WT’s lack of attendance at sporting events

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Melissa Bauer-Herzog

As one of The Prairie’s sports writers, I go to almost every major sporting event on campus to either write about it or take pictures. But one thing I almost always notice is that other than a few hardcore students, the stands are usually only filled with older members of the community or other athletes.

While I get that we are in football territory, it always amazes me other than football games, students just don’t seem to care about WT athletics.

We have some awesome teams here at WT and games can be truly exciting. Our volleyball team is one of the best in the nation and has an outstanding home record of well over 300 games won and only something like 11 games lost in The Box and had an LSC winning streak going back to 2006 on the line this year (that was broken in September). At the time of this writing, our women’s basketball team is ranked No. 3 in the LSC and is locked into the playoffs.

Students also pay an athletic fee with their tuition that goes to the athletic department so in a way, you are paying to watch these games without actually going to them. Sure, not everyone likes sports, but coming to games and supporting those that represent our school is part of the college experience. And if going and mingling with other students while watching a bunch of teams isn’t up your alley, sometimes you can even get free stuff.

Most people only have four years of college, so why not spend it getting everything out of college that you can? Going to a school that has good sports programs is extremely cool, so do yourself a favor and get a group of friends together to go watch a game. You’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth.

Analyzing feminism through men’s eyes

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Eva Harder

Woman Power logo. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, used under Creative Commons liscense.

For the last year, I’ve been researching the positive correlation between Playboy magazine and feminism. I’m afraid that most of my professors think I’m pushing the women’s movement back a few decades, but I need to clarify that I’m not interested in the male perspective of feminism because I don’t like women or don’t like being a woman. I’m interested in the male perspective because it’s one we haven’t asked to be heard in quite some time.

Feminism has become one of the dirtiest words in the language of any given social group. A lot of people think that, in order to be a feminist, you have to believe that men are inherently evil. But as a feminist and as a human being, I know I can only become the best version of myself by honoring and respecting my sexual counterpart of the human species.

I am unable to become this version when I look at television shows and romantic comedies which depict unhappy women grumpily calling men “pigs,” just as men were ultimately the ones who were found wanting in past decades when women were only valued as domestic appliances.

Just as I don’t believe that women are only useful for sex or washing the dishes, I don’t believe that men are pigs. In fact, when I think of the men in my life, of friends and colleagues, I see an interesting thread stitching them together.

All of these men seem silently desperate to love women. Yes, I have come across the chauvinist, the disrespectful “pig,” but most of the men I know are dying to be kind, eager to be strong. But sometimes they sacrifice their kindness in favor of the masculine perception of strength.

When women are bruised, we tend to cry about it. Most women respond to hurt with open communication. But when men bruise, they steel up. They become silent. And the only way for them to tolerate a wound is to become indifferent to it. But indifference can only take you so far.

I would never try to deny that women haven’t been subjugated, that they haven’t been hurt and disparaged by men by no fault of their own. But somewhere in our process of giving women voice to their pain and frustration, we made it impossible for men to substantiate theirs. So instead of expressing this pain, we become unkind to one other.

Only the strongest people in the world have what it takes to truly be kind. It takes incredible courage, sometimes, to be kind to ourselves. And that’s really the most important observation I’ve made this year in my research: it all starts with us. If we don’t stop disrespecting ourselves we’ll never be strong enough to be kind to the men and women in our lives. And if we can’t get along with each other, if we can’t coexist in harmony and respect with the opposite sex, then that could literally lead to the end of the world. Seems kind of important to try to understand both perspectives, don’t you think?

Annual Spring concert depicts students’ hard work

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Krystina Martinez

Student dancers perform at "True Colors of Dance". Photo by Krystina Martinez.

‘The True Colors of Dance’ was this year’s theme for the WTAMU Dance department’s annual spring concert. The concert featured five pieces, all of which incorporated colors in costuming, set design, and the overall theme of the individual piece.

The concert kicked off with Catching Colors for Butterflies, -a simple yet visually appealing piece using colored fabric. Although the dance technique was not terribly complex, the movement coupled with the use of fabric created a cool effect.

Night After the Storm took a different approach from Catching Colors with the absence of color, telling a story of loss and recovery. The piece featured guest choreographer Matthew Lindstrom and interim dance director Leslie Meek. The two dancers had an incredible amount of control, were in sync with their movements and were able to portray emotions easily. The dance started off slow, steadily began to pick up intensity and suddenly stopped, which seemed to throw off the entire flow of the piece.

The Seasons picked up the mood with a retelling of the four seasons. The piece was a contemporary ballet on pointe, and for a hardcore admirer of anything pointe, it was great. The four dancers each wore a different color to represent spring, summer, fall and winter. The music and choreography was beautiful, but the timing was off at some points throughout the dance. Perhaps the dancers´ range of heights and unequal sized limbs affected their timing. I wasn’t sure in some areas whether the dancers had planned to be off by a half-second.

