The Arbiter Vol. 37, Issue #8 | 11.21.24

November 21, 2024

Vol. 37, Issue 8

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FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE CAPITOL: WHAT AN ANTI-DEI POLICY WOULD MEAN FOR IDAHO NEWS Recently introduced House Bills are negatively affecting how out-of-state citizens vote in important elections.

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OPINION

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LGBTQ+ individuals use subtle signals to navigate history, media and modern life.

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CULTURE

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Graphic Design students partnered with the Intermountain Bird Observatory in an effort to protect birds. @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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Goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw is making a name for herself in Women’s Soccer at Boise State University.

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Editor-In-Chief Kiryn Willett editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Managing Editor Kelly Ann Asker onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

News Editor Olivia Brandon news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Spencer Rentfro news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Kaeden Lincoln news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Emily Gordon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Emily Nelson culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Editor Cainon Rogers sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Reporter Roszy McGeorge sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Ella Van Leuven opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu Social Media Coordinator Karley Rodriguez marketing@stumedia.boisestate.edu Advertising & Sales Manager Joshua LaPine ads@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Manager Omar Saucedo digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Jocelyn Browne Graphic Design Manager Kelsey Mason design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Naomi Brown Illustrator Sydney Smith Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. Additional copies can be picked up for free at The Arbiter offices.

Abstraction of light from downtown Boise.

ON THE COVER:

Diversit y Equit y and Inclusion (DEI) policy has been a subject of rigorous debate across the nation. While Idaho legislators do not shy away from sharing their views on DEI, educators, students and non-profit organizations would be directly impacted by DEI legislation. From curriculum changes to shif ts in the field of social work, sources shared that anti-DEI policy would negatively impact life for all Idahoans.

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NEWS

November 21, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

Protests to panels: Boise State’s response to the 2024 election

Sunrise Movement members protest the lack of action around the climate crisis Olivia Brandon | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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hants of “fossil-fueled dirty liar, Trump has set our house on fire!” and “We don’t want your false solutions, we are sick of your pollution!” resounded across University Drive as Sunrise Movement organizers led Boise State students and Idaho citizens alike in climate centered slogans.

Described as a “Walk Out Against Trump”, Sunrise Movement members Lauren Legarreta and Amanda Thompson explained that there are six years left to turn the climate crisis around.

“We are committed to putting pressure on legislators and policymakers because this is not just an issue that we care about — this is our future,” Legarreta said.

“This needs to be on the ballot [for the] next presidency and we can’t just hope for it to be there. We need to force it there, we’re going to organize and mobilize and we’re going to be here loud and proud.”

“We feel that the Democratic Party failed us with this election by pandering to more moderate people,” Thompson said. “Our generation really needs to see a radicalized left in order to feel confident [that] a president that we’re electing will help us [with] the climate crisis. I fear that a lot of our generation did not feel that with this current election, and that’s ultimately why Kamala was not able to be elected.”

Thompson believes that the climate crisis should be an issue all parties should be addressing.

“Even though we live in a red state, the climate is for everybody,” Thompson said.

“The only positive that I can see from the results of the election is that this does give us lots of power and opportunity to reframe the Democratic Party,”

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Legarreta said. “That is really dire right now, especially when it comes to climate policy, especially when it comes to green new deals.”

Bridget Gibson, a sophomore Political Science major explained that she attended the walk-out because the clock is ticking on the climate crisis.

“When we looked towards the future we have very limited time left with climate change coming in, and it is a threat to everybody,” Gibson said. “We need to fight and do what we can because he’s [Trump] a complete climate denier and we have to fight against that and put community efforts into organizing to get our future back.”

For Environmental Studies major Pia Goodell, climate change was one of the major issues she felt passionately about when voting in the 2024 election.

“I’m here to show my distaste towards the election. When I decided to vote, it was primarily about climate change policies and women’s reproductive health,” Goodell said. “I wanted to show that you can show your contention towards an election without throwing an insurrection.”

Another attendee, Juliana Puzio, believes it’s time for the youth to prioritize the environment and put effort into ending the climate crisis.

“It’s time to stand up and rise against people in power that aren’t caring about our rights or the environment, and to tell people that voted for Trump because of other reasons, that the climate is also an argument,” Puzio said.

Fellow protestor Saloman Jones said he felt embarrassed by the number of men who voted for Trump.

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Graphic of students protesting.

“I’m here to support people having an active voice and making sure that their voice is heard,” Jones said. “After a very embarrassing election — especially my demographic being men under 30, having an insane jump in voters and a majority of them voted for Trump. It’s embarrassing. Super disappointing.”

Legarreta and Thompson found the event to be a success overall and while they did not give details for future plans, they hope to be involved in organizing Sunrise events in the future.

On Nov. 13, 2024, Political Science professors Charles Hunt, Jaclyn Kettler, Lori Hausegger and Alex Artiles served as panelists for The Institute for Advancing American Values (IAAV). Panelists answered questions from students and provided insight into voting trends and election results.

Hunt explained that during the panel, faculty used their expertise to give context

Graphic by Kelsey Mason

for election results and illustrated how integrated various levels of government are.

“The hope is to provide as much perspective as possible on some of the results that we saw last week and that we’re still seeing trickle in at multiple levels of government as well,” Hunt said.

This event was open to the public and Hunt strongly encourages students from any discipline to attend.

“We hope that people who aren’t just Political Science or Public Policy majors come and experience this, maybe I’m biased because I’m a political scientist, but I think this stuff matters for everybody,” Hunt said.

Another key focus of the event was language that is accessible to students outside of the Political Science department.

“We’re not just going to be talking like academics to other academics or just to poli-sci majors. We want to try to put this in a perspective that people will understand,” Hunt said.

Barriers to the ballot: Voter disenfranchisement in the state of Idaho

NEWS

How two new House Bills are impacting Idaho Elections Olivia Brandon and Spencer Rentfro | News Team | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Graphic of a person standing in front of an obstacle course.

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n the weeks preceding any election, state or national, campuses and city streets are populated with individuals handing out pamphlets and asking: “Have you voted yet?”

For many Americans and Idahoans, it’s not a matter of choosing to vote but whether or not they legally can.

Idaho Amendment HJR No. 5 Bill prohibits noncitizens from voting Idaho’s new House Joint Resolution No. 5 Bill went into effect this past General Election, prohibiting noncitizens from the United States to vote in Idaho elections.

Despite Idaho’s constitution in Article VI, Section 2 stating a qualified voter as an individual who “resides” in the state or country where he or she belongs to, Rep. Kevin Andrus says that the resolution’s purpose is to prevent noncitizens from voting in Idaho elections.

“There’s no noncitizen voting in Idaho that we’re aware of, but we wanted to be absolutely sure that wouldn’t ever happen,” Andrus said. “This was a way that we could make absolutely sure, except for a constitutional amendment in the future.”

With municipalities in states like California permitting noncitizen voting, Andrus explained the importance of passing HJR No. 5 Bill, making it a state-wide mandate to prevent noncitizen voting from happening in future Idaho elections.

House Bill 340 acts as a barrier for outof-state voters After House Bill 340 passed in 2023, voters can no longer use a student ID or an out-of-state driver’s license as valid forms of identification.

Trent Tripple, the county clerk for Ada County felt conflicted about having to turn voters away.

“It didn’t feel right that I had someone with a birth certificate, a current driver’s license from another state, a voter ID card from another state and five proofs of residency … I could definitely prove who they were [and] that they were residents, but I still couldn’t let them vote,” Tripple said.

Despite frustration at getting turned away, early voters had a larger window of time to get the materials they needed.

Same-day voters did not. Tripple explained that obtaining the free

Graphic by Naomi Brown

Idaho ID was a lengthy process and required birth certificates and additional documentation.

