The Wilmington Wave - UNC Wilmington
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The Wilmington Wave
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
DÉJÀ VU —
ALL OVER, AGAIN?
Donald J. Trump claims victory as early results for the presidential election release. Carlos Barria Reuters
Political beliefs nest at home
Thompson Stupak ballots turning the tides for unde-
Wilmington Wave clared swing states.
Trump had a different take
As of 5 a.m. Wednesday on the mail-in ballots still being
morning, the results of the 2020 Annabelle McCracken with multiple types of views be-
counted, “Votes cannot be cast
Presidential Election still remain Wilmington Wave cause I have seen them more now,”
after the Polls are closed!” Trump
in limbo. “Aware” and “open-minded”; Blevins said.
tweeted at 12:49 a.m.
Despite the uncertain- these were the two most common Blevins also stated that she
Trump followed up with
outcomes, President Donald words used by college students has more freedom to form her own
a speech at 2:21 a.m. calling the
J. Trump declared his victory when asked how college has shaped political beliefs now that she is no
mail in ballots “a fraud on the
against former Vice President their political beliefs. longer under the influence of her
American public.” Trump prom-
Joseph R. Biden later in the night, In light of the 2020 election, family and friends from home. This
ised to bring the issue of mail-in
when many key swing states pre- several college students were ques- seems to be a commonality for
ballots to the Supreme Court of
viously predicted to turn tioned about how their college expe- many college students.
the United States as seven swing
blue, appeared in the Rebuplican rience has shaped or changed their “The exposure to others and
states had yet to be called.
president’s favor. political views. what they believe has helped me
Without any major news
Much of the night looked “My political views have kind not feel judged by others for having
networks making a final call on
closely at the race between Biden of changed, but if anything I have my own opinions now that I have
the election, Trump declared vic-
and Trump in each major state, just come to realize there is a lot the freedom to do so,” Blevins said.
tory in the same speech. “We will
ten of which more grey than white,” said Kamer- “Freedom” was another
win this and as far as I’m con-
make up 193 of the 270 electoral on Williamson, a senior biology word that was used often by col-
cerned, we have won it,” Trump
college votes required to win. At major at the University of North Car- lege students when describing the
said.
3:30 a.m., Trump held the major- olina Wilmington. transition from home-life to col-
The Biden campaign an-
ity of swing states. Many mail-in According to Williamson, he lege.
nounced that they are ready for
ballots are still being counted, so has not strayed far from his origi- Like Blevins, Abby Yount, a
a legal battle to defend mail-in
experts agreed it’s too early to nal political beliefs while attending sophomore special education major
ballots. As of 3:30 a.m., Biden
call. UNCW, realizing that, despite seem- at the University of North Carolina
has not released any announce-
Former White House Press ing primarily conservative, there are at Charlotte, agreed that the free-
ment detailing how he plans on
Secretary Robert Gibbs stated other individuals also on campus dom she was granted in college
combating Trump in the Supreme
that many Upper Midwest States who have a more liberal mindsets played a huge role in the shaping
Court to defend mail-in ballots.
could not count ballots until Elec- like his own. of her political beliefs.
Three or the ten major
tion Day, meaning election results “It was nice to meet those “Growing up, my parents
swing states announced victory,
may be delayed for several hours who attend that are more open did not keep politics in the house
with Biden winning Minnesota
if not several days. Biden stressed minded,” Williamson said. so I never formed an opinion, mov-
and Trump winning North Car-
patience in consideration of the The idea of open-mindedness ing to Charlotte and being around
olina and Georgia. Five of the
remaining mail-in ballots. is something Tara Blevins, a sopho- so many different opinions impact-
remaining seven swing states are
“We’re going to have to be more nursing major at the Universi- ed how I was able to form my own
projected to favor Trump. The re-
patient,” Biden said, exercising ty of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, along with the freedom to do so,”
maining swing states range from
caution during one of his Election is familiar with. Yount said.
72% to 95% of votes counted.
Day speeches. “I have definitely become
The former Vice President see PRESIDENT on page 3 more open-minded. I am more okay see BELIEFS on page 3
expressed optimism in mail-in
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 2
UNCW & Wilmington Photos: Tyler Earles,
Dylan Saunooke, Anna Mohr
Illustration: Grayson Toal
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 3
PUBLISHER’S STATEMENT
Twenty-two UNCW students, from two different sections of “In- that it’s hard to come up with story ideas, and call people out of the blue.
troduction to Journalism,” came together on Election Day (and Night, It’s hard to sort through notes and write leads and keep subjective lan-
and the long, lonely hours before dawn) to create this paper on deadline. guage out of a story. Headlines are hard. Deadlines are hard.
They’ve aptly named it the Wilmington Wave. But it’s all necessary.
Our world is vast, and news of it, relentless. Stories crest and crash It’s necessary because we live amidst a sea of misinformation and
on readers, portents of hope and despair. These waves of information can misdirection. Riptides of alternative facts, anti-science, and conspiracy the-
be exhilarating, and they can feel dangerous. We’re drawn to the news, as ories—in other words: lies—threaten how we understand our world and
we are to the sea, to watch, to listen, and to feel. how we understand each other. And it is the journalist’s job, it was the job
I’m not sure these students considered all of that when they signed of these students, to wade into those waters and separate fact from fiction.
up for this course. Few of them are journalism minors; most confessed to Like all journalists, they cannot control how readers, listeners, and viewers
taking the course because it satisfied certain general education require- use the information they provide, but they can control the rigorousness of
ments. And yet they came together during a pandemic, during the most the reporting and the fairness of their articles.
contentious, most vital election in the past 100 years, during the stress of And so they came together, many meeting each other for the first
quarantine and multimodal-learning to make a newspaper. To arrest, for time tonight. They spread out across three classrooms, masked and socially
one day, the main currents of a campus, a city, a state, and a nation. To distant. They synched via Zoom. They chatted across Slack. They com-
commit those stories to print, and to share them with their community. mitted themselves to a project of unknown depth, and here, at 6:00 a.m.
