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Monday February 18, 2019 vol. CXLIII no. 11
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STUDENT LIFE
‘Day of Action’ planned for detained history graduate student Xiyue Wang By Silma Berrada Contributor
HUA QU / OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the community plan to hold a ‘Day of Action’ in support of Xiyue Wang, who was detained by Iranian police in 2016.
host the “call-a-thon” in the Campus Club Library. They plan to provide coffee, pastries, and lunch as students and faculty members phone political representatives and mail postcards. Following the “call-athon,” History Department Chair Keith Wailoo; Dean of the Graduate School Sar-
ON CAMPUS
ah-Jane Leslie; Chaplain in the Muslim Life Program Sohaib Nazeer Sultan; and Hua Qu, Wang’s wife, will speak in the Chancellor Green Rotunda. This will be followed by a moment of silence for Wang and his family. McGovern hopes that, through the Day of Action,
“people have in mind the issue, and that they take the issue and go to their families and work through their networks to advocate for Wang.” “We see this as a continual movement,” he continued. “Persistent activism is necessary for helping Wang.”
STUDENT LIFE
BEYOND THE BUBBLE
Questlove discusses his music, role of boredom By David Veldran Contributor
Boredom can help generate creativity, according to Ahmir Khalib Thompson, known professionally as Questlove. On Friday, Feb. 15, Questlove spoke with African American studies professor Imani Perry about music and creativity. During the talk, Questlove — a writer and the frontman for the Grammy Award-winning band The Roots — was named an honorary member of the class of 2019. The honor recognized his “contributions to culture, the arts, and the creative process, which have left an indelible impression on the members of the class of 2019.” “Are you guys sure about this?” Questlove joked as he held up the award. Questlove and Perry focused on creativity throughout their conversation. In particular, Questlove stressed that one of the key lessons he has written about in his books is that “boredom is essential” for creativity. “I think that creativity still matters,” he said. He asserted that boredom can allow people to be more creative, something that is stif led by constant distraction with cell phones. For instance, Questlove said that Wu-Tang Clan, a hip hop group, ran into issues after initial success. The group, according to Questlove, had gotten too
In Opinion
comfortable amidst their success and could not find sources for additional creativity. “Once [The Wu-Tang Clan] got a budget in millions, they all went to Los Angeles in a plush studio and all the amenities, and there was such a conf lict,” he said. Since that point, according to him, the quality of their music declined. Questlove stressed the importance of finding creative thoughts amid boredom and even discomfort. “Once you’re creative and you’re in a zone, keep that zone,” he said. “We rarely get silent moments to immerse ourselves in hearing great ideas.” “So even for me ... yes, I have a way better apartment than I did when I started, but I still keep the same studio,” he added. In his discussion with Perry, Questlove also described his passion for music, particularly his love for record-collecting. For him, record-collecting is similar to “going to Six Flags.” He explained that his drive to find new music comes from a friendly competition between him and other producers. “We’re always trying to one-up each other,” said Questlove, noting that he has recently been digging up “bad covers” of Barry White and others. In the discussion, Questlove spoke about his childSee QUESTLOVE page 2
Columnist Siyang Liu criticizes the University’s approach to sustainable water, while columnist Kaveh Badrei offers a critique of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates and the risks of a flooded primary field. PAGE 6
Q&A with Mara Liasson By Marissa Michaels Contributor
ARIEL CHEN / THE DAILY PRINCETONIAN
In an email to The Daily Princetonian, Popoola noted that she is “trying to get some distance and rest.” She deferred additional comment to the current club officers.
Terrace Club president resigns By Zack Shevin Assistant News Editor
According to an email sent to Terrace Club members on Thursday, Feb. 14, Fey Popoola ’20 has resigned as the club’s president. The email was sent by the club’s vice president Franklin Maloney ’20, who did not respond to multiple requests for comment. In an email to The Daily Princetonian, Popoola noted that she is “trying to get some distance and rest.” She deferred additional comment to the current club officers. Popoola, however, shared with The Daily Princetonian her reply to a post on Tiger Confessions, a Facebook group
where students can submit anonymous confessions. “I stepped down and left on Wednesday as it was the best choice for me,” she wrote in the comment. “I’m taking some time to breathe and relax and write poetry. I’m alright, and Terrace has burnt down twice before and is still bringing Vic Mensa tomorrow. All good on Washington Road and beyond.” According to a written statement from the Terrace Graduate Board Chair Alexander Shermansong ’97, the presidential duties will be shared by Maloney, Joseph Collins ’20, Milo Hughes ’20, Sydney Wilder ’20, and Alexander Cavoli ’20 while the club decides “on the best path forward.”
Today on Campus 4:30 p.m.: “John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Supreme Court” McCormick Hall, 101
This past week, the University hosted NPR correspondent Mara Liasson in a public lecture and private lunch. Liasson, who has been with NPR for 33 years, has served as a political correspondent, Congressional Correspondent, and White House Correspondent. She is now a contributor for NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition and a correspondent for Fox. On Friday, Feb. 15, Liasson sat down with The Daily Princetonian. Below is a lightly edited transcript of the conversation. The Daily Princetonian: In your talk, you mentioned all of the women that came before you [in NPR]. Could you talk more about that? Mara Liasson: I am not a pioneer. The thing to remember is that, back then, NPR had this group of incredible female reporters and anchors — Susan Stamberg, Cokie Roberts, Nina Totenberg, Linda Wertheimer — and we called them the Founding Mothers of NPR, or sometimes we called them the Fallopian Club. So people say, “Wow, because NPR really valued women?” No, because back then, we [NPR] paid so much less relative to the networks and major newspapers that we ended up with a lot of females, and the men who worked there tended to leave and go to the higher-paying places. That has changed over time. See LIASSON page 4
WEATHER
Several months after the United Nations concluded that Xiyue Wang, a history Ph.D. student imprisoned in Tehran, should be released immediately, the University community will host a “Day of Action” to raise awareness about Wang’s detainment and to call for his immediate release. The Day of Action on Wednesday, Feb. 20, will include a “call-a-thon” at Campus Club and a rally at Chancellor Green Library. As of Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019, Wang has been imprisoned in Iran for over 900 days. In Aug. 2016, Wang — who was in Tehran to research late 19th and early 20th century Eurasian history — was arrested and imprisoned by Iranian police under charges of espionage. Since his incarceration at Evin Prison was made public in July 2017, he has been granted phone privileges and makes calls to stay updated about current historical research. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., third-year graduate student and rally organizer Michael McGovern and others will
McGovern believes that Wang’s case speaks to the more general issue of academic freedom. “In the future we hope to have an event about scholarly safety,” he said. “It’s a big discussion to have. We need to know the kinds of risk that people could be in to get that story, to write that dissertation.” He also acknowledges that, though he has had more success in attracting graduate students to similar events in the past, he encourages all students, faculty, staff, and inhabitants within the greater Princeton area to take part. “It could happen to any of us,” he said. “This is something that could happen to your friend. He is not just a graduate student that got into a bad situation.” Members of the community can also support Wang through subscribing to a newsletter and signing up for volunteer opportunities on freexiyuewang.com. The “Day of Action for Xiyue Wang” will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Campus Club Library, to be followed immediately by a rally in Chancellor Green Library that will last until 6:30 p.m.
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