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Fordham Offers Pfizer Booster Shot on Campus
By OLIVIA LEDUC Staff Writer
The Office of the Vice President for Administration announced that doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster were authorized for eligible members of the community to receive on Oct. 1 in a university-wide email. The announcement came just days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized booster shots for recipients of the Pfizer vaccine who are over the age of 65, at increased risk of a severe COVID-19
November 10, 2021 VOLUME XLI, ISSUE 10
infection or working in environments where there is a higher potential for exposure. Approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to offer booster shots prompted the university to provide doses on campus and to continue Fordham’s COVID-19 vaccination program, according to Maureen Keown, director of University Health Services (UHS). “We now are seeing individuals return for the booster vaccines and will continue to provide this service as long as the need is there,” Keown said. see BO
OSTER SHOT S page 4
ANDREW DRESSNER/THE OBSERVER
Bulletin Boards Defaced in McKeon
Fordham Football Wins Sixth Straight Against Georgetown
By OLIVIA REYES Staff Writer
Residents of McKeon Hall received an email on Sept. 29 from Kristopher Little, resident director for first-year students, addressing acts of vandalism and theft on floors 11, 14, 19 and 21. The stolen items included decorations placed throughout the hallways by resident assistants (RAs) and resident first-year mentors (RFMs). The decorative boards are created by Residential Life staff each semester in order to sponsor an educational and aesthetically pleasing environment, according to Little. “We (the Residential Life Staff) put in a lot of time and energy into these boards before residents came onto campus. We spent hours working on them at night well past midnight, making sure that our floors, our decorations, everything looked good for the residents because we want to create a very positive, friendly living environment,” Dennis Zhang, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center (GSBLC) ’24 and RFM of floor 19, said. see VANDALISM page 3
FROM OPINIONS:
From Zoom Fatigue to Re-Entry Anxiety: We aren’t ‘Normal’ Yet SYDNEY CHAMPAGNE
Contributing Writer
Zach Davis, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences ’22, ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Meanwhile, Trey Wilson III, Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill (GSBRH) ’23, made the most of his supplemental role and ran for 76 yards on nine carries, including one for a 33-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Fordham is overflowing with overachievers. Everyone I know is part of at least one club while also either holding a job or internship and still maintaining high grades. All of this juggling seemed to come naturally to students here until this semester. As difficult as the pandemic was for students and teachers alike, online learning did have its perks, like casual Zoom attire, lots of flexibility from professors and never having to leave the comfort of your own bedroom for any meetings. You could go from philosophical ethics to an Observer meeting to your therapy session without moving an inch. But this year, the norm has changed for students yet again. After a year and a half of online learning, students have been thrown back into fully in-person classes, clubs and work and are struggling to keep up with it all. Balancing all these tasks at once used to come easy, but now students’ stress and anxiety levels are heightened from being thrown back into “normal” schooling after finally getting acclimated to online learning.
see FOOTBALL page 7
see OVERACHIEVERS page 12
COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Zach Davis, GSAS ’22, made his first start since the season opener and rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. By PATRICK MOQUIN Sports & Health Editor
The Fordham football team defeated the Georgetown University (GU) Hoyas 41-20 on Saturday, Nov. 6, to extend the program’s winning streak to six games in 2021. Now 4-0 in the Patriot League, the Rams will play the similarly undefeated College of the Holy Cross Crusaders next weekend for first
place in the conference. On the road against Georgetown, quarterback Tim DeMorat, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’22, played as well as he has all season, throwing for 273 passing yards and three touchdowns against the Hoyas. But he wasn’t alone on offense, as Fordham also managed to find success on the ground. In his first start since the season opener, running back
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Columbia Picketing
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Thanksgiving Stories
Anti-Vaxxers
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More than 2,000 student workers vote to strike
Fordham men’s basketball returns for 2021-22 campaign
Students share their traditions and plans for Thanksgiving
Feral cats aren’t the only thing plaguing Fordham’s campuses
The Student Voice of Fordham Lincoln Center
Fordham clubs celebrate Día de los Muertos
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Every USG Senate Position Filled for First Time in 9 Years
A combination of online and in-person campaigning intensified the competitive USG elections this year By DAEL KI Contributing Writer
United Student Government (USG) elections for the 2021-22 academic year broke the record for number of student candidates running. It was the first time in nine years that every elected position was filled, including all six open senator positions. After three cancelations due to technical difficulties, the final results of the election were posted on Oct. 2. Megha Thyagarajan, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’25, and Kennedi Hutchins, FCLC ’25, were elected as the first-year FCLC senators; Vivian Iburg, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center (GSBLC) ’25, was elected as the first-year GSBLC senator; Rachita Mehta, FCLC ’24, was elected as the sophomore FCLC senator; Mia Matziaris, FCLC ’23, was elected as the junior FCLC senator; Benjamin Grambs, GSBLC ’23, was elected as the junior GSBLC senator; and Sonal Rai, GSBLC ’22, was elected as the senior GSBLC senator.
“ What affects you the
most is what happens in this school, and the only way students will get a direct say in that is by either voting in elections and participating in student government. ” Benjamin Grambs, GSBLC ’23
Candidates mostly relied on social media as a campaigning tactic to encourage more students to vote for them.
ALICE MORENO/THE OBSERVER
This year, the highest number of students ran for USG positions, filling every role. Candidates reflect on how social media proved to be a vital tool in communicating with fellow students.
“I thought social media would be the best way to spread information about my campaign. I took to Instagram and Snapchat stories to circulate things quickly,” Matziaris said. “The Q&A feature on Instagram was very helpful; I would have people ask me questions about whatever they wanted to know, so that was a very direct way to communicate.” Hutchins took a similar approach to campaigning. “Social media was my main source of campaigning; I was able to share more about myself and infographics on my page to spread information regarding my candidacy,” Hutchins said. She also said that she learned about the first-year senator position through Instagram. Mehta echoed the use of social media to directly reach out to her classmates. She direct-messaged “hundreds of people” on Instagram to introduce herself and posted flyers on her Instagram story as well. “While that proved to be helpful, I also went door to door from
floors 10 to 20 (of McMahon) and introduced myself while sharing my platform,” she said. “It was such a good experience; not only did I get the word out about my campaign, but I got to meet such amazing people.”
“ Not only did I get
the word out about my campaign, but I got to meet such amazing people. ”
Rachita Mehta, FCLC ’24
Thyagarajan preferred talking to students through social media. “My goal upon coming here was to try and meet everyone, regardless of student government,” Thyagarajan said. “This helped me
in the long run because I was able to reach out to connections I made previous to running.” Although the elections were a success, members of USG expressed that they wish students would continue participating throughout the year and not just during elections. Grambs said he strongly believes that more participation is the only way to create lasting change at Fordham Lincoln Center. “Similar to how students have a civil obligation to participate in actual elections, I’d certainly apply the same principle here. Students should want to see change here,” Grambs said. “What affects you the most is what happens in this school, and the only way students will get a direct say in that is by either voting in elections and participating in student government.” Matziaris feels strongly about recruiting more students to be involved in USG as well. “I think it is really easy for students to go to campus, attend
classes and leave,” she said. “As for someone that commutes now, I find myself wanting to be on campus more and hang out. If you are a little more apathetic towards that, and you want to be more involved, USG is a great way to immerse yourself in a more typical college experience.” Newly elected USG senators are motivated to implement their campaign promises. First-year senators Hutchins and Thyagarajan hope to foster a stronger sense of community on campus by working in USG. Grambs said it is easy to get involved, and students should “just show up” to club meetings and “all of your advice and concerns will be taken to heart.” Matziaris reaffirmed Grambs’ sentiment: “I think it is so important to know what is going on. It is so easy to stay out of the loop, and it is so important to exercise your right to share your thoughts and opinions if you come to us.”
Sperber Prize Ceremony Celebrates Importance of Journalism
The recipients shared their acceptance speeches in Zoom virtual event and celebrated their achievements By LAURA OLDFATHER Staff Writer
The Sperber Prize Committee held its first-ever Zoom award ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The prize was awarded to two authors this year: Lesley M. M. Blume for “Fallout: The Hiroshima Cover-up and the Reporter Who Revealed It to the World” and Kerri Greenidge for “Black Radical: The Life and Times of William Monroe Trotter.”
“ Having a press that
speaks to and holds power accountable — if that doesn’t exist in periods in history, then often stories aren’t recorded as they happen.”
Kerri Greenidge, Sperber Prize recipient
The ceremony, which was not held last year due to the pandemic, usually takes place in person at Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus but did not this year due to the university’s COVID-19 restrictions. According to Beth Knobel, associate professor of communications and media studies and
ZOOM
The Sperber Prize was awarded to Lesley M.M. Blume (left) and Kerri Greenidge (right) this year in a ceremony held over Zoom.
director of the prize committee, both recipients do not live in New York City and many of the attendees are not part of the university community, so hosting the event virtually made it more accessible. “It was really sad for those of us who had been attending the ceremony in person to do it online, but it was a lot better to do it online than not to do it at all,” Knobel said. According to Knobel, there are usually 60 to 100 people in attendance. This year there were an estimated 20 people in attendance at the Zoom meeting. She hopes that because the Zoom event was recorded, it will be watched and used for clips, giving it a “second life.” During the ceremony, Greenidge and Blume spoke about
their books, and both emphasized the importance of journalism. Blume’s idea to tell the story of a watchdog journalist who uncovered information about the Hiroshima bombings came from the attack on journalism by political figures in 2015. “Since I was a teenager, my entire life has been centered on newsrooms and my extended community of reporter colleagues is like family, and then suddenly in the Trump era, my family was on a hit list,” Blume said. Greenidge came about her topic differently, writing a biography about William Monroe Trotter, a civil rights hero who started a newspaper in Boston and educated many people on racial injustice in the early 1900s. She had
learned about him at a young age, but she was told there wasn’t enough information on him. Greenidge agreed with Blume about the importance of journalism and journalists throughout history. “Having a press that speaks to and holds power accountable — if that doesn’t exist in periods in history, then often stories aren’t recorded as they happen,” Greenidge said. The awards were held up to the screen and congratulations were made verbally, with the promise of the prize money coming in the mail. The event also featured a giveaway of the award recipients’ books. One student in attendance at the event, Ana Kevorkian,
Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’25 and a member of the copy desk for The Observer, won a copy of Blume’s biography. “I’m really excited to read biographies and read the story of such an important journalist in American history,” Kevorkian said. Starting in January, the committee will begin its deliberations on books and decide whether they will continue to have two winners each year. Knobel hopes that the ceremony will return in person next year. “To have this celebration of these books is really like a celebration of the art and craft of journalism, and I really love having that in person and gathering our students for a night of inspiration,” Knobel said.
