September • 27 • 2016
Volume 56 • Issue 50 UAB’s Official Student Newspaper
Explore study abroad options
institute for human rights brings awareness locally, globally p. 4 alum Hikes appalachian for cancerstricken father p.14
2 EDITORIAL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
Dear readers, Although my trip to Gujarat this December will be my first trip outside of the United States (or even the Southeast,) I will still be the first to tell you that I believe it is important to study abroad or at least take the opportunity to travel — both of which are topics that explore in this issue of your newspaper. For those of us involved in cultural studies, I think we must observe culture through both the lens of an insider and the lens of an outsider in order to find fulfillment in our pursuit for knowledge and wisdom. I think it is fine to study distant people or places and to write of other cultures from a detached perspective, however, this is only helpful to a point, as eventually one starts to make assumptions that are warranted only by, ultimately, another person’s research. If it is within the realm of possibility — which is not always the case (we all know traveling is expensive and time consuming) — I believe that it is ideal to broaden one’s understanding of the world and people outside of the U.S. It isn’t always necessary to go outside of one’s home country to broaden their perspective of the world, as in the case of alumnus Davis Grimes, who recently completed hiking the Appalachian Trail in honor of his ailing father. Meanwhile, I consider making it across campus with a backpack full of textbooks in 90 degree weather an accomplishment, but that’s only a fraction of the exhausting walking that one would have to do in temperamental weather with a massive rucksack to make it across Appalachia. I can only imagine how that would change me, as someone who would be hiking it (or any trail like that) for the first time. Lots of other students are doing amazing things, too — from getting involved with the Institute for Human Rights here at UAB to obtaining competitive scholarships and studying social work in Ghana. There are opportunities everywhere. We at the Kaleidoscope focus on making sure you know what and where those are. If you, however, find that you can’t take up these opportunities, find some time to just relax and enjoy yourself. While we were compiling the calendar, my staff considered including a day dedicated to organizing your life, whether this means catching up on homework or just taking a long nap. Just because it didn’t make it on the calendar — too many cool things are going on around campus and Birmingham right now to not let you all know about — heed our advice: it’s important.
STAFF Sarah Faulkner editor@insideuab.com Tamara Imam managing@insideuab.com Corey Bright art@insideuab.com Tessa Case news@insideuab.com Surabhi Rao features@insideuab.com Ian Keel photos@insideuab.com Mark Linn copy@insideuab.com Dabney Bragg socialmedia@insideuab.com Loren Gilbert online@insideuab.com Melvin Griffin Jared Chestnut Chad Freeman Marie Sutton info@insideuab.com Patrick Johnson plj3@uab.edu
Editor-in-Chief Managing & Sports Editor Head Illustrator News & Science Editor Features & Opinions Editor Photography Editor Copy Editor Social Media Editor Online Editor Distribution Team
Advisor Production Manager
With love,
Physical Address Suite 130, Hill Student Center 1400 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35205 Mail HSC 130, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-1150 Phone (205) 934-3354 Web UABkscope.com Email editor@insideuab.com
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.
SOUND OFF
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Our modern education system promotes failure. Here’s how to fix it:
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et’s disregard partisan politics and face the facts: the American education system is falling behind the rest of the world, and we, as a nation, seem content to wait around and hope that things correct themselves. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to work; things in America rarely return to a state of homeostasis if citizens aren’t demanding change. If we hope to revamp and renew our declining national education system and reestablish the United States as the pinnacle of modern knowledge and learning, three things have to happen: One: We have to abolish the federal Department of Education and redistribute power to state governments. This may seem like a drastic step, but it is a necessary one. Let me explain: the Department of Education imposes collective and uniform standardized education criteria over all 50 states. This essentially means that all states, regardless of their student demographics and education funds, must adhere to national standards. While it may seem beneficial to implement national standards, this often discourages individual focus on the students (i.e. catering lessons to demand of students’ interests and teaching students relevant life and problem-solving skills) and encourages “teaching the test,” where the students’ overall academic goal is to succeed on an annual standardized test. Thus, our educational institutions are forced to promote the memorization of knowledge and to disregard the instruction of application life and career skills due to national standards brought about by the Department of Education.
