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MONDAY,MONDAY, DECEMBER NOVEMBER 2 18 | VOLUME | VOLUME 136, 136, ISSUE ISSUE 12 11 SERVING EMU AND YPSILANTI SINCE 1881 Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility provides students with access to affordable health insurance MEGAN GIRBACH to determine if an individual is eligible to "We unfortunately live in dangerous STUDENT ORG. REPORTER receive free health insurance [Medicaid] times," Thomas said. "It's good to have or help reduce the cost of insurance coverage." An unexpected trip to the emergency [Marketplace insurance subsidies]." Thomas hopes that after the event, room can lead to expensive bills when "The overall goal is that all EMU students realize just how important health one doesn't have health insurance. To students have health insurance," Pomante insurance really is. help students avoid situations like these, added. "This event is one way we're "You can rack up a lot of medical the Office of Wellness and Community working toward that goal." bills," Thomas explained. "Young people Responsibility (OWCR) hosted an Many college students may not don't need damage to their credit. They affordable health insurance event on Nov. consider looking into health insurance. need to focus on their mental, physical 20 in room 250 of the Student Center. "Having health insurance coverage is and spiritual health." Certified enrollment agents from one of the most important things a student Brice Marich, a student looking to the Washtenaw Health Initiative (WHI) can do for their health and success in enroll at EMU, came to the event to learn spoke with students to help them look college," Pomante explained. "Having about the different benefits being offered. for the best insurance plan based on surgery on a broken arm will cost about When asked about the importance their coverage needs and financial $10,000 if you don't have insurance. This of health insurance, Marich said: "I've plan. Depending on student needs and cost inhibits a students financial ability to seen people without health insurance eligibility, agents of WHI determined enroll in classes and complete a degree." and what happens if you don't have it." if Medicaid or Marketplace Insurance The perks of attending the event He explained. "I don't want to be in that would work best for them. was not only getting affordable health hole." Nick Pomante, EMU's Student insurance but enjoying a free cup of If you didn't get the chance to Wellness Coordinator, explained the two apple cider and receiving a Cold Season stop by the event, you can enroll for main goals of the event. Survival Pack. health coverage at healthcare.gov until "The first is to sign people up who Kelsi Thomas, Benefit Advocate at December 15th. currently don't have health insurance St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and upcoming To learn more about the OWCR, their MEGAN GIRBACH coverage," Pomante said. "The second is EMU graduate, believes it is important mission and upcoming events, visit their STUDENTS INTERESTED IN GETTING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE VISITED THE OFFICE OF for students to have health insurance. Facebook page (@EMUwcr). WELLNESS AND COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY ON NOV. 20. EMU student body Senators discuss Suspect in Country housing insecurity and mental health Meadows apartment JENNA ROBINSON STUDENT GOV. REPORTER complex faces charges The Student Body Government TYLER GAW old Ajay Tramaine Stovall has been discussed its concerns regarding student CRIME REPORTER arraigned on two charges: one for first- degree home invasion and one for robbery homelessness, housing insecurity, food An attempted homicide by shooting while being armed. insecurity, issues with different university 14B District Court arraigned the utilities and the mental health crisis among occurred on Friday, Nov. 1 at the County Meadows apartment complex, located at defendant on these charges Nov. 1. The students. 212 Stevens Dr., just by the Washtenaw Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Senators brought up these topics during International High School. Office was appointed to act as Stovall’s the Senate meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Shots were fired outside of the Country lawyer, and bail was set at $1 million cash. make the Student Body Government aware Meadows apartment complex around 10 The case was set for a Probable Cause of these issues so that plans of action can p.m. Following three shots, according Conference Nov. 12, which occurred as be made. to witnesses, there was a commotion — scheduled with 15th District Court Judge Joseph F. Burke. Student Government held a sleep-out to JENNA ROBINSON followed by a number of onlookers running for cover. It is believed that there was one Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney bring awareness to student homelessness Steven Hiller, Washtenaw County, Nov. 19. Senator Balaal Hollings said this SENATORS STRESS THE ISSUES THAT STUDENTS ARE DEALING WITH EACH DAY AT victim who was in an unknown condition EMU. following the shooting, according to the provided the Echo information. is a good start, but it is not enough to bring Washtenaw County sheriff on Nov. 1. Updates on any victims have not been change. information to try to create a gateway and definitely outside of that. That’s an issue we Although this case is still open, one released to the public at this time. “I like that we’re having a sleep-out, but things of that nature because they said can’t solve immediately, but I think having person currently faces charges. 26-year- I want to urge the government to do more they’ve been having issues themselves a student voice there is crucial. because from my understanding, this is a being the middle ground between us and Other than that, they also have an sleep-out, and I don’t want to assume, but Laz Parking themselves. after-hours emergency call center. Half of I think we need to do more because we’re I’ve been hearing a lot of issues in regards the $14,000 that that cost is paid for by Poetry reflects life inside gonna go sleep out until 2 a.m. and get to Francine Parker, which is supposed to be housing. But the other half CAPS has to hot chocolate and maybe have a blanket,” the psychology advising center, but it seems find outside departments or resources in Hollings said. “And then most of us, not like every time a student goes there, they order to fulfill the rest of that funding, so I Women's Huron Valley speaking for all, maybe go and sleep in a tend to deflect them somewhere else. And think that would be one way we could also real bed. the Physical Plant is obviously not doing assist them and they great work they do. Student organizations, we encourage their jobs nearly as fast as they should be. Also, the survey that they have readily Correctional Facility them to fundraise their own money. So, I don’t know where we need to look online to students, that also costs money as well as audio recordings of incarcerated Just because we have a budget from the or what we need to start or anything of that because it directly links students to the RONIA CABANSAG NEWS REPORTER women reciting their poetry took turns at the school, does not mean we should not be nature, but I think we should start doing CAPS page. That costs about $5,000- microphone. fundraising and giving away that money something because when I saw someone’s $6,000 a year. CAPS department budget is A line of students formed in front of EMU creative writing professor and to not only organizations but to people. I overflown toilet the other day, and they only $14,000, so they couldn’t even fund Jennifer Harding, a former drug addict Writer's Bloc organizer Dr. Rob Halpern know that Swoop’s [Food Pantry] just got told me they kept calling and calling and these things if their entire budget was put and prisoner at the Women's Huron Valley acted as a moderator for the night. He this big donation from Kroger, but that’s not nothing got done, I got worried.” to it.” Correctional Facility. Each one lauded her described the transformative power of poetry enough.” Senator Colton Ray brought attention Ray said the grant of $3.5 million from writing, thanked her for sharing her story and that he has observed among the workshop's participants since his involvement in 2011. Senator LaTerricka Osborne continued to the lack of funding for Counseling and EMU alumni group GameAbove should be a few even gave her a hug. He also emphasized the concept of "poetry by voicing her concerns about the Psychological Services at Eastern Michigan Thus ended the most recent installation put partially toward CAPS and that mental as practice," suggesting that poetry was not disorganization within the Francine Parker University. health among students should be prioritized. of the Star Lecture Series, where a panel of volunteers and poets shared their experiences only a writing exercise but a tool with which Advising Center, parking issues on campus “I’ve met with the director of CAPS, “So I think us, especially since that in The Writer's Bloc, a poetry workshop writers could transform their relationships and the lack of timeliness with completing and some things that I feel like we could GameAbove grant came out, I think that is held within the Women's Huron Valley with their circumstances, with one another student’s work orders. work together as a Senate to provide that the way we could assist students who are Correctional Facility. and with themselves. “It seems like a lot of our institutions are currently issues when it comes to experiencing mental health crises. Also as On Tuesday, Nov. 19, "The Writers' Bloc: Halpern went on to describe how one on campus, such as like Francine Parker CAPS is that our ratio for counselor to a way to improve student retention like Poetry from Inside Women's Huron Valley woman, Dinisha, used writing to cope with Advising, Physical Plant, parking, all have student is way outside of international student mental health and security are two Correctional Facility," served as the third the traumatic living situation at the facility. She composed "Poetry as Resistance" during some type of clog in the system that is standards,” Ray said. “The ratio we have huge issues that impact the student body. and final segment in this semester's Star a time when prisoners were forced to ingest a making it not work the way it’s supposed right now is 1 to every 2,400 students, and Lecture Series, titled, "Ideas into Action." Having a seat at the table and working on medication that is primarily used for animals. to,” Osborne said. “Recently, I talked to park the international ratio is supposed to be 1 these things would be great for Student Rather than featuring the traditional single lecturer, a collective of facilitators and poets, SEE “POETRY” PAGE 2 affiliates of ParkEMU to get their counting to every 1,000-1,500 students, so we are Government.”

