CULTURE CLASH
EASTERN VICTORY
Charity Huwe returns from her teaching job in the Netherlands and shares her experience.
The men’s basketball team wins its game against Tennessee-Martin.
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“TELL THE TRUTH AND DON’T BE AFRAID” Friday, February 10, 2017 C E L E BRATI NG A CE NTUR Y OF COV E RA GE E S T . 1 915
VOL. 101 | NO. 99 W W W . D A I L YE A S TE R N N E W S . C O M
Kesha and the Creepies to perform for Spring Concert By Kalyn Hayslett Editor-in-Chief | @DEN_news
JASON HOWELL | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS
Beluchuwu Ebede, a technology graduate student from Nigeria, reads a speech during the Solidarity Rally on Thursday at the steps of the Doudna Fine Arts Center. Ebede told the assembled ralliers how much America means to him and how valuable immigrants are to the country.
Rally shows support for the marginalized By Cassie Buchman News Editor | @cjbuchman Ask Beluchukwu Ebede, an international student from Nigeria, about his time in the United States, and he will say he has seen both unity and diversity. However, recent concerns regarding actions taken by President Donald Trump have started to “twist things apart,” he said. It was this feeling that led Ebede and other members of the campus community to speak at a Solidarity Rally Thursday. The rally was held next to the Doudna Steps to show support for those who feel marginalized by what Trump has done since taking office, including the immigration ban and proposed wall on the border of Mexico and America. Along with immigrants, speakers also expressed solidarity with women, minorities and those in the LGBT community. Several speakers also spoke about problems they had with the Trump administration’s stance on climate change. The rally was followed by a march where various signs, such as ones reading “No one is free while others are oppressed” and “Build a 10-foot wall and we’ll build an 11-foot ladder” were carried to the front of Old Main. Ebede, a graduate student studying technology, said the story of America’s greatness could not be complete without mentioning the contribution of immigrants. “(This) movement is at the right time, to give confidence to people like us, to believe that we are still safe,” he said. Ebede said he went to the rally to
support the idea that everyone in America is an immigrant. “The story of America’s greatness could not be complete without mentioning the immense contribution of immigrants,” he said at the rally. “This is a known fact...I hereby join my voice to all those voices clamoring for unity and diversity.” William Harrison, a sophomore sociology major, told the ralliers not to normalize Trump. “Don’t normalize alternative facts, don’t normalize people paying for government positions. Don’t normalize bigotry,” he said. “None of this is normal, nor is it acceptable.” Harrison said they need to make it known they do not stand for discrimination. “It’s more important now than ever to stand up and take action against forces that oppress us, especially when those forces are coming directly from our government,” he said. Harrison encouraged ralliers to get involved when they see something wrong happening. “It’s now time to do more than post on Facebook or send out emails in solidarity,” he said. “We need to hit the streets, protest, boycott, write letters to our congress people, speak out against bigotry and vote.” Marchers made their voices heard with chants such as “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” and by singing “This Land is your Land” while waiting for speakers to take their turn. Citlally Fabela, a senior biological sciences major, said it is important to fight for what is right. “We don’t get anywhere unless we get in the streets and get our voices
JASON HOWELL | THE DAILY EASTERN NE WS
Ralliers brave the cold and march from the steps of the Doudna Fine Arts Center to Old Main during the Solidarity Rally on Thursday. The rally and march were created to voice opposition to executive orders signed by President Donald Trump and support marginalized communities that have been impacted by his actions.
heard.” Fabela said the immigration ban is based on irrational fear. “Anybody who thinks they don’t relate to immigrants, if they just sat down and had a conversation with them, it could change their whole life,” she said. Being a first-generation American and part of the LGBT community, Fabela said what is happening is angering her, but taking action in these kinds of rallies helps her overcome this.
“All of us together are not a minority if we all fight, no matter what our background is,” she said. “We’re all the same, we just come from different places. Nobody wants to live in a world where everybody is the same; we need diversity.” Cassie Buchman can be reached at 581-2812 or cjbuchman@eiu.edu.
For the more coverage visit www. dailyeasternnews.com
Students watched in anticipation as the stop clock ticked down from 16 seconds; then the banner slowly unveiled Kesha and the Creepies as the performers for the Spring ’17 C0oncert during the men’s basketball game Thursday night. Some of the students were ready to purchase tickets for the April 1st concert seconds after hearing the announcement, while others were not impressed. Natalie Fadden, freshman communications disorder science major, said she loves all of her songs and plans on going to the concert. “All of her songs are jams. It’s going to be a really lit concert,” Fadden said. K e s h a’s s o n g s i n c l u d e “ Ti k Tok,” “Timber” and “Blah Blah Blah.“ Sam Gilbert, sophomore political science major, said she plans on standing right in front of the stage to get as close as to Kesha as possible. “We will be on the barricade and hopefully she sweats sparkles on us,” Gilbert said. According to Billboard.com, Kesha’s song “ Tik Tok” peaked on the charts in 2010, which was during the time most students were in middle school or in high school. Aaliyiah Lewis, sophomore psychology major, said whenever she hears Kesha’s songs she is reminded of her high school days. “Kesha brings back old memories: high school dances, games and sitting in your car with your friends singing at the top of your lungs,” Lewis said. During the announcement the Pink Panthers Dance Team and the Eastern cheerleaders threw red and black t-shirts to the crowd. Symiya Amos, junior sociology major, said she is not looking forward to the concert because she not a fan of Kesha’s music. “Really out of all the people,” Amos said. “She is not my type of music. My perfect pick is Beyoncé, but there is no way that was going to happen.” Kayla Van Dike, senior early childhood education major, said she not as excited about the performer as she was for Panic! at the Disco, but she will still go to the concert. Kesha, page 5