The Appalachian
Sept. 13, 2019
Author. Lawyer. Activist.
Common reading book author Bryan Stevenson visits campus to speak to students, faculty and the Community Page 2
Local nonprofit donates filters to Hurricane Dorian victims
App alum: From five majors to film fest
Cross country runs into the new season
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News
Sept. 20, 2019
Bryan Stevenson: Author, lawyer and activist visits App State Emily Broyles | Associate News Editor The common reading program at App State picks a different book every year for incoming students to read and connect with on personal and discussion-based levels. This year’s program brings a well-known face to App State’s campus. Bryan Stevenson, author of this year’s common reading book, “Just Mercy,” came to App State Sept. 17. Stevenson discussed themes of the book with students and faculty and hosted a book signing. “Just Mercy” tells Stevenson’s accounts with people who were wrongfully convicted or harshly sentenced throughout his career. The main storyline follows Stevenson and Walter McMillian, a black man immediately sentenced to death in 1987 for a murder he did not commit.
Stevenson is a graduate of Harvard Law School and is the founder of The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration located in Montgomery, Alabama. Stevenson founded the museum through another organization he founded — The Equal Justice Initiative. “Stevenson’s the biggest figure we’ve ever had, to put it quite bluntly,” said Don Presnell, director of the common reading program. Presnell said that while Stevenson is a prominent figure in law and education, that wasn’t the sole purpose for bringing him to campus. “We really want a good, allaround book that speaks to daily life, to the world in which we live, issues that we’re all connected to and negotiate and experience,” Presnell said.
Martha McCaughey, sociology professor and former common reading program director, said the book selection is not based on what the committee thinks students want, but what they think first-year college students need to hear. “We really try to choose a book that we think a broad variety of students will find provocative and interesting,” McCaughey said. “It’s not about getting them to approve of the ideas in the book as much as it’s about reading a book that is compelling to read, that presents an interesting, smart point of view.” McCaughey said she is excited to have Stevenson represent his book and his many accomplishments outside of “Just Mercy.” “To me, the big deal about him
was that when we tried to book him for Sept. 17, (his representatives) finally locked down that date, but they said, ‘Just so you know, it’s always possible that he’s going to have to reschedule if he ends up having to argue a case at the Supreme Court,’” McCaughey said. McCaughey said Stevenson is a perfect example of App State’s mission to use education for a purpose other than self-gain. “He could have gone on to become a wealthy lawyer who just got to live in a nice house and drive nice cars,” McCaughey said. “He has really dedicated himself to improving society in ways that are admirable.” Stevenson now adds film to his resume as “Just Mercy” is set to hit movie screens in December. The mov-
ie adaptation will star Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson and Jaime Foxx. “Even back in August, at welcome weekend, most of my students didn’t know there was a movie,” Presnell said. McCaughey said the opportunity to host Stevenson is one of the things that makes not only the common reading program different, but what makes App State different. “Just getting to hear from people, that, I think, is a real cool privilege of getting to be at Appalachian State,” McCaughey said. “We bring people like this to campus and you get exposed to some pretty amazing people.”
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Bryan Stevenson, author of “Just Mercy,” spoke at the Holmes Convocation Center Sept. 17. His book was selected as the fall 2019 common reading book for incoming students. Becca Bridges
News
Sept. 20, 2019
Inclusive Leadership Retreat inspires conversation and understanding Hadasa Rivera | Reporter
During the Inclusive Leadership Retreat, students, faculty and staff gain skills in active listening and inclusive language over a period of three days. Becca Bridges
College: In Real Life
Oftentimes, the line between dialogue and debate gets blurred, but the Inclusive Leadership Retreat is set on making the difference very clear. “The Sustained Dialogue retreat taught me to be more vocal about my opinions and how to dialogue rather than argue,” said Kelsey Lam, president of Appalachian Popular Programming Society. Held annually, the retreat is led by a professional from the Sustained Dialogue Institute in Washington, D.C., who gives participants the resources for facilitating conversation and has them put it into practice. “This event came about as an opportunity to dive deeper into training students, faculty and staff on SD and how to engage in difficult conversations,” said Emily Dabau, coordinator of campus activities. Dabau said the importance behind this event is that participants are taught to talk across lines of divide and listen to a variety of perspectives offered on different topics. “It is also an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to engage in conversation in a different environment and to build relationships with
one another outside of the classroom,” Dabau said. Lam said many participants came into training expecting a workshop, but found themselves becoming more selfaware of their own experiences. “I saw students coming out of the retreat ready to take on and host difficult conversations on their own campus and being able to create different and an inclusive environment,” Lam said. Lam said the impact of this program is shown through participants asking when APPS’s next Taste of Dialogue event is and how they can get involved. A Taste of Dialogue happens every month, free of charge, and is meant to create a discussion on current issues. The next event, “A Taste of Dialogue: Cultural Appropriation & Party Culture,” will take place Oct. 22 from 7-9 p.m in Plemmons Student Union. “One thing that I personally took from the retreat was that conversation is key, and being able to dialogue through difference can really create beautiful relationships that one would never expect,” Lam said.
Women’s Center helps students navigate school “IRL”
Michael Lillywhite | Reporter
Orientation slams freshmen and transfer students with a great deal of information that can easily get lost in the first frantic weeks of school. To provide students information above and beyond orientation, the Women’s Center is hosting In Real Life. IRL aims to help those who want to get involved and have the best experience possible at App State. Melanie Turner, graduate assistant for the Women’s Center, is running the event with 45 volunteers. “I just want it to be real information that people actually need,”
Turner said. A four-part series, IRL’s first discussion, which took place Sept. 18, helped students improve their social life. “I wish I had all of this. My life would have been different; it would have been easier; it would have felt more connected to the community, and that is something I want to emphasize with this event,” Turner said. From laying out the best places on the parkway, the best rivers and skiing spots, and even finding the cheapest time to grocery shop, IRL
is designed to help students in every aspect of life. The event also provides a better understanding of AppalCart routes, Uber, Lyft and the Beeper system in Boone. “Appalachian State is a community, and the quicker you can realize that there are good people that exist that want to help you and want to be there for you, the quicker you will be able to feel at home,” Turner said. Future IRL events will cover career and financial advancement and mental health, though the dates have not been announced.
Emma Bancroft, a sophomore gender, women and sexuality studies and psychology double major, is a new volunteer at the Women’s Center. She said she appreciates that the Women’s Center puts on events like IRL. “It kind of seems silly to me that you would have a university that is really trying to help you be the best you can be when you leave, and you wouldn’t take advantage of that,” Bancroft said.
Appalachian State is a community, and the quicker you can realize that there are good people that exist that want to help you and want to be there for you...
