the hilltop, march 24, 2016, volume 100, issue 28
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MARCH 24, 2016 | @THEHILLTOPHU | VOLUME 100 ISSUE 28
Will FullerNews EditorJazmin GoodwinCampus Editor
Shedding tears, shouting chants and sharing stories, Howard students protested from College Hall South to
the Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Administration Building Tuesday, March 22 to bring attention to what they feel to be the mistreatment of alleged rape survivors by the university administration.
The protest happened hours after a female Howard University student and former resident assistant made allegations on Twitter of being sexually assaulted by another Howard University student and resident assistant. She identified her alleged attacker by name and posted a screenshot from Instagram of him.
Although the student did not disclose on Twitter too many details about the alleged
rape due to the pending investigation by the university, according to the police report of the incident, the alleged rape occurred during the early morning hours of Feb. 8 inside a residence hall.
“Could you imagine me seeing the GA [graduate assistant] I confided in, my rapist, VP of campus apts and my GA all in one pic?” She said in her caption of the picture.
Through a series of tweets, the student also said that she was fired along with her two best friends, also said to be resident assistants. She said the alleged assailant was allowed to keep his position as a resident assistant and was later relocated to the Cook Hall dormitory.
Another Howard student sent the alleged survivor a tweet saying she was raped by the same man in his car on campus last May. According to WUSA9, a police report filed in October documents an accusation of a May rape in a parking garage at Howard University Hospital.
In response to her tweets, people who identified themselves as former students at the University of Los Angeles came forward on Twitter to share their concerns about similar experiences with the alleged assailant. The students also made allegations that he falsely claimed to be a UCLA student and attempted to rape a female student.
Howard students found and shared on Twitter a document that allegedly corroborated that the man did falsely pose as a UCLA student, using his status as a student to engage in relations with female students. The document claimed that he is banned from the UCLA campus.
“You impersonated and falsely claimed that you were a UCLA student, with a high GPA majoring in Aerospace Engineering,” the letter allegedly from the UCLA Administrative Vice Chancellor Jack Powazek said. “You’re hereby excluded from entering into any building or structure
of UCLA or UCLA extension, or being present on the UCLA campus or in any UCLA extension facility for any purpose.”
The Hilltop has not confirmed the authenticity of the letter.
In light of the allegations on Twitter, university officials released a statement mid-day on Tuesday concerning Title IX, which protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.
“The University administration took immediate action as soon as we learned of this matter,” the email read. “While we are not able to discuss the specifics of any ongoing investigation, we are and have been actively investigating all reports that have been made to us. These cases cannot be adjudicated through social media without compromising the integrity of the
continued on page 4
CAMPUS This year, ASB took their talents to Flint to help with the water crisis.
PAGE 3
NEWSCameron Clarke breaks down the
Trump phenomenon.
PAGE 7
VARIETYRead about the newest social media
app to hit the scene!
PAGE 10
SPORTSThe Howard softball team struggled
in New York.
PAGE 11
JAZMIN GOODWIN, CAMPUS EDITOR
DEVELOPING: Howard University students march,protest amid rape allegations posted on Twitter
2 MARCH 24, 2016 THE HILLTOP TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Hilltop Editorial Office2251 Sherman Ave. NW
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STAFFTAYLOR TIAMOYO HARRIS
NILE KENDALLBUSINESS MANAGER
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NADIA KENDALLASSISTANT DESIGNER
CAMPUS ................................. 3NEWS ....................................... 7VARIETY .................................. 10SPORTS ................................... 11
ALTERNATIVE 2016SPRING BREAK
CAMPUS THE HILLTOP MARCH 24, 2016 3CAMPUS
Alexa SpencerContributing Writer
F or one week, 45 Bison serviced a community that has been plagued by lead-polluted water in Flint,
Michigan. During the week-long program, Alternative Spring Break (ASB), the group of students spent time at the local high schools, water distribution stations and places of worship. This was the first time Flint was an ASB assignment.
