February, 2020 Edition of The Campus Magazine

Over a Century of Service to CCNY & the Harlem Community

FEBRUARY 2020

CCNY REACTS TO THE U.S. AND IRAN CONFLICTS FOUR NEW READS TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH HOW YOU CAN PRACTICE SELF-LOVE DURING THE VALENTINE’S DAY SEASONS

02/20 In This Issue

MAGAZINE STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Aspasia Celia Tsampas

PRESIDENT TRUMP’S IMPEACHMENT & A SPOTLIGHT ON SOME SHADY PRESIDENTS

Managing Editor: Ania Wojas News Editor: Eric Bilach Feature Editor: Jana Makki Opinion Editor: Matthew Romano

SPOTLIGHT

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT: RAYMOND STROM [4-5]

Lifestyle Editor: Sarah Logan Sports Editor: Anu Shetty Copy Editors: Joey Russo

NEWS

Staff Writers: Clark Adomaitis, Jada

LIFESTYLE

Gordon, Brahmjot Kaur

Art Director: Maria Kalliope Tsampas Designers: Chriscel Ann, Hector “Z” Santiago, Devon Smillie

Business Manager: Raquel Palumbo

7-9

CCNY Students Combat Climate Change Around the City [6]

HOW YOU CAN PRACTICE SELF LOVE DURING VALENTINE‘S DAY [10] AMSTERDAM BAR CRAWL [12-13]

GLOBAL

OPINION

GIVE YOUR HEART AWAY THIS VALENTINE‘S DAY [11]

FEATURES

PRESIDENT TRUMP‘S IMPEACHMENT & A SPOTLIGHT ON SOME SHADY PRESIDENTS [8-9]

SPORTS

PICKING THE REAL MVP‘S OF THE NFL PLAYOFFS BEFORE SUPERBOWL LIV [14]

CCNY REACTS TO THE U.S. & IRAN CONFLICT [7]

Distribution Coordinator: Clark Adomaitis

Cover Art By Devon Smillie

Editor’s Note Happy Spring Semester, CCNY! As we head into this new semester, here at The Campus we look forward to new beginnings.

ADVERTISE WITH US

CONTACT US North Academic Center 1/119 CCNYCampusnews@gmail.com CCNYCampus.org

This month we open with a professor spotlight on Raymond Strom by our very own Eric Bilach. The Campus congratulates this beloved faculty on his debut novel, Northern Lights. Additionally, The Campus goes global with a series of reactions by students to the U.S. and Iran conflict written by Campus staff writer, Jada Gordon. Next on page 8 & 9, Brahmjot Kaur dives into the shady history of some U.S. presidents with President’s Day approaching on February 17th.

In lifestyle this month, our editor Sarah Logan gives insight into how you can practice self-love this Valentine’s Day, the most important kind! Similarly, in opinion, The Campus’ managing editor, Ania Wojas, tells you why you should “Give Your Heart Away This Valentine’s Day” on National Organ Donor Day. Resident rater, Clark Adomaitis, takes readers on an “Amsterdam Bar Crawl,” to all the hot spots just off campus. While letting off some steam after class and hanging out with friends at these places can be a great way to destress, please note that The Campus does not condone underage or inappropriate drinking of any kind (Stay safe!).

The Campus

Finally, this month and every month we celebrate Black history. On our back cover, please enjoy some new releases in literature by black authors. On our front cover, our now graduated Art Director, Devon Smillie, graces us once again with a beautiful piece of original art work. As always, thank you Devon. Your talent never ceases to amaze me!

@CCNYCampus

Enjoy,

@CCNYCampus 2

While Winter makes it way out and Spring settles in, we are one step closer to summer!

While we are still a few months away, there is no need to worry, because The Campus is here to guide you through the semester.

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT:

From Hib

Raymond Strom Discusse

BY Eric Bilach the city at night.”

In addition to his role as an academic advisor for the Division of the Humanities and the Arts, Strom is a 2009 MFA graduate of City College, as well as a published author. In fact, his writing has appeared in notable literary magazines such as Fiction, Tweed’s, and The New York Times. Moreover, this past February, after twenty-one years in the making, Strom’s perhaps most ambitious and captivating work, Northern Lights, hit bookshelves nationwide.

Both poignant and abrasive, Strom’s debut novel about a Midwestern teen searching for his long-lost mother has received widespread acclaim. In a review written by Jessie Chaffee, author of Florence in Ecstasy (2017), the book is said to, “Cut with both violence and tenderness, Northern Lights deftly captures the knife-edge of addiction, the electricity of first love, and the insatiable search for belonging.”

