Tag: Sarah Kelley ’18
Tangent & Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on December 7, 2017
Opinion
Take a Break: Watch A Capella
By the end of the semester, stress levels and workloads are especially high for students, professors, and faculty alike. Remembering to take a moment to relax and enjoy the holiday season is often difficult, but one end-of-the-semester event always seems to make it easier: Providence College’s very own A cappella show.
Not only did PC’s three A cappella groups deliver high-energy musical performances that could get any PC student singing and clapping along, but their diverse and unexpected set list really took the audience by storm.
First and foremost, PC’s all-male group, Special Guest, completely turned heads with their closing song. I do not think anyone in the crowd was expecting to hear a song from Moana that night, let alone a funky mash-up of “How Far I’ll Go” and “You’re Welcome,” and other songs performed with the spunk and passion that only a Disney soundtrack can evoke.
Strictly Speaking also came in hot with an attention-grabbing cover of one of Elton John’s classics, “Bennie and the Jets,” and no one could ignore the energy and pure clapping power of Anaclastic’s version of “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons.
Although the end-of-semester chaos has fallen upon PC, our A cappella groups’ performances remind us to always take a step back from the stress this time of year, sit down, unwind, and enjoy the talent our students have to offer through their unique and passionate performances.
-Sarah Kelley ’18
Photo Courtesy of Jeremy Selwyn – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Royal Engagement Shows Progress
Wedding bells are ringing in England. On Nov. 27, Prince Harry announced his engagement to Meghan Markle. After meeting on a blind date and dating for a year and a half, the couple is set to be married in spring 2018. This engagement proves to be unprecedented for a number of reasons. Markle, who starred in the drama series Suits, will be the first American in recent history, as well as the first person who identifies as biracial, to marry into the royal family. Markle’s mother is black and her father is white.
While this marriage will prove to be historic, there has been some backlash. In their first interview following the engagement, Markle described negative media regarding her race to be “disheartening.” In a statement, Prince Harry spoke out against such media coverage and denounced “the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments.”
Despite these negative responses, the engagement has been largely praised. Many see the relationship as being representative of a more modern and progressive monarchy. In their post- engagement interview, both Prince Harry and his fiancée spoke of their plans to work for social justice. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s engagement should be celebrated not only because of the love they share, but for its potential effect on a more tolerant world.
-Gabrielle Bianco ’21
Muslims Are Not the Problem
When the leader of the country spreads messages about hate, what hope is there for everyone else? President Trump’s inflammatory retweets of anti-Muslim videos only enable those who harbor the same hatred for anyone who might be considered an outsider and wait for an opportunity to express it.
Throughout his campaign and presidency, Trump has proven to be particularly concerned with national security and the threat of terrorism. However, there is a definitive line between making border protection a high priority and condemning an entire group of people simply because they do not reside within those borders.
Instead of isolating terrorists as the real perpetrators, Trump suggests that a whole religion is at fault. By retweeting videos of a Muslim boy being violent against a boy with crutches, he endorses the views of a far-right and radical nationalist group.
Categorizing all Muslims together is unfair because it suggests that over one billion people worldwide are villainous solely because of their religion. Yet the same logic does not seem to apply nearly as much with perpetrators of any other religion.
Religion should not have to be the primary determinant of an individual’s character, nor should it be grounds for incriminating a consolidated group of people. Muslims are more than their religion, and the ones who pose a threat are in the minority.
-Hannah Paxton ’19
Hope in Light of Tragedy: Sutherland Springs Church Holds First Mass Since Shooting
by The Cowl Editor on November 16, 2017
Opinion
by Sarah Kelley ’18
Opinion Co-Editor
This past Sunday, the surviving members of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs held their first service since the shooting that took the lives of 26 of their fellow worshippers just over a week ago.
While organizers had initially scheduled the memorial service to be held inside a nearby community center, it was soon moved to a local baseball park as hundreds of people planned to attend.
The number of churchgoers soon exceeded the entire population of this small Texas community, as people from all over the state and the country came to mourn and find hope in their faith.
This service and its large attendance, just a week after the unspeakable violence and tragedy that struck the town of Sutherland Springs, are a true testament of the power of faith and hope over hatred and violence, even during the toughest of times for a community.
