The Stylus- February 23, 2018

s u l y t S e h T

Volume 123

ISSUE

2017-18

#2

Visit stylusonline.org for online news and student blogs

A student publication of Park University since 1895

FB: ParkUniversityStylus stylus@park.edu February 23, 2018

Park stands with Jamal Jon Hokenson Editor Last weekend, Park University adjunct professor Syed Ahmed Jamal glimpsed his family through a detention center window. According to the Facebook page of Jamal’s legal representation, Sharma-Crawford Attorney-at-Law, this was only possible after an hour of negotiation, allowing his lawyer to visit him in the room closest to his family, which had a window.

“Even though we called three times prior to that to ensure we could make this happen, no one ever told us they had to be there 30 minutes prior,” said the firm’s Facebook page. “While they were thankful for the visual, the disappointment of being that close with no verbal or physical contact was heartbreaking. We find it appalling that criminal defendants get multiple opportunities throughout the

In This Issue: News......................1 Opinion...............2 Entertainment....3 Campus Life.....4-5, 8 Features..........12 Sports...............9-11

week to visit with family, but Syed, who is not criminal, and being held on a civil violation is allowed one visit a week. So, now the family must wait.”

Jamal had been teaching chemistry at Park University before he was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On Jan. 24, ICE agents handcuffed Jamal on the front lawn of his Lawrence, Kan., home while he prepared his children for school. According to the Washington Post, ICE agents said Jamal had overstayed his visa twice and violated a 2011 order to leave the country. An initial claim that Jamal had been arrested for a misdemeanor in 2012 was later rescinded when ICE could not confirm the charge.

“He was employed as an adjunct faculty member teaching a course,” said Park University President Greg Gunderson, Ph.D. “When he was collected by the ICE, he was unable to teach so we had to bring in a replacement instructor. My hope is when this settles he can return in an adjunct capacity and continue to teach for us.”

Since Jamal’s arrest in January, community members of Lawrence and Kansas City have organized letter writing campaigns and raised money through GoFundMe to assist with legal fees and to support his family during this crisis.

“We’ve tried to, within the confines of the law as we understand it, express our hope for leniency,” said Dr. Gunderson.

“We’ve been blessed to have the congressional delegation, such as representative Cleaver, who’ve taken intense interest in the case. We’ve been coordinating to

See Jamal on page 6

PHOTO/Kalie Strain Poet Kavindu “Kavi” Ade performs at a Park University poetry event to share some of his work.

Arts educator leads student discussion at poetry event Jon Hokenson Editor

In the first week of black history month and the second half of Park’s Year of Diversity, the school welcomed poet, arts educator and peanut butter enthusiast Kavindu “Kavi” Ade. Ade spent Feb. 5 and 6 performing and facilitating a workshop with attendees, exploring different types of art and their ability to invoke social change.

“I’m queer, and I’m trans, and I’m black. I’m also a first generation American,” said Ade, appearing from backstage to take the podium. Ade’s Bajan mother

is a Jehovah’s Witness and their father, from Trinidad, practices Santeria.

“You’re going to learn a lot about me tonight,” laughed Ade, explaining the many elements that shaped their world view and the resulting poetry. For the past eight years, Ade has worked with 13to 19-year-olds as a performance coach, guiding teams of teens to events such as the Brave New Voice festival.

“We were on our way back from just winning this regional slam, and it was the night the Zimmerman verdict was announced. So I wrote this poem about

See Poet on page 7

OPINION

Page 2 February 23, 2018

Stigma misconstrued between mental illness and gun violence

Kalie Strain Reporter In the wake of another school shooting, this time at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School where 17 people died, there are calls for mental health

reform. This is a harmful and inaccurate understanding of the problem. Mass shootings are rarely done by people with mental illnesses.

According to Julie Beck in her 2016 article titled “Untangling gun violence from mental illness,” four percent of all violence can be contributed to mental illnesses.

People with mental illnesses face a lot of stigma. They are treated as if they are dangerous, liars, attention seekers and crazy. This puts the lives of those with mental illnesses in great danger.

People with mental illnesses are much more likely to be the victims of violence and abuse than they are to cause it.

Crystal Phend, a senior associate editor at MedPage who specializes in writing about medicine, wrote an article

called “Mentally ill often targets of violence,” in 2012. In this article she showed that one in four people with a mental illness will suffer from violence in any given year.

“The odds of physical, sexual or intimate partner violence in the prior 12 months… is 286 percent higher for the mentally ill,” Phend wrote.

Mental illness stigma is dangerous in another way. People often don’t seek help for mental illnesses because they don’t want to be outcasts for getting treatment.

“The prejudice and discrimination of mental illness is as disabling as the illness itself. It undermines people attaining their personal goals and dissuades them from pursuing effective treatments,” stated psychological scientist Patrick W. Corrigan in a report titled, “The impact

University’s drag show amazes audience

Carin Bublitz Reporter Walking into the chapel at Park University, you see stained glass windows, church pews, crosses and a stage. You would not think, “now this is the perfect place for a drag show,” but at 7 p.m. on February 7, the Spectrum Club and the Park Student Activities Board thought just that.

The organizations held a successful and entertaining drag show for its

students to participate in along with professional drag kings and queens.

“The whole thing had so much energy, I loved it,” said Bailey Deiter, freshman culinary arts major, and she was not the only one. The performers also loved it.

That evening the show started with Widow VonDu coming out and wowing the crowd by doing cartwheels across the stage. If her goal was to excite and mesmerize the audience, she certainly accomplished it. Throughout the evening, many professional drag kings and queens, as well as Park University students, lip-synced and dance routines.

They fed off the audience’s energy.

