The Campus Magazine, "Climate Change and Natural Disasters", October 2019 by The Campus Magazine at CCNY

Over a Century of Service to CCNY & the Harlem Community

LOOKING FORWARD WITH PRESIDENT BOUDREAU

CLIMATE CHANGE &

OCTOBER 2019

10/19 In This Issue

MAGAZINE STAFF

Climate Change and Natural Disasters Around the World

Editor-in-Chief: Aspasia Celia Tsampas Managing Editor: Ania Wojas

8-9

News Editor: Eric Bilach Feature Editor: Jana Makki Opinion Editor: Matthew Romano

NEWS

Lifestyle Editor: Sarah Logan Sports Editor: Anu Shetty Tanja Miketic

LIFESTYLE

Copy Editors: Joey Russo and Kia Thomas Staff Writers: Clark Adomaitis, Jacquelin

Bautista, Jada Gordon, Nate Izzo, Brahmjot Kaur

Art Director: Naidya Rupan and Devon Smillie Cover Photo By: Hector Santiago

Business Manager: Raquel Palumbo Distribution Coordinator: Clark Adomaitis Faculty Advisor: Barbara Nevins Taylor

LOOKING FORWARD WITH BOUDREAU [4- 5]

SIX STEPS TO SURVIVING THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK [3] HEALTHY ALTERNATIVE TO YOUR FAVORITE HEALTHY BREAKFAST FOODS [7]

OPINION

DIVERSIFING SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOLS IN NYC [10]

FEATURES

QUEER REPRESENTATION IN HORROR FILM [6] COMING OUT IN THE LATINX COMMUNITY [12- 13] CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL DISASTERS AROUND THE WORLD [8- 9]

SPORTS

WHERE DID ALL THE STUDENT ATHLETES GO? [14]

THE TRUTH ABOUT THERAPY [11]

Editor’s Note Welcome to an especially spooky edition of The Campus! Hey Freshman, how are you holding up? Feeling confused? Fear not, because Kia Thomas has created a comprehensible survival guide to City College.

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The Campus @CCNYCampus @CCNYCampus 2

With the semester well on its way, I had the opportunity to sit down with President Boudreau to discuss his plans for the upcoming school year and what he thinks the CCNY community needs to be doing to make the most of their time here. Nate Izzo and Jaquelin Bautista both chose to commemorate this month’s National Coming Out Day by shining a light on certain aspects of the LGBTQ+ community. Izzo takes a look back at queer representation in horror film and the subgenre that has developed. While Bautista takes on the complicated experience of coming out in the Latinx community, also in accordance with Latinx Heritage Month. In other stories this issue, we get candid. We know New Yorkers love their Bodega Egg Sandwiches (Trust me, we do too), nonetheless Clark Adomaitis offers us a healthier alternative to the classic Bacon, Egg, and Cheese. Jada Gordon shares her thoughts on the New York City specialized high school debate, and Brahmjot Kaur shares her tips on The Truth About Therapy, the not-so-glamorous but necessary side to navigating both your health care provider and your mental health. In other horrifying news, Sarah Logan is tackling climate change in her article Climate Change and Natural Disasters Around the World (The Past, Present and Future) and Eric Bilach closes up the issue with his recount on Horror Literature Through the Ages. Wishing you a (just a right amount of) spooky October,

Six Steps

to Surviving the City College of New York

Welcome to City College! BY kia thomas

f you’re a new student, you’re likely to be a little overwhelmed. It takes time to adapt to an unfamiliar environment. Here are a few ways you can get to know the school.

Step Four: Explore the CUNYPortal.

The beautiful, sprawling, historic campus of City College can be notoriously hard to navigate. Many of the buildings look the same, especially in the Beaver Quad. You can download a campus map from the City College website or take a picture of the large map located in the first-floor vestibule of the North Academic Center (NAC).

The CUNY Portal contains CUNYfirst, CUNYsmart, the Virtual Bookstore, Blackboard, DegreeWorks, and FACTS. These tools will be essential to you as a student of the City University of New York. Take the time to explore the painfully confusing website CUNYfirst, it is where you register for classes, check your financial aid, enroll in direct deposit, find your grades, apply for graduation, and so much more. Many professors utilize Blackboard, another digital labyrinth. Sit down and get familiar with these platforms.

Step Two: Stay alert while navigating the

Step Four and a half: Remember, your

Step One: Find yourself a map.

NAC. The NAC is ridiculous. Because it was designed to prevent students from protesting (a direct result of the 1969 Five Demands Takeover), it is extremely difficult to get around. You can only be vigilant by memorizing which side of the building you need to enter to get to your class the quickest. Make note of the signs, offices, cafes or security posts you pass.

Step Three: Google is your friend.

Intradepartmental communications are minimal and conflicting. You may get bounced around from office to office without reaching a resolution to your problems. If you need to find an office or department, just Google it. Let’s say you’re looking for the Humanities department. Instead of going to the library, then the Student Life office, then finally Humanities, simply Google “Humanities CCNY.” It will save you a lot of time.

advisors are not your parents. DegreeWorks needs to be your best friend. On this website, you can see all your class requirements based on your major(s) and/ or minor(s) in detail, as well as the amount of credits you’ll need to graduate. Depending on what your department is, your advisors are likely overworked and cannot keep up with your academic trajectory and goals. Make sure they keep notes about your appointment on DegreeWorks.

Step Five: Always check (and verify) alter-

native sources for textbooks. Textbooks are expensive. Buying directly from City College’s bookstore is NOT your best bet. Unless the textbook is only available through the bookstore, consider buying or renting your textbooks from Amazon (unethical, but unavoidable if you’re broke) or another third-party source. Many websites prey on naïve students looking to find a deal. Do your research before entering your credit card information!

