The Cameron Collegian - November 18, 2019

Collegian T he Cameron University

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Monday, November 18, 2019

Volume 101 Issue 8

Grand opening:

CU bookstore celebrates changes

Payton Williams

bookstore grand opening, receiving free represents a change in some of the store’s refreshments and seizing the chance policies when it comes to the way students Managing Editor to speak to University President John buy books — and what books the students @YoureSoVanya McArthur, who was in attendance for the get to choose from. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Sanders said the book store is changing On Nov. 12 at the Cameron University While the bookstore has been under the way professors assign course Bookstore, students and employees the new management of the Texas Book textbooks. celebrated the recent change of store Company since the “In the past,” management with a grand opening beginning of Fall 2019, Sanders said. celebration.

“Professors let the The celebration was open to the public the grand opening event I’m all about could not be scheduled bookstore know and featured free cake and refreshments, engaging with until late in the what books they a free, book-themed bag giveaway semester due largely, were going to use. students. One and a raffle in which students had the as Sanders explained, Moving forward, opportunity to win gift bags. of the ways you to the schedules of the this upcoming Bookstore General Manager James stay relevant is people involved. semester, we’re Sanders spoke about how impressed he “This was the going to an connecting with your was with student participation at the event. only time we could online process, “I was kind of surprised because it was stakeholders.” find where President which will late afternoon,” Sanders said. “And people — James Sanders McArthur and our streamline how tend to leave campus around that time, Bookstore Manager quickly we get so the turnout was better than I expected. regional team were available,” Sanders the information We had a count of 70 people at one time, said. “We had planned and lets us source which is great.” to have a grand opening event for months, books.

And we can get more used books The event happened to coincide with and it just became a matter of matching for students.” an event hosted by the Native American The bookstore charge account was Student Association just outside the doors schedules.”

The grand opening event represents another new addition to bookstore policy of the bookstore, which encouraged that came with the change in management. students to stop by for the grand opening. more than just a change of management for the university bookstore. It also The charge account created a lot of Many students wandered into the

unintended confusion among students this semester, and for its implementation next semester, Sanders wanted to clarify how the charge account works and how students can use it.

“The charge account is for every student at Cameron University,” Sanders said. “Regardless of if they have financial aid or not. If they do have financial aid, it will offset that charge account; if not, it will be a bill like the tuition bill would be. Students could have until October, so they get a few months to pay for the books rather than having all that burden at one time.”

Sanders also spoke about the importance of the grand opening event for the bookstore.

“I love the fact that we had our corporate people and school administration with students,” Sanders said. “Because I’m all about engaging with students. One of the ways you stay relevant is connecting with your stakeholders.”

For more information about the Cameron University Bookstore and its policies, contact the bookstore’s management at bkstore@cameron.edu.

Photos by Stacie Larsen

What’s Inside Teaching that counts Page 2

CU Opera Page 4

Debating ‘toxic masculinity’ Page 5

News

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November 18, 2019

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Photo by Kimb Frey

Part of the equation: Mathematical Sciences Professor Dr. Ioannis K. Argyros (left) and Mathematics Senior Yauheniya Schviadok (right) hold up two published works. Argyros treats mathematics as a second language, due to the act of translating math problems from English.

Mathematics as a second language Kimb Frey

with Applications. Volume III” with Dr. Santhosh Copy Editor George of the National Institute of technology in Mathematical Sciences Kurukshetra, India, and Professor Dr. Ioannis K. “Undergraduate Research Argyros is yet another one at Cameron University on of Cameron University’s Iterative Procedures in dedicated professors who is Banach and Other Spaces” passionate about his field and with recent Cameron graduate about sharing his knowledge and Argyros’s former with his students. undergraduate research Students who walk into assistant Samundra Regmi.

