The Daily Egyptian

THE DAILY EGYPTIAN SERVING THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY SINCE 1916

WWW.DAILYEGYPTIAN.COM

VOL. 103 ISSUE 30

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

Grand jury indictment in Breonna Taylor case sparks nationwide

PROTESTS Carbondale, Ill.

Pg. 2-3

Louisville, Ky.

Pg. 4-5

Vienna, Ill.

Pg. 6-7

Page 2

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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Carbondale community marches in honor of Breonna Taylor Jamilah Lewis | @jamilahlewis Keaton Yates | @keatisans

Around 70 people marched from the Carbondale Police Department to East Main Street to protest the indictment of one out of three officers that fatally shot Breonna Taylor.

Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot in her apartment in Louisville, Ky., by officers Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove on March 13, 2020.

On Sept. 23, Hankison was indicted on three accounts of first-degree wanton endangerment. Mattingly and Cosgrove have been placed on administrative reassignment.

Chastity Mays, 44, of Carbondale, said she attended the protest because of the verdict for Taylor and to stand up against racial injustice in America.

“They actually just convicted the cop of shooting into her neighbor’s wall, and that’s just sad and disheartening,” Mays said. “I really want to stand up for what’s right.”

Mays said she was impacted most because she feels her and her daughters lives are not valued in America as Black women, she said.

Maleah Mays, Chastity Mays’s 18-year-old daughter, said what impacted her most was that the date Taylor’s verdict was released was the same date Emmett Till’s murderers were found not guilty.

Emmett Till was a 14-year-old Black male who was murdered on Aug. 28, 1955, after being accused of offending Carolyn Bryant, a white woman. In September 1955, Roy Bryant, her husband, and J.W. Milam, her husband’s half-brother, were found not guilty but later admitted to the crime.

“Breonna’s life mattered and so did Emmett Till’s.

Two lives were taken by the system that’s designed to kill,” Maleah Mays said. “How much longer will they ignore our cries? Breonna’s never coming back.”

Chastity Mays said Carbondale needs local change in order to create national change.

“We are getting a new police chief and we need to do a national search to get diverse police officers,” she said.

“Right now I’m standing up for the school resource officer in Carbondale Community High School to be removed.”

Chastity Mays said the Carbondale community needs to come together and vote in diverse officials to bring social change.

Joe Cervantez, a district attorney candidate for Jackson County, said change can be made in America and worldwide by voting.

Cervantez said as a prosecutor and defense attorney he has seen economic injustice, social injustice, and racial injustice firsthand.

“I’ve done this protest only instead of signs, instead of bullhorns, I’ve had a briefcase,” he said. “The reason why I ended up in law school is because without it no one listened to me, but now I have the platform and I have the bullhorn.”

Cervantez said the common denominator behind each warrant case is a state’s attorney and that is the office that needs to change.

“If we have someone in office that doesn’t recognize unfairness, inequality, and racial division then what do we expect of our officers?” he said.

Elise Pawlak, of Carbondale, said unlearning racism means being committed to sit with discomfort and people who experience racism should not be held

responsible for others unlearning racism.

“That will occur when confronted with the knowledge that something you are invested in has roots in racism,” she said. “It is okay to not fully understand but it is never okay to stop listening to learn.”

White allies must remember that even though their intentions may be good it could potentially have negative biases, Pawlak said.

“This country was built on the back of racism and if we are to destroy racism then it is dependent on dismantling the structures that were built to protect white supremacy,” she said.

Nancy Maxwell, of Marion, said she feels as if Black individuals walk with a target on their backs.

“When an officer kills somebody under circumstances of a wrongful death they should be charged immediately and sent to prison,” she said. “Maybe some of the officers will stop shooting Black people like it’s Black people season.”

Maxwell said people need to rebuild and plant seeds of diversity to grow change.

“We will be marching. Not for a few weeks, not for a few months, we will be marching and rebuilding the garden until justice is served,” she said.

Truth Marsh, a 16 year old Carbondale high school student, said she feels attached to lost Black lives.

“Are our voices not loud enough?” she said. “Every time I hear another name of a Black person killed by police brutality it’s almost like a piece of me goes with them, not because I knew them, knew of them or even heard their voice. That’s the beauty of Black magic, we feel so much for each other.”

Emerald Avril, a Carbondale resident, said Carbondale and Jackson County have a rich history in racism and community members need to stand against injustice.

“It is our duty to fight for freedom,” Avril said. “We have nothing to lose but our chains.”

Staff reporter Jamilah Lewis can be reached at jlewis@ dailyegyptian.com or on twitter @jamilahlewis.

Staff reporter Keaton Yates can be reached by email at kyates@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @keatsians.

www.dailyegyptian.com

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Page 3

Carbondale community marches

Protesters carry signs during the march on September 25, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. Ana Luiza Jacome | @aluizaphotography

Film major Tomas Cortez, 21, vocalizes his opinion on the recent grand jury decision in the case of Breonna Taylor on September 25, 2020 in Carbondale, Ill. Madison Taylor | @taylorm08

Alex Grabowska, 29, raises his sign to passing cars during a protest against the ruling of Breonna Taylor’s case, September 25, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. “I want to speak to folks [like me] that you need to sit down and listen; you need to really feel what it is like to have every system that exists tell you that you are less then,” Grabowska said. Ana Luiza Jacome | @aluizaphotography

Chastity Mays, Nancy Maxwell, Emerald Avril and Elise Grabowska lead the march during a protest against the grand jury decision for the Breonna Taylor case on September 25, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. Ana Luiza Jacome | @aluizaphotography

David Szake, 21, raises his sign to passing far while protesting the ruling of Breonna Taylor’s case, September 25, 2020, in Carbondale, Ill. “We have a justice system based on shoot first, ask question later and it was built in a manner that protects private property over people,” Szake said. Ana Luiza Jacome | @aluizaphotography

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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‘She looks just like me:’ Black women are at the forefront of protest efforts in Louisville Kallie Cox | KallieECox

The Black community in Louisville is shattered, exhausted and grieving.

