The Clarion, Vol. 83, Issue #6 - September 27, 2017 - Bitly

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The

Clarion

Volume 83, Issue 6

Web Edition

clarion.brevard.edu

SERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935

Happy first week of Fall!

September 27, 2017

BC Theatre: ‘Our Town’ shines in examination of life and death By Jordon Morgan

Editor in Chief Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play comes to life courtesy of Brevard College’s theatre department, and it shines as a metatheatrical look on the meaning of life and the acceptance of death. Set in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire in 1901, “Our Town” is introduced by a character simply known as the Stage Manager (played by junior Theatre Performance major Sarah Haga) who introduces the audience to the small town with other characters like Professor Willard (junior Derrick Hill) explaining the history of the town. Joe Crowell (Eliza Hislop, a fifth grader at Brevard Academy) delivers papers to Doc Gibbs (junior Theatre and WLEE major John Pate), Howie Newsome (freshman Theatre and Music Performance Major K’nique Eichelberger) delivers the milk, and Mrs. Gibbs and Mrs. Webb (Lily Bartleson and Faith Alexander, respectively) go about their daily lives while discussing dreams, their children, and local town gossip.

What makes “Our Town” work so well is in part due to the series of direct addresses to the audience by many of the characters, primarily the Stage Manager. They are strange to get used to at first, but eventually they become efficient devices to be used in order to explain all the quaint features of the town of Grover’s Corners. For example, the Stage Manager explains in the beginning that the Town Hall and Post Office are located in the same building, with the jail in the basement, along with a relatively small population of 2,642 people. These direct addresses are also quite humorous as they showcase the range of the characters’ personalities and mannerisms, especially if the audience laughs with them to further the joke. Despite these comedic moments, “Our Town” is ultimately an introspective drama, and it is a powerful one at that. It presents hard questions and analyses on the meaning of life, cherishing every precious moment you have, and how even the most simple and seemingly unimportant of memories can cause anguish when you lose someone dear to you. Surrounding that is a heartwarming love story that showcases great chemistry between Emma

Sergent and Anthony Zuniga, who play Emily Webb and George Gibbs. Even though the actors, and the characters subsequently, don’t have much stage time together compared to the whole play, they manage to tell a tale of a romance with awkward but sweet banter, punctuated by a script that makes the dialogue seem like natural back and forth conversations. Sergent deserves a special mention as she did an excellent job playing Emily Webb. Her character’s arc of a slightly stuck up but sweet and conflicted woman is done so efficiently that it comes across better than in some big budget Hollywood “romances,” if you can even call them that. The greatest strength of “Our Town” is its ability to cause deep, reflective questioning of one’s self, making you wonder why you trouble yourself with all of the little unfortunate things instead of spending time with people you love. Life can turn upside down in the span of a millisecond, and it’s something that is all too easy to forget. “Our Town” reminds you of that in a powerful way. It’s a story of one’s realization of their mortality, and one that should absolutely be experienced.

the future by USA South Conference officials. Brevard picked up its sixth victory of the season after driving home 38 kills in 104 attempts, posting a .211 attack percentage. The Tornado offense was led by Josie McElroy’s 29 kills, while Maggie Weiss put together a 28-dig effort that highlighted the Tornados’ back row defense. She was joined among top defenders by DeMoss and Ruble, who added three blocks apiece, to hold Berea (2-9) to a -.069 attack percentage. Leading 2-0 heading into the decisive set, Brevard converted four kills in its first eight points to grab an 8-2 advantage. Seven unforced Berea errors, coupled with three kills by Ruble, allowed the Tornados to stretch the lead to 18-7 and force a second timeout. Kristen Rathbun put the Tornados over 20 points with a series of service aces as Berea’s

offense was out of sync. Slams by Ruble and Lambert along with a pair of unforced Mountaineer errors helped Brevard complete the sweep by a 16-point margin. The two teams traded the first 18 points of the second set, battling through four ties to reach a nine-all deadlock on an attack error by Berea’s Megan Voorhees. That mistake opened the door for the Tornados to score four of the next five points, including a kill by Ruble and a service ace from Lambert, as they moved in front 13-10. A Berea timeout allowed them to refocus and piece together a 5-2 run, deadlocking the game at 15. Rathbun stepped into serve, recording three straight aces, as the Tornados took a three-point lead (21-18) to force the second Berea timeout. The Mountaineers trimmed the margin to one,

