by Adeola I., Staff Writer
What do short term mission trips and one-day community service projects have in common? Well, for starters, they are both done by intruders who come into an unfamiliar community with the goal of imparting some good upon the community. While one-time community service acts are not a bad thing, they are a temporary thing. Communities see people walk in and walk out, while the root of their issues still stand. Many people ultimately volunteer in order to feel good about themselves and the idea that they imparted some good into the world. What is your motive when you volunteer? Do you function in the mindset that you are there to help that person do what they could not? Or is your mindset focused around what you can learn from the community you're helping and how?Is it centered around how you can more effectively contribute to the world around you? Are you determined to walk away having learned something new about the issue at hand so that you can continue to help and work with the community you served, even if its from a distance? Before I became an intern at the Hope House, a campus ministry at UTC, I joined the Hope House team on a service trip to Charlotte, North Carolina during spring break of 2017. It was then and there that I met Ramona Brant. She served 21 years in federal prison for a crime she did not commit, as it was alleged she knew her then boyfriend was involved in drug trafficking. She had been sentenced to life in prison. As we stood in the halfway house she was inhabiting, she talked to us about how daunting that sentence was. It wasn’t a number, not something you could have a countdown for or something that had an end. Her sentence was something she would have to die for, for it to end. She told us about the work she did while she was incarcerated. She informed us about the horrors the ever growing female prison population is enduring. She worked with the local government in Charlotte and tirelessly advocated on behalf of the women she left behind in prison. The Hope House invited her to speak for Black History Month in 2018. She suddenly passed away a few weeks later. Although Ramona Brant can no longer work to better the lives of those incarcerated, others who were inspired by her words and actions can continue this work. Service and advocacy is not limited to a “qualified” elite few. Dr. King once said, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s “Theory of Relativity” to serve. You don’t have to know the Second Theory of Thermodynamics in Physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” Following her death, the Hope House began hosting letter writing days in which students would come and write letters to inmates. Ramona had talked to us about the simple joy an inmate feels when they hear their name called to receive a letter, even if its from a stranger. Abandon the mindset of volunteering or service that is centered around quick fixes and 2 hour shifts. Think about how you can get involved in your community and work with your community (or another community) to face the challenges plaguing it.
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by Deborah K., Staff Writer
With finals coming up, most of you are probably freaking out. So, if you are like me you will probably be spending your time studying for your exams. But as you keep her heads in your books, don’t forget to eat something! I know finding a meal while you study can be a bit of a hassle, so you might end up eating unhealthy snacks like a giant bag of chips, or worse, sweets. But as you spend the next few days with your head in your books and eating whatever, try to remember there are healthy snacks out there. Here are a few healthy snacks to nibble on as you go through the next few stressful days: 4. Carrots Those orange vegetables are a very healthy snack, but knowing it is a vegetable you already know it’s healthy. Plus, it’s sweet, but a healthy kind of sweet. And it helps your eyesight. 3. Nuts You might be surprised but nuts are very filling. Whether it’s pecans, walnuts, almonds, peanuts or hazelnuts, nuts are very filling and healthy. A handful of either one of those with a bottle or a cup of water will fill you up for a while. Almonds, in particular, are very healthy. They are food your brain craves to make it better: nuts are filled with fiber, calcium, iron, and many other nutrition that your body needs. 2. Fruits There is no surprise here, fruits are healthy snacks. They are both sweet and tasty. Plus, no matter how late you eat them, it does nothing wrong for your body because all its ingredients are vitamins that your body needs. You don’t have to go to Walmart to get those. Croads and the Pod market have them. 1. Popcorn Yes. Popcorn is one of the best healthy snacks for anytime, day or night. However, it is healthier if you make it from scratch. That is kernels, olive oil and a pinch of salt. But let’s be honest, no college student is going to drive up to Walmart to get popcorn kernels, olive oil and a little container of salt just to make popcorn. So I guess it’s okay to eat the microwavable ones, but be careful. Too many microwaveable foods are not good for you. by Simone E., Editor-in-Chief This summer, when you’re not doing whatever it is you’ll be doing, you could be watching a few shows that are, at least in my opinion, pretty good shows. There are some really old shows on the list, and some shows that I haven’t even watched, but a good show is a good show. Feel free to comment on a few that I missed:
Shows that’ll be sort of heartbreaking at times, but maybe you can learn from them?
by Simone E., Editor-in-Chief By now, finals are over and you’re on your way home, if you’re not already there. You may head back to campus for summer school or graduation, but otherwise, you’re done for the summer! I’m sure you can’t wait to start working at whatever summer job or internship that you have, but what about all of the hard work that your brain managed to do during the school year?