Protesters have gathered for 123 days in “injustice square park” in Louisville Kentucky, to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police in her home during a noknock raid. Black women especially have been on the frontline of the movement.

Felicia Garr, a 52-year-old activist, organizer and Louisville native, said she saw her daughter and herself in Breonna Taylor.

Cheyenne Osuala, 21 of Louisville Kentucky said the case has impacted her entire life.

Jacriya Thompson, of Louisville, wants her children to witness history, so she brought two of her children, 11-yearold Christopher and six-year-old Amayah, to the protests.

Tiffanie Morris, an activist from Atlanta Georgia, arrived in Louisville on Friday to lend support to the community during the demonstrations.

Garr has been involved with the demonstrations since the minute she learned the details of Taylor’s death.

“I said ‘wait a minute’ I have a daughter the same age as Breonna Taylor. I am a Black woman in the same county, city and state as Breonna Taylor,” Garr said.

Garr said the grand jury’s verdict was a smack in the face, but for the most part, it was expected.

“What I did not expect, was for it to be so small, so insignificant, that you may as well have shot a deer while hunting,” Garr said. “We knew that the Commonwealth of Kentucky had no respect for the case, for black people, but did we think that we would not even get a charge that was directly affiliated with the bullets and the body of Breonna Taylor? Absolutely not. Manslaughter, anything that would acknowledge that this woman, Breonna Taylor is in her grave.”

Garr said the ruling is a reinforcement of the idea that Black Lives do not matter in Louisville Kentucky. She said that those saying all lives matter need to understand why activists say Black lives matter.

“Break one of the bones on your body. All of your bones are important but if you just do damage or break a bone to your leg or an arm, you will then recognize that not only do all bones matter, but right now at this time and at this time, we need to focus on, pay attention, get medical treatment and care for the bone that is broken,” Garr said. “The Black bone in the American population is shattered right now.”

Garr said the Black community in Louisville is not OK, and she is exhausted.

“I felt outraged, I felt betrayed, I felt angry, I felt disappointed and you know, this is so unfair,” Garr said. “We knew that the Kentucky Attorney General was not going to give us the justice we deserved, needed, and wanted. But to hear him belittle the case and possibly not even give the grand jury the information that they needed to make a wise decision, a right choice, devastating.”

The community has to fight for equal treatment over and over again, Garr said.

“Dr. King died in 1968 Martin Luther King, it’s 2020 and we’re doing it again? And I suspect my great grandchildren will have to do it even again,” Garr said. “When will we ever decide that America is the only country who continually looks at the color of your skin instead of the content of your character?”

Garr said she prays the Kentucky Attorney General never has a Black child.

“As a Black man himself, he must stop planning on reproducing. Because if he plans on reproducing he is going to have a Black child and if his child is at the wrong place at the wrong time, they will take his life,” Garr said. “And when that happens unjustly, he will finally get a taste of what Breonna Taylor’s family is going through and I don’t want that to happen even to my enemy.”

Osuala is an organizer with the Black Women’s Collective, said nothing about her life has been the same since the protests started.

“I mean I’ve lost my job because of it, I’ve went to jail

Earline Kruschall shouts at police that arrived outside First Unitarian Church in Louisville, Ky. on Sept. 26. Nicolas Galindo | @NGalindophoto during this, I’ve had my wrist broken by a police officer during my arrest and then just the emotional toll,” Osuala. “We didn’t get the justice that we wanted and it just hurts. I’m hurt for Breonna Taylor’s family, her mother and just the fact that we’ve all been here for so long fighting for this, trying to get that justice and not getting it so it’s been hard.”

Thompson said the idea she hopes her kids take away from the protest is to stay away from the police.

“I’m terrified for my kids here in Louisville, Kentucky,” Thompson said. “I gave us a year to be out of this city and this state.”

When she gives her kids “the talk” about the police, Thompson said she tells them to put their hands up or on the dashboard, do what the police say and pray.

Lisa Willner, Kentucky state representative for the 35th district, said she is working on legislation to demilitarize the police that will be filed in the 2021 legislative session.

“It’s tough right now, I feel like we are so polarized, but I think we have to understand and listen to the people who are hurting, the people who are grieving and understand the history of injustice that has brought us to this place,” Willner said. “It’s my hope that people are becoming more aware of the systems that have created the injustices and that we’ll be ready to make changes.”

Friday morning, Willner went to the jail with two other state representatives to support representative Attica Scott when she was released.

Scott is Kentucky’s only Black female legislator and was arrested along with her teenage daughter Thursday evening by Louisville Police. She recorded as she was stopped by police after curfew while walking to the FIrst Unitarian Church of Louisville to seek shelter.

“I think here in Jefferson County, here in Louisville, a lot of the elected officials are very supportive of protests and very supportive of the people who are experiencing something right now,” Willner said.

