V THE VIDETTE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018 Vol. 130 / No. 43
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NEWS 3
FEATURES 6
RSOS TALK ABOUT BLACK ‘BLACK PANTHER’ LEADS HISTORY MONTH’S IMPORTANCE THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE
SPORTS 8
’BIRDS WIN OVER THE BULLDOGS
PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE
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ISU alumna plans to visit all 59 national parks
Graduate plans on visiting every park in 18 months CINDY HERNANDEZ News Reporter | @Cindylu_7
been her loyal companion. Both will make their trip in a renovated van they will With a background in camp in for the duration of journalism and a passion their journey. for national parks, Illinois Slevin currently works State University alumna as a marketing consultant Summer Slevin ’16, has set and virtual assistant and out to visit all 59 national has accommodated her life parks in 18 months. and job to work remotely After graduation, Slevin while on this trip. spent a lot of time travelAlthough Slevin hopes ing and visiting national everyone will listen to her landmarks while trying to stories, she thinks millennifigure out the direction she als will be able to relate to her wanted her life to head. most and will understand The first time she visited the impact she is hoping to a national park was after make on this journey. college when she visited Slevin said she feels milRocky Mountain National lennials have changed the Park. Her love for parks way they live by minimalbloomed at that moment. izing and does not think With the loss of nine her generation finds setboard members of the tling down in one place as National Park Service and appealing as people have in the current administration, the past. Courtesy of Summer Slevin To follow her jourSlevin has felt that national Slevin is on a mission to visit every national park in the United States. ney and to listen to her park protection and prespodcast, follow her page ervation has become a on www.facebook.com/ political issue. these parks about their experiences during Slevin’s first trip to a national NatParkStories or contact her at She feels that it is important for while giving her own perspective on park. From that moment, he has natparkstories@gmail.com. people to learn the story and history the importance of preserving each of each park. park. “This trip isn’t about me, the Along with her podcast, Slevin point of this is to inspire others to will also launch a funding camvisit and protect the parks,” Slevin paign in May in which she will look said. “I want this to be about the for sponsors to help her through her people impacted by the parks and journey. their stories.” Slevin will begin her journey Slevin will launch her podcast in July and her first stop will be Nat Park Stories in May, which will Alaska, where she will visit all eight be available on iTunes, in which she national parks in the state. She will will post the stories she encoun- also visit the parks outside the conters along her journey through the tinental United States, including parks. Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. “I love telling stories and meetThough her journey will be long, ing people and every national park it will not be lonely as her dog, has its own story,” Slevin continued. Rocky Road Trip, will accompany She will interview park rangers, her. historians and people that live in Rocky Road Trip was adopted
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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018
Black Heritage Ball celebrates Black History Month STAR JOHNSON News Reporter | @Star2flyy_
Onoriode Dugbo | Vidette Photographer
A speaker at the 2017 Black Heritage Ball in the Bone Student Center.
Illinois State University’s Black Student Union (BSU) will host its annual Black Heritage Ball at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Brown Ball Room of the Bone Student Center as part of Black Heritage Weekend. This is the 34th Black Heritage Ball. The event will celebrate black culture and excellence with performances, dinner, dancing and a keynote speaker, Teju the Storyteller. He is one of the nation’s leading authorities on African spirituality and culture. He was selected because of his high energy, incredible ability to tell a story and his expertise of African folklore, President of BSU Tyra Smith said. Other performers include Noir Dance Troupe, VisionMade, Tenacious and Outlandish. During the event, the Black Colleagues Association will present the Black Heritage Ball Scholarship to two students for academic excellence and the BSU will award two students the honor of Mr. and Ms. BSU for campus involvement.
