Agora - November 19, 2018

Theoretical Musings Does the new Muse album stack up to their old work?

Page 16

Whitman Woes

While viable and charming, center seems in need of TLC

Rose Younglove Agora Staff

For years, MCCC has been searching for ways to improve the Whitman Center.

MCCC was established in 1964, but classes were initially held at the Ida Public Schools until the current campus on Raisinville Road was available in October 1967.

The Whitman Center was built in 1991, and though it is somewhat more modern, it is lacking in resources.

Chelsea Belair attended the Whitman Center for her first year-and-a-half of college.

The Erie resident said she has since transferred to the main campus for higher-level classes.

“I like the Whitman Center because it’s closer to my house versus the main campus,” Belair said. “I wish it offered more class options for those of us who are further into our degrees.”

Ken Mohney, MCCC’s anthropology professor, teaches regularly at both the main campus and Whitman Center. He is hopeful for the center’s future.

“MCCC students enjoy the center, and the staff has further opened their doors by offering dual enrollment,” Mohney said. “Spring Arbor University is a Christian college which offers classes through the Whitman Center to Toledo students.”

“The Whitman Center is a very viable part of MCCC,” President Kojo Quartey said. “It is what ties us in with the

south county and provides access to individuals from Ohio.”

Located at 7777 Lewis Avenue in Temperance, the Center is two miles from the Ohio border, and offers a closer option to those living in other cities like Erie, Temperance, Lambertville, and Toledo.

Belair said the Whitman Center helps save her time and money.

“It takes me about 15 minutes to drive from the Whitman Center to the main campus,” Belair said.

The location is also popular among the professors.

“The center is in a nice wooded location and we have seen deer, fox, turkeys, and other critters in the woods,” Mohney

Continued on Page 2

East and West Tech renovations imminent

James P. Quick Agora Editor

By the time Winter Semester begins, the renovations on the East and West Tech Buildings will have begun.

Director of Campus Planning and Facilities Jack Burns explains that construction should begin late this year.

“We’re going through the state approval process because it’s a partially-funded state project,” Burns says. “So we have to go through their approval process. It’s very lengthy.

Got to make sure you cross your Ts and dot your Is.” The process has taken slightly longer than normal, Burns notes, because – much like everyone else – the state is shortstaffed.

“That’s neither here nor there for me, but that’s where we are with everything,” he says with a good-humored chuckle.

“However, our representative has been very good at making sure we have everything, so I don’t want to sound like I was discrediting him in any way.”

The process has different levels, ranging from 100 to 500, and according to Burns the college has recently received the 400-level review for the project.

Serving Monroe County since 1968

The Name Game The East and West Tech Buildings are being turned into a new one entirely.

However, no name has been chosen, and we want to provide the college with ideas. Well... let’s have a good, old-fashioned naming contest!

Until 11:59pm on December 31, the Agora will be accepting name suggestions at our e-mail agora@ monroeccc.edu. Keep submissions appropriate.

Please also be aware that the Board of Trustees has the final say on all on-campus building names.

Best of luck! We look forward to reading your submissions!

“That’s approval; that’s good!” he says.

The college also has submitted a proposal to the Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee (JCOS) asking for $3.6 million to renovate the H-Building. The project would, in total, cost

November 19, 2018

$7.2 million.

“We haven’t even been asked by the JCOS to come and present to them yet,” Burns says. “So we’re still anxiously waiting to see if they think our argument is compelling enough to grant us the money.

“I think everyone would know if we get the money because they’ll hear the giant ‘yahoo’ from my office across campus!”

The JCOS money would allow the college to stretch the 2016 millage funds further. Of course, renovations would still need to go through the approval process.

With the approval process at the 500-level, Burns explains it means that the architect will submit construction documents (the drawings that show how the building is to be constructed) to the state. The construction manager will then provide a detailed estimate for cost to the state as well. Certain other documents will factor into this, too.

Once approval has come down from the top, the college will send the project out to the construction manager – the Barton Malow Co. The company then sends the drawings to

Continued on Page 3 Vol. 66, Issue 4

2 • Feature

November 19, 2018

Agora/mcccagora.com

Whitman Center continues to struggle Continued from Page 1

“I like the Whitman Center because it’s closer to my house versus the main campus. I wish it offered more class options for those of us who are farther into our degrees.”

said. “There is also a different but pleasant vibe – difficult to describe, but it’s there.”

Though the smaller classes may benefit some students, the number of classes offered can be an issue.

“While some students go to both Whitman and main, it seems as if there really are a number of students that go to Whitman but don’t want to go to main,” Mohney said. “Of course, to have more classes, folks need to sign up – and with already small classes, adding extra is always tricky.”

Belair said her brother previously signed up to take a chemistry class for his degree, but it was soon cancelled due to low numbers.

Another cause for concern is how the separation between

“I would like to see more time and resources put into the Whitman Center whether that is from the writing fellow program, student government, the Agora, or other clubs and events associated with MCCC.” Kole Gross Writing Fellow

The Agora Editors

Cassidy Maier

James P. Quick

Adviser

Dan Shaw

Staff Cheyanne Abel Maya Gaynier Vanessa Ray

Todd Salisbury Lydia Sandefur Rose Younglove

Editorial Policy The Agora is published by the students of Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Rd., Monroe, MI, 48161. The editorial office is located in Room 202 of the Life Sciences Building, (734) 384-4186, agora@monroeccc.edu.

Submissions: The Agora encourages submissions by anyone in the college community, including free-lance articles, opinion columns, or letters to the editor. All submissions must include a name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. The Agora reserves the right to edit for clarity, accuracy, length, and libel.

The Agora is a student-managed newspaper that supports a free student press. It is a member of the Michigan Community College Press Association, the Michigan Press Association, College Media Association, Associated Collegiate Press and the Student Press Law Center.

Story suggestions are welcome. Let us know what you would like to see in The Agora - it’s your newspaper.

Email submissions to agora@monroeccc.edu.

Chelsea Belair Student

File Photo

The Whitman Center serves Bedford and the surrounding communities.

the two campuses impacts the overall student experience.

“The main campus offers more social activities and gatherings as well as resources for tutoring,” Belair said. “I think if the Whitman Center implemented similar things it would be better.”

“There also is less tutoring and fewer writing fellows available than at main,” Mohney added. “This is simply a product of distance and lower enrollments.”

Professor Lori Jo Couch, head of the Writing Center, says she’s received requests for “Knock, Knock Visits” (classroom presentations), and has accommodated those requests by sending writing fellows to the center.

“There have been times, including this semester, where a writing fellow has been assigned to the Whitman Center,” Couch said. “But we have not had enough appointments scheduled there to justify committing resources at this time.”

There is currently one writing fellow assigned to the Center, Kole Gross. Including a fellowed class, he has assisted only ten students.

“I would like to see the Whitman Center a little more lively,” Gross said in an e-mail. “It seems quiet and many students just come and go to class without a thought of being involved in school functions, because there really is not a lot going on.”

Gross does not mince words when detailing what he thinks needs to be done at the Whitman Center.

“I would like to see more time and resources put into the Whitman Center, whether that is from the writing fellow program, student government, the Agora, or other clubs and events associated with MCCC,” he said.

“If the number of students, classes, or faculty requests were to grow, we would certainly evaluate the situation at the Whitman Center again,” Couch said.

Quartey asserts that he considers the center very much an extension of the main campus.