Louisville natives have been protesting for 124 days and have been joined by activists and volunteers from around the U.S. Morris, an activist from Atlanta Georgia, arrived in Louisville on Friday to lend support to the community during the demonstrations.

“You know as tired as the residents are, they’ve been out here since March, and my legs are fresh,” Morris said.

Morris said she was impacted by the case because she is a Black woman and looks like Breonna Taylor.

“Breonna Taylor could have been my niece, she looks just like me. She looks like my nieces, she looks like my community, “ Morris said. “It takes a village so I’m a part of her village.”

Morris said she will stand in solidarity with the Louisville community and Taylor’s family as long as she is able to.

The details of the Breonna Taylor and George Floyd cases have shined a light on injustice in America and the double standards of the law enforcement system. She said this is a modern day civil war, Garr said.

“I use the term modern day civil war because that’s what it took. It took everybody, all walks of life to come together and say no more,” Garr said. “Enough is enough. I think that America is at that crossroads of what we are going to do as a country.”

Garr said it is important for those who are on the battlefield for a Black Lives Matter movement to keep mental stability, stay focused, and healthy mentally and physically.

“I am a Christian. And if it was not for my faith based beliefs, I’m not sure I would be sane. However, you cannot get work done for the good. We call it good trouble per the conscience of congress John Lewis, you cannot perform a duty if you’re not stable,” Garr said. “You must be in good health to fight a battle. You cannot be weak and think you’re going to be prepared for war. This is war. It’s unfortunate but this year we’re at war and it’s a different type of war.”

Editor-in-Chief Kallie Cox can be reached at kcox@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @KallieECox.

See more coverage on our website: dailyegyptian.com

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Louisville protests grand jury’s indictment

Page 5

A member of the Kentucky state police force stands by as protesters walk past during a Black lives matter protests. A heavy police present resides in the city from the local, county, and state police levels on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 in Louisville, Ky. Jared Treece | @bisalo

June Wells, Breonna Taylor’s second cousin, marches through Louisville, Ky. on Sept.

26 in protest of the grand jury decision to indict former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison. “I’m out here because she was my blood,” Wells said. “I’m out here because my cousin didn’t get justice.” Nicolas Galindo | @NGalindophoto

Right: A man is taken into custody and taken into the a police van after breaking the curfew on Saturday night. The man said that he was homeless and didn’t have anywhere else to go.

Jared Treece | @bisalo

See more coverage on our website: dailyegyptian.com

Police stand-by, gripping batons as they trap protesters of the grand jury’s decision in Breonna Taylor’s death as they marched in downtown Louisville, Ky on Sept. 25. Jared Treece | @Bisalo

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Wednesday, September 30, 2020

‘All lives can’t matter until Black lives do:’ Racist incident at Vienna high school leads to protest

Jeff Messemore, left, and Ayo Oyetunji speak together after the Black Lives Matter march through City Park in Vienna, Ill. on Sept. 27. Nicolas Galindo | @ngalindophoto Jamilah Lewis | @jamilahlewis George Wiebe | gwiebe@dailyegyptian.com Keaton Yates | @keatsians

A group of students at Vienna High School created a Snapchat group titled “We hate Black people” which led one mother to take action.

The group was reported to the school but was quickly deleted, as of now no students have been officially linked to its creation.

Brandee Lasley, a Vienna resident, and mother of Kenji Waddy, a 14-year-old Vienna high school student, collaborated with the Southern Illinois Unity Coalition to organize a Black Lives Matter protest.

When residents of Vienna discovered plans for the protest they began organizing a counter-protest in response.

On Sept. 27 the Southern Illinois Unity Coalition and citizens of southern Illinois gathered in Vienna City Park bodega in support of the Black Lives Matter movement accompanied by counter-protesters who gathered in the parking lot.

Around 70 counter-protestors attended the rally and flew Trump 2020 and confederate flags from their vehicles.

“The BLM movement seems to be nothing but violence. Look at every city they’ve been to. That’s why we’re here,” Jeff Messemore, a counter-protester, said. “If they want to peacefully protest I applaud that. Share your voice, don’t share damage cause we won’t accept that here.”

Several counter-protesters joined with Black lives matter demonstrators at the

beginning of the rally for a prayer recited

by Darrell Wimberly, 59, Dean of Students at Marion High School and Pastor of East Liberty Christian Church.

“I hope that people will open their eyes and open their hearts up and see we’re all in this together,” Wimberly said.

Lasley said she started planning this rally with the Unity Coalition because of the racism in Vienna High School.

“I have a son who is a freshman at the high school and he is biracial,” Lasley said. “I never want him to feel like he is judged by anybody solely on the color of his skin.”

Lasley said she feels that with the racial tensions in the United States it would be good for the community to come together to show support for minorities and Black Vienna residents.

Kenji Waddy said he does not want this to happen to anyone else.

Waddy said the main thing he deals with in regards to racism at school is micro aggressions.

“I just want parents to educate their kids and have the awkward conversations I’ve had to have with my mom,” Waddy said. “Why shouldn’t you guys?”

Vicky Higgins, a 55-year-old Vienna resident, said she attended the protest to let Black Vienna students know their lives are valued.

“Kids who have been raised in households where diversity is slim to none don’t have to fall into that pattern,” Higgins said.

Victoria Vaughn, a 17 year-old Marion

resident and Higgins’ granddaughter said the Black Lives Matter movement has nothing to do with politics.

