Issue 10 | Volume 102 by The Colonnade

@GCSUnade

@TheColonnade

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College November 20, 2023

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New sickle cell treatment College basketball season update up for FDA approval Drew Bogumill Staff Writer

Shadimon Smith Asst. News Editor

Exa-cel, the new treatment for sickle cell anemia, is up for approval by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA. The FDA has until Dec. 8 to approve exa-cel. Sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disease that causes the red blood cells to become hardened and shaped like a sickle. This causes people with sickle cell to have fewer red blood cells because the cells die early, and due to the abnormally shaped red blood cells that cause blockages in the blood vessels, certain parts of the body cannot get oxygen.

These blockages can stop blood flow, leading to pain, stroke or infection. This disease affects about 300,000 infants and is seen primarily in African Americans

and frequently in Hispanic Americans and those in the Middle East. There are multiple forms of sickle cell dis ease. Some of the most common are HbSS, HbSC and HbS beta-thalassemia. In chil-

dren with sickle cell disease, each parent gives the child a gene that creates abnormal hemoglobin. If the parents are carriers for the sickle cell gene, their children can be born with it as well. It is often found during regular tests for n e w b o r n s . There are a few forms of treatment for sickle cell, one of which is called Hydroxyurea, which is used in patients two years old and older. Another treatment is L-glutamine, which is used in patients five years old and older. The other two treatments are called Voxelotor and Crizanlizumab. See EXA-CEL | Page 3

The 2023-2024 NCAA basketball season is officially underway, and there is a lot to talk about. Starting with the women, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark opened up as the unanimous No. 1 in ESPN’s 2023-2024 top-25 player rankings. Clark is a returning senior who is the reigning consensus USBWA National Player of the Year. Another big name is Virginia Tech’s Elizabeth Kitley. Like Clark, Kitley is a two-time conference player of the year who took her team to the Final Four last season, and she finds herself in the top 10 for player rankings. Other big players include UConn’s Paige

Bueckers, who is back after missing last season with a knee injury. Angel Reese, a senior at LSU, is also expected to have another huge season, even though the Tigers started their season with a surprising loss. “I cannot wait to see what Angel Reese will do this season,” said Denise Fajardo, a junior exercise science major. “She was phenomenal last year and is my favorite player to watch on the court.” To round out the women, Stanford’s Cameron Brink was a part of their national championship team as a freshman and now is their centerpiece as a senior. She is an equal force on offense and defense, finishing second in the nation last season in blocked shots per game. Moving on to the men,

Purdue’s Zach Edey is the unanimous No. 1 player going into this season. He is the reigning CBS Sports National Player of the Year, a statistical monster and the centerpiece of a Purdue team that is currently ranked second in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. “Edey is an absolute beast, and I can see him taking Purdue all the way in March,” said Christian Davies, a junior management information systems, or MIS, major. “Purdue has a really solid team surrounding Edey, so it is hard to imagine them not being really good this year.” North Carolina’s Armando Bacot is in the top three of CBS’s top-player list for the second year in a row. See UPDATES | Page 6

They never stopped burning women at the stake Kylie Rowe Asst. A&L Editor

Women are womening. To me, this means women are taking over the world and finally getting the credit that they deserve. However, with the growing success of women, critics are coming after them — not just women but things that women love, things that are mainly woman-supported and literature that encourages women to be everything they can be — from all angles. “I hope you like feminist rants because that’s kind of my thing,” said Jessica Day, the title character of the hit sitcom “New Girl.” Maybe women are not being burned at the stake for being witches anymore, but everyday

things that are primarily women-associated are being demonized. Things like music, shows, food and establishments are being mocked for being basic or annoying. For example, Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have the two highest-grossing tours of the year, with Swift’s The Eras Tour set to become the highest-grossing tour ever! That is awesome, right? How could anyone look at Swift’s documented, and obvious, success and then say that she is without talent? It is crazy, but it happens every day. “They’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one,” Swift said in her song “I Did Something Bad.” There are countless social media accounts on every platform that

are dedicated to talking about how annoying Swift and her fans are. When Swift first started appearing at her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s football games, rage ensued that Swift had taken the last segment of entertainment that she was not involved in. The NFL started showing her at the football games, focusing on her reactions and showing her bonding with the Kelce family and other players’ significant others. This drove Swift’s haters insane because, suddenly, she was showing up in a place where she was not welcome. However, it has been documented by the NFL that a goal for this year was to get more women involved in football. Swift accomplished that

Kylie Rowe | Asst. A&L Editor

goal for them. There is no reason for Swift being at a football game, supporting her boyfriend — who pursued her — to bother this many people. At the end of the day, she is a normal person who happens to be amazingly successful

and who is supporting her boyfriend, yet she is constantly criticized for screen time that she is not asking for. There is no reason for Swift being at a football game, supporting her boyfriend — who pursued her — to bother this many

people. At the end of the day, she is a normal person who happens to be amazingly successful and who is supporting her boyfriend, yet she is constantly criticized for screen time that she is not asking for. See WOMEN | Page 9

Walmart’s new sensory-friendly hours Will this help make the shopping experience better for all customers? Hannah Dunn Staff Writer

