10-28-2021

CENSUS, 2

STUDENT PROFILE, 3

COLUMNS, 5

Acting Mayor Janey vows to reassess the census to better represent Boston.

A BU Senior details her nonprofit work for climate change.

Is a celebrity name more newsworthy than a life lost?

CE LE B RATIN G

THURSDAY, OCT. 28, 2021

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FIELD HOCKEY LOSS, 6 The regular season is near its end as field hockey suffers two losses.

J O U R NA LI S M

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY

YEAR LI. VOLUME C. ISSUE X

BU suspends Kappa Sigma fraternity following protests, StuGov resolution Emily Stevenson Jesús Marrero Suárez Daily Free Press Staff Content Warning: the following article contains mentions of sexual assault.

Boston University suspended its largest on-campus fraternity Kappa Sigma Mu Psi following a five-day moratorium period in which all chapter activities were prohibited as the University investigated reports of sexual misconduct involving chapter members.

BU Today reported that John Battaglino, assistant dean of students and director of student activities, communicated the University’s decision in a letter to the chapter’s president, Albert Kelleher, a senior in the Questrom School of Business.

Battaglino wrote that Kappa Sigma was informed Oct. 22 it was prohibited from holding any meetings or social gatherings unless approved by the Student Activities Office, but the fraternity proceeded to hold a social gathering later that day and a chapter meeting on Oct. 25, prompting its suspension, the article reported.

The letter dictating the suspension did not mention the rise in sexual misconduct allegations. However, Battaglino notified the chapter Oct. 22 that brothers will be meeting with Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore individually to discuss the allegations.

The suspension means Kappa Sigma will no longer be allowed to refer

to themselves as affiliated with the

rectly involved in Saturday’s protest

that she recommends confidential

ANH NGUYEN/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Boston University students protesting at the Kappa Sigma Fraternity house Oct. 23. The Dean of Students Office announced Wednesday their suspension of the local chapter as the Office investigates alleged incidents of sexual assault associated with the fraternity.

University or receive SAO funding, promotion or event planning assistance.

The fraternity was most recently suspended in Feb. 2015 over the distribution of party promotional material that the University found to be degrading of women and glorifying rape culture.

Kelleher did not respond after several attempts to contact.

BU spokesperson Colin Riley said the suspension is part of an “ongoing process” to investigate the fraternity’s allegations and unapproved activities, adding that meetings with individual members are currently being scheduled by Elmore.

Bella Pompa, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and co-chair of the Greek life’s Sexual Assault Prevention Committee, said although the committee was not di-

or the University’s decision to suspend Kappa Sigma, she is “glad that the school took the necessary actions that they needed to.

“I believe that survivors should always be believed and that perpetrators should always face their punishments and consequences,” Pompa said. “The school needed to address this issue.”

She noted that she worries about what the fraternity’s suspension could mean for the University’s ability to impose consequences and prevent further misconduct.

“If [Kappa Sig does] things that aren’t sanctioned by the school, then they’re not really under any kind of supervision,” she said. “That’s definitely a concern that I’ve had but we’ll see what happens.”

Pompa said her “number one priority is to support survivors,” adding

resources such as the Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Center and BU’s Equal Opportunity Office’s incident report method that allows students to file reports of harassment, discrimination and other concerns anonymously if they wish to do so.

Evan Teplensky, CAS junior and president of CAS StuGov, said he initially felt an “overwhelming sense of joy” upon hearing of Kappa Sigma’s suspension.

“I saw the word ‘suspended,’ ‘Kappa Sigma,’” Teplensky said, “I saw statements from Dean Elmore, Dean Battaglino, and I was just finally happy that there was something coming out of the protest.”

Several student organizations including CAS StuGov and Campus Survivors held a protest over the past weekend demanding that the University suspend the fraternity.

Teplensky noted, however, that he was disappointed the disciplinary actions were not specifically related to the sexual assault allegations.

“We have to take the small victories,” he said. “Does this mean that we should stop? Definitely not … I want to make sure that every day we are making sure that the survivors’ needs are first met.”

Sophia Kim, a junior in CAS and co-founder of Campus Survivors, said she was “really excited” to see action taken by the University.

“This marks a really big action from the administration that we hadn’t previously, necessarily seen enthusiastically before and so quickly,” Kim said.

She noted Kappa Sigma’s suspension will not, however, end the issue of sexual misconduct on campus.

“We really need to work to create a safer space for survivors and to prevent any of this from even happening in the first place,” Kim said. “Start with bringing the survivors justice.”

Teplensky added he is cautious of the suspension’s longevity due to Kappa Sigma’s past suspension eventually being lifted. As a result, he said CAS StuGov will continue to take action against the fraternity.

“We’re still planning things, slowly starting to get parents involved because we still feel very strongly about the first demand of disbanding them,” Teplensky said. “This isn’t over.”

Nick Kolev, Standards Chair of the Board of Directors and previous Campus News Editor, is a member of Kappa Sigma. He was not involved in the editing of this story.

Students share experiences of catcalling from East Campus construction workers Tanisha Bhat Daily Free Press Staff Boston University students have reported being catcalled and made uncomfortable by Related Beal construction workers present at One Kenmore Square as they pass back and forth between classes on Central Campus to East Campus residences including Myles Standish and Danielsen Hall.

A student, who asked to remain anonymous, lives in Myles Standish Hall said a few weeks ago while on their way to a class in the Questrom School of Business building, a group of workers watched her pass.

“While I was walking by I just noticed they all were staring at me,” the student shared. “And then one of them just did the traditional catcall whistle.”

The student added that no one else was present for the incident.

“It was just the whistle and they were staring very intensely. It wasn’t that bad. It was just uncomfortable,” the student said.

Brian Radomski, Related Beal’s vice president, wrote in an email that the harassment will not be tolerated.

“We have zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior. Anyone found to be behaving in such a way will be immediately removed from the site,” Radomski wrote.

Jansi Patel, a sophomore in CAS and Myles resident said she wasn’t surprised multiple students have been made uncomfortable when passing by the site.

“The guys there watch as you walk by,” she said. “I guess also I am a girl so maybe they’re doing it because I’m

a girl,” Patel said.

Yuanyuan Chen, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she does not “approve” of the workers’ actions.

“I mean obviously that’s awful,” she said. “As a girl, you want to be able to feel safe wearing what you want.”

Chen said she has personally never experienced such behavior coming from on-campus construction sites.

