Mount Hood

Staying out of politics is a privilege

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

A few weeks ago, I was driving around with my boyfriend and began thinking about the upcoming midterm elections.

“Have you registered to vote?” I asked him. He didn’t respond.

I asked, “Did you update your current address online?” He replied with a small shrug.

“Are you voting at all?” I inquired.

“I’m just not interested in politics,” he replied. And we left it at that.

If you’re curious, my boyfriend is a white, cis-gender, middle-class male — one of the most privileged groups out there. So, it’s no surprise that he can turn a blind eye to politics because he’s “not interested” or doesn’t “get into politics.”

But, for some people, politics aren’t something that they can brush aside and choose not to participate in. For many, if not all, minority groups, politics govern their lives and well-being. Politics determine whether or not they have to stand in front of a capitol building and ask to stay in a country that they’ve lived in since they were children. Politics govern whether or not they can get married, own a home or get a job, based solely on their sexual preference or gender identity. Politics can dictate if a person’s religion will ban them from their home country and label them as a terrorist. Some individuals don’t get the choice to ignore politics.

It’s easy as a white male — or even for me, as a white female — to not have to worry about politics taking away our rights. So, if you’re a person who is generally not affected by federal and local policies, why should you care about politics?

It’s the same reason that men stand alongside women during the Women’s March, why I witnessed a room nearly full of white, older adults demanding support for DACA recipients at a town hall with Ron Wyden and why individuals living 2,000 miles away showed solidarity for members of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation — to look past your privilege and stand up for those that need it. That support begins with the candidates you choose to represent you and your community.

It’s one thing to be slightly uncomfortable when the name “Trump” comes up at family dinners, but if you’re actively not voting because the outcome of the election wouldn’t affect you, you’re turning away from the minorities in your community that are fighting for their lives because of politics.

It’s a choice not to vote, and not voting is relying on your privilege to protect you. I just hope you consider the people around you who don’t have that luxury.

Contact the author at sedunaway13@wou.edu

Western’s new soccer team plays third game

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

For the first time in their history, this year Western’s club sports included a women’s soccer team. The club has played two games in the season, thus far and stand at 0-2. One of those losses is owed to the Portland State Vikings with whom the Wolves played a rematch with on May 5. The team fell just shy of their first win, 2-1.

Portland State was ball-dominant throughout, getting two shots attempted at the goal post in the early 15 minutes of the game. The Vikings controlled the ball for most of the first half.

Goalkeeper D-Dré Wright, sophomore, mentioned, “It’s nice being able play on a field that we know that we practice on. Nonetheless, that doesn’t really change the game because it all depends on where the ball goes.”

Wright made a high leap and grabbing save for one ball that nearly got passed her, but Portland State kept on the attack, eventually getting their second goal in the second half off a high 20-yard chip shot that Wright could not reach.

The Vikings’s defense created multiple turnovers, allowing their offense to ramp up their momentum towards the goal. The visiting team increased control of the soccer ball in the latter half. This kept the Wolves on their heels, having to constantly create line defenses.

Western finally got their first goal, with under eight minutes left to play, off a long-range shot that went high and up over Portland’s goalie.

Western kicked it into high gear as the clock ticked with only one needed to tie, but time soon ran out.

“We’ve definitely gotten way better since our first game,” said sweeper and team captain Haylie Shinsato, junior. “I am proud of how we’ve been able to come together slowly. We still have kinks to work out but eventually we’ll get to where we need to be.”

The Wolves will be at home again on May 20 to defend their turf against the Central Washington Wildcats. The match will be played on the turf field starting at 10 a.m.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: Simson Garcia

African tradition shared with Western community

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Traditional African clothing, expressive dance movements and authentic cuisine characterized the African Students and Friends Association’s African Cultural Night on May 2. The evening aimed to educate guests on African culture while celebrating the diversity of the continent.

“African tradition is expressed through many different art forms, such as music, dance, art, sculpture and beadwork,” explained dance professor Darryl Thomas. Thomas is co-artistic director of Rainbow Dance Theatre who performed the traditional Mendiani dance at the event. This group was one of many that represented various African cultures through dance.

