The Anchor - November 25, 2019 by The Anchor

Volume 93/Issue XI

THE

November 25th, 2019

ANCHOR

Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

RIC adjunct faculty protest low wages

Sean Richer Asst. News Editor Members of Rhode Island College’s adjunct faculty gathered by the eastern entrance to campus with signs in hand, protesting low and stagnant wages. Thus far, negotiations for a new contract have completely stalled, according to the President of the Adjunct Faculty Union, Deborah Kaspin. “The powers that be have completely ignored us,” she explained. “Calls have been going unanswered and meetings unattended.”

Adjunct faculty are paid by class hour, similar to credit hours for students. They receive $1,290. This tops their potential income at $20,640 a year, less than $15 an hour. Kaspin explained further, “We could be teaching and make only 43% of other instructors for the same classes.” This has caused many faculty members to find extra work at other institutions in order to make ends meet. The attendees also wished to be clear that their efforts are not directed towards the administration of President Sanchez, but rather Gov. Gina Raimondo and the General Assembly that allocates funding for the state college institutions. “We were on the brink of an agreement” lemented Kaspin. “It didn’t include every-

thing we wanted but we put it forward all the same, and that wasn’t even accepted.” Thus far, classes should not be affected, but nonetheless this can pose problems for students and faculty alike. With a potential lack of classes and instructors to teach them, RIC could stand to suffer. “Get into contact with your state legislature if you are a student and you want to help.” urged Kaspin. “We deserve to be treated fairly along with instructors from URI and CCRI.” The decisions made in the next few weeks in regards to the treatment of adjunct faculty, could cause rippling effects throughout RIC. Only time will tell. Photos by Thomas Crudale

Timeline of black resistance Kaila Acheson Anchor Staff Most people may remember learning about colonialism, slavery and the civil rights movement in our high school history class. Although many feel as if they know the subject well, it is possible that we were not given the full unbiased history of these topics. In Gaige Hall this past week, the Africana Studies

Photo by Thomas Crudale

department created a timeline of black resistance, which was open for anyone to observe. The presentation detailed incidents from the colonial period, beginning from 1500 up to the present day. The events that are included in the timeline are the Colonial Period (15001776), Slavery (1776-1865), the Civil War (1858-1865), the Civil Rights Movement Continued on page 4

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What’s Inside News

Opinions

A&E

Sports

SCG meeting recap

Rebranding

“Working” review

RIC Women’s Swimming

Anne’s Flashmob

Frozen Classrooms

New women’s bball team member

Democratic debate

Feature: Being Thankful

Ok Goodnight Rockband album review

New UK Prime Minister

Feature: Africana Studies

Frozen 2 Review

RIC Men’s Basketball

Rescue Spotlight Strange days Sex Column

Editorial Board EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Samantha Scetta | editorinchief@anchorweb.org

MANAGING EDITOR Lucille DiNaro | managing@anchorweb.org

BUSINESS MANAGER Janelle Gomez | business@anchorweb.org

ART DIRECTOR Thomas Crudale | artdirector@anchorweb.org

NEWS EDITOR Abigail Nilsson | news@anchorweb.org

ASST. NEWS EDITOR Sean Richer | asst_news@anchorweb.org

A&E EDITOR Sophia Guerrier | lifestyles@anchorweb.org

OPINIONS EDITOR Alison Macbeth | opinions@anchorweb.org

ASST. OPINIONS EDITOR Alexis Rapoza | asst_opinions@anchorweb.org

SPORTS EDITOR Jake Elmslie | sports@anchorweb.org

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Joseph A. Griswold | asst_sports@anchorweb.org

PHOTO EDITOR Mark Medeiros | photo@anchorweb.org

ASST. PHOTO EDITOR NOW HIRING! | asst_photo@anchorweb.org

SENIOR LAYOUT EDITOR Ralston Najarro | layout@anchorweb.org

ASST. LAYOUT EDITOR Jessica Martineau | asst_layout@anchorweb.org

SENIOR COPY EDITOR Alana Perez | copy@anchorweb.org

ASST. COPY EDITOR Brynn Terry | asst_copy@anchorweb.org

ASST. COPY EDITOR Kiana Silva | asst_copy2@anchorweb.org

GRAPHICS EDITOR Caitlyn Tiodor | graphics@anchorweb.org

ADS MANAGER Kai Schutte | ads@anchorweb.org

TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR NOW HIRING! | technology@anchorweb.org

ONLINE MEDIA MANAGER Erica Clark | web@anchorweb.org

CIRCULATION MANAGER Genesis Garcia | circulation@anchorweb.org

ASST. CIRCULATION MANAGER Dan Costa | circulation@anchorweb.org

Anchor Staff

Faculty Advisor Michael Michaud mmichaud@ric.edu

Alison Darmetko Jake DeBlois Kennedy Ryan Grace Kimmell Kyra Garabedian Gregory Williams Sh-ron Almeida Tayler Green

Professional Advisor Jim Hummel The Hummel Report

Editor-in-Chief Samantha Scetta

(401) 456-8790 editorinchief@anchorweb.org

Advertising Kai Schutte

(401) 456-8544 ads@anchorweb.org

The Anchor is student-run and published weekly during the academic year. Editorial decisions for The Anchor are made by a majority vote of its student editorial board. No form of censorship will be imposed by the college. Any material found to be unsuitable or unacceptable in the board’s opinion will not be published. The views expressed in The Anchor, unless otherwise noted, are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of The Anchor or of Rhode Island College’s faculty, administration or student body. The Anchor is not funded by and is independent from Rhode Island College. The first copy is free. Each additional copy is $2.25. Newspaper racks on the Rhode Island College campus are the property of The Anchor Newspaper. Only The Anchor Newspaper publication will be permitted on these racks. Any other publication or advertisement that is placed on the racks will be given one (1) warning for violating this policy. After two (2) violations, the business/publication will be billed at the rate of a full page advertisement. Copyright © 2016 The Anchor. All rights reserved.

