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Volume #105 | Issue #4 | Sept. 28, 2020 | depauliaonline.com
SGA elects vice president By Theodora Koulouvaris SGA Reporter
ERIC HENRY | THE DEPAULIA
For two weeks every year around the spring and fall equinox, the sunset and sunrise line up perfectly with the east-west streets in the city.
City sets sights west for Chicagohenge
Voting members of DePaul’s Student Government Association (SGA) elected Watfae Zayed to become vice president after Thursday’s general body meeting. Zayed served as senator for Commuter Students this year before running for vice president. In addition, Zayed works as an EMT and serves as a Chicago Quarter Mentor at DePaul. During SGA’s Meet the Candidate event at Thursday’s meeting, Zayed said she believed she is fit for the role of vice president as she has conducted leadership training at her mosque serving in different leadership positions. “In my role as manager there, I was the treasurer, the chief of staff, the facilitator [and] the president,” Zayed said. “I kind of had to do it all including taking notes, planning our budget [and] assigning tasks. So in terms of understanding cabinet, I kind of understand how most of the positions on cabinet run because I had to do them all in one, and I am currently still doing that at my mosque.” Zayed said if students come to her with issues important to them, she would listen to them and ask them how they want the problem solved to better advocate for their needs. “I know I can never walk a day in anyone else’s shoes in this room,” Zayed said. “Similarly you can’t walk a day in mine, and when you bring an issue to me, I want to know how you want to see it solved and what you think I should do to advocate for you because it’s not my place to call the shots on how things should be done.” Zayed added she was interested in the vice president position to better represent Palestinian students and minority students at DePaul as she is Palestinian.
See SGA, page 3
Coney Barrett, Chicago-based judge, nominated to Supreme Court By Nika Schoonover Politics Editor
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. Barrett, 48, graduated with honors from Rhodes College, a Presbyterian-affiliated school in Tennessee. She continued on to Notre Dame Law School in Indiana. From 1998 to 1999, Barrett served as a law clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia, the conservative giant of jurisprudence. In her time as Scalia’s law clerk, she was nicknamed the “Conenator” by her colleagues because of her ability to tear apart flimsy legal arguments. Though she shares a similar conservative ideology as Scalia, she is not often brought to liberal results as Scalia was. Brian T. Fitzpatrick, former law clerk to Scalia and a law professor at Vanderbilt University, said that this is unlikely for Barrett. “She is sympathetic to Justice Scalia’s methods, but I don’t get the sense that she is going to be a philosophical leader on how those methods should be executed,” Fitzpatrick said. Following her time as a law clerk, Barrett briefly practiced law and taught for 15 years at Notre Dame Law School. Barrett was nominated by Trump to the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in May 2017 and was confirmed by the Senate that October in a 55-43 vote.
When Trump selected Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court in 2018, Barrett had been a finalist. At the time, she had been on the appellate bench for less than a year after 15 years of teaching law. The White House decided against nominating Barrett at the time because of her lack of experience and out of fear that her nomination would trigger a fight about abortion rights in a divided Senate, the Wall Street Journal reported. Barrett’s voting record reflects a conservative-leaning mindset in cases on abortion, gun rights, discrimination and immigration. The Associated Press reported that her judicial record includes 100 opinions and several telling dissents in which Barrett displayed “her clear and consistent conservative bent.” A devout Catholic, Barrett has been questioned on her ability to separate her religious beliefs and her case rulings. In Barrett’s 2017 confirmation hearings for the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California questioned her ability to separate the two. “The conclusion one draws is that the dogma lives loudly within you,” Feinstein said. Barrett has insisted that her religious beliefs would not have any bearing on her rulings as a federal judge. If Barrett is to be appointed to the Supreme Court by Election Day, one of the earliest cases she could hear would be on the latest Obamacare challenge, which the court is scheduled to hear on Nov. 10.
RACHEL MALEHORN | AP
Judge Amy Coney Barrett in Milwaukee, on Aug. 24, 2018
2 | News. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
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News. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 3
“She’s my go-to person”
Honors Program appoints Jennifer Conary new director By Petya Georgieva Contributing Writer
With a warm smile and a charming manner, Jennifer Conary, the new Director of the Honors Program at DePaul is right on time for her next Zoom meeting. Originally from Central Valley, California, Conary is a woman of many interests: a musician, avid reader, advocate for Humanities in the Liberal Arts, baker, English professor and podcast lover. She has been a part of the DePaul faculty for over 12 years. A professor of English literature, Conary says that English wasn’t her first choice of profession. In fact, she is a DePaul School of Music alumna with a concentration in clarinet performance. Remembering the time when the piano and clarinet lessons had been a big part of her life, Conary said she dreamed of a career as a musician, but fate had other plans for her. “When I went off the college, I was planning to be an orchestral musician,” Conary said. “Music was always my first love, but I always did English alongside which was my minor, so it wasn’t a total switch, but certainly it was a shift in my career goals.” After she moved back to California for graduate school, Conaryearned her Ph.D. at the University of Southern California in 2008, specializing in Victorian Literature and culture, writing on women in literature and researching working class literature. But eventually, her path led her back to Chicago and DePaul. “I was lucky, and it happened to be a job at DePaul that it was open the year that I went on the job market,” Conary said. “And I feel very, very fortunate to be back. I love DePaul; however, I still do not love the winters, but It’s worth it to be here in Chicago which is such a great city.” Curious as a child she had been an eager reader. In love with the 18th century novelists, her childhood passion turns to a successful career where reading is a big part of her work and identity.
“She is my go-to person. She is a very caring
professor, very intentional and always knows what she wants to do and why she wants to do it.”
Amelia Modes
DePaul senior
“I’m very happy where I’m in my career and having my job as a professor. I’m able to do the things that I love and talk about great literature with my students,” Conary said. Compassionate and diligent are among the adjectives that Nancy Grossman, the associate director of the DePaul Honors Program uses to describe Conary and their work relationship. “She has always been very involved in the Honors Program, she’s been in the Honors Committee, which is made up of faculty from all eight colleges, and she has been a longtime member. She’s also been kind of a go-to person for me,” Grossman said. At this position for 18 years, Grossman is responsible for ensuring that there is “a faculty to fulfill different roles for the DePaul scholarly community.” Every spring, the honors program puts on a student conference which needs faculty members to moderate breakout sessions for students, and also to help them prepare for the conference. There are rehearsal sessions for students to practice presenting their thesis, and Conary is often Grossman’s choice for rehearsal coach. “She’s moderated these sessions at the conference for many years and she is always willing to be on the committees,” Grossman said. “And Jenny was always someone who I could call out if I needed a member of an assessment committee.”
This is a task that not everyone will agree to because it involves a lot of reading that might not be a part of the one’s faculty expertise. Recipient of the 2018 College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2018 G erald D. Paesch Academic AdvisingAward, Conary is a person to whom the students can go for advice and be sure to get what they need. “She is my go-to person,” says Amelia Modes, a senior double majoring in English and Media and Cinema Studies. “She is a very caring professor, very intentional and always knows what she wants to do and why she wants to do it.” Another one of Conary’s passions is baking, and Modes remembered her first class with her when she would bring treats for the whole class. However, with covid-19, Conary admits that she had to stop with baking because of “the lack of exercises.” An advocate of Humanities in the Liberal Arts, Conary said she wants students to “be responsible citizens — to be able to think critically in a nuanced way about the world, especially at this moment,” when the political environment is so polarized. Thus, the new honors director avoids watching the news; rather than that, she subscribes to major news outlets for national and international perspectives. Addicted to podcasts, she loves listening to political and historical podcasts like NPR’s “True Line.”
In addition to Zayed, two other candidates ran for vice president: Misael Alejandre, SGA’s chief of staff, and Wesley Janicki, SGA’s executive vice president of operations. The vice president’s position fell vacant earlier this month after former SGA President Gisselle Cervantes resigned from the position making Alyssa Isberto, the former SGA vice president, the new president. Isberto has been a part of SGA for three years serving in several different positions including executive vice president of student affairs. Besides holding a Meet the Candidates event for those that ran for vice president, SGA discussed other items on its agenda. Information Regarding Upcoming Elections SGA will hold elections this quarter to fill vacant positions. Starting Sept. 30, SGA will hold an informational session for students to attend and three additional sessions afterwards on Oct. 2, Oct. 5 and Oct. 9. Afterwards, candidate materials will be due on Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. Jane Pallos, SGA’s elections coordinator, said she wants to ensure students ap-
plying to run for a position on SGA have time to plan. “The reason that I have things going from the beginning of October until when their materials are going to be due is because I want people to have enough time to really think over what their platforms are going to be, not having to rush to whether or not they want to run,” Pallos said. Elections will begin on Oct. 19 at 9 a.m. until Oct. 22 at 12 p.m. On Oct. 20, SGA will hold a Meet the Candidates event at 5 p.m. SGA President Alyssa Isberto announced the resignation of two SGA senators: Andrew Keil, senator for the College of Law, and Jenna Dahbur, senator for Community and Government Relations. These positions are vacant and up for election in October. SGA is planning to create an SGA Guidebook that would explain the functions of committees and other aspects of the university to help SGA members and others at DePaul better understand these areas. SGA will have several guests attending its general body meeting in the coming
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
New Honors Program Director Jennifer Conary has served the DePaul community for over 12 years.
“I think the media has created this partisan environment that is not very healthy for our current society, but I wish people would read in depth because even reading across all this websites, I get so important information verses getting sound bites on the evening news, or God forbid on Twitter from where people observe news in this teeny tiny fragments,” Conary said. This summer while preparing her online curriculum, Conary created a new summer speaker series of weekly speakers and panels on Zoom where different faculties would present interesting areas of scholarships to navigate the new student. “She looked at the new students in a new way,” Grossman said. For Conary, they were already part of the DePaul community and she wanted to make sure to offer students as many opportunities as possible, thus she started an honors blog site so it can be a constant source of information. Currently, the honors program has roughly 1,000 students and Conary is very committed to its success. “I hope what all the students get from their education is the ability to really think and understand how to evaluate information,” Conary said. “And how to come up creatively with solutions to the problems that we all are facing.”
SGA continued from front “Palestinian students, especially these past three years have been extreme targets at DePaul,” Zayed said. “I want to do everything I can to use this platform to help Palestinians and all students at DePaul, but Palestinian students haven’t been really given that voice or the respect by the university and I think that’s something that needs to change.” Zayed has also worked with Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) since her freshman year and has been involved in campaigns to support Palestine outside of DePaul, adding that she has protested and advocated for Palestine “since I could walk.” When asked how she would advocate for LGBTQ students at DePaul, Zayed said she would meet with those students to understand their concerns to better advocate for their needs. “I want to be able to meet with you [the president of Spectrum DePaul] and Spectrum DePaul and whoever else is interested and hear what needs to be done and have all the facts [and] everything I need to move forward and have your voice included in that conversation,” Zayed said.
weeks. Kathryn Statz, the director of Gender Equity and Title IX coordinator, will attend SGA’s Oct. 1 meeting to speak about updates to Title IX. DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban will attend SGA’s meeting on Nov. 5. SGA Advisor Courtney James said SGA is in the process of migrating its old website to a DeHUB page. James said SGA’s old website is “outdated” due to the process of trying to make updates to the website. “[The new website] is managed by DeHUB so it pulls all of the information that we put into DeHUB already in so that it will automatically make updates for you,” James said. James added that the new site through DeHUB is much easier and faster to edit and add information to. The site includes information about SGA’s upcoming meetings and events, meeting minutes and videos of SGA’s previous general body meetings. James encouraged students to register to vote and added students can utilize TurboVote to register.
4 | News. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
ALICIA GOLUSZKA | THE DEPAULIA
First “Lunch with Vincent” of quarter addresses diversity By Nika Schoonover Politics Editor
On Tuesday, the Division of Mission and Ministry held their twice-quarterly Lunch with Vincent, exclusively for faculty and staff. Lunch with Vincent is the first of many “Vinny” themed events this week, ending with a commemorative mass to honor the saint. St. Vincent de Paul Heritage Week, or Vinny Fest, is a week-long celebration organized by DePaul’s Division of Mission and Ministry to honor the day that St. Vincent de Paul died on Sept. 27, also known as his feast day. The luncheon, partly as a response to DePaul’s statement on solidarity released on June 9, aimed to discuss how the Vincentian mission can further the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion. “Fully aware that the scourge of racism and racial discrimination persists and continues to result in violations of human rights, suffering, disadvantage, violence and death,” the statement read. “We want to commit – as an institution – to combat racism by all available and appropriate means, and as a matter of the highest priority, preferably in continuous cooperation with affected communities.”
“As the DePaul community has conversations
around race, antiracism, and racial injustice, it is important to recognize and acknowledge that we, like many, are late to the party and that the house has been on fire for decades.”
Cindy Pickett
Associate Provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Tom Judge, a chaplain to DePaul’s College of Law and College of Computing and Digital Media, helped organize the event. Judge said that the purpose of a Vincentian community is to “accompany those who are victimized by exclusion and adversity.” Cindy Pickett, associate provost of diversity, equity and inclusion, was one of the featured speakers at the event along with DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban. Pickett spoke about her background growing up in an interracial family, her experience working as a psychology professor at various universities and her work to address racial injustice in academia. Pickett said that growing up in a bira-
cial family led her to constantly shift between cultural traditions and identities. “I became fascinated with why certain identities become self-defining while others do not, and this became the basis of my scholarly work as a social psychologist,” Pickett told attendees at the luncheon. In her work as a psychology professor, she became increasingly aware of how marginalized communities were disproportionately affected by the institutions in place. This led her to run for public office and become the president of her local school board. Later, she was drawn to DePaul because of its commitment to helping marginalized communities.
“As I learned about DePaul’s Vincentian values and its mission, I was drawn to the idea of caring for others and paying special attention to those furthest from the opportunity,” Pickett said. “I was also drawn to the idea that this is not an abstract value but can and should result in concrete actions.” After the initial speeches, attendees broke out into small groups to discuss how Vincentian values and their own experiences coincide with the fight against racial injustice. Attendees were also invited to discuss how the introduction speeches resonated with them. After meeting in their small groups, some groups discussed what they had talked about, but not all were able to because of time restraints. Pickett said that it is important to acknowledge that like many others, the DePaul community is behind in the fight against racial injustice. “As the DePaul community has conversations around race, antiracism, and racial injustice, it is important to recognize and acknowledge that we, like many, are late to the party and that the house has been on fire for decades,” Pickett said in her speech. The DePaulia was not allowed to attend the event. Judge, who organized it, said the reason was so faculty felt “free to share their perspectives and any concerns.
SGA hosts third Civil Engagement and Social Action Series By Theodora Koulouvaris Staff Writer
DePaul’s Student Government Association (SGA) held the third session of its Civic Engagement and Social Action Series Tuesday evening via Facebook Live. SGA President Alyssa Isberto, Executive Vice President of Student Affairs Marcus Robertson and PR Coordinator Arantxa Reyes interviewed Ed Yohnka, the director of communications and public policy for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois. As the director of communication and public policy, Yohnka said he connects with the media to disseminate information about ACLU’s policies, positions and activities as well as working with his colleagues when they are serving in that capacity. In addition, Yohnka helps influence messages regarding ACLU’s work to share with the public. “When you work on civil liberties and social justice issues, part of it is trying to take what are often incredibly complex kinds of issues and convey them to a broader public in a way that really lands with them, that motivates people, that moves people, and that touches on their own values,” Yohnka said. Yohnka has worked at the ACLU for more than 20 years and said he has stayed with the organization for so long as his
work is always new from day to day. Yohnka added that he has the opportunity to work with “incredible people.” “I get to work with some really remarkable, smart, thoughtful people and learn from them along the way,” Yohnka said. “Along the way of doing this work, I have been able to be present and be part of some really incredible activities.” Yohnka added that some of those activities include “being present in courtrooms” when the ACLU won major victories, including, “being in Springfield when the death penalty was ended in Illinois” and when the Illinois legislature passed the law on marriage equality. Since starting his career at the ACLU, Yohnka explained that the organization has grown but that it has become more challenging to share information about the ACLU’s work due to the shrinking media market. Yohnka added that some of the work the organization has done over the past four years has been “different” due to the change in the political climate. While some aspects of the ACLU have changed, Yohnka said the organization’s values remain the same. “At the end of the day, [the ACLU] is fundamentally the same,” Yohnka said. “It’s about the same principles, it’s about our clients, it’s about what they need and it’s about creating or working towards that ‘more perfect Union’ that’s referenced in the Preamble to the Constitution.”
