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America Inc. p. 10 A Capital Voyage p. 24
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
Editors’ Note A Publication of Harford Community College CO-EDITORS IN CHIEF Nick DeMent, Bre Mascetti
CONTENT EDITOR Adeyemi Ekundayo
WRITING STAFF
Jessica Conway, Ryan Dickman, Liz Doyle, Danielle Frater, Sydney Gaeth, Neil Harman, Ryan Moriarty, John Myers, Anira O’Bannon, Joe Rein, Mike Stenger, Julia Whiteford
FRONT/BACK PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY John Morin, Faras Aamir
PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF
Josh Eller, Kristina McComas, Kelsey Stephenson, Eric Walther
CONTRIBUTED PHOTOGRAPHY Carly Harman
ART DIRECTOR Bre Mascetti
DESIGN STAFF
Caroline Cooney, Lisa Genslinger
DESIGN SPECIALIST Brianna Blizzard
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS Oksanna Shulgach, Vivian Zavala
DISTRIBUTION Rachel Mitchell
As Co-Editors in Chief for this edition of Owl Magazine, we both share a strong belief in personal freedom for all. Freedom from tyranny and oppression is the ideal that forms the bedrock of democracy, and through democracy we all have a voice. This issue features a variety of topics representing the diversity that is integral to the spirit of our nation. In some cases, the articles highlight the writers’ opinions and may not reflect the views of the publication. Page 10 provides some insight on corporate influence on politics, and page 18 looks into how the prison system of America has become a corporation in itself. On page 12, we hear the personal story of a student who survived abuse and has overcame the trauma, and page 14 shares the story of a student who freed himself from addiction. Today, the freedom to get in a car and go wherever we want is readily available. Page 20 takes a look at the history of the automobile in America and speculations of its future. Our staff had the opportunity to travel to D.C. to witness the inauguration of the new president. See page 24 for a first-hand account of President Donald Trump’s
inauguration, including the rallies and protests occurring the following day, such as the Women’s March on page 28. Freedom of the press is the crux of any free society and has always provided a platform for the people to have their stories heard and their experiences felt; this ideal is a shield that protects the rights of all of us and gives representation to the disenfranchised. The power of our voices as students in a free and open environment embodies this freedom that America has strived to champion for so long.
CONTENT ADVISORS
John Morin, Matt Tennyson
TECHNICAL ADVISOR Nick Rynes
CHIEF ADVISOR Claudia Brown
PRINT PUBLISHER
AlphaGraphics of Bel Air
AD INQUIRIES?
Email harfowladmanager@harford.edu
Congratulations to Owl Magazine’s Staff! 1st Place: Best Two-Year TV Station, 2016–2017 (National Pinnacle Awards, College Media Association)
CONTENTS
2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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My Road to Acceptance
Check out an HCC student’s coming out story.
24
16
28
36
A Capital Voyage
Revisit the 45th Presidential Inauguration.
Why I Marched
Discover why locals joined the Women’s March.
Slavery in Modern America Read a harrowing tale of human trafficking.
Freeganism
Learn how to turn trash into treasure.
ALSO INSIDE Walking While Brown p. 4 Debt Survival 101 p. 6 America Inc. p. 10 Secrets and Monsters p. 12
Seeking Sobriety p. 14 A Nation in Chains p. 18 Land of the Free p. 32
Walking While Brown When Racism Hits Home
By Anira O’Bannon | Additional Reporting by Liz Doyle | Photography by Faras Aamir | Owl Staff
Dawar Aamir faced a verbal and physical assault at a Wawa in Churchville, Maryland.
“We don’t need y’all in this country, you hear me?” Dawar Aamir was driving to work when these words were spat at him during a traffic altercation in Churchville, Maryland. “If you can’t drive then get out of our country,” the man screamed. “If you were in my town, you’d get the [expletive] beat out of you!” Aamir is an American citizen of Pakistani descent who immigrated to the United States when he was three years old and has been living in Bel
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Air, Maryland ever since. His racial background became the target of the man’s harassment and evident vitriol. “The man proceeded to shout vicious things at me,” he recalls. “Which, to this morning, are [still] ringing in my ears.” After suffering intense verbal abuse, Aamir rolled his car window up and left. Still, the man followed Aamir in his car until they both stopped. That’s when it became physical. The attacker forced Aamir from the car and then seized his glasses,
worsening the situation because he is “very visually impaired” without them. After another person came out to diffuse the situation, the attacker got back in his car and left. Shaken, Aamir shared his experience on Facebook, garnering more than 1,000 interactions from supporters. Later, the attacker was sentenced to one year of probation and ten hours of community service. “I’ve never felt more degraded as a human being,” Aamir says. “You see these things on the news but don’t
2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
COMMUNITY think it could happen in person, especially to you.” This may not seem like a common situation, but these kinds of raciallycharged attacks are increasing in numbers, taking on both verbal and physical forms. While no statistics exist specifically for Harford County, The Maryland Hate/ Bias Report shares that hate crimes regarding race and religion have been on the rise since 2013. That year, Maryland saw 78 reported and verified hate crimes. In 2015, that number went up to 93. On October 11, 2017, a group of Bel Air High School students posed for a photo, depicting a racial slur spelled out in gigantic letters on their t-shirts. When they posted it to social media, the picture quickly swept the internet among both outraged critics and vocal supporters. Some commenters quickly dismissed the incident as “harmless fun.” Though the students were suspended for nine days, others demanded more severe disciplinary action be taken. A Change.org petition pushed for community service, the students’ expulsion, and/or a public apology to their peers. More than 16,000 people signed within a week. While many were shocked at the students’ actions, Time Magazine reports that Maryland has seen an increase in racial incidents and suspected it could be related to the current political climate. In the report, Time details vandalism that read “Trump Nation, Whites Only” on a church in Silver Spring, Maryland. They concluded that the phrase could have some relation to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed off on an executive order dubbed the “travel ban,” attempting to temporarily refuse entry of refugees and immigrants from
Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Syria, Iraq and Iran. Multiple appeals have altered the original legislation and while Trump proposed the legislation as a national security enhancement, some dubbed it the “Muslim Ban” due to the Islamic majority in most of the restricted countries. Citizens like Aravinda Pillalamarri have felt the effects of the rising attention on immigration policies. Pillalamarri was walking through her Bel Air neighborhood when she was stopped and questioned by local police for reported suspicious behavior. “Walking while brown?” Pillalamarri questioned the officer. The phrase refers to the innocent people of color who are stopped by law enforcement due to racial bias.
These kinds of discriminatory acts have been a focus for filmmaker AJ Ali who, in 2012, was stopped in his own neighborhood and accused of breaking into homes because of the color of his skin. Initially, the accusation angered him and he wanted to lash out at the people who hurt him. Eventually, his heart changed and he realized he wanted to tell a different story. He decided love is the answer. He went on to direct the film, Walking While Black, addressing racialprofiling and the impact it has on the lives of people of color. “I don’t think [racism has] gotten better, it’s just gotten different,” he tells HCC students during a screening of the film.
“I’ve never felt more degraded as a human being.” When a reply wasn’t given right away, she attempted to leave but she was made to stay for further questioning. “Are you here illegally?” asked one of the officers. Once proper citizenship was confirmed, she was allowed to go but the events that unfolded that night never left her mind. She presented her concerns to the county, speaking at the next Board of Town Commissioners meeting. Many other citizens related to Pillalamarri’s story and when word got out of her experience, they felt they could share their stories as well. “Several people have approached me and told me about racially motivated incidences they’ve experienced in Harford County,” she shares. “One man told me that he and his partner experience harassment/being stopped by police while going about their business, such as putting out the trash.”
Ali emphasizes that those who are not part of the solution are part of the problem. “Those of us who are for diversity, and for inclusion, and for people being treated equally, we need to step up. We can’t be silent.” Considering these local incidents, Owl Magazine reached out to Bel Air Chief of Police Charles Moore for his comments. “Our officers [receive] training that helps them understand the perspective from citizens/minorities during law enforcement interactions,” he shares. “They also receive training to help diffuse and de-escalate interactions like the one experienced with Ms. Pillalamarri.” While officers receive training, for civilians, there are alternatives. “Community members, 18 years or older, [should] participate in our Community Advisory Board,” he urges. Those who want to make a difference in our town should apply.”
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Debt Survival 101
How to Get a Low-Cost Degree By Sydney Gaeth | Photography by Kelsey Stephenson | Owl Staff
While the average college student graduates with more than $35,000 in debt, Sydney Gaeth financed her associate degree by working 30–40 hours per week. She wrote her first draft of this article when she was an HCC student and updated it following her graduation. Ask anyone: I am strong-willed, stubborn, and passionate. As far as I was concerned, there was nothing that could get in my way of attending a four-year university. What most college-bound dreamers like myself don’t realize is the price tag is a lot higher and harder to reach than advertisements let on. It’s easy to sell the idea that college means moving out of your childhood home and into a new state just like it was to me. Guidance counselors, professors, graduates and bosses made it seem so easy to accomplish.
