Issuu

Black Firsts - These are the trailblazers of the 21st Century Page 4-5

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – Volume 37 • Issue 16

@tccthecollegian • collegian.tccd.edu

NORTHEAST

DISTRICT

Author shares family memoir

Mentorship on all campus’

HUDA QURESHI

campus editor huda.qureshi@my.tccd.edu

The NE English Department held their annual African American Read-In Event Feb. 13. They brought out Cassandra Lane, the author of “We are Bridges,” to speak to students. In her memoir, Lane talks about how her great grandfather was lynched in 1904 and the generational impact it left behind. Lane considered what the repercussions would be generation to generation. “I remember my grandfather being in his 80s and crying in his recliner about how he never got to know his father,” Lane said. Her memoir entwines the stories of her grandparents into Lane’s own journey as she grew into adulthood. “I wanted to look at myself through therapy, through writing,

through examining my past, looking at my ancestors to see how to understand trauma, not just my own trauma, but generational trauma.” Lane said. Lane looked into generational trauma and it pushed her to write her book. “The stuff that we’re dealing with is connected to family,.” Lane said. “I started reading about epigenetics and …a science now shows that there is a direct link through ourselves, we have memory. So I really started learning about epigenetics, and then applying that to my family.” Lane found that the past was intertwined with the present for members of her family. “I had no idea until I was a little bit older that there was this ghost really that was haunting, great grandmother, she would talk to ghosts, and she was seeing, you know, things from her past back in See Read-in, Page 2

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

NE associate professor Annette Cole, author Cassandra Lane and former faculty member Murray Fortner discuss their pasts.

Program helps students find support, guidance FOUSIA ABDULLAHI

campus editor fousia.abdullahi@my.tccd.edu

A district-wide mentoring program is available through the intercultural network. The program matches students and staff using a questionnaire so that students can find a mentor who will be most likely to address their needs based on their major and areas of interest. The mentoring program at NW has around 20 mentors matched with one mentee each. “This is an opportunity for students to get matched with faculty and staff across the campus,” Jasmine Quezada, coordinator of intercultural student engagement and academic success, said. “It is an opportunity for them to really engage and connect on campus.” The mentoring program has been beneficial to students who don’t have a built-in support system. NW student Leander D’ Costa came here as an international student from Mumbai, India, and was able to build a community through the intercultural Network and its mentoring program. “Being an international student, this is a whole new experience,” D’Costa said. The educational process will be different, the way of communication is very different, just getting situated and getting comfortable in education here. My advisor definitely helped me get assimilated with the education system. She helped me get to know people on campus that offer many supports for resources like the intercultural and student government.” Along with one-on-one mentoring, the program also hosts events, like luncheons, meet and greets and events with activities and prizes. For D’Costa TCC and the intercultural network has become a home away from home. “The intercultural Program is

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

NW students Leander D’Costa and Kennedie Watkins discuss their time in the program. They have been mentees for two years. now my home, and I really love it here at TCC and the intercultural program, and we’re like a family, we’re very supportive. We support everyone’s ideas. We’re inclusive space, and we’re an very open minded.”

This program gave me another piece of a support system

Kennedie Watkins NW student and mentee

“I would definitely recommend it for other students,” Eron Mills, NW student government association Vice President, said. “I think it also forces you to kind of get out of your comfort zone. It also opens you up to experiences and you get to see things from different perspectives rather than just you.” Other students find that they just need someone to listen to them

and check in on them. “This program gave me another piece of a support system,” said NW student Kennedie Watkins. “My mentors, as I have had two were both really caring and comforting. When things were hard, both would text me or email me or even if they saw me in person, take time to check on me.” Mentors are not only helpful during a student’s career at TCC, but they can also play a vital role in helping students reach their goals when they transfer or into their career path. “After I talked to my mentor and she kind of helped me figure out that sometimes you just got to do it,” Mills said. “You may not know what comes out of it at that second, but just do it. New college students may face many obstacles, but there are also many opportunities for growth. “I would recommend getting a mentor,” Watkins said. “I think specifically the people who sign up to be mentors and the people the intercultural network pick to be mentors are so helpful and supportive. I feel like it has made me realize that I will be okay if I believe in myself and rely on my support system.”

