely talented and productive core should give fans reason for excitement. Carlston and the Bobcats will only be looking at improvement in 2025. @LOGANPADAMS
Wrestling: Ohio loses close match to Michigan State at home
In its home arena, Ohio (1–1) lost a rather close match to Michigan State (2–0) 22-19 after facing the team in the Michigan State Open Nov. 9. Ohio looked like it had a chance at coming back and possibly winning after a slow start, but Michigan State took both the advantage and the lead early.
To start, Michigan State bested Ohio in the first three matches. In
the 125-pound weight class, sophomore Malachi O’Leary for Ohio faced off against redshirt freshman Caleb Weiand for Michigan State.
O’Leary couldn’t get anything going against Weiand, who overpowered a majority of the bout. The second match saw Ohio’s sophomore Mason Brugh battle it out versus Michigan State’s redshirt senior Tristan Lujan.
Unfortunately for Ohio, Brugh was pinned in the second period by Lujan, resulting in the Spartans gaining an
early 10-point lead over the Bobcats. The third match, the 141-pound weight class, featured nothing but total domination from Michigan State’s redshirt freshman Jaden Crumpler versus Ohio’s redshirt sophomore Paul Woo.
Like O’Leary and Brugh, Woo struggled to break free from his opponent’s physical control. At this point in the contest, Michigan State was up 15, with Ohio not scoring a single point.
The contest started to sway in favor of Ohio when sophomore Logan Cravates took the mat to wrestle in the 149-pound weight class. Through sheer patience and excellence during his bout, Cravates scored Ohio’s first four points to make it 15-4 Michigan State.
Representing Ohio’s 157-pound weight class was standout redshirt junior Peyten Kellar. He did his job by adding more to the scoreboard. Kellar was methodical with his approach to the match against Michigan State’s redshirt sophomore Braden Stauffenberg and won in a landslide. The score after Kellar’s win was 15-8 Michigan State.
The Spartans stopped the Bobcats from potentially taking the lead when, in the 165-pound weight class, redshirt senior DJ Shannon completely out-powered Ohio’s redshirt sophomore Jack Lledo to tally up the score to 19-8.
Ohio responded with redshirt junior Garrett Thompson beating
Michigan State’s redshirt sophomore Ceasar Garza in the 174-pound weight class. At first, Thompson started a little weak, but he eventually found weaknesses in his opponent’s play which ended up being a crucial bout victory for Ohio to make it 19-12.
The Bobcats looked even better, with redshirt freshman Jeremy Olszko defeating the Spartans’ redshirt junior Luke Daly in the 184-pound weight class to make it 19-15. Unlike the previous matches, this one was by far the closest.
The ninth match between the two teams, in the 197-pound weight class, boiled down to Michigan State’s redshirt freshman Remy Cotton overpowering Ohio’s redshirt sophomore Austin Starr in a bout that could have gone either way.
Entering the afternoon’s final match, Michigan State was up 22-15. Ohio’s wrestler for the 285-pound weight class was redshirt senior Jordan Greer and, despite his best effort, did not score enough against redshirt freshman Max Vanadia to tie Michigan State, let alone win the match.
The Bobcats’ next trip will be to Annapolis, Maryland, to compete Saturday in the Navy Classic, where it will look to bounce back after their loss to Michigan State.
JH825821@OHIO.EDU
JUDE HANNAHS | FOR THE POST
Olivia Gardner (20) strikes the ball towards the Buffalo players, Nov 9, 2024. (REECE MERKEL | FOR THE POST)
Ohio wrestler Mason Brugh wrestling in the 133 pound weight class during the Bobcats’ match against Buffalo, Feb. 24, 2024, in The Convo. (JACK TATHAM | FOR THE POST)
5 tips for overcoming burnout
As the semester winds down and Bobcats prepare for final exams, burnout runs more rampant than ever. Although burnout can feel like an unstoppable force, it is not impossible to overcome.
Harvard Business Review notes three key factors lead to burnout: exhaustion, cynicism and inefficacy. Exhaustion is the primary cause of burnout, but the feeling of incompetence and distance from your assignments also plays a factor.
The most important factor in preventing burnout is noticing you are experiencing it. The Cleveland Clinic reports burnout symptoms can include tension headaches, feeling overly tired, changes in sleep schedule or feeling overall dissatisfied. The symptoms of burnout mirror those of depression and can occur simultaneously. Once you have identified burnout, taking meaningful steps toward overcoming it is next.
Set boundaries
Burnout often stems from overcommitment in the workplace or academics. No matter what your schedule looks like, it is important to set healthy boundaries for yourself so you don’t feel overworked.
