F R E E D O M ^ AF Sp W VOL. 103 ISSUE 22 FOGHORN.USFCA.EDU MAY 3,2007 China's African Presence EESSET :||p::;*-::|^?||<:-::;:::,-:i:p KATE ELSTON an earthquake or a pandemic than being StaffWriter killed by a gunman," he said. And Lawson said nothing of this magnitude has every fter the initial shock and occurred on USF campus in its history. subsequent mourning of the Like Lawson, Mike Taheny, USF's AVirginia Tech tragedy, it's hard to Disaster Preparedness Specialist, also said deny the question that looms in the minds he feels confident about USF's emergency of many members ofthe USF community: response program and also emphasized how ready is USF for a similar emergency? the need to be aware of natural disasters "We reexamined everything [after more than shooting sprees. "Concerns I the shootings in Virginia] and we felt we have are that people are not familiar with were pretty good on all aspects," said Dan what they're supposed to do in a given Lawson, director of USF Public Safety. situation,"Taheny said. He recently wrote Lawson said the university "refreshed and and distributed to the university via email tightened up" its response system and is a disaster preparedness report that he continuing to work closely with the SFPD strongly encourages students to read. He to practice emergency procedures. In terms also encouraged students to visit the public of an emergency the magnitude of the safety website, which also has a number of Virginia Tech shootings, Lawson said, "My resources and links to websites like the number one concern is taking care of the American Red Cross. "What we're doing is immediate crisis and stopping the threat. focusing on making sure that the individual We are prepared to do that." What comes level of preparedness' is the first building next, he said, is gettin vital information block," Taheny said. He also mentioned and instructions out to students about that students need to be prepared for how to proceed following a disaster. anything, from having an emergency kit Virginia Tech has been criticized for prepared for earthquakes to having a "go not properly allerting their community bag"—something containing important after the first shooting happened. "How belongings like medicine and clothing do we communicate? That's the issue we're that can be snatched up quickly before all asking right now," Lawson said. "We're evacuatingyourroomorapartment.Taheny all looking at our programs to see how also said simply taking steps like backing well are prepared for that.' Lawson said up your files on your computer in case fire the university is looking to establish mass sprinklers destroy your belongings is an communication systems, like PA systems, important step in being prepared. "There and mass text messages that would needs to be a constant effort by individuals immediately reach all cell phones. Lawson to make sure they have a plan," he said. said the university is currently researching Taheny said there is also safety which system would be the most efficient. committee 'established at USF which In terms of what students should do in meets monthly with the Rev. Stephen case of a gunman in a building, Lawson Privett S.J. and his cabinet. "All of the said there's nothing much more you can people that report to the president are HUNTER PATTERSON/FOGHORN do in that situation than "lock the doors prepared and are making efforts to improve Professor Man-Lui Lau ofthe USF Economics Department lectures on the economic changes in China since 1978, as part ofthe China in Transforma­ and dial 911." But Lawson emphasized the preparedness of employees, staff and tion lecture in Mclaren 250. Professor Lau was joined by speakers Fr. Michel Marcil ofthe Ricci Institute and Stephen Roddy ofthe Center for the Pacific that an attack of this sort is extremely rare. Rim this past Thursday to discuss the changes in China's religious tolerance, culture and economic system. This was the final event in the State ofthe World lecture series this spring sponsored by the USF Politics Society and the International Studies Program. "There's more chance of us being hit with SAFETY: continued on page 2 Presidential Candidates Cast light on Emerging Groups Obama ys Candidacy Raises Awareness Romney Raises Interest in Mormons ofthe American Multiracial Experience STEPHANIE LUU Most Outstanding Teen, the fourth runner up in Miss StaffWriter America's Most OutstandingTeen, and afinal contestant she posted a flyer with the following question: "How in the Miss Utah pageant. A straight A student, a concert EVAN WIIG usual Friday night for sophomore Jen many times have you been asked the question: What pianist, and recently an intern for conservative radio StaffWriter Gulbrandsen consists of hanging out are you?" For Caluza, the answer was "All the time." talk show