Dance Your Way to Fitness Downtown

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Sassy Chair Fitness Facebook flyer advertisement for upcoming dance calorie’burning class. Texarkana native Tiffany Larkins will host the class and everyone is welcomed. Photo/Graphic Credit Tiffany Larkins.

Fitness instructor and dancer Tiffany Charmise Larkins will host a Sassy Chair Fitness workout class this Saturday evening 17 November, 7-9 p.m. Attendees of all shapes and sizes are invited to the calorie burning, fun, and energetic class at the Diva Maintenance Building 214 E. Broad Street Texarkana, Arkansas 71854.

“The event is targeted to having an enjoyable workout and empowering self-love. Dancing is a wonderful way to burn calories. The clients will sweat and they will enjoy being able to look in the mirror and feel sassy and sexy,” said Larkins.
The class is not restricted to women and anyone is welcome.

With a dance background and a current healthy fitness career, the dance veteran combined the into the confidence-building fitness course, Sassy Chair Fitness. “I came up with the concept because I have been a dancer all my life and wanted a way express myself through music. I feel most beautiful when I dance”, said Larkins.

Dance veteran and fitness instructor Tiffany Larkins will host her first hometown Sassy Chair Fitness Saturday, November 17th 7:00pm-9:00pm. Photo Credit Tiffany Larkins

This will be the first Sassy Chair Fitness class the Texarkana native will host in her hometown. “I currently hold classes In Little Rock where I reside, however it will be my first Sassy Chair class in my hometown of Texarkana”, said Larkins.

According to Larkins, “You can burn anywhere from 200-500 calories depending on the effort you engage.”

The course will also include popular R&B music for attendees to enjoy. “The music varies but is typically slow R&B”, said Larkins.

Dance experience or backgrounds are not required, however, attendees should wear comfortable dance workout gear. “I take the time to break down each step and most people would be surprised at how well they can perform. They are able to wear what they feel best in and most comfortable this ranges, as long as they can dance in the outfit”, said Larkins.

Tiffany Larkins with her Little Rock Sassy Chair Fitness Group. Photo Credit: Tiffany Larkins

Larkins looks forward to her hometown event.”I encourage my students by the end of of class to ‘lose themselves’ and really take in the routine and feel the music. Before class begins we say affirmations and take time to just appreciate people gathering to enhance their efforts to better health”, said Larkins.

To register for tomorrow’s event or follow the next Sassy Chair Fitness class, follow Sassy Chair Fitness Facebook page or her personal Facebook page, Tiffany Charmise Larkins. It is $10 per per person and attendees can register in person before class. Contact via phone: 903-276-5511.

Be Bold. Be Confident. Be Stylish. Be You.

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Houston native, Latecia Rockwall poses with a 2017 February or March Vogue issue. Rockwall’s fashion for passion began with that particular Vogue issue. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown

Want to know who’s wearing the hottest fashion trends right now? If you guessed Rihanna’s pope-inspired 2018’s Met Gala dress, Kendell Jenner’s Christian Louboutin’s patent leather pumps, Selena Gomez’s yellow trench coat, then you’re wrong. If you guessed yourself, then you’re 100% correct. According to Texarkana’s fashionista, Latecia Rockwell, you can rip the runway with your own fashion sense with this simple method.

“Don’t pay attention to who is wearing what, but how and why they’re wearing it. With this basic instruction, Rockwell found her own sense of style beyond the fashion dark walls of as capitalism, high-end clothing brands, and famous models who wear them. “I’d never been like fashion best-dressed in high school or into fashion fashion. I watched so many seasons of America’s Next Top Model, so that was one of the seeds that kind of dropped in there. As I got older, I was attracted to seeing Vogue”, said Rockwell.

Her attraction led her to a life changing moment. “It was around February or March 2017, I was drawn to this Vogue magazine in Walmart. I remember telling my husband I don’t know why I got this Vogue magazine, but I got it”, said Rockwell.

As a fashion grasshopper, Rockwell began digging deeper into the true meaning of the word fashion and its purpose. “I saw the cover and it showed different diversities of women. They were wearing similiar pieces, but as I flipped through I saw so many diverse fashion designers doing different things from different countries with colors, types of clothing and their creativity. I started to realize that fashion necessarily isn’t teaching us how to dress, but how to express ourselves through our attire and being free to do that. That’s what drew me into it”, said Rockwell.

