The narrative of the minority conservative has plagued the news lately. A recent article published by The Hill claims that reality TV star Roseanne Barr is bringing conservative women “out of the closet,” a phrase reserved for queer or trans people. Conservatives are considered “minorities” on many U.S. college campuses. But these stories have a misconstrued understanding of what a minority is, and inappropriately use language associated with marginalized communities.

According to Merriam-Webster, the word minority has three definitions: being underage, the smaller of two groups which constitute a whole, and “a part of a population differing from others in some characteristics and often subjected to differential treatment.”

While it would be technically accurate to say that conservatives are a minority on, for example, the University of Oregon campus, this narrative is often accompanied with words like “discrimination” and “oppression.” What these people really mean to imply is that they are marginalized.

By referring to themselves as minorities and taking the language reserved for marginalized communities, conservatives are drawing attention away from communities who actually experience discrimination, or prejudiced treatment, and oppression, or “unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power.”

These words and connotations bring to light the hardships that marginalized communities actually face and highlight the power dynamics involved. We face institutionalized discrimination at the hands of those in power, whether it comes to the pay gap, higher rates of incarceration or the right to marry (which was ruled on only three years ago). I have yet to hear any statistics about conservatives being faced with increased rates of police brutality or being tried and sentenced as adults in court despite being 16 years old.

As a conservative, you may be among the few rather than the many in some areas, such as college campuses. However, the Republican party currently has control of all three branches of government. Conservatives do not suffer at the hands of the government, because the government is on their side.

Most people do not like to be yelled at. But having slurs hurled at you because of the color of your skin or your sexuality — things you cannot change — is very different than being yelled at because you proudly align with a party or a candidate that has blatantly racist, sexist and elitist policies, to name a few issues.

This is not to say that I believe all republicans are the same or everyone who voted for Trump is a soulless heathen. But using self-victimization to paint yourselves as brave leaders is not an appealing narrative for a group that will most likely never experience marginalization. The only people who are going to buy that narrative is other conservatives, and that does nothing for the group as a whole.

Actual minorities are beaten to death for being gay or because a white girl made up a story that you wolf-whistled at her. This narrative does not apply to conservatives and I urge them to abandon it, as well as the connotative language that goes along with it. It’s never enjoyable to be yelled at for your political views, but if that qualified as discrimination, everyone could consider themselves discriminated against at one point or another. The consequences for minorities are much more severe than being yelled at.

The post Marks: The false narrative of the conservative minority appeared first on Emerald Media.

Editor’s note: A previous version of “UC Berkeley professor discusses environmental justice with CSU students, faculty” published April 28 had two missed details and one innacuracy. The lecture was held by CSU’s Environmental Justice Working Group, and Kathryn DeMaster’s lecture at Avogadro’s Number will be sponsored by the EJWG. A portion of the article addressing farmer […]

The Bruins had a chance to redeem their only conference loss of the regular season – but they came up short.

No. 2-seeded UCLA women’s tennis (20-5, 9-1 Pac-12) fell 4-2 to No. 1-seeded Stanford (18-3, 9-0) in Saturday’s Pac-12 final.

“We have always had such a hard time with (Stanford),” said coach Stella Sampras Webster. “They’re just so consistent and mentally strong that we just haven’t been able to get over the hump of being able to win those big points.”

Unlike in its regular season encounter with Stanford, UCLA won the doubles point for an early lead.

On court three, junior Alaina Miller and sophomore Ena Shibahara defeated Melissa Lord and Janice Shin 6-3 on an ace from Shibahara.

The doubles point was decided on court one, where the No. 6 duo of senior Terri Fleming and redshirt sophomore Jada Hart battled No. 2 Emily Arbuthnott and Michaela Gordon for over an hour. In the tiebreaker, the Bruins pulled off the upset 7-6.

“(Hart) came up with some great shots,” Sampras Webster said. “They’re a great team with (Hart)’s great groundstrokes and (Fleming) finishing points off at the net.”

With the momentum from the doubles win, three UCLA players raced off to first-set victories in singles play.

However, the Bruins’ stride didn’t last.

