ONE WO R L D SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
ONE
WO R L D SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
ONE WO R L D SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY Editor- in - Chief : Maggie Hazzard
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Creative Director : Clair Thibaudeau Executive Editor : Taylor Jackson
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Section Editors : UNIVERSITY SAINT LOUIS Kate Berman Paulina Menichiello Copy & Content Editor : Hannah Wiley Design Editors : Mary Curnette Ellie Kerbleski Lauren Seiler Elizabeth Zofkie Promotions Director : Claire Prestage Event Coordinator : Jenna Norman Finance Director : Tyler Rickett Founder & Visionary : Jessie Sullivan
Letter from the Editor Dear Readers, With the world around us constantly changing and social justice movements inching not only closer to St. Louis, but also moving onto our campus, SLU students face a unique challenge: how do we engage with others amidst incredible injustice right down the street? This edition of OneWorld raises questions about injustice around the world, from human rights issues in Uganda to racial issues in St. Louis. In response to these injustices, individuals and organizations are working to fight against them and create an environment where differences are not only respected, but encouraged. We express our gratitude to our sponsors from the Center for American Progress-Generation Progress and the Saint Louis University College of Arts and Sciences, the Cross Cultural Center, and the Division of Student Development. A special thanks to the Center for Service and Community Engagement. With the creation of the Faith and Justice Collaborative, OneWorld now has the opportunity to work with other social justice organizations to further our involvement in the community. Also, a special thanks to Bryan Sokol for his continuous support and guidance. Without the collective efforts of these individuals, departments and organizations, OneWorld would not be possible. We hope that this issue of OneWorld empowers you to take action in our city and world and to fight for both our human rights and our civil rights. As citizens of this beautiful city, we have the responsibility to engage the world around us in an informed and educated manner; we have the responsibility to be informed Billikens. liveOneWorld, The Editorial Team
Table of Contents: 5 7 9 10 11 13 14 15 17 18 20
Ferguson: the Power Struggle The Battle for the Homeland ISIS Informative Intervention People for People The Deadly Truth Silent Suffering Ebola Yes Means Yes, No Means No, Silence Still Means No World Perspective I Seek to Shed My Skin
Ferguson: The Power Struggle Caitlin Johnson
Senior, International Studies Major
When police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson this August, residents of Ferguson and their allies seized the opportunity to expose to the world what many at the margins of society already know: American democracy is a broken system. As protests filled the streets of Ferguson, the police force donned riot gear and forcibly denied demonstrators basic civil liberties such as the right to assemble and the right to free speech. Saint Louis University graduate student and resident of Ferguson, Joshua Jones, participated in multiple protests on West Florissant and Canfield. “There were people walking around with their signs and t-shirts and doing all those types of things, but virtually peaceful,” he said. Despite their peaceful
nature, Ferguson police sought to curb protests by imposing curfews and a “five second rule,” which required demonstrators to keep moving at all times. Police arrested, tear-gassed and shot rubber bullets at those who did not comply. According to Jones, “People felt like their rights to peacefully protest were being compromised.” Indeed, the First Amendment guarantees the right to peaceably assemble. The government may place certain limitations on this right so as to ensure the safety of the community, but the police never communicated the “five second rule” to the public in print and enforced it arbitrarily. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged this rule in court on the basis that it is “an unconstitutional restriction on the rights of speech and assembly in its own right.”
“People felt like their rights to peacefully protest were being compromised.”
In early October, Federal Judge Catherine Perry granted a preliminary injunction in the lawsuit, which required that Ferguson police immediately stop enforcing the “five second rule.” In addition to violating constitutional rights, these attempts to quell dissent have only strained the already tense relationship between police and the community. The Ferguson police justified their aggressive and militarized response towards protests by claiming that they were seeking to protect people and property from a few individuals who were not participating in the interest of peace. Admittedly, the job of a police officer is highly stressful, and in a large crowd, it may be difficult to separate peaceful protesters from aggressive agitators. Police are permitted to use force on the job, provided it is not well beyond what is necessary to handle a situation, a guideline which is highly subjective and generally left to the discretion of the officer. However, protesters and observers in Ferguson have dubiously questioned whether using riot gear and tear gas on an entire crowd to subdue a few troublemakers falls within the realm of necessary force. Protesters perceived these actions as provoking violence. Jones said, “Police have been saying [things] to people like ‘Come on, come on’… like they want something. They’re out there expecting or almost like, encouraging negative activity from the crowd…I think that’s probably the number one boundary that was crossed.”