SOUTHEAST

‘The Glass Menagerie’ focuses on consequences of actions This theater production will detail the fictional life of a Depression era family struggling to survive growing pains HOPE SMITH

editor-in-chief hope.smith393@my.tccd.edu

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

NE students Haleigh Ferguson and Ethan Melendez play as Amanda and Tom Wingfield, a mother and son. Throughout the play their relationship is strained due to her expectations and his desires.

Black superheroes Highlighting black comic book heroes, past and present Page 6

Being informed Please do your research before commenting on issues Page 7

Tennessee William’s 1930s era “The Glass Menagerie” is set to take the stage for SE Campus’ next theatre production. This memory play, which is a story narrated by the main character’s memories and reflects the author’s own experiences in life. SE student Ethan Melendez, acting as the main character Tom Wingfield, says it is a translation of the author’s family dynamics. “ I t ’s a v e r y s a d s t o r y, ” Melendez said. “Since it’s his life, it’s all based on his memory of what he experienced and what he saw in his point of view.” The story is set in the Great Depression, and the cast explains that it centers around a displaced family trying to scrape by. What makes the story interesting for the viewer might come from the main character’s struggles with his own individuality as a young man and the consequences of his own actions. Angela Inman, play director and associate professor of drama says the play will largely be

Popular opinions Challenging the “us versus them’ mentality Page 7

focused on Tom’s recollections. “It’s kind of a classic tale of anyone who is in their early 20s, who is just desperate to go out and live their own life,” she said. “And yet, they’re faced with the expectations of what their family thinks they should be.” The characters of this story conflict, specifically Tom and his mother Amanda, portrayed by SE student Haleigh Ferguson. Amanda is described as traditionally southern, with strong emotions but few dramatic qualities. “She has a very old school mind,” Ferguson said. “Because it’s hard, especially as a woman in the 1930s to get by without a man or finding ways to make money.” Melendez explained that the dynamic between Tom and Amanda highlight Tom’s struggle with wanting to be an individual and how their interactions drive home a theme for the story. “In Tom’s eyes he really takes her as a helicopter mom,” he said. “That alone does a lot just about how the dynamic works on everything and how much he’s just tired of her always on to him about things and always trying

Mental health We need to readdress certain mental health approaches Page 7

See Play, Page 2

NEWS

2 • Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Read-in

(continued from page 1)

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

Author Cassandra Lane encouraged a dialogue with the students. NE student Spencer Hayes, who was with his English class, took the chance to speak with her.

Play

Mississippi.” During her presentation, Lane emphasized the importance of reading. “Human beings love stories,” she said. “They help us make sense of the world and understand how to be in the larger world.” Lane grew up reading, and it provided her a way to connect to the world. “I got addicted to the power of storytelling,” Lane said. “I was afraid I didn’t have my words. I knew I had words and thoughts inside of me, but I didn’t know how to bring them out. Reading was a way for me to feel that connection.” Shewanda Riley, an English associate professor on NE campus has been involved in the program since the start. “What we’ve done every year, is we have exposed TCC students to a variety of literature by African American authors.” Riley said. “And just different things within the African American culture.” The Read-in events urge students to acknowledge difficult topics and see things from different perspectives. NE English professor Stacy Stuewe has also been involved in the Read-In events. “We are bridges, and how her great

grandfather was named Bridges, and he was lynched,” Stuewe said. “Many people don’t know about that very difficult and painful history in our country. And I just think it’s very important that we continue to look at literature, even the difficult topics that are sometimes in literature.”

I got addicted to the power of storytelling...

Cassandra Lane Guest speaker

Stuewe said that it is important to bring in authors to the Read-In events. “Cassandra brought all of her experience as a professional author, and it’s so important,” Stuewe said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to be able to talk with a professional author -- a published author -- and to be able to ask questions about her writing.”

(continued from page 1)

to mother him and trying to tell him how things should work and how they shouldn’t work.” There is symbolism riddled throughout the story with characters like Jim O’Connor, acted by SE student Joshua Gonzales, who counters Tom’s character as an opposite. Inman also noted it as an important element of the story. “He definitely plays a big role in essentially their lives as the main focus comes to head when he arrives,” Gonzalez said. Inman explained that the play is typically thought of a serious play, however there is more to it that she hopes will be communicated to the audience come production. “I think what we’ve worked to do is to find also the humor, because there’s a lot of humor in this play, and you don’t always read about that in the reviews, but it’s there,” she said.

