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UPMC Chief Medical Officer Don Yealy on the measles outbreak in Texas full 487 Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:42:10 +0000 LlvKiHY2mZurr8Ul4BQ3TWSJFcWNCeqx upmc,emailnewsletter,upmc marty,news,a-newscasts,top picks Marty Griffin upmc,emailnewsletter,upmc marty,news,a-newscasts,top picks UPMC Chief Medical Officer Don Yealy on the measles outbreak in Texas On-demand selections from Marty's show on Newsradio 1020 KDKA , airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 2024 © 2021 Audacy, Inc. News News News News news News News News News News False https://player.amperwav
HARLINGEN, Texas - On his recent visit to the Rio Grande Valley, Rolando Pablos gave advice on how to grow the RioPlex marketing brand.Pablos, a former Texas Secretary of State, wrote the roadmap for the Borderplex Alliance, the regional economic development entity for El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, and Santa Teresa.As a guest of the CEO Group and the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, Pablos spoke to an audience of VIPs at the Harlingen Convention Center. The CEO Group and the task force wanted to glean best practices from Pablos as they develop RioPlex, a branding initiative to help market the Valley and northern Tamaulipas across the globe.After his speech, Pablos gave an interview to the Rio Grande Guardian. In the interview he spoke about his key takeaway from the meeting, the underlying reason the Texas economy is booming, how the BorderPlex Alliance came about, the state of the El Paso economy, the huge multi-modal facility in Santa Teresa, the importance of advocating in Austin and Washington, D.C., and the advice he had for RioPlex.“Here in the Valley, you have access to the entire world. And so my recommendation is take advantage of it. The sea port, is it in Brownsville? Yes, but it benefits the entire region. And so why not use that as a starting point to reach out to the world. The port here is already doing well. It needs to be supported and it needs to be marketed along with the entire region,” Pablos said.Here is the interview:Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas - On the day he announced his retirement as chancellor of Texas A&M University - effective a year from now - John Sharp was happy to recall his love for South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. In an audio interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Sharp recalled that back when he was running for office and he was in a bad mood, his secretary would change his schedule for the day and send him to South Texas. Asked why South Texas is so special for him, Sharp, who was born and raised in Victoria, said: “I don't know what it is about the Valley and South Texas. But you're exactly right. I'll tell you this story that nobody knows except my secretary at the time. But when I was running for office, and I've had been in a bad mood or whatever it is… you know, I'd be pissed off at the world or whatever, my secretary would automatically cancel whatever I had on the rest of my agenda and send me to South Texas. I'd go down to McAllen or Weslaco or Brownsville or go to Laredo… and it's just the warmth of the people in South Texas that just makes me love the place.” Sharp said the region reminds him of his days in elementary school. “It's a special place. It reminds me of the elementary school I grew up in. Lots of, you know, majority Hispanic students and stuff like that. Just good folks that were always warm to be around. I don't know how to explain it. I just love the place and I love people down there and I wanted to do something in that neck of the woods and I'm proud we did.” Among the things he has done for the Valley are open a higher education campus in McAllen, start a workforce training program at the Port of Brownsville, start the Healthy South Texas Initiative, continue to support the Promotoras program in colonias along the border, and appoint Manny Vela as chief operating officer of the McAllen facility. Asked about the Healthy South Texas program, Sharp said he knew from the very beginning it would make a positive impact. “So, the first meeting we had, if you remember, we had a meeting in a Brownsville civic center. And we had it in a little room. We put out invitations but not too many. I mean, we just ran some stuff in the in the papers and a radio station saying, hey, if you want to know if you're pregnant, or you're going to be pregnant, and you want to know how to take care of your unborn child come here. Doctors and folks are going to be here to talk to you,” Sharp said. “And Lord Have Mercy. I think it started at 9 or something and at 7 o'clock in the morning there must have been 500 people, maybe 1,000 in line waiting to get in. I'm going Holy crap. There were thousands of people that came in there and that's when I knew that there was a need for Healthy South Texas.” Asked about its impact, Sharp said it is hard to measure but he knows it connects with many people. “I think that it's made a big difference with a lot of people. People that have diabetes, to prevent diabetes. And to educate folks. I mean, we have a lot of people that don't have personal physicians. And so, they depend on the emergency room and it's only when somebody gets sick… so they don't get that kind of advice.”Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
MCALLEN, Texas - On this, Thanksgiving Day, we would like to give thanks to the Ditch Diggers of America.Joey Treviño, executive director of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, recommended we watch a video on YouTube titled Ditch Diggers.Treviño said he tries to play the video at all the classes he hosts. “It's a poem that a construction worker put together. And I put it in some of the meetings that I put together and I've had people crying,” Treviño explained.The video features a poem by Eric Borden about the importance of people that work in the construction industry and those that make a living through a skilled trade.The caption to the video reads: “After hearing someone refer to people who don't go to college as "ditch diggers" in a not-so-flattering way, Eric was inspired to write a powerful poem that reversed the negative connotation of blue-collar workers. “Eric's poem has inspired many individuals in and out of skilled trades by shining a light on the importance of people who build this world and love what they do. In turn, it inspires acts of kindness, which is how #ThankADitchDigger was born.”Responding to Treviño's request, the Guardian agreed to check out Borden's video and upload it to our website. Which we have.Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service website to read the full story.Editor's Note: The attached is an audio recording of our interview with Treviño.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
Welcome back to another episode of SA Voices From The Field! In today's episode, we have a special guest, Hyunmin Kim, who will be sharing their insights and experiences in the field of higher education and student affairs. In this episode of the "Student Affairs Voices From the Field" podcast, Dr. Jill Creighton interviews Hyunmin Kim, the assistant director of residential life for the Courtyards at the University of Maryland. Hyunmin shares his journey into student affairs and his recent transition into his current role. Hyunmin's journey into student affairs began with a personal connection to residential life, as he grew up in a family housing unit on a university campus. He found his passion for working with students while in college, leading him to pursue a master's degree in public administration with a focus on educational leadership. His career path eventually led him to become the assistant director at the Courtyards. During the discussion, Hyunmin reflects on his first 90 days in his new role, highlighting the challenges and learning experiences. He emphasizes the importance of taking time to reflect and recharge, especially in a field that can be emotionally demanding. Hyunmin also discusses his approach to supervising professional staff and the transition from supervising paraprofessionals. He values building close relationships with those he supervises and believes in a balance of professionalism and personal connection. Looking ahead, Hyunmin discusses his plans to focus on building a strong culture and traditions within the Courtyards community. He aims to engage upperclassmen residents and establish a legacy of involvement and participation. Additionally, he explores ways to use social media to connect with students and meet them where they are while maintaining the university's educational mission. In conclusion, Hyunmin encourages others in the field to smile, remember why they chose student affairs, and be innovative in their approach to engage and support students. He also stresses the importance of setting a positive and inclusive culture within residential communities. Please subscribe to SA Voices from the Field on your favorite podcasting device and share the podcast with other student affairs colleagues! TRANSCRIPT Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:02]: Welcome to Student Affairs Voices From the Field, the podcast where we share your student affairs stories from fresh perspectives to seasoned experts. This is season 9 on transitions in student affairs. This podcast is brought to you by NASPA, And I'm Dr. Jill Creighton, she, her, hers, your essay voices from the field host. Today on SA Voices, we're pleased to feature Hyunmin Kim, who is serving as the assistant director of residential life for the Courtyards at the University of Maryland. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, but was raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He has a master's in public administration from American University with a focus in educational leadership. At the courtyards you could always find him joking with residents and looking to find new and interesting ways to interact with residents. Hyun Min, welcome to the show. Hyunmin Kim [00:00:48]: Hello. Thanks for having me. