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UNIVERSITY
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWS OF UMKC
March 7, 2011
Vol. 78, Issue 24
3 The cannabis
and cancer
debate
7 Top 10 influential 12 Women’s
women in history
basketball
stands strong
Illustration by Mark Linville
NEWS
Mayoral candidates
debate at UMKC
2
Left: Sly James
Right: Mike
Burke
Photos by Nathan Zoschke
Nathan Zoschke
Copy Editor/Asst. Production Manager
On Saturday, March 5, Kansas Citians eager
to hear candidates Mike Burke and Sly James
discuss their plans for the city’s future gathered in
Pierson Auditorium.
The debate was sponsored by Young Latino
Professionals of Greater Kansas City (YLP) and
the Kansas City, Mo. chapter of the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored
People Young Adult Committee (NAACP YAC).
Iris Hermosillo of KCTV5 News and Julee
Jonez of Hot 103 Jamz moderated the debate,
which included questions on city governance,
public safety, infrastructure, education, civic
engagement, economic development and
community enrichment.
Burke and James were each allowed a brief
introduction, a one-minute response to each
question and a one-minute rebuttal.
The issues of diversity, specifically youth
involvement, overarched the other topics.
James said he will make the city more
responsive to its youth and will appoint young
people to boards and commissions at city hall.
“We can’t be adverse to having people of
different races, lifestyles and skills,” James said.
Burke agreed with James’ statement, adding
he will work to retain young Kansas Citians.
“We need to keep our talented, creative young
people in Kansas City,” Burke said. “We need to
make Kansas City an exciting place for young
people to stay.”
Both candidates emphasized the contributions of young adults to their campaigns. Burke
specifically acknowledged Student Government
Association President Klassie Alcine, who works
on his campaign as a volunteer coordinator.
Alcine’s interest in city politics began several
years ago when she interned at City Hall. The
reason she supports Burke, Alcine said, is because
of his experience.
“He’s very humble, and he has so much
experience,” Alcine said. “He is perfect for mayor.
I walked into his office on the first day, and he
knew what action plans to take to move things
forward. I want someone who knows how to do
that and someone who can work well with the
city council.”
Racial and ethnic diversity were also popular
topics, which emerged in debates about board
positions and public safety.
James said he will work to increase the
promotion and retention of minority officers,
which James said is the primary barrier to
increasing the diversity of the police force.
“The problem you have when you’re trying to
diversify is that it’s easy to get in, but it’s harder to
get up,” James said.
James cited his leadership as president of
the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association,
where he developed an initiative to diversify local
law firms.
As a result, the number of African-American
and Latino lawyers increased by 100 percent and
70 percent, respectively.
Burke mentioned his experience in the
development of the Westside Community Action
Network (CAN) Center, which added Spanishspeaking officers to the Westside neighborhood,
which has a large Latino population.
Burke said the addition of the Spanishspeaking officers led to a 50 percent decrease in
crime in the neighborhood.
Burke echoed James’ promise to increase the
diversity of the police department.
“We need a police department that looks
more like the constituency it serves,” Burke said,
adding that he will work to build trust between
the police and communities of color, a goal shared
Vol. 78, Issue 24
by James.
One area where both candidates differed
was the issue of transportation. While both
voiced support for building a streetcar line that
would connect downtown with surrounding
neighborhoods, James voiced opposition to
building a light rail.
“We need to stop trying to duplicate what
other people did 25 years ago that we missed out
on and start setting our own course,” James said.
“I’d rather have our own signature streetcar line
than the same old St. Louis, Denver light rail line.”
Burke supports the light rail as a long-term
goal, but said he would rather start with bus rapid
transit and the proposed streetcar line.
Other differences include city hall experience
and endorsements.
Burke has served as a councilman in the past,
and carries the endorsements of former mayors
Charles Wheeler, Richard Berkley and Kay
Barnes.
Burke is CEO of King Hershey Law Firm,
where he works as a development lawyer.
James is also a lawyer, and is a partner at the
Sly James Firm, which specializes in personal
injury suits.
Mayor: Continued on page 20
School of Law hosts spelling bee
Bradley Turner
Staff Writer
On Friday, March 4, the School of
Education (SOE) and the School of Law
(LAW) teamed up to present “Courtroom
to Classroom,” which is their 6th Annual
Spelling Bee for students at the Afrikan
Centered Education Collegium Campus
(ACECC) in Kansas City.
Located at the intersection of Meyer and
Prospect, the ACECC is a Contract School
operated in cooperation with the Kansas City,
Missouri School District and is managed by
the Afrikan Centered Education Taskforce
Incorporated (ACETI).
More than 60 fourth and fifth grade
students at ACECC traveled to the E.E. Tom
Thompson Courtroom located inside the
Law building to compete in this annual event.
The spelling bee was originally
scheduled for Friday Feb. 26 with 41st
District Representative Shalonn KiKi
Curls in attendance, but the event was
rescheduled due to inclement weather.
“Courtroom to Classroom” came into
existence six years ago by the helping hand of
Breman Anderson Jr., a community volunteer
and alumnus of SOE who always had a dream
of bringing a spelling bee to UMKC.
Students were given two weeks to study
a list of vocabulary words that varied in
difficulty and popularity.
One by one, students approached the
microphone to showcase their hard work and
compete for the Grand Prize as their parents
and teachers cheered them on quietly in the
audience.
The top three contestants were given new
laptops, courtesy of Kansas City Power &
Light.
A fifth grader at ACECC took home the
first place trophy along with his new computer.
According to the student, he spent a lot
of time outside of school studying for the
spelling bee.
Although he wants to be a basketball
player when he grows up, the student said he’s
definitely going to consider the School of Law.
KCP&L also donated $400 to provide the
students with boxed lunches for the event.
Each contestant was presented a medal and
rewarded a $1,000 scholarship for the School
of Law to be considered for when they begin
planning their post-secondary education.
The same $1,000 scholarships offered this
year were rewarded to the students of the first
annual spelling bee who, according to Virginia
Dee Evans Assistant Director of the Office
of Community & Public Affairs, are now in
the high school and will soon be looking at
schools.
Along with the law school and SOE, the
spelling bee would not be made possible
without the help from: the Office of Admissions, University Advancement, Multicultural
Alumni Committee, Kansas City Power &
Light, Kansas City Missouri School District and area elected officials.
The spelling bee gave young students the
opportunity to experience college for the
first time, which, according to the Office
of Admissions Early Awareness Program’s
Mission Statement, is a realistic and tangible
goal to better their lives.
bturner@unews.com
Winners at the spelling bee with sponsors.
Photo by Bradley Turner
NEWS
March 7, 2011
3
Community of Reason screens promarijuana legalization documentary
Samuel Towns
Staff Writer
On Sunday, March 6, The Community
of Reason, a community of persons based in
Kansas City that has skeptical religious studies
on Sundays and supports the legalization of
marijuana, screened a documentary titled,
“What if Cannabis Cured Cancer?”
The film covered the issue of medicinal
marijuana, discussing the restorative properties
associated with the chemical compounds of the
drug.
After the film screening, a group who use
marijuana to mitigate symptoms of their chronic
illnesses spoke to the audience.
First was Mark Pedersen, who grew up in a
town known for its ore refinery.
Due to exposure to harmful carcinogens
expelled from the refinery, Pedersen contracted
cadmium lead poisoning and became very ill.
Later, he was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a
neurological disorder causing long-term, bodywide pain.
Pedersen’s daughter, Emily Pedersen, also has
fibromyalgia. In addition, Emily suffers from
anxiety, among other things. She recalled a time
when she was having a violent panic attack.
In haste, she loaded a bowl of marijuana and
inhaled deeply. Pedersen said the drug worked
instantly to squelch the attack.
Richard Amerine, who has been diagnosed
with Parkinson’s, also relies on the drug to lead
a life resembling normalcy.
Greg Terry suffers from a form of
inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn’s
diease.
He told the group about the first time he
medicated with cannabis. A patient handed him
a joint while he was in his hospital bed, and after
smoking it, he found his pain subsided and other
side effects related to his condition lessened as
well.
Greg Preuss was the last to speak at the
table. He confessed that due to harmful effects
of previous medications prescribed to him by
doctors, he lost 10 years of his life. For 10 years,
Preuss’ wife had no husband. And for 10 years,
Preuss’ children had no father.
For Preuss, cannabis became the antithesis
of what some make it out to be. While the drug
is thought to debilitate, Pedersen said it has
enabled him to lead a normal life in numerous
ways.
All this is not proof that cannibas can
“cure” cancer, but it has been shown to ease
the pain associated with the disease, as well as
calm the nerves of those dealing with anxiety
disorders. For more information, visit www.
comunityofreason.com
stowns@unews.com
States with medical marijuana
States in black= medical marijuana
Photo Illustration by Nathan Zoschke
U.S. map courtesy Google Images
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NEWS
4
Police Blotter
Mark Linville News Editor
Feb. 25
10:54 a.m.
Larceny
A university laptop was missing
from the Student Union
and was reported stolen.
3:12 p.m.
Property Damage
The roof of the old Maintenance
Building was damaged.
11:37 p.m. Information
Officers responded to a fire alarm
in the Oak Place Apartments
from burning food.
Feb. 26
6:40 p.m.
Information
Officers responded to reports of
the smell of marijuana coming
from a room in Johnson Hall.
Feb. 28
8:18 a.m.
Miscellaneous Investigation
KCPD reported a universityowned clarinet stolen from
the 51st Annex building.
5:03 p.m.
Burglary
A faculty member in Flarsheim
hall discovered his backpack and
keys stolen from his office.
March 2
2:30 p.m.
Fire
A piece of paper caught fire
at the Dental School.
4:07 p.m.
Illness
Officers found a man behaving
erratically at the 4825 Troost
Building; the man was taken to the
hospital for medical evaluation.
10:29 p.m.
