UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER
VOLUME 58, ISSUE 3
INTO BRINGS GLOBAL DIVERSITY INTO UAB The year old program allows international students to grow through research and service. Read more on Page 3.
The
Kaleidoscope CELEBRATING OUR
50th YEAR OF PUBLICATION
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FOOTBALL
This is the game we needed. We needed to fight our tails off and win. —Bill Clark
Just two weeks after #TheReturn, the Blazers held on to an early lead to burn the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 30-23, moving to 2-1 on the season. UAB played on its dominant rushing game and dynamic passing options to secure 274 yards of total offense in the win. Read more on Page 6.
MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Mayor has high hopes for the city Bell advocates for continuity, touts leadership Wallace Golding Managing Editor
important for the creation of a vibrant intellectual environment.” Floorplans for the building reveal new learning labs, classrooms and a new 300-seat auditorium with
If you look south from Section 107 of Birmingham’s Regions Field, you will see a sprawling skyline of apartments, hospitals and office buildings, one that wasn’t present less than a decade ago. Mayor William A. Bell built this, or rather, he envisioned this. This field and these buildings tell a story for Bell, a story of his leadership, his foresight and his perceptiveness. Getting here has not all been pretty for Bell and his administration. His is a government whose accomplishments have largely been overshadowed by back-room brawls, tension with the City Council and accusations of neglecting Birmingham’s most impoverished neighborhoods. Still, however, he believes he has something for Birmingham, something that can keep this city on track. This stadium became a crown jewel for the city when it opened in 2013, a testament to the true leadership of whoever may have materialized it. Having an idea is one thing; making it happen is another. “It’s gorgeous, Mayor,” interjected Kwani Carson, a member of Bell’s campaign staff. “You did a great job.” Less than one month prior, on Aug. 22, his bid for reelection was sent to a runoff, with his opponent, Randall Woodfin, pulling in 40.84 percent of the vote compared to his own 35.55 percent. The outlook appeared bleak at this point, but Bell remained optimistic. He has been here before, after all. His December 2009 election was marked by a deficit of more than 5,000 votes to Patrick Cooper. Bell won the ensuing runoff by more than 25,000 votes. “The reaction was ‘my votes didn’t come out,’” Bell said. “Anytime that you have 11 or 12 candidates in a race, they’ll all pull votes from you. I’m not shocked by that, nor am I daunted by it.” Bell’s opponent caught attention as being young and innovative, something many believe Birmingham’s government needs. Bell, however, disagrees. “My opponent, for the most part, received a free ride,” Bell said. “There was
See CAS, Page 4
See BELL, Page 9
PHOTOS BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR FROM LEFT: Bentley Easley, Jonathan Haden, Clay Templeton (#29) and Kyle Varnell celebrate UAB’s win over Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Legion Field. BELOW: Tracy and Rod Beck of Huntsville wave and clap as they cheer in the stands at Legion Field.
IN THIS ISSUE: Volleyball wins three in annual Fight Like Hal tournament. Women’s soccer downs opponent, but men drop one to conference foe. Women’s tennis aces tournament in Texas. Visit us online at uab.edu/kscope. Find recaps of football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball and men’s tennis in next week’s edition.
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Groundbreaking begins Tuesday Campus’ latest addition to be open Fall 2019 Lauren Moore Campus Writer UAB will soon begin construction of the new College of Arts and Sciences building. The building, which will replace the current Humanities Building, will be located on the corner of the Campus Green next to the Chemistry Building. Departments are set to move in summer of 2019, and the building will officially be open for student use by Fall 2019. The new five-story building intends to house seven departments: anthropology, computer and information sciences, English, foreign
RENDERING COURTESY OF OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
languages and literatures, mathematics, philosophy and social work. Currently, the majority of these departments are housed in the Humanities Building. The building will provide CAS students with a more centralized location to
the rest of campus. “These buildings, they serve as the platform for the collision of the ideas between the students and the faculty,” said Dr. Robert E. Palazzo, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “These facilities are very
OPINIONS Fall 2017 Editorial Board Chandler Jones Editor-in-Chief chanj1@uab.edu
Wallace Golding Managing Editor wsgoldin@uab.edu
Sufia Alam Campus Editor sufia@uab.edu
Kristina Balciunaite Life & Style Editor kribal@uab.edu
Ian Keel Photo Editor iankeel@uab.edu
Connor Gentry Sports Editor zcgentry@uab.edu
Will Harris Asst. Sports Editor willhrrs@uab.edu
Marie Sutton Advisor masutton@uab.edu
Page 2 September 19, 2017
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
N. Korea isn’t interesting Elliott Greene Columnist
This obvious power imbalance makes North Korea’s nuclear proliferation unnerving. uclear war is Despite seeming unhinged, usually regarded as North Korea threatening pretty bad. WWIII is not the work of Given the poplunatics. For 60 years, the ularity of this opinion, most Kim Dynasty has empowered governments try to avoid it. its country with geopolitical The nuclear superpowinfluence by threateners have enforced this ing a continuation of peace by possessing so the Korean War. Kim many nuclear warheads Jong-Un plays the role that a state attempting of the military warlord to start a nuclear enready to take on the gagement would quickU.S., but the tension in ly find itself turned to Greene his performance dissiglass in retaliation. pates when you realize The only way to “win” he’s acting. He pretends to such a war would be destroybe pushing for open conflict, ing enemy superpowers before despite having no desire to go they could react, something to war with the West. that would require thousands Kim does not avoid war of warheads to be delivered by choice; subjugation of the simultaneously. South would unify Korea Nuclear warheads are as a world power under his expensive, which prevents control. Pacifism is enforced, smaller nations from trying to because the North has no directly engage with the U.S. chance of forcing reunificaand its allies. tion. The math paints a grim a A small nation with few picture for the DPRK: money, warheads actively pursumanpower and munitions ing war comes across like a are in short supply compared little-leaguer stepping up in an to the South and its allies, MLB game. making a continuation of the
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Korean War unwinnable. Direct attacks on the South would inspire international response so extreme that there would be little left to be called North Korea. Thus, the armistice stands, because the North cannot force reunification before international backlash destroys the nation, not out of Kim’s good nature. Could Kim be unaware of the probable outcome as he threatens the West? It is unlikely. Aggressions from the North toeing the line of war show Kim plans his moves and has goals more complex than restarting the war. Kim’s motivations arise from the international response to his regime should he become less antagonistic. The North has a negative economic impact on Japan and South Korea, two of the largest economies in the world. The U.S. spent the last half of the 20th century undermining governments for economic benefit. Saddam Hussein demonstrated what happens to dic-
tators opposing the U.S. Kim knows his regime would be overthrown by the West given the chance, so a dead man’s switch rests on any attempt to remove his power. Military action against North Korea will be followed by an immediate attack on the South, killing millions and causing a massive economic backlash. Because of this threat of violence, the West has tolerated the North’s presence. Thus far the North’s presence has been tolerated because of the ever present threat, but artillery has been pointed at Seoul long enough to rust. To keep up appearances, Kim postures himself as a nuclear madman to maintain his charade and prevent international intervention from pulling his regime out from under him. Perhaps the point where the Korean War will continue has been reached, but the past 60 years of threats and bluffs make it hard to believe. Elliott Greene can be reached at elliottg@uab.edu.