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McShane Delivers His Final State of University Address
In his speech, McShane discussed increased representation in admissions and his racial justice action plan By ABHIPRI CHOWDHURY Staff Writer
President of Fordham University Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., delivered his State of the University address on Oct. 18. His speech discussed the increase in fundraising for the 2020-21 academic year, his goals for increased diversity and his plan to tackle racism on campus. During the 2019-20 academic year, Fordham raised $53,338,612 — a couple million dollars less than the previous year. This year, Fordham raised a record-breaking $83,727,733, making 2021 “the university’s best fundraising year ever.” A new fundraising campaign — “Cura Personalis | For Every Fordham Student” — has been launched as a part of the school’s comprehensive campaign, which aims to increase access, affordability, academic excellence, student wellness and athletics. Fordham received 46,160 undergraduate applications for admission for the 2021-22 academic year, and admission was offered to 58.3% of applicants, yielding a total enrollment of 2,848 students — an increase of almost 800 from last year. This change led to the largest first-year class in Fordham’s history. McShane promised to “once again hold fusion events” which allow both alumni and prospective students to meet. McShane said he expects these events to help “immensely with admission rates this upcoming year.” The large first-year class also led to increased representation in terms of race. This year, 44% of enrolled students are from “traditionally underrepresented groups
in American society,” a 5% increase from last year. The number of African American students enrolled increased from 76 to 189, a 149% increase. Hispanic student representation grew from 328 to 515 students, a 57% increase. “COVID-19 is not the only pandemic we are wrestling with. We are also wrestling with racism, a pandemic that sadly will take longer to address and overcome,” McShane said. McShane announced Fordham’s action plan for confronting racism and educating for justice and a strategic plan that supplements the aspirations within the action plan. “As a result of our roots, our mission calls us to treat not just every member of the Fordham community but indeed every human being with respect, affirmation, reverence and affection,” McShane said. “That same mission calls upon us to confront racism and to educate for justice.” Students at Fordham Lincoln Center had differing views on how Fordham is handling increasing diversity. Lorena Loza, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’25, said that she approved of McShane’s plans. “That is awesome especially because the African American and Hispanic communities are typically underrepresented and underserved. Coming here to Fordham and getting these opportunities is incredible,” Loza said. “In New York, there is diversity everywhere, and Fordham should definitely continue to build its diversity because we need everyone to build a community.” However, not all Fordham members were impressed.
COURTESY OF TOM STOELKER/FORDHAM NEWS
McShane gives his final State of the University address on Oct. 18. He emphasized diversity and fundraising.
“Fordham is believed to become more inclusive, with an increasing number of minority groups coming every year, but it is ironic to see that in my core classes which are meant to have a lot of students, I see very few people of color,” Omi Mehta, FCLC ’25, said. “Moreover, as an Indian person, it is even more frustrating to see that Fordham Lincoln center offers only one club, Desi Chai, for South Asians,” Mehta continued. “With such limited options, it is hard for minority groups to feel included, and I myself have felt that Fordham can do better with diversity.” Mehta said that as a first-year student, she is looking forward to seeing what the university does to
make the school more inclusive for everyone. She said she hopes the improvements come soon. McShane also commented on Fordham’s rankings this year. In U.S. News & World Report, Fordham’s ranking fell two places from 66 to 68. “(Fordham) remains no. 41 among all private research universities in the country, no. 7 among research universities in New York state, no. 6 among Catholic research universities, and no. 4 among Jesuit research universities,” McShane said. U.S. News & World Report also ranked Fordham as no. 74 in “Best Value,” no. 18 in social mobility, and no. 17 in marketing. Some of
the declining rankings included undergraduate business in which Fordham ranked no. 74 and international business in which Fordham ranked no. 11. McShane addressed Fordham faculty’s scholarly work, which comprises 195 published books and book chapters and 525 articles. Departments with the most works published included arts and sciences, law, and education. Fordham’s faculty also won almost $17.5 million in grants. “Fordham is a really great school,” Loza said. “Fordham is going to keep getting better rankings especially with the way they’re increasing diversity and trying to get better fundraising.”
ResLife Reminds Students That Vandalism Is a Policy Violation
ASHLEY YIU/THE OBSERVER
In one instance of vandalism, a face was drawn on the board. In others, sections of the decorations were torn down. VANDALISM from page 1
The email noted that the stolen items included an Olivia Rodrigo vinyl record, mustache decor and an illustration of the Pokémon character Bulbasaur. The stolen items have not been returned. The email sent by Little was the only direct communication of these incidents to all residents in McKeon. Zhang noted that he also emailed his residents on floor 19 personally.
As of Oct. 20, no residents have come forward claiming responsibility for the damage done to any of the floor decorations. If a resident were to come forward, there are disciplinary measures in place. “Vandalism is a policy violation; students caught in the act or believed to be in connection with the vandalism will go through the conduct process,” Little said. “If found responsible through the conduct process, students may be held accountable through sanctioning and fines.”
When asked if there were plans to remake the handmade stolen items, Kenneth Tang, GSBLC ’24 and RFM of floor 11, said due to time constraints, there currently aren’t any plans to renovate the board. “Whoever is doing this, please stop breaking the (bulletin) boards because everyone worked hours and hours and dedicated time,” Tang said. “You wouldn’t go to a museum and break something, so why would you do it anywhere else?” Both Zhang and Tang expressed their disbelief that a resident from their own floor would commit these acts or that their floor would be targeted in general. Tang claimed he “never thought” his floor would be implicated in this, and Zhang “would like to believe that my (residents) wouldn’t commit things like this.” Although no acts of vandalism have been reported since, Tang fears this will not be an isolated act throughout the academic year. “It will be a habit; that mass email turned out to be a meme. I saw people meming it.” Tang went on to describe seeing students create the meme on a whiteboard that depicted the “missing Bulbasaur and the troll face (combined) together.” Zhang stated that the only action to be taken by the McKeon Hall community is to keep in mind the “if you see something, say something” mentality. McKeon residents are urged to keep their eyes open and report any strange behavior or evidence of theft and vandalism to an RA, RFM or resident director.
Come to the Traditional Latin Mass
Sung Mass every Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Church of Saint Agnes 143 East 43rd Street (bet. Lexington and Third aves., near Grand Central)
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Columbia Student Worker Union Continues to Strike
More than 2,000 student workers agreed to strike at Columbia University in September and organize picketing By SABRINA VIDAL Contributing Writer
The union of Columbia Student Workers (SWC) held a strike on Nov. 3 in an ongoing fight to secure a fair contract with Columbia University. The union is composed of graduate and undergraduate students who are employed by Columbia with a bargaining committee of 10 people. The SWC’s bargaining committee submitted a new proposal to the university, including requests for an increase in wages, health care benefits and protection from sexual harassment.
“Columbia has not responded to our proposal,” Johannah King-Slutzky, rank-and-file organizer for SWC, said. “We have repeatedly asked for counter proposals but they have not given us any.” A strike authorization vote was held on Sept. 29. More than 2,000 Columbia student workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of authorizing a strike. King-Slutzky is a Ph.D. student in the English and comparative literature department and a parent. SWC is demanding health care benefits and fair wages for parents who are student-workers. According to
King-Slutzky, parents employed by Columbia are some of the people who are most affected by low compensation. “Many of them are expected to go hundreds of thousands of dollars into debt over the course of their time here because we make below the cost of living, particularly if you’re raising a family,” she said. King-Slutzky said some SWC members have had to move to other cities for more affordable rent prices. She added that a colleague of hers had to choose between paying rent or childcare. Shakti Castro, a first-generation student and a third-year doctoral
COURTESY OF JONATHAN BEN-MENACHEM
Over 2,000 student workers at Columbia voted in favor of a strike, and many organized on Nov. 3 in an effort to obtain increased wages, health care benefits and protection from sexual harassment.
student in the history program at Columbia, works as a teaching assistant. She became a single mother during the pandemic. “Being a parent structures my entire interaction with the university,” Castro said. “Columbia is my employer and my educator.”
“ If they don’t pay us, why should we work for them? We’re not going to. It doesn’t make any sense. ”
Johannah King-Slutzky, rank-and-file organizer
In the experience of Castro and many other parents who are both enrolled in and employed by Columbia, the $2,000 yearly subsidy provided by Columbia for childcare is not nearly enough, leaving them scrambling to figure out how to pay for childcare. “I’m grateful for anything, but it’s really hard to do what we do with the wages we’re making,” Castro said. Due to Columbia’s change in pay policy earlier this year, some student workers have had a shortfall of about $8,000 in their wages. According to King-Slutzky, the policy “antagonized” the group’s members and led them to understand the necessity of a strike. “If they don’t pay us, why should we work for them? We’re not going to. It doesn’t make any sense,” she said. Castro cited the return to campus after the pandemic as an important factor in deciding to strike. She explained that many student workers were disturbed
by Columbia’s lack of acknowledgment for their struggles throughout the pandemic and lack of support despite Columbia having the financial capability. “It is very clear when we talk to people that they are chomping at the bit to begin a strike,” King-Slutzky said. Last year, the SWC began its strike, but action slowed down at the end of the spring semester. Following internal reform and the reconstitution of the SWC’s bargaining committee over the summer, the union returned to campus this fall with increased momentum and a more streamlined and effective approach to the union’s organization and movement. Another difference from last year’s strike efforts is that Columbia recommenced in-person operations on campus. Therefore, the lack of labor will have an even greater impact on the university. “We are all present; we are ready to go on the picket line; we’re talking to each other in person instead of on Zoom; and (for example) if we want to go protest with 50 of our students and other colleagues, we can do that in three days’ notice, and that’s not something that we had last year,” King-Slutzky said. King-Slutzky said the strike is not only about compensation, although fair wages are a huge part of the SWC’s demands. Protections for workers against sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace is another important issue to many members of the union. Leading up to the Nov. 3 strike, student workers hoped to win major concessions from Columbia to ensure their rights, safety and wellbeing in their school and workplace. “I want to do my job!” Castro said. “But I want to do my job from a place where I feel supported.”