Step Six: Get to know your professors and

especially your classmates. Developing a professional relationship with your professors can dramatically change your classroom experience for the better. Getting to know your classmates can change your entire college experience. They can offer advice, help you get involved with an organization, find a new job or apartment, or form a study group that boosts your grades. The opportunities are endless, so say hey! Tips and Tricks: •

Make an appointment with financial aid, especially if you are going towards the beginning of the semester. You will not be seen for at least two hours if you walk in.

•

Save your money. You do not need to pay $1.75 for Dasani. There are dozens of delis around campus. Benny’s Bookstore has great deals on snacks. If you’re skillful, you can get a salad in the cafeteria for under $5.

•

Visit the NAC Rotunda (where Ristretto Café is) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when clubs are tabling and WCCR DJs show off their talents!

•

There’s a website for the shuttle buses: NextBus@CCNY. You’re welcome.

•

Keep your eyes on the corkboards around school. They are often full of opportunities, scholarships, job offers, services, and much more.

•

Get involved with a club or organization! As a commuter school, the campus life can be a little slow, but the best way to get the full experience is to join an extracurricular you believe in.

L I F E S T Y L E

Go Big or Go Home: A Look Forward with President Boudreau With the 2019-2020 academic year in full swing, The Campus caught up with Vincent Boudreau, President of The City College of New York, to discuss his goals as he enters his third year as leader of our institution. Aware of the financial struggles City College continues to face, President Boudreau urges all faculty, staff, and students to go big. “Historically, when we are under economic pressure, we tend to go small,” he remarked, “We hunker down and hope that it will pass. And I think we actually have to go big.” After a slow and tumultuous start, the previous semester ended with City College firmly on top. While the uphill battle presses on with much of the same economic fight still ahead, President Boudreau is confident that our institution is well on its way to redemption. He acknowledges that budgeting will always be an issue. However, rather than allow budget cuts to tear City College down, President Boudreau is seeking out ways to supplement money from New York state. He commented,

“

The truth of the matter is that, since the late 1970s, we have never had adequate funding and we have never actually set out to explore what we can do about that, instead of cutting our budget.

”

BY aspasia Celia tsampas He suggested that one way to accomplish this is by revamping the Adult and Continuing Education Program. Another way is by further developing City College’s fundraising apparatus. Over the course of the next ten years, President Boudreau hopes to put City College in such a position where, even if the government slashes our budget, it will not bear any major consequences. “Now, we are getting less and less money from the state,” he revealed. “If this trend continues, by 2034, we will get no money from the state at all. So, we have to start planning for 2034.” All of the goals President Boudreau has set for City College this year revolve around improving our institution’s financial independence. On this topic, he expressed, “We don’t have the resources to spend our way into a new day, but what we do have is the capacity to mobilize people.” President Boudreau believes that the first step in making this all happen is by uniting everyone in and around the school. Last year, his system of Objectives and Key Results (OKR) was introduced in order to motivate everyone at City College and push them to succeed. At its core, this system is focused on setting goals and following through on them exponentially. This year, President Boudreau wants to ensure that everyone at the institution is internalizing this OKR management system, while altogether creating a more united and strategic environment here for all faculty, staff, and students. Fundamentally, this process begun with the people that keep our college’s infrastructure up and running—the faculty and

staff. In a “Welcome Back Message” sent out to the entire City College community on August 26, President Boudreau addressed our faculty and staff members with a heartfelt thank-you. “I know that you come to work every day focused on making our institution better, on building a stronger and safer community for us all,” he observed. In this same message, he announced the formation of a working group, led by Professor Jorge Gonzales and Johanna Urena, to make recommendations on improving our antidiscrimination and respect-for-all policies. While the student body at City College is ranked as one of the most diverse in the world, the same cannot be said for our faculty and staff. President Boudreau explained, “There is a pretty big racial and gender divide in faculty and staff. Faculty tend to be more male than female, more white than not. The further down you get into the staff hierarchy, the more likely you are to encounter women and people of color.” When asked about the reasons behind this disparity, President Boudreau cited a human resource issue. As such, his chief goals for our human resources department is knowing who to hire, learning how to search for talent, and ensuring that City College has the most diverse faculty and staff as possible. President Boudreau acknowledges that City College must improve in these areas. He said, “One whole area deals with how we manage our labor force and how we give opportunities to people. We are still in a budget crisis so we are not going to be hiring a lot of new people, so we can’t bring in new people. The question remains how do we retain the faculty you do have?”

In response to this question, President Boudreau is taking initiatives to implement mentoring programs in each department for more experienced professors to help guide newer ones in their careers. He also encourages all staff and faculty to take advantage of Annual Performance Evaluations by using them to discuss career advancement. Furthermore, he wishes for City College to be more efficient at developing the talent we already have in lower, more diverse positions in order to allow room for promotion. Next, President Boudreau aims to improve the lives of students and their experiences on campus. Today’s students are under much more stress than ever before. It is becoming increasingly harder for them to finish school when they have other obligations to attend to. President Boudreau is adamant about helping students achieve their degrees. “We did a project when I was the Dean of the Colin Powell School, and we looked at a little more than 700 records of students who had 110 credits or more but hadn’t registered in the last three semesters,” he noted. “And what happens when they are so close to graduating and then they don’t register? 50 percent of what happened was them not being able to manage their schedules, financial aid problems, or something else bureaucratic and not academic.” His first solution in alleviating the added stress of navigating the daunting City College bureaucracy is to develop a ‘One Stop, which is where, as a student, “you come in and talk to one person to help you through financial aid, bursar, and registrar troubles.” President Boudreau also urges students to take full advantage of what City College does have to offer—namely its extracurricular activities. “The point of going to college is going to a basketball game, and our basketball games are empty. We have a