Violation of
University Rules and Regulations
Officers removed a boot
from a vehicle parked in the
pay-by-space section of the
Oak Street parking lot.
mlinville@unews.com
Vol. 78, Issue 24
Briefly Mentioned
Kasim Hardaway
Asst. News Editor
Shear Madness, an annual UMKC School of
Dentistry ‘Fundrazor’
The UMKC School of Dentistry is now preparing
for the school’s annual Shear Madness event.
Shear Madness 2011 will be held on Thursday,
March 3 at noon in Room 209 at the School of
Dentistry located on 650 E. 25th St.
Shear Madness raises money for children to
attend Camp Quality, a non-profit organization that
arranges full year-round support programs for young
cancer patients and their families as well as a free
summer camp program.
During the event, students, faculty and staff set
prices on their hair.
Audience members are then asked to pledge
money until the price that was asked is met.
When the bids come to an end, the buzzing of the
‘fundrazor’ begins.
In months prior to Shear Madness, students,
faculty and staff work to raise money through other
resources such as friends and alumni.
As mentioned before, during the Shear Madness
event, anyone who wants to participate in the event
can set their price to have their heads shaved. However, individuals who raised money prior
to the event can then use those proceeds on the
outcome of the participants’ hair.
If the price asked is met, their heads will be shaved.
If not, the participants are able to keep their hair, but
the bidding money will still go towards the proceeds
for Camp Quality.
Last year’s Shear Madness event raised more
than $7,000. Those proceeds helped cover the costs
for seven children to attend Camp Quality over the
summer of 2010. To see what happened at last year’s Shear
Madness event, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlHpLCIMxM to watch a brief video.
The Shear Madness event is sponsored by a
student organization Students Take Action (STA).
According to STA’s website, the organization was
founded in 1998 by dental students dedicated to
compassion and comradeship through community
service.
STA volunteers participate in a variety of volunteer
activities throughout the year.
For more information on Students Take Action
or the Shear Madness event, please go to www.studo.
umkc.edu/sta.
khardaway@unews.com
Campus fast fact: Women’s Center
Kasim Hardaway
Asst. News Editor
The UMKC Women’s Center, located in room
105 in Haag Hall, may seem like a quaint office from
the outside but upon entering you will soon find it
is more.
Founded in 1971, the Women’s Center provides
a relaxed space for students from all disciplines to
enjoy.
The Women’s Center was initially known as the
Women’s Resource Center as a part of the UMKC
Division of Continuing Education.
Beyond the pleasant appearance, you will find the
Women’s Center is also a department that works for
the well being of women and gender rights.
In 2003 the LGBT Resource Center was created
and operated through the Women’s Center, which in
2005 moved to the University Center.
In 2005 the office received a fresh paint job and
furniture donated from the Barbara Pendleton
estate.
“We put on a large amount of successful events
with a very small staff,” Nikeisha Fortenberry
Graduate Assistant for Programming said.
March is Women’s History month.
The Women’s Center has several events scheduled
in honor of that.
Other News
Kasim Hardaway
Asst. News Editor
Suspect of Penn Valley attack ruled incompetent
for trial
On Sept. 14, 2010 Governor Jay Nixon was
scheduled to visit Kansas City, the next stop on his
Missouri-wide tour. According to fox4kc, Nixon’s
tour was made to discuss the details of a program
to be implemented to expand high-speed internet
service throughout the state.
The program was a large budget project. It was
awarded a total of $57.6 million.
Nixon’s next scheduled venue, Penn Valley
Community College, was cancelled after an incident
“We will have a trivia table set up on March
16 in [Royall Hall] and we also have a book
display [of Gender and 19th Century German
Literature] in the Miller Nichol’s Library that
will be on display until the 31st,” Fortenberry
said.
A big event to look out for from the
Women’s Center is the ‘Rock Who You Are’
Fashion Show, which will be held Tuesday,
March 8 from 7-9 p.m. in the Student Union
Multipurpose room 401A.
Photo courtesy Women’s Center
“The ‘Rock Who You Are’ Fashion Show The Women’s Center
is being held to promote positive body image
and self-acceptance,” Fortenberry said, two
This series will follow the state of women in
ideals that the Women’s Center is always supporting Kansas City and bring forth their ideas in the form
through their events.
of Art.
There will be door prizes as well as light
In addition to the upcoming events, the Women’s
refreshments served at the Fashion Show.
Center has sponsored events like the Vagina
“Her Art Project is another event to look out for,” Monologues, The Starr Symposium, Violence
Fortenberry said. “It is an art series coming up in Prevention programs like the annual Walk a Mile in
April.”
Her Shoes and Take Back the Night.
‘Who Does She Think She Is’ is a group art
For more information about the Women’s Center
exhibit that will appear at First Fridays April 1 and and upcoming events by the organization please
May 6 but will be on display from April 1 through visit www.umkc.edu/womenc or e-mail umkc-womensMay 13.
center@umkc.edu.
The event space is at JavaPort located at 208 W.
khardaway@unews.com
19th St.
occurred near the humanities building of the college
campus.
Al Dimmitt, Penn Valley Dean of Student
Instruction, along with one other person, was
stabbed by assailant Casey Brezik.
Brezik is now committed to the Missouri
Department of Mental Health as of Feb. 28.
According to the Kansas City Star, a Jackson
County judge ruled Brezik currently incompetent to
stand trial for the incident that occurred last year.
Brezik, now 23, will be assessed by mental health
professionals and within six months a report of his
level of competency will be produced to the courts.
Competency of a criminal defendant consists of
understanding the nature of the court rulings and
being able to aid in his/her defense.
Brezik is currently being charged with two counts
of first-degree assault and two counts of armed
criminal action.
Following his charges, he questioned the process.
“Do whatever you want. It doesn’t matter now,”
Brezik said.
Brezik appeared to be displeased with the judge’s
final ruling and as he exited the courtroom he
shouted one last remark, “they’re hiding the truth.”
khardaway@unews.com
NEWS
No entiendo
March 7, 2011
5
Foreign language classes offered at
UMKC are a challenge for students
Libby Hastert Contributing Writer
With over 80 percent of the American
population speaking only their native language,
it can be difficult for college students to
comprehend their foreign language classes.
Students and foreign language professors agree
learning a foreign language in college is difficult.
What makes it so difficult?
According to Dr. Larson Powell, Associate
Professor of German, college students’ desire
to learn a foreign language isn’t the issue; our
culture is.
“Our culture, unlike many others, doesn’t
think learning languages is important and
doesn’t value it,” Powell said. “We are an
amazingly self-satisfied, provincial culture.”
According to Powell, the difference between
our society and many European societies is
that Americans often don’t introduce foreign
languages until high school, whereas Europeans
traditionally start learning before the age of ten.
Introducing another language at such a late age
makes it far more difficult to learn.
As a result, students often rely on their
native language as a basis for speaking another
language.
“It’s really hard to think of how to say things
[in a foreign language],” junior Shannon Curry
said.
Curry is one of many foreign language
students who labor to retrain their thinking
process.
This is something French Professor Nacer
Khelouz sees students struggle with regularly.
“It’s very common among students to not
make any difference between their first language
and the foreign one. They generally assume that
everything should be said and written with same
literal expressions translated from one language
to another, using the same syntax and imagery,”
Khelouz said.
Each language is an entity shaped by its
people, society and traditions.
feeling overwhelmed from studying
Teachers believe students take the wrong Student
foreign languages.
approach to learning a foreign language.
Photo illustration by Libby Hastert
Khelouz encourages his students to forget about
their native language and to conceive a language
foreign to them as “an island where survival skills transferred to UMKC.
Now, under the instruction of Professor of
are to be found in the limits of its territory.”
Other factors also contribute to the difficulty Spanish Dr. Alberto Villamandos, Schaper is
back on track.
of learning foreign language.
Although Villamandos has high expectations,
Class size and teaching methods are both
things students have identified as obstacles in Schaper claims to have learned more in one year
that she did in all of high school. Despite these
the classroom.
Junior Spanish major and French minor obstacles, students seem more determined than
Nicoli Schaper encountered both of these issues ever to learn a foreign language.
What keeps them going?
while studying foreign languages at another state
Teachers seem to be the inspiration that
college.
While Schaper enjoys the intimate size of encourages struggling students.
“I really like my teacher, Adela Collins,
classes and involved teachers at UMKC, she has
battled with teachers who are uninvolved with because she is passionate, incredibly helpful, an
the students, assigning busy work and “speaking expert of the language and funny,” sophomore
Anna Stelmach said.
at us, not with us.”
Stelmach said she can speak freely and ask
Schaper explains there is a huge jump from
Spanish III to Spanish IV because of poor questions because of Professor Collins’ teaching
style.
teaching instruction.
Schaper said she struggled when she
lhastert@unews.com
Latino Youth Day
Jill Schleiden
Copy Editor
On Friday, March 4, Latino youth from around the Kansa City area
visited UMKC for Latino Youth Day.
Hosted by the Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs, the day gave Latino high
school students the opportunity to talk with college students and experience
college life for a day.
Lambda Theta Phi and the Association of Latin American Students
helped with the event.
“Through the efforts of hardworking staff members, enthusiastic
volunteers, and motivational community presenters, I think this Latino
Youth Day was definitely a success,” Student Services Coordinator Marissa
Garcia said.
Staff members, graduate student assistants and work-study students
create and facilitate the event once a semester.
Student volunteers also helped for the afternoon and mingled with the
visiting students to provide information and insight. One goal of the day
was to motivate Latino youth to apply for college when finished with high
school.
“At this Youth Day, I think the students experienced more personal
interactions than in the past,” Garcia said. “I am confident that they left with a
sense of desire for a college education and a positive impression of UMKC.”
jschleiden@unews.com
Photos: Student volunteers mingle with students visiting UMKC.
Photos by Mark Linville
Financial Corner
Each week, the Students in the Free Enterprise
(SIFE) Team from the Henry W. Bloch School of
Management, with assistance from a group
of respected business people, will answer your
financial questions.
What are some small issues that
can become major drains on
students’ financing?