Two: We must eliminate tenure. While the original purpose of tenure was beneficial (it prevented schools from firing teachers who were forced to leave due to prolonged sickness, pregnancies, etc.), it has since become a burden on our educational institutions. Presently, tenure inspires complacency within the ranks of educators by removing motivating factors to go above and beyond basic classroom instruction. Tenure also makes it difficult to remove weak or failing teachers by blanketing them in layers of legal protection, which is not afforded to any other profession. A 2009 study performed by the New Teacher Project found that 86 percent of school administrative staff members “do not always pursue dismissal” of underperforming educators because of the dense legal procedures that tenure brings about. By shielding teachers who are not exhibiting a strong performance in the classroom, our education system places students at risk of obtaining a subpar education. Three: We must allow parents the option of choosing what school their child attends. Currently, in most states, a public school student must attend a school near his/her family’s residence (though there are some discrepancies). Ultimately, this model removes incentives for schools to be successful. Giving parents the right to choose adds a competitive aspect to schools; schools will be forced to compete for student enrollment through constant improvement and demonstrated student achievement (much like our college system works today). This ensures that schools who work hard receive the most students (therefore giving them more funds), while the schools who demonstrate an inability to perform will be punished. This also allows students who live in areas with weak school systems to enroll in stronger schools outside their immediate location. It is obvious our school systems won’t correct themselves, and it appears that it is up to citizens to demand change. By ridding ourselves of the Department of Education, eliminating tenure and forcing schools to adopt the competitive school choice system, we can once again make America the pinnacle of modern education.
Photo of the Week:
— Gunter Wisdom gwisdom@uab.edu Students being sprayed by neon paint at the Neon Splash Paint Party on Sept. 21 by Rast Hall.
Photo by Ian Keel
4 NEWS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Institute champions human rights on campus, around the globe Sufia Alam Staff Writer sufia@uab.edu
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n organization on campus is growing and offering multiple ways for students to become more aware and more active in furthering human rights and equality. The Institute for Human Rights was established in 2014 to serve as an interdisciplinary platform for scholars, educators, students and activists to raise awareness, engage in education and research and create initiatives for practical action and outreach to serve the leaders of the global human rights community. Furthermore, their vision is to prepare, transform and support the leaders of the global human rights community by creating educational programs, research initiatives and outreach solutions. The Institute has four main core areas, focusing on the interaction between human rights and peace, poverty, civil rights and public health. Tina Reuter, Ph.D., was named the director of the Institute in February. She also works as an associate professor of human rights, peace studies and international politics at UAB. Before joining UAB, she was the director of the Reiff Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution at Christopher Newport University. The institution also has four UAB student interns on staff: Charles Coleman, a senior international studies major, Liz Reid, a junior political science major, Ajanet Rountree, a senior interdisciplinary liberal arts major and Marlee Townsend, a sophomore political science major. “There was a need to be filled at UAB and this town to add to the human rights
Interns Ajanet Rountree (left) and Charles Coleman (middle) join Tina Reuter, Ph.D., (right) in the Institute for Human Rights in Heritage Hall.
history and movement, and open it up to the world,” Reuter said. “I always say we bring Birmingham to the world and the world to Birmingham.” The Institute for Human Rights is an organization that students can use to become more aware of issues such as human trafficking, racial discrimination, refugee crises or any other major topic concerning human rights. Rountree says she hopes to personalize these issues because human rights are about the individual rather than just the group. According to her, phrases like “Black Lives
Matter” or “save the refugees” open the door to make the issue about the person and their hopes and dreams. “I think it is of the utmost importance for students to be aware of the injustices being done not only abroad, but of the ones being done around them,” Reid said. “Part of our mission is to make people realize that the local is global and the global is local.” Reuter also said that because human rights is an interdisciplinary subject, students from any background or major have the opportunity to get involved.
“Students can use their abilities from using technology to fight for human rights, to their skills in language, to really anything they’re passionate about,” Reuter said. Students have the opportunity to get involved in human rights issues in a variety of ways. A new minor in human rights as well as a masters in anthropology of peace and human rights are being offered, and a new student organization, Students for Human Rights is available to join as well. The IHR’s website also provides a comprehensive list of other
Photo by Ian Keel
student led organizations available to students who hope to engage with others on human rights topics. And the Institute isn’t exclusive to students; members of the community have the opportunity to take part as well. Reuter said she hopes that they will be able to hold workshops for community leaders in order to spread awareness. A lecture on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. with Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee will celebrate the opening of the institute.
NEWS 5
Scott McCloud is an American cartoonist and a cartoon theorist who recently spoke at UAB.
Photo by Ian Keel
Sixth annual Rushton Lecture goes beyond the page Kristina Balciunaite, Gavin Gilliland Contributors kribal@uab.edu, gjgill@uab.edu
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n Thursday, Sept. 22, a full auditorium at Campbell Hall welcomed cartoonist and comic theorist Scott McCloud who is known for his nonfiction books about comics for a lecture on symbolism and creativity found in comic books. Thursday’s lecture, entitled Comics and the Art of Visual Communication, was the sixth annual Rushton Lecture, the theme of which was “Codes, Symbols and Signals.” Rusty Rushton, Ph.D., associate director of the University Honors Program and founder of the lecture series, introduced the guest speaker.