Argyros’s office might not Regmi, who is now initially pick up on that passion, but they would notice pursuing an Applied the neat stacks of papers lined Mathematics graduate degree up on his desk and his shelves. from the University of North Texas (UNT), also has five As he rifled through one research papers published with of those stacks looking for a Argyros, with more on the news article about his recent way. book release, he mentioned Regmi said that the writing that he liked to be organized. process with Argyros was It helped him facilitate very challenging, since he the research and scholarship constantly asked for changes. happening in Cameron’s “But he was justifying why Mathematical Sciences those changes were needed,” department — the results of Regmi said. “Dr. Argyros was which his student research teaching me a new language assistants have presented at conferences and in textbooks. called ‘Mathematics.’ I had no clue that this is what Argyros co-authored two mathematics entails. Nobody recently released textbooks: had explained that to me “Mathematical Modeling for before with so much accuracy the Solution of Equations and passion.” and Systems of Equations

In Argyros’s Greek accented English, he identified the root of mathematical research.

“When it comes to solving story problems from applied mathematics, mathematical biology, mathematical chemistry, mathematical economics, mathematical physics and also engineering and other areas, just to mention a few,” Argyros said, “we usually translate the problem from American English, which is one language, into another language, which is mathematics. Now, when it comes to that translation, your mathematics, the translation is usually some equation.”

Argyros finds ways of reaching students and explaining important elements using metaphors such as math as a language, which was handy when Cameron introduced the Survey of Mathematics course for Humanities majors.

“It was for kids that don’t like math,” Argyros said, “but I’m teaching it every, seems, once or twice, maybe three

times, a year. I enjoy teaching it, and there are results.

Some of them jump from humanities, go into sciences because of the stimulation that takes place in that course.

“We are in the business of education, right? So, whatever can stimulate the student, or the audience if they are not necessarily students, but practitioners or researchers, because otherwise it gets boring, right? So, you have to stimulate people, so they can listen to you and be more effective.”

While she wasn’t introduced to Mathematics through the Survey of Mathematics course, Mathematics Senior Yauheniya Schviadok transferred from Computer Science and became Argyros’ research assistant once Regmi left for UNT. Schviadok took a summer internship and needed help with some of the concepts integral to the work she did, so she turned to Argyros for help, and he became her mentor.

“It just makes him very different from other professors,” Schviadok said.

Schviadok said that Argyros set a high bar for professors, to which Argyros responded with a joke about being a high jumper when he was younger.

Schviadok presented her and Argyros’ most recent work, “Developments in the Semi-Local Convergence Analysis of Newton’s Method,” at the Cameron Mathematics Department Seminar for Undergraduate Research on Oct. 23 and will present their work again at the 2020 Joint Mathematics Meeting in Denver, Colorado.

Argyros stays engaged in the greater Mathematical community and ensures his students have the opportunity to do so as well.

“This keeps you alive, you know, because otherwise, if there is no energy or activity around you, you feel bored. So that keeps me alive, and I will keep doing it until somebody comes here 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. and finds me on the floor.”

For more information about Argyros or his collaborative publications, contact Argyros at ioannisa@cameron.edu.

Luck of the draw: Grocery bingo Cam Alsbrook

some free mac Photo by Stacie Larsen and cheese in my Assistant Editor bucket.”

At 6:30 p.m., on Nov. 11, the Students waited Programming Activities Council in anticipation to (PAC) hosted Grocery Bingo in the hear the next number McCasland Ballroom. called, with some Cameron students played multiple calling out the ideal rounds of bingo with the chance numbers they would to win one of many baskets of want called. commodities supplied by PAC. During one The plastic trick or treat baskets round, multiple included skittles, sodas, ramen, players won buckets microwaveable macaroni, pretzels and and sat out for the popcorn. rest of the round to Students filled up Bingo sheets give other people a by marking numbers called by the chance to win. announcer to reach the objective of the Senior psychology round such as forming an ‘X’ pattern major Maeisha on the sheet, or by filling a single file Adams said she felt Winning Ticket: Psychology Senior Maeisha Adams, one of the grocery bingo row. very thankful for winners, selects a prize bucket. The buckets contained movie snacks and soda.

After scoring a Bingo, students winning.

PAC member and junior psychology students to have fun and engage with verified their sheets and picked out “I wish Cameron major Kat Monaghan said students baskets to take home. had more events like this,” Adams other students,” Davis said. “Anytime can’t go wrong with free food.

Sophomore information technology said. there is an event coming up, I always “I love setting up for this event major David McDonald was ecstatic to Members of PAC set up the event, find time to make it to the event no because it is something that everyone claim his bucket. they put out Bingo tables and played matter what it is.”