Under a white tent, mourners filled countless rows of folding chairs, with the first three designated for members of the First Baptist Church and their loved ones.
As church pastor and father of 14-year-old victim Annabelle, Frank Pomeroy led members through an emotional service and brought a positive message to everyone in mourning. “I say we choose light, not the darkness that the gunman did,” said an emotional Pomeroy.
After the service, Senator John Cornyn, described the impact of the service to reporters, explaining, “It is truly remarkable…What I said when I spoke is that most of this defies our power of comprehension, but not Pastor Pomeroy…He realized that there is a higher power that is in charge. I saw him standing there in front of the church comforting others, and he lost his 14-year-old daughter…A testament to their faith and compassion for others during this very difficult time.”
Pastor Pomeroy and the congregation of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs truly embody the love and light needed to overcome the loss and suffering from this tragedy and countless others, with continuous episodes of gun violence spreading throughout our country.
While survivors of the shooting and their families could have taken their time to grieve on their own, they did not. They chose to come together as a community and as a group of active and faithful worshippers to mourn, to comfort, to remember the lives lost, and to begin healing together.
Beyond coming together in public, volunteers, church members, and organizers worked tirelessly to transform the church into a moving memorial to commemorate the lives lost during the violence.
Painting everything within the church room white from ceiling to floor, the light and brightness of the memorial is a poignant symbol of the light and hope of the congregation moving forward.
With 26 chairs placed in the church, each holding the name of each victim accompanied by a red rose, there is no doubt that the lives of those lost will continue to live on in the memories of the church members, the community, and the nation.
As Pastor Pomeroy described, all the efforts taken to create the memorial are a reminder to everyone “that love never fails.”
While this message has been spread before, it should deeply resonate with everyone in the nation at this time in history.
With so much violence, hatred, and division overwhelmingly prevalent in our country and around the world, we cannot forget the power of love and hope to preserve our nation and to keep us moving forward.
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on November 9, 2017
Tangents
Marathon Brings Nation Together
During a time when division and disunity seem to infiltrate all forms of media and dominate our lives, we often overlook the events that bring our nation and the world together.
This past Sunday, over 50,000 runners toed the start line of the 47th TCS New York Marathon, ready to begin their 26.2 mile journey.
As one of the largest marathons in the world, this international event brings people together from countries all over the world to run through the boroughs of our nation’s melting pot city.
Before the elite runners took off from Staten Island, race director Peter Ciaccia poignantly described the significance of the event, exclaiming, “Today, the spirit of humanity takes center stage and the spirit of humanity has no borders, only start lines.”
In light of last week’s attacks on NYC—and the numerous violent tragedies we have seen streamed across the news this year—events like the NYC marathon and others are hopeful reminders to everyone of the spirit of humanity.
This spirit still prevails in the strides of every runner, regardless of race, ethnicity, class, religion, etc. And despite the tragedies and hate that fill the world, we can still find unity and strength in recognizing the resilience and positivity of the thousands of people who come together every year to prove themselves on this difficult course.
-Sarah Kelley ’18
Never Fear, Basketball Tickets Are Still Here
Basketball is back at Providence College. This week marks the beginning of the 2017 Men’s Basketball season, and an exciting time for all Friar Fans.
The soccer games have been a great way to take a break from homework, show your support, and spend a few hours outside with friends, yelling out at bad calls and cheering whenever the Friars get a goal.
But basketball is a core part of Friartown, and this year, there is the dilemma that student season passes are all sold out. I myself lost track of time and tried to buy tickets later than normal but was disappointed to hear this news.
There is still hope, though! You can purchase tickets at the Dunkin’ Donuts center at each game or online.
This Friday, November 10 at 7 p.m., there is a game in Alumni Hall, and the student tickets are only four dollars.
However, if you want to go, make sure to get a jump on it because there are only a limited amount of students tickets sold per game.
So, even though you may have missed out on a great deal with the season passes, do not let this stop you from being a fellow Friar.
-McKenzie Tavella ’18
Change Discussion on Sexual Assault
The boost in response to sexual assault on social media after the allegations filed against producer Harvey Weinstein is a promising reaction to the long-silenced issue of sexual violence against women. With the recent restoration of the #MeToo campaign, women worldwide have had the opportunity to speak out about their horrific experiences ranging from harassment to overt violence.