Health Services Administers COVID-19 Booster Shots
Members of Fordham faculty, staff and student body who qualify for a booster shot can receive it on campus BOOSTER SHOTS from page 1
In compliance with CDC guidelines and NYSDOH criteria, Keown outlined the eligibility requirements of Fordham faculty, staff and students who wish to receive the Pfizer booster. Only those who received their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months prior are allowed to get a booster shot.
Those who are eligible to receive a booster dose can schedule an appointment through Fordham’s UHS vaccine information website. Since the email from the Office of the Vice President for Administration that outlined eligibility at the time, the university has been distributing booster shots to any eligible community member, with all three booster vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson) available on campus. This includes those who previously received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, according to Keith Eldredge, assistant vice president and dean of student services. Those who wish to receive a vaccine that is different from the initial one received are permit-
ted to do so, Eldredge confirmed. The university expanded the eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots on-campus after the CDC published updated recommendations. According to the CDC, all those who intend to receive the Moderna booster shot must have received a second Moderna dose at least six months prior, with no exceptions. Those over 18 who initially received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can receive a booster two months after receiving the shot. Individuals must also fall under the given specifications established by the university and CDC guidelines. Those who are eligible to receive a booster dose can schedule an appointment through Fordham’s UHS vaccine information website. Before scheduling, individuals must read eligibility requirements and attest that they are eligible. The vaccines are given on Mondays at Fordham’s Rose Hill campus in O’Hare Hall. At Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus, vaccines are distributed on Wednesdays in McMahon 211. There may be additional times to receive the vaccine listed on the UHS website, according to Keown. Eldredge recommends that Fordham community members who are eligible to receive the booster shot do so to “reduce the rate of COVID-19 infection in addition to extending the protection against the most severe responses.” In addition, Eldredge advises those eligible for the boost-
er to “consult with their health provider, which includes Health Services for students, to discuss their individual circumstances.”
“ I definitely recommend
for everyone to get it when they can, so we can continue to stay healthy and help keep everyone around us safe.”
Reeya Vasisht, FCLC ’23
Many Fordham students have already received the Pfizer booster shot. Reeya Vasisht, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’23, stated that she received the booster shot in her hometown in New Jersey. Although she did not receive the booster shot directly on campus grounds, Vasisht encourages eligible Fordham community members to receive the shot as well. “I definitely recommend for everyone to get it when they can, so we can continue to stay healthy and help keep everyone around us safe,” she said. Gianna McGrath, Gabelli School of Business at Lincoln Center ’25, who initially received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, said she plans on receiving the booster shot, possibly at Ford-
ANDREW DRESSNER/THE OBSERVER
Fordham now offers COVID-19 booster shots for the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
ham’s Health Center. “I’m deciding to get the booster because it is highly recommended by the government as it will further reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19,” she said. “As a person born in a third world country, other countries don’t have access to the same boosters or shots as we do, so I have always been taught to take advantage of shots they provide here.”
For community members who may be hesitant about receiving the booster, Keown assures them that “the vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death.” Anyone with questions regarding their eligibility or with apprehensions concerning the booster shots should contact UHS and speak with medical staff.
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OMA’s LGBTQ+ and Ally Network Hopes to Foster Inclusion
Representatives from OMA, the deans’ office and CPS introduced discussions on supporting LGBTQ+ students By OLIVIA LEDUC Staff Writer
The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) hosted its annual LGBTQ+ and Ally Network of Support training during two sessions at Fordham Lincoln Center held on Oct. 14 and Oct. 21. Two other sessions were held on Oct. 13 and Oct. 20 at Fordham Rose Hill. LeighMarie Weber, the associate director of OMA, said a total of six participants attended the Lincoln Center session, while at Rose Hill, there were 18 attendees. Weber reported that the program aimed to encourage an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ members of the Fordham community by training a network of allies. There are 1,010 community members who have been trained through OMA’s program and inducted into the network since it began in the spring semester of 2010.
“ The ways people can
show allyship may be very public or personal and can manifest in different ways. ”
Juan Carlos Matos, assistant vice president for student affairs for diversity and inclusion
The training, held in the South Lounge, was open to all Fordham community members. Registration and attendance were required in order for participants to be counted as part of the network. The training was facilitated by Weber and Lilibeth Ramos Flores, an OMA graduate intern. Weber introduced the first session by explaining the program’s mission: that participants are able to “actively work toward promot-
ing an environment in which each member of the university community is welcome and valued.” She added that participants should develop an understanding, acceptance and appreciation of LGBTQ+ students. She also hopes they will be able to identify behavior and language that are offensive to LGBTQ+ students. After sharing statistics of a senior class survey in 2019, Weber explained that the Fordham community has more inclusion work to do. “Students feel across the board that the community here at Fordham welcomes everyone regardless of their sexuality ... However, some students feel as though specific identities do not feel as included in the community,” Weber said. Following Weber’s introduction, professor of theology Rev. Bryan Massingale, S.J., discussed the existing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, the Ignatian values in LGBTQ+ affirmation and the correlation between proactive allyship and attendance at a faith-based university. “The struggle is good news ... It is a sign of diversity and conflict showing change, a necessary place to be,” Massingale said. “We are in a spring time that has potential for new possibilities and change.” “Faith can be an important resource in being proactive allies for the LGBTQ+ community,” he said. Massingale added that he sees the struggles as “hopeful progression.” Jenifer Campbell, dean of students at Lincoln Center, discussed the availability of campus and community resources for LGBTQ+ students. Campbell urged students who may be “upset or struggling” to be guided toward Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) on campus. “If there is an emergency situation, there are many ways we can help and guide students,” Campbell said.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LEIGHMARIE WEBER
OMA hosted its annual LGBTQ+ and Ally Network of Support training for how to best support LGBTQ+ students.
The first session of the training included a variety of interactive activities among participants, including “Step In,” which showcases the different identities present in the room. The activities served to create a foundation for context on LGBTQ+ awareness and an additional understanding of one’s role as an ally. The second session of the training program framed the elements of allyship and was taught by Juan Carlos Matos, assistant vice president for student affairs for diversity and inclusion. Matos’ presentation addressed the qualities of being an ally. “The ways people can show allyship may be very public or personal and can manifest in different ways,” Matos said. “Con-
tinuing to engage in learning opportunities or show support are ways to be an active ally.” Matos emphasized that being an ally is important, especially on campus, to “make a contribution to supporting, respecting and improving the lives of LGBTQ+ students.” Following Matos was Jessica Del Vita, a doctor of psychology in CPS, who shared knowledge on mental health within the LGBTQ+ community on campus. Del Vita expressed that students in the LGBTQ+ community are more likely to experience “high levels of distress, mental health academic impairment, and more likely to utilize services.” She continued, “We see this at our counseling center, by diversifying our staff so students feel wel-
come when they walk in the door, which is very important to us.” Her presentation led to a discussion on how participants should acknowledge the experiences of LGBTQ+ students, connecting back to the responsibility of allies on Fordham’s campuses and in other communities. The training event ended with a closing ceremony in which participants received a plaque and a pin certificate of completion. Weber thanked the participants for their time and dedication. She hopes more Fordham community members will sign up for the session in the spring semester, where the program will explore deeper dialogue, continuing the conversation about “LGBTQ+ identity and race relations.”
Students Express Dissatisfaction With Diversity Efforts
Despite welcoming the most diverse class yet, some students say more work is needed to promote racial inclusion By OLIVIA REYES Staff Writer
Members of the Fordham community received the university’s quarterly diversity, equity and inclusion report on Oct. 5. The report consisted of messages from the Of-
fice of the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), Office of Undergraduate Admission, Office of Student Affairs, Office of Alumni Relations and Fordham School of Law — as well as an update on the university’s action plan, titled “Addressing Racism, Educating for Justice.”
COURTESY OF RAFAEL ZAPATA
Rafael Zapata, chief diversity officer, will be piloting mission-based community building and racial justice workshops.
The report outlined the steps the CDO will take in order to foster a more inclusive and diverse environment. The CDO awarded a total of 22 mini grants to more than 20 departments with the goal of “exploring ways to integrate questions of race into their introductory and major/minor courses as part of the Teaching Race Across the Curriculum grant program,” the email stated. The CDO will also pilot a series of mission-based community building and racial justice workshops. These programs are derived from work that Rafael Zapata, chief diversity officer, has conducted in a series of workshops for the Ignatian Colleagues Program. There was a documented increase in the diversity of the Office of Residential Life student staff. Out of the 42 resident assistants (RA) and resident first-year mentors (RFM) at Fordham Lincoln Center, 71% are Black, Indigenous or people of color (BIPOC). 52% of RAs and RFMs at Fordham Rose Hill are BIPOC. The university also noted that it welcomed its most diverse firstyear class yet, with more than 44% of domestic students being students of color. “In my conversations with students, folks are beginning to feel the impact of our more diverse incoming class as well as various faculty and staff who have been hired, diversifying the campus community by not only race, but gender and sexual orientation as
well,” Juan Carlos Matos, assistant vice president for student affairs for diversity and inclusion, said. However, many students believe there is more work to be done to make Fordham a diverse community. Hiba Imad, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’24, described the diversity on campus as “lackluster at best.” “On paper, Fordham’s efforts seem decent, but that doesn’t translate as well into the daily lives of students,” Imad said. “Fordham’s discourse on diversity seems to be catered to prospective students and prospective families, a rosy picture has been painted that does not necessarily reflect reality.” KeliCharles Thomas, FCLC ’25, said the lack of sufficient representation is not restricted to just the student body, as most of the faculty and staff identifying as people of color she has encountered “work in the kitchens or are janitors.” “I haven’t seen many professors here that are people of color,” Thomas said. Imad has had a similar experience to Thomas, noticing a lack of representation in the classroom setting. “Free thought and expression are restricted by the professor’s discomfort and reluctance to allow students to dissect topics and issues that affect them,” Imad said. “Representation would go a long way in increasing the quality of the courses offered at Fordham.”
With the core courses leaning heavily toward a Eurocentric curriculum, Imad said classes are especially restrictive for students like herself, who “would prefer to study topics relating to my heritage.” She said the emphasis on European perspectives is not the best way to uphold the principle of cura personalis, as it “restricts the holistic education of the individual.” Imad said she found herself enrolling in courses she feels no personal connection to. “While studying white philosophers has been beneficial in understanding the philosophical frameworks still popularly used today, I would love to learn about East Asian philosophy or Golden Age philosophers,” Imad said. “That would offer so much nuance and substance to a core class.” The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) offers a variety of programs throughout the year that aim to educate the Fordham community and celebrate different cultures. “OMA does a lot of great work, but it feels like their reach is limited,” Imad said. Charles noted that giving more funding to cultural clubs would be a step in the right direction because it would increase representation and improve holistic education. “Make a point to have a diverse staff (janitors, professors, deans and all). Include people of color in important conversations, or in school decisions,” Thomas said.
