Forum March 2022 Edition

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Student Newspaper March 2022

ALSO

UALR UPDATES

WOMEN’S MONTH

ENT. REVIEWS

NEWS

BREAK THE BIAS

“We have a new CEO.”

“What’s his name?”

“Her name.”

Every March is designated as International Women’s Month. Since 1978, March has been set aside to celebrate and recognize the contributions of women in American History. To name a few: Susan B. Anthony, Abigail Adams, Rosa Parks, and Sojourner Truth.

However, International Women’s Month began as International Women’s Week. In Santa Rosa, California, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women founded a “Women’s History Week.” The week of March 8, 1978, marked the first International Women’s Day and the beginning of International Women’s Week. And this celebration, as well as the women who founded it, did not go unnoticed.

The following year, clubs and organizations all over the country celebrated their own International Women’s Week.

Gathering more and more attention, in 1980 several women’s groups and historians were led by the National Women’s History Project — now known as the Women’s History Alliance — to lobby for national recognition. Fortunately, they were successful. Former President Jimmy Carter issued his Presidential Proclamation to recognize the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. “From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation,” former President Carter said in his message to the nation. “Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well.”

For seven years, the week of March 8 was celebrated as International Women’s

Week with March 8 being set aside as International Women’s Day. It wasn’t until 1987, however, that Congress passed Public Law 100-9, finally designating March as Women’s History Month.

The United Nations have advocated for and sponsored International Women’s Day even before it was recognized nationally. “[We] recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women,” cited the United Nations General Assembly. “And [we] acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.”

Every year, International Women’s Day is marked by a theme. This year, the theme is #BreaktheBias. Also this year, the International Women’s Day campaign has sought to focus on breaking gender bias. However far women have come, however diligently and vigorously we have fought for equality, bias still exists. “Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions — all day, every day. We can break the bias in our communities. We can break the bias in our workplaces. We can break the bias in our schools, colleges and universities,” the International Women’s Campaign stated on their website. “Together, we can all break the bias — on International Women’s Day and beyond.” Gender bias has made it, and continues to make it, difficult for women to prosper in their respective playing fields. Knowing the issue exists and persists is not enough; action needs to be taken. This March, and every month henceforth, the International’s Women Day campaign intends to call out gender bias, discrimination, and stereotyping every time they see it. In solidarity, individuals have posted pictures crossing their arms to show they plan to #BreaktheBias.

Happy March — Happy International Women’s Month. “Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.”

BY VIVIAN ANGELES

TENURE TROUBLES

UNIVERSITY SPECIAL ASSEMBLY MEETING

A historic meeting of the University Assembly was called on Feb. 22 via a Zoom call to address recent legislation approved by the Faculty Senate legislature to amend the post-tenure review process for faculty at UA Little Rock. The agenda called for either the rescission or amendment of the recently-passed legislation. Specifically, the agenda aimed to amend the current legislation by requiring that a faculty member be found unsatisfactory in the three reviewed areas in a single year (teaching, research and service) or in two out of three categories in two consecutive years. Additionally, the amendments called for a binding appeal right to a committee of faculty, as opposed to administrators. The changes were presented by two members of the Faculty Review Committee, Dr. Joshua Silverstein and Dr. Roger Steinbuch of the Bowen School of Law.

The Faculty Senate had recently changed the tenure policy in a process that had been underway since Spring 2018. The University Tenure Committee felt they were unheard and their policies were not given a chance, so a group of professors petitioned the University Assembly to amend or rescind bills FS_2022_01 and FS_2022_03.

Arguments made for amending the tenure policy came primarily from the members of the University Tenure Committee, especially members Robert Steinbuch and Joshua Silverstein, professors at the Bowen School of Law, who argued that the tenure standard was vastly inaccurate with the standards recommended by the American Association of University Professors. Steinbuch, the Chair of the University Tenure Committee, argued he was blocked from speaking at the two most former Senate meetings where they passed the new policies, and that the tenure committee’s suggestions were the best, most middle-ground policies. Therefore they should be passed. The amenders also recommended a right to appeal the "unsatisfactory" finding to a binding committee of faculty (not administrators), as they said such an appeal right is not only good academic policy & recommended by the AAUP, it's required by state law.

Arguments made against the

proposed changes were numerous and broad. John Hendon, Senior Instructor of Management at UA Little Rock, claimed that the new tenure review process provides ample time for faculty members under probationary review to improve their performance while minimizing the impact on students who may be affected by under-performing faculty. Dr. Amanda Nolen, a professor in the School of Education, raised a separate complaint that the amendments and rescissions themselves are inconsistent with UALR school and Board of Directors’ policy. She further elaborated that modifying the tenure appeal process in accordance with the proposed changes to include faculty peer reviews in the appeal process would contradict Chancellor Dr. Christy Drale and University of Arkansas System President Dr. Ronald R. Bobbitt’s power. Faculty Senator, Dr. Nancy Hamilton commended the Faculty Senate’s judgment in passing the current legislation, stating that the changes to the tenure review process were deliberately made over the course of 4 years.

Participants of the meeting included UA Little Rock faculty, staff, administration, students and elected members of the Staff Senate, including Senator Dr. Nancy Hamilton. FS_2022_01 was voted for amendment first and failed to pass by a 49% to 51% margin. FS_2022_01 was then voted for rescission and failed to pass as well by a 49% to a 51% margin. Thirdly, FS_2022_02 and FS_2022_03 were both voted for amendment and also failed to pass by 46% to 54%. The last motion for rescission of FS_2022_02 and FS_2022_03 failed by 39% to 61%.

As of now, the tenure policy is the policy the Faculty Senate passed on Jan. 28. Notably, the definition of overall unsatisfactory changed from “unsatisfactory in all three categories of teaching, scholarship, and service” to “unsatisfactory in two out of three categories of teaching, scholarship, and service.” In post-tenure review, “10 business days” was amended to “30 days.” For more information on what the tenure policy is now, check the Faculty Senate policies page on the UALR website, titled Promotion and Tenure and Annual and Post-tenure Review.

BY BRYAN HERNANDEZ & CHLOE MCGEHEE

GEOLOGY STUDENT CHOSEN FOR US-MEXICAN RESEARCH PROGRAM

What started as a hobby during her childhood has now transformed into a career for UA Little Rock junior Mariela Saavedra Duran.

“In middle school, I did a presentation on climate change that sparked my interest [in science],” Duran said. “I was introduced to the science Olympiad … I feel like the science Olympiad was a turning point in that life stage as a young teenager.”

Duran, a double major in geology and Spanish, was selected for the Baja Basins Program, which is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation as an International Research Experiences for Students program. This program allows participants to have a U.S.-Mexican collaborative research opportunity that explores digital field mapping techniques with top-of-the-line analytical work on the tectonic evolution of the Santa Rosalía basin area in the Gulf of California rift.

This program has two parts to it. In January, Duran spent three weeks in Baja California conducting research and was part of the group that studied tectonic geomorphology. In July, she will travel to the University of MissouriKansas City to examine the findings of her research.

“I spoke to my mentor about it because I was kind of curious about the selection,” she said. “They reviewed the application because one of the questions asked what we were interested in. One thing I did [include] was that I am interested in tectonic because it is so complex. It is a hard subject to fully understand. … Tectonics have such an importance in the way the land is formed; it has a huge impact on our lives too.”

According to the Baja Basins Program website, this research took place in the Santa Rosalía basin area due to its volcanic and marine sedimentary sequences and large, uplifted Quaternary terraces that can be utilized to understand the processes involved in the progressive stages of continental breakup. The Gulf of California rift has an inherent, rapid tectonic

movement, which consequently develops a stratigraphic history. Processes of deformation can be studied in detail with exceptional exposures and accessible outcrops.

Duran said she had only taken two geology courses and was excited about this opportunity where she would learn more about tectonics and engage with other students and professors whom she could learn from as well. “I got to interact with students from across the United States,” she said. “It gave me a broader environment to talk to other students who are interested in the same thing but in different categories.”