Here’s some tips to keep your brain sharp over the summer. Who knows, maybe you’ll have better memorization or retention when you get back to chemistry class: Take a daily brain break. Often, when we’re working hard day to day, it’s easy to neglect mental stimulation. Being creatures of habit, it’s easy to get used to the same activities and behaviors. Challenge yourself with brain games that are designed to give your brain a workout. There are plenty of apps and logic game books that you can utilize in order to make sure that your brain is stimulated and stays active. Increase your workouts. Besides eating healthy, which is very important, exercise also helps in preserving brain health. According to Thomas Crook, PhD, an expert on cognitive development and memory disorders, "Cardiovascular activity pumps more oxygen-rich blood to the brain, which is like giving a car a shot of gasoline.” A few choices of cardiovascular activity for beginners include: walking, running, biking, jumping rope, swimming, step aerobics, kickboxing, and rowing. Pick one of these options and add it to your daily routine to keep your brain pumping! Take a nap. Now, this may not be foreign to many college students, but napping as little as six minutes can improve your memory. According to research, it’s not necessary to nap more than that for memory recall; however, your brain needs rest just as much as your body does, so nap away this summer! Or, at least, get enough sleep in between classes or work. Think happy thoughts. As cliche as this sounds, happy thoughts equal a happy brain: positive thoughts are linked to better, long-term brain health. If you’re having a bad day, it’s best to try to think of a happy memory in order to sort of “eject” the negative. Now, this isn’t an easy process: it’s very easy to be consumed with the negative. But, it’s summer time! Have fun this summer and think happy thoughts, or maybe, start erasing the negative from your life to make it easier on you, if you can. Don’t let this summer be a summer that sets you backwards. Keep your brain healthy and come back to school (or work or internship), with a fresh start. Tips inspired from: https://www.prevention.com/health/brain-health/prevent-dementia-and-memory-loss by Dominique M., Assistant Editor-in-Chief In college it is easy to feel like you are being left out when you see your friends boasting about fun plans or their accomplishments on social media. This feeling is seemingly intensified when you add a three month long summer break and friends being scattered across the country to the mix. If you are lucky enough to have all of your college friends only a few hours away from you, then you have probably never felt this notion; however, if you aren’t able to have your friends close then this article is for you.
I have experienced seeing my friends on social media explore cities and find new adventures over the summer, and I have been unable to take part. When this happens, it is easy to fall into the mindset that everyone is doing things while you are doing nothing but sitting at home. In these instances, you must keep in mind that perception is everything. Additionally, most people post their most exciting moments on social media, so that isn’t necessarily reflective of their everyday life. With that being said, it is perfectly acceptable to relax at home and take it easy. As college students, we stress ourselves out with every all nighter, every concern over grades, and every little problem that we encounter. So there is no reason why you should feel bad for not doing enough in the summertime. Rather than worry yourself with how others may be passing the time, find new ways to discover enjoyment. Explore a different part of your city. Reach out to old high school friends. Set some goals for the upcoming semester. There are so many possibilities, but you won’t know unless you get out there and stop constraining yourself to the activities you see others doing on social media. So, get out there and escape the confines of what you see on the electronic screen. by Opeletia H., Staff Writer
This past Monday, March 5, Fortitude hosted a panel on understanding the power of your voice. Vincent Ivan Phipps, CSP, April Wilson, LMSW, Devante Williams, and Nicole Brown, MPA, graced the panel with their wisdom and expertise. Below I have captured 4 quotes from our discussion. 1. Vincent Ivan Phipps, CSP on the importance of understanding your voice-it’s one of the only things you have control over! “No matter what you look like, no matter where you are from, or how you may dress, people are going to judge you… the only thing that you have total control over is how you look and sound.” 2. April Wilson, LMSW on the responsibility in using your voice- depending on where you are, your voice may serve as the representative for a particular community where you must advocate their needs. “I’ve been able to use my voice to advocate for changes to ensure their voices (the community) are at the table.” 3. Devante Williams, a professional choreographer on the purpose behind his creations- it allows for the translation of emotion. “When I create, I want you to see, feel, or hear something.” 4. Nicole Brown, MPA on informal mentorship- someone else’s voice pushes her to be better at her craft without him knowing it. Every moment that you use your voice can make a difference. “We are friends, but he doesn’t realize he is a mentor at the same time.” Fortitude thoroughly enjoyed putting together this panel and the overarching goal was for each attendee to leave empowered to lead with their voice. If you are interested in learning more about Fortitude’s events, check out their social media @Fortitude_Utc. The next event will be a campus-wide discussion on masculinity on March 19th at 6pm in Derthick 201. You don’t want to miss it! I leave you with this quote from April Wilson, LMSW: “Even when you think you don’t have a voice, you do.” by Simone E., Editor-in-Chief
On February 27, I attended Lunch and Learn: Careers in Law, hosted by Chambliss Law. I applied for the opportunity through the College of Business, and when I applied, through a simple application, I thought that this would be a competitive process. However, when the time came for me to get onto the bus (free transportation!), there was actually plenty of space on the bus. When we got to the law firm, and we were seated in our assigned seats, I realized that there were about 15 students missing. Additionally, the lack of minorities in the room was disappointing. The event was great: I learned a lot about the different pathways that some attorneys took in order to get to where they are. However, I wish that there were more people who were able to take advantage of the free food, networking, and information. Dr. Mo Baptiste agreed. He wanted to know why there weren’t more students who either applied or showed up because he said that the school is continuously trying to hold more events to offer opportunities to minority students, but no one is showing up. So, what do we do about this predicament? Here’s some tips for the minority students that want more opportunities:
by Opeletia H., Staff Writer 1. Establish a routine: One of the many responses to pressure is fear and anxiety. Vincent Ivan Phipps, a certified public speaking professional and professor at UTC, imparted the following principle: You must practice until fear is replaced with anticipation. The more you practice your routine, the more you anticipate things rather than fear them.