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However, living on campus, focusing on school full-time and striving after the glorified college experience is not all it is chalked up to be. For me, the massive price tag attached to this experience was the issue. Without my parents taking out a loan for me in their name there was no way I could get enough aid to achieve the college life I once hoped for. I thought it would be easy: apply for aid, receive aid, attend school. Boom. Mission accomplished. The reality of this was that there was no way around using my parents’
financial data in order to apply for financial aid. This meant that not only did the government think I had extra tens of thousands of dollars to spend, but also that my parents should be able to contribute an estimated $17,000 to my education. This number is called the EFC, or the Estimated Family Contribution, on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Like many other students, I would be footing the bill for my education rather than my parents. The EFC was not a reality for my parents. Without receiving any
2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
VOICES federal aid, I wasn’t able to attend my first try right out of high school — a four-year public university in Southern Pennsylvania. I decided to attend HCC instead, working on my associate degree with plans to transfer. I was then under the impression that transferring to a university with a completed A.S. would allow more financial aid money and scholarship opportunity. Unfortunately, I still could not receive enough federal aid to attend my second school of choice in North Carolina.
became draining and it seemed that money would always hold me back. However, I applied to as many scholarships as I could and was awarded a total of roughly $3,000 for the year. This coupled with a federally subsidized loan of $8,800, I was able to pay for my first year at that university. During the application process, I was curious about why I had such a hard time getting aid so I went to the financial aid office to sit down with the department director. He shared the way that financial aid works is incoming freshman receive
“...my academic goals became draining and it seemed that money would always hold me back.” I was determined to keep trying. Applying for that school taught me about Parent Plus Loans — an even worse idea for my family than trying to scrounge up an extra $17,000. The Parent Plus Loan yields a high interest rate and is paid directly by the parents. Many student loans are paid by the student themselves and co-signed by a parent in order to get approved. I was uncomfortable with this idea and realigned my goals again. This time, I took a year off from my education to focus on building my résumé while I waited for the next year’s applications to come out. I had decided to apply to a Maryland university and finally accept that I could finish my bachelor’s degree close to home for the same result and a few thousand dollars less than I could traveling to a state eight hours away. So, that was the plan. And I made it happen! Finally. I never thought I would actually get there. The constant back-and-forth game I played with my academic goals
the majority of the aid. The next group to receive aid (including scholarships from the institution) are students who have been at the school for years. The last group to receive aid is transfer students. Since there is not much aid remaining for the final group of students, many may not receive financial support at all. Transfer students with the most need, over the local students who need support, are the ones who get the remaining money. The students and their families who are in the middle hardly receive financial aid. After I received my loans and scholarships, I was a full-time student for two semesters. After three years of trying to become a university student and work toward my bachelor’s degree, I found I was deeply unhappy with the quality of education I received. I was made to repeat courses at the four-year university that I had already taken at HCC which taught the basics of my major. It felt like a waste of time and money.
The best way to minimize these costs is to apply for any scholarships you can find and start very much in advance. Look for scholarships up to one year before you plan to attend school. Additionally, complete your FAFSA even if you do not receive free aid from the government. You may still be eligible for lower-interest loans like I was. FAFSA also opens you up to scholarships through the university as well and not all of them are needbased. In my experience, the best scholarships for which to apply are those offered by state representatives. These applications are available by district. Mdelect.net will tell you which district you’re in as well as who your elected officials are. The site provides links to each delegate, senator, or representative’s personal biography. Much of my aid came from emailing my elected officials and asking about the scholarships offered for that year. Their offices always got right back to me with the application. Keep in mind that many of these offers are renewable for four years. Another avenue to search when looking for quality scholarships is your home school’s financial aid department. Harford Community College offers quite a few awards to students who are transferring to universities. One final piece of advice is to work at your pace. Some may be able to afford a part-time education at once rather than a full-time. While I was figuring out my approach to financial aid, I took a year off and learned skills that I applied to winning a national journalism award which beefed up my résumé. It has taken a lot of trial and error but finally figuring out what will work for me is extremely satisfying. I will be finishing my bachelor’s degree online next year, paying roughly $6,000, and earning tuition reimbursement of $5,250 through my job. Years of strife and hard work have finally paid off.
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
VOICES
Soul Search
My Road to Acceptance By Adeyemi Ekundayo | Photography by Bre Mascetti | Owl Staff
“Freedom.” What a word. To me, “freedom” was a question. Was it a place? A concept? A relief? Or was it a truth? Before I knew what “freedom” was, I knew I did not have it. It seemed like an eternity away. I knew what it couldn’t be. It couldn’t be concealment. The burdens of secrecy shouldn’t have suppressed me until I was but a withered mask of someone else’s face. My identity should not have felt so alien. But it did. From an age long lost in my memory, that cage was reality. I was instructed without words to hide who I really was. Before I even went to school, I was taught that something about me should have scared me. It was long before I realized what this thing was. And it was something I could never say before I knew what it meant. Somehow, I knew it was wrong to utter these words: I am gay.
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Actually, I never even dreamed of saying these words aloud. Instead, I thought them. And then I told myself anything that would make them untrue. I wasn’t gay. This thing I’m feeling, this emotion, was a symptom of puberty. They told me all about how I would start to feel certain things when I entered middle school and high school. They told me how I would grow taller and start sporting a mustache. “Your voice will deepen,” they said. But the wounds of my self-hatred deepened instead. In my family, any sign of “gayness” or femininity was met with physical punishment and emotional trauma. If I sang a Beyoncé song, I got in trouble with my cousins. In school, my peers replicated this system. If I liked the color pink, I was ridiculed by my classmates. I had to come to grips with the fact that the world I lived in was not safe
for me. Because I was so young, I had no idea why people were treating me the way they were. Why couldn’t I do what made me happy? What did I do wrong? I had no one to run to for clarity or safety either. So in order to deal with this, I created multiple coping mechanisms. In the 1st grade, I remember hiding. In the 2nd grade, I remember lashing out. From that point on, I strived even harder to appeal to other people’s perceptions of who I was. I spoke with an artificially deep voice in the third grade and I tried imitating the interests of the other boys in the 4th and 5th grade. By the 6th grade, this “freedom” thing seemed like a myth. To masquerade became such a natural part of me that it was embedded into my subconscious. Even in my dreams, I couldn’t escape confinement.
I longed for “freedom” and I longed for safety. But in my mind, the two couldn’t coexist. In high school, my yearning for “freedom” could not be contained anymore. I expressed myself through the wildest fashion statements and the boldest displays of my personality.
I now had no defense from homophobia. I had to admit that I was lying to the people closest to me. I had to figure out the easiest way to do the hardest thing in my life and come out to the world. Life would be very hard for me afterward, I thought.
“My identity should not have felt so alien, but it did.” I was genuinely me. Sort of. My feelings were harder to contain, especially when other boys like me roamed in the same shadows I did. The forbidden fruit became even more irresistible. By my senior year, these shadows became a source of extreme sadness. I had pushed the envelope with my fashion and I stopped censoring my thoughts and feelings. I was so close to “freedom” but I was still hindered by one dark door that I refused to open. The shadows I had become accustomed to were so natural to me by this point that my comfort in them allowed me to speak plainly to gay men, though I was still in the closet. In high school, parties are a way to feel unchained from the labels of everyday life: daughter, son, student, athlete. At parties, you just are. At one party, I remember feeling very open the entire time. Conversing with the gay men there was a relief from the other parts of my day. A vulnerable moment later and I was out. To one person at least. It all happened so fast, I could hardly prepare for it. I basically poured out my life’s story to a complete stranger in an isolated moment. After that, my nights became characterized by hours of crying and self-hating questions. I realized what I couldn’t deny any longer. I am gay. And I liked it. I loved the fact that I had “freedom” within myself. But I hated that this was the way I got it. I didn’t want to be gay and all that it meant.
