By Ashlyn Drury

Hitting bombs and throwing strikes, freshman Marissa Robertson of the Colorado State University Pueblo’s Softball team does it all. 

Robertson is a 19-year-old out of Rocklan, Cali., majoring in Occupational Therapy. As a first-year student-athlete, she is already making her name known with her skills and outstanding performance on the ball field. As a pitcher, a hitter, and a first baseman, she helps lead the team to success in multiple areas and does what she needs to do. 

Robertson’s journey with softball began 15 years ago with recreational softball. She played on a 6U team at age four, and her love for the sport never faded. Robertson played three years of varsity softball at Rocklan High School before bringing her talents to CSU Pueblo. 

Head Softball Coach, Bianca Duran, is why Robertson found her way to Pueblo. Robertson stated, “It was a last-minute choice, but I came for the coach and for the environment that the girls give off.”

Coach Bianca, known as “Coach B” to the athletes, shares many similarities to Robertson. Robertson states, “She is a pitcher and hitter as well and has similar fundamentals. She is very knowledgeable of the sport, and she pushes me to be the best I can be.”

Robertson has put those fundamentals into place, showing through her success. She has hit four home runs, pitched 29 strikeouts, and 73 outs from the outfield.

Being both a hitter and a pitcher, Robertson states, “I feel like when I’m pitching, it helps me out personally.” She can use her knowledge of how a pitch is thrown to make contact with the ball as a hitter, which has helped her hit four home runs this season.

With a smile on her face, Robertson states, “I love the feeling of hyping my team up and getting that support when I go around the base.”

While the team hypes her up after her hits, her walk-out songs, “Walk Up Hot” by Young Thug and “Limelight” by Rush, help bring up the energy as she goes out there to play.

Not only is Robertson enjoying her time on the softball team, but she is enjoying her time in Pueblo. She states, “I’m loving it here. I’m just kind of adapting to the different changes and being able to go out and meet new people.”

While Roberston is helping lead the Thunderwolves through a successful season, other star players include Ashley Tosh, Delaney Barela, and Raelynn Rogers. Tosh is a hitter with 16 runs scored and plays shortstop. Barela is a hitter with six runs scored and is positioned at second base. Rogers is at the top of the team stats with 32 runs scored and is positioned at third base. Rogers is tied for most runs this season alongside Freshman Caitlyn Cole.

The Thunderwolves have 14 wins and 25 losses so far this season. They are down to their final three-weekend matchups in the regular season. The Thunderwolves will face the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in away doubleheader games on Fri. April 14, 2023, at Noon and 2:00 p.m. and Sat. April 15, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Their final home service will be against Black Hills State with double header games on Sat. April 22, 2023, at Noon and 2:00 p.m. and Sun. April 23 at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. They will head to Chadron, NE, where they will face Chadron State in doubleheader games Thur. April 27, 2023, Noon and 2:00 p.m. and Fri. April 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The post Triple threat: pitcher, hitter, and first baseman first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Cidonia Ponce

Pueblo’s City Council hosted a work session hearing on March 20 that regarded homelessness in our city. Every second and fourth of each month, the Pueblo City Council hosts these meetings and invites the community to speak on pressing issues around Pueblo.

Pueblo City Council’s Representative at Large – President, Heather Graham, started the meeting by jumping into the perspective of community members when considering homelessness. Each person who volunteered to speak on the issue was given three minutes to share observations and concerns about recent homelessness activities around the city. Graham advised the public to be respectful and kind when speaking on the issue. 

“We are all here together to come up with solutions to deal with homelessness in Pueblo, and I know this is a hot topic right now, but let’s work together to get some help for our homeless population,” Graham commented.

Derrick Stoll, originally from San Diego but now a Pueblo community member, wrote a powerful letter with his concerns for the homeless population and possible solutions. “I’m here to humbly ask that this town of Pueblo, CO, have a heart and care for our neighbors,” Stoll started. “This is not a homeless problem so much as an unhoused crisis that, as you’ve noticed, is not going to go away. Sweeping away or legislating and criminalizing is only a band-aid, and not a solution.” 

Jimmy Duffner, another local Pueblo resident who is also an advocate for the unhoused, focused his concerns on the criminal aspect that the homeless community is facing. 

“I believe that these police sweeps that are going on are unconstitutional and should be discontinued,” Duffner firmly stated. Duffner also mentioned that these homeless people are also getting charged with fines that he believes should be dismissed. “Punishing them for not having a place to sleep or use the restroom is senseless,” Duffner stated. 