Sports & Health
Sports & Health Editor Patrick Moquin sports@fordhamobserver.com health@fordhamobserver.com November 10, 2021
The Benefits of IV Treatment for Aerobic Exercise
IV infusions’ efficacy is not just limited to clinical treatment, as seen in a new therapy for athletes By GABRIELLA BERMUDEZ Staff Writer
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the emergence of an increasingly health-conscious public, as more people are purchasing daily vitamins and antioxidants and focusing on overall wellness. The shift toward a healthier lifestyle has spurred a wider recognition of less-well known treatments. Compared to your body’s usual method of nutrition via digestion, these IV infusions pump nutrients directly to your body through the bloodstream, allowing for more immediate absorption. There are multiple factors, such as age, metabolism and other health-related issues that affect the way our bodies absorb vitamins through digestion. As these travel through the body, less and less of the intended dosage is absorbed due to loss of nutrients from digestion. Doctors and other medical professionals often use IV treatments on patients because they allow the body to absorb almost all of the vitamins and nutrients. Clean Market at NYC Hudson Yards offers IV NutriDrip treatments, including one specifically for athletes. Nurse and administrator of NutriDrip at Clean Market Ellie Kaoud discussed
how “NutriFit,” another one of their IV treatments, has become a trend for marathon runners before a big race. “It’s really helpful for them because it helps grow their muscles and helps their performance for a marathon,” Kaoud said. Not only are IV vitamin treatments helpful for runners while training, but they are also helpful after the race. The nutrients from the vitamin drips work to speed up recovery faster than ice baths. With all the necessary vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, and D and omega-3 going directly into the bloodstream instead of through the digestive tract, the body is able to quickly repair itself. This gets runners ready for the next race faster. NutriFit, like many of the other available NutriDrips, is filled with amino acids that help build muscles and carry nutrients throughout the body. Amino acids play a crucial role in the human body, helping regenerate muscles and boost the immune system. Because IV infusion therapy creates a surplus of amino acids for athletes, recovery time is shorter and can help them reach their athletic goals with ease. Vitamin infusions can also be used for non-illness-related reasons, such as balancing hor-
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MADDIE SANDHOLM
mones, helping to clear skin and relieving your body of toxins. Although a proper change in diet and exercise is needed for longterm results, IV infusions with lipotropic nutrients can help aid weight loss by breaking down fat cells in the body. IV infusion has also been used for addiction recovery as the infusions make withdrawal easier and detoxify the body.
IV infusion treatments are not inexpensive. They can range anywhere between $50 and $300 on the market. They also come with risks: The use of a needle means that IV fusion can result in bruising and vein inflammation. Another risk is vitamin overdose, which, depending on the vitamins, can lead to common issues including stomach pain, constipation and nausea.
Overall, IV infusion provides many nutritional benefits compared to traditional methods. Vitamin infusions can be particularly helpful in aiding athletes with their training and recovery. IV infusion therapy is mostly still seen in hospital settings, but increasing knowledge of its efficacy may mean that IV infusions will become a more common sight in the near future.
The Rams Defeat Hoyas to Keep Championship Hopes Alive
Rams remain undefeated in Patriot League, will play Holy Cross Crusaders for first place next week FOOTBALL from page 1
Head Coach Joe Conlin was happy with the offense’s well-rounded performance after the game. “Offensively, it was just steady all game,” Conlin said. “I think they’re always looking for the fast start, but I thought our guys did a real nice job putting some methodical drives together.” Though the Rams entered their matchup against the 2-6 Hoyas as heavy favorites, they did not take command immediately. In fact, Georgetown’s first drive of the game lasted nearly five minutes and ended on a three-yard rushing score by running back Jackson Saffold, GU ’22. The extra point attempt was no good, but the Hoyas led 6-0. Fordham responded immediately with a nine-play, 64-yard drive, and Davis tied the game with his first touchdown of the season from four yards out. But the Rams failed to take the lead when Fordham kicker Nick Leinenweber, FCRH ’22, took his turn missing the extra point.
The team captain’s first pick of the season gave the Rams momentum, but oddly enough, it didn’t directly lead to a score. The first quarter ended in a 6-6 tie, but Fordham was in the midst of another lengthy possession — one that would soon turn the tide. When play resumed, the Rams were already deep in the Hoyas’ territory, and on the sixth play of the quarter, DeMorat found Dequece Carter, GSBRH
’23, in the back of the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown. Down 13-6, Georgetown’s offense took to the field in search of a countering blow. Instead, the drive ended when a fourth-down pass from quarterback Pierce Holley, GU ’23, was intercepted by defensive back Jesse Bramble, FCRH ’22. The team captain’s first pick of the season gave the Rams momentum, but oddly enough, it didn’t directly lead to a score.
With another conference opponent cast aside, the undefeated Rams are now in direct competition for the Patriot League Championship. COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
On Fordham’s next drive, DeMorat and Davis moved the offense 59 yards down the field on 11 plays. But on fourth-andone with 5:51 remaining, Davis was stuffed at the goal line, giving the Hoyas possession. The defensive stop by Georgetown had the potential to change the game, which made it all the more gut-wrenching when Fordham’s opponent immediately blundered the opportunity. On the first play after the turnover, Saffold took the ball out of his own end zone, mishandled the handoff and fumbled, giving possession back to the Rams at the three-yard line. Davis only needed one play to redeem himself and put Fordham ahead 20-6. The half ended quietly. Leinenweber missed another kick on a 37-yard field goal attempt with 10 seconds remaining, but it
Lineman Ryan Joyce, FCRH ’23, lifts up receiver Fotis Kokosioulis, FCRH ’22, following a touchdown against the Hoyas.
didn’t matter. For all intents and purposes, the Hoyas had already been defeated. In the second half, the Rams scored three unanswered touchdowns on four drives to take a 41-6 lead with 9:25 remaining in the fourth. Two of these were passing scores from DeMorat to Fotis Kokosioulis, FCRH ’22, who now has 11 touchdowns this season and has scored at least one in seven of the team’s nine games. Georgetown managed to score twice near the end, but these are only worth mentioning as they affect the final score: 41-20, Fordham. With another conference opponent cast aside, the undefeated Rams are now in direct competition for the Patriot League Championship. The Crusaders await. Holy Cross is currently tied with Fordham for first place in the
Patriot League standings, and the two undefeated teams will play on Saturday, Nov. 13, in a game that will likely decide the championship. The Rams will play at Coffey Field, but home field advantage may be little comfort in the face of such opposition. On Sept. 4, the Crusaders managed to defeat the University of Connecticut 38-28 in the program’s first victory over an FBS school in 19 years. On Sept. 25, they defeated Monmouth University 45-15, two weeks after the Hawks pulled off a 26-23 upset on Fordham’s home turf. In another stellar season, the reigning conference champions from Worcester have terrorized conference opponents, outscoring Patriot League rivals by 110 points in four games. Fully grasping the rivalry between these two teams would
require multiple lifetimes. Since 1902, Fordham and Holy Cross have played on 58 occasions despite two hiatuses from 1931 to 1947 and 1954 to 1990. Since resuming their annual tradition, the two Jesuit schools have played one another all over the world, from Bermuda to Ireland to Yankee Stadium. Games between them now are reminiscent of times when they were powerhouses, bowl contenders and household names. The days of Lombardi and “the Seven Blocks of Granite” have long passed. The world of college football has grown and left both schools behind. But next Saturday, Fordham and Holy Cross will face off as powerhouses on Coffey Field once more, and championship glory may hang in the balance.
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER November 10, 2021
Sports & Health
7
Aura of Optimism for Fordham Men’s Basketball
The Rams return for the 2021-22 season, looking to move on from failures of previous campaigns By CHRIS MURRAY Asst. Sports & Health Editor
Fordham men’s basketball is back at Rose Hill, but it is not the basketball team of years past. The Rams are led by a new head coach, former Lehigh and Villanova Assistant Coach Kyle Neptune, and have thoroughly overhauled the roster from last season. Fordham lost its first, second and third leading scorers to the transfer portal in Chris Austin (University of Portland), Joel Soriano (St. John’s University) and Ty Perry (University of Buffalo). They are just three of the 11 former Rams who were on the roster last season but who did not return this year. This turnover allows for the Rams to start the Neptune era with a nearly blank slate, filling in roster holes with freshly scouted transfer students and recruits of their own. Neptune and his coaching staff were very particular about the types of players they wanted to bring to Rose Hill.
“ Honestly once we got
(the new players) to campus, I wish we could take more credit for this, but our guys were seamlessly drawn to each other. ”
Kyle Neptune men’s basketball head coach
“When we were recruiting guys, the things that we were really steadfast on were that they were into education and valued education and they loved basketball,” Neptune explained. “Honestly, once we got (the new players) to campus, I wish we could take more credit for this, but our guys were seamlessly drawn to each other.” The similarities between returning and incoming players has laid the foundation for a tightly-woven group with high levels of chemistry. Most importantly, they dissolve any rocky transition points between new and old eras of Fordham basketball, with basketball itself being the sole priority.
Despite this, Neptune and the Rams face daunting challenges ahead, as they try to flip the page after a disappointing 2-12, lastplace performance in 2020-21. Last season, Neptune asserts, is far from an indictment of how the 2021-22 campaign will unfold. “We’re building from the ground up. We don’t care about what happened last year — we’re worried about this year,” Neptune said. Despite any changes to the program, many still predict that Fordham will finish last in the Atlantic 10 (A10) Conference. It is easy to dismiss any potential for improvement considering the strength of the teams entering the A10 in the upcoming season. The St. Bonaventure Bonnies won the A10 Championship last season and are returning all five of their starters from that successful campaign. Meanwhile, the University of Richmond Spiders are returning many of their starters from a 2020-21 season that saw them contend for an NCAA Tournament bid prior to the COVID-19 pause disrupting the squad’s continuity. In addition to these A10 powerhouses, Saint Louis, Dayton and Virginia Commonwealth University all have lofty expectations entering this year. Nevertheless, there may be cause for optimism at Rose Hill. Incoming transfer student Darius Quisenberry, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) ’22, played at an All-Horizon League level while averaging 15.1 points per game and starting 77 out of 80 games played during his three-year stint at Youngstown State University. Fordham also added Antonio Daye Jr., Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’23, an explosive guard who transferred from Florida International University and averaged 17.1 points per game and 4.7 assists per game last season. Quisenberry and Daye add scoring dimensions that have previously been lacking for the Rams, granting that their skills transfer to A10 competition. Along with Quisenberry and Daye, Neptune also recruited numerous Penn State University transfers. D.J. Gordon, FCRH ’25, a 6’5” wing, will immediately look to make an impact on both ends of the court. Forwards Abdou Tsimbila, FCRH ’24, and Pat Kelly, Gabelli School of Business
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS
Rams practice one-on-one drills in the Rose Hill Gymnasium as preparation for the 2021-22 season.
