Animal House

SPRING 2012 CRUCIBLE

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CrucibleA DIFFERENT TYPE OF PUBLICATION | SPRING 2012

COVER ART BY ISAAC WALKER

THE “A” LIST: Weighing In at Miami

CAN’T WAIT

SHADES OF YOU

KEY TO INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS GETTING U.S. JOBS

CRUCIBLE SPRING 2012

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THE COURTYARDS OF MIAMIon E. Central & S. Main

— 1 & 2 Bedroom apartments

— Flexible payment plans with approval

— Heats Paid

— Across from the REC

— Within walking distance to campus & Uptown

— O�-street parking

— Yard space with tables & grills

Stop by the office on-site or contact Carolyn at (513) 659-5671www.thecourtyardsofmiami.com

—ALWAYS UPGRADING—


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3. LETTER FROM THE EDITOR - Cindy Moore3. TABLE OF CONTENTS

4. CRUCIBLE STAFF

Table of Contents

Editor’s Letter,

There are a lot of opinions on exactly what the Crucible is. Are they just another campus mag? Are they strictly the “multi-cultural” magazine? Why do so many of their articles talk about sex? Well the Crucible is all of the above, yet still more and beyond all the descriptors. After being on campus for our 3rd year now, we are still proving ourselves and will continue to do so. This issue is no different. We continue to write articles that we feel people need to hear about, like the “Weighing In at Miami” article by Jonathan Wheeler, this article discusses the sometime blatantly weight obsessed culture here at Miami.

But we also have fun stuff on campus like our contributed Chomp article, which gives a little bit more information into one of the craziest, fun games you’ll ever experience. Crucible still like to class it up,so of course we chose to highlight some art from a local Miami student in our Arts and Entertainment section.

This issue’s Theme was Animal House, so be on the lookout for some off-the-wall stuff in this issue. As always the staff and I put love, sweat, and tears into this issue, so please enjoy!

Xoxo,

Cindy MooreEditor-in-Chief

CAMPUS6. Chomp - James Cox

8. Social Media - Samantha Callender

10. Townies - Mackenzie Watson12. CAC Spring Fest Preview

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT16. Movie Review-RyanAustin Dennis

18. Desk Art

FEATURED ARTICLES20. A-List-Jonathan Wheeler

22. Can’t Wait24. Shades of You-

Samantha Callender26.. Key to International Students

Getting U.S. jobs-Jing Xiao

THE COURTYARDS OF MIAMIon E. Central & S. Main

— 1 & 2 Bedroom apartments

— Flexible payment plans with approval

— Heats Paid

— Across from the REC

— Within walking distance to campus & Uptown

— O�-street parking

— Yard space with tables & grills

Stop by the office on-site or contact Carolyn at (513) 659-5671www.thecourtyardsofmiami.com

—ALWAYS UPGRADING—

MONEY28. Welfare Myth - Taja Bankhead

FASHION30. Editors Must have Picks - Cin-

dy Moore

SPORTS32. The Non-Hockey Sports at

Miami - Carly Huang

BACK OF THE MAG34. Top 3 Summer Destinations

36. How Crazy Are You?38. Strange Laws


4 STAFFSTAFF

JONATHAN WHEELER

CAMPUS EDITOR

KARAISABELLA

DESIGN DIRECTOR

LARK GRANT

HEAD OF PR

TAJA BANKHEAD

MONEY EDITOR

CARLY HUANG

SPORTS EDITOR

RISHNORTH

BUSINESS MANAGER

RASHAY DAVIS

SECRETARY


5STAFF

ALLISON BACKOVSKI

DESIGN DIRECTOR

RYANAUSTINDENNIS

ENTERTAINMENT/FASHION EDITOR

CINDY MOORE

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ALICIA WILLIAMS

SENIOR EDITOR

SAMANTHA CALLENDER

BLOG EDITOR

CAMERON WRIGHT

TREASURER

JONATHAN DANTLEY

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Congratulations to our own Samantha Callender on her New York Times Summer internship! We are so proud of her and know that she will represent the Crucible well in NYC! CONGRATS!-Love Staff


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Human v. ZombiesContributed by James Cox

As bizarre as these exclamations may seem, they become routine jargon during one week a semester here on Miami’s very own campus; a week where students, teachers, and graduates alike are welcome to test their own ability to survive a zombie apocalypse, or if fate bodes poorly, how well they can do as a zombie. This is a week of

CHOMP! You’re It...

James Cox


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Humans vs. Zombies.Founded at Goucher College, Humans vs. Zombies is a game that has been played on every continent except Antarctica, although there have been attempts to get a game happening there too. The game in its basic form is a modified version of tag. The main difference is that once a zombie player tags a human player, that human then becomes a newly formed zombie. Welcome to the gang.

But have no fear! There is hope for humans during this insane week-long battle of survival; inexpensive, biodegradable, and easily accessible at almost any store on campus, here at Miami humans fight back with marshmallows. When a human player throws a marshmallow hitting a zombie, the zombie is stunned (out of game) for ten minutes. Just be sure to watch your back.

In the beginning of the game, there are only a few zombies, but as it progresses, their numbers grow rapidly. Considering how MUndead’s last game attracted over one hundred players, that’s a lot of zombies to watch out for.

So how does this work? Well there are nightly zombie-apocalypse themed missions in which humans and zombies compete. These missions will reward the winning side, sometimes with information about

upcoming missions to have a head up on the other side, sometimes with ammo for human players, or, if the zombies win, with a special zombie weapon, there is nothing more terrifying than a zombie sprinting at you wielding a pool noodle.Personally, my favorite aspect of Humans vs. Zombies is the out of mission interactions, like the upcoming spring game. It is six days long and that’s not just during the six night missions. That is a full six days of chase and be chased, eat or be eaten. You could become some zombie’s afternoon snack on the way to class if you’re not careful, or if you are a zombie, you might spy a tasty human morsel on the way home. The stories are priceless.

Our own MUndead organizers started up last year conducting a spring game in this year. They have since ran a game in the fall semester of 2011, and have a date set in stone for the 2012 Spring game, which will be played starting April 9th and running through April 14th. Keep an eye out for flyers around campus about introductory meeting times.

