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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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Scales Hall Renovation
Reported by: Ilyssa Weiner
Scales Hall residents will be forced to move out at the end of the semester due to the hall’s renovation. Scales is the last residence hall in the Lakeside Community to be renovated after Waterbury reopened last fall.
Resident Assistant Gabby Green lived in Waterbury before it was renovated. She was initially worried about where she was going to live when Waterbury closed. However, she enjoyed the experience she had with it.
“That’s why I came here, to help people move out of this building and do it all again,” said Green.
The renovations to Scales will include new lounges, a new front desk and an elevator. Scales Hall Director Myles Clendenin is excited for the changes, but also believes the community aspect is what will stand out the most.
“It’s not just about how the building looks in the renovation. It’s about building that community, at the end of the day the students who make the make the community,” said Clendenin
Scales is currently home to about 150 students, consisting of international students only staying for the semester, new students and students who’ve lived in Scales for more than a year.
Senior Anthony Salvador has lived in Scales since his freshman year and will greatly miss the atmosphere of the old hall.
“I will definitely miss the old Scales to the point where I’m going to leave on the last day at ten A.M. when they kick me out,” said Salvador.
Those who are currently living in Scales since the beginning of the semester will priority in picking what dorm they want to stay in during the spring semester.
Scales Hall will reopen Fall 2017.
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Zully Ramirez Visits SUNY Oswego
OSWEGO, NY— Earlier this week, students had the opportunity of meeting and speaking with Zully Ramirez. She is currently an investigative news reporter at Chicago Telemundo. The event was hosted by the PRSSA here at SUNY Oswego and was open to the general public.
Zully Ramirez originally hails from Guatemala, but she moved to Harlem, NY at a young age. Many students were intrigued by her success story and her honesty about being an investigative news reporter.
After the event, I had the opportunity of interviewing Zully Ramirez and asked her what she would tell present and future students of SUNY Oswego. Her response was, “I would just say persevere. Persevere, listen to advice and put your heart and soul into everything that you do. Because when you persevere and listen to advice, and put your heart and soul into everything that you do, you can make it.”