Kyle Neptune and the men’s basketball team are ready to begin this season even with players who have transferred in or out.
Chuba Ohams, GSAS ’22, dribbles at practice earlier this season. He had been out on injury rest for most of the past two years.
at Rose Hill ’25, also Penn State transfers, will look to cement their spots in Neptune’s rotation early on. The Penn State connection likely stems from the experience of Associate Head Coach Keith Urgo, who spent 10 seasons with the Nittany Lions and was referenced in numerous player interviews when questioned as to why they chose to attend Fordham. The newcomers are rounded out by Kam’ron Cunningham, FCRH ’23, a high-flying transfer student from Mississippi Valley State University who averaged 10 points per game last season, and junior college transfers Rostyslav Novitskyi, FCRH ’24, and Antrell Charlton, FCRH ’24. A final intriguing prospect is 18-year-old player Zach Riley, a sharp-shooting guard from New Zealand who was awarded the National Basketball League Youth Player of the Year Award after posting 10.6 points per game and shooting 38.5% from three for the Auckland Huskies last season. He recently committed to Fordham and the Rams hope for him to join the team this season.
One player who is not new to the program but certainly feels like an addition is forward Chuba Ohams, GSAS ’22. Ohams broke out during the 2019-20 season by averaging 11 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Injuries, however, have plagued his past two seasons, and he only appeared in one game last season.
“ We’re all in on these
guys ... I really believe in them and the staff believes in them. ”
Kyle Neptune, men’s basketball head coach
Nevertheless, Ohams is a strong rotation player on the team who is in a unique position as a returner and graduate student to lead the 2021-22 Rams. He joins Jalen Cobb, FCRH ’23; Josh Colon-Navarro, GSAS ’22; and Kyle Rose, FCRH ’23, as returning rotation players who
can make impacts on and off the court for the new-look Rams. It would be unreasonable to expect a one-year leap from last place in the A10 to a conference title for Fordham. But all signs point toward the team heading in the right direction, and an improvement to the middle of the pack is not out of the question. “I’m optimistic about our team. I love our team, and I think we have a great group of guys,” Neptune remarked with a growing grin on his face. “We’re all in on these guys ... I really believe in them and the staff believes in them.” With a new coaching regime and a litany of new faces on the court, there seems to be something worth smiling about brewing in the Rose Hill Gymnasium. Uptempo, high-scoring guards have arrived, and the Rams’ mentality has adjusted. And as Fordham looks to improve this season, fans will once again be in the stands to cheer them on. While the past has offered little to look forward to, this fresh start could be the beginning of an era of prosperity.
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Adam Faid, FCLC ’23 Feelings Toward Thanksgiving: Faid is originally from Egypt, and he said he never really gave Thanksgiving much thought. “We already have our own version of Thanksgiving: Eid, and honestly I don’t really know the origin of Thanksgiving so I don’t really know what we’re giving thanks to,” he said. Memory That Stands Out: Last year stands out to Faid because people took him into their home to spend Thanksgiving with. “To have people that are generous enough to welcome you into their home and give you dinner … that just means a lot.” Favorite Dish: Naan
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’24 Feelings Tow ard Thanksg iving: “I love the id ea of celebra ting time toge and giving th ther with peo anks for what ple I have but I d comfortable on’t really fee celebrating h l o w my ancestors removed peo ple from the forcibly ir land.”
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Dots and Boxes Take turns adding a single horizontal or vertical line between two unjoined adjacent dots. If you complete the fourth side of a 1×1 box, initial in the box. The game ends when no more lines can be placed. The winner is the player with the most boxes at the end.
PAGE DESIGN BY MADDIE SANDHOLM HAND TURKEY DESIGN BY GRACE GETMAN
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Opinions
FORDHAM HAS HAD 32 WHITE MALE PRESIDENTS, BUT THE NEXT SHOULDN’T BE
W
Fordham’s next president should be someone who will advocate for students and accommodate largely progressive interests. Since the university has repeatedly expressed interest in addressing institutional racism, electing a person of color and/or a woman will be proof of this commitment. Fordham’s undergraduate population is 65% female, but there has yet to be a female president. If elected, the potential female president would not be a Jesuit priest, as priests must be male. However, one could still practice Jesuit values. To be a person for others is a central Fordham tenet, regardless of gender. Over the last decade,
The university should hire a president who represents the student population. Fordham has sought to diversify its upper leadership, hiring women, people of color and others who identify as members of minority groups. One of the biggest changes occurred in 2015 when Fordham hired four new deans, three of whom were women: Eva Badowska at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Maura Mast at Fordham College at Rose Hill, and Virginia Roach at the Graduate School of Education (who stepped down in 2020 to
November 10, 2021 THE OBSERVER
Observer the
STAFF EDITORIAL
ith the resignation of current Fordham University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., the presidential transition has begun with the assembly of a search committee consisting of trustees, faculty, staff and current students. Fordham has also been hosting virtual town halls to gather the community’s input. The committee will present its front-running candidates to the Board of Trustees in early 2022 and announce its final choice in the spring of 2022. Despite this show of inclusivity, students are concerned that Fordham’s next president will not embody the community’s values nor identities. Fordham has many policies that differ from the values of the student body, like limiting overnight guests based on sex, unlike other Jesuit universities. The 2020-21 academic year was the first with gender-inclusive housing options at Lincoln Center, only provided after five years of advocacy by students. Fordham’s administration has previously ignored petitions by students demanding more concrete actions to address racial inequity, such as cutting university ties with its food service Aramark and unpacking Public Safety’s involvement with the NYPD. It is important for our administration to listen to the student body when petitioned.
Opinions Editors Clara Gerlach Ava Peabody opinions@fordhamobserver.com
pursue other opportunities). Mica McKnight became the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) assistant dean for sophomores in 2017 and served in that position until just last month. Laura Auricchio followed suit, becoming the FCLC dean in 2019. Also at Lincoln Center, Tracyann Williams was appointed to the recently added position of assistant dean for Student Support and Success. Since then, Fordham leaders have continued to diversify the administration with special attention to race, particularly after the intensification of anti-racism efforts in 2020. Three months ago, José Luis Alvarado became the dean at the Graduate School of Education and Jenifer Campbell was promoted to dean of students at Lincoln Center. Efforts to include more people of color in administrative positions should extend to the selection of Fordham’s next president. Doing so would further diversify the management of this institution and better reflect the makeup of the student body. If the university wants to progress along with the students they admit, they should hire a president who represents the student population. Fordham students have a voice that deserves to be heard at the highest level and a president who resembles them.
Feature Photo: Public Cuteness Advisory
Camera-friendly, Rose Hill’s feral cats are adorable (even if scared of, and aggressive towards, humans).
Editor-in-Chief Katrina Lambert
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
PHOTOS BY ALYSSA DAUGHDRILL/THE OBSERVER
• Letters to the Editor should be typed and sent to The Observer, Fordham University, 140 West 62nd Street, Room G32, New York, NY 10023, or emailed to editor@fordhamobserver.com. Length should not exceed 200 words. All letters must be signed and include contact information, official titles and year of graduation (if applicable) for verification. • If submitters fail to include this information, the editorial board will do so at its own discretion. • The Observer has the right to withhold any submissions from publication and will not consider more than two letters from the same individual on one topic. The Observer reserves the right to edit all letters and submissions for content, clarity and length. • Opinions articles and commentaries represent the view of their authors. These articles are in no way the views held by the editorial board of The Observer or Fordham University. • The Editorial is the opinion held by a majority of The Observer’s editorial board. The Editorial does not necessarily reflect the views held by Fordham University.
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THE OBSERVER November 10, 2021
Opinions
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Doc Martens: A Pillock Boot
Why you should stop buying Doc Martens and instead invest in a higher quality alternative ANDREW DRESSNER/THE OBSERVER
Docs have transformed from a utilitarian boot to a mainstream accessory worn by celebrities and Fordham students alike.
TREVOR WOITSKY
Contributing Writer
Doc Martens: an iconic British boot worn by humble postmen to rock superstars like Pete Townshend. Like many other British brands, Docs have transformed from a utilitarian boot to a mainstream accessory worn by celebrities and Fordham students alike. Their popularity is not just based on its iconic style but also a reputation built by decades of quality, durable construction and longevity. Yet for the past 20 years, Dr. Martens have wasted away a storied reputation. To understand their decline, you must first understand their origins.
riders, punks and other youth subcultures. It was during the late 1960s and 1970s when the shoes’ popularity was cemented in youth culture. In 2003, declining revenues forced Doc Martens close to bankruptcy, leading the company to shut down U.K. production and outsource their production to cheaper East Asian manufacturers. This, along with a relaunch of its product line, brought the company back from solvency and led to it being acquired by the private equity firm Permira in 2013.
Doc Martens now only produces 1% of its boots in the U.K. as of 2018.
