November 29, 2016 Kscope

November • 29 • 2016

Volume 56 • Issue 59 UAB’s Official Student Newspaper

TRUMP Make America Great again

INSIDE THE NEWS: TRUMP VICTORY, AFTERTHOUGHTS

CONVERSATIONS AND COMMUNITY

5

Female Muslim, Middle Eastern and South Asian students join together to discuss life after the election

8

Professors, student leaders reflect on the election and what it could mean for the region, community

LOVE, LUST, LIFE ON THE RADIO

12

UAB faculty member partners with area personality to bring advice, wisdom to Birmingham listeners

2 EDITORIAL

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

Dear Kscope reader, W

elcome back, Blazers! Our semesters are ridiculously short and our random breaks are long, so I know coming back to campus after a week of bingewatching Netflix and stuffing yourself with Thanksgiving food (and all those leftovers) can’t be easy. I hope your Thanksgiving and Black Friday adventures were enough to sustain you for these next few weeks. We will be done for the semester and off for Christmas break before you know it!

This week’s issue may feel a little familiar to you, as we revisit something we’ve looked at before — the recent presidential election. It’s been almost three weeks, but talk about the outcome hasn’t settled down. We at UAB have professors and student leaders who are passionate about politics, so our main story uses their guidance to walk you through what these next four years are likely to look like- and how some groups on our campus plan to adjust.

President-elect Trump is in the middle of choosing cabinet members as he transitions into his administration, and he recently appointed a controversial new head for the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s timely, then, that we give you a story on Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary “Before the Flood” and an opinion piece on Trump’s appointee and what it means for the environment and combating climate change.

The week before we left for the Thanksgiving holiday, social justice issues were explored across the school through events as diverse as their complexity. “Vinegar Tom,” a play featuring some of UAB’s most talented students, brought women’s rights to the Alys Stephens Center. Two different panel discussions focused on refugee crises overseas, and Middle Eastern and South Asian women joined together in conversation during the first of four Conversation and Community sessions, hosted by the Social Justice Advocacy Council.

Also, although we all took a much-deserved week off, UAB didn’t sleep over the break. Our campus continues to expand, as it is revamping an intensive summer program, SHEP, to include more and do more in graduate healthcare study. INTO, a new space at Sterne, will soon cater to our growing number of international students.

We at The Kaleidoscope have the honor of documenting the history of UAB, but you are the ones that can make and break it. I hope that as you skim the headlines (and read the stories, of course) of this issue, you find something for yourself, and you take a bit of new knowledge with you.

STAFF Sarah Faulkner sfaulkn2@uab.edu 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 Chandler Jones chanj1@uab.edu Dabney Bragg socialmedia@insideuab.com Loren Gilbert online@insideuab.com Melvin Griffin Jared Chestnut Chad Freeman Marie Sutton info@insideuab.com

Regards,

Surabhi Rao

Patrick Johnson plj3@uab.edu

Creative Director of Student Media Managing & Sports Editor Head Illustrator News & Science Editor Features & Opinions Editor Photography Editor Copy Editor Visual Content Manager Social Media Editor Online Editor Distribution Team

Advisor Production Manager

Features & Opinions Editor

Physical Address Suite 130, Hill Student Center 1400 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35205 Mail HILL 130, 1720 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-1150 Phone (205) 934-3354 Web UABkscope.com Email editor@insideuab.com

Online: uab.edu/kaleidoscope Twitter: @UABKscope Facebook: facebook.com/uabkscope

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.

NEWS

3

DIABETES RESEARCH

Potential cure moves to human trials Nick Adrian Staff Writer niadri05@uab.edu

C

linical trials for a drug that could be effective for Type 1 Diabetes have now reached the halfway point to completion.

In late 2014, researchers at UAB began the trials to test whether a drug that had eliminated Type 1 Diabetes in laboratory mice would have the same effect on humans.

In November of that year, the research team discovered that Verapamil, a medication commonly used to treat blood pressure, had completely reversed Type 1 Diabetes in the mouse model. Several weeks afterward, clinical trials with human subjects began.

UAB scientists had given their attention to specialized pancreatic cells called beta cells, which produce the insulin the body needs to regulate blood sugar levels. After much research, scientists had proven

that high blood pressure causes the overproduction of a protein called TXNIP in the body, which is increased in specialized cells as a response to diabetes.

Excessive amounts of TXNIP can kill these pancreatic beta cells and even contribute to the development of diabetes.

However, it was discovered that Verapamil could lower TXNIP, and had even cured mice models with established diabetes.

“We’re half-way into the recruitment for this study,” director of UAB’s Comprehensive Diabetes Center Fernando Ovalle, M.D., said.

According to Ovalle, it will take researchers another year and a half to complete the clinical trial. “After that, we have to wait until the last patient finishes so that we can look at the results and see what happens.”

The clinical trial, led by principal investigator Anath Shalev, M.D., began in the spring of 2015. Ovalle served as co-principal investigator, contributing clinical aspects

Does it have the effect that we want, or not?

And if it does, how big is the effect? And does it happen in every way, or just some?

-Fernando Ovalle, M.D.

of the trial such as subject recruitment, testing, treatment and data analysis.

Shalev and Ovalle recruited 52 subjects between the ages of 18 and 45 who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within the last three months. The subjects were

then randomized to receive either a Verapamil or a placebo drug, while simultaneously continuing their routine insulin therapy. Along with this, patients received a continuous glucose monitoring system that allows them to measure their blood sugar

levels at all times.

Whether or not Verapamil is an effective treatment in human populations remains to be seen, according to Ovalle.

He is hopeful, however, that his team will be able to tell whether or not the drug can be used.

“Does it have the effect that we want, or not? And if it does, how big is the effect? And does it happen in every way, or just some?” Ovalle said, continuing on to explain that whatever the scientists choose to do depends on the end results of the trial.