News...... 2 Opinions...... 3 Comics...... 5 Sports...... 6 Classifieds...... 8 2 Monday, December 2 News The Eastern Echo “POETRY” FROM FRONT In the piece, she expresses that collaborating on poems with the other women of Writer's Bloc not only helped her grieve but created "a bond greater than the NASO and CORE partner circumstance, giving a voice to inhumane treatment." The solidarity built through poetry was a prominent theme throughout the night. Speakers also emphasized the extent of the inhumane treatment that prisoners faced. Adam Malinowski, a volunteer Writer's Bloc facilitator, described a week- long quarantine that was enforced in January of this year. Visitors were prohibited with QueerKwe Designs to and prisoners were forced to remain in their cells and hand over their belongings. According to Malinowski, the women were told that all this was being done to treat and prevent a "mystery rash" that had been spreading within the facility. Anyone who refused the forced administration of medication was threatened with 90 days of solitary teach Two-Spirit Identity confinement. Despite being told that the quarantine was a medical precaution, prisoners continued to live in unhealthy conditions, with brown water dripping from the faucets and black mold growing in the showers. definition, as it is a very “complex [and] every tribe is very accepting. Lynn explained MEGAN GIRBACH In response to the situation, Writer's Bloc participants collaborated on a poem titled contemporary term.” that these views were most likely inherited STUDENT ORG. REPORTER "After the Quarantine: A Communiqué from the Women's Huron Valley Correctional “It is often described as an indigenous from the Europeans that invaded their Facility.” The four-stanza piece reflects fear and ange—"Words cannot change that we person whose spirit is both masculine and territory, as Native people used to be more The creation and production of Native are not sufficiently human enough to warrant effective treatment since, to the world, we feminine and used as an umbrella term for accepting of Two-Spirit Identity. American jewelry started as early as 12,000 are humans." But in the midst of mostly mournful stanzas, some lines echo solidarity years ago. "Paleo-Indians transformed LGBTQ+ Identified indigenous folks,” she “There didn’t used to be genders or explained. “It is a very cultural and spiritually gender roles,” Lynn explained. “Everyone and hope—"Heave your chest in the direction of coming together at just the right materials like shell and stone into wearable moment, seizing power in the palm of our hands." jewelry, and tribes across America followed specific term.” worked together to ensure the success of Lynn hopes that students learn the the tribe. Every member was valuable and Jennifer Harding, perhaps the most memorable speaker of the night, read several suit." Animal and fishbones often could be of the poems that she composed during the 13 months she spent in the correctional etched into beautiful and elaborate pendants. complexities of Two-Spirit Identity and the important.” ways it exists outside of western ideas of As of now, Two-Spirit people have found facility. "It was what nightmares are made of," she said of her time there. While in Shells, stones, and coral were "chipped incarceration, she was a mother, a sexual assault victim, a recovering drug abuser and into tiny beads for necklaces or clothing gender and sexuality. outlets where they can feel welcome as a part “Indigenous ways of life are very of the community. Organizations like Project in the process of a divorce. Harding didn't go into detail about how she was treated at decorations." These jewelry pieces are still the facility but stated that, "Animals at the shelter get treated better." Poetry served as made today with materials like gold and contradictory to American ways and it can be 562 have stepped forward to make a change her escape. "When I say the poetry workshop really helped me find closure on some, titanium. harmful to view two spirit identity through a for people who identify as Two-Spirit. obviously, pretty traumatic issues, I mean that," she said. "I don’t have nightmares Students interested in learning about western lens,“ she said. “I want them to see “[Project 562’s goal is] to help develop a anymore." Two-Spirit Identity and creating beautiful the beauty and resilience that comes with this body of imagery and cultural representations When the floor was opened for a Q&A session at the end of the night, one student pride jewelry met in the Student Center resurgence of two spirit identity.” of Native Peoples to counteract the one- in the front row offered a word of thanks to the facilitators and poets who shared Intersection on Tuesday, Nov. 19. During the presentation, Lynn touched dimensional stereotypes circulating in... their stories. "It's easy to bury these things that are hard to talk about," said first Becca Lynn, creator of QueerKwe on how colonization negatively affected the media, historical textbooks and the culture year psychology student Coreena Forstner. She believes the Writer's Bloc, "brings Designs, is an "Anishinaabe artist trying Native Americans. industry.” humanization out of such a dehumanizing environment." to create space and representation for two “A lot of Ashinaabe traditions and stories After the event, Lynn hopes students Between Forstner and those students who approached Harding at the end of the spirit and LGBTQ indigenous fol[k] through were lost,” she explained. “We look to our to start a conversation about Two-Spirit [her] beadwork." She partnered with EMU's elders [in the Ashinaabe community] to Identity. As a member of the community night, many found the discussion to be eye-opening. Native American Student Organization put this puzzle together; to see what they herself, Lynn would like to see positive Sophomore Music Therapy student Nichol Sayer, has been to other Star Lectures (NASO) and the Center of Race & Ethnicity remember.” changes made. in years past but felt that this one stood out because of the format and content. "I think (CORE) to host this event. When the Europeans invaded Native “Learn our histories. Invite us to the table. that sometimes, the Star Lectures can sound kind of boring but this one [was] exciting Lynn shared what she had planned for American territory, the first thing they Make sure our voices are being uplifted and and it [was] interesting," she said. She went on to say that while the Women's Huron the evening: “I’ll be giving a lecture with a noticed was how the Native Americans valued. [Students must] understand that they Valley Correctional Facility is just 20 minutes from campus, students never hear of brief overview of indigenous world views, approached gender roles. need to go home and do their own critical what happens there. "We don’t really talk about prisons, so that narrative is unique." traditional gender roles in our communities, “Men liked to wear sparkly jewelry research after this event.” Harding herself was moved by the experience, as well. "I think when you go to and the ongoing effects of colonization.” She and hunt, while women were involved To learn more about Becca Lynn and prison, when you [are incarcerated], you have this overwhelming sense of ‘What is this continued: “I want to open up a dialogue as in agriculture and seemed to have more her mission, visit her Facebook page (@ doing? What is this for? What good is going to come out of this?’" she said. "In my we make our identity necklaces and bracelets masculine qualities,“ Lynn explained. “Men queerkwedesigns). If topics like this case, I was super lucky, because this [discussion] came out of this." out of pony beads.” were seen as meek while women were seen interest you, consider attending events Anyone interested in accessing anthologies of products of The Writer's Bloc is When asked what Two-Spirit Identity as strong, which is very different from hosted by EMU’s Native American Student invited to contact Dr. Halpern at [email protected]. means, Lynn gave a very descriptive Western culture.” Organization (@EMUNASO) or the Center When it comes to Two-Spirit Identity, not of Race & Ethnicity (@EMUCORE). Prison Creative Art Project Senate passes resolution to hosts Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing match student donations to DAN D’INTRONO MRPCW since the journal’s second volume, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR when he submitted his initial work to the the Student Emergency Fund publication while incarcerated at Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer, Michigan. JENNA ROBINSON by doing much of anything else besides “I think it’s going to help get the entire EMU Members of the Michigan Review of making money available to go straight into community to participate together to help Prisoner Creative Writing (MRPCW) journal Welch’s first submission to the publication STUDENT GOV. REPORTER was published in 2008, and MRPCW the hands of a student who really, really students in need. I think there are a lot of Editorial Committee read their favorite needs it in that moment. There’s no middle students out there who are struggling, and journal pieces from last 11 years on Monday, would publish the work he submitted each The Business and Finance Committee subsequent year of his incarceration. passed Resolution 106-10 last Tuesday, man, there’s no risk involved, it’s just straight this is a great opportunity for us all to come Nov. 18. The event took place at 734 Brewing up making money available to a student that together and help them and I am for this.” Company (15 E. Cross St.) from 6-7:30 p.m. “Through that process, the feedback Nov. 12, after amending the order of the line I would get, the critiques on my writing, items. The Resolution was then voted on and really needs it to continue their education. I Senator Balaal Hollings said he sees The MRPCW is a journal of creative think $15,000 is a really realistic goal. I think fault in the resolution because it caps what writing that showcases incarcerated actually improved my writing,” Welch said passed during the Senate meeting Nov. 19. in an interview. “A lot of us inside ... either Student Body President Ethan Smith this is a very prudent way to meet a very is being donated by only matching what Michigan writers’ written work. The journal crucial student need.” students donate, rather than donating as contains collected works of both prose and write to people we know and love or we just wrote Resolution 106-10. The resolution write personally. We don't have any formal would involve Student Government The Senate then moved on to discuss much as Student Government possibly can. poetry. about the resolution. “The only problem I see is that this has Dakota Avenue West Publishing has experience or training. We’re just trying to matching up to $15,000 of donations from put words on paper to express emotion, but students that would go toward the Eastern Senator Nick Galluzzo said he supports maxed what is donated,” Hollings said. “I published the journal on an annual basis and the resolution and already voted “yes” on it would say that no matter what is donated, we has published 11 volumes, as of February the Review