Burnt Q

Online news from the University of Texas at Austin School of Journalism

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Austin’s Transgender Day of Remembrance mourns Record Year of Deaths

Alexandria Dominguez, Forrest Milburn, Sarah Bloodworth

The 28 empty chairs that faced Austin City Hall on Nov. 20 represented the 28 empty places in the lives of those who lost a transgender loved one last year. The number of trans deaths increases almost every year and the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance mourns these individuals as well as brings trans issues into the public eye.

Started in the late ‘90s, the Transgender Day of Remembrance internationally memorializes those killed due to anti-transgender violence. While the Austin vigil honors the victims, it also raises awareness of the prejudice and hate trans people often endure, according to the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT). The event brings the issue into the public sphere, and “reminds non-gender diverse people that we are their sons, daughters, parents, friends and lovers.”

The TENT reports that more than two trans persons are killed every month, and 70 percent of trans deaths are people of color. 

TENT director Lisa Scheps and translator open the ceremony. 

Check out our podcast with Transgender Education Network of Texas director, Lisa Scheps. 

Twelve speakers, ranging from council members to LGBTQ allies, stood in front of the 28 chairs throughout the event to share their stories and their thoughts on transphobia. 

Some spoke about the issue prevalent in Austin and how even the city’s tolerance isn’t enough.

Chuck Smith, CEO for LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Texas, asked the question that seemed to be on everyone’s minds: “If it’s so hard even here, how bad must it be in worse cities?” 

Despite facing a record number of deaths, the trans community wants to make one thing clear.

“Being authentic isn’t a death sentence; it’s a birthright,” one genderqueer activist told the crowd. “Hatred is the death sentence.” 

 The night ended with a hand-holding circle of attendees and speakers as the song “By My Silence” by Ellen and Gary Bukstel played.  

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Nritya Sangam Prepares for Upcoming Competition

Nritya Sangam, also known as NS, is a classical Indian dance team at the University of Texas.

It’s one of several Indian dance teams on campus. However, it’s the only one specializing in the preservation of the classic forms of Indian dance. The team of 18 undergraduate women practices and performs a form of dance known as Bharatanatyam. They compete in dance competitions across the country. But for the majority of the team, the real reward is in better understanding Indian culture.

Nritya Sangam dancers hold a pose during a practice

“A lot of Indian dance teams today are performing hip-hop. It’s very contemporary and flashy. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I appreciate that on NS we’re learning so much about our culture,” said senior member Jahnavi Shriram. “In order to be successful you have to understand the roots and the history, and that’s been really helpful for me, in terms of understanding where I come from.”

Dancers stand at attention as their captains explain new choreography

Bharatanatyam is presumed to be the oldest of the ancient Indian forms of dance, dating back more than 2000 years. The dance incorporates elements of music, theatre, poetry, sculpture and literature, according to Indian Mirror.

The dance form is known for its intricate hand gestures, facial expressions, footwork and facial expressions, as well as its storytelling powers.

“Our competition piece last year told the story of a woman struggling with infertility, and it had a broader message about how fertility can affect women. There are some really strong stigmas about women and fertility, especially in India. To be able to address some of those through dance was a great experience,” said Nikita Rao, one of the team’s co-captains. The dance won the team numerous awards, including the top prize at Texas Revue, the largest student talent show at the University of Texas.

A dancer kicks off her sandals at the start of practice

The team is currently preparing for Mayuri, a dance competition in College Park, Maryland. They’re in the midst of finishing up their latest choreography.

“It’s a piece about strength, and women sticking up for one another It’s a message we’re all very passionate about, and I think that will help us when we compete,” Rao said.

Captain Nikita Rao talks about Mayuri: https://soundcloud.com/user198451854/nikita-interview

Rohan Mirchandani and Derek Patterson

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Texas Pink Hosts Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Watch Party

It’s more than just girls in their underwear with angel wings on. 

By: Sabrina Martinez and Morgaine Auton 

The promise of pizza and Pink merchandise were enough to tempt many Victoria's Secret fans at the Fashion Show Watch Party on November 28. Texas PINK Campus Reps welcomed Victoria’s Secret fans to eat an array of delicious snacks, win prizes, and of course, admire the wings and outfits on each model.

Beyond the taut stomachs, expensive wings and Swarovski crystal studded everything, the VSFS means a lot to everyday women. More than 50 young women packed the theatre room at the Castilian Residence Hall in West Campus to watch the VS Angels strut their stuff in Shanghai, China.  

See the Instagram reel  

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is an annual televised runway show where the VS Angels showcase and promote lingerie. The show hit a few snags after singer Katy Perry and model Gigi Hadid were reportedly denied visas a week before the taping of the show was scheduled, however, the show continued without the them. Ming Xi fell head over heels and became the first Angel to fall in more 15 years. 

Source: Andy Wong, The Associated Press

Women claimed to watch the show for two reasons. One, because of the beautiful wings the Angels earn through their time in the show, and two, because of the empowerment and confidence the Angels exhibit. 

See the moment unfolding on Twitter

Despite affirmations of how empowering it is to see such strong women strutting their stuff on one of the world's most famous catwalks, the women agreed there was room for improvement. Women come in all shapes and sizes, but viewers wouldn’t know it from watching the show. 

We talked to McKenna Garcia, a freshman Public Health major, about her views on UT campus body positivity culture and the show. Here’s what she had to say. 

Listen here to McKenna Garcia

We asked freshman Psychology major, Olivia Monreal if she thought the fashion show was empowering for women or rather sexualizes them in a negative light. Listen to what she had to say. 

Listen here to Olivia Monreal

A few women in lingerie on a runway seem an incongruous place to talk about empowerment, but these conversations have to start somewhere. Strangely, it was not necessarily the prettiest models who were the favorites of the young women, but the strongest.