In 2012, the MCCC Board of Trustees decided the Whitman Center would no longer offer spring and summer classes. There has also been discussion of closing the Whitman Center.

Quartey said it is a good location and he intends to keep the building open.

“When you think about it, there are individuals in this community who, perhaps, cannot get up to our campus in Monroe,” he said. “The Whitman Center is our way of honoring our commitment to the southern county. It’s our conduit to Bedford schools.”

Mohney teaches one to three classes per semester, and said he normally has 10–20 students per class.

“Classes, especially recently, are a little smaller than main campus but sometimes smaller is better,” he said. “Whitman does a good job offering classes to a population that might not want to come to main campus.”

Overall, Mohney enjoys the outpost. He hopes more students find their way to the center.

“Staff and students seem to really like the place,” he said.

“The folks that work there are all first rate and keep things running smoothly.”

Agora/mcccagora.com

November 19, 2018

Campus News • 3

Work on East-West Tech set to start in December Continued from Page 1 the various trades, which will then make bids on the project. Once all those have been accepted, they’re submitted to the state for approval and to ensure it all comes in on-budget as projected.

“We had hoped to start earlier,” Burns says, “so there’s some changes to the construction schedule. We may not be able to construct the infill now; we may have to wait until spring unless we have a warm December.”

Thankfully, Burns notes, there’s enough to do otherwise that the project’s focus can be moved without compromising the timeline for the construction. It’s simply a rearrangement in the schedule.

It’s hoped the project will be completed by fall of 2019. As it will take some time to move everyone in and get labs and other rooms set up, Burns says the college hopes to have everything ready to go by winter of 2020.

“That’s our target date,” he says. “This building – whatever its title may be – will be open on Day One of Winter Semester 2020.”

Burns and Brian Lay, the college’s Director of Information Systems, have planned presentations on all millage projects to be made to the support staff, administrative, and faculty councils.

Other projects include updating the campus’s phone and camera systems, installing cell phone repeaters, and putting in emergency natural gas generators for the IT rooms to ensure the safety of the servers in case of a major, extended blackout.

“This is all building safety stuff,” Burns says. “It’s all necessary things – not as glamorous as East and West Tech, but all still very necessary to keep the campus moving.

“Our society is more technology-driven;

“That’s our target date. This building – whatever its title may be – will be open on Day One of Winter Semester 2020.”

Jack Burns Director of Campus Planning and Facilities our buildings have to catch up with that.”

In terms of the name, there has been some discussion on that front, but nothing major, according to Vice President of Administration Sue Wetzel.

“It’s being discussed in cabinet,” she says.

“Then it’s going to the vice presidents to give to their direct reports.”

Wetzel also explains that the Board of Trustees has the final say on all building names on-campus.

The question is whether or not the naming scheme for some of the other buildings around campus will continue.

The C-Building, the A-Building, and the H-Building are all named for previous presidents of the college: Ron Campbell, Audrey Warrick, and Gerald Welch.

The next in line is David Nixon, who was president from 2003–2013, but there seems to be little support for naming a building after him.

The Agora plans a contest through the end of the year to allow students, staff, and faculty to throw their own submissions into the fold.

Photo by James P. Quick

Jack Burns, director of Campus Planning and Facilities, goes over plans for the Health Building.

Photos courtesy of Jack Burns

Work on the A Building roof, left, has already begun; work on the East West Technology Building, right, is scheduled to start in December if the state approves the plans.

4 • Feature

November 19, 2018

Agora/mcccagora.com

Toll returns for full-time M

ichele Persin Toll is the embodiment of a working mother in this modern age.

Toll, a professor of English at MCCC, was hired as full-time faculty in Fall 2018 after a year as a temporary replacement.

She had to delay her start, however, due to the birth of her son.

“It’s kind of empowering. You have a legacy, but it also kind of shows you how insignificant you are,” Toll said. “You’re kind of just a vessel for this person to get into the world, and maybe the most important thing you do in your life is just make this baby.”

Toll and her husband, Kevin, have been married since 2015 and have a 2-year-old daughter, Natalie.

“He’s a lawyer and works in Internet Law, so totally different interest areas,” Toll said.

Toll and her husband met online.

“I was living in Israel and I moved back to Michigan,” she said. “I met him not long after that. Then we got married and a year later we had Natalie.”

Recently, the Tolls welcomed a baby boy, Ezra, into their family. He was nine weeks old as of Nov. 9.

“Everything is super cute. Every time I look at him, I’m just amazed,” she said.

“I’m sad thinking about how he’s so cute now and how could he possibly be cuter.

And then I remember my daughter; I thought that about her,” Toll said. “Now she’s as cute as ever, so it just makes you think about the passage of time.”

Toll described coming back to work while having a newborn.

“It’s just so exciting, too, and overwhelming and exhausting,” Toll said with a laugh.

“It’s like pulling an all-nighter every night.”

As Toll has been working while raising her two children, she is better able to understand the lives of students who also are parents.

“It takes so much extra planning and I really appreciate that now. But of course, their children will be older when they’re in the workforce, and they’ll have more free time then; I’m kind of jealous of that,” she said.

Toll realizes that MCCC has a very high population of student parents.

“I think it’s so challenging and I realize by the time I can sit down and do any grading or work, it’s after bedtime, after 8 pm. And

that’s how our students are.”

Toll started her career as a high school teacher right out of college, and continued this for a decade.

“I was just a few years older than my students,” she said. “It didn’t seem weird to me then, but now in retrospect, thinking about how young I was.”

“I got one of those short mom haircuts to try to feel a little bit older,” Toll added.

After this, she made the decision to move to Israel in 2011.

“I moved to Israel and I was teaching ESL [English as a Second Language] there,” Toll said. “I taught at the high school level, and I taught at the college level privately.”

Toll helped many students prepare to take the TOEFUL, a test that allows non-native speakers of English to enroll in English-speaking universities.

Toll thought that she would continue teaching high school. However, when she moved back to Michigan in 2013, a new opportunity arose.

“I had a contact at Henry Ford College in Dearborn teaching ESL, so I did that,” she

said. “The qualification that I needed was a Master’s Degree in English and I had that.

So I started teaching students who were just learning English for the first time.”

Toll did not have a graduate certificate in ESL yet, but was able to teach off of her experiences. When she was in Israel, she was a new immigrant learning Hebrew, and stood out among the people living there.

Toll taught greetings and pronouns, in addition to bringing in props to help students.

Toll also helped these students with their everyday lives, including helping one navigate the court system after receiving a traffic ticket.

“That was some of the most fun that I’ve ever had with students,” she said.

She then began teaching as an adjunct in 2014 at MCCC and is happy to now be full-time faculty. She teaches Basic Reading Skills, Intro to Humanities, English Comp 1 online, and College Skills.

“The full-time opening here presented itself and I was just so lucky and blessed enough to be here at the right time for that position,” she said. “I’m very excited to do what I’ve been doing, but to be a part of the

Story and photos by Maya Gaynier

New full-time English faculty member Michelle Persin Toll just returned after giving birth to her second child.

decision making, too.

“The teaching is very similar to being an adjunct, but being involved in planning is really fun, too.”

Through working at schools and during her time at MCCC, Toll has learned that she doesn’t have to be a teacher all by herself.

She has realized that she can’t do it all on her own and she doesn’t have to work in isolation.