When asked about potential career opportunities with the ACLU for prospective students, Yohnka encouraged students to visit the ACLU’s website and advised students to make themselves “indispensable” in any of the work they do. “I think in many ways, this is about creating an opportunity for yourself and there’s lots of people who work at all levels of the ACLU who, frankly, have come in being an associate in the development department and through work and hard work and years become program staff and end up doing great things… I think those are the kinds of things that we see and the kinds of patterns and growth we often see for people,” Yohnka said. When asked how students can engage in activities to create change in their communities, Yohnka said students should meet with people “where they live and with what they need.” “Oftentimes we think of this as this big thing where we have to have this grand scheme and think about how we organize people around a very complex issue,” Yohnka said. “We need to do this block by block and neighborhood by neighborhood and community by community because that’s the way that at the end of the day we are able to achieve real change.” Yohnka stressed the importance of voting as one of the ways people can enact change where they live. “If you make a plan to vote, if you are
ready to vote, bring five people with you,” Yohnka said. “Tell them your plan, let them see if it works for them [and] if there are other things they want to do.” Throughout his career, some of the obstacles Yohnka has faced includes encountering people resistant to change. “Sometimes, and oftentimes, we’ll face people who fundamentally resist every bit of change and they will use tactics and strategies which candidly can be described, I think by me as an advocate, as evil,” Yohnka said. Yohnka encouraged students not to engage in the same kind of behavior. “Don’t become the thing you’re fighting against,” Yohnka said. “It’s hard because you see things that you don’t like and that you really want to be harsh about that you really want to push back against and that you really manifestly just want to lash out at. Don’t give into that. Because at the end of the day, if you stay consistent to who you are, if you incorporate those values in all of your work, the truth is you’ll be more successful.” SGA’s Civic Engagement and Social Action series takes place Tuesdays nights at 5:30 p.m. with a new panelist each week until the 2020 presidential election in November.
News. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 5
“BUILD”ing up the community University implements professional development program based on diversity for faculty, staff By Sonal Sonai Staff Writer
The BUILD diversity certificate is a volunteer based professional development program which focuses on diversity and inclusion and is available to all DePaul faculty and staff. According to the Office of Institutional Diversity and Equity (OIDE), “BUILD provides participants with the ‘building blocks to an inclusive campus.’” “The certificate program helps participants develop cultural competencies, offering the tools necessary for linking diversity to organizational and work performance, and connecting the university’s Vincentian mission of dignity and respect for all individuals to our core operating business principles,” OIDE adds. BUILD believes in building multicultural competencies, understanding differences and how they impact the workplace, inclusive excellence, leveraging diversity and building leadership capacity and lastly, developing measures of success. “BUILD also will focus on building a curriculum that addresses these themes with DePaul faculty and staff experts as well as external diversity, equity and inclusion presenters,” said Liz Ortiz, the vice president of OIDE. “OIDE is proud to work with the campus community in designing a dialogue that reflects the needs and concerns of our community.” The 18-month long program offers a range of required and elective courses in a seminar format including workshops focusing on structural racism, anti-racism, implicit bias and microaggressions. “We are coming into these difficult conversations very vulnerable,” said BUILD Director of Diversity Operations Jose Perales. “We try to have a space to address these
issues that are not easy to talk about in the spirit of learning.” He emphasizes that BUILD offers a safe, welcoming and confidential space for participants. “It’s about us as a community engaging all of these concepts with the intent of trying to improve and have a better work environment at DePaul,” Perales said. “We realize that [change] is not going to happen necessarily with one session or several sessions, but what will happen at least is an acknowledgment that we’re attempting to learn about it.” BUILD’s curriculum is timely as it addresses many of the social, political and economic racial disparities marginalized communities face. Although racial injustice in the U.S. has persisted for centuries, the recent rise in Black Lives Matter protests following George Floyd’s death has highlighted the need for diversity and inclusion training. The program emerged in 2013 and has since offered 138 workshops with over 1,900 faculty and staff participants. BUILD also regularly updates their content and enlists new speakers while maintaining its core concepts and learning outcomes. The courses are facilitated by subject matter experts including DePaul faculty external persons. Courses range from addressing racial injustices to a variety of other topics. “Examination of the Self ” is a new seminar offered this year, facilitated by Dr. Sumi Pendakur, the chief learning officer and director of the USC Equity Institutes at the USC Race and Equity Center. Another addition to the program is the session, “How to Be an Antiracist,” a special event held in conjunction with the DePaul President’s book club based on Ibram X. Kendi’s book.
Most exciting, BUILD also holds two events during Latinx Heritage month and for the first time, civil rights icon Dolores Huerta will be a keynote speaker on Oct. 7. BUILD offers a wide range of courses, and participants can select as many or as few workshops as they like. The program offers two different levels — level two being slightly more comprehensive. Faculty and staff have the option to complete either or both levels. The program aims to be accessible and flexible by offering select workshops twice so participants have a greater opportunity to attend. Additionally, those who’ve already taken BUILD workshops can apply past credit towards their certificate. There are four training sectors that comprise the BUILD curriculum. First, the compliance sector addresses DePaul’s anti-discrimination policies such as EEO, Title IX and Legislation, which covers laws, policies and regulations. Second, the accountability and metrics sector aims to assess the impact of BUILD has on DePaul. Third, the recruitment, retention and engagement sector addresses best teaching practices, implicit bias and strategies that foster a diverse and engaged workforce. Finally, the cultural competencies sector offers a range of courses focusing on students with disabilities, the DePaul veteran community, and how we serve undocumented communities at DePaul. DePaul faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for as many or as few BUILD courses as they like, and can register for BUILD courses on the OIDE site. While the BUILD program is currently limited to DePaul faculty and staff, a student version will potentially launch during the winter quarter.
ALICIA GOLUSZKA | THE DEPAULIA
“Unlocking the Future” with the DePaul DAX Program By Holly Jenvey Staff Writer
The DePaul USA DAX Program launched the virtual “Unlocking the Future” event to the public to raise awareness in the DePaul community about how to help homeless students in need. Through student stories, executive speeches and soulful performances, the event raised over $40,000. According to DePaul’s DAX website, DePaul USA started in 2009 to help match homeless students with host families. Since 2015 when the DAX program was introduced, 44 students have served and 93 percent have remained or graduated with a four-year degree. The program helps students obtain food stipends, housing and textbook assistance, among other benefits. Today, DePaul USA operates two houses. “The past year has been a really difficult and dark year,” said Charles Levesque, president and CEO of DePaul USA. Prior to the pandemic, homeless students were already facing difficulties. However, DePaul USA’s DAX program continuously aims to help students out of their struggles so they can focus on graduating and pursuing their dreams. After Levesque made an introductory speech, he announced Emily Chen as the honoree of the night for her contribution to the DAX Boards, including the cancellation of rents as well as the transportation of
ALICIA GOLUSZKA | THE DEPAULIA
masks across the country. “I’m very happy to have been able to contribute [to DePaul USA],” Chen said. Chen initially heard about DePaul USA through a friend. She didn’t realize college students could endure homelessness. Later, she contacted Levesque to find out more about the organization. “These kids deserve a lot more,” Chen said. Chen was born to Chinese immigrants. After she was born, Chen was taken to a St. Vincent DePaul orphanage, as her mother was sick in the hospital from the five first months of her life. She found DePaul USA as a way to give back to the community and support students. Chen now works as
an actress and voice actress and has three successful children. Three students also touched on their DAX experiences. Through the program, students were not only able to receive their physical needs, but their mental health and dreams were supported as well. One student addressed how being in a housing facility provides a relaxing environment to study or read. Another said he’s learned how to ask for help. A female student explained how DAX DePaul USA helped her escape a rocky family situation, where her grades began to rise and she could focus on her career goals. “It wasn’t a safe space for me,” a student said of their family situation, which
prompted them to search for DAX. Later in the session, Jason Lamoreaux, from Lamoreaux and Associates, monitored the live donation flow. Prior to starting the session, the donations were as high as $37,000. Lamoreaux reiterated the goals of DAX DePaul USA, while suggesting donation offerings, even saying that any amount counts. “Our goal tonight is that we all do our part,” Lamoreaux said. He thanked donors by name as their gifts poured in. He emphasized that these donations would be going towards finding stability for students and putting them on the path toward graduation. Towards the end of the event, donations reached over $40,000. However, donations will still be accepted over the next two weeks. You can either donate on this site or by texting “DePaul USA” to 56651. The event took a lighthearted turn through the soulful performances of singer Paige Alyssa with Phil Graves on the keyboards. They sang a few songs, including their version of the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love?”
6| News. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
ALICIA GOLUSZKA | THE DEPAULIA
Summer first year program breaks enrollment record By Theodora Koulouvaris Staff Writer
After DePaul moved classes online in spring quarter of last year, many of the university’s summer courses and programs operated remotely as well. That includes courses offered to firstyear students through the First-Year Academic Success (FYAS) Program. The program grants students that require additional help in specific subjects the opportunity to complete some of their prerequisite courses tuition-free before beginning their classes for fall quarter according to the program’s website. Normally, the program offers in-person courses but shifted to remote learning due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Yesenia Sanchez-Giancola, the director of FYAS, said courses were conducted this summer asynchronously to provide students with flexibility. “All the courses were asynchronous because we knew that students were going to be taking the courses online,” Sanchez-Giancola said. “We need[ed] to offer some flexibility in terms of timing.” Sanchez-Giancola added that FYAS wanted to provide students with “optional synchronous components” for their courses to support them as they completed their extensive coursework. “It’s pretty daunting and we wanted to make sure that our students could still be able to access support resources,” Sanchez-Giancola said. Sanchez-Giancola explained that in addition to courses operating asynchronously, faculty members held live office hours for students and FYAS Assistant Director Sonia Lizardo offered to “meet [with] students individually for success chats and goal setting.” Other resources offered to students included supplemental instruction leaders connected to each course that met with students to review course material and provide individual tutoring. This past summer, the program set a record in its student enrolment numbers since the program’s inception in 2009 with 290 students taking part in FYAS’s summer courses, according to Sanchez-Giancola. Sanchez-Giancola cited the shift to online courses as a contributor to the record number in enrollment. “I think definitely having it online offers students the opportunity to take the course within their timeline while being able to balance their experience [and] their
other multiple responsibilities in their spaces at home,” Sanchez-Giancola said. “We had students that had to work, we had others that were taking care of siblings… I think the asynchronous nature of the course itself [allowed] them not to be tied to a computer at a certain time or place.” Going forward, Sanchez-Giancola said this year’s record enrollment has altered FYAS’s approach and the department is considering providing students with both online and in-person classes to choose from in the future. “This definitely changed our methodology for future years,” Sanchez-Giancola said. “We will definitely look to do a blend of online and on-campus [courses] once we’re permitted to go back to campus and do things in person, because I think there’s some students that really need more of that in-person experience to grasp and learn it live.” As FYAS adapted its courses to an online format, other departments within the university followed suit, including the Office of New Student and Family Engagement. When the university moved to conduct classes virtually, the office prepared to function virtually as well. Precious FemiOgunyemi, the coordinator for the office, explained how the office stayed connected with students and their families. “Once the university opted to move things virtually, we opened up a remote office so that students and parents could stop in and ask questions especially knowing that in the spring quarter, students [were] making various decisions for college and that includes setting up for orientation and registration days, etc.,” Femi-Ogunyemi said. Over the summer, Femi-Ogunyemi said the office created an “online orientation experience” consisting of 24 programs that allowed students and their families to attend a “presentation-style experience.” Afterwards, students had the opportunity to meet with their orientation leader in small groups to help them build a connection to DePaul. “We have moved virtually but our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging… has adapted to the platforms we have access to,” Femi-Ogunyemi said. Femi-Ogunyemi added that the office has received positive feedback from students and their families. “As someone who works in New Stu-
dent and Family Engagement and has supervised [an] orientation leader team, one thing that students and parents alike both kind of commented was that it was as though we were the first people that really helped them start to answer some of their questions,” Femi-Ogunyemi said. As the academic year progresses, firstyear students can take advantage of specific courses offered to first-year students, specifically FY@broad. This year, the university is offering FY@broad programs to six different destinations: England, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jerusalem, and Scotland. Scott Ozaroski, the associate director of
program management at DePaul University Study Abroad, said travel for these programs will occur mid-late June with students completing coursework for the programs in spring quarter. As of now, the programs are set to travel to their destinations, but Ozaroski said the office will continue to monitor the Covid-19 pandemic in each of these destinations. “We will be closely monitoring the global Covid-19 situation as we determine whether or not we will be able to move forward and offer travel abroad for each of these programs,” Ozaroski said. “We will be making a final determination before the start of spring quarter.”
News. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 7
“Watchdog from home”
Annual IRE conference goes virtual for first time By Nicole Shih Staff Writer
If you are a data and investigative journalism person, you probably know one of the biggest journalism events happened last week – IRE 2020 conference. Investigative Reporter & Editors (IRE) kicked off their very first virtual annual conference on Sept. 21 through Sept. 25. The conference was held virtually this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It was also the first time that people from over the country and the world could attend the event. Over 200 sessions were included in the conference ranging from live networking, live chat and conversation on different journalism topics, data skills online tutorials, job recruiting meetings and more. NICOLE SHIH | THE DEPAULIA The networking sessions were divided The annual IRE conference hosted over 200 virtual sessions over Zoom from experts in the field of investigative journalism. into different groups, based on what stage that journalists shouldn’t be afraid if the in their journalism careers participants thought they were in. There were network- B-roll does not exactly fit the video. That ing opportunities for students, early-career part is critical, he said. John Harden, database reporter at The journalists, mid-career journalists, veteran Washington Post, talked about where to journalists, educators and more. People find data and how to visualize it. Harden were assigned to different breakout rooms gave examples using census data to overlap on Zoom in groups of four to five people. unemployment data to make a choropleth IRE invited reporters and editors from map. He shared other additional datasets news outlets and authors to host Ask Me for data journalists such as property assessAnything (AMA) sessions. Bob Woodments, state education agencies and 311 ward, long-time journalist at The Washdata. ington Post and the author of the recently Three journalists along with the host, published book about Donald Trump entiNICOLE SHIH | THE DEPAULIA Paul Cheung, talked about the critical topic tled “Rage,” was one of the speakers in the Each day of the conference concluded with 75-minute data journalism workshops. of differentiating between misinformation, AMA session. disinformation and deepfakes in 2020 after “Story idea blitz” allowed participants importance of identifying the headlines all the complications that have occured this which reporters are printing. to brainstorm and pitch stories. Two healthcare reporters, Marshall Al- year. “We are no longer the journalists to “[We described the situation] using stick out the mic and get the quote and len from ProPublica and Rachana Pradhan from Kaiser Health News, talked about 36 the term ‘disinformation disorder,’ which type back, so please use your information Covid-19 stories in only 30 minutes. They describes the all complexities of this term outside, reach out to other stuff and make shared the resources for finding Covid-19 and the current situations we’re living now,” a headline saying ‘against everything that stories and many other angles like testing said Carlotta Dotto, data journalist at First has been said, or against science, or denyand treatment disparities between majori- Draft. ing facts,’” Tardáguila said. “Because people Bill Adair, Duke University Reporters’ usually don’t read more than a headline.” ties and minorities. Some useful resources that Allen men- Lab Knight Professor, said that though they The last part of every day of the confertioned are handy for public use, such as haven’t seen those computer-generated im- ence featured a 75-minute data tools workhospitalinspections.org and ProPublica’s ageries being used to confuse the public, shop. The data tools workshops included very own Nursing Home Inspection proj- some “cheap fakes” have become the real tutorials of Google Sheets, Tableau, SQL, problems. ect. R, and Python. These tools are for those “Cheap fakes are something that [are] who’re interested in data analysis and data “Letting your video do the talking,” said Bigad Shaban, senior investigative reporter selectively edited together, [like] video visualization, and those who love telling at NBC Bay Area in San Francisco. “That is clips, to present something in a misleading stories with data. how to allow your best B-roll to guide your or false way,” Adair said. There were recruiters joining the conFor newsrooms to cope with all the ference to find job hunters too. Several storytelling.” NICOLE SHIH | THE DEPAULIA Shaban illustrated the theory by giving misinformation and fakes, Cristina Tar- companies such as Connecticut Public, Bob Woodward joined IRE to talk about dáguila, associate director at The Internaan example of an investigation piece of San Gannett / USA TODAY network, Spectrum his newly published book “Rage.” Francisco’s dirty street, and he emphasized tional Fact-Checking Network, stressed the network, TEGNA, and more.
