Collegian T he Cameron University
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Monday, April 17, 2017
Volume 96 Issue 9
Sexual Assault Awareness:
Graphic by Joel Frambes Photo courtesy of Olivia Polynice
Cheyenne Cole
responding to such cases. The first week emphasized A&E Editor sexual assault awareness, @cheyenneccole while week two stressed education in terms of consent CU Student Services is participating in the It’s On Us and maintaining safety in campaign to end sexual assault relationships and when going out. The third and final week on campus. of the campaign will focus on Cameron is working in taking action by being an active partnership with the national bystander during a sexual It’s On Us campaign, with a assault. slate of events taking place Cameron’s Title IX Office throughout April, nationally works throughout the year recognized as Sexual Assault to prevent sexual assault Awareness and Prevention and provide resources for Month. These programs are geared victims. Inclusion and Student Success Coordinator Olivia to educate students, staff and faculty about preventing sexual Polynice said she and Director of Student Housing Katie assault against all genders. Hubbard wanted to team up to Over the course of three spotlight the subject in a bigger weeks, each event will focus way and planned the campaign on a different aspect of sexual together. assault prevention. “We felt that it was very According to the CU important to have new campaign website, It’s On Us promotes a prevention mindset programming for sexual assault,” Polynice said. “We regarding sexual harassment, did a lot of research, went to assault and gender-based a conference and have been violence on campus while planning this for the entire increasing awareness and school year. We wanted encouraging reporting of and
What’s inside Whitman Cobb’s new book Page 2
something that would be more than just making our campus aware of it.” The Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose campus crime data. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, sexual assault is pervasive on college campuses, with one in five women and one in 16 men experiencing sexual assault while in college. However, 90 percent of these victims do not report the assault. Polynice said the most effective way to lower campus sexual assault statistics is to employ the campaign’s unique and effective “hold bystanders accountable” method, which encourages people to get involved when they see someone being sexually assaulted. “By holding people and bystanders accountable,” Polynice said, “we’re taking away this sort of cold statistic and making it more personal. It’s easier to be moved by something when you can make
it personal.” Hubbard agrees that bystander intervention is key in preventing sexual assault. “Our society’s problem with sexual assault exists because, for so long, people were not held accountable, called out for doing wrong, told that they were wrong or trained on how to intervene,” Hubbard said. “When we start doing that, the stats on sexual assault will begin to change.” Polynice said she and Hubbard recruited Cameron students, faculty and staff to recreate the famous It’s On Us celebrity PSA video to invoke a
more personal feeling. “Katie and I want everyone to feel connected to the campaign,” Polynice said. “So that’s why on the posters you see on campus and the videos on the website, you won’t see random actors or celebrities for this cause. “You will see real students, staff and faculty on our campus, promoting this month because it is on us to make this campus and community a safe place to be.” The It’s On Us Cameron University Campaign Rally will cap off the month of activities
“By holding people and bystanders accountable, we’re taking this cold statistic and making it more personal.” -Olivia Polynice
from 2-5 p.m. on April 20 in the Bentley Gardens. Students can participate in a lip-sync battle, take the It’s On Us pledge to prevent sexual assault and listen to Dr. Kimberly Dickman from the U.S. Air Force Academy speak about sexual assault prevention and response. The Lawton-Fort Sill community is also encouraged to participate in the events. According to Hubbard, the campaign goal is to promote a year-round dialogue at Cameron about sexual assault and produce students who can and will prevent the crime when they see it. “Our hope in the rally and the pledge is to visually see our community take a stand,” Hubbard said. “This speaks volumes to survivors. In addition, we hope to create some sustainability with this program [by] getting numbers of passionate students to become bystander trainers on campus. We want these conversations to not only happen in April.”