The theme of this year’s ball will be “Coming to America Experience,” based off of the 1988 Eddie Murphy movie. ”We chose this [theme] because the times we are portrayed as kings and queens in movies and television are few and far between,” Smith said. “We wanted to celebrate our culture by taking inspiration from a movie that many people know and love.” Co-sponsors of the Black Heritage Ball include the University Program Board, the Student Government Association, the Black and Latino Male Movement and the Black Colleagues Association. Students attending the event are encouraged to wear formal attire. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the community. For additional information, contact Diversity Advocacy Diversity Specialist Whitney Mittons at wvmitto@ilstu.edu. Star Johnson is a news reporter for The Vidette. She can be reached at vidette_sjohns7@Exchange.ilstu.edu Follow her on Twitter at @Star2flyy_
ISU’s black community talks importance of Black History Month ANDREW DOUGHERTY Senior News Reporter | @addough
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ince 1976, the month of February is used to remember the contributions and achievements of black people throughout history. Black History Month (BHM), also known as National African-American History Month, is observed all across the United States as organizations, universities, cities, states and countries host events that educate, highlight and reflect on the culture and struggle of the black community. Illinois State University is home to several black registered student organizations dedicated to educating and engaging the campus community on the importance and impact that the black community represents. “Nationally, having a month dedicated to acknowledging black history in America, and celebrating their existence, is an invitation to those who may not know to celebrate the achievements of black people in America,” ISU Impact Movement student leader Abby Ngamboma said. “It allows native born Americans, [and] those who migrate to the country, to know that black history is not just a story of slavery, or Jim Crow, but it is a story of resilience and overcoming despite all odds,” she said. Diversity Advocacy Specialist Whitney Mittons said one point of celebrating BHM is that black students are underrepresented on campus and BHM is a way to celebrate, stand in solidarity and call attention to part of black history that otherwise may not be highlighted. “I can speak for myself and not our office, but in particular, one
big thing is to call attention to is looking back at black history and taking a look at what happened before slavery,” Mittons said. “When it is taught in schools and on campus you see black history start with slavery.” “That is why black culture identifies with being African because it goes further than those parts of history that have been erased,” she continued. “If someone was taken as a slave from Nigeria, they couldn’t speak that language or be a part of those customs.” President of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club (NACWC) Kendra Randall said that as a student, she takes pride in having representation in the Student Government Association, but there is a gap in representation in other important areas at ISU. “I’m a business major myself and I have never had an African American professor, let alone a female African American professor,” Randall said. “Representation matters, and I think that it is important to see someone who looks like you and shares those experiences with you in positions of power such as professors and things of that nature.” “As of right now, I am the only person of color in all of my classes this semester and this is the first time that its ever happened,” she said. “I’ve heard people say that before, but I’ve never experienced it for myself before, ironically my last semester. Now that I’m the only person of color now, I feel like I speak for and represent an entire community and I shouldn’t have to.” Randall said two messages the NACWC will focus on this year, with regard to their events, is representation and history.
Vidette Archive Photo
Students and facility came together for the Black Lives Matter rally on the Quad to try to bring awareness to the campus. “We kind of get the same history over and over again when we talk about Malcolm X and [Martin Luther King Jr.], but we want to talk about the more unsung heroes and the people that have done amazing things and have changed the narrative of a lot of things that we don’t really hear much often,” she said. The NACWC shows films at the Cardinal Court Theater to highlight those that exemplify how black Americans have overcome adversity. “Racial tensions are nowhere near where they used to be but we can all still relate to a black face in a white place and even when
New TV-10 show ‘What’s Happenin’?’ produced by all black ISU students KEVIN SCHWALLER News Editor | @kevschwa
The new Illinois State University TV-10 live talkshow “What’s Happenin’?” kicked off this semester, airing every other week
from 6:30-7 Wednesday nights. The show is produced by senior public relations major Kayla Scott, senior broadcast journalism major Ashley Shannon and senior TV production major Joshua Jones. “What’s Happenin’?” airs live in the ISU
they’re hit with racial slurs, seeing them revel in excellence is very important for young black people to see,” she said. SGA’s off-campus senator and president of the Minority Students for Political Change Jason Hale explained that he ran for the senate position to make a change and advocate for minority students at ISU. “I ran to diversify SGA and give a minority perspective at the table as well as to educate them on a number of issues,” Hale said. “The University is not doing enough to keep black men in school and there are microaggressions everywhere. The University fails to speak out
residence halls on channel 5, as well as on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. “It is made up of and produced by an all black cast,” Shannon said. “TV-10 has given us the ability to have our own entertainment show.” The talkshow focuses on everything from wordly issues, issues in the college community, to various topics in the entertainment industry. Various things happen throughout the shows, including DJ music battles and giveaway prizes for audience members.
on racism and doesn’t make us feel safe and like we are wanted here.” “BHM has become a goingthrough-the-motions thing,” he added. “It has become a ‘let’s talk and act like we appreciate black people, but not do anything to actually make black students feel welcome.’” Hale stressed that acknowledging the achievement and history of the black community in this country is important. Nationally, he said it is great because the world gets to reminisce on black accomplishments.
“What’s Happenin’?” joins “It’s So Funny,” “Sports Zone,” “The Bottom Line” and “Ten on 10” on TV-10’s lineup, along with its regular daily broadcast. The next show w ill air March 7. Ever y show is filmed in Fell Hall. Kevin Schwaller is a news editor and columnist for The Vidette. He can be reached at vidette_kschwal@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @kevschwa.