After months of deliberation, I finally decided to come out to my best friend. I’d been extremely close to her for eight years at that point and coming out to her first felt the safest. Countless attempts were made but my body fought against me. Whenever I tried moving in her direction, my muscles froze. When I tried speaking, my throat closed. My heart pounded and I couldn’t breathe. My stomach fell to my feet. Crippled with fear and drowning in tears, it took every muscle in my body to move my fingers and send a text. Then I was free. My friend’s reaction was unsurprised and we went out to eat after that. But I didn’t have the same luck with some other friends. Not everyone was accepting and I learned who my real friends were. After my friends, my family was next. For my father, homosexuality is a choice. “When did you make this decision?” he asked before assuring, “You’ll get better when the time comes.” By this time, I’d learned what my priorities were. And at the bottom of the list was what other people thought of me. Even my family. A weight lifted from my shoulders and a pressure in my chest eased. My body finally relaxed for the first time in 17 years. This was euphoria. And I could only think one thing: “finally.” Though my support system wasn’t fully intact, I was free to be me. And so I was happy. Every day since then has been a day without longing and a day without hiding. This is freedom. No longer do I question what that means.
LGBTQ+ RESOURCES
The Rainbow Alliance is a student organization at HCC. It provides solidarity and support among the LGBTQ community and its allies. (jodonahue@harford.edu)
The Safe Zone Committee, a board of HCC Staff members, is trained in LGBTQ sensitivity and aid. They provide education & support to students, staff and faculty on behalf of the community. (cgurrera@harford.edu)
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore and Central Maryland (GLCCB) offers services and programs for LGBTQ people and allies. (glccb.org)
Hearts & Ears, Inc is located in Baltimore, Maryland for LGBTQ+ individuals with behavioral health issues and concerns. (heartsandears.org)
The Trevor Project, a non-profit organization, focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. (thetrevorproject.org) (1-866-488-7386)
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America Inc.
The Corporate Takeover of America By Matt Tennyson | Illustration by Caroline Cooney | Owl Staff There was once a time when the notion “We the People” meant we all had the power to change and influence our government. That was the ideal in which our country was founded upon, and we’ve been reciting it for centuries. Today, however, government policy and representatives are largely determined by corporate interests rather than the will of the people, according to a study by Princeton University and Northwestern University in 2014. This corporate takeover did not happen overnight, and it largely gained
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traction during the environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s as a backlash against decreased corporate profit margins. With government regulations ramping up for consumer and environmental protection during this era, corporations heavily increased their employment of lobbying groups, which are people who attempt to influence laws in the best interests of their employers. Officially, lobbyists are not allowed to bribe or “gift” politicians in order to sway their vote on policy. However, anticipated bribery (giving politicians
high-paying lobbying jobs) and other questionable activities lead many like former Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, to believe that lobbyists are finding legal ways around this. Reich blogs that former Republican House majority leader Eric Cantor was one of Wall Street’s strongest advocates, “fighting for the bailout of the Street,” among other gestures, in support of the industry. In other words, he was extremely friendly to the bankers and highrollers in the world of finance. Reich adds, “Just two weeks after resigning from the House, Cantor
2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
VOICES joined the Wall Street investment bank of Moelis & Co., as vice chairman and managing director, starting with a $400,000 base salary, $400,000 initial cash bonus, and $1 million in stock.” This type of “revolving door” is not an isolated incident of collusion between government and big business. Monsanto, a large chemical manufacturing company known for products like Round-Up weed killer and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), has had similar controversy. Several former executives at Monsanto have jumped back and forth between government and private sector jobs. Michael Taylor, who worked as the Vice President of public policy at Monsanto from 1996-2001 is currently the Deputy Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas previously worked as a lawyer for Monsanto in the late 70s before his career in the highest court in the land in the early 90s. Since then, he has been involved in the decisions of several lawsuits involving Monsanto, ruling in favor of the company every single time. In one instance back in 2014 against the Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, the Supreme Court voted in favor of allowing Monsanto to sue farmers for having their crops contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically engineered crops. These select elite have amassed critical positions of power that give them an unprecedented level of influence on how our country is run, influencing lawmakers to pass legislation that favors personal gain or selfish interests. The healthcare and pharmaceutical industries are yet more examples of institutions that are fraught with criticism, corruption and manipulative tactics despite being necessary. A study conducted by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute concluded that pharmaceutical companies have
been bribing physicians with “free meals, free education, and free trips to conferences.” Drug representatives also gave doctors an extra $21,000 in free drug samples on average, totaling roughly $23.7 billion nationwide. In addition, the pharmaceutical industry, nicknamed “Big Pharma,” has tremendous influence on the FDA and government regulated research through lobbying.
estate firm, his family has also made considerable money off of his hotels and golf courses according to Forbes. In particular, he has used his Mar-a-Lago resort, among others, to meet with world leaders while using taxpayer money to refill his own bank account from house guests, security, and his staff. Business Insider states that the resort alone has made tens of millions in
“These select elite have amassed critical positions of power that give them an unprecedented level of influence...“ The New York Times reports drug makers have spent roughly $2.3 billion on lobbying in the past decade. This could account for the reason why little has been done by Congress to rein in the hefty prescription drug prices. One study in the Journal of the American Medical Association states “more than half of the dangerous side effects of drugs are detected only after they’ve been on the market for seven years or more.” This revelation amounts to bigwig executives at pharmaceutical companies, and even doctors, making money at the expense of people’s health, while also influencing the regulations that could protect the public. The culmination of wealthy elites controlling the political system is fully realized when we face the fact that the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is a corporate CEO himself. While his net worth has fallen an estimated $400 million since the election due to lawsuits with his Trump University scandal and variations within his Manhattan real
revenue in addition to what it made previous to Trump’s presidency. The resort has also doubled its member’s annual fee to nearly $200,000 right before Trump’s inauguration. This is not the only case of Trump benefiting from citizen taxes; according to USA Today, Trump has a team of government attorneys that handle his private business lawsuits. These attorneys are paid with American taxes and while there is no official report on the cost, private attorney rates for these situations routinely cost between $500-1000 an hour. On top of that, it is estimated that the cost to taxpayers to provide security to Trump Tower in New York is around $308,000 per day when Trump is in town, according to Fortune.com. Reflecting on all that has happened between corporate corruption and collusion with government, perhaps Donald Trump being the president is a fitting and accurate representation of what our country has ultimately become: a corporatacracy.
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
VOICES
Secrets and Monsters A Survivor Speaks Out By Jessica Conway | Photography by Eric Walther | Owl Staff
Jessica Conway hopes her story will provide strength to other victims of abuse.
There was a time in my life when all it took was one look between him and me. One look to know that tonight would be one of those nights. It started when I was four years old. It’s the kind of memory that makes you feel as though you can’t get enough air so you squirm in your seat in the middle of class; a memory that has your mind reeling from the silence
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because it’s too quiet and there’s nothing to distract you; one that can bruise the mind enough that it can trick you into reinventing a factual event into one that is 10 times worse. The abuse made me different than my classmates. I knew things I wasn’t supposed to, and this made me grow up faster. It was only after our elementary school showed us a
video on “swimsuit zones” and “no-no places” that I realized my situation. It was a couple of days after the video was shown that I became bold enough, or foolish enough, to threaten to tell someone in order to make him stop. “I’ll tell,” I said. “I’ll tell Mommy everything. I don’t want to do it anymore.”
“Yeah, do it. I’ll kill her. I’ll kill her and your grandmother. Who’s going to love you then?” he said. That was the moment I learned to choose between what I wanted and what I needed. What I wanted was to stop, but I needed my family, so it continued to happen, in the basement on the cold concrete; in the dark downstairs bathroom on the toilet; in his bedroom on his twin-sized bed, watching videos that were not meant for children.
He returned one night and when I saw him I remember the feeling of my cheeks sagging as my smile was wiped away. I went straight to my room and locked my door. The next morning, I sat at the top of the stairs and listened to the mumbling behind my parents’ bedroom doors. He sat next to me and said he was sorry. Then he left. I’ve never wanted to have him arrested though my mother asked
“There was a time when I was sure I was a monster.” As I write all of this down on a piece of notebook paper, the hand I write with is shaking and my body wants to stop, get up and walk away. But I won’t. In this case, walking away would only lead me into another cage, but facing it this way is freedom. For me, this is the best way I can stand up to my past. He never hurt me physically as far as I can remember. I used to wish that he had hurt me; at least then I wouldn’t have had to question myself constantly, or I wouldn’t have felt so repulsive. When I was young, I didn’t understand what was happening to me. The abuse felt like tickling. When I discovered what it truly was, however, I just felt dirty and wrong. My abuser was never punished for what he did. A month or two after I had confronted him, he ran away from home. I can’t remember for how long, but during that time my mother confronted me. I told her what was happening, she had me checked out by a doctor, and that was that. By the time we got home, he was gone and we didn’t know where he was. The only evidence was that I had been sexually active, but that doesn’t prove anything.
me many times. For this I feel guilty because I don’t know if he has done this to other girls. I may not have been brave enough to stop more victims at his hands, but maybe I can help people like me. I aim to make an example of myself here and I can only hope you’ll understand. I can only hope my mother, family, friends and teachers will understand that I am not afraid of myself anymore.
