March 1, 2022 by The University Star

TUESDAY TTuesday, March 1, 2022 VOLUME 112 ISSUE 5 www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

University professors address and explain Russia-Ukraine conflict SEE PAGE 2

Local dance group shares love of dance through hip-hop

Women-led student organizations promote, empower diverse voices

Opinion: Media portrays feminism poorly

SEE PAGE 3

SEE PAGE 4

SEE PAGE 5

MEN'S BASKETBALL

FAMILY

Bobcats return home victourious Community celebrates second-straight Sun Belt Conference title By Xavier Zamarron Sports Contrubutor

Texas State basketball senior Shelby Adams' (4) son, Jace, wears Adams' old uniform during the white out game against Arkansas State, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at Strahan Arena. PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Adams' son brings new meaning of 'family' to Bobcat basketball By Kyle Owen Sports Contrubutor The day that Shelby Adams’ son, Jace, was born, his life changed forever. “He’s a blessing, he’s a blessing for sure,” said Adams, senior guard for Texas State men's basketball. “When he was born I started looking at life, in general, just differently … he’s been a great impact on my life.” From that moment forward, Adams realized having a son is a big responsibility and the task of a father isn't easy. The past life Adams had where he spent his free time going out with teammates and friends all changed with Jace. “Just knowing that you have somebody there that’s counting on you to be there for him –– to nurture them, take care of them, feed them, clothe them,” Adams said. “I really prioritize my life. If I wanted to go out and party … what’s really more important? Going out and partying or being with [Jace] … or doing better in the classroom?” Adams isn’t the only person who’s noticed a change in him since Jace arrived. His teammates, especially Adams’ roommate, senior guard Mason Harrell, said Adams’ priorities have shifted as he now spends more time playing video games at home rather than going out. “Just seeing Shel be a father is big time and I’m really proud of him,” Harrell said. “He’s definitely playing a lot more FIFA and 2K with me. His priorities are for sure changed and he’s staying on top of things.” Jace brings an insurmountable light to the Bobcat basketball team. Head Coach Terrance Johnson welcomes every second of Jace’s presence, knowing that the culture of the team is built on family. “We all need to be responsible for the other’s happiness … maturation,” Johnson said. “What Texas State basketball senior guard Shelby Adams (4) affects one affects us all. We need to be cheerful as far as what happens for someone and be excited about and his son, Jace, sing the Alma Mater after the Bobcats defeat Arkansas State, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at the steps that they’re taking every day to get better.”

The Texas State men’s basketball team was officially able to secure its second consecutive Sun Belt RegularSeason Championship with a clutch 55-52 win over South Alabama on Feb. 23. Texas State is the first team to win back-to-back Sun Belt conference titles since Georgia State did so in the 2015 season. To celebrate this momentous achievement, the university organized a welcome back event for the team as it returned from its 66-61 prime-time victory over Troy. Fans and faculty gathered at the entrance of the University Events Center early Saturday morning eagerly awaiting the team’s arrival. One of those fans was Myles Von, an exercise and sports science junior. Von transferred to Texas State just this year, and the basketball team’s performance has made him proud that he too can call himself a Bobcat. “It feels great,” Von said. “I mean one, to have a pretty good team, and two to come out and win the whole conference. I think we got a pretty good chance to go all the way … I’m proud of them, they’ve come a long way.” Von may have not been here to appreciate last year’s run, but someone who was is Athletic Director Don Coryell. Coryell was named Athletic Director last September and has been with the athletic department for 18 years. He said it feels great to be the AD who gets to preside over a two-time Sun Belt conference champ.

SEE MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGE 7

Strahan Arena.

SEE FAMILY PAGE 7

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

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The University Star

2 | Tuesday, March 1, 2022

NEWS

Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

HISTORY

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Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Brianna Benitez stareditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Arthur Fairchild starnews@txstate.edu Assistant News Editor: Madelyn Weirich starasstnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Sarah Hernandez starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinion Editor: Dillon Strine staropinion@txstate.edu Design Editor: Viviana Faz stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Natalie Ryan starmultimedia@txstate.edu Assistant Multimedia Editor: Vanessa Buentello starasstmmedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Meadow Chase starengagement@txstate.edu Podcast Editor: Carly Koon starpodcast@txstate.edu

Public & Internal Relations

University professors address and explain Russia-Ukraine conflict By Arthur Fairchild News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