Senior business major Amanda Kiflay performed in several dances throughout the evening. Kiflay is an international student from Sweden whose ethnicity is Eritrean.

“As an Eritrean, I can say that dance and music is a big part of our culture, especially during different types of celebrations such as weddings, graduations, church and holidays. It’s a way of celebrating and expressing your emotions,” explained Kiflay.

Clothing was another way African culture was expressed at this event. ASFA club member junior Marnasha Fowlkes explained that clothing is specific to the various African regions, and a person could tell where in Africa the garment came from based on its patterns, fabric and style.

“What we wear, whether we like it or not, is a reflection and representation of who we are,” Fowlkes commented. “Many African cultures and their people are proud of who they are and where they come from.”

Kiflay added, “It’s a way of expressing the collective shared meanings of that culture. Having something that is different from other cultures helps it to stay alive and passed down to the next generation.”

Traditional garments were worn during dances, instrument performances and for the African culture fashion show.

While entertaining and high-energy, the African Cultural Night provided an opportunity to educate the community about African culture and its tremendous diversity.

“The African continent is one of the most diverse continents in the world and I believe it’s important to share some of the countless numbers of cultures with the students of Western in order to remove some of the stereotypes,” Kiflay expressed. She believes that education is necessary to fight for the rights of marginalized communities and make Western a more inclusive space.

Thomas explained that the drum he played during the Mendiani dance is called the “djembe,” meaning “let’s come together (in peace).”

“Tonight, at Africa Night, the WOU community ‘came together in peace and harmony’ to celebrate the music, dance, food and art of Africa. In the current political climate, what could be more poignant, what could be more beautiful,” said Thomas.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

What it means to be Deaf

Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor

Western offers an award-winning English/ASL Interpreting program, has several Deaf teachers and an ASL club — yet, for many, the concept of Deaf culture or the Deaf community is one that is unheard of. For those who haven’t taken any ASL courses, the idea of it contrasting at all from what hearing people grew up around is often not understood.

So, what does it mean to be a part of the Deaf community? To get a grasp of what this term truly means, I had a conversation with Professor Kara Gournaris, an instructor of ASL and American Sign Language Studies coordinator. It comes down to the concept of capital “D” versus lowercase “d”.

“Capital D means to be heavily involved in Deaf culture, to use strong ASL and to live in the Deaf world everyday,” commented Gournaris.

To look at your Deafness and be proud, to get involved with the several Deaf events and to be immersed in this world gives you the title Deaf, with a capital D. Lowercase d, on the other hand, is the opposite.

“Small d means you possibly can speak, you might have a hearing aid or you aren’t involved in the Deaf world — more so just the hearing world,” Gournaris added.

But, Gournaris added that, ultimately, “the Deaf community varies across America. Some are strong Deaf, some aren’t, and some travel between the Deaf and hearing world.”

The hearing and Deaf world differ in many ways. What is acceptable in one culture might not be in the other. For instance, in the Deaf world, “the Deaf are more open and blunt. We cherish communication and connection more, whereas in the hearing world there’s a lot more privacy. The Deaf are close and share everything. We cherish each other,” Gournaris explained. It’s simply a part of the culture to be straightforward and get straight to the point.

There are many other ways the two worlds differ. Take, for example, the setup of an ASL classroom; the chairs and tables are arranged around the room, rather than in rows. This is essential, as in the Deaf world, maintaining eye contact is necessary to communicate. To break eye contact in the Deaf world would be the equivalent as covering your ears while someone is talking in the hearing world — it’s a sign of disrespect. The arrangement also makes it so that it’s easier to see and read someone’s signs; in rows, this can be fairly difficult.

While there are several Deaf teachers at Western, the Deaf community still “is now very small,” Gournaris mentioned

“Awhile ago, we had a large number of Deaf students. Now, overtime that number has slowly diminished. We aren’t sure why,” Gournaris mentioned. She explained that in order for the Deaf community to fully develop, more Deaf people need to be welcomed to Western.