Our paper is 14 pages long, and those students are responsible for Wednesday morning, they still have not touched bottom. There are still
every element you are holding in your hands. They reported. They wrote. many unknowns about this election and what it means for the future of
They edited. They photographed. They paginated. They created graph- this nation. But journalists, including some of these students, will continue
ics, and cartoons, and cutlines, and jumps, and in-house ads. They have to be there, meeting those waves wherever they may take us.
learned the lingo of the newsroom. And they can’t wait to put this paper
to bed. Dr. Josh Roiland
They’ve also learned the realities of journalism. That it is steeped Assistant Professor
in professionalism, accuracy, and fairness. That “fake news” is a bogey- Department of English
man designed to confuse, undermine, and sow conflict. They’ve learned University of North Carolina Wilmington
WILMINGTON WAVE INFORMATION DIRECTORY
EDITORS IN CHIEF NATIONAL EDITOR OPINION/EDITORIAL EDITOR REPORTERS REPORTERS
Jay K. Byrd Thomas Stupak Brendon Dorrance
Anna Mohr Tyler Earles Shaun Edwards
FEATURE EDITOR PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
CAMPUS EDITOR Ava Reed Tyler Earles Canvas Pegues Joseph Giltinan
Grayson Toal
DESIGN EDITOR COPY EDITOR Hannah McDonnell Carter Hartgrove
CITY EDITOR Blake Freeman Hayden Franklin
Dylan Saunooke Ian Higgins Ava Reed
ASSISTANT DESIGN ASSISTANT COPY EDITORS
STATE EDITOR EDITORS Malachi Dansby Anna Ross Simpson Sierra Reynolds
Malachi Dansby Grayson Toal Hannah McDonnell
Anna Ross Simpson Annabelle McCracken Bryce Rush Annabelle McCracken
Sierra Reynolds
Anna Ross Simpson Connor Ryan Brendon Dorrance
According to Raymond, ent while attending college.
#PRESIDENT #BELIEFS she has not taken any liberal arts Annika Ashcraft, a freshman
continued from page 1 continued from page 1 style courses that could sway her environmental studies major at
Registered Democrats The exposure and free- beliefs and she tends to stick with UNCW, felt awareness was the vital
made up a majority of mail-in dom that is granted with the like-minded individuals. aspect of her beliefs. She mentioned
ballots, leaving Republicans as college experience are largely “I am a bleeding red conser- that her parents are both political
the majority of in person voters. at play when it comes to the vative and if anything I have got- science professors and have both
While Democrat voters reformation of political beliefs. ten stronger in my beliefs, there traveled a lot.
are predicted to make up the However, this is not true for are a lot of people around here According to Ashcraft, with
remaining ballots, it’s still too everyone. Some individuals who believe the same and I’m not her background and experiences,
early to say if there’s enough remain firm in their views. This taking classes that would change she has seen several different views
ballots in support of Biden to can be a result of family mem- my beliefs,” Raymond said. and values, and as a result, she has
pull him ahead. ber influence, regional influ- Being influenced by their become extremely aware of her po-
Biden held Minnesota ence, or the lack of branching parents’ political beliefs is some- litical nature.
and is projected to win Arizona out once in college. thing James McMillian, a sopho- “I know in college, people
and Nevada, leaving 26 elector- For Jackie Raymond, more psychology major at UNCW, become more aware of others and
al votes needed for him to win a freshman nursing major at can relate to. what they believe,” Ashrcaft said.
the presidency. If at least two Averett University her parents “My family has a huge im- “Being here, I have grown stronger
states shift blue after all mail-in and the town in which she was pact on my political views, I get a in my political beliefs but I can see
ballots are counted, there is a raised have had a huge effect on lot of my morals and values from the difference in everybody else’s.”
strong chance Biden could win her political beliefs. my parents and that affects my po- Many factors go into deter-
the election. “My parents are both litical decisions,” McMillian said. mining one’s political beliefs, like
The Biden campaign extremely conservative and I Despite the difference in family and regional influence, ex-
appears to have faith in mail- grew up in the church,” Ray- each student’s response, there posure, and awareness. The act of
in ballots pushing Biden over mond said. “There are very few was an underlying agreement of attending college itself does not
Trump to secure the presidency. Democrats in my hometown. awareness. All of the students determine a change in one’s political
As stated by Biden, “It ain’t over You would see rebel flags on the noted that they had become more beliefs; it is the individual experi-
until every vote is counted.” way to school.” aware of the different political ence one encounters while attending
opinions and beliefs that are pres- college that does.
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 4
CAMPUS
Contradicting Chalk: Students erase and replace inaccurate statements with positive remarks. Akira Collins UNCW Student Submitted
Students for Trump Leave a Mark slander, it’s not productive
at all,” said Collins, a UNCW Black Student Union Focus-
es On Presidential Election
Anna Mohr accusations put forth by the junior in Studio Arts.
Wilmington Wave far-right conspiracy theory Mudd, Mitchells, and
Monday night, stu- group QAnon. Collins erased multiple mes-
Neal said. “Speaking on
dent supporters of Presi- QAnon emerged in sages around campus and Canvas Pegues
their behalf included.”
dent Trump covered Uni- American political discourse replaced them with “Black Wilmington Wave
Neal admits many
versity of North Carolina earlier this year, with their Lives Matter” and pro-LGBT
Chris J. Neal, may not agree with BSU’s
Wilmington sidewalks out- main message being the statements.
UNCW senior and presi- values or his right to
side of the Fisher Student United States contains a The students also
dent of University Of North speak on their behalf.
Union with chalk messages “deep state” filled with Sa- spray-painted the rock
Carolina Wilmington’s Although, he be-
criticizing Democratic tan-worshipping pedophiles outside of Fisher Student
activist group Black Stu- lieves that he is fighting
presidential candidate Joe who are plotting against Union, which previously
dent Union, shared his and for black voices and the
Biden. Donald Trump. Political ex- displayed “MAGA” multiple
the BSU’s thoughts and expansion of multicul-
These denunciations perts have largely debunked times and encouraged peo-
feelings towards this year’s tural environments that
were often supported with all of their claims. ple to “Vote red.”
election. encourage opportunities
pro-Trump statements, as Nonetheless, those “We were upset,”
“This year’s election for predictive, peaceful
well as tagged with the messages found their way Collins said, “we didn’t feel
is crucial and I do believe it interactions.
social media handle @sft_ onto UNCW sidewalks on safe.”
is a turning point for Amer- Described as the
wilmington, which stands the eve of the election. The rock now sports
ica,” Neal said. “We are at most important election
for Students for Trump. Other writings in- a “Black Lives Matter” fist
a crucial decision making in history, it is important
The topic and tone cluded, “Biden simps for and a jab at Trump, saying
point.” that people know what’s
of the anti-Biden screeds China” and “Trump survived “Love Trump’s Hate.”