A panel of four history professors met with students at Derrick Hall to discuss the Ukraine-Russia conflict that has been the conversation of university students and national media on Feb. 28. According to Louie Valencia, assistant professor of digital history, the purpose of the panel was to explain the global conflict in a concise way and address the questions students and faculty posed. “I think that right now there’s a lot of disinformation, and it’s a question of people trying to learn how to respond to this,” Valencia said. “It’s really helpful for people to be able to see what the stakes are in this [conflict]." The panel was arranged by Valencia, who reached out to fellow history professors Louis Porter, Ellen Tillman and Elizabeth Bishop, and decided it was a topic that needed to be discussed. “We came together as we were noticing that a lot of our students did not have an answer for what was going on or have a way to even understand what was going on,” Valencia said. Last week, Russia officially invaded Ukraine, its southwest neighbor, beginning the largest conventional invasion of a country since World War II. The invasion comes as a result of over 30 years of tensions between the nations following the end of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, some scholars believe the turmoil goes back years before that. The panel began with an explanation of the events that led to the invasion and the implications that came out of it. Large-scale loss of life on both sides and

Texas State Professor Dr. Louis Porter answers a question during the Ukraine, Russia, the EU & the US in Crisis discussion, Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, at Derrick Hall. The event was part of the History in the Making series by the History Department at Texas State. PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

the threat to Ukrainian democracy were heavily discussed. Porter also explained the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and how it relates to the U.S. and the conflict in Ukraine. Created after World War II, NATO is a military alliance between 30 countries that agree to defend each other if attacked. Because Ukraine is not part of NATO, many European and American countries have opted to place economic sanctions on Russia instead of sending troops to aid Ukraine. Porter believes NATO countries might be more aggressive if Russia attacks a NATO country after the attack on Ukraine. The panel of professors explained the conflict through the lens of the U.S.,

relating the issue to the people in the room and how it affects them. Tillman, who specializes in military history, said it is unlikely the U.S. will formally get involved in the war. “The United States wants to keep this conflict regional, but there is an open discussion on how the U.S. can still help out,” Tillman said. The U.S. and other NATO countries have provided weapons to Ukraine for the past few weeks, but it is unclear if NATO countries are willing to send troops. The four professors considered the possibility of having another panel to continue the discussion of the Russia and Ukraine turmoil, but a date is yet to be set.

Nadia Gonzales PIR Director starpr@txstate.edu Elle Gangi Assistant PIR Director

(Left to right) Texas State alumna Brianna Celedon, business management senior Alicia De Leon, and alumna Alex Hajek serve free coffee to students, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, on the Quad. Members of Saint Paul's Outreach give out free coffee from Mochas & Javas and talk with students every Thursday on the Quad.

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Signs from the MLK Solidarity March as part of the 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Celebration, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN

Participants in the MLK Solidarity March walk from Old Main to the Performing Arts Center as part of the 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Celebration, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at Texas State. PHOTO BY NATALIE RYAN Scan the code above to have The Star Roundup delivered to your email every Tuesday and Thursday.

The University Star

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 | 3

LIFE & ARTS

Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

DANCE

Local dance group shares love of dance through hip-hop By Marisa Nunez Life and Arts Contributor

The polished techniques of Elise Andrade's ballet class were just too structured for her. She yearned for a place away from the mirrored walls and pointy slippers, a place where she could release all her emotions and focus on her true passion: hip-hop. The desire to create a space where she could explore outside of her required dance curriculum led her to create the local dance group, Hip Hop Society. “Ballet was very frustrating for me," Andrade, a dance education sophomore, said. "So, I decided that I wanted to do something that would make me not as frustrated with ballet. I figured if I started this group that [I] would have something else to focus on. It would give me some more motivation." Hip Hop Society officially formed in September 2021 and has since brought together a small group of girls who all share the desire to hone their dance skills and express their love for hip-hop. Andrade set out to create the group after reminiscing on the team-like atmosphere she once had competing in a hip-hop dance team in high school. She has also worked as a dance instructor, which has broadened her perspective and helped cultivate her growth as a dancer. Through Hip Hop Society, Andrade has gone back to her roots and established a safe space for girls to dance. Initially, the idea of starting a dance group seemed like an impossible goal. While enrolled in the ballet class, she noticed that there weren’t any non-competitive hip-hop dance opportunities at Texas State that focused on helping dancers improve their technique. Andrade was enjoying the classes she was in, but she missed hip-hop and wanted to start a group where members could connect with one another. “[Hip Hop Society is] like a home. Like, I don't really care if I have two girls on the team or 20," Andrade said. "It's like, a connection between all of us who have like the same interest and a love for something."

