SCOPE
TUESDAY
03.15.16
Growing F l o wer s Sn e e z i ng Dragons
Volume 49|Issue 38
The Kscope Allergy Awareness Guide
Howdy Folks, As some of you may have read online by now, we didn’t get everything right with last week’s issue of the paper. Two RAs were depicted on the cover, having given consent for their images to be used in a manner inconsistent with the content of the spread. The spread which was heavily edited without notifying the writer, Pierce Newman. In my haste to make the story the way we wanted it to be, I forgot to put my own byline right next to his. This isn’t really an excuse for my mistake, and there are no excuses for using someone’s image in a way in which they were not informed. I’ve apologized to all involved, and now I’d like to apologize to you, our readers. The next couple of spreads aren’t going to be as taxing, and hopefully they’ll give you all a bit more useful information to be used on a daily basis. This week, we’ve got some information about seasonal allergies. This rainy weekend did a pretty decent job of pushing down the pollen, but it’s going to get a lot more aggressive now. I read this article once that said something along the lines of pollen is getting worse because all the plants are blooming simultaneously due to the longer winters. It’s wreaking havoc on the crops in the state as well, as if they didn’t have enough to worry about. All that to say, man has made a grave error in regards to the way we’ve treated this planet, and now it’s coming back to bite us all. And sometimes, we all have to work together to make things right.
STAFF Brandon Varner editor@insideuab.com Casey Marley managing@insideuab.com Thomas Baldwin art@insideuab.com Sarah Faulkner news@insideuab.com Jackson Hyde features@insideuab.com Stephanie Lockhart photos@insideuab.com Tamara Imam copyed@insideuab.com
Managing Editor Visual Content Manager News & Science Editor Features & Opinions Editor Photography Editor Copy Editor
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Jackson Hyde socialmedia@insideuab.com
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Melvin Griffin Chad Freeman Mark Linn Jared Chesnutt Jamie Thrasher Marie Sutton info@insideuab.com Justin Massey justinpm@insideuab.com
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The Kaleidoscope is the official student newspaper of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Unsigned editorials and the opinions of the Kaleidoscope’s columnists do not necessarily reflect the opinions of individual student writers, editors, Kaleidoscope advisers or university administrators. Signed columns and letters reflect the opinion of the writer and serve as expressions of fact and opinion to Kaleidoscope readers. Letter Policy: Letters to Kaleidoscope are always welcome. Unless otherwise directed, all letters will be forwarded to the editor. Letters must be no longer than 200 words and must be typed. A name and a phone number must accompany each letter. Letters will appear at the discretion of the editorial staff and can be sent by mail, fax or electronic mail. All material contained herein, except advertising or where indicated otherwise, is Copyright © 2016 by Kaleidoscope and protected under the U.S. Copyright Laws. Material herein may not be reprinted without the expressed, written permission of the Kaleidoscope.
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Aura Artist Spotlight: Heather Garner
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eather Garner is a senior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design. Her experiences include designing for Bloom Studios and working as a graphic designer in her UAB Digital Media fellowship. On her off days, she loves antiquing, attending Barons games and spending time with her cockatoo Pretty Bird. Check out her work here: heather-garner. design.com -Kayla McLaughlin, Aura Copy Editor
Collage by Heather Garner
Student Leaders wanted UAB student media is searching for student leaders in each of its four departments, for more information on the positions, email info@insideuab.com
UAB TV: Executive Director BlazeRadio: General Manager Aura: Editor Kscope: Editor in Chief
Heather Garner.
Photo courtesy of Nicole Lassiter
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TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
NEWS
Alabama state government shuts down Birmingham’s minimum wage increase Mark Linn Staff Writer quiaego@uab.edu
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n Feb. 25, the Alabama state legislature passed a bill that was quickly signed into law by Gov. Robert Bentley to prevent cities and towns from setting hourly wage requirements. The bill also blocks cities from setting independent requirements for work leave or other benefits. An attempt by the Birmingham City Council to raise the city’s minimum wage sparked a struggle between state and local government and renewed debate on what constitutes a proper minimum wage. Bentley recently named poverty as one of the biggest problems facing Alabama in his State of the State address. The governor went on to defend the passage of the bill by saying that the minimum wage should be uniform across the state. The Birmingham City Council passed an ordinance last August to increase the minimum wage within city boundaries. The ordinance was supposed to set the minimum wage at $8.50 starting July 1 and increase to $10.10 the following year. On Feb. 23, the city attempted to preempt the legislation by expediting the increase to the minimum wage to $10.10 immediately, but the ordinance could not take effect until it was published on Feb. 28, which was after the state had already passed its legislation. Former Alabama Secretary of State Jim Bennett, who is currently teaching a political science class on state and local government at UAB, recognized why
the state legislature made that decision, but pointed out that there were unexplored alternatives for the city. “I understand why the legislature objected to Birmingham going its own way. However, minimum wages are pretty low,” Bennett said. “I think they should have been allowed to try to make that decision and see what happened. [...] All this demonstrates is the need for home rule [authority independent from the state capital]. If you had home rule, this would not be an issue.” Bennett explained why businesses oppose increases in the minimum wage. “Business, as a rule, doesn’t like to see increases in the minimum wage because they claim it only results in reducing their workforce, because they operate on such a thin margin,” Bennett said. “I would not be opposed to raising it slightly. People that work in retail establishments do work long hours and they work hard. But, you don’t want to put your employer out of business. So there’s a lot to consider.” He added that he would support an amendment to the state constitution or even a constitutional convention to rewrite the constitution to allow local governments more autonomy. Some UAB students, such as Cody Isham, support raising the minimum wage to a living standard. “I feel that right bin people should be paid a living wage. It boosts the economy, it increase their chances of improving their lives and it’s just an overall benefit to society,” said Isham, a political science, sociology and art major. Is earning minimum wage a viable means of supporting one’s self? Photo by Ian Keel “I don’t seem to understand the morally and fundamentally prudent and in their best hesitation against it. So I interests,” said Birmingham City Council president feel like it’s best that we raise the minimum wage to Johnathan Austin. “As an elected official, it is my responsibility to stand and fight for my constituents, a living standard.” and this fight has just begun.” Although the passage As of now, Alabama is one of five states with no of the bill has voided set minimum wage, meaning that it defaults to the Birmingham’s increase federal minimum of $7.25. to the minimum wage, According to the Department of Labor, twentythe city council does not nine states have rates above the federal minimum, appear to be giving up. including Florida, while 14 have the same rates. “The Birmingham City Wyoming and Georgia have rates set below the Council will continue to 6:30-9:30am minimum, meaning that their rates are superseded by fight for the people and 3:00-6:00pm the federal minimum. do what we believe is
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UAB one of the first major players in the field of robotic-assisted surgery
The da Vinci robotic surgical system in use during a gastrointestinal surgery.