There are many everyday goods and or services
that can become major drains on a bank account.
A common mistake that many people make is
spending too much on gas or oil changes.
Unless your model of car specifically calls for a
higher grade of fuel, you don’t need it and it could
be a waste of money in the long run. Many car
services will tell you an oil change is necessary every
3,000 miles. This is a common myth. Most new car
models can go between 5,000 and 7,000 miles in
between oil changes.
Another common mistake that causes people to
waste money is indulging in unhealthy habits.
A pack of cigarettes may not seem to cost that
much, but the costs really do add up. In addition to
the money you spend on cigarettes, this habit is also
going to cost you extra on your health insurance
policy. Another unhealthy habit that can consume
a good deal of money is indoor tanning. Not only
is this habit bad for your skin but also can be bad
for your bank account due to a new 10 percent tax,
which went into on effect July 1, 2010.
Dining out frequently is also a bad habit that can
cost you a lot of money.
Depending on where you eat most meals will
cost you between $10 and $25 per person and that
doesn’t include a tip. If you go out to eat a couple
times per week that could potentially cost you up
to a couple hundred dollars a month, so instead of
doing this try making some simple recipes at home
and save your money.
Purchasing beverages one at a time can lead to a
major drain on your wallet.
Whether it is soda, coffee, sports drinks or water,
buying each beverage individually can really add up.
Instead of buying individually, buy in bulk and bring
one of these beverages with you to class, work or the
gym.
These are only a few of the ways that can cause
a major drain on your finances. Others include:
buying brand name instead of generics, making
impulsive purchases, buying items you won’t use,
and paying ATM fees. My challenge to you is to see
how many of these little problems you can eliminate
from your spending habits and I think you will be
surprised at how much money it will save you.
E-mail your questions to the Student in Free
Enterprise Team at SIFECORNER@gmail.com.
NEWS
6
Safety Tips
Vol. 78, Issue 24
Quilting life experience with Her Art
from
Officer Patrick Tedesco
Over the past few weeks I have heard a lot of
discussion about people not feeling safe while getting
around campus. I’ve seen newspaper articles, I’ve
been approached by university employees telling
about near misses. I’ve even had to take a report on an
incident involving a pedestrian and a vehicle.
With as many students as we have and as many
businesses located in our area, it is truly a challenge to
navigate both the foot traffic and the vehicular traffic
on our campus.
However, I believe there are some things we can
do to not only safeguard ourselves while walking
on campus but help safeguard others while we are
behind the wheel.
Safety tips while crossing intersections
Stop at the curb or edge of the road before crossing.
Never run into the street.
Look for traffic to the left, then to the right and
then to the left again. Listen for traffic as well. If you
are wearing earphones make sure you either take one
out or have the volume of your music at a level that
allows you to hear sounds around you.
Cross at the street corner and walk in crosswalks.
Obey the traffic signals and signs. Keep looking
and listening while crossing the street. Vehicles can
be ticketed if they do not yield to a pedestrian in a
crosswalk.
Always watch out for cars. The drivers may not see
pedestrians or yield right of way.
Never go between parked cars to cross the street.
Safety tips while driving
Observe posted speed limits. Speed limits on both
Rockhill and Oak are 35 mph.
Reduce driver distraction. Traffic, construction and
careless drivers are distractions beyond your control.
However, you can reduce the risk of an accident by
decreasing the distractions inside your vehicle.
Be prepared before you start your car. If you put
on makeup, eat or program your GPS before you hit
the road then you’ll cut down on some distractions. If
you organize what you need for your final destination
before you leave, you won’t need to search while
driving.
Take a break. Even with a hands-free device, the
best idea is to pull over if you must make calls, answer
texts or deal with issues involving other passengers.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Not only
should you pay attention to the road directly in front
of you, but make sure to check your rearview and side
mirrors regularly. If you’re driving around campus,
watch for pedestrians crossing the street.
Speak up. If you’re in a vehicle with a friend who is
driving too fast, constantly switching lanes, tailgating
or not paying attention to the road, tell him or her
you’re uncomfortable. They may be trying to impress
you, and a simple request will encourage them to stop
driving dangerously.
The most important things to remember whether
crossing the street or driving on or around campus is to be
aware of your surroundings, keep your eyes and ears open
and avoid distractions when possible. Whether a student,
faculty, or staff here on campus, we all need to look out for
each other.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns
pertaining to crime prevention or safety I can be
reached at 816-235-1719 or by email at tedescop@
umkc.edu.
Photo by Greta Moore
Greta Moore
Staff Writer
On Saturday, March 5, the Women’s Center
hosted a quilting workshop with local artist
Nedra Bonds as a part of the Her Art Project
series, which runs through May.
Participants were able to make quilting
blocks representing a women’s issue.
There will be another quilting workshop
with Nedra Bonds on April 9 in the University
Center. The finished quilt will be displayed in
the Women’s Center next fall.
As an artist and teacher, Bonds has a great
deal of experience teaching others how to use
quilting to express their creativity.
“I’ve done other quilting workshops in
Turkey, Tanzania and all over the country,”
Bonds said. “My favorite part is watching
the reaction of the participants. People who
don’t know each other, have never met, work
together, teach each other, learn from each
other. That’s what’s so great about this for me.”
The workshop was open to people’s different
ways of creativity.
All supplies are provided for people to use
and explore. Bonds acts as a guide to help you
find ways to show your thoughts with the tools.
“You don’t sew, I got glue. You don’t draw,
I got scissors, whatever way that you want to
do this, I can accommodate you,” Bonds said.
“Some people have to sketch it out first before
they do it. I’m one that does it first and then I
write what I do. You know, that’s how the brain
works.”
Bonds began quilting at a young age. She
was taught by her grandmother.
She returned to quilting later in life as a
means to express life’s experiences.
“My grandma said that idle hands were the
devil’s workshop, when I was 6, so she taught
me how to do traditional quilting, which I
hated. Then I started doing this as an adult,”
Bonds said.
Many students were inspired to attend
the event by Dr. Pearlie Johnson, Professor of
Black Studies. Johnson specializes in the field of
quilting art and its cultural significance.
“Much of my research centers on quilts,
contemporary and traditional,” Johnson said.
“I recently curated an exhibit for the New
England Quilting Museum in Lowell, Mass.
and I’m getting ready to work on a project for
2012, a talk at the International Quilt Museum
in Nebraska.”
Students who attended brought many
perspectives to the quilt.
Many students wanted to celebrate their
mothers with their quilting pieces.
“The story behind my quilt is my mom. She
was just diagnosed with cancer, so I wanted
to show how much inspiration she’s been and
how strong she’s been throughout the whole
thing,” student Lia Washington said. “So it’s just
an ode to my mother.”
Sophomore Machon Draper also had her
mother in mind.
“Every piece of fabric represents a trait of my
mother,” Draper said. “I have a piece of fabric
with musical notes, my mother loves to sing
and she has a beautiful voice. I have a piece of
quilt that has different words on it like support,
love, strength, which signifies some qualities of
my mother. I have a piece of fabric with Princess
Tatiana, which, I think my mother’s a queen,
but you know. I have a pice of quilt which has
the Superman symbol, and she’s superwoman
to me, so it all represents her and her traits.”
This was not a woman-only event. Several
men attended. One male student made a quilt
representing important aspects of his heritage.
“My quilt shows, Ibeji, Mother of twins in
Yoruba. I am a twin, so it’s a celebration of the
Yoruba culture and how it celebrates Twins
and the mothers of twins as well,” freshman
Babajide Ajisafe said.
The opportunity to work with Bonds on
a quilt also brought many non-students and
alumni who respect her work. Some had never
quilted before.
“The favorite part of my experience is
realizing that everyone has talent and all they
have to do is reach down within themselves
and pull it out,” said Alumna and professor
of African American Studies at Penn Valley
Community College Geri Sanders.
To learn more about the “Her Art” project
series, please go to www.umkc.edu/womenc/.
gmoore@unews.com
Now staffing for 2011-12 School Year
Advertising
Manager
Editor-in-Chief
Business/Distribution
Manager
Looking for individuals
interested in advertising
and marketing. Must
be prepared to accept
sales and management
responsibilities.
Individuals must be
driven. This is a year-long
paid position.
Looking for a highly
organized individual who
is creative, open-minded,
hard working and
resilient. Must be enrolled
full-time, and have great
time management skills.
This is a year-long paid
position.
Looking for someone
with money management
skills. Responsible for
distributing the paper
throughout campus
and surrounding areas.
Must have reliable
transportation. This is a
year-long paid position.
Your résumé and letter of intent are due by March 31. Please e-mail info@unews.com.
A&E
March 7, 2011
7
Top
10:
Most influential women
Katie Vahsholtz
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Staff Writer
5.
March is Women's History Month, a month-long
celebration designed to increase the consciousness
of women in history. Women’s History Month began
as Women’s History Week in the 1970s, became
Women’s History Month in the 1980s and has since
gained even more traction.
The theme of 2011’s celebration is “Our History
is Our Strength.” According to National Women’s
History Project, “Learning about women’s tenacity,
courage and creativity throughout the centuries is a
tremendous source of strength.”
In honor of this year’s theme, in no particular
order, are some of the top ten most strong, influential
women in recent history.
1. Elizabeth Cady Stanton
An abolitionist and social activist, Stanton was
a leading figure in the early women’s movement. A
small group of women and men led by Stanton and
Lucretia Mott held the Seneca Falls Convention in
1848. The conference was the first organized event
aimed at addressing women’s rights and issues.
Stanton also wrote “The Declaration of
Sentiments,” a text based off the U.S. Declaration of
Independence. It demanded that the rights of women
be acknowledged and respected by society, and was
signed by 68 women and 32 men.
She famously declared “This is the winter wheat
we’re sowing, and other hands will harvest,” of her
Women’s Movement efforts.
7.
9.
6. Michelle Obama
The current First Lady and a woman who hasn’t
escaped the public eye since her husband took office.
