M
FOR A GREATER LOYOLA UNIVERSITY • NEW ORLEANS VOL. 93 • ISSUE 9
THE MAROON OCT. 31 , 2014
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS Wolf Pack volleyball prepares to face conference rival
By Mark Robinson mtrobins@loyno.edu @_mtrobin
“Keep on keepin’ on” has been the motto for the women’s Wolf Pack volleyball team this season. Head Coach Angela Franke said that from day one, there was always the understanding that this year’s team would be a work in progress. This became evident when the team opened the season losing seven of their first nine games, some of which were to conference opponents. Now they are sitting with a 10-16 record, including a record of 4-10 in conference play. Although this puts the team at eighth place in their respective conference, Franke said she is still pushing for a higher seeding. “I am happy with where we’re at, but I feel like we could be a little higher with our win-to-loss ratio. There were a few games early in the season, that, had we been further into it, we would have had a few more wins,” Franke said. Even though the Wolf Pack is seeded in the lower top 10 of their conference, Franke is proud of the growth and development of her
PHOTOGRAPHED: Katie Philippi, psychology/pre-med sophomore
young team. “They’ve adjusted well. Even though some have played more than everyone has contributed. I’m excited for when they become upperclassmen leading the Pack in the future,” Franke said. The final stretch of games is an exciting time for the team, especially for Tiffany Walker, political science senior. Conference play at this time of the season not only narrows the team’s focus, but also gives the Pack a chance at redemption against rival opponents that they fell to earlier in the season. “We’re really excited to see some of those teams again. Hopefully we can have a different outcome. Things are finally starting to come together for us,” Walker said. Walker was sidelined due to a severe knee injury last season that caused her to miss all but one tournament. She has accepted the challenge of leading the Pack and keeping the team focused. The challenge that lies ahead for the Pack is opponents Belhaven and Faulkner. The
LOYOLAMAROON.COM • FB.COM/THELOYOLAMAROON • @LOYOLA_MAROON
See VOLLEYBALL, PAGE 11
ZACH BRIEN / Photo Editor
2
October 31, 2014
THE MAROON
AIB
OR
NE
CRIME MAP AV E
LE
LA LOYO
E TULAN
ST. CHARLES AVE
PO
ON
ST
T NS SO FER
FRERET ST
NA
JEF
ST LE VIL SH NA
WAY ST BROAD
S. CARROLLTON AVE
CL
LE
AK
AV E
BON AUDURK PA
E
INE ST MAGAZ STAFF
Assistant Editors: Mary Colleen Dulle, Gabriel Garza, Mary Graci, Whitney Woods Staff Writers: Zayn Ali Abidin, Emily Alleman, Raquel Derganz Baker, Emily Branan, Faelynn Carroll, Laura Cordell, Trent Dardar, Nick Ducote, Marley Duet, Lester Duhe, Austin Erwin, Rachael Espaillat, Rachael Falls, Kevin Fox, Marc Goudeau, Erin Hidlebrand, Liz Johnston, Cayla Kelton, Victoria Nachman, Anthony Olanji, Francisco Pazo, Lauren Saizan, Kerritt Saintal, Mary Staes, Rebecca Trejo, Skyllarr Trusty, Jack
Vanchiere, Davis Walden, Marcus Chapa Wilson, Anthony Zaleski Sales Manager: Alisha Bell Business Manager: Stephen Cooper Distribution Manager: Emily Andras Art Director: Enjoli Gilbert Sales Representatives: Scott Gonzalez, Alliciyia George, Cami Thomas, Alex Arruebarrena Adviser: Michael Giusti Associate Adviser: Tom Thoren
CONTACT US Main Office (504) 865-3535 Business Office/Advertising (504) 865-3536 Adviser’s Office (504) 865-3295 Fax (504) 865-3534 Correspondence maroon@loyno.edu Letters to the editor letter@loyno.edu Advertising ads@loyno.edu Web site www.loyolamaroon.com Twitter @loyola_maroon Facebook The Maroon @loyola_maroon Instagram
Vehicle Break-In/Theft Chestnut Street, 5900 block
Oct. 25
10:34 a.m.
Motor Vehicle Theft Coliseum Street, 6000 block
Oct. 26
9:20 a.m.
Vehicle Break-In/Theft Robert Street, 1800 block
Oct. 26
11:45 a.m.
Theft/Larceny Jefferson Ave, 2700 block
Oct. 27
5:19 p.m.
Vandalism Music Complex
Oct. 27
12:45 p.m.
Theft/Larceny Robert Street, 2300 block
Oct. 28
6:40 a.m.
Vehicle Break-In/Theft Arabella Street, 1200 block
Oct. 28
8:20 a.m.
Motor Vehicle Theft Webster Street, 1100 block
Oct. 28
9:06 a.m.
Vehicle Break-In/Theft Webster Street, 1100 block
Oct. 28
10:58 a.m.
Vandalism West Road Garage
Oct. 28
11:51 a.m.
Theft Greenville Lot
Oct. 28
12:16 p.m.
Our office is in the Communications/Music Complex, Room 328. Send mail to: The Maroon, Loyola University, Campus Box 64, 6363 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118 The Maroon is published every Friday. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyrighted by The Maroon. All rights reserved. First copy free to students, faculty and staff. Every additional copy is $1.00. The Maroon is printed on 30 percent postconsumer recycled content.
NEWS
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
3
The Catholic contraception controversy Loyola will no longer cover contraception for employees, but the university’s new health care provider will be required to
By Colleen Dulle mcdulle@loyno.edu @Colleen_Maroon
Photo illustration by Emily Andras
NEWS BRIEFS Loyola holds concert for tenured professor The Loyola community will gather in celebration of Professor Dreux Montegut’s two decades of teaching and mentoring young singers at the university. On Nov. 4 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Roussel Performance Hall, former students and alumni will pay tribute to Professor Montegut in a free performance.
Black Student Union to celebrate 49th year Loyola’s Black Student Union will be celebrating its 49th year as an organization on Nov. 6. Students participating in the event, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Audubon Room in the Danna Center, will focus on reflecting about the union’s past and finding out about its vision for the future.
