6 | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019
opinion
THE CLARION
THEBUZZ
Questions asked to you, our readers.
EDITOR: CASEY ANDERSON
What is your favorite childhood TV show?
CLARIONOPINION@ MADISONCOLLEGE.EDU
"Dragon Tales."
"Zaboomafoo."
"Jessie."
Courtney Joachim
Derrick Wright, III
Lauren Jahr
Domestic violence does not discriminate HAILEY GRIFFIN Arts Editor
N
ational Domestic Violence Awareness Month is held in October to recognize victims of domestic violence and help spread awareness. Participants wear purple ribbons to show their support towards the fight against domestic violence. Statistics prove that domestic violence does not discriminate; it affects couples of all ages, races, religions, economic statuses, and sexual orientations. Abuse within romantic
SESAME WORKSHOP / PBS / TNS
Elmo and Karli hug on "Sesame Street." In May, the show's creators introduced Karli, a Muppet in foster care, and in October they revealed the reason for her situation: Her mom struggles with substance abuse.
Muppets offer comfort TESSA MORHARDT Editor in Chief
S
esame Street has come out with a new character to show children that they’re not alone while their parents struggle with addiction. The new muppet Karli, who is 6 years old, talks to other Muppet friends about what is going on in her life, and how her mother is struggling with addiction. She tells them that she may have to stay with a foster family because her mother is not able to handle some of her problems. These videos show children that they don’t have to feel alone in these situations and that there are other children out there they can connect with. Karli tells kids that she goes to special
meetings to meet with these other children so they are able to share what their experiences are. “For children who connect to Karli, hearing ‘It’s not your fault—you are not alone, and there are safe people and places that can help,’ opens a path to hope and healing,” said Jerry Moe, national director of the Hazelden Betty Ford Children’s Program, one of many advisers for the movement. In one of the videos, Karli ends up meeting 10-year-old Salia who shares her story about what it’s like for her and her sisters while her parents both deal with addiction. Salia states that “I’m proud of Mom and Dad for asking for help, and not using drugs and alcohol anymore. And they’re proud of me, for just being me.”
Sesame Street is providing access to tools, activities, and help so that children are able to manage their feelings while their parents are managing their addictions. Sesame Street is giving hope to children all over the world, and changing the way they see themselves and their parents. Having a character like Karli gives them support and provides comfort when their parents aren’t able to. There are too many children in today’s society who live with parents who are suffering from addiction, and they don’t know how to cope. With these videos, Sesame Street has really gone above and beyond for these children. Showing them that someone cares and telling them that it isn’t their fault is a great action to be taken for them.
relationships can take many forms, whether it be verbal, physical, or sexual. Physical abuse is defined by assaultive behaviors like pushing, hitting, or choking. According to the U.S Department Justice System, “1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by a partner every year.” Manipulative behaviors such as gas-lighting (causing one to question their perception of reality), demeaning, constant criticizing, or intimidation define verbal abuse. Verbal abuse can mentally debilitate victims, and seriously warp their self-esteem. Sexual abuse consists of any types of unwanted sexual advances. Another figure from
» SEE VIOLENCE PAGE 7
CLARION EDITORIAL BOARD 2018-2019 Tessa Morhardt EDITOR IN CHIEF
Amara Gobermann MANAGING EDITOR
Casey Anderson OPINION EDITOR
Chris Bird
NEWS EDITOR
Culture should never be a costume
Andrew Kicmol
CASSANDRA CULLEN
EDITOR EMERITUS
Britni Petitt
PHOTO EDITOR
The views expressed by The Clarion editorial board do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Madison College, its student body or any faculty therein. They are comprised of the writers listed above and/or of those who write for the Opinion section. LETTERS POLICY
Letters to the editor should be typed or written legibly, be 250 words or less, and include the writer’s name, phone number and email address. The Clarion reserves the right to refuse to publish any editorial submission or advertisement, which may be edited for length, taste and grammar. All submissions become the property of The Clarion and may be used for publication. Bring letters to The Clarion office, Room B1260G Truax, or email clarioned@madisoncollege.edu.
Music Director
H
alloween is fast approaching and with times changing, we, as a society, are becoming more aware that certain costumes are culturally insensitive. With older photos of Justin Trudeau in blackface coming to light across the internet, we are reminded that changing the color of your skin is never a Halloween costume. It’s unfortunate that, even with Gov. Tony Evers changing Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, we still have to talk about the cultural appropriation of the Native American culture.
According to the National Congress of American Indians, there are 11 Indigenous tribes in Wisconsin and 573 federally recognized Indian Nations across the United States. To the people of these tribes, wearing headdresses as part of your Halloween costume is offensive. There are many different types of headdresses with many different meanings worn with honor, and you shouldn’t wear one unless you are a part of the culture and understand the meaning behind it. Most of them worn by men who are highly respected in their tribe, and each feather represents an act of bravery.
When you consider that one in three Native American women are sexually assaulted in their lifetime, and rain.org states that Native Americans are at the greatest risk of sexual violence, so when you wear one of these costumes you are insulting them and ignoring this truth. Madison College has a Native American Student Association, and anyone who wants to learn more about the culture can join or participate in the club’s activities. “The thing about the Native American culture is that it’s so open-ended and so welcoming to » SEE CULTURE PAGE 7