Viewpoint
PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE
VIDETTE EDITORIAL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018
It’s time to listen, end the tragedies
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fter the events of Feb. 14, dread and tragedy covered the nation. Another school shooting with another high body count. Another shooter who logically shouldn’t have had access to guns. But something is different about this one. In the immediate aftermath, we all said, “Nothing is going to change,” when it comes to gun control. The survivors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, are speaking out, and their voices must be heard. This is one of the first times that students have been so vocal about what was happening. Their presence on social media is forcing the public not to look away, not brush it under the rug, not come up with new excuses of why it happened or anything that would take away the focus on the fact that what happened was wrong and it needs to be stopped. Cameron Kasky, Sarah Chadwick and Emma Gon-
zalez have some of the loudest voices. They’re only high school students, but they represent themselves and their cause so much more eloquently than some top officials in the state. Chadwick, in particular, has had multiple viral tweets as she refuses to let anyone besides the survivors dominate the conversation. When you think about how many mass shootings this country has gone through during the time these students have been in school, it makes sense why
they’re being loud. When Sandy Hook and Aurora happened, they were in middle school or even elementary school. Pulse happened a year and a half ago; Parkland was three hours away; and Las Vegas is still in recent memory. These high school students have grown up in a country that continued to devalue their lives by continuing to roll back gun control regulations. Regulations that could have stopped the alleged shooter from acquiring an
assault rifle because he was on an FBI watchlist before the shooting. These kids are angry, tired, traumatized and determined it won’t happen again. Some have tried to criticize the students by telling them their activism is overshadowing their grief. In response, Gonzalez had to say, “This is how I’m dealing with my grief. The thing that caused me grief, the thing that had no right to cause me grief, the thing that had no right to happen in the first place, I have to do something actively to prevent it from happening to somebody else.” Parkland, Florida, is calling out to the rest of the country “Never again.” And it’s time. It’s time for mass shootings to stop. Time for students to not fear for their lives. Time for public places to stop being unsafe. Time for it stop. Never again should a family be on pins and needles waiting to hear if their missing member is among the the ones who won’t return. Never again.
Editorial Cartoon by Samantha McIntyre | Vidette Editorial Cartoonist
EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by KAYLA JANE JEFFERS, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the University.
‘Black Panther’ success shows need for diversity MY VIEW KEVIN SCHWALLER | Columnist
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hose who know me know there are at least 257 things I would rather do than watch a superhero movie. It’s not anything personal; I just grew up with Disney movies, “ScoobyDoo” and “Pokémon.” I never really cared for Batman or Iron Man (except “The Dark Knight” was fantastic, but I digress). And with that, “Black Panther” is one of the absolute best movies I have ever seen. When I first heard about Disney and Marvel finally making a “Black Panther” movie, I was surprised; this film has been in pre-production stages and under different production companies for over two decades. While it was shelved time and time again, “The Avengers” characters were dominating
box offices. While it was shelved time and time again, I was being represented time and time again on the big screen. I had all these superheroes, I had Harry Potter, I had Luke Skywalker. And as a white guy, I will continue to have these characters. And then they finally announced Marvel’s most recent superhero film, with a predominately black cast and a wide release under one of the biggest movie studios on this planet, would be released in February – Black History Month. Kids who rarely get the chance to see themselves represented in movies can view this one and identify as T’Challa, Nakia, Killmonger and so many others. It is a movie about so much more than a superhero. It is about family, loss, coming together and helping people. It is a celebration of culture with music, costumes and more paying homage to Africa through the fictional country of Wakanda. It is one of the most prominent examples of actual black representation in Hollywood, both by its narratives and by its cast and crew. As we know from the numbers, “Black Panther” is already one of
the biggest movies of all time. And it hasn’t even been out for a full week. It blew away its competition within the Marvel Cinematic Universe during their opening weekends. Films like “Iron Man 3” and “Captain America: Civil War” have all been left in the dust by T’Challa and his warriors, leaving only “The Avengers” with a higher opening weekend gross. It now has the best pre-summer opening of all time. Its only notable competition was last year’s “Beauty and the Beast,” but the panther defeated the beast. According to Fandango, “Black Panther” had the fifth best opening weekend of all time, behind juggernauts like the first “Avengers” film, as well as “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi.” The film is also the best-reviewed comic book movie of all time, with a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. So, hopefully Marvel – and every other film studio - will get the message loud and clear: audiences want these movies. Films featuring diverse casts are just as successful, profitable and loveable as films with whitemajority casts. And movies made by directors and writers of color deserve
REGGIE IN THE NEST by SAMANTHA MCINTYRE | Vidette Cartoonist
bigger budgets. Studios will clearly be rewarded for their efforts. This has been evident with films like “Get Out” and “Hidden Figures,” but just now seems to be the biggest “I TOLD YOU SO!” in Hollywood. “Get Out” was a powerhouse all throughout 2017 and managed to garner four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Jordan Peele. “Hidden Figures” was the highestgrossing 2017 Best Picture nominee and won the prestigious Best Ensemble award at last year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards. These numbers matter. This success matters. Hollywood really owes it to all audiences to make movies created by and starring people of color. Kids of color need to see themselves represented. White kids need to see people of color be represented. Wakanda forever. Kevin Schwaller is a senior journalism major and news editor and columnist for The Vidette. He can be reached at vidette_kschwal@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @kevschwa.
