The Towerlight (October 17, 2017)

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October 17, 2017

A K !

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Michael Elliott, associate professor of sociology at TU, researches fandoms in the comic community, pg. 12 Courtesy by Michael Elliott, Photo Illustration by Jordan Stephenson /The Towerlight

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Social

October 17, 2017

Editor-in-Chief Marcus Dieterle Senior Editor Jordan Cope Assoc. News Editor Bailey Hendricks Arts & Life Editor McKenna Graham Asst. Arts & Life Editor Kerry Ingram Sports Editor Karuga Koinange Asst. Sports Editors Michael Mills Billy Owens Senior Staff Writer Sarah Rowan Staff Writers Desmond Boyle

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Lauren Cosca Amanda Carroll Mary-Ellen Davis Michael Mills Jill Gattens Jessica Ricks Billy Owens Keri Luise Kevin McGuire Muhammad Waheed

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Opinion

October 17, 2017

When is the right The harm of Bialik’s op-ed time to talk reform?

Rationalization is hurting the culture of the United States KAYLA HUNT Columnist

Recently an op-ed piece was published in the New York Times by Mayim Bialik. The headline of this piece was "Being a Feminist in Harvey Weinstein's World.” Since the article was run, Bialik has been facing endless backlash by social media users across all platforms for some of the comments she made in her piece.

One of the main things that stuck with me from this op-ed was that Bialik suggested that women are somewhat naïve about the cul-

ture we live in today: "In a perfect world, women should be free to act however they want. But our world isn’t perfect.

Nothing — absolutely nothing — excuses men for assaulting or abusing women. But we can’t be naïve about the culture we live in."

After reading this sentence over a thousand times, I was trying to grasp the notion of the claim that she was making. I, along with many other men and women, completely agree that there are absolutely no

excuses that should be made for some men’s demeaning and ignorant behavior.

Rationalization should not be applied to the behavior of men, however; we all know this is not always the case. This is what allows the cycle of rape culture to continue, this is what allows rape culture to exist. This is a nation of rationalization, especially when it comes to the justification of the acts performed by men; more prevalently, white men.

After reading this and taking time to analyze what Bialik claimed, I believe that she is contributing to this cycle of rape culture. By claiming that women are naïve about the culture that they live in says more about that culture and society than it does about the women.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Mark Dragon/ The Towerlight Assistant Photo Editor Mark Dragon took a trip to the Echostage in Washington D.C. on Oct. 7, to see a concert featuring Crankdat. Echostage opened in 2001 and can host roughly 5,000 guests. To see more of Mark’s photographs, please visit us online at thetowerlight.com.

The importance of discussions in a country in desperate need of healing

RYAN KIRBY Columnist

When tragedy strikes and the worst of humanity is revealed, it is up to us to display the best in humanity and care for those that have been affected. American society has been faced with a number of tragedies in recent weeks; multiple devastating hurricanes, a horrific mass shooting in Las Vegas and deadly wildfires across the West Coast.

Many Americans have responded with thoughts and prayers, cash donations, blood drives and other forms of giving to help victims and first responders. There have also been discussions and accusations that some people make these tragedies too political too soon. When is it acceptable to talk about causes to these tragedies, even if it means getting political?

Of course, there is no cut and dry rule for when it is appropriate to discuss causes to a tragedy, but I would argue that solutions should be talked about sooner rather than later. It is important to grieve for our fellow citizens and provide whatever aid we can in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophe; however, the hard discussions about preventing future catastrophes is necessary.

The shooting in Las Vegas involves an even more polarizing issue; gun control. At least 59 people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured. Avoiding discussions about how to prevent future tragedies does a disservice to those who lost their lives, and to those who have lost their loved ones. We live in a society where innocent people can be gunned down and

the best we can do is offer thoughts and prayers. The gunman had purchased 33 weapons in the last year, an average of one weapon every 11 days. How do we live in a society where an individual is allowed to purchase that many weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition and it raises no red flags?

Not only was he able to amass a stockpile of weapons and ammunition, but he was able to purchase a bump fire stock -which is completely legal to purchase, just not to use in some states -- that makes his weapons fire at a rate similar to fully-automatic weapons. Nobody should be able to legally purchase an accessory that makes a weapon illegal. That is a simple step we can take and is the opening to a broader topic to solve gun violence in this country.

When tragedy strikes our response should not be to simply sit idly by. I would argue that we need to have these discussions when the emotions are still raw. These conversations are not supposed to make you feel comfortable nor happen when it is most convenient. When a tragedy occurs, the first step is to grieve, but immediately after there needs to be a dialogue about solutions.

How many more Americans have to die or suffer because we choose not to act? I don't believe that when a horrific event occurs, we should merely accept the premise that it is the "price of freedom" like Bill O'Reilly would have us believe. No, I choose to believe we can and should do better, and I look forward to having a discussion on solutions with my fellow Americans.

Opinion

October 17, 2017

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SCOTUS takes gay wedding cake case It’s time for women to unite CONNOR McNAIRN Columnist

In 2015, the United States Supreme Court affirmed that same sex marriage is a constitutional right. In the controversial Obergefell v. Hodges decision, right-leaning Justice Kennedy, in addition to Justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan determined that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment protects the liberties of gay couples who seek marriage. While this decision is two years old, its influence remains omnipresent.

Later this fall, the Supreme Court will hear a case concerning the relationship between same-sex marriage and religious expression.

Jack Phillips, a baker and co-owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Colorado, attracted national media attention in 2012 when he refused to provide a cake for a same-sex wedding. Phillips justified his decision by arguing that same-sex weddings violate his Christian beliefs.

Further, Phillips contended that his cake-making is “artwork” and that he should not be forced to provide art for an event that he does not support. In contrast, the couple whom Phillips refused (David Mullins and Charlie Craig) argues that denying service to gay customers is genuinely discriminatory.

The Court’s decision will invariably take into account the results of prior court decisions pertaining to same-sex marriage as well Colorado anti-discrimination laws.

First, two court cases in particular – Obergefell v. Hodges and Employment Division v. Smith – set clear precedents that ultimately favor Mullins and Craig. In Obergefell, the Court determined that same-sex marriage must be recognized in all 50 states because it is protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.

Because Mullins and Craig’s marriage is legally recognized via the Obergefell decision, Mr. Phillips is actively refusing to provide services for a legally recognized union. Second, in Employment Division v. Smith, the Court determined that the free exercise of illegal actions, even if driven by religious motivations, is

not justified if it violates law. Third, in the state of Colorado, businesses may not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. If the Colorado law specifically targeted Christians and their right to express religious sentiments, Phillips would likely have standing in his rejection of Mullins and Craig. In no way, however, does the Colorado state law specifically target or burden any form of religious expression; it only provides protections against discrimination.

In this case, Phillips lacks standing to refuse service to Mullins and Craig.

Same-sex marriage has been validated by the United States Supreme Court. Even though Phillips’ original rejection of Mullins and Craig occurred before the Obergefell decision, the Court will likely build much of its argument on the 2015 precedent. Regardless of one’s religious preferences, the right for a same-sex couple to marry is as valid as a heterosexual couple’s. In addition, while Americans do enjoy the First Amendment right to freely speak and exercise their religion, it is not acceptable for that exercise to violate anti-discrimination laws.