Patrick Johnson Production Manager plj3@uab.edu
ILLUSTRATION BY LEISHA CHAMBERS/ILLUSTRATOR
HURRICANE IRMA
The rising cost of climate change Elliott Greene Columnist Letters to the Editor can be submitted to Chandler Jones, Editor-in-Chief, at chanj1@uab.edu. The Kaleidoscope functions as a memeber of UAB Student Media in association with UABTV, BlazeRadio and Aura. Website: UAB.edu/kscope Twitter @UABkscope Facebook facebook.com/uabkscope/ Instagram instagram.com/ uabkscope/ The Kaleidoscope is produced in the office of UAB Student Media. Suite 130 Hill Student Center 1400 University Blvd. Birmingham, 35233 (205) 934-3354
It’s been an eventful hurricane season, as both Texans and Floridians can attest. Hurricanes are powerful natural disasters, and Irma was the most powerful hurricane to ever form in the Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Service. Unfortunately, Irma may also be the most powerful unnatural disaster to form in the Atlantic too. Environmental researchers intensely study the effects of anthropogenic climate change on meteorology, and the $120 billion this season caused in damage explains the reason for the interest. Each year, hurricanes grow more powerful and cost more in damages; with the majority of climate scientists agreeing that the cause is mankind. Those who have had to purchase gasoline know the
economic damage extends beyond the storm surge. Nationwide gas shortages directly impact millions of Americans, while in Washington money is allocated to relief efforts. Citizens in all 50 states are paying interest on decades of climate inaction. This begs the question: why has climate inaction stayed a position endorsed by economic conservatives? The economic threat of tropical weather increases with every degree the ocean warms, while the Republican Party considers environmental regulations too costly. Despite scientific consensus indicating that the economic devastation born of climate change is only going to grow, conservatives hold that environmental regulation stifles American business. Conservatives promote fiscal responsibility, while refusing to acknowledge the value of investing in environ-
mental stability. As long as storms destroy cities and as long as cities cost money to rebuild, fiscal conservatism and environmental conservatism will be entwined. As Irma and Harvey have shown, the economic impact of climate change is very real. These two storms individually are shaping up to be some of the most expensive storms in history. Unless action is taken to curb climate change, they will quickly be stripped of the title. Since records began, the power of storms has been in lock-step with global temperature. If trends in tropical weather continue, increased Atlantic temperatures will give rise to such storms with increasing regularity. The cost of these storms rises with wind speeds. Of the 10 costliest hurricanes on record, one occurred before 2004; in the top three, two occurred this year.
As Gulf Coast cities continue to grow these figures will as well, becoming riper targets for destruction. The fastest growing region in the country is the Gulf Coast. This migration places more and more people in the path of these storms, disrupting more and more of the economy. President Donald J. Trump received significant international and domestic backlash for backing out of the Paris Agreement. This decision weakened America’s ties to other countries in exchange for supposed economic autonomy. This interpretation misses the real impact. Harvey and Irma are a preview of the bills the American public will be left to foot as their representatives continue to embrace ideologies that are antithetical to fiscal conservation. Elliott Greene can be reached at elliottg@uab.edu.
CAMPUS
Page 3 September 19, 2017
10 IN 10
STUDENT LIFE
with Mugdah Mokashi USGA President 1) What are some of your responsibilities as USGA president? Much of my time is spent asking students what the main concerns are and communicating that to administrators. 2) What does a typical day as a USGA president look like for you? A lot of my work happens very behind the scenes. Yes, there are photo ops and you’ll see me with Blaze a lot but really most of my job is sitting in conference rooms with people who are making decisions that are about to impact students. On average, I attend 3 to 6 meetings a day making decisions that directly impact students and make sure all decisions finalized are student centered.
PHOTO BY AUSTIN SIMPSON / PHOTOGRAPHER Students taste food from all around the world and experience new culture at the second floor Mervyn H. Sterne Library. BELOW: Founded in 2016, INTO UAB was brought to campus to increase global diversity and expand international students’ horizons in research, international teaching and service activities.
New culture moves to campus INTO helps international students make America their home Sufia Alam Campus Editor
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hen Rushi Kurup, a freshman in computer science, reached the United States in May 2017, Kurup arrived with two suitcases, 10 days earlier than expected, and no place to stay. INTO UAB helped Kurup find a temporary living before the start of school and eventually helped Kurup transition to his new home. “In India, I never had to know how to do simple tasks like cook and clean,” Kurup said. “INTO basically helped me learn how to be independent and live successfully in America.” Founded in 2016, INTO UAB was brought to campus to increase global diversity and expand international students’ horizons in research, international teaching and service activities. With over 200 graduate and undergraduate students with nine different majors and three different programs as part of the center, UAB INTO has established itself as a vital resource for international students on campus. “We are a center that has wrap around services to provide various systems of support to all our international students,” said Amy Snow, director of academic programs for INTO. According to Snow, INTO UAB helps international students who are unable to meet the minimum English requirements, improving their English competency while providing them with other resources, such as cultural advisers and weekly workshops. After successful completion of the program, students begin
CAS
From Page 1 with a stage. There will also be open, interactive spaces for students to congregate and study. New seminar and meeting rooms will also be constructed in addition to a new creative writing lab. As one of the original university college buildings built in 1971, the Humanities Building has grown outdated. After construction of the new College of Arts and Sciences building, the current Humanities Building will likely be torn down. Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences are excited for the new facility.
4) What are some of the biggest accomplishments USGA in terms of legislature since school has started? We heard students complain a lot about the shuttles that were going to the football game. We measured at highest peak it took 59 minutes to get from the shuttle to the game. I had meeting with both athletics and the director of parking and transportation. And we figured out students would be in preference of a new pick up and drop off of the other side of Legion Field. 5) What does this mean for students on game day? While it does unfortunately mean students have to walk to the opposite side of field, we have managed to reduce their commute easily by thirty minutes.
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the next semester INTO provided as normal stutemporary housdents. ing and food to “I like to think almost all incomof myself as a ing students of mother figure to the new semester. all my students,” INTO UAB said Achala Rockcenter is located well, Ph.D., an on the second Indian language floor of Mervyn and cultural adSterne Library. viser. “From helpThe center ing them how to consists of 14 cook to [helping classrooms, a them] understand Learning Rethe basic rules of source Center, a their new envimulti-faith prayer ronment, I help room, student them take it step lounge and sever—Rushi Kurup by step.” al student study To help stuareas. dents assimilate To provide to their new surroundings, domestic students opportuniINTO UAB has selectively hired ties to interact with students professors of the program who of different with ethnic backhave international experience grounds, UAB INTO hosts a before their career at UAB. coffee hour every Friday at the “My experience as a foreign INTO center. student adds a personal touch “Every Friday I get to learn which is the reason why all one new thing about a culture my students can relate to me,” that I didn’t know before,” said Rockwell said. Chris Lorimer, sophomore in With INTO being the first history. “It makes me feel just a point of contact for all interlittle bit more culturally comnational students, the program petent.” starts helping students before Sufia Alam can be reached their arrival in the U.S. at sufia@uab.edu. According to Rockwell,
INTO basically helped me learn how to be independent and live successfully in America.