Loyola’s new health care policy will no longer cover contraceptives because of the conflict between Catholic teaching and the use of contraceptives. However, this does not mean that contraceptives will be unavailable to Loyola employees. This decision comes from Loyola’s recent change in health insurance provider and this summer’s Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision, which states that religious institutions can forego paying for their employees’ contraception. Instead, the health insurance provider covers contraception for these employees at no additional cost. The Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J. announced on Oct. 3 that the university had filed a letter with the Secretary of Health and Human Services stating the university’s objection to covering contraceptives. Enrollment for this new insurance program began on Oct. 27, Wildes said, and the opt-in option for
School of Mass Communication to hold spelling bee Loyola’s School of Mass Communication will hold a spelling bee on Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. to raise funds for its chapter of the Radio, Television, Digital News Association. Former television news anchors Norman Robinson and Dennis Woltering will judge the contest. It costs $15 for one person to enter, $20 for two people and $3 for general attendance. Competitors can win prizes from local stores and restaurants.
employees begins Jan. 1, according to Julie Thibodeaux, director of the Women’s Resource Center. Ross Matthews, Loyola’s director of human resources and the chair of the Fringe Benefits Committee, which gives input to employee benefit programs, said that the university did cover some contraceptive methods before the Affordable Care Act. “The ACA mandates that all FDA-approved contraception methods be covered at no cost, and that triggered the decision,” Matthews said. These FDA-approved contraceptives include the morning-after pill, Thibodeaux said. Some Catholics consider emergency contraceptives like the morning-after pill to be a form of abortion. “I think the University has responded to the situation in the best possible way at the present time. As an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, it has a responsibility to that larger body that cannot be ignored, but at the same time it has made sure that its employees are covered,” Elizabeth Goodine, religious studies professor, said. The Rev. Ed Vacek, S.J., Stephen Duffy Chair in Catholic Studies and sexual ethics professor, said that the decision comes from the university wanting to do the highest good it can. He explained that people often cooperate with evils that they cannot avoid, like polluting the envi-
ronment when driving cars. “You’re going to co-operate inevitably and the best thing to do is just be as far away from it as possible, but you can never be all the way away from it,” Vacek said. Vacek explained that under the Catholic principle of cooperation, the university could justify providing a health care policy that included university-covered contraception. “But Father Wildes was able to even negotiate a better thing,” Vacek said. This better thing he refers to is the university’s ability not to cover contraceptives, but still have the legal requirement for contraceptive coverage met by the health insurance provider. This does place some moral culpability on the university because it is supporting a company that provides contraceptives. However, Vacek said that the university can justify support for the healthcare provider as inevitable cooperation, which the law seems to require of the university. Meanwhile, he explained, the health care provider benefits from the situation as well because it saves maternity costs by providing contraceptives. Ultimately, Vacek sees the new system as a good balance. “I think it’s a win-win,” Vacek said. “We’re lucky. We’re lucky to be able to do this.”
LIGHTS IN THE DARKNESS
University prepares for annual ring ceremony Loyola’s Annual Ring Ceremony will take place Friday, Nov. 7 at 7:30 in the Audubon Room. Students who purchased Loyola rings will receive them at this event, which celebrates the students’ accomplishments.
For more Take Back the Night photos, see PAGE 5 LINDA HEXTER/Senior Staff Photographer Loyola students light candles in honor of victims of sexual violence at the annual Take Back the Night event. Loyola partnered with Dillard University and Tulane University for this year’s vigil in the Marquette Horseshoe.
WORLDVIEW
4
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
Students work to right immigration concerns
LINDA HEXTER /Senior Staff Photographer
Loyola’s Immigration Advocacy Club volunteers during an English as a Second Language class at St. Anthony’ of Padua Church. The club works for the needs of local immigrants.
By Marie Simoneaux masimoe@loyno.edu
Loyola students are taking action in response to the recent wave of unaccompanied children immigrating into the U.S., causing what has now been dubbed “the border crisis.” The Loyola Immigration Advocacy Club and their advisor, Susan Weishar, have started a letter-writing campaign to the Louisiana Congressional delegation. Project Leader Sabrina Hernandez said they are hoping that by receiving letters from college students, the congressmen will change their conversation on the current immigration policies.
“Most often they get letters saying ‘my mom, my wife, my son, was deported,’ but I feel that it’s more powerful if we show that students care that these people are being deported even though we have no personal connection to them,” Hernandez said. Weishar said that the fact that letters are coming from Loyola students in particular may help their cause even more. “As a Catholic and Jesuit institution, we are committed to forming well-educated women and men who embody a solidarity with the poor and vulnerable and a firm commitment to a faith that does justice,”
Weishar said. Hernandez said they are hoping to get at least 100 signatures before they send the letters to the Congressional delegation, and specifically to Congressman Steve Scalise. “We’re hoping that if we show him that his constituents actually believe that there should be comprehensive immigration reform, that he’ll promote it too,” Hernandez said. New Orleans is one of the top 10 cities in the country for undocumented, unaccompanied minors, according to Hiroko Kusuda, a New Orleans based immigration lawyer and expert. She said that there are currently over 1,200 children being
Campus mental health services innovated COLLEGIATE
MENTALITY By Burke Biscoff bwbischo@loyno.edu @Burke_Maroon
Loyola’s counseling center is working to use innovative services to reach out and treat students who are suffering from anxiety disorders and other mental diseases. According to the May 2013 Louisiana State Epidemiological Profile, nearly one in five adults in Louisiana and across the US are estimated to have experienced some form of mental illness in the preceding 12 months, although rates in Louisiana are slightly higher. The University Counseling Center, which provides free confidential individual, group, couples and ADHD counseling, is trying to incorporate unique services to treat a slowly increasing number of students who may be diagnosed with anxiety disorders or other mental issues. Alicia Bourque, director of Counseling and Health Services, said the counseling center works to provide psychiatric services on a limited basis due to the center’s one psychiatrist only coming to campus a couple of times a month, as well as providing different wellness and prevention subjects to the campus
community. Sammy Ybarzabal, psychology junior, said she has gone to the center for three years. She said she is making more frequent use of the center because her resident assistant job causes her a lot of stress. “My residents have a lot on their minds, so sometimes it’s hard to have all of that information inside,” Ybarzabal said. “So, I really like to go to the counseling center to de-stress and to get strategies and tips for helping with that.” Sara Feldman, mass communication senior, said she has gone to the center for three years as well in order to take care of some anxiety problems. “I’ve been seeing various counselors there since I was a freshman,” Feldman said. Bourque said the counseling center uses individual counseling when dealing with anxiety disorder. She also said the center can provide referrals to intensive treatment or medications if a student’s condition is causing daily disruptive instances. According to Bourque, other services the counseling center is providing to help students with anxiety and mental disorders include a blog, a depression-screening day on Oct. 20 and a recently implemented crisis walk-in hour. The blog, called Care for the Pack, provides psycho-educational information about mental health concerns, mental health issues and
support services. The screening day will offer students two hours in the Danna Center’s Audubon Room, where they can take a short inventory to see if they meet the criteria for depression. Depending on how they score, according to Bourque, they are provided with information about resources and support services. Bourque said the crisis walk-in hour was implemented because the center was too booked to meet the daily needs of students who were in a crisis. She said the center opens the 4 p.m. appointment time so the center can care to students that need immediate counseling. Ybarzabal said she likes the University Counseling Center because the services are free and she can stick with a counselor she likes for as long as she wants. “I recently went to a conference with other students where I got to ask them what their services were like, and from what I gathered, they have to pay every session,” Ybarzabal said. “Their sessions aren’t free and it’s also kind of hit or miss for them.” Feldman said she also likes the University Counseling Center because its services work towards removing negative feelings attached to mental illness. “I think the Counseling Center is great,” Feldman said. “I think they provide a service that is necessary to this campus.”
