15th Street News - September 2022

15 STREET NEWS th

VOLUME LII

SEPTEMBER 2022

ISSUE 2

OKC Celebrates Completion of Scissortail’s Lower Park

By Michael Palacios Photo Editor Celebration for the MAPS plan has taken place as the citywide project accomplished its finalization of the Downtown park.

Scissortail’s Lower Park has been completed and the grand opening event kicked off on the weekend of Sept. 23.

Events from Friday to Sunday took place, beginning with a free concert in the Upper Park performed by Oklahoma City's Philharmonic.

On Saturday, a community ribbon cutting was held to officially open the long-awaited completion of the twin parks. Other events took place throughout the day that aimed to welcome all to the new park.

“I live so close to the city, I come here all the time with my dogs; and we all love it,” said Aisha Williams, a local resident. “The other park will be a great place to take my family and dogs once it's finished.”

Located near the center of Downtown Okla-

homa City, both parks will be connected by the Skydance Bridge that stretches across Interstate-40.

Aptly referred to as the “Lower Park,” the park is a large 32-acre addition to the Upper Park’s 38-acre area of crossing paths and ornamental gardens.

Scissortail’s Lower Park will boast a wide variety of more open land and natural spaces. This will promote athletic events for the community, some of which being a soccer field, two basketball courts, pickleball courts, futsal courts and a sports pavilion.

The Lower Park will also include bike paths and the “woodland trails” that allows park-goers to leisurely walk through the park.

The Promenade pathway will connect the Skydance bridge to the southern area near the Oklahoma River that will be met with the Overlook Hill that boasts a beautiful overview of the

See PARK, Page 3

A broad view from Overlook Hill in Scissortail Park’s newly-completed Lower Park. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

Hunger Isn’t Quiet: The Impact of Food Banks

By Valerie Scott News Editor On Rose State campus, there are more students facing food insecurity than the public or fellow students are aware. With rising food and gas prices matched with housing

‘Not There, Didn’t Do It’

By Katrina Crumbacher Assistant Editor

and car market inflation, wallets aren’t stretching the way they used to. For college students who are also responsible for educational expenses, it can easily become difficult to keep food on the table.

Oklahoma isn't the

In the past 33 years, 43 Oklahomans have been proven wrongfully convicted and were exonerated. Seven of them were sentenced to death.

Cumulatively, those 43 people have served 435 years in prison.

See HUNGER, Page 6

The food pantry at the Diversity Club at Rose State.

(Photo by: Valerie Scott)

Construction in Back Parking Lot

The Truth About Banned Books

Inspired Teaching Program

Monthly Book Review

The World Disc Golf Championship

How Communication Errors Led to Confusion

How Banning Books Affects Everybody

Instructing the Next Generation of Teachers

Reviewing “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker

Coverage of the Event

by Nathan Fox

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Page 5

Page 6

Page 10

Page 14

Andrea Miller, the legal director of the Oklahoma Innocence Project, said the National Registry of Exoneration’s list is incomplete as it does not include the nearly 30 people who were released after the Tulsa Police corrup-

See INNOCENT, Page 9

Rose State Media Group Direct Link

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SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

LOCAL NEWS Miscommunication Leads to Confusion for Students

By Thomas Slinger Editor-in-Chief From long checkouts at the grocery store to backed-up traffic on the highway, there is nothing more taxing in this world than a slight inconvenience.

The construction of the back parking lot at Rose State College has now become an inconvenience for students after continued delays.

“It’s really annoying if I’m being honest,” said Jeff Collins, business major. “It really affects my day because I have class in the gym 15 minutes after I have a class in the STEM building.

Normally, I can drive my car around the campus and get there on time. But, with all the construction going on,

sometimes it’s a struggle to get to class.”

This struggle is a sentiment shared by many throughout campus. In an informal poll conducted by the 15th Street News, 75% out of 25 students said that the construction has caused a negative impact on their education. In fact, most students were unaware of what was the purpose of the construction project.

Richard Andrews is the chief procurement officer and senior director of campus operations for Rose State College. He is responsible for overseeing construction projects and coordinating operations with vendors.

“What we are building is a roundabout connecting the north parking lot and Johnson Boulevard,” he said. “The project is expected to be finished by the end of

The construction zone at the Johnson Boulevard campus entrance.

(Photo by: Thomas Slinger)

September, and we are working very hard to try and get things done in a reasonable time.”

However, construction has dragged on longer than expected because the school has added several components to the project along the way.

“One of the things that we decided to do was make sure that all the

sidewalks and curbs were compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” he said.

“Another thing we decided to add was speed bumps that we expect to make the parking lot much safer to drive in … as we have had a problem with speeding in that parking lot.”

Although these expla-

nations for the delay make sense, they were not communicated effectively to students and have caused increasing frustration. This brings into question Rose State College’s use of the mass email system at its disposal.

“I just want to be told what’s going on,” said Brittany Reagan, busi-

ness major. “Like I have to tell the school most of my information, why can’t they reciprocate?

Just give some updates on when this thing is going to be finished.”

Although the school did send out one email at the end of the spring semester, there haven't been any other notifications sent out to students regarding the construction.

“Generally, we don’t like to bother students with mass emails,” Andrews said. “Sending updates on the project was something that just hasn’t been brought up for whatever reason.”

Considering that school construction directly affects students, they hope that the college learns from this experience, and distributes information more effectively during future projects.

Canvas? Love It, Students Say

By Nathan Fox Sports Editor The beginning of a new college semester brings with it an air of excitement. For returning students, there is much to look forward to, such as reconnecting with old friends, discovering how fun new classes are and the joys of being back on campus.

However, the beginning of a new semester can be nerve wracking for new students. Locating classrooms, adjusting to the pace of college courses and maneuvering the nuances of college life can be quite difficult for those who have never before attended college. Learning how to use online learning platforms is just one of the many things college students must do to be successful. For Rose State, the platform of choice is Canvas.

“It’s so easy to learn how to use,” said Dylan Simp-

son, engineering major.

“I can see everything that I have due for the current week and sometimes even for future weeks.

That’s really helpful!”

Canvas offers a mobile application, which has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students.

“I love the mobile capabilities,” said Justin Grimes, science major.

“I don’t use the app to do homework, but having the app helps me keep my due dates easily organized.”

But it’s not just students who sing its praises, professors also enjoy its user-friendliness.

“I know a lot of my students like using Canvas because it’s mobile-friendly,” said Dr. Amy Hurst, professor and coordinator of life sciences. “Canvas has many things built into it that can help students be successful.”

Rose State formally made the switch

from Desire2Learn to Canvas in 2019. When asked about the difficulty of the switch, Hurst said, “Change is always tough, but if it is for the betterment of the students, it is worth it.”

Hurst is not alone. Dr. Angela Slovak, professor of biological sciences, agrees on the numerous benefits Canvas provides versus alternative platforms.

“It was like going from a Pinto to a Maserati,” Slovak said. “Canvas has a lot more functionality than D2L. It’s easy to use, and it helps the students stay organized.”

“It was a blessing to make the switch to Canvas when we did,” she said. “COVID heavily impacted us just a year later. I just can’t get over how timely the switch to Canvas was.”

One of the defining aspects of Canvas is its versatility.