Obama is seen as a national role model for women
and has even achieved status as a “fashion icon.” As
First Lady, she has undertaken an initiative to reverse
childhood obesity.
6.
7. Babe Didrikson
8.
1.
2.
An actress who is as influential on women now
as she was on women in her own time. Her grace,
elegance, and all-around talent make her an actress
who has withstood the test of time. She is one of the
few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy,
Grammy and Tony Award. Her work for UNICEF
earned her the Presidential Medal of Honor.
3.
Wintour is the editor-in-chief of one the most
influential and long-lasting fashion magazines in
history, Vogue. She is known throughout the world of
fashion for her eye for trends and support of young
designers.
9. Hilary Clinton
3. Oprah Winfrey
4.
5. Eleanor Roosevelt
During her time as First Lady, Roosevelt became
an advocate for civil rights, worked to enhance the
In the 2008 presidential race, Clinton won more
primaries than any other female candidate in history.
She narrowly lost to President Barack Obama.
Among other achievements, Clinton is currently U.S.
Secretary of State.
10. Marie Curie
She was a scientific pioneer who created the theory
of radioactivity and under her the first studies were
conducted using radiation to attempt to cure cancer.
She was the first person to win two Nobel Prizes for
her work.
10.
4. Georgia O’Keefe
O’Keefe was a major figure in American art during
the 1920s and is best known for challenging the
boundaries of the modern American style with her
use of abstraction in her paintings of flowers, animal
bones and landscapes. She found her inspiration in
the American Southwest, and she played a central role
in bringing the American art style to Europe.
Didrikson was an athlete who paved the way for
generations of women to come and is known for
breaking accepted models of femininity in her time.
She was most successful in golf, basketball, track and
field and won a gold medal in the 1932 Olympics.
Didrikson participated in three PGA (Professional
Golf Association) tournaments and was the first and
only woman in history to make the cut in a PGA Tour
event.
8. Audrey Hepburn
2. Anna Wintour
An obvious choice, Winfrey has been a household
name for over two decades. Now, with a magazine,
Sirius XM radio show, television show and an entire
television network that have shared her namesake,
Oprah has been called the richest African-American
of the 20th century. Some even call her the most
influential woman in the world.
status of working women and both supported and
worked as a delegate in the United Nations General
Assembly. She remained active in politics for the
rest of her life, and was even called “First Lady of the
World” by President Truman for her human rights
achievements.
Photos courtesy Google Images
Look for the UMKC Women’s Center’s events
around campus and throughout the metro during the
month of March in honor of Women’s History Month.
To find more information on these events, visit www.
umkc.edu/womenc/womenshistorymonth.asp. Also,
visit Ms. Magazine’s Live-Blogging Women’s History,
featuring a look back on women’s history each day,
www.msmagazine.com/blog/blog/author/daviddismore/ .
kvahsholtz@unews.com
A&E
8
Vol. 78, Issue 24
And the Oscar goes to...
Patricia Barra
Public Relations
On the red carpet:
The 83rd Academy Awards began with its famous red
carpet full of hits and misses of style.
Many actresses graced the red carpet with designer
dresses from previous years. Marisa Tomei wore a beautiful
1950s archive from Charles James. The color and ruffles at
the bottom looked great but I don’t think the dress was the
best fit for her body type.
The second attention-grabbing dress was worn by
Oscars host Anne Hathaway. Although she and James
Franco received mixed reviews as hosts, Hathaway gets top
marks for her red carpet look.
Hathaway wore a Valentino dress, which was archived
from 1981. It was beautiful on her, and the red dress was
perfect for the occasion. Rachel Zoe, her stylist, hit it on the
mark with this dress.
The third look of the night was Calvin Klein’s gold dress
on actress and singer Gwyneth Paltrow. It fit her body
perfectly and looked perfect during her performance at the
awards.
The fourth show-stopping dress belonged to Natalie
Portman. The vibrant purple dress, a Rodarte silk chiffon
gown, showed off her baby bump.
The last memorable look of the night was Sandra
Bullock’s red dress. Vera Wang made magic with the dress,
and it made Bullock stand out.
There were big hits and big disappoiments. Helena
Bonham Carter’s dress looked like an appearance from a
medieval queen. Oscar-nominee confidence makes her a
best dressed in my book, but the dress was truly ugly.
The show:
The opening of the show was hilarious. It followed
Franco and Hathaway through all the popular movies
learning how to be great hosts (obviously it did not help).
This year’s Oscars featured more tributes to movies,
actors and directors than previous years. I had many
favorites.
My favorite tribute was about past winners of
Achievement in Art Direction and Achievement in
Cinematography. The two movies chosen were “Titanic”
and “Gone with the Wind.”
I have to admit I teared up seeing the tribute to “Titanic.”
My second favorite was before the presentation of Best
Original Song. The tribute was to the “Star Wars” and “ET”
themes.
My last favorite was a tribute to legendary AfricanAmerican actress Lena Horne. Celine Dion sang during
her tribute and Halle Berry presented it.
My favorite part was the last slide with one of her famous
quotes, “It’s not the load that breaks you down. It’s how
you carry it.”
Overall, I was not impressed with Franco and Hathaway.
Franco looked bored and uninterested and Hathaway
acted like an annoying cheerleader. It was sad to see such a
poor job being done.
The most hilarious moment was Melissa Leo dropping
the F-word mid-acceptance speech for Best
Supporting Actress.
Co-star Christian Bale even made a joke
about it in his acceptance speech for Best
Supporting Actor.
Here are the main award winners:
• Best Actor in leading role: Colin Firth “The
King’s Speech”
• Best Actress in leading role: Natalie Portman
“Black Swan’’
• Best Supporting Actor: Christian Bale “The
Fighter’’
• Best Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo “The
Fighter’’
• Best Motion Picture: “The King’s Speech”
• Best Animated Film: “Toy Story 3”
• Best Adapted Screenplay: “The Social Network”
• Achievement in Film Editing: “The Social Network”
• Achievement in Cinematography:
“Inception”
• Achievement in Visual Effects: “Inception”
pbarra@unews.com
Photo courtesy Google Images
C.D. reviews
D.R.U.G.S. and
DevilDriver
D.R.U.G.S.
Mark Linville
Photo courtesy thisisdrugs.com
DevilDriver
News Editor
Sex, ‘D.R.U.G.S.’ and Rock &
Roll
The debut album of the rock group known as
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows or D.R.U.G.S.
presents a modern sound that is reminiscent of
metal and alternative genres.
“We can’t express how excited and proud we
are to release our new album,” the band posted on
their website.
This fusion sounds similar to groups like the
Used, AFI and Story of the Year.
D.R.U.G.S formed in 2009 and is made up
of former members from groups like; Chiodos,
Matchbook Romance, From First to Last and
Story of the Year.
Front man Craig Owens formed the band after
leaving Chiodos.
“Blessings often come in disguise, and the
formation of Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows
(D.R.U.G.S.) is a perfect example of how the
ending of one experience can be a transformative
stepping-stone toward something greater,” A press
release at the bands record label website, www.
decaydance.com says.
The album D.R.U.G.S presents a youthful
sound that would appeal to the younger high
school and college-aged listeners.
Each song starts with an excellent guitar riff
which leads to explosive vocals from Owens.
The sound of D.R.U.G.S presents a harmony of
drums, guitar and bass. They also throw in a few
unexpected sounds from an orchestra, acoustic
guitar and some electronic sound.
The lyrics of each song are very honest, explicit,
and very true to life experiences.
Most of their songs pertain to relationships,
friends, family and the general bad experiences
of life.
Despite the lyrics, the general feel of the album
is somewhat positive. It’s the type of music one
would listen to when mad or upset and somehow
are better after listening.
Buy your copy at www.thisisdrugs.com
Photo courtesy devildriver.com
DevilDriver release the
‘Beast’
This heavy metal group from Santa Barbara,
Calif. has been recording since 2003.
“For us, it’s been a constant growth, musically,”
front man Dez Fafara said.
The release of “Beast” marks their fifth studio
album.
“DevilDriver tear[s] their way through heavy
metal again with ‘Beast,’ the band’s fifth album for
Roadrunner Records,” says www.devildriver.com.
This album immediately sends heavy beats and
guitar riffs to your ears as the music begins to play
like a thunderstorm of hardcore metal.
Did I mention the guitar riffs? They’re
awesome.
What’s unique about “Beast” is each song has
its own sound.
Each track begins with fresh riffs and
instrumentals, and like true metal leads you to the
in-your-face vocals of Fafara.
Fafara’s screaming and growling may come off
obnoxious at first, but as the music rolls on, you
tend to get used to him.
You may find DevilDriver’s sound to be similar
to groups like other Roadrunner artists Killswitch
Engage and Chimaira.
“Beast” does a nice job in staying true to the
traditional metal sound, and not that hair band
metal that haunted the earth in the 1980s and
1990s.
One drawback to “Beast” is it may sound too
similar to other metal groups and music released
in the past decade.
However, despite the likeness of others,
DevilDriver hammers their music into your
music player, whatever it may be these days, and
makes you wish you listened to metal a lot sooner.
To check out DevilDriver, and order your copy
of “Beast,” please visit www.devildriver.com.
mlinville@unews.com
A&E
March 7, 2011
9
All Around Town
Your weekly Kansas City
neighborhood guide
Crown Center, Union Station and Liberty Memorial
Nathan Zoschke
Copy Editor/Asst. Production Manager
Whenever I hear the words “Crown Center,”
my head fills with images of screaming kids
running through fountains, the Crayola Café and
bizarre stores selling overpriced, gaudy-looking
cat sweaters and mugs.
All that aside, Crown Center is actually pretty
cool.
It started as the ambitious urban renewal
project of Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark
Cards (the name Crown Center is a reference to
the Hallmark logo, a gold crown).
In its entirety, the Crown Center complex
features several hotels, offices, condos,
restaurants, shops, theaters and the headquarters
of Hallmark Cards, which offers free tours of the
card-making process at the Hallmark Visitors
Center, located inside the Crown Center Shops,
at 2450 Grand Blvd.