Gisella Zamora, a psychology sophomore, found out about Hip Hop Society through her mom who found the audition information on Facebook. Zamora started dancing when she was in fifth grade and went on the dance competitively on her high school's dance team. Although she enjoys all types of dance, hip-hop is her favorite because individuals can show off their own personalities and style without the competitive structures. “I think that Strutters or any collegiate team can be like, very intimidating and just kind of hard to get into," Zamora said. "[Hip Hop Society] is more like just us coming together to share a passion and a love that we have for [dance]." As a freshman, Zamora did not live in on-campus dorms and missed out on foundational first-year experiences. She said joining Hip Hop Society has been one of her first chances of meeting new people while in college. Since joining, she has enjoyed witnessing and experiencing the improvement of herself and her teammates. Together the team has cultivated a close bond that she is grateful for. Zamora looks forward to continuing to grow with her teammates this semester as they seek to compete in dance competitions. “I feel like [I have made] friends that one, I have something in common with, and two when we're like dancing together and learning it, everybody picks up things differently and grows differently. If I'm not getting something and somebody else does, they're gonna help me with it,” Zamora said. Alyssa Armstrong, a communication studies junior, found out that Andrade was starting Hip Hop Society after seeing her post on Snapchat. Armstrong had been looking for a dance team to join that wouldn’t take up too much time and that was affordable. She said Hip Hop Society was the perfect match for her. “I was looking for something at Texas State that was low-cost and something that was related to hip-hop dancing, that was accessible to me," Armstrong said "I just wanted to be a part of a group where I could afford to dance and

Hip Hop Society's Fall crew during practice. PHOTO COURTESY OF HIP HOP SOCIETY

follow a passion of mine. It was also a really cool thing that it's a niche that isn't really in Texas State." Although Armstrong has never danced on a team before, she has taken several dance classes since 2010 and has a deep love and passion for it. Dancing helps her feel confident and she sees it as a way of self-expression. “I enjoy that it's casual. Like it's not something that's competitive. It's just a group of girls coming together because we like dancing," Armstrong said. "Elise has the goal of expanding the group. I mean obviously, we want to get bigger and have more people but because we're so small right now, it's very much like a mini family and it's super comfortable." While Hip Hop Society members do not pay dues, there are costs associated with competing. Due to the pandemic, the group hasn't been able to attend any competitions. However, the team is interested in attending Monsters, a traveling commercial hip-hop dance convention, to watch performances and prepare to compete in the future. Since 2003, Monsters has served as a place where dancers can learn from some of the industry's best professionals, compete and potentially get recognized for their talent. Hip Hop Society is inclusive and

wants to not only serve as a dance team but as a place where girls can learn and improve on their techniques. The audition process to join the group is more of a progress check to see what skill sets each dancer brings rather than a judgment of expertise. Spring auditions to join Hip Hop Society were on Feb. 27. However, the group accepts members throughout the year as long as the audition does not affect the group's event schedule. Although Hip Hop Society is mostly made up of Texas State students, it is open for anyone in the local area to join. After considering becoming a student organization, the members decided to keep it open to the public so anyone interested can be a part of the organization. This year the group looks forward to gaining new members as well as continuing to grow and learn together as a team. While Hip Hop Society has not competed at any major events due to the pandemic, the group has tentative plans to do so in the future. For more information on Hip Hop Society or to watch videos of the groups' routines, visit its Instagram @hip. hopsociety.

(Left to right) Hilary Abigana, Greg Jukes and C. Neil Parsons perform, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

C. Neil Parsons lifts Hilary Abigana while she poses like Superman and plays the Superman theme song by John Williams on the flute, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

Greg Jukes plays the snare drum while holding up Hilary Abigana as she plays the flute, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

C. Neil Parons and Greg Jukes hold Hilary Abigana on their backs while she hula hoops on one leg, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, at the Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. PHOTO BY LILIANA PEREZ

The University Star

4 |Tuesday, March 1, 2022

LIFE & ARTS

Sarah Hernandez Life & Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FEMALE LEADERS

Women-led student organizations promote, empower diverse voices By Brynn Sumers Life and Arts Contributor