“I like Adriana Lima the best, and then Alessandra Ambrosio. They both have two kids each, I think. The fact that they keep going at it and work twice as hard is really awesome,” said Olivia Monreal. 

It’s clear from conversations with these young women that while they love watching these tall, beautiful Angels on their television, they can idolise them without attempting to replicate these frequently unachievable standards. And though the the show doesn’t represent everyone’s reality, there is a hope that someday it will. Until then, women will continue to be empowered by other women on the greatest catwalk in the world. 

Check out some more photos from the event! 

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UT Student’s love for music continues to fuel his aspirations

By: Adam Keyrouze and Danielle Leighninger

With the end of the calendar year and the fall semester coming up, college students have to start planning for Christmas break and even next semester. While most stop at that, some like 21-year-old UT student, Justin Johnson planned that out awhile ago.

He plans to move to Nashville a couple of months after graduating this upcoming spring.

Johnson studies music production and is also getting a certificate in digital art and media at the University of Texas at Austin. In his free time away from class he drums for other bands and DJ’s for his band Venova.

Photo cred: Eric Nichols

While studying music here in Austin, he performs all over the city with various bands. He has performed in west campus at Greek life events and also on West 6th Street. He drums for four bands all around Austin but also helps other bands, singers, songwriters and artists with his freelance production.

“I help with creative direction in that sense, helping those people see their ideas through and put out a finished product that is successful.”

Growing up in Dallas opened doors for him as a performer and also helped him meet other artists who he now produces and drums for even though some are in other cities.

Fellow UT student Tyler Dial is one of those artists that he drums for and Johnson plans on going on tour with him for a couple of months after graduating.

“I’ve been drumming for him for a little over a year now and he’s great to work with,” Johnson said. “Assuming that goes well, I’ll probably move to Nashville to keep performing with him and hopefully once I’m there I can pick up production gigs.”

https://youtu.be/uSkB2IsgIEc

Even though Johnson started drumming in the fifth grade and producing in the sixth grade, he didn’t realize he wanted to get into the music industry until eight years ago when he was in the ninth grade. He would spend five to six hours some days practicing and never got tired of it and that’s when he knew that’s what he wanted to do.

“I was just totally consumed by either practicing, or producing or writing, or DJ’ing, or doing something musical at any given time.”

Check out his music here:  https://soundcloud.com/venovamusic

His FB profile:https://www.facebook.com/justin.johnson.505523

Venova: https://www.facebook.com/venovamusic/

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‘Vettes for Vets:’ veterans ride along with the Longhorn Corvette Club

Amanda Booth & Natalie Heineman

Dozens of people gathered in an O’Reilly Auto Parts parking lot in the early hours of Veterans Day to celebrate two things: those who served their country and the Corvettes they drive.

An estimated 60-75 Corvettes rode in the Veterans Day Parade this year in Austin. The event was organized by Longhorn Corvette Club and Sweet Rides of Central Texas, according to Sweet Rides of Central Texas founder Shawn Jones.

While Longhorn Corvette Club has put on “Vettes for Vets” in years past, their partnership with Sweet Rides of Central Texas caused a sharp uptick in participation. Mike Cooper, a member of Longhorn Corvette Club and veteran who served in the Army National Guard for two decades, said that last year only around 30 Corvettes rode in the parade.

Jones and his organization have a large reach. Sweet Rides of Central Texas has around 5,000 members, and Jones hosts what he said is the largest Corvette gathering in the state of Texas, Corvette Invasion.

He said he felt inspired to help organize Vettes for Vets because he feels service members often get taken for granted.

“These men and women put their lives on the line for this country. The least we can do is something like this to show our support,” Jones said.

Listen below to hear more about Jones’ charity efforts.

https://soundcloud.com/user-469676931/shawn-jones

Cooper said he also enjoys the charitable aspects to Longhorn Corvette Club, along with the company it provides.

“I think the joy of being engaged with people, doing things that are positive, fun –– they work quite well together,” Cooper said.

Cooper bought his first Corvette in 2006 when his oldest son Chris convinced him to get one. The corvette he brought for the parade had Gold Star parent and a B52 fighter plane stickers next to each other on its back window.

“Chris…was a B52 pilot. His plane went down in 2008 off Guam. I remember my son as well as all of these other wonderful people who served their country today.”

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Ringing in Austin’s Favorite Tradition: Chuy’s Christmas Parade

Blue Santa greets attendees as he rides by on his sleigh. Photo shot by Daniela Granados.

Written by Danielle Ransom, Jiayi Sun, Daniela Granados

The 29th annual Chuy’s Christmas Parade kicked off without a hitch Nov. 18 as Austinites lined the streets hours before the parade began.

Families filled the streets all the way from the Capitol on 15th St. down to Cesar Chavez and 1st, towing blankets and lawn chairs. Some even had carts carrying children with gifts. 

For the Hays family, one of their favorite parts of the parade comes before the whole affair even starts. While dad usually arrived early to save the family a good spot, Christi Hay brought their daughter Ainsley a little closer to the 11 a.m. start time so that the 12-year-old could enjoy hot chocolate at bistro Caroline Restaurant before the parade started. 

“The hot chocolate warms you up so you can get a bit of warmth before the parade,” Ainsley said. The morning had a slight chill in the air and the sun was not out fully yet. The family picked out a prime spot near 7th St. that provided a clear view of the street and situated right in the middle of the parade’s path. 

The Hays have been coming to the parade for the last five years as a way to bring their family friends together as a lot of their family don’t live in Austin. Today, two of Ainsley’s friends joined the Hay’s family. They sat on a blanket as they waited for the procession to begin. 

“We like to bring friends especially ones that have never been and show them what it’s like and maybe they’ll want to join the tradition next time,” Christi Hays said. “It always gets bigger.”

Another important lesson Christi hoped the event would impart to the kids was the essence of giving.

