The Sunflower v. 128 i. 9 Voter Guide (October 19, 2023) by The Sunflower Newspaper

VOTER GUIDE

2 | Oct. 19, 2023

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HOW TO READ THIS VOTER GUIDE If you don’t know where to start or just want to skip around this issue. Consult the guide below to see where content is throughout it.

LOOKING FOR QUICK ELECTION INFORMATION Stay here on page 2.

LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR Visit pages 3, 7, 8. Illustration by Cameryn Davis / The Sunflower

LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL Visit pages 4 and 5.

How to vote: A comprehensive guide for students This election will decide who holds the position of mayor, elect three city council members, and determine three school board members for the Wichita Unified School District 259. BY TALIYAH WINN

tmwinn03@gmail.com

LOOKING FOR CANDIDATES FOR SCHOOL BOARD Visit page 6.

LOOKING FOR ELECTION STORIES AS THEY RELATE TO WICHITA STATE Visit pages 9, 10, 11.

FOR REGULAR NEWS CONTENT Visit page 12.

FOR REGULAR SPORTS CONTENT Visit page 13.

FOR REGULAR ARTS AND CULTURE CONTENT Visit page 14.

FOR ELECTIONRELATED OPINIONS Visit page 15.

FOR A MAP OF POLLING PLACES IN WICHITA Visit the back page.

ELECTION DATES: Kansas Municipal General Elections: Tuesday, Nov. 7

City of Wichita General Election: Tuesday, Nov. 7 Kansas Presidential Preference Primary: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

IMPACT OF YOUR VOTE Democracy is built from representation, and voting is an essential right of citizens to make the government represent the people’s will. The upcoming election has the ability to impact local politics in a variety of ways. The Sunflower has compiled a guide of voting resources and registration information for the readers.

HOW TO VOTE • To be eligible to vote in the state of Kansas, you must be: • A United States citizen • 18 years of age or older at the time of the election • A Kansas resident

VOTER REGISTRATION If you are not a Wichita resident, you must decide whether to vote in your home state/county or in Kansas/Sedgwick County. If you choose to vote in your home state/county, you will need to request an absentee ballot or be willing to drive home on Election Day. There are three ways to register to vote in Kansas: • Using the federal voter registration form. • At the DMV while applying for a new or renewing an existing license. • Using the state voter registration form, which can be filled out in person or online.

MAIL-IN VOTES

Vote411 describes the steps to vote by mail: • “Complete the application for an advance ballot.” • Provide either your driver's license number or a copy of your photo identification document with your application. • “Return the application to your county election office before the registration deadline for the next election.” • Once receiving your ballot in the mail, “complete and return your ballot to your county election office by mail for the next election.” • “All ballots must be received in the county election office by the close of the polls on Election Day.” • “You may request assistance in applying for and casting an advance voting ballot.”

VOTING AT THE POLLS To find out where to vote, look up a polling place search. The Kansas State Secretary provides a polling place locator on its website; Vote411 has a similar resource. In the state of Kansas, voters are required to bring a valid photo ID.

managing@thesunflower.com

MAYOR Mayors are the leading executives in cities and towns in the United States. Their main duties include managing a city’s budget and ensuring the functionality of municipal services like public safety, transportation and utilities. Elections for mayor are held every four years. During the last election in 2019, incumbent mayor Brandon Whipple succeeded Jeff Longwell as mayor of Wichita after Longwell’s fiveyear term. Whipple and Lily Wu are on the ballot in 2023.

CITY COUNCIL The City Council is the legislative body for the City of Wichita. They discuss and enact policies, enforce local taxes, and create and staff committees and citizen advisory boards. You can only vote for the city council race in your district and

Federal and state law require the election process to be accessible to all voters. If you feel your voting rights have been violated, contact the Office of Secretary of State at 800-262-VOTE(8683). • Voters have the right to ballot accessibility, polling place accessibility and language assistance. • Ballot Accessibility: Every poll location must have at least one Help America Vote Act compliant machine that allows voters with disabilities to vote independently. • Polling Place Accessibility: Polling places are public accommodations and must be accessible to all voters. The Americans with Disabilities Act checklist is used to guide accessibility at the polls. • English as a Second Language: If more than 5% of a county’s voters include members of a single-language minority group, alternative language assistance must be provided. Five Kansas counties provide alternative language assistance: Finney, Ford, Grant, Haskell and Seward.

EARLY IN PERSON VOTING

KNOWING YOUR CANDIDATES: MAYORAL AND SCHOOL BOARD

Early voting will be available at the Sedgwick County election office from Oct. 23 to Nov. 6. To find more locations for early voting, go to Sedgwick County’s website.

• Tune into debates and forums that involve candidates so you can get an idea of what position they have on issues you care about.

Wichita positions up for elections and their functions BY TRINITY RAMM

VOTER ACCESSIBILITY

in the mayor’s race, which fills the at-large seat. There are seven members of the City Council, one for each of the six districts in Wichita and a place for the mayor. They are elected every four years; Becky Tuttle is the only current councilperson rerunning for her seat. Three seats are up for this election: the seats in Districts 2, 4 and 5.

SCHOOL BOARD In general, school boards are charged with the responsibility of managing all aspects of local public schools, from hiring superintendents to budgetary issues. Because of a rule change in 2022, voters may only vote for the school board seat in their district and the at-large seat. The local school board governs over Wichita Unified School District 259, which serves close to 50,000 students. Three spots are up for this election: the at-large seat and the seats for Districts 3 and 4.

• If you can’t make it to a debate, there are generally articles written that summarize what happened as well as recordings. • Local news outlets cover candidates throughout their campaign. The Sunflower, The Wichita Eagle, KMUW, The Wichita Beacon, and more all provide coverage of local government. • Candidates have campaign websites and social media where you can learn about their platforms and upcoming events. • If you have any questions that you can’t get answered online, contact the candidates. Their contact information is often available through their websites and social media.

NONPARTISAN RESOURCES • OpenSecrets is a nonprofit that provides information on campaign financing. • TheVoterNetwork has general resources about voting in Kansas. • Vote411 provides easy registration and voting resources for every state. • Shockers Vote! Coalition works to provide Wichita State students with the information and resources to be educated voters. • American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas is a nonprofit that works to ensure citizens' civil and constitutional rights are being upheld.

USD 259 school board candidates make their way to Wichita State University campus for debate BY TRINITY RAMM

managing@thesunflower.com

Wichita USD 259 school board candidates are coming to Wichita State University to hear from Wichita State students ahead of the Nov. 7 general election. The USD 259 School Board debate is currently scheduled for Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. in Hubbard Hall 211. During the event, hosted by Civic Engagement, students will have the opportunity to ask candidates questions and hear their plans for mental health services, teaching working conditions, student conduct, coping with the loss of support from COVID-19 relief funds, and other education-related issues. There are three seats on the school board up for election: District 3, District 4 and an at-large seat, meaning the member can be from any district.

DISTRICT 3 CANDIDATES • Ngoc Vuong • Ken Carpenter

DISTRICT 4 CANDIDATES • Stan Reeser • Jason Carmichael

AT-LARGE CANDIDATES • Melody McCray-Miller • Brent Davis As of right now, none of the candidates have confirmed their appearance at the debate through their social media or campaign websites. This follows the mayoral candidate debate held at Wichita State on Oct. 18, where incumbent Mayor Brandon Whipple and challenger Lily Wu answered questions about plans for the mayor’s office, should they be elected.

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MAYORAL CANDIDATES The Sunflower emailed a set of questions to Wichita’s political candidates about their priorities and their stances on issues relevant to students. Here are their responses. Some questions have been cut for length; read the rest at thesunflower.com

LILY WU

BRANDON WHIPPLE

MAYORAL CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• Journalist

• Wichita Mayor since 2019

PRIORITIES:

• Public safety • Strengthening the economy • Restoring trust in city hall • Building a united community

• Hone in on community policing • Improve public transportation • Providing more opportunities for young people in the workforce • Get homelessness in Wichita to a functional zero

Q&A Why are you running for your position? I love Wichita, and I’m grateful for the opportunities this community has shown me and my family. I’m the political outsider who will bring a new energy and fresh perspective to city hall. I envision a safe, trustworthy, and thriving Wichita, where people want to be and are proud to stay. It’s time to get back to the core functions of local government and put results ahead of politics so we can meet the challenges of tomorrow and improve the lives of every Wichitan. As mayor, I’ll focus on ensuring public safety, strengthening our economy, restoring trust in city hall, and building a united community. I’ll work with anyone who wants to improve our city, bring our community together, find common ground, and make Wichita proud.

What are your main priorities? What do you hope to plan to address those issues? I hear citizens across our city who repeatedly express confusion in understanding and navigating city hall’s priorities. We must get back to the basics and prioritize the core functions of local government. My key initiatives are ensuring public safety, strengthening our economy, restoring trust in city hall, and building a united community. My top priority is the health and safety of our community. With nearly 100 vacant police officer positions, and 100 more eligible for retirement, we must ensure our law enforcement, first responders, and city services are fully staffed so they can connect with the community and serve more effectively. As mayor, I’ll restore the relationship between the mayor’s office and Wichita Police Department, bolster our public safety departments’ recruitment and retention efforts, and ensure local law enforcement has the respect and resources necessary to keep Wichita families safe. It is time to put partisanship aside and focus on building a united community to meet the challenges of tomorrow and improve the lives of every Wichitan.

Why should college students vote for you? Civic engagement is critical in a democratic society where all should be represented. Our community’s critical thinkers, college students such as yourselves, should consider who will be the best representative for Wichita. My leadership philosophy is rooted in civility, respect, honesty, and integrity. Most importantly, I will lead by first listening. As a local reporter the past 12 years, my job was to listen to people all over Wichita. As mayor, I will lean into my communication experience of seeking truth, sharing facts, and remaining transparent. I pride myself on being a consensus builder and am someone who will put results over politics to move Wichita forward.

Wichita State is located in a food desert, with our on-campus food pantry facing an increased student demand compared to last year. What plans do you have to address that issue and make groceries more accessible? The lack of healthy food options in our community is something that should be alleviated by the private sector. For entrepreneurs to take that risk, they must first feel confident their efforts will be met with a safe and supportive

community. As mayor, I’ll highlight and partner with marginalized neighborhoods to encourage additional investment in these communities.

There can be public transit issues throughout Wichita, which can impact students without their own transportation in working off campus or going through the city. How would you go about improving transportation? We should view public transit as both a regional and workforce asset. We need a full assessment of our public transit system to ensure we’re providing the best value to both those who rely on it and our taxpayers. While this is important, it won’t matter much if our community is not safe, so my top priority is the health and safety of our community.

Recently, there have been student housing concerns on and around campus, as well as crime happening near campus. How would you ensure that students have access to safe and affordable housing? Affordable housing is largely a supply and demand imbalance, which costs everyone. Housing shortage estimates range from approximately 20,000 to 50,000 housing units. We need to encourage more housing at more accessible price points. But first, our city must be a safe and attractive place to invest, another reason why my top priority is ensuring public safety. We should review city code to identify and ease any exclusionary zoning, which limits new supply and drives up prices. The city should also limit red tape and associated fees for builders, who are focused on building more affordable housing, especially for infill development. Wichita needs more housing, so we should encourage more builders and non-profits, like Habitat for Humanity and Mennonite Housing, to invest and build in our community.

With overall inflation and rising tuition for college, how would you support students pursuing post-secondary education? It is critical that local government focuses on priorities and reduces the burden on college students and taxpayers in Wichita. Over the last four years, we have faced rising costs and inflation. I’m opposed to increasing taxes that would further burden all Wichitans, including students like you. I’m in favor of growing our tax base by attracting new industry, investment and people to Wichita.

How would you encourage Wichita State students to stay in the Wichita area after graduating? Wichita has been my home for 30 years and Wichitans invested in my education from Wichita Public Schools to Wichita State University. I chose to stay and build my career in my hometown because of the people, teachers, and mentors who have shaped my life. I believe Wichita has an abundance of opportunities for all in our community who are willing to work hard toward their goals. One of my four pillars is strengthening our economy, which starts with ensuring we’re supporting our existing small and large businesses, creating a future-ready workforce, and emphasizing high-paying jobs. As mayor, I’ll serve as an ambassador for our city by cultivating relationships and promoting regional competitiveness that will attract new industry, investment and people.

Q&A Why are you running for your position? I ran for Mayor four years ago because Wichita’s biggest export wasn’t airplanes or wheat, it was talented young people with opportunities elsewhere. When I looked into the data more, it was clear we were losing young women and people of color. As a dad, it was important to me to step up and change this pattern so my sons and their generation have the opportunity to achieve their dreams right here in Wichita. I’m running for re-election because we’ve seen success, but we can’t stop the momentum now.