For more information on MUndead: Check out their facebook page at: facebook.com/groups/HVZMiamiUFollow them: twitter.com/miamihvzor contact them at: [email protected]

“Hurry up,

they’re coming!”

“It’s an ambush!”

“I can’t hold them all off!

Someone, help!

Zombies everywhere!”

James Cox


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It’s a little known fact among many University students that the usage of Twitter and Facebook is the driving force behind keeping students awake during those 8 a.m. lectures. For this reason professors would prohibit the usage of laptops in their classrooms, but today, with applications on mobile phones and other devices, social media is always readily available. With this in mind, social media and networking has made its way from our iPhones and iPads and into our classrooms and workplaces. Many professors are opting to use social networking tools and sites such as Twitter and Facebook for assignments in class, and as a means of communicating outside of the classroom and aside from email. Professor Kelly Quinn is one of the professors who is embracing the social media age, incorporating it into her syllabus and classroom. Other professors have even made up specific assignments that incorporate the

usage of the Twitter hashtags or within Facebook community groups.And while the implementation of such is looked at as educational innovation, an important question must be raised: Where is the line between personal and professional drawn? Or has the line been crossed and changed from black and white to gray. “I think it’s a very thin line,” says Associate Professor of Communication Ron Becker, “The personal and professional lines are being drawn too close together.” Becker believes using social network and media is popular among University professors due to its convenience , and also because of its innovativeness. “It’s a new medium through which we can communicate,” says Becker, “Of course its drawn popularity in people’s personally lives. But it’s something professors want to explore. Getting outside of the classroom and notebook and really interacting with

Social Media in the Miami Class room,

Tweeting your Professor

By: Samantha Callender

Samantha Callender


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students through a medium which they regularly use.” An article in the New York Times also suggests that the direction of this new technology within the classroom poses some serious cons for educators and scholars alike. It suggests that it leads students to being less vocal in the classroom and can also become avenues of distraction. “Professors would have access to student’s personal lives. Unless separate media accounts are made for personal and professional, there is that uneasy mesh of potentially sharing too much information,” says Becker. Miami University students agree with Dr. Becker not wanting to take the risk of exposing too much personal information for the sake of education and innovation.

“Because we have online resources such as Niihka and Blackboard, I don’t think Facebook or Twitter should be used for classroom assignments,” said junior Moima Chowoe. Fellow junior Spencier Ciaralli agrees, “I think it draws too close, as well as invades privacy since then you’re required to filter your statuses, pictures, and so on. It allows the professor to possibly judge or critique their students on something other than what they produce for class.” While it’s understood that educators are trying to bring the classroom into the 21st century and out of the stone ages with its implementation of social technology and media, it needs to air on the side of caution when mixing business and pleasure.

Samantha Callender


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OVER HALF OF ALL Talawanda High School graduates that continue their studies at a four-year institution choose to go to a branch of Miami University, according to Talawanda High School records) In the small town of Oxford, Miami University employs many of the residents. Some natives choose to go to Miami because they receive a waived tuition because their parents work at Miami, while others just enjoy the comfort of being close to familiar faces and family.Senior Nga Pham was raised in Oxford, Ohio. Although Pham initially had a hard time adjusting

to Miami because of conflicts with her roommate freshman year, she says she does not regret choosing it. Many Talawanda grads often have friends from high school that attend Miami as well, so they often don’t feel the need to branch out to meet new people as do other students. “I live with my best friends from high school, which I love, and my boyfriend lives with his friends from high school,” Pham said. Many Talawanda students do start their college careers at other schools, such as Ohio State University or Ohio

University, but some end up back at Miami. “Since the economy is bad, the idea of a tuition waiver is bringing a lot of students back,” guidance counselor Matt Smith said. Miami junior Leigh Pieterick said she felt really out of place at OSU. “Although I joined a sorority, I felt as though they weren’t my real friends. My good friends all go to Miami,” said Pieterick. Although many students choose Miami, the counselors at Talawanda insist they do not push the nearby university on students.

“Townies” Contributed by Mackenzie Watson


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“We don’t recommend schools to students, because we like to have them do research themselves, but we do want them to realize they have a great school in their backyard if they want to take advantage of it,” Smith said. Because Talawanda is so closely connected to the university, Miami used to admit all graduates. This is no longer the case, but guidance counselor Marianne Marconi said she believes that Miami tends to be more accepting of Talawanda students. “If two students were academically equal, I think the admissions office would admit a Talawanda student over another applicant,” Marconi said. Miami senior Anna Oris was born and raised in Oxford and planned on attending Ohio University for the E.W. Scripps Journalism

According to Talawanda

High School records,

Miami University

employs many residents in

Oxford.

Program but ultimately decided on Miami. “When I came back I just felt like I didn’t want to leave home. The campus was so much prettier here, and I realized it was the right place for me.” Although many Talawanda students enjoy being close to home, they often face discrimination, and get labled with the not-so-appealing term “townies.” “I get bad reactions when I tell people I’m from Oxford. I didn’t expect the stigma to really exist but it does,” Pham said.Not all Talawanda graduates choose Miami, some instead choose to go to colleges far away from their small hometown. Amelia Dubberly, a 2008 graduate, went halfway around the world to Hawaii, while others graduates went across the country to California.


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Every year, at the end of the Spring semester,Campus Activities Council (CAC), hosts a week long series of events known as SpringFest. Falling shortly prior to finals, SpringFest provides carnival like activities, games, and entertainment for students to come indulge in. Past SpringFests have had events ranging from yoga in Central Quad, free Skippers food, Miami Baseball Games, to a live concert on SlantWalk. Ultimately,

SpringFest goal is designed to give students a relaxing transition into finals week and the end of the schoolyear!

This year, the tentative schedule for SpringFest 2012 looks to be eventful and relaxing- just like in years past!

Be on the look out in mid-April for more details- and to have the time of your life!

SPRING FEST PREVIEW:

Spring Fest


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Tuesday, April 17th, there will be an Ice Cream Truck driving around Miami’s campus handing out FREE ice cream.