University fails to inform community of summer on-campus crime By Rebecca Meluch Opinions Editor
A CWB Chicago story surfaced early in September stating that a “DePaul freshman” was charged with felony armed robbery in connection to a crime that took place over the summer on DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus. While the crime that took place involved an alleged DePaul student on DePaul’s campus, there was no typical DPU alert sent out to DePaul faculty, staff and students pertaining to the crime. DPU Alert is DePaul’s direct emergency notification system. The alerts are used to notify the DePaul community in three different ways: telephone, email and text. DePaul spokeswoman Carol Hughes told The DePaulia that there was no alert because the incident was not reported to
Public Safety for several days. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, is a federal statute signed in 1980 that requires all colleges and universities that participate in all federal financial aid programs to disclose timely information and alerts about crimes that take place on respected campuses. While it’s unclear if DePaul was in violation of the Clery Act by not issuing an alert since the incident took place on campus, the university might be inculpable since Public Safety did not receive a timely report. Alerts covered by the Clery Act must be determined as timely and evaluated as a real campus threat –– DePaul was not in any serious violation to the act since it was not reported to Public Safety in a timely manner. In DePaul’s Safety and Security In-
formation Report, it states that decisions whether to issue a timely warning or not, will be made on a case-by-case basis by Public Safety. While the CWB article states one of the offenders was a DePaul freshman, Hughes shared that no records show the man was enrolled at DePaul. In regards to the Clery Act, Hughes said that DePaul has been and will continue to be forthcoming in Clery Act reporting. “As stated in DePaul’s Crime Reporting and Clery Act Compliance policy, the Public Safety Office posts timely warning notices to notify members of the community about serious crimes against people that occur on or adjacent to our campus,” Hughes said. “In this case, the incident was not reported to the Public Safety Office for several days, at which point a warning would no longer have been timely, and so a timely warning was not posted.”
Kellie Bartoli from the Chicago Police Department’s Office of Communication confirmed the crime took place. Bartoli sent The DePaulia a brief report of the crime. On July 26, 2020 around 2:48 p.m., a 23-year-old male reported to officers that he was at the 900 block of West Fullerton when a group of approximately three males approached. One of the offenders displayed a gun and demanded money and personal property from the victim. The victim complied and the offenders left the scene. Two of the three males were placed into custody on Sept. 9, while the third was not placed until Sept. 16. The CWB article stated that one of the offenders was a DePaul freshman. No offenders were identified and taken into custody until September.
8 | Politics. The DePaulia. Sep. 28, 2020
Politics
Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., speaks during a news conference about COVID-19, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
JACQUELYN MARTIN | AP
Race for 14th Congressional district seat teeters on youth By Cailey Gleeson, Lacey Latch News Editor and Editor-in-Chief
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood turned the historically “red” 14th Congressional District of Illinois “purple” in 2018 and looks to keep it that way as she defends the seat against Republican Jim Oberweis in the upcoming election. “I pledged to my constituents that I would be the most accessible, transparent and accountable Congresswoman that this community had ever seen,” Underwood said in an interview with The Chicago Sun Times. “And I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished together so far.” Underwood originally took the seat in response to the unhappiness of President Donald Trump’s first two years in office, despite it being one of the 30 congressional districts to vote for the president in 2016. DePaul University adjunct faculty member Richard Craig said the move was unheard of in some areas in the district. “Until redistricting began to bring the suburbs closer to Chicago, I know that Wheaton, next door, never voted Democrat even during the Depression,” Sautter said. “Naperville is even more affluent.” Sautter said a similar outcome may
occur in this year’s election. “This race is likely to be determined by how well President Trump does in the Chicago suburbs,” Sautter said. “The early talk was that he had ‘lost’ Republican suburban women. That was before all the riots. They may return since Biden is not an especially strong candidate, and they may fear Harris is too far left.” The view is shared by Oberweis as well. “I think this election is clearly a referendum on the President,” Oberweis said in an interview with the Sun-Times. Some locals, however, feel the state will realign with its Republican party ties regardless. “There’s a strong possibility of Oberweis winning because the town I grew up in was very conservative,” said Cathryn Simpson, 21, Oswego. “I also worry about younger people not taking this race as seriously. I know that there are a lot of Trump supporters from my hometown regardless of his actions.” The result of the race will likely largely depend on whichever voter base is most energized come election day. “Generally, someone like Underwood
would lose reelection two years later in a presidential year with larger turnout,” Sautter said. “This year seems different with the animus toward President Trump and the Republican suburban women’s revolt.” The outcome of this race has the potential to send a clear message to the current administration — whether it be in support or condemnation of Trump’s time in office is still up in the air. “At this point I don’t know how [this election] could be about anything other than Trump,” said Dawn McKinney, a registered nurse in the district. McKinney has been an active voter in the 14th Congressional District for the past 30 years. This year, like in 2018, she is campaigning on behalf of Underwood, who is also a registered nurse and public health expert. “I just don’t see how anyone can get behind people who are dismissing the severity of the virus,” McKinney said. “They’re still holding in-person rallies and things like that. Jim [Oberweis] had one in Naperville just last night.” Oberweis, notably running on the same ticket as Trump, praised what the president has accomplished including his response to the Covid-19 pandemic in a joint interview with Underwood host-
ed by the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board. “I think this election is clearly a referendum on the president,” Oberweis said. He then added that the voters he’s talked to have expressed no desire to vote for Joe Biden in the general election. Oberweis did try to maintain some distance between him and the president by repeatedly making distinctions that while he supports much of what Trump has done, he does sometimes take issue with the way in which he does things. Underwood, by contrast, denounced the president’s response to the pandemic and emphasized that her priority was keeping her constituents safe, and therefore would continue campaigning virtually. She also reiterated her legislation record since her election which includes three bipartisan bills that were eventually signed into law by the president. “This election is not about Donald Trump in the 14th Congressional District,” Underwood said. “I don’t believe the president shares values with our community and he’s certainly not been a role model for our children, however I have been able to work with his administration to get results for our community.”
The first Presidential Debate airs Tuesday. Here’s how to watch. When: Tuesday, Sept. 29 Where: Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland What time: 8-9:30 p.m Central time Moderator : Chris Wallace, anchor of “Fox News Sunday” Details: The debate will be 90 miutes long with no commercial breaks. It will be divided into six 15-minute segments that Wallace has chosen Where to Watch: Every major network and news channel will be live-streaming the debate. The Washington Post will also be live-streaming the debate.
Politics. The DePaulia. Sep. 28, 2020 | 9
Chris Wallace selected topics for the first 2020 Presidential Debate By Nika Schoonover Politics Editor
The first presidential debate airs
on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 8 p.m. Central time. The event will include six 15-minute segments on topics selected by Chris Wallace, the moderator for the event. The topics were announced in advance in order to “encourage the deep discussion of the leading issues facing the country,” the Commission on Presidential Debates said in a statement. The debate topics, subject to possible changes because of news developments, include Trump and Biden records, the Supreme Court, Covid-19, the economy, race and violence in cities, and the integrity of the election. Trump and Biden records In Old Forge, Pennsylvania. on Aug. 20, President Trump called Former Vice President Joe Biden a “puppet of the radical left movement.” The president has repeatedly attempted to paint the former vice president as a radical leftist, though Biden’s record reflects an ideology that more strongly resembles that of a moderate. Biden said he wants to be a fact-checker of sorts on stage, but Jen Psaki, a former Obama aide who is close to Biden’s team, does not think this is an effective strategy. “This is an opportunity to speak directly to the American people,” Psaki said. “His objective should be to speak
directly to them, but not be pulled in by Trump. That is hard.” The Supreme Court After the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, President Trump immediately announced he will work to push his nominee for the Supreme Court through the Senate before Election Day. President Trump announced Saturday that he is nominating Judge Amy Coney Barrett to replace Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. This announcement has received staunch criticism from Democrats, as it was Ginsburg’s dying wish to not be replaced until a new president was elected. “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” Ginsburg said to her granddaughter Clara Spera. Republican senators have expressed their support for Trump’s Supreme Court nomination in public statements over the weekend. Those in support include Rick Scott, Richard Shelby and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that a vaccine would not be available until next summer or early fall. Trump stated that he believes that report to be a mistake. The economy President Trump has said that he has built the greatest economy in the world and that he will continue to do so if he is re-elected. “It’s said now that our economy is the strongest it’s ever been in the history of our country, and you just have to take a look at the numbers,” Trump said in an interview on “Fox and Friends” on Aug. 23. As the economy has taken a hit because of Covid-19, Biden denounced Trump after new data showed that the U.S. suffered its worst quarterly downturn in history. “The depth of economic devastation our nation is experiencing is not an act of God, it’s a failure of presidential leadership,” Biden said in a statement released by his campaign in July.
Covid-19
Race and violence in cities
Covid-19 has ravaged the country for the majority of 2020, with continuing rising cases and deaths because of the disease. On Sept. 19, the U.S. death toll passed 200,000, according to data from John Hopkins University. President Trump has claimed that a possible vaccine could be available before the election, even though the
In response to the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the summer has erupted with cries for racial justice and police reform. As a result, President Trump has repeatedly denounced “Democrat-run cities” for the facilitation of these protests. In an interview with Chris Wallace on July 19, Trump insisted that
Joe Biden wants to defund the police in reference to policy recommendations submitted by a joint task force with supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders. In an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts on Aug. 21, Biden responded to Trump’s comments that he wants to defund the police. “I don’t want to defund police departments,” Biden said. “I think they need more help, they need more assistance, but that, look, there are unethical senators, there are unethical presidents, there are unethical doctors, unethical lawyers, unethical prosecutors, there are unethical cops. They should be rooted out.” The integrity of the election On Wednesday, President Trump refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power if he loses in this election. “Well, we’re going to have to see what happens. You know that I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots and the ballots are a disaster,” Trump said when asked at a White House press briefing if he would ensure a peaceful transition of power. Despite Trump’s comments, data from The Washington Post shows that states who have embraced universal mail voting have documented tiny rates of possible ballot fraud. With help from the nonprofit Electronic Registration Information Center, the Washington Post found that 0.0025 percent of votes cast by mail in the 2016 and 2018 general elections show the possibility of double voting or voting on behalf of deceased people.
CAROLYN KASTER | AP
In this Sept. 21, 2020 file photo Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Manitowoc. On Friday, Sept. 24 The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming Biden botched reciting the full Pledge of Allegiance in video taken during his campaign stop in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
10 | Nation & World. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
Nation &World Military suicides up as much as 20%
in the COVID era
ELAINE THOMPSON | AP In this March 31, 2020, file photo a U.S. Army soldier walks inside a mobile surgical unit being set up by soldiers from Fort Carson, Col., and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) as part of a field hospital inside CenturyLink Field Event Center, in Seattle. Military suicides have increased by as much as 20% this year compared to the same period last year, and some incidents of violent behavior have spiked, as service members struggle with isolation and other impacts of COVID-19 added to the pressures of war-zone deployments and responding to national disasters and civil unrest.
By Lolita C. Baldur and Robert Burns Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Military suicides have increased by as much as 20% this year compared to the same period in 2019, and some incidents of violent behavior have spiked as service members struggle under COVID-19, war-zone deployments, national disasters and civil unrest. While the data is incomplete and causes of suicide are complex, Army and Air Force officials say they believe the pandemic is adding stress to an already strained force. And senior Army leaders — who say they’ve seen about a 30% jump in active duty suicides so far this year — told The Associated Press that they are looking at shortening combat deployments. Such a move would be part of a broader effort to make the wellbeing of soldiers and their families the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization. The Pentagon refused to provide 2020 data or discuss the issue, but Army officials said discussions in Defense Department briefings indicate there has been up to a 20% jump in overall military suicides this year. The numbers vary by service. The active Army’s 30% spike — from 88 last year to 114 this year — pushes the total up because it’s the largest service. The Army Guard is up about 10%, going from 78 last year to 86 this year. The Navy total is believed to be lower this year. Army leaders say they can’t directly pin the increase on the virus, but the timing coincides. “I can’t say scientifically, but what I can say is - I can read a chart and a graph, and the numbers have gone up in behavioral health related issues,” Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said in an AP interview. Pointing to increases in Army suicides, murders and other violent behavior, he added, “We cannot say definitively it is because of COVID. But there is a direct correlation from
when COVID started, the numbers actually went up.” Preliminary data for the first three months of 2020 show an overall dip in military suicides across the active duty and reserves, compared to the same time last year. Those early numbers, fueled by declines in Navy and Air Force deaths, gave hope to military leaders who have long struggled to cut suicide rates. But in the spring, the numbers ticked up. “COVID adds stress,” said Gen. Charles Brown, the Air Force chief, in public remarks. “From a suicide perspective, we are on a path to be as bad as last year. And that’s not just an Air Force problem, this is a national problem because COVID adds some additional stressors – a fear of the unknown for certain folks.” The active duty Air Force and reserves had 98 suicides as of Sept. 15, unchanged from the same period last year. But last year was the worst in three decades for active duty Air Force suicides. Officials had hoped the decline early in the year would continue. Navy and Marine officials refused to discuss the subject. Civilian suicide rates have risen in recent years, but 2020 data isn’t available, so it’s difficult to compare with the military. A Pentagon report on 2018 suicides said the military rate was roughly equivalent to that of the U.S. general population, after adjusting for the fact that the military is more heavily male and younger than the civilian population. The 2018 rate for active duty military was 24.8 per 100,000, while the overall civilian rate for that year was 14.2, but the rate for younger civilian men ranged from 22.7 to 27.7 per 100,000, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. James Helis, director of the Army’s resilience programs, said virus-related isolation, financial disruptions, remote schooling and loss of child care all happening almost overnight has strained troops and families. “We know that the measures we took to mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID could amplify some of the factors that could
lead to suicide,” said Helis, who attended department briefings on suicide data. Army leaders also said troops have been under pressure for nearly two decades of war. Those deployments, compounded by the virus, hurricane and wildfire response and civil unrest missions, have taken a toll. Soldiers’ 10-month deployments have been stretched to 11 months because of the two-week coronavirus quarantines at the beginning and end. McCarthy said the Army is considering shortening deployments. Gen. James McConville, Army chief of staff, said there’s new attention to giving service members “the time that they need to come back together and recover.” “We were very focused on readiness four years ago because we had some readiness challenges, and we did a great job. The force is very, very ready now. But I think it’s time now to focus on people,” he told the AP. McConville and Army Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston said units have begun “stand-up” days, where commanders focus on bringing people together, making sure they connect with each other and their families and ensuring they have strong values in how they treat each other. The isolation is also taking a toll on veterans, particularly the wounded. Sergio Alfaro, who served in the Army for 4 1/2 years, said fears associated with the virus intensified his PTSD and suicidal thoughts. “It’s definitely something that’s made things a bit more chaotic, trying to plan for the future, do things together,” said Alfaro, who deployed near Baghdad in 2003, facing daily mortar rounds, including one that killed his commander. “It’s almost like adding more trash on the heap.” While he once feared that strangers passing by might hurt him, now he fears people may have COVID and not show symptoms. Others in support groups, he said, “are just sick of living this way, worried about what’s coming over the next hill, what next horrible thing are we going to be confronted with.” Roger Brooks, a senior mental health
specialist at the Wounded Warrior Project, said veterans are reporting increased suicidal symptoms and anxiety. Between April and the end of August, the group saw a 48% jump in referrals to mental health providers and a 10% increase in mental health calls and virtual support sessions, compared to the previous five months. Brooks said there’s anecdotal evidence that the pandemic has made wounded warriors like amputees feel more isolated, unable to connect as well with support groups. He said injured vets have seen disruptions in medical visits for pain management and other treatments. Within the Army, Helis said the virus has forced an increase in telehealth calls and online visits with mental health providers. That has generated some positive results, such as fewer missed appointments. “And we also think there was a reduction in the stigma of seeking behavioral health because you can do it from the privacy of your home,” he said. Military leaders also are encouraging troops to keep a closer eye on their buddies and ensure that those who need help get it. That message was conveyed in a remarkable public statement this month by Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He said he sought help while heading U.S. Strategic Command from 2016 to 2019. He didn’t reveal details but said he saw a psychiatrist – a rare public admission by a senior officer. “I felt like I needed to get some help,” Hyten said in a video message. “I felt like I needed to talk to somebody.” He encouraged others to do the same, if needed, without fear of hurting their career. _____________________________ Need help? Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) Military veterans press 1. Individuals can also go to: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-tosomeone-now and veterans can go to woundedwarriorproject.org or call the project’s resource center at: 888-997-2586.