“The audience was really great; it was fun to hear them go ecstatic and made me feel more comfortable with what I was doing because I was nervous. They made me feel loved and really excited to keep dancing,” said Sam Culver, freshman business management major, who on stage goes by Queen Bee. As the show went on many of the performers jumped off the stage and

performed among the audience, creating an exciting and fun atmosphere for everyone. It was incredibly engaging. The show made it impossible to not give your attention to all the performers and what their acts entailed. Many of the audience members loved it.

“My favorite part of the drag show was probably when one of the queens came and danced in front of me. I thought it was up close and personal, it was really fun,” said Tim Whittaker, freshman criminal justice major.

The show ended with host Widow VonDu jumping off the stage then landing in the middle of the aisle in the splits.

The audience went wild and the energy level was at its peak.

“Cody VonDu was my favorite because I take a lot of inspiration from drag kings, and I really want to be one,” said Deiter at the end of the show.

After all the performers left the stage there was cake and cookies after the performance ended. February 7 was a night to remember.

of mental illness stigma on seeking and participating in mental health.”

People with mental illnesses, during a crisis, are often met with police instead of medical attention. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, two million people who have mental illnesses are jailed every year. NAMI also has said that the vast majority of those jailed are for non-violent offenses.

If society is so determined to only ever discuss mental health after acts of mass violence, then let’s do it. Mental health reform is important and legislation needs to be passed. A national and useful conversation needs to be had, but we can’t just use the mentally ill as a scapegoat and not talk about the actual causes of mass violence.

STAFF LIST EDITORS IN CHIEF: EMILIE HESTON CICELY NGUYEN

EDITORS:

LOGAN FREEMAN JON HOKENSON CONNOR JONES MAX MOHR DAYANA PLAISIME ARRON RIFFLE REPORTERS: SKYLAR BRITT CARIN BUBLIZ ABBY JEANS CHRISTIAN MCFADDEN ZARTASHA SANI KALIE STRAIN

FACULTY ADVISER: KRISTIN SHAW

See page 12 to see the photos of Park’s first ever drag show.

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 3 February 23, 2018

New millennial shopping experience in downtown Parkville Abby Jeans Reporter Wild Layne Boutique hit Main Street Parkville last November, offering a variety of girl’s and women’s clothing along with jewelry, shoes, hats and more. The goal of this unique store is to have “cute, trendy boutique-quality clothes at very affordable prices,” said general manager Darcy Moon.

The store has items for any occasion. They sell a variety of skirts and blouses and also more casual wear such as sweaters and beanies. While you’re shopping you can find the perfect pair of Nichole Lewis earrings to tie your outfit together and grab a new candle on your way out.

Owner Kelly Dahl began her business by selling clothes out of her basement in St. Joseph, Missouri. From there, she started to sell a few clothing items in salons and then was able to open her first storefront in St. Joe. Dahl stumbled upon Parkville by accident.

She had an appointment in Kansas City when she discovered beautiful Main Street.

“She fell in love with the area and particularly the store space,” said Moon. “So she was just eyeballing it until it became available and snagged it right up as soon as it was open.”

Dahl is all about empowering women and the name of her store comes from two important females in her life. “Wild” came from her late mother who had a wild personality and spirit. Dahl used her daughter’s middle name “Layne” and the two together is what created the Wild Layne Boutique.

Next time you’re taking a stroll on Main Street, check out this trendy new boutique.

If you find something you like, a Facebook check-in will get you five percent off your purchase.

Wild Layne Boutique, 113 Main St, Parkville, MO 64152 Closed Monday, open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.

PHOTO/ABBY JEANS Wild Layne Boutique is situated right in the heart of downtown Parkville and features a variety of clothes for all ages in their wondow display.

exhibit features Park professor’s work Skylar Britt Reporter “Different Views,” featuring artwork by Park University adjunct professor Lynn Richardson, finishes its run in the Campanella Gallery in Norrington Center today.

The gallery was founded in 1988 by Professor Donna Bachmann. It was named after Vincent Campanella, who founded Park’s fine art program in 1952 and taught here for

nearly 30 years. The current gallery, however, is the newest reincarnation of it, as it was part of the recent Norrington renovation. It was previously in the underground.

Andrea Lee, assistant professor of art and director of the Campanella Gallery, said there are many benefits to having an art gallery on campus.

“Students have expressed that they find the gallery to be a peaceful place where they can enjoy artwork and provide a break from their studies,” said Lee. The next show in the Campanella Gallery will be the New Works faculty art exhibit, on display from March 5-April 26. Admission to the gallery is always free.

“Exposure to the arts can enrich people’s lives,” said Lee. “It can inspire them in their own lives.”

PHOTOS/MAX MOHR

CAMPUS LIFE

New technology comes to Park University Abby Jeans Reporter Recently, PSGA has been expanding the technology offerings at Park University. The tech fee committee has brought the laptop kiosks, Ink cloud printers and a virtual reality lab to campus. So what’s next?

HoloLens.

Microsoft has introduced the first holographic computer that allows anyone that wears the glasses to engage and interact with holograms in the world around them.

These HoloLenses are expected to hit campus this fall, offering a new, unique learning experience.

“What we’re trying to do is incorporate it with more education,” said Gunner Backues-Eberspacher, a junior marketing major and PSGA secretary. “Essentially it provides a virtual world within the real world.”

Backues-Eberspacher explained that this will be especially beneficial for programs like nursing and interior design. It allows professors to make in-depth demonstrations that might be difficult to do on paper. Interior design majors would have the capability to interact with a room they have designed, and nursing majors could interact with a hologram of a skeleton or any other object.

This hands-on experience is what Backues-Eberspacher believes to be the most beneficial quality this new technology has to offer.

The tech fee committee’s role is to enhance the learning experience via technology. Money that is allocated to this group is typically spent on maintaining technology that Park has already acquired.

“When bringing new technology to campus, the committee is able to make decisions by utilizing surveys, focus groups and advice from the IT department,” according to Thomas Murphy, junior business management major and PSGA president.