“The new classrooms and a new language lab will be a huge improvement” said Julian Arribas, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures. “We hope to be updated in every sense, and that students will notice the difference.” Dr. Steven Austad, chair of the Department of Biology, looks forward to the changes that this new building will bring to the biology department. Since both the computer and information sciences and mathematics departments are currently housed in Campbell Hall, the new CAS building will give these departments a new home. This will give the remaining
3) You mentioned that a lot of your work is external and not management, can you elaborate? Most of my work is with administration. I sometimes become the face of UAB in terms of representing our student body.
biology, psychology and physics departments at Campbell Hall more room to expand. “The hope is that once they have constructed the new CAS building, we can start construction on a new science building,” Austad said. “This is a building for learning and exchanging ideas. I hope the students will be really proud of it,” Palazzo said. “I hope that when students leave UAB they will be really confident, and look back at UAB with warm memories and be proud of their alma mater.” Lauren Moore can be reached at lrm33@uab.edu.
6) Who is the first line of contact for students who are interested in reaching out to USGA? The management side of student government is my Chief of Staff. Everything technical or logistical is Sam Moss. [Moss’] job in a nutshell is to be the person that makes sure USGA doesn’t fall apart. Also, students will often see tabling by our senators asking students about what issues are important to them. 7) What group of students are responsible for passing important bills that directly affect students? Our senate is a unique body, because they actually are the legislators that pass resolutions. They pass legislation based on student concerns or things that we as a student government want to make a statement on. 8) What is your favorite bill that you’ve passed? I think one that we’re really proud of is the Full Moon sustainability bill. We surveyed and tabled to let students know why Styrofoam containers are bad and why if students felt if it was a valid enough concern or not to bring change to. And in exchange for a small price increase we brought in more sustainable containers. That’s how things happan in the USGA, it’s a working relationship between the senate and executives. 9) Why is transparency in your term an important topic to you? USGA runs in some part only because students afford it the power and that’s how all governments work. Any governing body derives its power from its citizens. Citizens and constituents in this case at UAB should be informed about what USGA is doing so they can make their concerns heard. Or if we’re not doing something that’s okay. 10) What do you attribute the success of USGA to? It takes a perfect storm of administration working out and the money being there and USGA being at the right place at the right time for policy change to happen. But, one thing we can always guarantee is growth in student leaders, and the work that they do should never go unnoticed. It’s a combination of all these things that make USGA happen.
Page 4 | Campus
The Kaleidoscope
September 19, 2017
LGBTQ
Campus makes push toward inclusion UAB gives minority students a community Sufia Alam Campus Editor Ranked No. 3 for student diversity by the Princeton Review, UAB strives not only accommodate students from all different backgrounds, but also to create a space where students of all identities feel safe and welcome. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 34 percent of LBGTQ students have experienced being bullied on school property and 28 percent have reported being bullied online. Organizations such as the Gender and Sexuality Union, Multicultural and Diversity LBGTQ resources, the Alliance for LBGTQ Equality UAB and UAB Psychiatry’s LBGTQ Mental Health and Wellness Clinic exist
on campus to offer LBGTQ students a space where they can find helpful resources relating to problems from mental health to financial needs, as well as create a sense of community within the minority population on campus. “Having specific services that address the unique issues related to the LGBTQ narrative is not only affirming and inclusive, but also fosters a sense of belonging and purpose on campus,” said Kelli Lassiter, a counselor with the Student Health and Wellness Center. While counseling services are offered to all faculty and students on campus, the Student Health and Wellness Center has created a new division for LBGTQ to help students deal with issues such as navigating the coming
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Having specific services that address the unique issues related to the LGBTQ narrative is not only affirming and inclusive, but also fosters a sense of belonging and purpose on campus. —Kelli Lassiter out process, coping with and addressing societal discrimination and prejudice, dealing with religious identity and being LGBTQ and preparing for and navigating the journey of gender transition, according to Lassiter. She believes that, because the mission of the UAB Division of Student Affairs refers to their mission as enhancing student learning and development and fostering
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an inclusive environment while engaging students to become contributing members in a diverse society, all LBGTQ students have the right to these services on campus. “I think [advocacy for LBGTQ rights] is important because LGBTQ students too often experience marginalization and oppression based on the expectations, demands and constraints within a predominantly heter-
onormative, cis-gender campus is imperative to society,” Lassiter said. allow LBGTQ students While Calvin connect to other Colvin, a gradumembers of ate student and their community intern coordinaand find helpful tor of diversity resources. education and “The saving facilitation prograce of UAB gram has never and the reason Colvin why UAB has experienced a harmful event on evolved so much school grounds directhelping the LBGTQ ed toward him because community is because of his sexual identity, of the people here,” he continuously works Colvin said. “We have with the campus’s mul- so many dedicated staff ticultural and diversity members who have programs to provide been doing a lot of the undergraduate students pushing in terms of continuous support services and access for and opportunities for students.” members and allies of To ensure all stuthe LBGTQ commudents are represented nity to provide a safe equally, the Undergradspace and become the uate Student Govbackbone of support ernment Association for all LBGTQ underis currently working graduate students. on passing legislature Colvin is also the verifying all names and president of the Gender preferred pronouns are and Sexuality Union at attributed correctly on UAB. one cards and emails, According to according to Mugdha Colvin, because LBMokashi, president of GTQ students are not USGA. a visible minority on Sufia Alam can be reached campus, creating a at sufia@uab.edu. sense of community on
SPORTS MEN’S SOCCER
Page 5 September 19, 2017
WOMEN’S SOCCER
VOLLEYBALL
Blazers get pounced by Panthers
Blazers burn the Devilettes
Strong second half not enough for comeback
Team keeps perfect home pitch record
Connor Gentry Sports Editor The UAB Blazers Men’s Soccer team opened conference play at home against the Florida International University Panthers. FIU entered this match ranked third in the National College Athletics Association’s Ranking Power Index. This rating is based on wins, losses and many other statistics. FIU ranks as the highest RPI team UAB plays this season. FIU struck first with a goal in the 14th minute. Santiago Patino scored on a crossing play from Luca Giovine to give FIU the 1-0 lead. This was Patino’s fifth goal of the season. The Panthers would find the back of the net again in less than a minute when Jorvis Ahlinvi netted a shot from the top of the box to give FIU the 2-0 lead. There would be no more scoring in the first half despite there being 11 shots from the Panthers and two from the Blazers. “We gave this game to them in the first half,” said Mike Getman, UAB Men’s Soccer head coach. “I give FIU credit, they are the No. 3 team in the NCAA RPI and in the first half it showed.” UAB scored in the 57th minute when sophomore Adam Brooker netted a shot on a pass from sophomore Massimo Ferrin. The Blazers attempted to score an equalizer when redshirt senior Rami Dajani had two headers, but they sailed over the crossbar. “In the second half we were excellent,” Getman said. “We had a great goal, had some good chances and did everything we wanted to do. But soccer is a 90-minute game, and we have to play well for the full 90-minutes.” UAB ultimately fell to the Panthers 2-1 bringing their record to (2-2-2, 0-2-0) for the season. FIU improved to (2-1-2, 1-0-0) UAB held FIU to just two shots and tallied eight of their 10 shots in the second half, but FIU led UAB 13-10 in shots at the end of the game. Both UAB and FIUs’ goalkeepers made two saves during the match. FIU had eight corner kicks to UAB’s two. Three yellow cards were assessed during the match. The first was to UAB’s Dajani (33:07). The second and third were both toward FIU, Esteban Calvo (83:36) and the FIU team (89:27). The Panthers tallied 15 fouls to UAB’s three throughout the game. “When we play our best, I think we can handle anybody, and we have to learn to do it for the full 90 minutes,” Getman said. UAB travels to Norfolk, Va. to play Old Dominion University in a conference match on Sept. 23. Connor Gentry can be reached at zcgentry@uab.edu and on Twitter @Kscope_sports.