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News

SCG, searching and swearing Jeffrey Hamelin Anchor Contributor Student Parliament held their second November meeting this past Wednesday and discussed a various number of topics. The meeting started off with swearing in the new office of Deputy Speaker Thomas Duft. Another topic of discussion came from Student Parliament’s Vice President S. Munk Cain where he has been making an initiative to elaborate on ways to improve advertising on campus. One of Cain’s main points to improve advertising on campus was to give campus organizations the added opportunity to advertise their upcoming events. His ad-

vertising aspirations included adding a small (portable) bulletin board, adding more dry erase boards and implementing more skybridge advertisements around campus. Cain plans for these additions to be installed in the Student Union, Craig Lee, Fogarty, Gaige and the Nursing building area. Cain received a great deal of support from his fellow SCG members during the group’s discussion of improving advertisement around campus. SCG members discussed and approved items that were brought up for a vote without any objections. Those topics included: The 90.7 WXIN Conference Report (Took place from 11/01/19 – 11/03/19), Student Com-

munity Government, INC. Finance Commission meeting (Meeting took place on 11/06/19), Student Community Government, INC. RIC Council Report of 10/19/19, Student Community Government, Inc. Student Organization Committee Meeting and the Student Community Government, Inc. Roundtable report of 10/11/19. The student parliament ended with Alexis Polonsky resigning from the speaker position effective Dec. 4 as she is unable to continue the position due to her graduating at the end of this current semester. The role of speaker is currently open and the application dead- Pictured clockwise from top: President Percy, Speaker Poline is Nov. 27 at 4:00 P.M. lonsky, Deputy Speaker Duft, Vice President Cain Photos by Thomas Crudale

Flash mob for Anne’s 60th birthday Marisa Lenardson Anchor Staff Students were going about their usual business; eating lunch and chatting in Donovan Dining Center until, suddenly, a black cloaked figure emerged wielding a sign that read “Honk for Anne’s 60th!” Anne O’Connell, a Donovan employee, followed the hooded figure into the main eating area which was the cue for the Music, Theater, and Dance students waiting in the crowd to begin their flash mob. A medley of “Fleetwood Mac” songs blasted from the dining center’s speakers as a group of students gathered to the center of the room and started to dance.

A few weeks ago, the Music, Theater, and Dance department at Rhode Island College received a phone call from Anne’s husband, Jimmy O’Connell who asked if a group would be willing to perform a flash mob for her on her 60th birthday. Those who frequent Donovan recognize Anne as more than just the employee serving at the entree bar. Many students associate Anne with her extreme kindness and care for each student that walks through Donovan. Almost all of her co-workers in Donovan knew about the surprise except for her. Mrs. O’Connell’s husband guided her towards the flash mob and her eyes welled with tears as she felt so “shocked

and amazed.” As the dance neared its end, each participant lined up to put gold, beaded necklaces around her neck and sang a harmonized “Happy Birthday” to her. “We love Anne so much in theater,” said Emily Fleet, the secretary of the Musical Theatre Company. She, alongside Maria Cabral (co-president), Andrea Vargas (co-president), and Mackenzie Richard (treasurer), helped to choreograph and organize the flash mob. There were over a dozen students participating in the dance and 30 who came to support, sing, and clap along. According to Fleet, Mrs. O’Connell’s husband spent the previous day standing on the street outside of their

house with the same “Grim Reaper outfit” and sign. “She is one of the nicest people,” said Perry Barkett, another participant in the flash mob. The Executive Board of the

Photo by Abigail Nilsson Musical Theatre Company said the event came out better than they had expected. They also provided Mrs. O’Connell with vouchers to see a show on campus as a gift.

Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928 |

News “Timeline”, continued from cover (1940s-1960s), Black Power (1909-1970’s) and today. The presentation gives a perspective of African and African American history that is often not taught in American and European schools. Each poster board had a

translucent film of paper on top which included the American/European perspective of history and once the film is flipped the black resistance side of history is revealed. The timeline acknowledges the harsh reality of black history that the American education system may not

have taught us growing up. The timeline represents the wrongful accusations, violence, and deaths inflicted upon African Americans. In response to their mistreatment, African Americans resisted and persevered. The presentation highlights famous people and moments

in African American history such as Harriet Tubman’s escape through the underground railroad, Bacon’s Rebellion and again, the Civil Rights Movement. The presentation demonstrates alternative perspectives in history and how voices have gone unheard. Thanks

to the Africana Studies department, greater context has been given towards the perspective of black history.