If you major in the Humanities and the Arts here at City College, then you have likely heard of or know Raymond Strom. For starters, he is one of the division’s three academic advisors. On a daily basis, Strom is responsible for ensuring that his students’ educational experiences on campus align with their career aspirations and personal interests as closely as possible. While Strom himself admits that “much of [his] job is purely administrative,” his greatest joys as an advisor have come from providing curious students with recommendations for elective classes. He notes, “The Humanities and the Arts are often overlooked these days, so it’s great to be able to share my love of literature and film with people.”

Typically tucked away inside of his neat and orderly office in NAC 5/224, Strom has be4

S P OT L I G H T

come a key figure in the Humanities and the Art’s quest to promote “humanistic knowledge and creative expression” around campus. However, despite his reputation with students as one of the best go-to people for academic guidance, there is much more to Strom than meets the eye.

Born in Hibbing, Minnesota, Strom spent much of his adolescent life moving across the American Midwest. His eventual decision to settle down in New York City fifteen years ago was, as he recalls, prompted by his desires to “write, see plays, visit museums, and go to concerts.” Since becoming a resident New Yorker, Strom acknowledges that he has done what he originally set out to achieve. In his own words, “Well, here I am: writing in the morning, trying to get people interested in books in the afternoon, and going out to see

Published by Simon & Schuster, the novel follows Shane Stephenson, whose experiences in the rural, drug-laden town of Holm, Minnesota force him to confront the awakening of his own sexual identity, his family’s sordid past, and a local escalation of white supremacy. When asked about the exigence behind Northern Lights, Strom shared that, although fictional, the setting and plot of the novel are mostly inspired by true events (autobiographical or otherwise). As he described it: [Northern Lights] is a gritty story about a place where life is hard and people take out their frustration where they can -- sometimes on others, but usually on themselves. And while Shane’s story is not my story, I do have a similar one of my own that’s happier in some ways and sadder in some others.

HT:

Hibbing to Harlem:

scusses Debut Novel, Northern Lights Strom’s intimacy with Shane’s story is perhaps characterized by Northern Light’s lengthy and arduous writing process. Strom revealed that he penned the novel’s opening line back in 1997. He subsequently resumed drafting in the years that followed on two separate occasions: in 2005 during his first semester in the MFA program, and in 2014 after connecting with his then “soon-to-be” agent.

Although writing Northern Lights proved to be, on many occasions, quite a Herculean task, Strom held that, “Triumphs, it may seem strange, often go unnoticed. Any day I hit my writing quota (1,000 words) was considered a triumph -- it’s the consistent completion of small goals that lead to the big payoffs.”

While having a novel published is, for many authors, “a steppingstone into the public spotlight,” Strom regards Northern Lights in its final form as the goal itself. Given that he has not attempted to capitalize on the success of his novel in any significant way, perhaps the act of seeing a project through from beginning to completion is, for Strom, the true triumph.

As Northern Lights approaches its one-year anniversary, Strom explains that he currently does not have a second full-length project in the works. However, he did disclose that he has some budding ideas for a novel set in New York, and that “one of these days, something will click and [he‘ll] get back to writing fullspeed.” Until that day arrives, he has some words of advice for his student artists: For the most part, I say this to all of my student artists, whether they are painters, actors, musicians filmmakers, or creative writers: find a job you won’t mind doing for the rest of your life -- we all have bills to pay -- and use your spare time doing what you love.

S P OT L I G H T

5

CCNY Students with NOAA Design NYC Weather Trackers to Combat Climate Change Around the City

BY Aspasia Celia Tsampas The City College of New York based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Center for Earth System Sciences and Remote Sensing Technologies (NOAA CESSRST) and the CUNY CREST Institute, a research facility for remote sensing earth systems, has established nineteen autonomous mini-meteorological stations scattered around various boroughs of New York City.

This achievement is part of City College’s response to the rising sea levels and increased extreme weather conditions in the city caused by climate change, as outlined by the NYC Governments report “Cool Neighborhoods NYC: A Comprehensive Approach to Keep Communities Safe in Extreme Heat.”

Led by students and faculty at CCNY, the project is referred to as New York Urban Hydrometeorological Testbed, or NY-uHMT. According to the New York City Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency, this system is a one of a kind high-density hydro-meteorological network.

te partnerships for educational outreach to NYC schools with NOAA CESSRST and the CUNY CREST Institute.

Sites of the NY-uHMT include the Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem near the City College campus, as well as all around the boroughs at JHS High School in Brooklyn, the Queens Botanical Garden, the Brownsville Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, and the Dyckman Houses.

All data produced by the stations will be available and open to the general public and researchers through the center’s website (which you can check out with the QR Code below!).

City College’s NOAA CESSRST mini weather station at the Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem. Left is NOAA CESSRST research scientist Tarendra Lakhankar with students and residents.

