Meet the ASUWT President | P. 3 THE LEDGER UWT’S FREE WEEKLY PUBLICATION Jan. 9, 2017 | Volume 21, Issue 12 thetacomaledger.com
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Passengers punked or prejudiced? | P. 6
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The Ledger. January 9, 2017 | Volume 21 | Issue 12
Editorial: Everyone’s New Year’s resolution should be to quit social media
The Ledger UWT’s weekly student publication Jan. 9, 2017 | Vol. 21, Issue 12 Please send all feedback and submissions to: ledger@uw.edu
Eliminating social media from our lives may be the way we turn 2017 around. By Daniel Barnett Editor-in-Chief
Editors Editor-in-Chief .......... Daniel Barnett News Editor ................ Angela Suresh Opinion Editor .. Sean Gill-MacDonald A&E Editor ....... Sean Ferrell-Wyman Managing Editor ......... Dalana Dailey Copy Editor .............. Shakira Stewart
Staff Writers News Reporter ............... Jude Hanno News Reporter ............. Brisa Mendez Opinion Columnist ........ Esti Izuagbe Opinion Columnist ... Julianna Siemssen Opinion Columnist .... Noah Wingard A&E Columnist ................ Annie Dontula A&E Columnist .......... Derek Downey
Art Illustrator ........................ Alexx Elder Photo Editor ................. Anna Howell
Page Design Layout Manager ............ Avery Parker Page Designer ................. Angela Wild Page Designer .............. Jessika Foust
Advertisements Web Manager .................. Sasha Penn Ads Manager .................... Luke Alger
For years we’ve been told social media worked wonders for our networking footprint. It connects us to the entire world — and gives us access to people and places we never dreamed we could interact with. But there is growing research that shows those connections may not be as helpful as we all thought. A 2014 Pew Research report says that “66 percent of internet users who have experienced online harassment said their most recent incident occurred on a social networking site or app.” Additionally, the report claims 90 percent of internet users say that an online environment is overly critical when compared to personal interaction. And when it comes to social media, the trade-off for a worldwide communication platform may not be as great as we thought. A recent study from the psychological journal, Computers in Human Behavior, revealed that using social media does not promote well-
being, and actually increases “online vulnerability,” which, according to the study is “… an individual’s capacity to experience detriments to their psychological, reputational, or physical wellbeing as a result of the experiences that they may encounter whilst engaging in online activities.” When I first started social media, I was told it was a great way to network. But you know what’s another great way to network? Personal interaction. The day before the election, I quit Facebook. I couldn’t just get on and look anymore — I had to yell at someone for not agreeing with me or share something that confirmed my beliefs. I used social media as a tool to confirm my biases — not to connect with people. I was stunned at the result of the presidential election — but one thing was for sure: I wasn’t going to use social media to make myself feel better. Instead I was looking back at the previous year with a much more rounded perspective. For the first time in a long time, I didn’t run to social media to see what
people were saying about life events — I could experience them in my own personal way. And while I kept my Twitter account (because I’m a journalist and, well, I have to), I stopped scrolling through comment sections and quit arguing with people the way I would on Facebook. Instead, I began researching outside the realms of social media on current events. I even picked up a newspaper (other than this one) once — it was weird to read news without scrolling through the hate-filled comments section at the bottom. This year, I encourage everyone to leave social media — even if for a little bit. I know many people use it to connect to family and friends, but (for those of you who are old enough to remember this) think back to when there was no social media. How did we stay connected? We called on the phone, we wrote letters (email works too), we even met face-to-face. Think about this: If you lost your social media pages today, who would you really want to contact off that list? If you can’t think of anyone or already have that person’s personal
information, then your social media “friends” really aren’t that necessary. 2016 was a bad year. But what made it worse was how often we shoved our noses into our phones and ignored the world around us. The new year has already started, but it’s not too late to quit social media. Don’t make a grand exit — just leave. See how many people ask you about it (if you leave without saying anything, my guess is not many). Then head down to the nearest social gathering and just sit. Don’t look at your phone — just sit and watch. While you observe the many people clicking and posing and commenting away, notice the atmosphere. How many people are talking to each other? How many of them look engaged with someone? Chances are you will probably notice something you’ve never noticed before. Let’s make 2017 the year we wake up from our social slumber. Let’s make this the year we interact with human beings right in front of our faces instead of the ones buried in our social media networks.