prosecuted in immigration courts in New Orleans alone. Monica Zengle, a leading member of the Loyola Immigration Advocacy Club, said the club is determined to stand up for these children, and hope their letters are a step in the right direction, “America was built by immigrants, we are all immigrants, yet cannot welcome others into our country. Each person should be treated with dignity and respect, and the way people treat undocumented immigrants is not humane and it tears families apart,” Zengle said.
WORLDVIEW BRIEFS City launches domestic violence initiative Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced a new plan to address the city’s response to domestic violence. The city’s plan, the Blueprint for Safety, consists of revising the process of how domestic violence incidents are handled. It includes agency guidelines for each step of the criminal justice response, starting at the initial 911 phone call. The project received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.
St. Louis superintendents ask for delay in indictment decision ST. LOUIS (AP) — School officials concerned about students being disrupted by protests are asking the St. Louis County prosecutor to wait until classes are not in session to announce whether Office Darren Wilson will face charges for the fatal shooting of Michael Brown. Last week, Riverview Gardens School District Superintendent Scott Spurgeon sent a letter signed by six other superintendents asking St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch to announce the grand jury decision after 5 p.m. or on a weekend, preferably a Sunday, when there are typically no school
activities or functions. A grand jury is expected to decide by mid-November whether to indict Wilson for the Aug. 9 death of Brown. Law enforcement officials are already bracing for potential fallout from the decision.
Nigerian extremists kidnapping continues MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Dozens of girls and young women are being abducted by Islamic extremists in northeast Nigeria, raising doubts about an announced cease-fire and the hoped-for release of 219 schoolgirls held captive since April. Ten days after the announcement, Boko Haram has not indicated that it has agreed to those terms.
Six more states approve same sex marriage CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP) — An unmanned commercial rocket exploded in a blow to NASA’s strategy of using private companies to fly supplies and, eventually, astronauts to the International Space Station. The 140-foot Antares rocket, operated by Orbital Sciences Corp., blew up 15 seconds after lifting off for the space station Tuesday. No one was injured, but the $200 million-plus mission was a total loss. The cause of the blast is unknown, but several outside experts cast suspicion on the 1960s-era Russian-built engines used in the rocket’s first stage.
October 31, 2014
THE MAROON
5
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT, continued from PAGE 3
LINDA HEXTER/Senior Staff Photographer Members of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority hold candles and listen to sexual violence survivors share their stories in the Marquette Horseshoe. More than 600 participants attend the event annually and march down St. Charles Avenue to Tulane’s campus.
RELIGION
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
Voodoo is about more than Halloween
MARC GOUDEAU/ The Maroon The walls of the Voodoo Spiritual Temple are covered with Voodoo masks and sculpture decorations. New Orleans’ Voodoo Spiritual Temple encourages guests to only offer something at the altar if they feel compelled to do so.
MARC GOUDEAU Sociology Senior cmgodeau@loyno. edu
Halloween and the voodoo dolls, gris-gris, shrunken skulls and magic that make up Voodoo folklore in New Orleans would, on a surface level, seem to be the perfect match. Upon arriving at the Voodoo Spiritual Temple, I found myself in a crowd of tourists from all over the country who presumably made this same asociation between Halloween and New Orleans Voodoo and thought a visit to Priestess Miriam and the spirit of Oswan’s temple would be an essential stop on their tour of the city. Although a curiosity of Voodoo culture is not a fault, it is important not to blindly associate New Orleans and Voodoo, which can be difficult to do for tourists who come here and see barbecue chains and an arena football team named after the culture. Voodoo Spiritual Temple was
founded in 1990 by Priestess Miriam and Priest Oswan Chamani. It is the only Voodoo establishment in New Orleans that focuses on the traditional West African spiritual and herbal healing brought to New Orleans during Louisiana’s colonial period in the early 18th century. The Temple is further connected to its African roots by its location: It is situated directly across the street from Congo Square. Aside from the weekend tourist population, people from all walks of life plagued by all sorts of troubles visit Priestess Miriam on any day of the week. “My life here is an everyday service,” Priestess Miriam said, sitting behind a desk surrounded by altars densely packed with bright figurines, half empty bottles of rum and wooden African masks adorned with cigarettes hanging from their mouths. Priestess Miriam explained that most people who walk through her door do not necessarily do so with the intent to learn about Voodoo and her practice, but rather to seek assistance in addressing an ongoing negative experience in their life that is preventing them from spiritual advancement.
“They want to feel that they can come and get a service from me that can make them feel whole in what they want to go out and practice, and so, if you help a person to find a common ground with his purpose and idea, then he can go out and make great advancements in his own practice. It’s not about my practice,” Priestess Miriam said. With Priestess Miriam’s guidance, her troubled visitors go out into the world with the feeling of ease that enables them to battle their spiritual demons. Giving to the spirits at the altars, which I imagined was a central part of any visit to a Voodoo temple, is not imposed upon Priestess Miriam’s guests. Priestess Miriam explained that her guests leave something at the altar only when they feel inspired to do so. She continued to say that one should give, “not because someone challenges or pressures you, but because of a feeling of excitement from the soul to give.” At Priestess Miriam’s temple, the church seems to be something inside of you rather than a physical institution to which you have to devote yourself. “People have a false illusion that
they are to be so involved in the church that they lose themselves,” Priestess Miriam said. She believes that the real purpose of going to a place of worship is to gain insight into yourself so that you can improve, address difficulties in your life and apply what you have learned in spiritual introspection to the outside world. “It’s just amazing — the games humanity plays... playing the game of life,” Priestess Miriam said, laughing, while remembering the many colorful characters she has encountered in her temple over the years. “Nothing is amazing to you ever again.” She closed our discussion with a reference to the old TV personality, Art Linkletter, who she said would always conclude his show with the line: “People are funny.” After more than two decades of meeting spiritually lost, confused, torn people, Priestess Miriam has drawn the same conclusion. If you would like to join in on the temple’s festivites over Halloween weekend, there will be an Open House and Lecture on Prosperity on Halloween Day and an All Saints Day Wedding the following day.