Thursday, April 19th, we are having a Carnival on Cook Field from 1:00PM - 7:00PM. There will be huge amusement rides, free food, free giveaways, and free fun!

All Miami students are welcome!

Spring Fest


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Taj Mahal II Special Lunch/Buffet Hours: Monday-Friday 11:30-2:30 pm Saturday and Sunday 12:30-3:00 pm Dinner Hours: Monday-Friday 5:00-10:00 pm Saturday 3:30-10 pm and Sunday 3:00-9:00 om Indian Cuisine & Lounge


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WE’VE ALL HEARD OF THE BIG OSCAR NOMINEES THIS YEAR, like The Artist, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,, The Help, Moneyball, War Horse, The Tree of Life, Hugo, The Descendants and Midnight in Paris. But what about those movies that came out that Robert Ebert didn’t bother going to see, the movies that made the everyday movie goer laugh and cry, the movies that weren’t necessarily featured at the Sundance Film Festival. We decided to focus on those films, since none of us saw movies the Chronicle spotlighted at the Oscars.

THE VOW

“Inspired by true events.” The Vow, begins and ends with this phrase, insuring that the reader not forget that the film was based on a true story. This film, starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, is a playful love story filled with light humor and (thanks to Tatum) sex appeal. But, if you were hoping to have another epic love story like the Notebook on your hands, don’t get your hopes up;Disney can and has made a better love story. The film starts off strong, showing clips of how the couple met and how McAdams character lost her memory. Unfortunately, thanks to bad acting on Tatum’s part, the genius idea behind the film was lost. The viewer quickly forgets the purpose of the film; that Tatum is trying to win back the heart of McAdams. Guys: If you’re looking for a movie to cuddle with your girl and have your shoulder cried on, this isn’t it.

GHOST RIDER

If you’re looking for an awesome film filled with action and suspense, don’t get your hopes up. The film, starring Nicholas Cage and Idris Elba, lacks even more than what the first film did. Johnny Blaze (Cage) continues to struggle with the curse he has as being the ghost rider, while taking on the role of heroine. The use of different accents in conjunction with the location of the film, causes confusion as well as annoyance. The true purpose of this film remains unknown. We all love Elba, but one must question his judgement when he agreed to do this film(we all know Cage will make any film). Although there is some action in the film, it isn’t enough to capture the attention of the audience. I must say the best part of this was the ending. Why? Because the movie ended.

RED TAILS

This fact-based movie is a long awaited film by producer George Lucas. This film is star-studded with an amazing cast; Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard and Ne-Yo to name just a few. Although the film was made with good intentions, Lucas should have put a little more emphasis on just what set the Tuskegee Airmen apart from the rest. Yes, I mean the race issue. It would only make sense to make that the main component of the film rather than the light, underlying issue. Although the film is filled with corny dialogue and flat acting, it is revived by amazing aerial shots and the action that comes with any war. The film is very patriotic and inspiring for all. As the first feature film for director Anthony Hemingway(“The Wire”) it was a great start to what is sure to be an amazing career. As a whole, the film was a great effort to an amazing story. If you’re into uplifting films about perseverance, this is a must see.

MOVIE REVIEW:

RYANAUSTIN DENNIS


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CHRONICLE

This fantasy film transcends most of the negativity that came out of the mouths of critics. The film is filled with young up and coming actors with amazing talent. But, there are some things that could have been done differently. The film is about three boys who develop incredible powers (sounds familiar?). The film is seen through the eyes/camera of one of the characters, Andrew. Because of this, the film look cheap and gross. Fortunately, he loses the camera and gets a new one making the film less cheap looking and a tad more high quality. The films takes a turn and becomes darker as the boys begin to master their powers. The film is mostly about a loner boy and his camera with super hero stuff in the background. If your not into Sci-Fi flicks, stay away from this one.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Since the Oscars did highlight some amazing films we felt it necessary to point out one of our favorite films. Midnight in Paris showed us a new side of Owen Wilson as an actor, one where his shirt was not off and he wasn’t surfing for gold, while also allowing us to view the beautiful Rachel McAdams who wasn’t the absolute object of affection for once.

Contributed by Jacqueline Black

A constant but underlying feeling of nostalgia for something you’ve never experienced seems impossible. Longing to be a part of a different era seems foolish. In Woody Allen’s recently released film, “Midnight in Paris” the main character Gil Pender (Owen Wilson) feels he was born in the wrong time period and the subtle discontent shadows his modern life.Pender, a successful Hollywood screenwriter engaged to a beautiful woman named Inez (Rachel McAdams) travels to Paris with her conservative family for her father’s business trip. Already, there is disconnect in the film between Gil, Inez, and his in-laws. While they get along on the surface, there is something deeper going on which unfolds as the film

continues.His time in Paris revolves around the romantic thoughts of sitting in the cafes and watching the people go by, imagining what it might have looked like in his favorite era, the 1920s. It is when the clock strikes midnight that film transcends the conventional direction it appears to be headed in. He unexpectedly confronts his obsession with the past by going to a party he was invited to by strangers in a mysterious, antique car. Upon entering the party, he looks around and notices something strange. All the women are wearing sleeveless, short, loose dresses and have short, bobbed hairstyles. They smoke out of extended cigarette holders and stand by men dressed elegantly in black suits.In best attempts not to include any spoilers, it’s safe to say that his slide through time is not a dream. By day he fulfills his requirements as an obedient fiancé to his sharp-tounged partner and her pompous family. By night he lets his free spirit loose and embraces the company of legends as friends.The film moves the audience through the days and makes you want the mundane activities to go quickly so that you can join his midnight adventures. As you can imagine, he can’t keep living in two separate worlds and expect them not to clash. Through the transition of literally living his dreams and then returning to reality each day, he understands that while he would love to stay in the ‘20s to scribble away in the cafes and walk through the streets in the rain, it may not be his destiny.