Alex Hoben/The Collegian

NE student Ethan Melendez plays the main character Tom Wingfield, who represents Tennessee William in the play.

BOLDLY GO Pioneer Preview Day Feb. 24, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn more about Admissions, Housing, Finacial Aid and Scholarships. Preview Academics and Student Services. Tour the campus.

E R

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Discover Tarleton

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 • 3

UT Dallas is Coming to You! Join us at Comet Expo for Transfer Students 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Feb. 22 Trinity River Campus: Riverfront Café Receive a $50 application fee waiver by attending an info session! Learn about our admission process, financial aid and attend admission sessions in English and Spanish.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 • 5

4 • Wednesday, February 21, 2024

TCC

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Er m a Jo h n s o n

H ad le y

Celebrating the historic achieve ments of the Black co mmunity

EDITORS COLLEGIAN my.tccd.edu

MUSIC

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The music industry has produced many talented artists since the 2000’s. Many Black Americans have been pio neers, creating and sharing impac tful artistry. Beyonce bec ame the first person in 2023 to win 32 Grammy’s, breaking a new record. Kenderick Lama r’s rap album ‘DAMN’ bec ame the first to win a Pulitzer in 2018. Donald Glover ’s song, ‘This is America’ becam e the first rap song to win Grammy awards for song and record of the year in 2019.

Activism TECHNOLOG Y

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Black activists have always been at the forefront of the fight to resist and transform injustice within socie ty. Angela Davis is a black woman who has m ade significant strid es in pushing for civil rig hts, prison abolition , and feminism from the 1960s to the presen t. In 2020, she was inclu ded in Time magaz ine’s list of 100 most in fluential people in th e world. Activism tak es many forms, on e of those forms is writt en word. Amanda Gorman is the youngest inau gural poet in U.S hi story, she explores the to pics of oppression, race, and feminism thro ugh her poetry. An other writer, Charlene A. Carruthers pushes for liberation by using a queer and femin ist lens to tell stories of fre edom. She is the fo unding national director of the BYP100 (Blac k Youth Project 100).

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FILM & TV

The annu al Oscars , Tonys, E and Gold mmys en Globe s ha many firs ts in the p ve welcomed ast few d Ayo Edeb ecade iri made histo and Quinta Brunso s. n ry by bein g the first women to Black win Best Lead Actr and Supp es orting Ac tress for C s in the sam omedy e year. W hoopi Go became th ldberg e first Bla ck person achieve E to GOT statu s. Berry bec ame the fi Actress Halle rst to win the Academy Black woman Award fo Actress. r Best

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SPORTS

RE A C H T L HEA

i r i b e d E o y A

JOURNALISM

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Photo Illustrations by Alex Hoben/Illustrations by Tj Favela/The Collegian

ENTERTAINMENT

6 • Wednesday, February 21, 2023

Illustrations by TJ Favela

Comic book heroes are a staple of all manner of American culture and in honor of Black History Month, the best Black heroes are being celebrated.

Change comes in all colors, superheroes XAVIER BOATNER

campus editor xavier.boatner@my.tccd.edu

The demand for Black superheroes has increased exponentially over the years, and to celebrate Black History Month, I’ve decided to rank the best of the best. But first, like all things, we must start at the beginning. Traditional mainstream superheroes as we know them got their start in American comic books. The title of first traditional American superhero is often attributed to

Superman, and the character’s heroic hijinks have since gone on to inspire countless artists to create similar superhuman heroes, villains and antiheroes. The American comic book industry began to grow as fresh faces hit the scene over the coming years. Icons such as Batman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Aquaman and Spider-Man exploded in popularity in the 20th century, each character with compelling characteristics, abilities and stories that appealed to hundreds of thousands of readers. However, while these characters were relishing their much-deserved success, it

seemed the comic industry still had room to branch out into previously unexplored demographics. The characters listed above were all white heroes, which isn’t a problem, but there was potential to expand by positioning minority heroes as leads in their own books. Marvel was the first to bite at the opportunity, introducing the globe – or America at least – to Black Panther, a black superhero lead inspired by the political party of the same name. The character is particularly notable because he was the first traditional “mainstream superhero” — but Black. Inspired by the increasing racial tensions and civil rights movements of the 60s, Black Pan-

ther co-creators and comic book legends Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the character as a direct response to the lack of Black superheroes in mainstream American comics. Following in the Black Panther’s footsteps came many other unique and memorable Black superheroes and villains such as Cyborg, Storm, Vixen, Blade, John Stewart’s Green Lantern and Prowler, many of which are still active to this day. In honor of iconic Black superheroes everywhere, here are the picks for the Top 5 Black superheroes in ascending order.

