Wintust Arena is set to host the Big East Women’s Basketball Tournament this weekend. Check out our preview in Sports, page 25.
The Weinstein sentencing could mean an end to #MeToo. See Opinions, page 12.
DePaulia
The
Volume #104 | Issue #17 | March 2, 2020 | depauliaonline.com
DePaul developer reflects on role in Syrian revolution By Brita Hunegs Staff Writer
Emad Mahou spends his days writing code and building tools for DePaul’s various digital interfaces as one of the university’s software engineers. But nine years ago this month, he was building something very different.
In March 2011, Mahou was building a grassroots movement that helped incite the near-decade of civil war in his home country of Syria. Instead of navigating the halls of DePaul’s administrative offices, he was navigating the streets of Damascus while trying to dodge the wrath of President Bashar Al-Assad’s forces.
“When I was 23, I was fighting in Syria for freedom. I was leading the revolution 2011, but today I have to do a login for a trustee,” he said. Mahou was born in Lebanon in 1989 to a Lebanese mother and Syrian father. His family immigrated to Syria when he was 6, settling down just outside of Syr-
ia’s capital, Damascus. Though he began studying architecture at the University of Damascus when he was 20, he never got to finish his degree. Civilian results — which would later be known as the Arab Spring — began three years later in Tunisia and Egypt, forcing the countries’ respective leaders to step down.
As these unprecedented events unfolded, Mahou said he felt it was time to force a change in Syria. Hafez Al-Assad ruled Syria from 1970 until 2000 when he was succeeded by his son, Bashar. Hafez had ruled Syria oppressively, and there was hope the
See SYRIA, page 11
Breath of fresh air
MACKENZIE MURTAUGH | THE DEPAULIA
Outside the MAT Asphalt factory on Pershing Road on the Southwest Side. The factory, which releases fumes when in operation, is adjacent to McKinley Park and near a K-12 charter school.
McKinley Park residents try to block controversial asphalt plant By Lauren Paris, Hector Cervantes, Francesca Mathewes, Patsy Newitt
R
obert Beedle moved to McKinley Park in 2015, looking to settle down with his wife in a family-friendly, tight-knit community on Chicago’s Southwest Side. The neighborhood seemed like a perfect fit until an aroma he described as mimicking gasoline mixed with burnt pavement started filling the air, preventing Beedle from opening his windows on many warm summer nights. It was as if the MAT Asphalt plant was built overnight, marking the start of just one of many ongoing environmental battles. MAT Asphalt’s plant, located at 2055 W. Pershing Road, was opened in the heart of the McKinley Park neighborhood in April, 2018. The plant, which primarily produces road paving material, faces McKinley Park, and is next door to the National Latino Education Institute and a few blocks from
Contributing Writers & Asst. News Editor
Horizon Science Academy: McKinley Park, a K-12 Charter school. Other McKinley Park residents cite similar scenarios. “The fumes emitting from the asphalt have been extraordinarily strong today. It was difficult for me to walk from my car to inside our building without being physically affected by those fumes,” said an email from an employee of the National Latino Education Institute to the City of Chicago in 2019. The email then said the maintenance team had to turn off their air conditioning system because the fumes were so strong. The plant seemed to appear overnight, built without IEPA notification to the surrounding community, according to residents and activists. MAT Asphalt operates up to six days a week roughly from midApril to mid-December.
MAT Asphalt was owned by a partnership that includes Buildsmore LLC, owned by Tony Sanchez, Mckinley Park LLC, owned by Charles and Dan Gallagher and MAT Asphalt LLC, owned by Michael Tadin Jr. Tadin is the son of Michael Tadin Sr., longtime friend of former Mayor Richard M. Daley and owner of both equipment firm MAT Leasing and the Marina Cartage trucking empire. Marina Cartage and MAT Leasing have done at least $100 million in business with the city of Chicago, according to Crain Chicago Business. Tadin’s firms benefited from the scandal with the city’s hired truck program that was shut down in 2005 by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley after a Sun-Times investigation found that the $40-million-a-year hired truckers did little or no work.
McKinley Park’s population is primarily Hispanic, according to U.S. census data. More than 20 percent of residents are living below the poverty line. This area, among many other Southwest Side Chicago neighborhoods such as Little Village, Pilsen and Brighton Park, is embedded in the South Branch industrial corridor, which has been the hub of industries such as coal plants, manufacturing plants and other industrial facilities for decades. This area is zoned in Chicago’s Central Manufacturing District, making it the prime location for the opening of these plants. Beedle, now the president of the organization Neighbors For Environmental Justice (N4EJ), got involved after learning
See ASPHALT, page 4
2 | News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
First Look The DePaulia is the official student-run newspaper of DePaul University and may not necessarily reflect the views of college administrators, faculty or staff. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Shane René eic@depauliaonline.com MANAGING EDITOR | Lacey Latch managing@depauliaonline.com ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR | Bianca Cseke online@depauliaonline.com NEWS EDITOR | Mackenzie Murtaugh news@depauliaonline.com ASST. NEWS EDITOR | Patsy Newitt news@depauliaonline.com NATION & WORLD EDITOR | Cailey Gleeson nation@depauliaonline.com OPINIONS EDITOR | Emma Oxnevad opinion@depauliaonline.com FOCUS EDITOR | Rebecca Meluch focus@depauliaonline.com ARTS & LIFE EDITOR | Ella Lee artslife@depauliaonline.com ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR | Keira Wingate artslife@depauliaonline.com SPORTS EDITOR | Lawrence Kreymer sports@depauliaonline.com ASST. SPORTS EDITOR | Nate Burleyson sports@depauliaonline.com
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News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 3
Coronavirus is ‘moving too fast’ TYLER LARIVIERE | CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health Dr. Ngozi Ezike, along with local elected and health officials speak Friday, Feb. 28, 2020, in Chicago, to members of the media about Illinois preparedness for COVID-19.
With its third confirmed case, Illinois struggles to keep up By Mackenzie Murtaugh & Brita Hunegs News Editor & Staff Writer
It was a tumultuous weekend in Chicago. On Friday, police shot a man traveling from train car to train car at the Grand Red Line stop. Sunday might have raised the overall mood of the city with the annual Polar Plunge, where thousands gather to take a dangerous leap into Lake Michigan to raise money and awareness of the Special Olympics. But even this national fundraising event couldn’t boost the morale of Chicago this weekend after Saturday’s disturbing news of the third confirmed case of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Cook County. The first case of coronavirus in Chicago came in January when a local woman traveled from Wuhan, China, where the virus originated, to the city. She eventually passed the virus to her husband, and they were both treated and released to home isolation. They were the first confirmed person-to-person transmission documented in the United States. The couple, who are both in their 60s, have both made a full recovery, but this news comes a little too late because of the third case in Cook Country, which was announced on the same day that the first person in the U.S. died from the virus. A Washington state man in his 50s suffered from chronic illness and died from the virus that has now affected 22 Americans across the country. The coronavirus appears just as the yearly flu does, with a runny nose, cough, sore throat and a headache. Those with a weakened immune system, like the elderly and the very young, are more susceptible to the virus. It spreads when someone comes into contact with an infected person who secretes it, like through a cough or sneeze. After an open meeting, the media present attempted to ask questions, but they were interrupted by the Chief Communications and Market Officer for Cook County Health Caryn Stancik. “That’s all we’re going to be talking about right now. [The coronavirus] is just moving
too fast,” she said. The same meeting included Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, who traveled to D.C. to get answers on how the federal government is expecting states to pay for the increased staffing and technology that is required to treat coronavirus. “This is a financial burden,” she said. “The City of Chicago continues to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal, state and local partners to protect residents and visitors while working to contain the spread of novel coronavirus, COVID-19,” said Andrew Buchanan, director of public affairs at the Chicago Department of Public Health. This statement came on Friday, one day before the third case was announced. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus has infected at least 83,600 people, and 2,800 of them have died. This constitutes a global pandemic, according to the WHO. In a joint statement from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health, the third Illinois patient has been hospitalized in isolation. Health officials are currently in the process of tracking down the individuals the person has come into contact with. President Donald Trump tasked Vice President Mike Pence to lead a taskforce that will respond to the outbreak. It was announced last Thursday that lawmakers are nearly finished with a bipartisan plan to issue significant emergency funding to address the fears caused by coronavirus. Illinois will particularly benefit, given the newly diagnosed patient. “If you are healthy, you will probably go through a process and you’ll be fine,” Trumpsaid at a press conference on Saturday. Currently, there are no DePaul students studying abroad in China or Italy, where the most cases of the coronavirus have been reported. For winter quarter and winter-spring quarter, there are no study abroad trips planned to go to China or Italy. Other city
NAM Y. HUH | ASSOCIATED PRESS
Travelers wear protective mask as they walk through in terminal 5 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Sunday, March 1, 2020.
“The city of Chicago continues to work closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal, state and local partners to protect residents and visitors while working to contain the spread of novel coronavirus.”
Andrew Buchanan
Director of public affairs, Chicago Department of Public Health schools have not been so lucky — Loyola University has brought home students studying abroad in Rome. There is no information yet on how the students will make up their lost credits or if a refund for the cancelled class will be offered. For travelers, O’Hare International Airport is “implementing a screening process [to] proactively identify at-risk travelers and an additional system to actively monitor
those travelers,” Buchanan said. Health officials have been clear that people do not need to change their daily routines, but the public needs to “remain vigilant about keeping germs from spreading by covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands with warm soap and water and staying home when sick,” they said in a press release.
4 | News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 ASPHALT continued from front about the disproportionate effects of industry on marginalized communities, and after realizing the impact that MAT asphalt had on his own. Beedle said he is disappointed with the city and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) for not upholding its policy of a 90-day notice period granted to environmental justice communities, which are localities that potentially experience disproportionate harm or risks from environmental hazards. The 90-day period is supposed to allow residents of these communities to comment, question and get involved with developments taking place in their neighborhoods. “This plant did not go through the community, and they’re going to have a disproportionate effect on our minority community,” Beedle said. “They represent discrimination and the city’s prioritization of industry over the right to quality of life.” Following the plant’s first year of operation, the IEPA denied MAT Asphalt’s application for a five-year operating permit back in February of 2019, after finding the plant had the potential to emit 10 times more than the allowed amount of toxic particulate matter into the air. More recently, MAT Asphalt claimed that it had miscalculated numbers within its first application that Illinois officials denied in early 2019 and reapplied for a 10-year operating permit, with research to show that the plant’s emissions are now within the legal limits set by the IEPA. General manager Joe Haughey said in an email that they were initially calculating an end loader bucket as being one ton when it has a 14-ton capacity. “From that initial miscalculation, there was an incorrect computation of particulate matter levels,” he said. “The error in the size of the end loader bucket was corrected in a revision to fugitive emission calculations submitted to the Illinois EPA on or around June 27, 2019.” With MAT Asphalt reapplying for the permit, the ongoing dispute among neighborhood activists, the IEPA and MAT Asphalt over pollution emissions and permit applications culminates with a state permit hearing set for March 23. The public permit hearing will allow all parties, including community members, to review the drafted permit and discuss concerns. “MAT Asphalt has submitted an application for a federally enforceable state operating permit (FESOP) to the Illinois EPA. The Agency has reviewed the application and prepared a draft FESOP. The Illinois EPA is accepting public comments on the draft FESOP until 4/22/2020,” said the IEPA in an emailed statement. MAT Asphalt claims that their facility is not a threat to the community. “Our emissions are less than one-fourth
“This plant did not go through the community, and they’re going to have a disproportionate effect on our minority community, They represent discrimination and the city’s prioritization of industry over the right to quality of life.” Robert Beedle
McKinley Park resident the allowable level, according to the IEPA draft permit issued in late 2019,” Tadin said in a statement. “The air quality is well within legal limits across the board: less than onefifth the allowable level for carbon monoxide, less than one-sixth for particulate matter, and less than one-fifth for volatile organic matter.” For Beedle, the company’s assurance that its emissions are under the legal limits isn’t enough. “We have no way of knowing the degree of accuracy of the tests; they’re conducted by a third party hired by MAT Asphalt,” he said. “I think this self reporting and self regulation is really problematic when you’re talking about the stakes here, which is a facility located across the street from a park and within 1000 feet of people’s homes.” MAT Asphalt denies the charge of selfregulation, saying there was an IEPA staff member present for the eight-hour emissions calculation performed by a MAT consultant. “There has been no self-regulation and there is no dispute,” Haughey said. Additionally, Beedle feels the data emissions, dated for 2018, are insufficient considering the plant opened July of that year, less than a years worth of data. Neighbors for Environmental Justice is currently reviewing the draft permit and associated documents and is preparing to share information with the community in preparation for the hearing. This will include a pre-hearing meeting and a written comment session to work with residents on making impactful written comments on the permit. The public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Horizon Science Academy: McKinley Park, 2245 W. Pershing Road in Chicago. MAT Asphalt Spokesperson Matt Baron said the company is more than willing to address community member concerns, citing its open houses, attendance at meetings and the 1,000 turkeys they donated to residents for Thanksgiving in an attempt to show their community support. Tadin said the company has invested “millions of dollars” to make sure the facility has no environmental burdens on the
community. He pointed to other industrial plants around Chicago, questioning why he has not witnessed as much community backlash regarding their emissions and permits. “I’ve had 50 tours. We’ve had open houses. We have turkey giveaways… If you come here, there is no issue,” Tadin said. “...I’ve tried to have conversations with the neighborhood groups and they just don’t specifically want me.” Despite these claims, residents of McKinley Park still fear MAT Asphalts’ operations, and are passionate about contesting their potential permit, which would allow the plant to operate for ten years. Many concerns are related to odors emitted from the plant. These odors, Tadin said, do not pose a danger to community members or employees, but many community members have found it affects their day-to-day life. Students at nearby schools complained of odors during recess and various residents cited a chemical smell, according to emails sent to the City of Chicago. Residents are also concerned with the trucks throughout the neighborhood that could result in unaccounted for pollution, which MAT Asphalt estimates make about 50 round trips each day when the plant is in service. “We think that just based on the first two years of their operation there’s no way the IEPA should be blindly plowing forward with these plans,” Beedle said. “We are hopeful that at the public hearing we are going to be able to unite the community and give the IEPA compelling evidence as to why they really need to think very carefully about this and make a better decision than they’re inclined to.” At a meeting on January 16, residents gathered over 3,000 signatures on a petition for the IEPA to deny the permit, according to South Side Weekly. Southwest Environmental Alliance (SEA) hosted a public meeting on Feb. 3 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. This environmental justice organization focuses on protecting residents from industrial pollution stemming
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from dirty industries located in the industrial corridor on the Southwest Side of Chicago. At the meeting, Chicago’s 25th Ward Alderman Bryon Sigcho-Lopez was present and was in favor of blocking the permits for MAT Asphalt. “This is not acceptable on the Southwest Side or anywhere in the community. We want to make sure that this industrial corridor becomes a green corridor,” SigchoLopez said. He was elected in May of 2019, succedding former 25th Ward Alderman Danny Solis. “There are different layers to this on how we are going to get handle of the permits and it is a critical part of the aspect.” Theresa McNamara, one of the founders of SEA, outlined her strategy preparing for the hearing. “I never think about cleaning up the industrial corridor,” McNamara said. “I think about how I create an organizing effort that is so powerful that everyone will be terrified of them. I look at the industrial corridor as a way to build leaders.” This community backlash is not new to Chicago, considering the South and West Sides’ history with industrial pollution. South and West Side neighborhoods are among the most affected by industry pollution. This is directly correlated to the industrial corridors that have surrounded these communities for years. A recent national study from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that facilities emitting particulate air pollution disproportionately impact lowincome communities and communities of color. The same study found that communities living below the poverty line have a 35 percent higher burden from particulate matter emissions than the overall population. Non-whites had a 28 percent higher health burden and African Americans had a 54 percent higher burden than the rest of the population. According to the EPA, this air pollution can be linked to asthma, irregular heartbeats, decreased lung function, increased respiratory issues and even premature death. Tadin emphasized in a statement that he has “invested in the most sophisticated pollutioncontrol systems available. It’s important to understand the difference between a newly constructed facility, such as MAT Asphalt, and facilities from a generation or two ago.” Beedle and N4EJ are continuing to fight for their community’s demands for pollutantfree air. Beedle hopes to one day freely open his windows on hot summer nights without the fear of toxicity. “No one wants to live near a scrap yard, or an asphalt plant, or a coal plant,” Beedle said, “But we have been taking our fair share of the burden, so when will someone else take it?”