“I felt a rush of excitement,” Bingo alongside the other participants. can win from and enjoy a good time Events like Grocery Bingo provide with friends,” Monaghan said.

McDonald said. “I shouted ‘Bingo’ PAC officer and psychology Junior a brief break from coursework for “I think the event benefits students and jumped up so fast.”

Calista Young was ecstatic to help run students. because they are able to play with a Participants gave a round of the event.

Coordinator of Campus life Daniel community of people and make new applause as the winners claimed “Grocery Bingo is a great McFadden said that it took about $350 friends.”

Bingos one by one. opportunity to give back to Cameron to fund prizes won at Grocery Bingo.

The event meant a lot to Senior sports and exercise science and foster a sense of community on “Grocery Bingo takes a lot of participants, and some students, like major Alex Orta-Fowler appreciated campus,” Young said. “Events like planning, from getting themed bags to psychology freshman Nadia Davis, what he got in his bucket. these offer students an opportunity buying the supplies,” McFadden said. made the time to go to multiple events “We try to plan our events four weeks “I feel amazing getting a Bingo,” to socialize, have a good time and Orta-Fowler said. “The event is great even to win something they can bring during the semester. in advance to make sure every small “I feel that the event is a way for because I got the opportunity to get home.” detail is taken care of.”

Student Life

November 18, 2019

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Visiting writer series www.aggiecentral.com

Presenting author Oscar Hokeah

Photos by Adrianna Finch

Getting ready: Visiting writer Oscar Hokeah prepares himself for his time at the podium.

Hokeah read excerpts from his upcoming book “Unsettled Between” as part of Cameron’s Visiting Writers Series.

Adrianna Finch Assistant Editor

At 7 p.m., Nov. 8, in the CETES Conference Center, fiction writer Oscar Hokeah spoke to Cameron students, faculty and community members as part of CU’s Visiting Writer Series.

During the introduction, Assistant Professor Leah Chaffins gave a background on Hokeah’s education and authorship.

“Hokeah is a regionalist Native American writer of literary fiction who is interested in capturing intertribal and multicultural aspects within two tribally specific communities: Tahlequah and Lawton,” Chaffins said.

“Of Kiowa, Cherokee and Hispanic descent, his roots in Lawton extended to the Hokeah and Tahsequah families, organizers of the Oklahoma Gourd Dance Club.”

Chaffins also went on to explain that Hokeah obtained an M.A. in English from the University of Oklahoma with a concentration in Native American Literature.

Hokeah acquired a B.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA).

The IAIA awarded Hokeah the Truman Copote Scholarship Award, and Hokeah won the Native Writer Award through Taso Summer Writers conference.

Hokeah is published work in “South Dakota Review,” “American Short Fiction,” “Yellow Medicine Review,” “Surreal South ’09” and “Red Ink Magazine.”

After introductions, Hokeah welcomed the audience in Native American and in English.

Hokeah went on

to discuss his current novel and the publication process.

“Right now I am working with an agent based in New York at The Writers House named Ally,” Hokeah said. “I connected with Ally during a twitter pitch event called #DVpit. It was the first one that I had tried and I had immediate success.”

Hokeah told the audience what he was working on.

“Right now I am working on a book called ‘Unsettled Between,’” Hokeah said. “I have been working on this story for ten years and have continued to work on it since I started.”

“This books is about a Native American man named Ever and his trajectory of aggression.”

After Hokeah teased his book, he read some excerpts.

Hokeah started with the first short story, “Turtle’s House,” which describes how Ever is pulled between his many family members.

After Hokeah read the first short story, he continued with “Time like Masks,” which is about Ever’s violent and aggressive father.

Hokeah said this part of the story sets up how Ever learned his aggression and how that shaped him into the man he became.

In the last story, “Our Dance,” Hokeah describes Ever’s relationship with his cousin and how they used their government checks when they turned eighteen.

The story highlights how the boys threw parties, bought cars and gave money to their families.

“In this story, you can see where his level of aggression is at,” Hokeah said. “He just turned eighteen, and he is kind of at the pinnacle of his aggression.”

Hokeah said he wanted to show how the Cherokee and Kiowa tribes worked and wanted to bring that part of his culture to life since it was not talked about very much.