Because Colorado denies businesses the right to discriminate against sexual orientation, Phillips may not refuse to serve a couple based on their sexual orientation. After the couple challenged Phillips in local court, the court ordered that Phillips both provide the wedding cake and change company policies to prevent further discrimination.

Phillips appealed the ruling and the Supreme Court has since decided to hear the case.

Though all of the aforementioned arguments are vital, it is important to note that Mullins and Craig have since married. Whatever the Court decides, it will not directly impact the couple who originally disputed Phillips’ rejection. Rather, the implications of this decision will impact the future ability, or lack thereof, of same-sex couples to receive service from those who disagree with homosexuality and samesex marriage. It is likely that Court will rule against Phillips because his expression is in direct violation of state law and judicial precedent.

Women of all races need to come together and join as one KYNDALL CUNNINGHAM Columnist

When white women call on me to do anything, I typically stay put. I don’t immediately jump on whatever social action train they’re on that day. I don’t succumb to their wishes and retweet whatever hashtag they’ve created. It’s not because I don’t validate their grievances or think their causes are important, because they usually are. It’s also not because I’m not on the side of women. As much as I am black, I am also a woman.

The societal burden of p re j u d i c e for me is twofold, ultimately threef o l d , but I can always relate on some level to the universal suffering all of us women share when it comes to sexual assault, mistreatment in the workplace, or our government trying to make women’s health not a thing. No matter how big or small, every woman carries a burden, and I always acknowledge that.

White women, on the other hand, have a problem doing the same. It’s most evident when their overwhelming support or call to action for a woman’s issue of their choosing trumps their support for their sisters of color for whom society’s aggressions are much worse.

It’s worth pointing out, particularly when women all across Twitter were called on to boycott the social media giant in protest of Rose McGowan’s account be suspended in lieu of her speaking out against sexual assault, specifically the disgusting allegations against Hollywood movie exec Harvey Weinstein. It is, in fact, ridiculous and awful that despite neo-Nazi’s and white supremacists being able

It was only a year ago when to openly spew hate and plan rallies on the site, a woman calling out the messed-up Hollywood system and encouraging other women to speak out against sexual assault in the workplace is considered heinous enough for a suspension.

If you’re wondering who Rose McGowan is, she is an actress most known for her role as Paige in the television series “Charmed.”

McGowan, along with a growing list of actresses and models, accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault.

We i n s t e i n has now b e e n f i r e d from his c o mp a ny and seeking treatment in Arizona.

McGowan has publicized her rape on Twitter and has been calling for the entire executive board at the Weinstein Company to resign for the past week, and rightfully so. Her account was locked and suspended on Thursday, getting her supporters into an uproar and starting the hashtag #WomenBoycottTwitter which would start Friday.

While the boycott received support from celebrities like Chrissy Teigen, Kerry Washington, Mark Ruffalo and, of course, Rose McGowan, it didn’t exactly sit well with women of color who called on white women to acknowledge their lack of support for issues they’ve dealt with - and in turn, started the hashtag #WOCAffirmation. It became a trending topic, as expected when women of color ban together and uplift each other. Black women seemed the most vocal with hashtag (at least on my timeline), declaring their accomplishments, dreams and aspirations while also calling out selective advocacy by white women.

Leslie Jones’ Twitter was flooded with hateful, racist messages.

Online bullies and white supremacists tagged her in photos of apes and gorillas. She was called a man by notorious bully and alt-right agitator Milo Yiannopoulos and attacked viciously for her looks in the midst of a groundbreaking movie role in the all-female reboot of “Ghostbusters.” Jones announced her brief departure from Twitter and the pain it caused her. It was hard to witness and read about online. I follow her on Instagram, and she often posts about the bouts of sadness that she goes through. I don’t know her personally of course, but I can’t help but to think about all the trauma she’s gone through being publicly beaten down.

On Friday, many black women were left wondering why there was never a boycott for Jones, as a victim of hate crimes. It was covered by the media, and some celebrities tweeted at her in support. But there was never this coming-together of passionate, equality-demanding women on a larger scale that we see when a white woman is discriminated against. Even after sports anchor Jemele Hill was suspended from ESPN and attacked by our president for calling out racism, it wasn’t worthy of a boycott or hashtag of any kind according to white women. Or when transgender model Munroe Bergdof was fired from L’Oréal Paris for a Facebook post where she called out the “racial violence” of white people.

Of course, when women of color call white women out on this, we are called difficult, divisive and deflective of the issue at hand.

That’s not at all true. Our demand for intersectionality does not lessen our support for McGowan’s cause. If white feminists want unity among women from different backgrounds they have to support our causes and bring them to the mainstream. We deserve better from the community and need boycotts in our names, too.

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News

October 17, 2017

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Community remembers Vegas victims TU holds candlelight vigil in Speakers Circle to reflect on recent events

ANTHONY PETRO Contributing Writer

Civic Engagement. “Towson students need to continue to stand up for what’s right, and continue to search for what we can do to make Towson students, faculty and the world better for one another.” staff gathered at Speakers Circle The students held their canon Oct. 10 for a candlelight vigil to mourn the lives of those who were dles, bowed their heads in silence, killed in the mass shooting in Las and reflected on the shootings Vegas, Nevada. and violence the United States has On the night endured. of Oct. 1, gunSpeakers took to the man Stephen Towson students stage to Paddock killed need to continue to express their 58 and injured stand up for what’s concern for the 546 people after country and shooting into a right, and continue discuss ways crowd of conto search for what Towson could certgoers during we can do to make help. the “Route 91 “We wantHarvest” counthe world better for try music festied to get TU one another. involved to recval in Las Vegas.

Members of ognize that the the Student attack in Vegas Government was a terriLUIS SIERRA Association and Asst. Director for Civic Engagement ble tragedy,” workers from SGA Director the Department of Civic of Civic Engagement and Social Engagement Christian Pineiro Responsibility hosted the vigil and said. “There could be hundreds on handed candles to students who campus who have connections to came out to show their support. anyone who attended that concert “We wanted to provide a space and even if you don’t have any for peace and reflection,” said connections, it’s still important for Luis Sierra, assistant director for people to know we care.”

“

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

Students, faculty and staff were in attendance at a candlelight vigil that was held on Oct. 1, to remember the victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting. 58 people were killed and 546 were injured in the attack.

SGA Director of Health and Wellness Rachel Chang said they wanted to raise awareness around campus to not judge the Las Vegas mass shooting as “just another shooting.”

Sophomore mass communication major Rachel Veslany emphasized the significance of Towson demonstrating solidarity with the

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

The vigil was hosted by members of the Student Government Association and workers from the Department of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility as a space for peace and reflection.

victims of the attack.

“It is important for TU to come together to show support as a community for everyone and to show inclusion for every different ethnicity, race, and gender,” Veslany said. “The victims were just there for a concert and to have fun but lost their lives instead.”

Sophomore McKenna Bondura, an early childhood education major described the shooting as the elephant in the room and something that isn’t typically discussed among in the classroom.

“Towson provides a space to talk and acknowledge service and empower change,” Bondura said.

SGA President James Mileo described the Vegas shooting as traumatic, evil, an act of terror, and an effort to instill fear into society.