MORE OPINIONS ONLINE
Editorial: Florida high school shooting survivors show hope for country without gun violence Jeffers: Obama breaks from toxic tropes in official portrait Dear Cupid: How can I make the first move? Visit The Vidette’s website or mobile app for complete details on these web-only opinion pieces by Vidette Editorial Board
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THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018
Meet the candidate Gill talks another chance at politics with run for 13th District EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the fourth in a series of profiles of candidates in Illinois. ANDREW DOUGHERTY Senior News Reporter | @addough
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n his second attempt to challenge Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Taylorsville), Dr. David Gill said he believes voters in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District will elect him and the progressive values he stands for as the Democratic candidate in the March 20 primary election. Gill grew up in the city of Niles, Illinois, when his father passed away at the age of 37 leaving the young 13-year-old in a situation where he had to bus tables and wash dishes in a restaurant to help support his family. He attended both college and medical school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign before moving to Iowa to complete his residency training in family practice. After several years as a family physician, he switched over to full-time practice in emergency medicine in 1996. Gill said he first became interested in politics when he was in junior high school and has always been interested in both domestic and world affairs. He supported George McGovern (D -South Dakota) when he was in high school. “I never really had any thoughts about running for office until [former] Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minnesota), who was a progressive populist and supposedly had no chance of victory in his bid
for the U.S. Senate in 1990 ended up winning,” Gill said. “He died in a plane crash back in 2002. I was sort of inspired by him and heartbroken, but if we had 500 Wellstone Democrats running for office, who wanted to go to Washington to do the things the [former] senator talked about then that would be a good thing,” he said. “That’s where I got the idea.” Gill has run three times for office in the former Illinois 15th Congressional District. He said it was not with the hope of winning, but because he felt people needed a voice. When the state legislature redrew the congressional districts in 2011, the 13th District became the successor to the 15th, and he decided to run in the Democratic primary in 2012. “We got outspent by the Democratic establishment by five to one but still succeeded in winning that primary,” Gill said. “It was the second closest House race in the country that year and we fell short to Mr. Davis, by three-tenths of one percentage point.” Gill continued to say that his motivation for elected office has always been the work he does in the emergency department as he sees firsthand how the healthcare f inancing system works and how it fails the majorit y of people.
“Seeing so many people suffer and die needlessly just because they are here in America, where the large for-profit private health insurance industry dictates who dies and who lives,” Gill said. “That’s always been something that’s galled and provoked me to stand up on the part of ordinary citizens.” The current drive of his campaign to win the primary is strongly inf luenced by having President Donald Trump in the White House, and the need for a Democratic majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Year after year in every cycle I’ve watched Democrats lose by 50 or 60 points
compared to what I lost by and I think that it is obvious that I was able to have a message and be a messenger who was able to connect with the tens of thousands of voters, especially with a ‘D’ behind your name, so I felt that Illinois 13th [Congressional District] needs to be a part of this new Democratic majority and it’s not going to happen with the standard Democratic messages and messengers, so I decided to run once more,” Gill said. Gill said he differentiates himself from the other candidates by saying he believes he can beat Davis and that there are major differences in policy positions when compared to the other candidates. “The two candidates who have raised the most money do not support immediately pushing for single-payer healthcare or a $15 minimum wage,” Gill said. “None of the other candidates support tuition-free access to higher education and I think those are very important differences.” “By taking the approach of half messages and messengers, and not embracing those important issues as I have, we’ve seen how that ends as what happened in the 2014 and 2016 elections,” he added. Gill said his progressive message, delivered with a certain level of passion, for all intents and purposes, won in 2012. Even if voters disagree with one or more stances on cert a in issue s, Gill believes
his connection with voters in the 13th Congressional District also creates a positive opportunity for his campaign. The Cook Political Report has the 13th District as “likely Republican,” but Gill explained his work throughout the district as a physician has allowed people to get to know who he is and put their trust in him. “Even if they are not on the same page with me on each and every issue or even the majority of issues, they know I’m doing this as a man of integrity who cares deeply about his fellow human beings, and I was able to collect enough of those votes from conservatives and moderate voters to succeed in 2012,” he said. Gill said he finds it shamef u l t hat col lege st udent s graduate with substantial debt, which is why he supports tuitionfree access to higher education. “We force young people to take on a debt when they want to lift themselves up,” he said. “We need tuition-free access to higher education and to trade schools, but I think it’s especially important to people at your university and audiences everywhere.”
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Geography professor to speak on civil rights movement at ISU GARRETT KARSTEN News Reporter | @GKarstenISU
The geography behind the civil rights movement event is coming to Illinois State University at 4 p.m. Monday in the Old Main Room of the Bone Student Center. Derek Alderman, professor of geography at the University of Tennessee, will give his talk “Civil Rights as Geospatial Work: The African American Freedom Struggle as Counter-Mapping and Radical PlaceMaking.” His speech discusses geographical work behind the civil rights movement. Alderman is also the president of the American Association of Geographers. Alderman’s teaching and research cover several areas including race, public memory, heritage tourism, critical place name study and
the African-American experience. “Much of my work focuses on the rights of African-Americans to claim the power to commemorate the past and shape cultural landscapes as part of a broader goal of social and spatial justice,” Alderman said. “My work spans many aspects of the southern landscape, including civil rights memorials, slavery and plantation heritage tourism sites, NASCAR, Graceland and Memphis, Mayberry and film tourism, and even the cultural geography of kudzu.” He has also written over 110 articles and other works, as well as being the co-author to the award-winning book “Civil Rights Memorials and the Geography of Memory.” For more information, contact ISU’s Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment at (309) 438-7649.