QR Code to the station site and data

The system will help answer many questions about the climate in the New York City area in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, heat-related health risks in neighborhoods, and more ways to make New York City resilient.

The NY-uHMT is designed to monitor basic meteorological and hydrological variables to assess the variability in the city’s microclimates and their response to extreme events.

Some research objectives include mapping the ground and atmospheric conditions to detect and forecast severe weather events (such as wind, tornados, hail, ice, and flash floods), improve the accuracy and time measurement of these weather events to progress predictions and warnings in the boroughs, and develop models for federal/municipal/priva-

6

N

E

W

S

City College’s NOAA CESSRST mini weather station at the Polo Grounds Towers in Harlem. Left is NOAA CESSRST research scientist Tarendra Lakhankar with students and residents. Photo courtesy of CCNY News.

CCNY Reacts to the U.S. & Iran Conflict

BY Jada Gordon

..............

On January 3rd, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, a U.S strike in Baghdad killed Qasem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s powerful Quds Force. The Pentagon confirmed this attack and claimed that “General Soleimani was actively developing plans to attack American diplomats and service members in Iraq and throughout the region.” However, the facts behind this statement were never confirmed. Iran mourned Soleimani’s loss and the words “Death to America” were shouted in the streets. Both the U.S airstrike and Iran’s mourning of their leader reverberated throughout the world. Americans mostly reacted with fear of retaliation, starting the decade off filled with fright and confusion. Then to add to the conflict, on January 8th, Iran shot down a Ukrainian plane by accident, killing all passengers on board.

With this onslaught of fighting, conflict, fear, and retaliation, the conflict between Iran and the U.S must be examined, questioned, and discussed.

The “Iran-Contra” affair was a political scandal in the United States that occurred during the second term of the Regan Administration. Senior administration officials secretly facilitated the sale of arms to the Khomeini government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was the subject of an arms embargo.

This conflict led to American hostages being taken in Lebanon and former president Reagan taking full responsibility for the affair.

The U.S strike against Qasem Soleimani is another event in the U.S and Iran’s storied past.

Other students, like Eva Friedberg, a senior majoring in International Studies, feel like this assassination will bring about even more hateful attacks and religious bias. She says, “I feel that Trump’s decisions with Iran will affect radicalized tensions only heighten Islamophobia in the U.S.” A lot of critics felt as if Trump’s actions were impulsive and dangerous for the people of the U.S. Friedberg continued to say, “What Trump might not

“When the U.S drone strikes first killed Qasem Soleimani, I was unfortunately not surprised. I thought about the United States’ role in the Iranian Revolution and the negative consequences that followed the Iranian people.”

– Kelly Sullivan, Junior at CCNY Kelly Sullivan, a junior at The City College of New York and an English major made her sentiments quite clear; “The attack on Iran I believe is mindless and will only negatively affect America.” The U.S was already in a compromising position when it came to foreign policy, however, these events put the U.S in a worse predicament. Sullivan continued, “The problem with it is that we always believe that the opposing country can never retaliate enough to significantly harm us, which is toxic nationalism.” Nationalism historically has turned the U.S’s relationships with other countries awry. These acts against the leader of Iran and its citizens might lead the country to war and more conflict. Sullivan explains; Historically, the U.S and Iran have had a complicated past dating back to the 1970s. This conflict was dubbed the “Iran-Contra Affair.”

think about is the longevity of his decisions and the consequences that follow his every move. I think [the Iran and U.S conflict] will dramatically affect the U.S economy, national security, and position in the Middle East.”

period, even though President Trump repeatedly promised to get the U.S out of costly wars in the U.S.” Although in the Obama Administration, it seemed like the U.S and Iran were building towards peace, now the relationship is fractured. Shaju reflects, “It seemed as if the two nations were making progress. The Trump Administration has shifted this and adopted a policy of escalations with Iran.” She continues, saying, “Yes, I believe this will dramatically affect U.S relations with other countries.

For instance, Iraq will be drawn into the conflict between Iran and the U.S.” In matters of retaliation, Iran has stated that there will be more, which scared a lot of people and made them think deeply about the severity of the conflict. In regard to Ukraine retaliating against Iran, Friedberg says; I do not believe Ukraine will imminently retaliate for the following reasons. First, Ukraine needs to maintain diplomatic relations with Iran so that its experts can conduct an independent investigation. Second, Ukraine does not have the resources needed to negotiate with and apply pressure on Iran.

This conflict has affected the U.S., Iran, and the entire world. President Trump’s bold move may end up hurting a lot of people in the end. The U.S and Iran now share another dark chapter in their troubled international relationship that will impact how the U.S will be seen and how it will interact internationally with other countries.