“I don’t have to put a normal syllabus into the

Karina Huerta, sociology major, does homework on the campus mall.

(Photo by: Michael Palacios)

syllabus module,” said Dr. Guy Crain, philosophy professor. “I’ve actually created a Google Slide that has all of the information a normal syllabus would have, but it’s arranged in a fun, interactive way. A lot of my students have told me they really love it.”

With Canvas, college and studies is the dedicated student’s oyster.

“I can control a lot with Canvas,” said Leanne May, professor of bio-

logical sciences. “I can control which modules the students can access at any given time, so it creates a structured workflow for the students in my classes.”

Every online learning platform isn’t without fault, though. Problems arise and troubleshooting issues need to be addressed.

“The e-learning team in the Learning Resources Center has been incredibly helpful,” May

said. “Anytime I’ve had any issues, they’ve been ready and willing to help me resolve them.”

“Canvas has many tools available,” Hurst said. “Whenever fellow professors or students come to me and ask for help, I’ve shown them where Canvas has help guides and FAQs. There’s a lot of really helpful information built-in.”

SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

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LOCAL NEWS

The Promenade walking trail that leads to the Skydance Bridge. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

PARK, from Page 1 entire park and Downtown Oklahoma City.

There will be two concession areas that will provide visitors with restrooms as well as food and drinks. The Lower Park will maintain the consistency of the botanical garden theme that is seen in the Upper Park.

With both parks linked by the Skydance Bridge, the Lower Park will have path-

ways that lead directly toward the river as a plan to connect Oklahoma City’s outdoors and surrounding communities.

MAPS 3 is a program that was planned to aid in the capital development of the Oklahoma City area that will utilize 1-cent sales tax in order to pay for debt-free projects.

The 1-cent sales tax lasted from April 2010 to December 2017. The intent was to expedite the construction

of projects that will benefit all Oklahomans and improve the quality of living.

“Connecting the lower areas of Oklahoma City is part of MAPS 3 initial presentation, with a goal of completing the coreto-shore study to connect Oklahoma City to the Oklahoma River,” said MAPS Program Manager David Todd.

“Both parks will be distinguished in what they offer … the Lower Park

will have sports fields.”

Inside the MAPS 3 program is the “core to shore” study. Intentions to find solutions to bridge the

“Both parks will be distinguished in offerings.”

-David Todd

The pickleball and basketball courts are some of the newest installations at Scissortail’s Lower Park. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

economic divide in the southern area of Oklahoma City’s downtown. Creating a stronger partnership in the lower half of Oklahoma City’s economy through the development of the area is the objective of the core to shore plan.

The cost of development of Scissortail’s Lower Park was $24.5 million at the time of completion, which is 9% higher than the initial expected cost of development. The

original estimate was set at $22.2 million.

Union Station, located in the Upper Park, will also see restructuring as part of the long-term development process for Oklahoma City’s MAPS 3 project.

Opening of the Lower Park has excited members of the community to prepare plans to visit the newest addition to the Oklahoma space for fun and relaxation.

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SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

LOCAL NEWS Oklahoma State Fair:

‘Your Fair Share of Fun!’

By Katrina Crumbacher had taken for granted.

Assistant Editor From the funnel cakes to the rides, countless crowds basked in the wonder the Oklahoma State Fair had to offer from Sept. 15-25.

“You walk up to the outside gates, and you’ve got a normal expression on your face,” said Scott Munz, the fair’s senior vice president. “As soon as you get through the gate, boom, your eyes get wide, your smile gets bright, and you just enjoy the fair for what it has to offer. I enjoy seeing that.”

The state fair was back with a bang after more than two years of COVID looming over its shoulder. The sound of live music filled the air once again, and vendors lined the grounds with fair food around every corner.

“We’re still here,” Munz said. “We like to refer to ourselves as Oklahoma’s premier family attraction, and people have been coming for decades.

Generational memories have been made.”

“We like to refer to ourselves as Oklahoma’s premier family attraction.”

-Scott Munz

For more than 100 years, the Oklahoma State Fair has entertained all ages, from young to old. In 2020, the fair was canceled for the first time ever along with most other seasonal social gatherings that many had come to expect every year and

“Even though we took 2020 off, 2021 was a very good year for us,” he said.

“People didn’t have their commuting expenses.

They didn’t have their dry-cleaning expenses.

They didn’t have a lot of the normal expenses, and they had pandemic burnout. They wanted

“It’s a taste of Americana.

There’s nothing else like it.”

-Scott Munz

to get out, and they had money in their pocket.”

For months, the world was effectively shut down as everyone sequestered themselves away from each other.

Even when brick-andmortar businesses began to reopen in May 2020, all was not as it was pre-pandemic, nor would it ever be again.

“Obviously, this year is further away from the bulk of COVID-19, but this year, we found that people have been hit pretty hard at the pump, the prices at the grocery store, restaurants, retail,” he said. “Everywhere you go, it seems like prices have increased, so we made a decision early on to be sensitive to that.”

In response to the ongoing struggles families are facing as inflation takes its toll, the state fair offered five discount days to bring in those who may have been priced out of attending otherwise.

“I think attendance held well the first weekend,” he said. “We tried to have as many dis-

counts out there as possible to try to make it an affordable activity for families, so all of our advance gate tickets were the same price as last year.”

Despite setbacks for the fair and families alike, Oklahomans were out in force this year to enjoy this can’t-miss attraction.

“It’s a taste of Americana,” he said. “We’re in the heartland of America, and this has been a tradition for families for years.”

One of the things Munz looks forward to every year is to just sit on his golf cart by one of the entrances and watch the smiles on people’s faces as they come in. “It’s very validating to see people around enjoying themselves,” he said, “to see the joy on the families’ faces when they come through the gate because they know that they’re here at the fair.”

Food vendors and crowds at the 2022 Oklahoma State Fair. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

Fairgoers gather towards the main concert venue near the Ferris wheel at the Oklahoma State Fair. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

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LOCAL NEWS The Freedom to Read: The Truth About Banned Books

By Alyx Sabina

Senior Staff Writer Imagine.

It’s library day for the class. Everyone’s sitting “criss-cross applesauce” on a colorful rug, knee to knee with their classmates, excited as the librarian picks a book off the shelf and starts reading. What happens when children no longer have this luxury?

Wondering, where did all of the books go?

They’re on the banned book shelf.

Most children are taught to read at a very young age. These stories captivate young minds and teach lessons along the way. However, some of the most memorable books have been removed from shelves.

Even some of the most recognizable books, such as “Captain Underpants,” “The Lorax,” “The Giving Tree” and “Charlotte’s Web” have been banned or challenged in various locations for numerous reasons. Those in favor of banned books argue it is for the safety of the children reading them while others call it by its name: censorship.

Andrew Soliven, the coordinator of library reference and instruction at Rose State College, is an ardent defender of banned books.

“That’s censorship, and that goes against everything that librarians work for and strive for,” he said.

The American Library Association has been vocal in their defense of banned books. In what they call “The Freedom to Read Statement,” the ALA explains.