Ashley Makuwa, a sophomore in the College of General Studies and a Myles resident, said she was “sad” to hear of the workers’ behavior toward people simply walking by. “ I t ’ s disrespectful to the student that the construction workers are catcalling because TAYLOR COESTER/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF that’s like, get with Kenmore Square. Boston University students have reported being catcalled by Related Beal conthe times and stop struction workers at One Kenmore Square as they pass the site.

being sexist and objectifying students and people because it’s not cool,” she said.

Makuwa added BU should take steps to prevent more incidents of harassment. “​​Some action I think is necessary, but I personally don’t know what exactly they would do,” Makuwa said.

BU spokesperson Colin Riley said the University reached out to Related Beal despite the building on the construction site no longer being BU property.

“We have a liaison there and that person reached out and of course that person said they have zero tolerance for it,” Riley said.

Riley encouraged students to report such issues by calling 311 to report non-emergencies to the city.

“That’s a phone number that anyone can call for quality of life issues, graffiti, anything that they say that they want to report to the city,” Riley said.

Patel said she no longer feels comfortable in the area after dark especially.

“They’re not doing work, they’re watching people,” Patel said. “I don’t walk by there at night. If they’re there, I don’t want to see them.”

2 NEWS

Mayor Janey challenges 2020 Boston Census Hailey Pitcher Daily Free Press Staff

Acting Mayor Kim Janey posed a challenge to the 2020 U.S. Census count for the City of Boston over concerns of underrepresentation of college student, foreign-born and inmate residents via an Oct. 21 letter to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Research from the Boston Planning and Development Agency showed that the Census’s given population count of 675,647 people underreports significant portions of Boston’s university students, foreignborn residents, and those living in correctional facilities, according to an Oct. 22 press release.

“Every Boston resident deserves an accurate census count,” Janey was quoted saying in the press release.

“This is required by our Constitution and is critical for Boston to receive its fair share of federal funding to support our most vulnerable populations and elected representation at all levels. An accurate census also ensures future planning accurately reflects the needs of our neighborhoods.”

The COVID-19 pandemic forced college students to evacuate from their campus housing in March 2020 before the April 1 Census date, the letter states. The Census Bureau instructed universities to report spring 2020 semester dorm numbers before the evacuation occurred.

But regardless, Boston student populations were undercounted by about 5,000 individuals, according to

Boston Department of Neighborhood Development data.

“We recognize the enormous challenges the Census Bureau faced conducting the 2020 Census during a pandemic, and we look forward to working together to obtain an accurate count for Boston,” Janey was quoted saying in the release.

The reported population of foreign-born residents was 191,208, or a little over a quarter of Boston’s population, according to the 2020 Boston Census.

The Mayor also expressed concerns in the letter that language barriers and government mistrust — “particularly with possibility of a citizenship question” — may have contributed to lower response rates on census tracts that contained large shares of foreignborn residents, underrepresenting the overall household population count.

An inaccurate Census count can spark issues within neighborhood planning operations and City funding, Director of Communications at the Boston Planning and Development Agency Bonnie McGilpin wrote in an email.

McGilpin also wrote that a precise Census is “critical” to maximize how much money the City gets from the federal government, as such funds are frequently used to serve the most vulnerable communities.

“The BPDA uses Census data for neighborhood planning and an accurate count is critical for the City to create plans that accommodate the present and current populations,” McGilpin wrote.

About 500 individuals in the two correctional facilities under Suffolk County Department of Corrections’ jurisdiction were not included in the Census count for the City, according

A Boston voter submits their ballot. Mayor Kim Janey challenged the 2020 City of Boston Census count this week following recent research from Boston’s Planning and Development Agency citing the count underreporting the city’s student, incarcerated and foreign-born residents.

CHLOE GRINBERG | DFP FILE

to the release.

Michael Cox, executive director of prison abolition and LGBTQ+ rights group Black and Pink Massachusetts, said the underrepresentation in the census can affect the funding of correction facilities, removing money from the incarcerated people who need it.

“If you zoom out more, we can see that incarcerated voices are often erased,” he said. “Erasing the lives and experiences of incarcerated people is common, and this is just one more instance of that.”

Cox added the underrepresentation in the census shows how “time and again” incarcerated people are discounted from engaging in the body politic of Boston.

“We need to ensure that not only are incarcerated people counted in

the census, but this is also about representation,” Cox said. “Right now there’s a big push to make sure that incarcerated people who are eligible to vote are connected with the resources to be able to do that.”

Campaign director for the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls Kristina Mensik said that the 2020 Boston Census isn’t the only time incarcerated people are underrepresented — incarcerated populations are typically unable to use their political voice. “[A recount] wouldn’t fix the problem of basically what we call prison gerrymandering, which is a system through which incarcerated people, by being counted in the place where they are incarcerated, effectively lose political representation,” she said.

“[Janey’s] call for a recount will not by any means fix prison gerrymandering, but it will simply give a more accurate representation of the number of people who are typically incarcerated in Boston.”

Boston will provide the U.S. Census Bureau with administrative records from the correctional facilities and educational institutions, Janey said in the letter, recognizing the difficulty the pandemic and social distancing brought upon Census teams.

“We await the release of the formal guidelines so we can submit the necessary supporting evidence for the issues mentioned above,” the letter states. “Our desire to have a more accurate population count for Boston does not diminish our appreciation for the valuable resources that the Census Bureau provides.”

Wu, Essaibi George square off on transit, childcare in final televised debate before 2021 mayoral election workers must get vaccinated or submit to regular testing to keep their employment — and how to handle the hundreds of city employees who have so far faced suspensions for failing to comply. Both candidates support mandatory vaccination.

“I stand behind that mandate,” Essaibi George said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do to build trust, to build relationships, to share information and education with our city’s workforce and our city’s residents across the board.”

Wu said she will work toward closing the vaccination gap — making sure there are resources available for everyone to get vaccinated and paid leave for any impacts to help ensure city hall has a fully vaccinated workforce.

When asked what the biggest

obstacle to recovery from the pandemic is for Boston businesses, Wu said the challenges the city Cici Yu was facing before COVID-19 — Daily Free Press Staff transportation and housing cost — need to be fixed in addition to the economy transformed by the pandemic.

“Our economy has changed Boston mayoral candidates forever from this pandemic, and as Annissa Essaibi George and Michelle we’re balancing remote work with Wu faced-off on issues ranging from the need for businesses to reopen,” transit to childcare Monday in their Wu said, “we need to support our final televised debate before the Nov. workers and our businesses in doing 2 election. so.”

During the head-to-head debate Essaibi George said she plans to use on WCVB Channel 5, Essaibi George $100 million of the city’s American and Wu also discussed climate Rescue Plan Act — the national change, the COVID-19 vaccination COVID-19 relief bill — funds for her mandate and traffic alleviation.