Photo by Kenzie Greer
Pierce Newman Staff Writer pnewman1@uab.edu
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AB has become a testing ground for robots that can help surgeons avoid risks associated with the field. Notably being chosen as the location of a seminar attended by hundreds of surgeons and administrators from hospitals in 26 states and several foreign countries. Intuitive Surgical, the company that supplies UAB with the da Vinci robotic surgical system, chose the campus as the location for their 2016 Academic Session on robotic-assisted surgery. The company chose the hospital out of hundreds of
institutions that use the system. UAB currently has the eighth largest robotically-assisted surgery program in the nation, offering a local resource for those interested in learning more about it. The da Vinci robot, the most commonly used robotic surgical system in the United States, includes a console where the surgeon sits and four robotic arms that are located above the patient. One of the arms is a maneuverable, high-resolution camera and the other three are “pincer”-like structures used for the actual surgery. “It allows for surgeons to sit at a console and control the arms of a robot, with the arms of the robot being able to twist and turn and do things that a surgeon’s arms or hands could not necessarily do,” said Herbert Chen, Ph.D., the chair of the UAB Department of Surgery. In effect, it translates the surgeon’s actions into more precise, steady movements to create a more minimally invasive experience, causing as little trauma to the patient’s body as possible in the process. Chen explained what he thought was the key component of UAB’s robotic-assisted program, that led to it to be chosen for the seminar. “One of the greatest strengths [at UAB] is its collaborative environment,” Chen said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been in a place where people work as well together as they do here. That collaborative environment fosters the ability to
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advance new programs [like robotics-assisted surgery].” Kang Lee is a sophomore neuroscience major who aspires to be a surgeon. His first exposure to robotically assisted surgery was when he heard of the first da Vinci assisted open-heart operation in 2012 in the United Kingdom. Lee hopes that in the future it will allow skilled surgeons who are unable to travel to a certain hospital to instead be able to perform the surgery remotely through streaming commands to the system. “If you’re an experienced surgeon, and can’t travel to a certain place and are halfway across the world, it could help a lot,” Lee said. “However, at the same time, there’s a cost. What if technical malfunctions happen? It’s not reliable as being there in person.” Chen’s advice to students that are interested in one day using this technology, or innovating something new in the medical field, is to become involved in research. “[Research] does help you get into medical school but it also very important when you are a surgeon or a physician because it helps you think of ways in which you can do things better,” Chen said. He also encourages students to shadow the staff among his department. “The role of a surgeon or physician is so multidimensional that you won’t realize that until you actually shadow one,” Chen said.
BorderTRANS support group to provide resources for trans students Ashton Cook Staff Writer atcook47@uab.edu
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AB’s BorderTRANS support group has expanded to both the Student Health and Wellness Center and the Hill Student Center. Established in 2015, this organization aims to assist transgender students both academically and socially, giving them an outlet of their own through the group. “BorderTRANS is a safe place where Trans students can come with questions about their gender identity and other issues they may have,” said Kelli Lasseter, the co-developer of BorderTRANS. According to the group’s flyers, “BorderTRANS is a space for individuals to share their experiences and create community in a welcoming, supportive environment. This group is open to UAB undergraduate, graduate and professional students who identify as: Trans, Transgender, Genderqueer, Fluid, Non-Binary, FTM, MTF, Two Spirit, Intersex, Gender Questioning and Transexual.” This and other campus groups have been working towards improving support for trans students; however, some have felt that it has still been very difficult for trans students on campus. “I feel like many UAB students are not informed enough about trans issues and feel as if trans people
are not people that they would like to associate with,” said Victoria Graham, a neuroscience major. Ignorance about trans issues is not limited to the student body, according to Hannah Eckenrode, a junior biomedical science major. “Because UAB has people, both students and professors, from a diverse background, I have witnessed both negative and positive attitudes from both,” Eckenrode said. “I actually had an issue with a professor’s attitudes and facilitated discussion of the students about trans individuals. On the other side of the spectrum, I have had professors who were extremely accepting and encouraging of trans people. So, with people on campus, it can be a mixed bag.” However, Eckenrode believes that UAB has taken a strong stance on these issues. “I think UAB has made great steps, like the inclusion of an all gender restroom in the new student center, and there are also all gender locker rooms in the rec center, as well as being able to put your preferred name in Blazernet,” Eckenrode said. “I have also seen the initiative to stop assuming pronouns of people wearing buttons with their pronouns, or including them in email signatures. [...] I think there should be more gender inclusive restrooms in buildings on campus, and be aware of gendering things that aren’t necessary, like the ‘man
up to prevent HPV’ signs. But, I think that UAB is definitely making an effort to improve.” According to Lasseter, the group plans to grow in order to meet trans students’ demands. “The expansion of BorderTRANS will be dependent upon the needs of trans students at UAB,” Lasseter said. “In other words, trans students will be determining the next step for BorderTRANS’ services on campus.” A trans-student exclusive meeting will be held by BorderTRANS on Wednesday, March 16, at 6 p.m. in Hill Center room 314. No allies will be allowed at the meeting or into the group.
