Oct. 24, 2018

COLLEGE OF DUPAGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER — 24 OCTOBER 2018

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VO L U M E 5 3

HALLOWEEN EDITION

NEWS

OPINION

New Interim President Prospect at COD p4

Cultural Appreciation v.

Appropriation p15

SPORTS

Horrifying Mascots p18

E F I L ENT

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INDEX

NEWS FEATURES OPINION SPORTS COFFEE BREAK

Board Suggests Interim President Prospect

ON THE COVER

Rocky Horror in Trump's America Cultural Appreciation vs Appropriation What are the Worst Mascots?

Puzzles

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COD Courier Student Newspaper

Halloween Edition

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF................................... Tessa Morton ASSIGNMENT REPORTER....................... Joey Weslo NEWS EDITOR....................................... Madison Venckus FEATURES EDITOR................................. Reanna Comiso OPINION EDITOR................................... Kimberly Wilson SPORTS EDITOR.................................... Miguel Contreras The Courier does not knowingly accept HEAD PHOTO EDITOR............................. Alison Pfaff advertisement that discriminate on the basis of sex, ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR.................... Lindsay Piotter creed, religion, color, handicapped status, veteran GRAPHICS EDITOR................................. Brandon Beckwith or sexual orientation, nor does it knowingly print ads that violate any local, state or federal laws.

ASSISTANT GRAPHICS EDITOR............... John Noonan SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER...................... Trinity Jefferson Deliver all correspondence to SSC 1220 between regular office hours or mail to the Courier, College ADVISER - Jim Fuller of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, IL. 60137. fullerj103@cod.edu The Courier is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters, except for the first and last Wednesday of each semester and the week of spring break as a public forum with content chosen by student editors. One copy free, additional copies available upon request.

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NEWS

Board of Trustees Suggest Interim President Prospect Madison Venckus, News Editor

VP of Administration, Brian Caputo Madison Venckus

At the Oct. 18 Board of Trustees meeting held on the main campus in SSC 220, the Board of Trustees discussed proceedings following the departure of current President Dr. Ann Rondeau.

Board Vice Chairman, Frank Napolitano, was the first trustee to bring attention to the time constraint the board was facing because Rondeau will be departing in less than three months.

“Since we don’t have a process in place and don’t think we could complete it anyways by December 2018, that means than we are going to have to consider what process we want to put in place and we would need to consider an intern president for that period while the process is under4

way,” Board Chairman, Deanne Mazzochi said.

Mazzochi clarified that in hiring an interim president, the Board of Trustees will no longer have to feel rushed in both deciding how they will choose a future president and who that president will be.

In the hiring of Rondeau, the board was assisted by a search firm.

Mazzochi along with the rest of the board members agreed that if an outside search firm was used again, logistics including proper timing and assistance would need to be discussed on a further date. Mazzochi invited everyone to give feedback to the board in regards to what the most effective

process may be for the future.

“Vice Chairman Napolitano has served on the president search committee before. I would suggest that you route those comments and feedback either to the board as a whole, or certainly to him in particular,” Mazzochi said.

The first question that arose amongst the board members was whether or not the future president and interim president should be external or internal personal. All members unanimously agreed that the future president should be a College of DuPage faculty.

“I would want to recommend somebody who is internal so we can keep these initiatives moving forward.

We wouldn’t have to bring anyone up to speed on the work we’ve been doing,” Board Secretary, Cristine Fenne said.

Board of Trustees member, Charles Bernstein, even went a step further to suggest Dr. Brian Caputo, Vice President of Administration and Treasurer, as a prospect for the interim position.

“I would be very

much in favor of having Dr. Brian Caputo serve in that interim role. I know from working with him that he would be an excellent choice for that. I think the search for a new president is absolutely something we should do in a deliberate manner,” Bernstein said.

The Board had consistent comments about Caputo’s work ethic and history at COD. He has been involved with Innovation DuPage, Pathways and will be an ambassador for COD at the upcoming AACT confer-

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ence.

“When Dr. Caputo first joined the college, he had a reputation of excellence that preceded him. Since he has joined, I’ve witnessed that commitment to excellence up close and personal and impartial I firmly believe that one of the reasons not only Pathways, but Project HireEd and Innovation DuPage and many of the things were working on…wouldn’t be where they are today without the incredible work that Dr. Caputo has put in,” Mazzochi said.

The suggestion of Caputo for interim president is not a final decision from the board, but merely a suggestion that will be decided on a later date.

Caputo has not yet accepted any position offers from the Board, as with him moving positions, others may follow to fill his previous spot.

The Courier will stay active in learning more about what is to come in the following year for COD, and what we can look forward to if Caputo accepts the board’s interim president position offer.

LEVEL UP PODCAST WITH KENNETH MCKINNEY

FRIDAYS ON CODCOURIER.ORG

COD’s Spirit Week Set to be a Scary Good Time Kimberly Wilson, Opinion Editor

Day One of Spirit Week

The week leading up to Halloween at College of DuPage promises to be an exciting one.

‘Spirit Week’ will be loaded with several fun activities for students to partake in, culminating with this year’s Halloween Dance.

Paolo Mazza, Office of Student Life event planner, said the week is loaded with events for students to break up their studies and get more involved with the school.