Nation & World. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 11
Leaders to UN: If virus doesn’t kill us, climate change will By Cara Anna Associated Press
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — In a year of cataclysm, some world leaders at this week’s annual United Nations meeting are taking the long view, warning: If COVID-19 doesn’t kill us, climate change will. With Siberia seeing its warmest temperature on record this year and enormous chunks of ice caps in Greenland and Canada sliding into the sea, countries are acutely aware there’s no vaccine for global warming. “We are already seeing a version of environmental Armageddon,” Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama said, citing wildfires in the western U.S. and noting that the Greenland ice chunk was larger than a number of island nations. This was meant to be the year “we took back our planet,” he said. Instead, the coronavirus has diverted resources and attention from what could have been the marquee issue at this U.N. gathering. Meanwhile, the U.N. global climate summit has been postponed to late 2021. That hasn’t stopped countries, from slowly sinking island nations to parched African ones, from speaking out. “In another 75 years, many ... members may no longer hold seats at the United Nations if the world continues on its present course,” the Alliance of Small Island States and the Least Developed Countries Group said. The main goal of the 2015 Paris climate accord is to limit the rise in global temperatures to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial times, but scientists say the world is on track to soar past that. A new study found that if the world warms another 0.9 degrees Celsius (1.6 degrees Fahrenheit), the West Antarctic ice sheet will reach a point of irreversible melting. It has enough water to raise global sea levels by 5 meters (16 feet). The Pacific island nation of Palau hasn’t had a single COVID-19 infection, but President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. warns it’s the rising seas that will bring the country down. “The momentary drop in (carbon) emissions this year cannot be allowed
DAVID GOLDMAN | AP In this July 24, 2017, file photo, an iceberg floats past Bylot Island in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. In a year of cataclysm, some world leaders at September 2020’s annual United Nations meeting are taking the long view, warning: If COVID-19 doesn’t kill us, climate change will. With Siberia seeing its warmest temperature on record this year and enormous chunks of ice caps in Greenland and Canada sliding into the sea, countries are acutely aware there’s no vaccine for global warming.
to generate any complacency about global progress,” he said, referring to the sparkling skies that followed lockdowns to slow the spread of the virus around the world. Pollution has crept back up as restrictions ease. World powers cannot shirk their financial commitments to fighting climate change during the pandemic, Remengesau said, even as economies are battered. But few pledges have emerged at the U.N. gathering, aside from China’s announcement that it aims to have carbon dioxide emissions peak before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The pandemic has muted the U.N. meeting, with world leaders speaking not from the podium in New York but via video from home. That has sapped the urgency of diplomacy and left nations
wondering just how many people are listening. Amid concerns that the world is distracted, it was perhaps no surprise that the student-led movement Fridays for Future returned to the streets this week for the first major demonstrations for climate action in months. Still, island nations have seized on the unusual circumstances to show off what’s at stake. The prime minister of Tuvalu, Kausea Natano, delivered his U.N. speech with a vista of turquoise waters and swaying fronds behind him that instantly fired the imaginations of house-bound viewers. But the prime minister quickly shattered any dreams. While Tuvalu is free of the coronavirus, the pandemic struck as the island nation was recovering from a pair of tropical cyclones — storms
that scientists say are likely to become wetter as the planet warms. Tuvalu’s highest point is just a few meters (yards) above sea level. The pandemic’s effect on the movement of goods exposed food insecurity as local agriculture becomes more difficult with rising sea levels, Natano said. “While COVID-19 is our immediate crisis, climate change remains the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and well-being of the Pacific and its peoples in the long run,” the prime minister said. From the Marshall Islands, also free of COVID-19, President David Kabua used the virus’s example to plead for more help now. “Change relies on protecting the most vulnerable, because those on the frontline – whether healthcare workers battling the pandemic or small island nations sounding the alarm on climate change – are critical to the survival of us all,” he said. “Small island and atoll nations like mine do not have time for paper promises,” Kabua added. Urgent pleas also came from Africa, which contributes least to global warming but stands to suffer from it the most. “In favoring solutions based on the respect for nature, we’re also preserving the health of our peoples,” said President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger, part of the Sahel region south of the Sahara desert where temperature increases are expected to be 1.5 times higher than the world average. “Our global home that was teeming with millions of species of God-given creatures, both great and small, is slowly dying,” said Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who last year noted that his country was the only one in Africa to reach the goal of making renewable energy 75% of its energy mix. He added: “Our world is yearning for us to stop its ruin.” ___ AP Science Writer Seth Borenstein RONALD ZAK | AP contributed to this report. Environmental activists wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus stage during a rally marking the Global Day of Climate Action in Vienna, Austria, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
12 | Opinions. The DePaulia. Sept. 28 2020
Opinions
We failed Breonna Taylor
DARRON CUMMINGS | AP People gather in Jefferson Square awaiting word on charges against police officers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Louisville, Ky. A grand jury has indicted one officer on criminal charges six months after Breonna Taylor was fatally shot by police in Kentucky. The jury presented its decision against fired officer Brett Hankison Wednesday to a judge in Louisville, where the shooting took place.
The Black community did not receive any justice — and we can’t ignore it By Nadia Hernandez Asst. News Editor
From making her a meme to using her for social capital, Breonna Taylor was taken advantage of. We took advantage of her name and threw it around inappropriately. We didn’t focus on getting her justice as much as we should have. We diverted our eyes to other issues. But she should’ve been in the back of our minds. All this and years of systemic racism led to this ultimate failure. I can’t begin to wrap my head around how a grand jury can make such a petty ruling. It makes me sick knowing that they debated in that room about her case and came out with the most minimal and irrelevant ruling. How can they neglect her life like that? How come the bullets that didn’t hit her neighbors were taken into more consideration than the ones that hit her body? How come it’s so hard to get justice for Black women in this country? Ever since Taylor was killed in March, I’ve understood that the intent was to spread awareness of her case, but is that really all we could have done? Her name was diluted into a mere Instagram caption, and eventually used on shirts to make profit. Why did we accept that as activism? We should’ve been more aware that this wasn’t helping her. We weren’t getting her justice with an Instagram caption. Soon there were
“We have to look at Taylor’s case in the pattern of injustice towards Black people by the criminal justice system.” Nadia Hernandez T-shirts and merchandise that displayed her name, but no profits would go to her family, memorial, or even the Louisville Black Lives Matter chapter. Taylor became profitable before she could even get justice. We also can’t accept the ruling as justice. By not charging the officers directly with her murder, the grand jury overlooks her death. Those officers deserved to be held accountable for what they did. It also doesn’t make sense why there is a double standard for police officers and other fields. If a doctor were to accidentally go into the wrong room and give a patient the wrong medicine and killed them, that doctor would be fired, lose their medical license, and go to jail. However, when a police officer kills the wrong suspect, they either get put on leave or keep their job. It’s unacceptable that an officer can be reckless about other people’s lives and still keep their job.
It’s important to acknowledge that this is a systemic issue. The criminal justice system doesn’t have the same urgency with the Black community than it does with white people. It took six months to get a ruling in Taylor’s case. We have seen less serious crimes get immediate action when white victims are involved. Time and time again we see police officers murder members of the Black community and get away with it. George Zimmerman wasn’t even a police officer and yet he was acquitted for killing Trayvon Martin. It’s so blatantly obvious that the criminal justice system works against the Black community. This extends from unjust court rulings to the harsher punishments people of color get compared to white people for the same crime. We have to look at Taylor’s case in the pattern of injustice towards Black people by the criminal justice system. We have to
think about Emmet Till, Trayvon Martin, Philando Castile, George Floyd and every single victim of police brutality. How many of these cases ended with the murderers walking free? How long did it take for them to get justice? Why were they targeted? We can’t ignore this pattern of innocent Black lives being cut short by police brutality. We can’t continue to turn our heads away from Black lives. We can’t continue to go on with our lives as if there isn’t a problem. We have no choice but to stand with the Black community and change the way our society functions. Is there a simple solution to this? No. Can this happen overnight? Hell no. But we can focus on laying a foundation to build on. We can start by educating ourselves about how racism is embedded in every part of life. We can start by recognizing the privileges we have in social and economic aspects. We need to take these baby steps in order to be the best allies we can be for the Black community. We have to come prepared to challenge racism. My heart goes out to Breonna Taylor’s family. My heart goes to the little Black girls who are wondering if they’re next. My heart goes out to the Black community. My heart goes to those who are grieving for Breonna Taylor. We will not look away anymore. We will not fail the Black community anymore.
13| Opinions. The DePaulia. Sept 28, 2020
Queer imposter syndrome – it’s real By Corey Schmidt Staff Writer
Am I queer enough? Trans enough? A “real” member of the LGBTQ+ community? If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community, these thoughts have probably crossed your mind at some point. This is queer impostor syndrome. “I found myself worrying about taking up undeserved space in the queer community — a community I deeply cared for, but didn’t yet feel like I belonged to,” writer Anna Levinston said in a personal essay about her struggle with queer impostor syndrome as a bisexual woman. When I first saw the term “queer impostor syndrome,” I was quite confused. Originally, I thought of the individual meanings of the words. An impostor is someone trying to be something that they are not. This led me to think “who would pretend to be in the LGBTQ+ community?” That alone sounds morally wrong on many different levels, so I took a look into it. Impostor syndrome is the feeling of being inadequate despite proven success, according to the Harvard Business Review. It follows that in queer impostor syndrome, LGBTQ+ individuals are unsure if they are “gay enough.” The Harvard Business Review also mentioned that the “impostor” suffers from chronic self-doubt of their competence. “From my observations, I’m not alone in feeling [of impostor syndrome],” said Point Foundation Scholar Eli Lawliet in his personal essay. “As queer folks, we’re at much greater risk for things like abuse, bullying, and other traumas. At the same time, we live in an often-hostile culture… one that doesn’t magically become friendlier simply because we’ve gained the right to marry or serve in the
ART BY ALICIA GOLUSZKA
military.” After looking at various essays and experiences from the Harvard Business Review, it is clear that queer impostor syndrome is a real thing that many people experience. Now we’ve established that queer impostor syndrome is real. Queer impostor syndrome, to me, is the feeling of having to prove oneself as part of the LGBTQ+ community. This is due to internal conflicts with societal expectations ranging from the expectation of being straight at birth to fitting the stereotypes shown in movies and television shows. As
Levinston said herself, “I found myself worrying about taking up undeserved space in the queer community.” Queer sex therapist Casey Tanner supports the claim of society’s expectation of being straight at birth being a potential reasoning behind queer impostor syndrome. “Straight, until proven queer, so to speak,” Tanner said. In my own life, I have struggled with queer impostor syndrome. I grew up in rural Wisconsin with nobody in the LGBTQ+ community around me. In fact, I was 16 when
I met my first openly LGBTQ+ peer in youth orchestra. When I came to DePaul, I thought I did not belong in the LGBTQ+ community because most the people around me came from areas where it was normalized and they already truly understood and found themselves — in ways I had not. Luckily, I was quick to recognize my feelings of queer impostor syndrome by understanding that my experiences are no less than any other’s, and that I belonged despite my lack of exposure to the LGBTQ+ community. Everyone has a different experience and a different way of expressing who they are as an individual. There is no specific way that anyone straight or a member of the LGBTQ+ community should act in order to feel validated by that community. While queer impostor syndrome can be difficult to cope with, there are some ways that it can help a person discover more about themselves. By recognizing my queer impostor syndrome, I learned new facts about myself. For instance, I love colorful shirts, especially with stripes, something that I never would have known without my queer impostor syndrome. That seems miniscule, but where I am from, that is considered out of the ordinary. Additionally, I discovered that I am not the biggest fan of Lady Gaga’s music, instead I prefer the music of Mahler or Tchaikovsky. The moral is that one can use queer impostor syndrome by reflecting on their thoughts to discover their true individuality and sense of belonging –– which (let’s be real here) is the sole purpose of the LGBTQ+ community.
Police are not qualified for mental health crises By Nadia Hernandez Asst. News Editor
According to an article from Governing written in 2016, about 1 in 10 police calls are for mental health situations. These situations can vary from suicide prevention to emotional support. However, each situation is unique and will need a specific approach that appropriately responds to the circumstances. Despite this crucial part of mental health training, police officers are only required to take eight hours of Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). In comparison, officers are required to take 58 hours of firearm training. There is a stark contrast between the public’s need for more mental health support and the police force’s preparation to handle these situations. Encounters between police and people who require mental health support can be deadly when police are underprepared. Police shot a man 21 times while he was experiencing a mental health crisis in Houston. In 2020, a young boy with autism was also shot by police when experiencing a mental health crisis. These are only a few examples, but it’s clear that when we have unprepared officers dealing with high-stakes situations it can end with fatal consequences. We have to reexamine how our police force serves us. We have to recognize that there are multiple systemic problems that cause these unnecessary deaths. One main issue is the overwhelming amount of money going towards budgets for city police forces. USA Today reported that Chicago alone is spending two
billion for the fiscal year towards its police budget. “A conversation that came up is truly looking at the funds that we give to police departments, and figuring out what is actually needed,” said Jenny Andersen, a member of the National Association of Social Worker Illinois Chapter. “I think it would be wonderful for police to receive more comprehensive mental health training,” Andersen added. “But I wonder if a barrier to that right now is that we have such a short window of training that we require.” Another aspect of systemic issues is how society stigmatizes mental health. “I think it’s easy for us to say that mental illness is a disease that requires health,” said Demetrius Jordan, an adjunct professor at DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business. “But I don’t think an overwhelming majority of the country really believes that. I think many people in this country still believe that these things are illnesses and aren’t diseases to be treated. But they’re social ills to be controlled and eradicated.” This isn’t isolated to our public works, but extends to our policies as well. “What brave politician would risk not getting elected by saying ‘I want to take this money and we’re going to help people. We’re going to help those incarcerated and we’re going to help those who are uneducated and to help those who have mental health issues,’” Jordan said. “No one gets selected saying that. So it’s kind of led to the nature of our policies and led to the nature of our power.” These systemic issues plague our police force. From purposeless funds, social
stigma, and uneven training, the police are failing to adequately protect and serve the public’s needs. We have to address these issues before we consider reform or abolishment. “We need funds and energy for education, mental health services, addiction services, job training,” Jordan said. “We have to find ways not to spend money to hide mistakes that we’ve made.” There are multiple avenues we can take to shape our police force to serve the public. A new task force called Crisis Assistance Helping Out On the Streets (CAHOOTS), formed in Eugene, Oregon is one example. CAHOOTS is a team made of mental health and crisis responders along with medics. They respond directly to urgent mental or medical needs. “It’s a really exceptional model. That is a way that I could really see crisis, mental health care, you have people who are in crisis, and you sometimes need to get them to a hospital or an inpatient program,” Andersen said. CAHOOTS is able to connect citizens in crisis directly with responders who are trained in social work. Their backgrounds give them the tools to assess what the citizen may need, rather than an officer who could endanger their life. “What’s happening with CAHOOTS, that’s really powerful for communities across the board, and local agencies are understanding how to get people in crisis connected,” Andersen said. “I think that resources should be allocated to those things. But I’ve always thought that before we were having these kinds of conversations in the wake of more media around
violence, in the wake of people experiencing mental health crises, I thought those community resources are often lacking.” The U.S. needs to start providing sufficient mental health resources for its citizens. Our public desperately needs more direct help from mental health professionals. “It is not the police’s job to be mental health counselors,” Jordan said. “That’s not their fault that they’ve been put into a position where they have to be mental health counselors, drug counselors, educators, because that’s not what police officers are supposed to do. There needs to be mental health and drug counselling services.” These services are crucial because they help the community identify early signs of mental illness. “We need to invest in early detection of mental health issues, early education, so that we can work with individuals as six and seven and eight to make sure that they’re getting the help they need,” Jordan said. Our police forces are not capable of providing the necessary support for people experiencing mental health crises. Our public needs mental health services, not a undertrained officer. Our funds need to start going towards mental health resources that will directly help the public instead of the general police force. Communities are not benefitting from an expensive police force. They need these social services to thrive. We do not need these overwhelming funds in every city police force.