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:50]: And we're talking to you today from Maryland College Park. Hyunmin Kim [00:00:53]: Yes? Yes. That is correct. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:00:54]: Well, we're glad to get to know you today in our theme of transitions. And one of the things that we love to kick off our show with is asking someone how they got to their current seat. So what is your come up journey to being the assistant director at Maryland College Park? Hyunmin Kim [00:01:08]: Yeah. I love giving a good old origin story. I think it's a pretty common story amongst higher educators. I think when I started college, I had A little bit of, like, an idea about, like, something that I wanted to do. And then I got to college, and I realized that it just really wasn't for me, and I had no passion for it. So it was time for a bit of soul searching. Right? Because, obviously, it's just like I work my whole life for a specific goal and then just goes down the drain. So I kinda started to think back about kind of experiences that I had growing up that I really enjoyed. Hyunmin Kim [00:01:35]: So my parents immigrated from South Korea. My dad did his PhD in Nashville at Vanderbilt University, And we lived in a residential college then, like a family housing unit. And I remember as a kid just kind of being a part of that community growing up, just going to those events at the rec centered with my father, and it was I think it was a lot of fun for me as a kid. So then I got involved on our campus, you know, through hall council. It's very you know, the classic higher ed store. Hall council, RHA, the desk, and all that. Then kinda slowly, I just realized that I had a real passion for it, so I did my master's in public administration and leadership Development. And then did my grad work, and then I just ended up at the Courtyard at the University of Maryland, and I just kind of ended up as the assistant director. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:12]: And how long have you been in that assistant director seat now? Hyunmin Kim [00:02:16]: Since May of this year, so not too long. Not too long. Very fresh, the position. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:19]: Absolutely. And before that, you were in the coordinator position at the same university. Yes? Hyunmin Kim [00:02:25]: Yes. I was a resident director. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:02:27]: So one of the things we're gonna be focusing on for you today is the 90 day story, the 90 day transition because you're basically just coming out of the other side of that 90 days, right about now. And interesting for your transition that it happened really in the summertime, which is a much more chill time to transition a position in our industry than it would be if you did it in, like, October or something. So tell us about the beginnings of the transition in terms of wanting to interview with your current colleagues for a position because I know that that can be a really nerve wracking space. Hyunmin Kim [00:02:57]: I think the first thing that I really thought about was when when they approached me, like, hey. Like, this This position's opening up. Would you be interested? It's a less formal interview process because we know you, but would you still be interested? And I think I really thought it's like, Am I qualified to be the assistant director? Right? Because I'm I think I'm on the younger side, for higher educators. I'm, like, coming into, like, Year 2 of it, so I was a resident director for a year, and then they approached me at this position. And I think that was the first thing that I thought was, like, am I ready? Can I actually do it, and what do I actually what does an assistant director actually do? And I talked to my boss who was the assistant director at the time, And she was like, you're ready. I mean, you you worked underneath me. You can do it. It's just a matter of getting there and just showing up for the job and following through and and learning as you go and Kind of understanding how the role plays a part into the community as you continue to work in the role. Hyunmin Kim [00:03:46]: So, you know, I go through the process. I think now that I've kind of been that 90 day, as you said, it's I feel like now I'm slowly getting comfortable as to what I'm supposed to do. The qualified part, I think every day, that's a struggle just, like, knowing if I'm doing the I think if this is actually making a good impact for my student staff or the students that I work with, I think it was overall a very interesting transition, and I think a lot of time for Self reflection on my part about my years as a director. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:04:09]: So in that self reflection, how did you come to the determination that you were ready and you didn't wanna apply? Hyunmin Kim [00:04:14]: I think my life's Motto has always been, you gotta try it first. And if it doesn't work, then, like, you'll know, but, like, you gotta at least try. And I'm a very hands on guy. I've always been more of human, and I've just really enjoyed getting my hands deep with the students. So I think my mindset was is if I'm just in my head space constantly fighting demons, that I I really never will know, and then it'll go to someone else who may not know the community as well as I do, who may not know my students as well as I do, who may not know the needs as well as I do. And I think I came to kind of the conclusion that I do know what my students need and what my students staff especially need. So I was just like, alright. We're gonna run with it. Hyunmin Kim [00:04:48]: We're gonna do it. And, If it doesn't work, then we're gonna grow, we're gonna improve, but I won't know until I try. So I just kind of jumped in a little bit. I turned off my brain a little bit. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:04:57]: And you made that leap from 1st entry level professional into that mid level, like, as you said, pretty quickly. So what are the skills and abilities and knowledge areas that you needed or the KSAs in order to really start to think about the conceptualization of how your regular work and your mindset towards work need to change in that jump. Hyunmin Kim [00:05:16]: Yeah. I mean, I think as a resident director, you really are I mean, I've, you know, much love for all the resident directors. It's just you're really out there with the students. You're the 1st line of defense in the trenches, and I think sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture as you're always just so, like, knee deep with students. And I think that year of Maybe with my RAs, it was just like I was just so knee deep with them. It was sometimes hard to see the bigger picture as to why sometimes my supervisors were making the decisions that were being made. I'm like, why why are we why we doing this, and I think going to my 1st NASP, interacting with, you know, the KC, but also just kind of, like, talking to other friend other colleagues and friends in the area. I had to kind of take a step back and kinda distance myself a little bit from my students who I enjoy so much just to kind of See the bigger picture. Hyunmin Kim [00:05:58]: Right? Because it's not just student staff that I work with or it's not just students that I work with. It it's the collective body of the courtyards, and and it was just trying I had to kind of just take a step back and be less hands on, be a little less turn off brainy, and actually turn on my brain a little bit more to see what the bigger picture was and to understand what it meant to To kind of make the harder decisions, the harder calls, and I guess transitioning my mindset to be a little bit more broader focused rather than so narrowly focused on Just like one specific sect, I guess, of higher ed. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:06:26]: And when you think about working with the students, which I think is why almost all of us got into higher education is we're really passionate about working with developing adults. How has that changed your relationship with the students in your community given now that you're not in the day to day and you're in that mid level leadership space? Hyunmin Kim [00:06:42]: Honestly, I think especially right now because it it has been my and now, like, the school year started, I'm not doing as much up front interaction with the residents. It's a little lonely. Like, I'm not gonna lie. Like, middle management is great, but also I think there's a little bit of loneliness at the top. I see them a lot less, and I can't interact with them as much. So I find myself talking to them more, which I don't know if they want that from me, but, like, I get a lot more Excited now. So I find myself actually just going up to them a lot more, asking my RD, like, what's the deal with this resident? What's the deal with this RA? Like, I think I try to Stay in the notes, stay in the loop more. I I find myself spending more time at programs. Hyunmin Kim [00:07:18]: Like, I'll just kinda show up and just kinda sit there and be like, alright, guys. Just do your stuff. Like, I'm just gonna be here. I just wanna See what's going on. I just wanna know what's happening. So I think I've had to become a lot more intentional with how I interact with students because it really is kinda why we all do it. When you are middle management, you see it a lot less, And it's a lot more paperwork and which is so much fun. But leaving that office is like, let's talk to people. But yeah. So just being a lot more intentional in my interactions with them and Approaching them a lot more and making them talk to me a lot more. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:07:45]: So that 90 day space is a really critical upstart time for anyone in a new position. And even if you've been at the same institution, there's a lot to learn. So can you tell us about how you approached that 1st day of entering into that new space, you know, mentally coming onto campus and knowing, okay. Today, I'm the assistant director. And then how did you strategize for yourself looking ahead in those first Hyunmin Kim [00:08:05]: 90? When I transitioned, all of us were transitioning into new spaces as well. So my supervisor, who is still my supervisor, she's now the associate director, like, of the courtyards and the commons, and And we were looking for a new resident director. So within that 90 days, it was just a lot of hat juggling for me. It's like, are you still kind of the resident director? You're still kind of the assistant. My boss is busy. Like, I don't know where she is. Like, I'm just juggling hats here. And I think it was really just I have to hold down the fort 1st, cover all our bases, and then I can kind of process what it means to be an assistant director. Hyunmin Kim [00:08:39]: So I think for the 1st 45 days, it was just me, like, Cutting out fires, just making sure that, like, everything was, like, fine and ready, you know, for the move in process to start, like, late July, like, early August, just all of that. Like, make sure that all of that's ready. Making sure that my resident director is prepped and ready to go, thinking about what type of supervisor that I wanna be. So the 1st 45 days is just like, Like, the sky is literally falling. And then I think after those 45 days, after we got an a new resident director, I started to kinda have that mentorship responsibility. And I think It really hit me that day. It wasn't even the 1st day. I don't even think it was, you know, like, the 1st 45 days. Hyunmin Kim [00:09:14]: It was, like, the 1st, like, 60 days. My resident director just kinda sits out of my office. She kinda plops out. She just goes, How do you have all the answers, dude? I'm like, that was literally me last year. Right? Like, I was like, I got nothing for you. If you told me, hey, Hamdan, what's this policy? I'd be like, ask Olivia, who's my boss? And she just goes, how do you know everything? And I think During that conversation where she kinda felt like, I feel a little out of place because I feel like I don't know enough. And, you know, we were kinda able to have that Talk about, like, new employee kind of, like, loneliness, new employee, like, imposter syndrome that you feel when you're a new employee. I think helping her talk through that was kind of that, like, oh, I am someone's supervisor now. Hyunmin Kim [00:09:53]: And the kind of the pressure and the responsibility that comes with it, I think that it was that around that conversation when that hit. And that and that's kinda when, like, my mindset became less resident director and more assistant director. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:10:03]: Are you supervising professional staff now as well? Hyunmin Kim [00:10:06]: Yeah. I have 1 resident director that I with us. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:10:08]: Okay. So you've gone from supervising all paraprofessionals to supervising 1 full time professional. Tell us about that transition and how you've adjusted your supervisory style and maybe any reading or research that you've done on how you can be a good supervisor for that person. Hyunmin Kim [00:10:21]: I think I prefer professional Staff member a little bit more because I think with RAs, we're friendly. We have fun, but we there's, like, a line that you can't cross. And I still have to be, like, conscious of them. I I mean, we're all developing, but they're, like, in that extremely, like, developmental stage of their lives. So I Think any and all criticism and, like, feedback that I give to them, I like to just kinda be a little bit more mindful with it. And I think with a professional staff member because it is their full time job, we kinda talked. I was like, hey. Like, so So what do you need from me as your supervisor? And after I kinda learned that and I knew her previously because she was my RA, actually. Hyunmin Kim [00:10:55]: She She transitioned from that. We all just kind of did a little bit of a small leap over. So carrying that relationship over, having that preexisting between professional and paraprofessional to professional and professional. There was a lot for me to learn. So I think I obviously I talked to some of my bosses. Right? I talked to some of my other colleagues. Started doing a little bit of reading, like, as to because since I did do my master's in, like, management, like, leadership, stuff like that, I went back to my readings, went back to some of the essays that I wrote just Like, what was I thinking in grad school? Like, do I still think that way? Right? Because I I think it hasn't been too long, but I think just working with students, I think your thought process is subject Change a lot. And then I watched The Office. Hyunmin Kim [00:11:33]: I'm not going to lie. I just kinda sat down. I just kinda watched The Office, which is it's always a show, but it's the show that American workers voted, like, was the most relatable to them because it just kinda felt like The Office. So I just Sat down, and I just kinda started watching Michael Scott, Jim Halpert. Just though those people just going through their day to day, supervising each other, and Kind of like how interesting, like because I'm a big pop culture guy, so just kinda synthesize that pop culture element with that academic element to try to Synthesized that, and then I talked to my supervisee about it, and then we just kinda worked out that relationship that way. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:12:05]: I think that's really fascinating that you use the office as kind of a Control case study on the work in higher ed. Because I think that, you know, the the core of Michael Scott as a character is that he's a horrible supervisor for most of his work, but he also deeply cares about his employees. He knows all the names of Angela's cats and things like that. Like, when Sprinkles dies, he doesn't even have to ask which cat. He just knows It's sprinkles. And so I think those things are are fascinating to learn. Like, oh, you can care deeply as a manager and still be a terrible manager, or you can be fairly decent as a manager, but your employees might not like to you. And there's probably a balance in there. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:12:36]: I like Radical Candor personally, where it's been challenged directly and care personally. Those things I I think are critical, but we're all learning how to operationalize them even if we believe them in philosophy. Hyunmin Kim [00:12:46]: I would say I'm doing alright, but, you know, I'll have to ask her tomorrow. It's like, can I have a do it? But it was fun. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:12:51]: So reflecting on that 1st 90 days now that you're you're through, is there anything that you wish you would have done a little differently to set yourself up for success? Hyunmin Kim [00:12:58]: I think I should have taken some more time to breathe in the 1st 90 days. I don't remember my 1st 90 days, if I'm gonna be completely honest. I blacked out For those 90 days. So if you told me what happened from May till, like, now, I'd be like, I couldn't tell you. There's isolated incidents, but I think I should have taken some more time to breathe. I'm a pretty reflective person normally, but I don't think I took as much time for myself to reflect During those 90 days, I think during that 1st week and stuff like that. I mean, obviously, I think thinking too much wouldn't have been great, but I think I just kind of, like, sped run it and just kinda push through it. So I think I just kinda overwhelmed myself to the point where, like, I think there was, like, a couple weekends back where I just had to, like, turn off, Every single device, like, every phone, I was like, hey. Hyunmin Kim [00:13:41]: I can't be on duty. Someone else can be on call. It's not me today. I just slept for, like, 18 hours, and And I was just like, I can't do this today. And I just ordered it and just, like, had a a me day, but I think that was long overdue because I think I should've Taking more time to take care of myself throughout that 1st 90 days. So Did you take a break at all between the RHD role and the assistant director role? Hyunmin Kim [00:14:02]: I had, like, a week and half home, which I think comes with other responsibilities. So when I'm home now, it's gotta help. I'm the eldest son of an immigrant family. Obviously, my parents, I'm very grateful. I think I have a less classic immigrant story than some of my other colleagues because my father is an English professor. So he's very fluent in English. I've never had to translate for that man. Like, that man speaks better English than most Americans do. Hyunmin Kim [00:14:24]: But it's just other responsibilities just being home, part of that community. So home is home, but it's not fully relaxing because you still gotta help your parents, your siblings while you're there, you know, the members of your community while you're there. So it went from, like, Helping 1 community to the next community. So by the time I got back, I was just, like, exhausted. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:14:42]: So resting is a great tip. And then looking at your journey in the last 90 days of what's been really amazing or what's gone really well for you, what's something that you would definitely repeat when you make your next 90 day jump? Hyunmin Kim [00:14:52]: This was by accident because we were like, our offices were under construction, but I had to share an office with my RD for, like, a month. So we had, like, a fun little buddy cop set up where, like, both of our desks We're, like, pushed together so, like, we'd face each other at work. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:15:06]: So you'd wait in gym? Hyunmin Kim [00:15:07]: Quite literally. I mean, we actually kinda have that dynamic as we play jokes on each together. It's very fun, but I don't know how feasible I would be in the next 90 day job because that would be a little bit of a higher position. But I really would wanna spend A lot more close time with the people that I supervise more so because those 30 days of me getting to know my RD a lot more Closer than when I knew her as an RA. It was just so much fun. It was in a very real time because she's my boss, like, question. And can we talk about this? Let's figure this out. We, like, interviewed our race together, like, in that office. Hyunmin Kim [00:15:38]: So it was a good time to kinda, like, very personally get to know her so I could have that professional, but also Have that, like, heart behind it. So now I can be like, alright. You better turn the center again. I'm gonna fire you, like, tomorrow. And she's like, yeah. If you would. And then we just, like, banter back and forth. We have, like, a very, like, Quippy and quirky dynamic, but I think that 30 days of sharing the office, I think, for me was extremely meaningful. Hyunmin Kim [00:15:58]: I don't know if she liked it, but I'd so if I could do that again, I'd wanna spend more time with the people that I supervise and a lot closer. Even if that meant I don't get to use my Nice office for a little bit. I just wanna spend as much time as I could with my supervisees before we hit the ball running again. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:16:13]: So you've shared a lot of wisdom related to your own transition. Is there anything else that you wanna share regarding the last 90 days? Hyunmin Kim [00:16:20]: I would just say, like, smile. Like, just smile and just kinda remember why you started higher ed. And I think that was a big thing for me. Because this job, I feel like the field can get tiring. Student affairs is is inherently a tiring role because it's a people role. Our job is people. Our job is emotion, and our job is care. And we're all humans, and I think we all have that breaking point of when we give too much of us and there's not enough of us left. Hyunmin Kim [00:16:44]: And I think just smiling, remembering back why you started, going back Pure roots. Even for me, and I haven't been in a position very long. Sometimes I forget why I started. It sometimes just feels like a job, and it is. But at the end of the day, it was a passion project that I started that's been with me since I was a kid, and I think I just remember back to that level of joy that I had as a kid just growing up in a residential facility, but then as a college student, just all the fun times with the residents. Just What other position can you just yell on the quad at strangers? And that's fine. And it it's higher ed. Right? It's just such a fun, quirky, just Charismatic field where there really aren't as many borders as you'd like to think, but it's the fields continuously growing. Hyunmin Kim [00:17:22]: So I would just say smile, remember why you did it, and just remember to, I guess just be really innovative in what you do. Just because there's a set precedent about what higher it's supposed to be doesn't mean that that's the precedent we're supposed to always follow. And I think being a little unorthodox with it, there's nothing wrong with that. So if you're listening, smile, remember back, and be a little chaotic. A little bit of chaotic. It never did anyone wrong, I think, as long as metered, obviously, but that would be my words of advice for anyone who wants to start or who's in that transitionary period. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:17:50]: And I'm hearing that as kinda smile for yourself, not like smile because other people are asking you to smile. Just to clarify. Absolutely. That's what I'm hearing. Thank you so much for the wisdom in this area. So let's look ahead for a second. You finished your 1st 90 days, like, moments ago. What are you looking at in the future 90 days? Hyunmin Kim [00:18:09]: Culture building is my next thing. So I'm a big believer in tradition and culture and fun rituals. So this idea got shut down, but I wanted to start, like, a ResLife Twitter account so we could, like, tweet other, Or I guess it's x now. But so we could start, like, talking to other resident halls so we could just casually hit up North Campus, be like, hey. Soccer 1 v one. Just kinda have that fun little banter between residence halls. They said we couldn't because, you know, like, it it'd be a problem. They're like, that's too professional. Hyunmin Kim [00:18:34]: I'm like, alright. My bad. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:18:36]: Wendy's do it. Hyunmin Kim [00:18:37]: Right. That's what I'm saying. Imagine you wake up one day and 1 dorm's calling and another dorm's stinking, and it's like, oh, this is funny. Like and then you kinda see, like, what knowledge each storm has. And, you know, I think that would raise resident engagement and interest because you don't see that very often, but they wouldn't me. So it's okay. I'll figure it out another way to do it. But, no, I think tradition and culture establishing what it is to be, like, at courtyards, I think for me is is really important because COVID stopped a lot of that. Hyunmin Kim [00:19:02]: A lot of those older traditions and and, like, I think we had some good traditions, but I think as we need to, we need to evolve, we need to grow, and we need to Be hip with the times as as one might say. Woah. Woah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Hyunmin Kim [00:19:17]: I know. My students are gonna kill me for that one. But, yeah, establishing tradition and and real culture, like a courtyards culture is, I think, what I'm looking to do now. So I guess right now is just assessing the needs of our students, and I don't mean the needs educationally. They got enough education going for them. I am not trying to, like, school them anymore, but How can I educate them in other ways, socially, right, culturally, just athletically? And our students just love sports. UMD is a great school in regards to Sports. We have great intramurals. Hyunmin Kim [00:19:45]: So I think something that we're trying to establish is a ResLife Soccer League or football for other people in the world, but, like, kind of just Setting a precedent for what it means to live at the courtyard because we do have primarily upperclassmen, and we have been known to be called the retirement community and which is fine. Our on call structure is great because they don't cause us as much problems, but it's that stigma. Upperclassmen don't care about ResLife. They don't wanna do anything. And I think How to embrace that apathy and make them care, but not care enough, but care enough to where they wanna do it. So establishing that culture of upperclassmen, I think, is What we're really looking to do, setting up legacy too. So our student recruitment process is gonna start very soon, so finding younger RAs and, like, obviously, I wouldn't discriminate based on age, but I think I have a little bit of a goal of trying to get a bit younger faces, so maybe sophomores, maybe juniors, where they can do 1, 2 years, not just 1 year and they're out, but, like, one, years 3 years even so that we can kind of set that legacy, set that tradition, set that precedent so we can kinda just keep building back. And we'll keep building now that that lockdown period has been over, but setting culture, setting legacy, setting a precedent as what it's like to live at Courtyards. Hyunmin Kim [00:20:50]: This is my next 90 day journey. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:20:51]: You also mentioned something really important with the social media aspects, whether it be on a specific platform or not, which is just kind of trying to meet our students where they're at, which which has been a mission of student affairs professionals since the inception of the field. But I think what that means now for Gen zers is kind of embracing that Gen z humor that we see that some of us understand very well and some of us don't understand at all, but that Gen z humor is also relatable. And then balancing that line of we are still your university that's here to develop your student journey. And we know this research from millennials, but millennials hated it when their university was on Instagram and Facebook. And so it's also important to recognize that maybe that's how Gen z is engaging, but that's not how they wanna hear from us. So it it's kind of this fine balance of how we find it. Hyunmin Kim [00:21:36]: No. I think that's a really good point. It's like, how do we approach them? Because Gen Z is a little dark. They're a lot darker than, I think millennials, then they're very grind mindset heavy, but also, like, very, like, dark humor. So, obviously, it doesn't land well professionally Most of the time because you really can't say it in a professional setting. But I think finding that nuance of how to approach Gen z on social media has been An ongoing struggle with me because for us to really meet Gen z where they are, we do have to forego a lot of our preexisting notions of what it means to be a university account on social media. And fair enough, I think we're just scared of what the backlash is gonna be if we do start to adapt a little bit. Are we trying to be too hip? Like, Are we forcing it, or are we just unhinged, and are we offending people? And I think rightfully so, they stopped my idea, but I think it's our job also to try to figure out how we should modernize And meet them where they are or at least try to meet them where they are. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:22:27]: It's time to take a quick break and toss it over to producer Chris to learn what's going on in the NASPA world. Christopher Lewis [00:22:34]: Thanks, Jill. Really excited to be back in the NASPA world, and there's a lot going on in NASPA. One of the things that I wanted to share today was a statement that NASPA put out just recently, the DACA ruling from the Southern District of Texas. If you didn't see that in your email, I am going to read it to you today to make sure that you are aware of NASPA's stance. A second ruling was issued in the middle of September by judge Andrew Hanon of the Southern District of Texas On the revised deferred action for childhood arrivals or DACA that sets up a likely return of DACA to the Supreme Court. Judge Hannon's decision reiterating his initial position that the program is unconstitutional signals a continued legal battle And holds in place a block on new recipients from applying, limiting the program's protections to current Recipients only. The Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule on DACA that should have gone into full effect on October 31, 2022. However, while an injunction from the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas remains in effect, DHS is prohibited from Granting initial DACA requests and related employment authorizations under the final rule. Christopher Lewis [00:23:57]: The political gamesmanship involved and the ongoing legal And legislative attacks on the DACA program continues the ambiguity experienced by an estimated 400,000 undocumented immigrants in higher education. NASPA supports the possibilities created by the DACA program, which provides educational and career pathways for immigrant students, faculty, and staff and creates a more robust and inclusive higher education community. We wish to amplify advocacy efforts by experts and organizations such as the President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and the American Immigration Council Who are supporting students and advocating for permanent comprehensive legislative solutions. Reform is possible, full. Demonstrated by the introduction in this congress of the Bipartisan Dignity Act and the American Dream and Promise Act. Consult NASPA's position for immigration policy and higher education on the NASPA website for resources on advocating For a permanent solution with your lawmakers on the hill. We also encourage our members to download your state data 1 pager And the higher education immigration portal to develop evidence based talking points. You can go to the higher education immigration portal by going to to the following web address, higher ed immigration portal, all one word, .org. Christopher Lewis [00:25:25]: There's lots of deadlines coming up For the NASPA annual conference in Seattle, which is coming up over the next few months, and you wanna make sure that you're watching your email for those dates. One of the dates to keep in mind is November 3rd. That is the date that you do have to put in any request for non NASPA sponsored events, including events that might be from your own institution or from other organizations that you're a part of. So if you are planning to have a meeting or reception that you haven't put in yet, make sure to put that in soon. Also, watch in early October for the housing information for the conference. You know that those tend to fill up quickly, So you wanna make sure that you get your housing request in as soon as possible. And if you haven't registered yet, now is a great time. It's gonna be a great conference with tons of programs and a great way to reconnect and come back together To celebrate everything that is NASPA and everything that is higher education in student affairs. Christopher Lewis [00:26:33]: Every week, we're going to be sharing some amazing things that are happening within the association. So We are going to be able to try and keep you up to date on everything that's happening and allow for you to be able To get involved in different ways because the association is as strong as its members. And for all of us, we have to find our place within the association, whether it be getting involved with the knowledge community, giving back within one of the the centers or the divisions of the association. And as you're doing that, it's important to be able to identify for yourself Where do you fit? Where do you wanna give back? Each week, we're hoping that we will share some things that might encourage you, might allow for you to be able to get some ideas that will provide you with an opportunity to be able to say, hey. I see myself In that knowledge community, I see myself doing something like that or encourage you in other ways that allow for you to be able to Think beyond what's available right now to offer other things to the association, to bring your gifts, your talents to the association and to all of the members within the association because through doing that, all of us are stronger and The association is better. Tune in again next week as we find out more about what is happening in NASPA. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:27:58]: Producer Chris, thank you so much for your wisdom always in the NASPA world segment. We really appreciate you continuing to keep us updated on what's happening in and around NASPA. And, Hinnam, we've reached to our lightning round. So I've got 7 questions for you to answer in about 90 seconds. Here we go. Question number 1. If you were a conference keynote speaker, What would your entrance music be? Hyunmin Kim [00:28:20]: Requiem by Mozart. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:21]: Number 2, when you were 5 years old, what did you wanna be when you grew up? Hyunmin Kim [00:28:25]: A paleontologist. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:27]: Number 3, who's your most influential professional mentor? Hyunmin Kim [00:28:29]: It'd be Hady Fultz at Kennesaw State University. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:33]: Number 4, your essential student affairs read. Hyunmin Kim [00:28:36]: Rainbow Fish, I don't know. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:38]: Number 5, the best TV show you binged during the pandemic. Hyunmin Kim [00:28:41]: How I Met Your Mother. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:42]: Number 6, the podcast you've spent the most hours listening to in the last fear. Hyunmin Kim [00:28:46]: The Daebak Show podcast with Eric Nam. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:48]: And finally, any shout outs you'd like to give personal or professional? Hyunmin Kim [00:28:52]: The listeners. Hi. Thank you for listening. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:28:54]: Alright, Hyunmin. You've made it to the end of our show. You've done an amazing job telling your 90 day transition story. Thank you so much. If listeners would like to reach you after the episode comes out, how can they find you? Hyunmin Kim [00:29:05]: My messages on LinkedIn are always open. I'm always open to connect with people. You guys can just type in Hyunmin Kim at the Courthouse University of Maryland. I should pop up. There's a picture of me smiling awkwardly because that's what I do. Or you can email me at h kim atcocm.com, and I'll get back to you. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:29:21]: Hyunmin, thank you so much for sharing your voice with us today. Hyunmin Kim [00:29:24]: Thank you for having me. I had so much fun. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:29:27]: This has been an episode of SA voices from the field brought to you by NASPA. This show is always made possible well because of you, our listeners. We are so grateful that you continue to listen to us season after season. If you'd like to reach the show, you can always email us at thesis@naspa.org or find me on LinkedIn by searching for Dr. Jill L. Creighton. We welcome your feedback and topic and especially your guest suggestions. We'd love it if you take a moment to tell a colleague about the show and please like, rate, and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you're listening now. It really does help other student affairs professionals find the show and helps us become more visible in the larger podcasting community. Dr. Jill Creighton [00:30:08]: This episode was produced and hosted by Dr. Jill l Creighton. That's me. Produced and audio engineered by Dr. Chris Lewis. Guest coordination by diversity and the University of Michigan Flint for your support as we create this project. Catch you next time.
WESLACO, Texas - On the eve of a visit to the Rio Grande Valley by the leadership of the U.S. side of the International Boundary and Water Commission, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar has announced increased funding for the agency. The U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) is a federal government agency and the U.S. component of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), which applies the boundary and water treaties of the United States and Mexico and settles differences that may arise in their application. The USIBWC is headed by Commissioner Maria-Elena Giner. Giner is slated to visit the Valley on Wednesday July 19.“One of the things that I did even as our Republican colleagues we're cutting everywhere - I think they're going to cut about $131 billion - I was able to get an increase of over $36 million to the International Boundary and Water Commission. That's almost a 25 percent increase,” Cuellar said, in a webinar with news reporters.“The reason this is important is… the International Boundary and Water Commission will be able to - and I put some language (in the appropriations bill) specifically (for this) - there'll be able to improve the predictability and reliability of water delivery fees for the border.”Giner is slated to give the opening remarks at what is being dubbed a “Federal-State Stakeholder Meeting.” It takes place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center's main building auditorium in Weslaco on July 19. The meeting is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m. and finish at 5:00 p.m. Other agencies to be featured at the stakeholder meeting are the U.S. Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Texas Water Development Board.The address of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center is 2415 E. Highway 83, Weslaco, TX 78596.For more information about the stakeholder meeting call Esther Cortez, public affairs assistant for USIBWC at 915-317-5915. Or, email her at: esther.cortez@ibwc.gov.Here are Rep. Cuellar's remarks about the IBWC during the webinar.To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.