What are your main priorities? What do you hope to plan to address those issues? As Mayor, my top priorities are to continue our energy and momentum currently attracting the jobs of the future and to ensure the City is safe, no matter what neighborhood you live in. We’re attracting new investment and jobs in Wichita by modernizing our policies to reflect the values of the next generation and the new economy. I grew up in a family where my mom was a waitress and my dad was a carpenter. They are some of the hardest working people I know, but they don’t have time to pay attention to politics. I lean on that experience to make sure that the City of Wichita works for everyone, not just the loudest or most well-connected. Our last two budgets were shaped by more community engagement opportunities than in the past resulting in changes in priorities reflected in those budgets. We expanded our mental health crisis teams so people in crisis get the help they need from trained professionals and our police can focus on solving crime. We are building the first new fire stations since 2009 to fill service gaps caused by population growth. As Mayor, I use data and public input to allocate resources effectively to solve real issues facing our community.

Why should college students vote for you? As Mayor, I focus on trying to bring voices to the table that have been historically left out of the room, including young people. As an elected official, it’s important you make time to go out to where people are and not expect them to come to you. People are busy living their own lives and it’s my job to get out in the community and listen to everyone’s problems and priorities so City policies and programs accurately reflect what the people expect and operate as intended. I try to spend at least one day a week out at a school to hear from young people of all ages about what they want from the City, because the decisions we make now will impact Wichita for decades to come. It’s important to me to get feedback from young people because our decisions now will impact them the longest.

Wichita State is located in a food desert, with our on-campus food pantry facing an increased student demand compared to last year. What plans do you have to address that issue and make groceries more accessible? Addressing food insecurity requires a variety of approaches to solve the issue. In order to make a grocery store viable in the core of the City, we need to increase housing density. I have a plan to convert unused commercial buildings into residential units to increase our housing supply in the core. In the meantime, our

corner store program aims to provide more food options at corner stores, however, I would like to build upon that concept to open up our neighborhood centers and libraries for food pick up locations. Technology allows us new opportunities for residents to place food orders online and then pick up that order at a location near their home, like a neighborhood center.

There can be public transit issues throughout Wichita, which can impact students without their own transportation in working off campus or going through the city. How would you go about improving transportation? Unlike most cities, the City of Wichita transit system does not have a dedicated funding stream so it is difficult to improve services as a result of demand. Currently, there are multiple transit systems operating simultaneously in our region. The City is currently conducting a real transit study with one of the best firms in the country to identify where we can create efficiencies and create a strategic plan to modernize our public transit system.

Recently, there have been student housing concerns on and around campus, as well as crime happening near campus. How would you ensure that students have access to safe and affordable housing? Increasing our housing supply is one of my top priorities because it is the only proven way to reduce inflation and reduce housing costs. We have a plan to incentivize homeowners to fix up current housing stock and get it back on the market, as well as converting large unused commercial buildings into residential units. We are also exploring more options for accessory dwelling units that could create apartment units within single-family neighborhoods.

With overall inflation and rising tuition for college, how would you support students pursuing post-secondary education? As Mayor, I focus on making sure there are affordable options to get the education you need to start a career in Wichita. In order to do that, I need to make sure that the cost of living is affordable for students. I’ve previously discussed my plans to reduce housing costs in Wichita, but as a council, we have focused on policy to reduce fees and costs for those who need it. We also passed a resolution in opposition to Evergy’s rate increase because most Wichitans can’t afford an increase in living expenses right now.

How would you encourage Wichita State students to stay in the Wichita area after graduating? While many cities crumbled trying to recover from the pandemic, Wichita made strategic investments that helped diversify our economy and prepare workers for the jobs of the future. Growing up in the Northeast, Wichita gave me so many opportunities that didn’t exist for me on the coast. I was able to be the first in my family to graduate college and own a home. Wichita is attracting tech and cybersecurity companies and we are making investments so Wichita continues our growth. Fostering small, local businesses and creatives creates an atmosphere that supports innovation in our quality of life, increasing social opportunities for life during and after college.

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CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES The Sunflower emailed a set of questions to Wichita’s political candidates about their priorities and their stances on issues relevant to students. Here are their responses. Some answers have been cut for length; read the complete answers at thesunflower.com

BETTY TUTTLE

HATIM ZEINEDDINE

DISTRICT 2 COUNCIL CANDIDATE

DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• Wichita City Council, District 2 member

• Engineer at Textron Aviation

PRIORITIES:

• Fully fund emergency services • Ensure Wichita is open for business • Invest in our neighborhoods

• Create a more sustainable future for water infrastructure • Increase sustainable housing • Boost public transportation

Q&A Why are you running for your position? I love Wichita and I am proud to call it my home. I’m strongly committed to serving my community with excellence and integrity. For over twenty-five years, I have worked to help make Wichita the best city in America to live, learn, earn, play and pray. I am seeking re-election because I believe with all my heart in servant leadership. I believe in transparency in government. I believe in civility while we are making decisions for Wichita’s future. I believe in focusing on good policy and not politics. I have only one agenda on the Wichita City Council – Wichita First!

Why should college students vote for you? I want to continue to listen, learn and lead while serving on City Council. I never make decisions in isolation, and I lean into community members to get input and try to resolve unintended consequences from the decisions we make. I believe the best way to plan for the future of Wichita is to listen to those who will be the next generation of leaders. ... I utilize the information that I hear young leaders in our community want for Wichita’s future and incorporate that into the decisions I make on a daily basis. I surround myself with diverse residents who represent so many aspects of our great city to make sure I have my finger on the pulse of what community members want for the next generation of Wichita.

There can be public transit issues throughout Wichita, which can impact students without their own transportation. How would you go about improving transportation?

Q&A

Wichita Transit continues to evolve its service delivery model from hub and spoke to a grid system based on community demand. These new routes bolstered operations with increased ridership through partnerships with USD 259, WSU Tech and WSU. As our city grows and needs change, I will coordinate with our City’s Transit department to seek input from community members and the Transit Advisory Board and pivot as needed to be more customer service oriented.

I’m running because I believe that I’m qualified for the position, and because there needs to be a more energetic voice that’s more in touch with younger voters and more willing to engage with them than there currently is on city council.

Wichita State is located in a food desert. What plans do you have to address that issue and make groceries more accessible? As a long time member and past Chair of the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita, food deserts have been a passion project for many of my public health colleagues and me ... In 2022, the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita, the City of Wichita, Sedgwick County, and community partners adopted a Food System Master Plan and established the Food & Farm Council. The Food System Master Plan aims to transform the food system in our community. It is a long-range plan that provides a vision for addressing food deserts. The Food & Farm Council will serve as an advisory board to the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County.

There can be public transit issues throughout Wichita, which can impact students without their own transportation. How would you go about improving transportation?

Why are you running for your position?

Why should college students vote for you? Honestly, I’d hope that college students would come out and vote in more local elections in general. There’s very little voter engagement on local issues because these votes don’t happen on years with national elections, and it’s troubling because these votes have a much higher impact on our daily lives, especially for students at any education level, than the more popular national votes. Many local votes are decided by hundreds or even just dozens of votes. If even half or less of the students at WSU voted, they would easily be a deciding factor in the outcomes of many votes. Whether it’s to vote for me or for one of my opponents, I just want the students at WSU to know that you can make a difference in your local community, that my campaign is an example of that, and I hope to see them at the polls this voting day.

As I stated before, transportation is a big issue for me, and I would want to take a hard look at the layout of the city and ways to both boost the throughput of public transport and to make it easier to reach all of the basic necessary services of living without the use of a personal vehicle.

Wichita State is located in a food desert. What plans do you have to address that issue and make groceries more accessible? Linking this to the following question as well, I believe that by improving the layout of the city, making it better and easier to walk and bike and increasing the amount of public transportation we can make it easier for people to move around the city increasing the areas where people can conveniently obtain food. There may also need to be modifications to the zoning around the university to provide food in places physically closer to campus.

DALTON GLASSCOCK

J. V. JOHNSTON

DISTRICT 4 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

DISTRICT 5 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• CEO of a media company; lecturer of American Politics at Wichita State University.

• Executive Director of Guadalupe Clinic

PRIORITIES:

• Fully fund and support first responders • Create and implement a plan for Wichita’s homeless situation • Property tax relief for homeowners

• Support emergency services • Ensure Wichita is open for business • Invest in our neighborhoods

Q&A Why are you running for your position? Wichita needs a City Council that is made up of problem solvers, strategic thinkers, bridge builders, and community volunteers. As a small business owner, I know how to balance budgets and ensure every penny has a purpose. As a community leader, I know how to work across factions and bring unheard voices to the table, and as a young professional who has spent his entire life in Wichita, I am committed to building a community in which my peers want to make their lives.

Why should college students vote for you? I will fight for a Wichita for the future. A Wichita for the Future fosters a prosperous, business-friendly environment that upholds individual liberty, economic growth, and personal responsibility. That future is where parents can make a good wage, kids want to stay after graduation, and grandparents want to retire. It is a welcoming future where all feel welcome in our city and that we respect and appreciate our differences in ideology, faith, background, and experiences. It is a safe future where our roads are taken care of, and public safety is the primary function of local government.

There can be public transit issues throughout Wichita, which can impact students without their own transportation. How would you go about improving transportation?

Q&A

The City of Wichita must look at moving from a city-limit approach to transit to a regional one. This would allow for transportation to some of our largest employers. In addition, expanding transit to second and third shifts will help provide access for those who need the system most. Our current routes are cumbersome and time consuming, and until we have a complete overhaul of the system, we will face access and quality challenges.

I have served on the District 5 Advisory Board for 8 years. During this time, I saw how the city is operated and began a passion for seeing Wichita grow and prosper. I want a Wichita that will keep my grandkids here. Also, I have the business background with financial skills that will allow me to be a fierce advocate for taxpayer’s dollars. This is the right time for me to give back to the city I love!

Wichita State is located in a food desert. What plans do you have to address that issue and make groceries more accessible? As someone who lives in a food desert, I understand the challenges people who do not have consistent transportation face, particularly in South Wichita and the heart of our City, when accessing healthy and affordable food options. We must work with our federal and state partners on grant applications through the United States Department of Agriculture ... It takes a multifaceted approach involving increasing local food production, access to healthy food, and reducing food waste, to name a few key components.

Why are you running for your position?

Why should college students vote for you? The future of Wichita rests in our young adults. I want to help create an environment that attracts and retains their talent for companies in our city.

There can be public transit issues throughout Wichita, which can impact students without their own transportation. How would you go about improving transportation? This is also an issue for low-income people commuting to their jobs. There are several ways bus systems can operate. A full analysis of different options should allow improved transit availability.

Wichita State is located in a food desert. What plans do you have to address that issue and make groceries more accessible?

Both our Guadalupe Clinics are in food deserts and are a major problem for the surrounding neighborhoods. Free enterprise will determine where grocery stores are located. Local and state government can create incentives to make it attractive for them to locate in food deserts.

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BEN TAYLOR

MARCEY GREGORY

DISTRICT 5 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• IBEW electrician at Spirit Aerosystems and Unit Chairman for the IBEW at Spirit • Chief Steward of the IBEW

PRIORITIES: • Work for all the people in Wichita, listen to the next generation

• Retired business owner

PRIORITIES: • Economic development • Public safety • Homelessness and affordable housing

• Increase housing supply

Q&A

There can be public transit issues throughout Wichita, which can impact students without their own transportation. How would you go about improving transportation?

Why are you running for your position? I am running for City Council District 5 because I want to give regular people like me a voice in city government. For too long District 5 has been influenced by special interest groups and it’s time to start listening to the residents again.

Why should college students vote for you? I have 2 children that are college age students and I see the struggles that they have on a daily basis. I will work to listen to the needs of college students and make sure they have a voice on Wichita City Council. Sometimes people don’t feel they want to speak up about issues unless they are asked and I feel it is up to the City to pick up on the issues and reach people to find out what the issues that are affecting them are.

Mayor Whipple has recently been looking at a plan to improve public transportation with more bus routes and convenience for riders. I support the effort to improve public transportation, not only for the convenience of riders, but also to reduce congestion on city streets.

Wichita State is located in a food desert. What plans do you have to address that issue and make groceries more accessible? If elected, I would like to work with grocery stores in the area to try to see what can be done to open up locations that fall into the category of a food desert. Even if it isn’t a big box store, maybe a smaller grocery store would work for residents and still be profitable. Residents of Wichita need to be able to get nutritious groceries and necessities without having to travel way out of their community to get it.

BRIEF INFORMATION Gregory did not respond to The Sunflower’s attempts to contact her. Gregory announced her candidacy for the District 2 city council position via Facebook on June 1, stating that she would “listen to all voices and collaborate on solutions that take everyone into account.” Previously, Gregory served as the mayor of Goddard for a decade from 2007-2017. She has run unsuccessfully for the Sedgwick County Commission twice and lost the election to the state house in 2020. According to The Wichita Eagle, Gregory said one of her priorities would be attracting new businesses that encourage workers to stay in the city. To address food deserts, Gregory wrote in a KSN News questionnaire that she would encourage local growers to “establish ‘satellite’ locations” in food deserts for a “farmers market approach” and encourage school districts to let students staff those facilities. To address homelessness and the need for affordable housing, Gregory

told KSN News that she supported Project HOPE, a collaborative created by the City of Wichita to address violent crime and homelessness; Gregory also said existing structures can be repurposed into affordable housing.

