the
Volume 118, Issue 2
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, September 1, 2020
UCO athletes reflect on lost season
INSIDE
UCOSA update Newly elected UCOSA senators prepare for their first meeting of the fall semester. See Pg. 5
The sports performance facility sits at the end of Wantland Stadium. Student-athletes now must follow strict health guidelines inside, and areas that were once used for socializing have been roped off with caution tape. The NCAA stated that athletes will be allowed to retain this year of eligbility if they wish to return to play next spring or fall semester. (Chris Brannick/Broncho Sports)
Opinion: Representation, not tokenism, matters
Copy Editor JaNae Williams examines how representation in law enforcement can inspire change.
See Pg. 7
Oklahoma County’s first Black sheriff to be elected For the first time, two Black men will face off in the upcoming election for OK County Sheriff. See Pg. 5
Logan Long Contributing Writer
Student-athletes are beginning a school year unlike any other, with the recent news of the NCAA cancelling all Division II and III fall sports championships and the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association postponing fall seasons until January. UCO student athletes gave us a look inside a life without competition. “We train all year long to improve our skills the best we can,” UCO quarterback Keats Calhoon said. “As football players we have only 11 guaranteed games a year. That
equals roughly only 33 hours a year we actually spend playing the game we practice for thousands of hours a year. So, it is frustrating working so hard in preparation for a season that got canceled.” Calhoon talked a little bit about the differences in his schedule. “[In a normal season] we would lift three times a week, have treatment, meetings and practice from 2 to 6 p.m. roughly five times a week,” he said. “Now we are still lifting three times a week and conditioning two times a week while wearing masks
Continued on Pg. 4
UCO opens The CO-OP, a new Student-led organizations advocate for diversity esports arena, on campus Alex Fischer and Daniela Arvizo
Preston Poole
Contributing Writers
Contributing Writer
Around Campus
Events are happening all around campus! Stop by the Student Involvement Center on September 1 to particpate in the “Build-A-Broncho” event. See Pg. 2
and social distancing.” If there has been one positive aspect from the postponement of the season, for junior volleyball player Amanda Desch, it has been being able to spend time with her teammates off the court. “We do a lot of bonding off-thecourt, which I think will in turn help in the future getting the team morale together.” Desch said. In the midst of a canceled season, student-athletes find themselves with a significant amount of free time and must find new ways to fill it.
El Encuentro or “The Hunt” was one of many cultural diversity events held last week at The University of Central Oklahoma in partnership with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The goal was to initiate a basis of friendship between new and seasoned students, while promoting the diversity on campus. Students from all walks in life are welcome and invited to join organizations like Hispanic American Student Association, Native
Esports thrived in a world where sports were shut down for months. NASCAR drivers raced virtually from their homes for millions of viewers. NFL and NBA players took to the virtual field and court competing in Madden and NBA2k. Right now, gaming and esports in general have never been so popular. The story is much the same here at UCO as the Bronchos Esports team opens their new CO-OP Continued on Pg. 3
Continued on Pg. 3
2 | The Vista
Tuesday, September 1, 2020 Lessons in Leadership Fall Speaker Series: From 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Constitution Hall in the Nigh University Center come hear Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe of the Sewing Hope Foundation in Uganda speak about leadership from an international perspective. SPB Build-A-Broncho: The Student Programming Board's Build-ABroncho event is TO-GO this year! Pick up your Build-A-Broncho kit from the Student Involvement Center (NUC 141) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (while supplies last). Then join us virtually at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom to BuildA-Broncho together! Zoom registration link will be available through the event link on UCORE. BSA Training Day: From 6-6:40 p.m. the UCO Black Student Association will host a virtual event that will allow BSA members to get to know the BSA executive board. Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Healthy Hooves Hut: From 11:30 a..m. - 1p.m. at the UCO Clock Tower by Broncho Lake, students will engage
September 1, 2020
in activities with the Health Promotion team and Peer Health Leaders while learning about trending health topics throughout the semester. BSA Intros + 106 & Park Mic Check: From 7-9 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Grand Ballroom, the UCO Black Student Association will host an event to offer students a chance to get to know one another. Students can also learn more about all of the programs and groups that are part of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Thursday, September 3, 2020 French Club Scavenger Hunt & Meeting: From 4-6 p.m. join the UCO French Club for it's first meeting of the semester. Students will team up in groups of three to decifer curious clues in French and document their adventure around campus for awesome prizes. Meet by the stairs near the Pegasus Cafe. BSA “Set It Off ” Virtual Discussion: From 7-7:40 p.m. join the UCO Black Student Association via Zoom for a virtual debate on topics ranging from Black Lives Matter to relationship goals. Conversation will be moderated by the BSA executive board. Contact BSA via instagram (@ucobsa) for more information.
