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Volume 54, Issue 22 | FRIday, september 27, 2019 | ndsmcobserver.com
Race Relations Week builds empathy Annual event seeks to promote diversity and inclusion on Notre Dame’s campus By MARIAH RUSH Associate News Editor
Student Government’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion hosted their annual Race Relations week from Sept. 20 to this Friday, Sept. 27. The week began with a talk from Dr. Yusef Salaam, of the Central Park Five, who was wrongly accused and convicted of raping a woman, and will end with a viewing of “Us” in DeBartolo Hall. All together, there are 11 events throughout the week. MacKenzie Isaac, a senior, is the director of diversity and inclusion in Student Government, and helped
UHC warns of EEE nearby Obsever Staff Report
In an email sent to community members Thursday, University Health Center director Sharon McMullen warned both community members and weekend visitors that eight cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) have been reported in Southwest Michigan “not far from” Notre Dame’s campus. In the email, McMullen encouraged people to take precautions against the mosquitos. “Anyone outdoors between dusk and dawn is urged to apply an insect repellent that contains 20% to 50% of the active ingredient DEET to exposed skin and clothing,” she said in the email. Furthermore McMullen said in the email individuals see VIRUS PAGE 5
NEWS PAGE 3
to organize Race Relations week. She said her goal for Race Relations Week changed throughout the planning and implementation. “At first, I had the rather lofty goal of wanting to shift people’s perspectives, not only on race relations in the Notre Dame context and beyond, but their role in shifting Race Relations Week within those contexts,” Isaac said. “Now, I think my goal is more so about building empathy, seeing one another as totally made in the image and likeness of God and the different colors and races that we represent as see RACE PAGE 5
KELLI SMITH | The Observer
Dr. Yusef Salaam, one of the Central Park Five wrongly accused and convicted of rape in 1989, spoke about his experience in juvenile prison as part of Race Relations Week on Sept. 20 in DeBartolo Hall.
Band members speak on halftime music, choreography By CATE VON DOHLEN News Writer
Notre Dame fans f lock from all over the country to attend home football games, both for the game itself and the experience of being on campus. Part of such experience is the marching band’s halftime show. Each week, the marching band puts on a performance at halftime with a theme,
demonstrated by music and choreography choices. Assistant band director Sam Sanchez said head band director Dr. Ken Dye arranges most of the music. He said music picking for the season usually starts in May but isn’t finalized until early August. Sanchez said choosing the music is “an ongoing process” by the band staff. The directors often look to new
charts but also try to do older music that other game attendees might also know, Sanchez said. “Some of the newer songs students know but the rest of the crowd may not,” Sanchez said. Band president, senior Jack Meloro said the themes vary. “They try to do a mix of pop hits, like current [music] and classic rock,” Meloro
said. Sanchez said learning the music and choreography and then putting the two together is a building process. They first start with learning and rehearsing the music, and then they start plotting the sets for the actual marching, Sanchez said. “We try to do it really fast see HALFTIME PAGE 5
Saint Mary’s volunteers at South Bend’s annual Arts Cafe By EMMA AULT News Writer
On Sunday the Near Northwest neighborhood of South Bend will be hosting its annual Arts Cafe. Members from the Saint Mary’s student body will be participating in the event by helping out in the children’s area for the third year in a row.
VIEWPOINT PAGE 8
“The Arts Cafe is a neighborhood festival in the Near Northwest neighborhood. The festival itself has been going on for over 15 years. The Near Northwest neighborhood is just a little north and west of downtown South Bend,” said Rebekah Go, the director of the Office for Civic and Social Engagement at the College.
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Go said the College got involved with the Arts Cafe a few years back and have continued along with it. “Around this time two years ago, we were approached by one of the organizers of the Arts Cafe who always helped execute the kids’ area of the festival and asked if Saint Mary’s could help and send volunteers,” Go said. “So we
sent volunteers that first year, and they’ve been asking us ever since to come back and help.” Go said she feels this event is good for the College and students. “It allows us to sponsor the kid’s area and also provide an opportunity for our students
ND Women’s Soccer PAGE 16
FootBall PAGE 16
see ARTS CAFE PAGE 5