Here are other places to check out inside
Crown Center and nearby:
Hall’s
Envisioned as a national department store
chain, Hall’s has remained local with only two
stores, at Crown Center and on the Country
Club Plaza. The Crown Center location tends to
carry a lot of the clearance merchandise from the
Plaza store and is a goldmine for those looking
for high-end designer brands for less.
Crown Center Theatres
The Coterie, Off Center and American
Heartland Theatres are all located in Crown
Center and offer high-quality live productions.
The American Heartland Theatre hosts Douglas
Cohen’s off-Broadway musical comedy “No Way
to Treat a Lady” March 4-April 17. Off Center
features “In Trousers” March 11-26.
The Screenland Crown Center, a recent
addition, has added film to the mix, and features
a full-service bar. For more information, visit
www.crowncenter.com and www.screenland.com.
Sea Life Aquarium
A recently-announced $15 million addition
to Crown Center will open in spring 2012. The
Sea Life Aquarium will be 50,000 square feet and
will open on the first and second floors of Crown
Center.
National World War I Museum
The National World War I Museum, located at
Liberty Memorial in Penn Valley Park, is the only
World War I museum in the U.S. Here, one can
find restored aircraft, cannons, guns, shrapnel
and military vehicles from World War I.
The museum is highly-interactive and offers
a series of trenches with ground level views
that accurately portray the horrors of one of
the deadliest wars in history. The National
World War I Museum is as entertaining as it is
informative.
To top it off, visitors can ride an elevator to
the top of Liberty Memorial Tower, which offers
panoramic skyline views. Admission to the
museum, which includes a two-day pass, is $10
for students with an I.D.
The trails around Liberty Memorial that
overlook the skyline are also great for biking and
jogging.
Keyhole gallery presents:
‘Big Brother is watching...
& he’s bored’
Cameras at the Keyhole gallery fed a live video stream online of the First Friday gallery
opening ‘Big Brother is watching... & he’s bored.’
Photo by Kate Lawler
Union Station
A monumental
relic from the glory
days of rail travel,
Union Station sat in a
sad, dilapidated state
for years until voters
approved a bi-state
initiative for its reuse in the 1990s.
Unfortunately, Kansas City still
struggles to find new uses for the station,
which has been in the black only two
years since its reopening.
The captivating architecture of Union
Station alone makes it worth the visit. For
years, the ornate, hand-painted ceilings in
the lobby were covered with smoke from
trains.
Visitors who hear echoes reverberate
off the marble in the station’s grand halls
can’t help but wonder what it would have
been like to be a passenger in the station’s
glory days.
Today, Union Station features Amtrak
Union Station, at 30 W. Pershing Road.
service, several restaurants, exhibits from Top:
Above: Liberty Memorial, across the street from
the Kansas City Museum, the KC Railroad Union Station.
Photos by Nathan Zoschke
Experience, Science City and numerous
traveling exhibits.
“Diana, a celebration,” runs March 4-June
display every year on Memorial Day. This event,
12 and offers visitors a close look at the life of the known as Celebration at the Station, is packed
late princess of Wales. Tickets are $10.
and a must-see regardless of one’s affinity to
For more information, visit www.unionstation. fireworks and symphony music.
org.
For more information, visit www.
Union Station also holds an outdoor concert celebrationatthestation.com.
by the Kansas City Symphony and fireworks
nzoschke@unews.com
Kate Lawler
Production Manager
The hallways of The Keyhole Gallery, located at
1903 Wyandotte in the Crossroads, were littered
with “Big brother is watching…and he’s bored”
flyers throughout the evening of March 4 for
their First Friday Mardi Gras celebration “The
Gatecrashers Ball.”
The exhibit featured photographs from local
artists and collaborating members of Camera
Krewe Kansas City (CKKC, Camera Krewe) Roger
Goldblatt, Fred Trease, Bryan Lloyd, Linda Teeter,
Noshaba Bakht, Ken Mountain, Brenda Phillips,
Katrina Wilson, J.W. Helkenberg, Jessica Logsdon
and Joseph Maino.
Though its focus was on still images, The Keyhole
collaborated with SVOBODA KC to broadcast
the event in a series of live streams throughout the
evening.
According to curator and UMKC alumna Jessica
Logsdon, taking still with live images created
a performance art aspect which added to the
atmosphere of the evening.
The Keyhole puts on events like “The
Gatecrashers Ball” with its main objective in mind.
“We don’t filter anything,” Logsdon said. “We
don’t cater to anyone to increase dialogue, which
leads to more complex shows.”
Though “The Gate Crashers Ball” was in
celebration of Mardi Gras, the photography
exhibited wasn’t specific to the theme. Some pieces
featured elements of New Orleans, La. fashion,
while others ranged anywhere from Kansas City
graffiti to portraits, still life and snapshots.
Because looking at a photograph is a voyeuristic
act, the Big Brother element highlighted human
nature’s propensity to peer into privacies, by
peering into our own interactions, mannerisms and
reactions.
The Keyhole participates in First Fridays and also
features musicians, performers and live painting
competitions throughout the year.
To view footage from “The Gate Crashers Ball”
visit http://svobodakc.blogspot.com/.
klawler@unews.com
A&E
10
Word up
Jillian Schleiden
Depression
I'll pull up my feet
and wait, crouched
in the astral tower of
my polar city.
You've gone away with
your fleet, sweet-creamed
sails pulling you windward,
southern-bound.
Left love leaves no loneliness,
though, when one has been
love-terrified from first kiss,
a novice beginning,
biting the clenched fistit may be novel.
When the snowbirds
land for lovely introspection,
quiet air-lent thoughts
give satisfaction,
give pause.
Caught in their claws:
a telescope,
with which to see far
to your far awayness,
last hope.
In the end of the beginning
a sickness developed.
The impossible trust,
an utter lack of reality,
circulation sapping
imagination.
How I could vomit
out your sickness.
How I could light
my fever to
incinerate your misperceptions,
your ill-planned appellations.
Look through my lens. See:
Copy Editor
What relieved resignation
to wander those morose halls
of pallor, a palace under
covers in our snow-bed.
I have relief
in clarity,
now you've gone.
Stay sweltered,
young lover, my
kodak bear gone
goosed.
_____________
Sir Gawain
You don't even know,
you don't even knowcome on, let go
of all those blowing winds,
the cattle lowing,
imaginary friends.
We halved our half-baked schemes in my car.
Monte trawling our semicivilized city tar.
And the jazz bands were moaning in fake old
bars,
and the tires were humming, "you liar, you
liar."
The valley became a cauldron of
rainbowed rhododendrons,
snarling scraggily
'gainst any penetration.
You, my tired knight,
loomed curiously at the brink,
searching for a shaft of sunlight
in which to sit and think.
You settled yourself sadly on a fallen frond.
Slid slickly quickly down beyondcrashed through bowed branches,
came to rest in a pond,
at the bottom of my dale beloved.
Fractal love, flitting
and flipping into
shattered spinning pieces.
How the flowers wept
at their broken arms.
I swept and I swept
piles of given harms.
By the rainbow mind’s eye's
production may I divide
the broken sun.
Silken tears of every shade
fell over your muddled armor
the velveteen blanket
hiding your tarnished soul.
With mathematical fingers,
prick apart the parts
I detest:
an equation to break
the necessary way of
progression.
Watch me, lover, pluck
out the pains you required.
We will be partially perfect.
And at your blistered station,
you know.
We all love the auroral
catacombs of sadness.
"No one will have you now!"
the flowers cry,
beat you back from their branched bowers;
their first defense gone awry.
I will not lift you out,
captive rider,
with my raincloud arms.
You will not leave,
punishment indeed,
for an absentminded adventurer.
The town progresses soundly,
not needing wild saving,
your historied misbehaving.
Do you have creative writing under 500 words? Submit yours to A&E Editor Sarah Ashlock at
sashlock@unews.com and your work could be featured in “Word up.”
Vol. 78, Issue 24
Students view
classic films on
the big screen
Kate Lawler
Production Manager
What do samurais, donkeys, illusions and
nightmares have in common? They are all
key elements to the collaboration of UMKC’s
department of Film and Media Arts and the Tivoli
theater’s “Great Directors Series.”
The series promotes experiencing classic films
from some of the world’s leading directors in theater.
Screenings begin with an introduction discussing
the series, film, director and themes presented.
The series kicked off with “Kegemusha” on
March 3, a film by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa,
responsible for such films as “Seven Samurai,”
“Yojimbo,” and “High and Low.” Kurosawa won the
Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1950 for “Rashomon,”
and continues to entertain audiences around the
world despite his death in 1998.
Screenings run through March. They feature five
titles chosen to honor creativity and innovation.
The second film in the series, “Belle De Jour,” will
run on March 8 at 6:30 p.m. A film by Luis Beñuel,
this 1967 classic blurs the line between reality and
fantasy.
Federico Fellini’s “8 ½” runs on March 15 at
6:30 p.m. The film follows a director working on a
project while it and his life fall apart.
“Au Hasard Balthazar,” from director Robert
Benson, shows on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. The 1966
classic follows the life of “Balthazar” the donkey as
he is passed from kind to cruel owners.
The last screening, on March 29 at 6:30 p.m.,
presents “Hour of the Wolf.” The 1966 horror
directed by Ingmar Bergman documents an artist
haunted by his past.
Tickets are available the day of the show only
and are $5 for general public but free to UMKC
students with a valid student ID.
For more information, visit www.tivolikc.com.
klawler@unews.com
A&E
March 7, 2011
11
Professor profile:
Dr. Thomas Poe
Matt Davis
Staff Writer
Associate professor Dr. Thomas Poe, demonstrates that sometimes big changes pay off for the
better.
“While I totally loved teaching in the area of
religious studies and wanted to continue to do so,
I also realized that entering the 1980s there was a
narrowing window of opportunities to do so outside of self-identified church-related colleges and
universities,” Poe explained.