Equity, Inclusion and Justice Agenda The debate began with a question to support small businesses across the about the COVID-19 vaccination city. mandate for city employees — where Another question addressed how the candidates would seek to support child care programs in Boston.

Wu said the average childcare worker in Boston is paid about one-third of the salary of an elementary school teacher at around $25,000 per year. She also said she will work to tackle the high costs of childcare for residents.

“I’ll continue working with the State House delegation and federal delegation to provide the resources,” Wu said.

MOGAN GE | DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF Essaibi George Mayoral candidate Annissa Essaibi-George speaks during a debate against candidate Michelle suggested that funds Wu. Essaibi-George and Wu debated COVID-19 vaccine mandates, housing and public schools.

from the American Rescue Plan Act should be invested in childcare, emphasizing working in partnership with child care providers — many of whom she said are women of color — suffering due to the pandemic.

“We’ve got to fix the reimbursement process as it relates to subsidized child care and support, especially those women, who are operating small businesses,” Essaibi Geroge said.

A graduate student at University of Massachusetts Lowell asked the candidates how they plan to increase public investments to address climate change issues.

“I’m proud to have introduced the very first city-level Green New Deal anywhere in the country,” Wu said. “Let’s change our stormwater infrastructure funding so that we can start to have the funds assembled for resilient groundwater districts. Let’s ensure that we are working for every single new development project to have funding going to resiliency.”

Essaibi George said she can’t specify the dollar amount that needs to be invested but said action must happen fast, adding that in her first 100 days she will work on a plan to help provide young people with skills necessary for the green economy by bolstering Madison Park Technical Vocational High School.

Wu and Essaibi George disagreed with each other on whether to support Acting Mayor Kim Janey’s decision to withdraw from the harbor front zoning plan.

“I don’t actually back her plan,” Essaibi George said, speaking to the work put in on the project before the decision. “We do have to look at rezoning. As a city, we’ve got to look at some serious master planning, and then look at rezoning and stick to those plans. We have to work in

partnership with our city’s residents.”

Wu said she supports Janey’s efforts to ensure the waterfront becomes climate-resilient, accessible, and equity-minded.

In terms of how to alleviate city traffic in their first year in office, both candidates shared their plans.

“The city has power to create dedicated bus lanes, as I’ve advocated for and made sure happened all across the city,” Wu said. “That will help speed up our bus routes, improve the reliability of public transportation [and] also ensure that we are investing in multimodal transit options with bike lanes with pedestrian safety.”

Wu also added that reliable and affordable public transportation must also be part of the conversation, as well as making sure transportation access is a factor in any development projects.

Essaibi George said Wu’s plan for free-fare Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority rides would be too expensive of an investment for the City, although she supports exploring fare-free bus rides, particularly for certain populations.

“I want to understand the workaround freeing the T, and I want to understand that if [Wu] thinks it’s no longer possible to free the T, are we now back stepping from promises you’ve made to the people of Boston?”

Essaibi George said.

With early voting and mail-in voting underway, both candidates made their final call for support in their closing statements, with both candidates speaking to how grateful they were to be now days away from the race The final deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27, and early in-person voting ends on Friday, Oct. 29.

FEATURES 3

COMMUNITY

Terriers spread awareness, support acid attack victims around the world Lindsay Sachnow Daily Free Press Staff Gender-based and sexual violence has continued to be a prevalent issue affecting millions globally. One club at Boston University has decided to spread awareness on a lesser-known form of gender-based violence: acid attacks.

Jannat Dhillon, president of the club and a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she decided to found the Boston University chapter of RISE — a nonprofit organization supporting acid violence victims — after creating a public service advertisement for a communications course over the summer.

After selecting acid attack survivors as her focus for the class, Dhillon said she discovered RISE online and was inspired to start a college chapter of the organization.

“I had meetings throughout the whole summer June, July, August with the leaders of RISE and other student leaders,” Dhillon said. “This is our first year, but the process of setting it up began in June.”

According to Acid Survivors Trust International, 1,500 recorded acid attacks occur globally every year and around 60% of attacks go unreported.

Of the attacks, 80% are against women.

club and a CAS junior, said the club aims to provide support to victims and educate students about this form of genderbased violence.

“Crimes like these do happen,” Walia said.

“Just because it’s not directly immediately affecting us, we still need to support individuals and help them regain their sense of identity.”

While cases of acid violence in developed countries are less common, Dhillon it was still ILLUSTRATION BY CONOR KELLEY/ DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF said The RISE BU Chapter on Facebook. The chapter was formed to raise awareness and provide sup- important to raise port for victims of acid attacks, a lesser-known form of gender-based violence. awareness on these issues and genderVice President Sabah impact of acid violence extends based violence Choudhury, a sophomore in to not just physical trauma, but to support acid attack victims CAS, said acid attacks are when psychological trauma as well. globally. someone throws acid at someone “Your face makes up part of “Even though a majority of in an attempt to disfigure, torture your identity,” said Choudhury. acid attacks do take place in or kill the victim.

“If your face becomes disfigured countries like Uganda and Nepal “A lot of the time, it’s a crime of then you lose a lot of your self or India, we’ve seen examples of passion because the people would esteem.” acid attacks even here in the U.S.,” have to really know the victim Dhillon said RISE was created Dhillon said. “I think recently ahead of time,” Choudhury said. after founder and director Angie this year, there was an acid attack “A lot of the time what happens Vredeveld, a clinical psychologist, against a Hofstra [University] is that a woman will turn down met an acid attack survivor in student in Long Island, and she a man’s marriage proposal or will Uganda who needed the funds still doesn’t know who attacked do something to offend him and for reconstructive surgery for her her.” so he’ll use acid.” face.

Dhillon said BU RISE will be Choudhury added that the Anika Walia, secretary of the collaborating with Astitwa Nepal

— a nonprofit center in Lalitpur, Nepal — to fund a business skills training program for five acid attack survivors.

“The money that we raise will actually be used to help transport the victims to the facility itself for training because a lot of these victims do live with their attackers because some of their attackers are their husbands,” Dhillson said.

The center helps provide “financial and emotional and mental support to acid attack survivors,” Dhillon said.

Dhillon added that the money raised by the club will also support food and keynote speakers for the business skills training program.

Choudhury said that BU RISE is currently fundraising through selling handcrafted jewelry made by acid attack survivors on Instagram.

Dhillon said the club hopes to host panels with acid attack survivors or reconstructive surgeons, or host movie nights with documentaries about acid attack survivors to raise awareness about acid violence.