“I love working with my colleagues here,” she said. “Every time I talk to them about what they’re doing in their classroom, I’m more and more excited.”

When she is not working or taking care of her children, Toll enjoys sewing quilts and running, despite an injury that makes running difficult. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks during her hour commute to school.

“I think that the world should know that that does count as reading,” she said. “Being a new mom, I very seldom have time to do what I love, which is lay in bed and read a book. I really recommend audiobooks.”

Additionally, Toll has become interested in podcasts, especially Malcolm Gladwell’s “Revisionist History.” In this podcast, Gladwell reinterprets events from the past and how they change one’s understanding of the world.

“He’s just brilliant, and I just love him. It’s a new forum for writing; some of it is spontaneous, but some of it is obviously a script,” she said. “He makes leaps where you would never see associations, and I love that about him.”

Toll has also been lucky enough to travel.

Her and her husband went to the Caribbean on their honeymoon, and she found many opportunities to explore the world while living in Israel.

“I’ve been to some different countries in Europe. When you live in Israel, Europe is only a couple-hour flight. It’s a little bit easier to get there.”

Toll is also very active in the college community. She is on the One Book, One Community Committee and the Instructional Technology committee. She has already read next year’s One Book novel, “News of the World,” by Paulette Jiles.

“I’m very excited for all of those activities that are coming up,” Toll says.

She also jokes that she will be there with an infant in her arms.

Many students at MCCC have also enjoyed interacting with Toll.

“She’s very pleasant. She always has a smile on her face,” Dawn Witmer said. “As a mother of two, she’s doing a good job. She’s always right on top of things.”

Toll also led activities for the One Book, One Community event last year. Denise Witmer enjoyed the group led by Toll and thought she did well.

“I liked her. I wanted to have her as a professor.”

Toll talked about her favorite part of working at MCCC: the students.

“I get to meet great students and help them achieve their goals. It’s really cool and I’m just so happy to be a part of their path,” she said.

Agora/mcccagora.com

Campus News • 5

November 19, 2018

MCCC creates new mission statement New Core Values and Vision Discussed at State of the College Address Cassidy Maier Agora Editor

MCCC’s new mission was presented to the community at the annual State of the College address Nov. 2 at Monroe Bank & Trust’s headquarters.

Joe Verkennes, director of Marketing and Communications, described MCCC’s new mission statement, vision, and core values comparing them to older ones.

The new mission statement is: “Monroe County Community College enriches lives in our community by providing opportunity through student-focused, affordable, quality higher education and other learning experiences.”

Verkennes also listed the nine new core values and gave a short explanation of each.

A strategic plan based on the new mission statement and values is being written and is expected to be finished by June 30, 2019, he said.

The increase in non-credit enrollment and the college’s future plans were also covered.

Grace Yackee, vice president of Instruction, talked about the increase in non-credit enrollment, saying over 4,500 students were enrolled in non-credit courses and programs during the 2017-2018 year.

Non-credit courses include classes available through the Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development programs.

MCCC’s nine new core values were discussed at the State of the College address.

Additional core values include: Diversity and Inclusion, Respect, Stewardship, Outreach and Engagement, and Relevance.

Photos by Cassidy Maier

Joe Verkennes discusses MCCC’s new mision statement

Many of the Lifelong Learning courses are on topics of personal interest. Youth summer camps are also offered each year.

“However, there are also courses and certificate offerings that focus on career development and training,” Yackee said.

There are courses in Real Estate Fundamentals, Professional Medical Coding and Billing, and Home Inspection, among others. Some of the courses include externships.

Some of the Workforce Development

classes listed were First Aid, Bloodborn Pathogens, Public Speaking, and Conflict Resolution.

President Kojo Quartey talked about the school’s future plans and community activities, including students involved in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), as well as the Agriculture Program and community farm.

Plans for the future involve more apprenticeships, a new drone technology course, and a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.

Suzanne Wetzel, vice president of Administration, addressed current millage projects, including new technology and the East and West Tech renovations.

Students Maribeth and Samuel Mohn and Matthew Nelson were recognized by Team Virus 3547 mentor Jeff Demaray.

“I think the college is really moving in a positive direction. I think that we’re going to be providing some additional curriculum that’s going to be beneficial to the community,” Board of Trustees member Steven Hill said.

“I think that will lead to growth for our enrollment at the community college and provide motivation for business to move to the area.”

Suzanne Wetzel, vice president of Administration, described the college’s current millage projects.

6 • Feature

November 19, 2018

Agora/mcccagora.com

Cultivating a life of excellence Cassidy Maier Agora Editor

MCCC’s new community farm is getting a taste of viticulture.

The campus vineyard will spread its vines to the community farm in the spring.

That will make it easier to see from the road.

“Because vineyards look pretty cool when you’ve got the rows of vines that are growing and you can see the grapes hanging down, it’s pretty neat,” Kevin Thomas, one of MCCC’s culinary professors, said.

Thomas is one of the nine MCCC employees and former employees on the executive board of the Bacchus Society.

The Society is a group of people who enjoy wine and take care of the campus vineyard, he said.

A couple employees approached Thomas about a vineyard on campus.

“They talked with me and then the three of us all worked together to get the thing off the ground,” Thomas said.

That was the beginning of the Bacchus Society.

The vineyard was planted in 2010 and is in the back corner of the campus. The grapes ripen in small batches and are used to show students how to make wine. The Bacchus Society will do a one day wine-making class in April, Thomas said.

“Wine is a very huge part of what I do.

I teach a lot of classes in wine understanding. I teach lifelong learning classes here at the college,” Thomas said. “I’ve even done some other classes pertaining to wine at other locations as well.”

Also among his passions are food and teaching.

He started at the college in 1987.

“I knew at a very young age, actually probably when I was 15 years old, cooking was something I wanted to do and I actually started working in restaurants when I was 14,” he said.

A few years later, he found another passion when he was introduced to wine while working at a French restaurant in Birmingham, Michigan.

“That’s when I started tasting wine with food and doing food and wine pairings,” Thomas said.

After graduating from high school, Thomas went to New York to the Culinary Institute of America, or CIA. After graduation, he came back to Michigan as an executive chef and worked at a few restaurants for the next four years.

He heard about a job opening at MCCC, and was introduced to his next passion: teaching. He applied for the job and just entered his 31st year at the college.

The students are the best part of the job, he said, adding that he enjoys coming to work

Photo by Cassidy Maier

Culinary student Christine Masson and Chef Kevin Thomas discuss a tray of desserts.

each day.

“The main reason for that is because I’m working with students who are interested in something that is a passion of mine, and I enjoy that part of it very much,” he said.

“He knows what he’s doing, he’s very knowledgeable, and I don’t think there’s somebody that I would want to be my teacher other than him,” said Stephen Howe, a culinary student at MCCC. Vicki LaValle is the other culinary instructor at MCCC. “He’s just dedicated to the profession, dedicated to the students, he just loves what he does and he’s excellent at it,” she said.

Thomas was quick to pick his favorite dishes to cook: seafood and wild game.

His reasoning was simple.

“Because I’m an avid hunter and fisher-

man,” he said.

Thomas wasn’t as quick to pick his favorite kind of wine.

“I’m definitely a dry red wine drinker. I do like blended wines, for example, the Bordeaux style. That’s French wine; it’s all red wines that are blended,” he said.

