UMN LAUNCHES LGBTQ ALUMNI NETWORK PAGE 2
MNDAILY.COM
EARLY WEEK MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019
SERVING THE UMN COMMUNITY SINCE 1900
FOOTBALL
GOPHERS GO 6-0
Minnesota defeated the Cornhuskers 34-7 to stay undefeated. BY NICK JUNGHEIM njungheim@mndaily.com
Although a strong contingency of Nebraska supporters traveled to Minneapolis, it was fans in maroon and gold who left cheering on a frigid Saturday night. Not snow, wind or the Cornhuskers’ defense could stop the Gophers who claimed a 34-7 victory. Minnesota (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) outplayed Nebraska (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) from start to finish. With the victory, the Gophers became bowl-eligible for the secondconsecutive year and secured their eighth-straight win overall, dating back to 2018.
“That’s a tough football team in there,” head coach P.J. Fleck said of his players. “That’s a mature football team. I don’t know what we’re going to be, you never know the future. Today, they showed their toughness.” Nebraska’s offense was hindered by injuries against the Gophers, missing several of its best players. Quarterback Adrian Martinez did not dress, giving sophomore Noah Vedral the start under center. Receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Week, left
Left: The Gophers run onto the field to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12. Top right: Running back Mohamed Ibrahim carries the ball for a big gain late in the fourth quarter. Bottom right: Wide receiver Tyler Johnson smiles after the Gophers score. (Sydni Rose and Parker Johnson / Minnesota Daily)
the game in the first half with an apparent lower body injury. Still, Fleck was pleased with his defense’s performance. “Defensively, lights out,” Fleck said. “We were all over the place. We only gave up one touchdown to a really high powered offense that’s really explosive, no matter who’s in the game.” Minnesota jumped out to the early lead on the team’s opening drive when quarterback Tanner Morgan threw a tunnel screen to receiver Chris Autman-Bell who scampered into the end zone.
STATE GOVT.
Nebraska moved the ball into Minnesota territory on its first three possessions but the Gophers defense forced a turnover on downs and two punts on those drives. In the second quarter, Minnesota moved the ball 80-yards on six plays, four of which were runs of 10 yards or more. Playing in his first game since Sept. 7 against Fresno State, redshirt sophomore Mohamed Ibrahim capped the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 14-0. u See FOOTBALL Page 4
ADMINISTRATION
Lawmakers weigh possible statewide net neutrality law Report says U After its repeal was upheld, U experts say state net neutrality law would be beneficial. BY MOHAMED IBRAHIM mibrahim@mndaily.com
After the Trump administration repealed net neutrality, state lawmakers are taking the issue into their own hands. A federal appeals court ruled on Oct. 1 to uphold the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality laws. But the decision did leave the door open for states to draft their own laws, which one House DFL lawmaker is attempting to carry out next session. Net neutrality prevents internet service providers from blocking access or slowing down service to any site on the basis of content. Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, said net
ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH MAI, DAILY
neutrality laws limit the influence these providers would have on internet users. “This is the consumer protection issue of our day,” Stephenson said. “These internet service providers have the power to decide what you see when you open your browser — the power
DINING
that they have to shape our society, economy, culture [and] politics is unrivaled.” Stephenson introduced a bill in the Legislature last session that would have prohibited internet service providers from blocking or limiting service. It would have also prevented the state of
Minnesota from doing business with providers that do not behave in a net neutral way. The bill passed in the DFLcontrolled House but stalled in the Senate after Republicans argued net neutrality legislation is not the state’s responsibility, but a federal issue. Stephenson said the FCC ruling negates that defense but still expects opposition to legislation he may introduce next session. “We’ll keep trying to persuade our friends in the Senate that this is the right way to go [and] that Minnesota consumers deserve to be protected, but it will still be an uphill battle,” Stephenson said. Joseph Konstan, a University of Minnesota computer science and engineering professor, said at a hearing in the House commerce committee last session that it might not be necessary
BY SAMANTHA HENDRICKSON shendricksonw@mndaily.com
In response to the Minnesota Student Association’s advocacy for healthier dining options on campus, local restaurant chain Crisp & Green is trying to collaborate with University of Minnesota students regarding healthy eating. After reading about student concerns with current University dining, Lily Smith, a University graduate and co-founder of Crisp & Green, called the undergraduate student government to be more involved with the University. Last week, the Board of Regents approved an up to two-year extension with the disputed food contractor Aramark. During this time, the University will consider its options: continue its relationship with Aramark, choose a new food
contractor or become self-operated. Because there is uncertainty surrounding the University’s dining future, Smith said she is hopeful to address healthy-eating concerns by collaborating with students. “Being somebody who was involved in student government myself, I thought that I should probably reach out to [MSA] on what we could possibly do here to offer [healthy food] to students,” Smith said. Smith stated that in the beginning of 2019, Crisp & Green reached out to the University about participating in FlexDine, a program that allows meal plan holders and other individuals to purchase money for an account to be used at campus dining locations. Current FlexDine-accepting locations at the University, like Panda Express, Chick-fil-A and Starbucks, are owned by Aramark. Revenue from sales using FlexDine go directly to Aramark, with u See CRISP & GREEN Page 3
u See TEAMSTERS Page 3
u See DATA REVIEW Page 3
Teamsters Local 320 members stand present at an MSA forum to support a resolution drafted in support of workers on Tuesday, Oct. 8. (Nur B. Adam / Minnesota Daily)
U student government passes resolution to support unions
BY NIAMH COOMEY ncoomey@mndaily.com The Minnesota Student Association passed a resolution in
BY DYLAN ANDERSON danderson@mndaily.com
support of the Teamsters Local 320 labor union last week, showing solidarity for workers on campus as contract negotiations continue. Several unions on campus are in negotiations with the University of Minnesota this fall. Union members from the
u See NET NEUTRALIT Y Page 3
STUDENT GOVT.
Teamsters Local 320, a campus workers union, is currently negotiating contracts with UMN.
The University could ask the legislature to amend the state’s open records law, per the new report.
The University of Minnesota could be better at producing public records when requested and has outlined ways to improve how it turns over records to the public, a new report says. The Data Practices Review was triggered after the University admitted to the mishandling of email disclosures, the Star Tribune reported in July. The review, conducted by the University’s general counsel, shows a steep increase in data requests in recent years, both from media outlets and the public. The report, dated Oct.1, outlines what the University is already doing to better its public records production and suggests other improvements such as ensuring staff are more knowledgeable about records responsibilities. The University could also look to lobby the Minnesota Legislature to amend the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the state law governing public records. Since the 2009 fiscal year, formal data requests to the University have increased by almost 300 percent. In the 2009 fiscal year it received 214 requests. Last fiscal year it was 830. Between April and September of 2019, the Minnesota Daily submitted 76 requests, the most of any media organization over that time. It took on average about 85 days for the University to close a request in the 2017 fiscal year. That was reduced to about 40 days for the most recent fiscal year. For requests since July 1 of this year, that is down to about 15 days. In an emailed statement, President Joan Gabel said the report offered a “thoughtful and thorough analysis” about how the University handles public records requests. “I am confident this review and the actions that result will help us to improve, while also further strengthening practices that are
Dinkytown’s Crisp & Green looks to collaborate with UMN Crisp & Green, a local chain, is working with MSA to promote healthy eating to UMN students.
should bolster public data unit
VOLUME 120 ISSUE 13
2
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019
MN DAILY
EXTENDED WEATHER FORECAST MONDAY TUESDAY 49° 45° 41° 38° Partly cloudy
Daily Review
MNDAILY.COM
Showers
WEDNESDAY 45° 35° Cloudy
THURSDAY 54° 45° Mostly sunny
FRIDAY 63° 46°
Mostly cloudy
Monday, October 14, 2019 Vol. 120 No. 13
An Independent Student Newspaper, Founded in 1900. 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 450, Minneapolis, MN 55414
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Phone: (612) 627-4080 Fax: (612) 435-5865
1964 Martin Luther King, Jr. wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
Copyright © 2019 The Minnesota Daily. This newspaper, its design and its contents are copyrighted.