Around Campus
Friday, September 4, 2020
Monday, September 7, 2020
BSA Hustle and Flow: From 7-9 p.m. via Zoom, join the UCO Black Student Association via Zoom for a Virtual guess that song/karaoke. Board members will each play an R&B/old school song and see which student can discover the name and artist first. Answer in the chat first to earn points, the student with the most points will receive a free BSA shirt and have their member dues paid for the semester by the exec board. There will be a first and second place winner.
Suicide Prevention Week: Join UCO Health Promotion and Peer Health Leaders along with other student organizations for events across campus all week. Learn the warning sides of suicide, how you can help a friend who is struggling anf how to spread hope to others. Follow @ucohealthpromo on Facebook, instagram and Twitter for more information on events throughout the week and details on how to get involved.
International Student Council General Assembly Meeting: From 2-3 p.m. in the Center for Transformative Learning, join the International Student Council for its first general assembly meeting of the semester. Come learn how you can be involved in one of the 15 country/regional associations that make up the assembly.
Welcome Back HASA!: The UCO Hispanic American Student Association will host a Zoom meeting to discuss upcoming events and future plans for the club this semester. Register on ucore.uco.edu/events or contact HASA via instagram (@ucohasa) for more information.
Saturday, September 5, 2020 BSA Lean on Me: Join the UCO Black Student Association from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. for community service event, which will consist of campus clean up. Meet in front of the Max Chambers library. We will be picking up trash outdoors, around campus. Students will need to be masked and we will provide gloves and trash bags.
To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.
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VISTA
Staff
Sarah Hite CiCi Simon JaNae Williams Jacob Silva Tanner Johnson Cynthia Faulkner
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editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, EDITORIALS clarity and space, or to eliminate Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, statements of questionable taste. reviews and commentaries represent The Vista reserves the right not to the views of the writer or artist and publish submitted letters. not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department ADDRESS LETTERS TO: of Mass Communication, UCO or Editor, The Vista, the Board of Regents of Oklahoma 100 N. University Dr. Colleges. The Vista is not an official Edmond, OK 73034-5209, medium of expression for the or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Regents or UCO.
LETTERS
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Esports/HASA
September 1, 2020
“The CO-OP” gaming arena opened at the beginning of the 2020 fall semester. It will host future esports competitions and is open to the public most days from 5 p.m. to midnight. (Provided by the @UCOHousing Twitter)
UCO opens The CO-OP, a new esports arena, on campus Continued from pg. 1
at UCO as the Bronchos Esports team opens their new CO-OP Esports and Gaming Arena located in the old Thompson’s Bookstore at
101 N. University Drive. The new arena was set to open this spring, but due to COVID-19 it was delayed. Hours run from 5 p.m. to midnight
Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, and 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday. The gaming arena allows UCO Esports to host local and even regional tournaments. The CO-OP is also fitted with streaming capabilities allowing the Bronchos Esports team to stream those tournaments for their viewers. UCO Esports President Ty Wallace, also known as Halt, said that the Esports team is currently in the works to host a Rocket League tournament in the future, but nothing is set in stone right now. According to the team’s press release, the arena has 48 high-end PC gaming stations, two virtual reality booths, five Nintendo Switch consoles, and popular board and tabletop games. Although Wallace mentioned that due to COVID-19, the tabletop and board game area
The Vista | 3 is closed. Students, faculty, and staff may play at the CO-OP for $5 an hour, but if you live on campus you get 15 free hours of gameplay. Mention that you are a resident at UCO while you’re signing up to get those hours added to your account. Wallace also said that all students need their UCO ID to sign up. For non-students who are looking to game at the new arena the hourly rate is $7 an hour. Overwatch, Rocket League, Call of Duty, League of Legends, Apex Legends, Fortnite, and much more are available. Wallace said that they are adding more games in the future. At-home gamers will be able to sign into their accounts like Steam and Blizzard. This will allow players to use their personal accounts while playing instead of making a new one.