If the Verapamil does work, this could be a revolutionary change in the fight against type 1 diabetes, Ovalle says.

The UAB scientists have had a successful trial so far, which could lead to good news once it has reached its completion.

“We haven’t had any problems,” Ovalle said. “We’re very hopeful that these will at least change the natural course of Type 1 Diabetes.”

Stop Hunger Now, student volunteers send hunger packing Destiny Hosmer Staff Writer drhosmer@uab.edu

A

team of student volunteers packaged over 12,000 meals for those in need during the annual Hunger and Homelessness Week.

Over 100 volunteers, the largest volunteer turnout in the past three years, packaged the meals on Thursday. Nov. 17. This year, the meals will be sent to Belize with the help of the Stop Hunger Now organization.

The UAB Leadership and Service Council, an organization led by UAB students who are interested

in community service and developing leadership skills, has hosted a Stop Hunger Now meal packaging event for the past three years to provide students with a hands-on opportunity to join the global battle against hunger.

Stop Hunger Now is an organization based in Raleigh, N.C., with a mission to end hunger by providing food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable and by creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.

Stop Hunger Now distributes meals through feeding programs operated by partner

organizations in developing countries that promote education, encourage children to attend school, improve students’ health and nutrition, address gender inequalities, stimulate economic growth, fight child labor and address global issues.

One in three people in developing countries suffers from vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and hunger kills more people each year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined, according to Stop Hunger Now’s website.

Although the packaging event is held once annually, the battle to end hunger can

be fought by UAB students throughout the year.

According to David Dada, Coordinator of Leadership and Service in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, students can do their part in a number of ways on campus. “[Students] can support organizations like Magic City Harvest right here in Birmingham,” Dada said.

“They can also donate to the Food Pantry in the Student Advocacy, Rights and Conduct Office in HSC 303, which supplies free food to any UAB students experiencing financial need and food insecurity. There is also the

Donor to Diner organization that allows students to donate meals from their meal plans.”

Magic City Harvest is a local organization that seeks to help end hunger by recovering 1.2 million pounds of excess food from restaurants and grocery stores each year. Donor to Diner, which was founded by senior Supraja Sridhar, is a UAB organization whose aim is to reduce food insecurity among students on campus and has obtained approval for the transferring of meal swipes to benefit needy students. The latter provided over 500 meals to students last month during the “One Meal Initiative” event.

4 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

SUSTAINABLE SMART CITIES RESEARCH CENTER

‘Before the Flood’: realities, solutions to climate change SSCRC used film to show innovation in environmental crises Destiny Hosmer Staff Writer drhosmer@uab.edu The UAB Sustainable Smart Cities Research Center hosted a free screening of Leonardo DiCaprio’s documentary film, “Before the Flood,” which urges humans to work toward preventing the demise of endangered species, ecosystems and native communities across the globe.

The film, which provides a look at how climate change affects the environment and what society can do to prevent the negative consequences, was co-produced by Academy-Award winning

filmmaker Fisher Stevens and debuted on the National Geographic channel on Oct. 31.

DiCaprio, an Academy Award-winning actor, environmental activist and United Nations Messenger of Peace, said at the Toronto International Film Festival that the film is intended to give the scientific community a voice.

The film follows DiCaprio on his journey to five continents and the Arctic alongside environmental experts to uncover the realities of climate change first-hand.

Between interviews with locals, Pope Francis, President Obama and others, DiCaprio witnessed the harmful mass production of synthetic crude oil in Canada, the melting glaciers of the Arctic,

the rising flood waters of Florida and the dying coral reefs.

“When Fisher and I set out on this journey, we wanted to make a film that presented audiences not just with the alarming facts about climate change and the environmental crisis it has created but one that also showed the solutions we have within our power, right now, to drive lasting change for the future,” DiCaprio wrote on the “Before the Flood” website.

The goal of the UAB Sustainable Smart Cities Research Center is to foster cross-disciplinary research, training and outreach for the purpose of developing innovative solutions for sustainable smart cities and communities.

More than half of the

world’s population lives in urban areas such as Birmingham, according to SSCRC. Cities are responsible for around 75 percent of all energy used, 60 percent of all water consumed and 80 percent of all greenhouse gases produced worldwide.

In 2010, 83 percent of Americans lived in cities, and by 2050 the SSCRC estimates that the number will increase to 90 percent.

Zach Swan, a philosophy student at UAB who plans to study environmental law after graduation, said that preventing environmental damage will be easier than repairing it later.

“I think it’s important to realize that it’s easier for us to prevent

Paula Alvarez Pino, the coordinator and research assistant for Sustainable Smart Cities Research Center, addresses the crowd on sustainability and climate change.

problems with future knowledge of them being a possibility. It’s harder and more expensive to repair damage than it is to prevent it,” he said.

A sustainable urban area is characterized by the preservation of natural environment, use of renewable or highly efficient energy resources, healthy population with access to health services and the presence of economic vitality, social equity and engaged citizenry, according to the SSCRC.

Despite the damage that has been done, there are still numerous ways to reduce waste and the carbon footprint. Those interested can pay a voluntary carbon tax, learn about voting for the climate, view a local flood map, read about the environment and more at beforetheflood. com/act/.

Additionally, information about environmentally-friendly practices can be found here at UAB by visiting uab.edu/sustainability/.

Photo by Fred Stephens

NEWS 5 SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY COUNCIL

First “affinity space” opens discussion for targeted groups in election aftermath Sufia Alam Staff Writer sufia@uab.edu

T

he UAB Social Justice Advocacy Council held a session to discuss the aftermath of the presidential election among UAB students who identify as Muslim, or are of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent.

The goal of the session, which was part of the Conversations and Community series, was to create a safe space to allow students to freely discuss their thoughts on the election and the issues that they felt targeted them specifically.

This session was one of four “affinity spaces” held by the SJAC. The other three sessions are aimed at opening a discussion for queer and trans students, female students and students who identify as Hispanic, Latino or of Mexican descent.

