The Leader October 8, 2013

THE LEADER THE AWARD-WINNING STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT ELMHURST COLLEGE. VOL. 48 OCTOBER 8, 2013

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

EC LGBT community talks about coming out

Photo by Peter Flockencier North Central College takes down the EC Bluejays at the Homecoming game, see the story on page 19.

Colonization and the indigenous experience examined at EC MIHOVIL TURK staff writer

Internet Photo Robert A. Williams Jr spoke on his recent book Savage Anxieties on Sept 23 in the Frick Center.

The French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre wrote, “Not so long ago the Earth numbered 2 billion inhabitants, i.e., 500 million men and 1.5 billion ‘natives.’”

Over 50 years later, legal expert and author Robert Williams Jr. has revisited the legacy of colonization in his book Savage Anxieties: The Invention of Western Civilization

(Palgrave MacMillan, 2012).

Williams talked about his work at a Sept. 23 EC lecture.

Williams talked about the history of colonization by Western civilizations, and how violent actions that caused human strife were justified through history by claiming that the colonized people were “savage,” with no technology and a culture that was considered “primitive.”

See COLONIZATION on page 9

How to deal with the end of “Breaking Bad”

Volleyball team wins CCIW match

EC conservatives unpack liberal leanings BRETT PETO staff writer

Photo courtesy of Peter Flockencier Sophomores Collin Marshall (L) and Mike Weinberg (R) are members of EC’s conservative community.

The lecture series “Fixing Illinois: A Great State’s Problems and Promises” that was launched by the college this summer has featured four state political figures, all conservative, who have discussed Illinois’ budget crunch, education reform, pension reform, and other hotly debated statewide topics.

Gubernatorial candidates Bruce Rauner and Kirk Dillard, for example, are opponents, yet they both have conservative views.

For a school that, according to a Nov. 2012 Leader article, has a liberal leaning, the conservative slate of speakers has elicited both positive and negative reactions from conservative students surveyed.

“It’s balanced out the types of speakers they’ve brought in,” said sophomore Collin Marshall, who said he has been “involved in DuPage County” conservative politics.

Recent alumnus Jon Nelson, also a self-identified conservative, who graduated in May, presented a possible reason for booking all conservative speakers.

“I feel as though academia is largely left-leaning, so obviously most of what is debated and discussed in those corners [is] going to trickle down into the universities and colleges,” he said. “Consequently, I feel as though the administration understands this, and that is why so many conservative leaders are welcomed at the college for speaking engagements.”

But sophomore Mike Weinberg showed concern about only one side of public debate being presented, whether he agreed with the speaker or not.

“If it’s, say, should we have only conservative speakers here, I’d say that’s [a] problem [of those booking the events],” Weinberg said. “If they’re booking only conservative politicians, that’s a bias towards them, if anything.”

Weinberg said he would show

the same concern if the lineup consisted of entirely liberal speakers.

Nelson said that outside of the “Fixing Illinois” series, figures of different political persuasions have also spoken.

“Reverend Al Sharpton also made a visit to Elmhurst College this semester,” Nelson said. “Notable Democrats have made their way to Elmhurst to speak in addition to the recent wave of Republican candidates and government officials.”

Though Marshall was pleased with the selection of speakers, he brought up national statistics from an article by The Huffington Post writer Chris Mooney, which reported that just 14 percent of American college professors are Republicans.

“Think about the type of people that [will become] professors,” he said. “They’re generally gonna be more liberal, they’re gonna be more for the cause, whereas a See CONSERVATIVES on page 9

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October 8, 2013

lLoose Stomachl

NEWS

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Shopping is the new “red line” Clayton Dunlap opinions editor

Forget chemical weapons, Obama’s real “red line” is shopping malls.

One year after Obama set the “red line” for the Assad regime at usage of chemical weapons, and the Assad regime (or at least its military) went ahead and used chemical weapons anyway, it took the president and congress about a month to have heated debates until ultimately not choosing military action in Syria.

Whereas, it took only two weeks for Navy SEALs to be in Somalia this past Saturday to raid the home of a suspected senior leader of Al Shabaab, the militant group responsible for the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya. The SEAL team raid was already in the planning stages just one week after the Westgate attack.

Perhaps, if the Syrians who were murdered in the chemical attacks were all simultaneously shopping, “the War in Syria” would be the topic I’d be writing about.

It certainly appears Al Shabaab is quite keen on waging holy war, as it strategically attacked an international American temple of worship in Nairobi—the shopping mall. I mean it’s an absolute must that every American makes a pilgrimage to the Mall of America, isn’t it? No good, money-fearing capitalist nation can let bodies drop in such a sacred temple—unless, of course, they shopped until they dropped.

What’s interesting is the Navy SEAL operation happened, more or less, under our noses, and that the decision to carry out a violent attack in this case was not publicly debated, but Obama was able to take it for granted.

People can’t be shopping in fear. That must be the “red line.”

I mean, say you’re at the mall. You’ve already been through the whole gambit of outlet stores, did your best to avoid eye contact with the heckling key chain salesperson (you just end up getting roped in anyway), and you finally settle in the food court. How are you supposed to eat three slices of Sbarro pizza, make it in time to sample whatever the hell piece of meat on a toothpick Panda Express is offering, and wash it down with Cinnabon if you’re looking over your shoulder worrying about being blown up or shot to death?

If people start shopping in fear, they stop going to the mall.

If they stop going to the mall, capitalism starts to lose. And if capitalism starts to lose, America will find only defeat in the holy war.

So go to the mall, remain devout, absolve your sins in the holy water of Jamba Juice smoothies, make the glorious pilgrimage to the Mall of America, and take solace in the fact that mall security is national security.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: NEWS & ONLINE EDITOR: OPINIONS EDITOR: BEAT EDITOR: ASSISTANT BEAT EDITOR: SPORTS EDITOR: GRAPHICS EDITOR: PHOTO EDITOR COPY EDITOR: BUSINESS MANAGER: ADVISER:

Haleema Shah Patrick Erwin Clayton Dunlap Ian Walker Hailey Williams Charlie Roumeliotis Nikki Smith Kim McElheny Alexandra Verven Teresa Guidara Ron Wiginton

Internet photo Families of missing Canadian aboriginal women join an event in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

patrick erwin

news & online editor Sources: Al-Jazeera News, BBC News, NPR, CBC.ca Chaos in nation’s capital leaves 2 dead Two events last week left lawmakers and residents of the nation’s capital shaken and on alert. On Oct. 3, a high-speed car chase ended when police shot and killed the driver, Miriam Carey, 34.

Her one-year-old daughter was in the back seat when the shooting occurred. Carey had rammed the barricades at the White House and then sped down Constitution Avenue, to the Capitol building, where she was shot. On Oct. 4, a man died when he walked into the National Mall, doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire. City residents have been coping with the government shutdown that began Oct. 1, as well as the aftermath of September’s mass shootings that killed 13 in nearby Navy Yard.

cus on the lives of missing and murdered aboriginal girls and women. The number of aboriginal women and girls who have gone missing or murdered in the last 50 years is now being called a “grave human rights crisis.” While the National Women’s Association of Canada has documented at least 600 cases of missing or murdered aboriginal women, it’s believed that the actual number is far higher. Aboriginal women make up 3 percent of the Canadian population, but account for 10 percent of all female homicide victims.

Event in Canada sounds alarm on missing aboriginal women On Oct. 4, Parliament Hill in Ottawa was the site of a gathering of families calling for increased government fo-

Pakistan struggles in aftermath of earthquakes Pakistan was hit with a second earthquake just days after a stronger quake had hit the same region and killed 515 people. At least 15 people were killed in the second earthquake on Sept. 28. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) website, the Sept. 28 quake had a 6.8 magnitude, and its epicenter was about 90 miles west of the city of Khuzdar.

The rural area was populated with mud and homemade brick houses that were demolished in the quakes, often killing the inhabitants when they

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collapsed. Arif Mahmood, Pakistan’s chief meteorologist, called the second quake an aftershock and said that tremors might continue for weeks to come.

UK healthcare worker unions fight government cuts Unions in the United Kingdom are speaking out against cuts to National Health Care (NHS) budgets that would take away a 1 percent compensation increase for workers. “We’re going to find it increasingly hard to recruit,” a British Medical Association spokesperson added. The small increase was described as “modest...to recognize the pressure that all families are under.” Salaries account for 40 percent of the current NHS budget, and all public sector pay raises are currently capped at 1 percent. The cost of living in the UK for the same period has increased 2.8 percent. NHS is recommending that the raise be withheld for over one million of its workers.

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PATRICK ERWIN

staff writer Adjunct assumes classes in wake of professor’s illness Adjunct art professor Curtis Readel has been appointed to assume fall 2013 classes that were taught by professor Geoff Sciacca.

Sciacca, an art professor who taught several graphic design classes, is on an extended leave due to an undisclosed illness. He became ill on campus Sept. 24.

According to his website, Readel has been an EC art adjunct since 2011.

Students who wish to send Sciacca get-well wishes can leave messages in his mailbox on the third floor of Old Main.

Late EC theater professor honored at fundraiser 2013 Homecoming festivities included a Oct. 6 event honoring a late EC professor.

Held at Tannin’s Wine Bar at 112 N. York St., the Kristin Spangler Memorial Scholarship Fundraising Event raised money for an EC scholarship in Spangler’s name.

Spangler was an adjunct professor in the theater department from 2000 until her death from breast cancer at age 39 in 2009.

During her time at EC, Spangler directed several shows that encompassed a wide range of theatrical styles.

Productions included the work of Henrik Ibsen and David Mamet, as well as “Into The Woods.”

The final show shedirected, “Wit,” was a Pulitzer Prize winning drama about a woman facing cancer.

Attendees of the fundraising event were given a complimentary ticket to the current Mill Theater show “Noises Off ” — capping the evening in the same space Spangler directed hours of live theater.

EC adjunct work hour cuts mentioned in press National newspaper Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) mentioned EC on a list of employers who have changed policies in response to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) EC announced changes to adjunct teaching policies last spring, and an April 2013 Leader article outlined the change: adjuncts could only teach two classes a semester (to remain under 30 hours a week).

“I started compiling the list in mid-June because my reporting efforts kept on turning up more and more instances of work-hour cuts, a number of which hadn’t been reported elsewhere,” said IBD reporter Jed Graham in an email.

Of the 313 businesses and entities on Graham’s list, 54 are colleges or universities that have cut adjunct hours.

October 8, 2013

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Internet photo A fundraiser was held honoring late EC professor Kristin Spangler.