However, the way the media frames the perpetrators of such unspeakable exploitation hinders the progress we are making. The Internet’s response to recent accusations against House of Cards actor Kevin Spacey is particularly concerning, as there appears to be a greater focus on the end of his career instead of the condemnation of his crimes.
When searching “Kevin Spacey” online, we find that nearly every article will briefly mention his misbehavior while the majority of the focus is on the consequences House of Cards will face as a result of his dismissal.
Men in entertainment who are convicted of assault tend to be regarded with sympathy, as their actions ultimately result in losing their career. Meanwhile, the victim of the violence is either unknown or ignored, and is rarely given the same attention in the media as his or her abuser.
In addressing incidents of sexual assault, it is important not only to identify the perpetrator, but to treat him or her as such. While Spacey has been punished, the attitude towards his behavior should not change.
-Hannah Paxton ’19
Pumpkinfest Petting Zoo
by The Cowl Editor on October 26, 2017
Campus
by Sarah Kelley ’18
Opinion Co-Editor
Although the heat of summer was still lingering this past Friday, fall was definitely in the air during Providence College’s annual Pumpkin Fest. This autumnal event sponsored by Student Congress, BMSA, BOP, and Community Partners provided a well-deserved break for many students during midterms week and brought the PC community together through a wide array of fall-themed activities.
From delicious donuts and cider to pumpkin decorating, lawn games, and more, Pumpkin Fest was a fun-filled event for all ages. Like so many fun, seasonal PC events, Pumpkin Fest would not be complete without a small petting zoo filled with baby animals. With chicks, bunnies, goats and ducks, the small pen on Slavin Lawn was overflowing with students and small children alike petting and holding these barnyard babies.
While these interactive animal activities may be fun for humans, should we take greater consideration towards how these innocent animals experience petting zoos?
Crowding a small pen with numerous baby animals alone would create the potential of overstimulation and stress for any young bunny, duck, or chick; therefore, allowing ten or more young children, college students, and adults to fill the remaining open space seems to only guarantee this kind of trauma.
As the initial group of humans entered the pen, the retreat of chickens and ducks to the far walls alone called for greater reconsideration of how these innocent animals are being affected by this “fun” petting zoo experience.
While I am not trying to argue for the end of petting zoos and baby animal events on PC campus, I do think we should reconsider our treatment of these animals and the restrictive conditions under which we are placing them for our own amusement. To what end can we justify our own enjoyment and fun over the well-being and health of these innocent, young barnyard babies?
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on October 19, 2017
Opinion
Birth Control Prevents More Than Just Pregnancy
If President Trump intends to prevent “risky sexual behavior,” rolling back birth control coverage is scientifically proven to be one of the worst ways to approach the issue. Regardless of religious views on abortion, forbidding usage of birth control is no better than hindering one’s access to other medications.
The common misunderstanding with birth control is that women use it solely for contraceptive purposes. But the pill has a variety medical purposes that many are unaware of.
When we think of birth control we think of preventing pregnancy, yet the truth is its medicinal abilities extend beyond that of the reproductive cycle.
A study from the National Survey of Family Growth found that while 86 percent of birth control consumers use the pill for pregnancy prevention, 31 percent use it for menstrual pain relief, 28 percent use it for other pain relief such as migraines, 14 percent use it for acne treatment, and four percent use it for endometriosis treatment.
If Trump’s plan is to reduce abortion rates, cutting back on free birth control is not an effective way to do so. Another study in 2012 found that when women received free birth control, the rate of abortion and unplanned pregnancy decreased by a range of 62 to 78 percent.
Not only is the president perpetuating the issue of abortion, but he is robbing millions of women of their right to medical treatment.
-Hannah Paxton ’19
Late Night Madness is Maddening
Late Night Madness has become an event defined by clichés and repetition. Year after year, the same trio of occurrences goes down in Mulaney Gymnasium: dance groups dance, basketball teams play basketball, and rappers rap (and Coach Cooley wears a track suit).
This year, however, the decision of event regulators to separate the traditional concert from the dances and teams’ introductions badly hurt attendance for the pre-concert portion of the night. If the Providence College sports marketing team does not return the event to its previous format, the appeal and enticement of the basketball season kick-off could be lost.