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News Appalachian Police Academy welcomes second graduating class Sept. 20, 2019
Cameron Stuart | Reporter After prior negative experiences with police officers, students like Abigail Rivera joined the Appalachian Police Academy in hopes of making positive change in the law enforcement community. “For me, law enforcement means to serve and protect all without distinguishing between anybody,” senior criminal justice major Rivera said. The Appalachian Police Academy is a 640-hour training program over the summer where App State students become certified part-time police officers with App State Police. Students are eligible for the police academy after serving as a cadet with App State Police for one year. Fifteen students graduated from the academy this year. Capt. K.C. Mitchell, director of police development, said the 2019 graduating class’ biggest strength is
its commitment to the team. “They really came together as a class and as a team,” Mitchell said. “They picked each other up when they fell down. They really worked together well.” Mitchell said the police academy is important because it provides experience for college students working as officers on campus and provides better candidates for police agencies. “The most important thing to us is the safety of our campus and everyone on it,” Mitchell said. “So, the enforcement of laws is a small part of what we do.” Mitchell said he wants to build relationships with the students, faculty and staff. Duties of part-time officers after graduation from the academy include foot patrols around campus and at football games. Part-time offi-
cers are only allowed to drive patrol cars when accompanied by a fulltime officer. Mitchell said the academy was more streamlined in its second year. “This summer went smoother because it was the second time we’ve done it. There wasn’t as much of a learning curve,” Mitchell said. The academy currently works with Caldwell Community College and runs the program through Caldwell’s law enforcement training class, though the academy is only open to full-time App State students. Mitchell said the new goal of the academy is to get accredited, which would allow them to work without Caldwell Community College. John Sanders, senior criminal justice and psychology major, said the relationships he formed with others in the program was a highlight of his training.
Sanders said being around the same people in the same classroom for weeks was one of the tougher aspects of training, along with getting pepper-sprayed and tear-gassed. “It’s a really weird low, but also a weird high,” Sanders said. “It’s a bonding experience.” Sanders said he gained knowledge about police work and self-confidence. “The whole summer is stepping out of your comfort zone,” Sanders said. “When you get out, even if you’re directing traffic, you need to be confident to keep yourself safe and even just to keep others safe, as well. That, coupled with knowledge are the two most important things.” Rivera said she wants to go into the law enforcement field in Boone, and joined the police academy to learn skills for the future. “I gained a lot of confidence
in myself, skills to use at any agency I go, and great mentors and instructors,” Rivera said. “It made me a better person.” Rivera said the academy is open to anybody and everybody, regardless of major. Rivera said she has had previous experiences with law enforcement, both good and bad, and wants to work toward fixing the bad. “Instead of letting what is going on in the country happen, I have this opportunity on campus to do something and be a part of something, and implement what I want to do, and what changes I want to see, not just in my community, but in the law enforcement community, and mend these two communities together,” Rivera said.
Women’s suffrage celebrated at App State during the 2019-20 academic year Gianna Holiday | Reporter Throughout the 2019-20 academic year, the University Forum Committee is hosting a series of lectures and films to enlighten community members on women’s issues, honoring the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. The lecture series will bring investigators, professors and other authors to campus, creating an open dialogue for discussion on a variety of social issues. Past speakers include activist Gloria Steinem, conservationist Terry Tempest Williams, presidential historian Harold Holzer, CNN correspondent Peter Bergen and award-winning science journalist Carl Zimmer. The most recent showing, “Heather Booth: Changing the World,” a film by Lilly Rivlin, presented an overview of Heather Booth’s 50-year career in community and political organizing.
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Booth’s political career extends back to her college days, when she dealt with numerous women’s rights issues, including women’s health and access to education. “Until the 1970s, women had been in a second-class position in society,” Booth said. “A friend of mine in college was raped at knifepoint in her bed in off-campus housing, and we went with her to student health for a gynecological exam, and she was told that student health wouldn’t cover a gynecological exam and was instead given a lecture on her promiscuity.” Women’s health became the focus of her work. She established Jane, a Chicago-based women’s health group that performed nearly 12,000 abortions between 1969 and 1973, with no formal medical training, prior to the legalization of abortion in Roe v. Wade.
The health group got its own documentary: “Jane: An Abortion Service,” which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival. “The thing that has changed the most is that women ourselves have changed and our attitudes have changed,” Booth said. “There now is this belief that there should be equal pay; there should be support for childcare; there should be equal access to education and healthcare, that women should be able to choose when to have a child.” Booth became an activist during the civil rights movement in 1964. “You sometimes need to stand up to illegitimate authority,” Booth said. “While I was in Mississippi, we were trying to help black people register to vote who were prevented from voting, and I was arrested.
I was 18 years old and was carrying a sign, trying to help people register to vote.” “Heather Booth: Changing the World” focuses on the idea of organization and group efforts to make impactful political change, including Booth’s work with women’s issues organizations and civil rights. She has also influenced politicians like Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “One of the things that is exciting and important about the film is that there are many people all across the political spectrum who feel disaffected by politics,” said Kelly Davis, associate professor of electronic media and broadcasting. “People feel like there’s nothing they can do, but Heather Booth is an example to people that shows them what they can do when they organize.” Booth is a political strategist on progressive issues and electoral
campaigns. She continues to organize as a member of the consulting group Democracy Partners. “What I understood at that time was that there are sometimes illegitimate laws and illegitimate people who carry out these laws, and we need to stand up to them,” Booth said. “And, if we do, we can change this world.” “Heather Booth: Changing the World” was shown Sept. 18 in Plemmons Student Union. The next event will host Wendy Rouse, a professor at San Jose State University, who will speak on “Women’s Suffrage, Self-Defense, and the Struggle for Equality in the Progressive Era” Oct. 3 at 5 p.m. in Belk Library Room 114.
News
Sept. 20, 2019
Wine To Water lends a helping hand to The Bahamas Anna Dollar | Reporter
At any second, anybody could lose so much due to the damage a hurricane can bring. Houses can collapse, telephone lines can fall and spirits can be broken. All that others can do is help when given the opportunity. Earlier this month, Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane, crashed into The Bahamas at full force. Wine To Water, a local nonprofit, donated water filters to The Bahamas about a week after the disaster hit. Wine To Water has donated 700 filters so far and is trying to get 500 more there, said Josh Elliott, director of international programs for Wine To Water. Wine To Water is donating membrane filters that filter out microbiological contaminants. “After most disasters, we really ask ourselves the question, ‘Can we help?’ It’s not always a definite yes, and oftentimes, it takes a couple of weeks to figure it out,” Elliot said. “The main thing for us is, ‘Are we going to help, or are we going to be a hindrance on an already stressed environment?’” Elliot said Wine To Water also considers how it is connected to the area where a disaster has struck, whether it is through direct connections, local people or through partners that are already responding. Wine To Water aims to provide those they help with valuable solutions. “We try to make sure that everywhere we go, we identify the source of the water,” Elliott said. “We make sure that we’re not dealing with brackish or heavy metals or chemicals, because we obviously don’t want to give them a solution that is not going to work.” Elliott said Wine To Water rec-
ommends Bahamians use the filter for rainwater they may have collected over time from the hurricane. “Water infrastructure is completely stressed or completely broken. In that case, many people specifically in areas of tropical climates, can collect rainwater,” Elliott said. “As long as that rainwater is not brackish, which it can be right after a storm. In the days and weeks after, it is not and can be drunk.” Brackish water has more salt than freshwater, but less than seawater. Elliott said filtration “is not the end-all, be-all solution” to The Bahamas’ problems, but it’s a start. “I think it will help them meet their immediate need, which is clean water for some of these places. Honestly, that’s what we can help with the best,” said Pavan Mudiam, international programs coordinator for Wine To Water. “Of course, it will take time and more resources to help those people with how much disaster has actually happened there. If we can fulfill at least a short-term need, that would bring some relief to those people.” The organization has connections in Freeport, on The Grand Bahamas island, and Elbow Cay in the Abaco Islands. They also have field offices in Nepal, Columbia, The Dominican Republic and Tanzania. Wine To Water had additional help from Hope Worldwide, a global relief organization. Elliott said even $50 could help provide a family with clean water, and people can donate through Wine To Water by visiting its website or Facebook page.