Dhillon said she hopes the club can help students realize the impact they can have on those in need of help around the world.

“It’s important to establish a support base for the survivors here in the U.S.,” Dhillon said.

“So another goal I think is helping students just like us, in universities, recognize that they have the potential to change and the potential to advocate for a cause that doesn’t necessarily affect them.”

BU senior connects residents to their legislators while interning at environmental nonprofit Claire Zhang Daily Free Press Staff In the face of issues as big as climate change, a small nonprofit based in Cambridge connects advocates across the country with their local legislatures to bring about environmental conservation.

Boston University senior Keeley Bombard is half of the two-person team at the Ocean River Institute, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to making a difference for climate change through environmental stewardship,

education and citizen science.

Bombard, the fall intern at the ORI, is studying environmental analysis and policy in a five-year program for energy and environmental masters in the College of Arts and Sciences. She said the organization allows people’s voices to be heard by legislators.

The ORI runs various environmental campaigns that people can virtually sign in support and leave comments on, which are then sent to local representatives, Bombard said.

The other half of the team, Rob Moir, is the president and executive director of ORI. Moir said legislators rarely hear from their constituents on anything but big issues. When

Bombard organizes the comments by town, “legislators know whom in their district is commenting and this is a very powerful way for helping move legislation,” Moir said.

“When they hear about personal stories … it’s stuff they can relate to, so that helps the bill move along,” Moir said.

Bombard, who has experience working with clean energy technology, said that she has been enjoying working in the more “people-focused side” of the field at ORI. “The real skill is the retail work of working with people,” Moir said. “It’s all about listening to what the visitor

COURTESY OF ROB MOIR

Boston University environmental analysis and policy student Keeley Bombard. In her work at the environmental nonprofit Ocean River Institute, Bombard relays constituent feedback to legislators regarding environmental concerns and initiatives.

has, so Keeley is really good about that.”

Bombard said it’s important to know what people who aren’t academics or professionals in the field — neighbors, friends and people in the community — think about clean energy decisions and environmental actions.

“If we want someone to change their behavior, they need to feel like they’ve been a part of that decision,” Bombard said. “They need to feel like people see them as someone who is intelligent and can make a choice about these things.”

At the Harvest Your Energy Festival in Medford last weekend, Bombard and Moir set up a competition that pitted Medford against Somerville to see which town could have the highest percentage of residents pledging not to put fertilizer on their lawns, Moir said.

“The whole point is not convincing people, but it is to be able to turn around and tell the governor who’s in charge of the lawn-fertilizing practices in the state,” Moir said. “We want him to know that there’s a lot of people in certain towns that are voluntarily not putting fertilizer on their lawns.”

This was part of their Healthy Lawns Campaign, which asks people to commit to stop fertilizing their lawns and encourage natural lawn care practices, Bombard said, adding that what seems like a trivial change in lawn-care practice can have farreaching effects.

By using natural lawn care practices, the roots of the grass can

grow larger and can store more carbon from the atmosphere, improve wildlife and store more water which can lead to reducing sea level rise by 25%, Moir said.

One family is teaming up with the ORI to establish a Right Whale Day in Massachusetts to raise awareness about the endangered North Atlantic right whales species. Bombard said the ORI decided to “scrap what we had for the newsletter this time” and tell the family’s story to help them garner support to pass the bill.

The Delaney family, who started celebrating the day in 2004 after their heartwarming encounter with a right whale, is now waiting for a public hearing to be held by the Massachusetts State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Joint Committee, said Matthew Delaney.

Delaney, who is now in the process of forming a nonprofit to raise money for right whale research, said Moir was incredibly on board right from the start.

There’s a lot of flexibility in being a small organization, Bombard said.

“Things can change really quickly because there aren’t all these big teams,” Bombard said. “We can decide, ‘Hey, let’s focus on this today.’”

Bombard said it is fulfilling to talk to people face-to-face at sustainability festivals.

“They want to learn things. People want to understand,” Bombard said. “It’s just cool to feel like you’re actually making a change in terms of people’s behavior, or helping people to get their voices heard by the right people.”

4 EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL

You cannot “clean up” a humanitarian crisis, Mayor Janey, Sheriff Tompkins Boston’s new plan to forcibly remove people from their living encampments in the area near Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard is inhumane. This plan works under the assumption that an issue as complex and urgent as drug addiction can be solved in one sweeping motion.

The plan makes criminalization out to be an effective and humane solution to homelessness.

And most importantly, it pretends as if the people living in these encampments aren’t human.

This encampment, known as Mass. and Cass., is populated by people with substance abuse issues and have progressively grown larger since the closing of a treatment center in 2014.

The situation at these encampments is dire and is thought to get worse. Tents will not provide sufficient protection from worsening weather conditions or the spread of potentially deadly diseases. Moreover, people have reported sexual assault and violence taking place in these camps.

One doctor who worked at the living encampments in the area of Mass. and Cass stated the situation was “beyond a public health crisis,” as it had been declared by the Boston Public Health Commission, but had now reached new heights as “a human suffering crisis.”

But the Boston government is not treating the Mass. and Cass situation as a humanitarian crisis or even as a public health crisis. Much of the press coverage and comments on the situation refer to the government’s plan to remove the encampment as a “clean up.”

On Oct. 19, Acting Mayor Kim Janey issued an Executive Order to forcibly remove people living in the encampments at Mass. and Cass.

While the order claims to act in service of

the health of those living in these camps and prioritize their rehabilitation, it is riddled with pathways to criminalization.

The order states officers could charge any individual that refuses to comply with being forcibly removed with disorderly conduct and involuntary commit those they deem to express “a likelihood of serious harm to themselves or others.”

Where is the government planning on forcibly moving the people who live in these encampments?

The answer is unclear. Janey states they are referring unhoused people to treatment centers, but others involved in the plan have stated they intend to use jails to involuntarily hold people.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins plans to forcibly move 100 people living in these encampments to a former ICE detention facility at a jail where he would keep up to three people in an (unlocked) cell. Though he claimed in an interview with Fox News Digital he and his officers “are not trying to criminalize people,” he plans on setting up a mobile courtroom in the ICE facility to process people with outstanding warrants. Moreover, police officers will be watching over the people in this facility by acting as its security team.

People forcibly placed in this detention center would then attend a virtual court hearing in which a judge would determine whether they should be granted bail, be relocated or be forced to undergo a 90-day treatment program designed and run by Tompkins.

During the first stage of his 90-day program, Tompkins — who is a police officer, not a licensed addiction care specialist — stated the people he forcibly placed into these jail cells would undergo addiction recovery treatment overseen by medical providers. This treatment would last a total of 30 days. For reference,

the minimum time required for methadone maintenance recovery treatment is generally considered to be 12 months.