Although the police response to protests in Ferguson has been disturbing, the tensions and injustices the situation highlights are not new. Part of this tension exists because of the disproportionate way police arrest, stop and search black residents of Ferguson. In a community where blacks comprise 67 percent of the population, they accounted for 86 of stops, 92 percent of searches and 93 percent of arrests in 2013, despite that fact that when white citizens were stopped and searched, police were more likely to find contraband. Additionally, because the police force in Ferguson is only six percent black, members of the community struggle to identify with the police officers and feel as though police officers struggle to identify with them. As Jones said, “I think it’s important for the community to understand the struggle it is to be the police, but it’s important for the police to understand the struggle it is to be a person within a certain community.” According to a New York Times article, the racial disparity between communities and their police forces is not unique to Ferguson, since “Across the country, the percentage of whites on the force is more than 30 percentage points higher than in the communities they serve.” More diverse forces and better diversity training for those forces are necessary if the country is to begin repairing the broken relationships between police and the communities they serve. Many cities and towns across America have already taken steps to diversify
their police forces, and to train their law enforcement in working with individuals and communities of color. However, police departments across America will face many challenges in achieving these goals, in part because mistrust of the police runs so highly among young people of color that they are unlikely to become law enforcement officers. This makes it difficult for law enforcement departments to recruit talented individuals to their ranks and better serve the needs of communities of minorities. In light of these abuses of power and the tension they have created, it is hard to believe there could be a positive aspect to what has occurred in Ferguson and, overall, St. Louis. However, Jones believes there is. “People are going to be diligent, and people are going to be steadfast in what they believe is right, and… as long as people are passionate about something that they believe in, I think there are always pros to come out of that.” As Dr. Stefan Bradley said at a panel on Ferguson, “Once again, black youth saved American democracy.” Whether it is through voting for local officials that are dedicated to developing diverse police forces, writing to police chiefs about one’s concerns, actively protesting or financially supporting grassroots organizations dedicated to protecting our rights, Americans now have an opportunity to put their feet down and tell police, politicians and others in positions of power must ensure civil liberties to all citizens.
OneWorld l Page 5
The Battle for the Homeland To the international community, it appears that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has hit its peak. With both sides ceaselessly firing at the other, concerns over the future of their homelands arise as the death tolls continue to increase. Both sides seem incapable of agreeing to a truce, much less any form of peace. Because both Israel and Palestine fewwwwwqqwel the need to defend their territories, each state has taken to extreme measures of protection. While Israel has built the Israeli West Bank barrier, the famous wall keeping Palestinians from entering Israeli-claimed territory, Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization, is actively contributing through military and media strategies to the violence and devastation. Hamas, an acronym that translates to “Islamic Resistance Movement,” is a militant fundamentalist Islamic organization in the West Bank and Gaza. By insisting that “the Palestinian people were living in peace and security” before the Israelis “occupied the land,” Hamas relentlessly fights for the liberation of Palestine from what it deems an oppressive Israeli power. Terming Israel an “enemy of peace,” Hamas refuses to recognize the state of Israel, rejects peace talks and aims to destroy Israel. In the previous two years, Israel and Palestine have attempted peaceful discussion despite continuous violence; however, the recent and abrupt, violent conflict has erupted as a result of years of tension. The negative Palestinian response to Jewish presence has existed since the end of World War II, during which the Jewish people received a portion of Palestinian territory as compensation for the persecution of their people during the Holocaust, and the world’s lackluster
