Volume 121 Issue 3 Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014
Out of the elevator, into the fire Staff Writer Kaitlyn Alkass analyzes the Ray Rice scandal and the NFL’s response. page 3
Page 2 • NEWS
Thursday, September 25, 2014
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Edinburgh, Scotland
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Compiled by Lauren Waymire Edinburgh, Scotland In a colossal moment in their history, the people of Scotland voted no for independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain. With a margin much closer than some anticipated, just over 2 million people voted against independence while about 1.6 million Scots voted for it. First Minister Alex Salmond announced he would step down after the results of the vote were made public. Salmond lead the Scottish National Party for 20 years but promised that “the dream will never die,” while the Queen called for respect and support of Scotland during this time. Tehran, Iran The six Iranians whose video of dancing to Pharell Williams’ song “Happy” went viral have been sentenced to 91 lashes
and up to a year in prison. The young people in the video broke the Iranian laws of dancing with members of the opposite sex and showing women without head-
“
Paris, France The French have conducted airstrikes in northern Iraq at a depot controlled by Islamist militants known as ISIL, mak-
The people of Scotland voted no for independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain scarves. The video was brought to the attention of authorities after receiving over 150,000 views on YouTube and has since received over 1.75 million views to date. The response has prompted an international outcry for human rights, and Williams himself took to social media to express his sadness over the matter.
ing them the first foreign nation to aid the United States in airstrikes in Iraq. Many see this as ironic after France was one of the loudest critics of the military action taken by the US during the Bush administration in 2003 that brought to a definitive end Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. The French president, Francois Hollande,
promised that further military action would follow, but also added that intervention will not go further than airstrikes. Albany, GA A federal jury has found three people guilty in connection with an outbreak of salmonella in the US, including a peanut farmer and two others. The outbreak prompted massive amounts of recalls nationally. The three were originally convicted of conspiracy, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and also allegedly covered up positive test results for salmonella. The outbreak led to the infection of 714 people in 46 states and 9 deaths. The trio, including brothers Stewart and Michael Parnell and Mary Wilkerson, the plant’s quality assurance manager, will be sentenced in the following months.
Page 3 • OPINION
Thursday, September 25, 2014
NFL struggles with abuse allegations Staff writer Kaitlyn Alkass explores the NFL domestic abuse debacle and critically analyzes the nationally famous episodes. Kaitlyn Alkass
Staff Writer
Whether or not you consider yourself a football fan, chances are you have heard one of these three names debated, defamed, and/or appealed on both sports and national news networks: Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Jonathan Dwyer. What do these names have in common? All three men are players for the NFL and are facing charges of domestic violence, most notably former running back for the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Rice, who was seen knocking out his then fiancée and now wife Janay Rice in an Atlantic City hotel elevator in February. Video surveillance footage shows Rice dragging his unconscious wife’s body out of the elevator after knocking her down to the floor. Fast-forward through a flurry of botched disciplinary attempts by the NFL’s misguided efforts to treat off-field offenses as if they were on-field
February 15th Ray Rice arrested, charged, and released from jail on simple assault charges.
violations, and you have a major brand in full-fledged crisis mode. Ray Rice’s fine-tuned public apology did not help matters, in which Janay Rice also apologized for her equal blame for her own domestic abuse in front of their daughter, sparking a widespread “Why I Stayed” campaign on Twitter. The campaign underlined the many psychological reasons battered women continue to stay in abusive relationships. These reasons range from, but are not limited to, fearing for their own lives and the lives of their children, lack of finances, religious and cultural values, and low self-esteem. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 20 people per minute are victims of physical violence by an intimate partner in the United States, with approximately one in two women experiencing sexual violence victimization at some point in their lives. Pair this with the scathing
criticism regarding Covergirl’s refusal to drop their NFL sponsorship “Get Your Game Face On,” in which the power of the meme was once again cemented with a realistic black eye photoshopped onto a model’s face, and you’re forced to come to terms with a difficult question: Does the NFL truly care about the issue of domestic violence and abuse? The answer is no. I do not care that Ray Rice has been suspended from the NFL indefinitely. I do not care that Ray Rice has been fired from the Baltimore Ravens. I do not care that the NFL has recently issued a new policy against domestic violence, nor that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has appointed four women to lead this new policy. This is all just a social construction for public relations, and it is all too little too late. Sports fans have become blinded by the glamour of high-profile athletes and allowed them to enjoy an extra legal privilege outside the justice
February 19th February 21st Video footage of Heads of the Rice dragging Ravens orgaa limp Palmer nization John from elevator is Harbaugh and released. Ozzie Newsome express their plans that Rice will continue to be team’s running back.
