by Simone E., Editor-in-Chief I can’t be the only one that thinks of hot air balloons as a romantic date idea in a whimsical scene not unlike those seen in “La La Land.” While I’ve never actually seen the movie, the commercials showed a couple being whimsical and cute, singing and floating, and those are all associated in my mind with hot air balloons.
I’ve also never, not one time, pictured black people floating on the hot air balloon. I don’t know if that’s because it’s not a typical thing for black people, at least the ones I know, to go that high in the air, or if I’m associating hot air balloons with Jim Crow laws and systematic oppression. Either way, when I found out that it was possible for me to go, I figured I’d give it a shot. Am I afraid of heights? Yes. Did I have any idea what I was getting myself into? No. That’s why I brought a friend (thanks, Ryenne). I was asked to attend a “free hot air balloon ride” from a friend, Abbie Wheeler, who I’m in a club with. I figured it would be something fun to do over Fall Break and since it was free (and she mentioned free food), I couldn’t find anything that I could lose from attending. I told her that I was interested and she said all I had to do was “help set up.” I said yes, thinking that I’d have to help pump up the balloon or something and then maybe plug in a few things. There are times where I’ve been wrong, and then there are times where I’ve been really wrong, and this was one of those times that I was really wrong and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I ended up at the Reflection Riding Nature Center, which is where Wheeler’s family’s business was going to set up their hot air balloon for the Wild and Scenic Film Festival. There were about four people that looked like myself at the festival, and I’m including myself and my friend Ryenne. There were also a few food, wine and beer vendors, and at 7:30, “Revival of the Red Wolf,” a film, was set to premiere. I’d never been to a festival like it (and that was probably the last), but it was nice out. It was the perfect scene for a secluded murder, but it was still nice out. So, the setup of the hot air balloon was very interesting. We first had to untie the ropes, then there was a burner test, which is where they test the burner that (I’m no scientist) is used to lift the balloon in the air. After the burner test, we had to open the balloon. This consisted of blowing air into the balloon to inflate it, then using the burner, which was a huge flame that used propane gas, to lift the balloon into the air. It sounds simple enough, but not only was the fan not working for a solid 20 minutes, but while I was holding the balloon to allow for the flame of the burner to enter, the intense heat of the flame was upwards of 210℉, and was what I’d imagine would be akin to first entering the gates of Hell. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the fact of the matter is: it was very hot. However, once we got the hot air balloon in the air, it was smooth sailing. Literally. Something I didn’t know about hot air balloons: weight is an issue. When one person got off, another person had to get on immediately in order to keep the weight steady so that the balloon wouldn’t suddenly rise without warning. One more fact: it’s almost impossible to have a romantic date of some sort on the balloon. The basket was not large enough for that and there had to be an “engineer” in the basket in order to make sure it stayed afloat and that it didn’t suddenly malfunction or run out of gas. You basically have a foot between you and a man who’s constantly lighting fire above your head in order to keep the balloon in the air. Despite all this, and despite my fear of heights, I had a lot of fun in the balloon. I didn’t know what I was expecting, but it was a smooth ride and definitely an experience I had to write about. I know you all are itching to ride a hot air balloon yourself. Tickets are never more than $10, at least for the company I was with, and they come to Chattanooga all the time. You can also help out, like I did, to get the full experience for free! Find more information about Smoky Mountain Air Hot Air Ballons at smokymtnair.com. Get on their website to find out where they’re going to be flying next! My advice after my experience: get out and explore. Try new things. Everybody says that, but I had fun with people I still don’t know while doing something that I never thought I would be doing. And I lived to tell about it.
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by Simone E., Editor-in-Chief When you think of fall, do you think of cold weather and pumpkins? Halloween and Fall Break?