JUDY PIERCE

GARY BOND

DISTRICT 4 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

DISTRICT 5 CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• President of the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation

• Sales specialist at B&B Builders, Inc.

• Retired

PRIORITIES:

• Transparency

• Getting people in south Wichita jobs with a living wage

• Infrastructure • Economic strength • Public safety

BRIEF INFORMATION Pierce did not respond to The Sunflower’s attempts to contact her. Pierce filed on June 1 to run for the District 4 position on the Wichita City Council. The day before, she posted on Facebook about her candidacy, calling herself “a voice for the working class.” According to The Wichita Eagle, Pierce has spent 20 years as president of the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation, a nonprofit that represents 30 unions in south-central Kansas. Pierce is endorsed by the Sedgwick County Democratic Party, according to KMUW. Based on her campaign website,

some of the issues that Pierce hopes to address, in addition to securing livingwage jobs, include: •Protecting the rights of workers and union members •Ensuring economic equality for everyone, particularly people of color •Commonsense housing solutions •Upholding the City of Wichita’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance and LGBTQ+ protections •Practical solutions to Wichita’s food deserts Pierce told both The Eagle and KMUW that she would like to replace city manager Robert Layton, who has served since his hiring by the City Council in 2008.

BRIEF INFORMATION Bond did not respond to The Sunflower’s attempts to contact him. Bond is running for District 5 of the Wichita City Council. According to his campaign website, his “firm belief in service to the community” led him to run for the position. Bond was a 2015 District 5 City Council candidate, losing to Bryan Frye. He served on the Sedgwick County Sheriff ’s Advisory Council for four years. For 20 years, he has served on both the Remodelers Council for the Wichita Area Builders Association and the Board of Directors for Wichita Area

Business Association. Based on his website, Bond said his platform include transparency; coordinating economic development strategies with the workforce, marketplace and community; and prioritizing public safety by supporting law enforcement and emergency services being fully funded and staffed. According to The Wichita Eagle, Bond’s top priority is public safety; he said he hopes to “mend the relationship” between the police department and council. His father was a Wichita officer for 30 years. Bond also aims to address Wichita’s need for more rooftops to match housing demand.

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6 | Oct. 19, 2023

www.thesunflower.com

USD 259 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES The Sunflower emailed a set of questions to Wichita’s political candidates about their priorities and their stances on issues relevant to students. Here are their responses. Some answers have been cut for length; read the complete answers at thesunflower.com

NGOC VUONG

KEN CARPENTER

DISTRICT 3 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• Graduate teaching assistant, Wichita State Psychology Department • Graduate research assistant, WSU Community Engagement Institute

• Contractor sales coordinator at a major local retailer

PRIORITIES: • Increase student assessment test scores • Decrease student behavioral issues • Be a voice for parents

PRIORITIES: • Student success and school discipline • Family and community engagement • Strengthen and protect our public schools

Q&A

community, I decided to run for District 3 of the USD 259 Board of Education.

Q&A

Why are you running for your position?

Why should college students vote for you?

Why are you running for your position?

In reflecting on the current and potential makeup of the Wichita School Board, we must ask ourselves the following. Do our students, school employees, and families see themselves in our school board? Do we feel listened to and supported by our school board? Do our school board members have a genuine understanding of, appreciation for, and willingness to learn the lived experiences and perspectives of the people our school district serves? After asking myself those questions, and after reflecting on the uplifting words of encouragement by my late mother, mentors and mentees on serving my

If I am elected to the Wichita school board, I would be the youngest member of the Wichita school board in its entire history and one of the youngest elected officials in our state. As a student myself, it is not lost on me the importance of mobilizing young adults to vote, to serve their communities, and to run for public office. I could imagine most elected officials are only thinking of the next few years: I’m thinking of the next few decades. The decisions I make, the policies I push for, are with the bigger picture, the long-term future, of our current and future generations in mind.

Because I care. I care about the well being of the children in our schools. I have heard from many parents who are concerned about their children and I share that concern. They need a safe place to go to school where they can get a solid foundation based on truth and high moral standards. As they become adults they will decide how our country moves forward. We want all of them to be well prepared to launch into a career or college of their choice. Too many parents feel compelled to pull their kids out of the public school

system and home school them or place them in private schools. We’ve got to resolve the reason for this attrition or the public school system will continue lose its marketability.

Why should college students vote for you? I represent the candidate with an extensive life of real world experience. I care about the students of USD259. I want to see every one of them succeed. I know they represent the future of our country and we need them to develop into honorable, productive citizens so our country can continue to flourish and be a shining beacon of freedom for the rest of the world. I am ready to serve.

JASON CARMICHAEL

STAN REESER

DISTRICT 4 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• Real Estate investor, rental owner, property manager

• Supply and logistics clerk for Ascension Via Christi

PRIORITIES:

• Safe and secure schools and academic excellence • Motivating students with mentorship and extracurricular activities

• Maintain growth and graduation rates while creating more opportunities for graduates to be future ready • Improve student behavior • Increase teacher retention

Q&A Why are you running for your position? To fill a desperately needed Board of Education position for Wichita Schools.

Why should college students vote for you? The role of the Board of Education (BOE) is to approve the curriculum, approve the budget, and hear the Superintendent. When the BOE raises taxes, those taxes cause everyone’s rent

to go up, mortgages to cost more, and everyone on fixed incomes to have less money for groceries. This year property taxes have increased the largest amount in a single year by the increase in property valuations in over a decade. The budget for the district would have grown just by this alone, and yet the BOE increased the portion of property taxes. The TAX Revenue pie got bigger, a lot bigger, and the BOE is taking an even bigger piece. More money doesn’t improve performance in the classroom, it just means more staff got hired, not more teachers, more staff.

Q&A

Why should college students vote for you?

Why are you running for your position?

I think we have to pay attention to those who have been active and have had children in the school system for years versus those that just showed up try to enforce a political ideology into the school system. College students are very good at discerning who is genuine and who is in this for just political reasons. I think the college students will see that I have the student success as my number one reason for doing this job.

I am running for re-election to ensure that we have strong and effective public schools, which is a corner stone of our democracy.

MELODY MCCRAY-MILLER

BRENT DAVIS

AT-LARGE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE

CURRENT / MOST RECENT OCCUPATION:

• Business owner and adjunct lecturer, Wichita State University

• President of Complete Education, Inc., a tutoring and test-preparation business

PRIORITIES:

• Teacher morale • Challenging classroom and building student behaviors • Address losing COVID funding at end of 2024; do a cost analysis on key programming

• “Raise all students to grade level or above” • “Protecting students and innocence” • “Elevate excellent educators” • Involve parents and community

Q&A Why are you running for your position? As a proud Southeast High graduate, former USD 259 teacher, and former elected leader, I am deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of students and teachers in our district. My experiences have shaped my understanding of education and allowed me to comprehend the unique challenges faced by both students and teachers. My vision is to create a leading school district in Kansas, where

board-level accountability ensures consistent standards across all schools, and an action plan that improves student and teacher achievement, behavior, and building performance.

Why should college students vote for you? College students should vote for me because I have every student’s best interests at heart. I am not running on a personal agenda. I will work to create innovative policies that prepare students for success socially, civically, and economically.

BRIEF INFORMATION Davis did not respond to The Sunflower’s attempts to contact him. Davis ran as a USD 259 school board candidate in 2021. Davis was one of four Republican candidates who ran in 2021 for the nonpartisan school board; he was the only one to not win a seat. When running in 2021, Davis proposed experimenting on students by separating masked and unmasked students and studying who does and does not get COVID-19, according to The Wichita Eagle. In a blog post on his campaign

website on June 22, Davis said The Eagle “falsely claimed” that he proposed the experiment and misrepresented his point. Davis’ platform is based on four goals: student achievement, protecting student safety by having students “exhibiting dangerous behavior” be “properly attended to,” giving Wichita teachers professional development and pay, and providing parents and the community with “greater local choice, communication and clarity.” Davis did not respond to The Eagle or The Beacon when the news organizations reached out to 2023 school board candidates.

VOTER GUIDE

www.thesunflower.com

Oct. 19, 2023 | 7

Whipple, Wu visit Wichita State for debate The incumbent mayor called out his opponent multiple times on her affiliations and stances.

BY COURTNEY BROWN

newsprojects@thesunflower.com

From inclusivity to food deserts, mayoral candidates Brandon Whipple and Lily Wu shared their stances on various issues and gave pointed remarks regarding each other’s policies during a mayoral forum at Wichita State on Wednesday. The debate, hosted by Loud Light; The Wichita Beacon; League of Women Voters; Student Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership; and Shockers Vote! Coalition, welcomed Wichita State students and other audience members to learn about Wu and Whipple’s positions. The three moderators were Neal Allen, an associate political science professor; Student Body Vice President Sophie Martins; and Jay Thompson, chair of student government’s Government Oversight Committee. Questions were submitted through The Wichita Beacon’s website and taken from the audience. Wu, who previously worked as a journalist at KWCH, spoke first in the opening statements, and Whipple, the incumbent mayor, went next. They alternated who answered each question first.

INCLUSIVITY, CIVIL RIGHTS An audience member asked about how the candidates would make Wichita a “safe haven for minority groups,” specifically LGBTQ+ people. Whipple highlighted Wichita’s nondiscrimination ordinance (NDO) and perfect equality score from the Human Rights Campaign. He also mentioned the NDO’s CROWN Act amendment, which prohibits racial discrimination based on protective hairstyles and hair texture. Wu emphasized her identity as an Asian American immigrant woman, stating that she supports any “nondiscrimination ordinances that protect all individuals.” “Discrimination has no place in our community,” Wu said. “And I know because as a community that welcomes a young immigrant family 30 years ago, this community took us under their wing.” Whipple called Wu out, saying she went on a “right-wing talk show” and pointing out how she previously called the NDO “divisive” at the Sept. 25 mayoral forum. “That’s the difference between us — I think it’s divisive to let the civil rights and civil liberties of people fall through the cracks,” Whipple said. An audience member also asked about projects for serving the growing Hispanic community. According to The Beacon, 18% of Wichita residents are Hispanic. Wichita State was also named an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution in 2022, with 16% of enrolled students identified as Hispanic in fall 2022. Wu, who moved from Guatemala to Wichita at 8 years old, briefly showed off her “muy malo” (very bad) Spanish. Then she emphasized the need for translators in commonly spoken languages like Spanish and advocating for more opportunities in north Wichita and all Wichita neighborhoods. “I believe that it’s important that we continue to meet people where they’re at,” Wu said. Whipple called Wu’s strategies

Lily Wu and Brandon Whipple were invited to share their campaign points with audience members and answer questions submitted by attendees. | Photos by Allison Campbell / The Sunflower

“good” but “basic,” pointing out his partnerships with community organizations to help Hispanic communities. He said while he was in office, the city used America’s Rescue Act Plan funds to create economic development opportunities in communities, such as giving over a million dollars for a community kitchen in the north side to support Hispanic entrepreneurs. “We didn’t just translate it — we actually invested in it, and we’re going to continue to invest in people, particularly people and communities that haven’t seen enough investment in the past,” Whipple said.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR YOUNG ADULTS Wu and Whipple were also asked about their plans to address affordable housing for young adults looking to rent and buy their first homes. Both candidates spoke last week at a mayoral forum on affordable housing hosted by the Wichita Journalism Collaborative and Wichita Habitat for Humanity. Wu stated the need to increase the supply of diverse options for housing. “We need to encourage development of housing all multiple levels, from townhouses to multi-complex buildings,” Wu said. Whipple said that as mayor, he has created better relationships with landlords, gave housing vouchers to those who needed them, and referenced the Housing First Program, which aims to get chronically homeless single adults into housing. He also discussed giving grants to the community so that elderly people can get their homes fixed and stay where they live. “We got to go beyond the basics and make sure that we’re actually addressing the problem,” Whipple said. Whipple also said he has a $9.5 million dollar plan to reallocate funds that came from the federal government to create a multiagency campus, which would help people who are homeless or experiencing a crisis. The plan was approved in August. “To help homelessness, you got to actually attack the variables that cause homelessness and, again, to get people into housing,” Whipple said. Wu said that she supports the multi-agency center, but she emphasized the need for better leadership. “What we need is new

leadership that is more collaborative, trying to bring together nonprofit, the government sector, as well as industry to help with funding some of these resources that will help our homeless population,” Wu said. Attracting, retaining talent Whipple said that to retain and attract young talent in Wichita, they need to focus on affordability and closing the opportunity gap, investing in programs and listening to what young people need. “We got to make sure that we’re also listening to you … What type of city do you want here? When you get off campus, and you start going out into the other parts of our city?” Whipple said. “And to do that, you got to have someone who understands policy, you got to have someone who’s been doing this.” Wu said that the Wichita community needs to “connect the dots” for people regarding job opportunities and help high school students know their options upon graduating. She referred to how, at KWCH, she started a series called “Building You,” which connected job seekers with job opportunities. “Over the last four years, what we’ve seen is affordability continues to decrease, so we need to correct that,” Wu said. An audience member also asked Wu and Whipple how college students could get involved in advocacy work under the candidates. Wu started off by not answering the question, instead saying that “as much as labels have been thrown, such as right or left, this is a nonpartisan race.” She then discussed public safety before encouraging college students to engage in district advisory boards, neighborhood associations or in local school organizations. “I’m here to listen, and I’m here to serve. And that is the role of being a mayor, especially one who’s supposed to be nonpartisan,” Wu said. Whipple pointed out Wu’s campaign is supported by a conservative group. “It’s tough to be lectured about partisanship by someone whose campaign is completely run by American’s Prosperity (Americans for Prosperity), which is a DC-based dark money group that is dedicated to alter conservatism,” Whipple said. According to KMUW, Wu has received support from Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political action given funding from the Koch family; previously, the

organization has not participated in the Wichita mayor’s election. Whipple then stated that he has brought student interns into his office, saying “there is a gap in privilege” for those who cannot intern in Topeka or Washington, D.C. He said he talked with WSU about getting students internship credit at a local level. “I want to make sure that those folks who can’t afford to move to Topeka have that same opportunity here in Wichita,” Whipple said.