“The thing is with the HoloLens as compared to some of the technology we’ve had before, is that we’ll be able to utilize it in more of a class setting,” said Murphy.

“For example, if you were in an art class and wanted to design a whole building, you’d be able to wear the glasses, have the teacher tell you information, and it be displayed in the air.”

New technology requires some practice and training especially when the HoloLenses come at a price tag of about $3,000 each.

“The tech fee (committee) will be in charge of reaching out to students and implementing different practice to be able to utilize it,” said Murphy. “Once we’ve gone through this process we will be able to make a decision on how students and faculty access and utilize the HoloLenses.”

The end goal of this project is to acquire enough HoloLenses for a whole classroom. Until then, two will become available to students in the fall.

Page 4 February 23, 2018

Science Hall renovations

PHOTOS/Kalie Strain Over winter break, six classrooms and a lab were renovated in Science Hall.

Top: Room 310 from the back corner showing the new white boards.

Bottom: Room 210 from the back row showing the new white boards.

Conversation Partners benefits domestic and international students alike Carin Bublitz Reporter Going to a new country where you have a hard time speaking the language and not many people speak your native language can be difficult. Conversation Partners is a new program at Park University that brings together students of all cultures, both international and domestic, to share their experiences and practice their English language skills with each other, on- on-one.

The program’s 22 members pick their own partner and meet once a week for

30 minutes at a time to talk. Even though students do get to pick their own partners, they do not have the same partner every week. They switch partners every so often so that every member gets to have a conversation with each other.

“Each partner is very nice,” said Chinese music performance major Jin Lei Shi, a freshman. “I think it’s a good way to communicate with each other,” she said.

The scheduling is extremely flexible.

Students arrange a meeting with their partner on their own, which means they can schedule their meeting between classes, in the morning for coffee, or they can

go grab lunch together.

Conversation Partners offers a range of benefits for not only the international student, but the domestic student as well.

“It’s a chance for students to meet other students,” said Amy Jenkins, director of the English language and culture institute at Park University. “It’s a chance for a cultural exchange between two people.

It’s an opportunity to make new friends, for international students to learn more about Park and America, and for domestic students to learn more about the international student’s home country, their perspectives and views,” said Jenkins.

The group also allows international students to meet with their partners and listen to different American accents and practice their speaking skills with feedback and corrections from the domestic student.

If Conversation Partners sounds like something you would be interested in, it is not too late to join. You can join at any time, and be included in meeting new friends from all over the world by contacting either Amy Jenkins at amy.jenkins@park.edu or Michael House at michael.house@park.edu and telling them you are interested.

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 5 February 23, 2018

StepUP store available to fulfill Park students’ needs Zartasha Sani Reporter Assistant Director of Academic Support Florenda Jarrard sees many students throughout her busy day. From athletes to commuters and international students, her job is to help any student achieve and maintain academic success. In her role as the StepUP coordinator and disability services coordinator, she not only provides academic support, but also mentors students for success in their overall college experience.

Jarrard saw a growing need for the StepUP store because she came across students who did not have access to basic toiletries and necessities for day-to-day living.

“We wanted something that the students could go to and get those things so that they don’t have to go without,” said Jarrard.

She was inspired to start the store after having conversations with students who had either just moved here, were waiting on their work study jobs, or just didn’t have access to certain items over break.

With the help of Laurie Gunderson and other faculty and staff members, Jarrard started filling up the cabinet in her office with deodorant, towels, toothpaste and other toiletries for students. In about a week the StepUP store was up and running. Students can come get what they need at no cost, and the service is completely confidential.

“This is just another way to reach out to them (students) and say hey, there’s people here that care, and we’re willing to help you,” said Jarrard.

To Jarrard, academic support is not just doing well in school, but having access in other areas of life that make up the overall college experience. She wants to help as many students as possible. The biggest goal of the store is to provide students with items they need to ensure their health and wellness.

Right now, information about the StepUP store is mainly being spread by word of mouth and fliers. Jarrard hopes that the Park community can be involved in the future of expanding the services of the store. Students bringing their peers in

is another great way to spread awareness about the store and help those who may not know how to get these resources.

Students can currently make an appointment within the Tutor-Track system or stop by Jarrard’s office on the third floor of Norrington to find out more about obtaining items or get more information about the store.

“The biggest thing I’ve seen from this is how appreciative the students are, and the fact that they have come back and put in things that they didn’t use and knew that someone else could (use). So, I think it’s a thing of give when you can, but take what you need because we want everyone to have access to those items,” said Jarrard.

Chinese New Year celebration embraces diversity on campus Carin Bublitz legs reaching over 10 feet tall and grabReporter bing fans off of tables and flipping them

PHOTO/Carin Bublitz A member of the Pho Hien dance troupe performed in the cafeteria for the Chinese New Year celebration.

Among the colorful, dancing lions, inviting drumbeats and delicious food, the atmosphere in the Pirate Café at Park University was full of New Year’s cheer and excitement. The year of the dog began the Chinese, or Lunar, New Year on February 16. To celebrate, the Pirate Café served a special New Year’s lunch to all students including commuters. Jasmine steamed rice, vegetable lo mein stir fry, ginger sesame sugar-snap peas and chicken pot stickers were on the menu. When asked her favorite part of the celebration, freshman music performance major and Chinese student Wei Ran said, “Maybe it’s the food, the dumplings.”

The celebration also included the Pho Hien lion dance troupe, which includes Jessica Pham, a senior chemistry major at Park University. The Pho Hien troupe preforms lion dancing routines with stunts and choreography. The dragons were full of energy, dancing between tables, jumping up, standing on their hind

in their mouths.

“The lions were cool,” said junior business administration major Elizabeth Leeper. “They got in your face. They would like flitter their little eye lashes.

That was kind of cute.”

The Chinese New Year celebration also brought a little bit of the Chinese culture to Park for everyone to enjoy.