A great step in setting proper academic boundaries is setting aside time each night to put away work. A time limit also
increases motivation to get work done and helps prioritize proper rest and selfcare, instead of homework stress.
A set end goal can help release guilt. If you do not struggle with finishing your to-do list at a set time, there are other boundaries you can set like not responding to emails before your first class. The most stress-inducing tasks are ones you can put boundaries on to effectively manage stress.
Find five things
The best way to manage symptoms of burnout is to do five things for yourself that take care of your basic needs. A good first step is setting time for your body to rest because burnout is caused by exhaustion. The other four things can be eating your favorite meal, going on a walk with friends or watching your favorite movie before bed.
Make a master to-do list
When burnout strikes, everyday tasks and assignments can feel overwhelming. A master to-do list of household tasks, appointments and assignments can tackle the junk drawer in your brain. You can highlight, star or order the list in importance, set a final due date for each item or add easy to complete items. The best part about a master to-do list is that your brain receives dopamine from
checking off an item, motivating you to complete more.
Find productivity enhancers
When experiencing the signs of burnout, it’s important to implement productivity tools to best accomplish your tasks.
The Pomodoro Technique is a great tool to use if you get easily distracted and have a hard time beginning a task. The method uses 25-30 minutes of active work and then a two to three-minute break. You can set a timer and use the method until all work is complete.
Apps such as Flora and Forest are great tools for motivating you to do work. Flora is free on the iOS App Store while Forest is available for $3.99. The apps use timers to track how long you are working and convert the time to grow virtual plants. It also limits phone usage during work time.
Use your resources
When burnout gets the best of you, there are resources on campus to help you be successful. Academic coaching is available at Ohio University and is a great tool for overcoming burnout.
Coaches work with students to overcome academic challenges and provide helpful resources for developing better habits. Students can make appointments online, and there are no requirements for meeting with a coach.
If a certain class is causing burnout, students can also seek assistance through peer tutoring. Tutors work one-on-one with students to help with class-specific needs through the Academic Achievement Center. The AAC is located on the second floor of the Alden Library and has many resources for students who need academic support.
The center also provides Peer Assisted Learning which provides weekly study sessions for certain classes. PAL sessions are led by students who have previously taken the class and are a great way to implement group help. By utilizing university resources, it can help you clear out overwhelming struggles and allow for time to socialize by working in a group, student coach or tutor. These tutoring services are free for all OU students. To schedule an appointment and see available services go to www.ohio.edu/ university-college/academic-achievement-center/tutoring-services.
Burnout can be challenging to overcome, but it is not impossible. Finding a tool that works for you, whether individual or outside resources, is the best way to combat burnout.
CLARA LEDER | FOR THE POST
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Pop music is having a cultural comeback
ELIZABETH TALAGA | SLOT EDITOR
Pop music has been subject to much criticism from listeners, but the genre has seemingly made a comeback in recent years.
Britannica defines pop music as commercially oriented music meant for a wide audience in societies dominated by urban culture.
Sean Parsons, director of the contemporary music and digital instruments program at Ohio University, said pop music has always been looked at through a critical lens.
“Whether it be an artist ‘sells out’, or is lacking depth or substance, or is too commercial, it’s the same story over and over again with every musical generation,” Parsons wrote in an email.
music was the idea of being a ‘different girl,’” Bocock wrote.
Despite a sometimes negative aura surrounding the pop music genre, the 2020s have already seen an incredible surge in pop music appreciation.
In an essay for Billboard, Andrew Unterberger details how pop music had an excellent showing early this year. Unterberger brings up the popular social media platform TikTok and the app’s effect on the music industry.
“Increasingly, it feels like the app is pouring gasoline on fires that artists have already started, simply offering well-liked songs additional exposure through word-of-mouth spreading,” Unterberger wrote.
followers just like Chappell Roan or whoever, just through ‘traditional’ media and performances rather than the sort of immediate nature of TikTok, YouTube, etc.,” Parsons wrote in an email.
Although pop music is sometimes labeled as basic or boring, songs in this genre can have a deeper meaning.
“In our Contemporary Music and Digital Instruments program at OU, we talk about the depth of artistry in pop, but also its place in our culture and how it responds to our societal issues,” Parsons wrote in an email.
Parsons gave the example of Taylor Swift and said although he does not personally connect with her music, it does not mean her music is not significant in culture and music.
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Music, like everything else in the world, draws loud opinions from people. From genre to genre and artist to artist, most people have a word or two to lend to a conversation surrounding music. When it comes to pop music, however, conversations can turn hateful, and many have strong, negative opinions toward the genre.