“In the new law, the word current is not under the ID requirements for voting, but it is under the requirements for registration.” Tripple said. “The clerks supported the initial change to it, which included IDs driver’s licenses from any other state. [But] that was taken out by the legislators.”

The importance of accessible polling locations Many polling locations are not accessible for individuals living with a disability.

In an email interview with The Arbiter, Jeremy Maxand, executive director for the Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC) emphasized the importance of wheelchair accessibility at polling places.

“As someone who has used a wheelchair since 1989 and as the Executive Director of a Center for Independent Living, I cannot overstate how critical it is to have polling locations that are accessible for people with disabilities,” Maxand said.

Maxand highlighted that inaccessible polling locations can prevent people with

disabilities from voting and can also send harmful messaging.

“Accessibility isn’t just about ramps or wide doorways — it’s about ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunities to vote independently and privately, just like anyone else,” Maxand said.

Going forward, Maxand wants polling workers to know they are appreciated and hopes that Idaho legislators consider the effects of their legislation on accessibility.

“Either every vote counts and the right to vote is important, or it isn’t. We choose to believe voting is a critical right, and we’re going to continue to fight for this right for every Idahoan, especially those with disabilities.”

Idaho Election sees high voting turnout numbers despite voting obstacles Idaho saw a 85.7% voting turnout in this year’s General Election, a 5.54% increase compared to the 2020 General Election.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane says that despite voting challenges some Idaho voters faced, he views this past election as a success.

Despite the issues House Bill 340 presents, McGrane says it allows college students the opportunity to obtain a free ID to vote. “[House Bill 340] has gotten a lot of conversations about ID requirements, but one of the great parts of it is we now have a free ID,” McGrane said. “Let’s say you’re a student on campus, you don’t need a driver’s license for anything, you are now eligible to get a free state issued ID for the purpose of voting.”

McGrane advises for future elections to register for voting as soon as possible.

“One of the biggest things for all voters — is not waiting until the very end,” McGrane said. “If you register earlier in the process or get registered now even though we’ve just had an election … it’s actually easier to do it now.”

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Meeting the needs of Boise’s unhoused population under 20 degrees

How Boise, Idaho plans to support a growing unhoused populace in the coming winter Kaeden Lincoln | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Photo of the Cathedral of the Rockies.

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f you’re experiencing homelessness in Boise and you go hungry, you’re doing something wrong,” one man said at the Cathedral of the Rockies Sunday Friendship Feast.

This weekly event provides free meals to Boise citizens experiencing food insecurity. Cathedral of the Rockies typically sees up to 50 guests, some of whom have come for years.

As guests prepared to leave, many took packed-up leftovers with them, some took enough to feed their families. The Friendship Feast is just one example of how communities and organizations in Boise, Idaho provide support for the unhoused and those experiencing food insecurity.

Earlier this year, The Arbiter wrote about how high eviction rates, record heat, poor air quality and a Supreme Court ruling affected Boise’s unhoused population.

With winter on the horizon, The Arbiter found out what people and organizations dedicated to supporting people without homes are anticipating.

Meeting the need Cathedral of the Rockies relies on volunteers to put on the Sunday Friendship Feast. Pete Schroeder, local

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Photo by Jocelyn Browne

mission and outreach coordinator, said they never have a problem getting volunteers. “[Our] biggest need for volunteers is the Friendship Feast, it takes about eight people to cook it and serve it and do the dishes,” Schroeter said. “Most people think they’re fun and enjoyable and meaningful, so it’s pretty easy to get volunteers. Friends of anybody, neighbors, are all welcome to come.”

Shelter is necessary for survival, but especially so in the winter. Interfaith Sanctuary is a low-barrier shelter, meaning it does not turn people away if they need overnight accommodations. Working in symbiosis with daytime shelter Corpus Christi House (soon to be Corpus Commons), they serve many of the people in Boise who lack anywhere else to stay.

Jodi Peterson, executive director for the Interfaith Sanctuary, said one of their major needs during the winter months is propane donations.

“We have a military tent that we put up in the winter,” said Peterson. “We add propane tank heaters so we can get people out of the cold and into that tent.”

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Most shelters in Boise accept cold-weather clothing like gloves, socks, beanies and coats. Clothing donations are vital as many unhoused individuals go through clothing rapidly. Often dirty clothes are thrown away due to a lack of access to washing machines.

As temperatures drop, shelters like Interfaith Sanctuary and Corpus Christi House have people inside for longer. With such a hot and smoky summer, Interfaith faced a similar problem earlier in the year.

“It was such a tough summer … It was [so tough] because it was relentlessly hot and the air quality was so bad that any of our medically fragile — they were really struggling, anyone who had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, any kind of respiratory issues were getting really sick. We had to find a way to keep people inside throughout the summer,” Peterson said.

Weather isn’t the only thing affecting life on the street in Boise.

Gang-trafficked drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as an increase in population are changing homelessness in Boise, according to Peterson.

Don Ruffing works with Corpus Christi House and is President of his own nonprofit, Boise Low Income Support Inc. Having supported Boise’s unhoused population for years, Ruffing strives to get to know everyone he works with on a first-name basis.

Don Ruffing said the unhoused population has grown to an extent that he no longer recognizes some of the people he interacted with previously.

“Usually I would know 80% of the people. I’ve seen them around, most of them are on the housing list but don’t have housing.”

“I’ve seen a lot of people get housing, but there are just more people now in the last couple of years. I’m probably down to [recognizing] 40% to 50% of people,” said Ruffing.

The increased population calls for more people to help.

Volunteer opportunities in Boise shelters Every shelter in Boise accepts volunteers. At Interfaith, prospective volunteers apply on their website. Ruffing also mentioned a mission of his own and extended an invitation to anyone interested.

“This [work] is tough, and there’s only a few people that are wired for it. I do this when it drops below 20 degrees: I have a group of us that will walk — it just takes about half an hour — to walk around the alleys and the places around here where I know people stay.”

Ruffing said his group hands out hand warmers, warm clothes and emergency hotel vouchers for those who urgently need out of the cold.

The Cathedral of the Rockies, Corpus Christi House and Interfaith Sanctuary are just three organizations out of many that allow people to volunteer their time to serve those in need. Schroeder offered a sentiment for anyone volunteering, donating or otherwise helping those in need.

“It’s just one of those things, you know you’re doing good stuff, you’re helping people and it usually brings you some sense of satisfaction,” Schroeder said.

As the cost of living increases and the housing market creates more barriers, homelessness is becoming a reality for more and more people in Boise. But there is also no shortage of people willing to help, and they can always use a hand.

‘Will I lose my rights?’: The pulse of America as seen on Google

NEWS

How Google search trends reveal a nation in distress Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n the days preceding the 2024 presidential election, the nation’s curiosity took form in a flood of Google searches, revealing the hopes, fears and last-minute decisions of fellow Americans.

Searches ranged from candidate platforms to “nearest polling station” as voters scrambled for important information and logistics. As results began rolling in, searches took a new turn, reflecting the collective pulse of a nation braced for change.

Google searches offer a rather enticing look into the homes and minds of America. It not only reveals what Americans are thinking, but also what they prioritize.

In the wake of a historical election, Americans searched “Who is running for president”.

From “election results live” to “where to watch the election”, the shift in trending questions painted a picture of both anticipation and uncertainty, further illustrating how search engines such as Google can become a window into the country’s political anxieties.

Google Trends offers insight as to what popular Google searches are, even going as far as detailing which states are asking certain questions the most.

The search engine uses a scoring system to show the popularity of search terms over time, each score reflects

Graphic of Google searches that took place around the election.

how interested people were in it compared to other days.