Illustration by Sarah Faulkner
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TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
NEWS
Art and science collide in UAB grad students’ upcoming installation Casey Marley Managing Editor managing@insideuab.com
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or two former Florida State roommates, Carlene Sabusap and Lauren Hlubuny, science and art never seemed that separate: inspiring an upcoming multidisciplinary instillation called re:Memory. “Carlene and I, both of our backgrounds are in research in our fields, we were roommates in college and we both led Undergraduate research programs at Florida State—the program was called UROP Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Carlene was the leader of the science undergraduates the year before I was the leader of the arts undergraduate research,” Hlubuny said. After the two graduated in 2013, Sabusap, a biology major moved from Tallahassee to Birmingham, where she would begin her doctorate program in Pathobiology and Molecular Medicine at UAB. Hlubuny, an anthropology and theater major, however, left the South, moving to Brooklyn N.Y. to pursue a career in art. The two maintained a close friendship, but when Sabusap felt like her immersion into science at UAB meant abandoning her love of art she decided to start a project that would unite her love of research with her love of art before she packed her bags. So “reVerb”, a photo of the project. she called her friend. “She called me up this autumn, and labeled, modifiable and unstable—[every time] you she said, ‘Lauren, you need to come to Birmingham so recall a memory, it’s called reconsolidation.” we can do an art and science cross-over piece.’ And I After studying how artists interpret memory said, ‘I’ll be there in January,” Hlubuny said. into their art like painting and how dancers learn During the phone call, the two determined what choreography, the pair learned more about how area of science they wanted to explore. the memory reconsolidation process worked on a “She asked me what are you interested in more physical level, but now with help from UAB researching in your art right now? And I immediately neuroscientists. said: the subconscious, dreams and memory,” “People are noticing this particular part of Hlubuny said to Kscope. “And she said, ‘oh I just ran memory research, and we just happened to know into one of my friends who is a neuroscientist and the right people at UAB, because UAB is a leader in she’s in this really amazing memory research lab. And neuroscience,” Hlubuny said. the lab is famous for their research.’” According to Sabusap, their most exciting Once Sabusap convinced Hlubuny to collaborate connection in this process of creating their fused with her on a science and art “bridge building” art and science installation came from studying enterprise, the two both agreed that memory was Hlubuny’s choreography. the most achievable and significant topic to research “So we discovered that you cannot pick up a from both a scientific and artistic approach. memory from an EEG. So when we go to different “Our starting question for the whole project was labs that specialize in using the EEG, which is an how to explore long-term memory reconsolidation. Electroencephalogram, like EKG but for the electrical Long term memory reconsolidation has been a signals in the brain instead. So they covered cognition budding neuroscience field, it’s been difficult to and they studied the memory of loss, but they’ve study,” Hlubuny said. “So what happens in your never even attempted to put an EEG on someone and brain is you have an experience [...] the experience say ‘can we visualize a certain type of memory?,’” she gets packaged into a packet of memories, and this said. “So neuroscientists have been really interested happens through a series of proteins, and in order in what would happen if you strapped an EEG to a for it to actually work—on a molecular level, things dancer, you know, what would happen if we used touch each other and they manipulate each other. the EEG on a dancer learning choreography over a And what happens is once it’s packaged in its longlong period of time. Because these scientists on their term memory stage every time you recall it becomes
Photo courtesy of Celeste Pfau
regular experiments, you know what they’re doing? There having people stare at red or blue dots. Or they’re having them read lists. So it’s really opening the door to ‘are these the types of experiments that we should be designing?’” These uncoverings will be united in their exhibition which will take place on three days in three different locations: April 7 at the Birmingham Museum of Art, April 13 at the Edge of Chaos in Lister Hill Library and April 14 at Homewood Public Library’s “Discoveries in the Making.” The event will be one part neuroscience seminar, one part art display and one part interactive experience, which includes the studied choreography performed by Birmingham Contemporary Dance: something that the pair hopes will engage the community. “This is [an experience] that we have all done for the first time, so when people feel that uneasiness, it’s ok you’re on the same page as us. And I guess as a scientists a lot of us do outreach—I guess at the end of the day we just wanted to create a community that’s not just isolated but are insulated. So at the end of the day, I hope that people who go to the museum, or the library, the Edge of Chaos, and say ‘hey this exists!’,” Sabusap said.
SPORTS
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Blazer men and women basketball fall in the C-USA quarterfinals McKenzie Cavin Sports Editor
sports@insideuab.com
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oth the UAB men’s and women’s basketball teams fell out of the C-USA Tournament early this year, losing in the quarterfinals to WKU and UTEP, respectively. WKU defeated the men’s team 88-77 while UTEP clinched a controversial 62-59 win over the women in double overtime.
