The Observer, Volume LV, Issue 11, 11/10/23

Opinion: Editorial: President Kaler’s intimidation of the LGBT Center is a threat to student expression (pg. 9)

The Case Western Reserve

Observer

Friday, November 10, 2023 Volume LV, Issue 11 Est. 1969

NEWS

CWRU community walks out on university’s Israel-Hamas war response

President Kaler’s statements prompt student demonstration

Téa Tamburo News Editor Hundreds of Case Western Reserve University community members walked out of their classes on Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. to protest President Eric Kaler’s response to the IsraelHamas war. Carrying flags, posters and wearing keffiyehs (a symbol of resistance, perseverance and unity), the group gathered outside of Adelbert Hall to hear speeches and recite chants, continuing the call for the CWRU administration to acknowledge Israel’s role in the war and showing Palestinian solidarity.

The walkout was facilitated by CWRU’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and backed by the Asian American Alliance, the

Black Student Union (BSU), Ohio Student Association and Partners in Health Engage. They were further supported by non-CWRU affiliated groups and organizations: Cleveland Democratic Socialists of America, the Palestinian Youth Movement, the Northeast Ohio branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Safer Heights.

Originally, the LGBT Center, a department of the Division of Student Affairs, had its logo on the walkout flyers.

Speaker Jad, a fourth-year student, said his African American and Palestinian identity motivated him to speak and lead a chant at the protest.

“Unfortunately, through the past year, President Kaler and his administration has done a very poor job at representing our voices on

campus and, overall, just not being receptive to our [Undergraduate Student Government] and just being very, very inflammatory in times of controversy, and there’s just a lot of emotions and he’s not being very sensitive,” he said.

On Nov. 3, SJP invited the CWRU community to express “no confidence” in Kaler via a Google Form. SJP outlined an “unsafe campus environment,” “ignoring or threatening student organizations” and not “recognizing valid diverse viewpoints” as the primary reasons for this vote. SJP requested that the university “create a task force to address the hostile campus environment,” “retract remarks made against Resolution 31-15 and accusations of anti-Semitism,” “implement Resolution 31-15,” “engage with student organizations

… to address grievances and foster understanding” and “recognize the issues surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and support open discussion without prejudice.”

That evening, the LGBT Center’s logo disappeared from the walkout flyers, with SJP releasing a statement on their Instagram account that evening claiming that the CWRU administration forced the LGBT Center to withdraw their public support. SJP did not respond to The Observer when asked about the strength of this allegation.

In response to the allegation, the university said they support the LGBT Center’s efforts for fostering community and education.

Continue reading on page 2

News

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 10, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 11

Walkout from page 1 “The appearance of the LGBT Center’s logo on social media posts announcing the walkout resulted from an inadvertent miscommunication. Like every other student affairs organization, the LGBT Center exists to serve all students,” the university wrote in an email to The Observer. “As part of that responsibility, the center does not endorse campus political activities. The university supports the LGBT Center in its efforts to be a safe space for community and education.”

Choosing to remain anonymous, Person A, who identifies as a Muslim student, expressed their disappointment in the alleged actions the university took regarding the LGBT Center.

“The fact is that ... our administration is using intimidation [and] threat techniques ... to silence an [organization], a group on campus,” they said.

“It’s just [this] whole thing is about power and money and control, because they’re funding [the] LGBT Center that already is a marginalized group. It’s heartbreaking that again and again our administration is attacking all sorts of minorities.”

The walkout and the call to vote “no confidence” in Kaler succeeds an open letter SJP addressed to Kaler on Oct. 17 regarding his Oct. 13 email to the CWRU community. The open letter was co-signed by 95 organizations, including CWRU student clubs, nationwide university clubs, businesses, faculty members and nationwide SJP chapters.

“We feel betrayed by you and the CWRU administration and find your recent email to the CWRU community as insensitive, complicit and regressive,” SJP wrote, addressing Kaler. “We demand an immediate condemnation of the numerous war crimes Israel has committed … Emails such as the one you sent out on October 13, 2023 are damaging not only to Palestinians but also to the CWRU community and the surrounding Cleveland area. There is injustice in propagating misinformation. We demand, President Kaler, that you escape this destructive narrative.”

Undergraduate Student Government (USG) President and walkout attendee Basil Yaseen, who identifies as Palestinian, said Kaler’s Nov. 9, 2022 statement about not tolerating hate was adequate, but his Oct. 13 email lacked an acknowledgment of human suffering.

“He didn’t really account for the people suffering in Gaza and all, and so that’s part of the reason a lot of people on campus feel like they’re being discredited or just not being accounted for overall,” Yaseen said regarding Kaler’s Oct. 13 statement.

Person B, who identifies as a Muslim student, came to the protest because they believe Kaler’s emails generalized the Palestinian and Muslim communities.

“I don’t like the generalization of terrorism and Muslims being in the same category, and I’ve just seen a lot of hate-like speech going on around the internet and absolute callousness when people address this issue,” Person B said. “Kaler’s emails, the two that he sent—last year and this year—[make it] seem like he doesn’t care about the Muslim community or the Palestinian community especially … He represents our school and, in a way, he’s also representing the student body, but he’s not representing us with those statements.”

SJP also released a statement of solidarity on Oct. 11, where they expressed their support for Palestinians.

In this statement, SJP called for CWRU to recognize Resolution 31-15, which asks the university to divest its investments toward Israeli apartheid, the international military-industrial complex and the international prison-industrial complex. This bill was authored by SJP and was passed by USG’s General Assembly on Nov. 8, 2022. Since the bill has been passed, the university has taken no action.

“While Israel continues extensive bombing campaigns affecting civilian infrastructure and committing war crimes by employing internationallyprohibited white phosphorus, we urge our administration to recognize the war crimes that have been committed recently,” SJP wrote in their statement of solidarity.

Speaker Heather Hall, a 2013 CWRU alum, hopes the university will implement Resolution 31-15.

“After several years, I’ve kind of woken up to seeing the genocide that’s happening against Palestinians, and I want for them to be free,” Hall said. “I think it’s interesting that the student government actually passed a resolution to divest the university from Israel and they’re just kind of ignoring the student body on that; I don’t like that very much. I think that President Kaler

should listen to the student body and implement the divestment.”

Person C, a member of the BSU, believes SJP’s statement strove to educate the CWRU community about what’s happening in Palestine.

“I think it really represents us as a student body because we’re so involved in things that are happening on our campus and community but also the world overall,” they said. “I think it was very educated; it wasn’t biased.

I don’t think it was antisemitic; that wasn’t their intention.”

Person C said they have been involved in this issue since SJP tried to pass Resolution 31-15 and wanted to show continued support at the walkout.

“I’ve been hearing a lot about what’s going on in Palestine. I just wanted to educate myself a little bit more and support the student movements that have been going on,” Person C said.

“I’m also a part of the BSU so we’re all showing up for that.”

Across the nation, universities are seeing students vocalizing their dismay with Israel’s actions in the war.

Similar to CWRU, Columbia University students walked out of their classes against their university’s ties to Israel on Oct. 25.

Interim Vice President of Student Affairs Peter Whiting attended the walkout to ensure student safety.

“There’s an event that was called, and we keep our campus safe, and one of the ways we do that is when there’s a vigil or protest is to make sure that the event is in an appropriate place and appropriate time and being conducted in an appropriate manner,” Whiting said, regarding CWRU’s walkout.

Hoping this walkout sends a message to the CWRU administration about minimization of minority voice, Jad said students should be able to have fact-based discussion about controversial and global issues.

“My hope is that we can show the administration that minimization of voice, the censorship of our voice, of minority students, is not welcome and it’s uncalled for,” Jad said. “Students here have their First Amendment rights, and at a prestigious university, such as Case Western Reserve, we should be able to freely deliberate and have fact-based discussion about Israel/Palestine, about Russia/Ukraine, about a lot of controversial topics.”

Third-year student and attendee Danielle Sun, who identifies as Asian American, said her identity shapes her outlook on Kaler’s email and the war overall.

“This administration has repeatedly tried to silence us, and that is not okay,” she said. “We have a right to speak our voice, especially on an issue that is literally genocide, and it is so important to fight against this,” she said.

Emphasizing democracy and coexistence, Person D, a CWRU student, attended the walkout because they want the CWRU community’s experiences and fears to be acknowledged by the university.