“The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label ‘controversial’ views, to distribute lists of ‘objectionable’ books or authors and to purge libraries.”–an excerpt from “The Freedom to Read Statement” In 2005, a children’s book titled “King and King” was challenged by many Oklahoma legislators, calling for the book

to be banned from the children’s section of the library. The book tells the story of a prince who falls in love with another prince. Because of its LGBTQ influences, they argued it wasn’t appropriate reading material for children.

“They wanted to ban it completely from the library.”

-Andrew Soliven

“They wanted to ban it completely from the library system,” Soliven said. “Instead, the library system kept the book, but it was placed on a shelf that was really high called the ‘family talk section.”

The majority of banned or challenged books usually involve topics that make the reader feel uncomfortable. For example, “To Kill a Mockingbird”

by Harper Lee deals with racial injustice and the demolition of innocence.

This book is banned in at least four states.

“This next generation, how are they going to

learn from what’s happened in the past without reading these books?”

Soliven asked.

Generally, when a book is challenged by an individual or an entity at a K-12 public school district, the complaint goes through the district, and they decide either to ban the book or keep it.

Rose State has made it a goal to ensure academic Freedom for all students.

“I’ve been at Rose State for about five years, and there hasn’t been one instance where I have had an issue with banned books,” Soliven said.

Book banning carries serious implications for future generations who not only need these stories to read but to help them confront trauma and blossom as human beings.

“It’s taking away opportunities for them to read something and identify with it,” Soliven said.

“Stories are important.

You feel like you’re not alone in the world when you read something you relate to.”

A view of the library at Rose State College. Many books that are banned elsewhere in the state can be found here. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

Interested in Being Published?

The 15th Street News wants you!

The 15th Street News is looking for passionate students that have an interest in photography, writing and graphic design. There are a variety of opportunities available, including paid positions! Although experience is recommended, it is not necessary. If you are interested in this opportunity, please reach out to one of the contacts below: - ddelaney@rose.edu - thomas-slinger@raider.rose.edu - katrina-crumbacher@raider.rose.edu

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SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

LOCAL NEWS clothing donation program where students are allowed to select five items per category, including shoes and office wear.

HUNGER, from Page 1 only state facing inflation right now, America as a whole is struggling to keep its citizens fed. In 2021, 53 million Americans accessed food banks, according to Feeding America (2022). That’s 1 in 5 size Americans.

Adrien Brewer, a fine arts major, shared some of her own experiences with benefiting from food programs.

“When I was in high school I was in the backpack meal program,” Brewer said.

“They would put things like peanut butter, mac and cheese - lots of food that you could just add water to.”

When a child struggles with food insecurity, this can create a ripple effect later in life as an adult.

“I grew up in a situation where money was tight,” Brewer said. “If I have the means to, I would love to help others who are also in that

“If I have the means to, I would love help others who are also in a bad situation.”

- Adrien Brewer Eliana Williams, a fine arts major, and Dustyn Guzman, a psychology major, are the front office aids at the Diversity Center. (Photo by: Valerie Scott)

type of situation. I think compassion like that is a beautiful thing.”

Rose State campus offers a food pantry and sack lunches for any and all students. The program began in 2018 with Dr. Monique Bruner as the head of operations.

Located inside the Uni-

versity Center, students can pick from the selection of frozen foods, canned goods, toiletries (including diapers), premade lunches, snacks, school supplies and household items such as cups and bowls.

Eliana Williams, fine arts major, and Dustyn

Guzman, psychology major, are the people who will greet you at the doors of the University Center.

Students must first sign in using their name and student ID. After this, students are allowed a certain amount of food per day. The diversity group also has a

“Our clothing closet is also great because we are able to help students who have an interview or if they just need a jacket,” Williams said. “We get several donations to our closet.”

The student-run diversity club has recently implemented toiletries and healthcare products to the campus bathrooms.

“We also go around

campus and stalk up the bathrooms with tampons, pads, condoms, perfumes, and lotions,” Williams said. “Twice a month we get food and supply trucks that come in so we’re always stalked on our items.”

Outside of Rose State, there are several local food pantries as well.

For those who live close to campus, Midwest City has a Mid-Del Food Pantry on Midwest Boulevard and Reno Avenue. This pantry is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Unfortunately, food insecurity has been a conversation several kept in the dark. However, there are a couple of options to help out when facing the struggle of keeping yourself, and possibly your family fed as well.

New Program Inspires Next Generation of Teachers

By Jeremiah Cockroft Graphics Editor Rose State College has announced it’s taking part in The OK Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive Program, known as “Inspire to Teach.” The program addresses the teacher shortage in the state of Oklahoma that has affected education for several years. The goal is to find and educate new teachers to work in schools across the state.

The program passed through legislation in 2022 and is now available for use by students through colleges.

“It’s a great way to get your education paid for, but more than anything, to make a difference in children’s lives,” said

professor Joetta Gatliff.

Students who take part in the program are given the opportunity to earn scholarships and benefits up to $25,000 for pre-education majors.

After filling out the application, students will receive the first check for $500 two weeks after and $1,000 each following academic year. After 90 credit hours, students will earn $2,500 a year to help with the cost of living.

After completing the program and the first year of teaching, the new teachers will receive $4,000 for five years, which could be used to pay off student debts.

The program has no limits on how many people can apply and no application deadline.

If a student in the program wants to change what college they are

going to, their credits are automatically transferred over if the college has an articulation agreement with Rose State. Other colleges participating in the program include The University of Oklahoma, The University of Central Oklahoma and Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

“I love it that we get to touch children’s lives and have children touch our lives in such unique ways,” said Gatliff, “because every time you’re around a child you learn something new and you see the world differently through their eyes.”

For more information, email Gatliff at jgatliff@ rose.edu, or stop by the Social Sciences Office.

Students receive instruction from their professor at Rose State College. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

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LOCAL NEWS New Food, New Retail Comes to Midwest City

By Katrina Crumbacher Assistant Editor Business is booming in Midwest City, and according to Robert Coleman, the city’s economic development director, it’s not showing any signs of slowing down.

“Midwest City has welcomed 22 new businesses thus far in 2022,” Coleman said, “which is three more than what was seen during the same period last year and about five more than what the city has averaged for the same time frame over the last decade.”

Enclosed within the just over 24 square miles that make up Midwest City, more and more companies are finding their way to the eighth most populous city in Oklahoma.

“Since municipalities are reliant on sales tax revenue for operations, it is vitally important we continue to invite new commercial development in Midwest City,” Mayor Matt Dukes provided in a statement.

“This also supplies our citizens with the amenities to keep them in Midwest City.”

“We are averaging probably somewhere of 4-5 new restaurants per year.”

-Robert Coleman As many have noticed, renovations of the old JCPenney location on 29th Street are currently underway. Once Mathis Brothers’ new concept store opens, it is expected to create 70 jobs, bring in around $20 million in revenue and attract more than 115,000 new customers to Midwest City.

“We have over a $4 million

HTeaO in Midwest City holds grand opening. It is located off 15th Street. (Photo By: Zak Royka)

leakage in furniture sales that leaves this community,” Coleman said. “We’ve got a furniture rental store or two, and we’ve got three mattress stores. We don’t have a full-service furniture store.”

Several new restaurants have opened or will soon be opening along 15th Street, such as HTeaO, which opened on September 25th, Teriyaki Madness and Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food.