gives us feedback, it gives us Michigan University Student Emergency resources to check out ... and it improved me Fund. The public crowdfunding campaign during the Business and Finance Committee should be giving these amounts. We identified 2019. These volumes are available at Literati meeting the week prior. that students need help, we identified that this and Bookbound bookstores in Ann Arbor. as a writer.” will be held over a 30-day period. Welch stated during the reading that what Smith explained the structure of the “As you know, I’m on Business and is a problem, food insecurity is a problem, The most recent volume of the journal is Finance [Committee], and this came before home insecurity is a problem, so if they only titled “Surrenderance.” was read was not “prison poetry.” match to the senators, stressing that this is To clarify what he meant by “prison different than Resolution 106-09, the $5 our committee in our last meeting,” Galluzzo fundraise $5,000 and we didn’t max that, we The MRPCW is a faucet of the Prisoner said. “I just want to echo some points that as an organization knowing that we have the Creative Arts Project, a program founded in poetry,” he said: “Prison poetry is an idea student donation match. that assumes that if you are going to write “This is different than the $5 match that President Smith brought up. I think this money to put more, why would we not put 1990 and facilitated through the University is a really good idea, especially given the more?” of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science poetry while you are in prison, it has to be we passed at the previous meetings,” Smith about stark conditions, [about] confinement said. “So, this resolution would be a match up fact that it’s going into the [EMU Student] Parliamentarian Jack Swartzinski, and the Arts-Residential College. The aim of Emergency Fund to directly benefit students in response to Hollings, said Student the project is to bring “those impacted by the [and similar] issues. ... It has to do with ‘You to a maximum of $15,000 for gifts collected are in prison.’ during the crowdfunding campaign. The that– that’ll probably need this money the Government can always pass more justice system and the University of Michigan most. resolutions in the future to donate more community into artistic collaboration for Something about the cell block, way that the Foundation structures these something about the food, instead of about crowdfunding campaigns is they give them I really can’t think of a better reason to use money, but this strategy would likely receive mutual learning and growth,” according to the budget, use the money that we’ve been the best response from students. the Project’s website. you having experiences as a human being, a time-limit target. That time-limit target who happens to be incarcerated. A writer is going to be 30 days, and that is why the given by the university. So I’m just going to “If we don’t match, let’s say they only The event consisted of five separate say, as a member of the Business and Finance fundraise $5,000, we could go back and speakers who read selected poems, including who happens to be incarcerated, which, of language in this resolution says ‘up to the course, is part of your story but is not all that $15,000 raised in the 30 days.’ Committee who did pass this along, I would write another resolution making up that Cozine A. Welch Jr., the event MC and support it and I would encourage others to difference,” Hollings said. “There’s some managing editor of MRPCW. Welch has you are.” Just to be very clear about how this would Among presenters at the reading was be structured before I kind of give a brief do the same.” flexibility and we have some options, but been the MRPCW editor for the last two Senator LaTerricka Osborne asked I think this is the best way we can have a years. He was also involved in the editing Alex Nuttle, a recent 2019 graduate at advocacy for it and then yield my time, [in Eastern Michigan University. The works the] final be it resolved clause you see a list Smith, without objection from the Senate, competitive model, which helps promote the process of volume 11, along with the whole what the marketing strategy would be for this fund.” of the editing committee, during his first year that he read consisted of “Surgery” by James of five line items in our budget. The way that Galt, as well as “Words on a Page” and “This this would work is that as donations come in, crowdfunding campaign. Galluzzo, adding to Swartzinski’s as managing editor. Smith said he is working with the explanation, said students will respond better Welch has been involved with the is a Poem” by James Fuson. we would match them as they come in out of these respected pools of money. Foundation to figure out logistics for the best since this resolution is essentially doubling So, the first pool of money that matches campaigning strategies. their personal donation. would come out of would be the Student “This is sort of in two pieces, and the “Coming off of what Parliamentarian Government Services line item, once we implementation is under development,” Swartzinski said, I think that by doing it as raise $6,000 and we match the $6,000 from Smith said. “So one, we are going to be doing a matching proposal is the best way simply the Student Government Services, then we the $5 match of student gifts on Giving True from the optics standpoint,” Galluzzo said. would start pulling from the President’s Day itself, and that’s gonna be a physical “So, stating that Student Government will Discretionary line item until that had been campus-based thing. I have been in talks with match every dollar that you donate instead exhausted, and so on and so forth. The last [EMU Foundation Director of Integrated of stating, ‘Oh, well, Student Government is thing that we would pull from if we raised Marketing] Austen Smith, and our target just gonna donate $15,000 anyway.’ over $10,000 would be the Reserves.” is to launch the month-long crowdfunding I think that having it matched gives people Smith said that spending Student campaign also on Giving True Day. the incentive to donate in so that whatever Government money on this will directly So, they’d both happen on the same day, they are donating is basically doubled, that impact and help EMU students in need. and when you talk about marketing, Giving they’re getting double for their money. So, “I just want to say, is this a decent amount True Day is gonna help with that because I think doing it this way is the best way to of money? Yes. Can we afford it? Yes, I think that’s when the Foundation does their big move forward. And as Parliamentarian we can,” Smith said. “I think that this would marketing push. And having this in their Swartzinski stated, if we want to give more, very carefully pull this money from places back pocket will help them create really there’s always the resolution process to in the budget that were below our spending persuasive marketing and push this to the do that later on if we don’t think we gave targets. I think this fits well within our forefront of giving targets for that day.” enough to the fund.” operational capacity for the rest of the year. Senator Kirk Suchowesky said he The Senate then made a motion to vote on DAN D'INTRONO Finally, I just think this is really one of supports this resolution because it is allowing the resolution. PRISONER ARTWORK DISPLAYED THROUGH PRISONER CREATIVE ART PROJECT. MUCH the best uses of our money. I think it’s hard to the entire community to work together to Resolution 106-10 passed in the Senate OF WHAT IS CREATED IS DONE SO USING FEWER AVAILABLE MATERIALS, AS IS THE argue that we would make more of an impact help their fellow classmates in need. with 18 “yeses” and one “no.” CASE IN PRISON. “I like this resolution,” Suchowesky said.

News Editor: Sophia Kalakailo [email protected] @margueritesophia The Eastern Echo Opinions Monday, December 2 3 An uphill battle for both the “public No need to feel option” and “Medicare For All” indebted in politics FENRIK GOERLITZ affiliation. You don’t even have to be ina COLUMNIST party! And if you are, you certainly don’t have to subscribe to every single one of a party’s ideals. Many Americans cling to a certain Our country’s political system leads you political party, pledging their loyalty, vote down a road of one extreme or the other. and vocal support into the hands of that same And the road you choose serves as a defining party. identity. People on the other road are not like Republicans and Democrats focus on you, they’re people who oppose you and everything except what they actually get disagree with you. And on that other road, the done in office so they can get Americans people feel the exact same. It’s much easier into their respective parties. Personal attacks, to build walls around ourselves and yell our propaganda and opinions are more common own opinions than have a conversation. as rallying points than actual goals that have In a time in our country where our leader been accomplished. That circus is enough for is hell bent on erecting borders, it is so crucial an entire life of allegiance from an American. that we do not further divide ourselves. That Politics in America are very black and we look to the wombs we came from, and white: Republican or Democrat. A common the dust to which we will go to. That we find question upon meeting someone is asking pleasure in picking up the human condition them their political affiliation. “Are you a and advancing it universally. It’s time for Republican or a Democrat?” healing. I would propose that we start asking Walls wither, and fences fall down. But a more important question: “Are you a there is no need for us to wait that long. “We human?” I suppose this may be assuming, The People” can stop them before they’re but I’m going to assume the answer is “yes.” even put up. If we quit dividing ourselves, A follow-up question could be, “What do certain things will start looking clear. you believe can be done in America to better If we quit our incessant urges to label, the lives of Americans, and all the people of box in and dumb down. If we let ourselves be the world?” evolving individuals and put the noise away, An ending point in that discussion could we will find resolution rather than rage. be about how you and the person you asked Please, let go of who your family PHOTO BY MOLLY ADAMS ON FLICKR the above question can bring the vision to supports, of who society thinks you should fruition. Orchestrate a plan to fix what’s ending the role of private insurance (at least that is not necessarily translated to the support and who you used to support. And HEATHER WEIGEL wrong. eventually) and more moderate candidates positions of membership in Congress. in the present, stand beside those who do the COLUMNIST Party lines are exactly what they sound like Sen. Amy Klobuchar emphasize choice Figures like Biden, Klobuchar and others right things. If there is no one who stands for and competition as important elements in on the more moderate-to-conservative end like: barriers and fences, things that divide. The issue of healthcare has been front the right things, then be the first. No man or providing