Annie Bocock wrote about this negative feeling for the blog TEDxBrayford Pool.
“For me, the idea of not liking pop
Business Insider reports that songs trending on TikTok commonly end up charting on the Billboard 100 or the Spotify Viral 50 music charts. Newer stars such as Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Victoria Monét and Tinashe captivate audiences around the world and steal the spotlight. Along with the effect TikTok has had on the music industry, it can be easy to believe that pop music is more popular now than ever.
Parsons said musicians have always drawn crowds and built a following.
“Previous generations of pop musicians have shaped trends and built
“Music can be ‘good’ no matter how we interact with it,” Parsons wrote in an email.
Parsons said although some people may complain about the lyrics in today’s pop music, every generation has heard songs about drugs or other adult themes.
“If you enjoy a song, enjoy it. Life’s too short to care if someone values your music like you do,” Parsons wrote in an email. “There’s something free about that approach.”
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Ways to conquer Thanksgiving Break on campus
Thanksgiving Break is quickly approaching, which means it is time to start packing a suitcase, booking a bus ticket home and preparing to see family; that is, unless you are planning to spend Thanksgiving Break in a dorm this year.
Unfortunately, not everyone can go home for the holidays. Several students have to spend their Thanksgiving from the comfort of their school’s campus. Though potentially saddening, some students will have to find alternative ways to celebrate the holiday alone.
With the majority of students gone,
combat the impending boredom from spending Thanksgiving Break alone and on campus, here are a few ideas. With nowhere to go and nothing to do, it is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby. It can be difficult to find time to learn new skills and be creative while classes are in session.
For those who enjoy making crafts, you can start a scrapbook with old pictures or learn how to knit or draw. However, the creative possibilities are endless if crafting does not sound intriguing to you.
It could also be entertaining to take up cooking or baking. Though it might be
Brenen’s Coffee Cafe and Fluff Bakery, where you can find a comfortable spot and grab a tasty drink and a pastry.
Coffee shops are also great for leisurely activities, so you can bring in a hobby or school work to complete. During Thanksgiving Break, it is important to go to a space where it is possible to interact with other individuals when spending so much time alone.
Exercise is a great way for you to emphasize the importance of spending time outside. Though Ping Recreation Center will be closed during Thanksgiving Break, there are several other ways to get active. You can enjoy the lovely fall weather with a stroll by the Hocking Adena Bikeway Trail or a fun hike at Hocking Hills. You can also learn a new dance or yoga exercise by watching videos on YouTube. By getting active and going outside, time will fly and make a day feel productive. Another perfect and also productive way to spend the break is updating a resume, writing a cover letter and creating a portfolio or website. OU’s resume page has tips on how to revamp existing documents.
As for creating a portfolio or website, it is best to review past projects and pick a few top contenders to showcase. Platforms such as Canva or Wix can help you find an appealing design and start adding media. Several internship positions are currently open for applications, so you should use this time to enhance your online and professional appearance. For those who are feeling extra productive this Thanksgiving break, you can
spend time cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing. It can be very easy to let your space get messy quickly during the school year. A messy room can contribute to an unhappy and stressful atmosphere, and you can use this break to clean commonly used areas to create a positive atmosphere instead.
A great way to decompress during the break is by staying up to date with new media. You can look up artists who have just released new music or watch a trending show or movie.
A versatile music taste is developed by exploring new music genres. New playlists can represent current moods, seasons or vibes. You can even play around by customizing unique playlist covers. After the break, you can use these playlists while walking to class.
As for trending TV shows and movies, a scroll through platforms such as Netflix or Hulu can lead to something captivating. For sentimental viewers, Netflix has recently released a few romantic Christmas movies including “Hot Frosty” or “Meet Me Next Christmas.” However, if romance does not sound appealing, you can visit Hulu and tune into popular shows such as “The Bear” or “Only Murders in the Building.”
Hopefully, these few ideas can help those who plan to spend Thanksgiving Break on campus. Though it can be difficult to have to spend the holiday alone, you can find ways to make the most out of an uneventful few days.
@CAT_LITTS CL358222@OHIO.EDU
The history of Appalachian horror movies
Ohio University is nestled in the rolling hills of the Appalachian mountains, a gorgeous region often used as the backdrop for horror movies. Although many films play into the “hillbilly horror” stereotype, some stand out among the rest as both good and bad representations of the region.
In film, Appalachian residents are often portrayed as violent, lazy, uneducated and even incestuous. These stereotypes come from a long history of media exploitation and over-characterization and have persisted in a modern culture. A lack of outside understanding and the region’s relative isolation strengthens these portrayals.
