anguard V If it matters to you, it matters to us.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
THE
MONDAY NOV 13, 2017 VOL 1718 ISS 14
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Challenging mental health stigmas in the AfricanAmerican community SGA and USA Counseling & Testing Services will host a mental health forum. Page 4
USA Women’s basketball starts on high note
Jaguars end last home game with a win
The Lady Jags start with a win against Georgia Southwestern.
USA Jaguars beat Arkansas State in their last home game of the season.
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Hit-and-run investigation comes to a close
Cheyenne Sharp, a USA freshman, pictured with her boyfriend and USA student Nick Hacker before her hit-and-run incident. Photo courtesy of Ginny Reynolds Duron BY: RICHARD | ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR
USA Police identified the make and model of the vehicle that struck and injured University of South Alabama freshman Cheyenne Elizabeth Sharp in a hit-andrun incident on Sunday, Oct. 22 outside the University’s Delta 5 residence hall, according to Bob Lowry, director of communication and media relations at USA. A car matching the same description was involved in a single-vehicle crash that took the life of the driver, USA student Shandi Kristin
Jones later in the day, on Oct. 22, Lowry stated. The families of Sharp and Jones had no comment. “We put out the facts and we’ve told both of them [Jones and Sharp’s families], and certainly there is no win for anybody involved there,” USA Police Chief Zeke Aull said. “I do think the police work was good and that when you put it all together we have reached the right conclusion. But, there is no criminal charge that will be able to go forward. Normally if you hit someone and left the scene then we’d arrest you for that be-
cause it’s a crime, but, there is no person to charge now and therefore no crime.” The USA Police investigation included reviewing hours of video from surveillance cameras on campus, interviews with witnesses and information shared confidentially through the USA Police Department’s Silent Witness Program, according to Lowry. USA Police did not have much information at the beginning of their initial investigation. “There was not a whole lot of information at the time,” Aull said. “We had a witness that thought
they saw something and thought they could help us with a possible ID on the car, but our information was very limited and the chances, we thought at that time, at solving the case were extremely low. Little by little, you do what you do to try and investigate the case.” USA Police began by sifting through hours of surveillance camera footage and eventually noticed something suspicious recorded by a camera in the Epsilon area, close to where Sharp was struck, according to Aull. “We have over 700 cameras on campus, none of which caught the accident,” Aull said. “My detectives started investigating and looking at video and in all that time frame we saw a couple of cars pass near in front of the Epsilon area, one of which was moving quickly. You see some cars driving by at normal speed, but one particularly catches our attention. It looks likes it’s fleeing the scene and that caught our attention.” USA Police showed the camera footage to Sharp and a witness to the hit-and-run and both agreed that the car appeared familiar. Things started to line up and fall into place after USA Police received an anonymous tip through the Silent Witness Program. “We had someone tell us, ‘we believe the individual who died in a one-car accident that same day shortly after your incident was the person who struck your student,’ but we hadn’t put that together yet,” Continued on page 3
NEWS
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Vanguard THE
USA Crime Report
University of South Alabama Alpha Hall South Room 336 Mobile, Ala., 36688 Tel: 460-6898 I Fax: 414-8293 Advertising: (678) 644-7838 thevanguardeditor@gmail.com STAFF Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Asst. Managing Editor Copy Editor Opinion Editor Web Editor Reporters
Shannon Lundgren Marissa Mason Richard Narramore Amber-Lynn Boothe Rachel Goodman Krisha Amin Hannah Blackburn Hannah Clayton Charles Harrison Natasha Spradlin Rachel Sullivan Tricia West Photographers Briana Cunningham Shelby Guidry
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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.
Send letters and guest columns to: 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, JagMail 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. 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 Office of Student Media. Issues are available at most University buildings and select offcampus locations. Freelance writers and photographers will receive payment upon successful publication.