Pacific Northwest orca found dead in southern Canada
Advisor Publications Manager .. Elizabeth Hansen
Cover Art
by Alexx Elder
Another Northwestern Pacific orca washed up on shore in Canada. This marks the fifth orca death from the J pod — a small group of orcas in the Puget Sound — this year. By Jude Hanno News Reporter
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On Dec. 20, an 18-year-old male orca was found dead near Vancouver, Canada. The killer whale, known as J34, was one of at least five other whales found dead in the Puget Sound region. J34’s carcass was towed to land and then autopsied on Dec. 21. According to the Seattle Times, Canadian Fisheries and Oceans coordinator Paul Cottrell believed the cause of death to be blunt-force trauma to the head most likely caused by a boat. J34 comes from the orca J pod, a famous pod of killer whales located in the Puget Sound region. The Seattle Times states that although J pod was listed as endangered in 2005, there were more deaths in 2016 for these mammals than at any other time in recent history. According to the Center for Whale Research, another whale from the Puget Sound J pod — J28 — died
earlier this month from a bacterial infection in her bloodstream. The Center’s website states, “Orcas are on top. They’re an apex predator and sit at the top of the food chain. This means that everything in their environment, from the bottom to the top, affects their survival.” To stop the deaths of these endangered mammals, the Center for Whale Research proposes that we take daily measures to keep the ocean clean. Noticing what goes down the drain can help keep the endangered population alive. “Water that goes down the drain, or is flushed, doesn’t disappear,” the center says on their conservation page. Disposing of trash down a toilet or a drain can lead to sewage overflows that pollute the ocean and local waterways. Even washing a car in a driveway can lead to hazardous chemicals going down the drain and into the ocean, because treated waterways cannot get rid of all chemicals. Taking your car to a car wash, where the water can be
COURTESY OF MINETTE LAYNE
The Pacific Northwest is home to over 70 orca whales. There are three extended families — or pods — in the area: J pod, K pod and L pod.
reused and recycled, is a better alternative. The center also encourages people to reduce, reuse and recycle. This can be done by not using plastic bags — which can end up in a whale’s stomach — and by not using plastic bottles, but refillable water bottles
instead. “The whales are good neighbors to us, providing us with entertainment, spectacular beauty to enjoy, and local jobs that support local economies. We should respect them by being good neighbors back,” the center’s conservation page says.
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The Ledger. January 9, 2017 | Volume 21 | Issue 12
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PHOTO BY ANNA HOWELL
ASUWT President Berkan encourages students to voice their concerns to the senate and board of directors at any time. If you can’t find him at his office in the University YMCA Student Center, you might find him at his favorite spot, Anthem, drinking a cup of coffee and reading a book. This doesn’t mean you can’t approach him — in fact — do so.
ASUWT President Berkan Koroglu aims to leave a legacy Two quarters have gone by, and Berkan wants to assure students that they have a voice in making a positive change on campus. By Angela Suresh News Editor
B
eing president of the student body is not all people picture it to be. It’s at times stressful, but Berkan Koroglu views that stress and the role as a blessing. Koroglu hails from Istanbul, Turkey. After completing his primary education, his father encouraged him to move to America in order to become a “better student.” It was only a few years back when he ended up living in Manhattan, New York for eight months and eventually made his way here to Washington. Chancellor Mark Pagano said, “Berkan has been an engaged leader for the students at UW Tacoma. He actively interacts with and listens to our students and spends much of his time working on the issues most important to them.” He is currently pursuing a degree in politics, philosophy and economics here on campus. His goal as ASUWT President is to create a campus where every student feels safe and welcome. He also wants to reassure students that their voices are heard and he encourages them
to speak with him and the rest of the student leaders team. Q: How would you describe your role as ASUWT President? A: It’s a stressful role. It requires a lot of sacrifice from me as a student and from day to day duties as my priorities changed. I aim to be available as much as I can for the students of our campus. I know my office hours may not be the best as they’re in the mornings, but I try to compensate that by being on campus as much as possible. I say it’s stressful not because of the job itself — it’s actually a blessing. It’s fun. I get to meet with a lot of students and hear their amazing stories from all walks of life. But when working as ASUWT President, it must be realized I have a team behind me as well. We all have a lot of ideas as a team, we all have a lot of goals we want to achieve but when it’s not getting accomplished, it gets frustrating at times. But what’s best about this job is the impact I can make. Talking with students, hearing their stories, is something which I feel fortunate to be a part of. Being recognized on campus is the most rewarding feeling because they know
me and see me as a resource. Q: How would you say ASUWT served the students this year? A: Our job is to be there to hear students’ concerns and if they are not getting resolved, then we are not doing our job. But it must be understood that there are a lot of people we have to talk to in order for actions to happen and that may take months. We are working on fixing the parking and study space problems right now as that seems to be a prominent and recurring concern throughout the years.” Q: What are some issues ASUWT is facing and how do you plan to resolve them? A: Students come and talk to me about issues, but the fact is that it’s not just me that is ASUWT. I am proud to recognized but I am part of a team and we are not as known as well as we should be. The students who come talk to me already know about ASUWT and what we do, and we need to broaden our reach. So, we plan to expand on our marketing by creating posters and making sure that all the directors and other student leaders are known on campus.