News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 5
Protestors shut down State’s Attorney forum By Bianca Cseke Online Managing Editor
A forum for Cook County State’s Attorney candidates to answer questions from a moderator Monday evening at DePaul’s Lincoln Park campus was shut down early because of protestors. As moderator Kenneth Dotson was about to ask a third question, a member of the audience got up and said he had a question for candidate Bill Conway. Security removed him, but others in the audience started chanting “Let him speak.” Dotson tried to move on, but about a dozen protestors continued demanding to have their questions answered and began chanting, “Justice is a human right, why are all these candidates rich and white,” among other phrases. Two of the protestors told reporters they interrupted the forum because they wanted to hold the candidates, particularly Conway, accountable, but were told multiple times by forum organizers that they would not be allowed to ask questions at the event. However, Dotson told The DePaulia that wasn’t the case, and that to his knowledge the protestors had never made such a request. Even if they had, he said, they would’ve been denied “just as everyone else who made such a request would have been denied.” “This is the fifth debate/forum committee I have served on since 2015 – and I have attended a dozen or so other neighborhood debates – and there has never been an instance where the mic was turned over to audience members to allow them to ask whatever they want,” Dotson said. “The fact of the matter is that those who disrupted the meeting wanted special treatment. Like everyone else, they had the opportunity to submit written questions.”
Some of the protestors said they were there to bring attention to Conway’s campaign finances. Conway has received about $7.5 million in contributions from his father, William Conway, who has an investment firm called the Carlyle Group in Washington, D.C. “We brought attention to the fact that Conway takes money from his dad and the Carlyle Group, who profits off tear gas companies in Ferguson, and the Chicago police pension fund, which is something we’ve asked him at other events and he refuses to comment on,” said Ab Weeks, an organizer with SOUL in Action. Naomi Runder, an organizer with People’s Lobby, said these funding sources are tied to harm in black communities. “When you look at the job of a state’s attorney, like that is a role that you absolutely need someone who’s able to hold police accountable and have the trust of black and brown people to do the job effectively,” Runder said. Weeks supports incumbent candidate Kim Foxx, who was invited to the forum but did not attend. At an ABC-7-hosted debate for Cook County state’s attorney candidates on Friday, Foxx said the issue with Conway’s campaign finances isn’t his father, but the firm’s investment “in military weaponry across the globe.” “Mr. Conway introduced himself to the public as someone with his military career, comparing the city of Chicago neighborhoods with that of Afghanistan,” Foxx said. “That is what is of concern, not his love of his father.” Forum organizers said they were disappointed with the protestors’ methods. “It’s mystifying to me that people would think their question would move to the front,” said Kelly Dotson, president of of Lincoln Central board, which helped
XAVIER ORTEGA | THE DEPAULIA
Bill Conway, candidate for State’s Attorney. organize the forum. It’s unlikely that there will be another forum for state’s attorney candidates in Lincoln Park because of lack of time before the March 17 primary, Kenneth Dotson told The DePaulia. “[The protestors] came in to prevent anyone’s voice but their own from being heard,” he said. Before the forum was interrupted, candidates who were present discussed the rise in brazen crimes in the North Side of the city, blaming Foxx’s reform efforts being too lenient on criminals. Foxx’s criminal justice reform efforts have shifted more of the office’s resources to violent crime, instead of low-level offenses like shoplifting. However, she has come under fire for these efforts’ causing fewer criminals to be kept in jail. “Being progressive doesn’t mean we have to coddle to criminals,” candidate Bob Fioeretti said. “It’s not that hard to balance [reform and criminal justice].”
“When you look at the job of a state’s attorney, like that is a role that you absolutely need someone who’s able to hold police accountable and have the trust of black and brown people to do the job effectively.”
Naomi Runder
Organizer with People’s Lobby
Candidate Donna More said Foxx’s office has been undercharging criminals and stressed the need for pretrial detention for “the most dangerous among us.” Conway also emphasized the importance of balanced criminal justice reform. “We need to remember what the purpose of jail is,” Conway said. “Jail is a place for people that are a danger to the community. We don’t want to be putting people there who are poor, or addicted or mentally ill… However, if somebody commits a crime with a gun, somebody commits a violent crime, they need to go to jail.”
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6| News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
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Voting in the Illinois primary?
News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 7
By Brita Hunegs Staff Writer
Registration, early voting and polling places, explained
DATA FROM THE ILLINOIS CENSUS
The primary election in Illinois will take place on March 17, the same day many Illinoisans will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Primary elections often have historically lower turnout than general elections. In 2018, turnout for all eligible voters was just 19.9% compared with the historic general election turnout of 53% of all eligible voters, according to the census. In Illinois for the general election, 51.4% of eligible voters cast a ballot, while under half of those people voted in the primary. Unlike the general election, primaries don’t result in an election to office. They are used to narrow down who will appear on the ballot in November. Although it’s the most spotlighted election, there’s more at stake in the primary than just choosing a nominee for president. In Illinois there are contests in congressional, Statehouse, City Council and State’s Attorney races, to name a few. Before someone can take part in this consequential process, they need to register to vote. You can register to vote even on election day. If you’re from out of state and have previously registered somewhere else, you can still register to vote in Chicago. If you’re registered in suburban Illinois, you must still re-register with a Chicago address in order to vote in the city. Illinois is one of 25 states with an open primary, meaning you’re not required to affiliate with a political party. But, you can only vote on one of the party’s ballots.
Where to register
We’re past the online registration deadline, so with or without an Illinois ID, you must register in person. From today until March 16, there are locations in all 50 wards where you can register, and cast your ballot immediately after.
Where to vote
There are 2,069 precincts in Chicago, more than the entire state of Iowa. On March
17, you must go to the polling site for the precinct you live in in order to vote. But you may want to take advantage of Chicago’s early voting policy, which allows you to vote in any of the city’s 52 sites before election day. The closest location to the Lincoln Park campus is just right down the street at 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. in the Lincoln Park Library. In the Loop, you can vote at the Loop Super Site at 191 N. Clark St. On election day though, you must vote at the precinct polling place for the address you live at. To find your precinct polling site, visit Chicago Elections.gov and navigate to the “Your Voter Information” dropdown under the “Voting” menu. The site for students that live in DePaul’s on-campus housing is the Sullivan Athletic Center.
What to bring
You need two forms of identification to register to vote. One with proof of identity. This could be: - Passport or Military ID - Driver’s License or State ID card - College/University/School/Work ID - Vehicle registration card - Lease, mortgage or deed to home - Credit or debit card - Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid card - Insurance card - Civic, union or professional membership card - LINK/Public Aid/Department of Human Services card - Illinois FOID card Another, with proof of address. This could be: - Bill, Transcript or Report Card from School - Bank Statement, Pay Stub - Utility, Medical or Insurance Bill - Official mail from any government agency - For students living on campus, you could use your housing contract with the school.
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8 | News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
CAMPUS CRIME REPORT:
Feb. 19 - 25, 2020
LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS
LOOP CAMPUS
Richardson Library 3
2
6
Sanctuary Hall 1
10
Munroe Hall
Belden-Racine
Fullerton Train Platforn
Student Center
4
DePaul Center
5 2
Lewis Center
7 8
1
9
9
10
LINCOLN PARK CAMPUS FEB. 19 1) A Possession of Cannabis report was filed in Sanctuary Hall. 2) A Domestic Dispute was reported in Belden and Racine Hall regarding threats made involving roommates.
FEB. 22 3) A Theft report was filed for items taken from a person in the Richardson Library.
FEB. 24 4) A Possession
of Cannabis Paraphernalia report was filed in Munroe Hall.
Assault & Theft
Drug & Alcohol
FEB. 25 5) A Criminal Trespass Warning was given to a
person asked to leave the Student Center. 6) A Theft report was filed regarding a pickpocket incident that occurred on the Fullerton Train Platform.
Other
LOOP CAMPUS FEB. 20 7) A Disturbance was reported in the DePaul
Center. 8) A Criminal Trespass Warning was given to a person asked to leave the DePaul Center. 9) A Theft report was filed for items taken from a person in the DePaul Center.
FEB. 17 10) An
Assault report was filed regarding threats made to a person the University Center 7-Eleven. 11) A Theft report was filed for items taken from the Barnes & Noble at DePaul Center.
News. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 9
Newly-vacant 12th district seat catches the eyes of many By Patsy Newitt Asst. News Editor
The 12th district state representative seat is hotly contested. Big name candidate endorsements create a narrative of Mayor Lori Lightfoot vs. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, or the Chicago Tribune vs. the Sun-Times. Outside of the powerful endorsements and vying for constituent support is the fact that the seat is vacant for the first time in 24 years – it’s been held by Sara Feigenholtz since 1995. The 12th district constitutes a roughly five mile stretch of the lakefront through Uptown, Lakeview, the Gold Coast, Buena Park and Lincoln Park – including Boystown, Chicago’s LGBTQ neighborhood. After John Cullerton, former 12th district state senator, announced his retirement midterm, Feigenholtz sought and received the appointment to his state seat, leaving her representative seat vacant. In the event of a vacancy, an interim representative is appointed to act until the next election based on committeemen vote, weighted by how much of their ward is located in the district. Applicants included Margaret Croke, deputy chief of staff for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and former women’s outreach director for Pritzker’s campaign, and Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer, real estate agent and former community liaison for Congressman Mike Quigley. Also running is DePaul alumnus and attorney James “Jimmy” Garfield, who refused to apply for appointment, former director for Cook County Community Affairs Marty Malone, attorney Ryan Podges and Walgreen’s regional director Kim Walz, who also did not apply for the appointment.
Pizer received the appointment, which both Croke and Garfield said was no surprise. Pizer is backed by 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney who has 45 percent of the weighted vote. Pizer was sworn in mid-February and will hold onto the office until the general election March 17. The endorsements are fairly evenly split between Pizer and Croke, who have both been longtime donors to Illinois Democratic campaigns. Pizer is backed by an extensive list including Lightfoot, Quigley, Feigenholtz, Tunney, the Chicago Sun-Times and Sen. Tammy Baldwin. Croke is backed by a similarly extensive list including Pritzker, the Chicago Tribune, Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and 24th Ward Alderman Michael Scott Jr. While these big names could make the race appear adversarial, Croke said it’s rather a product of two candidates having prior relationships with high profile politicians. “The governor endorsing, I think, is a testament to the fact that he truly believes that I’m the best person for this job, and he knows me very well,” she said, “And I’m really honored to have his endorsement.” Croke has an extensive background in civic work, which she feels has lent herself to a good understanding of how policy is created and implemented. “I think that you can go down to Springfield with some great and lofty goals… But if you don’t understand where your funding sources are coming from or what the actual real life impact of that legislation is going to have – thinking about some of the side effects of legislation which have really great intentions, but also can simply adversely affect people,” she said.
From left to right: Margaret Croke, Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer and James “Jimmy” Garfield. Eli Stone, communications director for the Pizer campaign, feels Pizer’s big name backing, particularly from Feigenholtz and Tunney who represent the district, come from his roots in the community. Pizer has lived in the district for 27 years. “I think they know that we need somebody rooted in this community that knows the status of this community and knows the value of this community to do that,” he said.“... [Pizer] met his husband here. He has his kids here. He’s coached soccer here. Worshipped here. He’s actually started two small businesses here.” The committeeman-led appointment process has received criticism – several candidates called for a special election or placeholder because they consider the vote undemocratic and gives the incumbent an advantage. Croke is one of the critics. She applied to have the opportunity to reach voters in a district where many residents live in condominiums that prohibit door-knocking, and then withdrew her application before the vote. “I just used it as an opportu-
nity to talk with voters,” she said, “and I wanted to highlight the fact that this was a really bad system and that it was kind of disgraceful that we’re still doing this in Chicago because we already have a bad reputation for this kind of thing.” Stone said it was the only option. “I think it’s a process that again, while there are some flaws to it, I think that’s what we have,” he said. “And we have to find a way to work with it unless someone wants to figure out ways to reform it.” Stone added that special elections would cost candidates even more money in an already expensive race. As of publication, both Croke and Pizer’s campaigns have over $200,000 of cash on hand, according to Illinois Sunshine. Stone also said in the event of a vacancy, the district needs a representative, not a placeholder. “When you look at the good work that [Pizer] has gone down to do since Feb. 10, it’s making a difference in people’s lives,” he said, pointing to Pizer co-sponsoring legislation like the Clean Energy Jobs Act and sponsoring a 2 percent surcharge on firearm
ammunition. Garfield feels this adds to the incumbency advantage. “What Pizer has been doing, which is tactically smart in terms of campaigning, he’s slapped his name on as a co-sponsor,” he said. “He gets to say, ‘I’ve done this thing.’ Well, [in some cases] he didn’t do it. Somebody else drafted the bill. It’s already been proposed.” Both Garfield and Croke also pointed out that they plan to be full time legislators. Meanwhile, Pizer currently plans on continuing his position as a vice president of his and his husband’s real estate firm, the Brad Lippitz Group. Stone said Pizer does plan on taking a step back. “I won’t have any outside employment, which I think is important with conflicts of interest that you don’t have another something in the back of your head,” Croke said. “Even if I agree with you, I will think about the fact that you are voting on that piece of legislation and have a stake in it. That makes me uncomfortable.”