“We’re not here saying all white people are bad, we’re not here saying only Black lives matter, we’re here trying to say everybody’s life is equally important,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said when she moved schools she endured a culture shock because the majority of the new school students were right.

“I want every race to love and appreciate where they come from without putting others down,” Vaughn said.

Chastity Mays, a 44-year-old Carbondale resident said she fears for her son’s life when he leaves the house.

“This is my life,” she said. “This is what I live with, you don’t know what it’s like to have to be so scared for the lives of your children.”

After the speakers, the protesters began to march around the park and chanting “Black lives matter” and “all lives can’t matter until Black lives do”.

In response, the counter-protestors played loud music and revved their truck engines.

The protesters stopped in front of the counter-protesters and chanted the names of Black people who have been killed by the police, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tamir Rice.

The rally escalated into a heated discussion between the protesters and the counterprotesters.

Jones Steve, an 80-year old counterprotester of Vienna, said he’s never seen anything like this rally in the town.

“Black Lives matter and all lives matter, but I don’t know why they’re doing this here,” Jones said.

Jones later said protesters should stay in Carbondale.

Chastity Mays said rural towns like Vienna are the heart of America.

“The heart of America is not big cities, the majority of people live in small towns,” Mays said. “That is where we have to make the change.”

Protesters and counter-protesters engaged in multiple discussions that were supervised by the town’s police.

At the end of the rally, State Police officers escorted any protesters who felt it was unsafe to leave on their own.

Staff reporter Jamilah Lewis can be reached at jlewis@dailyegyptian.com or on twitter @ jamilahlewis.

Staff reporter George Wiebe can be reached by email at gwiebe@dailyegyptian.com.

Staff reporter Keaton Yates can be reached by email at kyates@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter @keatsians.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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Racist incident at Vienna high school leads to protest

Roger Morse, center, speaks to Sean Lasley, left, and Matt Wilson after the Black Lives Matter march through City Park in Vienna, Ill. on Sept. 27. “If you wanted to talk, talk. Don’t yell and scream,” Morse said. “That’s why I engaged in conversation with them. To really find out, what are they here for, ultimately.” Nicolas Galindo | @ngalindophoto

Jeff Messemore an counter-protester speaks to Ayo Oyetunji, a Black Lives Matter protestor about his reasons for not supporting the BLM movement during the Vienna Rally for Racial Justice on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. Tiffany Young | @photographybytiffa

After the Black Lives Matter Protesters marched around the park, Matt Wilson was confronted by a counterprotester on Sept. 27, 2020, at Vienna City Park. Tiffany Young | @photographybytiffa

Trump supporters show up early to the Vienna Rally for Racial Justice on Sunday, Sept. 27. Tiffany Young | @photographybytiffa

Black Lives Matter Protesters gathered together at Vienna City Park on Sept. 27, 2020, for a racial justice rally.

Tiffany Young | @photographybytiffa

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Opinion

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Opinion: ‘The Most Disrespected Person in America is the Black Woman’

Oreoluwa Ojewuyi | @odejewuyi

Too often, stories of Black women who have been abused by the systemic racism in our country go ignored, not only by the majority, but by our Black male counterparts.

As a young black woman and first generation American, I have dealt with the burdens of racial injustice, sexism, colorism and nationalism.

Earlier this year, Officer Derek Chauvin of the Minneapolis police force, knelt on George Floyd’s neck, preventing him from breathing and killing him. This murder resulted in outrage, and a wave of protests all around the country. It unearthed years of trauma and pain experienced by the Black community, not only in the United States but all around the world.

However, two months before Floyd’s death, on March 13, 2020, a young Black woman was shot and killed by police officers while sleeping in her apartment. Breonna Taylor’s death received little to no coverage until after George Floyd’s death received worldwide recognition.

Taylor became a martyr and yet another victim of police brutality who did not receive proper justice.

A grand jury indicted officer Brett Hanksion on three separate counts of first-degree wanton endangerment as he put the lives of Taylor’s neighbors in danger by firing shots that reached their apartments.

On Sep 15, 2020 Taylor’s family received $12 million in a wrongful death settlement that included a host of police reforms. In the settlement, the city agreed to an incentive to hire officers who live in the areas in which they wish to serve, and required more review for search warrants among many other changes.

Still none of the officers involved with Taylor’s death were charged with her death. Protests have continued to surge in response to this verdict as the justice system placed property over Taylor’s personhood.

These protests have resulted in a large cultural shift, consequently bringing to the forefront the importance of inclusivity and allyship in the Black community. They promote conversations about what we can do to create equality, equity and understanding in a tumultuous, and often hurtful society.

As Taylor’s story reached the media there were stark differences in how the public received her story versus Floyd’s.

Taylor was made out to be a caricature, to sell products, and memified. This showed the lack of value for the personhood of Black women in America.

Tiktok users co-opted a cry for justice “Arrest the Killers of Breonna Taylor” into a tiktok trend on the social media website. The meme is usually preceded by a lead up completely unrelated to police brutality and ends with “Arrest the Killers of Breonna Taylor.”

This reception, dissemination and performative activism associated with Taylor’s story is indicative of the erasure of Black women’s intersectional experiences and reflective of the stories of so many cis and trans black women who have been harmed by the police and by their own community.

Since the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement, Black women have been champions of change.

The BLM movement was created in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the Florida man who murdered 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

As we protect and act as mothers of our community, I often wonder who will stand on the front lines and fight for us.

The idea of the “strong Black women” or the “superwoman schema” explains the internal conflict experienced by many Black women. They are expected to be emotionless, strong, superwomen, and to act as a voice for their people.