The BSU is a strong at stake as Americans
had a juvenile air. Many corona, Biden hides.” Like many college campuses,
on-campus activist group and especially as students
focused on Biden sniffing Not everyone appre- political tensions are high
that encourages the overall since we are the future of
children’s hair. ciated these postings. Three among students as this his-
rights and opportunities of our country, according to
“Hunter Biden students, Marcus Mudd, torical election nears its end.
African American people at Neal and BSU’s democrat-
trafficked kids and wom- Stuart Mitchells, and Akira These overnight messages
UNCW. ic standpoint.
en so Joe Biden could Collins, came together to may be the first of many in
According to the When asked who
sniff them,” one message “replace hate with love.” the following days.
BSU’s constitution, the pur- he voted for Neal said,
read, referring to false “It’s just hearsay and pose of its existence is to “the candidate who stood
“observe and improve the for BIPOC rights … the
general welfare of black one who stands for wom-
On-Campus Voting: Another Casualty of COVID-19 students as well as race
relations on the campus
en’s rights.”
Neal’s strong po-
Ian Higgins of the University of North litical stance aligned with
high turnout, but it was matched or exceeded the Carolina Wilmington.”
Wilmington Wave BSU’s preamble state-
consistent throughout.” 2016 voting turnout. North “BSU is living true ment. “I voted for the
The University of According to Wil- Carolina. to our purpose, constantly person who stands with
North Carolina Wilming- cox, this consistent turnout Another factor re- improving and observing my brothers and sisters.”
ton’s campus precinct on of one to two voters every ducing the number of the general welfare of “As BSU, we ask
election day was located at minute began taking a sig- election day voters at the black students at UNCW,” that people use their right
the Burney Center, opening nificant downturn at 6 p.m. Burney Center is the lack
to vote in order for their
at 6:30 a.m. and closing at According to Nadine of on-campus residents still
voice to be heard,” Neal
7:30 p.m. Gibson, Assistant Professor present at UNCW. “Students
said, when asked what
Turnout at the Bur- of Public and International aren’t on-campus anymore,
efforts he and his group
ney Center never managed Affairs at UNCW, by Oct. they all went home,” said
are making to get people
to hit the usual election 31, New Hanover county Gibson.
on board with them cast-
day marks expected of already had 63.4% voter Students residing
ing votes that progress
the precinct. Voters ar- turnout and North Carolina on-campus make up a large
towards their goals.
rived steadily throughout had a statewide turnout rate portion of voters designat-
“We ask for every-
the day, but at no point of 53.8%. ed to the Burney Center
one to remember who
was the precinct out of its This significant in- precinct, but many of these
and what they are voting
depth. crease in early voting meth- votes are being cast from
for,” he said.
“We’ve had relative- ods during COVID-19 sig- their family homes.
ly low voter turnout, hav- nificantly reduced pressure
en’t had too many people, on election-day precincts.
not much of a wait,” said According to members of
Zoe Wilcox, a volunteer the UNCW College Demo- Canvas Pegues Wilmington Wave
with the bipartisan group crats, early voting turnout
Democracy NC. “Not very for the 2020 election has Leutze Hall shows support for the end to racism.
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 5
CAMPUS
Classroom Opinions in Higher Education Mirror
Divided Election Discourse in General Public
UNCW Election Hub
Tyler Earles election and voting basics,
Grayson Toal their next step was the
BS on that criticism.” into, it’s crucial that the Wilmington Wave
Wilmington Wave Politics of Policy workshop.
Experts on higher “discussion is about ex- The Office of Stu-
Mixed feelings arise This was available for
education faculty political change of ideas, not a bat- dent Leadership and En-
from both University of students in late October
leanings note that “faculty tle royale to find out who is gagement, located in the
North Carolina Wilming- to learn about the types of
members’ political beliefs the most ‘right’,” Flaherty Fisher Student Center, is
ton faculty and students policy decisions that are
do run left.” Although, ac- said. the “Election Hub” at The
surrounding political dis- made at the local, state,
cording to Flaherty, “even “I wouldn’t say University of North Caroli-
course and election talk in and federal level.
conservative students don’t anything we have discussed na Wilmington. With their
class. Besides civic action
generally feel pressured to has been biased, it has guidance, students had the
Major divides in workshops, OSLE allowed
think a certain way.” informed me more,” said access to get all the infor-
political parties and views students to have virtual
“In the past I’ve Georgie Anastasie, UNCW mation they needed to vote
present a dilemma to many chats with experts to fur-
tried not to wear my polit- senior in anthropology. “An- for their preferred candi-
students and teachers on ther their election educa-
ical beliefs on my sleeve in thropology really dissects date.
the importance of political tion.
the classroom,” Dr. Bolduc social inequalities so indi- Given that most
discussion and its place in These 30 minute
said. “I encourage students rectly we have been dis- students enter college at
the classroom. topic Q&A webinars start-
to create substantive and cussing the election when 18 years old, voting in the
“Political science ed in early September and
meaningful content ... and we speak about policies upcoming election was new
classes are always politi- were held each week up
we spend time discussing that have negative effects to them. They may have no
cal, students have strong until election day. These
what that means.” on one group of people.” idea where to start, who
feelings about things,” said virtual chats discussed ab-
According to one Some students, due to vote for, or what politi-
Dr. Aaron King, a UNCW sentee ballots, the impor-
UNCW student, this stance to the nature of their class cal issues top the agenda.
Associate Professor in Po- tance of voting, different
is not embraced by all modality, do not feel it’s OSLE shares a 2020 Candi-
litical Science. “I reallyptry policies, social injustice,
teachers. necessary for political dis- date Resource voter guide
to appsoach things from a and health care.