14 | Focus. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
Focus Suicide Prevention Month in an age of chaos By Cole Bursch Contributing Writer
Quarantine has been a time fraught with isolation, increased anxieties and an abyss of unknowns for some students at DePaul struggling with mental illness. Being a full-time college student is already a stressful endeavor, and according to a Havard Medical School research paper published in 2018 focusing on college stress and its relation to suicide, 20 percent of all the students surveyed had thought about suicide. The Havard survey gathered students from 100 different universities across the nation to talk about mental health, and there was also evidence that, “while racial or ethnic and sexual or gender minorities are especially vulnerable, high rates for stress events, mental health diagnoses and the risk of suicide or suicidal thoughts were reported among all students surveyed.” September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and according to the National Insitute of Mental Health, in 2018 there were around 6,211 suicide deaths among student-aged individuals 15-24 in the United States, making suicide the second leading cause of death overall for students. Roberta Garner, a DePaul sociology professor, suggested that the economic turmoil of this year can be directly related to mental health decline for students both in the past and also the present. “Both the Great Depression that started in 1929 and the Great Recession (2008-2009) saw definite increases in suicide rates,” Garner said. “During the Great Recession, poverty and foreclosures were related to higher rates of suicide.” With the connections between suicide and student stress, both academically and economically, many students around the country are contending with increasingly heavy and complex mental burdens related to the chaos and Covid-19 shutdowns. For Claire Malon, a DePaul student who is graduating this year, the idea of entering a shrinking job market does not leave much hope for the future. “I think generally the thought of leaving college and entering the workforce is an incredibly stressful thing because of all of the unknowns and uncertainty that comes with it,” Malon said. “When you take that and compound it by the unknown of Covid and its impact on the economy and employment, that’s going to be a great source of anxiety.” Amid the ongoing pandemic and political tensions that are coinciding with heavy course loads for students like Malon, there is a tangible sense of control that is being taken away from students, according to Garner. “Emile Durkheim’s ‘Suicide,’ published in 1898, discovered that the two big risk factors for high rates of suicide in modern societies were isolation and disorder, which he called anomie, the Greek word for the disorder,” Garner said. “Protective factors were social cohesion (solidarity) and a sense of order that is fair and not excessively restrictive. He found suicide rates tended to be high where social solidarity was weak and when there is a situation of disorder, chaos, and confusion in society. So those findings can be applied in our current crisis and political climate.” DePaul students may be living in the United States at its most nationally incohesive moment.
By looking at Durkheim’s study through the lens of current social and political turmoil, the disorder and isolation experienced in quarantine can also be linked to declines in mental health for students. In light of these increased obstacles, Malon wonders what the university is doing for the students who need support in their fight with mental illness. “I think the most important thing for the university to understand is the academic and emotional burden on students right now and just try to be cognizant of that,” Malon said. “Making final exams optional, extending pass/fail deadlines and providing students with exemptions from certain projects were all things that I think the university did well at the end of last quarter. There is no reason why these things shouldn’t carry over to this quarter. Any means by which the administration can help students during this time academically, financially or mentally should be taken without hesitation.” According to the Health Promotion and Wellness (HPW) at DePaul’s website, if you or someone you know needs emergency support, call 911 or the Suicide Hotline at (800-273-8255). As for the
other support systems at DePaul besides University Counseling Services, the university also has multiple support groups in place as well. “Students can attend training like Mental Health First Aid or Recovery Ally Training to learn more about mental health advocacy,” according to Katie Bellamy, the Substance Misuse Prevention Specialist at HPW. “We also offer workshops like Choices (substance use harm reduction) and Wellness Wednesdays (on Facebook Live with our peer health educators) to help folks gain support. We host weekly Collegiate Recovery Community meetings, which are open to any student in any type of recovery (substance use, eating concerns, mental health, etc).” As September comes to a close, the various factors of stress on student mental-health throughout our society are being accentuated due to the current social disarray. According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline though, one immediate step to supporting students battling suicidal thoughts or mental illness is simply listening to someone’s struggles without judgment.
Focus. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020| 15
Arts & Life
16 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
Duckwrth shines in love-filled album ‘Supergood’ By John Cotter Staff Writer
South-Central L.A artist Jared Lee, known as Duckwrth, has been discreetly gracing his fans’ ears with a funky ‘70s sound through a series of mixtapes and EPs over the past decade. Through tours with Billie Eilish and Anderson .Paak, the rapper and songwriter was able to flex his musical identity as a soulful rapper on the biggest stages for the most contemporary audiences. Duckwrth is now ready to groove further into the mainstream without sacrificing even a verse of stylistic singularity with his debut album, “Supergood.” Calling Duckwrth’s album “genre-bending” would seem initially accurate, but that completely misses the point. His clear and developed identity oozes through each song on the tracklist, painting the picture of a confidently triumphant creative who knows his music history. “Bending the genre” seems fickle, almost dismissive of the historical relevance and resonance that genres carry with them. Like any artist, his work is influenced by the music and art that raised him, from church gospel and Stevie Wonder to Outkast and The Neptunes. What Duckwrth realizes is that his unique life experiences and environments shape his stylistic diversity as much as any previously existing art can. It’s all relative to the final product, as “Supergood” sparkles with sexy flair and bouncy vibrance to create a fleeting, wholesome vibe. The album’s soothingly energetic vibe made perfect sense during a Zoom press conference with Duckwrth, where the transparency of his work shined through his answers as he sat on a park bench in the middle of sunlit Arizona. “It’s a rhythm project,” Duckwrth explains underneath a clear blue sky. “I want people to dance, bop and groove! It’s an album to play in the car, when you’re taking a shower, making love. I want it to be a lifestyle project. But there’s only so much that an artist can do. It’s up to the listener and how they interpret it.” While the quote may read like it’s straight out of the 1970s, Duckwrth’s presence reflected this statement genuinely with his sunflower-orange hair, wired earbuds and jewelry that you just know has a fascinating story behind it. It felt like a mix of his life as much as his art, as Duckwrth discussed how he maintains authenticity in an industry plagued with meaningless, and sometimes dangerous trends. “It’s a personal thing,” Duckwrth explained. “For me, I’m a creative overall. Anything I touch creatively I want to excel in. If I am going to be doing music, I want to be a healthy artist. A lot of artists are egotistical, drug abusers, physically abusive, with this whole rock-star lifestyle inevitably bringing their demise. There’s a way to portray a healthy artist, and that’s by being true to yourself.” Being compliant with much of hiphop’s normalized misogyny and immaturity has almost become a bi-product of consuming the genre’s content, as Duckwrth cleverly acknowledges this. “A lot of music today is fast food, it doesn’t last long” Duckwrth said. “If I’m gonna’ be a rapper, I’m going to be as authentic as I can.” “Supergood” pulls from funk, ‘90s hiphop, soul, R&B, and more genres, but it never tugs too hard. Everything flows with essence, which is the sign of an artist suc-
COURTESY OF 1824/UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP
Dckwrth released his debut album “Supergood” in August, in the midst of the pandemic.
“I want people to dance, bop and groove! It’s an album to play in the car, when you’re taking a shower, making love. I want it to be a lifestyle project. But there’s only so much that an artist can do. It’s up to the listener and how they interpret it.”
Duckwrth
Artist
cessfully developing their sound. What’s beneath this sound is a simplistically relatable narrative that provides ample support for the grooves and beats to sway on. “From ‘An Xtra Uugly Mixtape’ to ‘The Falling Man EP’, I was playing the character of this king that falls to his demise because he doesn’t know love,” Duckwrth explained. “This one’s about love, what happens when the character falls in love. The yin and yang to the fallen man.. A lot of it has to do with me taking a girl out on a date. Different venues, different fantasies of her before we go on the date. It’s like a story you’re watch-
ing on Netflix. You may not be living in that story, but it’s a story to take you away from your current situation.” The 1970s are an unapologetically huge part of Duckwrth’s soon-to-be signature sound. This is something that he respectfully acknowledges in more than just the musical aspect. “The 1970s, especially for black people, was a time of celebration, as we just came out of civil rights and gained certain freedoms. When people start going back into who they are in their original essence, a bit of magic happens.” Duckwrth said with
a smile. “That’s why you see such eclectic style in the 70s. We coming with the same energy in 2020!”. Duckwrth attentively admires the 70s despite growing up in the 1990s and 2000s, decades that had varying influences on his growth as both an artist and an individual. He makes ten-year spans appear as both artistic and nostalgic time-capsules, which includes the sometimes alluring danger of L.A’s sunny days. “In the 90s and 2000s, it was beautiful and sunny, the beaches always cracking,” Duckwrth gleefully reflected upon. “It’s like its own little weird utopia, but on the flip-side, there is a lot of trauma and gang activity in the 90s. A lot of my youth was spent trying to survive, whether it be ducking bullets or avoiding Bloods at school. By being raised in South Central L.A, it gave me a backdrop. When I deal with corporate America, I don’t take no BS. I learned how to survive ducking bullets and shit! It taught me the methods that I needed to get the things I needed to get as an artist, a man, and a businessman.” The assortment of sounds that decorate Duckwrth’s sonic environment is as integral to his creative output as the friends that are in his camp, with any piece of art being only as strong as its dedicated creators. “I’m only as strong as the people around me,” Duckwrth stated. “It was a collective creation. A lot times I wouldn’t be able to arrange a certain phrasing and my homegirl would find a better arrangement and I’ll put some spice on it. Like for production, I don’t produce but I hear something and my producers will know what to translate what I’m talking about.” “Supergood” and Duckwrth’s electric positivity immediately contrasts today’s climate, with this being as intrinsic to his music as it is to his persona. The rapper had an introspective outlook when asked about racism and politics in 2020. “Oh god!” Duckwrth chucked. “I feel that 2020 and Donald Trump, everything happens for a reason. If you zoom out of life and just look at earth for its history, I feel like a lot of racism was swept under the rug and was very passive. Sometimes it takes these energies, whether it be light or dark, to dig up the shit and show for face value what America really is. For so long, we treated it like we progressed. But America is just as racist as it was back in the day. Slavery still exists, just in the prison systems and consumerism.” Just as music can be a very personable medium of entertainment, Duckwrth prefers a more intimate and local approach to politics and government. “To tell you the truth, I fuck with politics, but I also don’t because it’s corrupt,” Duckwrth explained. “I like more local politics and legislation. I got to see first-hand the problems in South-Central. If everyone looks at problems as a village, we will be able to uplift it. I’d like to save the world, but first I have to start with my community. I’m hoping that things will get better soon. America understands war and consumerism. So if you fuck with their pockets or fuck with their lives, that’s when you have their attention. Every storm is temporary and we will get through it. I’m happy that all the ugliness that’s been swept under the rug is now in our face so that we can deal with it, straight up!” “Supergood” is out now and marks Duckwrth’s first studio album under Republic Records.
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 17
Schitt’s Creek receives well-deserved Emmy night By Nadia Hernandez Asst. News Editor
“Schitt’s Creek” took home a total of nine awards at the Emmys, and was the first sitcom to win in all four acting categories. Infamous screen partners Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara won Best Actor and Actress in Comedy. Daniel Levy and Annie Murphy won Best Supporting Actor and Actress in Comedy. Daniel Levy, along with Andrew Cividino, won for Best Directing Comedy. The overall show also won Best Comedy Series. The Candian sitcom revolves around the Roses, a once upper class family that suddenly loses all their fortune and is forced to move to the small town Schitt’s Creek. John and Moira had bought Schitt’s Creek years earlier as a joke and now must use it as their last resort and final remaining asset when their lives turn upside down. Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara star as John and Moira Rose while Daniel Levy and Alexis Rose play their children. Eugene Levy produced the show while his son, Daniel, wrote it. The audience follows the Roses as they must adjust to a new, humble lifestyle in Schitt’s Creek. Throughout the show, we see tremendous character growth in all members of the family. The show highlights the significance of family and community values through Daniel Levy’s hilarious, light-hearted, and dramatic writing. “The comedic and satirical approach works to the Rose family’s situation because they represent the upper class society having to adjust to a lower class lifestyle. It gives the viewers a more comfortable approach to the differences between the upper and lower class while bringing to light actual issues those classes face,” University of Illinois Chicago freshman Natalie Grzesik said. “First world problems are always pretty funny to look at from an outsider perspective.” Quirky characters, such as the town’s
mayor Roland Schitt, played by Chris Elliot, and their interactions with the snobby Roses truly create the light-hearted atmosphere in the first season. As the Roses come to accept their reality, they begin to open up and build relationships. Levy includes satirical and dramatic scenes of the Roses attempting to lead a domestic lifestyle. It extends from Alexis finishing her degree and attending college, David and Moira making enchiladas and John working for the motel they live in. However, the Roses begin to grow as characters once they establish themselves in the community. David opens up a local business, Moira gets elected to city council, Alexis launches her PR career and John rebrands the motel. “Definitely [Annie] Murphy’s character Alexis was the most important because the show followed her from shallow and close-minded to someone who can care deeply and be empathetic, even if she isn’t in the same situation,” Grzesik said. “She deserved that Emmy.” One aspect that fans adored was the gay romantic relationship between David Rose and Patrick Brewer. Fans raved over how the relationship displayed domestic struggles, rather than it being subject to a homophobic portrayal. Kelly Kessler, an associate professor in DePaul’s College of Communication, also added that Levy’s proud displays of his sexuality add to the depth of the character. “David’s queerness and the fleeting and repeated moments where his pansexuality emerges through stories of his past make him into a more nuanced queer character than often seen on TV,” Kessler said. Although TV has lacked various representations of LGBTQ+ characters, Kessler believes that variety is what society should strive for. “I think it’s also really important that we remember that this is television,” Kessler said. “Different genres are going to call for different types of characters and differ-
PHOTO FROM IMDB
Catherine O’Hara (left) and Eugene Levy (right) both took home Emmy’s last week. ent types of storylines. It’s the diversity of experience and diversity of representation that is a more desired end goal.” There are many meaningful scenes throughout David and Patrick’s relationship that are adored by fans. “Schitt’s Creek made a point to make viewers feel safe by showcasing women without harassment, queer love without trauma, sexual fluidity without shame, economic disparity without mockery, and creativity without limitation,” Sarah McGonagall said in a tweet. There are many meaningful scenes throughout David and Patrick’s relationship that are adored by fans. “I personally loved the storyline of David and Patrick,” Kessler said. “I could sit and watch David lip-sync ‘Simply the Best’ to Patrick over and over. I also can’t stop hearing Moira say ‘Right now my boy is being serenaded by his butter-voiced beau’ as she lovingly listens to Patrick serenade David. The episode where Patrick comes out
to his parents is lovely.” Unlike other shows, Levy focused David and Patrick’s relationship on positive reinforcement from others. The couple didn’t face any homophobia from their families or community. The couple was able to focus on their day-to-day struggles such as finding an apartment, planning their wedding, and running their business. “It’s not necessarily about positive representation or domestic representation,” Kessler said. “It’s about seeing diversity in queer experience. We neither want idealized representations of queer life, as if there is one kind of queer life, nor do we want demonized representations. There are those who would see Schitt’s Creek as recuperating David into a homonormative relationship, as his trajectory leads him into a marriage.” Schitt’s Creek final season will be available on Netflix on Oct. 7. Levy has not announced whether a spin-off series will happen.