Latecia Rockwall’s natural hair head shot. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown

Once the stylish veteran grasped the concept of fashion, her passion began dwindling inside, however she didn’t release it immediately. “My focus was different. As a wife, we focus on others verses ourselves. My husband was my main focus. I had this passion, but sometimes when you want to be a good wife and want to please God, your focus is strictly on that and it’s not always focused on creativity. I also had a job as a full-time registered nurse, which consumed a lot of my energy, then I was a full-time wife and a believer. I was just focused on those three things. I didn’t know that I could fit my passion and creativity into that. I don’t know if I was willing to do that at that time”, said Rockwell.

Rockwell lit her spark in fashion after a personal experience. “I realized I have to stand alone now. My husband is in Heaven. It pushed me to figure out my passion. I always remember when my husband and I first got married, I was so consumed in our relationship he would ask me what are hobbies and what do you like to do? You need to find something to do. It was funny, but so true. When he passed away, I dived right into it, because I realized that it’s not just me and him no more, it’s just me”, said Rockwell.
Once Rockwell connected the dots with her fashion purpose, she quickly found her own sense of style. “Bright colors. Dresses. I love dresses and sandals. I love color. I dont really have a favorite color. I just like bright colors”. With so many fashion do’s and don’ts, how did she find them her way?

“The first step is definitely figuring out who you are and what you like. What colors, styles you like, what flatters your body type”. Mastering this particular step requires utilizing this particular tool. “Appreciate who God created you to be. Once you accept that, you began exploring what you really like and accepting of what you have,” said Rockwell.

Avoid this common mistake. “People base their style off their confidence and self-image. I also think that people will see what magazines put out and they think they’re supposed to dress like that. They feel like because they’re not a size 2, 4, or 6 they have to cover up or hide their curves or body types. Your attire can express who you are”, said Rockwell.

Make the second step with confidence. “Be free to dress how you want with modesty, because our outer appearance speaks before you do”, said Rockwell.

Be comfortable in your quirks. “The most beautiful people are the most comfortable in their own skin. There’s an upcoming fashion model in general named Joya on instagram. She has natural long red hair and freckles. She’s peculiar and it works for fashion. She’s just comfortable being herself and I like the message that she sends” said Rockwell.

Fashionista, Latecia Rockwall poses within Broad Street Park. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown

Step outside the box with common sense. “Don’t be a fashion robot. Be more than that. I used to scared to try bright colors. I didn’t want the attention. I didn’t want people looking at me. I loved that dress, but I was like I would never wear this out in public. Whatever you love, just wear it, because you could look the best in it”, said Rockwell.
Similar to the fashionista, find yourself a shopping home. “Everything I wear is from probably from Target. I don’t do it purposely. I feel like Target and whoever they have shopping for them is shopping for me. I go and buy what I like. They pay attention to what’s in and what’s trending. They make it at a more affordable price and eventually all their stuff goes clearance”.

In your fashion home, have financial responsibility. “A lot of stuff I purchase is on clearance. I go to the back of store. I shop out of season and prepare for the next season. Shop out of season and prepare for the next season. Fashion magazines will tell you what’s hot for that season, but they’re bringing stuff back over and over. You can find stuff out of season for the summer, winter, spring, and fall”, said Rockwell.
Find your own inspirations. “Pinterest has a wide variety of fashions. Instagram is doing a lot. It’s centered around fashion. Follow people with those hashtags. Going to the store picking out what you like”.

With those simple instructions, you can pull off any desired look.

For more fashion tips follow the links below:

Latecia Rockwall

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Love: Just Another Social Exchange?

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Is it love we’re looking for, or just something tolerable? An emotion sharing common features across cultures might be less of a romantic devotion and more of a search for gratification. Thinking of love in terms of socialization. Why did you or your last significant other end the relationship? Was it because they left their socks all over the place? Did they always forget your date night? Did you consider these qualities a lack of care? Maybe these things are simply intolerable for you. But to others, they are not. Many of our relationships end as a result of conflicting attitudes, behaviors and values.  Social Exchange Theory, coupled with rational Choice Theory and ideas of Erving Goffman, tells us why. Social media tells us how.