Trinity Dix Sports Reporter PHOTO BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR UAB senior Petra Silic spikes the ball during game against the University of New Orleans.
Fight like Hal Blazers return to winning ways, host home tournament honoring late volleyball coach Trinity Dix Sports Reporter
WCU. The Blazers attempted to catch up after a miscue by WCU and a kill from redshirt senior Gabby Deshotel. AB hosted the annual Fight The Blazers gained momentum Like Hal Memorial Tournament from Deshotel’s kill and a service ace on Friday and Saturday. The from junior Victoria Young. UAB tournament is held in memory of forwould take the first set from WCU 25mer UAB Volleyball Head Coach Hal 17 after several ties. Messersmith. Hal Messersmith is the The Blazers started strong in the late husband of current Head Coach second set with a kill from senior Kerry Messersmith. Hal Messersmith Haley Jared, but a couple of miscues passed away in 2013 after a battle allowed WCU to move ahead by as with cancer. many as eight points. “It’s a great remembrance of Hal,” UAB was able to close the gap to said UAB Volleyball Head Coach Kerry five points, but the Catamounts took Messersmith. “I think he had a huge the second set 25-18. impact in our program, both in Beach UAB began the third set with a and Indoor. He was the first Beach strong start as Jared tapped the ball [Volleyball] coach here. He had a way and earned a kill. about him, the kids absolutely loved The Catamounts got a late four him, and that’s one of the things we’ve point lead, but the the Blazers fought missed in our programs since he’s been back and took the lead. A kill by Degone.” shotel and service ace from freshman The tournament included UAB, Shelby Holderfield moved the Lady Western Carolina University, MissisBlazers ahead to take the third set with sippi Valley State University, and the a 25-20 win. University of New Orleans. The fourth set began with a kill UAB’s first match took place on from WCU’s Jo-Leigh VerVelde. The Friday, September 15 at noon against Blazers and Catamounts traded leads the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes. until the Blazers won the fourth and The first set was all final set 25-23, and the UAB. Senior Petra Silic match 3-1. got the Blazers off to In final game of the a hot start with two tournament, UAB took strong kills to start the on the University of first set, 3-0. New Orleans PrivaUAB jumped out teers. to an 8-2 lead that In the first set, UAB eventually increased to and UNO kept it close. 15-7. MVSU could not UAB moved ahead by answer the UAB attack two after a kill from and the Blazers took Jared and a service eradvantage going on a ror by UNO’s Brianna 10-0 run to win the Vega. The Lady Blazers first set 25-7. and Privateers were The second set was then tied until Deshoa back and forth battle tel’s kill won the first that saw several scoring set 25-20. runs. MVSU started the The second set of second set 2-0. UAB the game began with —Kerry Messersmith answered with a 12-2 UAB started strong run to lead 12-4. Just as with kills from senior UAB started to gain a Erika Zembyla and comfortable lead, MVSU fought back Holderfield. The Privateers scored one to reduce the deficit to 14-10. point from Bryant, but a block from UAB extended the lead once again Silic and Jared allowed the team to and brought in a few younger playkeep the four-point gap. ers in the process. UAB sophomore UAB led by as many as seven, but Barbara Garrett performed an ace UNO stormed back to tie late in the serve to push the lead to 23-12. UAB set. UAB was able to hold off the Prijunior Emily Rudolph ended the set on vateers and take the second set with a a kill to take the set 25-14 and give the 25-22 win. Blazers a 2-0 lead. The third set saw the Privateers “Our kids handled it very well,” take the lead after Rhyan Rand had a said Messersmith. “Sometimes the mo- kill and Zembyla committed an error. mentum can come to a drag and you UAB regained the lead and won the set can regret it. Today? Not at all.” 25-17 and the match 3-0. The third set was a close battle “It’s nice for the girls,” Messerback and forth that saw the Blazer lead smith said. “Part of our goal before get as close as 13-12. UAB took conthe weekend for our next matches is to trol of the set by going on a 6-0 run go into Conference season 4-0. We’ve to lead 19-12. UAB redshirt freshman got one more tough match on Tuesday. Emma Mitchell ended the set with a We’ve certainly [had] a good start for kill to win 25-17. us, and hopefully, it’ll give the kids UAB won in straight sets, 3-0, for some confidence.” the second time this season. The win The Lady Blazers are 6-8 overall ended a four-game losing streak for the and continue play at Bartow Arena on Blazers. The Devilettes moved to 1-9 Tuesday versus the Alabama State Union the season. versity Yellow Jackets at 7:00 pm. On Saturday evening, UAB faced Trinity Dix can be the Western Carolina University Catareached at tri915@uab.edu. mounts. UAB started off down 3-0 to
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It’s a great remembrance of Hal. I think he had a huge impact on our program, both in Beach and Indoor.
UAB Women’s Soccer squared off with the Mississippi Valley State University Devilettes. UAB struck first when sophomore Megan Hudgens crossed the ball to senior Amy Brewer. Brewer fired the ball to the right side of the goal in the 7th minute. The Lady Blazers continued their attack, but the Devilettes’ Rita Gyasi saved her goal. UAB held a 1-0 lead at the half. The second half began slowly for UAB, but at the 54-minute mark of the game, UAB’s senior midfielder Rachel Green dribbled through MVSU’s defense and scored an unassisted shot. This extended the UAB lead to 2-0. “We definitely picked it up in the second half but we were disappointed in how we started the game,” Green said. “It’s been a trend of ours, unfortunately, to start slow before we really work ourselves into the game. Despite that, this was a good win for us as we prepare for conference play.” UAB continued to attack, but missed several shots. MVSU’s Hannah Scott attempted to score, but it was saved by junior goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty. In the 81st minute, freshman Kassandra Daniels crossed the ball to senior Morgan Key-Adams. Key-Adams shot the ball into the upper corner of the net to push the Blazer lead to 3-0. The Lady Blazers won 3-0, and improved their record to 6-1-2 while the Devilettes fell to 1-6-0. Daugherty had her fourth shutout of the season and moved into a tie for fifth place on UAB’s all-time saves list. “I thought we found small moments of what we focused on during training this week, but there were definitely times where we wanted to expand those moments,” Erica Demers, UAB head coach, said. “We felt like this was a game where we could have worked on ourselves a lot more than we actually did, but I thought that we did get better tonight, just not as much as I would have liked.” UAB had 26 shots, five saves and nine corner shots overall. UAB outshot MVSU by 19 and allowed no corner kicks. “We’ve talked a lot lately about trying to be more consistent with the things we can control as we head into league play,” Demers said. “Effort is an intangible that we have to bring every night, but it’s just one of the small details that we have to improve at if we want to become a better team this year.” The Lady Blazers travel to El Paso, TX. to play in a conference matchup against the University of Texas El Paso. Trinity Dix can be reached at tri915@uab.edu.
Page 6 | Sports
The Kaleidoscope
September 19, 2017
FOOTBALL
PHOTOS BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR TE Hayden Pittman congratulates RB Spencer Brown after a touchdown run in game against Coastal Carolina. BELOW: QB A.J. Erdely drags a Coastal defender during one of his 15 rushing attempts.
