March 13, 2019

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER — 13 MARCH

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2019

VO L U M E 5 3

CELEBRATING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH NEWS

FEATURES

OPINION

COD Enrollment Declining

Review: Captain Marvel Soars to Success

Are We Too Dependent on Gender Labels?

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COLLEGE OF DUPAGE WEEKLY WEATHER FORECAST Made Possible by the COD Meteorology Department WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

62°F 52°F

80%

RAIN

67°F 34°F

60%

RAIN

43°F 24°F

0%

CLOUDY

40°F 24°F

0%

MOSTLY SUNNY

SUNDAY - TUESDAY RECAP After this slow moving weather system and all of it's associated chances of rain departs our area by Thursday night and Friday, quiet, dry, and colder weather will return to the Midwest as high pressure builds into the region.

This will lead to daytime highs Friday through Sunday in the upper 30's to low 40's and overnight lows in the mid to upper 20's. Lastly, there are really no chances for precipitation to speak of over the weekend and heading into early next week with mostly dry conditions continuing.

LEVEL UP PODCAST WITH KENNETH MCKINNEY

FRIDAYS AT CODCOURIER.ORG

INDEX

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NEWS······················ 04

COD Facing Enrollement Decline

FEATURES··············· 06

"Girl Rising" Highlights Education Inequalities

OPINION·················· 12

"Adult Learners" are Students Too

MUSIC····················· 17

Courier Spotify Playlist: Girl Groups

COFFEE BREAK······ 18

Crossword, Sudoku Puzzles, and more

COD Courier Student Newspaper

@codcourier

@codcourier

ON THE COVER THE TEAM

SRC 1220 • 630-942-2689

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF···························· Tessa Morton ASSIGNMENT REPORTER················· Joey Weslo

Celebrating Women's History Month.

Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Rosa Parks

Jessica Tapia

NEWS CORRESPONDENT················· Karla Villegas Pineda FEATURES EDITOR··························· Alison Pfaff OPINION EDITOR····························· Kimberly Wilson STAFF WRITER································ Miguel Contreras III STAFF WRITER································ Madison Venckus STAFF WRITER································ DeAnte Washington GRAPHICS EDITOR··························· Brandon Beckwith ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR········· Jessica Tapia PHOTO EDITOR································ Lindsay Piotter SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER················ Brooke Shapiro ADVISER - Jim Fuller fullerj103@cod.edu

ABOUT US The Courier is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters, except for the first and last Wednesday of each semester and the week of spring break as a public forum with content chosen by student editors. One copy free, additional copies available upon request.

The Courier does not knowingly accept advertisement that discriminate on the basis of sex, creed, religion, color, handicapped status, veteran or sexual orientation, nor does it knowingly print ads that violate any local, state or federal laws.

Deliver all correspondence to SSC 1220 between regular office hours or mail to the Courier, College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL. 60137.

NEWS

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Undergraduate Student Profile - Spring 2019 10th Day Total Enrollment Report: Spring 2019 (2/5/19)

19,538 Students

Age 18 and Under

Headcount, Undergraduate Only (no Dual Credit)

23%

Asian

• 3+1 Computer Science degree • 3+1 Criminal Justice degree • Enhanced 2+2 Teacher Education degrees (Early Childhood Education with Endorsements in Special Education and ESL, Elementary, Special, and Combined Elementary/ Special Education)

Scheduled On-Site

3+1 Advising Session

Dates and Room Locations: cod.edu/academics/transfer_programs/ 3plus1_advising_sessions.aspx

(815) 836-5250 • admission@lewisu.edu

lewisu.edu/transfers

Where Our Students Live

Top 5 In-District Cities and Out-of-District

11%

Black or Afican American

Learn more about our on-site undergraduate programs:

3%

53%

Hispanic or Latino

Our most popular transfer majors include computer science, criminal justice, education, nursing, healthcare leadership, business and aviation.

29%

55+

White

• 80 undergraduate majors • Adult accelerated degree completion programs • Counselors on-site to make the transfer process easy

57%

25-54

Race/Ethnicity

Achieve More.

Together.

11%

19-24

Naperville

7%

Two or more races

3%

Other

3%

Gender

Wheaton Lombard

Enrolled Credits

11.9% 6.0% 5.4%

Aurora

4.9%

Glendale Heights

4.7%

Out-of-District

9.0%

Student Type 52% Female

48% Male

35% Full Time 65% Part Time

New to COD

11%

Continuing from Fall 2018 Returning Student

75% 14%

made by COD Research and Analytics

COD FACING ENROLLMENT DECLINE Karla Villegas Pineda, News Corespondent villegaspineak@dupage.edu

The College of DuPage has historically been the largest community college in the state.