Becoming “othered” is a phenomenon occurring when people attempt to separate themselves from a group. Historian Ronald D. Eller wrote Appalachia’s “othering” may have been caused by a desire “to distance ourselves from the uncomfortable dilemmas that the story of Appalachia raises about our own lives and about the larger society.” Appalachia is wrought with social and economic struggle, traits that have long defined the region. A lack of outside access contributes to this region's severe underdevelopment. In fact, the region and its residents have historically been seen as separated from the rest of the U.S.
As a result of this “othering” and the region’s isolation from the rest of the country, stereotypes of its residents have grown unrestrained in power and popu-
larity in mainstream culture. Genres such as “hillbilly horror” have long been present at the box office, and movies focused on “Appalachia atrocity” earn millions.
“Hillbilly horror” is a subgenre rooted in the stereotypical ideas of the Appalachian region and its residents. These movies typically take place in an isolated, rural area of the American South. The plot usually boils down to something going wrong for an outside visitor, usually caused by a resident of the area.
“Wrong Turn” (2003), “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974) and “Deliverance” (1972) are all examples of the “hillbilly horror” genre and its stereotypes of Appalachians and southerners. These multi-million dollar movies can spread stereotypes of Appalachia across the country and contribute to a long history of misrepresentation.
However, a horror movie being set in Appalachia does not automatically make it a contributor to the “hillbilly horror” genre.
“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) and “Silent Hill” (2006) are accepted by typical critics as well-done Appalachian representation in horror. The positive response shows that avoiding the “hillbilly horror” genre is possible and has been done before.
“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil” (2010), while not purely horror, turns the genre on its head. Campers wrongfully attribute the violent hillbilly stereotype to Tucker and Dale, leading to a series of misfortunate events as the campers try to escape and the two men attempt to explain they are simply on vacation.
Movies making fun of or avoiding the
stereotypes of Appalachians are few and far between. A recognition of the “hillbilly horror” stereotype can help audiences
notice its stereotypical influences in Appalachian media.
@ALEXH0PKINS AH875121@OHIO.EDU
Metal Mondays: Paul-Tyson fight highlights
JACKSON MCCOY | COPY CHIEF
Over 60 million people across the world gathered around their TVs and phone screens Friday night to watch the biggest boxing spectacle since the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor fight in 2017. Jake Paul, of YouTube fame and newfound boxing success, was set to take on living legend Mike Tyson in the ring. What was supposed to be a thrilling battle between the two sides of boxing ended up being more of a tragedy, and the 60 million viewers who stayed on through Netflix’s buffering ultimately faced their own decisions and mortality rather than a fight.
Coming into the ring, Paul represented the next generation of fighters who prioritize internet presence and theatrics alongside physical endurance. Riding into AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on a Tesla Model X with his girlfriend, a birdcage with pigeons to troll Tyson and an overabundance of jewelry, Paul leaned into his obnoxious persona many associate him with.
Tyson, on the other hand, who walked into the stadium in a black towel with the letters “LF / GO” sewn onto it, embodied a bygone era of combat sports. This was the first sign of many to follow which pointed at the main difference between Paul and Tyson: Tyson is 58 years old, while Paul is only 27.
In the match, which would unfortunately follow, audiences were constantly reminded of the 30-year age gap between the two. Although the first two rounds started off as a close contest, it became increasingly clear Tyson should never have been allowed in the ring; across the eight rounds of the fight, Tyson only threw 18 punch-
es, making contact with power punches four times and never landing a jab.
People across the internet were cheering for “Iron Mike,” hoping for a rerun of his now-infamous fight against Evander Hoyfield where he bit off a chunk of his opponent’s ear and then fought off Las Vegas police officers in the ring. Instead, viewers had to contend with the fact that they encouraged an old, extremely brain-damaged man to enter a brawl with someone in his physical prime, a prime Tyson simply couldn’t match.
Even more troubling was the sudden rallying behind Tyson against Paul. Paul is no superstar role model; he is racist, homophobic and overall not a good person. But the Tyson vs. Paul fight has seemingly flushed all of our memories, washing away the fact that biting someone’s ear off is not a celebratory act, but also the fact that Tyson is a convicted rapist.
It seems almost fitting that a sport with such a violent history would host a highly-anticipated fight headlined by two people who are, for lack of a better descriptor, horrible. However, it is truly a disparaging day when we celebrate the potential brutalization of a highly unpopular 20-something-year-old at the hands of a registered sex offender.