“Scott McCloud was suggested to me for the Rushton Lecture by artist Doug Baulos who knew his work and knew how well a talk by him would coordinate with our current interdisciplinary course,” Rushton said. McCloud discussed the abstract subject of human perception and their meanings. Throughout his slideshow, he guided the audience into his world of symbols, words and pictures to show how humans collectively extract meaning from things as simple as two dots and a line. “We create meaning to meet the artist halfway,” McCloud said. He also emphasized how important it was to be able
to understand why visual communication is so useful. McCloud explained to the audience that the digital screen has opened up endless possibilities for comic art and how a screen is more like a window than just a box with corners, and that this allows individuals to be creative in ways they were not able to before. One student, Hannah Schiller, said she was attending primarily for academic purposes, but that comics have become an area of interest for her. As a student of semiology, she was excited to hear what McCloud had to say on the subject. “I love language and learning about meanings of things,” Schiller said.
According to Schiller, she attended the lecture because her professor had advised her of its relevancy to her field of study. McCloud also addressed a concerning point in relation to art. Children, he said, are encouraged to be artistic and creative in their early years but they often lose their ability to stay this way. McCloud said that this is because after children are taught about the importance of words, they forget about artistic creativity. “They leave art alone,” he said. The cartoonist believes that this development is about to change directions and will head towards young people
falling in love with stories written in pictures again. According to McCloud, this generation increasingly uses pictures and symbols instead of words in areas such as social media and texting, and that this will eventually lead to comic art coming back even greater than before. “Whatever you think comics are, they are probably much broader, much more diverse and cover more ground than you might imagine,” McCloud said. “There is nothing intrinsic to the art form that limits them, only the imagination of the people who write and draw them. That’s the only limitation, and, these days, even those two things are pretty limitless.”
6 NEWS Nursing school awarded $5.15 million in external funding TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
Destiny Hosmer Staff Writer drhosmer@uab.edu
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Anthony Sellers, a senior nursing major, said that the School of Nursing always makes him look for new ways to improve, and the funding will likely benefit students by expanding their training and education. “I think the funding will benefit students by increasing the amount of equipment available for
students to practice and become more familiar with when they are not in the clinical setting,” Sellers said. “I also think the funding will lead to an increase in interactive scenarios that will allow for application of knowledge and skills gained during classes.” The School is one of five in the state to receive HRSA funding for 2016-17 through
the NFLP, which is aimed at increasing the number of qualified nursing faculty. The NAT increases access to nurse anesthetist care for underserved populations, and UAB has one of two Nurse Anesthetist Traineeships in the state and the only one at a publicly funded college or university. More than $700,000 was contributed from other organizations, including the Jonas Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson
he School of Nursing recently received more than $5.15 million in external funding for the 2016-17 academic year to assist graduate students through grants, training programs and scholarships. The total funding included $2.98 million in education and training grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Health Resources and Services Administration, and in behavioral health care in the school’s Providing Access to Healthcare and Heart Failure Clinics. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and HRSA also awarded $1.47 million through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, Advanced Education Nurse Traineeship and the Nurse Anesthesia $5.15 million in external funding has been given to assist graduate students through grants, training programs and scholarships. Traineeship.
Photo by Ian Keel
Foundation, Komen Foundation, American Cancer Society and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. “Each year, these programs provide aid for tuition and fees that enable many of our graduate students to complete their graduate nursing education, many of whom would not pursue advanced nursing education without such support,” Linda Moneyham, Ph.D., RN, FAAN and senior associate dean for academic affairs said in an interview with UAB News. UAB’s Master’s Program in Nursing is ranked 15 in the U.S. News and World Report’s list of best nursing schools in the nation, and the school is home to a leading research center with funded studies in oncology, pediatrics, minority health, international nursing, HIV/AIDS care, occupational health and aging and palliative care.
SPORTS 7 OPINION
Has UAB outgrown Conference-USA?
The growth of athletics could give the Blazers a chance to move to the American Athletic Conference
Where are the member universities of the AAC located?