As Women's History Month begins this March, various women-led student organizations at Texas State will continue their missions of advocating for women and amplifying their voices. Organizations across the nation, such as I Am That Girl, seek to foster a community where women from around the world can inspire, learn and educate one another. In 2016, Texas State joined other universities and opened its own chapter of the nonprofit organization, becoming a modified version of the group as it seeks to empower both women and nonbinary individuals. Vice President of Marketing for I Am That Girl Texas State Madi Fujawa said one of her favorite things about being involved in the organization is the sense of community that comes with meeting new people and discussing topics such as family relationships, self-love and body image. "I think what's really special about empowering women within our community is finding our voices, finding like-minded individuals, hearing different perspectives, being able to relate to those perspectives [and] realize that we're not alone," Fujawa, a communication design junior, said. "Having that community and support I think is important for everyone to have." In addition to meeting at 7 p.m. every other Monday at the LBJ Student Center in room 2-21.1, members of I Am That Girl also volunteer at the Hays-Caldwell County Women's Center and campusrelated events such as Bobcat Build. The group also partakes in at least one social event a month where they dedicate themselves to empowering one another. Most recently, members wrote letters to their future selves during a Galentine's Day social, and they also wrote down their insecurities on pumpkins before smashing them last fall. Similar to I Am That Girl, Texas State Sirens also focuses on empowering women. The organization was established in 2021 after Texas State Sirens Founder and President Remle Herzberg was inspired by UA Venus, a student organization at the University of Alabama that serves as a safe space for women of all backgrounds, sexualities and gender identities, to create a group on campus where women felt like they belonged. "The overall goal of the organization is creating a network of women on campus from all different kinds of walks of life," Herzberg, an electronic media junior, said. "Having that network makes it easier to make it a safer place on campus where if there ever is an issue everyone else can kind of back you up. They can all kind of work together in order to make campus a safer place." To move forward in the creation of the organization, Herzberg talked to four of her friends about the idea. They all spent last summer on Zoom calls brainstorming how to bring their idea to fruition and officially launched the club in August. The name of the organization, Texas State Sirens, was created to encompass both the Texas State and San Marcos communities. "Sirens" is a term used to describe powerful, mythical creatures similar to mermaids. Since San Marcos has been recognized as the mermaid capital of Texas, the group found its name to be fitting as it incorporated both the local and campus community. One of the goals in creating the organization was to create a safe space for women to connect and openly discuss topics such as the pressures of social media, mental health and body image. During Women's History Month, the organization is planning to post stories on its Instagram, @txstsirens, to highlight its members and uplift their voices and stories. Texas State Sirens Marketing Officer Katie Krupinski said it's crucial to let women know the importance of making their voices heard, especially in college. "Your voice is very important and it's super powerful but also coming

Members of Texas State Sirens smile for a group photo at a movie night event in the LBJ Student Center. PHOTO COURTESY OF TEXAS STATE SIRENS

Women of Gold officers pose for a group photo. PHOTO COURTESY OF WOMEN OF GOLD

from that is a consequence [that] your words hold a lot of weight," Krupinski, a public relations junior, said. "I think that's super powerful to just know that you're okay about talking about those things because so many people can relate to and experience that." The Sirens have bi-weekly meetings at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the LBJ Teaching Theater. Members partake in at least one social event per month like picnics and movie nights. Along with their meetings and socials, members host volunteer events such as canned food drives and a blanket-making event for a local women's shelter. Women of Gold is another organization on campus dedicated to promoting and enhancing diverse voices. Since 2015, Women of Gold has prided itself on serving as a communityservice-based organization that focuses on the principles of grace, optimism, love and dignity. Members have also donated to local nonprofits in the past such as the Hays-Caldwell Women's Center. The group focuses on functioning as a safe space for diverse voices. Women of Gold President Kenadee Fears said members discuss topics such as relationships and mental health. "For me, Women of Gold is just a very safe space for women," Fears, a health science junior, said. "It is a minority organization so there are all different kinds of races [that] come together. It's a safe space because we talk about a range of topics that we as women deal with every day." During meetings, members have the option to submit topic ideas via a submission box. Topics submitted are then discussed in future meetings. Fears said she has implemented this to ensure the women in the organization are having their voices heard. In the future, Fears plans to introduce meeting topics where members can

I Am That Girl members at the San Marcos river cleanup, Oct. 2, 2021. PHOTO COURTESY OF I AM THAT GIRL

build their confidence and learn how to be okay with who they are as individuals. "When women speak up is when we have our own courage and become a strong front because we are typically looked to be more quiet," Fears said. "So, when we do speak up, it's like you have your own voice. I feel like [women] don't realize that we have a voice so it's important that we actually use our voice." Women of Gold meets at various times throughout the semester. During the first week of March, the group will host a "Golden Week" where members can participate in an event every day such as a meeting about bedroom boundaries, a river cleanup volunteer event and a brunch.