Nassau has received at least
5,500 evacuees More than
2,000
are in government shelters
At least
Some 10,000
children were enrolled on the two
affected islands, officials estimate that
of them may seek to register
50 people about 5,000 have been killed
in New Providence.
*According to an article in the washington post as of Sept. 14
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A&C
Sept. 20, 2019
New LGBT Center grad assistant seeks to create inclusive environment Laura Boaggio | Reporter The Henderson Springs LGBT Center is identifiable in Plemmons Student Union by the rainbow painted on its doorway wall, leading students into the center. At the end of this rainbow, ready to welcome students into the community, is new graduate assistant RaQuon Haynes. Haynes earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology at North Carolina A&T University and is pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at App State. Haynes said he wants to make intersectionality more visible in the LGBT Center, and bring racial and social backgrounds in relation to one’s sexuality and identity to light. White transgender and non-binary people mostly populate the LGBT Center, and he said he wants people of color to feel welcome in the space, too.
“With me being black and gay, I have double intersectionality, especially with this campus being a (predominately white institution),” Haynes said. Students in the past have complained about feeling uncomfortable in the center, Haynes said, and he hopes to create a more inclusive environment where volunteers, members and visitors can relax and enjoy what the community has to offer. “I want to connect with a whole community of people that may have felt uncomfortable, and I want them all to feel comfortable by the time my work is done,” Haynes said. Haynes said black individuals face hardships in the LGBT community that white community members don’t have to deal with, such as a lack of access to resources. A UCLA Williams Institute
School of Law study on the LGBT population in the United States found that black people in the community statistically scored higher on socioeconomic indicators, such as unemployment and food insecurity, than white community members did. “Equality and equity don’t really play hand-in-hand when it comes to the opportunities you may have, versus the obstacles you may have to jump through to get there,” Haynes said. The center’s previous graduate assistant stepped down before the start of this semester, and The Office of Multicultural Student Development began seeking a replacement for the position immediately. The LGBT Center is one of three branches governed by MSD, along with the Women’s Center and Multicultural Center. Assistant director Jerisha Far-
rer echoed Haynes’ words by saying diversity is a pivotal and unexplored sector of higher education. Farrer said the UNC System is a fragile ecosystem where students come from all walks of life with varying social, economic, racial and religious backgrounds. Kristen Benson, marriage and therapy program director, reached out and said she had a student who may be interested. Haynes sent in his information and was instantly interviewed. “I felt very comfortable because I wasn’t foreign to any of the things they were asking me to do,” Haynes said. Farrer said the LGBT Center is a delicate space because of the people it supports and MSD wanted to find the right person for the position. Haynes had an extensive interview that included working in the center and interact-
ing with students during the first week of school. “We left him alone for two hours, and came back, and got raving feedback from the students that were in there,” Farrer said. Farrer said Haynes is responsible for making the LGBT Center flow as smoothly as possible when it comes to programming, immediate support and directing students to proper resources. Haynes said he must use professional discretion when guiding students through personal issues regarding gender and sexual identity. “I know that might be a very big task to put on for a grad student,” Ferrer said. “But, how we operate up here at MSD is that we make sure we have an open flow of communication. The full article can be read at www.theappalachianonline.com.
App State Alum presents new film at Oaxaca Film Festival Marlen Cardenas | Reporter
App State alumnus Ty Brueilly and his new short film "Meng Hau Lu" was selected for the Oaxaca Film Festival. Brueilly discussed how most of his films deal with addiction and that his new film could be taken as a "daydream" or even an "anxiety attack." Courtesy of Ty Brueilly App State alumnus Ty Brueilly wanted his new film “Meng Hau Lu” to engage his audience while leaving the message up to interpretation. “It could be a daydream, or a dream sequence, or it could be an overdose. It could be a very bad trip, an anxiety attack,” Brueilly said.
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“Meng Hau Lu” is a 13-minute short film without dialogue that was picked up as an official selection to play at the Oaxaca Film Festival. The Oaxaca Film Festival started in 2010 and is an eight-day international film festival in Oaxaca, Mexico. Half of the festival is for screen-
ing films, and the other half gives filmmakers a chance to attend workshops, brainstorm and network. This year’s festival will take place Oct. 4-10. Bruielly said his films are mainly about addiction, but not in a way that is meant to overwhelm his audience. “If (addiction) happens to you or your family members, you feel it, but it’s almost like this feeling of being ashamed to talk about it,” Bruielly said. “That was my inspiration in doing it, so abstract and so art driven to where the viewers don’t know they’re actually seeing something that’s rooted in addiction.” Bruielly said in the long run, films like this could help people accept that addiction is a major societal issue. Although “Meng Hau Lu” was released less than a year ago, it was screened at over 20 film festivals worldwide during that time. In December, the film won Best Film Noir Short at the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles. “Meng Hau Lu” is Brueilly’s second film. His first one was a 50-minute silent film called “SHUCKS.” “SHUCKS” came out on Vet-
eran’s Day in 2017 and was shown at Asheboro’s Sunset Theatre. Brueilly said he sent it to nearly 40 film festivals, but did not get any responses. Brueilly said he had friends in the industry who told him people didn’t have the attention span for a 50-minute silent film, especially as his first film. “I guess with the shorter amount of time and it also being silent, it could reach more countries,” Brueilly said. “One of the festivals said that I was accepted, and after that, it was kind of a good fire spreading and spreading. One saw it, then the next wanted me to submit, and for about four months straight it was good news about this.” Bruielly said he normally doesn’t go to festivals because he has an 18-month-old son, but he will attend this year’s Oaxaca Film Festival for five of the eight days. “I can’t really just jump in a car and go to New York, or fly to Paris just to sit in a coffee shop, or a bar and be there for the film,” Bruielly said. Despite his career as a filmmaker, Brueilly did not take any film classes at App State.
Brueilly originally pursued journalism and was a sports reporter for The Appalachian. His goals changed when he studied abroad in China his junior year. “The study abroad trip changed my whole outlook,” Brueilly said. He started taking Chinese classes and eventually took international business classes. Brueilly graduated from App State in 2005 with five bachelor’s degrees in communication studies, journalism, marketing, international business and management. Bruielly moved to China after graduating and lived near Shanghai for five years. “I loved it at App. It was a totally different place then. My first year was 2000, and I graduated in 2005,” Bruielly said. “That campus has grown, changed and flourished since then, but the opportunities I got were straight from Appalachian.” He encourages students to study abroad, because it will “crack your mind open to where you can absorb so much more.” “Meng Hau Lu” will play at the Oaxaca Film Festival Oct. 6.