theater program that puts on plays all the time, and people from the neighborhood should be coming to City College plays. Figuring out how to make campus life more robust is a big deal for us,” he expounded. A significant portion of City College’s student population is currently in a state of vulnerability, whether that be economically, politically, or in terms of their immigration status. President Boudreau wants it to be clear that they are not to feel vulnerable here on campus. “This institution has to be a thing that grounds them, with a community that supports them,” he insisted. This thinking goes hand-in-hand with building programs for students to utilize, such as the counseling and advising centers. Additionally, for students who are rendered vulnerable due to their immigration status, our school pledges to help in any way possible. For example, if an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) officer enters campus, there will be no cooperation whatsoever—public safety will not accommodate them, absolutely no one is to provide them with any student records, and none of their questions will be answered. In the past, City College has partnered with the Northern Manhattan Coalition on Immigration to assist with any questions about immigration status, as well as renewals for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA). President Boudreau proclaimed, “We are a place that demonstrates every day how important immigrants are to the building of America. I think the most important thing we can do is continue to make a connection between the wonderful markers we have on social mobility, the contributions we make to society, and never shy away from the fact that the majority of our students weren’t born in the United States.”

Lastly, President Boudreau wishes for all of these internal goals and objectives to transfer into public view. He stated, “I’ve been at City College my whole career and I’ve never been satisfied with the success in which we project out to the world.” President Boudreau wants people to ask, “Why are City College students so successful?” He also wants the answer to be apparent and obvious: “I think that what makes American democracy work is upward mobility, and what makes upward mobility work is available education. No one does it better than City College, that makes us a frontline democratic institution at a time when democracy is under attack.” Specifically, this refers to a 20 percent proliferation over the last year in the number of positive stories and local media coverage on City College, as well as an increase in public association between our institution and the term “social mobility” by 10 percent. City College already has gained national attention across various college ranking systems. Most notably, the school was ranked second in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education list for “The Best Value.” Under President Boudreau’s guidance, this year is about mobilizing pride in City College, amongst the faculty, staff, and students, as well as in the public eye. Moving forward, the question remains, “Whenever a student succeeds, a graduate does something great or writes something beautiful, our message to the world has to be, who else are you missing?” N

Queer Representation in Horror Films BY Nate izzo A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy‘s Revenge (via bloody-disgusting.com)

s more people acknowledge that the straight, white, cisgender man is not the everyman, the conversation around representation in the media has grown more prevalent than ever before. Marginalized groups are demanding better representation, and the LGBTQ+ community is amongst them. Now, during the spookiest month of the year, it is valuable to look at how queer people have been portrayed in horror films in the past, and what the future may hold for the subgenre that is Queer Horror. In 1930, the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) adopted the Motion Picture Production Code. This was more commonly known as the Hays Code, named after the MPPDA’s president at the time. The Hays Code essentially banned sex, drugs, and other risqué content from films. This meant that most attempts at depicting homosexuality on screen were censored, as homosexuality was seen as a perversion of sex. This led to conflict between filmmakers and the MPPDA, and the horror genre was no exception. In Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 film, Rope, two gay men commit murder just to see if they could get away with it. Hitchcock shot the movie to look like it was done in one long take. Therefore, if the MPPDA tried to censor the film, he could claim that cutting it would damage its artistic value. In Dracula’s Daughter, sequel to the most famous vampire movie of all time, the titular character is clearly coded as lesbian. So clearly, in fact, that the MPPDA demanded there be changes to the script before production started. The common thread between Rope, Dracula’s Daughter, and other classic horror films featuring queer and queer-coded characters is this: the queer people are the villains. From Frankenstein, to The Wolf Man, to Psycho, early horror cinema featured villains that were seen as unnatural mon6

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sters. The creation gone horribly wrong, the seemingly normal person who gives in to primal urges at night, and the disturbed cross-dresser — these were what LGBTQ+ people were seen as, and this negative representation only amplified that view. In the 1970s and 80s, the HIV/AIDS epidemic rose in tandem with the slasher movie. This connection was felt in those movies through a common theme: if you have sex, you will be killed. In 1985, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge broke this formula, with the main character, Jesse, being put into the traditionally female role of the movie. Freddy’s Revenge is famous for being loaded with gay subtext; Robert Englund, who played the titular villain, would eventually state that Freddy was meant to be a manifestation of Jesse’s bisexual urges form the start. While Freddy’s Revenge became a classic among queer people, the 1980 film Cruising lay at the other end of the spectrum. Cruising featured a gay man with schizophrenia serially killing gay men in New York City. The LGBTQ+ community protested the film throughout its production and during its release, as the films portrayal of gay men would be detrimental to the public’s perception of the community, especially in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Following the film’s release, there were numerous attacks on gay men and a shooting at a gay bar. After the toxic response, gay villains became less common. Unfortunately, poor representations of transgender people ended up taking their place. The most famous example being Buffalo Bill in the Oscar-winning Silence of the Lambs (1991). The consequences of such ill-informed depictions of trans people, especially trans women, are still felt today through transphobic bathroom bills, referred to as

“Buffalo” bills. Today, movies like The Babadook (2014) and It (2017) are beloved by the LGBTQ+ community. The former is purely a meme that started with a Netflix categorization mistake, but the latter is much more indicative of the state of modern queer representation in the horror genre and film in general. Characters of ambiguous sexuality are everywhere, from Eddie in It: Chapter Two (2019) to Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. There is just enough subtext for writers to claim it as representation, yet small enough that it can be debated or even completely missed. However, a crucial question, in the end, refers back to the core root of horror. In a genre known for its bad endings, do we want horror movies where queer people are constantly villains and victims, where those same harmful stereotypes are perpetuated? Or it is it better to have no representation at all, and avoid the risk of creating stereotypes? If queer people continue to appear in horror movies, as they likely will, what should they look like? Queerness is not the single defining character trait of queer people. The best kind of representation is in characters who are well-rounded and have complete character arcs, and they also happen to be queer. For all the issues it brought, Cruising did actually characterize gay people as real, sympathetic people. This is the key to good LGBTQ+ representation, and representation in general. Everyone wants to see themselves on screen, and a collection of stereotypes is not going to make the cut

HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES TO YOUR FAVORITE BREAKFAST FOOD: The Bacon Egg and Cheese BY Clark adomaitis

ctober is National Eat Better Eat Together Month, National Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, and National Vegetarian Month! In the interest of celebrating all these occasions simultaneously, here is an alternative recipe idea for the Bacon, Egg and Cheese. I know you love your Bacon, Egg, and Cheese just the way it is, but in an effort to lengthen your life, I will try to divulge some healthier alternative ingredients you can use. Everybody’s got a bodega routine but your local delis can create any variation of the sandwich you usually order, so let’s make breakfast a bit healthier this fall! EGG Instead of cooking up a whole egg, use only egg whites to make an omelette. You can mix in spinach, chopped mushrooms, diced tomatoes, and diced onions to the concoction. For extra taste, add some black pepper. MEAT Cold turkey is a heartier, less salty, and leaner meat in comparison to bacon or sausage. Additionally, the cool texture of the turkey can add a nice contrast to the hot eggs and toasted bread. You can also utilize turkey bacon, which is a slightly healthier option than pork bacon, as it has fewer calories, fat, and sodium. CHEESE According to the USDA, part skim mozzarella cheese contains 86 calories, 7 grams of protein and 6 grams of fat. Swiss cheese contains 100 calories, 8 grams of protein, and under 8 grams of fat. Pick a slice of one of these real cheeses as opposed to the classic American cheese singles, which are pasteurized and processed “cheese product.”

BREAD Use a wrap or two pieces of toast that are whole wheat, whole grain, or “Health Nut” bread. These carbohydrate alternatives have more nutrients than white bread. According to the Dairy Council of California, whole grains reduce “the risk of coronary heart disease and may reduce constipation.”

sweetness. You can also wash it down with a glass of almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or skim milk. Perhaps grab a can of V8 vegetable juice, which is packed with vitamins, nutrients, and two servings of vegetables. Also, a glass or two of water can help keep you full so you do not overload your stomach and it hydrates you for the salty sandwich incoming.

OTHER Avocado is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins C, E, K and B-6. Slices of it are a great and tasty addition to any sandwich.

Overall, try to skip salt, butter, cheese product, white bread, and egg yolks. Remember, take it with moderation. Not everything in your traditional breakfast sandwich is super unhealthy, but you can start by making small healthy decisions and continue them routinely.

Black beans are high in protein and fiber. You can blend beans with a drop of water to make a paste that can be spread onto a sandwich. Your sandwich will be thicker and heartier. Ketchup makes egg sandwhiches smoother to eat and swallow. The tomato-based paste will add a burst of sweetness to your savory sandwich that will rock your world.

Finally, be sure to throw your trash bags out after you are done eating! Please do not leave them scattered around the NAC, the quad, or the library. Someone will have to clean up after you, and I would rather it not be me.

Black pepper sprinkled in the sandwich can make every bite more exciting and intense as it explodes in your mouth. SIDES Instead of having your sandwich with chips, hash browns, or French fries, try some fresh fruit from the fruit stand outside. Strawberries and blueberries are a fun pairing with your sandwich because of easy to eat size. DRINKS Many delis also make smoothies with fresh fruits and vegetables. A kale, pineapple, and mango smoothie would combat the saltiness of the sandwich with some gentle

Photo: Egg Whites, Avocado, Turkey, Swiss Cheese Ketchup, Black Pepper on an Everything Bagel.

L I F E S T Y L E

BY sarah logaN

uring my middle school years, I harbored a fascination with the apocalypse. One morning, before the start of the school day, I sat and watched a documentary describing the proposed events that would happen on December 21st, 2012. The Mayan calendar had predicted that the world would end on that day. I listened with fear, worrying what the future might bring. Just like that middle schooler, I still think about the future of our planet and anticipate the worst. However, in our modern world, the prospect of an apocalypse is more realistic. Planet Earth is pummeled with natural disasters on an annual basis. Along with our everyday stressors, these natural disasters can cause us to worry about the loss of our home and even our loved ones. Thus, what is our history of natural disasters and climate change? And how does this change the state of our planet today? THE PAST On August 25th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall along the southeast coast of Florida. The storm, which lasted about five days, disrupted the lives of many Americans. Tragically, many individuals died due to the intensity of the storm. New Orleans’s levees failed and water gushed into neighborhoods, streets, and buildings, which left many homes destroyed by the heavy rainfall and flooding. Heavy winds also caused a tremendous amount of damage. Families and the people of New Orleans were left homeless and displaced. It’s difficult to imagine that a storm could exact this amount of damage and death. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hurricane Katrina caused $161 billion in damage, ranking it as one of the top five costliest U.S. hurricanes on record. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Katrina killed 1,833 individuals. For those in its path and who survived, Hurricane Katrina unleashed a tremendous effect upon residents’ mental and physical health. Those who were displaced had a 8