“It’s the best part of the parade. I always get chills when they sound the alarm. And, to see those trucks overflowing is an amazing feeling. It’s just a little something we can give back.”

The Hays family chatting before the parade. Photo shot by Danielle Ransom

For Ainsley, the festival also helps serve underprivileged youth.

“There are a lot of homeless people and most them are teenagers and kids,” Ainsley said. “We want just want them to have fun.” 

Although no single data source has documented the number youths in Texas experiencing homelessness, a report published by Texas Appleseed, a public interest advocacy nonprofit, finds that over 111,000 Texas youths attending school are homeless.

Marcia Williams, the vice president of human resources at Chuy’s, estimated the parade collects about 30,000 to 40,000 toys every year, although that number can vary based on turnout. For Williams, who has been coming to the parade for over 24 years, her favorite part is when the giving starts.

“It’s really about the people of Austin and the children of Austin giving to others,” Williams said. “Every year when the giving starts, that’s when it really gets to me because you see these kids giving toys away and they’re happy and we thank them and it's just really heartwarming.”

Kids giving toys during the parade. Photo shot by Danielle Ransom.

The biggest potential logistical nightmare organizers faced was making sure the festival was not happening the same weekend as a UT Football game. Traffic would’ve been even more of a nightmare than it already was. On top that, the unpredictably of Texas weather can ruin the event if it's too hot or too cold.

“We try to be really careful about the UT football schedule, the weather and everything going on around the city so that we can make sure people have easy access to downtown and can get down here to see the parade,” said Kianne Hilburn, a marketing manager at Chuy’s.

Today, it’s all hands on deck for Chuy’s workers who were buzzing around handling various tasks to ensure the event went off without any hitches. Every year’s parade is usually planned a couple of months after the previous year’s parade. So it’s essential for Chuy’s parade organizers to consider potential logistical nightmares and prepare accordingly.

The festival was going swimmingly with kids and adults alike indulging in the festive gathering. Fourth-grader Leo Soto, 8, and his younger sister Nicole, 8, were here with their friend Nina Lopez, 7, and their mother. The Soto kids and Nicole were busy playing around with each other during a slight lull in the procession before the final round of marchers.

“[It felt nice] because there are kids that don’t have toys so they can play with toys,” Nicole Soto said. In the audio below, the three youngsters share what they gave below. 

Link to audio: https://dsr013.podbean.com/mf/play/n6xzm6/Kids_2_interview.mp3

But the highlight of their day came when the floats made their debut, drifting gently down the street as kids stared in awe followed by patrons in Wonder Woman, Spiderman, and Harry Potter costumes. When asked what they would tell their classmates on Monday about the parade, they quickly gushed over their favorite costumes.

Coca-cola workers bring their iconic mascot down Congress Ave. during the parade. Photo shot by Daniela Granados.

“I’m gonna tell them I saw Spiderman, Harry Potter and those things that flew very high,” Leo Soto said.

Check the video here to see the lovely moments during the parade. 

https://youtu.be/awdgUqjzG_4

The following link is a compilation of live tweeting from the parade. 

View live tweeting during the event.

5 things you would only see in an Austin Christmas Parade

When it comes to the holidays, Austenites make no exception to the famous saying “Keep Austin Weird.” Chuy’s 29th Annual Christmas Parade made no exception to the slogan as Congress Avenue lined up with the unique participation of those who helped bring in the Christmas season…

1. Not one, but TWO Santas showed up

Every year, the local restaurant partners with Austin Police Department’s Operation Blue Santa to collect toys for the disadvantaged youth of the city. APD sponsors the Blue Santa that rides on a blue float pulled by a police truck. The official Chuy’s float carries a more traditional red and white Santa. Austin’s inclusivity is obvious as children yelled for both Santas.

2. Lawn Chair Brigade

Photo by: Daniela Granados

When you hear the clicks and clacks of lawn chairs hitting the streets, it’s not because they’re handing out free lawn chairs or planning on stopping and sitting on them. Instead, the ladies of the North Hills Lawn Chair Brigade serenade parade attendees by using their chairs to create music.

3. Inflatables

4. An Imperial March is part of the procession The Central Texas Squad of The Star Garrison, a Star Wars fan club, did not shy away from showing off their creative Star Wars costumes and float. With over 100 members expected to participate in the parade, 501st Legion was one of the most cheered organizations to march in the parade. Stormtroopers, Jedi Knights and even Darth Vader showed off some fighting moves including the different colored lightsabers. It didn’t take the force to get the audience cheering and yelling for more.

5. Bag Pipes kicking off the parade Music is always expected at parades. Marching bands, mariachis and even local artists perform some very festive Christmas tunes. But nothing matched up to the bagpipes that kicked off the commencement of the parade. Men in traditional Scottish attired marched to the beat of their bagpipes as they led the way for the elves carrying the opening banner.

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University of Texas Offers PoliSci Major. Students Don’t Know What PoliSci Stands For.

Rohan Mirchandani and Derek Patterson

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UT Student’s give their Two Cents on possible Two Percent Tuition Increase

Alex Dominguez, Sarah Bloodworth, Forrest Milburn

The speedway bricks replacement takes a backseat as the most annoying thing to plague UT students now. After the university announced a possible tuition increase for the next academic years, we asked students for their two cents on the two percent increase.

Everyone knows our beloved bovine Bevo is the most spoiled mascot in the nation. Yet, many students think tuition money should go towards our other turtely awesome animal friends on campus. We challenged some students to ponder how extra money can benefit campus animals by asking: should extra tuition money go toward a diamond grill for Bevo or a water park for the turtles in the turtle pond? 

Apparently, we spoke to big turtle fans.

“Water park, I feel like that's some real application,” biology freshman Zach Jankins said. “For Bevo, it would just help Bevo.”

So, Jankins would rather his Bevo Bucks go towards the university’s forgotten reptiles, rather than Bevo himself.