Blazers cook Chanticleers Strong first half leads to a Blazer victory at home Will Harris Assistant Sports Editor
C
oming off a road game loss to the Ball State Cardinals, the Blazers defeated the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 30-23 Saturday at Legion Field. UAB entered the game with a 1-1 record, while CCU entered 1-0 after not competing last weekend. On the first drive of the game, UAB marched down the field without any incompletions or negative yardage plays to score on an A.J. Erdely 7-yard touchdown. A Nick Vogel extra point put the Blazers up 7-0. On the following drive, CCU drove down and went for it on fourth and eight at the UAB 30-yard line. The pass was broken up by UAB senior Darious Williams. Late in the first quarter, UAB sophomore Fitzgerald Mofor intercepted a deflected pass at the CCU 21-yard line. UAB took advantage of the turnover and scored on an 11-yard run by freshman Spencer Brown. The ensuing extra point was blocked and taken back for a 2-point conversion for Coastal. UAB lead 13-2 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, CCU faced a third and long at the UAB 46-yard line. CCU quarterback Tyler Keane threw it long but was intercepted by UAB junior Mar’Sean Diggs at the UAB 14-yard line. After a short drive by UAB, CCU got the ball back but settled for a 46-yard field goal to make it
13-5. On the next kickoff, UAB fumbled at their own 21-yard line to give the Chanticleers good field position. UAB’s defense held strong and forced a 29-yard field goal which missed wide right. UAB drove down the field and kicked a field goal on fourth and two at the CCU 3-yard line. UAB lead 16-5 at halftime. On the opening drive of the second half, Keane was intercepted
by UAB senior Tevin Crews to give the Blazers the ball at the 29-yard line. Two plays later UAB scored on a 26-yard touchdown by freshman Carlos Stephens. Nick Vogel added the extra-point to make it 23-5. The Chanticleers answered the Blazers with a 12-play 82yard touchdown drive. CCU was successful on the two-point conversion to cut the UAB lead to 23-13. On CCU’s next drive they were stopped yet again by another missed field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Chanticleer offense wore down the UAB defense converting on three third downs that were all 8 yards or more. The UAB defense halted the drive and allowed a 33-yard field goal to make it 23-16. Late in the fourth quarter, UAB got the ball back with the lead. With the help of three penalties on CCU, UAB was able to march down and score on a 3-yard
run by Brown with 2:54 remaining. Vogel added the extra-point to make it a 30-16 game. CCU quickly answered on a 2-yard run by senior Osharmar Abercrombie with 1:19 remaining. Coastal attempted an onside kick and a wild scramble for the ball ensued. UAB appeared to recover at first, but CCU players emerged with the ball. After a review of the play, UAB recovered the ball. CCU got the ball back with 29 seconds, but could not move the ball. UAB won by a final score of 30-23, and moved to 2-1 on the season. “I told the guys if they would just hang in there and believe, really good things are going to happen for this team,” UAB head coach Bill Clark said. “This is the game we needed. We needed to fight our tails off and win.” UAB will now go on the road to face the North Texas Mean Green in Conference-USA play. The Blazers have one of the best offenses in the conference, averaging 398 yards of total offense in their first three games. Quarterback A.J. Erdely thinks they can do more. “We haven’t even shown our real selves,” Erdely said when he talked about the potential for the Blazers. “I don’t think you’ve seen the best UAB football team.” Will Harris can be reached at willhrrs@uab.edu and on Twitter @Kscope_
sports.
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Tennis tournament leads to aces for lady Blazers Connor Gentry Sports Editor
The UAB Women’s Tennis team traveled to Midland, TX to compete in the Racquet Club Collegiate Invitational. The other schools competing in this event were Abilene Christian University, the University of Arkansas, the University of Illinois, the University of Nebraska, Texas State University, Texas Tech University, Tyler Junior College and the University of Texas at Arlington. “This weekend we will get a chance to see our other three new-
comers in action,” said Mark Tija, UAB Women’s Tennis head coach. “Midland hosts one of the best events in the nation, and it is always fun to get to compete against teams from across the country that we don’t normally get the opportunity to see. ” The first day consisted of three flights: two singles and one doubles. In the first flight, Alexandra Beleya of Illinois defeated UAB sophomore Marlene Herrmann 6-3, 6-1, and Paula Del Cueto Castillo of Nebraska beat UAB junior Alexandra Shchipakina 6-2, 6-2. The second flight
featured a Blazer victory when freshman Jana Hecking beat Sofia Murcia of Texas State 6-1, 6-0. Carla Cerdan of UT-Arlington then defeated Hecking 6-4, 1-6 and 10-8. Marina Cozac of Nebraska beat Bertrands 6-4, 6-1. The final flight of the day was a UAB loss when Alex Angyalosy and Gabriele Tenorio of Texas Tech beat Hecking and freshman Megan Bertrands 6-2. The Blazers capped off the day with a victory as Herrmann and Shchipakina defeated Lucile Pothier and Whitney Williams of Abilene Christian.
“Overall it was a solid first day of Division I tennis for all our new girls,” said Tija. “Three of them experienced their first college victories on their first day, so I am happy for them. We competed well through the nerves and conditions, and that is the most important thing now.” Day two of the Invitational consisted of 10 matches over three flights. In the first flight, Herrmann rattled off two victories against Rishona Lexis of Texas State 6-1, 6-4 and Augustina Serio of UT-Arlington 6-4, 4-6, 10-5
before falling to Jeannie Lozawski of Nebraska 6-3, 7-6, and Shchipakina defeated all three of her opponents, Alex Jones of Texas State 6-1, 4-6, 10-5, Grace Tapak of Illinois 4-6, 6-4, 11-9 and Agne Cepelyte of Arkansas6-4, 6-3. The second flight was a sweep for Bertrands as she won all three of her matches against Ileana Mocciola of Abilene Christian 7-5, 6-2, M’Balia Bangoura of Nebraska 6-1, 5-7, 17-15 and Nini Miminishi of Abeline Christian 2-6, 6-2, 10-4. “We had a solid day today, probably the best showing we’ve had
since we’ve been coming to this tournament,” said Tjia. “Megan won several close matches to win her back draw, and hopefully Alex can do the same tomorrow in her back draw. With that being said, we have a lot to work on when we get back to Birmingham.” The Blazers concluded play at the invitational on Sunday, Sept. 17. UAB will retake the court on Oct. 6-8 in the Samford Fall Round Robin. Connor Gentry can be reached at zcgentry@uab.edu and on Twitter @Kscope_sports.
LIFE & STYLE
Page 7 September 19, 2017
SUSTAINABILITY
PHOTO BY AUSTIN SIMPSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sectioned garden areas are tended to by students, staff and faculty who have rented their space for a yearly fee.