BC Volleyball team continues to kill By Jon Cole

Sports Information Director MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Brevard College volleyball player Rachel Ruble finished with a match-high nine kills, while the trio of Hannah Elmore, Stephanie Lambert and Whitney DeMoss added seven apiece, to help a well-balanced Brevard lineup to its third sweep of the season and fourth win in a row, by downing Berea 2513, 25-22 and 25-9 in Saturday afternoon action at Huntingdon University. The second match of the tri-match, between the Tornados and host Huntingdon, was not completed due to a power outage that blanketed the campus. The decision of match, which was halted with Huntingdon leading by two sets and a 9-8 margin in the third frame, will be made in

See ‘Volleyball’ on page 8

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Campus News

The Clarion

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September 27, 2017

Faculty Profile: Dr. Jim Reynolds Professor of Geology and Environmental Studies By Lauren Fowler Staff Writer

After a summer filled with Icelandic volcanos and glaciers, Galapagos giant tortoises, Bluefooted boobies and archaeological exploration near Sparta and Machu Picchu, geology professor Dr. Jim Reynolds settles down for a fall sabbatical to write his book about the geology of Iceland. Reynolds became the geology professor at Brevard College in 1999. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Earth Sciences and Master’s degree in Volcanology from Dartmouth College. After working for six years in the mineral & energy industry, government and teaching, he returned to Dartmouth for a Ph.D. in Andean tectonics. Since then, he has conducted research in various countries including Argentina, Bolivia, Iceland, North Carolina and Greece. Reynolds is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and sits on the Board of Directors for the Galapagos Conservancy. He is the Vice Chairman of the North Carolina Sierra Club and advisor for the local Sierra Student Alliance. Beginning in 2014 and into 2015, he organized the successful drive to divest the college endowment from fossil fuels. The two Smithsonian Journeys’ Machu Picchu & Galapagos trips provided extensive 15day tours of five World Heritage Sites: Old City Lima, Cusco, Old City Quito, Machu Picchu

and the Galapagos Islands. While traveling, Reynolds not only teaches about the geology of each area but also about ongoing wildlife and conservation efforts. On Santa Fe Island, Galapagos, efforts are underway to reestablish the native giant tortoise to return balance to the ecosystem and preserve the species. Reynolds said, “The tortoises don’t reach sexual maturity till they are about sixty years old, so it will be a while till we know if the project is really successful.” Between his South American and Iceland trips, Reynolds also worked in Greece alongside professors Robert Bauslaugh, Anne Chapin and four BC students at an archaeological site near Sparta (modern day Laconia.) The trip also investigated other areas of possible archaeological and geological interest for future research. On the two Smithsonian Iceland trips, Reynolds led the groups, along with a native Icelandic tour guide, to many of the island’s notable geological and historical sites. The trips follow the western half of the Ring Road that starts in the capital, Reykjavík, and loops around the island. They also visit popular tourist sites near Reykjavík on the Golden Circle tour: the geyser Strokkur, Gullfoss waterfall and the site of the world’s oldest parliament at Þingvellir. Between the two Iceland groups, Reynolds did some further exploration and research with

his daughter Elise (who graduated from Brevard College in 2004). The two traveled to new areas of research for Reynolds, allowing him to fill in gaps and field check information for his upcoming book. The book will be a traveler’s guide to the geology of Iceland, written for students and non-geologists to better understand the formation and evolution of Iceland’s dramatic volcanic landscape. Reynolds will spend his sabbatical finishing his book, spending time with his family - including his new granddaughter Ellie, and preparing for his spring semester geology classes. Physical Geology (GEO 101), Historical Geology (GEO 105) and Geomorphology (GEO 312) will be offered in the spring for those interested in learning more about geology and Reynolds’ world travels. Those who have taken the courses and are interested in being a Teaching Assistant can contact Dr. Reynolds by email.

the Clarion Senior Staff Editor in Chief . . . . Jordon Morgan Managing Editor . . . Calum McAndrew Copy Editor . . . . . . Jeni Welch Campus News . . . . Zach Dickerson Opinion . . . . . . . . Florian Peyssonneaux Arts & Life . . . . . . Jessica Wiegandt Sports . . . . . . . . Calum McAndrew Layout & Design . . . Jeni Welch Faculty Advisor . . . . John B. Padgett

Other Staff Taffon Alexander Amber Blanton Amanda Heskett

Lauren Fowler Cody Manning

The Clarion is a student-run college newspaper produced by student journalists enrolled at Brevard College. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of the staff of The Clarion. Other opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff or administration of Brevard College.