healthcare. They spar over taxes, of the party may be correct when they argue You don’t have to buy into the separation and center on the Democratic primary woman is more qualified than you to create costs and political expediency of their that the public option and related incremental of yourself from others because of political debate stage and has been a continuous and stand up for change. plans and speak many half-truths about the plans have more political capital but topic in our nation’s political discourse since strengths and weaknesses of their plans. Republicans typically oppose any attempts to the inception and implementation of the The truth is that there are several factors nationalize healthcare or make steps toward Affordable Care Act (Obamacare.) that could make both proposals dead on that end. Obama is wrong, bold It can also be traced back to President Bill arrival. This is not to say that either plan has no Clinton’s push for universal healthcare and First, Mitch McConnell and the merits or that their sponsors and advocates even back to the creation of Medicare and Republicans may resume control of the should stop pushing them. Nor is it a claim Medicaid. ideas will guarantee the Senate, as the Senate map in 2020 isn’t that other innovations aren’t happening In short, it’s an important, far-reaching greatly indicative of a Democratic victory. in healthcare at the state level and within topic and is political red meat. If you run for McConnell calls himself the “grim reaper” Congress. office you better have a plan for healthcare democrats to win 2020 for a reason and these bills would most likely I would prefer, however, that voters were - or at least an epithet to invoke and repeat. fall victim. given honest information about the chances Sen. Bernie Sanders has run since 2016 Second, insurance companies and care of passing these bills and implementing their on single-payer healthcare or “Medicare networks have begun leveling controlled provisions. While each plan has its own For All” and several of his opponents in the opposition to these plans. The insurance merits, especially within the Democratic primary have picked up that torch for 2020 lobby is wildly powerful and they’re putting party and among a slim majority of voters, in varying degrees. Many still see a role for out television ads and polling mechanisms to there is a long, uphill battle which will private insurance in either the rollout process convince voters not to embrace government- require intense political capital in passing of single-payer or as an organic next step funded plans for fears of closing rural both. While it is understandable that casting in expanding coverage. The most popular hospitals, higher taxes and lower quality doubt within your electorate isn’t a great phrasing of this is a “public option” where care. They also have significant sway in electoral strategy and doesn’t make for a federal public plan would compete in the the legislative process via lobbying and inspiring rhetoric, it is important that voters insurance marketplace against private, often campaign contributions. understand the factors at play. employer-sponsored plans. Finally, Democrats have to convince those Be wary of candidates who claim “we The victorious Democrats in 2018’s “Blue in their own party and among Republican can get this public option done” (Klobuchar) Wave” ran overwhelmingly on a platform of ranks to support these plans. Obstacles while fighting against Medicare For All or expanding the ACA and potentially including in this are the Blue Dog Coalition in the those who paint candidates who espouse this “public option,” which was scrapped in Democratic Party and members like Joe the public option as “void of big ideas” the original Affordable Care Act because PHOTO BY DCBLOG ON FLICKR Manchin who are more conservative than the (Warren.) These are both plans that would it was viewed as a liability for the major generic Democrat, as well as an increasingly meaningfully change American healthcare MARCUS LAWNICZAK same is now true for the policy proposals that program’s passage. obstructionist Republican party which has for the better, albeit on different timelines. COLUMNIST Sen. Bernie Sanders is championing. The battle among the Democrats on the seen their more moderate members retire or And they both have a legislative path The majority of Americans agree with the debate stage is framed as a “Medicare For All” activist wing of the Democratic party, directly lose re-election. fraught with obstacles. Big plans need to be Last week, former President Obama versus “public option” standoff. Progressives contradicting Obama’s comments. A Reuters/ While polls show bipartisan support for workable and the verdict is not yet out on publicly commented on the Democratic like Sens. Warren and Sanders push for Ipsos poll found that 84.5% of Democrats both plans for some degree among voters, how workable either of these plans are. presidential primary. While no candidate and 51.9% of Republicans support a policy was endorsed, he criticized the populist of medicare-for-all. The same poll found that campaigning tactics of progressives. 78.9% of Democrats support free college “The average American doesn’t think tuition. Both policy measures have over 60% Why Detroit’s major sports teams we have to completely tear down the system support from all individuals polled. Obama and remake it,” Obama argued. “Voters, is not only wrong when arguing that most including Democrats, are not driven by the Democrats do not support such progressive same views that are reflected on certain left- are stuck in a state of sub mediocrity policies but also wrong to claim that they are leaning Twitter feeds or the activist wing of not winning policies. our party.” He added that, “the candidate’s The majority of Americans support job, whoever that ends up being, is to get medicare-for-all and free college, proving elected.” that in many ways, they do want to These comments from Obama are off “completely tear down the system and for two reasons. The first being that most remake it.” Obama’s own campaign strategy voters do not agree with the activist wing or in 2008 showed that bold, populist ideas are progressive wing of the Democratic party, what excites voters and leads to victory. The and two, that such ideas are not winning notion that a pragmatic, centrist Democrat is ideas. the best candidate to beat President Trump To truly understand why Obama is dead has already been proven wrong. If such ideas wrong, one only has to go back to the 2008 were winning ideas, then Clinton would be presidential election that he focused around president. Her boring, run-to-the-middle “change.” Fundamentally changing the campaign resulted in a loss to possibly the United States’ healthcare system, economy worst presidential candidate in US history. and foreign policy were key messages of This however, is nothing new. The his campaign against both Hillary Clinton in strategy of centrist incrementalism also failed the primary and John McCain in the general John Kerry in 2004 in his battle with President election. One could even say that they were Bush. Throughout the campaign, Kerry often revolutionary. touted that he broke with his own party to PHOTO BY ZACH FRAILEY ON FLICKR When discussing healthcare in 2008, studs coming out of college, who are obligated to sign with you for support a balanced budget, while not directly CALEB BURLINGAME Obama pushed back against fears of reform. at least two years. opposing the Iraq War, instead arguing that COLUMNIST “There’s a fear of change. A worry that we But Detroit can’t even get tanking right. Our teams are known it was poorly planned. Bush subsequently may lose what works about our health care to have horrible selections in drafts when they tank, especially the defeated Kerry to earn four more years in the I believe it comes down to a few factors, one of which is the fact system while trying to fix what doesn’t.” Pistons. The Pistons have passed up on names such as Dwayne Wade, White House. that Detroit isn’t a very attractive place to live for free agents. Detroit He argued that the moment for reform had Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Donovan Mitchell over the years, Contrary to his recent statement, Obama is among one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, and come because, “we are in a different time.” instead picking guys who we either don’t need or don’t use correctly. should understand how to win better than for a lot of the year, it’s freezing cold. Star players tend to lean for Obama campaigned on ending the Bush Tax The Lions had the eighth pick in the NFL draft this year, and with anyone. His anti-establishment, populist bigger, warmer markets such as Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston. Cuts, supporting a substantial increase of the amazing studs like Devin Bush and Rashan Gary still on the board, campaign strategy worked twice by exciting This makes it difficult for Detroit to go and compete for big name capital gains and stock dividends taxes. they picked tight end T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson is a great player, the Democratic base, not ignoring it and stars, because they have to convince them that living in a cold, snowy At the same time, he railed against the but Devin Bush would’ve filled a much needed spot on a totally running to the middle. Winning in this manner state is better than living in Miami. That’s a tough sell. In sports such decision to invade Iraq. Obama did not just lackluster Lions defense who could use an injection of youth. again will require the support of policies that as football, where you only play September through February, you attack McCain over his support but Clinton as Tanking and attracting free agents is the key to contending for not only the vast majority of Democrats have about six months of the year off. Many free agents over the years well in their fight to become the Democratic championships. All four major sports teams have trouble doing both, support but the majority of Americans. have said something along the lines of, “What am I supposed to do for nominee. In no uncertain terms, the former and for us fans, it feels like we’re caught in a cycle of disappointment. A campaign built around medicare-for- six months in Detroit?” president ran a populist, progressive The management of these teams has to be better! all and free college will increase Democratic So since big stars don’t typically sign with Detroit teams, what’s campaign in 2008. I love Detroit and it’s teams. All I want is for them to succeed and turnout, but importantly, it will increase the the answer? In his two election victories, Obama give the success-starved city what they want, a chance to win. Tank, turnout of independents who agree with The answer is tanking. Tanking is a term used in the sports world defeated both John McCain and Mitt Romney get a good draft pick, and pick a big name stud. Build around him and those specific policy issues. President Trump to describe purposefully losing as many games as you can to get a by landslide electoral margins. In both show free agents that Detroit is a valuable place to play. will be defeated in 2020 by mimicking the higher pick in the upcoming draft. The worse the team, the better the campaigns, he pushed for drastic reforms that Until then, it’s back to watching college sports. successful 2008 Obama campaign. draft pick. These higher draft picks give you a chance to get the best the majority of Americans supported. The