Womens Basketball: Blazers senior guard Chelsee Black had forced double overtime in the quarterfinals due to a shot from midcourt, tying the game the game at 62-62. The official replay showed that there were 0.1 seconds left when Black shot the basketball; however, one official insisted upon viewing the same feed synced up with the official clock instead of the American Sports Network’s clock. The same official also insisted on viewing a high end-zone camera angle with the backboard as well as the backboard red light openly visible. Upon further review, the referees determined that the ball was still in Black’s hands when the light on the backboard went red. With the basket determined to be after the flash of the red light, the Blazers fell to UTEP with the final score of UTEP 62, UAB 59. Despite the official’s ruling, many students are skeptical that Black’s shot came too late.
“I thought I had a storybook ending, but as bad as it hurts I know I left everything on the court. It hurts now but I gave it everything I had,” Black said to UABsports.com. Mens Basketball: The UAB men’s basketball team met the same fate when they lost to Western Kentucky in UAB’s first game of the championship, ending their long-standing winning streak. The Blazers had received a bye through the first two rounds and did not have to play until the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 10. No. 8 seed WKU defeated top seed UAB, 88-77, to advance to the semifinals of the C-USA Men’s Basketball Championship. UAB had not only seized the C-USA regular-season title with a 16-2 record, but they had won 28 consecutive games in the city of Birmingham, with 25 of the games at Bartow Arena and three at Legacy Arena, where the men’s games of the tournament were held. At one point UAB trailed by as many as 21 points during the second half of the game. The Blazers eventually cut Western Kentucky’s lead to 10 points, but the Hilltoppers pulled through and advanced to the semifinals on Friday. “These are the tough locker rooms and it’s hard to explain the level of disappointment,” UAB head coach Jerod Haase said to UAB Sports, “It’s also something that we need to handle and move on from here. The game itself was unlike what we played this year. I don’t know that there’s been a time at UAB when we were outrebounded the way we were (today).” This is the same team that won the C-USA Tournament title a year ago to advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament and brought a 28-game winning streak in Birmingham with them to the game on Thursday. UAB men’s basketball will go up against BYU in the National Invitational Tournament on Wednesday, March 16 in Provo, Utah. at 9p.m.
Box Scores from uabsports.com
Chelsee Black cheers on her teammates during the game against UTEP
Photo courtesy of uabsports.com
Growing Flowers Sneezing Dragons Jackson Hyde Features Editor features@insideuab.com
WHAT ARE ALLERGIES? WHAT CAUSES THEM? Allergies are described by Medical News Today as hypersensitive immune responses to substances that either enter or come in contact with the body. In other words, the body overreacts to otherwise harmless things that touch it, like in those jumping cat videos on YouTube. Tree pollen is the most common outdoors substance that UAB will react to in the spring. Because of their omnipresence, pollens are the hardest allergens to avoid outside. They permeate the air especially well when the weather is dry and windy, which makes spring the perfect time for unwanted allergy attacks and stuffy noses. Outdoor allergens are not the only ones to blame for stuffy noses and watery eyes. According to Prescott Atkinson, professor and director of the Division of Pediatric Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at UAB, indoor allergens such as house dust mites, pet dander and some molds can provoke serious reactions, too.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT REACTIONS? Atkinson said that it can be hard to avoid outdoor allergens like pollens because it is not easy to personally control the environment to suit a person’s specific allergies. Although there is no “cure all” to allergies, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) recommends using vaccines to boost the body’s natural immune response to bacteria and viruses. In serious cases, sufferers of allergies may consider wearing disposable dust masks until it is safe to breathe the air without a filter. According to Atkinson, avoiding indoor allergens is as simple as keeping living spaces clean and free of dust. This removes substances such as dander and pollen from spaces that people commonly relax in, as well as removing food from a common cause of asthma: house dust mites. According to the AAAAI, one step that many homeowners take to prevent indoor allergens is a myth. There are no such thing as hypoallergenic pets, because allergic reactions are not triggered by an animal’s hair, but by its saliva, dander and urine. Therefore, if someone with a pet allergy owns a pet, the best solution for them is to keep their animal clean. This means bathing or brushing the animal regularly and making sure its cage and bedding are regularly maintained.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO ALLEVIATE SYMPTOMS? Sometimes contact with an allergen is inevitable. In such cases, it is wise toalleviate the resulting symptoms. “In addition to environmental modification to reduce exposure, there are pretty good medications available to help reduce allergy symptoms and many of these can now be obtained over-the-counter,” Atkins said. “First and foremost, a non-sedating antihistamine such as Zyrtec taken once or twice daily, can be very helpful in reducing allergy symptoms. If itchy eyes from allergies are a particular problem, antihistamine eyedrops such as Zaditor can provide significant relief. Finally, there are now over-the-counter steroid nasal sprays that can provide a lot of relief for continued problems with nasal itchiness due to a fever symptoms. These include Flonase and Nasacort.”
Photo by Ian Keel
SPECIFICALLY AFFECTED It is estimated by public health authorities that 20 percent of people in North America suffer from allergies to pollen, sometimes called hay fever. According to Allergy UK, 30 to 40 percent of people around the world have an allergy at some point in their lives. Here are some steps to counter common allergies.
PET ALLERGIES A pet owner who is allergic to their pet faces a unique challenge. It is not as simple as removing the source of the problem, because that source is often loved or thought of as family. If someone with pet allergies already owns a pet with fur, it is important to brush the its coat regularly to prevent loose hair from spreading allergens. An unconventional solution to pet allergies for people who do not yet own a pet is to consider owning an animal without fur. This does not necessarily have to mean owning reptiles or fish; animals like Sphynx cats and naked mole rats are similar to more “ordinary” pets, but are nicer to certain people’s immune systems.