HTeaO’s parking lot was full to overflowing as customers lined up around the building. (Photo By: Zak Royka)

“We’re averaging probably somewhere in the neighborhood of four to five new restaurants per year,” Coleman said.

“Some will close, some have closed, and they’re quick to be picked up by somebody else that comes along. I think restaurant growth will always be there, and as Tinker Air Force Base expands, it will only increase.”

Tacos 4 Life will also be opening in the former Pei Wei location on 29th Street. In partnership with Feed My Starving Children, Tacos 4 Life donates 24 cents of every taco, bowl, quesadilla, salad or nachos sold.

“Tacos 4 Life is a pretty interesting concept,” Coleman said. “We ran into them about four or five years ago. They weren’t quite ready to come into our market, but they wanted to be in Town Center Plaza. When one door closes, another one opens.”

It’s not just food and retail that have their sights set on Midwest City. A

food processing facility may be finding a home on the outskirts of the city near 36th Street.

Coleman said they will bring about 90 jobs, a $20 million investment and a 65,000-squarefoot facility into one of the poorest areas of the city.

“If we’re going to keep attracting the restaurants that everybody asks for and the retail that everybody wants,” Coleman said, “we have got to make sure there are jobs in our community where people have disposable income so they can buy those things, so they can go out, so they can go to the movie theater.”

For more information regarding new local businesses and restaurants, the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce frequently announces grand openings on its Facebook page.

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SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

LOCAL NEWS

MAPS Senior Wellness Centers are Well Underway

By Michael Palacios Photo Editor The MAPS initiative is giving senior citizens more places to connect and engage in community activities by developing two new senior wellness centers. These new centers have been designed to revitalize older communities that are often left behind because of their age.

Despite unexpected delays, the construction of the two new centers have progressed by leaps and bounds.

“The wellness centers should be complete by February of 2023,” said MAPS Program Manager David Todd.

Previous projections for the completion of the senior wellness centers were aiming for fall 2022.

These centers will offer community members ages 50 and older with opportunities to participate in programs that will offer physical health and creative expression.

“Making friends at my age is hard,” said Eartha Wigfall, a member at Healthy Living and Fitness. “Here, I have folks that want to listen.

Spending time at Healthy Living, I’ve been learning how to paint … I have never painted in my life; it’s fun.” Members find themselves in a diverse community.

Some of the activities provided at the new facilities will come equipped with all-inclusive exercise rooms, large gymnasiums with basketball and pickleball courts and heated swimming pools.

The centers will also include art rooms, culinary kitchens meant for instruction and rooms designed to offer classes like group fitness, art rooms and culinary kitchens meant for instruction.

The centers will create a space for the mid-

dle-aged and elderly to spend leisure time, as well. The surrounding areas will have gardens and pathways for the members to relax and enjoy.

The centers are currently finishing construction and will serve as an expansion to the already established senior wellness centers to create a citywide outreach for the elderly to connect and find inclusive hobbies. Memberships for those interested will begin at $30 per month but are subject to change depending on age and financial status to aid with affordability.

Two senior wellness

“Making friends at my age is hard. Here, I have folks that want to listen.”

S. Western Ave. in cooperation with YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City helping aid in the operation of the facility. This center is also scheduled to be completed by February 2023.

The MAPS project has a goal of strengthening the economy of the Oklahoma City landscape.

Funding for the wellness centers, in particular, were drawn from both MAPS 3 and MAPS 4 implementation plans.

With two centers already in service, the MAPS 3 initiative has provided a projected $55.5 million in order to construct these much needed senior wellness centers. The goal of the MAPS project is to strengthen the economy of the Oklahoma City landscape; and it’s doing just that.

Construction of the MAPS project continues with two new senior wellness centers.

(Photo by: Michael Palacios)

-Eartha Wigfall centers have already been completed as part of the MAPS 3 plan.

The first center is located at 11501 N. Rockwell Ave. Operated by Healthy Living and Fitness. The second is The Pete White Health and Wellness Center located at 4021 S. Walker Ave. and is operated by Health and Wellness OKC. The third will also be a senior wellness center run by Langston University. It will be located at NE 36th Street and Lincoln Boulevard and is expected to be complete by February 2023.

The fourth and final senior wellness center will be located at 13660 The new MAPS site under construction near NE 36th Street and Lincoln Boulevard. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

POLITICS INNOCENT, from Page 1 tion scandal.

“When I talk about exonerees, I am talking about absolute factual innocence,” she said.

“I am talking about didn’t have anything to do with the crime, not there, didn’t do it. I’m not talking about sentencing issues. I’m not talking about guilty of a lesser included offense.

I’m talking about having nothing to do with the crime for which they were convicted.”

To better help exonerees find justice in terms of compensation from the state, Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, has been looking into Oklahoma’s wrongful conviction compensation laws through the interim study she filed in June.

“The more we understand the impacts of our criminal justice system and incarceration in general,” Munson said, “the more we can do to ensure Oklahoma families do not have to continue to be in a cycle of constant trauma, stress and a lack of hope.”

Under Oklahoma statutes, wrongfully incarcerated exonerees may only make liability claims if they have received either full pardons from the governor or judicial relief absolving the exoneree of guilt.

In both cases, exonerees must be considered to have “actual innocence”

“They’re not going to be given a fair chance.”

-Lynde Gleason of the crime for which they were convicted.

Both of those are almost, if not completely, impossible, Miller said.

“In the pardon con-

text, if you pull the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board’s qualifications for a gubernatorial pardon, nobody who has been exonerated would qualify,” she said. “They say you have to have a conviction, which if you have been exonerated, you don’t, and you have to have completed your sentence in order to be considered for a pardon.”

“We can do more to ensure Oklahoma families do not have to continue to be in a cycle of constant trauma, stress, and a lack of hope.”

-Cyndi Munson

To be considered “actually innocent,” exonerees must meet several criteria.

-They must have been charged with a felony.

-They must have not plead guilty to the offense charged or any lesser included offense.

-They must have also been convicted of the offense regardless.

-They must have been sentenced to incarceration.

And, they must have been imprisoned solely on the basis of the conviction of the offense.

“We have exonerees who would be automatically excluded from this as a result of the guilty plea,” Miller said. “Innocent people plead guilty

all the time for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it’s to avoid the death penalty. Sometimes, it’s to avoid lengthy sentences.”

Currently, only 38 states, the federal government and Washington, D.C., have laws that compensate wrongfully convicted individuals.

Of those 38 states, only 19 also offer non-monetary compensation, such as tuition assistance and job search assistance, but Oklahoma isn’t one of them.

“I think that there are some big strides being made to having more second chance employers, especially in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, but there’s still quite a long way to go,” said Lynde Gleason, re-entry site supervisor for The Education and Employment Ministry in Oklahoma.

TEEM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking cycles of incarceration and poverty through education, personal development and work readiness training.

“If you’ve ever filled out a job application, the application itself asked ‘have you ever been convicted of a felony? Check yes or no,” Gleason said.

“That right there is barrier No. 1. That’s hard for a lot of people to know what they should answer because it feels like if they say yes, they’re not going to be given a fair shot, but if they say no, then they’re going to feel like they’re not trustworthy.”

Even though exonerees no longer have the conviction to hold them back, that question found on every job application applies to them. A recent study by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics found that 33% of prisoners released in 2010 could not find employment in the four years since their release.

