Video reached UA on Facebook

by Lindsay Dennis

Invisible Children showcased Kony 2012 all over the world on Feb. 28, including in the Ferguson Center Theatre. Since then, the film about the African rebel group leader indicted for war crimes has been hard to escape on social media.

“The video opened my eyes to other issues around the world and how we are so blinded by everything outside of the United States that has nothing to do with us,” said Faith Merritt, a sophomore majoring in electrical and computer engineering. “When I watched the video, it broke my heart and bought me to tears.

“People can be so cruel. Not only can that happen overseas, but it can happen here in the United States with human trafficking.”

After watching, Merritt went on to share the video via Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, like millions of other viewers.

It wasn’t just the video that spread through social media networks – the video has inspired a wide range of critical responses, blog posts and events. Al Gilani, a freshman majoring in chemical and biological engineering, has coordinated “Cover the Night Tuscaloosa” through Facebook. The event, which Gilani said he planned impulsively after watching Kony 2012, has nearly 1,500 Tuscaloosa students and resident signed up to bring awareness and knowledge of Kony.

“As soon as I watched that video, I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ and it was just an impulse to do whatever I could,” Gilani said. “I felt [the event] would really spread the word.”

“Cover the Night Tuscaloosa” is scheduled for April 20 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Gilani said student group APWONJO has contacted him about getting involved with the event. APWONJO, a student organization devoted to raising awareness about issues in Africa, has hosted and been a part of a number of Invisible Children-related film showings and events.

“Social networking has changed drastically over the past years, and the way it has grown has introduced a whole new market,” Merritt said. “Now, you can introduce problems, issues or entertainment with just one click. It’s amazing. The video spread the way it did because it caught many people’s eyes by just clicking the play button on their computer screen.”

“I’m going to say 99 percent of the people that know about the video found it off of Facebook,” Gilani said. “These days, social media is the only way that people will pay attention to anything. Most of the stuff that I pay attention to is on Facebook or Twitter. As human beings, we get overwhelmed, so we only pay attention to stuff that our friends are paying attention to, and when it’s on Facebook, it makes it a lot easier.”

Though there has been criticism of Kony 2012 and negative backlash, Gilani said he’s glad to have been informed on something he didn’t know about while staying neutral.

“I feel like we needed the video to know about what’s going on – not necessarily endorsing Invisible Children, but I am saying we needed that video to understand what was going on, because if it had never come, then we would not be talking about it today,” he said.

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Text-a-thon aims to raise money for hungry children

Students involved with Secret Meals for Hungry Children are working to raise money for the initiative. Five public relations students are hosting a text-a-thon throughout the week. By texting “FOOD” to 27722, you can donate $10 to the Secret Meals organization.

“We chose to do a text-a-thon because almost every student has a cell phone,” said Toni Graham, a senior majoring in public relations. “It’s also an innovative way to allow people to donate to a cause. Anyone, anywhere with a cell phone can donate. More importantly, money that is donated here in Tuscaloosa stays in Tuscaloosa. With college students not usually carrying cash but constantly texting, it seemed to work well with our target audience.”

Secret Meals is a nonprofit organization started by the Alabama Credit Union. The program provides more than 20 percent of Alabama children who live below the poverty line meals to eat over the weekend.

Graham, along with Chance Blake, Jessica Burns, Jahmir Jones and Stephanie Putnam worked to coordinate the text-a-thon. All donors receive a prize.

“We wanted to raise a thousand dollars in addition to awareness for the Secret Meals organization,” said Jones, a senior majoring in public relations. “We wanted to really play up the part that you can donate $10 to feed hungry children for about a month.”

“General hunger amongst children is thought of as a problem in third-world countries,” Graham said. “We want people to know that it’s a problem right here in our own backyards. Children who ride the school bus with our children, sisters and brothers, cousins, are going hungry. And we can all help to defeat hunger in Tuscaloosa. Ultimately, people would become aware of local hunger and work to make hunger an issue of the past, specifically by donating.”

Students can visit the Secret Meals table in the Ferguson Center for more information and giveaways. 

There are also locations on the Strip where people can make donations and learn about Secret Meals.

Secret Meals is responsible for feeding more than 1,000 elementary school kids in the last year. According to the Secret Meals website, the program helps feed more than 20 percent of Alabama’s youth who live below the poverty line. A child can be sponsored to have weekend meals an entire year for $120.