Maybe the turtles do deserve more...or maybe they just need a way to unwind after their hard job of posing for passerby everyday. Math senior Mark Dillemuth called the turtles “too lethargic” adding that they need that water park “so they can get lit.”

College students know the feeling of needing to come out of our shell and get lit all too well, Mark. So we’re with you on this one.

Paying more money to suffer and constantly be defeated by the system still may not be worse than seeing “waitlist closed” during class registration, though. The mere mention of a waitlist left some students disgusted that we picked at such a fresh wound. A tuition increase is actually favorable over the Hunger Games of registration and all the frustrated WTF’s that come with it, according to students.

“Ugh,” marketing junior Gabriella Fergus blurted before we could even finish ‘-list,’ “Seeing waitlist closed, yeah, that just sucks.”

However, as most freshmen realize toward the end of their first semesters, longhorns have to save their loot. Music freshman Daniel Toscano said he’d rather see waitlist closed than dish out more tuition. “I'm cheap,” he assured us.

For their closing remarks, we let students roast the UT administration in charge of the increase as best as they could. Mechanical engineering freshman Ariel Sweet went straight for it. “Just get the bricks right the first time,” she said.

Maybe the Speedway bricks are still cemented in the student’s minds after all. 

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Bad Reputations All Around

By Daniela Granados, Claudia Jimenez, Hannah Latham, Jiayi Sun

Taylor Swift recently released her album, Reputation, and people are calling it the “new Taylor,” because her new songs are filled to the brim with dramatics and angst. Since a certain US President’s Twitter account is also filled with dramatics and angst, we decided to put UT students to the test: Donald Trump quote or Taylor Swift lyric?

Biology senior Susana Lopez says she’s not a fan of Taylor and doesn’t follow the President on Twitter, but she still got all our questions right – yawn. When presented with the T-Swift lyric “all the liars are calling me one,” she guessed Swift because “isn’t ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ about people saying lies about her?” She then laughed and reiterated that she’s not a fan. Sure, Susana, you’re not a fan (wink).

Similarly, RTF Sophomore Matt Carlyle isn’t a fan of Taylor Swift and was adamant about not following Trump on Twitter. We gave him a Donald Trump quote that even we didn’t believe was real: “our movement is a movement built on love.” He guessed Taylor Swift, because love isn’t, as he put it, a very “Trump-ish” word. When he found out he was wrong, he said “well, that’s a bold-faced lie.” We thought so too. Turns out, it’s real.

Advertising senior Natalie Rodgers also said she is not a fan of Taylor Swift and doesn’t follow Trump on Twitter. Her quote: “Since I love what I do, I do it vigorously and I do it better. Because I inject it with enthusiasm and passion, it doesn’t feel like work. My passion spills over to everyone around me and motivates them to do their very best.” She guessed Taylor, because “I don’t want to believe that Trump said that.” We understand, Natalie. Trump saying something that makes even a little sense is, well…surprising.

Mechanical Engineering sophomore Luis Rocha and Carlyle both guessed wrong on this one: “All the liars are calling me one.” They both guessed Donald Trump – Rocha said he chose Trump because “he just likes to argue on Twitter.” Carlyle said Trump because “he likes to call out liars.” When Carlyle was told it was actually a Taylor Swift lyric, he said “she likes to do it too.”

Rocha is only a fan of Taylor’s “old stuff,” and he does not follow the President on Twitter. He guessed Taylor Swift when we showed him this quote: “Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love!” He said Swift’s name immediately – his reasoning? “She had that feud with Kim Kardashian.” Honestly, we could see it.

Communication Studies junior William Hill guessed wrong on this Taylor Swift lyric: “did you think I wouldn’t hear all the things you said about me? This is why we can’t have nice things.” He guessed Trump, and when we told him it was actually Taylor, he said “I’m doing great.” Yes you are, buddy. Yes you are.

So, moral of the story is this: UT students love to make fun of people, especially President Trump and Taylor Swift. But they probably need to pay a little more attention to the news.

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We Remembered the Beer and the Guns but We Forgot the Alamo

By: Sabrina Martinez, Morgaine Auton and Danielle Ransom

If you have been anywhere near Texas, you know that #TexasPride is no joke. Texans brag on being bigger and badder than anyone else with our tacos, barbecue, rodeos and sweet southern hospitality. On a quest to find out just how much people at UT know about the great state of Texas, we stumbled on a few interesting answers that make us believe that Texans aren’t so knowledgeable about their state.

When we asked students about their favourite things about Texas we got: beer and food.  

“I like the beer here.” Hui Dong, a PHD student from China, reminisced about the quality of our great brews answering almost immediately.

“There was beer flying everywhere. Literally. Beer. Flying, Everywhere,” said UT graduate Victor Castillo recalling his wild time at the rodeo. Can he get a, “yee haw?”

Malcolm Cohn, a Glaswegian exchange student was nervous about coming to Texas in fear that he may be shot. (Which is odd considering he is from Glasgow,  the murder capital of the United Kingdom.) He is also a fan of Austin’s alcoholic array. In a thick Scottish accent, he recounted his first time on the back of a pickup truck… from what he could remember.

“Where were you travelling to?” We asked.

“Can’t remember, I was steamin’ aye.”

Memory loss seems to be a common theme among UT students.

“Do you remember The Alamo?” we asked.

“Yeah, no, nah,” responded Cohn. He was aware of its status as a fight for Texas Independence, and since he’s Scottish we might forgive him.

However, for a Texas born and raised student, Jacqueline Quintanilla, no such luck.

“Um, there was a fight between us, Texans, and...was it the British? The British or the French,” Quintanilla stammers out hesitantly. “The one thing I remember is Stephen F. Austin. And we lost.”

Dong was equally perplexed. “Poland?” He asked, “Am I right?”

No dice Dong.