Gallery hosts senior art show
Softball sweeps ENMU
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Whitman Cobb releases new book
News
April 17, 2017
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Assistant professor’s newest work addresses politics, science and their intersections in the fight against cancer. Vicky Smith
granddaughter, my niece, all the time,” she said. Staff Writer In “The Politics of Cancer,” Whitman Cobb analyzed Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Wendy various aspects of the Whitman Cobb has written relationship between politics and science, including social, a new book on the ways government addresses cancer scientific and economics elements, as well as the policy. actions that the president, Publisher Praeger Congress, bureaucracies and released “The Politics interest groups take. of Cancer: Malignant “Since I’m a political Indifference” in March of scientist, that’s the this year. It addresses such perspective I came at it from,” things as President Richard she said. “The argument I Nixon 1971 signing of the put forward is that because National Cancer Act and other similar policies enacted it takes so much from such different perspectives to fight throughout the years. cancer, it’s very hard for the Whitman Cobb said government to actually make inspiration for her book a coherent, comprehensive partially stems from her cancer policy.” father’s battle with cancer. One example she “He was first diagnosed gave of policy-related with kidney cancer in 2005,” challenge pertained to the she said. “He had one of his Environmental Protection kidneys removed and, at the Agency’s (EPA) responsibility time, was declared cancerto ensure the environment free. About three years ago, remains free of cancer-causing we found out the cancer substances like pesticides and had returned – that it had harmful chemicals. spread.” “[The EPA is] in Today, her father is living the process of making what she says is a “very regulations,” she said, “and normal and full life” after yet a lot of Republicans, oncologists found a clinical including the current Trump trial that proved successful, with the treatment reducing Administration, are very anti-regulation. Reducing the size of his tumors by 50 regulations like the Trump percent. Administration wants to “He works two full time do could actually cause an jobs, just got a new puppy increase in the number of [and] hangs out with his
Photo courtesy of Sarah Janda
“Malignant Indifference”: Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Wendy Whitman Cobb shows off her new book “The Politics of Cancer.” In it, she analyzed the relationship between science and politics from social, scientific and economic lenses and how legislation has affected the fight against the disease. environmentally linked cancers.” Whitman Cobb also gave examples regarding the government’s projected fund fund allotment to cancer research. “Science, including the National Institute of Health [NIH], has not fared very well under the current Trump Administration,” she said. “The Trump Administration has proposed cutting the NIH and the National Cancer Institute budget by a few billion dollars, which will have a severe impact on research for cancer and cancer treatments in this country.” However, she added that
Congress members from numerous parties have expressed criticism toward the proposed budget because the hospitals and universities that the funds support are located in their home districts. “[The projected cuts] would be blocked revenue and possibly blocked jobs in their home district,” she said, “and that’s really the last thing any member of Congress wants to come home and tell their constituents.” Whitman Cobb believed Americans should educate themselves about the vital relationship between politics and science, since this
relationship affects resources available to combat cancer nationwide. She said she hopes readers learn about this concept and about the strong political factors involved in cancer policy. “We should be more aware of these and actively advocating on behalf of the science and behalf of this public health outcome,” she said. For this reason in part, she will be at the March for Science on April 22 at the Oklahoma State Capitol, a satellite of the national march in Washington, D.C. “I don’t usually get involved in politics,” Whitman Cobb
said. “I try to be a neutral observer, but I’ll be attending the March for Science. I’ll be marching for my dad.” For students who would like to make a difference at home, she said to start with an education about the impact politics makes on science in the United States. “Beyond that, one of the best things anybody can do is simply call their congress [people] and say that they support funding for scientific biomedical research,” she said. “The Politics of Cancer: Malignant Indifference” is currently available on Amazon.com in hardcover and digital formats.
Fifth Season: severe weather preparation station Bowling of KSWO-TV said that weather awareness is important, especially in the fifth season. “This is always an exciting time of year,” Bowling said. “But everyone needs to do their part to make sure they are prepared for disasters brought on by severe weather.” Photo by Haley Berry Although Preparing for stormy weather: KSWO-TV meteorologists take a look at the spring-like weather forecasts in preparation for the newscast. The team provides viewers with weather can have its benefits, up-to-the-minute reports in the event of severe conditions prevalent in spring. it often brings “fifth season.” with it the fear of severe storms. Haley Berry During this time of year, Bowling said he and his weather Staff Writer weather reporters in the Lawton team work around the clock to area host events of the same name track unexpected conditions With severe weather being a common occurrence in Oklahoma, to help residents prepare for throughout the state. storms, gain weather awareness it is only proper to give this time When there is potential of and generally know more about of year its own title. experiencing severe weather, such Weatherpeople call this pattern the climate and occurrences in this as quarter-sized hail, damaging area. of high wind speeds, pea to winds or tornadic activity, Bowling Chief Meteorologist Austin softball size hail and tornadoes the said his team does all they can
to notify the public as soon as possible. “We’re going to make sure that we’re either pushing that out through Facebook, [we’re] pushing that out through our First Alert 7 Weather app or we’re going to be on the television here,” Bowling said. Bowling said he recommends having at least two ways of receiving weather alerts, such as television, radio, cell phone apps or social media. When severe weather arises, it’s important to be prepared to take necessary precautions. This means having an emergency kit and knowing where to go when the sirens sound. Bowling added some tips for finding a good place to take cover in the event of severe weather. “Know what your safe spot is going to be,” Bowling said. “That’s usually going to be in the lowest level in your house, it’s going to be an interior room, a closet, a
bathroom, or pantry, and make sure that room doesn’t have windows in it.” To ensure viewers understand this concept, Bowling and his weather team often use the acronym D.U.C.K.: Downstairs, Underneath something, in the Center part of the house and Keep away from windows. Bowling also advised not to stop under an overpass if travelling when severe weather strikes. “This is a popular trend when bad weather is taking place,” Bowling said. “Studies have shown that taking shelter under and overpass does a lot more harm than good. Winds tend to be stronger and pose a risk to not only yourself, but other travelers that are trying to get out of the storm’s path.” Following these simple guidelines and being prepared for whatever Oklahoma weather has to bring could save a life when the fifth season is in full force.