“If you’ll notice, there is a pattern to this,” said Shefa Suhaila, an intern with Student Multicultural and Diversity Programs who coordinated the event.

“These are identities that have been used to campaign for Donald Trump’s presidency in a negative light.”

Suhaila added that she felt that discrimination and bigotry towards minority groups are being normalized following the election cycle.

“I definitely act more cautious around campus and everywhere I go now,” sophomore neuroscience major Anna Siddiqui said. “I just don’t what people think of me anymore.”

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there have been around 400 cases of hateful harassment or intimidation directed towards minorities since election day. This represents a six percent rise in hate crimes since last year. The majority of students who participated in the discussion were Muslim females who wore hijab, and the session allowed these students to express their concerns of their wellbeing and safety post-election without fear of their

thoughts becoming public.

Students who attended the session shared their experiences of xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia. Some students told stories of incidents they encountered as a child, while others discussed their experiences post-election.

One student who did not fit into any of the categories the session was aimed at said that he also understood why SJAC decided to hold the session.

“Everyone has a right to free speech,” sophomore biology major Colton Clayton said. “If these sessions help students heal then I’m happy that they decided to hold them.”

A few days after the election, UAB students received an email from President Ray Watts that, although it made no direct reference to the outcome of the election, was aimed as “reaffirming UAB’s core values of diversity and inclusion.”

“On campuses nationwide and on our own there have been reports of individuals being harassed or intimidated based on their ethnicity, faith or beliefs, which is demeaning and hurtful to not only the individual, but to all of us and all we stand for together,” Watts wrote in the message.

“At the same time, there are many more instances of students, faculty and staff coming together to respectfully share their thoughts and feelings and support one another, and that is what we are facilitating around our campus that will remain a welcoming, safe and respectful environment for all.”

If students encounter or witness any hate crimes on campus, they are encouraged to contact the UAB Police Department and the Student Affairs Office.

Illustration by Sarah Faulkner

Conversations and community

6 NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

25th anniversary brings expansion to summer program Kristina Balciunaite Staff Writer kribal@uab.edu

S

tudents interested in pursuing careers in health-related professions will now have the opportunity to participate in a free, revamped summer program through UAB. The Summer Health Professions Education Program focuses on improving access to resources and information Robinson for college students from communities traditionally underrepresented in the health professions.

It is a six-week course of study managed by three co-principal Hicks investigators from the schools of medicine, dentistry and health professions.

This year, SHPEP is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Over the course of its existence, the program has Synco provided health career opportunities for more than 22,000 students. UAB is one of 13 institutions involved in the program.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of this project and to be included among a highly esteemed group of universities offering an array of programs in health sciences,” said Tracee M. Synco, Ph.D., assistant dean of student recruitment, engagement and success in the School of Health Professions.

Synco is also one of the three co-principal investigators who will direct the course. The others are Marquita Hicks, M.D., an associate professor and a physician in emergency medicine, and Michelle Robinson, D.M.D., an associate professor in behavioral and population sciences and assistant dean in the school of dentistry.

Formerly known as the Summer Medical Dental Education Program, the new program has been expanded to include dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, medicine, optometry and

public health. Around 60 students will be selected to participate.

The expansion was made possible by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health. For over 40 years, the foundation has supported research and programs targeting some of America’s most pressing health issues.

The foundation’s vision is to create a national “culture of health,” that would enable everyone across the geographic, demographic and social sectors to have health coverage.

“Our health and well-being can be greatly influenced by complex social factors such as where we live, and the strength of our families and communities,” the foundation said on their website.

Although the program started out as exclusively for studies of dental sciences, it has now broadened the array of disciplines. “[The expansion’s] impact will be to enhance the diversity of UAB’s student population enrolled in health care programs whose graduates will then enable the healthcare industry to reach areas that are currently experiencing a severe shortage of healthcare services for their citizens,” Synco said.

Her expectations for this summer course is that the participants will be introduced to all of the opportunities that are available to them with a strong academic experience that will teach students new content and assist them in confirming their goals for health care careers.

The selection process will pay careful attention to students who come from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and students that identify with a group that is racially or ethnically underrepresented in the health professions.

According to Synco, SHPEP’s diverse selection process will lead to the improvement of the general health and wellness of those who are living in historically under-served areas.

Freshmen and sophomores interested in the program can apply until March 1, 2017. Applications and more information can be found at shpep.org.

, TOP TO BOTTOM: The Schools of Public Health, Dentistry and Medicine join the Summer Health Professions Education Program to include dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, medicine, optometry and public health in a six-week summer course.

Photos courtesy of UAB Image Gallery

SPORTS 7

Key Blazers shine in challenging tournament Jack Ryan Staff Writer jackryan@uab.edu

L

Dirk Williams goes in for a layup in the win against George Washington University.

Photo from UABsports.com

ast week, the UAB men's basketball team traveled to Kansas City, Mo. to participate in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic and came back to Birmingham with a 1-1 record and a third place title.

The Blazers fell to Kansas 83-63 in their first game on Monday, Nov. 21, but bounced back against George Washington University on Tuesday, winning 81-74. The win against GWU was the first early season tournament win for the Blazers since defeating Nebraska in 2013.

The first game went as most everyone thought it would. I personally just wanted to see UAB keep this game under 20, which they did for most of the game. However, the Blazers gave the No. 5 Jayhawks quite a scare going into the half.

After getting down 20 early, UAB fought back to be only down nine points at half and at one point getting it to seven.

Dirk Williams was instrumental in getting the team back in the game. UAB was able to get stops, and then he went down and hit three straight 3-point shots.

Even Bill Self, head coach for the Jayhawks, had a look of disbelief on how Williams was shooting. Last year, Williams was the rotation man for Robert Brown, who graduated in April. This year, many people see Williams as a Brown-type role, as he can hit those quick threes on queue. This game, in my opinion, looked to settle him into this role and increased his confidence in his abilities This game also cemented Tyler Madison as one of the main leaders of this team.