Blazers grow green thumbs Community garden engages students and faculty in flora Ivy Null Life & Style Writer It has become increasingly difficult to procure fresh food in a society that is moving towards fast and convenient food. Even harder is finding local agriculture in a city as urban as Birmingham. Some students and faculty have found the solution in UAB Gardens. Right behind the Undergraduate Admissions Office, the 65-plot garden has a long waiting list. The Facilities division provides soil tilling/liming, irrigation water, hoses and other tools, while the renter agrees to maintain their plot and provide the seeds for their fruits and vegetables. It is a great way for members of the UAB community to grow their own groceries in a way that is sustainable,
cost effective, convenient and fun. The UAB Gardens recently moved from its startup location to an area right behind the Undergraduate Admissions Office on 17th street South. The new location had a large crumbling concrete wall that needed to be updated to fit the scene of its new neighbor, the Gardens. One of the coordinators of the program approached Drawing Professor Douglas Baulos of the Department of Art and Art History about doing a mural on the wall. He reported that two students worked with a visual ecologist of Ruffner Mountain to get illustrations which they would then color, scale and compose. According to Baulos, the mural brought a surge of interest to the UAB Gardens
community and the program has flourished since. “Some of his images were about two inches high and they needed to be about eight feet high.” he said. Nina Morgan, senior in Anthropology and Sociology and the Sustainability intern of UAB Sustainability that runs the program, discussed the impact of the garden on the community and what her vision for it is going forward. “I want to see more beds for sure, and more seeding, more student involvement,” she said. “But after I leave, there are already plans in place to expand the gardens, there’ll be partnerships with local farms. My vision isn’t what [the gardens] will be physically, but how they will be used.” Morgan has been intensively working with the gardens since May of this year and says she specifically sought out interning with Sustainability because
“
I want to see more beds for sure, and more seeding, more student involvement. —Nina Morgan she wanted to work with the Gardens. She said that gardening was important to her beforehand and that she wanted to expand her activities. “This is kind of a reunion for me,” she said. Professor Baulos is an avid plotter in the Gardens, but not because of the nutritional potential. For two and half years
Professor Baulos has used his plot as part of his educational approach. “I have plots that relate to research within [my] department. Our students use the plot as a way to grow plants for paper making; they grow plants and other types of materials for making paints, inks, different types of distillations; we do a variety of ecological art projects with the plots; use it as inspiration,” Baulos said. Morgan mentioned that the Art Department’s plot is the most interesting, but she’s seen such a great impact outside of their plot. “People love that place,” Morgan said. “Not only students, but community members. It’s rejuvenating and rehabilitating. People just stop by to look. Employees come by and ask about getting plots. It’s really bringing people together in a great way.” Ivy Null can be reached at ivynull@uab.edu
Page 8 | Life & Style
The Kaleidoscope
September 19, 2017
ENTERTAINMENT
Spreading laughter Birmingham comedy scene transformed
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY RON WEAD Jonathan Westbrook performs his comedy set at the Peanut Gallery on Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham.
he said. “We are making an open experience that is marketed to everyone.” Currently, IFK’s project is to host comedy shows at unconventional locations. As of now, they have hosted shows at the Birmingham bus station, the University Laundromat, a barber shop in Fairfield and at the Peanut Gallery downtown. “The strategy is social engagement,” Westbrook said. “Engaging people in places that they usually hang out.” Although Birmingham is growing, there has not been any remarkable increase of comedy venues or shows ever since the 1980’s. Most of the comedy scene is underground and remains mostly unadvertised. “We want to give personality to the city,” said the marketing and executive director of IFK Joshua Sharp, native to Birmingham. According to Sharp, the Birmingham comedy scene is currently at a ‘tipping point’ that needs to be
leveled. There are too few platforms where aspiring comedians can grow, and in order to fix this, the community needs have more reason to be engaged in the scene. “To me comedy is family,” Sharp said. “IFK is only centered around opportunities and guidance to people who are talented but don’t know it. That will bring everything into fruition.” For many, comedy is not just a form of entertainment that is performed and attended for fun, but it can have remarkable effects on both mental and physical health. “Laughter has gotten me through three chemos,” said local improv comedian, clown at the Children’s of Alabama Hospital and lupus disease survivor Robin Sutton Clark. “To me comedy is healing, it’s health. Every time I get ill, laughter has gotten me through it.” According to Westbrook, comedy is a multifunctional artform that
can be an effective relief for people, as well as the perfect platform to address sore topics in a more approachable way. “Comedy can either be a relaxing or uncomfortable experience for people,” he said. “You can disguise discussions about social issues by making them funny, but yet talking about real things. It shows people a different perspective than they are usually willing to listen to or read in the newspaper because it’s in the form of stand-up comedy.” Although Indie Frames Komedy currently resides in Birmingham, they have prospects of expanding to other cities around the country when they feel the comedy scene here has become solidified. “We want to give comedians a platform, the confidence and the crowd,” Sharp said. “Birmingham doesn’t need someone telling them what they cannot do.”
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Teas that will save your semester A guide to herbal beverages to fit a student lifestyle Kristina Balciunaite ing a student is a heavy Life & Style Editor task both mentally and
I
t’s no secret that juggling academics, social life, jobs and sleep is a challenge. Be-
physically, which is why it is important to invest at least a small amount of care in your health and well-being. Herbal teas are
often overlooked as a solution for student problems. Yet they are perfect for many of the issues we face. There are teas that are great for reducing stress and nerve
Focus Licorice
One of the sweeter roots, licorice is a good detoxifier. It boosts the adrenal glands, which produce the hormones for coping with stress, preventing fatigue and soothing mood swings. Alexander the Great even had his soldiers use it to prepare for battle, which means it’s just as great for keeping you concentrated for finishing your essay paper as it is for conquering the middle east.
Used to treat asthma patients, peppermint is a great plant for relieving stress. The menthol in the herb works as a natural muscle and airway relaxant, without having the sedative properties that put you to sleep.
tension, teas that help you sleep easier, teas to drink after a rough night and even teas that improve memorization. “It’s the most traditional medicine,”
Memory Green leaf
The primary properties of green tea are polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidants that protect the body’s tissues against oxidative stress. A cup of green tea has the equivalent amount of caffeine that a half cup of coffee would contain. So just as Zen monks used to drink green tea when performing wakeful meditation, so can you when writing out your lab report.
Stress Peppermint
City crawls with art and music Ivy Null Life & Style Writer
Kristina Balciunaite Life & Style Editor Stand-up comedy is an exponentially rising medium attracting bigger audiences and receiving more general acknowledgment than before. Now it has also made its path and spread stronger roots in Birmingham, thanks to the 2-month-old comedy brand Indie Frames Komedy. Indie Frames Komedy is a brand consisting of a small group of local comedians who are seeking to reintroduce the comedy scene to Birmingham. They do this by hosting open mics and comedy shows more frequently and at a variety of locations around the city. “I want to make a community and frame an alternative scene for entertainment, something different than what already exist,” said the California native, comedian, Subway owner and creator of IFK Jonathan Westbrook. Westbrook has been performing comedy for eight months and made the brand with plans of bringing more attention to the art of comedy in the growing entertainment scene of Birmingham. “I feel like the comedy scene here was to exclusive so I wanted to make a scene that is easier to access,”
CULTURE
Rosemary
Sage Used as a restorative for Alzheimer’s patients, sage has been used for millenniums to enhance memory. It also enacts acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that enhances memory and learning as well as it has mood enhancing properties. Its sweet and savory flavor makes a great addition to your tea mix. So instead of chugging your energy drink, start sipping sage
Although you might be used to seeing rosemary on your steak, do not underestimate its power in your mug. The herb stimulates the blood pressure, which improves the supply of oxygen and nutrients the brain receives, as well as it increases the levels of the chemical acetylcholine, which functions as the neurotransmitter that enhances memory and learning.
Insomnia Ginseng
This root balances the bodily processes and helps to adapt the body to stress. Ginseng stimulates the nervous system and thus decreases fatigue. It is also rich in vitamins and other nutrients such as zinc and iron, which strengthens the immune system.
Passion Flower
Chamomile
This refreshing herb is an effective sedative and pain reliever. It also increases the levels of the chemical gamma aminobutyric acid, which lowers the activity of brain cells, thus creating a feeling of relaxation.