There are communication issues amongst us as a team. Ramiro, our advisor for the past 5 months, resigned and so things have been hard on us as we no longer have a mediator to solve internal issues, but we are working through them the best we can. Also, I feel we need to work on being approachable. I tell this to all my student leader members: we need to put aside the problems we ourselves as students face and be there for the students. It’s key that we differentiate what it means to be a student and to be a student leader. We aim to make a positive change going forward and want more voices to be heard. Starting this next quarter, we are going to be hosting Town Hall meetings. It will be open door and free food will be served. We encourage all students and staff to attend and speak at these meetings. This is part of our aim to be approachable members. Q: What else would you like students to know about you and about ASUWT? A: We aim to leave a legacy and we are working on creating legacy documents that will record everything we
are currently doing in order to help the future administration. I am also trying to start up leadership workshops that will hopefully tell students a little bit more about ASUWT and teach them more about leadership and how students are able to develop on their characteristics to create a positive change around them. People may think of me as a politician, but I don’t believe so — but one rule in being a politician is to never dance around the issue. Always face it head on, and that’s what I attempt to do. I always then ask the question if whether we are two-faced because of the position that we are in because we ourselves are trying to discover who we are and what we may have fought for in the beginning may have changed. Growing up in a conservative culture, some of my views get challenged so it makes me question who I am at times, but it helps me discover what I believe in. But I want every student on this campus to know they have a voice, and every student can come and talk to us. They can email us, find us in our offices, social media, pretty much anywhere. We will respond.
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The Ledger. January 9, 2017 | Volume 21 | Issue 12
Mexico’s thoughts on the potential ‘Trump wall’ Donald Trump wants to build a wall on the border of the United States and Mexico, and many Mexicans have mixed reviews about his plan.
By Brisa Mendez News Reporter Now that Donald Trump has won the election, his plan to build a wall on the border of U.S. and Mexico seems more of a reality than ever before. Brandon Judd, Trump’s advisor on the wall, said on NPR’s Morning Edition, “The wall is going to be absolutely effective in certain locations. We do not need a wall along the entire 2,000 miles of the border.” Prior to the election, Trump met with Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto to discuss the potential wall in Mexico City. Nieto told El Universal in a press conference, “I was very clear in public and in private to emphasize the fact that in Mexico, we feel offended and hurt by his statements about Mexicans. I expressed that we deserve respect, that we are honest, hardworking peo-
ple, that we value our families and the culture of effort.” Nieto also said on Twitter, “I congratulate the U.S. for its electoral process and I reiterate to @realDonaldTrump the disposition to work together in favor of the bilateral relation.” Exit polls show that 32 percent of Latino men voted for Trump while 25 percent of Latino women also voted for him. Trump’s plan to build a wall along the border of the U.S. and Mexico comes with mixed reviews. Mexican resident Ggamaliel Torres — who lives in Guadalajara, Mexico — owns a paint shop and doesn’t see a problem with the wall. “I think the United States is now annoyed with dealing with so many people immigrating. The government wants to end all of that by building the wall,” said Torres.