FOOD INSECURITY Both candidates touched on addressing food deserts. Wichita State campus is located inside of and around several food deserts. To address food insecurity, the Shocker Support Locker provides food and toiletries to students. Whipple said in addition to attracting more grocery stores, the city should utilize fresh farming methods as well as technology, such as delivering grocery orders to community centers. “There is more to this complex issue than just grocery stores … we can actually solve it using multiple ways,” Whipple said. Wu said that the private sector should alleviate food deserts, with the government supporting those businesses. “We need to make sure that it is safe for them to take that risk,” Wu said. She then pivoted to discussing the need to reduce crime.

TRANSPORTATION When asked about addressing city transportation and bus accessibility, Wu discussed the need to think of transit “in a more regional sense” and to form more collaborative partnerships. “It needs to be thought of more comprehensively so that it can be not just a regional but also a workforce asset in our community,” Wu said. Whipple said that as mayor, he is working on a new multi-modal station which will encompass buses and connect to bike lanes and electric scooters. He stated that transit should go beyond “an economic vehicle” but also help people engage in other aspects of life. “People actually do more than just that. In a thriving community, we got to make sure that the bus system isn’t just a safety net system. It’s one that people can actually enjoy and utilize,” Whipple said. After this question, Whipple was warned by moderator Allen

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LEGALIZING MARIJUANA The candidates were asked about their stances on legalizing and decriminalizing marijuana. The Wichita City Council repealed the city’s marijuana laws in 2022. Wu iterated the need to “move on” from a policy already voted on and prioritize public safety. “When it comes to issues like marijuana and other low-level crimes, we need to again focus our efforts back on police department shortages that we have right now, and not on issues that continue to further divide our community,” Wu said. Whipple said he was “not afraid to answer the question” and spoke on how decriminalizing marijuana prevents young people from ruining their futures. “What we did was follow the will of the public to make sure we’re focusing on real crimes and not just harassing kids or making those kids have less economic opportunity in the future because of bad policy,” Whipple said.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS An audience member asked a question regarding NDOs, LGBTQ+ protections and pro-abortion stances. Whipple said he is “unapologetically pro-choice” and voted “no” in the state vote on abortion rights in 2022. He said that politicians shouldn’t tell women what to do with their bodies. He said that he wouldn’t let “some jackass in Topeka” determine if his wife can’t access “life-saving surgery” in an emergency situation. “I’m never going to let myself or any of you be in that situation as mayor,” Whipple said. Wu said that she is “not here to regulate abortion” and that discussion is at the state level and not “the role of local government.” “For anyone that believes rhetoric that others have put out against me, I will tell you, I’m a woman, and I am for empowering women,” Wu said. “So I want you to understand that local government needs to stay in its lane.” KWCH will also host a mayoral forum on Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Shockers Vote! Coalition will also host an Election Day Bash on Nov. 7. Early voting in the general election begins Oct. 23, and Election Day is on Nov. 7.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Mia Hennen editor@thesunflower.com

LEGAL

about speaking over the 90-second time restrictions; Whipple went past the time limits at least three times during this debate.

019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus Box 134 Wichita, KS 67260-0134 EDITORIAL

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CORRECTIONS

The Sunflower is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you find an error in any of its publications, please email the editor at editor@thesunflower.com immediately.

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Candidate Lily Wu and current Mayor Brandon Whipple speak at the Mayoral Candidate Forum on affordable housing on Oct. 11. They both had the same alloted time to share their point of view. | Photos by Cheyanne Tull / The Sunflower

Alexandria and Michael Pasco attend the forum, hosted by Habitat for Humanity and Wichita Journalism Collaborative in the Advanced Learning Library.

Whipple, Wu speak on affordable homeownership BY TALIYAH WINN tmwinn03@gmail.com

ity housing prices have steeply increased in the past few years. As homeowners, renters and landlords alike struggle with affordable homeownership, Wichita’s mayoral candidates Brandon Whipple and Lily Wu spoke with over 160 Wichita residents on Wednesday night at a mayoral forum to address these challenges. The Wichita State University Center for Real Estate released its Kansas Housing Markets Forecast, which projected a decline in home sales by 10.4% by the end of 2023, a 7.2% decrease in construction this year, and an expected 8.8% increase in 2024. Home prices are predicted to rise by 4.2% in 2023 and 3.4% in 2024. The Wichita Journalism Collaborative and Wichita Habitat for Humanity teamed up to host the forum due to these financial forecasts. The candidates spoke on various aspects of affordable housing, including supply, housing quality, racial and ethnic gaps in home ownership, zoning, downtown rentals, homelessness, developers and more. Each candidate had a minute to answer each question with no rebuttal. The first half of the forum consisted of submitted questions asked and moderated by Stefania Lugli, a reporter for the Kansas Leadership Center Journal. Then, the audience asked questions to the candidates (either by approaching the microphone or filling out an index card), moderated by Danielle Johnson, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity. Candidates were allowed a minute for opening statements, setting the forum’s tone.

Wu began, sharing her story of immigrating to the United States from Guatemala at 8 years old. She shared her family’s experience growing up in Wichita and her goal of enticing people back to the city. “One of the things that I’d love to do is really boomerang back a lot of our Wichitans. And my goal will be to try to boomerang back my brother and sister-in-law to home right here in Wichita,” Wu said. Whipple described his experiences with homeownership and his life in Wichita, which began after serving in AmeriCorps at South High School. Whipple and his wife bought their first house in their 20s. “We talked about boomerangs; I also think that we need to bring more people back, but I want to retain our young people,” Whipple said. “They don’t have to move to a coast. They can actually get their piece of the American dream right here in Wichita.”

RENTING AND BARRIERS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP “The American Dream” was referenced throughout the debate. In a question from the audience about the racial and ethnic gaps in homeownership, it came up in both of the candidates’ answers. As a second-generation immigrant, Wu looked at the lives of her parents and their achievement of the American Dream. “I believe that the American Dream is still alive, that people want to own homes. But that’s not the only option. And we have to be realistic about that,” Wu said. “Renting is also a great option.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2020, 57.8% of occupied housing units in Wichita were in owner-occupied households, while

42.2% were in renter-occupied households. In Sedgwick County, rent has been up at least 8.5% since 2019. “We have to provide the tools for people, empower them to be financially literate, help them achieve the dream that they have whether it’s ownership or renting,” Wu said. In his remarks, Whipple recognized the history of redlining in Wichita and the non-discrimination ordinance that the city council passed in 2021. “Home-ownership, I think, is so important. I don’t knock anyone who rents. My parents rent,” Whipple said. “However, what makes that American dream so possible when you have access to homeownership is that the house increases in value, which means that you’re building that intergenerational wealth that your kids get to inherit.” An audience member also asked: “In what ways do you plan to support younger renters pursuing a college education who might not have the experience or ability to work full time?” Wu said that basic financial literacy education should be the focus. “When it comes to young professionals, college students, it’s about a lot of education. And I know that it sounds like a broken record, but it’s not,” Wu said. “A lot of our community does not get a lot of the basic financial literacy that we need to encourage young people to think more long term.” Whipple said that his experience living in Wichita largely revolved around his ability to find roommates. He specified housing programs that catered to young people through independent leasing and encouraged similar policies to be applied around the city.

“We actually have housing in Wichita that is really geared towards young people – towards students – and demographic independent leases, where it’s not just two people sign a lease, each person has their own lease to their own room,” Whipple said.

DEFINITIONS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING One of the pre-submitted questions asked the candidates to provide their definition of affordable housing. Whipple answered first, not knowing the exact formula for affordable housing, but described what it meant to him. “The reality is affordable housing is being able to not only afford where you live but also afford the necessities to live,” Whipple said. “Can you afford food? Can you afford clothing? Can you afford the extras that we would consider important when raising a family in our community?” Wu said affordable housing is 30% of your income and explained that “housing affordability” and “affordable housing” are different. “When you talk about affordability and housing, that’s really everyone in this room,” Wu said. “It affects all of us. Every single person here will be affected by housing affordability because right now, we don’t have enough supply for that housing affordability. “ A major issue both candidates highlighted throughout the debate was the lack of supply in Wichita’s housing market. Wichita faces a shortage of up to 40,000 units, including approximately 20,000 rental units. On top of that, Wichita has a growing homeless population but a shrinking number of shelters. In 2023, the Salvation Army’s shelter for unhoused women

and children ceased operations. The operation of HumanKind’s emergency winter shelter’s future has been uncertain this month, but Friday, the non-profit released a statement that they plan to open at reduced capacity. It will provide 140 emergency beds and make safety upgrades to the building before it opens on Nov. 15.

DOWNTOWN WICHITA AND HOMELESSNESS During the Q&A segment, an audience member asked for an opinion on the downtown area’s focus on developing high-end apartments rather than affordable housing for young professionals. Wu said that the Wichita Biomedical Campus will bring 3,000 students to the downtown area, and it would transform the demographics, in turn creating more housing. Her first concern is public safety downtown to attract young people, which will promote the market to respond to the demand for housing. Whipple said Wichitans need a higher supply of housing at all levels and that there are federal funds that can be utilized to turn older buildings into affordable housing. On the topic of homelessness, an attendee asked what can be done about those who face barriers when finding housing. Wu applauded the work of nonprofits, highlighting HumanKind Ministries, for helping individuals get back on their feet. “We need to keep supporting nonprofits, especially as community members that help with making sure that individuals get back on their feet and can get back on track,” Wu said. A recording of the event can be found on KSN TV’s YouTube.

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Oct. 19, 2023 | 9

GLANCE AT VOTER TURNOUT In a time where young voters are the least likely to participate in elections, voter turnout among registered Wichita State voters is on the rise.

2016

49%

5,679 out of 11,606

2018

44%

5,644 out of 12,870

2020

68.1%

7,746 out of 11,368 *Data collected from the Democracy & Higher Education campus report

PERCENTAGE OF ELIGIBLE WSU STUDENTS WHO VOTED

Voter turnout on the rise at Wichita State BY JACOB UNRUH

jacobunruh333@gmail.com

ichita State student voter turnout has been on the rise in recent elections. The Shockers Vote! Coalition hopes to continue to mobilize students to the polls for the upcoming election on Nov. 7. According to the most recent Institute for Democracy & Higher Education campus report, in 2020, 68.1% of eligible Wichita State voters cast a ballot in the general election – an increase from 49% in the 2016 general election and 44% in the 2018 midterm election. Wichita State also beat the

national college average of 66% turnout in 2020, which was a record-high rate. Data from the 2022 midterm election is not yet available. The majors with the highest voting rates at Wichita State are history, communications and journalism, social sciences, and public administration. The majors with the lowest turnout are engineering, computer sciences, and mathematics. In 2020, less than half of enrolled students in each of these fields voted. Loren Belew, the civic engagement coordinator at Student Engagement, Advocacy

WSU professors emphasize importance of local elections and government BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

Local elections tend to have a lower voter turnout than national or state elections, but some professors at Wichita State aim to change that by urging students to participate. “I know there's a huge disillusionment with politics right now,” Alexandra Middlewood, assistant political science professor, said. “And I know that voter turnout in the local elections are always low, but you really can make an impact, especially (at) the local level.” Middlewood said local races can come down to just a handful of votes and pointed to the City of Wichita government’s impact on Wichita State students, even if they aren’t from the city. “They still live here 10 months minimum out of the year when they're going to school, and so they're still being affected,” Middlewood said. Chase Billingham, associate sociology professor, said that participating in local elections is up to each individual person, and it depends on how closely they feel tied to the community. While not all that happens in local government is exciting, Billingham said that it can impact what happens on campus. “So much of the day-to-day life of living in a place is being decided at the local level, and so that's really why local government is so important,” he said. “It's the closest connection that people have to decision-making power.” Middlewood said it’s easier for national politicians to run ads and use social media as they generate more revenue than local elections. “If you get 20% voter turnout in a local election, it's a big deal — which always makes me sad as a political scientist because local government makes decisions every day that affect our lives,” she said. “It's not that state and national government don't, but you feel the impact as a citizen of decisions made at the local level way more

often than you do the state and the national level.” While there are elections for the city council and USD 259 school board, Middlewood and Billingham said the mayoral race has the most traction, where incumbent Mayor Brandon Whipple will face off against newcomer Lily Wu. Middlewood said she wished there was more public opinion polling, something that Wichita lacks. “It is difficult to see or predict what is going to happen,” Middlewood said. “If you look at primary turnout, Lily Wu for mayor had a huge turnout in that primary. Could that mean that she’ll have a huge turnout in the general (election)? Perhaps, (but) there were a lot of other candidates in the primary.” Billingham said that many voters are going to look at what the current mayor, Whipple, has done. “I think a lot of (voters’) decisions are going to be made based upon whether they like the direction that the mayor has taken the city,” Billingham said.