To request additional issues at a stand near you, email: vanguarddistribution@gmail.com
This week’s safety tip: don’t leave your laundry unattended. Photo by Jake Cannon
11/03/2017 Theft of Property Fourth Degree, $499 or less Stokes Hall laundry room Multiple articles of clothing were taken by unknown subjects out of the Stokes Hall laundry room without the owner’s permission. 11/03/2017 Theft of Property Fourth Degree, $499 or less Stokes Hall laundry room Unknown person(s) stole three pair of shorts from the Stokes Laundry Room. 11/03/2017 Theft of Property Fourth Degree, $499 or less Delta 6 dorms Students bicycle was stolen from the Delta 6 dorms. 11/03/2017 Theft of Property Fourth Degree, $499 or less Azalea Hall Unknown subject(s), with intent to deprive the victim of her property, did so by removing her wallet and $170 in US currency from her residence. Items taken total less than $500. 11/03/2017 Duty Upon Striking an Unoccupied Vehicle Computer Service Center parking lot Unknown person struck a parked vehicle, causing damage, and left the area.
11/03/2017 Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Motor Vehicle Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority House Unknown person, with intent to deprive owner of property, unlawfully entered victim’s unsecured vehicle while parked in the Alpha Omicron Pi parking lot. 11/04/2017 Driving Under the Influence Alcohol University Boulevard at USA Dive North On the listed date and time the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol was committed. 11/04/2017 Possession of Marijuana Stadium Blvd at Gamma Connector, Between the listed times and dates a student was found in possession of marijuana. 11/06/2017 Harassing Communications Delta 3 Victim reported that she was being harassed by a known person. 11/06/2017 Unlawful Breaking and Entering of a Motor Vehicle The Grove Unknown subject(s) took a wallet from a vehicle parked at The Grove. 11/06/2017 Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle Delta 6 Parking Lot Male student reported that some-
one entered his vehicle and stole his phone charger and aux cord. 11/06/2017 Theft of Property Fourth Degree, $499 or less Epsilon 1 laundry room Unknown person(s) took listed property belonging to listed victim without consent. The item was taken out of an unattended laundry room, and the value of the listed article taken is $45. 11/07/2017 Criminal Mischief Third Degree ($500 or less) Life Sciences Building On Nov. 6, 2017 between the hours of 0800 and 1400, unknown subject(s), with intent to cause damage to the victim’s property, did so by puncturing his car tire. Damage is less than $500.00 11/07/2017 Harassment or Harassing Communications Delta 6 A female student was harassed by an unknown female. 11/07/2017 Possession of Marijuana Second Degree Hillsdale - Lisloy Dr. and Hazeur Curve A student was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Resisting Arrest when confronted in the Hillsdale area.
If you SEE something, DO something! 251-460-6312
NEWS
Hit-and-run investigation continued
3 Upcoming Events 13 Monday
17 Friday
CISO & IE Week Luncheon Student Center Ballroom 12:30 - 1 p.m
Diwali 2017 Student Center Ballroom 6:30 - 10 p.m.
Muslim Spain in Christian and Muslim Sources Marx Library Auditorium 3 p.m.
Opera Tonight! Laidlaw Performing Arts Center 7:30 p.m.
NAACP meeting and forum Student Center Room 205 5 p.m.
18 Saturday
14 Tuesday Sharp suffered several injuries including a cracked rib, a head injury, bruised lungs and broken tibia and fibula bones. Photo courtesy of Ginny Reynolds Duron
Aull said. “Later that same evening, we were notified that one of our students was involved in a fatal car accident, but there was no reason for us to believe there was any connection.” USA Police followed up on the lead and began to piece together similarities and a time line, according to Aull. “Same kind of car, same everything. We time it, how long it takes to get from here to where the fatal car accident occurred and it all starts to match up. So at that point in time we were pretty confident that based on all these circumstances we believe we had found the car and the driver of that vehicle was the person who struck our student. There’s not that smoking gun so to speak, because the other party is deceased. But everything points in that direction.” USA Police are still waiting for the toxicology report on Jones, which could take up to three months, according to Aull. Aull explained that they shared the steps USA Police took in solving Sharp’s hit-and-run case and with Sharp’s family and that for now, there was not any additional information. While happy to bring the case to a close, Aull also expressed grief for
both Sharp’s and Jones’ family. “This is good police work, but we are not happy about it,” Aull said. “This is not a winning situation for anybody. We have people in our community who are mourning the loss of a child and mourning the loss of a classmate and a student. We also have Cheyenne and she is still part of our community and we are ecstatic that she is going to recover and continue to be Jaguar. Your balancing both parts, you have both parties who are a part of your community, and we are completely joyous that Cheyenne is going to be okay, because that could have been a lot worse and she is very fortunate. But on the other hand, you have a mom and a dad who buried their student two weeks ago.” The University Silent Witness Program allows members of the USA community to provide information about crimes and guarantees total anonymity. Information submitted through the program is confidential and no personal information is collected. Crimes reported are reviewed and investigated by the officers and staff of USA Police Department. Tips can be submitted to the Silent Witness Program at southalabama.edu/departments/ police/silentwitnessprogram.html.
