Tuesday 04/12/22

Michigan State’s Independent Voice

A SILENT CELEBRATION During Deaf History Month, The State News shares experiences of the deaf community at MSU. PAGE 4

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CULTURE

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Meeting Adam Raysin: An MSU student who does not let his autism limit him

Black MSU students inspired by Ketanji Brown Jackson’s ascent to Supreme Court

Spring 2022 commencement speakers announced

Raysin, a biology freshman, enjoys Spartan experiences such as IM sports, Pinball Pete’s and dorm friendships in hopes others with autism find confidence too.

Ketanji Brown Jackson shattered the glass ceiling of the Supreme Court by being the first Black woman appointed. MSU students and faculty share what Jackson’s achievement means to them.

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Big name alumni will address graduates during the 2022 spring commencement ceremonies on May 6.

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Vol. 112 | No. 16

TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 2022 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Karly Graham MANAGING EDITOR Jayna Bardahl COPY CHIEF SaMya Overall

CITY EDITOR Griffin Wiles

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SPOT L IG H T

A silent celebration: MSU’s deaf student community on the rise, students and faculty share ASL expertise Photos and story by Madison Norfleet mnorfleet@statenews.com National Deaf History month takes place from March 13 to April 15. The month was created to raise awareness for the deaf community, celebrate the achievements of deaf individuals and support the deaf community and deaf-owned businesses.

At Michigan State University, 2.4% of students and 8.4% of employees reported themselves as deaf/hard of hearing in the University’s 2019-20 annual student and workforce diversity report, the most recent version of this report. Compared to the year prior, students registered as deaf/hard of hearing increased by 32.2%.

MSU Library Manager Tyler Smeltekop has worked for the library for 12 years. Smeltekop is deaf, but has a hearing aid and cochlear implants. “(National Deaf History Month is) actually an opportunity for people to be educated about the deaf community, the contributions deaf people have made to society, and also just to have an opportunity to learn a little bit about the lived experience of a deaf person or a person with hearing loss,” Smeltekop said.

Photographed: Creative advertising junior Thomas Wehr

ASL sign for, “Hello.“

Advertising management senior Lydia Werth is hard of hearing. Werth knows American Sign Language but also communicates verbally.

“It’s nice to just have that highlight and really just have that focus on the positives,” Werth said. “I think oftentimes we get lost in the negatives of these circumstances so it’s nice when you kind of are reminded of the uplifting and the people in the community with you.”

ASL sign for, “Yes.”

Smeltekop said Deaf History Month provides an important opportunity for members of his community to reflect on their experiences.

“It represents an opportunity for us to talk about the ways we’ve contributed to society, our lived experience and certainly also, for deaf and hard of hearing people ourselves, it’s an opportunity to sort of reflect on all the struggles and effort that’s been made by our community,” Smeltekop said.

ASL sign for, “Thank you.“

Even those who don’t know ASL can adopt ways to enhance communication with the deaf community, Smeltekop said.

“One very simple way to help deaf people is to learn how to finger spell,” Smeltekop said. “You don’t need to know any specific words, but being able to spell an individual word that maybe you’re having trouble conveying to somebody who is deaf in the conversation can really help.”

ASL sign for, “Goodbye.”

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S POT L I G H T

COMMON PHRASES

MEETING ADAM RAYSIN: An MSU student who does not let his autism limit him

ASL sign for, “You’re welcome.”

Lyman Briggs freshman Spencer Raysin (left) and Lyman Briggs freshman Adam Raysin (right) in Holmes Hall on April 6.

Photo by Sheldon Krause

By Mariam Hanna mhanna@statenews.com

ASL sign for, “Please.”

ASL sign for, “Sorry.”

As seen on cover: ASL sign for, “Love.”

When biology freshman Adam Raysin was 3-and-a-half years old, his mother noticed he was not speaking at a developmentally appropriate level. Because of this, she took him to his doctor, who diagnosed Raysin with autism spectrum disorder.

“There’s a very common saying that once you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism, just because everyone’s experience in the way they experience their effects of autism really is individualized,” Gateway Pediatric Therapy clinical director Liz Elias said.