An example of what the Deaf community does look like can be seen through Western’s ASL Club. This spring, club meetings are held every Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in RWEC 106. There, participants get to see Deaf culture firsthand, with a mixture of Deaf and hearing people coming together to play games, have conversations and just interact. Led by students, but with involvement from all over, you’ll develop your ASL competency in a fun and interactive way.

Those who identify as “capital ‘D’ Deaf” have certain viewpoints that they continue to stand by and want people to understand about how they should be viewed.

“Deaf people are not disabled. We’re not. We’re bilingual, we’re bicultural. We travel between Deaf and hearing worlds, between ASL and English. We are not disabled,” Gournaris defended, because the term “disabled” insinuates that they are unable to do something. Gournaris wants people to understand that this is false. They don’t want to be viewed as being unable to do something, when in reality, the only thing that Deaf/deaf people cannot do is hear.

For those interested in learning more about the Deaf community, on top of gong to ASL club, Western has many opportunities. For those who don’t know any ASL, they’re welcome to begin with ASL 1 and work their way through the nine-part series. However, many classes that are offered also have interpreters, so anyone of any skill level can elect to take them.

“There are three important classes I’d recommend that anyone can take,” Gournaris mentioned. “In Deaf History, you understand our background and why the Deaf community exists. You’ll become a better ally and supporter. In Deaf Culture, you’ll understand how to become more sensitive to our community, more of a supporter and how to better communicate. And finally, in VGC, Visual Gestural Communication, you learn how to better communicate not only with ASL but be more comfortable using your body and communicating with other people around the country.”

For those interested in learning more, Gournaris urges you to continue expanding your knowledge on the community and becoming involved. With such a small community, it can be difficult to get support. However, she notes that “Deaf people need (hearing allies) to join in. Your support as an ally can help our community progress…to make our community more noticed and help build it up.”

At Western, a school where one is likely to run into someone using ASL frequently, understanding the basics of what the Deaf community looks like can be beneficial; it leads to a greater respect for others and greater cultural awareness. With many options for getting involved, becoming more knowledgeable on the Deaf community at Western is at the fingertips of anyone interested.

Contact the author at chealy16@wou.edu

Photo by: Caity Healy

Review: “Can’t Wake Up”

Zoë Strickland | Editor-in-Chief

Alejandro Rose-Garcia, also known as Shakey Graves, announced his fifth album with a warning: that fans should prepare to sell their suspenders. While Graves set out to release “Can’t Wake Up” as a departure from his previous albums, the record houses the same down-home feel that can be found in his earlier work, with a touch more gloom and a little less fingerpicking.

I was introduced to Graves’s music through an episode of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts. The concert emphasized the sort of music that the artist is famous for — a combination of folk and blues, with a touch of rock n’ roll rolled in — the same kind of music that he’s trying to take a departure from in “Can’t Wake Up.”

In “Can’t Wake Up,” Graves has set up a world of mystery, reminiscence and surreal situations. His lyrics are self-analyzing, dark and dreamy, while the music itself is somewhat psychedelic and layered — these things work together to create an audio representation of the world depicted on the cover of the record.

Though the album’s core still houses the warm vocals and strands of guitar-heavy backing that punctuates his previous four albums, Graves has shifted his sound to being more pop- and rock-heavy. Rather than embracing a low-budget, found-on-the-street sound, “Can’t Wake Up” is noticeably different when it comes to production. Each track has a larger and more robust presence.

“Counting Sheep” is possibly the catchiest song on the record. It was one of the first singles released and provides a dose of shock regarding what the album will be like. The track marries the sound that Graves is pushing away from with the one he’s embracing. Rather than focusing on a solo voice, the song employs the use of Graves’s own different pitch backing vocals to fully immerse listeners in the hazy world that’s being created. I challenge you not to sing it at the top of your lungs.

The album then shifts into the ultimate summer dance anthem; “Kids These Days” is an indie-sounding bop that spends time reminiscing about the feeling of indestructible youth.

Though many of the tracks are powerhouse anthems, “Climb on the Cross,” “Neighbor” and “Mansion Door” show a slower side of the album; while the starting tracks are bellowing, the slower songs work to combat some of the more high-energy pieces and bring both the album and the listener back into the the dreamscape.