All correspondence should be mailed to: The Clarion, Brevard College, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712, or send E-mail to [email protected] clarion.brevard.edu

 Letters Policy: The Clarion welcomes

Reynolds in Snæfellsnes, Iceland with the volcano Snæfellsjökull in the background.

Photo courtesy of Jim Reynolds

letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for length or content. We do not publish anonymous letters or those whose authorship cannot be verified.

September 27, 2017 | The Clarion

Campus News

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Family Weekend Schedule 2017 Friday (Sept. 29):

1:30–4:30 p.m. – Senior Swag The Porter Center 5 p.m. – Senior Pinning The Porter Center 7 p.m. – BC Theater Production: “Our Town” The Porter Center / Morrison Playhouse (Black Box Theater) 7 p.m. – Dessert Social the President’s House 9 p.m. – Family Feud Game Show Tornado Alley Student Center

Saturday (Sept. 30): 8 a.m.–4 p.m. – Visitation Day Campus Wide noon – Volleyball: LaGrange vs. BC Boshamer Gymnasium 1 p.m. – Football: Huntingdon vs. BC Brevard Memorial Stadium 2 p.m. – Mens Soccer: Berea vs. BC Ives-Lemel Family Field 2:30 & 7 p.m. BC Theater: “Our Town” The Porter Center / Morrison Playhouse (Black Box Theater)

Sunday (Oct. 1): 2:30 p.m. – BC Theater: “Our Town” The Porter Center / Morrison Playhouse (Black Box Theater)

Family Weekend By Amber Blanton

Staff Writer Brevard College has a large focus on community, and an important part of that community is family. Many students are unable to see their parents during their time at college, so Brevard sets aside a weekend dedicated to family visitation. Family Weekend gives students a chance to see their family and introduce them to college life. Students will be able to give their families a tour of Brevard’s campus, including their dorm and classrooms. Families can meet with faculty and staff, participate in different events, or explore the local wonders of Brevard. Family Weekend, which lasts from Friday, Sept. 29 to Sunday, Oct. 1, kicks off on Friday with some Senior Swag at The Porter Center from 2:00 to 4:30, followed by the Senior Pinning Ceremony at 5:00 pm. Later in the evening, families can attend a dessert social at the President’s House at 7:30 or participate in a Family Feud Game Show in The Tornado Alley Student Center at 9:00. On Saturday, Sept. 30, the main part of Visitation Day will last from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. There are a variety of activates on Saturday that students and families are welcome and encouraged to attend. At 1:00 pm, there will be a football game at Brevard Memorial Stadium. The Men’s Soccer game will start at 2:00 pm at Ives-Lemel Family Field. At 4:00 pm a Volleyball Game will be at Boshamer Gymnasium. Families are also welcome to attend the theater production Our Town in The Porter Center at 2:30 and 7:30 pm. This family and student reunion will be filled with lots of fellowship and fun that will continue to strengthen the feeling of community found at Brevard College.

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Arts & Life

Netflix review:

Imperial Dreams

The Clarion

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September 27, 2017

Reminder: Clean up

after yourself in MS 101

By Jordon Morgan

Editor in Chief Originally premiering at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2014 “Imperial Dreams” was released as a Netflix original film on February 3, 2017, and it’s absolutely worth watching. Set in Watts, Los Angeles, “Imperial Dreams” follows a 21-year old reformed gangster fresh out of prison named Bambi (John Boyega of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” fame) who seeks to devote all he can to his family and in particular his son Daytone, but he is constantly tempted to go back into his old ways, jeopardizing everything in the process. The film on its surface is sort of a cross between “Carlito’s Way,” focusing on a former criminal seeking to walk a straight line, and “Fruitvale Station,” a down on his luck average joe trying to better his life. But “Imperial Dreams” is much more than that, it’s not only a perfectly paced, acted, and authentic film, it is also a painful indictment on America’s backwards ideas of what is considered “rehabilitation.” One particular instance sees Bambi told explicitly by his parole officer that he must get a job or risk being given a violation, and subsequently be sent back to prison. Bambi tries to get a job, only to be told he needs a driver’s license to do so, and when trying to get said license, he is then told he has to pay $16,000 in child support that was never even filed. Despite all the talk of pulling yourself up