“George Homans,” from the article “George C. Homans, the human group and elementary social behaviour,” by Dr. A. Javier Treviño on infed.com

George Homans adapted this theory in the late 1950s, that we base our relationships on a scale of costs versus benefits. When the costs outweigh the benefits, we tend to leave the relationship. People use their comparison levels, by which they compare current relationships to those from the past, and their comparison levels of alternatives, comparing current situations to other available options. These are what help shape our ideas about romantic behaviors. These comparisons come from our schemata, or set of experiences that create our expectations. According to “Romantic Exchanges,” a blog post written by Bradley Wright, social exchange theory suggests that “people think about relationships in terms of various benefits and costs available to them…” and then make choices in their own favor. We make attempts to establish romantic exchanges based on what we think to be worthy of our time and efforts.

Rational choice theory takes these internal monologues and brings them into reality. From available options, one makes a selection based on the shared, consistent schemata of society.  These collective thought processes help individuals make daily decisions. Popular choices typically win the fight. Individuals let these normative behaviors to influence their own choice, which is how we know what others expect of us.

“Erving Goffman,” compliments of ThoughtCo.com, from the article “A Biography of Erving Goffman:
Major Contributions, Education, and Career,” by Ashley Crossman

Erving Goffman says we use these concepts to control perceptions of us. Our front stage is where all that is socially acceptable remains, while the backstage is the opposite. Social exchange theory is what gives us a reason to act in this way, because of our alternative choices. Goffman’s ideas about front and backstage behavior demonstrates the ways in which social media is a prime example of social exchange theory. Let’s look at the social media dating applications, Match.com and Tinder.

Match.com argues that their ultimate goal is “to help singles find the kind of relationship they’re looking for.” This is an obvious example that they’re promoting social exchange theory. They are encouraging members to highlight their best attribute to find the best buyer. The website even has a blog with helpful hints on how to seem more attractive for other online users. Tinder is similar, but not so subtle. They offer a blatant goal: supporting individuality. They offer no suggestions for relationship building. Tinder’s goal “is to allow users to express themselves freely as long as it doesn’t offend others.” This is more obvious in presenting the idea that these websites are a way for people to use edited photographs and conscious dialogues to entice strangers.

In 2015, eighty-five percent of Tinder users claimed to “look after” their appearance on the app, giving in to the collective social schemata. Social exchange theory says that this sense of rational choice is what will guide people in and out of relationships. Match.com and Tinder open the door for rating. With each application, users are picky about not only what they put out there, but also who they continue contact with. They are not obligated to respond to anyone. People take a few short minutes to look at their match and decide whether that person is right for them. Keep in mind that these people are just scratching the surface. They generally know very little about these people they are connecting with.

Each program allows users to designate a set amount of images to their pages and couple them with a description. Both sites reiterate a need to make oneself look attractive by some means. Eighty-four percent of Match users say that they are more selective now than ever of their dating partners, an example of weighing ones options. Match provides more lengthy content, which might mean that its target audience are those people who are looking to engage in something long-term while Tinder is often associated with hook-up culture. This could be the reason that roughly seventy percent of Tinder users also visited other online dating websites in 2015. 

Complements of Pixabay

A few demographics are notable here. First, a small but visible percent of Tinder users are married. Why is this important? These people are benefiting only themselves. even if the couple is in an o[en relationship, the two are still using other people to fulfill needs not met at home. And, people who would initially be monogamous may take on multiple romantic relationships if they feel that their needs are not being entirely met. In a closed relationship, the person is only concerned with their own desire.

“Only 14 percent of boomer women and 22 percent of boomer men…” use Match to marry. These people are seeking a way that they can meet short-term needs, but are open to finding love. We tend to use the social exchange theory very extensively. Online users are very interested in keeping their options open.

These two applications offer participants anonymity and a way to easily filter through comparisons. Rational choice theory tells us how people use such little information to make such a large choice. Individuals purposely create situations where people have to choose swiftly from small amounts of information and, in doing so, lower their chances of someone else finding any bad quality. 

Social Exchange Theory is rich in its possibilities to convey an understanding of social relationship building. Though this article has not discussed all aspects of the theory, we can still see a strong correlation between social exchange theory and how people today search for love.

Our Campus Media Specialist 

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Casey Roberts. Photo by Stephen Parker

A&M Texarkana’s Multi-Media Specialist offers practical advice acquired from a lifetime of experience.

Casey Roberts’ sixth grade teacher wrote a note to his mother at the bottom of his final report card saying that he would have a career in TV or radio.