“It’s not hard to see all this horrible news coming from that region of the world right now, and a lot of innocent people are dying, and I believe in coexistence and I believe in equality and democracy, and I just don’t see that in the West Bank, in Gaza,” Person D said, regarding their outlook on the war. “I’m not sure if President Kaler is really taking into account some of the fears that people have on campus.

All of the fears of the entire campus community have to be acknowledged.

Campus has felt a lot more unsafe for a lot of different people. I just don’t see that President Kaler’s response is sufficient to address all those needs.”

Yaseen echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of neutrality.

“In a president, I mainly want neutrality,” he said. “Not seeing that neutrality overall is kind of disheartening, so, therefore, I want to voice my opinion.”

Mentioning the multiple identities and groups at the walkout, Person A highlighted the solidarity students showed and their gratitude that this turnout was possible.

“I am just glad that there was a place for Palestinian students, Muslim students, Arab students or anyone who supports what’s going on to have a safe space, to have a community where they do feel supported, since obviously, our administration will not acknowledge that or provide that for us,” Person A said. “So regardless of what our president or administration says, we have each other [and] we are supporting each other.”

Additional reporting contributed by Copy Editor Darcy Chew and Director of Digital Media Joce Ortiz.

Cleveland Museum of Natural History expands, reopens Visitor Hall Zachary Treseler News Editor The Cleveland Museum of Natural History recently unveiled the latest stage in its ongoing redevelopment efforts: the opening of its Visitor Hall.

As a result, many famous exhibits have returned, all of which are accessible to Case Western Reserve University students.

The museum, while only founded in 1920, dates back to a scientific society called the Ark. One of the founding members of this collection was Leonard Case, whose son endowed the Case School of Applied Science upon his father’s death. The museum itself moved further east from downtown, and in the 1950s, it settled on Wade Oval in University Circle.

One of the principal goals of its expansion was to “[weave] together

the original museum building and six disparate expansions from the past century into a unified complex.” This is accomplished with the new Visitor Hall, a space which now connects different parts of the museum together.

This is done with a bright modern structure and floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the structure.

The project is slated to include a “new self-guided interactive space,” a hands-on teaching area and redevelopment to its environmental courtyard and theater spaces.

The DLR Group, the architects behind the project, have previously left their mark on the University Circle area through their work on the Maltz Performing Arts Center and the Health Education Campus’ Samson Pavilion and Dental Clinic.

When asked about what makes the building so special, the architecture firm said, “Drawing on the history

of glaciation on the [m]useum’s site and in the region, the design’s curving white forms of glass fiber reinforced concrete evoke the alluvial forms shaped from the glaciers that created Lake Erie and the Great Lakes.”

With the new Visitor Hall open, many of the museum’s most celebrated objects, including the smiling sauropod—a dinosaur known as “Happy”—are not only open to the public, but also free of charge.

The newly renovated cafeteria called Origins Café is inside the new Visitor Hall, which now accepts CaseCash.

However, many parts of the museum still remain inaccessible to the general public. This includes exhibits dedicated to Tyrannosaurus rex and Edmontosaurus dinosaurs, human and planet origins and an observatory. These exhibits are all still under construction and renovation.

Greeting visitors as they walk into the newly-refurbished museum, “Happy” the dinosaur stands tall in the new Visitor Hall.

Courtesy of Cleveland.com Continue reading on page 3

News 3

observer.case.edu

Museum of Natural History from page 2 Critics and reviewers note how the new expansions will be more than just the previous “larger galleries” and instead thematically-based exhibits that are hopefully more immersive.

The goal is that they will be based on scientific story as opposed to linear chronological order.

The museum has been under reconstruction since 2021, meaning

that only students who are set to graduate at the end of this academic year would have had the theoretical opportunity to see the full collection.

While some of the museum’s recent

success has brought back some of the awe and legacy to the museum, until the full project can be completed, current CWRU students are left to their imaginations as to what used to exist.

The soaring fight: United Airlines flight attendants protest for improved working conditions at Cleveland Hopkins Airport Claudia Park Contributing Writer The scene at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is one to behold: Picketers wearing royal blue uniforms and union polo shirts chant, “Hey hey!

Ho ho! Corporate greed has got to go!” as they held their signs high in front of Door 6 to protest United Airlines’ unequal pay and increasingly demanding work hours. The protests stem from concerns among United employees regarding the pay discrepancy between the company’s C-suite workers and the cabin crew on the planes.

The demonstration took place on Oct. 26 with dozens of employees standing in the arrivals lane. The protest was one of many that took place across the country, as it was a nationwide day of action. Protests took place in international airports such as Tampa, Austin-Bergstrom, Newark Liberty, Harry Reid and O’Hare.

United disclosed their third quarter revenue of $15 billion. Additionally, Salary.com estimates the enormous annual salaries of the airline’s executives. It is reported that Vice President Greg Hart makes $850,000, President Brett Hart earns $775,000 and CEO Scott Kirby leads the pack with a salary

of at least $1 million.

In contrast, the average flight attendant in the state of Ohio makes a yearly salary of around $33,700, which comes out to around $16 an hour. According to Miranda Beal in The Cleveland Scene, “Year after year, they’re making record revenues. And the upper management?

They’re giving themselves raises, no problem. All while they’re nickel and diming the 26,000 flight attendants.”

Prior to the rally, union leaders released a statement clarifying their objectives with the protests: “United flight attendants in Newark and at almost 20 cities across the country on Thursday are taking this fight to the streets and demanding an industry-leading contract that gives flight attendants a share of the hefty profits their work produces for United.”

However, the protests do not solely derive from issues with pay inconsistencies. Workers have also expressed their indignation with United’s trimming of employee benefits as well as the company’s pushing of employees to work 18-hour days, which is three hours upwards of the previous 15-hour limit.

Flight attendants are also making a plea for more transparency and impartiality with flight delays and airport scheduling conflicts. While it is widely

acknowledged that delays can be extremely burdensome for passengers, flight crews want to remind individuals that they also bear the consequences when such inconveniences arise.

“You want to know when you’re going home, what flights you’re going to work,” said Beal. “And not sit on hold for like six hours waiting. I mean, when [customers] sit on their delays, we’re sitting on the phone waiting with them.”

Additionally, with the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter breaks, the protests have created an additional, unexpected layer of concern for students here at Case Western Reserve University: “I fly United so [I guess] I would be a bit concerned about my flight being affected but hopefully the issue is resolved by the administration listening to its employes like they should have been doing already,” said second-year student Keerthana Ashok.

Ashok also expressed her anticipation for the holidays, and consequently, a reprieve from her studies: “I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving because as a pre-med student I’ve been having back-to-back tests and I’m excited to have a chance to actually relax.”

Upheavals with airport and flight operations might manifest in the form of significant challenges. With flight

attendants taking to flight lanes to express their grievances with United, there is a possibility of increased flight delays and unforeseen alterations to flight schedules. On top of securing transportation, managing tight schedules and navigating the maze-like airport, the additional stress with unpredictable changes in itineraries could create hindrances for students.

United addressed these concerns in a statement with News 5 Cleveland, saying, “We’re continuing to work with the Association of Flight Attendants toward an industry-leading agreement. All United flights will operate as planned while our flight attendants exercise their right to distribute information and picket while off-duty.”

Aligned with United’s official statement, flight attendants are seeking negotiations for a contract with the company that will address their objections.

Previously, United pilots and cockpit crews were able to successfully negotiate a four-year contract this year that could potentially result in 40% raises during the duration of the deal. As a result, flight attendants are determined to win their own fair contract.

Beal said, “There’s a whole process involved, and this is the start of that process. This could lead to a strike.

We’re ready to go to what it takes.”

4 News

Friday, November 10, 2023

Life

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 10, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 11

UPBarrio Kart brings students together for a thrilling “Mario Kart Wii” tournament Elie Aoun Director of Print On Saturday, Nov. 4, University Program Board (UPB) hosted Barrio Kart, a “Mario Kart Wii” tournament that pitted two-person teams of students against each other in a single-elimination bracket. Throughout the night, 32 teams vied for wondrous prizes: a Wii console for first place, two JBL speakers for second and two LED mushroom lights for third. All participants also received a UPBbranded portable charger. “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,” “New Super Mario Bros. Wii,” “Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate” and “Just Dance 2014” were available for free play, and dinner was, of course, catered from local taco restaurant Barrio.