However, in recent years, enrollment has been on the decline. This spring term has seen a five percent decrease compared to spring 2018.

In a recent interview with WBEZ FM’s “Morning Shift” radio program, Interim COD President Brian Caputo spoke about this decline.

“In Illinois, over the last 10 years, the decline has been about 21 percent. For COD, we’ve fared […] significantly better.” Said Caputo.

Caputo mentioned a few factors that are impacting COD’s lowered enrollment numbers.

“For community colleges, when you see the economy doing well, typically there’s less enrollment.” He stated. He also added, “The [amount of] eligible high school students, at least in our area, is declining.”

However, Caputo also noted some key programs offered at COD that will hopefully keep population numbers up, such as Guided Pathways. “[The program] tries to get students into an institution in an efficient manner, that is with-

out getting caught up in a lot of developmental courses,” said Caputo.

The Guided Pathway program is evident in COD’s 3+1 and 2+2 transfer programs.

In addition to Guided Pathways, the college combats low enrollment by heavily advertising its low tuition cost (in comparison to a fouryear university), small class sizes and absence of graduate students teaching in place of degree-holding professors.

Mark Curtis-Chavez, provost of COD, hopes enrollment will see a reverse effect as early as next spring with the implementation of a Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) council.

The council is developed in order to pinpoint the factors lowering enrollment, as well as putting together a plan to combat said factors and deciding the college’s “optimal enrollment goal.”

“There is a limit to what we can do, but we know it’s higher than what we’re at currently,” said Curtis-Chavez. “We want all the different constituencies of the college to have a voice in what that ultimate [enrollment] number is.”

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College of DuPage Board of Trustees Candidates' Forum Monday, March 18, 2019 Turner Conference Center – SRC 2000 3:00–6:00 p.m.

Open to students, faculty, staff, and citizens in District 502.

Meet the Candidates *** Ask your Questions Non-partisan *** No Endorsements Brought to you by:

College of DuPage Adjuncts Association (CODAA) and Student Leadership Council (SLC) Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres served during the event.

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FEATURES

Part of Living Leadership Program's "Leadership Through Film and Documentary" series

EDUCATION PIVOTAL FOR EQUAL RIGHTS GIRL RISING HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED FIGHT DeAnte Washington washingtond1614@dupage.edu

The College of DuPage kicked off Women’s History Month last week with a screening of “Girl Rising,” a film by Richard E. Robbins. It told a story of nine girls from developing countries who overcome challenges to receive an education and change their lives.

As a man, it provided much-needed insight on female issues. “Girl Rising” is an important film for men just as much as women.

During this month, men should have an understanding of female struggles and accomplishments.

It’s shocking that over 65 million women are not provided an education. Even in our country there are still women who are not able to receive an education based on their circumstances. If this is an interesting topic to you, I advise that you dive into this film.

Each story of the nine girls was heartfelt, desolate and inspiring. I

was touched by Wadley’s story the most.

Wadley is one of the nine girls from the film. She was born in Haiti. Haiti, not too far of a plane ride from Miami, is a developing country in our world. After the devastating earthquake in 2010, the citizens of Haiti were in need of help. Before the disaster, Wadley attended school just like any other student. After, she was not able to attend because her mother wasn’t able to afford it.

Her story was unique because it showed the astounding perseverance of a 7 year-old girl. When she was turned away from the teacher, she stood her ground. In the film, Wadley is asked by her old teacher to leave the classroom because her mother didn’t pay for her schooling. She refused to leave and if the teacher kept telling her to leave, she would come back the

next day. Wadley, similar to other girls, wanted to learn. In her story, she made it clear to the audience there is nothing more desirable to a child than a classroom setting.

It was hard to sit and watch 13-year-old girls being forced into a marriage and already giving birth. In our country, this would be taboo, but in developing countries, it’s a norm. In Afghanistan, a woman’s only job is to give birth.

If they give birth to a female, they are frowned upon as if it was a curse. Imagine having to go out every day covered from head to toe, unable to show any part of your face. Women’s lives are in danger in Afghanistan.They are so restricted and limited in the things they are able to do. Amina’s story in Afghanistan was not only heartbreaking, but it filled me with anger. It’s absolutely ridiculous how girls are forced into marriage and

motherhood but not into schools.

After watching it, I thought about the issues we face in our country.

Today, women are still fighting for their rights and a place in this country. Men aren’t taught to settle down and have children when they grow up. Men aren’t told they need to find a wife after they are done with school. Women are held to higher expectations, because we’ve built a society where women have a minimal amount of power.