“My English profes- course to exist. that helped students make
scientific perspective and Since the election
sor for discussion boards “I don’t have any their voting decisions.
students are good at that has come to an end, OSLE
... every single one he’s real contact with my pro- This voter guide
too.” will be holding one more
put is election based and fessors,” Kenny Hildabrant, shares information about
It’s clear that dis- Beyond The Vote work-
biased,” said Ashley Stew- UNCW senior in environ- North Carolina and nation-
course around elections shop on Nov. 10, at 3:30
art, a UNCW sophomore in mental studies, said. “It al candidates alike. It goes
is not reserved for just p.m.
marine Biology. “He’ll put would be very inappropri- over each of their parties,
political science classes, as This workshop is
articles baying pick a side ate for them to say any- websites, backgrounds,
a variety of UNCW cours- going to be focused on ac-
of it, but all the article’s thing, so I don’t feel that favorite endorsements, and
es present environments tivism and accountability,
are towards his view so we I’ve been exposed to it in more.
where students and faculty which will provide stu-
only get to see one side of my classroom.” OSLE also offered a
can engage openly in polit- dents with additional ways
it.” In addition to the series of workshops to ed-
ical discourse and discus- to make their voices heard.
Though some be- situation of classrooms, ucate students on election
sion. It will cover information
lieve in political discus- COVID-19 effects on uni- basics, such as how to reg-
Despite this envi- on how to hold elected of-
sion’s misplacement in the versities have factored into ister, how to vote, where to
ronment, the subjectivity of ficials accountable through
classroom, Kelly Siegel- the relationships between vote, and what to expect
these discussions is widely letter writing, petitions,
Stechler, PhD candidate at teachers and students. once casting your vote.
ridiculed in American pol- and participating in boy-
Johns Hopkins University Without the face-to-face After students had
itics. “Pundits and law- cotts or protests.
School of Education, thinks interactions and classroom the opportunity to get the
makers sometimes accuse that students and faculty chatter, election conver-
professors of being liberals experience certain benefits sations may be harder to
who indoctrinate their from these conversations. come by.
students,” said Colleen “When students ar- “It’s exhausting ...
Flaherty, who is an Inside en’t able to engage in these navigating the pandemic
Higher Ed faculty issues conversations, they often and also trying to figure
reporter. end up drawing stereotypi- out what the hell is going
“Higher education cal conclusions about those on with politics,” Dr. King
is often criticized by the who are different from said. “But I’m glad I study
Right for indoctrinating them,”said Siegel- Stechler. something that’s so rele-
our students into liberal “Diving into these conver- vant.”
or even Marxist ideology,” sations is well worth it.”
said Dr. Bill Bolduc, UNCW Although political
Associate Professor of com- discourse is worth delving
munication Studies. “I call Tyler Earles Wilmington Wave
UNCW campus shows support for BLM.
One more obstacle for UNCW voters this election Along with providing forms and ballots, OSLE holds
Civic Action Workshops, virtual chats with election
Hannah McDonnell by UNCW Professor of Hispanic Linguistics, Dr. experts and other resources for students.
Wilmington Wave Amanda Boomershine, if the university did hold early Although conventional early voting was not
As new University of North Carolina Wilm- voting, more than 14,000 students, faculty and staff an option, UNCW students still had other early
ington voters began figuring out who to vote for and would have more accessible means of voting. voting alternatives. One of these alternatives was
where to vote, despite having many different alterna- Even though the university does not provide early through absentee balloting via the United States
tive options to vote, they had one less option than the voting, UNCW’s Office of Student Leadership and Postal Services in the Fisher University Union on
general public: early voting. Engagement has encouraged students, faculty, and campus.
Although other universities have provided staff to vote and provided answers to any questions “UNCW has been using their postal services
early voting on campus, former Chief of Staff Max they may have when it came to voting and the election as an alternative method to vote for many years,
Allen points out that UNCW never has. UNCW is the itself. however, they have not considered a polling place
largest state school, enrollment-wise, without an early OSLE has provided access to election forms but rather a service that mails packages and ballots
voting location. and materials including registration forms in English through the USPS,” said Andy Kosch, a Postal Win-
In past years, according to Allen, the universi- and Spanish, absentee ballot request forms, and a dow Associate at the Seahawk Mail.
ty did not have space available for early voting. voter guide for UNCW students. They can also help see OBSTACLE on page 12
However, according to a letter written in 2012 voters fill out and submit forms and ballots.
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 6
CITY
Quick and Easy: Election
Day in Wilmington
Dylan Saunooke as Ballis said.
Wilmington Wave “Voting at this precinct
Due to the COVID-19 has been very slow, right now
pandemic causing Wilmington there are 215 people who have
residents to either vote early voted all day long,” said God-
or mail-in their ballots, many bey, “Turnouts across the county,
polling locations did not see as turnouts across the state have
many Election Day voters as been phenomenal, but voting
years prior. today in New Hanover County
Electioneers at Lifepoint seems to be relatively low.”
Church, Mosley Performance While voting at the
Learning Center, and Wilming- Lifepoint Church location saw
ton’s Senior Center agree that little turnout, voting at the
the rise in early voting and mail- Mosley Performance Learning
in ballots have helped in-person Center was much different.
voting run more smoothly and “It’s been great, we’ve
Grayson Toal Wilmington Wave had a fair number of people
more efficiently.
Contradicting Chalk: Students erase and replace inaccurate “It has been a little bit come through here, never got
statements with positive remarks. lighter than we have seen in backed up too much, and it was
years past with all the extensive steady throughout the day, no
Wilmington: The Swing City early voting” said Pete Wildebo-
er, the Republican candidate for
problems, no one shouting, no
one getting upset, everybody
New Hanover County’s Board of just coming, voting, and leav-
Anna Ross Simpson lotte, Durham,” King said. “In Education. ing,” said a Democratic veteran
Wilmington Wave our area, New Hanover County, “I understand 70% of this who asked to remain anony-
President Trump won by about precinct had already early voted mous.
With the 2020 elec- 3 to 4 points in 2016. Just over Whether they voted
so that was to be expected” said
tion underway, University of 50% of the vote.” two weeks ago, mailed in their
Linda Murphy, Republican elec-
North Carolina at Wilmington Managing to collect ballot, or voted on election day
tion poll lead at the Lifepoint
Political Science Professor enough votes in 2016, President most Wilmington residents had
Church polling location.