During the day, ASB participants mentored students at Accelerated Learning Academy, Northwestern High School and Southwestern High School. Inside the classrooms, the students expressed their challenges and aspirations. Conversations between the mentors and the mentees often ended in tears, hugs and a new installation of hope. Antwoin Nelson, a senior at Northwestern High School, appreciated the insightfulness of Howard students.
“It’s not every day you get people like that,” Nelson said. “You don’t get people who will really sit down, try to talk to you and find out what’s going on in your life,”
Flint students confront many issues in their neighborhoods and at home. In addition to the water crisis, gun violence, gang warfare and drug infestation are issues currently affecting the community. After speaking to students about their circumstances, Natalie Delille, a freshman marketing major, was able to identify how it has conditioned them.
“I saw a lot of hurt and disappointment in [the students],” Delille said. “But behind all of that they were all so smart, they were all so intelligent. And they just all had a purpose.”
In the latter half of each day, a group of ASB participants were assigned to volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint. In the entrance of the building, water fountains were covered with plastic bags. Above them hung signs that read “PLEASE DO NOT USE!!” In a room next door to a playroom, cases of water were stacked to the ceiling.
The water crisis stems from the city’s decision to switch the source of its water supply to the Flint River to save money. The water, which wasn’t properly treated, corroded aging pipes and allowed high concentrations of lead to seep into the water supply. Exposure to lead can cause many serious health problems, including developmental delays. Despite the reality of the water crisis surrounding them, the spirits of the children remained high.
“Once I got there, I felt the love from the children instantly,” Ariel Kennedy, a sophomore biology major said. “After the first day, literally, I had girls that wanted to hold my hand. It showed me the innocence of the children there, and how big their hearts were.”
Alternative Spring Break in Flint has proved to be a life-changing experience. Throughout the week, participants were exposed to various degrees of suffering in the community. The intensity of the program inspired some students to reflect on their own lives.
While serving in Flint, Brittany Turner, a sophomore theater arts major, had an epiphany about her purpose in life.
“I understand that now I have to go back and I have to help these communities that all of these trials are piled up on,” Tuner said. “I’m happy that I went to Flint, because now I have a better understanding of what I need to do for my life.”
Though Alternative Spring Break has an official span of seven days, the work of a “hope-bringer” never stops. Tyra Saverson, a freshman international business major, and other Howard students have chosen to continue bringing hope into the Flint community by working with Hope Bringers, a group of Northwestern High School students.
The two have partnered to combat the Flint City School District’s No Hoodie Policy. The policy bans students from wearing hoodies, even under extreme cold conditions.
While the rule was put in place to prevent petty crimes, many of the students only have hoodies to wear. As a solution, the coalition of Howard and Northwestern students has begun a crew-neck sweatshirt donation drive to provide acceptable attire to those that need it.
“I wanted to make sure that I could continue to help them, even in my absence of physically being there,” Saverson said. “Not just helping them out for a week, and being someone who they met one time, but actually making a change in their lives.”
Howard students service Flint, Mich. communityduring Alternative Spring Break
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CAMPUS
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXA SPENCER
CAMPUS4 MARCH 24, 2016 THE HILLTOP
Ava RobinsonContributing Writer
It is the perfect time for students to plan on attending music
festivals. Spring has finally arrived and now students can look forward to joining the random festivities on the yard, exploring the the District and attending events on and off campus in the sunny weather. Music festivals feature a lot of activities that will help you relax and create lasting memories with your friends. Check out The Hilltop’s guide to some fun upcoming music festivals!
The Kingman Island Bluegrass and Folk Festival
Taking place on Kingman Island located in D.C.’s Anacostia River on April 30, this festival is held every year the week after Earth Day to celebrate the protection of the environment. A donation of ten dollars is highly suggested because the funds go to the Living Classrooms organization, which educates students in the city about the importance of protecting the environment. Students who attend this festival can expect hearing the best local
bluegrass bands, eating from interesting food trucks and enjoying beer tents. They also offer activities such as rock climbing, kayaking and classes in outdoor skills. Check out the event’s website (kingmanislandbluegrass.com) to purchase tickets.