response. Fighting broke out in 1948 between the two groups, resulting in the official establishment of the nation of Israel, largely composed of Palestinian refugees who fled the violence. At that time, Gaza was under the control of Egypt and West Bank was under the control of Jordan. Following another war in 1967, Israel controlled all of the three formerly Palestinian territories but offered to return the land if the Palestinians officially agreed to recognize the nation of Israel. Israel eventually left Gaza in 2005, but shortly after, the fundamentalist group, Hamas, took control. Currently, the Israeli military holds Gaza under a blockade in response to Palestine’s violent efforts to regain the entirety of the land they owned prior to World War II. The same day Israel enacted its disengagement plan from Gaza, it also voted to create the Israeli West Bank barrier around the Palestinian town of Qalqilya (which the Israeli government deemed the “least disruptive” to Palestinian lives). The five-meter-high concrete and wire and mesh wall stretches 670 kilometers, and was originally enacted as a “sniper wall” to prevent gun attacks on motorists. Although Israel argues that the wall is purely a “security article,” the West Bank barrier stands as a contentious structure between warring peoples. This tension has continued to increase because of the recent abduction and killing of three Israeli teenage boys. Suspecting Hamas involvement in the murders, Israel initiated a search for the culprits and raided 1,000 Palestinians’ homes, arrested 300 Palestinians and killed ten Palestinians. On the same night the bodies of the boys were found, Gaza fired rockets at Israel. Additionally, a Palestinian teenager was kidnapped and murdered,
Pallavi Vishwanath
SLU Graduate
escalating the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The world wonders if an end to decades of violence is in sight; however, Israel continues to push for the complete demilitarization of Gaza and, despite heavy civilian casualties, Hamas continues to gain the support of the Palestinians for its efforts to improve Arab society. Through Hamas’ contribution to the creation of social welfare programs, soup kitchens and orphanages as well as the operation of schools, hospitals and religious institutions in Gaza and the West Bank, Palestinian support remains strong. Israel has received criticism for targeting and killing Palestinian civilians, but reports of Hamas military strategies intentionally involving and endangering civilians have recently surfaced. Although Palestine has experienced nearly 1,900 civilian casualties as of September 2014, Israel has accused Hamas of applying a “human shield” by storing weapons within populated buildings like hospitals and schools and preventing civilians from leaving combat areas. The United Nations reportedly found rockets in a vacant U.N. school that was being used as a shelter for over 3,000 displaced Palestinians. In addition to Hamas’ disputed military strategy, it has also applied an effective media strategy, using the international media as a resource. Hamas continually posts footage of the killings of Palestinians online in efforts of gaining support from the international community. Despite attacking populated weapon storage sites, Israel continues to provide direct material support in the form of water, humanitarian aid, and electricity to Palestinians in the nation’s effort to maintain Israeli presence in Gaza.
A
World
of
Walls Information provided by CNN
2ww Building barriers is a frequent response by countries to keep out unwanted foreigners or violent attacks during war. Countries have used walls for military and political reasons for centuries, most famously the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall and the Israeli West Bank barrier. Following Israel’s example of the West Bank barrier, Egypt and other countries affected by the horrors of Hamas and the Israel-Gaza conflict have considered constructing their own walls to prevent further violence. Watch towers, barbed wire, and heavy artillery serve as means of protection but also have the ability to isolate certain peoples and cultures. Walls across the world serve to keep people in while simultaneously shutting people out. 7th century B.C.E.: The Great Wall of China 1953: The Korean Demilitarized Zone (North and South Korea border) 1961-1989: The Berlin Wall 1969: The Peace Walls (Belfast, Ireland) 1980-1987: The Moroccan Wall (Western Sahara) 1986: Bangladesh-India Border 1994-1996: Israeli Gaza Strip Barrier 2005: West Bank Barrier (Qalqilya, Palestine) 2006: United States-Mexico Border 2012: Syrian District Walls 2012: Greek-Turkish Border barrier OneWorld l Page 7
June 2004
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi establishes al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). .
ISIS announces the creation of a caliphate (Islamic state) that erases all state borders. This statement assumes ISIS as the authority of the world’s estimated 1.5 billion Muslims. The United Nations announces that an estimated 1.2 million Iraqis have been forced from their homes.
May 2006
Al-Zarqawi is killed in a U.S. strike. Abu Ayyub al-Masri, also known as Abu Hamza alMuhajer, takes his place as leader of AQI. AQI leader, Ayyub al-Masri, announces the creation of Islamic State in Iraq (ISI), and establishes Abu Omar al-Baghdadi as its leader
2013
ISI absorbs another al Qaeda-backed group based in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra. The combined groups now become Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)
Information provided by CNN
ISIS
ISIS kidnaps more than 140 Kurdish schoolboys in Syria. The group forces the kidnapped to take lessons in radical Islam
[
4 1 20
October 3
ISIS releases a video showing the apparent beheading of hostage Alan Henning. In the same video, the group threatens the life of American aid worker Peter Kassig, also known as Abdul-Rahman Kassig, the name taken after his reported conversion to Islam.