Cyborg

Creator(s): Marv Wolfman (Writer) and George Pérez (Artist) First Appearance: DC Comics Presents #26 (1980) First Adaptation: The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians (1985) Notable Adaptation: Teen Titans animated series (2003) Cyborg is one of DCs most prolific creations and one of, if not their most popular Black superhero, especially among younger generations thanks in no small part to the character’s animated interpretations. Inspired by NFL star Jim Brown and obscure Marvel character Deathlok, the half-man, half-machine hero has starred in numerous comics, TV series and movies, both animated and live action. The character has been a staple in DCs lineup since his inception in 1980 and has been on multiple superhero teams such as the Justice League, DOOM Patrol and most notable – the Teen Titans.

2 T’Challa

Creator(s): Stan Lee (Writer) and Jack Kirby (Artist) First Appearance: Fantastic Four #52 (1966) First Adaptation: Fantastic Four: The Animated Series (1994) Notable Adaptation: Black Panther film (2018) How could you make a list of the best Black superheroes without the Black Panther? The first mainstream Black superhero. His legacy is unrivalled and without him, who knows where the state of Black superheroes would be. A timeless symbol of Black culture and representation thanks to his colorful cast of warrior allies and his now pop culture defining homeland of Wakanda. The character was faithfully brought to life thanks to the talent of various superstars such as Keith David, Djimon Hounson and the late Chadwick Boseman.

3 Storm Creator(s): Dave Cockrum (Co-Writer + Artist) and Len Wein (Co-Writer) First Appearance: Giant Size X-Men #1 (1975) First Adaptation: Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981) Notable Adaptation: X-Men: The Animated Series (1992) Created as a part of the then extremely popular X-Men series, Storm, while not the first Black female superhero, is immensely powerful in-universe as well as a little underrated compared to other Marvel heroines. This is due to being out of the public conscious for so long, but with a new X-Men movie on the horizon and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine making his rebooted on-screen debut in the upcoming Deadpool 3, the chances of seeing the goddess of lightning return in a mainstream capacity is higher now than in previous years. As it stands, Storm has been featured in multiple stories and films, in the 90s and 2000s, respectively. She is a powerful character with oodles of potential that has yet to be explored.

4 Blade

Creator(s): Marv Wolfman (Writer) and Gene Colan (Artist) First Appearance: The Tomb of Dracula #10 (1973) First Adaptation: Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994) Notable Adaptation: Blade film (1998) Latest Adaptation: Blade film (2025) The living vampire is one of Marvel’s more underrated heroes, but that seems like it’s going to change soon with both an upcoming big budget video game and Marvel Cinematic Universe film. The character’s starred in good stories both on the page and on the screen, be it in special comic book events, animated episodes of other Marvel series or even an anime, being one of the few Marvel characters with their dedicated anime adaptation. Many people growing up in the 90s and early 2000s remember Blade as Wesley Snipes, who helped bring the character from the page to the screen, predating even Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. Blade is a cool vampire with a sword and that alone is enough of a reason to earn a spot here.

5 Miles Morales

Creator(s): Brian Michael Bendis (Writer) and Sara Pichelli (Artist) First Appearance: Ultimate Fallout #4 (2011) First Adaptation: Ultimate Spider-Man animated series (2012) Notable Adaptation: Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse/Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse The most recent addition to this list is Marvel’s breakout hit Miles Morales, aka Spider-Man of Earth-1610. The character made his debut in 2011 following the death of Peter Parker and The election of Barack Obama. Put two and two together and you get a Black SpiderMan. The character has been the subject of debate since his inception, but over the years that has become ingrained in his identity and has grown into a meta-motivation for the character in the stories he’s been in. Personal gripes aside, there’s no denying that Miles has struck a chord with so many people beyond skin color. Miles, particularly in the Spider-Verse duology, is expertly written with a unique voice and style that separates him from recent iterations of Peter Parker (for the most part). Miles has become this generation’s Spider-Man, and no one can take that away from him. He absolutely is on his way up the Marvel ladder and deserves a spot on the list.