A&C
Sept. 20, 2019
Paws, Hammocks and Superman: A look into a week on Sanford Mall Camryn Collier | Reporter Elaina Woodlief | Reporter One of the biggest green spaces at App State is a hub of action. Hundreds of students, faculty and visitors pass by Sanford Mall, located in the center of campus, everyday. As summer comes to an end and winter looms, students take in their last warm days with various outdoor activities on the mall. Sophomore biology major Connor Dalton started slacklining, which is when someone walks on a suspended rope, over the summer when he visited Yosemite National Park. “There’s this zone where you’re just walking on the slackline, and it’s the most amazing feeling,” Dalton said. The slackline brings a lot of new and familiar faces to the corner of Sanford Mall near Anne Belk Hall, where some of the bigger trees are perfect for setting up the webbing for a long line, Dalton said. “I had seen people out here doing
it, so when I came back after the summer was over, I knew to set it up here. The most amazing part is just that people congregate around here,” Dalton said. “You can really start to make a lot of friendships.” While slacklining is popular on some parts of Sanford, other places are good for just laying around. Freshman building sciences major Erin Craven set up her new hammock between two trees in front of the Plemmons Student Union on a sunny afternoon. The hammock was harder to set up than she thought, Craven said, and three people offered to help Craven. For the rest of the afternoon, Craven said she worked on homework in her hammock and enjoyed the outdoors and sunshine. A few feet away, senior fermentation sciences major Allie Caraway and her rescue Australian shepherd, Mack, sat on the grass while she did homework. “I usually try to bring him out here just to hang out with me,” Carney said. Mack wagged his tail at every dog
that passed by, including another Australian shepard in the distance that Caraway said was Mack’s “new best friend.” Sophomore nutrition and foods major Max Heich and his partner, freshman biology major Jen Belk, practiced acro-yoga, a mix of acrobatics and yoga that usually incorporates partners, in a “spur of the moment” decision on Sanford. The two were practicing a move in which Heich balanced Belk on his feet with her arms and legs spread in a star shape. “I call that move we just did ‘The Superman,’” Belk said. When the day winds down, the couple likes to come watch the clouds and the sunset, Heich said. Soon, Sanford Mall will not only be filled with people and pups, but also the bright reds, yellows and oranges of the coming fall as the sunny days come to an end.
Curt Bridgers, a sophomore computer science major, scales across a popular slacklining spot on Sanford Mall.
Aron Herba
Prayer Tree offers community encouragement Noelle Charles | Reporter
A cluster of prayers were left by passersby on the branches of a tree in Blowing Rock. The encouraging messages represent a seedling of hope in the High Country.
Dakota Ussery
Encouraging messages and prayers dangle from the branches of a tree in Blowing Rock, representing a seedling of hope in the High Country. A small white cart sits next to the tree with a pen and a bowl of blank heartshaped tags. The heart-shaped tags hang on the prayer tree, located on the corner of Maple Street and Main Street, and invite passersby to write down thoughts of inspiration and encouragement. Sheri Furman, manager of Take Heart Boutique, started the prayer tree. In summer 2019, the quaint lavender shop on 1009 Maine St. burned
down in a fire caused by an electric spark in the 100-year-old building. A few feet away, flames from the shop’s windows threatened the tree, but it remained unscathed. No prayers were damaged in the fire. The prayer tree has rooted itself in the Blowing Rock community since July 2018 and is a symbol of hope, inviting people to write down their prayers and become vulnerable. Vines on the prayer tree are showered with tags, and a majority of the tags hang from a vine that leads into a garden, acting as an extension
of the prayer tree. Some people approach the tree to pray over it, or to pray over prayer requests they find in the garden. Kat Staufer, a passerby who grew up in Boone, paused when she walked past the tree and began to read the prayers scribbled on the heart shaped tags. “It adds a way for people to get their feelings out in a peaceful way,” Staufer said. “It really allows for people to feel like someone’s listening.”
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A&C
Sept. 20, 2019
MOVIE REVIEW
HUSTLERS
Illustration by Meg Puett
Ebony Foster | Reporter No hustles were pulled by the recently released “Hustlers,” a film starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, which premiered Sept. 12. The movie was inspired by an article called “The Hustlers at Scores,” written by New York Magazine journalist and editor Jessica Pressler. This naughty and enticing tale of crime involves a group of strippers, their sisterhood and the illegal routes they take to survive the 2008 Recession. While the entire cast gave convincing performances, the actress who knocked it out of the park was Lopez. Playing Romona, a veteran erotic dancer, she embodied a “mama bear” feel and showed cold and calculated leadership prowess. After the economic crash, most of the girls turn to her for help out of financial troubles. Thus began the grand scheme, which consisted of drugging and stealing from the men who worked on Wall Street. Though her role was minimal, Keke Palmer, who plays Mercedes, is part of the crew and head over heels in love with a convict. Palmer brought much-needed joviality to the film through her comedic comments and responses, like punching a naked and drugged man in the backseat of a car in a panic. The hilarious moments in the first half of the film by hip hop artists Lizzo and Cardi B were welcomed, given the dark subject matter that overtook the second half. A constant theme throughout “Hustlers” is the relationship between Lopez and Wu. Their mother-daughter bond and the actions that test
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their friendship drive the story as much as their hustling does. The film balances drama and comedy with sisterhood and crime. While “Hustlers” does prove an entertaining film, it could have expanded upon relationships and conflicts to provide more intrigue to the story. For example, when the women noticed others running the same game they are, it only earns a brief mention. We never learn who they are or how they pulled everything together. If certain parts from the true story were already dramatized for the film, that would have been a perfect creative opportunity. Like a couple of other conflicts in the film, they are mentioned in passing, instead of shown. And, when shown, it’s in such a short scene that by the end of the movie, you have already forgotten about it. Wu’s character, Destiny, unfortunately suffers from this problem. Though it is her narration driving the story, we are only briefly told or shown her flashbacks to absorb it. Despite Wu’s vulnerable performance, brief focus is most likely why the ravings from viewers are all about Lopez. Despite these issues, there were some positives. There were good technical decisions made, especially regarding sound design later in the film. All one can say is, if you see the film — you’ll know it when you hear it. Overall, the movie was a pleasant surprise that delivered as much fun as its trailers promised, but could have benefited from a longer runtime.
Georgia Privott | Reporter Felix Noel, a senior East Asian language and culture major, challenges gender presentation in their fashion as an inspiration for the queer community and cosplay fans. Noel said they refused to wear pink growing up, but after coming to college, they realized their love for femme fashion. It is often associated with cisgender women, but in Noel’s case, it is about correlation, not identification. “Presentation doesn’t have to immediately correlate to your actual identity. I think there is a big expectation in trans circles to perform your gender, or you’re faking it,” Noel said. Even though their style is inspired by Lolita and Harajuku, Noel doesn’t conform to binary fashion norms. Harajuku is a neighborhood in Tokyo known for its unique street style outfits. Harajuku has a mix of styles like Lolita, a Japanese style influenced by Victorian children’s clothes, and cosplay, a performance-style fashion inspired by fictional characters. “I love the sense of trying to put your best stuff out there for recognition. That’s where a lot of stuff like Lolita experiments with fashion in ways that make you happy,” Noel said. Noel said they started cosplaying feminine characters in 2013 and have performed characters such as D.Va from the video game, “Overwatch,” and Chika Takami from the Japanese TV show “Love Live!” Noel said their goal as an East Asian studies major is to respectfully immerse themself in Japanese culture. “When you’re in the (fashion) industry, somebody else in the industry will pick up on that. Whereas, traditional styles have cultural significance,” Noel said. Though some people question their look, Noel said they feel confident in their outfits because they’re educated on Japanese culture, and they’re proud of the items they own. “I’m making this my own; it isn’t for other people,” Noel said. “This is already part of my established aesthetic, and the idea that I’m doing this for anyone else is such a wild assertion to me.”