Play while you dine: Game board cafe now open By Emily Reilly Contributing Writer
Chicago Board Game Cafe officially opened its doors on Valentine’s Day, with a multitude of visitors booking the entire weekend in anticipation of the unique gaming entertainment and high-end cuisine. This restaurant, located in Logan Square near Bucktown, offers a vault of over 500 different board games, both old and new, with interactive table games that entail “gaming concierges” to help visitors play, and narrative-based escape rooms available for booking. The building’s atmosphere is designed in many different interior styles. Fluorescent string lights and greenery interface the beowulf-like drinking tavern, decorative structures are modeled like a European town square and elements of Chicago can be spotted in window murals. “It’s meant to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time,” said cafe co-founder and Director of Games and Retail Eric Garneau. Reservations are recommended, as the standard experience is to order your food, then afterwards, a game concierge will visit your table and help you learn “games on tap.” This is a series of seven different games
An inside view of the new Logan Square game cafe. that are easy to learn and fun for both large groups or just a table of two. Some games, like “Someone has Died” include elements of improv. “I loved the cafe!” said restaurant guest Quinn Rose. “I went there on a date night and I was a little worried that it wouldn’t be as fun with two people, but the game masters directed us to multiple two-person games that were incredibly engaging.” Up to 16 visitors can venture through
the escape rooms, which are creations of the House Theatre of Chicago. “The Last Defender” escape room has previously run around Chicago and Toronto, but will permanently run at the cafe. If you’re a fan of galactic adventure, nuclear war games, and 1980s computer graphic nostalgia, “The Last Defender” is the perfect choice. “Nova to Lodestar” will be available for guests in a few weeks, and is more of a science fiction-based experience.
This is Chicago’s first full service board game restaurant, inspired by other interactive experiences like Chicago’s Safehouse restaurant and Disney World’s Epcot. Garneau spoke about the cafe’s origin story, and how Cards Against Humanity co-creator and cafe co-founder, Max Temkin, “has always wanted to make a space that involved game and food, because those are the things that bring people together.” The menu consists of food from Vietnam, Mexico and Spain. Some stand out dishes are Bún with Chicken, Basbousa Financier butter cake, or sweet snack dishes like Marcona almonds and chocolate. “I think some people are thrown by the menu because it’s not what they would expect from a gaming restaurant,” Garneau said. “The menu is stuff that our food and beverage team, headed by Aaron McKay and Evan Behmer, ate on their world travels that made them feel at home. It’s unfussy, global comfort food.” The cafe is open from 4 p.m. to midnight every day except Monday, but looks to expand for brunch hours in the near future. Stop by for just a drink at the bar, or a night full of light-hearted rivalry and fun.
Nation &World
10 | Nation & World. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
JONATHAN AGUILAR | THE DEPAULIA
Demonstrators – many of them natives to the Dominican Republic – gathered at The Bean in Chicago on Feb. 27 to protest the recent suspension to elections in the nation.
Dominican Republic election suspension prompts protests By Hillary flores & Maria Guerrero La DePaulia Edittor-in-Chief & Managing Editor
A suspension made to Dominican Republic’s nationwide municipal elections prompted people from the Caribbean country to step out into what is said to be the heart of Chicago: The Bean. In the midst of casting ballots, Dominicans were informed by electoral board officials that there was an error with the electronic voting machine on Feb. 16 – causing anxiety, uncertainty and raising questions about possible corruption occurring within the Caribbean country. But on Thursday, Dominicans in Chicago decided to bring awareness to this by bringing about a peaceful protest held in solidarity outside of Millenium Park on their Independence Day. For some, the cold weather did not stop them from coming out to protest because their thoughts are said to always be with their people back home. “I came to college here in Chicago, but even if I’m here, I still think about the Dominican Republic,” said Maria Caamaño, 18, a native of Santo Domingo, who held up a sign that said her heart will always be with the Dominican Republic, even if she was far away. With upcoming presidential elections in May, the country has to make sure its electoral system works properly due to previous reports made commenting on “illegal campaigning” and “vote buying.” “They suspended the elections without giving the people an explanation as to why this was happening, nor did they assume their responsibility as to what was happening,” said Kenia Julissa Lopez, 31, another native of Santo Domingo. Julissa Lopez added that the government does not want to clarify the reason why there are so many suspensions not only amongst the vote, but also their own board, highlight-
ing what the people want: a valid explanation gime of the Dominican Liberation Party that for this reported failure. has been ruling since 2012,” Vásquez said. “The people’s complaints should be takVásquez said her family and friends in en into account,” Lopez said. “There’s always Santo Domingo are protesting everyday and something hidden. It’s always about hiding giving what they can for the cause and that something, and unfortunately, it’s not the she felt inspired to take it upon herself to orfirst time something like this happens in our ganize the demonstration. country.” “I feel angry and in pain — my country is She commented that protests over the hurting right now. I demand that they give us political situation have been happening since an explanation, give us transparency and that mid-February, and since their Independence the Central Electoral Board will step down,” Day was approaching, Vásquez said. Dominicans proposed “We want them there would be at least to leave, to step one million going out down because in streets protesting all everything in over the world. our country “Our people have is behind the risen and our now liftscenes. They ing their voices up,” she think we are not said. going to care, About 60 percent but Dominiof the country was cans all over the affected by this said world are wak“fraud” within ballots, ing up.” as reported by The New Through soYork Times, and as Locial media and pez mentioned, it realword of mouth, ly is “not the first time.” Vásquez said The general elecshe was able to Santo Domingo native unite a group of tion of 1990 in Dominican Republic dominicans in prompted protests and Cloud Gate. accusations of voter fraud after incumbent Although the island is small, said Joaquín Balaguer of the Social Christian Re- Vásquez, the impact is reaching worldwide formist Party won the elections. with demonstrations being held in cities like The victory of Balaguer led the Central Paris, Madrid, Miami and New York. Elections Authority to create a set of electoral “We hope to see democracy, transparenlaws in 1992. cy, our constitution be respected, our demMichelle Bueno Vásquez, 24, a resident ocratic rights be upheld and overall a govof Rogers Park and organizer of the peaceful ernment that will give back to the country,” demonstration, said she wants to let the Do- Vásquez said. minican government and the Central ElectorNicollette Alayon, 23, a resident of Roger al Board know the world is watching. Park, said she is demonstrating for the right “Dominicans believe this is another of fair elections. chance for the government to subbotage [our “It’s horrible and I am frustrated, but I’m voting rights] and maintain the current re- so proud of the people that live there, because
“There’s always something hidden. It’s always about hiding something, and unfortunately, it’s not the first time something like this happens in our country.”
Kenia Julissa Lopez
they are standing up and they are showing up in masses to the capital to show what they believe is right,” Alayon said. However, the Dominican Republic is not the only country in Latin America to have reported a “fraud” or “corruption” within their electoral system. Venezuela’s presidential elections were filled with a nation unraveling tensions between the opposition and the standing Maduro regime. Ana Romano, who volunteered as a witness in election for state governors, spoke with Reuter’s reporter Brian Ellsworth, and said that people from the Socialist party walked into voting booths and pretended to ‘assist’ voters – when in reality, it was a method of intimidation. But for Caamaño, the difference here is that Dominicans are trying to bring attention to it a lot earlier. “Already, Dominican people are fed up with the government’s disrespect towards our democracy,” she said. Yet, she is not the only one who feels this way. Paola Perez, 19, who was also born and raised in the Caribbean country, said what is currently happening is a disgraceful act from the government. “I think that what is happening now is extremely outrageous,” Perez said. “These are things that have happened many times before and I believe that for the first time in a long time we’re [protesting] and we’re doing it with pride.” Julissa Lopez added that what they fear is the situation in the Dominican Republic will someday reach a point of complete chaos. “What we’re scared of is that it will continue to transform itself into a situation that will later lead us into ruin, which unfortunately happened in Venezuela,” she said. “Although we are here, our roots are still there... We continue to invest in our country.”
Nation & World. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 11 SYRIA continued from front younger Al-Assad would be more humane. However, in the 11 years after his tenure began, Bashar cultivated a reputation as an autocrat just as, if not more, unsparing as his late father. He impeded any democratic processes that might result in his removal from office and reared brutality by preventing dissidents from leaving the country, torturing and murdering them. Dissatisfaction with the authoritarian leadership, mixed with economic tensions exacerbated by climate-induced displacement and lack of resources, bred fertile ground for Syrians to spark a revolution. Political dissent has always been one of Mahou’s guiding principles. He said his father originally left Syria for Lebanon after its regime targeted him for his opposition to it. Mahou began organizing by creating a Facebook page titled “The Syrian Revolution Against Assad.” He set up a meeting in February; no one showed up. Then another, with the same result. Finally, on March 15, 2011, about 25 men and women joined him at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus. They chanted tunes of protest in the mosque, then trickled outside and marched down the Ottoman-era bazaar that served as a hub of commerce and socialization in the city. “Everybody was silent. You could only hear our voices. Everybody was scared to death,” Mahou said. “That’s the most amazing kind of fear that can be instilled, of just witnessing somebody doing something against the government.” Only minutes later, Al-Assad’s military stormed through the market and the protest disbanded, Mahou said. Two days later, he and his father joined a demonstration at the Interior Ministry. Mahou was horrified by the bloodbath he saw when, again, the police raided the protest and began beating the participants. As the protests spread across the country, Al-Assad began to escalate his counterattacks, which in turn drove the desire to oust him from power. “I lost fear when the revolution started. When they killed people, we weren’t scared; it was fuel. They made us more angry,” Mahou said. As the conflict grew from weeks into months and from hundreds of people to thousands, Mahou continued to organize. He said he was contacted by the United States government to help them understand and verify the situation and identify rebel groups that weren’t too radical to work on common efforts with. Cécil Shea, senior fellow on Global Security and Diplomacy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, said this was a frequent measure taken during that time. “One of the things the U.S. government was trying to do was bring some of the groups that were not so extreme, that the U.S. would have liked those to come to power, together to have meetings with the leaders and to have them coordinate,” Shea said. Mahou pledged to himself to always remain nonviolent. “We’re not killing Assad, we’re killing each other,” Mahou said, reflecting on his thoughts at the time. “If I met my maker I wanted to say I tried, I put all my might and power into this without causing more harm.” His conviction was compounded by personal loss. During one march, he was walking next to a friend when the man was shot by police. “He died in my arms,” Mahou said. “I’ve seen a life be taken away. I cannot put that pain on somebody else.” Three thousand miles away in England, foreign news correspondent James Longman’s life was about to be altered by the stirring strife in Syria. Longman has now traveled to countries around the world for his work with ABC and The BBC. But in 2011, he was just a student studying the Middle East.
JONATHAN AGUILAR | THE DEPAULIA
Mahou sits in office at DePaul University, where he now works as a full stack developer. In 2011, Mahou was focal in creating a grassroots movement that helped spark the revolution in Syria.
“Everybody was silent. You could only hear our voices. Everybody was scared to death. That’s the most amazing kind of fear that can be instilled, of just witnessing somebody doing something against the government.”
Emad Mahou
Full stack developer at DePaul University Longman went to Syria to do research for his thesis, but began freelancing for British press after realizing that as a student, his presence wouldn’t alert authorities like credentialed reporters would. He was connected with Emad through a Syrian academic living in London. He said the reason he’s a journalist today is because of the work he did in Syria — which he said was made possible by Mahou. “Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything,” Longman said. “He was someone who I could trust because in that very hectic environment, you know, you never know who you’re with.” Mahou connected Longman with sources and got him from town to town, safehouse to safehouse — all the while making sure they weren’t being trailed by the government. As rebellion turned into full-out war, Mahou essentially became a spokesperson for the rebellion. Because he was fluent in English, active online and had information from the ground, he became a source for journalists overseas, giving accounts of the turmoil happening around him. In one such interview with SkyNews, the journalist ended the segment by thanking Mahou, attributing him with his first and last name. That mistake gave the regime a face and a name to attach to the movement. About a week later, he was apprehended by police. He said he was then imprisoned for over 100 days. He was tortured for many of them. “They zip tied me to a small bar and left me standing there for two days,” Mahou said, illustrating one of the more painful stretches of his imprisonment. He said he doesn’t know why he was released, but guessed that because he didn’t
crack under torture, the police thought he’d provide them more information on the rebels if they let him go and surveilled him. Instead, he went into hiding, harbored for two months by a family to whom he said he owes his life. During that time, his father was arrested and four of his cousins were killed. He knew he couldn’t openly organize anymore without risking rearrest or endangering others. He had to leave Syria. With aid, he illegally crossed into Jordan, and reached the Zaatari Refugee Camp in ArRamtha. After five days in the camp, he went to Amman, where he stayed for six months until obtaining status as a political asylee, making it possible for him to immigrate to the U.S. At the time, Mahou knew of three U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. He deemed New York too big and Los Angeles too crowded, so he settled on Chicago. He ignored state department officials who warned him that Chicago might be too cold. “Holy god this is cold,” he recalls thinking during his first January in Chicago. When he arrived in July 2012, he walked out of O’Hare with $203 in his pocket. The nonprofit World Relief picked him up at the airport and set him up in an apartment in Albany Park, with one month of rent covered. The architecture credits he’d amassed meant nothing because the Syrian government wouldn’t recognize them. While transitioning into his new life, Mahou was also assisting people in their transition from place to place. His first job was driving people between gates at the airport. In 2014, he went back to school, this time for computer science, knowing it was an education that could make him a living. He was
hired at DePaul after graduating. But Mahou never lost his political roots. He joined DePaul’s Staff Council, the governing body that advocates on behalf of all the non-faculty staff of the university. He’s now applying for law school, hoping to become a defense attorney. “I want to fight for people again, the people who don’t have a voice,” he said. In 2018, Mahou became a U.S. citizen and voted for the first time in the midterm election of that year. Watching Donald Trump’s rise to power, he said he’s reminded of the regime he battled back in Syria. It has made civic engagement something he’s passionate about. He delivered a speech on the topic when he gave a TEDxTalk last year. “You can’t just rely on saying we’ll always be a democratic nation, we’ll never be an autocracy,” he said. “The greatest democracy we have is the one we choose for ourselves and we protect it by voting for it.” But against his own advice, he said that in the upcoming election he won’t vote for the Democratic nominee unless it’s Bernie Sanders. Ultimately, he wants to hold public office himself and plans to run for Congress one day. “I want to play on the big stage,” he said “I want to bring the same rebel fire into the U.S. Congress.” Although the two haven’t kept in touch over the years, Longman isn’t surprised to hear of Emad’s ambitions. “He’s a very bright, driven and passionate guy, and he’s been through a lot,” Longman said. “I can well imagine that that would be a path and because he’s done so much more in his young life than most people will ever do in their lifetimes.” For now, Mahou will continue updating interfaces and fixing computer bugs by day and playing with his young daughter, Sophia, by night. But his experiences have shown him that no circumstance lasts forever, he said. “In 2012, I was pushing people from gate to gate in O’Hare Airport,” Mahou said. “Six months before that, I was leading a revolution in the heart of Damascus. Today, I am building sites for the DePaul trustees. In 10 years, I could be a DePaul trustee. “You’re the captain of your soul; you shape your future.”