A German or British Boot? Doc Martens’ origins lay not in Britain, but in Germany. The company was founded by Klaus Märtens in 1947 after he partnered with a friend from his university to produce a boot design he created himself. He came up with the design that utilized air-cushioned soles after injuring his ankle while serving in the German army. At first, the two sold the majority of their boots to housewives, but by 1952, their sales had increased to the point that they attracted the attention of British shoe manufacturer the R. Griggs Group. In 1952, the R. Griggs Group bought the patent rights to manufacture the boot in Britain and changed the name from Märtens to “Dr. Martens.” During the 1960s, “Docs” became popular first with blue-collar workers then with scooter
Since its acquisition by Permira, Doc Martens experienced record revenue growth. In 2019 alone, its revenue was £454 million, a six-fold increase since 2013. But what was the cost? Before the 2000s, Doc Martens manufactured nearly all its boots in Britain at its original Cobbs Lane factory in Wollaston, Northamptonshire. Yet after its near bankruptcy and acquisition, Doc Martens now only produces 1% of its boots in the U.K. as of 2018. A Rip-Off The question is: Are Doc Martens still worth it? Well, it is complicated. To the average Fordham student who wears boots solely for their looks, yes, Doc Martens are a decent pair of (overpriced) boots. To those who
care about the quality of their footwear and where their money goes, Docs are not worth it. In 2019, The Guardian published an article detailing dozens of customer complaints about the boot’s decline in quality after its acquisition. One longtime owner detailed sentiments shared by many other customers: “I have two otherwise identical pairs of Dr. Martens boots — one U.K. made, one Chinese-made — and while the U.K.-made ones are among the most comfortable footwear I own, the Chinese-made ones (are) made of nasty, rigid, thinner leather.” Another passionate owner from London wrote, “The replacement pair has a glued-in flat-foam insole which leaves a gap between it and the inside of the boot. Not only that but the leather that comprises the tongue is 0.2 mm thinner — 1.4 mm compared to 1.6 mm of the previous pair.”
To those who care about the quality of their footwear and where their money goes, Docs are not worth it. The perceived decline of Doc Martens is not just an isolated case but rather emblematic of an industry trend whereby companies by their own accord — or after being bought out — shift production from their home countries to cheaper regions such as Southeast Asia and South America. Storied brands
like Barbour, Allen Edmonds and Schotts have all shifted production overseas to reduce costs and quality while raising prices.
Voting with your wallet can be a powerful sign to companies to change their practices. Spineless Consumers At this point, some readers might be wondering, “So what?” “So what if I buy a foreign-made boot if it is comfortable and decent quality in my mind?” Such an attitude toward specific products is what caused their quality decline in the first place. It is consumers’ continued purchase of overpriced, lower-quality products that enables a company to offshore production, reduce quality and jack up prices to exorbitant amounts while raking in record profits. Voting with your wallet can be a powerful sign to companies to change their practices — just look at the video game industry and microtransactions. Personally, knowing where my clothes and footwear come from is a matter of principle and pride. Before many brands offshored their manufacturing, their local factories in America or Europe supported hundreds, if not thousands, of skilled workers, and many towns and cities. Corporate greed has been the death knell not just for the American and British clothing and footwear workers but also automobile and factory workers.
What sets the situation with Doc Martens apart from others is that you can still choose to support the right company. Solovair is a British-made boot brand manufactured by NPS Shoes in Northamptonshire, U.K. They have hand-made British shoes in the Northamptonshire factory since 1881 and during the 1960s, they were contracted by the R. Griggs Group to manufacture the iconic Doc Martens boot with a Solovair sole and Griggs upper. This partnership continued until the mid-1990s until Doc Martens began shifting production offshore. In 1995, however, Solovair trademarked its name, enabling it to make its air-cushioned boots that once created British-made Doc Martens during the 1960s. Nowadays, Solovair continues to make boots of their design and similar designs to original Doc Martens in the Northamptonshire factory. When comparing Solovair’s Black Greasy 8 Eye Derby boots to Doc Martens’ 1460 Vintage Made in England boots, it is evident that their appearance and price are almost identical, coming in at $225 and $230, respectively, and adorned with white stitching and yellow stitching, respectively. The main difference is Solovair’s quality and the fact that it did not employ dubious business practices that cost hundreds of British workers their jobs and slashed its quality in pursuit of profit. The only way to put an end to this practice of corporate greed is to begin genuinely caring about the manufacturing source and ethics of the companies by not turning a blind eye for the sake of cheapness and looks.
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Opinions
November 10, 2021 THE OBSERVER
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Fordham’s Overachievers Are Overwhelmed
Returning to in-person school has been taxing in terms of workload and mental stress OVERACHIEVERS from page 1
The added anxiety that many have been feeling lately has been termed “re-entry anxiety”: anxiety about life returning back to normal after isolation. Of course the university’s goal was always to get us back to this point: fully in-person classes, crowded elevators and full dorm halls. But at what cost to students’ mental health?
It feels like we are being yanked back and forth, a force tugging on each of our arms, and we are just expected to readjust with a snap of the university’s fingers. GRAPHIC BY ROXANNE CUBERO/THE OBSERVER
learning changes are becoming too much for us to handle. First, we were yanked out of our classrooms, forced to pack up all of our belongings and head home on a random Friday in March 2020. Online learning was extremely difficult in the beginning, but as the next year
The university faculty are not wholly at fault for the struggles students are facing this year. No one was prepared when COVID-19 initially hit, so no one really knows how to proceed as we are slowly exiting this pandemic. However, the constant academic
and a half went on, we adjusted to “Zoom University,” finally regaining a sense of comfortability and routine. But our normalcy has changed once again. Now we are back in classrooms, surrounded by our peers and professors once again. It’s what
Rubberneck
we’ve wanted since we were sent home in the first place, but we have had no help adjusting to this sudden change. It feels like we are being yanked back and forth, a force tugging on each of our arms, and we are just expected to readjust with a snap of the university’s fingers.
Now, we’re exhausted. The stresses keep mounting, and though our time management skills have collapsed, professors are much less lenient this year than they had been virtually. In hindsight, it would’ve been better for the university to set up some kind of transition period for students. Classes could have started fully remote, then turned hybrid and then transitioned into fully in-person. Or, professors should give students an option to join class online when needed. Students’ input should have been taken into account because the lack of leniency, sympathy and any sort of transitional period has been brutal. We can’t just be expected to pick up where we left off two years ago — too much has changed. There’s no reason for professors to be unwilling to accommodate students anymore; COVID-19 hasn’t gone anywhere. If anything, our lives are more hectic than ever. We should be allowed to join class via Zoom if we are sick, are having a bad mental health day or just need a break. But hey, what do I know? I’m just one of those students drowning in all of the tasks they have to do in a day.
The
SATIRE & HUMOR
ISABELLA SCIPIONI Asst. Social Media Editor
GRAPHIC BY LAUREN BOCALAN/THE OBSERVER
Dear Members of the Campus Community,
Mail Inbox
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Starred Snoozed Sent Drafts Graphic by Tara Lentell
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We remind you that members of the University community should not approach any feral anti-vaxxers or other wild animals, either on or off campus. In particular, never feed, handle, touch, grab or make sudden movements toward these animals. Feral anti-vaxxers live around the country, and some even in the vicinity of New York City, the original hotspot of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are typically born in West Virginia or Ohio and have had excessive human interaction over the past 18 months. If you get too close, a feral anti-vaxxer will see it as an invitation and may respond by telling you that they just need to do their own research or by coughing uncontrollably. Even if the antivaxxer is not infected with COVID-19 or another disease that has yet to hit the general population, conversations with anti-vaxxers inject a great number of harmful scientific “facts” into the brain and often into the general public’s opinion. This may lead to serious misinformation if not treated promptly and aggressively. Fordham has an anti-vaxxer management program and has engaged a specialist to oversee the University’s nonlethal Trap, Vax, Release (TVR) program to humanely trap feral anti-vaxxers, teach them to cover both their mouth and their nose with their mask, vaccinate them against COVID-19 and other diseases, and “notch” the antivaxxers’ foreheads with a sharpie-drawn “Loser” to identify them visually. The anti-vaxxers are then released to a colony in the state of Florida. We ask that anyone who observes an anti-vaxxer without such a marking notify Campus Custodial Operations. The TVR program is based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York City’s Feral Anti-Vaxxer Initiative to reduce the number of citizens who barely passed 9th-grade biology but still think they know more than seasoned epidemiologists. An established anti-vax population is welcoming and invites new members through Facebook and internet conspiracy theories, but in time, the feral anti-vax population is reduced by the spreading of a deadly respiratory virus. The untreated anti-vaxxers also tend to assist in keeping the Measles virus, along with other nearly eradicated diseases, in circulation. The vast majority of feral anti-vaxxers cannot be rescued because they are scared of, and aggressive toward, logic and doing anything for the public good. They cannot be socialized enough for adoption into society without a prohibitive expense of time, effort and Bill Nye the Science Guy videos. In any case, removing the anti-vaxxers from the country would simply open a new territory for other feral anti-vaxxers to inhabit, increasing the overall number of feral superspreaders without solving the problem. Please do not hesitate to contact Campus Custodial Operations or Public Safety if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for following precautions to protect yourself and other members of the University community. Sincerely, “Fordham Department of Public Safety”
Arts & Culture Editors Madeline Katz Olivia Stern arts@fordhamobserver.com
Arts & Culture
November 10, 2021
THE OBSERVER
PHOTOS BY FABIOLA ARIAS/THE OBSERVER
A global event organized by the Undocumented Migration Project illuminates the humanitarian crisis occurring at the U.S.-Mexico Border, being featured at Fordham Lincoln Center’s Lipani Gallery.