Carnival Day will have a prize tent and delicious treats like root beer floats, hot pretzels and a cotton candy machine.

Club-A-Palooza will see many of the clubs and organizations on campus convene in the Student Services Center (SSC) Atrium to give students a chance to learn more

about what their club is about.

“Sometimes the second week of school is too much for people,” Mazza said, referring to the Student Life Fair held every year where students get a chance to be introduced to the plethora of clubs and organizations COD has to offer. “So it’s an opportunity [for students] to meet the clubs again.”

The Halloween Dance, which will have food from Sporties Restaurant and Catering, will also feature a live DJ, a photo booth, Halloween-themed candy bar, props and accessories and a drink bar serving fun, Halloween-themed mocktails. Mazza said he hopes the dance will be a space for students and people in the community to come and

Lindsay Piotter

have a great time.

Tickets for the dance are $5 each and can be purchased at the Student Life Office and various clubs leading up to the event. They’ll also be sold at the door.

All the proceeds from ticket sales will go to COD clubs.

“It’s a great opportunity for clubs to make a lot of cash, instead of just doing bake sales and stuff,” Mazza said.

Spirit Week will run from Oct. 22-26 and will feature a Bubble Soccer tournament and a mechanical bull and wipeout day along with the aforementioned events. The annual festivities were planned by Mazza and the rest of the events committee, with help from Alter Ego Productions, COD’s student activities board.

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Day Two of Spirit Week

Lindsay Piotter

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FEATURES HALLOWEEN EDITION The Rocky Horror Picture Show vs. Trump’s America Joey Weslo, Assignment Reporter

Rocky Horror Picture Show: Saturdays at Midnight at Hollywood Blvd Cinema

“I’m just a sweet transvestite, from Transsexual, Transylvania.”

Life is too short to be straight.

And in the age of President Donald Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, life is too long to live by the prejudice and discriminations of a parochial, past generation.

If “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has any relevance today, it’s in combatting the hateful LGBTQ stereotypes perpetuated by a resurgent, evangelical right. At a time

when conservative social norms and religious freedoms are held in higher regard than protections and equality for the gay community, a pair of sultry, red lips and fishnet stockings are once again taking to the silver screen.

Few cultural events have done more to bring people together while dismantling the closeted shame of being gay than Rocky Horror.

Michael Moon, head theater designer at College of DuPage, remembered having so much fun the first

time he saw the show in the early ‘80s, he went back several times. He talked about the conservative social norms the counterculture was trying to rebel against.

“Judging people without knowing them was so prevalent at the time. Judging because what they look like or how they behaved. In a situation like Rocky Horror, everyone is the same. All different types of people are there to have a good time. It didn’t matter what you looked like or who you were, we were all going to

throw popcorn, have our newspapers, and shout out the same words at the screen.”

Rocky Horror tells the tale of Dr. Frank N. Furter, an androgynous alien tempting humans into a hedonistic lifestyle with his siren call to, “give yourself over to absolute pleasure.”

The musical, science-fiction-comedy-horror film flopped upon release in 1975.

It amassed a cult following as a midnight movie when the audience began yelling out comedic responses at the film. Fans soon

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began dressing up as the glam-inspired characters and acting out the film with a shadow cast in front of the screen. Over the years, fans began to participate with the film by throwing toast, toilet paper, water, rice and cards, dancing the choreographed Time Warp and holding newspapers over their heads at moments timed with the film.

The film’s message of acceptance and sexual liberation integrated the oddities, social rejects and misfits of an unwelcoming society into a crowd

Alison Pfaff

of conservatively deemed normal people. The film mocked the era’s forbidden sexual taboos and allowed the ostracized freaks and sexual deviants a chance to step out of their closeted shadows and into the spotlight.

Kim Morris, director of the school’s Theater Costumes, said there was no other show quite like it.

“Every element is so much fun, over the top and ridiculous. With the cross-dressing and horror and sci-fi continued on page 8

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FEATURES continued from page 7

features, it explores multiple sexualities and oddities finding acceptance and their own community. It’s entertainment, but its’ message creeps in subconsciously of being able to enjoy yourself no matter who you are, or the type of people you are surrounded by.”

Rocky Horror catalyzed a societal evolution in gender fluidity.

Celebrating sexuality through flamboyance and pomp, it paralleled its cross-dressing antihero with the cool rock n’ roll idolatry of androgynous figures David Bowie, Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger. When contrasted with the prim and proper tendencies of protagonists Brand and Janet, the alien man in the bustier corset loves to “see you shiver with antici……..pation.”

Satirical, self-aware and unassuming, you must take Rocky Horror’s political subversions with a grain of glitter. Less shocking today, the film represents how dramatically our culture’s toleration of sexual divergence has shifted over the decades.

Moon believes the film’s endurance is 8

a testament to the strength in each character’s pride in their identities.

“Today we don’t have enough of being comfortable and accepting who you truly are. You can’t let what other people think of you make a difference in the way you live your life.”

Moon acknowledged current societal regressions in the momentum the LGBTQ community has made.

“We need to actively combat the provincial attitude trying to dictate sexual and societal norms. We were making great progress and people were feeling free to be whoever they wanted. Now, it appears you might again have to hide who you truly are. Nobody should ever feel afraid or intimidated.

As the film says, don’t dream it, be it.”

