October 1 – October 7, 2018 | Vol. 73, Ed. 4 | The West Georgian Est. 1934 What’s THE BRIGHTER SIDE: Inside? Solar panels coming to the TLC. SACRIFICE EVERYTHING: / / PAGE 5 Kaepernick and Nike stand together. / / PAGE 2 FAIRGROUND HOEDOWN: Crowder shines in Marietta. / / PAGE 7 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: THE NEW NORMAL Tiffany Maynard Contributing Writer Stories of sexual violence have been and children come through here, work the swirling through the media in recent years. programs and get out. Fifteen years later, The #MeToo movement began to help women those same kids are back at our front door, in bring forth their repressed stories of abuse the same situation their mother got them out and harassment on social media platforms. of.” This movement has brought to light some Washington says the best way to help of the darker sides of Hollywood, as well these youth is education. She suggests as the political sphere. Though the #MeToo teaching kids as early as seven how to movement has been cathartic for those who recognize domestic violence. have been affected by sexual abuse, it is not “We need people going into schools the proper platform for those who experience teaching about domestic violence and abuse from intimate partners. teaching these kids that it’s not okay to be According to the National Coalition yelled at or hurt by someone who is supposed Against Domestic Violence, nearly 20 people to love you,” said Washington. are abused by an intimate partner every Though education is the key to minute. When domestic violence is discussed, awareness, preventing the problem is a bit physical abuse is the most common type more complicated. of abuse thought of. There are many other “A common misconception of women types of abuse to consider, according to in domestic violence is that they choose Marie Washington, Shelter Coordinator for not to leave- that they think it’s okay,” said S.H.A.R.E. House Family Violence Crisis Washington. “That’s usually not the case. Center in Douglasville, GA. Most women stay because they feel like they “A lot of times we focus on domestic have no other choice. Their abuser controls violence as being physical abuse, but there’s them, threatens her life or her children’s. a lot of different types of abuse,” said Or maybe, her kids adore him. Maybe she Washington. “Domestic Violence includes any doesn’t have the money or support system to type of physical, verbal, sexual or financial escape, or enough time alone to leave. It’s harm.” never the victim’s fault.” The women accepted into the programs Washington suggests considering these S.H.A.R.E. House offers were affected by angles when trying to help someone in need. many of these forms of abuse by intimate “Sometimes they don’t feel like they need partners or family members, but the women or deserve the help,” said Washington. “It can are not the only ones to be concerned about. be embarrassing. If you suspect someone is “Anyone can be affected by domestic experiencing domestic violence, reach out to violence. Women are the victims we think them. Don’t accuse them of lying. Instead, of most, but men, children and pets are have normal conversations with them and ask affected too,” said Washington. “Many times about their well being. Be a friend. the children fall through the cracks because Washington also suggests being aware of advocates are focused on getting the mother your boundaries. or father back on their feet. The children will “Not everyone is an expert in counseling be yelling and screaming, hitting their siblings victims, but most everyone has, or can get or hitting other children, and bringing their access to, a phone. Simply say ‘I’m sorry abusive upbringing into an environment that you’re going through this, let me gather some is supposed to be safe for victims.” resources for you.’ Then, Google shelters The United Nations International in your area, or call 1- 800-33 Haven. This Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) says number will connect you with the closest in their studies that the best way to predict shelter. If you’re not comfortable with that, the a child becoming a perpetrator or victim of police can assist you in gathering resources domestic violence in their adult lives is to look for the victim.” at their childhood. If they were abused as a If the victim chooses to not go any child, they are more likely to become involved further after offering to help find resources, in violent situations in the future. Washington suggests leaving them with a kind “It’s a cycle,” said Washington. “And it’s word, contact information, and reassurance vicious and hard to break.” that they can trust you if they ever need help. S.H.A.R.E. House has programs Anyone can be affected by domestic implemented to rehabilitate young victims violence. If you or someone you know is a to prevent them from going back to abusive victim of domestic violence, call the Statewide situations. Sometimes, these programs are Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-33 not enough. HAVEN (4286) or the National Domestic “I’ve been here a long time,” said Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. THE WEST THE WEST GEORGIAN Washington. “I’ve seen lots of women thewestgeorgian.com thewestgeorgian @thewestgeorgian Facebook.com/TheWestGeorgian October 1 – October 7, 2018 | Vol. 73, Ed. 4 | The West Georgian OPINION & EDITORIAL PG. 2 #WolfPackWoes HEY WOLVES... WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PARKING? I sincerely despise it. I’m all about accepting I don’t think people understand how more and more students and putting this uni- expensive our parking fees would get if they versity on the map, but don’t accept all these built a parking deck. I’d rather walk farther kids and then have nowhere for them to park. than pay $300+ a semester. Last semester it took all of 5 minutes to find a Parking is fine. People are just too lazy to walk spot in the commuter lot and get to class. Now more than five minutes. it can take up to 30 minutes or more just to find a spot, and then you have to make a half - Amanda Baptie mile trek from the last few spots in the com- muter lot. We need a parking deck, or another large parking lot. - Jonathan Pender Sacrificing Everything: Colin Kaepernick and Nike Stand Together Matthew Harvey News Editor Nike’s 30th anniversary of it’s “Just do it” but much of the hate stems from the belief that even if it means sacrificing everything,” which campaign featuring free agent NFL quarterback, Kaepernick was indeed disrespecting the flag, featured Kaepernick. The ad has resulted in a Colin Kaepernick, has rehashed a heated the country and the troops who fight for both. mixture of reactions from the public. controversy. “I realize that men and women of the Following the release of the ad Nike Kaepernick took a stand, or a lack thereof, military go out and sacrifice their lives and put customers began burning merchandise with for what he believed is racial injustice in America themselves in harm’s way for my freedom of the iconic swoosh on it in protest of Kaepernick at the beginning of the 2016/2017 NFL season. speech and my freedoms in country and my and Nike’s partnership. Not long after, Kaepernick decided not to stand side-by-side freedom to take a seat or take a knee, so I have “#NikeBoycott” began to trend on twitter. with his teammates for the national anthem, but the utmost respect for them,” said Kaepernick in Immediately following the ad, Nike shares instead took a knee behind his teammates in a USA Today interview in 2016. dropped three-percent, but since then have a preseason game against turned and reached the the Green Bay Packers. This highest levels the company act, while subtle, not only has ever seen. Nike has also sparked a controversy, but it reaped the rewards of the risk also started a revolution. as they have seen an increase “I am not going to stand in sold-out products from Sept. up to show pride in a flag 3 to Sept. 13 by 61-percent. for a country that oppresses Much like Kaepernick back black people and people in 2016, Nike risked everything Photo Credits: Associated Press Photo Credits: of color. To me it is bigger by releasing the ad with such than football and it would be a strong political stance. Nike selfish on my part to look the is currently the official athletic other way,” said Kaepernick wear sponsor for the NFL and in an exclusive NFL interview provide uniforms and other following the protest in 2016. equipment for the 32 teams Kaepernick used his in the league. The deal is platform as a professional currently in effect until the year athlete to raise awareness 2028. about racial inequality, and more specifically, Kaepernick, a former NFC champion and In promoting the views of a free agent police brutality in America. This lead many other starting quarterback in Super Bowl XLVII, feels that has caused the league a high amount of NFL players to protest during the anthem as the reason he has not been able to find a job distress, Nike has firmly expressed their stance well. since the protest is due to collusion and has on the matter; and potentially has tarnished the Kaepernick met with U.S. Army veteran, been in a legal battle with the NFL over the relationship between them and the head of the Nate Boyer, to discuss the best way to go issue.