The senior guard did not get much playing time last year, but this season, he has been a dominate force in the paint.

One thing Madison provides cannot be recorded on a stat sheet — he is a high energy player. He fights under the rim for every loose ball and never quits on a play. This high energy seems to spread to everyone on the team when he gets into the game. Madison's minutes have been on the rise, and I think he should continue playing as much as possible.

Just about everyone in the country knew coming into this game that Kansas has arguably some of the best guards in the country. Frank Mason III and Devonte Graham will be playing in the NBA some day, but people questioned how their big men would handle the game. UAB took it to the Jayhawks in the paint. Kansas's forwards only scored eight points in the entire game.

Madison and Tosin Mehinti both stepped up in this game.

William Lee and Chris Cokely had uncharacteristic games, but Mehinti and Madison were able to keep things rolling in the paint. UAB kept most of the bigs for Kansas on the bench in foul trouble. I was very proud to see this team keep fighting to keep things close.

The second game, on the other hand, was one that was going to be extremely competitive.

Both GWU and UAB were top tier mid-major colleges. Both teams went to the National Invitational Tournament, with GWU winning the tournament.

Going into the game, I noticed GWU would be similar to Kansas. They also have some excellent guards, but not so much in terms of their forwards and center.

UAB overall did a decent job keeping the guards in

check and not letting the bigger guys score in the paint.

However, late in the game, GWU switched to a 1-2-1 zone, grabbing a quick lead over the Blazers. But UAB was able to settle down and get good looks at open shots; Lee and Williams were able to hit some late 3- pointers to put UAB back on top.

The Blazers dominated the post play in this game. Both Cokely and Lee had bounceback games, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as a unit. The great thing about this team is the incredible depth.

In the Kansas game, Lee and Cokely just could not find the net, but Mehinti and Madison stepped in and dominated the post. During the GWU game, Mehinti and Madison were in foul trouble, but Cokely and Lee stepped up and asserted their dominance inside.

We will never know what this team could have done with Nick Norton, but Deion Lavender is starting to settle into his role. In the game against GWU, he had eight assists without a single turnover. He even gave us the patented "Norton alley-oop."

UAB will be tested the rest of December. Starting next weekend, the team will rematch against Auburn, renew the rivalry with Memphis, play a tough Texas team and travel to face Stephen F. Austin, a team that has not lost at home in over 30 games. It will be very important for the Blazers to win a couple of these games before heading to the regular season conference play, so be on the lookout for these match-ups.

The Blazers will be back home on Tuesday, Nov. 29 to take on Alabama A&M in Bartow Arena.

8

Our next four years UAB community weighs in on election

I

t’s been almost three weeks since Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States in a stunning upset over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and many are wondering what a Donald Trump presidency will mean for them.

“The truth is, nobody really knows,” said Adamu Shaku, M.A., J.D., a visiting professor at UAB who teaches courses on public policy. “The fact is Donald Trump is a person who did not have a whole lot of ideology, did not have a whole lot of core policy commitments prior to the campaign. Even over the course of the campaign, he sketched his policies only in the broadest possible terms and much of what he said seemed to be very much off the cuff and not very grounded in concrete fact or detail.”

Now that the election is over, president-elect Trump has begun choosing people for his cabinet and addressing how he plans to govern when his first term begins in January. Part of that has included walking back some of his previous campaign promises in several policy areas.

“We’ve already started to see him dial back and qualify and even outright reverse many of the commitments that he made in broad terms during the campaign,” Shaku said.

Photo by Gage Skidmore

Healthcare During the campaign, Trump promised a full repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which he described as a “complete disaster” that he would replace with a “freemarket” system.

Trump initially said that he was in favor of the individual mandate that requires all Americans to have insurance, but later reversed that position when he released his healthcare plan, which called for allowing health insurance companies to compete across state lines. His latest statements since the election expressed a commitment to certain provisions of Obamacare.

“Since the election, he’s been explicit about the fact that there are provisions within Obamacare that work and he would be interested in being preserved, for example allowing young people to stay on their parents’ health insurance up to age 26,” Shaku said.

“He’s indicated that he’s committed to doing that and making sure folks who have pre-existing conditions are not denied care.”

The difficulty for Trump and congressional Republicans is that around 20 million people have health coverage today because of the Affordable Care Act, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The uninsured rate hit an alltime low of 8.9 percent as of this year, according to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention.

Both Trump and Republicans have reiterated a commitment that those people won’t lose their coverage - and should they lose it, Republicans could face backlash in upcoming elections.

“Pretty much anything that happens over the next four years will have a big ‘R’ next to it,” Shauku said. “Which means any policy outcomes that people don’t like are readily traceable to the Republican party and will reflect on a Republican brand.”

Education During the campaign, Trump said that he might be willing to cut, or at least substantially shrink the Department of Education, but not cut services provided by the department. On Nov. 23, Trump announced that he had picked Betsy DeVos, a billionaire education activist and top Republican donor to be Secretary of Education.

According to Shauku, cutting the Department of Education has been something on the conservative wish list since its inception in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. However, he pointed out that before there was

a cabinet-level Department of Education, its role was filled by the Bureau of Education.

“The fact is, even among conservatives, education is

9 considered a major component of social mobility,” Shauku said. “So while a cabinet-level Department of Education may be this sort of symbol of big government that you want to get rid of for symbolic reasons, the actual things being done at the Department of Education are not likely to be on the chopping block, because they are both progressive and conservative policy commitments.”

While it’s unlikely that federal loans and grants such as the Pell Grant will be cut, there might be an increased focus on promoting charter schools and providing vouchers to low-income children for private schools and a de-

emphasis on education initiatives such as Common Core.