“When there are employment opportunities,” Gleason said, “they’re not always the kind that are going to pay in a way that is go-

ing to support them because not only now do they just need to support themselves, they might need to support their families.”

As of 2020, over 22,000 sentenced prisoners are incarcerated in Oklahoma, which has decreased by almost 9% since the last census in 2010. Yet, studies have estimated that 3-5% of incarcerated prisoners have been wrongfully convicted. By these estimates, more than 1,100 Oklahoma prisoners could be innocent.

“When I talk about exonerees, I am talking about absolute factual innocence.”

-Andrea Miller

During the 2022 legislative session, Munson introduced House Bill 3511 to adjust not only the eligibility requirements for wrongful conviction compensation but also the compensation available for exonerees. However, the bill never made it to the House floor.

HB 3511 would remove the “did not plead guilty” provision for compensation, and instead of the $175,000 cap, exonerees would be eligible for $50,000 for every year they spent wrongfully incarcerated and an additional $50,000 for every year they served on death row. The bill also offered non-financial compensation, such as health benefit plan coverage and tuition-free education.

9

DUI offenders were Punishment repeat also considered. “When Too Lax for cases come to me as a felony, I look to see if I can Repeat DUI screen them in for treatment,” Crowe said. “ObOffenders viously, without a violent

News Editor

In a House Public Safety Committee meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 14, the subject of concern was the current and possible future programs for repeat DUI offenders. Various citizens, attorneys and members of law enforcement came to express their grievances with the current protocol regarding repeat DUI offenders.

Patrick Crowe, an assistant attorney with the Cleveland County District Attorney's Office, spoke first. With extensive experience working on DUI and homicide cases as a prosecutor, he shared his thoughts and experience on the lack of force and effective punishment for repeat DUI offenders.

“Some of the difficult things that come from our office is identifying people who are driving under the influence of drugs,” Crowe said. “I think there needs to be more funding or training for drug recognition experts. When people get pulled over and the officer suspects they are under the influence of drugs, it becomes a more difficult investigation to undertake than it is for someone who is under the influence of alcohol.”

With the increase of marijuana use through the legalization of medical marijuana, there has been a significant increase of drivers under the influence, but there are no breathalyzer-type devices that are designed to detect drug use.

Now, the only way to tell if a person has drugs in their system is for them to voluntarily submit themselves to a drug screening.

Consequently, the screening takes place after the offending use of a vehicle making for an inaccurate method of determining if the user was driving under the influence.

Probation options for

criminal history, we will recommend probation.

However, in my experience during the last decade, almost every assessment is the same.”

Child endangerment while driving under the influence was another subject of debate. Not only are drivers putting themselves and those on the road at risk, but any children in the car are now also in jeopardy.

“I’ve seen an increase in child endangerment DUIs. You are obviously endangering yourself, but when there are children in the back, sometimes in a car seat and sometimes not, that's a higher level threat,” Crowe said.

“I think more should be done on our end, and I guess on your end to try and hold those folks accountable. I get too many cases where the Department of Human Services hasn’t even been contacted.”

Kristy Murrow’s daughter, Marissa Murrow, was killed by a repeat DUI offender. She expressed her experience and distaste for the current protocols for repeat DUI offenders.

“There is no place we’d rather not be than right here, but we are here today because my daughter, Marissa Murrow, was killed by a repeat DUI offender,” Kristy Murrow said. “Her killer had many opportunities to do better and never chose to do so. Starting in 2011, he’s had DUIs in four different states prior to the time that our daughter was killed.”

DUIs are one of the few felonies that, no matter how many an offender acquires, offenders are always eligible for probation. Regardless of the numerous systems and programs in place that are meant to provide grace and rehabilitation, it’s impossible to help someone who doesn’t want help.

Photo by: Michael Palacios

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SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

FEATURES Filmed in Oklahoma

By Jeremiah Cockroft local jobs and stimuGraphics Editor

Some banned books found in the Rose State library. (Photo by: Katrina Crumbacher)

Staff-Selected Book Review

By Zak Royka Staff Writer

In honor of Banned Books Month, I sat down with the Learning Resources Center’s copy of “The Color Purple” expecting to cry; I was not disappointed.

First published in 1982 to great acclaim, Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” stands out as one of the greatest of a generation. Its subject matter and forward presentation make it shine despite its age.

This book is a harrowing tale about overcoming oppression and growing through trauma. By laying bare the horrors of the American South with careful nuance, Walker guides the reader through the lives and loves of a cast of unforgettable characters.

The protagonist, Celie, is an impoverished African American woman living with a man her abusive father chose for her. This story is incredibly dark with topics such as sexual abuse and domestic violence permeating nearly every page. It does not shy away from challenging subjects and always presents them deftly and tactfully.

Alice Walker wrote “The Color Purple” as a series of letters. At first,

the letters are from the protagonist to God and then from various perspectives. This literary device precludes the use of chapters, which makes this 287-page book fly by in a flurry of emotions. The author also uses wonderful wordplay, expressing the depth and complexity of characters who feel like they could jump out of the page.

“I never truly notice nothing God make.”

-Celie

This book is set in the deep South during the first half of the 20th century. The latter part of the book contains tales from Africa told by Celie’s sister, Nettie. Sisterhood is a central theme of the book with the bond they share emphasized by the distance between them.

Celie’s character works because of her emotional weight. She is allyless through the first third of the novel after losing contact with her sister.

By the time she realizes the sway she holds

in other people’s lives for both good and ill, she has become complacent as both a victim and perpetrator of abuse. At one point, Celie even encourages the abuse of her stepdaughter, but when confronted with the error of her ways, she reforms.

Her progress towards personal freedom and emotional healing strikes a chord with the change in her surroundings as she ventures into deeper communion with her faith. “I been so busy thinking ‘bout him I never truly notice nothing God make. Not a blade of corn (how it do that?) not the color purple (where it come from?).” -Page 197.

Walker conveys this indisputably bleak life with great care and joy, subtly radiating hope through her words. The color purple is one such ray of hope. The first mentioned appearance of purple, a dress that Celie desires, demonstrates the invisible chains of commitment that hold her to her assigned husband and keep her from hope.

If this book has piqued your interest, check out “The Color Purple” and other banned books at the LRC or your local library.

A large collection of film memorabilia lines the shelves of Marcus Mallard’s office. Just from looking at these posters, toys and scripts, it is clear he has a deep love and respect for cinema. That is why he is training the next generation of Oklahoman filmmakers.

Since COVID-19 hit the United States, film and TV production has significantly slowed.

However, Oklahoma’s film industry has grown exponentially. Whispers of Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Sylvester Stallone constantly pop up all across the state. Oklahoma has been the site of many new Hollywood titles, including “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Minari,” “Reservation Dogs” and “Tulsa King.”

In May of 2021, Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the “Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021.” The legislation provided new incentives that attract larger film and TV production in the state. SB 608 increased the incentive cap and eligibility threshold to build a stronger local workforce to stimulate jobs in the state.

“It is my privilege to serve the greater community of Oklahoma, as well as work alongside our state’s thriving film industry which creates

lates positive economic impact throughout the state,” said Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell.