Photos by Thomas Crudale

| Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

Rhode Island College Police Log November 16, 2019 03:15 p.m. - Assist other agency. Location: New Dorm (6th Ave) 03:45 p.m. - Escort/ transport. Location: Craig-Lee (5th Ave) 05:30 p.m. - Escort/ transport. Location: Craig-Lee (5th Ave) November 17, 2019 02:05 a.m. - Assist other agency, report taken. Location: New Dorm (6th Ave) 02:31 a.m. - Assist other agency, report taken. Location: Sweete Residence Hall (College Rd.) 11:57 a.m. - Parking complaint. Location: K-Lot 01:00 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: Henry Barnard School (College Rd.) 03:02 p.m. - 911 Hang-up call. Location: Thorp Hall 03:54 p.m. - Hazardous condition. Location: College Rd. and Mt. Pleasant 04:10 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: Sweete Residence Hall (College Rd.) November 18, 2019 12:30 a.m. - 911 Hang-up call. Location: New Dorm (6th Ave) 11:15 a.m. - Assist citizen. Location: L-Lot (6th Ave) 12:41 p.m. - Parking complaint. Location: J-Lot (6th Ave) 03:10 p.m. - Parking complaint, citation/ warning issued. Location: D-Lot (College Rd. W.) 05:04 p.m. - Assist other agency. Location: Health Services (6th Ave) 05:38 p.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: Thorp Hall (College Rd.) 06:38 p.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: Browne Residence Hall (6th Ave) 07:40 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: B-Lot (1st Ave) 09:40 p.m. - Escort/ transport. Location: Craig-Lee (5th Ave) 10:29 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: Gaige Hall (Library Rd.) November 19, 2019 04:45 p.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: RIC PD (Mount Pleasant Ave) 06:16 p.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: New Dorm (6th Ave) 07:30 p.m. - Disabled motor vehicle, physical plant notified. Location: Alger Hall (Library Rd.) 07:50 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: RIC PD (Mount Pleasant Ave) 09:15 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: RIC PD (Mount Pleasant Ave) 09:48 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: RIC PD (Mount Pleasant Ave) November 20, 2019 01:56 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: New Dorm (6th Ave) 02:50 p.m. - Motor vehicle accident, property damage only. Location: B-Lot (1st Ave) 06:10 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: RIC PD (Mount Pleasant Ave) 08:44 p.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: Sweete Residence Hall (College Rd.) 09:08 p.m. - Disabled motor vehicle. Location: K-Lot (Student Union Loop) November 21, 2019 12:13 a.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: Foreman Administration 09:51 a.m. - Suspicious activity. Location: Salisbury Rd. 11:20 a.m. - 911 Hang-up call. Location: Library (Library Rd.) 11:45 a.m. - Disturbance. Location: Roberts Hall (College Rd. W.) 12:54 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: Craig-Lee (5th Ave) 02:05 p.m. - Motor vehicle accident, property damage only. Location: B-Lot (1st Ave) 02:16 p.m. - Assist other agency. Location: Craig-Lee (5th Ave) 03:35 p.m. - Suspicious activity. Location: Horace Mann (Student Union Loop) 05:08 p.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: A-Lot (College Rd. E.) 06:04 p.m. - Found/ lost property. Location: Horace Mann (Student Union Loop) 07:01 p.m. - Vandalism. Location: E3 (Cole Rd. N.) 07:18 p.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: Sweete Hall (College Rd.) 08:53 p.m. - Motor vehicle accident. Location: I-Lot (6th Ave) November 22, 2019 07:59 a.m. - Maintenance problems. Location: Craig-Lee (5th Ave)

Rhode Island Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928 | 5

News

Democratic discussions

Abigail Nilsson

News Editor

The race for the next democratic candidate continued Wednesday as 10 potential leaders took the stage in Atlanta for the MSNBC Washington Post debate. The main topics of discussion included health care, impeachment, discussions on marijuana and why each candidate feels that they are best suited to be the next president. The candidates on stage were former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Cory Booker, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Sen. Bernie Sanders, billionaire Tom Steyer, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and entrepreneur Andrew Yang. Sen. Elizabeth Warren was under attack most of the time in the last debate, but not on Wednesday. Her Medicare for all plan that was previously under attack was revised and not criticized much. Biden wants to implement a government run

and universal coverage option for health care. Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Kamala Harris both have a similar plan to Biden, but they want to offer a hybrid option for individuals to continue their own private insurance or choose a government funded plan.Senator Bernie Sanders health care plan is abolish private insurance companies, raise taxes for the middle class and cover more than Medicare does now. Impeachment was one topic all the candidates could agree on as the hearing con-

tinues on. “We cannot simply be consumed by Donald Trump,” said Sanders “What the American people need to understand is that Congress can walk and chew bubble gum at the same time.” Biden was asked about his stance on decriminalization of marijuana and he said, “Anyone that has a record should be let out of jail and have those records expunged, I do think it makes sense, based on data, that we should study what the longterm effects are for the use of marijuana.” Booker, who

disagrees with Biden on the same topic said “Marijuana in our country is already legal for privileged people...and it’s why the war on drugs has been a war on black and brown people.” Each candidate was given the opportunity to talk about why they are best suited to be the next president. Gabbard feels that here and Mayor Pete were most qualified because they both served in the armed forces. Klobuchar said, in regards to a female president that Buttigieg was qualified

Graphic courtesy of NewsTalk 98.7 but that “women are held to a higher standard; otherwise, we could play a game called Name Your Favorite Woman President.” The then followed with, “If you think a woman can’t beat Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi does it every single day.” The next debate will be held Dec. 19 in Los Angeles and is being co-hosted by PBS and Politico. So far, Biden, Buttigieg, Harris, Klobuchar, Sanders and Warren will be attending the next debate.

U.K. to choose new prime minister

Sean Richer Asst. News Editor After drafting a Brexit deal that has the support of the Conservative party, The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, has called for a General Election. Voters will be heading to the polls on Dec. 12 with all of the seats in Parliament up for grabs. Johnson is currently the head of a minority government in Britain, meaning that he cannot pass Brexit without the support of other parties. By calling this election, he hopes to gain more seats, giv-

ing the Conservatives an outright majority. In response, Johnson’s opponents have been active in challenging the incumbent Prime Minister. The largest competitor opposing the Conservatives

is the Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn. Corbyn describes himself as a Democratic Socialist, much like the United States’ Bernie Sanders. He has pledged to re-negotiate Brexit and hold

another referendum, giving the public time to reconsider their choice to leave the E.U. Labour has also called for greater subsidies for their national healthcare system and to vigorously

combat climate change. The other challengers include Jo Swinson of the Liberal Democrats, who has pledged to simply reverse Brexit, and Nicola Sturgeon of the Scottish National Party, who seek Scottish independence. Current Polls show Boris Johnson in the lead, however uncertainty remains rampant. “Pollsters have misjudged British voters before, most catastrophically with the 2016 Brexit referendum.” said Greg Ritchie, a political reporter for “The Guardian.” With the January deadline of Brexit looming, and the Dec. election even closer, voters will have little time to decide the future of the United Kingdom.