“I think the United States is now annoyed with dealing with so many people immigrating. The government wants to end all of that by building the wall.” -Ggamaliel Torres ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXX ELDER
Torres also said he believes Trump received such a large portion of the Latino and Hispanic vote because many Mexicans voted for Trump in order to force Nieto to deal with him. On the other hand, Ester Rivera was more pessimistic on the wall. She’s a resident in Mexico who lives at a beach 30 minutes away from Colima. She is owner of a store and other prop-
Electoral college confirms Trump
In a disappointing letdown for Democrats, faithless electors defect more from Clinton than from Trump. By Dalana Dailey Managing Editor The electoral college confirmed Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, eliminating the argument that they might vote for Clinton. Washington state law requires electors to vote for the nominee of whichever party they pledged to. Therefore, all Democratic electors were required to vote for Hillary Clinton and all Republican electors were required to vote for Donald Trump. If an elector chose not to tow the party line, their vote may not be counted and they may be disqualified and replaced. Only two Republican senators changed votes: Texas elector Chris Suprun, who changed his vote to Ohio Governor John Kasich, and Texas elector Bill Greene changed his vote to the 2012 presidential candidate Ron Paul. While many hoped the electoral college would swing votes against Trump, five Democratic electors changed their votes away from Clinton — three of them voting for former Secretary of State Colin Powell, one voting for Bernie Sanders, and one voting for Native American activist Faith Spotted Eagle. Of the five “faithless” electors, four came from Washington state. The electoral college has come under heavy scrutiny recently, after Clinton won the popu-
lar vote but lost the election — which also occurred in the 2000 election. Some say the electoral college is unnecessary, as no other elected office require the intervention of electors. Governors, representatives, and senators are all voted in direct, popular vote. Others argue that the inclusion of the electoral college is necessary, as its main design is to block unwise, if popular, persons from assuming the Presidency. The final tally awarded Trump 304 electoral votes to Clinton’s 227. The Vice President will announce the final vote totals to a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6.
Tensions between U.S. and Mexico escalated during the 2016 U.S. presidential election cycle, and President Nieto stands firm that Mexico will not pay for a wall on the two countries’ borders.
erties throughout the area. Rivera said, “The wall shouldn’t be constructed because many Mexicans that are in search of a better life won’t be able to cross over. As much as they extend their effort to keep out immigrants they will always find a way to
get in.” Rivera added, “The U.S. is made up of a big population of immigrants who contribute to the country. If they get kicked out, then the U.S. won’t do nothing in terms of jobs that nobody else wants.”
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The Ledger. January 9, 2017 | Volume 21 | Issue 12
Opinion: How apathy to terrorism enables terrorists
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Since 9/11, terrorist attacks have increased in frequency with numerous organizations spreading across the globe. Accepting it as commonplace places us all responsible.
By Noah Wingard Opinion Columnist Terrorism is an abnormal beast to fight. For the majority of human history, when one country goes to war with another, uniformed men and women took up arms against organized, well-armored and strategized enemies over particular stretches of land or resources. As these battles or wars conclude, there is a determinate victory or stalemate between forces. Terrorism — unlike conventional war — knows no geographical bounds, is orchestrated by rag-tag militias, multinational organizations or lone wolves, and can strike at anytime in well-populated cities or countries to produce fear. Although terrorism has been a plague to humankind, our resolve to diminish the threat of terrorism or respond with appropriate force has faltered, resulting in an ongoing crisis of security, ideology and freedom. Our response to recent acts of terrorism — like the attacks in Berlin, Paris, Orlando, Brussels and other major cities
— seem to be more apologetic towards those affected rather than emboldened against the terrorism itself. We have begun to take a more apathetic response to an escalating number of attacks or skirmishes by terror organizations. Although we are shocked by substantial deaths and injuries, we have little understanding of the gravity of terrorism and receive little shock to the news or the threat of terrorism. For many of us, we have reached the point where reporting terrorism is merely a commonplace occurrence rather that a vast threat to freedom and security. Since 9/11, it appears that post-attack action has changed as well. We went from blood drives, charity, inter-community unity behind fighting organizations of terror to fear, reluctance to address communities or organizations that are complicit with terror, and Facebook profilephoto overlays expressing empathy or remorse to those affected. Furthermore, the spread of extremist ideologies through social media and the dark web allows proliferation of information, targets, or literature related to terrorism, and the lack of government agencies to
prevent terrorism has also lead to appalling atrocities. For example, the FBI knew Omar Mateen was placed under government surveillance yet he was able to pass a background check (allowing him to obtain the weapons he used in the Pulse nightclub massacre).The Tsarnaev brothers were placed on a terror watchlist for 18 months and yet were still able to carry out the Boston Bombings. Both of these examples represent a significant failure in surveillance programs to prevent terrorism. Perhaps these programs are not as good as the government agencies tout them to be. If there is one way that we let terrorists win, it’s allowing them to continue to perpetrate the ideologies fueling terrorism by acting overly apologetic towards victims, yet showing little initiative to combat terrorism. Although terrorism may be difficult to prevent, the best method of stopping terrorism is by spreading public awareness about how terrorism affects people all around the world — even in communities or countries where terrorism is scarce. Furthermore, we must stop accepting it as a
COURTESEY OF STOLBOVSKY
The truck attack in Berlin claimed a dozen of lives and heightened tensions in EU nations. Security is stretched thin looking for suspects likely to commit terror attacks.
commonplace occurrence — whether in the Middle East or in Europe or the U.S. — and show greater force in fighting and rooting out terrorist actors wherever they hide. Mass surveillance, while occasionally successful, has failed numerous times and represents a significant threat to the constitutional rights and freedom of
citizens. Finally, we must be brave enough to call out organizations, communities and nations that either harbor potential threats to our safety, or that are sympathetic to terrorist ideologies, before attacks occur. The cure to terrorism is not an easy path, but it is one that must be taken without hesitation or apology.