Poe was originally a religious studies professor
at Southwest Missouri State University, where he
also served as a campus chaplain amid the leftleaning religious climate surrounding Vietnam
War protests.
But before he picked his next subject to pursue
graduate school, he consulted a career counselor.
Poe came into counseling with practical needs, expecting to find a professional-level job so he could
make a decent living.
“He said some things to at least consider [are]
the things you do when you’re not at work that
you like doing,” Poe said.
At Southwest Missouri State, Poe facilitated extracurricular film screenings for students. He told
the counselor he enjoyed studying film.
After asking the counselor if he thought there
was a way he could make money working with
film, he made a statement Poe has never forgotten.
“He said if you can figure out how to get someone to pay you money for doing what [you could
do] for free, you will never work a day in your life,”
Poe recalled.
Thus he chose a path in film theory and has
now worked in the film program at UMKC for
nearly 30 years.
He has seen the film program evolve drastically
from his early days on campus due to the widespread availability of home videos and DVDs.
“There was not much development in film
studies outside of New York City and L.A.,” Poe
said of his career’s beginnings. This was due to
the fact students studying in the biggest cities had
greater access to film screenings and art-house
cinema.
“I knew that it was going to transform teaching
and students’ experiences when VHS tapes were
created,” Poe said. “Suddenly, all of these things
could be shown.”
Now the blossoming film program at UMKC
features classes on subjects ranging from Alfred
Hitchcock to medicine and film to film noir.Many
students particularly enjoy the classes he teaches,
including UMKC Film Studies major senior and
Film studies Associate Professor Dr. Thomas Poe.
U-News Photo/Sports Editor, Kevin Bryce.
“His knowledge of films is so vast,” Bryce said.
“And not only has he seen it all, he loves it all
which is so evident in his classes.”
Bryce, who described Poe as welcoming and
friendly, said he considers him one of his favorite
professors.
“I came into UMKC not really interested in old
movies,” Bryce said. “He just completely turned
my idea of old movies on its head.”
Save the date
Sarah Ashlock
Monday, March 7
A&E Editor
• EveryBODY is Beautiful Week 2011 tables: Student Union, 11
a.m.-1 p.m. A celebration appropriate for Women’s History Month,
the Counseling Center, Women’s Center and UMKC Body Image
Committee is sponsoring an all-week event called “Operation Beautiful.” There will be tables in the Student Union with information
and supplies. Campus members are invited to write positive body
image affirmations on sticky notes and post them on the mirrors in
restrooms around campus.
• EveryBODY is Beautiful Week 2011 Speaker: Plaza Library, 6:30
p.m. Susan Bordo will discuss “What did Anne Boleyn Really Look
Like?” as a way to examine the difference between real images of
women and the pop culture representation of them. Contact Arzie
Umali at 816-235-5577 for more information. This event is free.
• Terrance Hayes Poetry Reading: Katz Hall room 101, 7 p.m.
Hayes is the renowned author of “Lighthead” which won the National Book Award for Poetry, “Wind in a Box,” and “Hip Logic”
which won the 2001 National Poetry Series.
• Dr. Salman Akhtar Lecture: Katz Hall room 101, 12-1 p.m. Dr.
Akhtar will be discussing “The Healing Power of Poetry.” He is Pro-
fessor of Psychiatry at Jefferson Medical College and Training and
Supervising Analyst at Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. He
is a highly sought-after public speaker and has spoken to Harvard,
Yale, Brown and even the United Nations. He has published more
than 30 books and has won numerous awards.
• R.E.A.C.H. (Reaching out, Empowering, Acting at Community
high schools, Help students get real and get motivated): Area high
schools. The Multicultural Student Affairs and Admissions Office is
sponsoring an event focused on the community. Give 45 minutes
of your time at a local high school and engage students in the importance of academics and what it takes to be successful in college.
Contact Veronica Castro for more information.
Tuesday, March 8
• EveryBODY is Beautiful Week 2011 tables: University Center,
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• EveryBODY is Beautiful Week 2011 “Rock Who You Are!” fashion show: Student Union Room 401AD, 7 p.m.
• Spring 2011 Graduation Fair: UMKC Bookstore, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Get 10 percent off your purchase of graduation regalia and diploma
frames. Representatives from Jostens Class Rings and CB graduation announcements will be present to take orders.
• In the Land of the Free: Student Union Theater, 6-8 p.m. Sponsored by the International Law Society and Co-sponsored by the
Photo by Matt Davis
Former Poe students have gone on to
prestigious graduate film programs at universities
such as the University of Southern California and
the University of Texas at Austin.
This is one of the reasons Poe continues to find
his opportunity to share his passion for film “really
gratifying.”
mdavis@unews.com
Midwest Innocence Project Student Organization, there will be a
screening of “In the Land of the Free,” a selection from the Human
Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival.
Wednesday, March 9
• EveryBODY is Beautiful Week 2011 tables: Royall Hall, 1-3 p.m.
Thursday, March 10
• Merle Haggard and Kris Kristofferson: Municipal Auditorium, 7
p.m. Tickets start at $45.50.
Friday, March 11
• B.o.B. and OneRepublic: Swinney Recreation Center, 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for UMKC students and $30 for the public.
• The Thirty Years’ War for Children Lecture: Miller Nichols Library Room 303, 12-1 p.m. Associate Professor of German at Kansas State University, Jennifer Askey will lecture on the work of Oskar
Hoker and Brigitte Augusti, who both wrote historical fiction for
German children during the 19th century. This event is free.
Saturday, March 12
• Women Doll Artists and Entrepreneurs: Toy and Miniature
Museum, 1:30-3 p.m. Mary Wheeler, collections coordinator at the
museum will discuss women doll artists. The lecture is free.
sashlock@unews.com
SPORTS
Team stands no matter what
12
Elijah Ringler
Contributing Writer
The UMKC women’s basketball team concluded
its season with a first-round loss in the Summit League
Championships in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Saturday.
Indiana-Purdue Ft. Wayne (IPFW) defeated the
Roos 68-53. UMKC entered the tournament as the
seventh seed; IPFW was the second seed.
UMKC took the lead midway through the first
half but the Mastadons went on a 14-2 run and took
a 33-26 lead into halftime. IPFW led by as many as 17
before closing out the victory.
Freshman Elise O’Conner led the Roos with 16
points. No other UMKC player finished in doubledigits. O’Conner and fellow freshman Hailey Houser
set or matched career-high in rebounds with eight
apiece. Junior Dayon Hall-Jones led UMKC with four
assists.
The Roos only shot 32.8 percent from the field
and were only 3-for-16 from three-point range. IPFW
had three players score in double-digits. UMKC had
defeated IPFW 80-71 just a week earlier.
Previously in the week, UMKC closed out its
regular season with a 63-61 loss to Oakland on
Monday, Feb. 28 at Swinney Recreation Center.
Junior LeAndrea Thomas led the Roos with 15 points
and four assists while sophomore Kim Nezianya
recorded a double-double, registering 10 points and
11 rebounds.
The game was close throughout with neither team
ever going up by more than nine. UMKC out-shot
(40 percent to 38 percent) and out-rebounded (38 to
35) Oakland but commited five more turnovers (17
to 12) and allowed the Golden Grizzlies to make half
of their three-point attempts (7-of-14).
O’Conner struggled early but stepped up in the
clutch, hitting a pair of free throws and a three-pointer
in the final two minutes to give UMKC a 61-60 lead
with 58 seconds remaining. O’Conner had been
held scoreless until then and the points were the last
UMKC would score on the night.
The end was decided by free throws. A questionable
call sent Oakland to the line for two made shots. The
Roos then had two chances as well, but missed both
despite making 10-of-12 up until that point.
The Roos concluded the season with a 14-16
record. Only two seniors, Sam Sikkink and Janee
Williams, will be graduating from the squad.
eringler@unews.com
Team unites to win in Summit League
Vol. 78, Issue 24
Photo courtesy UMKC Athletics
Player of the Week:
Kevin Bryce
Ramon Nelson
Sports Editor/Photo Editor
Though sophomore Ramon Nelson holds the school record for
the indoor shotput, he hopes to claim the top spots for the discus and
weight throw before his college career ends.
But those aren’t his biggest goals.
“My real goal is to go to the nationals,” Nelson said, “I really want
to put UMKC on the map because I think we’re really underrated as
a team on a whole.”
Nelson has a unique recruitment story. He comes from a small
rural village in Jamaica called Linstead. The village is completely
different than a typical American town with its small roads, rich
vegetation and “little shops here and there.”
By the time Nelson was in high school, he saw coming to America
as fundamental in pursuing a career in shot put. But even by May of
his senior year, UMKC was nowhere on his radar.
“I would send out a lot of e-mails to just random schools because
I was getting desperate,” Nelson said. “Any schools I heard from were
continually turning me down.”
But a former high school classmate of Nelson’s threw him a line.
The classmate was throwing shot put at Missouri Baptist University
and sent Nelson one small lead.
Not a name or a number but an e-mail address for what Nelson
thought was the coach of Missouri Baptist.
“I had no idea what his name was because I was getting so
desperate, I just had an e-mail,” Nelson said.
So Nelson worded the email without letting on that he didn’t have
the coach’s name, included his high school distances and results.
“But when he responded, he said he was no longer at Missouri
Baptist,” Nelson said. “He’s at UMKC. At that time I had no idea what
the acronym was, I had no idea if it was a school or not.”
So after searching UMKC in Google, he discovered the place he
would move to in three short months.
Former track Coach Phil Groves was the name Nelson finally
learned in a phone conversation, along with learning the coach was
offering him a chance to come compete for the Roos.
So Nelson arrived to Kansas City and UMKC, not knowing what
he was getting into.
“I had no idea what it was like,” Nelson said. “I didn’t know that the
atmosphere could get so cold. Jackets, gloves, sweat pants, those were
just not in my wardrobe.”
The climate was a real culture shock for the then-freshman, and it
affected his athletics.