Black women have fought for the lives of Black men to be valued and respected, yet when the lives of Black women enter the conversation, the narrative transforms.

19-year-old Oluwatoyin Salau was sexually assaulted and murdered by Black male Aaron Glee Jr. Glee offered Salua a ride and a place to stay following a protest for Floyd.

When her story reached the media, people, specifically Black men, victim-blamed her. Questions like “Why would she go with him?” or “She owed him” appeared on Twitter threads about her.

Iyanna Dior, a trans woman, was beaten brutally by a group

of 20-30 Black men at a gas station. Transphobia bled into all of the conversations concerning the brutal attack.

A 15 second video from the Long Island Herald captured Wynta Amor, a seven year old black girl chanting “Black Lives Matter”. The video of Amor and many other young black girls being propped up as activists went viral on all social media websites. There is no age limit to carrying the burden of your community and country as a Black girl in America.

Black women are carrying the weight of validating the worth of their lives not only as a Black person but as women.

The overwhelming sentiment of not being able to feel that your experience is real or validated has and will continue to contribute to trauma and the adultification of young Black girls who are often forced to grow up too fast.

Blackness and womanhood are intersectional identities that cannot be separated from one another. Black women exist at the crossroads of institutional racism and institutional sexism.

If we erase that fact that Black women experience multiple different marginalized identities, we are simultaneously invalidating them as people and their experiences.

So many stereotypes have contributed to the way that the world relates to Black women.

The “Mammy” stereotype began with black enslaved women who were expected to be obedient and loyal despite experiencing an insurmountable amount of pain.

The hypersexualization of Black women began when enslaved women were raped.

The “angry Black women” stereotype invalidates the anger and pain experienced as a result of the injustices they face as a community.

It is important that we see Black women not as warriors for the cause or victims but simply as people. People with depth, purpose and personality.

When I look at pictures of Breonna Taylor, Oluwatoyin Salau, Sandra Bland, Iyanna Dior, Elanor Bumper, Alberta Spruill and so many more Black women failed by the system, I see a reflection of myself.

I see people who were valuable before death and not because of death. These Black women were and are activists, EMT workers, mothers, sisters and friends.

Black women deserve better. They deserve justice while they are living and breathing and they deserve validation when the systems in place to protect them fail them.

This is a painful time for so many people around the world. It is like a period of mourning that will never end until we receive proper justice.

In our process of healing, we lean on our allies and each other. We must educate and love one another, challenge our beliefs, and continue the quest of knowledge.

We must recognize how our different intersections impact our experiences.

The process of education

and understanding continues as long as we exist on this earth.

Reporter Oreoluwa Ojewuyi can be reached at oojewuyi@ dailyegyptian.com or on twitter @odojewuyi.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Page 9

Ronan Lisota | @r_lisota

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Page 10

Queens and kings in quarantine:

Local Drag performers adapt to COVID-19 regulations Sara Wangler | @sara_Wangler

Blanche DuBois, who has been a drag queen for 45 years, has seen many things, but nothing quite like trying to perform during a pandemic.

“When it all happened back in March, I had about five or six shows booked from the middle of March until April,” Dubois said.

Although surrounding states are still having shows, DuBois doesn’t feel the need to travel.

“The pandemic has hindered a lot of shows, we’ve had to cancel shows at our local bar, as well as my own show at the Bar City Theatre in Carbondale.”

DuBois, like many others, has had to become creative when it comes to entertaining.

“I’ve done a few shows virtually,” DuBois said. “As a matter of fact, we sat up a space in my dining room where I did an hour reading of a children’s book. I also had a backdrop put in front of my garage and performed a couple of numbers for Pride.”

Dubois said there are a few pageants that have moved online.

“With everything going on in this day and time, online is the ways it’s got to be,” Dubois said. “I don’t care for the idea, you can see much more of the contestant face to face. Though now you can’t really see beads missing or threads hanging.”

DuBois said they mainly stay at home and look at all of the clothes they can’t wear.

“I just look at all my racks of wigs and jewelry,” DuBois said. “ I really do miss it.”

Kailey Kream Santana has been in the drag scene for about four years. Santana is influenced by DuBois and said she has come out of her shell and is able to be herself on stage.

Santana said every day she misses performing; performing is her way of stress relief.

“I have done some Facebook live shows, and stuff like that for birthdays,” Santana said. “Some of us will do a small two people or less, and some small birthdays.”

Santana said she relied on performing for an extra income.

“I used performing for an income in between checks... it’s definitely been harder,” Santana said.

Santana said her favorite memories are any time she gets to spend with Jodie Santana and DuBois.

“We get into rants on the mic and go back and forth with one another,” Santana said.

Santana has worked with some of her biggest influencers.

“I have three people I look up to the most,’ Santana said.

“Blanche DuBois, Jodie Santana and Tiffany Hunter, they have all been so kind and helpful. “ Santana said after the pandemic she plans to go right back into performing.

“I want to be in more pageants and perform as much as I can,” Santana said.

Faim Lee Jewls aka Julia Socorro started drag 15 years ago, during a time in his life where he didn’t feel whole. His beginning into drag came from a drag queen approaching him at a show and offering to let him perform.

“I was in jeans, a white t-shirt and a backward cap with an awful eyeliner drawn on beard,” said Jewls. “I didn’t know what I was doing or what drag was, when I got on stage I realized I liked it and I kept up at it.”