Each match consisted of two races, and each team chose one of the tracks. The games were played on 150cc speed with balanced items and no computer-played units (CPUs). If the two races resulted in a tie, a random track was selected as a tiebreaker. Players chose their characters by allowing the first player on team A to select a character, followed by both players on team B, then finally the other player on team A. Only Wii Remotes were available for play: The Nunchuck attachment and other controller types were prohibited so that all players were on an even playing field. Therefore everyone had to play with motion controls, steering their character by physically tilting the Wii Remote.

I teamed with fourth-year Laila Ramadan on team “The Iliad” since we are both classics majors. We faced two of my third-year roommates Jared Hausman and Ari Avalos on team “The R’s” in the first round, since they had partnered up in the hope of taking me down. In spite of all their trash talk,

however, they did not succeed. “I came, I raced, I lost. I did not have the sauce,” Hausman declared. He declined to comment any further.

We were sadly bested by team “Double Dash”—composed of fifth-year Brian Song and fourthyear Steven Zombirt—in the next round. We picked Delfino Square and took a nine-point lead, but our opponents then chose DK Summit and earned first and second place, sealing our defeat. On the third lap, I successfully took the single cut jump over half of the S-turn and almost passed one of our opponents, which would have led to a tie, but I tragically bumped into a Snowboarding Shy Guy before the final turn, finishing a few seconds too late. “I lost all two of my brain cells on DK Summit,” Ramadan remarked afterward. “I wanted Rainbow Road.”

The tournament ran for over three hours, and matches were constantly running on two massive televisions. Delfino Square, DK Summit and Mushroom Gorge were picked the most often, though some teams also opted for Rainbow Road, Waluigi Stadium, Wario’s Gold Mine or Moo Moo Meadows, among a few others. The players who already knew the game well and performed the best in the tournament often selected a character in the medium weight class with the Mach Bike vehicle; this sport bike is great because of its high speed, drift and Mini-Turbo stats.

It also has an “inside drifting” ability that allows players to turn tightly around corners.

Teams “Double Dash” and “Luke & Christian”—composed of secondyears Luke Palios and Christian Palios—were both eliminated in the semifinals and competed for third place. Both teams selected DK Summit, and the two races ended in a tie. Instead of playing a random track as the rules of the tournament

(Left to right) Jaap Singh and Nicolas Slavonia (team “Kusch 610”) lose in the finals on Delfino Square to Nathan Howell and Seth Gratz (team “Banana Peels”). Clay Preusch/The Observer stated, all four players agreed to play DK Summit again to break the tie, and the tournament organizers allowed it. The Palioses won in the end, earning a third place finish and two LED mushroom lights.

Teams “Kusch 610”—fourthyears Nicolas Slavonia and Jaap Singh—and “Banana Peels”—firstyear Seth Gratz and fourth-year Nathan Howell—fought fiercely in the finals. They first played DK Summit, where the “Banana Peels” took a commanding lead. They then played Delfino Square, but “Kusch 610” was not able to make up the massive gap. The final score was 40-18, with “Kusch 610” finishing in second place overall with two JBL speakers as their prize. “Banana Peels” walked away with first place and a Wii console for their superb efforts.

“They got us through strategy,” Slavonia said afterward. “We picked Delfino Square because that was the track where we were winning on the way up. Our opponents picked

(Left to right) Director of Print Elie Aoun and Laila Ramadan (team “The Iliad”) defeat Elie’s roommates Jared Hausman and Ari Avalos (team “The R’s”) after both gaining a massive lead on Delfino Square. Clay Preusch/The Observer

DK Summit. We picked karts, and that is more of a motorcycle track, so they had the advantage and took it. Well played to them.”

Not everything went well for “Banana Peels” at the start, however. “Going into the tournament, my partner dropped, and I had to find a new partner within five to 10 minutes,” Howell said.

Gratz explained the strategy that led his team to victory: “We picked skilled-based tracks such as DK Summit and Wario’s Gold Mine to gain an advantage, so even if we tied on the luck-based course or whatever track the other team picked, we knew we still had the advantage.” He also said, “I used Luigi on a Mach Bike in honor of YouTuber MrBean35000vr who made CTGP Revolution, a custom track mod for ‘Mario Kart Wii.’” This mod is popular with those who still play “Mario Kart Wii” online even 15 years after the game’s release, because CTGP Revolution adds over 200 fan-made tracks to the original game’s 32.

The food from Barrio was plentiful and well-received by the participants. There were white flour tortillas, chicken, tofu, rice, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and various sauces. “The chicken was exquisitely seasoned,” Avalos noted.

When asked why the organizers chose “Mario Kart Wii” as the game, third-year Samia Ahuja, a coordinator of the event, explained that “people like competitiveness, so we gave them a space to be competitive outside of classes and compete with other teams to win the Wii.” Third-year Janice Shih, UPB’s director of on-campus, organized the whole event. Regarding her favorite part of the tournament, she said, “I like that people are really excited for it. There is even a team that made their own T-shirts,” referring to matching T-shirts created by team “Double Dash.”

UPBarrio Kart was a great success, a thrill for all competitors and certainly a welcome break from students’ academic woes. Over the course of the exhilarating night, many great players met their doom on the snowy peaks of DK Summit.

Perhaps one day, they will host a tournament for “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” so that a certain writer for The Observer may have a chance to take first place.

6 Life

Friday, November 10, 2023

“Killers of the Flower Moon” is not your grandparents’ Western Anthony Wiles Contributing Writer Set in the bustling yet tense climate of 1920s Oklahoma oil country, Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” is based on a nonfiction book of the same title, which tells the stories of the Osage murders. These racially-motivated killings targeted citizens of the Osage Nation, an Indigenous community in Oklahoma, for their oil wealth and land rights between the 1910s and 1930s. Starring instantly recognizable actors and actresses such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Tatanka Means and Lily Gladstone, the film highlights the most notorious of these murders, orchestrated by wealthy entrepreneur and crime kingpin William King Hale (De Niro).

The entire cast delivers compelling performances, capturing the heightened senses of anxiety, fear and determination that were present in both the book and the actual time period. Gladstone in particular offers a powerful and heartbreaking portrayal of Mollie Kyle, the Osage wife of Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio) and the sister of the women murdered by Hale’s posse. Burkhart, while originally presented as a simple man chasing love and wealth, is later seen to be a shrewd and cruel player involved in several of the murders.

De Niro offers a noteworthy depiction of Hale, who moves directly between the white and Osage communities as a respected man. Later, he is discovered to be the orchestrator of the violence the film is built upon, and we see him fight to hold onto his power and reputation. Cara Jade Myers, who plays Mollie’s sister and murder victim,

Anna Brown, gives audiences a dignified and moving portrayal of a woman navigating intersections of race, gender, community, power and addiction in a historical setting.

Clocking in at over three hours, “Killers of the Flower Moon” captivates viewers throughout the entirety of its runtime. Volume changes play a key role in drawing in the audience, as scenes quickly shift from loud and chaotic to somber and unsettlingly calm, with location shifts adding to the gravity of these movements. The film’s setting provides audiences with a glimpse into a changing time as well, with the Osage Nation embracing its oil wealth and expected urbanization, and imparts an alternate view of Indigenous pasts.

Scorsese seeks to highlight Indigeneity in the film, particularly with language and culture. Much of the film’s dialogue, not only amongst the Osage characters, but also with white community members, is in the Osage language and subtitled in English. Osage cultural traditions are also depicted throughout the film, and viewers see the intersections—some organic, others forced— between these practices and those of white America. This dignification of the Osage language and culture not only reflects the historical realities of the time, but also does much justice to the place and power of Indigenous peoples in the American film industry.

Though the film is set in a turbulent Plains environment and centers around murder and money, it does not play out like a typical Western. Naturally, violence is a central part of the movie, and often adds action to an otherwise tranquil setting. However, “Killers of the Flower Moon” also show-

cases the role of family, community and culture in the lives of the people involved. In particular, we are presented with a community fighting to preserve and strengthen itself amidst a wave of cultural and physical onslaught.

Throughout the film, viewers watch as loyalties are tested and family is built, broken and betrayed while the characters fight for justice and answers.

Alongside the action of the film, Scorsese provides viewers with context and closure, leaving no room to wonder how this story ends.