Copy Editor: Sheryl Norris [email protected] @sheryl_v_norris 4 Monday, December 2 Opinions The Eastern Echo Motorola’s prodigal son returns ADVICE COLUMN Detox from your phone MORGAN ELDER found myself reading more, exercising more, COLUMNIST cooking more and even starting a whole new hobby. I felt good! This is my advice to anyone reading: I knew I needed to take a break from Detox from your phone. social media when my Screen Time report And it really is a detox. It’s resetting your showed I was averaging six hours a day on mind and body to a more natural state. my phone. If we look through a historical lens, “Six hours? What?! How is this possible?” humans have never been this connected to I thought to myself, all while endlessly each other on a large scale. We have never scrolling the TikTok “For You” page. been so up in each other’s business. So, what Half of today’s youth reported feeling kind of effects can this have on us? addicted or dependent on their phones. Was I There is a clear link between social media one of those people? It’s so, so easy to spend and mental health. Studies have shown a rise too much time on social media, and it doesn’t in depressive symptoms, increased suicide just tire our thumbs. There can be real-world rates, decreased of face-to-face interaction consequences. and lower self-esteem (especially amongst I took some time to do a real check-in with females). FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” is myself. How was I feeling? What was my a motivator for us to keep our social medias mental health like? What kind of choices was and to check them often. It seems many of I making? I found my answers to be less than us have grown attached to this new online pleasant. I had been sluggish and fatigued lifestyle. leading up to that point. Procrastination was I would also recommend taking my go-to school strategy, and I was having a advantage of features on your smartphone hard time finding motivation to do the things like Do Not Disturb and time limits for apps. I loved. Maybe set specific times of the day where Social media was a crutch for me. I you’re allowed to check your phone. Or, go discovered the time spent on my phone cold turkey and delete them completely. skyrocketed when I wasn’t feeling my best. Social media is a tool, but sometimes it Instead of working through my issues in a feels like the tool is using us. Take control positive manner, I would escape to see what of your social media feeds! It’s not some everyone else was doing and saying. evil entity in itself. But without caution, it COURTESY PHOTO The thing is, though, I didn’t really want can become a dark force in our lives fueling main display has HD picture quality with for hours about the technical aspects of the to see what everyone else was doing. Or at PARKER LAZAR comparison and depression. Have a dialogue Cinemavision functionality. product, but the real question on people’s least it didn’t leave me feeling very good. I COLUMNIST with yourself. Do you find yourself fixated on Now, odds are you probably already minds is, how does it look? And, to be was seeing thousands of posts and pictures likes? Do you post things just for one certain know someone with a flip phone produced honest, it looks sleek as heck. yet barely remembering any of it. Smartphones are the next big thing, and person to see it? Could you be spending the by Motorola, as it seems that is the The phone, when closed, resembles a I did what I thought was best for myself as tech companies jostle for the top spot, one time spent on your phone to do other, more quintessential phone for the elderly and for boxier version of the old Motorola phones. and deleted all my social media apps off innovation seems to be the key to putting meaningful things? dads going through midlife-crises. When opened, however, the phone takes my phone. No Facebook, no Twitter, no them over the top: folding screens. It’s so easy to get caught up in what In the past, these flip phones had a on a whole new life, with the interior Instagram. Cold turkey. More and more tech companies are everyone else is doing and use that as a durability that rivaled the Nokia 3310, screen occupying nearly the entire interior, I still found myself doing a kind of jumping on the bandwagon to create foldout distraction from your own life. Taking a a phone considered to be virtually excluding the small notch on the top that habitual phone checking. My hand would phones that can double the size of the main break from our screens is one of the best indestructible. While these new models most houses the front-facing camera. It looks grab my phone and my fingers would twitch display, creating tablet-sized screens that things we can do for our mental clarity and likely will not have the survival likelihood as if Motorola took a standard smartphone to the place where my apps used to be without can fit in your pocket. Samsung and Huawei physical health. It puts more power in our that their ancestors did, Motorola is offering and decided to just break it in half and go me even meaning to. That slowly stopped, are the trailblazers for this market, with the own hands about how we want to spend free phone repairs and/or replacement from there, as very little of the phone would but I was indicative of what a habit checking Galaxy Fold and Mate X, respectively, being our time and what we see. Monitor yourself services in the event the phone is damaged suggest the device’s fold-ability. my apps had become. It was a subconscious met with high praise from the community. and pay attention to how much time you’re through normal use,” a restriction that will The drawbacks? Dust is the phone’s reaction to stress or boredom. In a shocking twist, however, Motorola spending in the digital world. Take time for be covered in greater detail following the worst enemy, but it’s not a problem unique to And boredom did come. I suddenly had burst back onto the scene with its newest you, not everyone you’re following. phone’s release. this device. One of the greatest challenges for more hours on my hands. I had to actively flagship Razr smartphone. The smartphone Offering free repair services to users is any of these kinds of phones is how to protect seek out productive things to do with my functions exactly how you’d expect, with a bold step, especially as companies like the interior edges from accumulating dust, time to fill the void my screen had left. I one key twist: the screen folds like a flip Apple continue to implement new “security something even the demo units displayed at phone. features” that will kill the phone if someone tech shows suffered from. That’s right, much like game shows and other than a certified Apple technician can The overall smaller size of the device fanny packs, the flip phone is back to strike repair it. These certified technicians generally does help mitigate this risk, as the fold is us all with that 90’s nostalgia. Boasting charge exorbitant prices for the repairs, and smaller and therefore contains less room for some pretty remarkable specs, including having Motorola offer these same repairs dust. However, it is still something all users two Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) for free will almost certainly force these should be aware of. screens. The phone has both a 6.2” plastic companies to ease up on repair restrictions. The Motorola Razr is slated for release on OLED display on the inside and a 2.7” Of course, we could sit here and talk shop Jan. 9, at a jaw-dropping price of $1,499. glass OLED display on the front cover. The ‘Bicycle’ swings both Kelly Clarkson reigns as ways in the portrayal of queen of entertainment the bisexual experience CHELSEA BACCI flawless. Paul said in an Instagram Q&A that COLUMNIST he was the only actor he wanted for the role. Kendall also won an award for “Excellence in Performance” at Buffer Festival in Toronto. YouTube filmmaker Sammy Paul released Kendall has also starred in another one of his short film “Bicycle” Nov. 14, starring Paul’s films titled “Friend Like Me,” a story Chris Kendall as the main character, Felix. about a boy and his genie, as well as “The The film follows Felix’s stand-up Forever Train” and “Hair and Brimstone” by performance about his bisexual awakening filmmaker PJ Liguori. and the bisexual experience in general. In On top of being funny and accurate, the words of the creator himself, he wanted the film’s visual aesthetic is beautiful. The “a fun LGBTQ+ story that wasn’t speaking comedy scenes are doused in shades of pink down to its audience.” Paul calls it “self- and purple, which make the scenes more deprecating without being downtrodden.” vibrant and lively. The more serious scenes The short film hilariously portrays the are saturated in blue and give a calm feeling bisexual experience in a way most of the to the audience. The final scene holds hues bisexual community can relate to. The stand- of purple to tie together the tricolor bisexual up format came about from Paul’s admiration pride flag, the overshadowing purpose for the of how “direct and disarming it can be.” lights in the first place. Felix tells the story of his sexual The film is incredibly entertaining with COURTESY PHOTO awakening, which involved the movie “The an important message. Bisexual leads in get lucky enough to see them do something on stage together. Amazing Spiderman 2” and his ability to TOM CRAMER films and television shows are not common. Clarkson also started this year with her “Meaning of Life Tour,” be with both Emma Stone and Andrew COLUMNIST The representation of the community is and I got to see it when she came to Little Caesars Arena. She gave Garfield “in any order.” Many bisexual folks an amazing show, and her vocals were epic. She truly gives you your needed and long overdue. Bisexual erasure is Kelly Clarkson is taking over all things entertainment: She has her joke about how their sexual awakenings money’s worth. prominent in media, and this took a leap of own talk show, she’s a coach on “The Voice” and she has her own Las came from pieces of pop culture from This woman just keeps going and going. Just when you think faith and gave a charismatic portrayal of an Vegas residency starting next year. their childhoods. He also takes a jab at she’ll slow down and take a break, she’s back with something even underrepresented community. Clarkson’s talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” has just the stereotypes surrounding bisexuality, bigger. Clarkson combines talent and heart. She is lovable while also The whole project only took about a been renewed for a second season. It’s a fun show that captivates specifically that they aren’t even “‘good’ bad being able to sing like the best of them. year. Paul revealed on his Instagram Q&A audiences. She interviews big-name celebrities like Garth Brooks and stereotypes.” I’ve seen almost every episode