The remaining 60 days would be spent focusing on the casework of the detainees — most of which would likely not have recovered from their life-long drug addiction after one month of treatment — and help them find a job and reunite with any existing family.

Not much information is given as to what people are meant to do after this 90-day period ends. Experts in a recent article on Boston. com indicate that criminalization sweeps like Janey’s and Tompkins’ will only serve to further displace the people living in these encampments and likely increase the risk that people fall further into their addiction and overdose.

Physicians and addiction recovery specialists have decried Janey’s plan as profoundly ineffective and inhumane because it ultimately lacks the public health approach it claims to purport.

Research, such as a literature review by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, has indicated that a lack of affordable housing, lack of access to affordable treatment and recovery services, and the criminalization of drugs are at the core of causing homelessness.

Experts in the field have repeatedly stressed that accessible, clean transitional housing and the decriminalization of drugs are key to solving this issue. Residents of Mass. and Cass have reflected these evidence-based claims.

Wendell Wilson, who has lived at Mass. and Cass for months after being kicked out of a homeless shelter, stated in an interview with the Boston Herald that while he plans to move to a shelter, many people tend to avoid them

because of the similarly unsanitary conditions.

Moreover, Janey’s plan ignores the ways the encampment area functions in many ways as a community. In the Boston.com article, Dr. Mark Eisenberg, a physician at MGH-Charlestown Health Care Center, stated that people in these encampments may try to prevent overdoses by supervising one another.

Research has shown that unhoused people across the nation find safety in these encampment communities, as they feel they are more protected from being robbed or assaulted by the police or other people they may encounter. Encampments have been shown to have security and behavioral protocols established and followed by the residents.

Criminalization only disrupts potentially life-saving community links established in these encampments and further isolates a vulnerable group of people from the general public.

This is not to say we should simply let the Mass. and Cass encampment be. But the research is clear — criminalized sweeps like Janey’s only make the problem worse.

Residents at the Mass. and Cass encampments reported being confused when city officials came by to lock their possessions away in neat boxes and remove their tents. City officials were unclear as to where they would be moved.

Some of their family members said they feared their loved ones would get lost in the process and be placed farther away from life-saving medicine like Narcan, which can reverse an opioid overdose.

The worsening weather conditions in Boston mean that the people living in these encampments need access to shelter immediately. Urgent action is needed.

But the research has shown that these kinds of clean sweeps are not the solution. So why are we still acting as if they are?

ILLUSTRATION BY SMARAN RAMIDI

EDITORIAL BOARD Lily Kepner, Editor-in-Chief Madhri Yehiya, Campus Editor

Emma Sánchez, Managing Editor Sabine Ollivier-Yamin, Opinion Editor Isabella Abraham City Editor

Sonja Chen, Sports Editor

Yvonne Tang, Layout & Graphics Editor

Conor Kelley, Photo Editor

Katrina Liu, Lifestyle Editor

Veronica Thompson, Podcast Editor Molly Farrar, Features Editor GRAPHIC BY ALEXIA NIZHNY KK Feuerman, Multimedia Editor

COLUMNS 5

Don’t be a Hypocrite:

OPINION

Halyna Hutchins’ death is newsworthy ILLUSTRATION BY YVONNE TANG

Viktoria Popovska Columnist It has been less than a week since Halyna Hutchins died on the set of the movie “Rust.”

Hutchins, originally from Ukraine, was the movie’s director of photography and was named one of American Cinematographers’ Rising Stars of 2019. The discharge of a prop gun on Oct. 21, used in a scene by actor Alec Baldwin, killed Hutchins.

The incident that led to Hutchins’ death also injured director Joel Souza, who was released from the hospital last Friday. Hutchins was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, survived by her husband and young son. An investigation found there was a live round found in the prop gun.

Hutchins’s death is a tragedy. But to add salt to an unfixable wound, since the news broke, the media has been continuously highlighting Alec Baldwin’s part in the incident instead of Hutchins’ life and accomplishments. The first headline I saw was on Instagram, from The New York Times account. The post read, “Alec

Baldwin Fatally Shoots Crew Member With Prop Firearm, Authorities Say.” It wasn’t until the next day that the Times posted a photo of Haylna Hutchins and described her life.

This terrible accident has become another example of the media focusing only on what they think will get readers: celebrities. This isn’t a new phenomenon. Look at the helicopter accident that killed Kobe Bryant and his daughter. In addition to Bryant and his daughter, seven people died horribly on that day, but the name highlighted across news outlets was Kobe Bryant.

And sure, maybe it makes some sense that celebrity names are the ones that make it in news headlines, but when tragedy strikes, doesn’t every person deserve that same caliber of importance? Why have we made being a celebrity the bar for whether or not something is newsworthy?

In my opinion, we live in what can easily

be called the age of celebrity obsession. Yes, celebrities have always existed one way or another, but they now can interject themselves in our daily lives with social media. So, we consume celebrity news like its air.

Critics such as Amanda Hess have said the COVID-19 lockdowns were supposed to end the obsession with celebrities. In her piece in The New York Times, “Celebrity Culture is Burning,” Hess writes that the pandemic stopped letting celebrities pretend like they were just like us. While cramped in houses with our entire family, celebrities acted like life in their huge poolside properties during lockdown was so hard.

Hess writes that celebrities usually get praised for using their platforms, but during the pandemic, “our awareness has never been so easy to rouse and misuse. Celebrities have a captive audience of traumatized people who are glued to the internet, eyes darting toward

trending topics for clues to processing the unimaginable horrors looming just outside, and instead are finding Madonna bathing in a rose petal-strewn bath.”

Hess’s prediction doesn’t seem to be the case. Though we may have believed we were past celebrity obsession, the framing of this tragic incident proves celebrities still unhealthily captivate our attention at the cost of acknowledgement of other people’s narratives.

Pop culture still has its grip on society, considering even my journalism professor knew that Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker were engaged. So, if the news still thinks that covering every bit of celebrity life is essential, then that must say a lot about what people are reading.

Now that we understand society’s celebrity obsession, it makes sense that Alec Baldwin’s name was plastered on headlines. If it weren’t for him, the news likely wouldn’t have spread as quickly as it did. The Associated Press reported in 2016 that 43 people had died on the sets of movies since 1990, but since these people usually work in the background, their deaths didn’t make it in news headlines.

So, what do we do about this? It becomes more a question of moral dilemma than actually taking any actions. The media will continue to report on what the people will read, so as long as we continue putting celebrities on a pedestal, people like Haylna will only be the subheadline.