National Cinco de Mayo Festival
The National Cinco de Mayo Festival is a cultural celebration that will occur at the National Mall located between 9th and 12th streets SW on May 1. The festival is free and open to anyone who enjoys live performances of Latin music and dance. It is a family-friendly festival that features children’s arts and craft workshops, games, art exhibits and plenty of Latin food. Students who are interested in exploring the history and culture of Latin Americans in the United States should attend this festival and satisfy their taste buds with a delicious Latin American dish.
The National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place every year in Washington, D.C. and this year, it started on March
20 – April 17, 2016. Thousands of people come to this festival to view the cherry blossoms that bloom throughout the city during the spring. The festival also featuresother attractions such as decorated floats, a parade and marching bands. The opening ceremony is held in the national Building Museum followed by many cultural events for guests to enjoy such as art exhibits and live performances.
Broccoli City Festival
The Broccoli City Festival is the festival you do not want to miss. The festival uses its musical platform to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle and healthy eating in urban communities. This year attendees can expect featured restaurants, live art installations and performances from popular music artists such as Future and Jhené Aiko. Students who wish to bring out their inner Trap Queen or King and are conscious of their eating habits should not hesitate attending this event. Do not forget to visit bcfestival.com to purchase your tickets.
A college guide tomusic festivals
contined from front page
investigation.”
Despite the email from university officials, students still met to protest what they considered to be a mishandling of sexual assault cases by the university. The protest began as a sit-in in the College Hall South dormitory. Frustrated with what they called a lack of dialogue from resident hall representatives, participating students took the protest outside the building, blocking traffic on 4th Street and marching to the administration building. During the protest, protest leaders read off a list of demands they had for university officials.
During the protest, others who said they survived sexual assault spoke out about their experience. Jasmine Turner, a senior broadcast journalism major, was among those students who said she too was sexually assaulted at the university. She expressed that transparency is the very feeling that helped her cope with her experience.
“I was one of the lucky ones because I woke up in time,” Turner said. “There aren’t many girls as lucky as I am. It’s bigger than Howard; it’s a worldwide epidemic.”
Men also spoke out at the protest. Shaun Khan, a junior biology and economic major, said that students must educate themselves, as well as friends, on sexual assault.
“We must check our friends and let them know that things like this aren’t OK to do,” Khan said.
The student whose Twitter post sparked the protest wasn’t present at the protest, but she addressed the crowd of students on speakerphone.
“We will get justice for those victims,” she said. “Thank you so much for coming out. We will get justice.”
The newly appointed Vice President of Student Affairs, Kenneth M. Holmes, also addressed the crowd of protesters.
“I promise to communicate when there are issues on campus,” Holmes said. “[The university] aren’t just policies and procedures… we have families and care about this issue of [sexual assault]…We need to work together. I’m not the enemy. I’m your friend, and that’s why I joined the Howard community.”
Holmes and others encouraged students in need of confidential university resources or support to contact the Howard University Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program at [email protected] or (202) 238-2382.
On Wednesday, Howard University Office of Communications responded to each of the protesters’ seven demands individually in an email sent out to the student body, citing both Title IX and university policy.
According to a recent crime report from the Howard University Department of Public Safety, there were two sexual offenses reported on campus in the 2015 annual year.
The Hilltop will keep you updated as the story continues to develop.
University continues rape investigation
COURTESY PHOTO
CAMPUS THE HILLTOP MARCH 24, 2016 5
Kandace BrownHU News Service
Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials promised it would spark business. Supporters said
it would generate a special buzz around H-Street that would create excitement and people from around the city to the once riot-torn street.
One week after the launch of the DC Streetcar, however, most store owners and businesses along the H Street corridor in northeast Washington said they are seeing little to no change in business.
Instead, they said, riders use the streetcar to get to the Metro station at Union Station while rarely stopping off at the businesses along the way.
“All people do is ride by,” said Carolyn Thomas, owner of The C.A.T. Walk Boutique. “They do not get off to check out the businesses here, and there are a lot here on H Street.”
The streetcar, which cost nearly $200 million and encountered numerous delays and setback, began last week to
much hoopla with a special opening-day ceremony and hundreds of curious riders from across the city who wanted to be the first aboard the new mode of transportation.