HISTORYCHANNEL.COM/TDIH
Inquiry impacts class climate Professors consider how to discuss the impeachment inquiry in classes. BY JASMINE SNOW jsnow@mndaily.com
As classes begin to tackle conversations on impeachment, professors are w e i g h i n g h o w b e s t to incorporate current events into lesson plans. In light of the recent impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump launched by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, political science professors at the University of Minnesota are bracing for the impact these events will have on classroom climate. All students should have a chance to voice their opinion in the classroom, said Paul Goren, chair of the political science department at the University. Goren teaches a class on public opinion and polling. He said conservative students may feel uncomfortable giving their input in the more left-leaning environment that upper-level political science classrooms have to offer.
“[Conservative students] already know they’re kind of outnumbered numerically by their peers in class,” Goren said, “And so you need a strong individual. ... People who are numerical minorities often don’t speak up.” Goren takes a more clinical approach to his discussions, which he said helps keep partisanship out of his classroom. “We don’t get these passionate debates in class that might be interesting,” Goren said. “I try to focus a little more on kind of the science part more than the politics part. [It’s not] conservative versus liberal or Democrat or Republican. But instead ... we learn about whether voters make good decisions or bad decisions or are voters smart or are voters fools.” Political science professor Christopher Federico, who teaches a class focused on racial attitudes and party identification, tries to create a similar environment despite the more left-leaning environment in his upperlevel classrooms. “I try … [to] make it as clinical as possible,” he said. “It’s not an exercise in just talking about what I think is right or what anyone else thinks is right politically.
BY JIANG LI jli2@mndaily.com
Though the temperature plunged to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, about 60 University of Minnesota community members filled Urban Growler Brewing Company in St. Paul on Friday for the launch of a new University alumni network for LGBTQ individuals. The Pride Alumni Network, hosted by the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life and Pride at Work University of Minnesota, aims to create opportunities for LGBTQ students to maintain meaningful connections with the University and one another, said Saby Labor, director of Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life. During the event, which was held on National Coming Out Day, speakers discussed the history
of the LGBTQ community in Minnesota and the importance of maintaining it by establishing networks. Attendees gathered by round tables decorated with maroon and gold trinkets, sharing thoughts and enjoying appetizers. Steve Davis, the University Alumni Association’s director of affinity engagement, collaborated with other affinity networks to hold the event. “I am really excited [about] building that connection for the [LGBTQ] community because it is something that I feel like it is a good establishment to build and create a relationship with the students,” Davis said. Minneapolis and St. Paul were among the first cities to provide certain protections for LGBTQ individuals. In 1975, Minneapolis passed an ordinance preventing discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, making it the first city in the country to do so. C la ss of 1977 al um nus and LGBTQ advocate
ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH MAI, DAILY
It’s a rundown of what empirical research says about what people believe about certain things.” But Federico sees an opportunity in the impeachment have a relevant conversation on politics and identity with students. “[The impeachment is] going to be an opportunity,” Federico said. “Party, race, religion and ideology — that’s going to make how we deal with impeachment
much more fraught and, perhaps, much more hostile than it was even during Watergate,” Michael Minta, a political science professor who teaches classes on congressional politics and advocacy, offers a different approach than Goren and Fedrico. He encourages more opinionated discussions and student input. “I let the students know to feel free to articulate
their concerns and views but that’s difficult,” Minta said. “I think students, from what I’ve been told in the past … are afraid [of] how they’re going to be viewed by their peers. I’m sure there are people … that are probably Republicans or against the impeachment. … They’re not going to say it in the classroom. No matter how much I tell students it’s OK, ... they’re not going to do it.”
Charlie Rounds was one of the speakers during the event. He said he attended the event with his husband Mark Hiemenz, who is also a University graduate. “The University is one of the leading universities on LGBT issues and yet we don’t have a very good LGBT alumni presence. So, tonight we want to change that,” Rounds said. Rounds said the event was only the beginning, and he expects the Pride Alumni Network to grow. Alumna Andrea Jenkins, vice president of the Minneapolis City Council and University adviser, said it was interesting to learn about how various alumni and different communities within the University are coming together to build a network. “I think it is really positive and poignant that today is National Coming Out Day, so to host this event on this day I think is really powerful,” Jenkins said. “You know, we always have to keep in mind equity, no matter what space we are in and how that’s
BY FARRAH MINA fmina@mndaily.com
B e f o r e m o v i n g f ro m India to the United States, University of Minnesota student Isha Mody said her biggest concern was class registration. Mody, like the majority of international students, attended one of the last freshman orientation groups in August. When she browsed classes on Schedule Builder in late July, prior to her arrival in Minnesota, Mody said she panicked. She thought she was not going to get an y of t h e c l as s es she wanted because, by that time, several classes were
already at full capacity. This issue has appeared in student satisfaction surveys, said Beth Lingren Clark, associate vice provost for strategic enrollment initiatives. After attending orientation, students fill out an orientation evaluation which asks if they are satisfied with the course schedule they end up with. Past survey results indicated that international students had lower satisfaction with the registration process compared with other students, Clark said. The highest satisfaction ratings came from students who attended June registration groups. “I understand the ine q u i t y a ro u n d a c c e s s , ” C l a rk s a i d . “ . . . W e ’ v e been working with [International Student and Scholar Services]
to think about ways to explore that registration satisfaction process.” Staff at ISSS and the Office of Undergraduate Education are discussing conducting listening sessions this semester to gain more insight about international student experiences. “We are discussing using the information from surveys to further explore student experiences and what strategies we could use to make improvements,” a statement from ISSS read. Though some departments hold seats and release them throughout the summer, some students in later orientation groups still struggle to find open seats in their desired classes. Mody, who is a firstyear psychology major,
=
=
EDITORIAL BOARD Ariana Wilson Editorials & Opinions Editor awilson@mndaily.com BUSINESS Jacob Kenyon Sales Manager jkenyon@mndaily.com Tiffany Welty Assistant Sales Manager twelty@mndaily.com David Keane Controller dkeane@mndaily.com Chelsea Goetz Creative Director cgoetz@mndaily.com =
=
=
Cathy Berlin talks to other University alumni at the Urban Growler Brewing Company for the Pride Alumni Network Launch on Friday, Oct. 11. (Sydni Rose / Minnesota Daily)
being demonstrated with our actions.” Davis said as the network moves forward, they will try to be vigilant about creating a sustainability plan for the alumni networks. Music education senior Haruka Yukioka, the outreach manager of the Queer Student Cultural Center, said it’s important for current students and student groups to draw on the experiences and talents of alumni and to
remember that they are not alone. “It is a great step for queer [University] connected folks. Students now know that there is somewhere to go for support,” Yukioka said. “Alumni know that there are folks they can talk to to share their experiences. This is a great initiative.” Editor’s note: Haruka Yukioka serves as a student director on the Minnesota Daily’s Board of Directors.
Class registration is difficult for late orientation groups Students attending August orientation struggle to get seats in classes.
EDITORIAL STAFF Max Chao Managing Editor mchao@mndaily.com Desmond Kamas Managing Production Editor dkamas@mndaily.com Michelle Griffith Campus Activities Editor mgriffith@mndaily.com Katrina Pross Campus Administration Editor kpross@mndaily.com Madeline Deninger City Editor mdeninger@mndaily.com Audrey Kennedy Features & Freelance Editor akennedy@mndaily.com Paul Hodowanic Sports Editor phodowanic@mndaily.com Nick Jungheim Assistant Sports Editor njungheim@mndaily.com Liv Martin A&E Editor omartin@mndaily.com Jack Rodgers Multimedia Editor jrodgers@mndaily.com Emily Martens Copy Desk Chief emartens@mndaily.com Cate Tynjala Assistant Copy Desk Chief ctynjala@mndaily.com Creston Halstead Chief Page Designer chalstead@mndaily.com Morgan La Casse Visuals Editor mlacasse@mndaily.com =
U launches new LGBTQ alumni network The network aims to create opportunities for students to connect.