The plethora of empty seats inside the gym during the dancing and introductions of the basketball team demonstrates the significance of the rapper for the fans. In years past, students have packed the arena in the hopes of being able to snag a good spot on the floor to take in a performance from rappers like Big Sean and Ludacris.
This year, however, with the obligation to attend the dances and the basketball portion of the event eliminated, many students decided to skip the festivities many of them might see as less entertaining when compared with a top-name rapper coming to campus.
Indeed, the sports marketing team might have missed the forest for the trees: students just might enjoy a huge concert more than members of their own campus community performing. It would be a big mistake not to change Late Night Madness back to its original arrangement.
-Kevin Copp ’18
Millions Suffer Without Subsidies
Has the horror of Friday the 13th come a day early this year? Last Thursday night, President Donald Trump announced his plan to terminate an essential set of subsidies of the Affordable Care Act. These subsidies, created to help lower-income enrollees pay for their health care, are estimated at $1 billion, and play a critical role in ensuring Americans’ access to essential health care that they would otherwise be unable to afford.
Not only is President Trump disproportionately targeting and jeopardizing the health of some six million of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, but he is again exemplifying his and the Republican Party’s failure to “repeal and replace” Obamacare.
Picking apart vital elements of the Affordable Care Act, without actually replacing this complex piece of health-care legislation, inserts a virtual ticking time bomb into our health care system.
Without these crucial subsidies, we can expect more health insurers to withdraw from the marketplace for the following year, fewer healthy subscribers enrolling in marketplace plans because of continued premium increases, and consequently older and sicker pools of participants covered under whatever plans remain.
These fatal changes, coupled with Trump’s plan to create less expensive (and less comprehensive) health care plans seem to be a virtual death sentence for the marketplace. Without an actual feasible replacement for the ACA, Trump’s most recent actions are but another example of his unfulfilled political promises, which continue to leave millions of America’s most vulnerable sidelined.
-Sarah Kelley ’18
Stop Politicizing Education
by The Cowl Editor on October 5, 2017
Opinion
by Sarah Kelley ’18
Opinion Co-Editor
To what extent can we as a nation allow divisive politics to dominate and influence our own children’s access to educational resources?
In celebration of National Read a Book Day on Sept. 6, First Lady Melania Trump sent 10 Dr. Seuss books to a chosen school in each state across the nation.
In her letters to students, Trump wrote, “I wanted to send you a special gift. Dr. Seuss’s Oh the Places You’ll Go! is a book my son and I have read over and over again, and one that we want to share with all of you…Please also remember that you are the future of America and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
While this seemingly innocent gift may have initially appeared to be a way for the first lady to promote education and help children throughout our nation, one librarian had a very different understanding.
Liz Phipps Soeiro, a librarian from a public school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, responded to the first lady’s gift. In a letter to Melania Trump, Soeiro rejected the books, explaining that her schools did not have a “need” for them.
In addition to vehemently criticizing the racist and stereotypical nature of many Dr. Seuss books, Soeiro also slammed the Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos and the current state of the educational system in the United States.
Though her response was caustic, Soeiro did make many valid and truthful points. The systematic marginalization of countless schools across our nation as a result of policies put in place by our Department of Education, the possible racist undertones of certain Dr. Seuss books, and the potential need for the White House to reconsider what types of schools they gift books to are all important issues that should be resolved.
And while denying the truth and legitimacy of these issues would be ignoring the changes that must be made within our nation’s system of education, the question still stands as to how we as a nation can allow politics to divisively impact children’s access to educational resources—even if those resources are just a gift of 10 Dr. Seuss books.
While Soeiro did have a right to express her views on the first lady’s gift and the Trump administration, did she have the right to reject books gifted to school children to promote their education and learning?
Could no child within her school have benefited from access to these books? Was there truly nothing positive to be gained through the acceptance of these Dr. Seuss books into her school system?
Asking these questions is not to deny the fact that many other schools throughout the United States could have benefitted more from this type of gift. Rather, it forces us as a nation to question whether the contentious politicization of something so innocent and yet so transformational as a book is justified.