May 23rd Ray and Janay Rice hold a press conference in which they apologize for their ‘situation.’
July 24th Rice suspended two games by NFL.
March 24th Ravens owner Steve Biscotti guarantees that Rice will be back, noting that he had no prior record of violent off-field behavior.
September 8th Video surfaces of Rice punching wife in the face inside the elevator. Ravens reported that had not seen the video until TMZ released it.
system. Had Ray Rice not been blessed with athletic ability, the video footage of his potentially fatal assault against Janay Rice would have been grounds for incarceration without bail. Instead, he was covered by a multibillion dollar industry that would rather save face than do the right thing. President Dick Cass and General Manager Ozzie Newsome did not terminate Rice’s contract until the full TMZ video footage was released. This is not only a clear admission of selfishness for their own team’s finances, but also a confirmation that the NFL places capitalistic success ahead of the safety of Janay Rice and every other battered woman in the United States, making it appear that getting away with domestic violence is really just that easy. Even more appalling is the way in which NFL commissioner Roger Goodell conducted the interview regarding the domestic violence situation with both Ray and Janay Rice present. A press conference in which a vic-
March 27th Rice indicted on aggravated assault charges.
September 10th The Associated Press reports the NFL received the elevator video in April. NFL announces independent investigation.
tim sits right beside his or her attacker is not a valid interview; it is a hostage situation. This press conference’s purpose was to coerce Janay Rice to take blame for her assault and to plea for husband’s innocence and credibility. The conference gave Janay Rice no leeway in which she could express her true opinions, at the risk of possibly being beaten again by her husband. Under no circumstances would this kind of behavior be acceptable and adequate in a court of law in which civilians were being tried for the same crimes. Furthermore, Ray Rice’s apology was not an act of contrition, but a performance. A self-serving promotional conference in which he attempted to build himself back up and attempt to protect his own career and money rather than own up to the truth in front of his own child. The NFL’s handling of this situation has rendered watching football this season into a tasteless, violent habit that points to almost total misogyny.
March 28th Rice and Palmer married.
September 12th NFL notifies NFLPA of Rice’s indefinite suspension.
The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect those of The Sandspur, its staff or Rollins College.
May 21st Prosecutors allow Rice to go into pretrial intervention program rather than take the case to trial.
September 16th Rice appeals indefinite suspension.
Page 4 • FEATURES
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Novelty at Rollins: the neighborhood system Rollins introduces four neighborhoods for its new foundations program. Micah Bradley
Staff Writer
After many years of planning, the new General Education requirements are going into effect for the incoming first years. The Rollins Foundations in the Liberal Arts, or rFLA, is designed around a system of Neighborhoods and Competencies, replacing the Alphabet Soup that Rollins has used for many years. The new general education requirements are designed to allow students to better synthesize knowledge between classes, to keep students with others at their grade level, and to build off the success of the Rollins Conference Course program. “This is a way to give students a new community, that they can transition into in January, and that will take them through their sophomore and into their junior year,” said Claire Strom, director of rFLA. The rFLA system will require ten requirements: one RCC course taken the first semester, four competencies (including health and wellness,
math, language, and writing), and five classes taken within one Neighborhood. The four Neighborhoods are When Cultures Collide; Mysteries and Marvels; Innovate, Create, and Elevate; and Identities: Mirrors and Windows. The topics allow for some interesting and quirky topics to be taught, such as superhero physics, including how Captain America’s shield flies, urbanization in comic books, and a class titled “Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll,” which discusses America in the sixties. Almost thirty Neighborhood classes will be offered next semester to the first years, but they will not be open to upper classmen who are a part of the old system. The Honors Program will also continue to operate outside the Neighborhoods, and most new transfer students will do the old gen. ed. requirements. Strom says that there will be “a varied level of engagement, according to each student’s interests.” The program plans to offer Neighborhood themed housing to interested
students in Holt Hall next fall, with a floor dedicated to each Neighborhood. The Neighborhoods will act as communities, sponsoring events similar to the RCCs, such as parties or movie nights. “Hopefully, it will create some of the cohesion we see with the RCC, but in a bigger sense,” Strom said. Upperclassmen will not be affected by the change, but all first years will be deciding on their new Neighborhoods later this semester. There will be an event to introduce them to the system, and they will be asked to choose their two favorite Neighborhoods. They will then be assigned to one of their two choices. Acting President Craig McAllaster supports Rollin’s change in curriculum, saying, “Our current gen. eds. have been around longer than anyone can remember. And even though we’re a liberal arts school, we should every now and then renew and refresh what we do. And I think this is long over due, but very well done.”