OFFICE OF THE PUBLISHER Cleo Krejci Editor-in-Chief ckrejci@mndaily.com (612)-227-5914 Kyle Stumpf Business Operations Officer kstumpf@mndaily.com (612)-435-5772 Charlie Weaver General Manager gm@mndaily.com (612)-435-5657
had been eyeing a microeconomics course last summer, which quickly filled up. This was a particular source of stress for her, as she had been considering adding a second major in economics. “I was so stressed about it,” Mody said. “I was like, ‘I’m not going to get any of the classes I want.’” Like Mody, international student Yara Ghazal also registered for classes in August and struggled as a result. Though Ghazal prefers in-person classes, her schedule includes an online class and a hybrid one that meets in person once a week. “[The online class] is a required course to be able to declare my major in the spring, so I had to complete it,” Ghazal said. Ghazal, who describes
herself as a planner, said she had already put together her schedule prior to attending orientation. She said her current schedule looks completely different than what she had planned because of the traffic on classes. When it came to smaller classes like honors and freshman seminars, Ghazal and Mody said it was especially difficult to find open spots within the 15 to 20 seats available per seminar. The seminars that interested them were already filled by the time they got to register. “There were a lot of other things that were stressful, but the main thing I was stressed about was I’m coming here for education. If I don’t get the classes I want, then what am I going to do?” Mody said.
Correction: A previous version of “Medical School switches to a new ‘house’ system” incorrectly stated that the new house system is only for third-year medical students. It is for all medical students. The Minnesota Daily strives for complete accuracy and corrects its errors immediately. Corrections and clarifications will always be printed in this space. If you believe the Daily has printed a factual error, please call the readers’ representative at (612) 627–4070, extension 3057, or email errors@mndaily.com immediately. The Minnesota Daily is a legally independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and is a student-written and student-managed newspaper for the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus. The Daily’s mission is: 1) to provide coverage of news and events affecting the University community; 2) to provide a forum for the communication and exchange of ideas for the University community; 3) to provide educational training and experience to University students in all areas of newspaper operations; and 4) to operate a fiscally responsible organization to ensure its ability to serve the University in the future. The Daily is a member of the Minnesota News Council, the Minnesota Associated Press, the Associated Collegiate Press, The Minnesota Newspaper Association and other organizations. The Daily is published Monday and Thursday during the regular school year and weekly during the summer, and it is printed by ECM Publishers in Princeton, Minn. Midwest News Service distributes the 10,000 issues biweekly. All Minnesota Daily inserts are recyclable within the University of Minnesota program and are at least 6 percent consumer waste. U.S. Postal Service: 351–480.
3
Monday, October 14, 2019
University members concerned about birds dying after flying into windows The Office of Sustainability doesn’t keep track of bird collisions. BY GWIWON JASON NAM gnam@mndaily.com
ILLUSTRATION BY HAILEE SCHIEVELBEIN, DAILY
Data review u from Page 1
already working well in line with our overall commitment to transparency and accountability,” Gabel said in the statement. One of the report’s recommendations is to approach the state to potentially amend current law to “provide some protection for public institutions from undue burden.” The records law includes limits on what type of information the University is required to produce, though it does not allow a request to be denied because production of specific records would be strenuous. “I see this as problematic because who decides when a request is either frivolous or burdensome?” said Jane Kirtley, a professor of media law at the University’s journalism school. Kirtley questioned what leads to these requests being burdensome: Is it the lack of systems in place to produce records responsively? Is it a lack of expertise when handling requests? Is it because requests are too broad? The report acknowledges all three as potential roadblocks. While some information
Net neutrality u from Page 1
to regulate internet service providers’ behavior because competition between companies may prevent them from changing the way they distribute their service. This would allow the market to fix itself. At the same time, the absence of competition in rural areas where there is only one internet service provider could hurt consumers, he said.
is maintained centrally, requests often require individual departments or units to produce records. In some cases, there may be few individuals with access to the information, causing delays. The report also outlines a need to better train University employees on their legal duties when it comes to producing records in their control. Broad requests are difficult for the University to fulfill as they could require a slew of information not clearly defined. When requesters are unfamiliar with the structure of the University, they may struggle to know how to request the information they desire. Compounding this, the report says that getting clarification is sometimes difficult, as requesters may be slow to respond when asked for clarification. Email requests are particularly challenging as they are often complicated, having several keywords that turn up information unrelated to the request. When these requests are made, employees have to search their own email accounts to produce data. The reports says this can lead to information that is beyond the scope of the request and “it becomes
a tedious task to remove all nonresponsive material.” In some cases, the University will have the Office of Information Technology go into an employee’s email account and retrieve requested emails, but often it is the staff member’s responsibility to comb through their emails. Regent Michael Hsu said he thinks it is problematic to have staff search their own emails when they are the subject of a request, as it is up to their discretion of what is relevant to the request. Hsu speculated that if there was an important email someone didn’t want to get out, they could just not turn it in. He would rather have the Office of Information Technology retrieve employee emails. While the University could lobby the state to change the law, Hsu said he does not think that a request being difficult to produce is enough to deny a record. “Obviously it’s tough,” Hsu said. “But I think that to say we’re not going to not fulfill something because it is too burdensome, it’s very subjective.”
University media law professor Christopher Terry said net neutrality somewhat fixes that market failure. “It resolves the issues that competition itself is supposed to resolve because throughout the United States, there are large sections where there is only one broadband provider available,” Terry said. “It’s not an over burdensome regulation by any stretch of the imagination.” Terry said he thinks the partisan divide between the
two chambers of the Legislature will prevent any net neutrality legislation from passing next session. At the federal level, he also expects legal battles and challenges to the FCC’s repeal to continue going forward, he said. “We had a workable plan that withstood constitutional scrutiny that everybody understood,” Terry said. “To repeal that order … was just an unnecessary exercise in a lot of ways and it’s going to lead this 20 more years of confusion.”
Joe Kelly contributed to this report.
Teamsters u from Page 1
Teamsters and AFSCME Local 3800 have shown up to demonstrate at recent events on campus, such as President Joan Gabel’s inauguration, to voice their discontent with how negotiations are going. MSA members voted in favor of the resolution, which primarily serves as a statement of support for the Teamsters. MSA Representative to the Student Senate Consultative Committee Austin Berger, who authored the resolution, said he wanted to show support because of the service Teamsters provide to students through their jobs in food service and maintenance. “I think this will be a show of solidarity and a show of gratitude,” Berger said. The resolution garnered support from Rep. Mohamud Noor, DFL- Minneapolis, Students for a Democratic Society, Women for Political Change and the College Republicans, among others. There was some disagreement between members on whether it was MSA’s place to comment on issues of pending negotiations between employees and the University. One of the points in the resolution says Gabel declined a meeting with the Teamsters in lieu of their ongoing negotiations. Some MSA members expressed concern that this aspect of the resolution would strain their relationship with the Office of the President. Teamsters Vice President Curt Swenson, as well as Berger, noted that the Teamsters requested an introductory meeting, not an
Austin Berger speaks at an MSA forum on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Berger is the author of a resolution that shows solidarity for Teamsters Local 320. (Nur B. Adam / Minnesota Daily)
opportunity to speak with Gabel about negotiations. “We’re not trying to supersede negotiations or anything, we’re just trying to say, ‘Hey, welcome to the U,’” he said. With the majority of the MSA forum body in favor, the resolution passed. Teamsters Communications Director Gus Froemke said he hopes the resolution will demonstrate to Gabel and her office that there is support for service workers on campus. “This is amazing, this is historic. We have never received a vote of solidarity before from the students. It’s just incredible, and this is something that I think will change the dynamics in negotiations,” he said. Berger said that supporting labor unions is typically seen as a more liberal concern, but that this is not necessarily the case. “It’s becoming slowly … more of a generally agreed upon thing that we should treat workers with dignity, that we should empower unions to protect workers,” he said. Addison Scufsa, the MSA representative for College
Republicans, said leaving economic issues, such as worker pay, out of the resolution helped garner support from groups with differing opinions. “I think it was a well-crafted bill, and I’m glad to see that the campus community can get together on certain things even if we have disagreements on a wide range of issues,” he said. Swenson said he hopes the resolution shows there can be a mutually beneficial relationship between students and workers. “I think the students have to understand, you know, we’re not an enemy of them. We’re actually there to help them and support them,” he said. “I think this opportunity just shows we can find common bond[s] and help each other out.” Berger also noted MSA’s legislative priority to move toward self-operated dining in the future, saying that building a relationship with the Teamsters will be beneficial for both groups. The Teamsters have several upcoming negotiation meetings set with the University, Swenson said, and one that occurred last week.