“It’s my last year here, and you know getting to watch this is really good because you know sharing of culture is something that is good. It was fun I liked it,” said senior business management major Victor Murgor, who is from Kenya. When you bring different cultures together everyone can learn from one another.

When the Pho Hien lion dance troupe danced their way out of the Pirate Café and the drumbeat faded, the Park University Chinese New Year Celebration ended.

Students and faculty finished their meals, packed up their bags and headed out to enjoy the year of the dog.

NEWS Jamal Continued from page 1 offer our support. As we become aware of more, we will certainly do it.”

“I know there are going to be people who disagree with our support of Jamal, and I have received notes,” Dr. Gunderson said. “I would say, if there was a common concern it’s ‘Why did Park hire an illegal alien?’ And it is a basic misconception.

While he wasn’t here under a valid visa, he was as a legal resident of our country, and he had permission to work. As late as January, 2018, through the federal government’s E-verify system, we had confirmed that he had a social security number and a valid work permit. He could work. A lot of people make assumptions that simply aren’t true. My hope is everyone on this issue, whether you agree with our position or not, will take this opportunity to become more informed to understand this is an incredibly complex issue. It’s not that a lot of these people that are being impacted intended to end up in this situation. I think a number of people do their best to comply with the rules, but the rules sometimes are confusing and are changing. I think the amount of attention his case has gotten in the press is really leading to that conversation in Kansas City and even nationally, as to how these deportations can really transform a community, not just the individual.”

Some complications faced by immigrants in the United States are detailed in Jamal’s “Immigration Timeline,” laid out

by KCUR Health Editor, Dan Margolies.

It covers back to 1987, but in the last month, Jamal first had a stay of removal issued by Judge Glen Baker, which was later dissolved due to questions of jurisdiction. The Board of Immigration Appeals ordered their own stay while carrying out a review, according to the timeline. The second stay was issued after Jamal was already in the air, bound for Bangladesh. He was removed from the flight when it stopped to refuel in Hawaii, the Associated Press reported.

“I think we have to always be cogni-

Page 6 February 23, 2018 zant that we don’t fully understand the law,” said Dr. Gunderson. “When we’re not experts in the law in question, we’re asking for leniency, which is within the law. Justice is truly not blind, it’s truly able to balance out multiple interests. We hope that it does in this instance. I think all of that reflects our desire when we talk about being a family as an institution.

When we have a family member that faces a challenge we want to be supportive.”

This particular challenge comes at an interesting time.

This year is the 75th anniversary of what’s become known as the “Battle of Parkville.” The Nisei students were Japanese children born in America, nine of whom attended Park College when between 110,000-120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were interned during World War II. Associate professor of history Timothy Westcott, Ph.D., spearheaded a display about the incident that can be viewed in the underground outside the Park Academic Plaza.

“It’s interesting because the state that had the largest Japanese American population was Hawaii but there was no relocation from the island that actually was bombed,” said Westcott. In creating the exhibit, Westcott pored through more than 1,300 documents in the Fishburn archives.

“If you go down there you’ll see some of the postcards,” he said. “We have hundreds of postcards from alumni in support. There are a few that did not support, but you can see the number who did, with full understanding that the financial risk to the college could’ve been very great. The community did not support this action. Accepting people with an ancestral connection with a nation that just bombed us; we, this small Presbyterian college in the middle of nowhere, are willing to risk all that,” said Westcott.

“It was incredibly controversial, and the university received considerable negative attention as a result,” Dr. Gunderson said of the incident. “But it was the right thing to do and time has proven it to be right. As I look at our history, I’m committed that we remain on the side of his-

tory that’s right. Park believes one of the greatest transformative powers we can provide the world is an American western education. It transforms. It creates democracy and stability where they don’t exist. That’s something that’s been in our DNA for 142 years.”

Losing a person to deportation can transform a community beyond the loss of an individual. Inversely, inclusion of a perceived outsider can change a group beyond the sum benefit of that individual.

“We believe having international students on our campus enhances the education experience of everyone,” said Dr. Gunderson. “We not only change and transform them through their education, they change and transform their countries and they change and transform us.”

This exponential value of cooperation is Dr. Gunderson’s justification for supporting Jamal, as well as international students.

“If we have a student who, because of visa rules is unable to return to the U.S.,” said Dr. Gunderson, “we will provide them their education online until they finish their degree, or we will make arrangements to have them attend a school in Europe that is American-based so they’ll be able to still achieve their dream of an American degree. We would pay the difference between the tuition that they currently pay at our institution and what would be required to pay to finish their degrees. There is nothing that would ever stop us from delivering our commitment of an American education to our international students. We will stand by that no matter how things progress. There’s nothing in that desire that is challenging the law or changes to the law, we’re just putting our stake in the sand as far as what we will do regardless of any changes in visa regulations. Our students are ours.”

This belief proved correct for Park in one very literal way. In the corner of the Nisei exhibit sits a letter from William Yamamoto, Ph.D. He was one of the nine Nisei students who attended Park.

“In the 90’s, every surviving interned person received a reparations check

from the United States government,” said Westcott. “He donated half of that check to Park College.”

“I was declared a stranger in my own land and you took me in,” begins the letter.

“There’s no way to necessarily remove those events of 75 years ago from events that were occurring in the spring and fall last year,” said Westcott in reference to the executive-order travel bans and the suspension of DACA. “And now this,” he added in reference to Jamal’s detainment.

“The family has probably changed, somewhat. The heart of all that hasn’t. We accept who we accept. We can look at that as race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, all those things,” said Westcott.

“I think that’s what the ultimate story of the Nisei students was,” said Dr. Gunderson. “We created artificial boundaries that divided a population and said the American experience didn’t belong to them.”

If the parallels of these events are still not apparent, please consider these words from William Lindsay Young, Ph.D., Park president from 1937-1943.