Outside of hunting, fishing, and food, Thomas likes to golf, visit his property in northern Michigan, and spend some time on one of his three pontoon boats.

Thomas once again talked about his love for what he does.

“I’d emphasize the fact that I really, truly do like to go to work every single day of my life,” Thomas said.

There are people who can’t say that, he said.

“You know what they say: you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.

“I knew at a very young age, actually probably when I was 15 years old, cooking was something I wanted to do and I actually started working in restaurants when I was 14.”

Kevin Thomas Culinary professor

Agora file photo

Chef Kevin Thomas pours grapes into a press at one of the annual Bacchus Society grape crush events.

Agora/mcccagora.com

November 19, 2018

Campus News • 7

FDA takes aim at e-cigarettes Agency wants to curb or ban flavors in vaping devices Vanessa Ray Agora Staff

Once upon a time, in the year 2006, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) found their way to the United States market.

Advertised as a way for smokers to get their nicotine fix anywhere they went – including airports, workplaces, movie theaters, and yes, even college campuses – “vaping” quickly found a niche market.

In recent years, e-cigarettes have come under fire as more and more high school-aged children are finding themselves addicted to the devices.

Initially, vaping was thought to be a safe and harmless alternative to traditional cigarettes as it replaced burning tobacco and paper with heated, moist, flavored air.

However, the chemicals in that air – nicotine, diacetyl, and a whole slew of volatile organic compounds – can be both addictive and dangerous.

The flavoring is also a concern, as many studies have shown it being the major contributing factor in drawing in younger people.

With underage use of e-cigarettes reaching epidemic like numbers – a recent government study found an 80 percent increase in the number of school-aged users – the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking ways to curb or ban the use of flavoring in vaping devices.

On Nov. 16, FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb pledged an effort to tighten rules governing the sale of most flavored versions of e-cigarettes.

“Any policy accommodation to advance the innovations that could present an alternative to smoking – particularly as it relates to e-cigarettes – cannot, and will not, come at the expense of addicting a generation of children to nicotine through these same delivery vehicles,” Gottlieb said in an FDA statement. “This simply will not happen. I will take whatever steps I must to prevent this.”

President Kojo Quartey said MCCC amended its tobacco policy to include e-cigarettes last year after problems with students vaping during class.

According to the students’ rights and responsibilities portion of the handbook, “smoking and the use of all tobacco products is prohibited at the college and is subject to all applicable laws, including Federal and State “clean air” acts.

This tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of all tobacco products and includes use of all devices intended to simulate smoking, including electronic cigarettes and other similar types of devices.”

Student Blaine Hubbert does not agree with such tight re-

MCCC added vaping to its non-smoking policy last year.

Isabella Beahr vapes outside of Vape Escape in Monroe.

strictions on e-cigarettes.

“Personally, I don’t see the problem,” Hubbert said.

“Smoking actually hurts other people, whereas vaping has no second-hand effects.”

However, Hubbert, who does not believe students should be allowed to vape in the classroom or hallways, went on to say his opinions are always evolving.

“The moment they show the second-hand effects of vaping are harmful, I’ll vote to keep it off campus,” Hubbert said.

Student Dawn Witmer has seen first-hand the effects of traditional cigarette smoke.

“My husband’s lungs were completely white due to second-hand smoke,” Witmer said.

She believes e-cigarettes are a safer alternative.

“I don’t see the problem because it’s not smoke,” Witmer said. “It’s definitely a much better alternative.”

Witmer’s beliefs are shared by many proponents of e-cigarettes.

The debate as to the safety of e-cigarettes remains high-

Photos by Vanessa Ray

ly polarized, with one side saying it is a safer alternative to smoking – and can even help with smoking cessation, and the other side saying it targets young users and contributes to nicotine addiction.

Both sides back up their beliefs with studies.

The one area most people seem to agree, is e-cigarettes should not be allowed indoors.

According to a February 2018 study by the American Cancer Society, “indoor vaping (is) linked with heart disease and promotes tumors.”

The same study says nicotine vapor can affect fetuses as well as stunt brain development in children and adolescents, leading to both learning and anxiety disorders.

All evidence of vaping being a safer alternative to smoking is inconclusive, as are studies into it being a viable method of smoking cessation.

E-cigarettes, much like traditional cigarettes, are a big business for tobacco companies.

Filtering through the truth can be hard, and risks are often minimized to make a sale.

8 • Feature

November 19, 2018

Feature • 9

Agora/mcccagora.com

Halloween party stirs up scares A student dressed up for the costume contest.

Students dressed up in a variety of singles and group costumes, including the Mad Hatter and the Mystery Inc.

A

lthough Halloween was dead and gone, students at MCCC sent it off with a graveyard smash.

On Friday, Nov. 2, students met for one last scare at the Boo Bash in the Cellar of the A building.

Many would think a party after Halloween would be odd, but students didn’t think so as many flocked to the event.

“I didn’t have plans and it seemed like fun,” Taylen Arvay, a student who went to the event, said.

There were pool tables, foosball, and air hockey for students to enjoy, as well as a dance floor.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Halloween party without a costume contest.

From the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland to the Scooby Doo gang, many costumes were planned out and coordinated.

Winners of the contest were Alexus Smith and Logan Grey, who were dressed as Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler from Jurassic Park.

“We had no idea about coming tonight, but were pretty excited,” Smith said.

Previous Student Government members Nathan Grodi, Javed Peracha, Mathew Evans, and Joel Spotts were the judges of the costume contest.

“We decided on the Jurassic Park couple because it was a great and relevant couple’s costume,” Grodi said.

Story and photos by Todd Salisbury Logan Grey and Alexus Smith (from left) were the winners of the costume contest and dressed as Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler from Jurassic Park. Pictured also are Izabel Whiting, Nathan Wickenheiser, and Courtney Beaudrie.

“It was represented well and required effort to put together.”

Runner up was Izabel Whiting, who dressed as day of the dead. Nathan Wickenheiser and Courtney Beaudrie came in third, dressed as crazy cat ladies.

DJ Martin, the DJ for last year’s Sweetheart Ball, returned to play for the party.

The event was planned by Student Government.

Student Government member Miranda Benardo said the event was a success.

“There’s more than we were expecting, so it’s a good turn out,” Bernardo said.

However, putting on a successful event is no easy task, Student Government President Samantha Beaudrie said.

“We haven’t done this in a while. We weren’t sure how long to prep and what people would want,” she said.

“We wanted it to be inexpensive for students to come.”

Students had the option to pay $5 or pay $2 and bring two canned food items as a donation. The donations will be given to Oaks of Righteousness.

Jack Ryder, a Student Government member, came dressed as a zombie.

10 • Feature

November 19, 2018

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Veterans honored at holiday ceremony Vanessa Ray Agora Staff

Monroe radio personality Jeff Tuttle was asleep at his home in Nashville on Sept. 11, 2001.

Shortly after 8:46 a.m., he was jolted awake by a phone call. It was his friend from Toronto.

“My buddy says ‘Tuttle, turn on CNN. The world just changed,’” Tuttle recalled. “As we all know, the world changed in that moment.”

Tuttle went on to perform the original song ‘Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?’ with lyrics explaining “we share Am-Vets state the same sun, Commander we share the Charles Petch same moon,” at the Nov. 8 Veterans Day Recognition event in the Meyer Theater.