*All reviews are out of 4 stars


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Desk Art


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A QUICK VISIT to collegeprowler.com will reveal that Miami University earned an A+ for “girls,” and an A for “guys” on its “report card.” While this slightly tongue-in-cheek online article is hardly something any reasonable person would take with any real value, rating students’ attractiveness with a letter grade inevitably has the potential to incite long-term effects on Miami students’ self-esteem. About a year ago, A Miami staff member argued that Miami had “a serious body image issue, because Kroger had sold-out of salad, yogurt, and Lean Cuisine.” Although this is hardly a convincing enough argument to support a claim that Miami has a body image issue, he certainly touches on a reality that Miami students face. Sally Simon, a senior, defines her experience with Miami’s image-obsessed culture as a continuous struggle with self-esteem: “I have dealt with my own weight issues from freshman year up until today. I came into Miami having lost 55 pounds, yet being surrounded by the stereotypes of Miami I did not think I was thin enough. Going to the REC center to work out was a challenge for me because although I loved to work out and had gotten myself into good shape at this point, I constantly felt as if I was being compared to the girl on a machine next to me. When at the dining halls, I was scared to eat anything more than grilled chicken or salad because I did not want to be judged. There was always that pressure to lose just another five pounds and

then just another five after that.” Simon’s struggles acknowledge the effect of five pounds. What is five pounds? To students like Simon, five pounds is never five pounds: five pounds is ten, twenty, thirty, forty, and fifty pounds. For many students, it seems like campus-wide the word “thin” is constantly being redefined to incorporate new levels of malnourishment. Simon, who recently underwent LapBand weight loss surgery continues to express her experience: “The pressure is everywhere to lose weight and become just like ‘the other girls.’ What saddens me is that a girl that would be considered thin and in shape anywhere else, may not be considered thin enough here. It is not necessarily because someone is telling that girl to lose weight, but there is an internal pressure that arises when being surrounded by so many girls who are extremely thin. It is no surprise that so many girls here do develop eating disorders. However, in my opinion, this is an issue that is so widely known on this campus, but yet not addressed to the extent that it should be.”Simon’s critique aside, is Miami truly unique? Perhaps most alarming about Miami’s image-obsessed culture is just how pervasive this very culture is outside of Miami. Kelly Au, a student at Northwestern University, describes her perception of collegiate body image, and even suggests

The “A” List: Weighing In at Miami

CRUCIBLEFEATUREDARTICLE

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BY: JONATHAN WHEELER

Wheeler


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that a student body’s high self-esteem is likely because of a student body’s uniform image: “I feel like in higher education people are more aware of eating nutritiously and exercising in order to keep a healthy life style. [Therefore] you don’t see as many people who are considered ‘obese’ around campus. I’d say that people are relatively not [self-conscious] due to the lack of varying body images.” Au touches on an element of body image that is far too frequently ignored: body image manifests itself differently in different persons, and does not simply affect females. Although anorexia and other body-image-related eating disorders are thought to affect women far more frequently than men, CBS reported that over 1 million men in the United States alone suffered from life-threatening eating disorders. That figure accounts for about 10% of all eating disorder cases; as of 2009, the number of men with life threatening eating disorders had more than doubled to account for 25% of all eating disorder cases. Knowing that self-esteem is clearly an issue around the world, why does it seem as though it is so unique to Miami? Emmalee Decker, a Miami University junior, suggests that Miami seems so much more focused on body image because of its location. She argues that Miami does not have the luxury of being part of a larger urban area populated by persons who are not affiliated with the university. Miami students belong to a community that is composed primarily of their classmates, unlike universities like Northwestern or Ohio State, which are located in places that give their students the opportunity to surround themselves with non-students. The effects of this, Decker explains, force students to compare themselves to each other, rather than a larger pool of persons who are not targeted by the culture of body image the way early-twenties men and women (college students) are. As for Sally Simon, she has now lost over 75 pounds. She says, “Although I do find myself at times thinking, ‘I wish I had her body,’ I stop and remember how far I have come and that I am healthy and happy. I know someday I will have the body I completely desire through all my hard

work, but now it is because I am doing it for myself. I realized that getting that “perfect” body is only something that can be achieved when done for the right reasons and done for you. It is more about making yourself healthy and happy, versus making yourself look like another ‘Miami girl.’ Being healthy is not something that is purely physical.” Hopefully women and men all over Miami and the U.S. will learn the importance of being healthy and understand the risk involved in conforming to an unnatural standard of beauty.

If you think that you are or someone you know is suffering from an eating disorder or body image issue, please contact the Miami University Student Counseling Services at (513) 529-4634.

Wheeler


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CANT WAIT??


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CANT WAIT??


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CANT WAIT??


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The varying pigmentation of color in those who identify with the African American community has long been indicative of social standing, class, or repertoire. The tension between shade lightness and darkness was most historically prevalent and came to be in the days of slavery between those who were the descendants of the slaves from Africa, and those who were the product of slave master and slave relationship (Racism and Skin Colour: The Many Shades of Prejudice, The Guardian). Creole and mulatto women were thought to be a beautiful taboo- beautiful in their African American mixed with European features, yet weren't very accepted among either black nor

BY: SAMANTHA CALLENDER

white community. Since, that tension has been prevelant through the years between the varying ranges of shades in the African American community. Even in the 21st century, shade complexion has its influence on the relationships between members of the African American community.With beauty standards set by the media and fashion industry, the ideal of the beautiful women most closely resembles that of an Anglo-Saxon woman. Given, it is argued that the complexes those in the community have regarding their skin color are perpetuated by the stereotypes of beauty of which they do not fit. Miami University tops the rankings of unaccredited polls with no relation to or affiliation with academia as having the "hottest girls in the nation" (College Reviews by Students for Students - College Prowler). Even


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with such prestigious rankings, it should also be kept in mind that Miami's population of girls is a homoegenous majority: in 2010, 83 percent of Oxford's campus identified as White/Caucasian 4 percent identified as Black/African American (.07 percent as multi-racial) (Miami Enrollment Fall 2010 by Campus, Level, and Race/Ethnicity). On campus, it can be said that color politics and stereotypes can be observed. Take sophomore Lauren Kelly, for example: "I identify as being dark skin- chocolate you could say. On campus I identify with the black community. I think anywhere, but especially at Miami, people flock to what they know and are familiar with."Kelly says she gets along with various groups of people- she has no racial prejudices that prevent her from making friends, joining an organization, ecetra. Though at the end of

S

O F Y O U

H A D E S

THE POLITICS OF SHADE IN THE BLACK

COMMUNITY IS ONE THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED

FOR CENTURIES.