Students discuss hope, horror in Syria

Photo courtesy of Nora Ghabra

EC’s delegation represented Syria at last year’s Model UN conference.

PATRICK ERWIN

news & online editor The news coming out of Syria is both hopeful and horrifying.

On the positive side, the agreement between the United States and Russia has avoided U.S. military engagement. According to BBC News, chemical arms experts arrived in Syria Oct. 1 to identify and dismantle chemical weapons found there.

But Syrian civilians are still recovering from the chemical attacks in August that killed thousands and made many more ill. And neighboring countries are coping with a huge influx of people escaping Syria and seek-

ing safety.

In the last issue, The Leader featured several perspectives from faculty members and spiritual leaders, but there are also EC students with roots in the region, who have their own perspectives on what’s happened in Syria.

From heartland to homeland Nora Ghabra, a former EC student, was part of EC’s 2012 Model UN team -- the one that represented Syria.

For Ghabra, the team’s work hit close to home. Her family, both her mother and father’s, have deep roots in Syria.

Ghabra, who has visited Syria several times, said her family didn’t foresee the violence that would eventually plague Syria following the Arab Spring.

“My dad applied for dual citizenship in case the economy crashed so we could go to Syria,” she said.

Ghabra said her family’s choice to get dual citizenship wasn’t just a matter of developing a safety, it was a way for them to connect to their Syrian heritage.

“For anyone who comes here and starts a new life, they want to be connected to their roots.”

The attacks in Syria have impacted Ghabra’s family. Several

members of her family have been forced to flee their homes and are now refugees.

“My grandparents are in Damascus,” Ghabra said. “They have family in Beirut, so they’ll leave for a couple months and go to Lebanon, but they come back, because everything they have is at home.”

“I have one uncle who lives in Aleppo [Syria’s largest city], and he and his daughter went to Dubai,” she added. “But they came back. If you leave your home, there’s a chance someone will take it and ransack it, so they don’t want to leave their home.”

The situation is getting worse,

she said.

“There’s no electricity, and no water, and the food supply is running low.”

Syria in real time Abdul Abufilat, an EC political science major, was another one of the members of the Model UN delegation that represented Syria.

His work, playing the role of a Syrian diplomat in the conference proceedings, contributed to EC’s Best Delegation award.

Representing Syria in a roleplaying exercise was one thing.

But for Abufilat, an Arab-American, watching real time news coming out of Syria was completely different.

“Four hundred children were [among those] killed,” said Abufilat. “That’s just a devastating act, whoever committed it.”

He noted parallels between the conference and real-time diplomatic proceedings between the United States, Russia and Syria.

“Our team had very similar conversations [at the conference], with Russia backing its ally,” he said. Abufilat added that the Syrian naval port is a particular area of interest for Russia.

“It’s a battle of interest right now,” he said. “Russia has the upper hand [at the moment].

The U.S. militarily is stretched thin.”

Abufilat, whose country of ancestry is Palestine, said that while none of his friends or family members were personally affected by the recent attacks, some of them have family that have been displaced from their homes and are now refugees in countries like Jordan and Turkey.

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NEWS

October 8, 2013

EC considers BA foreign language requirement patrick erwin

news & online editor EC’s Academic Council held two forums on Sept. 24 and 25 to discuss a proposed change to require foreign language proficiency for students obtaining a bachelor of arts (BA) degree.

The forums offered students and attendees a chance to hear more about the proposal. Under the proposed change, a B.A. degree would now require fulfillment of 101 and 102 level foreign language classes.

EC’s Academic Council, led

by Chairperson Timothy Hays, passed a motion to consider the change during the spring 2013 semester. The proposal will now go to a faculty vote.

If passed, it would not affect current EC students but would apply to new students. As with mathematics, writing and computer technology, there would also be an option for students to take a proficiency exam and “test out” of one or both class requirements.

Christopher Travis, the chair of world languages at EC and a professor of Spanish, has been involved with the process, and notes that according to data, around 75 percent of students already have language proficiencies. The remaining students may have to take one or both of the classes to comply.

Travis explained that the change is to reflect EC’s role as a school reflecting global and multicultural ideas.

“Other top ranked liberal arts institutions that emphasize a global perspective all have language requirements,” Travis said in an email.

He cited schools like Carthage, Augustana, Grinnell and Beloit as a few comparative schools, some of which have foreign language requirements as high as the 300 level.

An Academic Council proposal document co-authored by English department Chairperson Ann Frank Wake listed rationales for the change and will be presented to faculty. The list

Photo by Joseph Kok State Senator Kirk Dillard, a candidate for Illinois governor, talks as part of the Fixing Illinois series.

staff writer

Illinois State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) said he’s the man to tackle Illinois’ growing pension crisis and unemployment rates at an EC appearance for the “Fixing Illinois” lecture series.

“I know what a state that runs on all cylinders looks like,” Dillard told the audience last Tuesday.

He said that with more than 30 Fortune 500 companies within its borders, Illinois shouldn’t be facing a financial crisis.

“We’ve got to have stability brought back into the state government,” Dillard said, blaming

the Democratic majority for the state’s debt and spending issues.

Part of his platform for financial reform is a proposal for a “rainy day fund” that would act as a cushion for times of crisis.

The clear priority, Dillard said, is fixing the pension crisis. As for taxes, Dillard proposed “rolling back” state income tax.

He also said Illinois needs to fix its reputation, which has been damaged after the indictments of two governors in less than a decade, and promised to “lead by example on ethics” to help take Illinois from a “national laughing stock” to a “national leader.”

Dillard said its also important to include the input of downstate

Event spotlights dating violence

included a desire to align foreign languages with other concentrations, like math and science, where students must either show competency or take class sequences to become competent.

EC currently offers classes on campus in French, German, Japanese and Spanish. It also offers students the option to take Italian at Dominican College and apply that credit to their EC degree.

Travis said as the specifics of the requirement are being finalized, he believes EC could potentially consider proficiencies in other languages as well.

“I would certainly be in favor of honoring valuable courses like Sign Language, Greek, and Biblical Hebrew, and allowing students to demonstrate the proficiency in a native language other than English,” Travis said.

“We are a very international community, with students who speak Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, [and] Russian. We should value that global community, and have our curriculum reflect those values.”

Gubernatorial candidate offers fix for state debt

Chrissy croft

ecleader.org

Illinois and not just Chicago for decisions.

During the Q&A session, which contained few students, an audience member asked why the pension crisis still had not been resolved. Dillard reiterated that the Democratic majority in Illinois politics was to blame, as well as partisanship in the state senate.

So how does Dillard intend on bridging the gap between the Democratic majority and Republican minority?

“I can make the Democratic legislatures live within their means. I’m tested and prepared.

I’ve done it [before]. I’ve been there.”

Internet photo Lisa Santoro, who’s murder inspired “Dear Lisa: A Dating Violence Prevention Program”.

bradley levi staff writer

For the last 17 years, Tom Santoro, a former firefighter from Cicero, Ill., has been telling the story of his late daughter, Lisa, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in July 1994.

In a lecture entitled “Dear Lisa: A Dating Violence Prevention Program,” Santoro shared his daughter’s experience and discussed the reality of dating violence with EC students on Sept 25. Since his daughter’s death, Santoro has become a passionate spokesperson for maintaining healthy dating relationships.

According to Santoro, only a fraction of young women leave their boyfriends after signs of aggression.

“Research has shown that 25 percent of girls would actually break up with their boyfriends after [the girls] have been slapped by them for the first time,” he said in his lecture.

Santoro said that abuse isn’t limited to physical violence, but extends to verbal abuse, namecalling, and ridiculing from either partner that has a negative effect on the victim. He said domination is what often motivates the abuse.

“It all comes down to power and control over the other partner,” he said, adding that verbal abuse oftentimes leads to physical abuse.

At EC dating violence seems to be low overall, but Amy Swarr, who is the director of counseling services and one of EC’s staff psychologists, said each semester, she encounters about three people, or 1 percent of her clients, who have been victims of dating violence. The low percentage, however, only accounts for the number of stu-

dents who actually come into counseling services and admit that they are victims of dating violence.

In addition to counseling, Swarr said one of the top priorities for counseling services, which is located in Niebuhr Hall, is to ensure a student’s safety.

“If [a student is] currently in a violent relationship, the focus is how to get them safe,” Swarr said.

Swarr said that counseling services links up with security personnel to help victims of abuse emerge from their relationships. “[I think it is] really good working with security because they can put restraining orders on violent significant others,” she said.

For students who were interested in learning more about dating violence and its signs, Santoro also gave a handout for students to assess how healthy their relationships are. The handout had positive questions that asked students whether their partners were considerate of their opinions, feelings, and who they socialize with.

The questionnaire also included questions to help students identify warning signs of negative relationships, such as whether someone’s partner loses their temper over small things, displays jealousy of friends and relatives, asks about past relationships, or discourages long-term ambitions, to name a few.

After sharing his daughter’s story and information about dating violence, Santoro left students with same advice.

“Find a partner who is going to respect and trust you.”

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October 8, 2013

Better Men’s Initiative talks education patrick erwin

news & online editor Sup, bruh.

Why are you reading The Leader and not eating it?

Are you trying to tell me eating paper makes you buff? I thought only P90X could do that, bruh.

Whatever, dude. Reading is for girls.

That exchange might sound strange to you, a false equivalency between academic study and physical agility and strength.

But scratch deeper, and you’ll find those cultural expectations about masculinity in many of the coded messages young men receive ­ — from media, from their peers, and in the broader culture.

Author Peg Tyre, who covered the education beat for Newsweek magazine, will appear at EC to deliver the lecture, “The Trouble With Boys,” based on her book of the same name on Oct. 8.

Her book draws on years of research and makes the argument that boys are struggling or failing in school at a much higher rate than girls, because the ways that boys and young men interact with the world clashes with the way they are being taught in many schools.

According to the author of “Why Boys Fail: Saving Our Sons From an Educational System That’s Leaving Them Behind” (AMACOM, 2010) Richard Whitmire, learning styles are at the center of the debate.

“The world has gotten more verbal,” Whitmire wrote. “Boys haven’t.”

Those differences in learning often mean that young boys are more likely to be diagnosed, or misdiagnosed, with a learning

Associate Dean of Students Ian Crone is part of EC’s Better Men’s Initiative.

disability.

At EC, Associate Dean of Students Ian Crone teamed up with Director of Intercultural Student Affairs Roger Moreano to form the Better Men’s Initiative. It is an ongoing project that was launched three years ago and looks at these issues and helps male EC students overcome barriers.

“For me, the Better Men’s Initiative means teaching our young men about being mature adults,” said Moreano. “[We have] conversations on anything and everything about what it means to be a man. Nothing is off limits -- we talk about things in a supportive environment.”