Many other first ladies, including Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Barbara Bush, have read Dr. Seuss books to children at countless educational events. These events were framed in the positive light of educational promotion, with no backlash regarding the nature of the Dr. Seuss books, which children were benefitting from the readings, or the state of our Department of Education
And although the discussion of these issues is vital if positive changes are to be made within our nation’s educational policies, we must continue to question how these dialogues begin. Can we as a nation allow the freedom of expression of one individual to potentially impact the access to educational resources of children?
Is there a line that should be drawn in terms of how far we can allow politics to affect our perspectives and interpretations of educational promotion? Had these same books been gifted by a first man (*cough cough* Bill Clinton), if election results had been different, would Soeiro still have rejected them? Would this issue still be newsworthy? Is this something we as a nation should accept?
We must keep these questions in mind moving forward. We must recognize and be skeptical of when, where, and how we should politicize actions, such as individuals giving books to children, and beyond.
Tangents & Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on September 28, 2017
Opinion
Let Commuters Park on Campus
This may not come as a shock, but there is a very small percentage of student commuters at Providence College—three percent to be exact. Perhaps there is a reason for this minute statistic. Commuting to any college is difficult, but this is especially true at PC. Previously, parking was already a highly debated topic. However, with the construction of the Arthur F. and Patricia Ryan Center for Business Studies, a significant amount of student parking was taken away. Commuters are able to park in three lots on campus: Anderson Garage, Glay Lot off of Eaton Street, and Fennel Hall Lot. Although this is a generous amount, the issue is that two of these lots are also used for resident students. Therefore, because these students live on-campus, their cars are rarely ever moved, especially during the day while students are in class. How are commuting students supposed to park when there is no turnover?
The only way around this is to dedicate a parking lot solely to commuters. The Anderson Garage is also often full with faculty and staff cars because it is a much shorter walk than parking in the Fennel Lot. Parking on the street is another option, but everyone else has already thought of this, and there are usually no spots left. There is always the option of taking an Uber to school, but doing this round-trip every day gets to be very costly. After doing the math, it actually equates to more than the full-time, year-round parking pass. Even though there is a very small amount of students who live more than a half a mile away from campus, we do exist. So, PC, please hear our message. This way I can avoid being late to class (again and again) after driving all over campus for a half hour to find a spot —and even then I sometimes don’t and have to park on an insecure side-street.
-McKenzie Tavella ’18
Respect the Quiet Zone
For those Providence College students who venture to the Phillips Memorial Library to get their studying done, I have a message for you all: keep the “Quiet Zone” quiet.
On many nights, I have come to Club Phil to escape the noise of Slavin, the commotion of my apartment, or the disruptions of the Ryan Center for Business Studies—only to find myself just as distracted by other students talking, texting, and using their phones in the “Quiet Zones” of the library.
While these noises and distractions may be acceptable in certain parts of the library, the “Quiet Zone” is not one of them.
The labels of the “Quiet Zones” throughout the library promise students sitting in these areas the peace and silence they deserve to study and focus.
But far too often, these labels go ignored as more and more students sit wherever they want, use cell phones with complete disregard for those around, and watch videos on their laptops, without headphones, at noise levels far too high for any library setting.
Students wishing to talk and text while studying need be more cognizant and respectful of where they choose to study. Library staff similarly should be more aware of the noise levels in these areas and not hesitate to enforce them through friendly reminders (or even a “Shh” now and then).
As a place of reading and study, the library should first and foremost promote an environment conducive to students’ learning and focus, and this starts with “Quiet Zones” that are actually quiet…
-Sarah Kelley ’18
Too Early For Christmas
Now that the end of September is near, excitement for colder weather and fall festivities is in full swing. It seems that every month in the fall and winter has a holiday that those who celebrate wait for in intense anticipation. But there is something strange about getting too excited for a holiday too soon.
For example, there are few things more disheartening than walking into a store in July and seeing the back to school section set up and fully stocked. It is also not uncommon to walk into a store in September and see Halloween or even Christmas decorations on display.
These premature holiday displays this time of year feel just as unnecessary as back to school displays in July. There is no need to the rush the anticipation of a certain holiday or event. It becomes more and more difficult to appreciate the present moment when holidays that are months away are constantly being advertised. No one needs to be thinking about how they are going to decorate for Halloween in August, or even in September.