Some businesses did see an uptick in business the weekend it began when people from through the city flooded the area for the launch.
But not for Domencia Tyler.
Tyler, owner of The Chic Shack, a consignment shop on H Street near 13th Street, said the streetcar caused her to actually lose money on its first day because the ceremony blocked potential customers’ access to her store.
The city blocked off the street part of the day to create a space for the mayor and other city official’s speeches. Consequently, Tyler said many customers could not attend her special all-day sale, and the streetcar didn’t help out during the week either.
“I haven’t really seen an increase in business since it started running,” Tyler said. “The few that do ride aren’t really getting off at stops. It seems a lot of people use it to get to Union Station.”
Down the street, at The C.A.T. Walk Boutique, Thomas said a few more people did come in the first weekend of the train because she had a friend volunteering with the DC Streetcar who encouraged people to stop in.
Since then, she said, the streetcar has not brought many more people into her store.“Maybe tourists will ride it and get off to go into stores,” she said. “The people who live here could not care less. That does not bring more people in here.”
Sandra Kim, an employee at Madison’s Cleaners, said that she has not seen much of a difference in business since the streetcar began.
Since most of her customers live in the neighborhood, Kim said, they can get to the cleaners faster by walking than using the streetcar.
“I think it could help businesses here,” she said. “I am not so sure by how much, because there never seems to be many people riding it.”
At Susan’s Fashion, Jas Simpson, a sales associate, said that the streetcar was
somewhat helpful to business opening weekend, but not much anymore.
Simpson said that during the week, she does not see many people riding it.“On weekdays during lunch time, we get busy,” she said, “but that is not because of the streetcar. That is because it is lunchtime.”
David Lutz, owner of Thrift, a thrift store, said so far the streetcar has been good for him. Lutz said he saw a big impact on business the weekend the train began, and a little impact the following weekend.
“If I had to guess, I would say over the week I’ve been about maybe 5 percent increase in business,” he said. “From a business standpoint, that is a lot.”
Lutz said although ridership has seemed to go down since opening weekend, he still thinks the streetcar will be good for his business.
“It’s only been a week,” Lutz said. “But I think there will be more people coming through because they have more access,” he said.
So far, owners say, streetcar hasn’t made good on promise
CAMPUS6 MARCH 24, 2016 THE HILLTOP
HOLY WEEK AT THE CHAPEL
“Deeper in Faith – Wider in Community”
Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016
Maundy Thursday, March 24, 2016Service of Communion & Footwashing
Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, 12:00 Noon
Good Friday, March 25, 2016Seven Last Words as expressed through The Arts
Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, 12:00 Noon
Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, 7:00 A.M.Rev. Dr. Bernard L Richardson
Dean of the Chapel, Howard UniversityWashington, D.C.
Cramton Auditorium, 11:00 A.M.Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr.Pastor Emeritus, Olivet Institutional Baptist ChurchCleveland, Ohio
Malcolm WycheContributing Writer
I think everybody is well-aware that Howard University is a constant battleground for guys versus girls. It’s in our conversations, our events,
our social media- it’s everywhere. There’s not too many days that go by where you don’t hear a guy or a girl slander the other gender. As an incoming freshman, we’re immediately warned to watch out for the opposite sex. We could go back and forth about how this came to be, but the real issue is how do we stop it? Can it be stopped?
For many of us, college is the first time we’re really independent and have the ability to do all the things we want. We can hang out and interact with the opposite sex as we please. Sure there’s visitation, but that’s never really held anybody back. As we begin to interact with each other, we see couples, situationships and break-ups occur frequently. There’s always something to talk about when it comes to the opposite sex.
But these experiences teach us that dating isn’t anything like the movies we’d watch. It’s not all about the happiness and magical love stories. It’s real out here. You probably will be the victim of somebody playing the field- and no, you’re not the only one. Someone’s going to break your heart- these things happen. When these things start to become our everyday reality it’s almost like we regress back to
our earlier stages when guys thought girls had cooties and girls thought all boys were evil.