09-11-20 Arab Radio with Ray Hanania on Sept. 11 anniversary Host Ray Hanania discusses the Forgotten Victims of Sept. 11, 2001, Americans who "looked" Middle Eastern who were attacked and murdered by other Americans in backlash anger attacks. These victims have never been acknowledged or included in the list of victims of Sept. 11, 2001 and they should be. The Arab street Radio is broadcast regularly on WNZK AM 690 Radio (check www.TheDailyHookah.com or www.Hanania.com for more details on show dates (the show broadcasts from 8 to 9 am EST (7 am CST Chicago and 3 PM Occupied Jerusalem time). Live Radio Show details: Ray Hanania, special US Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper … and you’re listening to Radio Baladi … THE ARAB STREET Radio & Podcast broadcast from Detroit, Michigan through 690 AM WNZK Radio … In the future, I'd like to be introduced by my Game of Thrones Title: Ray Hanania, the first of his name, the Mayor Slayer, breaker of Political Egos, Father of Wags, the one true believer of Steppenwolf and Jim Hendrix, Spirit of Jerusalem, and Scribe of the four High Schools Bowen, Bogan, Little Flower, and Reavis … THE ARAB STREET Radio & Podcast is a part of the US Arab Radio Network hosted by Laila Alhusini … in an effort to energize and empower Arab Americans to stand up for their rights … for more information go to my website at www.Hanania.com … and afterwards on podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or by visiting my podcast website www.TheArabStreet.org. We are broadcasting on Live Radio in Michigan on WNZK AM 690 this morning … 8 AM In Great Detroit, Ohio and Canada … and 7 AM in Chicago, 3 PM in Israeli Occupied Jerusalem and 4 PM in Dubai … Our radio show call-in number is 248-557-3300 Here is the list of backlash victims who have been forgotten because of the hatred that dominated the nation's lust for revenge: At least three people were murdered as a result of the September 11 backlash. There is reason to suspect four other people may also have been murdered because of anti-Arab and anti-Muslim hatred. Balbir Singh Sodhi Balbir Singh Sodhi, a forty-nine-year-old turbaned Sikh and father of three, was shot and killed while planting flowers at his gas station on September 15, 2002. Police officials told Human Rights Watch that hours before the crime, Sodhi's alleged killer, Frank Roque, had bragged at a local bar of his intention to "kill the ragheads responsible for September 11."90 In addition to shooting Sodhi three times before driving away, Roque also allegedly shot into the home of an Afghani American and at two Lebanese gas station clerks.91 The Maricopa County prosecutor's office was due to try Roque for Sodhi's murder on November 12, 2002. Vasudev Patel On October 4, 2001, Mark Stroman shot and killed Vasudev Patel, a forty-nine-year old Indian and father of two, while Patel was working at his convenience store in Mesquite, Texas.92 A store video camera recorded the murder, allowing law enforcement detectives to identify Stroman as the killer. Stroman said during a television interview that anger over the September 11 attacks caused him to attack any store owner who appeared to be Muslim. He further stated during the interview: "We're at war. I did what I had to do. I did it to retaliate against those who retaliated against us."93In addition to killing Patel, Stroman also shot and killed Waquar Hassan on September 15, 2001 (see below), and also shot Rais Uddin, a gas station attendant, blinding him.94 Stroman was tried and convicted of capital murder for killing Patel and sentenced to death on April 3, 2002.95 Waquar Hassan Waquar Hassan, a forty-six-year-old Pakistani and father of four, was killed while cooking hamburgers at his grocery store near Dallas, Texas on September 15, 2001. Although no money was taken from Hassan's store, police in Dallas initially believed that he was killed during a robbery because he had been robbed twice that year.96 Hassan's family, however, believed his murder was a hate crime because nothing was stolen by the assailant and the murder had occurred so soon after September 11.97 His family also pointed out that customers visiting Hassan's store after September 11 subjected him to ethnic and religious slurs.98 The case remained unsolved until Mark Stroman admitted to killing Hassan to a fellow prison inmate in January 2002.99 Murder charges against Stroman were dropped once he was convicted and sentenced to death for Vasudev Patel's murder.100 Ali Almansoop On September 17, 2001, Ali Almansoop, a forty-four year old Yemini Arab, was shot and killed in his home in Lincoln Park, Michigan after being awoken from his sleep by Brent David Seever. At the time of his murder, Almansoop was in bed with Seever's ex-girlfriend.101 Immediately before killing Almansoop, Seever said that he was angry about the September 11 terrorist attacks. Almansoop pleaded that he did not have anything to do with the attacks.102 Seever shot Almansoop anyway. Seever acknowledged to police investigators that he killed Almansoop in part because of anger related to September 11. Prosecutors chose to prosecute the matter as a murder, rather than a bias-motivated murder, because they believe Mr. Seever's motivation for murdering Almansoop was motivated in part by jealousy over Almansoop's relationship with is ex-girlfriend. Mr. Seever had been stalking his ex-girlfriend before the murder.103 Abdo Ali Ahmed On September 29, 2001, Abdo Ali Ahmed, a fifty-one-year-old Yemini Arab and Muslim, and father of eight, was shot and killed while working at his convenience store in Reedley, California.104Cash in two registers and rolled coins inside an open safe were left untouched. In addition, Ahmed's gun, which he kept for protection, reportedly remained in its usual spot, indicating that he may not have felt in mortal danger.105 Two days before his murder, Ahmed had found a note on his car windshield which stated, "We're going to kill all of you [expletive] Arabs."106 Instead of contacting the police, Ahmed threw the note away.107 Ahmed's family and local Muslim leaders have told the local press that they believe his killing was a hate crime.108 However, largely because no perpetrator or perpetrators have been found for whom a motive can be established, police have not classified the murder as a hate crime. California Governor Gray Davis offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Ahmed's killers.109 At the time of this writing, the investigation into Ahmed's murder was stalled because police had run out of leads.110 Adel Karas On September 15, 2001, Adel Karas, a forty-eight-year-old Arab and Coptic Christian, and father of three, was shot and killed at his convenience store in San Gabriel, California. According to press reports, his wife, Randa Karas, believes he was murdered because he was mistaken for a Muslim. She points out that no money was taken from the cash register and that her husband had a thick wad of bills in his pocket. Local police told Human Rights Watch that they do not believe his murder was bias-motivated because there is no evidence to indicate anti-Arab or anti-Muslim bias. The murder remained unsolved at the time of this writing. 111 Ali W. Ali Ali W. Ali, a sixty-six-year-old Somali Muslim, died nine days after being punched in the head while standing at a bus stop in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October 15, 2002.112 According to press reports, the only known witness to the attack saw the assailant walk up to Ali, punch him, stand over him, and then walk away.113 His son and Somali community members attributed the attack against Ali to anger created against Somalis by a front page local newspaper article that appeared two days before the attack.114 The article said that Somalis in Minneapolis had given money to a Somali terrorist group with links to Osama Bin Laden.115 After originally finding that Ali had died of natural causes, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office on January 8, 2002 ruled Ali's death a homicide.116 Ali's family regards his murder as a hate crime. Both local police and the FBI have been unable to find Ali's assailant.117 Assaults Violent assaults related to September 11 were numerous and widespread. A review by the South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) of news articles published during the week following September 11 found reports of forty-nine September 11-related assaults.118 CAIR received 289 reports from Muslims of assaults and property damage incidents across the United States from September 11 until the second week of February.119 Issa Qandeel On the morning of September 13, 2001, Issa Qandeel, a