“Girl Rising” was a well-told story, and if you want to support and be more involved in women’s rights, you can start by having more conversation with women about their experiences. Men can advocate for women, but that starts with listening more, understanding what challenges women face, and being willing to participate in the change. Another good start would be to watch this film.

FEATURES

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HIGHER, FASTER, STRONGER CAPTAIN MARVEL IS A WILD RIDE OF 90s NOSTALGIA ...AND CATS Allison Pfaff, Features Editor pfaffa72@dupage.edu

In a packed theater, I excitedly watched “Captain Marvel.” Released on March 8, it was perfectly timed for International Women’s Day. The film is an origin story about Carol Danvers ( played by Brie Larson), a former Air Force Pilot turned superheroine. After seeing DC’s “Wonder Woman” in 2017, one of the first superhero movies I was actually excited to see, I had high expectations for another female led superhero film.

Would “Captain Marvel” give me the same feeling of empowerment? It did not disappoint.

In 2018, Larson accepted the Crystal Award for Excellence at the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards, using her speech as an opportunity to speak about the under representation of minorities in the film critic industry. She cited that in 2017 there was an overwhelming amount of reviews by white males, with fewer by women, and an even smaller amount by women of color. She encouraged more diversity in reviews, suggesting that a white man’s opinion on a film was not the only opinion to determine if something is worth watching.

After this, Rotten Tomatoes, IMDB, and other reviewing sites were flooded with one-star reviews, counteracted by 10/10 ones. With words like “SJW” and “Liberal” being thrown around, I was left thinking, “What is even going on here?” To me, Larson’s comments were with good intention. She wasn’t saying white men shouldn’t watch this movie because it wasn’t made for you. She was saying reviews of films about people of di-

verse backgrounds should come from a diverse perspective.

Controversy aside, walking into that theater, I had no idea about the rating war circling the latest Marvel flick. The story follows Danvers, a Kree (alien) warrior, in the midst of a galactic war against the Skrull (also aliens) Sure, it had its flaws. The storyline was a bit slow, and the non-linear structure was sometimes confusing. Perhaps that was the point, to portray Danver’s confusion as she slowly pieces her life back together. The movie could have easily been longer to give more background on the world and its characters.

It wasn’t perfect, but it had some notable points.

Samuel L. Jackson and Brie Larson’s chemistry was something I didn’t know I needed in my life.

Their screen time had laughs echoing throughout the theater.

The soundtrack was great, with a song by Nirvana, and a fight scene to No Doubt’s “Just a Girl.” Sign me up.

Most importantly, the cat, Goose, stole the show!

Overall, this movie was a joy to see in theaters and left me wanting more. I left the theater feeling just as empowered as after seeing “Wonder Woman.” It was a fun movie, and I highly recommend it for Marvel fans and non-Marvel fans alike.

My rating: 8/10

Jessica Tapia

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FEATURES ILLINOIS ENDEAVORS TO BE MOST PROGRESSIVE STATE IN TERMS OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH Karla Villegas Pineda, News Corespondent villegaspinedak@dupage.edu In light of recently proposed state legislation, Illinois is set to be the most progressive state in terms of reproductive healthcare access.

The proposed bill, titled the Reproductive Health Act, “provides that every individual has a fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about one’s own reproductive health.” The bill will guarantee the right to continue a pregnancy or seek an abortion for any pregnant individual and officially states that “a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights under the law” in the state of Illinois.

The bill is currently under the review of the Informed Consent Subcommittee in the Illinois House of Representatives.

Illinois is surrounded by states with more restrictions in terms of access to reproductive healthcare.

Indiana, for example, only allows abortions to be performed during the first trimester of pregnancy with a doctor’s recommendation.

The Reproductive Health Act will not only provide reproductive au-

tonomy to the people of Illinois but also to people of surrounding states who come to Illinois to seek abortions.

Julie Lynn, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Illinois, said the primary consequence of restricting a woman’s access to abortion or contraceptives is the lack of say over decisions regarding their bodies.

“When people have access to [contraceptives], they are able to be in control, which helps them succeed in a number of areas,” said Lynn. “For example, when birth control was legalized in the mid-1960s, more women went to college and entered the workforce.”

If passed, the Reproductive Health Act will also repeal the Parental Notice of Abortion Act, which currently requires health care providers to notify the parent or guardian of a minor at least 48 hours before an abortion is performed on said minor.

“No law should dictate a familial conversation, and no young person

American Public Health Association, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guttmatcher Institute

should have to go before a judge to seek medical care,” said Lynn on the subject of the Parental Notice of Abortion Act. In addition to the proposed legislature, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an executive order allowing for taxpayer funding to be used to provide abortions and other reproductive services through government-funded health insurance for state employees on Jan. 22.