By creating a stronger infrastructure for film production, Oklahoma created new opportunities with fewer restrictions.

Companies can hire welltrained, professional, local Oklahomans to work Oklahoman jobs, instead of hiring out of other states. Local productions stimulate the economy by bringing large workforces into cities and smaller towns. Hundreds of people are brought in who all need food and places to stay.

“People see the 1 percent of the film industry,” said Nancy Hayden, Head of the Oklahoma Film and Television Academy. “You see the giant stars, but 99 percent of that industry are working-class people.”

Hayden is also a large part of the future of the Oklahoman film industry. The Oklahoma Film and Television Academy, which is a part of Green Pastures Studio, gives students handson experience to build the skills needed for jobs in production.

“There are so many talented individuals from this region that would have had to move to bigger cities to be noticed,” she said. “This allows them to stay local, and still do what they love.”

Rose State College has seen the growth of the film industry and created are a new program to cultivate the skills of students interested in production. This film degree is handcrafted to meet the needs of the growing demand of the industry.

Rose State will be adding 14 new classes which will be used in the new Film Studies course, headed by Professor Marcus Mallard, professor of English and digital media.

Mallard has taken charge of the creation of the new degree and has been working closely with several production companies to ensure the best possible resources and leadership.

“Helping people make movies, create and self-express, that is the biggest goal in life,” he said. “I am beyond ecstatic to open these doors for the kids.”

Matt Payne co-founder and co-CEO of Prairie Surf Media, Amy Janes, co-founder and chief inspiration officer at Green Pastures Studio, Randy Heitz, executive director and assistant program director of Tyler Media, and others are on the advisory board for the Rose Film Studies Course. They have been instrumental in creating a course that is designed to best prepare the student for film production.

Marcus Mallard’s office and memorabilia. (Photo by: Michael Palacios)

SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

11

FEATURES Gardening Without a Garden

By Valerie Scott News Editor

There are a couple of stigmas around growing your own produce. Folks will swear that you need heirloom seeds, lots of land, expensive fertilizers and sprinklers. This just isn’t the case.

Grocery store prices have hit record highs this year. According to Fox 25, over the last year grocery store prices have gone up by 9.4%.

This is the highest inflation rate since April 1981.

However, this issue isn’t limited to Oklahoma or even America.

Globally, we are hurting for food.

The cause behind this increasing problem consists of a few factors.

California, for example, is experiencing extreme temperatures, which are burning up the majority of crops grown. This change in climate is affecting food production worldwide. This has caused the remaining food to go up in price due to the scarcity of certain products and produce.

With inflation rising and affecting the cost of all goods, it begs

the question of whether it’s worth it to grow your own produce. This is especially applicable to college students who already face a tight budget. It virtually costs no money to grow your own produce. The biggest expense is the correct soil, as this factor is essential.

“Soil mixtures, pots, as well as simple measures for irrigation are now there that previously weren’t just five years ago.”

-Raylene Harrison

Typically, when thinking of growing your own produce, one thinks of

huge fields lined with vegetables. Well, not everyone has a chunk of land for a garden. Luckily, there are several ways to grow your own food and fresh herbs without land at all. Front porches, back porches, apartment patios,and even a kitchen window sill are perfect places to start growing produce.

“The availability for soil mixtures, pots, as well as simple methods for irrigation are out there that previously weren’t just five years ago. After COVID, we’ve seen a significant increase in people growing produce on their own,” said Raylene Harrison, a board member of the Master Gardeners of Oklahoma City.

So how does one garden without a garden?

Here are a few methods to get started.

Zucchini, squash, potatoes and herbs are great plants for beginners. For squash and zucchini, buy some seeds, or just buy the vegetable from the grocery store and save the seeds. Place two to three seeds in potting soil inside a container that’s at least 35 inches deep. Ensure that your pot also has sufficient

Fresh produce can be easier to grow than some people might think.

(Photo by: Valerie Scott)

Containers are an option if you have limited yard space for starting a garden.

(Photo by: Valerie Scott)

drainage holes. Begin watering the seeds immediately after planting and each time the soil dries out.

Give the seeds around 7-14 days to sprout.

Once this stage has begun, it will only take the plant 30-40 days to produce fruit. When the seed starts to sprout, it is time to implement a device for the squash or zucchini to climb up on. The fruit and vines themselves like to be elevated off the ground or at least have something to attach to. Placing your pot next to the apartment patio railing is perfect, or even placing a long stick inside the pot is enough for your plant to climb on.

Potatoes are very similar to growing zucchini and squash but without the need to vine out and climb. Grab a bag of potatoes from the store, and cut the potatoes into inch-thick chunks.

Place these chunks on a damp paper towel next to a window. Soon these pieces will start to sprout and that’s when you know it’s go time.

If you already have a bag of potatoes that have sat on the counter too long, you can skip this step and cut those

taters up and put them in the dirt.

Place your chunks with the spuds facing the sky in about four inches deep in the soil. Make sure to pick a pot or aerated sack that’s roughly a foot wide, and 40 inches deep. After this, water your sprouts when you notice the soil is dry, and you’ll be pulling around 10-12 potatoes from the dirt in about 80 days.

“When I was growing up, my parents always had a garden.”

-Zach Cook

When wanting to grow herbs, thyme, rosemary, basil, chives and sage are easy to start with. If growing from seed, the plants will take around one to two weeks to germinate. From there it is a bit of a waiting game, taking around six months to fully produce, depending on the plant.

It is suggested to buy your herbs from an already developed plant.

At Walmart, a bushel of sprouted rosemary, which will quickly reproduce when cut, is $3. An already cut small bundle of rosemary is $2.

Herbs can be placed in a window sill or on a patio; these plants do not require large pots like the zucchini and potatoes.

Zach Cook, a software engineering major, shared his experience and benefits of a garden.

“When I was growing up, my parents always had a garden,” Cook said. “We grew watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, okra and squash. I think we saved a lot of money, I would possibly start growing my own again once I move out.”

There is no hiding the fact that we are facing a food shortage and inflation. Starting your own produce is a perfect way to save money, eat fresh and start becoming self-sufficient.

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SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

OPINION It’s Day One or One Day: Maintaining Physical Health

By Michael Palacios Photo Editor

Change isn’t easy and in the realm of fitness; it is a great challenge to overcome habits that have become second nature.

This isn’t to say that peak physical shape should be the standard that all should follow.

There are some who think the idea of a lifestyle change is too difficult. It’s not.

Getting started is the first step into a different world, which can be confusing. This is the point where many people who are new to exercise or nutritional maintenance are met with a world of daunting transitions.

Though the transitional stage is expansive, it is an inspiring point for those who are beginning a journey into fitness due to the scope of the possibilities of what can be one day.

What better challenge to aspire to overcome than the most formidable opponent there is; yourself.

One thing to understand is not everyone needs to diet. Whether it be an Atkins diet, which is a diet that cuts out most, if not all carbohydrates, found in foods, or the popular ketogenic diet, which has an emphasis on high-fat, low-carbohydrate and fair-protein intake.

Not to dismiss any of these diets-they can be effective-but there are other much more enjoyable routes to take when reducing weight. However, it is not always about losing weight. In some instances, it is a great idea for certain individuals to gain weight for their own benefit.