Opinion: ‘Amazon Go’ can’t topple the grocery goliath Amazon’s recently announced ‘Amazon Go’ store shows promise, but it is unlikely to put cashiers and baggers out of work any time soon.
COURTESY OF CHARLES RONDEAU & AMAZON
If Amazon Go changes the grocery store paradigm, will hauling giant carts of crackers and cookies through long checkout lines become a distant memory?
By Sean Gill-MacDonald Opinion Editor
J
ust like they revolutionized the online shopping industry, Amazon wants to do the same for the grocery industry. Enter Amazon Go, a grocery store where shoppers can enter, pay, and exit without ever needing to dredge through another long checkout line. Customers can link their smartphones with a store’s network to pay
wirelessly, leaving the days of waiting behind 10,000-year-old ladies who still write checks in the distant past. With a test store recently opening for Amazon employees in Seattle, Amazon plans to unveil the program to the public in the near future. Like the advent of selfcheckout lines, many people believe Amazon Go’s “Just Walk Out” technology will drastically change the grocery store business model, rendering the traditional grocer archaic and obsolete.
Sure, this “Just Walk Out” concept looks good on paper, but will it completely shift the paradigm from a “wait in line for ten minutes” model to a “no wait” model on a larger scale? I don’t think so. Call me biased — I work in the grocery industry. I’ve made a modest wage at the tiny Metropolitan Market chain for nearly 12 years, as have many of my colleagues. And no matter how much malice I might bear toward rabid consumerism — how much existential dread my long-term stint in retail brings about — I still believe in the positive impact of excellent customer service on shoppers everywhere. At my store, people will wait five extra minutes in line to be helped by a slow cashier who provides personal — and consistently excellent — customer service. To many, convenience is an afterthought compared to quality service. However, while the power of quality attentiveness should not be underestimated, neither should the overwhelming power of convenience. Even if I don’t believe Amazon Go will ravage the grocery industry like a tsunami, a question remains: Do the customers want it? In some way, yes. I’ll admit: When I have ten items or fewer at a store offering self-checkout, I will use it 99 percent of the time — especially if I’m in a
hurry or haven’t yet consumed enough caffeine to interact with another human being. The anxiety about self-checkout kiosks replacing cashiers is not unfounded, but the technology is only efficient when orders are smaller in quantity. Self-checkout kiosks can’t efficiently replicate having a human cashier keying in and scanning your items, and they can’t organize your foodstuffs like the seasoned, Tetris-playing baggers standing nearby. Instead of wholly replacing the humble cashier-bagger experience, self-checkouts have integrated into the grocery umbrella as convenient companion pieces. For more talk about technology versus customer service, let’s go back to Metropolitan Market, which provides experiences that self-checkouts and Amazon Go can’t possibly replicate. Founder Terry Halverson established Metropolitan Market on a set of customer-oriented principles rooted in product knowledge, excellent customer service and a unique mix of local and hard-to-find items. Buyers and department managers form tight relationships with distributors and brokers to sell and promote high-quality products. Even though the Metropolitan Market chain carries common staples sold for cheaper prices elsewhere, customers shop at these stores for a warm, friendly and
intimate experience. Amazon Go customers will not find that same experience in an automated store. How much Amazon Go makes waves in the grocery industry will depend on what they sell, as well as who will provide products to distribute in their stores. I envision their product selection emphasizing packaged foods, meal kits and a creative mix of high-end and conventional foods that caters largely to the fast-paced, bachelor-living, lunch rush type of crowd. With Amazon Go being geared for fast-paced and densely-populated environments, the lunch crowd may be a great niche, which would certainly take the pressure off local retailers for supporting the lunch rush. For people who are in a hurry to grab a quick bite and return to the office, Amazon Go may be a godsend. I do believe Amazon Go represents some kind of future, but it won’t doom the future of the traditional retailer. Based on how Amazon currently describes these stores, their model is built entirely on the concept of convenience rather than pure-and-true customer service. Amazon Go will only replace the traditional supermarket if consumers begin prioritizing automated convenience over personalized service. Here’s to hoping human beings win out over machines.