from the bootstraps to make something better of oneself, “Imperial Dreams” gives a window into that idea in that it is sometimes a total farce, with that concept constantly being encouraged, but ends up being a complete fabrication when infinite obstacles are constantly being thrown in the way. Small political diatribe aside, “Imperial Dreams” works so well because it feels real. The dialogue for example seems genuinely reflective of the African American community in large city projects, and it greatly aids in creating sympathy for the characters. Boyega’s turn as Bambi is the highlight of the film. Bambi seems consciously aware that if he slips back into his old life even for just a moment, he many never come back out, and his devotion to his son, despite being forced to live in his car at one point, is something that is truly heartwarming. There are also some heartbreaking moments, with the world crashing down on him at the worst times despite him trying his hardest to make something better for himself and his son. “Imperial Dreams” is a near perfect film on every level, with smart direction, tight pacing, and the aforementioned dialogue punctuated by a great overall screenplay. You owe it to yourself to watch this, as it will lead you to stop and think about the plight that so many people in this country deal with, that has likely never even crossed your mind.

Photo credit: Beth Banks

Comedy on BC Campus

Laughter is one of the best remedies for a stressful college schedule. Forgetting about the paper you have to write, and spending the night smiling with friends, is a great way to relax and relieve some stress. This is the type of fun filled evening students were excited about on Sept. 18, when comedian Mike Paramore came to Brevard College. Paramore is known for his successful stand-up comedy and his ability to make people laugh. He has opened for many other famous comedians, created his own comedy album, and won several awards. However, everyone has a different sense of humor, and many students were not as pleased with Paramore’s performance as they expected to be. Many students thought that several of Paramore’s jokes were offensive and caused Ingram Auditorium to be filled with uneasy laughter. Paramore also called on several students and used them as the bases of his jokes. While this brought a lot of laughs, it also made several students feel a little uncomfortable. Paramore’s humor might not have been satisfying for everyone, but there were many students who greatly enjoyed the night of comedy and fun. Their laughter echoed around the auditorium, and many of them were actively engaged with Paramore in the attempt to add to the humorous atmosphere. Despite the bits of negative feedback, Paramore received an overall good review from the students at Brevard College. Improvements could have been made to the performance, but Mike Paramore was still successfully able to bring some fun and enjoyment to his audience. — Amber Blanton

September 27, 2017 | The Clarion

Arts & Life

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Trail Review: Graveyard Fields Upper Falls Trail covered in color By Jeni Welch Copy Editor

Graveyard Fields is one of the most popular trails on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is normally crowded during the peak of summer and the “leaf-looking” season that is almost here, but currently the trail is less occupied and has already changed from the forest greens to the autumn spectrum. The trail to Upper Falls is 1.5 miles and is a moderate trail until the final stretch where the climb up the falls is steep and rocky but rewarding. The trail begins down a flight of stairs that leads into a canopy of mountain laurels and bushes. The trail soon comes to the Yellowstone Prog River. The shallow water has small pools gathered off the sides with dogs drinking some of the water. At the fork, turn left and follow the trail markers. Fields open on both sides of the path after the Yellowstone Prog River and blackberries and blueberries can be picked and ate along the trail. At some points, the trail becomes muddy and the path saturated with water but it is nothing that should hinder a person from walking either through it or around it, as best as possible. At the next trail marker, the hike follows the river upstream. At 5120 feet in elevation, the colors are already vibrant and covering the grass. The reds and oranges have overtaken the fields that only green left is found closer to the bottom of the falls. The last fork leads towards Upper Falls instead of following the loop left and back to the parking area. The climb up to the middle of the falls is steep and formed by rocks and roots. The trail

goes up to the middle of the falls and has many different rocks to sit and relax on. On the hike back down, the trails cuts back into Graveyard Fields loop and is 1.4 miles back. The second half of the loop is well managed and begins with a wooden walkway surrounded by mountain laurels like the entrance. The trail leads to the opposite side of the parking area after a flat easy hike out. The Upper Falls trail and the Graveyard Field Loop are only two of the optional trails offered at the Graveyard Field Overlook entrance. There is a second falls down river from the

trailhead. The Mountains to Sea trail winds through and can be reached by the Mountain to Sea Connector trail. This connector trail can also be looped around to the Graveyard Ridge Connector trail for a slightly longer hike. To get to Graveyard Fields follow Highway 276 into Pisgah National Forest all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once at the Parkway, turn left and head south. Graveyard Fields is milepost 418 on the right side of the road. It has a decently large parking area but during the busy seasons cars can be lined up down both sides of the road.