At the end of the event, Hokeah fielded questions about his writing process.

“We have been working on edits and revision for about a year,” he said. “She [Ally, his agent] would give me her responses, and I would be like ‘okay’ and edit it. I would send it to her thinking, ‘This is ready to send to a publisher.’ Ally would then send it back to me with more edits. I would kind of sulk for a bit, but I still did what I needed to do.”

Hokeah said that he learned that emotions are a part of the writing process.

“I learned that it is okay to be upset over edits,” Hokeah said. “It’s okay to let yourself have those feelings, but in the end, as writers, we need take those criticisms and turn them into something great.”

“Unsettled Between” is currently in the final stages of revisions.

For more information about The Visiting Writer Series, contact Chaffins at lellis@cameron.edu.

Juggling act: Finding balance Xavier McClure Staff Writer

At 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 5, in room 103 in the Cameron library, academic advisors Jennifer Jackson and Kyle Jarman discussed ways that students can find balance in work, school and life as part of a CU Succeed workshop..

Jackson and Jarman emphasized student self-care.

They also spoke about how self-care is not selfish and is a necessity for a healthy life.

“Self-care, sometimes, it’s as simple as ‘did I drink enough water today?’” Jackson

said. “Or ‘Did I eat as well as I should?’ The small things add up.”

The presenters went over meditation, minimizing distractions, establishing a routine and setting both shortterm and long-term goals.

They also stressed the importance of having a strong social circle and support system.

Jackson and Jarman talked about “cleaning out your closet,” such as leaving toxic relationships and investing in personal goals.

“It’s going to involve saying ‘no’ sometimes,” Jarman said.

“It’s going to involve our need for self-care sometimes, like ‘I can’t, I’ve gotta take care of myself’ or ‘I’ve got other priorities I’ve have to focus on.’

It’s that alignment of priorities versus time and energy spent.”

Jackson covered various effects of stress such as: depression, anxiety, memory and concentration problems.

She said they may lead to serious health issues over time.

Jackson also highlighted the main differences between stress and burnout and how symptoms often associated with burnout can lead to negative health and behaviors.

“Someone who is stressed is over-engaged. Someone who is burnt out is disengaged — they withdraw,” Jackson said.

“Someone whose stressed is reactive; someone who is burnt out has distant emotions, sense of helplessness or loss of motivation.”

According to Jarman, a factor in preventing burnout requires saying “no” to certain things in a student’s daily life.

“If you start saying ‘yes’ to everything,” Jarman said, “when someone comes along who’s really important to you, you won’t have enough time for them. Now, you don’t have time

to be with them or have time to give them the attention you really want to give.”

Sports and Exercise Science major Savon Matthews said this was some of the best advice he learned at the workshop.

“I say ‘yes’ to a lot of things,” Matthews said, “and I get involved in a lot of things I shouldn’t be involved in.

So, saying ‘no’ is definitely important.”

For more information about CU Succeed workshops, contact the Office of Student Development at (580) 581-2209 or student_development@ cameron.edu.

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A&E

November 18, 2019

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CU OPERA WORKSHOP THROUGHOUT THE ERAS

Photos by Isaiah Hernandez

Isaiah Hernandez

“H.M.S. Pinafore,” “Cavalleria cheated maiden who wishes and Mezzo Soprano. which focuses on a woman Rusticana,” “Lakmé,” “Un for death.

It focuses on a woman and who mourns for her lost Staff Writer Ballo Maschera,” “Les “I’m Called Little her servant who go to pick lover and “Belle nuit, ô nuit ButterCup,” followed, a flowers by the river. d’amour,” a piece that tells the At 7:30 p.m., on Nov. 7 and Contes d’Hoffmann,” “The Tender Land,” “The Ballad comical opera titled “H.M.S. Created by Giuseppe story of a man’s love and his 8, the Cameron University of Baby Doe” and “Der Pinafore,” also known as “The Verdi, the next piece, “Saper faithful male companion.

School of Arts and Sciences Rosenkavalier.”

Lass That Loved a Sailor.”