“I think that I didn’t get off to the hottest start, which was unfortunate for the rest of the team,” Hart said. “But I think on most of the courts, we had the momentum going in.”

The only UCLA singles win on the day was No. 14 Shibahara’s defeat of No. 16 Gordon 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 on court one.

Shibahara said she was out for redemption.

“I went in challenging myself because I lost to (Gordon) the first time we played Stanford,” Shibahara said. “I went in being focused on every point, because I knew my opponent wasn’t going to give me any free ones.”

On court two, No. 30 Hart was upset by No. 68 Lord 1-6, 5-7. Hart said she was disappointed with her day individually.

“I was not happy at all with the way I performed today,” Hart said. “I felt like the rest of the team gave themselves a fighting chance to make a comeback and I wasn’t capable of making that comeback.”

Even with the day’s result, Shibahara said she was proud of her team’s efforts across the board.

“I was really happy with the way everyone played today and this whole tournament,” Shibahara said. “I’m sure everyone doesn’t feel it right now, but I think it’ll definitely give us confidence going to NCAAs because we were right there.”

The Bruins will learn their NCAA Tournament fate on Tuesday.

For many University of Utah students, music festivals and outdoor concerts can be as fundamental to summer as ice cream, swimming and sunburns. While many festivals across the world attract hundreds of thousands of spectators, many don’t realize Utah offers a surprising number of chances to get your live music fix. If you are still feeling ripped off that you couldn’t cough up hundreds of dollars for Coachella, check out some of these closer — and cheaper — options right here in at home.

Bonanza

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, Bonanza is a large three-day festival in Heber that appeals to lovers of both music and the outdoors with its live concerts, art and campgrounds. This year’s headliners are electronic musician Zhu, rapper Wiz Khalifa and indie pop star Halsey. Thirty artists from a variety of genres will play at the festival, including Oh Wonder, Local Natives, Børns and Blackbear. The festival will be held from June 22-24 and ticket prices start at $175. Visit bonanzacampout.com for more information.

Twilight Concert Series

This beloved Salt Lake City tradition was in danger of ending this year, but fortunately is returning in an altered form this August and September. Five concerts pairing national and local acts will be performed on Thursday nights at the Gallivan Center. (For the past several years, the series was hosted at Pioneer Park.) The lineup of bands will be announced at a later date, and general admission tickets will cost $10. To learn more about the changes in Twilight Concert Series, visit twilightconcerts.com.

Ogden Twilight

Ogden Twilight aims to keep audiences entertained throughout the summer with 10 concerts performed at Ogden Amphitheater. The lineup is an impressive variety of acclaimed indie artists, including The Flaming Lips, Sylvan Esso, Broken Social Scene and Chvrches. General Admission tickets are $10 and VIP and season ticket options are available online. To learn more and see the full lineup, visit ogdentwilight.com.

LoveLoud

Great music meets social advocacy in this unique festival founded by Imagine Dragons front man Dan Reynolds. Reynolds, who is Mormon, wanted to create an event that bridged the gap between two groups that are sometimes at odds — his religion and the LGBTQ+ community. This desire inspired him to create LoveLoud, a concert and corresponding foundation designed to support LGBTQ+ youth. This year’s festival aims to raise at least $1 million for LGBTQ+ charities including Provo-based resource center Encircle. LoveLoud will be held on July 28 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The show will be hosted by queer comic Cameron Esposito and will feature performances from Imagine Dragons, Zedd, Mike Shinoda, Grace Vanderwaal, Tyler Glenn, Vagabon and AVV. Ticket prices start at $29.50. For more information on the festival’s mission and to purchase tickets, visit loveloudfest.com.

Red Butte Concert Series

It’s difficult to find a venue more scenic than the outdoor amphitheatre at Red Butte Garden, a botanical garden on the U of U Campus. From May to September, Red Butte will host 29 concerts from a diverse lineup of musicians, including Ryan Adams, The Avett Brothers, Sheryl Crow and Death Cab for Cutie. Ticket prices vary each performance and ticket packages are available. To learn more, visit redbuttegarden.org/concerts.