of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” that the developing of the concept began in Chrissy Teigen and includes human-interest stories that are sure to Aside from being hysterically accurate, and it’s gotten better over time. She is finding her footing as a talk January and lasted until March when they pull at your heartstrings. the film also highlights the less-fun aspects of show host and doing well. She still sometimes talks over her guests began pitching the idea. He spent April and One highlight from her talk show is an opening song that an being bisexual. In between the cuts of stand- and doesn’t wait long enough for a response, but this will come with May writing the script, and the redrafting and audience member requests her to cover. This segment is called up comedy, we as an audience are backstage more time and practice. Clarkson has the gift of gab, and it will be preproduction began in June. Preproduction “Kellyoke.” Clarkson is able to sing a wide variety of genres, making with Felix as he talks about the more serious wonderful to see what she is like in her second season. turned into rehearsals in July, and the project her easily one of my favorite singers. topics of coming out and going both ways. Clarkson has been winning over people since winning “American was shot, edited by Jack Howard, and pushed On “The Voice,” Clarkson is funny and captivating. She cares He talks about how being in seemingly Idol” in 2002. With big hits such as “(Stronger) What Doesn’t Kill through postproduction in August. The film about her team, and it’s not rare to find Clarkson shedding a tear. The straight relationships is easier, which in many You” and “Since You Been Gone,” she has proven she can put out debuted at Buffer Festival in September and viewer at home is looking at a masterclass in coaching and vocals cases it can be. He talks about how being in songs that are massive in popularity. was put out for public release as of Nov. 15. from Clarkson. This job was a perfect gig for Clarkson because it one relationship, holding hands is normal, but Clarkson is an artist who will be around for a lifetime. She is I can recommend this film to anyone combines helping others succeed while being able to show her big in another, it is a statement. These are things known for her anthems, her ballads and now for her personality on looking for a laugh or looking to get a more heart. that many bisexual people can relate to, sadly television. Clarkson is doing so many jobs right now and executing in-depth look at a group of people you may Clarkson is starting her Las Vegas residency “Invincible” next enough. all of them amazingly. If you need both a good laugh and a good cry, not know much about. You’ll have a laugh April, and it will go until September. Her show will take place at Kendall really was the perfect actor for listen to Clarkson’s music or watch her on either “The Kelly Clarkson and take away a better understanding of what Zappos Theater. This is the same location that fellow “The Voice” this role: His deliverance of the jokes is Show” or “The Voice.” it means to be bisexual. coach Gwen Stefani has her residency, “Just A Girl.” Maybe we will

Opinions Editor: Ally Graham [email protected] @allygrahamecho The Eastern Echo Comics Monday, December 2 5 #PROBLEMSOFACOLLEGESUPERHERO | NICK M. KIDS R’ US | ISABELLA KALAKAILO

HIJINX DETECTIVES | SARAH ZIMMER DRAWING AND YEEHAWING | AMBERLY GASCON

STR8TS SUDOKU No. 467 Tough Previous solution - Medium No. 467 Easy Previous solution - Very Hard 8 9 354 762 534829716 6 974621853 8593291647385 6 87 32 45 768531294 4 657 3124 7 6 9 372158469 4 5 687 23 685974123 189 34 987 1 149263857 12 563 78 817396542 7 2 231495687 21 69 923415678 128 3645 456782931 How to beat – 3 Str8ts 843 521 To complete Sudoku, fill the Like Sudoku, no single number can board by entering numbers 1 to 9 repeat in any row or column. But... such that each row, column and 4 9 rows and columns are divided by black 92 84 3x3 box contains every number squares into . These compartments uniquely. 3 need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A is a set straight For many strategies, hints and of numbers with no gaps but can be in tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black 16 9 cells remove that number as an option If you like Str8ts check out our 7 1 in that row and column, and are not part 9827 © 2019 Syndicated Puzzles

© 2019 Syndicated Puzzles books, iPhone/iPad Apps and of any straight. Glance at the solution to much more on our store. You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com see how ‘straights’ are formed. The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

Comics Editor: Nicholas Megdanoff [email protected] @nick_megdanoff 6 Monday, December 2 Sports The Eastern Echo EMU volleyball drops EMU women’s basketball must-win match falls to Wolverines against Ball State TIAUNA ALLEN SPORTS REPORTER

The Eastern Michigan women’s volleyball team suffered a loss to Ball State on Friday, Nov. 15. It was a crucial loss as the Eagles were looking for a spot in the 2019 MAC Tournament. Eastern Michigan was on the road in Muncie, Indiana, the home of the Cardinals, and EMU left Worthen Arena with a 3-1 loss. The Eagles were able to win the first set of the match before falling short in the next three sets. Senior Cassie Haut led the Eagles with 18 kills. On the other hand, senior Riley Taylor had 50 assists on the night to lead the Eagles in that category. The first set was a close one as EMU won by two points. The Eagles started the first set on a 9-3 run. During the first set, sophomore Mackenzie Garis had her 13th service ace of the season, while Haut led the team with five kills. Eastern Michigan won the set 25-23 and looked to continue that momentum into the second set. The Eagles were able to obtain a 7-2 lead. Junior Franki Strefling contributed two service aces within the first three points of the second set. The Eagles lost momentum, though, when the Cardinals went on a run to take the lead and push the score to 11-10. After a tug of war battle throughout the second set, the Cardinals were able to get ahead and take the set 25-17, tying the match at one set apiece. ZACH STURGILL The Cardinals made several lineup adjustments that later worked in their favor. The EMU GUARD NATALIA PINEDA BRINGS THE BALL PAST HALF COURT AT THE CONVOCATION CENTER ON NOV. 8. team won the third set 25-19 and the fourth and final set 25-23. Along with her two aces, Strefling followed behind Haut with 14 kills. Sophomore Julia Fisher finished the match CHARLES POST Michigan’s first quarter points. 3-pointer with 8:33 left in the quarter and with nine kills and three blocks. Freshman Samantha Basham contributed six kills and SPORTS EDITOR “We had some great looks and we just Courtnie Lewis scored four straight points, three blocks. missed them. It’s hard to replicate some of including a 3-pointer of her own. The Strefling also led the Eagles in digs, totaling 18 to go along with her strong performance The Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-4) Michigan’s size. We didn’t hit our first jump Wolverines led 44-29 at the end of the third at the net. Garis wasn’t too far behind Strefling as she finished the match with 17 digs. women’s basketball team fell to the Michigan shot until the end of the second quarter,” period as Michigan had a 12-3 advantage in Seniors Camille Schomer and Riley Taylor finished with a total of 15 digs. Wolverines (5-1) on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at Castro said. “Against these sorts of teams, assists. As a whole, the Eagles had 55 kills, while the Cardinals had 59. Ball State held the the Convocation Center. EMU got off to a you’re just going to have to make shots but In the fourth quarter, Kiara Johnson’s advantages in assists totals, having 56 assists to the Eagles 54 assists. slow start as they shot just 15.4% percent in you hold them to eight points in the first and-one got the Eagles to within 16 points but However, Eastern Michigan was able to lead the Cardinals in blocks. The Eagles had a the first quarter and weren’t able to recover quarter and you’re doing something right.” they were never able to come within single total of eight, while the Cardinals only had seven. as they fell 57-38. Natalia Pineda led the Michigan ended the quarter on a 6-0 run digits. Varejāo knocked down a turnaround Eastern Michigan will not compete in this year’s tournament, despite winning the 2018 Eagles with 16 points and two rebounds. after Izabel Varejāo entered the game. She jumper to give Michigan a 57-38 lead with MAC Tournament. The Eagles did finish the regular season on a high note, though, as they “We put her in the starting lineup. She’s had four points and an assist during the run 55 seconds left in the game and that would rebounded from their loss versus Ball State to defeat Toledo Nov. 16. The Eagles beat been practicing at a really high level and and the Wolverines took an 8-4 lead into the hold as the final score. Varejāo finished with Toledo 3-0 behind Haut’s game-high 13 kills. she’s a kid that is capable of scoring,” EMU second period. Eastern Michigan’s offense a team-high 11 points and seven rebounds. Eastern Michigan finished the regular season with a record of 11-17 and a6-10 head coach Fred Castro said about Pineda. struggled even more in the second quarter Michigan shot 40.4% from the field and conference record. Ball State, following wins over Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan, “Last year, she had her moments where she as they were shooting 13.8% heading into totaled 46 rebounds. sits at 17-11 and 11-5 in the MAC. The Cardinals have won six straight matches going into got hot and she’s playing at a high level in halftime, trailing 26-9. “I’m really proud as a whole. We held an the MAC Tournament in Bowling Green. practice. She earned the opportunity and she Amy Dilk knocked down a 3-pointer at All-American in Naz Hillmon to eight points delivered. I’m really proud of her effort.” the buzzer to give the Wolverines a 17-point and 10 rebounds. She’s coming in averaging The Eagles started Aaliyah Stanley, lead. Pineda led the Eagles with five points 18 and 12 or something like that, so I’m Juanita Agosto, Jenna Annecchiarico, Pineda and three rebounds at the half but the offense really proud of our kids effort,” Castro said. and Autumn Hudson. Annecchiarico got the was unable to keep up with Michigan. EMU “I thought our kids followed the game plan EMU men's basketball scoring started for both teams as she gave was also shooting just 12.5% from the really well. At the end of the day, what really EMU a 2-0 lead with 7:30 left in the first 3-point line in the first half. needed to happen was making a couple more quarter. Pineda would put the Eagles up 4-2 Eastern’s offense picked up in the third shots. with a floater, but that would be all of Eastern quarter as they scored 22 points and cut into The Eagles next game is versus heads to Jamaica the Wolverines lead. Agosto hit a corner Binghamton on Sunday, Dec. 1. Reviewing Eastern’s men's and women's recent cross country competitions

ZACH STURGILL EMU FRESHMAN GUARD CHRIS JAMES MAKES HIS DEBUT AT THE CONVOCATION CENTER ON NOV. 8.