Felix noel
Sports
Sept. 20, 2019
GAME DAY
Game 3 | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 3:30 p.m. | RSN | Kenan Memorial Stadium | Chapel Hill, N.C.
Appalachian State (2-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)
VS
UNC Chapel Hill (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
Game Notes: The Mountaineers will look to continue their strong start to the season against UNC, fresh from the bye week. The only other meeting between these two programs came in 1940 and ended with a 56-6 win for the Tar Heels. As an in-state matchup between two of North Carolina’s marquee football programs, this will be a game fans across the state will have their eyes on. The upcoming game against UNC is the first of a three game series with the Tar Heels. UNC will come to Boone in 2021, and in 2023, the Mountaineers will return to Chapel Hill.
Mack is back!: Head coach Mack Brown is currently in his second stint with UNC. He was inducted into the college football Hall of Fame in 2018 and is known for helping lead Texas and quarterback Vince Young to an undefeated season and the 2005 BCS National Championship title over Reggie Bush and the undefeated Trojans of USC. Brown’s first head coaching job came with App State in 1983. The Mountaineers went 6-5 under his leadership. Brown also coached at UNC from 1988-1997 before taking over at Texas in 1997. He coached the Longhorns until 2013 and stayed out of coaching until this season. This will be the first meeting between Brown and his former employer.
POINTS PER GAME
49 OPP. POINTS PER GAME
24
Experienced Drinkwitz vs UNC: App State head coach Eliah Drinkwitz spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NC State. Those Drinkwitz-coached teams went 3-0 against the Tar Heels. The Wolfpack offense averaged 31.67 points in those matchups. Drinkwitz has prepared his offense for the UNC defensive schemes for four years straight and will look to improve to 4-0 in his career against the Tar Heels on Saturday.
PLAYER TO WATCH #2 Corey Sutton Jr. Wide Receiver It will be his first game of the season after serving a suspension for violating team rules in the first two games. Last year, Sutton led the Mountaineers with 44 receptions, 773 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.
451.0
Sutton was a top performer in some of App State’s biggest games a season ago. Against Charlotte, in front of his hometown fans, Sutton caught three passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He set the record for longest receiving touchdown in App State history with a 90-yard score in the game.
409.0
App State has found success in the passing game already this season, scoring six touchdowns and averaging 174.5 receiving yards per game. As the team’s top returning target, Sutton has a chance to change the game for App State in his first game of 2019.
YARDS PER GAME
OPP. YARDS PER GAME
Defensive struggles against Charlotte: The App State defense will try to bounce back from their performance against Charlotte when they allowed the most points at Kidd Brewer Stadium since Miami scored 45 in 2016. The Mountaineers have earned a reputation for having a very stout defense that rarely allows opposing offenses to have as much success as the 49ers had Sept. 7. Because of the week 3 bye, defensive coordinator Ted Roof has had two full weeks to try to correct what went wrong against Charlotte. In order for the Mountaineers to leave Chapel Hill with a statement win over the Tar Heels, the defense will simply have to play better than they did in week 2.
POINTS PER GAME
23.33 OPP. POINTS PER GAME
23
YARDS PER GAME
401.7
OPP. YARDS PER GAME
398.0
9
Sports
Sept. 20, 2019
Captains Josh Thomas, Jordan Fehr and Victor Johnson lead App State Football Franklin Bogle | Reporter
Permanent captains Jordan Fehr, Josh Thomas and Victor Johnson stand next to temporary captain EJ Scott before the Mountaineers game against Charlotte. The captains hope to lead their team and come out on top over the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill this weekend. Moss Brennan
Individual stats are nice, but App State football captain and senior defensive back Josh Thomas understands the importance of putting the team before self. “We have a saying, ‘one for eleven, eleven for one.’ If we all play together we can beat anyone,” Thomas said prior to the start of the season. Thomas is one of three permanent captains for App State football this year. The other two include senior linebacker Jordan Fehr and senior offensive lineman Victor Johnson. “We will see as we progress how these guys will lead our team. They are doing a very good job so far, but they have to continue that,” wide receivers coach Pat Washington said. So far, the Mountaineers have had success under the trio’s leadership, starting the season 2-0. Thomas and Fehr have recorded 13 tackles each in the first two games, and Johnson has provided solid blocking for an explosive offense that has scored 98 points. Johnson is dealing with a lingering ankle injury this year, but it has given him an opportunity to show his teammates how to face adversity. Starting center Noah Hannon said he’s learned a lot
from Johnson during his time at App State. “Vic has been a great mentor for me for the last two years,” Hannon said. “He’s very vocal, someone you can lean on. He’s so experienced, you watch him and know he loves what he’s doing.” Winners since stepping on campus, all three seniors were part of Sun Belt Championship and bowl winning teams the past three years. Last year, Thomas was a key member of the “Legion of Boone,” App State’s daunting secondary, starting all 13 games at free safety. Fehr was third on the team in tackles last year and was a first team all-Sun Belt selection. Johnson has protected the App State quarterbacks’ blindsides for the last three years at left tackle, and was named to the all-Sun Belt first team each of the past two years. The three captains know it is their duty to lead the team at all times, and that starts at practice. “You have to show up all the time, you have to set an example for everyone,” Thomas said.
App State women’s soccer relies on senior leaders Ava Dawson and Kristin Brown Zack Antrum | Reporter The App State women’s soccer team knows nothing comes easy in the Sun Belt. The sea of talented players, combined with the intense travel that comes with having teams from around the country, makes it one of the toughest women’s soccer conferences in the country. The Mountaineers prepare for this by scheduling a challenging group of non-conference opponents each year. Despite sitting at 2-4-1, they have gained valuable experience their record does not necessarily reflect. The Mountaineers have managed to pick up wins against UNC Asheville and Florida International, as they continue to search for their identity as a team. During this search, senior midfielders Ava Dawson and Kristin Brown have emerged as team leaders. Dawson has scored four goals for the Mountaineers this season, including a two goal outing in a 2-3 loss to Charlotte. She also registered an assist in the 2-1 win against FIU. She is not a stranger to big minutes, as she finished last season ranked fourth on the team in minutes played with 1,510 and was tied for third in goals and assists with two of each. Even though she feels like there’s still work to do, Dawson said she and her teammates have started to find their groove after a slow start to the season. “I think we can do an even better job at finishing, especially in the run of play but so far, we’ve found what’s work-
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ing for us, so we’ll probably just keep trying to do that,” Dawson said. Brown has positioned herself as a key playmaker for App State, as well. She’s registered four assists on the season, including both of Dawson’s goals against Charlotte. Brown gained a reputation for setting her teammates up to score, finishing last season ranked second on the team with three assists. She is also used to playing key minutes, so far starting every game this year for the Mountaineers. She started 15 of 19 games last year. While she is enjoying her personal success, Brown said she knows the team still has goals to accomplish and one of her main priorities is achieving them. “To come out on fire for conference with that tough conference schedule (is important),” Brown said. “Just having that secure spot in the conference tournament early in the conference season will just give us a little bit more confidence going into the postseason.” The Mountaineers start conference play when they host Troy on Sept. 20 and play the last game of their non-conference schedule when they host Wofford Sept. 22.