Alex Jones Staff Writer alex96@uab.edu
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he year 2014 was supposed to be one of promise for the Blazers. Coach Bill Clark came to Birmingham with an 11-4 record during his career at Jacksonville State University and led the Blazers to a 6-6 record, making the team bowl eligible for the first time since 2004. Then the football, bowling and rif le programs were shut down that December, and questions began to arise about what would happen to the athletics department. Would UAB have to leave
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
Conference-USA? How would this affect student tuition and enrollment? Men’s basketball under then head coach Jerod Haase had just finished 2014 with a record of 4-9, and the aura around campus was somber. While 2014 was a year of disappointment, 2015 was a year of redemption. UAB finished the season with a 20-16 record that included a Conference-USA Championship and an upset win over the Iowa State Cyclones in the NCAA Tournament. On June 1, President Ray Watts announced the reinstatement of football, bowling and rif le. It would eventually be announced later that the Blazers would return to the gridiron in
2017. The aura of sadness turned to an aura of hope. 2016 has been building off of a hopeful 2015. Although the basketball team did not make it to the NCAA tournament, the team finished the season with a resounding 26-7 record and also had the longest winning streak in the NCAA in January of this year. While the basketball team prospered, the football team still prepared for the return by nabbing high quality recruits such as Brandon Hill, Clifton Garrett and DJ Law. UAB also broke ground on a new football operations building that is slated to be finished in 2017, and photos of a
possible football stadium in downtown Birmingham, with UAB likely using the site for future home games. So, could this be the beginning of the move for UAB to a new conference? I believe so. UAB has been in Conference-USA since 1995, which along with Southern Mississippi, makes them the oldest members of the conference. In that time, they have seen rivals such as Tulane, Memphis, East Carolina and South Florida leave for other conferences. The conference does not receive much respect anymore, as they used to send multiple teams to the NCAA tournament in basketball. Now, the winner of the conference is usually the only one accepted into the tournament as the automatic bid with a low seed. Conference-USA has had a few teams ranked in the top 25 in football in recent years (Marshall and Western Kentucky), however, they have not had as much prestige as other conferences. So which conference would UAB join if it were to leave Conference-USA? Why, the American Athletic Conference, of course. The AAC makes the most sense for not only UAB to join, but for Southern Mississippi to join as well, since they would each get to renew rivalries with Memphis, Tulane and UCF. The American Athletic Conference is the premier “group of five” team, with teams regularly ranked in the top 25 in football and a team that recently won a national championship in basketball (Connecticut). There may be an opening with Houston and Cincinnati rumored to move to the Big 12 soon. Moving to the AAC gives UAB a chance to play more heralded competition, which could possibly open the door to get more commitments from recruits and from there could lead to top 25 rankings in both basketball and football. Let’s make it happen, UAB.
8
Education abroad explored Program opportunities, finances, tips and tricks
Tessa Case // News Editor // news@insideuab.com
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ave you ever dreamed of hopping on a plane and jetting off to a new country, immersing yourself in new food, cultures and lifestyles, all while pursuing your degree? UAB’s Office of Education Abroad is here to help you achieve these goals. UAB Education Abroad offers programs in over 45 different countries, according to its website. These destinations include the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, China and many more. Programs available include UAB exchange, faculty-led programs and third party organizations such as USAC, ISA, CIS and CIMBA Italy amongst others. To be eligible for study abroad, an individual must be an enrolled UAB student, be at least 19 years old or have parental permission and be in good academic, disciplinary and financial standing with UAB. The website indicates that some programs have additional requirements, and typically an individual has to be at a sophomore standing, although some of faculty-led programs are open to freshmen.
A major concern for students interested in studying abroad, such as Jayde Sherron, a senior international studies major, is price. Before her trip, Sherron described how she researched and vetoed many programs based solely on price. She eventually settled on a trip with the University Studies Abroad Consortium, a partner of UAB. “If you can afford to come to UAB, then you can afford to study abroad,” said Katy Vaugh, a senior social justice major and education abroad peer counselor. “Even if you’re coming here through whatever loans or scholarships.” The Office of Education Abroad lists its three most affordable options as being UAB exchange, a program with USAC, or facultyled programs. The exchange program typically has the cost of tuition, room and board is about the same as a semester at UAB, where USAC offers low prices and the program cost includes tuition, room and board as well. Faculty-led program costs often include accommodations, ground transportation, some meals and the education abroad insurance.
There is not a quantifiable measure to examine what you achieve from a study abroad course. However, all I can tell [them] is that this will be an invaluable experience in their life. -Rajesh Kana, Ph.D.