These organizations seek to continue bringing awareness to the experiences and accomplishments of women throughout March. With their meeting topics and discussions, the groups' leaders hope their actions can create a safe space for all women at Texas State. "There's a lot that goes on in a college campus," Krupinski said. "So, we want to give girls a safe space where they know that they have a community of people that they can confide in, but also feel like they're not being judged [for] talking about things that are very prevalent to so many of us."

The University Star

Tuesday, March 1, 2022 | 5

OPINIONS

Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

FEMINISM

Media portrays feminism poorly By Kadence Cobb Opinion Contributor Growing up, I feared calling myself a feminist would create discomfort for others. Noticing the image created in the media, I believed that feminists were associated with negativity. The false portrayal of feminists in the media shaped my false interpretation of those fighting for equality between men and women. The media has assisted in creating an inaccurate perception of feminism. The history behind the feminist movement is crucial to understanding the true meaning of feminism today. The first official women’s rights convention was the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. They created 11 resolutions that discussed the flaws in legislation, such as the inability for women to vote, that made women inferior to men. Both men and women attended the convention. While women would not be granted the right to vote until the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920, the convention marks the beginning of the fight for equality of men and women in the U.S. When I became older, I noticed that the modern feminist stereotype portrayed in the media was often described as angry. The term “angry feminist” was used to describe women who did not act in the traditional ways that women were expected to act. The journal, "The Angry Feminist," explains feminists have been described as “hairy, angry, man-hating, sex-hating women” and states the media used these attributes in order to create a negative outlook on all feminists. For example, in "The Hunger Games," there are negative emotions associated with females in positions of power. Katniss Everdeen, the female protagonist, is constantly belittled by others for working against the patriarchy. Rather than being taken seriously, the men in power distort the public's view by suggesting she is unwelcoming and cruel. The media’s influence has heavily contributed to a false idea of what it means to be a feminist. Because of this, some women avoid referring to themselves as feminists due to the negative connotation associated with the term. A study by the Pew Research Center reported in 2020, 61% of women in the U.S. claimed that the term "feminism" was an accurate description of themselves. More women should not be afraid to associate themselves with

ILLUSTRATION BY NATALIE RYAN

groups fighting for their rights. Not only have women felt shamed by the media's interpretation of feminism, but men have as well. Some parts of the media have insisted that men cannot be feminists. An opinion column from Bright Magazine states feminism is a “lived experience,” that men simply cannot relate to. The columnist argues that men should be feminist allies but should not call themselves one. However, one's gender should not determine whether or not one can identify as a feminist or not. Merriam Webster defines feminism as the “belief in and advocacy of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.” Based on this definition, the distinction between men and women is irrelevant. Rebekah Ross, a professor in the Department of Philosophy, echoes this sentiment and explains that it is important for men to share the values associated with the feminist movement. “When we define feminism as the theory and practice of confronting gender as a power system, then everyone has the ethical obligation to understand how this oppression operates, how it intersects with other systems, and how to transform it. So, we can and should all be feminists,” said Ross, who teaches an Images of Women class.

In 2016, only 22% of men in the U.S. said that they would consider themselves a feminist. The large portion of men that are hesitant to call themselves feminists is a huge concern. The media should choose to focus on the issues being brought up firsthand, rather than spend their time trying to convince men that it is "unmanly" to be supportive of women's rights. "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" revolves around the idea of strong men saving the “helpless” woman. The movie suggests that women are incapable of helping themselves and men should be the heroes when conflict occurs. The damsel in distress stereotype is a huge issue for the feminist movement as it dismisses the possibility of men and women working together to accomplish goals and promotes the idea that men should always be in positions of power. Regardless of the media's flaws, it is important to acknowledge the positive aspects media has done for the feminist movement. Because of the media, feminist voices have been able to reach audiences much more widespread as they can now educate and communicate with people from across the world. This form of media attention has brought social issues to many new audiences. “I think the media has brought many positive impacts to the movement by creating a space where women can celebrate other women. Breaking down

stereotypes and emphasizing body positivity has made a huge impact too,” Lucy Bradshaw, an art freshman, said. For example, the #MeToo movement focused on empowering women’s voices and encouraged women around the world to speak up about issues regarding gender inequality. It brought up issues involving sexual harassment, unequal representation, power dynamics and gender stereotypes. The media was able to vastly spread the stories of these women and bring attention to the issues at hand. While the fight for equality between men and women is still ongoing, the media plays a huge part in the feminist movement. It is important to recognize the inaccuracy of feminist stereotypes in the media in order to truly focus on the important issues being brought up by feminists today. - Kadence Cobb is a journalism freshman The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