There was a time when I was sure I was a monster. There was a time when I was sure boys didn’t like me because they could smell it on me, the smell of rotten fruit and used goods. A time when I was sure people could never truly accept me as I am because I exuded pain and they didn’t want to “catch” whatever it was I had. But now, I understand the world better, and I understand the girl I was during that time. I need to speak to people like me, people who had it worse than me, people who endured pain in silence, people who know a child in a similar position now. I need to let them know that no matter what you did, what you had to do or what you wanted to do, you are not a monster. You are not disgusting, and you are not weak. My name is Jessica Aliya Conway. I am not a monster. I have no more secrets. And I’m ok.
Rape Crisis and Recovery Centers • TurnAround, Inc. Baltimore County 24 Hour Hotline: 443-279-0379 www.turnaroundinc.org
Behavioral Warning Signs • Distracted and distant attitude • Sudden change in eating and sleeping habits • Nightmares • Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity or withdrawal • Develops new or unusual fear of certain people or places
• Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis Center (DVRCC) - Cecil County Tel: (410) 996-0333 24 Hour Hotline: (410) 996-0333 www.cecilhelp4u.com • Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center (SARC) Harford County 24 Hour Hotline: (410) 836-8430 www.sarc-maryland.org
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
HEALTH
Neil Harman was 14 when he first tried OxyContin.
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Seeking Sobriety By Neil Harman | Owl Staff
I remember frantically pacing my parent’s empty house that Thursday afternoon clawing at my skin, desperate for a peace of mind. I was out of drugs again. This had become a part of my routine, but every time I found myself here it cut a little deeper. I was scary skinny at 6 feet 2 inches and 150 pounds soaking wet. My face was sunken: an oily pale yellow shimmer hidden by patchy facial hair. I looked malnourished and homeless, seemingly sworn to the same disgusting band-T and sweatpants
simply provide myself with the drugs I so desperately craved. Consequently, my mother became a nervous wreck, constantly crying out asking what happened to her little boy. My father became cold, sick and tired of even trying to communicate with his too-far-gone son. My sisters were scared of even the sight of me. I knew what I had become; I had known it for some time. But that Thursday afternoon I was finally ready to ask for help; I was finally ready to change.
“I was a full-blown addict that resembled only the shell of a human being...” riddled with holes from passing out holding still lit cigarettes. There was no life in my eyes. They were left to illuminate nothing but the miserable existence I felt destined to. I had been addicted to OxyContin for longer than I could remember. It wasn’t always like this. I grew up right outside of Richmond, Virginia with an uncanny enthusiasm for life. I loved my family and friends passionately. I was an above average student and athlete. I had all the friends I could ask for. But then I found drugs. I was 14 when I first tried OxyContin. A friend had found them in his grandmother’s medicine cabinet and brought them to school for us to try. One time led to another time, and that led to another time. Eventually, I was a full-blown addict that resembled only the shell of a human being, destroying everything in my sight just for another high. I had transformed into a thief, taking advantage of my family that loved me the most. I had stolen and manipulated my way into an innumerable amount of money to
I wouldn’t be able to do this alone. Trial and error had revealed that much. I was going to need an army to destroy this demon that had so intricately maneuvered its way around my soul, suffocating any sense of dignity I still held for myself. With the help of my family, I checked myself into a drug and alcohol treatment center. From there, they recommended I come to a town called Bel Air, Maryland for further treatment. I agreed, and here, in Bel Air, is where my journey truly began. When I first came to this town I was quickly forced into a world completely foreign to me. I didn’t know anyone. I was hours away from anything familiar. I felt alone and I was scared. But I knew I couldn’t let my fear cripple me. I chose to seek out the army I so desperately needed and once I did, I found it. I found a recovery community that possessed a level of admiration, integrity and confidence that I was completely without. I craved the inner peace so apparent in their lives and was willing to do anything to have that myself.
This community was sober, comfortably sober, and had lived a life just like mine, shackled to drugs and alcohol. I wanted what they had so I made the decision to ask them for help. They rallied around me, explaining to me that they found purpose by contributing to the stream of life and helping others that were once just like them. They taught me how to soul-search, how to humble myself, how to clean up the wreckage of my past, how to continuously live a day at a time, and walk through life’s trials and tribulations. What started as a belief turned into a faith because it worked. I’m 25 years old now and have been sober and in recovery for over five years. The teachings I learned early on continue to work so long that I continue to take action. As a result, nothing about my life today resembles what it once was, except that I still occasionally wear a band-T. Once expelled from high school, I have a 4.0 GPA at HCC. Once unable to hold a job, I’ve been employed at my current job for over three years and I even wear a tie. Once suffering in extreme isolation, today my life is ecstatically full with friends. I all but ruined the relationships with my family, but today my parents and sisters are truly proud. My experience has constantly availed to me the power of connecting with others. Through this power, I have found purpose in my life. I have found grace, dignity, love and tolerance. I have found peace. I have found myself. But this isn’t about me. It is my hope that if anyone is suffering they can come to believe that they too can live a happy, purposeful life. Left to my own devices, I’m a drug addicted black-out king. Only by continuously seeking others for help and support have I given myself a chance.
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT
Slavery in Modern America By Anira O’Bannon | Photography by Kristina McComas | Owl Staff
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Angel was 22 years old when she came across a tempting job advertisement on Craigslist. The job presented itself as a harmless gig, a “tasteful” photo-shoot. But Angel soon found out there was more behind it. Responding to that ad turned her reality into a nightmare and she became a victim of human trafficking. Human trafficking is the illegal transportation of persons to carry out forced labor, and it’s a crime that’s gaining momentum with each passing day. Human trafficking comes in various forms but it’s common to see victims of labor and sex trafficking. This crime isn’t restricted to one race, gender, religion or age group, which means the window for those to fall victim is large. According to the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF), 600,000 to 800,000 people are estimated to be trafficked yearly. The state of Maryland plays a large role in this and is considered a hub for trafficking. Maryland’s accessibility to large cities like New York, the conveniently placed BWI airport and the multitude of truck and bus stops have proven to be resourceful; trafficking victims often find themselves transported through and picked up in Maryland. In Maryland, those found guilty of trafficking a minor can face up to 25 years in prison. However, if the victim is over 18, the penalty can be reduced to a misdemeanor, which would result in a maximum sentence of ten years. With this accessibility to major cities and limited penalty for trafficking, it is not surprising that Maryland is considered one of the top states for the crime.
The events Angel endured still run fresh through her mind as she shares some of the emotions she felt. “As time moved on, I found myself in a trance state where my mind was not present while my body was being abused…my thoughts were often ‘is this all I’m worth?’” She further reflects on her feelings saying, “…there was no light left in my life.” Angel came from a home that she considered “chaotic.” She was separated from her husband and daughters due to not being employed and the extreme postpartum depression she experienced.
“As time moved on, I found myself in a trance state where my mind was not present.” A huge fear for Angel, however, was leaving her pimp without being tracked. After going from being on her own to being under constant watch, she got used to always having someone to answer to. Angel says these “pimps” make up a trafficking ring, the group of people in charge of the victims being trafficked. They decide what the victim does next. But Angel considers herself lucky because she was eventually able to escape this unspeakable situation.
Angel was on a “date” with someone who was an undercover officer and he eventually convinced her to leave with him. The officer brought her to one of the organizations in Maryland that aid trafficking victims. Safe House of Hope, located in Baltimore, Maryland, acts as an agent for said victims’ safety and provides a home for them, just like they did for Angel. Organizations like Safe House of Hope search for victims, bring them to safety and provide aid to nurture them back to a state of wellness. Angel, now 27, works with Denene Yates, director of the organization. The help she has received has pushed her into feeling more like herself every day. “Meeting Denene and her help has given light to my life again and shown me that my life is not over, that people can want good things for you,” Angel says of her time with the group. “That was a hefty lifestyle to endure, but I’m making progress towards healing.” Safe House of Hope also provides a talk line that gives comfort for the victims. “Sometimes victims call five or six times and hang up because they’re nervous and want to make sure someone is actually there,” Yates says. “But, no matter what, they continue to call.” Undergoing forced acts, fighting to have control over yourself, and having your mental and physical limits pushed – this is the reality of human trafficking victims. Volunteering at these organizations and bringing awareness to them can help prevent this from becoming a reality for someone else.