The Wall During the campaign, Trump promised that he would build a wall across the southern border with Mexico, which he believes Mexico will pay for. Since the election, Trump has reiterated his support for “securing the border,” but has said that there “could be some fencing” for some areas of the barrier.

“There are several policy proposals that the president-elect has sort of doubled-down on since he’s been elected, and immigration policy has been a big one,” Shauku said. “President-elect Trump has been meeting with people in his immigration policy transition team that want to take a tougher line on immigration, who want to deport 2-3 million immigrants who are in the country unlawfully today, and they also want to deny entry to people coming from certain countries that have been deemed to be dangerous from a terrorist point of view.”

Muslim Immigration Another controversial promise Trump made during the campaign was that he would implement a temporary ban on Muslims traveling to the U.S., until representatives could figure out “what was going on.” Since the election, the president-elect hasn’t specifically addressed that issue, but he has repeated his promise to create a registry of identified Muslims.

Immediately following the results of the election, there was a sharp increase of racist and xenophobic harassment reported across the country. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks racist and extremist groups across the country, collected reports of more than 700 incidents of harassment since the election, primarily

directed against immigrants, African-Americans and members of the LGBT community. Another disturbing trend in the reported incidents is that more than 40 percent of them occurred in an educational setting, such as K-12 schools and colleges. Many UAB students and organizations have spoken out against these incidents.

“The Trump campaign encouraged division and exclusion, not only of Muslims, but other minorities, of which all are represented at UAB,” said Mahad Amjad, the president of the Muslim Student Association at UAB. “We are hoping to work with the Muslims on campus, as well as all other students and faculty, to ensure the safety and security of Muslims as President Trump takes office.”

Recently, a multi-faith coalition consisting of Ukirk Birmingham, the MSA, Hillel, the Baha’i College Club and the Secular Student Alliance released a statement condemning unconfirmed reports of harassment on campus and stating their commitment to encouraging dialogue and keeping the community safe for all students.

“The UAB Interfaith Coalition seeks to promote the values of equality and inclusion by establishing strong relationships between students of different philosophical backgrounds,” the statement read. “We do this by engaging in dialogue and working together towards a greater good for communities across the state of Alabama. There have been recent reports of students at UAB being harassed and assaulted because of their religious affiliation and national origin. We strongly condemn these acts of hate and violence and pledge to work towards a community where all students feel welcome, safe, and affirmed in their respective identities. We urge our fellow students to stand with people being targeted on the basis of religion or national origin and report all hate crimes.”

Reproductive Rights Misha Naiker, vice president of Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity at UAB, believes that the president-elect and his administration spell trouble for reproductive rights and for members of the LGBT community.

During his campaign, Trump stood firm against late-term abortions, and vice president-elect Mike Pence supported conversion therapy for LGBT people while he was in congress.

“This past summer, some of us lobbied in D.C. for the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act that would provide standardized, comprehensive and accurate sexual education to all public schools across the country. Under the president-elect, we’re not sure if that’s going to pass - but we’re not going to stop pushing for it. Here at UAB, we’ll be partnering up with different organizations during Sex Week to provide information at events about safe relationships and safe sex. Additionally, we’re starting a reproductive justice book club and host monthly meetings. Yes, Trump’s election has been scary and we’re not sure what that really means for reproductive in the future: but what we do know is that our work is needed and we’re not stopping,” Naiker said.

Other “The thing I’ve been telling students in my day to day encounters is, don’t necessarily buy into the parade of horribles,” Shauku said. “This President Trump, even among some of his supporters, is not an ideal candidate, and yet every president matures while in office, and every president is constrained by an institutional superstructure.

So I would say, give the process an opportunity to work, don’t be reactionary, use this as an opportunity to become more attentive to how the government works.”

Story by Mark Linn // Copy Editor // copy@insideuab.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

OPINIONS 10

Denial is a river in Egypt, but maybe not for long Aaron Stuber Opinions Columnist abstuber@uab.edu

W

Illustration by Corey Bright

ith the days getting shorter and the nights getting cooler, it seems like a perfect time to curl up and read about climate change.

For such an incontestable hot topic, president-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of a climate change denier to the Environmental Protection Agency makes me think that The Donald probably doesn’t believe in science as much as he led us to believe during the election races.

Now, in a not-so-surprising twist, Myron Ebell accepted the job offer as head of the EPA. Ebell is best known for his climate change skepticism, as well as his position as the head of the Cooler Heads Coalition.

According to their website, the Cooler Heads Coalition is “an informal ad-hoc group focused on dispelling the myths of global warming by exposing flawed economic, scientific and risk analysis.”

One of the group’s major points is that “the more you’re told that you have to believe something, the more you should question it.” While this ideology might have held clout when the church was in charge of scientific thought during Galileo’s time, we are now privileged to live in a time where science is not ruled by the cognitive dissonance of the people.

Even Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, has called on Catholics “to confess their sins against the environment, calling the degradation of the climate a sin against God.” As of this year, the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have surpassed the threshold of 400 parts per million. This threshold was determined as critical level, where extreme action must be taken to prevent further damage to our environment.

Furthermore, as time has progressed beyond the industrial revolution in

the 1800s, the planet has warmed increasingly fast to a toasty 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit positive change in average temperature. This temperature has slowly pushed the boundary to the 2.7 degrees warming threshold, as defined by last year’s Paris climate agreement.

And as many climate change deniers would have it, they are welcoming this change in temperature because to them, it just means a “milder winter,” according to Ebell. Maybe they will be able to get better Instagram photos, but at what cost?

According to NASA, as the planet begins to warm there will be a change in sea level, coral reefs will begin to die and decolor from increased carbonic acid build up in ocean water, precipitation will become heavier leading to erosion, droughts will become more severe and the polar ice caps will melt faster than the 13.3 percent decline per decade we see today.

To the climate change deniers, this means your waterfront properties will sink into the ground. No, there isn’t enough money to fill the ocean in front of your house to stop it. Money can’t buy everything.