The evening, which began with the Civil Air Patrol, Young Marines, and Navy Sea Cadets presenting the colors, was a diverse display of patriotism and appreciation.

Am-Vets state Commander Charles Petch, the evening’s keynote speaker, talked about how happy it made him to see so many young people in attendance.

Photos by Vanessa Ray

The Emerald Guard Drill Team from Springfield High School in Holland, Ohio performs a precision drill routine.

“It’s a pleasure to see all these young guys and gals out here in their uniforms, and taking part in this Veterans Day memorial,” Petch said. “I don’t see this a lot, and I’m sorry to say that we really have to get a hold of ourselves and try to guide our children into un-

derstanding what the Veterans Day ceremony is all about.

“We just don’t do that enough.”

The highlight of the evening was a performance by the Emerald Guard drill team from Springfield High School in Holland, Ohio.

Under the command of Sgt. Ricky Thomas and ranked second in the nation, the guard performed a nine-minute routine full of synchronized rifle tosses and precise movements.

“The purpose of the drill team is to motivate young people to be

better citizens,” 15-year-old Taylor Eley said.

Airport High School’s orchestra, led by William Thompson, along with Tuttle, John Geer and The Crusaders, as well as the Sweet Adeline’s, all provided music.

Above: the Color Guard, made up of the Civil Air Patrol, Young Marines, and Sea Cadets, presents the colors at the start of the ceremony.

Left: the Emerald Guard Drill Team performs. Under their leader, Sgt. Ricky Thomas, the Emerald Guard is ranked second in the nation. Each routine includes synchronized rifle tossing, and each rifle weighs 8.7 pounds.

Agora/mcccagora.com

Campus News • 11

November 19, 2018

PIG plans on providing solutions Rose Younglove Agora Staff

The Psychology Interest Group is working on a secret study which will be unveiled on December, 5.

The group is overseen by psychology professors Patrick Wise and Melissa Grey and currently has four student members.

Student Ethan Harbaugh is one participant of the group.

“This is actually my first year in PIG and so far I’ve enjoyed it a lot,” Harbaugh said.

“As a part of PIG I hope to be able to learn more about people and the reasons for what they do, and then be able to apply that to help those around me.”

The students spent their meeting discussing upcoming events such as furry finals, winter studies, and future research.

Student Frank Yarger informed the group of his recent project. Yarger has spent the last few weeks procuring mental health pamphlets to make available to MCCC students.

“Pamphlets about if you are in an abusive relationship and stuff like that,” Yarger said.

“I got one [pamphlet] that was from ProMedica that was just called a mental health resource guide.”

Yarger said the book addresses different mental health concerns students face such as having Attention-Deficit/HyperactivityDisorder (ADHD), anxiety, or depression.

ADHD is a condition which impairs the ability to concentrate though hyperactivity, impulsiveness, or difficulty focusing.

Students with ADHD may also have difficulty with time management, hyper fixation, or disassociation.

Anxiety and depression also impact students’ ability to focus on their work and go about their daily lives. This guide will offer students alternative options when struggling.

“It’s really nice because within it [the author describes] what services we have in Monroe to start on problems you might be having and it has a detailed explanation of what it is,” Yarger said.

Art by Cheyanne Abel

While crystal therapy and burning sage may seem like good ideas, PIG hopes to provide students with scientific-based strategies for dealing with stress.

Yarger said he was excited to find information when visiting ProMedica for a school project.

“This is what anxiety is and here are different places you can go to in Monroe to get help for it.

“The material in this resource guide is intended to help members of the community to better understand mental illness, the resources available for individuals and their families, and advocate for support and ac-

Finding comfort in art therapy Cheyanne Abel Agora Staff

With finals soon approaching, anxiety seems to creep in and stress levels skyrocket. In times like these, many students need all the help they can get to stay as calm as possible to keep a healthy, focused mind.

Art has been known to be a beneficial tool to help reduce stress while building creative thinking. Quite a few people

ceptance from the community,” the support guide reads.

Within the guide is a chart of different buildings and organizations available in Monroe.

The groups are also organized by the type of mental health concerns they can work with.

Students who may be uncomfortable or unable to afford to see a professional now

shy away from testing this method because they think art is something you must be “good at” for it to serve a purpose.

Art isn’t asking you to recreate the Mona Lisa or become a reincarnated Bob Ross, it just wants your feelings on paper or in sculpture! According to website Very Well Mind, art therapy can reduce a significant amount of stress because it causes a distraction from stress-causing events or activities.

Art therapy is also a form of self-care because it can evolve into a hobby that allows people to set aside some time in their busy lives to relax and create something new and interesting.

Hungarian-American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi founded the psychological term “flow” to describe a highly focused mental state, usually occurring when one

have multiple options within their community.

“With PIG I can try to help people more discretely which I like,” Yarger said. “It can be hard to ask for help.”

Students in PIG help in various ways and come from various backgrounds, some and psychology students and others are here to learn about the subject and be more active on campus.

“I actually have only studied Psychology on my own, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting,” Harbaugh said.

“I really enjoy working with my fellow club members and experimenting with the ideas we come up with.”

Professors Wise and Grey are looking forward to the result of their studies and welcome new members.

“The focus of the project is to provide students with resources,” Wise said. “That’s one of the ideas behind the group. If they [group members] want to help students they can.”

“I’m actually really excited for the project we are working on right now,” Harbaugh said. “But I can’t spill any details for the sake of the study.”

Grey invited other students to join the group and take part in planning their next event.

“You’ll have to attend meetings if you want to learn the secret project,” she said, smiling.

Alexis Schenavar says they are always open to new members. “We meet every other Thursday in L-142.”

Schenavar notes they are an understanding group, and members are not required to attend every meeting.

“Our tagline is, ‘We understand,’” she said jokingly.

The study will be on Wednesday, Dec. 5th in the cafeteria. It is free to students.

participates in artistic practices. During this process, the mind is so involved with the task at hand that it is a form of meditation.

If you don’t have time to paint or sculpt anything from clay or playdough, it is recommended that you take out a scrap sheet of paper and just doodle designs while you’re studying or taking breaks in between assignments.

Scribbling and doodling causes memory retention which can serve as a good study method, along with chewing gum or listening to classical music. So, the next time you’re stressing over schoolwork or something in your personal life, take the time to explore your creative thoughts or express your emotions and ideas by taking an artistic approach. Who knows? You might discover a new hobby along the way.

12 •Politics

November 19, 2018

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Net neutrality may get another chance Rose Younglove Agora Staff

Net neutrality was not on the November ballot, but its supporters were.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, was re-elected in the recent midterm election and has written several public statements on net neutrality.

On Sept. 29, 2017, Stabenow shared an article discussing senators’ hopes to bring better resources to rural America.

“In order for our small towns to thrive and compete in the 21st-century economy, they need access to high speed internet,” she said in a tweet.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal the 2015 net neutrality rules on Dec. 14, 2017. The vote went into effect on June 11, 2018.

Some MCCC students have strong opinions on the issue.

“Net Neutrality is the freedom of the internet,” said student Aleija Rodriguez. “It’s the requirement that all websites be given the same internet speed regardless of the provider or what the website is covering.”

He offered an example to explain why net neutrality is important.

“Say Comcast is having a fight with Amazon,” he said.

“Without net neutrality, what they could do is they could slow down service to Amazon to force that company to sort of bend to the will of the Internet Service Provider.”