12 | Opinions. The DePaulia. March 2 , 2020
Opinions Nevertheless, she purchased Women’s History Month is a breeding ground for corporations to cash in on an important cause By Camille Koch Contributing Writer
As February fades, taking its pink hearts and red ribbons, March rears its head, and with it, the color pink takes on a whole new meaning. If it hasn’t been clear to you yet, it will be astoundingly clear when you visit a Target or listen to the radio. This month and this month only, women are able to crawl out of the professional holes men have dug for them, food chains will acknowledge women like no woman ever asked for and stores like Target will throw up pink for the masses. Yes, you guessed it, it’s Women’s History Month. Women’s History Month started out as Women’s History Week in 1981 when congress passed a law requesting President Ronald Reagan to proclaim it during the week of Oct. 7. It wasn’t until March 1987 that the whole month was put aside in celebration of the history of women, according to Women’s History Month’s official page. Consistently throughout the years, businesses have used this as a marketing strategy. Two years ago in 2018, for example, McDonald’s flipped their sign upside down to form a “W” in “celebration of women everywhere,” according to Business Insider. McDonald’s also turned their logo upside down on both Twitter and Instagram. While this may have been the greatest feat in sign history, it doesn’t do much to address the actual issues women face in society and the reasons we have Women’s History Month in the first place. No matter how many times you flip a sign, it will never lead to the advancement of women or the end of gender discrimination. According to Business Insider, McDonald’s did this: “In honor of the extraordinary accomplishments of women everywhere and especially in our restaurants.” I believe that there are better ways to do this. Like, for example, fixing gender discrimination in your own company. McDonald’s has faced scrutiny very recently for sexual harassment claims. According to Vox, more than two dozen women filed sexual harass-
ment complaints against the company in May 2019. At the time, 30 percent of McDonald’s officer positions were held by women while 41 percent of director level positions were held by women globally, according to the McDonald’s Newsroom. Like McDonald’s, other companies fall very short of any long-lasting campaigns supporting women. Most companies seem to fail at creating any actual change. “If you’re going to be involved in something like this, be involved in it. It is not a one-time short promotion,” says Dan Azzaro, a marketing professor at DePaul. This is the difference between cause marketing and a transactional marketing style, Azzaro said. Cause marketing takes its support for causes a step further than just giving 1 cent of your pur-
chase to a cause. “If companies are gonna [get involved], they gotta be involved not just on the financial side but they have to show their support for these [movements], Azzaro said. Women’s History Month isn’t the only movement businesses feed on. Practically each month has a celebration that businesses take full advantage of. In April, businesses start caring for the environment. In June, storefronts are stuffed to the brim with rainbow clothes and ever-inclusive ads, only to be completely abandoned come fall. Breast Cancer Awareness month in October has led to pinkwashing, or the commodification of breast cancer. It is important to question the circumstances of when the business’ involvement in the movement began. Although racism, gender discrimination, homophobia and breast cancer have been around since the beginning of time, most businesses didn’t show their support until very recently.
“It makes it look like you’re jumping on a bandwagon. Like, you were never there for women’s rights before, you were never there for pride rights before. Recognize that, 25 years ago, there weren’t many national advertisements, except maybe for alcohol, in the pride parade,” Azzaro said. “Now, everyone’s involved and now you see companies like Honeymaid Graham Crackers involved.” This convenient support of different rights isn’t lost on consumers. “I feel like the [the advertisements] are superficial. Sometimes it’s good-natured but the way it’s presented sometimes makes it seem not genuine,” says Alyssa Gregorash, a freshman at DePaul. “It’s a double-edged sword,” says Gaby Ramos, another freshman at DePaul. “In the 1950s, you would never see this type of response from companies. But it is nice that they are acknowledging women, they’re acknowledging the LGBTQ community and that’s good but they’re using it to profit off these groups.” While some companies fail to convince consumers, some companies seem to be genuinely giving back to their cause. Marketing campaigns like Stacy’s Rise campaign which gives a portion of their profits to female-owned businesses, Toms campaign that gives a pair of shoes for each pair sold and Haagen Dazs’ honey bee campaign show that long-lasting support for a movement is possible year-round. In a time where women and minorities are finally able to speak out against hate, it isn’t enough for businesses just to go along with it. Businesses need to implement long-lasting changes and it’s our job as consumers to make sure this happens. GRAPHICS BY ANNALISA BARANOWSKI
Opinions. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 13
Weinstein: where do we go from here? By Rebecca Meluch Focus Editor
The recent verdict of Harvey Weinstein’s sex crimes is an event that many rape and sexual assault survivors, as well as followers and advocates for the #MeToo movement, will hopefully never forget. The split verdict of being guilty of felony rape and sex crime, but not guilty of more serious charges such as predatory sexual assault makes people question what this latest event will have on the future trials of sex crimes around the U.S. Although Weinstein’s conviction is a triumph to those brave people –especially the women who spoke out against him –and a leap of progress for the #MeToo movement, it should be seen as a momentous win, but one that causes more urgency for further movement. Weinstein’s verdict was only a slap of the wrist to him, only being a maximum of a 25-year-sentence – it does not add up to the lifetime of pain his victims will have to face. In January 2015, Brock Turner, a former Stanford student, sexually assaulted a woman behind a dumpster during a college fraternity party. He was sentenced for six months of jail and only served behind bars for three. His short sentencing led many to fear that when it came to sexual assault, men wouldn’t be held accountable for their actions. Perhaps Weinstein’s 25-year sentence is a step in the right direction for holding men more responsible for their actions, but with all of his money and financial support, there’s no doubt that he will be released from prison early, like Turner was. Abusers are everywhere, and those that are more monetarily powerful will always try to protect themselves and their predatory partners. But this latest conviction will surely set course for a new landscape for survivors of sexual assault – one that needs the consistent support and fight given by the #MeToo movement and empowered survivors.
What does his short conviction mean for the Hollywood industry itself? Will positions of power continue to conduct business more secretly and strictly, will more women begin to speak up, or will money be used to bribe for easier punishments? Perhaps it will open up a new era for the entertainment industry and for the empowerment of women and sexual assault victims. “It does actually feel like a turning point to me. Because so many women said literally ‘me too,’ finally it couldn’t be ignored. I’m hopeful,” said Damon Kiely, chair of performance at DePaul’s theatre school. “I imagine that men are finally on notice. I don’t see this movement moving backwards but only forward.” Chanel Miller, formerly known as Emily Doe in the Brock Turner case, is a leader of the #MeToo movement, one that shed her animosity to bring strength and leadership to those who suffered right alongside her. She’s a powerful example of how the movement is so empowering and so important to stay in tact. Just like how the #MeToo movement flourished in 2015, hopefully it will continue to gain momentum now after Weinstein’s trial.
ART BY ALICIA GOLUSZKA
“I think this is something that can, and I hope will have positive long term effects in giving people, especially giving women more confidence that their concerns will be heard,” said Christopher Parrish, a professor of cinematic arts. “Not just their concerns but their experiences, their trauma and attacks will be taken more seriously.” “It’s really no secret how abusive Harvey Weinstein has been to his employees and others for years,” Parrish said. “People weren’t necessarily privy to all of that but there’s no possible way that all of this just happened in a vacuum where only Harvey was responsible and no one else knew about it in that company – not a chance.” Weinstein’s trial is an obvious victory for the #MeToo movement and those who are victims of Weinstein and other Hollywood and entertainment executives. But hopefully one victory will not lay it to rest for those future victims and women who are always at risk of sexual assault, rape and predators in any field of work. “This is misogyny, toxic misogyny in the workplace with sexual harassment against women, in some cases against
men, not many, has been going on for a very long time,” Parrish said. “It is an incredibly positive step of what has happened – that Weinstein is seeing jail time – but in terms of him getting off on the more serious charges, it’s disappointing. But at least there is some morsel of justice that the survivors can take solace in and find some positivity in this predator being put behind bars, but honestly I think he just got off way,way too easily. I don’t think this monster should ever be able to see the light of day again.” It can be agreed on by many that Weinstein’s sentence is deemed too short for his actions, but there’s no doubt that at least some justice was brought. “Although I wish his sentence was longer, I think, in his case specifically, justice was served,” said DePaul junior Anne Toner. “His name has been disgraced from Hollywood and he will forever represent an abuser.” Weinstein’s case and conviction sent out a clear message that the behavior and actions he took part in will no further be tolerated in any field of work – but with the help and future progress of the #MeToo movement, no victim will have to stand alone. The movement must remain strong and intact – although this is an act of victory, it cannot dwindle away and be forgotten about over time. “My biggest hope is that people don’t forget about this, I hope that #MeToo doesn’t just fade away in a few years and become that thing that happened for that short period of time and then have these predators back to their usual practices.” Parrish said. “I hope that this is something that creates a positive permanence in people to feel comfortable and respected and safe in the workplace.” Harvey Weinstein’s trial and conviction is a momentous achievement against sexual assault and predators in the workplace, but it’s simply only the beginning of a new era brought to empower the victims of sexual assault. The bravery and strengths of voices of the #MeToo movement can never let go of its battle – it’s not over yet.
Culture of dread By Fatima Zaidi Contributing Writer
Climate change, terrorist attacks, mass shootings, sex crimes, coronavirus, racist and discriminatory words bolded in black ink and plastered across pages or online. We are living in a time where trials and tribulations continue to accelerate at a fearfully alarming rate, and the feeling of hopelessness on the individual level continues to rise during what seems to be an endless wave of tumultuous headlines. In a time where resources and technology are so advanced that the entire world is placed at our fingertips, every day the world has a new story to tell and more often than not, the stories carry tales of human suffering, from genocide, to disease, to poverty. “There have been many headlines that have led me to feel a sense of hopelessness,” said DePaul junior Sugra Haq. “The most heartbreaking headline for me to read was an Al Jazeera article that covered the poverty in Yemen. It’s the world’s most severe [humanitarian] crisis and no one is batting an eye.” It becomes overwhelming and even
scary when pictures of wailing mothers, violent riots and the innocent demanding justice play across television and computer screens worldwide like an endless film strip. Some then ask the simple question “is it really that hard to be kind?” Or, “whatever happened to talking things out?” The questions vary, but the sentiment echoes across the world: when will it end? “By its choice of phrasing, a headline can influence your mindset as you read so that you later recall details that coincide with what you were expecting,” says Maria Konnikova, a writer for the New Yorker. There’s no denying that the headline is what sets the tone for an article, but provocative headlines have equal impact, if not more, on the person’s mindset from the beginning of the story until the end. Humans, because of our natural tendency toward negativity, also have a tendency to pay more attention to things that are threatening or dangerous, says Carolyn Gregoire, a writer for the Huffington Post. Although the headlines do not shy away from providing the gruesome details that reside in the truth of the story, it’s the same headlines that ultimately serve as a call for action, for all of humanity.
Dr. Zainab Baig, a medical expert in internal medicine mentioned that “due to the heightened stress of watching/reading anxiety-provoking headlines, it can further cause heightened responses to stress within our bodies leading to ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma and a variety of cardiovascular disorders.” While the headlines continue to become and more perilous as the world continues to erupt in discrimination and hatred, raising your voice becomes the pinnacle in installing global change. The key thing to alleviate your feeling of hopelessness is to talk about the headlines. Engage in discussions and allow a community of people to share their concern and their fears over what’s happening in the world. “I feel that assumptions are made often of minorities within the DePaul
ART BY ALICIA GOLUSZKA
community. My hope is that we’d ask more questions and really find out more and educate ourselves about things that are new to us,” said DePaul junior Angelica Bidwill. Today’s journalists perform important duties of showcasing stories of the untold to the world from different provinces and backgrounds. We can take that feeling of hopelessness and we can use it to make our efforts and our voice resonate throughout the globe. You don’t have to be a hard news reporter that uncovers major events as they unfold; or a person trained for combat to fight for freedom, liberty and justice, because empowerment stems from you and your voice. With hard work, a sense for what is right and what is wrong, we can ultimately become that change we wish to see in the world.
Focus
14 | Focus. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
Get in the loop
Explore the lesser-known spots around DePaul's Loop Camp By Madelyne Garcia Contributing Writer
DePaul University, as a city school, has much to offer its students. The Loop campus exposes students to the exciting and diverse city of Chicago. There are a multitude of places to discover, and there are several spots near the Loop campus that few students know about. The Loop campus is not thought of as DePaul’s main campus, however it is unique in the advantages it provides students. As the third largest city in America, Chicago is the perfect spot for adventures and opportunities. As DePaul students explore the corners of the city, many have found places that have proved to be useful. DePaul student Su Nandar came across a spot recently that has become her favorite place for studying and meditation. The Art Institute’s South Garden, located near Michigan Avenue and Jackson Boulevard, offers a quiet place in the middle of the bustle of the city. “It’s nice to relax and get away,” Nandar said. “When you’re in the garden, the whole outside world disappears and it’s like entering a secret world.” The garden offers a scenic view of trees and plants planted in square formations throughout the spot. At the back stands a sculpture called the “Fountain of the Great Lakes,” which displays several nymphs pouring water onto each other, representing the Great Lakes and emulating the flow of the water system. “You don’t see or hear cars, just the trees and the fountain; it’s very nice,” Nandar said. “It makes me happy.” Quiet and serene places are treasured for studying spots by many DePaul students. There are a multitude of places around campus that provide a nice space. DePaul student Fabiola Horta shared one more spot to add to the list. Horta likes to study on the very top floor of the Harold Washington Library. “It’s nice, very relaxed and quiet,” Horta said. “There’s a bunch of plants, natural light and it all makes you feel really calm.” DePaul’s Loop campus also has its own little studying nook with a view, according to DePaul student Elizabeth Bradley. The spot known as the “skybridge” is located on the 10th floor of the DePaul Center. The space is a bridge with chairs and windows on both sides, providing a scenic view of Chicago. “I like going to the skybridge for the view mostly and it’s quiet there as well,” Bradley said. “It’s the best for reading because there’s no tables and I like to spread out.” There’s more places to go on the Loop campus besides studying spots. The Ray Meyer Fitness Center, located at the Lincoln Park campus, offers DePaul students four floors of studios and exercise equipment. However, as DePaul student Adrian Maldonado points out, there is also a DePaul gym
on the Loop campus. The gym is located on the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Wabash Avenue, in the basement of the College of Computing and Digital Media building. Maldonado spends a lot of time on the Loop campus, so he has started to prefer this gym. “It’s convenient because it’s right across the street, and not a lot of people go there so there’s more chances to use the utilities there,” Maldonado said. The gym consists of one floor, two rooms and locker rooms. One room is a space filled with mirrors, dumbbells and some other yoga equipment. The other room is a large space with exercise and heavy-lifting machines. Due to its location, many DePaul students aren’t aware of its existence. “I had no idea it was there until my co-worker told me about it,” Maldonado said. “I rarely ever see people go there, but it really is a nice gym.” During the cold and brutal winter months in Chicago, commuting between DePaul’s campuses can become difficult and tiresome. While there are a few ways to shorten the time spent outside, DePaul student Michael Zapata suggests a useful one. The Downtown Chicago Pedestrian Walkway, also referred to as the Pedway, is a network of tunnels underground that run to different parts of the downtown area. The entrances and exits are connected to stores, restau-
rants and train stations, such For DePaul students, it ca class, instead of enduring the “It’s a good way to get aro the metra,” Zapata said. “It’s g when it’s slow.” For those who are not fam navigate through the tunnels internet and in the tunnels, th from getting lost. “Not a lot of people know “If you know what’s above yo streets are above you.” Food is a pleasure for ma place to eat, especially if the L students, however, know the campus. DePaul student Ylainis Ba restaurant, located on the cor provides plenty of food optio “It was really good and th explain the whole restaurant was delicious and I couldn’t fi Walking in the opposite d rant recommended by DePau Peri, located near Wabash an that serves flame-grilled chic is a nice change from the din “They serve the best chick world,” McKinney said. “No t different locations around tow If a change from restaura recommends Cafecito. The C and Wabash Avenue and it is coffee. “Their coffee and breakfa said. “It gives off a good vibe with the cooks in Spanish on nection.” Chicago’s diversity and si tunity to explore and be expo in the Loop, and never stop t
Focus. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 15
ART BY ALICIA GOLUSZKA | THE DEPAULIA
pus
h as the one linked to the Lake Red Line station. an be an alternate route from train stations to e cold weather outside. ound, especially if you’re in the loop or take good when it’s cold outside and it beats traffic
GRAPHICS BY GINA RICARDS | THE DEPAULIA
miliar with the Loop, it can be difficult to s. However, there are maps available, on the hat can prevent someone new to the Pedway
w about it so it’s not that crowded,” Zapata said. ou, you won’t get lost. The signs tell you what
any. Sometimes it can be hard to find a good Loop campus is not familiar. Some DePaul ins and outs of where to get good food near
abio suggests giving the Burger Bar a try. The rner of Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road, ons and boasts a chic modern design. hey really cater to you,” Babio said. “They and you can build your own burger. The food finish all of it.” direction of the Burger Bar is another restauul student Mattie McKinney. Nando’s Perind Monroe, is an Afro-Portugese restaurant cken in spicy chilli sauce. McKinney said that it ning food at the Student Center. ken dishes and the ambiance is out of this two Nando’s are alike so it’s fun to pop into wn for a quick bite and check out the scene.” ants is needed, DePaul student Jennifer Garcia Cuban cafe is located near Ida B. Wells Drive s a cafe that serves authentic Cuban food and
ast sandwiches are really good there,” Garcia and it’s very welcoming. I can communicate n a more genuine level and it’s more of a con-
ize gives DePaul University students the opporosed to all kinds of neat spots. Keep an eye out rying to discover new places.