The only that seems to remember the Alamo was a Castillo, who was born in Mexico and came to Texas when he was 7. “A lot of Texans got slaughtered by Mexico…I guess my people kind destroyed your people.” Thanks for the painful reminder.  

Everyone, despite their lack of knowledge on the subject, seemed to like Texas enough to come up with their own slogans. We are just trying to decide which one should we make into T-shirts.

“Welcome to Texas. You’ll never feel lost here,” said Castillo.

“Um, Texas we are Texas,” not much creativity there from Andrea Tenning, but it sums up Texas pride!

“I’ll stick the iconic one, everything is Bigger in Texas,” said Quintanilla.

Whether you were born and raised in Texas or just seemed to blow in with the tumbleweeds, one thing is for sure. You will realize how many things can actually be fried, that not everyone has a ranch, that the food is incredible and that Texas will feel like home no matter where you’re from.

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Is It Christmas Yet?

By: Adam Keyrouze and Danielle Leighninger

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and all those oh-god-what-is-my-family-gonna-ask-me-this-time fears are creeping up. Luckily, you are not alone. Many millennials are dreading their families questions too.

21-year-old Vanessa Dinari from Houston, Texas says she is not looking forward to the questions about med school.

“They don’t know I’m a failure yet,” said Dinari. Ahh, Vanessa many of us can relate.

UT art major Jade Partain is sick of her family asking about her future too.

“They always ask me if I am still an art major,” said Partain. “Like yes grandma I am a senior at UT so it is a little too late to change my major even if I wanted too.”

Others get questions on politics. The most dreaded dinner topic ever.

“Even though I just broke up with my girlfriend, I’d rather talk about my love life at Thanksgiving,” said journalism student Gage Trexler. “I hate politics, especially politics with the family.”

We can only imagine how bad family politics is for Gage if he’d rather discuss his new love life or also the end of his last relationship.

Gage isn’t alone in disliking politics during the holiday.

“My family is very conservative so they always ask if Austin has turned me into a democrat,” said Ellie Bazil, UT textiles and apparel major. “I’ve been a liberal since 12 years old and that’s not going to change.”

We then asked Ellie who she rather have dinner with: Trump or her ex?

“I would definitely choose Trump so I could talk shit,” said Bazil. “And maybe accidentally throw a knife while cutting the turkey.”

Jade said neither, Thanksgiving cancelled. Most people had the same reaction. That or resorting to violence.

“Well if Trump was there I would stab him,” said 23-year-old Zara Mirza from Houston, Texas.

The best reaction we got to the question about their family is from 22-year-old Melinda Taylor from Sugarland.

“Since I’ve graduated, all I get is “Still not doing anything?” or “Know what kind of job you want?” said Taylor. “Like no let me party and leave me alone.”

Same Melinda same.

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George Soros Paid Us to Force People to Create Fake News

Amanda Booth

Natalie Heineman

People create fake news for a variety of reasons: Money, political manipulation, a sense of loss because Difficult People didn’t get renewed on Hulu for a fourth season – you name it! But we like to think that happens in some far away land, not remotely close to our moral high ground.

Every once in awhile, though, it’s fun to imagine you’re some political operative or a Ukrainian dude strapped for cash. So, we asked some UT students what type of fake news they’d produce if they were about that life.

Christian Jones, English major, sat wide eyed as we ambushed him on the South Lawn. He discussed his favorite conspiracy theory (“The JFK assassination thing, I guess.”) Then we pressed him to create his own fake news:

“I’d say Trump, but there’s just so much real stuff to make fun of.”

What else, we asked.

“Maybe Governor Abbott really isn’t in a wheelchair. Maybe he can actually walk.”

Natalie’s eyes widened. We start the day with a risky one.

Then we interviewed a girl who wasn’t funny and stared blankly when we asked her what she knew about fake news, so we’ll move on to Daniel Fonseka, aerospace engineering major and Katherine Deegan, mechanical engineering major.

DANIEL: “I’d write a news story about how Blanton is the best dormitory.”

KATHERINE: “I’d write a story about how Blanton is the worst dormitory.”

DANIEL: “I don’t know if that’s fake news.”

Amanda forced Natalie to walk through the humidity to the Jewish campus center. For a humor article.

It’s beautiful in there, by the way. The Catholic campus center is a basement with a cardboard cutout of Pope Francis, the lingering smell of fried fish and an occasional visit from a priest named “Dick Sparks.”

Once inside, we asked government major Ayala Huber to create her own fake news:

“Donald Trump is president.”

We assume Ayala doesn’t visit Twitter dot com very often.

Eli Barrish, Plan II and philosophy major, shared the most recent fake news he’s seen:

“I go to InfoWars often. I saw a headline yesterday that was really funny. Something about how the Saudis paid for Obama’s Harvard education with the help of Robert Mueller.”

That article can be found here.

Sike, we’d never give InfoWars the clicks. But the story does begin with the sentence, “A controversial article…” then links to a blog whose top news is, “Trump's Border Wall Is No Match For Mexican Drug-Shooting Bazooka.”

Eli, however, would never create stories like this.

ELI: “I wouldn’t make fake news. I think that’s too serious to mess around with.”

AMANDA: “No, seriously.”

ELI: “No, the media should tell the truth.”

AMANDA: “That’s not funny.”

ELI: “There’s nothing funny about misinforming the public, Amanda.”

For a philosophy bro, he had a difficult time existing in the hypothetical.

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Need a Good Reason to Save $1,000 on the iPhone X? Here’s Seven:

Claudia Jimenez

The iPhone X (pronounced ten, not ex) is the best iPhone ever made, according to Apple. Although its name sounds contradictory, the new iPhone is a first-generation product. I know, it’s tenth iPhone. Get out, Claudia. But yes, Apple says that this new design will lead the way for the next ten years. The layout is revolutionary for completely changing the way we think about iPhones. However, the phone is not actually any more powerful than the $700 iPhone 8. The real difference is the design. Let’s take a look at some of the iPhone X’s drawbacks:

1. The Price

Alright, let’s get real. This is definitely the number one reason to not purchase the new iPhone X. Apple wants you to pay more for less features. The iPhone X is the new platform for all the iPhone to come, so we’re basically telling Apple that this price is okay.