7
Wolves on the Prowl will help charter school By Lauren Saizan lesaizan@loyno.edu
Loyola students and alumni alike will be painting walls and planting flowers at the year’s annual Wolves on the Prowl. Wolves on the Prowl is Loyola’s annual alumni and student day of service that has been going on for 15 years, Assistant Director of Alumni Campaigns Emily Stewart said. This year’s event, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 15, will focus on KIPP Central Primary School, where volunteers will work together to beautify the charter school’s campus. “Loyola students, alumni, faculty and staff will be working on a variety of beautification projects around the school. There will be a variety of projects to accommodate all abilities,” Stewart said. Wolves on the Prowl focuses on bringing alumni and students together to make strides within the community. “This event brings students and alumni together because they will be working side by side towards a common goal. This year, we will work towards a 1:1 student to alumni ratio to enhance the relationships and connections between alumni and current students,” Stewart said. Joe Deegan, Loyola University Community Action Program advisor, described how the event engages alumni throughout the country through similar days of service. “In addition to this event, it has also grown to include other chapter events where Loyola alumni are, like Atlanta, Florida, etc. There are chapters who do their event on the same day as well,” Deegan said. Jade Stewart, English junior, said she remembers the impact that volunteering at this event had on her last year. “After volunteering at Wolves on the Prowl last year, I learned that there is nothing better than helping others.” Stewart said. LUCAP Chairman and criminal justice senior Agustin Crespo said he values the connections made between students and alumni. “The best part of volunteering was meeting student alumni and getting to know their stories,” Crespo said.
Loyola Week practices Jesuit values: from Faith to Action By Davis Walden jdwalden@loyno.edu @DavisWald
The annual Loyola Week is upon us. Nov. 2 to Nov. 7 will play host to a number of school spirit activities that remind students of Loyola’s core Jesuit and community values. A window-painting contest will kick off Loyola Week. The Danna Center windows will be painted with murals fitting this year’s Loyola Week theme: Jesuit Values, from Faith to Action. Loyola Week is meant to celebrate Loyola’s Jesuit identity and heritage through numerous activities. “It’s our way of having a homecoming. I feel like it has a lot of activities people don’t know about,” Courtney Slugher, biology senior, said. In addition to Loyola Week, Ig-
gy-Gram, taking place Nov. 3, utilizes social media by having students join Iggy in a photo booth. The photos will then be uploaded to Iggy’s Instagram. Shermicia Calice, chair of the Loyola Week Committee, expressed her enthusiasm for the community aspect of the event. “We want kids to commemorate Jesuit values and education with pictures,” Calice said. “We’ll have ‘I love Iggy’ props.” The Ignatian Carnival, taking place Nov. 4, was recommended by Mission and Ministry officials. “Though we always have a large signature event each year, like a lecture or concert, I always particularly enjoy the Carnival,” Kurt Bindewald, associate director of Mission and Ministry, said. University Chaplain Ken Weber said he enjoys watching the week’s
activities unfold. “The carnival is also always a lot of fun, seeing everyone having a great time all centered around exploring and expressing Jesuit values,” Weber said. The carnival will feature food, music, a trivia game and a tricycle race. “Last year, the spirit of St. Ignatius led me to victory in the first heat of the Iggy 5 Tricycle Race,” Bindewald said. “It was a defining moment in my 15-year career at Loyola!” To take place Nov. 5, the Interfaith Praise and Worship Concert is “going to highlight Hinduism, Muslim faiths and Roman Orthodox,” Calice said. The concert will showcase how groups praise through music. “Jesuits teach us to celebrate our similarities. We don’t want anyone to feel excluded,” Calice said.
An opening Mass will take place Nov. 2 at 9 p.m. in the Marquette Horseshoe. “I enjoy helping people experience Mass in a way that interests and excites them,” Weber said. For Calice, Loyola Week is a way to help the Loyola community seek their values and use them on a daily basis. “We definitely want to highlight that these are our values and that, during hard time, those are the things that are discernent to your actions,” Calice said. “Even though it may be a rough time and that things are changing, that you still have these values.”
LOYOLA WEEK SCHEDULE SUNDAY, NOV. 2 Loyola Week Opening Mass
MONDAY, NOV. 3 Iggy-Gram Photos Men and Sexual Violence Panel
TUESDAY, NOV. 4 Ignatian Carnival Dinner with the Jesuits Policing in America i-Pledge
THURSDAY, NOV. 5 Interfaith Praise and Worship Concert
FRIDAY, NOV. 6 Yoga and Chair Massages
SATURDAY, NOV. 7 Closing Reception
SATURDAY, NOV. 15 Wolves on the Prowl
Life &Times
8
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
Film • Arts • Food • Music • Leisure • Nightlife
FINALE UNDER THE OAKS
PHOTOS BY DAVIS WALDEN / Staff Photographer
The last concert event from Music Under the Oaks, featuring the Loyola Jazz Band, held on Oct. 24, attracted a large audience watching the Loyola Jazz Band. Directed by Gordon Towell, the Loyola Jazz Band performed jazz standards, as well as other compositions with an 80s vibe. More than 20 students in the Loyola Jazz Band played with an assortment of instruments, including (LEFT) vocalist, Zoe Johnson, a visual arts sophomore and (RIGHT) saxophonist Charlie McMillan, music industry studies junior. This Music Under the Oaks event commemorated the new Audubon Conservancy. Donations went towards the Audubon Conservacy. Past events have included performances by The John Mahoney Big Band, Loyola Jazz Alumni and Loyola Faculty Chamber Ensembles.