“I think when people first think about Secret Meals, they automatically think it’s a program that’s nationwide or a regional-type program, but this is really focused in the Tuscaloosa sector,” Jones said. “It’s right in our back door. It’s people you could be going to church with or working with who are dealing with this situation where they are in debt or have enough money to pay the bills. The program is very unique in the fact that it really caters to Tuscaloosa natives and people that are struggling here at home.”

A number of UA public relations students have been involved with the Secret Meals initiative under the direction of professor Susan Daria.

For more information on the cause, visit alabamacu.com/sm or email Graham at tbgraham@crimson.ua.edu.

[HOW TO DONATE]

What: Secret Meals for Hungry Children donates $10 to children in Tuscaloosa

When: Now

How: By texting “FOOD” to 27722



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Career Center gets new director

The University of Alabama Career Center named John Railsback as its new executive director. Railsback began his term Feb. 1.

“The University is extremely pleased that John Railsback is joining the Career Center team as executive director,” said Molly Lawrence, UA associate vice president of Student Affairs. “His experience within the University and outside of higher education have prepared him to take our Career Center to the next level.”

“I consider it a privilege,” Railsback said. “It really is a unique opportunity to lead a team that can play such a pivotal role in helping our students discover and ultimately connect with their passion career-wise.”

Railsback is a two-time graduate of Alabama with a master’s degree in higher education administration. Before returning to the Capstone as an employee, he worked for Rite Aid Corp. While at Rite Aid, Railsback worked with UA staff, undergraduate and graduate students bridging the gap between the classroom and real life work experience.

Railsback worked for the University’s department of human resources before taking the helm at the Career Center. He has been an associate director, manager of recruitment and senior generalist for the human resources department. While at the Career Center, Railsback hopes to build off present projects.

“We are currently in the process of assessing our current career services in an effort to make sure we are meeting the needs of a very diverse student population,” Railsback said. “The results of this assessment will impact how we focus our efforts in terms of new initiatives. One area that I am confident will receive increased attention will be nurturing existing and developing new relationships with employers both inside the state of Alabama and around the country. These relationships are crucial to us providing career opportunities for our students.”

One of Railsback's major contributions while working in human resources was the increase in use of the employment website, jobs.ua.edu.

Lawrence said Railsback’s dedication and passion for students starting careers is important in him holding his position.

“He is committed to providing our students excellent career development services and employment opportunities,” Lawrence said. “His understanding of employer development and the challenges employers face will position UA to be a university of choice in meeting employer needs in a global market.”

The Career Center is located on the third floor of the Ferguson Center with satellite locations in Bidgood and Bevill Halls. Railsback looks forward to helping all students as they venture from campus life to the professional world.

“The Career Center has always been a constantly evolving area, and we will continue to change based on student and employer needs,” Railsback said. “We will rely heavily on regular feedback from students, faculty and employers to make sure that our career services are making a difference in helping our students identify and connect with careers that they are passionate about.”

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Interns gain experience, networks

According to a recent USA Today education story, 70 percent of college students participate in internships before graduation. Internships provide students with opportunities to get first hand experience of what they learn in the classroom. John Railsback, the executive director of the Career Center, says internships may not be 100 percent necessary in today’s age.

“I don’t know that I would consider internships ‘necessary’ in all instances,” he said. “However, I do think that they provide excellent opportunities to gain relevant experience and build networks within organizations that are often committed to college recruiting.”

Railsback spoke on the debate of required versus unrequired internships and unpaid versus paid internships.

“Whether or not internships are traditionally paid or unpaid often depends on the field,” he said. “Those that are unpaid sometimes have the benefit of counting as credit towards degree requirements. Regardless of whether an internship is paid or unpaid, the true value is gaining relevant experience and in building networks that could lead to career opportunities.”

Railsback said each college is more in tune with curriculum requirements that may or may not require an internship.

“Gaining relevant experience, through internships or other work-related activities, is one of the most beneficial actions a student can take to discover and connect with career opportunities,” he said.

Chelsea Chatman is a senior accounting student who is currently interning at Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP in Atlanta. She said she’s enjoying her internship and loves what she does.