Raysin lives in Holmes Hall with his twin brother, Spencer. They have many of the same friends and classes and are always there to support one another in the transition to MSU. “Maybe me and him will share ideas with each other on what’s best for us, I suppose,” Raysin said. “Spencer is more of a social…and, well, athletic type of person, when me, well, I’m more laid back.”

A common misconception about those with autism is that they are unable to have a social life, but Raysin proves this wrong. Raysin said he made friends with peers in Holmes Hall, from the track club and IM soccer. In fact, he does things any Spartan would, like going to Pinball Pete’s or the gym with friends.

Historically, April has been Autism Awareness Month; however, in recent years, this changed to Autism Acceptance Month or Autism Appreciation Month. This change is one part of a societal recognition that autism spectrum disorder is not something to be ashamed of or treated as a disease. “(Autism is) there. It’s always been there, and it’s not changing,” Elias said. “It’s more of coming at it from an acceptance standpoint, like, ‘Yes, people on the autism spectrum are different, but that doesn’t make them any

less,’ and I really like how everyone’s opinions and attitudes are shifting.”

However, this does not mean the social stigma around autism is gone.

Elias used an example about stimming, which is the involuntary behavior involving repetitive movements or sounds.

“Everyone always thinks that the little kids that stim, it’s so adorable ... but if they see an adult with autism stimming, then it comes with a kind of a social stigma of, ‘Oh, that person’s weird,’ and that happens as soon as we hit middle school, unfortunately,” Elias said.

Stimming is something Raysin experiences as part of his autism.

“To overcome it, I usually will let out some energy and/or find something to relax me for a while,” Raysin said.

In Raysin’s experience, the way his classmates interact with him has matured over time. He explained they now appreciate him for who he is compared to how they used to make fun of him in his youth.

“One time in elementary school, I was reading a book about what we like to eat,” he said. “When we got to lima beans, I just responded with an, ‘Ugh,’ and they all started laughing. … (I felt) kinda humiliated. I was just trying to do my best.”

Just like any college student, Raysin sometimes has difficulty in his classes. That is why he attends his Calculus II’s professor’s office hours and works with a tutor.

“MSU is really, how should I say, booksmart,” Raysin said. “So, that means you have to study a bunch of things, what they teach you until it gets right into your head.”

The transition from high school to college is rarely an easy one. Young adults are moving out of their homes, leaving their families and saying goodbye to the classmates they grew up with. Along with all that comes new responsibilities, and these T U ES DAY, A PR I L 1 2 , 2022

responsibilities can be a challenge for people who have autism.

“There’s a shift to personal responsibility,” Elias said. “You are in charge of your schedule, you’re in charge of when you’re doing homework, you’re in charge of getting yourself to classes. A lot of people with autism do thrive on structure and schedule.”

Along with being involved in club track and IM soccer, Raysin is part of MSU’s Building Opportunities for Networking and Discovery, or BOND program for students with disabilities.

A comorbidity is the presence of multiple medical conditions in an individual, and this is something many people who have autism spectrum disorder deal with. Oftentimes, individuals with autism also struggle with anxiety and/or ADHD. One way this can affect college students who have autism is in regards to advocating for themselves. That is why it is significant for students and staff to be enthusiastic about and eager to provide additional support.

“A lot of what happens right now is if someone with autism goes into a university or goes into a job, they’re expected to self advocate and tell their teacher, their professor, their boss those things that they need to be successful,” Elias said. “But along with that comes the anxiety of possible confrontation. A lot of people find it difficult to talk about their disabilities. Also, knowing exactly what you need in an environment that you’ve never been in before is also very difficult.”

As for Raysin, he set goals for himself that he hopes lead the way for other students with autism to follow.

“I want to be a pharmacist and work on (a) research team to cure infectious diseases of the world,” Raysin said. “I got a couple different scholarships from MSU. … It’s really challenging but I want other people with ASD to feel confident and don’t let anyone tell them it’s not possible.”

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CU LT U R E

Black MSU students inspired by Ketanji Brown Jackson’s ascent to Supreme Court

By Dan Netter and Liz Nass Dnetter@statenews.com Lnass@statenews.com Ketanji Brow n Jack son shattered the glass ceiling of the Supreme Court by being the first Black woman appointed.

Through the appointment proce ss, Jac k son wa s a frontrunner for many, including Michigan State University law professor Frank Ravitch.