But the group’s work isn’t limited to issues in the classroom.

Crone and Moreano help young male students unpack the complicated layers of what it means to be a man in the 21st century.

Moreano, who has a 10-yearold son, believes that the messages young boys get from mass

media, especially from unsupervised access to smartphones and the Internet at a young age, have distorted boys’ perceptions of masculinity and play a big role in creating the challenges they face in the classroom.

“There’s still [too high] an incidence of violence against women, where [young] men are developing ideas of what sexuality is from pornography,” Moreano added. “There’s not enough where men are feeling empowered at a young age.”

Moreano believes role models, or the absence of them, also play a role.

“There’s a dynamic of fathers not being present in their sons’ lives,” he said. “You also have fathers who are present, that don’t think it’s the masculine thing to do to have these conversations with their son.”

Crone discussed author Michael Kimmel’s “Guyland,” and that book’s idea of “rites of almost men.” In the absence of ADVERTISEMENT

Photo by Peter Flockencier

a societal observance marking manhood, boys and young men are hazing each other in destructive ways to assert adulthood and masculinity.

“Instead of a rite of passage, rather than something that’s structured, it’s a ridiculous challenge that might be related to binge drinking, or perpetrating violence against each other,” Crone said. “Like, ‘you’re not a man unless you can drink a 12pack in an hour, or jump off the garage and put it on YouTube.’”

Tyre also said young men are finding fewer male leaders and mentors in academia, calling teaching a “pink collar” profession, noting that fewer men are selecting education as a career.

That also means fewer boys are interacting with male role models in the classroom who value intelligence and education.

“Some young college-age men that I’ve talked to recently about this topic have said [the perception is] that masculinity

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and scholarship are not associated with one another,” Crone said. “It’s not cool to be smart.”

Moreano mentioned a recent article about National Football League (NFL) players and concussions. He said many former players interviewed didn’t believe the research about concussions, and said it had an affect on young men’s perceptions of masculinity.

“It’s, ‘man up, it’s a tough game,’” Moreano said. “It’s, ‘if you can’t handle it, leave.’”

Crone said that he expected some students to be apathetic about his and Moreano’s initiative, but has been pleasantly surprised at the results.

“We’ve gotten positive responses from young men,” Crone said. “They seem to be hungry to have conversations... about the ways they understand what it means to be a man, the role of their father or other men in their life, and their relationships with other men and women.”

Opening that dialogue strikes a deep chord with EC students, and shows that there’s a need for younger men to talk about issues and learn from mentors.

Once students open up, Crone said, they often want to keep talking for hours after the seminar.

“It’s hard for Roger and I to wrap up and go home [sometimes],” he said.

Peg Tyre’s lecture will be held in the Founders Lounge of the Frick Center at 7 p.m. Admission is free for students, faculty and staff and are $10 for the public. For more information on tickets, call (630) 617-3390.

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October 8, 2013

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Sharpton speaks: Civil rights and social justice in the shadow of Reinhold Niebuhr

Photo by Peter Flockencier The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the Niebuhr Forum for Religion in Public Life lecture at Hammerschmidt Chapel.

PATRICK ERWIN

news & online editor He’s been a radio talk show host, a commentator for MSNBC, and a politician who’s run for office - including president of the United States - several times.

But it’s Reverend Al Sharp-

ton’s work as a Baptist minister, and his years of service in the civil rights movement, that brought him to EC and to Hammerschmidt Chapel on Sept. 22 for the Niebuhr Forum on Religion in Public Life.

“I readily accepted (the invitation to speak), and no one understood why,” Sharpton

said to laughter.

The answer?

Reinhold Niebuhr.

Sharpton explained that his mentor and pastor, Rev. William Jones, gave him Niebuhr’s works to study, and he was inspired by what he read.

“I was the only kid in the ‘hood in Brooklyn that would quote Reinhold Niebuhr!”

Sharpton said.

At several points in the lecture, Sharpton criticized a general sense of piousness and false morality that, in his opinion, have overtaken some people of faith and veered the church away from the social activism that he sees as a central tenet of Christianity.

“These that do all for those in privileged places have a Jesus I’m not familiar with,” Sharpton said.

Sharpton’s rise to prominence began at age four, which was the first time he stood at a pulpit and preached, and continued when his sermons were the “opening act” for gospel icon Mahalia Jackson.

His first leadership role was as youth director for the civil rights group Operation Breadbasket, a group that focused on improving the economies

of African-American communities.

That leadership brought him notice and acclaim, and his work as an advocate helped bring attention to the death of Amadou Diallo, an immigrant living in New York City who was shot by New York Police Department (NYPD) officers. More recently, he lent his voice to those objecting to the handling of the trial for George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin.

But his advocacy has also led to great controversy in the past. In 1991, he survived an assassination attempt after leading a march through the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn in New York City. He was leading a march in Bensonhurst, protesting the killing of an African-American teenager there by a group of white men (a case that would inspire the fictional film “Do The Right Thing”) when a local resident stabbed Sharpton.

He was also embroiled in the case of Tawana Brawley, a young African-American woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted. Sharpton became her spokesperson

and was highly identified with Brawley’s case in the media.

Questions were raised about the veracity of her claims, and Sharpton was sued by Steven Pagones, a district attorney handling Brawley’s case, for defamatory comments.

In recent years, Sharpton has again been seen in a high profile media role, on the cable news network MSNBC. He hosts “Politics Nation,” and has served as a commentator during the network’s election coverage.

Sharpton’s newest book, The Rejected Stone (Cash Money Content, 2013) will be released Oct. 8.

In an article published in the Huffington Post the day after his EC lecture, Sharpton referenced his EC visit and the influence that Niebuhr’s book Moral Man and Immoral Society had on him as a teenager.

“Those that seek to be personally moral must also make sure that our government and institutions reflect the same principles,” Sharpton wrote in the article. “Anything less is a disgrace to the definition of morality.”

Just a little prick: flu shot season is back

Photo by Kim McElheny

It’s that time of year again: the Wellness Center will be offering flu shots to EC students, faculty, and staff.

ZACHARY BISHOP

staff writer An analysis of last year’s student turnout for f lu shots at the Wellness Center makes it unclear if more EC students will get vaccinated this season.

While f lu shots are available on campus for only $20, only 75 students, about 2.5 percent of EC students were vaccinated last year, according to the Director of Student Health Service Barbara Wittersheim.

While faculty can receive the vaccine for free, students can only receive it for free if they have the insurance plan that the school offers through Gallagher Koster. Students who are

not covered by the college are required to pay for their vaccine. Something Wittersheim says might turn students away from getting a f lu shot.

“It’s probably the cost. $20 is a lot of money for people,” Wittersheim said.

The traditional college-aged student may also opt to not to get vaccinated because they trust their immune system.

“I haven’t gotten the f lu since I was 8,” said sophomore Jose Zamora. “I don’t see the need for me to spend money on a f lu that I probably wouldn’t get anyway.”

But even the young and ablebodied who may have strong immune systems can be at risk

of catching the f lu.

According to the Center for Disease Control, thousands of people in the United States die from f lu, and even more are hospitalized. And the risk is especially high for people living in close proximity to one another.

Wittersheim said that in a residence hall, there’s “more people, more bodies, more junk f lying around that the increase probably does elevate [a person’s chance of getting the f lu.]”

Minor things such as students going to class when they’re sick and not washing their hands frequently enough increases the chance of the f lu spreading.

But faith in a strong immune system isn’t the only thing that

can prevent students from getting a shot. Existing stigmas about side effects from f lu vaccines can cause students to avoid getting the shot.

“I have in the past [heard] people actually say they get the f lu from the f lu shot,” Wittersheim said.

But Wittersheim said students shouldn’t worry about that.

“The f lu shot we give is not the live vaccine,” she said, which means it does not contain a live f lu virus.

Other side effects due to the f lu shot are possible, though.

“Some people do tend to get acheyness, a little bit of a fever, a little headache [but] it usually subsides in 1 to 2 days,” Witter-

sheim said.

She said that for people who are prone to getting sick often or have weaker immune systems, like children or adults over age 65, the benefits of the f lu vaccine outweigh the side effects it can cause.

But even if most students decide not to get the f lu shot this season, there are still simple ways to avoid catching or spreading the virus.

“Wash your hands frequently.

If you’re sick, don’t cough in somebody’s face. Protect your cough,” Wittersheim said, “And your [chances of] catching the f lu will be down by 50 percent.”

ecleader.org

NEWS

October 8, 2013

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October 8, 2013

ecleader.org

Students, staff share coming out stories now on their personal journey.

Here are their stories, in their own words.

Photo courtesy of Christine Grenier Victor E. Bluejay makes an appearance at the 2013 Chicago Pride Parade.

PATRICK ERWIN

news & online editor Oct. 11 will mark the 25th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, a day that celebrates individuals who open up about their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) sexuality.

Significant cultural changes make the 2013 observance very different than that first National Coming Out Day held in 1988. LGBT lives are far more visible, and the acceptance of marriage equality and legal rights for LGBT couples is expanding.

But some LGBT people still

face challenges in the coming out process. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, LGBT youth are far more likely to experience homelessness because of their sexual identity.

And LGBT people ages 18 to 24 - crucial years for college - are at the highest risk, since their status as a legal adult means their parents can disown them without legal repercussions.

The Leader asked LGBT students, faculty, and staff to share their own personal narratives about coming out what happened, what it meant to them, and where they are

Christine Grenier, EC’s associate director of admission: I came out to my family in my early 20s after denying my sexuality in high school. I had a girlfriend in high school, but when people started to speculate, I didn’t want to be perceived as homosexual.

I called myself bisexual for some time, because I truly believe there is a full spectrum of sexuality and that it can be fluid. Now, I identify as a lesbian, mostly because it’s a label people understand.

Coming out doesn’t happen only once, however, and daily there is usually some situation where I have to explain my family dynamics to someone who assumes that I am heterosexual.

I am lucky in that my family has been really supportive — and even more so in recent years. When I first came out to my family, my dad was the most disappointed, but only because I told him last. My mom has since moved from calling my sexuality a “situation” to expressing frustration over the apathy in Illinois towards marriage equality.

I think being out has mostly affected my work life more than anything else. While I don’t think of my sexuality as a big deal, I’ve also felt the need to be more visible to the campus community.

I think it’s important for students to know that there are staff and faculty who are members of the LGBT community at Elmhurst College.

Andy Prignano, EC junior, history and English double major: I’m bisexual. Most of my family doesn’t take me seri-

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ously (I’m the youngest), and thinks of me as an underachiever. My mom was different, though. She always had faith that I would find my way, and do great things. We had a really good relationship.

