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Thursday, January 26, 2012

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E D I T O R I A L L Y

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Issue 11

http://utdailybeacon.com

Vol. 119

I N D E P E N D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906

S T U D E N T

N E W S P A P E R

O F

T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

PAGE 6 O F

T E N N E S S E E

Author, UT alumna shares writings I-House focuses on Saudi Arabian culture this week Kelsey Ray Staff Writer

• Photo courtesy of bermudaonion.net

Pamela Schoenewaldt, far right, meets with fellow author Heather Newton and a fan, Kathy, during a book signing on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. Schoenewaldt, author of “When We Were Strangers,” recently read from her novel at the Writers in the Library event in Hodges Library.

Taylor McElroy Staff Writer “Don’t die alone Erma,” was one of the first sentences uttered for UT’s own former creative writing teacherturned-novelist, Pamela Schoenewaldt. The audience’s eyes never left her as she coaxed their ears with a story of an Italian immigrant experience. On Monday Jan. 23, Schoenewaldt presented and read excerpts from her book, “When We Were Strangers.” Immediately following her reading, accompanied by Marina MaccariClayton, she led a quick question-andanswer portion where she discussed her writing process, the most difficult aspects of the book and most importantly, the socio-economic importance that comes from immigrants. Her novel kicked off this semester’s

Authors in the Library series sponsored by UT’s Department of English. “When We Were Strangers” tells a story of young Erma’s 1880s journey from her homeland of Opie, Italy to America. “While the genre is historical fiction, it still manages to open windows to the past, yet it’s accessible enough to be recognizable,” Schoenewaldt said. The idea for the novel occurred during her stint in Italy from the ‘90s to 2000. “I was immediately struck by the beauty and isolation,” Schoenewaldt said. “I kept envisioning a young person who only knew this place, feeling trapped, but also overwhelmed by the fear of leaving somewhere they’ve never left. “The most challenging part came as the main character becomes a vic-

tim of sexual violence. I had to empathize with the perpetrator of the act. It is much harder to go to the dark place.” The Q-and-A session started off with the author explaining one of the greatest examples of irony in history, its common belief that immigrants were easily accepted by other immigrants. In reality, there was a lot of isolation even among those who were strangers in the new country. Some interesting statistics given by Maccari-Clayton were that about 50 percent of historians who study immigrants are also immigrants or children of immigrants. She feels that the hardest part in studying these things is having to separate one’s own personal experience from other people’s experiences. See WRITERS on Page 3

countries, but a light golden-yellow. A plate of dates was offered as finger food to the guests. The process of making the specialized coffee can take anywhere from half an hour to three hours, depending on the quantity being made. Although a special kind of coffee pot is used for creating the mixture, a thermos works just as well for carrying it around. However, the coffee is typically taken in small amounts due to its potency. The traditional cups used are small and fit between the index finger and the thumb. Alkohaiz said having four or five cups during your first go is said to keep you from sleeping. Coffee is made in the mornings and evenings with family meals. In the spirit of hospitality, guests are served this coffee as well. Additionally, the beverage is served before meals, not after.

Mohammed Alkohaiz, a student through the English Language Institute and native of Saudi Arabia, shared an important aspect of his culture surrounding Arabic coffee with students and faculty on Tuesday evening in the International House Great Room. “In my country, when getting married, the first question asked to the woman is if she knows how to make coffee,” Alkohaiz said. Students and faculty quietly sipped at their coffee during the presentation. The ingredients lay on a table between the speaker and the audience. Coffee beans from Brazil, Yemen and Ethiopia, saffron from Iran, cardamom and cloves were some of the ingredients used. The color of the coffee is not black, like in most Western See SAUDI ARABIA on Page 3

BCC brings back opera series to campus

Jasmine Green Staff Writer

On Jan. 21, the Black Cultural Center and The Knoxville Opera hosted African American Voices. The series gives the public the opportunity to personally meet three of the most famous AfricanAmerican males in the opera industry. The artists sang two songs that were followed by a discussion of their journey to fame, along with a question-and-answer session. The first African American Voices program was held last semester in October. The first artist to kick off the series was Kevin Thompson. Noah Stewart, the second featured host, highlighted the event on Saturday. Both Stewart and Thompson are graduates of the Juilliard School in New York. The school specializes in dance, drama and music, and students have to audition before being accepted. Michael Austin will be the last featured artist during the month of April. Austin is internationally known for his roles as Otello, along with countless

other operas. The audiences of these events have been mostly adults. “More young people should definitely come out to programs like this because it can only benefit them,” Frederick Wagner, a member of The Knoxville Opera choir, said. “Opera isn’t boring, it’s storytelling because you’re learning others’ culture as you listen.” Stewart is a Harlem native who grew up with no intentions of becoming a singer. He had plans of being an engineer because his favorite subjects were math and science. “I was a just a regular kid that went to school and played sports on the side to stay out of the streets,” Stewart said. As a teenager, his interest in music peaked. He then decided to try out for the choir, and has been singing ever since. Stewart looked to opera as an alternative path toward success. “It was another option to succeed other than becoming a rapper or sports player, and I was good at it,” he said.

Stewart’s forte in opera has given him countless opportunities to succeed in what he loves. He had to miss his own graduation from Juilliard for a performance in Germany. However, opera is not Stewart’s only specialty. He has also sung back-up vocals for pop artists such as Mariah Carey, Hootie and the Blowfish and Coolio. Stewart has also done voice-overs for Sesame Street, along with other school television specials. Stewart even dreams to one day sing the Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl. When asked to give advice to students on success Stewart said, “What’s for you is for you. You’ll get your chance, just be ready when it comes.” Stewart will be performing the musical drama Romeo and Juliette on Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 12 at 2:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Theatre. The final dress rehearsal, on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m., is open to all students free of charge, courtesy of Comcast sponsorship. Upcoming events for Stewart include the release of his opera album in the spring. To keep track of Noah Stewart, follow his blog on Noahofficial.com as well as his Twitter @noahsoffical.


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