ASTHMA A person with asthma should keep spaces that they normally live in or work in as clean from dust and mold as possible. Someone who suffers from asthma might also consider using hypoallergenic fabrics or bedding, as these are resistant to molds and dust mites.
LACTOSE INTOLERANCE Although not technically an allergy, many will decide to endure knotted stomachs in order to enjoy some sweet soft-serve this spring break. The best advice is to not consume any milk-based products, but if the consequence is worth the reward taking a dose of Lactaid prior to the consumption of dairy will make the pain less severe.
HAY FEVER Pollen is the most common of all allergens in Alabama. It is not easy to avoid, so the best course of action is to medicate and reduce symptoms with drugs like Zyrtec.
WHAT IS BEING DONE TO STOP ALLERGIES? Perhaps some day medication to treat allergy symptoms will be needed less often. Several studies at UAB aim to help those afflicted with asthma breathe easier. “There is some research being done here at UAB related to allergies. Most of it is linked to asthma because allergic asthma is the most common serious condition associated with allergies,” Atkins said. Graduate student Arthur Totten is researching how a Mycoplasma infection affects those with asthma. Totten said, “Understanding how people with allergy respond to infection could alter the way we treat or vaccinate patients. People with asthma and atopic dermatitis, an allergic disease of the skin, have decreased ability to respond to infection, so understanding how they respond might enable us to build better vaccines and treatments in the future.” It is estimated by public health authorities that 20 percent of people in North America suffer from allergies to pollen, sometimes called hay fever. According to Allergy UK, 30 to 40 percent of people around the world have an allergy at some point in their lives. Here are some steps to counter common allergies.role of allergy to different types of fungi in allergic asthma.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
OPINIONS
Poison in America’s Pipes: The Flint Water Crisis Erica Webb Opinions Columnist ewebb1@uab.edu predator lurks in the struggling community of Flint, Michigan, but it does not have fearsome fangs or menacing claws–it exists as the city’s water supply, corrupted by lead and other toxins that actively poison its citizens from the inside out. As petty efforts to save government money led to a switch of the city’s main water source, virtually no one stopped to consider the possible consequences of the outdated equipment or contamination of the water involved. Left unchecked, this public health disaster has escalated to the point that President Obama started off 2016 by declaring a state of emergency for Flint, supplying immediate aid. People from all over the world are donating funds and bottled water to the city’s residents, but real, fundamental change must take place for them to find peace—hopefully the effort is not too little, too late. My fellow Americans are stuck acting as guinea pigs for a corrupt government. Many people wonder how this public poisoning could happen in such a technologically advanced country as America. This crisis is entirely possible here because it is not the result of a single event, but a long process of neglecting the city’s public works and its constituency. The Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality did not mandate the Flint water treatment plant to add chemicals for necessary corrosion control to the water. The lack of chemicals allowed lead to leak into the water from the city’s archaic
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lead pipes that supply around fifteen thousand households. For over a year, the residents protested the dark, smelly and foul tasting water but remained virtually unheard by their government, as their concerns were dismissed with promises of safety. According to CNN, city officials even tried to ignore a study done on local children’s blood that revealed their devastatingly high lead toxicity. Additionally, 87 cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been diagnosed in Flint since the water switch; 10 of those people have since died. The city’s government did not want to acknowledge the medical evidence because they would then have to increase spending on the water supply by switching to Detroit’s treatment. It appears these officials would rather pay a human cost than a financial one. Michigan’s governor, Rick Snyder, has received heavy criticism and even a call for jail time due to his prolonged lack of action. The majority black, low income city may very well be the victim of a newly explored concept of environmental racism—when the plight of poor people of color’s resources are ignored due to their lack of sociopolitical power. Flint’s struggles with unemployment, crime and now this water crisis have been looked at with indifference that
officials like the NAACP president believe would not occur in a wealthier, whiter community. Lives lost, futures corrupted and an entire community thrown into distress—all because no one wanted to step up and truly serve their citizens. The Flint water crisis is not an isolated incident. It highlights the national problem of health disparities between lower income minorities and higher income white citizens due to institutionalized bias in opportunity and resources. Many of America’s communities desperately need updates in their water systems and beyond. While politicians sit around and debate finances, the families affected must drink and bathe with bottled water as they anxiously listen to outsiders argue about their futures. America must step up to aid all those who need it, as how the nation distributes resources and treats its most disadvantaged citizens will be its true, lasting legacy.
The crisis poses a danger not only to the citizens of Flint, but everywhere we find environmental racism.
