Observer the
SEPTEMBER 20, 2012 VOLUME XXXI, ISSUE 9
www.fordhamobserver.com
Denzel Theater Scholar, Chair Named By NINA GUIDICE Assistant Blog Editor
In 2011, Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’77, donated $2 million to create an endowment for the Denzel Washington Chair in Theatre position and added another $250,000 to create a scholarship for a minority undergraduate student studying theatre. Citing his late professor, Bob Stone, for inspiring him, Washington said, “I wanted to create the Denzel Washington Endowed Scholarship and Chair in Theatre at Fordham in order to offer the next generation of students positive influences.” Last year, the first chair position went to Phylicia Rashad (of Clair Huxtable fame) and this year, the honor went to Tony-nominated Joe Morton, accomplished actor of stage, film and television. Mayaa Boateng, FCLC ’13, a theatre student and actor, received the scholarship this year. Boateng is the first student to receive the award. In an interview, Mayaa Boateng spoke with The Observer about her scholarship, her acting and her future career. OBSERVER: You’re the first stu-
dent to receive the award. Can you give us some background on how you were chosen? MAYAA BOATENG: I had no idea
the Denzel Washington Scholarship was beginning this year! When I received the letter in the mail, you can just imagine my shock. Receiving this scholarship has taught me that you are always being watched, so keep pushing forward and striving for your best because there may be someone waiting to acknowledge your hard work and reward you for it. I want to send all my thanks, gratitude and love to Mr. Washington, Fr. McShane, Matthew Maguire and the rest of the Fordham theatre faculty for recognizing that in me. My appresee DENZEL pg. 3
BRIAN BRUEGGE/THE OBSERVER
From left, Stephen Colbert of “The Colbert Report,” Father James Martin S.J. and Timothy Cardinal Dolan discuss Catholicism and humor in front of more than 3,000 students in the Rose Hill Gymnasium on Sept. 14. Fordham tried to enforce a media blackout for the event.
Colbert Media Blackout Broken by Tweets By HARRY HUGGINS Editor-in-Chief
Despite a Fordham administrationimposed press blackout, the events of last week’s discussion between Stephen Colbert and Timothy Cardinal Dolan were widely reported by media outlets after students tweeted quotes and favorite moments using the #dolancolbert tag promoted by the event organizers and the shortened #dolbert tag. On Sept. 14, more than 3,000 students welcomed Colbert, known from his news satire show “The Colbert Report,” and Dolan, Archbishop of New York, to the Rose Hill Gymnasium. The event, titled “The Cardinal and Colbert: Humor, Joy, and the Spiritual Life,” was moderated by Father James Martin, S.J., author of “Between Heaven and Mirth” and focused on living as a Catholic humorist. Throughout the program, Colbert gave the audience insights into his real personality and attitude towards Catholicism by answering questions not as the character he plays in his show, but as a practicing Catholic.. At the event, Fordham prevented guests from bringing in digital cam-
eras and informed student press that they were not to report on the sincere discussion. Neither The Ram nor The Observer were told they would not be able to report on the discussion beforehand. But once quotes were on Twitter, they became part of the public record. The New York Times, the New York Post and other media outlets reported the candid nature of the conversation. Although some administrators mentioned contracts with Colbert and Dolan as the reason for the blackout, Bob Howe, senior director of communications at Fordham, said that no such contracts existed though Colbert and Dolan were told that there would be no media. According to Howe, the event’s planning committee made the decision to blackout media coverage. They believed the guests would be more likely to give sincere answers without the press there, Howe said. “I know in a room of 3,000 it isn’t really intimate, but it was just a little more private,” Howe said. “We wanted it to be just a nice evening discussion.” Paul Levinson, professor of communication and media studies and author of the book “New New Media,” said he believes the expectation of a
media blackout in the 21st century is “laughable.” Levinson also contributes regularly to national media outlets such as Fox News and MSNBC as a media commentator. “The truth is, trying to put up a blackout is based on an antiquated view of media,” Levinson said. “It’s based on a world where we got the news from TV, radio and newspapers, where you could easily enforce a blackout because all you had to do was not let reporters be there. Twitter has made everyone a reporter, so has YouTube, so the whole notion of trying to black something out is based on 20th century media, and that environment is gone.” Kathryn Reklis, assistant professor of theology at Fordham and research fellow at the New Media Project, said she saw the usefulness in having a press blackout for an event like Dolan/ Colbert, especially seeing how Colbert answered questions. “What was most surprising to me was that we all know how rare it is for Colbert to appear out of character for an extended period of time,” Reklis said. “Obviously his satire has real weight in the world, and that’s because he has cultivated such a strong char-
acter. The media blackout allowed for him to be there as Stephen Colbert the Catholic Christian having a real conversation about his spiritual life.” As for the students taking to Twitter to share the discussion, Reklis said she thought most of the thoughts shared were respectful in not going into the more personal parts of the discussion. “I don’t think a complete media blackout exists anymore now with social media democratization,” Reklis said. “I think that’s kind of why they may have asked for a media blackout in the first place.” Whether or not the blackout worked, students in attendance said they enjoyed seeing Colbert out of character. “It was amazing to see the more serious side of [Colbert],” Carl Bhamdeo, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’13, said. “He’s known for being funny on his show, and everyone knows that he’s smart and although he maintained that he was just someone who ‘makes jokes’ for the entire night, you could see that he was serious about see DOLAN/COLBERT pg. 3
Inside
LITERARY
FEATURES
SPORTS
ARTS & CULTURE
OPINIONS
You Burn Me
I Pity The Jewel
Brown Goes Down!
[Sleep] Holds Them
Footing the Bill
A poem about love in the midst of summer.
PAGE 16
Student encounters a nose-bleed in nature.
PAGE 15
Fordham beats the odds by defeating Fordham student writes and directs Brown in a soccer game. a play. PAGE 18 PAGE 9
THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM COLLEGE AT LINCOLN CENTER
Students need better financial counseling.
PAGE 6
2
News
Mehgan Abdelmassih abdelmassih.mehgan@gmail.com
September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
Dean Grimes Talks Jesuits and Jobs R.G.: I wanted to say that I used
By MEHGAN ABDELMASSIH News Co-Editor
According to an annual list produced by U.S. News & World Report, Fordham falls in the number ten spot in the Colleges With Most Student Debt list. How does Fordham’s Jesuit tradition coincide with the student debt crises? The average debt of a student graduating from Fordham is $38,151. The cost of attending Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) for the 2012-2013 academic year is an estimated $41,000. The Observer had a conversation with the Dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center, Robert R. Grimes, S.J., Ph.D, about debt, jobs and Fordham’s Jesuit position on our nation’s current economic turmoil. OBSERVER: Will Fordham be
proactive in targeting a student’s debt before it has accrued? Will adding a pre-professional program to Fordham be of assistance? DEAN ROBERT R. GRIMES, S.J.:
So what you want to do is to change the very nature of the college? You’re either a liberal arts college or a preprofessional school. I don’t believe for a minute that having a liberal arts education is going to hold you back from getting a job. There are some pre-professional programs at Fordham. A BFA in dance would certainly be one. Theatre performance and production tracks are certainly pre-professional. What’s happening and what I am seeing happening is not that graduates aren’t getting jobs, it is that they aren’t getting jobs as quickly as they were getting them before. I would also say that students are looking for jobs too late. It’s one of the reasons we put Senior Convocation into place, which is coming up Oct. 11. We also want to help seniors start to think about jobs. If you don’t do anything, nothing is going to happen. You have to become actively involved in your own situation. But again, as I said, what I am generally finding is that people are getting
KYLE MORRISON/THE OBSERVER
Rev. Robert R. Grimes, S.J., Dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center.
jobs, but they aren’t getting them as quickly as before. OBSERVER: Is the emphasis of a lib-
eral arts education a practice shared among all Jesuit institutions? R.G.: I would say that Jesuit institu-
tions are known for their commitment to the liberal arts. But there’s also another component to it and that is that the Jesuits value education for education’s sake. We hope that students develop that sense of lifetime learning; that you always want to know more.
I think the important thing is to realize that we are fundamentally a liberal arts college, and so we are fundamentally not a pre-professional program. Father O’Hare [former president of Fordham 1984-2003] used to say, “The world is changing so fast, the job you’re probably going to spend the bulk of your life in
probably hasn’t been invented yet,” so there is no way we can train you for that job. What we try to do is to help you develop your analytical skills, your reasoning skills, your thinking skills, etc... so that when confronted with a problem you can analyze it and then verbalize a solution for that problem. If you can do that well, I think it’s pretty clear that you’ll get a job, because those are the skills people are looking for. If we train you for something specific, what happens if that job no longer exists? OBSERVER: Is an internship the
necessary pre-professional training a student would need outside of the institution itself? R.G.: It would certainly help, but
it depends on the individual; it depends on the internship. I think there are some internships that can
be just exploitation or free labor, so you have to look carefully at what an internship is. But we do have the Career Planning and Placement Services. They do have a more and more important place in the university, but quite frankly, oftentimes students do not take advantage of what is there. We ask second semester freshman to do an online tutorial, and the tutorial is really to get students beginning to think what they want to do after college. The key to this is to keep asking yourself the question, and the answer may change. I would say, the college years need to be years of discovery, not years of denial when it comes to what you are going to do later on. OBSERVER: Would it hinder a
student if Fordham placed more pressure on a student to begin to target what they want to do post graduation?
the word “discovery” for a reason, because I wanted to leave it open. As you are educated through college, hopefully something is happening. Things open up to you that you had never thought of before. The big problem is avoiding the issue. Some people have too clear an idea of what they’re going to do; some people don’t face it that there is a life after college; they’re in denial that college will end. You want to keep discovering yourself in the world while you’re in college, but with an eye to what you want to do and how you want to contribute to this world. That is also an important part of it, not just saying how am I going to earn money, but how am I going to contribute? Even as students enter their last year, there are mentorship programs that alumni use to mentor students and help them in their process of finding a job. There are regular meetings for alumni looking for positions. There is something at the New York Athletic Club next month with recent graduates meeting successful graduates from Fordham. OBSERVER: Is there a final word
you would like to say, that you did not get to address in our conversation? R.G.: Fordham is just very steeped
in the liberal arts tradition. As an institution, it believes in the liberal arts. That doesn’t mean that Fordham does not believe in professional education. It puts it on a different level. That’s why we have graduate schools of education, social service, and business. I know the Dean of the Graduate School of Business at Fordham is a strong believer that if you want to go into business, you should have an undergraduate liberal arts education. I know many people in the business world that swear by their liberal arts undergraduate education. I think right now some people are sort of downgrading the value of the liberal arts, and I think we do that at our peril.