Do you think of “diversity”? Probably not. I’m sure some of you are tired of hearing the words “diversity” or “inclusive,” but there was a diversity conference over fall break that worked to question your definitions, and, most definitely, helped you check your privilege. Moving Our Campus (MOC) Forward Diversity Conference, an Inclusive Excellence Conference, took place over Fall Break on Tuesday, October 17th, 2017 with a motto of “Exploring Inclusion as a Path to Excellence.” The conference signified a milestone on UTC’s campus as, according to co-chairs Dr. Valerie Rutledge and Dr. Bryan Samuel, “It [brought] students, faculty, staff and key community partners together in our first diversity-themed forum of this kind.” They wanted the conference to provoke each and every participant to reflect on their part in Moving Our Campus Forward. Now, what differentiated this conference from any other conference, and why would you want to go to a conference over your Fall Break? Short answer: good food. Long answer: the sessions were not only vast in number (there were 24) and were presented by different people from both the community and campus, but they were all so interesting and unique that choosing only three for the conference was very difficult for many of the participants. Some of the sessions included discussions about socioeconomic diversity in, “The Have’s and The Have More’s,” a session presented by Kimberly Brooks, assistant director of financial aid on campus, or discussions about religion and disbelief in “Yours, Mine and Ours,” a session by Deborah Levine, award-winning author and cross-cultural coach. Another session defined islamophobia, presented by student Warda Kahlot, or discussed advocacy and how it could be used to “Elevate the Status of Women in Tennessee,” a session by Emily O’Donnell, the Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga. These are just a few of the sessions and presenters, but the moral of the story is: if you missed the conference, then you missed out on a great experience to not only learn something you may not have learned, but to interact with professionals who may have had potential connections for your future. Opinions On The Conference According to Dr. Bryan Samuel, this conference “was one of the few times in [his] 24 years of experience where [he’s] seen students, faculty, and staff speak on one accord on diversity and inclusion.” He expressed that the conversations that were being had at the conference were very important--especially when thinking about competing for jobs in the global market. He stated that, “You can’t expect to be marketable if you’re not educated.” Tyrone Smiley, a former UTC Resident Director who presented on the utilization of social change in organizations, said that, “It’s a different campus from when I worked here, but if students implement what they’re learning in the sessions, it’ll definitely benefit the campus.” Levar Smith, a Morehouse professor who presented on cultural differences here and abroad, expressed that, “Impact happens after you leave the conference. Right now, everyone’s processing what’s going on. I’m very glad to have been a part of this phenomenal conference.” Alondra Gomez, a student attendee, expressed that she often doesn’t “feel like UTC is explicit about things like [diversity and inclusion]. It feels like they’re taking initiative to change things. [She did] wish more students attended though.” Dr. Richard Brown, in a closing speech that was very Dr. King-esque stated that, “We must be willing to have these types of conversations, not just annually, but all year long.” The first time Dr. Brown heard a racial slur was actually on this campus when he was 8 or 9 years old and living in the area. Dr. Brown has experienced the forward motion of the University towards embracing diversity and inclusion from all people of all “ethnicities, thoughts, and scholarly ideologies” and he wants to ensure that the MOC Forward conference becomes an annual event. Even if you decide that you don’t want to attend the conference next year, Dr. Brown wants us all to remember the word “intentional”: “Diversity and inclusion doesn’t just happen. You have to be intentional. We must continue a dialogue regarding respect and civility.” To close his speech, he implored, “Can’t we all just get along? Can we not all share a common dream?” Be on the lookout for information about the MOC Forward Diversity Conference next year, and be sure to attend. by Adeola I., Staff Writer Colorful flags representing dozens of countries around the globe waved graciously and proudly at Culture Fest this past weekend at the Chattanooga Market. Local vendors sold authentic clothing and jewelry from Central American, South American, Asian, and African countries, and food trucks specialized in cuisines such as Southern Creole Cuisine.
Culture Fest made it possible to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich and gator tail in the same sitting. The smell of authentic empanadas and burritos flooded the market. Traditional Peruvian dance was at one side of the fest, while at the booth featuring Japanese culture, market-goers completed origami structures, and learned about Yucatas, a casual form of a kimono. Whether you're interested in Japanese kimonos, beautiful Mexican embroidered dresses, Peruvian dances, or vibrant Guatemalan jewelry, be sure to check out Culture Fest next year. The Chattanooga Market has various themed Sundays, such as the Culture Fest, so be sure to check out their website to find out more information: http://chattanooga.events/organizer/chattanooga-market/ The Chattanooga Market is open from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. every Sunday. |
Author's Note:Welcome to The Torch: Reborn, your multicultural newspaper. Archives
December 2018
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Photo used under Creative Commons from J-T-M