“We are starting to see the national government recede into violent narratives and we need to be more thoughtful about what we are putting into the world and how we are going to impact the lives we touch every day,” Mileo said. “You need to let events like this give you a voice to make a change and make a difference.”

Mileo listed a few ways in which Towson students can respond to the tragedy in Vegas.

He said TU can advocate for

stricter gun control laws, advocate for those that were injured, and try to create change and find a solution.

Before giving the microphone to Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Timothy Chandler, Mileo told the students in attendance to fill the atmosphere with love and requested a moment of silence.

Chandler described Towson as a community in search for peace and harmony for others and to get stronger, we need to reflect on our differences.

“The Vegas shooting was nothing short of a tragedy and it has left us with more questions than answers on what caused it,” Chandler said. “But, it is about how we respond to life’s trials.

We responded the right way, with intellectual conversation and debate as well as getting here together to support those who are grieving and have lost loved ones.”

Chandler expressed his gratitude to the students in attendance and requested another moment of silence.

“I think it’s important to show everyone we should show support and speak out and not stay quiet to create solutions,” said sophomore Beza Tenna, an international studies major.

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News

October 17, 2017

Prof. awarded $2.2M grant Program to empower English learners

COLIN KAEPERNICK FILES GRIEVANCE CLAIMING NFL OWNERS ‘PUNISHED’ HIM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Colin Kaepernick, former starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and current free agent, has filed a grievance against the National Football League. Kaepernick alleges that team owners have colluded against him and that he has been punished for his game-day protests against police brutality.

Kaepernick began taking a knee during the national anthem last year in protest against racism and police brutality. President Donald Trump blasted players in September for kneeling during the national anthem and called on the NFL to fire those players who do so. Since then, numerous athletes have followed Kaepernick’s protest and knelt during the anthem. After opting out of his contract with the 49ers in March, Kaepernick has not been picked up by another team.

SGT. BOWE BERGDAHL PLEADS GUILTY TO DESERTION FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA On Monday, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl pleaded guilty to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. Bergdahl was a U.S. Army soldier who was captured and held by a Taliban-aligned network in Afghanistan and Pakistan after disappearing from his military base in Afghanistan in 2009. Bergdahl originally maintained that he was captured after falling behind on a foot patrol.

However, he later claimed that he deserted his unit to bring attention to his concerns over military leadership. Bergdahl’s story was featured in the second season of the Serial podcast.

MARY-ELLEN DAVIS Staff Writer

Patricia Doran, a professor in the College of Education, was awarded a $2.2 million grant from the federal government to provide skills training to teachers working with English learners.

The grant will help fund Doran’s “English Learners Moving to Proficient Outcomes with Engagement and Rigor” program, also known as EMPOWER. “The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, their Office of English Language Acquisition, which is the federal office that deals with instruction and support with English language learners, and helping teachers gain the skills to support English language learners,” Doran said Doran is not working alone on this project. She has co-principal investigators Elizabeth Neville, special education department chair, and Gilda MartinezAlba, educational technology and literacy department chair.

Ray Lorion, executive director of the Center for Application and Innovation Research in Education, will lead the evaluation effort for the project.

“Dr. Doran is the lead, so she

is the one that primarily put together the grant,” Neville said.

“She is the go-to person for the grant, she is the queen of the grant, but again, anything you do collaboratively comes out better in the end, right?”

The grant provides a partnership with the Monarch Academy’s two locations in Annapolis and Laurel. It is meant to help provide teachers with the skills they need to better help English learners, and to increase teachers’ capacity to understand and support English learners, according to Doran.

Neville said the project was written to help provide a curriculum for undergraduate students, to allow them to be better prepared to work with English learners and to provide support for teachers already in the workforce to get a master’s degree.

Another part of the project allows for real-time development for teachers in the Monarch Academy schools, and outreach to the surrounding communities.

“The grant enables us to take this money, basically, and say how do we help prepare you [teachers] to meet the needs of English learners, and that’s including their families,” Neville said.

Martinez-Alba believes that

this grant will be beneficial because officials from Monarch Academy will be able to voice where they think they need the most help financially.

“So far what we’ve done is gone to the Monarch School in Annapolis and met with a team there of the principal and some ESOL teachers and other stakeholders, anwd we’ve talked to them about what is it that they would find most beneficial,” Martinez-Alba said. “Because, of course, you want to provide what they want and what they actually need. We don’t want to come in and impose what we think they should have, because they know best.”

Doran has many visions for the program.

She wishes to see continued growth and development in teachers and their abilities to support English learners, and that those who participate in the professional development will have the opportunity to think about how to better their skills to continue to support these students.

“My hope is that we can think about all the things these students are good at and then give teachers and help teachers continue to build their instructions so we can support English learners,” she said.

DOZENS STILL MISSING IN CALI WILDFIRES AS CREWS GAIN GROUND SANTA ROSA, CALIFORNIA

Wildfires have ripped through Northern California, killing at least 40 people. As firefighters search for missing people, dozens were still missing as of Sunday. No longer in danger of the fires, thousands of residents returned home Sunday. However, evacuations continued for about 75,000 people.

According to authorities, forecasted rain could help with clearing dangerous air conditions in the region.

-- Stories compiled by Marcus Dieterle. Stories from The Daily Beast.

Coutresy of Baltimore Sun

The Monarch Academy in Laurel is one of the school locations professor Patricia Doran and her team is partnering with for her project on training teachers to help support English learners.

News

October 17, 2017

9

Poet shares Latino experience Ehrlich urges students to define their terms

Former Maryland governor visits TU persuasion class BAILEY HENDRICKS Associate News Editor @imsimplybailey

Keri Luise/ The Towerlight

Writer and professor Javier Ávila shared his experiences and the challanges he has had being an American Latino, including learning that his grandmother was illegally followed by the FBI. KERI LUISE Staff Writer

Poet, novelist, storyteller and professor Javier Ávila presented his journey as an American Latino and how he has struggled with that identity at Towson University on Oct. 9.

“I was white, in Puerto Rico,” Ávila said. “Because in Puerto Rico if you have this skin tone or lighter, you are considered white and no one tells you that you’re not.” Ávila taught English at the University of Puerto Rico for eight years until he moved to Pennsylvania and became a professor at Northampton Community College.

In 2015, he won the Pennsylvania Professor of the Year Award sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. Ávila was the first Latino to receive this award. Ávila didn’t realize he wasn’t white until he moved to Pennsylvania and someone told him that he was actually seen as brown. Even after that revelation, he still felt he was the same person with the same value.

“Race is a fallacy,” Ávila said. “It really is a concept created to keep us apart.” Ávila has published 13 books, including poetry anthologies and novels. His bestselling novel “Different” became an award-winning motion picture entitled “Miente,” which was screened in over a dozen countries.

After 10 years in Pennsylvania, Ávila put together his personal experiences and views of race, culture and what it means to be Latino in

America into a one-man show called “The Trouble with My Name.”

During his talk at Towson, Ávila engaged the audience as he told the story of his life and read his original poetry delivered with his satirical sense of humor. Ávila grew up with a bilingual education. He spoke both English and Spanish, and he didn’t have a strong accent. Ávila has experienced situations where people were surprised to hear how good his English was just because of how he looked. When he spoke Spanish around people who didn’t, he felt like he was seen in a completely different way.