Aaron King, explains why Trump had won in Wilmington similar Election Day voting ex-
Voting at the majority of
Wilmington is the City to win and furthermore in North Caro- periences this year.
the polling locations in Wilm-
this election year. lina. “It was very peaceful, it
ington was a very quick and
North Carolina is a “I guess I am safe to say, was very civil, we had a nice
easy process with little to no
crucial swing state within the if Trump wins, Trump can’t win turnout,” Murphy said.
line.
2020 election. Furthermore, North Carolina without winning “I voted a couple days
“Zero, no wait at all,”
the city of Wilmington, the New Hanover County.” King ago, I voted at the government
Murphy said, when asked about
biggest city in New Hanover said. center and I was in and out in
the wait time at her polling
County, has become a swing Wilmington, while still 15 minutes, maybe less than
location.
city in itself. upholding its current value as 15, it was quick and easy,” said
According to Todd God-
According to North a crucial city in the swing state Chris Scholer, Republican elec-
bey, a Democrat election poll
Carolina voter registration of North Carolina, hasn’t always tion poll lead at Mosley Perfor-
lead at the Lifepoint Church
statistics as of election day been so politically stable. mance Learning Center.
polling site, COVID-19 has
2020, New Hanover county In 1898, a mob of 2,000 “Voting today was very
played a huge role in people
has 52,987 registered demo- white men had overthrown the easy, I was in and out in about
voting early and mailing in
crats and 55,122 registered elected Fusion government. This 15 minutes with no hassle at
ballots in order to not come in
republicans. Both of these went on to be referred to as all,” voter Anthony Grant said.
contact with too many people.
figures though are overshad- “The Wilmington Massacre.” Voters, electioneers,
This, in turn, has caused less
owed by the 67,589 voters Citizens in Wilmington Republicans, and Democrats all
people to vote on Election Day.
who chose to avoid party originally said the event was a had similar sentiments toward
“I think that, because
labels and registered ‘unaffili- riot started by the African-Amer- voting. Election Day in Wilming-
early voting has been intense,
ated.’ ican residents in the city, while ton was quick, easy, and pain-
it has lessened the volume of
Going from beach, to others say it was seen as a coup. less.
people trying to squeeze in on
campus, to city life in Wilm- Buildings and businesses Election Day,” Democrat Thom-
ington, these three factors run by black citizens all over
that make Wilmington, as Wilmington were destroyed.
King explained, the in-be- Black citizens were also harmed
tween city that it is for presi- in this event, having an estimat-
dential elections. ed 60 to 300 people killed in the
“If it’s the case that coup.
Trump is favored in the rural Wilmington holds a
The Wilmington Wave
areas, and Biden is favored a unique historical value, and
lot in the urban areas, Wilm- when juxtaposed to the current
ington is sort of somewhere balance of power held between
in-between that,” King said. democrats and republicans
“We are not nearly as within the county, it further
rural and as large as Greens- highlights the importance of this
boro, Winston-Salem, Char- swing city.
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7
CITY
Trump supports take over the intersection of Military Cutoff and Eastwood road. Ava Reed Wilmington Wave
The Wilmington Political Divide: A
Chasm Manufactured by Imagination
Ian Higgins
efforts of those parties to con- the overall progressive shift of of government programs on the
Wilmington Wave
vince the unaffiliated vote. American politics. lives and families of individu-
As the 2020 election “Everything is a toss-up “A good way of conceptu- als,” said Knecht, pointing to
season ran its course and con- for New Hanover,” Gibson said. alizing polarization is not people one of his leading catalysts for
stituents avidly voiced their A major indication of this getting further away, but people the divide between parties. “The
opinions, the political divide political competition in New not agreeing on anything,” said more we make people dependent
continued its apparent growth Hanover County has emerged Gibson. The political theory of on the government the more we
which highlighted the 2016 through sign-stealing. partisan sorting dictates that the go away from who we are as a
election. According to Will Knecht, extremes of each side become nation, we become enslaved to a
Wilmington emerged Chairman of the New Hanover more centralized, turning liber- government welfare system that
as one of the most highlighted County GOP, their campaign als to democrats and conserva- traps people.”
locations displaying this divide, has estimated approximate- tives to republicans. Although parties have
juxtaposing a deep racial history ly $20,000 in stolen ‘Trump’ What causes our greatest become more distanced in their
dating back to 1898 with the signage throughout the 2020 political divides are the issues views whilst their voters con-
importance of the swing state election. that are binary, with definitive tinue to grow together, there is
within the election. In addition to this thiev- solutions on each end of the an alternative force driving the
According to North Caro- ery, the defacement of larger spectrum, Gibson said. These wedge between party lines. Nu-
lina voter registration statistics, political signs for President Don- issues include topics such as merous sources ranging in demo-
New Hanover County currently ald Trump and Dan Forest have abortion and gay marriage. graphics and political affiliation,
has 52,884 registered Repub- highlighted the current tangible Many of these same all pointed to the influence of
licans and 54,942 registered political tensions within Wilm- binary issues are also cleavage major media as responsible for
Democrats. Mass signage within ington. issues for many voters. Ac- the political divide.
county lines as well as various These conflicts are nev- cording to Gibson, a cleavage “It’s the media, we have
other forms of candidate-adver- er universal though, as Knecht issue is a political issue upon in this country ‘freedom of the
tising has flooded Wilmington, went on to express his appreci- which an individual is willing to press,’ but now that has turned
displaying the heated status of ation for New Hanover County vote against their own party in into suppression by the press,”
the battleground region. Democratic Party Chairman order to accomplish. This cross said Bryce David, a Republican
Despite these outpour- Richard Poole. between cleavage issues and bi- voter.
ings, unaffiliated residents made Poole is an “old school nary issues which divide voters, “I put more blame on the
up the most populous group, democrat” who understands the create an even deeper segmen- media and human nature, we
with 67,372 voters registered in “spirit we need in the country,” tation between constituents. don’t like to hear information
New Hanover County. Knecht said. “We’re both trying The rise of the far-left we disagree with,” said Gibson.