“Her credent ia ls are incredible by any standards,” Ravitch said. “If you look at the justices, for example, that have been appointed since the 1960s, her credentials are among the best of any justice to have been nominated.”

Ravitch knew her background would be relatable enough for the public to stand behind her nomination.

“I do t hink it ’s ver y i mpor ta nt t hat t he U.S. Supreme Court reflects the American public,” Ravitch said.

“I think that her background … as an African American woman who has had to fight against the grain her entire career is quite important. I also think that her … being the first public defender is important.”

The most crucial factor and strength that Jackson can bring to the bench is being a strong consensus builder across the Court, Ravitch said.

“Look at the fact that she was supported by the fraternal

Supreme Court Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson. Photo courtesy of the Committee on the Judiciary.

order of police as a public defender,” Ravitch said. “That shows an ability to see both sides, and that’s something that’s extremely important in a Supreme Court Justice.

That’s something I haven’t seen enough reporting on.”

Social relations and policy junior and Black Undergraduate Law Association President Safiya Webster said she felt a sense of encouragement after President Joe Biden nominated Jackson to the Supreme Court.

“Seeing a Black woman have the opportunity to be in such a position with such impact and

power that affects American society in the justice system…

It just gave me a sense of encouragement,” Webster said.

“I can be, I will be able to be a judge, and I will be able to make an impact.”

Comparative cultures and politics junior and Black Undergraduate Law Association Vice President Bayan Farah said Jackson’s confirmation hearing was representative of how minorities, especially Black Americans, experience double standards in comparison with their white colleagues.

Farah said there were a lot

of different moments where she felt Jackson was getting a ridiculous line of questioning from senators that were not relevant to her being on the Supreme Court. Farah said when she saw Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) was holding up a book titled “Antiracist Baby,” she thought it was unnecessary.

“That was one moment that I was like, ‘Are you freaking serious right now?’” Farah said. “It’s just something that happens to Black women on the daily. Throughout work or just daily lives. I feel like we are constantly being questioned

but in a way that’s just so irrelevant.”

W hile Rav itch believes Jackson’s opinions are well done and fireproof when it comes to questioning, he said they were mischaracterized by some on the Hearing Committee.

The biggest offender in Ravitch’s opinion was Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO, who questioned Jackson on her child pornography case opinions. “ T hey were ma k ing it seem like she gave the lowest sentence under the sentencing guidelines, but the sentencing guidelines had changed, so she was following the sentencing guidelines as they were at that time given certain facts in those specific changes,” Ravitch said.

He said these questions misunderstood the role of a federal judge, which is odd for people sitting on a judiciary committee.

“They brought up things that just ranged from extremely odd to purely, factually inaccurate, and there’s a lot of the factually inaccurate, to just downright stupid,” Ravitch said.

R av itc h c ont i nue d to compare Jackson’s trial to Kavanaugh’s, highlighting the major and very serious question of sexual assault that existed at the time of his questioning.

He questioned the Republicans that pushed him through but

may have been hesitant to confirm Jackson to the Court.

“However one feels about Kavanaugh ultimately being confirmed, if you’re one of the senators who voted to confirm him in light of that question, then how do … you not confirm her, who does not have that question at all and who has almost identical credentials?”

Ravitch asked.

One outcome from this confirmation that does not affect history is the lack of change in the balance of the court. Jackson will still be one of three Democrat-appointed justices compared to the six Republican-appointed justices.

“I don’t want to have such high expectations for her because even though I know she is an incredible woman and believe in all of her views – I 100% can see how they could be shut down,” Farah said.

Social relations and polic y sophomore and events coordinator for the Black Undergraduate Law Association Devin Roberts wanted to diversify and round out the court with this added judge, but does not see this in reality.

“Sadly, the seat doesn’t really change the balance of the court,” Roberts said. “They still have the court on lock because it’s her and Breyer, so it’s one democrat to another.”

EDITORIAL: As Jackson and others make history, we acknowledge representation is the minimum

By The State News Editorial Board Feedback@statenews.com On March 22, day one of Judge Kentaji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings to become the first Black, female Supreme Court Justice began.