Palestinian Muslim and an Arab, was leaving the Idriss Mosque in Seattle, Washington when he smelled gas near his jeep and saw a man, subsequently identified as Patrick Cunningham, come out from behind his jeep. Cunningham was carrying a can of gasoline and a gun. When Qandeel asked Cunningham what he was doing behind the jeep, Cunningham walked away. When Qandeel tried to stop him, Cunningham shot at Qandeel three times, although his gun did not discharge any bullets. Cunningham then started running away and Qandeel chased him. Cunningham shot at Qandeel again and this time a bullet did discharge, although it missed Qandeel. Cunningham was apprehended when he crashed his car trying to get away. Police later discovered that Cunningham planned to burn cars in the mosque driveway because of anger at the September 11 attacks. Federal authorities prosecuted Cunningham for attacking Qandeel and attempting to deface a house of worship. He pled guilty on May 9, 2002 and was scheduled to be sentenced on October 18, 2002. He faces a minimum of five years of incarceration.120 Kulwinder Singh On September 13, 2001, Raymond Isais Jr. allegedly assaulted Kulwinder Singh, a turbaned Sikh taxi worker, in SeaTac, Washington. After getting into the back seat of Singh's taxi, Isais told Singh, "You have no right to attack our country!" He then started choking Singh. After both men then got out of the taxi, Isais started punching Singh, pulled out tufts of his beard and knocked off his turban. Isais called Singh a terrorist during the assault. Local police were able to apprehend Isais Jr. the same day using a description provided by Singh. He was charged with a hate crime by local country prosecutors.121 Swaran Kaur Bhullar On September 30, 2001, Swaran Kaur Bhullar, a Sikh woman, was attacked by two men who stabbed her in the head twice as her car was idling at a red light in San Diego. The men shouted at her, "This is what you get for what you've done to us!" and "I'm going to slash your throat," before attacking her. As another car approached the traffic light, the men sped off. Bhullar felt that she would have been killed by the men if the other car had not appeared. She was treated at a local hospital for two cuts in her scalp and released later that same day. Local police and federal law enforcement officials have been unable to identify Bhullar's attackers.122 Faiza Ejaz On September 12, 2001, Faiza Ejaz, a Pakistani woman, was standing outside a mall in Huntington, New York waiting for her husband to pick her up from work. According to press reports, Adam Lang, a seventy-six-year-old man sitting in his car outside the mall, allegedly put his car in drive and started driving towards her. Ejaz was able to avoid the car by jumping out of the way and running into the mall. Lang then jumped out of his car and screamed that he was "doing this for my country" and was "going to kill her." Mall security agents seized Lang. Sergeant Robert Reecks, commander of the Suffolk County Bias Crimes Bureau, told reporters: "if she hadn't jumped out of the way, he would have run right over her."123 Lang was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, which requires an enhanced penalty if the crime is bias-motivated. FK On June 18, 2002, FK, an American Muslim woman who wears a hijab, was allegedly assaulted by a woman in a drug store near Houston, Texas. Before assaulting FK, the woman told her that she had learned about "you people" over the last ten months and doesn't trust "a single damn one of you." Before FK could get away from the woman, she slammed FK to the floor and began pulling at her headscarf, which had the effect of choking her. Though FK told the woman she could not breathe, she kept pulling at the headscarf. FK then pulled off her headscarf, in violation of her religious obligations in a desperate effort to alleviate the choking. The woman then dragged FK by her hair to the front of the store. When police arrived, the woman was holding FK by her ponytail on the front sidewalk of the store. She told police that she was making a citizen's arrest. The police told her to let FK go, at which point FK was able to put her headscarf back on. 124 Karnail Singh Karnail Singh is a Sikh man who owns a motel in SeaTac, Washington. In mid-October, 2001, John Bethel, a local vagrant who sometimes came into Singh's motel for coffee and food, told Singh, "You better go back to your country. We're coming to kick your ass." A few days later, on October 19, Bethel entered Singh's motel and shouted, "You still here? Go back to Allah!" before hitting Singh with a metal cane while he stood behind the counter in the motel lobby. Singh, who bled profusely from the blow, spent half a day in the hospital and required ten stitches on his head. Bethel was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for assault with a deadly weapon.125 Satpreet Singh On September 19, 2001, Satpreet Singh, a turbaned Sikh, was driving in the middle lane of a two lane highway in Frederick County, Maryland. A pickup truck pulled up close behind Singh and the driver started making profane gestures towards him. The pickup truck then moved alongside Singh's car on his left and the driver took out a rifle. Singh increased his speed to get away from the pickup truck. Seconds later he heard rifle shots. No bullets hit Singh or his car. The pickup truck then turned around and started traveling in the opposite direction. Singh filed a criminal complaint with the local police. At the time of this writing, local authorities have not been able to ascertain the identity of the person who shot at Singh.126 Place of Worship Attacks Mosques and places of worship perceived to be mosques appeared to be among the most likely places of September 11-related backlash violence. SAALT's survey of bias incidents reported in major news media found 104 bias incidents against places of worship reported during the first week after September 11.127 Of these 104 bias incidents, fifty-five were telephone threats, twenty-four involved harassment of mosque worshippers outside mosques, twenty-two involved property damage from vandalism, arson, or gun shots, and three were assaults on mosque worshipers.128 Arab churches, Sikh gurdwaras (houses of worship), and Hindu temples were also objects of backlash violence. The number of worshippers at the attacked mosques decreased for weeks following the attacks, apparently because of fear of additional violence.129 Although September 11 backlash violence against individual Arabs and Muslims decreased markedly by November 2001, attacks continued against mosques or houses of worship perceived to be Arab or Muslim. On November 19, 2001, four teenagers burned down the Gobind Sadan, a multi-faith worship center Oswego, New York, because they believed the worshippers were supporters of Osama Bin Laden.130 On March 25, 2002, a man who stated to police that he hated Muslims crashed his pickup truck into a mosque in Tallahassee, Florida thirty minutes after evening prayers.131On June 11, 2002, in Milipitas, California, vandals broke into a mosque under construction, scrawled derogatory remarks such as, "F- Arabs" and damaged the interior of a construction trailer near the mosque.132 On August 24, 2002, federal authorities announced they had discovered a plan by a doctor in Tampa Bay to bomb and destroy approximately 50 mosques and Islamic cultural centers in south Florida.133 The doctor's home contained rocket launchers, sniper rifles and twenty live bombs.134 Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Gurdwara On the night of September 11, 2001, somebody threw three Molotov cocktails into the Guru Gobind Singh Sikh Gurdwara, a Sikh house of worship in Bedford, Ohio. The Molotov cocktails started a small fire that was quickly extinguished by the gurdwara's caretakers. Two windows were also broken. A report was filed with local police. No one has been apprehended for the crime.135 Mosque Foundation of Bridgeview On September 12, 2001, over one hundred police officers were deployed to stop approximately three hundred protestors from marching on the mosque in Bridgeview, Illinois. The mosque is located in a neighborhood of mostly Arab and Muslim American families. Stopped two blocks from the mosque, the protestors then demonstrated for approximately three hours shouting anti-Arab and anti-Muslim insults such as "Arabs go home" and harassing passersby who looked Muslim or Arab. Similar protests, though smaller in size, were held over the next two days. Police from various jurisdictions cordoned off the area around the mosque, only allowing persons into the neighborhood who could prove they lived there. Many of the Muslim