Birds flying into windows and dying is something that occurs almost daily in the summer and fall months, according to Bridget Nieto, an employee at the University of Minnesota’s Cancer and Cardiovascular Research Building . Nieto, an area supervisor for the University’s Research Animal Resources, has contacted various building coordinators over the last couple of years about “bird-strike deaths,” hoping to show that the issue needs to be addressed. Nieto has contacted building management in the past but says nothing has been done. “We do occasionally hear from University community members about birds that have hit buildings and died as a result of that impact,” said Shane Stennes, the University’s director of sustainability. Stennes said the University usually gets notified about these incidents from a student or employee, and they often call the Facilities Management call center to report the dead bird. Then, the University’s Land Care department often gets dispatched to go pick up the bird’s carcass and then remove it from the building area. “What we do as a Univer-
Crisp & Green u from Page 1
commission paid to the University. Crisp & Green was denied, Smith said, on account of the program being “filled up” and Crisp & Green’s Dinkytown location “technically not being on campus.” She said she hopes that with MSA, they can find other ways to make Crisp & Green more accessible to people in the community. “When it comes to healthy and nutritious options, campus has been underserved for quite some time. Crisp & Green provides convenient and delicious options for everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences and restrictions,” said Kris Humphries, franchise partner and former Gopher basketball star, in a statement to the Minnesota Daily. Some students at the
sity to minimize the amount of time that that happens is that we, in all of our new construction, follow a sustainable building guideline called B3 — Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond,” Stennes said. It’s a set of guidelines published by the State of Minnesota for sustainability and new construction, according to Stennes. “Those guidelines are guidelines about how to make buildings more safe for birds, and so we incorporate that bird-safe building guidance in the construction of new buildings on campus,” Stennes said. The Office of Sustainability doesn’t maintain a record of how many bird collisions happen at each campus. Stennes said they have seen some decreases in the number of bird deaths. “It doesn’t usually go to zero. But it does usually decrease when we take some steps. But trying to address an existing facility is often complicated because it’s not always the same solution or the same approach that works for every building,” Stennes said. “It’s more anecdotal in nature, that we receive fewer calls and fewer concerns from people about birds striking windows after we’ve implemented certain strategies on certain buildings.” Karen Collins, a team manager of Facilities Management’s St. Paul District Team 2, has worked with various people over the last few years trying to get some solutions for a couple of problem areas
where birds fly into windows. “During migration usually, it’s sometimes hard to really pinpoint where the problems are exactly. And if what we did, is this really helping, or is it just they’re not coming this year? So I think we’ve had some challenges just figuring out where is the best place to really concentrate on their areas,” Collins said. Nieto argues that there has been an overall decline in the bird population and needless deaths associated with window strikes hit the population even harder. “The birds fly into them because they only see the reflection of habitat and think they are flying forward but instead smack into the window, then they fall to the ground and that impact is what usually kills them,” Nieto said. There are things that occupants in the building can do to help minimize that, according to Stennes. “Things like turning off lights in the building at night, especially during this time of year when birds are migrating through the MinneapolisSt. Paul area,” Stennes said. Stennes said the University is taking steps to reduce the number of collisions. “Every situation is unique. The University’s a big campus with over 280 buildings, so it’s an ongoing process given our size and our scope and something that we’re always trying to improve on and learn from to figure out how we can do better.”
Dinkytown restaurant expressed their love of the healthy options on a fastfood-crowded campus, but also said the high prices are concerning. “I think it’s a good addition to the campus area … there’s nothing other than this that’s really fresh and healthy and easy-access,” said economics major Sophia Urbaniak. “[The price range] is a little bit high, but … you eat crappy for four years straight, then it’s gonna affect you hard when you get out of college.” Recent University graduate Jazamyn Young stated that she wished she was more aware of Crisp & Green during her time as a student, and though “spendy” and a little far from campus, she loves the chain. Smith acknowledged the loftier prices for the menu items, but noted that high prices equals high quality. “There’s a cost to
[healthy ingredients], but we want students to leave here being like, ‘That felt worth it to me,’ because of that fact that I know what I’m putting in my body,” Smith said. Regarding meetings between Crisp & Green and MSA, Levi O’Tool, MSA’s Campus Life Committee chair, said that while the contact extension still has to go through its cycle, MSA and Smith spoke about what they can work on in the meantime. MSA and Crisp & Green are working together to discuss options like an oncampus drop-off location for menu items ordered ahead of time, as well as more student awareness to discounts from the Crisp & Green loyalty program and free community fitness events. “What really came across in our meeting was how invested [Crisp & Green is] in students,” O’Tool said.
4
Sports
MNDAILY.COM
MN DAILY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019
FOOTBALL
Left, Gopher fans cheer at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12. Center, running back Shannon Brooks carries the ball. Right, Goldy is lifted into the air by Minnesota cheer leaders. (Sydni Rose / Minnesota Daily)
GOPHERS GO 6-0 Minnesota’s rushing attack Football u from Page 1
Following a 332-yard performance against Illinois last week, the Gophers once again moved the ball on the ground at will on Saturday. Redshirt senior Rodney Smith led the way with 18 carries for 139 yards while Shannon Brooks contributed 99 yards on 13 rushes. Ibrahim also had an effective evening with 84 yards on 15 attempts. “The running back position is tough when you have to tackle three different guys,” Smith said. “It was fun, we had fun tonight. It was exciting.” Not long after halftime, Minnesota added on to its lead. Morgan found senior Tyler Johnson for a 45-yard catch and run off of play action on the first play from scrimmage after the intermission. Four plays later, Ibrahim gave the Gophers a 21-0 lead as he carried defenders across the goal line for his second touchdown of the game. Another methodical drive at the end of the third quarter ended with a oneyard Smith touchdown off a direct snap which gave Minnesota a 28-0 lead. After a Nebraska three-and-out, Morgan hit Johnson for 45 yards again and Ibrahim tacked on another touchdown to give the Gophers six more points.
Early in the fourth quarter, Nebraska scored a touchdown which was the first time the Gophers defense allowed an opponent to reach the end zone since the fourth quarter of their Big Ten opener against Purdue. Overall, Minnesota’s defense turned in another dominant performance. The Gophers sacked Nebraska quarterbacks four times and senior Kamal Martin had a game-high 15 tackles. “A lot of it is just the other 10 guys around me,” Martin said. “They’re in the right spot, I’m in the right spot and the play will fall out to somebody. Whoever is there has to make the play. Next week, the Gophers have a favorable matchup as they travel to Piscataway, New Jersey to play 1-5 Rutgers. In Big Ten play this season, the Scarlet Knights have been outscored 165-7. That doesn’t mean the undefeated Gophers are taking their upcoming opponents lightly. “We’ll prepare for those guys just like we do each and every team,” Smith said. “We have the utmost respect because they have a lot of athletes as well and they’re a good football team. They’re struggling right now but in the Big Ten you can lose any week. You just have to prepare and respect your opponent.”