Vorreste,” is from the opera The next piece performed, hosted its annual opera Entertaining the audience Performed by a Mezzo “Un Ballo Maschera,” or “A written by Aaron Copeland, workshop in the McCutcheon with familiar stories from Soprano with two background Masked Ball.” is also known as “Laurie’s Recital Hall. across the globe, vocalists performers, the trio helped Performed by a Soprano, Song,” which is found in the Made possible by the portray the story of a woman the story focuses on a man opera “The Tender Land.” contributions of the Southwest performed pieces in the original English, French, who makes the acquaintance who refuses to tell another Performed by a Soprano, Oklahoma Opera Guild German and Italian. of sailors. about the King’s disguise, the story focuses on a young (SOOG), the 2019 Fall opera The diverse languages Next, originating from instead replying with a girl graduating from high workshop focused on a series celebrated popular opera an opera by Pietri Mascagni, mixture of taunting and school, nervous about what of popular, well-known scenes from multiple eras operettas and arias.

Operettas are short operas and cultures.

Cameron Vocalthat usually contain a light or Music Performance humorous theme and usually Major Sophomore Khalil have spoken dialogue.

Arias are long accompanied Cabrera-Tosado expressed the importance of opera vocal solo pieces that are in reference to planned typically in an opera or oratorio, a large-scale musical performances.

“This new journey of work for orchestra and voices opera expands your horizons which is known to have to multiple cultures, eras potential religious themes and different musical styles,” without the usage of props, he said. actions or costumes.

Assistant Professor Dr. Originating in Italy during Christian Morren described the late 16th to early 17th centuries, the term “opera” is the performances as an opportunity to showcase used to define a sung drama student talent at Cameron. performed by vocalists and Performed by two instrumentalists.

Mezzo-Sopranos and a Having many historical Soprano — who acted as a ties to great composers, trio of school girls — “The opera is a genre that allows Mikado,” or “Three Little for an alternative method of Three Little Maids: (Left to Right) Rachel McCurry, Heather Martin and Mikayla creative expression in contrast Maids From School,” by Stephenson perform “The Mikado” at Cameron’s Opera Workshop.

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur to genres with more modern Sullivan served as the opening “Cavalleria Rusticana,” or serious comments. comes next. origins, such as Broadway scenes of the performance.

“Rustic Chivalry,” “Voi Lo Created by Jacques “The Ballad of Baby Doe,” musicals.

The program then featured Sapete” is an aria that tells Offenbach, “Les Contes written by Douglas Moore, In their mission statement, two more Soprano solo pieces of a jealous and heartbroken d’Hoffmann,” also known as contains the next aria which is SOOG expresses a love for including “The Sun whose woman whose promised love “The Tales of Hoffmann,” is titled, “Warm as the Autumn opera through sponsoring live fell for another when he came an opéra fantastique.

Light.” performances and educational Rays Are Ablaze,” which focuses on a self-aware and back from war.

In the fall performance Performed by a Baritone outreach programs in youthful girl.

Next, “The Flower Duet” of the Cameron Opera and aided by a side performer, Southwestern Oklahoma.

The performance continued in “Lakmé,” written by Workshop, students performed the song tells the story of a This year’s opera featured composer Léo Delibes’ is a two arias: man who hears a woman’s scenes from many collections, with “Alone and Yet Alive,” which tells the tale of a duet intended for a Soprano “Elle a fui la tourterelle,” singing that reminds him of such as “The Mikado,” his past.

Intended to be performed as an encore, “Duetto buffo di du gatti,” written by Gioachino Rossini and sung by a Soprano duet, the entirety of the piece consisted of meowing and hissing, taken from a cat’s natural vocabulary.

“Hab mir’s gelobt,” served as the last piece of the night from the opera “Der Rosenkavalier,” or “The Knight of the Rose.”

Written by Richard Strauss and performed by a Soprano trio, the performance tells the story of a man choosing between his old and new love.

On a final note, the Opera ended with a bow from the cast and crew and a thanks from the director.

For more information regarding theatrical and musical performances, please contact the Department of Art, Music A Masked Ball: (Left to Right) Khalil Cabrera-Tosado and Destiny Abila perform “Saper Voreste” at Cameron’s annual and Theatre Arts at 581Opera Workshop in the McCutcheon Recital Hall.