Mind and Body Workshop 6-7:30 p.m. Marx Library Room 181 Game Night: Uno Wars Student Center 7-10 p.m.
Family Fun Day USA Archaeology Museum 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
19 Sunday Hedy and Heidi: The Lost Sister Student Center Ballroom 1 - 5 p.m.
NEWS
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Being Black and Feeling Blue BY: PATRICIA WEST | REPORTER
Being Black and Feeling Blue: A Conversation on Mental Illness in the Black Community is scheduled to be hosted by The Student Government Association and USA Counseling & Testing Services to discuss mental health within the African-American community on Tuesday, Nov. 14. “Mental health is such an important topic that needs to be discussed,” SGA President Carl Thomas Jr. stated. “It is also a topic that is taboo in the black community. So many individuals that we interact with on a daily basis have to deal with things such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, many individuals are afraid to seek help and guidance because of associated stigma. We want to provide our students with the opportunities to receive guid-
ance, answers and resources.” USA organization Active Minds will also be participating in the event and will be hosting their own booth. According to Christa Rich, a panelist for the event, the event stemmed from a visible need to inform the public about mental health issues African-Americans deal with and the reputation surrounding it. “I hope the event encourages people to help fight against the stigma, raise awareness of these mental illnesses and the issues they cause,” Rich said. “I want this event to be very informative, so much so that the audience may take facts away to share with others.” “Events like this are very important for our campus,” Rich stated. “As young college students, many people think that we’re invincible and exempt from things happening to us. These types of events will
It’s okay to reach out to someone if you feel like you need help. Photo by Briana Cunningham
teach students that mental illness is real and ways they can get help and give help.” Some USA students agree that talking about mental health, especially the mental health of minorities, is important for USA student life. “Some people like to blame those with mental health issues for their problems,” USA sophomore Jenee Maxey said.“I think this is because they think that everyone is like they are, and if you’re not then there’s something wrong with you.” “I think it [the forum] is important, because as a black student I feel like I wouldn’t fit the stereotype of the strong independent black woman anymore if I admitted to being depressed and that would be looked down upon,” USA Junior Chavoun Brown said. Director of Multicultural Student Affairs, Jarmora Valrie, also had an opinion on the issue.
“At the University of South Alabama, African-American students may be hesitant to discuss mental health issues and seek treatment because of stigmas passed down in families about keeping family secrets,” Valrie said. “There is also shame associated with the concept of mental health among the African-American community, therefore recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental conditions may be misunderstood and never diagnosed. The Student Government Association shows courage by tackling this topic and will bring light to issues traditionally kept in darkness.” The forum is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Fresh Food Company Dining Room. Students can call the Counseling and Testing Service at (251) 460-7051 with questions about the event or to request more information on mental health issues.
LIFE
MMoA unveils new exhibits
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Mobile International Festival Returns
Art lovers admire Renee Cox’s Chillin’ with Liberty. Photo courtesy of MMoA BY: BEN MORRIS | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Mobile Museum of Art recently unveiled several new exhibits that showcase the plight of minorities in the United States, along with talent from the University of South Alabama. One exhibit, “Posing Beauty,” is a collection of photography highlighting African-American artistic influence. Exhibit Curator Elizabet Elliott said the collection shows “what it means to be beautiful in African American culture.” The exhibit spans from the late 1890s to the present, and according to Elliott, “explores the lines between historical documentation through photography and art photography.” Another exhibit, “5 Mobile Artists,” highlights talent from local artists, most of whom were, or are, involved with the University of South Alabama in some way. The works include wood sculptures, paintings and portraits. According to Curator Stan Hackney, the displays show how the artists “have nurtured so many generations after them. They’re really the foundation of the art scene here in Mobile.” The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday. Student admission is $8, with ID, and admission is free for Mobile County residents on Thursday.