ZACH STURGILL Darnell Rodgers (14 PPG), LJ Owens SPORTS REPORTER (12 PPG) and Brandon Horvath (10.3 PPG). Rodgers leads the team in assists EMU men's basketball (4-0) travels to per game at 3.8 and Horvath leads in Montego, Jamaica to play the University rebounds per game with 8.8. The Eagles of Maryland Baltimore County (4-1) played their last game against the on Friday. The teams will play at the American East Conference in 2016, when Montego Bay Convention Centre as part Vermont defeated them 82-74. of the Jersey Mike's Jamaica Classic, EMU is 2-2 all-time against the broadcasted on the CBS Sports Network conference. They play North Carolina at 2 p.m. A&T on Sunday, also in Jamaica, then JANINA POLLATZ UMBC made history in the 2018 they finish the group of away games with THE CROSS COUNTRY TEAM RACES IN IN CANTON, OHIO ON SATURDAY, OCT. 31. NCAA Tournament as they defeated No.1 UC-Irvine on Nov. 30. Eagles’ head coach seed Virginia 74-54 as a No.16 seed, the Rob Murphy gave credit to each of these TIAUNA ALLEN Sophomore Kaitlyn St. Bernard finished with a career-best time of 32:30.4. Wicker first ever 16-seed to beat a one-seed in the road opponents and said they are really SPORTS REPORTER 100th with a time of 22:20.6. Sophomore finished with a time of 32:31.0. tournament’s history. This will be the first good teams. Emily DeLine finished the race with the After competing at the event, Cizmas is game between Eastern Michigan and the Murphy also mentioned after last The Eastern Michigan University men’s 118th spot with a time of 22:39.2 and the only Eastern Michigan athlete to earn an Retrievers in their school histories. Thursday's win against University of and women’s cross country teams competed freshman Esme Davies closed out the race at individual bid for the NCAA Championship. EMU defeated North Texas 56-51 on Michigan-Dearborn, the importance of his at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on 139th with a time of 22:56.1. She will become the only Eagle in program Saturday, Nov. 16. The Mean Green were team's mentality and this stretch of away Friday, Nov. 15 at the Thomas Zimmer The EMU men’s cross country also history to qualify for four straight NCAA shooting well from three-point range in games: "That’s what I'm looking forward Championships Cross Country Course. Both finished top-10 at the NCAA Great Lakes championships. Before her career-best that game at 40%, while EMU was not, to, the challenging of the mindset, of teams were able to finish in the top-10 in Regional. It was the sixth time in the last performance at the NCAA Great Lakes at 25%. The Eagles had consistent leads finding the desire and the passion to want their respective competitions. seven seasons that the team finished in the Regional, she posted the second-fastest time throughout the game and had production to go play well on the road and win on The women finished in the top-10 for the top-10. The team finished the event with a at the MAC Cross Country Championship. from their bench, helping them to the the road." sixth consecutive season. score of 347. Five Eagles set personal-best She then earned first team All-MAC honors. five-point victory. EMU is one of three undefeated MAC The team finished ninth with a score of 10K times at the event. The Eagles became the first women's UMBC was a threat from long range teams remaining. 283 points. Natalie Cizmas finished at 10th Sophomore Andy Payne finished in 49th cross country program in MAC history in that historic win against Virginia Murphy put more emphasis on what place in the 6K race, crossing the finish line place with a personal-best time of 31:34.5. to win five consecutive conference titles. but are only shooting 27% this season these away matchups mean to the team: at 20:33.3. Redshirt senior Emily Smith Following behind on the list at 59th place Cizmas will become the third NCAA All- from behind the arc. The Retrievers are "Championship-caliber teams relish these finished the meet in the 47th spot with a time was fellow sophomore Baldvin Magnusson. American in program history if she finishes also averaging 63.5 points per game, moments. They look at this opportunity of 21:29.0. Next on the list was senior Karlie Magnusson finished with a career-best time in the top-40 in the NCAA Championship. compared to EMU's 80 PPG. The Eagles and they make the best of it. We have a Swanson, who finished 60th with a time of of 31:54.6. The NCAA Championships will take are shooting 48% overall and UMBC is great group this year and we'll continue to 21:42.5. Junior Owen Day finished in 66th place place Saturday, Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind. shooting 37.9%. get better." He also said that they're going Junior Madison Distelrath finished six with a time of 32:04.6. Sophomore Chris The women’s 6K race is scheduled to start at The three lead scorers for UMBC are to "approach each and every game like spots behind at 66th with a time of 21:47.0. Devaney and senior Austin Wicker finished 11:15 a.m. The men’s 10K will at 12:15 p.m. it’s a championship level game." at 88th and 89th, respectively. Devaney

Design Chief: Riley Pond [email protected] @pond.riley Sports The Eastern Echo Monday, December 2 Page 7 Eastern Michigan becomes EMU football players bowl eligible with 45-17 have a chance to win win over Northern Illinois prestigious awards CHARLES POST & in 1998 and was selected 63rd overall JOEY PISANESCHI by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 SPORTS EDITOR & NFL Draft. Burlsworth was tragically FOOTBALL REPORTER killed in a car accident only 11 days later. The Burlsworth Foundation was formed Eastern Michigan football players following his passing to support the needs have earned multiple MAC Player of of children who have limited opportunity. the Week awards in 2019. And two more Beydoun was one of 83 players who players have a chance to receive further were nominated for the award in the 10th recognition. Hassan Beydoun and Jake year of the Burlsworth Trophy. Beydoun’s Julien were nominated for the Burlsworth best game was versus Western Michigan Trophy and the Ray Guy Award watch on Saturday, Oct. 19. The Eagles defeated lists, respectively. their rival, and Beydoun contributed 70 Beydoun is currently in his second receiving yards on four receptions and a season at Eastern Michigan University. long of 34 yards. After playing a majority of his 2018 Jake Julien has been named to the snaps as a special-teamer, Beydoun is Ray Guy Award watch list. The Ray Guy Award is given to the best FBS punter ZACH STURGILL now making his mark within the Eastern EMU RECEIVER JAIRUS GRISSOM RUNS TO ENDZONE AT RYNEARSON STADIUM ON OCT. 12. Michigan offense as a wide receiver. during the Home Depot College Football Beydoun has recorded one touchdown on Awards Show. The Augusta Sports JOEY PISANESCHI for touchdown runs of their own. against the Eagles defense. The Huskies Council uses statistics such as percentage Glass also had a stellar performance were able to find the end zone just twice. 15 receptions for 199 yards through nine FOOTBALL REPORTER of punts with no return, net punt yards, in the passing game, completing 20 of 24 Marcus Childers passed for just 99 yards games. passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns. and one touchdown, and he was intercepted Beydoun has been recognized for punts inside the 20-yard line and others to Eastern Michigan football earned its sixth determine who receives the award. win of the season against Northern Illinois on Glass connected with six different receivers, three times by the Eastern Michigan defense. his efforts by being nominated for the The most recent winners of the Ray Tuesday, Nov. 19, defeating the Huskies 45- with Arthur Jackson III and Quian Williams Childers started the game after Ross Bowers, Burlsworth Trophy. The last four winners 17. leading the Eagles with five receptions each. the starting quarterback, was injured. of the award are Baker Mayfield (2015, Guy Award were Tom Hackett (2014, The Eagles are now bowl eligible in Jackson topped the charts for the receiving The Eagles defense was able to force four 2016), Luke Falk (2017) and Hunter 2015), Mitch Wishnowsky (2016), core with 78 yards and two touchdowns. turnovers, including interceptions by Brody consecutive seasons for the first time in Renfrow (2018). Mayfield also won the Michael Dickson (2017) and Braden program history and the third time in four Jackson also gave the crowd a highlight- Hoying and Vince Calhoun, as well as a Mann (2018). Hackett and Wishnowsky worthy one-handed catch inside the five-yard fumble recovery by Kobie Beltram. Hoying 2016 Heisman Trophy for the Sooners. years under head coach Chris Creighton. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to both played for the Utah Utes. Mann had “As we are trying to get better and better line along the sideline. Line Latu hauled in had two interceptions for EMU. Beltram the best football player who began his 50 punts and 51.0 average yards per punt and more relevant and all of those things, the other touchdown pass from Glass. also was the game’s leading tackler with “I can't wait to see Arthur’s,” Creighton 10 tackles, as well as the only sack on the career as a walk-on without receiving any last year. it's a big deal to us to get them once,” Julien averages 42.0 yards per punt, Creighton said just after complimenting the said when asked about Jackson’s phenomenal evening for Eastern Michigan. financial aid for athletics during his first with 11 punts being downed inside the Northern Illinois program for the high level catch. “I kind of saw it on the replay, but I Northern Illinois will end its season with season as a member of the team. Mayfield of character and success the team has had in went up to him and kind of whispered in his one final home game on Tuesday, Nov. 26 ended up winning the Heisman Trophy 20-yard line. He has punted 37 times recent years. ear. Don’t tell anybody I said this, but ‘Wow.’ against the Broncos of Western Michigan as the best player in the country before for a total of 1,553 yards. Julien is also It felt like we played complementary University. The Eagles were able to continue their becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the the only punter in Eastern Michigan late success in the running game, scoring football in all three phases of the game. Eastern Michigan now sits at 6-5 on the football history who has had two punts of There was good energy. Our guys want badly season and 3-4 within the Mid-American 2018 NFL Draft. three more touchdowns this week on the The award is given in honor of 70+ yards in his career, as well as being ground and averaging over six yards per rush. to do things that haven’t been done here in a Conference. The Eagles will return back Brandon Burlsworth. Burlsworth walked selected to the All-MAC second team Shaq Vann led the team with 101 rushing long time. It’s a good group.” home to Rynearson Stadium for the regular Tre Harbison, the Northern Illinois season finale in a MAC showdown against on to the University of Arkansas in 1994 following the 2018 season. yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Jairus The Eagles will return to action on Grissom and Mike Glass III also chipped in running back, was able to rush for 112 yards Kent State at 12 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. and became a starter for three seasons. Burlsworth was named in All-American Tuesday, Nov. 19. Boubacar Toure discusses Week 14 Preview: his life in Senegal and some The Eagles host expectations for his senior year LUKE GREMBAN He also had the opportunity of attending a Kent State in season SPORTS REPORTER prestigious basketball camp in Johannesburg, Africa’s biggest city and the capital of the Gauteng province. Eastern Michigan center Boubacar Toure finale and Senior Day Tour explained: “There was NBA discussed his upbringing, what he misses coaches that was out there, and just seeing most about Senegal, when he first started myself compared to those other players and CHARLES POST who we are right now. We know what playing basketball and his optimism for the just seeing that sometimes I stand out I think, SPORTS EDITOR we’re going after. School is going on, and Eagles 2019-20 season. ‘Maybe I might make a living out of this.’” finals are coming up quickly. The fifth-year senior was born in Dakar, This basketball camp was chock full of The Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-5, We want our guys doing well and Senegal and came to the United States NBA talent, as well. 3-4) football team plays their final game having a couple extra days, obviously around six years ago to play basketball. “All the African players were there,” of the regular season versus the Kent that helps. We’re relatively healthy, but it Toure explained he misses his family and Tour said. “Serge Ibaka was there, Luol State Golden Flashes (5-6, 4-3) on Friday, never hurts to get some rest and treat the food the most from Senegal. Deng was there, Joel Embiid was there Nov. 29 at Rynearson Stadium. bumps and bruises.” “Family 100%,” he said. “I have a really and even some of the American players. I It is Senior Day for the Eagles as they Eastern Michigan will look to have big family. I have one brother and four remember Nick Collison; he’s retired now. I look to win 7+ games for the second year a big game from seniors Glass, Arthur sisters, you know, and growing up I have remember coaches from Indiana were there, in a row. The game will kick off at noon Jackson III and Shaq Vann on offense. always been around. I have never been coaches from OKC and the Toronto Raptors on ESPN+. Jackson has a team-high 550 receiving by myself like around here. Always been MELISSA MOON were there. And me and Pascal Siakam was “It’s the seniors’ last home game,” yards and six touchdowns on 35 around family growing up. in that same camp.” everyday, I have to play basketball. I guess EMU head coach Chris Creighton said. receptions, while Vann leads the team African food is a lot better, a lot more Siakam currently plays for the Raptors, it’s part of me.” “It’s the last regular season game. We’ve with 594 rushing yards, despite missing ingredients. And I would say variety. You and he won the 2019 NBA’s Most Improved Toure is very optimistic on the team played better these last couple weeks, and multiple weeks because of injury. He also can have a lot more variety, a lot more Player of the Year. He also helped Toronto this year, setting the bar at a Mid-American we’re playing a good opponent who has a had seven touchdowns on the season. options over here, but you know, my food is win its first championship last summer. Toure Conference championship. He is also very lot to play for. The senior class includes Thad Abram, definitely better.” has high hopes for his future in basketball, pleased with the team’s chemistry. The big If you follow the MAC at all, especially Hunter Andrews, Kobie Beltram, Kymani Toure is also an avid soccer fan when especially when compared to these types of man is one of the captains on the team, and this year, winning is really hard. If we can Brown, Vince Calhoun, Eddie Daugherty it comes to watching the sport or playing players. sees this team going far. He said they have do that, it’ll mean that we accomplished IV, Sam Dervil, Tre’Shown Fields, Glass, video games. And his favorite team is FC “The ultimate result is to make it to the the potential to surprise a lot of people. something that is really hard.” Brody Hoying, Jackson, Desmond Kelly, Barcelona. NBA for sure,” he said. “I definitely think “I think everybody has a genuine love The Eagles have been playing much Bryce Kemp, Line Latu, Kevin McGill, “Everywhere you go around the world, I can make it: I have got the height and for each other,” Toure said. “We are together better lately as they have won two Steven Nielsen, Yannik Rohrschneider, soccer is the number one sport,” Toure said. athleticism, and I believe you can always as a team. I’m a fifth-year senior, I’ve been consecutive games for the second time Mathew Sexton, Shawn Simeon, Drake “I guess, watching them, they’re just one of work on the skills, and I have got a long way on five different teams, and I think what we this year. Eastern Michigan defeated Sutton, Breck Turner and Vann. the best leagues in the world. I just enjoy to go. I think I have a chance. You can drop have this year is very special. I’ve been on Akron and Northern Illinois the past two “We have to keep taking the ball away watching them.” me in the coldest city, in the coldest state in all different teams, but this one is special weeks and will try to secure its first three- and stopping the run,” Calhoun said. Toure also mentioned he speaks three the country. I would be out there.” because everyone sticks together, everybody game winning streak of the season. The “That’s our main things. That’s all we languages: English, French and Wolof. And However, volleyball is the only sport that buys in.” Eagles come into the game versus Kent have to get done. We honestly haven’t he said he is a people person. has threatened to take Toure’s talents away Toure and the Eagles are off to a 6-0 start State as 5.0-point favorites. done anything differently. We’ve just “In Senegal, like in the United States, from the hardwood. after their victory over North Carolina A&T “We have a huge task in front of us,” been money lately. when you go to school, they teach in French, “My volleyball coach was trying to on Sunday, Nov. 24. Eastern Michigan is Creighton said. We’re trying to take the ball away, so it’s the national language, but Wolof is make me quit basketball so I can focus undefeated through six games for the first The Eagles haven’t played since that’s our main goal, and we focus on that the traditional language,” Toure said. “I am on volleyball,” Toure explained. “I’m not time in five years, and the Eagles will try to Tuesday, Nov. 19, so they will have had in practice a lot. We want to keep doing a people person, so I usually try to reach out doing that. I thought it was very effeminate, keep the momentum going as they continue 10 days off, while the Golden Flashes last the same thing.” with friends, try to hang out with people, and I did not think of it at the time. I just competing in their non-conference slate. played on Saturday, Nov. 23. Kent State The senior class is looking for their teammates, and sometimes I play video misjudged it at the time. It did allow me to “I think with every possession we have, defeated Ball State 41-38 in that game. 26th career victory. games.” play basketball, though.” people are selfless enough to make plays Those extra days off could come into “With a win, that’s going to buy this Toure later touched on when he first Toure considers his mentality to be his for each other, and we have coaches who play as EMU senior quarterback seems football family more time together,” picked up a basketball. strongest competitive feature. can put us in the right situation and in the to be getting healthier, after dealing with Creighton said. “You talk about the bowl “First day I started playing basketball, “It does not matter who I’m playing best position to win games,” he said. “They injuries in October. game and all that, but one of the things is I just had a tunnel vision of ‘Okay, I might against, I’m coming at you,” he said. “I’m picked us to be last, and it is just motivation Glass had 235 passing yards versus just our football family in 2019, getting have the chance to make something big out a winner. It doesn’t matter if it’s basketball for us. That means we have nothing to lose, Northern Illinois. to stay together. That may not seem of this sport,’” he said. “I wasn’t just playing or something else. I’m doing it to win. So, and whoever we face, there is pressure on “Our minds are right,” Creighton said. like a motivator from the outside, but I to play, I was playing to be a pro, to make I guess that’s that drive. Even if I work them to beat us. And that is extra motivation “We’re not too high or too low. We know guarantee it’s a motivator for all of us.” money out of it, to make a living out of it.” for us.”

Sports Editor: Charles Post [email protected] @_charlespost 8 Monday, December 2 Classifieds The Eastern Echo

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