XAVIER ORTEGA | THE DEPAULIA
Top left: The fitness center located in the basement of DePaul CDM building. Top right: The glass ceiling of the Winter Garden in Harold Washington Library. Bottom: The sitting areas of the Winter Garden.
Arts & Life
16 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
Festival frenzy Pitchfork celebrates 15th anniversary with festival kickoff CATHARINE RYAN | THE DEPAULIA
A group performs at Pitchfork’s kickoff event as the festival prepares to celebrate its 15th anniversary. “Pitchfork is really run by Chicagoans,” said Spencer Tweedy, musician.
By Paul Gordon Contributing Writer
Draped festival banners, archival merch and memories of past summers defined Pitchfork Festival’s 15th year anniversary kickoff. The festival hosted two free kickoff concerts on Feb. 20 after the lineup was announced on Feb. 19 headlining Spencer Tweedy, Dehd and Ohmme. This year’s Chicago festival will be held on July 17- 19th at Union Park and will showcase up-and-coming bands and seasoned mainstage performers. General admission tickets are going for $75 for a single day and $185 for a three-day pass. The festival organizers will host events around the city at “storied institutions” and collaborate with some of their favorite venues and artists. “We want to participate in a shared vision of arts in the community,” said Kris English, marketing director for Festivals and Activations at Pitchfork. “I think a lot of people are nostalgic for the first festival that they went to. I think those emotions are pretty powerful and tapping into that makes a lot of sense for the 15th year.” Since 2006, Tame Impala, A Tribe Called Quest, Wilco, Kendrick Lamar and Vampire Weekend have all headlined at Pitchfork. This year, Run the Jewels, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The National are on the main stage. “All of the flags decorating the court are the stage décor from the 2012 festival,” said Marina Kozak, experiential creative director at Pitchfork. “People think I went with high school prom as an aesthetic because I wanted to. Even though
I love it, it’s vintage stuff and we are repurposing it.” Set at the Chicago Athletic Association’s Stage Court, the kickoff offered Chicago staples by serving Chicago-style hot dogs and Goose Island beer. It brought new and veteran Pitchfork goers who remembered back to the festival’s early days. “It used to be easy to sneak beer in the festival,” said Scott Sachnofft, who attended the festival six times. “The main thing was you used to be able to bring a fold up chair. It made it easy to hide cans of beer and walk right in. Now we bring blankets. Probably for the better.” As the festival grows more and more popular, Pitchfork organizers hold on to the roots of the Chicago-based festival. “[Pitchfork] is really run by Chicagoans,” Spencer Tweedy, a Chicago-based songwriter and drummer. “It’s never been anything other than its roots. It’s booked by people who have their ear to the ground.” What began as a festival showcasing primarily indie rock has now expanded to include more hip-hop, pop and metal in recent years. “We’ve stayed true to our roots of promoting independent music that maybe a lot of people don’t know about,” English said. “That’s true to our core. And hopefully continue for the next 15 years.” Championing itself as a welcoming, comfortable and reasonably priced festival, Pitchfork Festival makes an effort to work with local businesses and promote the Chicago arts and food community as a whole. During Chicago-based Ohmme’s set, singer and guitarist Sima Cunningham
CATHARINE RYAN | THE DEPAULIA
The festival has expanded to include hip-hop, pop and metal in its thanked Pitchfork Festival for being the first time with the band NE-HI, which “Biggest employer of broke artists.” has since broken up. “I’ve worked for the festival for al“The best thing about playing the most 12 years now,” Cunningham said. Pitchfork festival is that they have a “I was 19 when I started. They employ a barista who will serve you any kind of lot of musicians because it was founded coffee that you want backstage,” he said. by them.” “Aside from that, I am excited to play on With the rapid pace at which new the big stage and show the world what we music is released, organizers search for got.” new artists in a variety of different ways. “Playing Pitchfork is a really big deal “We all have diverse tastes in music to me,” Bolla’s bandmate Emily Kempf and we bring that difference to the fore- said. “It’s like, alright, we’ve arrived to a front,” English said. “It’s collaborating, level of ‘bandom’ now. I feel like it’s the communicating and being open to the beginning of great things.” music taste of our coworkers so that we Pitchfork festival organizers say that can uncover new artists collectively and you can expect more 15th year anniverhave the heart to promote them.” sary events to roll out before the festival Chicago indie rock trio Dehd will be in July. Event announcements will be playing the festival on Friday where sing- made in late March on their website. er and guitarist, Jason Bolla, will appear for the second time. Bolla played for the
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 17
Not just a wife Celebrating the women behind famous men By Rebecca Meluch Focus Editor
I’m tired of the expression, “Behind every great man there is a woman.” We’ve heard all of the cliches before, “behind every great man there’s a woman rolling her eyes,” or “behind every great man there is a woman keeping him in line.” We’ve seen all of the classic depictions of women being referred to as the persistent and lingering wife or the intefering mother. But believe it or not, there’s a different way we should look at the women that are “behind every great man,” more than just referring to them as wives of great men. So many of these women are overshadowed by a man’s representation and sadly, it’s quite exhausted through history. There’s a reason so many amazing women are concealed of their accomplishments and misrepresented through society, a reason that DePaul professor of English, Michele Morano can explain. “You’re right that great men often have strong women behind them,” she said. “Traditional gender roles -–with men working in the public sector while women worked in the private sector as mothers, wives, homemakers – meant fewer opportunities for women to pursue art, literature, science, etc.” All of these women have accomplishments and journeys of their own, ones that should stand out and stand aside from the men in their lives and their own successes. Often these women have reached to greater levels of accomplishments than their male companions whose names and images are remembered and mentioned more emphatically than her own through history. We can’t keep these women placed on a mantle behind their husbands, but we should bring them forth, ride alongside where they should be. As National Women’s History month kicks off, here is a little tribute to the great women who shouldn’t be placed behind their great men, but alongside, front and center. Jackie Kennedy, also known as “Jackie O” is one of the most well-known first ladies. Although Jackie presumed the title as “the first lady” and is known for being the wife of the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, she was an impressive self-made woman. After attending Vassar University, the Sorbonne, and George Washington University, Jackie O’s first job was working as a reporter for the Washington Times-Herald in
1952 where she was the paper’s “Inquiring Photographer.” Just like any other reporter, she was traveling the streets of D.C. asking strangers for their opinions on everything from politics all the way to personal relationships. She was even heard asking the question, “Do you think a wife should let her husband think he’s smarter than she is?” On top of being a fashionable trendsetter, a fluent speaker of Spanish, French, and Italian, a successful and avid book editor, she even opened up a school inside the White House. Right up on the mantle next to the other women who were placed behind their great men is Coretta Scott King. Known as the “First Lady of the Civil Rights movement” and wife of Martin Luther King Jr., King worked with her husband all throughout his life and even took up his platform after his assassination. Many people acknowledge Coretta’s accomplishments alongside those of her husband, as powerful, impactful, and beautiful – as they should. But Coretta on her own is a woman that deserves the utmost recognition for her committed activism and fight for the oppressed and underrepresented people in the world. Yes she was a mother, wife, a civil rights activist and organizer but she was also so much more than we commonly know about. She was a singer, a violinist, an early protestor of the Vietnam War and Apartheid, as well as a world traveler and a proponent of gay rights. We look back and think of her and see her great husband come up in our minds, but Coretta Scott King should never be a woman who is affiliated standing behind her husband. Right next to Coretta Scott King and Jackie O are a bunch of other amazing women who are often underrepresented and stuck in the shadows behind the great men in their lives. Eleanor Roosevelt was the first presidential spouse to hold press conferences as well as speak at a national convention. Although assuming the role of the first lady, she was in fact outspoken and often openly disagreed with some of her husband’s policies and views. She worked with the Red Cross during the first world war as well as the Women’s Trade Union League, fighting for the 48-hour work week, minimum wage as well as the riddance of child labor. Winnie Mandela was named the “Mother of the Nation” as she held on to her strong presence during the apartheid conflict. At one point during her activism, she was de-
tained, tortured, and placed under house arrest and kept in solitary confinement. Mileva Einstein- Maric herself was also an accomplished physicist, but after the birth of her and Albert Einstein’s children she was constricted of her lifetime work. But although her research was cut short, she can be credited for much of Einstein’s work as well. These women are all connected to accomplished, respected, and remembered men, but let us not forget all of their own astonishing successes. Although women in history are often forgotten about or overshadowed by the successes of their husbands, there have been waves of feminism that have allowed powerful women to shine and take their seat front in center alongside their husbands. DePaul associate professor of history and art, Joanna Gardner-Huggett further explained how waves of feminism have allowed women, especially women artists and historians to obtain the acknowledgment of their successes. “Thanks to the feminist discourses taking hold in the late 1960s, artists, curators, historians and critics began to challenge the art world’s misogyny,” she said. “Feminists not only engaged in activism, but mentored the next generations of female artists, curators, and historians. The continued intergenerational dialogue among feminists, and mentoring, is essential to the increased number of successful female artists and leadership of women in museums and the art world more broadly.” Lauren Lewis, a second year student at DePaul agrees with Gardner- Huggett. “I think that the original first wave feminists were the ones to push women out of the “trophy wife” ideas,” she said. “I think women today are inspired by countless strong women who have pushed to be where they are now. I also think women today are inspired by the idea of creating a better future for themselves and the women to come after us.” It’s from these waves of feminism and historically acknowledged women that today we can recognize the inspirational and hard-working female figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Michelle Obama, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Where there is a man, there might be a woman. But where there is a great woman, there doesn’t have to be a man alongside her overshadowing all of her triumphs and impacts on our society.
Facts about the women By Keira Wingate Asst. Arts & Life Editor
1. Jackie Kennedy Jackie was a lifelong equestrienne – a female horseback rider or performer on horseback. By the time she was three years old, she was supposedly a skilled horseback rider. By 11 she had won multiple championships. Before ever marrying Kennedy, Jackie actually was first in the White House at the age of 12. 2. Coretta Scott King Coretta was the valedictorian of her high school class. After, she went to New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied concert singing. Both she and her husband agreed with Gandhi’s non-violent principles. 3. Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor was a lover of field hockey. She’s known to have said that the best day of her life was when she made her private school’s field hockey team. Female journalists were excluded from serious media when her husband was president, so Eleanor helped level the playing field by hosting ladies-only press conferences. 4. Winnie Mandela Winnie came from a large family and was the fourth of nine children; she had seven sisters and one brother. She was at the top of her class in school and was the head girl at Shawbury High School. She furthered her education by attending Jan Hofmeyer School in Johannesburg and received her degree in social work. 5. Mileva Einstein Mileva Einstein attended several universities throughout Europe where she studied mathematics and physics – her grades on par with her husband Albert’s. She even collaborated with Einstein on his theories and he often referred to as “their work.”