“People think you need to eat only rice and chicken to lose or gain weight … look,

Lighthouse fitness trainer John Tiglao working with client Elizabeth Ybarra. (Photo by Michael Palacios)

people, it’s okay to eat bread; you can have French toast yearround,” said Greg Doucette, bodybuilder and author of the “Anabolic Cookbook.” “The whole point is to show a diet doesn’t have to be restrictive, know your body type.”

It is important to understand one’s own body mass index. The BMI is a quotient-derived from both the height and mass of a person. The scale often ranges from 10-30, a BMI below 18.5 refers to an individual being underweight; 18.5-25 tends to be a normal weight, while 25-28 is considered overweight.

Beyond those numbers is obesity, which can be detrimental for an individual’s health.

Recognizing the BMI category one falls into can provide options for personal maintenance. Like an individual being underweight would ideally want to gain healthy weight.

Vice versa, an individ-

ual in the overweight category may consider losing weight.

BMI charts are calcu-

“It starts in the kitchen, properly portioning your meals throughout the day” -John Tiglao

lated estimates of what someone’s body type currently is. There are multiple websites that compute height and mass values for people, such as tnhlbi.nih.gov.

“It starts in the kitchen,” said John Tiglao, a personal trainer for Lighthouse Fitness Management. “Properly portioning your

meals throughout the day will have better results than working out.”

Much of the greatest changes in people’s bodies begin with proper eating habits.

Subscribing to a diet plan is a good idea but it can often limit people in food diversity. Fats, carbohydrates and sugars are all part of a well-rounded diet, but in proper moderation.

Limiting variation in foods does not need to be the only method of weight loss. In fact, another popular approach is the calorie deficit.

A calorie is the unit of energy used to describe how energy has been absorbed from consuming everyday foods and drinks. The caloric deficit is simple, intake fewer calories than are burned.

Plain, yet extremely effective for weight loss over time.

Ingesting fewer calories than the body needs to perform the daily calorie usage will result in a calorie deficit. On the contrary,

eating above the recommended caloric intake needed to maintain a steady weight will cause the body to enter a calorie surplus.

There are plenty of sites across the internet that specialize in calculating daily caloric intake, one such application is the Calorie Intake Calculator found on Calculators.org.

From foods to physical exertion, there are various methods to pursue when seeking casual weight loss or strength training. General exercise benefits more than just the body.

Cognitive changes occur for those that partake in exercises. Beyond the strengthening of muscle density, the perks of an exercise routine are beneficial to the mental health of the person who invests in exercising.

Walking is a great start. Just 30 minutes of walking is ample exercise to help people experience the positive effects. In many instances, regular exercise

is found to help alleviate symptoms of mental fogginess or stress.

Going to the local gym is usually accompanied by a slight sensation of hesitation.

However, someone new to strength training at a gym holds an advantage that makes any long-time weightlifter jealous.

The concept of beginner’s muscle gains also popularly known as “newbie gains” is a rapid increase in body muscle for the individual who has hardly trained in their life.

The cause of physiological change is due to muscle protein synthesis. MPS is a process by which amino acids begin to bind to skeletal muscle during post muscle repair.

Muscles grow from being damaged during training, the more torn a muscle group is, the stronger and thicker it grows back. Those new weight lifting experience a prolonged MPS for up to 60 hours, while those who are long-time lifters only experience a 36-hour period of MPS. This innate advantage for beginners lasts 3-6 months, which is the time frame beginners make the greatest amount of gains. Consistency is a necessary factor for these advantages to be beneficial.

Beyond the beginning phase of physical health maintenance awaits an entire spectrum of possible changes that are only proven to help mental and physical health.

SEPTEMBER, 2022 15TH STREET NEWS

13

OPINION

Independent Films Can’t Compete with Larger Studios

By Carsten Clark Staff Writer

In 2019, Martin Scorcese was interviewed by “Empire Magazine” during his press tour for “The Irishman.” Near the end of the interview, he was asked what he thought about Marvel films.

“I don’t see them,” he said. “I tried, you know?

But that’s not cinema.

Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well-made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn’t the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being.”

Across the internet, people quickly flared up in defense of both sides. Marvel fans, in particular, argued in favor of the films illustrating their many artistic qualities, saying it was unfair to reduce them to “theme park” movies, as Scorcese described them. This interview is still referenced in recent discourse as Marvel continues to expand their cinematic universe.

Marvel fans still resent Scorcese for what he said, calling his comments pretentious and reductive. Many missed the point he was trying to make. Scorcese’s opinion stemmed from his disapproval of what Marvel films were doing to the film industry as a whole.

When high-budget and highly advertised films are being released as frequently as they are in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it creates an uneven playing field for independent films to compete. It’s not just Marvel films that are to blame but its parent company, Disney and other big name studios, such as Warner Bros and Universal, also bear responsibility.

For example, a direc-

The Regal Warren movie theater located in Moore, off Interstate 35. (Photo by: Thomas Slinger)

tor with as much high praise and box office return as Quentin Tarantino struggles to compete against Disney. In 2015, when he was releasing his hit film, “The Hateful Eight,” he was adamant about having it shown at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles.

He had a deal worked out with the Dome so his film would premiere two weeks after “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was released, and as was expected, “The Force Awakens” was immensely successful. So in a last-minute decision, Disney told the Dome that if they did not play “The Force Awakens” throughout the holiday season exclusively at the theater, Disney would not allow it to play in any of their Arclight movie theaters.

Unfortunately, theater chains thrive on the big-ticket movies Disney tends to produce.

Left with an ultimatum, the Cinerama Dome was forced to choose whether to break the ex-

isting contract they had with Tarantino or be left crippled financially. Unsurprisingly, the Dome chose to side with Disney and played “The Force Awakens” throughout the holiday season.

“As fun as it is to watch movies like ‘Doctor Strange’ in theaters, I really wish there was more variety.”

-Haleigh Short

The recent release of “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” had over 70 showings on premiere day at the AMC Theatre in Times

Square and is just another example of Disney’s choke hold on the film industry.

“Everything Everywhere All at Once,” a movie released in March 2022, has garnered almost $70 million to date, which is considered a huge success. However, “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” opened to over $187 million and has brought in over $411 million since its release.

I mean, what can you do? “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” was a high-budget and highly anticipated Marvel movie. Part of the problem is that Marvel films are so much more accessible than a movie from an independent studio.

Marvel films reach larger audiences simply because it was produced by a company like Disney. There have even been reports of Disney threatening to pull its films from theaters if they do so much as give their employees

a free screening of any of Disney’s films within the opening month.

Most would call that foul play, an abuse of power, etc.

At the end of the day, Disney is a monopoly, merely taking advantage of the power they wield over the film industry as a whole. In a post-pandemic world, blockbuster films are proving to be the glue holding theaters together, and many are still reeling from the lockdowns and the resulting loss of profits.

Having big-name franchises and films play in theaters is proving to be a make or break for most independent theaters across the country. Some have even resorted to abandoning their intended purpose of highlighting smaller and more obscure films to instead show these blockbuster films in order to make ends meet.

It’s ironic that everyone asks for originality from Hollywood, but the indie movies that

do get released don’t receive the exposure necessary to change how moviegoers view the film industry. Most people think that all Hollywood does is reboot and remake popular franchises, but if casual moviegoers were to dig a little deeper, they would find the answer to their prayers.