“We live in a country where the official language is ‘none,’” Ávila said. “We have no official language, and yet, we can get in trouble if you are of a certain color, speaking a certain language, that’s been vilified.”

As a minority, Ávila battled others’ view of his name, physical appearance and accent.

“No matter who you are, someone already hates you without knowing you, for something that you are, something that you have or something that reminds them of something,” Ávila said. “That’s life.”

In the show, Ávila recited poems and stories of his family, and how important they all were to him. He said that if he had to pick a favorite, it would be his grandmother who had been part of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement. Ávila said the FBI illegally followed his grandmother for years everywhere she went, even while her three sons were fighting for the U.S. -- just because she was Puerto Rican.

Ávila, who only knew her as his loving “abuela” -- or grandmother in Spanish -- who cooked rice and beans for him, didn’t find out about her history until after she had died.

He also mentioned the he is inspired by his mother, who was the first in her family to go to college. Ávila’s mother, a retired public-school teacher in Puerto Rico, was the main reason Ávila decided to become a teacher. His poem “Teaching Statement” is a tribute to her. Ávila also talked about his beloved father. His father and two uncles had fought in Korea with the U.S. Military. Ávila’s father was part of the “Borinqueneers,” a segregated unit composed primarily of Puerto Rican soldiers.

Later on, Ávila’s father was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his time as a fighting soldier. Ávila learned a valuable lesson about change over time from his father’s experiences.

“Even though change could happen slowly, it happens,” Ávila said.

“It gives you hope. It gives you hope that one day perhaps we will live in a world where you don’t have to explain to people why you might get shot by the police if you don’t completely comply, or if you’re black or brown. Hope to live in a world where that is no longer a reality.”

Sophomore James Morton enjoyed the way that Ávila presented his and his family’s experiences as Latinos.

“It was a refreshing take, with humor and poems, on the struggle within the Latin American community,” Morton said.

Former Maryland governor Bob Ehrlich urged students in professor Richard Vatz’s persuasion class on Oct. 10 to think critically about the words and phrases that they use during discussions and arguments with a debate opponent, coworker, peer or spouse.

“Basically, the bottom line of what I said is when terms and phrases are thrown around, I want young people to focus on what that phrase or term means to them,” Ehrlich said. “That’s what this class is about. Actually, that’s the definition of this class.”

During his talk, Ehrlich first asked the class to define terms such as “social justice,” “diversity,” and “fake news.”

Various students gave their own definitions of each of the words and phrases Ehrlich presented.

Ehrlich told the students that the words and phrases are what they think they mean, but that they first have to know what they think they mean.

In discussing diversity, Ehrlich asked the class if the term is a good thing.

He argued that it’s just a concept and not necessarily either a good or a bad thing.

Ehrlich further explained by posing the question – if you have a diverse football team and they never win, is that a good thing?

Ehrlich presented the class with different popular political debate questions such as whether or not they were “pro-gun,” “pro-choice,” and if they favored “open borders” or not.

When asked by Ehrlich, students raised their hands to whether or not they were in favor of these different controversial debate topics.

But Ehrlich asked the class how they could answer his questions without knowing what his definitions are of the terms and phrases he used.

Ehrlich told the class to make him define the terms he was using

to ask them debatable questions.

“Do not let people own controversial subjective terms because they will absolutely use it to destroy you,” he said.

Senior Braysia Hicks was glad Ehrlich made the class think critically about what exactly they were being asked before they gave an answer.

“Honestly, I think that this environment was great,” Hicks said. “It allowed you to critically think. And how he kept presenting questions – it made us kind of have to be on our toes. So, it’s like ‘okay, you feel this way, but why?’ So, I think that was great, and I’m just really glad that he came out and did this for us.”

Vatz said that Ehrlich has been a guest in his class twice a year for about 24 years, and that he likes him because his political views are similar to his own.

“I first read about him when he was a delegate,” Vatz said. “And everything I read, he seemed to have the same political views that I had…. We’re both kind of moderate conservatives. Neither of us is crazy, like some conservatives are.

And he’s a very reasonable, easy-toget-along-with kind of guy. And his views, and his hierarchy of values is pretty similar to mine.”

Ehrlich stressed the importance of people defining their terms, and not indulging in the question before they know exactly what is being asked.

“You saw my sort of tests, and I want people to understand because these phrases and words can become pejoratives,” Ehrlich said.

“They can get misused in political context, and I don’t want students to fall into that trap.”

Ehrlich explained how students can operationalize the lessons they learn in Vatz’s persuasion class.

“That’s what professor Vatz teaches them…. Make your debate opponent, make your coworker define their terms. Then you can give an answer. Because, in politics, we use these short-hands. And if you acquiesce or indulge the question, you’re in trouble – because they defined you,” Ehrlich said.

12 October 17, 2017

Arts & Life

F O N O I S N E M i D D E R C A S E H T G N I R Y T E I C EXPLO O S N I S M O D N A F C I M CO

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TIONS INTERESTING CONNEC GICAL AND TESTING SOCIOLO IVE THEORIES IN IMAGINAT WAYS.

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Michael Elliott, associate professor of sociology at Towson University, remembers going through the grocery store checkout lines as a child in his then small and quiet hometown in Silicon Valley. Elliott would see the rotating kiosks filled with comic books and ask his mother if he could have one.

“There was Spider-Man, there was the Justice League cartoons and others,” Elliott said. “I think there was X-Man at some point. There was stuff on TV, too. I watched the cartoons, I read the comic books when I was young.”

Combining his love of comics and sociological theory, Elliott is currently tackling a research project regarding fandoms in the comic community. His project, based on a theory by French sociologist Émile Durkheim, posits that fandoms can be a form of religion.

In his work “The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life” Durkheim examined religion as a social phenomenon. He suggested that religion isn’t just about the gods, but the sacred. Durkheim said that religion can include the gods, but it can include other things, too.

Elliott began his research at the Sept. 23 Baltimore Comic-Con, where he surveyed fans in attendance about their allegiances. In addition to creating survey questions that made sense to others, he had to reserve space at the Baltimore Convention Center, get advertising and, “pull everything else together,” a process that took him about nine months.

Elliott believes that the Baltimore ComicCon was a good place to begin his research

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because of the way it is constructed.

“The [Baltimore Comic] Con is considered on the smaller end. It’s considered unique,” Elliott said. “They like to see themselves really focused on comics. San Diego, for example, has become so big, New York, too, that some people argue it’s too much focused on Hollywood. I think they feel like, ‘Hey, this was our thing originally, now Hollywood has taken it over.’

So Baltimore is very much focused on comics. It’s smaller and some people describe it as more mellow.”

Elliott is still in the beginning stages of his project, which he said will take years to complete.

But Honors College Coordinator Abram Fox, who teaches an upper-level honors seminar about the aesthetics of comics, said that Elliott is “pushing boundaries” because comics are something that are usually taught from a literary perspective.

Fox also believes that Elliott is “onto something” with his research. He noted that in the 1950s, the United States government blamed juvenile delinquency on comic books, and that psychiatrist Fredric Wertham wrote a book called “Seduction of the Innocent” to shine a light on the way comic books were corrupting the youth of the country.