Jewls says his drag name stems from his birth name.

“All my life I was nicknamed Jewls, so that’s where jewls comes from,” Jewls said. “Faim Lee comes from family, the drag community feels like family.”

Faim Lee Jewls said he is one of the only drag kings in the area.

“It’s not common, I do my best and try to entertain,” Jewls said. “ Drag is an escape, it really allows me to be myself.”

Jewls said he couldn’t go into the building where all his performing stuff is for three months.

“I felt so lost and upset that I just couldn’t go out into the building, COVID-19 really took a toll on me,” Jewls said.

Jewls said along with drag he works at Bath and Bodyworks in Carbondale.

“A 9-5 shift then doing nothing over the weekend wasn’t normal to me, I always had some event or performance going on the weekends,” Jewls said. “When the pandemic was really

Drag king performer, Faim Lee Jewls, sits for a portrait on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 in Murphysboro, IL. Jewls, the lone drag king in the southern Illinois region, says he is celebrating his 15th year as a drag king. “Performing for me has always been a release, it’s always been something that I could be a little bit more open about who I am. Rather than just everyday normal things I would be doing,” Jewls said. “It also gives me a sense of purpose, for the community as well. I do interact with youth groups. My title that I hold for Southern Illinois Pride is held by the Rainbow cafe youth center for all the kids in the area.” The drag community in Southern Illinois has been affected by the series of cancellations due to COVID-19 cancelling all planned drag shows. Drag shows in Carbondale and surrounding areas are commonplace events that occur regularly. “I’m excited to eventually be able to hit a stage again and feel somewhat normal. I’ve been on stage a couple of times and it just hasn’t been the same. [...] Seriously it’s kind of like feeling like a bird in captivity,” said Jewls. Jared Treece | @bisalo bad in the spring I had nothing to do, no job or performing.”

Jewls said a Halloween show has been planned for October for nine months, but may have to be canceled.

“I’ve never not done a Halloween show, I trying so hard to think of something new,” Jewls said. “Maybe an outdoor performance or something of that nature.”

Jewls is trying to plan ahead post COVID-19 regulations.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever get to perform like I’ve done in the past, everything is different now,” Jewls said. “But I’m still

hopeful.”

Staff reporter Sara Wangler can be reached at swangler@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @sara_Wangler.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Page 11

Nursing homes work to keep residents happy during COVID-19 Amber Koteras | @AmberKoteras

Southern Illinois nursing home staff members are working hard to protect and cheer up residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Shawnee Rose Care Center regional marketing director Amanda Spade, the greatest challenge that nursing homes are facing lies in social distancing.

“Our home is a very social, busy home usually with activities and social gatherings daily when we aren’t in a pandemic,” Spade said. “While social distancing is good for keeping our residents safe and healthy we want to also prevent any negative impact it may have on their emotional wellness.”

Residents are dealing with the challenges of social distancing both concerning other residents and with their own families.

Some homes, such as Shawnee Rose Care Center, are asking all visitors to cease coming to their facility. Others, like The Villas of Holly Brook, Herrin, are allowing specific types of visits that must all occur outside of the facility.

“On a daily basis, the residents remind us of why we went into healthcare in the first place. They have handled such a difficult situation and change in their normal routines with a grace that truly comes with life experience,” Spade said.

Spade said at Shawnee Rose Care Center, they are making a point to keep everyone informed, which helps to calm any fears the residents might have.

The Villas of Holly Brook, Herrin has started a specific sort of visit they are calling Table Talks. This allows two visitors who complete screenings, to attend a socially-distanced visit with their loved one.

Administration at Prairie Living at Chautauqua said they have been keeping up resident morale through sociallydistanced activities such as bingo.

Other homes are bringing the activities to their residents in room-to-room formats.

“During daily ‘house calls’ staff focuses on engaging in

positive conversations which help boost the mood of residents, strengthen personal connections, and also provide an opportunity to provide information and answer any questions residents may have,” Spade said.

More room-to-room activities at Shawnee Rose Care Center include ice cream delivery and hall karaoke.

Many nursing homes and care facilities are also keeping residents in touch with families through methods such as Zoom, Skype, and Facetime. Drive by visits can also be set up at many homes where loved ones can drive by to wave at residents through the windows.

“Our community moved quickly in becoming savvy with technology during this pandemic. Fortunately, we have many platforms to allow for what we have called our new normal to a visit,” Howard Saver, executive director at The Villas of Holly Brook, Herrin said.

While these virtual options are a good way of keeping contact between residents and their loved ones, face-to-face communication is highly anticipated. Shawnee Rose Care Center is also allowing families and loved ones to send in care packages for the residents when visits are not possible.

“These options may not be the same as sitting close together on a bench or being able to hug each other, but it does offer some sense of comfort,” Saver said.

Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, these facilities are doing all they can to keep up the morale of their residents and keep up the positive environment of the home.

“We also want to be there on days that may be harder when our residents miss their loved ones,” Spade said.

The main priorities in homes is ensuring that everything is done to keep the residents healthy and happy. “While times may be uncertain right now, Villas of Holly Brook Herrin is vibrant and safer than ever,” Saver said.

Administration at Prairie Living at Chautauqua said they highly encourage community engagement with their residents,

specifically noting that they haven’t received cards since Easter.

Each home urges the community to send letters, packages, or cards to the residents as that always puts a smile on their faces.