Shilpa Shaju, a junior also studying International Studies and Political Science feels strongly about this matter, breaking down a lot of ways this conflict will hurt the U.S.: “First, the attack will definitely cause an increase in oil prices and a drop in the stock market. Second, as Iran stated, it will retaliate in an equivalent manner. This means Iran will coordinate an attack on U.S soil or on an equal significant U.S leader. Third, it will force the U.S to remain in the Middle East for a longer G L O B A L

7

President Trump’s Impeac and a Spotlight on Some S

BY Brahmjot Kaur

W

ith President’s Day approaching on February 17th, President Donald J. Trump is still in the hotseat. On December 18, 2019, the House of Representatives voted in favor of impeaching President Trump and moved to the Senate impeachment trials, where a vote will take place on his removal of office.

Donald Trump was accused of pressuring the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, to find incriminating information on Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s son. It is important to note, Hunter Biden worked for a Ukrainian company and Joe Biden is one of the top Democratic candidates for the 2020 Presidential elections.

An anonymous intelligence official wrote a formal complaint as a whistleblower -an employee who alleges wrongdoing by his or her employer of the sort that violates public law or tends to injure a considerable number of people -- describing concerns about a phone call between Trump and Zelensky that they overheard.

A transcript of the phone call was released and did, in fact, reflect the claims of the whistleblower.

The House of Representatives charged President Trump with two crimes: obstruction of Congress and abuse of powers. The vote was 230 to 197, in favor of impeachment. Though Trump has been impeached, he will not be removed from office unless the Senate chooses to convict the president. It would take twothirds of the Senate’s vote to convict him and remove him from office. If President Trump is not convicted, he could still run

8

F E A T U R E

in the 2020 election, but even if he is convicted, the Senate could still allow him to run if they choose to.

While Trump is the third President of the United States to be impeached, both Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were acquitted by the Senate, and Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached.

The Senate impeachment trials began on Thursday, January 16, when the impeachment managers -- Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Jerry Nadler, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Val Demings, Rep. Jason Crow, and Rep. Sylvia Garcia -- presented the articles of impeachment by reading them to the Senate. After a five-day recess, the Senate reconvened on January 21, when opening arguments began. A few weeks into the trial, senators will vote on whether to dismiss the trial then, or call witnesses and introduce new evidence. Finally, there will be closing arguments and the Senate will vote to either deliberate privately with a simple majority, or vote publicly. The trial is set to conclude sometime in February.

While our House and Senate debate on our current president’s immediate shady shenanigans, it is time to look back at some of the shadiest presidents of the United States.

peachment me Shady Presidents •

•

•

•

•

Richard M Nixon: Nixon helped cover a break in into the DNC, where the intruders wiretapped phone lines and stole secret papers, an event which was famously nicknamed the “Watergate Scandal.” Nixon resigned so that he could not be impeached as he was definitely guilty of the crime.

Andrew Jackson: In 1830, Jackson ordered troops to kill large numbers of Native Americans and signed the Indian Removal Act, forcing over 46,000 Native Americans onto reservations, which is known as “The Trail of Tears.”

Andrew Johnson: A white supremacist who stated that “this is a country for white men, and by God, as long as I am President, it shall be a government for white men.” Johnson was impeached because he attempted to remove the Secretary of War without the Senate’s approval (A big no-no).

Calvin Coolidge: Signed the Immigration Act of 1924 to limit immigrants allowed entry into the US, allowing some parts of Europe to have more immigrants than others. It was very restrictive to Italians, Slavic people, Greeks, Chinese, Japanese, and Spaniards.

Franklin D. Roosevelt:Established JapaneseAmerican internment camps in the United States through an executive order. According to the AAPF, over 120,000 people of Japanese descent were placed in internment camps following Pearl Harbor. Two-thirds of the people interned were United States citizens.

•

• •

• • • •

Harry S. Truman:Responsible for dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, completely destroying the cities, as well as affecting the lives of those who dealt with the radiation from the aftermath of Truman’s reprehensible decision.

Ronald Reagan:The Reagan Administration did not address the AIDs epidemic because they did not take it seriously in light of their homophobic values.

George W Bush: Invaded Iraq after 9/11 under false pretenses, with over 250,000 people having died in the war.

Donald J Trump: In 2018, Trump shut down the government because he demanded $5.7 billion for his border wall even though the Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1.6 billion for him and there was immense bipartisan support. He ended up with less ($1.38 billion) than if he had agreed to the bipartisan deal. Trump also used his emergency authority to appropriate funds for a “policy priority” even though Congress specifically refused to.

Trump also supported Turkey in invading Syria and attacking our Kurdish allies.

F E A T U R E

9

HOW YOU CAN PRACTICE SELF-LOVE DURING THE VALENTINE’S DAY SEASON by

Sarah Logan

Whether you are currently in a relationship or you are single, practicing self-care is essential for a fulfilling and happy life.