Graphic courtesy of The Telegraph

| Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

Opinions

Students are the rebrand

Alison Macbeth Opinions Editor Alison is a double major in Communications & Public Relations and Political Science from Rehoboth, MA (Class of 2021). “The college needed a great tagline and marketing plan, but we had no designated funds, so I turned to the college’s talented campus community and friends of the college. They did not disappoint me.” These are the words of Rhode Island College’s

(RIC) last president, Nancy Carriuolo, in 2009, the last time RIC updated their marketing plan. A lot has changed since then, but two things haven’t - RIC remains a talented community, and we still need a better marketing plan. Last week we reviewed the rebranding project for RIC now currently being worked on by a local advertising agency, (add)ventures. The budget is $389,500. We think students could do better - and some of them already have. Dr. Michael Michaud, Professor of English, had his students in English 231: Digital and Multimodal Writing come up with some designs. When the survey came out a few weeks ago, Dr. Michaud remembered how the cam-

pus community was involved in the last rebranding effort. The 2009 branding committee, set up by President Carriuolo, established an email address for campus members to submit their ideas. Dr. Michaud imitated the process by assigning his students with the project of designing a new logo and tagline. These students are not graphic design artists, but rather from a range of majors fulfilling a writing requirement. However, their ideas are comparable to the concepts presented by the advertising agency (add) ventures. While these designs are not the best concepts, they demonstrate that RIC students are clever and capable when it comes to creating a new logo.

Too cold for comfort Kyra Garabedian Anchor Staff Kyra is an Art Education major from Coventry, RI. (Class of 2021) Temperatures outside have started to drop as we move closer and closer to winter. You might already have your puffy winter coat out for the season to keep you warm during those long walks to and from class. Soon enough, we will be trudging through snow in addition to the freezing temperatures on our way to class. While braving the cold, you probably want nothing more than to reach the warm, heated interior of a building and shed your thick winter coat. However, it seems as though many students are finding buildings to be too cold for comfort lately. Looks like

our winter coats are not just being used outside anymore. On a cold, rainy afternoon last week, I walked into my 4 p.m. class in Craig Lee Hall only to shiver as I sat down at my desk. Instead of taking my coat off and placing it on my chair, I zipped it up more. One of my peers behind me commented on the coldness of the room saying she brings a heavy coat just to attend this class because the room is always cold. Throughout that class, it was extremely difficult to focus while being so cold. I was so uncomfortable, even with my North Face jacket, making it a challenge to think about anything but how cold I was. I tend to be sensitive to the cold, but I knew I wasn’t alone when I looked around the class and noticed everyone else wearing their jackets and keeping their hands in their pockets. Now that I am reflecting on the temperature in the room, it seems as though the room was always too cold for comfort. Another fellow

peer of mine, Alexis, recalls: “I used to bring a sweatshirt when it was eighty degrees outside just because this room is always so cold, this whole building is freezing.” Craig Lee is a beautifully renovated building that is very welcoming to students. However, the cold temperature may affect the number of students who enjoy taking advantage of the new spaces in the building. It doesn’t seem like Craig Lee is the only building with cold temperatures either. I spoke with another student who reported they didn’t take their coat off in any of their classes because it’s too cold. Interestingly enough, I spoke with another peer I attend other classes with who is a resident on Campus. Tammy, who lives in Willard Hall, reports inconsistent temperatures throughout the semester. She explained to me that recently, “It has been 1000 degrees in the dorms. They don’t even let us open the windows because there aren’t any screens.”

Likewise, the taglines are far better than any of the concepts produced by (add) ventures. “Anchor your drive.” “Spark your imagination.” “Anchoring for a Better Future.” Not only are these better taglines than the concepts proposed by (add)ventures, but they reflect RIC and why students have chosen this institution for their education. Again, it may be too late to fire the ad agency and have a student-run campaign. (Imagine a submission contest where the winning student could receive a financial scholarship or even better - a reserved parking spot?) However, it is worth repeating - students must be at the forefront of the rebranding initiative.

The fact that the administration chose an outside agency rather than partnering with students begs the question: shouldn’t cultivating student leadership and creativity be the primary goal of the administration? Students should be part of the standing committee driving the rebranding efforts. The administration has changed a lot since 2009, and this time they chose an outside agency to rebrand RIC. Hopefully they will not miss this opportunity to partner with the future leaders and designers of Rhode Island here at RIC in order to ensure a brand that truly reflects students and displays all this college has to offer. Graphics courtesy of English 231: Digital and Multimodal Writing class

Photo by Thomas Crudale Her suitemates complained several times about the unbearable conditions and are finally noticing more comfortable temperatures. I know that it’s expensive to keep large buildings heated, but it’s clear there was no hesitation to blast the heat in Willard hall for several days. Rhode Island College fixed the temperature problem within the dorms and hopefully can give attention to the freezing temperatures

within classrooms as well. It’s important for students to feel comfortable while attending classes. RIC cares about the success of their students, and I’m afraid the cold temperatures in classrooms might negatively affect the ability of students to learn, just like the hot temperatures affected students in dorms. Now that I know I’m not alone feeling cold in class, I hope RIC pays attention to the temperature of their classrooms.

Rhode Island Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

#Pieszn

Grace Kimmel Anchor Staff Grace is an English Education major from Rehoboth, MA. (Class of 2022) “You look...good” I mumble across the dinner table. “Got that whole ‘golden tan’ thing going on.” Naturally, I’m trying not to make direct eye-contact because that’s how they know you’re hungry for what they have. That’s how they know. “Me? Why thank you, dearest Grace. I wish I could say the same.” Every year I prefer you to be a little sweeter, softer. “I guess I do look a little pasty” I jokingly confess. “The sun is a natural enemy when you’re this blindingly white.” I force a hearty chortle so people will understand I’m joking. So he can see I’m not the weak-willed girl from before. His expression doesn’t change. Stoic as ever, I see.