Naomi Oreskes is a professor of the History of Sciences at Harvard.

In a study authored by Oreskes et. al., it was concluded that there was a “97 percent consensus [that humans are causing recent global warming] in published climate research is robust and consistent with other surveys of climate scientists and peer-reviewed studies.”

This means that climate change is overwhelmingly supported by the scientific community. A community that relishes in the fact of ripping its peers down for the sake of truth.

Yet as political leaders continue to pump climate change denial and fear into their followers, it is important for scientists to present their argument in palpable ways. We must find ways to not only support environmental groups, but also to educate the masses, so that climate change rhetoric is not as scary as we are led to believe.

A movement planned for Dec. 2 will call on state senators to disapprove the appointment of Myron Ebell to the head of the EPA. If you were thankful this Thanksgiving for Mother Earth, give Jeff Sessions or Richard Shelby a ring. The world will literally thank you for it, and as a result future generations will inhabit it longer.

FEATURES

11

Love, lust and life on the radio Clinical psychologist gives advice on live show to local, anonymous listeners Surabhi Rao Features & Opinions Editor features@insideuab.com

C

uffing season is in full swing, and if your relationship is giving you trouble, a new radio show might be able to help.

Clinical psychologist Josh Klapow, Ph.D., and TV radio personality Tony Kurre co-host a show, which airs every Tuesday and Wednesday on TALK 99.5 from 7 to 9 p.m., that covers uncharted territory of radio in Birmingham: sexual and other love-life related issues.

“Three to four years ago, this town was not progressive enough for a relationship show,” Kurre said.

Klapow works as a faculty member in the School of Public Health, and Tony Kurre has been expanding his presence in the radio show industry for about 35 years.

“He’s an expert in relationships, and I’m an expert in telling people how it is, so we got the idea for this show,” Kurre said.

Klapow and Kurre started the show a few months ago, and have seen an increase in viewer and caller ratings.

They strive to connect with UAB students and help in any way, with a focus on social and emotional issues.

Sitting in on a show revealed their ideas as they crossed multiple disciplines with their show and reached multiple people across the Birmingham community.

Klapow, Kurre and a guest speaker who provided a woman’s perspective sat in a small room about the size of a master bedroom closet. A glass window displayed the producer working to keep time, answer viewer’s calls and conduct the show.

The show started with a question that viewers could call in with comments on or seek advice about. The question of Nov. 15 — Is it ever safe to hook up with your ex?

The first caller was an older man who struggled with an on-and-off

Tony Kurre and Josh Klapow discuss a caller’s problems during their radio show. Sexual, emotional, and social issues that plague the general public provide question topics.

Photos by Giani Martin

relationship, which he described as “limbo.” The show concluded with a caller who asked about her husband becoming an alcoholic.

“I really do want to be that helpful voice, along with my friend Tony, that

is there for you when you need it. If you are just getting out of our first relationship and feel like the world is ending, we want to talk to you and help,” Klapow said.

Klapow and Kurre are well-known in

the Birmingham community, and want to use this platform as an avenue to help students and other younger generations with any social issues, including the problems surrounding the dominance of social media over relationships.

“Yeah I’m a professional, but the show is also engaging in more of a personal connection. Kurre and I are people that you can see on the street. We are tied to UAB and Birmingham, and there is that edge,” Klapow said.

A therapist takes away the element of anonymity, and seeking help from a famed specialist like Dr. Phil himself doesn’t provide a local connection.

Klapow and Kurre describe themselves as a personal avenue to seek help without commitment, but with the added benefit of communicating with people that you can see at a grocery store in Birmingham.

Klapow and Kurre are looking for suggestions and callers, and can be reached through the TALK 99.5 website.

12FEATURES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

Witch trial storyline calls social justice to the stand Gavin Gilliland Staff Writer gjgill@uab.edu

T

The backdrop of the 17th century helps present Vinegar Tom at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center.

Photo by Fred Stephens

he Department of Theatre taps into social justice issues with a storyline following the daily lives of women.

The play, written in 1976 by British playwright Caryl Churchill, was recently performed at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center by students.

Churchill is known for her strong feminist themes that challenge stereotypical gender and power roles, and Vinegar Tom is no different.

Throughout the play there is a constant power struggle between men and women, set in the backdrop of the 17th century witch trials in England.

“Being a part of Vinegar Tom required extensive table work by the entire cast. Before taking the play to the stage or even starting the blocking, the cast spent several weeks researching the 17th century time period and several issues discussed in the play.” said Nadia Harden, a sophomore theatre major and one of the performers. “It was vital that each cast member truly understood how difficult and dirty living during 17th century England was.”

Upon entry to the intimate Odess Theatre, patrons were immediately greeted by a very minimalist stage set, leaving much of the setting up to the imagination of the audience.

Without forewarning, the lights dim and the actors enter from the back of the room through the main doors.

This continues throughout the play, providing a very immersive experience for the audience.

“Although Vinegar Tom was not a musical, there were songs deliberately included throughout the play,” Harden said. “Upon first reading of the play the songs may seem to interrupt the flow of dialogue. But upon further analysis it’s quite apparent that the songs Churchill

added help with the cohesive flow of the piece. Since the play did not have an intermission, the songs helped to give the entirety of the play a new found rhythm.”

The play transports the audience to 17th century England to witness a time riddled with gender inequality, male power complexes and brutal, disorganized witch trials. While this play was written in 1976 and set in the 1600s, some parallels can be drawn to our time, as Harden points out.

“This serves the purpose of teaching viewers to not be fearful of the unknown. It highlights the power of women and how society as a whole has tried to belittle women everywhere since the beginning of time,” Harden said. “Instead of being fearful of each others’ differences, embracing them can greatly help to propel society forward. Much like in society today, characters in the play that were deemed as different were automatically ostracized from society.