Other sports frequently put fans in similar situations. The Cleveland Browns brought in Deshaun Watson with a record-breaking multimillion dollar deal, despite being suspended from the NFL for sexual misconduct. Before Kobe Bryant’s death, he was accused of sexual assault by a 19-year-old. Even McGregor, still a prolific name in modern combat sports, has faced his own legal woes and sexual assault charges.
People and Planet: Young American
MEGAN DIEHL | OPINION EDITOR
In Summer 2023, I said something a man disagreed with on a Reddit forum. About 20 minutes later, I received a message from what seemed to be a burner account called “futuremassshooter19” on the Reddit app. The message contained disturbing pornography and messages that included “we have nothing but disdain for you b------s,” “You don’t need to fear me sweetheart. You just gotta fear this gun,” and “go speed walk at night when you see a man behind you,” among other things that should not be put into print.
At one point, this vitriol was reserved for the basements and crawl spaces of the internet. Today, this rhetoric can be found in 30 seconds on the most mainstream social media platforms.
As of 2024, nearly every one in two women in the U.S. has experienced intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. In 2019, nine out of every 10 women who were murdered in the U.S. were murdered by a man they knew. Violence against women and misogyny are pervasive in every society, but as of late, the situation has become even more dire.
Nefarious attitudes toward women do not always manifest in direct violence, especially since the birth of the internet. Misogyny has taken a new form online that is just as insidious, if not more concerning given how discreet it can be. These attitudes toward women are particularly prominent in young men and those they choose to idolize.
Aggression and controlling behavior toward women have become staples of many online communities for young men. There is an underlying sentiment that women owe men sex and submissiveness. When this standard is not met, there is room in these spaces to degrade women in a way that perpetuates violence. All they are are bodies, and they must surrender their bodies to the whims of men.
Nick Fuentes comes to mind in this context. Fuentes is a far-right livestreamer and political pundit who promotes white supremacy, antisemitism and misogyny. Many of Fuentes’s statements could be considered “rage bait,” or controversial and often prejudiced rhetoric used to elicit an emotional response from those who do not align with him. Still, this should not discount the root of the messages he shares.
On election night, Fuentes made a post that read: “Your body, my choice. Forever.” These four words reflect a tone shift toward women, felt throughout the
country as his statement was parroted at an alarmingly high rate.
Alongside this statement, the use of phrases such as “get back to the kitchen” and “repeal the 19th” in reference to the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, grew exponentially online. Specifically, the use of “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” grew by 4,600% the day after the election.
Following the election, women took to TikTok to share instances of harassment online, including further repetition of “your body, my choice.” Then, they shared accounts of men responding to their videos with rape threats. The rhetoric also made its way into schools and college campuses in some instances. There is something very wrong with the attitude many young American men have toward women, and it will take time to fully understand where this anger comes from. However, it is clear that aggression toward women is boiling in the minds of young men, given the dogmatic fanbases of influencers such as Fuentes and Andrew Tate.
Although it usually occurs in underground spaces, it has never been a secret that violent attitudes toward women fester among men online. However, the rise in popularity of overtly misogynistic men in every sphere of influence on the internet has emboldened a very misguided and sometimes sick part of the population.
Networks and sports executives often prioritize profit over all-else, just like any other industry. However, by doing this, we risk two things: the safety of athletes and the dismissal of sexual assault. The physicality of sports allows us to dismiss the violence that often spills out from the field, the court and the ring and into real life, and yet we encourage it.
Before the fight, an interview Tyson did with a young girl made its rounds across social media. In it, Tyson bluntly says he does not care about his legacy, nor does he want people to think of him after he dies. In previous interviews, such as one with USA Today from 2005 — shortly after his retirement — where he said “My whole life has been a waste — I’ve been a failure.” Tyson is a complex man, with a lot of baggage and childhood trauma; it is no doubt that society failed him then and still does today. It also cannot be forgotten Tyson was failed by everyone around him when he was let back into the boxing ring with Paul.
However, we also cannot forget he — like so many other men in the often-idolized world of athletics — has done irreparable damage to his victims. The world of sports needs to change, and hopefully after facing down what a failing legacy looks like on TV, millions of people will agree.
Jackson McCoy is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Jackson know by emailing or tweeting him at jm049122@ohio.edu or @_jackson_mccoy_.
Lately with Layne: Religious beliefs are invading Trump’s policy agenda
LAYNE REY | FOR THE POST
Although religious values hold strong for many Americans and politicians, religion is dangerously trending toward having a prominent seat at the political table. President-elect Donald Trump strategically used religious principles throughout his campaign, raising concerns surrounding the separation of church and state and religious inclusivity.