Photo by Spencer Portis
Blazing Blue: A Democrat’s view on affordable healthcare Caleb Carter Contributing Writer cscarter@uab.edu believe that affordable healthcare access is a basic human right. Americans have struggled for the last half century to navigate through a healthcare system that refuses to put patients first; healthcare should not depend on the market but should be an institutional part of who we are as a nation. We have the responsibility to ensure that healthcare is provided for all who need it. You cannot say that you value the livelihood of your fellow citizens and remain content with a system that allows people to die due to inadequate health coverage. The argument that appeared in the previous issue is a political copout that ignores the injustices and inequalities that plague our country. I am proud to say that the Democratic Party has been leading the conversation on healthcare for several decades. We are fighting for the simple idea that all people should have some security when it comes to their health. We argue in favor of government involvement because we operate under the conviction that government and its institutions should be designed to serve citizens and promote the common good. We are proud of the achievements made by President Obama and believe that the Affordable
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Care Act is one of the greatest accomplishments of his administration. This is not an attack on individual liberty or on business, but rather a recognition that we are the only industrialized nation on earth that fails to provide affordable, quality care to its citizens. We should be ashamed of having this on our record because it shows how apathetic and greedy we are as a culture. Those who wish to oppose the ACA need to be examining the numbers and coming up with an alternative rather than simply stating that they wish to see competition among insurance companies, a policy they know does not work in favor of the purchaser over the long term. The ACA provided roughly 16.4 million people with health insurance, 2.3 million of whom are young people that are now allowed to remain on their parents’ insurance until the age of 26. I am not the only college student thankful to have this burden lifted from my shoulders. There are also tax credits available for small businesses to help offset the costs of employee coverage as well as tax credits that are given to help families purchase coverage. The law also prohibits discrimination based on preexisting conditions which has given many Americans a better quality of life. One example is a
man named Brent Brown, a lifetime Republican voter and an adamant opponent of the Democratic agenda on healthcare that was thrust into the spotlight. Brent recently retracted his opposition in a letter to President Obama where he talked about his health concerns and how the ACA allowed him to finally purchase the medication he needed to stabilize his condition. It is hard to imagine what his life might have looked like had he not gotten this coverage. As we move forward, Democrats want to make sure people are further empowered and protected. We want to defend and build on the ACA so that we can cover the Americans that continue to fall through the cracks. We want to expand tax credits, drive down prescription drug costs and premiums and provide new incentives for states to expand Medicaid. The public option is not going away and the Democratic Party will not stop fighting until every American has the healthcare they need and deserve. Photo courtesy of Caleb Carter
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Beautiful Bodies of Birmingham brings body-positivity to the magic city Surabhi Rao Staff Writer Surrao@uab.edu eautiful Bodies of Birmingham is a local organization that has taken tosocial media with a positive mission and images to back it up. Their mission is to create a body-positive community, where the images they promote through social media dispel the expected body image that so many of our generation strive to achieve through unhealthy and extreme means. There is more than one form of beauty or way of life, and Beautiful Bodies of Birmingham strives to dispel the negativity that surrounds differing body types. According to ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders), eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental disorder. About 86% of women on college campuses report an eating disorder by the time they are 20. Anorexia is the most third most common chronic illness among adolescents. The belief that you have to be white, thin, and straight to be worthy of love, success, or happiness is known asbody currency. The term was coined by activist Jess Baker, and refers to the price that society puts on bodies and equate that into the levels of selfworth. The idea is, if you feel good about yourself you are more likely to take good care of yourself. If you see someone that looks like you, then you are more likely to have a positive body image and a healthy level of
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self-esteem. Body positivity is inclusive, focused on celebrating and focusing on all marginalized bodies aka bodies of color, size, queer bodies, and everything in between, according to the Founder of Beautiful Bodies of Birmingham, MaryBerkley Gaines. “I never understood why plus women are always considered unsexy or not attractive. That is just simply untrue. The media always likes to depict us as the funny best friend but never the sex symbol,” Gaines said. “At the end of the day, plus sized women can be sexy. For a long time I always felt like I had to prove that to everyone.” Gaines is a Birmingham native, a feminist blogger and model out to make a difference. According to advocate and participant Alyssa Rose Vaphiades, the impact that can be seen on a diverse campus such as UAB is extremely worthwhile. “Something as simple as putting a booth on the green I think could have a huge effect and educate a lot of students at UAB,” Vaphiades said. “It’s such a relatable topic and the rawness of the project has a way of drawing people in and showing them that they are not alone in any struggle they face. No matter what race or gender.” By reading the stories on the Beautiful Bodies of Birmingham website,
FREAKY
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Photo courtesy of Mary-Berkley Gaines The Beautiful Bodies of Birmingham project showcases the beauty of the often overlooked.
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beautifulbodiesof bham. com, you get the sense that the journey to accepting one’s skin is often a difficult journey. Gaines herself has struggled with the expectations that people have been conditioned to make apparent. “I discovered body positivity about four years ago and I haven’t looked back. It finally gave me a language and a literature to what I was feeling most of my life,” Gaines said. “It also saved me because it reminded me that I was worthy of self-respect and
love. It pulled me out of a really dark time in my life when I almost forgot about who I was and what I had to offer the world. I decided that I couldn’t keep this way of thinking to myself so I spread it to the masses. Body Positivity saved my life, so I know it can save other people’s lives too.” The project is still on the offensive against the stereotypes about the way people are supposed to look. Gaines has organized a benefit show for Beautiful Bodies of Birmingham on March 25. The acts range from hip hop to rock and roll and bluegrass, a combination of sounds that reflects the combination of bodies welcome in the project’s fold. Gaines’ organization welcomes everyone that would like to be involved in the project with open arms, and those that are interested can get involved by liking their page on facebook. The project is always on the lookout for more models and more stories. It is not just an inclusive message for all, it is also interactive.