The film’s ending, where Scorsese himself plays a radio show host announcing the details of the aftermath of the murders, was an interesting choice

on Scorsese’s behalf. Though all of the facts are presented to the audience, after such a moving and serious film, this sudden shift leaves audiences questioning the remembrance of these murders, and the overall sensationalization of violence against Indigenous peoples in American media.

Overall, “Killers of the Flower Moon” is a very human film. Keeping viewers glued to the screen with its compelling performances and constant suspense, this is a tastefully-made movie. Most importantly, however, it tells a necessary story in our history, and challenges audiences to reimagine the place and power of Indigenous stories in popular media.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” tells the story of the Osage murders that took place in the 1900s and explores the impact of these tragedies, all with a star-studded cast including (left to right) Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Courtesy of Apple Studios

Nine local Cleveland coffee shops to support instead of Starbucks or Dunkin’ Kate Gordon Life Editor It should come as no surprise that there are countless reasons not to support large coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’. Starbucks has appeared in the news numerous times in the second half of this year for its “dirty war against organized labor,” to quote a headline the New York Times ran in July. Many students may remember when the University Circle Starbucks shut down last year only months after its employees unionized—supposedly for renovations, but with the company’s track record, it’s not much of a stretch to suggest that the store’s temporary closing was done out of retaliation. And less than a month ago, Starbucks sued its union, Starbucks Workers United, for releasing a message showing solidarity with Palestinians in the midst of the current conflict in the Middle East.

Though not surprising, this breach of the workers’ right to free speech has led to calls, particularly from college students and other members of Generation Z, to boycott the company. Dunkin’, whose employees are not unionized at all, is not much better.

In light of these controversies, and the obvious competition each brand poses for local business, I urge Case Western Reserve University students to patronize the following nine Cleveland-based coffee

shops instead. Some are on campus, while others are worth a trip on public transit or drive through the city. Either way, you can feel good about where your money is going and enjoy a delicious drink at the same time.

Within University Circle You’ve probably already heard of The Coffee House at University Circle—it’s right across from the first-year dorms and is consistently packed on weekend mornings. In addition to a variety of coffee and espresso drinks, you can also grab hearty options for breakfast and lunch including bagels, sandwiches, soups, salads and, of course, pastries of all kinds. I’m particularly fond of their lattes made with honey-cardamom syrup, Pumpkin Chai and ham-and-swiss croissants.

Odd Dog Coffee is a mobile coffee food truck parked outside of the Museum of Contemporary Art on Euclid Avenue. Enjoy staples such as drip coffee and cold brew alongside drinks from their full espresso bar. Currently, they are also offering a seasonal Maple Brown Sugar Latte for those with a sweeter tooth.

Blue Sky Brews in Little Italy is situated perfectly for students living on Southside. Though I have found their wifi spotty on occasion, their $3 iced coffee beats out both Starbucks and Dunkin’ in terms of

value. Later in the evening, you can also try their beer—the other namesake “brew”—if you’re over 21.

City-wide chains The first of two Cleveland-based chains, Phoenix Coffee has six different locations; the closest one to campus is in Coventry and accessible via the BlueLink. They serve hot and iced coffee, espresso and tea, as well as blends by the bag and houseplants. All of their syrups and most of their pastries are made in house as well. Plus, unlike most other coffee shops, they do not upcharge for oat milk.

Rising Star Coffee Roasters has six locations as well, the closest of which is off Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. Like Phoenix, they do not charge extra for any kind of alternative milk. Many of Rising Star’s drinks are spice-forward, which I love; these include the Cardamom Bomb, Promised Land—which contains cinnamon and honey—and Dirty Chai. They also have hot chocolate, matcha and a lengthy list of teas.

If you’re looking for real food alongside your coffee, Rising Star sources bagels from The Cleveland Bagel Co. and pastries from Blackbird Baking Company. The Cleveland Heights location also shares a space with popup kitchen ABunDance Culinary, which serves modern, albeit pricey, takes on traditional Chinese dumplings and steamed buns.

Ohio City There are almost too many fantastic coffee shops in Ohio City to name them all, but I’ll try my best. There’s a location apiece for Phoenix and Rising Star. Edda Coffee Roasters is right across from West Side Market—you’ll struggle to find somewhere to sit on the weekends. They offer a wide variety of espresso-based drinks and several different kinds of tea, plus pastries, breakfast food, sandwiches, salads and even alcoholic beverages. Duck-Rabbit Coffee, on the other hand, takes coffee back to its roots. They offer no sugary syrups to mask their brews’ flavor, and serve only pastries on the side.

Lekko Coffee has a similarly minimalist menu, though their Cafe Miel sweetened with honey and cinnamon is worth indulging in. They’re also my personal preference for the best coffee shop to study in, with plenty of seating and outlets available inside. Finally, Koffie Cafe has an equally long list of hot and cold drinks, breakfast served all day and a cozy, red-brick lined interior.

Hopefully, you find at least one of these coffee shops or cafes intriguing.

If you’re looking to venture even further, neighborhoods like Tremont and suburbs such as Lakewood and Beachwood have great options as well. Getting your drink is sometimes only half the fun—checking out the surrounding shops, restaurants, attractions and the local scene is often the best part of shopping small.

Fun Weekly Horoscope Written by ChatGPT for a CWRU student Aquarius You're in a creative and innovative mood. Think outside the box in your assignments and projects. Your unique ideas will set you apart and impress your professors and peers.

Pisces your intuition is guiding you this week.

Trust your instincts, especially when making important decisions. You may find a deeper connection with your coursework by following your inner wisdom.

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 10, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 11

"Loneliness is the new smoking"

What We've Been Listening To

"She fart in my wallet, call that sh*t gas money"

My Friend Groove Armada

"Those damn human traffickers racked up charges on the credit card bills"

Turn Red Mali Velasquez

Overheard CWRU Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus

"A sailboat and a plane means I have no wife anymore" "SKILL ISSUE" (yelled at noisy helicopter overhead) "Mercucio was in f*cking love with Romeo"

Beau Bilinovich

Get Better Cate

Zachary Treseler

Blackbird The Beatles

Taurus Your patience will be tested this week.

You may encounter challenges in your coursework or group projects. Stay calm, communicate effectively, and you'll find solutions. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work.

Auden Koetters Tyler Vu/The Observer

Crossword Solution: 11/3

Bittersweet Clinton Kane

Bowen Zhang

Diamond day Vashti Bunyan Kate Gordon

The Planets, Op.32: 1. Mars, the Bringer of War Gustav Holst

Virgo It's time to get organized. A wellstructured study routine will help you excel academically. Plan your time wisely and stick to a schedule. Your attention to detail will pay off in your coursework.

Elie Aoun

Libra You may be torn between social events and your academic responsibilities this week. Balance is key. Prioritize your studies but make time for social interactions. A well-rounded approach will lead to success.

Capricorn Your practicality is an asset as you navigate your academic responsibilities.

Make a to-do list, set clear goals, and stick to your plans. Your discipline will help you achieve your academic aspirations.

Tyler Vu

Evening Drizzle Sounds of the Jungle

Leo Your leadership qualities are in high demand. Take the initiative in group projects, and your ideas will shine. Don't be afraid to share your creativity and inspire those around you. Your charisma is a valuable asset.

Sagittarius This is a great week to broaden your horizons. Consider taking up a new hobby or joining a club that interests you. Expanding your interests outside of your coursework can bring you fresh inspiration.

Willie's Song The Moss

Anjali Bhuthpur

Cancer Your emotional intelligence shines this week. Use your empathy and communication skills to foster deeper connections with your peers.

Networking could open doors to exciting opportunities, both academically and socially.

Scorpio Your determination is your greatest strength this week. Focus on your longterm goals, and don't be discouraged by setbacks. Your resilience will carry you through any challenges you encounter.

Sara Khorshidi

I Write the Songs Barry Manilow

Aries Your academic drive is unstoppable.

You're determined to tackle your studies with newfound vigor. Make the most of your energy and focus, but remember to take short breaks to recharge. Balancing work and play will help you succeed.

Gemini This week, your curiosity knows no bounds. Embrace your inquisitive nature and explore new topics, both in and out of your classes. You'll find inspiration and fresh perspectives that can enhance your academic journey.