Paul Montoya, a pastor and an avid advocate for homelessness in Pueblo for the past 13 years, has shared his thoughts and troubled concerns about homelessness. Montoya informed the city council members that he had just received a 5013C to get resources for this troubled community. “It’s going to be people helping people in faith of the Pueblo community,” Montoya stated. “I have the homeless people picking up their own trash from 8th street to Santa Fe bridge. There are over 200 bags of trash that they’ve picked since January, and if you drive by that area, you will see the difference.” Montoya mentioned. 

Community members shared their input, and organizations gave speeches and presentations regarding the issue.

Kim Bowman, POSADA’s executive director, said, “POSADA provides emergency shelter to families with children, transitional housing and permanent housing to homeless and low-income families with children, veterans, youth and seniors.” Bowman mentioned the impact that POSADA has had on our community. “We maintain 119 units of affordable housing in the community with an additional 102 units under development at this time,” Bowman stated. 

Bowman strengthened her argument by saying that one-bedroom apartments are not affordable to our low-income community. “Our agency is dealing with a population that is economically challenged in a community with minimal housing resources,” Bowman commented. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission followed with a presentation that explained the impact and current agendas. Melanie Rapier is Pueblo Rescue Mission’s executive director and presented the purpose and concerns that go along with homelessness. 

“I looked at the reason why people were coming to the shelter through a revolving door and those issues ended up being substance use, mental illness, and poor financial management,” Rapier stated.

The Pueblo Rescue Mission requires these individuals to participate in some programs that will help them get back on their feet. The organization has a Step Back in Program that includes resources for assisting with physical wellness, mental wellness, addiction/recovery, financial stewardship, civic responsibility, community consciousness, transactional recognition, and social engagement.

“We need to get them stable so that way they can sustain the housing that they get,” Rapier stated. “Everything in my shelter is transactional, meaning I’ll pour into you if you pour into you,” Rapier commented. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission hosts these programs once a day, every week. However, Rapier mentioned that because these people don’t engage in these specific programs, they will still allow that individual shelter for the night. 

“I am an emergency shelter; I am a low barrier shelter meaning the bar is not set any lower for what you need to do to come in and receive shelter,” Rapier mentioned. Sheltering begins every night at 9 p.m. for 365 days of the year. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission currently serves 47 homeless residents with 60 male and 35 female beds. “We try to help anyone that we can,” Rapier commented. There are so many other services that the Pueblo Rescue Mission provides, but it all requires the will to want to get help. 

After Rapier, other influential organizations and programs have also done their best to maintain homelessness in Pueblo, Colorado. Many of these organizations include the Pueblo Police Department, Health Solutions, Team Up to Clean Up, and others who have tried to minimize homelessness in our city. 

The next council meeting will be taking place and streamed on April 10. For more information about these sessions or to watch archived meetings, visit Pueblo City Council’s website by searching for www.pueblo.us. 

The post Pueblo City Council Meeting: Pueblo homelessness hearing first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Cidonia Ponce

Pueblo’s City Council hosted a work session hearing on March 20 that regarded homelessness in our city. Every second and fourth of each month, the Pueblo City Council hosts these meetings and invites the community to speak on pressing issues around Pueblo.

Pueblo City Council’s Representative at Large – President, Heather Graham, started the meeting by jumping into the perspective of community members when considering homelessness. Each person who volunteered to speak on the issue was given three minutes to share observations and concerns about recent homelessness activities around the city. Graham advised the public to be respectful and kind when speaking on the issue. 

“We are all here together to come up with solutions to deal with homelessness in Pueblo, and I know this is a hot topic right now, but let’s work together to get some help for our homeless population,” Graham commented.

Derrick Stoll, originally from San Diego but now a Pueblo community member, wrote a powerful letter with his concerns for the homeless population and possible solutions. “I’m here to humbly ask that this town of Pueblo, CO, have a heart and care for our neighbors,” Stoll started. “This is not a homeless problem so much as an unhoused crisis that, as you’ve noticed, is not going to go away. Sweeping away or legislating and criminalizing is only a band-aid, and not a solution.” 

Jimmy Duffner, another local Pueblo resident who is also an advocate for the unhoused, focused his concerns on the criminal aspect that the homeless community is facing. 