In Syria’s Homs province, ISIS claims to have killed 270 people after storming and seizing the Shaer gas field.
August 19
[
July 17
The decapitation of U.S. journalist James Foley, missing in Syria since 2012, is revealed in a video posted on YouTube by ISIS militants. The life of another captured journalist, believed to be Steven Sotloff, is threatened.
September 2
ISIS releases a video showing the beheading of U.S. journalist Steven Sotloff. Analysts and U.S. officials change their original estimation of 10,000 ISIS fighters to between 20,000 and 31,500
September 13
Another video is posted revealing the apparent execution of British aid worker, David Haines, making him the third Western captive to be murdered at the hands of the Islamist extremist group.
Known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or translated as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS started an al Qaeda splinter group. ISIS aims to create an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and Syria. ISIS controls hundreds of square miles of northern and western Iraq, killing hundreds of people and committing public executions and crucifixions. Originally, they had collected funds through extortion and robbery; however, they recently have generated resources through attacks aimed at capturing territory. The Leader is Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi with little known about him. OneWorld l Page 9
Informative Intervention: Grace Nyikes
The International Struggle for Gay Rights
Freshman, Business Major As the thirtieth state in the United States legalizes gay marriage, Uganda struggles to uphold their newly-established gay rights agenda. The fight for gay rights seems solely an “American” issue; yet, we often overlook the brutal fight for marriage equality across the globe. While we in America fight for the civil right to express sexuality, people in Uganda fight for their human right to exist as sexually-diverse individuals. Although the United States continues to propel this social revolution forward, the country considered at the “forefront of the human rights movement” must push the gay rights movement outward using informed and culturally sensitive methods. However, the United States has not always acted within this culturally sensitive mindset. In February 2014, a series of Western-led protests came to Uganda, ignorant to the political and social climate concerning gay rights, and indirectly forced President Museveni to enforce the nation’s anti-gay laws. Prior to western involvement, the Ugandan government did not enforce laws against the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. However, according to the New York Times, this new enforcement of the law took shape of stricter punishments for anyone found in violation of the anti-gay enforcements, such as life imprisonment for those who belong to the LGBTQ communities. Forced to be an outsider in his own culture, Pepe Julian Onziema, a Ugandan LGBTQ activist who identifies within these communities, has chosen to fight against the imprisonment and torture inflicting the homosexual
community. Although he suffered from the rampant persecution of his community in Uganda, he felt the importance of fighting to change, rather than abandoning, the system that plagued his homeland. “I look over my shoulder every day, but there is no place I’d rather be,” said Onziema. Through combined efforts by Onziema and the Ugandan LGBTQ community, the Ugandan government deemed the anti-gay laws unconstitutional in August 2014. Despite the recent legal changes, the aggravation against homosexual citizens continues. Dr. Emmanuel Uwalaka, an associate professor in Political Science at Saint Louis University, said that Uganda and many other African countries “view gay rights and same sex marriage as a taboo.” Dr. Uwalaka continued, saying, “Homosexuality goes against African culture.” The ignorance of foreigners who seek social change often contributes to the persistence of these issues. Dr. Uwalaka said that “education is key” in developing effective methods of intervention and assistance. As society develops and the United States continues to push its social progress outward, people must gain a better understanding of the importance of respecting cultural differences. Despite the negative consequences of the aforementioned American intervention, activism remains an essential element of international cooperation and progress. By creating a more informed understanding of the issues in a cultural context, one can effectively cross international borders without negatively affecting the cultures that exist behind them.