HOW TO ELEVATE YOUR VOICE Both Middlewood and Billingham said that besides voting, there are other ways to have your voice heard. Billingham said many people get involved by directly contacting elected officials, taking part in public affairs, by protesting or writing letters. Middlewood said running for office is a great way to be involved as well as sitting in on the various boards and commissions that exist. “There are a lot more ways to get involved, to actually be able to contact your elected officials and perhaps see something that you really care about be a policy that's implemented because they have fewer constituents,” Middlewood said. “They're actually going to listen to what people want, and have an easier time doing so.”

and Leadership, said that the Shockers Vote! Coalition has targeted events at students in fields of study with historically low voter participation. “The most important thing that we can do is provide students with information about voting,” Belew said. “We can kind of clear up some of that confusion about where they can vote and how they can vote.” The Shockers Vote! Coalition also distributed door hangers in Shocker Hall with information about the TurboVote App, where students can register to vote and request an advanced ballot. Belew said she hopes the organization

can help students who might be disillusioned with politics discover issues they care about. “I think that students can find causes that are important to them, and there's a direct line between those things they care about and voting,” Belew said. “What I hope we're able to do is to help students see how impactful their vote is, even if they feel disinterested in politics.” Among the upcoming events hosted at Wichita State, Belew highlighted the mayoral candidate forum that took place on Oct. 18 and the school board candidate forum that will occur on Oct. 25. “I think that it would put a

person behind the people that are running for those offices,” Belew said. “It will give students an opportunity to talk to the candidates and answer questions and hear what they have to say.” Belew said that the Shockers Vote! Coalition will continue to try new initiatives to improve student voter turnout in future elections. “I hope that because of our efforts, we continue to do better each year,” Belew said. “Every year, we're able to find different ways to reach students and encourage them to vote and continue to engage that sense of civic pride.”

How to recognize and navigate barriers within voting as a student BY ALLISON CAMPBELL news@thesunflower.com

While many young voters are pushing to make their voices heard leading up to election season, thousands of students across the country struggle to engage in democratic processes due to limited resources, financial and time constraints, and other barriers. According to Loren Belew, the lowest voter turnout rates are among 18 to 22 year olds.

VOTER APATHY The aforementioned limitations, along with increased rates of voter apathy, are the biggest culprits in the lack of engagement. Belew, who serves as the civic engagement coordinator for Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership (SEAL), and others on campus, including those involved with the Shockers Vote! Coalition, are fighting to change that. They hope to do so by eliminating voter apathy, correcting misconceptions and providing reliable voting information to demystify the process. “I think it’s confusing (for students). I think they … just don’t have information about it, or they haven’t had the chance to get registered to vote, or it doesn’t seem very appealing,” Belew said. Voter apathy is a term used to refer to the lack of interest in voting, especially due to feelings of alienation and voter fatigue, according to POLYAS. Belew says that the growing level of disinterest and resentment toward voting presents harmful consequences, but she understands why students feel that way. “Voter apathy affects everyone, regardless of if they’re college students or not, or (if) they’re not interested in politics,” Belew said. “I certainly understand not being excited about politics or voting, but I would encourage (students) ... to start thinking about your community.”

Belew said one way that voters from all demographics can better connect with and participate in elections is by voting for candidates that support the causes most important to them, rather than randomly voting for candidates based on party affiliation or not voting at all. “People are really turned off in politics right now but are very passionate about causes,” Belew said. “Helping people see that those causes and issues that they’re passionate about are directly affected by who they vote for … can have an impact.”

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESSIBILITY DIFFICULTIES Other barriers include a lack of transportation and time limitations. The nearest advanced polling location to WSU is Progressive Missionary Baptist, which is about a mile away from the center of campus. For students without vehicles or with classes that conflict with the 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. early voting times, in-person voting can be almost completely inaccessible. The standard voting time window, between 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., for the general election is only open on Nov. 7. In the past, Wichita Transit has offered free bus rides for those riding to or from polling locations. As of Oct. 16, no such announcement for the 2023 election cycle has been made. Belew says a convenient, accessible, affordable alternative is to request an advanced ballot. “(Students) can have a ballot sent to their house, and then they can put it in the mail and vote before they even get to election day,” Belew said. “It’s pretty snazzy. For a lot of people who work, or students, or people who aren’t able to get out on their own … they can vote ahead of time, and then they don’t have to worry about it.” Advanced mail-in ballots

do not require a postage stamp, making the process completely free. Advanced ballots can be mailed from any mailbox or post office, including the post office location on campus at Morrison Hall. Advance mail ballots can be requested from the Sedgwick County Election office online. The last day to request an absentee ballot is seven days before the election.

ABSENCE OF STUDENTORIENTED INFORMATION A lack of information or access to voting information also results in lower youth voting turnout rates. Students from outside of Sedgwick County or Kansas often don’t know when or how to register to vote, and often maintain their voter registration in areas they do not currently live in. Freshman dental hygiene student Jelynn House is originally from Oklahoma and is still unsure of how the registration process works as a student between states. “I want to vote, but I’m honestly not sure how as an out-of-state student. They really don’t educate you about that part,” House said. “Dropping everything and driving four hours isn’t exactly the most convenient thing to do.” Wichita State students can register to vote through TurboVote, which partnered with WSU to provide general voting information, as well as the ability to check one’s voting registration status and how to change it.

HOW TO OVERCOME VOTING OBSTACLES The best method to help navigate these different barriers is to “make a plan to vote,” according to Belew. A complete list of advanced voting locations, as well as a calendar of Election Office events, can be found on the Sedgwick County website.

VOTER GUIDE

10 | Oct. 19, 2023

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Logan DeMond poses for a photo. DeMond works for incumbent mayoral candidate, Brandon Whipple’s campaign. | Photo courtesy of Logan DeMond

‘Invaluable’: Grad student works on mayor’s re-election campaign BY SHAYLEE JACOBS WILSON shaeryann2@gmail.com

Graduate student Logan DeMond went from a volunteer campaign speech writer to deputy campaign manager in the span of two months for incumbent Mayor Brandon Whipple’s campaign. He plans to fulfill this position until the upcoming election on Nov. 7. DeMond’s work for the campaign spans beyond a job experience. He said he believes in Whipple’s ability to further the progress he’s made in Wichita. “Working in this campaign, it is not about getting me to the next step in politics,” he said. “I’m in this because I’m passionate about building on the progress that the mayor has made for the City of Wichita over four years, and I don’t want to see him take steps backwards.” DeMond said there’s infinite networking opportunities for students at Wichita State. He said the experience is invaluable for a variety of majors while volunteering for the campaign. “I could read every speech in the world. I could write as many papers, but nothing compares to actually being in the room,” he said. If DeMond hadn’t made himself known to the Kansas Democratic Party, then he would not be where he is in the campaign today. He values his own and other students’ initiative to get involved in local politics and be a part of the change. “That’s how this stuff works. You have to have that drive to volunteer, to be able to give of your time, and that’s what we need in this campaign because that’s who were fueled by, is college students,” DeMond said. DeMond said that college students can have a voice in politics, if they’re willing to put themselves out there and help in positions where it’s needed most. College students can also have a strong impact on campaigns, DeMond said. Their voices are desired by elected officials. “The goal right now is just to get grassroots support within the community, and as I’ve said, especially with college students, and getting us involved, so that we can put (Whipple) back in that position,” DeMond said. While in this position, DeMond said he has been given irreplaceable opportunities within politics in Wichita. He said he was able to speak one-onone with Gov. Laura Kelly. “The advice she was able to give, that’s invaluable and (so is) seeing her and her belief in our mayor and her belief in the power of young people and what we’re able to contribute to the political atmosphere here in Kansas,” he said. DeMond said the long hours, difficult assignments and finding motivation while working on the campaign would not be possible if he didn’t have drive for the campaign. “There are some days where, you know, it’s exhausting,” he said. “Just what I’ve learned is that you have to lean on your core values because this election isn’t about me.”

Former Student Body Vice President Michael Bearth and former Student Body President Kitrina Miller-Taylor celebrate after winning the Student Government Association election in April of 2019. Miller and her running mate won by 26 votes. | File photo by Khánh Nguyễn / The Sunflower

‘Busiest I’ve ever been’: Former student body president reflects on lessons learned in office BY ISABEL ORDOÑEZ ordonez.ai01@gmail.com

Former Wichita State University Student Body President Kitrina Miller-Taylor found her career where social work meets social media. MillerTaylor, who served as Wichita State’s student body MILLER-TAYLOR president in the 2019-2020 school year, said her time spent in Student Government Association (SGA) pushed her onto a path of self-discovery. “I think it really pushed me to grow and learn about myself and, like, how much I can actually take on,” MillerTaylor said. “And what self care actually means for me … and how to say no to things too. And that it’s okay to say no.” Miller-Taylor graduated from Wichita State in 2020 with her bachelor’s of social work. A year later, she earned

her master’s of social work with a concentration in violence and injury prevention at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Now, she works in marketing and communications. Miller-Taylor reflected on her time in Student Government Association. She said after working as an assistant for the student advocate with Rheanna Pierce, associate director of practicum, and then serving as the student advocate herself, Miller-Taylor decided to run for president. “During my term as student advocate, I realized that I wanted to do more and wanted to help,” Miller-Taylor said. Miller-Taylor said the transition from a non-political to a political position was a change of pace. Students previously came to her with questions as student advocate, but as president, she was expected to initiate interaction with students, administration and community members.

“As student body president, you are going to other people and other departments and having these meetings consistently,” Miller-Taylor said. “I don’t just wait until somebody comes to me. I consistently have to go out and talk to all these individuals, which I really loved.” Miller-Taylor said her dedication to serving the student body was a significant time commitment, with her spending most of her day on campus in meetings, checking emails, signing bills, in office hours or in class. “My year as student body president was intense. It was the busiest I’ve ever been in my entire life,” Miller-Taylor said. “The only time I was ever at home was whenever I was sleeping, and the moment I woke up, I was gone for the entire day.” She said as student body president, she developed her skills in collaboration. “The biggest thing that being

student body president really teaches you (is) how to work with so many different people,” Miller-Taylor said. Miller-Taylor outlined the struggle of navigating various situations with the cabinet, Senate, student body, and administration. “It made me learn how to connect, how to work with other people that I was not used to working with and how to make sure that we work effectively together to make sure that projects and initiatives are completed,” Miller-Taylor said. She said serving as student body grew her skills of adaptability and career discernment. “It’s okay to do what’s best for myself and move on. And I honestly don’t think I would have been able to do that if it wasn’t for being president,” Miller-Taylor said. For more information about the Student Government Association, visit wichita.edu/ sga.