Once representing a harbor where the gay community could congregate and celebrate their identities, today Rocky Horror has become a relic. Midnight shows have become gentrified by an inundation of straight people wearing street clothing. At a time when sexual rebellion is needed most, political subversion has been undermined by

the audience’s jocularity and passivity.

This tendency to trivialize the importance of identity and self-appreciation has evolved into the conservative culture increasingly encroaching upon rights of the gay individual.

Dr. Frank N. Furter’s cocky drawl and sumptuous flamboyance are vacant in today’s struggle for acceptance.

COD’s Pride Alliance member Isabella Davison Ararcio fears social conservatism creeping back into the mainstream conscious. “(Frank N. Furter’s) confidence was a great example people can follow when coming out to their friends or family. In Trump’s America, when you’re out in public, you need this confidence to be willing to hold your ground.”

Member Jun Tucker added, “Education is the most important thing for the LGBTQ community. Because of a lack of awareness, I didn’t come to the realization I was trans until after I should (have). I suffered a lot because of that. Because people around me weren’t educated, they also were slower to accept me for who THE COURIER

Benjamin Crawford as Riff Raff

Alison Pfaff

Wally Barsell as Dr. Frank N Furter

Alison Pfaff

FEATURES I am.”

Ararcio believes there needs to be places where the LGBTQ community can congregate and discover their true identities free from fear or societal pressures. She highlighted the importance of experienced members of the community going out with outreach to help individuals struggling with their identity.

“I’ve become comfortable with who I am, so if somebody who is conservative confronts me, I can hold my ground. But somebody who has just come out, or is struggling to come out, this experience can be more painful.”

Member Sean Suiba added, “When you go to a live show, you see all different types of people, especially the types you wouldn’t expect. You see macho men in fishnet stockings, young and old; it has a magic way of uniting people. It teaches don’t be afraid to explore and be yourself. No matter who you are, there is a family for you. This is why the show is still needed today, this message is always important.”

Embodying this message, actress Susan Sarandon sings early

in the film, “There’s a guiding star no matter what or who you are. There’s a light in the darkness of everybody’s life.”

Ararcio believes you are who you are, and no corrective measures can change that or take it away from you.

Member K. Riley said, “Come as you are and be proud. People will love you, and if somebody doesn’t like you, or is unwilling to accept you, that’s their loss.

“As someone who is the outlier of my conservative family, it’s OKokay to be different. There’s always going to be some-

body who says you are wrong, but there’s also always going to be someone who is on your side. You can find the help you need in the most unlikely places.”

When the show is done right, it challenges one to question their judgments and inhibitions. Submersed in a foreign lifestyle of deviance, the film corrodes xenophobic tendencies to instinctively fear and discriminate against people who are different than you.

Member Kevin Ashley spoke on the importance of actively challenging the opposition.

“People who are

more comfortable with themselves and their sexuality should not be afraid to confront people who oppose them. We need to try and understand the other side and explain, how can you hate me if you don’t know me? Talk to conservatives and see what you can learn to better combat their hurtful viewpoints.”

Moon similarly said, “If you were raised in a strict household and find Rocky Horror upsetting, you still need to watch it. You need to see these people are just like you. It doesn’t matter if they are wearing fishnet stockings, or not, there is

no difference. Whether you are a part of the culture, or outside, you realize the characters just want to be loved like everyone else does.”

Moon said he let his son watch the film when he was 10 years old. He believes acceptance begins early in development and everyone should be aware of just how diverse and wonderful our society is.

Suiba explained the reluctance by some to embrace the film and the message it conveys.

“My dad is somebody who is against the movie and has never seen it. But, I

know if he ever did, especially one of the live shows, he would love it. People often make up their minds before they even try anything. Don’t be afraid to ever try something.”

Ararcio echoed similar sentiments in what it takes to combat the current regression society is making in LGBTQ equality.

“In order to grow as a person, you have to move into new areas.

If you never move out of your comfort zone, you are going to stagnate and nothing with you will ever change.

In order to change, you have to be a little uncomfortable.

We

From Left to right: Benjamin Crawford as Riff Raff, Wally Barsell as Dr. Frank N Furter, and Ruth Fink-Winter as Magenta.

Alison Pfaff

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FEATURES

Looking to get into the Halloween Spirit?

Stick with the classics Reanna Comiso, Features Editor With the turn of the season comes a want for all things horrifying. Thanks to the various streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, a plethora of horror movies are right at our fingertips, just in time for Halloween. The catch? Most of them are a cheesy mess. To absorb the full essence of Halloween, sticking with the classics of the horror genre is a surefire way to get your

adrenaline fix.

The horror genre has evolved from its early foundations. Modern horror encompasses all things bloody and terrifying, with a heavy emphasis on computer-generated imagery and special effects.

Classic horror films tend to rely less on jump scares and more on the simplicity of suspense and mystery.

The suggestion of the macabre was enough

to get people on the edge of their seat with feelings of anticipation and fear.

I have definitely seen my fair share of horror movies throughout the years. No matter how scary movies that I watch, I always go back to the same few. These are the movies that I deem essential for the Halloween season, sure to give the audience a few chills.

“Carnival of Souls”

Candace Hilligoss as Mary Henry in Carnival of Souls (1962).