secures win against Nebraska The Gophers had 220 yards rushing in the first two quarters alone. BY JOHN MILLER jmiller@mndaily.com
The Gophers found the weak point of the Nebraska defense on Saturday night, and they never stopped attacking it as they took down the Cornhuskers 34-7. After averaging 6.4 yards per carry on 52 rushes for 332 yards against Illinois last week, it’s hard to imagine a better game than that on the ground for the Gopher offense. Cue Saturday’s performance. On a day where the game time temperature felt like 28 degrees with gusting winds and sleet, the Gophers needed their rushing attack to start off hot. “That’s the kind of weather we love here in Minnesota,” Fleck said. “We prepared for it all week. I’m really proud of our players and how hard they played in it.” With a healthy stable of running backs on hand with the return of sophomore Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota found success against the No.81 ranked rush defense. The Gophers
finished with 322 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. “All three of us out there is tough for defenses and we know that,” running back Rodney Smith said about the top three running backs being healthy. “It’s always good when you have fresh bodies at the running back position. It’s tough when you have to tackle three different guys.” On the second play from scrimmage for the Gopher offense, Smith set the tone with a 35-yard rush to get Minnesota inside the Nebraska 30-yard line. Minnesota capped off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell. In the first half Minnesota had five rushes that went for 15 yards or more and nine rushes that went for over 10 yards. At the half, the Gophers had amassed 220 yards on the ground. It only took them 23 carries to get there. Playing off the success the run game had in the first half allowed the Gophers to utilize playaction and trick the defensive backs on the first play of the half. Quarterback Tanner Morgan found wide receiver Rashod Bateman for a 45-yard strike to put Minnesota deep into
Cornhusker territory. The drive would be capped off by Ibrahim’s second rushing touchdown of the day to put Minnesota up 21-0. If there was any hope for Nebraska to come back, Smith ended it when he scored on a one-yard touchdown run to put the Gophers up 28-0 with less than four minutes to go in the third quarter. The Gophers went back to the play action attack on the next series as Morgan faked the handoff, once again holding the defensive backs in place, leaving a wide open Tyler Johnson for a 45-yard catch to put Minnesota down at the Nebraska 1-yard line. Ibrahim punched in his third touchdown run of the day a play later. Smith finished as the team’s leading rusher, gaining 139 yards on the ground and one touchdown to go along with it, his third straight game over 100 yards rushing. Close behind him, Shannon Brooks came up one yard shy of his second straight game with 100 yards on the ground. “They put all their yards into a bucket,” Fleck said about the selflessness of the running back room. ”That running back room enjoys being around each other and that’s why they
MINNESOTA’S RUSHING YARDS OPPONENT South Dakota State Fresno State Georgia Southern Purdue Illinois Nebraska
RUSHING YDS 132 146 93 92 332 322
SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM
play so well collectively, they don’t care who goes in the game.” It’s been a long time since the Gophers had their top three running backs available to play together. This was the first time that Smith, Brooks and Ibrahim played together, which proved difficult for the Nebraska defense. “We have three running backs that are capable of being an All-Big Ten performers that anybody in our league would like to have,” said offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca on Wednesday. The team now stands at 6-0 with two favorable match-ups against Rutgers and Maryland the next two weeks. With bowl eligibility locked up, the Gophers are hoping there are bright things to come this season. “I believed that this team could be special and we are special,” Smith said.
MEN’S HOCKEY
Gophers make comeback to split opening weekend at Colorado College After losing on Friday, Minnesota came back from a two-goal deficit.
Forward Sammy Walker eyes the puck during the game against the University of Minnesota Duluth on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 at Mariucci Arena. (Minnesota Daily File Photo)
BY JULIANNA LANDIS jlandis@mndaily.com
The Gophers opened their season in quick fashion against the Colorado College Tigers on Friday. Assisted by Joey Marooney and Garrett Wait, senior captain Tyler Nanne scored just two minutes into the first period. Minnesota was able to maintain the lead until the third period, even with Colorado College outshooting the Gophers all night, but a late three-goal third period charge was too much for the Gophers to overcome, losing 3-2 on Friday. The Gophers’ penalty kill was put to the test throughout the game, with the Tigers getting a man advantage five times. They were able to stop all power play efforts from Colorado College in the first two periods, but the game took a turn after Colorado College’s Chris Wilkie scored as a penalty on Jackson Lacombe for roughing expired. The goal marked the beginning of a scoring flurry for both teams, as the score changed from 1-0 to a 2-2 tie in the span of three minutes. With five minutes
remaining, Colorado College was able to secure the first game of the series with a goal from Edina native Ben Copeland. “It was a crazy first game, you just don’t want to lose it the way we lost it,” Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko told Gopher Sports. “We just weren’t able to close it out.” Junior goaltender Jack LaFontaine played all three periods Friday, posting 28 saves. Saturday’s game started much like the first, but this time it was Colorado College that scored in the opening
minutes as forward Andrew Gaus netted his first of the season. The Gophers outshot the Tigers in the first period 21-13, but just after a Colorado College power play expired, with three minutes remaining in the period, Wilkie scored his third goal of the weekend to put the Gophers down 2-0. Coming back in the second period, Minnesota found themselves on the power play. Halfway through the man advantage, sophomore Sampo Ranta scored his first goal of the season and first Minnesota power play goal
of the weekend, cutting the Tigers’ lead to 2-1. Ranta nearly scored another as a Minnesota power play ended in the 13th minute, but his shot rang off the pipe. Moments later, Grant Cruikshank scored after exiting the penalty box to extend the Colorado College lead to 3-1. Minnesota had a chance to chip away at the deficit when Connor Mayer went to the box to give the Gophers another power play with just three minutes left in the period. Just ten seconds in, captain
Sammy Walker scored with assists by Nathan Burke and Brannon McManus. The Gophers carried the momentum after the power play ended to score again 28 seconds later — this time, Walker and fellow captain Nanne assisted on Matt Staudacher’s first goal of the season. The Gophers had dug themselves out of a two-goal deficit, but they still had work to do in the third period. In its biggest test of the weekend, Minnesota would have to go on the kill for five minutes after Walker received a major penalty and
a game misconduct after he made head contact with a Colorado College player on a check. With the 10-minute misconduct on top of the five-minute penalty, Walker left the game, and Marooney served the five minutes in his place. Motzko said that with so much practice on the penalty kill, the team took a positive step in that area of their play this weekend. Minnesota not only killed the penalty, but Blake McLaughlin scored, assisted by Wait and Jonny Sorensen, to put the Gophers ahead 4-3. They held on to the lead to split their opening weekend with Colorado College, who they had not played since the WCHA realigned in 2013. “You saw a little bit of everything, but overall I liked how we played all weekend,” Motzko told Gopher Sports. “We found some offense, and that’s what we needed to do.” Minnesota will return to 3M Arena at Mariucci on Oct. 18 for a series against Niagara.
MEN’S HOCKEY RESULTS
FRIDAY Minnesota Colorado
SATURDAY Minnesota Colorado
1 1 0
2 0 0
3 1 3
FINAL 2 3
1 0 2
2 3 1
3 1 0
FINAL 4 3
SOURCE: GOPHERSPORTS.COM
5
MNDAILY.COM
MN DAILY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019
PHOTOGRAPHY
Student photographer explores black masculinity and fragility “Black Masculinity: Narratives and the Power They Hold” is on view at Coffman Second Floor Gallery until Feb. 2. BY KSENIA GORINSHTEYN kgorinshteyn@mndaily.com
White tulle is draped over a black man’s head, creating a veil over his face. The strength in his stance is softened by a smile. Lucy Owiredu, a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in public health at the University of Minnesota, stands proudly in front of the photo as it appears on a slideshow. This is only one of many photos Owiredu took for what started as a class project but became much more. “It was just the perfect opportunity to be able to take something that was important to me and just sort of run with it,” Owiredu said. The resulting project, “Black Masculinity: Narratives & The Power They Hold,” offers a counternarrative that values vulnerability and fragility in black bodies. Owiredu began research for “Black Masculinity” during the fall 2018 semester while taking the “Literature and Public Life” class at the University. When she finally came to the idea, she found models on Instagram and spaces to take the photos. At this point, Owiredu had only been doing photography for about a year or two. “The photos are very simple, and I was able to have my own voice in them,” she said. Tulle is used in some of the photos, as well as a mirror. Both are elements of femininity which contrast with a masculine subject.
Photographer Lucy Owiredu, right, and one of her models offer a counternarrative to society’s portrayal of black masculinity at Coffman Union on Thursday, Oct. 10. (Jasmin Kemp / Minnesota Daily)
“I see the vulnerability and her deciding to show that part of herself,” said Owiredu’s sister, Georgeanne Owiredu. “She’s not a black man, but there’s that common thread of blackness there. You can see the rawness of this and who she is and what she’s really about.” The way that Owiredu juxtaposes gentleness with strength in these black-andwhite photos has to do with the concept of armor. In the written portion of
the work, Owiredu writes, “When stripped of the power and ownership over the telling of your own story … that strength becomes a necessity — armour.” The three models in “Black Masculinity” were interviewed by Owiredu to accompany the photos. The conversations she had with them were about their experiences as black men and any narratives that they felt were forced on them by society.