Hostile Terrain 94: A Moment of Awareness The exhibit ‘A Migrant’s Journey: Hostile Terrain Interactive Reflection’ commemorates lives lost and shows the truth behind immigration laws in the United States By FABIOLA ARIAS Staff Writer
In 1994, the United States Border Patrol formally established an immigration enforcement strategy they called “Prevention Through Deterrence” (PTD). According to the Hostile Terrain 94 official website, this policy was designed to discourage undocumented immigrants from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. The United States Border Patrol closed off urban points of entry, forcing immigrants to cross the border through hostile terrain, deserts and depopulated areas. More than 6 million people have attempted to cross the border through places like the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, where at least 3,200 people have died. This is where Hostile Terrain 94 — an installation started by the Undocumented Migration
Project in 2009, which is currently showing as an art exhibit at the Lipani Gallery at Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) — comes in. The installation will be shown at Rose Hill next semester. Originally scheduled to open in fall 2020 but delayed because of COVID-19, the Hostile Terrain exhibition at FLC is both simple and complicated. It depicts a map of the Arizona-Mexico border filled with over 3,200 toe tags — identification tags that often are attached to the toe of a deceased person. These toe tags, colored white for identified remains and orange for unidentified remains, represent the recovered bodies of those who have died trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Through these tags, viewers see the reality of the situation that has been imposed on those who want a better life. Over the past few weeks, the
Fordham community has been filling out tags to help mount this exhibit. Students in class and in their free time have joined faculty members to learn about the harsh conditions that immigrants have been forced to endure and to raise awareness about the situation that the United States Border Patrol has created. Each toe tag includes the name, age, sex, cause of death, condition of body and location of recovery for each individual. They are physical markers of the suffering that these migrants endured. Every single toe tag on the wall represents someone who dared to make the journey, and every single day, that number increases. Carey Kasten, a Latin American and Latino studies and comparative literature professor at Fordham College at Lincoln Center, was one of the main
contributors to this exhibition and gave insight into the importance and technicalities behind it. “What the law (PTD) said was, ‘We’re going to push people away from the ports of entry. We’re going to push people away from cities like Ciudad Juárez, El Paso and Tijuana,’” Kasten explained. “All of a sudden, these places were very heavily patrolled and militarized. Kasten explained that this law pushed people toward the desert, and knowing that it was such a hostile terrain, would then choose not to cross the border. In a way, it told those who sought asylum, “don’t come here.” “What they’re fleeing from is worse than the experience of crossing the desert,” she said. “That’s what this particular exhibit is about: It’s about the U.S. Border Policy because that 1994 law is still the main policy
that is in place today to patrol that border.” Different universities and art institutes throughout the U.S. put up similar installations to commemorate the lives that have been lost in this journey, to create awareness about the PTD law and what it may cause, and to immortalize the ones who tried. This installation creates a space of commemoration, reverence and healing for those who have risked their lives in an attempt to get somewhere better. Standing in front of “A Migrant’s Journey: Hostile Terrain Interactive Reflection” is like being surrounded by silent screams, and that is purposeful. It’s painful, and at times discomforting, but it’s a reality that needs to be known and changed. This exhibit at FLC brings awareness of this reality to the Fordham community.
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Arts & Culture
November 10, 2021 THE OBSERVER
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‘Dune’: The Long Beginning
Director Denis Villeneuve captures a cinematic desert wasteland devoid of emotion By NICK PELLIZZI Contributing Writer
“Dune” Director Denis Villeneuve recently called Marvel movies copies of each other with little originality integrated into each film. I find Villeneuve’s comments on Marvel movies quite ironic after watching his adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel “Dune.” Many Marvel movies have something that Villeneuve’s “Dune” lacks — heart. Spirit. Some sort of soul. And this is coming from a guy who takes great pleasure in criticizing Marvel movies. “Dune” features a stellar cast, with stars such as Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson, Stellan Skarsgård and Javier Bardem lending their talent. What does “Dune” do with such a star-studded group of performers both young and old? Well, not too much.
For all you Zendaya lovers out there, you are going to leave “Dune” feeling disappointed. Even though Zendaya is billed as one of the lead actresses of this film, she only has a few lines and mainly appears in some exceptionally shot dream sequences of Chalamet’s character Paul. In fact, the nondream Zendaya doesn’t actually appear until there are about 20 minutes left in the movie. I truly couldn’t tell you the name of her character, if she even had one to begin with. (I have just Googled it, and it would appear that Zendaya’s character’s name is apparently Chani.) Now, let us move on to Chalamet, the reason most Fordham Lincoln Center students are even seeing “Dune” in the first place, I would assume. Chalamet’s performance begins pretty lifelessly. This isn’t necessarily due to bad acting on his part, but more so because of the script.
The one time in the first half of the movie where Chalamet is allowed to shine is a scene in which he meets with the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam and is subjected to a deadly test, the Gom Jabbar. Chalamet gives it his all, portraying great anguish as he fights to stay alive. Other than this exceptional scene, though, he isn’t very noteworthy. As the film progresses, Chalamet becomes a lot more comfortable in the role. His lines allow him to be more intense and show more emotion, and he ultimately starts to better embody the character. But here lies a major problem with “Dune” and its two lead stars, if you can even call Zendaya that: When I see them on the screen, I never feel as if I am seeing Paul and Chani. I feel like I’m seeing Chalamet and Zendaya. Throughout the film, I never became immersed enough to believe differently.
RON FRAZIER VIA FLICKR
On a technical level, “Dune” shines brightly but lacks emotional depth and character development.
The rest of the cast ranges from okay to good. Isaac does a good job as Duke Leto Atreides, father of Paul. He brings a level of power and maturity to the role that I appreciate. Lady Jessica, the mother of Paul who is played by Ferguson, gives one of the more spirited performances of the film. I was pleasantly surprised to see Bardem, as I did not know previously that he was in the movie. And, of course, he delivered as the cool and somewhat mysterious leader of a group of Fremen, the nomadic, indigenous people of Arrakis. But the standout performance here has to be Skarsgård, who is completely unrecognizable as the fleshy Baron of House Harkonnen, the main antagonist of the film who appears as threatening and cold as would be expected. On a technical level, “Dune” shines really brightly. The cinematography is fantastic, with some gorgeous shots of the landscapes and scenery of Caladan and Arrakis. And while a lot of desert may seem like it would get stale after a while, it doesn’t. I have never been so captivated by sand in my life. The visual effects are on another level, especially in regard to the gargantuan and terrifying sandworms that populate the sands of Arrakis. I also have to give serious props to the costume department for crafting such sleek clothing for everybody. And how can I not mention the music? Absolutely incredible. It’s epic, immense and really fits with the scale of the movie. Unfortunately, what Villeneuve fails to realize is that all of this magnificent technical stuff should be in service of something, like a substantial plot or fully-fleshed out characters. That’s not to say that “Dune” has no story; it does, al-
beit being a bit muddled and hard to follow for newcomers. But it’s mainly just one, long, set-up. The characters never develop more than surface-level personalities. The whole movie just feels like a very long beginning to something greater. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely gets better, particularly in its last 45 minutes, but a two-and-ahalf-hour movie such as this one, it comes off as too little, too late. Possibly the movie’s biggest flaw is its complete inability to make its audience feel anything. I simply felt little to no emotion while watching it. No matter which character died or who got betrayed or who triumphed, there was a sense of distance and detachment. Instead of feeling as if I was on Arrakis, I felt far, far away, seeing these events unfold with a pair of binoculars. I ended the movie feeling largely unsatisfied and unfulfilled. If you are the type of person who adores visual effects and the technical aspects of movies, then you will want to marry “Dune.” But, if you are someone who watches films in order to feel something, to be impacted, to be thoroughly engaged, then you’ll probably leave “Dune” feeling slightly disappointed. And I’m sure there’s going to be some rube who will read this and say “Well Nick, you didn’t see the film the way it was supposed to be seen, in a theater, on IMAX, the best way possible, so your review is wrong until you go to the theater and see ‘Dune’ that way.” Well, to my knowledge, a screen, no matter how huge, and speakers, no matter how great their audio output, cannot imbue a film with soul. If you can find me the magical theater that can do this, then please send me its way. But until then, I’ll be skipping that venture.
Celebrating Día de los Muertos With SOL and CSA
Fordham students commemorate the Day of the Dead and learn the history behind the Mexican holiday By CHRISTINA IOANNIDES Contributing Writer
Members of Fordham Lincoln Center’s Student Organization of Latinx (SOL) and the Commuting Students Association (CSA) came together on Oct. 28 to paint skulls — but not for Halloween. These were calaveras, decorative sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos. Every year on the first and second days of November, people in Mexico and across Latin America celebrate Día de los Muertos, which translates to Day of the Dead.
“ We wanted to have one for Día de los Muertos to ensure that the holiday is given recognition by Fordham clubs.”
Preeti Grewal, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ‘24
Día de los Muertos is unique and meaningful to Latin American culture. It is a holiday meant to honor loved ones who have passed away, and it shouldn’t be cast aside in the shadow of Halloween; that’s why SOL and CSA decided to share the celebration with Fordham students through this club event. According to Preeti Grewal, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’24 and vice president of CSA, “We wanted to do a Día de
los Muertos celebration partially because it’s a tradition, but also because we know there are many Halloween events and we wanted to have one for Día de los Muertos to ensure that the holiday is given recognition by Fordham clubs.” While the holiday may sound like a somber or even morbid event to those unfamiliar with Mexican tradition, it’s actually a lively and joyous day. Its purpose is not to mourn the dead but rather to celebrate the lives they lived and the memories and legacies they left behind with their families and friends. Día de los Muertos has been celebrated for thousands of years, originating in Aztec rituals for the dead. The Aztecs viewed death as a natural part of life; dying is not an end to the human experience but simply another step. They also believed in an afterlife called Chicunamictlán, or the Land of the Dead, in which newly deceased souls go through a long and treacherous journey. The living family members left offerings such as food and tools to help their loved ones along the way. Over the years, as Europeans conquered Latin America, these indigenous traditions merged with the Christian holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to create the Día de los Muertos that is celebrated today. One of the most important parts of Día de los Muertos celebrations is the ofrenda. Families put together altars full of food, drinks, photos, marigold flowers
and other decorations to welcome back the deceased because they believe that the souls of the dead return to visit the living during this holiday. The celebrations range from visiting family members’ graves to hosting parties to participating in street parades. Sugar skulls, an important symbol of Día de los Muertos, can be seen everywhere during the holiday. The skulls can be decorative or edible, made of sugar or clay. Some have names
written on them to honor the person that has passed. They’re often intricately designed and can be found on any ofrenda. This tradition also dates back to the Aztecs, who would give skulls as offerings to Mictlantecuhtli, the god of the underworld. Additionally, it’s common for people to wear sugar skull face paint during Día de los Muertos celebrations. It’s a common misconception that Día de los Muertos is simply
“Mexican Halloween” due to the two holidays being close in date and sharing somewhat similar imagery and history. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Events such as this sugar skull painting give students an opportunity to learn about different cultures and participate in them respectfully. Students left with a greater understanding and appreciation for Día de los Muertos — and a beautifully painted calavera too.
CHRISTINA IOANNIDES/THE OBSERVER
Students learn about the long joyous history of Día de los Muertos while painting sugar skulls.
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THE OBSERVER November 10, 2021
Arts & Culture
15
TikToker Emily Mariko Finds Peace in the Mundane
Exploring the simple, yet somewhat unrealistic, content that has captivated her 7 million followers By MADELINE SINOVIC Contributing Writer
Emily Mariko, queen of clean counters and beautiful meals, is one of the most recent viral content creators on TikTok. Content creators like Mariko try their hardest to create engaging content on TikTok within its three minute time restriction. Some TikToks emulate mini stand-up shows, dance performances or cinematic experiences, while another side of TikTok explores the entirely mundane. Unlike the creators who make exciting, fast-paced content, Mariko’s brand relies on the seemingly simple. Her first viral video documented nothing more than her making lunch. There was no audio, aside from the clanking of dishes or the microwave running — no voice over, no instructions, no music.