I knew she was really homophobic. I felt that if I could come out to her, I would be able to tell anyone. There was no one else’s reaction I cared more about.

When I finally told her, she kept asking “how do you know” in an accusing tone.

Her ultimate reaction was to say I wasn’t bisexual, just lonely and confused. I stammered something and left.

I spent that day crying myself to sleep, begging a long forgotten god to fix me, to make me straight, to make what happened unhappen. I retreated back into [my hiding place], the place where I thought it was OK for other people to be bisexual, or gay just not me.

A year went by before I tried again.

It’s impossible to put into words how much I needed my mother’s acknowledgement. How much an awkward “umm…ok...” would’ve meant. But in [those] moments, she didn’t recognize how hard it was to open myself up like that, or the amount of pain hiding my sexuality had caused me. All she could think about was how much she didn’t want to hear it.

Every time I try to talk to her it’s hard to feel anything but anger and resentment. How do you forgive someone who claims to care about you so deeply rejecting you on such a fundamental level? Our relationship is still strained.

Since then, I’ve come out to most of my friends and family directly, and used Facebook as a way to publicly come out to acquaintances. I can honestly say it feels like a major

weight has been lifted off of me. I no longer feel the need to watch what I say, or tell people about myself for fear they might see my sexuality.

As much as I wish I could change my mother’s reaction, I wouldn’t change what I did.

I needed to tell her if I ever wanted to move forward with my life.

Saraa Koga, music, psychology and LGBT studies major, secretary of EQUAL (Elmhurst College Queers and Allies): I remember very vividly flirting with the same girl almost every day in fifth grade and that my first kiss ever was with a girl, even though it was just a “game.”

I never understood what I was or who I was, and I did my best not to ask because being different in the town I’m from is kind of a bad and scary thing.

My first year here at Elmhurst College, I learned of EQUAL (then called SAGE Straights and Gays for Equality) and went to a few meetings.

A year later, while my dad and I were arguing, I decided to tell him that I thought I was a lesbian. Instead of getting the angry response I was expecting, he stopped being angry and just asked me if there was a special girl at all.

Soon after that, my mom even came out to me, telling me that her best friend of 13 years (whom she often referred to as her girlfriend) was her lover!

With all of the support and love I had around me, however, I thought I was still lying to myself, to my family, and to everyone else.

A good friend had told me of the wonderful world of Tumblr, and it was there that I found tons of great blogs to read about the LGBTQQIA+ community and all of the different identities in the alphabet.

There was one post about pansexualism. I read it, and I re-read it, and I read it again.

That was the first day I ever realized exactly who I was.

Ever since then, I have been so much more confident in myself than I ever had before.

I never came out a second time, but I am still open about my identity of pansexuality, and I am 100 percent comfortable talking about it, sharing it, and telling people when they ask.

I highly recommend that anyone even slightly questioning go and read about things.

There are so many different “labels” for everything, and while it definitely is not necessary to label yourself, I know it can sometimes bring much more comfort knowing that you are not the only one who feels a certain way.

NEWS

ecleader.org

COLONIZATION from page 1 When language is a weapon Williams talked about how early Western society had no room for the “other” or the “savage” and had adopted a very ethnocentric view of the world. It was this type of thinking at the roots of the entitlement early Western colonizers had to dominate and enslave people they considered “lesser” to themselves.

He referred to this narrative, which gave colonizers the power to shape perceptions of indigenous peoples, as “the language of savagery.”

Williams’ writing and work is informed by his own perspective as a member of the Lumbee Indian Tribe, and the Native American perspective in America’s own history of colonization.

He talked about cases that tribal groups brought to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Native Americans and other indigenous groups have faced struggles battling Western legal systems. Williams said that the legal system and social structures still, to this day, “speak the language of savagery.”

How does one even define a “savage?”

“When we speak through philosophy — and by philosophy it is assumed to be Western — rationality is said to be the hallmark of what it means to be a human being,” said Katrina Sifford. associate professor and chair of the philosophy department. “On that basis it

seems that the intrinsic nature of the savage is one with no rationality.”

“In the Western tradition,” Sifferd added, “the concept of ‘savage’ would have been a catch-all for ‘others not like me.’”

Making progress, making amends

“In the Western tradition, the concept of a ‘savage’ would have been a catchall for ‘others not like me’.”

Katrina Sifferd Chair, philosophy department The United Nations Charter, signed in 1945, declares, “The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its members.”

In many regions, efforts have been made toward restitutions for indigenous peoples who have lost homes or land.

But can a history of destructive action be repaired with reparations?

“What would we consider as progress?” asked Michael Lindberg, associate professor and chair of the geography and geographical science department. “One could argue that too much damage has been done and that there really is no way to redress the situation

with indigenous people.”

Lindberg cited the history of Native Americans as an example. “There is no way to rewind the clock to an era that was pre-colonization, or preColumbus,” he said.

Sifferd said that it’s a challenge to offer restitution in the legal sense for actions such as murder, rape, or forced colonization and assimilation. No amount of compensation can truly match the damage that has been done.

New kinds of colonies While conflicts all over the world have illustrated the struggles of indigenous people against colonization, progress has been made in empowering indigenous people and indigenous cultures.

But as Williams discussed in his lecture, the indigenous Native American people are still fighting against perceptions imposed by the larger culture.

After all, historical accounts suggest Columbus called Native Americans “Indians” because he believed he was in India. That word has defined the indigenous people of North America for hundreds of years.

And perhaps colonization, language and labels are taking power from people in new forms — ones like economic disparity, false notions of privilege, and corporate incentives for profit at the cost of individual well-being and safety.

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October 8, 2013

CONSERVATIVES from page 1 person like me [thinks], ‘I’m gonna spend all this money, and not get anything in return?’ I want to go get a job, make some money, and then maybe I’ll go teach later.”

However, Marshall said most of his professors did not display any liberal bias, or if they did, they had taken time in class to explain the context of their opinions.

“Either they need to be really observant of themselves and check themselves in the mirror for their bias, or they need to address their bias,” Marshall said.

“I’ve had professors that have come out and said, ‘You know, this is where I’m coming from on this particular issue,’ and that to me has been very helpful because from previous experiences...in high school, I have [had] to tread softly with certain issues for fear of grades [being impacted].”

“But here, as long as they’re addressing it, that’s fine,” he said.

Nelson felt his classroom experience, especially in the political science department, was wellbalanced.

“I feel as though I was able to speak my mind as freely and openly as anyone else, even with my center-right political philosophy,” he said. “I cannot say I’ve felt unaccepted or unwelcome by the faculty.”

Weinberg agreed with Nelson.

“This semester is my first politics class...my professor right now [has] stated she has political biases, but she won’t let it interfere with what she’s teaching us,” Weinberg said. “So far, I’ve not met a teacher here that’s let their specific biases fully run the class.”

For several years, no conser-

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vative student organization has existed on campus. Marshall confirmed that EC had a chapter of Young Republicans on campus, but was unsure about its current status.

The most recent post on a Facebook group for College Republicans of Elmhurst College is dated Nov. 6, 2012 — the day before the last presidential election.

With the only expressly political student organization now being a chapter of the nonpartisan nationwide group Democracy Matters, which primarily advocates for public funding of election campaigns, Marshall has been trying for a year to start a new Young Republicans chapter at EC. “I think, from what I’ve found out, it’s lack of student interest, which is understandable,” he said. Marshall believes there may have also been other issues with the administration, but isn’t sure what happened to put the group into limbo.

Nelson said conservative students willing to be vocal are simply hard to find.

“I don’t think there are any groups for students on campus who share conservative beliefs,” he said. “If I had the time, I might have joined or helped start a Young Republicans chapter, or a Federalist Society, or whatnot, but I’m unsure if such organizations would be able to sustain themselves with membership, as I’ve been the token conservative in many classes, and have yet to really meet a sizable group of people at Elmhurst that have such beliefs.”

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October 8, 2013

opinions

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ecleader.org

Fall recess: a tale of inadequate progress

Illustration by Tyler Kerr

On Sept. 23 the lecture “Savage Anxieties” was given by Robert Williams Jr., an expert on Native American rights. The day of the lecture, all students received a special invitation by President S. Alan Ray, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation himself, to “especially encourage” students to attend.

With the utmost respect to President Ray, sending a special email invitation only hours before the lecture was not conducive to the creating the large community discussion he most likely hoped for. The event took place in the Founders Lounge, when it should have been in the Chapel, which is typically home to higher profile lectures.

And we see this as a missed opportunity for a greater, more enriching, cultural event.

So here we are again. Fall Recess—our beloved day of rest to break the heavy load of the mid-term is quickly approaching. But wait, prior to attending EC, we’ve been more familiar with this upcoming Oct. 14 as Columbus Day. Haven’t we?

So why call it Fall Recess?

Well, this time last year, The Leader argued for EC to celebrate and reinvent this coming Oct.14 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, instead of shrouding Columbus Day with an innocuous nickname (see online editorial “Fall Recess: a guise for Columbus Day” at ecleader.org). And we still feel that at the very least we should observe some sort of commemorative holiday for Native Americans, given the injustice they faced at the hands of colonists.

And with Ray being the leader of our college, it seems EC is the perfect platform to make a legitimized and sincere statement of this degree—much in the same way we spearheaded the inclusion of sexual orientation on our college applications. Oh, and by the way, other colleges and universities much larger than our little old “Elmy” followed our lead.

Based on the national response to our application change, the one thing we learned as a college is that we have power. And with power comes the privilege to influence, and thus a moral responsibility to use this power justly.

Here, The Leader is reminded of something Martin Luther King Jr. said on the subject of inaction. In King’s struggle for social justice, he said it was not the opponents on the bigoted extreme of the Civil Rights movement that frustrated him most, but the White moderates—those individuals who had the power to aid change and witnessed injustice—however, chose inaction because they were “more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice.”

The Leader feels the innocuous rendering of Columbus Day to be named “Fall Recess,” taken with our year old request to honor indigenous people instead, is the administration’s devotion to order over justice.

So once again, The Leader graciously requests that the administration use our unique qualities as a college and our already proven ability to influence others toward what is just, to change Fall Recess to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as it is the right thing to do.

Festivities could include an open panel discussion on campus regarding the Native American community during the week of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This way we can establish our college as an epicenter for current Native American discourse on inequity issues presently facing indigenous communities. And as President Ray has already been appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, it is a wonder why we are not already.

opinions

ecleader.org

October 8, 2013

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lThe King of Trolll

lUnder the microscopel

Well, NASA had Going green with apathy a shitty birthday

Brett Peto staff writer

I wonder if, before the federal government shutdown last week, anybody in Congress remembered to send NASA a birthday card.