Puneet Bansal

Easy

Sudoku

Medium

Opinion

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 10, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 11

Why dating shows have us hooked—and what they are doing to our relationships Katharina Staehr Contributing Writer Last night, the words “[w]arning, the following program contains love, lust and sexy democracy” obnoxiously blared from my laptop as the screen scanned over gym-honed mirrorlovers in a luxury villa off the coast of Hawaii. This is referring to none other than the reality show “Love Island” and its cheesy yet iconic narrator Matthew Hoffman, who has been frequenting my late-night entertainment program in the past few weeks.

The idea of plopping a group of hot people on a remote island in the pursuit of true love may sound ridiculous and artificial, but it doesn’t make the show any less addictive.

That observation raised a question in my mind: If these shows are so overtly fake, why do we care so much?

Dating shows like “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Love Island” and “Are You the One?” have made it onto Time’s list of the 50 most influential reality TV shows; in fact, 39% of all reality TV is dating shows, making it the most popular genre.

The answer lies not merely in the art of show business—scenes pumped with undiluted melodrama, episodes ending in annoyingly witty cliffhangers and clashing personalities destined for heated arguments and scandal.

Rather, we must trace the obsession back to ourselves, to our unrelenting desire to form so-called “parasocial relationships”: one-sided relationships in our minds between ourselves and someone we don’t actually know.

Ranging anywhere from harmless affection to a borderline pathological fictional love connection called “fictophilia,” cultivating these bonds has never been easier—actors, singers, co-

medians, athletes and reality TV stars are everywhere.

Every time we tune in to our favorite dating show, we feel like we are making real connections with real people.

Unlike actors in scripted programs, reality TV stars are being themselves, not playing a character. Naturally, their lives appear more accessible to us, and with the help of social media— a portal to offscreen drama and fan interactions—,we are kept engaged long after the hour-long episode has ended.

Fan-celebrity connections appear to be a win-win for both parties involved.

Fans make a new “fictional” friend, while celebrities gain money and an avalanche of fame. Notably, in 27 seasons of “The Bachelor,” only one bachelor is currently married to the woman who received his “final rose” in the last episode. The low couple success rates across all dating shows speak for themselves: Contestants aren’t really on a quest to find love; rather, they came to be swept into a whirlwind of public appearances fueled by the fascination of their lives by millions.

But having these somewhat obsessive connections to near strangers may not be such a big win after all. While loneliness is assumed to be the cause of parasocial bonding—as these bonds can make up for a lack of human connection in our real lives— there is no consistent correlation. For the majority, these bonds remain trivial at most—a component of small talk or a brief episode of dinner table chatter. Still, parasocial bonding can be an indicator that something doesn’t add up in our personal lives.

For people who have a tendency to avoid emotional intimacy, or what psychologists call “avoidant attachment,” it comes as no surprise that parasocial bonds become an alternative to real-life relationships. This could be

Tyler Vu/The Observer the start to a vicious cycle: Avoidant attachment could result in increased parasocial bonding, which can lead to fewer interactions with friends and family as fans invest their time into following the lives of a celebrity.

Parasocial bonding doesn’t have to be a bad thing, nor is it atypical; in fact, it’s intrinsic to human behavior. Still, it should be a starting point for reflection. Ask yourself: Are you spending a little too much time getting to the bottom of a stranger’s personal life, or consistently returning to the melodrama happening within the walls of the “Love Island” villa? In that case,

maybe it’s a good time to take a break, or break up with your “parasocial” friend. Step away from vigilantly following celebrities’ Instagram profiles or, if need be—and as hard as it may sound—,stop watching a show entirely.

Granted, reality TV shows have mastered the art of bringing gossip to viewers with short attention spans.

However, next time I find myself clicking the play button on Season 3, episode 20 of “Love Island,” I might just resist the temptation. Spending time with real friends sounds much better, anyways.

My journey through grief Beau Bilinovich Opinion Editor Losing someone you care about is an experience that all of us will have to go through in our lives. No matter who you are or where you are from, you will, at some point, have to grieve, and it won’t be easy.

I have lost many loved ones suddenly within the span of just a year—and this new period of my life has felt incredibly strange, confusing and chaotic. I’m used to seeing grief portrayed in movies, TV shows and even video games, but I never quite understood what it felt like to actually grieve. Nothing could have prepared me for the struggles I’ve had to face, especially as an already overwhelmed college student. A year later, though, I’ve decided to give myself the opportunity to finally talk about the realities of grief.

If you’re struggling like me, then maybe you can find some comfort in my personal reflections.

First, grief does not just have to be related to the death of someone you loved; grief can arise after many different kinds of losses: the end of a friendship or romantic relationship, moving away from home or even the loss of your past self.

All forms of grief are equally valid and can be challenging. If you find yourself sad and reminiscing about the end of a friendship that brought you joy, your pain is real. I also understand that kind

of grief, and it is not any easier to work through.

Regarding grief after death, one hurdle that is sometimes difficult for me to overcome is the societal taboo surrounding talking about death. This taboo is particularly perplexing considering that death is very much a normal human experience that none of us can avoid.

After a global pandemic that took the lives of almost 7 million people and news of mass violence here in America and abroad, you would think death would be easier to talk about. But it is still a challenge for me. Even writing about it in this article is difficult: I worry that I might be revealing too much of myself or making other people uncomfortable just by mentioning death. And that is very frustrating when being open is a healthy and normal part of processing grief.

Though I sometimes still struggle with being open about my grief, sharing my feelings does help a lot. Knowing that I can temporarily take some of the burden off my shoulders makes it easier to navigate. If you are grieving, I would suggest opening up—at least to those close to you. Some people will be uncomfortable with the topic, but they don’t necessarily mean anything bad by it. They might not know how to support you or don’t want to upset you—both of which are understandable—which is why it’s important to respect other people’s boundaries.

Don’t let that stop you, though, from seeking out those who will support you

and leaning on them.

There might be times when talking about grief with others is too much to handle; in this case, writing about grief is also very effective. I’ve found that writing letters to loved ones has helped me not only process my own grief but also maintain the connection I once had with them.

In these letters, I write as if they were still here and tell them about my day or week.

It’s one small gesture I make that helps me to keep their memory alive, and I think it could help you as well. You don’t have to write all the time—I don’t—but if you have some free time and are thinking about them, consider picking up a pencil and a piece of paper. It’s a very powerful method to express your love for them.

Carrying on my lost loved one’s legacy has been a major goal for me in my grief.

Writing letters is one strategy, but this can also mean listening to songs they enjoyed, wearing clothes that remind me of them, eating at restaurants they frequented or just doing what would make them proud. I learned in therapy that grief is love that has nowhere to go. Many of us grieve because we loved the person or people we lost, so finding outlets to express that love is immensely important.

Find an outlet that works for you; maybe watch a movie they loved, bake a meal they enjoyed—whatever makes sense for you. Grieving is a personal journey, and what each of us individually finds comfort in varies.

Many people think of sadness when

they hear the word grief, but it encompasses more than just one emotion. In my own journey, anger and bitterness have been common emotions. During the early stages of my grief, I would feel anger not only for my losses, but also at the world as a whole. In fact, anger is a normal part of the grieving process; and for many people, anger can even overshadow other emotions, such as sadness.

Envy that others don’t have to experience what you are experiencing is also common. It might seem “wrong” to feel that way but it is a normal reaction. Don’t fault yourself. Eventually, the anger will subside and you will come out all right.

Sometimes, though, you might not feel anything at all—you might be numb or get the sense that your emotions are “frozen.” I felt numb early in my mourning: Life seemed mundane—almost chillingly quiet—and I found it difficult to do even basic tasks. Emotional numbness can be especially common during the early stages of grief; having to prepare for a funeral if you lost someone forces you to focus your energy solely on those plans. You might not even cry at the funeral, which can cause worry about what others might think. But just as anger is normal, so too is numbness.

Everyone grieves differently and for different reasons. Exploring our individual reactions to grief is part of the journey.

Continue reading on page 9

Opinion 9

observer.case.edu

My journey through grief from page 8 The most important lesson I’ve learned is that despite having lost people I loved, I am still here. But I wouldn’t be able to say that without support from my family, friends, therapist and even the hobbies I enjoy. Shows, video games and music that center a character’s journey through grief—in the case of “The Last of Us,” a literally physical jour-

ney—make me feel seen and understood. They’ve also given me the motivation to keep moving forward no matter what.