McMahon Undergoes Drop In Number of Residents By LOUISE LINGAT Staff Writer
The 2012 fall semester marked a population change in McMahon Hall at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC). This school year, the residential dorms experienced a drop of both upperclassmen (seniors and juniors) and underclassmen (freshman and sophomores). According to Jenifer Campbell, the director of Residential Life at McMahon Hall, there are several differences between the four class years in relation to the number of residents living in McMahon Hall. For the freshmen class, there are currently 255 freshmen residing in the dorms, compared to the 271 freshmen last year. For the sophomore class, there are currently 250 sophomores living on campus compared to the 260 sophomores last year. For the junior class, there are currently 143 juniors living in the dorms compared to the 125 juniors last year. Lastly, for the senior class, there are currently 79 seniors residing in McMahon Hall compared to the 109 seniors last year. This means there are a total of 728 residents in McMahon Hall this year compared to the 765 residents last year, a 37-person drop. This data does not include the law school students. Some students gave possible reasons for the drop of residents in McMahon Hall. According to Bryan Noonan, FCLC ’15 and treasurer of the Resident Hall Association (RHA), some students find living off campus
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY TAVY WU/THE OBSERVER
Residents of McMahon Hall join together and celebrate their sense of community.
to be cheaper. “I think many students in general, not just upperclassmen, decided to move out because McMahon is expensive to live in. I remember reading somewhere that [McMahon Hall] is the third most expensive dorm in the country. Sometimes, it is cheaper to move off campus,” Noonan said.
Amanawil Lemi, FCLC ’13, said he believes this change is due to an increasing number of upperclassmen finding off-campus apartments. “As a senior, I know that many of my resident friends who I’ve known since freshmen year have gotten their own apartments off campus because many upperclassmen want complete inde-
pendence,” Lemi said. Marc Solinas, FCLC ’15, also said hebelieves upperclassmen want a sense of independence. “It is more economical for upperclassmen to find a place to share with other people, off campus. Upperclassmen also want more independence since they are more mature and know how to han-
dle themselves better,” Solinas said. McMahon Hall may be on the expensive side but it has not stopped all the students from coming back. “The main reason I chose to stay in McMahon Hall is because of my heavy involvement in RHA, which I would not be able to do if I moved out. Also, [McMahon Hall] is one of the best locations in all of Manhattan and I just love the sense of community within McMahon, which I fear I will lose if I move out,” Noonan said. Some of McMahon Hall’s new residents seem to be unaffected by the drop in the number of students. For Kathrene Binag, FCLC ’15, a commuter-turned-resident, living in McMahon Hall has made school much easier. “I do not have to revolve my time in school around my bus schedule, which was very strict because there were only certain times the bus ran by my house in the morning and at night,” Binag said. Maria Victoria Recinto, FCLC ’16, and Marie Lloyd Paspe, FCLC/ BFA ’16, enjoy the perks of being a resident. “I’m glad I’m a resident because everything is pretty convenient when it comes to hanging out at Central Park or getting to my classes. I’m also very close to my floor mates and my roommates and we’ve got a great community going,” Recinto said. Paspe, a native of Massachusetts, said, “My experience as a resident has been amazing, and the students I’ve met are all incredibly friendly and interesting to get to know. I’ve always wanted to live in the city and now that I’m here, it’s so much better than I expected.”
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER September 20, 2012
News
3
City Council Candidate Targets Students By RICHARD RAMSUNDAR News Co-Editor
The 2013 City Council elections, which will be taking place next spring, has Ken Biberaj, a Democratic City Council candidate from the Upper West Side, running for the sixth District City Council Seat. The district, which includes Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), runs from 54th Street to 96th Street and from Central Park West to the Hudson River. The winner of the election will replace current City Council member Gale A. Brewer. Biberaj said he aims to make sure new development and construction is more affordable for both the lowest income population and the growing middle class, which are predominantly college students and business owners. One of the ways of doing so, Biberaj said, is working with other elected officials, public advocates and Mayor Michael Bloomberg to make programs that target the middle class. Some students are affected by the price of housing in Manhattan. Paolo Perez, FCLC ’15, said, “It is much cheaper to afford housing in the Bronx rather than Manhattan, which is one of the reasons I do not live in the city.” Molly Spater, FCLC ’15, said she agrees. “Housing this summer in Manhattan was extremely expensive, which is why I decided to move to Brooklyn and become exposed to a new environment.” Other students felt a bit differently. Nalina Bhasin, FCLC ’15, said, “I decided to live off campus to experience life on my own and grow as an individual. Cost is not a bigger factor than my decision to live in a city with ample opportunities.” Biberaj also addressed the issues of the MTA train and bus delays and the confusion faced by people in New York that are not familiar with the public transportation system. “We need to find ways to speed up transportation and efficiency, but we do not have the budget to create very large public projects. We can utilize technology to create and upgrade lights, sensors, maps and Wi-Fi in the Upper West Side subways to reduce delays and confusion,” Biberaj said. Some students seem to face difficulties with the MTA on the Upper
AYER CHAN/THE OBSERVER
Ken Biberaj, Democratic City Council candidate 2012-13, seeks to reform the Upper West Side.
West Side. Joan Ablelardo, FCLC ’14, said, “My biggest difficulty is taking the train during rush hour. Not only do you not have a chance to get a seat, but you are lucky if you even make it onto the train.” Biberaj raised the issue of a large number of chain businesses in the city. “I saw that the city isn’t very helpful when small businesses try to expand. There are a large number of chain businesses like Duane Reade that are displacing smaller businesses,” Biberaj said. According to Biberaj, city planning limited the size of store frontages to stop banks and Duane Reade by restricting the size of their stores, however, this limitation does not affect corporations like McDonalds and other companies, which can still do business despite the size restrictions. Like Biberaj, other candidates
have managed to gain support as well. Filmmaker Michael Moore supported candidate Helen Rosenthal, former chairwoman of Community Board 7, for her ideas on improving recycling and organized labor. Prior to running for City Council, Rosenthal worked in the city’s budget office. Rosenthal also gained the support of former City Council member Ronald Eldridge and has high hopes for improving the Upper West Side. Some students seem to support Rosenthal. Devi Gopal, FCLC ’13, said, “I think Rosenthal has a lot of New York political experience and I’m glad she is emphasizing recycling here in Manhattan.” Some have said that Biberaj is too young to be in the race for City Council and students said they agreed. Javed Yunus, FCLC ’14, said, “While I do think Biberaj is energetic and
knowledgeable, this is still his first time running for a position in public office and he may need more experience.” In response, Biberaj said, “I don’t think anyone wins an election by saying their competitor is too young. I attended American University for politics, have a master’s degree from Harvard Kennedy School, worked for President Clinton in the foundation office and worked in John Kerry’s presidential campaign, so I have plenty of experience.” Others agree with Biberaj. Julien Martinez, FCLC ’13 and president of College Democrats, said, “A good democratic campaign is one that gives voice to the common man and woman and one that raises the issues of economic equality and justice. This is something I see Biberaj doing and his age is a factor that promotes it.”
Morton Named New Theater Chair DENZEL FROM PAGE 1
ciation is simply indescribable. you find the arts to be in youth education?
MB: I know how much of a dif-
OBSERVER: Where do you hope
to see your career going after graduation?
MB: I want to continue to hone my
skills as a performer, an actor and an artist. I am passionate about arts and activism and using the arts to bring about social change. So my dream is to become the best actor/performer I can be in order to heal and help the lives of others in a creative and revolutionary way. I believe that everyone is called to do something and everyone has a purpose; mine is to live a life in the arts. My purpose is to use my talents in a way that transforms lives for the better. This purpose is what keeps me going.
Colbert Media Blackout DOLAN/COLBERT FROM PAGE 1
OBSERVER: How important do
ference the arts and arts education have had on my life and its existence is imperative not only to individual lives but to communities as well. I think communities, schools, colleges and universities need more arts scholarships and arts programs. I think that it’s a shame that arts programs in schools and organizations around the nation are rapidly decreasing.
Biberaj emphasized the importance of college students participating in the upcoming election when he said, “Our focus has really been to engage new voters on the West Side of all age groups, which includes students at Fordham and John Jay. We are one of the younger campaigns that aim to motivate people by looking for volunteers and interns through fundraisers with FCLC, Fordham Law and John Jay College.” According to Biberaj, Fordham students that are planning to stay in New York are going to be worried about finding a place to work, live and pay off loans. “Our campaign is going to be one about the younger generation and the future, so I highly encourage Fordham students to step up to the plate and register to vote because it truly does matter,” Biberaj said.
SHERRY YUAN/THE OBSERVER
SHERRY YUAN/THE OBSERVER
Joe Morton, the new chair in Theatre apointee.
Replacing Phalicia Rashad as the holder of the Denzel Washington Chair in Theatre this year is Joe Morton. Morton is best known for winning a Tony Award in “Raisin” and as Miles Dyson in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” OBSERVER: How did you get
started?
JOE MORTON: In the earlier days
when I was getting out of school, the roles put out for black men were usually pimps and drug dealers and so forth. I made a selfdetermination that someone would take those jobs, but it wouldn’t have to be me. I think I got the part [of Miles Dyson] because I told him a joke. He asked me why I wanted the part and I said
Mayaa Boateng, the award receipent. want your students to learn? something Richard Pryor had said, JM: There are five general questhat the reason black people die in tions that I gave at the outset of sci-fi movies (or are not in them at the class that should be applied to all) is because Hollywood doesn’t every line and every character in perceive us as being around in the the script and they are: Who am future. I? Where am I going? Who do I
So I believe it’s important to reach kids who aren’t necessarily interested in basketball, aren’t necessarily interested in the track team. There are other kinds of ways of producing and being involved in group activities. A play is one of them. You learn how to read; you learn how to build. It upsets me that a lot of our American education devalues creativity and considers it something of an extracurricular as opposed to part of the everyday education. OBSERVER: What do you most
expect to meet? The last two are the most important: What do I want, and to what extent will I go to get it? I think some of the difficulty we get involved with is what we think the director wants, what we think the script is about. I want my students to learn how to break down a script and then how to learn to approach building a character from both what they learned from the director, what the script has to say and what they bring to it. What their imagination tells them about the character.
his values so it was great to see him speak about humor the way he did.” Michael Macalintal, FCLC ’15, said, “I thought that his upright honesty of his beliefs was something that should be held as an example to the rest of the world because not many people, especially if they are in his position, are willing to be honest about their faith.” Alisha Kothari, FCLC ’15, said, “He seemed a lot calmer and more respectful. I’m guessing that his change in persona was as a result of the cardinal’s presence.” Dolan was received positively, as well. “Dolan was a lot funnier than I expected him to be!” Bhamdeo said. “It was good to see that laid back side to him as he stepped back from his duties and his responsibilities as a public figure and just spoke to us about something as simple as laughter.” Kothari described Dolan’s attitude as “refreshing” and recounted Dolan’s story of an encounter with anti-homosexuality protestors outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral. “He talked about how the protesters were the ones who should be ashamed of themselves for not believing that everyone is created in the image of God and should therefore be loved. “My favorite part was Colbert’s response to someone asking if he ever feels pressure to be funny. In all seriousness he asked James Martin and Cardinal Dolan, ‘Do you feel pressure to be holy?’” Kothari said. With additional reporting by Richard Ramsundar, News Co-Editor.