Being one of the of the best sedatives, a cup of chamomile will put you to sleep quickly. It increases the glycine levels in your body, a chemical that calms muscles and nerves, which is why it is one the most widespread tranquilizers.
said Lisa Hickman, boutique manager at Golden Temple. “We’ve been using plants for most of human history.” Whether you are suffering from stress, insomnia or a hangover, a simple cup of tea can do wonders.
Headaches Lavender “The Herb of Harmony” is as good in a hand soap as it is in your tea cup. Lavender is a relaxant nerve tonic, which means it acts therapeutically to calm ruffled nerves. It is especially attuned to the brain, where it relieves stress, anxiety and depression. So just as Queen Elizabeth I used to relieve her headache from ruling England, you can use it to relieve your headache from preparing for exams.
Hangover Plantain Plantain tea has many beneficial properties, including aucubin, which is a highly effective antitoxin that increases uric acid cleansing in the kidneys. In other words, it rids your system from last night’s regrets. Or at least one of them.
Birmingham has long been a hub for the fine arts. That tradition lives on every first Thursday of every month with the gathering of local artists at Birmingham Art Crawl. The Pizitz along 2nd Avenue transforms into a walking gallery for artists to display, sell and discuss their art. Jen Rogalin of Found, Lost & Found experienced her first Art Crawl from the vendor perspective just this month. “September was my first time participating as a vendor,” she said. “I am relatively new to the whole vending experience.” However, this wasn’t her first Art Crawl. Several times she has attended as a spectator. “It is definitely a fun experience,” she said. “I got to speak to so many different types of folks from Birmingham and all over.” Rogalin’s strong sense of community is part of what draws her to Birmingham and the art scene. “It could use more venues and audience participation, but the few events I’ve been a part of are inspiring.” She mentioned that one of her favorite things about the Art Crawl is meeting other artists, seeing all the different arts and crafts, and buying, even bartering, for different works. When asked about her art she said, “I do more of a craft. I make mixed media necklace pendants and magnets out of upcycled wine corks. Each is unique and I love talking to people about them, getting feedback, and sharing my favorites.” Rogalin hopes to see Art Crawl flourish in the community and said, “Art Crawl is such a cool thing to offer monthly, not many places have that.” A few of the artists from early September were MurphyMadePottery, functional and handmade works; A Simple Peace, works made of steel and wood; Crispy Mango Art, modern paintings by Carole Kelly; and Found, Lost & Found, art on wine corks. You’ll find everything from paintings to jewelry, from calligraphy to photography. If you’re looking for a fun and trendy way to spend a Thursday evening, want to do some shopping to unwind after work, or do something new and cheap on date night, be sure to stop by the next Birmingham Art Crawl on Thursday Oct. 5 from 5 p.m until 9 p.m. The Art Crawl is a 501c that relies on sponsors and donations, volunteers and the vast talent of Birmingham artists. Artists can submit works through the website’s easy application process. College students can apply to be a part of the College Art Show and add some more youthful works to the collections. They have made the entire process simple, also. Approved artists for the June 2017 – May 2018 year will receive an invite via email each month or may elect to confirm registration interest in advance. Ivy Null can be reached at ivynull@uab.edu
COMMUNITY
Page 9 September 19, 2017
10 IN 10 with Sheila Tyson, Councilor, District 6
1) What got you into politics? My mother was a foot soldier so I started at 10 years old doing voter registration. In the early 1970s, I decided to go out on my own. Trying to get voters and I was able to do it quicker and get more voters. I’ve been around it all my life. It inspires you to see people come together and make changes. 2) What is your favorite part about being a city councilor? Serving people, changing lives and making a difference. 3) What is something the people of may not know about you? I’m a big cry baby. I get emotional over small things. I’m an emotional and passionate person when it comes to issues. I just love people. 4)Do you have any plans to move away from city council and into something else? No. I have a desire to serve more people. I move spiritually where the Lord needs me. 5) Describe Birmingham’s role in the Southeast. We are the steering wheel of the ship. Birmingham leads Alabama. We have lead the world on everything. We are the hub for civil rights. We are the only city that raises the minimum wage and have the state took it back. Birmingham exposes things to the world. 6) What local issues are you most passionate about and why? Poverty, hunger, homelessness, domestic violence and gender violence. People purposefully hurting other people. That is something I cannot understand. 7) If you could live anywhere other than Birmingham, where? I have traveled all over the world and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. But if I did, I would move somewhere in Florida where it is summer all the time. 8) If you could have a doover what would it be? I would have run for public office earlier and gotten my Master’s in political science. I would have run earlier but I would’ve gone into the health care field. I want to deal with the African-American community and the find cures for their illnesses. 9) What is one thing you would be change about Birmingham? Human rights, racism, classism, gender rights, sexism. We do not pay women as much as we pay men and we do not pay black women as much as we pay white women. 10) Being an African-American woman, how do you feel you are change in our city? I bring up the issues that people don’t want to talk about such as crime, domestic violence and classism. There are a lot of people who play the blame game. They do not want to be held responsible for things in their own city.
PHOTOS BY IAN KEEL/PHOTO EDITOR Mayor William A. Bell stands near the home dugout of Region’s Field, which was completed in 2013 under his advisement.
Bell
From Page 1 no focal point on his public service record, which I believe people are now beginning to notice.” An assistant city attorney and former president of the Birmingham Board of Education, Woodfin’s public service record is “very thin and very light,” according to Bell. “What people have to understand is that Birmingham is a billion-dollar enterprise,” Bell said. “You have to have the experience to be able to move this city forward.” Former Birmingham mayors Richard Arrington and Bernard Kincaid seem to agree, having officially given their endorsement to Bell during a Sept. 7 press conference. “They know what it takes,” Bell said. “So, to get their endorsement and support really sends the message that they realize I have the experience, the knowledge and the skills to be able to continue to lead this city.” Bell’s administration has long been criticized for the apparent tension with the Birmingham City Council. Perhaps the most prominent example of this was Bell’s 2015 altercation with Councilor Marcus Lundy, which sent both individuals to the hospital. Despite this, the current Mayor preached the need for civil discourse on both sides. “I think that when you look at any governmental entity, there’s always tension between the administrative
side and the legislative side,” Bell said. “That is natural. As it relates to the city of Birmingham, over 95% of the items we have on the council agenda every week are supported and passed by the majority of councilmembers, so we are making progress from that point.” Others have questioned Bell’s ability to address crime within city limits. Just last year, Birmingham was listed as the third most violent city in the nation, according to a report by the FBI. Only St. Louis and Detroit ranked higher. Bell maintains that crime rates have decreased under his administration. “The vast majority of [violent crime] situations occur among people who know each other,” Bell said. “It’s very difficult to police that type of activity, but we also recognize that you have to have a higher visibility of police on the street. We’ve brought in a lot of new technology to identify problem areas and provide solutions.” Aside from crime, Birmingham’s education system has been of the utmost concern throughout the campaign, with 13 of the district’s schools labeled “failing” by the Alabama State Department of Education in January. Bell chalks this up to a “deficit of leadership” on the school board, one that he believes will improve under the direction of new superintendent, Dr. Lisa Herring. Bell also spoke to how he has sought to improve the school system. “I’ve worked constantly trying
to find ways to improve the revenue and resources available to the school system,” Bell said. “In fact, we recently had a referendum on Jefferson County being able to keep and use a one cent sales tax to continue to help fund our schools.” Bell revealed that he expects to receive $16 million for Birmingham City Schools this year followed by another $4 million each year for the next 25 years as part of a deal with Jefferson County Schools. “I’m hoping we invest part of this money in reading programs and technology programs that directly benefit students,” Bell said. Despite its struggles, Bell believes Birmingham can become something even greater than it currently is, touting the city’s inherent diversity and ideal location. In his eyes, it acts as a chain reaction. “I want to see Birmingham become an international city,” Bell said. “Once we establish Birmingham as that international city, which is something I’ve been working on for several years, we’ll be able to change the image of the city, attracting international companies and creating new jobs. People will be able to invest in their homes, invest in their communities and strengthen all of our neighborhoods.” Runoff elections will be held on Oct. 3. Wallace Golding can be reached at wsgoldin@ uab.edu or on Twitter @WGolding_4.