“Because since I’ve been here the climate change,” Nelson said,
“I was prone to a lot of injuries and now with the patience and the
dedication of the medical staff and the coaches I am where I am right
now.”
Despite the somewhat accidental arrival, Nelson is happy to be
here competing for the Roos. He appreciates the fact that the team is
in a rebuilding stage and sees it as a benefit.
“I didn’t already want to be a fully developed huge team because
I thought I’d always be lost and overlooked as far as coaching is
concerned,” Nelson said, “and the coach-athlete ratio is a lot better.”
“So my aim is [to] try to put UMKC on the map before I graduate,”
Nelson said.
Now, having adapted to the climate and spent a lot of time training
with coaches, it doesn’t seem all to out of reach.
kbryce@unews.com
Sophomore track member Ramon Nelson
Photo courtesy UMKC Athletics
March 7, 2011
Season so far...
SPORTS
Photo courtesy UMKC Athletics
13
Women’s tennis review
Elijah Ringler Contributing Writer
Luke Harman
Staff Writer
The softball team, currently 9-5 in their spring
schedule, began the season as fourth pick in the
Summit League pre-season poll.
After narrowly missing a Summit League
Championship play-off spot last season, the Roos
will look to go at least one step further as they aim to
conquer the initial bragging rights of their Summit
League competitors.
The Roos are off to a great start in the season with
a successful road trip to Hammond, La., in which they
defeated Jackson State, Southern, Nicholls State and
Southeastern Louisiana convincingly to claim the
2011 Lion Classic Tournament honors.
Along with the team’s reward, Megan Ussary
was named Summit League Play of the Week, while
Deanna Friese collected the Pitcher of the Week title.
Next up for the Gold and Blue ladies was another
road trip to Clarksville, Tenn., for the Austin Peay
Spring Classic.
After an opening day of defeats, the Roos bounced
back to beat Cleveland State and Ball State respectively
to give them a much more deserved 2-2 record for this
away trip.
Emily Ott was rewarded for her back-to-back 3-for3 games in the second day victories with the Summit
League Player of the Week award as her numbers for
the weekend were outstanding.
She hit at a .769 clip (10-for-13) with three
doubles, a triple, four RBIs, two stolen bases and one
run scored.
Ott said it was a weekend of play where “everything
just seemed to go right.”
Just last weekend, the Roos competed in the UCF/
Courtyard by Marriott Invitational II in Orlando,
Fla. They finished with a 3-2 record after opening
wins versus Maine, University of Central Florida and
University of North Florida, respectively.
The Lady Roos returned home briefly before
they again embarked on a road trip to St. Louis for
games against Missouri State, Southeast Missouri,
and the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) and
University of Missouri- St. Louis (UMSL) this past
weekend.
So far, the season has proved successful as the
team shapes up for Summit League Conference play
beginning Saturday, March 12, against North Dakota
State.
Behind the solid coaching of Head Coach Meredith
Smith and Assistant Coach Shanna Easley, the softball
team looks in good form to challenge for Summit
League honors this season.
Ott’s all-time UMKC history batting average of
.380 continues to impress, coupled with the great
season Ussary and Friese are having and added to
the outstanding performances of Kaelene Curry. The
Roos could well be in the hunt for glory in 2011.
lharman@unews.com
The UMKC women’s tennis team
struggled on back-to-back days during
the previous week, losing 6-1 to
Houston on Thursday at home and
falling 7-0 to Iowa State on Friday in
Ames, Iowa.
Sophomore Eva Dalvai scored the
Roos’ only point against Houston,
defeating Byrony Hunter (2-6, 7-6,
6-4) in the No.1 singles spot. The
doubles duo of sophomores Laura
Bouet and Suzan Lisenby earned an
8-1 victory in the No. 2 doubles spot,
but Iowa State won two out of the three
doubles matches to earn the point.
Bouet and Lisenby were able to
match their performance the next
day, defeating the Iowa State duo of
Marie-Christine Chartier and Jenna
Eva Dalvai
Photo courtesy UMKC Athletics
Langhorst. The results dropped
UMKC to 1-7 for the season.
The Roos competed against Bradley
on Sunday in Peoria, Ill., results were
not available as of press time. They will
travel to Lawrence to face Kansas on
Wednesday, March 9. UMKC begins
conference play against IUPUI in Las
Vegas on St. Patrick’s Day.
eringler@unews.com
Women’s golf review
Elijah Ringler
Contributing Writer
The women’s golf team opened its
2011 spring season at the American
Bank Islander Classic at the Corpus
Christi Country Club in Corpus
Christi, Texas, Feb. 28-March 1. The
Roos finished 11th out of 16 teams
after shooting a 953 (318-319-316),
falling only one shot behind 10thplace Texas Pan-American.
Sophomore Taylor Fisher shot
a 231 (81-75-75) to lead UMKC,
finishing tied for 26th place. Senior
Kati Scholten (38th) and junior
Taylor Fisher
Photo courtesy UMKC Athletics
Madison Maddox (42nd) were the
only other Roos to place in the top 50.
Summit League favorite Oral
Roberts won the team title. The
Golden Eagles’ Crystal Reeves was
the top individual medalist with a 218
(74-73-71).
eringler@unews.com
Events Schedule
Kevin Bryce
Men’s Tennis
Sports Editor/Photo Editor
Mar. 8
Mar. 12
Mar. 13
Kansas Nebraska
Saint Louis
Lawrence, Kan. Lincoln, Neb.
Kansas City, Mo.
3 p.m.
6 p.m.
2 p.m.
Mar. 9
Kansas
Lawrence, Kan.
3 p.m.
Mar. 12
Mar. 12
Mar. 13
Mar. 13
North Dakota State
North Dakota State
North Dakota State
Saint Louis
Lawrence, Kan. Lawrence, Kan.
Lawrence, Kan.
Kansas City, Mo.
1 p.m.
3 p.m.
Noon
2 p.m.
Women’s Tennis
Softball
Now hiring for 2011-12 School Year
Advertising Manager
Editor-in-Chief
Business/Distribution Manager
Your résumé and letter of intent is due by
March 31. Please e-mail info@unews.com.
14
Disclaimer
FORUM
Vol. 78, Issue 24
U-News is the official newspaper of UMKC, however, we remain an independent student newspaper. The views of individual writers do not represent the
publication or university as a whole. All university students are given an opportunity to join and participate in U-News.
Foreign language gains
Jacquelyn Hoermann Staff Writer
An American student steps off of an
international flight. The sun is shining in
Stockholm, but the student doesn’t hear English
echoing through the airport halls.
The student is immersed—more like
bombarded—with Swedish, German, French,
Japanese and a few other tongues never heard
before.
A deep breath and a Hail Mary send the
student up to the airport’s customer service desk.
A tall, blond Swede sweetly smiles back at the
student. “Hej hej!” she said. The student timidly
says, “I only speak English.”
With a melodic cadence the Swede quickly
responds, “Okay, how can I help you?”
When the Swedish attendant spoke English
to me, I felt secure again. But I dreaded the long
series of awkward cultural encounters to come.
Come they did not.
Why? Because many Swedish people speak
English.
And Finnish, and Norwegian, and German,
and French and probably a few others they didn’t
mention because they didn’t want to alienate the
American girl.
The same can be said for the Germans, the
Norwegians and even the Latvians I encountered.
Most of which were able to speak my first language
to me better than most Americans can.
Nothing will make you feel more intellectually
inferior than realizing Europeans have been
speaking multiple languages since childhood.
And after that, they learned a few more.
My biggest regret about studying abroad was
not learning the language of the country I was
studying in.
My study abroad experience opened my eyes
to the shortcomings of the American educational
philosophy.
To fulfill UMKC’s general education requirements I took Spanish.
Would I say I am a fluent Spanish speaker? I
was once. I’m out of practice now.
Do I wish I was fluent? Absolutely.
Letters to the editor
Hey Mark,
I read your article in U-News. The opening
paragraphs caught my attention because I was
literally inches away from getting hit by car this
last Feb. 14 around 9:30 a.m.
A woman in a red sedan sped around a line of
cars that were stopped for me at the crosswalk
between Miller Nichol’s and Katz [Rockhill
Road]. As I looked down in anticipation of
upcoming pot holes that are near the end of
the crosswalk she suddenly appeared out of
nowhere, bearing down on her horn, which may
have been what saved me.
Do you know if there are plans to improve
pedestrian safety at this location soon? I hear
that in other cities drivers will get a ticket if they
do not stop for a pedestrian who is standing on
the side of the road even if there is no crosswalk.
It would be nice to have that here, so we all
survive to graduate. Thanks for the article.
-Senior Peter Hahl
Mark’s response:
To answer this question, the university
has what is called the UMKC Parking and
Transportation Task Force, which released its
most recent report in 2009.
The report focuses on the issues regarding
mainly transportation, the fluidity of campus,
and the safe environment for everyone on
campus.
Here are a few statements taken from the
report.
“Walkability is a major incentive for people
on campus to walk to classes, meeting, lunch
and other activities, rather than driving and
incorporate walking as a part of their multi-modal
commute,” the report says. “UMKC scored an A
in categories of directness, completeness, visual
interests, and amenities, security with a B in the
category of the street crossing due to high motor
traffic volume.”
According to the report, the effectiveness of
the campus design can be seen to the North,
East, and the West, including both Oak and
Rockhill Streets.
“The campus was designed with walking
students in mind, providing wide sidewalks,
landscaping and visual amenities throughout,”
the report continues to read.
“Students, staff and visitors alike know that
I took Spanish because it is slowly encroaching
on English in America. Products have been
redesigned to include Spanish instructions.
Customer service telephone numbers offer
response options in Spanish.
The Hispanic American population is growing
at unprecedented rates.
I’m thrilled American-English has found a new
friend on the playground. It’s about time.
Of course, there are always going to be those
who feel otherwise.
For those who feel the pains of learning a
foreign language, I encourage you to look across
the pond.
Speaking to multilingual Europeans was my
reality check.