OPINION

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 • 7

EDITORIAL

Educate yourself before you dig your grave Since the dawn of time, man has had bad takes. We can only thank God that podcast mics weren’t around in the Garden of Eden. Think before you speak: one of the several mottos plastered on the walls of your third-grade classroom. Yet in the age of social media, that sentiment has evolved to “think before you post.” Besides the obvious personal ramifications of posting a controversial opinion, not limited to getting pulled aside by Sharon from human resources, you could unwittingly be spreading misinformation. Sure, maybe your private Instagram account with 27 followers — 23 of them being family members — may not have reach. But add a platform to the user, and your misinformed opinion has the potential to be hailed as truth. In a podcast with comedian Theo Von, rapper Sexyy Red stated that she liked former president Donald Trump on account of him “giving people their free money,” referencing the stimulus checks rolled out during his term. “We need him back in office,” she said. To someone uninformed on American politics, this sounds like a great idea. Free money? No strings? And Sexyy Red endorses him? You can count on my vote. Take a civics class, however, and you’ll find that Trump was hardly responsible for the checks. He simply signed the bill Congress created

Tj Favela/The Collegian

and even slowed the delivery of the checks to ensure his name was on it. Americans aren’t known for our education system, rather our hankering for a cheeseburger and country music. After all, only one in three US citizens would be able to pass a citi-

zenship test, according to the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. Which creates a dilemma: we now have politicians who prey on the fact that two-thirds of the population couldn’t pass a test about the basic rules of our country and then rely on

rappers that fall in the 66% to peddle misinformation on podcasts. It’s OK not to know, and it’s not your responsibility to know the ins-and-outs of the American government. Lin-Manuel Miranda surely doesn’t know after writing “Hamil-

ton.” Even the Reddit news-junkie probably gets confused by the electoral college. But you should be able to know and understand your rights. And maybe be able to recite the Miranda warning just for giggles. You don’t need to be up to date with every piece of legislature to have an opinion on politics. But before you draft that tweet, perhaps take a cue from your third-grade self and reflect if you know what you’re talking about. Considering that we’re currently living in a digital age, thinking before posting information is especially important. Information in a pocket’s reach also means the ability to spread information — or misinformation — at the touch of a button. Digital footprint is important so you don’t get fired for posting a thrist trap. But it’s also important to be mindful that what you post doesn’t go away. Which we have lovingly learned from every stand-up comedian. Rewatch that video twice and maybe rethink if that “yo mama” joke you made was actually tasteful. Or even worse: unfunny. Ignorance is one thing, but deliberate ignorance is a failure to your civic duty. If you know that you don’t know who the current vice president is, maybe sit out during the heated debate during Thanksgiving. Brush up on fifth grade social studies and you got it next year champ. And for god sake, it’s three branches of government.

VIEWPOINTS

New ideas, opinions have value even if not popular

XAVIER BOATNER campus editor

xavier.boatner@my.tccd.edu

Division among people has grown considerably in recent years, and I think there’s merit to that. I feel like in modern times, opposing viewpoints have been looked down upon and demonized on the basis that they’re different than the popular opinion. It’s happened quite a bit, and I suppose there’s something about viewing different perspectives as something to be against is kind of ridiculous. Many people – mainly on social media because where else would this stuff start – have adopted a bit of an “us vs. them” mentality. Anyone who thinks differently regarding an issue is obviously deserving of hate and is primed to be the dartboard of which we should collectively hurl said hate at because they dared to say they preferred the Star Wars prequels over the original trilogy or McDonald’s chicken nuggets over Burger King’s. This line of thinking, this “they disagree with me, so they are my enemy” type of thought is reductive. It’s regressive. Social media, I’d argue, has only amplified this thinking, and said thinking has bled over into real life. There’s been multiple instances in which people have had horrible slurs and demeaning things said about them because they dared to think outside of the common mindset. Frans Johannson, the author behind 2006’s The Medici Effect and 2015’s The Click Moment said, “The best ideas emerge