A score of 100 means the term was at its peak popularity on that day, while 50 means it was searched half as much. A score of zero means there wasn’t enough data to show interest, often meaning very few people searched it. Google Trends can create a clear picture of how people’s queries change day by day and highlight political division.

“Trumps Charges”, “Can I get an abortion”, “Will I lose my rights”, “How to buy a gun” and “Are books being banned” all scored a 100 from Nov. 5-9, 2024.

Google trends creates an odd and poignant opportunity for researchers, marketers or simply nosy civilians to take a look into what fellow Americans want to know — we are rarely alone in our times of confusion.

Nick Fuentes, a conservative live streamer, sparked debate when he posted “Your body, my choice. Forever,” on X the night of the election. On Nov. 10, his name scored a 98 on trending searches.

People search for information regarding their views or seek answers to the urgent questions that define their political identities, whether it’s about abortion rights, gun control or freedom of expression.

In this digital age, the questions we search are as telling as the answers we find.

“Can I change my vote” reached a 92 on Nov. 12, just one week after former president Donald Trump won the race for the election.

In a time of political divisiveness, search engines such as Google can serve as a sort of “no man’s land” regarding what we think. As divided as America has become, we all turn to Google for ammo.

As the nation grappled with the race to the presidency, another “fight” grabbed the attention of millions — Mike Tyson v.s. Jake Paul on Nov. 15.

In the face of punches and stage lights, viewers could not help but ask the question, “Who did Mike Tyson vote for”, which scored a 100 on Nov. 16, just one day after the fight.

As Americans encountered a pivotal election, simple Google searches became more than just data points. They revealed a country brimming with questions regarding their future, their rights and when the next football game is.

Graphic by Naomi Brown NOVEMBER 21, 2024

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OPINION November 21, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

Recurring revenue, relentless costs: How pay-to-use models are taking over

From streaming services to bassinets, the subscription model has invaded the market Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ubscription services used to feel like a great deal — monthly fees for music streaming, video content or essential apps that provided consistent value. But today, the subscription model has spiraled into a frenzied race for consumer wallets, with everything from bassinets to fitness trackers adopting the pay-to-use structure.

Despite its downsides, this model continues to appeal to consumers, and companies everywhere are taking advantage of this phenomenon.

“There are both demand-side [customers] and supply-side [funding] factors playing into the rapid adoption of this model,” said Samia Islam, an Economics professor at Boise State University. “For startups these days, valuations can be based on their subscription rates. So there is definitely a signal there that’s been encouraging the adoption.”

Subscription models began with the digital economy, gaining traction in the early 2000s with streaming platforms like Netflix and Spotify. The allure was clear: Unlimited access to movies, music or software for a small monthly fee. It was a convenient and affordable alternative to outright purchases.

However, the model has since crept beyond its digital roots. Retail giants like Walmart and Target now offer subscription perks for shoppers, such as free shipping or exclusive discounts. Brands like Sephora and Lululemon have introduced memberships for beauty and workout enthusiasts.

“Even established companies, from furniture to fashion to food, are getting into the subscription game,” Islam explained. “Walmart, Target, Sephora, even Lululemon — we are seeing the

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bandwagon effect. And as more and more digital-physical products attached to the ‘internet of things’ come into the market, we can expect investor attention to focus more on subscription rates. So, new businesses will then look to the subscription model as a way to secure funding — a ‘positive feedback loop’ of sorts that will only increase the proliferation of this model.”

And then there are the truly bizarre examples: the SNOO bassinet, marketed to sleep-deprived parents, charges $19.99 a month for use of all the high-tech cradle’s features, aside from the $1695.00 price tag.

The Oura Ring, a fitness tracker, offers basic functionality but requires a $69.99 annual subscription for indepth analytics. This last-stage adoption of subscription models in conventional retail signals a drastic shift from offering luxury to locking in revenue.

The enduring appeal of subscriptions lies in how they exploit behavioral economics. Influencer marketing promotes the exclusivity or aspiration lifestyle tied to a service, making it irresistible. At the same time, companies use choice-bracketing tactics to mask the true cost. Small monthly payments feel manageable but over time they often become a significant financial burden.

Islam broke down why subscription services are so appealing to consumers.

“Some customers may find this attractive for the convenience it offers — not

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having to keep track of essentials, like Amazon Prime or Chewy,” she said.

“But the so-called ‘curated’ subscription business model — such as IPSY, Bespoke Post, StitchFix, etc. —

are tailored for a set of preferences beyond just convenience. Customers may like the personalization, exclusivity and anticipation. Subscriptions are a ‘connection’ to the world as well. Not trivial in our device-connected but increasingly lonely and isolated lives.”

However, modern consumer behavior makes us particularly vulnerable to this model.

“As customers, we are all inattentive,” Islam said. “We have too much going on to be able to spare the bandwidth to read the fine print. We generally assume that all consumers are taking the time to do their own homework before they make a choice in the market — but so much of what we do is peer-driven FOMO. Businesses can also use manipulative language — akin to ‘framing’ in behavioral economics — that plays on the buyers’ emotions and sensitivities.”

Some products take this a step further by leveraging fears and anxieties.

Islam pointed to the SNOO bassinet as a prime example.

“For example, the SNOO bassinet is supposed to keep the baby ‘safe’,” Islam said.

“When parents / would-be parents see that they may react: Without the bassinet is there a chance that they would not sleep ‘safely’? At least that’s the reaction the business is hoping to induce.

Often this is how even high-priced items with unsubstantiated claims about features can get the customer to click that ‘buy’ button.”

The reality? Subscriptions will likely get worse before they get better. Unless regulatory bodies or market forces intervene, the days of paying once for a product may become a distant memory. In the meantime, our best defense is skepticism — questioning every recurring charge before it eats away at our wallets and patience.

OPINION

Cuffed jeans and carabiners: Queer coding across time Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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rom green carnations to carabiners, the language of queer coding has spoken volumes in silence for decades. Queer coding refers to the subtle, often non-verbal ways LGBTQ+ individuals express or signify their identity, both to each other and to a wider audience. These codes are shaped by history, culture and a need for safety, and they take on unique forms in everything from fashion to film.

Aiden VanderStouwe, director of the Gender Studies Department at Boise State, explained what exactly queer coding is.

“It’s a secret way to identify yourself to those in the know, and it’s something queer people have done for a long time,” VanderStouwe said. “Oscar Wilde used to wear green carnations as a symbol of queerness, the hanky code in the mid1900s served as a way to indicate specific aspects of your sexuality to those familiar with what each color hanky represented; a present-day example could include cuffing your jeans as a marker of being bisexual.”

Queer coding is also heavily prevalent in media, defined by VanderStouwe as “giving some sort of trait typically associated with queerness to a character

Graphic of commonly queer-coded fashion items.

Graphic by Naomi Brown

in media that can create an interpretation without any sort of explicit mention.”

In everyday life, certain styles or items have become coded within queer communities, functioning as subtle signals to one another. While these items may seem mundane, they often carry a deeper meaning.

Once solely associated with climbing, carabiners are an example of a classic queer symbol, particularly among lesbians and nonbinary people. Cuffing jeans or pants is another recognizable queer fashion trend, especially among bisexual people.

Queer coding in media originated largely due to the restrictive Hays Code, introduced in the 1930s, which banned explicit representations of homosexuality in film. Filmmakers found creative ways to signal queerness, using costume, behavior and personality traits. In classic Hollywood, queer women were sometimes portrayed wearing traditionally masculine accessories, such as monocles, to imply their sexuality.

A notable example of queer coding in history is Polari — a slang language used among gay men in mid-20th century Britain. The code was utilized to communicate covertly in an era when homosexuality was criminalized. Enriched by influences from Thieves’ Cant, Italian, Romani and theater slang, Polari allowed for discreet conversations and fostered a sense of community among its speakers.