Religious beliefs have long played a part in politics, but not in the same way that they do today. According to the Center for American Progress, the Civil Rights Movement was largely Christian-led. The report explains “the church represented the freedom that the movement participants sought. It was a facility in the community beyond the control of the white power structure. It was a place where people could express themselves without reprisal. It was a place where people could speak the truth, where they could sing and even shout.”
In this context, religious faith was the fuel that allowed for such a movement to prosper. However, the large power that Christianity played in the Civil Rights Movement was arguably due to its size, not necessarily its specific beliefs. The heart of the movement involved
Kickin’
beliefs in justice, compassion and love — which are the basis for many religions.
These beliefs, whether based in religious faith or personal morals, are inherently good. The issue arises when specific religious beliefs are prioritized over others in terms of creating policy and promoting rhetoric — and that is exactly what Trump did on the campaign trail.
According to the New York Times, “In his final campaign events with conservative Christian activists and politicians, Mr. Trump is promising to elevate not only their policy priorities but also their ideological influence. He says he will affirm that God made only two genders, male and female. He will create a federal task force to fight anti-Christian bias. And he will give enhanced access to conservative Christian leaders, if they elect him.”
Trump’s prioritization of one specific religious perspective ignores the millions of Americans who don’t observe Christianity and poses serious threats to keeping church and state separate. Specifically, his notion that “God made only two genders” is already a part of his planned policy agenda.
GLAAD Media Institute outlined Trump’s plans regarding LGBTQIA+ issues, including calling on Congress to create a federal law establishing male and female —
specifically assigned at birth — as the only two genders recognized by the government.
Trump also outlined his plans for the future of the U.S. education system in a video, with one point being to restore prayer in schools. An updated guidance on prayer in public schools was made by the Department of Education in 2023, essentially stating that mandated prayer violates the First Amendment — but regulating private prayer is also a violation. Because the basis lies in the First Amendment, Trump would likely fail to mandate prayer in schools, but the idea displays his desire for crossover.
Although religion has the power to spark change, it should not be used as a political weapon to prioritize one set of beliefs over another. Aspects of Trump’s policy agenda such as beliefs on gender ideology and prayer in schools are directly centered in his own religious beliefs. Freedom of religion is a privilege which should not be taken for granted — and that includes not imposing individual beliefs on others, especially through federal law. The strength of a democracy lies in diverse perspectives, not religious dominance.
it with Kyra: Misogyny is still prevalent
KYRA DAPORE | FOR THE POST
Women educate, women nurture, women run companies and women run for president. Despite this, women are constantly having to prove their worth. The first women’s convention was 176 years ago, and women are still viewed as less, with misogyny plaguing the world. Women are in no way less than men and that is an incorrect myth created by history, religions and stubborn mindsets. Misogyny continues to form aspects of society, and the beliefs it forms must be put to rest. Historically women have made incredible progress in this world; it was only a little more than 50 years ago that they couldn’t get a credit card without a man. Misogyny is still found in discussions around a woman’s sexual identity and emotional intelligence as well as stereotypes about genders.
One of the biggest ideas misogyny brings forth is the idea that a woman is lesser for having many sexual partners, but a man is great for the same thing. Women have been told by society to remain pure since the Middle Ages. Watch television or movies, or simply listen to conversations around. This past summer, “Love Island USA 2024” televised participants unveiling each other’s
number of past sexual partners. The men were mad and disgusted when a women had a higher number (a number that was nowhere as high as the men’s); however, when one of the men’s amounts was in the 100s, they all didn’t seem to see a problem. Sex is consistently seen as a woman’s crime and a man’s victory.
Next, there is the misconception that women are more emotional compared to men. This is an example of people not doing scientific research for the sake of being sexist. A study completed in 2021 by Scientific Reports followed men’s and women’s emotions and demonstrated that men and women experience the same emotional fluctuations. Patriarchal misconceptions formed the myth of women being “too emotional.”
When looking at the two people who went headto-head for president of the U.S., it is evident one was judged harsher than the other. Many argue VP Kamala Harris is unintelligent despite attending law school and serving as a prosecutor, district attorney, California attorney general and U.S. Senator before becoming VP. As a woman, she was placed under a much more intensified spotlight than her opponent, President-elect Donald Trump. However, her win in 2020 for VP broke a bar-
rier in itself and should not be forgotten. Women have come very far in politics despite being held to a higher standard.