The order was signed at a Planned Parenthood of Illinois office in Chicago.

“The Reproductive Health Act will modernize Illinois’s abortion law and remove a healthcare service from the criminal code,” said Lynn. “Recognizing abortion as health care, and not a crime, will benefit everyone in the state.”

Lynn stressed the importance of acknowledging the various reproductive health services Planned Parenthood provides, besides abortion. These services include access to birth control, pregnancy testing, vaccinations, and preventative health examinations such as

breast exams and pap smears.

“Planned Parenthood provides a full range of reproductive health care, and not just for women. Ten percent of PPIL patients identify as men,” said Lynn. “Planned Parenthood is an important resource for anyone who needs it. For many people Planned Parenthood is the only place to go in their community, and for others it’s their trusted health care provider since they were young.”

Meanwhile, the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the largest pro-life organization in the country, admonishes the use of taxpayer funding to provide pregnant women with access to abortions.

In a release to the press in January of this year, the NRLC stated, “having state funds or state insurance subsidies cover abortion will only incentivize abortion without doing anything to improve the economic situation for these [low-income] women.”

Jessica Tapia

FEATURES

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BELOVED COD ENGLISH PROFESSOR LOSES HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER Tim Henningsen, English professor at COD

It is with incredible sorrow that I share the news that our colleague and friend, Eric Martinson, passed away [on Sunday] morning. Eric’s year-long battle with cancer was finally beginning to look promising, but complications arose over the weekend.

Eric was so wonderful in so many ways. I’ll miss him so much.

He is survived by his wife Tiffani.

Memorial services will be as follows: Visitation: Wednesday 5pm-8pm at Hultgren Funeral Home. 304 N Main St., Wheaton, Il 60187 Funeral: Thursday 11am at Wheaton Bible Church.

27W500 North Ave., West Chicago, IL 60185

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2019 Chicago

LATINO FILM FESTIVAL I Am the People: Venezuela Under Populism El Pueblo Soy Yo: En Populismo Tuesday, April 2, 11 a.m.

Venezuela / 2018 / 87 minutes Genre: Documentary Director: Carlos Oteyza Spanish with English Subtitles This film sets out to describe the skillful mechanisms of authoritarian power in the government initiated by Hugo Chávez and continued by Nicolás Maduro. The film unravels the appearance of the charismatic leader at a time of crisis, and how this, using high oil prices, opens the way to seize institutions, polarize society, silence the media and disrupt the productive apparatus. All this, of course, in the name of the people.

TRAILER: https://bit.ly/2sSvXPF

The Gazelle’s Dance El Baile de la Gacela Wednesday, April 3, 7 p.m.

Costa Rica/Mexico / 2018 / 90 min.

Genre: Comedy Director: Ivan Porras Meléndez Spanish with English Subtitles Eugenio’s dream is to win a big trophy, but he could never achieve it as a football player. Now he is 72 years old and he sees a chance to fulfill his dream through a tropical dance contest. But when he loses his partner halfway through the contest, his only chance of winning is to face his own prejudices. Now, he will change the Ball for the Hall.

TRAILER: https://bit.ly/2RnceT9

Health and Science Center (HSC), Room 1234 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL Contact: Saraliz Jimenez Latino Outreach Center latinocenter@cod.edu (630) 942-3039 For ADA accommodations, call (630) 942-2141 (voice) or (630) 858-9692 (TDD).

Please call two weeks in advance.

E F I L ENT

D U T S SSC 1217 maureendunne.com

danbailey.org

Dan Markwell, College of DuPage graduate and COD Trustee, endorses Board candidates Maureen Dunne and Dan Bailey for the April 2nd Board of Trustee election.

Markwell said, “As a fellow alumn, I know how important it is to understand the issues that confront the college from the student perspective. They do too.”

“Both Maureen and Dan got so much from COD. Maureen started her academic career here at COD and received the instruction and breadth of course work that allowed her to flourish and discover her path. Dan had a successful career as a train engineer, then enrolled in and graduated from our nursing program as a returning adult. Now, they want to give back.”

“Maureen Dunne and Dan Bailey are the Trustees we need as COD moves forward.”

Dunne & Bailey • Understand the student experience • Care deeply about COD • Will work to make your time at COD as productive as theirs

Vote Dunne & Bailey YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Paid for by Friends for Education 502.org

(15 Minute Minimum)

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OPINION

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Photo by Alison Pfaff

“ADULT LEARNERS” ARE STUDENTS TOO Kimberly Wilson, Opinion Editor wilsonk767@dupage.edu

A Morehouse College professor recently went viral for helping one of his students out with childcare in the classroom. The gesture, which has since warmed the hearts of many, also brings up some of the hardships people with families face as students attempting to earn a college degree. These students are just as valuable as any, so schools, including the College of DuPage, should make it a priority to help them balance their academic pursuits with the other parts of their lives.