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Features
PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE
REVIEW
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018
‘Black Panther’ claws its way to the top Marvel’s newest hit embraces diversity, minority representation
DANIA DE LA HOYA Features Reporter | @daniamichelle18
Walk into any movie theater in the United States, and a cast full of white faces will stare back from the screen, apart from a few darker hues added to create a sense of diversity. Superhero movies are no different, but then there is “Black Panther.” That is not to say it is a complete anomaly in the Marvel universe. The studio’s most recent cinematic hit is made up of the same superhero dynamics fans have come to expect and continues the narrative fans have been following since “Iron Man” came out in 2008, all leading up to the epic Thanos showdown that will begin in “Avengers: Infinity War” in May. “Black Panther” also does something Marvel Studios has not done until now: it makes a statement about the racial climate in the United States and embraces diversity and minority representation with a nearly all-black cast and a black director, Ryan Coogler, leading the way. The studio’s venture has paid off. The film has already seen massive success in its four-day opening weekend. It made $242 million domestically and $427 million worldwide, becoming the fifth-highest opening film ever and the third highest for a four-day opening weekend. It has also won the distinction of highest opening of all time for a film in February, making its release during Black History Month only that much sweeter. “Black Panther” is set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda, a hidden gem that is both ancient and highly futuristic. Wakanda looks like a third-world country to outsiders, but it is actually miles ahead of the rest of the world in terms of resources and technology, powered by a massive supply of the super-metal Vibranium, which Wakandans have kept secret from the rest of the world for ages. It is this super-metal that turns protagonist King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) into the
Black Panther and gives him superhuman abilities. In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War” and in the wake of his father’s death, T’Challa returns to his home country of Wakanda to take over his father’s throne. Shortly after assuming the throne, he must go after arms dealer Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis), who has discovered Wakanda’s resources and stolen some Vibranium he plans to sell. Working with Klaue is Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), a radical street kid turned killing machine who seems to know a lot about Wakanda and who wants to start an all-out race war by securing the Wakandan throne and all of its resources. As radical as Killmonger’s ideas about race are, he is charismatic enough to compel the audience into considering what he is saying. He’s maybe even more compelling than T’Challa himself, who takes on a more conservative position, partly because of his role as king, but also because of his commitment to Wakandan tradition. More importantly, Killmonger brings up the kinds of racial issues no one else wants to address. Wakandans are living in comfortable wealth, while black communities around the world suffer from poverty, oppression and systematic racism. Killmonger’s methods aren’t ideal, but he manages to plant the seed in audiences and T’Challa’s mind and start a conversation about sharing the wealth. Even more notably, it is not a man who fights by T’Challa’s side to defeat the antagonists throughout the course of the movie. It’s three insanely tough black women
who make up this part of the film’s supporting cast. The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira stars as Okoye, the head of Wakanda’s special forces and an expert spear wielder, while Lupita Nyong’o holds her own as Nakia, a spy with impressive fighting skills and T’Challa’s love interest. There is also breakout star Letitia Wright from “Black Mirror’s” “Black Museum” episode, who steals the show as T’Challa’s little sister Shuri, a tech genius rivaling Tony Stark, with wit and sarcasm to spare. She spends as much time building new weapons and armor for Black Panther as she does giving him a hard time. It is a satisfying departure from the norm for Marvel, who usually throws in a female love interest here and a female superhero there, always maintaining its usual boys’ club. The same could be said about the film as a whole. The change in tone, message and cast works because the rest of the elements are the same superhero formula we’re all used to. Stunning graphics — and an even more stunning location — incredible fight sequences, a car chase and that special kind of energy Marvel movies are so great at capturing. Coogler captures this while striving to create something more meaningful and inspiring than Marvel is usually known for. “Black Panther” has set a new bar for superhero movies and inclusivity in Hollywood. The only question is why it took so long and whether the audience will see more of this from now on.
RATING: 5/5
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios
Resilience throughout history Adviser of African-American studies: ‘To omit the role of African-Americans in American history is to omit the study of American history overall’ EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a multi-part series giving awareness to Black History Month. TIFFANI JACKSON-SKINNER Features Reporter | @_smilesssss
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Monica Mendoza | Vidette Photo Editor
In November 2016, Illinois State University students gathered for a Black Lives Matter protest in response to the then president-elect Donald Trump, sharing stories and the importance of listening to underrepresented groups.
