MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2014 47TH YEAR » ISSUE FIVE RESTAURANT REVIEW: SANTOUKA READ, PG: 11 Criminalization of the Homeless BY SYED HASHMI Recently thirty-three STAFF WRITER NEWS states have voted and decided to cut America’s foreign policy is homelessness off its life support. They monumentally strong and invasive to have banned people from providing the point that, in many cases, we are food to any and all homeless people. more than just a friendly neighbor. Arguments that pin the blame on the Waving our star spangled banner, homeless rally those who would deny we crusade across oppressed lands them basic human rights. People scoff spreading the holy faith of democracy. and joke, making wild assumptions Our military bases speckle every and radical statistics, some even corner of the world, and impoverished claiming that the average homeless children wear shirts branded with our person makes more than workers on insignias. We are warriors. Saviors. We minimum wage. Most are considered are at the forefront of every righteous to be lazy, worthless, substance abusing battle. Yet, the hundreds of thousands lunatics. of people suffering in our own home of We fight as a nation so hard the brave are ignored. to repress and destroy prejudice and The streets of our fair nation stereotyping when it comes to race. are, quite literally, littered with people But the homeless face more judgment who are just as dirty as the trash that they than any race has. Rather than finding sleep on. Homelessness is an epidemic. a viable solution, rather than providing It is a disease that is widespread and, comfort and aide to these people, many while curable, is tossed aside as a minor local and state government systems ailment. The debate over aiding or have opted to take the coward’s way out. neglecting the homeless is hopeless. Why help the homeless when you can The tides shift from one side to another; use vile passive aggression to push them while programs and organizations exist away? Out of sight, out of mind. Plus, to provide what little support they can, it’s cheaper than devising an actual, rapid criminalization of the homeless is effective plan of action. FULL STORY, PAGE 5 neutralizing all their efforts. Read more, page 2 SHOULD DERRICK PLAY? Bachelor of Arts Degree Legalization of Marijuana Offered through Eastern BY SYED HASHMI around the user. Alcohol abuse kills roughly three NEWS STAFF WRITER million people per year. Again, marijuana has a meager Marijuana is the paint of an incomprehensible mortality rate of absolutely no people, ever. The choice Illinois University at shade for the artist, a nector sent from the gods for a to legalize marijuana is not difficult. It simply requires writer and a soothing melody for the musician. It is a bit of unbiased research and some logic. Harper College no liquid courage — it is the vapor of inspiration. It Admittedly, the legalization of a drug for is worshiped in shrines made of broken canvases, recreational use by adolescents on the basis that it has no BY CONTRIBUTOR am a proud student and will forever be screenplays and pizza boxes. Everyone comes to pray. medical repercussions is not the most ideal legislative FEATURES STAFF WRITER grateful to EIU because they care about Everyone comes to pay respect, and what little money decision. However, the curative qualities of marijuana Harper College has partnered me and my achievement.” most of them have, for the sake of this sultry drug. speak for themselves, ss do the fiscal reasons. Colorado with Eastern Illinois University to offer Another student attending Pop culture has glamorized marijuana in is the poster state for marijuana — as one of the first a Bachelor of Arts degree in General Harper, Theresa DuBonetti, explains, “I ways that no cigarette commercials from the 60s ever states to legalize the drug, Colorado has seen nothing Studies. EIU began offering classes this needed the bachelor’s degree not only could. Weed, pot, grass, ganja, Mary Jane, reefer — but benefit since its decision. In the past year, seven Fall Semester at the Harper Professional for a personal goal, but also to climb the mistress of a thousand names is inescapable. It’s million dollars in tax revenue have been generated by Center in Schaumburg, The transfer the corporate ladder at my current job. everywhere: on t-shirts and sweaters, on every face of the sale of marijuana. At the end of August, the drug agreement, allows students to complete My manager is the one that told me up to 78 hours at Harper, and complete that EIU was partnering with Harper social media, in music lyrics, in music videos, middle brought in almost thirty million dollars in recreational the remaining 42 hours with EIU. College