People for People
Trey Poche
Sophomore, Business Major No stranger to Saint Louis University (SLU), Paul Jackson, one of the men often seen at the crosswalk at Grand, is not begging. “I’m a working man,” he said, when asked about himself. Paul works two jobs; one bussing tables at a hotel, and the other selling magazines for Whats Up Magazine and accepting donations from people like you and me. Paul and other Whats Up Vendors pool all of the money raised to provide basic services for themselves and other homeless members of St. Louis. However, interacting with people who ask for money is not always as positive of an experience, as with Paul. Society teaches us that a complete stranger is never someone to blindly trust. How can we find the Paul Jacksons of the world, when the opportunity to communicate is limited? Unfortunately, determining if you should or should not interact conversationally with a person who approaches you for money or another favor on the street proves a tricky judgment call. Overall, the priority is to maintain your own safety. Debbie Wilson, Micah Program Coordinator, stresses awareness of safety issues when interacting with strangers. The evaluation process that could lead to interaction should not solely depend on the person who is asking for your help, but should depend on your circumstances. Paul, who sometimes stays on the
streets, believes that you should not give in to the requests of everyone. He advises to “study the person who comes up to you.” He know that not everyone will use the gift appropriately. Some individuals certainly would utilize the help provided in a positive way, such as purchasing basic necessities, while others may abuse this act of kindness. Linda Alexander, a Peer Intake Specialist at Places for People, a recovery center for homeless individuals, battled with a mental illness and substance abuse problem that pushed her into homelessness. Her success story exemplifies how service providers like Places for People change lives and circumstances, and she now works with people seeking the same services she once needed. One of the best services that these centers offer is a personal caseworker to accompany individuals in their recovery. Alexander recounted her personal experience with a case-worker, stating, “He always asked me what I was going to do, and that gave me the thought that I was more than what I had thought I was as a mentally ill, drug-addicted homeless person.” The services provided gave her progress possibility. Alexander concludes, “The thing I was most appreciative of as a homeless person was a facility where my needs were met and catered to.”
One of the best things we can do as SLU students in the St. Louis community is direct the people we meet on the street to agencies or shelters that can provide them the proper support. Any act that shows a person his or her importance is immensely valuable, but directing a person in need to a shelter or rehab facility is an everlasting gift.With simple awareness about facilities near SLU, you can bridge the information gap and connect those you meet with professionals who dedicate their lives to these populations. The next time you see Paul Jackson or walk past a person appearing to be homeless or in need, be genuine. Be safe and know your surroundings, but know that you can “support your fellow man” as Paul often says. You can direct someone to a service agency like Places for People, you can take someone to get a meal and engage in conversation, or you could even spare some change. Although these small efforts do not single-handedly pull a person out of homelessness, the cycle that Alexander and others in her former situation experienced will diminish if we abandon our comfort zone and say “hello.” Your small efforts of acknowledgement will play an important role in the development of an individual’s confidence in overcoming the challenges of his/her current circumstances.
OneWorld l Page 11
The Deadly Truth
Facts By Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide (C.H.A.D.S.)
Depression Based on the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, 8% of students in grades 9 through 12 reported attempting suicide in the past year.
900:1
For every completed suicide in the 15-24 age group, about 900 attempts are made.
is associated with
of completed suicides
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for both the 10-14 and the 15-19 age groups in the United States, and is 2nd for the 20-24 age group.
Half of all
More children die from suicide in the 15-19 age group than from the
Top 6 begins before age 14
medical causes of death combined.
I Seek to Shed My Skin
Paulina Menich
youth 15-24 die by suicide every year in Kansas City Metro area.
Sophomore, Public Health M 29% of students nationwide reported feeling so sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row that they stopped doing some of their usual activities.
youth ages 15-24 die by suicide every year in the St. Louis Metro area.
youth 15-24 die by suicide every year in Missouri.
OneWorld l Page 13
Silent Suffering
The disease that is hurting more people than you know.
Maddie Hellebush
Freshman, International Studies and Economics Major Scared. Depressed. Hurt. Worried. Confused. These are feelings not only felt by individuals suffering from depression and anxiety, but also by those who support them. Fear in losing the individual to suicide or feeling afraid that the individual might self-harm is a form of anxiety in itself for the families and friends trying to help in the healing process for a person battling mental disease. It is difficult for supporters to feel these emotional constraints as they attempt to supply a foundation for the person. Often, they hide their own emotions because they feel their concerns are inadequate compared to their loved one’s suffering. Ten to 20 percent of the American population has a diagnosable mental disease, according to the licensed professional counselor Lofton Anderson of Harrisonburg, VA. Each of these individuals who endure mental disease have families and friends that try to support them. Families and friends often feel frustration and helplessness because they are incapable of curing the disease. However, they can provide appropriate support for the individual so they do not feel alone or worthless.
ONE in FOUR Americans
experiences
mental illiness every year.