Stadium of Fire

America’s Freedom Festival at Provo is an annual event hosted on Independence Day designed to promote patriotism and traditional American values. The festival is most famous for hosting Stadium of Fire, a concert and fireworks show featuring a popular artist. This year the headliner is the Grammy-nominated pop band OneRepublic. The show will be held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on July 4, and ticket prices start at $35. Visit freedomfestival.org to learn more about Stadium of Fire and the other events of the festival.

Deer Valley Music Festival

Hosted at the spectacular Deer Valley Resort, this eight-week festival caters to more classical tastes as the “summer home of the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera.” The unique lineup features classical compositions alongside selections of pop and Broadway. This year the symphony will perform music from Mozart, Beethoven, ABBA and Pink Floyd. Many concerts also include special guests — some of this year’s best-known additions are pop singer Rick Springfield and Broadway actress Kristin Chenoweth. Tickets are available at Abravanel Hall Ticket Office or through ArtTix. More information is available at deervalleymusicfestival.org.

Das Energi

One of Utah’s wildest parties will be at the Great Saltair on August 17 and 18. Thousands are expected to dance the night away in the seventh iteration of this festival, which focuses primarily on electronic music. So far, Das Energi has announced performances from Kaskade, deadmau5, Dillon Francis and Rezz, with a full lineup and schedule to be announced soon. Tickets start at $160 and are sold online and at a variety of vendors throughout the Salt Lake Valley. For ticket options and FAQs, visit dasenergifestival.com.

Sounds of Summer Concert Series

If you’re looking for the opportunity to support local talent in a fresh, relaxed atmosphere, try this series hosted at the stunning Sundance Mountain Resort. The concerts are held Sunday nights, each show is free of charge and food trucks will offer a wide range of bites. These concerts show off the abundance of talented artists in our community and give audiences the chance to discover a new favorite band. Sundance is also hosting a concert from the band Belle and Sebastian on June 20. Tickets to Belle and Sebastian start at $40. You can learn more about both of these events at sundanceresort.com.

Vans Warped Tour

If you have ever wanted to experience the largest traveling music festival in America, this summer will likely be your last chance. According to founder Kevin Lyman, Vans Warped Tour will no longer tour across the country after this summer. The festival, which primarily features alternative and punk rock acts, will visit more than 30 American cities this summer, with a stop at USANA Amphitheatre planned for June 30. More than 50 acts are planned for the Salt Lake stop, including 3OH!3, Black Veil Brides, Mayday Parade and We the Kings. Tickets start at $45. To learn more about the general tour or the Salt Lake City performance, visit vanswarpedtour.com.

j.peterson@dailyutahchronicle.com

@JPetersen7

The post Summer Music Guide: Affordable In-State Concerts appeared first on Daily Utah Chronicle.

“Grid of Points” is the eleventh album from the prolific Oregon-based recording artist Liz Harris, otherwise known as Grouper. Similar to previous Grouper releases, the record is slow, ambient and emotional, with a heavy emphasis placed on the overall atmosphere of the recordings. But it would be wrong to dismiss this album as boring background music. “Grid of Points” offers up an arresting set of songs for the patient listener.

Most of the music on the record sits somewhere between ambient music and dream pop. Soft vocals are matched with airy song structures and introspective piano accompaniment, most of which rests on a very minimalistic approach.

“The Races,” the album’s opening track, acts as a prime example of Harris’ stripped-down method. The song lasts less than a minute and features no instrumentation beyond a few reverberated vocal harmonies. Despite the song’s length and minimal arrangement, it ends up being one of the liveliest tracks on the album.

As the piano comes in on the second track, “Parking Lot,” the album settles into a very relaxed pace. Harris gives the song’s chords room to breathe, letting thoughtful pauses sneak in between the changes. The effect allows for a comfortable listening experience.

Though the total runtime for the album is only 22 minutes — closer to the length of an EP — “Grid of Points” never feels rushed. The songs are gentle and meandering, and none of them really come to a conclusive ending; they simply drift off into silence.