ANTI-TRANS LAWS

Letter to the Editor: 4 things to teach people about gender affirmation My friend and fellow parent, Denise Rogers, is the mother of three children from Taylor, Texas, who are kind, intelligent, respectful people who love others and are well-loved in return. They create beautiful art. They play outside. They are vibrant. They are confident. They make the world a better place. One is gay, one is a transgender person, and one is, well honestly, I don’t know because it hasn’t come up. The love and support our local family gives them are reflected right back at us in all the ways I mentioned before. I can’t pretend to understand what it is like to be gay, transgender, or the family member of someone who is, but I can tell you that our world doesn’t always abide by the Golden Rule when it comes to them. You may or may not think that they deserve the same rights and respect as your own children, but I strongly recommend you open your mind and listen before you decide. From Denise on February 24, 2022: …while I never want the LGBTQ community, especially transgender youth, to have to suffer another single minute, I think it is going to take this type of radical abuse, the recent directive from the Texas government, for people to wake up and

finally say, “enough is enough.” I’ve been dealing with this long enough to know that this is all just vote baiting and fear tactics and very little will actually come to fruition. Child Protective Services (CPS) is already so underfunded and overworked that it would never be able to effectively do what it is being instructed to do. CPS had to investigate over 250,000 alleged child abuses cases in 2020 and found nearly 68,500 confirmed cases of abuse, that then required further action. CPS does not have the capacity to add in the workload of this "witch hunt" when affirming care does not fall under the "duty to report" requirements under current law. Many teacher groups, medical organizations, and even entire counties are already standing up and saying they won’t comply. However, my heart is with the new parents of transgender children who are just now learning to navigate supporting their children and are already living in a state of emotional turmoil and uncertainty. My biggest fear is the emotional and mental health of transgender youth who have been enduring these attacks constantly. Even those who come from the most supportive and affirming families

are feeling the pressure and hate, and it is wearing on them. My family is in a gray zone and is very lucky. While my daughter is still in high school, she is also 18. So, we aren’t in any immediate danger, but my biggest fear is the long-term emotional effects. What I would say to those who support the new legislation is to help them understand what this “abusive” affirming care actually is. It’s: building a team of parents, pediatricians, therapists/counselors, and often teachers, clergy, etc. to make decisions collectively that are in the best interests of the child. It’s: socially transitioning for a few years by allowing a child to go by a different name and pronouns and allowing them to present or dress in the gender they feel most comfortable. It’s: after a long social transition, “the team” decides that the best next step is to put the child on hormone blockers to postpone puberty or start Hormone Replacement Therapy until the child is a legal adult and can make more permanent changes to their body. Also, remind or inform them that the hormone blockers and the hormone therapy are completely safe and reversible, and the EXACT same

hormones are given out to teens like candy who have bad acne or go on birth control. It’s: reassuring them that gender reassignment surgery of any kind is not performed on any child under the age of 18 unless “the team” decides that the dysphoria is so severe that it becomes a matter of safety for the child. Remember, they are children. Their parents love them the way you love your kids. When something makes you uncomfortable, look it in the eye and try to see it for what it truly is. You can respect humanity even when it doesn’t fall in line with your beliefs and expectations. It is easy to toe the line, but it takes a smart, brave, secure person to challenge themselves. The challenge is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Submitted by Jessi Turnbow-Cao, Texas State University - Round Rock The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

The University Star

6 |Tuesday, March 1, 2022

OPINIONS

Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

FAIR WAGES

The American workforce should pay closer attention to MLB's Lockout By Dillon Strine Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu

Major League Baseball (MLB) has been in a lockout since Dec. 2, 2021, long enough to delay the start of spring training, and likely the 2022 season. Throughout the course of negotiations, there has been a clear disagreement between the MLB Players Association and franchise owners. In a meeting on Feb. 17, that lasted only 15 minutes, the two parties were separated into two key issues, arbitration and minimum salaries. The ongoing disagreement in MLB is not very different from the disconnect between big corporations and their employees. As the fight for a higher minimum wage continues, the American workforce could learn a thing or two from the MLB players and other sports leagues. Both the MLB Players Association and the owners have just as much at stake as the other, so no one has the clear negotiating advantage. However, players certainly have gained public support as other American professional sports leagues and amateur sports have emphasized the rights of its players and employees. At the forefront of the new era of player empowerment were the NBA players who took control of where they wanted and when they wanted to play following the protest of games after the murder of George Floyd. Joining them in an effort for players' rights was the passage of NIL law in college sports, which allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.