There are many faces of mental disease; whether Robin Williams or Amanda Bynes, they all deserve the same respect. Occasionally, we misdiagnose and misinterpret the symptoms and cannot help those who hide their internal suffering, like Amy Winehouse and Heath Ledger. Often, we never even realize that the strongest individuals struggle with mental disease, individuals such as Abraham Lincoln and Ernest Hemingway. These individuals suffer in silence with little to no support, looking to friends and family who lack proper education or understanding for healing and comfort. Although many feel themselves privy to what a “typical” face of mental disease looks like, often people are surprised by how close these silent sufferers can be to their own lives. Frequently those suffering from mental illnesses can be those sharing a residence hall or classroom. Today, mental illness is prevalent on college campuses, a fact that can be attributed to the difficulty of transitioning into a new atmosphere. Many struggle with the newfound freedom and the unfamiliarity of the college lifestyle, and thus develop mental illnesses. The most prevalent of these illnesses tends to be depression; however, others include anxiety, loneliness, alcoholism and substance abuse. Additionally, bulimia and anorexia are rampant on college campuses in both young men and women. According to Anderson, college students today experience an even more intense amount of pressure than previous generations, and this pressure is often linked to the desire to achieving a near perfect GPA, getting accepted into a respected graduate program and finding an excellent internship or job. Many feel as though they cannot make any mistakes along the way. Social media and the expectation to share successes with friends while appearing to have a struggle-free life amplify this pressure. As Millennials continue to strive for perfection, the generation as a whole faces an increasing amount of mental disease among its peers. Increases in social media and the emerging need for instant gratification has negatively affected depression and develops low self-confidence and self-image, worsening this already difficult situation. Society’s perception of mental illness has improved immensely in the last 30 years due to a raised awareness of the gravity of such diseases. However, we must continue to preach support and solidarity for those who struggle with mental disease in order to eliminate the shame associated with such illnesses. Through positive words, actions and support, we can fight mental illness together.
Ebola Arjun Kaverimanian
Sophomore, Health Science Major Imagine the beginning of sickness, with the fever-like symptoms, muscle pain and headaches. Originally, it seems unconcerning, but the following week initiates the vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding from the gums. What is most disturbing, is the known fact that there is no cure for the sickness. With a morality rate of about 50%, devastating symptoms, no universal treatment and an unpredicted outbreak, Zaire Ebolavirus is indeed quite a frightening pathogen. Though Ebola has stricken many times in the past, the 2014 outbreak is the highest profile flare-up in recent history, with a total of near 4,950 deaths. Originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Ebola virus occupies fruit bats and chimpanzees as hosts, later transmitting to a person when coming into contact with the bodily fluids or secretions of these animals. Within two to 21 days, an individual can expect symptoms to arise, beginning with fever-like symptoms, and ending with bleeding from the gums, blood in stool and severe vomiting. Though the virus is terrifying, Americans generally need not be afraid. As NBC reports, “In the developed world, [the odds of contraction] are virtually zero”. Furthermore, CNN found that there were 6,535 cases in Liberia, 5,338 cases in Sierra Leone, 1,667 cases in Guinea, but only four cases in the U.S. As long as one does not live in a Third World country with insufficient health care services, the risk is insignificant. The virus cannot spread in the air, a common misconception, nor is it likely one will be infected from touching an object that an infected person has touched (unless bodily fluids have contaminated it). Because of this, citizens of the United States and other developed countries have little to fear regarding the contraction of the virus. As a result of the broken healthcare infrastructures present
in certain developing countries, the number of deaths from Ebola is quite high. In the current outbreak, citizens of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia are suffering most of all, with about 13,500 reported cases. The health care systems in these countries are quite broken, which eludes to a larger issue. If the health care systems were prepared for such an epidemic beforehand, thousands of innocent lives could have been saved. Countries need to be both prepared for an outbreak, as well as educate the general public about the pathogen of an outbreak. Containing a viral outbreak such as Ebola is a complex task, requiring knowledge of not only medicine, but also culture. Dr. Fernando Serrano, an Assistant Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health, commented that “many of the professionals were not ready to deal with the cultural aspects of the issue”. Dr. Serrano adds that while it was an emergency situation that required immediate intervention, “a good public health official would have gone in and asked, ‘what are your concerns’, and began from there to educate.” In the native cultures of these African countries there is a strong feeling of community among the people, hugging and touching being an integral aspect of the culture. Therefore, the virus was able to spread quickly as families mourned their dead and came in contact with infected individuals. Because these communities were not properly given the opportunity to learn about the methods of transmission, the virus was allowed to spread needlessly to a great degree, taking with it many lives. In addition to the cultural side, the healthcare systems of these African countries are crucial in understanding why the virus spread as it did. According to Dr. Serrano, one major problem is that the health care systems in countries like Guinea and Sierra Leone are “weak systems that lack resources”. Lack of technology and lack of access to medical resources creates a schism between medical knowledge and the ability to apply it. Moreover, policies need to be implemented to minimize the effects of other similar incidents in the future. As Dr. Serrano believes, “The international community needs to put [its] resources and commitments [in] for the long haul.” Outbreaks will continue to occur in the future, so prevention and education are key to controlling the resulting tragedies. Ebola as a virus has elements to fear; it results in terrifying symptoms and has no universal cure. However, fearing contraction of Ebola is a completely different thing than fearing the viral aspects of Ebola. Though it is always important to be cautious and maintain proper disease prevention measures, the spread of Ebola throughout the U.S is extremely unlikely. Unfortunately, the same does not apply to African countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, where the outbreak of the virus has primarily spread. Therefore, the efforts of the international community should be put into helping the people in these countries get through this difficult time by containing the spread of the virus, improving the health care systems and bringing education to affected communities. If the international community can come together to accomplish these tasks, Ebola will not have such tragic effects in the future.