Colors of Motion was a modern piece, telling a story of how a famous sculpture of a man and woman came to be created. The dance featured Matthew Lindstrom and WT Dance student Danielle Gerber. Both dancers worked well together, conveying the right amount of emotions and pulling off difficult partner work. The choreography was beautiful, but the dance may be too sensual for some people’s tastes, especially at the end.

The final piece was Filipenese, choreographed by J.M Rebudal, my favorite dance out of the entire show. The theme, Asiatic-tribal mix, was filled with acrobatics, lifts, and just fun choreography overall. The costuming added a nice touch, with gold tops, split pants, and crazy hair. There were obvious differences in arm movements at some points. Some dancers were stronger than others, which is to be expected in a dance department.

I love the idea of showing the different colors of dance. However the concert was almost too short to be able to illustrate it.

The Dance department started to work on “True Colors” in October. According to Meek, the dancers put in about 20-30 hours of rehearsal time a week prior to the show, including a full week of rehearsals from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. with the dancers’ full class loads.

Students bring some criticism for shoe program

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Krystina Martinez

TOMS CEO Blake Mycoskie autographs a flag. Photo by Frankie Sanchez.

Through WTAMU’s “21 Days of Change” campaign, TOMS shoes were the talk of the university in the days leading up to CEO Blake Mycoskie’s visit.

Students scrambled to order shoes from the JBK, at the online store, or make last minute shopping trips to Janey’s at 2500 to purchase a pair of TOMS. The company is well-known for its “One for One” campaign, which donates a pair of shoes for every pair of TOMS sold to children overseas. Despite the good intentions, some have criticized the company and its “buy one, give one” business model as a clever marketing ploy.

“Some students who participated in A Day Without Shoes or wear TOMS seem to think of themselves as a good person or even label others who refuse to participate as a bad person,” Bomb Chavengsaksongkram, a sophomore Computer Science and Mathematics major, said. “Many of these people are not aware that they are falling into a marketing campaign or ‘trend’ that TOMS has created to sell more shoes.”

The TOMS website states that they are a “for-profit organization with giving at its core.” Mycoskie was inspired to start up TOMS after visiting Argentina in 2006 and witnessing first-hand the effects of podoconiosis, a soil-transmitted foot disease, on children who did not own a pair of shoes.

After selling his online driver’s education program, Mycoskie used the money to finance TOMS. Although he initially had only 250 shoes for sale, demand for the shoes grew to overwhelming proportions. TOMS sold its one millionth pair of shoes in Sept. 2010, and is well on its way to selling two million shoes. With popularity comes criticism, which Mycoskie understands.

“Anytime that you have a successful business, there is going to be criticism,” said Mycoskie. “The thing that we try to focus on is the actual results of what we’re doing. It’s not so much about the cost to help this [issue] but the fact that these [foot] diseases are debilitating people and ruining their lives.”

The cost of a pair of TOMS runs around $40-$50, depending on the type of shoe purchased. However, some argue that the cost of shoes in third-world countries is not more than $5.

“[TOMS] could easily be giving away two or three pairs of shoes instead of just one,” Eddie Torres, a sophomore pre-Nursing major, said. “[They] are making way too much money for the price they sell their shoes.”

Chavengsaksongkram, a native of Thailand, believes that shoes are not the answer to helping children in third-world countries.

“Shoes are not very difficult to access, unlike medical supplies which are rare in third-world countries,” said Chavengsaksongkram. “I can also assure you that TOMS’ trendy shoes will not last longer than a couple of weeks in a harsh environment.”

Although purchasing TOMS shoes is one way to help children in developing countries, Torres said there are different and more efficient ways that one can make a difference.

“If [people] really want to help, they should sponsor a child through World Vision,” he said.

Illegal immigration bill favors rich Texans

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Maria Molina

Illegal immigration has been a long-debated theme in both the Texas House and the Senate, but a recent bill proposed by Republican state Rep. Debbie Riddle has become highly controversial. This bill would make hiring an “unauthorized alien” a crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The controversial aspect of this bill is its exceptions: those who hire a maid, a lawn caretaker or another type of domestic worker. This proposed law is written for a limited few.

Texas Republican state Rep. Aaron Pena told CNN that without the exemption, “a large segment of the Texas population” would end up in prison if the bill became a law. My question is, “Who are these large segments of the population?” House workers are a luxury that not everyone can afford. In fact, it is not unusual to pay $75 to $80 for half a day’s work in an average three-bedroom home of about 2,000 square feet. The average household in the United States cannot afford to pay a maid or any other type of house worker. In other words, to afford a maid in this country you need to have a higher-than-average income.