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hard time finding health care. The Center for American Progress states that more than 40% of evacuees, due to their preexisting medical conditions, needed to take prescription drugs during the aftermath of the storm. However, one-third of those individuals had to go without their necessary medications. The effects of powerful storms like Katrina extend beyond physical health problems. In addition to fatalities, injuries, and lack of access to health care and medications for pre-existing conditions, many survivors reported an increase in mental health issues. According to a 2007 survey of FEMA trailer residents in Mississippi, more than 70% of residents reported symptoms of depression and 60% reported signs of major depression. More recently, in early November of 2018, a fire, known as Camp Fire, ravaged parts of Northern California. According to the Washington Post, it killed at least 85 people and destroyed 14,000 residences in California. Many residents were left without their beloved homes for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. Displaced people boarded in shelters, hotels, and even camped outside due to the wildfires. Camp Fire was 2018’s costliest natural disaster. Kimberly Amadeo, a writer for The Balance, claimed that the fire caused $16.5 billion in damages, burning 153,336 acres of land and 18,733 buildings. California’s Bay Area Air Quality Management District recorded 13 days of particulate pollution above 151 micrograms per cubic meter on November 20th, 2018. Due to this, many people were rushed to the emergency room directly after the fire because of bad air quality. Recently, I had dinner with my three roommates. We enjoyed pizza from one of the local shops and celebrated the start of the new school year. While we talked about our summer and our goals for the upcoming academic semester, a fire raged

thousands of miles away in the Amazon rainforest. Our conversation soon focused on this topic. The rainforest did not burn due to a natural disaster, but at the hands of humans. Evidently, we were creating our own apocalypse. The Brazilian National Institute for Space Research has detected more than 72,000 fires in the Amazon rainforest since January of 2019. Many of these fires were intentionally set to ignite deforestation. After deforestation, farmers use the land to plant crops. It may seem like a good idea, however, the destruction of this natural habitat affects everything - plants, animals, humans, even us here at The City College of New York (CCNY). The demise of the Amazon rainforest through intentional fire is a disaster that has many CCNY students worried. This disaster is a reminder that the actions we take today can negatively impact out future. The younger generation will bear the brunt of the mental and physical health issues brought about by these disasters whether they are near or far. Rachel Mathew, a junior studying vocal jazz and minoring in Jewish studies, explained the ramifications of the Amazon’s destruction on a personal level. “The rainforest is the Earth’s lungs,” she said. “I am saddened by this realization. Without the rainforest, we won’t have access to clean air. We won’t be able to breathe.” The fires emit large amounts of carbon monoxide in the South America region. After hearing this news, an anonymous source stated that they became terribly anxious. “It became hard to breathe once I really started to think about the situation. It felt as if I was feeling the effects of the fire even though I wasn’t physically there,” the source said. Along with the wildlife that make their home in the Amazon rainforest, the indigenous people, who depend on a variety of the rainforest’s resources, are experiencing tragedy of their own. In

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We can, however, take action now to improve our future. Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish activist, has been fighting for a solution to climate change for several years. She organized a strike outside the Parliament building in Stockholm and refuses to travel by plane because of its negative effect on the environment. The fight continued right here in New York City on Friday, September 20th, where Thunberg and over 50,000 people gathered in Battery Park to demand action. As the biggest climate strike the world has ever seen, the majority of protestors were

Becoming aware of the weather events and disasters around us, near and far, enables us to better understand the risks of climate change and the resulting natural disasters. Leading climate scientists claim we are partly responsible for weather-related disasters and without this understanding and acceptance, we could be in for a bleak future. The possibility of an apocalypse does not seem so irrational. 019)

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On July 17th, 2019, NASA recorded a measurement of 411 ppm, or 411 parts per million of carbon dioxide (CO2). This greenhouse gas traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is usually released due to human activity, and deforestation is the leading cause. Rising temperatures fuel hurricanes. As temperatures heat up and the climate changes, NASA notes that there will be an increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of North Atlantic hurricanes. We have set ourselves up for cycles of tragedy and disaster, leading to mass destruction and physical and emotional pain for many around the globe.

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With the increase in violent hurricanes and the deforestation of land, the world is, without a doubt, undergoing a change in climate.

students, who skipped school to attend this crucial event. They are the future of this fight and it is up to everyone else to join them in finally sparking change in our dooming planet. They are doing the work that generations before have ignored and it is the world’s turn to listen and support. Flora Lennihan, a sophomore studying film and anthropology believes that the media could have a positive affect if they changed their reporting style, she states, “I think the media should take more of an informative and educational approach by providing facts about how climate change affects the frequency of storms and ways that we can try to prevent them.”.

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a BBC video, Handech Wakana Mura, an indigenous leader of the Mura tribe, states that “with each passing day we see deforestation, invasions, and logging. We feel the climate changing.”

F E A T U R E

The New Integration

Diversifying Specialized High Schools in New York City

BY Jada gordoN

In New York City, there are eight specialized high schools with the most decorated scholastic reputations. Although they are elite and have 100% percent graduation rates, they lack diversity both in economic background and race. While these elite schools should be seen as an opportunity for higher education, inclusive to all, these institutions have rather become increasingly unattainable for a large population of the often economically disadvantaged immigrant/refugee and minority students. According to an article in The New York Times, one of these specialized high schools and also one of the city’s most elite, Stuyvesant High School, offered acceptance to only seven black students out of eight hundred and ninety-five slots. This is only one year in a steady decline in the acceptance of black students to the specialized school. For example, only ten black students were admitted to the school in the last academic term, and thirteen the year before. A similar trend has occurred in other specialized high schools, such as The Bronx High School of Science, with twelve students of color admitted last year, compared to twenty-five the previous. New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, has a plan to diversify the elite specialized high schools. Part of his proposed plan is to eliminate the specialized high school entrance exams, also known as the SHSAT’s. This proposal has been met with an abundance of criticism from alumni organizations of the schools, as well as Asian American groups, who fear that this elimination would lower the academic rigor and standards the schools are known for. A City College of New York student, who works as a substitute paraprofessional for teachers assistants and wishes to remain under the name J.F, agrees that eliminating the test is not the way to go about combatting diversity issues: “I believe in diversity but, for once, I think this is wrong. I think we should be pushing students of different races to go into specialized high schools. 10