“I don’t want to say there to make that the way of life at and the democratic-socialist “Now that we have thousands of
is necessarily a growing divide least here in New Hanover.” movement has presented a lead channels, why would we force
as much as very competitive pol- On average, constitu- issue between the two parties. ourselves to listen to something
itics in New Hanover County,” ents of either party actually “I think that Biden is a we disagree with?”
said Nadine Gibson, Assistant hold many of the same politi- moderate candidate, I think that Gibson pointed to the me-
Professor of Public and Interna- cal views. According to Justin is a serious fear when all we’re dia as the reason for the divide
tional Affairs at the University of Holloman, a member of the trying to do is give the American because of their focus on ratings
North Carolina Wilmington. UNCW College Democrats, there people healthcare,” said Wendy and revenue. “We had two com-
According to Gibson, is a more significant differ- Hunt, a volunteer for the New peting town halls. NBC said no,
New Hanover County has one ence of opinion between older Hanover County Democratic we want some of that money too
of the closest registration fig- voters than younger voters. Party. so we’ll hold a competing town
ures between parties within the Younger voters tend to be more “I believe that one reason hall so ABC doesn’t get as many
state of North Carolina, but the agreeable upon issues such as is the breakdown of the Amer- viewers,” Gibson said.
difference will be made by the gay marriage which highlight ican family, the encroachment
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 8
STATE
Gov. Cooper retains seat; Tillis,
Cunningham still too close to call Voters unaffected by
Shaun Edwards, Connor Ryan, Annabelle McCrackens
Wilmington Wave
As of 5 a.m Wednesday
House Representative Yvonne
Lewis Holley ran against political
sexting scandal
morning, 95% of the precincts newcomer Mark Robinson in the Dylan Saunooke ham’s character, he is not worried
reported showing Governor Roy Lieutenant Governor race. Republi- Wilmington Wave about losing votes to opposing
Cooper in the lead at 51.5%. can Mark Robinson won at 52%. He In mid-October, it came Republican Sen. Thom Thillis.
94% of the precincts reported will be the first African-American to forth that U.S. Democratic Senate “There may be people who
Rep. Senator Thom Thills in hold the position for North Carolina. candidate Cal Cunningham had decide to not vote for Cal, but most
the lead at 48.7% in the Senate Likewise, in District 7 of the an extramarital sex scandal with people who support Cal would not
race, not too far behind was U.S House race Republican David Arlene Guzman Todd, a public rela- vote for Tillis, they would have just
Dem. Cal Cunningham reporting Rouzer took the lead over Democrat tions stratgeist from California. not voted for that race” Godbey
at 46.9%. Christopher Ward. Resulting in yet Messages between Cunning- said.
In the North Carolina another Republican win for New ham and Guzman Todd character- Although this is a personal
Senate race, all 50 seats were up Hanover county. ized a close relationship that was affair, Godbey still believes it has a
for re-election this year. Republi- One remarkably close posi- more than just texts. place in an electoral situation.
cans ended up with more con- tion was the Attorney General with This scandal hardly affected “Absolutely, I think charac-
trol of the senate with a differ- Josh Stein narrowly beating Re- Cunningham in the polls. ter matters and I think that is one
ence of only five more senators publican candidate Jim O’Neil by a “Polls are only as good as of the biggest reasons we need to
than Democrats. margin of .2%. Stein spoke earlier, the votes that go after the polls,” change who is in The White House
There was a similar victo- commenting that he was confident said Todd Godbey, a Democrat elec- today,” Godbey said.
ry for the Republicans in North about his re-election despite some tion poll lead at Lifepoint Church, Tillis used this scandal
Carolina’s State House of Repre- outstanding ballots according to a “it would appear in polling that against Cunningham in campaign
sentatives race. Republicans won tweet from reporter Ruben Jones of the sex scandal hurt Cal by 2 or 3 ads.
67 seats, while Democrats only Spectrum News 1 CLT. points with voters, but when the “I think you’d be a stupid
won 49. New Hanover County, North Carolina, despite being polls opened this morning he was politician to not use it, but I think
falling under District 7, saw a a swing state, continued to follow still relatively far ahead.” it’d be better if he didn’t,” voter
Republican win by candidate its previous trend of casting more According to Godbey, al-
Winslow. Republican votes. though this scandal hurt Cunning- see SEXTING on page 12
Violence, threats impede
democratic process
Malachi Dansby
Wilmington Wave
As voting came to a close Once the tear gas was
in the 2020 elections, North released, the group’s leaders lost
Carolina voters were put under control of the situation.
pressure when it came to their Eight citizens were arrest-
vote. ed, seven of which were arrested
On Oct. 31, Reverend on the grounds of Resist Delay
Greg Drumwright’s “I Am and Obstruct and Failure to
Change Legacy March To the Disperse. Carli Brosseau, Raleigh News & Observer
Polls” march was met with po- Drumwright expressed “I am change” merchers being sprayed with pepper spray in
lice force. his distress that those who were front of the Alamance County Courthouse.
Drumwright led a group arrested lost their opportunity to
through the streets of Graham, register and vote. ported and participated in the The Charlotte Mecklenburg
N.C. where they protested for While Drumwright is an- march are calling for a state in- Police Department made this arrest
black lives and the black vote. gry about this use of police force, vestigation of both the Alamance after the precinct used their right to
The group started at it’s a great example of the issue County and Graham Police De- tell Dunn to leave and remove his
Wayman Chapel AME Church at hand. partments. firearm.
and headed toward the Graham “We’re seeing that certain They are also calling for The precinct asked Dunn to re-
County Courthouse. communities are not being en- the head officials to be removed move his firearm because many voters
According to Drum- gaged in the electoral process,” from their position. found his circling of the precinct to be
wright, the march stopped to Drumwright said. Voter suppression is found intimidating.
pray in the street for 8 minutes The march did not end on not only in the streets, but at the Dunn’s actions may come as
and 40 seconds while blocking Oct. 31. precincts as well. no surprise for those who watched
traffic. The crowd took to the Justin Dunn, the former the first Presidential Election where
Police announced they streets again Tuesday night to Charlotte City Council candidate, President Donald J. Trump urged his
would disperse the crowd with continue the protest. found himself under arrest yester- supporters to “go into the polls and
tear gas at the nine minute At 6:30 p.m. the protes- day when he continued to “loiter” watch very carefully.”
mark. tors sang “We ready, we ready, at a precinct in the University City Though Trump has made
When the crowd of over we ready for change” to the mel- Division. claims on supposed rampant voter
100 attendees could not disperse ody of Steam’s “Na Na Hey Hey There is ongoing contro- fraud throughout our nation, these
in the 20 second time limit, the Kiss Him Goodbye” outside the versy revolving around the fact events show the more relevant issue
police began shooting tear gas at Graham County Courthouse. that Dunn was legally carrying an is voter intimidation and suppression,
the ground toward the crowd. Many of those who sup- unconcealed firearm. which pushes away potential voters.