VanderStouwe explained why queer coding was and is so popular in the LGBTQ+ community.

“If a code is used for insider identity, it’s something that provides a safer way to be selectively out without having to say anything, or without having to be direct,” VanderStouwe said. “In those ways, it may not increase outward visibility of queerness, but works to provide visibility to selective others. Other times, using something queer coded in media may provide a certain trait or practice in-

creased familiarity that could help it gain acceptance over time.”

In a more accepting society, it is safer today to be openly queer, yet queer coding remains prevalent, especially in fashion and self-presentation. However, certain coded items, such as septum piercings and maximalist jewelry, have been widely adopted by heterosexual people, blurring the lines and making these signifiers less exclusive to the LGBTQ+ community. Fashion trends started by queer people continue to gain mainstream traction, often shaping broader aesthetic movements.

VanderStouwe broke down the evolution of queer coding, from where it began to what it has become today.

“Queer coding is something that when used a long time ago in media, often was used to convey negative associations because it was ‘bad’ to be queer, so villains got coded as queer a lot,” VanderStouwe said. “If you associated this feature with being bad, you could extend that association to the people who are thought to act, behave or look that way.”

He went on to describe modern society’s response to queer coding.

“Over time, though, I think queer coding has gotten a little more explicit and a little more self-determined,” VanderStouwe explained. “Chappell Roan uses queer references frequently in her art as a queer person, but it’s to own those references and claim them, rather than to be used against others. And when it’s used in a more self-determined way, it provides visibility differently and more powerfully in the wake of an increasingly dangerous political landscape for queer individuals.

Queer coding has evolved from a means of survival to a celebrated part of LGBTQ+ culture and fashion, with historical cues taking on new forms in today’s world. Despite some codes losing exclusivity, queer people continue to influence cultural trends and develop new ways of signaling identity.

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FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE CAPITOL: WHAT AN ANTI-DEI POLICY WOULD MEAN FOR IDAHO Idaho community members correct misconceptions around DEI OLIVIA BRANDON | NEWS EDITOR | NEWS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU | GRAHICS BY KELSEY MASON

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timeline of recent DEI legislation in Idaho DEI, or Diversity Equity and Inclusion policy has been hotly debated not only in Idaho but across the nation. While DEI is incredibly nuanced, Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines DEI practices as policies that seek to establish a “level-as-possible playing field” by shining a light on bias and attempting to amplify the voices of individuals in marginalized communities.

On Oct. 23, 2024, Idaho legislators held a meeting regarding DEI at the Idaho State Capitol. The meeting occurred after legislators killed resolution SCR134 last session which aimed to eliminate the use of stateappropriated funds for any clubs, student activities or organizations with DEI or social justice ideology on Idaho college campuses.

Many of the senators asked for further research to be conducted, with Senator Wintrow asking why anti-DEI legislation was seen consistently starting in 2020. Wintrow also called for a clear definition of “social justice ideology”.

On March 21, 2024, Senate Bill 1274 was signed into law by Governor Brad Little. The bill’s purpose stated that “hiring, and admissions decisions must be made on merit” and hiring choices by colleges and state agencies can not require applicants to submit a diversity statement.

On Feb. 12, 2024, Senate Bill 1357, sponsored by Brian Lenney and Scott Herndon stated its intent to prevent public colleges “inclusion bureaucra-

cies,” and to bar using public funds for any DEI offices or employees.

DEI in education Both social workers and the College of Social Work at Boise State would be greatly impacted by anti-DEI policy.

Social Work features a code of ethics with social justice as one of its six principles.

These policies could censor discussion surrounding gender, sexual orientation and race, and as Matthew Arrojas explains in his article, anti-DEI policy could cause social work programs to lose their accreditation.

Zoe Tanner, a senior majoring in Social Work worries about anti-DEI initiatives impacting training for social workers.

“A big part of the anti-DEI initiatives would manifest into limits on education and training for social workers,” Tanner said. “A huge part of the training programs that social work students go through, and a big prioritization is cultural competency. To provide the best services to the diverse clients that we're going to work with, we're going to need to have an education on their culture and learn sensitivity and how to cater to their unique needs.”

Tanner said Critical Race Theory is an example of a course that is important to the social work major that has been eliminated at the college level.

“Anti-DEI could show a reduction in curriculum that would impact social workers’ ability to engage effectively,” Tanner said.

Tanner highlighted the internal conflict between personal values, principles of social work and legal policy.

“With some anti-DEI policy — that could bring up some ethical conflicts

because on the one hand, we have this legally enforceable agency policy that could happen, and then feeling conflicted between ‘this is my code of ethics and these are the values of social work that I hold really strongly …

But my agency is limiting some of the things I can do to provide this client with the best practice.’”

Grace, a 2023 graduate from Boise State and former ASBSU Vice President of Inclusive Excellence from 2021 through 2022 shared her experience regarding DEI during her time with ASBSU via email with The Arbiter.

“This was between the year council members faced doxxing and death threats, and the year the Inclusive Excellence Student Council was dissolved,” Grace said. “I learned that most of the people who spoke against the values in DEI were actually trying to speak against the perceived entitlement it gave to marginalized students.”

“This perceived entitlement represents a dangerous misunderstanding of DEI. Upholding diversity, inclusion and equity doesn’t mean people get special treatment,” Grace said.

“That misconception comes from pity — marginalized communities don’t need pity. DEI helps people attain the resources they need to better navigate and thrive in this society. It removes barriers, not by handing someone a step ladder but by knocking them down for everyone.”

Michael Kreiter, a Sociology professor, said many people underestimate the value of humanities degrees.

“Sociology, [and] similar disciplines like English … other social sciences

and humanities have constantly been denigrated in the last couple decades as in [being called] a worthless degree, even though evidence suggests otherwise,” Kreiter said.

Cutting introduction courses in sociology, an aim of anti-DEI legislation, would “gut” the department Kreiter said.

“I think it's a detriment to all students if they miss out on opportunities like this,” Kreiter said.

“Some of this anti-DEI stuff — they're using this claim that they don't want education to be political. However, it's inherently political. Every choice we make about education is political.”

Kreiter explained that choosing not to educate students on the sociological context of the world around them is a political decision as well.

“To say that students don't need to have some kind of education about how to be an engaged citizen and

understand their social world … [that] they only need to know how to apply skill-based knowledge without critical thinking — that's a political choice to set them [students] up to be exploited in a future labor market, instead of having the voice and the critical imagination to imagine a completely different world.”

“We need the humanities,” Kreiter said. “We need social sciences so that students can see that there are different ways of thinking about their own existence in their own world, so they can have a say in their world.

Instead of learning how to continue [in] the world that exists and hopefully make it to be someone successful in that world.”

As far as the future of DEI in Idaho, Krieter believes the language may shift or change.

“I think the language itself is going to fade away. We had those cultural movements where we got civil rights legislation, we got executive orders for affirmative action.

We allegedly allow women to work for equal pay, though we still don't as a society, but some of that language was

affirmative action, and then that deliberately got targeted,” Krieter said.

“For a while, the sentiment was [that] you couldn't correct these structural problems at an individual level, which is partly true, but there's a benefit for students, including affluent white students, to go to a university that has a more diverse student body.”

Krieter explained that terminology changes over time as a result of social factors.

“Diversity was really … watered down language from affirmative action, which is watered down from anti-racism. There's probably going to be new terminology, and it's probably going to be more watered down until finally, people start to recognize and there's a critical mass that we have been going in the wrong direction for decades, pretending that we've solved it decades ago when we haven’t actually done anything,” Krieter said.

Combating misinformation on DEI policy Rebecca De Leon, the communications director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said one of the biggest barriers around DEI is misinformation.