Wikimedia user Fordmadoxfraud

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(1962), directed by Herk Harvey, was one of the first movies of its kind. This horror movie was the start of the psychological horror movie wave that grew in the years to come.

The movie begins with the death of two women as their car sinks in a river, while a third woman survives.

Since the incident, she tries to move on and begin a new life as a church organist in Utah. But she encounters a strange man who follows her and attracts her to a deserted pavilion, where she encounters a crowd of ghostly spirits.

The movie is not scary in the way many modern movies are scary. Instead, it elicits a general feeling of unease for the entirety of its 78 minutes. The film is slower-paced, but it includes good acting and plenty of interesting visuals, especially when the strange man appears. Similar to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” it is a movie that was way ahead of its time. It is not inherently scary, but it will definitely creep you out.

Another movie that is creepy and psycholog-

THE COURIER

ical in nature y is Roman Polanski’s “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968).

This movie follows the story of Guy and Rosemary Woodhouse, a young couple trying to conceive. They move into an apartment in New York City that has a questionable history, as the building they plan to move into has a history associated with cannibalism and death.

Despite the warnings, the couple moves in any way. Rosemary eventually becomes pregnant but is unaware she is actually the center of an experiment run by a satanic cult. She has been called by the cult to carry the son of the devil, leading Rosemary down a path of terror.

Just because a movie is more creepy than it is scary does not mean it is any less disturbing.

“Rosemary’s Baby” is particularly unsettling.

Despite Rosemary’s long, painful pregnancy and various cries for help, her husband and doctor tell her she is delusional. She knows something is wrong, but she does not know everyone around her is in on the plan. It’s not until the very end

when everything comes together that members of the satanic cult surround the baby and invite Rosemary into the cult.

Several modern horror movies, such as “Hereditary,” seemed to take a few pointers from those films, specifically in regards to the eerie endings of both movies. Both feature visits from satanic cults for the initiation of their of new respective leaders. Jordan Peele, director of “Get Out” (2017), took direct inspiration from Polanski and “Rosemary’s Baby,” as did John Krasinski of “A Quiet Place” (2018). The influence taken from this classic should be enough reason for horror fans to watch this movie. It is essential to the evolution of filmmaking in this genre.

Many of the best horror films rely on psychological terror to scare the audience.

It wasn’t really until Tobe Hooper’s “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974) that horror took on ideas of murder and gore as the main components of the genre. When the movie was first re-

FEATURES leased, it was banned for several years in the United Kingdom for its intensity and violence.

Now, it has become a Halloween staple and is noted as the origin of the “slasher” genre.

The premise of the movie is simple: a group of teenagers go on a road trip and find themselves in the middle of nowhere while they wait for the gas pumps at the local gas station to be refilled.

While waiting, they start to explore the area for a nearby swimming hole but wander onto

a mysterious property instead.

“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is the type of movie that leaves me feeling terrified, due to the realistic nature of the story. The movie is actually based on true events, which deepens that fear and sets it apart from other movies of this caliber.

From start to end, the movie is filled with mystery, violence and overall terror. You won’t want to make any gas stops in the middle of nowhere after watching this movie. It is a staple

of the genre and perfect for the Halloween season.

The next big horror movie to follow was John Carpenter’s original “Halloween” (1978). This movie created one of the largest film franchises ever made and gained a massive cult following.

Since the original was released, 10 sequels have been made, with the most recent hitting theaters only last week. The franchise has made over $650 million, making it the fourth highest-grossing

horror franchise, behind “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” and the “Hannibal Lecter” series.

“Halloween” takes place on Halloween night when serial killer Michael Myers returns to his hometown after escaping from the psychiatric hospital he was detained in for 15 years.

He makes it his mission to stalk and kill babysitters, particularly Laurie Strode, who is played

by Jamie Lee Curtis in her debut role.

As the movie progresses, the audience

is drawn into Laurie Strode’s increasing paranoia that she is being followed by Michael Myers. When he arrives, the audience is left to feel a similar sense of fear that Strode feels in the movie. Each encounter they have grows increasingly more frightening until they meet face to face.

Different aspects of the movie make it eerie, from the musical score to the grey-hued color scheme and the fact that Michael Myers never says one word throughout the movie,

not until the ninth installment of the film series.. Being hailed as a culturally significant movie by critics, it is the perfect way to get excited for the holiday. For the small percentage of the population who hasn’t seen this classic, it is a must watch.

As movies continue to change and adapt, some will hold more weight than others.

With all of the bad horror movies made each year, we can always rely on the tested and true movies of the genre.

The Saltair pavilion in Utah, a key scene of the cult horror classic Carnival of Souls (1962)

Wikimedia user Herk Harvey

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FEATURES

Can you survive the House of Torment?

Reanna Comiso, Features Editor Haunted houses have never been my thing.

They terrified me as a kid, bored me as I grew older and never gave me the thrill I was seeking from the Halloween season. I much prefer baking Halloween treats, carving pumpkins and dressing up in goofy costumes as a way to celebrate. It wasn’t until I visited the House of Torment in Morton Grove, Ill. that I left feeling satisfied by this haunted attraction.

In many ways, House of Torment is your typical haunted house, filled with monsters, zombies and screaming thrill-seekers. Actors undergo extreme

transformations each night with heavy costumes and special effects makeup to scare the people who paid $31.99 for a fright. No matter the situation, the actors never break character. Sometimes, their acting seems so real you forget it is all for fun. That is what set this haunted house apart from others I had been to in the past.