Opinions
Monique John mnqjohn@gmail.com
September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER STAFF EDITORIAL
POOR COMMUNICATION HINDERS PROGRESS
F
ordham has a communication problem, and it’s not the type that causes confused, emotional breakups. It’s a recurring inability to communicate the goals of administrative policies to students and clubs at Fordham. We at The Observer saw it most recently in the media blackout around the “Cardinal and Colbert” event. As Harry Huggins and Richard Ramsundar report in “Colbert Media Blackout Broken by Tweets” on page one, there was an unacceptable lack of communication between the Fordham higher-ups and the student publications tasked with reporting all major events on campus. The biggest problem is not that Fordham waited until we were literally lined up outside the event to tell us we would have to stash our cameras somewhere on campus. The biggest problem is not that it was only when we ran into two Lincoln Center administrators after the event that we were told we could not go through with our planned coverage. The biggest problem is that before we received the official explanation we were
Only when you can understand the goals of these policies can you effectively direct your frustration...to bring about change. fully under the false impression, shared by many who knew of the blackout, that the blackout was stipulated in some contract with Stephen Colbert, Timothy Cardinal Dolan or both of them. As our article reported, the real reason was much simpler: the committee planning the event wished to create a more comfortable environment that would foster a sincere dialogue. While the possibility of upholding a press blackout in a Twitter-ific world may be up for debate, we understand why those planning the event would hope to foster a tone of sincerity. But we don’t understand why Fordham would keep that unknown until after the event.
Online Round-Up Mo’ Problems: Ep. II VIDEO Opinions Editor Monique John talks about how one stupid text message can lead to one big misunderstanding, all in the second installment of The Observer’s new web series, “Mo’ Problems.” Haven’t seen Monique’s first webisode? Tune in as she talks about how certain hair styles attract some unwanted attention. Get at us, Wendy Williams.
Feeling Nostalgic for Old FCLC Photos?
For those of us who have been at Fordham for a few years, this is just another instance of an established pattern of non-communication. The McMahon Hall guest pass policy is a source of endless frustration for residents, but it seems a little less like a pointless obstruction of fun when you discover it was developed to make sure unsavory guests could not do harm to residents and then sneak out unnoticed. You can’t begin debating the Catholic social aspect of the guest passes until you understand the safety hopes behind them. The same difficulty happened annually with the “Vagina Monologues” when Counseling Services was not allowed to attend the performance’s debrief until last year, and it still happens regularly with the guest admission policy for oncampus student events. Only when you understand the goals of these policies can you effectively direct your frustration and start the kind of legitimate conversation that can bring about change. Unfortunately, that level of communication is about as rare as a legitimate celebrity coming to Fordham.
Blog Round-Up Bloomberg’s Ban So, the verdict’s out. Bloomie took your supersized soda away. You won’t be able to buy a significantly sugary drink... Read more @
www.lcradar.com
LGB_: An Introduction One subject that is severely underrepresented in the media is news associated with transgendered people. Even within the LGBTQ community, trans voices are often silenced.... Read more @
www.lcradar.com
PHOTO SLIDESHOW Managing Editor (and occasional archivist) Ian McKenna puts together a creative and eye-catching array of old FCLC photos imposed over their exact locations in the present day. Pulled straight from the folders and shelves of The Observer newsroom as well as online, Lowenstein and the surrounding campus are transported as far back as the ‘70s. Professor Brian Rose hasn’t aged one bit.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES • Letters to the Editor should be typed and sent to The Observer, Fordham University, 113 West 60th Street, Room 408, New York, NY 10023, or e-mailed to fordhamobserver@gmail.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 reflect the views held by Fordham University.
www.fordhamobserver.com
Opinions
THE OBSERVER September 20, 2012
5
Observer the
Fordham College at Lincoln Center 113 West 60th Street Room 408 New York, New York 10023 Tel: (212) 636-6015 Fax: (212) 636-7047 Editor-in-Chief Harry Huggins Managing Editor Ian McKenna News Co-Editors Richard Ramsunda Mehgan Abdulmassih Asst. News Editor Gabriela Méndes-Novoa Opinions Editor Monique John Asst. Opinions Editor Alissa Fajek Arts & Culture Co-Editors Olivia Perdoch Clinton Holloway Asst. Arts & Culture Editor Brian Bruegge Features Editor Jewel Galbraith Asst. Features Editor Rex Sakamoto Literary Editor Salma Elmehdawi Sports Editor Michael McMahon Copy Editor Anna Luciano Asst. Co-Copy Editor Zoë Simpson Layout Co-Editors Amanda Fimbers Tayler Bennett Photo Co-Editors Sara Azoulay
TODD SUMLIN/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER/MCT
Women’s issues like abortion and birth control are key issues during this election, but women’s voices are missing from the discussion.
Year of the Woman, Narrated by Man?
Coverage of Women’s Issues has been Unfairly Dominated by Male Journalists ALISSA FAJEK Asst. Opinions Editor
Ayer Chan Online Editor Ariella Mastroianni Multimedia Producer Mike Madden Business Manager Mujtaba Mahmood Blog Editor Nick Milanes Asst. Blog Editor Nina Guidice Faculty Advisor Prof. Elizabeth Stone Faculty Layout Advisor Kim Moy Faculty Photo Advisor Amelia Hennighausen PUBLIC NOTICE No part of The Observer may be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written consent of The Observer board. The Observer is published on alternate Thursdays during the academic year. Printed by Five Star Printing Flushing, N.Y
To reach an editor by e-mail, visit www.fordhamobserver.com
It is no secret that the hot topics of the 2012 election have had a lot to do with women. From abortion to birth control, women’s reproductive rights have gained a significant role in candidate’s stump speeches. But with women’s rights in the spotlight, it doesn’t make sense that women themselves would be put on the back burner as men, yet again, take the stage. There’s something wrong with this picture. Survey data released by The Women’s Media Center showed three-quarters of newspapers’ presidential coverage being written by men. In a study, horrifically named “SILENCED: Gender Gap in the 2012 Election” presented by 4thEstate.net, we see that the content is significantly biased as well. When it came to the conversation about abortion, 81 percent of persons quoted in print media were men, seven percent were organizations and a wimpy 12 percent were women quoted. When conversations started about Planned Parenthood, women’s rights and birth control, the number of women quoted was slightly higher, but still
tragically low, having percentages of 26 percent, 31 percent and 19 percent respectively. Furthermore, in front page articles covering the 2012 election that concerned topics concerning abortion or birth control, men were up to seven times more likely to be quoted than women were. This was true across the board for all major media outlets and publications. So what does this mean? Women are significantly underrepresented in the 2012 election coverage and in turn, are being repressed. 4thEstate.net suggests that “This gender gap undermines the media’s credibility,” because men are not a primary source for this information, and without a woman’s voice to act as a counterpoint, an effective argument cannot be had. Now, I’m not saying that the coverage of women’s issues in the 2012 election should be all women, because that would be biased as well. If that were so, we would be getting all first-hand accounts, and arguments that ran the risk of being too personal or too emotiondriven rather than fact-driven. But regardless, the coverage should be equal or favoring women. It is 2012. As women, we can vote, earn the same pay as any man and hold the same positions in the workforce. We are equals, and we are
more than ready to fight this “War on Women” ourselves, without a man taking the driver’s seat for us. Because topics such as abortion and birth control are up for debate, the coverage in the media is generally made up of “subjective insight,” which really means that these men are sitting back and just voicing their opinions on women’s issues without actually doing research to back up their assertions. Abortion and birth control are something they don’t, and never can, fully understand. Unless they’ve experienced first-hand an unwanted pregnancy, the inability to afford birth control, or felt that their sexual health was being repressed, then they simply cannot have a strong, reliable voice on the topic. As a woman today, I am offended by this media coverage, for more reasons than one. Growing up, I wasn’t too aware of the gender gaps around me. Most of my coherent life took place in the new millennium, and I never thought I would have to worry about inequalities because I am a girl. But as I get older, I realize that this is a war that is, sadly and tragically, still un-won. It may not be as big as voting rights, or the right to venture out into the workplace, or to live a life that doesn’t revolve around a husband and children, but it exists.
It’s the little things, like not being heard in the media... on issues that primarily concern us. Yes, there are men out there that sympathize with women in this debate, and think that we should have every right to do whatever we see fit regarding our bodies and our reproductive health. But there are also plenty of women who are pro-life, and don’t see it as a right being taken from us. These are women who see it as simply “right” and “wrong” in a very black and white sense of the world, when these issues are every shade of gray. Reproductive health and abortion are loaded issues, and we need to make space for all women’s voices, whichever their part of the spectrum, to be heard. If I were a man, I would feel way out of my comfort zone writing about women’s issues, because it is not something I have lived and experienced. We, the women, are the primary sources for this information, and we should be used for that. Men do not tell our story the way it is actually happening, and that is no fault of their own. It is time for us to take the stage, and correctly present the information to the public for a well-informed debate. To put it simply, I quote the infamous Rachel Green: “No uterus, no opinion.”
Sick of our liberal bias? Voice your conservative views here! Email us at fordhamobserver@gmail.com
Opinions
6
September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
www.fordhamobserver.com
Students Need Better Financial Advising from Fordham RACHEL SHMULEVICH Contributing Writer
The cost of education is growing exponentially. So called “free” schools, institutions that give out full-tuition scholarships to all their students, are quickly disappearing. Olin College, back in my hometown of Needham, Mass., recently stopped its history of providing a free education to all its students. Cooper Union in Greenwich Village, too has ceased this tradition with the class of 2016. Many universities are becoming need-based, cutting the dreams of attending a higher institution short for many of those who aren’t “needy” enough for financial aid, yet not rich enough to carry the brunt of the enormous expenses on their backs. Furthermore, according to Collegeboard, only 0.3 percent of the U.S. college student population is given enough aid to be able to completely afford that giant tuition bill. My parents didn’t pay a cent when they went to college. Granted, this was in the ’70s and ’80s in the former Soviet Union, but even today, many countries still provide their citizens with a free or affordable, education. When my sister applied to colleges in 2007, her federal loan was fixed at a 3.4 percent interest rate. When I applied just five years later, it was fixed at 6.8 percent and the majority of my chosen schools didn’t give out merit aid. I was extremely lucky in that the school I wanted to go to (Fordham!) helped me out enough that I was able to finance my education. Many aren’t so lucky. Our school is doing a great job when it comes to helping its students cover the costs of education. According to Forbes magazine, 92 percent of students at Fordham are receiving aid (grants and loans combined) compared to a national average of 65.6 percent in 2007-8 (National
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY REX SAKAMOTO/THE OBSERVER
Students paying their own school fees should have more guidance from Fordham officials to build a secure financial future.