It can be difficult for many singles to love themselves when our society prioritizes the idea of “settling down” with one person. The practice of self-caring can become seemingly impossible with Valentine’s Day on the horizon. When the celebratory day of love finally arrives, will you be grateful for what you do have rather than what you don’t?

Here are some ways to practice self-care during the Valentine’s Day season:

1 Indulge in activities that stretch your mind.

Whether it be reading a book, picking up an old instrument that you may have played in your younger years, walking around NYC while tuning into your favorite podcast, or piecing together a difficult puzzle. These activities allow you to break up your routine thoughts. By participating in these activities, you have the chance to take a break from society’s views on love and enter into a different thought pattern.

2 Make a date with yourself or a good friend.

Friendship gives you the chance to become intimate with others around you that aren’t your family members or significant other. Spending time with good friends allows you to take a break from individuals you see every day.

In this case, that could be your close family members or a significant other. By spending quality time with a friend, you are avoiding 10

LIFESTYLE

loneliness and isolation. However, your most valuable friend can be found within yourself.

No matter who walks in or out of your life, one aspect will always remain constant: you always can rely on yourself. By spending time with yourself, you’re strengthening the mindset that you attribute with yourself.

3 Train your body and mind healthily. Although meditation can seem cliché and overhyped at first, your mind will thank you with time. The practice of meditation forces you to sit with your thoughts and gently push them aside. Instead of a distraction like the activities mentioned in #1, meditation gives you the opportunity to be with your thoughts. By training your body, you can stay with your thoughts as well. Whatever your favorite form of exercise is, any form of movement will benefit you; it could be riding a bike, doing a quick yoga routine, running a 5K, or weightlifting.

4

Write down your progress and problems.

Journaling is seen as a form of meditation for many people, me included. Breaking down your thoughts with a pen and paper can be very satisfying for many. You can see journaling as a way of therapy between you and the paper. Be sure to document your successes as well. Went for your first mile run? Gloat about it in your journal! Took yourself out to the movies? Don’t forget to jot it down in your notebook! The transformative triumphs of your life are equally important as your failures.

5 Meet up with a licensed professional. If you believe that you still need assistance in the self-love department of life, do not be afraid to call up a therapist near you. Reaching out can be hard enough, let alone opening up to a stranger. However, you will most likely feel like a weight has lifted from your shoulders once you express the feelings that you were too afraid to say to an individual that you’re close to.

Finally...

As human beings, we are taught that being surrounded by others guarantees comfort and security. Many of us may enjoy constant company around us, while others appreciate and relish in alone time. Practicing a good balance of the two is important for growth and happiness. By taking little steps towards an existence where you’re both comfortable spending time with a loved one and spending time by yourself, you are practicing self-love.

Loving yourself before anyone else makes it easier to love those around you more and more.

Give Your Heart Away This Valentine’s Day by

Ania Wojas

this article is primarily dead organ donors.

When people think of February, they may think of valentines and hearts (or lack thereof). It’s funny, then, that people forget all about National Organ Donor Day, which conveniently also falls on that same heartfilled day, February 14th. So, whether or not you have someone to make your heart happy this Valentine’s Day, you do have a heart … and a pancreas, and probably a pair of lungs, a small bowel, some kidneys, and maybe even a liver. Not to mention other tissues like eyes, bones, skin, heart valves, tendons, and veins.

Rejoice! Keep them, enjoy them, and find out how they may help save lives once they are no longer of use to you.

Organ transplantation typically occurs after death. This concept, though foreign to us in our youth, is an inevitable end for us all.

Perhaps reading this article is not the first time you have heard of organ donation; after all, if you have ever received a permit, driver license, or non-driver ID card from the DMV, then you’ve already encountered the question asking you to declare your status as an organ donor. But hey, you’re more than a checkbox on a form, so let’s dive a little deeper, shall we?

According to the American Transplant Association, approximately 114,000 people in the US are awaiting an organ transplant; meanwhile, the waiting list steadily grows every ten minutes, and every passing day that doesn’t bring the promise of a donor means the death for twenty more on that list. Both living and deceased donors can contribute to patients on this list, though live donors give partial organs. Although such donors are typically related to the acceptor, losing part of your body can, understandably, be a harrowing thing to imagine. So, the focus of

The dead-donor rule (DDR) prohibits organ removal if it would spell the onset of death, meaning that a donor must be proclaimed dead before transplant. In cases where patients are pronounced brain dead or otherwise unable to return to a conscious state of being, life sustaining treatment is removed prior to the procedure and the family is given a chance to say their goodbyes. One common misconception regarding organ donation is that physicians will not put as much effort into saving them, so as to harvest their organs quicker. This idea, however, is erroneous as a physician‘s foremost priority is always to serve the patient, as attested to by the Hippocratic oath which is typically taken upon entry into medical school. Furthermore, if the patient has not elected to be an organ donor prior to death, this status is only discussed or disclosed to the family postmortem. The medical providers involved in the treatment of the patient are usually different from the ones responsible for carrying out the transplant.

just taking a first step and donating blood or plasma. There are so many people whose lives you could be the one to save, National Organ Donor Day is devoted to spreading awareness about that fact.