Lastly, family dynamics can depict gender stereotypes. Women and men are oftentimes placed into roles deemed fit for them and there is an assumption that a woman is meant for home and a man is meant for work. If a wife leaves her kids with her husband, many say he is “babysitting,” but he is simply watching his own kids. If a mother watches her kids, that’s the bare minimum. This leads to another idea, which is not all women want children. Not wanting kids does not make a woman less womanly or less worthy of love. Our society has to acknowledge this as acceptable and admirable. A woman is allowed to have the same goals as a man and not be shamed for it.
Misogyny creeps into our everyday lives, sometimes realized and other times not. If someone ever wants to look down on a woman for simply existing in her own choices, have them self-reflect on their own intelligence. While misogynists look down on women, women are working on developing society, the world and themselves.
Absolutely Abby: Trump’s cabinet overprioritizes loyalty
ABBY WAECHTER | ASST. A&E DIRECTOR
The appointment of cabinet members plays a significant role in shaping national and global policies. For President-elect Donald Trump, however, one of the most frequently cited factors in selecting his team is loyalty. According to The Wall Street Journal’s Andrew Restuccia, the Trump administration emphasizes ensuring appointees align with the president’s worldview, noting “the unifying characteristic is that (appointees) are loyal to President Trump.”
This narrow focus on loyalty stifles diversity of thought in the administration, potentially hindering its ability to tackle complex issues. By surrounding himself with allies who share his vision, Trump risks limiting the diversity of expertise and perspectives needed for effective policymaking.
The cabinet appointment process involves selecting individuals to lead the major executive departments of the federal government and advise the president on key issues. After the president-elect nominates candidates, they must undergo a thorough vetting process that includes background checks, financial disclosures and U.S. Senate confirmation hearings. During these hearings, senators question nominees’ qualifications, experience and suitability for the role. Although the president has the authority to make these appointments, the Senate must approve most nominations
with a simple majority vote.
One prominent figure in Trump’s cabinet is Susie Wiles, a longtime Florida political operative and co-manager of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Wiles is known for her behind-the-scenes influence and steady presence, qualities that make her a strong candidate for Chief of Staff. Trump, who can be unpredictable in his leadership style, could benefit from Wiles’ organizational skills and ability to manage internal dynamics.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a vocal and staunch Trump ally, is being considered for Attorney General. Despite his legal background, Gaetz’s ongoing legal troubles — including an investigation into sex trafficking — could complicate his confirmation. His combative, polarizing political style further raises questions about his ability to build the broad bipartisan support needed to lead the Department of Justice effectively. Although loyalty to Trump might help Gaetz secure a nomination, it may limit his ability to govern impartially and work collaboratively across party lines.
An unexpected nominee is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental activist and anti-vaccine advocate, to be Trump’s Department of Health and Human Services secretary. Kennedy’s focus on government transparency and his criticism of “corruption” align with Trump’s anti-establishment rhetoric. However, his controversial anti-vaccine views could make his nomination highly
contentious, especially among public health experts. Pete Hegseth, a former Army officer and conservative media personality, has emerged as a possible nominee for Defense Secretary. Known for his energetic criticism of the Pentagon’s leadership, Hegseth advocates for military reforms aimed at reducing bureaucracy and eliminating “woke” policies. Although his military experience is notable, his media presence might raise concerns about his ability to manage the Pentagon’s complexities. His polarizing views could face resistance from Democrats and some Republicans in the Senate, making his confirmation uncertain.
Although there are many more cabinet positions to fill, loyalty will remain a defining characteristic throughout. From the selection of key advisors to lesser-known positions, the emphasis on loyalty over diverse expertise is likely to shape not only the composition of the cabinet but also the administration’s overall approach to governance.
Although loyalty might ensure a cohesive team with shared priorities, it raises concerns about governance. Prioritizing loyalty over expertise could lead to a cabinet that lacks the diverse perspectives needed to address the country’s challenges.
A team of “yes men” may push policies through, but it could also limit adaptability and hinder effective policymaking.
CROSSWORD
Editor’s Desk: Student journalism needs to be protected
ALYSSA CRUZ | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Indiana Lieutenant Governor-elect Micah Beckwith uploaded a photo of the front page of the Nov. 7 Indiana Daily Student issue to X Nov. 12. The post read: “Your tax dollars at work. They called him a ‘moron,’ a ‘fascist,’ and a ‘threat to democracy’ (even though we aren’t a democracy, but I don’t expect students at IU to know that.) This is WOKE propaganda at its finest and why most of America looks at higher education indoctrination centers like IU as a complete joke and waste of money. This type of elitist leftist propaganda needs to stop or we will be happy to stop it for them.”