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 9
STATE
Relationships strain Counselors brace for
under election weight post-election uptick
Brendon Dorrance tween her relationships with other Ava Reed, Sierra Reynolds college students, seeking therapy
Wilmington Wave people. Wilmington Wave for Election Day anxiety.
“As far as friendships go… Macgregor said that the
As the 2020 election ap- As the 2020 Presidential Elec-
the nasty people get tired of being 2020 election was projected to
proached, differing political opin- tion approached, counseling centers
nasty… and I think that’s just a lead to a greater spike in pa-
ions caused ripples in many rela- saw a need to take preparatory mea-
beautiful thing,” Maloney said. tients than the 2016 election due
tionships between college students sures as they anticipated a spike in
Social media platforms such to the extensive “divisiveness”
with their family members and the number of people seeking thera-
as Twitter and Instagram are major it had created between people.
friends during the election. py.
battlegrounds between differing This divide primarily stemmed
According to Kayla Maloney, Counselors saw an influx of
views during the 2020 election. from recent social injustice
a conservative student at Catholic patients, even weeks prior, as the un-
“I’ve pretty much filtered protests, the Black Lives Matter
University in the District of Co- paralleled stress of the election had
out anyone who hates and ridicules movement, and the coronavirus
lumbia, relationships with several put a strain on many people’s mental
me,” Maloney said when talking pandemic.
people that she knows as well as health, especially those who already
about her social media accounts. Though she added that
family members, are facing difficul- had mental health conditions, ac-
She also said that one of her favor- political matters surrounding the
ties due to the political tensions of cording to Dr. Stacey MacGregor, a
ite pastimes is to engage in civil election alone aren’t what have
the election. clinical social worker.
discourse with those who disagree made this election harder on
“She was there for [her sis- “The uncertainty and the so-
with her. people’s mental health. She said
ter] through every up and down,” cial climate has been brutal and has
Maloney said that her family that shutdowns from the coro-
Maloney said, when describing the exacerbated pre-existing conditions
members who disagree with her and navirus pandemic were the most
relationship between her mom and and dysfunction,” MacGregor said.
her mom will say curse words, slurs, detrimental factor.
her aunt. “All of the sudden be- MacGregor, who has been a
and direct insults when discussing “People have lost jobs,
cause she voted for Trump… she’s clincal social worker for six years, is
politics. businesses, and have been forced
a bigot to them.” a generalist practitioner in psycho-
“I am close with them… I to remain home, not to mention
Maloney said that members therapy. She first began practicing at
love them alot [and] they love me how people have been treating
of her family such as her aunt are her nonprofit organization, and now
alot,” Kayla noted. However, they each other in both of these other
“constantly attacking” her mom currently works at her own private
have told her that they’re, “allowed national crises,” MacGregor said.
due to politics. practice. She said that the 2016
to be rude to [her]... you stand for
While being a strong con- presidential election was a “very
servative herself, Maloney said that significant point” in her career as
she does not let politics come be- see STRAIN on page 12 she noticed a lot of people, primarily see SURGE on page 12
Advocates work to help homeless vote
Connor Ryan traditional housing, they can still cards so that others can help make those experiencing homelessness to
Wilmington Wave vote. the information known to the home- vote a certain way, there is discirim-
According to The North Car- less population. ination at voting sites due to their
One of the least represent- olina State Board of Elections, if a Kyle Abrams, the Assistant appearance.
ed populations in elections are person’s residence is not associated Director of the Good Shepherd Whitehead stated that both
those experiencing homlessness. with a real property. “The location Homeless Shelter in Wilmington, voters and workers at the election
Neil Donovan, the exec- of the usual sleeping area for that discussed how they make it known sites would discriminate against
utive director of the National person is the residence of that per- that homeless people can vote and them due to the typical attire of
Coalition for the Homeless in son,” it says. the actions they take to aid them in homeless people, some even being
2012, stated that only one-tenth “Residence is broadly con- the voting process. turned away from the site because
of un-housed persons actually ex- strued to provide all persons with The shelter helps guests with of their appearance. Whitehead talk-
ercise the right to vote, and “the the opportunity to register and to obtaining IDs, providing transport ed about the importance of voting
number has been fairly consis- vote,” NCSBE said. With this in- to the voting site, and registering for the homeless population with
tent” over the years. formation about voting not being to vote. The hoops that homeless the increased criminalization of the
Continuums of Care re- widely known to the homeless pop- voters have to jump through to vote population from police and govern-
ported to the U.S. Department ulation, some national agencies. The “aren’t as difficult as you’d think.” ment leaders.
of Housing and Urban Develop- National Coalition for the Homeless Abrams stated that some of “They have a right in the
ment that as of Jan. 2019, 9,314 promotes this knowledge and help the people were still registered at decision,” Whitehead said, regard-
people experience homlessness local shelters with aiding those who their old location, making the pro- ing who decides the allocation of
in North Carolina. The presiding wish to vote. cess less complicated. According to resources. According to the Council
issue is that many people who Donald Whitehead, the cur- Whitehead, one core disadvantage of Economic Advisers, the homeless
experience homelessness do not rent executive director of the NCH, of the homeless population is that population made up 552,830 people
know that, despite not having talked about creating downloadable they don’t have access to voter infor- in 2018, homeless people are poorly
mation. represented in their votes.