Visit https://donatelife.ny.gov/

Or visit www.organdonor.gov for more information on how you can become an organ donor today!

Religious and cultural beliefs and traditions such as death and burial ceremonies are often thought to have implications on the status of organ donation and transplant. However, this is not always the case. In fact, most major religions are not opposed to organ and tissue donation as it is viewed to be an altruistic act of charity and compassion. Secondly, a closed-casket funeral is not required for organ donors as donors are treated with enormous respect and reverence by procurement teams.

Hopefully, this article has convinced you that February 14th is, in truth, about so much more than heart-shaped candies and roses. Even if you don’t change your relationship status this Valentine’s Day, consider changing your organ donor status this National Organ Donor Day. Not ready to take that leap yet? Consider

O P I N I O N

11

by

Amsterdam B

Clark Adomaitis

Feeling stressed after a long day of classes in the NAC? Been running around campus from advisor to registrar to department chair to library? You need a break! More importantly, you deserve one. Take a load off, relax, forget the immeasurable and unfixable woes that City College creates, and grab a drink on Amsterdam Avenue, adjacent to our Quad. I tried a beer on tap from bars within three blocks, and this is what I found.

1

GRILL ON THE HILL

$

Sports Bar with pub grub.

1624 Amsterdam Ave On tap: A wide selection of standard and classic beers, including Bud Light, Foster’s, Lagunitas, Angry Orchard, and Raging Bitch.

Beers on tap are $7.

Food: Plenty of burger options, fries, wings, and appetizers. The fish sandwich ($14.95) came with bonus fish, seasoned fries, and tzatziki sauce.

Atmosphere: Fun gastropub with louder music, lots of lit up signs, darts, and a pool table. CCNY students and locals populate the space.

Service: Friendly and immediate service from a gentleman named Elton. Conversation flowed easily among patrons as they reconnected, played darts, and ate burgers and wings.

Specials: Numerous happy hour specials and discounts throughout the week on drinks and food. $5 beer during happy hour.

10/10

2 I

F

E

$

Cozy Indian joint with good prices and friendly service.

1592 Amsterdam Ave

Foster‘s Beer

12 L

CLOVE

S

T

Y

L

E

Kingfisher Indian lager with garlic naan.

On tap: Kingfisher Lager (Indian beer) is gentle and golden. It’s not too filling paired with the heavier naan.

Food: The naan comes in many varieties, including garlic, onion, raisin, nuts, and cheese. It’s sweet and soft, and comes served with tamarind sauce, green sauce, and spicy onion topping.

Plenty of traditional Indian dishes fill the menu and customer’s tables.

Atmosphere: Indian music and the smell of curry fill the air. The cozy space is brick-lined and lit dimly.

Service: Familial and friendly. The server makes sure to recommend different options and sauces.

Specials: $4 happy hour on tap beers! Also, their happy hour is everyday from 12pm-7pm. Their lunch buffet is a popular option from 11am-3pm. The great prices all over the menu make this

m Bar Crawl spot a frequent visit.

9.5/10

3

and appetizers also fill the menu.

Atmosphere: Chill, modern spot with people dining under low light.

OSO $$

Hot Buttered Cider

Pollo Taco

Service: The beer was served to me promptly with chips, orange sauce, and a glass of water. The water and chips were refilled quickly, and the pollo taco came out within seven minutes of me ordering.

Specials: None visible.

9/10 Negra Modelo

Mexican Plates and Tequila Cocktails.

1618 Amsterdam Ave On tap: They’ve got Pacifico and Negro Modelo ($7). Their narrow tap selection is not a concern, as they specialize in tequila drinks.

The Negro Modelo is cold, filling, but not immensely heavy like other dark beers I am familiar with.

Food: The pollo taco ($4.75) is juicy and covered in a delicious and zesty green sauce. Salads

4

THE GRANGE $$

Specialty brews on tap, fancy cocktails, and pub dinners.

1635 Amsterdam Ave On tap: A couple of different specialty beers that I have never seen. No typical corporate Ame-

rica beers here. The Ommegang Witte ($8) was light, delicious, and orangey. The Brewdog ($8) was thicker and tasted of caramel. Their exclusive Hot Buttered Cider ($14) included a choice of bourbon or rum with fresh, hot cider. This delicious drink explodes in your mouth with its hot, thick, alcoholic sweetness like no other.