2. Be Efficient: Have you had so much to do that you did not know where to start? I have! I would recommend learning how to prioritize, delegate, and cut distractions daily. You may find it helpful to create a list of the top three things that you need to get done that day, select a time frame in which to get it done, and find your ideal workspace so that you can follow through with the plan. 3. Sleep: Many of us think we are more effective when we are burning the midnight oil. However, Dr. Robert Stickgold, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard states that “for every hour you are awake, you need a half hour of sleep to process that information” (“Sleep and Memory”). You learn faster in your sleep! 4. Boundaries: If you have been reading this column for a while, I’m sure you were expecting this one. There is a twist this time: boundaries are not only to be set around the things you do not want to do, but also around the things you like. For instance, if you burn the midnight oil watching Netflix, you may actually pay for it later by struggling to remember everything you studied for on that exam. 5. Avoid Comparison: Of course, when you feel the pressure, you all of a sudden see everyone else lounging around. We’re used to experiencing seasons together- fall, winter, spring, and summer. However, the seasons of the year are not the same as the seasons of your life! You may reap a plentiful harvest in the midst of snow because of the seeds you planted in the Fall. Comparing yourself to someone else distracts you from your process, your growth. Sleep and Memory. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2018, from http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/memory# by Opeletia H., Staff Writer “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”
-Toni Morrison As an avid reader and writer, I admired the words of Toni Morrison, an African-American novelist who won a Nobel Prize in Literature, a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and more. I took her charge to heart and began to fill up every journal in sight. It was not until years later when I carried the physical weight of the journals and the mental weight of my interest that I realized I read the quote wrong. Toni’s words were not just a call to innovation, but a call to share and lead. It was no wonder as to why I was dissatisfied: what I created never left the page. From that point on, I made a decision to share a piece of myself with someone every day. What am I interested in? Social justice, holistic health, and leadership development. What did I talk about? Mass incarceration, urban gardening, stepping out of one’s comfort zone, etc. What I found is that I had some of the most fruitful and productive conversations that I had ever had in my life. Gone were the days of repeating my major as though it were my first name to people who were just making small talk. What is even more beautiful is that this deep connection was shared across racial, gender, political, class, and religious lines. We found a sweet spot where everyone belonged. And it grew. Into what? Fortitude, one of the newest student organizations on UTC’s campus whose mission is to connect and develop health-conscious and ethical leaders. Toni Morrison’s words motivated me to become an innovative leader, creating a space where people not only go, but belong. I challenge you to become vocal about your interest because you never know who is waiting on your voice. If you're interested, we meet Mondays at 6pm, biweekly, starting on Feb. 5th. Our first meeting will be in the Chickamauga Room. Contact us with any questions at [email protected]. by Dominique M., Assistant Editor-in-Chief “I’m never going to get this internship.” “No one ever helps me find opportunities like they do for my friend.” “I’m just not good enough to do something like that.” Do you ever find yourself feeling similar to these statements? If you do, then you have probably fallen into a bad habit of being reactive to your environment.
From my experience as a college student, it is very easy to fall into a habit of waiting for good opportunities to come your way. I’ve been in the position where I never thought that it was possible to do all of the incredible things that I see fellow classmates do everyday. More than likely, no one has taught you how to seek out these chances, or you just didn’t think you had to. But, the hard reality is that these opportunities will rarely ever just fall in your lap. Yes, you could get lucky and have the chance of a lifetime given to you because your professor was impressed with your work. However, the likelihood of this is slim to none. With that being said, you should seek things out. Get to know professors. Get to know fellow classmates. But more importantly: get involved. You will be surprised how impactful an organization will be on your life and how many new experiences you will get just from being a participant. We are products of our environment and because of this, it’s simple to watch people around us slack off or watch those who are thriving. Now, there are times when it is perfectly fine to enjoy yourself and have a lazy day; but, you have to draw the line and realize that not every day can be a relaxing day. In order to take steps to get yourself to where you see your “successful” classmates, you must take the first step. So, get out there. It is extremely easy to research anything that you are interested in: whether it is an internship for marketing majors or a fellowship for political science majors. The important part is that you can’t just be reactive to everything around you. Focusing on who you want to be, and what you want to accomplish, will you take you far. Therefore, embrace being proactive and embrace a change in how you do something. After all, if you are constantly doing the same idle thing to accomplish a goal and it isn’t working, then the only effective way to change it is to switch up your tools for getting to your goal. |
Author's NoteWelcome to The Torch: Reborn, your multicultural newspaper. Archives
December 2018
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