Of the many journalists and photojournalists that were there to document the day, it was one photograph by Sarabeth Maney, a Black, female photojournalist from The New York Times, that captured the essence of what the moment meant.

On the left side of the frame we see Jackson smiling, but out of focus, forcing our eyes right and backward to a seat just feet behind her. Her daughter Lelia, 17, sat back with a warm smile on her face and admiration in her eyes, as she watched her mom trailblaze through history.

The image embodied pride. It embodied joy. It embodied hope.

Maney said in a lot of ways, she was documenting what she herself felt in the moment.

“Being in that room, I understood a little of what Judge Jackson was going through,” Maney told TIME magazine. “I know what it takes to make a place for myself in spaces that were not designed for me.”

To make a place.

When Maney shared her photo to the world for the first time on Instagram, she accompanied it with the caption, “Being the first often means you 6

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have to be the best – and the bravest.”

On Nov. 3, 2020, Kamala Harris became the first Black woman elected to the White House as vice president.

On Nov. 2, 2021, Ron Bacon was elected East Lansing mayor, becoming the city’s first Black mayor.

On April 8, with a confirmation vote of 53-47, Jackson became the first Black, female Supreme Court Justice, shattering the glass ceiling in the Supreme Court.

These accomplishments by the Black community are worthy of their celebration.

However, the fight for racial and ethnic diversity in the most powerful seats on the local, state and federal level continues.

Representation is only the first step down a long path to ensuring racial justice and equity in the United States; nationally and locally.

East Lansing is not excluded. You are not excluded.

With Black and Brown communities making up about 25% of the total East Lansing population, and about 17% of Michigan State University’s campus, we have to continue to push for more equal representation not only among our legislative bodies, but in our classrooms, organizations, workplaces and more.

At The State News, we’re always focused on diversity and inclusion, both in our coverage and TU ESDAY, APR IL 12 , 2022

in the staff that provides said coverage. In the past two years, we created and fine-tuned our culture desk to bridge that gap in content, while creating a semesterly diversity report to track internal efforts.

We acknowledge The State News isn’t perfect.

Our goal isn’t to give a voice to the voiceless.

This statement has been thrown around often and it is an ignorant one to say the least. No one is voiceless. Everybody has a voice, a story and their own set of lived experiences they use to shape their perceptions of the world around them.

To give platform and agency in the hopes that it might ultimately amplify these voices is our mission. And it is an ongoing effort.

The university has made some strides: Incoming students are required to take an online Diversity, Equity and Inclusion course before attending MSU. Also, after administration was presented with a 10-point plan to implement more DEI initiatives, the university is planning to create a campus multicultural center on campus.

But MSU isn’t perfect either — multiple racist events have occured on campus just in the last three years, including someone hanging a toilet paper noose on one Black student’s door and a professor sending out a survey that used blatant racial stereotypes. Students like those in the James Madison College have outwardly spoken about the lack of representation in their classrooms.

After centuries of being excluded from positions of power, both legally and socially, Black and Brown communities are beginning to find their way into important seats. As this momentum grows, it’s important that the strides toward equality and equity follow on a more local level.

We cannot let the recent achievements of Harris, Bacon, Jackson and others allow us to become complacent.

Diversity doesn’t start or end in the White House. It starts at the community level.

It starts with the recognition that knowledge is power, education is access and that we all have the means to utilize these tools. Especially at Michigan State University. It starts in the various dormitories and academic halls filled with students who, all together, make up the green and white.

The work is far from being done.

The State News Editorial Board is composed of Editor-in-Chief Karly Graham, Managing Editor Jayna Bardahl, Campus Desk Editor Wendy Guzman, City Desk Editor Griffin Wiles, Culture Desk Editor Noah Edgar, Sports Desk Editor Eli McKown, Copy Chief SaMya Overall, Multimedia Editors Devin Anderson-Torrez and Rahmya Trewern, Social Media Manager Stephanie McCullum, Staff Rep. Morgan Womack and Diversity Rep. Raenu Charles.

S PORTS

‘I CAN TOO:’ MSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FRESHMAN GUARD DEEDEE HAGEMANN TALKS INK

By Sara Tidwell Stidwell@statenews.com Every tattoo has a story.

It doesn’t matter whether it comes from your favorite basketball player or your local bank teller, when you see another individual with art covering inches of their torso or limbs, most want to know more.