One thing about haunted houses I never enjoyed is the way the characters sometimes overextend their stay. You wait in line.

A “zombie” appears, gets too close for comfort and stays for longer than necessary, waiting

for you to flinch. This was never scary to me, just uncomfortable.

What I enjoyed about House of Torment is the way these characters instead tried to interact with attendees and made their rounds, appearing behind you when you least expect it. Before you even entered the haunted house, you got a feel for what’s coming in the near future.

When you finally get to enter the haunted house, you go in small groups, which makes the experience better.

The first thing to point out about the House of Torment is its size.

Within the overall

building, there are three separate haunted attractions as part of the haunted house.

The first portion is based primarily on jump scares and a creepy atmosphere.

The actors appear when you least expect it, which admittedly left me screaming more than a few times. With each new hallway, every twist and every turn, you do not know what to expect. There is usually a sense of predictability within haunted attractions like this, but I felt surprised every time a new actor jumped out at me.

The characters were covered in blood and makeup, with their costumes ripped to shreds.

Some rooms included zombie teachers or evil doctors, depending on the theme of the room.

The next portion had some genuinely terrifying moments. The set-up of this portion is

Photos Courtesy of the House of Torment

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THE COURIER

what made it so unique.

There were mazes, mirror rooms and an extreme amount of fog, along with one actor in particular who followed me through this entire section to mock my apparent discomfort.

Things started to get really disorienting when I approached an “inflatable hallway,” in which two large inflatables were attached to the walls, and you had to physically push yourself through in order to proceed. This was my claustrophobic nightmare, and I hated every second of it. It left me feeling terrified, which is exactly what haunted house fanatics are looking for.

Immediately after, you are led into a room with the brightest strobe light imaginable and an intense amount of fog. When you combine the two and leave a fraction of a second between strobes, being

able to see anything is next to impossible. Not being able to see an inch in front of yourself is scarier than any possible jump scare, which made this the scariest part of the entire attraction.

The final portion was a “role-play” in which the actors strap you to wheelchairs and push you throughout the attraction while performing a short scene of a hospital visit gone wrong. This wasn’t necessarily scary, but it was interesting and unique. The scariest aspect was being lightly “restrained” and blindfolded throughout. It might be a good alternative for those who can’t handle a traditional haunted house.

To get into the Halloween spirit, House of Torment does the trick.

Put this haunted house at the top of your list; it’s the only one you’ll need.

FEATURES

Breaking News: Actors Terrorize Haunted House Guests!

Miguel Contreres, Sports Editor A plane of ghostly green light splits the room between heaven and hell. Those above the gloom, wading in an spectral fog rising to the chest. Those below it, or that below it, stalking through its depths, hidden from the trespassers ready to burst forth from the murky venom.

This is only one of the tens of rooms I had the pleasure of experiencing at the 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago. From the onset of the fright, an immersive environment with a methodical attention to detail was apparent. While traversing along the rooms, trap walls, doors and floors kept the condemned on edge the entire way.

I spent much of the time looking over my shoulder only to be startled from the direction I just finished checking.

However, what truly set my experience at the 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago apart from other haunted houses I’ve gone to was the dedication of the actors bringing the space to life. In my experience, actors often fall into the trap of becoming a non factor and little more than a prop in haunted houses I’ve visited in the past.

This was far from the case at 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago.

The flashes of light, props and the extensive variety of horror-themed rooms would have seemed dull if not occupied by ghouls, ghosts and specters shambling about and threatening from darkened corners.

Their tireless commitment to their role truly impressed me.

Even when I knew

where they were, they still induced jolts of electricity and had me jumping.

A devilish hatter beckoned from a shrouded railing with demented fingers.

A pink and smiling melding mask stalked the group through a purged junkyard, wielding a detached stop sign with unknown intent.

Erratic advances and convincing convulsions compounded with ominous stares from hulking figures in the darkness maintained a consistent pace of excitement.

If you dare to explore the confines of 13th Floor Haunted House Chicago located in Melrose Park, Illinois and starting at $20$, be sure to be on the lookout for their monsters lurking in the darkness. They’re probably standing right behind you.

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Photos Courtesy of the 13th Floor Haunted House

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OPINION

HALLOWEEN EDITION

Costumes and Controversy; Cultural Appreciation v.s. Cultural Appropriation Kimberly Wilson, Opinion Editor

Where is the line drawn with Cultural Appropriation?

Wikimedia user FrozenHeart

Controversial costumes suck the fun out of Halloween, an occasion usually reserved for frightful delight. As this year’s festivities approach and people get their costumes together, we must be mindful of the line between fun and offensive.

There are many recent examples of Halloween costumes disrespecting people’s history and culture. In 2016, Disney pulled a controversial costume based on a character in the film “Moana” after it was largely condemned.

Many thought the costume, a brown zip-up suit covered in tribal tattoos with a leaf skirt, was an example of “brownfacing.”

Celebrity Julianne Hough also faced severe backlash when she donned blackface to portray an African American character in the popular Netflix series “Orange is the New Black” for a costume in 2013.

Both Disney and Hough apologized for the costumes and stated they didn’t intend to offend anyone in any way. This highlights the importance

of learning as much as possible about a costume that involves someone else’s culture before you wear it.