Features “Maybe next year you’ll…” I plunge the hungry prongs of my fork into his thick center before his mocking thought can finish. Pie: it can make brutes out of any of us. That’s right, it was an imaginary conversation with a very real pie piled high with a fluffy tuft of whipped cream. It’s #PieSZN, and I’m not even going to try to hide my crust lust. Ultimately, gratitude isn’t just a solitary act or utterance. It’s a mindset, a mantra; one requiring daily practice. So thank that great professor, or have a Friendsgiving with your roommates, or tell the people who hosted an on-campus event how much you enjoyed it. I’d personally like to say thanks to everyone who encouraged me to write for the Anchor. I never thought I could do something like this. Of course, this leads me to you, the audience. Thank you for listening to me, for debating me, and for humoring me. Journalism is, at its purest, a dialog with truth and with ourselves. So if you see me around, feel free to continue that dialog in person. Just don’t come between me and my pie.

Along with being #PieSZN, it’s also a season of gratitude, so I asked 35 freshmen at RIC what they’re most thankful for on campus. Here are their answers:

Students also had a wish list for things they would be thankful to see happen:

•

• • • • • • •

Honors 150/RIC 100 courses that teach them what they need to know and help them create a strong social circle to start school with Computer labs on campus. Especially those open very late and very early Great RA’s in the living facilities Thoughtful, caring professors who are passionate about what they do Work study to help pay for school The theater department for being warm in every sense On-campus events that create community The many great restaurants and activities in Providence

•

• •

•

Fewer requirements for major programs like theater and music Better food at the Donovan Dining Center (some freshmen actually reported losing weight so far this year) Earlier start times for campus events Professors who would answer their emails quicker to be in better touch with students. We crave your attention and approval! Better coffee on campus

The views expressed in The Anchor, unless otherwise noted, are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent those of The Anchor or of Rhode Island College’s faculty, administration or student body.

Features

Africana studies: RIC’s best kept secret Alana Perez Copy Editor Alana is an English and Africana Studies double major from Providence, RI. (Class of 2019) By some, Rhode Island College (RIC) is known as "Rhode Island's best kept secret," but the real secret is the Africana Studies department. The small department, which I’ve been a part of since my sophomore year, has historically experienced course cuts from the administration more than most other departments. Somehow though, it still manages to produce rich, intimate and transformative space and relationships for students. Being an Africana Studies major has taught me to listen better, how to imagine and write more radically, as well as take my education seriously. New spring 2020 courses are brewing... You may have seen flyers around campus with these courses listed. They were collaboratively spread around by students and faculty. The first course you want to be interested in is AFRI 200: Introduc-

tion to Africana Studies; if you’re unsure what Africana Studies even is, then this is where you need to be. Really, the class should be required of all students. Africana Studies is essentially the study of black thought, culture and history. This survey class is a great way to experience and research different facets of the field. Sign up! AFRI 262: Connections: Remembering and Forgetting Slavery. This course will push your theoretical, critical and writing skills (and certainly your memory skills). My favorite part about taking this class was that it included multimedia. This class can compliment all and any majors but especially any social science, social work, history, communications, or criminal justice majors… or business, or art, or social work majors. Really any. There are two “special topics” courses being taught during t h e spring semester. The best part is that you don’t need any prerequisites to take these courses, despite them being 300-level. One of them is AFRI 350-01: Hip-Hop: Beats, Rhymes and Culture. Whether you’re a music student at RIC, play music independently, in a band, or simply love listening to it, this is the place to be next semester. And finally, my favorite of

These new classes are about to revitalize Africana Studies and the RIC campus at large.

the two: AFRI 350-02: Afrofuturism and Black Science Fiction. The only thing that makes me sad about graduating early is this class. As an interdisciplinary student who also majors in creative writing, this class sounds like a dream. Just imagine reading cool things only, all semester. Honestly, you might catch me hiding in the back of the classroom. Hiding will only be easy if the class fills up though, so enroll for you (and for me). As you can tell, the department puts serious thought into being an interdisciplinary hub in the hopes that students can pair it with any

major. I know the automatic excuse for many will be “I don’t have enough room/ time” to take on another discipline. I hear that. But, another immense perk of this department is our director, Dr. Sadhana Bery. She works closely with each entering student and will make sure that you take the most relevant courses that align with your academic focus. Hopefully, this will leave you with questions and maybe an inkling of intrigue. Please feel free to visit Dr. Bery’s office if you are interested in enrolling or send an email to sbery@ric.edu. Also feel free to ask me any

questions if you want to hear more about my experience an Africana Studies student. My email can be found on the inside cover of our newspaper. These new classes are about to revitalize Africana Studies and the RIC campus at large. As we can already see, current classes can bring students together to showcase displays that remind us of important intimate histories. Come be in community with our close-knit department, whether you take on the discipline or just take a class. Come get informed and fortified with the Africana Studies department.

AFRICANA STUDIES SPRING 2020 COURSES AFRI 200: INTRODUCTION TO AFRICANA STUDIES AFRI 262: CRITICAL ISSUES IN AFRICANA STUDIES AFRI 350-01: HIP HOP: BEATS, RHYMES AND CULTURE AFRI 350-02: AFROFUTURISM AND BLACK SCIENCE FICTION CONTACT DR. S. BERY SBERY@RIC.EDU

Arts & Entertainment Pop Culture Report

“Working: A Musical” review

“Frozen 2” releases in theatres Todd Phillips will allegedly direct a “Joker” sequel Barney’s New York goes bankrupt “Pokemon Sword” and “Pokemon Shield” sell over 6 million units in opening weekend