“I believe that these police sweeps that are going on are unconstitutional and should be discontinued,” Duffner firmly stated. Duffner also mentioned that these homeless people are also getting charged with fines that he believes should be dismissed. “Punishing them for not having a place to sleep or use the restroom is senseless,” Duffner stated. 

Paul Montoya, a pastor and an avid advocate for homelessness in Pueblo for the past 13 years, has shared his thoughts and troubled concerns about homelessness. Montoya informed the city council members that he had just received a 5013C to get resources for this troubled community. “It’s going to be people helping people in faith of the Pueblo community,” Montoya stated. “I have the homeless people picking up their own trash from 8th street to Santa Fe bridge. There are over 200 bags of trash that they’ve picked since January, and if you drive by that area, you will see the difference.” Montoya mentioned. 

Community members shared their input, and organizations gave speeches and presentations regarding the issue.

Kim Bowman, POSADA’s executive director, said, “POSADA provides emergency shelter to families with children, transitional housing and permanent housing to homeless and low-income families with children, veterans, youth and seniors.” Bowman mentioned the impact that POSADA has had on our community. “We maintain 119 units of affordable housing in the community with an additional 102 units under development at this time,” Bowman stated. 

Bowman strengthened her argument by saying that one-bedroom apartments are not affordable to our low-income community. “Our agency is dealing with a population that is economically challenged in a community with minimal housing resources,” Bowman commented. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission followed with a presentation that explained the impact and current agendas. Melanie Rapier is Pueblo Rescue Mission’s executive director and presented the purpose and concerns that go along with homelessness. 

“I looked at the reason why people were coming to the shelter through a revolving door and those issues ended up being substance use, mental illness, and poor financial management,” Rapier stated.

The Pueblo Rescue Mission requires these individuals to participate in some programs that will help them get back on their feet. The organization has a Step Back in Program that includes resources for assisting with physical wellness, mental wellness, addiction/recovery, financial stewardship, civic responsibility, community consciousness, transactional recognition, and social engagement.

“We need to get them stable so that way they can sustain the housing that they get,” Rapier stated. “Everything in my shelter is transactional, meaning I’ll pour into you if you pour into you,” Rapier commented. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission hosts these programs once a day, every week. However, Rapier mentioned that because these people don’t engage in these specific programs, they will still allow that individual shelter for the night. 

“I am an emergency shelter; I am a low barrier shelter meaning the bar is not set any lower for what you need to do to come in and receive shelter,” Rapier mentioned. Sheltering begins every night at 9 p.m. for 365 days of the year. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission currently serves 47 homeless residents with 60 male and 35 female beds. “We try to help anyone that we can,” Rapier commented. There are so many other services that the Pueblo Rescue Mission provides, but it all requires the will to want to get help. 

After Rapier, other influential organizations and programs have also done their best to maintain homelessness in Pueblo, Colorado. Many of these organizations include the Pueblo Police Department, Health Solutions, Team Up to Clean Up, and others who have tried to minimize homelessness in our city. 

The next council meeting will be taking place and streamed on April 10. For more information about these sessions or to watch archived meetings, visit Pueblo City Council’s website by searching for www.pueblo.us. 

The post Pueblo City Council Meeting: Pueblo homelessness hearing first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Cidonia Ponce

Pueblo’s City Council hosted a work session hearing on March 20 that regarded homelessness in our city. Every second and fourth of each month, the Pueblo City Council hosts these meetings and invites the community to speak on pressing issues around Pueblo.

Pueblo City Council’s Representative at Large – President, Heather Graham, started the meeting by jumping into the perspective of community members when considering homelessness. Each person who volunteered to speak on the issue was given three minutes to share observations and concerns about recent homelessness activities around the city. Graham advised the public to be respectful and kind when speaking on the issue. 

“We are all here together to come up with solutions to deal with homelessness in Pueblo, and I know this is a hot topic right now, but let’s work together to get some help for our homeless population,” Graham commented.

Derrick Stoll, originally from San Diego but now a Pueblo community member, wrote a powerful letter with his concerns for the homeless population and possible solutions. “I’m here to humbly ask that this town of Pueblo, CO, have a heart and care for our neighbors,” Stoll started. “This is not a homeless problem so much as an unhoused crisis that, as you’ve noticed, is not going to go away. Sweeping away or legislating and criminalizing is only a band-aid, and not a solution.” 