After all, the space agency did turn 55 years old Oct. 1, at the same time it got almost entirely stripped of funding

by Congress’ failure to pass a budget resolution.

This would be like closing your eyes to blow out the candles, and opening them to see it all gone and a note on the table saying “IOU one cake.”

To tell the whole truth, not all of NASA’s approximately 18,250 employees were put out of work indefinitely. I mean, 549 were on duty to

projects.

NASA’s next Mars lander, InSight, scheduled for arrival on the Red Planet in 2016, wasn’t advanced. Potentially Earth-destroying asteroids weren’t tracked. The replacement to the space shuttle, still unnamed, wasn’t improved.

And, among many other things, the James Webb Space Telescope, powerful enough to see back to the beginnings of our 14-billion-year-old universe, wasn’t worked on.

But NASA wasn’t the only government science agency whose doors were locked and blinds pulled.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s only workers on duty were those involved in “military, law enforcement, or direct provision of health care activities,” according to the Washington Post. The Food and Drug Administration’s oversight on, well, food and drug safety, stopped.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention got by on a skeleton crew, unable to respond to disease outbreaks or run its annual flu prevention program.

Worst of all, patients with cancer applying for a space in clinical trials of experimental treatments couldn’t get their applications processed by the National Institutes of Health.

“This would be like closing your eyes to blow out the candles and opening them to see them all gone and a note on the table saying ‘IOU one cake.’” run essential procedures like, you know, Mission Control to keep the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) alive.

Also still on duty were workers at contractor Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which operates the famous Mars Curiosity rover and its sister, Spirit, contrary to some rumors that the two rovers would be put into a dormant “protective mode.”

But so much more was left undone.

Its website was promptly taken down after midnight.

Its Twitter accounts fell silent.

All the troves of data streaming in from satellites, the Hubble Space Telescope, Curiosity, Spirit, Voyager 1 (which just left the solar system a few weeks ago, the first time a human device has done so), and more went unread.

Time was wasted on planning the U.S.’s—and, for that matter, humankind’s—next ambitious space exploration

Must I list more examples?

This isn’t a political column. I’m not going to talk red or blue, Republican or Democrat here.

Instead, I’m going to talk about how sad it is that some of the most venerable scientific institutions in this country couldn’t and, at the time of this writing, still can’t perform their duties.

They couldn’t and can’t widen human knowledge.

They couldn’t and can’t forge new frontiers, nor expand the frontiers we already have.

You might say it’s only been a couple days (six at press time of this column). No big deal. How much could our national scientific endeavors be hurt in that short a time?

Not much, right?

Probably not, no.

But then again, you probably didn’t get your cake, candles, and party hat stolen on your birthday, either.

James Arriola staff writer

One thing I have noticed over the years at Elmhurst is this growing effort to go green.

Some of these things include the Sustainability Committee, the compost initiative, and West Hall. But with all of this effort comes cost, and considering the economic struggle that the school has been in over the past few years, one has to begin to wonder if any of this is worth it. Going even further, does anyone on campus care about all this green sustainability stuff?

Really, when was the last time you seriously considered throwing out your bottles in the recycling, and taking the

time to sort between waste and compost? I know in the past, during main dining hours there have been students sitting at the trashcans in orange shirts, who explain how to dispose of your trash properly. But if you’re like me, you just don’t listen and conveniently throw everything in one can as you walk out.

No shame in it, you just have other things to care about than sustainability. And after a couple weeks of this, those students just sit there, doing anything but their job, joining the apathetic ranks of the student body.

While on the subject, when was the last time you used a trash can at all? Because I work in the grounds department on campus, my guess is not a lot. The amount of trash I pick off the asphalt every morning in the Alexander lot alone fills two five-gallon buckets. I shudder to think that is only one section of campus, and how no one really seems to mind.

Leaving the trash talk, take a look at West Hall. The building was designed and created to be an energy-efficient and eco-friendly dorm building.

Even the prairie that decorates it was designed to be self-sustainable and efficient.

Of course, who stops to think about anything other than the large dorm rooms and the weedish appearance of that prairie? There may as well be a replica of Stanger Hall there and an extra couple of parking spots instead of prairie. That may be appreciated more than what is there now.

Now, I am not trying to diminish the efforts of the Sustainability Committee here, nor am I saying that no one cares on this campus about going green. But there has to be simpler, more cost effective and overall more useful things to do for this campus than just tossing money in the fires of the mass apathy towards these programs. Maybe those student clubs, like Greenjays, should volunteer to help keep the campus clean? Or maybe the Sustainability Committee can promote the green initiative through programming, instead of creating these big events and programs and hoping that we students do not delete the emails they send out advertising them.

And who knows? Maybe by recognizing that most of us don’t care, the school can use this money and effort to help solve a bit of that financial problem they got into.

lConvergencel

Breaking all the barriers

Patrick Erwin

news & online editor It’s rare for me to use this space to offer commentary on a story I’ve written. News stories, after all, are objective works, and the narrative speaks for itself.

We’ve shared the coming out narratives of several LGBT students and staff members in this issue. I was very lucky in my own coming out experience to be embraced by family and friends. My father, a man who personifies the term ‘laconic,’ spoke up to tell me I’d always be his son and that he loved me. My mother rejoiced; she finally understood why I’d always kept a part of myself hidden.

We’re also publishing a story that talks about perceptions of masculinity, and how those structures can impact the way boys—and young men—learn in the classroom.

Those might seem like vastly different stories, but I think that those experiences share a lot of the same DNA. Both stories address perceptions, and how our cultural expectations can shape the experiences and the pathways we take.

Last year, I took an intercultural class that used the term “intersectionalities.”

That idea speaks to the fact that we aren’t just one monolithic thing in our identity. You are not just your gender, your geographic location, your cultural identity. All of those experiences (and more) and all of that history intersects and shapes your identity.

These two stories happen to intersect for me.

My coming out experience was largely uneventful; it was what transpired in the years before my coming out that were far more challenging. My high school years were filled with daily physical abuse by classmates. In my senior year, several teachers and a principal decided to join the fun.

That was the year I tried to kill myself.

I don’t mention that for sympathy, or for a pat on the back. I mention it because it had a very real, tangible and measurable impact on my life.

Missing nearly half of my classes in high school meant my initial try at college was not a success. That’s a big reason why, years later, I’m completing my degree as an adult student.

This isn’t just about me.

The Peg Tyre book and lecture has clearly resonated with a lot of people, who recognize how unhealthy rigid definitions about masculinity can be for young men—and what a negative impact it can have on their ability to learn.

This isn’t just about treating boys better than girls, or favoring a gay or a straight student. It’s not about pushing one learning track or one group over another. It’s about all of us finding a way to remove barriers for ALL students.

And the first barrier we need to break down is the one we wrap around a child’s sense of self. We should encourage them to be fully who they are—and always, ALWAYS provide them a safe space to make that journey of discovery.

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Beat

October 8, 2013

ecleader.org

EC student audtions for NBC’s “The Voice” Hailey williams

assistant beat editor Back in August while most freshmen were taking part in orientation activities and settling into their new home, vocalist Anthony Paul was busy filming for “The Voice,” NBC’s vocal competition show to find the latest and greatest pop star.

Unlike “American Idol,” which seems to let just about anyone on television, “The Voice” has a more complicated audition process. Before even performing in front of the judges, hopefuls must first create an artist account online and lock in a registration and official audition time for the city of their choice.

If asked to a callback, three popular songs must be prepared and presented to the show’s producers who have the final say in whether or not competitors will get the chance to get in front of the celebrity judges, all stars in their own respective genres.

After a grueling audition and callback process, Paul was chosen to take part in the blind auditions, where he performed Chris Brown’s “With

You” for the judges. Ceelo Green showed faith in the young vocalist and added him to his team.

The competition is between not only the hopeful vocalists, but also between the judges, who mentor and coach their teams along the journey.

Country star Blake Shelton’s team has won the last three seasons, and the other coaches have made it clear that they are determined to knock him off his throne.

Unfortunately, due to legalities concerning “The Voice,” Paul was unavailable for an interview, but Elmhurst Col-

assistant beat editor

Anthony Paul aims for pop stardom.

Paul was selected by Cee-Lo Green to join his team after singing Chris Brown’s “With You.”

l Hailey Williams

lege vocal director Susan Moninger was available for comment, offering that “he is unique and extremely talented.”

Moninger first heard Paul this past summer at Showchoir Camps of America, a music camp she co/founded, and wasted no time recruiting him for Elmhurst College, where he is currently a member of both the Elmhurst College Concert Choir and Late Night Blues Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

“The Voice” airs on NBC Mondays at 7 p.m. and Tuesdays at 8 p.m., central time.

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Getting you through the dull days separating our bi-weekly issues... Because we care.

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For movie buffs Featuring work from more than 150 countries, Chicago’s 49th International Film Festival is a unique experience for cinema fans. Because many of the films screened during the festival will not be readily available for purchase, audiences are given the opportunity to attend discussion panels and meet with directors and actors after the premieres. Aside from the expected documentaries and short films, special categories like After Dark, the Horror Genre, and City & State, which focus on the state of Illinois, are included to cater to an expansive audience.

Thu, Oct. 10 – 24 $11 - 240 Chicago

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Channel your inner art-snob Feeling a lack of culture when you glance around the four white walls of your dorm? Hop on the Metra and head over to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, which offers free admission to Illinois residents every Tuesday. Not technically from this state? Don’t fret, just bring your student I.D. with you and give them the Elmhurst zip code (60126) when you check-in. Current exhibitions include work by Andy Warhol, Paul Sietsema, and José Lerma. Talk loudly about how “the art speaks to you” and how “it makes a strong political statement” and maybe you’ll land yourself a date with a Columbia student.

Tue, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.

FREE Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago

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Got a case of the Mondays?

Mondays signify a lot of things: the end of the weekend and the beginning of both the school and work weeks. Ask just about anyone and they will agree that Mondays are awful. Next time you find yourself with nothing to do, round up a few friends and head downtown for some pub trivia. Yeah, the idea of trivia night is kind of lame, but don’t knock it ‘til you try it. Drink specials usually include $3 you-call-its, so you can always turn the game of quick minds into a game of slow reflexes.