“Park College opens the present school year under extremely abnormal circumstances,” he said in 1942. “The world is on fire. The flames of hatred engulf the entire human race. War breeds hysteria and makes for emotional instability. Feelings become intensified and sound judgment is difficult to exercise. If we are not careful in our anxiety over the issues involved, we are apt to do damage to those very values which we are now anxious to preserve. So let us resolve to be good Americans, loyal Americans, intelligent Americans. Let us resolve that we will not weaken our nation by cheap slanderous remarks about those in our midst with whom we disagree. We are Americans, all. Let us prove to the world that while emotions surge around us like a billowy sea, while tides of hatred tend to render rational processes almost impossible, we will strive with the help of God to demonstrate democracy at its best on this hillside.”

NEWS Poet Continued from page 1 that,” said Ade, before launching into the first poem of the night. Mid-sentence shifts from jovial to heartbroken seem to be a signature of Ade’s writing and illustrate the importance of vulnerability in their work.

“To create, you have to be vulnerable in some capacity,” says Ade. This idea was reinforced in the workshop on the second night of the event. After watching some performances from 2015’s Brave New Voice finalists, attendees participated in an exercise those same finalists had employed. In a circle, with closed eyes, everyone contemplated the most vulnerable thought they had that day. At Ade’s prompting, individuals approached a board and wrote the thought anonymously.

“No one knows who wrote what, and I don’t look at the board when I do it,” says Ade. “Then everyone opens their eyes and reads the board, and it’s all these different thoughts that people have had throughout the day. It’s always interesting how other people can connect with something someone else wrote. Sometimes we feel so isolated and alone in our thinking around certain things, and then there’s someone else who completely understands where you’re coming from,” Ade explained about the exercise.

One of the event’s planners, sophomore psychology major Ghislaine Fumey, elaborated on the purpose of the second night’s workshop.

“The biggest thing I wanted to do the workshop for was to have more of a hands on thing instead of just people being up there and spewing,” says Fumey.

“Get into it, actually do it for yourself and see what it’s about,” she adds.

“It doesn’t have to be the most poetic thing as long as it’s their words. Some people free write, some people write essays honestly. It’s just to get people writing and talking about how they feel about the world,” added Ade. Ade makes an

Page 7 February 23, 2018 adamant point that the substance of expression is much more important than the resulting art’s quality.

“When I was younger I did a lot of those things – a lot of protesting, organizing, planning marches – and I got to a point where I realized that everyone’s activism doesn’t have to look the same,” says Ade. “We’ve kind of bought into this collective notion that this is what activism looks like. I think it can be really detrimental because after a while the protest starts to take a toll on your mental health.

It’s like living this loop. I’m not devaluing people who still participate in that form of protest but I know, for me, it got to a point where it was hurtful more than it was helpful. My art is activism because I am having difficult conversations, showing up, being visible and calling out systems of oppression, but through art.”

Ade sees art invoking social change across decades and mediums, pointing first to modern singers like Janelle Monae and Kendrick Lamar.

“He [Lamar] had a song called ‘Alright.’ Just looking at how it lent itself to the movement for black lives and protests where people in the streets are chanting ‘Alright’ because it’s such an uplifting song that helps people know they’ll make it through this,’” says Ade. “I feel like people don’t necessarily connect those two things as a social justice piece of art, but it became one.”

Weaving between past and present, amid poets and painters, Ade sees parallels and relevance everywhere. Ade compares Baltimore-based Devin Allen with civil rights and apartheid-era photographers.

“These were images that galvanized generations. Art is so far reaching in different ways. There’s such a breadth of art that can really speak to people and inspire them. It still matters,” says Ade. In an interesting intersection of ideas, Ade’s ability to travel and perform workshops such as this was made possible by their own openness to feeling vulnerable.

Last year, Ade stepped down from a position with a nonprofit organization in order to pursue the life of a traveling poet.

PHOTO/Kalie Strain Students participate in a group activity at 2-day poetry event “I pretty much travel the country and go to different colleges and universities, conferences and perform and speak on panels,” says Ade. “I do Q & As, teach workshops; I’m actually going to have my first show outside the U.S. in March, in Peterborough, Canada.”

“It’s really fulfilling and I meet incredible student leaders and people with really powerful voices,” they add. Despite this base of support, there are still many places Ade doesn’t feel welcome. In another example of being open to vulnerability, however, they’re often places they feel needed most.

“I think that there definitely are queer and trans spaces that specifically cater to white people, and they don’t necessarily know how to engage with people of color,” says Ade. “The way that manifests is that in those spaces, I experience microaggressions and racism, and they cant even realize that they’re perpetuating those things because they feel like, as part of an oppressed identity group, they can’t be harmful, while being harmful.”

Ade has also felt alienation in the black community, recalling an unwelcoming reception when speaking at an MLK day panel in Philadelphia.

“I was so nervous to have to speak here tonight because I didn’t know who was going to deny me my humanity,” Ade recalls saying. “It’s ridiculous because we show up for y’all. In some ways, with these multiple oppressions it’s because we have less to lose; we’re already at the bottom. It’s not fair to us that you don’t show up. It’s not fair that when a black trans woman is murdered, you’re not at that rally.”

These issues highlight the importance of Ade’s work, and that of anyone else involved in the same fight.

“This event is to educate,” says Fumey.

“You can’t really solve a problem without knowing the history of the problem.

This is the first of many steps. The year of diversity is a continuation of the year of inclusion. We’ve included people, now, how do we make that space diverse?”

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 8 February 23, 2018

ICM student places fourth in Singapore competition Arron Riffle Editor Graduate student Laurel Gagnon made waves at the Singapore International Violin Competition by placing fourth among 30 handpicked contestants from around the world. On top of that, it was her international debut.

“We found out our exact placement when we had the awards ceremony after the grand final, and I didn’t play in the grand final because there were only three people. So, I knew I was placing somewhere between fourth through sixth,” said Gagnon.