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November 18, 2019

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Voices

the toxicity of using

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“toxic masculinity” Amanda King

Voices Editor @the_amandaking The belief that men should conform to specific behavior characteristic of their gender has been around for decades — centuries, even.

In fact, one could argue that the role of men in society has always been assumed, and their personality traits along with it.

But of course, gender expectations are not exclusive to men.

Expectations have been placed upon both the female and male sexes since the dawn of time — expectations that have been systematically examined and challenged and disregarded several times over since.

However, in recent years, most of the focus on breaking out of gender stereotypes has been concentrated on the feminist movement.

The battle against misogyny has taken the spotlight — while the fight to overcome “toxic masculinity” has been patiently waiting backstage for its turn to rally the bandwagon.

Until now.

The concept might have been around forever, but for whatever reason, the pervasive “toxic masculinity” term has taken on a new life in the pop culture sphere.

Suddenly, it’s the phrase we’ve decided to attribute all undesirable male actions to — suddenly, it’s the catchall for any situations of sexism and violence stemming from the male gender.

The official definition of the term varies greatly depending on the opinion of the person defining it: The New York Times describes it as “what can come of teaching boys that they can’t express emotion openly; that they have to be “tough all the time”; that anything other than that makes them “feminine” or weak.”

Dictionary.com defines the term as “a cultural concept of manliness that glorifies stoicism, strength, virility and dominance, and that is socially maladaptive, or harmful, to mental health.”

What all definitions have in common, however, is the belief that “toxic masculinity” does not mean that men are inherently toxic.

Rather, it’s the consequences of raising boys to act in a sexist, violent and/or emotionally suppressive way; which, I think we can all agree, is extremely “maladaptive” and “harmful to mental health.”

But so, too, is calling masculinity

About Us

The official student newspaper of Cameron University, The Cameron Collegian is available each Monday during the year.

It is printed by the Lawton Constitution. The first issue is provided for free. Each subsequent issue is $1.50.

Our Views

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.

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.

“toxic.”

First of all, the name is sexist in itself — it insinuates that these traits — anger, misogyny, etc. — are intrinsic with the definition of masculinity. Like to teach boys to be masculine is to teach them these attitudes — which is simply untrue.

It is entirely possible to be a man, and be “masculine,” without being violent or sexist or homophobic.

People might acknowledge that not all men are toxic, but somehow, they miss that this misnomer innately insinuates that all masculine traits are bad or shameful.

Especially considering that for so long, society has been drilling into boys that they need to be “masculine;” you can’t simply start preaching that their gender is “toxic” and expect any bad behavior to change.

The word “masculine,” as per dictionary. com, quite literally means “characteristic of man or men;” so how is it not hurtful to assign all unsavory male behavior to this fundamental term?

Graphic by Amanda King

THE CAMERON UNIVERSITY

COLLEGIAN

Furthermore, it is extremely hypocritical.

Anyone can use “toxic masculinity” to shame all male behavior they don’t approve of, but what about undesirable feminine traits?

Can you imagine what would happen if men started strolling about throwing around the phrase “toxic femininity” when women get too emotional, crazy obsessive or any other stereotypically undesirable female behavior?

There would be mass outrage; sexist accusations, social media call-outs, who even knows what else?

Why do any “toxic” traits have to have a gender assigned to them?

Why can’t we acknowledge bad behavior no matter which sex is responsible for it?

Why do we need to attribute it to a specific gender when all could potentially possess these “toxic” characteristics?

And there we have another problem: just using “toxic masculinity” helps perpetuate the very behavior it’s meant to disparage.

It just blames any negative male actions on their being genetically male — it takes away accountability: it’s not a man’s fault if he’s sexist; it’s that darn “masculinity” he was raised by!

Thankfully, unlike with other social issue bandwagons that we’re all expected to hop onto or else be shamed, there are some popular names speaking up in opposition to using such a damaging term.

At a recent panel discussion for her femalecentered television show “Big Little Lies,” Meryl Streep advocated for the expulsion of the term: “We hurt our boys by calling something ‘toxic masculinity’… because women can be pretty f***ing toxic too… it’s toxic people.”

She further explained that it doesn’t help our ultimate goal of equality.