This article isn’t about dismantling society’s love of celebrities. I am a victim to pop culture’s grasp too. This article’s purpose is to put the problem into perspective — ask yourself why Alec Baldwin deserved more media attention than Halyna Hutchins. Hutchins’s death as a result of mismanagement should be news enough and, hopefully, we can all agree with that, if not now, then soon.

Gaming the System:

The most popular game you’ve never heard of thrives off of a respect for fanmade work

Nick Speranza Columnist In the past few weeks, I have used several of my columns to discuss companies such as Nintendo who are extremely picky about use of their intellectual property, to the dismay — ironically enough — of their most dedicated fans. But is there a counterexample? If being so protective of your game can cause issues for archivists, competitors, and modders, is there any example of good things coming from a more lax policy?

As the Touhou video game franchise shows, the answer is yes. If you are not familiar with it — and I’m sure some of my readers aren’t — I can give a brief introduction.

The Touhou Project, often just Touhou, is a Japanese-made series of PC games in the “bullet-hell” genre, in which the player is challenged to carefully move their character through a hail of deadly projectiles without dying. These projectiles are often even deployed in artful patterns that the player must navigate.

The Touhou games are almost entirely the work of one man, known under the alias “ZUN,” who takes care of everything from programming to writing to music composition.

Touhou is “the most popular game you’ve

never heard of ” because, as a 2016 Vice article quotes Nick Colucci, an editor at XSEED, saying, it is “something that every anime fan is peripherally aware of.” The keyword there is “peripherally” — if you aren’t a Touhou enthusiast but still engage with subcultures around video games or Japanese culture, you probably still know the name, even if the details elude you.

This can come off as an insult, but having such large name recognition is quite a compliment to any media property, especially one as niche and foreign (to non-Japanese audiences) as The Touhou Project. Guinness World Records certainly agrees, bestowing Touhou in 2010 with the impressive-albeit-specific distinction of “Most prolific fan-made shooter series” in their 2011 Gamer Edition.

One of the major reasons the franchise is so well-known is because playing the game itself isn’t the only draw. Rather, the actual gameplay is arguably overshadowed by other elements of the franchise: the fantasy world in which it takes place, the character designs and of course the music.

These non-gameplay elements of the franchise take up so much cultural space because of the overwhelming amount of fanmade Touhou media, from fangames to comics to remixes of the soundtrack.

Inside Japan, the series has an incredibly rich “doujin” scene — doujin is a term for people or creators with a shared cultural interest — to the point that Touhou fans are regularly one of the largest groups in attendance at Japanese fan conventions such as “Comiket.” Combined with the decent cult following the series has gained abroad, it’s difficult to dispute its popularity.

As good as the Touhou series is, the quality of the games alone cannot account for its impressive fanbase. Equally important is the creator ZUN’s attitude toward doujin circles, which is very lax. As long as fan works credit him, don’t spoil endings and aren’t distributed commercially, creators can do whatever they want.

The resulting flourishing of fan works is a rare gift that any media property would be lucky to have. I can’t speak for the comics and digital art that have been produced, but if the music is any indication, I have no doubt that they are excellent too. Indeed, the music is one of the

main ways the series has been “peripheral” in my experience: even without ever having played a Touhou game, I’ve recognized melodies from the soundtrack in internet videos, other games and even heard them played on public pianos.

Hopefully, other game developers and media companies will realize that it’s better for their brand and fanbase to not guard zealously, ceaseand-desist at the ready, against everyone who loves their work enough to make something derived from it. Until that day, Touhou will continue to stand proudly, its endless collection of musical covers standing alone as a testament to the success of their policy.

ILLUSTRATION BY YVONNE TANG

6 PHOTOS

GALLERY Wu, Essaibi George discuss issues affecting Black Bostonians Mohan Ge Daily Free Press Staff

In a discussion organized by the Black Joy Project and hosted by the Museum of African American History Saturday, Boston mayoral candidates Annissa Essaibi George and Michelle Wu answered questions about how they would address issues facing Black men and boys in the city.

Mayoral candidates Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George sit awaiting questions.

Audience members listen to Wu and Essaibi George.

Former mayoral candidate John Barros introduces mayoral candidates Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George at the African Meeting House in Beacon Hill Saturday.

Audience members listen to the candidates speak about improving equity in access to Boston’s top schools, policing and access to mental health services among other issues.

Wu and Essaibi George applaud during the discussion.

LIFESTYLE 7

LIFESTYLE

Let’s be honest: UGGs are ugly Melina Nguyen Daily Free Press Staff I have never bought a pair of UGG boots with my own money in my entire life, and I do not plan on doing so anytime soon.

Diabolically hideous and horribly suited for any real winter weather, I stand by my unwavering hatred towards the sheepskin boots.

The California brand UGG is famous for its Classic Boot, commonly referred to as “uggs,” which are boots inspired by an Australian and New Zealand boot style. The company was founded in 1978 by Australian surfer Brian Smith in Southern California.

That’s where the first problem lies.

Who would think to wear furry boots in Southern California?

To be fair, the founder is Australian and could’ve been influenced by the original

sheepskin boot of his country.

However, the boot is nothing but an incongruous fashion accessory on the west coast of the United States, which leads to a bigger problem — the furry boots don’t even work well in actual cold weather.

When I was gifted my first — and only — pair of grey Classic UGG boots, I was in awe, justifiably.

I was a middle school student who never really owned any expensive brands. My clothes

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A pair of UGG boots. Melina writes about why she thinks the furry boots are an unattractive and impractical choice of winter footwear.

were from discount stores, my jackets were hand-me-downs and my shoes were definitely never from the mall.

However, looking back on it, I would have traded those boots for a bag of Takis.

Winter in Tennessee might not seem like a blizzard, but it felt like an expansive glacier with my UGG boots.

The moisture from black ice, sleet-slick sidewalks and the occasional snow piles soaked through my UGG boots on school days where I’d be waiting to be picked up by my mom.

My socks never held in warmth and my feet were always freezing. The fur in the inside would eventually compress after continual wear, and the boots weren’t even that cute once you saw the snow-sweat stains on the sheepskin leather.

Even worse, the flat sole and chunky design of the Classic Boot made the wearing experience extremely uncomfortable.

Walking feels more like dragging my feet, and I was prone to shuffling and sliding more with the oversized boots. I looked like a penguin who never learned how to waddle.

This leads us to the third conundrum: do people really think these boots are cute?

Uggs remind me of foam earplugs but for your feet and with little functionality. It’s ugly in a not-so-endearing way, like fat mittens for your feet.

