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AUG. 31, 2015
‘Take Back the Night’ rallies to eliminate rape on campus Group creates campaign behind alleged rape case, organizes march on campus By ALYSSA NEWTON Editor-In-Chief
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n July, The Vanguard reported on a student who believed that the University had treated her unjustly in her sexual assault case last semester. Now, Lea Banks has a campaign launched behind her story. The Mobile and student group the Socialist Alternative has created a campaign to end rape culture on campus using Bank’s story as their platform. “It is our very moral duty to organize and demand justice,” Stephanie Vanarsdale, Mobile Bay Socialist Alternative branch manager, said to the crowd. “It is South Alabama’s duty to protect their students and they have completely failed in this task over and over again. Enough is enough. It is not only our duty but our right to gather here and express how fed up we are with South Alabama’s disciplinary system.” Since The Vanguard’s initial story, Banks has been found responsible for harassment by the University for refusing to take down her alleged offender’s full name off of her tell-all
website. Banks has still currently not taken down his name. Banks launched her website June 23 and since it has become viral online, mostly through Tumblr. “I found out about her [Lea] through her Instagram page through the South Alabama hashtag,” 24-yearold student Nathalie Morris said. “I found out about her story and read about this summer, it struck a chord with me and it was something I just didn’t think was right.” The Socialists Alternative group created this campaign and has five planned demands they want to present to the University. 1. For USA to reopen Lea’s case to include all evidence. 2. Create a policy to mandate all students and faculty to attend an educational seminar on consent and sexual assault at the beginning of each semester. 3. USA to release a public statement denouncing campus complicity on rape cases. 4. The formation of independent student based commission to work with Title IX coordinators to hold them accountable. 5. For a University funded crisis and counseling center on campus. After the original ‘not responsible’
Over 30 students and supporters participated in the ‘Take Back the Night’ march. (Alyssa Newton | Editor-In-Chief)
decision last semester, Lea’s appeal was denied after she submitted over 200 text messages between herself and the accused. USA’s police department, Title IX coordinator, Krista Harrell, and university advocated work closely with the Mobile Rape Crisis Center. The center not only tends to victims but also provides advocates as well. According to a previous interview
with Shawna Mayo, the Mobile Crisis Center is within just a few miles of the University. Banks is also pursuing legal action outside of the University. The grand jury date is set for late September. This will decide whether or not the case will be taken any further legally. Behind the campaign over 1,000 signatures have been collected from students and supporters. The march
included a large banner with the physical signatures for the petition. “We have the student’s voices themselves calling out to end rape culture and sexual assault on this campus,” Tyler Henderson said. Henderson is also a member of the organization. There is no set date on when the organization will present to the University.
Storm Surge: Memories Flood Back 10 Years after Katrina By LEE HEDGEPETH Contributing Writer
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decade ago, Hurricane Katrina was swallowing the Gulf Coast. In those last days of August 2005, the storm stretched more than four hundred miles across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and creeped inland, subjecting the states to devastating conditions for hours. When it made landfall near the LouisianaMississippi border, levelling towns like Bay St. Louis and Waveland, Katrina’s winds topped 120 miles an hour, and a powerful storm surge – 27 feet in some areas – flooded streets and structures miles from the beach. As a result, more than twelve hundred people died. Most of New Orleans was destroyed. In Mississippi, 90% of buildings within half a mile of the Gulf were flattened. Over a million people were without power, many with no access to needed water, food, or medical care. Ten years later, those intimately affected by Katrina cannot and will not forget. That’s the case for Ian Gorum, who just graduated from USA earlier this year. Gorum and his family were able to safely evacuate from their Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, home before Katrina, but they certainly weren’t able to go back. Gorum’s family home escaped some of the damage the rest of his community faced,
Christ Episcopal Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi was destroyed by Katrina. (Chirst Espiscopal Church) but unfortunately, that’s more of a sign of how bad things were in Bay St. Louis than of how good things turned out for the his home. “There were only two streets in my town that didn’t flood, and it was my street and the street next to us, but we had a tree fall on half of our house,” he said. “My room and another one were the only rooms that didn’t get messed up.” This type of damage made recovery for Ian’s family and those like his a months-long process, not an overnight fix. “Even after I came back, we were all sleeping in the FEMA trailer for about five
weeks; then, [my parents] moved in my room while they were trying to start fixing the roof, and I stayed in the FEMA trailer on my own.” Bay High School, which he attended, was flooded up to a dozen feet in some places, making progress even more difficult. “Half of our school was little trailers on the side.” he said. Gorum wasn’t able to return home until almost three months after the storm. We asked about his reaction when he did get to return. “I didn’t think I’d ever go home, to be honest,” he said. “I didn’t think anything was
left.” Gorum wants people to know about the turmoil Mississippi’s coast went through, even in light of the manmade disaster that caused unbelievable tragedy in New Orleans. “I realize that New Orleans was the most affected because the levees broke,” he said. “If the levees had not broken my area would have had the worst amount of damage.” Aside from Louisiana, Mississippi lost more lives to Katrina than any other state – about 240. Only 3 died in Alabama as a direct result of the storm. See Katrina pg. 6
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AUG. 31, 2015
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Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.
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Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama Alpha Hall South Room 336 Mobile, Ala., 36688. Or thevanguardeditor@gmail.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail thevanguardeditor@gmail.com. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance writers will receive payment at the discretion of the section editor and will be notified.
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08/22/2015 9:44 Simple Assault-Family The Grove Apartments A female victim reported a domestic incident that occurred in her residence at The Grove. 08/24/2015 11:58 Burglary Second Degree The Grove Apartments In building 8 assorted school books were taken from resident’s room without permission. 08/25/2015 9:58 Theft-From public building Bookstore Unknown male left without paying for a black 16 GB Apple iPad mini, valued at 399.00.
08/25/2015 3:58 Theft of Article from Auto Beta 5 A tailgate was stolen off of a female student’s pickup truck. 08/25/2015 4:10 Theft of Property Second Degree (Greater that $500 to $2000) Recreation Center Unknown person(s) removed items from victim’s possession without consent. 08/25/2015 1:39 Theft of Property Third Degree ($500 or less) Grassy Area in Traffic Circle An on campus fraternity house’s sign was stolen.
08/26/2015 5:02 Burglary Second Degree The Grove Apartments In building 9 an unknown male entered victim’s room. Victim and victim’s boyfriend was awakened by squeaky door. The unknown male fled on foot. The subject entered apartment through an unlocked door. 08/27/2015 1:53 Medical EmergencyAttempted Suicide The Grove Apartments In building 11 there was an attempted suicide on campus.