and Arab families remained in their homes for the next few days because they feared hostility once outside the police cordon. Scores of police protected the mosque during Friday prayers on September 14, 2001.136 Islamic Center of Irving, Texas On the night of September 12, 2001, someone fired at the Islamic Center of Irving, leaving thirteen to fourteen bullet holes in the building. The shots were fired after the evening prayer had ended and the building was empty. For the first two or three days after the attack, local police provided security for the mosque. Immediately after the attack, the imam reported a noticeable decline in prayer attendance. He estimated that daily prayer attendance dropped from 150 to thirty or forty persons. Friday prayers dropped from one thousand to five hundred persons. Mosque attendance normalized after a few weeks.137 St. John's Assyrian American Church On September 23, 2001, the St. John's Assyrian American Church was set on fire in Chicago, Illinois in the early morning, causing approximately $150,000 worth of damage. The fire was caused by someone who put a piece of paper through the church mail slot and then dropped a lit match onto it. Water from fire department fire extinguishers ruined holy pictures, carpeting, and floor tiles. According to the church's pastor, Reverend Charles Klutz, the person whom he believed set the fire had asked a local resident whether the church was a mosque. Reverend Klutz also stated that local police initially asked whether the church was a mosque when they first arrived at the church even though many crosses were located prominently on the church premises. Local police and federal authorities were investigating the cause of the fire at the time of this writing.138 Islamic Foundation of Central Ohio Sometime during the evening of December 29, 2001, vandals broke into the Islamic Foundation of Central Ohio in Columbus, Ohio. The vandals broke a bathroom pipe and clogged the sink, forcing it to overflow for hours; tore frames encasing religious verses off a wall; destroyed a chandelier in the main prayer hall; flipped over the pulpit; cut the wires of high-mounted speakers and amplifiers and threw them to the ground; tore posters off a mosque classroom wall; pulled down curtains and drapes; and tipped over bookcases and file cabinets in a classroom and threw approximately one hundred copies of the Quran onto the floor.139 Water from the stopped-up third-floor sink seeped into the second floor main prayer hall, causing plaster pieces from the main prayer hall ceiling to fall. A torn Quran and a smashed clock from the mosque were found in the mosque parking lot. The damage to the mosque was estimated at $379,000. The mosque was closed after the incident but planned to reopen in October 2002. Both local police and the FBI are conducting investigations.140 United Muslim Masjid On November 16, 2001, during an evening Ramadan prayer service, rocks were thrown through two windows of the United Muslim Masjid in Waterbury, Connecticut. Approximately thirty-five to forty people were in the mosque at the time. Local police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Dr. Magdy Adbelhady, a member of the mosque, said that local police were responsive to mosque member concerns and seemed to be taking the matter seriously. He said that immediately after the attack on the mosque, mosque attendance had dropped but was now back to normal.141 Arson There have been press reports of more than fifteen arsons and attempted arsons that may be part of the post-September 11 backlash. 142 Local law enforcement agents believe that fires at six houses of worship were September 11-related hate crimes.143 The other press-documented cases of arson involved places of business owned or operated by Muslims, Arabs, or those perceived to be Muslim or Arab. There have been three convictions and one indictment thus far for September 11-related arsons.144 Curry in a Hurry Restaurant On September 15, 2001, James Herrick set fire to the Curry in a Hurry restaurant in Salt Lake City, Utah, causing minimal damage. Herrick admitted to setting the fire because he was angry over the September 11 attacks and knew the restaurant owners were from Pakistan. A federal district court in Utah sentenced him on January 7, 2001 to fifty-one months in jail.145 Prime Tires On September 16, 2001, someone allegedly set fire to Prime Tires, a Pakistani-owned auto mechanic shop located in an enclave of Pakistani businesses in Houston, Texas. The fire destroyed the store. The store had received threats immediately after September 11. Thus far, police have been unable to ascertain who started the blaze and the motive of the perpetrator.146 END
You can listen to this week’s episode of NEXT QUESTION with Ernie Manouse in the audio above. Below, you can find audio, video and photos of the various stories discussed on the show. Beyond the Story: Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Precinct One, Harris County, Texas On this week’s show, Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis speaks about The Harris County Remembrance Project and the recent change to our bail system. Learn more about The Harris County Remembrance... Read More
“Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour.”— John Heywood Great Escape Radio host, Jody Maberry brings us the first in a series of episodes highlighting segments from the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Austin, Texas On this episode, you’ll hear from Great Escape Publishing Director, Lori Allen as she delivers the opening message to the workshop attendees. We join Lori live on stage at Austin as she tells us it’s an amazing time to be a travel writer. “One of our attendees, Caroline brought me something we gave out in 2007 about what it takes to be a travel writer. Back then we told people to buy stationary to send query letters and to put slides in folders to submit with articles,” says Lori. Things have really changed! There was a time when Lori was concerned that all the changes with blogs and online magazines would destroy travel writing. But, it’s done the opposite. Now there are even more places to get information which means it’s an awesome time for travel writers. Listen in as Lori shares the importance of using the tools you already have to get started in travel writing. For more information about how to get started with travel writing, visit: www.greatescapepublishing.com/start/travelwriting.
Real Food and Beyond podcast interview with Ed and Amanda Smith, creators of the Healthfest event hosted in Marshall, Texas On today’s show, B.J. talks with Ed & Amanda Smith, co-founders of Get Healthy Marshall (gethealthymarshall.com). Ed discusses his battle with cancer and overcoming it with a whole foods plant based diet. We also discuss how Healthfest came about and discuss some of the history and details about the annual event. References: http://healthfest.com/ http://gethealthymarshall.com/ http://www.vegworldmag.com/ To learn more about the Smith’s: http://healthfest.com/press-kit/ How to find more about the show: Email: eat@realfoodandbeyond.com Website: realfoodandbeyond.com Twitter: @realfoodeat Facebook: RealFoodandBeyondPodcast Hosted by B.J. Tucker
What a great week to be a conservative! We all know that the Republicans did great across the board, but how did we do in Texas? On this episode I'm thrilled to welcome Andrew Koch of Macias Strategies, Kari Lane - President of Texas Federation of College Republicans, and Jeremy Newman of Texas Home School Coalition. We talk about the victories that excited us, what campaigns did right, what they could have done better, and where Battleground Texas went wrong. Join in the conversation by tweeting me at @JasonVaughn. Remember to subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes and Stitcher so other will find a positive conservative message. iTunes: http://TwistedConservative.com/itunes Stitcher: http://TwistedConservative.com/stitch
The recent demo of Resident Evil 5 takes up much of the podcast this week. How does the crew feel about the upcoming horror title? They also discuss F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, Star Ocean: Second Evolution, The House of the Dead: Overkill, and they also take a closer look at SimAnimals. In the news, Warner Bros. is rebooting the Tomb Raider film franchise, Final Fantasy IV coming to the Xbox 360, rumors of Dead Rising 2, Lost Planet 2, and the PSP 2. Also, has the zombie apocalypse occurred in Austin, Texas? On a final note this week, the crew discusses preorder demos. Are they really justified? There's more to this week's show than meets the eye, so download today!