Notably, there is a coincidence in this exemption; candidates collect millions in campaign donations. The Federal Election Commission released on Feb. 28 all donations that took place during the 2009-2010 cycle. Based on contributions of $200 or more, the Republican Party received a total of $575.5 million. Democrats received $583.7 million. These numbers do not take into consideration money given from donors who gave to both parties. People who have money to donate are the ones who have political power and are being exempted from the bill.

Moreover, the organization Fair Vote reported that approximately 86 percent of people with incomes above $75,000 voted in the presidential elections, compared to only 25 percent of people with an income of $15,000 or less. Considering these facts, it is important to examine the results of this disparity. Fair Vote reports that a study of roll call voters in the 107^th and 108^th Congresses showed that legislators were three times more responsive to high-income constituents than middle-income constituents and even less responsive to low-income constituents.

Laws should be applied equally and it is clear that the proposed House bill was created with a certain segment of people in mind – people with money.

One Sentence Movie Reviews

Posted on February 28, 2011 by Jes Roskens

Megamind

A superhero/villain story that makes you ask a hard question: “Why was Brad Pitt in this movie?”

Paranormal Activity 2

The Devil has possessed the house! Quick grab the camera! Continue reading →

I hate Valentine’s Day: No really, I do

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Kati Watson

Not everyone likes Valentines. Photo by Frankie Sanchez.

I hate Valentines Day almost as much as I hate Christmas and my birthday. I guess it is safe to say I’m a holiday hater. Now I do need to explain that this hate I harbor for specific holidays is not because of the meaning of the holidays but the way people have warped the meaning and celebrations. There is nothing worse than stale candy, expensive dates, and useless gifts.

Ladies, the meaning of Valentines Day is not about how great of a gift you get. Valentines Day is about love, as corny as it sounds. I say ladies because this holiday has become a day about women. Women sadly have warped this holiday from a day of love between two people into a day of men slaving to please their woman.

Valentines Day is one of the most important days of the year for women everywhere. As a fellow woman, I stand by a different viewpoint. I love my boyfriend and enjoy being with him, but I don’t expect him to buy me some super expensive gift just because it is Valentines Day. My boyfriend lives in Alaska and for Valentines Day I am sending him a box with a dustpan, broom, Nerf gun bullets, cleaning supplies, a movie or two, along with some other random things. My sweet boyfriend will not be sending me flowers or flying down from Alaska to take me out to dinner, instead he will be calling me and we will chat on the phone just like any other night of the week.

I don’t understand the point of Valentines Day; it’s just like any other day of the year. The only difference between Feb. 14 and Feb. 15 is that Feb. 14 is Valentines Day and Feb. 15 is National Gumdrop Day. I can go on a romantic date any day of the year, so why do I need to celebrate my love with the masses? I don’t just love my boyfriend for one day of the year so why should I just show it one day of the year?

For all the singles of the world, this is the most pointless and slightly depressing holiday of the year. I have been single for Valentines Day before and it was awful. All I could do was think of past Valentine Days. I also made the mistake of going out to dinner with my friends. Not a good idea. First, we had to wait about forty-five minutes at Chili’s. Also, seeing all the couples together enjoying their date night was not easy to stomach.

Valentines day seems to be a woman’s holiday; I don’t really see many men chomping at the bit for Valentines Day. Most men are not romantic and the best they can do for Valentines Day is making reservations at Olive Garden. I can understand a man’s frustration on this holiday. It has to be hard to try and get a girl that perfect gift, as well as plan that perfect dinner, without blowing your budget. I’m sure there are quite a few men out there who will agree with me that we should just get rid of this silly holiday. Even if they don’t say it to your face, ladies, some men understand just how pointless Valentines Day is.

I have only ever had one good Valentines Day and my date was my mom. Back in third grade, I came home from a tiring day at school. Instead of the usually post-school snack of butter crackers, carrots, and lemonade. My mother had a surprise set up on the kitchen table for my little brother and I. The kitchen table was all decked out in red and pink! My mother made us heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pink heart-shaped jello, pink Kool-Aid with heart-shaped ice cubes and heart-shaped cookies. It was the best Valentines Day surprise I have ever had! It was my mother’s way of showing my brother and I how much she loved us.

If I believed in Valentines Day and wished to celebrate it, I would want it to be like the one I had with my mom back when I was eight. I plan on treating every day like it is Valentines Day, and plan on loving my boyfriend just the same every day. I suggest that you try to love your significant other the same every day and don’t fall in to the Valentines Day hype.