Student-led organizations advocate for diversity Continued from pg. 1
and invited to join organizations like Hispanic American Student Association, Native American Student Association and the UCO chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. HASA representatives felt it was best for new students, including freshmen and transfer students, around campus by having this scavenger hunt. Public Relations Chair, Jasmine Cabello stated, “It’s important for students to join events such as this one. It may make it easier to join other on-campus organizations and encourage them to attend other events. It can be difficult to know where to start, HASA, and this event is intended to help be the first step.” This upcoming year, both the goals and hopes for HASA revolve around maintaining and building a sense of community here those at UCO. Throughout the past years HASA has become more than an organization, they are family, according to Cabello. Since this year is different from past years, due to COVID-19, the main goal of HASA is to remain a family and be a safe space for those who need it. Cabello is a HASA member and representative, a junior in elementary education. She spoke about
HASA officers from Left: Vice President Leslie Martinez, Secretary Karol Montoya, President Gerardo Santillan, Treasurer Destiny Perez, and PR representative Jasmine Cabello, to help students familiarize themselves with locations on campus and form connections with other students. This pose is a tradition for the organization while attempting to fall within UCO’s campus-wide protocol on wearing masks. (Alex Fischer/The Vista)
the group being a place where real memories are made. “By the initial meeting ... It was one of the first places I felt comfortable. It’s about sharing a funny memory with someone or you find something genuinely in common with someone, it creates something more than a passing memory,” Cabello said. “The whole idea of a scavenger hunt is about integrating the new students and past students. Why a scavenger hunt? I want people who aren’t familiar with the campus to come! I want to show someone the ropes so later they can do
it for someone else,” President of HASA Gerardo Santillan said. “In the grand scheme of things I’m helping you so later on you’ll be able to help us back. That means representing us [HASA], being a mentor -- because you found a reason to,” Santillan said. This is a resounding message through the events last week, a call for togetherness and a celebration of the similarities and differences within a culture. Other cultural organizations on campus hosted gatherings. The Black Student Association hosted an event called the “Black to the
Basics,” and the Asian American Student Association held a masked singer virtual karaoke show. “It is not just a group for Asian Americans. The group’s goal is to encourage cultural awareness through diverse events to everyone who wants to be part of the change,” Mindy Vo said, former AASA council member. “Regardless of race, background, and culture, anyone can join.” The continuing theme through the week was, despite race, friendship and memories can thrive with these organizations. Getting involved is as easy as showing up.