When Wayne Hayer–a 26-yearold student at the prestigious allmale HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)–had no choice but to bring his baby class, professor Nathan Alexander went as far as to hold his baby for him so he could stay focused on his class work.

Not being able to attend class regularly can make it near impossible to stay afloat in college. Many

students with families end up missing a substantial amount of their schooling because of childcare issues such as not being able to find a sitter in time.

In 2017, College of DuPage enrolled 1,045 full-time and 6,892 part-time students between the ages of 25 and 54. Many of them may have families and responsibilities that could make it difficult for them to focus on their academics, just like Wayne Hayer.

Providing some form of daycare for students with children would make school more accessible for them. This could have a positive impact on college enrollment, which according to an article published on pjstar.com has been down in Illinois in recent years. The College of DuPage is now experiencing this enrollment decline as well.

There are so many barriers to receiving a college education in today’s society. It should be every

school’s duty to help all their students be successful in college, not just the “traditional” ones.

Many schools have implemented programs specifically geared to students over a certain age. COD has several Continuing Education courses for adults looking to expand their skills and further their careers, as well as services such as Adult Admissions and Outreach to help them navigate college.

COD’s Early Childhood Center, which provided daycare services for faculty, staff and students was closed in June of last year. The college stated the center was closed due to “an ongoing effort to improve operational efficiencies and financial savings.”

People of all ages and backgrounds deserve an equal opportunity to learn. In an interview with the Washington Post, Alexander stated, “There’s an idea of what a student is, and we don’t think about

ways to support parents that are students.”

Oftentimes we think a college undergraduate student has to be 18 to 21 and recently graduated high school, but numbers show the ages of college students vary. The National Center for Educational Statistics states that 7.6 million students 25 and older were projected to attend college and university in 2018. Schools quite literally can’t afford to ignore the needs of so many of their students.

Every student has to take responsibility for their own learning, but schools helping students who have their own families is best for everyone involved. Schools will increase their enrollment by attracting as many students as possible, and more people will become equipped with college degrees that will help them give back to their society.

NEWS OPINION

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LGBTQ …HIJKLMNOP

HAVE WE BECOME TOO DEPENDENT ON SUPERFICIAL GENDER LABELS? Joey Weslo, Assignment Reporter wesloj@dupage.edu Gray asexual, demi-sexual, agender, bigender, trigender, cisgender, otherkin, heteroromantic, homoromantic, akoisexual, panalterous, polyalterous, quoiromantic, quoisexual.

At what point in the alphabet soup of identities can we just be human?

Kevin Ashley, a member of the College of DuPage Pride Alliance, believes the unnecessary complexity hinders the gay community’s desire for social equality.

“We are so close to finding acceptance, but the gay community is shooting itself in the foot,” said Ashley. “When it comes to sexuality, your true identity should be more than just a few characteristics. We

don’t need to go out of our way to define ourselves and cram us into new boxes when the old ones no longer fit. The moment you give something a label you try to make it special, and the general public rolls their eyes.”

There has been a fragmentation amongst the gay community; a dangerous sectarian marginalization. In an effort to promote diversity and celebrate uniqueness, a vast array of new gender identities has been created. Have these new labels provided a greater sense of belonging, or have they proved detrimental to in-

clusivity? Does defining your identity help you better understand yourself, or does it pressure you to behave and think a certain way?

Does depending on superficial labels prevent the individual from exploring the complexities and nuances of their true self-worth?

If the gay-rights movement is premised upon acceptance and ending painful marginalization, have the new identities furthered personal isolation?

Ashley understands the desire to belong to a comfortable niche and find acceptance. However, he feels the use of gratuitous identities misses the purpose of helping the individual.

“Often people misuse labels to make them appear unique when, in actuality, they need to look inside themselves and identify what truly make them special,” said Ashley. “People need to be more than just their sexuality. Relying on labels is a cop-out to avoid looking within

and conducting proper introspection on your personality and existence as a human.”

Pride Alliance member Chloe Edwards believes gender labels were crucial in helping her better appreciate herself during a very difficult time in her life.

“Pronouns meant a lot to me because for most of my life I was very confused about my gender,” said Edwards. “I didn’t fit under the traditional labels and was struggling to find where I fit.

Once I began to understand what non-binary genders are, what gender-neutral pronouns are, I began to connect with the term and slowly correct my destructive feelings of gender dysphoria.”