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Halloween and dressing up as your favorite character. Just like Hough did, most of us choose our Halloween costumes based on our interests and how we want to express ourselves that year.

Having to think about how your costume might negatively affect someone might seem unnecessary and like too much work.

But it is necessary. And not putting in the work means disregarding the feelings and opinions of millions of people living in America.

And no, those people aren’t being oversensitive. A 2014 article by Jenee Desmond-Harris on Vox.com explains the racist and discriminatory origins of blackface.

“In the mid to late nineteenth century, white actors would routinely use black grease paint on their faces when depicting plantation slaves and

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“I didn’t know” is not an acceptable excuse for wearing an offensive costume. There’s no reason to not know besides simply not wanting to or feeling as though you don’t need to. free blacks on stage.

To be clear, these weren't flattering representations. At all.

Taking place against the backdrop of a society that systematically mistreated and dehumanized black people, they were mocking portrayals that reinforced the idea that African-Americans were inferior in every way.”

In no way does this mean only black children are allowed to dress up as Black Panther or any other famous black personality this year. Going as your favorite character, even if that character’s race or ethnicity is not your own, is completely fine.

Just wear the costume, sans any historically racist additions or offensive stereotypes.

Admiring different cultures is something that is largely encour-

aged and practiced in our society, and Halloween costumes need not be different.

All that’s required is for us to engage in conscious decision making when picking out our costumes. “I didn’t know” is not an acceptable excuse for wearing an offensive costume. There’s no reason to not know besides simply not wanting to or feeling as though you don’t need to.

Empathy is seriously lacking in our society.

Being mindful of the Halloween costume you wear this year is a great way to show you’re being thoughtful of the experiences of others around you. As long as we’re keeping in mind the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation, any costume is fair game.

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OPINION

How “The Shining” Sparked My Love of Film Alison Pfaff, Photo Editor One of my favorite movies of all time, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining,” from 1980, was the spark that lit my love of movies. After watching it in my Film as Literature class in high school, I was glued to the classroom projector screen, literally on the edge of my seat.

Based (very loosely) on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall star in the classic movie.

When Jack Torrence, played by Nicholson, takes the job as the caretaker at the Overlook Hotel, his wife and son Danny are faced with the dark history of the hotel and a bad case of cabin fever.

Some of my favorite aspects of the film are its building suspense and tension throughout, where viewers know that there is something coming, but the only question is when. Jack Nicholson as Torrance is one of my favorite actor performances of all time.

The film is so complex that even after watching it a second time, there were things I noticed and 16

Jack Torrance Funko Pop figure

Alison Pfaff

missed such as the fact that the Overlook Hotel is built on a Native American burial ground, which is briefly mentioned in the beginning but is a big underlying theme throughout.

Some people, such as Blake Billmore from the Washington Post, who wrote an article called “Kubrick’s Shining Secret,” believes the film itself is about Native American geno-

cide and how it is “overlooked.” There are even full documentaries of conspiracies surrounding the film and director Stanley Kubrick, specifically one called “Room 237.” While some of the claims made are a bit extreme, such as Kubrick directing the moon landing, it is still an entertaining look at theories surrounding the film and the abstract symbolism that,

at a first watch, may not make a whole lot of sense.

While I had seen many movies in my lifetime, there was something about the suspense and eerie soundtrack that had me completely sucked in the to the story.

“The Shining” is still a movie I could watch over and over.

After many years of thinking I simply did not have the at-

THE COURIER

tention span to enjoy them, this was the first time a story like this, with its length, truly gripped me. With the perfect mix of 80s movie cringe and genius cinematography, this isn’t just any Halloween movie. It is one that continues to be on the top of my list as one of the best movies of all time. “The Shining” changed my perspective as a movie viewer, and with all

the deeper meaning and symbolism I mentioned earlier, made me more interested in film studies.

If you haven’t watched “The Shining” before, it is a must watch for not only the Halloween season but really any time of year. It is available on Netflix for instant streaming as well.

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17

SPORTS

HALLOWEEN EDITION

The Top Ten Worst Sports Mascots Miguel Contreras, Sports Edtor

#3 Fighting Okra

Nope, it’s not a wrinkled sleeping bag or a giant deflated whoopie cushion.

He’s an Okra, and they’ll hit you with a knock out punch if you have anything different to say about it. For those of you who don’t know, an Okra is a plant with edible green seed pods often used in soups and stews. They’re probably not going to frighten anyone short of an 8-year-old looking to escape her vegetables, but it would certainly be disheartening to lose to an Okra in any sporting event.

#1 King Baby Cake

As though foretold by his name itself, King Baby Cake takes the cake and wears the crown of the worst of the worst. Few would expect King Baby Cake to be a mascot for more than this season’s most popular haunted house or a demented ‘Babies “R” Us’. So learning that he shares the court Top: Left to Right, Fighting Okra, with the likes of Pierre the Pelican with the King Baby Cake and Stanford Tree New Orleans Pelicans is befuddling, to say Bottom: Banana Slug the least. If he’s not successful in pumping up the fans, at the very least he’ll steal the soul of any visiting player who looks into Everyone can appreciate a great mascot. his cold unyielding gaze for too long.