AUG. 31, 2015
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South Alabama introduces Pepsi ‘Dream Machine’ By ALEXANDER MOYLAN Opinion Editor
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f you’ve been by the Student Center since the semester began, you’ve likely seen a large machine adjacent to the bookstore entrance. But what is this thing? The University of South Alabama recently announced via their Facebook page that, “USA has teamed with PepsiCo Recycling to bring a new recycling incentive to campus. Recycle your beverage bottles and cans in the PepsiCo Dream Machine kiosk in the Student Center atrium to get personal rewards and help earn points in PepsiCo’s college recycling competition.” Dr. Kimberly Littlefield, Assistant Vice President for Research Development and Learning, who is a member on the committee, helped bring this Dream Machine to campus. According to Dr. Littlefield, the Dream Machine was brought to campus through the joint efforts of members on the President’s Sustainability Committee.
Dr. Littlefield said that bringing the Dream Machine to South was a “fun, high profile thing to do,” which incorporates “cool, fun incentives for recycling.” Pepsi divides these incentives into two options. One of which allows the account holder to donate their points to The Nature Conservancy where each of your points accounts for $0.01. The other half of their incentive-based program allows users of the Dream Machine to collect points and exchange these points for gift cards and discounts to local restaurants, entertainment, and retail stores. After signing up for an account online, one can bring their No. 1 plastic bottles (your typical water or soda bottle) as well as aluminum cans to the machine. After logging into your account using a registration number that you create yourself (I suggest using your phone number), you then scan each recyclable product. Whatever bottle or can you intend to recycle through the Dream Machine needs a barcode or else your points will not be recorded. After you scan each recyclable, the computer monitor will prompt you to deposit the recyclable into a slot designated for either plastic or
Student uses the Pepsi ‘Dream Machine.’ (South Alabama Facebook) aluminum. Each recyclable you deposit into the machine is worth five points. According to Pepsi’s website, most of the rewards for dining and entertainment are obtainable with 100 points. The Dream Machine is not only here to help students earn rewards. There’s
a bigger purpose to it as Dr. Littlefield described, “I think it will just reinvigorate recycling and sustainability practices that already run pretty deep and pretty passionately throughout the campus community here. It will just highlight the campus enthusiasm.”
AUG. 31, 2015
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30 Years Later: The legacy of Michael Donald and the last lynching in the United States By LEE HEDGEPETH Contributing Writer
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hree decades ago this month, in the summer of 1985, Beulah Mae Donald – a Mobile woman The New York Times would later proclaim “The Woman Who Beat the Klan” – launched a legal crusade that would change lives forever. Beulah Mae Donald had not asked to be in the national spotlight, but she was forced there on March 21, 1981 when her son became the last victim of a lynching in the United States, right here in Mobile. Following the lynching, with the help of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Donald filed a pathmarking lawsuit against the United Klans of America, whose members were convicted of the act of modern day racial terrorism. That civil suit, which released new details of the hate crime, was the first of its kind, as it was aimed at holding the entire Klan organization – not just Donald’s murderers – liable for the actions of its members it had inflamed, through a documentation of the extensive, excruciating evidence of the crime and its
context. The lawsuit not only helped Mrs. Donald in her quest for closure, it also preserved for the future a compelling record of a not-so-distant history. Beulah Mae’s son, Michael Donald, was an average teenager. He was a recent Murphy High School graduate, and was working in the mailroom of the Mobile Press-Register part-time while he trained to be a brick mason. Michael liked basketball, and for him March meant March Madness: the annual NCAA tournament. That day, Michael Donald had been watching UAB play Kentucky in a game which they went on to win 69-62, though the nineteen year old would never know that final score. During a break in play, Michael walked to a nearby convenience store for a family member, heading from his home in Mobile down Davis Avenue – the main thoroughfare through the predominantly African-American part of town. Unbeknownst to Michael Donald, also coming up Davis Avenue were two members of the United Klans of America – Henry Hays and “Tiger” Knowles.
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Michael Donald(Spartacus Educational) According to the lawsuit Mrs. Donald and the SPLC filed, two days before, at a meeting of United Klans’ local chapter on Gunn Road in Theodore, Hays’ father Benny Jack – one of the group’s leaders – led a meeting where the group prepared
for the outcome of a trial that had been moved to Mobile in which a black man had been accused of murdering a Birmingham Police Officer. "If a black man can get away with killing a white man,” Benny Jack Hays proposed to his Theodore audience, according to later testimony, “we ought to be able to get away with killing a black man." That week’s edition of the Klan’s newsletter, “The Fiery Cross,”made the picture even clearer. Its front page is a cartoon: a white man on the left saying “It’s terrible the way blacks are being treated! All whites should work to give the blacks what they deserve.” Across the page, the caricature of an African-American hangs from a noose, lifeless. SPLC co-founder Morris Dees would use this image in trial, putting it side by side with the coroner’s photo of Donald, noose still around his neck. Michael Donald had almost undoubtedly not seen that cartoon, but Hays and Knowles had, and Donald was about to experience the grappling, sadistic
See Lynching pg. 6
AUG. 31, 2015
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Katrina
Lynching
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violence was all too common to blacks in the South. As Donald walked up Davis Avenue that evening, Hays and Knowles pulled up beside him, and asked how to get to Powers’ Lounge, a popular bar in downtown Mobile. Hays and Knowles had just left Benny Jack Hay’s house on Herndon Avenue, a relatively mixed neighborhood in Mobile, with a noose and a gun, after finding out the black defendant had not been convicted. Dr. Frye Gaillard, USA’s writer-inresidence, wrote about the lynching in his book Alabama’s Civil Rights Trail, and described what happened next. “They had just decided to kill some black person at random. They made Michael Donald get into their vehicle and drove across the bay,” Gaillard said. “They’d apparently been making a hangman’s noose as they drove across the bridge, and they actually strangled him with that and then slit his throat.” After Donald was unconscious and bleeding to death, the pair drove back to Mobile, showing off the body to a fellow Klansman before hanging his corpse from a camphor tree on Herndon Avenue, between Spring Hill Avenue and Old Shell Road, across the street from the Hays’ home. When the news broke, the Donald family, the local African-American community and much of Mobile was horrified. The local chapter of the NAACP was immediately notified, and its president was allowed on the crime scene, which is how Robert Walker, a 77 year old Mobile native and longtime member of the African-American activist group found out about the lynching. “[The NAACP president] called me Saturday morning because he was down there on Herndon Avenue, and he saw him suspended from the tree,” Walker said. The Mobile Police Department conducted an investigation at the time, but no charges were brought until years later. “I was interviewed by the detective because the rope that was found was from a boat I had been on,” Walker said. But MPD’s leads never actually lead them anywhere, Walker explained, saying he believes that wasn’t accidental, either. “It was a cover up. They tried to say the young man was involved in drugs at first,” Walker said. One of the reasons he believes police were reticent was that Mobile wasn’t ready to accept the existence of what.Gaillard termed a “latter-day lynching.” “As horrifying as it was,” Gaillard said,
An exert from the Klan’s weekly newsletter “The Fiery Cross” the week before the death of Michael Donald. (FBI Internet Archives) “it was a wake-up call for Mobile.” Walker confirmed this, saying that white Mobilians didn’t even want to call the crime a lynching. “Some of the police department said it wasn’t a lynching because they might’ve killed him before they suspended him in the tree,” he explained, saying that just wasn’t the case. “If no one pronounced him dead,” Walker said, “it was a lynching. Really, dead or not.” After the lynching, Mobile’s politics became more progressive for years after, likely as a direct reaction. All of the evidence outlined in Beulah Mae Donald’s lawsuit payed off in 1987 when after a jury deliberated only a few hours, it ordered the United Klans of America – the same group that had killed the three little girls in the 1960s Birmingham church bombing – to pay the black Mobilian $7,000,000, an amount it did not have. Instead, it was forced to fork over its Tuscaloosa headquarters, valued at about $200,000, to the Donald family. Beulah Mae Donald sold the building, and bought the first house she had ever owned. She lived there, in the house that hate built, until she passed just about a year later. One of Michael Donald’s sisters still lives in Mobile Herndon Avenue, were his body was strung up for display, was renamed Michael Donald Avenue in 2006 by Mobile’s first black mayor, Sam Jones. The SPLC, who brought the suit for Donald, still uses the same legal argument they used first in this case to curb hate crime groups nationwide, including other Klan organizations. Morris Dees, who still considers
the case one of his most important, says that fact is Michael Donald’s lasting effect – the house that he built – that his death, while tragic, will continue to be a driving force in the struggle against hatred and bigotry long into the future. “That is the legacy of Michael Donald,” Dees said.
