Follow us: @DailyBeacon
Check out the Beacon Weekender
SEC votes to admit Texas A&M
PAGE 6 T H E
E D I T O R I A L L Y
Mostly Cloudy 20% chance of rain HIGH LOW 72 59
Thursday, September 8, 2011 Issue 16 I N D E P E N D E N T
PUBLISHED SINCE 1906
S T U D E N T
PAGE 5
http://utdailybeacon.com
Vol. 118
N E W S P A P E R
O F
T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
T E N N E S S E E
‘Falling Man’ to commemorate 9/11 tragedy Documentary highlights life of man in famous photograph, other lives lost at Twin Towers Jamie Cunningham Staff Writer The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is this Sunday, and the UT College of Communication and Information (CCI) is helping commemorate the day that killed almost 3,000 people with a special screening of the documentary film “The Falling Man.” Margaret Morrison, interim director of the College of Communication and Information’s School of Advertising and Public Relations, believed it was important to commemorate the event on UT’s campus because most students were coming of age when 9/11 happened. “When 9/11 occurred, today’s students at UT were typically between the ages of 8-12,” Morrison said. “They remember this date, and I always thought it was a defining moment in their lives. I think it’s important that we don’t forget what happened that day and there are many perspectives that define what it means.” The film, which tells the story of the famous “The Falling Man” photograph by The Associated Press photographer Richard Drew, focuses on the story of the man in the photograph who jumped from the burning North Tower of the World Trade Center on that fateful day in New York City. There were many haunting images captured on Sept. 11, and many of the photographs taken created visceral and profound reactions in a stunned nation and world. However, one photograph, “The Falling Man,” stood out in America’s minds as a controversial image that some found distasteful and intrusive. While the photograph stirs powerful emotions in viewers, Morrison insists it is an important part of the 9/11 story. “Initial news accounts heralded those who responded to the disaster and ultimately died when the towers collapsed (i.e., firefighters, policemen, emergency workers),” Morrison
said. “The news accounts also highlighted the folks who were in the Towers and died either when they were trying to evacuate or when the Towers collapsed. ‘The Falling Man’ offers a different perspective of events that occurred but aren’t necessarily discussed: the 200 people who jumped from the Twin Towers that day.” The image depicts the fate of men and women who, realizing the peril of the situation, decided to take their life in their own hands in a way that they could control. “The Falling Man” delves deep into the tragic story that a grieving country shied away from. Karl Hughes, a senior in mechanical engineering and founder of Volblogs.com, thinks that documentaries about 9/11 are important because the event impacted so many lives. “We should remember the event and those who died that day but also learn from the way we chose to handle it … (September 11) was one of the most pivotal moments in our nation’s history,” Hughes said. “We’ve been at war for almost 10 years in large part to that day.” Geneva Hill, a graduate student studying architecture, is glad UT is using the day to not only remember 9/11, but to educate about the day as well. “It is especially important for our educational institutions to continue to educate about the event and the impact it has had on our current world,” Hill said. The documentary might not be in the list of traditional commemoration events such as parades and monuments. However, Morrison is confident that educating people plays a vital role in paying tribute to the victims of 9/11. “As Americans, I think it’s imperative that we remember the role that media serve in this country,” Morrison said. “They are very important but sometimes the images delivered through them tell only part of a story. ‘The Falling Man’ delivers another perspective, but there are millions of others from that day. That’s why it’s important.”
• Photo courtesy of Richard Drew/AP
A man falls from the top floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. The documentary, “The Falling Man,” which follows the search for information behind the photo of the same name, will be shown .
Candidate shares dream for Knoxville “They benefit because this is what affects their lives, and, by voting, they participate in the political process,” Owen said. “Without voting Bill Owen, city council at large seat B candi- and not participating it undermines the political date and former multi-term state senator, spoke process. It doesn’t give them a voice. By having with UT College Democrats on Tuesday about a voice in what goes on in the city means that his intentions for the city and his wishes for stu- the city is more responsive to that voice. It’s the old saying ‘the squeaky wheel gets the grease.’ dent involvement. Owen stresses his desire for Knoxville to And when students have an issue that they are become a Wi-Fi city that allows citizens to “get interested in, regardless of what it is, that they come to city council. City council will listen to outside and get online.” “There are over 100 cities in the country that them if they are voting (and) if they have a history of voting. If they don’t have a history of votare Wi-Fi cities,” Owen ing, it’s much easier for said. “Chattanooga has the city council, or for just announced it’s any city official, to going to become a Wiignore them.” Fi city. Knoxville should Goldston believes explore the possibility that student voting is of being a Wi-Fi city.” important to the univerDemocratic students sity. support his plans to “Local politicians can boost the reputation of definitely help push our the city as a great eduuniversity’s agenda in cation center. Harold the state delegation,” Goldston, senior in Goldston said. “No matpolitical science and ter if the student’s from College Democrats Nashville, from Campaign Liaison, Memphis, from believes this is an Knoxville, it just matters important issue. they can help push our “Bill touched on the agenda.” fact that it’s important – Jennifer Baldwin, junior in Baldwin supports this for us to sell Knoxville political science and economics as well. as a city that’s forward and College Democrats Vice President, “I think it would thinking about educaon encouraging students to get involved greatly benefit students, tion,” Goldston said. especially because a lot “We educate the most college-level students here (than) the entire of issues that they’re campaigning on will affect state of Tennessee. We’re better than Nashville, us in the future, especially with sustainable livand more (students) than Memphis, so educa- ing (and) jobs,” Baldwin said. “If we plan to stay tion’s very important in Knoxville and right now in Knoxville then we want this to be the best our leaders aren’t pushing that nationally, which community that we could possibly live in.” While the Democrats believe it is important they should because then we’ll attract better people to come and study in Knoxville, and for students to get involved, students may want Tennessee will become a more attractive place more information on the city council in general. Owen described the role that it plays in local polto live.” Owen ended the night by encouraging the itics as the following. “Everything that goes on on a local basis is audience to get involved. Jennifer Baldwin, jungoverned by city ordinances,” Owen said “…the ior in political science and economics and College Democrats Vice President, strongly enforcement of the codes that requires the upkeep of housing regulations and housing agreed with the statement. “I think the most important issue is for stu- codes in Ft. Sanders is directly affected by the dents to just get involved,” Baldwin said. “…if city codes (enforced) by the city council. The we actually would get involved we would have a police department is directly affected by the city Joy Hill • The Daily Beacon council. Protection of the streets, the fire departreally big impact.” One way students can get more involved is by ment, all of these things that impact people’s Victor Medina, sophomore in creative writing, hangs posters up in the Humanities Amphitheatre on Thursday, Sept. 1. The posters featured quotes about keeping voting in the upcoming election. Owen thinks lives on a local basis are directly passed by the city council.” that voting is beneficial for students. hope from such social movers as Martin Luther King Jr. and Noam Chomsky.
Steele Gamble
Staff Writer
“
I think the most
important issue is for students to just get
involved... if we actually would get involved we
would have a really big impact.
”