Atmosphere: The inside was rustic and dark. The volume of the music and conversation was relaxing.

Service: Friendly bartender who explained the different brews and the intricacy of the bar’s cocktail recipes.

Specials: During happy hour we received $2 off per beer. Overall, a bit more expensive than other local spots.

8.5/10

L

I

F

E

S

T

Y

L

E

13

Picking the Real MVP’s of the NFL Playoffs Before Superbowl LIV

BY Matthew Romano

AFC (6) Tennessee Titans MVP: Derrick Henry Results: Def. (3) New England Patriots: 20-13

Def. (1) Baltimore Ravens: 28-12

Loss @ (2) Kansas City Chiefs: 24-35

Despite their loss to the Chiefs, the Titans have still written their own Cinderella story this NFL Playoffs. (Fun Fact: the term ‘Cinderella story’ in Sports term first gained prominence in fact following City College’s own underdog story winning the 1950 NCAA and NIT championships, the same year Walt Disney released their film Cinderella.) The Tennessee Titans, behind the army tank disguised as a Running Back Derrick Henry, shocked the 3 seeded New England Patriots, derailing the empire’s hopes for a 4th straight ticket to the big game. The Cinderella story started there, picking up further steam with another surprising win, this time even more dominantly, with a 28-12 shooting down of the leagues 2nd best offense, the 14-2 Baltimore Ravens.

With the wins, two of the league’s top run defenses fell victim to Henry’s dominant, league-leading, running game and ability.

He gashed them for 377 yards on the ground, a rushing TD, and a passing score for good measure. Capping off what has been a career year for him. The Titans were 8-0 when Henry’s rush attack eclipsed the century mark (100 yards). The Titans ultimately lost to the Chiefs when he was held to 69 yards, further proving the accuracy of that stat.

(2) Kansas City Chiefs

Titans, behind the army tank disguised as a Running Back Derrick Henry, shocked the 3 seeded New England Patriots, derailing the empire’s hopes for a 4th straight ticket to the big game. The Cinderella story started there, picking up further steam with another surprising win, this time even more dominantly, with a 28-12 shooting down of the leagues 2nd best offense, the 14-2 Baltimore Ravens.

top defense in pretty much all metrics including opposing YPG (169.2), YPA, and YPC.

With the wins, two of the league’s top run defenses fell victim to Henry’s dominant, league-leading, running game and ability.

He gashed them for 377 yards on the ground, a rushing TD, and a passing score for good measure. Capping off what has been a career year for him. The Titans were 8-0 when Henry’s rush attack eclipsed the century mark (100 yards). The Titans ultimately lost to the Chiefs when he was held to 69 yards, further proving the accuracy of that stat.

NFC (2) Green Bay Packers MVP: Davante Adams Results: Def. (5) Seattle Seahawks 28-23

Loss (1) SF 49’ers: 20-37

In the divisional rounds, the Packers held off a second-half comeback by the Seattle Seahawks to win 28-23. Their defense stifled an injuryriddled Seahawks team that struggled to get anything going with hometown favorite, “Beastmode” (also known as Marshawn Lynch) and failed to protect QB Russel Wilson. Yet, it is the 49’ers run game, Raheem Mostert particularly, that ended the Packers’ playoff hopes after a 2-year hiatus from playoff football.

MVP: Patrick Mahomes Results: Def. (4) Houston Texans 51-31

Def. (6) Tennessee Titans 35-24

Despite their loss to the Chiefs, the Titans have still written their own Cinderella story this NFL Playoffs. (Fun Fact: the term ‘Cinderella story’ in Sports term first gained prominence in fact following City College’s own underdog story winning the 1950 NCAA and NIT championships, the same year Walt Disney released their film Cinderella.) The Tennessee

14

S P O R T S

Davante Adams, the last remaining starting wideout from the Packers’ 2017 team, remained the crucial piece of this Packers team this season. He was, by far, Rodger’s most and perhaps only trusted target in the passing game. After dropping 160 yards against the Seahawks, he gained 138 yards on the 49’ers. Besides failing to stop the 49’ers run attack, contributing to their loss is the 49’ers defense keeping Adams away from pay dirt and holding RB Aaron Jones to 56 yards.

For context, the 49’ers were ranked as the

(1) San Francisco 49’ers MVP’s: Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert Results: Def. (6) Minnesota Vikings 27-10 Def. (2) Green Bay Packers 37-20

Perhaps the most dangerous team in the playoffs this year, the San Francisco 49’ers went undefeated this season when they did one of three things: pass for over 250 yards, rush for over 130 yards, or hold opponents to 20 points or fewer. Against both the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round and the Green Bay Packers in the Conference Championships, they pulled off two of three. As you would expect, this led to wins against both, and both by a commanding 17 points.