Super boring: Football is overrated

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Katelyn Garrity

Katelyn Garrity

The Super Bowl is America at its finest – football fans slouched in front of a TV, gorging on junk food, screaming at inanimate objects and betting on the outcome of something they have no control over.

Perhaps this is a generalization. Perhaps millions of Americans use the Super Bowl as a chance to gather with friends and enjoy some common ground. Perhaps Super Bowl Sunday is a reprieve from the reality of budget deficits, wars in foreign countries and past-due bills lying on the desk in the bedroom. Perhaps Super Bowl Sunday is one day for Americans to indulge.

Perhaps…but I think not. From August to February, there is at least one game every week that symbolizes American indulgence. It also shows American’s inability to prioritize. Facebook screams in outrage when a player fumbles a pass, but merely groans (if it is mentioned at all) when a nation such as Egypt is in turmoil, or when major legislation is being proposed or when something of actual importance happens.

I realize that football and all professional sports stimulate the economy; therefore, I don’t think they should be banished entirely. I do, however, firmly believe that sports should be lowered from its pedestal in America. The only value I find in sports is when the U.S. participates in the Olympics because that is a tool for strengthening foreign relations.

Super Bowl Sunday is super boring: lots of loud louts screaming at a TV while non-sports fans wait for a possible witty commercial about beer. Super Bowl is some sort of falsified holiday smashed in between Valentine’s Day and Groundhog Day to keep commercialization flowing at its peak. Personally, I won’t be buying into it.

Black History Month

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Ore Osikoya

Frederick Douglas

Every year in February, the nation celebrates black history and the priceless contributions that the African American society has made to the culture and history of the United States of America. African Americans have come a very long way since the slave trading during the time of our forefathers. They have made many significant contributions that made America the nation it is today. They went through an era of oppression and racism and fought the long hard battle to end it and earn civil rights as citizens of the nation. Black History Month was started in order to educate the citizens of the nation about the cultural backgrounds and achievements of African Americans.

In 1926, NAACP Historian and legendary educator, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, originally started Black History Month as Negro History Week. His rationale for starting this phenomenon was that during that period, black history and the contributions of the African-American society towards the birth of America was simply omitted from the history books and was not taught in schools. Therefore, there was a need to create something to educate people and to honor the accomplishments of blacks in every area of endeavor. Woodson chose the second week of February because it coincided with the birthdays of two men who made significant contributions towards the freedom of slaves.

These two men are Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The creation of the Negro History Week inspired schools, communities and churches to hold local celebrations and other events in commemoration of the week. As the years went by, government officials in cities began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing Negro History Week. In 1976, due in part to the Civil Rights Movement and awareness of black identity, Negro History Week became Black History Month. Since then, every president has designated February as Black History Month and approves a theme for it.

From 1619, when the first African slaves were brought to America to date, African Americans have made accomplishments in every area and have had large contribution towards America as a nation. African Americans have come a long way in the struggle for civil rights. From Harriett Tubman who helped slaves escape in 1849, to the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education that ended segregation, to the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States in 2008, there is a continuous need to celebrate and remember the achievements of African Americans in the history of America. On the founding of Negro History Week in 1926, Dr. Woodson said “we should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate, and religious prejudice.”

What’s not to love about sports?

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Evan Grice

Evan Grice

It’s a known fact that not everyone in the world likes sports or for that matter even cares about sports. However, I’m one of the people that love sports. First and foremost it’s my job and I’m not going to follow something I don’t like.

One of the biggest events in this industry for a person like me is the Super Bowl. It doesn’t matter if my team is playing in it or not. This is the event that you dream of going to whether it is as a fan, player or a journalist. Where else can you get such high emotional drama and real-life heroics?

A perfect example was last year when the Saints won. If you would have told someone that after Katrina the Saints were going to win the Super Bowl, let alone still be playing in New Orleans, people would have said you were crazy and out of your mind. But with that victory they not only proved everyone wrong, but they single handedly re-energized a city and a community through sports.

We’ve also seen that even the most unstoppable forces can be derailed in the Super Bowl. New York proved that when they took down the Patriots in Arizona thus tarnishing what otherwise would have been a perfect season for New England. Eli Manning went from being the “Other Manning brother” to a hero in one night through his play and his commitment.

This year people of Amarillo, especially Palo Duro High School, have something to cheer about. One of their own is playing in the Super Bowl, Ziggy Hood. It’s not often that players from this area get to showcase their talents in the NFL but Hood has been one of those blessed with an incredible opportunity. He has shown through his play that he deserves his spot and through his actions that he’s never forgotten where he came from either.

So when you combine all of these things and look at the big picture, it’s kind of hard to argue against why so many people love the Super Bowl and sports in general.

Tag Archives: Opinion – Staff Opinion