“One of my biggest challenges here at the ACLU when it comes to anti-DEI Legislation, is the misinformation and the disinformation that spreads so rapidly across social media platforms and by word of mouth,” De Leon said. “It is very difficult for us to combat that and explain to people what DEI is, why it's needed, and to

explain to people how it really ultimately boils down to an issue of violating people's first amendment rights.”

De Leon highlighted the importance of having educators involved in determining curriculum.

“We do not want people outside of academia to be the ones dictating curriculum and what teachers can and cannot say in their classrooms,” De Leon said. “That is a violation of their First Amendment right.”

“The ACLU needs to restrategize how we interact with legislation and public information because there are so many attacks on people's civil liberties and individual rights that we simply do not have the capacity to cover them all,” De Leon said. “We are currently trying to figure out how we can refocus our resources so we can make the biggest impact where it is most needed.”

Senator Wintrow felt that the DEI committee hearing at the Idaho Capitol building on Oct. 23 left something to be desired as far as vocabulary goes.

“I said, ‘Are you doing a word search? Searching for the word diversity or equity or inclusion, and then that's what is popping up?’ I don't think they have a clear definition,” Wintrow said. “We're bordering on censorship and content. What is it at the heart of this group? What are we after? What does diversity, equity [and] inclusion mean? The question for the group [committee] is really, what at its core is troubling you?”

Wintrow went into detail about the culture of racism in America, noting how the murder of George Floyd in 2020 forced many white Americans to acknowledge racism as a systemic issue rather than an isolated act of violence.

“White folks in particular, finally were acknowledging that racism wasn't just an act of individual meanness — that certainly the white police officer killing a black man was racist, but also drawing attention to a culture in that police force that existed. A culture that existed surrounding them in white America allowed for the officer to do it,” Wintrow said. “We are living in

a time where racism has been incorporated not only into law but into our cultural practices, policy and our operation.”

Co-chairs brouht up concerns during the committee meeting that DEI resource centers would change their name or language but continue their practices. Wintrow said she felt unnerved by this line of conversation.

“Their goal, through their questioning, was to fetter this out … Sort of like there's no hiding, we will find you — that was deeply disturbing. I felt like I was on the McCarthy trials,” Wintrow said.

“Out of fear of losing what they see as their way of life, is to capitalize on that fear with others. What I feel so much sadness about is that [so] much of this is about fear of progress — and it’s an irrational fear. There is enough to go around, and the fear comes from a place of scarcity instead of plenty, and we know in the United States there's plenty.”

Wintrow pointed out that businesses across the country have continued to implement DEI initiatives in the workforce.

“There have been business[es] and research to delineate the benefits of creating environments where everybody feels welcome, where people have equitable inclusion,” Wintrow said.

“It's not only the right thing to do, but people make money.”

“People have to look at history.

Every bit of time there's been social progress to make a change, there's backlash every time, and we're in that backlash,” Wintrow said. “It's important to stay steady [and] fill your heart with peace and compassion. Try, no matter what, to see people with that lens of humanness.”

Conversation around DEI and its practices has existed since the Civil Rights Movement (or even earlier) but it’s so much more than simply an acronym. Idaho has an opportunity to listen to the perspectives of community members and programs that utilize DEI and ultimately establish environments that prioritize equity and inclusive practices for all.

C U LT U R E November 21, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

Illusive and mysterious: ‘Heretic’ is A24’s newest hit horror film

Hugh Grant delivers a career best performance in the religious thriller “Heretic” Kelly Ann Asker | Managing Editor | onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

has released highly rated and awaited movies like “We Live in Time”, “I Saw the TV Glow”, “MaXXXine” and more, making 2024 a stellar year for the popular film studio.

Amongst those stands “Heretic”, a horror/thriller released in theaters on Nov. 8, 2024.

“Heretic” follows Sister Paxton (Chloe East) and Sister Barnes (Sophie Thatcher), two Mormon missionaries on a mission to teach the gospel and convert nonbelievers to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. When they knock on the door of a warm and welcoming Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), he’s eager to welcome in the young ladies — a little too eager.

Although the audience can immediately notice his red flags, Sisters Barnes and Sister Paxton are blinded by Mr. Reed’s exuberant interest in discussing their religion and the promise of freshly baked blueberry pie made by the alleged “Mrs. Reed”.

While a storm brews outside, the Sisters soon realize something sinister is brewing inside as well. When Mr. Reed makes repeated excuses for the lack of his wife’s presence, Sister Barnes soon discovers that the aroma of blueberry pie isn’t coming from the kitchen, but a scented candle sitting on the table before them.

Once the girls realize they’ve been misled, they try to leave Mr. Reed’s home only to discover they’ve been

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locked inside and the only way out is to make a difficult decision.

Mr. Reed gives the girls two choices in the form of two separate doors: One labeled “Belief ”, and the other labeled “Disbelief ”. Along with this choice, he offers them something to consider — do they truly believe in the religion and the God they’ve dedicated their lives to? Or are they simply continuing to “believe” because it is familiar?

The doors promise an exit out of his house, but of course, it’s more complicated than that. Once the Sisters make their choice, things get even more interesting and they’re forced to question everything they know.

“Heretic”’s camera work separates it from other recent releases, and Cinematographer Chung-hoon Chung and Editor Justin Li clearly knew the demands of this film and how to bring the story to life.

“Heretic” features one of the coolest transition shots out of any blockbuster film released this year. Without giving it away, it will undoubtedly have you thinking: “This is cinema”.

Whether you know him from “Notting Hill”, “Bridget Jones Diary”, “Love, Actually” or even his comical appearance as an Oompa-Loompa in “Wonka”, most are familiar with Hugh Grant from one of his many works. Of his 70+ roles, “Heretic” is being revered as one of his best performances yet by many film critics — and this high praise is well deserved.

Both sinister and deceiving from his very first appearance on the screen, Grant keeps you on your toes throughout the arc of the story.

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Grant spends a good portion of “Heretic” monologuing — which usually runs the risk of losing audiences — but Grant manages to deliver his lines with such passion and vigor that it creates a gravitational pull between him and the audience, pulling us closer to hear his message.

Not only are his lines powerful, but his mannerisms are as well. Grant manages to take light-hearted jokes and normal movements and make them feel layered in something altogether evil.

The performances from East (Sister Paxton) and Thatcher (Sister Barnes) were nothing short of exceptional.

Each delivered a unique performance that felt true to their characters.

Unfortunately, even a film like “Heretic” with outstanding elements can have its downsides.

While there are few, the biggest hindrance to “Heretic” is its pacing.

The bulk of the story takes place in the set-up when we explore Mr. Reed’s views on religion and see the Sisters try to grapple with their situation.

Because of this, we spend less time in the “thick of it”. Meaning we have all this scenario building, and not enough time in the actual scenario — resulting in a film that isn’t as scary or psychologically tolling as it could have been.

The film goes by in a blur and by the end, you’re left wanting more.

That’s not to say that “Heretic” doesn’t have some gruesome and disturbing moments — its R rating for bloody violence is well deserved.

Despite that, “Heretic” is still a fantastic film and worth a watch.

Between the stellar performances from Grant, East and Thatcher, the phenomenal camera work and the alluring plot — “Heretic” is sure to captivate its viewers.

Image from newly released movie, “Heretic”.

Image courtesy of A24

C U LT U R E

Boise State students turn art into action to prevent bird strikes on campus

Graphic design students collaborate with the Intermountain Bird Observatory Emily Carmela Nelson | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

M

erriam-Webster defines a bird strike as “a collision involving one or more birds in flight”.

“The big problem is windows,” Mariah Hole, an undergraduate student working with the Intermountain Bird Observatory explained. “Since birds can’t see glass as a solid surface. Their brain doesn’t register it as something that they can’t fly through. A lot of the time, these big reflective windows [look like] trees or fruit bushes to birds.”