here is a saying that knowing the past can help understand the present and provide wisdom for the future. With a rise in police shootings of unarmed black men, incarceration and overall racial inequality, it is important to recognize and discuss the country’s racial past to reduce hostility between citizens and take a step toward future reconciliation. “Why do we need Black History Month?” is a common question asked by some Americans when the month of February arrives. The answer is simply because Black History Month sheds light on the African-American narrative and it allows people to embrace the vastness of American and world history on a larger scale. Ron Gifford, assistant chair of the Illinois State University Department of History and adviser of the African-American studies program, believes Black History Month is still relevant today. “Black History Month is relevant because African-Americans have been integral to U.S. history since the beginning,” Gifford said. “A history without African-Americans is like a year without months because African-Americans have played not only an integral role, but have been involved in every war, movement and facet of American history.” By allowing black women and men to embrace and voice their stories and roles in the foundation of America, the nation will come to see how African-Americans have expansively transformed the United States. Junior political science and sociology major Kayla Breland said Black History Month gives other cultures the opportunity to recognize the African-American role in the foundation of America. “It is important that we continue to celebrate and honor Black History Month in order to highlight the untold history of AfricanAmericans, where [they] come from and where [they] are now,” she said. Black History Month recognizes the hundreds of inventors who have created tools utilized in the daily lives of many Americans. Black History Month recognizes the activists who made it possible for black Americans to use all facilities that were once segregated. Black History Month teaches of the past barriers raised against the African-American race to achieve mutual understanding and appreciation from all cultures within American society. “Black History Month forces other races to expand their knowledge on all that [African-Americans] have done and continue to do nationwide,” Breland said. “It is almost the 100th anniversary of Black History Month … So to omit the role of African-Americans in American history is to omit the study of American history overall,” Gifford added.
Laced by London repairs shoes for affordable costs TIFFANI SKINNER-JACKSON Features Reporter | @_smilesssss
Stepping out in a new pair of shoes is an exciting feeling. Receiving compliments on how great they look can make one feel even better. However, what happens when the shoes get stained or worn out? Is throwing the shoes away and buying a new pair the only option? Junior finance major London Ross said he wondered the same thing until he found that when using the right tools, there is a good chance that those once-loved shoes can be brought back to life. “Back in 2013, I had an old pair of Jordan Taxi 12s under my bed that were very beat up, so I decided to go on YouTube and watch people customize shoes,” Ross said. “I began to watch and study the videos and then I thought to myself, if they can do that, I can do it too … maybe even better.” Ross soon went out to buy paint and began to work on his shoes, a process that took about 12 hours per shoe. In the end, Ross was extremely pleased with his work and decided to sell them, making $250. “I was amazed at the outcome and told myself that if I could do that with one pair and not only make money off of it, but make someone else feel good to walk in something new, I could turn this into a business,” Ross said. That restored pair of Jordan Taxi 12s led to the creation of Ross’s student business, “Laced by London.” “Customizing, cleaning and restoring are my specialties. Not just gym shoes, but shoes of all kinds like UGGs, Timberland boots, even those made of leather or suede,” Ross said. “If the paint on your favorite shoe is chipping, fading or even if the sole of the shoe is falling off, just send them to me and I can take care of it.”
Full story online.
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THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018
Women’s basketball set to embark on 3-game road trip to end season KADE HEATHER & NICK LANDI Sports Reporters
After improving back to .500 in its final home stand, the Illinois State women’s basketball heads to Iowa searching for revenge with Northern Iowa on Friday and Drake on Sunday. ISU fell to the Panthers, 58-36 on Jan. 28. In a game that was tied at halftime, the Redbirds fell apart in the second half versus UNI. “That was a tough game [UNI] because that was our Sunday game,” ISU coach Kristen Gillespie said, “I thought we were outstanding for 40 minutes against Drake, it was an emotional, physical, mentally challenging game.” Despite this time being in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the Redbirds will have a full four days off before they face the Panthers. “We played them great in the first half, it was a one or two possession game, then we just ran out of steam, so we’re going to be fresh against them,” Gillespie said. In the second half on Jan. 28, UNI had switched to a different type of zone trapping defense that ISU had not seen before. Gillespie said that they have been working on that in practice a little bit each day in preparation. “We will be much more prepared for them
come Friday night,” Gillespie said. With Drake and UNI in the top three of the conference, the Redbirds have a chance to make a statement in the MVC. “This weekend we can’t worry about fatigue, we just have to guard, we got to make shots, and we are just going to play as hard as we can for 80 minutes, and if we do that, I like our chances,” Gillespie said. On Jan. 26 in Normal, the Redbirds nearly got their biggest win of the season against the Bulldogs, playing competitively during all four quarters before losing 65-58. Since that loss, no team in the Valley has been able to slow down the machine that is Drake women’s basketball. The Bulldogs have won an MVC record 36 straight conference games heading into the weekend. Drake’s 72-67 win over Northern Iowa last Friday was the first time they won a game by less than 10 points since Jan. 28 against Bradley. What has helped Drake make it this far has been its high-scoring offense, which ranks 10th nationally with 82.9 points per game. Two players that have significantly contributed to that total are sophomores Sara Rhine and Becca Hittner.
Full story online. videtteonline.com
Natalie Stuckslager | Photo Editor
Hannah Green looks to find an open teammate versus Southern Illinois on Jan. 14.