If you’re grieving for any reason, I hope my personal reflections made you feel understood. We shouldn’t have to grieve alone; reach out to those who care about you, allow yourself the freedom to talk about

your feelings and know that you are not alone. Case Western Reserve University has numerous resources for those struggling with grief, and students can schedule counseling appointments at MyHealthConnect.

Most importantly, give yourself compassion. Grief is a long and difficult journey with many bumps

in the road; however, you can and will make it out of that dark tunnel.

Grief does significantly change who you are, but sometimes it can make you a stronger, more resilient person with an endless amount of love to spread. And I think we could all appreciate a little more love in our lives.

EDITORIAL

Editorial: President Kaler’s intimidation of the LGBT Center is a threat to student expression Editorial Board On Nov. 6, Case Western Reserve University’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), as well as several other CWRU clubs and external organizations, organized a

walkout in protest of President Eric Kaler and his stance on the IsraelPalestine conflict. Kaler released two statements one month ago, the first expressing his remorse “to all those affected by the tragic loss of life” in Israel and Gaza, and the second condemning the “terrorist violence by

The Case Western Reserve Observer Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University

Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher PRINT Elie Aoun Director of Print Téa Tamburo News Editor Zachary Treseler News Editor Kate Gordon Life Editor Beau Bilinovich Opinion Editor Puneet Bansal Sports Editor Lexy Jensen Development Editor Rebecca Warber Copy Editor Darcy Chew Copy Editor Sara Khorshidi Copy Editor Sarah Karkoff Copy Editor

DIGITAL MEDIA Joce Ortiz Director of Digital Media Nandana Vinod Social Media Manager Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor Shejuti Wahed Social Media Content Creator & Video Editor Clay Preusch Photo Editor Noah Henriques Web Editor DESIGN Auden Koetters Director of Design Anjali Bhuthpur Layout Designer Phuong Nguyen Layout Designer Bowen Zhang Layout Designer Lucas Yang Graphic Designer Tyler Vu Graphic Designer BUSINESS Khushali Desai Director of Business Operations Matthew Chang Business Manager Sophia Ran Business Manager Cayley Ng Business Manager The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case.edu.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR should be e-mailed to observer@case.edu or submitted on our website at observer.case.edu. Letters can be mailed to Thwing Center 11111 Euclid Avenue, Suite 01, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. For policy and guidelines related to the submission of Letters to the Editor, refer to observer.case.edu/submit-a-letter.

The Observer is a proud member of CWRU’s University Media Board. Follow The Observer on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram @cwruobserver.

Hamas against Israel” four days later.

The weekend before the walkout, the SJP Instagram page posted an update stating that the LGBT Center—whose logo was initially included on the fliers for the walkout as a supporter of the event—was allegedly forced to retract their support after the university intimidated them with “dire consequences” if they did not comply. These consequences were not specified by the LGBT Center or the university.

If true, such intimidation and threat by the administration are far beneath the values of a university that claims to act as a safe haven for “respectfully consider[ing] the things that may divide us,” as Kaler stated in his Oct. 9 email. An official statement released by the university said, “[l]ike every other student affairs organization, the LGBT Center exists to serve all students.” Whether the LGBT Center intended on showing support for this walkout or not does not mean that it only supports Palestine. Prohibiting this expression is only further polarizing the center that serves as a “safe space for community and education.”

The LGBT Center is an identitybased university office and, according to the statement from the university, cannot “endorse campus political activities.” Firstly, as expressed in the flier, the primary purpose of the walkout was to express no confidence in Kaler’s statements—an explicitly nonpolitical objective focused on the president—not for the elimination of Israel or the liberation of Palestine.

Secondly, the LGBT Center has been able to support other political causes, having also denounced discrimination and violence against marginalized communities. Why didn’t the university retaliate against the LGBT Center when they publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020? Why is supporting nonviolence against Black Americans not considered political, but supporting nonviolence against Palestinian civilians is?

However, this alleged retaliation should not come as a surprise; Kaler has been firm on his opinions about the State of Israel for years, polarizing college campuses for over a decade.

Prior to his presidency at CWRU, Kaler served as president of the University of Minnesota (UMN), where UMN saw many of the same problems that CWRU is currently facing with Kaler.

In 2018, when the UMN student body passed a campus-wide referendum to boycott and divest from the State of Israel, former UMN President Kaler expressed concerns about the campus community “unfairly singling out one government and the citizens of the country in question.” When CWRU’s Undergraduate Student Government voted to pass Resolution 31-15

to divest from Israel last year, Kaler reacted in a similar manner, calling the language in the bill “anti-Semitic,” “anti-Israel” and “irrelevant,” also mentioning that the bill was “naïve.”

Furthermore, in 2016, an American-Israeli nonprofit group hung posters around the UMN campus claiming that SJP was “a front for” Hamas, depicting caricatures of men carrying assault rifles and wearing a keffiyeh around their head and face, which Kaler did nothing about. These are the same posters that have been seen around CWRU’s campus, and Kaler once again has yet to denounce them as “anti-Palestinian,” “anti-Arab,” “naïve” or even just heavily-misinformed propaganda.

CWRU’s Policy on Freedom of Expression, which is relevant to all members of the campus community, recognizes that people will inevitably have a difference in opinion about some topics, “[y]et it is not the proper role of the University to exclude or suppress those ideas some may find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even offensive.” The policy also mentions that the university may restrict expression if it is illegal, goes against CWRU policy, threatens or harasses a specific individual, breaches privacy or confidentiality or is “otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the University.” The LGBT Center’s expression clearly did not violate any of the restrictions regarding legality, harassment or privacy, and its objective was not aimed towards a political cause but Kaler himself.

How, then, did its expression harm the university?

There now exists a Petition of No Confidence in President Kaler for his recent actions, citing that Kaler has not lived up to the university’s core values of “civility and the free exchange of ideas” as well as “academic freedom and responsibility.” While this is a heavily emotional topic that understandably upsets people on both sides, it didn’t have to be like this. As reiterated by SJP, the purpose of the walkout was to bring the campus community together to fight against the statements Kaler made that deliberately omitted crucial context to this “not so simple” conflict, in his words. Ted Steinberg, the faculty advisor for SJP, said, “President Kaler has imposed his own politics on us all and that can only work to stifle debate about what is happening in Gaza and Israel. The walkout fought back against the administration in light of the continuing brutalization of the Palestinians at the hands of the Israeli military.”

In closing, he said that “SJP’s goal is to remind us that the Palestinians are human beings and you cannot take away their humanity no matter how hard you pound them militarily.”

10 Opinion

Friday, November 10, 2023

Don’t fear the gap year: Why students should be encouraged to consider gap years Jessica Kwasny Staff Writer What do you want to do after you graduate?

Every student has to face this question at some point before graduation. For some, the answer is obvious: They have a dream career in sight, and maybe even a clear picture of the steps they need to take to reach it. For others, the answer is not so clear. From lacking a personal vision of their proverbial “dream job” to feeling burnt out from years of academic work to questioning their passion for their major, many students find this question difficult to answer.

In an effort to avoid addressing it, students can be tempted to forge ahead with career paths they dislike or extend their time in academia by enrolling in higher degree programs. While these options work well for some people, students often shy away from the seemingly risky alternative of taking a gap year; however, with the multitude of benefits that a break can offer and the number of ways to approach it, students should be encouraged to consider taking a gap year.

Graduating students in the U.S. often feel pressure to get ahead and secure a good career fast. Fresh memories of the chaos that the COVID-19 pandemic imparted on the job market only add to the stress. This attitude is reflected in surveys published by the career search platform Handshake, which found that economic news has driven the class of 2023 to feel “anxious,” “worried” and “stressed” to the extent that they plan to apply to jobs sooner than they originally intended. In another Handshake survey, 85% of Generation Z job seekers reported stability to be a high priority in their job search. It’s no surprise that among a cohort of students longing for certainty, the idea of stepping

back from the grind is intimidating.

But diverging from the conventional path by taking a gap year is not automatically a waste of time and money.

It can be an invaluable opportunity to identify personal values and aspirations before committing to the financial and time demands of the next educational or career endeavor.