Perfecting
18 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
IMAGES COURTESY OF IMDB
Character development, originality key to Pixar’s timeless stories By Nate Burleyson Asst. Sports Editor
The most successful film studio of the past few decades is without question Pixar. The animation studio’s films have never opened less than an A- on Cinemascore, and have all made over $330 million at the worldwide box office. What makes the studio so successful might not be the same thing that has brought Marvel billions of dollars. A combination of classic stories, cherished characters and cutting-edge animation has propelled Pixar through its history. Pixar’s newest feature film “Onward” hits theaters on March 6 and stars the voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. The film follows two teenage elves as they search for special magic to try to be able to spend one last day with their father who passed away when they were too young to remember him. It sounds like the perfect story for Pixar, who have consistently made stories that DePaul film student Dan Tinaglia calls “timeless.” “[Pixar] always pulls the emotions out of the characters that you care about,” he said. Many college students today know the history of Pixar as it leads back to 1995’s “Toy Story,” the first feature film made by the company and the first feature-length animated film to use 3D animation instead of the 2D made popular by companies like Disney. Yet the history of the company goes back to the late 1970s when the New York Institute of Technology funded the Computer Graphics Lab, in hopes of creating the first
computer-animated film. Computer scientists tried, and with $15 million dollars backing them from NYIT’s founder Alexander Schure, they realized they would need to work in a film studio, instead of the provided lab. So when George Lucas approached them, many moved over to work for Lucasfilm. The lab worked for Lucasfilm, helping create effects for multiple projects including “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” After Lucas began to lose some money after the revenue drop-offs of “Return of the Jedi,” the computer division at Lucasfilm fizzled out and became independent Pixar while still under the wing of Lucasfilm. It was originally led by Edwin Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith, behind some monetary backing of Steve Jobs. Pixar was also a hardware company at one point, and worked on creating some of the tools under the umbrella of Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic. Pixar helped develop some of the applications that have assisted visual effects artists for years. “Everything from photoshop, and most of our tools tend to come back to Pixar and Industrial Light and Magic,” DePaul visual effects professor Brian Andrews said. Pixar’s first short, “Luxo Jr.” was created to serve multiple purposes: prove they can make the kind of animation they want to push for the future, and prove they can make money with the same technology. “Luxo Jr.” is a two-minute short where a “parent” lamp and a “child” lamp play with a ball. “That short was created at a time where animation was ver y restricted in terms of having organic
shapes and dynamic shapes or moving, deforming shapes,” Andrews said. “Pixar was able to tell a story, a really compelling story, using these very simple characters.” Over three decades of work, that might be what Pixar is best known for: story. The technological feats were foundations of the work that allowed for these many years of storytelling. “They are absolutely committed to story,” DePaul professor Scott Myers said. “That’s everything they’re focused on, set aside all the technology, they are story obsessed. That’s why their movies take on average five to seven years to make.” Myers teaches a class at DePaul called Pixar: Craft of Story. Pixar has been known for story structures that are based on classic archetypes, like the hero’s journey and works of Aristotle. “Their story structures are very traditional. What makes them different are these recurring narrative dynamics, like a special subculture,” Myers said. For example, monsters, toys, marine life, or rats in a kitchen. “They’ll take a subculture, and they look to spin it, give it something different and something unique,” Myers said. Pixar’s top group, consisting of people like John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich and Brad Bird all have their deepest background in animation. They all studied screenwriting and story later on in their creative lives. That might be the secret to their memorable characters. Animators draw characters, and that is where so many animation directors come from, smart design and well-rehearsed structure. “They not only are committed to the story, but they come at it with a character-driven approach,” Myers said.
What makes a story timeless though? Classic themes certainly help. “I think that’s what makes it timeless is that [Pixar] has the innate ability to always pull the emotions out of the characters that you care about,” Tinaglia said. In January of 2006, Pixar was purchased by Disney. Steve Jobs sold the company for a deal worth $7.4 billion that landed him on the board of Disney’s corporation. Until then, Pixar had released movies around once every two and a half years. Disney’s acquisition pressured animators to create more content, as the studio began releasing one or two films a year. Despite Disney’s commitment to the almighty dollar, the fit seemed right in terms of creating specific stories and family-oriented content, but people have been critical of the tendency to do more sequels since the acquisition. “It’s natural that they would go there,” Myers said. “Being a part of a corporation like that, there are the corporate overlords and I’m sure [sequels] are reflective of the fact that Disney wanted more content coming out.” Now that Pete Docter has taken over for Lasseter as chief creative officer, he’s gone on record saying that he wants more original stories. “Onward” is not his baby, but his next work “Soul” releases on June 19. Pixar has developed throughout the years, producing over 20 feature films, but the work they’ve inspired, and the precedent they have set has put them on another level of history.
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 19
Blue Demons go to C2E2 By Jonathan DeCarlo Contributing Writer
In the words of the great Stan Lee: “Face front, true believers!” C2E2 is back. The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo returned to McCormick Place last weekend and there’s excitement in the air. C2E2 is one of the biggest comics and entertainment conventions in the Midwest as people from all over gather to meet industry titans, trade comics and collectibles and just enjoy the company of other fans. Over the last two years, C2E2 has become something of an event for many DePaul students, staff and alumni, as the school has hosted panels at the convention for many interested parties. Alongside hosting the Gaming Zone in partnership with I Play Games!, which allowed convention goers to play “Rocket League” and “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,” DePaul also hosted two panels about various topics in the gaming field. The first of the panels hosted by the university was titled “Careers in Esports & Gaming” and was held in Room S502A on Feb. 28. The panel included Courtney James, DePaul’s director of student involvement, Kevin Fair, CEO of I Play Games!, Kurt Melcher, executive director of esports at Intersport and Kevin Ryan, the program development lead for the DePaul High School sports program. James explained her involvement with DePaul’s esports program and her hopes for the panel. “We opened the doors [of the DePaul Esports Gaming Center] in April 2018 and the Office of Student Involvement was tasked with overseeing all components of the co-curricular experience for students engaging in esports,” James said. “I serve as the main staff member overseeing those efforts.” James added that the idea behind the panel was to promote DePaul’s esports program to potential students and attendees as
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Cosplayers pose as characters from The Mandalorian at C2E2. well as show people what kinds of jobs they can go into in the field of esports. “For the panel, we will have panelists in the field of education, event planning, operations and more. There are so many ways for people to get involved with esports.” The panel was moderated by Samantha Close, a professor of communication at DePaul. Close also explained how she became involved with the panel and DePaul’s esports program. “I got involved with esports after seeing how passionate students were about it when the Loop gaming center opened up,” Close said. “I’ve been playing
video games all my life, but I usually focus on single-player games and RPGs so esports has been a very different world. Since then I’ve been looking at esports both as a researcher, more generally, and as someone helping to build esports at DePaul, specifically, and it’s been incredibly interesting.” Like James, Close also spoke about her hopes for what the panel will do for not only DePaul students and potential attendees, but for those just attending C2E2 for the fun of it. “Broadly, I hope that con attendees realize DePaul’s strength as a center for popular culture research and teach-
ing, from our yearly hosting of the Fan Studies Network North America annual conference to the Fandom Studies minor program in Communication and beyond,” Close said. “I also love that students can volunteer to work at the convention or even to be on a panel, since this gives them valuable experience for pursuing a career in esports or any other pop culture-related field. The industry is also just beginning to establish itself and figure out its protocols, so there will be a lot of careers in league management –perfect for students like organizational communication majors.” Both James and Close expressed their wish for esports to become a more welcoming and inclusive place for everyone. “Currently, 78 percent of our community identifies as male while 22 percent identify as female,” James said. “That’s a bit better than industry standards, but we want to have more women involved. We have worked with groups like HerCDM to host Gaming Lunch & Plays and have seen a lot of success with those programs.” Close echoed this sentiment. “I would love to see the industry and subculture be more welcoming to women, queer folks, people of color, people with disabilities, and beyond,” Close said. “It’s difficult to really be part of an industry when you’re the target of continued harassment, so I see the issue not as women not getting involved but as the ones who are involved getting pushed out.” After this first panel on finding your niche in the esports industry, DePaul hosted a panel on Feb. 29 showed convention goers how to build their own gaming computers. The panel was hosted by Phil Wisniewski and Manny Grewal, both from DePaul’s Information Technology Operations. Like usual, there was always something cool to find at C2E2.
How to look good — and feel good — during a Chicago winter By Carolyn McCabe Contributing Writer
Imagine waking up with soft morning light shining through the blinds, lightly grazing your skin. You go to check the temperature and it is zero degrees. Not only is the golden sunlight deceiving, but it is also incredibly rude. When you go to pick out your outfit after the ultimate natural betrayal, practicality is the most prominent factor. It is challenging to be fashionable in the winter months; not only do people catch the winter blues, but they have to repeat items, rewear large winter coats that cover their outfits, and make sure their pants cover their ankles. “Fashion goes out the window in Chicago winters,” said DePaul freshman Emily Bacca as she lugged her backpack and large winter jacket through the Student Center. “You can never win. It’s either too hot inside or too cold outside.” When picking out a winter outfit, simplicity is key. A loose knit sweater with jeans or a black turtleneck shirt with corduroy pants are not only warm and practical but also incredibly chic. Adding an accessory, like a colorful headband or simple necklace, can add a unique flair to an outfit that will make it stand apart from the rest. Clothing reserved for summer, like skirts and dresses, can be salvaged with tights and boots, worn on the even the coldest Chicago days. Simplicity is key in the win-
A group of women walk down Michigan Ave. near Nordstroms. ter, so recycling different combinations of long pants, knit sweaters and boots is a reliable way to ensure a stylish outfit. “As far as accessories, I think that jackets make all the difference,” said Grace Archibald, a stylist at Chicago’s chain boutique, Akira. “I like showing customers crazy colored and textured jackets. They are bold, but they can change an entire look.” At this point in the winter, time can feel stagnant, like summer is lightyears away. Clothes not only change the way others perceive you, but they also change how you feel about yourself. It is
KEIRA WINGATE | THE DEPAULIA
easy to roll out of bed and put on your comfiest items, but despite the physical comfort, it is important to also consider emotional comfort. The right outfit can improve someone’s mood and overall feelings about themselves. “I have noticed that people are not as bold in the winter, probably because the weather is straight up depressing,” said Nina Capua, a manager at Christian Louboutin Chicago. “I definitely consider that when styling the people that come into my store. Sometimes all they need is a bit of encouragement to take risks and subsequently feel a bit better
KEIRA WINGATE | THE DEPAULIA
A man pauses on the street. about themselves.” The next time you wake up feeling down about the weather, fight it through stylistic choices. Winter can hold us back in many areas, but style does ot have to be one of them. The better you look, the better you will feel.
20| Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
Visibly uneasy
Latest remake of ‘The Invisible Man’ eerie in more ways than one CATHARINE RYAN | THE DEPAULIA
Cecilia Kass, played by Elisabeth Moss, looks over her shoulder, plotting her escape from abusive husband Adrian Griffin, played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen.
By Keira Wingate Asst. Arts & Life Editor
The latest version of “The Invisible Man” offers a new take on 1987 novel by H.G Wells, that was given its first adaptation in 1933 with the original movie directed by James Whale. Here, there is basically no emphasis on science, but on a woman who needs to escape her abusive partner. Little does she know that he can be even more dangerous when he’s nowhere to be seen. The power dynamic between the two are quickly shown with Cecilia (the incredible Elisabeth Moss) lying in bed in with Adrian (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) holding her tight. Her face takes over every screen, with distraught looks and emotions. Moss is truly able to tell a story with her face alone. Cecilia begins to slowly creep through the night in what is an obvious plan to escape. Director Leigh Whannell does well with
introducing horror in this film with classic jump scares and the awful creaking and,of course, random loud bumps in the night. Cecilia makes her way through a modern day version of a distorted mansion, overlooking the Pacific. It is a lair of sorts with glass walls and gray, sharp angles. It further shows the power dynamic of the two, the success of a rich man and the now prison-like environment for the woman. Cecilia slips through the night after plenty of mishaps including kicking a dog dish and setting off a car alarm, finally escaping Adrian – or so she thought. After her escape, Cecilia gets help from her sister (Harriet Dyer), and finds shelter at a close friend’s house, James (Aldis Hodge), who lives with his daughter (Storm Reid). As she tries to adjust to a new life of freedom, she remains on high alert and in what seems like a constant gaze of nerves. She finds out that Adrian has commited suicide, leaving Cecilia $5 million, told to her by Adrian’s unpleasant brother
(Muchael Dorman). She begins to let her guard down even though the suicide leaves more questions than answers. Whannell was working with a small budget for this film and managed to excel. There are such good visuals and eerie shots that isolate Cecilia that give you the chance to focus on her face, which is worth more than words. Whannell leaves the camera in one area and as Cecilia shifts offscreen, that isolated feeling creeps in more as small mishaps appear on screen. A kitchen fire, a falling knife that doesn’t actually hit the ground and finally, the mysteriously opened front door that leaves the audience with classic horror feels, questioning what is going to happen next. Moss brings new depths of emotion into this film. She anchors emotion into every crease on her face and tells the story without needing to have her speak. Her face played as a canvas in the entire movie and further expressed the fear of those in the audience. With little tears, in a movie
where you’d expect otherwise, Moss loses her victim status as she ends the water works and brings out the anger. Cecilia goes “crazy,” which everyone knows is a tiresome term for hurt women. When the reality of her ex-boyfriend comes to light, of course, nobody believes her and the crazy lady is soon locked in a mental hospital. Cecilia is shown again in isolation with shots of white space that she gazes into with knowledge of Adrian’s presence. Whannell gave classic horror with a hint of barbarity through an unneeded knife scene that built up scares as the scene went on and the music began to intensify. While the graphics of the invisible suit are somewhat tacky, for the budget given, it’s easy to let slide. Although Cecilia faces extreme violence along with the rest of the cast, the movie ends with a couple questions that should be answered. The threat of invisibility is left wide open.
‘Love is Blind’ revamps dating show formula, ‘brilliantly bonkers’ By Lacey Latch Print Managing Editor
As a hopeless romantic who seems to be perpetually single, I know my way around reality dating shows – they offer the perfect balance of reinforcing that love is in fact real and that I am still not desperate enough to sign up for one of these competitions. Whether it be watching women compete for Flavor Flav’s attention in the VH1 classic “Flavor of Love’’ or the ever-growing smattering of TLC offerings like “90 Day Fiance,” love and relationships have become permanent characters on television today. Now, Netflix has entered the dating show arena with their 3-week limited series, “Love is Blind,” a refreshing take on the genre and an immediate hit. “Love is Blind” found a devoted audience almost instantly because it works well on so many different levels – it’s endearing, shocking, utterly fascinating and overwhelmingly addictive. The premise in its own right piques your curiosity so much it’s hard not to watch: a group of singles all signed on to take part in an “experiment,” in which they form a deep emotional connection with someone, ultimately agreeing to marry them – the only caveat being that they have never seen what the other person looks like, all in the hopes of answering the
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Mark Cuevas looks off in the distance while talking to a potential suiter. question: is love really blind? Of course, it’s reality television, so all of the people involved are unreasonably good-looking, mitigating any real risk, but the suspense it creates is riveting nonetheless. I also want to stress that the word experiment is used incredibly loosely as the show is undoubtedly heavily produced and it does not actually conduct a scientific experiment. The first stage of the process involves two weeks of speed dating that take place in the pods, glamorously decorated sound-
proof rooms that prevent them from seeing each other but allow them to begin forming an emotional connection through conversation. Without the distractions of everyday life, viewers watch as bonds form between contestants almost instantaneously. With a proposal by minute 40 of the first episode, the rapid timeline is enough to get you hooked, leading you into the even more entertaining engagements, moving in processes and family introductions before the weddings, taking place all in the span of six short weeks.
The thought of falling in love so quickly and without ever seeing the person is so unbelievable that the first “I love you” exchanged in the pods resulted in an audible “What!?” in disbelief from myself on the couch. Yet, the sincerity of these people is tangible and their actions are extreme, challenging any doubts of the legitimacy of the relationships as they speak excitedly of future homes and children. That is how “Love is Blind” works most effectively: presenting viewers with something so unbelievable that is happening just before their eyes, a perfect equation for a network that relies so heavily on binge watching and the social media discourse many of their shows produce. At a time where a show’s success is no longer confined to traditional metrics, “Love is Blind” has effectively taken over a very dedicated subset of the internet. Twitter has already been flooded with memes from the show since its first episodes dropped on the streaming service on Valentine’s Day and have only become more plentiful after the finale premiered just days ago. In short, “Love is Blind” is brilliantly bonkers, the epitome of a show so bad that it’s good. The stakes are high, the people inexplicably gorgeous, the feelings seemingly genuine and the episodes just short enough that you can roll into the next without a second thought.