Page 5 • FEATURES
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Neighborhood Spotlight: WCC Micah Bradley
Staff Writer
The neighborhood When Cultures Collide, or WCC, focuses on when different cultures interact with one another and how our world is changing. It also emphasizes Rollins’ goal to make all of its students global citizens. “When Cultures Collide explores what happens when different people, ideas, art forms and nations encounter each other. Why do some encounters end in war, others in colonization, and still others in integration and coop-
eration? Can rappers and country music fans really co-exist?” said Dr. O’Sullivan, mayor of the When Cultures Collide neighborhood. The neighborhood will explore these concepts with some interesting classes. “Food Democracy: What’s on Your Plate,” “Just Price to Market Price,” and “Medieval Pawn Stars: The Exciting Afterlives of Old Things” are some of the classes planned for the spring of 2015. The classes will be taught by professors from many different departments at Rollins. “Our primary
goal is to allow students to explore common issues from lots of different perspectives, so they can see how each approach to knowledge—the humanities, arts, social sciences, and sciences—offers a different perspective on the world. If we want to deal effectively with our increasingly complex world, we need to learn how to approach it with as many tools as possible,” said Dr. O’Sullivan.
Be sure to check out our next issues for more neighborhood spotlights!
Page 6 • FEATURES
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Finding a home away from home Kyle McCoy
Columnist
Sometimes people change and friends will drift apart. “Friend-hopping” is not an uncommon practice amongst busy, fickle undergrads, especially from school year to school year. We switch our majors, add new minors, swap roommates, join organizations, and drop out of them just as freely. The places we frequented most as first years and the people that we shared those mortifying, never-to-be-forgotten“beginner’s mistakes” with are rarely the exact same spaces and faces we end up surrounded by the time we start purchasing legal drinks. But on any given Friday afternoon, you will likely find me surrounded by a combination of the same several faces you would have found me in the company of on any other given Friday of any other year that I have been here at Rollins. At the wake of senior year, it is only now dawning on me as to how fortunate I have been. When you first get to Rollins, you know ahead of time that this stay will only be temporary—a stepping stone along the way. Should you stay the full undergrad duration, this will be your campus for four years, these are your professors for four years, these are the rules you will abide by (or perpetually get caught “bending”) for all four years. This is a community in which you build a four-year home, whether that be in some dingy dorm room or just down the street. Homes: they change as often as we do, but home is where your loved ones are. For a while, I do not think I classified friends
and loved ones as categorized together, but rather separately compartmentalized. College is where you will hit your most painful, life questioning rock bottoms, and where you will accomplish certain goals you had only dreamed of in your capacity as children. Of course the people who have witnessed a progression of my most character trying and defining moments deserve a title like my loved ones. With a little luck, and some success at the trials and tribulations of trust, it is possible to build yourself a college family. I do not think I ever simply settled for the people I least minded passing my time with. Rather, I latched on to fierce loyalty in the face of fearfulness, unexpected compassion when unable to show myself any, commiseration that reassured my version of what might be sanity, ego boosts through bouts of creative blockage, and checks back into reality. That being said, here are five anecdotal tips for the first year—or anyone—still looking to secure a support system similar to my own: First, take the risk to trust. My best and technically oldest friend here at Rollins was the last person I came out to as a lesbian. I do not know what I thought her reaction would be, but I was surely afraid of finding out. Funny thing is, she did not even flinch as I professed and, to this day, still never has. Based on an intimidating personality combined with appearance, I had judged her as unlikely to be in favor of such difference. Oh the irony, no? Do not write yourself off for people—and do not just write people off. Let them write you off if they are going to, but never assume someone’s attitude based on loose perceptions. Hu-