From The Chicago Bulls’ Benny the Bull making reverse half court shots to Phillie Phanatic elevating the intrigue into an intense ball game, or the slew of university mascots roaming their campuses.

However, some mascots are admittedly less… “standard.” Instead, these mascots The Stanford Tree has a somewhat short stand out because of their less than conven- and less than an illustrious career with the tional appearance, which borders on being institution. In the meantime, an institution just downright egregious. Here’s a look at as reputable and wealthy as Stanford will 10 of the most interesting mascots from continue to have a fourth-grade art project around American sports, voted upon by 50 come to life bumbling about its campus. members of the College of Dupage community randomly selected while traveling the halls outside the Courier newsroom.

#2 Stanford Tree

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THE COURIER

#4 Banana Slug

The Banana Slug starts the slide down the slippery slope of: “What exactly am I looking at?” The University of California Santa Cruz mascot could easily be mistaken for a plush martian invading the western campus. Even after mustering the courage to approach the strange being a couple new questions might come to mind: “Why did I come to a new university with a slug as its mascot, and why is it wearing a skirt?”

#5 Cobi

Cobi comes in as the senior mascot on this list, but also the mascot with potentially the greatest venue. Cobi was featured in the 1992 Olympic Games. Allowing his undefined but supposedly animal and inflatable features to be broadcast to confused and/or adoring fans worldwide. Whatev-

SPORTS er you think of Cobi, just like every other Olympian at the competition, he didn’t get to where he did without hard work and dedication!

#6 Mr. Red Legs

The Cincinnati Reds’ Mr. Red Legs is better known as Mr. Met’s less popular cousin, featuring an overgrown mustache and eyes that might make you question what was in the condiments of the last stadium hotdog he ate. Mr. Red Legs is his own separate entity and one gargantuan bipedal baseball man can be just as happy and beloved as the next.

#7 Sausages

Racial diversity or slandering? That’s really for you to decide. In either case, it’s difficult to escape the ridiculous humor of culturally dressed sausages jockeying for position as they race each other around the Milwaukee Brewers’ baseball diamond and bounce off of each other. Hopefully, regardless of whether or not people raise an eyebrow at these suspect sausages, they’re still able to get a laugh out of it.

#8 Burnie

When you learn Burnie is the mascot for the Miami Heat his nose goes from unacceptable to endearing. Of course, it’s not the right color, and the lines are in the wrong places, but he’s trying his best, and that’s what matters. Besides, his appropriately firey hair matches the aesthetic of the Miami Heat uniform he’s repping every game he attends.

#10 Ragnar

Hailing from the Minnesota Vikings, Ragnar sits atop the list with what’s more of a quality Halloween costume than it is true mascot getup. Even so, there’s a certain novelty of a marauding conqueror with the historic vigor of a Viking wheeling onto a football field on a police motorcycle. Nothing really says Sunday night football like the stereotypical epitome of bloodthirst, pillage and plunder. Right?

Top: Steely Bottom: Left to Right, Ragnar, Burnie and Sausages

#9 Steely

Steely would probably take the cake for mascot’s strongest jawline. Even so, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mascot amounts to a steelworker jovially carry about his beam in an effort to rile up his team’s fans.

There would seem to be a bit of disconnect there, but at least he symbolizes hard work, grit, elbow grease and wears a smile while doing it. Ya know, for the kids.

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19

SPORTS

Welcome Back: Simone Biles is Better than Ever Trinity Jefferson, Social Media Manager

Wikimedia user Fernando Frazão

After a long break away from the sport of artistic gymnastics, Simone Biles is back and better than ever.

Growing up in Spring, Texas, Biles always had gymnastics in her world. At the tender age of six, Biles was on a class field trip when she was scouted by a team coach in a recreational gymnastics setting.

She slowly but surely worked her way up to becoming the best female gymnast in

the world and currently holds five Olympic medals and 14 World Championship medals, with more on the way.

Recently, at the 2018 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Biles continued to crush records in the world of gymnastics. At the Championships Biles completed a vault no other female gymnast has ever done.

November 1, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

October 30, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

November 13, 10 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

and very flexible; fortunately, Biles is all of that and more. With her specific body type, Biles can basically defy the laws of physics.

Yes, gymnastics is about testing and defying the laws of physics.

And yes, most gymnasts fill all of the physical characteristics of completing a skill like this, but many just can’t pull this specific vault off

Biles completed a vault no other female gymnast has ever done.

Be central

North Central will be at College of DuPage on: October 25, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Broken down in layman terms, Biles ran down a runway into a round-off half-on to a table/horse, then flipped off into the air throwing a one and a half twist. Women normally don’t do this type of vault because of the physical and mental attributes that must go into it.

As a gymnast one must be, short, strong,

at North Central College.

TRANSFER INFORMATION SESSIONS beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Friday, November 2 Tuesday, November 20

Friday, December 14 Saturday, January 5

northcentralcollege.edu/transfer-visit-registration Transferring to North Central College means helpful planning with knowledgeable North Central transfer counselors, a smooth transfer of credits, generous transfer academic scholarships and financial aid, and customized campus visits.