Staff reporter Amber Koteras can be reached at akoteras@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @AmberKoteras

Page 12

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Carbondale City Council approves ordinance requiring employees to wear masks Amber Koteras | @AmberKoteras

The Carbondale City Council approved an ordinance with a unanimous vote on Tuesday that would fine employers if their employees are found without face coverings.

The fine is a minimum of $250 every day, with a maximum of $750.

This ordinance applies to all businesses, however, the council focused primarily on Robin’s Nest Learning Center, a day care in Carbondale.

Mayor Mike Henry said the Jackson County Health Department has traced at least 10 positive cases to Robin’s Nest.

“I also want to point out that there is only one business that we’re having this problem with so far as I know and their behavior is absolutely disgraceful; they have been unresponsive to contact tracing, they have refused - I guess for political reasons - to require masks, and this is a business that deals with children,” Councilman Adam Loos said.

Being a daycare, Robin’s Nest Learning Center is not only endangering the children, but also all the family members and friends these children are in contact with, Loos said.

Councilperson Lee Fronabarger raised the question of how businesses will be notified of this new procedure.

“I would assume that we will do it like we’ve done the other COVID issues and other guidelines, we’ve sent letters and contacted them. We’ve literally sent [...] staff to go door to door and try to meet with as many owners as possible,” City manager Gary Williams said.

Councilwoman Carolin Harvey moved to add a clause to anything sent out to businesses in accordance with this ordinance providing information as to how to properly wear masks and face coverings. This motion was acknowledged and

Chloe Schobert | @chlo_scho_art

accepted by the council.

“My comment is, they know exactly how that mask is supposed to be worn, they’re just not enforcing it. It doesn’t take a lot of brain power to figure out how to put that mask on correctly,” Henry said.

The issue of business licensing through the city was also brought into question. The city of Carbondale currently does not require a business license.

Councilman Tom Grant asked specifically about a daycare license with the intention of, in the future, having the ability to revoke a license in a case of behavior such as that of

Robin’s Nest Learning Center.

“We’ve talked about this extensively and I know we’ve brought up in the past having business licensing,” Williams said. “This pandemic has really shined a light on the need for that because it would give the city, not just for this reason, but it would give the city generally speaking, the ability to pull a license.”

Staff reporter Amber Koteras can be reached at akoteras@ dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at @AmberKoteras

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

A&E

Page 13

Time is of the essence: SIU theater department begins rehearsals for Tuck Everlasting

Pearl Moore | @pmoore@dailyegyptian.com

crew to solve any problems that may arise.

“How do you communicate things with a mask on? It’s a new layer. I hope we go back to the normal art form, but there is nothing wrong with them gathering these tools to enhance their careers,” Tabor said.

“Tuck Everlasting” is tentatively set for late February and to go live for an audience, but plans have already been made if COVID-19 situation is still the same as it is currently. The SIU theater department plans on working with the SIU film department to create a recording of the show.

“Our normal job is that there is nothing routine. Theatre prepares you for problem-solving,” Pivovarnik said. “Every show presents their own unique challenges and that things are constantly evolving.”

The theater department was planning ahead of time before rehearsals started on what their theatrical season would even look like. Tabor and Pivovarnik both said that they were happy that the department had plans on producing “Tuck Everlasting” as many college theaters across the country aren’t doing anything at all.

“Really it already is a six-month process of planning,” Pivovarnik said, “We start our design process at least six

months out.”

Tabor said it has also given the SIU Theater Department the chance to give as many students the opportunities within the production. So, every character has an understudy or a swing [understudy that learns multiple parts just in case anything happens]. He said it has given new experiences and resume credits for the theater department’s students.

While the SIU Theater Department is giving students opportunities to be a part of the show in different types of ways during this semester they are trying to create a meaning to their audience that comes to see the show.

“I hope the audience sees that they have a lot of opportunity in a short amount of time.” Sommers said.

The musical, “Tuck Everlasting” is about a young girl and how she incidentally meets a family that lives forever in time.

“One of the most beautiful things about this show is that it’s not how long you live but how you live your life.” Nowak said.

SIU theater department’s “Tuck Everlasting” started inperson rehearsals Sept. 21. The production normally takes six weeks to rehearse, but will now have a six-month production process due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Stephen G. Tabor, a third-year MFA directing student, and director of “Tuck Everlasting,” said the theater department is trying to move forward with their production while keeping in mind the safety of the student but also to their production staff as well.

The process of how things were typically done in the department shifted.

“The costume shop and the tech shop have had to make adjustments for social distancing. Each department has been dealing with its own ways of navigating that,” Tabor said.

SIU’s faculty costume shop manager Jane Pivovarnik said her biggest issue was being able to social distance and sanitize their area. Most of the time they use as much space as they can in the shop, but Pivovarnik had to rearrange the costume shop completely.

Staff reporter Pearl Moore can be reached at pmoore@ “I’ve had to get rid of some furniture like my personal dailyegyptian.com desk so that way we could separate,” Pivovarnik said.

Now the theater department is finding ways to be as safe as possible during a time of COVID-19. “[It’s] a new ballgame with singing with a mask on. I know for me I have a pretty broad voice and I take a lot of heavy breaths.

Learning how to do that is a lot of fun. It almost teaches you how to control yourself a little bit more.” Jakob Sommers, a senior B.F.A. in musical theater, who plays the role of Miles Tuck in “Tuck Everlasting” said.

Sommers suggested the musical for the shortlist of the SIU theatre department and it was the one selected.

Auditions for the musicals took place in August in the form of video submissions.