9 One such faculty-led program will be with Margaret Bond, a French professor at UAB, to Paris during the month of May. The trip is $4500 and includes airfare, a home stay, courses at the Alliance Francaise, metro and bus passes and cultural visits from areas such as the Louvre and Montmarte to lesser known areas such as Fontainebleau. Students participating in the trip will receive six credit hours. “We have such an amazing price for this life-changing opportunity,” Bond said. “There are so many activities planned, and students should be ready to have their lives changed.” Sherron, who stayed in Pau, France, suggests careful planning and research in order to find the best option. She began planning her study abroad trip a year in advance in order to have enough time to save money. She also credited being able to direct her scholarships and financial aid toward the cost of the program, which is an option available to all students. Most existing UAB scholarships and individual’s financial aid can be applied to fall or spring semester study abroad programs, according to the Office for Education Abroad. For non-UAB programs, a consortium agreement form will need to be filled out. Scholarships specifically for education abroad are available also, and a list can be found on the Education Abroad’s website. They also provide a list of other UAB scholarships that can be applied toward studying away, as well as a list of external scholarships that can be used. “Another thing I did before I left was that I asked that all my Christmas and birthday presents be money in order to help pay for the trip,” she said. Despite the price, Sherron said she didn’t have to give up any of the opportunities that she was seeking. “Students feeling limited by their finances is understandable,” Rajesh Kana, P.h.D, said. Kana is an associate professor and co-director of the Undergraduate Neuroscience Program who is leading a study abroad trip to India in May 2017. The cost of his trip sits at $3,444 and includes three credits of UAB tuition and fees, airfare, lodging and some meals. The program is intended to allow students to examine crosscultural perspectives on mental health and mental illness in the context of India. Each day of the course will explore a different theme such as gender, identity and religion. The program cost also includes several field trips. “Many students will take a look at the course fee and make a decision without inquiring
further,” Kana said. “This is not the best approach. In reality, there are several sources of funding they can avail. For example, the Psychology Department has scholarships for students to support some percentage of the cost. Students can also find out from UAB fellowships offices about sources of support available.” Cost aside, studying abroad has proven to be an invaluable experience to many students. Shanquela Williams, a senior social work major and recipient of the Benjamin Gilman scholarship, studied abroad in Ghana. She was the only person from the South on her trip, and she felt she was able to offer a different perspective because of that. Williams had a memorable trip and suggested that students plan ahead and research. By doing this, individuals can apply for more scholarships and research can help students deal with and adjust to culture shock appropriately. “Success starts with renewing your mind,” she said. “Life is about growth, and I believe when you leave your comfort zone, you grow. Studying abroad was the best decision I ever made.” Williams now serves as an Education Abroad peer counselor. “The entire process of applying for a visa, travelling on your own, going to school in a foreign country and being immersed in a new culture is very humbling and teaches you to look at the world in an entirely new way,” Sherron said. Her best advice to students studying abroad is to stay with a host family if at all possible, as it allows an individual to be immersed in their target culture, and typically breakfast and dinner are included. She also suggested downloading a series of helpful travel apps, such as: WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Citymapper, Booking. com, HostelWorld, Trip Advisor and AirBNB. The two most useful to her, however, were Maps.me, an off line GPS and Venmo or another cash app.
“You need Venmo,” Sherron said. “They will not split your bill. I am very serious about that, so make sure to get an app like that and always have cash on you.” Kana suggested that students keep an openmind and lower their expectations of what things should and should not be. He said if students are able to take that approach, then they will be to enjoy the process and reap the benefits of the course more. Bond encouraged students to be open minded, but also not to over plan their stay and not to over pack. She also said students should research the culture, and make sure they are aware of any cultural “faux pas.” “Students should seriously consider study abroad courses,” Kana said. “There is not a quantifiable measure to examine what you achieve from a study abroad course. However, all I can tell [them] is that this will be an invaluable experience in their life.”
10 OPINIONS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 , 2016
Left at UAB: the importance of political discourse Aaron Stuber Opinions Columnist abstuber@uab.edu rowing up in the Deep South with left-leaning parents, I learned from a young age to keep my mouth shut about “my” political views when I was in middle and high school. I say “my” because as children, we do not really have an understanding of the world around us, so our “views” are simply an imprint of what our parents leave on us, and it is important to note the views bestowed upon us end up shaping our understanding and view of the world. However, I consider myself lucky because my parents did not necessarily enforce a viewpoint on me (I am still not sure who my parents voted for in Bush vs. Gore). I was free to formulate my own opinion as they both talked about the strengths and weaknesses of all candidates. With the first presidential debate behind us, I have heard relatively little chatter amongst my fellow classmates, and at this point I am not sure if I should be terrified or disappointed. There is no one, on either side of the aisle, who can deny the fact that the upcoming