The Mobile International Festival gives Mobilians of all cultures the chance to share their heritage. Photo courtesy of Mobile International Festival BY: EMMA ROYAL | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Mobile International Festival returns for its 34th year to celebrate a wide variety of cultures and international influences in the Gulf Coast area on Nov. 18. This year, the festival will be held at the Mobile Civic Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. College students can get discounted festival tickets at the Civic Center on the day of the festival for $19, which will include $10 in food tokens. Festival goers can interact with people from countries they may never be able to visit. They can try the food, experience the entertainment and learn the culture at their booths, according to festival administrators. “We offer around 50 cultural booths, some of them are selling, some of them are non-selling, and then about 30 food booths where you can go and try food from that country specifically, that is a big hit,” Gabriela Chavez, education coordinator for the event, said. “We also put on entertainment on three stages throughout the day and each entertainer is connected to an international country.” Shelby Williamson, a senior in psychology at USA, said she had been to the festival many times on field trips when she was in grade
school. Williamson, who studied abroad over the summer, said that going to the festival had a big influence on her love of travel and appreciation for other cultures, especially their food. She said her favorite part of the festival is the delicious foods available to try. “It promotes positivity toward other cultures,” Williamson said. “You can meet people from all over the world and learn a small portion about them just from their food. Food says a lot about culture, because of the ingredients used and how it’s prepared. It can tell a lot about agriculture as well.” The executive director of the festival, Ester de Aguiar, graduated from the University of South Alabama with a degree in International Studies. She believes the festival is not only a fun experience, but it also promotes peace and unity on a level not often seen today. “The countries are all together and there are no borders, they have no politicians, they have no religion, all they have is cool stuff,” de Aguiar said. “It’s moving away from this idea of tolerance, that’s mostly talked about, and more to an idea of acceptance, because we do have a very diverse Gulf Coast community that’s not really highlighted,”
Chavez said. Festival administrators said the festival has something for everyone. For children, it is a learning experience like no other. For adults, it can be life-changing. “In our mission, I think for me what’s most visible is the impact we make on people,” de Aguiar said. “There are many, many stories of someone who was inspired by the festival and went on to learn several languages and went to travel and do amazing humanitarian work. It opens the world and lets them know that there is a world out there that is really different, but when it comes down we are all human; we have the same basic needs and it connects us on that level.” “All of a sudden it’s not me versus the other, it’s us,” de Aguiar said “So, it’s a beautiful thing. We promote a lot of human connection, if you will,” If you are considering going to the festival this year, but haven’t made up your mind, Chavez asks, “Do you like to have fun? Then you’ll enjoy it.” “If you’re looking for a good time and good food, then you need to come on down and give us a try,” de Aguiar said. To find out more, visit them online at mobileinternationalfestival. org.