“It’s not so much as me learning and being tested on [the software] per se,” she said. “It’s more of them judging me on the output that I give them. If my work is good, then I applied what I learned in the work field and at school properly.”

There are some majors on campus that require students to get internship experience including telecommunications and film broadcasting and human development. Chatman said only those students that specialize within the accounting field have to acquire internships, but she thinks it’s beneficial.

“I think [required internships] are very helpful because it will give you insight on what you’re getting into,” said Chatman, who has a specialization within the accounting major and a minor in computer technology applications. “[It’ll give you insight] into the job or the career that you’re trying to do. It’s good to have that because you never know. There are a lot of people that major in things, and they think they love it, but once they get out there off in the work field they don’t like. It’s different in the work field than in college.”

Shantoria Kite, a junior majoring in human development, will be interning this summer in Memphis with Youth Villages, which is a place for adolescents with behavioral and emotional issues. Kite believes having a required internship has positive effects.

“I feel like it’s a necessity anyway,” she said. “You get the experience. Not all colleges or majors require internships in the first place and the fact that [the department of human development] requires it helps us get experience in our own fields.”

There is ample information available for students on internships. Bulletin boards in almost every academic building showcase internship opportunities.

The career center located in the Ferguson Center is another resource, which is the home place of Crimson Careers. Websites such as collegeboard.com and internships.com also feature a number of different internship possibilities.

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Alabama travels to Auburn looking to avenge earlier loss

After knocking off high-ranking Kentucky and falling to South Carolina to end its home season, the women’s basketball team will take on rival Auburn at 8 p.m. tonight.

“We have to continue to keep playing the way we’ve been able to play here recently,” head coach Wendell Hudson said. “Part of that is that we have been able to make shots, and we have been able to get the ball where we need to get the ball. This team has to take one game at a time, and we talk about one possession at a time.”

Hudson said the team has been playing well over the past seven games, and the players feel good heading into Auburn.

“Any court is home,” junior guard Jessica Merritt said. “We have to go out and play with the same intensity that we’ve been practicing, and hopefully it’ll favor our way.”

“We’ve played pretty well on the road,” Hudson said. “It’s one of those things where, sometimes, getting away from home and being together as a team is a good thing.”

The two teams faced each other early in the Southeastern Conference season on Jan. 5. The Tigers beat the Tide at Foster Auditorium 65-55. Sophomore guard Shafontaye Myers was Alabama’s leading scorer, with 13 points, and led the team in four assists and four steals. Auburn sophomore Tyrese Tanner led the Tigers with 20 points.

“We want to keep the game at our tempo,” Myers said. “We don’t want to allow them to get into their flow of the game. We have to keep playing fast…they don’t like to play fast. We have to push the ball, pressure on defense and just be prepared for whatever they have coming at us.”

“I feel confident,” Merritt said. “The first time we played them at the beginning of the season, we played a little sluggish just coming into conference. I believe we’ve made improvements over the time, and I believe they’ve made improvements, so this should be a pretty good game.”

Auburn is currently on a five-game losing streak. Nell Fortner, who has coached Auburn the past eight seasons, announced her resignation after this season earlier this week. Hudson said it’s important that his team stays focused on Alabama.

“We can’t let what’s going on at Auburn affect us,” he said. “That’s the big key. I think we have to stay focused on our game and what we need to do.”

With this game being a big-time rivalry, it’s sure to bring out the best of both benches.

“I feel like [the rivalry is] motivation to me because we’re both in the state,” Myers said. “May the best team win. I feel like we think it’s a big motivation to us.”

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Bama Slammer Sungods honor champions

Dave Carlson started his own business by making two-pound painted statues he calls Sungods in honor of sports teams. In light of Alabama football’s most recent national championship victory, he has now created the Bama Slammer Sungod statues, which are painted in crimson and white.

“I was just wondering what I could do,” said Carlson, a die-hard Alabama football fan. “I thought a really good gesture would be to make a special little Bama Slammer for each one of the seniors who are graduating. Everybody on that football team gets a championship ring, a hat and a shirt, but I wanted to make something a little bit more personal for the seniors.”

Carlson began making Bama Slammers when he was asked by a friend to make something commemorating the Tide. The desire for the Sungods grew around Florida and has found its way to Alabama. Carlson said people from cities like Dothan and Duncanville have received the gift of a Bama Slammer.