The Intermountain Bird Observatory (IBO), a research unit within the Biology department at Boise State, aims to spark conversation and contribute to bird conservation throughout Idaho.

IBO highlights two Boise State buildings as significant when addressing the issue of bird strikes. University Plaza, across the street from Albertsons Stadium, is built almost entirely with reflective windows. The Idaho Architecture Project’s website states that this design choice intended to reflect Boise’s natural environment onto the building.

The Center for the Visual Arts (CVA) has a similar structure, with five stories of floor to ceiling windows facing the Morrison Center parking lot.

In efforts to mitigate this issue, IBO connected with Eryn Pierce to get students involved.

Pierce is an assistant Graphic Design professor within Boise State’s College of Art, Design and Visual Studies ServiceLearning program.

Pierce’s Applied Projects in Graphic Design Service-Learning (ART420) course chooses a community partner each semester to act as a stakeholder for the students. Service-Learning projects provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experiences and create impact in their community.

Pierce says integrating professional practice into her classroom motivates students. When given the opportunity to tangibly see their outcomes create change in the real world, students naturally feel more attached and excited about the topic.

The course is structured the same way each year. For the first half of the semester, students work with various community members in order to research and understand the problem at hand. Over the second half of the semester, students work collaboratively to address the issue and spread awareness to both Boise State University and the immediate community.

“This has been my favorite class ever, for sure,” Pierce said of the collaboration with IBO. As a self-proclaimed “closeted birder”, she says the subject of this ServiceLearning project resonated with her and the students very quickly.

“This group has been trusting of the process and willing to be creative and work out of their comfort zone,” Pierce said. ”Graphic designers are really good at empathizing. Being able to extend [empathy] to other living things is hugely important to me. It’s been really cool to pass on those values to my students and see how they’ve picked them up and ran with them. I hope they continue to think about more than just their human counterparts in future design projects.”

The class is split up in two project directions, with each group aiming to raise awareness surrounding bird strikes and create change in the way urban landscapes impact birds.

“Project Direction A” consists of eight students prototyping bird-safe vinyl displays for the windows of the CVA. Jason Le, sophomore, notes that this hands-on design experience has played a significant role in his college experience.

“We have data to show these windows are a problem and causing bird deaths.

Even if it’s not my design that is chosen, I’d be really proud if we got something up on the window,” Le said. “Honestly, [designing for birds is] not too different from designing for humans. Birds also have their own inherent goals. A lot of this class has been researching and learning to empathize with our bird friends.”

“Project Direction B” is designing an advocacy campaign encouraging community members to take ownership of their bird count. Students in this group are creating posters, managing social media accounts and planning events to generate engagement with the cause.

“I really like the blend of science and art in one class. It’s been really fun to get out into the community and do something that’s impacting others and helping out. I feel like sometimes the arts doesn’t get a lot of credit for that,” Carissa Branesky, senior, said. “It’s crazy how in eight weeks you can become totally immersed in something and care really deeply about it. In school we don’t always get to do [projects] that we’re super passionate about and that feel this meaningful.”

On Monday, Nov. 18, the Intermountain Bird Observatory met with the University Arts Collections Committee (UACC) to discuss funding and installation of the students’ window decal designs on the CVA. IBO plans to hear results on the final decision over the next few days. If the design were to be approved, it would be installed on the frontward facing windows of the Center for the Visual Arts in spring 2025 — just in time for spring migration.

Graphics of birds from the design project.

Graphics by Dominic Giuffrida

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

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C U LT U R E

‘El Sueño Americano/The American Dream’ at the Boise Art Museum Tom Kierfer’s exhibition asks viewers to consider the experience of migrants Emily Carmela Nelson | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

T

Tom Kiefer, Cynthia’s CD Collection, 2018, archival pigment print, 43.75 x 44 inches, Courtesy of the artist.

Courtesy of the Boise Art Museum

Tom Kiefer, Miffy, 2019, archival pigment print, 30 x 30 inches, Courtesy of the artist.

Courtesy of the Boise Art Museum

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om Kiefer had been working as a janitor for the Customs and Border Protection processing facility in Ajo, Arizona for four years when he noticed an influx of personal belongings that were confiscated and discarded by U.S. Border Patrol agents.

These items, deemed “non essential” and “potentially lethal” consisted of basic human necessities and comforts — such as clothing, contraceptives and hygiene products.

“El Sueño Americano/The American Dream: Photographs by Tom Kiefer” is a still-life photography exhibition that captures the humanity of those risking their lives to cross into the United States.

The items documented within the exhibit were collected by Keifer between the years of 2003 and 2014, exploring the dehumanization and heartache migrants entering the country may have faced.

“I ask the viewer to consider these photographs as untold and unknown stories, markers of human journeys cut short,” Kiefer said in an artist statement. “My intent is to explore the humanity of those who risk their lives crossing the desert into the United States to create a personal connection for the viewer and to extend compassion and empathy to those who seek a better life.”

Tara Centybear, the curator of art for the Boise Art Museum, met Tom Keifer at the Medium Photo Festival in 2015.

“Keifer showed me a few photographs from the El Sueño series and they seared themselves into my brain. Like many curators, I hold artists in mind for years — nine years in this case — until the strongest opportunity to exhibit their artwork arises,” Centybear said.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled that I had the chance to select the photographs included in this original exhibition at the Boise Art Museum.”

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As you enter the exhibition, the wall is lined with head-on photographs of backpacks. Each unique backpack is framed and displayed on a brightly colored background.

Centybear noted that creating space for conversation about border issues and immigration was essential to deciding the layout and writing seen throughout the gallery.

“The photographs of the backpacks in the first gallery aim to discuss the difficulty of choosing what to bring when leaving your home country with only what you can carry,” Centybear said. “Hopefully, this encourages people to think, ‘What items would I bring if I were leaving my country on foot?’”

The Boise Art Museum often receives requests for tissues due to the emotional weight of the exhibition.

“Los Amuletos Migran (The Amulets Migrate), 2019” is an original video produced by the Skirball Cultural Center.

The Boise Art Museum chose to project this video on an accent wall in the middle of the exhibit.

The video follows a conversation between Tom Kiefer and migrant rights advocate Dora Rodriquez as she shares her immigration story and provides context to some of the items Kiefer had recovered from the Border Patrol station.

About three and a half minutes into the video, Rodriguez reads a letter that was likely confiscated by an agent and never made it to its intended recipient.

“Blanca, quiero que sepas que te he amado desde que te conocí,” the letter read. “Sabes que me gustan tus ojitos bonitos. Me hipnotizan, que seré tuyo siempre.”

Translated in English it reads: “Blanca, I want you to know that I have loved you since the moment I met you. You know how I love your beautiful eyes. They hypnotize me. I will belong to you forever.”

“Cynthia’s CD Collection” leaves a hole in your heart as you enter the final gallery of Kiefer’s exhibit.

The photograph consists of 32 CDs surrounding a hot pink CD bag. One of the CDs is a mixtape titled “Super Sappy Songs for Issa 2”.

“Super Sappy Songs for Issa compilation is really a soundtrack for the journey across the desert,” Kiefer said of the piece.

“I am sure the loss of this collection was devastating to Cynthia.”

Songs can tell life stories, send messages and mark important moments in time.

Sharing music is one of the most intimate forms of human connection.

The piece makes the viewer question: Who is Cynthia? Who is Issa to her? Were they in love? Were they best friends?

The Boise Art Museum curated a playlist of 14 songs from “Cynthia’s CD Collection” that plays over the speaker in the final gallery of the exhibition. The playlist includes six songs from “Super Sappy Songs from Issa 2”, including “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie and “The Real Thing” by Gwen Stefani.