Out-of-state student shares challenges on voting BY AINSLEY SMYTH

aisnley.smyth3@gmail.com

With election season coming up in November, organizations, candidates and political parties are urging people to get registered and vote. For out-ofstate students at Wichita State and universities around the country, this goal might be a little more complex. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 20% of Wichita State’s undergraduate population were out-of-state students as of fall of 2022. For these students, where and how to vote can be a complicated decision. MacKenzie Kessler, a graphic design major from Oklahoma, said this can deter them from voting. “I know quite a few out-ofstate students that don’t vote at all, just because it’s too much of a hassle to request an absentee (ballot),” she said. “They don’t know if it’s gonna make it to them. They don’t know how to request an absentee ballot.” For the first election that occurred while Kessler was away at school, she said she drove home and voted. “It’s a three-hour drive just to go vote and maybe see my dogs

“ I know I can’t vote in more than one place, so I have to choose. I have to choose where I want my vote to count. MACKENZIE KESSLER WSU student from Oklahoma

and my parents,” she said. Due to the lack of convenience, she switched to mailing in an absentee ballot instead in subsequent elections. Absentee ballots are available in every state for people who aren’t able to vote in-person on election day for reasons such as disabilities, illness, lack of transportation or being out of the state temporarily. While the restrictions and deadlines that regulate requesting and turning in an absentee ballot vary by state, most follow a similar procedure. According to Ballotpedia, some states automatically send all eligible voters a mail-in ballot, while in others, an absentee ballot must be requested either online or by visiting or contacting your local election board. Some applications require a reason for requesting an absentee

ballot, such as attending an out-of state-university, while other states do not. Additionally, each state has deadlines for requesting and submitting an absentee ballot. Ballots can then be mailed in or turned in to the election office in person. Kessler said she has received and mailed in an absentee ballot for two elections without incident. But on another occasion, her ballot didn’t arrive before election day. “It got there a week later than it should have, so I wasn’t able to vote,” she said. Still, Kessler voted by an absentee ballot in the following elections because she said voting matters to her and her family. “It’s really important to me to vote for things involving public education because I still have brothers and sisters in public education in Oklahoma,” she said. “I know I can’t vote in more than one place, so I have to choose. I have to choose where I want my vote to count, and I don’t plan on staying in Wichita past college.”

CHANGING STATE RESIDENCY While Kessler decided to keep voting in Oklahoma, she, like any out-of-state student with a

permanent Kansas address, can register to vote in Kansas instead of their home state. Nancy Brown is the co-president of the League of Women Voters of the Wichita Metro, a nonpartisan organization that focuses on registering voters and advocating for voting rights. Brown said students should consider several factors when deciding where to register. “Look at how invested you are in your community back home versus how invested you are or are willing to become in Wichita,” she said. “If you’re only going to school at Wichita State so you can take what you know back home, then you’re more invested back there, and it would make better sense to register in your home state. Brown said that if you’re not sure what happens after graduation, register to vote in Kansas. “Particularly for local elections, it will have an impact on your everyday lives,” she said. Election day will be on Tuesday, Nov. 7. To check your voter registration status, visit naas. org. To update your voter registration to reflect the state you reside in, visit vote.gov.

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Oct. 19, 2023 | 11

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Wichita State history professor Jay Price said that balancing different levels of identity, from individual to state to national, was one of the challenges in planning for the semiquincentennial. This illustration is modeled after American Association for State and Local History’s field guide. | Illustration by Trinity Ramm / The Sunflower

‘Balancing the pluribus and the unum’: Kansas prepares for America’s 250th anniversary

BY TRINITY RAMM

managing@thesunflower.com

n 2026, America commemorates its 250th anniversary, and according to Jay Price, if you’re planning for the semiquincentennial – if you can say it – on Jan. 1, 2026, you’re already behind. Unlike the bicentennial in 1976, the semiquin will not be marked by parades, fireworks and red-white-and-blue everything. Price, a Wichita State history professor and member of the Kansas Historical Society, said that there are many complexities in commemorating and reconciling the “American” identity. “There’s this tension between trying to have a unified story and a diverse story,” Price said. “It’s balancing the ‘pluribus’ and the ‘unum.’” “E Pluribus Unum” is the motto of the United States, which translates to “one out of many” in English. During the 1970s, there was a focus on developing the “unum,” as Price describes it. To do this, there was a nationwide push for speaking English and the development and

heavy use of colonial revival architecture. According to a study by the U.S. Census Bureau, languages other than English spoken at home are on the rise, increasing from 1-in10 households to 1-in-5 households between 1980 and 2019. In 2020, immigrants accounted for 13.7% of the U.S. population, over triple the percentage in 1970. Not only will 2026 signify 250 years since the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, but it will also mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and come in the wake of the 2024 presidential election. Price said that Kansas is already behind in planning compared to some other states that have a clear theme, direction and branding for their celebrations. “There’s no one template that any state is using,” Price said. “(Kansas is) a bit more of a committee, and I think we’re still trying to figure out what that is exactly.” The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is providing guidance and themes for how states can tackle the

semiquin. They have provided five different themes that states can consider examining for this anniversary. (See to the right.) Price said that some states, like Ohio, are taking a state-pride approach that is looking to identify their own voice in the American landscape. Others, particularly the coastal states, plan to reflect on their relationship with the Revolutionary War, sans muskets. As for Kansas, there is no definitive plan as of yet and the committee wants to hear from Kansans about how the semiquin should look. “Be aware of it,” Price said. “If you were writing the text, what would it look like to you?” While the Kansas Historical Society and the Kansas Semiquincentennial Commission do not have a direct channel of outreach yet, Jay Price can be reached at jay.price@wichta.edu with any comments or questions. The full field guide for the semiquin can be found on AASLH’s website.

Wichita State’s FOCUS promotes political awareness and inclusivity on and off campus BY AVERY GATHRIGHT

averygathright@outlook.com

Both on and off campus, a student group is working to promote intersectionality and equality. The group, known as Feminists on Campus Uniting Students (FOCUS), aims to educate students and advocate for the rights of marginalized groups. According to the group’s campus outreach chair, Easton Vogt, the group does much more than promote women’s rights. “It’s a political group, but we educate people about … fourthwave feminism that takes an intersectionalist approach,” Vogt said. “We try to work with as many people as possible and be as inclusive as possible. It’s beyond the stereotypical feminism that people perceive as just being about women’s rights.” Elisabeth Benteman, FOCUS health and wellness chair, explained that the group promotes intersectionality and reproductive rights, in addition to “anti-racist, pro-LGTBQ” views. Benteman also shared the group’s goals to educate

students on these issues. “We have educational meetings, but we usually try to keep them pretty chill,” Benteman said. “We usually have activities for people to do. Our primary goal is to provide a space for people to learn about issues they might not be aware of and find out how they can advocate for underrepresented groups.” According to Benteman, FOCUS is non-partisan and does not endorse political candidates, but the organization does campaign for issues that uphold the group’s values, such as the pro-abortion “Vote No” campaign in 2022. “We will often discuss elections and voting, but we don’t take any stance on specific politicians,” Benteman said. “We are politically active in terms of different laws and legislature, but not in promoting voting for any candidates.” More recently, FOCUS was involved with advocating for the free menstrual products offered at Wichita State, which can now be found in various locations around campus.

“We helped partake a little bit in the menstrual act that we just recently passed on campus,” Vogt said. “That should be a right, in my opinion. (FOCUS also promotes) understanding on campus that not just women menstruate and that having products in our other restrooms was also highly important.” Vogt explained that students should get involved with the group because it can expand their worldviews. “It’s greatly important, because I think when you study the patriarchy, (you see) how it impacts every single person negatively,” Vogt said. “You realize every human issue is an issue for everyone. You start to advocate for humans in a very holistic way. Instead of just worrying about what impacts me, you start worrying about what’s impacting everyone else.” Students interested in learning more about FOCUS can attend the group’s Monday meetings each week at 5:30 p.m. in room 261 of the Rhatigan Student Center, or follow @feminists_wsu on Instagram.

AASLH’S FIVE FOCUSES Unfinished Revolutions: Stories centered around this theme would look at the beginnings of the American Revolution and how it is felt in the present.

Power of Place: This theme is focused on physical locations, both natural and manufactured. We the People: This theme considers how someone gets to be “American” and who gets to decide that. American Experiment: This theme places emphasis on looking at American origins and civic engagement. Doing History: The focus here is on collecting local histories and reconciling them with a national identity.

NEWS

12 | Oct. 19, 2023 www.thesunflower.com

HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact the News editors, Allison Campbell and Courtney Brown news@thesunflower.com

‘IT’S IMPACTFUL’

Ali Aljadi, an unnamed attendee and Omar Alsmadi listen as KJ, one of the vigil coordinators, speaks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on Palestinian people on Oct. 12. Vigil attendees had the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences on the situation.

Vigil honors Palestinian lives lost, educates about ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel To read about the background of the current violence in Palestine and Israel, go below to the section titled, ‘Deep roots’: Historical violence in Palestine, Israel. BY COURTNEY BROWN newsprojects@thesunflower.com

Attendees discussed the Israeli government’s attacks on Palestine, the media’s perception of the violence in that area and their own personal stories at a vigil held for Palestinian lives lost. Held outside the Grace Memorial Chapel near the Rhatigan Student Center on Thursday, Oct. 12, Wichita State students and other attendees gathered to honor Palestinians who have died and those currently under siege. Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist political group, launched a surprise attack from Gaza in Israel on Oct. 7, killing Israeli citizens and seizing dozens of hostages in one of the greatest escalations in the region for 50 years, according to Reuters. As of Oct. 14, the death toll in Israel has mounted to over 1,300. Following the attack, Israel laid siege to Gaza, a narrow, crowded strip of land home to 2.3 million Palestinians; Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for 16 years, and half of the Palestinians there are under the age of 19. As of Oct. 15, the death toll in Gaza climbed to over 2,300 Palestinians. According to The Guardian, the Israeli prime minister has promised not to turn on electricity and water in Gaza or send fuel there until all Israeli hostages are freed; United Nations experts have criticized the Israeli bombardment as “collective punishment,” which is a war crime. Attendees at Thursday’s vigil gathered in a circle, having discussions about the violence in Palestine and Israel and the history leading up to the most recent Hamas attack. Students taped a large poster to a nearby concrete wall, which included information on the siege in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. Attendees were also provided with educational resources. Attendees shared personal stories and connections to Palestine, but participants ranged

from different backgrounds. To honor the Palestinian victims, candles and flowers rested on a set of tables, which were covered with the Palestinian flag and various headscarves. Some attendees wore these scarves, with one calling them “a symbol of Palestinian resistance against apartheid in Palestine.” Kylie Flax said she grew more interested in learning about the violence in Palestine and Israel after hearing a personal story from an Arab friend. When her friend and his young siblings were on a bus, they were held at gunpoint and taken to prison. “That’s minuscule compared to a lot of other things that Israel has been doing to Palestine, but it’s just the principle (of ) ‘we were on a bus,’ and they took a child and threw him into prison for 10 hours,” Flax said. After listening to several attendees speak at the vigil, Flax encouraged them to continue sharing. “Your story is powerful, and it matters. Tell it,” Flax said. “Tell it in all of the gory details, tell it in all the graphic details. Share your story because it will change people’s minds.” Attendee Omar Alsmadi said he has family from Syria, noting the Syrian civil war that started in 2011. He said that it was good to see Syria and other countries in support of Palestine. “I feel like it will make a huge impact if we bring all that support here in America,” Alsmadi said. “Stuff like this (vigil), you know, it’s very – it’s impactful.” Alsmadi also noted that to make a real impact, “it’d be more an of an outside thing” because “there’s not that much you can do” in America. According to the Washington Post, President Joe Biden has spoken in support of Israel, condemning the Hamas attack on Israel as “unadulterated evil.” “U.S. policymaking on this issue is not always easy to simplify,” Laila Ballout, a WSU assistant professor of history, wrote in an email. “But currently, the Biden administration has aggressively supported the Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in high civilian

casualties.” Alsmadi said that different public figures and celebrities like Lebron James and Justin Bieber, as well as the NFL, have spoken in favor of Israel. “As uneducated as they are about it, they still have so much base around them,” Alsmadi said. “And so when they post something about that, like, you’ve got music fans, and you’ve got basketball fans and sports fans who are like, ‘Okay, go Israel.’” Other attendees criticized how Bieber posted a message of support for Israel with a photo of Gaza, which featured buildings destroyed by Israel; he deleted his Instagram story shortly after and reshared the message again with no background. Ballout said that many students on campus have relatives and friends in Israel and Palestinian territories as well as Lebanon, which has also been involved in a limited but dangerous bombing campaign. “This conflict presents enormous risk to civilians in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon,” Ballout said. “Anyone with relatives and friends in those places is likely to be enormously distraught by these events and worried about their loved ones.” At the vigil, Flax expressed her concern for those connected to the situation. “The more I learn from people who are directly involved, the more my heart breaks for it, and the more clear it is that one side is much more in the wrong than the other,” Flax said.