Alison Macbeth Opinions Editor Don’t you ever wish you could break out into song to brighten up the most mundane, tedious tasks of your job? If so, “Working: A Musical” put on by the Rhode Island College Theatre Department would be your dream come true. This show was full of passion in the ordinary annoyances of the workforce, raw reflection, and emotional depth that left the show sold out Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday. From the gritty, country-styled solo that conveys the struggles of a truck driver to the lonely, pleaful spot-

light of a woman who faces the personal scorn of being “just a housewife”, the RIC theatre company masterfully told the story of countless Americans who experience the hardships of just making it by. One of the most memorable solos, “Delivery” is about a young guy who has his first job as a delivery boy. The soloist, Matthew Thureson, jumped on a stationary bike and bravely belted his solo that ends with a glorious “keep the change” chorus. The audience can experience along with the delivery boy the glorious magic of that generous moment. Unlike most musicals that follow a particular storyline with main and secondary characters, “Working: A Musical” is a unique mosaic of monologues that tell one story - the story of the working class in America. The

show was written by Stephen Schwartz (known for Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell) and Nina Faso in 1978 but has undergone many revisions since its first run. In 2009, James Taylor and Lin Manual Miranda added songs, and the musical was an Off-Broadway production in 2012. The RIC theatre company owned every piece of the musical from the dancing, singing, and storytelling. Tinged with bittersweet reality, the scattered and thematic narrative was told seamlessly by the cast. This was a particularly pertinent story for the RIC community as a college comprised of students who work several jobs. Georgrinna Farley, a sophomore theatre major and cast member, stated that she loved that the show was based off of real people because it allowed the cast to connect with

the audience. “Every night there were people coming up to us and telling us how we touched their hearts... that they connected with the story we told. As an actor, that’s the ultimate goal; to have the audience connect with you. I think that’s what made this musical so different from others. We couldn’t cover it with a bunch of big things… We were our character and we were vulnerable in telling our story. There was nothing between us and the audience was interviewing us. Our monologues and songs were our responses.” This musical was a breath of fresh air against a backdrop of musicals dusty with pomp and unicorns. It did more than just worked - it was a smashing hit. Graphics courtesy @rictheatre

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Ok Goodnight’s “Limbo” Review

Sh-Ron Almeida Anchor Staff Releasing their two singles “Rapture” and “Think Again” earlier this year, this Massachusetts Progressive Metal Band has reached critical acclaim. With their official album “Limbo” released this past Halloween, Ok Goodnight made a spot at #15 on the iTunes Metal charts, in just two days. Needless to say, this college band has proven its potential to the world and is not afraid to reach higher. The vocal ranges from lead singer, Casey Wil-

liam, is amazingly flexible. The ensemble harmony of drummer, Augosto Bussio, guitarist, Martin Gonzalez, bassist, Ron Bernhaut and pianist, Martin De Lima , is a great blend in between songs. Memorable tracks like “Free Fall”, “Meridian”, “Standstill” and “Night and Day” really shine through as Ok Goodnight display their powerful metal prowess. The beats are heavy when needed, never overwhelming the listener thanks to the great quality in sound. Sometimes, when instrumentalists play their track and the vocals cut out, the tone of the band changes. That could imply that there was a difference of creation, a disconnect among members, or comprise with musical choices to fit every member into the

mixture of sound. However, that’s not the case for Ok Goodnight, as they manage to synchronize perfectly fine, with or without the vocalist. Ok Goodnight’s “Limbo” is

available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and Youtube. Check them out for yourself! Graphic courtesy of Bandcamp

| Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

Arts & Entertainment

Frozen 2 introduces a new generation of Disney

Alexis Rapoza Asst. Opinions Editor It has been six years since the release of Disney’s mega-hit “Frozen”. The tale of two sisters became a box-office smash, breaking “Toy Story 3”’s record as the highest-grossing animated film of all time. So, it only makes sense that Disney doesn’t let go of these characters just yet. “Frozen 2” was released in theaters across the country on Nov. 22 and is already on track to set a record for the highest-grossing global opening for an animated film, unseating the “Toy Story” franchise once again. With a successful Broadway musical, rides at Disney theme parks and merchandise being sold in stores around the world, it’s not hard to see why “Frozen 2” is already so successful. However, numbers aside,

the unprecedented success of the first Frozen movie was widely due to the catchiness of its break out track “Let It Go,” a song that tormented parents, teenagers and children of all ages. So, movie-goers and Disney enthusiasts alike can only expect that the music is just as infectious this time around. And it is - but it also isn’t. Oscar-winning songwriting duo Kristen and Robert Lopez made their start on Broadway, something that is very apparent in “Frozen 2” tracks “The Next Right Thing” and “Show Yourself.” Straying from the traditional Disney protagonist power-ballad format and diving back into their theater roots, the songs in “Frozen 2” feel more like narrative progressing pieces and less like underdog anthems. In theater, the song before what typically is an intermission is called an “eleven o’clock” number. The protagonist belts out a song and provides a pivotal turning point for the character. In “Frozen” this would be “Let It Go,” and in its sequel, it

would be “Show Yourself.” However, Disney is billing Elsa’s, who’s played by Tony-winning actress Idina Menzel, first song “Into the Unknown,” as the new “Let It Go,” and that’s where the comparison falls flat. It is revealed early in the film that Elsa is hearing voices. She later discovers that those voices are connected to why she has powers and sets out to find the source of the voice. “Into the Unknown” arrives less than 30 minutes into the film and reveals too much too soon. Elsa quickly dives head-first into conflict without allowing the plot to build. Although viewers are familiar with these characters, there’s not a lot initially revealed about what Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf have been up to since the last movie ended. This leaves the audience feeling a little disconnected to these beloved characters. However, as conflict builds, the characters fall more into place and into the roles that viewers know and love. Olaf is even more hilarious than last time, thanks to his newly

discovered brains. Kristoff is deeply infatuated with Anna, who is quirky and brave as ever but she plays a smaller role in this film than the last. This time around, Elsa is the protagonist and because of this, the film is significantly darker than last time. “Frozen” creators have allowed this franchise to grow with its audience. Long gone are the typical Disney tropes of handsome princes and princesses in distress. Elsa is her own hero in this film.