These differences put people into opposing groups whose sole purpose was the demise of people who didn’t act or look like them.”

Amidst the mundane struggles in the storyline, which depicts women tangled in troubles such as unplanned pregnancies, belligerent neighbors and petty romance sorrows, the play still leaves room for the audience to draw parallels to modern political struggles.

“The election as a whole was built on fear and pitting groups of people against one another. One of the candidates running for president even made references to women being “nasty” which was essentially the reasoning behind women being accused of witchcraft in the play,” said Harden in regard to how the play could be applied to today’s political environment. “In response, during the last song of the play, the cast changed the last line of the play to “nasty women” instead of evil women.”

Vinegar Tom, named after a minor character in the play, crosses disciplines with its emphasis on social justice and its implication in the arts and literature.

FEATURES 13 BIRMINGHAM OUTREACH

White Helmets bring relief to war-torn Aleppo Alice Grissom Staff Writer ealiceg@uab.edu

O

n Nov. 17, Zaher Sahloul, M.D., of the Syrian American Medical Society and his wife Suzanne Akhras Sahloul, of the Syrian Community Network, spoke to an audience about the current situation in wartorn Aleppo.

The event, hosted

by United Muslim Relief Birmingham, the Birmingham Islamic Society, SAMS, the Syrian Community Network and supported

by UAB’s Institute for Human Rights, featured a screening of the Netflix Original documentary “The White Helmets.”

Chicago doctor Zaher Saloul is the former senior advisor to the 16-year-old humanitarian organization SAMS, which sends doctors, medical supplies and funds from the United States to Syria. Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis in 2011, their budget has increased from $70,000 to $30 million, and they have grown from sending just five physicians to visit refugee camps to funding hospitals within the besieged walls of Aleppo.

Despite this aid, the situation is dire for both doctors and patients in Syria, as the Syrian government increasingly targets hospitals and schools, according to Saloul. The situation is especially dangerous for the communities throughout Syria that are under siege, such as the eastern part of Aleppo, whose citizens are experiencing a process

described by Saloul as a “slow death” due to starvation and lack of resources. He credits the heightening devastation to a growing lack of medical supplies.

“This is the worst humanitarian crisis of our lifetime,” Saloul said. “The scale of the crisis is to an extent that it is affecting not only the Syrian region but the whole world.”

Even if Syrians manage to make it out of the war zone and into the United States, their difficult journey isn’t over.

Once in America, refugees often face isolation and bias, conditions that prompted Suzanne Saloul to break away from SAMS and begin the Syrian Community t Network igh Br y to “support e r Co and welcome by n o refugees” in 2013. ati str Illu The Syrian Community Network aims to “empower Syrian refugees in achieving a seamless transition and relocation to the United States through connecting people to the right services and networks,” according to Saloul. The SNC was recently recognized as one of the top seven organizations making a difference in Chicago, which Saloul hopes to continue by pairing refugees and resident families together in mentor programs and integrating refugees into Chicago community events like marathons and art shows.

Described by Farook Chandiwala

of the Birmingham Islamic Society as “a real tearjerker,” “The White Helmets” chronicles the daily activities of members of the volunteer-based humanitarian aid and rescue organization known as the White Helmets. The volunteers operate throughout Syria, but the documentary focuses on the difficulties of a squadron based in war-torn Aleppo.

Freshman Public Health major, Katelyn Bryant, deemed the documentary “eyeopening.”

“It’s so much worse than what the American media portrays,” Bryant said.

“The documentary showed the atrocities that are happening. It’s such a tragedy.”

A few students commented on the discrepancy between common perception of the situation in Syria and what they had learned at the event.

“When we do hear about [the Syrian crisis], the focus is on ISIS. People usually aren’t sympathetic to refugees because they’re afraid for their selves out of a misguided and incorrect fear of refugees,” freshman Public Health major Sloan Oliver said.

Ali Darwish, a Syrian refugee and UAB Ph.D. candidate, urged students to action.

“We are witnessing a mass massacre.

It’s very important to support SAMS and help them reach out to their hospitals,” Darwish said. “The government of the United States has to force the Russians to accept a no-fly zone over Aleppo, and to enable humanitarian aid to reach those in need.”

14 FEATURES

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2016

UAB’S INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Confronting the Mediterranean refugee crisis Alice Grissom Staff Writer ealiceg@uab.edu

O

n Nov. 16, an expert panel made up of UAB and Samford professors, a local attorney and two Syrian refugees took part in a discussion on the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean.

Over 340,000 refugees have arrived in Europe by sea in 2016 alone, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, also known as the UN Refugee Agency. Over a million made the deadly journey in 2015. As of October 2016, UK newspaper “The Independent” reported the deaths of as many as 3,000 refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2016.

Tina Rueter, Ph.D., the director of UAB’s Institute for Human Rights, which hosted the event, prefaced the discussion with an overview of the issue at hand and introduced the panelists.

Rueter clarified the terminology used in the discussion and emphasized the difference between migrants, internally displaced persons and refugees – namely, that refugees are “fleeing armed conflict, violence or persecution” across international borders, whereas internally displaced persons do not cross national borders.

Migrants “move for reasons not included in the Refugee Convention [of 1951], mostly socioeconomic reasons,” Rueter said. She added that the panel could more accurately be said to be discussing the “Mediterranean migrant and refugee crisis.”

The panelists — coming from diverse backgrounds including Syria, Italy, the United States and Turkey — were each afforded several minutes to explain the effects

Discussion panelists involved in the refugee crisis relief effort answer questions at the Alumni Theatre of the Hill Student Center.

of the Mediterranean migrant and refugee crisis in their home country.

Matthew Moore, a public health graduate student, said that he was impressed by the diversity of the panel.

“What was unique here was hearing the perspectives of several different individuals from different countries who are all affected by this one crisis,” Moore said.