“Art can serve many roles. Art beautifies, brings joy and inspires. It exists as a platform for discussion on important issues — issues that form the conceptual backbone of the artwork,” Centybear said. “‘El Sueño Americano/The American Dream’ gives our community a reason and a space to think about what is happening at the U.S.-Mexico border. It aims to humanize people seeking asylum and share a little bit of their story so that we all can educate ourselves on this aspect of our world.”

“El Sueno Americano/The American Dream” will be exhibited at the Boise Art Museum until Feb. 9, 2024.

C U LT U R E

Four short stories every writer should read

These stories may be short, but their impact will live on for generations Olivia Brandon | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

I

f you ask any great writer how they came to excel at their craft you’ll continuously get the same answer: Read other people’s writing.

Anyone who essentially eats, sleeps and writes knows with absolute certainty that this is sage advice. The ability to construct a self-contained narrative and to emotionally impact the reader in the span of 10 to 20 pages is nothing short of incredible.

These four short stories inspire me both as a reader and as a writer and I hope you’re able to get something out of them too.

The Things They Carried — Tim O’Brien Tim O’Brien can instantly transport you to a place and time you’ve never been to, and his short story “The Things They Carried” is a prime example of this magic.

The genius of this work is it’s difficult to say whether or not it’s a commentary on the Vietnam War, or, simply what happened. O’Brien’s time in battle inspired aspects of this piece, but it in no way romanticizes the act of war. In fact, he leans into discomfort and presents not just the startling gore and physicality of battle, but the psychological agony. The structure of this story is told almost entirely by O’Brien listing items the soldiers were carrying, revealing priorities, hopes, dreams and fears along the way.

“They shared the weight of memory. They took up what others could no longer bear. Often, they carried each other, the wounded or weak.

They carried the land itself—Vietnam, the place, the soil—a powdery orange-red dust that covered their boots and fatigues and faces.”

Refresh, Refresh — Benjamin Percy Published in The Paris Review, Benjamin Percy’s “Refresh, Refresh” focuses not on the effects of a war on the soldiers — but on those who were left behind.

This short story is set during the Iraq War and examines cycles of violence, toxic masculinity and unresolved grief.

The town of Crowe, Oregon finds itself devoid of men. Husbands, fathers and brothers have been sent off to battle, leaving young boys like Josh and Gordon to toughen up and, as the story iterates over and over again, make their fathers proud.

Even as Josh and Gordon refresh their emails in hopes of their fathers’ replies and feel fleeting moments of compassion for their bully, Cody, who is missing his father as well. Both are unable to break free of the violent ties that bind them to their town and ultimately to their country.

“Our fathers haunted us.

They were everywhere: in the grocery store when we spotted a thirty-pack of Coors on sale for ten bucks; on the highway when we passed a jackedup Dodge with a dozen hay bales stacked in its bed; in the sky when a jet roared by, reminding us of faraway places. And now, as our bodies thickened with muscle, as we stopped shaving and grew patchy beards, we saw our fathers even in the mirror.”

Sonny’s Blues — James Baldwin James Baldwin’s narrative story “Sonny’s Blues” explores cycles and patterns through the experience of Sonny, a young man living in Harlem whose substance use disorder and journey to recovery are explored through the eyes of his older brother.

Baldwin tackles deeply intricate issues in this piece like addiction and acts of racial violence, and articulates them in an impactful way. How do we show up for our siblings? How can we protect them from the evils of the world? How do we listen to one another?

This piece doesn’t shy away from the intense suffering of substance use disorder and instead highlights the deeply flawed but ultimately fiercely loving relationship between two brothers.

“Neither did they dare to make a great scene about that piano because even they dimly sensed, as I sensed, from so many thousands of miles away that Sonny was at that piano playing for his life.”

Bullet in The Brain — Tobias Wolff Ever wondered what it would be like to have your life flash before your eyes? Well, apparently Tobias Wolff did too. Book critic and overall jerk Anders walks us through his last moments after a few too many wisecracks during a bank robbery results in … well … a bullet in the brain.

Notably, Wolff does not list what Anders

does remember — but what he does not.

He doesn’t remember past loves, his wife, his daughter or even his career.

Instead, Anders is transported to a sunlit baseball field from his childhood.

Wolff’s genius lies in his ability to give us so many details about Anders’ life without the cliche of his life flashing before him.

The addition of “he did not remember” before each item builds the reader’s anticipation as they wonder what moment could be so impactful that Anders spends his remaining seconds of life there.

“This is what he remembered. Heat. A baseball field. Yellow grass, the whirr of insects, himself leaning against a tree as the boys of the neighborhood gather for a pickup game. The captains, precociously large boys named Burns and Darsch, argue the relative genius of Mantle and Mays. They have been worrying this subject all summer, and it has become tedious to Anders; an oppression, like the heat.”

Each of these works allows the reader to gain insight into the human condition through authors who do not shy away from discomfort but explore it through their writing. Short story writers only have a mere few pages to leave an impression, but when it is done right, you are left with stories like these that will inspire writers for generations to come.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

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S PORTS & REC November 21, 2024 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

Genevieve Crenshaw: The keeper’s lasting legacy Roszy McGeorge | Spor ts & Rec Repor ter | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ronco’s fifth year goalkeeper, Genevieve Crenshaw left a lasting mark in Boise State’s Women’s Soccer, earning numerous honors and breaking four records within her final season.

In a historic year, Crenshaw led the team in all-time career shutouts, all-time consecutive shutouts, longest shutout streak and most wins in program history.

The Cypress, California, native began playing soccer at the age of 3, going on 19 years in playing the sport.

Crenshaw got into goalkeeping at 10-years-old, due to the fact that she didn’t like to run.

“I didn’t like running and I was really tall, so it was the best fit for me,” Crenshaw said. “I just kind of fell into it. I ended up being the only one that wanted to be in goal and I was fearless

Photo of BSU women’s soccer player #0, Genevieve Crenshaw.

Photo courtesy of Boise State Athletics

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when it came down to it, which is one of the biggest aspects of my position.”

Crenshaw started talking with recruiting schools from the moment she knew she wanted to play college soccer; at 14-years-old.

“The recruiting process was kind of crazy,” Crenshaw said. “The team that I played for [Strikers Elite Club National League (ECNL) Club] was based in Southern California, where soccer is r eally big, so we would have like 63 coaches just lined up at our showcases on the field.”

Crenshaw fell in love with the culture and city of Boise, Idaho, on her tour and ultimately made the decision to play for Boise State because she felt most sought after by the coaches.

Just two months after Crenshaw moved to Boise for training COVID-19 hit, sending everyone back home.

The Women’s Soccer season got moved from the fall 2020 to spring 2021 of her freshman year due to the pandemic.

“The first year was extremely weird,” Crenshaw said. “I struggled a bit mentally but the coaches were so good to me at that time when I was struggling.

They helped get me out of that funk and prepare me for the next years going on.

You see athletes all over the world that quit during COVID so I’m really happy that I was able to stick that out.”

College athletes were granted another year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic so Crenshaw took the opportunity to play a fifth year at Boise State.

Crenshaw’s last game ended in heartbreaking fashion, falling to No. 25 Utah State 2-1 in the Mountain West (MW) Championship.

“It was one of those years where we’ve set every record and we left every legacy that we could and we just couldn’t really pull out that last one,” Crenshaw said.

“So yes, I’m really grateful to be able to finish out with all my friends and make it to that final but I really wish we would have been able to make it to the NCAA just to get one more practice, one more game in with all the girls together.”

At the conclusion of the match Genevieve Crenshaw, Carly Cross and Morgan Padour were named to the 2024 MW All-Tournament team. Cross and Padour earned their first distinctions while Crenshaw picked up her second.

Although Crenshaw’s last game had a bittersweet ending, she looks back on it grateful in all the ways she has grown as an athlete and an individual.