Portion size is the key to healthy eating, experts say By Elise Berggreen ceberggr@loyno.edu @EliseBerggreen
Health and nutrition experts agree that by adopting a few new habits, students can make staying healthy in college much easier. If your current diet or fitness plan isn’t working for you, diet expert Alyssa Simpson and gastroenterologist Dr. Douglas Schwartz have some pro tips for students who have a difficult time leading a healthy lifestyle and staying physically active. Despite many college students having busy schedules, studying
and working, Schwartz says there are little things students can do to adjust their diet and fitness habits, one step at a time. Nutritionist and dietitian Alyssa Simpson, who works for Arizona Digestive Health, said that students can avoid the dreaded overeating or snacking by spacing out their meals and snacks every three or four hours, which she said will prevent getting hungry later. This way, students can try to avoid binge eating or eating excessive amounts of junk foods. “Students can keep their calories down by eating pre-portioned
snacks rather than eating out of a large bag,” Simpson said. One tip that Simpson said to live by is to only eat when you are hungry. Simpson said if a piece of fruit or a healthier snack doesn’t sound appetizing, it is possible that you were not hungry after all. Emily Gyan, theatre senior, said she avoids unnecessary snacking by eating vegetable-filled salads and pre-packing snacks for studying in the library. Nutritionists agree that mixing up the colors on your plate is yet another way students can have a
more balanced diet, and eating a variety of fruits, vegetables and meats will help in eliminating cravings for junky and fast foods. The key here, they said, is portion control. Obesity in the U.S. is directly connected to portion sizes being overly generous, according to gastroenterologist Douglas Schwartz, with Arizona Digestive Health. He said the average serving size could be up to 1,400 calories in a single meal. That is almost one and a half times the recommended daily calorie intake of the average college woman.
Schwartz said that making time for smaller and more frequent meals can help reduce overeating as well as eating junk food. Schwartz also recommends including regular fitness into your routine. Creating a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money on gym memberships or buying the most expensive food items, according to Schwartz. “Students can bolster their fitness by walking vigorously, biking or taking the stairs,” Schwartz said.
“Obesity in the United States is directly connected to portion sizes being overly generous.” – Gastroenterologist Douglas Schwartz, with Arizona Digestive Health
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
THE W RKS
9
The Maroon's section of student art. Contribute at letter@loyno.edu
FICTION
POETRY
Dr. Wright reveals her true nature to Sam
PART NINE By Adam Albaari akalbaar@loyno.edu
“Why does my second grade teacher look exactly like you?” I asked the question and then wondered if the answer was going to do me more harm than good. I could feel the sweat collecting under my shirt. Dr. Wright took a moment to let my breathing reach a stable rate before she responded. “My job is to enforce the rightful sovereignty of every living thing. You’re not the only one, Sam. People go through this all the time. They simply mistake it for mental illness. Nothing is wrong with your mind.” “What?” I was stuck. I couldn’t comprehend anything Dr. Wright was saying to me. “Sam, you need to focus. You are un-
der attack, but I can help you.” “What the hell are you? What is this place?” I asked. “This place is a physical manifestation of me.” She smiled. “It’s funny how language can limit understanding,” she said. She paused for a moment, assuming I’d find this as amusing as she did. I didn’t. “There aren’t many proper words in the English language to describe how or what I am,” she continued. “So I’m just going to level with you. Every person I treat sees me as someone that they trusted as a child. Sometimes it’s teachers, like me. Sometimes it’s mentors or family members... whatever it takes for them to subconsciously lower their guard. My secretary is also me, as is this building, as is the furniture you are sitting on.” I jumped up. “It’s okay, Sam,” Dr. Wright laughed. “You can sit down. I come from another dimensional plane, just like the forces that are attempting to invade you. I’m not what you consider to be God; however, that word does characterize some of my attributes. I am not all-powerful, but I do have some degree of omnipresence. The best way I can describe myself is that I am a healthcare professional for sentient beings. I am a doctor.”
A part of me wanted to run out of the office and never turn back. The reality of my situation collapsed onto me like a 500-ton pile of bricks, and naturally, I was paralyzed beneath them. I didn’t move or speak for what seemed like too long and instead stared vacantly at Dr. Wright as she waited for my response. “Sam?” she asked, waving her hand in front of my face. “Sorry.” I snapped out of it. “This is just a lot to take in.” “I understand completely. Everyone I see usually has a similar reaction.” Even though the rational side of my mind was still in denial, I considered the validity of Dr. Wright’s claims. She had an explanation for the weird feeling I seemed to get when I came to her office, and the seemingly identical expressions of both Dr. Wright and her secretary all served as supporting evidence. “So, if none of this is real, and if you and this whole building are just a manifestation of an alien or something, then how do you know so much about me?” “If you’re asking about how I was able to get a hold of that picture...” She smiled.
“Every person I treat sees me as someone that they trusted as a child. Sometimes it’s teachers, like me. Sometimes it’s mentors or family members.”
STAY CONNECTED AT HAMPTON INN.
FREE WIRELESS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET
By Ellen McCusker
Closing
emmccusk@loyno.edu @ellen_mccusker
I ran out of books to read when I was nine years old so I lay awake at night, telling myself a story that became everyone you love will die. The children do not know that this is why we grow wrinkles: aspects of our skin falling towards the ground until we become the dirt or the sand made in fire mixed into other bodies and no one will mind. This is what it feels like. Too funny. I made her smile so much she fell farther than we hoped until we only had a hand to grind into dust ashes to ashes fly away. I don’t like when she flies. Stay on the ground and I’ll plant you a garden, I say. stay here until we can reach for heaven together. But she says darkness. Only darkness in the ground, but the sky can give us meaning. I say, Tell me a story. I hoped for my tear to raise her, all I see is dirt growing cloudy.
10
THE MAROON
October 31, 2014
Halloween {to do} It’s Halloween in New Orleans and that means there’s a party on every corner of the city. If you’re trying to think of what to do, whether you’re looking to get your socks scared off or just want to show off that rockin’ costume you threw together last night, there’s something for everyone on this spooky night in the Big Easy.
VOODOO FEST City Park 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Single day $73, Weekend pass $195
BURLESQUE BALLROOM Royal Sonesta Hotel, 300 Bourbon St. 11:50 p.m.
