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Oz Speaks: Taking a Knee opens discussion on racial inequality
Written by Stefanie Sciolaro and Abbey Buttacavoli
OSWEGO, N.Y.– Almost all 150 seats in SUNY Oswego’s Marano Campus Center auditorium were filled Wednesday for the first Oz Speaks event of the fall semester. The event was a panel discussion talking about 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem before a game last year. Oswego professor, Brian Moritz, moderated the panel which included SUNY Oswego professors, Bonita Hampton, Kenneth Marshall and ESPN Radio Syracuse’s Brent Axe.
Each panelist gave information on the historical roots involving racial inequality in America. In regards to Kaepernick taking a knee, Dr. Kenneth Marshall said, “about time. From 1619 to 1865 when lincoln signed the paper freeing black people. 3.5 million black people who worked for free, America had 246 years as a nation of oppression and approximately 152 years as a nation of liberation, so we are better at oppression than liberation, that’s who we are.”
Axe said that he has talked to people who feel that football Sunday is no time for political statements, but people react one of two ways. Either they immediately are angered, or they think that maybe it is something they should listen to.
Bonita Hampton said for students to educate themselves that that they can fight racial inequality in America.
Axe explained that Kaepernick had taken a knee before, and no one had noticed. However, once the cameras captured an image of him down on one knee, there was proof, and it took hold. Axe concluding by telling the audience to “never underestimate the power of a powerful image.”
Other Oz Speaks topics this semester include freedom of speech and social awareness. Dates are still being determined.
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Barlow proposes lower sewer bills for some city residents
Graph provided by Mayor Barlow via X, @mayorbarlow.
City of Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow proposed a $50 reduction to the sewer bill for flat-rate users. According to the mayor’s office, if approved, flat rate users would see their sewer bill decrease a total of $350 over the past five years.
“Further reducing the sewer bill for flat rate users is a well-deserved give-back to city residents who have paid too much in sewer fees due to the failures of previous administrations,” said Mayor Barlow, in a press release. “The work our wastewater department, economic development department, and smart budgeting and strategic thinking has allowed for two previous rate decreases and we are happy to continue that trend by further relieving residents with this proposed decrease.”
The proposed $50 reduction follows two previous annual reductions: a $200 decrease in 2019 and a $100 decrease in 2021.
Tonight at 6:30 p.m., the Administrative Services Committee will vote on the proposal at Oswego City Hall. If it passes, the Common Council will hold a full vote on Monday, September 11th.
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Lakers Fall to Geneseo by a Pair of Late Goals
The Oswego men’s soccer team lost to Geneseo by a final score of 2-1 on Saturday afternoon in their final game of Homecoming Weekend. The Lakers’ record drops to 6-8-1 and 1-7-0 in conference while the Knights improves to 7-5-2 with a 3-3-1 in conference record.
At 27:52, junior Jason Siracuse was all alone in front of the goal and made no mistake, putting the Lakers up 1-0. Senior midfielder Connor Lunduski tallied an assist on Siracuse’s goal; giving him the team-lead in helpers with seven.
Lakers’ goaltender Evan Bogucki was perfect for the first 70 minutes until Nick Keneally found the back of the net to tie the game at 1. Less than two minutes later Joey Vucic scored the game winning goal for the Knights.
The Lakers’ host Cortland on Saturday at 4 p.m. for Senior Day which is their final game of the regular season.