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The Ledger. January 9, 2017 | Volume 21 | Issue 12
COURTESY OF WARREN ROHNER
According to The Sun, Selah and his friend were kicked off a Delta flight headed to New York City from Heathrow Airport in London after passengers say Selah and his friend were screaming words in Arabic and were told to stop.
Discrimination or hoax? Adam Selah is kicked off a Delta Air Lines’ flight for speaking in Arabic Adam Selah claimed he was speaking to his mother on the phone in Arabic right before the incident took place. What he said was unknown, but apparently it was enough to give him the boot. By Esti Izuagbe Opinion Reporter The recent video of YouTube prankster Adam Selah getting kicked off a plane for speaking Arabic garnered more than 31 million views — and plenty of mixed reactions. People are either enraged that Selah was discriminated against — or they aren’t buying into it. “Race baiting for YouTube revenue … You are disgusting. I really hope Delta sues you,” one viewer commented on his YouTube video. “I swear to God I’m never flying with Delta again,” said another sympathetic viewer. Delta Air Lines released their statement on the incident saying, “Upon landing the crew was debriefed and multiple passenger statements collected. Based on the information collected to
date, it appears the customers who were removed sought to disrupt the cabin with provocative behavior, including shouting.” Selah has about two million subscribers on his YouTube channel, featuring videos of him playing prank — like trying to fly to a different city in a suitcase or counting down in Arabic on a different flight to see what kind of reaction he’d get. This is why some viewers deny this being an act of discrimination, but those were two separate events. Selah told the New York Times, “The only thing I can say is, I would never film a phone video. That’s when it’s really serious, and I must film.” Selah claimed that as soon as staff tried to quietly take him outside to talk, he knew what was going to happen. So he pulled out his phone and started recording.
“The only thing I can say is, I would never film a phone video. That’s when it’s really serious, and I must film.” —Adam Selah I was absolutely appalled when I saw this video. The only person that came to this man’s defense was a fellow passenger who appeared to be of a similar ethnic background. Passengers in the back either waved goodbye as he recorded or sat there in silence. I would hope that someone wouldn’t use something like this to get more views or fame. But whether or not Selah’s
story is true, let’s not pretend people aren’t xenophobic or don’t have beliefs that inconvenience marginalized groups of people. America prides itself on being the country of the free and also being a “melting pot,” but people are still bothered by others speaking a different language. You can’t tell me that racism isn’t alive and well when President-elect Donald Trump ran on a xenophobic platform and his supporters went with it. Of course racism and xenophobia aren’t the same thing, but what’s so scary about foreigners? Would the stereotypes being placed on them have anything to do with it? This probably makes citizens with similar views feel as if it’s okay to act on these racist thoughts. Another example would be when an
elderly white woman went on a racist rant after two hispanic women added an extra item while checking out at a retail store. The woman told them that if they didn’t know English, they should learn it and that them coming from a different country didn’t mean anything. She even went on to say that they were “nothing.” Is it that far fetched to say there weren’t passengers on the plane who would agree with her? Speaking another language shouldn’t make someone subject to discrimination or harassment. If what Selah told us is the truth, then Delta needs to be held accountable for their actions. And if this story is fabrication, then Selah must be held accountable. No matter what, people must fight against racial profiling and discrimination.
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The Ledger. January 9, 2017 | Volume 21 | Issue 12
Opinion: Why heroin should be legal
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Ending the War on Drugs would minimize the dangers associated with heroin use. By Julianna Siemssen Opinion Columnist As professionals and the public have come to recognize its medical benefits and relative safety, support for legal marijuana continues to gain traction. Eight states and the District of Columbia have now legalized both medical and recreational marijuana use. Much of the support for legal marijuana centers around its relatively low danger when compared to other drugs. If alcohol and tobacco are legal, it makes sense that marijuana — something less addictive and physically dangerous than either of them — should be too. Unlike marijuana, heroin is highly addictive. According to an analysis by former UK drug advisor David Nutt, heroin is second only to alcohol in its level of danger. Deaths of heroin overdose are common, while a single death from marijuana overdose has yet to be reported. However, many negative effects of heroin result not from the drug itself, but from
Many negative effects of heroin result not from the drug itself, but from policies banning its use. Legalizing heroin would reduce the harms of heroin use.