Gagnon’s success was built on months of practicing and preparing for the event after being handpicked through prescreened, blind auditions.

“I found out in the middle of October and the live rounds started in the end of January. So, I basically had three months to prepare,” said Gagnon. The violinist chose from a list of songs that would suit her strengths as a musician and show off her best performance.

During the competition Gagnon continued to maintain her composure round after round even though there would be days between performing and finding out

last remaining violinists. In the final round she played a Mozart Concerto with the conservatory orchestra.

“I don’t get to play with an orchestra very often so it was pretty special,” said Gagnon.

Gagnon would find out soon after her performance that she wouldn’t advance to the grand finals, but would place between fourth and sixth. At the award ceremony she was awarded fourth place and, with it, the $6,000 fourth place prize and her choice of a Rin Collection violin, one of over 500 string instruments collected by Rin Kei Mei a successful businessman. She choose a Carlo Tononi violin from 1719.

“It’s pretty surreal; I don’t if it’s sunk in yet. I didn’t expect anything like this, so I’m really honored, happy and excited and really proud for PHOTO/Arron Riffle my teacher,” said Gagnon when asked about how she felt about placGagnon gives an impromptu performance in the Graham Tyler Memorial Chapel. ing fourth in her first international the results of each round.

Perform. Practice for the next round. competition.

“I had to wait two days to hear the Wait. See the results. Perform. Repeat To hear more about Gagnon’s experesults. I think that was worse than the until her final performance in the final rience competing on the international nerves performing, was the waiting,” said round. stage, please go to stylusonline.org to Gagnon. Each of the following rounds she The competition had dwindled down watch the video interview. played in following the same structure. to six, with Gagnon being one of those

Spencer Cave lecture series celebrates Black History Month Carin Bublitz Reporter For the past 16 years Park University has put on the Spencer Cave Black History Month Lecture Series during Black History Month in February. This year is the 17th lecture in this series, and Michael Dinwiddie, associate professor at New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, will be discussing James Reese Europe and the influence he had on bringing jazz to the European continent.

The title of the lecture is “From ‘Bandana Land’ to ‘No Man’s Land:’ James Reese Europe’s Musical Journey.”

Dinwiddie will be at the Gem Theater, 1615 East 18th street in Kansas City, at 7 p.m. on Monday February 26.

The lecture is free, but reservations are suggested if you

plan to attend. Individuals interested can make reservations at www.park.edu/black-history.

The lecture this year is unique. It focuses on James Reese Europe, a ragtime bandleader who influenced the spread of jazz across the European continent.

“This lecture is only the second time in 17 years that music has been a focus. In addition, the lecture continues our commemoration of the World War I centennial,” said Timothy Westcott, Ph.D., associate professor of history.

Another unique aspect is that there will be live jazz band performing a few selections from Europe’s compositions.

According to the James Reese Europe biography in the Library of Congress, “James Europe signed up and was commissioned a lieutenant for the 15th Regiment under Colonel Hayward. He was ordered to put together

the best band he could muster, and he did so, going as far afield as Puerto Rico to find the musicians he wanted.

His friend Nobel Sissle served as his drum major. This regiment became the 369th Regiment, known as the Hell Fighters, and proceeded to amaze continental Europe – especially France, with its brilliant and original music.”

Students, faculty and community members attending should plan “to engage in an expression of music and how that expression of American culture influenced greatly the European music scene,” Westcott said.

This lecture is sponsored by Park University’s History Program which has partnered with the American Jazz Museum, the National Archives at Kansas City, The National World War I Museum and Memorial, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group.

SPORTS

Page 9 February 23, 2018

Bittersweet emotions abound after star’s release

It’s the end of While his college career was certainly remarkable, Finally, it came down to fourth and goal from the an era. most of us here in Kansas City will remember him half-yard line.

Derrick Johnmore for his days with the The Raiders lined up son has truly been Chiefs, which were just as in wildcat formation, with an icon of Kansas impressive.

Bush taking the snap diCity sports for the I’ll always remember rectly. He ran left, where past 13 NFL seathe Chiefs vs. the Broncos there appeared to be an sons, and I cannot in week 17 of the 2009 opening, but instead, Derbegin to describe NFL season as one of my rick Mother-You-Knowhow much I wish I favorite games ever. The What Johnson took him weren’t writing this Chiefs entered the game out at the legs again, homage to one of 3-12 on the season, and cutting him down for no the greatest Chiefs the Broncos, at 8-7, needgain and turning the ball to ever grace the ed a win at home to reach over to the Chiefs. That Logan Freeman field at Arrowhead the playoffs. was one of the greatest Editor Stadium.

This game was pargoal line stands I’ve ever PHOTO COURTESY/Kansas City Star seen, and Johnson did it “I want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs and the ticularly memorable for Johnson tackles Raiders running back Marshawn Hunt family for supporting me since 2005,” Johnson two reasons: not only nearly single-handedly. said in a post on Instagram. “The love you showed a did Jamaal Charles rush Then there was this last Lynch during week 14 of the 2017 NFL season. young kid from Texas really allowed me to have a home for 259 yards (a Chiefs’ season, when Johnson blew away from home. Chiefs Kingdom you will be truly single game record), but Derrick Johnson picked off the up Marshawn Lynch, something I thought I’d never see. missed. Trust me, I wish I could play for the Chiefs Broncos’ Kyle Orton twice and returned both of them And who could forget the playoff game against the Tiforever but that’s not the reality. However God has been for touchdowns, tying an NFL record for most intercep- tans, when Johnson absolutely leveled Marcus Mariota blessing me for a long time in KC, and my trust will tions returned for touchdowns in a game. (cue Jim Ross, “Good God almighty, that killed him!”), remain in the man upstairs.”