Long pauses also come between the breaks in the tracklist, but none of this feels like Harris is grasping for extra length. Instead, it gives the album a calm and meditative feel. No time is wasted, just spent in the moment.

Harris’ lyrics, for the most part, are indiscernible as heavy reverb and a soft vocal delivery wash out most of the melodies. But the songwriting and instrumentation still allow for a clear pathos.

“Birthday Song,” a standout track, provides a hazy melancholia with its dizzying vocals and descending chord progression, while the song “Driving” is more reflective and somewhat nostalgic. “Grid of Points” may present interchangeable emotions at many points, but the moods of each song are still distinct and carefully constructed.

There is little variation in the album’s production, that is, until the final track “Breathing,” which is also the longest track on the album at four minutes. About midway through the track, the song abruptly transitions into what sounds like a helicopter passing by overhead, then blending into the sound of a passing freight train.

The juxtaposition of these industrial field recordings with the gentle nature of the album could have easily felt abrasive, but instead they provide a natural movement and conclusion. “Grid of Points” may be brief and somewhat esoteric, but Harris’ music allows for quiet contemplation and rewards attentive listening.

The post Review: Grouper’s ‘Grid of Points’ leaves room for quiet contemplation appeared first on Emerald Media.

The 2017-18 year flew by, take a minute and look back at some of the top moments from this year.

Women’s golf tees off for the first time

The 2017 women’s golf team photo. Photo courtesy of Charlotte Athletics

The team was added to the lineup in an effort to offer more women’s athletics after football was brought in. Coach Holly Clark started laying the foundation for the team back in 2015. Starting up a team was not a cake walk for Clark.

“It was harder than I thought it would be. I think it’s super exciting that there’s something new and something great and wonderful about being a part of something that hasn’t ever been here before,” Clark said. “I love the challenge, I love that opportunity.”

One element that helped the team throughout their inaugural season was the comradery displayed by the players.

“This is a tight-knit group who was really close before they even got here. That’s really special and unique in itself. Team chemistry is so important in your success and I think it’s critical in the growth as they continue to develop and move forward,” Clark said.

The team finished ninth in the Conference USA tournament and Ellinor Sudow tied for 11th place out of a field of 60 players.

Football finally wins on Homecoming

Really the only bright spot in the Charlotte 49ers football season, the team finally brought home a win on Homecoming.

The Niners squared off against UAB and the Blazers dominated in the first half going up 14-0 before the intermission. They then tacked on another three points to create a 17-point deficit.

A fumble recovered by Charlotte’s own Alex Highsmith set the 49ers up for a nine yard rush by Hasaan Klugh to get the Niners on the board. The next possession Klugh connected with receiver Trent Bostick 68 yards downfield for another TD, bringing the score to 17-14.

The 49ers celebrate after winning their first homecoming game in a nail biting overtime. Photo by Chris Crews.

Around the 10-minute mark Ben DeLuca recovered a fumble for the 49ers and returned it 26 yards inside the red zone. Nigel Macauely evened the score with a field goal from the six-yard line. UAB received the ball first in overtime and broke through the Charlotte defense for a touchdown, creating a 24-17 game.

Klugh led the charge when it was Charlotte’s turn, rushing for 15 yards, completing a three-yard pass, and then rushing again for the TD. With the score at 24-23, coach Brad Lambert decided to go for the win on the two-point conversion. Chris Montgomery threw the pass into the hands of Klugh to successfully convert the two points and give Charlotte their first victory of the season.

Women’s soccer drops C-USA Championship in PK’s

The Charlotte women’s soccer team found themselves once again in the C-USA Championship game. After going to penalty kicks last year, this year’s game wasn’t a new scenario for the 49ers but unfortunately this year the team was on the losing side.

The 49ers entered the tournament as the eighth seed and went up against the two seed North Texas. The Niners have never defeated the Mean Green in their seven match up.

Virginia Lingo protects the ball. Photo by Chris Crews

C-USA Offensive Player of the Year Martha Thomas was sidelined for the majority of the game with an injury, which allowed new heroes to emerge for the team. All-conference freshman team member Abby Stapleton recorded seven saves throughout the match.