4 | The Vista
September 1, 2020
Athletes/Health
Student-athletes at UCO reflect on lost season
Quarterback for the University Central Oklahoma football team, Keats Calhoon, drops back to pass against Nebraska-Kearney in week two of the 2019 season. The Bronchos would end up beating the Lopers in a tough 28-23 road win. (UCO Athletics/Ucentral Sports) Continued from pg. 1
“I am coping by putting more time and energy into my classes,” Calhoon said. “Our coaches emphasize our academics a lot, and they are helping us spend even more time excelling in that area.” In 2019, Calhoon played in four games and made two starts before suffering a season ending knee injury. He threw for 575 yards and three
touchdowns in those four appearances, while tacking on 70-yards rushing. Setter for the University of Central Oklahoma volleyball team, Amanda Desch, leaps from the ground to spike the ball against Southeastern State in what would be a 3-0 win for the Bronchos, during the 2019 season. (UCO Athletics) Many people outside of the sports world do not understand what ath-
letes go through on a daily basis to stay in shape for their sport. For a student-athlete, losing out on a season is more than just by passing a few games; it means not being able to display years of hard work. Losing out on a season also has negative mental effects on players. “It kind of crushes you. Each year you get a certain group of girls and you are never going to get that same
set”, Desch said. Each season brings new players and challenges and Desch was really looking forward to her junior campaign. “I had such high hopes for this season, we were really starting to mesh well, and everything was clicking,” Desch said. In 2019, Desch solidified herself as one of the best all-around players in the MIAA. She was a second team all MIAA pick after leading the team in hitting percentage (.254), assists (635), total blocks (54), and service aces (25) while finishing second in kills (247) and digs (359). As a team, the Bronchos went 1813 in 2019 with a 10-10 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos season ended in the quarterfinals of the MIAA postseason tournament with a loss to Central Missouri. Desch said that the biggest lesson through this whole process has been learning how to be mentally tough. “This is not something anyone has ever dealt with,” she said. “This is the weirdest feeling ever; I’ve had volleyball my whole life.”
UCO students step up their sexual health Gretchen Houk Contributing Writer
Students at the University of Central Oklahoma are using more condoms over the last two years than previously seen before according to the director of The Center. Goody bags containing candy, condoms and sexual health information were distributed at The Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center’s open house last week. The Center’s socially distanced services are promoted early in the semester so students have immediate access to free condoms, menstruation products and sexual health resources. The Center receives donated condoms from the Oklahoma State Health Department and other local organizations. They distribute them to UCO students to promote safe sex. Lindsey Churchill, director for The Center said, “Last semester I think we gave out almost 7,000, and we’ve seen a pretty large increase in condom use on campus in the last two years.” Churchill wants students to know The Center is a judgment free area so they feel comfortable asking for resources. “We discreetly get you a brown bag,
The University of Central Oklahoma has seen a large increase in its distripution of condoms. The Women’s resource center gave out 7,0000 and it has continued to increase in the last two years. (Photo provided/Wikimedia)
and you can get whatever you want,” she said. The Center is responsible for all sexual health programming on campus. They stock the residency halls and OU Clinic with free condoms. In addition to physical resources, they also have a room in Thatcher Hall. Students can come ask questions pertaining to sexual health or read about it in their library of over 5,000 books. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday-Thursday. The Center opened in the fall of 2017. Churchill said they hope to keep students in school and safe from
STIs and other effects of practicing unprotected sex. “An unintended pregnancy and an STI can really hinder a student’s ability to learn,” Churchill said. In addition, Churchill stated that UCO has had outbreaks of chlamydia in recent years. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in Oklahoma according to the OSDH. More than 21,000 Oklahomans were diagnosed with Chlamydia in 2017, and the OSDH said 20 to 24 year olds report the most cases. “We know chlamydia can lead to
infertility; these are things that can have long-lasting effects. We want people to start thinking about their sexual health now because it’s a lifelong process,” Churchill said. Condoms cannot completely prevent the spread of STIs like chlamydia. When used consistently and correctly it greatly decreases the risk of transmission according to the Centers for Disease Controls. Churchill said The Center is following COVID-19 protocol. It is properly sanitized, and masks are required as well as proper social distancing.