Speaking from UAB were Catherine Crow, a former attorney specializing in immigration, refugee and employment law and now the director of International Students and Scholar Services; Abidin Yildirim, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, speaking on Turkey; and Tina Rueter, who in addition to being the Director of the Institute for Human Rights

and moderator for the event, is also an associate professor of human rights, peace studies and international politics. Ali Darwish, who spoke from the perspective of a Syrian refugee, is a research assistant and Ph.D. candidate at UAB as well.

From outside the university came Serena Simoni, Ph.D., an associate professor at Samford University who discussed the Italy’s involvement in the crisis and Zabia Attar, Ali Darwish’s sister, a Syrian entrepreneur who recently escaped the war with other members of her family.

Citing international, U.S. and state law, Crowe went in-depth on who legally constitutes a refugee and what that means on various scales.

Ali Darwish contrasted Syrian’s welcoming treatment of refugees in the past with the current treatment of Syrian refugees on the part of the rest

of the world. “‘People do not become refugees by choice,’” Darwish said, quoting Samantha Powers, the current U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. “I would like to show the world what the Syrians did, in the past, for refugees.”

Simoni told attendees of how Italy is “like a bridge in the Mediterranean basin” for refugees. The country boasts the second largest count of incoming refugees by way of the Mediterranean Sea in 2016, according to UNHCR. “European governments are struggling to coordinate the response to the influx,” Simoni said. “Tent camps are not a solution.”

From Yildirim the audience received a history lesson on the root causes of the conflict in Syria, and how the political climate in surrounding countries such as Turkey

Photo by Giani Martin

contributed to it.

When asked what students could do to help refugees, panelists agreed: most important was to spread accurate information and call state representatives. “[Alabama] has cut off the resettlement of refugees in our state,” said Crowe, meaning that people must act as individuals if they want to offer assistance.

Moore said that he was glad to hear panelists “relating [the crisis] to what we can do here in Alabama.”

“That’s where change can happen,” Moore said.

“Students should take it as their own initiative to educate themselves on this crisis.

Hundreds of years from now, kids and grandkids will ask what we did to help.”

CALENDAR TUESDAY Race and Crime: Police Brutality HSC Ballroom A 5-7 p.m.

Part of the Free Food for Thought series exploring the disparities within our legal system.

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Fall Expo

HSC Ballroom 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The fall undergraduate research and service learning expo.

World AIDs day Free HIV testing Campus Green 11 a.m.

Get tested and enjoy free food and giveaways.

Elaine Liaw Senior Flute Recital

Intro to Web Development

Buy tickets a tuab.edu/cas/ music.

Free beginner course, learn HTML and CSS and build your own website.

Come meet local artists and performers and get the chance to buy and appreciate their work.

Multicultural Professionals Panel

Conversation and Community

UAB’s ASC 7:30 p.m.

Men’s Basketball vs.

Alabama A&M Bartow Arena 7 p.m.

B’ham Art Crawl

Innovation Depot 6-8 p.m.

Heritage 125 6-11 p.m.

Panel focused on minorities in America and how they paved their path to success.

Hosted by Dela Phi Omega Inc., Rho chapter.

113 22nd St. N. 5-9 p.m.

HSC 318 12-2 p.m.

For UAB students and faculty that identify as Latinx, Hispanic and Chicana and Chicano to discuss the election.

FRIDAY Winter Wonderland in Alabama Alabama Theater 5-9 p.m.

With local artist Kristi Tingle Higginbotham. Buy tickets at alabamasymphony.org.

Bluff Park Christmas Parade

Shades Cliff Pool 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

SUNDAY Claus and Paws The Summit 12-4 p.m.

Make an appointment to take a picture of your pet with Santa. All proceeds go to the Humane Society.

Tickets at squareup.com

MONDAY Workspace Coffee Break

Humanities Building 3-4 p.m.

Exploring recent research in art history with Jessica Dallow.

Paints and Pints

Local artists and makers selling their wares. Take the opportunity to tour their studios and enjoy some refreshments.

Join local artist Natalie Russ for a night of abstract art and beer tasting.

5:30-8:30 p.m.

BJCC 5-9 p.m.

Tickets available at Ticketmaster.com.

“The Mambo Kings” Men’s Basketball vs.

Auburn Humanities 105 6-8:30 p.m.

Hosted by the Palomitas Spanish and Latin American Film Club.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CLASSIFIEDS

Kaleidoscope publishes every Tuesday when classes are in session.

Phone: 205.934.3354 Email: masutton@uab.edu Deadlines: Please place your ads by the Thursday prior to publication no later than 4p.m.

Personal Maid Service- Basic house cleaning. Honest, dependable, licensed, bonded, flexible scheduling, competitive & local. Very professional with “NO”criminal background.

LEGAL

SATURDAY

Holiday Open House Moscow Ballet’s Great UAB Gospel Choir with Alicia Olatuja MAKEbhm Russian Nutcracker

BY PHONE: 205.934.3354 BY EMAIL: masutton@uab.edu ONLINE: www.uab.edu/studentmedia

LEGAL NOTICE — The Kaleidoscope, and its online affiliates, reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at its sole discretion.

WHAT’S UP 15

Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

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.

Bartow Arena 7:30 p.m.

UAB’s ASC 6 p.m.

Tickets available at alysstephens.org/events/ uab-gospel-choir.com.

Trim Tab Brewery 6:30-8 p.m.

Alabama Symphony Christmas at the Alys Youth Orchestra UAB’s ASC The Galleria 2-3 p.m., 4-5 p.m.

Come hear holiday favorites near the Carousel at the Riverchase Galleria.

7-8 p.m.

Come see traditional holiday favorites and Choral Classics hosted by UAB Music.

Tickets available at uab.edu/ cas/music.

WE GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN,

PUT THAT RECYCLING IN THE RIGHT BIN.

Open for drop-offs Mondays 6:30-9:30am 3:00-6:00pm 620 11th Street South (205) 996-9043