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

Walmart has implemented “sensory-friendly hours” in its United States and Puerto Rico stores from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. local time every day starting Nov. 10. During these hours, Walmart aims to make the store’s environment less stimulating for those with sensory disabilities. The changes include turning off the TV walls, muting radios and mu-

sic and lowering the lights where possible. Individuals with conditions such as autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, and attention-def icit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, are oftentimes affected by bright lighting, loud sounds and large crowds, causing a sensory overload. Walmart hopes to help with this. “I think they should add the hours to nighttime as well, for example from 8 to 10 p.m.,

to accommodate everyone’s schedules since there is no set time that most people go shopping,” said Chris Arnold, a senior management information systems major and Milledgeville Walmart manager. “Our slogan is to save money, live better, so if we can help accommodate our shoppers, it’s worth it!” During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Walmart implemented grocery pickup from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for

those aged 60 and older, first responders and customers with disabilities. The company shared that they received a perfect Disability Equality Index score for the eighth year in a row due to these changes. After a pilot initiative conducted earlier in 2023 during the backto-school season received positive feedback, Walmart decided to extend its sensory-friendly hours to all its locations. See WALMART | Page 7

NEWS | PG.3

SPORTS | PG.6

ARTS & LIFE | PG.7

OPINION & MISC. | PG.9

Senior Mary Morgan Collier reflects on her time with the Department of Theatre & Dance.

How will allowing third-year players to participate affect fourth-year players’ draft prospects?

The comedian breaks history by landing the late-night slot after “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”

Does the Maxwell Student Union’s new food, furniture and lighting actually improve students’ dining hall experience?

THEATRE MAJOR SPOTLIGHT

NFL CHANGES SENIOR BOWL ELIGIBILITY

TAYLOR TOMLINSON AND “AFTER MID-

MAX RENOVATIONS

KATE VERITY, NEWS EDITOR SHADIMON SMITH, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

11.20.2023

NEWS

Civil war rages in Sudan Chance Curbow

quarters and Khartoum’s

and requested $1 billion

al, Mohamed Hamdan

million Sudanese have

has maintained control

airport. Both generals

to help their efforts to

Dagalo — also known as

been internally displaced

of the Egyptian trading

A civil war in Su-

blamed the other side for

save Sudanese refugees.

Hemetti — worked to-

since April. Many are

route for food, resourc-

dan between the Su-

the first strike. However,

“Half a year of war

gether directly, as Gener-

living in camps in Dar-

es and military support

dan Armed Forces, or

the RSF began stationing

has plunged Sudan into

al Hemetti was the dep-

fur, which is current-

throughout

SAF, and the paramili-

soldiers in the capital, and

one of the worst hu-

uty of General al-Burhan

ly under RSF control.

tary group Rapid Sup-

the SAF brought in tanks

manitarian

nightmares

during the overthrow

port Forces, or RSF, is

immediately before the

in recent history,” said

now estimated to have

beginning of the fighting.

Martin

killed over 9,000 peo-

Staff Writer

The RSF is primarily being supported by the

of the Bashir regime.

million people have fled

United Arab Emirates,

un-

After the coup d’état,

to neighboring coun-

The United Nations,

der-secretar y-general

the plan was for the RSF

tries, such as Chad,

ple since the war broke

or U.N., has been at-

of the U.N. “Even in ar-

to be integrated into the

Egypt, Ethiopia, South

out on April 15. At least

tempting

support

eas we can access, hu-

SAF, but disagreements

Sudan and the Cen-

another

resolution

manitarians are ham-

arose about how that pro-

tral African Republic.

people have been dis-

since September of this

strung by underfunding.”

cess would take place and

“The war is hurting

placed due to the lack

year but has faced diffi-

In this statement, Grif-

who would take leader-

Sudan’s future in more

of safety and resources

culty with funding and

fiths revealed the U.N.

ship of the new military.

ways than just taking

has only received 33% of

Currently, the fight-

lives,” said Sairsha Con-

the $2.6 billion required

ing has spread through

nor, a sophomore mass

to help Sudanese in need.

the southern half of the

communication

general,

country. The SAF is in

“Having so many fami-

Abdel Fattah al-Burhan,

control of Port Sudan,

lies displaced and taken

and the RSF’s gener-

the Nile River and most

from their homes does

of the southeastern re-

irreparable damage to

gion of the country. The

the unity of citizens and

RSF has built control of

trust within the govern-

the southwestern region,

ment. The war is taking

which borders South Su-

people away from their

dan, Chad and the Cen-

families, kids away from

tral African Republic.

their schools and mak-

possible,” said Martha

This positioning gives the

ing citizens want to es-

Pobee, assistant secre-

SAF control of the only

cape and live elsewhere.”

tary-general for Africa

port and the basis of trad-

The SAF’s largest ally

of the U.N. “The lon-

ing with Egypt, leaving

is Egypt. Sudan and

ger this war contin-

the RSF with few options

Egypt have been trad-

ues, the greater the risk

to get food and supplies.

ing partners and allies

of fragmentation and

for decades. The SAF

foreign

5.6

million

available in the country. The war began in

peaceful

reaching the civilians that Sudan’s armies are

Khartoum, Sudan’s capi-

leaving

tal, and revolved around

stuck in a war zone. The

locations such as the

U.N. has focused on hu-

SAF’s

military

head-

helpless

manitarian

and

assistance

The

SAF’s

soldiers in the Sudan Civil War

VOLUME 102 | NO. 10

Approximately

4.5

@GCSUnade

additional

war.