Softball bounces back after tough opening weekend STEPHEN GARNER Sports Reporter | @ StayTrueSdot3
After starting the season with one win in five tries during last weekend’s Wilson Demarini tournament, the Redbirds began to reverse their fortunes and incrementally right the ship with a 3-2 finish this weekend at the Littlewood Classic in Tempe, Arizona. The performance brings ISU’s season record to 4-6, and its hitting has come alive, as the team scored 15 total runs over the weekend. On the other side of the ball, the Redbirds showed a sharper sense of defense, committing just one error in five games.
Game One: TXST 2, ISU 1 The opening game of the weekend was the product of a lack of offense. There was a host of hitless performances for the Redbirds, as the absence of offense did no favors to the solid pitching outing from freshman Morgan Day. “Our game against Texas State was a good ball game,” ISU head coach Melinda Fischer said. “Their
MARRA continued from page 8
It may have taken 29 games to turn the corner, but if a team with
pitcher really dominated us, but I also thought Morgan [Day] pitched a great game for us as well. We had a hard time generating offense and Melinda they continued to Fischer make defensive plays throughout the game that made it hard for us to start our offense.” ISU was only able to salvage one hit out of this one, which came off the bat of junior Shannon Felde, who launched a solo HR in the sixth inning to tie the game at one. That would be all they were able to register in this one, however.
back from the tough game that preceded this outing. “The best part of today is that we bounced back,” Fischer shared. “Anni [Borries] Alex stepped up and Caliva got a big hit for us, while Allison [Spence] gave us a big home run.” As Fischer mentioned, Allison Spence had herself a game out of the clean-up slot. She went 3-3 with two RBI as well as a homerun. Anni Borries was responsible for the other two runs, as she went 1-2.
Game Three: ISU 3, USD 2
As ISU ace pitcher Sarah Finck took the circle in this one, the Redbird offensive attack would show up as well, to the tune of four runs produced on six hits. Finck pitched the complete game, and the team would begin to show signs of what they could potentially be moving torward, as they bounced
In the rematch between San Diego and the Redbirds, Finck once again pitched for ISU and gave the team an opportunity to win, allowing just one run and five hits in five minutes. Morgan Day earned the win, as she entered in relief and tossed two innings and allowed just one run. “It was a very exciting game for us,” Fischer said. “It was good to see us come back and get people
no seniors, who played inconsistently throughout a roller coaster season and was plagued with injuries, can end a 20-year NCAA Tournament drought, the 29-game
gut-wrenchers prior will be worth it. The beauty of a conference tournament is that all records are thrown out the window and it’s anyone’s title.
Game Two: ISU 4, USD 0
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only hits, Felde’s resulting in another solo bomb. Outside of those instances, it was a long outing for the ‘Birds, but a test that would help them moving forward.
Game Four: No. 18 ASU 9, ISU 1
This was one of their more complete games as a whole of the season so far, and one that allowed for them to cap off a competitive weekend with a much-needed win.
After rallying back to win late in their first game Saturday, the Redbirds were hoping to ride that momentum into a matchup with another nationally-ranked opponent for the third time this season. Caliva and Felde registered ISU’s No matter how the regular season ends, a new start awaits Illinois State as it flocks to St. Louis. Spring is here and it appears the Redbirds are ready to take flight.
Game Five: ISU 6, UND 2 ISU would put together scoring outbursts in multiple frames in this one, registering two runs early in the third inning then doubling that effort in the sixth with four runs. Finck would command the circle as she would throw a complete game and surrender only two runs on seven hits. Responsible for those runs were the top half of the lineup as Felde, Caliva and Strandgard all registered an RBI, and Spence registered three as well.
Next up for the Redbirds is the Aquafina Invitational, Feb. 23-25, in Gainesville, Florida. MIKE MARRA is a Sports Editor at The Vidette. He can be reached by email at vidette_mmarra@ ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeMarraILSTU.
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on base, with the hit from Alex [Caliva] paying off. We struggled to get on base to begin with, but Allison [Spence] had a great eye. They weren’t giving her anything to hit and she was patient enough to wait for the walks. We asked people when they got off the bench to give us something, and Riley [Phipps] came into the game and did just that with her big double. It was just nice to see people step up and do what they were supposed to do.” The aforementioned clutch hit (a three-run homer) from senior infielder and team captain Alex Caliva proved to be the the most memorable, but the work done by Spence to draw a walk, then a single, from infielder Riley Strandgard put the Redbirds in position to earn a second consecutive win.
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Sports
PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2018
Redbirds finally turning the page
MY VIEW MICHAEL MARRA Sports Editor
S
Natalie Stuckslager | Photo Editor
Phil Fayne returned to action after spraining his ankle on Feb. 8 versus Southern Illinois. He finished with 16 points in 28 minutes.