“I think that the path [Elliott] is exploring could provide some very fruitful information,” Fox said. “There seems to be enough of a connection that it’s really worth exploring.”

Fox isn’t the only person at the University who supports Elliott’s research.

The College of Liberal Arts granted Elliott money for his project following an application process, according to Terry Cooney, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

“Dr. Elliott’s project struck the faculty research committee as creative and intriguing, and his project is well within the scholarly scope that characterizes his discipline and his colleagues,” Cooney said in an email.

“Dr. Elliott has had a history of making interesting connections and testing sociological theories in imaginative ways.”

Comic books have had a long history of being studied in the academic setting. In fact, there are multiple courses at Towson being taught with, or around, comic books

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“We went in [the store] and they bought some stuff, I bought a thing or two and and superheros. they gave me some free In addition to the honors seminar that Fox teaches are classes in the electronic comics if you buy something. I took them media and film department and the English all home and sat down, opened them up and department that feature comic books and I read them, and from then on I said ‘you superheroes as part of different curknow what, this actually pretty good. I think ricuI want to read more of this stuff.’ So then it just kind of snowballed after that. I have some books I have gotten signed by writers and they are packed and sealed to preserve them.”

Permison’s love for comics began to stem so deeply that he attended his first comic-con in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He later attended a con in Lexington, Kentucky, and has been to several more.

Permison described the comic-con community as a family. lums.

“I’ve been able to make several friends “Your academthrough attending these comic-cons,” ic training can be applied to realms that havPermison said. “It isn’t easy coming off that en’t had as much attention as others,” Fox cloud nine of comic-cons, because once it’s said. “Dr. Elliott is taking sociological theory over it’s like ‘I don’t want to go back home. and applying it to a new area of study.”

Honestly I’d rather just stay in this convenKaitlynn Gooding, a senior English major at tion center and a hotel nearby and just hang TU, is one of the many students enrolled in a out with my friends all day.’” course that uses a comic book for academics.

Eventually, Elliott wants to dive deeper Gooding didn’t enroll in the class for the sole into his research. He hopes to go from surveypurpose of the comic book aspect, but she can ing comic-con goers, to embedding himself still see the value in Elliott’s research. into a group of fans to “paint a rich picture” “Outside of class, I know people that really of their experiences whether it be at cons, or love to read comics,” Gooding said. in everyday life.

“That is what they Although Elliott said he will prefer over need to continue to a find the time and the f u n ds DR. ELLIOTT HAS HAD f o r his A HISTORY OF MAKING

typical novel.”

Junior electronic media and film major Ryan Permison is one of those students who loves reading graphic novels and comic books.

Permison said his passion for the comic community started a little over a year ago when one of his friends took him into Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, Maryland.

“It was Batman Day, 2016,” Permison said.

research, his love of sociological theory, comics and comic fandoms continues to drive him.

“The original inspiration of the research is sociology and sociological theory, but the fact that I did read comics and I do enjoy them also makes the research more fun,” he said. “I’m wondering if there is something really deeply meaningful and sacred about it and that’s why they became and remain devoted fans.”

Arts & Life

October 17, 2017

13

Jackie Chan is no foreigner to action MATT MCDONALD Columnist

Photo by Isaiah Freeman/ The Towerlight

Sex experts Rachel Dart and Connor Timmons focused their presentation on positive portrayals of body, sex and relationships, emphasizing the need to love and respect yourself before doing the same for others.

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX, BABY CHLOË WILLIAMS Columnist

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Presenters at the the two-day I Love Female Orgasm event on Oct. 11 and 12 spread body positivity, women’s empowerment and necessary sexual knowledge in a fun, safe environment.

Sex experts Rachel Dart and Connor Timmons described the importance of having “someone you can go to with any question,” noting the importance of breaking the taboo of avoiding sexual health conversations.

“People need better access to true information,” Dart said.

Dart explained how people seen as having too much sexual knowledge can be labeled “easy” or a “slut,” while those with too little information are

labeled “prudes.”

The speakers encouraged their audience to ignore trivial labels and choose to educate themselves for the betterment of their own lives, relationships and sexual wellbeing.

Dart and Timmons explained how easy it is to be misinformed about sexual health. They said this leads many people to “research” practical sex knowledge in places like porn and magazines, which both highly construe people’s perceptions of what is “normal.”

Dart and Timmons encouraged body positivity by informing the crowd that genitals come in all shapes and sizes. They stressed that instead of being ashamed of perceived flaws, they should choose to love their genitals.

The speakers also discouraged having a “signature move” in sexual

situations. Since everyone’s body is different, people enjoy different things in terms of sexual pleasure.

Dart and Timmons advised the audience that communication is key.

Speaking with your partner about what you like and don’t like can not only make sexual experiences more enjoyable, but also more comfortable.

I Love Female Orgasm included a myth-busting segment in which the speakers listened to popular sexual hearsay from the audience, and explained whether it was true or false.

The audience learned that it does, in fact, take women longer to have an orgasm than men. Women take an average of twenty minutes of stimulation, while men only take an average of five to seven minutes of stimulation.

--Read the rest of this article online at www.thetowerlight.com.

I’ve never really seen many Jackie Chan movies. I’ve seen a little bit of the first “Rush Hour,” but other than that, I’ve only seen bits and pieces of Chan’s choreography and stunts. I’ve always looked forward to the new ways he incorporates his own moves and surroundings into the fight scenes in his movies. For the first Jackie Chan movie I’ve seen in full, I wasn’t disappointed.

“The Foreigner” stars Jackie Chan as Quan Ngoc Minh, a father who has lost many family members trying to get out of a warzone in his home country, and has come to London with his only surviving daughter. When a bomber blows up a dress shop and kills Minh’s daughter, he goes to British government official Liam Hennessy’s (Pierce Brosnan) office and requests the names of the bombers. When Hennessy says he cannot help him, Minh takes matters into his own hands, threatening Hennessy and his guards until they hand over the names he believes they know.

I think the most interesting part of this movie is the fact that there is a clear antagonist that we see throughout the movie — the bombers — but the real conflict is between Chan’s and Brosnan’s characters. You can never really decide if anyone is actually a good guy or not, as they all play games and threaten each other. While Minh and Hennessy are on the same side

regarding the bombers, they are also in opposition because of Minh’s actions against Hennessy.

Chan gives a great performance, and proves he can still fight his way through anything despite the “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”type “old man” jokes scattered throughout the film. However, he also brings an incredibly emotional and solemn side to the character, something I haven’t known Jackie Chan to take on. Brosnan gives an equally great performance, bordering the line between hardworking agent and shady politician so well that you’re not quite sure what to believe the entire time.

With as many subplots that there were with this movie, I was able to follow along fairly well. The story is told carefully but without much exposition, save for one or two small scenes. At first it seems like there is too much going on at the same time, but each part is purposeful and blends into one coherent end. My only gripe was that Jackie Chan was not in it as much as he should have been. The subplots overtake the story and, while they make sense, they leave less time for Chan. The gaps are filled beautifully with Brosnan’s character, but I almost started to wonder whose movie it was.