This is something Stephen Nodine, who was a Mobile County Commissioner during the hurricane, echoed. “It wasn’t long before we turned our attention toward Mississippi, to the people who were just completely devastated,” Nodine said. Before it was clear the western states would bear the brunt of the storm, though, Nodine said Alabama was preparing for tragedy. He recalled nervous conference calls with state and national officials, including Governor Bob Riley, about contingency plans for Mobile County if Katrina made landfall in Alabama, including discussion of potential sites for casualties – including, Nodine says, land adjacent to Mobile Fairgrounds. Despite those fears, and the extensive damage in some of south Mobile, Nodine said when he saw the Mississippi coast after the storm, nothing could compare. “When I flew over the first time – I’ve been a lot of places – I’ve never seen devastation like that in my life. I was crying by the time I hit the state line,” he said, calling Mississippi, “a real Ground Zero.” When asked if the understood the sentiment, Ian Gorum said “Absolutely, the eye wall was over my town for eight hours.” Former Commissioner Nodine hasn’t forgotten ten years later. Neither has Ian Gorum. For those closest to the disaster, even a decade later, it seems forgetting just isn’t an option.
LIFE
NATALIE FRANKLIN LIFE EDITOR nsf1222@jagmail.southalabama.edu
AUG. 31, 2015
Jaguar Marching Band prepares to march into new season By CAITLIN SMITH Staff Reporter
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he music is memorized, the formations have been perfected and the uniforms are fitted, the Jaguar Marching Band is on the prowl and ready for football season. After enduring the two-week-long band camp in the grueling heat from sun up to sun down, the band members are so insync. This along with having some great direction from new Drum Major, Carson Watson, the Jaguar Marching Band can rival some of the best college bands in the country. The band is constantly pumping up the crowd and is an integral part of the football games so it is important that they work together as a team. Will Rosati, Senior trombone section leader, has high hopes for this season, “The JMB is bigger than ever, marching cleaner than ever, and playing better than ever. We’ve been working on this show for almost a month now, and I think it’ll be the best halftime show we’ve ever put on.” Even though a lot of work is put into being in the band with long practices every day, they still manage to have fun and band members have to go to every game so it gives them the ability to really get into football. “I’m looking forward to playing in the stands again and help-
ing cheer on the Jags. There’s no feeling like tearing into a ref for making a terrible call, or the smell of spilled beer from the student section, or playing “South!” after a touchdown.” Rosati reminisces on his favorite moments from games. It is hard not to have school spirit in an environment like that. The Jaguar Marching Band isn’t just the musicians, the flag corps is a big part of what makes the halftime show such a spectacle. The sheer athleticism one must have to be able dance and keep time all while slinging weapons, batons and flags in the air and then catching them is impressive. Feature twirler, Taylor Meckley, has a lot riding on performances, one drop or misstep can turn a perfect routine into a disaster. But all the hard work pays off when they get to perform “Running on the field for the first time is my favorite! Every season its my favorite part of every game.” The color guard and the band work together to make sure everyone in the stands has a great time routing for the Jags. “Coach Joey Jones has talked a lot to Dr. Petersen, our band director, about how he wants the band to be at as many football games as we can became he feels we help the football team.” Meckley said. The two go hand in hand. The cheerleaders and the band are there to sup-
The Jaguard Marching Band prepares for another season of halftime shows at football games. (Alyssa Newton | Editor-in-Chief) port the Jags. “Try and imagine football without the band? Nah, you need them. It wouldn’t be the same.” Jaguar fan and avid football enthusiast, Ian Gorum said. Even though the band doesn’t have to worry about being tackled by giant defensive ends or dropping a pass that could have been a touchdown, they still carry a lot of weight during games. “We are a
massive band playing our hearts out during pregame and halftime and also in the stands throughout the game.” Rosati said. “And for students and fans who haven’t been to a South game yet, you should expect a cheering section louder than half the stadium and twice as enthusiastic. But most importantly, you should expect a win for the Jags.”
Nine engineering students receive Tau Beta Pi scholarships cipients from the other schools. South Alabama’s recipients are the second largest student representation in the nation. Tau Beta Pi has 244 chapters across the country, and only 261 students were chosen for this award. The students who received the award this year are Bradley Harris, a chemical engineering major; Boni Yraguen, a mechanical engineering major; John Mullins, an electrical engineering major; Brannon Kerrigan,
Tau Beta Phi scholarship recipiants William Spikes, George Moore. Bradley Harris, Boni Yraguen, Ryan Hutchinson, Benjamin Burleson, John Mullins and Robert Mines. Brannon Kerrigan is not pictured. (USAPR) By TORI BRACKETT Staff Reporter
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ine students from South Alabama’s engineering program received scholarships from the prestigious engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi this year. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis to students showing promise in contributing to the engineering profession in the future, as well as exhibiting
leadership characteristics on campus and through service to the community. Outstanding moral character and academic success are also requirements to be considered for the scholarship. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 scholarship for their senior year of engineering study. South Alabama had the most students to receive this award of any university in the state, compared to a maximum of two re-
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South Alabama had the most students to rececive this award of any university in the state...South Alabama’s recipients are the second largest student representation in the nation .