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Specialized high schools have an entry-level test you must pass to get considered for acceptance. Why aren’t all students being prepared and challenged to pass that exam?” Thus far, the notion to eliminate the exam has been unsuccessful. While efforts, such as offers for free test prep and day-time examinations for the SHSAT’s, have been made, they have failed to effectively boost the admission rates for select groups of students, or diversify the student populations of these schools. Another proposition made by Mayor De Blasio entails the elimination of talented and gifted programs in schools throughout the city. Under this proposal, high achievers would be forced to make sacrifices in their education in order for their schools to adequately support struggling learners and thus ‘level the playing field’. Olivia Kelly, a 7th grade teacher at Brilla College Prep School whose students would be deeply affected by these decisions, states: “I disagree that the programs should be eliminated because I truly believe that those programs do a good job of preparing students for life after high school.” All of this, in summary, exposes a major fault line in a New York City school system that is failing a large contingency of their students by failing to be accessible to all students, regardless of race and economic background. It stands to

question, how are students supposed to be ready for the rigor of college and the real world if they are not able to access an education with the resources necessary to support them in reaching standards meant to challenge/prepare them? According to a study conducted by The New York Times, Black and Brown students make up roughly 67% of New York City schools. This majority of a minority population being excluded from these elite schools prove that question of resources over merit may play a part in the admission process. Kelly said it best, the power of change for academics comes from the influences within, she states, “I believe those that have the knowledge and experience to make useful change are the ones seated in the desk and standing in the front of the room, teachers and students know best what they need”. Students need exposure to rigorous and challenging curriculums (based on education level), ingrained scaffolds and supports to facilitate student’s success, and finally, they must be nurtured in what they show growth and promise in. It is possible to do both and diversifying specialized high schools is just one vehicle in pursuit of this goal.

BY BrahmJot kaur

herapy is beneficial! You don’t need to have faced a traumatic experience to seek therapy. A therapist can be someone you vent to without fear of having your secrets exposed but it can still be intimidating if you aren’t aware of therapy as an option for you. You might be wondering: How does it work? Will my insurance cover it? Do I have a co-pay? What if I don’t like my therapist? Well, not to worry! Your friendly neighborhood therapy-goer is here to help answer some of the tough questions! I have gone to three different counseling centers in seven years, and looking back, therapy has an incredibly positive impact on my mental and emotional health. Also, in case you are wondering, it is possible to see a therapist through your insurance without your parents knowing, if necessary. Question 1: How can I find a therapist that’s right for me? Option A: Through your insurance If you call your insurance provider for help finding a counseling center or therapist, they will most likely direct you to their website. Most insurance websites will have tabs to find different doctors in a variety of fields. After you find some you’re interested in, you should research some of the doctors for reviews and after settling on a few, call their offices to verify that they accept your insurance. You should be aware that you might have a co-pay, depending on your insurance plan. For example, those insured through Medicaid will not have a co-pay. If you are a dependent on your parent’s insurance, it is possible to use your insurance for therapy without their knowledge. I do strongly recommend discussing the option with your parents; however, understandably, this might not be an option. Regardless of the circumstances, everyone deserves a safe space to receive constructive and helpful therapy.

If you choose not to tell your parents, your first step would be to call your insurance company. The number should be on your insurance card (which you might need when you call). Let the representative know you would like to keep your attendance confidential. In my experience, when I inquired about the possibility of confidentiality, my insurance representative explained that I could change the billing address for my therapy bills. She also mentioned that despite being a dependent on my parents’ insurance, I am are the only person authorized to view my billings. I recommend calling your insurance company to verify this before making any appointments, since many insurances have their own policies about confidentiality. Option B: If you do not have insurance If you do not have insurance, you can always head over to the City College Counseling Center in the Marshak Science Building, room J-15 or visit www.ccny.cuny.edu/ counseling. They provide clinics that are close to campus, as well as 24/7 free and confidential hotlines. Group therapy is also a great option for students who might need to pay out of pocket. I went to group therapy for a while at the counseling center, and, in fact, preferred it to individual therapy since I bonded with the girls in my session so well. You also get many different perspectives and forms of support in a judgment-free and safe space.

someone you’ve just met, but remember, everything you discuss in your visit is confidential (unless you state you want to hurt yourself or anyone else). Sometimes, even after a few sessions, you may feel like you haven’t connected well with your new therapist. After giving it the old college try, I recommend discussing it with the receptionist at your office. They might be hesitant at first, but if you make it clear that you want to change your therapist, they will accommodate you. My first therapist was not right for me. I felt like I couldn’t open up to her. I was stressed out even thinking about my appointments and when I went, I would talk about superficial events in my life to fill the 45 minutes. After expressing my concerns, I switched counseling facilities altogether. My following therapist was one I stayed with for 5 years until she was transferred. Now I have another therapist in the same counseling center. It took time to adjust, but, once again, going in with an open mind really makes the difference. There’s nothing wrong with therapy. In my experience, it really helps take some of the weight off your mind, and you should consider it as an option for you!

Question 2: What if I don’t like my therapist? Finding a therapist is a lot like speed dating. Allow me to explain: when you go to a counseling center, there will be many therapists available. It is important to go in with an open mind; they are there to help you! It can be difficult opening up to

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COMING OUT in the Latinx Community

F E A T U R E

BY JaqueliN Bautista

Throughout the past few decades, we have seen monumental progress for the LGBTQ+ community, including the legalization of gay marriage and the first national monument honoring LGBTQ+ history. However, there are many communities that are not experiencing the same level of progress and acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights. Coming out can be one of the scariest points of one’s life and many individuals fear rejection due to societal norms, religious beliefs, and discrimination. Studies show that individuals in conservative cultures or organized religions have had negative experiences coming out. As we embark on the celebration of Hispanic Heritage month, it is important to address the internalized homophobia that exists in this culture. Studies agree that religion can affect attitudes towards LGBTQ+ communities. A 2007 Pew study found that 68% of Latinx identified as Catholic, 20% as Protestant, 8% as secular, 3% as other types of Christians ( Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Orthodox), and 1% as adherents of other religions. The Catholic church has strong ties in many Latin American countries; there are traditional ceremonies for days on end and all throughout the year, including Día de Los Reyes Magos, Las Posadas, and Fiestas Patronales de San Salvador. The Catholic church has continually rejected the LGBTQ+ community. In June of 2019, The Vatican issued an official document rejecting the idea that people can choose or change their genders, and proclaimed that men and women were meant to be together for procreational reasons. The family is the basic unit where value, belief, and behavioral development occur, and is the main source of support in ethnic communities. Rejection from the family and cultural community are major fears