Neither team registered a goal during regulation or overtime, leading to the PK’s. The team then fell to the Mean Green in the shoot out, ending their season.

Yumi Garcia breaks school dig record

Yumi Garcia played her first season with the 49ers this past year and is already breaking records.

Yumi Garcia preparing to make a stand on defense. Photo by Pooja Pasupula

At the beginning of the season, coach Karen Weatherington made each player write a personal goal for the year. Garcia had big plans for herself and said she would break the 49ers record for digs in a single season.

She accomplished that goal with her 19 digs in their match against UTSA late in the season, giving her 589 digs on the season. She surpassed Carly Romberg’s 571 digs back in 2008.

With Garcia and her teammate’s efforts, they turned around from their 7-23 record last season and earned a spot in the Conference USA tournament and finished the season with a winning record, 19-12.

Men’s soccer falls 1-0 to ODU in C-USA Championship

The men’s soccer team only allowed two goals during the conference tournament, but one of those came in the championship game. The 49ers were unable to respond, leading to a 1-0 loss to ODU in the title match.

Daniel Bruce celebrates during the Winthrop game. Photo by Chris Crews

The Niners out-shot the Monarchs 8-7 but to no avail. Ryan Spaulding took the best shot for the 49ers in the match, hitting one right off the crossbar, but the ODU goalkeeper just got a hand on the ball to deflect it.

Teddy Chaouche, Tommy Maden and Marco Sunol-Rojas all earned All-Tournament team honors.

The team improved from last year when they were eliminated in the first round of the tournament. This was the farthest the 49ers have advanced in the tourney sinc e they won it all in 2013.

Women’s cross country wins title

The women’s cross country team collected the program’s fourth conference championship and the first since they went on a three-year winning streak from 1992-94. The team was lead by All-American Caroline Sang, who also won the individual championship title.

The women’s team celebrating with their trophies after their conference victory. Photo courtesy Charlotte Athletics

“The first team meeting of the year we talked about having that expectation of winning the conference championship and performing day in and out at that mindset and that level. Going in, both teams knew they had a shot at winning. The guys gave it everything we had, on the ladies side we were aggressive and took control of the race right from the beginning,” coach Joseph Lynn said.

Sang recorded at time of 16:27.9, which is the fasted 5K time in school history by almost thirty seconds and is the third fastest time in a C-USA Championship.

Lambert retained, others fired after 1-11 season

After their dismal one-win season, many were expecting head coach Brad Lambert to be relieved from his duties. To much surprise, it was announced after the team’s final loss that Lambert would be retained, but others on the coach staff would be fired.

Charlotte head coach Brad Lambert on the sidelines. Photo by Chris Crews

Among those that parted ways with the team were defensive coordinator Matt Wallerstedt, quarterbacks coach Jeff Mullen and receivers coach Damien Gary. Greg Adkins, who took Mullen’s previous job as offensive coordinator midway through the season, initially returned to coaching the offensive line, but left the team in February for a position at Marshall.

Lambert has since filled those voids. Shane Montgomery will serve as the team’s offensive coordinator, Glenn Spencer and Chip West will split the duties as defensive coordinator for the team. West will also serve as the linebackers coach for the 49ers.

James Adams, who was a secondary coach last season will oversee the safeties next year and Brad Queen who was the defensive line assistant previously, now will coach the defensive tackles.

Charlie Skalaski will continue to be the special teams coordinator while also coaching the receivers. Finally Chris Scelfo was brought on as the offensive line coach.

Price fired after 3-6 start

In another shocking move, it was announced in early December that Mark Price was out as the men’s basketball coach after a 3-6 start. During his time with the 49ers, Price had a 30-42 record and was 16-20 in conference play.

The decision came as a shock to Price, who told the Charlotte Observer that he was “stunned.”

Coach Mark Price leaves the court after playing USC Upstate last season. NT File Photot

The coaching change also caused to Price’s son Hudson to leave the team as well.

Assistant coach Houston Fancher stepped in as the interim head coach. Though Fancher spent nine years as the head coach for Appalachain State, the 49ers never fell into a groove and ended the season 6-23. Charlotte only collected three more wins after Price’s departure.