The icing on the cake, of course, was that by winning plus the fumble negated by forward progress, even Truthfully, the move to release Johnson makes sense, the game, the Chiefs had knocked the Broncos out of though he was hit from the front and dropped the ball as he is an aging player at 35 years old and has ruptured the playoffs in their own stadium – insult to injury. immediately, something else I thought I’d never see. both his Achilles tendons in the last four years. But Then there was week seven of the 2011 season, Johnson leads the Chiefs in all-time tackles, with a that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. The where Johnson made a goal line stand basically on staggering 1,262 of them in 182 career games. Add in Chiefs drafted Johnson number 15 overall his own. The Chiefs were on the road again (cue the 27.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles and 14 interceptions and in the 2005 NFL draft (the same year Willie Nelson music), this time in Oakland to visit you’ve got yourself a heck of a career. That’s not to menAlex Smith went number one overall the Raiders, another division rival. The Raiders tion the four Pro Bowl selections, one first team All-Pro to the 49ers) after a monstrous had first and goal from the 5-yard selection and one second team All-Pro selection. Not senior season at the line, so they ran a misdirection too shabby.

University of play to the right. Johnson I was eight years old the last time Derrick Johnson Texas. then slammed through the was anything other than a Chief – this one hurts more That season lead blocker and cut than most. As far back as I can remember watching featured down Michael Bush, football, Johnson has been leading the Chiefs’ defense winning the Raiders’ running with authority on the field and serving the Chiefs’ home the Dick back, at the two. city with compassion off the field.

Butkus Second and His charity, named Derrick Johnson’s Defend the Award, goal now, the Dream Foundation, provides low-income and inner-city given Raiders again ran to youth in Kansas City with resources and opportunities to the the right, and Johnson again took down the to succeed, according to its official website. The organination’s top linebacker, and running back, this time knifing through the zation hopes to have reached 100,000 children by 2019. the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given line and stopping him at the one.

Kansas City is losing one of its all-time greats, reto the nation’s top defensive player.

On third and goal, the Raiders ran the gardless of position. Replacing him will prove difficult, He led the country with nine forced ball again, going up the middle, where Bush and, frankly, I’m not sure you truly can replace someone fumbles, recorded 130 tackles attempted to jump over the line. He was so outstanding. and was a unanimous first team PHOTO COURTESY/Defend the met by Johnson and a few of his friends, I’m really going to miss you, DJ. We all will.

Dream Foundation gaining only half a yard on the play.

All-American in 2003 and 2004.

SPORTS

Page 10 February 23, 2018

Despite losses, men’s volleyball competing at elite level Connor Jones Sports Editor

Park University’s men’s volleyball team began their national title defense as the top ranked team in the country. But after a rough early season schedule, the Pirates have slid down four spots to No. 5. And although Park already sports four losses just halfway through the season, they Pirates have shown they can beat any team in the country.

The Pirates began play on January 27 on the road against Division II Quincy University. Although the Hawks swept Park in straight sets, the Pirates were able to hold their own against the mid-range Division II university, with the average set being decided by just five points. The Hawks utilized 10 aces, compared to just two for Park, to hand the Pirates their first loss of the season.

Park lost their No. 1 ranking three days later, dropping down to No. 3.

After battling the big dogs of Quincy, Park’s early season gauntlet continued with a matchup against the NAIA’s top ranked team in Grandview University in the Molten Invitational. The Pirates stole set number one 2624 after a back and forth campaign. Grandview absolutely manhandled Park during sets two and three, outhitting park by a massive 461 points en route to double digit victories in both sets. The Vikings ultimately ended the day with a 25-19 victory in the fourth set to keep Park winless on the season.

The Pirates finally found the win column a day later against No. 6 Cardinal Stritch University, though it was no easy task. Park snatched set one from the wolves 2725 after facing two separate set points. Park held a 20-19 lead in set two but a 6-1 closeout from the Wolves tied the match at one. After a blowout victory for Park in set three, Cardinal Stritch took the fourth set 29-27 despite trailing for all but five points. The Pirates would finally put the Wolves down with a 15-7 victory in the fifth set.

Senior outside hitter Victor Neves led park with 20 kills, while sophomore middle blocker Leandro Sodre tallied a massively efficient .667 hitting percentage on 16 kills.

Park’s early season Buzzsaw stretch mercifully came to an end four days later when the Pirates traveled to Lamoni, Iowa to take on a winless Graceland University team. Though the bottom dwelling Yellowjackets had no realistic chance of upsetting the third ranked Pirates, they gave Park an unexpected fight. After taking the first set 25-20, the Pirates dropped set two 22-25 thanks to an early Yellowjacket surge. Park then scraped by Graceland in the final two sets to escape Iowa with their second victory of the season.

The Pirates surpassed the .500 mark for the first time this season on February 2 after sweeping Morningside College in straight sets. It looked as if the Pirates may enjoy their first stress free match after a nine-point victory in the first set, but the Mustangs refused to rollover.

After racking up 21 points in a set two loss, Morningside

College pushed Park to the brink during the final set.

The Mustangs faced six straight match points but rallied to tie it at 24. Park stomped out the comeback, however, taking the third set 26-24 to move to 3-2 on the season.

Park then hosted Midwest Conference foe Briarcliff University one day later. The unranked Chargers stunned the nation’s third ranked team, downing Park 3-1. Briarcliff tallied 11 more kills than the Pirates during the first two sets to take a quick 2-0 lead. Park woke up in set three, chipping the Charger’s lead to just one after a 2522 victory. Briarcliff would end the Pirates’ surge quickly, however. The Chargers racked up a 19-14 lead and held on for a 25-23 victory in the third set. The defeat to Briarcliff was Park’s first loss to an unranked opponent in 748 days. On February 6 the Pirates would again drop in the national rankings, this time falling three spots to No. 6.