Girls are constantly convincing themselves and others that the average “Howard guy” is no good. The “Howard Guy” is disloyal, immature and doesn’t know what he wants. Many women have even decided infamous Snapchat dog filter serves as the official filter and embodiment of the “Howard guy.” It’s assumed a guy will do you dirty, so if you take the time to shoot your shot with a girl, she’s probably going to let you know that she doesn’t think you’ll stand the test of time.
Guys rally behind the idea that all girls at Howard either get around or instantly want a relationship. The “Howard Girl” is demanding, all over the place and not worth the effort. Guys have decided that time spent at Howard should be used to float around instead of looking for something serious. Guys feel secure in avoiding relationships because they chalk Howard women up as all being the same.
We live on a campus divided. Both sides want to be able to point the finger and place the blame. It gets
rough when you get into dating but we can’t allow that to skew our mentality into a hateful one. Once the stereotypes are lifted, we’ll see more freedom on how we interact with each other on campus. We’re fighting minor battles that have led to a great war. Let’s end it.
The Great Gender WarDROP:
NEWS THE HILLTOP MARCH 24, 2016 7
NEWSBEYOND THE HILLTOP, ACROSS THE NATION
BREAKING NEWSKennedy Rose
Staff Writer
HBCU NEWS OF THE WEEKWill FullerNews Editor
Suspect in Paris Attacks Caught in Brussels, Belgium
The remaining suspect in the Paris terrorist attacks from November was found in Brussels on Friday after months of searching. 26-year-old, Salah Abdeslem, confessed after being taken into custody that he had backed out of a suicide plan to bomb an additional location in Paris. Abdeslem was thought to be the only surviving “jihadid squad” member from the attacks, before discovering DNA evidence that links another suspected accomplice, Najim Laachraoui. Laachraoui was arrested on Wednesday after being suspected of carrying out Tuesday’s bomb attacks in a Brussels’ airport. Abdeslem will be seen in Brussels’ court on Wednesday.
First woman to be nominated for Senior U.S. Combatant
Gen. Lori Robinson is the first women nominated for Senior U.S. Combatant, a nomination given by President Barack Obama. The command is based in Colo-rado and deals with strengthening national defense and providing aid during disasters. If confirmed by the Senate, Robinson would be the seventh commander in this position since its origin in 2001.
Passenger plane in Russia crashes, kills every-one on board
A FlyDubai passenger plane from the United Arab Emirates crashed during an attempted landing Friday, killing all 62 people, including 55 passengers and seven crew members. The pilot spent two extra hours circling the Russian airport due to lack of visibility amid harsh weather conditions, before attempting a failed landing. The United Arab Emirates, the United States and Rus-sia are sending teams to further investigate the incident in order to rule out terrorism and pinpoint the exact source of error.
Clinton in the lead in Democratic race for presidency
Presidential candidate Hilary Clinton won all five Democratic primaries on Tuesday in the states of Missouri, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina and Ohio, beating Vermont senator Bernie Sanders. Republican candidate Donald Trump took the lead in every state but Ohio, in which John Kasich won. Donald Trump has not been winning by a large margin, as Ted Cruz was only a few percentage points behind him in each state.
Texas Southern alum, Ravens CB dies from injuries suffered in dirt bike crash
Texas Southern University alumnus and Baltimore Ravens cornerback Tray Walker died after sustaining injuries from a dirt bike crash in Florida this past week, according to Walker’s agent Ron Butler. The incident happened after Walker collided with a sports utility vehicle at an intersection in Miami around 7:50 p.m. Thursday, Mar. 17. Walker, 23, wasn’t wearing a helmet and the dirt bike he was riding had no lights on at the time of the accident, police reported. According to the NFL, Walker was first Texas Southern player drafted by an NFL team since receiver Joey Jamison was selected by the Green Bay Packers in 2000.
Racist graffiti under investigation at Jackson State Univ.
