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Opinion: The Impact this Election has on the Future of Nevada’s Environment

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It’s easy to assume national elections are more important than local elections. It makes sense, why wouldn’t we assume the president’s decisions will have the greatest effect on us? After all, the presidency is the highest position of power in the United States. But, the truth is, local elections will always have a more direct impact on you and your community.

During the midterm elections this November, Nevadans have big decisions to make. Specifically, decisions that involve the environment. The Sierra Club and other environmental organizations in the state urge you to vote “no” on Question 3 and “yes” on Question 6. Both are related to renewable energy, but the context of the questions is crucially different. Question 3 is about who provides your energy. Question 6 would require all energy utilities to provide more energy from renewable resources. The information below is provided by the Sierra Club’s official website. For more detailed information, head to https://bit.ly/2EaFVV6.

Here’s why you should vote “no” on question 3:

NV Energy has changed course on its renewable energy policies and has proposed projects that will double its current level of renewable energy generation by 2023. Voting “yes” on question 3 would force NV Energy to sell these plants, sending Nevada’s energy market into uncertainty and disarray.
Nothing on Question 3 guarantees renewable energy.
Deregulating the energy market in Nevada could substantially raise electricity rates.
If Question 3 passes, it becomes constitutional law, meaning it will be very difficult to reverse if anything goes wrong.

Passing Question 6 means:

All electric suppliers would be required to provide at least 50% of their total electricity from renewable resources by 2030.
This would help our state significantly by creating a diverse array of job opportunities, from engineers and installers to office employees and factory workers.
Our environment would be greener and cleaner. Currently, Nevada receives 80% of its energy from out-of-state fossil fuels such as, gas, oil, and coal.

The vote on these questions will have an enormous impact on the future of our environment and its progression towards clean, renewable energy. This November, I urge you to make a decision that will benefit both the environment and our economy. Increased renewable energy will help ensure a sustainable future for Nevada.

October 11, 2018

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#MeToo Movement Creator Speaks at University

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This semester, the Joe Crowley Student Union at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) hosted guest speaker, Tarana Burke, creator of the #MeToo movement. Burke’s lecture covered the origin of the movement as well as where the movement is heading.

Burke opened her speech by discussing how she came to create the #MeToo movement. She explained that she is from an ordinary city, the Bronx. She explained that she is from an ordinary family, with the exception that she was taught to recognize injustice. She explained that even with an understanding of injustices, she still lacked the tools to address them for some time.

According to Burke, her work with the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement gave her the tools to address injustice. Burke said the organization’s mentality was, “Learn and do.” She said that the first case organized around was the Central Park 5 case. She explained that this case helped to energize her and prove to her that she had power to enact change. “I embraced the idea of ‘You have power now,’” said Burke.

Burke said that she continued her work with the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement when she met a girl she calls Heaven. According to Burke, every year the organization held meetings wherein the young girls the organization helped could freely discuss any issues they had. “Every year a girl would come forward with a story of sexual violence,” said Burke.

The year that Burke befriended Heaven, she could tell that the young girl wanted to speak up during the meeting, but was having difficulty finding her voice. After the meeting, she was approached by Heaven, who told Burke about her own experience with sexual violence.

Burke said, “The whole time all I was thinking was, this happened to me too.” However, she was afraid to say the wrong thing to Heaven, and remained silent. Burke explained that she later realized that she should have said, “Me too.”

Burke went on to explain that language became an important aspect of her work to help these young women. “We started with language,” said Burke, “You can’t heal a thing you can’t name.”

Burke said that in MeToo workshops that the group established, the organizers used pop culture to help the young girls understand that other people have experienced sexual violence. She said the person who always resonated with the girls is Oprah, as she is highly recognizable and influential. “They needed a sense of possibility,” said Burke, “That this is not where their life stops.”

Burke said that the organization’s MeToo workshops spread to other towns. The organization sent packets of information to churches and community centers so that they could start their own groups. Then, in 2017, the #MeToo became popularized online by Alyssa Milano on Twitter. Burke was shocked by how widespread the movement became. “I could never imagine people telling their stories and being supported the way they are today,” said Burke, “I’m floored every day.”

Burke believes that the movement has helped the general public to address issues of sexual violence. “When MeToo went viral, everyday folks were given a way to lift up their voices and say this is not anomaly,” said Burke, “This happened to me too.”