Welcome back
Phil Fayne, Taylor Bruninga return from injury; Redbirds defeat Drake, 89-81, in regular season home finale MIKE MARRA Sports Editor | @MikeMarraILSTU
1-for-10 to dig themselves deeper. regulation buzz sounded and the followFrom there Evans found a groove. ing ensued. The junior would score seven points, Drake’s Nick McGlynn opened overtime Without Keyshawn Evans, the Illinois going into halftime with 10. with a pair of freethrows before ISU would State men’s basketball team had no shot “Keyshawn was really good,” ISU coach take a lead and not look back. Wednesday night. Dan Muller said. “It was nice to see some Yarbrough would hit a jumper to tie and Literally. shots go in for him. We want Keyshawn to Evans and William Tinsley hit back-toEvans was 5-of-11 in the first half from be very aggressive.” back 3-pointers. the field and 3-of-7 from 3-point range. The second half turned into anyone’s Fayne would add a jumper and freethrow His biggest moment came in ballgame. and Yarbrough would sink two overtime. With just over two minThat’s where MVC Player freethrows. utes left, he sank his fifth 3-pointer of the Year candidate Reed Drake did not go away. As ISU of the game which proved to be the Timmer stepped in. led 84-77, Graham Woodward hit difference in ISU’s, 89-81, victory Timmer scored 19 of his his second 3-pointer of the night, over Drake. game-high 26 points in the closing the ISU lead to just four. “They disrespected us last time, second half, each one bigger A pair of Evans freethrows put so we came out with an urgency than the last. the lead back at six before a foul and toughness,” Milik Yarbrough The only shots that did on Madison Williams put WoodDan Milik said. “We’re not getting swept by not see their way through ward at the freethrow line. Muller Yarbrough anybody, so that was our mindset.” the net seemed to be free Woodward split the pair The rest of the Redbirds did not fare so throws. The easiest of them all. and then Tinsley iced the game with a well from the floor in the first half. Had it not been for four missed freethrow of his own. As a whole ISU shot 12-for-35 for 34-per- freethrows from Timmer, Drake might Evans finished with a team-high 23 cent, while Drake fared no better shooting have finished off ISU in regulation. points, Yarbrough followed with 22 of his 11-for-30 for 37-percent. “It’s crazy. He’s one of the best in the own, while Fayne added 16. However, the Redbirds did enjoy the league,” Drake coach Niko Medved said. Illinois State now heads to MVC regureturn of Phil Fayne and the big three of “Again, that’s just the way hoops goes lar season champion Loyola on Saturday ISU combined to score 61 of the team’s sometimes.” as the Redbirds currently hold the third points. Yarbrough received a pass from Evans seed in Arch Madness. The Redbirds would hold a four-point with just under 30 seconds left in the Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. from the Genlead before Drake pushed ISU to the brink game, when he laid in his 18th points of the tile Arena. early. night, not only forcing overtime, but giving The Bulldogs went on a 16-2 run over a himself 1,000 collegiate career points. five-minute span where ISU would shoot Timmer would heave a 3-pointer as the
“[We] made a bunch of big plays to tie it up, get a stop, tie it up in regulation. Get another stop and do what we did in overtime. That was awesome.” - Dan Muller, ISU head coach
ometimes turning the page and forgetting the past is easier said than done. Finally, it seems the Illinois State men’s basketball team has turned the page and will now write the final chapter of the 2017-18 season. After going against Drake Wednesday night, the Redbirds will ride back-to-back wins up to Chicago on Saturday to take on Missouri Valley Conference regular season champion Loyola in the regular season finale. Maybe head coach Dan Muller and company can etch this chapter’s title “The Championship Run.” Dating back to the very beginning of the season, ISU was bitten by the injury bug, heading to Florida Gulf Coast and Myrtle Beach with four scholarship players sidelined due to injury. Along the way, immaturity in a team with no seniors and vocal leaders reared its head. From violation of team rules to body language on the court, immaturity proved to be one of the downfalls of this team throughout the season. Not to mention lulls in games used to down ISU. But that is all changing now. “I matured a lot lately,” Milik Yarbrough said. “In those situations I used to get mad and frustrated. I know I’m a big part of what my team does so, I know I have to keep my head up.” Just when Muller thought his squad was going to begin to play their best basketball, Keyshawn Evans and Phil Fayne go down with injuries. Fayne’s coming in a victory over Southern Illinois, extending ISU’s then-winning streak to four, which is a season-high the Redbirds have reached twice. Not to mention these wins are coming after a 25-point loss to Drake, a 30-point loss to Indiana State and a loss to Northern Iowa where ISU trailed by as many as 31-points. It looked gloomy, it looked meek and it looked as if the reigning MVC regular season champs were heading for a tailspin. And for good reason, of those three double-digit losses, the Redbirds only showed an ounce of fight in the Northern Iowa game. The team gave their faithful reason for concern. Among those doubters was myself. I believed it was time to start thinking about potentially preparing to see ISU in the Thursday play-in games in St. Louis that are being held just a week from today. But this team is healthy now. Arguably the healthiest they have been all season long and guys who have struggled this season like William Tinsley and Elijah Clarance are contributing and helping take the load off Milik Yarbrough’s shoulders. Saturday will be a real test to see how far this team has come. Loyola has taken the mantra of all recent Valley champions and proven experience wins in this league. If Illinois State can steal a game from the Ramblers, Redbird nation will have more than enough reason to feel optimistic heading to Arch Madness. see MARRA page 7