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an electrical engineering major; George Moore, a mechanical engineering major; William Spikes, a chemical engineering major; Ryan Hutchison, a chemical engineering major; Robert Mines, a chemical engineering major; and Benjamin Burleson, also a chemical engineering major. Winning student Robert Mines, said “At
first, I was extremely excited that my friends and I won the TBP scholarship. Then, I felt an immense gratitude for all my mentors along the way who helped me to develop my skills as a student researcher, including Dr. Larry Yet, Dr. Christy Wheeler, Dr. Tom Rich, and Dr. Silas Leavesly. Without my amazing experiences with them, I would not have received this award.” Mines plans to pursue an MD-PhD in chemical and biomolecular engineering, focusing on systems biology. He hopes to use this knowledge to understand the “cause of antibiotic resistance on a cellular level and to identify potential therapies to treat these infections.” The Tau Beta Pi scholarship program was established in 1998, with only 5 awards given out that year. Throughout the years the program has been active, and over 1,700 scholarships have been awarded to students from across the country. The organization’s mission is to recognize extraordinary accomplishments made by students and professionals in the engineering field, celebrate contributions made to the field and to society by honorary members, and to champion engineering as an extremely valuable career field.
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AUG. 31, 2015
South students meet new sorority sisters at Bid Day By TORI BRACKETT Staff Reporter
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id Day 2015 was an outstanding success for South Alabama. Between the five different chapters on campus, over 200 girls enrolled at the university were given bids. A record number of 345 girls signed up for Recruitment Week at the university, beginning Saturday, Aug. 15 with an introductory parent-daughter welcome. Landry Underwood, the Greek Coordinator for the university, said “This is the largest Formal Recruitment at South Alabama to date.” Wednesday, Aug. 19, held Panhellenic Orientation for the girls going through rush. The orientation introduced the young ladies to their Pi Chi, or Recruitment Counselor, who would help them during the coming week, and they were placed into groups for the remainder of Recruitment week. The week consisted of multiple parties each day, each focusing on a different aspect of sisterhood. The first official day, Thursday, Aug. 20, held Ice-Water teas, allowing the potential new members to meet the sisters of the chapter and look around the houses. Friday was Philanthropy day, in which the girls going through Recruitment Week were introduced to each sorority’s philanthropy in a creative, casual atmosphere, while how the
chapters give back to the community. Underwood said, “The Panhellenic Community is thrilled that so many women want to be involved with organizations that support national and local philanthropies, focus on scholastic achievement, and are excited about opportunities for leadership development.” Saturday, Aug. 22, focused on each chap-
ter’s sisterhood, featuring skits and slide shows to represent the bond that the sisters share, and to highlight the fun and silliness the sisters enjoy. Preference night fell on Sunday, Aug. 23, marking the end of Recruitment Week. The girls going through rush attended fewer, more serious and formal parties, in which the sisters of the chapters spoke about their
Lauren Steil (middle) with new members of Chi Omega Kaitlyn Wilson (left) and Sabrina Begum (right) (Alyssa Newton | Editor-in-Chief)
values, time in the sorority, and what they had gained or learned from the sisterhood they were apart of. After these parties, the potential new members chose which chapter they felt the most comfortable and at home in. The selection process is mutual, in that potential new members and the sorority chapter itself choose each other. The girls are to keep their choice to themselves until they receive their bids the next morning. “Our Panhellenic Community was pleased to extend 248 bids to women enrolled at South Alabama,” says Greek coordinator Landry Underwood of this year’s bid day. Bid Day fell on Monday, Aug. 24, marking the day that the chapters would gain so many new sisters, and the girls rushing would have a new organization to call home. The new members received their bids and ran across the Sorority commons to join their new sisters, who waited with painted signs, banners, shirts, gifts and pure joy. The Bid Day festivities continued Monday evening with sisterhood parties, for the newest members to mingle with their new sisters and begin to learn of the bonds the sisterhoods share. Underwood said, “The Panhellenic community has grown and the Office of Greek Life is extremely excited to welcome so many new women into our community.”
MARY ALICE WILSON SPORTS EDITOR usavgsports@gmail.com
SPORTS
AUG. 31, 2015
Welcome
Jungle
to the
South Alabama 2015 position breakdown ALYSSA NEWTON Editor-in-Chief
Quarterback UAB transfer Cody Clements won the starting position in the offseason. The senior will play out his final year of eligibility with the Jaguars. Clements completed 66 percent of his passes for 2, 227 yards and touchdown in 11 games last year. He rushed for 160 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman Dallas Davis won the backup quarterback spot over Hunter Vaughn, Matt Floyd and UAB transfer Evan Orth.
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Wide Receiver Two of the returning names that will be heard a lot will be that of Danny Woodson and Marvin Shinn. Woodson was the Jags’ receiving leader last year, racking up 748 yards on 56 receptions with four touchdowns last season. Shinn’s season was cut short with
Dan D nnyy Woods Woodson oodso s
a leg injury against Arkansas State. Before the injury Shinn played in seven games with seven receptions for 173 yards. Returning senior Claude Garrett recorded 151 yards on 8 receptions and a touchdown last season. DJ Vinson, a UAB transfer, transitioned from a running back to a wide receiver after transferring in January to South Alabama. The senior appeared in all 12 contests for the UAB Blazers last season, leading the team in rushing for 670 yards and 9 touchdowns adding 65 yards receiving with a touchdown.
Running Back Terrance Timmons was given the honor of wearing No. 5 this year as the chosen senior leader. The only senior running back played 13 games last season and racked up 403 yards with four touchdowns. Xavier Johnson returns after playing in 12 games with 438 yards and one touchdown. Two JUCO transfers will add some much needed depth to the backfield. Dami Ayoola transferred from Arizona Western Community College. Ayoola rushed for 404 yards last season. Tyreis Thomas transferred to South Alabama last year and was redshirted for the season. While at Dodge City Community College he was a first-team National Junior College Athletic Association AllAmerican in 2013 after rushing for 1,380 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Thomas ranked fourth in the nation in rushing yards per game and third in rushing touchdowns.
Tight End Braedon Bowman will return after a leg injury at South Carolina put him out for the rest of the season, Bowman recorded 234 yards in his first season with the Jaguars. The only other returning tight end, Demarrion Buford-Hughes made one reception for 18 yards in the Camellia Bowl. UAB Gerald Everett transfer racked up 292 yards on 17 receptions for the Blazers. James Bynes, JUCO transfer from Dodge City, caught 30 balls for 269 yards last season. Offensive Coordinator Bryant Vincent told USAJaguars that the tight end position is the deepest the Jags have had in the last five years.