It is no secret that the culture surrounding sports can be hostile to women and minorities — stemming from the treatment of women in sports to the hiring practices of minority coaches. But leagues have made significant strides to try and fix that in recent years as players and coaches have been outspoken about it both through media and lawsuits. As for Major League Baseball, the league is all so familiar with work stoppages stemming from strikes and lockouts. But the last time it affected games being played was in 1994 when an entire postseason was canceled. While going on strike may not always work, as the 2012 fast-food workers strike did not attain its goal of getting a $15 minimum wage, American employees should continue the fight for more rights, along with MLB players. In this fight, the goal should not just be for an increased minimum wage, like the MLB players union is fighting for. Players are wanting a minimum salary of $775,000 in 2022 and an incremental increase in years after, up from $570,500 in 2021. This may seem like a lot of money compared to the average American worker’s salary, but the average length of an MLB career is just 6.06 years. Since the league's creation in 1876, only 22,238 athletes have played in it. Similarly in the American workforce, the minimum wage should be even higher than what was being fought for a decade ago due to the rise in inflation. Accounting for gains in productivity, the American minimum wage should be closer to $24 this year and $30 by 2025. The current federal minimum wage is

ILLUSTRATION BY VIVIANA FAZ

$7.25 and has remained the same since 2009. The fight should also be for equal pay and opportunity for women and minorities. While the MLB has seen gains in the hiring of Kim Ng, the first women general manager in professional sports, the American workforce continues to fall behind. Even though the pay gap between men and women is decreasing, women still earn 82 cents per every dollar a man makes. The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to setbacks in the women's labor force. The women's labor force participation rate was 55.8% in February 2021 – the same rate as of April 1987. The fight for a higher wage also includes additional paid vacation leave, which players in the Minor League (MiLB) have a similar argument for. Currently, the MLB does not believe MiLB players should be paid during spring training because the "training they receive is ample compensation." In the U.S., there is no legal minimum amount of paid time off set. Only about 74% of American workers have access to paid leave. Whereas, in New Zealand, employees receive four weeks of paid annual leave after a year of employment. With paid leave, the American workforce and MiLB players can exhibit higher levels of productivity and less stress. MLB owners pump billions of dollars into the franchises they own, and while

it may not be known whether they care about anything other than revenue, they definitely expect a return on their investment. So surely if they are arguing for a bigger piece of the revenue share, they must be seeing their revenue shrinking, in which case they have a good argument for their demands of raising the luxury tax a small percentage and keeping the minimum salaries lower than what the MLB Players Association demands. The problem is that owners have seen $8 billion in profits since 2010 and their cries for hardship may only be a negotiating tactic. This is all too similar to how major corporations continue to see record profit margins as costs continue to rise rather than their employees' wages. With Opening Day looming, for baseball fans like myself, I do hope both sides can find common ground, and Major League Baseball will return in 2022, with minimum games canceled. But I do not see a reason for the players to back down and not get what they rightfully deserve as should the rest of working Americans. - Dillon Strine is a journalism junior The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

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Tuesday, March 1, 2022 | 7

SPORTS FROM FRONT CULTURE

Texas State men's basketball smiles for a photo on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, inside the University Events Center. The team had just returned to San Marcos after securing its second consecutive Sun Belt Regular-Season Championship. PHOTO BY XAVIER ZAMARRON

“It’s unbelievable. I was a long-time college basketball player myself, so I know how difficult this is,” Coryell said. “I’m so proud of our coaches, so proud of our team. Winning one is hard enough, winning two is really, really difficult.” Coryell was one of the first in line to welcome back the players and coaches as they descended from the team bus. The crowd excitedly cheered on their champs as they made their way inside the UEC. This year’s celebration offered a touching moment

between the players and Head Coach Terrence Johnson, who was unable to physically be with the team last year due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Johnson was still able to celebrate with his guys last year, but only from inside his car. This year, Johnson was able to have a proper celebration, including a hug from senior guard Mason Harrell, something Harrell really appreciated. “It was awesome just him being there this time and actually getting to experience it all,” Harrell said. “There were just a lot of good emotions, it’s something I’ll never forget, and I’ll hold on to for the rest of my life.” Johnson’s leadership has been instrumental during his two-year run. On Feb. 28, he was named the Sun