The teacher was correct. Inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall Of Fame in 2002, Roberts’s experience in multi-media production spans over 45 years.

“I’ve been doing this my whole life,” Roberts said. He started off at the age of 17 as a disk jockey for a small south Texas radio station, where he soon became the program director. The company that owned the radio station also had several cable TV stations, one of which his father was the general manager of here in Texarkana.

Roberts began producing local public access programs as well as cable ads.

“I was responsible for getting commercials on the air,” Roberts said. He also pioneered a system, now the norm, called “local commercial insertion,” where local cable commercials are seamlessly integrated with national ones.

Roberts’ passion and diligence were noticed. He would spend the next 35 years honing his craft in the markets of Louisville, Kentucky, and Las Vegas, Nevada, holding a range of positions.

One of Roberts’ favorite moments was filming an interview with Muhammad Ali, after his defeat to Larry Holmes in Louisville, 1980.

“He came down to our little studio and spent an hour and a half with us, then invited us to a party that evening, where we got to hang out with him,” Roberts said.

“I like to tell people, I shot for Playboy and Disney channels in the same day,” Roberts reflected.

His journey came full circle, returning to Texarkana in 2005 to help out family. As fortune would have it A&M Texarkana, at the old location, had an open position to teach mass media production and a studio that needed to be rebuilt. Roberts has been employed with A&M Texarkana for the last 12 years.

“What I taught was the difference in being in a high-school TV class and real professional broadcast standards,” Roberts explained, “The rules of television are the same, and it’s about production values and technical standards.”

Lessons from the popular mass media class, 417 Advanced Television Production, focusing on making documentaries.

Casey at work. Photo by Stephen Parker

“Documentaries require a more polished production; Learning how to shoot, interviewing people, doing research, doing reenactments covers many important aspects,” Roberts assures.

His most practical advice for students is: preplanning, knowing what you want to do and maintaining high technical standards.

Suggesting that students often have really good ideas in their head, but loose the intended message because they have not tried to see how their message might appear to someone first viewing the idea.

“Always a good idea to bounce things off other people,” Roberts said.

There are no current video production classes offered at A&M Texarkana because the lack of a TV studio “made it difficult to keep classes going,” Roberts allowed.

“I have two jobs here now,” Roberts stated, “Production, which is near and dear to my heart, and facilitating event technology.”

Eagle Hall hosts several big events throughout the year. He makes sure that everything technical is working and familiarizes speakers with the equipment, assuring any hiccups will be dealt with promptly, putting speakers at ease.

Roberts shares his thoughts on the necessity for media production classes at A&M Texarkana.

“All the things that go into a real comprehensive university are important. I think news/journalism and the media-arts are essential for a liberal-arts education, hopefully we get to that point. With the introduction of athletics there is a need to cover athletes and broadcast games, giving students a hands on opportunity to work within professional standards and guidelines. I hope we get TV multi-media back in the curriculum. There are ways to do it, even in conjunction with the community college where the studio sits.” Roberts concluding with, “It would add a lot to the atmosphere to the campus with students more involved.

GI-yeS!

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You’re an undergraduate history major with large amounts of data about crime statistics in various locations across the United States over time. To a criminology student, this might be a gold mine, full of relative research material for their next paper. For you, it’s just numbers. But Dr. Andrew McGregor says GIS (Geographic Information Systems) can change that.

Photo by Allison Hall

On Wednesday, November 14, Dr. McGregor, Dr. Drew Morton, and Dr. Doug Julien hosted a four-hour open house in the Red River Innovation Lab for Humanities to celebrate GIS day. He started with an overview of definitions and ended with a hands on session, showing students and professors ways to use the mapping software. The goal was to show how this technology is useful in all fields of study.

GIS is a type of mapping systems that uses GPS signaling to help you plot specific coordination. Sounds ancient. But actually, it’s all digital now and it can get complicated. However, Dr. McGregor kept it simple, explaining how GIS can help people of all disciplines map data over both time and space. Mapping is no longer thought of as only useful to Geography professionals. Humanities academics have potential here. Dr. Morton, head of the Red River Innovation Lab, was also present and showed a very interesting piece from the online Journal [In]Transition. It was a video made to show the current geography of locations used in older Western films. With this type of use, GIS can reveal interesting things about the developing and changing technique and design of filmmakers. It’s a way for easy comparison.