Michigan State women’s basketball freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann is probably the most inked player on the Michigan State women’s basketball roster.

Hagemann said she isn’t the type to go out and get random tattoos simply because they look cool.

“It’s going to be on your body forever, so why not have a message that you can remember throughout the years you live,” she said.

Hagema n n wa s ra i sed i n a Christian household and has several tattoos that pertain to her lifelong devotion to God. Her most notable and noticeable, however, is her second tattoo. The

one above her left kneecap that she got during her senior year of high school. In thick, black letters with an evident underline, it reads: “I Can Too.” It’s a mantra. An affirmation. A reassurance.

Hagemann said the simple threeword statement gives her courage and confidence. In recent years, the disparity of treatment between female basketball players and their male counterparts came to light.

Now, change is starting after the NCA A allowed the women to be branded with the notorious March Madness logo for the first time in history.

Hagemann wears this tattoo proudly when she takes the court and it can be seen just below the cut off of her green and white shorts.

The mantra has a double meaning.

It’s also a logo.

The “I Can Too Foundation” is a nonprofit organization that was started by Hagemann’s assistant basketball coach at Detroit Edison,

Jasmine Cooper.

According to the Facebook page, “The mission of I Can Too is to empower, economically educate and expose underprivileged youth to resources and experiences that will help them reach their full and greatest potential.”

Hagemann plans to add to her “I Can Too” tattoo. She wants to create an entire sleeve out of it, with portraits of powerful Black historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X because growing up, she felt a lot of people discouraged her and the Black community as a whole.

“If I have them on my legs (with that mantra), then it represents ‘I Can Too,’ no matter what race, color, ethnicity you are,” she said. “I look at it and I think sky’s the limit, I can overcome and accomplish anything. … If I feel like I can’t do something or I’m not motivated, I look or tap on my left leg and I remember that this tattoo is here, so I Can Too.”

Freshman guard DeeDee Hagemann holds her follow through. The Wolverines defeated the Spartans 62-51 at the Crisler Center on Feb. 24.

Photo by Evan Freeman

Spring 2022 commencement speakers announced

By Maddy Warren Mwarren@statenews.com For the first time since the start of the pandemic, MSU will hold in-person graduation without restrictions. Spring 2022 commencements will be held without capacity limitations or mask requirements.

Graduation ceremonies will take place May 5-14 at the Breslin Center. Those who are unable to attend can watch the ceremonies via live stream.

MSU alumna and Carhartt Inc. president Linda Hubbard, MSU alumnus, former NBA star and Olympic gold medalist Steve Smith Sr. and U.S. Army captain and former Ford Motor Co. executive Ronald Goldsberry will address graduates during the 2022 spring commencement ceremonies on May 6, the university announced in a press release.

Hubbard will address the master’s and educational specialist degree recipients at 9 a.m. and receive an honorary doctoral degree in business.

She is an Eli Broad College of Business graduate and serves as the president and chief operating officer of Carhartt Inc., a Michigan-based work wear company.

As president, Hubbard is responsible for leading the development and execution of the company’s business plan and all corporate operations.

Smith will address undergraduate degree recipients at 1 p.m. and receive an honorary doctoral degree in education.

In 1991, Smith graduated from MSU with a bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies in social science and is now a sports analyst with Turner Sports/NBA TV, CNN and the Big Ten Network. He was a first-round NBA draft pick for the Miami Heat in 1991.

Goldsberry will address doctoral recipients at 3 p.m. and receive an honorary doctoral degree in science.

Goldsberry received his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from MSU. As a former executive at Ford Motor Co., he is credited with ac t ua lizi ng t he compa ny ’s worldw ide aftermarket and service business strategies that aided in Ford’s success.

“MSU has a vast network of Spartans who have achieved remarkable success across the globe — a degreed alumni network more than half a million strong,” President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said in the release. “As our next generation of Spartan alumni joins that network, they will find leaders willing to help them reach their full potential — leaders like Linda, Steve and Ronald.”

Addit iona l ly, fa l l 2020 a nd spr i ng 2021 v ir t ual commencement speakers will join Hubbard, Smith and Goldsberry for an in-person presentation of their honorary degrees.

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