The 49’ers offensive attack, runs first and foremost through their three-headed monster in the backfield made up of Tevin Coleman, Matt Breida, and Raheem Mostert. They ran the ball 47 times for 186 yards against the Vikings in the divisional round, with Tevin Coleman taking control of the game. A similar story was told against the Packers, where Raheem Mostert stomped all over them for 220 yards. All three combined for over 2,500 scrimmage yards and made the 49’ers the 2nd best rushing offense in yds/gm this season. If the Chiefs have any hopes of stopping them in this year’s Superbowl, they’ll need a repeat performance of their “stack-the-box” winning game plan deployed against the Titans.

CCNY ATHLETICS CALENDAR SUNDAY

TUESDAY

MONDAY

26

27

2

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

28

29

30

4

5

6

3

FRIDAY

31

9

7

WBB at John Jay College New York, NY 6:00 PM

WBB at Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY 5:00 PM

MVB at College of Mount Saint Vincent Riverdale, NY 7:00 PM

MBB at Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY 7:00 PM

10

11

WBB at Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, NY 6:00 PM

16

17

WFENCE at EWFC Team/ Individual Championships New York, NY

13

24

14

MVB vs St. Joseph's College - LI Mahwah, NJ 1:00 PM

15

WITRACK at Giegengack Invitational New Haven, CT WBB vs Hunter College New York, NY 5:00 PM

MBB vs York College (NY) New York, NY 7:00 PM

MBB vs Hunter College New York, NY 7:00 PM

18

19

20 MVB vs John Jay College New York, NY 7:00 PM

MBB at Lehman College Bronx, NY 7:30 PM

MVB at King's College (Pa.)Wilkes-Barre, PA 5:00 PM

23

12

WBB at Lehman College Bronx, NY 5:30 PM

MVB vs Yeshiva University Wilkes-Barre, PA 3:00 PM

8 WFENCE at FDU Invitational Teaneck, NJ

MVB at Ramapo College Mahwah, NJ 3:00 PM

WBB vs York College (NY) New York, NY 5:00 PM

MBB at Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, NY 8:00 PM

1

MBB at Cairn University Langhorne, PA 2:00 PM

MBB at John Jay College New York, NY 8:00 PM

MVB at Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY 3:00 PM

SATURDAY

25 MBB at CUNYAC SEMIFINALS CUNYAC Men's Basketball Championships

26

27

MVB vs New Jersey City University New York, NY 7:00 PM

21

22

MITRACK at Armory Last Chance Invitational New York, NY

MBB at CUNYAC FIRST ROUND CUNYAC Men's Basketball Championships

WITRACK at Armory Last Chance Invitational New York, NY

BSB vs Purchase College Purchase, NY 11:00 AM

28

MBB at CUNYAC FINALS CUNYAC Men's Basketball Championships

29

WFENCE at NIWFA Championships Madison, NJ BSB at Stevenson University Stevenson, MD 11:00 AM BSB at Stevenson University Stevenson, MD 2:00 PM

S P O R T S 15

Four New Reads to Celebrate Black History Month Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson Author of critically acclaimed Brown Girl Dreaming and Another Brooklyn, Jacqueline Woodson is back again with another poignant hit. Red at the Bone is a story for the ages. With powerful prose, Woodson uncovers the role that history and community have played in the experiences, decisions, and relationships of the protagonist’s life. This novel is contemporary fiction with a strong hint of literary criticism, exploring what it means to be black.

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo Girl, Woman, Other is a series of short stories following the lives and struggles of twelve different, yet similar characters. Mostly women, black and British, they tell the stories of their families, friends, and lovers, across the country and through the years. Evaristo is known for weaving her proses and poetry together in a beautiful melody, and this contemporary twist is no different. Evaristo presents a new kind of history, a celebratory dynamic one, for women of color.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Author of the 2016 smash hit, Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead returns with another historic novel.This time,Whitehead flashes forward to Jim Crow-era Florida.The Nickel Boys follows this period of American history through the lives of two boys sentenced to a reform school as the Civil Rights movements begins to reach the black enclave of Frenchtown in segregated Tallahassee. Based on a true story, the powerful narrative of this novel will surely impact any reader.

White Negroes: When Cornrows Were in Vogue‌and Other Thoughts on Cultural Appropriation by Lauren Michele Jackson In her first book, essayist Lauren Michele Jackson hits the cultural criticism scene with White Negroes.

Weaving together narrative, scholarship, and critique, Jackson reveals why cultural appropriation -something that has become embedded in our daily lives -- deserves serious attention. She exposes a new generation of whiteness thriving at the expense and borrowed ingenuity of black people and explores how these actions intensify racial inequality.