You, as a history major, can use this technology to take that data about crime trends, map them, and compare them to other mapped data regarding things such as economy, redlining, slavery and more to discover that American crime trends are in fact a result of historical events across the nation. Admittedly, this example is self-explanatory, but it’s an easy way to develop a clear picture about the functions of these systems. It’s also a topic repeatedly addresses during the event.

Photo by Allison Hall

An interesting point brought up is the fact that maps only show data. They don’t necessarily make any arguments. That’s up to the viewer. The purpose of GIS mapping is for the user to devise and develop a question, argument or idea and present it in a way that is practical and stimulating in a visual way. The map is for you to make a point with in a way that’s different from a research paper or a graph.

This is a way for different disciplines to network among one another. This is not a one person job nor does it create a singular study. You need researchers to gather data, interpreters for that data, coders, mappers and so on. This gives fields such as history a reason to work together both within and outside of their field.

Photo by Allison Hall

Dr. Doug Julien, not having the statistics and code driven background needed for certain aspects of GIS mapping from scratch, introduced a user-friendly website, EJScreen. This website presents already gathered data in map form for people to reference. It presents an opportunity to clarify and verify previous thoughts as well as a way to formulate new questions based on such data. In other words, it is a lead in to formulate questions that you might build your own map to answer. He uses this to track both historical and modern-day racism and the evidence found in current living conditions. He is able to show how things such as redlining has put minority citizens in an almost permanent area in locations within Texarkana.

Aside from Dr. Julien’s introduction into EJScreen, Dr. MgGregor offered other online mapping tools where you can apply your own data to create your own very specific maps, such as ESRI Story Maps, Google Earth Pro., Google My Maps, and Carto. He took us through each of these sites, some offering different features than others, but all seeming very easy to navigate in an organized way. They all offer a visual option for large amounts of data that might not make sense mentally in the same way.

To find out more about Geographic Information Systems, you can contact Dr. McGregor at amcgregor@tamut.edu.

When Life Gets Tough

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Have you ever found yourself looking at your life or the situations you are in and just wonder: How did I even get here? Life as a young adult in college has a major tendency to get complicated. Even that sentence is probably a huge understatement! It seems even when one problem clears up, another appears. However, remember that every student experiences this, without exception. Below you’ll find some simple mental fixes to help you get through the day.

Take a deep breath! I have found that once I feel just slightly overwhelmed it is all downhill from there. I sometimes feel like completing everything in front of me is going to be impossible or fear that I won’t be able to get it all done, but when I just take a deep breath I calm down enough to move on to the next step.

Slow down! You know that old saying, slow and steady wins the race? It most definitely applies to college life. For me, working two jobs, taking a full load of classes, navigating a healthy relationship, as well as all the extraneous parts of life makes me feel like I just have to get done with everything as fast as possible. In turn, I only feel even more behind, so I take a deep breath and then slow down. Slowing down more often than not looks like dealing only with what is directly in front of me. Everything else I just put out of my mind until I’ve accomplished what’s necessary for the day I’m immersed in.

Next, be grateful. To be honest, this is most often the most difficult part of being a college student. My husband is out of school and I see how much freedom he has with his time and how little stress he carries around and I find myself very jealous of his situation. But then I remember how far I’ve come and how much I’ve learned both from my classes and my life experience during this phrase of life. I remember how few people are given the opportunity to pursue a college career and how people fought for the right for all people to be able to attend college. That perspective truly humbles me so gratitude can find its way in.

So no matter where you are in this college life or what you’re facing this semester, I hope these steps help. I hope you know you’re not alone. Most of all, I hope you’re encouraged to continue working towards graduation day and completion of your degree!

9th Sheer Madness Avant Garde Hair and Fashion Show

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Texarkana College Cosmetology School held their 9th Annual Sheer Madness Avant Garde Hair and Fashion show Monday afternoon, November 12th. With big hair, creative makeup, and high fashion wear, local high school students and adult college students battled on the red runway in the Truman Arts Center with entries they have worked on for weeks. Dual credit high school students entered the hair mannequin competition, while the adult cosmetology students strutted their photo-inspired runway looks. Both categories competed for first, second, and third place.