The plot of Jackson State University’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was recently vandalized with racist graf-fiti. According to the Clarion Ledger, images of the defacement to the Kappa Alpha Psi marble marker and bench included the n-word, another racial slur and a crude drawing. Pictures of the defaced monument circulated on social media, and an investigation is underway by students and members of the fraternity. University officials believe the act wasn’t racially motivated. Police are investigating the incident and a suspect hasn’t yet been identified.
Filmmaker launches HBCU film and drama school at Wiley College
Texas-based HBCU Wiley College will be getting new academic options for students planning to pursue film and drama thanks to filmmaker and actor Nate Parker. The move to launch of the Nate Parker School of Film and Drama was an-nounced on Wiley College’s Twitter account. Before its launch, the school will host a nine-day summer institute as a pilot program for 30 students, according to The Huffington Post, Parker previously played Henry Lowe in “The Great Debat-ers,” which was filmed on Wiley’s campus.
Op-ed: Let’s talk about TrumpNEWS8 MARCH 24, 2016 THE HILLTOP
Cameron ClarkeStaff Writer
For many of you, this upcoming November may be the first national election in which you’re eligible to
participate in. It is through circumstance that it also marks what may be the most significant election of your lifetimes.
The purpose of this article isn’t to persuade you to vote for Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders – although in practice, their policy proposals are more similar than the intensity of their race might imply.
Frankly, the goal isn’t even to tell you to vote for a Democrat or a Republican, because voting is an inherently intimate expression, one that depends in great part upon the personal values and convictions of the voter. If you feel that the Republican Party represents your interests, this article won’t dissuade you. What I would like to do, however, is explain the stakes that the American people are facing this November and ask you to consider those stakes when you decide whether to vote this fall and whom to vote for.
The most important thing to recognize about America’s political reality is that Donald Trump’s meteoric rise was no accident. Given the current state of the Republican Party, the emergence of Trump, or a Trump-like figure – brash and vitriolic, using demagoguery to engender support – was probably inevitable. “Trumpism,” an ideology that appeals to the fears of white working class Americans by blaming their frustrations on every group they’ve been taught by this nation to hate, is the logical extension of the ideals of the Republican Party.
Since appealing to Southern whites in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement, the Republican Party has been stalling its
downward spiral by inventing the concept of white persecution.
White America – and white American men in particular – have been conditioned to fear any strides made by minority groups, because being the beneficiaries of centuries of oppression has taught them that prosperity is a zero-sum game.
But while this manifestation of reactionary conservatism may’ve been inevitable, what was unprecedented was how quickly it came to dominate the political discourse on the right. For that success at tapping into the anger of disillusioned Republicans, the credit belongs almost entirely to Trump.
Let me clarify. Trump is a bigot. On multiple occasions, he has refused to disavow the Ku Klux Klan and other terrorist hate groups. He has blamed the recent disruption of his rally at the University of Illinois at Chicago on “thugs,” the standard right-wing code word for politically engaged African-Americans.
Finally, he has put forth and circulated claims about blacks, Muslims, Hispanics, women, and other groups that are so patently false, they don’t even warrant mention in this article.
Trump is politically ignorant. He’s less informed on the structure and function of the American political system than the average AP U.S. government student. And he proposes the resumption of war crimes and the suspension of Constitutional liberties with the glee of a toddler.
Trump is at best, a financial apprentice. He has overseen the bankruptcies of four separate companies and grown his personal wealth at a rate bested by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and only modestly exceeding inflation. He is a successful businessman, only in the sense that Paris Hilton or other heirs are “successful” at being born into wealthy families.
That said, one area in which Trump has
managed to excel is in building his personal brand. The Trump name, plastered on every skyscraper with which the mogul is even tangentially associated, invokes success and power, almost subconsciously.
The Trump name has been so inextricably linked with wealth that it is hard to entertain the idea that Trump might not be as successful as he lets on. And it is understandable that so many misinformed Americans might believe that a man so apparently rich might hold the secrets to making this country “great again.”
He has succeeded in perpetuating this illusion through his skill at portraying authenticity, and by tapping into his personal brand.
But while excellent branding is admirable, it is hardly a substitute for coherent policy, and even less of a replacement for tolerance, compassion, adherence to the law, or basic regard for human rights.