Chris May
Offensive Line The line will be replacing three starters from last year, but still has two names on the roster that
have the much needed experience with the Jaguar line. Center Joseph Scelfo started all 13 games last season and has been a rock for the offensive line. Scelfo was named preseason first-team allSBC by the league’s coaches and preseason first-team by Phil Steele Publications, and is on the Rotary Lombardi Watch List and the Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List. Senior Chris May will be returning for his fifth and final season with the Jags at right tackle. May earned first-team all-SBC and was placed on the Rotary Lombardi watch list. UAB transfer Cameron Blankenship is expected to start at right guard for the Jags. The senior was a three-year letterwinner at UAB. Curtis Williams and Daniel Aust will likely be seen on the left side at tackle and guard, respectively.
played in every game for the Hokies in 2014 recording eight tackles and a forced fumble.
Linebackers Senior Blake Dees will be counted on to lead the linebackers this year after the loss of Maleki Harris. Dees transferred from Texas Tech last year, forcing him to sit out the 2014 season. While at Tech, Dees played three years at Texas Tech, recording a total of 77 stops. Kalen Jackson, UAB transfer, won the open linebacker spot. Jackson suffered a season ending injury after two starts in his first year with UAB in 2014. At Copiah-Lincoln Community College
See Breakdown pg. 10
Defensive Line With the losses of Jesse Kelly, Jerome McClain and Theo Rich, the defensive line has some big shoes to fill. Returning members include Tre Alford, Caleb Butler and Akeem Lewis. Alford had nine tackles last year with one for a loss, Butler with 13 tackles. Lewis appeared In 12 games and totaled 23 tackles with two for a loss with two sacks. Jimmie Gipson is out for the season due to an injury. New comer that should make an immediate impact will be Dewayne Alford, Virginia Tech transfer. Alford
Braedon Bowman
(Photos: USAJaguars, Alyssa Newton)
AUG. 31, 2015
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Cody Clements:
Breakdown Continued from Page 9
he recorded 82 tackles as a freshman and 43 tackles and broke up 15 passes his sophomore year. Returing linebackers include Demarius Rancifer and Grant Powell. Rancifer played 11 games with 34 total tackles, Powell with seven tackles.
Starting over at starting quarterback
Defensive Backs Junior Roman Buchanan has stepped up as a leader this year in the Jags’ secondary. The junior safety ended the 2014 season with 73 tackles with 3 ½ for a loss. The only other returning starter Antonio Carter recorded 54 total tackles with two passes broken up. EJ May and Margo Reed will start in the cornerback position, but freshman Jalen Thompson is expected to get a lot of playing time. May and Margo recorded 26 and 10 tackles, respectively. Margo recorded an interception as well. Thompson was considered the second-rated cornerback in the state and among the top 55 nationally in his position by ESPN.oom. The former St. Paul’s Saint finished his senior year with 40 tackles, five interceptions, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and nine touchdowns at cornerback as he helped the Saints go 15-0 and win the 5A state title.
Special Teams Kicker Aleem Sunanon returns after he became the first individual in school history to lead the team in scoring two consecutive seasons after recording 69 points last season. Sunanon was also named to the Lou Gouza Watch List. Brandon McKee returns as punter for the Jags, recording an average of 42.3 yards with his longest at 76 yards. With the loss of Austin Cole, freshman Carson Sharp is expected to fill in at long snapper. Claude Garrett and Terrance Timmons are the only returning individuals who ran back a kick last year. Corliss Waitman averaged 44 yards per punt as a senior in high school to earn first-team all-state and all-area honors, while 80 percent of his kickoffs resulted in touchbacks. Waitman connected a 60-yard field goal at the end of the Jags’ first fall scrimmage.
Roman Buchanan
Former UAB Blazer Cody Clements will be the Jaguar’s starting quarterback. (Alyssa Newton | Editor-In-Chief) By BRIANA DIGIORGIO Sports Reporter This season will be like no other for South Alabama. This season they will have multiple former UAB Blazers turned Jaguars in starting spots, including at quarterback. Cody Clements started all 11 games as quarterback last season for the Blazers. Clements completed 183-of-275 pass attempts for 2,227 yards and 14 touchdowns and was ranked fourth in Conference USA in pass efficiency rating (145.6), came in eighth in passing yards per contest and ninth in total offense. The senior was named to the Conference USA All-Academic Team at the end of the season. Before his year with UAB, Clements Attended Cerritos Junior College in California for two years. As a sophomore, he completed 144-of-247 passes for 1,953 yards and 16 touchdowns. After UAB first disbanded its football program in December of 2014, Clements was part of one of the most unusual events in college sports history that drew national attention to Birmingham. “It was a big surprise, you know?” Clements said. “I heard rumors towards later in the season but nobody ever thought it was ever going to happen.” Clements is now one of the seven former Blazers on the South Alabama roster. Instead of wearing green and gold, Cody will play his final year of eligibility in red, white and blue. “You know it’s different just because I’m coming in here as a senior and I’ve been a few different places,” Clements said. “Some people already have bonds formed or what not but they opened me with welcomed arms and it’s been a good experience
so far… You have to have a positive mind set. Whatever is going to be is going to be.” Head coach Joey Jones announced at the South Alabama Media Day that Clements was the Jags’ starting quarterback. Although Clements missed the spring due to an arm surgery, he was seen by many as the favorite among the quarterbacks fighting for the No. 1 spot. Clements, who started for the Blazers in his lone year there, said that fighting for his starting spot wasn’t anything he wasn’t used to. “It’s not too much different because you’re always in competition with yourself or you’ve always got somebody on your heels to get that spot. You’ve just gotta push yourself to be the best you can be everyday so nothing really changed.” Clements will wear the No. 7 jersey this season, the same number that former USA quarterback Brandon Bridge wore while at South Alabama.
Backing up Clements will be freshman Dallas Davis who has looked strong since the spring game. Behind him will be returners Hunter Vaughn and Matt Floyd, along with another UAB transfer, Evan Orth. As hard as it was to start over, Clements
“
South Alabama had the most students to rececive this award of any university in the state...South Alabama’s recipients are the second largest student representation in the nation .
”
remains confident that his new teammates at South Alabama have the ability and strength it takes to get that championship and the bowl game victory. “I want to be the best that I can be for this team, to lead us hopefully to a championship and to a bowl game victory.”
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AUG. 31, 2015
#JagTweets
True freshman feels at home with Jags Jalen Thompson looks to make immediate impact in his hometown asked about what wha it meant to play in his hometown. Sout South Alabama is just blocks away from his high hig school. “At first, I co couldn’t see myself playing football for South Alabama but as I got older, I saw South Alab Alabama be something special and I just want to be a part of the program. It’s going to be ggrowing and I already have been. It’s very sp special playing in your hometown every Saturd Saturday.” Football has b been a part of Thompson’s life for as long as he can remember. “Football teac teaches you a lot about life.” Thompson expla explained. “I’ve been playing it my whole life, so w why not keep playing it? I’m blessed to be able to continue playing at a D-1 level school like SSouth Alabama. It makes you w ant to keep play want playing every day.” In his transitio transition from high school to college ball, Thomp Thompson said that he’s learned a lot from the trans transition. “[I’m] just lear learning more stuff about football, coming in ev everyday and working hard on yourself and each other. Older guys have been through way mor more than I’ve been through, I just learn from th them. It means the world. ” Older leadersh leadership is seeing a lot of talent in the young corner cornerback. Defensive leader and safety Roman Buc Buchanan said that Thompson
USA Vanguard Sports @USAVGSports
Finding the best tweets from South Alabama athletes. Make sure you follow us on Twitter for sports updates and live play-by-plays.