Not only is Duran passionate about geology as a career, but she knows she is breaking boundaries and potentially stereotypes historically created within the Latinx/Hispanic cultures. “Another reason why I decided to apply was that I am a minority; I am a person of color,” she said. “I feel like it goes back to the idea that Hispanics don’t really get into this field because my ancestors have dealt with these types of stereotypes. That is something I am trying to break as well.”

Being one of the very few Hispanics in the geology program at UA Little Rock, there is a lack of sense of belonging for Duran sometimes but that is something she is trying to overcome through experiences like the Baja Basins Program. She feels grateful for the learning opportunity but also was thrilled to learn from other Hispanic geologists.

“I was interested to work with other Hispanic[s] that also chose geology as a career,” Duran said. “Argentina, Chile, Mexico, have, of course, Latinx geologists, but in my area, I do not see a lot of representation. I wanted to have a role model to show me that it’s possible.”

During the three weeks she was researching, Duran said she really enjoyed her time there and in the next phase, which happens during the month of July in Kansas City, she will take her findings and analyze them.

“Once I get to Missouri, they are going to give us back the data I collected, and then I have to

analyze and interpret it,” she said. “My focus was on terraces, which is where the rivers cut through the area. It shows the history of the area. I have to analyze the data I collected and try to compare it to my teammates to see if my terraces are related to their area as well.”

The end goal while in Missouri is to have the terraces in the area professionally mapped because there are more than one, to develop a visual geological history and finalize her findings in a research paper, which Duran said she hopes to publish. She looks forward to potentially presenting it to the Geological Student Association.

As only a junior, she has some time left to figure out what her end goal is. Duran said she is open to whatever opportunity comes her way. “Right now, I do enjoy research and love geology,” she said. “I want to expand my horizons and want to explore the engineering side of it. I am currently a learning assistant for my professors and that gave me a new experience in knowing that I like teaching too. I am still open and exploring my options.”

Through her studies, Duran has tried to find her place in the geology world and after the first phase of the Baja Basins Program, she feels more determined to continue moving forward. “We collaborated with Mexican geologists in the area as well,” she said. “I had two mentors. One from Chile and one from Baja California. It gave me more motivation to continue to do what I study because it allows me to see that being a minority should not stop me from continuing what I want to do.”

UA LITTLE ROCK LAUNCHES NEW CHILD CARE PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock recently launched a new program to help university students find and afford quality child care while they complete their college education.

The Child Care Connections program funding is provided by a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) four-year grant of $581,128 from the U.S. Department of Education. The CCAMPIS grant allows UA Little Rock to partner with child care providers by providing child care assistance to low-income students.

Shanna Parker, director of Child Care Connections, says that UA Little Rock is committed to this partnership with the university's students by extending child care assistance to all eligible UA Little Rock students.

Students who qualify for Pell Grants will have the opportunity to receive child care funding. About 39 percent of undergraduate students at UA Little Rock receive Pell Grants. “Making child care in licensed facilities more accessible for low-income students/parents is important because it will increase academic success by reducing the need to miss classes to care for children,” Parker said.

community agencies to provide services to students who do not qualify for the child care funding.

The amount of funding the student receives for child care will vary. “CCAMPIS subsidy is the percent of the funding provided to child care providers after all other sources of aid are applied,” she said.

She said the CCAMPIS grant will help students by providing undisturbed time for class preparation, class projects and other coursework by providing the wrap-around services connected to the program. “Improved persistence will improve degree attainment in a shorter period, which will have life-long benefits for both the parent-students and their children,” said Parker.

Eligible UA Little students will have to apply for the child care funding each semester to verify they meet the income requirement. Students are enrolled following the CCAMPIS grant regulations, and the Child Care Connections program will maintain enrollment according to the needs of students. Students can click this link to fill out an application.

BY AZALEA ANDRADE

She said the Child Care Connection program works with

BY MADDIE BECKER

FOR THE STUDENTS: THE LEARNING COMMONS

The Learning Commons, located near the entrance of the Ottenheimer Library, opened this year in mid-January. When students returned from a long winter break, the Commons had not been fully completed, leaving students curious as to what would inhabit that large area of the library. After its opening, students found that they would be offered tutoring and assistance from many of the university’s learning departments, all in one place; the centers located in the Learning Commons include the Communication Skills Center, the Mathematics Assistance Center, the University Writing Center, the World Languages Center and Trojan Tutoring. Having been there pre- and post-

via email (elcox@ualr.edu). When visiting in-person, students will spend about 30 minutes of one-onone time with one of the writing center’s members. The concept of peer tutors is something that Dr. Cox wants to push forward to students: “These are students who go through the same things you go through.” The members, about six or seven in-person, include many graduate students, a few undergraduate students, interns and volunteers. (Volunteers must meet certain criteria in order to assist in the writing center.) From Monday through Thursday, there will usually be two staff members there to help; online staff are always available, as students only need to submit their papers online.

The OWL is very convenient for the busy-college-student

Mathematics Assistance Center

Having math tutors available at all times of the day is an absolute must for college-level math courses. Luckily, the Mathematics Assistance Center (MAC) offers all the math help you will need in order to achieve success. William Barker, director of the MAC, explains that the math center was previously known as MAC I and II (developmental math); both sections joined in order to provide students with more accessibility in one place. “The Learning Commons is a wonderful idea, because we’re all coalesced in one area,” said Barker. They have tutors that offer help with lower-level math courses up to graduate-level

“It is refreshing to see how the university is working to help students connect with each other after the few years of isolation we have all had.”

construction of the Commons, I was able to appreciate the amount of work that went into this even more after the departments shared more information.

University Writing Center

The University Writing Center is available to students both on-campus and online and offers a plethora of services for students seeking assistance concerning written work. Dr. Earnest Cox, director of the writing center, began by describing the center’s two parts: the writing center in the Learning Commons and the Online Writing Lab (OWL).

The center at the Learning Commons, explains Dr. Cox, offers students an opportunity to drop in, ask questions about their papers and receive insightful feedback; papers will not necessarily be proofread, but, says Dr. Cox, “we’ll show them how to find patterns of error and how to fix their own writing so they can become better writers.” To access hours of availability, students should refer to the writing center’s website: ualr.edu/writingcenter. To make an appointment, contact Dr. Cox

lifestyle, and substantial feedback is received in three or fewer days in the form of comments made throughout the paper. “We really focus in on meaning first,” emphasizes Dr. Cox. “We try to give substantive feedback to the students. Same thing with our face-to-face meetings, we want to help them say what they want to say in [their] piece more effectively.” Both parts of the center offer many advantages, as the Learning Commons offers you the chance to interact and have a conversation with someone else but the student must take notes concerning feedback, and the OWL allows you a written record of suggestions but no person-toperson conversation. Students are encouraged to bring their papers (or ideas) in all their phases — topics, outlines, drafts — as the center welcomes them all. “Our goal in the writing center,” says Dr. Cox, as the interview comes to an end, “is to help anyone who’s part of the UALR community become better writers.” The department seeks to provide a supportive and comfortable environment where students can receive feedback or simply write, relax and hang out.

offer a “Welcome” desk for students where appointments can be made. There are two major goals that the math center has set: “We want to do two things, increase retention, especially after the past two years that we’ve had, and we want to increase mathematical confidence in students’ mathematical ability,” explained Barker. More than anything, Barker would like for students to know that this help is available to them whenever they need it and encourages them to reach out. For any questions concerning the MAC, contact Barker at wkbarker@ualr.edu.

Communication Skills Center

virtual) to help students improve their communication and social skills.

courses, and even with statistics courses – there is something for everyone to benefit from. Their services are offered Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., evenings (online) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. via Zoom and some weekend meeting times. In total, the math center covers about 130 hours a week.