Ignorance and hatred are no excuse for violence, and have never been qualifications for the highest office in the country.
So when someone suggests that the differences between Donald Trump and the presumptive Democratic nominee are immaterial, ask them if they are comfortable being the person who abstained when America elected its first despot.
I’ll be voting against Trump.
COURTESY PHOTO
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Some groups on university campuses profess a religious focus, but have potentially dangerous practices and influence. These groups and individuals will often target students, especially new students, because they are in an unfamiliar environment away from their established friends and family.
These groups are often identified as cult or “high pressure groups” and they operate without recognition or approval from Howard University nor the Office of the Dean of the Chapel. They:
- Are often dishonest about their true identity and agenda.
- Aggressively recruit and sometimes harass students.
SOME THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR:
- Leader claims divinity or a special relationship with God.
- Leader desires members to be faithful to him or her.
- Encourage members to separate from family and friends, especially if they do not share the group’s beliefs.
- Ask potential members to confess/tell all past sins/mistakes to members of the group.
- Seek to have total control over members’ lives.
- Want influence in every decision members make.
- Want members to keep things about the group secret.
- Desire to diminish members’ sense of self. - Exploit members’ finances. - Want members to be a part of this group and
no/few other groups.
What’s the Harm? - Loss of free will and/or control over your choices. - Loss of long-term friendships and relationships.
- Loss of independence and planning for your future.
What Should You Do? - Only visit Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, and Spiritual Discussions on the APPROVED LIST from the
Office of the Dean of the Chapel. (Our goal is to protect you & support your spiritual journey). - If you believe you have seen a group that may be a cult, have a friend being recruited by one, or have
been recruited or harassed yourself, contact the Office of the Dean of the Chapel immediately at 202-806-7280 or [email protected].
You have the power to keep our campus safe!
CULT Awareness
VARIETY10 MARCH 24, 2016 THE HILLTOP
VARIETYSydney DavenportVariety Editor
Self-love and freedom of expression is constantly promoted in U.S. popular culture- so much so that one would
think it’s actually practiced. However, when the clothing company Lane Bryant recently came out an advertising campaign entitled “This Body,” featuring plus-size model Ashley Graham, Precious Lee and Tara Lynn, major television networks NBC and ABC reportedly rejected the advertisement due to “decency standards,” according to TMZ.
NBC later clarified that the advertisement was not technically rejected, but the network asked that the advertisement by re-edited.
“As part of the normal advertising standards
process, we reviewed a rough cut of the ad and asked for minor edits to comply with broadcast indecency guidelines,” a statement from NBC said. “The ad was not rejected and we welcome the updated creative.”
Lane Bryant refused to edit the commercial, saying they believe it to be a “beautiful and appropriate expression of women’s bodies,” the company said in a statement to the Rack.
Despite the fact the network did not technically reject the advertisement, the message was clear: double standard still exists for models that are not the “ideal” body type.
Besides the models being larger in size, nothing in the commercial seemed too indecent for public television. At some
points, the models wore more clothing than the average Victoria Secret Model does in their well-broadcasted commercials.
I commend Lane Bryant for not making the changes to the commercial that the networks requested. It shows that a corporation is not afraid to take the hard path for a just cause- body acceptance.Victoria Secret models do not represent the average body type for women- nor should they. Women are not robots, made to be carbon copy images of each other. Our physical diversity is in our skin tones, features, hair, style and body types. This diversity is so often neglected in mainstream media.
Lane Bryant’s recent history of positive advocacy for plus size women, including their #ImNoAngel and #PlusIsEqual campaign, is changing the way women
believe they should be accepted in the media. This is the first of many steps necessary to to dismantle the destructive “beauty standard” that plagues women from a very early age.
Beyond Lane Bryant, the imaging of women made a major stride when the Barbie doll was released with three body types: curvy, petite and tall. Sports Illustrated also featured many plus size models in their recent issues. Still, we still have so far to go.
Commercials featuring plus size women should not be changed, nor should networks ask, because the women themselves cannot, and should not have to change. We, as women no matter what size, deserve to be seen as beautiful and deserve to be comfortable in our own skin, no matter what shape it is.