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the day, she would say her main group of friends here at Miami would be withinthe Black community.“[The segregation] just happens because people are naturally more comfortable with what they perceive to be similar versions of

themselves.” At Miami University, it has been argued there are multiple codes of standards. Given the popular nickname "J Crew U", it can be said that many at the University feel compelled to gift into a code of standards. "Its kind of like people know the stereotypes and fit into whichever they see themselves in, or which one they want to be in," says sophomore Danae Tolle, "Being mixed, I'm comfortable around all types of people, because I don't really fit the mold of a specific racial group."Stereotypes and social stigmas have acquired and been attached to certain shades of skin in the African American community. Traditionally, lighter shades of the African American community have been labeled as "pretty boys" or "pretty girls", and

darker shades being made to feel inferior. Its as though a role is expected to be played, expectations are set, and persons are perceived through stereotypes that settle on the shade of skin and don't look beyond.This longstanding question held adjunct to the skin shade debacle is what it means to "act" like a particular skin shade, or racial group altogether. "Acting Black" is a behavior that has been long debated in means of what exactly those behaviors are and entail.

"I can catch myself kind of taking on the stereotypes of whatever group I'm associating with. Like, if I'm with a group of primarily white people, I'll "act white,” or if I'm with a group of primarily black people, I'll "act black.” And when I say "act,” I mean I use the words, listen to the music, or act like people I'm around," says Tolle.

From bourgeois to inferiority, the stereotypes applied have been social stigmas and been the cause of complexity within persons of color.

"First and foremost I consider myself as being black, as being an African American. I am a black man," says Senior Destin Grayson "

And as far as shade, lightskin. But here at Miami, I don't feel like my shade makes a difference. In the end, the white and black people know I'm black, regardless of my shade." Though it can also be argued that we are our own worst enemies. "Sometimes I think we stereotype ourselves as black people. We feed into the stereotypes that society has laid out. It’s just something we do. Sometimes we just make issues bigger than what they are," says Grayson. Regardless of skin tone, a stigma is applied that, historical context and social perpetuation make us continually aware of racial stereotypes, and influence our behavior and heighten our self awareness.

“[THE SEGREGATION] JUST HAPPENS BECAUSE PEOPLE

ARE NATURALLY MORE COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT THEY

PERCEIVE TO BE SIMILAR VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES.”


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Polina Yermoshikina, a Russian graduate student, talks to her academic adviser and career services adviser almost every week to devise a plan for her career in the United States. Next she will apply for a PhD program in criminology or criminal justice, as she is preparing to teach at a university. “Pursuing a PhD degree and then teaching in a university is the only thing I can do if I want to stay in the United States,” said Yermoshikina, who is majoring in family studies with a focus on social work. Yermoshikina said, “Social work often has to do with non-government organizations and they don’t have money to sponsor working visas for international workers. Without working visas, international graduates cannot work in the United States legally.”

Yermoshikina is not alone. She is one of many international students who find the job search is further complicated by the major they selected, as well as language proficiency and legal barriers. “It all depends on the major. If I was a business major, a computer science, or an engineering major, I would be more likely to find a job just with a Master’s degree. Those companies are much bigger. They can support your visa,” said Yermoshikina.According to the Office of International Education, 592 international students are planning to graduate in May. Sixty nine international students are on the Optional Practical Training, a period during which undergraduate and graduate students with F-1 status who have completed their studies are permitted by the United

States Citizenship and Immigration Services to work for at most one year on a student visa without needing to acquire a work H-1B visa. The majority of these 69 students have found a job. This year, 112 students are on Optional Practical Training. Sixty-three of them reported a job to the Office of International Education, which means at least half of them have found a job. Like U. S. students, international students find that certain majors lead to job offers more easily and quickly. Accounting is one of them. “The undergraduate students majoring in accounting are most likely to find a job in the Big 4, because Miami is known by its accounting program and the Big 4 are able to sponsor the working visa for international students,” April Robles, an assistant director in the Office of Career Services, said. “The graduate students with a PhD degree, regardless of their majors, usually find a job as a member of faculty in the university where they will also be able to receive a working visa.” Other majors, like business, also tend to lead to job offers fairly easily. Yiqun Zheng, a Chinese student majoring in business and math, said, “If the companies hire international students, they usually offer a good salary and good benefits.” Zheng also has a plan for her future. “If I can’t

Getting Involved in American Culture—The Key to International Students’ Job Search in the U.S.

By Jing Xiao


C12

Jing Xiao


27

find a job in US, I will try to find a job in other English speaking countries,” she said. “I got a college education in the U.S. The education in a foreign country sometimes will be undervalued in my home country. They only know the well-known universities on the Ivy list are good, but they don’t know many universities that are not on the list, like Miami University, are very good as well.” Yermoshikina, who has studied in the U.S. for almost three years, has decided to stay here and her mother supports her decision. “The level of income is much higher in the U.S. There are more opportunities for my career and for growing here,” she said. “I think that in the U.S. people appreciate you much more when you have a good education, while in Russian you don’t have that much respect I think”.Although both of them have a strong will to find a job in the U.S., they know it’s hard. Yermoshikina spends almost all her spare time participating in student organizations and other activities with American students in order to practice her English skills and learn American culture.“I mean, being an international student is always harder, because no matter how fluent you are, you always have some potential language barrier,” Yermoshikina said.“International students need to at least make