20

THE COURIER

CALL

EMAIL

LEARN

630-637-5800

admission@noctrl.edu

northcentralcollege.edu/transfer

TRANSFER TO ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED FULL-TIME STUDENTS

PARTNERSHIPS

CREDITS

20+ 70

WITH GREATER CHICAGO-AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CREDITS ACCEPTED FROM 2-YEAR INSTITUTIONS

MEET WITH OUR ADMISSION COUNSELOR ON YOUR CAMPUS, Tuesday, November 6, at 9:30 a.m. to learn more!

MAKE YOUR MOVE Our generous transfer policy allows students to transfer college-level credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities. Roosevelt’s agreements with several area community colleges help you transfer with ease, finish your bachelor’s degree, and gain the knowledge and experience needed to kick your career into gear.

LEARN MORE ROOSEVELT.EDU/COURIER

Don’t miss the Private Illinois Colleges and Universities (PICU) Fair Thursday, Nov. 1 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

THINKING OF TRANSFERING?

Student Services Center (SSC), Room 2206 (Atrium) The PICU fair features the leading private Illinois colleges and universities all under one roof to answer your transfer questions.

• Top private institutions from Illinois • Meet institution representatives • Receive free information For more information and to view a list of schools on PICU, visit picuonline.org/memberinstitutions, call (630) 942-2492 or email counseling@cod.edu.

For ADA accommodations, call (630) 942-2141(voice) or (630) 858-9692 (TDD). Please call two weeks in advance.

10/24/18

21

COFFEE BREAK THEME: WAR MOVIES

22

THE COURIER

ACROSS 1. Guns N' Roses guitarist 6. Pep rally syllable 9. Third H in 4-H, sing.

13. Conversation starter 14. Victorian period, e.g.

15. Dugout glider 16. Nun's attire 17. Winter condition 18. Mad hatter's act 19. *1970 biopic, winner of 7 Academy Awards 21. *Story of 1940 evacuation 23. Station wagon/off-road vehicle, acr.

24. Aware of 25. Busy airport 28. *"...How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the ____" 30. Julian Barnes' "The Sense of an ____" 35. Double reed woodwind 37. Cleanse 39. Rope-making plant fiber 40. Traditional learning method 41. Willow twig 43. Choir voice 44. Sacred, in Italian 46. "____ and hearty" 47. *Kurosawa's "Ran" based on this Shakespearean king 48. Ethanol, a.k.a. ____ alcohol, pl.

50. Russian autocrat 52. Stallone's nickname 53. Penny-farthing, e.g.

55. Variable, abbr.

57. *"All Quiet on the ____ Front" 61. *Kelly's who?

64. Binary digits code 65. Lamb's momma 67. Master of ceremonies 69. Sudden growth 70. Canal locale 71. Unbroken 72. Jekyll's counterpart 73. Heavy-duty cleanser 74. You shall, contraction

DOWN 1. "Be quiet!"

2. Lambeau Field jump 3. "Fantastic Four" actress 4. Buttonholes, e.g.

5. Small pool 6. Bit attachment 7. ___ de Triomphe 8. Father of the String Quartet 9. Baseball's Hammerin' ____ 10. Those against 11. Kind of film 12. 52 cards 15. Rules 20. Convex molding 22. Beehive State native 24. Render unnecessary 25. *Joey was a "War ____" 26. *"U-571" vessel 27. Mess up 29. *It lead to a popular wartime comedy series 31. Call, in the olden days 32. Keys 33. Birth-related 34. *Story of first African-American regiment 36. Inspiring fear 38. Aquatic snakes 42. Ransack or plunder 45. Even though 49. *____ Richard Attenborough of "The Great Escape" 51. Make less dense 54. Rest on patellas 56. Young Montague 57. Done in loads 58. ESPN award 59. Gulf War missile 60. Michelin product 61. *From where to eternity?

62. Light beige 63. *Lone Survivor, e.g.

66. Path 68. Building extension

C omplete your bachelor’s degree at Aurora University.

T RA N S F E R FA L L D R O P - I N E V E N T Thursday, November 1, 2018 | 4:30–6 p.m.

University Banquet Hall in Alumni Hall 1410 Marseillaise Place, Aurora, IL EXPLORE traditional undergraduate programs.

DISCOVER easy transfer of credit and courses that build upon your previous studies.

CONNECT with faculty, admission counselors, financial aid counselors and current students.

Register at aurora.edu/transferdropin Office of Admission 630-844-5533 | admission@aurora.edu aurora.edu/transfer

10/24/18

23

Your Elmhurst Journey Starts Here.

You’ll find a warm welcome and a supportive community at Elmhurst College. More than 500 students transfer to Elmhurst every year, so we understand your needs—and we’re committed to helping you reach your full potential.

Money and Forbes magazines rank Elmhurst among the top colleges for your money. Plus all transfer students receive scholarship support.

OPEN HOUSE November 3

Check-in and scheduled events begin at 8:30 a.m.

Meet faculty and students, learn about admission and scholarships, and explore the campus!

RSVP at elmhurst.edu/fallopenhouse

ELMHURST IS COMING TO THE COLLEGE OF DUPAGE! October 30 & November 8 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

2nd floor, near Starbucks

Ask about our Guaranteed Transfer Admission program.

Individual appointments are available.

Email brian.pollastrini@elmhurst.edu for further information.

Office of Admission | admit@elmhurst.edu | (630) 617-3400 | elmhurst.edu/transfer Join the Elmhurst College community on