when very different perspectives meet.” This is something that I think about quite a bit now. Ever since I fumbled my way out of senior year as a reclusive B and C student basket case and subsequently fumbled my way into freshman year as a reclusive A and B student basket case plus journalist, many things have allowed me to put my perspective into perspective. I’ve spoken with my fair share of people since snagging this reporter gig back in 2022, and I’ve come to appreciate different ideas and perspectives on a broad range of topics, be it DEI-related ideas, ethical use of AI in creative spaces, pay disparities among educators, among others. If you’d like to see those, The Collegian website is never too far away. That’s “The Collegian” and then the “Dot Com” bit. Remember, the extra clicks are always appreciated. Shameless plugs aside, learning to be, if not respectful at least tolerable or accepting of others’ worldviews is something that I think be enlightening. It’s something that has allowed me to broaden my personal views in ways I would’ve never thought possible in high school. It’s something I’ve become quite proud of, even though I still have a ton more to learn. The act of writing other people’s opinions off is super easy – barely an inconvenience. However, something I’ve been particularly mindful of following since the pandemic is being mindful of taking the easy way out of situations. It’s something that takes discipline for sure, and it’s discipline I’m not entirely sure I have yet, but it’s a goal of mine I’d like to focus on. Being open to new ideas and perspectives has been important in helping me better understand who I desire to be. Listening to other people’s views over the last two or so years has been an invaluable experience and has allowed me to reflect on, evaluate and reevaluate my own personal biases and preconceptions about concepts I would’ve never considered.

Mental health crisis needs to be approached differently

HUDA QURESHI campus editor

huda.qureshi@my.tccd.edu

Crisis care is due for a remodel. My vision of crisis care involves a commitment to protect the autonomy of those experiencing a crisis. The idea that disruptive behavior is inherently unsafe is a reductive viewpoint. In the name of safety, we let threat and force define crisis care. We can reimagine how we view those in crisis by acknowledging that their struggle is not an individual moral issue. It is an issue of unmet material and emotional needs. This provides a layer of empathy that will set the basis for creating more self-directed options for intervention. Providing these options is a necessary step in humanizing those experiencing heightened emotions. One example of an intervention that retains the autonomy of an individual experiencing a crisis is to meet them where they are at. When someone you know is behaving in a way that may be difficult to understand, deescalation should take the form of targeted conversation, offering practical support and setting boundaries. Offering a non-judgmental space to work through difficult emotions is crucial. I think we should practice listening in a way where it requires effort and concentration, we should treat the words we hear as valuable information. Pouring dedicated focus into listening

to someone who needs support will result in an understanding of why they are behaving a certain way. This understanding is key to deescalating their heightened state. When we sincerely acknowledge and validate someone’s suffering, it will often result in relief for the individual in crisis. One way to support someone who is trying to return to their baseline state after a crisis is to provide options for practical care as they recover. I will wash your dishes for you, I will deliver you meals, I will help you clean your house, these are practical things that will bring stability to those in need of it. The unspoken message this kind of care sends is: I am someone you can depend on. There’s nothing you need to hide from me, my support is unconditional. There is also the importance of boundary setting when taking care of someone in crisis. A good balance of internal and external care results in the energy you pour into others to reflect right back on to you. People will show up for you the way you show up for them. If someone is in a state where they are engaging in unsafe actions and you need to involve authority, it is crucial to prioritize their consent. It should be clear to the individual as to where they are going, what is going to happen, who is going to be there for them and how their safety will be handled. This vision of how we show up for each other is not an unattainable fantasy. I think if we recognize what we experience as we move through the world as inherently worthy of attention and patience, there is space for a new standard of transformative care for those in crisis. Care is an active choice that we make. The needs of others should be interconnected with our own needs in a balance that will quiet any doubts about one being valued or not.

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Meet the Staff EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CAMPUS EDITORS

MANAGING EDITOR

NORTHEAST Xavier Boatner Fousia Abdullahi

PHOTO/MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

SOUTHEAST Keyla Holmes

ILLUSTRATORS

TRINITY RIVER Olla Mokhtar

Hope Smith Nina Banks

Alex Hoben Tj Favela

DESIGNERS

Jerry Swinney Dominick Martinez

PHOTOGRAPHER Rama Ajlouni

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Abel Hailu

Professional Staff ADVISERS

Chris Whitley Lori Dann

PRODUCTION MANAGER Stacy Luecker

8 • Wednesday, February 21, 2024