ILLUSTRATION BY ALEXX ELDER
Laws forbidding the possession of drug paraphernalia make it difficult for heroin users to access clean needles, creating a higher risk of infections.
policies banning its use. Legalizing heroin would reduce the harms of heroin use and promote recovery from addiction. Because heroin is unregulated, drug dealers are free to mix heroin with other impurities. Sometimes they add fentanyl — a stronger opiate — to boost potency. When users are unaware that their heroin includes
fentanyl, they risk an accidental overdose. If a legal, regulated market sold heroin, customers could know the contents and potency of the drugs they purchase, protecting them from impurities and overdoses. Opiate withdrawals can be fatal for those with severe addictions. When people are imprisoned for drug use, they are often denied access to
the dosage they need to avoid withdrawals. A 2004 study in the Journal of Urban Health found that only two percent of the 245 jails surveyed reported using opioids to assist with withdrawal. As a result, numerous people have died in jail from opiate withdrawal. To predict the effects of legal heroin, we must look at the impacts of similar programs across the globe. In 2001, Portugal decriminalized all drugs in response to a rise in heroin addiction. As a result, cases of HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C have steeply declined in Portugal — as
have drug-related deaths. Drug use has also become less common there. Heroin maintenance programs — first pioneered in Switzerland — use clean needles to administer pharmaceutical-grade heroin to addicts at a dose just high enough for them to function. These programs are typically used after other treatments have failed. Since their inception, these programs have been implemented throughout Europe and North America, to what a 2007 review calls “consistently positive therapeutic outcomes.” Some may claim that legalizing heroin may encourage heroin use and prevent recovery from addiction. But treating addiction as a health issue — rather than a crime — may reduce the stigma and shame associated with addiction that prevents addicts from seeking treatment. And you can’t recover when you’re dead. Everyone who has died due to the War on Drugs’ prohibitive policies might have enjoyed a perfectly sober holiday season if they’d only had the chance.
Review: Top five games of 2016 2016 left us with all kinds of video games, some good and some bad. These five absolutely need to be played. By Derek Downey A&E Columnist
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017 has begun while 2016 has departed. During the previous year, there have been many different video games that had been released. Some of them were good, while others were not so good. These are five games released in 2016 that were among the outstanding. 5 “DARK SOULS 3” 5. An action-adventure role-playing game, “Dark Souls 3” is essentially masochism in video game format. It is brutal, punishing and unforgiving. However, it’s these aspects that make the game so fun and enjoyable. Every objective in the game is a challenge, and instead of feeling game breaking unfair, “Dark Souls 3” teaches players to learn from their mistakes and to grow and overcome obstacles in the game. The atmosphere in “Dark Souls 3” is gruesome but in a good way. The scenery is dark and devoid of any ray of hope, which helps sell the atmosphere of the game and throughout my entire journey, I had a blast. If anyone is a fan of RPGs and has plenty of time on their hands, “Dark Souls 3” is worth the investment. 4. “DOOM” (2016) 4 “DOOM” is a game that revital-
“Dark Souls 3” is essentially masochism in video game format. It is brutal, punishing and unforgiving, which is what makes the game so fun. ized the first-person shooter genre. “DOOM” is one of those feel good games where the player just starts up the game and begins to mow down wave after wave of demonic creatures hellbent on killing the player. What helps make this even more enjoyable is a soundtrack that screams metal. “DOOM” is not going to be a game that everyone will enjoy, but for firstperson-shooter fans, “DOOM” is worth considering. 3. 3 “UNCHARTED 4: A THIEF’S END” The “Indiana Jones” of the video game universe, “Uncharted 4” is a treat from beginning to end. It is like watching an actual movie, as the cinematography is the greatest aspect of “Uncharted 4.” The visuals are gorgeous, while the character interactions and the story progression are written like an adventure movie.
“Overwatch” has reached over 20 million players, according to an Oct. Digital Trend article.
“Uncharted 4” is worth a try for any fan of treasure-hunter stories. 2 “DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED” 2. There is nothing more thrilling than espionage. “Deus Ex: Mankind Divided” is a first-person shooter with stealth and role-playing elements. This allows players to take branching paths when completing missions and tells an interesting story that deals with themes of racism and morality. Though “Mankind Di-
vided” has a disappointing ending that feels rushed, getting to that point was a thrilling journey. Having the flexibility in gameplay and seeing how choices from past missions impacted the larger story completely makes up for the conclusion shortcomings. 1 “OVERWATCH” 1. “Overwatch” is another game that brought fresh air to the first-person shooter genre. The online multiplay-
COURTESY OF BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT
er FPS genre had begun to get repetitive and boring. “Overwatch” is one of the few games that reignited the spark for the first-person genre with its atmosphere and its creative and colorful cast of characters. The characters are vastly different in their playstyles. The cartoonish atmosphere of the game also gives it a sense of innocence, unlike other shooter games. For any fan of the FPS genre, “Overwatch” is worth every penny.