The outfits I’ve seen paired with

UGG boots are an abomination in the name of fashion. It’s always the black leggings inside the UGG boots with the bows in the back or the Tumblr-era aesthetic with the skirt and the hideous Uggs.

My brain cannot comprehend how people would just slap a pair of these boots on every outfit and be glorified as the icons of middle school modern fashion. I think it had to be some cult directive.

This leads me to my final criticism of UGG boots.

No matter how adorable someone thinks these boots are, the price tag is undeniably unjustifiable.

In middle and high school, having a pair of Uggs was more of a statement and a symbol of status rather than an actual affinity for the shoe. Coupled with an Aéropostale polo t-shirt and the newest iPhone 5C, some girls would be parading down the hallways so self-assured.

I can admit: Back then, I was a little jealous. Now, I realize I dodged a bullet.

UGG boots typically vary from $120 to $300 in adult sizes. For a shoe that can cost as much as a Nintendo Switch, I would expect it to be the only pair I’d need for the rest of my life.

And honestly, the UGG boots never achieved that goal for me.

Based on practicality, aesthetics and price, the UGG brand would be at the bottom of shoes I would be enthusiastic about purchasing.

Really, just look at them. That should be off-putting enough.

Maya and Sam: Boston edition Maya Frankel Daily Free Press Staff

Boston can be scary at first glance. I mean, it’s a big city with a million things to do. It can feel overwhelming, especially while embarking on the many academic and career-based endeavors Boston University has to offer.

I began this semester with a new mindset — a positive one.

My roommate Sam and I have made it a point to remain optimistic toward every opportunity, adventure, struggle and obstacle we encounter. In our experience, this mindset makes all the difference in growing and becoming our best selves.

I would like to think growth is a goal in college in terms of growing into yourself and the person you’re meant to be. At least that’s my goal.

Let me walk you through some adventures Sam and I embarked on during our Fall semester in Boston. Since COVID-19 took over our freshman year, it’s safe to say this year feels like our true first year at Boston University.

We began the semester adopting a new mode of transportation: Bluebikes. We have most definitely run to the Bluebikes in hopes of making it to class on time when the train and buses were extremely delayed.

Biking to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods has also become one of our favorite past times. There is no

better feeling than letting yourself fly down the little hills on the streets of Boston. The feeling of freedom and possibility I get when biking is magical.

I highly recommend taking the Bluebikes for a spin at least once during this semester. And as funny and simple as it sounds, Trader Joe’s runs bring me so much joy. Walking through the aisles and being an independent woman picking my groceries out with Sam is a moment we both appreciate. Also, stocking our fridge is a highlight as we constantly forget to buy groceries.

So Trader Joe’s and Bluebikes better be on your next weekend’s itinerary.

Next is the North End. Whether you take the train there for some pasta or the farmers market every Saturday morning, it is a mustsee. Two weekends ago, Sam and I ventured to Haymarket for the first time, and it was like a scene out of a movie with the fresh vegetables on the stands, groups of people with big smiles on their faces and endless tents of fresh fruit. We even took a stroll into the North End for brunch at the cutest Italian restaurant called Caffè Paradiso.

I felt like I was in Italy with my half of a mozzarella and prosciutto panini and gelato. I journaled as I watched people walk by and felt inspired to write a poem. It’s wonderful how a setting and the people around you can provide so much inspiration. I haven’t written a poem in months, but something about being in the North End surrounded by so much beauty and culture inspired me to write poems again.

The Charles River Esplanade is my favorite place for a run or

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Hanover Street in Boston’s North End. Maya recounts a few trips around Boston that she and her roommate Sam have taken this Fall semester.

afternoon stroll. Maybe grab a book and a blanket and head out there with a pal to get away from the noise of the city for a second.

It provides a sense of clarity and calmness sitting on the grass staring at the Charles River.

It makes you take a moment

to appreciate where you are and how much there is to be thankful for. It’s easy to get caught up in school work and clubs, but it’s so important to remember to take time for yourself and explore this beautiful city you get to call your home.

I encourage you to take a day for yourself to explore all Boston has to offer. Nurture yourself, your body and your mind because it is so important. Boston is the best place to become your best self so take advantage of the city during your four years here.

8 SPORTS

SPORTS

Field hockey winless in final regular-season home series Monet Ota Rachel Cherry Daily Free Press Staff The Boston University field hockey team dropped a pair of games to American University and Duke University last weekend in the team’s final homestand of the regular season. The Terriers (3-14, 1-4 Patriot League) struggled offensively against the Eagles (10-3, 5-0 PL) and the Blue Devils (6-10), scoring just one goal between the two games.

Oct. 23: American 3, BU 1 Despite a strong second-half effort, BU fell 3-1 against American on Saturday. The Terriers gained their footing in the second quarter and built momentum after halftime, but their lackluster first quarter and a late-game penalty corner led to an Eagles victory.

Coming off of a close 1-0 loss against Harvard, head coach Sally Starr called the matchup against the Eagles an “opportunity” and said the team came into the game “hoping to show that we can compete with the top team in the Patriot League.”

The Eagles started aggressively, drawing three corners in the first quarter and scoring twice. Senior fullback Maura Phelan capitalized on a penalty stroke in the fifth minute of play, and senior forward Aidan Rossman finished the quarter with a reverse chip goal. American outshot BU 7-0 in the first.

After an underwhelming first 15 minutes, the Terriers rebounded in the second quarter with two shots off of freshman forward Payton Anderson’s stick in the 17th minute of play.

They began to mount pressure against the Eagles’ defense, taking four more shots and drawing two corners.

“I think we started playing to our capabilities,” Starr said after Saturday’s game. “We came out in the second quarter, third quarter and fourth quarter really creating. I think [American’s] goalie was a huge difference in the game for them today.”

Eagle sophomore goalkeeper Bryn Underwood came up large in the second quarter with four saves to keep the score 2-0, one of which came against Terrier junior midfielder Mikayla Crowley on a breakaway in the 30th minute.

American drew another corner early in the third, but senior forward Hannah Moser’s tip-in went wide of the goal. BU retaliated less than a

minute later when Anderson struck with her team-leading eighth goal of the season, assisted by sophomore midfielder Thalia Steenssens.

The Terriers took three shots and drew a corner in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter but didn’t manage to execute on their scoring opportunities. An American goal off a corner in the 59th minute finished the game for a 3-1 American win.

With Saturday’s win, the Eagles clinched the top spot in the Patriot League.

“We made American earn the regular-season championship today,” Starr said. “I’m really pleased with how we competed.”