for gay men and women who contemplate coming out. In a survey conducted by Genfoward, Millennial Attitudes on LGBT Issues: Race, Identity, and Experience, it was found that 61% of Latinos surveyed indicated they experienced “a lot” of discrimination towards LGBTQ+ individuals in their racial community, in comparison to 43% of African-Americans, and 27% of whites. The same survey found that 42% of Latinx believe that the acceptance of homosexuality diminishes societal morals. All these factors impair one‘s choice to come out to their family and loved ones. Coupled with these destructive attitudes is the concept of Machismo, an attitude that perpetuates men as masculine and rejects any form of femininity. This ideology limits freedom of appearance and often revokes the gender expression of members of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, women are expected to nurture the family and serve their husbands. For both gay women and men who want to break these gender norms, it can be daunting to push the barriers of community beliefs. While change is being made around the world, Latinx LGBTQ+ communities face additional issues, that derive from cultural beliefs and standards and are not often discussed. Latinx sexuality is extremely complex and does not often get portrayed in academia or the media. In fact, 50% of Latinx millennials believe that issues faced by the LGBTQ community of color are incongruent with those promoted by mainstream organizations. There have been numerous horror stories of people coming

out in the Latinx community, nonetheless, it is not an isolated issue; many cultures around the world reject the LGBTQ+ community. One student at The City College of New York, who wished remain anonymous, recalled when they came out; “My mother wasn‘t upset. She said that we would figure this out. My father, on the other hand, was deeply upset. He didn‘t talk to me for weeks. It was painful to see someone who loved [me] so much, go from talking to [me] every day to not even making eye contact. What my mom meant by ‘get through this’ [was] to find God. She started taking me to a prayer group, and church on Saturday nights and Sunday morning. I even had to confess. It was awful to be in a space that didn‘t want me there, a space that swore I couldn‘t be loved for who I am. On top of it all, other members of the church, and even the priest were always trying to “heal” me. Things between my parents and I are better, but I still hold back on being my true self.” In order to begin to tackle these challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, we must begin the conversation. We must talk about these issues, share the stories and journeys of Latinx individuals who are openly gay. Starting a conversation will educate those who have accepted a negative attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community.

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WHERE DID ALL THE STUDENT ATHLETES GO? by Joseph Russo

any students have most likely received an email, or seen a poster around campus, encouraging them to try out for our D-III sports teams. Even though athletic clubs on campus are allowing prospective players to try out, some team rosters are just not filling up. The Campus had a chance to talk with Melanie Torres of the Women’s Basketball team and Richard Kish of the Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track team to figure out why team membership numbers aren’t there. If students wander around the North Academic Center (NAC), they will perhaps take notice of some of The City College of New York’s (CCNY) many bulletin boards. Scattered amongst the various notes, one would stumble across a poster pushing them to join a CCNY sports team. Some might find it confusing that a school that had won the NCAA Basketball Tournament in 1950 would have a difficult time finding motivated students to participate in its various sports teams available today. However, such a reality may seem plausible for many external factors such as, commuting time, difficult and strenuous academic work, and a lack of time in general. To gain more insight on this strange phenomena, two separate interviews were conducted with student athletes Richard Kish and Melanie Torres. When asked why she wasn’t noticing more girls trying out for the basketball team, Torres stated, “It’s because most girls don’t know what the season is like, and some girls even think to join when it’s too late. They just don’t ask questions.” When asked the same question, Kish noted that despite the “welcoming to walk-ons” attitude in the sports he’s involved in, there is a lack of initial communication. He stated, “There needs to be that proactive first step of reaching out to the coaches to talk.” Though it may seem like there is a lack in sports participation at CCNY, not all student athletes call it quits after high school; Torres and Kish are shining examples of students that can balance the

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‘holy college trifecta’- maintaining a social life, completing school work, and attending all of the team’s practices. The coaches are aware of the students’ situations as well, as practices are molded to accommodate teammates who live far away. Kish revealed, “I’m commuting 70 miles away, and Coach Murray understands if I’m not on time to every practice. Students may be scared of the commitment of sports, it‘s a lot less strict than what you would find in a DI or DII school.” Though playing a sport at the collegiate level does require a lot of time, there are massive benefits to joining a team. Kish and Torres explained that being a member of a team is like joining a community, where team bonding consists of watching game tapes with teammates and hanging out after practices. As Kish stated, “These aren’t going to be the people you merely network with, but the people you’re going to remember for the rest of your life.” Both Kish and Torres had advice for incoming freshmen or any students looking to join the team; Torres stated, “It’s really a fun opportunity, and a whole different competition than high school too. If you think you’re not good enough… just keep your head up and keep pushing because you’ll only get better.” Persistence and practice are the key to many things in life, and basketball and track are not different. Kish recommended to,

“Communicate with your teammates, coaches, and athletic department… you may be able to not only find fiends, but it’s also a great networking opportunity. I was also able to get a job fom a referral by a teammate, whom I am happy to say is one of my best fiends to this day.” Kish also noted that one of his favorite memories came from his freshman year indoor track season. He recalled that he, “Came onto the team about as skinny as skinny could get, but I trained a lot throughout the year. Coach had put me in many events during the final meet (CCNYAC Championship). Long story short, we ended up winning the meet, and I was awarded the MVP for the meet, meaning I scored more points than any competitor.” Being a member of a sports team in college is an all-around demanding opportunity that might not be for everyone, as athletes make great sacrifices to continue their sporting passions after graduating high school. However, if a student has even the slightest bit of interest in playing a sport for CCNY, the benefits might just be worth sending an email or reaching out to another student athlete on social media. You never know unless you try.