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NEWS
OPINION ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SPOTLIGHT
The Ledger. January 9, 2017 | Volume 21 | Issue 12
COURTESY OF SERGEI AKULICH
Glacier National Park in Montana offers great views and lots of chances to see animals while hiking on a budget.
Budget yo’self: How to make the most of your upcoming spring break Spring break offers ten full days to make some amazing memories and see brilliant places — here’s how to make the best of it. By Annie Dontula A&E Columnist
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inter quarter has officially begun! And — if you’re like me — so has the countdown to spring break. There are 63 days between today and 10 days of freedom. That’s nine weeks of classes, activities and all-nighters (because hey, who doesn’t procrastinate). Along with beautiful March weather comes a severe case of cabin fever, but 10 days offers a lot more opportunities than you may realize. While people dream of far off places with fabulous beaches and colorful mountains when they hear the word “travel”, not everyone has the money to go to Europe for a year. But hey, that’s OK! ‘Cause I’m here to tell you that’s not the only way to travel! You could stay in the good ol’ USA, exploring local attractions or heritage sites. The untapped potential is endless! When people say travel within the USA, they think of places like the warm beaches of California or the busy streets of New York, but there are way more options than the popular hot
spots. Antelope Canyon in Arizona is a narrow, slot canyon filled with oranges and red hues and known for its stunning beams of sunlight. There’s almost no necessary climbing in the upper canyon (but be ready for long walks), and the photography you leave with will keep you and your friends enchanted for years. This is also an ideal place to go on a family vacation. Kids of all ages will find the colors mesmerizing but might find the long walk a little tiring. Another great place to go is Black Canyon in Colorado — a steep-walled gorge near the Gunnison River. The sharp drops and flowing water provide home to deer, elk and golden eagles. If going out of the state doesn’t sound good, Mount Rainier is an amazing option. The snow-capped volcano seen occasionally on our daily commute is a breathtaking place to go with friends to either ski or camp in the beautiful snow. Other places in Washington like La Push offer cold beaches, gorgeous hiking trails and blue lakes. Try boating, fishing or just walking along the sandy beach. Ape Cave near
Mount St. Helens is another Washington gem, and features a series of cool, dark caves created by flows of lava. For out-of-state attractions Virgin America, JustFly and Allegiant Air offer flights from $20 to various locations across the country. Be sure to book at least a month in advance and be ready to have one or two stops on the way. Flights will usually be the most expensive part of the vacation. If you travel with friends, hotels can be as cheap as $15 per night and usually include one meal. If flying isn’t your thing, get in your car or on a bus and visit all the wonders offered in Washington. As for food, packing eighteen PB&J sandwiches in a suitcase probably isn’t the best idea. Once you reach your destination, either purchase bread and some sandwich fillings of your choice or find a restaurant to experience local cuisine without going over your budget. Before leaving, be sure to research the activities that your destination has to offer. Find maps and research activities that you might be interested in doing. Booking in advance is always cheaper than booking on the spot, and
My advice to students is this: Skip that $4 cup of coffee, there are better experiences out there. you can usually find some great deals on the internet. Websites like hotel. com, tripadvisor.com and expedia.com allow people to compare prices of different hotels and offer great deals. There are really easy ways to start trip-planning. The first step — start saving up. After speaking to almost 30 students at UWT, The Ledger found that most students spent $25 to $30 on food and drink every week. Students who drive tend to spend around $30 to $35 per week on fuel. Things like coffee, sandwiches and snacks that are available almost everywhere cost students almost $225 per quarter. Driving to campus can cost a similar amount or more, depending on where you’re from. That’s almost $450 per quarter!
There are cheaper alternatives to a daily cup of joe and snack. Try to buy things in bulk from places like Winco, which is just a five minute walk from campus. Homemade coffee is cheap (and if you live with your parents, free), and can be heated at anytime using one of the many microwaves available on campus. And if you’re really craving something different, West Coast Grocery has some great options for as little as $1.50. Bring a packed lunch to school and carry snacks from home to save that extra couple of dollars. As for driving, most students must be thinking, “Well how can I reduce that? Gas is expensive.” Well, a U-pass is $45, and carpool is always an option. If you live close enough, grab a bicycle and get some exercise on the way to class. The best part of this option is that you won’t have to spend an hour looking for a parking spot on campus. There are so many possibilities in our reach before the end of winter quarter, so why not embrace them? My advice to students is this: Skip that $4 cup of coffee, there are better experiences out there.