Belt Conference Head Coach of the Year for the second year in a row. After guiding the team to a conference title last year, Johnson shed his interim label and was officially named head coach. That decision clearly paid off for the university and Coryell knows it; he’s grateful to have Johnson on board. “I’m so proud. I’ve known Coach Johnson for a long time now; he’s a great person, a great coach, great for our student-athletes and an incredible representative for our university,” Coryell said. “I know how hard those guys work, they grind as hard as any staff in the country, and they work so well with our studentathletes, it’s just great to see him rewarded for it.” Men's basketball now looks toward the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in Pensacola, Florida where it'll once again have the number one seed. Last year’s tournament didn’t go as the Bobcats hoped, with the team bowing out after losing to Appalachian State 7673. The team hopes this year brings different results; they’re locked in and ready to take full advantage of their shot at redemption. Senior guard Caleb Asberry wants fans to know just that. “Our message this year is that we’re not gonna fold, we are not going to fold,” Asberry said. Harrell echoed that sentiment, saying the team has a better mindset going into the tournament this year. “We’re just taking it one game at a time,” Harrell said. “I think last year we focused a little bit on the future and stuff like that, but I think if we take it one game at a time, you know, take care of business, we’ll be alright.” As the number one seed, Texas State earns a bye in the first round of the tournament. The team will await the winner of a game between the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Louisiana. Texas State's first game of the tournament is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on March 5 at the Pensacola Bay Center in Florida. The game will air on ESPN+

FROM FRONT FAMILY Despite not being a father himself, Johnson knows being around the team will form core memories for Jace as he's been able to grow up alongside his dad and gets to see him play the sport he loves with teammates that mean so much to him. Having Jace around has also brought a sense of joy and playfulness into the Bobcat locker room. Harrell said he enjoys seeing Jace after games and practices because he’s always laughing and running around even when Johnson is talking to his team. “He’s definitely got an impact on the team,” Harrell said. “He’s always cheering the mood up, and it’s always good to see him.” During postgame press conferences, Jace seems to light up the room as he tries to steal the microphone from his dad and chat with the media and, of course, is sassy toward Bobcat senior forward Isiah Small. The Bobcats aren’t just a team to Jace, they’re his family. He loves spending time in Strahan Arena with his 15 “Bobcat uncles” who are always trying to make him happy. But Adams thinks the team loves it just as much as Jace does. “Anytime he comes around, everybody has high spirits,” Adams said. “Everybody is trying to interact with him, play basketball with him, feed him, joke around with him, dance with him. We’ll put music on in the locker room, he’ll start dancing, and everybody will start dancing around him. He loves it.” For Harrell, Jace has even become family. As roommates, Harrell and Adams spend a lot of time with each other, and of course with Jace. This past year, they even all spent Christmas together. “It’s awesome,” Harrell said. “They’re family … it’s always fun having him here, he always makes the energy better if you had a long day at practice or anything.” Family, what the Bobcats are built on,

Texas State basketball seniors Shelby Adams (left) and Isiah Small let Adams' son, Jace, join them during the post game press conference after defeating Coastal Carolina, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at Strahan Arena. PHOTO BY KYLE OWEN

always comes first. Last month, Adams made plans to marry his girlfriend, Mia, on a Friday afternoon, during the same time the team practices. While Johnson postponed practice for the wedding, Adams had to head to the basketball court immediately after getting married. “It’s not your normal routine,” Adams said. “But it’s the life of a studentathlete.” Johnson knows if he wants to help his players, including Adams, grow into better men, he can’t put basketball over fatherhood or the responsibilities of a student and that’s why he wants Jace around the team and his father. As Jace watches from the sidelines, he's witnessing his father live out his

Texas State senior forward Isiah Small (1) talks with Shelby Adams' (4) son, Jace, after the Bobcats defeat Arkansas State, Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at Strahan Arena. PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

dream of being a star-student athlete. Throughout his time with Texas State, Adams has helped the team earn two Sun Belt Regular-Season Conference Championship titles and looks to finish off strong at the 2022 Sun Belt Men's Basketball Championship Tournament

this upcoming weekend. While the life of a student, athlete and father isn't easy, Adams and his Bobcat family are committed to taking on the challenge not only for themselves but for their team, families, and now, Jace.

8 |Tuesday, March 1, 2022

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