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19th century adornments archived by UAB’s Department of Theatre Jackson Hyde Features Editor features@insideuab.com
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AB’s Department of Theatre received several large donations of historic costumes at the end of 2014, prompting Associate Dean for Academic Advising of the College of Arts and Sciences Kimberly Schnormeier and her colleagues to devise a plan to evaluate, conserve and store the items. The Department of Theatre had received donations prior to 2014, but in late 2014 they received over 200 items in quick succession from two donors. Having never dealt with an inventory shift of this size before, the Department of Theatre found itself developing a new process to efficiently deal with its collections. “Each item is cataloged,
Two of the dresses from the collection being displayed.
photographed and thoroughly evaluated before being placed into the appropriate archival storage[...] Our goal is to preserve garments, not restore them, so we do not mend any of the garments in the collection,” Schnormeier said. “The enemies of textiles are light, moisture, insects and non-archival paper products, so if your family has any heirloom textiles it is worth it to invest in archival storage materials.” One of the goals of the archives is not necessarily to have items from as early as possible, but to reflect the styles of as many times as possible. As such, the apparel in the Department of Theatre’s archives range from women’s bodices dated back to as early as the 1880s to garments from as late as the 1990s. As Schnormeier puts it, “Everything becomes historic eventually!” Although recording history is an auspicious act on its own, the Department of Theatre puts its findings and some of the costumes themselves to good use for students, too. The clothing is not used in performances, but studying clothing from the period in which a play is set can give actors inspiration and background in their roles, or can provide a way to view
Photos courtesy of Kimberly Schnormeier and Steve Wood
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the past from several sociological perspectives. “The costumes are to be used as a teaching tool in theatre department courses in patterning and construction, costume history and period style, as well as for research on various topics,” Schnormeier said. “Analysis of historical dress and fashion objects provides valuable material evidence about our past and how we lived.” “Clothes are one of the most important parts of social interaction so they affect our everyday lives. You may need to understand the chemical compounds of a dye, or the social and political uses for constrictive women’s clothing,” Perry McKee, a senior majoring in Art History who participated in the archiving effort said. Many of the donated items have complex designs or are accompanied by previously famous names, so if the cultural and educational benefits of preserving these articles of clothing can be argued about, their value to the arts can not. “One of my favorite garments in the collection is a heavily beaded orange silk velvet opera cloak that was made by a notable French designer in the 1920s,” Schnormeier said. “Even though the cloak has been damaged its beauty remains, and it still has a story to tell.”
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Weekly Wellness: Branching out to the tree pose et cetera
Jared Jones Staff Writer jrdjns@uab.edu ost of us don’t enter a gym with the established knowledge that professionals have— meaning we usually just enter a gym and swing the first weight we find and hope for the best. I’m one of those people. I’m gym-phobic. I usually go to the gym and run on the treadmill because it feels safe. I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. But that mindset is limiting. When you pump out the same workout, day in and day out, you won’t change and won’t see much benefit beyond the initial adjustment period. Your body adapts to the stresses you put on it, so when you do one exercise, your body performs that exercise well – but only that one. Enter exercise programs, comprehensive fitness styles that tax the body and make sure you’re growing and not plateau-ing. These programs incorporate much more than only strength exercises or cardio exercises, meaning you’ll see an uptick in your overall health.
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CrossFit
At some point you’ve probably heard something about CrossFit – I’d argue that it was something negative. But there’s a reason why CrossFit is popping up over the nation: it works. CrossFit, according to its official website, is “constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity.” It incorporates gymnastics, weightlifting and other styles of exercise into a program that’ll get you in shape.
Yoga
Yoga is a holistic form of exercise rooted in the Hindu religion.
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Yoga is holistic because it not only tones and tightens the body through bodyweight exercises and movements; it also feeds the mind, assisting with stress-relief, centeredness and spirituality. Think of yoga as a connection between the body and mind. It’s a combination of mediation and effective exercise – whether you choose to practice the spirituality of yoga is up to you.
Spinning
Spinning has been long established in the exercise world as an effective way to blast fat and break a sweat. Individuals hop on an indoor cycling bike and pedal away – up to an hour and a half for some classes. According to “Greatist,” a spin class can burn upwards of 900 calories for an intense 75-minute class. Not only will you burn calories, you’ll save your joints some major impact from other cardio exercises.
Take-away
Find Your Program
Before you begin any program, always talk to your doctor and determine your fitness level. Not all exercise is the same; find the one that works for you and your needs.
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016
Lunges are a great way to tone glutes and thighs.
Image by Kenzie Greer
Exercise programs are a fun and effective way of making sure you get the most exercise bang for your buck. However, spin classes aren’t free at the Rec Center, so know that going in – as a side note, most studios offer discounted rates for students, so ask in advance. If you’re new to exercise (or don’t have a solid plan), you’d benefit from starting an exercise program. Scared? Start one with a friend.