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 21
Works by women
The DePaulia’s DeJamz writer ranks the best albums by female artists for Women’s History Month By Emma Oxnevad Opinions Editor
Women’s History Month is upon us, a time to acknowledge the lives and struggles of women, as well as all they have contributed to the world at large. Women have contributed some of the most important, influential and beloved music ever, yet they are often missing from the larger conversation the best musicians of all time. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are some of the best albums by women. 1. Blue-Joni Mitchell The blueprint for confessional singer-songwriter music, Joni Mitchell’s 1971 magnum opus captures the madness of trying to navigate relationships and young adulthood. Mitchell’s distinctive warbling voice has never sounded better than on tracks like “A Case of You,” where she makes infatuation feel like a force stronger than the universe and a quiet loneliness all at once. Mitchell lets the listener hear every side of her on this album: insecure, open-hearted, regretful and ultimately unsure of what she should do, The songwriting is masterful, with Mitchell perhaps reaching her lyrical peak on “Little Green,” in which she divulges her experience of putting her child up for adoption. This album is the standard by which music had to follow and it is unmatched in terms of quality and staying power. 2. Lemonade- Beyoncé One of the most important albums of the 2010s, “Lemonade” peeled back the layer of “Beyoncé,” the global superstar and introduced us to Beyoncé, the married woman who finds that she cannot trust her husband anymore. The LP runs the gamut of emotions felt after discovering a partner’s infidelity: shock, anger, depression,
and ultimately, forgiveness. The album masterfully blends raw pain and heartache with catchy hooks and beats, ensuring its commercial viability on top of its artistic merit. Boasting such iconic lyrics like “Becky with the good hair” and “What a wicked way to treat the girl who loves you,” Beyoncé demands that her pain not go unnoticed and that she be seen as a feeling hu-
age of 27, it is truly devastating to think of how much more Amy Winehouse had left to give; it’s even more devastating to think of all that had been taken from her at such a young age from the media and her own loved ones. “Back to Black,” the singer’s second and final album is something of an uncomfortable listen on tracks like “Back to Black” and “Wake Up Alone,” where she
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
man, rather than an untouchable goddess. Whatever your thoughts are on Jay-Z or the couple’s relationship, you can’t help but feel validated in her choice to forgive him after hearing “All Night.” “Lemonade” is Beyoncé laying all her cards on the table for perhaps the first time, and has only added to her mythos as the most important artist of her generation. 3. Back to Black- Amy Winehouse Due to her tragic passing at the tender
lays her troubles with addiction and heartbreak in full view. But the album’s slick production and Winehouse’s charismatic vocal delivery implies that she never feels too sorry for herself and you shouldn’t either. Without Winehouse, it is unlikely that fellow powerhouse Adele would be able to reach the heights she did, and the world owes Winehouse a huge gratitude for her talent and humanity. 4. Tapestry-Carole King
Like Mitchell, Carole King’s confessional songwriting has inspired generations to come, with her music withstanding the test of time. On “Tapestry,” King puts her best foot forward, with her 1971 LP opening with the bang of “I Feel the Earth Move.” The song is a force of nature, with the album keeping the quality with classics like “So Far Away,” “It’s Too Late” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” King keeps a cool composure on the album, lending an alluring quality to the music. She is open to admitting her feelings, but she’ll do it under a slick piano riff and a spirited vocal delivery. The album closes with “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” — written by King but first performed by Aretha Franklin. It may be King’s best song to date. 5. Golden Hour- Kacey Musgraves The most recent album to make the list, Kacey Musgraves’ 2018 triumph is the sound of an artist coming in to her own. After garnering a mix of both acclaim and derision from the largely conservative country scene for her liberal views on issues like same-sex relationships and recreational marijuana, Musgraves further skirted genre conventions with this trippy slice of Nashville. From the vocoder-infused vocals on “Oh, What A World” to the country-disco hybrid of “High Horse,” this album showcases Musgraves’ willingness to experiment as an artist, making for an interesting full listen. Love is a major theme on this album, from the joy of new beginnings on “Butterflies” to mournful acceptance of a relationship’s end on “Space Cowboy.” The tracks flow together beautifully, and the overall impact is reminiscent of laying comfortably in the sun, with a slight breeze keeping you from burning up.
22 | Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
what’s FRESH
‘Creators roaming freely’ Avenue 5:
Blend of science fiction, comedy is accessible — and kinda scary
High Maintenence:
Characters expendable, but essential
PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB
By Shane René PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB
By Shane René Editor-in-Chief
I’ve always been repelled by the science fiction genre. All those spaceships and aliens and pseudo-scientific jargon — it’s nauseating. It always felt so childish and repetitive. But maybe I’m just a grumpy old man. The truth is, my distaste for science fiction is born of my own flaws; namely a stunning lack of imagination and, above all, a haunting fear of the future. And that’s why it always missed me. The wonder of science fiction comes from confronting that fear. It comes from having the imagination and the courage to create a world that could come true without the slightest inclination of what’s actually possible. It’s the only kind of fiction that maybe isn’t. But if you’re like me, and you struggle to push through the existential crisis of what the future might hold, HBO’s “Avenue 5” offers a unique access point for the creatively timid — and a clever tale about flubbing the future. Set 40 years from now, Hugh Laurie stars as Ryan Clark, the in-title-only captain of Avenue 5, a luxury space cruise floating idyllically about the solar system. That is until a mechanical error causes a gravity shift, hurdling thousands of passengers against the walls, knocking the cruise three years off course. As word gets out that the eight-week voyage will now take three years — and the ship’s original captain dies — Clark finds himself forced into a role he was only hired to pretend to do. Imagine if “Lord of the Flies” and HBO’s “Veep” had a space baby. While some science fiction seeks to show a more evolved human race, making the rather foolish assumption that a more complex world will breed more sophisticated people, “Avenue 5” reminds us how deranged we’ve all become in the era of decadence. This point is made most clearly through the ships owner Hermann Judd, the Trumpian billionaire CEO and owner of Avenue 5 played by Josh Gad. The inspiration for Judd is almost too on-the-nose — fat, squat, fake blond hair, his name plastered
on everything he owns. He’s the kind of All-American asshole that’s impossible to imagine being president. But here he is, aboard the ship he owns and knows nothing about (other than that it belongs to him), with no interest in serving the people who paid to take his cruise. In one scene, his assistant Iris (Suzy Nakamura) suggests he offer the distraught passengers free massage and meal coupons. He scoffs. “What am I, some kind of charity?” “I think it would make the passengers happier,” Iris insists. “What about my happiness!” he shouts back. You get the point. This frank projection of modern times is almost too honest — uncomfortable even. Gad is hilarious in the role, but the character is borders on being too familiar to laugh at. If you think having a person like this in the White House is consequential, imagine a world in which they oversee commercial space travel. This is the condition from which the entire show emerges. Judd is ultimately responsible for hiring his fake captain — who was deliberately hired to be an actor, despite Judd not understanding what that would mean. And then he insists that Clark be responsible for leading them to safety. The other too-real-to-be-funny factors comes the group of real engineers. Shunned to the underbelly of the ship, the engineers are all cast from a list of actors who you would imagine show up for every low-level “engineer” role. The remaining lead engineer, a woman named Billie, is one of the few people on board the ship that knows how it operates, what is fake, what is real and, most importantly, what’s possible. But, of course, as the young engineer and woman-of-color with all the good ideas, is never listened to. What kind of world is that? Oh, right. Avenue 5 is a clever blend of comedy and science fiction, but it’s formula is somewhat flat and unsettling. While the humor helps temper the usually existential trauma of science fiction, it’s all too easy to imagine the near future working out this way. And I can’t say that gives me hope.
Editor-in-Chief
No matter the medium or the genre, characters are essential to storytelling; they are the heart and soul of any good film or TV show. If the writers and directors can’t get you to care about a character’s fate, the story isn’t worth telling. This is why we hear critics and cinephiles groan on and on about “character development.” HBO’s quirky and brilliant vignette comedy “High Maintenance” reminds us how important characters are to effective storytelling. But instead of telling a story about the characters, the characters themselves are the story. Traditionally, character development is important because it’s the thing that brings us back — or keeps us glued to the screen through the third act. As we watch them grow and evolve, we purchase a bigger stake in their journey. That’s why we all needed a little therapy when “Game of Thrones” killed Ned Stark (oh, shush — you’ve had plenty of time to get ahead of this spoiler). “High Maintenance,” on the other hand, doesn’t let you get attached to its characters for very long. Instead, you’re drawn into an intense — sometimes sad; sometimes hysterical; often bizarre — introduction to one of the show’s fascinating array of characters. And just as you get to know them, their story fades out, and a new one fades in. Instead of developing the characters on screen, we get an intimate snapshot of someone’s life. The show’s format is as open-ended as television can possibly be. Just about every episode is broken down into two vignettes, each telling a unique story of somebody the viewer is yet to meet. The only thing that ties them together is a brief interaction with “The Guy,” a nameless weed dealer cycling around New York City — a location that unlocks an impossibly deep well of concepts to play with. Contrary to what the title may lead you to believe, the show isn’t about weed — nor is it explicitly cast as the common thread. Cannabis consumption occurs in most episodes, but the connective tissue is human. “The Guy,” played by co-creator Ben Sinclair, often sells weed to the characters profiles in each episode, with the story focusing on the few hours before, during, and after they solicit his services. Sometimes, characters are fol-
lowed out of the many mundane, big city interactions we all experience on a daily basis. This model holds strong in the recently premiered fourth season and the writers reached, quite successfully, to expand their methods of weaving randomness into a narrative. This season’s first episode offers a subtle edit on the old model by weaving two storylines throughout the episode and connecting them at the end, opposed to isolating them into two individual vignettes. The first episode features (but does not profile) Ira Glass and the creation of an episode of “This American Life” on the topic of recycling. A young producer on his staff, Yara, pitches a story about her parents’ unusual love story. Through her struggles trying to find the hidden narrative and bring the necessary elements together, she winds up confronting issues in her own relationship. In the end, she accidentally records her own breakup unfolding in real time. As her boyfriend walks out the door, we fade into the life of Arnold, a young man who created a life for himself delivering life, singing telegrams to unsuspecting strangers. We follow him scrambling around the city, making frantic wardrobe changes in stairwells and public bathrooms, fighting through hostile crowds with each performance. The episode winds down back in the “This American Life” newsroom, as the producers sit around listening to Yara’s breakup tape. Then, Arnold appears with a singing telegram from Yara’s boyfriend, bringing the show full circle. In this season’s fourth episode, the writers get even more creative. The show opens with a scene from a Christian summer camp, where a young girl sneaks away to smoke pot in the woods with an older camper. She walks away with a lighter, which she marks with a small sticker. From there, each vignette begins with the lighter, telling a brief story about the life of the next person to come into possession of the lighter. In the final scene, the lighter flickers out in the hand of a man holding it over his head at a concert. Billed and often discussed as a “weed” show, “High Maintenance” offers so much more. Through its wide range of characters and stories, co-creators Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld bring to HBO an uninhibited look at weird and wonderful nuances of humanity, reminding us all that every person in this world has a unique story to tell — most of which are worth hearing.
Arts & Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 23
what’s FRESH
Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collecter
The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez
Lincoln Rhyme was the best forensic criminologist in New York — until his ego got the best of him while chasing an infamous serial killer, the ‘Bone Collector,’ and was left paralyzed. Years later, the Bone Collector is back and Rhyme — with young detective Ameila Sachs acting as his eyes and ears — must try to avoid making the same mistakes again.
The shocking new Netflix series “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez” takes viewers through the trial of Gabriel’s mother, Pearl and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, who tortured and beat the child to death in 2013. The 8-year-old was constantly let down by the DeP\partment of Child and Family Services and law enforcement that could’ve prevented his death. The cruel nightmare led to life imprisonment for Pearl and a death sentence for Aguirre.
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KEIRA WINGATE | THE DEPAULIA
MA
ART EDUCATION Focus on socially engaged art and design practices, museum education, cultural programming, exhibition and curriculum design, learning and teaching, and audience advocacy.
MA
TEACHING Earn your State of Illinois K-12 Visual Arts Professional Educator License.
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Apply Now SAIC GRADUATE ADMISSIONS | 312.629.6100 | saic.edu/gr | gradmiss@saic.edu
24 | Arts &Life. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
St.Vincent’s D e JAMZ “Spinning fresh beats since 1581” By Emma Oxnevad Opinions Editor
And just like that, another astrological season is upon us. In keeping with commemorating each season of the zodiac with its own playlist, this week honors all you Pisces. Pisces are by nature sensitive, thoughtful and introspective; they are often lost in thought and they definitely remember every single time their feelings have been hurt. Famous Pisces include Rihanna (often considered the anti-Pisces), Fred Rogers, Steve Jobs, and our very own Keira Wingate and Patsy Newitt. Prepare to experience some ~vibes~ and happy Pisces season to all! All Apologies – Nirvana “Heart-Shaped Box,” another track from “In Utero,” literally begins with the lyrics “She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak.” While that song has a more clear connection to astrology, it is too angry and sarcastic to match the more tranquil energy of a Pisces like Kurt Cobain. This song
is highly introspective, with the lyrics consisting of a series of unanswered rhetorical questions. It is also the 12th and final song of the album, just like how Pisces rounds off the zodiac as the 12th sign. Baby – Justin Bieber Remember how I said Pisces probably keep a tally of every time they’ve been hurt? This song exemplifies that mood better than almost any other. Hearing a pre-pubescent Justin Bieber, himself a Pisces, singing to his pre-teen girlfriend that he “thought [she’d] always be [his]” is the level of high Pisces sensitivity that we love them for. After listening to this song as an adult, the song’s melodrama and slight desperation are evocative of Pisces’ deep emotional core and how they cannot let any feelings go unannounced. Dreams – Fleetwood Mac If you follow astrology, you know that one of the most commonly used words to describe a Pisces is “dreamy.” I literally have no idea what that means, but this is one of the best songs of all time, so it’ll do. While
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the name is a little on the nose, the serene, yet melancholy vibe of this song is unmatched. Publicly airing dirty laundry with an ex through an effortlessly cool song feels appropriate for a Pisces and is a vibe I aspire to. ‘39- –Queen This song radiates bittersweet energy, evoking excitement and fear, love and loneliness. This song feels like a going-away party when one simultaneously basks in the warmth of friendship and the sadness of being apart. Pisces are known for being aware of the feelings of others, and this song is evocative of a bittersweet farewell, where everyone is happy to have gone on a journey but sad to see it come to an end. I Will – The Beatles In what is arguably the greatest love song of all time, the feeling of being overwhelmed by affection is expressed in the simplest of terms. In addition to being
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
deeply emotional, I find Pisces to be incredibly sincere, almost unwilling to be dishonest with people on how they feel about them. This song lays all the cards on the table of being in love and does so in a way that feels nothing but genuine.