Jimmy Duffner, another local Pueblo resident who is also an advocate for the unhoused, focused his concerns on the criminal aspect that the homeless community is facing. 

“I believe that these police sweeps that are going on are unconstitutional and should be discontinued,” Duffner firmly stated. Duffner also mentioned that these homeless people are also getting charged with fines that he believes should be dismissed. “Punishing them for not having a place to sleep or use the restroom is senseless,” Duffner stated. 

Paul Montoya, a pastor and an avid advocate for homelessness in Pueblo for the past 13 years, has shared his thoughts and troubled concerns about homelessness. Montoya informed the city council members that he had just received a 5013C to get resources for this troubled community. “It’s going to be people helping people in faith of the Pueblo community,” Montoya stated. “I have the homeless people picking up their own trash from 8th street to Santa Fe bridge. There are over 200 bags of trash that they’ve picked since January, and if you drive by that area, you will see the difference.” Montoya mentioned. 

Community members shared their input, and organizations gave speeches and presentations regarding the issue.

Kim Bowman, POSADA’s executive director, said, “POSADA provides emergency shelter to families with children, transitional housing and permanent housing to homeless and low-income families with children, veterans, youth and seniors.” Bowman mentioned the impact that POSADA has had on our community. “We maintain 119 units of affordable housing in the community with an additional 102 units under development at this time,” Bowman stated. 

Bowman strengthened her argument by saying that one-bedroom apartments are not affordable to our low-income community. “Our agency is dealing with a population that is economically challenged in a community with minimal housing resources,” Bowman commented. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission followed with a presentation that explained the impact and current agendas. Melanie Rapier is Pueblo Rescue Mission’s executive director and presented the purpose and concerns that go along with homelessness. 

“I looked at the reason why people were coming to the shelter through a revolving door and those issues ended up being substance use, mental illness, and poor financial management,” Rapier stated.

The Pueblo Rescue Mission requires these individuals to participate in some programs that will help them get back on their feet. The organization has a Step Back in Program that includes resources for assisting with physical wellness, mental wellness, addiction/recovery, financial stewardship, civic responsibility, community consciousness, transactional recognition, and social engagement.

“We need to get them stable so that way they can sustain the housing that they get,” Rapier stated. “Everything in my shelter is transactional, meaning I’ll pour into you if you pour into you,” Rapier commented. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission hosts these programs once a day, every week. However, Rapier mentioned that because these people don’t engage in these specific programs, they will still allow that individual shelter for the night. 

“I am an emergency shelter; I am a low barrier shelter meaning the bar is not set any lower for what you need to do to come in and receive shelter,” Rapier mentioned. Sheltering begins every night at 9 p.m. for 365 days of the year. 

The Pueblo Rescue Mission currently serves 47 homeless residents with 60 male and 35 female beds. “We try to help anyone that we can,” Rapier commented. There are so many other services that the Pueblo Rescue Mission provides, but it all requires the will to want to get help. 

After Rapier, other influential organizations and programs have also done their best to maintain homelessness in Pueblo, Colorado. Many of these organizations include the Pueblo Police Department, Health Solutions, Team Up to Clean Up, and others who have tried to minimize homelessness in our city. 

The next council meeting will be taking place and streamed on April 10. For more information about these sessions or to watch archived meetings, visit Pueblo City Council’s website by searching for www.pueblo.us. 

The post Pueblo City Council Meeting: Pueblo homelessness hearing first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Julian Volk

While the United States Middle Eastern affairs team has focused on the Saudi-Israel conflict, China has made massive strides toward ending the seven-year-long Saudi-Iran conflict in March 2023.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have been conflicted since the late 1970s, and tensions rose in 2015 after the war in Yemen and the Mecca stampede. When the civil war in Yemen began in early 2015, Saudi Arabia’s government quickly backed Yemen’s internationally recognized government. They targeted Houthi rebel strongholds throughout the year, while Iran backed the Houthi rebels. Later that year, a stampede broke out in Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage, where 2,000 people were killed, including approximately 400 Iranians. Iran spoke out against the Saudi government, claiming it handled the situation poorly and mismanaged one of the most important events of the Islamic calendar, profoundly offending the Saudis.

Four months later, in 2016, Saudi Arabia executed Shia leader Nimr al-Nimr, a known critic of the Saudi government. Iran quickly condemned the Saudis for their actions, and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned them of “vengeance” for the death of al-Nimr. The conflict continued with U.S. intervention, such as the Iran nuclear deal, for the next few years. The intervention by the U.S. furthered the conflict between the two Middle Eastern countries. 