The staff at the math center houses many undergraduate students and recent graduates (with a bachelor’s degree in math), all confident in their math ability up to calculus III. Their in-person staff currently has two people, but in total, they have about 13 tutors. The numerous people available to help students help minimize the wait time and offer a “wealth of experience within the center,” assures Barker. Students are still learning to navigate the Learning Commons, which Barker thinks was a great investment as it serves as a centralized location to have access to immediate help. When seeking help, students are encouraged to simply drop by with any questions and reach out via Zoom in the evenings. No appointment is necessary, but the center will soon

The staff at the Communication Skills Center (CSC) – Michelle Malone and Morgan Gianferante, assistant directors, and Mitch Thompson, graduate assistant – were delighted over the opportunity to share the services they provide. From the different stages of one’s speech to the end product, the center focuses on helping students become confident in their speech. Their services focus on the many aspects of speech, from “managing anxiety, brainstorming topics, conducting research, organizing content, adapting messages to audiences, designing and integrating effective presentations,” shared Gianferante; help is not limited, as anyone in-person or online can access the resources provided by the CSC. Not only are they determined to help students, but they offer help to staff and faculty as well. According to Malone, they helped many faculty members navigate Zoom during the past year.

In order to accomplish their goals, they offer many different forms of assistance. The CSC has a rehearsal room equipped with microphones, cameras (to record oneself), a computer, a television and a clicker to elevate one’s practice time; it can be used for both individual and group use. Workshops are also hosted by the CSC, having covered positive communication, conflict resolution and interview preparation. However, students can request workshops on specific topics. They also host a weekly Conversation Club (in-person and

The CSC staff is overseen by Dr. Kristen McIntyre, the director, and consists of many assistant directors, volunteers and a few interns. Graduate students fulfill the role of assistant directors, while undergraduate students will either volunteer, take workstudy positions or work through internships. To meet with the CSC staff, walk-ins are welcomed on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Evening meeting times are also available online from 5 p.m to 10 p.m. If one wishes to make an appointment, it can be booked at calendly.com/ualrcommunication-skill-center.

Adding to this information, Thompson mentions, “[There are] professors on campus who are encouraging students to come and visit us as well.” They are fostering a great community that professors trust can give students what they need.

“We’re here to serve the students and faculty and staff at the university,” said Malone. “That’s our role, is to be able to fill in any possible gaps and be able to help out where we can. It’s really exciting to be a part of the Learning Commons.”

The Learning Commons, overall, serves to bring student services together for easier student accessibility, provide convenience for the overwhelmed college student and to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere during stressful times. After speaking to the directors of a few of the Learning Commons’ departments, I could most definitely see the passion and excitement they had toward the opening of the Commons. It was, essentially, a breath of fresh air to see how happy they were when describing each of their departments, their jobs and the services they provide. It is refreshing to see how the university is working to help students connect with each other after the few years of isolation we have all had.

BY VASTI HERNANDEZ

ENSLAVED BY THE CHURCH, SOLD FOR THE REPUBLIC: A DIGITAL HISTORY PROJECT

Dr. Nathan Marvin, assistant professor of history at UA Little Rock, has created a digital history project to tell the story of enslaved people during the French Revolution. Titled “Enslaved by the Church, Sold for the Republic: The Untold Story of the Men, Women, and Children Rendered ‘National Property’ During the French Revolution,” the project was published on Feb. 28, 2022. Marvin dedicated his research to his late advisor, Pier M. Larson, whose support and encouragement made the project possible.

The website is organized into six main sections: Slavery and the Church, Atlas: Ecclesiastical Slavery, Narrative 1: Haiti, Narrative 2: Reunion, 1793 Auction Transcript, and News: Recognition, Redress. The sections are full of information in the text as well as interactive maps and images. Viewers are encouraged to explore each section in any order they want.

The section Slavery and the Church goes into detail about the Catholic Church’s role in upholding slavery until condemning all forms of slavery in 1965. An interactive globe marks all the Catholic orders and congregations across the world who were slaveholders at the time. The next interactive graphic in Atlas: Ecclesiastical Slavery has an atlas representing ecclesiastical slaveholding and which religious communities were involved.

Narrative 1: Haiti covers the Haitian Revolution and how it impacted the people enslaved on properties managed by the Catholic Church. The narrative focuses on the experiences of enslaved people instead of the priests and politicians. Narrative 2: Reunion follows slaves in France’s Indian Ocean colonies. Marvin hopes to further his research on Reunion Island by creating a family tree of enslaved people who were sold at the 1793 auction to their modern descendants.

CRIME BEAT

Dating Violence

On Jan. 20 around 10:00 p.m., Officer Tomeka Stacker was dispatched to North Hall for a disturbance caused by a resident’s ex-boyfriend. The suspect was found standing outside the resident’s door and immediately fled through the stairwells upon Stacker’s arrival.

According to Stacker’s narrative, the resident changed their phone number earlier that day, and they believe that is why the suspect was at the resident’s door. According to the incident report, the suspect was not a student and has assaulted the resident in the past. The resident was escorted to her vehicle so they could vacate the premises to stay somewhere safer.

Damage to Parking Gate

On Feb. 1, a black vehicle ran into the Lot 2 gate. The incident was filmed by cameras on the premises. Chief Detective Roy Mayo, along with Assistant Chief Benjamin Rommel, located the suspect with

a group of peers in the pool area of the Donaghey Student Center. The driver was questioned and then charged with criminal mischief for damage done to the property.

The court date was issued for March 15 in the Pulaski County District Court.

Damage to Dickinson Hall Fire Hydrant

Just later that month, on Feb. 17, around 11:15 a.m., Officer Johnny Smith went to inspect some damage done to a fire hydrant behind Dickinson Hall. According to the officer’s narrative, the driver, who was a faculty member, was attempting to back up to the loading dock to pick up some supplies in his personal vehicle. The driver had damage to the left side fender.

Terroristic Threatening

On Feb. 18, a sorority member was attending a stroll practice when she says she accidentally hit another person so hard that his nose began to bleed and his nose ring was knocked out. Officer

The 1793 Auction Transcript details nine public auctions that re-enslaved people as national property for the French Republic. The transcript lists the names of each person who was sold. News: Recognition, Redress then links viewers to media of the institutions that have apologized for their previous roles in slavery and the slave trade.

Enslaved by the Church, Sold for the Republic is a project that aims to teach about oppressed people of the past who may have been forgotten. All those interested should give the digital project a visit to learn more.

BY PAYTON DHOOGE

Jerome Bailey wrote the initial narrative. According to Bailey’s narrative, the sorority member said that she was threatened while the suspect held a handgun in his right hand.

After Mayo reached out and collected witness statements, the suspect was charged with Terroristic Threatening, a Class A misdemeanor. The report also included not that the Arkadelphia jail was not accepting prisoners at the time and the warrant would remain active.

Car Collision

On Feb. 18, around 5:42 p.m., Officer Ka’Noesha Wilson was dispatched to Lot 12 to investigate a car accident with no reported injuries. The victim’s car had been backed into while they were not inside and they were informed of the accident by a housing group chat. According to the narrative, there was major damage to the victim’s vehicle along with minor damage to the suspect’s vehicle.

BY REMINGTON MILLER

FROM 60 POUNDS TO 300: AN UPDATE ON THE BABY RHINO KEVIN

Between 1960 and 1995, the population of eastern black rhinoceroses dropped to nearly 2,500 due to hunters and poachers, resulting in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifying the species as critically endangered.

On November 11, 2021, the Little Rock Zoo welcomed the birth of a baby eastern black rhinoceros, the first rhino birth for the zoo. Four months have passed, and the baby, named Kevin, continues to bring hope to the zoo and to rhino conservation.