They know more than one language because
they interact with more than one culture, and they
don’t drag their feet about it.
Let’s anticipate what the critic is thinking,
“Americans don’t have to study foreign languages
because we don’t live on a small continent with
lots of different languages.”
Spare me.
The cultural and racial demographics of
American culture are changing and to avoid
accusations of bigotry we’ve got to change, too.
Critics of foreign language studies have labeled
it a waste of time, money and energy.
Perhaps it is a waste if you can’t see the value of
learning a foreign language right off the bat.
Look a little closer.
In a competitive world, the strong survive.
the greatest challenge is crossing the streets to
the adjacent areas of campus, except to the south
which is more residential and has less motor
traffic.”
At the time of the report, a plan was suggested
to update the campus for pedestrians by
observing the more problematic areas along
Volker Blvd.
The plan also gave three years for
incorporating walkability into Rockhill Road;
provide pedestrian refuge along Volker Blvd,
Brookside Blvd, Rockhill Road, and Troost Ave.
“As the campus continues to grow, the UMKC
Master Plan is placing even more emphasis on
pedestrian accessibility with plans to close street
traffic on 51st Street between Troost and Cherry
Streets,” the 2009 report says.
This report can be found at this link:
www.umkc.edu/adminfinance/parking/
images/pdfs/task%20force/Parking-andTransportation-Task-Force-Report-August-2009.
pdf.
For more safety tips and information, see Page
6 for Crime Prevention Officer Patrick Tedesco.
Students who can speak a foreign language
fluently will receive special preference from future
employers.
If scoring a job in today’s job market isn’t reason
enough, look no further than our globalized
community.
Try asking an English as a Second Language
(ESL) student about the value of learning a
foreign language.
I frequently work with ESL students at
UMKC’s Writing Center.
These students have taught me a lot about
other cultures and oftentimes they enjoy learning
about writing in a foreign language because they
realize the tremendous benefits that come with
learning a foreign language.
In 2007, the National Endowment for the Arts
conducted research on multilingual individuals.
The study showed that foreign language
learners were more successful academically,
more culturally aware, and received more
career opportunities than their monolingual
counterparts.
I can’t fathom a student wouldn’t thank his or
her lucky stars that UMKC has foreign language
requirements.
I am glad my university hasn’t let me off easy.
I am thrilled that the degree I will receive in
May isn’t a joke but a sparking addition to my
résumé.
jhoermann@unews.com
Mr. Linville,
I just caught a glimpse of your article on
pedestrian safety in the February 21 [issue of]
U-News.
I really feel you were remiss, especially with
pedestrian tips by not mentioning the excessive
use of phone texting by students.
They have no clue where they are and what is
meandering about them.
If students are getting struck by cars that often,
then it is not totally drivers [fault].
I was always taught to look both ways before
crossing the street.
Of course that was before the wonderful world
of texting and the addiction it has become.
Many a time I’ve driven through the parking lot
waiting to get past a student who has no idea that
they are blocking traffic. Next time you decide to write an article on
pedestrian safety you might want to caution
people to get a clue and “hang up,” so they can
watch where they’re going.
Just my two cents.
-Teresa L. Gipson,
Library Information Specialist II
FORUM
March 7, 2011
Hello, my name is ‘Kasim’
but you can call me ‘tonight’
Kasim Hardaway
Asst. News Editor
Did I gain your attention with the title?
Hopefully I did, it was my intention, I
worked really hard on it.
(Actually it was a friend’s Facebook status
that I so cleverly snatched).
Unfortunately, I won’t be re-telling tales of
my insanely promiscuous sex life as the title
hints to, frankly because it doesn’t exist.
However, I will be talking about something
just as juicy, that being…college relationships.
Relationships in college are very odd.
Personally I am a very reserved person, so
it’s very natural for me to want to be alone.
However, I do have plenty of friends in
college who are in relationships that I can
learn from. After a while, I started to see
distinct differences between some of my
friend’s relationships, and I have come up
with a classification system for them. I call it
CRABS: College Relationships Are BullS#!*.
The Off & On-ers:
They’re together and then they aren’t.
They take a break and try to think things
out then eventually get back together.
One person gets fed up with the
relationship, breaks it off, then somehow pulls
the other person back in.
The Off and On-ers come in various
ways but they are definitely out there. This
relationship classification is the most difficult
to be around, especially when they are “off.”
Everyone in their group of friends usually
has to choose a side and it just goes downhill
from there.
After you have chosen your side you not
only have to hear about the relationship
from the ‘team captain’ of your team but you
are most likely going to get it from the other
person in the relationship.
A couple of weeks down the line they’ll be
back together, snug and happy, until the cycle
repeats itself again and again and again.
For those of you in this situation, make it
a bit easier for your friends and try to work it
out beforehand. They were probably tired of
the off and on thing the third time you did it.
The Married Couple
They meet each other, and it is love at first
sight.
The relationship may have been carried
over from high school, but it’s not unusual to
see it develop in college.
It seems as though they have been together
forever, and you can never get them apart.
Everyone who knows them assumes they will
be getting married directly after college, or
may even elope on a whim.
Their relationship may be rocky sometimes
but it usually is all “nice and dandy.” References
to how many kids they plan to have doesn’t
freak them out at all, they welcome it in most
cases.
This category conflicts with my belief of
college dating, if you are going to date, test the
waters.
Why put so much time and effort into a
relationship at such a young age?
Do you know how many people are in the
world!
However, I still respect those who choose
to be in such extensive relationships, where I
am in life, I just don’t see why.
The Sleaze
Only the people interested in “getting
some” are interested in the Sleaze.
Everyone else doesn’t like him/her and
talks trash about them when they are not
around. Typically, the Sleaze is easy on the
eyes but lacking in the “dome1.” From the
word “Sleaze” itself, you can make a pretty
accurate assumption of what I associate with
the relationship classification: they get around
and it’s usually not a secret either.
Don’t feel bad. You think they feel bad
about getting around, doubtful.
Obviously, you are well aware that we are
capable of making our own choices, it’s called
free will and the Sleaze has it, too.
The “Prioritized”
I find the “Prioritized” to be the most
common amongst college students and my
friends. They’ll date every now and then, have
an occasional “hook up2,” usually are single
but may be in a relationship for a couple of
months but nothing too excessive.
I call it the “Prioritized” because they
usually have themselves in mind when they
make decisions.
They don’t care much for anything else
besides themselves.
Should we call it selfish, no… I rather call
it “Prioritized.”
In some cases, their priorities are in good
order. They are focused on school and their
success as a student.
For that I admire them, but by focusing so
much on yourself, it’s easy to get lost.
Where do I fall in these classifications?
I would say I am an outlier (lucky way out,
right?).
Many of you may also find yourself sharing
my stance. These (four) classifications are just
a majority of what I see in my circle of friends
and the people I have met during my college
career.
If you haven’t done so already, the next time
you are out with your friends sit back and see
where your friends fall, maybe you can come
up with your own classification system.
dome: brain, not the other ‘dome,’ ladies
and gents.
2
hook up: any intense physical contact.
khardaway@unews.com
15
Word on Campus
Johanna Poppel
Staff Writer
How do you relieve your
midterm stress?
Alec Kirchhoefer
Junior, Pharmacy
“Playing the FIFA 2011 video
game and eating tubed
holiday sugar cookies.”
Michael McDaniel
Sophomore, Philosophy
“I take a shower, I stretch and
I lay in my bed and read a
book.”
Kate Sanders
Freshman, Business
“The gym.”
Phillip Shinn
Junior, Theater
“Playing video games with
my friend Alec.”
1
Taylor Silvestro
Freshman, Theater
“I take a bubble bath and
watch a Broadway musical.”
Clarification from Issue 21
Jacquelyn Hoermann
Staff Writer
In clarification of my Issue 21 forum article:
To clarify, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth do not “conduct
entire masses.” In my interview with Sister Martha Mahoney, she said,
“sometimes the sisters conduct entire masses,” but we know now
that she was not being literal. In a follow-up conversation with Eucharistic Minister for the
SCN Community, Sister Maureen explained, “On Mondays
at Church, the priest cannot come. Since he cannot come
on Mondays, we don’t call it a mass. It’s called distributing
communion outside of mass. The Eucharist for the Holy
Communion was consecrated the Sunday before and is reserved
in the tabernacle. I distribute that.” jhoermann@unews.com
Jasmin Smith
Freshman, Psychology
“I sit in a quiet place, read
my Bible and listen to gospel
music.”
Poll question
Who do you think is the most
influential woman in history?
A. Oprah Winfrey
B. Eleanor Roosevelt
C. Hillary Clinton
D. Michelle Obama
E. Marie Curie
Go to unews.com and tell us your answer!
Last weeks poll results
What is your favorite part of March?
43% The spring weather
26% St. Patrick’s Day
17% Women’s History Month
14% March Madness
Mayor: Continued from page 2
James hasn’t had the same level of city hall
experience as Burke, although he has received
several high profile endorsements, including
Freedom Inc., which represents Kansas City’s
African-American community.
Both candidates agreed more than they
disagreed, appearing more as allies than political
opponents.
“Truth be told, we’ve both adopted a lot of
good ideas from each other,” James said. “And
that’s a good thing, because rather than get our
own ideas involved and claim ownership, we’re
both willing to look at ideas that will benefit the
city.”
Regardless of who is elected mayor on March
22, Burke and James both agree the other will play
a vital role in their administration.
Alcine encourages students to vote in the
election.
“For students, it’s really important for us to
go out and vote, because whoever our next city
council members are, they’re going to have to deal
with some really hard issues when it comes to the
economy,” Alcine said. “It’s important for students
and young adults to show that they do have power
in voting.”
For more information on Mike Burke and
Sly James, go to www.burke4kc.com and www.
slyjamesformayor.com.
For more information on the NAACP YAP
and YLP, go to www.naacpkcmo.org and www.
younglatinoprofessionals.com.
nzoschke@unews.com
Sudoku
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