The cover in question was a picture of President-elect Donald Trump’s profile marred by different phrases. Some of the phrases included “fascist,” “a danger to the United States,” “moron” and “has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions.” The photo’s cutline reads, “His former allies say he’s unfit for office. He still won,” affirming all these phrases were said by people who formerly supported him.
Despite this, Beckwith falsely accused IDS of saying these things.
This isn’t the first time Beckwith has attacked Indiana University. In an interview with Indiana Public Media, Beckwith said he thinks the state should control who teaches at IU. He said he feels like students and faculty cannot express conservative perspectives at IU for fear of backlash.
SUDOKU
According to IDS, the publication is editorially independent. It generates all its revenue through advertisements and events. “While the IDS is not directly funded by IU, the Media School committed to allowing the IDS to operate in a deficit for three years in 2021, and the university covered the IDS’ nearly $1 million debt during the summer,” the IDS wrote. Additionally, the publication operates out of an IU
property and pays a tax to the university.
IDS said IU issued a comment regarding Beckwith’s claims. “The Indiana Daily Student is editorially independent from Indiana University,” an IU spokesperson said.
Although Beckwith’s claims may seem like the mere ramblings of a disgruntled politician, they have real merit. Journalism, now more than ever, is vital to protecting democracy.
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults (73%) say the freedom of the press –enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution – is extremely or very important to the well-being of society. However, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, assaults on journalists in the U.S. have risen by more than 50%,
At The Post, we operate similarly to IDS. We are also editorially independent from the university and enjoy the privileges of being financially independent as well. We published our own election results edition Nov. 6, which also had a controversial cover. Given the central image of anguish and despair regarding the 2024 Election Results, we knew the cover would generate discourse. However, we decided to run with it because the photo was a genuine reaction to the proceedings. We had photographers all over Court Street trying to capture as much as they could, and a lot of what they saw was what we had on the cover.
Going forward, The Post stands with IDS and every other student media outlet that is fighting to be heard. Keep fighting and keep producing quality journalism. The nation needs it.
@ALYSSADANCCRUZ AC974320@OHIO.EDU
JACKSON PENNINGTON FOR THE POST
The Post honors Indigenous Peoples’ heritages November, always
Recognizing Ohio’s rich history of Indigenous culture
Recognized federally for the first time in 1990, Native American Heritage Month celebrates and honors Indigenous Peoples’ cultures. Throughout November, NAHM brings awareness and recognition to the contributions and achievements of Native Americans who have long been repressed by the U.S. and its colonial history.
Athens County, and therefore parts of Ohio University, occupies the traditional homelands of the Adena, Hopewell, Osage and Shawnee tribes, according to the Athens County Foundation’s land acknowledgment. The forced and violent removal of Native American tribes in Ohio is a distinct part of the state’s and university’s history, but also its story today as there are no reservations or federally recognized tribes in Ohio, according to the Athens County Foundation. The Post is committed to honoring the Adena, Hopewell, Osage, Shawnees, Chippewa, Delaware, Iroquois, Miami, Mingos, Ottawa, Ojibwa, Erie, Eel River, Potawatomi, Kaskaskia, Fort Ancient, Sandusky, Lenape, Seneca-Cayuga, Piankeshaw, Munsee, Sauk, Wyandots and Wea tribes and their significance in Ohio’s history with courtesy of the Athens County Foundation’s land acknowledgment.
OU is celebrating NAHM with a variety of events. Tony Duncan of the Apache, Arikara and Hidatsa tribes is a five-time world champion hoop dancer and will give a lecture about music as a form of healing on Friday at the Living Learning Center, 111 S. Green Drive, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Duncan will give a flute and hoop dance performance at Forum Theater, 35 S. College St., from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at Baker University Center, the Lil Dress Project: Bringing Attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women will give attendees the opportunity to learn about violence committed against American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. The Lil Dress Project also encourages people to wear red until Thursday to raise awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
It is crucial to honor the legacies of Native American tribes and Indigenous cultures in everyday life. Through education and engagement, people can celebrate and advocate for the cultures that make the world a better place.
For more information about OU’s celebration of NAHM, scan the QR for a video.
Nov. 16, 2004
All Post issues accessed via OU Libraries Digital Archival Collections
Native American Heritage Month is designed to honor and highlight the impacts Indigenous communities have made, not only here in Athens, but all around the world. Multimedia reporter, Ranjini Shank, spoke to the Multicultural Center at OU to learn about the importance of the Indigenous community.
Nov. 5, 2008
Oct. 22, 2002
MCKENNA CHRISTY | EQUITY DIRECTOR
RANJINI SHANK | FOR THE POST