them understood by their employers, so basic English skills are essential,” Heidemann said. “The candidates will be immediately excluded if his/her English proficiency is not as strong as it needs to be.” But English proficiency and comfort with American culture are just some of the obstacles to employment for international students. The employment situation is also harder because they lack citizenship in the United States. “The employment situation is bad right now for everybody. The employer might not want to pay extra fees to hire international students,” Heidemann said. “Some employers will put American students’ need first, so the lack of U. S. Citizenship is always a barrier for international students’ job hunting in the U.S.” Yermoshikina is still confident about her future. “I have a broad knowledge, compared to American students. I am independent. I think critically and make decisions. I can provide diverse ideas,” she said. “Being in another culture makes me more tolerant of others’ beliefs and values. And knowing another language is always an advantage.” Heidemann shared a similar point of view. “More employers work with partners overseas. It would be a strong advantage if the candidate knows more than one language and one

culture,” she said.Heidemann also pointed out that the international students, who come all the way across the sea and stay here for four years, have a lot of initiative and independence. This experience also makes them stand out. For international students, Robles provided some advice. She emphasized international students should practice English as much as possible early on in school. They should get involved with American students rather than just live with people who are from their same country and culture. “That’s something really important in American culture, for people to get involved and demonstrate leadership, demonstrate the desire to give it back to the communities,” she added.The Office of Career Services exists to help both U. S. and international students. Robles said, “We did create information specifically for international students for their job searching. It is under the ‘Self-instruction Guide’ on the ‘Office of Career Services’ web page. It shows some of the comparisons between the expectations in international students’ home countries and expectations in the United States. It also shows how they might interview and explains how to navigate your visa option.” More information is provided on the Office of Career Services web page.

Jing Xiao


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RICK PERRY, the ever inclusive and now former republican presidential nominee, perfectly articulates his support for drug testing the welfare. Perry in a recent conference said, “I don’t have a problem with before you get any dollars from the federal government that you’re drug tested.” This coming from the same man who professed that he can bring the Texas miracle to the nation, even though that nearly 1 out of 5 Texans are living below the poverty line. Maybe this is why he’s

now a former candidate. Perry, along with other republicans, maintains the false notion that welfare recipients are more likely to abuse drugs. Many other republicans support the drug testing as well, Mitt Romney said, “It’s a great idea. People who are receiving welfare benefits, government benefits, we should make sure they’re not using those benefits to pay for drugs”. Since they support drug testing the poor, you would think it would be perfectly acceptable to apply

By Taja Bankhead

that policy to themselves. Apparently not for them. After one of his democratic colleagues amended to require drug testing for lawmakers, a republican member from the Indiana General assembly withdrew his bill to require drug testing welfare applicants. Back in 1997, the Supreme Court ruled drug testing for political candidates unconstitutional. So lawmakers, who belong to the elite sector, are automatically clean while the poor is always strung out on drugs? I think

The Hypocrisy of

DRUG-TESTING Welfare Recipients

Bankhead


29

not; I think that lawmakers have something to hide. Or that they just built another strawman to scapegoat. They would rather blame the poor than solve the real problem at hand: poverty. Meanwhile, several states push drug tests on the poor and jobless. Particularly, several states pass bills requiring the drug testing of prospective welfare recipients. Florida recently passed a law approving the drug testing of welfare applicants .the Virginian senate also passed legislation to require drug screening of welfare recipients. In other words, the poor can only enter the safety net if they pee into a Dixie cup. They could receive the strife for free while being marginalized and disadvantaged in the process. Yet here’s the fire to the straw: drug testing in

Florida revealed that 98% of welfare applicants passed the drug test, meaning that only 2% of welfare applicants actually failed the test. Though the substance abuse policy program reported that almost 20 percent of welfare recipients report some use of an illicit drug during the year, only an small minority satisfies criteria for drug and alcohol dependence. Illicit drug users comprise only 8.7% of the U.S. population. This exposes the flawed logic of the stereotype that all welfare recipients exploit public assistance in order to support their drug habit. After all, considering that drugs are expensive, people who are on welfare would be the least likely to abuse drugs. To put things into perspective, let’s take a look at Miami University’s drug use. According to

The Daily Beast, Miami University ranks #18 of the top 50 ‘druggiest’ colleges. Now let’s consider that a significant amount of Miami students come from an affluent socio-economic background. Does that make Miami students more likely to abuse drugs ? Most likely not. But apparently the poor might as well have their umbilical cords cut off a pipe instead of their mother’s womb. It’s time for this nation to eradicate these notions about the poor. It’s time to target poverty, not those who suffer from it. There may be one day when people no longer demonize and criminalize the poor for not contributing to the capitalist dream that fogs the nation. But until then, welfare recipients and the poor should plead the fourth.


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Although we seemed to have completely bypassed Spring and jumped head first into Summer, we must remember that this is Ohio and it is only and illusion. But this spring still be prepared to see a glimmer of summer running through the fashion trends. It is all about being as bold and as bright as the season. You’ll see a ton of color-blocking, which means mixing bright bold colors with dark or neutral colors and you’ll also see a ton of Pink, Oranges, and Tangerines. Also print will be showing up again in a new fresh way.

EDITOR’S PICKS FOR SPRING:

Ultimate Spring Shopping Guide

Moore


31Moore


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Joining an Intercollegiate athletic team has been the aim for many student athletes, for thosewho made it, they have to work hard to maintain their spot, and for those who didn’t make it,there’s another option. Miami University offers more than forty club sports for those who wantto play competitive sports but are not qualified on an intercollegiate level. These club sports offerpopular sports such as football and basketball to sports like Quidditch and Paintball.

Similar to Intercollegiate athletic teams, these club sports teams have their own schedules,competitions, and practices students can come to watch and support. Sports like hockey,basketball, and football have been dominating the college scene for a long time, and Miami is noexception. Often times, students forget about other sports that are offered on this campus. For sports like Swimming, Quidditch, and Ultimate’s Club, one thing for certain is, they want more students to cheer them on.

1. Name, Year in College, MajorLeah Marie Thornton, Junior, Zoology

2. What made you decide to play the sport you are in? (Women’s Swim Team) I’ve been swimming since I was 10. My parents got a letter in the mail asking kids to sign up for a local summer league program. I signed up and loved it. I’ve been

swimming competitively ever since.

3. Who is your favorite singer/rapper?Death Cab for Cutie

4. What do you do on your spare time?I don’t have very much spare time, but I am actually about to begin a scuba diving class inCincinnati.