Burke then shifted focus to where the #MeToo movement is headed. “What now? What next?” said Burke, “We’ve had one solid year of unpacking sexual violence. We’re still unpacking it.”

Burke said that the MeToo movement is not a weapon meant to take down powerful men, but a tool for victims of sexual violence to begin healing. “We’re trying to be whole people. We’re trying to walk through life with our dignity intact,” said Burke, “That’s not a lot to ask.”

Burke explained that there is need for individual healing and community healing, which entails changes in laws and culture.

She then focussed on the UNR community in regard to sexual violence. “I challenge you administrators,” said Burke, “How do you work to prevent sexual violence. Are you doing more than lip service?”

Burke explained that several people had asked her to discuss sexual violence on campus at UNR. “I got a number of letters asking me to talk about the culture of sexual violence on this campus,” said Burke.

Burke then addressed the UNR student population directly, urging them to act to facilitate change on campus. “You have power now,” said Burke, “The school is first and foremost accountable to you.”

Burke ended her speech by saying, “So let’s work together and let’s heal together. If you are ready to do that, then I leave you with two words: Me too.”

October 9, 2018

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Insight’s Fall Reading List

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Have you reached that point in the semester where school is kicking your ass? Need a mental break but don’t want to scroll on your phone for hours on end? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out our fall reading list for some fun, enjoyable books that are the perfect escape from school or work.

The Mars Room

Novel By Rachel Kushner

Review by Nikki Moylan

In 2003, Bay Area native and former stripper Romy Hall is sentenced to two life terms in prison due to a botched trial. Acting in self-defense, Romy is seen as a true murderer despite what really happened and feels like a misfit once she is locked up. She meets intimidating characters that quickly warm up to her, despite their bleak chances of ever getting out. Kushner does a great job of showcasing the serious flaws in the California prison system, and writes the diverse prisoner population in a realistic and somewhat sympathetic way. The novel also includes the perspectives of other characters for some chapters. Romy’s fate at the end, however, seems unjustified based on the other circumstances she’s already endured.

The Chalk Man

Novel by C.J. Tudor

Review by Nikki Moylan

Five childhood friends, all disconnected from each other due to unfortunate circumstances, come together once again to solve a series of murders in their tiny English town. The killer communicates using chalk symbols like Eddie and his friends used to when they were in school. The novel switches between present day and the memories of Eddie’s youth. Readers identify with Eddie in the present day, as he is just overwhelmed with stress and life. In between the thrills, it’s humorous how Eddie tries and fails to connect with the high school students he teaches and also his gothic and stereotypically millennial roommate. It is well-paced, beginning and ending with gruesome twists. This thriller is Tudor’s first book, and it sets high expectations for the next, all while making her an author to watch in the future.

Scar Tissue

Book by Anthony Kiedis with Larry Sloman

Review by Andrea Heerdt

Scar Tissue begins by Anthony Kiedis exploring childhood memories after he decides to move from his mom’s house in Michigan to live with his dad in Los Angeles. Kiedis recalls going to clubs in Hollywood as a kid with his dad who was heavily involved in the acting and celebrity scene at the time. The book explores Kiedis’s first encounters with drugs and sex at a very young age as he remembers smoking pot for the first time when he was just 11 years old and his dad offering up his girlfriend to help Kiedis lose his virginity in middle school.

Throughout the book Kiedis continually struggles with heavy drug use especially when his funkadelic mega band, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, starts to explode in the late 80s music scene. The memoir is a sincere look at the lead singer’s struggle to get his substance abuse problem under control as he disappears on several day-long drug binges causing him to miss recording sessions and shows. Kiedis dives into the detail of his outings using dirty needles on the street to inject China white heroin and dirty socks to clean up the injection site, while also facing homelessness for a period of time.

There are many ups and downs in the book as the band’s success skyrockets them to the top of the music charts, but crack, heroine, and speedballs are a reoccurring theme as many of the band members can’t seem to shake the drug use despite the early demise of former Chili Peppers guitarist, Hillel Slovak. For musical and non-musical people alike, this book is a captivating read that explores themes of substance abuse and sobriety, love and belonging, and musical artistry as the book walks through the formation of every Red Hot Chili Pepper’s album.