RESOURCES MD Human Trafficking Task Force mdhumantrafficking.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Safe House of Hope safehouseofhope.org
1-888-373-7888
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
BUSINESS
A Nation in Chains By Joe Rein | Photography by Kristina McComas | Owl Staff
Private prison organizations spend millions of dollars lobbying Congress for judges to set higher bail amounts for inmates. The United States of America is commonly referred to as the land of the free and the home of the brave. But if that statement holds true, why does the United States have the largest number of people residing in prisons worldwide? Crime rates in the U.S. are similar to those of many other developed countries in the world according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. However, the difference between our imprisonment rates is vast. The United States Census Bureau determined that the U.S. only accounts for 5% of the world’s entire population, yet the International Crime Victims Survey states that 25% of people imprisoned around the world are in American prisons. In 1971, Former U.S. President Richard Nixon began the War on Drugs, declaring drug abuse to be public enemy number one. Efforts were put towards forming the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in 1973. The DEA began to crack down on drug related crime, including abuse, possession, smuggling and dealing of any illegal substance in the United States. Overcrowding and rising costs became problems for local, state and federal prisons because of new inmates that were arrested for illegal drug possession, so they turned to forprofit prisons to ease the burden of overcrowding.
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Private prisons differ from government run prisons in that they are for-profit facilities operated by a third party. They are contracted by a government agency to house the inmates publicly-funded prisons do not have the space for. The private prison industry began with the founding of the Corrections Corporation of America in 1983. During the War on Drugs, the private prison industry thrived due to the new influx of inmates, and still do to this day, reaching a national peak of 137,220 inmates in 2012. According to the Sentencing Project, a research and advocacy center based in Washington D.C., the number of people incarcerated for drug crimes has increased 1000% since 1980, growing from 41,000 people to around 488,400 people. There are more people incarcerated for drug related crimes today then there were for crimes of any kind in 1980. This growth, however, is not equal within all communities in the U.S. The Sentencing Project states that out of all white men born in the year 2001, only one in seventeen is likely to be held in prison. One in every six Latino men born in 2001 are likely to be held in prison. For African American men born the same year, the likelihood is one in every three.
Since 1989, these two companies and their associates have donated over $10 million to candidates, and have spent almost $25 million on lobbying efforts, according to The Washington Post. Award-winning director Eugene Jarecki believes, “The prison industrial complex is perhaps, at least domestically, the most striking example of us putting profit before people.” Jarecki directed The House I Live In, a documentary about drug policy in the United States and the repercussions of the War on Drugs. “It all stems from one basic misunderstanding,” he says. “The public good can be shepherded by private interests.” Critics argue that private prisons cost the taxpayer and the government money without giving enough back to the community for that relationship to be considered beneficial, or even mutual. Others argue that private prisons lessen the load for our government. As long as our nation utilizes private prisons in the way we do now, America will continue to debate whether we are the land of the free or a nation in chains.
Of today’s U.S. prison population, 67% are nonwhite inmates. Aside from any racial implications, the occupancy rates private prisons require could be responsible for the increased incarceration numbers. According to In the Public Interest, a public services research and policy group based in Washington D.C., the majority of private prison contracts require state and local governments to maintain a certain occupancy rate. This rate usually comes to around 80 to 90 percent and if not met, taxpayers are required to pay for the empty beds, even if the crime rate of that particular area is fluctuating. Upper bar inmates, which are inmates that are awaiting trial, have accounted for 95% of the growth in jail population in the past 15 years according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. It could be argued that many of these people are put behind bars so that the state can meet the occupancy rate included in private contracts. The two largest private prison corporations in America, GEO and Corrections Corporation of America, received nearly $3 billion in revenue each in 2010.
Incarceration Rates in Different Countries (per 100,000 population) Data from World Prison Population List, 2015 Graph not to scale
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80
86
106
378
United States
United Kingdom
Canada
Italy
Ireland
Norway
*
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
Freedom Road
FEATURE
ON THE
By Ryan Dickman & Ryan Moriarty Additional Reporting by Liz Doyle Photography by Faras Aamir | Owl Staff
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Leaving the Department of Motor Vehicles with my 2004 Toyota Tundra was the first moment the machine and I bonded. It lasted me three years and 75,000 miles. At the end of our journey, it was a friend. It had brought me all over the state, through miles and miles of open road. Cars often evoke a connection between man and machine, and create a sense of freedom for the driver. That truck was my gateway to freedom. Published in 1957, Jack Kerouac’s On the Road follows the adventures of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty as they embark on four cross-country journeys. The novel painted a picture of beatniks, referring to a young person in the 1950s–60s, using America’s highway to travel from coast to coast. According to William Plummer of The New York Times, “Kerouac and his cohorts were indeed ‘cultural pioneers.’ More than just a nostalgic figure in the carpet of the 50’s, Kerouac is an uncanny archetype for a whole generation of Americans who trekked through the 1960s and 1970s.” This novel gave a voice to American youth who craved more than the mundane small town America.
The 1950s gave birth to cars that were fast, exciting and powerful. The super highways were flooded with people wanting to see all the country had to offer. For example, in the 1983 movie Vacation, the infamous Griswold family used their Wagon Queen Family Truckster to go from the suburbs of Chicago to Wally World, an amusement park located in Southern California. However, cross-country road trips may be a thing of the past. Cars are still a topic of interest to many people, but with the passing of time and the digitalizing of many systems in the vehicle there are fewer aspects of driving that require the full input of the driver. Inventions like automatic transmissions, cameras in the mirrors, and the upcoming cars that even drive themselves are all progressive, but they can also reduce the intimacy between the vehicle and its operator. Self-driving cars will make the need of an operator completely obsolete. So how has driving been developed to fit in a modern America where personality is sacrificed for convenience? ›
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The manual transmission was once the only option, but now people seem to prefer automatic as shown by Edmunds. com. According to their website, as of 2013 only “3.9% of new cars sold for the year had manual transmissions” and the number has decreased since then. Now some cars park themselves, and soon cameras will replace a rear-view mirror. Before, driving always required the complete control and awareness of the driver, and demanded a connection between the driver and machine. It called for the driver to have full control, and the vehicle was a tool for the driver to bond with. Now, cars have become so computerized that driver input is becoming less and less necessary. The loss of connection is something that is going to continue in the future. Soon the driver will be just another passenger. According to Business Insider, a fully driverless vehicle will debut in 2019. Technology is also a factor in this. The danger of texting and driving has become so severe that the autonomous car is being advertised as the answer. People say that these cars will be safer, but they might not be as safe as people think. Google’s self-driving car has driven 400,000 miles. According to Mike Monticello of Consumer Reports, “A human driver has had to assume control of these purportedly selfdriving vehicles more than 340 times, an average of 22.7 times a month.” The reason for that is “the self-driving technology failed” and the driver had to take over. Self-driving cars are predicted to be able to provide transport for people who cannot and should not drive. This would give independence to physically impaired and elders. According to Jerry Hirsch of The Baltimore Sun, “Google ran a trial with a blind person who usually spends two hours on public transit to go to work. Google’s experimental self-driving Prius, with a licensed driver at the controls for backup, was able to drive the person to work in 30 minutes.” Although the future price of self-driving cars remains unknown, David Hosansky of CQ Researcher states, “The
3.9%
of cars sold in the U.S. were built with manual transmissions
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light-detection and ranging system atop a Google selfdriving car, known as LIDAR, costs about $70,000 and enables the vehicle to scan its surroundings times a human and driver had to take determine control of a selfits location. Additional driving vehicle sensors, software due to technology and technology can failure add another $30,000.” While the future of self-driving cars is still distant, several automakers are already in the works of designing and testing. According to The New York Times, General Motors has already “invested $500 million in Lyft and has announced that it would test self-driving electric taxis on public roads within a year.” These numbers raise eyebrows. It seems the consensus is that driving will always need a human element. However, the current goal of the auto industry is to eliminate human error, even if the driver still needs to pay attention to the road. But what about the subculture of people who live and breathe cars? Those who meet in parking lots on early Saturday mornings, just to show off their horsepower and chrome. The people who simply want to turn head with their rides. John Manlucu, a 22-year-old student at the University at Buffalo, considers himself fully immersed in the subculture of car lovers. Through cars and the people who drive them, he has learned life lessons that find value outside of their unique hobby. Manlucu drives a 2002 BMW M3 and considers his car “an extension of my personality.” He loves when “man and machine become one and you have total control,” a feeling that truly transcends just transportation. To a true enthusiast, Manlucu has trouble relying on self-driving technology. For our society, it fits the direction we’re heading. “We live in a microwave oriented generation where people want things done quickly and easily instead of having to overcome the struggle of the journey itself. Trusting base algorithms and unaware artificial intelligence to a moving machine will always be sketchy.” Lolo Cernik, a Graphic Design major at Harford Community College, shares Manlucu’s adoration of cars. “My car is my freedom,” says Cernik. “Whenever I have gas, we go on adventures together.”