#JagNation
Jeremy Reaves @JR2_Era
Football
I don’t have teammates, I have over a hundred brothers that God has blessed me with
Devon Earl @_earlTHEpearl
Football
Kylie Jenner getting badder by the day
Xavier Johnson @IAM_Johnson28
Football
Y’all say a prayer for @HVaughn3, poor guyy wouldn’t know what a win on PS4 looked like iff it knocked on our grove door.
Caleb Hayman @Hayman84
Football
If you have accumulated more pizza boxes in a week then the number of workouts you have in a year ... You need help
Meagan Hall @Meags_Hall If you see some people walking funny tomorrow, don’t panic it’s just Track
Track
D’Andra Pringle @pringlee_
Basketball
if you aren’t my coach or my parents don’t leave me voicemails.
Rachel Dunsford @RachelDunsford
Softball
When getting a pedicure, they never massage the second leg near as good as the first one
Jacob Chaffin @jtchaf Can’t stand the ones in class who have to
Football try and challenge everything said
Dallas Davis @Double_D11
Football
What week it is? ... Oh ya ITS GAME WEEK!!!!! Letssss gooooooo
Karisma Slusher K @ karismaslusher
Cheer
Gotta power walk to my next class, and hope I end up in the right building!
Audrey Duren @Maebell22
Soccer
Changed in my car and brushed my teeth in the bathroom.... Happy Monday
Jalen Thompson By MARY ALICE WILSON Sports Editor After graduating from St. Paul’s just three months ago, Jalen Thompson will see the field this year as a true freshman for the Jaguars. As a senior, Thompson recorded 40 tackles and five interceptions. He also produced four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one sack and one blocked field goal attempt as cornerback. On offense, he caught 35 passes for 470 yards and nine touchdowns. ESPN rated Thompson as number two CB in the state and number 54 CB in the country. He was also named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year by College Sports Madness. Thompson committed to the program on June 24, 2014 and signed a letter of intent on National Signing Day, February 4. He had offers from Kentucky, Purdue, California, Minnesota, Washington, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Southern Miss and NC State. Thompson said that staying close to home is something that will be special for him as he begins his collegiate football career. “It means a lot,” Thompson said when
stuck out to him the first week. “Jalen stood out a lot,” Buchanan said on the freshman after just his first week of fall camp. “He looks a couple years older than what he’s playing.” Not only is Thompson receiving early nods from his fellow teammates, but also the coaching staff. “He doesn’t play like a freshman, that’s for sure,” Defensive Coordinator Travis Pearson told USA Jaguars. “The thing about Jalen is his intellect. His football IQ is off the charts. Most of the time, he is already a step ahead of you. He will listen, but he is already a step ahead of you.” Thompson hopes that he will live up to the hype that has surrounded him in the preseason. “[I need to] Just keep making plays and being that impact player like I’m supposed to be,” he said. “Guys look to me to make a play. I’m a freshman, I just got to get ready.” This Saturday, Thompson is set to get in some playing time for the Jags at the first game against Gardner-Webb. “I think I’m going to be very happy,” he said when asked about his first Saturday as a college player. “I’m excited right now, but I know I’m going to get really nervous. Just gotta stay happy.”
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AUG. 31, 2015
Garner-Webb: Breaking down the Bulldogs
Sports Team
Our Picks
MARY ALICE WILSON Sports Editor
MITCHELL KAHALLEY Managing Editor
BRIANA DIGIORGIO Sports Reporter
ALYSSA NEWTON
Editor-in-Chief
USA vs. Gardner-Webb 9.5.15 | 5 p.m. Home - ESPN3
USA vs. Nebraska
9.12.15 | 7 p.m. Lincoln, Nebraska - BTN
USA vs. San Diego State
9.19.15 | 7 p.m. San Diego, California
USA vs. North Carolina State 9.26.15 | TBA Home
USA vs.Troy
10.3.15 | 7 p.m. Troy, Alabama
USA vs. Arkansas State 10.13.15 | 7 p.m. Home - ESPN2
USA vs.Texas State
10.24.15 | TBA. San Marcos, Texas
USA vs. Idaho
11.7.15 | TBA. Home
USA vs. Louisiana Lafeyette 11.12.15 | 6:30 p.m. Home -ESPNU
USA vs. Georgia State 11.21.15 | TBA Atlanta, Georgia
USA vs. Georgia Southern 11.28.15 | TBA Statesboro, Georgia
USA vs. Appalachian State 12.5.15 | TBA Home - ESPN3
Overall
7-5
4-8
6-6
5-7
By ALYSSA NEWTON Editor-In-Chief South Alabama’s season starts off on Sept. 5 agsinst FCS team, Garner-Webb. Gardner-Webb, a member of the Big South Conference, finished 4-8 last year. They had a 3-2 home record and 1-6 road record. The Bulldog offense averaged 71.8 yards rushing and 220.1 yards passing and 18.8 points per game. Their defense allowed an average of 172.8 yards rushing and 217.7 yards passing and 27.9 points per game. The Bulldogs had holes to fill, most notably at quarterback , running back and at wide receiver. The squad does have four returning to the offensive line, one of the most important places for teams to have experience. Defensively they return most of their starters, including senior LB Tanner Burch who missed last season due to injury, but had 107 tackles in 2013. The Bulldogs were voted to finish fifth out of seven in the Big South Conference preseason poll. Linebacker Aaron Cook (90 TOT, 13 TFL, 4 SCK, 2 FF) , tight end Mike Estes (34 REC, 408 YDS, 2 TD), nose guard OJ Mau, and cornerback Ivan Toomer (54 TOT, 2 TFL, 1 INT) were each named to the preseason All-Big South team. Mau was also voted as the preseason Big South Defensive player of the year and also voted to the 2015 College Sporting News preseason Fabulous Fifty FCS All-America Team. The 6-2 319 pound nose guard had 60 total tackles, 3 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 block last year. The defense is the strong point of this team. The Bulldogs also have a starting WR from Mobile, Willie Jackson IV who played for Faith Academy. Jackson had 11 receptions for 104 yards last season. The Jags face the Bulldogs Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Soccer goes 4-0 after two road wins By MITCHELL KAHALLEY Managing Editor The South Alabama Jaguars remain undefeated after notching up two road wins this weekend. The Jags traveled to Troy, Alabama to take part in the Trojan Classic, where they defeated Louisiana Tech 1-0 on Friday afternoon and Tennessee-Martin 7-0 on Sunday. South did not play the hosts, but will play Troy next month during Sun Belt conference play. South tallied 15 shots, eight on target, in their 1-0 win over the Lady Techsters of Louisiana Tech. Defender Steffi Hardy scored the Jaguars only goal by heading the ball in the net after Tech’s goalkeeper Kylee Seto tried to punch a free kick clear.