2. Paying to Charge

Woohoo! Fast charging is finally going to be a possibility with the iPhone X, but only if you pay for the additional cable and charger. The special charger costs around $75 dollars, which is a lot just to use a feature. On top of that, the wireless charging requires you to buy the new Air Power wireless charging pads as well.

3. Storage

Get this-- the iPod Classic, released in 2007, started at 80 GB. The iPhone X includes two options, 64 GB and 256 GB. Someone at Cluebees put it perfectly: “Apple thinks you need less storage on a phone that shoots 4K video, takes 12 MP photos, runs augmented reality apps, and plays HD movies than you needed a decade ago on an MP3 player that used a clickwheel.” When will iPhone users get to use the luxury of an SD card?

4. Learning How to Use the iPhone X

This is something I’ve thought about a lot. How can I navigate on my phone without a home button? I’m not ready to break up with it yet. Getting to the home screen is achieved by swiping up, imagine your flicking the screen. In past versions swiping up would access the control center-- now you swipe down from the right side for this feature. To access notifications, the user needs too pulled down from the center or left side of the screen. Switching between apps can be done two way, one is swiping left and right along the bottom of the screen. Simply tapping on the screen wakes up the iPhone X. These are major changes that will need a lot of adjusting on the users end. If you purchase the iPhone X, check out this video for some helpful tips.

5. Headphones

The good days are over. Although never clearly stated by Apple, the speculation for removing the headphone jack is because the new iPhones are waterproof. However, the majority of androids that are waterproof still come with this feature. On top of this, you might remember getting headphones and a charger with your purchase of a new iPhone. But now, the new Apple products do not include wireless headphones in their boxes. You’ll have to also buy a pair of Apple Airpods, which will cost another $160.

6. Transferring Files

Unless you rely solely on iTunes then transferring your old files to your new phone will be extremely difficult. iTunes is reported to slow down your computer with the potential of losing all you data. Some tech sites are waning users to use an alternative method of transferring files.

7. All Glass

If you are anything like me, then you’ve defenitely fallen victim to cracking the screen on your phone. Yikes! The iPhone X will have a glass front and back. This means costly repairs and the need for a sturdy case to save it from drops. It’s shocking that the glass iPhone made a comeback since Apple has not had a glass back since the fourth generation. Apple Claims its new iPhones have, “The most durable smartphone glass ever.” However, many test drops and even users have found this statement to not be true, as they have already dropped and cracked their brand-new iPhones.

The iPhone X is so different from past iPhones but 

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7 White House conspiracy theories weirder than Melania Trump’s body double

By Morgaine Auton

President Donald Trump has a Melania body double since the real Melania left, conspiracy theorists falsely claimed this week. As is often the way, it started with a fairly innocuous tweet.

Source: twitter

Guardian columnist Marina Hyde watched the ever-stoic First Lady standing next to President Donald Trump, and postulated perhaps all was not as it seemed. Maybe, after months of media criticism and speculation over the state of her marriage, Melania had finally left. Maybe Trump had replaced her.

Although quickly proved untrue, the idea of a conspiracy was enough for the twitterverse. The story exploded virtually overnight.

Source: twitter

Searches for the term “Melania Trump body double” went through the roof, while Hyde came to terms with the fact she had unwittingly created a conspiracy theory. 

Source: twitter

After they got those messy ‘facts’ out of the way, the Internet started having fun with it, one twitter user even going so far as to make a fake twitter account.

Source: twitter

But that big old White House has seen its fair share of conspiracy theories. Some true. Others, not so much. 

JFK Assassination 

Source: youtube 

61 percent of Americans still believe the JFK assassination was an inside job, according to a poll by Gallup. While officially, President John F Kennedy was assassinated in his car by lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald, over the last 50 years, Americans have come up with hundreds of theories about what really happened that day. It was the government. It was an accident. It was Joe DiMaggio. At this point, JFK could have been killed by aliens and conspiracists would find the facts. Oh wait. They have. 

Russia hacked the 2016 election

via GIPHY

A few years ago this particular conspiracy theory would have been assigned to the “too weird” folder for the wild fringe theorists of the internet. Even fans of Get Smart and Cold War history buffs would have shunned the kind of insanity this theory proposed. But 2016 was a weird year, and weird things happened. Brexit passed parliament, David Bowie died, and there was that creepy clown thing. 

Then news broke that Russians had hacked DNC servers. Speculation was rife. Did the Kremlin know? Did Trump? Who was behind it all? Suddenly the conspiracy theory was real. Like something out of a B-grade Cold War film, CIA agents confirmed the Russians intervened in an apparent attempt to help Trump win the election. 2016 proved anything could happen. So when Russians unsuccessfully attempted to hack election systems, the world shrugged, and said a collective “what’s next?” 

Clinton body count

Source: giphy

Perhaps one of the most hilarious claims against the White House is the idea the Clintons murder their opposition, shoving them in body bags and disposing of them quietly. Quite aside from the fact Donald Trump has somehow escaped this morbid fate, it seems unlikely that former President Bill Clinton would have the spare time to complete such a tedious task. Some claim the Clintons have killed more people than sharks in the last 25 years. Obviously sharks need to step up their game. 