Issue 8 Corrections In the story “Tar Heels Take Title,” the first author of the story is Markel Turrell, not Mark Turrell. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.
April 17, 2017
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Student Life
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Eggsellent time for egg hunt
Photos by Christopher Reif
The hunt is on: At 6 p.m. on March 17 in Bentley Gardens, Programming Activities Council (PAC) hosted the Spring Egg Hunt. The event was free, open to the public and accomodated people of all ages. During the event, PAC provided refreshments and small snacks. There were also a variety of activities like chalk drawing and hula hooping. Ole Kim and the Easter Bunny posed for pictures with children, parents and students. For more information on PAC, visit cameron.edu/pac.
Column: cosplay does not mean consent Photos courtesy of Tribune News Service
Jacob Jardel
Managing Editior
@JJardel_Writing Content warning: This piece addresses topics of rape, sexual assault and related forms of sexual violence. “I had to physically stop two people from putting hands on me. One stopped after I pushed him away; the other asked permission to put his head in my cleavage, and I said no ... He went to take a picture and did it anyway.” Alana Leilani had told her story to Mashable in 2014, describing an experience she had at New York Comic Con (NYCC). In many cases, sexual assault rarely happens outside of drunken transgressions or acts of perversion. In Leilani’s experience, two people found the behavior acceptable because she was in costume. Make no mistake, the actions Leilani experienced constitute assault, no matter the attire. But, for some reason, many feel as if costumed status negates this sentiment, an extension of the false concept that a person’s state of dress “asks for” certain actions. But, once again, that could not be any more untrue. There continue to be instances of cosplay-based harassment at conventions, where individuals dressed as their favorite characters receive some sort of derogation or unwanted contact based on their dress. According to the show organizer for NYCC, there were 20 reported cases of sexual harassment at the 2013 con. But those 20 reported cases (and perhaps the potential for many more unreported cases) were enough for NYCC organizers to start a “Cosplay is Not Consent” campaign at the 2014 convention, emphasizing appropriate (read: nonharassing) convention behavior. The campaign is one of many that convention organizers across the nation have been working on implementing at their cons. Panels at places like Anime Expo in Los Angeles shed
Sexual Assault Awareness Series
light on the problem of assault and propose solutions. Organization HollabackPHILLY has been in the works with cons nationwide in hopes of establishing programs to prevent cosplay-based assault. Yet, this harassment still poses one question: What makes cosplay so different that people seem to forget socially-accepted norms for how not to harass someone? One of the reasons could be the fact that conventions – and, by proxy, cosplay – are rooted in a place outside typical reality. Mashable’s Andrea Romano, who chronicled Leilani’s story, said this diversion from real life is the point of cons and costumes. “Cosplayers attend events like NYCC to build a sense of community in a place where their passions and their joy can be appreciated,” she said. “It’s a fantasy world, where people can dress as their favorite characters — no matter how exposed — and feel safe and supported.” Note that last sentence, particularly the phrase “safe and supported.” Nothing about harassment is safe or supported. Nothing about it is appreciative, either – despite the assertion that catcalls and similar physical manifestations are complimentary. It harkens to something stated in “Toxicity in Modern Nerd Culture” in a February 2017 issue of the Collegian. The article addressed gatekeeping and an inflated sense of entitlement associated with protecting nerdy domains. A similar mechanism is likely in play when it comes to cosplay and harassment, an odd mix of the patriarchal concept of male entitlement and nerd entitlement to characters being a certain way. And it all traces itself to the origins of certain character designs. With characters like Poison Ivy, Catwoman and Supergirl, costumes range from mildly provocative to skin-tight or minimally-clothed attire. Power Girl has an unnecessary cleavage window in a costume that, for all intents and purposes, looks like a one-piece bathing suit. And these examples are just a few of the many depictions of
artists conflating femininity with skimpy clothing. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with women choosing to wear revealing clothes. It’s their bodies and their choices. However, the fact that many early costumes were revealing for the sake of being revealing gives pause to many aspects of cosplay. Though crossover costumes and other modifications exist, many enthusiasts of costume arts enjoy faithfulness to original attire. This adherence to canon is, in a way, part of that nerdrelated entitlement. But the entitlement itself does not breed sexual assault or harassment. Part of it also occurs throughout certain parts of nerd culture, where creators highly sexualize many of the feminine characters – sometimes for no reason other than fanservice. Whether or not it’s right is a topic for another opinion piece, though personal sensibilities lean toward not. The part that is wrong, though, is how this sexualization leads to treatment of fans who just want to portray the character. But it’s not the creator’s fault or the cosplayer’s fault. The fault is on the people who violate the social contract where you don’t grope or harass someone for what they’re wearing. Even with highly sexualized characters, there is still some way to find empowerment – at least with some of the stronger heroines who break through and save themselves. And people can and should wear what they please without fear of negative social ramifications. But there needs to be a better enforcement of this mindset, especially when it involves people in costume. Just because someone portrays a character you have fantasized about meeting does not mean you have all right to act out as you wish without consent. Anything outside of a (hopefully enthusiastic) “yes” is not consent. It applies to any other situation.