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When secret admirers should stay secret Most are familiar with Craigslist, the website that allows you to buy (often stolen) products from strangers that live near you, but few are familiar with the wonder that is the Missed Connections page. If you’ve never experienced the thrills of the MC’s page, you’re missing out. From the heart-warming confessions of coffee shop crushes to the frighteningly detailed voyeur stories, you’re sure to laugh, sob, and shut your curtains while reading. Weekly comedy show “I Saw You” draws inspiration from the latest postings to ensure audiences never experience the same show twice.

Mon, Oct. 14, 8 p.m.

Wed, Oct. 9, 8 p.m.

21 +, FREE 21 +, $5 Fitz’s Spare Keys, Elmhurst Town Hall Pub, Chicago

Beat

ecleader.org

October 8, 2013

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Some things Ron Howard’s new race might be the car film is a real “Rush” same on Drake’s new album kevin garcia

VERDICT:

staff writer

“Nothing Was the Same” is Drake’s fourth studio album.

Frederick Bartlett staff writer

For people who are Drake fans already, the new album “Nothing Was the Same” offers greater insight on the star’s sensuality. The beat veers off the standard rap music path. Those that are not Drake fans, however, should pass on this album because it won’t be making any converts.

The production of Drake’s new album is surprisingly experimental. The album’s pride and joy single, “Started from the Bottom” is a good example of that. It was released in February this year and has already gone double platinum.

The atmospheric sounds, smooth sliding bass sounds, and minimal drum beats of the well received single are present in the rest of the album.

The opening track “Tuscan Leather” has a slow tempo, four on the floor drum beat with a fluttering hi-hat pattern that’s feels like asthmatic breathing. The music is very spacey, and uses dark piano sounds.

There is also a strange high pitched sample in the song which at first listen sounds like the producers were bored and just added a random sound. A few more listens makes this sample seem more purposeful, and pretty cool.

The second song on the album, “Furthest Thing” revolves around a more standard type of hip-hop beat and seems to be a more popular track on the album. The song ends with a gospel groove and once you’ve listened to this point, you have essentially

Internet Photo

heard the whole album.

The rest of the album follows a pattern of slow beats with haunting harmonies created by atmospheric synthesizers. Drake raps and sings about his reservations about girls and his rap life in contrasting high speed lyrics.

Many of the general themes of the lyrics are the same.

The album is also filled with what would be interesting ballad-like interludes. One problem of the album is that there aren’t real instruments to fill more space. Drake sings passionate lyrics in “Own it,” but the music is all low end synthesizers, and no harmony which twists the vibe of the song.

Though the music of the album lacks variety, and the lyrics are somewhat philosophically monotonous, Drake still does what he does best and that’s good news for Drake fans. The one theme he uses is a good theme and the monotonous style of the music is unique to other rap albums.

Drake specifically talks about conversations he’s had with his mother, and his father who left his family at a young age. He speaks honestly about his rap game and doesn’t talk as a much about guns and gangs like many other rap artists.

The young rapper also spends equal time singing and rapping, good news for those who appreciate him as a rapper/R&B singer. “Hold On, We’re Going Home” features Drake in his best R&B form, singing for the whole song.

“Rush” is a true story of the rivalry between James Hunt, played by Chris Hemsworth, and Nikki Lauda, played by Daniel Bruhl. Any time a film is “based on a true story” or “inspired by true events” it’s a double-edged sword. It’s nice because it’s relatable to the audience and these people were real. But, there’s also the problem is how much of it is factual? Well, I did some research and it turns out, the film did the story justice.

It’s nice to see Chris Hemsworth branch out a bit from his usual role as Thor. The role Hemsworth plays is a little similar to Thor, with him being cocky, self-absorbed in his world, but having raw talent but no humility. Hemsworth plays a convincing role as James Hunt here because there are layers to the character and it was nice surprise to see.

Daniel Bruhl was really the star of the show. He portrays a technically skilled, business oriented, confident asshole in Nikki Lauda (kind of reminds me of his role in “Inglorious Bastards”). He does a kickass job. What makes his role so interesting is that most people knew what to expect from Hunt from the first scene but not as much from Lauda. His story is the most interesting because it changes over the course the film.

How does this happen? You eventually see the life of Lauda and then Hunt to show that

4.5/5 Peanuts these individuals are not just racers but people. But Lauda has a scene, which was so well done; it happens when he was in the hospital after he was injured from a race. You see his drive and his determination not just because of the sense of competition from the races but also because of his rival, James Hunt. Then before the final race in Japan Lauda, tells Hunt, “Watching you win all those races, you were equally responsible for getting me back in the car.” You rarely get that in rivalry films nowadays.

This is a smart decision by director Ron Howard because it gives the viewer a choice: do you root for whom do you like more or whom do you want to win. If you are always swaying back and forth and can’t come to a decision that’s when you know its great filmmaking.

It’s funny to see how Ron

Howard, who was once that ginger kid in “American Graffiti” but now through this film you see his skill and discipline in storytelling. With cunning cinematography of the races and a well-constructed montage of them, you feel the “rush” of Formula One racing. “Rush” is a high-octane adrenaline kick that not only displays style but also substance with the actions and stories of the characters.

To see the Peanut Gallery’s review of “Rush,” plus more movie reviews throughout the semester, go to www. elmhurst.com/elmhurstleader.

Internet Photo Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl are racing rivals in “Rush”.

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Divvy bikes take over the Chicago area joseph kok staff writer

Every issue, the Leader will feature a fun or exciting thing to do or place to visit downtown.

Anybody who has been downtown over the last few months has surely noticed the roll out of the light blue Divvy bikes all over the city.

This bike sharing program is gaining popularity for minimizing traffic to a degree, and helping people get out and actively enjoy the city. There are

stations spread throughout the Loop and the Chicago neighborhoods.

A person renting a Divvy bike pays for the initial ride, and uses additional swipes with a Divvy card for following rides, using a terminal, and receives a ride code to input on a keypad to pull out a bike from the docking station. The pay system of renting a Divvy bike is either $75 for an annual membership or buying 24-hour passes for $7.

Either one of those options

gives you unlimited rides in the specified time period.

The bikes themselves are 3-speed cruiser bikes, and are meant for comfortable city rides.There’s a 30 minute limit per ride, anything over will incur overtime fees.

It is possible to create an adventure with multiple rides throughout the day, but it takes a little bit of knowledge of the city. Planning a starting point and overall route of any city excursion is the best way to go.

There are Divvy bike stations right outside the train stations, museums, parks, and more.

Divvy bikes are great for riding to several popular concert venues (Park West, Empty Bottle, and Double Door are among the possibilities). Otherwise, go down there on a random Saturday and just go explore – find a new place to eat, a park to roam around in, or a great spot to snap a picture of the Chicago skyline.

Anyone interested in renting

a bike can look up stations, on their website, divvybikes.com, and see the number of available bikes in any given station and how many docks are available to return a bike.

Internet Photo Divvy bikes, which are available for $7 daily ride all over the city.

Chicago writer serves lots of ‘Meaty’ humor & heart in new book of essays patrick erwin

news & online editor In this age of media saturation, most publications want to stick a label on a film, a piece of music, or a writer’s published work.

But the work of writer and blogger Samantha Irby is almost impossible to categorize.

The word “unique” is too tired and overused to describe Irby’s take on the world around her - a world she shares with the readers of her blog Bitches Gotta Eat, which is now featured in the compelling collection of essays that make up her debut book, “Meaty” (Curbside Publishing, 2013).

Journalists attempting to describe Irby’s ascent have grasped at a handful of labels, often reaching for simple ones like comedian or performer, or a stereotypical, reductionist Sassy Black Woman label.

There’s an urge to simply call Irby a performer - after all, she often reads her work at a mic - or assume that the humor in her essays is an attempt to be

flashy and get attention and page clicks.

But that humor doesn’t come from constructed prompts and punchlines.

One word kept coming to mind after reading these essays: authentic.

Well, another term, too: funny as hell!

These stories come from real life, and a pervasive theme in Irby’s work: She is simply not interested in putting on a front for readers.

Just the facts, ma’am: Irby is single. She’s African-American.

She works at an animal hospital. She’s a bit of a foodie (for a while, tacos were her “jam”) and sports a few tattoos.

She’s sex-positive (the book’s title, and accompanying photo of a rooster on the cover, might just be the double entendre you think it is) and isn’t afraid to talk about human bodies having sexy times in the most explicit, ungraceful, no-holdsbarred terms possible.

She meets guys that, for the most part, have proved to be thoughtless dicks - but still

l Tyler Kerr cartoonist

tries, at times, to get their attention.

The women in Irby’s world all try to put a good face on their experiences, but most of their lives suck, too, and in Irby’s opinion, everyone needs to quit fronting.

She’s flanked by her friends and her cat, Helen, who may or may not be plotting her death.

And oh yeah, she has Crohn’s - in her words, a “shit disease.”

Those FML moments are what really rings the bell of recognition for the reader.

Irby’s voice is crystal clear in gaspingly funny, raw essays like “The Terror of Love,” a laundry list of things she can’t do, things that she believes make her a bad match. (Full disclosure: I can’t do most of the things she lists in that essay, either!)

In another essay she catalogues her reactions to a hospitalization for Crohn’s and chalks up her “baby guts” to the fact that “I’m just allergic to assholes.”

But Irby’s far more than a stream-of-consciousness voice of the now. The essay “Milk and

Oreos” is fine, precise writing where Irby skillfully and simultaneously pays tounge-incheek homage and pokes fun at white people and black people.

Like the entries in Bitches Gotta Eat (with its tagline “tacos. hot dudes. diarrhea. jams”), the essays in Meaty are just as laugh-until-I’m-sore funny.

But this book also has a heart, and it beats loudest on page 59,

where Irby’s essay “My Mother, My Daughter” lives.

This spare, precise essay tells the story of the last few years of the life of Grace Irby’s, Samantha’s mother, and the impact of those years on the author.

It’s a heartbreakingly raw and beautiful story, and the virtuosity Irby shows in telling it is the mark of a fine writer - a real writer with an authentic voice.

Internet Photo Samantha Irby has crafted a unique voice through her blog “Bitches Gotta Eat”.

Off the Wire l

Politics boring you? Sick of hearing about #thirdworldproblems? Tired of seeming like an ignorant slob?

Off The Wire compiles the worlds’s quirkiest news to help avoid that uncomfortable lull in conversation.

He’s ‘New in Town’ In obscure comedy news that only 2 percent of this campus will care about, Chicagoan John Mulaney’s previously deceased comedy pilot has been resurrected. NBC developed then passed on the series in early 2013, but Fox caught it on the rebound.