“I think the labels are less helpful than what we’re trying to get to, which is a communication, direct, between human beings,” she said. “We’re all on the boat together. We’ve got to make it work.”

Let’s stop pretending that the male gender is the only one capable of bad behavior and stress the idea that all people can be “toxic” — why discriminate?

If our true goal is total gender fairness — which the feminist movement is supposed to be about — how can we achieve it any other way than acceptance?

Moreover, rather than shame men by using “toxic masculinity” to describe any unseemly attitudes, why don’t we reform the way people think about manliness?

How about instead of teaching boys that masculinity is “toxic,” we teach them that it includes expressing their emotions in a healthy manner and respecting other genders?

How about we teach them that they don’t have to be violent to be masculine?

Or that they can be close to other men without compromising their own manhood?

How about we all come together as one species and eliminate all of the outdated and ridiculous gender stereotypes once and for all?

Letters Policy

Founded in 1926 veritas sempiterna

Letters to the editor will be printed in the order in which they are received and on a space available basis.

Editorial Staff

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.

Managing Editor - Payton Williams A&E Editor - Lea Killian Sports Editor - David Perkins Voices Editor - Amanda King Copy Editor - Kim Frey Assistant Editors - Cambron Alsbrook, Adrianna Finch Social Media Editor - Abby Gonzalez Photographers - Katie Hall, Stacie Larsen, Cierra Walters

Newsroom Staff

Financial Officer - Susan Hill Staff Writers - Bryan Araujo, Katie Hall, Isaiah Hernandez, Haylee Key, Xavier McClure, Isabel Rosales-Aparicio Circulation Manager - Payton Williams Faculty Adviser - Prof. David Bublitz

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.

Sports

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November 18, 2019

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Aggie Cross Country Looking back as the season comes to a close

By David Perkins Sports Editor

The Aggie men and women’s crosscountry teams wrapped up their 2019 seasons at the NCAA Division 2 South Central Regional Meet on Nov. 9 in Canyon Texas.

Both the men and women’s teams have proven themselves over the year, becoming two of the most successful sports programs for Cameron in the 2018-2019 season.

Cameron Senior James Majenge led the Cross Country mens team to a 9th place overall finish in the Regional Meet. Majenge came in 13th place in a field of over 180 runners.

The women’s team had a 22nd place overall finish led by Cameron sophomore Alma Duran who came in 68th place in a field of nearly 200 runners.

Majenge and Duran have been the top performers for the men and women’s teams respectively.

Head cross country coach Zach Johnson has been happy to see his runners perform so well.

“The women’s team didn’t do as well as I would have hoped, mainly because of the injuries we’ve had over the season,” Johnson said. “We’ve had quite a few runners having to sit out on the side this season. Some of them from past injuries in the very beginning. Too many.”

As for both men and women’s teams, Cameron had a strong performance in their own highly competitive Lone Star Conference (LSC) conference. \Photos by David Perkins

They had some tough breaks, but they came very close to making nationals — particularly the men.

However, there is a sole exception: Majenge has set records and led the team this entire fall season for Cameron.

Majenge made nationals as an individual qualifier for his highperformance.

This means that, since he has consistently placed well and performed at such a high level, he received recognition for it.

On Nov. 21, Majenge and Coach Johnson will fly to nationals to compete on Nov. 23 in Sacramento, California.

“The big goal for him is to make Top 40. Top 40 individuals make all American,” Johnson said.

“You just have to be good on the right day and pace yourself very well.

You also have to manage to stay calm throughout the race.”

Majenge has consistently placed at the top of the competition, and the LSC is very much aware of that.

He will go on

to be the only representative on the cross-country program for Cameron at nationals this year.

The Cameron women’s crosscountry team also made a strong appearance at Regionals.

Alma Duran has been a consistent leader throughout the season for the Aggies.

The women’s team has dealt with many setbacks this year. Injuries have plagued the team throughout the season.

“I am hoping that this upcoming spring season will be much better,” Johnson said.

“On the women’s side we really just need everybody healthy again for the upcoming track season. The injuries were such a setback for this year, and we couldn’t overcome it.”

Next comes the transition of the cross-country team into the track season.

Cameron track season begins the first week of December.