1.2

Griffiths,

the

major.

or UAE, and the Libyan militia. Hemetti has personal ties with the Libyan militia, but the UAE primarily supports them for future trade reasons. Sudan is positioned in a way that it bridges the Middle East and Africa. Since the SAF already has strong allyships with other countries, the UAE decided to support the RSF in hopes that they will gain power in the future. “There needs to be a negotiated solution to end this war as soon as

interference.”

@TheColonnade

Editorial Board

Jennifer Crider................. Editor in Chief Cale Strickland................Managing Editor Julia Jensen....................... Art Director Kate Verity......................... News Editor Shadimon Smith......... Asst. News Editor Brennan Schmitz......... Sports Editor Emily Henderson........... Asst. Sports Editor Paige Blakemore............Arts & Life Editor Kylie Rowe........................ Asst. Arts & Life Editor Drew Oldham...................Opinion Editor Isabella McComis......... Digital Media Editor Kylie Noles........................ Digital Media Editor Avery Blair..........................PR Manager Kassie Arps.......................Ad Sales Manager William Burke.................. Faculty Adviser

*All Opinion columns are the opinion of the columnist, not of The Colonnade.

The Colonnade is looking for staff writers, editors, designers, videographers, and more. Contact thegcsucolonnade@gmail.com for more.

If you’re interested in writing for The Colonnade, email thegcsucolonnade@gmail.com.

Ad Disclaimer The Colonnade is not responsible for any false advertising. We are not liable for any error in advertising to a greater extent than the cost of the space in which the item occurs. The Colonnade reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy submitted for publication. There is no guaranteed placement of ads. The Colonnade does not accept advertising concerning firearms nor guarantee ads concerning alcoholic beverages.

Corrections

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Copyrights

All stories and photographs appearing in this issue and previous issues, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by The Colonnade.

KATE VERITY, NEWS EDITOR SHADIMON SMITH, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

11.20.2023

NEWS Exa-Cell

Continued from page 1 However, only one treatment cleared by the FDA has been effective in treating sickle cell disease: a bone marrow transplant. This requires a close match to the person with sickle cell. In this procedure, the doctors remove bone marrow from the healthy person and put it into the person experiencing red blood cell issues. This new treatment is a form of gene therapy that involves extracting cells from the person’s bone marrow and using a technology called clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, or CRISPR. “Gene therapy is any way you can try to remedy a genetic disorder by providing the information to change the mutation in the sequence,” said Arnab Sengupta, a biology professor at GC. “We have talked about that as a case study for a very long time as well as the potential applications of CRISPR gene editing because sickle cell anemia arises from a point mutation in your DNA. So that is ultimately linked

to the shape of the red blood cells. The goal here is, using CRISPR gene editing, can we go back and fix that mutation.” After removing the stem cells, companies with the CRISPR editing technology will modify the genes to create the correct hemoglobin sequence and inject billions of copies of the edited gene back into the person’s body. This way, the body will copy the new gene, thus making healthy red blood cells. “I know there is a debate about the ethics of gene therapy, and while I understand those concerns, as someone with an autoimmune disease, I am glad to see this technology on the horizon,” said Kaila Arnett, a senior sociology major. “It is really good to know that a lot of conditions that currently have little to no available treatment may someday be made manageable by gene editing.” A committee of outside advisors spent their time assessing exa-cel and hearing from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biopharmaceutical company based in Boston, Massachusetts. Vertex is known for its drive

to create innovative treatments for people with severe diseases. On Oct. 31, Vertex partnered with CRISPR Therapeutics to create this new treatment for sickle cell. CRISPR Therapeutics is a Switzerland-based company that specializes in CRISPR technology, and they have dedicated years to understanding and advancing this technology. “I think that extensive research will lead the FDA to approve this form of therapy, especially if it is extremely successful,” said Jayden Kypri, a freshman chemistry major. The committee asked questions about the amount of research that went into the creation of exa-cel and if there had been any side effects from those who participated in the trials. This treatment is meant to be a one-time infusion, and Vertex has reported that in one of their studies, 39 of 40 patients did not report any blockages or pain. After hearing the participants’ testimonies and reading the numbers, the committee praised the treatment. This is usually the last step be-

fore the FDA approves or denies a new drug. “The way drug approval processes work is several years in advance,” Sengupta said. “You have pilot experiments and studies, you have animal testing and then you have basically clinical trials, and that’s the phase where you slowly start to expand the number of volunteers you are testing. You are observing characteristics in those individuals, using some type of benchmarking to see if you are meeting the efficacy of the drug or not, meaning is it working in the way we were expecting it to work?” If the FDA approves exa-cel, it will be the first treatment for any disease that uses gene editing technology. “I have a lot of thoughts on the FDA, but I will say this: They have approved less substantiated methods before,” Arnett said. “I am also unaware of where scientists are in the process of beginning gene therapy, as I know it is still a very new technology, but I have faith that they will do their due diligence in testing, especially considering that there is not much

more that could be at stake when you are editing the human genome.” If approved, it could cost each patient up to $2 million dollars and require eight weeks of blood transfusions, and then they have the treatment done that releases the bone marrow stem cells into the bloodstream. Then, the stem cells will be removed and sent to be treated, and the patient will have to undergo chemotherapy to clear their marrow. Then, the treated cells are injected into the patient, and they need to stay in the hospital for at least a month while the new cells grow. The cost may make it harder for everyone to get this treatment, especially in less well-off countries. Even Americans with low income may not be able to afford this treatment. “I personally have no faith in the American healthcare system and know that while this technology will be able to help a lot of people, it will probably mostly be the people who can afford it because that is the system we live in,” Arnett said. “Unless there is some successful humane

legislation regarding the technology, it is going to be stratified along class lines, just the same as the rest of healthcare in America; the cost of insulin upsets me every day. It is the unfortunate

consequence

of living under barely restrained

capitalism.”