Center for Educational Statistics). Even more amazing, is that the average U.S. college student in 2007-8 was receiving $4,900 in grants (NSES) while at Fordham; this number is an impressive $19,513. However, we could still do more. The average college expenses of a Fordham student are about $55,000 per year, and with aid this can still amount to a huge $35,000. For the most part, paying for school is an issue largely ignored within the school itself, and it’s time we brought more attention to it. Professor Noam Sphancer focuses on just this in his article in Psychology Today—the fact that there is nobody to look out for our “financial well-being.” The majority of students, myself included, know very little about how to handle money—especially this much of it—and we need someone who knows what they’re doing to aid us. In addition to academic advisors
and personal counselors, we need a “financial counselor;” someone who can help us to monitor our debt and advise us on ways to take care of it. Fordham’s tuition payment plan gives students a nice idea of how to manage their budget however, receiving alerts about our billing status will further ensure that students are actively tracking their debt. Not everyone can graduate from college with a bank account that’s not deep in the negatives, but there sure are things to do to make it easier on us. Education is at the forefront of many agendas today, with documentaries such as “Waiting for Superman” digging deep into the issues of both public and private schools across the United States. This election is especially important in that education is a main focus—particularly the costs of higher education. The basics of each party’s platform is this; Obama wants to expand the Pell grant, make the American
Opportunity tax credit permanent— or in other words provide $2,500 per student per year for college costs. Obama also stands for providing schools with more federal aid to disperse to students. Romney believes providing schools with federal aid only balloons the cost of education. His paper, “A Chance for Every Child,” explains his belief that giving private lenders the task of providing government aid to postsecondary institutions will help to curb the costs of education. He famously said when asked what one could do to make college more affordable, to “just shop around.” It’s understandable. Romney’s out of touch with the average college student. Coming from money, it’s hard for him to relate to us. I can’t ask my parents for a loan that I won’t pay back, nor would I want to. Obama is by no means middle class either, but he understands that not everybody
can spend $50,000+ a year without batting an eye. I’ve never been extremely interested in politics, but this is the first year that I am eligible to vote, and the issue of the rising costs of education is one that really hits home for me—for all us students really. The effect our debt has on us isn’t just limited to our college years—it can potentially keep us from buying a home and seriously damage our credibility. Maybe it’s not politically correct to talk about who you’re voting for—but I’ll be sending in my absentee ballot for Obama. Sure, I’m a moderate. Maybe it’d be smarter to watch the debates or compare Obama’s and Romney’s views on each issue before making my decision. But when it comes to the difference between graduating with an average of about $24,000 in student loans, or escaping scot-free– it’s a no-brainer for me.
Picking Roomies Should School Officials or Students Decide on Living Arrangements in Residence Halls? IAN MCKENNA Managing Editor
I went home every weekend at the beginning of my freshman year. And it wasn’t because I didn’t love Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC). And it wasn’t because I didn’t have friends. It was because of my roommates. Let me paint you a picture of a day in the life of a room I so affectionatley call 3 Hell. Wake up to the first of 12 alarms my roommate has set but will not wake up to. Go to take a shower to find a laptop and a heap of dirty clothes blocking my entrance. An attempt to have breakfast while I wait for the bathroom mess to be disposed of ends in disgust as I notice a stench emanating from one of the cabinets. A roommate’s potatoes, have gone rancid, not only staining the bottom of the cupboard with a thick, yellow-brown liquid but also attracting a swarm of flies. The flies split their time between consuming the fetid potatoes, hanging around the stench that emanates from the leftover dishes and preying on the four-day old macaroni and cheese my “chef” of a roommate made, nibbled on and left on the stove. I look on the fridge and notice that we—a group I am forced to include myself in even though I had nothing to do with the mess— have failed our room inspection. Shocker. USA Today recently published a story on the ways colleges assign roommates, focusing on a divide
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SAVANNAH SCHECHTER/THE OBSERVER
Do you want your school to make you live with the hoarder playing “Cockiness” on a loop for hours everyday?
in methodology that seems to be emerging between schools. While some schools, including FCLC, allow students to seek their own roommates before being assigned to a room and a year-long living buddy, others, like Iowa’s Grinnell College and New York’s Hamilton College, refuse to allow “friends” to live together. Some policies are so strict that roommates are revealed only on move-in day. First-year FCLC students are assigned to rooms based on their answers to a questionnaire from
StarRez, a system used by such institutions as Cornell University, Stanford University and Dartmouth, to name a few. Freshman and first-year students residing in McMahon Hall have the opportunity to request a roommate and while they aren’t guaranteed a room together, the Office of Residential Life (ResLife) tries to accommodate their request. And while Jennifer Campbell, Director of Residential Life at FCLC, admits that in some cases individuals are not the perfect match, the system is believed to
have a good overall success rate. ResLife, from my experience in McMahon Hall, is extremely helpful in cases where roommates may not get a long, intervening as they see fit to ease the transition to college through a mediation process followed by reassignment cases, like mine, where mediation was on the brink of impossibility. Supporters of the “no-friends” rule believe that they are helping these young adults by “nudging” them out of their comfort zone. But I see this as forcing them into
a situation some people just aren’t going to be ready for. College students are acrobats; sometimes we need a net for when we fall. Often removed from family structures that served as nets for 18 years, freshmen are already out of their comfort zone regardless of who they are rooming with. Denying a roommate request, like Grinnell College, then becomes like destroying an attempt at building a safety net in a new, often frightening place. Isn’t there enough happening at a university to broaden our horizons? Shouldn’t there be a separation between when and where students should be forced to grow? Clubs, intramural sports, school-run events and even classes are all domains for social growth and moving outside of one’s own element. Why can’t these students have a place to call their own? I didn’t have a place to call my own. I couldn’t stay in my room because I had higher standards in cleanliness and respect and spent as little time in my apartment. I became a regular in the fifth floor lounge. Ultimately as students, our willingness to go outside our own comfort zone should be our decision: a decision made for and by us when we are ready. Isn’t that what college is for? Any sort of administration that tries to force this seems almost authoritarian in nature. Personal growth requires a welcoming environment that fosters individual decision-making, not an environment that forces you to room with a guy who Skypes his girlfriend at 3:30 in the morning.
www.fordhamobserver.com
Opinions
THE OBSERVER September 20, 2012
7
Dear Freud, Mommy Made Me a Wimp AMY BUCKNAM Contributing Writer
Every time life presents me with some adventurous opportunity to “grab life by the balls” and all of those other clichés, everything in my being tells me to go for it. I think to myself, “When will you get the chance to do this again? YOLO!” and all that. But it’s rare that I actually do. One thing always stops me. It’s the lingering thought that’s always in the back of my mind—if I die this way, my mom would KILL me! I know, I know. That doesn’t make any sense. How could my mother kill me if I’m already dead? What I really mean is, if the unlikely occurs and I get hurt from doing something in the least bit reckless, I know my mother would give me hell. And my utmost desire to avoid that trumps the desire to obtain whatever instant gratification I would get from being a daredevil for a brief, glorious moment. You see, a very concerned, very protective, very Italian mother raised me. I’m talking about a woman who made me and all my siblings and cousins watch “Jaws” the first night of every summer spent down at the Jersey shore, just so we’d be too afraid to go too far out in the ocean. A woman who would tell us the story of the legendary Jersey Devil that was said to live in the Pine Barrens of South Jersey and ate small animals and (according to her version) small children while she drove us through the woods to karate tournaments. This was just so we wouldn’t go outside to play at night. And when we would give her a scare by doing any of these things, we would hear it—loudly, and for a long time. So here I am in my twenties, and the only thing that stops me
JASON WAMBSGANS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE/MCT
This woman jumped off a bridge because her friends told her to. And it was the most anti-climactic experience of her life.
from being a risk-taking, adrenaline-junkie is the fear of upsetting my mom. Let’s talk about it, Freud. Let me give an example. Last summer, my friends and I went camping in Wharton State Forest in the Pines. I was having a blast; floating in the river, dodging forest rangers that were after our beer, making silly shadow puppets on the tents by the fire at night. Then one morning, my friends wanted to drive down the road to jump off a bridge into the river. Now, I know it sounds intense, but in reality the bridge was maybe seven feet above the
river that was a little deeper than ten feet; not a big deal at all, but I froze. You know the old saying, “If your friends told you to jump off a bridge, would you do it?” I can answer that for certain: No. I wouldn’t even this sad excuse for a “jump.” As I looked over the edge, I quickly assessed the situation. I watched half a dozen—and I’m not exaggerating—seven year-old girls jump before me, climb back up and then do it over and over again. Once all of my friends had made the jump and survived it unharmed, I was left standing there.
As I thought of all the ways I could break my neck or a leg or SOMETHING, two little girls in matching pink tutu bathing suits gave me pep talks of encouragement as they waited impatiently for me to take my turn. “Yeah, I know,” I thought to tell the excited first-graders as I gripped the metal side of the bridge, “It’s just my mom. You don’t know her.” When I finally made the jump, it was anti-climactic. I plopped into the water and floated there for a moment feeling ashamed as my friends, the little kids and their moms all applauded and cheered.
That was the moment I realized the extent of my problem. When I recently told my brother about these fun-stifling fears, Brother Bear told me that it’s a good thing—I shouldn’t be out there in the world living fearlessly. When I told my mother, she hysterically laughed at me. “Then I did my job,” she maliciously smirked. The truth is, I’m sure one day I’ll be ballsy enough to skydive or bungee jump or even just to get a tattoo. I’ll live up to my free bird spirit at some point in my life. First, I just have to get past my fear of pissing off my Mom.