All in all, Carlson has not forgotten the people responsible for the football team’s success. He made special Bama Slammer Sungods for head coach Nick Saban and every senior on this year’s squad.

Carlson included the names and jersey numbers along with the record and “BCS championship” on each senior’s Sungod.

“I think that’s sweet and nice [that he gave the Sungods to members of the team],” said Tymesha Keiling, a junior majoring in psychology. “I think it’s different because you don’t really hear about people doing stuff like that for the team. I think it’s creative.”

Students said it is great that people are supporting and recognizing UA athletics.

“It’s nice he showed his appreciation to the football team and his support for the University of Alabama athletics,” said Leah Bradford, a sophomore majoring in telecommunication and film. “It’s encouraging for the players to know they are supported in the Crimson Tide community even outside the state of Alabama.”

“Maybe he could do more, and more people would know about it and get the word out [that he has these to offer],” said Keiling.

Carlson’s collegiate Sungod business began when he was asked to make some sporting colors from the University of Florida. He’s glad to have items for Alabama fans now and hopes more people can learn about unique items en route to preparing for another championship season.

“I hope they didn’t lose too many good players this year,” Carlson said. “I know Dont’a Hightower is going to the pros and Trent [Richardson] and Dre [Kirkpatrick], but I’ve got pretty good faith in Saban. He’ll get them all back and get that team going again.”

For more information on the Bama Slammer Sungods and all other work, visit teamsungods.com.

Each Sungod purchase will result in a $5 donation to Nick’s Kids Foundation.

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Author attacks American ideals

George Kelley has written a book bringing more attention to last year’s tornado destruction across the country. His latest work was released last year and is titled “Ayn Rand Hates Tuscaloosa… (And You Too Joplin!)” Kelley made a visit to the Capstone Monday to talk about his book at the UA College Democrats general assembly.

“I thought [Kelley] illustrated some interesting points,” said Robert Chirstl, a sophomore majoring in political science and history. “The correlations he drew between Ayn Rand’s philosophy and the GOP resonated with me. The Republican Party has become a vehicle for big business to manipulate policy to favor its own agenda. Kelley successfully identified what I see to be the Republican strategy – a fusion of conservative social values with conservative economic ideas in an attempt to divide the middle and lower class.”

Kelley’s book has riled up some Republicans. The book refers to the ideas of Ayn Rand, who’s known by some as America’s most controversial individualist. Born in Russia, Rand was a well-known novelist and philosopher whose ideals were centered on objectivism.

Rand died in 1982. All of her books are still in print, and her sales have totaled more than 25 million. As stated on aynrand.org, “her vision of man and her philosophy for living on earth have changed the lives of thousands of readers and launched a philosophic movement with a growing impact on American culture.”
Kelley wrote Rand’s way of approaching American living and her values were essentially one-sided or selfish.

“These values are of Ayn Rand, and she lives thirty years after her death in the policies of the once-great Republican Party,” he stated. “Ayn Rand preaches no need to love your neighbor and demanded the individual live only for himself.”

According to Kelley, residents of Tuscaloosa and Joplin were in need of help from the government after tornadoes tore through the cities, but they did not realize that some of their elected officials are forfeiting providing assistance for “neighbors to help neighbors.”

Kelley’s book has gotten positive reviews on Amazon.com, and students feel it presents interesting findings and highlights important issues.

“I found the title of the book intriguing and decided to give it a try,” one Amazon purchaser said. “I was pleasantly surprised at the level of detailed research the author has done and, at the same time, how he injected a level of humor and wit that kept me glued to this book for hours.”

“When economic times become difficult and our government forces onto the population austerity cuts, what gets cut?” Christl said. “Important programs such as disaster relief for places like Tuscaloosa. Just look at the comments made by Republican House majority leader Eric Cantor after Joplin. Cantor said that the U.S. could not afford to help Joplin with federal money unless we looked to make cuts from other programs. This is what I got from Kelley. Rand’s philosophy has changed the GOP for the worse, and as a result, all the rest of us hurt.”

“It’s time to realize who Ayn Rand was, what she believed and how those thoughts corrupt our country to the detriment of those who vote into power her disciples. Ayn Rand hates America,” Kelley wrote. “America would be better off hating her back.”

Kelley’s book can be purchased on amazon.com.


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