After a six-day break, the Pirates traveled to Marshall, Mo to compete in the Missouri Valley Invitational. Park opened the tournament with a rematch against the still winless Graceland University Yellowjackets. The Pirates handled Graceland as expected and tallied their first true blowout victory of the season, outscoring the Yellowjackets by an average margin of 11 points.

The following day, Park downed an unranked but stout Clarke University squad. The Pirates held a 2-1 after three close sets where the average margin of victory

See Volleyball on page 11

Women’s Basketball coming to an end

PHOTOS/Arron Riffle Left: Senior forward Makayla Bell pulls up for a mid range jump shot against Harris-Stowe State University on February 15.

Middle: Head coach Kenneth Cooper speaks to his team during a timeout against Harris-Stowe State University on February 15.

Right: Senior forward Makayla Bell goes one-on-one with a Harris-Stowe defender on February 15.

SPORTS

Page 11 February 23, 2018

U.S. disappoints in Olympics Skylar Britt Reporter

The 2018 Winter Olympics are in full swing in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The 2,952 athletes from 92 different countries will compete in 15 different sports until this year’s games close on Feb. 25.

While there are many different events in the games over the 16-day period, most athletes will not even come close to winning a medal. However, a commonality among the athletes’ interviews is that they are all just excited to be at the Olympics, and what an honor it is to represent their country.

Some fan-favorite athletes from the United States include snowboarders

Shaun White, Chloe Kim and Red Gerard, as well as skiers Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn, among many others.

As it goes with every Olympics, some athletes leave accomplishing what they came to do, leaving with a medal around their necks, while others go home empty-handed. This is the case for many American athletes thus far. The medal count for the United States of America is much lower than it was predicted to be for this years’ games.

With several days left of competition, Norway is in the lead with 26 medals, nine of them being gold. Right behind them is Germany with 18 medals, and the gold medal count

Volleyball

Continued from page 10 was just three points. Park then exploded in the fourth set, outhitting the Pride by 550 points en route to a 25-12 victory.

The championship match featured a top-seven matchup, with the No. 6 Pirates taking on No. 7 Missouri Valley College. Park finally played at the elite level their capable of, sweeping the Vikings in straight sets 25-18, 25-22, 25-21. The Pirates outhit Missouri Valley by 234 points and tallied 13 more kills than the Vikings. Freshman outside hitter Felipe Santos and sophomore middle blocker Leandro Sodre combined for 26 of Park’s 45 kills as the Pirates moved to 6-3 on the season.

Park returned to the Breckon Sports Center on February 16 for a rematch with No. 1 Grandview University as part of the Pirate Invitational Tournament. The Pirates shot out of the gate, winning the first set 25-13 for an early 1-0 lead. Park continued to bully the top ranked team in the country in set two; the Pirates failed to relinquish the lead after seizing an 11-10 advantage, taking a two-set lead over Grandview. The Vikings trimmed Park’s lead to one after winning set three 25-22. But Grandview’s last

matched at nine. Canada follows in third with 16 medals. The United States is lagging behind in sixth place with only ten medals, but half of them are gold.

The closing ceremonies take place on Sunday, Feb. 25 at 5-7 a.m. however, for those who are not early risers, the ceremony will be available online afterwards, and highlights of the show will be posted on websites such as YouTube. The torch will be passed to the next host country, Beijing, China, as they begin to prepare for the 2022 winter games.

The next summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan, in the year 2020.

Men’s basketball vs. Harris-Stowe

PHOTO/Arron Riffle Sophomore guard Roberto Gonzalez drives towards the basket on February 15 against Harris-Stowe State University.

stand was short lived. Park downed the Vikings 2523 the very next set to capture their third win against ranked opponents.

After toppling the No. 1 team in the nation, the Pirates drew a matchup with then unranked Benedictine University at Mesa. Park the first two sets by a score of 25-19. With their backs against the rope, the Redhawks clawed their way to an incredible 33-31 victory to force a fourth set. Benedictine put the dramatics on hold during set three, taking an early eight point lead and coasting to a 25-19 win. In the decisive fifth set, Park trailed the Redhawks 14-11. The Pirates staved off three straight match points and tied the score at 14, but the Redhawks clinched this epic back and forth match with a 21-19 fifth set victory.

Later the same day, Park closed out the Pirate invitation with a match against another unranked opponent in Culver-Stockton College. Again, the Pirates took a quick 2-0 match lead. But after the Wildcats won set three 2521, it looked as if the Pirates may be in for another battle. Park quickly ended any chance of a Redhawk repeat, however, winning the fourth set 25-17 to move to 8-4 on the season.

The reigning national champions’ record of 8-4 seems

disappointing but make no mistake; this Park team still sits high in the elite upper echelon of NAIA men’s volleyball. Out of their four losses, one came against an NCAA Division II opponent, and another came against the NAIA’s top ranked team for three straight polls (who Park later beat). Although the other two losses came against unranked opponents in Briarcliff University and Benedictine University at Mesa, those two teams are currently ranked No. 3 and No. 6 in the country.

In NAIA men’s volleyball, only eight teams are invited to the national tournament. Five teams receive automatic qualification through winning their conference tournament, and three more teams are chosen based off the final coach’s poll. As of February 21, Park is Ranked No. 5 nationally and sits third in the American Midwest Conference behind No. 3 Briarcliff University and No. 2 Missouri Baptist University. The Pirates have yet to compete against Missouri Baptist (March 7, March 29), and still have one rematch left with Briarcliff University (March 24). Barring a major collapse, Park can be considered a near guarantee for the final eight team tournament. But the remaining three games with their two biggest conference foes will go a long way to show if Park is capable of defending their national title.

FEATURES

Page 12 February 23, 2018

Don’t be a Drag, just be a

n e e u Q

PHOTOS/Max Mohr

Clockwise from top: Widow Von’Du closed the show; Emily Raffety, junior social work major, performed as Ursula; ReaRea dances across the stage; Heidi Banks got the audiance going and took to the crowd.