presidential election is the most divisive of our time. It is for this fact there should be chatter amongst the masses as to who is going to be our next president. With what looks to be the next person who will have great power in shaping the U.S., it is worrisome that no one is discussing politics. I mean, the next U.S. President will more than likely fill the vacant Supreme Court chair. There is no doubt that I, as a left-winged individual, feel at home surrounded by this progressive, forward-thinking campus, but recently this attribute of UAB has made me curious about the effect a homogenous political atmosphere has on a person. It is for this reason why even though the UAB community is left-leaning, we let everyone’s voice be heard, even those holding opposing views. Even if you are bogged down by exams, applications for professional and graduate school, or looking for a job, do not remain complacent in the election. Do not fall into the illusion of what the candidates do during election season, but look at their track record, look at who they have championed for and most of all, create healthy debate. If my world
history class this semester has taught me anything, it is that discord is the key to progressing society, and nothing can be revolutionized if people don’t think outside of their comfort zone (see: Galileo Affair). It is paramount that we as a campus do not become comfortable in homogenous views. A lot can be learned from sources people don’t agree with, such as Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” teaching us that it is better to be responsible citizens, or how, like Rome, so too can horrible leadership be built brick by brick. Therefore, it is important you engage in civil discussion, spread proper information about who’s running for office, and make sure you’re ready to vote, because the very foundation that leads the U.S. is being re-elected this year — all 435 House and 34 Senate seats. As this election becomes the epitome of divisive, we, the upcoming generation, need to remember that political progress is reliant on cooperation. This cooperation will eventually lead us into an atmosphere secure enough to talk about differences of opinion and lead us into healthy debate, one where both sides are heard and innovative solutions
Elizabeth Earwood Contributor eearwood@uab.edu he phrase “you can’t make this stuff up” has crossed the minds of anyone who is breathing. There is a new reality show hit series titled “Presidential Campaign 2016,” and it has had a week of award winning moments following the Commander in Chief Forum with Matt Lauer. The abrupt exit of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton at the 9/11 memorial ceremony has stirred concern over her health and her capacity to serve as president. The loud echoes of her statement “basket of deplorables” directed at half of Trump supporters has rallied the internal loyalty of members adhering to the label. Clinton may have been in the spotlight, but Trump managed to stay in the conversation of controversy. During the above mentioned forum, Trump was asked about his tweet on sexual assault in the military. He affirmed his continued belief, “26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military – only 238 convictions. What did these
geniuses expect when they put men and women together?” As much as I wish it were true, our front running presidential candidates are not reading from a script. We all know that we choose a candidate that is speaking the language that we identify with; indeed, we cast a vote for the candidate who possesses the skills, values and experience that we deem necessary to successfully execute the position he or she is vying for. We tend to support candidates that reflect what our individual life experiences have taught us about how society should operate. Every area of our society is directly affected, in one form or another, by government. If there is an area that we disapprove of, it is necessary to peacefully express our concerns; likewise, it is necessary as a citizen and politician to hear the concerns of the opposing view. It is literally a politician’s responsibility to listen to the voice of the public. Listening, when done properly and without judgement, usually results in the ability to cooperate for the common
good. So when a voter expresses concern over security or civil liberties, our candidates should listen and serve. Not necessarily comply with every request, but at the least avoid disregarding expression from the people that ultimately provide their paycheck. What does the expression of the voter say about us as a nation? For one thing, the varied expressions should tell us that we are a huge country spaced in both ideology and in geography. Is that bad? No. It simply means we have lived in and observed a society that has shaped our views. It also means that a skill that would be beneficial as Commander-in-Chief would be creating the possibility for unity. Now, I know you’re thinking “my candidate wants unity.” If I am not mistaken, the
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Illustration by Corey Bright
are made. It is important we not let the comfort of being a liberal campus infringe upon the free speech of others, and that we ensure our fellow Americans are given a fair opportunity to express their values freely. Honestly, UAB’s rich diversity teaches that you have a lot to learn from your fellow human. With this, we must ensure we stay away from a “groupthink” mentality. We must be the generation that bridges the gap, for the famous words of Edmund Burke said, “when bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”
A day in the life of a conservative on campus T
rhetoric we are hearing is, “We need to come together as a nation and not let the other party divide us!” One word: contradiction. Both parties speak this language of “us” and “them” while falsifying their intent to unite. In the meantime, Illustration by Corey Bright we as one nation have a responsibility as well. If our representatives are unable to unite, let us teach them. So what is deplorable? It is understandable for politicians to view particular behavior as inexcusable. They deserve the mercy that comes with being human and having their own life experience that has shaped their views. However, it is deplorable for presidential candidates to cross the line and attack voters. In this campaign, we are seeing this from both parties. Perhaps as a nation, we can influence change from the bottom up from the inside out.
FEATURES 11
Rock wall meets dance f loor Rattlesnake Battalion to sink fangs into DISCO Bandaloop performed in the Alys Stephens Center Jemison Hall to kick off the performance season.
Bandaloop, a performance group that dances on vertical venues Surabhi Rao Features Editor features@insideuab.com