“I lie in the many dimensions of a black man,” said Taoheed Bayo, one of the models in the project and a math major at the University. “As a black man, we’re seen as this rigid, aggressive, almost inanimate object. But on the contrary, we have feelings. We have emotions.” The photos have minimal props and embrace rawness for a purpose. Owiredu didn’t want any gimmicks — she wanted their stories to be told as authentically as possible.
“I think it was just central to the whole project to be able to just be ourselves,” Owiredu said. “[The models] weren’t expected to be performative in any way, they didn’t have to be this caricature of who they are.” In addition to the photos, Owiredu wrote a 12-page essay on the topic of black masculinity, which she hopes to get published academically, in tandem with her photos. “With issues of identity, there isn’t a lot of work that’s
being published,” Owiredu said. “If someone wants to do a school project and they’re only allowed to use sources that are published, this could be their proof.”
“Black Masculinity: Narratives & The Power They Hold” Oct. 10 – Feb. 2 Coffman Union Second Floor Gallery, 300 Washington Ave. SE, Minneapolis Free
ART
All My Relations Arts Director Angela Two Stars, left, poses for a portrait during the “Coffee with the Curator” event at the All My Relations Arts Gallery on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Right, visitors interact with the exhibit. (Sydni Rose / Minnesota Daily)
“Changing Horizons” spotlights Native identity The art exhibition will be on view at All My Relations Arts and Two Rivers Gallery through the first week of November. BY KSENIA GORINSHTEYN kgorinshteyn@mndaily.com
When Angela Two Stars began her gallery tour at All My Relations Arts, she mentioned something unique about the current exhibition, “Changing Horizons.” It’s Native art, and it has everything to do with identity, but you probably wouldn’t know it unless someone told you, she said. The exhibition is in celebration of artist George
Morrison’s 100th birthday. Morrison, who worked alongside Jackson Pollock and Michael Cline, was an inspiration for many Native American artists nationwide. It was carefully curated to represent pieces inspired by Morrison’s art, as well as artwork that represents modern-day Native American art. “I wanted to contemplate those experiences he had as an artist,” Two Stars said. “His work didn’t fit into either art world at the time. It wasn’t Native enough for Native art exhibits, but he wasn’t receiving the same attention as his contemporaries.” Morrison created visual art that centered on the idea of the horizon and its significance in the Native
American community. “When we speak about our art, it’s definitely part of us and that comes out in the art,” said Tamara Aupaumut, co-curator of the exhibition. “I think it’s hard to not have your culture show through your art.” Morrison was not only an inspiration, but a mentor to some artists. “He was a teacher and an inspiration for Native artists to do work that was not typical Indian art,” said Morrison’s son, Briand Morrison. “We’re talking about Indian art being pictures of feathers and birds and horses and that kind of thing.” These preconceived notions of Native art can be seen in many museums across the country. These pieces, although
representative of some aspects of Native art and life, don’t capture the full spectrum of Native American identity. “I brought up one of his more popular quotes where he said that he was an artist who happened to be an Indian,” Aupaumut said. “That conversation is very common in our community and so we just wanted to put that out there.” One of the walls displays an oil and collage on canvas by Reyna Hernandez. It depicts several bodies with their faces obscured. On another wall, there is a colorful abstract portrait of George Morrison by artist Frank Big Bear. A primary goal of Two Stars’ as the new curator of All My Relations Arts is to
bring attention to problems that the Native community is facing. “I want to explore the stories of my culture, but through this contemporary lens,” Two Stars said. “Changing Horizons” is not Two Stars’ first curated exhibition. She brought together “Bring Her Home” at All My Relations Arts in spring 2018, which focused on missing and murdered Indigenous women. “There’s a lot of issues that we are able to address as artists,” Two Stars said. “We want to share that with a community that may not be aware of those issues and are able to come and be exposed to that which our community knows very well.” The two gallery spaces that “Changing Horizons”
inhabits generate different viewing experiences, but they share one message. “Native artists are still dealing with those similar issues and complex identity dilemmas,” Two Stars said. “People project their assumptions of what Native art should look like, and we kind of want to push back against that imposed narrative and create dialogue on that experience.”
“Changing Horizons”
Sept. 9 – Nov. 1 at All My Relations Arts, Sept. 20 – Nov. 8 at Two Rivers Gallery All My Relations Arts, 1414 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis and Two Rivers Gallery, 1530 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis Free
6 MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019
COLUMN
MN DAILY
MNDAILY.COM
Editorials & Opinions
What about whataboutism’s advantages?
Ever have a political conversation where so many fingers are pointed that it’s unclear which direction the discussion was heading in the first place?
M
Caroline Skoog ost of us have columnist engaged in conversations deflated by the prongs of “whataboutism,” or at least can identify the device when we see it. Recently defined in the Oxford dictionary as “the technique or
practice of responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counteraccusation or raising a different issue,” the term “whataboutism” has risen in popularity in both political discourse and everyday conversation. The rhetorical device is often associated with Soviet Union propaganda techniques used during the Cold War, which pointed to U.S. hypocrisy in their treatment of African Americans. However, the concept is not in the least bit uniquely Russian, as convenient as that would be for critics of Trumps’ relationship with Putin. Whataboutism was originally used by Sean O’Conaill in a 1974 publication of The Irish Times, referring to the “Whatabouts” with regards to “people who answer every condemnation of the Provisional IRA with an argument to prove the greater immorality of the ‘enemy’.” To delve even further, the Romans had their own word for it as well: “tu quoque,” meaning “you, also” in Latin. Even without a definition, though, the basis of whataboutism falls in line with people’s general instinct to remain consistent or follow a coherent line of logic. The term and technique are everywhere, and when identified, it’s typically met with harsh scrutiny. For instance, in a 2017 interview, Bill O’Reilly stated “but he’s a killer”
regarding the president’s relationship to Vladamir Putin. Trump replied, “There are a lot of killers. You think our country’s so innocent?” Roasted! Criticism terminated; another big win for big man Trump. Following the interview, NPR published an article titled “Trump Embraces One Of Russia’s Favorite Propaganda Tactics — Whataboutism.” Blast. Score, NPR. Just as whataboutism can be employed to silence a valid point or criticism, so can the identification of it. Trump was actually right about the blood on our country’s hands, although I don’t think his intention was to slam American exceptionalism, rather to distract from the matter at hand. Sometimes whatabouters accidentally raise a valid point. Like conservatives who challenge critics of Trump’s immigration policies. “Well, what about Obama’s record amount of deportation?” Yeah, those are despicable too. Or those who bring up Bill Clinton in reaction to critics of how Trump treats women; yes, these are both bad. Nevertheless, the technique is frequently (and irrationally) abused. For example, 16-year-old climate change activist Greta Thunberg endures substantial scrutiny from climate change skeptics: right-wing media personalities and Reddit users. Conservative commentator Dinesh D’Souza attempted to
whatabout her activism by comparing her blue-eyed and braided pigtail appearance to Nazi propaganda. Way to fight the good fight, D’Souza. Whataboutism tends to be criticized as a method of removing the nuances of a situation, deflecting attention from the issue at hand and dismissing any possibility of moral judgement on the grounds of hypocrisy. The pot calling the kettle black, if you will. But isn’t recognizing with the duplicity of one’s own argument – to recognize the contradiction between their morals and actions – effectively adding nuance? If whataboutism intends to call out previous deviations from moral standards, it can be a valuable reckoning of context. How else are we to understand our current circumstances without understanding the moral failings in our history? When Obama’s deportation numbers come up in political discussion, it doesn’t deflect the center of the issue: it just reinforces that the U.S. government has always been shameful. Writing off these additional talking points as propagandic whataboutisms stifles actual reflection. In this sense, scorning whataboutisms is a propaganda technique in and of itself. Caroline Skoog welcomes comments at cskoog@mndaily.com.
EDITORIAL
Legislation is necessary for the protection of LGBTQ workers The Supreme Court only has the right to interpret the law, and regardless of their decision, LGBTQ workers will still be vulnerable.