The fall leaves are vibrant with colors from the top of Upper Falls in Graveyard Fields.

Asheville Scene:

“I had no idea this was happening in Asheville! I wish I could have gone.” This is a statement heard frequently around campus. Only 45 minutes away, Asheville is home to music, adventure and art, and many events are free or inexpensive for quality entertainment. Check this schedule out to see what’s coming to the Asheville area and stay in the know to get the most quality entertainment for your buck. — Jess Wiegandt

Photo by Jeni Welch

Who: Sylvan Esso Where: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium When: September 29, 2017 @ 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $30 Who: The Head and the Heart Where: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium When: September 30, 2017 @ 8 p.m. Tickets: Starting at $45

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Opinion

The Clarion

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September 27, 2017

Is the U.S. at war with North Korea? By Florian Peyssonneaux

Opinion Editor For many the question is the United States at war with North Korea wasn’t even something that people would take seriously. However, over the weekend tensions between both countries quickly escalated because of Donald Trump’s Tweets. NOTE: Cyber attack from North Korea On Saturday, Sept. 23 the president of the United States tweeted from his personal account “Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won’t be around much longer!” said Trump. This kind of behavior is extremely dangerous for world peace as tension keeps rising between Trump and the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un. Even though the White House press secretary denies that the U.S. is at war against North Korea, it is not the impression that gave Trump in his tweets. As Trump did in the past provocating the North Korean leader by calling him “Little Rocket Man” is just some additional provocation that could very likely start a nuclear war. Trump needs to remember that major conflicts very often start with isolated act that will then trigger a conflict. For example, North Korea could strike American forces on the ground that are near their homeland. The U.S. army has about 30,000 soldiers deployed in South Korea and they could be a trigger for a war if anything happened to them. North Korea has been investing resources be able to perform cyber attack on a worldwide level, which could put the world in a chaos without firing a single rocket. Furthermore, North Korea foreign minister Ri Yong Ho replied to Trump’s threats by saying

that America declared war to their country, so as an answer to this he said that they will not hesitate to take down any American bomber, “even when they are not inside the airspace border of our country” said Ri. So, after placing in perspective the different option for North Korea, what could possibly go wrong? The nuclear option isn’t a necessity for both party, but after the pressure, threats and many jokes that Trump made about Kim Jong Un and his regime, consequences could be dramatic. Just imagine yourself for one minute being the leader of North Korea, completely isolated from the rest of the world ideologically fighting against the biggest world power, the U.S. Instead of trying to find solution and find common ground to deescalate the situation, Trump just put Kim Jong Un without option to discuss other options than war for North Korea. It is important to understand the Kim Jong Un is considered as a god in North Korea and as such he can’t back up from his position that places the U.S as the capitalist enemy. Does Trump really expected Kim Jong Un to answer his tweet apologizing and dropping his weapons? Of course not. The United Nations is an organization that has for goal to promote world peace and maintain international order. However, when Trump addressed the North Korean issue at the U.N. he stated that “The United States has great strength and patience, but if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission for himself,” said Trump. In this situation the suicide mission might be for both the U.S. and North Korea whom have many things to lose. Of course, if a nuclear weapon had to be sent, North Korea will be erased from the map, but the consequences of

a nuclear missile would also be disastrous for the U.S. The ultimate goal of the U.S and its allies is to find an agreement with North Korea to make them give up their weapons instead of having missiles and using them is for putting pressure on their enemies and not firing them. As a long term goal North Korea should stay on the same level as Iran, which means not pursuing any nuclear development, but once again Trump had something to say about the Iran deal. It “was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal was an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it, believe me.” For Kim Jong Un, the fact of owning nuclear weapons is probably the only way for him to make sure that the U.S. won’t fire a missile on them. On the other hand, if Trump still believes that provoking the North Korean leader and threatening to kill over 20 million people will solve the problem. Don’t get me wrong, sanctions should be taken against North Korea for trying to laugh missiles and developing nuclear bombs, but keeping in mind that the U.S should convince North Korea that a better future by dropping its weapons. Once again if you place yourself as Kim Jong Un and watch what Trump is doing to Iran when talking about stopping the deal the U.S. has with them at the first opportunity he had isn’t a sign of trust. So why should Kim Jong Un even bother interacting with Tump? Maybe trying to reason with a tyrannic, demagogue commander in chief who has a funny hairstyle is just impossible.