Vertex is trying to get Medicaid and other insurance companies to find the best way to make it more affordable. There are also concerns about how other countries where it is most prevalent can administer the therapy if they do not have the best equipment. “If it is successful in the long run, capitalist hospitals will do anything to milk as much money out of it as they can,” Kypri said. “It is disgusting.” If approved, it could be used for other severe diseases as well. “CRISPR can be used for almost quite literally any type of disease, from diabetes to cancer,” Kypri said. “There is an insane amount of research that still needs to be done to further this claim. However, I do believe that it is possible!”

GC THEATRE MAJOR SPOTLIGHT:

MARY MORGAN COLLIER Chance Curbow

and professional theatre.

agencies than students

Staff Writer

GC has a built-in focus

from other universities.

Mary Morgan Collier,

on mutual respect for

At GC, students are

a senior theatre major,

every position in the-

not only able to per-

is the president of GC’s

atre and gives students

fect their main inter-

chapter of the collegiate

a full understanding of

est but also learn how

theatre honors fraternity,

all the requirements in

to do other jobs im-

Alpha Psi Omega. She is

theatre and production.

portant to production.

also the vice president of

There are no concen-

Omicron Delta Kappa,

trations in the theatre

at least four different

which is the national col-

major, and that is inten-

mainstage

productions

legiate leadership society.

tional. Students can take

throughout

getting

Collier chose to at-

classes that focus on their

four-year degree. An-

tend GC specifically for

specific interests. For ex-

other advantage of being

the theatre department.

ample, Collier has taken

involved in productions

“I was so involved in

classes geared toward

in college is that stu-

theatre in high school

what she calls acting, di-

dents gain a better view

that it just felt like it

recting and dramaturgy,

of what work in the the-

would be wrong if I

and she has put each of

atre industry will be like.

didn’t pursue it,” Collier

those skills to use in dif-

“There are classes on

said. “I love doing it so

ferent GC productions.

much, and I want to do

theatre

offers

Isabella McCommis | Digital Media Editor

have definitely helped

always

students

to communicate your

work on their mono-

interpretation of a text to

understand

what

help

your options are with a

logues,

degree in theatre. While

and

assignments

post-grad

plans.

an audience. I find that conversation

between

‘everything’ is a broad

Not only will profes-

answer to what you can

sors help with the in-

pursue, it is a much bet-

school requirements, but

ter and more accurate

they will aid students in

Ultimately, whether it

one

Broadway.”

finding or getting oppor-

be that those stories and

considering

tunities to further them-

the discipline you want

expressions are the main

careers, there truly are

selves and their careers.

The intent is that the-

to pursue, but there are

bountiful

“I have a deep love for

it for a very long time.”

atre students will be-

also classes that are cen-

choose from, and the

storytelling, and theatre is

Furthering an educa-

come more well-round-

tered around what a good

professors at GC will help

putting words of a narra-

tion in higher learning

ed and utilize the liberal

resume looks like or the

students reach those op-

tive on their feet,” Collier

helps to bridge the gap

arts teachings to offer

unions that are avail-

tions. Collier explained

said. “You have to con-

the ability to do whatev-

between

able,” Collier said. “They

that the professors will

stantly make decisions

er they are aiming to do.

high

school

production

than

When

options

the artist and the audience very compelling.”

draw of theatre, as with Collier, or it is something else entirely, GC hopes to enable students with

KATE VERITY, NEWS EDITOR SHADIMON SMITH, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

11.20.2023

NEWS

Americans’ distrust in vaccines is rising Jack McKinney

cial media platforms,”

nonmedically

exempt

disastrous to communi-

Contributing Writer

said officials at Hawaii’s

from one or more vacci-

ties in both the short and

health

department.

nations last year, accord-

long term: ill individuals

This trend makes it

ing to the CDC — by far

will not be able to work;

all the more alarming

the highest percentage

families of these individ-

due to the appearance of

across the U.S., clearly

uals will have to sacrifice

sporadic

contrasting

predom-

long hours to care for

Per the projections of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, the rate of nonmedical exemptions for kindergarteners in the U.S. has almost doubled within the past decade, with an increase from 1.6% in 2011 and 2012 to 3% in 2022. More Americans are acquiring

growing

distrust of vaccines as an unintentional result of the United States initiative Operation Warp Speed, a public-private

anti-vaccina-

tion communities, which

inantly

“blue”

states,

them; the list goes on.

can create certain “hot

such as New York, which

“There are some med-

spots” for vaccine-treat-

hover

around

0.1%.

ical reasons that children

able illnesses. This is

Nevertheless, the pre-

cannot be vaccinated,

because regional poli-

dicament expands when

[such as] children that

tics have distinguished

considering

his-

may have just gotten

attitudes to social me-

torical context of these

a blood transfusion or

dia and, in a broader

concentrated

blood

sense, distrust in selec-

cination

movements;

that are extremely ill,

tive scientific inquiry.