SPOTLIGHT ON: HIGHLAND PARK
Neighborhood growing up and out Connor McDonald Contributing Writer
F
rom the top of Red Mountain, Birmingham’s neighborhood of Highland Park looks like nothing more than a few high-rise apartments in the middle of a forest, but beneath the thick canopy of trees, streets and avenues bustling with life wind their way around the mountain’s foothills and ravines. Highland Park is the most densely populated area in Alabama, which comes as no surprise to anyone who has visited. People and dogs fill its sidewalks and parks from dawn to dusk. Its diverse architecture, only second to Birmingham’s Arlington-West End neighborhood in terms of variety of architectural styles, is complemented by its extensive landscaping. Highland Park was the first conscious effort in Birmingham to utilize picturesque landscape planning and design. Highland Avenue, the neighborhood’s main corridor, winds around three main parks – Caldwell,
Rhodes and Rushton Parks – which anchor the neighborhood. All three parks rest below street-grade, forming sloping domes of green that can be entirely admired from any point along the streetscape above. The neighborhood began when Highland Avenue was laid out by the Elyton Land Company in the late 19th century as a street car loop through what was then an area known as South Highlands in Birmingham’s suburbs. Being located on the slopes of Red Mountain and in close proximity to the former Lakeview Park resort, the area was envisioned as a place where people could escape the smog and heat of the busy industrial city below. It didn’t take long before the neighborhood became the home of some of Birmingham’s most prominent individuals. Alison Glascock moved to the neighborhood in 1974 and has been the Highland Park neighborhood president since 1998. Before that, she served as Highland Park’s secretary for five years.
“Well, initially, we really only moved here because we knew somebody here and we subleased their apartment,” said Glascock. “But once here, I don’t think it took us long to realize that this was a good place to be so we’ve stayed here ever since.” In 2011, the American Planning Association designated Highland Park as one of 10 Great Neighborhoods for that year under the organization’s Great Places in America program. The APA selected Highland Park for its distinctive public spaces, mix of land uses and housing options that promote community diversity. “Back in the 70s, things were very much in transition,” said Glascock. “Things were in transition well into the 80s, in fact, and even into the 90s. There were a lot of old buildings that weren’t doing well and that kind of thing. Eventually, a few people started buying old houses and fixing them up, and that’s kind of how things started. But it’s been a long road since then.” Unlike many other areas
in the city, Birmingham’s recent revitalization hasn’t affected Highland Park as dramatically as areas like South Avondale or Midtown. Having been as popular and well-maintained for as long as it has been, the area doesn’t have as much room for new growth, but that hasn’t stopped some residents from looking for new ways to improve their neighborhood. “Right now, we’re moving forward on a community garden in Rushton Park,” said Glascock. “There are some people that would like to see a dog park, but that’s not me. We’ve decided that we couldn’t have a dog park in one of our three parks because there isn’t enough space, for one thing. To have a proper dog park, you need to have a minimum of three to four acres, and you have to have fencing and all sorts of things. If you want to do it properly, which is what you’d have to do, then you’re talking about a pretty good size investment.” Connor McDonald can be reached at conmcdon@uab.edu.
Page 10 | Community
The Kaleidoscope
September 19, 2017
STATE POLITICS
‘Alabamians have an important choice to make’ September runoff to determine Republican Senate candidate Bella Tylicki Community Reporter The political climate of the United States sits on a boiling point, and Alabama voters have an important decision to make. President Donald Trump appointed former Alabama junior senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General of the United States, leaving a momentous seat to fill. This month’s special election could potentially decide who will replace Sessions and serve on the Hill until 2021. Incumbent Luther Strange and former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore are on the ballot for the senate runoff election to be held Tuesday, Sept. 26. The winner will face democratic candidate Doug Jones in the general election this December. Strange served as the Attorney General of Alabama
from 2011 to 2017 and has been the junior United States Senator for Alabama since February, when Robert Bentley appointed him to fill the seat after Sessions left to join Trump’s cabinet. Strange’s endorsements, listed on his campaign’s website, include the National Rifle Association, the Alabama Farmers Association and current U.S. president, Trump. Moore presided as the Circuit Judge on the Sixteenth Circuit of Alabama from 1992 to 2000 and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama for a total of five and half years between 2001 and 2017. He was removed from the bench in 2003 for installing a monument of the Ten Commandments in the state judicial building. Moore was reelected in 2013 but was forced to resign four years later for
denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples, failing to uphold the United States Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. He has run for governor of Alabama twice, each time failing to reach the general election. Blake Cunningham, a senior criminal justice student and Chair of UAB’s College Republicans, plans to vote for Moore. He said Moore is “the only true conservative left in this race,” and “Strange embodies the D.C. swamp.” Cunningham considers himself a skeptic of politicians and attributes this quality to his conservativism. “We need someone to shake things up, which is unlikely to happen with Luther Strange,” he said. To Cunningham, this election is significant because it is an opportunity for Alabamians to uphold or disrupt the establishment. He said he hopes it will be the latter. “Alabama voters are stuck,” said sophomore
Jackson Burrow, a political science student. He asserted that voters are making a choice between a candidate closely tied to the president and another closely tied to many voters’ core value – religion. Burrow’s said Strange has been “nothing more than a puppet for the Trump administration.” However, he is not a fan of Moore either, since he is notorious for holding his religious beliefs in higher regard than the law. Like Cunningham, Burrow suggests that the results of this runoff will send a powerful message to Washington. “Alabamians have an important choice to make during the runoff this September: vote for their long-lasting conservative values and religious traditions or vote for an advancement for the Trump administration and Trump’s power in the U.S. Senate,” Burrow said. “For the first time in over 20 years, democrats have a
RSVP AT: https://uab.co1.qualtrics.com/ jfe/form/SV_efHrIBz5jX6SsYd
feasible chance of getting a candidate in the senate,” said Oliva Hendrick, sophomore in political science. She said she hopes Moore wins the primary but says she does not subscribe to his platform. She supports Jones, and because “[Moore] is only three points ahead of [him] in the polls”, she said she believes he will be an easier adversary than Strange. “With a margin that small, we could be looking at a democrat representing Alabama in D.C.,” she said. The runoff is to be held Tuesday, Sept. 26. Alabama’s voting laws are such that primaries are closed, meaning voters who took the democratic ballot in August cannot participate in the runoff. The general election will be Tuesday, Dec. 12. Find polling station information at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov. Bella Tylicki can be reached at btylicki@uab.edu or on Twitter @_belty_.