Further, Potts reported that the Dreamers put forth the argument that the government, in pushing applicants to come forward, submit to background checks, and place trust in the U.S. government to ensure that they can live and work in the United States, was engaging in an “unconstitutional bait-and-switch” and that terminating the DACA program breaks the government’s promises to them. The article also explains that the University of California as well as California State Attorney General Xavier Becerra decided to file a suit separate from legal actions by 15 other states. One of the most interesting aspects the article

points out is that the list of plaintiffs from the suit filed by the six Dreamers include two middle school teachers, a UC San Francisco medical student who is working on a public health degree from Harvard, and a PhD candidate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. Once again, the question must be asked, these are the type of people that our President and Attorney General feel must be targeted? Even if you accept the narrative of “as children they broke the law against their will” (and just think about how much sense that makes), is it not

DACA recipients sue President Trump By Jordon Morgan

Editor in Chief As reported by Hailey Branson-Potts of the Los Angeles Times on Sept 18, six beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program sued the Trump administration for rescinding protections for young immigrants without legal status. The article continues by saying that the 46page suit filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco claims President Trump’s decision to eventually end the DACA program over the next six months was unconstitutional and based on a bias toward peoples of Mexican and Latino descent.

See ‘DACA’ on page 8

September 27, 2017 | The Clarion

Opinion

Page 7

Lincoln, slavery and ‘fake’ news In an age when all of us are journalists, we must work harder not to spread lies By John B. Padgett

Faculty Adviser, The Clarion American history quiz: How many of you knew that President Abraham Lincoln owned slaves? I’ll give you a moment or two to ponder that question…. OK, time’s up. What is your answer? If your answer is anything other than “Abraham Lincoln did not own slaves,” I am sorry to report, you are wrong. I repeat: ABRAHAM LINCOLN DID NOT OWN SLAVES. I pose this question because this very issue came up at a recent Clarion staff meeting. A few staff members mentioned they had heard or read this somewhere online. After discussing it with colleagues and a little digging on my own, I discovered that yes, in fact, in recent weeks (or months, or years), there have been attempts to smear the memory of America’s “Great Emancipator,” our nation’s 16th president who not only petitioned hard for ratification of the 13th Amendment, making permanent and part of the Constitution what his Emancipation Proclamation had done as a military order in the midst of rebellion and insurrection, but also gave his life in no small measure because of his anti-slavery views. It turns out the mistaken belief that Lincoln owned slaves—I refuse to call this a “myth” because to do so is insulting to myth—has been around so long that in 2008, the bicentennial year of Lincoln’s birth, East Carolina University history professor Gerald J. Prokopowicz even wrote a book that takes on this question in its title: “Did Lincoln Own Slaves?: And Other Frequently Asked Questions About Abraham Lincoln.” (Spoiler alert: Prokopowicz’ answer, as I have already said, is “no.” The idea that Lincoln owned slaves, he wrote, is “the historical equivalent of the teenage slasher movie villain who is shot, stabbed, drowned, and otherwise repeatedly dispatched, yet somehow continues to rise up at the most inopportune moment to torment the heroine.”) In other words, even more than 150 years after his death, there are some out there who are still trying to peddle falsehoods about America’s most beloved president. Talk about “fake news.” One thing contributing to the lie that Lincoln owned slaves may be that two other future presidents closely tied to Lincoln had at one time owned slaves: Lincoln’s second vice president, Andrew Johnson (who became president after Lincoln’s assassination), and Ulysses S. Grant, the Union military general who eventually rose to command all U.S. forces in the Civil War. Margaret Brown, a history professor at Brevard College who earned her doctorate at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, related to me another reason that could explain where this particular belief about Lincoln might have originated. Lexington is not far from the place in Kentucky where Lincoln was born before his family moved, first to Indiana then to Illinois, in part because his father was vehemently opposed to slavery. Not so Mary Todd, a daughter in a prominent Lexington family who