Video Shot and Edited: Tiffany Brown

Luke at the Possibilities

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Local talent isn’t hard to find if you know where to look, even in a place like Texarkana. Chatter in the halls of Texas A&M – Texarkana suggests that local Millennials and Gen Z groupies aren’t satisfied with the local attractions, mostly because there are few. But, things might be changing, especially for the local music community. Hopkins Ice House downtown hosts a mic night and Scotties Grill offers events promoting local artists.

“Owl Fest,” Compliments of the Owl Crisis Media Website

These events are nothing like Shreveport’s Owl Fest. It’s an hour’s drive, but interactivity and community involvement makes it worthwhile for young adults looking to just hang out and support local talent, a place for people to feel welcome and to embrace their gifts. One story has altered my perception of such small venue events, that of Luke Lindsey.

Compliments of Owl crisis Media, from the Owl Crisis Media Facebook Page

Owl Fest is a collaborative showcase for R&B and Rap artists. Isaiah Polk is its mastermind. Polk runs a multimedia group called Owl Crisis Media which travels throughout the tri-state area to compete in video game events and enhance the lives of talented musicians and poets.

Luke Lindsey met Isaiah at a competitive gaming event and they’ve been working together ever since, bringing a once-shy Luke into the limelight, or at least the dimly lit budget stage where many have cherished closeness with those in the community.

Luke goes by the stage name Sad Boi, but he’s full of cheer and motivational spirit. His friends keep him motivated. “Expressing yourself through music is like the best thing ever,” Luke says. He frequently uses his friends as critics.

Photo by Allison Hall Luke Lindsey Left, Isaiah Polk Right

The importance of local outlets for local talent is paramount. Since Owl Fest, Luke has recorded several tracks and performed for audiences he might not have been able to tackle alone. The goal of events like Owl Fest, he says, is to “help each other grow.” “It’s easier when you have someone there to help.” All participants help each other. They get on stage and hype each other up. For Luke, it’s all about “hyping ya’ boy up.” He says one has to support and encourage for those around you, and that’s Luke motivation in life.

Photo by Allison Hall

Bottom line, such community events bring to light a community’s richness. Luke uses the word “depressing” to describe his feelings toward the lack of similar events in Texarkana, mostly because his main goal isn’t to pursue music as a career. He just wants to promote fun and goodwill for those willing to share their time. And that could be what anyone might want from these events. At TAMUT alone we have so many musical, graphic, and literary artists. Maybe if we all came together like Isaiah’s group and worked hand in hand to make a place for ourselves within Texarkana, we could begin to lift each other up instead of spending our time wishing we had something to do.

Here’s an inside look into the mind of Luke and his take on the life of using talent as a hobby, filmed by Allison Hall.

Syria Dilemma

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The war in Syria has been an ongoing issue for six years complicated by the third party involvement of the terrorist group IS; better known as the Islamic State. Syrian civilians are struggling to continue their everyday lives between the fighting of three different armed forces, each with a goal of its own. Although I believe the country would be better off without Bashar Al-Assad as president and my morality is tested by hearing of the unfair impact the Syrian Civil War has left on its citizens, I do not think we should get involved in such an entangling war.

This ongoing conflict was started by the controversy of a thirteen year old boy spray painting a slanderous message about the government regime under Bashar Al-Assad. The young boy was apprehended, tortured, and killed by Al-Assad’s forces, actions greatly displeasing the citizens in Syria. Civil protests soon followed but were countered by government and military interventions. Many factions formed to fight against the “corrupt” Syrian government as a result of forceful oppression from Al-Assad. Today many of these have converged into the Syrian Opposition, Ahrar al-sham, Tahrir al-sham, CJTF-OIR, and the Rojava, the latter two supported by the United States and other participating countries in the United Nations.

Photo Credits The National

The more complicated aspect of the fighting between the government and the rebel forces is a third force also trying to gain control of the region; the Islamic State. The Islamic State is a terrorist group well known throughout the Middle East for radical ideology and brute force. Because of the already weakened state of Syria the IS were able to gain land and power and become a strong belligerent. The United States already has a long history with this radical terrorist group.

Our ongoing involvement in other Middle Eastern affairs, such as the constant battle against radical Islamist terrorism of groups like IS, has cost the United States in money and American troops. It is hard to imagine all of that sacrifice to protect and preserve innocent people involved must be for “nothing” if we do not follow through, but it just might be an answer to the never-ending economic stress that comes with being a global morality monitor.