OneWorld l Page 15
Yes Means Yes. No Means No. Silence Still Means No.
Taylor Jackson
Sophomore, English and Sociology Major The growing awareness of the problem of sexual assault is shaking the nation to its core, and the realization that university settings are one of the top encouragements of these behaviors is forcing universities and individuals to consider why: large amounts of alcohol, high levels of hormones, and a general feeling of rebellion all contribute to this problem. Problems of consent are especially prevalent, as students confuse silence with a “yes,” leaving many students violated and voiceless. Because of these issues, universities around the country now face the reality on their campuses and reconsider their sexual assault policies. In 2014, the White House released a report called “Not Alone” that sought to “protect [female] students from sexual assault.” In the report, statistics such as, “One in five women is sexually assaulted while in college” and “most often, it happens in her freshman or sophomore year” forced colleges to reconsider their lax policies and insufficient trauma centers. Many times, these cases are ignored or put aside; at least 55 universities still have open, unresolved rape cases pending, including universities such as Harvard University, Vanderbilt University and The University of Chicago. Although these universities are now reevaluating their policies, the problem still remains: one in five college women will experience some form of sexual assault, and shockingly, in 75-80 percent of the cases, the woman knows her attacker. Changing university policies, such as requiring less evidence to convict an attacker, can fix the result and outcome of a rape, but the prevention of rape is not found in quick rape-kit results or better trauma care. It is essential that the people at these universities--namely, college students, faculty and staff--create an environment where rape is not only unacceptable, but also abhorred. There are many ways that an average college student-both males and females--can end the prevalence of rape and its legacy on college campuses. Although rape seems to be
unsolvable, it is not. It takes a combination of both higher authority and grassroots movements to end this atrocity. Rape should not go unreported, and no matter how difficult it can be, it will only end when people truly see the reality of the situation and receive justice for their actions. YES MEANS YES, NO MEANS NO, SILENCE STILL MEANS NO The biggest myth that leads to rape is that a girl asked for it. Maybe she was drunk, maybe she was almost naked, maybe she could not give consent. That means it is okay, right? Wrong. Nothing excuses rape behavior. If a girl cannot physically say yes, then it is not okay to have sex, or other relations, with her. That is what consent is: there are no blurred lines here; it is a black and white issue. Yes means yes, no means no and silence still means no. ACTIVE BYSTANDER The second thing that college students can do is be an active bystander. If you see someone taking advantage of someone else, stop him or her. Step in, and make a big deal out of it. Rape is not something that is comical or lighthearted; it is a serious matter that must be taken as such. SUPPORT AND REPORT Finally, if your friend is a victim of rape, just listen to her story. Sit by her when she is hurting; there is no need to ask questions or blame someone. If you feel that she is in danger to herself or someone else, then report it to your RA, a professional counselor, your professor or whoever else that can help. Rape should not be ignored, and victims of rape should not be blown off. Rape hurts, not only physically, but also emotionally, especially when she likely knew her attacker. Be a listening ear to her, and report it to a higher authority.
Every
One in Five only
women is sexually assualted in college.