Watergate 

Source: quickmeme

What started as a few journalists digging around ended as the backstory to some really good movies. It also happened to be one of the biggest government conspiracies of the 20th century. On 17 June, 1972, 5 men were caught in the offices of the DNC. While at first glance they were petty burglars, it was soon uncovered the men were attempting to bug the offices. While there is no clear evidence that shows the President ordered the bugging, tricky Dick Nixon personally asked the CIA to mess with the FBI’s pesky little investigation. The white house may not have specifically asked for the bugging, but they did pay hush money to the co-conspirators. So while it may not have been Forrest Gump calling to report some flashlights keeping him awake, the Watergate Scandal far more sordid, and as conspiracy theories go, one of the most true. 

Birther movement

via GIPHY

The birther movement asserted President Barrack Obama wasn’t born in Hawaii, USA, as he said. Some claimed he was born in his father’s native Kenya, or literally anywhere else in the world that would make him constitutionally ineligible to serve as President. Despite Obama releasing his short form birth certificate in 2008, and long form in 2011, rumors persisted, spurred by celebrities such as Donald Trump. Unfortunately for Trump, the whole thing turned out to be “fake news.” In 2016 during a campaign speech, Trump relinquished the birther claims. If true to his word, this would mean Trump owes Obama $5 million. But after a year of radio silence on the matter, no one is holding their breath. 

Bush did 9/11

via GIPHY

“Jet fuel can’t melt steel beams.” Advocates of this particular conspiracy theory argue 9/11 was an inside job perpetrated by the Bush government. The theory gained credence in 2005, when Loose Change 9/11 documentary claimed burning jet fuel would not be hot enough to melt the steel beams supporting the twin towers. To this day, over half of Americans believe the government has something to do with the towers’ collapse. The idea hit meme status in the last seven years, with #jetfuelcantmeltsteelbeams used over 2.4 million times on Instagram. Georgian Blacksmith Trenton Tye became so frustrated with the claims he even made a video showing how beams bent “like noodles” in high heat.

Pizzagate

Source: wordpress

This conspiracy theory wasn’t just a string of half-hearted tweets and unsourced facts floating around online. In a a complex and referenced post belying the chosen undername, Reddit user u/DumbScribblyUnctious falsely claimed key Democratic Party members were involved in human trafficking and a child-sex ring through restaurants across the US. But wait, there’s more! The thread also alleged there were satanic rituals involved, and somehow in all the confusion, theorists roped in Guy Fieri as a supposed co-conspirator. 

The theory has since been thoroughly debunked. But it just goes to show, if you think Melania Trump body double conspiracy theories are weird, you haven’t gone deep enough into the bowels of the Internet. Maybe you shouldn’t. 

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7 things ACL changed this year and why they worked (or didn’t)

By Alex Dominguez 

Austin City Limits dominated the first two weekends of October, but not without some big changes. Straying from traditional settings and experiences, some changes saved festival-goers headaches, while others probably caused them. Here are 7 major changes and why they did or didn’t work:

1. Stage relocation 

Source: ACL Festival

Music lovers rejoiced at the new Barton Springs stage where the best of underground music scenes rocked both weekends. Headliners included Solange, Tove Lo and ZHU. Previously named Cirrus Logic, the stage’s relocation improved its sound quality, but seemed too out of the way for most festival-goers. But a separate space meant more room for dancing, and who can resist a good electropop song? 

2. Big festival merch store

Source: ACL Festival 

Admit it -- showing off your ACL tee in class the Monday after the weekend makes you feel on top of the world. It’s basically an “I survived” souvenir that looks better than your sunburn. C3, the producer company of the festival, knows that, and wanted to make sure everyone had the opportunity to spend more money on their way out of Zilker. The air-conditioned store invited sweaty guests to claim their mementos, and with the long lines that plagued the merch tent in previous years, not having to stand in B.O.-infested air for more than 30 minutes at the end of the day was a plus. 

3. More sponsors

Source: BizBash

Austin prides itself in supporting and showcasing local talent. With ACL, it’s been no different. However, this year’s corporate sponsors overshadowed the local scene. The Miller Lite and State Farm lounges along with the two-floor American Express experience screamed advertising to the crowds. These exhibits pushed local art and vendors to hidden spaces of the park, letting guests almost forget about them completely. ACL lost sight of their community driven message with these sponsors this year. 

4. The Silent Disco 

Source

Ever danced when there’s no music playing? The Silent Disco in the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage let you do so -- sort of. This year’s silent disco, where guests listen to DJ sets through individual headphones, marked the first in the fest’s history. Offered from 8 until 10 p.m. each night during both weekends, the sets were a nice way to use up any left over energy if the headliners didn’t fit your tastes. 

5. A bigger Wine Lounge

Source: myStatesman 

You didn’t have to be 21 or over to experience the shade of the Wine Lounge. Offering of-age guests wines from all over the world, the huge tent did more than offer a space to get buzzed. Guests of all ages used the tent to relax and recharge between sets. The tent, located next to the Austin Kiddie Limits area, also gave parents a space to unwind amidst keeping track of their children throughout the day. 

6. Tighter security and bag restrictions 

Source: myStatesman

After the recent music festival shooting in Las Vegas, Austin Police announced tighter security and heavier bag restrictions for both weekends at Zilker. Bag sizes could not exceed 10-by-10 inches, and umbrellas were out of the question. Though these new restrictions didn’t let you fit a change of clothes or supply your own sun shield, the measures proved necessary considering the expanded festival grounds. Festival organizers also offered refunds for people who no longer wanted to attend after the Las Vegas shooting. ACL showed they still care about their community, and wanted everyone to feel safe during their event. 

7. Barton Springs West entrance 

Source: myStatesman

Ahh, nothing like waiting in a line for more than 30 minutes to only finally get in and realize the other entrance you considered kept people waiting for 15. With the increased security measures, bag checks slowed all of the lines. But those lucky enough to notice the new entrance down Barton Springs reveled in glory getting in earlier than the friend they tried meeting up with who had at least 15 more minutes of waiting. 

