2010 is the most sci-fi-sounding year yet. I mean, 2000 sounds pretty sci-fi, and 2001 is the best sci-fi movie with a year for a title, but 2010? Come on! Now that’s sci-fi. Try saying it out loud: Twenty Ten. Pretty cool, huh?
But the world was not invaded by aliens (unless you believe that weird video from China), and we still don’t have personal robots. Still, some pretty cool stuff happened in 2010, and the Daily Lobo’s here to tell you about it. Read on for a compilation of the best stuff that happened in 2010 at UNM, brought to you by the faithful culture team. And keep your fingers crossed — maybe 2011 will finally bring us those robots.
Best student activism (benefiting humans)
The most progressive accomplishment at UNM this year is the creation of the LGBTQ Resource Center. This center is a necessary component of any campus. We’ve long had similar centers dedicated to women, African-Americans, Native Americans and Hispanic/Chicano students. The creation of the LGBTQ Resource Center fills a void in our University’s open respect for the dignity of diverse groups.
The center faced a long struggle for funding and space. After months of planning and proposals, the team that formed the center faced a setback when the University announced that funding would be cut to many student programs, and the center may not be able to get the money it needed to operate. After much public outcry, however, the funding was restored and the center opened its doors in August.
The center, like others on campus, provides a safe space where people can be sure that they will not face discrimination based on who they are. The center also provides myriad other services including community network opportunities, counseling, STD information and free HIV testing.
The fact that this center is greatly needed on campus is underscored by the recent vandalism of the center’s flag.
Somebody tore down the rainbow flag outside the center in a clear display of prejudice against the LGBTQ community. This event alone is enough to prove that discrimination is still present on our campus, and this center is necessary for the community it serves.
This leads me to the flip side of the coin, one of the many low points of the year: “the worst public statement by a UNM public official.”
At the end of last semester, ASUNM debated the addition of a same-sex bathroom to the SUB. Although several senators arguing against the resolution made ill-advised and, frankly, stupid comments, one particular utterance by Sen. Alonzo Castillo takes the grand prize.
“In the month of November, only five people signed in to use the
LGBTQ (Resource Center),” Castillo said in front of the rest of the Senate and a Daily Lobo reporter. “I don’t see any necessity to create a bathroom for people who we created a department for that isn’t being used.”
In fact, more than 220 people signed in to use the center in November. I counted more than 15 signatures on their sign-in sheet on a single day while doing an interview for another article.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
It’s hard for me to understand how this could have been an honest mistake, but let’s give Castillo the benefit of the doubt and say he’s not a bigot who knowingly provided false information in the hopes of denying benefits to a group he simply doesn’t like. Let’s say instead that he’s just misinformed.
Best student activism (benefiting animals)
While New Mexicans clamored for change in 2010, UNM’s John Kavanaugh actually provided it. As the UNM Wilderness Alliance president, Kavanaugh took part in wilderness awareness campaigns and demonstrations throughout the year.
With a push in late October to protect New Mexico’s lobos, UNM’s Wilderness Alliance chalked outlines of lobos around Zimmerman, held a petition rally for the cause and sent a letter to the editor.
As big of an achievement as the wilderness rally was, Kavanaugh’s Wilderness Alliance had bigger plans for the end of 2010. On Dec. 4, Kavanaugh and his activists took part in a wilderness protection rally for Otero Mesa. Held by New Mexico’s Wilderness Alliance, the event not only pressed for the permanent protection of Otero Mesa, but also recognized the efforts of thousands of New Mexicans to make Otero Mesa New Mexico’s next national monument.
It is this air of ambition carried throughout 2010 by Kavanugh and UNM’s Wilderness Alliance that paves a bright and exciting 2011 for this group.
Best theater troupe
Without a doubt, the best theater produced in Albuquerque in 2010 came from Blackout Theatre, out of The Box performance space downtown at Gold Avenue and Second Street. What puts Blackout over the top from professional to something special is its drive to do things in a way that’s never been done before.
All members of the Blackout Core act as designers, actors, directors, writers, administrators and creators. Their invention and innovation seem to appear out of thin air. Everyone helps and learns by doing everything, harnessing the ridiculous amount of talent in a group that is essentially a group of close friends, and always generating stunning results. They’ve produced material they’ve written themselves, and even when they don’t, the shows always seem to have that Blackout touch.
Blackout will show you things you’ve never seen before in a way you’ll never expect.
Best student-run activity
This year zombies invaded UNM, and what a day it was. It was the achievement of student organization that resulted in the undead roaming the campus and treating most to a nice break from the monotony of college life.
This event gathered a lot of attention on Facebook with more than 700 people saying they would attend. Granted, only 150 showed up, but it was somewhat of a miracle the event got off the ground, since the group organizing had to clear it with campus officials. However, it’s even more amazing that everyone who participated in the event followed the rules and that no one was injured in the festivities.
Yes, a couple of students were upset with the participants screaming and running through the SUB, but most students enjoyed the spectacle as evidenced by the numerous online comments praising the event.
Plus, if you were there you would have seen people shrieking as they ran away from the undead. Here’s to hoping that next year brings more of these flash mob events, and major-league props to David Lopez and Kodi Schmaltz for getting the whole thing together.
Best non-UNM activist
Since her life-changing dream about slaughtered pilot whales, Ruth Chavez committed herself to ending the mass dolphin slaughter that has been a Japanese tradition since the 1600s.
Chavez has been doing her best to spread awareness about the issue, and she believes gaining as much support as possible is the only way to stop the slaughter. Her efforts culminated in a trip to Japan with the Earth Island Institute and their supporters in September. She left her comfort zone for a two-week culture shock.
While in Japan, Chavez visited the famous cove where the dolphin slaughter occurs and was confronted by indifference and death threats. She participated in public protests that Japanese citizens paid no attention to and witnessed a slaughter firsthand, a sight that left her feeling helpless.
Chavez said she lost hope several times, but she has not lost steam. Once leaders from the hundreds of countries who have objected the dolphin slaughter intervene, Chavez believes Japan will acquiesce. She plans on returning to Japan in September and has assembled Albuquerque supporters to join her.
Content by Andrew Beale, Graham Gentz, Chris Quintana, Antonio Sanchez and Alexandra Swanberg.