Rodriguez also discussed the creation of “fast lanes.” ISPs could impact business rates through websites speeds.

“If business X can pay more for faster internet, then more people will go to that website, and then the smaller websites who can’t afford that will kind of get shunted to the side,” he said.

Businesss Professor Dustin Rayburn also commented on the subject.

“While most of us may agree that there is content on the web that we feel should be limited, are we sure that the decision to do so should rest in the hands of the provider or even a governmental agency?”

With the internet playing such a significant role in our lives, student Donald Thomas said repealing Net Neutrality holds too much risk.

“It is called neutrality as it forces

Net Neutrality (the image above) has lost out to an FCC decision, but now Congress may be able to reconsider.

ISPs from being able to throttle or boost the speed that your content is broadcast or downloaded on the internet, ” he said.

Monroe’s representative in Congress, Republican Rep. Tim Walberg, supported the repeal of net neutrality. He believes it was restricting American business.

“Heavy-handed, 1930s-era regulations are no way to ensure a free and open internet,” Walberg said in a tweet.

Walberg’s tweet was in response to an article by Ajit Pai, the Chairman of the FCC. “Glad the FCC is committed to enabling innovation and ensuring America remains a global leader,” Walberg said. “Now, let’s work together to close the digital divide and allow the internet to flourish.”

The original tweet, which Walberg responded to, was written on Nov. 21, 2017, by Pai. “Today, I’m proposing to repeal the heavy-handed Internet regulations imposed by the

Obama Administration and to return to the light-touch framework under which the Internet developed and thrived before 2015,” Pai said.

It appears a Reese’s mug isn’t the only thing Ajit Pai holds in his hands. The repeal affects all Americans, especially students.

“It’s very important that students at any education level be able to access information without worrying that the speed will be shortened,” Rodriguez said.

“Say I need to access research papers from a specific website but maybe my Internet Service Provider has blocked that website or slowed down the speed that it takes me to access it,” he said.

Gretchen Whitmer, the newly elected Michigan governor, also defended the need for net neutrality.

“Where is Michigan?” Whitmer wrote in a tweet. “For the sake of our economy, we need to fight for fair and equal access to internet.”

With the internet being a funda-

mental aspect of work and education, fairness is necessary, Rodriguez said.

Thomas noted that many students don’t understand the long-reaching consequences of the repeal. “[They] trust the free market fully – would say to let the internet service providers go free and the market decide the prices and bylaws of the internet.

“They don’t understand that if you break it down there are only a handful of ISPs per region in a way that there would be limited to no competition. This borders on a monopoly just enough that they can get away with this while we are left with the inability to get the best bang for our buck when it comes to an ISP,” Thomas said.

Rayborn also noted that ISPs can favor their own content.

“What also gets a bit fuzzy is when ISP’s not only provide the access, but may also deliver their own content or content of their affiliates,” Rayburn said.

Thomas said ISPs will all but gain the ability to blackmail cor-

“Net Neutrality is the freedom of the internet. It’s the requirement that all websites be given the same internet speed regardless of the provider or what the website is covering.”

Aleija Rodriguez MCCC student

porations.

“Unless you are a large corporation or have the money to pay the ISPs, then I doubt you will last long,” he said.

Rayborn pointed out that some restrictions already exist.

“Both businesses and consumers already face restrictions on the content speed they have access to due to the limitation of services that are available in their respective locations and what we are willing to pay for,” he said.

So why was this important to the last election? How can Debbie Stabenow reinstate net neutrality?

“Since the FCC is part of the executive branch, it really became a question of, ‘Well now, is it time for Congress to step in and start making some sort of legislation?’ ” Rodriguez said.

Pai initiated the repeal of net neutrality soon after he was appointed by President Trump.

“It became a question of, ‘Okay, well, if it’s Congress’ place to do it, then who’s going to be in support of that?” Rodriguez said.

Stabenow’s Democratic Party is still in the minority in the Senate after the mid-term elections, but Democrats have taken over control of the U.S. House, putting Walberg into the minority party.

That could lead to a reconsideration of the issue.

Agora/mcccagora.com

Turnout in Midterm Election was high, but many students still stayed home

VOTING:

Right or Responsibility?

Lydia Sandefur Agora Staff

The Midterm Elections have come and gone, and the results of it will be felt by people across the state.

The voter turnout for this election was high in comparison to other midterm elections. Statewide turnout among registered voters was 57.5 percent, up from 2014’s 42.8 percent, according to the Detroit Free Press.

In Monroe County, the turnout was 56.1 percent.

Julius Kruse, an MCCC student, believes this higher voter turnout was great for the election.

“I believe voting is very important and it is good that we had such a high turnout,” he said.

Kruse said the election grabbed his interest in ways that other elections had not.

“I usually try not to think too much about politics, but this year has really got me interested,” he said. “I think it is terrible that more people aren’t voting. The turnout was great, but there is always room for improvement.”

Many other students, however, did not share the same enthusiasm. MCCC student Noah Black is one of them.

“It is not that I don’t care, I just can’t be bothered to keep up,” Black said.

Many students found it was difficult to follow politics, especially when the topics did not seem to directly apply to their lives.

MCCC history professor Edmund La Clair emphasized the importance of staying informed during the election process.

“I think it’s important to stay educated on politics as much as to be engaged,” La Clair said.

He went on to push the need for voters to not simply vote according to party lines.

“I’m always shocked at the studies that demonstrate voters supporting political parties or the policy positions of those parties that are diametrically opposed to their own interests and values,” he said.

Briefs International Studies fundraiser

The International Studies Club will be selling candy at a table in front of the Admissions Office on Tuesday, Nov. 19.

The candy will be from different countries around the world. The club is holding the event to raise money for club activities.

They will also be telling about their upcoming activities and have a sign-up sheet for those interested in joining the club. For more information, contact Political Science professor Michael Snyder at msnyder@monroeccc.edu.

Politics • 13

November 19, 2018

“We’ve become tribal in our partisan loyalties; this is not healthy, but it’s also what is keeping people engaged.”

While many students were not entirely informed about all measures on the ballot, most were at least familiar with Proposal 1.

Proposal 1 is the legalization of recreational use of marijuana for people over the age of 21, with a tax imposed on the sale of marijuana.

Proposal One was approved with 55.9 percent of the vote, with over two million votes in favor of the proposal.

This did not come as a surprise to fifthyear Monroe County Middle College Student Anya Smith.

“I expected weed to be legalized because everyone smokes weed now,” she said.

Jacob Assell, a former MCCC student, said he believes the legalization of marijuana is a pertinent issue to the state.

“It is important that we stop sending people to jail for doing harm to their own bod-

ies,” he said.

It’s the individual’s choice and it’s not that dangerous, so it’s unnecessary to continue to incarcerate individuals on such offenses, he said.

MCCC political science professor Michael Snyder is less excited about the proposal.

“I have seen marijuana have negative impacts on friends of mine. It’s not a harmless drug,” he said.

Snyder does not dismiss the upsides to legalization, however.

“The upshot could be that the usage stays the same, and it could reduce the criminal process around it,” Snyder said. “I can see the upsides, but I certainly would not recommend that anyone use this drug recreationally.”

Snyder also made note of how many of the questions like this are addressed in his POLSC 157 class, which will be offered in the winter semester.