Studies on high school graduates who took a gap year before college show that the gap helps many students gain clarity regarding their career or major selection. Other reported benefits include improved motivation and academic performance following the break. Furthermore, the Gap Year Association, a federally-recognized Standards Development Organization for gap year programs in the U.S., collected surveys revealing that students who take a gap year before college are more likely to graduate in four years or less when compared to the national average.

Gap years aren’t just for high school graduates. They are also fairly common among aspiring physicians; according to the recent national survey by the Association of American Medical Colleges, 44.1% of enrolled medical students took one to two gap years before medical school. The additional time helps prevent burnout and allows students to obtain experiences that are otherwise hard to manage as an undergraduate. Without the burden of a full course load, a student has more time to investigate a field of interest, serve as a volunteer, learn a language or build other skills to boost resumes and applications.

Students who aren’t entirely certain about which path to pursue after college can benefit from a gap year as an opportunity for self-reflection before settling on a long-term career. Earlier this month, motivational speaker Josh Copeland came to Case Western Reserve University to speak about his

Lucas Yang/The Observer struggle to figure out his purpose after his Division I collegiate athletic experience came to a close. He noted that self-reflection is an important part of identifying personal goals: “I think that taking time to figure out who you are and what you want in life is essential for living a life of purpose and fulfillment.

I believe that you should ask yourself these two questions: Who am I? And, who do I want to become? Answering these two questions is the start of living the life that you want to [live]. Not the life that you are told that you should live. The benefit of taking time for yourself is that it will allow you the space and clarity to figure out what things you want out of life.”

Importantly, a gap year need not be a costly venture. While shelling out thousands of dollars for specialized gap

year programs is one way to ensure a productive, well-structured experience, this route falls outside most graduates’ budgets. Instead, students can take advantage of gap year scholarships and paid opportunities that are available both domestically and abroad. Additionally, many volunteer programs offer stipends and cover the cost of room and board.

Students should not surrender to the assumption that gap years are wasteful or foolish. With thoughtful planning, they can be a worthwhile investment of time, helping students clarify their goals and identify the steps they need to take to reach them. Students who feel they could benefit from a gap year should feel encouraged to look past the stigma and figure out how to make it work for them.

Adulting 101: The importance of learning how to be an adult Catherine Choi Staff Writer In my senior year of high school, my Advanced Placement (AP) Government and Politics and Macroeconomics teacher conducted three classes where she educated her students on finances. During the process, I learned a lot about student loans, car loans, 401(k) plans and house mortgages. As a result, I struggled less with financial aid, budgeting and other financial paperwork.

Despite this opportunity, I was shocked to learn how complicated it is to live on my own and take care of myself. During my first year in college, I struggled a lot with relationships, acting maturely, working part time, managing time and having to balance numerous responsibilities that I did not have while living with my parents. For this reason, high school students should have the opportunity to learn essential life skills that are necessary to become an independent adult before being thrown into the real world.

One life skill that high schools should teach is mental coaching and wellness.

Athletes use mental coaches so they can improve their confidence, increase their focus, build resilience and to enhance their mental strength. Everyone should be able to be their own mental coach since these skills are important regardless of the career path one takes.

Research has proven that the current generation of young adults struggle

more to cope with mental struggles than the previous generation due to the pandemic, poor parenting methods and the lack of opportunities for autonomy, all of which create a lower tolerance threshold. Knowing healthy methods to manage stress and establish a strong mentality help people better achieve goals, have a positive mindset, be confident about their abilities, regulate their emotions and overall live a healthy life.

Teaching mind training and self-care can help people tackle their own problems.

The second life skill that should be taught in high school is financial literacy. Finances become more complex as people enter adulthood and go beyond simply saving more and spending less. Learning about how the economy runs can help students get a better understanding of finance and make informed choices. Students should learn how to decide where and when to save and spend, how to compare costs before a big purchase and how to plan for retirement or other long-term savings. Financial skills are applicable regardless of what career one pursues.

High financial literacy prevents people from making devastating mistakes, it prepares them better for unforeseen financial situations and it helps them work their way out of financial crises.

Also, learning what it truly means to get a loan, buy on credit or file bankruptcy can help young adults refrain from dangerous financial behaviors and make smart decisions.

Civic education is also immensely important for students to learn. Learning about the different kinds of laws regarding safety, dispute resolution and protection of rights and why they exist can help people understand why laws are important—even if they require citizens to relinquish a part of their freedom. A lot of people are unaware of the details of the law and may end up doing something illegal without realizing.

Also, knowing the duties and rights that citizens hold can protect them from mistreatment and abuse from those in power by encouraging people to fight against injustice. Learning about our rights, how laws are created, how to act in certain situations—attending court or getting pulled over, for example— what is legal or illegal and the possible consequences for each violation of the law can help young adults avoid situations where they are fined or falsely convicted.

Basic chores and life skills should also be taught. Knowing how to cook meals can help people save money from eating out at restaurants and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Knowing how to do basic repairs can help people save money from having to pay repair services, use items for longer periods of time and keep their assets, especially their house and cars, in good condition. Also, learning about healthy habits can help individuals make better decisions and refrain from dangerous habits. A lot of these skills were unnecessary when we were younger since our parents helped

us with them; however, as we get older, we must learn how to live independently. Although some people might believe that we learn from our mistakes and that these skills do not need to be taught professionally, it can protect us from unnecessary struggles and problems.

Lastly, schools should focus on social and communication skills. Although most people learn how to interact with others in a school setting, other social skills are needed to become an adult.

Skills such as writing professional emails, writing resumes and cover letters, performing strongly in job interviews, maintaining good leadership in the workplace, building relationships and connections, professionally managing conflicts and negotiating should be taught so that people can be more successful as adults. These social abilities are also linked to one’s ability to keep their job. Skills such as effectively communicating, respecting workplace rules, taking what others say seriously and persevering through hardships are essential since the people around you have high expectations and low tolerance for immature behavior.

The real world is much different from what we see in the textbook. A lot of the things we learn and get tested on are hardly used in life, and the skills that we use everyday are not necessarily taught in school. During high school, students should learn how to act as independent adults so that they do not have to endure unnecessary trial and error on their own.

Sports

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 10, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 11

Cavaliers bounce back 115-104 against Golden State Warriors Puneet Bansal Sports Editor The Cleveland Cavaliers impressed us last season, returning to the playoffs for the first time since LeBron James’ departure in 2018 and sparking hope that The Land would once again be a force to reckon with on the court. Since Oct. 25, the Cavs have begun their regular season campaign, hoping to improve on their first-round loss to the New York Knicks in April.

In the first two weeks, however, things have not looked so great for Cleveland. After clinching a nail-biting 114-113 win against the Brooklyn Nets on opening night, the Cavs dropped three games in a row against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 27 (108105), the Indiana Pacers on Oct. 28 (125-113) and the New York Knicks on Oct. 31 (109-91). In a rematch on Nov. 1 against the Knicks, the Cavs bounced back for the 95-89 win, but fell again to the Pacers on Nov. 3. Standing at a dismal record of 2-4; Cleveland was hungry for some victories to bolster that win column.

On Nov. 5, the Cavaliers hosted the Golden State Warriors at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in front of a rowdy crowd just as hungry to see their city’s team pick up a win at home. The game tipped off at 6 p.m., and the Cavs were ready to go.

The Warriors put the pressure on quickly. Forward Draymond Green, who received the loudest boos every time he touched the ball, hit a 3-pointer to begin the game. Less than a minute later, Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell answered with a triple of his own.

Mitchell posted 31 points, 7 assists and 2 rebounds for the game.

The two teams stayed neck-and-

neck with each other for much of the first quarter. A 25-foot 3-pointer from Cavs shooting guard Max Strus pushed Cleveland’s lead to 10-5, but Warriors’ center Kevon Looney hit a layup and point guard Stephen Curry hit his first three of the game to tie it once again.

There were seven ties in the first 12 minutes of action, but in the end the Warriors came out on top 30-29 at the quarter’s buzzer.

Though it seemed like the stage was set for a tight match, the second quarter unfolded a different story. Cleveland power forward Dean Wade hit a 3-pointer to break the

scoring hiatus and give the Cavs the 32-30 lead with about 10 minutes left in the half. Wade had 3 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals for the night.

Following free throws from point guard Darius Garland, a layup and two threes from Mitchell and a midrange shot from forward Caris LeVert, the Cavs’ lead grew to 44-38.