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Voices
April 17, 2017
www.aggiecentral.com Photo by Jacob Jardel
Chasing the checkered flag
Frambes recalls the twists and turns that led him to the finish line
In racing, setting a time I didn’t even know if I should trial is very boring for the be going to college in the first spectator. Hitting every place. corner and straightaway fast It was fine when I lived and clean makes IndyCars with my parents. Their look like an invisible hand is support and encouragement guiding toys along a track, made that difficult first perfecting semester less their route emotionally to lap times taxing, but I within couldn’t get hundredths into a mindset of a to care about second of having a competitors. failing grade For the in American driver, the Government seamless and losing cruise is out on a anything near-full ride but gentle. scholarship. Cameras set Then they up in the moved. My cockpit are dad got orders reinforced to from the Army Joel Frambes the chassis to move to the Managing Editor while the Washington, @JoelPole12 driver, D.C., harnessed in as tightly as metropolitan area, and I possible, is thrashed about made the foolhardy decision and tossed around by to stay at Cameron and live multiple invisible hands, all on campus alone. angrier than the one guiding At the time, it seemed like the car. a good idea. It was at least The race track isn’t too better in my mind to be in dissimilar to my college a place with friends than to experience. From an outside relocate halfway across the perspective, it seems like it country to a place with no was easygoing – consistent friends and no school. full-time semesters It was fine when my family culminating in a 3.2 GPA at moved in grade school. There graduation. was always the promise of It felt like anything but new friends in new schools, for me. I started out the race and clubs and sports where I rough. First things first, I could meet these like-minded went to Cameron as a last people. But without school, resort after falling off the loneliness seemed inevitable. waitlist for Baylor, the only The rough patches didn’t school to which I managed to stop there. My sanity slowly apply before the cut off. slipped away from me living Then I took college classes on my own. I skipped classes right out of high school because I couldn’t get out without having any idea what of bed. I didn’t eat because I wanted to study; moreover, I didn’t want to go to the
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cafeteria unless it was with a friend. After not eating for five days, my only saving grace was flying to my parent’s home for Spring Break. I didn’t realize how badly I could miss them, how their absence could manifest itself into such severe depression. But any time a racecar gets a flat tire, it makes its way back to the pits for quick repair, and then it’s right back on the track. I finished up the semester as strongly as I could, dropping one class because I had missed too many days to make up, and then I went home for the summer to live with my parents and take some online classes. That should have been my first clue that school was overwhelming me and I needed a break. I gave up on those classes within a week, forgot about them, and recorded three Fs on my transcript. Yet I went back to campus on my own, determined to be a good student. I had the summer classes academically forgiven, and I aced the semester. When I went home for the winter intersession, my parents discovered I had lost my scholarship and paid for that fall out-of-pocket. They still generously offered me the opportunity to continue in the spring, an offer I hastily took. I changed my major three times that semester. I had finally figured out that college was right for me, but it didn’t mean anything if I didn’t have any inkling of my endgame. That spring was a bumpy road. I struggled with classes
THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGIAN Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna
Editorial Staff
The opinions expressed in The Collegian pages or personal columns are those of the signed author. The unsigned editorial under the heading “Voices” represents the opinion of the majority of the editorial board. The opinions expressed in The Collegian do not necessarily represent those of Cameron University or the state of Oklahoma.