From Disneyland to Cosmo Life Or, When the Honeymoon’s Over and Ish Gets Real MONIQUE JOHN Opinions Editor
Many of us women start creating our own special image of him when we’re young. By “he,” I mean ‘the one,’ our Prince Charming. The man that we’ve always wanted. The man that will respect us for being strong and knowledgeable yet will be our savior when we need it. The man that will always find ways to make us feel beautiful and valued. The man that will lets us feel free to be ourselves, yet still build a healthy and binding partnership with us, making us feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. The image differs slightly from girl to girl, but he is always a pretty boy—faultless and charming and ever-present in her mind, even if he isn’t and may never be real. In fact, he’s magical, much like the Disney princes we watched on the silver screen as children. Well…I found my prince. Sort of. His nickname is Sharpie. He loves Batman and walks like a penguin. (But his build is more like Spiderman’s.) He’ll rave over anything you cook for him, as long as you tell him it’s from scratch. He’s passionate too, and smarter than most; he’ll recite a whole lecture on capitalism he once heard two years ago if you give him the chance. And if he smiles at you, you have to stop what you’re doing just to look; you know you’ll have missed something remarkable if you don’t. Mind you, I am not one to take precious space in my school’s news-
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SARA AZOULAY/THE OBSERVER
Never fear! You’ll find your Prince Charming eventually. Just don’t expect him to be perfect.
paper to rave about my latest loverboy. As someone who usually writes about “noble” things like politics, feminism and disappointing Tyler Perry movies, I am surprised to find myself writing this. But when I saw India-Jewel’s piece, “So, Did Disney F#$k You Up Too?” from xojane.com, I thought about all the romantic ideas I had of what being in a relationship would be like before I was in one. And then I snorted to myself when I compared those romantic ideas to
what being in a relationship is actually like in real life. A diehard ballet student all throughout high school, I had absolutely no time for boys. So when I got to Fordham, I was a little late to the party when it came to dating and relationships. But when I finally showed up, I still had my options. Lots of options: the actor, the lobbyist, the businessman, the army man, the comedian, the photographer... (Don’t ask me why I didn’t just start a
dating column because I couldn’t tell you.) They were all fun to be with and they all taught me something, but they never lasted long enough for me to understand what committing to someone really meant. Then Sharpie came along. I saw him. I made my move. Intrigued, he responded with a text message two days later, which led to a first date at Pio Pio. The ceviche was delicious, but the conversation was 10 times better. Next was the Upright Citizens
Brigade, and after that popcorn and Spike Lee movies on my couch. It was on-and-off, but the attraction was always there. Nine months after we had first met, we decided to make it official. And I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Life with Sharpie has been a happy one. But like any relationship, we have our rough patches and Cosmo’s articles on decoding guy language and relationship tips have become embarrassingly relevant. I quickly learned that I couldn’t use my beauty to get what I want from him as easily as I could from men in the past. I realized that in a healthy relationship, one should never try to have control of the other, even if it’s with a seemingly harmless tool like sex appeal. I’ve also learned that I can’t give up so easily when the rough patches come because they are bound to happen. Despite the things we have in common, we’re different people with different values and perspectives. Certain things I find funny, he finds offensive. He prioritizes being true to whom you are while I prioritize making compromises to make the people around you happy. A date I would find romantic and engaging he might find corny and boring. And though he has the looks and qualities the Prince Charming I had always dreamed of throughout my childhood and adolescence, he certainly isn’t a prince in real life. He’s a human being—a stubborn one—with his own frustrations and emotional triggers that I have to navigate so that we can be happy together. And I’m okay with that because I know he does the same thing for me, too.
Arts & Culture
Clint Holloway, Olivia Perdoch cholloway4@fordham.edu, oliviaperdoch@gmail.com
September 20, 2012
THE OBSERVER
Christopher Columbus Moves Into His New Living Room By BRIAN BRUEGGE Asst. Arts & Culture Editor
Now is the time to get yourself a seat on the couch next to one of the most prominent figures in history. Over the past few weeks, scaffolding has been going up in Columbus Circle around the 70-foot column on which the Christopher Columbus statue is perched, engulfing it in a nondescript white box. While one may infer that it is simply part of some sort of routine maintenance, looks can be deceiving. Rather, it is part of an ambitious piece of interactive artwork conceptualized by Japanese artist Tatzu Nishi. Six flights above the commotion of Columbus Circle, the space has been converted into a modern living room for Columbus, completely furnished with a couch, coffee table, lamps and, of course, a 200-year-old statue of the world’s most famous explorer. Beginning on Sept. 20, visitors will be able to climb up the six flights of stairs and enter the living room to take in views of Central Park and Midtown. Until now, such a vantage point was only available to the lone statue. Tatzu Nishi, the mind responsible for Columbus’ new digs, was able to make his project possible with the help of the Public Art Fund, an organization dedicated to providing free public art in the city. “Discovering Columbus” is the first of three pieces the organization has planned to go up around the city, and will run from Sept. 20 through Nov. 18. “When Tatzu first visited New York City, he became fascinated with the statue,” said Nicholas Baume, director and chief curator of the Public Art Fund in an official statement.
“He realized that despite its central location, the Columbus statue is barely visible, a solitary figure hiding in plain sight atop a column some 70 feet in the air.” The structure will give visitors a chance to interact with Columbus’ figure in a much more intimate way than ever before. Upon entering the exhibit, guests will be face to face with the statue and appreciate it on a human, rather than monumental, scale. Nishi, who has created several similar living spaces that engulf landmarks, will be making his debut in the United States with “Discovering Columbus.” In 2002, Nishi constructed a one-room apartment over a Swiss cathedral. In 2011, he built a functioning hotel around Singapore’s Merlion Fountain. In addition to providing visitors with an exciting new public space, the piece will also allow restoration work to be done on the statue. The scaffolding that has been erected will allow workers to examine the statue and column to be inspected for damage due to weather and aging and to make any necessary repairs to the monument. Although the exhibit will end in late November, restoration work will not be completed until January of next year. In order to climb the six flights up to “Discovering Columbus,” visitors will need a pass, which can be reserved on the Public Art Fund website beginning Sept. 12. Visitors will be allowed access to the room between the hours of 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. For more information on “Discovering Columbus” and other Public Art Fund commissions, visit http://wwww.publicartfund.org.
ZEINAB SAYED/THE OBSERVER
Scaffolding surrounding the new installation, “Discovering Columbus.“
“The New Normal” Indicates a New Trend in On-Screen Families By JENNA FRATELLO Contributing Writer
Normal has a subjective definition. It can be created, erased, forgotten or refurbished into something that was once foreign. According to Ryan Murphy’s new NBC comedy series “The New Normal,” the definition of what is normal targets a childless homosexual couple in quest of their only missing component, and it’s only one of many shows to be following that trend. The realities of contemporary life are redefining the concept of family, and for Bryan Collins and David Murray, a happy and successful Los Angeles couple, the choice to take part in this birthed concept has landed them into a desired situation: parenthood. The pilot begins with Bryan filming a video to his future child, telling him that its purpose is to inform the infant “how desperately you were wanted.” Aside from briefly referenced obstacles for a homosexual couple, Bryan’s video is what any parent would want to say to their soon-tobe offspring— regardless of how and by whom the child was conceived. However, Murphy isn’t ignorant to the concerns and questions raised by those who doubt the stability of raising a child in a non-traditional environment. A friend of the couple asks the inevitable, “Do you really think it’s a good idea to bring a kid into the world in such a nontraditional family?” Displayed in a carefully crafted playground sequence, Murphy utilizes a variety of different types of families to instill the idea that the nuclear family has been climatically expanded. Here, the answer to the ques-
COURTESY OF NBC
Andrew Rannells and Justin Bartha in a scene from the new NBC television show, “The New Normal.”
tion is stated through up close and personal stories of the different men and women at the playground, each describing their individual circumstances of relationships, marriages and how their children came to be. After meeting a seemingly unstable heterosexual couple and an elderly divorced grandmother, these sequences can be reduced to find Bryan’s answer to whether or not a child for him and David is a good idea: “Abnormal is the new normal.” As both men search for a mother for their child via surrogate, they find Goldie Clemmons, a single mother and waitress who moves to LA in search of a better life (and an
escape from her overbearing antigay “Nana”) with her eight-yearold daughter Shania. She wins the couple over with one simple declaration: “A family is family, and love is love.” Moreover, while the series does foreshadow an emerging norm, Bryan and David remain a symbol of traditionalism as two typical and loving parents. The compatible relationship between both characters allows the show to combine the modern union of homosexual couples and the customary installment of parental partnership as a “twosome.” The couple’s combination possesses such a puritanical na-
ture that Murphy’s balance of what is new and what is old almost seems more old-fashioned in style. Playing upon the idea that opposites attract, Bryan is a nurturing and carefree shopaholic while David, the rationalist, would rather be watching football. But their relationship encompasses everything that a couple would want their partnership to have: stability, dependence, comfort and above all, love in its most genuine form. In fact, Murphy’s new series is actually just an addition to a building line of new-generation television. Following the lead of Christopher Lloyd and Stephen Levitan’s
“mockumentary,” “The New Normal” feeds off of the glorified dysfunction of “Modern Family” and its many households: the Pritchett’s, the Tucker’s, the Delgado’s, and the Dunphy’s. Through raw, comedic and seemingly unedited one-on-one camera confessionals, the intertwined personal lives of the families unfold to address more hard-hitting questions than viewers may assume, with an honesty that real modern families most likely envy. The show includes marriage to an immigrant, unplanned pregnancies and the homosexual relationship between Mitchell and Cameron (alongside their adopted Vietnamese daughter Lily) to highlight the successful combination of complete, incomplete and confusing relationships into one big happy family–at times making “Arrested Development’s” widowed single father Michael Bluth seem as though he has it all under control. To an unidentified cameraperson, “Modern Family” makes a point to affirm that what really constitutes as a family is changing through moments of honesty that would otherwise go unseen off camera, making the audience ask questions like “What constitutes as being daddy-like?” and “How much of a ‘mom’ is she?” and most importantly “Who plays which parental ‘role?’” to which the answer seems obvious: It doesn’t matter. Alongside their heavy socio-political message, this new generation of television relays the notion that what we view as being “ideal” may not apply to everyone else. What can be possible, however, is a pair of loving parents, or possibly, even a single loving parent. The “ideal” family is an individual belief— and it is one that we all have the power to make a reality.
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER September 20, 2012
Arts & Culture
9
“The Master” Makes for Thought-Provoking Experience For all of its historical emphasis, “The Master” ends up feeling oddly timely.
By CLINT HOLLOWAY Arts & Culture Co-Editor
As fall approaches, the inevitable onslaught of awards talk and barrage of Oscar-bound films hitting the screen is fast approaching. Despite sneaking in with an early September release, I find it difficult to believe that any other film this year will be able to compete with the grandness and virtuosity of “The Master.” It is a movie that is elusive, absorbing and, yes, masterful. The film begins with Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) returning home from WWII. Scenes of his final days at sea and his debriefing reveal him as deeply unusual, with a funny way of talking and a fixation on sex. Once back in the real world, he tries to assimilate back into normality by getting a job as a department store portait photographer. His attempt to transition back into leading a civilian life is hindered by his anger as well as his preoccupations with sex and alcohol, the latter of which he obsessively concocts by using other questionable ingredients such as paint thinner and gasoline. Through a strange twist of fate, he ends up sneaking onto an ocean liner that is holding a wedding ceremony. The father of the bride and the commander of the ship is Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who has spearheaded a movement known as “The Cause” that involves religion and philosophy. Lancaster takes an interest in Freddie and brings him along as he promotes “The Cause” and even uses him for various exercises and experiments. Soon, opposition to “The Cause” grows more and more pervasive as the dynamics within Lancaster’s clan become increasingly hostile and manipulative. While that plot synopsis may make it appear so, “The Master” is anything but straightforward. Director Paul Thomas Anderson allows the movie to unfold in a
COURTESY OF THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The poster for Paul Thomas Anderson’s gloriously ambitious “The Master.”
style as erratic and discordant as Freddie. The meanings and motivations of its characters, as well as the mood of its scenes, are often opaque and inconsistent. In addition, it takes on an almost cyclical and hallucinatory structure in the way it circles back to images and events we have seen before. For
all of its formalist touches, it is as strange of a movie as you are likely to see this year. “The Master” is also a gloriously ambitious piece of filmmaking. As with his last film, 2007’s “There Will Be Blood,” Anderson has crafted a period piece set in the American West that focuses
on specific and fictional characters and circumstances but is able to imply volumes—making it both intimate and epic. One can see Freddie as representative of an entire generation of men who returned home from war broken and had trouble finding direction after being under leadership for so long.