LIFE
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Veteran sisters to bring jobs to Mobile
Veterans and sisters Tiffany Graves and Tara O’Brien are hoping to bring jobs to the Mobile community. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Graves and Tara O’Brien BY: CAYLA MYERS | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Sisters and veterans Tiffany Graves and Tara O’Brien are working together to make a difference in the Mobile community. Tiffany Graves served eight years in the Army. Her inspiration to join goes back to her roots. Both of her parents were in the Army. She was offered an ROTC scholarship, but she did not accept because she didn’t want to join the Army directly as an officer. Instead, she enlisted to serve in the Army in the same fashion as her parents. Graves started out in transportation, driving trucks, buses and tractor trailers. From 2004-2005, she deployed to Iraq, where she served over 30 combat missions in the Army as a gunner. Graves shared how her Iraqi deployment was with her sister, Tara, who volunteered to go with her on deployment, even though she was in another unit at the time. “Deployment together gave us a bond like no other,” Graves said. “There is no one who knows me better in this world than Tara.” Graves’ service taught her lessons that she uses in civilian life.“Understanding what a leader is and what kind of I leader wanted to be and didn’t want to be,”
Graves said. “Being able to put your head down and push through no matter what the situation or process is, furthermore finding joy in the process itself,” Graves said about her service. O’Brien was inspired to join the Army because she valued national service and desired to give back to her country. Also like Graves, her family was a strong influence on her decision to join. O’Brien served a total of ten years between the Army and the Army National Guard, working on computers. When she joined the Florida National Guard, she was a transportation specialist, but eventually trained in Human Resources and became an administrative NCO. According to O’Brien, deployment reinforced the value of freedoms that is experienced in the U.S. for her. “Being exposed and living in an unstable, developing country has a tremendous impact on a person’s life perspective and priorities,” O’Brien said. “Military life contributed to our bond that was already strong from being in a military household where your family are your closest and most stable support system,” O’Brien said. Since settling back into the civilian world, some of the most powerful lessons O’Brien learned from service were perseverance, determination and that quitting is never an option. “When you feel you can’t keep going, you can still go a third of the more of the way,” O’Brien said, quoting her father, an Army and Airborne Ranger veteran. Graves and O’Brien combined their leadership experience from the military when they founded T3 Industries, LLC in 2015. They hope to bring job opportunities to Mobile and be an asset to Mobile businesses. “T3i brings exceptional program management, training, leader development and administrative support capabilities,” according to the
company’s Facebook page. “We offer technical expertise, solid past performance, seasoned corporate leadership/management, flexibility and a rapid response capability. T3i has in place the necessary infrastructure to provide exceptional
“As women, and for some men of course, we have a number of priorities in life that we have to balance. For some of us, we are wives, mothers, care givers and so on,” -Tiffany Graves contract management.” “As women, and for some men of course, we have a number of priorities in life that we have to balance. For some of us, we are wives, mothers, care givers and so on,” Graves said. “Tara and I really wanted to help our families financially, pursue our career goals
and having flexibility to raise our family. We also just really enjoyed spending time together and wanted to think of way we could do that and still bring home an income. With our backgrounds and passions, T3 Industries, LLC was born.” T3 Industries, LLC is registered to do business in the state of Ala. and Fla. “While T3 Industries is based in Tallahassee, we are registered to do business in Alabama!” according to Graves. “Our company is unique in that while we have specializations based on our experience, our services can span across any field. T3 Industries offers consulting services that help companies (both private and public sector) develop quality assurance programs to ensure utmost compliance with state and federal regulations.” To learn more or get information about T3 Industries, LLC visit t3industries.com/
THE MODERN LIVING EXPERIENCE
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LIFE
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USA Theatre majors Thomas Deen IV and Abigail St. John played George Gibbs and Emily Webb respectively. Photo by Briana Cunningham
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Rebecca Gibbs, played by Katlyn Eller, and George Gibbs, played by Thomas Dean IV, admired the moon. Photo by Briana Cunningham
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Sadie Bell Freeman performed the role of Stage Director. Photo courtesy of Briana Cunningham
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Miranda Lambert (pictured center) played the role of Mrs. Gibbs. Photo by Briana Cunningham
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Martin William Cicco Jr. played the role of Mr. Webb. Photo by Briana Cunningham
Floor plans are artist’s rendering. Square feet and configuration may vary between individual apartments. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Please contact sales associate for additional details and information.
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SPORTS
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Women’s basketball opens with a win BY: CHARLES HARRISON | REPORTER
South Alabama Women’s Basketball picked up a 73-42 win over the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes to begin the season. The Jags found their stride quickly with senior guard Erin Autio hitting a three-point shot giving the Jags a 3-2 lead. The Hurricanes’ Tyisha Moore then got her second score of the game giving the Hurricanes their last lead of the night. Jags’ senior guard Genesis Perrymond hit a jump shot with 7:37 to go in the first period that would give the Jags a lead they kept through the rest of the game. The Jags then put the pressure on the Hurrianes outscoring them 22-7, and forcing five turnovers. The Jags struggled in the second period trading shots to keep the Hurricanes at bay. In a period where the Georgia Southwestern would outscore the Jags 19-9 “Second quarter, our defense
wasn’t as good, and [Georgia Southwestern]were scoring.” head coach Terry Fowler said. The Jags finished out the half leading 31-26 after making only five of 24 attempted shots in the second quarter. The third period went much like the first with the Jags shredding the Hurricanes defense outscoring them 21-9. Senior center Chyna Ellis lead the Jags through the third scoring seven points and grabbing eight rebounds in a night where she would set a personal best with 14 total rebounds. The Jags headed into the fourth period leading 52-35 The Jags outscored the Hurricanes 21-7, setting up a huge 73-42 win to open their season. For a team that went (5-13) last season, opening the season with a win was crucial, and after giving up on average 54.5 points a game last season holding the Hurricanes to only 42 points was an excellent start.