O
n Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Supreme Court heard three cases regardi n g w o rk p l a c e d i s c r i m i n a t i o n against LGBT employees. Fifty-two percent of adults who identify as LGBTQ live in states where it’s legal for employers to discriminate based on sexuality or
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Does the University value free speech?
gender identity. Currently, there are no federal protections for LGBTQ workers. The Supreme Court will make a decision by June about whether or not sexuality or gender identification falls under Title XII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says workplace discrimination is illegal on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. The Supreme Court must decide whether the category of “sex” includes gender identity or sexual orientation. The Supreme Court only has the right to interpret the law as written, not create laws. Conservative justice Samuel Alito says that the Court should not expand the definition of sex, or they will be acting as the legislature. The cases are not destined to fail, however. The four liberal judges on the court will likely support including sexual orientation and gender identity within the Civil Rights Act’s definition of sex. According to initial reports, conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch may also be sympathetic based on his view that the law
should be read as the text itself, not as the intentions of the writers. It’s true that the authors of the Civil Rights Act did not believe they were including, or likely want to include, LGBTQ individuals in “sex.” The world has changed since 1964, but the Supreme Court does not have the power to reflect that change beyond interpretation of the law. Of course, that’s where legislation comes in — or it’s where legislation should come in. You can imagine how long it would take a bill about workplace discrimination to pass through Congress. Even non-controversial bills struggle to become laws. A bill this divisive likely wouldn’t even see the floor of the House. The power of the Supreme Court rests primarily in its ability to affect faster social change than Congress. Marriage equality and the right to a safe abortion only exist because of the Supreme Court — but unlike laws, court decisions can be changed. There is a high probability that Roe v. Wade will be challenged in the near future,
The Paint the Bridge vandalism
T
he controversy regarding the College Republicans student group’s panel on the Washington Avenue bridge is certainly important to talk about as it brings up a big issue with the First Amendment. Freedom of speech is an important value that most Americans hold dear; the freedom to speak whatever may be on their mind, so long as it does not incite violence among others, without being detained is inherently important to what America stands for. Therefore, unless the images on that panel of the bridge made students or faculty feel threatened or were beckoning violent acts to occur, vandalizing that message without any repercussions is limiting the College Republicans’ freedom. In the mission statements of many
public universities around the nation will be a statement about a universal search for truth as well as freedom of speech. As noted in the original article on the Paint the Bridge event, it was said by a regent of the University that “conservative students don’t feel that they belong on a campus in a liberal city.” This begs the question as to why the University may not be holding true to one of its core values of free speech. Four years of having their panel on the bridge vandalized may certainly make the group feel as though they are being discriminated against, and their right of free speech infringed upon. Should the images or words painted on the panel be threatening to students, then the panel should be taken care of by the University in a less drastic measure
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A century of broken promises
We should not hold our breath as we watch the world let the Kurds down over and over again.
A
s I sit here comfortably in my apartment, my heart is aching for the Kurds. And as you sit wherever you are reading this, I want you to know they are being viciously attacked by Turkish forces. The Kurds are an ethnic group of 30-45 million people that have lived in the area referred to as “Kurdistan” for thousands of years. They are now separated by arbitrary
and that probability goes up with more Trump appointees on the Supreme Court. Many conservatives voted for Trump purely so that Republicans could inch closer to a larger majority on the Court and overrule Roe v. Wade. Supreme Court cases matter immensely, and the banning of workplace discrimination against LGBTQ individuals would be monumental and change many workers’ lives for the better. However, that doesn’t mean that Congress should be let off the hook. The only way to enact permanent change is to elect officials to our legislature that support human rights, including the right to employment without discrimination. Yes, that will take much longer and be a harder road than a Supreme Court case, but it’s necessary in order to ensure the rights of millions of Americans. The Supreme Court justices and the person sitting in the Oval Office are important, but our state senators and representatives are the only people who can keep social change permanent and safe. Supreme Court decisions are much more vulnerable.
borders we drew, split up amongst four different countries — Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. They have been brutally persecuted within all four of those states. In fact, one of the worst chemical weapons attacks on civilians in human history was against Kurdish civilians. Look up the “Anfal Genocide.” Google “Halabja.” Look at the pictures. Western allied forces actually promised the Kurds their own state as far back as 1920. Now here we are a century later, betraying them again. With Trump’s abrupt decision to pull out of Syria, we have given the green light to Turkey to begin a military offensive against Kurdish forces. There are multiple human rights concerns in the story of the Kurds, beyond the continual denial of the right to selfdetermination. Turkey is not showing any sign of mercy for civilians in this latest onslaught. In between my patients at clinic today, I would read updates from the U.N. refugee agency on how 60,000 Kurdish civilians are already fleeing the area. Aid agencies are warning that up to 450,000 people in the area are at risk. These are the people who were on the ground fighting ISIS, sacrificing over ten
thousand soldiers of their own. Now we are abandoning them to fend for themselves. Our allies. And if you care about women’s rights, one could argue they treat their women far better than many others in the region. Of note, it is estimated that one-third to one-fourth of Kurdish fighters against ISIS in Kurdistan were some incredibly brave and inspiring women. Maybe one day the Kurds will finally have their own territory. I think they have certainly earned it. In the meantime, we should not hold our breath as we watch the world let them down over and over again.
than vandalism; but with the same outcome running on four years now and the lack of a response or any effort whatsoever to uphold the groups liberties, the University ought to take a step back and reevaluate what values it truly holds.
Connor Turner is a student at the University of Minnesota. This letter to the editor has been lightly edited for style and clarity.
SHARE YOUR VIEWS The Minnesota Daily welcomes letters and guest columns from readers. All letters must include the writer’s name, address and phone number for verification. The Daily reserves the right to edit all letters for style, space, libel and grammar. Letters to the editor should be no more than 500 words in length. Guest columns should be approximately 350 words. The Daily reserves the right to print any submission as a letter or guest column. Submission does not guarantee publication.
letters@mndaily.com Fax: (612) 435-5865 Phone: (612) 435-1578 Letters and columns to the editor 2221 University Ave. SE Suite 450 Minneapolis, MN 55414 EDITORIALS & OPINIONS DEPARTMENT Editorials represent the voice of the Minnesota Daily as an institution and are prepared by the editorial board.
Nickey Jafari is a resident physician in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Minnesota. This letter to the editor has been lightly edited for style and clarity.
THE EDITORIALS AND OPINIONS DEPARTMENT IS INDEPENDENT OF THE NEWSROOM
7
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2019
MN DAILY
HOROSCOPES Today’s Bir thday (10/14): Generate results through communication this year. Disciplined efforts provide longconsidered home improvements. Find fresh love, romance and joys this winter before professional obligations interrupt. Changing news impacts your story next summer before a career breakthrough raises your status. Talk about what you love.
MNDAILY.COM
To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Written by Nancy Black
Aries (3/21 - 4/19): Today is an 8 — Discuss finances with a mentor, parent or elder. Consider investment and savings ideas. Discover lucrative opportunities hidden in recent changes. Get imaginative.
Libra (9/23 - 10/22): Today is a 7 — New methods or technology could disrupt an old routine. Find clever ways to save time and money. Cut unused services and subscriptions. Collaborate.
Taurus (4/20 - 5/20): Today is an 8 — Talk about long-term dreams, visions and goals. Strengthen infrastructure to realize personal ambitions. Persistence makes things happen. Gopher what you want.
Scorpio (10/23 - 11/21): Today is a 7 — Discuss plans with your partner. Resume negotiations and take turns. Be spontaneous, not reckless. A creative spark ignites a conversation.
Gemini (5/21 - 6/21): Today is a 6 — Lay low and avoid conflict or hassle. Don’t get in the middle of someone else’s argument. Make long-term plans, sketches and vision boards. Imagine.
Sagittarius (11/22 - 12/21): Today is a 6 — Slow down to avoid challenging physical conditions. Be easy on your body. Nurture your energy. You’re developing a new perspective. Prioritize work and rest.
Cancer (6/22 - 7/22): Today is an 8 — Communicate with your team. Coordinate activities despite disruption. Implement practical plans. Take advantage of unexpected news. Stay light on your feet.
Capricorn (12/22 - 1/19): Today is a 7 — Abandon preconceived notions about romance. Discuss concerns, dreams and passions with someone you love. Choose what you have. Get playful.
Leo (7/23 - 8/22): Today is a 7 — You’re gaining valuable experience. Maintain focus to produce promised results. Your professional influence rises with each completed task. An interesting option appears.