With changes of party control at both state

New POLSC course offered World AIDS Day presentation Introduction to Political Theory (POLSC 158) will be offered in Winter 2019.

The course will be focused on justice.

Through ancient Greece, Rome, the Protestant Reformation, Enlightenment and Modernity, this class will explore how each age sought to understand and implement a particular vision of political justice, and how each age continues to influence the politics of today.

For more information, contact Political Science professor Michael Snyder at msnyder@monroeccc.edu.

There will be a presentation about how to end HIV on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 12:301:30 in the A building, room 173b.

Leon Golson, from Unified: HIV Health and Beyond, will be the guest speaker.

His presentation will provide an educational perspective on HIV and HIV prevention.

There will also be an interactive learning about HIV and FREE screening on Tuesday, 11/27, 11:30 am and 2:30 pm in A-173b.

and federal levels, Democrats and Republicans may have to begin compromising.

In relation to the state government and Gretchen Whitmer’s promises to work with the Republican-run legislature, La Clair is not confident in either side working with the other.

“There is no reason for Republicans to cooperate with Democrats or vice-versa. Doing so gets you labeled a RINO or DINO, and then you lose in the highly fringe-motivated partisan primaries we implemented a century ago,” La Clair said.

Snyder, on the other hand, is more optimistic, especially on the federal level.

“Democrats are reaching out and trying to get things passed, and Trump has branded himself as a negotiator, so it will be interesting to see if they work together,” he said.

“It’ll be interesting if it falls into deadlock and they can’t get anywhere. People will say he can negotiate better with North Korea than the House of Representatives.”

Holiday Decorating Contest

Any staff member, department or college club are invited to participate in decorating their offices, hallways, bulletin boards, or any approved location on campus.

An entry form must be turned in to Tom Ryder by Dec. 3 and judging will take place on Dec 7 from 11-2.

The winner will receive a $50 Visa Gift Card and the traveling trophy to be displayed in their office. The winner will be announced at the Staff Holiday Party.

The event is sponsored by Student Government and contact Tom Ryder with any questions at ext. 4201.

14 • Opinion

November 19, 2018

Agora/mcccagora.com

Christmas gifts for college students Todd Salisbury Agora Staff

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Unless you’re a college student with a parent who doesn’t know what to get you for Christmas. People are difficult to shop for, especially college students.

Between working and going to classes, students may not have time to sit down with their parents to get questioned about what they need or want for Christmas.

It may be hard to swallow pride and admit that a wellthought-out gift could be useful.

Shawn Jackson, an MCCC economics student, doesn’t worry about his Christmas list.

“I usually don’t ask for much for Christmas,” Jackson said. “But batteries for a calculator definitely are helpful.”

Brian Schyllander, who studies mathematics at MCCC, said students in math courses may want to ask for the TI-84 or the TI-89; both are high end graphing calculators.

The two calculators are made by Texas Instruments and assist students with simultaneous equations, plotting graphs, and real world data collection. The TI-84 costs around $115 and the TI-89 around $145.

In addition, Schyllander said advice books for orga-

nization, test taking, and other topics would be beneficial.

Karalee Delormier, a student studying early childhood development, had other ideas for gifts.

“I feel like maybe gas cards,” Delormier said. “I waste so much gas coming up here almost every day.”

Gas cards can be bought at almost any supermarket or even at the gas station directly. Gift cards for stores such as Meijer and Walmart can be used at their respective gas stations as well.

Faith Drew, who also studies early childhood development, said gift cards for places to eat and shop are great, too.

Drew said craft supplies would be very helpful for her due to projects in her classes.

Student Brooke Ryan said a laptop or a bike would make great gift ideas.

“I got these last year, and really wanted them,” Ryan said.

Ryan received an Apple MacBook last Christmas, however there are other brands on the market for students. Some include HP, Toshiba, Lenovo, Acer, and Asus.

If there’s little time to shop, cold hard cash is always an option.

Art by Cheyanne Abel

A (condensed) Thanksgiving history lesson James P. Quick Agora Editor

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it may be pertinent to look back at the First Thanksgiving. Let’s dive right in!

Thanksgivings were a ritual among the New England colonists. These days of prayer were primarily done to thank God for the end of droughts and major military victories, among other events.

The 1621 Thanksgiving began as a simple harvest festival. The Pilgrims went out fowling, probably for waterbirds like geese and ducks, and got a massive haul.

In one day, they shot enough fowl to feed all 53 people in Plymouth for a week.

Then 90 Native Americans showed up at the gates and everyone held their breath.

These natives were of the Wampanoag tribe, who lived in seasonal settlements throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and outlying islands such as Martha’s Vineyard.

Tisquantum, usually known by his shortened name of Squanto, was among the natives who arrived. However, he wasn’t Wampanoag.

In 1605, Squanto had been kidnapped from the area by English entrepreneurs looking to use the natives as slaves and props to attract investors to their colonial enterprises. After 13 years enslaved in England and Spain, Squanto returned to New England in 1618. Unfortunately, his native tribe, the Patuxet, had been annihilated by an epidemic while he had been away, and he was now the last.

Due to his enslavement, Squanto knew English and was a vital interpreter between the natives and the Pilgrims. He had also taught

Photo courtesy of Ruocaled on Flickr

Turkey wasn’t probably served at the First Thanksgiving, with ducks, geese, and venison on the menu instead.

the Pilgrims how to grow corn and catch eels.

Thanks to Squanto’s interpreting, it became clear that the natives meant the Pilgrims no harm. In fact, they brought venison to the feast. They were welcomed in, and what followed was a three-day celebration with feasting, prayer, races, and more.

These events assisted in sealing a treaty between the groups that lasted for 54 years

until the outbreak of King Philip’s War in 1675.

Almost two centuries later, the U.S. Continental Congress declared a national Thanksgiving upon the enactment of the Constitution.

However, this was not well-accepted by many.

After 1798, Thanksgiving declarations were left to the states, as it was considered to be forcing religion on the people, a big

no-no considering the separation of church and state. Southerners especially saw it as a strictly New England custom, and not one they had any interest in.

Thanksgiving Day only became a national holiday during the Civil War, when there were enough Northerners in the legislature to allow for it to be declared without outcry.

On Oct. 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared Nov. 26 to be the first national Thanksgiving.

The date was moved in 1942 to the fourth Thursday in November by a joint resolution of Congress. This was after a contested move by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who tried to push the date back to the third week of November to increase Christmas shopping times and stimulate the economy.

I’m not quite sure how to end this, so have a fun fact. “Jingle Bells” was initially written as a Thanksgiving carol. Some say it was intended for a Sunday school choir, but it seems that’s not entirely true.

By the standards of the time, the song would have been considered racy and too sexual for children… quite how, I’m not sure. I’ve looked at the lyrics, and nothing seems especially lewd or salacious to my eyes.

But hey, if the Victorians can consider the word “elbow” to be obscene and refuse to call pants anything other than “the southern necessity,” then I guess something as innocuous as taking a ride in the country can be too much for the sensibilities of that time.

Anyway, go out in your one-horse open sleigh (or car, whichever is more convenient) and jingle all the way, folks! Happy Thanksgiving!

Agora/mcccagora.com

Arts & Entertainment • 15

November 19, 2018

‘Hate’ captures racism, brutality Maya Gaynier Agora Staff

Every day, many Americans are faced with discrimination.

Whether based on their race, sex, gender orientation, or class, dealing with this discrimination has a profound effect.