Many have also inferred that “The Cause” is a representation of the early days of Scientology, which is apparent in the out-there, sci-fi philosophies that Lancaster espouses. But disappointment is likely to come to those who go into “The Master” expecting something of an explicit criticism or exploration of the movement. The particulars of “The Cause” remain intentionally vague and almost on the periphery of the film, as it focuses on the developing relationship between these two men. And those two men sure do make an indelible impression on screen. As Freddie, Phoenix is simply astounding as someone who seems to be the literal embodiment of nervous aggression. Hoffman is equally terrific as Lancaster Dodd, whose composure and assurance go from sincere to desperate as support for “The Cause” begins to wane. Amy Adams also makes a strong impression as Lancaster’s wife, whose devotion to “The Cause,” and firm control over her husband, allow for one to interpret in many ways who “the master” of the title is actually referring to. For all of its historical emphasis, “The Master” ends up feeling oddly timely. The time of its release coincides with a much talked about exposé of the bizarre practices of Scientology in this month’s issue of Vanity Fair. And one can also relate it to the upcoming election, which has already provoked plenty of discussion about who should be leader and what that role should fully entail. Filmmaking this bold and thought provoking feels not just relevant, but almost necessary.
Jason Rosenberg Holds His Own in His Play “[sleep] holds them” By ANDREW MILNE Contributing Writer
The title “[sleep] holds them” is a fragment from the works of Sappho, referring to the way slumber can restrict a person, hold them back, keep them waiting for something to happen. According to the writer, Jason Rosenberg, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’12, the title “[is] a metaphor for lack of control, about people waiting for something to happen.” Rosenberg went on to explain this is a common motif in his work, an ironic fact, for he actively does the opposite in his real life— the Fordham senior just acted and co-directed the show he wrote last weekend at The Actor’s Movement and Chekhov Studio in Philadelphia. “[Sleep] holds them” is based on “Sappho and Phaon,” a fictional account of Sappho’s life and her romance with the fisherman Phaon; a tragedy in which the Phaon is given the gift of eternal youth and beauty by the goddess Aphrodite and falls in love with infamous Sappho. In the grand tradition of Greek tragedies, things do not end well for the couple. “[Sleep] holds them” is a modern retelling of the ancient tale, in which the character Sappho is paralleled by drug—addicted Penelope, whose sponsor Caleb (a reflection of Phaon) obsessively collects books, yet helps her through a mental crisis in which she begins to babble in Greek. Sappho’s work “features addiction and sacrifice for love, and I wanted to parallel how we perceive both” Rosenberg said; he goes on the fur-
COURTESY OF JASON ROSENBERG
Scene from Jason Rosenberg’s play, “[sleep] holds them” performed at The Actor’s Movement and Chekhov Studio in Philadelphia.
ther explain the mentor/student relationship that blossoms between the two characters, helped along by the appearance of the ghosts in the play (an otherworldly version of the Greek chorus). Rosenberg credits Fordham professors for sparking his initial
interest in the classics and the theatre department here for “[teaching] me how to put up a play; it definitely helped me in the practical sense.” But Rosenberg’s primary inspiration came from Tarell Alvin McCraney’s “Brother/Sister trilogy,” in which McCraney adapts
Yoruba mythology and sets it in the pre-Hurricane Katrina Louisiana projects. McCraney’s work is where Rosenberg’s initial idea of “restructuring ancient plays and reusing them came from,” so between McCraney’s work and Rosenberg’s admiration for classics in general
(and Sappho in particular), “[sleep] holds them” was born. The execution of the play was a collaborative effort; the whole cast directed it together. Rosenberg played the main male protagonist (after the original actor was forced to quit due to scheduling conflicts), and the set and lighting was collected in a sort of eclectic scrounging process. The set was constructed mainly of books and was illuminated using “pedestrian lighting”— which amounted to three lamps on the set. “[We wanted to challenge] ourselves to see what we could hide in the guise of a lamp” Rosenberg said, and also laughingly admitted “part of it was that we couldn’t afford theatrical lighting” (a common lament among college students), but went on to explain that the cast would play around with the lighting to hide the overall meaning and significance of the set until they chose to reveal it. “This was the first play I’d written… For theater, you have to be aware that you’re writing for people to perform. ‘[sleep] holds them’ taught me where I had room to grow,” said Rosenberg. Unlike the typical Greek tragedy, this story has a happy ending— Rosenberg ultimately deemed the show a success, saying “I think we accomplished what we set out to do. We put up a play on our own…it ended up being something that we were all proud of.” For quotes, pictures, and more information on “[sleep] holds them” and other work, follow Jason Rosenberg on his blog www.thecaffeined.tumblr.com.
12
Arts & Culture
September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
www.fordhamobserver.com
New York City Fall Concert Preview By OLIVIA PERDOCH Arts & Culture Co-Editor
You could argue that one of the greatest perks of living in a cultural center like New York City is being able to see your favorite musical artists perform live just a short subway ride, or even walk, away. The following five venues have some spectacular acts lined up for this fall.
BEYOND MY KEN/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Irving Plaza..
Barclays Center The long-awaited, brand-new Barclays Center is Brooklyn’s latest allure and will celebrate it’s opening with eight nights of Jay-Z. If sports are more of your thing, the Barclays Center is also a sports arena and home to the National Basketball Association’s Brooklyn Nets, whose season begins midOctober. Must-See Concerts: Sept 28-30, Oct 1, 3-6 – Jay-Z Oct 29 – John Legend Oct 30 – Journey Irving Plaza Located in the heart of the Union Square area, Irving Plaza hosts everything from old-school acts like The Starting Line and New Found Glory to today’s most popular rappers like Big K.R.I.T. Must-See Concerts: Oct. 9 – Waka Flocka Flame Oct. 18 – GZA, Killer Mike, Sweet Valley, Bear Hands Oct. 20 – Electric Guest Roseland Ballroom Historical music hall Roseland Ballroom has been a highly recognized center for music and dance for almost one hundred years. It continues to bring A plus acts to 18,000 square foot venue, which is located only eight blocks away from the Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) campus. Must-See Concerts: Sept. 27 - A$AP Rocky, ft. Schoolboy Q & Danny Brown Oct. 3 – Crystal Castles Oct. 13 – Santigold
TAMMY LO/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Roseland Ballroom
Terminal 5 Only a five-minute walk from the FCLC campus, Terminal 5 boasts some of the biggest musical performers in the city (recent past acts have included Frank Ocean, The xx and fun.). The venue has three levels, multiple bars, and holds up to 3,000 concertgoers… Must-See Concerts: Oct. 17 & 18 – Fiona Apple Oct. 27 – Major Lazer Nov. 15 – Matt & Kim
AMES/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
A concert at Terminal 5 music venue.
Williamsburg Park Williamsburg Park opened early this summer and welcomed acts such as the Counting Crows, Sublime, and the New York Mad Decent Block Party to occupy its 7,000-person capacity outdoor space. Located only one subway stop out of Manhattan, the venue is surrounded by other attractions such as McCarren Park, the Williamsburg Waterfront, and an endless number of affordable bars and restaurants. The venue will close for the season after the Oct. 5 show, so end your summer with one of these three shows. Must-See Concerts: Sept. 27 – Gotye Sept. 29 – David Byrne & St. Vincent Oct. 5 – Animal Collective
Free tuition for all students who write for Arts & Culture. (Just kidding.) Give It A Try Anyway! For more info, click the “Contact Us” Tab on our website: www.fordhamobserver.com
10
Arts & Culture
Septembert 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
www.fordhamobserver.com
PHOTO FEATURE The Observer photographers documented the colorful palette of the fall Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The red, green and purple outfits contrasted the usual pale exterior of Lincoln Center.
WEIYU LI/THE OBSERVER
EMILY SAWICKI/THE OBSERVER
SHERRY YUAN/THE OBSERVER
ZEINAB SAYED/THE OBSERVER
AYER CHAN/THE OBSERVER
ZEINAB SAYED/THE OBSERVER
WEIYU LI/THE OBSERVER
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER September 20, 2012
Arts & Culture
11
PHOTO FEATURE
AYER CHAN/THE OBSERVER
SHERRY YUAN/THE OBSERVER
SHERRY YUAN/THE OBSERVER
AYER CHAN/THE OBSERVER
TAVY WU/THE OBSERVER TAVY WU/THE OBSERVER
Features
Jewel Galbraith jgalbraith1@fordham.edu
September 20, 2012
THE OBSERVER
REX SAKAMOTO/THE OBSERVER
A biking and jogging trail runs parallel to the Hudson River and Riverside Park, a peaceful 222-acre park full of majestic elm trees and grassy lawns for reading and relaxing.
Take a New York Minute For Yourself at these Manhattan Gems BY DANIELLE ROMANO Contributing Writer
They say one is the loneliest number, but is that really true? Whether you’re moving into your new dorm and meeting your suitemates for the first time or figuring out your new schedule and ordering your last minute textbooks, the beginning of the school year can be a very taxing time. Sometimes, the best way to get away from all the stress and clear your head a bit is to enjoy the wonders of New York City — alone. Intimidated by the idea of facing the big city by yourself? Don’t be. There seems to be a stigma when it comes to doing things alone, but having some time to yourself can be a really wonderful thing. I sometimes grab lunch during my free periods between classes by myself. I can eat in peace without having to talk to anyone. It helps me to reflect on my day and focus on what needs to be done later. So if you feel like you need to relax and get away from it all for just a little while, check out these suggestions for fun solo trips
in the city.
Like the outdoors? Try Riverside Park.
72nd Street and Riverside Drive We all know Central Park is a great place to get some nature time in the Big Apple, and it is conveniently located a few blocks from school. But if you’re looking to distance yourself from campus, shake up your routine with a visit to Riverside Park. You can escape from the city and get lost in its tranquil scenery. Find a bench under a shady tree and read a book, or take a long walk or bike ride along the water. Running from 72nd to 158th Streets, this is one of my favorite places to go in the city when I need some time away. You can watch the sunset along the Hudson River and unwind.
