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Students observe reflections of humanity in monkeys and primates.
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A Boise State professor’s documentary will be featured at Cannes.
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Gymnast Ciera Perkins became an second team AllAmerican.
arbiteronline.com The Arbiter Indepen d en t
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April 28, 2014 • Issue no. 59 Volume 26
Boise, Idaho
@arbiteronline First issue free
Gloria Allred (left) is representing the students.
University tightlipped about suit Ryan Thorne @RyanThorne86
Talents showcased in the theme of love Patty Bowen Staff Writer
Shades of Black, originally started at the University of Idaho, came to the Simplot Ballroom Saturday, April 23. Each performance was like a one-on-one conversation between the audience and the talent, in some cases speaking words that touched on the cracks within societal points of logic, and in other ways giving the sheer entertainment that can only come when bodies move effortlessly in an alliance with the music that climbs and makes home in our ear canals. “Expression is divine— especially when it’s done creatively, intellectually and respectful(ly),” said the creator of Shades of Black, Kwapi Vengesayi. “We used the performing arts to tell stories and one can never underestimate how performance shaped the world. From Shakespeare to Bob Marley, from dance and praise in the church to poetic speeches by JFK or MLK, this show taps into that same energy. I want the community, staff, and performers to walk away feeling enlight-
ened, empowered, and/or entertainment,” Vengesayi said. The wide variety of acts were woven together with the official theme of love. Shades of Black focuses on the acceptance of multiculturalism in aspects of self, others and society. Acts ranged from the Underground Crew, a dance team who were so stunning they could give you a heart attack, to Give Chase, a girl band with raspy voices and enough talent to take your breath away. “One of the pieces is like, why do we long to be separatists and why do we crave divisiveness? When we’re all reaching for goals, we’re all striving to be whole, we’re all on the same plane of existence,” said junior philosophy, political science, social work major Christopher Bower. “We have infinitely everything in common.” Bower is part of Wooden Feels, an acoustic indie band that performed at Shades of Black this year. Their piece, Quicksand Blues, married spoken word and acoustic guitar with lost lullabies and peace of mind.
Quicksand Blues was the kind of song that skipped your ears and went straight to your soul. “(Quicksand Blues is about) the puzzlement. Like whether or not to follow the alley that society prods us toward or whether to develop into the individual that we are,” explained freshman philosophy, creative writing major McAlister Mallory. “And according to the wifi password at the place I work love is the key.” Wooden Feels comes straight out of Boise and is planning on recording their first album over this summer, but has had a couple of setbacks, including of the loss of their main guitarist when he left the band. As the performance got closer, Wooden Feels had to change up their routine to be able to get ready in time for show day, and felt it was a great opportunity to not only be part of something that celebrates diversity, but to crack down on some of the songs they had been avoiding. “We really have to hone in on stuff. Obviously it allows us to explore a little more.
It’s like the spoken word piece they’re doing for this, obviously they wouldn’t have wrote that if it weren’t for this,” said junior environmental studies major Drew Riemersma, guitarist for Wooden Feels. As Shades of Black came to a close, all performers, volunteering members of Delta Sigma Phi, Martin Luther King Living Legacy Committee, and Afro-Black Student Alliance came on stage to perform the Cupid Shuffle. As bodies meshed together in a medley of loud claps and stomping feet, more than half the audience got up to join them. If you’re interested in being a part of Shades of Black, you can attend any of the upcoming events at in Salt Lake City, University of Washington, or Washington State University. Attend Shades of Black at Boise State next year, audition to be part of the show, or read Kwapi Vengesayi’s book “Hashtags: The dumbest, smartest, funniest, deepest things I’ve ever (and never) said about love, politics and everything in between.”
As Boise State gears up to face civil action from two former female athletes over alleged sexual harassment and assault incidents, officials at the university are keeping their lips sealed. “I am really restricted on what I can say, so I am not going to be able to answer any questions,” said Greg Hahn, associate vice president for Communication and Marketing at Boise State. Boise State officials did, however, release a written statement regarding the behavior, stating they dealt with the incident as soon as it presented itself. “Right now we are sticking with that statement and are unable to comment on anything else,” Hahn said. Whether former track and field coach JW Hardy’s abrupt dismissal by the university last spring was a result of his failure to address sexual assault, Boise State officials won’t say. The two women suing Boise State claim Hardy was aware of alleged sexual assault and harassment claims against what the suit describes as a male track and field star failing to do anything to prevent further incidents. The women are being represented by nationally renowned woman’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred. While the university remains embroiled in sexual assault litigation, officials have taken steps to update Boise State code regarding reporting sexual assault and discrimination under the
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Clery Act. According to Boise State Title IX/504 coordinated Annie Kerrick, the recent changes are a coincidence. “It’s not related to the lawsuit but it was something a committee of people have been working on for a while to clean up our policy,” Kerrick said. With the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act by congress in 2013, Kerrick said changes to policy had been in the works for a while to ensure compliance with federal law. “There were a lot of changes to the Clery Act and a lot of that was policy changes, so that is where these changes came in,” Kerrick said. Boise State students like freshman biology major Nate Grant think athletes should not be protected when breaking the law by engaging in harassment and assault. “I like sports, but just because you are really good at something, that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want without facing any consequences,” Grant said. Junior Angelica Lopez said she and friends have experienced harassment and felt embarrassed to report the incidents for fear they would not be taken seriously. “When you are partying and you’re drinking, it’s less likely that anyone will believe you if you tell them you were drunk,” Lopez said. “Even if you are drunk, people shouldn’t be allowed to do things to you without getting charged with a crime.”
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