Op-ed: Lane Bryant takes a righteous stance
Napier Kentish IIContributing Writer
In real time, from anywhere in it, the world can be seen through the personal devices of others through Twitter’s
new live streaming broadcast application, Periscope. Through the use of an Apple or Android device, any event in the world and on campus can be experienced from the comfort of your bed in the Towers or while studying abroad in Africa without waiting for the next Snapchat to load.
Created by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein, Periscope was launched during the spring of 2015. With the use of Periscope, this new innovative social media application can benefit the busy students on Howard’s campus communicate what is happening right in front of them in real time.
The application has many key features to make the user experience fun and interactive. When a broadcast takes place, viewers can “heart” the live-streams they like and also comment through the chat function to interact with the broadcaster. When searching for a broadcast to watch, the viewer can browse through the interactive map allowing them to search videos by location.
Once in a certain location on the interactive map, users can find a particular event being streamed, and even after the live stream ends, the audience can re-watch the broadcast for
up to 24 hours.
For the broadcaster, the live streams recorded can be saved to the device it was recorded on. As Periscope is owned by Twitter, the application is easily integrated, allowing followers to know when you are streaming-live.
Once the application is downloaded onto your Android or apple device, you can then create an account with your Twitter login information. Immediately after logging in, broadcasters simply press the camera button and can now publicly live-stream any on-campus event. If you are more of a viewer than a broadcaster, you can easily watch streams without an account through the application or Twitter.
Periscope can help students keep up with events on campus
SPORTS THE HILLTOP MARCH 24, 2016 11
SPORTSBison softball falls short in New York,
Edward McKinleyContributing Writer
The women’s softball team traveled to Queens, New York for the St. John’s Invitational this past weekend
to compete against Manhattan, St. John’s, Fairleigh Dickinson and Samford. Despite going 0-4, the team showed improvement with each game that they played.
In the first game facing Manhattan, the women’s softball team were solid in phases of the game, holding a good Manhattan team scoreless for three innings. Senior Janessa Flynn pitched effectively, holding Manhattan to two runs, two walks, four hits and striking out a game high six. Howard had six hits with two each coming from Junior Alex Flynn and junior Imani Ballard, but couldn’t drive in any runs as Manhattan
put up four more in the sixth inning.
Against St. John’s, the Lady Bison were caught fishing early which resulted in early strikeouts, but the team countered with making consistent fielding plays. The second inning was tough as St. John’s poured in 5 runs off of poor infield communication. The Lady Bison hit well, but were often pulling the ball. They forced the St. John’s pitcher into some tough situations in the last few innings as Senior Jasmine Gammons was able to get a solo shot off, scoring the only run.
Facing a similar opponent in Fairleigh Dickinson, they were able to get good hits off the Lady Bison early in the game, scoring four runs in the second inning. The team hit the ball extremely well, amassing seven hits that were scattered amongst the innings. The sole run for the Bison came in
the bottom of the sixth inning when Junior Milan Pointdexter hit a single to right center which advanced redshirt freshman Tiyanna Stewart to third who then scored off an error by Fairleigh Dickinson’s center fielder.
Howard played their best ball in the last game against Samford. Gammons, who leads the team in batting average, homeruns and runs batted in, belted a solo shot in the second inning to give the Lady Bison an early lead as she set the tone for which her teammates followed suit. The Lady Bison forced the Samford pitcher into many long pitch counts which provided them with two runs and four walks in a row in the fifth inning. Flynn, senior pitcher, pitched her way out of some jams early in the second and third innings with help from her defense who made quite a few spectacular catches robbing Samford of several hits. A couple walks and crucial hits by Samford
gave them the lead to keep in the sixth inning in which they scored eight runs.
The team seems to have found a consistent swing this past weekend and while it may not be reflected in the hits column, the team became much more aggressive and disciplined in their swinging. The Lady Bison will play a double header against the Lafayette Leopards on Tuesday with the first game starting at 5:00 p.m.
but shows signs of improvement