Mariko offers a glimpse into what life could be like if we had more money: a nicer apartment and enough time to make ourselves a beautiful lunch. The video starts with her opening the fridge and pulling out the ingredients, and it ends with her taking the first bite of her lunch. The editing is ex-
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TARA LENTELL/THE OBSERVER
tremely choppy, showing the entire process of the lunch assembly, but each step is only shown for one to two seconds. This video launched Mariko into TikTok stardom — her page now has 7 million followers, and her most popular meal prep video accumulated over 28 million views. Personally, I love watching Mariko’s TikToks. I can easily sit in my bed and watch her make her lunch three times in a row. Although I have a world of entertainment at my fingertips that could make me laugh or cause me to marvel at CGI and special effects, I feel a strange pull to mundane content. After contemplating the allure for some time, I believe there could be a few
reasons as to why Mariko has found such success. Interestingly enough, the internet trends are reminiscent of the fashion industry. Ten years ago, skinny jeans were all the rage, as were YouTube challenges, such as the cinnamon challenge or the chubby bunny challenge. As I watch Mariko’s TikTok and hear the clanking of her clean white plate being placed on her spot-free granite countertops, or see the seaweed being wrapped around salmon, rice and avocado, the sounds are satisfying. There is an extremely calming element to such simple, recognizable sounds. Aside from the calming feelings that come from watching
Mariko’s TikToks, I also experience a strange mix of emotions. Inspiration, insecurity and envy simultaneously run through me when I click on her page. On one hand, Mariko could easily represent a symbol of hope for students on a budget like myself. Young college students, who are often short on money, are living in a transient state and rarely have an aesthetically pleasing life. Most of us are living in dorms or cheap apartments, are eating inexpensive, easy-to-make meals, and are in a stressful, chaotic time of life. Mariko offers a glimpse into what life could be like if we had more money: a nicer apartment and enough time to make our-
selves a beautiful lunch. For the three minutes that I am watching her video, I am transported into a life I wish was my own. However, I cannot ignore the sting of anger and jealousy that I experience while watching her TikToks. There are links between social media and damage to the mental health of the person consuming the content. Among many contributing factors, the false presentation of someone’s life could be a driving force behind feelings of envy and inferiority. With the rise of social media, people have been pressured to post their best selves online: videos of fun at parties, photoshopped images and perfect moments in relationships. This imbalanced perception of someone’s life can be extremely frustrating. Mariko only paints a perfect picture of her apartment, diet and relationship, so I am drawn back to her page when my life feels imperfect. It’s a complicated dynamic, but there is a sense of curiosity along with envy that drives my viewership of Mariko and any other creator whose life seems perfect. Mariko remains popular on TikTok, posting daily, and she also has a successful YouTube account. It is almost certain that her internet presence will remain strong for the near future, and I can confidently say that I will continue to watch her make lunch. Furthermore, I think she will continue to provide a comforting escape for college students when they want to imagine a more put together life for themselves.
‘Six’: Breaking Broadway Conventions Since the 16th Century
In a joyous celebration of femininity and individuality, history isn’t the only thing overthrown in this musical By ERIKA TULFO Staff Writer
Audience members filed into the Brooks Atkinson Theatre with expectations as high as its gilded ceiling, knowing full well that “Six” has a reputation to live up to even before the lights dim and the curtain rises. This is due largely in part to the musical’s widespread online success — its internet presence was indisputable even before making a home on Broadway, as evidenced by its songs going viral on TikTok and as backings to many YouTube animations. The musical’s influence, especially on younger fans, is only reaffirmed by the wall of fanart seen upon entering the venue and the audience members in line wearing homemade costumes and makeshift crowns. Such a stature only increases the expectations of American audiences, who eagerly anticipate all the passion and pizzazz promised by its soundtrack and recordings of West End shows. “Six,” a Broadway musical, doesn’t falter. What audiences are treated to is an experience that fully exceeds these expectations. Packed into 80 minutes — with no intermission — “Six” is a musical journey into 16th-century Tudor England delivered with all the flair of a 21st-century pop group. The story takes King Henry VIII’s lust and libido and rewrites it into an empowering, unapologetically female take on a fragment of history that is usually told from the man’s perspective. The musical itself is modeled after a concert, and in order to achieve this feel, the characters begin the show by constantly breaking the fourth wall. Or, per-
haps it’s not appropriate to say the fourth wall had been broken if it was never present in the first place: The actors greet the audience just before the opening number similar to how a band performing at Madison Square Garden would. Audience participation is one of the play’s defining qualities, and audience members should be prepared to come in with energy for the cast to play off of. As one of the earliest shows to reopen on Broadway after the COVID-19 pandemic, the actors seem just as thrilled to be back as the audience does, and their excitement is almost palpable. The all-female cast and musical ensemble, fondly referred to as “queens” and “ladies-in-wait-
ing,” are composed of only 10 members total — which is just one example of the many ways that “Six” actively breaks Broadway conventions. Despite the small cast size, there is no weak link, as each actress imbues her solo with a unique energy that’s distinct from the performance before and after. The leading ladies’ vocals and chemistry are so central to the show’s success that the musical doesn’t have to resort to gimmicks or stage tricks to leave a lasting imprint on viewers. The presence of an on-stage band creates a concert-like feel, whereas the backing musicians are people you can put a face to. Such a set-up recognizes the ensemble as playing a role equally as important as the principal cast.
However, the show sometimes finds itself running into an issue that historical musical adaptations often fall victim to: attempting to cram too much factual information into the songs so that it sounds like a history lecture. The musical is also modeled in such a way that each queen takes inspiration from a female pop icon. Jane Seymour, played by Abby Mueller, and her soulful ballad, for instance, are reminiscent of Adele. While the show has a wide range of musical variety, the consequences of this are jarring shifts in the play’s overall tone as it oscillates wildly from genre to genre and noticeably dips in energy when progressing from faster-paced songs to slower ones.
COURTESY OF ANGELA YAMARONE
“Six” sees all six wives of the infamous Henry VIII transformed into a modern-day girl band.
Arguably some of the show’s most standout features are the costumes and set design, which accentuate the magic of this 16th-century fever dream while not detracting attention from the cast themselves. The outfits are a marriage between traditional Tudor sleeves and blackwork bodices and the swishy petticoated skirts and neon colors of modern-day superstars. This unlikely combination — so unabashedly gaudy that it’s good — enables the cast to look the part of a female pop group while also paying homage to Renaissance fashions. The set design is minimal, but it sells the concert vibe further with handheld microphones and strobe lights that stretch far into the orchestra and mezzanine. The applause from both the audience and the cast echoed throughout the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, welcoming everyone back to Broadway. There weren’t any dirty looks shared if someone clapped too loudly or sang along. In fact, that kind of behavior — belonging more to stadiums than playhouses — was actively encouraged. Fans are invited to get up from their seats and dance to the finale, which acknowledged that while history remains unchangeable and the real queens’ fates have been long since sealed, the ability to rewrite their own story is always an option. “Six” shouldn’t be written off as just one of the plays riding the post-“Hamilton” wave of historical musical adaptations. Rather, it is a show that takes the standard theater conventions and turns them on their head. There is no better way to signal that Broadway is back than with the fresh vitality that “Six” brings to the stage.
Fun & Games Editor Kreena Vora puzzles@fordhamobserver.com
un & ames
November 10, 2021 THE OBSERVER
Crossword: Welcome to the Big Apple
BY KREENA VORA
Across 1.
baga; also called a Swedish turnip 5. Strange 10. “Breaking Bad” product
14. Large monkeys 15. CEO of Google’s birthplace 16. Halal cart sandwich 17. *A gig for a rock band featuring Glenn Hughes, John Jones and Dave Holland
19. Seven of these may be traveled, in song 20. Zeros, as a scale 21. Dead Common Market 23. On fire 24. *One who corrals a wild cat 28. A mutation may change this 30. The extra letter in 70 Across 31. Third book of the Torah (Abbr.) 32. and repeats 33. Lays eyes on 35. Finger for a foot 36. Rubs out 37. *Where to find 17, 24, 52 and 61 Across 40. Nationality of a pirate in “Captain Phillips” 43. Soccer player Hamm 44. Kangaroo pouches 48. Mount for a camera 49. Earrings if you don’t have piercings, with “clip” 50. “ have to?” 51. You shouldn’t walk down a dark at night 52. *A possible synonym for short leash 55. Mai 56. Beads in the morning 58. Anthropologist Edward known for linguistics 59. Old Peruvian currency named after the Sun God
61. *One skilled at making jewelry given at proposals 65. Father of Thor and Loki (AKA worst dad in the MCU) 66. This paper always has the for all things Fordham 67. Jealous wife of Zeus 68. He built an ark 69. Better than eleventh 70. A snake’s agreement
13. Lady who throws a party 18. NYC hours now 22. City near the Pyramids 25. A tin mint 26. Cat’s cry 27. Miss Piggy’s “me too”? 29. Eats at 32. Go over again, as a trauma 34. Word with land or sea 38. “Back to the Future” Christopher 39. Many do this in the shower 40. The closest one is 59th Street/Columbus Circle 41. Home of Disney World and Universal 42. The 2nd Amendment mentions a well-regulated one 45. Annie or Matilda 46. They come with fax machines and scanners 47. California mountains, informally 52. One too many for once 53. Airport presence in the past 20 years 54. Like itchy red skin 57. Formerly, before the present time 60. Tablets used to treat TB 62. Persona grata 63. Show whose 8th season was a let down (Abbr.) 64. Rate of speed in the U.S.
Down 1. Children’s toys that make noise 2. Brings to a higher level 3. Romantic flower found in a leaf-based brew? 4. Popular ski destination 5. Genius 6. Opposite of WSW 7. Journalist B. Wells 8. Device used to shred cauliflower 9. The first one is often to dinner and a movie, or mini-golf 10. There are 1,000 of these in one gram (Abbr.) 11. Like cave-dwelling fish that live in the dark 12. Newbie on a job, maybe
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BY ALYSSA MACALUSO AND AVA PEABODY GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY CHAISE JONES GRAPHICS AND PAGE DESIGN BY KYLA MCCALLUM