340+
Cernik and Manlucu also share similar opinions about technological advancements interfering with the feeling of being in control. “While self-driving cars may assist in preventing careless mistakes on the road, the lack of human control will somewhat take away the feeling of independence,” Cernik adds. Daniel Billings, a history major at HCC, has also developed a deep bond with his car. “I’ve taken a lot of trips with my car so it means a good bit to me,” says Billings. “The big perk of turning 16 was being able to drive and having more personal freedom. It feels good to have the option to go wherever I want whenever I want.” Along with Manlucu and Cernik, Billings feels as though freedom will be jeopardized with the implementation of self-driving cars. “If a car is completely self-powered with no manual way to drive, there will be a huge loss of individuality,” says Billings. The idea of a machine using artificial intelligence and cameras to control our roads is a way of life some won’t want to relinquish. Still we look towards the future, as technology and society always will. Artificial intelligence will find its place in the auto industry and enthusiasts will find their place on the roads in the very near future. But here is hoping to a future that maintains a connection desperately needed on our roads. Our country will be divided between the people who love to drive cars and those who want the car to drive itself, and our love affair with the thrill of driving may have to come to an end. Super highways may soon resemble conveyor belts and cars may soon resemble roving living rooms or mobile offices. Most of all, the physical act of driving may be a thing of the past. However, we must be optimistic and hopeful that the art of driving is preserved unless we want to forget about the bond that can be built between man and machines. If this bond is rendered stale and digitalized, the memories once shared between driver and vehicle could fade with the future, and those moments I shared with my Toyota Tundra may never be felt by another in a fully computerized age.
Rov ing Reporte r
H o w w i l l s e l f- d r i v i n g c a rs i m p a c t s o c i e t y? “I think it will make people lazy. There will be a huge loss of jobs because there will be machines making these selfdriving cars and less job for people.” - Abdul Lowe, Accounting Major
“It depends on the situation and person. If someone shouldn’t be behind the wheel, technology will be able to detect that.” - Yandrea Guzmal, Nursing Major
“I think we’re just continuing to learn different ways to use that technology and impact the economy other than traditional sense of what we used before.” - Joe Smeton, General Studies Major
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
FEATURE
A Capital Voyage An Inside Look at the 45th
By Nick DeMent | Photography by Reed Freeman | Owl Staff A year has passed since America was introduced to its new president, and opinions remain as diverse today as they did the day he was sworn in. As I left my house on the early morning of January 20, 2017, a slight drizzle was falling from a slate colored sky, mirroring the faded asphalt of the long road to the MARC train station in Baltimore. There, I was to meet a handful of other Owl Magazine staffers for our journey to the Capital. After we assembled our party and acquired tickets to D.C., we boarded the train with one goal in mind: to capture the essence and opinions of the people.
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The first opportunity for some insight occurred on the Metro itself while interviewing two young men: Jeremy, a 27-year-old law student at Berkeley, and his friend Ryan Roger, a 29-year-old musician. “It’s a real sad moment in our history,” Jeremy said. “[Trump’s platform is] about race, immigration, Muslims and turning people against each other who have much in common. Rejecting bigotry and hatred at all junctions is what we have to do.” As for Roger, he shared his friend’s disturbance with the election of Trump. “We are seeing economic and xenophobic forces rise,” Roger said. “When you
Presidential Inauguration start hearing fascist rhetoric you have to show up, and people haven’t done that in the past.” Both of them were supporters of Bernie Sanders in the Democratic race. They believed he mobilized a huge public message that touched millions of people, and they were not supporters of Hillary Clinton. Shortly afterward we arrived at the station, the hum of excitement buzzed in the air as hundreds of people moved about the station, some dressed in patriotic costumes and many more waving signs of political statements. Around every corner
there were military, private security, and police accompanied by inquisitive search dogs. As we exited the station, we encountered a man holding a sign comparing Trump to Hitler. Robert Meringolo from Albany, New York, an avid antiTrump protester. “They won’t let me carry this sign without a permit, which is a violation of free speech,” he said. “They are trying to sanitize this. They were going to arrest me.” ›
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College students traveled from Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan to witness the inauguration. When he told the police what they were doing was violating his rights, Meringolo said they responded, “We don’t care.” “This man has shredded every value; he’s a con-artist,” he declared. Marching alongside droves of protesters and supporters, mantras of “not my president!” filled the air, and many heads adorned with red “Make America Great Again” hats poked out of the crowds. It was not long before we made it to the checkpoint of the Capitol grounds, and after making our way through the bustling crowd and an extensive search process, we arrived at the heart of the inauguration. Looking around we quickly noticed the emptiness of the area. There were thousands of people there, but large stretches of land were accompanied only by discarded trash and there were far less people there than I expected. Another thing I found out of place were the six religious officials present, each a representative of various Christian and Jewish orthodoxies.
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The atmosphere was then filled with prayers and blessings of every sort. To me this felt very inappropriate; I wondered just how separate church and state are, not to mention the ethical implications that occur when using influential religious figures in such a powerful political setting. As the microphone feedback settled and the echoes of blessings faded, we came across a Vietnam Veteran named Gary Gone, a 63-year-old stout Trump supporter. Gone believed in Trump and confidently stated he “wants to unite this country, we have been divided for the last seven years.” To him Americans have “become lazy,” and “other countries think, ‘come to America, you get everything for free!’” He blamed our economic problems on “ghetto rats” and added that “Trump is gonna end all that.” 19-year-old Political Science major at Heidelberg University, Andrew Aviles, felt that “neither candidate was perfect.” When asked why he supported Trump he told us, “I’m Latino, there’s a big misunderstanding that because we are Latino we immediately have to hate Trump, like the same misunderstanding with women. He put a face and a
name on what we want and what we don’t want, when it comes to Latinos. He put a face and a name on illegal and legal immigration.” He then later remarked, “[The] media was very biased; they shamed anything he said.” Unfortunately, we had a difficult time finding more Trump supporters to speak to. Despite many attempts to ask their opinions, most ignored our questions or refused to comment.
“Marching alongside droves of protesters and supporters, mantras of ‘Not my president!’ filled the air.”
voted for Trump because he’s “not Hillary, anyone but Hillary,” as well as being unanimously against abortion and Planned Parenthood. Our day was coming to a close when we ran into a 43-year-old project manager for a company that develops software, Scott Merillat. “Nothing about his values are virtuous, everything is about him and his agenda,” Merillat said. “[His agenda cares] nothing about the poor, nothing about building and making the world a better place.” As we departed, I remember looking up at the panoramic, pale gray sky that hung like a thick sheet of wool over the stark concrete city. On the long journey home I contemplated that day and what it meant for the future of America. For some, the future seemed bleak, reflected in the murky sky, while others celebrated a new beginning to come. Many people showed their support for those that felt disenfranchised.
In contrast to Andrew’s thoughts, we found a few young women in a closely-knit group. Clara White, a 20-year-old Psychology major at George Washington University, Anna Larocco Masi a 21-year-old Political Science major, and Anna Du, a 20-year-old Political Science major. LaRocco Masi told us they were there to stand up for the LGBT community and women’s rights. In regard to Trump’s comments on women Masi felt, “It’s disgusting, and I don’t think we should have a president who is being tried for stuff like that.” They told us that Trump supporters had verbally assaulted them earlier in the day, calling them “losers,” as well as slinging sexist and profane slurs the women did not wish to repeat. All they were doing was standing and showing their support for those they feel need it. Their other concerns were for the future of reproductive rights for women. “A lot of people don’t understand that abortions aren’t federally funded,” White said. “And that it is only three percent of what Planned Parenthood provides.” Trump wants to defund Planned Parenthood because he is pro-life. However, Planned Parenthood also provides contraception and treatment for STDs and infections. “Women are literally half of this country, and that’s disregarding an entire population. Not everyone agrees on abortions, but everyone should agree women should get the health care they need,” White said. As we departed the Capitol grounds we saw a group of young women wearing “Trump” hats and other accessories showing their support for the new president. While they were around the same age as the previous group of women, their political beliefs were quite different. Cydney Bentley, Grace Rummler, Andrea, and Kate Waskvisch, students from Saginaw Valley State, Michigan, all agreed they mostly
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
FEATURE
The Women’s March Photography by Danielle Frater & Mike Stenger | Owl Staff
The Women’s March on January 22, 2017 was the single largest day of protest in American history. According to The Washington Post, an estimated 4 million people marched in solidarity in cities across the United States. Check out these personal accounts of why these locals chose to march.