Will Shackleton is a large hoofstock keeper at the Little Rock Zoo. He works with a variety of animals, including elephants, alpacas, and rhinos. "I've been working at the Little Rock Zoo for three years," Shackleton said. "I actually did my very first college internship at the Little Rock Zoo over ten years ago and finally ended up back here." Shackleton has an associate's degree in Zoo Keeping Technologies. While zoology courses focus more on the biology and science of animals, Shackleton's degree was designed for husbandry and the common care of animals. His interest in the animal field led him to return to the Little Rock Zoo, where he has cared for the zoo's rhinos, including Kevin's mother Andazi, a 15-year-old rhino, and his father Johari, a 26-year-old rhino who has lived at the zoo since he was three years old. Andazi and Johari were a breeding pair when Shackleton arrived, and he worked with them to make sure they were introduced properly and at the right time to give them the best chance for success. And success there was, with the now four-month-old Kevin.

"We didn't get a weight on him [when he was born]," said Shackleton. "We weren't able to get hands-on with him right away, and we didn't necessarily want to

because we wanted [him] to have a really, really strong bond with mom. So, he was born probably between sixty and seventy-five pounds, and in four months my best guess [is that] he's up to about three hundred pounds. We're actually working on his scale training right now and he's doing very well. He shows no fear. And he's just learning to explore his own world right now, and he's getting braver every single day ... getting further away from mom and kind of developing his own personality and not just trying to follow her and mimic her in everything she does."

"He is just doing so well," continued Shackleton. "He is developing so well. His teeth are coming in, his horns are coming in, and he's just so excited every single day. And with the weather getting warmer, we're able to get him outside a lot more. He's really starting to learn how to actually use the enrichment — his toys — in the yard. And now that his teeth are coming in, he's ... starting to be able to take treats, and so he's becoming food motivated and we're able to ... start training him already. He's just so much full of energy and not showing typical aggression from rhinos because he's so young and just so curious."

It takes a baby rhino three to five years to become fully independent from its mother. Unlike white rhinos who have a herd mentality, black rhinos are solitary and prefer to be on their own. However, although they are a more solitary species, they are still able to bond with their caretakers.

"The best thing about being a zookeeper is being able to connect with the animals that we work with," Shackleton said. "I work with the biggest animals in the world. People don't necessarily understand everything that goes into it. We work 365 days, 7 days a week. We sacrifice a lot to be here. ... There's a lot of cleaning, a lot of training, and a lot of just other

random projects and maintenance, so, it's very rewarding to be able to actually spend time with the animals, get to learn them, because they have personalities just like we do. Being able to feel that connection and that bond ... they definitely know who we are." Kevin has also bonded with the zookeepers: "Watching him grow up and watching how he's developing and the bond that he's got with mom ... when you're up close you get to see that every single day. It's definitely very special."

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA is a nonprofit organization focused

"It's just a cooperation between all AZA zoos and their partners. ... We work together to move these animals around and help breed these animals. If we didn't work together, we wouldn't be able to make these SSP programs work."

Kevin's birth means a great deal to the Little Rock Zoo and to eastern black rhino conservation.

"Having a successful birth is a very good bright side of animal conservation. Rhinos are dying one every eight hours," said Shackleton. "Being able to have a confirmed birth in captivity allows us to have his genetics available." Kevin's genetics are valuable because his father Johari

such as the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC), and the Asian Elephant Support (AES). "There's a lot of different conservation projects. It's not all about breeding an animal; some of these conservation projects are about protecting them or ... providing medical care. Some of them handle everything. [By] getting deeper information on the animals that you like, you might be able to find a conservation project that we don't even partner with that you can donate to [them] as well. The more information you have the better, and a good place to start is just to call us and we can

“Watching him grow up and watching how he’s developing and the bond that he’s got with mom ... when you’re up close you get to see that every single day. It’s definitely very special.”

on advancing the conservation, education, and recreation of zoos and aquariums. The Species Survival Plan (SSP) is a partnership between AZA-accredited zoos, certified facilities, and other partners who are committed to managing species population and genetic diversity.

"Specific keepers who have been in the field for a very long time and have shown a passion for animals can apply to be a part of the program," Shackleton said. "It can be a regular zookeeper at the Toronto Zoo, or a curator at the Bronx Zoo, or it could be me." The goal of the SSP is to cooperate with others to keep information and track births. They make recommendations for which animals should go where and which animals shouldn't breed anymore to do overrepresentation.

"A lot of major species that are threatened or endangered have SSP coordinators that keep in contact with all the zoos and they talk to everyone," Shackleton continued.

is unrepresented anywhere else; he does not have any living siblings or parents. Because of this, his genetics may be utilized according to the SSP's plans. The Little Rock Zoo participates in studies, collects samples and DNA, and partners with other organizations to help with funding and the spread of information. Keeping the captive rhino breeding program diverse will help prevent a bottleneck in the future. Eventually, as technology advances, conservation groups will be able to use the genetic information with wild rhinos to maintain a diverse and thriving population.

The Little Rock Zoo is committed to conservation and the advancement of endangered and threatened species. For every parking fee and ticket to the Little Rock Zoo, a part of those funds goes toward conservation. If a person is interested in learning more about donation and conservation, they can contact the zoo to find out who they are currently working with,

give you the information we have."

A way to make a more local impact is by donating toward a specific animal's enrichment fund. Items can be chosen from an Amazon wishlist, and the donor can decide exactly what they want, and zookeepers will then give it to the animal. "These animals — they have their own personalities. They are just as smart as we are. ... Just coming and supporting us — just coming to the zoo — helps us out tremendously. So, just any support allows us to continue to do what we love and be able to continue to build these bonds we are building with our animals and also with the public. All the support you guys give allows us to continue educating further and farther every single day." To see how you can support the Little Rock Zoo and its conservation efforts, visit littlerockzoo.com/conserve/ support-conservation.

BY DANIELLE SPENCE

EAT BEAT ENTERTAINMENT

WALDO’S CHICKEN & BEER RIVER CITY COFFEE

Waldo’s Chicken and Beer is located at 4221 Warden Rd, in North Little Rock and had its grand opening on March 15.

I went on the opening day during lunch hours and I expected a long wait but was pleasantly surprised when we got our order taken and received our food within 20 minutes.

When you walk in you place your order at the front counter and then choose your own seating. You can sit at the bar, at a regular table seating or on the outside patio. The inside is not huge but there are two tables for large groups.

Their menu is pretty straightforward, they have chicken wings, chicken sandwiches,

chicken tenders and chicken salads. They have seven different side options including fries and macaroni. They also have a snack menu that includes their cheddar biscuits and of course, they have a variety of alcoholic beverages.

I ordered the three-piece chicken tender basket with fries and I was not disappointed! I’ve had chicken tenders at almost every place that serves them and Waldo’s has by far the best chicken! The chicken was full of flavor and melted in my mouth. Their fries are well seasoned and tasted fresh. My boyfriend also had the chicken tender basket and for both of us to eat it was about $24.

The customer service was great!

When we needed something, someone was always there to help us.

I enjoyed the food and the service so much that I went back two days later and got the chicken tender basket and this time I tried their cheddar biscuit with melted honey butter. They offer a basket of six cheddar biscuits or you can order one. I ordered one just to try it and my only complaint was how small they are.

Waldo’s Chicken and Beer is now my go-to place for chicken!

There’s nothing more rewarding than a break after endless hours of screen time the week before spring break. To me, taking a break means finding the nearest source of coffee for a quick dose of motivation. Coffee doesn’t give me the energy to get out of my afternoon slump, but it definitely helps keep me going (and has done so for the past 5 years).