I was very entertained by this movie; it was very well-directed, and the story flowed nicely, except for Chan’s lack of screen time. The fight scenes were captivating and surprising, and I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of Jackie Chan’s movies, both for the stunts and the performance.

Horror-punk tunes to get you in the Halloween mood CHLOË WILLIAMS Columnist

With Halloween on the horizon, I wanted to review something a little spooky. Creeper is a six-piece rock band from England. Though they have been described as a horror punk band, they can be best described as the auditory equivalent of watching a black-and-white vintage horror movie; not so much gruesome and terrifying as it is dark and clever. Their first full-length album, “Eternity, In Your Arms” was released on March 24, 2017, and

is a concept album inspired by My Chemical Romance and “Peter Pan.” 1. “Black Rain” is the first act of “Eternity, In Your Arms,” and smoothly transitions from ambient piano into the strong, wailing guitar lines. The pure emotion delivered in the first track sets up the mood of the entire album, so much so that the listener can almost feel the rain pouring out of their speakers as they experience this song.

2. “Poison Pens,” the heaviest song on the album, but remains highly melodic. This track moves fast with constantly pulsing drums and guitar work. The driving force that is the majority of this song is

countered so perfectly with its ominous and sinister bridge claiming, “I fell like an angel for you. Now I do the deeds the devils do.” The songs ends with a hanging, aggressive outburst that straddles the line of a scream.

3.

“Suzanne” serves as the proposal to a lost lover to run away and start a Bonnie and Clyde-esque relationship. This track introduces a thriving bassline that can be discovered easily and always remains

persistent. Upon arrival to the chorus the listener is presented with a halting call-out moment, beautifully dragging out the tension until the chorus finally drops. “Suzanne” uses the technique of hissing to cultivate the eerie overall tone of the song that contributes to the album as a whole.

4. “Hiding With Boys” is a fascinating song, as it provides an almost feel-good melody while describing a rather somber situation. The song starts of strong with beautifully harmonious guitar work melting into bouncing lyrics. The chorus is highly

dramatic in the best way and the group vocals provide a very choral effect. The bridge builds in intensity until one last call-out leads the way back into an extravagant restatement of the chorus.

5. A favorite track of the band itself, “Misery” is the first slow song presented. This track is introduced by clean guitar work instead of acoustic instruments. The song shifts to the shakily-voiced and delicate bridge that expands into the pressing affirmation of, “You are years ago.” The song then explodes into the product of authentically crafted melancholy.

--Read the rest of this column online at www.thetowerlight.com.

14 October 17, 2017

Arts & Life

The theatre dept.’s pride and joy ANN MORENO Contributing Writer

The department of theatre arts is presenting the play “Pride and Prejudice,” adapted by Christina Calvit and based on the novel by Jane Austen, from Oct. 12-21 in the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theatre.

Yakima Rich starred as Elizabeth Bennett, and Isaiah Harvey starred as Mr. Darcy in the performance directed by professor of voice and acting Steven Satta. The performance also featured an early music ensemble of student instrumentalists led by music professor Marc Bellassai, and a number of period-appropriate dances choreographed by professor of dance Catherine Horta-Hayden.

“Our production is very lighthearted in many ways,” Satta said. “We have little anachronistic touches throughout to sort of give a wink and a nod to say, ‘This is actually a very modern woman and a very modern human story despite the bonnets and the boots.’”

There have been many different adaptations of Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice” including fanfiction, sequels, prequels, films and other plays.

Satta spoke with Jane Austen scholars in order to find the perfect dramatic adaption of the novel. Satta said that the adaption he chose is tight, fluid and has the most sense of fun in it.

“It was one of the few adaptations

that really highlights the moment when Lizzy realizes that she’s been at fault and has had her prejudices,” Satta said.

“Lots of adaptations feel like a rom-com – clever woman tames arrogant man – and they leave out the idea that both of them need to grow as people, each to be worthy of the other’s love.”

Harvey said there are some moments in the show that he is looking forward to because he cannot wait to see how the audience reacts.

“There is more of a comedic element than I think people probably expect, and there are some really funny things that Steve Satta has done,” said senior acting major Maddie Dominiski, who plays the housekeeper.

Rich said that she believes Elizabeth values honesty, respect and intelligence more than anything.

“One of my favorite moments in the show is the Darcy proposal,” Rich said.

“Even though Lizzy is, at this moment, still oblivious to some of her flaws and ignorance, she stands up for herself and her worth in response to Darcy’s, though well-meant, insensitive proposal. Lizzy is a woman who refuses to compromise herself, and that is something I both admire and can relate to.”

The relationship between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was clear, and each character had a sense of pride and some difficulty expressing themselves.

“I could not have asked for a better Darcy to play alongside,” Rich said.

“The moment I discovered Isaiah was

Brendan Felch/ The Towerlight

The Towson University Department of Theatre Arts is putting on “Pride and Prejudice” until Oct. 21. to be Mr. Darcy, I felt confident in the fact that he would put forth his best, and that he would do the work. And it is a joy taking this journey with him every show.”

The music contributed by Towson’s Early Music Ensemble involved different kinds of popular period-appropriate instruments; Bellassai was on the piano, Megan Dohler played the one-keyed flute, Emily Green played the 1820s transverse flute, Allen Hicks played the baroque-style violin, and Rosalena Casciero played the Irish tin whistle.

“It’s fun to be playing period music for a production based on a book I really like,” Casciero said.

Courtesy of Forever21.com

dances,” said sophomore acting major Jennifer Yarmis, who plays Lydia. “That was just a wonderful opportunity.”

The show incorporated audience participation in the dances throughout, which involved clapping while watching the actors dancing around in the ballroom scenes.

Domininski said that until the cast was introduced to the dances, they didn’t totally understand what it was like to exist in Austen’s time period.

“There are such specific formalities that you have to be aware of,” Dominiski said.

--Read the rest of this article online at www.thetowerlight.com.

The limited-edition collection officially launched Oct. 11, and is Taco Bell’s first time collaborating with a retailer for a fashion collection. The line includes the bright and bold graphics of the fast food chain’s normal advertising, all packaged in the form of Forever 21 merchandise, giving off major 90s vibes.

This launch is just the beginning of major moves for Taco Bell – according to a report by Alternative Press, the company recently revealed its plans to open several “cantinas,” or bar-styled food locations, by 2022.

Forever 21’s Taco Bell collection includes a range of fun fashion and tech finds, from graphic tees to phone cases printed with mini tacos and hot sauce icons. The line offers options for women, men and children, allowing for a wide

range of fans to feel included in the partnership.

My favorite item is the men’s anorak, a black jacket adorned with colorblocking, a drawstring hood, and the Taco Bell logo printed on the sleeves. I wish this item was available as a free gift with a taco purchase, but there’s only so much happiness you can truly have.

There’s no exact date for when the collection’s availability will end; however, I have a strong feeling that its popularity, especially amongst college students, will be massive. I can see the Tumblr and Instagram posts already.

Now I’m just waiting for the day that “fast-fashion” becomes as easy to get as fast food; if Forever 21 creates a drive-thru as part of its collaboration with Taco Bell, you better believe my car will be the first in line.

NOW every day IS TACO TUESDAY KERRY INGRAM Asst. Arts & Life Editor

Kerry loves the men’s anorak with the Taco Bell logo on the sleeve.