She believes labels are a stepping-stone to appreciating the full spectrum of identity. However, she said there are complexities of character that shouldn’t be constricted.

“The labels may help me find myself, but they are by no means who I am,” said Edwards. “The dysphocontinued on page 14

Relying on labels is a cop-out to avoid looking within and conducting proper introspection Kevin Ashley, Member of Pride Alliance photo by Alison Pfaff

-Kevin Ashley

OPINION

14 continued from page 13

ria label helps you realize you are trans, but after a certain point you no longer need the label. You can’t always rely on a diagnosis or label as a means of identifying and presenting who you are. You shouldn’t feel forced to adjust your identity when it may not be necessary.”

Ashley said people feel compelled to adjust when they perceive labels as aspirational. This inspires conformity and suppresses the real individual. He said the label gray sexuality was invented to describe people who feel sexual attraction sometimes, but not all the time.

“How does this not just describe a regular person?” asked Ashley.

“Labeling is a product of social media’s instant gratification and how our culture dictates everything must fit perfectly into a box. We’ve been taught things need to be labeled in order to be properly understood.”

Ashley fears this conditioning has led people of the community to invalidate each other because they don’t perfectly fit each label.

He believes broader terms can provide comfort without instigating alienation.

At a time when conservative reactionaries are pushing against the gay-rights movement, the community has lost solidarity. The divisions amongst the community have created internal tensions and inspired further isolation.

“As a community, we have segregated ourselves,” said Ashley.

“To help bring the homogeny back and end discord, we need to make official labels that aren’t too restrictive. Once people constrict themselves to overcomplicated labels, the overall message of the community is lost.

“It’s a problem if getting to know you is like making my way through a jungle, hacking through all your different personalities and labels just to get to the real you,” he continued. “Sexuality is already complicated enough. Needless complications can lead to indifference and resentment towards the individual and the entire community.”

Ashley said respect and acceptance are the priority, but he takes issue when someone claims there are 80 genders and then gets upset when other people become confused. Too often he witnesses people using labels as part of their armory and acting as gatekeepers to defend their honor. He fears this vanity and self-indulgence has come at expense of solidarity and greater understanding.

The term MOGAI stands for “Marginalized Orientations, Gender Identities, And Intersex,” and serves as an umbrella term for the numerous micro-identities people so stridently defend.

Edwards believes the over-abundance of micro-identities and gender-neutral pronouns has become one of the reasons the public often

We walk through life putting other people in boxes preventing people from living as their whole selves

-Bonniejean Alford

fails to take the community seriously.

“There are people who experience genuine confusion, so exploring these micro-labels can help,” said Edwards. “However, people often take it too far in terms of being a truly marginalized group.

People often label themselves because it is popular and makes them seem special. In reality, being marginalized is dangerous and tragic for the individual.”

She believes some terms are valid and should be respected, but fears people’s over-reliance on unnecessary micro-labels has manifested in a disingenuous fashion.

She explained people inventing demi-sexuality to define the desire to get to know someone before becoming sexually intimate.

“It’s basically a term that captures the entire population,” said Edwards. “People take advantage of its uniqueness as

a label. If I were to meet someone who identified as an obscure gender, I would still accept them, but I would be judging them as someone who makes the gay community look like a joke.”

She believes we should continue celebrating diversity, however, most trendy terms just describe aesthetic preferences rather than actual sexuality. She said between people claiming 76 genders and conservatives insisting there are only two, there is a number less ridiculous and more reasonable.

Edwards believes the community needs to return to authenticity.

She urges people to do what makes them feel comfortable, but act within reason. She thinks tensions over micro-labels fracture the cohesion of the movement. She said this turns people in the gay community against each other when they should be uniting for equality.

“If you don’t have unity, the community is going

Bonniejean Alford, COD Sociology Professor photo by Lindsay Piotter

OPINION to fall apart,” said Edwards. “We need to hope for positive change, but the change will not happen unless we as a community make an effort together. We cannot let everything we’ve worked so hard to create over the past 50 years be destroyed by pointless divisions.”

Honoring Your True Self

COD Sociology professor Bonniejean Alford calls herself the “Identity Guru.” She recently launched, “Life’s A Blank,” a podcast celebrating people living their truth and not letting anyone steal their thunder.

Alford believes the complexities of labels in the LGBTQ community can appear daunting.

“Labels are only as good as they are fulfilling,” said Alford. “Society often offers labels as a way to group people arbitrarily. People feel they have to belong to one another, rather than stand firm in

their own beautiful self.”

She believes most people aspire to please others, often at the expense of themselves. This leads people to conform to others’ constructed labels.

“We walk through life putting other people in boxes preventing people from living as their whole selves,” said Alford. “(It’s) a world that wants everyone to conform to one reality – a reality everyone doesn’t fit.