There is plenty of time to decorate and get excited about holidays as they become closer. When the anticipation begins months in advance, it usually either becomes too hard to maintain or the expectations for the holiday become too high.
There is nothing wrong with preparing and being excited for a celebration, but no one needs to see Halloween or Christmas decorations every time they enter a store months and months ahead of time. Whatever month or season we are in should be appreciated while it is happening, not spent in anticipation for a day in the future.
-Bridget Blain ’19
We The Cowl Staff
by The Cowl Editor on September 21, 2017
Opinion
by Sarah Kelley ’18 & Hannah Paxton ’19
Opinion Co-Editor & Asst. Opinion Editor
“The motto…of Providence College is Veritas, truth, and the College’s deepest mission is to teach its students to love and live in the truth,” said President of Providence College, Father Brian Shanley, O.P., in a message about the College’s mission statement. When over 1,000 copies of The Cowl were taken from the stands last Friday, this pursuit of the truth was directly and unrighteously violated.
While the whereabouts of the papers and the reason for their absence are still obscure, we do know that they were missing by Friday afternoon, less than 24 hours after they were distributed. The Department of Public Safety has been reviewing tapes, but no definitive suspect has been identified. The confiscation of The Cowl is subject to speculation, as anyone for any reason could have been responsible.
Regardless of who is accountable, to take away The Cowl is to limit the pursuit of truth of our campus and community. The Cowl is one of the largest, if not the largest, platform for PC students and their concerns to be heard. Everything that is published is written with the thought of the College’s mission of Veritas in mind. We strive to honestly inform students, professors, and faculty alike despite whatever differences in perspective there may be.
Freedom of speech is a constitutional right, one that should especially be upheld in a community that fosters the search for Veritas. Aside from divergence in opinion, The Cowl works tirelessly every week to have their voices and the truth be heard on behalf of their fellow students. No matter the motive behind this action, the fundamental right of expression has been disrespected.
Yet even with the significant support we have received from administration, from the Department of Public Safety, and from the faculty, the fact still remains that within the last few days, we have not received sufficient leads to close this case.
We cannot allow the numerous voices that our newspaper represents to be silenced through this violation of free speech. These are the voices of all those affected by the termination of the DACA program, the voices of those enlivened and outraged by our current presidential administration, and the voices of those students and faculty who believe an oversized flame may not be the best way for our college to be spending its money, just to name a few.
This oppressive action cannot deter The Cowl, let alone an institution of higher learning such as Providence College, from our pursuit of Veritas and from protecting our constitutional right to free speech. For these reasons, a greater, more timely, and consolidated response and plan of action is essential if we are to prioritize the values of truth and free speech that we hold as not only a college but also as a country founded on the belief in certain liberties, which of recent, have not been upheld.
The dead ends we encountered over the weekend regarding the investigation of the stolen newspaper is disappointing. This is an issue of campus and national significance that must be swiftly and properly addressed.
Trump: It’s Time To Talk Climate Change
by The Cowl Editor on September 14, 2017
Opinion
by Sarah Kelley ’18
Opinion Co-Editor
Over the past weekend, President Trump’s tweet, “Hurricane Irma is of epic proportion, perhaps bigger than we have ever seen…Federal G is ready!” caught my eye. I could not ignore the irony of this social media statement or stop myself from wondering how the President of the United States could really claim our federal government’s readiness when he does not even acknowledge the existence of climate change, let alone its impact on these high-intensity storms.
From Trump’s withdrawal of the U.S. from the United Nations Climate Change Conference agreement, to his administration’s efforts to derail the Environmental Protection Agency’s research and funding, our country’s leader is consistently turning away from a scientific reality that has already had devastating consequences.
Hurricane Harvey dumped an estimated 27 trillion gallons of rain throughout Texas and Louisiana during a six day period, breaking the national record for the most rainfall from a landfalling tropical cyclone and causing an estimated $75 billion in eventual losses. And with Irma now tearing through Florida, six million people have been left without electricity as high-power winds have torn down trees, powerlines, and anything else in the path of the storm, and these are just the initial reports.
Yet, Trump’s claiming that our nation was ready for these storms—without the full integration of scientific leadership within his administration—grossly misrepresents the reality of these hurricanes, whose destructive potential is in fact strengthened by climate change.