Actors who received callbacks, met with casting on Zoom.

“None of it is really our favorite,” Grace Nowak, a senior B.F.A. musical theater, who plays the role of Mae Tuck in “Tuck Everlasting” said, “It’s a lot harder because you have to produce the energy in the room. It’s not a live performance.”

Tabor said that this is a sixteen person cast and it was about dicing up how they all would normally rehearse.

He said it was basically like taking a tiny jigsaw puzzle and rehearsing with those pieces and then eventually bringing those pieces to the McCloud Stage.

The SIU Theater Carter Reed, playing Jesse Tuck, and Amriela D-Alessandro, playing Winnie Foster, rehearses for Tuck Everlasting, September 24, 2020, at Department is working with SIU, Carbondale. Ana Luiza Jacome | @aluizaphotography who they have both on cast and

Sports

Page 14

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

SIU to play at home vs. SEMO

Ryan Scott | @RyanscottDE

The Saluki football team will host the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks on Oct. 23.

This will be SIU’s only game this fall because the Missouri Valley Football Conference games and the FCS playoffs have been pushed back to spring due to the pandemic.

SIU football head coach Nick Hill said every team in the league is starting practice this week.

Hill said the NCAA has announced the fall game will count towards the FCS playoff selection, meaning these games will count as much as the games played in spring in regards to qualifying for the FCS playoffs.

“It’s two teams ranked in the top 25. I think that our team made it clear that if they were gonna play in the fall they wanted these games to matter,” Hill said.

In order to play in this fall matchup, SIU and SEMO had to come to an agreement which Hill said required a few topics to be worked out amongst them.

Hill said SIU is fortunate to have a non conference opponent so close to them so they could play a game this fall.

With SEMO in the Ohio Valley Conference, Hill said “SEMO being 45 minutes away gives us an opportunity to play at home.”

On the current COVID-19 testing protocols, Hill said a lot of things have changed since July.

“The protocols aren’t as strict as if you’re pursuing games. The rule is you would just be doing surveillance testing if you’re just in fall ball,” Hill said.

Hill said the team is tested once a week.

There is only one other college football game on Oct. 23; Louisiana Lafayette will play University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Hill said the team and coaches are very excited to finally be able to get on the field and prepare for

Dustin Clark | @dustinclark.oof

a game again.

“I know the excitement they [the players] shared when I told them we would be playing in a month,” Hill said.

Hill said the team had been told that the game might happen but wasn’t allowed to post anything until it was official.

Currently, the athletics department has not decided how many fans will be allowed in, but will try to get students and season ticket holders into the game.

“I think we have a great opportunity to show the region and show the community a lot of hard work and we can all rally together for this one night,” Hill said.

Hill said that fans that do

attend the game should follow the protocols like wearing a mask when they are at the game.

“Whatever procedures they put in place for the game just come and be excited that we’re watching football and I think we can all agree that we’re all moving in the right direction,” Hill said.

SIU Athletic Director Liz Jarnigan said that SIU remained hopeful to play the SEMO game even after the game had been postponed.

“Concerns over COVID and testing and all the uncertainty you know I think really caused them to back out of the game initially, and as we’ve gotten further into the season we’d

to a statement from United Press International in 1981 about Sayers’ leaving SIU. “We will also forever remember Gale for his inspiration and kindness. Gale’s quiet unassuming demeanor belied his determination, competitiveness and compassion,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an NFL Communications press release.

Sayers “broke or tied eight NFL records and in 1977 was named to the Hall of Fame,” according to United Press International.

“We are saddened to hear about

the passing of Gale Sayers. His remarkable life story included five very successful years as the leader of Saluki Athletics. We are proud to have played a part in the career of a true sports legend.”

Tom Weber, associate athletics director for communication at SIU said.

agreed we would continue to stay in touch and talk about things,” Jarnigan said.

Jarnigan said that she expects playing a game in the fall will have a very small impact on the spring season.

Because SIU was preparing to have a regular season practice schedule, the game will have very little effect on practices.

Jarnigan said the biggest factor in returning was that non conference games will still count towards playoff selection in the spring.

“Moving all of the Missouri Valley conference schedules to the spring in addition to the Missouri Valley Football Conferences schedule has taken

quite a bit of work to make sure that no institution is too overly taxed,” Jarnigan said.

The MVFC has yet to release a spring schedule.

“My understanding is we are very close to an announcement on the schedule,” Jarnigan said.

Jarnigan said the expectation would be that games will start in late January or early February with games into March.

The playoffs have been scheduled by the NCAA for April 18th through May 15th and will include only 16 teams as opposed to the usual 24.

Sports reporter Ryan Scott can be reached at rscott@dailyegyptian.com or on twitter @RyanscottDE.

Former SIU athletic director, Chicago Bears running back Gayle Sayers dies at age 77

Brooke Buerck | @bbuerck25 Madison Taylor | @taylorm08

Gayle Sayers, former athletic director at SIU from 1976-1981 died at age 77 on Wednesday.

Sayers played at University of Kansas and professionally for the Chicago Bears.

Sayers died of complications with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease according to The New York Times.

Sayers, originally from Omaha, Neb., was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1965 and was named All-Pro from 1965-1971 before suffering knee injuries, according

Editor Brooke Buerck can be reached at bbuerck@dailyegyptian.com or on Twitter at bbuerck25 Staff reporter Madison Taylor can be reached at mtaylor@dailyegyptian. com or on Twitter @taylorm08.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Page 15

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

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