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Demi Lovato Gets Real and Vulnerable in her New Documentary “Simply Complicated”

Demi’s Most Vulnerable and Honest Moments

By: Sabrina Martinez

 We all know the darkness that plagues the lives of many celebrities and that is: addiction. While people all over the world struggle with various forms of addiction, its prominent in the lives of the rich and famous such as Demi Lovato. Many fames manage to keep their habits out of the press while for some, their every move is plastered on the front covers of magazines. In her newest YouTube documentary, Simply Complicated, Demi Lovato gets real about her addiction and shares her most vulnerable moments of her life. 

  “The last time I did an interview this long I was on cocaine.”

Demi Lovato opens her documentary and shows that she is being completely open and honest by revealing that she was on cocaine during her first documentary entitled, “Stay Strong” that highlighted her eating disorder and battle with purging.

 Lovato admits she was 17 and working on Disney Channel when she first tried cocaine. The star says that the first time she felt out of control, but she loved it. She received inpatient treatment in 2011 for the first time after she was caught using Adderall during the Camp Rock 2 tour.

 “I was either craving drugs or on drugs. I was not easy to work with.”

Lovato admits that with her there was more pressure to succeed with her rising fame and was using while she had a sober companion. Her manager, Phil McIntyre, admitted she became manipulative and would lie to get anything she wanted. McIntyre said that everyday she’d change, one day wanting to be better and the next wanting drugs.

 Mike Bayer, Lovato’s personal-development coach, and McIntyre, had become frustrated and worried for Lovato and gave her an ultimatum. They told her they would leave if she didn’t show motivation to get better. Lovato credits that as the moment she decided to surrender to recovery.

 “I guess I always searched for what he found in drugs and alcohol because it fulfilled him and he chose that over a family.”

 Lovato confesses that the majority of her problems stem from her relationship with her “abusive” father, Patrick Lovato, who was an addict and alcohol. She wrote a song entitled “Father” about him on her new album. 

 The star’s childhood friend, Marissa Callahan, revealed that Lovato’s father would manipulate her family. “He would tell them he had cancer when he didn’t, or he would tell them he’s dying tomorrow, when he wasn’t.”

 “My heart is always with Wilmer.”

Lovato spills her heart out by saying she is still in love with her ex-boyfriend, Wilmer Valderrama. She credits Wilmer for being the reason that she went three years without purging but as soon as they broke up, it was the first thing she did.

 Lovato said the couple broke up not because they fell out of love but because they decided they were better as friends. She realized that she had her own demons an issues she hadn’t conquered yet and she needed to be alone. Lovato shows that her heart is still very much with Wilmer but for now, they remain friends. Lovato confesses that she still has room for improvement and growth and needs to be alone for now.

 “Food is still the biggest challenge in my life.”

While Lovato has abstained from drugs and alcohol, she has yet to find a solution to her eating disorder. Lovato also reveals that her eating disorder started with bullying when a group of girls told her she was fat. The constant bullying led to her paying attention more to body image and wanting to be skinner.

She tells in her documentary that she feels “very ashamed” when she purges. She says that when she starts to feel lonely, her “heart feels hungry” and she binges. She says that she is constantly thinking about her body image, food and her envy towards people without eating disorders.

 “I’m learning how to be a voice and not a victim.”

Lovato looks back on her journey and sees the points in her life where she was under an incredible amount of pressure as a kid. She knows now that keeping her demons and struggles a secret was not helping her but by being vocal, she found strength to overcome her problems. 

She now relieves her stress by going to the gym, practicing jiu-jitsu, going to therapy and working her program. She says that the gym is a distraction for her from stress and food. 

 “You really have to lean in to the people that are trying to support you”

Demi Lovato adds, “I’ve learned that the key to being happy is to tell your truth, and be okay without all the answers.”  In other words, to accept yourself and your faults first, then try to be better. She also says that without the people around her, she doesn't know what path she would be on. 

Lovato hopes that her documentary benefits others that are going through the same problems and shows her fans that they too, can overcome their demons. She hopes that victims or addicts like herself will come forward and seek help like she did. Most importantly, she wants her fans to know they are not alone. 

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10 Easy Halloween Costumes for the Spooky Slacker

By Hannah Latham

It happens every year - you start brainstorming ideas for a Halloween costume in September, determined not to wait until the last minute. Fast forward to a week before Halloween, and you still don’t have a costume. If that’s your current situation, take a look at these easy costumes for some last-minute inspiration. 

1. Who knew Smurfs could be creepy?

Desi Perkins called this look her demon Smurf. It might take a long time, but with a little makeup you can have a look that will definitely turn heads. You might be blue for a while, though. 

2. Get salty so you can get spooky. 

Everyone recognizes the girl on the Morton Salt container, but I’m willing to bet you’ll be the only one at the Halloween party dressed as her. 

3. Dead, but make it fashion.

James Charles’ neon take on a Halloween classic is simple but looks incredibly complicated. Work smarter, not harder, right?

4. Social Butterfly...get it?

Print out some social media logos and steal your niece’s fairy wings and you’ve got yourself a costume that’s cheap and clever.

5. “If I only had a brain...”

You most likely don’t even need to buy anything for this costume. A plaid shirt and some eyeliner will have you looking like you planned this - even if you decided to be a scarecrow an hour ago. 

6. Scrub-a-dub!

Clean up the competition with this easy costume that only requires one thing: tulle. Lots of it. 

7. A look that pops

“Pop art” Halloween makeup has quickly become very popular, and this tutorial is one you can easily follow. 

8. “WILSOOOON!”

If you’re alone on Halloween, don’t worry. As long as you have Wilson, you always have a friend. 

9. Feline Fine

There’s nothing basic about this take on a cat costume that’s sure to have you feline fierce. 

10. It’s Britney, B*tch

Throwback costumes are always a hit – just like Britney’s songs. Pull out your old school uniform and you’re ready to go.