Managing Editors - Joel Frambes and Jacob Jardel A&E Editor - Cheyenne Cole Student Life Editor - Christopher Reif Copy Editors - Stacie Larsen and Joel Frambes Assistant Editors - Stacie Larsen and Payton Williams Aggie Central Editor- Jeff Larson
Our student media are designated public forums, and free from censorship and advance approval of content. Because content and funding are unrelated, and because the role of adviser does not include advance review of content, student media are free to develop editorial policies and news coverage with the understanding that students and student organizations speak only for themselves. Administrators, faculty, staff or other agents shall not consider the student media’s content when making decisions regarding the media’s funding or faculty adviser.
Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Robert King, Justin Reff, Vicky Smith Markel Turrell, Jonathan Vann, Payton Williams Photographer - Christopher Reif Advertising Manager - Jacob Jardel Faculty Adviser - Mr. David Bublitz
Newsroom Staff
amidst the confusion of trying to figure out my major. At the end of that semester, I felt like I was giving up on school when I went home. I took the following fall off to recompose myself. I needed to realign my mental health and soul-search for a major and eventual career. At 24 Hours of Le Mans, drivers are on the track for hours at a time for multiple shifts. Their individual effort can seem staggering, but without a team to back them up and take some of the stress off their shoulders, they’d never make it more than halfway through the marathon. My parents pushed me to find an interest I could pursue in college. In the meantime, I found a job where I could make enough money to save up for my next semester, which turned out to be the following spring. I broke my parents’ hearts when I decided I wanted to go back to Cameron again instead of transferring to somewhere close to home, but I felt I needed to complete my education where I started – where I could see myself overcoming hurdles like I had done in semesters before. And I did. I committed to a bachelor’s in biology. I took a 20-hour semester. I joined the “Collegian” as Copy Editor. I got a new job in town. I moved into my own place off campus. I pushed myself to be the student I wanted to be when I applied for colleges in high school. I imagined the finish line I wanted to cross, and after two more semesters of similar course loads,
extracurriculars and ultimate success, I can finally see the finish line. By no means have I ever been a perfect student. I’ve never done anything spectacular to earn an award from the university. It’s been a rocky road. The ups and downs and twists and turns have worn me out, but the simple victory of crossing the finish line and walking across the stage for graduation is enough to make me feel like a champion. Cameron is where great things have happened for me. I went on a televised game show and won, I met my fiancée, I led my own original research experiment, and I have worked with and led a team of brilliant journalists. College hasn’t been the picture-perfect time trial I imagined, but it turned out to be the most memorable high-octane, tire-squealing adventure for which I could have asked.
Letters Policy
Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis. The Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters for content and length. Letters should be no more than 250 words. Letters from individual authors will be published only once every four weeks. All letters from students should include first and last names, classification and major. No nicknames will be used. Letters from people outside the Cameron community should include name, address and phone number for verification. Letters can be sent by regular mail, by e-mail to aggiecentral@cameron. edu or they may be dropped off at our office - Academic Commons 101 or at www.aggiecentral.com.
April 17, 2017
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A&E
5
‘Salon de Cameron’ unveiled typically be disgusting yet have a unique beauty and grace that is not always recognized immediately.” English said watching strangers observe and discuss her art at the opening felt bizarre but gratifying. “It’s a little surreal,” she said. “It feels really good to have people appreciating it. Even if nobody buys anything, I just hope that they enjoy it and find inspiration.” Meanwhile, Brashear exhibited nineteen pieces, ranging from paintings, acrylic works and watercolors. Each one depicted an intimate and expressive portrait of cats that aim to convey the felines’ diverse personalities. “I’ve always enjoyed cats,” she said, “and the more that I started to draw them, paint them, depict them, I noticed that they all had distinct personalities, and I really wanted to capture that expressive, emotive portraiture.” Brashear utilized hairless cats in her art to imitate classic works of nude women, such as “Venus of Urbino” and “The Nude Maja.” “In classical art,” she said, “they often use nude women, and I thought ‘What’s a better sit in to recreate master’s paintings than a naked cat?’” According to Brashear, her first art exhibition invoked an excited and nerve racking feeling, but she appreciated the opportunity to interact with the Lawton-Fort Sill community Photos by Cheyenne Cole firsthand. “It’s awesome to have a platform to showcase Art appreciation: Senior art major Erin English (right) discusses a piece with a spectator on the opening night of “Salon de and speak about your art,” she said, “have people Cameron.” The exhibition featuring the works of seven senior art majors is on display until April 28 at the Leslie Powell Gallery. come up and ask questions like ‘Why did you paint this?’ or say ‘Oh, I love cats, too.’ So it’s Brianna Barry, Brook Kohler, Patricia Brashear, admirers the opportunity to purchase art. Cheyenne Cole Ashley Brown, Erin English, Sheila Niebauer English’s display consisted of sixteen pieces of nice to connect with the community at this A&E Editor and Theresa Riemer. art, mostly oil paintings and mixed media, with level.” @cheyenneccole “Salon de Cameron” will be on display until During the opening reception, each artist works such as “Minotaur” and “Werewolf.” April 28 at the Leslie Powell Art Gallery. The Cameron University Department of stood near their collection as gallery visitors According to English, throughout her life, Art, Music and Theatre Arts’ senior art show viewed their art. mythology, fantasy “Salon de Cameron” debuted to the public from The creators posted artist statements next creatures and classic 6:30-9:30 p.m. on April 8 at the Leslie Powell to their exhibits, explaining their collections Disney movies Gallery. and art themes to viewers. Many of their pieces including “Sleeping Each year, senior art majors enrolled in tackled political and environmental issues. Beauty” heavily the Senior Art Exhibition course showcase a Course instructor and Professor of Art, inspired her art. professional exhibition of their various works. Music and Theatre Arts Edna McMillan said “I wanted to create Such pieces include oil paintings, prints, these statements can help observers better a world of fantasy woodcuts, silkscreens, monotypes, collage understand the artists’ intentions. that is familiar yet prints, watercolor paintings, small sculptures, “I think that really helps with not necessarily unique to the viewer,” graphic design works, mixed media artworks deflecting criticism,” she said, “but providing she said. “Creatures and drawings. understanding when maybe they [a viewer] are of menacing or It is the group’s responsibility to fund, plan not familiar with that particular type of art. It’s unpleasant origins and budget the exhibition as well as mantle great to get inside the head of the artist and find are given beauty – a their respective displays, which provides the out what their intent is.” voyeuristic look into experience of an authentic art show mounting. In addition, McMillan required the students the lives of beasts and This semester, those students included to put a price on each piece on display, giving monsters that would
Addressing the lack of diversity in film Alexsis Page
race who ever lived,” Bernardin said. Luther King, Jr.’s march from Selma However, that was not the only In contrast, as Bernardin to Montgomery, “12 Years a Slave” reason this year’s Academy Awards Staff Writer continued, “Oscar bait” movies with adapted Solomon Northup’s award- was history making. white protagonists are mostly about winning memoir about a freed black After two consecutive years of I pride myself on watching a man sold back into slavery. having no minorities in competitive new movie in theaters every week. I average people who “did a thing.” Bernardin’s observation sounds Compare those movies to 2014’s categories, the Academy nominated have a normal routine: find a friend, like an exaggeration, but when “Boyhood,” a story about the highs a record seven minority actors across arrive early, get nachos, pick a lower looking through the history of and lows of a white boy’s life as he all acting categories. middle seat and enjoy the movie. Academy Award nominations, there grows from child to adult, or 2013’s But a diverse cast should not be I was in the theater during the is some truth to his comments. “Gravity,” a movie about two white something limited only to movies opening weekend of “Fantastic Not counting this year, the protagonists stranded in space. looking for award recognition. Beasts and Where to Find Them,” last two movies with a minority This year’s Academy Awards Some people might argue that a a Harry Potter spin-off film set in was historical after 2016’s diverse cast does not make a profit, 1920s New York. Halfway through protagonist to receive an Academy Award were 2014’s “Selma” and “Moonlight” won for Best Picture. but that statement is far from the the film, I noticed something odd. 2013’s “12 Years a Slave.” The independent film depicts three truth. There was only one minority Those two stories have historical pivotal experiences in a young black “The Fast and the Furious” film actor with a speaking role in the significance and are not about boy’s life as he grows into a man, series has made nine films over 16 film. everyday people but extraordinary touching on topics like sexuality and years with a majority minority cast, Granted, this character was people who overcame their poverty. landing box office profits of $3.9 in a position of high power, but it It became the first movie with an billion. was not enough to make up for the unfortunate situations. While “Selma” depicted Martin all-black cast to win Best Picture. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” lack of diversity I was seeing on the screen. As the movie came to an end, my friend and I discussed what we liked and disliked about it, and I brought up the fact that there was only one minority speaking character. My friend said she did not even notice. I was shocked. Maybe it is because I am black and constantly looking for characters who I can relate to, unlike my friend who is white and, for the most part, wellrepresented in films. That moment made me consider the lack of diversity in entertainment media, even in the 21st century. Last year, “The Hollywood Reporter” hosted a roundtable about diversity, with TV and film creators known for their diverse casting and storylines. Host Marc Bernardin brought up “Oscar bait” movies made to target Academy Award nominations. He explained how movies with minority Tribune News Service protagonists get nominations. Breaking through: The cast and crew of “12 Years a Slave” celebrate a historic win at the 2014 “They tend to have to be about Academy Awards. In the film industry, individuals of color are held to a higher standard than white the most amazing person of that people, forcing them to produce “Oscar bait” films about the most remarkable people of their race.