man behavior is a complex enigma. Surface level assumptions inhibit us from trying to understand each other, and allowing ourselves to be understood. Second, do not hide or impulsively transfer. If there is something about you that lets you believe that you are not like “these Rollins kids,” that actually makes you just the same as many of the people I have gotten to know here. I have felt like I did not belong at this particular school before, like it must not be like other institutions. I differ greatly from so many of my peers, but those are not the people who I have gotten close to. Do not make the mistake of thinking you are too different to fit in. Everyone blends in with a different crowd, and there are endless groups to choose from with new organizations forming all the time. There is a negative stereotype of homogeny attached to our little “party school.” But in the same way I recommend getting to know people before you write them off on your presumptions, I suggest you get to know Rollins a bit better too. Third, check out that club that sparks your interest, even if someone said it sounded “lame.” I do not know if it still exists, but there was a laughing club during my first year. I will always regret never attending a meeting of the laughing club. What does not sound fun about a circle full of people—staring at one another—who force laughter until everyone is authentically laughing? I could have LMAO-ed, worked on my abs, cast off school stress, and met new people in the process. But I did not have anyone to go with and did not have the courage to go places alone. Even if you have a terrible time, the moment will pass, and you do
not have to go back. Only never going will mean never knowing. Fourth, forgiveness. We all make terrible mistakes. We have all drank too much, we have all made selfish choices, and many of us will forget important stuff we promised to remember. Keeping in mind that your friends are as fallible as you are is a healthy way to approach the inevitable disagreements, disappointments, and fleeting chaos that transpires given time. And if someone begrudges you for too long, then you let those ones go. True friends will never expect you to behave perfectly or abandon you at the sight of your flaws. As much as I detest this memory, that is what makes it a prime example of real loved ones: two years ago, my friends did not call me crazy or abandon me for scaring them after I got so drunk and upset that I burned my hand with a cigarette one night while we were out. I awoke the next morning ashamed, regretful, and to the sight of supportive looks, while only I was judging me. Real friends will love you in spite of ephemeral chaos. They will love you through it. On that note, my last suggestion will be to… Stop taking friends or friendship for granted. It is easy to get so overwhelmed by deadlines, or so indulged with woes of romance, that you feel all alone to struggles you internalized, so as to minimize their reality. As an introvert by nature, I think my instinct has always been to shut the world out while I stress with myself. It is easy to recall specific periods over the past few years where I isolated myself while overwhelmed. But the truth is, whenever I get so worked up about a project that I cannot even pick one word to begin on, it is
my friends who lent me the inspiration, encouragement, and additional perspectives I lacked while trying to go at it alone. As both of my serious college relationships came to tumultuous ends, my friends did not let me disappear in exile, as was my inclination to do so in those moments. They devoted time to soothing me away from my anger, self-pity, and guilt. They invested themselves, which I can now reflect upon as choicely. Do not assume certain measures taken by your own friends as “part of their job description.” It is not anyone’s job, or obligation to award you love or kindness. We exercise great effort when we empathize. We tax ourselves to care. I cannot believe it has taken me years to stop undervaluing the friendships I have been privileged to forge at our school and to appreciate the roles each one plays in my accumulating success. Whatever point you have reached in the mere four years we get to spend here, do not be afraid to ever question: do I surround myself with loved ones? Am I around these people because they are who is around, or would I want them there forever given that option? Will it hurt to say goodbye? If never seeing anyone from Rollins ever again after graduating would not bother you, perhaps it is time to try getting to know more of your peers. But if you have struck my same luck, indulge in that. Celebrate, display, and say thanks. Or even brag in your school paper. It blows my mind that my closest friends have always been on this Rollins coaster ride with me—as far back as our very first week. And they are, without a doubt, the reason why I stay.