Judy Rose announced her retirement

After questionable decisions with football and basketball coaches, an upcry came on Twitter for Rose’s dismissal. The long-time Athletic Director announced in early January that she would be retiring after the conclusion of the 2017-18 athletic year.

Charlotte 49ers Athletic Director Judy Rose. Photo by Chris Crews

This year marked her 43rd year with Charlotte and her 28th as Athletic Director.

When Rose was named as the AD for the program, she was only the third woman to hold the position in a Division I school. Rose oversaw the addition of seven new sports, multiple NCAA tournament berths for men’s basketball, WNIT appearances for the women’s program and successes in the men’s and women’s soccer programs.

In her statement Rose said, “This is a difficult announcement to make, with the love I have for the university and the athletic program.”

First former 49er competed in the Olympics

Briauna Jones made history for Charlotte Athletics as she became the first former student-athlete to participate in the Olympics as a member of the women’s bobsled team for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Briauna Jones will travel to the 2018 Winter Olympics. Photo provided by Charlotte Athletics

After a stellar career on the track for the 49ers, including making it to the National Championship for the 2012 4×100 meter relay team, she returned as a volunteer assistant coach for the team.

Last year Jones received the honor of being the USA Bob Sledding Rookie of the Year after making her first national team. She also collected a gold medal with teammate Meyers Taylor in Switzerland last year.

Men’s basketball snaps 15-game losing streak in senior night win

After defeating North Texas in the Jan. 4 contest, the Charlotte men’s basketball team would not have another victory until their senior night win against Florida Atlantic.

That game was the first 49er home win since the Nov. 24 70-67 victory over High Point.

The team defeated FAU 85-78, being led by double figure performances from Jon Davis, Austin Ajukwa and Andrien White. The game marked the final game for seniors Ajukwa and Corey Bias.

The men’s team breaks a huddle against Wake Forest. Photo by Chris Crews

Even though the 49ers had no shot of making the conference tournament, the game was still valuable for the team.

“If tonight is not an indicator that these kids have never given up all season then I don’t know what is,” interim head coach Houston Fancher said. “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. We talked about this before the game, and if anyone had said to me that this game didn’t matter then I might have slapped them across the face because this game meant everything to us tonight.”

Women’s basketball falls in the first round of C-USA tourney

Amaya Ransom charges forward on the court. Photo by Chris Crews

After finishing 10-5 in conference play, the team qualified for the conference tournament as the sixth seed. They fell 58-55 to 11-seed North Texas.

Senior Amaya Ransom ended her time as a 49er with 18 points, 12 of which came from behind the arc. Laia Raventos earned All-conference first team and All-Conference defensive teamster her 13 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals.

A 6-0 run in the first quarter lifted North Texas to a 14-12 lead after the initial frame. The Mean Green kept that tempo with a 9-2 run and another 6-0 run and then ended the half with a 7-0 run to bring the score to 36-25.

In the third quarter North Texas extended their lead to 14 points. Charlotte fought back and cut the deficit to six, 48-42, heading to the final quarter.

The 49ers got within two points, but that was the closest they would get.

“You can’t play 20 minutes and think you’re going to beat teams in this league. They’re too good,” head coach Cara Consuegra said.

Mike Hill hired as 49ers new AD

The search for a new Athletic Director led Chancellor Phil Dubois to Mike Hill.

Hill comes to the Queen City after spending over 20 years at the University of Florida as the Executive Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs. Hill, a graduate of UNC, is grew up in Clemson, S.C.

Mike Hill and Chancellor Philip DuBois after the introductory press conference. Photo provided by Charlotte Athletics.

Dubois is excited about what Hill can bring to campus with his experiences at an SEC school.

“If you’ve worked in a big athletic department with a budget many times larger than ours and you have very sophisticated understanding of collegiate athletics, that’s an experience you can bring to the table when you come to Charlotte and help Charlotte grow into being a larger and more significant program,” Dubois said.

As where he sees Charlotte going in the future, Hill said he doesn’t want to “put a ceiling on what we have as a vision for this place.”