would eventually become Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. “Her father was a wealthy businessman and the family had slaves,” Brown said in an email. “When Mary Todd joined with Abe, she traded the life of a southern belle for that of a middle class northern woman,” which meant, in a nutshell, that house servants could not be slaves—they had to be paid. Lincoln’s marriage to Mary Todd may explain one origin of the lie that Lincoln owned slaves, but why does it continue to persist? Just recently, political communications professor Ralph Hamlett—who as an elected official in his hometown of Canton has been embroiled since the town’s Labor Day parade in a dispute over the Confederate flag and what it represents—said he had seen similar comments posted in social media asserting blatantly, boldly (and wrongly) that Lincoln had owned slaves. The purpose behind such statements, aside from utter ignorance of history, is plain to see: to try to draw a moral equivalence between Lincoln and figures such as Robert E. Lee, who did own slaves, and who, in fighting for the Confederacy, fought also to preserve slavery as a legally sanctioned institution. Some may say, why should all this matter? During times like these, journalists—which today can include anyone with a Facebook account or a Twitter handle—must be especially careful not to perpetuate myths or outright falsehoods about factual matters. Given recent discourse on Confederate monuments after the protests in Charlottesville and elsewhere, as well as the ensuing backlash against removal or relocation of said monuments (which in turn stem in no small measure from President Donald Trump’s statements on the matter), all of us, whoever we are, owe it to our readers, wherever they may be, not to make matters worse by misinforming our readers. Especially over matters that can pretty easily be checked by a Google search. I speak here in part as the faculty adviser for The Clarion and as an advocate for a free and open press, but make no mistake: We ALL should strive for accuracy and credibility in our written pronouncements, in everything from research-based conclusions in a class paper to the most mundane posts on Facebook. My journalism students have heard me say this on numerous occasions, but it bears repeating: anyone who reports the news should strive extrahard to be accurate because whenever we make a mistake, we lose a bit of our credibility, and credibility for a journalist is one of the hardest things to regain once it is lost. Today, much of the clamor against the “fake” news media has to do with moments that news providers get something wrong. Even though oftentimes such errors are on a relatively minor point, and even if media take immediate steps to own up to the mistake and/or correct the error, such errors often become the cherry-picked evidence supposedly proving that the media is biased, lying, or “fake.” We live in a time of division and distrust, when even sporting events and late-night talk shows become proxy political fights. But no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, you should respect and value the press for its role, as a very old saying goes, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. And to do so—to hold those in power accountable for their actions (or inactions)—we all should do our part in the public discourse not to sow discord, disseminate misinformation, or spread lies. Even ones more than 150 years old.

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Sports

Tornados Golf finish fourth in Anderson, Craig Stephen wins By Florian Peyssonneaux Opinion Editor

For its first tournament in Division three, Brevard College men’s golf team finishes in fourth position at the Anderson Invitational in Anderson, S.C on Tuesday Sept. 19 as Georgia Southwestern captured the title with a total of 615. BC senior Craig Stephen started the year strong by winning his first NCAA tournament with scores of 76 and 70. Only one shot behind the team winner, the host university of Anderson was missing low scores to win their home event. Eve, by placing many players in the top ten, Anderson couldn’t stop Georgia Southwestern to bring a trophy home with a total of 615 (+39). This two-day event was the first tournament of the year for the Tornados, and despite a small field of players, the Tornados were able to gain two places on the second day to finish fourth as a team, and an individual win for Stephen. After posting a first score of 76 (+4) on Monday, Stephen was placed in sixth position, three shots behind the leader, Elias Birkeland playing for Georgia Southwestern. A second round of 70 (-2), best score of the tournament made him gain four stroke to the next competitor. Because of very fast greens, most players in the top part of the field didn’t improve the performance of their first day. “It was nice to get my first collegiate win and a great way to start the year,” said Stephen. He also added “It was my goal to win a college