Bellassai said he likes the incidental music throughout the show and the dances because the dance department was really good at showcasing historical dances.

“Incidental music is the most fun because it’s like a silent movie accompanied by piano. The music is like sound effects,” Bellassai said.

Becky Free, a professor from Goucher College, graced the cast with an evening workshop in period dance. Free’s “Chorégraphie Antique” dance ensemble specializes in the regency period social dance, Jane Austen’s era.

“The dancing was so much fun, so it was so lovely to learn three or four

If there’s one thing that I love more than beauty and fashion (and goats; for those of you who are not aware, I am obsessed with goats… it’s a bit of a problem), it’s food.

I love food. More importantly, I love a good taco.

Tacos are worth having their own day of the week, and apparently our friendly neighborhood retailer, Forever 21, thinks so too.

The company already won hearts over with the grand opening of their new beauty store, Riley Rose, in late September, and has now launched its latest collaboration with Taco Bell. This partnership is one I would have never predicted, but I am also not mad about it.

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15

October 2017 16 17,17, 2017 16 October

Puzzles Puzzles

Crossword Sudoku

Puzzles

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8-13-16

● Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating.

outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners.

Please support independent student journalism @ TU ● The numbers within the heavily

● Freebies: Fill in single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2016 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by Universal Uclick for UFS. www.kenken.com

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See page 18 for answers to this week’s

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Sports

October 17, 2017

17

Baltimore suffers an OT loss to Chicago Sunday afternoon KARUGA KOINANGE Sports Editor

The Baltimore Ravens suffered a 27-24 overtime loss against the Chicago Bears Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium.

The Ravens (3-3) had a porous offensive showing, while the Bears (2-4) established a balanced offensive attack and played a physical brand of defense.

Quarterback Joe Flacco and the offense sputtered in the first quarter, compiling just 31 yards over their first three drives. Chicago moved the ball downfield consistently, and tacked on a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter to take a 3-0 lead.

Baltimore committed costly turnovers on its first two possessions of the game. On third down, Flacco connected with tight end Maxx Williams, but Williams fumbled the ball while fighting to move the chains against linebacker Christian Jones. Linebacker Danny Trevathan recovered the ball for the Bears.

On Baltimore’s next drive, Flacco threw an interception on a downfield throw intended for wide receiver Breshad Perriman. Perriman went low to secure the catch, but tipped the pass into the air where Chicago safety Bryce Callahan made the diving pick.

Chicago took advantage of the great field position set up by the interception with some crafty playcalling. Running back Tarik Cohen connected with tight end Zach Miller for a 20-yard touchdown on a halfback pass to put the Bears up 10-0.

Baltimore did put up a field goal just before the half to get on the board and make the score 10-3 going into the break.

Midway through the third quarter, Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky got his team on the board with a 27-yard touchdown rollout throw to tight end Dion Sims to make it a 17-3 lead for the visitors.

Just when the Ravens needed a big play, running back Bobby Rainey returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. This was the first kickoff return for a score in the

NFL this year, and it put Baltimore down by just one score.

Late in the third quarter, safety Eric Weddle forced a fumble and defensive tackle Michael Pierce recovered the ball to put Baltimore in its opponent’s territory. Instead of tying the game, the Ravens had to settle for a field goal.

On Chicago’s next drive, Trubisky was strip sacked when defensive back Lardarius Webb came free on a blitz.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley recovered the ball to put the offense at midfield, but Baltimore gave the ball right back to Chicago.

Flacco threw his second interception of the day on a sideline pass to wide receiver Chris Moore. The pass bounced off the shoulder pads of Moore and floated in the air until safety Adrian Amos hauled it in and returned the ball 90 yards for what looked like the winning score.

The Ravens attempted a late fourth quarter rally when kicker Justin Tucker booted a 50-yard field goal to make it a one-score game with just under three minutes remaining.

Baltimore’s defense made a huge stop on the next possession to force a punt and get the ball back.

On the punt return, Baltimore wide receiver Michael Campanaro took the ball 77 yards for the team’s second special teams touchdown of the day.

The Ravens scored on the the two point conversion and went into overtime tied with the Bears 24-24.

In overtime, Chicago won the toss and elected to receive on its first possession. However, Baltimore’s defense stepped up early and forced the Bears to punt.

Baltimore got the ball in excellent field position on a shanked punt and only had to score a field goal to win, but the team couldn’t muster a first down and were forced to punt themselves.

On Chicago’s second possession of overtime, the team worked its way down the field where kicker Connor Barth eventually knocked through a 40-yard field goal to win the game.

The Ravens look to bounce back Sunday, Oct. 22, when they travel to face the defensive-minded Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.

Courtesy of BaltimoreRavens.com

Running back Bobby Rainey sprints up the sideline on a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The special teams unit scored again later, as wide receiver Michael Campanaro returned a punt 77 yards.

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18 October 17, 2017

Sports

road warriors senior day dramatics Towson earns two tough road wins against conference foes JESSIE L. BAIRD Staff Writer

Towson earned two road wins against two Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) opponents heading into the homestretch of the regular season.

The Tigers (19-3, 5-3 CAA) defeated the Dukes (14-3, 5-3 CAA) 3-1 behind senior Julymar Otero’s third triple-double of the season Sunday afternoon in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Towson split the first two sets with James Madison, but gained momentum in the second set winning 25-23. The visitors took the next two sets 25-21 and 25-17 to win the match.

The Tigers had a balanced attack, as four players finished with double digit kills. Otero and sophomore Silvia Grassini tied for the lead with 12. They were followed by juniors Carola Biver and Jocelyn Kuilan who registered 11 kills each.

“A big thing for our team has been the even distribution of the ball across the board,” Head Coach Don Metil said. “We are able to catch the other teams off guard when we are not stuck on one player for our

TU seniors lead the way in their final home game

production.”

Sophomore Marrisa Wonders had a double-double on the day by recording 20 assists and 16 digs.

Redshirt junior Anna Holehouse led the way defensively with 13 digs and seven assists.

The Tigers held the Dukes to a hitting percentage of .197 in the match, making it 16 out 22 opponents that they have held to under .200 hitting percentage.

“One of the biggest areas that needs improvement is our early unforced errors,” Metil said.

“Looking at the box score we might have been able to sweep JMU if it was for early errors and adjustments that we had trouble making early in the match.”

Towson began the week with a 3-1 victory Wednesday against arch rival Delaware at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark.

The Tigers won their second match in a row behind a season-high 13 service aces. Grassini leading the way with six of those 13 aces.

The visitors bounced back to win the match despite a rough start.

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Photo by Isaiah Freeman/ The Towerlight

Freshman forward Afton Kalkoske faces off against UNC Wilmington freshman defender Grace Lynn-Lato.

Kalkoske got a point for the second straight game thanks to a game-winning assist on senior day.

DESMOND BOYLE Staff Writer

Towson responded to a 2-1 double overtime loss to James Madison with a 1-0 win over UNC Wilmington Sunday on senior day and the final home game of the season at SECU Arena.

Before the win over the Seahawks, the Tigers honored their five seniors: goalie Taylor Sebolao, midfielder Maddie Bove, forward Maddie Lawrence and defenders Kristyn Hubbard and Kelsey Ritter.