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
Sports
Sports. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 25
Retain the belt
Women aim to win third straight Big East Tournament title
ALEXA SANDLER | THE DEPAULIA
Women’s basketball head coach Doug Bruno cuts down the nets after winning the Big East Tournament in 2019. The Blue Demons are going for three straight tournament titles.
Narratives
When:
March 6-9
The contract between DePaul and the Big East to host the tournament at Wintrust is ending after this year.
Where:
Wintrust Arena
Stakes:
Winner goes to the NCAA Tournament
Villanova and Creighton are potential teams that could play DePaul in the semifinals, they are the only teams to beat the Blue Demons in the conference this season.
Women's Big East Tournament
EXPERT PICKS
Favorite Dark Horse
Shane Rene
Editor-in-Chief
Lawrence Kreymer
Sports Editor
Nate Burleyson
Asst. Sports Editor
Ryan Gilroy
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26 | Sports. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020
Women’s team succeeds, where is the campus support? By Abbas Dahodwala Contributing Writer
Six women’s basketball division one college teams have made the NCAA tournament 16 or more years in a row. Would it surprise the average DePaul student that our own women’s team has made the tournament 17 years in a row? Would it surprise the average DePaul student that the same team has won the Big East tournament in four of the last six years? This brings up the question…why do people not follow women’s basketball enough? DePaul senior guard Kelly Campbell spoke of the ways that people tend to not watch women’s basketball as much because of the mindsets people have about the way the sport is played. “A lot of people assume women’s basketball is not as fun to watch because we cannot dunk or might not be as fast or jump as high, but we still work just as hard and play the game the right way,” she said. “It does not make a lot of sense that people don’t want to watch us. “People just say negative things, but they do not really know the work we put in,” Senior forward Chante Stonewall, DePaul’s leading scorer this year, said that the history of basketball affects how people view women’s basketball. “It was always men,” she said. “It got expanded to black men playing basketball, then finally women got a chance to play, colored women got a chance to play.” Head coach Doug Bruno portrayed the lack of support for women’s sports as a gender issue and by the evolution of sports itself. “There is a place of superiority inside the male gender that believes superiority over a female gender,” Bruno said. “It is a gender issue.” The cross section of sports and its roots in violence and warfare also play a part in the ways people treat and cover women’s sports, according to Bruno. “It is controlled viewable warfare,” he said. “I do not ever want to compare sports to war…but that is where sports in America come from. “Sports has originated in the context of preparation and play for warfare, and that was always done by males. Now we come to a 21st century where females are competing as well.” Although the media covers women’s sports, Campbell pointed to that coverage paling in comparison to men’s sports. “We do definitely get a lot of coverage and it is nice that we have a couple games on TV, but I think women’s basketball overall is definitely under covered,” Campbell said, “whether it’s media or the fans. We definitely do not get enough support.” Bruno attributed the lack of support to the low levels of coverage for women’s sports. “Women receive somewhere in the two-to-eight percent range of coverage in sports,” he said. “When the [University of Connecticut] Huskies put together the streak that beat John Wooden’s streak, it really was not very publicized till it got
to the very end,” he said. “Even then the coverage was very minimal compared to what it would have been if it was a men’s Duke team.” Among the six teams who have made the NCAA tournament for more than 15 years, DePaul is dead last in average home game attendance this year, despite the success they have achieved. Stonewall shared a similar sentiment as Campbell while also expressing some disappointment over the crowds last year at the Big East tournament at the Wintrust Arena. “The Big East tournament I thought we were going to have a lot of people, but I was surprised,” she said. “I thought at least the lower bowl was going to be full since we had fans from Marquette and DePaul. “It was saddening, but at the same time the people who were there, just know we appreciated them.” Along with DePaul’s success, the team’s style of play features a fast paced, pass friendly and scoring heavy approach that leads to a very entertaining pace of play. The team also employs a swarming defense that is seventh in the nation in turnovers forced per game. “Take the time to watch specifically how we play,” Stonewall said. “It is not a ‘boring’ style of play.” With the Big East tournament beginning March 6, the team is still perplexed that students are not aware of their success. “When I talk to people around campus they do not even know that we are having a tremendous season,” Stonewall said. “Some of the students I see at the men’s games – because we are in the student section – I have never seen them at the women’s games. I do pay attention to our student section because [I do really] want to say thank you.” While Campbell showed her appreciation for the fans who do come out, she was similarly unhappy with the fact that the crowd sizes do not match the success level of the team. “We appreciate any support, but it is kind of crazy when you look around and ‘we are a top 15 team in the country and we have like this many people,’” Campbell said with emphasis on ‘this many.’ The split between the crowds for both teams can create some frustrations for the players, but they continue to hope that fans will recognize the great things they are doing as well. “We mostly get frustrated when we see how many people the men get compared to what we get,” Campbell said. “Why don’t [fans] want to come see us play, we are doing great things as well.” With less than one week remaining till the Big East tournament, and with the potential for two NCAA tournament home games later in March, the time for attention is now. Fans should make their way to the Wintrust Arena starting March 7 to see their ranked basketball team try to add another accolade to their stunning resume.
ALEXA SANDLER | THE DEPAULIA
Lexi Held puts up a floater in the first half against Creighton on Jan. 31 at Wintrust Arena. The women’s team has played two Big East conference games at Wintrust.
JONATHAN AGUILAR| THE DEPAULIA
Junior guard Dee Bekelja takes a jumper against Butler on Feb. 14 at McGrath-Phillips Arena. The women’s team went undefeated at McGrath this year, going 11-0.
Sports. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 27 BUTLER, continued from back page
scored five points on 2-of-7 shooting. Freshman forward Nick Ongenda, to offense. So, that’s something that took advantage of the extra playing really hurt us [on Saturday], but it’s time, and co-led the Blue Demons in something I’ve been concerned about scoring with eight points in 16 minall year.” utes of playing time. The Blue Demons have struggled Besides a bright showing from with turnovers throughout the conOngenda, the rest of the team had ference season, including 22 against a night they would probably like to Xavier on Feb. 25 and then following forget. For starters, Moore, who leads that up with 17 against Butler. But the the Big East in assists per game with turnovers have also come in bunches 6.4, had no assists and gave the ball when the games have still been close; away three times. The Chicago native in the second half against Butler, also only scored eight points on 3-ofDePaul had nine turnovers in the first 12 shooting. Coleman-Lands, who 10 minutes. The Bulldogs, who had a has been the Blue Demons’ best and 29-22 lead going into the break, used most reliable 3-point shooter this seathose mistakes by the Blue Demons son, only chipped in with six points to increase their lead to 44-30. and was dry from deep all night long. One excuse that Leitao has for his DePaul had one mini surge during team’s poor showing against Butler the first half when they went on a is the fact that they were without 10-2 run and got within three of the junior forward Paul Reed who has a Bulldogs, 23-20. But the home team hip pointer injury and will continue responded by closing the half on a to receive treatment before Tuesday’s 6-2 run of their own and gained back game against Marquette. Reed is all the momentum. averaging 14.9 points and 10.6 reButler knocked down five 3-pointbounds in 31.7 minutes of action per ers in the second half. Butler’s junior game this season. forward Jordan Tucker stole the “Any team that doesn’t have their show in the second half, hitting three elite level of players is a blow,” Leitconsecutive threes which put his ao said. “But there is opportunity team up 50-32 with 8:19 to play. out there, you take something that’s DePaul’s offense was out of sync, unfortunate and you make it an with 20 points in the second half opportunity. And everybody, not just marking a season low for them. There the replacement, has to step up their was another sequence in the second game.” half when forward Jaylen Butz went With Reed missing his first game up for a dunk in two consecutive of the season, sophomore forward possessions, only to miss the first one Darious Hall got his first start in a and then get stuffed in the second DePaul uniform. In 30 minutes of attempt. For a team that plays in the action for the Arkansas native, Hall Big East and somehow got off to a
MARQUETTE, continued from back page the way. After DePaul was able to cut the game to 29-28, the Golden Eagles went on an 8-0 run to extend their lead back to 37-28. In the final six minutes of the first half, the Blue Demons only managed to score six points. Senior guard Chante Stonewall, who leads DePaul in scoring this season, recorded her first points of the game with less than a minute to play in the first half. While the offense was out of sync for Head Coach Doug Bruno’s team, the day got even worse when Marquette’s Selena Lott was able to hit a half-court shot at the end of the first half to give her team a 50-34 lead at the break. “We took the 13-point hit and came back within one point, and then can’t make a layup,” head coach Doug Bruno said. The start of the second half didn’t get any better for DePaul, asMarquette was able to take a 61-39 lead inside the first five minutes of the third quarter. But the Blue Demons were able to find some life towards the end of the quarter by going on a 13-2 run to cut the deficit to 11. Even though DePaul was able to go on
RYAN GILROY | THE DEPAULIA
DePaul head coach Dave Leitao looks in frustration during his team’s 60-42 loss to Butler on Saturday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Blue Demons are now 14-15 this season.
12-1 start, it looked like a high school offense against Butler. The Blue Demons shot 9-of-28 from the field and 1-of-7 from behind the arc in the second half. That one 3-pointer from freshman Romeo Weems in the final seconds extended DePaul’s streak of hitting at least one 3-pointer to 835 straight games. “You know, if you look at the stats, Romeo made a three at the end of the game and that was the only one we made, we talked about needing to make perimeter shots,” Leitao said. Without Reed on Saturday, the Blue Demons were forced to rely on
RYAN GILROY | THE DEPAULIA
Head coach Doug Bruno yelling out to his players during the game against Marquette. The Blue Demons shot just 38 percent from the field in their Big East finale.
a mini-run, they did it without the comfort of knocking down 3-pointers – the Blue Demons only went 1-of-6 from deep in the third quarter. And that’s when the Golden Eagles hit the dagger to close the quarter. Jordan King knocked down a three to beat the buzzer and gave her team a more comfortable 66-52 lead heading into the final quarter. With Marquette taking back
control going into the fourth, they kept their foot on the gas and kept playing with more intensity than their rivals,and it showed during one sequence in particular. Van Kleunen converted a layup, got fouled, but missed the free throw. Then, Alita Anderson picked up the rebound, finished the layup while getting fouled, but she missed the free throw only for Isabelle Spingola to pick up
other players to step up on offense, including Moore, Weems and Coleman-Lands. But the trio struggled to create good looks at the rim, in part because the ball movement was so poor. DePaul only recorded 14 assists, which is a season low, while turning it over 17 times. With only two regular-season games left before the Big East Tournament in New York, DePaul has already locked up its fourth straight last place finish. At this point, the Blue Demons’ only saving grace is to keep extending their 3-point streak. the miss and score another layup. That 6-0 run in a five-second stretch put Marquette up 76-54 with seven minutes to play. DePaul, however, showed no quit in the final stretch of the game, with Stonewall and fellow senior Kelly Campbell hitting three straight 3-pointers to help pull their team back within 10, 82-72, with three minutes left in the game. Campbell and Held would then hit a pair of 3-pointers that got closed the gap to five, 83-78, with a minute to play. “We turned them over, we got them tired, we did what we were trying to do,” Bruno said. “We put them in a position where they just didn’t get to come down the floor and survey the floor and get it to their big people. But then you gotta make layups and when you get shots you have to make shots.” All five DePaul starters finished in double-figures, with Held leading the team with 25 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Campbell scored 12 of her 15 points in the fourth quarter, with all of them coming from behind the arc. The Blue Demons will now prepare to host the Big East Tournament from March 6-9 at Wintrust Arena. DePaul is going for its third straight tournament title.
Sports
Sports. The DePaulia. March 2, 2020 | 28
Rough
patch RYAN GILROY | THE DEPAULIA
Chante Stonewall goes up for a shot in the second half against Marquette. The senior forward scored just 12 points on Sunday in the 90-82 loss to the rival Golden Eagles.
Women drop consecutive games for first time all season By Lawrence Kreymer Sports Editor
For most of the 2019-2020 season, DePaul was firing on all cylinders which allowed them to get off to a 15-1 conference start. But in the Blue Demons’ last two games, against Villanova and Marquette, the offense has struggled to shoot from deep and contain the opposing team from scoring in bunches, which has resulted in two consecutive losses. Against Villanova on Feb. 23, DePaul scored a season-low 58 points and went 2-of-24 from behind the arc in a 76-58 loss to the Wildcats. A week later in the regu-
lar-season finale against Marquette, the Blue Demons went 30-of-80 from the field and 11-of-31 from deep, while being outrebounded 55-36. The Golden Eagles would end up winning the game 90-83 to split the season series. While DePaul has already locked up the Big East regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament, the Blue Demons are still looking to improve their resume for the NCAA Tournament. But the start against the Golden Eagles was anything but inspiring by the Lincoln Park team. After sophomore guard Lexi Held opened the game with a
basket, Marquette would go on to score 16 of the game’s next 18 points to take a 16-4 lead. The Golden Eagles used their size advantage over DePaul to their advantage, with forward Lauren Van Kleunen leading her team with eight points in the first frame. With the Golden Eagles’ size advantage, the home team outrebounded DePaul 15-9 in the first quarter and took six more shots than the visitors. After the hot start from Marquette, however, DePaul was able to settle in and begin clawing its way back into the game. The Blue Demons would close the first quarter on a 12-4 run to
cut the deficit to seven points, 27-20, heading into the second frame. With DePaul picking up some steam at the end of the first 10 minutes, they were able build on that in the second and make it a one possession game early in the second quarter. Held led the push with seven points and a couple of key defensive stops, including taking two charges to earn the ball back for her team. Sophomore guard Sonya Morris then had two free throws to tie the game at 29, but split the pair at the line and that would be the closest DePaul would get the rest of See MARQUETTE, page 27
Men fall to Butler 60-42 in poor offensive display By Lawrence Kreymer Sports Editor
Since DePaul brought back Dave Leitao in 2015 to lead the men’s basketball program, the Blue Demons have had multiple horrendous offensive showings in the Big East. But Leitao and DePaul reached a new low on Saturday when the Blue Demons’ offense only managed to score 42 points – the fewest amount of points recorded in a Big East game during Leitao’s tenure – in an 18-point loss to Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. DePaul’s night, and really its conference season, can be summed up with one play that occurred during the second half: senior
guard Jalen Coleman-Lands dribbled the ball under the basket, had junior guard Charlie Moore open in the corner and, instead of passing to him, elected to continue to dribble towards where his teammate was standing, which prompted Moore to look up into the rafters in frustration and run back to the top of the floor. That play resulted in one of DePaul’s 17 turnovers on the night. “We’ve been talking about it all year long,” Leitao said about his team’s turnovers. “When we give the ball back it becomes deflating to the offense because you don’t get a shot, and inflating for the defense
See BUTLER, page 27
RYAN GILROY | THE DEPAULIA
DJ Williams helps up Charlie Moore during the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. No Blue Demon scored more than eight points in the 18-point loss.