Hill hires Ron Sanchez for new men’s basketball coach

The first major decision new AD Mike Hill made was filling the vacancy of the men’s basketball coach with Ron Sanchez.

Athletic Director Mike Hill, MBB Head Coach Ron Sanchez, Chancellor Phil Dubois smile for a photo after Sanchez’s introductory press conference. Photo by Chris Crews

Sanchez has worked as an assistant coach for nationally-ranked Virginia for the past nine years, serving as an associate head coach for the past three years. He has worked under two-time National Coach of the Year Tony Bennett both at Virginia and at Washington State.

Sanchez has brought on two assistant coaches to help rebuild the 49ers. Katie Kimble and Vic Sfera. Kimble spent the last seven years serving as an assistant coach at William and Mary. Sfera worked previously with Sanchez at the University of Virginia and spent the last two years as an assistant coach at Liberty University.

The staff has started getting commits from recruits and is looking to improve on the team’s dismal 6-23 record last season.

Charlotte baseball adopts a child

Eight year old Xavier Clafee, who is battling a rare form of heart disease, was adopted by the Charlotte baseball program earlier in the season.

Jackson Mims and Xavier Clafee stretch before practice. Photo by Chris Crews

49ers coach Loren Hibbs said that having Clafee around sets a good example for his players.

“I think we all realize and we all understand that we are blessed to be able to be out here and be able to do what we’re doing,” Hibbs said. “When a young man like Xavier comes around here and gets a chance to be in our program and see and hear the struggles that he’s had in his very short lifetime in the eight years he’s been on this earth, it makes you appreciate everything.”

Clafee has an open invitation for any 49er baseball activity.

How UC Berkeley professors think you should prepare for finals

Don’t know how to get ready for your finals? Find out what UC Berkeley professors have to say.

The Daily Californian

ARLINGTON, Texas — Soon after former Texas left tackle Connor Williams and a select few of the first-round prospects Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen and Saquon Barkley made their appearance on the red carpet, the party moved inside to AT&T Stadium.

Darnold, Rosen and Barkley all saw their names taken off the board in the top 10 to no surprise. Most mock drafts didn’t have Williams early in the first round. But after Williams watched Notre Dame have two offensive linemen selected at No. 6 and No. 9, followed by another four offensive linemen to cap off six total at the position taken in the first round, questions began to flurry.

“I firmly believe I'm the best offensive lineman in this class,” Williams said after his workout at Texas’ NFL Pro Day on March 28.

And this wasn’t an outlandish statement. Williams has asserted his dominance every time he’s set foot on the field. But as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell approached the podium with one final pick remaining in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday night, it was clear –– Williams had dropped out of the first round.

“With the final pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens select Lamar Jackson.”

Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, who dropped significantly as well, capped off the first round. Williams, who was in attendance, was forced to wait some more. But the Dallas-area native said he planned on returning for rounds two and three on Friday night.

“Was an amazing night and experience,” Williams tweeted after the first round concluded. “Never has been easy and would never want it any other way. Thank you for those following along and see you tomorrow night!”

Williams, along with his Longhorn teammates Malik Jefferson, DeShon Elliott, Holton Hill, Poona Ford, Michael Dickson and Chris Warren III, remain on the board. Round two begins with the Cleveland Browns picking first at AT&T Stadium on Friday at 6 p.m.

President Trump has many betes noires — his enemies, some of his friends, germs and sharks, to name a few — but none is more despised than the “FAKE NEWS media.” And nothing the FAKE NEWS media does winds him up more than when it quotes “phony unnamed sources” on dysfunction in his White House.   

Yet much in the way that children’s books often deal with adult themes, his tweets can pose serious questions, in this case about anonymity in journalism: when its recipients should be trusted; when its power dynamics are unfair; when editors are responsible for errors committed under its cover; when it is more prejudicial than protective. A recent experience I had with the College Hill Independent, another publication at Brown, shows that these dilemmas, and their attendant ethical and editorial failures, extend to college papers as well.