The Warriors cut the deficit to 44-41 following a three from guard Gary Payton II, but Cleveland answered right back with some easy points in the paint and at the free throw line.

In the final minute, Garland attacked the rim and scored two straight layups to put the halftime

Point guard Donovan Mitchell was the highest scorer in a historic game where the Cavs were finally victorious after a 6-year losing streak to the Golden State Warriors.

Courtesy of Jason Miller/Getty Images

score at 57-45 in favor of Cleveland.

Garland totaled 24 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds by the end.

The Cavaliers maintained their lead throughout the third quarter, with the largest gap being 13 points following a jumper from Cavs center Jarrett Allen to put the score at 71-58.

A jumper from LeVert with three seconds left in the quarter gave the Cavs an 86-77 lead heading into the fourth quarter. LeVert contributed 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists on the night.

The Warriors would not fold so easily. They made several runs to bridge the gap. Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga hit a jumper to cut the lead to 88-82. The Cavs responded well with more attacks in the paint to take advantage of the Warriors’ small ball. The Warriors cut the lead to 90-86 again, this time with a jumper from long-time NBA veteran, point guard Chris Paul. But the Cavs withstood the Warriors’ attempts and held on for the rest of the game. The final score was 115-104 for the Cavs’ third win of the season.

With the win, Cleveland ended a 16-game losing streak that went all the way back to Dec. 25, 2016 and spanned 12 regular season games and four playoff losses.

As a team, the Cavs shot 49.4% (41-83) from the field and 29.7% (11of-37) from beyond the arc. The Cavs defense was on full display, holding Golden State to 36.2% overall (3494), forcing 19 points off turnovers and outscoring the Warriors 26-10 in fast break points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will travel to San Francisco in a rematch of this game on Nov. 11, hoping to use the momentum from this match to propel them to a strong start to the regular season.

Swimming and diving teams defeat Rochester to improve to 3-0 Paola Van der Linden Costello Staff Writer The Case Western Reserve University swimming and diving teams improved their overall record to 3-0 for the season after their victory against the University of Rochester this past Saturday, Nov. 4. The men’s team defeated the Yellowjackets 227-60 and the women bested them 220-80, another dual win for this team. The men’s team won 15 out of the 16 events, and the women’s team won 13 out of 16. With this victory, the swimming and diving head coach Doug Milliken earned his 100th win.

Second-year Peter Meng set a school record in the 200-yard individual medley with a timestamp of 1:50.56, beating the previous record set by CWRU alumnus Andrew Smith in 2021. He also set a pool record in the 1000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:29.61, beating the last record set in 2007 and following second to his own school record from last fall.

Second-year Emil LaSida, fourthyear Ethan Chuang, third-year Ben Zuo and second-year Mason Bencurik secured the 200-yard medley relay

On Saturday Nov. 4, the CWRU swimming and diving teams hosted a meet against University of Rochester in Vealm Natatorium.

Courtesy of CWRU Athletics win. Second-year John Drumm won the 200-yard freestyle and second-year William Froass won the 100-yard backstroke. Chuang added another win for the weekend, coming first in the 100yard breaststroke with a time of 58.37 seconds. Second-year Joshua Hernandez secured the 200-yard butterfly in 1:57.60. Third-year Griffin Gushman

won the 500-yard freestyle in 4:50.21.

For the women’s team, third-year Selah Dean placed first in the 200-yard butterfly and 500-yard freestyle with times of 2:14.12 and 5:23.38, respectively. Third-year Gabriella Chambers, third-year Kate Menzer, second-year Claire Kozma and second-year Julia Cho won the 200-yard medley relay.

Chambers, Kozma, second-year Eliza Dixon and third-year Kelly Vann also won the 200-yard freestyle relay. Menzer also won the 200-yard individual medley (2:13.23) while Chambers touched the wall first in the 50-yard freestyle in 24.08 seconds. Third-year Angeli Paull won the 100-yard freestyle, first-year Maggie Rose Rook took the 200-yard freestyle and first-year Ava Ellis placed at the top in the 1000yard freestyle.

Third-year Abigail Wilkov once again swept the boards, winning both the 1-meter dive with 276.75 points and the 3-meter dive with 278.03 points.

Third-year Alex Waltman also won both diving events, taking the 1-meter with a score of 257.05 and the 3-meter dive with a score of 244.20.

The team will take a week off before competing again at the Total Performance Invite in Gambier, Ohio from

Nov. 16-18 and at the Carnegie Mellon University Diving Invitational in Pittsburgh from Nov. 17-18. Their next match at CWRU will not be until next semester where they will be facing Oberlin College at the Veale Natatorium on Jan. 27.

The CWRU swimming and diving teams’ meet against University of Rochester saw many great achievements, including Head Coach Doug Milliken’s 100th win with the team.

Courtesy of CWRU Athletics

12 Sports

Friday, November 10, 2023

Women’s basketball season preview Paola Van der Linden Costello Staff Writer Basketball season is here and we are all excited to see the Case Western Reserve University women’s basketball team back on the court.

The team will be playing their first game Saturday, Nov. 11 at Waynesburg University followed by a game against Marietta College on Monday, Nov. 13 at the Horsburgh Gymnasium.

Last season, the team ended with

an overall record of 15-10 and a conference play record of 6-8. They won 70% of their home games and 46% of their away games. CWRU alumna guard and forward Isabella Mills impressed us on the court time and time again. She was selected for the D3hoops.com All-Region Second Team for the first time in her career.

She also became the first Spartan since the 2016-17 season to claim an all-region honors and the seventh in all of program history to receive this honor. Mills started all 25 games during the season and led the team

with 18 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. She also became the 16th player in program history to notch 1,000 career points. In the game against Washington University in St. Louis on Jan. 20, she set a school record of 36 points, making 10 3-point shots to go along with 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. That stellar performance earned her a spot on the D3hoops.com Team of the Week. Though Mills’ offensive firepower and leadership will be missed, we are excited to see how the team will be looking to cultivate

The CWRU women’s basketball team rounded out last season with a record of 15-10, winning 70% of their home games. Courtesy of Jason Miller/Getty Images

a new dynamic on the court.

The team has invited two new graduate students to play with them this season. Forward and center Kate Montgomery, who is completing her master’s degree in finance, is coming to CWRU after receiving her undergraduate degree from Dickinson College, where she played basketball for three seasons.

She started 58 out of 71 games that she played, averaging 7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists over her career. The team is also welcoming forward Morgan Micallef, a graduate student completing her master’s in social work. She played four seasons at Roanoke College and started 61 out of 91 total games in her career. Micallef averaged 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game during her time at Roanoke. The team also has five new first-year undergraduates.

This team is led by Head Coach Jennifer Reimer, who has been coaching the Spartans since 2007.

Coming into her 15th season at CWRU, she has an overall win percentage of 46%. Reimer has also posted eight winning campaigns, making her the head coach with the most wins in CWRU program history. Matt Howerton is returning to CWRU as the assistant coach for his third season.

The team starts their UAA conference play in early January but will be playing 10 games prior to this. They will be participating in the D3December Clasico in San Juan, Puerto Rico and will have three home games this semester against non-UAA teams. Make sure to show your support at the Horsburgh Gymnasium as they kick off the season.

Scores and Upcoming Games Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

CWRU vs Pitt-Bradford (11/10, 7 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium) CWRU at La Roche (11/15)

CWRU at Waynesburg (11/11) CWRU vs Marietta College (11/13, 7 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

Swimming and Diving CWRU vs Rochester (11/4) Men’s team: W 227-60 Women’s team: W 220-80 CWRU at Total Performance Invite (11/16-18) CWRU at CMU Diving Invitational (11/17-18)

Volleyball CWRU at Wooster (11/4) - W 3-1 UAA Volleyball Championship CWRU vs WashU (11/10)

Football

Cross Country UAA Championships (10/28) Men’s team: 6th of 8 teams Women’s team: 6th of 8 teams CWRU at NCAA Great Lakes Regional (11/11)

CWRU vs Allegheny (11/4) - W 42-14 CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (11/11)

Women’s Soccer

Men’s Soccer

CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (11/4) - T 0-0

CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (11/4) - W 2-0

CWRU vs Grove City (11/11, 11 a.m., DiSanto Field, NCAA Championship Tournament Round #1)

CWRU vs Hobart (11/11, NCAA Championship Tournament Round #1)