QUINTRON AND MISS PUSSYCAT One Eyed Jack’s, 615 Toulouse St. 9 p.m. $15
MUSICAL OF THE LIVING DEAD Shadowbox Theatre 2400 St. Claude Ave. 8 p.m. $25-30
HOUSE OF SHOCK 8-11:30 p.m. 319 Butterworth St., Jefferson $25
HALLOWEEN PUB CRAWL Hard Rock Cafe 125 Bourbon St. 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. $25
LAFITTE’S BLACKSMITH SHOP 941 Bourbon St. No specials for Halloween, but this is the creepiest bar in America. HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST Oz Dance Club 11 p.m. 800 Bourbon St. FRENCH QUARTER PHANTOM TOURS 625 St. Phillip St. 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. $16 Compiled by Jack Vanchiere
Courtesy of MCT Campus
SPORTS
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
SPORTS BRIEFS Loyola volleyball falls short against Spring Hill On Thursday, Oct. 23 Loyola volleyball lost three sets to Spring Hill College. In the game, Eva Allen, mass communication junior, and Wren Overesch, visual graphics sophomore, led tallying 11 kills and 10 kills, respectively. Becca Burnett, environmental business senior, had 25 digs and setter Daniela Leal, mass communication sophomore, added 16 digs, ending the night with 37 assists. The next game will be today against Belhaven at 6 p.m.
11
QUIDDITCH HOSTS GULF COAST TOURNAMENT
Men’s basketball picked 7th in SSAC poll Loyola University’s men’s basketball team was picked to finish 7th in the Southern States Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Coach’s Preseason Poll. The Wolf Pack received 73 overall points and was one of four schools to receive a first place poll. The school favored to win with 128 points is William Carey University, who Loyola will face on Jan. 29. Loyola will open their season on Nov. 1, as they take on Carver College. The team is scheduled to have 13 home games and 18 conference games.
Women’s basketball picked first in SSAC poll Loyola University’s women’s basketball team was selected first in the Southern States Athletic Conference Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Preseason Poll. The Wolf Pack received six votes and a total of 125 points in the rankings. Conference rival Bethel University was picked to finish second with a total of 123 points. The women’s basketball team will be playing Bethel University on Jan. 15. The Wolf Pack will open their fifth season on Saturday, Nov. 1 against NCAA Division 1 Southeastern Louisiana University.
Loyola tennis finishes Big Easy Tennis Classic The Loyola tennis team competed in the University of New Orleans Big Easy Tennis Classic on Oct. 25. Meghan DeBaroncelli, psychology senior, had a good start against Darla Butorina from Jackson State University, but she lost during the tie breaker. Some solo standouts included Ernesto de Diego, marketing freshman, and Ricardo Mercado, political science freshman. Both played hard, but were beat out by their competition from Tulane and Jackson State University. The men’s and women’s double teams were both defeated by their opponents from Southeastern and Troy.
Daniela Leal named Student Athlete of the Week Volleyball player Daniela Leal, mass communication sophomore, was named the Kentwood Springs Student Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 27. Over the season, Leal has achieved 799 assists, which places her second in the Southern States Athletic Conference in total assists and third in assists per set. During the match against Spring Hill College, she performed 37 assists, 16 digs, eight kills and one block.
ZACH BRIEN / Photo Editor
Andrew Markel, music education freshman, takes a hit from a Tulane player as he catches the Quaffle. Markel plays Keeper, but that doesn’t stop him from taking a tackle. Tulane and Loyola were two of 16 teams from all over the Gulf Coast that came together on Oct. 25 to fight for the Snitch. They will not play again until the 2015 season.
By Elise Berggreen ceberggr@loyno.edu @EliseBerggreen
The Loyola Quidditch team hosted the 3rd Annual Wolf Pack Classic on Saturday in Kenner where they finished 3-2. “We implemented a lot of what we’ve been working on. We have a lot to work on still and more to implement, but this was a good peek at our progress,” Steven Gergen, environmental business senior and the team’s former captain of three seasons, said. This was the first tournament of the year with “The Big Four,” comprised of Texas A&M, Lone Star, Baylor and the two-time champion, University of Texas. “These four teams are regarded as the four best teams in the nation and thus in the world,” Gergen said. These four teams play within the southwest region of the United States Quidditch. The USQ is like the SEC for Quidditch and is known for very rough play. This is also Gergen’s first season just playing, after handing down the title of Captain to Etefia Umana, mass communication junior. Out of the 16 teams competing from the Gulf States, Gergen said that Lone Star, a community team
VOLLEYBALL, continued from PAGE 1 team has beaten Belhaven and lost to Faulker in previous games. “Winning against Belhaven was one of the most fun wins this season. Everyone had such high energy in the win. Our lack of energy caused us to underestimate Faulkner. We have to keep the same energy level from everyone the next time we face them,” Walker said. Energy and maturity aren’t the only things that the Pack will need as the conference tournament comes into play. Eva Allen, mass communication junior, believes that consistency will be key if the Pack is to secure a sweep against rivals Belhaven and Faulkner and gain any ground in the conference standings.
“Talking to players on the team during a game is a crucial part of the sport.” — Alex Pucciarelli, theater freshman and beater from Texas, is looking like the favorite going in. “Texas A&M was looking to regain success they have had in past seasons, but have not showed so far this year,” Gergen said. Alex Pucciarelli, theater freshman and the team’s Beater, said that she believes in the team’s promise. “I’m not saying that we are guaranteed first place. There were much stronger teams on Saturday, but we definitely put up a fight.” She said she believes that though they all have reason to be confident in their skills, there is always room for improvement. Pucciarelli went on to mention that she hopes that the team can master their communications skills on the field, because “talking to players on the team during a game is a crucial part of the sport.” Despite any impending threats from other teams in the region, Pucciarelli is confident that they will succeed because of their ability to work well together and adjust to various situations with ease. “The biggest thing is getting everyone to play 100 percent every time. Our defense will be really strong in one game, but then our offense won’t be as strong. Every night we step on the court we need to bring 100 percemt,” Allen said. Allen, who leads the team in kills per game at 3.4, also says that having the home court advantage this time around against Belhaven and Faulkner will be key. “We have our crowd. We’ll be playing on our court. Belhaven will be eager to want to beat us, so that just means that we need to find that home court intensity and just play our game,” Allen said. The Pack will face off against Belhaven tonight in the Den, followed by Faulkner on Saturday Nov. 1.
ZACH BRIEN / Photo Editor
Peter De Armas, music industry freshman, runs with the Bludger away from a Tulane player. Loyola usually carries 23 players on the team, but can only put 21 on the roster.