Page 7 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, September 25, 2014
‘Working’ promises to impress The Annie Russell Theatre will be presenting its adaptation of Working, a reflection on the American workplace. Kaitlyn Alkass
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Staff Writer
Everyone must go see the Annie’s production of Working. That is an order. As a graduating senior, this contemporary musical hit a little too close to home— touching on the realities of the “real world” and all the nuances that go with it: identity crisis, making ends meet, and becoming the job. A triumphant showcase of the blue-collar working community based on the book by Studs Terkel, Working will have you in touch with your sense of Americana within the first ten seconds of their opening song, “All The Livelong Day.” Why Working? “Rollins wanted to do a second musical this year, and this is a great ensemble show that will showcase our very talented musical theater students,” says the show’s director Associate Dean of Faculty Dr. Jennifer Cavenaugh. “The themes of the show encourage us to recognize all those who work around us, making our lives easier. It explores a wide range of pertinent issues such as work/life balance, living wage, and gender inequities in the work place. There is a wide range of material that ranges from comic to poignant.” The talented cast demonstrated impressive vocals, never missing a beat. This musical is unapologetic and slightly uncouth, presenting both the successes and failures of a capitalist society through the lens of a variety of blue-collar perspectives. This musical is about the people who
are not provided the opportunity to take center stage, to get their much deserved thanks. In a society that defines itself with capitalistic enterprises and occupation, this musical tips its hat to the farmworkers, flight attendants, truck drives, phone operators, waiters, waitresses, schoolteachers, housewives, stay-at-home mothers, mailmen, receptionists, builders, firefighters, and many more. The various monologues, which include a juxtaposition of a socialite with a prostitute, will have you in fits of bellyaching laughter, while the plight of the factory worker will have you in near tears. “I love the ensemble work,” says Cavenaugh. “Even though the show is structured as a series of people sharing their work stories, we have chosen to stage it in such a way that everyone participates in each other’s work environments.” Furthermore, this production of Working is particularly special in that it has received permission from composer Stephen Schwartz to reincorporate the song “Un Mejor Dia Vendra,” meaning: “a better day will come.” The song was added back into the musical under the discretion of the director, who felt it was important to underline a role so essential to the central Florida economy. Ultimately what makes this production a fantastic success is its ability to capture the human experience in a raw and realistic manner. Comical yet heart-wrenching, this is a poignant production that you absolutely cannot miss.
Page 8 • A&E
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Looking back at the Global Peace Film Festival
Nicholas D’Alessandro Writer Cinemability, the opening night film of the GPFF, opened to a large crowd in the Bush Auditorium. It discusses the portrayal of mentally handicapped people in film, drawing from various examples in film history. It used plenty of big name celebrities, which are usually used to reinforce a point in films or commercials dealing with social issues. Hearing the message come from celebrities usually makes it more effective, since we are used to trusting them. While
a little redundant at points, the film handled the topic from a mostly objective point of view. The big takeaway, in my opinion, was learning about Jamie Foxx’s preparation for playing Ray Charles. 3 out 5 stars. Voices is an hour long feature that discusses the impacts and lives of people who suffer from schizophrenia. It follows an older Vietnamese woman and her son as the family works their way through her issues, a homeless man in California who has become a fixture in the society, and the family of a young man who gave into his demons and killed two police officers. It was a powerful, moving film that shows a side of the story that is not frequently discussed. However, from a technical stand-
point, the film had some weak points, particularly in its audio and editing. Overall, though, entertaining. 3 out of 5 stars. Pay 2 Play is a documentary that deals entirely with the concept of economics and its relation to politics. It deals mostly with companies and politicians using money to sway power to their side. While the story is entirely subjective and does not entirely deal with both sides of the issue, it is still fascinating. It is full of plenty of important information from everything including Occupy Wall Street to the 2010 Congress elections. John Ennis, the filmmaker, was actually present at the screening. He spoke briefly conveying his message of how one voice rising up and standing T:10” for something is enough to begin
a movement. This message certainly added to the overall impact of the film. 3 out of 5 stars. Pretty Old was easily my favorite film that I saw this festival. It is the story of the 30th anniversary of the Miss Senior Sweetheart Festival, a beauty pageant held in Massachusetts for women over the age of 60. It follows four specific women and their journey through the pageant, as we get to know their lives and their histories. The truly exceptional part of this story was that three of the women featured in the film were actually present at the screening. Getting to know their stories from their mouths was so wonderful and a blessing. To see 80 year old women speaking and talking about life with such joy was a pleasure. It was
an exceptional film, currently on Amazon Instant Video. 4 out of 5 stars. Pictures from a Hiroshima Schoolyard was the most eye opening of all the films I had the fortune of seeing. It deals with the inspiring story of a class full of young children, directly after the bombing of Hiroshima, and the hopeful images they drew and sent to Americans back in 1948. The film captures a side of the story that is not frequently shown, a side where Japan and America and their cultures during WWII are directly juxtaposed and cared for. It was wonderful to hear about this story and to understand the importance of the relationship after the brutal war. 3 out of 5 stars.
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