Graphics courtesy Disney Movies So, while “Frozen 2” might not match up to its predecessor’s success or feel quite as polished, it does not have to. Instead of feeling like a carbon copy of the first movie or of it’s Disney peers, “Frozen 2” feels fresh. It feels like an introduction to a new generation of Disney in which the princess saves herself, a sentiment women and girls across the world are almost guaranteed to connect with.

Shelter pet spotlight of the week

Brynn Terry Asst. Copy Editor Cordelia and Buffy are two juvenile calico cats prepared to steal your heart and

your spot on the couch. The two sisters are from the same litter, and look almost exactly alike! They were brought to the Community Cat Center in Johnston, RI as part of a group of strays. CCC captures strays and ferals, spaying and neutering them, before releasing them back to their colonies without the ability to reproduce if barns aren’t available for the cats to

move to. CCC sends the cats Pictured left: Cordelia (calico). Pictured below: Buffy (calithat are adoptable to shelters co). Photos by Brynn Terry or straight to new homes, taking care of sick cats and newborn kittens, too. The center is run solely by volunteers. Cordelia is feisty and loves to play with everything she can. Buffy likes to spend her time vegging out on scratching towers or hiding in the corner, peeking out when you least expect it! Just like the other kitties at CCC, the girls are spayed and have their shots, and will be microchipped as part of the adoption fees. The two need to be adopted together because of their strong bond, and would be best in a home with older children or adults because of their timidness. The Community Cat Center is located at 39 Putnam Pike, Johnston RI, 02909 and can be contacted by email at communitycatcarecenter@gmail.com.

Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928 |

Arts & Entertainment

Strange Days: Lycanthropy Gregory A. Williams Anchor Staff “A werewolf is a ferocious beast which, when possessed by his madness, devours men, causes great damage and dwells in vast forests,” wrote Marie De France in her lai Bisclavret. The term werewolf is Germanic in origin with the original forms of the word influencing the Old English wer for “man” and wulf for “wolf”. Its counterpart, lycanthrope, is a combination of the Greek words lykos meaning “wolf” and anthropos meaning “man”. Clinical lycanthropy is a psychiatric disorder in which the afflicted believes that he or she is a wolf. Like most legends, the exact origin remains unclear. The earliest accounts of werewolves can be dated back to early tribal societies (cave-art occasionally depicts Therianthropy). Stories of the werewolf transformation can be found in Ancient Greek and Roman literature and mythology as well as in the

Icelandic Saga of Volsungs. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, with the earliest Sumerian poems being written during the first half of the second millennium BCE, Gilgamesh rejects the advances of the goddess Ishtar. Gilgamesh goes on to explain the fate of Ishtar’s previous lovers, one of them being a goat herder who she turned into a wolf. In werewolf lore, there are numerous ways to becom-

ing one, the most common being either putting on a cloak or belt made of wolf skin, rubbing one’s body with a magical salve, or simply by being cursed (usual-

ly by a witch or sorcerer). Other ways include but are not limited to: being born of two werewolf parents, drinking water from the said animal footprint, being bitten or scratched, or by making a pact with the devil. The most common defense against lycanthropy is wolfsbane (think vampires and garlic). In the Metamorphoses, Ovid tells of how the plant derived from weeds watered

by the drool of Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guards the gates of Hades. Other repellents are silver amulets and jewelry. Often bullets and stakes are made out of

the metal to fight off and kill the creature. Religious artifacts such as holy water and crucifixes work as well. Cures for lycanthropy are similar to its defenses. The afflicted should either wear silver or a silver vile/ amulet containing wolfsbane. An exorcism could also be conducted to rid the person of the curse. Medical incisions or surgery have been suggested but unsurprisingly it has never been reported to end well for the patient. There are many stories of those who have allegedly carried the curse, like that of Peter Stubbe, a sixteenth century German farmer known as the Werewolf of Bedburg. The majority of these cases usually involve individuals who are suffering from either

a psychological disorder or a medical condition. Other times, the person accused of werewolfery are just sick and violent criminals. Hospitals and first responders are familiar with the effects of the full moon on humans and the “wolf” that it can bring out. Speaking of full moons, the next one occurs on Dec. 12. Out of an abundance of caution, I suggest wearing a bit silver and steering clear of the woods that night. If you would like to share your own paranormal story with the Anchor and have it re-published here with permission, write to Gregoryandrewwilliams@gmail.com

How to live at home and keep a sex life Brynn T. Asst. Copy Editor So, the hottie in your political science class has officially asked you out as the end of the semester approaches. Halfway through dinner, you realize he is absolutely boring and you could never get into a relationship with someone who loves math that much. But, he's made it to your bucket list, and you really just want to finish...this semester off. You`ve bought the condoms, remembered to take your birth control, and the check is being signed. The only problem? You both live with your parents. Here are some options for getting it on when your parents want you to be getting home by ten: 1. Plan around your family This one might seem to be the most obvious option. As a commuter myself, my first worry is always the risk of someone getting

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home while I'm in the middle of going down on someone. Since my mom walked in on me making out with my eleventh grade boyfriend, I`ve decided I need to keep my parents under the impression that I have not gone past first base. Just like you don't want to think about your parents doing it, they don't want to think about you doing it. Try to figure out when your family won't be home. If you have your family on an app like Find My Friends, it's always a good idea to see where they are to make sure they won't be catching you with your pants around your ankles. 2. Car Sex Revving your engines in the backseat of a 2006 Nissan isn`t always the most comfortable option, but it's still an option. Car sex can be super tricky, but there`s a few methods to it. First of all, make sure your car is clean if you`re the one who drove. Get rid of all your empty coffee cups and

changes of clothes and textbooks galore before going to your appointment. There is no better mood killer than “hold on, I need to clean before we do this. Can you hold my psych book”? So unless you really don't want to hook up, which is always okay, then make sure things are tidied up beforehand. Leave a pillow in the car, too if you`re working from the back seat so whoever`s bottoming won't end up with a concussion. This is still important if you drive a van or other type of vehicle with seats that go back. Comfort

should always be a priority when having sex, regardless of location. Another option is the front passenger's seat. Although movies and TV show car sex in the driver`s seat a lot of the time, there`s just not that much space with your steeling wheel there. Push the seat back as far as you can with as much legroom as possible, tilt it back to a comfortable position, and do what you gotta do. And please, make sure you`re not in a very obvious area that you`ll get caught at. I can't afford to bail you out of jail for public nudity.