“I
’ll give you the shortened version of how we came to be. I’m a dancer who started rock climbing and I brought the worlds together,” Amelia Rodholf said as she introduced the audience at the Alys Stephens Center to Bandaloop. On Friday, Sept. 23, founder and artistic director Rodholf started off the Alys Stephens Center’s presentation of Bandaloop with a talk explaining how the vertical dance performance group came about. For 25 years, Bandaloop has been working on developing the artform. Bandaloop is a dance group that characterizes themselves as “pioneers in vertical performance.” They spend the year
performing and making videos dancing in unconventional places, such as the sides of buildings, cliffs, skyscrapers, bridges, billboards and historical sites. The group showed previews of their artform on the side of the Campus Recreation Center building throughout the week in advance of their main performance on Friday. They opened in Jemison Hall with dancers hanging in the air from ropes that swung through the audience while dance videos featuring performances on the sides of cliffs and other steep surfaces played on a screen in the venue. A cellist played music accompanying the movements of the dancers. This was followed by a performance outside of the Alys Stephens Center. Dance performer Jessica McKee recounted her story of joining Bandaloop. “I saw Bandaloop performing
Photo courtesy of Eric Gray Photography
in San Francisco on the outside of a building in an alley,” McKee said. “I was doing circus training at the time and I just fell in love with that specific body of movement.” When asked about her experience in Birmingham, McKee had positive things to say. “We love it here,” McKee said. We’re really glad to see people came out and we are really happy that the event is free. It is important to share art with as many people as possible and we feel strongly about that.” First year medical scientist training program student Shreya Kashyap, a new resident of Birmingham, saw the event in contrast with her previous home in New Orleans, LA. “When I moved here people talked about breweries and such, but there is more to do here if you aren’t into that scene. I like this event because it’s a little classier,” Kashyap said. “I mean look at
this crowd, I did not expect this many people here. We expected more students but we have the whole crew here and that’s pretty cool, too.” Nursing student Miles Erbe commented on the way that Bandaloop brought the community together. “It doesn’t take much to get a big community like ours together,” Erbe said. “I heard about this event today and it’s really cool to be out here with everybody, even on short notice.” Neuroscience major Raktima Datta noted the way that the event added to UAB’s title as a hidden gem. “This event is one of the unique things that UAB offers, and it makes going to UAB awesome,” Datta said. In addition to UAB students, many Birmingham residents attended the event. Families brought blankets and lawn chairs to watch the second half of the performance outside Alys Stephens, as dancers
rappelled down the side of the building. Among these residents, David Hargett saw what he believed were aspects of social justice to the event. Hargett is a physical therapy assistant and a staff sergeant in the Army Reserve who came with his girlfriend and her daughter. “There are protests and all that but lets build on the things that we enjoy together, Hargett said. “For something like this to be here, I mean the South is so ready for this. There is a mix of everybody here. There is a colorless thing to poetry and art and all that it stands for. Let us build now to change the future. People here are hungry for this type of event. We are ready for the opportunity to indulge in this type of event, an artistic endeavour that is new to us. We all benefit.” For more information about Bandaloop, visit bandaloop.org
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
FEATURES 13
Buzzfeed-inspired caramel apple jello shots
This is how the apple shells should look.
Photo by Sarah Faulkner
Sarah Faulkner Editor-in-Chief editor@insideuab.com
E
ven though it is still upwards of 90 degrees most days in Birmingham and backpack sweat is still very much a thing, it is officially fall, the season of pumpkin spiced lattes and pumpkin beers. The forgotten flavor of fall, caramel, can offer a change of pace for you 21+ Blazers. Lo and behold, caramel apple jello shots. Get lit. Recipe makes 40 jello shots Preparation time: 30 minutes Total time: 4.5 hours Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice Five apple 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup caramel sauce 1 package unflavored gelatin 1 package caramel (or regular) hot chocolate mix 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup Smirnoff caramel vodka or Crown Royal apple whiskey Preparation Cut the apples in half lengthwise. Scoop out the inside of the apples to form a shell. Set the apple halves into the
cups of a muffin pan and brush each shell with lemon juice; this is to prevent the apples from browning. Place the pan in the fridge while you prepare the filling.
we get out what you put in,
put that recycling in the right bin.
To make the filling: Combine water and hot chocolate mix in a saucepan and stir until the hot chocolate dissolves. Add the evaporated milk and caramel sauce and stir again. Sprinkle the gelatin onto the mixture evenly and let sit for several minutes. Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it simmers. Next, add sugar and allow to simmer for another minute. Remove from heat and let mixture cool until it is warm, not hot. Add the vodka and transfer the mixture to a container. Fill each apple shell with the caramel jello mixture, and refrigerate at least four hours. When ready to serve, place apples jello side down on a cutting board and cutting lengthwise in half twice. Make sure to serve right away while the apples are still fresh, and enjoy your caramel apple jello shots!
Open for drop-offs Mondays 6:30-9:30am 3:00-6:00pm 620 11th Street South (205) 996-9043
14 FEATURES
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2016
Alumnus hikes Appalachian Trail for ailing father
Davis Grimes raises his arms in victory over 5000 feet in altitude on the Appalachian Trail.