BY MADDIE BECKER

On a perfect Wednesday afternoon, when spring began to mark its arrival with lovely 70° weather, my best friend and I decided to try out a coffee shop located in the Hillcrest neighborhood: River City Coffee. Upon entrance to the small shop, I was greeted by the staticky sound of an old record player and the wonderful smell of coffee. A shelf displayed numerous records, a few chairs held college students typing on laptops or reading and a velvet couch offered comfort after a long day of work. The atmosphere provided a safe place to relax and unwind with my best friend as we laughed at some of the day’s events. Now for the coffee: it was absolutely wonderful. I’m not the

type of person to go for a sweet drink, as my default is an oat milk latte, but I decided to go for some flavor this time. I ordered an iced raspberry mocha with oat milk and it did not disappoint! It wasn’t overly sweet, which I appreciated; the balance between the coffee, raspberry and mocha combined perfectly, providing the perfect springtime drink. However, I did feel that it needed more ice, as it was still a bit warm. The good thing is, even if it had too much ice, you wouldn’t have to worry about a watered-down coffee because they had coffee ice cubes. This is the first coffee shop I’ve visited that has coffee ice cubes, which made the experience more fun. The shop’s environment was very calming, with the sunlight shining through the large windows. I would definitely go back to River City Coffee and just ask for extra ice in my drink. On a scale of one to five, I would rate my drink and overall experience a four. Go out and try it for yourself and help support a local business!

BY VASTI HERNANDEZ

HEALTH:Increasingaccesstonaloxone: a‘miracle’drugthatreversesopioidoverdose

Opioids are drugs that interact with opioid receptors in the body to produce various effects, most notably pain relief. Opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone are frequently prescribed to treat moderate-severe pain. In addition, illegal opioids like heroin and illegally manufactured fentanyl are also widely used. Though commonly prescribed, opioids are highly addictive and come with several side effects including confusion, dizziness, nausea, slowed breathing, and others. Additionally, if one accidentally takes too much opioid medication, an overdose can occur.

According to the National Institute of Health, there were over 68,600 opioid-related overdose deaths (including prescription and illegal opioids) in 2020, a major increase from previous years. In 2020, fentanyl was the leading cause of drug-related deaths in Arkansas, according to the Arkansas State Crime Lab which reported 148 fentanylrelated deaths. Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid, and there has been a significant increase in illegally manufactured fentanylrelated deaths in Arkansas and in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arkansas currently has the second-highest opioid prescribing rate in the U.S. at 75.8 prescriptions per 100 people. Shockingly, Pulaski County has a rate of 141.7 opioid prescriptions per 100 people,

implying that there are more prescriptions than people. To help prevent opioid overdoses, Arkansas has taken great steps to increase access to naloxone, an opioid antidote often called a ‘miracle’ drug. Naloxone is a safe FDA-approved drug (often in the form of a nasal spray called Narcan) that can reverse an opioid overdose. The drug acts as an antagonist and binds to opioid receptors, blocking the effects of opioid drugs. The CDC recommends that people who use opioids (illicit or prescription) and people who have loved ones who use opioids carry naloxone in case of an accidental overdose. This is because naloxone needs to be administered as quickly as possible to someone who is overdosing so that breathing can be restored. To increase access to naloxone, Arkansas has authorized pharmacists to dispense naloxone to eligible people, including those who use opioids and those who have loved ones who use opioids. No doctor prescription is necessary, and the pharmacist provides information on how to administer the antidote. In 2021, a new Arkansas law went into effect requiring physicians to prescribe naloxone to eligible patients receiving an opioid prescription. Additionally, Arkansas has a Good Samaritan law that legally protects those who administer naloxone to someone, if they are acting in “good faith.”

It is highly recommended

that people who are at a high risk of opioid overdose carry naloxone, including those who use prescription opioids, illicit opioids, or any other illegal drug that may potentially have opioids in it. Furthermore, if you have friends or family who use opioids, then carrying naloxone is extremely important in case of an accidental overdose. It is also imperative to know how to identify an opioid overdose and what steps to take.

To that end, the Arkansas Take Back website has a free naloxone training module that teaches you how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. More information can be found at artakeback.org/ collegiate-narcan-training/

Another free resource is the NARCANsas app, which offers information on how to identify an overdose, administer naloxone, and where to find treatment and recovery resources. The app is available on the Google Play Store and App Store.

Some signs of an opioid overdose include slowed, irregular or no breathing; blue fingernails and lips; small pupils; loss of consciousness; limp body; and cold skin. If you believe someone is suffering from an opioid overdose, the first step is to call 911. Next, administer naloxone (if on hand). Then, try to keep the person awake and lay them on their side. Finally, stay by their side until emergency services arrive.

BY AHAD NADEEM

ELLIOT: A SOLDIER’S FUGUE

On March 2-6, The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Theater Department showcased “Elliot: A Soldier’s Fugue,” as written by playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes and directed by Associate Professor of Theater, Arts and Dance, Dr. Lawrence Smith.

Production staff included Production Manager Bryan Runion, Production Stage Manager Logan Sellen and Assistant Production Managers, Freshman Theater Major Riah Perkins and Senior Theater Arts Major Chelsea Saunders. Costume Design was thoroughly researched and composed by Costume Designer Yslan Hicks and Costume Shop Manager Don Bolinger. Scenic Design was masterfully created by Lauren Ayn Lusk. Light Design was orchestrated by Mike Stacks, and Sound Design was managed by Baaquir Salaam.

“Elliot” was nominated as a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Hudes is also known for writing “In the Heights,” the hit Broadway musical scored by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Hudes also received the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play, “Water By the Spoonful,” a continuation of the story of the Ortiz family, the family which “Elliot” is centered upon.

“Elliot: A Soldier’s Fugue” follows the Ortiz family of veterans–Elliot, Pop, Ginny and Grandpop–as they attempt to collectively heal and process wartime trauma, while leaning on their Puerto Rican traditions to bring them comfort. The play is rich with references to Puerto Rican music and food, such as Elliot leaving for deployment with freshly-wrapped sorullito and Grandpop and Pop playing the same flute for their respective regiments. The play unabashedly tackles issues of microaggressions and overt racism in the United States armed forces against people of the global majority, particularly people of Puerto Rican origin. Grandpop was part of the 65th Regiment–also known as the

Borinquineers. The Borinquineers was a real-life regiment of the United States Army that segregated Puerto Ricans from the rest of the United States military. Once the regiment was called to serve in the Korean War, black Puerto Ricans were then further segregated into all-black regiments, whilst lightskinned Puerto Ricans remained in the 65th Regiment.

At the beginning of the play, we meet Elliot, who was played by freshman Theater Arts Major Leonel Martinez. The play is set in 2003, with Elliot currently serving in the Marines. He has just returned from Iraq following a traumatic combat injury. Throughout the play, he learns to heal from his mother, Ginny, played by Senior Theater Arts Major Essence Simon’e. Elliot attempts to bond with his father, Pop as played by Junior Theater Arts Major Darion Simpson, by reconciling his own wartime trauma with Pop’s traumatic experiences in the Vietnam War. Throughout the play, Grandpop, as played by Junior Bryan Hernandez, wrestles with Alzheimer’s and reads letters sent from his son, Pop, during Pop’s time in Vietnam and frames a theme of yearning for connection and home.

“In playing Elliot, I found a deep respect and understanding of why enlisting is as appealing as it is for young brown boys,” Martinez said. “From a young age and until recently, I could never wrap my mind around why someone would willingly go to war or join a service like the military. And there is no definitive answer, but rather a multitude of reasons and circumstances that go into the decision. For Elliot it was a combination of generational pride and trauma, the lack of feeling accepted in the regular world, pleasing his father and wanting to escape. Elliot really opened my eyes to a situation that I otherwise would have never attempted to understand. For that I am so grateful.”

BY BRYAN HERNANDEZ

SHOW ME YOUR TEETH: “SCHOOL GIRLS” AT THE ARKANSAS REP BITES BACK

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre opened its doors again to bring “School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play” by Jocelyn Bioh to Little Rock, Arkansas.

Excited patrons entered after having to show their vaccine card or a negative COVID-19 test from within the past 48 hours. They were greeted with mannequins displaying costuming information and even a model of the “School Girls” set.