Knowing the TLC Fox displays for it comedies (*ahem* “Arrested Development”), hopefully the show won’t be prematurely dropped (*ahem* “Firefly”). A.V. Club reports that “Mulaney” won’t air without a few changes (i.e. rewrites, dropped characters), but we can rest assured John will write, act, and executive produce his self-titled sitcom. #ChrisBrownisntadickanymore “Love is not a crime. Gay or straight. Love who u wanna love,” tweeted CHRIS BROWN?! To the surprise of pretty much everyone, Chris Brown offered his support to stop anti-gay violence by tweeting these sappy sentences (though fragmented) and linking his followers to an AllOut.org petition.

The petition asks the President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, to end criminalization of homosexuality in his country. According to the Huffington Post, Brown jumped on the bandwagon with his tweet. Shocking words from the singer who has previously used Twitter as a homophobic howitzer. Brown has freckled the frontiers of social networking, basketball courts, and street brawls with locutions such as #homothug. But it appears Brown is taking a shot at not being an asshole. His recently announced “Unity Campaign” encourages “all races, genders, sexes...gay or straight to love each other.”

Breaking Malo Because the world clearly can’t get enough of “Breaking Bad”, the show will be experiencing new breath in Latin America. The Univision remake, properly titled Metastasis, is a faithful remake of AMC’s hit series with a few tweaks: Skyler is now named “Cielo,” Jesse (now “Jose”) says “puta” a lot instead of “bitch,” and Walt’s last name is “Blanco” (no joke). However, motor homes aren’t popular in Colombia (the New Mexico of South America) so the producers decided to have Walt and Jose (lol) cook up their first batches of blue crystal in an abandoned school bus.

Nevertheless, the series lives on, kind of?

Play-Thing of the Year Though thousands of nominees come in every year, The National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, NY somehow manages to narrow down the list to 12 finalists. According to the museum’s website, the nominees include TMNT, Pac-Man, The Magic 8-Ball, Nerf toys, FisherPrice Little People, and My Little Pony. Only two will be lucky enough to join the ranks of iconic playthings.

A national selection committee of historians, teachers, and creeps will vote to decide who’ll join the 15-year-old collection inside The Strong museum. The finalists were chosen based on their generational transcendence, popularity, educational qualities, and innovation.

Cartoon by Tyler Kerr

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THE FUN PAGE Across 1. English comedian known for slaying zombies.

9. Dysfunctional family from Arrested Development.

11. Now spends his free time crashing college parties.

12. The movie that taught us the convenience of bunk beds.

15. Wrote the screenplay for Mean Girls.

16. Say his name 3 times and he’ll never go away.

17. Acts as the fictional TGS executive.

18. Comedy about the world of male modeling.

19. Classic Christmas comedy.

Down 2. ‘90’s comedy staring a cross-dressing Robin Williams.

3. The setting of Parks and Recreation.

4. Pet detective.

5. Red-headed late-night talk show host.

6. ____ Night Live.

7. Movie about a pot-smoking video game tester.

8. Voiced energetic Alex the lion in Madagascar.

10. Awkward actor from Juno.

13. Also known as Ron Burgundy.

14. One half of duo Dumb & Dumber.

For answers to last issue’s crossword puzzle, go to ecleader.org

The Squirrel Chourus discuss the government shutdown.

Cartoon by Tyler Kerr

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October 8, 2013

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Beckwith’s soccer passion runs in her blood PAUL ROUMELIOTIS staff writer

Senior Biba Beckwith, one of the veteran leaders of the EC women’s soccer team, grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a country where people breathe soccer.

But it’s also in her blood.

Her father played the sport in college and professionally, which inspired Beckwith to begin playing at the age of seven.

Then she followed his footsteps by playing on club teams in Brazil.

“Each coach helped me grow and inspired me,” Beckwith said. “But it definitely all started with my father.”

Her favorite player is Brazilian star, Robinho, not only because he played for her favorite club team, Santos FC, but also for a reason very few get to brag about.

“I got the chance to play with him in 2004 at one of his

training sessions,” she said.

“He is an incredibly talented player. During his prime he always played with a smile on his face, putting on a show to his fans.”

Beckwith moved to the United States when she was 14-years old to attend high school, and knew very good English.

Upon the start of Beckwith’s sophomore year of college though, she decided to transfer to EC from Loyola Univ. Chicago, where she redshirted her first year.

With the full intention of playing soccer, Beckwith may not have been wearing a Bluejays uniform if it weren’t for EC’s beautiful campus.

“I remember walking through the quad thinking ‘I could definitely see myself here,’” she said.

Beckwith missed the 2011 season with an injury, but followed that season up by

earning second team allconference.

And in her final season at EC this year, Beckwith wants to add more to her game.

In particular, something her favorite player is great at: scoring goals.

“Last year I had zero goals,” Beckwith said. “So far, I am beating my record from last year, but I want to be a more dangerous player.”

She had two assists last season, but this year Beckwith has one goal and three assists in 10 out of 17 games this season.

The Jays have an overall record of 7-3 and are currently 1-1 in the CCIW Conference, but the ultimate goal is to have a chance at competing in the tournament.

And Beckwith believes this year’s team has it in them to accomplish that.

“Our team has great chemistry, work ethic and heart,”

Beckwith said. “Despite our hard work this season, especially after our first conference win against North Central (2-1 in overtime), there are still certain things we have to work on.

“We need to be dangerous for 90 minutes. As of right now, we have moments of greatness. I hope that we will have 90 minutes of greatness.”

Beckwith is on track to graduate at the end of the fall semester and plans to head back to Brazil after that.

Even though she is a psychology and Spanish major, Beckwith is still unsure what the future holds for her.

But one thing she is sure of, Beckwith knows soccer will be a part of her life in some way.

“I will always play soccer,” she said. “Whether it be in recreational leagues or semipro, I couldn’t ever let it go.”

EC football drops third straight after 31-14 loss to fourth-ranked North Central College CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS sports editor

In front of a record-setting homecoming crowd at Langhorst Field, the EC football team threw everything they had at fourth-ranked North Central in the first 30 minutes of play.

But after an hour and a half weather delay due to lightning early in the third quarter, North Central ran away with 17 unanswered points to knock off the Bluejays, 31-14.

“I’m proud of our guys,” said Head Coach Joe Adam.

“There was no quit in our locker room. They kept fighting to the very end. I’ll take the small battles we won and build off those positives.”

But Adam added that EC, now 1-3 on the season sur-

passing last years loss total, shouldn’t get used to the feeling of losing.

“But I will say this: Losing is not acceptable,” he said. “I hate losing and it’s not part of who I am. It’s certainly not acceptable for us.”

EC’s defense allowed more than 400 yards of offense, the most it’s given up this season.

But they forced two timely turnovers; the statistic Adam puts emphasis on the most.

“There are some things [North Central does] schematically that makes it hard on a defense matching up,” Adam said, “but I thought the guys played hard till the end.

We have to create some more depth on defense and really continue to move forward and get our younger guys more playing time to see what we have the rest of the year.”

The Cardinals jumped on the scoreboard first with an 11-play, 80-yard drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Spencer Stanek following an EC missed 30-yard field goal.

The Jays would answer back two possessions later, when sophomore running back Josh Williams took a direct snap on 4th-and-goal from the two-yard line and ran it in for the score to knot things up at 7-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, EC tried to catch North Central off guard with a surprise onside kick that nearly worked, but didn’t reach 10 yards.

“It was a calculated risk,” Adam said. “I told the kids all week that were here to win.

If [the kick] was another half yard, it would have worked.

I’m going to give my guys the

Photo by Peter Flockencier EC quarterback Logan Stelzriede tries to escape the pocket from North Central defender.

best opportunity to win the ballgame.”

The Cardinals quickly responded with a sixplay, 44-yard drive in less than a minute and a half when Stanek completed a 21-yard TD pass to senior receiver Chad Photo by Kim McElheny O’Kane.

Josh Williams takes off down the sideline with a 41The yard run.

Cardinals tum going into halftime. It’s a looked to take a 14-7 lead into halftime, mental part too.”

And when play resumed, but EC’s defense forced a momentum-shifting turnover the last two quarters drastically tilted in North Central’s with less than a minute to favor. play in the second quarter, The Cardinals found the that led to a 47-yard TD by end zone in their opening junior safety Stephen Ritter. two possessions, with Stanek “I thought we came out in the first half and played well,” finding junior receiver Peter Sorenson for seven yards and said EC sophomore quartersenior receiver Ryne Rezac back Logan Stelzriede, who for 16 to put North Central up ran for 77 yards, but threw 28-14. two interceptions. “We were “Obviously, there’s disapin the game the whole time, pointment [amongst the both offense and defense team] cause we went toewere playing solid. We kept to-toe with them,” said head up with the 4th team in the coach Joe Adam. “I told our nation, which means we can team we have the ability to play with anyone. There were [keep up with them]. We all a couple momentum swings in the first half that we battled know we can. We just have to do it consistently.” back and gained momentum Senior kicker Nick Dace back. We just could not do added a late 25-yard field that in the second half. We goal for North Central. played a really good half of “Our team right now is a football but it takes all four little frustrated because we quarters to win in the CCIW.” knew we had the game but let EC had all the momentum it slip away from us,” Stelzriegoing into the second half, de said. “We are also motibut it didn’t carry over after vated because this proves that the near two-hour weather we can play with any team in delay. the CCIW.” “We were very loose and EC will look to turn things focused, but it does takes its around when they travel to toll,” Adam said of the delay.

Augustana College on Sat. Oct “The longer it went, the more 12 with a kickoff scheduled momentum that shifted befor 1 p.m. cause we had all the momen-

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EC men’s soccer kicks off CCIW play with 2-0 road victory against Illinois Wesleyan BRANDON PORTER

staff writer The EC men’s soccer team opened conference play with a 2-0 win Friday night at Illinois Wesleyan Univ.

The Bluejays improved their record to 7-2-1 and now have won three games in a row.

EC scored the game’s opening goal within the first 15 minutes on a free kick from freshman midfielder Jordan Fletcher. It was his second goal of the season and put the Jays up 1-0 early in the game.

Throughout the first half EC pressured the Titans and was able to trap the ball effectively, which lead to more offensive possessions for the Jays.

EC was able to keep their 1-0 lead going into halftime with more strong defensive play.

In the second half, it was more of the same for EC. In the 55th minute, junior midfielder Andrew Witzofsky scored his first goal of the season and put the Jays up 2-0.

EC relied on their defense to help keep their lead throughout the second

half.

Although Illinois Wesleyan had the advantage in shots, 10-7 EC did take the advantage in shots-on-goal winning it 6-5.

With continued pressure on both sides of the ball EC was able to keep Illinois Wesleyan at a distance and limit their opportunities on offense.