Sean Hannity, Gulbrandsen sets the example • with her friends, watching movies, or as a successful and faithful female Mormon. Gulbrandsen "Adolescence is the most difficult time," Caluza said. A hen Kimberly Caluza, a USF counselor, attending whatever parties she finds out about said there are not enough female examples for young She said that attendees at the group's first meeting told was filling out her undergraduate in her town of Provo, Utah. It sounds like Mormon girls to look up and her goal is to set one. stories of that were both painful and humorously familiar Wpaperwork, she noticed there was both the typical Friday night for college students Gulbrandsen is well known on the BYU campus, a box marked Asian'and a box marked 'Caucasian.' to everyone in the room. She said," In college, people everywhere. However, Gulbrandsen's night aren'ttryingtoblendin.They're tryingto find themselves." not because of her pageant fame but as a role model for Being of both heritages, she told her advisor that often ends before midnight, usually when most Mormon youth. She said that though she lives a normal Erika Carlsen, a sophomore and member of the both applied. When he advised her to "just choose college students are just starting their night. No life religion is the biggest factor in her choices and Chicano cultural group MEChA was born and raised in one" or they would choose one for her, in defiance red cups, beer bottles, or empty liquor bottles lifestyle. Gulbrandsen said that as a Mormon youth she Ogden, Utah and is of Mexican and German heritage. "I Caluza checked theboxmarked African American.' litter the apartment at all. In fact, the only drinks wasn't allowed to date till the age of sixteen, smoke was called 'white washed' by my Latina friends because Illinois Senator Barack Obama, the child of that are served are juice or water. The noise is or consume alcohol, or even coffee and tea. She said, ofthe way I talked, the way I dressed and even because a white mother and a father of the Kenyan Luo kept to a minimum, and the music playing is "Every time I tell someone I'm Mormon all these I was planning to go to university," Carlsen said. "I felt tribe, and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, clean. At nineteen, Gulbrandsen is a member questions arise about dating or if I can drink coffee the only way I could identify with my Latino roots was who is of Mexican and European-American of the Mormon Church-The Church of Jesus or not. It's a personal choice. I know some Mormons to become a 'chola' and simply fall into the stereotype." heritage, are candidates for the 2008 Democratic Christ of Latter Day Saints-and a sophomore who drink coffee and I know some Mormons who San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris, presidential nomination. Tiger Woods, one of at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. date around a lot. Everyone is different and it's who is of mixed descent, is expected to address her the most successful athletes of all time, famously When Mormon and former Massachusetts their personal choice on how they want to live." Jamaican and eastern Indian heritage during an Ethnic described himself as "Cabhnasian,"in reference to Governor Mitt Romney entered the race for the Gulbrandsen said she doesn't drink or do drugs not Studies program discussion at USF with law professor his Thai and African American parents. Popular 2008 Republican presidential nomination, he out of Mormon values but out of her own. "I respect Rhonda McGee Andrews on Wednesday May 9. culture is full of mixed race celebrities like Halle sparked a conversation in the national media my own body too much," she said. On that note, she "It is a fine line,"said Carlsen, who described cultural Berry and Keanu Reeves. Increasingly, mixed- about Mormons. Senate Majority Leader talks about her chastity. "I don't think it's just Mormon identity as often an "ambiguous"experience. But Carlsen race people are becoming more visible in many Senator Harry Reid, (D.-Nev.) is another high- religious values that promote chastity. I mean Christians doesn't feel like she's reinforcing those boundaries aspects of'American life. But it was not until profile Mormon. Jon Heder, star of "Napoleon and Catholics also are saving themselves till marriage. between cultures byjoiningMEChA.'Tt's not aboutyour 2000 that the "check only one box" rule for race Dynamite" and "Blades of Glory" and Brandon I definitely believe that sex is supposed to be between a bloodline. It's about understanding indigenous histories, was removed from the United States Census. Flowers of The Killers are popular Mormons in husband and wife." She said that when she matriculated it's an ideology and it's a conscious political decision." "When I tell people that I'm mixed, they the arts.