there have been numer-

on major immunosup-

“We know what hap-

ous demonstrations in

pressive

pens when communities

the past that raise ma-

or born with an immu-

allow anti-vax areas to

jor

nosuppressive

health

the

anti-vac-

concerns.

product,

those

medications disease,

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

sidering the many chil-

to the growing anti-vac-

dren and adults who have

cination

movement.

get popular,” said Sallie

“I, myself, am — for-

and those that have had

partnership that accel-

Coke, a nursing profes-

tunately — vaccinated,”

a major reaction [ana-

erated the development

sor at GC. “We have had

said Katie Kennedy, a

phylaxis] to a vaccine

of COVID-19 vaccines

major outbreaks of mea-

freshman nursing ma-

in the past,” Coke said.

during the pandemic.

sles, mumps, hep. A and

jor. “I do not wish to in-

“Protecting them and

“We have observed

pertussis in the last 10

habit the many diseases

others that are extremely

been

years, all in areas with

preventable by vaccines,

vulnerable is the major

misinfor mat ion/dis-

low immunization rates.

as it can really mess up

reason that herd immu-

individuals can “fight”

impact-

Idaho, being a strong

things for myself and

nity is so important.”

off diseases for the entire

tect not only yourself but

ing people’s decision to

“red” state, had 12% of

complica-

community, places this

others against illnesses

vaccinate or not via so-

their

tions further arise con-

population at risk due

and diseases as adults.”

much more than pandas: geostrategic rivalry, Taiwan, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, bilateral trade, national security export controls, human rights and more,” Gower said. “While the panda program has to be handled with diplomatic skill, I do not believe that it has much impact on the overall state of

Jinping’s was the U.S. constantly arming Taiwan. “The U.S. side should stop arming Taiwan and support China’s peaceful reunification,” Jinping said. Biden made it clear the U.S. would continue to use strategic ambiguity to arm Taiwan. “President Biden has, in the past, moved away from America’s long-standing policy of strategic ambiguity vis-à-vis Taiwan, suggesting instead that the United States would come to Taiwan’s aid in the event of Chinese aggression,” Gower said. “The United States and China, as the two most powerful and heavily armed countries in the world, have an international moral responsibility to stay on a path of peaceful coexistence and, more than that, to work together to ameliorate global challenges like climate change.” Jinping believes pandas will continue to be sent back to America. The next set of pandas could be going to San Diego, California. “We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples,” Jinping said.

that

there

information

has

kindergarteners

everyone

around

me.

These outbreaks can be

However,

Is this the end of panda diplomacy? Shadimon Smith Asst. News Editor Two giant pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, were flown back to Chengdu, China, after being on loan to the United States for over two decades. The loaning of pandas has been a way for China to form diplomatic relationships with other countries. China has sent pandas to Russia, North Korea and Australia. “Panda diplomacy refers to China’s practice of loaning giant pandas, regarded as national treasures, to other countries as a gesture of goodwill, signaling a warming of diplomatic relations,” said Dr. Steven Elliot-Gower, a political science associate professor at GC. “It is an important aspect of China’s ‘soft power.’ There is also an important scientific research component to panda diplomacy.” Mei Xiang and Tian Tian were on loan as a part of a research and breeding program, as there are only 1,864 left. “The idea is that when people actually get to see them in person instead of on video, then they make a stronger connection and feel more compelled to support conservation efforts,” said Matthew Milnes, a biology professor at GC. “Whether or not that actually happens, it’s hard to say one way or another.”

Mei Xiang and Tian Tian spent their time in America at the Smithsonian Zoo, and they were sent back on a plane called FedEx Panda Express. They are not the only Pandas being sent back; in April, Ya Ya was sent home from the Memphis Zoo, but her partner, Le Le, did not return due to him dying of a heart disease.

not. Ya Ya and Le Le were on loan for 20 years, and instead of going home in December, the people of China were able to get Ya Ya brought home in April. “The 20-year term of Ya Ya’s loan to the Memphis Zoo expired, and so it was time for her to be returned to China,” Gower said. “The same applies to the recent return of Mei Xiang and Tian

Tiananment Square Protests, China really began pushing for these relationships around 1989. The protests were in response to people wanting greater political freedom. After the death of a political leader, Hu Yaobang, milllions gathered together in the square wanting less censorship. The government decided to respond by using

legitimate health reasons to avoid vaccines. A lack of herd immunity, the process in which a significant portion of vaccinated, or immunized,

Julia Jensen | Art Director

“I think the ethics is based on how the animals are treated, what kind of facilities they’re maintained in, how they’re raised and how they’re trained,” Milnes said. “I do not think the idea qualifies as ethical or not ethical.” His death sparked debates on whether the Memphis Zoo was mistreating the pandas or

Tian. Although the return of the pandas comes at a time of heightened tensions with China, their return is separate from these tensions.” Panda diplomacy helped China open up to the west and create strong political relationships while helping repopulate their giant panda population. In the aftermath of the

military force, and many were arrested, shot or crushed, leading to 200 civilians losing their lives. President Biden and President Xi Jinping met on Nov. 15 in California to discuss their military commmunication, and it was determined they will resume direct military contact. “The U.S.-China relationship is about much,

U.S.-China relations.” Another topic of conversation between the two leaders was Taiwan, and it has been reported that they disagreed about what to do. Jinping wants a peaceful reunification between the two, whereas, Biden wants China not to interfere in Taiwan’s upcoming elections. Another concern of