This play come onto my radar due to it being required for my Mean Girls seminar this semester, taught by Dr. Kris McAbee. A group of myself and several other students attended the play with McAbee on March 6 in order to address the issues of mean girl texts focusing only on white middleclass girlhood.

Full of endearing characters and comedy and sadness, “School Girls” is full of many surprising twists and handles heavy topics prevalent in America and Arkansas today, including colorism, body image issues, family trauma, and bullying.

The entire cast is played by Black, female actresses. This was a perfect play to host during Women’s History Month. We follow Paulina through leading the crew of popular girls at Aburi Girl’s boarding school, located in Ghana and set in the year 1986. We see brilliant Ama, hilarious dynamic duo Mercy and Gifty, and sensitive Nana fall to support their queen bee with little to no respect or kindness returned.

The opening scene draws begins with the girls talking without Paulina and when she enters the room, the energy changes from warm and bubbly to cold and performative. Paulina instantly draws in the audience as she begins to berate Nana for eating, discussing counting and burning calories.

This theme is not a surprising one, thinking back to the reference to “Mean Girls” in the play’s very

title. Cady Herron, a new student from Africa, feeds Regina George, a blonde, skinny queen bee, weightgaining bars to ruin her “perfect” figure.

Taking a break from the issues of weight shown in many mean girls texts, Paulina turns to use her friends’ pasts and family lives against them. She spreads rumors that are woven with bits of truths to get the others at school talking about them in a scandalous manner because they have befriended the new girl Ericka, who has lighter skin than Paulina. In her jealousy and rage, Paulina takes it out on those around her.

This worsens as the tension of the play picks up with the competition beginning. The girls are competing for a spot to win Miss Ghana, but that is not the ultimate contest afoot here.

In the same way “Mean Girls” leaves the issue of race at the door, “School Girls” exists in a society like our own where white supremacy dictates parts of everyday life, especially feminine beauty standards. Acts of colorism are directly portrayed in the movie, certainly seen in the almost grooming way Eloise selects Ericka for the Miss Ghana pageant desire here being an illegitimate candidate.

The play leaves with an uncertain end, calling audience members to both reflect on their feelings and the feelings of the characters. “School Girls” leaves it up to the audience to ponder answers to the play, and our mean girl’s final question: Was it all for nothing?

“School Girls” closed on March 20. The next show in the season at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre is a showing of “Into the Woods” from April 19 to May 15.

Students at UA Little Rock qualify for a student discount on tickets.

BY REMINGTON MILLER

INVESTIGATION OR INFATUATION? “THE MAIDENS BOOK” REVIEW

Alex Michaelides has been a renowned author since his debut psychological thriller, “The Silent Patient,” was released in 2019. “The Silent Patient” was an immediate bestseller, spending over a year on the New York Times bestseller list. Michaelides released his second psychological thriller, “The Maidens,” in June of 2021. I had seen social media posts about the book as well as some TikToks. From what I had gathered, it was a mystery involving Greek Mythology. As a lover of both mystery and Greek Mythology, I couldn’t wait to pick up “The Maidens”.

“The Maidens” follows a London-based psychotherapist named Mariana. She is a widow, still mourning the loss of her husband, Sebastian. In the midst of her mourning, Mariana’s niece Zoe calls her from the University of Cambridge. Her roommate, Tara, has been brutally murdered, and Zoe claims she might know something regarding the murder. Worried about her niece and what she means by her cryptic words, Mariana makes the trip to Cambridge. Unfortunately for Mariana, Cambridge holds bittersweet memories as Cambridge is the place she met and fell in love with Sebastian. Once she arrives, she is met with the uproar and chaos Tara’s murder has brought the students and faculty of Cambridge. Everyone is looking for someone to blame, but they can find no one. However, it is soon revealed that Tara’s boyfriend was one of the last people to see Tara alive. He was a drug dealer as well as a drug addict; who else could it be? Tara’s boyfriend is brought to the station and arrested, but Zoe believes him to be innocent. As does Mariana. Instead, Mariana has chosen to focus her attention on classics professor, Edward

Fosca. He is handsome, charming, and charismatic. He even has a cult-like group of female students – which Tara was a part of – whom he tutors privately. He must be a serial killer, right? Fosca has named the female students the Maidens – after the cult Eleusis in Ancient Greece. The followers of this cult worshipped Persephone and Demeter in a series of sacrifices and rituals.

Mariana infatuates herself with the notion that the murderer is Edward Fosca. Even though no one in Cambridge seems to think so. She goes around unashamedly asking questions about Professor Fosca as well as Tara to anyone who would listen. She even zeroes in on the Maidens themselves, keeping an eye out for their every move. Mariana’s infatuation with Professor Fosca makes her annoying and frustrating. She is stubborn and will not listen to reason. In going about these such investigations on nothing but an assumption, Mariana burns a few bridges along her path. The Chief Inspector of the case highly dislikes Mariana for inserting herself into a case of which she was not a part of. Zoe is worried about her aunt who seems to be spending too much time investigating someone who she believes could not be a killer. Even some old friends of Mariana are worried she’s looking too deep into a man she barely knows. Sure, the group of female students that follow Professor Fosca around is suspicious, but that does not make him a murderer. Mariana isn’t unmotivated though. If anything, this gives her even more reason to prove he is the killer. Especially after more of the members of his so-called Maidens begin to die in cold blood.

“The Maidens,” much like “The Silent Patient,” does not end as the reader would expect. It has a major plot twist near the end of the

novel, which the reader does not see coming. It’s surprising, and it definitely makes you put the book down, pick it back up and make sure you read the words correctly. It was unexpected, to say the least. Usually, I’m a huge fan of plot twists – especially those that leave me thinking, “Why did I not see that before?” However, I’m not so sure how I feel about this particular plot twist.

The book starts off slow and steady, giving us the context to set us up for the discovery of who the murderer actually was. Was it Edward Fosca, as Mariana thought? Or was she wrong? Was it one of the other mysterious, suspicious, side characters? Then, the end of the novel picks up pace. As more of the Maidens are murdered, events start to unravel quickly and unpredictably. It feels as if you are catching your breath just to read the last few chapters. I felt like I couldn’t keep up. In all honesty, the end left me a little confused and a little disappointed. I wasn’t left with the question, “Why didn’t I see this before?” More than anything, I asked myself “How in the world is this happening?” I kept going back and rereading the last few chapters, making sure I hadn’t missed anything.

All in all, “The Maidens” was a good read. Not a great read – but a good one. Especially for this spring break. I liked the book, and I liked where the plot took me. However, the confusing, almost rushed ending, paired with an unlikeable protagonist makes it hard to love the book. If you like mystery, Greek Mythology and a plot to keep you thinking, I definitely recommend “The Maidens.”

BY VIVIAN ANGELES

“TURNING RED” RISKS TURNING FANS OFF

“Turning Red,” was released on March 11 on Disney+. Following the big hit “Encanto,” there were very large shoes to fill.

13-year-old Meilin “Mei” Lee, voiced by Rosalie Chiang, discovers she turns into a large red panda due to her ancestor’s blessing years ago. If she loses control of her temper, she is unable to hide the beast. Here mother, Ming Lee, voiced by Sandra Oh, expects perfection and reacts poorly every time she gets a glimpse of who her daughter really is.

The movie was discussed as a possible metaphor for a period, but while the movie does address themes like growing up, sexual awakening and key relationships changing to make room for who we are becoming it addresses the possibility of a period allegory and dismisses it quickly. Though, turning into the red panda, puberty, can make hormones rage and emotions feel unmanageable and make body odor more apparent, along with a surplus of body hair, all very similar symptoms to the physical and emotional changes of aging. It does not distract from the movie to address the puberty that happens within teenage girls.

Overall, the message of the story beating underneath the film focused on generational trauma and the roles of being a cycle breaker, both as a parent and as a child. The film highlights Mei, Ming, and her grandmother. All three face obstacles of accepting each other and healing their inner child/ inner teenager. It is also fascinating that all of Mei’s peers accept the panda part of her and embrace it, making it an entertainment scheme and oftentimes demanding her performance. This is directly compared to all the adults reacting as if it is shameful and something to be shut away.