Six weeks ago in these pages, I panned an event — put on by Brown’s Middle East Studies program — that promoted a boycott of Israeli universities. I argued that academic boycotts, no matter how righteous they might seem, should be rejected because they establish “one standard of pedagogy for teaching Israel, and another standard of pedagogy for teaching all other countries.” This imbalance in scholarship, I said, is “a form of political activism that invariably corrupts education.” I also noted that MES’s series of talks, known as “Critical Conversations,” has featured panelists who almost exclusively hail from the post-colonial far-left. “Not one has included an individual who defends Israel with half the intensity of the median panelist who criticizes it,” I wrote.

I knew I was touching a third rail but didn’t expect it to take so long for the electric shock to be delivered. A few days went by. Then a week. Then a month. A response finally appeared last Friday, in the Indy. It was printed anonymously, under the byline D.A.M.A.J. The 1,500-word think piece didn’t talk about only me, but when it did, D.A.M.A.J. accused me of “exemplify(ing) (a) dangerous, anti-democratic ideology that seeks to diminish dissenting voices within the Israeli nation.” What did I do to earn the dubious honor of “exemplifying” an anti-democratic ideology? I had complained that the MES event “lacked ideological diversity” (D.A.M.A.J.’s words) but I failed to mention that one of the panelists, Professor Ariella Azoulay, was Israeli herself. So apparently I was “openly discrediting Azoulay’s voice as unworthy of representing an Israeli perspective.”

This obviously makes no sense: Being Israeli doesn’t mean you represent a mainstream or supportive position on Israel. Indeed, Azoulay is an expat who publicly supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement as a way to free Israeli Jews from becoming “perpetrators” of  “crimes against humanity.” She’s free to think and say whatever she wants, but she can’t exactly be offended if I don’t see her as sympathetic to Israel. I was clearly talking about the views of the panelists, not their nationalities.

But maybe this is just quibbling. I’m far more dismayed that the Indy allowed this commentary to be published anonymously, and I said so to the managing editors. The three agreed to meet me immediately, but insisted that it was proper to let D.A.M.A.J. hide in the shadows because the author is afraid of personal or professional repercussions if they go on record as being critical of Israel. I don’t doubt D.A.M.A.J.’s sincerity, but editors have to independently balance a writer’s concerns against the asymmetry of an anonymous reply. And in this case, the balance tips sharply against incognito mode. I wrote using my name. I took, and am taking, the risks that come with that: public disapproval, the embarrassment of making a mistake, creating a permanent record of my views on this topic. It’s quite common for a named reporter to quote unnamed sources, but it’s virtually unheard of for newspapers to publish political analysis with no byline. Student newspapers should take seriously their role in fairly mediating debate between students, and their responsibility to make sure that their contributors are held accountable for their views.

People in invisible houses shouldn’t throw stones — especially when they have no aim. D.A.M.A.J. too “exemplifies” something: how anonymity compromises a writer’s caution. D.A.M.A.J. says CAMERA, a pro-Israel media watchdog group, is “known to blacklist students and professors” who are “remotely critical” of Israel, lumping it in with the likes of organizations like Canary Mission. No citation is offered for this remarkable accusation against CAMERA, and that’s because there’s no evidence CAMERA blacklists students for their views on Israel. It criticizes news articles and public statements it thinks are incorrect, biased or anti-Semitic. D.A.M.A.J. may think that CAMERA is too trigger-happy with alleging anti-Semitism or is deliberately unfair; that’s an opinion they’re entitled to. But they can’t produce any articles suggesting it blacklists students or professors. Writers tend to be careful to characterize their opposition generously so as to avoid inadvertent slander. But I guess when you’re writing anonymously, why bother?

You might wonder: Why not reply in the Indy, since it’s their judgment I’m questioning? Indeed I asked to. After all, their website boasts, “Though our editing process provides an internal structure for accountability, we always welcome letters to the editor.” They said sure: next fall.

Jared Samilow ’19 is a member of Brown Students for Israel and a fellow at the organization CAMERA. He can be reached at jared_samilow@brown.edu. Please send responses to this opinion to letters@browndailyherald.com and op-eds to opinions@browndailyherald.com.

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