UCOSA/Black Representation
September 1, 2020
The Vista | 5
UCOSA gears up for fall with first meeting, election Sarah Hite Acting Editor-in-Chief
There were 60 candidates pining for the vote to the student government association among the five colleges at the University of Central Oklahoma. On Friday, UCOSA announced the newly elected senators, and meetings began Monday. UCOSA oversees and addresses student concerns, manages student organizations and works to enhance the overall student experience both on and off campus, according to the UCO website. James Limbaugh, UCOSA body president, and Christian Coleman, vice president were elected in April. De Shannon, congressional chair; Hanna Turner, congressional vice chair; and, DeLauren Diaz, congressional secretary were also elected. The senator names were announced on social media Friday: Liberal Arts: Emily Grim, Sakinah Smith, Josh Chao, Jose Ibarra, Daniela Arvizo, Kassidy Ferrell Business: Callie Hambrick, Siamrya Wilson, Boone Lenochan, Johny Hayes, Dakota Gann, Alejandro Palma Fine Arts and Design: Gable
Students begin taking role for first UCOSA meeting of the semester. While many were present, others attended via zoom to cover concerns, organization management and to look over the student experience on and off campus. (Cici Simon/The Vista)
Couch, Dillion Rasberry, Alexis Howry Education and Professional Studies: Abby Wright, Nathan Ferrell, Mich Hambrick, Reagan Griffin, Amariah Sheffield, Megan Watkins, Robert Merchant, Cecilia Favela Math and Science: Rose Nasihatkon, Ethan Clark, Dominique Bruner, Kameron Kimball, Sydney Leland, Gianella Albines-Chaves, Sameer Ahmad On campus: Tyler Owens, Austin
Payne, Lukas Byfield, Diallo Foster, Hannah Scarberry Off campus: Haley White, Lynh Hoang, Alexxa Lewis, Landon Hunter, Evan Bostic. UCOSA representatives are a regular fixture in a series of live discussion forums called “Central Diversity.” The second episode of this series will focus on the topic of activism at 1 p.m. Sept. 5 via UCentral’s Facebook page. The episode will feature student leaders including Day’Quann Ervin, Oklahoma City Human
Rights Task Force member; Han Seth Leu, director of International Student Affairs of UCOSA; Sakinah Smith, OKC Rally organizer; Sincere Terry, demonstrator arrested in Oklahoma county; and, J.D Younger, Edmond police chief. Meeting agendas are usually released the Friday before the meeting, but the UCOSA website has not been updated yet. To view the minutes for previous meetings you can visit their website.
Examining UCO Black faculty to student ratio Adrian Mack Contributing Writer
The ratio of Black students to Black professors at the University of Central Oklahoma is lacking and Bronchos feel the lack of representation. Some students go their whole college careers without having a professor who looks like them. For some Black students at UCO, diversity isn’t always shed well under the light. Whether it's feeling you don’t fit in, or being afraid to trust or talk to law enforcement. With the reckoning of America’s history of racial inequality, the UCO community is tasked with addressing racial disparities transparently. Although UCO is a diverse community, the ratio of Black faculty and Black students is low. The academic affairs FactBook 2018-2019 edition shows, from 2013 to 2017 UCO only averaged around 13.6 Black faculty members. Compared to averaging 2,030 black students during that time frame. Third behind White and Asian faculty members.
The lack of representation for Black students has impacted them. Evan Bostic, project director of the Black Male Summit and Black Male Initiative said the Black student to teacher ratio being very thin, it's hard for some black students to feel comfortable when most of the professors may not be of their ethic background. “Programs like the BMI are retention programs used to help Black males stay in college and graduate,” Bostic said. The organizations have only a few differences, but all work as one power unit. “We are able to create a safe space on campus, for students to feel safe and help the community,” stated Bostic, who is also serving as president of UCO's NAACP organization. “This is something we are actively working towards, trying to get Black students more involved with Black professors,” Bostic said. In addition to pushing for more Black professors to be hired, Bostic said “the university does a great job of working with them and hearing our
voices." While there are several Black centric organizations on campus, having a professor, mentor or advisor who looks like you helps bridge a gap in the student-teacher relationship. Consider the importance of children having toys that look like them. Or consider the message Michelle Obama recently delivered to a group of 1,000 Black girls. "Don’t ever forget how much power you have,” Michelle Obama
said. The Black Girls Lead conference is an annual event, put on by Black Girls Rock, aimed at empowering Black girls, ages 13 to 18, to become leaders. Black people are under represented in job markets across the country. At UCO, the same kind of under representation is present. While the university has no control over who applies to teach, the lack of Black applicants to the school is curious.