Forward Liney Brantley passes the ball across midfield during Friday’s game against FIU. The team won the match 2-1 with goals by Hayley Boyles and Kerry Eagleston. Lynette Files
Sports
Sept. 20, 2019
Hard work pays off for Cross Country
Silas Albright | Sports Editor
The men’s and women’s cross country teams at App State embrace the challenge of pushing themselves to their absolute limits, day in and day out. “Because it is such a demanding sport physically, mentally, and spiritually, you have to be all in,” sophomore Izzy Evely said via email. “We run every day, we have weights on Monday and Thursday, core at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, cross train at 7 a.m. Thursday, tempos on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and long runs Sunday. I run 50-60 miles a week.” The constant hard work paid off in the team’s season-opening race, the Covered Bridge Open, in Boone Aug. 30. The men’s team took second place out of nine teams after six of the Mountaineers finished in the top 21. Junior Isaac Benz led the way with a second place finish and a personal-record time of 25:06.28 in the 8K. Florida State took first place in the race. “We thought we had a shot at sneaking past FSU this year but I think our guys surprised them a bit when the last mile came around our guys were right there mixing it up with one of the top teams in the South,” head coach Michael Curcio said via email. The women’s team finished fourth out of nine teams. Evely led the way with a seventh place finish and a time of 18:25.89 in the 5K. Florida State finished first, followed by East Carolina and High Point. Due to a course malfunction, the women’s race was actually 5,200m instead of the normal 5,000m.
“With the conversion, my 5k would have been 17:42 which is a PR for me,” Evely said via email. “It’s gratifying knowing my summer training is paying off, and I firmly believe hard work always pays off. I wanted to give Florida State a run for their money and have a strong finish, so I was happy with that.’ Overall, Curcio was pleased with the performance the women’s team turned in despite dealing with some injuries.. “A few of our ladies had some training setbacks so we held out three from the first meet. The ladies who did compete, did extremely well against some very talented teams,” Curcio said via email. “I am very happy with the way they performed.” Both Benz and Evely were named the Sun Belt Conference Cross Country Runners of the Week for their performances in the Covered Bridge Open. That marks the fifth time since joining the Sun Belt in 2014 that App State runners have won both awards in the same week, according to AppStateSports.com. Evely was named the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and was named to the first team all-conference squad in 2018. The Cornelius native is set to improve off of her early success from a season ago. “The (women’s) team lost a lot of depth last year as 4 of our top 7 graduated, but I see a lot of potential and growth in the younger runners,” Evely said via email. “I am very excited to see everyone improve and grow stronger.”
Izzy Evely was named the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Runner of the Week earlier this month. App State cross country has its next meet this Friday at Don Kennedy Trails near State Farm Road. Courtesy of App State Athletics
Benz is in his second year with the Mountaineers after spending his freshman year at the University of South Dakota. Most people probably don’t think of cross country when they think of successful App State sports, but that could be due to lack of knowledge of the teams success, not an actual lack of success. The women’s team won Sun Belt titles in 2016 and 2018 and won 10 conference championships while a member of the Southern Conference. “It was amazing. I really wanted to come in and help my team out right off the bat, and I was able to do so,” Evely said via email. “Those accomplishments from Freshman year were the catalysts to my confidence at Appalachian State and gave me momentum to continue giving my all every day.” The men’s team captured its first Sun Belt Championship in 2017 and won 15 SoCon championships, including six straight from 2005-10. “That run of six conference titles in a row was very special. We had a lot of young men that really wanted to be part of the streak and didn’t want to be the ones to let the other teams down,” head coach Michael Curcio said via email. “When we did lose, it took UNC Greensboro and four very talented Kenyans to do it. UNC-G’s top athlete, Paul Chelimo, ended up becoming an American citizen and went on to win a silver medal at the (2016 Rio de Janeiro) olympics in the 5000m. We beat them the next year for 7 wins in 8 years ” Curcio is the longest tenured coach of any sport at App State. This is his 25th year as the men’s head coach and 20th year as the women’s head coach. After seeing his teams compete for the first time, he expects them to have yet another successful season. “We certainly see a promising season coming along,” Curcio said via email. Both the mens and womens teams will be in action next on Sept. 20, when the Mountaineers host the Mountains to Sea Open at 5 p.m. at the Don Kennedy Trails at the State Farm complex in Boone.
My last
word Brooks Maynard | Columnist
In my first column of the semester, I talked about rooting for other teams on campus besides football and mentioned some programs I thought were poised for success. One of those teams was volleyball. Unfortunately, at this point, the team has been stagnant. To the untrained eye, the team’s 3-7 record to start the season points to an off year. But, I’m here to say, hold on— the Mountaineers are not done yet. The team’s slate to open the year was difficult. The Mountaineers had to travel nearly 2,000 miles to face a ranked Arizona team for the second game of the year and faced tough competition in Duke, Clemson, Iowa State and NC State, two of which were also road games. The team has competed at a high level almost every time out, including the tough games. The team lost 17 sets by six points or less and seven sets by three points or less. Head coach Matt Ginipro wrote on Twitter that his team is creating opportunities, the team just needs to capitalize more often. The roster is still strong. Senior outside hitter Emma Longley recently eclipsed 1,000 career kills during the match against Iowa State. Juniors libero Emma Reilly and middle blocker Kara Spicer were selected as Sun Belt defensive and offensive players of the week, respectively, for their performances in the Duke Invitational. Reilly also recorded 1,000 career digs during a match against Wofford in the invitational. Slow start notwithstanding, there’s a lot of season left to play. Don’t sleep on volleyball, the team is a sleeping giant ready to wake up.
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Opinion Want to be heard? Send letters-to-the-editor to editor@theappalachianonline.com
The
Tea
NCGA Republicans launch a desperate attack on democracy Tommy Mozier | Opinion Editor Last week, North Carolina’s democracy came under attack. Not a physical attack by an outside invader or deranged citizen. This time, the attack came from within our own government. On Sept. 11, North Carolina General Assembly House Republicans called a vote to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto on their budget proposal, shortly after 8:30 a.m. The catch, however, is most Democrats were conveniently not in the chamber. Some were downstairs working to redraw GOP-rigged electoral maps, which had to be finished by Sept. 18. The final vote: 55-9, with 64 of 120 House members present. Evidence suggests Republicans planned this vote for some time. The GOP second-in-command, Rep. Jon Hardister, made sure to text House Republicans to be in their seats before the. vote. Hardister said this is a routine text. If so, how bad are our representatives at their jobs if they need daily reminders to show up to work? The GOP has scheduled a budget vote every day since Cooper’s original veto on June 5, but didn’t call one until most Democrats had left the chamber, as Republican Rep. David Lewis reportedly assured House Minority Leader Darren Jackson that no vote was about to happen. Although the bill still needs to pass the Senate before it’s law, this is yet another desperate attempt by North Carolina Republicans to subvert the democratic process. If you cannot win, cheat. Call surprise votes on 9/11. Draw voting districts that ensure you stay in the government majority, even if you don’t have the popular majority. Congresswoman Deb Butler, one of the few Democrats present for the vote, said it best. “If you usurp this process in this fashion, you will answer to the people of North Carolina,” Butler said in a now-viral video. “Absolutely cowardice. Childishness. Cowardice.” The 2020 election is 410 days away. “The people of North Carolina” need to ensure Butler’s statement is prophetic. If we cannot, how much further will our state fall?