The NCH encourages local Abrams noted that, while
shelters to hold their own forums the news is on much of the time in
and support access to printed me- the shelter, discussions of politics
dia to give the homeless population are kept at a minimum to focus on
more information. housing and employment for the
When asked whether he had guests.
noticed homeless people voting It is important for the home-
more towards one party, Whitehead less population to be aware of the
Beds in Wilm- said that “they are not a monolith” fact that they can vote and have an
ington’s Good and that there is the same divide influence over the people deciding
Shepherd among homeless voters as there is the allocation of resources, such as
Center. Photo: among other voters. the Housing Bond in North Caroli-
Jenna Kurzyna, Whitehead noted that while na, which helps provide affordable
WWAY TV he had not noticed any pressure for housing to those individuals.
Wilmington Wave, Wednesday, November 4, 2020 10
OPINION & EDITORIAL
CAMPUS
VIEWPOINT
Wilmington Wave recommends that students
be vigilant in regards to misinformation
during the 2020 election.
Here at the Wilmington ballots. One voter was said to
Wave, we stress the importance have submitted 11 duplicate bal-
of journalism in our country lots. Pennsylvania might be the
Black Lives Matter at UNCW
during an age of misinformation key to winning the White House.
and fear mongering. People in “What’s going on?” He notably
power have an agenda and use left out that Pennsylvania reject-
Brendon Dorrance Student organizations have their political power to lead us ed requests for mail-in ballots,
Wilmington Wave done all the heavy lifting when astray. The purpose of journal- not actual ballots.
It’s no secret that the stu- it comes to advocating for the ism is not to change people’s President Trump has per-
dents of the University of North well-being of UNCW students. minds, but to present truthful petuated many times throughout
Carolina Wilmington have been If it wasn’t already clear information so people can form his presidency that news-media
leading the charge in activism enough, they stated later in the their own opinions about cur- creates “fake news” that is meant
around campus. Over the sum- post, “WE ARE NOT AN ART rent events. Politicians will try as an attack on his credibility.
mer, students and faculty put up EXHIBIT WE ARE NOT AN to lead people to believe that When the New York Times re-
Black Lives Matter banners all ART EXHIBIT WE ARE NOT journalists have an agenda, or leased his tax returns, Trump
over campus. AN ART EXHIBIT.” are trying to push their readers denied any allegations despite
Despite this rampant As the 2020 election towards a certain opinion, but the documentation showing he
activism, Chancellor Sartarelli began approaching at the be- true journalism is about finding only paid $750 of taxes in 2017.
ended up ordering that all these ginning of the Fall 2020 semes- the truth. It is a journalist’s obli- His agenda is clear in his denial
banners be taken down and ter at UNCW, the Chancellor gation to hold politicians, insti- of the truth. Although this may
turned into an art exhibit amid finally sent out a statement tutions, and others accountable not necessarily indicate any tax
his statement of support for All that Black Lives Matter after for their words and actions. related crime, it may prove that
Lives Matter, which earned him many discussions with student Americans have relied on Trump had lied about the success
an understandable amount of leaders. journalism to receive informa- of his business, which had losses
backlash. However, just as BSU tion about the world for centu- amounting in over $900 million
In his statement, he stated in their post, this is still ries. Journalists are the bridge over the past four years.
failed to recognize that ALM the bare minimum. between the people and what’s Fox News has been
was only created to be in oppo- While I do believe that happening in their communities President Trump’s cheerleader
sition of BLM, a human rights Sartarelli has shown progress, and the world. However due to throughout both of his cam-
movement meant to defend all he has not made any state- the rise of parajournalism, social paigns and his presidency. Fox
Black Americans from racism. ments on what he’s actually media, and mass media, many is infamous to Americans, from
Since Sarterelli’s order, going to do for black UNCW have grown to distrust journal- both Democrat and Republican
student organizations such as students in a society that con- ism. Now, information that has backgrounds, for spreading bi-
UNCW’s Student Government tinues to put them down. been manipulated on social me- ased information.
Association and the Black Stu- I interviewed Bri dia, by spokespeople, and mass On the other hand, CNN is
dent Union have openly op- Ramirez, Head of Diversity and media outlets is the information notorious for being anti-Trump,
posed him. Both student organi- Inclusion of SGA previously, that many Americans are using and is known for criticizing his
zations utilized social media to who told me that there were to form their opinions. every move. Both heavily use
relay their message to students. about 20 or so student organi- This year, Instagram is value judgement in the report-
BSU used Instagram to zations that continue to help combating the spread of mis- ing that they present as “news.”
criticize Sartarelli’s statement them sponsor BLM banners information by removing the These media outlets are not
that All Lives Matter and his outside of the Fisher Student recent page in hashtags. The representative of Journalism as
decision to take down BLM ban- Center. company tweeted that this a profession, whose goal is to
ners across campus. A powerful Even though Ramirez would make it harder for people spread the unbiased, objective
statement from their post says, told me that Sartarelli has to come across misinformation. truth.
“We are not an art exhibit. We “always expressed support for In 2016, social media In the age of “fake news,”
are not art to be seen from glass students,” I have trouble find- sites like Instagram and Face- Americans need to keep up with
windows through a white lens. ing where he has shown this book were used to spread mis- non-partisan fact checkers such
We are not a political statement. support through his actions. leading posts on the day of the as PolitiFact or Snopes. These
We Matter.” They matter. He’s sent out many election, warranting this remov- organizations provide the unbi-
Turning a human rights statements saying that he al. ased truth behind statements or
movement into an art exhibit advocates for his students, but Twitter has also joined accusations made by media out-
is not only disrespectful for the has not implemented policies the war on misinformation lets, politicians, and news organi-
lives it advocates for, but also that help them. alongside Instagram. They’ve zations and are a good source for
racist. “Keeping up the BLM As an advocate for Black begun to ban accounts for journalists and the public alike.
banners…is the bare minimum,” Lives Matter at UNCW, I would spreading misleading informa- We stress once more the
another slide on the BSU post like to see more actions being tion regarding the election such importance of understanding
says. To elaborate, they’re say- taken by the administration to as conservative host Charlie what journalism is and why it’s
ing that UNCW has not gone stand up for my Black peers. Kirk. Kirk tweeted, “Pennsylva- so important. We cannot allow
out of its way to advocate for To make it clear, BLACK LIVES nia just rejected 372,000 mail-in ourselves to lose faith in journal-
the well-being of its students, MATTER.
especially those who are Black.You can also read