There are also invaluable sentimental moments about how our inner selves are coupled, both the serious, obedient and good side along with the emotional, passionate and loud one. There is difficulty finding peace but through focused self-talk, breathing exercises, and thinking of her friends Mei is able to control it in a way none of her

family could have imagined.

Despite keeping up with the theme of Disney’s past releases that showed promise for more diversity, inclusivity and themes centered around self-betterment, not romance, “Turning Red” fell flat.

The characters are young girls and watching them begin to understand being sexually aware is uncomfortable as an older viewer. Not only do they sexualize the boys locally at the nearby mart, but they have their eyes set on a boyband whom they fantasize about kissing, marrying and bearing children for. Though they carry a great deal of being naive and innocent throughout their mannerisms, it does seem to make the room a bit uncomfortable.

My previous commentary about Disney releases aligned them with catering to an older audience, kids who grew up on “Cinderella” were tuning in for “Encanto.” This seems to return to a preteen audience where they can see themselves represented on the screen. Set in 2002, this film feels surreal for someone who grew up in the 2000s and calls into question how a new generation will handle seeing their memories handled as the past. Specifically, the film featured a Tamagotchi-type video game.

Beyond that, the characters just are not super memorable. You will leave there thinking of the message of “Turning Red”, not the story with those characters. A big bonus for this film is the inclusion of characters that are not just skinny. There are a variety of body types, races and aesthetics seen on the screen.

The choice of animation and the scenes were mostly unremarkable or irritating, verging close to the uncanny valley. The scenes inside Mei’s head where she is deciding whether or not to keep the red panda and when she is meditating are stunning, but the rest does not inspire awe.

“Turning Red” was a bit of a letdown and will not make it into my list of movies I will rewatch, but if there is nothing else on you might consider engaging with your own inner child and viewing it once.

BY REMINGTON MILLER

“BRIDGERTON” SEASON 2; A RETELLING OF SHAKESPEARE’S “TAMING OF THE SHREW”

With only eight episodes, each roughly an hour, “Bridgerton’s” second season was perfectly bingeable, even for a casual television watcher. The new season was released on Netflix on March 25.

You’ve heard of don’t judge a book by its cover. Now don’t judge a show by its first season! In brief, I had major issues with the first season of “Bridgerton” that nearly had me swear off the show for good. However, season two came to save the day.

Season two brings back all but one popular character and we are once more joining the Bridgertons and other notable families for a new season. Heartthrob Duke Hastings is absent this season as actor Regé-Jean Page said he did not want to be limited to the role.

The series still includes cameos from now Duchess Daphne but follows the season through her eldest brother Anthony’s eyes, despite extremely feminist Eloise debuting into society this season.

Anthony, played by Johnathan Bailey, is a viscount searching for a wife, but not for love. He is instantly shaken the moment he accidentally meets Kate Sharma, played by stunning Simone Ashley, while on a morning ride.

The story follows a very compelling enemies-to-lovers plotline, that keeps an audience panting for more. I will say, the romance in season two is much more sophisticated and believable than season one. The story and character development are much improved as well.

However, by the end of the first episode, it is clear that the story is a twist on William Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” published in 1594. Both “Bridgerton” and “Taming of the Shrew” feature two sisters, the older being thorn and menace to other characters, and the younger being the rose that they all adore. The eldest sister is called Kate in both stories, despite having a longer name.

The play has drawn criticism

from many scholars for portraying the submissive and always fairtempered sister as the “ideal” woman and being that March is Women’s History Month, one could question why Netflix chose to release the season now.

An answer is simple, the season means to answer the question that the play leaves open-ended: Was Kate really tamed? Answering that question, it seems, determines how one views the play. “Bridgerton” shows how their romantic hero “tames” the shrewd older sister and gives us a glimpse into the relationship between them after they wed so that we do not have to speculate for ourselves.

The show also takes on another great feat. The role of the youngest sister, Edwina, played by Charithra Chandran, does not stick to Bianca’s obedience and complacency. Without revealing too much, she began as and remained a favorite character of mine throughout the story. I hope she remains for future seasons.

Taking concerns from last season, personally, the choice of Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan, as Lady Whistledown was a poor decision. I did not buy it due to how little we know about her character and overall just found it unbelievable.

Season two addresses those doubts and allows us to really view the show’s commentary about women’s rights, gossip as its own character, and the true pain of heartbreak and isolation.

The new season also addresses the rigidness of Eloise, played by Claudia Jessie. Previously, her character was flat and honestly characterizable as a raging angry feminist who hates pink. The stereotype is harmful and unrealistic, making a mockery of both the feminist movement and women who step outside the feminine stereotype. The story this time allows us to see her work through complex decisions and relationships. I was happy to see a “radical” character made into a

dimensional one, without losing her love for politics, education, and equal rights.

Positioning Penelope and Eloise as character foils really exploits the nature of friendship, with extra drama lent from the period. It makes them more compelling characters that won over even those with reservations about them. I will not go so far as to say they are perfect, they make poor decisions. But, they are more realistic and show the plight of getting from where we are to where we want to be.

The main romantic story along with all the subplots are invigorating and enjoyable, especially with the comparison to “Taming of the Shrew.” I recommend giving it a watch if you are a fan of period dramas or shows involving scandal and gossip, and even if you are not, it might still be worth a shot.

BY REMINGTON MILLER

MUSIC REVIEW NEW TIKTOK SINGER PUTS HEARTS THROUGH THE WRINGER

Leanna Firestone is a 20-year-old singer from Tennesse who dropped out of college and got her start on the social media app TikTok. Firestone is signed with FRTYFVE Records. She began putting out snippets of songs and eventually released notable singles like “Strawberry Mentos” (2020), “Least Favorite Only Child” (2021) and “Burnt Out” (2021).

Her debut album “Forward / Slash” was released on Feb. 24, 2022, following the release of her debut EP “Y/N” in 2021. “Forward / Slash” is a collection of 10 songs that total around less than an hour of playtime.

Firestone leans into the Y/N symbol, which stands for “your name” and is a popular subsection of fanfiction. The appeal is that it allows writers to focus on writing identities for which they have source material, like popular celebrities, and leave the main character, the love interest for the celebrity in the fanfiction, open to interpretation and purposefully vague. The reader is then allowed the mental freedom to insert themselves into the romantic scenarios and enjoy the story. While it is nice to think that we all want to see ourselves as a lovable hero or heroine, the internet has turned to mock the basic “y/n” symbol as fanfiction writers began to lend stereotypical white, feminine, thin, middle-class traits to the character or rely on racist stereotypes to align “y/n” with a different race or ethnicity.

Keeping that in mind, Firestone’s musical accolades and accomplishments include: “Y/N” peaked at number 8 on the U.S. singer-songwriter iTunes charts, “Strawberry Mentos” reached 5 million streams, followed by “Least Favorite Only Child” reaching 4 million streams.

“Forward / Slash” contains an interesting tactic. All of the songs on the album are seemingly two

shorter songs connected and sometimes it is unclear where one song ends and another begins. This proves to be a bit problematic for listeners as some prefer the first or last half of a song, but they are tied together in one unit. Most of the time, the theme for the song remains the same in both pieces. Yes, you can always drag it to the timestamp you desire but in a world where convince is prioritized; who has time for that?

Though I could speculate Firestone has indeed made a comment on society and romance, the idea of loving both the good and the bad of a person as they are tied into one. It could also tie into the first word of the album, you can always go forward but you are carrying with you what has come behind and before.

The album hits on issues like young love, insecurity, selfloathing, and disordered eating. Her singles, in my opinion, are better and more complete. I cannot wholly say I like the album, but I can say I find myself returning to it a few times. It won’t make my favorite list, but it will not be forgotten either.