“It takes courage to know exactly who you are and what you truly want out of life. Silencing the world and listening from within can be an intimidating endeavor, especially when doing so may not get you the pay or resources you deserve.”

Alford believes people often accept societally imposed labels as an attempt to fit in rather than celebrate their individuality.

“From a sociological perspective,

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The labels may help me find myself, but they are by no means who I am

-Chloe Edwards

people tend to be more strongly attached to labels they proclaim for themselves than those imposed on them,” said Alford. The label may be the center of their existence, (but) if a person is feeling trapped within the label, as though something is missing, it might be time to step away. People can get obsessed with having their lives center around some label for various reasons, from personal, romantic, to political or social.

She believes labels can be bene-

ficial if they connect you to a community in a meaningful and a true way. This strengthens a person’s core identity. However, she warned clinging to a label may foster an artificial feeling of belonging.

“What good is belonging when a person feels incomplete?” asked Alford. “A label is just a label. It means very little unless you give it power. When a person clings to a label because they think they need (it) for survival, then it isn’t honoring (their) true self.”

LETTER TO THE EDITOR RESPONSE TO HOUSE BILL 246 So now a new law (H.B. 246) is being pushed in Illinois that requires school textbooks purchased with certain state funds to highlight the social, political and economic contributions of LBGT individuals. Of course, there is no fair and balancing law being pushed which requires that the same textbooks highlight similar contributions of the millions of decent moral Americans (and a few billion people around the world) opposed to the normalization of immoral sexual activity and sexual/ gender disorders.

Since thinking people have

known for centuries that homosexual activity is clearly immoral (Plato, for example, perceptively taught that over two thousand years ago, and many other intellectuals have taught that over the centuries), what this new law would mean is that Illinois's public schools would now be used to promote immoral, disordered lifestyles. In other words, the public schools would now be used to corrupt the morals of children.

Decent ethical people should be outraged over this. In a way, this can be considered a subtle form of child abuse, of taking advantage of

children. Children are too young to be able to refute the lame and silly "arguments" heterophobic homosexuals use.

The indisputable facts are: female minds in male bodies and male minds in female bodies and homosexual minds in heterosexual bodies are obvious signs that something went wrong somewhere (in nature and/or nurture), are obvious signs of mind/body mismatches or disorders. So to put transgenders and heterophobic homosexuals on the same level as normal heterosexuality is clearly absurd. No rational

person can deny that. (But liberals have a problem processing inconvenient facts.)

Decent moral parents in Illinois have now been put in the position where, if this ridiculous bill passes, they must tell their children that the public education system has been corrupted and that the public schools are being used to promote immorality. This is outrageous.

H.B. 246 should be opposed.

Sincerely, Wayne Lela

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Your Elmhurst Journey Starts Here.

You’ll find a warm welcome and a supportive community at Elmhurst College. More than 500 students transfer to Elmhurst every year, so we understand your needs—and we’re committed to helping you reach your full potential.

Money and Forbes magazines rank Elmhurst among the top colleges for your money. Plus all transfer students receive scholarship support.

OPEN HOUSE April 27

Check-in and events begin at 8:30 a.m.

Meet faculty and students, learn about admission and scholarships, and explore the campus!

RSVP at elmhurst.edu/openhouse

ELMHURST IS COMING TO THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE! March 19 & April 4 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

2nd floor, near Starbucks

Ask about our Guaranteed Transfer Admission program.

Individual appointments are available.

Email brian.pollastrini@elmhurst.edu for more information.

Office of Admission | admit@elmhurst.edu | (630) 617-3400 | elmhurst.edu/transfer

NEWS NEWS MUSIC

STAFF PICKS

s p ou r Girl G

Martha and the Vandellas Nowhere to Run

Silently stalking into your dreams. Pervading your every thought.

The Vandellas’ irresistibility was an act of political subversion. Seductively strutting across the ‘60’s segregation lines. Dr. King fought in the streets; Motown fought on the airwaves. Whether you lived in the simmering ghettos of Detroit, or an all-white suburban neighborhood, the rhythms and harmonies were coming for you. There was nowhere to run, and nowhere to hide. Fingers delicately on the pulse, the girls of Motown captured the soul of the nation. The mightiest walls of oppression were never any match to the temptations of rock ‘n’ roll.