13%
75%80%
of the cases, the woman knows her attacker.
21
[
hours
there is another rape on an American college campus.
[
College women are most vulnerable to rape during the first few weeks of their freshman and sophomore years.
of forcible rape survivors report the crime.
90% of all campus rapes
occur under the influence of
alcohol.
What to do if you think you’ve been raped 1. If you are injured or feel that you are still in danger, call 911 immediately. 2. Otherwise, transport yourself (or have a friend transport you) to a hospital for a general wellness exam and/or a medical forensics exam (“rape kit�). Even if you have not yet decided to report a crime, receiving a medical forensics exam will allow the police to access the information at a later date. 3. Before receiving a medical forensics exam do your best NOT to: - shower or bathe - eat or drink - use the bathroom - smoke - brush your teeth or use mouthwash - change clothes - comb your hair 4. If the crime occurred in an area with which you are familiar, do NOT: - clean up the crime scene - move anything the offender may have touched 5. Report the crime to the police and/or seek professional emotional support if necessary.
OneWorld l Page 17
World Perspective Kate Berman
Junior, Public Health and French Major Had I been born a different fate, I might not have looked upon a library as one does the seven wonders of the world, might not have reveled in the luxuries of literature. A pen would have been just a tool with ink, not a magic wand that creates, that puts wishes onto pages, that mingles words and makes them play. The power of a pen might have been unknown to me. Had I been born in a different home, Freedom might have been just a vision in the distance, like a dream I had to chase, a desperate race to the finish line, a brutal fight, a struggle all my life. Freedom might have slapped my hand instead of shaken it, averted its glanced instead of smiled into my eyes. Freedom might not have been mine. Had I been born a different kind, I might have shown my faith by concealing my face beneath a veil, or felt the weight of His Presence through the lessons of the Bible instead of the tales told by the Torah. My beliefs might have been given to me instead of chosen by me, forced upon me like a label, branding my skin, defining my character, the soul that hid within. No, religion is not meant to imprison one’s life, to cause division of minds or collision of mankind. It’s just an individual right that we all possess, not a reason to point fingers like guns to a chest. Had I been born a different name, Loneliness might have lived alongside me like a roommate I could not escape, a shadow that carved a caliginous cave inside the caverns of my heart. I might never have known the language of praise, might not have known the comfort of a warm embrace. Family dinners might have been a foreign phrase that tasted unfamiliar to my tongue. I might never have seen that childhood is not meant to be clean, but a place where flour-covered faces make sense, and mothers don’t fuss over messes made as long as memories are made along with them. A whole world I would have missed Had I been born a different fate.
ONE WO R L D SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
ONE Thank
you
to our W O sponsors R L D
Our Mission:
We are already one, but we imagine that we are not. OneWorld exists to rediscover that, while we are many in our culture, religions and struggles, we are one in our common humanity. We yearn to remove the barriers of ignorance and injustice because the most basic and unchanging truth that unites us is the infinite value of the human person. OneWorld emphasizes this unity by raising awareness of social injustice; inspiring action; and transforming our hearts, minds and society.
The support of OneWorld’s sponsors ensures that our organization will continue to grow and become a more sustainable and meaningful community project. To enquire about supporting us in 2014-2015, please email oneworldmagazine@gmail.com.
SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Call to Action The center for Service and Community Engagement (CSCE) joins OneWorld in its efforts to promote thoughtful discussion on issues that impact our lives and our communities. Raising our collective awareness of local and global concerns is the first step in making this commitment. The second step is action. Whatever interests or time availabilities you might have, the CSCE can help connect you with organizations whose work appeals to your broader interests, academic path and personal growth.
Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. -Martin Luther King Jr.
I Seek to Shed My Skin Paulina Menichiello Sophmore, Public Health Major
I seek to shed my skin, When you cast your eyes on me, Our profound and “human” bond, Turned to shallow slithering. I feel your poisonous whispers, As they sink beneath my skin, I yearn to rip it off, As the disdain crawls within. Do you really hear me, Through this wall of black and white? I’ll leap that dreadful structure, To escape my ghostly sight. I wish the world would tint me Another lonely shade, Paint the bias in my pallor, So you hear the words I say. How can I “see” through your eyes, When my scales won’t let me see? To shake this gnawing guilt, Please take this skin from me! For you do not share my color, You don’t even know my name, Though we look very different, We hate our skin the same.