“I would not think twice to keep receiving my flu and COVID-19 shots every year,” Kennedy said. “It is important to get vaccines to pro-

KATE VERITY, NEWS EDITOR SHADIMON SMITH, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

11.20.2023

NEWS

2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES a look at four frontrunners

Kate Verity

Abortion: Biden is

News Editor

publicly pro-choice and

publicly

This article highlights

cently, Trump has been

immigrants themselves.

ways supports a woman’s

the past, but Forbes con-

and

Drugs: Kennedy ap-

right to choose and sup-

tributor Patrick Gleason

defends access to abor-

targeted Democrats for

pears to support mari-

ports no legislation that

finds this deceiving. “In

four 2024 presidential

tion as a right women

wanting their pro-choice

juana and psychedelic

seeks to ban abortions.

response to the effort to

election front-runners

should have. He has spo-

stances. “Virtually every

drug reform to the point

Nikki Haley -

raise South Carolina’s

and their policies on

ken out that, as a Cath-

Democrat candidate has

of some legalization. He

Republican

gas

international, domestic,

olic, he personally is not

declared their unlimited

has said on X, formerly

economic and social

fond of abortions, but

support for extreme late-

issues, focusing on

he does support Roe v.

immigration, drugs, tax

pro-life

Immigration:

tax,

then-Gover-

Ha-

nor Haley countered by

known as Twitter, “I will

ley has said in the last

telling state legislators

term abortion, ripping

decriminalize

cannabis

year that she aims to

she would only con-

Wade and thinks that the

babies straight from the

at the federal level,” Ken-

defund sanctuary cities.

sider a gas tax increase

reform and abortion.

decision should lie with

mother’s womb, right up

nedy said on X, former-

She also recently spoke

if it were tied to an in-

The information is from

the women themselves.

until the very moment of

ly known as Twitter. He

on the topic, saying the

come tax cut of great-

Trump

birth,” Trump said at a

continued to comment

debate is always on the

er size,” Gleason said.

- R e p u b l i c a n

2020 campaign rally. In

that he finds the current

number of immigrants,

Immigration: Trump

2020, Trump wanted to

contradictions between

but that is not the way

strongly pro-life, very

wants to secure the na-

ban late-term abortions,

state and federal laws on

to look at it. “We need

pro-life, and not because

tional borders around

but he did not specify

marijuana absurd. He

to do it based on merit,”

my party tells me to be,

the United States, par-

how many weeks into a

also wants to help those

Haley said “We need to

but my husband was

ticularly at the border

pregnancy he would wish

who are recovering from

go to our industries and

adopted, and so every

with Mexico. He also

to enact a ban. He has

addiction by building re-

say, ‘What do you need

day I know the blessings

wished to deploy the

said that an abortion ban

covery sites across Amer-

that you don’t have?’”

of having him there,”

National

and

would exclude certain

ica called healing camps.

law enforcement offi-

cases, such as rape, incest

Tax

cers to assist with catch-

and the life of the mother.

nedy

ing illegal immigrants. “He will also deliver

OnTheIssues, a website that aims to provide nonpartisan information that is gathered from the candidates’ public statements, their campaign websites and reports from reputable news outlets. Joe Biden - Democrat Immigration: In office, Biden has made Deferred

Action

for

Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, permanent. His White House webpage detailing his administration’s priorities says that Biden’s strategy is based on welcoming orderly

and

prosperous

immigration that does not

separate

families.

Drugs: In February 2023, Biden said that he wanted to start working with package companies and FedEx to ensure that mail is free of fentanyl. He also supports drug rehabilitation over incarceration. Biden wants

Donald

Guard

Haley

calls

Haley

said

“I’m

2010.

Reform:

Ken-

China the source of many

She has not wavered

does

ap-

of the opioids in the U.S.,

in this stance, and is con-

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

pear to have said very

especially fentanyl. She

tinuing to use this rhet-

– Independent, former

much on this issue yet.

has also supported the

oric in her 2024 cam-

Kenne-

states’ right to make their

paign. However, Haley

Immigration: On his

dy said publicly in Iowa

own legislation when

says that the abortion

labor

campaign website, Ken-

in August 2023 that he

it comes to drugs like

issue is personal to each

and promotes American

nedy calls the situation

supports placing a fed-

marijuana. She does not

woman considering it.

values,”

Trump’s

at the U.S.-Mexico bor-

eral ban on abortions

appear to have broad-

She wants states and the

2024 campaign website.

der a primarily human-

after the first trimester

ly spoken on domestic

people living in them

OnTheIssues reports

itarian crisis. He also

has occurred. “I believe a

and federal means to ad-

to be able to choose to

that in May 2023, Trump

named lack of control

decision to abort a child

dress drugs in the U.S.

make their state pro-life

said that he would rein-

as the main cause of the

should be up to the wom-

Tax Reform: Haley

or pro-choice as they see

state the family separa-

crisis at the border. He

an during the first three

has spoken about gas

fit. She also has urged her

tion policy at the bor-

aims to end illegal im-

months of life,” Kennedy

and diesel taxes and says

fellow Republicans to not

der and increase U.S.

migration and expand

said. However, his cam-

she would eliminate the

push for a national ban

Immigration and Cus-

lawful immigration, call-

paign team released a

federal tax. She has been

and to instead find mid-

toms Enforcement, or

ing the greatest victims

statement later that day

accused of working to

dle ground and consen-

ICE, deportation offices.

of a chaotic border the

saying that Kennedy al-

actually raise gas taxes in

sus between all parties.

a merit-based immigration system that protects

American

said

Democratic

candidate

Abortion:

not

Drugs: Trump wants to attack drug cartels and impose a naval embargo on them. He also aims

to decriminalize mari-

to label them as Foreign

juana and the associated

Terrorist Organizations,

criminal records, as he

with the intention of

sees those charges as un-

lessening their global fi-

necessary barriers when

nancial support. He also

seeking

employment.

wants to request Con-

In October 2022, Biden

gress to create legislation

pardoned all prior Fed-

that assigns the death

eral offenses of simple

penalty to drug smug-

marijuana

glers

possession.