Want to try something new? Head over to Bryant Park.
Between 40th and 42nd Streets & 5th and 6th Avenues
Website: http://bryantpark.org/ Situated behind the New York Public Library, this New York fixture is a quick ride away on the B or D line. It may be a lovely place to just sit and relax, but the park also offers many fun activities to try— for free. They offer bird watching tours, square dancing, Tai Chi classes and more. Check out their website and find something new to experience all on your own. If you get hungry, walk across the street to Kinokuniya Bookstore (1073 Ave of the Americas). If you’re a fan of Japanese culture or anything Japanrelated, this is your place: the store boasts a large selection of manga, movies and music, Japanese books and magazines, anime merchandise, and calligraphy items. Then head to the second floor to Café Zaiya. You can sit by the window and enjoy the beautiful view of the park below. While seating can be quite limited, no one rushes you out and they have a good selection of pre-prepared Bento boxes, sandwiches and pastries.
Into museums? Explore
some lesser-known exhibits. Skyscraper Museum 39 Battery Pl.
Sony Wonder Technology Lab 56th Street and Madison Avenue. Museum of the City of New York 1220 5th Ave. [at 103rd Street] The most obvious museum choices in the city are the Met, MoMA or the American Museum of Natural History, and all three are fascinating, but there are plenty of other museums to try that you may not have heard of. The Skyscraper Museum is perfect for any architecture or design enthusiast. Browse the exhibitions and learn how technology, construction and historical influences have built and shaped the high-rise complexes that dominate New York’s extraordinary skyline. There is also the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. If you’re into technology, whether it be programming a robot or designing a video game, this place is a four-floor, hands-on playground featuring the latest digital equipment
and technology used in the entertainment, medical and research and development fields. There is also the Museum of the City of New York, which explores NYC’s earliest days and current history. A wide variety of multimedia presentations, performances and public programs keeps visitors and immersed and involved.
Roommates hogging the Xbox? Enjoy an alternate gaming experience.
Chinatown Fair 8 Mott St. between Chatham Square & Worth Street Dave & Busters is overcrowded and won’t let anyone under 21 in after 6 p.m. Check out Chinatown Fair, one of the last arcades still around in the city. Enjoy some skee-ball, mini basketball, video poker, Guitar Hero and fighting games like Street Fighter. They also have TVs where you can play big name titles like Call of Duty for a small fee. If you’re looking for some alone time, this is a fun way to unwind and kill a little time.
A Tale of Two Cities: One Freshman’s International Journey to Fordham By MEG O’HARA Contributing Writer
Most people can only imagine what life is like on the other side of the globe, but Tavy Wu, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’16, has lived it. “When I was a kid, the general idea was that pretty much everything American was seen as better; America was like a dreamland. Now, America is my reality,” Wu said. Wu has lived in the United States for five years now. After leaving his native China for Los Angeles five years ago, he has since relocated to New York City, which he says is the “greatest city in the world,” to begin his freshman year and study pre-law at Fordham. “My father got a job at University of California at Irvine, so we left Beijing right before I started high school. The biggest difference I found right away was the freedom,” Wu said. He experienced this freedom primarily in home life— though stereotypes, Wu said, would assume otherwise. “My father is a member of the Communist Party, so there are a lot of ideas about that in America. But it is just a piece of paper: he is very liberal, more than a lot of Americans I know who are his age, and he gave me a lot of independence,” Wu said. Wu’s father attended university in Germany and taught his son German at a young age— English is Wu’s third language— and since it was just the two of them in Los Angeles, Wu had the freedom to forge his own path in America. The first time he saw New York, he knew his path would lead him here.
“I came here junior year of high school to play music and I just fell in love with the city,” he said. “Plus Lincoln Center is just the best location I can think of in the city… no, in the world.” Wu arrived a week before school began to participate in Fordham Lincoln Center’s International Student Orientation, which, he said, “if you attend, you’ll know pretty much all of the international kids.” As he said this, he waved hello to a girl passing by on the plaza: “That’s my friend from Japan! I met her at the orientation,” he explained. And at a campus where one in four students is international— in a city where over half of the residents are foreign-born— Wu feels more at home here than he would in China. He went back to Beijing to intern at Ernst & Young this summer and said that he could hardly recognize the city. “In China, they want to be always progressing. Always moving forward,” he said. “Things change very quickly because they tear down old buildings to put up new ones; they don’t realize that they tore down special or historic places until it is too late. They even rename the streets— everything just has to be new all of the time. Beijing looks like a Star Wars city; something from the future.” Wu prefers the juxtaposition of the old and the new that he can find in New York. He finds the two cities to be similar in the sense that there are tall buildings and that “people mostly stay indoors,” but Beijing has nothing like the Empire State Building or the Chrysler Building, which are some of
PHOTO COURTESY OF TAVY WU
Tavy Wu, FCLC ’16, poses with his ukelele in front of a restaurant in his native China.
his favorites. The ease of access he has to Broadway shows, city museums and neighborhoods like SoHo is a huge benefit, he says, to living at Lincoln Center. But even with the time he has spent in the United States and his love for New York, Wu doesn’t see himself becoming an American citizen anytime soon. “It just doesn’t make sense to me; I mean, I wasn’t born here,” he said. “I am a Chinese citizen and I’m proud of that.” Also on his mind is the fact that China is quickly growing into a world superpower. And Wu is not alone in his think-
ing. “This summer in China I made a documentary called “Volare” about Americans who live and play music in Beijing,” he said. He was interested in the people who travelled the opposite way around the world as he, as well as the stereotypes this phenomenon has helped to break. “There are a lot of stereotypes of China in the U.S., but now they [the subjects of “Volare”] actually live there and see it,” he said. “They see that China is even more postmodern than the U.S. and they want to stay there.” But he said there is one way that China is largely lacking progress: the
Internet. Though social media has helped to connect young people in China to the rest of the world, there is still a discrepancy between the information that he and his Chinese friends have access to. This summer, Wu was forced to use China’s censored Internet if he wanted to go online at all. “There is a wall up online because of the government,” he said. “You know the wall is there, so you feel uncomfortable. It’s like Big Brother, always watching. I mean the truth is that everyone knows what’s outside the wall, but still the government tries to block out the world.” But the promise of a growing economy may, for Wu, be enough to send him back to China sometime after college. His family is mostly in the United States: his twin sister goes to New York University, his girlfriend attends school around the corner from Lincoln Center and his father now lives in Michigan (he visited once in January and responds “No! Definitely not Michigan!” when asked if he’d ever live there— too cold, he said). But as a pre-law student, he is keeping an open mind about where he’ll be able to find a job in the future. “China is definitely on the rise – it’s doing much better than when I lived there as a kid— but I’m definitely not leaving New York anytime soon. This is my favorite place in the world,” he said. “The food on campus might not be the best, but my roommates and I cook a lot… And it might get cold in the winters – but to live in this city, with all of the great things here, I can definitely accept that.”
14
Features
September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
www.fordhamobserver.com
WORD OF MOUTH
Thailand Is Closer Than You Think at Noodies By REX SAKAMOTO Asst. Features Editor
After watching Anthony Bourdain travel through Thailand on “No Reservations,” my mouth was watering and I needed some Thai food, too. So I whipped out my iPhone and did a quick search on Yelp, which suggested Noodies. Noodies is Located on 9th Avenue between 55th and 54th streets. When I arrived, I realized that I must have passed by the restaurant several times before, but had never noticed it since it is quite literally a hole in the wall. Only one person at a time can fit between the bar and the row of tables. Since it was only five o’ clock there were not too many people there, so my friend and I were seated immediately. After perusing the menu both of us could not decide between the tom ka soup or the basil chicken fried rice. In the end we resolved to share both of the dishes and ordered a yuzu lemonade and a Thai iced tea as well. While we waited for our food to come my friend and I were able to admire the striking wall decoration above the bar. The wall was covered in a colorful array of ceramic bowls. We took a few pictures of the restaurant and then our drinks arrived. The drinks were pretty good. The Yuzu Lemonade was refreshing and a little tarter that regular lemonade and the Thai iced tea was creamy and sweet like it should be. I appreciated that both had a clean and fresh taste. The tom ka soup was served first. As I dipped my spoon into the broth I was glad to see that it was thick with vegetables and chicken. The soup
was tangy from the lemongrass and creamy from the coconut: perfection. Originally my friend and I had been gabbing about how excited we were for the food to come, but then we fell silent and the only sound between us was the slurping of the delicious soup. My only complaint about the soup is that on the bottom there was a large clump of wide cut rice noodles that needed to be broken apart with chopsticks. Even after breaking them apart, some of them still stuck together making it difficult to eat. Still, this was the best tom ka soup that I have ever tried. When the basil chicken fried rice arrived, it overwhelmed the senses. The dish had strong traces of garlic, cilantro, onion and basil, which melded together creating a heavenly aroma. This dish was also great because it was generous with the filling and the chicken was not dry. So many restaurants serve dry, leathery chicken pieces in their fried rice. Noodies’ were succulent and moist. The service at this restaurant is great as well. My water glass was never empty. But the thing that impressed me the most was the staff’s willingness to accommodate our needs. My friend’s cell phone had ran out of battery and she and I were going to go out after eating. Our host was very gracious and offered to charge her phone while we ate. This restaurant has definitely won my heart and I look forward to returning here. The restaurant prides itself on using only fresh ingredients, which definitely shined through in all of the dishes. At an average of only $10 a dish, this place is a steal.
REX SAKAMOTO/THE OBSERVER
Top: A wall of ceramic bowls, Bottom Right: Tom Ka Soup, Middle: A glass of Thai Iced Tea, Bottom Left: Basil Fried Rice
A Student’s Guide to Unleashing Your Inner Chef at the Ram Café I don’t feel like I could have a healthy diet by eating solely at the cafeteria.
By FREDERIC ADOR Staff Writer
In its 2013 school rankings, the Princeton Review rated Fordham’s food as the worst in the country. This news has students worrying more than ever about how to make healthful and tasty meals out of the Ram Café’s offerings. I don’t feel like I could have a healthy diet by eating solely at the cafeteria. The options for vegetarian and vegan students, however, are even more limited. As Marie Geramanis, a vegan, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’15, said, “In terms of a balanced diet, there really isn’t a way you could sustain a healthy way of eating ... there are a few nuts and every now and then they have spinach which is a good protein option, but it’s rare and it’s also not very well kept.” So whether you’re a vegan or simply a hungry student, it’s not always easy to find meals from the cafeteria that satisfy both your taste buds and your body’s nutritional needs. Fortunately, there are some strategies that Fordham students can use to punch up the flavor and avoid food-related health issues.
tarian option. I personally find the pasta options a bit boring, but the salad bar and the grill offer ingredients aplenty to add to the boring pasta dishes. For example, adding cherry tomatoes and some arugula to regular penne makes a surprisingly good combination.