3. Keep your friends close, and your friends who live on campus closer Sometimes, you just pull the luck of the draw and meet someone who lives on campus and would be willing to rent their dorm out to you for a half hour in exchange for food. Not many people would do this, so always make sure to respect your friend`s space. No matter how freaky you get, this isn't your place. If they tell you to freak on the floor and not the bed, freak on the floor and not the bed. Just make sure they let their roommates know if they don't live in a single. Hopefully some of these tips help some of my fellow commuters living in the room that's looked the same since they were 11. Remember, always practice safe sex, don't be afraid to say no, always accept no, use a safe word when needed, and enjoy yourself.

Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928

Sports

Anchorwomen make waves

Tayler Green Anchor Staff The Rhode Island College Women’s Swim Team suffered their second loss Friday, in their meet against the Western New England University Golden Bears with a final score of 121-64. However, the Anchorwomen refused to go down without a fight. In the first event, a 200 Yard Medley relay, the Anchorwomen slowly lost their lead, but in the final length, Freshman Reegan Camire pulled forward and took first, start-

ing the girls off with 11 points. The victories did not stop there, with Freshman Hillevi Esquilin taking three first place spots of her own, she scored 18 points. Freshman Abby Dion took second place in two of her events, and third in her last, adding 11 points. Freshman Jasmine Cooper held her own in each of her events, placing fourth and scoring four points of her own for the team. It just so happened to be, that in this meet, Camire was the standout swimmer, swimming the freestyle lap of their 200 Yard Medley relay and then immediately jumping into the 1000 yard freestyle, in which she took second. Before the first break, Camire had racked up 1250 yards of

swimming, and scored the team five points, on top of the 11 points from the relay. She added two more to her total in the second half of the meet.

Despite their small team, the Anchorwomen were able to hold their own in this meet. The team swims again Saturday, Decem-

ber 7 against the Plymouth State University Panthers at 1:00 pm in their home pool at Bryant University. Photo by Tayler Green

Women’s basketball welcomes newest player Baeli Carroll Anchor Contributor On Monday, November 18, the Rhode Island College women’s basketball team welcomed five-year-old Paige Alston to the team, as part of a special “Draft Day” in cooperation with Team Impact. Team Impact, is an organization that connects children with chronic illness-

es to college and university sports teams. According to head coach Jenna Cosgrove, “the event on Monday was special for everyone involved.’’ Paige suffers from a chronic lung disease, and at five years old, has already had more than 20 surgeries. However, according to her new teammates you could never tell the little girl

has been through so much. “She is so cute, she has a smile that’s infectious” Anchorwoman Jeniyah Jones exclaimed, with freshman guard Maci Dorantes adding “if she can smile through the adversity she’s facing, it makes me feel like I can get through anything.” Coach Cosgrove has said that Paige loves being around the team and was especially

delighted seeing her “cubby” in the locker room. After the signing event, the team joined her for a celebratory dinner in Donovan Dining Center. The girls on the team hope to make a special impact on Paige’s life, as they already feel she has done to them. In a few weeks the team will be visiting Paige at

Hasbro Children’s Hospital as she undergoes her 26th surgery. They are excited to participate in Hasbro’s famous “goodnight lights” with Paige and her family. Pictured left: RIC Women’s Basketball team with Paige Pictured below: Graphics courtesy of ric.edu

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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SPORTS

Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928 |

Sports Men’s Basketball sees through the Elm trees Jake Elmslie Sports Editor The Rhode Island College men’s basketball team continued their undefeated start to the season Thursday evening in a 101-77 victory over the Elms College Blazers. The Anchormen got off to a slow start, falling behind

15-8 in the games early goings. However once the Anchormen and their newly remade roster, featuring only three players from last years squad began to play more cohesively the team was able to begin to pull ahead. This early game comeback was due in large part to the efforts of returning sophomore Deyshawn Tengbeh who upon coming off the bench almost immediately began affecting the game on both ends of the court for the Anchormen, “At first it was tough,

I wasn’t used to it (coming off the bench) but now I’m getting the hang of it and I like it, coming off the bench and giving the team a jolt of energy” explained Tengbeh post game. Tengbeh’s adjustment to his new role was clear in this game with him far exceeding his previous season average of seven points per game, tallying 25 points to go alongside 8 rebounds and 4 steals all while shooting an efficient 10-13. The Anchormen essentially had complete control of the

game from the time Tengbeh entered until the final buzzer, leading 43-36 at the half. Outside of Tengbeh the vast majority of RIC’s scoring came from three players. Freshman guard Shion Darby lead the team with 27 points off of 1127 shooting, junior transfer Keyshaun Jacobs tallied 24 points while senior Benjamin Vezele continued his dominant brand of post play from last season recording a double-double scoring 15 points and bringing in 14 rebounds while also logging 5 blocks.

With the victory the Anchormen improve to 4-0 on the season. Their next home contest with come on Sunday Dec. 1st in an out of conference matchup against Regis College, tip off for that game is scheduled for 1pm. #1- Jaiden Kimbro #3- Shion Darby #22- Jonatan Batista #24- Deyshaw Tengbeh Photos by Mark Medeiros & Thomas Crudale

Rhode Island College’s Independent Student Newspaper Since 1928