Jordan McGill Contributor jmcgill@uab.edu
D
avis Grimes, an April 2016 graduate of the Department of Music, recently completed the Appalachian Trail, a 2,189.1 mile stretch of mountainous terrain beginning at Springer Mountain, Georgia and
concluding at Mount Katahdin, New York. The trail spans through 14 states, and only one out of every four that begin the trail actually complete it. With a recent increase in books and films documenting it, the trail has seen an exponential growth in people attempting
to complete the trail in its entirety. Grimes’ reasoning to participate was much more personal, however. He cites his father as his primary motive for attempting the feat. Grimes’ father was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at age 28, but still held a dream to hike the Appalachian Trail
Photo courtesy of Amy William Grimes
before his death. When Grimes was in high school, he and his father planned to hike the trail together after his graduation from college. Unfortunately, Grimes’ father was diagnosed with radiationinduced soft tissue sarcoma, a secondary cancer resulting from the treatments for
Hodgkin’s, while Grimes was still in college. “As soon as he was diagnosed, I decided I was going to get out there and try to do it for him,” Grimes said. “I would complete the trail in homage to my father and his dream.” To keep his father informed of his trek, Grimes purchased a camera and “learned to be an amateur photographer” in order to post pictures of his journey for his father to see. The trail itself presented its own challenges: Grimes says that even the first day was physically draining and arduous. Throughout the trip he suffered from everything from sprained ankles to giardia, an intestinal parasite. But the mental and emotional toll imposed on Grimes by being away from home for such an extended period proved to be the most difficult of the challenges. “After about the first month, I missed home and was just tired of hiking all day every day,” Grimes said. “That is when I decided to hike my own hike.” Grimes decided to strive to hike 20 miles per day, which would be difficult for even the most seasoned hikers. Approximately 250 miles into the journey, in Damascus, Va., Grimes learned that his father’s radiation-induced soft tissue sarcoma had recurred for the third time. “This became just another motivation to finish the trail, and in a shorter time than I had planned,” Grimes said. Instead of completing the trail in five months, Grimes decided to
attempt to complete the trail in only four. In pushing himself even further, Grimes made a friend who would ultimately accompany him to the end of the trail. One might expect that hikers would consistently be in danger. Due to the constant company Grimes had in his friend, however, they were able to keep each other safe. “I was never in any true immediate danger, but the fear of the unknown was always lingering in the back of my mind,” Grimes said. “In Shenandoah [National Park], I walked within twenty-five feet of a mother bear and her three cubs,” Grimes said. “It’s all about respect. As long as you respect the wildlife and the nature around you, the animals don’t really become threats.” Above all else, Grimes says the trip has taught him how to be malleable in any situation. He said “It is more than just perseverance or desire that gets you through. It’s all about being able to recognize that you are not in control and adapting to what is happening around you.” As an example, Grimes says that he only kept about three quarters of what he began with. “I gave up the comfort of having an oven in order to complete the trail faster. I had to adapt in order to accomplish what I wanted to,” said Grimes. “I learned what I could live without and what was a necessity, and that has completely changed my outlook on my own life.”
CALENDAR TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
The Fall Career Fair
HSC Ballroom 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
More than 50 area employers will attend the event, to talk to students interested in internships, full-time or co-op positions. Come dressed to impress and get a free headshot taken.
National Voter Registration Day
Kelly Ingram Park 12-7 p.m. City officials and community organizations will be on hand to help get people ready for Election Day and share ways to get involved.
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Leymah Gbowee
The Major Discovery Fair
HSC Ballrooms 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
All of the exciting academic majors at UAB will be on display for students who are undecided, redeciding or otherwise exploring their options.
Corinne Bailey Rae Workplay 8 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Grammy-award winning artist whose music spans indie, electronic, soul and experimental will perform at the sand stage. Baily Rae just completed her third studio album.
Alys Stephens Center 6 p.m. Liberian peace and women’s rights activist Leymah Gbowee will give a lecture that’s free to the public.
Nuestra Independencia
Commons on the Green 6-10 p.m.
FRIDAY Ghost Hunt
Comer Museum Sept 30 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 11:59 a.m.
Harvest Festival
Oak Mountain State Park - South Trailhead 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Annual festival featuring guided hikes, hay rides, games, local goods and artisans. Regular park entry fee: $5 adult, $2 senior and child.
Birmingham does Broadway
Legends of Southern Hip Hop
Samford University 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Alabama Symphony Free Latin American Orchestra presents food, dancing and songs from Broadway’s great music in celebration of Hispanic Golden Age, as well as the Southeastern Heritage Month. U.S. premier of an Hosted by the Psi Epsilon Chapter of orchestral setting of Sigma Lambda Gamma. Hamilton.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLASSIFIEDS
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LEGAL
SATURDAY
Another fascinating investigation into the paranormal at Comer Museum. Tickets avaliable at scareofal.com
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WHAT’S UP 15
Sept. 27 - Oct. 3
Contact “Maid 2 Serve” at (205)356-2124 or email wisewoman911@gmail.com — Twin beds complete. $199 and up. Dressers/mirrors and chest of drawers. 205-910-0512.
BJCC 8 p.m.
Tour featuring performances from Mystikal, Juvenile, 8 Ball & MJG, Trick Daddy, Bun B and Pastor Troy. Tickets available at Ticket Master.
SUNDAY
MONDAY
UAB Women’s Soccer vs. Florida Atlantic
Discoveries in the Making
The women’s soccer team continue conference play against the FAU Owls.
An educational outreach program that seeks to share exciting progress made by grad students. Jessica Hoffman and Ijeoma Obi share recent work.
Hop-in-Roll
Paints & Pints
4th annual Hopin-Roll with the Birmingham Fall Food Truck Rally. Featuring 15+ food trucks and lots of new and rare beers on draft.
Join artist Natalie Zoghby and special guest Beth Cakes for a fun night of painting. Includes free supplies and a beer from Trim Tab.
BBVA Compass field 1 p.m.
Hop City 12-8 p.m.
Hoover Public Library 6:30-8 p.m.
Trim Tab Brewing Company 6:30-8 p.m.