Aquarius (1/20 - 2/18): Today is a 6 — Domestic cleaning and organization satisfies you. Share experiences, visions and concerns with your family and inner circle. Conserve resources and rest at home.
Virgo (8/23 - 9/22): Today is a 7 — Seminars, classes and conferences provide interesting developments. Weave your networks together for resilience and shared support. Study things from new point of view.
Pisces (2/19 - 3/20): Today is an 8 — Learn from an experienced guide. Adapt to changing news in real time. Share what you’re learning. Imagine an inspiring future. Get the word out about solutions.
DR. DATE Dr. Date,
“Happy birthday sweetheart! I hope you have a great day! (P.S. try not to spend it all in one place!!!)” Cute card, right? My grandma wrote it. The problem? She wrote it to my ex-boyfriend! After dating for about two years, I broke up with my now-ex-boyfriend because things just weren’t working anymore. It was amicable, but we decided we couldn’t be friends, at least for a while. That was about four months ago. I was ok with not being friends with him, but he maintained a couple “mutual friends,” you could say. My parents have had him over to dinner several times — no, I was not invited. He recently went rock climbing with my sister — again, I was not invited. My grandma even sent him money for his birthday! I don’t mind him being friends with my friends or maybe adding my family to his holiday card list, but I really don’t like that he is spending so much time with my family! Please help, Dr. Date! I’m scared they might adopt him.
–Orphaned by my ex
Dear Orphaned by my ex,
Point blank, that’s weird. If you are friends, or I guess even if you aren’t, you should tell him that he’s crossing a line. But maybe more importantly, I think you should tell your family it’s time to move on. Tell your grandma it was fun while it lasted, but maybe she should bother your other siblings’ significant others. If none of that sounds good, the least you can do is make a little money and intercept his mail from your family. It might be a federal offense, but him trying to edge you out of your family is pretty criminal too.
–Dr. Date
Want advice from the love doctor? Email Dr. Date at drdate@mndaily.com
SUDOKU CROSSWORD
Last Issue’s Puzzle Solved Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.
10/14/19
For strategies on how to solve sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk.
Last issue’s solution
© 2019 Michael Mepham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.
8
Monday, October 14, 2019
Protestors and supporters alike go to Minneapolis for Donald Trump rally
President Donald Trump addresses the crowd at a rally held in the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday, Oct. 10. (Kamaan Richards / Minnesota Daily)
Protestors gather outside the Target Center during a campaign rally held by President Trump in Minneapolis on Thursday, Oct. 10. (Nur B. Adam / Minnesota Daily)
In the rally, Trump focused on flipping Minnesota red in the 2020 election.
protection protocols.” Some protesters said they came out during a critical moment in the country’s history and in support of impeachment. “You are not welcome,” said protestor Mustafa Diriye, a 46-year-old from St. Paul, in reference to Trump. “As somebody who is an immigrant, I represent all the immigrants. I’m a person of color, I represent all people of color. The refugees, [Muslims], anybody who is a human being that he has insulted, I am part of them and I will say that you are not welcome.” For University students, free speech and controversy over political ideologies are nothing new. Late last month, a political message painted on the Washington Avenue Bridge by the College Republicans student group was vandalized for the fourth year in a row. The image depicted the 9/11 terrorist attack next to a quote by Rep. Ilhan Omar above Trump 2020 campaign messages. “I am against President Trump because of the trade war between China and the United States,” said Anyiping Lu, a University senior studying economics. “I’m Chinese, so it’s made a lot of bad impacts on Chinese economics, so I just want to see what’s going on here.” Around 10 p.m., tear gas was thrown onto the street.
BY MN DAILY STAFF President Donald Trump’s campaign rally in Minneapolis Thursday drew thousands of both supporters and protesters, outlining the campaign’s 2020 goal: flip Minnesota. Beginning in the early evening and continuing well after the rally concluded, protesters chanted slogans, brandished signs and voiced their opposition to Trump’s presidency in the area surrounding the rally’s venue at Target Center. Inside, a near-capacity group of supporters in the 19,356-person auditorium eagerly congregated to show their support for the president and hear several members of the Trump Administration speak. The night resulted in conflict as police used what appeared to be tear gas and mace to clear away protesters after they blocked cars
on the street, throwing traffic cones and rocks. The rally is the first the Trump campaign has held since impeachment proceedings began in the House of Representatives two weeks ago. It is the fourth time Trump has visited Minnesota in the last 16 months, as the campaign aims to win in a state that has not voted for a republican presidential candidate since 1972. The announcement of Trump’s visit two weeks ago drew immediate attention from city residents, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who released a statement saying “while there is no legal mechanism to prevent the president from visiting, his message of hatred will never be welcome in Minneapolis.” The visit gained national attention as Trump and Frey went head-to-head on Twitter earlier this week, with Trump claiming Frey was using his authority to bar supporters from attending the rally. Frey responded in a
Tuesday tweet, saying, “Welcome to Minneapolis where we pay our bills, we govern with integrity, and we love all of our neighbors.” At the protests “Together we stand. No ban, no wall.” “Trump is hypocrisy, we are democracy.” T h ro n g s o f p ro t e s t ers gathered outside Target Center hours before President Donald Trump’s rally Thursday evening, going face-to-face with rally-goers. Attendees, including students from the University of Minnesota, turned out to protest the administration, concerned by things like immigration policies, democracy and human rights at the border. “We want to have a better country than what we currently have. This is a great way to showcase that,” said University of Minnesota law student Cayli Posch. “I want to do immigration law, so I’m really big on the migrant
Inside the rally “Is there any place where we can have more fun than at a trump rally?” the president asked to thousands wearing red
campaign gear Thursday night. Supporters inside danced, cheered and donned MAGA gear in support of the president in a boisterous crowd at Target Center. Trump centered his speech on winning “the great state of Minnesota in 2020,” along with voicing his support of law enforcement, mocking of political opponents Joe Biden, Ilhan Omar and Jacob Frey, and denouncing the impeachment inquiry. “Minnesota, I know you’re going to say yes to four more years of president Donald Trump in 2020,” said vice president Mike Pence, who joined Eric Trump as members of the administration at the rally. “Four more years means more jobs ... more judges, means more support for our troops, and it’s going to take at least four more years to drain that swamp.” Bob Kroll, head of the Minneapolis Police Union, joined Trump onstage to address the crowd. “The mayor said the President wasn’t welcome, but the Police Federation of Minneapolis begs to differ,” Kroll said. On the impeachment inquiry, Trump said he released the transcript of his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky out of necessity “because the Democrats put out a phony narrative” about the call. Trump also said Omar is “one of the big reasons” the Republican party will win Minnesota in 2020. He also spoke on immigration in Minnesota
with discontent. T h o s e i n t h e c ro w d showed constant enthus i a s m t h ro u g h o u t t h e rally, booing at words like the “phony Russia hoax,” Nancy Pelosi, Robert Muller and “the media.” Students in the Twin Cities also came out to show support for Trump. “I wanted to make my opinion heard because I feel like just in the Cities and being around my opinion isn’t respected,” said 18-year-old St. Thomas student David Povolny. “Like, we were walking here and we just had our hats on and we took a wrong turn and we walked into the protesters and people were yelling at us, one girl told us to go back to hick town. They called us Nazis, KKK.” Londyn Espenson, a sophomore studying kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, said she feels like her voice is not heard on campus. “I think there’s a lot o f p ro f e s s o r s t h a t a r e saying that they shouldn’t be saying and really pushing politics on us and pushing their certain beliefs in politics ... and I don’t think that’s totally fair,” Espenson said. “There’s a lot of people that are supportive of you getting your voice out there if you have the same beliefs as them, and when you mention that you don’t have the same beliefs as them, they get a little judgmental and a little hesitant about wanting you to voice your opinion.” Tif fany Bui, Jiang Li, Hana Ikramuddin, Kamaan Richards and Niamh Coomey contributed to this report.
Above: A “Trump Baby” balloon is seen on the Saloon in downtown Minneapolis outside the Target Center on Thursday, Oct. 10. (Mrunal Zambre / Minnesota Daily) Below: Attendees of a campaign rally held by President Trump wade through crowds of protestors to enter the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. (Nur B. Adam / Minnesota Daily)