The Jags plan to head to North Carolina to take on North Carolina State and North Carolina at Chapel
Hill. For more information about Jaguar Athletics go to USAJaguars. com
The Jags ready themselves to take on Georgia Southwestern. Photo by Briana Cunningham
Jags take down Red Wolves they did that we were going to have a chance,” head coach Joey Jones The USA Jaguars (4-6, 3-3 SBC) said. “That’s all I asked them to do forced six turnovers to top Sun today. I just wanted them to play Belt Conference rivals Arkansas their tails off every play. The ofState Red Wolves 24-19 on senior fensive line, the defensive line and day and Veteran’s Day Saturday at Ladd-Peebles stadium in their final every player on the field did that.” After Minter’s rush touchdown, home game of the season. In the matchup, quarterback Cole the other points would come from a 39 yard pass completion from Garvin threw 25-45 for a total 343 Garvin to Harris and a 16-yard yards and two touchdown passes, with his longest being 41 yards to receiver Jordan McCray who had 72 total yards. Other notable receivers include Malik Stanley, who picked up 60 yards in the game, Jamarcus Way with 66 yards, Kawaan Baker with 48 yards and Sam Harris with 56 yards. Running back Tra Minter also put a 5-yard touchdown run on the stats column. “I challenged the kids today and told them to try and whip [Arkansas State’s] tail every play, and if Jaguars celebrate their win over Arkansas BY: HANNAH BLACKBURN | REPORTER
State. Photo by Briana Cunningham
completion from Garvin to Baker; this was Baker’s first career touchdown. “I felt like it was due time to make a play,” Harris said. “I just made a play when we needed it to happen.” The shining moment for the Jags’ defense was a forced fumble by linebacker Bull Barge that was recovered by safety Malcolm Buggs at the goal line in the final minutes of the game to prevent a possible Arkansas State comeback. “He [Arkansas State’s quarterback] tried to jump over me and I guess my head hit the ball perfectly,” Barge said on the play. “When I hit the ground, I thought he scored and I turned around and saw the ball rolling and I just wanted to lay down and cry. That was the biggest play of my life, ever.” Barge had double-digit tackles for the first time in his career
including 8 solo and 5 assisted. Defensive linemen Darrell Songy and Jeremy Reaves would have 6 and 9 solo tackles respectively. The Jags would have four different players with interceptions from Songy, Sean Grayer, Tobias Moss and Reaves in the final minute of the game ending a possible Red Wolves comeback. “That was the perfect way I wanted to go out,” Reaves said. “I’m so proud of my teammates, and it’s a great feeling to know I’ve got ten guys behind me who are going to bust their behinds just like I am. I’m proud of my offense, I’m proud of Bull [Barge], I’m proud of everything. This is a great team, and we made plays when we needed to.” USA will travel to Georgia Southern on Saturday to take on the Eagles at 2 p.m. in Statesboro,Ga. To find out more on the Jags’ football program visit USAJaguars.com.
OPINION
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Are China and Russia superpowers?