In 2023, after many discussions, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, visited China to meet with Xi Jinping, China’s President, in February. The following month, Riyadh and Tehran announced their renewed diplomatic relations. 

The newfound relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia surprised many in the United States, but it should have been more expected. 

The plan for China to interfere with the conflict and attempt to solve it was unsurprising. Given Xi’s hope to gain control and influence around the World, it only made sense to start in the Middle East. Although Beijing has claimed that the act of solving the conflict was not one to gain power, it buys the most oil from Saudi Arabia than any other nation. Ensuring the stability of their oil imports can only serve to grow China’s economy, something that Xi takes much initiative on. With China’s other leading oil supplier, Russia, currently, at war, peace in Saudi Arabia heavily benefits China’s economic growth.

China’s influence in the Middle East may be a way to speed up its economic growth and show up in the United States. The United States has greatly influenced the Middle East since the 1970s, but its inability to solve conflicts has been the nation’s downfall.

The United States’ failure in the Middle East dates back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. Operation Cyclone became one of the worst decisions in United States history. The operation helped fund Afghan rebels during the 1980s, giving them approximately $630 million a year by 1987. That Afghan rebellion group became the Taliban some years later, a terrorist organization and the now new government of Afghanistan. This instance stands as one of the many failures of the United States government to bring peace to the Middle East.

Iran has openly praised China’s influence in the Middle East. Ali Khamenei said last year, “Asia will become the center of knowledge, the center of economics, as well as the center of political power, and the center of military power.” 

Iran’s government’s hope that geopolitical power will continue to shift east seems to be nothing but a promise now. With influence in the Middle East, oil reserves can and most likely will be under China’s and Xi’s supervision, meaning they could limit exports.

With the United State’s lost influence, nuclear weapons in the Middle East have become a concern again. 

Despite efforts by U.S. diplomats, Iran is closing in on the possibility of adding nuclear weapons to their arsenal. In response, Saudi Arabia has said, “If Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”

The post China’s new reign in the Middle East first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Julian Volk

While the United States Middle Eastern affairs team has focused on the Saudi-Israel conflict, China has made massive strides toward ending the seven-year-long Saudi-Iran conflict in March 2023.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have been conflicted since the late 1970s, and tensions rose in 2015 after the war in Yemen and the Mecca stampede. When the civil war in Yemen began in early 2015, Saudi Arabia’s government quickly backed Yemen’s internationally recognized government. They targeted Houthi rebel strongholds throughout the year, while Iran backed the Houthi rebels. Later that year, a stampede broke out in Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage, where 2,000 people were killed, including approximately 400 Iranians. Iran spoke out against the Saudi government, claiming it handled the situation poorly and mismanaged one of the most important events of the Islamic calendar, profoundly offending the Saudis.

Four months later, in 2016, Saudi Arabia executed Shia leader Nimr al-Nimr, a known critic of the Saudi government. Iran quickly condemned the Saudis for their actions, and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned them of “vengeance” for the death of al-Nimr. The conflict continued with U.S. intervention, such as the Iran nuclear deal, for the next few years. The intervention by the U.S. furthered the conflict between the two Middle Eastern countries. 

In 2023, after many discussions, Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, visited China to meet with Xi Jinping, China’s President, in February. The following month, Riyadh and Tehran announced their renewed diplomatic relations. 

The newfound relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia surprised many in the United States, but it should have been more expected. 

The plan for China to interfere with the conflict and attempt to solve it was unsurprising. Given Xi’s hope to gain control and influence around the World, it only made sense to start in the Middle East. Although Beijing has claimed that the act of solving the conflict was not one to gain power, it buys the most oil from Saudi Arabia than any other nation. Ensuring the stability of their oil imports can only serve to grow China’s economy, something that Xi takes much initiative on. With China’s other leading oil supplier, Russia, currently, at war, peace in Saudi Arabia heavily benefits China’s economic growth.

China’s influence in the Middle East may be a way to speed up its economic growth and show up in the United States. The United States has greatly influenced the Middle East since the 1970s, but its inability to solve conflicts has been the nation’s downfall.