Time management in online classes proves vital By Paige Haeffele Contributing Writer
Life as a college student is hard enough to manage, with factors such as jobs, family commitments, social life and relaxing being activities students need to make time for. Then add on the global Covid-19 pandemic, nationwide protests against police brutality, escalating climate change and an impending presidential election and you have a glimpse into the life of a college student in 2020. The current state of the world makes it difficult to discern what one should focus on at any given time. Different DePaul U students have different ways, with varying levels of success, of managing their time. Coming back to school this quarter has been a difficult adjustment for many students, especially with many classes being held remotely. “I’ve been trying to keep a positive attitude, but online classes are tough. Honestly with everything going on it’s hard to focus and I’ve been drinking more to cope,” said DePaul Alumn Will Sujak. If you are struggling with time management, there are different ways to organize yourself. “Quarantine makes it so hard to stick to a routine, even for me. I would recommend the “Pomodoro” technique which consists of setting up specific chunks of time to focus really hard. This tactic is helpful because it allows for periods of distraction,
which leads to less burnout,” therapist Liv Link said. And different methods work for different people. “When I get a schedule or syllabus for my class, I put everything into a calendar application on my phone so I can keep track of when things are due and when exams are,” said graduate student Taylor Bevel. Utilizing the tools you are already comfortable with, such as your phone calendar applications and written planners can be very helpful. “I usually try to cram everything into the weekdays so I can have time to relax on the weekends. I find it helpful to wake up and do it right away otherwise I’ll be less motivated as the day goes on,” Bevel said. Thinking about how you work best can be helpful in creating a strategy for getting work done remotely. Many online classes are more flexible than an in-person class, so it is possible to use that to your advantage. Determining when you are most productive is important, as well as what environment feels the most conducive to learning. “Whether you want to call it discipline or an innate stubbornness, I’ve been pretty good about staying on top of things in a virtual environment,” recent DePaul (?) graduate Colin Reineberg said. “I sort of bribe myself into getting one thing done like, I’ll say after I get this done, I can get another cup of coffee, and then I’ll use that momentum to get other things done. And I know the more I get done the greater my
ART BY ALICIA GOLUSZKA
feeling of accomplishment will be, so I use that.” Finding sources of motivation is important when there isn’t an outside force, like a required class meeting time and a professor physically being there to guide students. Due to Covid-19, most of DePaul’s classes are being held via Zoom unless in-person participation is crucial to the quality of the class. Many students have praised DePaul’s aggressive response to covid compared to other universities. Many colleges, such as Columbia College Chicago and Bradley University decided to continue with in-person classes this fall with varying degrees of success. Many students are juggling work as well as school, and communication with
your professors is important.. Many professors are very accommodative of students in different ways, such as making classes not have mandatory attendance and even being more flexible with deadlines. DePaul as a whole is also implementing the option for students to select “Pass/Fail” options for as many of their classes as they choose, and the deadline to elect to take a class for a pass/fail grade is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2020. With so much going on this year, classes at DePaul will be different. However, that doesn’t have to mean they will be more difficult. With different personal strategies and methods of managing time while working remotely, students can adapt working skills that work best for them.
18 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 19
David Lazar dives into character in latest book By Nate Burleyson Arts and Life Editor
“I have Celeste Holm Syndrome.” It’s a brief, funny statement that sits atop a deeper feeling from childhood through adulthood. This type of writing is all over David Lazar’s latest collection of essays aptly titled “Celeste Holm Syndrome: on Character Actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age,” set to release in October of this year. Lazar writes about Holm and plenty of other character actors who worked during the mid-1900s, looking at the core of character and challenging how people watch movies. Instead of focusing on the characters with the most lines or most iconic lines, by watching the characters who hang in the supporting roles you can learn much more than what meets the eye. Lazar defines Celeste Holm syndrome in the titular essay as “a permanent chip on my shoulder about Hollywood’s sexually undermining interesting ‘mature’ women when their roles called for economic power or independence.” Lazar explores the impact of the strict rules in the Golden Age, and how Hollywood Studios controlled their stars and supporting actors. He looks at how specific actors and actresses thrived in the sideline roles of great films. The book encourages the reader to keep a more watchful eye on those characters. “[There was] an absolutely huge stable of character actors back then,” Lazar said in a phone interview. “And there are in fact working and interesting character actors now, but much fewer.” Lazar’s career has been about building non-fiction writing programs and the education around it. Lazar was a Guggenheim Fellow in 2015 for his work in non-fiction writing. He went to Bennington College in Vermont and got master’s degrees at Stanford University and Syracuse University and finished his doctorate in creative writing and literature at the University of Houston. A year later, in 1990, he began working at Ohio University, making his way through the ranks of professors. At Ohio, he created the nonfiction writing program from undergraduate through a doctoral program. He also founded the literary magazine Hotel Amerika in 2001. His essays have been published in many literary publications. Lazar has resided in Chicago since 2006, working as a professor at Columbia College Chicago where he established the MFA and undergraduate programs for nonfiction writing. “Teaching and writing really coincided for me, you know, rather perfectly,” he said. “The work I do in the class feeds my
COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS
Celeste Holm Syndrom: On Character Actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age comes out in October. This is the most recent work of Lazar, who published his first book in 2003. own intellectual interests. And my work as a mentor of writing has been very, very important to me, many of my students are practicing writers and professors.” Lazar grew up watching films of the golden age as a child living in Brooklyn. He and his brother would take the bus or train to beautiful historic cinemas where he fell in love with the screen. “[The Golden Age] is when I grew up and that is when I fell in love with cinema,” he said. And I have tended as a writer to follow my own fascination.” “Celeste Holm Syndrome” weaves
Lazar’s lifelong admiration for these actors with his affection for character, and the short bursts of life we see each day in people passing by. This collection of essays has been in the works for quite a bit. One essay, titled “My Family Romance” appeared in Lazar’s 2003 book “Body of Brooklyn” and was revised for “Celeste Holm Syndrome.” Lazar has been writing about movies for a long time, but also about the themes these movies cover in life. Themes of gender and parenthood among others have dominated his thinking and teaching as
well as his writing. “I reached a point at which I said to myself, I can really write these essays for many years,” he said. “And my love of character actors is pretty endless. But I like the idea of this grouping, which is actually kind of a short grouping that covers some of the obsessions that I’ve written about, really over and over again about mothers and gender and that kind of thing.” This collection of essays documents his lifelong passions. Lazar has always been waiting to make this specific collection. When he became a Guggenheim fellow, he wanted to make this originally but decided on something else. “I’ve been working on it for a long time because each of these essays really required me to watch dozens and dozens of movies, and not only watch them but watch them taking notes, so that, I mean, I spend hundreds and hundreds of hours watching movies and taking notes and writing essays.” The process involved re-watching movies from his childhood, teens and adult life, focusing on different things and digesting and analyzing what makes the characters in these films stand out. “You know, watching a movie or reading a book, at different ages, is, you know, it’s a really enlightening experience,” Lazar said. “In fact, it’s such a strange or even a disappointing experience. Things you are in love with when you’re 25 sometimes lose a bit of their luster when you’re 50 or 60.” Lazar has always taken his love for cinema into his life and his work. “Movies have figured in my work since the beginning really since my first book Body of Brooklyn. But I think almost everything I have written has some allusion to movies.” Essay topics throughout the book include melancholy, comedy and pain, movie mothers and more — all themes that Lazar has continually reflected on in his work as a writer. The titular essay was one that kind of culminated in his mind. “Celeste Holm Syndrome” is about Celeste Holm, the original Ado Annie of “Oklahoma!” but also about how women were treated, and have continued to be treated in Hollywood. “Outrage has always been essential to who I am, with a little bit of self-righteousness tossed in,” Lazar said. “That essay seemed to represent me quite well.” Lazar is continuously working in higher education as well as editing and publishing non-fiction material. “I don’t think of it as my day job,” he said. “You know, I think of it as my avocation. And you know, it’s been a very joyful experience for me. And it’s a great thing to be able to actually practice what you love doing, the two just blend rather seamlessly.”
20 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
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Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 21
By Quinn White Social Media Editor
Stephanie asked, “What’s your favorite quarantine friendly activity in Chicago?”
Elaine asked, “What are your go-to strategies to get out of A mental block?” Hey Elaine! Whenever I find myself at a mental block I’ll usually take a break from whatever I’m working on and occupy my mind with something else like journaling, listening to music with my favorite headphones, or finishing an episode of the show I’m currently watching. This way, when you return to what you were working on you approach it with a refreshed mind. Sometimes taking 30 minutes to follow along a YouTube meditation video is a solid mental reset for those extra tough mental blocks. I hope that helps! Keep pushing toward success.
Tracy asked, “How do you like to destress during a busy week?” Hey Tracy! The weekends are my prime destress time. After grinding nonstop during the week, it’s so important to destress and disconnect
for at least one day a week. Do yourself the favor and complete what you need to get done in order to have one day to fully disconnect. For me, the best thing is knowing I’m up to date with my work and can spend one to two days not worrying about anything other than unwinding. Usually my destress involves a friend, some good food, good music and good conversation.
Easy answer, biking. Ever since quarantine began I have gotten so into biking around the city. It’s such a serene, active and refreshing activity. I got my bike off of Craigslist for around $200 — it’s a vintage Fuji and I love it with my whole heart. Enjoying the views of the city from your bike, wind blowing through your hair, and one headphone blasting music in your ear — a dream.
Review: Aaron Sorkin’s ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ By Michael Brzezinski Chief Film Critic
In the summer of 1968, a large anti-war protest was held near the ongoing Democratic National Convention in downtown Chicago. Over the course of five days and five nights, these protesters clashed with the Chicago police in what would turn out to be a legendary display of police brutality on a massive scale. The following spring, the grand jury indicted seven men (which initially started out as eight) on charges of conspiracy to incite a riot. Those eight men were Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines and Lee Weiner. This event and its massive impact on American politics later went on to be known as “The Trial of the Chicago 7” and it is now the subject of the latest picture from massively renowned screenwriter/ director Aaron Sorkin. Sorkin, who is most known for writing his snappy portrayal of the inner workings of the Oval Office in “The West Wing” and his numerous cinematic dramatizations of real life such as “The Social Network” and “Steve Jobs” made the middling jump to behind the camera with 2017’s “Molly’s Game.” With “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” he goes for something far more ambitious with a stacked cast to boot. Sorkin’s dialogue isn’t as showy as it usually is here.
It doesn’t have the theatrical crackle from his other works and it’s for the better in this case — it seems like Sorkin knows he doesn’t have to overly try in order to make this content gripping. Not to mention, the actors here across the board are truly impressive in their performances. Sacha Baron Cohen has been getting tons of press for his dramatic turn as Hoffman. However, it cannot overshadow the gobsmackingly tremendous work Mark Rylance hands in as the Seven’s defense attorney William Kunstler and the minor but show-stopping performance Yahya Abdul-Mateen II gives as Black Panther leader Bobby Seale. All of the groundwork is there for something that should be an unforgettable PHOTO FROM IMDB tour-de-force, and while Sorkin’s directThe cast of “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” writer-director Aaron Sorkin’s latest feature. ing here is quite an improvement from whatever happened with “Molly’s Game,” capture the true rebelistic idealism of the table. he manages to render “The Trial of the time because he cuts down so much of All this being said however, I think it’s Chicago 7” a mere wax museum-portrayal the meatier moments like the actual riots a good thing this film is released right now of what actually happened. themselves and the build-up to frenetic (and on such a wide platform as Netflix From someone who has been so promontages. on Oct. 16) and while it may not check the lific as a screenwriter for some of HollyThis all comes together in a climactic lists of this writer, it stands as an importwood’s top filmmaking talent, you’d think final moment in the courtroom that is so ant piece of film for our time. It shows a Sorkin would have a more keen eye behind embarrassingly kitschy, you wouldn’t berebellious nature that democracy desperthe camera, but so many of his directorial lieve it came from a film that wasn’t made ately needs right now and gives at the very decisions reek of un-inspiration. He relies in the early ‘90s. It’s all just a little too least a half-honest portrayal of the police heavily on overbearing didacticism in clean and nice around the edges for some- state we all really live in. I can’t give Sorkin place of genuine nuance. thing of this nature. It lacks the bite or grit much credit for this film but I can at least Sorkin also restricts his narrative that plenty of other filmmakers (filmmakgive him that many people will learn from to the courtroom to show off his great ers with whom Sorkin has worked with in his film. dialogue, which ends up being a detriment the past) could have easily brought to the to the true-to-life story. He’s not able to
22 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020
In a time of crisis, businesses experience new beginnings By Anita Valentin Contributing Writer
Maria Belokurova never dreamed she would be opening up her new store, Raw Edge, during a global pandemic. Sandwiched inbetween Barba Yianni’s Greek Restaurant and The Cask Wine Tasting room in Lincoln Square is an artisan boutique that sells designs and products made by local and international artists. When the coronavirus pandemic surged and more businesses shut down, Belokurova noticed how deeply affected artists would be when art fairs across the country would begin canceling their shows. Her idea for Raw Edge came from her desire to help other artists showcase their products in a collaborative environment. Originally from a small town in Kasatar in Russia, just above China and close to Siberia, Belokurova came to the U.S. with no cell phone and only a few dollars in her pocket. After quitting her job in 2019 as a visual merchandiser for Neiman Marcus, she decided to sell her own jewelry line which focuses on using discarded leather scraps to design earrings along with other uniquely crafted jewelry pieces. With a natural drive and curiosity to explore possibilities outside of her comfort zone the idea for Raw Edge was born. After suffering some rejection from other artists not willing to support her idea during the pandamic, Belokurova decided to take the risk and open anyway. As she began looking for a place to rent with no prior experience in owning a business, she inquired with a Lincoln Square landlord who owned several rental properties, to no avail. “He told me no at first. In this area, landlords want established businesses that have established financials,” Belokurova said. A highly sought-after area, Lincoln Square’s shop owners pay anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000 a month in rent – the same neighborhood where Angelina Jolie brought daughter Zahar shopping at a local toy shop in 2007 and billionaire Marcus Lemonis from the Profit opened Uncle Dan’s a sporting goods shop. As Covid-19 cases began to rise and businesses were forced to close their doors the renter who acquired the space Belokurova wanted decided to back out. “The landlord called me and said he would offer me a six-month trial lease. I jumped on it,” Belokurova said. With a rare opportunity and 19 artists counting on her, Belokurova’s anxiety grew as uncertainty loomed. She watched the daily news, unable to predict if new regulations would enforce a city-wide lockdown. Mary Arroyo-Ortiz, an abstract painter from Chicago, also feeling the uncertainty and disappointment of Co-vid 19, after seeing her sales slow and several of the art fairs she’d been accepted into cancel, decided to contract with Belokurova. “All of my art was just sitting at home. Maria is helping so many of us,”Ortiz said. An experienced professional, Ortiz felt Belokurova’s vision was right on target. “Once you believe in something, and do it in good faith, good things come,” she said. Now with 19 local and international artists on board and everyone splitting the rent, along with donating a percentage of their sales to a charity of their choosing, a small community has begun to shape itself in the midst of a global crisis. Now, with an opportunity to grow her
business model and establish a presence in a highly competitive neighborhood, several people warned Belokurova that she might be making a mistake during such an unpredictable time. “But if I fail, I’ve still learned something,” she said. Ken Cox, a Lincoln Square yoga teacher and business owner, agrees. “Opening any business at any time is a risk, but when you do something risky you stand out,” Cox said. With a mindset that embraces change, and over 20 years of business experience, Cox sees the opportunity for growth coming from an attitude that stays focused on the positive. “You can’t go back,” he said. “You can only move forward.” Rudy Flores, the executive director of Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce said that Raw Edge isn’t the first business in Lincoln Square to open during the pandemic, but is among six other businesses that have decided to forge ahead. “It’s exciting to see some new life, especially when the media tends to only highlight the businesses that are failing, ” said Flores. The chamber, a membership-driven organization that also has contracts with the city, works in the capacity of helping local businesses navigate city hall. However, they have suspended dues during the pandemic and opened their door to any community business. “It’s emotional for us because we know these businesses so well,” Flores said. “We’ve grown with them. We felt it was important to assist them in any way we can.” To help businesses better understand the ever-changing restrictions of state and federal imposed mandates due to the pandemic, Flores and his team have learned how to disseminate the new information to help business owners feel less confused. “We have a liaison that we work with at the hyper-local level that has helped us navigate new processes and city ordinances to help these small businesses,” Flores said. With information on city ordinances changing every few weeks, it has become increasingly difficult for businesses to keep up with the information and how to properly apply it to their specific business model. Different laws apply for each sector some of which include restaurants, retail, health clubs, grocery stores, medical facilities, salons, airports, parks, and schools. “Our city being a dense large city is going to have more stringent laws because of the population density,” Flores said. In a blog post written by business owner Andy Holck titled Observations, Holck urges business owners to adapt quickly if they want to survive, and create new ways to grow. Emphasizing the importance of flexibility and acceptance when it comes to traditions and practices changing. “With this acceptance will come a cycle of change, creating new patterns. Going back to how things were is not entirely possible, no matter how much we want it to be,” Holck said. With that in mind, Flores has witnessed most local businesses in the area make significant changes in how they sell and market their products in an effort to generate revenue during the pandemic. “A lot of small business owners don’t even have websites because they rely so heavily on walk-ins, but now they see the importance, along with the need to have a social media presence,” Flores said.