Oct. 24: Duke 3, BU 0 In their final home game of the season, BU fell 3-0 to non-conference opponent Duke early Sunday afternoon at New Balance Field.

The bleachers were filled with excitement and support for both the Terriers and the Blue Devils, as both teams welcomed a BU Family and Friends Weekend special.

For BU, Sunday marked the team’s Senior Day. Starr said her senior and grad student players’ time on the team has flown by.

“When you’re a freshman, you think it’s going to last forever, and then all of a sudden you’re a senior with your Senior Day,” Starr said

BENSON LIN | DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

Junior midfielder Mikayla Crowley in an Oct. 24 game against Duke University. The Terriers lost their final two home games on Saturday and Sunday.

postgame. “That’s the way they’re feeling about how fast it’s gone and really trying to continue to create good memories together.”

Duke came out on fire to start the match, with grad student midfielder MaryKate Neff scoring a goal in just the fourth minute. Soon after, with the Terrier defense still struggling, the Blue Devils came through with their second goal of the day in the ninth minute after a penalty corner, Duke’s second of the quarter.

Through the first quarter, the Terriers were struggling to put pressure on the Blue Devils as they dominated in both the offensive and defensive zones, keeping the Terrier offense at bay.

Junior goalkeeper Caroline Kelly had yet another standout game, totaling 12 saves in goal and keeping the Terriers in the game. Kelly specifically excelled throughout the second and third quarters, holding Duke scoreless. Still, the Terrier offense struggled to take control, with the ball on the Terrier defensive end for the majority of play.

BU’s best shot to get on the board came in the 51st minute when senior midfielder Rebecca Janes earned a corner. Anderson got her stick on the ball, but Duke sophomore goalkeeper Piper Hampsch made the save to keep the Terriers scoreless.

“I think our defense held strong,” Starr said. “We really could have created a 2-1 game … with that corner opportunity that we created.”

The Terriers will now travel to face the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders (6-9, 1-4 PL) on Friday at 3 p.m. for their last regular-season game.

“I think we need to really make sure that in that game, we come out ready to play in the first quarter,” Starr said.

Booms, Busts and Bets: NFL Week 8 Sean Hroncich Daily Free Press Staff Take a deep breath. You survived the Byemageddon of Week 7. Week 8’s byes are all in all much less severe, with the Raiders and Ravens taking the bench. This week’s most notable storyline might be the upsets, as a couple of underdog teams have some favorable matchups.

All picks are in PPR leagues unless otherwise noted.

Boom: Chuba Hubbard Hubbard’s stint as Christian McCaffrey’s replacement has been a bit rocky — he’s had his big weeks and his bad weeks, similar to Mike Davis a year ago. This week bodes well as a good week, facing a shoddy Atlanta defense in a division-rivalry game.

Carolina’s offense was stagnant against the Giants in Week 7, but their quarterback struggles should lead to a heavier reliance on the run game, particularly in the red zone (if they can actually make it there).

Bust: Mike Gesicki After a slow start to his 2021 season, Gesicki has been incredible since Week 3. He’s the best player on the Dolphins’ offense and will continue to put up numbers this season. This week, however, temper your expectations of him, as he’s visiting one of the best defenses in the NFL in Buffalo for a rematch against a team that shut the Dolphins out 35-0 in Week 2. With Tua Tagovailoa playing this game will be closer, but it’s risky to start a Dolphins pass catcher this week.

Boom: Chase Claypool Claypool and Diontae Johnson do this funny little thing where they alternate big weeks for fantasy. Clay-

pool put up two catches for 17 yards and 3.7 fantasy points in Week 6 against Seattle. While I think Diontae can still get enough targets to have a good week in PPR, I expect Claypool to play an elevated role against the Browns in Week 8.

Boom: Michael Pittman Jr. Carson Wentz has quietly had one of the biggest turnarounds in the NFL this season behind his old offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, as head coach. Sophomore wide receiver Pittman has been the prime beneficiary of this, racking up over 500 receiving yards so far, already eclipsing his yardage total in his entire rookie season. He’s Wentz’s favorite target by far — the next highest receiver is nearly 300 yards behind him. The Titans’ defense somehow befuddled the Chiefs in Week 7, but don’t let that trick you into thinking they’re good. The previous three weeks, their secondary was torn apart by Josh Allen and gave Zach Wilson and Trevor Lawrence each their best games to date. Pittman should have another solid week.

Best value bets (Using FOX Sports odds at time of writing. Disclaimer: Picks are merely the opinion of the author. Gambling involves financial risk. The author is not responsible for losses incurred from gambling.)

Arizona Cardinals: Win/cover spread (Spread: -3.5) The Cardinals just keep winning and show absolutely no signs of slowing down, winning by 23 or more points in each of the past two weeks and adding another elite weapon in Zach Ertz. The Packers deserve respect, as they’re on a six-game winning streak, but on Thursday night they’ll be without Davante Adams, Allen Lazard and Jaire Alexander.

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are

ILLUSTRATION BY YVONNE TANG

elite enough to make it competitive, but I expect Arizona to pull away by the end.

Detroit Lions: Win outright (Odds: +160) It’s weird to say this, but this year it feels like we’re all Detroit Lions fans. While they’re still a terrible team, they play with heart, and their new head coach Dan Campbell clearly cares about his team, and they care about him. The Lions played their hearts out against the Rams and had some incredible tricks up their sleeves. The Eagles are worse than some of their recent games would have you believe — they put up a lot of their stats in garbage time, when the game is basically lost. I think this is the game the Lions finally get their first win.

Cincinnati Bengals: Win/cover spread (Spread: -10.5) After two blowout wins, including a dominant 41-17 performance against the division-rival Ravens, this line feels like a relic of the past: Vegas hedging its bets because no one can believe the Bengals are actually good. The Bengals’ recent performances combined with the Jets’ 5413 humiliation against the Patriots makes Cincy feel like a safe bet.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Win outright (Odds +135) Call me crazy, but I think the Jags can pull this one off. Lawrence is coming off the best performance, and first win, of his NFL career. James Robinson has been one of the best backs in the league this year. The Se-

ahawks, on the other hand, put up a grand total of 10 points against the Saints, seven of which came from an 84-yard touchdown from DK Metcalf in the first five minutes of the game — an anomaly that they can’t rely on happening again. Watch out for the well-rested Jags, coming off their bye week, to pull off the upset in Seattle.

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals: Over 50 points Like I said earlier, I trust Rodgers to keep his team’s offense flowing even without his top wideout. The Packers haven’t scored below 20 since Week 1, and the Cardinals have gone over 30 points in six of seven games this season. I trust both teams to break these marks again in Week 8.