“The Hate U Give” is a realistic showcase of how these issues are affecting people’s lives and how we can speak out against these injustices.

It deals with many social issues that have been prevalent in American society, including racism, police brutality, and self-identification.

Directed by George Tillman Jr., “The Hate U Give” was released on October 19, and is based on the bestselling young adult novel of the same title by Angie Thomas.

I would give this movie five out of five stars. It is a compelling story that had me feeling a million emotions all at once.

(This review does contain spoilers.)

The film follows the story of Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) as she tries to balance living in a poor, mostly black neighborhood, while attending a private school full of mostly rich, white students.

However, her world collapses after she witnesses the brutal murder of her childhood friend, Khalil Harris (Algee Smith).

The first thing I noticed while watching this movie was the incredible talents of the writers and actors.

From beginning to end, the character development was amazing.

Chris (KJ Apa), Starr’s boyfriend, begins to understand the life Starr lives. This allows him to understand Starr in a way he never has before. He realizes the injustices happening to her and her family, which lights a fire in him to help her cause.

This shows us it is possible for different races to come together and live in harmony.

In addition, the characters were created to be relatable, realistic, and beautiful in their own ways. For example, though Khalil Harris was only in two scenes, he was able to capture the audience’s hearts. Khalil had such a hard life, and yet he never stopped smiling.

He was so protective of his family: his grandmother had cancer, his mom was a drug addict, and he had a little brother to take care of. His feelings were contagious, and Smith’s performance was intoxicating.

“We’ve been together our whole lives, Starr,” Khalil says, foreshadowing his imminent demise. “We’ve got time.”

This quote, while sad due to the implications of his death, also makes you realize how sweet Khalil is and the kind of person he has become.

This incredible character who barely had any screen time is a testament to the abilities of both the author of the screenplay, the late Audrey Wells, and the actor, Smith.

The Agora: a place to express your passion

Starr Carter, played by Amandla Stenberg, comes to terms with the bigotry in her life while balancing living in a poor, mostly black neighborhood, while attending a private school full of mostly rich, white students.

But this movie is about more than just amazing characters.

It also tells a story about police brutality.

Police brutality is defined as excessive force by police when dealing with civilians. Although this is not a new problem, many cases have been making national news.

April Ofrah (Issa Rae), an activist in the movie, speaks about this social injustice at Khalil’s funeral.

“Violence. Brutality,” she says. “It’s the same story, just a different name.”

“The Hate U Give” gives a much-needed story a voice beyond what is seen in the news.

This story is necessary in providing perspective for those of us who have not had to face this issue, while encouraging those who have lived like Starr.

The emotional aspect of “The Hate U Give” is also something to be admired. Going into this movie, you are prepared for the heaviness and sadness of the topic.

However, seeing the family aspect of the movie created warmth and happiness throughout the heavy topic. You see the Carter family have a loving household as they eat meals together, pray together, and share their lives with each other.

There was also a comedic aspect, brought mostly by Chris and Seven Carter (Lamar Johnson), that had viewers laughing out loud.

Additionally, this was a fantastically done book-to-film

Todd Salisbury Agora Staff

The Agora is not just for journalists.

It is for writers, bloggers, broadcasters, photographers, artists, critics, reporters, sports analysts, and anyone else who is passionate about what they do.

At the Agora, we deal with any and everything related to media.

While we do feature our stories in the newspaper and on our website, it is also a space for those who just want to express themselves.

adaptation. Having read the novel before seeing the movie, I had very high expectations for accuracy with the characters, events, and themes.

One positive addition to the movie is Uncle Carlos’ (Common) point of view. He provides the other side of the story, telling Starr what it is like to be a cop in Garden Heights.

Though his character is prevalent in the book, he does not clearly tell a cop’s point of view. I thought this was a good addition because it acknowledges that the issue is not so clear-cut, while still showing that this is a problem.

There was also a big change at the end of the movie: Sekani Carter (TJ Wright), Starr’s younger brother, does not pick up the gun in the book.

Despite this change, I appreciated the shock it brought to me and those who have not even read the book. That emotion only added to the intensity of the final scenes.

At the end of “The Hate U Give,” Starr knew that she needed to speak out against the discrimination she and others had faced.

Just as she did, we need to fight for what we believe in and speak out against injustices that are being committed.

Her father, Maverick Carter (Russel Hornsby), says it best.

“When you’re ready to talk, you talk. Don’t ever let nobody make you be quiet.”

Have a Gordon Ramsey moment after documenting your experience at a local restaurant.

Or, after watching the newest indie or blockbuster, put your feelings down on paper and let out your inner Roger Ebert.

If you’re interested in improving your photography skills, there’s no better place.

There’s also a place for traditional artists.

An artist can work on something amazing or go to an art exhibit and a piece just makes them go “Wow.” Showcase it, talk about it, and let others know.

Want to be a reporter, then go and interview people on campus for stories and report it or broadcast it.

These are talents not every journalist has, but every news organization needs.

If any of this sounds appealing, now is the time to sign up.

If you have already taken Journalism 161, just sign up for Journalism 162. If you have not, contact advisor Dan Shaw at deshaw@ monroeccc.edu do discuss waiving the prerequisite.

16 • Arts & Entertainment

November 19, 2018

Agora/mcccagora.com

A Misfire in Pink Neon

Muse’s new album marred by mismanagement Todd Salisbury Agora Staff

Is rock finally dead?

As hip-hop and pop continue to dominate both the airwaves and charts, rock music seems to have found itself stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

Luckily, Muse, Britain’s most famous progressive rock band, has taken up the fight to keep rock alive.

After releasing a number of singles to garner interest, Muse released its eighth studio album, “Simulation Theory,” Nov. 9.

With its highly stylistic Kyle Lambert cover art, the 1980s influence that runs throughout the album is on full display.

While he is perhaps best known for his work on Stranger Things, Lambert’s hyper-realistic 80’s-style movie poster is one of the best aspects of “Simulation Theory.”

Though the album itself has a nice sound, most of the songs feel like they are missing something; it’s as if they were rushed.

Also, album mismanagement, which is the biggest problem plaguing “Simulation Theory,” is responsible for the lukewarm reception.

The first single, “Dig Down,” came out way back in May 2017 and does not vibe with the rest of the album.

I believe Muse initially intended to build the album around this song, but somewhere along the way, they lost track.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), “Dig Down” is a fairly mediocre song which never should have made it past the final cut.

Just putting it out as its own single would have been the better option.

Another issue with the album is the other four singles were released over the course of 2018.

While “Thought Contagion” is the standout of the album, it came out in February. Fans have been able to listen to it for almost a full year.

“Something Human,” which came out in July, is mediocre at best.

“The Dark Side” and “Pressure” - two of the best songs on the album - have been out since September.

“Album mismanagement, which is the biggest problem plaguing “Simulation Theory,” is responsible for the lukewarm reception.”

Beloved actor Terry Crews makes a surprise appearance in the music video for “Pressure.”

By the time that “Simulation Theory” was released, I had already grown tired of three of its best songs.

I was looking for something new to wow me, and “Algorithm,” the album’s first track, was the only song to do so.

“Simulation Theory” has a cool concept and trippy music videos, but its lack of depth, the mismanagement of its best songs, and hollow atmosphere left me feeling underwhelmed.

Simulation Theory is Muse’s eighth studio album.