ANNA VALENTIN | THE DEPAULIA
Belokurova infront of her shop, Raw Edge in Lincoln Sqaure, which opened recently.
ANNA VALENTIN | THE DEPAULIA
Mary Arroyo-Ortiz, an artist who works with Belokurova at her store Raw Edge. Offering a checklist to businesses, Flores reminds owners that it’s not about selling everything you have, but instead it’s about crafting something unique and useful during a pandemic. He encourages small businesses to partner with each other in an effort to support one another, to look at crowdfunding as an option to generate attention and money for employees laid off or for businesses that are overburdened by overhead expenses.
Flores has also noticed that creating packages which combine several products all in one is selling well, something Belokurova has already done by showcasing several artists in one space, each offering a unique product. “I think it’s great for a neighborhood to be introduced to somebody new each time. Lincoln Square is a very supportive neighborhood, where a lot of local people come back and shop,” Belokurova said.
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. Sept. 28, 2020 | 23
St.Vincent’s
D e JAMZ “Spinning fresh beats since 1581” By Emma Oxnevad Online Managing Editor
You can all relax now — Virgo season is over, and Libra season is upon us. This list was a bit trickier to write; in the spirit of the season, I had a very hard time being decisive. Libras are a very fun sign: social, aesthetically-minded and acting in the interest of peace and harmony. However, they tend to be allergic to confrontation and indecisive. Famous Libras include Bruce Springsteen, Kim Kardahsian, Eminem (surprising!) and Gwenyth Patlrow. We unfortunately do not have any Libras on staff; I guess student media does not attract harmonious personalities.
1. “Imagine” - John Lennon
This song — and its artist — have become a bit of a cliche when talking about sentiments of peace. However, John Lennon was Libra and this song has all the trappings of one: idealism, ruminations on
making the world a better place and being palatable to most people. While Lennon was, by his own admission, less amicable than his catalogue may have you think, this song is a classic whose message has endured across generations.
2. “San Francisco” - The Mowgli’s
The refrain of this song includes “I’ve been in love with love”– I’m not a betting man myself, but I can say with confidence that a Libra wrote that line. This song has a carefree, exuberant energy to it that is indicative of the free-spirited sensibility of a Libra. This song has been on repeat for the past month, and always brings a smile to my face.
3. “Oops!... I Did it Again” Britney Spears
This song deserves to make the list just
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for being a classic. In a Libra’s attempt to keep the peace and their social circles happy, their friendly energy can sometimes be misinterpreted as being flirtatious. In true Libra fashion, Britney keeps it innocuous, insisting that she isn’t trying to play games; given that she’s a Sagittarius, I’m not sure if I believe her.
4. “Chasing Pavements” Adele Have I mentioned that Libras
are indecisive? This song reflects that perfectly, with Adele contemplating what her next step will be. For Libras, this sentiment can be reflected in more mundane choices; while it’s fun to poke fun, a Libra’s indecisive nature is more indicative of their desire to keep everyone happy.
5. “Material Girl” - Madonna
PHOTOS FROM WIKI
ing characteristic. However, if unchecked, they can verge into materialism, using their love of all things beautiful to deplete their bank accounts. While not over-purchasing for shallow reasons, their commitment to the finer things can go overboard at times.
Libras love all things aesthetically pleasing, with their personal style being a defin-
ACROSS 1. Do some food prep 5. Cauldron concoction 9. Droll sort 12. Dueling weapon 13. Annual athletic award 14. Couple’s pronoun 15. Heavenly 17. Bauxite, e.g. 18. “Speed” speeder 19. Dental filling 21. Humble 24. Cordon ___ 26. Office machine 27. Animated chipmunk 29. Endorse 33. The whole enchilada 34. Correct, as copy 36. “Unknown” surname 37. Cattail, for one 39. Fancy spread 40. Kind of code 41. It’s right in your atlas 43. Ex Sen. Lott 45. Way out 48. Stan who created Spider-Man 49. Lady’s man 50. Respectful submission 56. Horner’s last words 57. Discharge 58. Whiskey cocktail 59. Dance bit 60. Space heaters? 61. Still-life piece
DOWN 1. Ozone layer pollutant 2. Break new ground? 3. Alaska resource 4. Roman commoners 5. Casino actions 6. Work-related malady (abbr.) 7. Air quality agcy. 8. Poet Elinor 9. Moth’s temptation 10. Charismatic trait 11. Colored like a certain hound 16. Jacket material 20. Gist 21. Beginning to cry? 22. Barn bundle 23. Bridge toll unit 24. Meadow sound 25. Advanced, in a way 28. Concert array 30. Carpentry tool 31. Create, as a phrase 32. Set aside 35. Hold off 38. Ball center 42. Congressional employees 44. Actress Witherspoon 45. Rush order? 46. City founded by Pizarro 47. Showy bloom 48. “___ go!” 51. Australian ratite 52. Aquatic appendage 53. “On the double!” 54. It may be missed 55. Act proverbially human
24 | La DePaulia. The DePaulia. 28 de septiembre de 2020
La DePaulia
OPINIÓN: ¿ Dónde está nuestra voz? Con más de 32 millones latinos registrados, la falta de un moderador latino en los debates presidenciales es hiriente
FOTOS CORTESÍA DE WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Susan Page, Chris Wallace, Steve Scully y Kristen Welker están moderando todos los debates de este año electoral– ninguno es latino
By Izabella Grimaldo Editora de Opiniones
En menos de 50 días llegarán las elecciones presidenciales de los Estados Unidos, algo que cambiará la historia debido a los tiempos de incertidumbre que nos encontramos ahorita. A principios de este mes, La Comisión de Debates Presidenciales anunció a Chris Wallace, Susan Page, Steve Scully y Kristen Welken como moderadores de los próximos debates– omitiendo un puesto para un periodista latino. Esta decisión es hiriente para nuestra comunidad latina al no tener un moderador que nos represente. “En pocas palabras: es una abdicación de su responsabilidad de representar y reflejar una de las comunidades más grandes e influyentes de los EE. UU. “, comentó Randy Falco, presidente y director general de Univisión. Los latinos constituyen más de 32 millones de individuos registrados para votar este 2020, convirtiéndolos en uno de los bloques de votantes más grandes de la nación. Esta cantidad hace que nuestra comunidad sea un objetivo esencial para ambos candidatos de la presidencia. Al no tener un moderador latino, no brindamos la luz necesaria a los problemas que realmente necesitaban ser discutidos en esta elección. Miembros de nuestra comunidad latina batallan con una vida de incertidumbre. Algunos con inquietud de su estatus migratorio, otros con dudas de su trabajo e inseguridad de su cuidado de salud. La omisión de un periodista latino en
FOTO CORTESÍA DE PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP
El Pabellón Sheila y Eric Samson en Cleveland, donde se llevará a cabo el primer debate presidencial el martes 29 de septiembre. los debates presidenciales es un rechazo al progreso de nuestra comunidad. Aunque esta decisión no fue tomada por los candidatos, esto no es una excusa justificada para que nuestra comunidad sea excluida de algo tan importante como las elecciones presidenciales. Lo que necesitamos es transparencia, representación, y un conocimiento extendido de los problemas que enfrentan los latinos dia a dia. Pero esta lucha por un asiento en la mesa no es nueva ni la primera. En julio 2020 la fundación de la comunidad latina empezó una petición para demandar que uno de los moderadores sea latino, considerándolo un movimiento esencial para cumplir las necesidades y metas del electorado estadounidense. Estamos en tiempos de crecimiento, donde todos merecen ser incluidos e invitados a ser
parte de la discusión de nuestro país. Esta exclusión es solamente otra forma de polarizar a la comunidad latina. Al fallarle a la comunidad latina, el presidente de la Asociación Nacional de periodistas hispanos, Hugo Balta, contestó que al no responder a las demandas de la comunidad esta decisión desvanece a los latinos con la falta de un moderador de la comunidad. “Tres co-presidentes blancos de la Comisión de Debates Presidenciales han negado una vez más a los hispanos y latinos un asiento en la mesa cerca de las elecciones de 2020”, dijo Balta. “Es absurdo mirar el estado de nuestro país y las comunidades cada vez más polarizadas en todo el país y no quedarse preguntándose cómo es posible que nuestra comunidad permanezca excluida”.
Sin duda, hay varias opciones y oportunidades para darle luz a la comunidad y platicar sobre los asuntos que nos afectan día a día. Al no incluir un periodista latino/a, promueve una narrativa que no estamos a la altura como comunidad y como profesionales para participar en diálogos que cambian el clima político de este país. Esto entonces engendra una negligencia hacia nuestra comunidad que continuamente margina a nuestra comunidad y nos hace creer que no importamos– y esa no es nuestra historia. La realidad es que la comunidad latina tiene poder en sus números, con más de 60 millones de personas en el país, no cabe duda que dejamos nuestra huella en la economía del país, la fuerza laboral sindical y estamos construyendo generaciones de latinos que están allanando el camino del progreso en la comunidad y para la comunidad. Varios periodistas de la comunidad usaron sus plataformas de twitter para destacar que tan grande es este problema. El talento está ahí, los individuos están ahí lo único que falta es la decisión y el permiso de participar en la discusión que afecta el país entero. Esta comunidad de trabajadores tenaces e individuos que lo han sacrificado todo para un país de oportunidad se han merecido una representación en todos los aspectos cívicos. Somos el liderazgo que impulsa tantos aspectos de este país. Una vez más, sabemos que hay mucho más espacio para luchar y demandar esa voz que merecemos.
La DePaulia. The DePaulia. 28 de septiembre de 2020 | 25
¿Podrá Kamala Harris atrear el voto latino? By Stephania Rodriguez Reportera
Joe Biden, ex vicepresidente y candidato presidencial para el Partido Demócrata, anunció a la senadora Kamala Harris como su compañera de candidatura a la vicepresidencia. Después de meses de especulaciones de que ella sería la elección de Biden, la integración de la senadora de California en la carrera a la presidencia ha sido generalmente bien recibida entre el Partido Demócrata y los latinos por igual. Siendo hija de padres inmigrantes y una candidata de color, Harris tiene una aparente ventaja en ganar favorabilidad entre los latinos en las encuestas de votación hacia Biden, específicamente los jóvenes latinos que buscan una reforma migratoria y policial. Samantha Ante, inmigrante de México, describe las elecciones de 2016 como un momento de gran ansiedad para ella. Con la incorporación de Harris en el boleto de Biden, ella cree que es un paso en la dirección correcta para todos los inmigrantes que buscan una voz y la igualdad en los EE. UU. “Necesitamos tener personas que nos representen y comprendan las luchas por las que atraviesan los inmigrantes”, dijo Ante. “Este país no sería nada sin los inmigrantes y es hora de valorarlos. Creo que con Joe Biden y Kamala Harris, estaremos más cerca de un Estados Unidos que todos estamos imaginando”. Según las estadísticas por Elect Project, los latinos históricamente han tenido una participación de votantes desproporcionadamente baja en las elecciones nacionales. Aproximadamente el 50% de los latinos elegibles votan en las elecciones presidenciales en comparación con el 60% o más de las poblaciones morenas y blancas. Joe Tafoya, profesor de política latino de la Universidad DePaul, dijo que las condiciones para la baja votación latina
son tanto sistémicas como de actitud. “Los latinos tienen pocos recursos, como educación e ingresos, que podrían permitirles tomarse un tiempo libre para ir a votar”, dijo Tafoya. “Los latinos son más jóvenes y ocupan menos ocupaciones de orientación política, por lo que están menos interesados o motivados para votar, y a los latinos se les pide menos que voten por campañas y los partidos políticos porque puede ser incierto que votarán”. Tafoya dice que estas son condiciones típicas, y la elección presidencial de este año es todo menos típica con la votación por correo. Tomando en cuenta el censo de este año, Tafoya explica qué efecto esto puede tener en las comunidades cuando se trata de votar. “Chicago e Illinois están facilitando el voto por correo, por lo que un obstáculo típico de recursos está fuera del camino”, dijo Tafoya. “Y con tanto alcance para llenar y devolver el censo, llenar y devolver una papeleta debería ser aún más fácil. Si otros estados facilitan el voto por correo tendrá una gran influencia en la participación de los votantes latinos”. Harris puede tener la capacidad de involucrar a los latinos debido a sus antecedentes, pero aún debe presentar formas específicas de reformar la política de inmigración y mitigar el golpe desproporcionado de la pandemia en las familias latinas. Según un estudio reciente de WBEZ, el área del código postal de Chicago, 60623, ha tenido el mayor número de casos de COVID-19. Esta área incluye North Lawndale, un vecindario mayoritariamente de afroamericanos, y La Villita, un vecindario mayoritariamente latino de inmigrantes. Desde su aparición como candidata a la presidencia y ahora vicepresidenta, la larga y controvertida historia de Harris como fiscal general en el estado de California ha vuelto a circular en debates y redes sociales. Su pasado hace que la
FOTO CORTESÍA DE CAROLYN KASTER | AP
La candidata demócrata a la vicepresidencia, la senadora Kamala Harris, D-California, habla durante el tercer día de la Convención Nacional Demócrata. gente se pregunte si ha evolucionado con los tiempos y también si puede ser una líder progresista en la reforma de la justicia penal y responsabilizar a la policía. Aunque Tafoya dice que no está familiarizado con los patrones de votación de la reforma policial, dice que si se sabe que los activistas tienden a votar significativamente menos que el público normal porque votar no es tan satisfactorio como protestar. “De lo que sabemos mucho más es del encanto de Kamala Harris entre el electorado latino”, dijo Tafoya. “Latino Decisions, una prominente organización de encuestas latinas, descubrió que el 59% de los latinos en los estados de batalla dijeron que estarían entusiasmados con Harris como vicepresidente, y el 52% dijo que seleccionar a Harris hará que sea más probable que voten por Biden. Aunque el 20% dijo que sería menos probable que votaran por Biden debido a Harris, Biden obtiene una ventaja de 32 puntos al elegir
a Harris entre los latinos.” A pesar de la participación históricamente baja en las votaciones y las complicaciones que presenta el coronavirus , Tafoya tiene grandes esperanzas para los latinos en el boleto electoral de las elecciones presidenciales. Èl dice que reconoce que el coronavirus ciertamente complica las cosas, pero la elección de Joe Biden y de Kamala Harris como compañera de fórmula parece haber emocionado a la comunidad latina del país. “No olvidemos que las elecciones son típicamente juicios sobre la administración que preside”, dijo Tafoya. “Dado que Donald Trump es tan polémico, se puede apostar que la votación latina será alta porque la votación en las elecciones de mitad de período de 2018 fue la más alta registrada para los latinos para tales elecciones en los últimos tiempos”.