BASKETBALL MEN’S UPCOMING HOME GAMES
WOMEN’S UPCOMING HOME GAMES
NOV. 1 Carver College NOV. 25 Dillard University NOV. 28 Middle Georgia State NOV. 29 Dalton State DEC. 3 Xavier University
NOV. 10 Southern University of New Orleans NOV. 25 Dillard University NOV. 28 Middle Georgia State NOV. 29 Brenau University DEC. 4 Talledega College
12
The Maroon
SUDOKU
Across
1. Plant owner: Abbr. 4. Quieted (down) 10. Novelist Clancy 13. Go it alone 14. Starting squads 15. Commotion 16. *Tailor’s fabric marker 18. Fortysomething, e.g. 19. Parts of stairs 20. Paving supply 21. “Suits” actress Torres 22. Oft-blessed outburst 23. *Like a job that doesn’t cause ulcers 25. Nonstick kitchen brand 26. Pro offering IRA advice 28. Netherworld 29. Uppity one 31. Chapter in a geology text, maybe 33. Finished first 34. *Anna Sewell novel narrated by a horse 38. Early hrs. 39. Misspell or misspeak 40. Woodshop tools 43. “NCIS” actor Joe 46. Personal connections 48. Extinct emu-like bird 49. *Icon in bill-paying software 53. Top-selling Toyota 55. __ Hashanah 56. “Bambi” doe 57. Runway figures 58. “What was __ do?” 59. “Remember what I said!” ... and a hint to what can follow each part of the answers to starred clues 61. Jazz genre 62. Layered rock 63. Pull up stakes, to Realtors 64. USCG rank 65. Hardly boastful 66. Dreyer’s partner in ice cream
Down
1. Tribesman in a Cooper title
October 31, 2014
2. Apparently spontaneous public gathering 3. Logger’s contest 4. Spending limits 5. Completed the course? 6. Slowly, to Mozart 7. Colorful parrot 8. Mideast leaders 9. High-speed www connection 10. Rolled up to the jetway 11. Danish birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen 12. Marshy tract 13. Torn-off paper pieces 17. McDonald’s founder Ray 21. Research funding sources 23. Carefree diversion 24. “__ shalt not ...” 27. Push-up targets, briefly 30. Boil briefly, as asparagus 32. Honest __
33. Tip off 35. Out of control 36. Composer Satie 37. Whined 41. Urbane 42. States as fact 43. Book copier of yore 44. Particle of light 45. __ Fables 47. Garbage vessel 50. Bingo relative 51. No right __: road sign 52. Jack of “The Texas Rangers” 54. Really love 57. Computer game title island 59. Studio with a lion mascot 60. Submissions to an ed. 63. Hissed “Yo!” 65. Meadow mom 67. Slumber party attire, for short
Puzzle answers for October 24, 2014
October 31, 2014
13
THE MAROON
AROUND THE
WORLD O
n Friday, Oct. 24, students gathered in the Peace Quad for the Country Fair. The event, which was sponsored by the International Student Association and the Center for International Education, featured a performance by Brazilian dancers and international food. Pictured, clockwise from left to right: two dancers from Casa Samab; Marijke van Ruijven and Wimke Duhoux, international students in American Studies; Moises Perez, biology senior, and Jade Domingue, English senior; and a sampling of food from the French table. (All photos by Linda Hexter, Senior Staff Photographer)
OPINION
14
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
IN MY OPINION Students sharing their opinions on various topics
Silence
is not acceptance STEPHANIE BENITEZ Stephanie is a Psychology junior. sabenite@loyno.edu
When the weekend ends and it comes time for the Sunday coffee date with best friends, there is always the story about the person at the party that just would not stop touching. About the guy friend that just decided this was the time to voice his frustrations over just being your friend and nothing more. There are the people that figure a choice of a tube top means it’s okay to give shoulder rubs regardless of whether or not it was requested. It’s wonderful to daydream about a world where people have a universal understanding that some things are okay and others are wrong, but the world unfortunately does not work that way. The bell that rings at Take Back the Night serves as a reminder that every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted. In a world that has watches more advanced than a computer from the 90s, it is astounding that people still cannot comprehend the mysterious enigma that is personal boundaries. It astounds me that people cannot see girls hunched and closing in on themselves while a guy is talking to them and making them uncom-
fortable. That people cannot see when someone is being terse because they do not wish to continue the conversation. That the people feeling uncomfortable still feel like they are simply being nice by allowing themselves to remain in discomfort when they really have no obligation to deal with anything that they do not want to. People never owe anything to anyone in terms of social contact. People have the rights to their own bodies, minds and mouths and are free to do most anything that they please with them. Last year, I made the decision to speak out over my sexual assault at Take Back the Night. I had actually never really addressed the moment so directly before. I had told close friends, significant others and my dog — but I would always dismiss it directly after with the usual: “Oh, she couldn’t tell — it was kind of my fault for not being more serious about it.” “Well, she stopped and said sorry right when she noticed I was crying, so clearly she cared — she just didn’t notice at first.” The dismissive statements were endless. Without realizing it, I had made the event as trivial as a drink spilled on my dress at a party. It was a confession with an immediate apology – what did I need to still be upset about? I needed to be upset because my body has no reason to be mistreated. I needed to be upset because I had let someone get away with violating my body and me as if
it was acceptable. I need to be upset because I needed to realize that I deserved respect. I would love to think that maybe if I had spoken to that person about how her actions made me feel that maybe I would feel a little better about what happened to me, but the fact of the matter is that I never did. My silence is just like the silence of many others that go through the trauma of being physically violated. I still wonder what personal issues would have never manifested if I had just taken action. I think it is time that people stop treating disrespected boundaries like something normal. It should not be a standard topic of conversation like bad haircuts or horrible customer service experiences. Sexual assault in all forms is a big deal. Like an infection, it spreads its negativity into several aspects of a person’s well-being in ways that are unimaginable, surprising, and traumatic. To normalize and deny the disrespect of our boundaries does nothing to stop the unacceptable behavior of others. Teachers do not rectify a student’s misconduct with inaction; likewise, people should never simply accept the misconduct of others. Rather, people should immediately speak out to either completely stop or inform the offender whenever their behavior is causing discomfort in any way.