Joey

Wannabe Spice Girls

Friendship never ends. That is spent hours waiting to hear, sitting in front of the TV on a Saturday morning, hoping MTV would play the music video in its entirety. I still remember getting the Spice Girls “Spiceworld” CD for my birthday and playing it on repeat in our living room. Looking back, there were a lot of things wrong with a girl group that labeled each member based on an arbitrary stereotype, including labeling the only black member “Scary Spice.” Compared to girl groups of today I also have to admit that the Spice Girls lacked the vocal chops to really compete in a more saturated market. All of that aside, I can’t deny the nostalgia nor can I ever forget the horror that was “Spice World,” the movie.

Tessa

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Worth It Fifth Harmony

The all girl group that launched the careers of Camila Cabello and Normani, this 2015 hit is still a song I jam to in my car. It is upbeat and happy tune that makes me feel like I can do anything because, well, I’m worth it.

Alison

Our Lips are Sealed Go-Go’s

This song is so relevant specifically during the Middle School and High School years when cliques are especially prominent. It’s an upbeat jam with incredibly carefree lyrics. It brings a reminder that life is so much more fun when you don’t get involved in the extra drama.

Lindsay

Potential Breakup Song Aly & AJ

‘Potential Breakup Song’ is one of the most loved songs by this sister duo and my personal favorite, and all for good reason. This catchy girl anthem serves to remind all females everywhere that they deserve the best in a relationship, and shouldn’t be afraid to demand it.

Kimberly

Waterfalls TLC

I had never been a big fan of boy bands growing up, excluding One Direction obviously. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I began listening to girl bands or slower music in general. I started listening to TLC, Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child but “Waterfalls” by TLC has to be my all time favorite girl group song. It has one of those choruses that, no matter how many times you’ve listening to the song, you’ll catch on quickly.

Madison

YOU CAN FIND THE FULL COURIER SPOTIFY PLAYLIST AT CODCOURIER.ORG

COFFEE BREAK

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DOODLE PROMPTS

• ____ with Googly Eyes • Banana Boat • Octopus Puppet Show

On this blank space, on your homework, or on a vacant white board, doodle to your heart's content.

Share your doodles with us at @codcourier

THEME:

THE 1940s

ACROSS 1. *Japanese attack locale 5. *Chairman of the Communist Party of China 8. Parent group 11. Horsefly 12. Voldemort's title 13. Ohio city 15. Saintly glow 16. Never a UK currency 17. Disapproved by audience 18. *American concentration camp 20. Peters out 21. *Harry Truman to Margaret 22. Feedbag morsel 23. Mountain climber's tool 26. Overplay in front of audience 30. Negative conjunction 31. Within a building 34. Leafy green 35. Captain America actor 37. Party bowlful 38. Dictum, pl.

39. Network of nerves 40. Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest 42. "To ____ is human" 43. *#23 Across victim 45. Like a human 47. "Never ____ never" 48. Raccoon's South American cousin 50. Mount Olympus' famous dweller 52. *Manhattan Project site 55. Does like a sponge 56. Horizontal wall beam 57. Pelvic parts 59. Actress Parker 60. Geologic time divisions 61. Steve Urkel, e.g.

62. Eat, past tense 63. Lt.'s subordinate 64. "____ Louise"

DOWN 1. Mozart's "L'___ del Cairo" 2. Homecoming guest 3. #50 Across wife 4. Kenya's neighbor 5. Native American earthen structure 6. Orderly arrangement 7. Shoe emanation 8. Circus trainer's poker 9. Zac Brown Band's body part hit 10. A in FANBOYS 12. Like weighed down with metal 13. At right angle to a ship 14. *Thor Heyerdahl's raft 19. Third axis 22. Dinghy propeller 23. Unable to move 24. Don't judge a book by it 25. Muse of love poetry 26. Shoshonean people 27. "It is silent" in sheet music 28. U in UV 29. *____ Harbor 32. *a.k.a. Operation Neptune 33. Black gold 36. Miniature Japanese carving 38. Hindu garment 40. Blue overhead 41. Intelligence 44. Impudent 46. Horse-involved activity 48. Man-made stone pile 49. Ladies' fingers 50. *Popular 1940s suit 51. "Ill at ____" 52. Type of molding 53. High school club 54. Ireland's previous name 55. Hot springs 58. Wood-shaping tool

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Spring Open House

It’s amazing to be needed.

Angie ‘14

Healthcare needs you.

This is the Open House that can open the door to an amazing career in

SPRING OPEN HOUSE

healthcare. At Resurrection University you can earn the degree you need to build the future you want. Whether you choose to pursue nursing or radiography, you’ll find the flexibility and support to succeed in the classroom and in your career.

Come to our Open House and find out what ResU can do for you.

Explore bachelor degree programs in • Nursing • Radiography Saturday, March 23 Stop by anytime between 10am – 1pm

1431 N. Claremont Ave. • Chicago, IL 60622 • ResU.edu/openhouse