Photo Credits to The Daily News Hungary

If a “one-or-the-other” approach must be taken then it is more economically feasible for the United States to set aside its steadfast promise to uphold a certain global morality, and focus on self-defense and self-preservation. However, if a healthy middle were needed to be obtained then my suggestion is that we carry out our agenda with the radical Islamic State that has begun to overrun Syrian lands, and then to respectfully allow the Syrian citizens and its government to reach an agreement with the facilitation of members of the United nations that are closer to the conflict and more heavily involved.

Texarkana Play Fights Teen Domestic Violence

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Baby Girl 2: My Dad is Dope combats teen domestic violence at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center November 3rd Saturday 4:30pm and 7:00pm. Courtesy of Vanessa Jackson-Fields.

Local play writer and director Vanessa Jackson-Fields brings teen domestic violence awareness through her new play, Baby Girl 2: My Dad is Dope. New young actors and returning cast members demonstrated lesser-known warning signs and dangers of an abusive relationship at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center, 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.

Newcomer Kiauna Smith portrays smart, outgoing, family-oriented, high-school valedictorian, college-bound Jasmine (Baby Girl) escaping from her former violent boyfriend, Marcus (Kameron Randle) a year after a relationship ended.

“It’s written around a young teenage girl that didn’t know the signs of an unhealthy relationship or a potential abuser, because usually they start off really nice, well-cut people, and you have to know the signs that they can potentially be an abuser. This show points out all the signs, especially this day and time”, said Vanessa Jackson-Fields.

The 15-year Anniversary play began with the early stages of obsession, control, and stalking in teen dating violence via today’s communication media: texting, phone calls, and emailing. “They become obsessed with you. Show up at your door when they’re not wanted, even though you told them not to. They keep you away from your family and friends and want you to be with them all the time”, said Jackson-Fields.

Domestic violence advocate and play writer, Vanessa Jackson-Fields poses in the Perot Theater, where her first play took place in 2003. Photo Credit Tiffany Brown

According to One Love Foundation and Joyful Heart Foundation, isolation is considered a domestic abuse warning sign. The family foundation also mentioned belittling, intensity, manipulation, and jealousy, which Jackson-Fields mentioned in her play. “You might think it’s because ‘Oh they just jealous’, and think it’s cute, but it’s not. Being jealous can be very dangerous. It’s like they have ownership over you. They believe you belong to them,” said Jackson-Fields.

Jackson-Fields included real-life scenarios of physical abuse, potential sexual abuse, and a horrific tragedy. “Shoving, grabbing and getting very angry. The play kind of shows a lot of that. It gets very graphic”, said Jackson-Fields.

Domestic teen violence does not discriminate against social class, race, gender, age, or family background. It can occur among upper and middle-class teenagers. “I always remember April Love. She came from a nice middle-class family. She was so smart and had a bright future. She was killed September 2005 by her boyfriend on a college campus. It was days before they found her. You never would’ve thought, she would be killed in an abusive relationship”, said Jackson-Fields.

According to The Telegraph UK writer Amanda Prowse, abuse can happen in middle-class families. In fact, middle class abuse cases are rarely reported, as seen in the teen domestic violence play. “Abuse is sweeping the country and nobody really pays attention, until someone loses their life”, said Jackson-Fields.

Jackson-Fields cast newcomers Isaiah Germany, Jashaun Wedlong, returning cast members Pastor Lamarcus Franklin, Tammie Harvey, Dr. Mary Phillips, and Connie Thompson as a supportive family, however their favorite baby girl, Jasmine found herself in a violent relationship. “This play is showing when you’re in these relationships, it not only affects you, but everybody around you”, said Jackson-Fields.

Domestic violence survivor turned advocate play writer, Vanessa Jackson-Fields. Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown.

The former abuse victim turned advocate encourages teen boys and girls to speak up before it’s too late. “I hope they learn okay I know he’s doing that, but I need to get away. Run! Get away from him or her! Go to your parents or somebody you know that will support you. Do not try to handle it alone or hold back, because you can’t. If they do it one time, that’s just a warning”, said Jackson-Fields.

If you are experiencing domestic violence or know someone that’s experiencing domestic violence please speak up or link to Texarkana Domestic Violence. Or call (903)-794-4000 or visit 424 Spruce St, Texarkana, TX 75501, 8-5.