Photo illustration by Karla Daniela Rosas
Voter ID laws disproportionally affect college students TONY CHERAMIE Tony is a Political Science senior.
tjcheram@loyno.edu
This summer, the conservative majority of the Supreme Court gutted section 4 of the Voting Rights Act — striking down key requirements to allow changes in election laws. The changes being adopted make an already difficult task for broke, inexperienced college voters more burdensome. This decision allowed for 17 states with historically racist election laws, including Louisiana, to implement voter ID laws which require voters to show a valid, government-issued ID in order to vote. This sounds harmless enough. What could the problem be with
requesting voters to prove who they are at the voting booth? Under the guise of preventing voter fraud, Republican-controlled states are systematically moving to depress turnout at the polls. It is key to understanding why these laws are so insidious to know that there are no substantial cases of voter impersonation at the polls — which is the only type of voter fraud ID laws would prevent. The Harvard Kennedy School of Government’s Justin Levitt has been tracking all major allegations of voter fraud for the last few election cycles. Levitt explained during that time there had been 200 individuals alleged to have committed voter impersonation. If every one of them turns out to be a genuine case of fraud, that’s a fraud rate of 0.00002 percent. According to the New York Times, Washington Post, The Voting Rights Institute, the Justice Department and others, these voter ID laws disproportionally affect people who
are economically insecure. The poor, urban communities could see 600-800,000 disenfranchised voters, and the media has done an honest job at exposing this. Voters not mentioned as much are college students, who are often quite economically unstable. There is no reliable data that provides the number of college students who lack the proper ID to vote, because student bodies change from year to year. The cost of these IDs is the real problem. Between negotiating time with your boss to drive to the DMV and the thirteen dollars on average it costs to update your license, college voters have a hard time fitting this bill. These laws are solutions looking for problems. They make no sense if you are assuming the primary reason for passing these laws is to prevent fraud. I think it is objectively fair to say that these laws aim to depress voter participation for key constituencies that oppose conser-
vatives. The laws being implemented would also cut early voting days and disallow college IDs as an acceptable form of identification — which don’t affect voter impersonation at all and college students often rely on both. For the record, these laws have
only been written by Republican legislatures, signed by Republican governors and they mostly affect people who do not vote for them. Draw your own conclusions, and be sure to take a non-expired government issued ID to the polls this Tuesday, Nov. 4.
ID VOTING REQUIREMENTS To vote at a Louisiana poll you must be able to identify yourself with one of the following: • • •
A Louisiana driver’s license A Louisiana special ID card Other generally recognized picture identification card with your name and signature Courtesy of the Louisiana Department of State
EDITORIAL
October 31, 2014 THE MAROON
15
OUR EDITORIAL
The majority opinion of our editorial board
HOWLS & GROWLS HOWL Outkast playing tonight at Voodoo Fest.
Don’t let fear of Ebola get in the way of your compassion
GROWL to using someone’s race or culture as a Halloween costume. HOWL to an extra hour of sleep starting this Sunday. GROWL to your post-Halloween hangover redefining what “Day of the Dead” means. HOWL to keeping the taxi drivers of Nawlins employed by staying safe on Halloween. GROWL to the end of October and still no Fall weather. HOWL to pet costumes.
EDITORIAL BOARD Topher Balfer
Editor-in-Chief
Nia Porter
News Editor
Karla Daniela Rosas Kat O’ Toole Melanie Potter
BEWARE
!
R U O Y R FOR
FEA
Editorial Editor Managing Editor
Wolf Editor Life and Times Editor
Linda Hexter
Senior Staff Photographer
Daniela Garcia Schulz Maroon Minute Coordinator Asia Alvarado
Copy Editor
Emily Andras
Design Chief
Katherine Collier
Religion Editor
Lauren Stroh
Copy Editor
Whitney Woods
Social Media Coordinator
Alexandra Kennon
Senior Staff Writer
Sarah Szigeti Devinn Adams
Sports Editor Worldview Editor
Zach Brien Burke Bischoff
Photo Editor The Works Editor
Hannah Gomez Farias Katie Richard
Web Master
Resident Cartoonist
EDITORIAL POLICY The editorial on this page represents the majority opinions of The Maroon’s editorial board and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Loyola University. Letters and columns reflect the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of The Maroon’s editorial board. The Maroon does not represent the opinion of administration, staff and/or faculty members of Loyola. Letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. Please limit submissions to 400 words. Submissions are due no later than 4 p.m. the Sunday before publication. Please send all submissions — The Maroon, 6363 St. Charles Ave., Box 64, New Orleans, LA 70118. Email us your letters — letter@ loyno.edu. Submissions may also be made online at www.loyolamaroon.com.
KATIE RICHARD/ The Maroon
! E F I L
There is a monster among us. Or so the media would have us believe, if its coverage of the socalled Ebola crisis is any indication. The way that the media and much of the general public have treated the subject of Ebola is similar to the way we thought of ghosts and boogeymen when we were young: deadly, invisible and always lurking around the corner. In fact, we’re so fixated on the possibility that Ebola may jump out and attack us that we’ve let our own capacity for humanity fall aside. Loyola community, we urge you to treat Ebola for what it is: it is not some kind of monster out for our lives, nor is it an excuse for selfishness. In America, the public response to Ebola seems to be split between paranoia and ridicule. Both reactions indicate that we’re forgetful of our own privilege as residents of a fully developed country. We have the luxury of treating Ebola as a sudden problem, as an abnormality. This is not the case in the West African countries where the Ebola virus has been a daily problem since December of 2013. So while in America, Ebola may have only recently become primetime-worthy material or a trending topic on the Internet, but it’s something that has been a reality for people living in West Africa for over 10 months. In fact, for many of the people who live in West Africa, Ebola is just another monster among many: HIV/AIDS, yellow fever, malaria, tuberculosis and malnutrition run rampant among people who lack access to adequate health care. We’re not writing this to belittle anyone for being fearful of contract-
ing a possibly fatal disease, but we do urge you to put those fears into context. If any of us in America were to be infected with the Ebola virus, we can be assured that we have access to doctors and quality medicine. We even have the attention of our government who is working actively to make sure that Ebola remains contained to a few isolated cases. This is self-centeredness at its worst, and it’s caused us to behave toward others in ways that should be labeled as monstrous themselves. Consider Navarro College’s decision to deny admission to two international students because they come from countries with confirmed Ebola cases. Consider the West African high school soccer player from Pennsylvania, who was taunted by players from an opposing team with chants of “Ebola” during a game. Consider the thousands of people who have used the topic of Ebola as the punchline to their bad jokes. If we see fit to call ourselves a culture with a global mindest, we cannot embrace our global humanity only when it conveniences us. We cannot let our fear dissolve into prejudice and racism, nor can we use it as a reason to cover our eyes against the real evils and monsters that roam the earth. Loyola community, we urge you to retain your global mindset in the face of this so-called crisis. Don’t use it as an occasion for self-indulgent fear, but don’t treat it lightly. Discuss the subject Ebola with seriousness and compassion for the people who lack the resources for treating it. At the same time, don’t use it as an excuse for remaining ignorant about everything else that is going on in the world.