“As fun as it is to watch movies like ‘Doctor Strange’ in theaters, I really wish there was more variety,” said Haleigh Short, a nursing student. “It feels like the same movies are always in theaters. If smaller films got more attention, I feel like people would be more open to them.”

It’s a shame that this is where the film industry currently stands. Rather than creating an open playing field and respecting the art medium itself, the industry is being used strictly for profit.

“Independent cinema will definitely be affected by the marketing methods used by larger conglomerate studios such as Disney, but I think independent cinema has always struggled to find its place within mainstream cinema viewing practices,” said Marcus Mallard, English professor. “Movies like those within the Marvel Cinematic Universe are blockbusters, and we do have to come to terms with that to some degree.”

Ultimately, blockbusters will reign supreme, as they always have.

However, it seems like the gap in competition between independent films and blockbusters is slowly closing. We can only hope independent films have more of a chance to compete in the future.

14

SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

SPORTS Oklahoma City Thunder: MASTERING THE ART OF TANKING

By Thomas Slinger Editor-in-Chief Winning by losing. An oxymoron by every definition yet, the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team is making this concept a reality.

The concept of “tanking” is not new in the NBA. Because of how the NBA works, with the previous year’s worst teams drafting the best new players first, there will always be an incentive to lose if the organization is not competing to win a championship.

To combat this, the NBA instituted a lottery where teams draw to determine the order of a draft. The worse you are, the better your odds of winning this lottery.

However, the worst team in the league is not guaranteed the best pick, unlike in other professional sports.

At the end of the 2019 season, it was clear that the Thunder was not competing with the NBA elite. Although they had an excellent team led

by All-Stars Paul George and Russel Westbrook, the Thunder had lost again in the playoffs.

Sensing change blowing in the wind, Thunder General Manager Sam Presti decided to do something unprecedented and obtain as much future draft capital as possible. He traded his two best players, George and Westbrook, and worked on dismantling the team he had spent a decade trying to build.

During the next two years, Presti would gather the most draft capital in the history of the NBA. At the end of the 2021-2022 season, the Thunder had 38 draft picks over seven years.

For reference, the nor-

The Paycom Center, where the Thunder play home games.

(Photo by: Thomas Slinger)

mal amount of picks for that time would be 14.

In this year’s draft, OKC finally began to see the fruits of the Thunder’s labor. With the second pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the Thunder drafted Chet Holmgren.

Holmgren, who stands at a whopping 7-foot-1, is a generational talent that the team can build around in the future.

Kristin Tattar departs the 18th green at the world championship. (Photo By: Nathan Fox)

World Disc Golf Championship

By Nathan Fox Sports Editor

EMPORIA, Kan.— Paul McBeth obtained his sixth Disc Golf World Championship on Sept. 3 ,at the 16th hole of Emporia Country Club disc golf course in Kansas. Much like the World Championship the year prior, this one was decided with a sudden death playoff. Unlike the year prior, McBeth came out as the victor.

Going into the final hole of the tournament, McBeth was up by one stroke to Aaron Gossage.

He threw an incredible approach shot toward the green and was left with just 15 feet for his birdie.

McBeth’s approach landed roughly 45 feet short of the pin.

With Gossage facing a go-ahead birdie putt to tie, all of the pressure was on McBeth’s shoulders.

His birdie putt hit the cage, and landed just below the pin. This guaranteed his par, leaving him tied with Gossage and forcing a playoff for the world championship title.

The large crowd raced from the 18th green to hole 16 after hearing the

announcement that the playoff would occur there.

After a chaotic several minutes, Aaron Gossage and Paul McBeth composed themselves and prepared to make the biggest throws of the tournament.

A hush came over the crowd as Gossage stepped onto the tee pad of hole 16. He released the disc, but his shot didn’t land in-bounds. His next shot would be from a 90-foot drop-zone for par.

Once again, silence filled the air as McBeth stepped up to make his tee shot.

The disc left his hands

In the same draft, the Thunder also selected Ousmane Dieng and Jalen Williams. Both these players are long, stretchy, wings who can shoot. They look to be good building blocks for this young team moving forward.

There are now 13 players on the Thunder roster who are under the age of 24. All five of their and landed perfectly on the island green. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

Gossage could not sink his par putt, which meant that Paul could lay up his birdie putt, and sink the par for the win. He did just that, and with both arms triumphantly raised in the air, McBeth was crowned the 2022 World Champion.

“It means a lot,” said an emotional McBeth when asked about what this win meant to him. “I struggled a lot here, but I found a way to sink some putts and make some good shots. It all just means a lot to me. I’m still growing my legacy.”

The situation for the women’s division played out quite differently.

Kristin Tattar separated herself from the rest of the field. She managed to post double digits under par scores in all but two of the five rounds of the tournament. Following closely behind her were Henna Blomroos, who trailed by five strokes, and Holyn Handley, who trailed by seven strokes

projected starters this season are under this age cap as well. With this collection of young players, critics are wondering how exactly the organization will develop so many players.

“Player development and growth are at the forefront of what we do here,” said an Oklahoma City Thunder representative. “Our coaching staff, front office and ownership strongly believe that these players deserve the opportunity to become the best version of themselves.”

This is still a daunting prospect, even if the organization is fully committed to it. The Thunder still has 31 picks in six years. Ignoring trades, that is 31 new players.

Inevitably, they will have to either trade or cut players to make room for this new influx of talent.

A solution to this

unique problem that the Thunder has is to trade away picks for either a better draft position or trade for a star player. With Oklahoma City not being a desirable destination for most NBA superstar players, trading for a better draft position seems most likely.

In next year’s draft, there is one player who stands head and shoulders above the rest–literally. At 7 foot 3, Victor Wembanyama is an absolute unit of a player.

Many have said that he could be the next Lebron, Kobe, or even better.

Only time will tell what the Thunder have in their back pockets. In the meantime, all we can do as fans is sit back, and enjoy this ride. Good things come to those who are patient, Thunder Nation.

going into the final round.

Tattar didn’t relent in her pursuit of her first disc golf world championship.

She posted a -10 in her final round which put her eight strokes ahead of second place and 13 strokes ahead of third place. To say her performance at the 2022 Disc Golf World Championship was dominant would be an understatement.

Her performance was incredible. She is one of only two female disc golfers to record two 1020+ rated rounds in the same tournament. Her event rating of 1001 is a record for the female division of the World Championship.

“It feels amazing; it doesn’t feel real,” said Kristin Tattar about winning her first world championship. “I’ve been

thinking about this every day. This is a dream come true.”

Tattar just started playing disc golf in 2013, but success came fairly early. In 2014, Tattar won the Estonian disc golf championship.

“I realized that I might have potential to do well in this sport, but of course I didn’t think I would be competing with the best in the world,” Tattar said.

The outcomes of the 2022 Disc Golf World Championship were exhilarating to watch. Both McBeth and Tattar did exceptional things to procure their titles. One can only hope that next year’s World Championship will be as exciting to watch as this one.

The location of the men’s playoff. (Photo By: Nathan Fox)

September SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET 2022 NEWS

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SEPTEMBER 2022, 15TH STREET NEWS

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