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and previous Chineese President Hu Jintao shaking hands. Photo courtsey of en.kremlin.ru
both “hard power” and “soft power,” despite the fact that America’s position may have begun to slip America is clearly the only fullin 2008—due to the 2008-2009 fledged superpower in the world financial crisis; military failures in today. However, I have been surAfghanistan and Iraq; its inability prised to discover that many people to end the wars in Libya, Syria, and I have spoken to believe that China Yemen; its failure to halt North and Russia are superpowers as well. Korea’s nuclear program; PresiTherefore, I decided to write this dent Donald Trump’s controversial brief essay, debunking that myth leadership; and the perception of and providing those individuals gridlock in Washington.“Hard some idea of how to compare three power” is a country’s ability to get of the most powerful countries on its way or obtain desired outcomes the world stage. through military power (coercion) To understand why most scholor economic influence (aid or payars do not consider China a sument). “Soft power” is a country’s perpower or Russia a full-fledged ability to shape preferences and superpower, it is important to first influence the behavior of others via understand the etymology of the attraction or persuasion. term and then compare America to According to Joseph Nye, who China. I also thought it might help coined the two terms, America’s readers understand China’s global “soft power” comes from its culstatus by explaining how Russia lost ture, institutions of higher learning, its “superpower” position. political values (freedom, democraThe majority of scholars and jourcy, and human rights), perception nalists view the U.S. as the world’s as the land of opportunity, and the only full-fledged “superpower” in BY: DR. MIR ZOHAIR HUSAIN| CONTRIBUTING WRITER
perceived legitimacy of its foreign policy. The term “superpower” was first coined immediately after the U.S. successfully led the Allied nations in defeating Germany (May 8, 1945) and forcing Japan’s surrender after dropping atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 1945). Around this time, the U.S. also gained this title when it began playing a dominant role in establishing a new global economic, legal, and political order. The term “superpower” was used to distinguish America from the other “Great Powers” (Britain, France, and Germany). In 1949, after the Soviet Union detonated atom bombs, it too was called a superpower. This bipolarization of the global system ushered in the Cold War, which lasted until 1989. Both superpowers were geographically large with sizeable populations; were eager to promote their respective ideologies (U.S. capital-
ism and Soviet communism) with missionary zeal all over the world; possessed a huge arsenal of stateof-the art conventional and nuclear weapons, as a result of their ferocious arms race; supplied weapons and economic aid to allies; and engaged in unrelenting espionage, propaganda, and proxy wars all over the world. Today, the U.S. defense establishment remains unprecedented. The U.S. spends over $600 billion annually on defense ($700 billion, according to President Trump), and that alone accounts for approximately 40% of global military spending. In fact, the U.S. spends three times as much on military research and development as the next six most-powerful nations combined. Russia has been viewed as the second-most-powerful “military superpower” in the world. However, Russia’s position as a Continued on page 10
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OPINION
China. America has as many as 19 aircraft carriers, while China full-fledged superpower has has only one. In fact, the U.S. still greatly eroded since the 1991 colhas 38 named bases throughout lapse of the Soviet Union because the world, while China has only Russia lacks the economic dimenone military base abroad in Djision of hard power, as it can barely bouti. Furthermore, the U.S. is far provide a decent standard of living ahead of China in the space race, for its own citizens, let alone prowith better rocketry and satellites vide foreign economic aid. It is also in space, to name a few. As far as sorely lacking in soft power. military prowess is concerned, After all, few countries see Russia America’s position reflects that of a as a role model and very few, if any, superpower, unlike China. individuals have made a concerted As for diplomatic presence, the effort to move there. In fact, since U.S. again reflects what a super1991, thousands of Russians have power is. While both governments emigrated from their homeland, have embassies and consulates and very few have returned. around the world, the U.S. has Now, let us consider why China them in far more countries. Ameralso does not meet the title of “suica had a 70- to- 80-year head start perpower.” It may have the second- in playing a key role in establishlargest economy in the world (after ing international military, ecothe U.S.), and it may have even nomic, political, and legal instituenjoyed a spectacular and sustained tions. period of economic growth with The U.S. assisted its allies in win7% to 10% GDP growth rate since ning World Wars I and II; played a implementing reforms in the early major role in establishing military 1980s. However, it lags far behind alliances around the world; and was the U.S. in both hard and soft primarily responsible for the postpower. Unlike the U.S., World War II international order China’s official defense budget (with numerous international laws was merely $146 billion in 2016. and institutions). Even if we accept the Western The U.S. is also well known for its scholars who