Though Graves billed “Can’t Wake Up” as a great departure from his earlier music, the album still feels like Shakey Graves — it still feels like the warm country-folk songs that he’s been playing since his first album. Simply put, “Can’t Wake Up” is a great album. Though die-hard fans of Graves’s older work may be discouraged, this album is worth the listen. It embraces a lot of what’s currently being done in popular music, but the record retains a sense of originality.

Contact the author at journaleditor@wou.edu

Photo by: shakeygraves.bandcamp.com

A minor problem

Stephanie Blair | Copy Editor

On March 29, Western’s Registrar announced the Faculty Senate’s decision: it was voted that Western Oregon will no longer require students to graduate with a minor.

Western was the last public university to require a minor, and was in the minority of universities in the nation. The adults in my life have always been surprised by this requirement. And for good reason: it’s a ridiculous requirement.

Had it not been required when I started here, I would have avoided taking 16 credits that I didn’t need — a full term’s worth, for many — simply because I kept trying to force myself into a minor that fit. I love my major — it’s what I’ve wanted to pursue for almost my entire life — and so, finding something else that I wanted to put my tuition and time into almost as much was a struggle. I ultimately ended up enrolling for a humanities minor, because it has no real structure and made the most of my random grab bag of upper divisions.

In fact, with no minor required, I could have graduated two or three terms earlier than I am. And so, future graduates will be far better off than I am and get out earlier. Or, at least, they would, if the minimum credit requirement hadn’t remained the same.

It’s true that my minor plan was a mess and I would have benefitted from not being required to complete one, but it’s also true that I needed every credit I took along the way to graduate. With all of my wandering through the course catalog, I’m graduating after attending for four years — 12 terms — and taking 187 credits. That number is, as I’ve been informed by past graduates, current classmates and professors, extremely low for a Western student.

All of this to say: dropping the minor requirement is a start, but Western’s graduation requirements need an overhaul. If Western wants what’s best for it’s students, rather than what will make them the most money, they need to stop telling students that it’s “perfectly normal” to take five years to graduate and start examining why students are getting trapped for an extra year.

Contact the author at sblair13@wou.edu

Photo by: Paul F. Davis

Wolves end Nighthawks playoff hopes with split

Simson Garcia | Sports Editor

After locking the second seed of the GNAC tournament, the playoffs are all but an if for the Wolves baseball team. Another game result in the conference would no longer effect Western’s chances. One team, however, in the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks were vying to fill the final playoff spot, and looked to get past the Wolves for it on May 3 and 4. Western said otherwise, and split the final four games of the season to stall their opponents chances: 9-5, 8-10, 7-14, 8-6. Northwest Nazarene were mathematically eliminated once Concordia won their final two games.

The Wolves got out right from the bat in game one with a six-hit second inning. In the third inning, junior catcher Jared McDonald added to the offense by batting in senior outfielder Jacob Marinez for an 8-0 lead. Western’s offense was active throughout and totaled up 15 hits on the game, and were left on base 14 times. McDonald accumulated four RBI’s in five at-bats.

The same could not be said in the rematch as 11 Wolf players struck out. Five pitchers also struggled especially in the third inning, where the Nighthawks put up an 8-0 thrashing.

Western rebounded in the early part of the third go-round, going up five to nothing by the third inning. Back-to-back homers from infielders Nyles Nygaard, senior, and Connor McCord, sophomore, were the catalyst in the start. Nazarene’s batters, however, produced a 13-1 run. In all, seven Nighthawks had at least one RBI.

The conclusion of the series ended in Western’s favor and with a familiar face; Nygaard and McDonald helped open the first three innings by going up 4-2, but it was first-year designated hitter Spencer Bennion who got the game winning nod after singling in McDonald in the eighth. For Bennion, this comes off after having hit three walk-offs in less than a month.

With all seeds set, the Wolves get Central Washington in the first round of the double elimination 2018 GNAC championships. First pitch is at 11:30 a.m. on May 9. GNAC playoffs will be hosted by Central in Ellensburg, Washington.

Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu

Photo by: wouwolves.com

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