Tia Humphries
Topic: Kobe Bryant’s Untimely Death
Title: The Black Mamba’s Last Strike
Background Info:
Lakers' phenomenon, Kobe Bryant, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on Sunday, January 26, 2020. His daughter Gianna Bryant and other members of her team and their families lost their lives as well in the accident. The helicopter crashed into a hillside in Calabasas, California, while the group was traveling to a basketball camp. The cause of the crash is still being determined but is believed to be caused by the lack of visibility due to fog or mechanical problems.
Why is this story relevant?
Kobe Bryant is considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was the youngest player in history to join the NBA. His untimely and tragic death comes as a surprise to fans all over the world. The five-time champion was beginning the next chapter in his life after playing in the league for twenty years. He had several organizations, including his junior basketball teams, The Mambas. Fans, friends, and family all over the nation are mourning the loss of a pivotal figure in American culture and sports. Kobe’s death will impact the National Basketball Association, the top NBA legends, and anyone who was inspired by his Mamba Mentality and caring spirit. The Grammy’s were hosted in the Staple Center, the house Kobe built, and Alicia Keys instantly honored his legacy before opening the show. Several NBA games even suspended to give players their time to mourn the loss of a friend, mentor, and hero. Kobe Bryant also played several games against the Washington Wizards in the Capital One Arena.
Potential Interviews:
Howard University Basketball player inspired by Kobe
Someone who witness Kobe play/ LA Native
A youth basketball player to talk about how Kobe inspired him to get into basketball
Supporting Elements:
Images from his five championships
Pictures of him and his daughter
Timeline of events
b-roll of NBA Players’ reactions to his passing
Research Sources:
https://www.latimes.com/sports/liveblog/kobe-bryant-dies-in-helicopter-crash-in-calabasas
https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/kobe-bryant-dies-in-helicopter-crash/index.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanko01.html
Topic: Coronavirus
Title: Is the Coronavirus the New Black Plague?
Background Info: The Wuhan coronavirus is the third major outbreak in the 21st century following SARs and MERS. The virus combines SARS And MERS to create a large family of viruses. The outbreak is believed to have begun in a Wuhan wet market. A place where live animals would interact with other animals they wouldn’t usually see in their natural habitats, with snakes being the leading cause. The virus was passed from animals to humans and spread from both direct and indirect contact, making it harder for scientists and doctors to control the spread of the coronavirus. According to the CDC, symptoms of the coronaviruses include runny nose, headache, cough, core throat, and fever. Some cases have even progressed to pneumonia.
Why is this story relevant?
The coronavirus death toll has risen to 80, and over 2,700 cases have been reported in China Several American airports, including JFK in New York and Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta. China has locked down several cities in an attempt to contain the virus. These lockdowns have impacted almost 60 million people. Shanghai’s government closed all businesses and schools in the city. There are 50 confirmed cases in 13 places outside China, including five cases in the United States. Scientists are still exploring the new virus and haven’t figured out a way to diagnose patients before symptoms begin to show. This is dangerous because most people can spread the virus before their symptoms start developing. Being in the nation’s capital, if the city were to have a massive outbreak, members of our governing bodies could be significantly impacted. Also, being a booming tourism destination, the district receives a high influx of foreign travelers making the spread of disease possible. Experts suspect this could potentially become a global epidemic.
Potential Interviews:
Travel Clinic: get their response on steps to protect yourself while traveling, global impact, and developing vaccinations (The Washington Travel Clinic, 1001 Connecticut Ave NW #210, Washington, DC 20036)
Rep from Center of Disease Control and Prevention (395 E st)
BWI or DCA employee (How are airports screening infected travelers/ what are they looking for)
Chinese Embassy
Supporting Elements:
Map of disease travel
Images of Chinese lockdowns
Research Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/coronavirus-outbreak-01-27-20-intl-hnk/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/symptoms.html
Topic: Denying tourist visas to pregnant women
Title: Passport Baby
Background Info: The United States State Department will begin denying tourist visas to pregnant women traveling to the US to gain citizenship for their child. This action comes from the Trump administration as a means to reduce the influx of birth tourism. The concept of women traveling to other countries to obtain citizenship for their children and later themselves. These babies are often referred to as “anchor babies.” Birth tourism has been around for a long time and has even caused some countries like Australia, France, and Germany to alter their citizenship laws. Currently, no European Countries allow unconditional birthright citizenship; however, the United States does.
Why is this story relevant?
The US has always been seen as the land of opportunities and the home of the free. The 14th amendment protects the natural birthrights and citizenship of anyone born in the US. The State Department has established this new rule to cut back on birth tourism. Instead of trying to amend the constitution, the department will be restricting visas. This new ruling is relevant to the current issue being brought against the Trump administration. Since his inauguration in 2016, one of Trump's main objectives is to decrease the number of immigrants. He has already petitioned for money to start building a wall to line the southern borders of the US, implemented Muslim travel bans, attempts to remove DACA, and now limiting visas to pregnant women. These rules can also cause refugees desperate to leave to find dangerous and harmful ways to get into the country. These refugees/ immigrants will now include a large number of pregnant women as well. Also, how will these women be screened? What if they decline a pregnancy test? Would they have to pay to be tested? The only exception to the rules is if a woman is coming to give birth because of proven inadequate health care in their home countries.
Potential Interviews:
Planned Parenthood Clinic (the dangers this may cause with women hiding their pregnancies, provisions under the law of pregnant mothers)
Visa Office (how will the question the women, what if someone has a 10-year visa and gets pregnant, will their child’s citizenship be revoked?
A worker in the State Department (how will the new ruling be imposed? What are the consequences? Is there any data that shows this new ruling is decreasing birth tourism?
Local resident reactions since DC is a tourist destination.
Supporting Elements:
Map of birth tourism trends
Official ruling for suspending visas
Any protest or backlash
Research Sources:
https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/01/trump-takes-aim-at-birth-tourism/
https://time.com/5770664/birth-tourism-trump-rule/
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/20200123_birth-tourism-update.html