Drugs:

Abortion:

and

traffickers.

Tax Reform: Biden

Tax Reform: Trump

wishes to increase tax-

has said that he wishes

es on the wealthy rather

to cut taxes, and in 2017,

than the working class.

he signed the Tax Cuts

He also wants to crack

and Jobs Act, which will

down on the wealthy who

expire at the end of 2025.

avoid paying their taxes.

Abortion: Most re-

Jennifer Crider | Editor in Chief

BRENNAN SCHMITZ, SPORTS EDITOR EMILY HENDERSON, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

11.20.2023

SPORTS UPDATE

Continued from page 1 After leading his team to the 2022 national championship,

Bacot’s

points per game, re-

First Team All-Amer-

Kansas’s Hunter Dick-

ican. Filipowski aver-

inson, who entered the

aged 15.1 points and

transfer portal after three

8.9 rebounds last year

great seasons at Michi-

during Jon Scheyer’s first

gan and was named the

season as head coach.

Big Ten Freshman of

Filipows-

the Year in 2021. After

bounds per game and

“I

think

ki is exactly what Duke

averaging 18.5 points

shooting percentage all

needs to get back to a

and 9.0 rebounds last

took a drop-off last sea-

championship-contend-

season, Dickinson is the

son, but he and his pro-

ing team,” said Bradley

main reason the Jay-

gram are both due for

Butcher, a junior finance

hawks are ranked No.

a bounce-back season.

major. “He is a seven-foot

1 in the AP Top 25 poll.

Duke’s Kyle Filipows-

beast who could very

There is still a long

ki was an elite freshman

well be in the NBA right

time until March Mad-

last year and was the only

now, and I think he will

ness, so it will be a blast

non-senior to be named

dominate this season.”

to see who does and does

a CBS Sports Preseason

Another big name is

not live up to the hype.

2023 senior bowl games

Iowa women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark

MLB free agent prediction Connor Blakley Staff Writer

Reese’s Senior Bowl logo

Davis Camuso

juniors to prove that

star game at the moment.

Staff Writer

they can play in a real

“I really like the idea

The NFL has an-

game, as they are no lon-

of letting the younger

juniors

ger limited to combines.

guys play in the games,”

who elect to go to the

Star players, like Caleb

said Brooks Whitley,

draft and skip their fi-

Williams, Brock Bowers,

a junior management

nal year of eligibili-

Marvin Harrison Jr. and

major. “I think they de-

ty can now play in the

Keon Coleman will all

serve a chance to show-

East-West Shrine Bowl,

be able to showcase their

the Senior Bowl and the

talents in these games

HBCU

Legacy

Bowl.

if they elect to do so,

These

bowl

games

although these games

were originally meant

are meant for low-pro-

to give senior football

file players, who are

players a chance to play

typically trying to im-

in a game with multiple

prove their draft stock.

nounced

that

scouts. This allows play-

The

games

could

case their skills as much as the rest of the seniors do, so I am excited to see players like Brock Bowers get out there and show what he can do.” The participation of draft-eligible

juniors

will definitely bring en-

ers to get the chance to

open up to the entire

showcase their talents

draft class, which would

for a better chance to

be the first time ever

get drafted in the NFL.

in the league’s history.

With what the NFL

However, the inclusion

has now changed, the

of draft-eligible juniors

players who are juniors

could potentially draw

that decide to leave ear-

attention away from the

ly and enter the draft

seniors that are look-

are now also allowed to

ing to impress scouts.

play in the senior bowls.

The Senior Bowl cur-

Juniors were previous-

rently only has one com-

jor. “I get more excited

ly only allowed to partic-

mitment to play in the

for the juniors to play

ipate in the NFL Scout-

game so far, but with it

in the games because

ing Combine and pro

being the most crucial

they are the players

days at their own school.

part of the season, there

that typically have the

This decision opens up

are not too many players

most hype going into

more opportunities for

looking to play in an all-

the draft every year.”

tertainment to the fans, and give a greater incentive to watch the games. “I like how I can watch the players that I am most excited to see play in the NFL in these all-star games,” said Connor Childers, a junior business ma-