became the third-highest grossing film of all time and the highest grossing in the “Star Wars” film series. That film’s protagonists are all part of a minority group, including a female as the central character. The proof is there. Film executives and studios just need to take action to make Hollywood diverse, but this task is not solely up to them. Writers need to make characters who are not limited by their ethnicity so virtually anyone can portray the character. They need to achieve this goal while also avoiding racial stereotypes at all cost. On top of that, moviegoers need to support movies with diverse casting - not only big blockbusters but also smaller films like 2016’s “Lion,” which depicts an Indian boy who finds his way back home 25 years after getting lost on a train and adopted by an Australian couple. Fans can also go to social media to call out movies and studio heads that green light films with a low amount of diversity. Recently, director Tim Burton was on the receiving end of criticism after fans noticed a lack of major roles for minorities. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993) and “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” (2016) are the only films on Burton’s résumé to have a person of minority status in a main role. Needless to say, I bet Burton will think twice about the casting of his next film after fan backlash. In the end, it is up to all of us to do what we can to make the necessary changes needed to ensure all are properly represented. From there, we can have more diversity in Hollywood.
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Sports
April 17, 2017
www.aggiecentral.com
Softball sweeps ENMU
Photo by Markel Turrell
Taking cuts: Outfielder Kaylyn Smith makes a play on the ball during the Aggies’ three-game series against Eastern New Mexico University. Cameron swept the Greyhounds on the weekend series, driving in 28 runs to take 12-3, 11-3 and 5-0 victories at home to bring their record to 28-13 on the season, 16-4 in conference play.
Markel Turrell
Mexico answered back in the bottom of the frame with an Staff Writer Ashley Lopez single to left field. Kamalani Peneku got Cameron softball got caught stealing on a double back to their winning ways with a sweep of Eastern New steal that scored Lopez. The Aggies struck for Mexico on April 7 and 8 in three runs in the third. Daino Portales. hit a two-run home run, her After getting shutout in ninth of the year, bringing their last two games, the home Kaylyn Smith in the Aggies scored 28 total runs process. A few batters later, in the three-game series Abbey Warren stole third while giving up six. Seniors Breezy McComas and Paige then scored on a bad throw. Cameron added three Daino homered over the more runs in the fourth weekend, leaving both one long ball shy of breaking the inning. Busby would double to left center, scoring Annie school’s career record. Combs. Callie Busby added Game 1 to the lead with a single to right that brought home sister CU got the scoring started in the second inning Brenna. Daino capped off the frame with a fly ball into with a couple of RBI hits a double play that drove in from Bethany Hines and Smith. Brenna Busby to put the The lead shrunk to Aggies up 2-0. Eastern New
8-3 after four innings when ENMU’s Samantha Brockman’s RBI single. But the Aggies offense was not done yet. Hines singled to left to drive in McComas. A few batters later, Brenna added to the lead with a two-run single that scored Hines and Warren for a 11-3 lead. The Aggies made it a 12-3 game after Brenna scored on a double steal with Smith. Hines picked up her 20th win of the year after five innings allowing one earned run with a strikeout.
in the second inning. Hines tripled to right center, scoring Warren and Daino. Then pitcher Alyssa Osterdock brought home Bethany Hines on a single to right center. Cameron tacked on another run in the third on a fielder’s choice that scored Callie. In the fourth inning, Combs would homer to straightaway center to give the Aggies a 5-1. Then McComas and Daino record back to back homers in the fifth inning. Combs added another big fly that inning, bringing home three to push Game 2 the lead to 10-1. Eastern New Mexico got The Aggies’ strong offense and good pitching continued two runs back in the bottom of the inning with a two-run into the second matchup. homer. After a quick Greyhound Hines made it an 11-3 run in the bottom of the first, the Aggies got back to scoring game on a single to right field,
scoring Daino. Osterdock took the win on the mound, pitching a complete game and allowing three runs with a pair of strikeouts. The Aggies finished the doubleheader sweep with 23 runs scored, allowing the Greyhounds to score only six runs in the process.