and that they were offering school courtyards, high school bathrooms and college sales. Yet, there is no anarchy. There are no protests or Approximately, a dozen a Bachelor’s in General Studies. I dorms. The truth is, marijuana isn’t going anywhere. riots. No mass criminal activity. No fatalities. The state students are enrolled in EIU’s classes was so excited that I registered the With more and more states legalizing it, or at least of Colorado has miraculously managed to hold itself at Harper this Fall Semester, and same day and then worked with my considering to, it is becoming evident that marijuana together and stuff its pockets with millions of dollars. those students have extremely positive advisor, Jackie Johnson, who was very is here to stay. And, frankly, it is hard to argue that it The decision to legalize weed is no longer a decision. It things to say about their EIU education accommodating and very helpful. I shouldn’t. is only a matter of time, and a short one by the looks of thus far. Sue Borchek Smith, one of am so happy that I found out about The numbers show a nightmare that no parent it. the first to enroll explains, “Eastern the BGS program and now I am only wants to see. Marijuana has a perfect 0 percent mortality Illinois University’s Bachelor of Arts in two semesters away from reaching my General Studies program is affordable, goal.” rate. Overdosing on the drug is unheard of, and while convenient and rewarding. Eastern’s Eastern Illinois University it can majorly disorient the user, the drug itself causes course schedule is accommodating, was recently named the No. 4 public little to no permanent health issues. Instead, it can and most of my credits transferred. My regional university in the Midwest actually be used medically to treat a plethora of medical academic counselor Jackie Johnson, according to the latest U.S. News and conditions. It can be taken as a more natural alternative and Eastern’s faculty have been World Report rankings released last to pain and as depression medication. Marijuana has helpful and encouraging, and with my week. EIU is the top Illinois school shown promise with seizure and muscle disorders as continued focus and dedication, I hope in that category. The B. A. in General well as diseases, for example, Crohn’s disease. Patients to achieve my Bachelor of Arts in less Studies is one of the largest programs with Multiple Sclerosis, for which no cure exists, have than two years. I encourage anyone at Eastern. It was established in 1973 to thinking about completing their serve adult learners throughout Illinois also found that the drug alleviates pain and reduces bachelor’s to contact EIU first, to see and has graduated over 5,000 students inflammation of some of the more extreme symptoms how much you can achieve!” who are employed in various fields of this deadly disease. Multiple cancer treatments Similar to Smith, Francisco including business, education, social induce teeth grinding amounts of pain and nausea, Sanchez has high marks for his services, law and medicine. both of which can be reduced through the use of experience with EIU. “Eastern Illinois Classes are held evenings, medical marijuana. University has given me the tools and on weekends and online to help meet The reality is that marijuana is much safer opportunity to grow academically and the educational goals of adults with than the substances that are openly advertised, sold as a leader. Having classes close to busy lives. Prospective students can and bought on a daily basis. Cigarettes kill more than home made it easier than ever to attend learn more by calling Jackie Johnson a University such as Eastern Illinois. at 217.549.3347 or emailing Chicago@ six million people per year. It is common knowledge The BGS program will open many eiu.edu. For more information, visit that smoking cigarettes causes cancer and is not only doors for me and my career as a chef. I eiu.edu/bgs/. detrimental to one’s own health but the health of those Have a good story? Advertise Social Media We accept any suggestions, requests, or written content. To pro- Perfect for Harper clubs and organizations, Like us on Facebook: Harper Harbinger vide us with news, and for all other inquiries, feel free to either or for local businesses. If you are interested Follow us on Twitter: @harperharbinger call us at (847) 925-6460 to speak with our staff, or email us at in placing an advertisement in the Harbinger, Follow us on Instagram: @harbinger5 [email protected]. call or email us. »HARBINGER DECEMBER 1 CONTINUED: CRIMINALIZATION OF THE HOMELESS Days In History with Continued from page 1, Cities in Florida, California and South Carolina have made life so absurdly difficult for the homeless that they Dr.