Freshman centre-back Hannah Godfrey received her first collegiate start. South finished the match with 10 players after Ashlynn Jones accumulated two yellow cards in the second half. Oppsed to South’s 15 shots, Louisiana Tech only managed to get two shots off, none on target. In an interview with USAJaguars, coach Graham Winkworth said "The shots were spread out because we were able to literally attack with eight or nine players because they sat so deep. It was important that we didn't take shots from 40 yards out; we could've had 30 shots today, but we were patient and tried to get shots from good areas of the field, and that's why we managed to have a decent number on frame, rather than banging it over from distance."
While the Jags were only able to convert one of their 15 chances on Friday, the floodgates were opened on Sunday when the Jags defeated the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks 7-0. In an interview with USA Jaguars, Winkworth said "We probably could've had more shots but we were patient in our shooting; we weren't taking a lot of shots from distance. A lot of those shots were from very close range and some of those goals were tap-ins because of the creativity in the play leading up to the goal. This is the first time that I think we've really put some quality football together in the final third." Monique Autman opened the scoring nine minutes into the game.less than a minute later Rio Hardy scored off
a rebound from the Skyhawk keeper. Autman was credited with an assist. Freshman Hannah Godfrey scored in the 28th minute, Nini Rabsatt-Smith was credited with the assist. Godfrey was shown a straight red seven minutes later. Charde Hannah scored South’s fourth goal after converting a penalty kick in the 36th minute. Jemma Purfield, Jordan Duncan and Danielle Henley scored the Jags final three goals in a seven minute span from the 59th-66th minute. Goalkeeper Sarah Hay kept the clean sheet by making six saves on Tennessee-Martin’s six shots. The Jags are back in action Friday night at 7 p.m. with their home opener against the University of South Florida. They will also play at home Sunday afternoon against Austin Peay.
ALEXANDER MOYLAN OPINION EDITOR alm1323@jagmail.southalabama.edu
OPINION
AUG. 31, 2015
Thank You, Donald Trump An in-depth analysis of the Trump visit that took Mobile by storm By LEE HEDGEPETH Contributing Writer Did Donald Trump’s speech to thousands of mostly white Mobilians at Ladd-Peebles Stadium sound familiar to you? It should. It’s the same thing in that e-mail your racist uncle sent you last week. You know: the one you deleted – a little too quickly – because you meant to mark it as spam but forgot. But don’t knock Donald Trump just yet; instead, maybe you should thank him. I know, I know. He’s racist. We all know that Mexican immigrants aren’t rapists or criminals. In fact, we know that immigrants are one of the most unlikely groups to commit crimes. We know that despite his insistence that “they” are taking over America, net migration from Mexico has been zero for years and deportations under President Obama are up exponentially. And I know he – and many of his 20,000 nearly completely homogenous supporters – don’t too much care about the overwhelmingly segregated African-American community the Mobile rally took place in: a neighborhood pillaged by redlining and gentrification that Eurocentric, bigoted real estate tycoons like Trump shaped into existence. Not to mention the supporters caught on video screaming “White Power,” or those outside the stadium targeting protesting Hispanic activist groups, “Ain’t none of them got no jobs.”
And yes. He’s sexist. We know what he meant we he said Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly was bleeding from “wherever,” and it definitely wasn’t her eyes. We know when he calls women bimbos, and says they’d look better on their knees, it’s doesn’t just affect Rosie O’Donnell, like Trump argued in the first GOP debate. It affects us all. And true. Trump doesn’t really have a plan for… anything. First he said he had a secret plan to defeat ISIL that when pressed, evolved into a strategy of “bombing them” and “taking their oil.” He told the crowd at Ladd – to thunderous applause – that the book he co-wrote, The Art of the Deal, is his second favorite book, next to the Bible. When asked what his favorite verse is, though, the Donald backed off. “I don’t want to get into specifics,” he told Mark Halperin of Bloomberg Politics. Fine. Even simpler question. Old Testament or New Testament? Trump’s response? “Both.” So yes; he’s racist. He’s sexist. He doesn’t have a plan. But don’t knock him. Thank him. At least Donald Trump is telling the truth as he sees it – just like your racist uncle. It’s worse when they hide the crazy. Since the latter quarter of the 20th century and the rise of electoral populism that had earlier manifested characters like Alabama Governor George Wallace, politicians in America, particularly on the right, have worked in the politics of the racist, silent majority.
Trump speaks at Ladd-Peebles (Lee Hedgepath | Contributing Writer) Richard Nixon and his campaign staff had perfected this art of the appeal: carefully wrapping racist policies in cloudy rhetoric, thick enough to excuse, but thin enough to gin up their majority white, majority male voting base. Dog whistle politics. Republican rhetoric on cutting taxes is more prominent than ever. Welfare reform is the political play toy of our generation. Voter ID laws disenfranchise already vulnerable voting population with no actual benefit. Bussing is even still an issue in Alabama. We know what those policies need for minority communities, and what they really mean in the context of making America great again. In this election cycle, Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Rick Santorum, and all of the other hun-
dreds of Republican nominees for President may want to continue that dog whistle politics, preaching the politics of divisiveness through a measured, silver tongue. They can’t fool us. We know them by their policies. But don’t you wish they’d just say what they mean and mean what they say? That way it’d be easier to know it was your drunk uncle, sending you that email. Easier to mark as spam. I do. That’s why, racist or not, sexist or not, no plan for America or not, I say, and you should too: Thank you, Donald Trump. At least you’re honest.
Call Me Offensive: Humor and Halloween By STERLING SPENCER Contributing Writer Halloween is exactly 3 months away. This should present everyone with the opportunity to come up with a costume for the occasion. For college students this usually entails something something cheap and inexpensive. Normally these costumes tend to be humorous in nature. When they are humorous costumes they often are related to whatever big pop phenomenon is happening at the time. Unfortunately, this years target, Caitlyn Jenner, has quite a few eyebrows raised and a few people understandably upset. The issue with this costume is that many, if not all of the people who are wearing it are doing so with the intent of ridiculing Caitlyn Jenner for being transgender. This seems like a lofty claim but I can back this up with a little help from the stores that
sale the costume. The description for the costume on its website, Wholesalecostumes.com, is “You probably won’t break any Twitter records when you wear this outfit like Caitlyn did when she first made her account, but you’ll be sure to get a few laughs out of your friends and the other guests at the get together.” To add to the evidence the costume can be found in the men’s section under the category for humor. The picture of the costume even features a male model with a 5 o'clock shadow. There is even another wig on another website called the “Miss-ter wig.” There should be no doubt at this point that the costume has very little to do with the photo shoot or even Caitlyn herself. It is just a simple minded commentary on how transgender people are weird and funny. Now with that said, I should explain why you shouldn't be wearing this costume. The golden rule of comedy is always punch up and
never punch down. This means that those in higher positions of society tend to be acceptable targets as opposed to those who are in a lower positions. For example, Donald Trump is an acceptable Halloween costume. When people see you they know without a doubt you are making fun of Donald Trump and nothing else. No one else is being targeted except maybe his supporters by proxy but that is the risk you run with any political costume. Well, you might be thinking well Caitlyn Jenner is a celebrity. Why is she immune for criticism or even being mocked? The answer is that she isn't. It is just that the majority of the jokes and insults lobbed at her are based around her being a trans woman. Can you think of three Caitlyn Jenner jokes that don't reference her being trans in any way? You aren't actually making fun of her. She just happens to be a public figure that is trans that is the target of these transphobic jokes.