‘DEEP ROOTS’: HISTORICAL VIOLENCE IN PALESTINE, ISRAEL In an email, Ballout, also a historian of U.S. foreign relations with the Middle East in the 1970s and 1980s, wrote that there are many factors that most Americans don’t understand about the Palestine and Israel conflict, but “chiefly, I think there is absence of historical understanding that makes events with deep roots appear as if they only began with today’s events.” According to Vox, the United Nations adopted a partition plan in 1948 to dissolve Palestine into Arab

and Jewish states, which allotted 56% of the land to the Jewish State, including the most fertile regions; Palestine, with its people living on the land for generations, rejected this decision. Previously, Jewish settlers owned 6% of the land. According to Vox, Israel’s displacement of Palestinians started in 1948, when Zionists forced roughly 750,000 Palestinians and destroyed more than 500 villages; this event became known as the Nakba, which means “catastrophe” in Arabic. Israel captured 78% of the land through the Nakba. In 1967, the Israeli state occupied Gaza and the West Bank during the Six Day War. Several peace negotiations, mostly U.S.led, have failed to bring peace, according to Ballout. From 1977 to 2004, significant Israeli settlements were built in Gaza and are still built in the West Bank today, according to Ballout. “Many Palestinians see (this project) as trying to incorporate the territory into Israel, rendering negotiations for Palestinian autonomy, independence and land impossible,” Ballout said. In 2005, Israel forced Israeli settlers out of Gaza and gave political control to Palestinians; Israel still maintained control over the infrastructure, including electricity, and movement in and out of the territory. In 2006, democratic elections brought Hamas to political power, and they consolidated control over Gaza in 2007. Ballout said that past secular political movements failing to secure Palestinian political rights created an opening for Islamist groups like Hamas to gain control. “Hamas’s Islamist politics and prioritization of military confrontation with Israel, and repression of Palestinian political alternatives in Gaza, have allowed them to argue that they are the only force in Palestinian politics actively resisting the occupation,” Ballout said. Since Hamas came to power in 2007, Israel intensified its siege on Gaza. “That (siege) has restricted access to medicine, food, and water, stymied the economy and led to 45 percent unemployment,”

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Those attending Thursday’s vigil received a QR code that lists different resources to learn about Palestine’s history, including websites and podcasts, social media accounts and books. Vox’s video on Palestinian displacement can be found on YouTube on “How Palestinians were expelled from their homes.” Al Jazeera also details what led up to the Nakba at aljazeera.com. NBC News gives a breakdown on Gaza’s history and Israel’s control over the area at nbcnews.com. Haymarket Books is offering free e-book downloads on three of their titles on Palestine at haymarketbooks. org. AP News has made updates to address the misinformation about the current violence in Palestine and Israel. Reuters offers coverage of the violence at reuters.com/world/ middle-east/. A full list of links can be found at thesunflower.com. Ballout said. Conflict broke out in 2009 and 2014; each time Hamas fired rockets into Israel, and Israel bombed Gaza in retaliation. Ballout said that “this long history of occupation” and lack of political solutions has largely been “a story of Israeli military strengthening and invulnerability” since 1973, with Israeli receiving “intensive support” from the U.S. During this period, there were a few incidents of Palestinian military resistance, which led to further Israeli military build-ups. With political support, the current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to expand settlements and annex Gaza and the West Bank. The Hamas attack on Palestinians pierced Israeli’s sense of invincibility, according to Ballout. “The recent Hamas attack into Israel has punctured the feeling of Israeli invulnerability to violence stemming from the occupation and has shifted the dynamic in place since 1973,” Ballout said.

SPORTS

HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact the Sports editor, Melanie Rivera-Cortez sports@thesunflower.com

Oct. 19, 2023 | 13 www.thesunflower.com

Cross country takes home two top-five finishes to close regular season BY TRINITY RAMM

managing@thesunflower.com

Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams completed their regular seasons with top five finishes at the Bradley Pink Classic on Oct. 13 in Peoria, Illinois. The men’s team finished third at the meet, being beaten by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the University of Illinois. Redshirt junior Trey Rios had Wichita State’s lone top-ten individual finish during Friday’s meet, finishing in 10th place and joining junior Adam Rzentkowski and senior Jackson Caldwell in running a sub-25 minute race. The women’s team was led to a fifth-place finish by redshirt junior Miranda Dick, who ran a personal best time of 21:30.6 for 17th place. Senior Lubna Aldulaimi also ran a personal best time of 22:00.2 for 41st place. Junior Lucy Ndungu, whose race pace has earned her two American Athletic Conference (AAC) Athlete of the Week honors, did not race on Friday. The Shockers will run again at the AAC Championships on Oct. 28 in Greenville, North Carolina.

Softball names new director of operations BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

Wichita State softball’s head coach Kristi Bredbenner named Lexie Elkins as the next director of operations after former director of operations Nicole Pendley did ELKINS not return for another season. Elkins was the former No. 1 overall National Pro Fastpitch draft pick, as well as a three-time NFCA All-American catcher at University of Louisiana at Lafayette and was the 2015 NFCA Diamond Sports Division I Catcher of the Year. The Victoria, Texas, native began her college career at Texas Tech, before transferring to Louisiana for her sophomore season. At Louisiana, she helped lead the team to the Women’s College World Series. She competed professionally before announcing her retirement in March of 2017. Following her retirement, Elkins moved to Houston where she was an assistant coach at the University of Houston for two seasons.

The Prairie Fire Marathon runners and half marathon runners start their race at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Wichita on Oct. 8. There were 293 marathon runners and 802 half marathon runners. | Photo by Cheyanne Tull / The Sunflower

‘A little bit of legitimacy’: Prairie Fire Marathon funds non-binary categories BY TRINITY RAMM

managing@thesunflower.com

Thanks to a group of local runners, the non-binary category was funded for the first time at this year’s Prairie Fire marathon. They provided the same prizes as the male and female categories: $400 for 1st place, $200 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd place. Karen Carlo, a graduate student in sociology, said in an email to The Sunflower that there has been a push in road racing communities to not only have a non-binary category at local marathons, but to fund the top three winners. Zachary Gingrich-Gaylord, a local runner in Wichita,

spearheaded this project. He originally planned on funding just the marathon category on his own, but after a Facebook post, the mother of one of his friends offered to fund the rest of the categories. “It wasn’t a discount category,” Gingrich-Gaylord said. “It’ll take time to build confidence and there’s probably a lot of reasons why maybe people wouldn’t necessarily want to run under that category.” Gingrich-Gaylord cited the anti-LGBT bills sprouting up in Kansas, which he called “copycat bans” from legislatures across the country, as a potential reason why people wouldn’t run under this

classification. He said that this cause is important to him because he has a gender-nonconforming teenager and it is important for them to see people like themselves. “They are not a runner, they want nothing to do with it,” Gingrich-Gaylord said. “But it’s also important for me for them to be able to see the world open up to be accommodating to them and people who identify as gender expansive.” The London and Boston marathons are the only two of the six major marathons to offer a nonbinary running category. This year was the first time either marathon

offered this category in person. Neither of these marathons offered prize money in the non-binary category “Prize money often attracts more competitive runners who think they have a chance to do that,” GingrichGaylord said. “Which puts a little bit of legitimacy on it but you also want to see people at the top of their abilities doing something because that’s really inspiring.” Registration is open now for next year’s spring and fall races. Gingrich-Gaylord said that he hopes that the race’s sponsors could continue to fund non-binary runners like they fund prizes for all other categories.

Volleyball senior adopts new mentality to increase opportunities on court BY SHAYLEE JACOBS-WILSON shaeryann2@gmail.com

Senior opposite Sophia Rohling has been dominating on the court this season while making crucial adjustments to better herself and the team. Rohling said that at the start of the season there was a period of inconsistency, but now she’s reached a point of consistent success with her kills and she’s proud of reaching that goal. “That’s what I wanted,” Rohling said. “My main goal was to be a consistent person and consistently perform at a high level and I’m starting to do that and so I’m pretty excited about that.” As the season is coming to an end, the reality of it being Rohling’s last year playing ball has become imminent. Rohling said that this has been her best year yet, it has been her favorite year and she’s created the strongest connections with her teammates. “Just having fun, you know all of this is sadly coming to an

end, it’s truly going to be over and that’s been a bitter pill to swallow,” Rohling said. Rohling said she’s better than she thinks she is at times, recently she’s been taking chances and swinging with the possibility of errors and had better outcomes than she could have imagined. “I started having this mentality of just go get it, just go swing at it, see what happens,” Rohling said. “And that kind of aggression and just that ability of going for it has opened up a lot of opportunities that I didn’t think I had.” Chris Lamb, head volleyball coach, said Rohling leads by example and always knows how to take care of business. “She is an example of somebody that’s committed and responsible and accountable,” Lamb said. “She’s got everything she needs to be a dominant player in the conference.” Lamb said that Rohling has recently had high numbers on offense with little errors. “It’s like she wants to be that

Sophia Rohling, a senior, sets up to serve in the third set. Rohling made eight kills in the game against Charlotte on Sept. 23. | Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

powerful and that clean,” Lamb said. “That’s hard for other teams to keep up with.” Junior setter Izzi Strand said that Rohling tends to vocally celebrate after a kill to encourage the team in the middle of a game. She said the positive energy can make a large impact on everyone. “I think that her showing dominance in the front row is really important for us,” Strand said. Strand said that she has noticed

the past couple of games that Rohling has gotten a high hitting percentage and high amount of kills. Rohling said she’s now focused on having a positive end to the season. She plans on having a good time with her teammates and playing at a high level to end the season on a great note. “There’s some great competition coming up but I trust in our ability and I trust in our skill too,” Rohling said.

Volleyball wins two against Tulane BY JACOB UNRUH

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Wichita State volleyball won twice on the road against Tulane on Friday and Saturday, extending their win streak to five. The Shockers have won 10 of their last 11 matches.

FRIDAY

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On Oct. 13, the Shockers came from behind to beat the Green Wave as they turned a 2-1 sets deficit into a 3-2 win (25-20 WSU, 25-20 Tulane, 25-21 Tulane, 25-20 WSU, 15-13 WSU). Wichita State led early in every set except the third. The decisive fifth set, a back and forth affair, was clinched on a kill by senior outside hitter Brylee Kelly. Kelly notched 20 kills and hit .381 in the match. Senior opposite hitter Sophia Rohling and junior middle blocker Natalie Foster continued their excellent seasons, hitting .300 and .417, with 19 and 14 kills, respectively. Senior setter Izzi Strand set a new career-high with 60 assists.

The WSU volleyball starting players huddle together before the start of the first set against Colorado on Sept. 9. | Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

SATURDAY Following Friday’s nail-biting match, the Shockers swept past Tulane 3-0 (27-25, 25-18, 25-9) in Saturday’s matchup. Tulane came back from a 19-9 deficit to tie the first set at 23. Wichita State had two chances at set point to win, but Tulane responded each time. The set finally ended after a Kelly kill and Foster tip. The final two sets were controlled by the Shockers the whole way, highlighted by an 8-0

Wichita State run to start the third set. The Shockers had a balanced attack throughout the match. Kelly led the team with 11 kills, Rohling had 10 and Foster, junior middle blocker Morgan Stout and junior outside hitter Barbara Koehler all had nine. Strand once again led the team with 37 assists, and sophomore Gabi Maas had 15 digs. Wichita State improved to 13-5 on the year and 7-1 in conference play. The Shockers will play Tulsa in Koch Arena on Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21.

14 | Oct. 19, 2023 www.thesunflower.com

ARTS & CULTURE

HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact the Arts editor, Salsabila Attaria arts@thesunflower.com

TRAIL BLAZING

Over a chilly weekend, the Great Plains Nature Center in northeast Wichita hosted artists as well as wine-tasting along a hiking trail.

Emma Lacy and Whitney Kerr share a table at the arts on trail. Lacy sells crochet creations on Etsy. Kerr’s love for art was inspired by her grandmother. Photo by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower

Jeremy Alessi, former member of the Wichita Arts Council, paints at Art On the Trail at Great Plains Nature Center on Saturday, Oct. 14. The event hosted a range of artists at wine tasting. Alessi is also a sculptor and used to be a professional photographer. | Photo by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower

Stephanie Bayliff paints on the trail with her mediums of choice: oils or acrylics.| Photo by Gavin Stephens / The Sunflower

Daniel and Aubrey Mealiff paint on a canvas attached to their bodies on the hiking trail at the Great Plains Nature Center. Photo by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower

Mexican-American fastpitch history in Wichita preserved through first-hand accounts BY GENESIS MERRIETT genserudition@gmail.com

Anita Mendoza and David Rodriguez from the North End Wichita Historical Society, along with Derek Landwehr, a Wichita State local community history major, collected stories, trophies and photos from 17 former fastpitch players over the course of two months to create a documentary. A premier screening of the film “Mexican Americans Hit Homeruns in Kansas” was held at the Evergreen Library on Saturday, Oct. 14. The film discussed the history of fastpitch softball, which became a tradition in Mexican families in Kansas during the last century. “We kind of had to rush to, you know, get a grant proposal done,”

Landwehr said. “We got it done in time, so to film for the 75th anniversary fastpitch tournament up at Newton.” They traveled to other cities, including Newton, Salina and Emporia to interview MexicanAmericans and collect their stories. The preservation of the underrepresented Mexican history in Kansas was important to those who put the project together, as well the people whose stories were being told. The film was dedicated to the culture, pride and resilience through the hardship and uncertainty of Mexican immigrants. “I’m just trying to keep the Mexican-American fastpitch softball from dying out,” Rodriguez said.