The 2023 MLB season is officially over, and teams and fans are looking for new players in free agency to help boost their roster. Many enticing players have recently hit the free agency market at all positions on the field. Some big names worth noting are Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Cody Bellinger and Aaron Nola, who could receive big contracts as free agency plays out. Starting with the biggest name in baseball, two-way designated hitter and starting pitcher Ohtani. Ohtani has the possibility of receiving the biggest contract in MLB history this off-season, and rightfully so. There is a lot of speculation around the league that Ohtani will receive a $500 million contract due to the offensive and pitching presence he brings to the field. “I can’t imagine the team that signs him doesn’t give him a contract north of $500 million,” said Jake Myers, a sophomore marketing major. “He’s early in his career, but he will go down as one of the best players ever to play the game of baseball with his skill set. If it meant that he would put a Braves uniform on, I would pay $600 million.” In 2023, Ohtani’s pitching record was a 10-5 record, with a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts. His offensive stats this season were a .304 batting average, 1.066 OPS. and 44 home runs in only 497 at-bats. Manny Randhawa with MLB.com predicts that Ohtani is a heavy favorite to join the Los Angeles Dodgers for the 2024 season. The Dodgers have been known for having one of the top payrolls in the MLB, so it will be interesting to see if their front office is willing to make it even higher.

Snell is another top free agent who will be seeing a large contract in the near future. Snell, a starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres, added another Cy Young Award to his trophy case this past season — his contract year. He previously won the Cy Young Award with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018. Snell posted a league-leading 2.25 ERA with a 31.5% strikeout rate in his 32 starts last season. The St. Louis Cardinals are presumed to be the favorites to land the left-hander, as they expressed their interest in more starting-pitching depth after a less-than-ideal 2023 season, in which they finished last in the NL Central division. Bellinger is coming fresh off a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, where he had a huge bounce-back year this past season. The former NL MVP played 130 games, where he slashed for a .307 batting average and a .356 onbase percentage with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs. The versatile center fielder has drawn the eyes of the New York Yankees, who desperately need a left-handed power bat. The dominant righty lineup would love to see Bellinger in the mix with power bats Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and young

slugger Anthony Volpe. The short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium will favor Bellinger’s pull-dominant swing. Nola is another big target for teams in the MLB, as the 31-yearold veteran can provide lots of playoff experience for any team that lands him. He has spent his whole career with the Philadelphia Phillies and received votes for the Cy Young Award. “I have heard speculation of the Braves going out and signing him this off-season,” said Connor Childers, a junior management major. “If that means the Braves don’t have to face him in the playoffs, that would be a lot less stressful for sure.” The Phillies will want to keep Nola and are probably frontrunners for the right-hander, but the Braves are also in the chase for him. Teams are hungry for the next piece that will put them in the position to win a World Series in 2024. As the off-season unfolds, many contracts could be inflated as more significant pieces are taken off the market, so it will be an offseason that MLB fans will want to keep their eye on. Teams are hungry for the next piece that will put them in the position to win a World Series in 2024. It will be an offseason that MLB fans will want to keep their eye on.

Photo of Shohei Ohtani

PAIGE BLAKEMORE, A&L EDITOR KYLIE ROWE, ASST. A&L EDITOR

11.20.2023

ARTS & LIFE that mi- to pay attention to those stores could help them WALMART knowledges nuscule changes, such with sensory disabili- feel like they belong.”

Continued from page 1

“I feel like the hours are not as flexible as they should be,” said Annabel Hirst, a sophomore world languages and cultures major. “Who does grocery shopping at those times? If you’re a student, you probably have class then, or you might have work at that time. If they chose better hours, it would be a lot more effective.” The company ac-

as those implemented during these hours, can have a transformative effect on the shopping experience for a sizable portion of the customer base. “I have a young child with down syndrome, and he often gets overstimulated in Walmart when I have to take him grocery shopping,” said Nancy Hall, a frequent Milledgeville Walmart shopper. “It’s relieving that people are beginning

ties. Both my son and I appreciate this change.” A recent announcement from Walmart states customers like Hall’s experiences were the inspiration for the changes. “During these hours, we hope our customers and associates will find the stores to be a little easier on the eyes and ears,” Walmart said. “These changes are thanks to those who shared their feedback on how their

More customers have begun expressing appreciation for this new feature. “As a mother of a child with autism, thank you very much for recognizing needs and being sensitive to them,” said Andrea T., a Walmart customer. “Little things, such as lighting, noise etc. does make a difference.” Walmart emphasized its committment to fulfilling the promise of its

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

mission statement — for everyone — and aim to provide a more comfortable and welcome shopping experience for all customers and associates. “We’re working hard

to create a working and shopping experience accessible to everyone, and we remain committed to continuous improvement,” Walmart said.

“AFTER MIDNIGHT”: TAYLOR TOMLINSON BREAKING UP THE BOYS CLUB OF LATE NIGHT SHOWS Isabella McComis

tional attention as she

has inherited a perma-

medians being female,

masculine tropes as a

ing blazed before them.

Digital Media Editor

finaled in the top 10

nent job as the host of

men

dominated

way to be funny, and it

“This, though a very

on NBC’s “Last Comic

“After Midnight” — in

stand-up comedy since

doesn’t work quite as

simple step, allows com-

Standing.” This brought

a coveted spot, a posi-

its origin. Female co-

well. There tends to be

fortable

significant traction to

tion previously held by

medians being includ-

more social respect for

for future programs to

her career, as she went

only male comedians.

ed in the “greats” are

women in the light of

become

on to get her first spe-

Along with this suc-

few and far between.

dignity. It’s the predis-

tioned to a female lead,”

cial on Netflix, titled

cess, Tomlinson is the

“I think there is a lack

position of society that is

said Tanner Harris, a

“Quarter-Life

Crisis.”

youngest late-night host

of femininity in female