Outside of the title and interesting set-up for the music, most of the songs from this album did not make it to any of my playlists. But, there were some that shined better than the rest.

“Gambling Addiction / eleven elevens” is carried heavily by the first half, but both deal with unrequited love. The song looks at them from an optimistic perspective and a pessimistic one, providing both hope and defeat. Overall, this was my favorite song on the album.

A runner-up was “Google Translate / poppies” which tells the story of American students taking two different foreign languages and includes Firestone singing in French. We follow her through a young romance that later dies in college. She grapples with carrying it with her and even

though the chase was romantic and sweet, it was not sustainable and proved that they could not really understand each other. That obstacle invited banter and excited them but ultimately was their downfall and reason for falling out.

Taking third place is the ninth song on her album, “TN / I always knew.” The song grapples with the pain of long-distance relationships or online dating, where technology is the main connector. It is a romantic homage to her hometown in Tennessee. However, Firestone sets the pessimistic tone of the failed relationship as an indicator that she, and perhaps all of us, knows that long-distance does not work. Her last line, “I rarely learn but even when I do I never listen,” however, speaks to the unstoppable breath she holds for idolized love, even if it has not worked before.

The album overall had a lot of good theories and talking points to discuss self-reflection on love and one’s own inner self but at the sacrifice of easily palatable and accessible music. If that is a win for Firestone, then I have high expectations for what she is to do next.

LIVE SUSTAINABLY!

UA Little Rock is celebrating Earth Day on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ottenheimer Library plaza. We will have a variety of vendors, including sustainability demonstrations, and earthfriendly products and houseplants for sale. Back by popular demand, Entergy will be giving away desk lamps and smart power strips. The Tesla Owners Club of Arkansas will bring a couple of Tesla models for the campus to view.

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Also, there will be electronics recycling at Lot 15 for your personal products that are not owned by the university. The gates will be open so you can access the area.

BY REMINGTON MILLER

SPORTS UA LITTLE ROCK WRESTLING TEAM GOES TO PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP

Sunday, March 6 marked the 2022 Pac-12 Championship for University of Arkansas Little Rock's Wrestling team, where ten wrestlers competed at Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, Arizona.

"It's all about starting fast and finishing strong," said head coach Neil Erisman in the press release from UALR. "Believing and doing better than what the bracket says. We have shown a lot of glimpses of high ceilings."

"We are good enough. We are strong enough," Erisman continued. "We have more than enough skill. We have competed against top competition all year. Everything we have done has prepared us for the end of the year. Believe in what we have done, our training and knowing we are ready. I am confident if we do that, this will be a great weekend."

The wrestlers who competed with their records before the championship are:

125: Jayden Carson, R-So. (1015)

133: Jaylen Carson, R-So. (11-14)

141: Conner Ward, R-Jr. (4-16)

149: Joseph Bianchi, R-So. (1411)

157: Chase Tebbets, Jr. (6-8)

165: Tyler Brennan, R-So. (1213)

174: Triston Wills, R-So. (12-11)

184: Tanner Mendoza, So. (6-8)

197: Brooks Sacharczyk, R-Fr. (5-20)

HWT: Josiah Hill, R-Fr. (12-11)

At the championship, Little

Rock's team took sixth place with 71 points, a franchise record for the Trojans at the conference championships. They finished only 12 team points behind fifth-place CSU-Bakersfield. An impressive showing for only a third-year program.

Furthermore, a program-record three Little Rock wrestlers advanced to the evening championship session of the championships, taking home hardware for finishing within the top four places of their class. Triston Wills won third place in the 174-pound bracket, and Jayden Carson and Josiah Hill each took home fourth place in the 125pound and 285-pound brackets.

In the UALR press release from after the competition, Head Coach Erisman had this to say: "This weekend was a good weekend because we've done something we've never done before. We had a couple guys fighting in rounds to go to Nationals and we've never had more than one athlete in that position up until this weekend, so that meant several guys wrestled above where they were supposed to on paper. I know some guys didn't accomplish what they wanted but we're making progress, so that's exciting and something to be proud of."

BY CHLOE MCGEHEE

MARCH 2022 TROJAN BASEBALL COVERAGE

On March 4, the UA Little Rock Trojan Baseball team registered at least 10 home runs for the fourth time this season. The strong offense rewarded the team with a win of 10-0 over the Salukis at the Gary Hogan field. This was game one of the weekend series and a vital.

According to a press release from the Little Rock Athletics Department, “The win is the sixthstraight for Little Rock, matching its longest winning streak since a six-game stretch in 2019, as the Trojans improve to 6-1 on the year. The six wins through seven wins is the most for the program since 2010 when Little Rock opened the year 7-1.”

But, on March 5, the team lost to Southern Illinois in both games, one loss being 6-9 and the other being 2-5.

Playing against UCA, the Trojans lost 1-3.

The Trojans returned to winning on March 11 with a 5-1 against North Alabama.

In their game on March 12, the Trojans once more returned successful. Two players, Tyler Williams and Canyon McWilliams, worked together to get all five of Little Rock’s home runs, giving them a victory of 5-4 over North Alabama.

On March 13, the Trojans won both games against North Alabama with one win being 16-4 and the other 3-2.

For the game against Oral Roberts on March 16, the Trojan Baseball team lost 18-3.

According to a press release from the Athletics department, “ Little Rock and Georgia State went back-and-forth Sunday afternoon at the GSU Baseball Complex, but as was the story of the weekend, the Panthers scored 10 runs over the final five innings to hold off the Trojans 12-8 in the series finale. The loss drops Little Rock to 10-8 on the year and 0-3 in Sun Belt play, extending the Trojans' losing skid to four games.”

While competing in the Sunbelt Conference, the Trojans lost every game except one in March. On the 26th, they won 7-4 against App State.

To end the month, the Little Rock Trojans played U of A Fayetteville Razorbacks and lost 8-16, but the second game set to play against them was canceled.

BY REMINGTON MILLER

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 2022 SUNBELT CONFERENCE COVERAGE

The opening round of the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Women's Basketball Tournament took place on March 2, 2022, as Little Rock faced Louisana-Monroe in Pensacola, Florida.

Sali Kourouma was named to the all-tournament team due to her success and leadership during the conference, including scoring 21 points and hitting seven of the eight free throw attempts against ULM.

The close win of 61-56 over ULM qualified Little Rock for the quarterfinals, where they moved on to compete against Appalachian State on March 4.

During the game against App State, Dariel Johnson scored 15 points and recorded 15 rebounds, Angelique Frances scored 10 points and recorded 11 rebounds, Kourouma scored 24 points, and Raziya Potter scored 10 points and added seven assists.

Little Rock's offensive capabilities allowed them to dominate the court and quench any winning chance for App State. After a 70-58 win, the Little Rock women's basketball team headed to the semifinals to meet Troy on March 6.

The game against Troy was tense, with Kourouma scoring 27 points and Mayra Caicedo adding eight assists.

However, Little Rock's efforts were not enough to take the lead in the fourth quarter, resulting in an unfortunate 62-59 loss for Little Rock.

Although the game brought an end to the women's basketball 2021-22 season as well as an end to Little Rock's participation in the 2022 Sun Belt Conference, the team's perseverance shown throughout both the season and the conference will inspire an even stronger season next fall.

BY DANIELLE SPENCE

STAFF

The Forum is the official student newspaper at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Forum is funded in part by the student activity fee. The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the staff and contributing writers and do not represent the official views of UALR. The Forum is published 7 times in each of the fall and spring semesters. The Forum editor can be reached at editor@ ualr.edu.

The Forum welcomes letters to the editor on any subject. Letters must include the author’s name, classification, major or position and a contact telephone number for confirmation. Letters are subject to editing to meet space limitations. Please limit letter to 500 words or less. The staff will not alter

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WRITER Payton Dhooge, @paytondhooge

Angeles, @vivian.angeles