September 28, 2018

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“Sorry to Bother You” Doesn’t Apologize for its Honesty: a Review

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“Sorry To Bother You” is the summer’s most refreshing and unexpected film release due to its realistic plotline with elements of sci-fi sprinkled in. Set in a futuristic version of Oakland, Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfeld) is a newly hired telemarketer peddling encyclopedias for a questionable corporation and struggling to make a sale. That is, until a co-worker tells him to use his “white voice”- an obnoxious but charming sales tactic that skyrockets him to the top of the company and puts him in the crosshairs of the CEO. The main character finds out quickly that it’s lonely at the top while his friends below are fed up with low wages and unfair treatment from superiors, all while believing he’s a sellout.

You may be questioning what part of this film is considered science fiction. It comes as a quick twist within the last half hour and leaves Cassius scrambling to get the truth out. At this point, though, he is considered a social pariah and resorts to using his status to get on reality television to “spill the tea.”

Director Boots Riley, a former rapper and lyricist, has crafted a film which is a throwback to how films were once made. It is authentic and does not try to replicate current motifs. “Sorry to Bother You” tackles themes like race and success in a positive way and can be considered politically neutral.

The characters are also well developed, leaving you cheering for their success and wondering just happened.

July 27, 2018

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How to Prepare for a Study Abroad When Coping With a Mental Illness

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Studying abroad is an absolutely magical once in a lifetime experience, but for some it can seem a little daunting especially when dealing with a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. If you ever have the opportunity to study abroad it is definitely something to consider! Studying abroad gives you a taste of the world outside of what you previously knew. You get to explore new places, experience new people and cultures, it is amazing! Here are some tips on how to prepare for studying abroad when dealing with a mental illness.

Learn coping techniques Before you study abroad it’s important to prepare yourself for any difficulties you may face. Culture shock can be a big one, but that’s okay. Bad days happen! Learn some coping techniques or activities that can help ease you through those bad days. A simple Google search is all you need to start learning about all the different coping mechanisms out there. If you see a therapist make sure to talk to them about techniques that could help you once abroad and make sure to keep their number or email on hand. If you are on any medication make sure to stay consistent with taking it and have enough to last your entire study abroad session!
Know yourself When deciding when and where to study abroad take into consideration the length of time you’d be gone and where you think would be the best fit for you. Many study abroad programs have all sorts of sessions to choose from including summer or winter sessions, full semester, even sessions that last a full year. Ask yourself what would be the best length of time for you. If you don’t think you could do a full semester look into any possible summer or winter sessions which are shorter. Which country do you think would not only be fun but provide you with an easier adjustment compared to others? What classes are offered? Which ones would be the most exciting and useful for you? Ask yourself these questions to set yourself up for the best trip possible!
Don’t be afraid to say no Don’t be afraid to take time for yourself when abroad. As much fun as it is to try new things and explore don’t be afraid to say no when you need to. Everyone needs time to recuperate, relax, and take time for themselves. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to explore and try new things. If you’re not feeling your best forcing yourself to participate, especially if you don’t want to, can sometimes just make you feel worse. It is perfectly okay to take time to yourself.
Don’t be afraid to branch out Remember it’s more than likely many of the other students participating in the program are just as nervous as you. If there’s something you really want see or do don’t be afraid to ask other students if they’d be interested. More often than not someone will always be down. Who doesn’t love a new adventure?
Research Do some research on the country before you travel. Learn some basic phrases in the local language as well as what kinds of things to expect once you arrive. Doing this will help you with adjust to the new culture easier since you already have some prior knowledge of what to expect. Make sure to research what kind of weather to expect when over there, too.
Stay in contact Make sure to stay connected to those back home and keep them updated. Send them pictures, and tell them all about your adventures. Staying connected will help you feel at ease knowing everyone you love is just a phone call away.
Study Although it can seem like one long vacation, keep in mind you are still there to take classes. Make sure to keep up with the workload and study hard to get those credits.
Journal Last but not least, journaling. Make sure to document all the adventures that comes your way. It will absolutely be worth it in the end when you can look back and relive all the amazing things you were able to experience when abroad and really, I mean everything. From the people to the food to a detailed description of the room you stay in. Trust me, it is absolutely so worth it.

July 22, 2018

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