CCNY ATHLETICS CALENDAR OCTOBER 2019

SUNDAY

TUESDAY

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

MSOC vs Medgar Evers College New York, NY 7:00PM

8 WVB at St.Joseph’s College Brooklyn, NY - 7 PM

WSOC vs Brooklyn College New York, NY 7 PM

WSOC at Purchase College Purchase, NY - 7 PM

WXC at CUNYAC Championship Riverdale, NY 9:30 AM MXC at CUNYAC Championship Riverdale, NY 10:30 AM

WVB vs Sarah Lawrence College NY - 7PM GEN vs Women’s Volleyball Breast Cancer Awareness Match NY - 7PM

WVB vs Lehman College New York, NY 7 PM GEN vs Women’s Volleyball Senior Night New York, NY 7 PM

WVB at College of Saint Elizabeth Morristown, NJ 7 PM

GEN vs 21st Annual CCNY Golf Classic Hewlett Harbor, NY 12 PM

MSOC vs Baruch College New York, NY 4 PM GEN vs Women’s Volleyball Breast Cancer Awareness Match NY - 7PM WSOC vs York College 7 PM

WSOC at CUNYAC FIRST ROUND CUNYAC Men’s Soccer Championships TBA

5 WSOC vs College of State Island - TBA MXC at HIGHLANDER XC Challenge Newark, NJ - 11AM WXC at HIGHLANDER XC Challenge Newark, NJ - 11AM MSOC at York College 2PM

WSOC at Medgars Evers College Brooklyn, NY 7:30PM

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

WVB at Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, NY 7 PM

WVB at Rutgers Newark Newark, NJ 7 PM

WVB vs The College of Old Westbury New York, NY 7 PM

WVB at Brooklyn College CUNYAC Tri Match at Brooklyn 10 AM WVB vs York College 12PM WXC at Golden Eagle Invitational Bethpage, NY12PM MXC at Golden Eagle Invitational Bethpage, NY 1PM MSOC at Hunter College 1:30 PM

WXC at St. Joseph’s College Invitational King’s Park, NY 12 PM MXC at St. Joseph’s College Invitational King’s Park, NY 1 PM MSOC at College of Staten Island, NY 3 PM

GEN vs Women’s Volleyball Senior Night New York, NY TBA WSOC vs John Jay College New York, NY 3 PM

S P O R T S 15

Horror Literature Throughout the Ages By Eric Bilach In preparation for Halloween and all the scares commonly associated with the ghastly holiday, I decided to revisit four horror novels and review each of them. Coincidentally, these books are all critically regarded as literary staples of their respective time periods, which allows us to trace the evolution of the horror genre from its early roots to modern day. Below, I have shared my brief, candid thoughts on each of the books, along with a rating out of five. This list could be helpful in determining which horror classics may be

Dracula, Bram Stoker (1897) The eerie genesis of all vampire fantasy. While more recent installments in vampire literature continue to diminish the genre into a mere subcategory of paranormal romance, Dracula prevails as one of the most sinister and profound works in all of horror fiction. Its epistolary format allows for some of the most unique and intimate character building and voicing that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Conversely, Stoker’s wanton use of “over-description” works to impede plot progression in many crucial sections of the narrative (however, I can forgive this style given that it seems conventional in most Victorian-era literature). Shortcomings aside, I laud Dracula as a revolutionary and macabre tale of “good-versusevil” that has often been imitated, but never duplicated. Verdict: 4/5

The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson (1959) Subdued, ominous, and utterly brilliant. Shirley Jackson is, without question, the queen of Gothic fiction writing, and The Haunting of Hill House stands as her crowning achievement. A novel of this magnitude deserves far more acclaim than the title of “greatest haunted-house story ever written” because even that is trivializing its merit. In fact, I would contend that The Haunting of Hill House belongs in the conversation for “greatest horror story ever written,” alongside the likes of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man. Jackson’s wit and knack for cinematic suspense perfectly complements her analysis of the present themes of fear, isolation, unrequited love, and the tricky bonds they all share. Read this masterpiece for yourself—my meager words cannot do it justice enough. Verdict: 5/5

The Shining, Stephen King (1977) An underwhelming horror “classic” that is better off remembered for its 1980 film adaptation. As is the case with most of King’s material that I have read, The Shining suffers tremendously from its bloated page length, which ultimately serves to drag the story’s suspense down into unprecedented levels of banality. Perhaps this novel’s most “horrifying” quality is King’s tendency to telegraph the events of its climax openly and without discretion—there are very few surprises to be had, if any. However, that is not to say this book is entirely rotten. Conceptually, it is pretty fantastic, and has laid the groundwork for one of the greatest horror flicks ever produced. Still, while the literary fanatic in me may habitually subscribe to the philosophy of “the book was better than the movie,” I cannot grant The Shining that same distinction.

Verdict: 2/5

The Hunger, Alma Katsu (2018) Despite my checkered relationship with his writing, there is no doubt that Stephen King has an incredible eye for spotting horror fiction of high quality—and Alma Katsu’s The Hunger proves to be no exception. Commended by King as “deeply, deeply disturbing” and “hard to put down,” Katsu’s fourth novel is a brooding, yet equally ambitious, approach to historical fiction storytelling. On the surface, The Hunger may not boast the most original of premises—in essence, it is a supernatural take on the infamous Donner Party episode. At its core, however, lies a twisted tale of survival and fate amidst the cruel conditions of nature. With tension so palpable it could be its own character, and suspense aplenty, this novel is a must-read for any horror fiction fan in search of gripping, poignant work from a relatively new author of the genre.

Verdict: 4/5