Why I Marched By Danielle Frater Owl Staff I marched because I refuse to sit quietly and watch people being discriminated against because of their race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and sexual orientation. I marched because I believe in equality for all. In addition to the march itself, the train ride there was a highlight. With each stop different groups of people boarded the train and sharing their stories. I sat next to a man from California who flew to Maryland just for the march.
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Why I Marched
By Mike Stenger Owl Staff
I marched because I see huge potential in our society when women are elevated. You can already see it happening — a whole half of the population starving to make things better, to set higher standards of moral integrity, grow more loving communities, more efficient workplaces and more poignant art. This became very real to me, seeing who showed up to the march opened my eyes even more to the contributions my women
friends have provided the world. I’ve been blessed with a mother and sister, both incredibly strong role models that I’m often guilty of taking for granted. This was for them. People have given all kinds of online objections for thinking the march was illegitimate — noise from the right told the snowflakes to go back to work (on a Saturday), while voices from the left accused the protest of being too milquetoast for 2017. It was so much more colorful and meaningful than what people saw on TV or Facebook, in my experience. So many different groups were represented in solidarity that I think, even more than speaking to the population’s disapproval of its leadership, it highlighted the fact that people from all corners of the nation, the world, are impacted by the status of women. We all have skin in the game. ›
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Why I Marched By Matt Tennyson Owl Staff One of the most controversial figures in modern American history was sworn into office as the 45th President of the United States. One day later, America witnessed the largest protest it has ever seen. I decided these two events were interesting enough to attend so that I could get an idea of why people were there. Simply getting down there was a feat. Lines of people were out past the parking lot at every single metro station on the way into D.C. People would chant, sing, and shout in unison to the tune of anything that put down the president-elect. Despite this, there were a varied number of political philosophies represented, from anarchists, to Republicans that hated Trump, to far left-leaning liberals and everything in between. My goal was to go down there and talk to the people who felt disenfranchised and hear what they had to say. As someone who is also concerned by the rise of Trump and the rhetoric he has made mainstream, I had to be aware of my inherent bias. Instead of just joining the chants and falling in line with the atmosphere, however, I would challenge people to think about why he got elected. I wanted people to see between the lines.
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Signs voic ed concer ns felt by those who part icipated in the Wo men’s Ma rch.
Why I Marched By Tacy Brown (Age 11) Owl Junior Staff I went to the Woman’s March because I wanted to stand up to the things Donald Trump had said about women because they were rude and sexist. I expected there to be a lot of people, and there were even more than I expected! My experience at the march was fun and interesting; the highlight of the day for me was when the march finally started and when Madonna came on. We walked for a long time and it was very loud, but there was no violence. Everyone was holding up signs, but I didn’t because my arm would probably get really tired since we had already walked for a few hours. Some people played drums, which was interesting and set a nice mood. It was my first protest since I was one year old. That march was in support of breast feeding in public. I obviously don’t remember that, but if there was a protest in support about breast feeding now, I would go to it. I would participate in another march if it’s for a good cause because the people who are in the wrong need to be shown that not everyone is behind them.
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A mural in Tribeca, New York by French artist JR honors immigrant children who passed through Ellis Island.
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Land of the Free
2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
BEYOND CAMPUS
Home of the Immigrants By John Myers | Photography by Josh Eller | Owl Staff Imagine packing everything into a suitcase and leaving home behind. Before Ellis Island closed, 12 million immigrants faced this experience themselves. Like immigrants from all over the world, they took a chance at the pursuit of happiness. In 1956, a young couple full of love and dreams huddled together on a small motorboat toward Miami, chasing “the American Dream.” This is how my grandparent’s journey began during the Cuban Revolution. My grandfather, Frank Castro, was fleeing in an attempt to escape being drafted by the Cuban government. It was his undying love for my grandmother, Olga Castro, which motivated him to start a new life in the United States. Stories like this are not uncommon to hear, because this beautiful country is made up almost entirely of immigrants. Unless you are of Native American descent, then the genesis of your existence in this country was immigration. The idea of immigration is fascinating to me. The fact that a myriad of people from all over the world decided to come here says something remarkably powerful about the ideas our country represents. What is it about the U.S. that attracts so much diversity? For my grandparents, it was true freedom. As my grandmother sat on her living room couch watching her large flat screen TV, with her dog in her lap, I saw her American Dream. As she sipped on her tea, I asked her “What does freedom mean to you?” “Upward mobility, freedom of speech, press and religion,” she
responds. “Cuba was paradise until … [Fidel Castro] took over and started throwing anyone in jail if they said or wrote something that went against the government,” she says. “Then they started taking everyone’s money and enlisting children as young as 15 to murder, rob and steal for him.” She mentioned horrific events occurring prior to her journey to the U.S. She told me about the riots and revolts of the citizens and the governments tyrannical response to them.
Her mother said, “This is the only place in the world where I think it’s truly possible to go from having nothing, to having more than you need. You have to work for it though.” Danielle Frater, born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, believes that the U.S. allows her the freedom to chase her passions any way she desires. She explained that Jamaica is “a very traditional country in terms of education and career. People either work as a teacher, office clerk, or at the banks.”
“Unless you were of Native American descent, the genesis of your existence in this country was immigration.” Her story really put things into perspective for me. I now have a new understanding of the word “freedom.” To gain further insight, I spoke to my next subject. As a first generation citizen, his parents grew up in Haiti prior to coming to the U.S. We gathered around the dining room table adorned with Creole chicken and black rice prepared by his mom. I asked, “What does freedom to you?” She replied, “It would have to be opportunity. We came from a very poor village in Haiti. Hunger became a normal thing. Women and children would spend days just to find and gather clean water.” One day, her father gave her and her husband what little savings he had and encouraged them to buy a plane ticket to the U.S.
Her passion for art and computers inspired her to take on a career in graphic design. “You guys have better resources than in Jamaica, especially in the design community,” she says. “The tools were already there for me to succeed, I just had to use them.” She believes “the American dream” is “to work hard, get a great job, a great family and live happily ever after.” After hearing these stories, it seems a common dream is to work hard and make a great life for you and your family. This belief in the American Dream is what has drawn countless people to our shores. I now feel a sense of gratitude and have a new perspective on how lucky we are to live in a country like the U.S. My family and I are glad to call it our home.
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
EDUCATION
Hands-On Learning
A Look at Alternative Education Article & Photography by Julia Whiteford | Owl Staff It’s noon on a weekday, and Sarah and Allison Dietz are in the kitchen making lunch. They studiously inspect the nutrition information on the food package, explaining that it is part of their home-economics course to do so. In the background, their brother William carefully completes his spelling test. Outside, their siblings Benjamin and Lillian are riding their bikes, having already finished school for the day. Like many others, the Dietz family have decided to take an active approach when it came to their children’s education. They decided that using an unconventional method would be the best course of action. According to the Department of Education, 91% of students in the United States currently attend public school. So what about the rest? Why would someone decide that a public school education was not for them? What other kinds of education are there? No two students are alike, and these education methods are designed to be just as unique. Unschooling is a new, up and coming form of fluid and adaptable education. According to an article about unschooling on PBS Parents’ website, unschooling is “a branch of homeschooling that promotes nonstructured, child-led learning. There’s no set curriculum or schedule.” The idea of unschooling is that children, by nature, strive to learn. If something interests them, they will pursue it in their own time until they know more about it. A student who is unschooled doesn’t have a set schedule. They take charge of their own education, and learn what
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they want to learn. Left to their own devices, many unschoolers have found their passions, and pursued them to college. Unschooling can be tricky to pull off without knowing the rules first. In Maryland, a parent is required to have a portfolio of student work to show a reviewer who can pass the student. This may seem contradictory to the unschooling curriculum, but many parents have found ways to prove that their student is truly learning.
where students take charge of their own curriculum and their own environment. It’s a very handson approach to learning and, like unschooling, Montessori teachers believe that every child has a yearning to learn. Gaye Novak, director of Human Resources at Bridges Montessori School in Bel Air and Towson, explains that Montessori schools are very community-centered as well. Students who attend Bridges
“The idea of unschooling is that children, by nature, strive to learn.” Unschooling parents have found that documenting bits of student’s readings, writings, drawings, or activities for the review is a sufficient way to prove that the student is meeting the subject requirements. They can also come up with projects that the student might enjoy for them to complete. Each piece of work includes a description of how it met the subject area’s requirements. Many unschooling parents have also found that, through the use of a homeschool umbrella that shares their views, they can have an easier time keeping track of what is required of them and their student. Umbrellas like Many Paths of Natural Learning Philosophy in Jessup, Maryland do not require any sort of specific curriculum, and it is a popular choice among Maryland unschoolers. Montessori schools are another alternative form of education
Montessori often go out into their community and interact with the environment, including the chickens they take care of each day. “It’s not teacher directed, it’s child centered,” she explains. While public education is very much focused on learning for tests, Montessori education looks at the whole child. The curriculum is set up sequentially in that a child cannot go on to the second lesson until they complete the first one. At Bridges Montessori, the classrooms consists of mixed aged groupings. Novak adds, “The younger children learn from the older children, and the older children become peer teachers and mentors, and that takes on a whole other level of responsibility, and pride.” Students who want a more customizable calendar may consider homeschooling instead.