I am not completely against the idea of people mimicking the “Call me Caitlyn” photo shoot. In fact, many trans people have copied the photo shoot down to the finest details. The difference between their mimicry and the Halloween costume is that they do so to show solidarity with Jenner. They see Jenner as a role model and want to wish to emulate her. For these people Jenner has made it okay to be trans. I understand the need to be memorable at Halloween. It is the time of the year where you get to dress a little odd and have fun. This however, does not mean that you should use this time to take pot shots at an already marginalized group for a quick laugh. Millennials are often stereotyped as the selfindulgent and unsympathetic. Do not feed into that false and misguided stereotype by wearing this costume. If I do see you wearing this costume I will call you something: Offensive.
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AUG. 31, 2015
When will common sense practices reach South? Three ideas that I think could immensely benefit student morale on campus By ALEXANDER MOYLAN Opinion Editor This week I devoted a JagPulse to the idea of whether the Student Center should have a microwave in their building for students to use. The idea behind the JagPulse first came to be after a friend described the difficulty she has while eating on campus. I completely agree. It’s very difficult to eat on campus. Especially since my friend and I are vegetarians. Immediately, at least half of my meal options on campus are cut right there. What’s left are surely things I don’t want to eat 3-5 days a week while I’m on campus. So I ran with it. Come to find out, there is a microwave available to students adjacent to the POD in the lower level of the Student Center. Interestingly enough, only two of the seventeen respondents to my JagPulse knew the microwave existed. The remaining fifteen responses came from students who believed a microwave should be made available for students not only in the Student Center, but throughout campus, specifically in the Mitchell College of Business and the College of Education. Let’s collect our thoughts for a moment. There is a microwave in the Student Center that students can use. However, apparently no
one knows about it. Better yet, there’s one microwave in the #centerofitall for a campus of over fifteen thousand students. The microwave is only one of many issues that have drawn disappointment at South. The following are things that just don’t make sense to me, things that seem not to incorporate any common sense and just things that South plainly needs to address ASAP. 1. Parking Services I decided to play around with Parking Services the first week of school and parked all over the place knowing I’d only receive warnings. What’s hilarious to me is the fact that I can earn two citations for one problem. Apparently, I can earn a citation for being parked “out of zone” while earning another citation for not displaying a visible parking permit. Say what now? Okay, I understand earning a citation for not having a parking permit. What doesn’t make sense is giving me a citation for being parked out of my zone. Hello? I don’t have a zone. Remember, I haven’t purchased a parking permit. Why are there separate citations? Why not make some fifteen dollar “out of zone” combined with “parking permit not visible” citation? How about a “parked on campus without a permit/violation of zone park-
ing” citation, hmmm? Right, makes too much sense. 2. Marx Library Hours Moving on, the Marx Library. Why, oh why, do I need to struggle finding a place to study on nights and weekends? A 24/7 library seems out of the question for this campus. Last year I publicly criticized the University again and again for the poor recreation center hours as well as those of the library. A year later, the recreation center is open only one hour past last year’s closing time. I get it, no one wants to allocate funding to pay our library staff to stay past the current hours. All I’m asking for is the means to stay past midnight Sunday through Thursday and for my sanity, to stay past six and five p.m. on Friday and Saturday respectively. How many staff members does this require? I’m not even asking for someone to work the circulation desk. Heck, you can even restrict library patrons to a certain section of the building past the current closing times. Some of us need a place besides our homes and residence halls to study. It’s Mobile, Alabama, not New York City, good luck finding a place open past midnight to study without our own library offering common sense hours.
3. Transparency People can read this and call me a complainer. Go ahead, it won’t hurt my feelings. I’ve learned during my time thus far at South that unless you go to SGA, you’ll feel as voiceless as I have. Maybe the University is trying to address all the aforementioned issues. That’s great, I truly hope they are because my appreciation for this University’s staff and administration will soar if that’s the case. Sadly, my questioning here is emblematic of another problem: the lack of transparency. Sometimes, all I want to hear is that the University is trying to extend the library hours, trying to extend the recreation center hours, and trying to fix the relationship between students, faculty, staff and Parking Services. We don’t hear anything though. Not a peep. I’d be happier knowing this University’s administration tried something new for the benefit of its students but failed in the pursuit than being out of the loop completely. Let us, the students, believe we’re a bigger part of the decision making process than I currrently think we are. Extend the olive branch, South. When a more transparent South exists, I’m sure the morale of the students will rise.
JagPulse: Should there be more microwaves provided for students to use throughout the day in various buildings? Why or why not? PATRICK ODOM I know there is one by the pod, but having more than one would definitely help! I know myself and several other students would appreciate one! Especially being a commuter without a meal plan, trying to buy lunch on/off campus multiple days a week is pretty rough! Haha
SHELBY LYNN O’DELL Yes. Some students can’t afford to eat out every day. Also if a student is on a special diet.
LAURA FREEZE Yes, commuting students don’t have access to one and we all can’t afford to eat out everyday on campus. I too like the idea of having them in several common areas throughout campus! HEATHER HUDGINS There needs to be a microwave in the education building too!
CANDACE WILKERSON I think they should to. For
KARIMA KEMP YES. You have no idea how hard
us students who have bills has well as paying for school things we can’t always afford to pay for food or go home to eat during a break and then drive back.
it is to find a microwave anywhere on campus to use for your lunch during the day (for those of us who don’t work on campus or have microwaves in dorms)
HANNAH BECTON Absolutely, especially out of respect for students with dietary restrictions outside of South’s offerings that might need something heated up.
JANITA LORANE BALL I wish MCOB would get one. I’ve spent everyday in that building for 2 years and my life would have been so much easier had there been a microwave. I could eat a hot lunch.not something I left in the car all day. I can’t afford to eat out everyday or commute home everyday.
ALEXANDER MOYLAN OPINION EDITOR alm1323@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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AUG. 31, 2015
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AUG. 31, 2015