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Sept. 20, 2019
To our readers: The Appalachian Editorial Board acknowledges and takes full responsibility for the uninformed and ambiguous argument published in an opinion article, “An eye-for-an-eye social justice hurts innocent people” published Sept. 12. We have no excuses for this oversight. A core tenant of our code of ethics, as is the Society of Professional Journalists’ doctrine, is to avoid harm. This piece was harmful to people who are marginalized on our campus. We have begun efforts to ensure we are more thorough in our editing process and sensitive to race and minority issues in the future. To prevent a similar situation from happening, we are actively creating communication channels between other campus organizations to include and educate ourselves on various perspectives in our reporting. We have planned relevant training for our staff to continue producing the fair and balanced content our readers expect. In this spirit, we commit to do better at questioning our own backgrounds while considering and learning more about the cultural experiences and attitudes of our audience. We encourage students to share their perspectives by submitting letters to the editor. You can send letters to editor@theappalachianonline.com.
Taylor Swift is bringing back the joy of CDs Keith Rudd | Opinion Writer Earlier this month, Taylor Swift released her seventh album, tacking a sixth No. 1 album to her resume and cementing herself as not only one of this generation’s most prominent popstars, but also one of the music industry’s best businesswomen. Yet Swift’s methodology for releasing music is unorthodox compared to many of her peers. With many artists embracing the switch to streaming, Swift still holds out on actual sales. It’s not uncommon for an artist’s sales to mostly come from streams on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. For an artist to receive credit for one physical album sale, their song would have to stream 1,500 times. With people buying less albums and streaming music more, it’s getting harder for an artist to reach the No. 1 position, something that is mostly influenced by album sales. Artists have commonly turned to bundling an album with merchandise, much like Swift has done with “Lover.” When an artist releases an album as part of a bundle, they often slash their bottom line, selling the bundle for much less in an effort to put more album sales on the board. Musicians will often release bonus features exclusive to the physical version. Much of the time, there are bonus songs or other merchandise specific to the album. Some special copies of “Lover” came with a diary recounting the process of recording the album. With the release of “1989,” Swift included a bundle of photographs chronicling the time spent making the record.
While the majority of music is still streamed, vinyl album sales have recently seen a major increase. Since 2006, vinyl records have seen a steady increase in sales. In 2018, 4.3% of all revenue in the music industry came from vinyl album sales. Twenty years ago, that number was less than half a percent. However, in the early 70s, when vinyl records were more popular, record sales accounted for over 60% of revenue in the music industry. All over the country, there are still many thriving record stores, proving the thrill of the hunt is still there, should you seek it. We even have one here in Boone: 641 rpm on King Street. I clearly remember the excitement my parents had on the Fridays they expected a new CD to come in the mail, or our family going to Best Buy Co., Inc. on a Saturday to get a new release. There’s something special about seeking out a CD or a record you’re looking for, making the album more meaningful. These artists’ push for physical releases of their albums comes as a win-win for both the artist and the fan; the artist gets the credit of an album sale, and the fan gets the reward of holding something tangible their favorite musician created. As for me, it goes both ways. On the way to class, it’s easier to use Spotify on my phone, but I prefer CDs when I’m in my car. I swear, it’s not just because I don’t have an AUX cord.
Opinion
Sept. 20, 2019
Rosalia: A Case Study in Cultural Appropriation Amy Waas | Opinion Writer One of the most popular Hispanic artists in the world won two of this year’s Latin Grammys, but instead of congratulations, she’s faced with major controversy. Rosalia’s 2018 album “Malamente” won Best Urban Fusion and Best Alternative Song and her popularity is well-deserved — listening to her music is like listening to music from both the past and the future. The album is a profound and unprecedented fusion of traditional flamenco and urban music. It quickly rose to the top of English and Spanish charts. The catch, however, is that Rosalia should have never received a Latin Grammy. Rosalia is not Latinx. Latinx, Latino and Latina all refer to cultural identities of Latin origin and geography, specifically regions of North America, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Rosalia is from Spain. Spain is not Latin; Spain is Hispanic. This is an important but often overlooked discrepancy. Furthermore, Rosalia’s use of flamenco, an art form she studied extensively, is controversial. Flamenco is from Andalusia, a southern region of Spain, whereas Rosalia is from Catalonia, a region that has historical tensions with the rest of the country. Some wonder if Rosalia’s affinity for flamenco and a more Latinx identity is less cultural appreciation and more cultural appropriation, a growing global issue in the music industry. Promoting a false sense of what it means to be Latin and using it to one’s own advantage, otherwise known as cultural appropriation, is disrespectful to artists who work hard to represent their culture in a global setting. Hispanic music is already very popular. There is no shortage of eurocentric celebrities, especially in the music industry. Continuing culturally inaccurate branding erases opportunities for diversity. It’s like when Justin Bieber’s remix of Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” pushed the original out of the charts. Rosalia’s music is taking up space that could be filled by real, unique Latinx artists who are often dismissed. “Mia,” the 2018 Spanish hit by Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, was popularized by Drake’s involvement on the track. “Mi Gente,” an early J. Balvin hit popular in 2017, made an increased appearance in the charts after Beyonce’s involvement in a remix. And, Benny Blanco, a white rapper, has created a Latino brand for himself to gain popularity through collaborations, such as the 2019 hit “I Can’t Get Enough,” which features Tainy, J. Balvin and Selena Gomez. In the case of Rosalia, her popularity as a “Latina” artist suggests that a eurocentric pop star is far more likely to achieve global success than artists who look, sound and actually are Latinx. J. Balvin, an authentic Latino artist, has never won a Latin Grammy, yet he’s credited with the success of the modern Latin pop industry. Ozuna, a popular Latino artist, is featured on “Yo Por Ti, Tu Por Mi,” Rosalia’s latest song. He owns the second-most hits on Latin Charts this year but has received neither the awards nor popularity that Rosalia has. This does not mean Rosalia and other eurocentric artists should not be appreciated for their successes. Instead, their music should be listened to and enjoyed outside of a Latin context to fully support the culture and history that helped make them famous. Maybe once Latin music charts are no longer dominated by Hispanic, eurocentric celebrities, there will be room for works by important, culturally accurate musicians who also deserve their chance.
Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump are more similar than they appear
Caleb Garbuio | Opinion Writer He attracts thousands to his rallies, inspires a cult-like following and constantly attacks the media. No, this is not Donald Trump, but Sen. Bernie Sanders. Since taking the Democratic Party by storm during the 2016 election, Sanders garnered popularity from millennials with college degrees. Sanders appealed to this demographic and marketed himself as a political outcast who refused to accept super PAC contributions to finance his campaign, relying on grassroots efforts. Sanders built his reputation blaming corporations and globalization for the plight of many working-class Americans. He promised to pass “Medicare for All,” to rebuild the United States’s infrastructure and have a federally mandated $15 minimum wag, which he believed would alleviate wealth inequality plaguing the U.S. Clearly, Sanders’ policies are different than Trump’s, who is criticized by Democrats as the candidate for the rich and privileged following his 2017 tax cuts. However, both candidates correctly identify issues facing the U.S. and gain popular support from people disenchanted with their government. For example, Trump’s message appeals to working-class Americans whose jobs are threatened by foreign workers working for less. Trump’s message appeals to this demographic because he promises to bring the U.S. back to a time when manufacturing jobs provided excellent wages. Since 2016, both Trump and Sanders have relied on half truths and misleading arguments to garner support, an ongoing pattern that continues in 2019. For example, in August, Sanders attacked The Washington Post for a series of unflattering articles published about him. Sanders asserted that because the Post is owned by Amazon.com, Inc., founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, it had ulterior motivation for targeting him. The Post’s executive editor, Marty Baron, rightly slammed Sanders for being conspiratorial as news pieces are determined by editors, not owners. These baseless accusations against the press are nothing new. Trump has criticized the Post for publishing a series of unflattering articles about him. Even if both candidates were correct and Bezos did control what The Washington Post published, this does not mean the articles were false. Since Trump and Sanders argue against the paper and not the information within it, their arguments are invalid because they are arguing against the source and not the material. While both candidates use fallacious reasoning to attract supporters, their main similarity is their appeal to the masses for political validation. Disaster has always followed societies and civilizations where charismatic leaders gain political power through the “will of the people.” The term “populist” is derived from the ancient Roman political faction known as the “Popularis,” which means “favoring the people.” The Popularis movement
originated as a response to the growing economic inequality brought on by massive plantations crowding out smaller farms. These landless farmers packed their belongings and moved to Rome, where they struggled to make ends meet. Sensing an opportunity, Gaius Julius Caesar used the will of the people to gain political power, leading to decades of bloodshed, culminating in the fall of the Roman Republic. While Caesar’s actions led to positive reforms, his actions also led to the rise of the Roman Empire. While exact historical events never repeat, the present often rhymes with the past, since modern civilizations face the same issues people previously faced. Sanders and Trump offer different solutions to similar problems and obtain support in a similar manner. They both appeal to disenfranchised groups who distrust the establishment and feel marginalized, tapping into their fear, anxiety and anger, whipping them into a frenzy. Ever try talking sense to a Trump supporter? What about a Bernie Bro? Open-minded discussion with individuals who support either candidate is impossible considering both factions have an aversion to empirical evidence. Supporters of both candidates filter the information they internalize to validate their opinions and claim objectivity. It makes compromise impossible since both sides claim to understand fundamental truths, while claiming the other is ignorant and misinformed. The truth is, subjectivity often intersects with objectivity to an extent, and current research suggests our emotions determine rationality. But, if that is the case, then the rational course of action depends on people’s emotions, meaning there is not a right or wrong answer to their beliefs because their perception determines their beliefs. This is a problem that has persisted with human beings since the dawn of prehistoric humankind. Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle sought to address this age-old problem in his book “Nicomachean Ethics.” Aristotle argued ethical behavior is found in the balance between two extremes known as the “golden mean.” From one extreme, you have cowardice, and on the other, you have foolhardiness. On their own, they lead to interpersonal problems, yet in the middle is bravery. In 2019, Democrats and Republicans are equally divided between two extremes because one candidate is reactionary, while the other is radical. It is only through achieving balance between both polarizing forces that the U.S. can heal from the damage one has caused and the potential havoc the other could bring. Sanders appears similar to Trump because the political spectrum is circular instead of linear. Since they are so different, they appear similar. Both extremes are closer than we believe.
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Et Cetera
Sept. 20, 2019
MOSS BRENNAN EDITOR IN CHIEF
IRA DAVID LEVY ADVISER
EDITORIAL
RACHEL GREENLAND MANAGING EDITOR
HARLEY NEFE CHIEF COPY EDITOR
JACKIE PARK NEWS EDITOR
CHRISTINA BEALS A&E EDITOR
SILAS ALBRIGHT SPORTS EDITOR
TOMMY MOZIER OPINION EDITOR
MULTIMEDIA
MICKEY HUTCHINGS VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
BRENDAN HOEKSTRA PHOTO EDITOR
EFRAIN ARIAS-MEDINA JR. GRAPHICS EDITOR
ANNA MUCKENFUSS VIDEO EDITOR
SADIE MADDOCK
We loOk terRible
NEWS PRODUCER
BUSINESS
STEVEN CAUGHRAN BUSINESS MANAGER
SHELLY BANZ ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER
MELISSA ALSUP MARKETING DIRECTOR
Front Page Caption: Bryan Stevenson, author of “Just Mercy,” spoke at the Holmes Convocation Center Sept. 17. His book was selected as the fall 2019 common reading book for incoming students. Becca Bridges
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App News
Sept. 20, 2019
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What to do Submit Announcements App News is a service of the Division of Student Affairs. Email editor@theappalachianonline.com for submissions with subject line: APP NEWS PAGE. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.
Mind and Body Class
WEB MANAGER WANTED!
design the Appalachian
If you are an App State student, stop by Rich Mountain Meditation Room on the 3rd Floor of the Plemmons Student Union to attend the Mind & Body class. The class will be hosted on Monday nights (9/16, 9/23, and 9/30) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Classes focus on how to relate to your thoughts and emotions while improving the relationship between your mind and body. This event is hosted by Wellness and Prevention Services. For any questions, please contact Reese Wells at wellsbr@appstate.edu.
If you have experience with WordPress or running a website, apply to be web manager for The Appalachian. Experience in content management and coding is preferred, but not required. Interested? Contact brennanmp@appstate.edu for more details and an application.
Want to lay out this paper? Have a flair for graphic design? Email editor@theappalachianonline.com to express interest! Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) preferred but not required. Opportunities available for student designers of all skill sets.
Friday, Sept. 20
Saturday, Sept. 21
Sunday, Sept. 22
Monday, Sept. 23
Volunteer with the Children’s Playhouse 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Children’s Playhouse
“Yesterday” Movie Showing 7 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium
Field Hockey vs. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 1-4 p.m. Brendan & Erica M. Adcock Field
Sustainable Energy Speaker Series: Ryan Miller Building Energy Efficiency: The Foundation of NC’s Clean Energy Future 4-5 p.m. Plemmons Student Union Room 201A
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country vs. Mountain to Seas Open 5-8 p.m. Don Kennedy Trails at State Farm
Women’s Soccer vs. Wofford 1-3 p.m. Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
Women’s Soccer vs. Troy 7-9 p.m. Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
Ellie Wee/Faculty Cello Recital with Guest Pianist, Barry David Salwen 8-9 p.m. Rosen Concert Hall
Tuesday, Sept. 24
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Thursday, Sept. 26
Volunteer with the Children’s Playhouse 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Children’s Playhouse
Volunteer with the Children’s Playhouse 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Children’s Playhouse
First Year Showcase 7-9 p.m. I.G. Greer Auditorium
Book Discussion with Leigh Goodmark: Decriminalizing Domestic Violence 7-9 p.m. Watauga County Library
Men’s Soccer vs. University of North Carolina Asheville 7-9 p.m. Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
Basel & The Supernaturals 8-11 p.m. Legends
BE ON THE FIELD
WRITE FOR THE APPALACHIAN SPORTS SECTION PSU 217 AT 7 P.M. EVERY THURSDAY AND SUNDAY
PHOTO: HAYLEY CANAL