tournament and I’m excited to say I’ve done that now. The rest of the year is just extra experience now, I’m looking forward for the future tournaments.” Calum McAndrew, also a senior, showed a low score with Stephen. He had the second best score for the Tornados, and tied 14th after shooting 81 and 75 (+12), coming back from a difficult first round with one of the lowest scores in the second round. Junior Austin Fisher contributed to BC’s tournament with a score of 16 over par. Shooting rounds of 82 and 78 respectively those scores lead him to tie 24th place similarly to the first round. For its first ever collegiate tournament, freshman Benjamin Kleppe shot 82 and 87 (+25) finishing tied 35th. “It is great to get into a tournament early in the semester. I did not play as good as I wanted to, but I know that it will just give me experience for the rest of the season” said Kleppe. In addition, BC senior Declan Addison 91 and 86 contributed to the team score on the second round finishing 39th. This was the first time that Brevard College players competed in this tournament that took place at Cobb’s Country Club. This course is one of championship lineage, designed by the renowned golf architect George Cobb. The men’s golf team will have a busy semester, as the Tornados will play a tournament each week until mid October.

Mens soccer fall to Monarchs and Bishops By Taffon Alexander

Staff Writer The BC men’s soccer team departed Friday afternoon on a doubleheader weekend voyage upstate North Carolina as they faced Methodist University on Saturday and North Carolina Wesleyan College on Sunday that led to an unfortunate ending. Despite valiant efforts, the mens team failed to pull back from a late goal start. The scoring began around 17 minutes in when Methodist’s Isaac Sanchez scored on a free kick from outside of the box. In the second half, the Methodist Monarchs added another goal to their lead as Zvi Ferrari found the back of the nearly an hour into the game. Less than a minute later, the Tornados cut the lead in half with a goal by season campaigner Jorge Jimenez, his fourth goal of the season. Around the 70 minute mark, Methodist’s Connor Morris scored from inside the box to make the score 3-1. Brevard tried to mount a comeback late in

the game, as Jesse Omezi drilled a penalty kick 87 minutes into the game. The Tornados had one last-ditch shot from Gabriel Venegas, but it ultimately fell short as the shot went too wide of the net. Brevard men then returned to action on Sunday against N.C. Wesleyan in what was deemed a very physical battle as the Tornado men picked up two yellow cards on Alberto Vazquez and Xavier Mariduena. Brevard was outshot by N.C. Wesleyan 2714 on the day and was shut out for the third time this season. The scoring began in the 28 minutes in, as Baboucarr Njie found the back of the net on an unassisted goal. In the second half, Ignacio Lerech scored 59 minutes in off an assist from Paa Malick Faal to make the score 2-0. The Battling Bishops added one more goal in the match from Sheriff Secka 80 minutes in The Tornados will return to action September 30, when they will host Berea.

The Clarion

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September 27, 2017

‘Volleyball’

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23-22, before an unforced error coupled with a DeMoss kill provided Brevard with the victory. With McElroy and Kasey West in serve the Tornados took advantage of two kills by Elmore and a blocks from the duo of Ruble and DeMoss to establish a 10-2 lead in the first set. A timeout was not enough to slow down the Brevard offense, as Ruble and Lambert drove a pair of strikes past the Mountaineer defense to stretch the advantage to 18-6. Berea took advantage of a service ace by Eliza Lavin and an unforced Brevard error to reach double figures, 20-10, was unable to mount a significant comeback as kills down the stretch by Ruble and DeMoss completed the 12-point victory. The Tornados return to action next Saturday when they host LaGrange and Maryville (Tenn.) in a tri-match that begins at noon.

‘DACA’

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worth it if nothing else to legally incorporate these hard-working people into our society? Truth be told however, it’s hard to see if this lawsuit will go anywhere, and there has been no major updates on its status. DACA was created under an executive order that, while perfectly constitutional, is not protected by any sort of legislation and subsequently, could easily be taken away via another order, which is exactly what President Trump did. At the same time, that does not mean that they should not fight. Perhaps this skepticism is unfounded, and all of these suits have significant substance to them to where they could work, one should certainly hope so. DACA is a program that in every sense provides the possibility of the American Dream to young immigrants, who it should be mentioned are required by the program to be enrolled in high school, college, or the military, and they are. As a result, this whole farce comes across as yet another attempt by the Trump Administration to appeal to their base (that is killing its popularity which is as low as 37% according to Gallup), and yet another indictment of how the President seems to genuinely believe that he can run the country like one of his businesses, and is astonished when the checks and balances system that makes up our Constitution prevents him from doing so. Our system of checks and balances, and people like these Dreamers are what makes America great. President Trump may cause significant harm to the country with decisions like these, but if these lawsuits are any indication, it’s that we will not let them stand for very long if we can help it.