6 | The Vista
September 1, 2020
Oklahoma County Sheriff
Oklahoma County to elect first Black sheriff JaNae Williams Copy Editor
On November 3, Oklahoma County residents will make history as they elect the first Black sheriff in the county’s history. After winning a runoff election against incumbent P.D. Taylor on August 25, Tommie Johnson III became the official candidate for the Republican party and will faceoff against Democratic candidate Wayland Cubit in the general election. Cubit is a lieutenant with the Oklahoma City Police Department. Johnson is a master police officer with the City of Norman Police Department. Both Cubit and Johnson were born and raised in Oklahoma. Both also realize the significance of the historic moment they are currently living. “People are ready for a significant change and a different perspective at the leadership of law enforcement,” Cubit said. “I think our current situation across America says we want to see, we want to allow a different perspective to lead law enforcement.” Cubit added that for 130 years the sheriff of Oklahoma County has been a white man. Residents are saying that they want to see something different. “I understand the significance of it, but it doesn’t change the work that I have to do,” Cubit said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re Black, brown, white, Black. If you’re not good at what you do you’ll be on the wrong side of history.” Johnson echoed similar sentiments. “I think everybody sees how far we’ve come as a society,” Johnson said. “When you have the argument that on both sides of the aisle, it’s going to be a black man that will be the top cop for a community, I think that speaks volumes.” Cubit also noted that the election of the first Black sheriff will send a positive message to minorities across the area about what is possible for them. It will help upcoming leaders in the community be encouraged and inspired, he added. For Johnson, inspiring others to pursue education and opportunities to better themselves is one of his motivations for pursuing the office. “The area I come from, south side of Oklahoma City where I’m from, you think about sports as the only way of getting out,” Johnson said. “We can be leaders and so much more.”
As the top law enforcement agency for Oklahoma County, the sheriff ’s office used to be solely responsible for the Oklahoma County Detention Center. However, on July 1, control of the jail was turned over to the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council, more commonly known as the Jail Trust. This trust effectively removed the sheriff from direct control of the facility, though the sheriff does still sit on the Jail Trust board and have a vote on jail matters. “We still have a very soft touch on the jail, but we have one nonetheless,” said Johnson. “My responsibility isn’t to the structure or what’s going in the structure. Now my responsibility, my resources, I can focus, a sharp, pinpoint focus, on how to better serve a community.” However, Cubit’s concern is that the current sheriff, who he or Johnson will replace, has not taken his involvement in the Jail Trust seriously. “The current administration kind of washed its hands of the jail and tried to make that a very distinct separation from his duties,” Cubit said. “[The sheriff] is an agent of the community, and so I feel like I still would have an obligation to be a voice on that trust to call out things that I see that might be helpful, as the trust makes plans to better the jail.”
Calls echo for increases to community policing efforts in recent years. The Oklahoma County Sheriff ’s Office created a Community Advisory Board with the intention of allowing citizens to be more directly involved. Johnson said that’s simply not enough. “Police do not really go out of their way to engage the community, but we always say we want to have a better trust with the community,” Johnson said. “I think the reason is because the leadership at the top is afraid of the tough conversations that they would have to have if they went into a community.” According to Johnson, he’s not afraid to have those tough conversations, which he added are the key to restoring and building community trust. “I think police need to put themselves in a more vulnerable position when it comes to having those conversations,” Johnson said. Additionally, law enforcement continues to face scrutiny regarding a lack of transparency. Cubit explained that law enforcement needs to operate at levels of unprecedented transparency and openness with the community. “A lot of the things we do in law enforcement, we’re doing to protect our agency, our city, our county, from lawsuits but what I want to do is
make our lawyers earn their money,” Cubit said. “Some things we just need to tell our community.” Cubit added that while facts can change emotions, emotions cannot alter facts. “Why not give our community the facts and let’s just own up to what we did that was right, wrong or indifferent,” Cubit said. “Let’s be accountable to it, because we’re going to hold our community accountable when they make mistakes and it goes both ways.” Cubit added that the same accountability should apply no matter who holds the office. Johnson said both men being qualified and passionate should cause voters to do their research. “I want it to be extremely hard on voters with who they go with,” Johnson said. “I want them to have to dissect everything that we do and say to make sure they are making the right choic.” In the end, both Johnson and Cubit said this race is about much more than a significant racial milestone or making history. It’s about doing what’s best for Oklahoma County and continuing to push for progress. “Start being the example of not a warrior of the community because we wear a uniform and we have the authority, but to be a guardian of the community within the uniform,” Cubit said. “What that means is that we’re not trying to punish people, we’re trying to protect people.”