EC goalie John Reglin was able to get a shutout by stopping all of the five goals that Illinois Wesleyan fired at him.

EC was able to keep Illinois Wes-

leyan from posing much danger in the second half and hung on for a crucial 2-0 victory.

EC players and coaches were unavailable for comment.

The Jays are now second behind Wheaton in the CCIW standings with a 1-0 record in conference and 7-2-1 overall record.

EC will travel to Missouri to play Westminster College next which is their last non-conference game Oct. 9.

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EC UPDATES Men’s XC team staff report The EC men’s cross country team totaled 378 points on Saturday at the Pre-National Invitational hosted by Hanover College, finishing 16 out of 19 teams.

Junior Will Cross led the Bluejays with a time

of 25:54.89, good enough for seventh place.

Junior Axel Munoz, freshman Miguel Sanchez, freshman William O’Connel, and junior Joey Slinkman finished in 130th, 163rd, 183rd, 199th, respectively, to round out the Jays.

EC’s next race is will be Fri, Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. for the Benedictine University Eagle Invitational.

Women’s soccer staff report

The EC women’s soccer team’s five-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday after losing 5-1 to Illinois Wesleyan Univ.

It was the Bluejays’ first loss since Sept.

8 when they fell to Rhodes College.

Illinois Wesleyan potted the first three goals of the game in the first half before EC could find the back of the net

in the 70th minute when sophomore Kelsey McNeela put in a goal after a feed from junior Jackie Belmonte.

Illinois Wesleyan added two more goals to cap their 5-1 victory.

The Jays’ loss dropped the team to a 7-3 overall record and 1-1 in the CCIW. Freshman Emily Gordon recorded two saves in the first half, but suffered the loss after allowing three goals.

Sophomore Olivia Schoch entered the game in the second half and stopped three shots, but gave up two goals.

EC will look to begin a new streak when they welcome Marian Univ. Tues, Oct. 8th at 7 p.m.

Women’s tennis home third place titles in their respective classes.

Kovach and Griffin both took fourth place awards at No.1 doubles, making 2-2 record, after winning their first match again North Central, and later losing Augustana. The duo also beat Illinois Wesleyan before losing to Wheaton 8-6 in a third-place match.

EC junior Nicole Darga finished with a final score of 1-2 at singles. Darga also Photo courtesy of Gary Guenther partnered up with Duggan Junior Jen Guenther who finished with a and made a 1-2 mark at No.2 1-2 score in No.3 doubles. doubles.

Those weren’t the only staff report Bluejay victories in doubles.

EC’s women’s tennis Junior Jennifer Guenther and Sophoteam ended it’s fall sea- more Brittany Kuehn finished with 1-2 son with a fifth-place mark at No.3 doubles. win at the CCIW championship.

Bluejay volleyball players Cassie Kovach, Annie Duggan, and Meg Griffin, each took

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October 8, 2013

The Leader’s MLB World Series predictions

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LUKE TANAKA

PAUL ROUMELIOTIS

BRANDON PORTER

CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS

World Series: Rays over Cardinals

World Series: Rays over Pirates

World Series: Braves over Tigers

World Series: Rays over Cardinals

WHY? Pitching, defense, and timely hitting win championships. The last three World Series Champions, the 2010 Giants, 2011 Cardinals, and 2012 Giants had these three qualities. Both years the Giants won it all, they had a different hitter step up (Cody Ross in 2010, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval in 2012). This year, the Rays match my formula. Their top four pitchers have lights out stuff (David Price, Alex Cobb, Matt Moore, and Chris Archer), they ranked second in fielding percentage this year, Joe Maddon has been to a World Series before, and Evan Longoria is on a mission. Watch out for this Rays team.

WHY? The Rays finally have all the pieces to win a World Series, something they didn’t have in the years past. And that’s exactly why I think they will be crowned champions. The Pirates are a hungry team, which is why they’re my National League prediction, but the Rays are even hungrier. The pitching core of David Price, Alex Cobb, Matt Moore, and Chris Archer has been remarkable all season long. The Rays have good hitters to back up their pitching staff as well. Topped off with a genius skipper in Joe Maddon, I see the Rays being the last one’s standing.

WHY? In the National League, I see the Atlanta Braves breaking through and making it to the World Series this year. In the American League, I believe the Detroit Tigers will make a run to the World Series to have a showdown with the Braves.

The Braves won their division for the first time in eight seasons. They have some of the more consistent bats and good enough pitching for them to get it done in the playoffs. Throughout the World Series, I expect them to get past Detroit’s powerhouse batting order and their tough pitching. Players like Jason Heyward and Justin Upton will be clutch for Atlanta throughout the series. In the end, I do believe the Braves will come out on top of the MLB as World Series Champs defeating the Tigers in six games.

WHY? On July 27th, I tweeted that the Rays would beat the Cardinals in the World Series. And I’ll stick with it. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff is the deepest it’s ever been.

They have a true ace in David Price, but three other starters finished with more wins than him in the regular season.

That’s scary deep. The Rays defense has also committed the fewest errors out of any current playoff team, and it’s not even close. But what separates the Rays from their years past? They’re batting .268 with runners in scoring position, the highest it’s been since 2009. But they didn’t have nearly as strong a pitching staff as they do now. It’s all about getting hot at the right time and this team is on fire and healthy. Tampa Bay finally reaches the top of the mountain.

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VOLLEYBALL from the back page After junior outside hitter Sam Szarmach’s kill knotted the score at 23-23, Reynolds pounded a kill and stuffed a Carthage attack, stopping the Lady Reds’ momentum and leveling the match at one set apiece.

Head Coach Julie Hall has come to expect this out of her senior leader.

“She’s the one we’ve counted on ever since she’s been here,” Hall said after the game.

The Jays cruised from there, overcoming their slow start and defeating Carthage 16-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-9.

The Jays had trouble giving their hitters good opportunities early in the match.

“Our service return was a little bit off early,” Reynolds said. “It’s tough to set up our hitters when our service return is a little off.”

The Jays committed eight of their 18 attack errors, with a hitting percentage of just .108,

in the first set.

Hall attributed the slow start to jitters.

“They were nervous,” Hall said. “They haven’t been home in a month.”

Hall knows her team has fallen behind this season and wasn’t worried.

“We’ve been in situations like this before, whether we should have or not, and our kids have come through,” Hall said. “I had faith.”

Carthage kept control of the momentum early in the second set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead, but the Jays battled back to take their first lead of the set at 17-16.

It was a seesaw battle until Reynolds took over late in the set, giving the Jays momentum that they never gave back.

“We expect that of her,” Hall said of Reynolds taking over. “We expect that of Sam [Szarmach], [senior outside hitter] Marci [Novak], and [senior middle hitter] Kaitlyn [Wilks]. We have so many weapons, one will step up.”

In the final two sets, the Jays

totaled 27 kills and just six attack errors, two of them Carthage blocks.

“We came together, looked at each other, and trusted each other [when it mattered most],” Reynolds said.

Szarmach led the Jays with 12 kills, while Reynolds and Novak each added nine.

Senior setters Lauren Lorenz and Katie Rueffer added 36 assists, while Szarmach (10), Novak (9), and sophomore defensive specialist Dana Loncar (9) led the team in digs.

Reynolds killed nine of her 18 attack chances and committed only one error. Rueffer converted six of her nine attempts with no errors.

Tuesday, the Jays will travel to face Augustana College (7 p.m.) before going to Holland, Mich. for the Hope College tournament. In Holland, they will face the top two teams in the nation, #2 Hope on Fri (7 p.m.) and #1 Calvin College (10 a.m.) on Sat.

October 8, 2013

23

Charlie’s Angles

Hockey should not ban fighting CHARLIE ROUMELIOTIS sports editor

Photo by Ellen Curtin Senior Lauren Lorenz sets up senior Megan Reynolds to convert on one of her nine kills on the day.

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In the wake of a scary incident that occurred on NHL’s opening night last Tuesday when Canadiens forward George Parros was taken off in a stretcher after he face-planted into the ice while fighting with Maple Leafs forward Colton Orr, it has reignited the debate whether or not hockey should ban fighting.

Well, I’m here to tell you, fighting should be kept in the game.

First and foremost, hockey players know what they’re getting into when they agree to play this violent sport.

In a 2012 poll conducted by the NHL’s Player Association, 98 percent of players voted against the idea of completely abolishing fighting.

Nobody wants to see injuries, especially head-related ones.

Coaches, teammates, fans. I get it.

But that’s not a valid reason to take out an integral part of the game.

Players choose to fight and freak injuries happen, just like in any other sport.

What happened to Parros was an accident that could have happened during any other part of the game.

Many fans on social media are overreacting at the result of the fight when the focus should really be ridding the unskilled goons who skate around just to knock peoples heads off.

Which is the exact reason why eliminating fighting could also be a bad idea.

You’d have guys doing whatever they want on the ice and nobody to keep them in check.

The enforcers will certainly take more runs and cheap shots at their opponent’s star players knowing nobody can lay a hand on them after the play.

Would Chicago Blackhawks fans rather see Brandon Bollig sitting in the penalty box for five minutes or Jonathan Toews in the trainers room for 60?

Maybe that’s a stretch, but I believe you’re putting stars like Toews on a silver platter for undisciplined goons like Raffi Torres, who skates around like a headless chicken as it is, to knock them into next week.

I will second the motion that pointless staged fights are the worst.

But real fights, between two angry players, usually sticking up for themselves or teammates, can change the momentum of a game, playoff series, and even a season.

Don’t believe me?

Look up Game 6 between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers in the 2009 conference quarterfinals.

If it weren’t for Max Talbot dropping the gloves with Dan Carcillo and desperately giving his team a boost of energy, that series is over and the Penguins are eliminated from the playoffs.

Instead, Pittsburgh was hoisting the Stanley Cup a month later.

Fighting is a part of the game band wagon fans root for, but it goes beyond two guys punching each other for entertainment.

It often doesn’t matter who wins the fight.

It could spark a team that’s nearly dead in the water.

It can unify a group more than you’d ever imagined.

But it also essentially protects the league’s top players.

That’s just the way it goes.

I don’t care what anyone says, I’ll keep fighting to keep fighting.

24

October 8, 2013

sports

ecleader.org

EC volleyball continues CCIW success with win versus Carthage LUKE TANAKA staff writer

With the sixth-ranked Bluejays volleyball team two points from going down two sets to none during Wednesday’s CCIW match against the Carthage Lady Reds, someone needed to step up.

And senior middle hitter Megan Reynolds did just that.

See VOLLEYBALL on page 23

Photo by Ellen Curtin

Senior Marci Novak connects one of her nine kills.