Sports
Sports. Sept. 28, 2020 The DePaulia | 26
The Ray enforces strict procedures amid Covid-19 By Jocelyn Soto Contributing Writer
Back in June, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker moved forward with the five-step reopening plan, allowing fitness centers and health clubs in Illinois to open their doors once again. After nearly seven months of quarantine and having to evacuate from campus, it left DePaul students wondering what would be happening to their college town and facilities in the time that they’re gone and how it will be when everyone returns to campus. The Ray-Meyer Fitness Center is now allowing their members to return. While the Ray didn’t open its doors until mid-July, they wanted to do everything possible and followed CDC guidelines appropriately by social distancing, adding more cleaning and disinfecting regimens and making sure their staff was prepared and ready for a new work environment. “We’ve increased our cleaning by 100 percent,” said Patricia Walczuk, a fitness floor supervisor at The Ray. When asked about the facility’s new safety and cleaning precautions, Walczuk noted, “we have little flip signs that indicate if a machine has been used or not, and if it has, we go over and disinfect it. Patrons are also responsible for cleaning the machine before and after they use it.” There are several different hand sanitizer stations laid out throughout all three floors of the gym. One of the several precautions students and members have to take before entering the gym is going on the #CampusClear app. This allows students to login in with their student ID number and track if they have any or no symptoms before arriving on campus. “Students are required to show their #CampusClear app when they arrive,” said Ginger Lazarus, an entrance attendant at The Ray. “It’s to ensure that the students are filling out how they’re feeling before they come onto campus.” It’s not only a requirement for students to fill out, the employees have to fill out how they’re feeling before going into work. Both Lazarus and Walczuk always make sure they have their masks on, use hand sanitizer and complete
CUBS, continued from back page reach the postseason taking into account the magnitude of the offensive struggles. Going back to Bryant, missing for a large chunk of the season due to injury took its toll on the offense. Any team would have a hard time while missing a player of his caliber. But trying to play through an injury did no favors either for him or the Cubs, and the numbers back that up. “I was stunned to see that he has five RBIs all season — that is just a huge hole at the top of the line up from a guy you expect to be an above average run producer,” Sanchez said. As Freedman mentioned, the offensive woes are not a new phenomenon. It has been a problem since arguably as early as 2017 and the front office has put their trust in players like Schwarber and Albert Almora to figure it out, with varying degrees of success. It is because of this pattern of underperforming offense that the expectations
their campus clear evaluation as well. “Now, before we head out of our homes, there are a series of questions that always go through our minds, ‘do I have my mask? Hand sanitizer?’ And of course what are the new rules at The Ray? “Why do we have to make reservations for the studio? It makes social distancing much easier,” Walczuk said. Studio D on the third floor is open for reservations, separating each space perfectly six feet apart. “Studio D is usually empty and very spread out. The employees clean every single item after each use. It’s my go to area right now,” Walczuk adds. However, there might be a wait list depending on the time you go. “The mornings are the best time to go since there isn’t that early morning traffic as much now,” Julia Knuth, a regular attendee, said. Returning to closed areas isn’t ideal for everyone. A tip for those who are on the fence of returning to the gym, start out slow at the start. “Just always make sure to have your mask and hand sanitizer with you at all times,” Knuth said. “The employees at the Ray are really good at staying on top of what machines need to be cleaned. If you don’t feel comfortable going back, I recommend looking into their virtual fitness group classes.” Going to the gym was a great place for a lot of people to disconnect from their real world lives and enjoy. It was oddly enough a great place to make some friends. While the Ray might not feel the same for a while, Lazarus agrees that “The fun and inviting atmosphere of the ray is missed, we are very much trying to instill those values, it makes it harder when there are some physical and mental boundaries up it leads to a disconnect with our own staff and with some patrons. “But with all of that said, everyone on staff is doing a fantastic job at giving that much more energy to ensure we are giving the best experience to our patrons,” Lazarus said.
ERIC HENRY | THE DEPAULIA
Staff at the Ray clean equipment frequently to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
ERIC HENRY | THE DEPAULIA
Every other elliptical is out of use to help maintain social distancing at the Ray. surrounding the Cubs among their fans have been tempered. “The team as a whole worries me. At this moment they find themselves simply unable to hit. None of their star players have hit at all this season.” said Randall Sanders, Cubs fan and contributor to @NumbersMLB. “The starting pitching is suspect beyond Darvish and Hendricks. The bullpen has made significant strides since July but I’m worried that it’s a lot of guys outperforming their peripherals.” The Cubs are far from a perfect team. The bullpen was their biggest weakness heading into the season, but through trial and error, Ross seems to have found a group of relievers to rely on. Yu Darvish was a CY Young contender and Hendricks has been reliable for the most part. Still, because of the holes on this team, fans are being cautious moving forward. “I think it’s cool that they were able to clinch a spot, but this season is obviously so weird that it really doesn’t mean much in a pure baseball sense,” said Rice Cube of the
Cubs blog World Series Dreaming. “Kind of iffy about the future as I’m unsure of how these guys bounce back. But we know what they used to be capable of so in true Cubs fashion. I’ll never give up hope.” Never giving up hope is the MO of both the Cubs and their fans. With the new postseason format where teams will be seeded, anything can happen. The Cubs hold the No. 3 seed and look on course to face the Miami Marlins. On paper, a winnable match-up, but the Marlins have nothing to lose as opposed to the Cubs. All that being said, how do the Cubs stack up and how deep a run can they make? “That’s a tough question, just given the difficulty of this playoff format,” Freedman said. “A three-game series in the first round makes it easy for any team to lose right away. So I would say winning a round or two would be a real success, but I wouldn’t say it’s a World Series or bust mentality just given the circumstances.” Simply getting into the playoffs means a team has a shot to go all the way. All it takes
is for a team to get hot at the right moment. It’s that hope of putting it all together that the Cubs hope to cling on to. Five postseason appearances in six seasons is definitely an accomplishment for a team who historically toiled away in the National League and were known as the “lovable losers.” Back in February when the team was getting ready for spring training in Arizona, Rizzo said that they had to enjoy these days because it wasn’t “Year Two” for the group. That it was coming to the end for all of them as a group. The players know that their window to win another World Series is dwindling but so is the time they have left together as a team. After winning their third division in five years, Rizzo summed up the mentality heading into the playoffs. According to MLB’s Jordan Bastian, Rizzo said, “We’re very grateful to be in the playoffs. But our expectation is to win the World Series.”
Sports. Sept. 28, 2020 The DePaulia | 27
NCAA announces testing recommendations for basketball season By Lawrence Kreymer Sports Editor
A week after approving a start date for the 2020-21 college basketball season, Nov. 25, the NCAA has now released guidelines for testing, travel considerations and access to the court and bench areas. The guidelines recommend testing three times per week on non-consecutive days throughout the season, including for officials, as well as having proper distancing protocols for Tier 1 people —which includes student-athletes and essential personnel who are in regular contact with them. “The guidelines reflect recommendations from collaboration with the NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, which features representatives from across the membership,” said NCAA Chief Medical Officer Brian Hainline. “We will continue to work with them and others from the Association in safeguarding student-athlete well-being.” According to DePaul athletic director DeWayne Peevy, as of last week, the Big East is still in discussions regarding scheduling and testing. A Big East spokesperson also said that the conference has yet to make a concrete decision on testing protocols. “Discussions are ongoing as of Friday afternoon in regards to scheduling and testing with the conference office and the Big East membership,” Peevy told The DePaulia last week. “Once the structure of a conference schedule is determined, we can fill in other dates of potential non-conference games
ALEXA SANDLER | THE DEPAULIA
DePaul men’s basketball head coach Dave Leitao talks to a referee during the Blue Demons’ game against Georgetown on Feb. 8 at Wintrust Arena. under the guidelines set by the NCAA earlier this week.” In an effort to limit the possibility of exposure to Covid-19 on campus, the NCAA moved back the start date of the season by two weeks, with more universities ending
fall semester in the first couple of weeks in November. According to NCAA President Mark Emmert, the goal is to have better testing capabilities by the end of the year. “This basketball resocialization guidance is based on the best information available
in a rapidly changing COVID-19 environment,” Emmert said in a statement. “It is predicated on the assumption that rapid testing capabilities will be readily available later this year. We will constantly assess emerging information as we prepare for the start of the basketball season at the end of November.” The Big East is moving to a 20-game conference schedule this season with the addition of UConn. According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the Big East is considering playing two conference games in December. The amount of games required to play this season was also reduced to down 27 games, and teams can schedule as few as 13. Teams can begin preseason activities on Oct. 14 and will have 42 days to conduct 30 practices. The Division I council is allowing players to work out for 20 hours per week, four hours a day and must have one day off per week. In the meantime, teams are allowed 12 hours per week to conduct basketball-related activities. Players currently have two days off per week. “The new season start date near the Thanksgiving holiday provides the optimal opportunity to successfully launch the basketball season,” said NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt. “It is a grand compromise of sorts and a unified approach that focuses on the health and safety of student-athletes competing towards the 2021 Division I basketball championships.”
WHITE SOX, continued from back page tionable. His defense has room for improvement, but there is no question that the White Sox offense has a much different feel without him. When the Sox lost eight out of 10 games, including going through a six-game losing streak, the offense’s batting average was .178, on-base percentage was .241, and slugging was .343. That was with Jiménez still in the lineup. “Pitching and defense wins championships” is the cliche thrown around come the postseason. While it may not be entirely true, starting pitching is crucial. With the games taking place in a bubble, that means that there will be no travel. More importantly, it also means no off days. A team with good starting pitching will have the advantage come playoff time where runs are at a premium. The White Sox have a solid 1-2 punch with Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel, but remains a toss up after that. “After Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel, they have Dane Dunning who has been strong but only has six career starts. They have Reynaldo López, who looks confident after returning from the Schaumburg alternate site but is clearly dealing with diminished velocity and stuff, and they have Dylan Cease, who was supposed to be the No. 3 starter but has not had proper command of his pitches all year,” Fegan said. “With no off days during series, they really have no ability to avoid the weaker parts of their rotation. But, obviously they have to get to the division series before they even worry about this too hard. Unsurprisingly, given the slump after securing a playoff spot and the dread that seems to fill Chicago sports fans, expectations are not as high as they might have been a week ago for Sox fans. “It’s hard to say honestly,” said Sox fan Elizabeth Granato. “I’ve always been hopeful, and I always wish them well, but with the way things have been going lately, it makes me a little nervous. That nervousness may be warranted.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AP
Jose Abreu celebrates with catcher James McCann after the White Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs 9-5 on Saturday The slump saw the Sox fall not only out of first place but further down the seeding bracket which means they could face a tougher opponent in the wild-card series. “At this point they have slumped into such a bad matchup in the Wild Card series that they are more likely than not to lose in the first round,” Fegan said. “They are entirely capable of getting farther, but it’s hard to project that when they’re playing their worst ball of the season and seem like they’re still regaining their health in the bullpen.” The White Sox are a young team. While that youthfulness counts for a lot, it can also come back to bite them at a time like this. It is why Keuchel and Yasmani Gran-
dal were brought in during the offseason to provide some veteran presence. But they can only do so much. With a young core comes growing pains that the players themselves will need to figure out, and a shortened season means fewer time to do so. Reaching the postseason is but one goal the White Sox as an organization had in mind. The players want to win a championship and the fans want to see that as well for this season to be a success. “I think for the most part they have had some great and successful accomplishments,” Granato said. “But I think they need to make it fairly far for them to prove themselves.”
The last time the White Sox went to the World Series was in 2005. They limped into the postseason that time as well, nearly blowing a double-digit lead down the stretch. They then got hot at the right time and only lost one game en route to sweeping the Houston Astros and winning their first World Series title since 1917. Before the start of the season, the team posted a hype video with the phrase “We’re not just here to play the game… we’re here to change it.” They’ll need to do just that if they want to have a shot at postseason success.
Sports
Sports. Sept. 28, 2020 The DePaulia | 28
Hunt for October
PHOTO COURTESY OF AP
PHOTO COURTESY OF AP
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Alex Colome celebrates with catcher James McCann after the White Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs 9-5 on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish throws the ball against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Sox in postseason for first time since 2008
Cubs looking to recreate 2016 magic
By Ernesto Hernandez Asst. Sports Editor
When Rick Hahn took over the reins from Kenny Williams in 2012 and became the new White Sox general manager, he knew he had a lot of work to do. After a long rebuilding process, Hahn and the White Sox faithful are finally seeing the fruits of their labor. For the first time in 12 years, the White Sox clinched a spot in the postseason following a 4-3 win against the Minnesota Twins. Since then, however, the team has stumbled losing seven out of their last eight games including being swept by the Cleveland Indians. Frustration may have hit a boiling point in the final series of the season against the Chicago Cubs. Reliever Jimmy Cordero plunked Willson Contreras after the Cubs catcher threw his bat in the air after a home run earlier in the game. For one game, the White Sox became something they never expected to be, the “fun police.” Despite limping towards the end of the season, the postseason is a different beast entirely. With the talent the White Sox possess, they need to get in the playoffs and hope that talent comes through. “Right now, they’re desperately trying
to assure themselves that they’re just getting ready for the playoffs and it doesn’t matter that they coughed the number one seed and the division championship through one horrific road trip,” said James Fegan, the White Sox reporter for The Athletic. As the season went along, winning the AL Central became a real possibility for the White Sox. But, as mentioned, they were swept in a four-game set against Cleveland that included a couple of walk-off losses. More worrying is that since clinching a playoff spot, either their offense clicks but their pitching struggles or vice-versa. “Their offense is slumping and frustrated. Luis Robert and Yoán Moncada appear lost at the plate, Edwin Encarnación and Nomar Mazara have not looked effective all year, and their rotation and bullpen is rushing to get key members healthy in time,” Fegan said. “It’s easy to see this as a team that is limping into the postseason, and not just because Eloy Jiménez was literally limping the other night.” Eloy Jiménez was ruled out of the series against the Cubs with a foot sprain and his status for the postseason is ques-
See WHITE SOX, page 27
By Ernesto Hernandez Asst. Sports Editor
There were no champagne celebrations, no camera crews in the locker room. Instead, Anthony Rizzo sat down behind a team backdrop, answering questions via Zoom, as the Chicago Cubs clinched a spot in the postseason. Despite reaching the postseason for the fifth time in six years, the “young core” of the Cubs are not so young anymore. Coupled with old habits rearing their ugly heads once again, the outlook for the Cubs in the postseason is cloudy at best. The Cubs offense has struggled in the latter half of the season. These woes are nothing new and it is perhaps their biggest question mark heading into October. “Every facet of this team has had ups and downs throughout the year, but over the last good while, the offense has been dreadful,” said Corey Freedman, director of social media for Cubs Insider. “We know the group has the potential to be better, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen the offense go missing with this group. It happens every year and it’s not easy to be confident some of these guys will simply turn it on come playoff time.” Players like Javier Baez and Kris Byrant, two cornerstones that are integral
to the team, have struggled mightily this season. Baez has an on-base percentage of .239 which is the lowest out of all the starters. His wins above replacement (WAR) stands at 0.7 according to Baseball Reference. Again, one of the lowest on the team and tied for Baez’s lowest since becoming a permanent part of the main roster. A number Cubs players are posting some of their lowest numbers in their careers. That it is happening all at the same time has to give manager David Ross a cause for concern. The only players who have been consistently offensively have been Jason Heyward and Ian Happ. “It seems like every hitter has struggled at some point this season with the biggest question marks being the extended slumps of Javy, KB and now Schwarber,” said Sara Sanchez, writer for SB Nation’s Bleed Cubbie Blue blog. “Now that said, this has always been a streaky offense and with Contreras heating up and JHey having his best 60-game stretch in a Cubs uniform, if they were joined by Happ, Rizzo, Javy, and KB this team can do a lot of damage in a short stretch.” At the same time, a case can be made that it was an achievement in itself to
See CUBS, page 26