with Sonora Zuckerman and Leslie Martini for the Cameron career record of 43. Hines followed up her previous day’s performance with her 21st win of the season. She pitched a complete game shutout, giving up only four hits and three strikeouts. The three weekend wins pushed the Aggies to a Game 3 28-13 record overall. They also improved to 16-4 in Hines led the Aggies’ conference play, tied for West charge on the mound for an Texas A&M for second in easy win. All Cameron runs crossed the Lone Star Conference rankings. The Greyhounds the plate in a five-run fourth dropped to 18-30 on the inning, all as a result of season overall, 10-14 in LSC home runs. Callie broke a scoreless tie with a three-run play. After a home series against big fly to center field, scoring WTAMU, Cameron hits Kaytlyn Kizarr and sister Brenna. Daino and McComas the road to face off against Western New Mexico on finished off the scoring with April 21 and 22 in Silver City. a pair of homers to tie them
Women’s tennis drops home finale Jacob Jardel
Managing Editor
@JJardel_Writing The third-ranked women’s tennis team dropped its first conference game on the season after losing 3-6 in their home finale to second-ranked Midwestern on April 10 in Lawton. Both teams went into the matchup in the Top 25 of the national rankings, with MSU holding the 15th slot and CU ranking 24th. The rival squads entered the match undefeated in Lone Star Conference play. Doubles action started with Zhenia Shviadok and Mathilde Thibaudat against MSU’s Bianca Duff and Maddy Coffman. CU opened on serve, winning the first game of the set. Both teams held serve to tie the match at two-all heading into the fifth game. After the squads knotted up the score at 40, a quick reaction volley put Cameron up 3-2. The duo broke Midwestern’s serve to go up 4-2 before holding the next point for a 5-2 advantage. Both teams held for the next two points to bring the match to 6-3. Duff and Coffman rallied back to tie the match at sixall, eventually breaking Cameron’s serve on a double fault to take their first lead. The teams traded breaks to knot the set at eight games apiece. Zhviadok and Thibaudat fell 4-1 in the tiebreak before stringing together six-straight points to take the tiebreak, the set and the match 9-8 (7-4). The win was Cameron’s only doubles win on the day. In the second slot, Paula Gutierrez and Samantha Wood pushed opponents Daria Panferova and Eirini Kontaki to a tiebreaker after a tightly-contested set. MSU opened on serve and took the first two points before CU won the third game in straight points. The Aggies rallied among back and forth games to eventually take a 5-4 lead. But the teams eventually tied at six, seven and eight, forcing a tiebreaking set, which CU lost 8-9 (5-7). Magdalena Kovinic and Jordan Allison opened on serve in their third-slot match against Greta Lazzerotto and Ashley Ramirez. MSU broke serve to open the match before putting CU in the hole 0-4.
singles draws on the day. Gutierrez matched up against Panferova in the first singles slot, opening on and holding serve to take the first game of the first set. Gutierrez took the next three points before Panferova won two straight points to cut Gutierrez’ lead to 4-2. The CU senior took the final two games of the set to win it 6-2, the score by which she took the second set and the match. Shviadok faced off against Kontaki in the two-slot. She opened on serve, but gave up the break to fall to 0-1 off the bat. But Shviadok eventually tied the set at two and tied the first set at two-all. The sophomore ended up taking the first set 6-4. She continued her momentum into the second set, winning the first game. However, Shviadok lost 3-6 to force the game into a tiebreaker, which she took 10-4 to clinch the three-set match victory. Thibaudat started her third-slot game against Duff on serve, losing the first point heading into Duff ’s service. Thibaudat ended up losing the first set 0-6. She regained her footing in the second set, holding onto serve to keep the game close midway through at 2-3. However, Duff ’s game proved insurmountable, resulting in a CU loss 0-6, 4-6. Wood faced off against Coffman in the fourth spot. She gained a 3-0 advantage on her MSU opponent before winning the first set 6-1. The senior continued her momentum in the second set, going up by as much as 4-1. But Coffman mounted a comeback, eventually forcing a Photo by Joel Frambes tiebreaker after dropping Wood 5-7 in the middle frame. CU lost that matchup in three sets, 6-1, 5-7, 6-10. Send it back: Paula Gutierrez returns a ball back The day ended with Kovinic and Allison losing their to her opponent during a match against Midwestern matches in straight sets and straight games. on April 10. Gutierrez lost in her doubles match with The loss dropped Cameron to 11-10 on the season as a teammate Samantha Wood 8-9 (5-7) but won her whole, 2-1 in LSC play. singles draw against the Mustangs’ Daria Panferova in The Mustangs moved up to 17-3 while maintaining an straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. undefeated 3-0 record in conference. After closing out the season on the road against Western Cameron held service to notch their first point of the New Mexico and Texas-Permian Basin, the Aggies prepare match at 1-4. The teams traded service matches before for the LSC Tournament from April 21-22 in Arlington, MSU broke serve twice to give the Aggies the 2-8 loss. Texas. The Black and Gold did not fair much better in their