The United States’ failure in the Middle East dates back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. Operation Cyclone became one of the worst decisions in United States history. The operation helped fund Afghan rebels during the 1980s, giving them approximately $630 million a year by 1987. That Afghan rebellion group became the Taliban some years later, a terrorist organization and the now new government of Afghanistan. This instance stands as one of the many failures of the United States government to bring peace to the Middle East.

Iran has openly praised China’s influence in the Middle East. Ali Khamenei said last year, “Asia will become the center of knowledge, the center of economics, as well as the center of political power, and the center of military power.” 

Iran’s government’s hope that geopolitical power will continue to shift east seems to be nothing but a promise now. With influence in the Middle East, oil reserves can and most likely will be under China’s and Xi’s supervision, meaning they could limit exports.

With the United State’s lost influence, nuclear weapons in the Middle East have become a concern again. 

Despite efforts by U.S. diplomats, Iran is closing in on the possibility of adding nuclear weapons to their arsenal. In response, Saudi Arabia has said, “If Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”

The post China’s new reign in the Middle East first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Madison Lira

On a day of national tragedy that struck Nashville, Tenn., Covenant Christian School, many far-right conservatives are turning the mass shooting into a fear-mongering tactic to use against transgender people. The shooting allowed far-right officials to further their transphobia within legal matters. Earlier in March, Tenne. Gov. Bill Lee signed a law that would place a ban on all gender-affirming care for any transgender person under the age of 18. While at the same time, having a permitless carry law in place across the state allows anyone over the age of 21 to purchase a firearm with no permit. 

As the aftermath of the shooting was unfolding, Nashville police updated journalists on the shooter’s identity. They revealed that the gunman was a 28-year-old trans man after citing a social media profile that showed him using masculine pronouns. Immediately as this news of the shooter’s identity was released, far-right lawmakers and supporters took this news and added fuel to an already high-engulfing flame of transphobia towards innocent trans-people. 

Lawmakers such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) went on Twitter and Capitol Hill to speculate that hormone treatments may have played a role in the shooting. Stating quote, “How much hormones like testosterone and medications for mental illness was the transgender Nashville school shooter taking? Everyone can stop blaming guns now.” Other far-right fear-mongers have been tweeting that there has been a recent pattern of trans and non-binary people perpetrating mass shootings, most recently with the Club Q shooting in Colo. Springs back in November last year. 

In shootings of the past, many of these lawmakers and far-right spokespeople have condemned Democrats and victims as well for turning tragedies like these into gun debates, such as calling for bans against semi-automatic weapons. These far-right conservatives do not realize that this should not be turned into a debate about trans people and that this is a debate for guns because of their laws of permitless carry for adults and not requiring background checks of any kind to purchase a firearm. However, the moment a tragedy strikes that can work in favor of their ideals, they can turn and spin it into a fear-mongering tactic against a protected class of people. 

This past year alone, at least 38 transgender individuals had been murdered, according to a tracker from the Human Rights Campaign. Twitter also saw an onslaught of violent transphobic tweets, even having #TransTerrorism trending, calling for violent acts to be made against anyone who identifies as trans or non-binary and labeling the entire group as child predators. Individuals are putting all people who identify as trans or non-binary at risk with these fear-mongering accusations. 

However, let’s entertain the idea the right has about making this tragedy into a commentary on gender. Let’s start with statistics from the National Institute of Justice, where they noted that almost 98% of mass shootings had been committed by cisgender men (assigned male at birth and identified as male still). The Gun Violence Archive also found that of the 3,561 mass shootings since 2016, only 0.11% of these acts were committed by individuals who did not identify as cisgender. There has not been an increase in “violent transgender acts,” even with the four recent shootings committed by those who did not identify as cisgender. 

Instead, there is an argument to be made that if this recent shooter in Nashville did identify as a trans-male, then the shooter falls into the trend of men committing these acts of violence because of the sinister root of toxic masculinity deeply rooted within American culture. Instead of being able to come out about how they are feeling in an open and comforting space, men are encouraged from a young age to bottle up those feelings until they explode into violent forms of expression. 

What these lawmakers should be doing instead of turning this into a debate surrounding trans people is listening to their constituents and the actual victims of mass shootings. After the shooting had occurred, thousands of protesters marched on the Tenn. state capitol to demand better gun control, such as enacting Red Flag Laws.

The Nashville shooting should not be used to further an agenda and, essentially, an attack on transgender people. At a time when you have conservative commentators like Michael Knowles exclaiming, “Transgenderism must be eradicated,” all this will do is put many people at risk for acts of violence for a very few people committing extremist acts. 