claim that the numphilanthropic organizations such as ber is approximately $200 to $220 the Bill and Melinda Gates Founbillion, it is still only one-third of dation, its multinational corporaU.S. defense spending. tions, such as Coca-Cola, Ford, and Unlike China, America has far Apple, as well as its championing of better trained, armed, and led human rights across the globe. servicemen across all branches of The U.S. helped create the League its armed forces. The U.S. also has a of Nations in 1919 and the United superior array of conventional and Nations in 1945. In fact, initially, non-conventional weapons. The 50% of the U.N. budget was funded latter are also known as “weapons by the U.S. However, today, the U.S. of mass destruction,” or WMD, contributes three times more than which include nuclear, chemical, China does (the U.S. with 22%, biological, and radiological weapChina with 7.9%). The U.S. has ons. also contributed far more military, The U.S. has developed far more economic, and humanitarian aid accurate and lethal intercontinenaround the world. Furthermore, the tal ballistic missiles (ICBMs) than U.S. still heavily influences many China. The U.S. also has many more multilateral institutions. more submarines, with submarine- Unlike China, the U.S. not only launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) created the North Atlantic Treaty and strategic bombers (that can Organization, the United Nations, even evade radar detection) than the World Bank, the International
Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization—known as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or GATT, which was a set of multilateral trade agreements aimed at the significant reduction of protectionism and promotion of free trade between 1948-1994—but it also heavily influences them to this day. In fact, the U.S. continues to have significant influence over many governments around the world. Furthermore, America, with only 5% of the world’s population, produces about 25% of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), while China, with 20% of the world’s population, produces a fraction of that amount. One must look at GDP per capita with purchasing power parity (PPP), which considers the relative cost of living and inflation rates in countries, rather than using only exchange rates (which may distort the real differences in income). The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had the U.S. GDP per capita at $57,436 (ranked 11th in the world out of 191 countries), while China was $15,399 (ranked 78th). The World Bank had the U.S. at $57,467 (ranked 9th), while China was $15,535 (ranked 70th). The CIA’s World Fact Book had the U.S. at $57,300 (ranked 13th), while China was $15,400 (ranked 81st). In other words, overseas businesses want to sell their goods and services in America because Americans are big spenders, and the U.S. is one of the most lucrative markets in the world. It is true that nearly 400 million Chinese have entered the middle class since the mid-1980s. However, that means over a billion are still languishing in relative poverty, compared to their counterparts in America and other developed countries. An important measure of socioeconomic development is the World Bank’s Human Development Index (HDI), which encompasses GDP per capita, literacy
Superpowers, continued Continued from page 9
rates, level of education, healthcare, and life expectancy. Out of the 188 countries studied by the World Bank, America ranks 10th, whereas China ranks 90th. America also provides its citizenry with greater job opportunities and a much higher standard of living. Besides enjoying hard power, the U.S. has also enjoyed immense soft power since 1945. In this regard, America still remains culturally, intellectually, and scientifically dominant in the global system. Most countries want to be America’s friend. China is not a nation of immigrants like the U.S., and therefore does not draw talented people from all over the world. China’s political system and sociocultural environment also do not provide the freedom that is essential for cultivating sustained creativity and innovation. Millions of students from all over the world want to come to the United States to study at the best institutions of higher learning in the world. Tourists flock to the U.S. in droves in order to see America’s many tourist sites. Additionally, American culture spreads around the world, thanks to Hollywood, the internet (an American invention), television programs (such as Sesame Street), and nearly 40% of the world’s printed material (books, journals, magazines, and newspapers). In conclusion, while the U.S. continues to hold on to its superpower status, China has not reached that level yet. However, China could achieve the status of superpower within the next 15-20 years under certain conditions. It must continue its rapid GDP growth rate and infrastructure development; its rapid modernization, expansion, and strengthening of its defense establishment; developing and consolidating its economic, social, political, and diplomatic ties with countries around the world; and further increases its role in the international institutions.
DISTRACTIONS
Food trivia
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1) What are the three main ingredients in the campfire treat known as a “s’more”? 2) Traditionally, the term “caviar” refers to the salt-cured roe of which fish? 3) Mexican tortillas were originally made from the grain of which plant? 4) What dish, made from crushed durum wheat, is a staple of western North Africa? 5) Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay opened his first restaurant in what city?
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