5. What is your long term goal?I hope to qualify for the Olympic Trials in Omaha this summer. I also hope to qualify for NCAAchampionships before I graduate.

6. who is your celebrity crush?Joseph Gordon Levitt

7. An interesting thing about you.Most people don’t know this but I actually collect fortunes from fortune cookies. The last time Icounted them, I had over 1300!

8) How many times a week do you practice?We practice on average for a total of 20 hours each week not including competition. An average day starts with a workout in the morning for about an hour and fifteen minutes then in theafternoon there is a two and a half hour practice.

9) How do you feel about the attendance at your sporting events?For attendance, we honestly could not have more enthusiastic

or supportive parents and families. It is absolutely amazing how excited they get to watch us race! We can always count on amajority of our parents to be at any given meet, home or away. We do often wish that moreof the general student body was interested in swimming. Even though many of our closestfriends come to support us throughout the season, it would be really cool if other students came sometimes as well.

10) What is your team’s record?At the end of the regular season we are 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the MAC. We just had a huge winagainst Ohio University, our rival, which is great going into the conference championships!

1) Name, Year in College,MajorNicole Popovich; Senior, Exercise Science and Health Promotion major

2) What made you decide to play the sport you are in? (Miami Ice skating Club) What made me decide to play the sport I am in? Growing up my mom was the Figure Skating Director of our ice rink near my home. She had been a very competitive skater back in the day and continued to pursue her love of skating as a coach. It’s a funny story actually because I had no intention of becoming a skater when I was younger. I was avidly involved with softball and soccer and my mom never pushed me to skate. When I was 10 years old I decided to try it out and I instantly fell in love with the sport. I began lessons, started testing levels, and also started competing and performing in ice shows. My mom used to say that it was not just love, it was an obsession. Every chance I had I was on the ice practicing, and to this day every spare moment I have I head to the rink. Every day on the ice is a sense of accomplishment. It’s a

The Non-Hockey Sports at MiamiBy: Carly Huang

Carly Huang


33

sport of creativity, passion, and dedication. “Giving life to music through skating” has always beenone of my favorite quotes. Nothing in the world can ever bring me the kind of happiness and excitement that skating, and coaching skating, has given to me.

3) Who is your favorite singer/rapper?Favorite Band: Nickelback

4) What do you do in your spare time?When I don’t use my moments of spare time to skate, I really enjoy outdoor activities. I am avery active person and I love to go on fun adventures whether it be a hike or run through thewoods, a road trip with friends, or some crazy spur of the moment adventure! I am also an avid reader, although college doesn’t permit me much time to read for fun :)

5) What is your long term goal?My long term goal: I plan to attend graduate school to follow my dream of obtaining my PhDin Public Health. Looking further down the road, I would love to open up my own Health andWellness center someday. From the opportunities that I have been given and the experiences thatI have gained, I have come to find a strong love in working with youth and guiding them intobecoming more aware of making self and healthy decisions and, in turn, boosting self-esteemand self-image. Wherever I end up in life I know that I will be working with children, and that Iwill continue to share my love of skating through coaching.

6) who is your celebrity crush?My celebrity crush is Ryan Gosling :)

7) An interesting thing about you.An interesting thing about me is that I have grown up on a lake

and compete in wakeboardingand water ski competitions in the summer.

1) Name, Year in College, MajorKatie Garn, Junior, Political Science

2) What made you decide to play the sport you are in? (QUIDDITCH) I decided to play Quidditch because I’m a big Harry Potter fan and it seemed interesting.

3) Who is your favorite singer/rapper? Brad Paisley

4) What do you do on your spare time? Study, watch movies, and baking.

5) What is your long term goal?To open my own bakery.

6) who is your celebrity crush?Zac Efron

7) An interesting thing about you.I didn’t get my ears pierced until I was 20 years old.

8) How many times a week do you practice? We practice twice a week, usually Sundays and Wednesdays.

9) How do you feel about the attendance at your sporting events?I feel our attendance is fairly good for a sport that has only been on campus for three years, but we’re always trying to get more people to come out and watch.

10) What is your team’s record?Our team’s overall record for the past three years is 3-9. For this year only it is 0-6.

1) Name, Year in College, MajorEmily Dotts. Senior. Exercise Science and Gerontology

2)What made you decide to play

the sport you are in? (WOMNE’S ULTIMATE CLUB) We started the women’s ultimate club my freshman year and I had know idea what I was doing, as I could barely even throw or catch the disc. They quickly nicknamed me Butterfingers. But I picked it up soon after that and it’s been a pretty amazing love affair ever since

3) who is your favorite singer/rapper? I love The Veronicas, Paramore, and The Civil Wars

4) what do you do on your spare time?I love sailing, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family.

5) what is your long term goal?I want to develop health and wellness programs specifically geared towards the agingpopulation.

6) who is your celebrity crush?Anderson Cooper. He’s my silver fox

7) An interesting thing about you.My shins are coffee table magnets


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With summer right round the corner we went around to find out where Miami students would be spending their three month vacation, and this is what we found out!

TOP 3 2012 Summer Destinations

1. OXFORD

2. LATIN AMERICA

Morgan Farrell- Sophomore, Major-Exercise Science, Apart of the Miami Women’s Swimming and Diving Team

“This summer I am going to stay in Oxford and train with the Miami Women’s Swimming and Diving Team.”

Blake Thomas-Junior, Major- Strat Communications

Destination- Nicaragua

“This summer I’m going to be studying abroad in Managua, Nicaragua with a group of Miami students.”

Mary Kate Burgess- Sophomore, Majors: sports journalism and strategic communication

“My family is going to Spain and Portugal for two weeks in July. We went to Italy two summers ago when I graduated high school and now my sister is graduating, so we’re going to the country of her choice.”

Summer


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3. ABSOLUTELY NO

Cherith Scott - Junior, Major: Speech Communication and Minor: Family Studies

“For Christmas my mom sent my siblings and I to Cancun, Mexico. So I’ll be going there in May after finals week.”