The post Turning a national tragedy into a fear-mongering weapon first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Madison Lira

On a day of national tragedy that struck Nashville, Tenn., Covenant Christian School, many far-right conservatives are turning the mass shooting into a fear-mongering tactic to use against transgender people. The shooting allowed far-right officials to further their transphobia within legal matters. Earlier in March, Tenne. Gov. Bill Lee signed a law that would place a ban on all gender-affirming care for any transgender person under the age of 18. While at the same time, having a permitless carry law in place across the state allows anyone over the age of 21 to purchase a firearm with no permit. 

As the aftermath of the shooting was unfolding, Nashville police updated journalists on the shooter’s identity. They revealed that the gunman was a 28-year-old trans man after citing a social media profile that showed him using masculine pronouns. Immediately as this news of the shooter’s identity was released, far-right lawmakers and supporters took this news and added fuel to an already high-engulfing flame of transphobia towards innocent trans-people. 

Lawmakers such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) went on Twitter and Capitol Hill to speculate that hormone treatments may have played a role in the shooting. Stating quote, “How much hormones like testosterone and medications for mental illness was the transgender Nashville school shooter taking? Everyone can stop blaming guns now.” Other far-right fear-mongers have been tweeting that there has been a recent pattern of trans and non-binary people perpetrating mass shootings, most recently with the Club Q shooting in Colo. Springs back in November last year. 

In shootings of the past, many of these lawmakers and far-right spokespeople have condemned Democrats and victims as well for turning tragedies like these into gun debates, such as calling for bans against semi-automatic weapons. These far-right conservatives do not realize that this should not be turned into a debate about trans people and that this is a debate for guns because of their laws of permitless carry for adults and not requiring background checks of any kind to purchase a firearm. However, the moment a tragedy strikes that can work in favor of their ideals, they can turn and spin it into a fear-mongering tactic against a protected class of people. 

This past year alone, at least 38 transgender individuals had been murdered, according to a tracker from the Human Rights Campaign. Twitter also saw an onslaught of violent transphobic tweets, even having #TransTerrorism trending, calling for violent acts to be made against anyone who identifies as trans or non-binary and labeling the entire group as child predators. Individuals are putting all people who identify as trans or non-binary at risk with these fear-mongering accusations. 

However, let’s entertain the idea the right has about making this tragedy into a commentary on gender. Let’s start with statistics from the National Institute of Justice, where they noted that almost 98% of mass shootings had been committed by cisgender men (assigned male at birth and identified as male still). The Gun Violence Archive also found that of the 3,561 mass shootings since 2016, only 0.11% of these acts were committed by individuals who did not identify as cisgender. There has not been an increase in “violent transgender acts,” even with the four recent shootings committed by those who did not identify as cisgender. 

Instead, there is an argument to be made that if this recent shooter in Nashville did identify as a trans-male, then the shooter falls into the trend of men committing these acts of violence because of the sinister root of toxic masculinity deeply rooted within American culture. Instead of being able to come out about how they are feeling in an open and comforting space, men are encouraged from a young age to bottle up those feelings until they explode into violent forms of expression. 

What these lawmakers should be doing instead of turning this into a debate surrounding trans people is listening to their constituents and the actual victims of mass shootings. After the shooting had occurred, thousands of protesters marched on the Tenn. state capitol to demand better gun control, such as enacting Red Flag Laws.

The Nashville shooting should not be used to further an agenda and, essentially, an attack on transgender people. At a time when you have conservative commentators like Michael Knowles exclaiming, “Transgenderism must be eradicated,” all this will do is put many people at risk for acts of violence for a very few people committing extremist acts. 

The post Turning a national tragedy into a fear-mongering weapon first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Camerron Martin 

Anything and everything is fair game in the movie industry these days as companies and producers seek inspiration for their next big blockbuster hit. Movies based on books, plays, video games, and even board games have repeatedly been released for as long as film has been around. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the popular board game Dungeons and Dragons finally got its turn in the spotlight.

The movie was released in theaters on Friday, March 3, and there were many mixed feelings people initially held about the film. With the record of video and board game movie adaptations being reasonably poor, people were still determining what to expect from the movie, despite the scenes in the trailers showing promise for the film.