While we cannot conclude that climate change itself caused the devastating hurricanes Harvey and Irma, meteorologists confirm that increasing global temperatures have altered environmental factors that intensify the impact of these storms. With rising global temperatures come rising ocean levels, which can strengthen storm surges of hurricanes.
Sean Sublette, a meteorologist from Climate Central, explained the phenomena: “…higher sea levels mean that storm surge or the coastal flooding that occurs when a hurricane makes landfall is higher and reaches farther inland.” Furthermore, warmer temperatures precipitate higher rainfall levels, also exacerbating storm intensity and heightening the destructive potential of torrential downpours.
Many would hope that this scientific evidence in the wake of the devastation and destruction of these storms would sway Trump to perhaps consider the role of climate change in intensifying the horrific impacts of these storms. The gaping holes in scientific leadership within our federal government, however, have forced many scientists and citizens alike to believe otherwise.
President Trump has made clear on numerous occasions his disbelief in climate change science. These uninformed personal views of the president on an issue of such global significance have consequently left vacant numerous scientific and technological leadership positions within our government.
The Office of Science and Technology Policy is understaffed, the White House is void of any in-house science advisors, and even our National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lacks a chief. Trump has no right to claim our nation’s readiness to face these catastrophic storms, let alone any natural disasters, if our Federal Government lacks evidence-based scientific leadership and scientific advisors guiding a concurrent long-term action plan to address climate change.
We as a nation cannot allow an issue of such high stakes as climate change to continue to be pushed aside by presidential leadership if we hope to be truly ready to address current and future natural disasters, let alone global sustainability.
Tangents and Tirades
by The Cowl Editor on August 31, 2017
Opinion
Hurricane Preparedness: Are We Doing Enough?
Twelve years after Hurricane Katrina and we are still asking: have we done everything possible to prepare for a hurricane?
With increasing levels of technology and improved hurricane tracking, we have become more aware of what to expect from these high-intensity storms. And with this awareness, decision-making by officials as well as citizens has been improving.
During Hurricane Katrina, many people did not understand the severity of the storm and continued to stay in their homes. After battling disastrous flooding, and being trapped in their homes without electricity, many people in New Orleans explained how they would have changed their choice to stay had they known what they would endure.
With that in mind, officials have made changes regarding how to advise those who will be affected by hurricanes. For instance, when enduring Hurricane Sandy on Long Island, New York, citizens were strongly advised to evacuate the island.
And while most of us are fortunate enough to have a safe place to go during a hurricane, what happens to those without homes in the first place?
As noted by New York Times writer Julie Turkewitz, the homeless in Texas are truly afraid. One such citizen, Roy Joe Cox, explained his fear for what lies ahead, saying, “I have no place to go and it’s going to get bad, I don’t know how I’m going to live through it.”
Although he found some shelter under a freeway, that does not protect him from flooding or debris that is picked up and thrown by heavy winds. All human beings should have the right to protection, including those without homes.
-Kelsey Dass ’18
Spare Parts Sparks Thoughtful Dialogue
Walking into a freshmen-filled classroom this past Friday, I was excited, but hesitant to begin the conversation.
Having agreed to help facilitate the Common Reading discussion as part of Providence College’s New Student Orientation, I had no clue whether the freshmen would be interested in their summer reading, Spare Parts, or if they would have even read any of it.
The inspiring underdog story of four undocumented high school students entering a collegiate level robotics competition encompassed a variety of themes. From immigration and education to citizenship and opportunity, I realized this might not be an easy dialogue to foster with new college students.
But in all honesty, I was extremely surprised by both the level of maturity and the sincerity of conversation from the freshmen I spoke with. Not only were they engaged with the controversial topic of immigration the novel centers around, but they were also receptive to each other’s different views.
By the end of the discussion, we had examined and shared different perspectives, stories, and perceptions of immigration within the United States, as well as what truths we believed we had gained from the book.
After having this discussion, I was reminded of PC’s own motto: Veritas. On the College’s website, a message from Father Shanley, O.P., explains, “…the College’s deepest mission is to teach its students to love and live in truth…”
Through the discussions promoted by the Common Reading Program, it seems this contemplation of truth is alive and well within the incoming class.
-Sarah Kelley ’18