Patrick Zilch - Senior, Major: Mass Communication

”I know I’m a senior but I have no idea what I’ll be doing. I’ll probably be relaxing this summer and visiting some friends. Hopefully I’ll have a job and will be working by the end of the summer in August.”

Summer


36

During the season of waking up at 5 AM to binge drink the remainder of the day for GBD, taking exams while slightly tipsy, ingesting some not-so-safe looking green liquids and not to mention all of the things that we do in everyday life twatching (watching or looking for someone tweets, with the hopes of seeing something specific), idolizing people who wear meat as an ensemble, or just pulling all-nighters

HOW CRAZY ARE

YOU?

IT’S 5 AM ON GREEN BEER DAY, YOU ARE:

YOU SEE YOUR BF OR GF UPTOWN GETTING COZY WITH SOMEONE ELSE, YOU:

SOMEONE TAKES A SPOT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR IN THE NOW SPOTLESS UPTOWN, YOU:

HOW WOULD YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU?

A. Sleeping, nothing is going to get me out of bed at 5AM, but wait until noon.B. At the bar already, I stayed up since last night.C. Up, doing a little studying for my 8AM exam, which I plan to be sober for.

A. Go up to them and make a sceneB. Bring it up later, in a furious rage where you make life-threatening remarksC. Casually go up them, make a snide comment, and wait for them to leave

A. Curse them out and move on to find a new spot.B. Smile, park, and key their car when you walk past it.C. Decide they must not have seen you, and look for a new spot

A. Fun and interestingB. Completely nutsC. Stable and reliable

for exams we knew about weeks in advance. You have to wonder, am I just a tad bit off my rocker or we are we just exciting people?

Well this quiz will help you it narrow down. Answer these questions and see which circle of crazy or exciting you land in!

Crazy


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If you answered “a” to most of your questions, then you are exciting! This type of person does things for the thrill of it instead of doing things because of the people around them. This type of person tends to gain friends easily, but only has a few real friends. This person is fun to be around and when others are around them, they give off an aura which helps make every situation fun. If you the majority of your answers were “b”, then you are full out loony, off your rocker, NUTS. You are always thinking of something to do, you are very smart, but you are not one to “forgive and forget.” This type tends to be really good at verbal manipulation and like to be the center of attention. They tend to have a set few of friends, those of who they control. This person also thrives

IF YOU HAVE TIME ALONE, YOU:

YOUR FAVORITE CELEBRITY IS:

TO SHAKE THINGS UP YOU:

A. Curl up with a good bookB. Twitter stalk all nightC. Sit and wait until someone else comes home

A. Lady GagaB. Criss AngelC. Mandy Moore

A. Take a trip somewhere you’ve never beenB. Change up your personality for a dayC. Wear something completely out of your comfort zone

A. “Calm down!”B. “You’re so much fun!”C. “Oh no, here you go again.”

A. Ignore them for a week.B. Get angry and decide to stand them up the next time they need somethingC. Forget about it, they probably had a good reason

A. ExcitedB. Remember that one timeC. Nervous

WHICH PHRASE DO YOUR FRIENDS CONSTANTLY SAY TO YOU:

ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS STAND YOU UP, YOU:

THE THOUGHT OF STREAKING MAKES YOU:

on one-upping someone else, no matter what the situation.If you answered “c” to most of your questions then you need to liven things up! You are always passing up on things that could be dangerous or even exciting, due to fear for yourself or fear of what others might thing. This person is the “purse holder,” instead of going out and taking life by the horns, they are there holding purses watching other people do things. Take a few chances and see how they pan out!

*Disclaimer, these test were created using research, but are still the opinion of the Crucible staff. Please do not use this as actual psychological information.

Crazy


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It is illegal in Salem WV to leave home without knowing where you are going.__________________________________

Funeral directors can be arrested for swearing in front of a dead body in Neveda.__________________________________

In Las Vegas, pawning your dentures is illegal.__________________________________

You need a permit to legally wear high heeled shoes in Carmel CA.__________________________________

In Minnesota, it’s illegal to sleep naked.__________________________________

A man must remove his hat if he comes face to face with a cow in Fruithill KY.__________________________________

It’s against the law for a man in Detroit to scowl at his wife on Sunday.__________________________________

In Tulsa OK, it’s illegal to sleep with your boots on.

It is illegal to dry men’s and women’s underwear on the same clothesline in Minnesota.__________________________________

In Vermont, it’s against the law to whistle underwater.__________________________________

Playing dominoes is illegal on Sunday in Alabama.__________________________________

It’s against the law to say “Oh Boy” in Jonesboro GA.__________________________________

Children that have unusual haircuts can be arrested in Mesquite TX.__________________________________

It’s a $500 fine to explode an atomic bomb in Chico CA.__________________________________

It’s illegal for dogs and cats to fight in Barber NC.__________________________________

It is illegal for barbers to eat onions

Strange Laws

Strange Laws


39

between 7am and 7 pm in Waterloo NE.__________________________________

In Chicago, it’s against the law for exceedingly ugly people to appear in public.__________________________________

You cannot move your bed in Huntsville AL without a permit.__________________________________

It’s illegal to wiggle while you dance in Stockton CA.__________________________________

Butchers cannot serve on a murder jury trial in South Carolina.__________________________________

A women may not strip in front of a picture of a man in Oxford OH.__________________________________

It’s illegal for more then 8 rabbits to live on the same block in Tuscumbia AL.__________________________________

It’s against the law to use dirty underwear as a dust rag in California.

It’s illegal to shake a feather duster in someone’s face in Portland OR.__________________________________

It’s illegal to cook more then 100 donuts a day in Oak Park IL.__________________________________

It’s against the law to make faces at school children while they are studying in Atlanta GA.__________________________________

It’s illegal to lasso a fish in Knoxville TN.__________________________________

You can’t whistle in a bar in Hawaii.In California it’s illegal to peel an orange in your hotel room.__________________________________

Woman cannot be on a highway in a bathing suit unless they are carrying a club in Kentucky.__________________________________

It’s illegal to surf nude or with a sock over a mans manhood in Margate City NJ.__________________________________

In Ohio it’s illegal to fish for whales in lakes, streams, or rivers.

Strange Laws


40

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