Benjamin Dietz, age 11, has been homeschooled his entire life. Homeschooling is a great option for students whose needs aren’t being met in public school. Whether that is a hands-on approach when it comes to learning, heavy literature courses to keep them engaged, or even the flexibility and freedom to take a family vacation in September, homeschooling gives students the freedom to reach their full potential. Benjamin Dietz, a homeschool student, likes homeschooling because “[He doesn’t] have to stay in school for nine periods, eight hours a day.” Students can completely forego a parent’s instruction through the use of accredited online education programs, or can have a mixture of co-op instruction and curriculum based education with their parent’s guidance. According to the National Home Education Research Institute, students
who are homeschooled typically score 15-30 percentile points above public schoolers on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT, and more often graduate earlier. The Dietz family found that going year-round while homeschooling was the best approach for them. Students who follow the year-round calendar are less likely to lose what they’ve learned. As Amy Dietz, a homeschool mother of 10, puts it, “Going year round, it’s consistent, it’s thorough.” Maybe the student needs a more regimented schedule, but not quite the approach that public school takes. If that’s the case, private school might be best. When thinking of private school, some think of disciplined nuns with rulers. However, it might just be the best choice for a student who is having a hard time in public school.
When it comes to standardized testing, such as the SAT, private schoolers tend to do better. In a study conducted by the Center on Education Policy, which was carefully controlled for socioeconomic status, it was concluded that private schools do more to develop students’ test taking skills. Harford Day School, Friends School of Harford, and The Highlands School are some secular private schools offered in Harford County. A small example of religiously affiliated private schools in the county are The John Carroll School, Trinity Lutheran, and New Covenant. Public school is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone is different, and everyone has an intrinsic yearning to learn. It’s important to know one’s learning style and to cater to that natural curiosity and passion.
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2018 | OWL MAGAZINE
CULTURE
Freeganism
Turning Trash to Treasure Article & Photography by Bre Mascetti | Owl Staff
While dumpster diving is considered legal in the state of Maryland, it is not permitted on HCC’s campus. I couldn’t imagine myself surrounded by heaps of leaking garbage bags smelling of wet dog and dirty diapers. But that is exactly what I found myself doing one Friday afternoon in the town of Bel Air, Maryland. Initially, I had done an elaborate research paper on “Freegans.” These self-described radicals fight and protest big corporations and the consumer driven lifestyle companies perpetuate. As a self-proclaimed “rebel without a cause,” I was intrigued. I already donate to my local consignment and second-hand shops, but what else could I do to contribute to the cause? Freegans take their ideology to the extreme. This community forages for
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clothing, food, and other useful goods from residential and retail dumpsters, and avoid paying for any merchandise. I thought going to Bel Air would be perfect. It is the perfect size city to find business’s overstocked, discontinued, or damaged goods. But after a debate with a friend, I realized I needed to know my laws. I scoured the internet to no prevail, so I called my local town hall where they connected me with Bel Air’s Chief of Police. I was assured that there were no local laws banning the act, but was reminded to obey the “No Trespassing” signs and stay aware of curtilage, the residential areas associated to a home.
I decided to further my research. I found many Facebook groups associated with Freeganism and dumpster diving. The communities had pictures and videos from the members dives; it was clear to me that when it was my turn I would not leave disappointed. Witnessing these real-life dumpster divers score loads of trash was inspiring. I had to get in the dumpster! I rallied a few friends and a stock pile of gloves to go exploring the back allies in town. Suited in rubber boots and medical grade gloves, we approached our first group of dumpsters. The first two were completely empty. I was starting to worry. What if I found no treasure?
We kept going. I saw a large dumpster across the parking lot at the rear of a major retail store. I could already see a brand-new toilet and office chair piled on top of pallets of wood. We climbed the edges of the container. The chair had broken hydraulics and was missing a wheel, but could easily be replaced. We found industrial light bulbs, bags containing little metal pieces, and expired beef jerky. Our adrenaline was starting to rise. We found something. We pulled up to a more secluded location with plenty of dumpsters overfilling with treasure. I was mostly excited about this location because one of the dumpsters belonged to a make-up store and I heard they throw out the best products. I was not wrong. After a brief dig through empty, broken down boxes, we found a box taped shut. Jackpot! Mascara, eye shadow pallets, lipsticks, all still in their original boxes! We found products worth big bucks just waiting to be thrown into a landfill. We dug through the box picking for our favorites. Our bounty was large just from this one dumpster. As we looked through the bins, a car pulled up. I assumed it was driven by an employee at one of the stores. We were slightly nervous and didn’t want to cause conflict so we decided to leave. The Facebook groups have posts warning about the privacy of dumpster diving. They prefer the store names not to be mentioned in case a manager or corporate boss decides to lock the dumpster or post ‘No Trespassing’ signs. We did not want to perpetuate this issue and moved on to the next stop. We tried various office supply stores, video game shops, and more retail shops to no avail. I heard a rumor that trash pickup day was on Tuesdays, but I guess that rumor was false. Most of the dumpsters were empty! As we were walking back to the car, I spotted something behind one of the dumpsters. It was two tall wooden chairs decorated with scratches and watermarks left by the rain. They seemed to need a few tightened screws, but would be perfect in someone’s house as bar stools. This was not our only furniture find. One company had a large table broken to pieces in their dumpster along with other small office supplies. Next to that dumpster, we found a stool with “X” marks carved into the cushion. For our last stop, we decided to go to the back of a grocery store. Other divers find most of their treasures at similar stores. The first dumpster we came to was piled high with the most foul smelling trash we had encountered that day. Bags were filled with what appeared to be rotten fruit and produce. That was not what I came here looking for. There was a dumpster right behind it. We opened the bin and found exactly what sought: heaps of bread with the ‘Sell-By’ dated for that same day, bags of Italian baguettes, French bread, and sliced bread.
Rescuing quality food before it is sent to line the landfills is what being a Freegan is all about. They save not only money, but the environment. The members on the Facebook groups were right, dumpster diving is an adrenaline rush and addictive. I already have another dive planned. I am hopeful that with more experience will come more finds. Although I was first hesitant to get in the dumpster, I am not remorseful. I’m hoping that my experience inspires other to get the dumpster and save the planet one tube of lip gloss at a time.
D iving Tips • According to the 1988 Supreme Court Ruling California vs. Greenwood, unless there is a “No Trespassing” sign or lock present, you are free to dive!
• It is recommended to come prepared with gloves, flashlights, and containers to haul your finds.
• There is power in numbers. Bring some friends with you to help pick through dumpsters faster.
• Although diving at night is preferred due to less harassment from store owners, daytime picking is recommended for safety reasons.
• Be aware of trash pick-up days. The day before is rumored to be prime.
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June 15-17, 22-24 at the Chesapeake Theater Phoenix Festival Theater presents Hair. The Winter Doldrums January 28 @ 3–5PM Recital Hall #1, Joppa Hall Of Ebony Embers The Core Ensemble January 31 @ 7:30PM Chesapeake Theater Almost Maine HCC Actors Guild February 9, 10, 16, 17 @ 8PM February 11, 18 @ 3PM Blackbox Theater, Joppa Hall My Fair Lady Phoenix Festival Theater March 2, 3, 9 @ 7PM; March 4, 10, 11 @ 2PM Chesapeake Theater An Evening of Jazz March 9 @ 8PM Recital Hall #1, Joppa Hall
Visit LIVEatHarfordCC.com for tickets and complete event schedule.
Memories of Anne, A New Opera HCC Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts April 7 @ 7:30PM; April 8 @ 3PM Recital Hall #1, Joppa Hall
A Night of Stand-up! HCC Actors Guild & Improv Club April 20, 21 @ 9PM; Blackbox Theater, Joppa Hall The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus May 18 @ 7:30PM APG Federal Credit Union Arena Aladdin Harford Dance Theater May 18 @ 7PM; May 19 @ 1PM & 4PM; May 20 @ 1PM & 4PM Chesapeake Theater Red HCC Actors Guild June 1, 2, 8, 9 @ 8PM; June 3, 10 @ 3PM Blackbox Theater, Joppa Hall Hair Phoenix Festival Theater June 15, 16, 22, 23 @ 7PM; June 17, 24 @ 2PM Chesapeake Theater
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