BlazeRadio presents: Red Planet Reviews Coldplay’s “A Head full of Dreams” Jared Chesnut (DJ Red, Mondays @ 2 p.m.) Staff Writer redc@uab.edu still remember a point in time where Coldplay could do no wrong. “Clocks” was huge, there were a pair of great albums in “Parachutes” and “A Rush of Blood to the Head.” When we last saw Coldplay however, they were in the middle of a Super Bowl halftime show that saw the headlining band stuck between a rock and a hard place otherwise known as Beyoncé and Bruno Mars. There’s been a bit of shade thrown their way after some ambitious near-misses (“Viva la Vida”) and some snore-fests (“X&Y” and “Mylo Xyloto”), but it’s possible that some of that derision isn’t completely deserved. Much like Kobe Bryant, this is an entity that was once dominant force. So with “A Head Full of Dreams” releasing at the end of last year, the question had to be asked: could Coldplay turn back the clock or would the album be a garter snake in a world full of mambas? Admittedly it’s not a bad start: “A Head Full Of Dreams” is electro-pop circa 1997 and sounds like something playing in the background while I was watching “Eureka Seven” way back when, but I can appreciate the attempt at coming out of the gate with a new look and trying to fool everyone. The Queen B herself makes the rounds to introduce “Hymn For The Weekend,” and she may well be the best part of the track. That’s largely due to the backing music being adequate and Martin being lyrically inconsistent: on one hand, “life’s a drink and love’s a drug” is an OK line, but the rest of the song is clichéd or just plain lazy: the chorus of “feeling drunk and high, so high, so high” could likely be bested by Afroman, and the ending of the track sees Martin and Beyoncé become stars or meteors (I’m not sure which) as they “shoot across the sky.” We’re then faced with that one song that gets played
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“A Head full of Dreams” by Coldplay
Image from Coldplay
ad nauseam by every Top 40 radio station, “Adventure of a Lifetime.” Don’t let the repetition and hype fool you: this is a legitimately great pop song, and without question the anchor of the album. Champion earns his paycheck and title on the guitar hook alone. Martin sounds more comfortable in his role here as a more funky Bono. What’s disappointing is that this is immediately followed up by “Fun,” which is advertised as a “duet” with Swedish pop starlet Tove Lo. She’s an afterthought here save for some harmonizing for a few seconds towards the end of the song. The experimental side of Coldplay disappears completely in “Amazing Day,” though that’s not
necessarily writing off what’s here. Chris Martin describes things he’s looking at to musical accompaniment. (Left foot, right foot, indeed.) If there’s one damning thing to say about Coldplay, it’s that they’ve embraced that soccer-mom edginess for “A Head Full of Dreams.” In the faintest instances where the band tries to get creative and doesn’t paint by numbers, there’s a spark of greatness to be seen and heard. Sadly, those moments are far too fleeting, and confirm the unfortunate truth: that the triumphant band of yore is lying dormant, and commercialization and catering to the greatest common denominator will ensure that it remains stationary. There’s the possibility that we see a return of vintage Coldplay, but then again, at some point everyone has to face the facts that they are not what they once were, and must choose whether to hold on and exist as a broken down shell of their former selves, or to embrace time, walk away and leave good memories for everyone to look back on. Sincerely, I wish Coldplay would pull off what #24 is doing right now. We’re far better off reminiscing about “The Scientist” and “Amsterdam” than listening to A Head Full of Dreams.
Rating: Pros: + “Adventure of a Lifetime” is legit pop fun
+ Some nice complementary accompaniment (Beyoncé, strings, etc.)
Cons: - Chris Martin phones it in lyrically, runs the cliché well dry - Most of the songs are milquetoast, don’t take any risks - Is the purple eagle the new Sasquatch?
WHAT’S UP
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FRIDAY|03.18 TUESDAY|03.15 UPB Film Series: Sisters
Hill Alumni Theater 11 a.m. Student Involvement and Leadership is showing the film “Sisters.” This film, starring Tina Fey and Amy Poehler has a 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 6.3 star rating on IMDB. Students get in free with a OneCard, their guests for $2 and general admission is $3.
Science Cafe
John’s City Diner 6 p.m. A presentation, discussion, and trivia on different themes are being hosted by the McWane Center at John’s City Diner. In accordance with the theme of the McWane Center’s current feature exhibit BodyWorks, the theme of the cafe is the human body.
WEDNESDAY|03.16 Safezone 101
Cahaba Room, New Freshman Residence Hall 5 p.m. Training is being made available to all students, faculty and staff in the safezone code. In this presentation, attendees will receive an introduction to gender, sex, and sexuality where participants learn basic terminology, campus resources, and what it means to be SafeZone certified.
Lost for Words: A night of poetry with Jasmine Mans Syndicate Lounge 8 p.m. Spoken word artist Jasmine Mans is the featured artist at a night of spoken word at Birmingham’s Syndicate Lounge. Mans has been featured in Afropunk, Billboard magazine and a campaign for Ralph Lauren. Local artists Eugenius, D Horton and Keiani Taylor are also slated to perform. Admission is $8 presale and $10 the day of the event.
THURSDAY|03.17 What Your Resume Really Says About You
HSC 203 11 a.m. Students will be guided on how to compose an adequete resume during this workshop from Career and Professional Development Services.
Color Me Rad 5K Hoover Metropolitan Stadium 9 a.m. A color gel and powder race, this 5k offers free t-shirts, temporary tattoos and protective phone cases for participants. Parking is free. For last call tickets, visitcolormerad.com/location/ birmingham/#103. Sign up is $50-55.
Poguetry in Motion (featuring Spider Stacy of The Pogues) St. Patrick’s Weekend Celebration
Saturn 9 p.m. Part of Saturn’s St. Patrick Weekend Celebration, Pouge’s Spider Stacy will be playing folk rock with the Lost Bayou Ramblers, a grammy nominated cajun band. Admission is $25 the night of the show and $20 on presale.
Marc Broussard
UAB’s Alys Stephens Center 7 p.m. R and B, rock and soul artist Marc Broussard comes to Birmingham on St. Patrick’s day. An NPR mainstay and native of Louisiana, Broussard ‘s most recent album, “Magnolias and Mistletoe,” was released in Nov. 2016. Admission is $35.50 and includes 25% off at Good People Brewing Company after the show.
SATURDAY|03.19 Black Jacket Symphony
Iron City 7 p.m. The band will perform Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Tickets are $25. Cherry Blossom Festival Birmingham Botanical Gardens 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Hosted by the Japan-America Society of Alabama, the Saturday festival will include a visit from a Tokyo chef and a viewing of the Toshinan Tea House.
SUNDAY|03.20 Bham Dance Walk 1st Avenue Southand 16th Street South 4 p.m. Tis free event is open to the public and is sponsored by Zyp BikeShare - Birmingham and SOL Dance Experience.The dance walk will last 30 minutes and “jamboxes” and megaphones will be provided.
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