After recently seeing the movie in theaters, I thought it was as well-made as the trailers presented it. Dungeons and Dragons is a game that involves a lot of imagination. Therefore, many often stray off the path of prebuilt adventures to create their worlds, which is okay as it sparks creativity. Still, the movie itself is mainly based on the original principles of the Dungeons and Dragons board game initially released in 1974 by a company known as Tactical Studies Rules (TSR) until the late nineties when that game came under the ownership of Hasbro Inc.

Being an advocate player in Dungeons and Dragons, it was very easy to understand what was happening throughout the film and even allowed for some insight into the directions it could have gone in based on previously known background knowledge. However, one would only have to be a fan of the game to appreciate the movie, as it could be viewed as a movie set in medieval fantasy about a group of adventures on an epic quest. 

The film follows closely to the source material, which adds that level of authenticity to it which makes it enjoyable to watch. Despite the film’s fantasy setting, it feels like it is in proportion, as everything that takes place during its duration is something a player could achieve.

It’s effortless to watch the characters in the movie face off against their challenges and foes and imagine a table of friends acting out all of the scenes through the game. Each encounter shows how well a player might have rolled for an action based on the characters’ success. 

The movie also kept a good pace and always came to a point where it could have been more exciting and exciting, as it contained scenes of humor, action, sorrow, and happiness throughout its entire runtime. The characters could have been more varied; whether they were main or side characters, they all had a relatively detailed reason to exist in the story. The scenery throughout the locations that were shown was very well designed as well. It gave a great look into the world of Dungeons and Dragons that players’ characters often experience.

Overall, the movie was well made, and the actors who played the characters did a great job. Seeing a sequel to the story or even a completely new story in the same universe, much like a different campaign, would do just as well if they continue to hold it close to the source material.

The post A review of Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.

By Madison Lira

Beginning her career before she could even walk, Brooke Shields has been in the Hollywood limelight for the entirety of her life. Radiating with beauty since she was born, it didn’t long for the name “Brooke Shields” to become a household staple. Shields being thrust into the limelight from just a baby would throw her into the dark underbelly of Hollywood, however. She would discover that her fame and glamour would come at a price: constant sexualization and a loss of agency over her body and mind. In her documentary “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields,” Shields recalls moments that shaped her into the woman she is today. She is not only an advocate for her teenage daughters but mothers and women over 40 having to relearn having agency over their own lives. The documentary bearing the name of her first and, consequently, most controversial film in which 11-year-old Shields played the role of a prostitute, serves as a cautionary tale of the sexual and commercial objectification of young girls and women. 

With the films she’s starred in, Shields brings up the ones in her early childhood to teenage years that threw her into the lion’s den of accusations and constant objectification by older men. “Pretty Baby,” where she kissed her 29-year-old co-star Keith Carradine at 11 years old. “Blue Lagoon,” where director Randal Kleiser said she was going from a child into a woman while filming when Shields was just 16. 

“They wanted to make it a reality show,” Shields said. “They wanted to sell my actual sexual awakening.” Shields didn’t even have her own opinion on her sexuality as growing up Catholic, sex was a taboo topic, and her parents repeatedly told her to wait until marriage for it. 

When Shields filmed a sex scene for the film “Endless Love,” director Franco Zeffirelli had repeatedly become displeased with Shields’s facial expressions while filming the scene. So Zeffirelli decided to start twisting Shields’s toe during the stages to capture what looked like an expression of ecstasy on her face when she really was in pain. The filming of this movie is where Sheilds’s also learned to disassociate from her own body, where she could not have to watch herself film something that was actively causing her harm.

The documentary also provided an outlet for Sheilds to speak for the first time about how, at 22 years old, she was raped by an unnamed Hollywood filmmaker. “I didn’t fight that much. I didn’t. I just absolutely froze. I thought my one ‘no’ should have been enough. And I just thought, stay alive and get out. And I just . . . ‘voomp,’ just shut it out. And God knows I knew how to be disassociated from my body. I had practiced that,” said Shields. 

With these revelations, however, the ending shots of the documentary feature Shields speaking with her daughters and showing the growth of confidence, self-love, and advocacy that she has now for herself. Her daughters talk with admirable self-awareness and knowledge about their mother’s exploitation at a young age and how they knew it was wrong. “Everything is different now,” declared one of the girls. 

“Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields” is now available to stream in a two-part series on Hulu.

The post Brooke Shields heartbreaking revelations in “Pretty Baby” first appeared on CSU-Pueblo Today.