“I think being the best version of yourself is something to be proud of, but also accepting criticism and critiques is even better because you can grow so much more from it as a player and as a person,” Crenshaw said. “I’ve also learned that the community you surround yourself with is so important and the people really make the place. I’ve been super grateful to have a really great community of people, and that’s what kept me here for my five years.”

Although Crenshaw just finished her career in goalkeeping as a Bronco her next dream is to continue playing soccer overseas to have the opportunity to travel while playing.

“Everything happens for a reason but my priority right now is to play overseas,” Crenshaw said. “And then we’ll see where it goes but I would love to get into coaching. It’s something that a lot of people told me I could be good at.”

SPORTS & REC

Heisman Trophy fan favorites: Who is Ashton Jeanty up against?

How Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty compares against other top contenders Roszy McGeorge | Spor ts & Rec Repor ter | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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very year the top player in college football is granted the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in the sport.

The Heisman Trophy Trust presents the award which officially invites the four finalists to New York City for a ceremony on Dec. 14.

This year, four Heisman Trophy candidates have taken over the top of the betting watchlist week by week: Travis Hunter (University of Colorado wide receiver/defensive back), Ashton Jeanty (Boise State running back), Cameron Ward (University of Miami quarterback) and Dillon Gabriel (University of Oregon quarterback).

A win for Hunter or Jeanty would be huge, since a non-quarterback hasn’t earned the Heisman since Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith took the prize

in 2020. Twenty out of the 24 Heisman winners this century were quarterbacks.

Additionally, Jeanty earning the trophy would not only mark the first running back winner since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015 (still one of the NFL’s top running backs, now with the Baltimore Ravens), he would also be the first Group of Five team player to earn this honor since former Navy quarterback, Roger Staubach in 1963.

The top four individuals that receive the most votes from fans determine the finalists. Fans have the opportunity to cast their vote daily for their favorite Heisman Trophy candidate at the Nissan Heisman House. Voting ends in early December.

Week 12 Heisman Poll: 1. Travis Hunter (Colorado) -115 2. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) +360 3. Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) +360

Graphic of Ashton Jeanty and students in the stands at a BSU football game.

Graphic by Kelsey Mason

4. Cameron Ward (UMiami) +800 5. Kurtis Rourke (Indiana) +1400 6. Jalen Milroe (Alabama) +2500 7. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) +2500 8. Quinn Ewers (Texas) +5000 9. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) +5000 10. Cade Klubnik (Clemson) +10000 Keep an eye out for these top four Heisman Trophy candidates in this tight race: Travis Hunter: No. 18 Colorado Buffaloes (-115) - Wide receiver / defensive back - Junior Hunter immediately stands out, playing both sides of the ball and playing for a nationally recognized team, due to Coach Prime — a docuseries highlighting the Buffaloes Head Coach, Deion Sanders.

Hunter is on track to win the Biletnikoff Award (best receiver in the nation) and the Thorpe Award (best defensive back in the nation).

In addition the Buffaloes are a favored team to win the Big 12, which will give Hunter exposure in his favor.

Hunter rose to the top of the watchlist early on in the year until falling significantly after a brief shoulder injury.

However, Hunter bounced back and stands as the #1 contender with nine receiving touchdowns (sixth nationally), 69 receptions (sixth nationally) and 856 receiving yards (11th nationally).

The Buffaloes take on the University of Utah on Nov. 16.

Ashton Jeanty: No. 13 Boise Broncos (+360) - Running back - Junior Jeanty is having one of the greatest seasons for a running back in college football history behind Barry Sanders.

Sanders established the greatest single-season rushing record (2,628 yards) in the NCAA in 1988.

Within nine games, Jeanty has totaled 1,734 rushing yards, 23 touchdowns and 224 carries. With three games remaining, Jeanty could surpass or come close to the all-time rushing record for a NCAA running back, which could be what he needs to earn the Heisman Trophy.

Boise State plays at San Jose State on Nov. 16.

Dillon Gabriel: No. 1 Oregon Ducks (+360) - Quarterback - Senior Garbiel is in a solid position for the award considering he’s the top player on the number one team in the NCAA. Not only is Oregon on a clear path to winning the Big 10 but they also have a shot at winning the national championship.

Gabriel has stayed consistent with two games away from an undefeated season and a completion rate of 74.3%. He currently stands at 2,848 yards, 22 passing touchdowns and five interceptions.

Next up, the Ducks play University of Wisconsin on Nov. 16.

Cameron Ward: No. 12 Miami Hurricanes (+800) - Quarterback - Senior Ward went down on the leaderboard this week after falling to Georgia Tech 2823, marking the Hurricanes first loss of the season. Although Ward remains in the top four, a loss to a weaker team doesn’t help his Heisman odds.

However, Ward still continues to put up strong numbers with a total of 3,484 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions thus far.

University of Miami competes against Wake Forest University on Nov. 23.

The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 9, and the televised Heisman Trophy Ceremony presented by Nissan will air on Dec. 14 on ESPN.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

| ARBITERONLINE.COM

17

SPORTS & REC

Boise State Women’s Soccer falls short of conference title

Boise State Women’s Soccer lose to the Utah State Aggies in the Mountain West Championship Cainon Rogers | Spor ts & Rec Editor | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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fter a record breaking season from the Boise State women’s soccer team, the Broncos fell short, losing 2-1 in the Mountain West Championship to Utah State University.

The Broncos women’s soccer program experienced their first sole regular season Mountain West Champions, meaning that they had the best record in the conference and will host the 2025 Mountain West Championship, along with attaining the top seed in this year’s tournament.

After their first round bye, the Broncos slipped by the San Diego State Aztecs in the semi-finals, beating this year’s hosts of the tournament 3-2. This win matched the Broncos up against the #2 seed Utah State Aggies in the Championship game.

The championship game started out with an early goal in the ninth minute

by Utah State forward Kaylie Chambers, giving the Aggies a 1-0 lead to start off the championship game.

A quick retaliation goal by Boise State midfielder Jillian Anderson in the 20th minute put the Broncos on the board, with Anderson becoming the first freshman in program history to score a goal in the title game.

However the tie was short lived and the Aggies answered with a goal by Kaylie Chambers during minute 24, her second of the night.

The 2-1 lead by the Aggies did not change the rest of the game, giving the Aggies their second Mountain West Championship in their program’s history.

The Aggies held the Broncos to just one shot in the second half of the game, as their stifling defense led them to the promised land.

“Sports are tough,” Boise State Head Coach Jim Thomas said in a postgame

18

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

press conference. “That’s why it takes tough people to play them. I am super proud of the tough girls I got to compete with for the last season. It’s been an unbelievable experience being around people of this caliber and I couldn’t be more proud of the performance they put forward today.”

This loss gives the Broncos a 1-3 program record in the Mountain West Championship game, with their last appearance being in the 2021 season.

What may be an unfortunate end to a historic season, the Broncos finished their season with a 16-4-2 record, with their only two conference losses coming from Utah State. The Broncos held a 8-1-2 conference record and a 10-0 record when hosting.

The Broncos also had five players given All Mountain West honors, including star forward Carly Cross who was awarded the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year award, who became the first Bronco to win this award since forward Raimee Sherle in 2018.

The Broncos were not given an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, ending their season for good.

BSU game stats:

USU game stats:

Midfielder Jillian Anderson: five shots and one goal

Forward Kaylie Chambers: two shots and two goals

Forward Carly Cross: two shots and one shot on goal

Forward Tess Werts: two shots on goal and two assists

Goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw: five saves and two goals against

Goalkeeper Cora Brendle: two saves and one goal against

Photo of BSU jerseys laying on top of bleachers.

| ARBITERONLINE.COM

Photo courtesy of Boise State Athletics

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