Towson controlled the ball throughout the first half, opening up space in the UNC Wilmington defense. Bove was the focal point of much of the Towson attack in that period.

Just minutes into the game, sophomore Justine Stoner sent in a cross that found the foot of Bove, but the shot was launched over the crossbar which squandered the early scoring opportunity for the Tigers.

Bove didn’t miss her next oppor-

tunity. In the 20th minute, junior winger McKenzie McCaull sent a cross into the box. The pass deflected off of freshman forward Afton Kalkose and found Bove once again.

This time, the senior midfielder laced a shot into the roof of the net for the game’s deciding goal.

“It feels amazing,” Bove said.

“I've made some of my best friends on this team, so it's a nice way to end playing here.”

UNC Wilmington forced Towson to defend several dangerous set pieces, and played much of the second half in the team’s final third.

Sebolao was forced to make her toughest save of the day in the 76th minute as several UNC Wilmington players crowded the penalty area, and Meg Salvaodore whipped a low header on net.

“It's exciting,” Sebolao said.

“We've had a little bit of a rough conference play, so for us five seniors to play our last home game and not only win, but keep the ball out of the net was awesome.”

This win came following the Tigers overtime loss to the Dukes on Thursday. The Dukes scored

with less than two minutes left in the game to force overtime before winning the game three minutes into the second overtime.

“To win a game like this against a good Wilmington team that's been a little snake bitten like us, it means a lot,” Head Coach Greg Paynter said. “We held on to that one goal lead this time, unlike so many of the opportunities we've had this year so I'm really proud.”

The Tigers put up some impressive numbers throughout the game.

Despite being outshot 16-9, the visitors only managed to get five shots on goal.

Bove, with her game-winning goal, extended her point scoring streak to three. She also contributed to a senior day record as Towson has had a senior score a goal in each of the last senior day competitions.

Towson will need to win its final two games on the road, to guarantee a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament. The team takes on Northeastern Thursday at 6 p.m. and William & Mary Sunday at 1 p.m.

Sports

October 17, 2017

19

tournaMENT TRIUMPH Towson competes in a four-day regional tournament

Maddie Bové Soccer

Senior Maddie Bové scored the game winning goal in the final home game of the year on senior day. Bové served as a co-captian on the day, and extended her point scoring streak to three with her goal.

File photo by Jordan Cope/ The Towerlight

Junior Lucy Gloninger gets in her return stance at the Towson Centre Courts last spring in a game against the College of Charleston. The Tigers went on to beat the Cougars for the first time in school history.

BILLY OWENS Asst. Sports Editor

Towson earned strong wins in both singles and doubles this weekend at the ITA Atlantic Regional Championships hosted by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The Tigers were represented by three of the team’s five seniors, with Nicole Shakhnazarova in singles and the team of A.J. Gomer and Renate van Oorschodt in doubles.

“No Towson team has ever won the first round of singles and doubles [at this event before],” Head Coach Jamie Peterson said.

In the 64-player singles draw, Shakhnazarova faced Amanda Nava

“

of St. Joseph’s in the opening round.

Shakhnazarova comfortably won, 6-2, 6-1.

“She came out very focused on her intent and what she was going to do and she did,” Peterson said. “She played very well.”

Shakhnazarova’s opponent in the round of 32 was No. 21 seed Teodora Radosavljevic of Virginia. She won five straight games to take an early lead, but ultimately fell to Radosavljevic in three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

“She competed really well and definitely gave herself a chance to win against a top player in the region,” Peterson said.

In the 48-team doubles draw, Gomer and van Oorschodt matched up against Emma Petersen and Anna Makarova of Colonial Athletic Association (CAA)

rival James Madison. After a recent loss to a JMU doubles team at the Bedford Cup back in September, the Towson pair exacted revenge with an 8-4 first-round win.

“They played aggressively, which is the way they need to play,” Peterson said.

In the next round, they met No. 10 seed Lauren Goodman and Rosie Cheng of defending CAA champions William & Mary. Goodman and Cheng ended up winning 8-2,“They got a nice win against a team we don’t have much success with,” Peterson said of the pair’s win against JMU. With the season over, the team waits to off their spring 2018 season against Mount St. Mary’s. The event will take place at Baltimore Fitness & Tennis in Pikesville, Maryland Saturday, Jan. 27.

”

No Towson team has ever won the first round of singles and doubles [at this event before]. They played aggressively, which is the way they need to play.

JAMIE PETERSON Head Coach

20 October 17, 2017

Sports

caught in the spider web Photo by Alexis Thompson/ The Towerlight

Richmond’s redshirt junior tight end is thrown down by a Towson defensive player. The home team held a profilic offense to 23 points, despite being put on the field early and often.

KARUGA KOINANGE Sports Editor

Towson fell 23-3 in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) matchup against Richmond Saturday afternoon at Johnny Unitas Stadium.

The Tigers (2-4, 0-3 CAA) had an up-and-down game. The offense moved the ball downfield well, but struggled to produce once they got past midfield. The defense made some big plays early, but could not stop the Spiders (4-2, 2-1 CAA) from moving the ball downfield.

“Blame me for all of it,” Head Coach Rob Ambrose said. “I don’t coach them well enough to overcome the moment. Those kids played their hearts out.”

On the first play from scrimmage, Towson junior defensive back Mitch Boals forced a fumble following a 46-yard Richmond completion.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Keon Paye recovered the ball, but the offense could not capitalize on the early turnover.

Richmond struck first midway through the opening quarter when redshirt junior running back Gordon Collins gashed Towson’s defense with a 31-yard touchdown run to give the Spiders a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers offense struggled early as redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Stover threw an interception on the ensuing drive. He also fumbled on the first play of the next offensive possession, putting the Spiders in scoring position.

“When you’re playing a lot of young

guys, the offense has to put the ball in the box itself,” Ambrose said. “It’s not just one guy.”

Paye intercepted a pass to put Towson’s offense back on the field.

However, the team failed to take advantage as Stover threw his second interception of the day on the next play, giving him three turnovers in the first quarter.

The Tigers had a chance to score early in the second quarter, but a missed field goal by sophomore kicker Aidan O’Neill kept the team off the board. The Spiders scored on their next drive as Lauletta threw a 15-yard touchdown strike to junior wide receiver Tyler Wilkins, putting the visitors up 14-0.

Towson moved the ball well on its next drive, but Stover threw a third interception on a hurried throw near

the sideline. Following that play, redshirt freshman quarterback Triston Harris took control under center for the rest of the game.

Harris couldn’t get comfortable in his first few series as the Spiders defensive front applied pressure. He threw an interception in the second half, but showed good mobility.

“I think that [Harris] prepared like a starter and it gave him a chance to have a little bit of success,” Ambrose said.

The Tigers put up points early in the fourth on a 21-yard field goal from O’Neill, but the Spiders sealed the win when Lauletta capped off a long drive with a three-yard touchdown pass to Wilkins.

Towson looks to rebound Saturday, Oct. 21, when the team hits the road to face New Hampshire. Kickoff is set

for 2 p.m.

“Our kids aren’t going to quit,” Ambrose said. “They’re going to keep fighting and fighting in order to get back.”

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