Fastpitch softball is not as common as it used to be, according to Landwehr. Soccer has become more popular in recent years, so one of the aims of the documentary was to motivate families to participate in fastpitch more often. By sharing this history with the community, Mendoza hoped to share an appreciation for the pride, camaraderie and brotherhood shown by the fastpitch players. “I think it will help the future generation have pride in their community and their history,” Mendoza said. “And you know, let them know that we’ve been here a long time.” The Wichita Historical Society is still collecting donations of photos, stories, and other memorabilia of Mexican culture

Guest speaker and historian David Rodriguez (far right) discusses the film with community members at the screening. | Photo by Genesis Merriett / The Sunflower

in Wichita. They can be contacted through their website, email, or Facebook page for more information and to receive donations of MexicanAmerican history.

Mendoza plans to show the film in Newton and Emporia later this year, but final details have not been set. Upcoming dates will be announced on The Wichita Historical Society Facebook page.

HAVE A STORY IDEA? Contact the Opinion editor, Sascha Harvey opinion@thesunflower.com

OPINION

Oct. 19, 2023 | 15 www.thesunflower.com

Why voting as a student is important Maegan Vincent

maegan.ann.vincent@gmail.com

OPINION

Illustration by Wren Johnson / The Sunflower

Raising the voting age would be an injustice to voters everywhere Monique Bever monibever@gmail.com OPINION

“Old enough to fight, old enough to vote.” Youth activists championed this slogan during peak wartime drafts in American history. 18 to 20-year-old men lost their lives to wars, fighting for a country and government they had no representation in. In 1971, that came to an end, as the 26th Amendment was ratified and the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18. Today, in 2023, I’m an 18-yearold-woman. I’m enrolled in a 4-year university and I pay taxes. An endless amount of ballot measures pertain to my life, and I can have a say in those measures through voting. This is the

inherent right to democracy that this country was founded on, yet so many U.S. citizens were denied this basic freedom in our tumultuous history. I’ll be fully transparent and say I’ve had conflicting thoughts about voting in the past. Growing up under divisive partisanship, presidential elections always read to me like “vote for the better of two bad people.” It wasn’t until an amendment was proposed to Kansas’ constitution, which would have eliminated the right to an abortion, that my perspective changed. I’d spent the entire summer of 2022 horrified. With the local election seemingly on the entire city’s radar, “vote no” and “vote yes” signs dueled throughout every Wichita neighborhood. I waited in anticipation. On Aug. 2, 2022, Kansas voters

overwhelmingly voted against the “Value Them Both” amendment, keeping abortion protected in our state. I saw the power of the ballot system. With anti-LGBTQ+, and specifically anti-trans, ideology at the forefront of so many right-wing campaigns, voting doesn’t feel like a choice to me anymore. There are lives to protect. Republican Party presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy argues that the voting age should be raised to 25, with exceptions for younger folk who fulfill six months minimum of military service or as a first responder or pass a citizenship test, according to the Associated Press. The AP article also notes that Ramaswamy thinks the debate generated by his proposal will itself catalyze a long-overdue conversation about what it means

to be a citizen and how to foster civic pride in the next generation. I personally feel that when you start gatekeeping the right to vote, you’re stifling American citizens from engaging in the democratic process and developing their “civic pride.” With young males still being required by Federal Law to register with the Selective Service System to this day and heightened geopolitical tensions flooding the news, we’d be foolish to disregard our votes as an important playing piece. I’ll echo “old enough to fight, old enough to vote” as activists did decades ago. If 18 year olds are deemed cognizant enough to die fighting for the United States or to be fully punished by our carceral system, we deserve representation in the government.

Why voter registration shouldn’t be allowed on Election Day Cheyanne Tull

earth2chey.info@gmail.com

OPINION

Twenty states, as well as Washington, D.C., in the United States, allow voter registration on Election Day. Kansas is not one of those states. Online registration must be completed 21 days before Election Day. Registration by mail must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day, and in-person registration must be completed 21 days before Election Day. People in support of allowing voter registration on Election Day argue that it increases turnout because more people are registering to vote. They also think it allows for updated or correct voter polls because it is easier to

monitor the people that come in registering to vote and then therefore adding to ballots. In some ways, it aligns with election security because it allows voters the right to vote on Election Day and be monitored in person as they register to vote. Voter registration should not be allowed on Election Day as I think it threatens election security. There is a process that comes with registering to vote, and when done in person, mistakes could be made. This also puts an administrative burden on election officials because they have to wait longer to count votes and make sure it is accurate. In addition to this, it encourages ill-informed voting because people may come to the polls to vote without any education on who they are voting for. This is

damaging because it could put someone in an office or leadership position they cannot handle. Regardless of your views on when voters should be able to register, it’s best to get informed, do your own research and register to vote as early as possible. You can get more information on voter information and how to register to vote on the Kansas Secretary of State website.

REGISTERING IN PERSON & ONLINE Voter registration closes 21 days before the election, so you must be registered by Oct. 17 in order to vote in the general election.

REGISTERING BY MAIL Voter registration must either be postmarked by Oct. 17 or received by Oct. 29 (if postmark is missing) to be accepted.

Illustration by Cheyanne Tull / The Sunflower

As redundant and, quite frankly, intimidating, it is to hear that we as the younger generation are responsible for fixing what the older generations in local and federal offices have done, it’s true. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to the generations that will come after us to ensure that we have done everything we can to protect our democracy. Over the last few years, we have seen some extreme political trends ranging from alleged national voting fraud, stolen elections, antiLGBTQIA+ bills, political violence and so much more. In a country home to over 300 million people, it can be hard to feel like your singular vote matters. Trust me, that is the furthest thing from the truth. When you vote, whether it be a local or presidential election, your vote is your voice. By utilizing your chance to vote, you are standing up for your peers and your community. You are stating what you believe in and sharing your hopes for your country. Every year, there are varying issues on the election ballot; health care, climate change, LGBTQIA+ and women’s rights and changes in the economy are just some of the many issues we’ve been facing over the last several years. While all of these issues can seem overwhelming and intimidating, especially when you are suddenly responsible for how they are handled, you deal with them every day in your community and how you vote will impact those issues within your community. As a student voter, we have a lot at stake. Our choices will not only impact us but those after us. We are not just voting for ourselves; we’re voting for our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. Millennials and Gen Z have a responsibility to fight for what we believe in. Voting is one of the most important ways to do that, even beyond federal elections. Your vote has a huge impact on the state and community you live in. We impact and predict the future of our nation with our votes, which is why voting as a student is so important. We’re stating what we believe in, what we want and hope for our country, and what we want for the generations that come after us. We’re voting for a right to a brighter future.

The problem with being ‘raised in a different time’ Sascha Harvey

opinion@thesunflower.com

OPINION

My grandmother has been known to say some pretty unsavory things over the years, things I don’t want to (and can’t) repeat. Mostly, her opinions can be linked to ignorance – ignorance about race, religion, gender, sexuality, everything under the sun. After she leaves the room, my parents and I will gape at each other, and I’ll say, “How could you ever think that, much less say it to another person?” A lot of the time, I’m met with a specific answer: “She was raised in a different time.” Well, obviously. My grandmother was born in the South in 1944. She was raised by a father who refused to teach her and her sister how to drive. She is a deeply religious woman,

finding a way to work Christ into any conversation. A lot of the Sundays of my early childhood were spent with my grandma and grandpa, sometimes my mother, in a small, metal shack on the side of the highway that functioned as a nondenominational church. One of the last times I attended church, the sermon, for some reason, covered the end times and found a way to call certain groups the Antichrist, as well as blamed the presence of these groups for the “downfall of America.” The worst part was to look over and see my grandmother nodding along. And yes, she was raised in a different time. By the time I was born, she was 59. I grew up with Lightning McQueen and what she would call “fake news.” She lived through Watergate, and I watched a movie about it in high school. Our differences outnumber our similarities, and yet now we both live, have strong convictions and vote. I’m sure many parrot a

similar sentiment with their older relatives. My grandmother has been a legal, voting adult for 71 years, and she’s lived through countless social changes. To a much lesser extent, I have, too. Being raised in the South, I just kind of assumed that I was uber-conservative, and realizing that my views did not so much align with this was a huge internal conflict for me. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against police brutality spread throughout the nation. As someone who was raised by a police officer, these protests spurred some difficult conversations, and I found myself at odds with many loved ones. In a world growing more and more tolerant, it has been a great pleasure to expand my horizons beyond the small world I grew up in. In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education ended segregation in public schools. My grandmother

would’ve been 10 – barely old enough to recall segregation. On Sept. 4, 1957, the Little Rock Nine faced discrimination trying to enter their high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent in federal troops to escort the students. Five days later, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was signed into law, protecting voter rights. This all happened in the state where my grandmother was born and raised. She would’ve been 13 years old. On Aug. 28, 1963, around 250,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. At this march, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. A minister, King incorporated scripture and religious speech to deliver his point home. My highly religious grandmother would’ve been 19 years old. These hugely impact events all happened early in her life. Her brain still would’ve

been developing. So does she deliberately choose to be on the wrong side of history, avoidant to change? Has she wanted things to stay the same as they were when she was 9 years old? I would maybe be more understanding if she was resistant to every other form of change. But she’s simply not: she drives a modern car and has an iPhone. She watches TV and is an avid user of Facebook. And for your older family members whose prejudice gets excused by “growing up in a different time,” are they completely frozen in the world they lived in when they were young? Or do they participate in modern society? How long do you excuse this behavior before you, yourself, become part of the problem? If we constantly avoid uncomfortable conversations, we can’t really expect people to change with the times.

16 | Oct. 19, 2023

VOTER GUIDE

SPOT THE POLLS Want to know where to go to vote? We compiled a list of polling places in Wichita for the Nov. 7 election. To find your specific polling location, visit myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview

www.thesunflower.com

UPCOMING EVENTS PEE FOR PIZZA

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 Noon - 4 p.m. | Steve Clark YMCA & Student Wellness Center

BIKE WITH HONORS

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 4 p.m. | John Bardo Center

ONE SMALL STEP LISTENING EVENT AND RECEPTION THURSDAY, OCT. 19 5:30 - 7 p.m. | Ulrich Museum

KARAOKE

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 7 - 9 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

WSU SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | MARK LAYCOCK, CONDUCTOR THURSDAY, OCT. 19 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. | Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center

SCHOOL OF MUSIC MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL FRIDAY, OCT. 20 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center

LECTURE SERIES IN THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES: YEN-CHANG HUANG, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TAINAN FRIDAY, OCT. 20 3 p.m. | Jabara Hall

2023 COLLEGE OF APPLIED STUDIES HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION EVENT

FRIDAY, OCT. 20 Noon - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

GLOBAL VILLAGE ASSEMBLY FRIDAY, OCT. 20 7 - 8:30 p.m. | Hubbard Hall

SHOCKER NEIGHBORHOOD COALITION CLEAN-UP

INDEX 1. GODDARD DISTRICT CONFERENCE CENTER 201 S Main Street, Goddard, KS 67052

2. WESTLINK CHURCH OF CHRIST 10025 W Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67212

3. SEDGWICK COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE 7001 W 21st St N, Wichita, KS 67205

4. ST ANDREW’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 2555 Hyacinth Lane, Wichita, KS 67204

5. PARK CITY CITY HALL 1941 E 61st St N, Park City, KS 67219

6. VALLEY CENTER COMMUNITY CENTER 314 E Clay St, Valley Center, KS 67147

7. BEL AIRE CITY HALL 7651 E Central Park, Bel Aire, KS 67226

8. PROGRESSIVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 2727 E 25th St N, Wichita, KS 67219

9. REFORMATION LUTHERAN CHURCH 7601 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67206

10. URBAN LEAGUE OF KANSAS, INC. 2418 E 9th St N, Wichita, KS 67214

11. GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5002 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67208

12. MT. VERNON METHODIST CHURCH 5701 E Mt Vernon St, Wichita, KS 67218

13. WOODLAND LAKES COMMUNITY CHURCH 770 S Greenwich Rd, Wichita, KS 67207

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 8 - 11 a.m. | Ulrich Museum

PUMPKIN RUN

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 9 a.m. | Shocker Hall

EMPTY BOWLS CHILI COOK-OFF FUNDRAISER SATURDAY, OCT. 21 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Woolsey Hall

TRUNK OR TREAT

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 1 - 4 p.m. | John Bardo Center

CARS AND COFFEE

SATURDAY, OCT. 21 3:30 - 5 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

14. WOODLAWN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 431 S Woodlawn Blvd, Derby, KS 67037

15. HAYSVILLE COMMUNITY LIBRARY 210 Hays Ave, Haysville, KS 67060

16. MACHINISTS BUILDING 3830 S Meridian Ave, Wichita, KS 67217

HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED? CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com