Democrat Wayland Cubit (left) will face off against republican Tommie Johnson III to become the first Black sheriff of Oklahoma County. The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s election will take place during the Nov. 3 general election. (Provided/Wayland Cubit & Tommie Johnson III)
Editorial
September 1, 2020
The Vista | 7
Embracing representation without tokenism
JaNae Williams Copy Editor
A quote commonly attributed to Einstein says “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.” Oklahoma County was one of the state’s first seven counties and the Oklahoma County Sheriff ’s Department dates back to 1890. In 130 years, 22 men have assumed the post. All 22 have been white. Based on the Oklahoma County Sheriff Republican runoff, it seems residents may not want to keep living on the verge of insanity. On Nov. 3, Democrat or Republican, Oklahoma County will elect its first Black sheriff. For communities across Oklahoma County, this guaranteed change is a symbol of hope. Hope that real progress is being made in a state whose history runs deep with racial injustices. But the reality remains that many still fear the dangerous repercussions of being Black in America and Oklahoma. Especially regarding police interactions and inequality in the criminal justice system. According the Center for Policing Equity, the use of force against Black Americans is roughly 3.8 times higher than their whites counterparts. Additionally, The Sentencing Project found that for every 100,000 Black people in Oklahoma 2,625 are imprisoned. For white people the number is only 580. Yet according to data from
the U.S. Census Bureau, only 7.8% of Oklahoma’s total population is Black, while 74% is white. Are Black people committing crimes at higher rates? Not according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. In every major crime index, violent and non-violent, white offenders make up the majority of arrests. Yet, the incarceration rates show a distinct disparity. Factors affecting arrest rates including disproportionate policing of
minority neighborhoods must also be considered. Data compiled by the United Health Foundation shows that 21.3% of Oklahoma households face concentrated disadvantage, which means they fall below the poverty line, receive public assistance, have female heads of household or face unemployment. Nearly 30% of Oklahoman’s experience adverse childhood experiences. Adverse childhood experiences including: economic hardship; a parent serving jail time; being treated or judged unfairly due to race/ethnicity; death of parent or other factors. In the state of Oklahoma, 30% of Black people live in poverty compared to only 12% of white people, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. All of these things come together to create a system that has for generations failed Black communities. Additionally, a lack of trust between these communities and the police only furthers the division. Which brings us back to the hope this election provides. For the first time, black residents of Oklahoma County will see someone who looks like them making decisions about law enforcement policies that affect them. For the first time, a community that has spent decades being marginalized and overlooked will see themselves reflected in the leadership of a policing organization. This election reinforces a rallying cry pointed out by minority communities for some time now. Representation matters.
Whether watching the news, reading, attending class, visiting a hospital or watching the latest blockbuster film, seeing others like us portrayed positively is crucial to even our earliest maginations of what could be. Educator Laura Thomas states, “Our children’s early experiences -including the hours spent consuming media -- shape what they imagine to be possible for people who look like them, live where they live, or come from where they came from. Simply put, kids determine what they can be based on the examples around them.” As such, representation cannot be done idly or with a spirit of checking boxes to fulfill a diversity and inclusion initiative. Tokenism is not representation. The election of a Black sheriff rejects tokenism. No one but the county’s Republican voters decided the runoff winner. Just as no one but the county’s voters will decide the sheriff on Nov. 3. No board seeking to send a message, no head of diversity and inclusion. Just the voters. As they prepare to cast their ballots, it’s more important than ever for voters to realize that progress and change are vital to the continued success of all communities. And real progress and change only happen when we are willing to open ourselves to new perspectives, rejecting complacency and the expectation for things to change if we continue to do the same thing over and over. After all, that would be insanity.