Build Your Own Breakfast To say that our cafeteria lacks decent food would be a lie, but to eat healthily, you need to avoid the fatty and sugary temptations. In the morning, you should avoid the donuts, muffins and other danishes and focus on the fresh cut fruits, granola and yogurts. Red Mango offers a decent range of healthy smoothies and yogurt-based food with enough variety to keep it interesting. My favorite breakfast recipe is to cube some fresh fruit— a peach or a banana for example— and mix it with plain yogurt. This easy and cheap breakfast packs a healthy amount of nutrients and is not too heavy. Add a cup of coffee, tea or a fruit juice and your day will be off to a good start.
REX SAKAMOTO/THE OBSERVER
Add chickpeas to a bed of arugula at the Ram Café salad bar for a meal packed with calcium and protein.
Don’t Skimp on Salad During lunch, the food offered under the “grill” section of the
menu might look delicious, but it’s certainly not the most healthful. The daily entrees are more nutritious and varied, but the most wholesome food in our cafeteria is
at the salad bar. The 12 salad toppings are fresh and allow you to create a new salad every day. Soups are usually a good option as well, especially since they offer a vege-
Assert Your Culinary Creativity Another option is to get creative with what the salad bar offers. With a little craft and some extra ingredients, boring salads can become delicious. My favorite create-yourown-salad is a Caesar salad. First ask for a grilled chicken from the counter. Then dice it up and toss it together with the arugula mix, tomatoes, olives and croutons. Lastly top it off with some house dresing. Another option is to get some feta cheese or tofu and mix it with tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and olives creating a Greek salad. Though you won’t find tofu and cheese in the cafeteria, both are available at Whole Foods, Western Beef, Morton Williams and Trader Joe’s. In the future, I sincerely hope that our cafeteria will provide students with healthier options and add new foods. I also hope that United Student Government will continue to work in this direction before we all graduate. To all those who eat at the cafeteria regularly and the new freshmen stuck with the mandatory meal plan, my advice would be to be creative with the available options and to try new dishes. Being in college should not mean that we have to pass on one of life’s greatest pleasures: good food.
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER September 20, 2012
Features
15
KATHERINE FOTINOS/OBSERVER ARCHIVE PHOTO
Though the terrain isn’t treacherous, minor medical emergencies can add drama to any trip to Central Park.
Spending Time in Central Park Is Not for the Faint of Heart or Weak of Nose JEWEL GALBRAITH Features Editor
Fordham students know that Central Park is a great place to sit, relax with friends and get hit in the face by Frisbees. That’s right: it’s a jungle out there, a jungle full of speed rollerblading teams and people doing yoga. The trees are pretty predictable, but the park-goers are not. There are a lot of things to potentially get hit in the face with (or splashed with, or run over by). I try to be wary of threats to my safety in the park, but sometimes, I’m the one scaring the tourists and yoga people. At least, I did one day last week while I was on a run.
Runners are not rare in Central Park. In fact, you are virtually guaranteed to see more runners in one trip around Sheep’s Meadow than most Americans will see in an entire lifetime. And the monetary value of all the running equipment worn in the park at any given time (think fuel belts and shin compressors) is greater than the net worth of Oprah and Bill Gates combined. I don’t know that as a fact per se, but I have a feeling that it’s true. So, the fact that I was there in the park running was nothing strange. But about halfway through my run, I went to scratch my nose and realized why I had been getting surprised looks from people walking past me: my nose was bleeding pretty profusely. Spontaneous nosebleeds are
something I’m used to during allergy season, so there was no cause for major concern, besides the fact that I was in public and my face was covered in my blood. I made a quick decision to abandon my workout and go off in search of some kind of tissue. I spotted a food vendor who I figured would have napkins and jogged up to him. “Hey,” I said. “I have a nosebleed.” The look on his face told me that he’d gathered that much. My prognosis didn’t look especially promising to the naked eye: blood was running down my face at an alarming rate, and I was also sweaty and alone. The vendor stared at me. I was hoping my appearance would speak for itself, but when he didn’t take any action, I asked for a few
napkins. He handed them over along with a bottle of water, which a couple of nearby tourists from abroad suggested I pour over my head. Not convinced that any of these people were equipped to help me deal with the nosebleed situation, I thanked them and made my way to a park bench. This was when I started feeling like a minor menace to society. At first I wondered, maybe a little selfishly, why no one was stopping by my bench to offer assistance. Wasn’t a clearly injured runner alone in the park something that a Good Samaritan would want to come check out? But it slowly started to dawn on me that as I sat by myself on that park bench, using napkins and a water bottle to methodically wipe blood off my hands, I looked more like a
maniacal serial killer than a jogger with nasal problems. I was just another possibly dangerous weirdo for people to walk past quickly, avoiding eye contact. In retrospect, it might have been less creepy for me to wash up in a bathroom, or maybe hidden behind a tree somewhere. But regardless, now I know that becoming a social pariah in Central Park is as easy as having sinus-related allergy symptoms. Is social pariah too strong a phrase? I thought so, as I took a long cool-down walk around the park paths before heading home to my apartment. But then I went upstairs, looked in my bathroom mirror and saw the giant, goatee-shaped bloodstain on my chin. Then, social pariah sounded about right.
Resolution Revolution: New Habits for the Start of the New School Year By KIMBERLY GALBRAITH Contributing Writer
To make this fall semester more successful than the last, the Fordham College of Lincoln Center (FCLC) community has set resolutions both personal and academic. What are among those academic resolutions? Mainly not to leave homework until last minute. “Every semester there is either one or two things I leave until last minute, whether it’s a final paper that I haven’t done on time,” Zach Aaronson, FCLC ’13, said. “Over the summer I had an African history paper and I turned it in so late! I need to get better about getting written assignments in on time.” Amna Khan, FCLC ’16, made a similar resolution, to procrastinate less, because, she said, “When I would finally start to do my homework, I always ended up so stressed out. ” Other students will try to balance their academic and social lives better. “I want to balance my social life with academic life the
best I can because it’s a lot different from high school,” Nuwani Irizarry, FCLC ’16, said. “I thought there would be a lot of freedom and more balance. It’s difficult to manage both.” Melissa Monconduit, FCLC ’14, also said she wants to find the balance between school and a social life. “I want to be able to give the best of my abilities to school, while also having time outside of school. I find that to be the hardest.” Molly Spater, FCLC ’15, has a resolution to organize. “I realized that every year I always buy an academic planner and never end up using it. I always get mad because I am so disorganized and forget to do things until last minute,” Spater said. Although New York is known as the city that never sleeps, some students wish they could get more shut-eye. Jennifer Kelly, FCLC ’13, is one of them. Kelly, a commuter, said her resolution is to “get enough sleep and find enough time to study more.” Shante Brown, a graduate stu-
dent at Fordham and also a commuter, said she agrees. “My main resolution is to go to sleep between 10:30 and 11 p.m. and to be up between 5:30 and 6 a.m.” Brown said. “I commute and want to try to have more time for myself in the morning. I would like time to cook, prepare food and be ready for the day. It’s hard to do that when you have to get up and run out of the house! It definitely is a struggle, we’ll see what happens. Hopefully I’ll be al right,” Brown said. Students of FCLC are not the only ones making resolutions; so are their professors. “I would like to be more organized between my email and papers,” Kathryn Kueny, director of religious studies at Fordham. “It’s hard to keep track of everything.” Professor Carmen Sanchis-Sinisterra, who teaches Spanish, has a resolution for outside of the classroom. “I would like to get to know better the history and culture of West Harlem, my neighborhood, and to read Marx’s “Capital.” I already started both, I’m so excited.”
SARA AZOULAY/THE OBSERVER
Jennifer Kelly (left) and Zach Aaronson (right) resolve to make
Literary YOU BURN ME By JASON ROSENBERG Contributing Writer
(Inspired by Sappho’s fragment, “singeing us”) What is it about the summertime? Your name has gotten too big for my mouth. Every time I say it, I have to smile to get it out. I don’t know what I’ve come to expect from this life, but I’m happy… I’m just happy. I suppose I have you to thank. I suppose there’s a point where you stop needing to cherish and protect yourself. Because the only thing worth protecting is what you’re the most careless with, When it comes down to it. I have nothing left, but it’s yours if you want it. I don’t want to be gold anymore. I want to be flesh. I want to be yours. I want to be a white cow, unmarred by blemishes. Born in a white, marble stable next to the temple of Aphrodite. I want men to look at me and ache with hunger and Women to look at me and fall in love and go mad and want to bear my child and hide it in a maze. I want them all to beg for me and beg at me. And I will just laugh. And they will tear at their clothes and their faces and beat their chests. And curse you. And curse me. And you will look down on me and want to know what I smell like on a spit over a fire. And one day, one sacred night, they will lead me to your temple, a parade in your honor, and grass will grow in front of us as they dance and sing you hymns and I will laugh and stride on, ready, so ready. And they will bring me to the most sacred room, all white, no contours or contrast, one white space and there they will lay me down and split me open, all red, color at last in this white mausoleum, and tell our future in my entrails, and then they will take a knife to my throat and all that will be there is your name and they will rip it out, a river of our secrets and my laugh, and they will fill mason jars and coffee cans and water cooler jugs and deer skeins and sacred vases and baptize their children and heal their sick and mourn their dead with the nights we lay plastered in sweat, breathing through our mouths, and even with all that, all they will see is brilliant red blood, pouring out of me in a river. And then, when you smell it, you will come at last, And everything will catch fire, sped up, excited by your beauty And they will burn. And I will burn away all the parts of me that aren’t us, and all the while in this giant, sacred, burning oven, all I will feel is the nights we spent plastered with sweat and breathing through each other’s mouths as you burn me. And I will smile.
Salma Elmehdawi mss.salma@gmail.com September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
Sports
Mike McMahon mmcmahon27@fordham.edu
September 20, 2012
THE OBSERVER
Soccer Upsets Brown, Four Players Named All-Tournament By VICTOR URQUILLA Contributing Writer
It doesn’t take a soccer aficionado to understand what a hardfought game is. Anytime you have a one goal differential between two teams, you can say the game was evenly matched. However, only one team came out on top in the Brown Soccer Classic. The Rams faced the Brown Bears in a hotly contested game. With a 1-0 final, the Rams overtook 22nd-ranked Brown after beating Sienna in the opening round. The Rams came in with a losing 1-2 record before the tournament began and left with a winning record of 3-2. Head Coach Jim McElderry felt satisfied with the Rams performance. “We are very happy with the two wins, especially away from home, with the second win against a very strong Brown team rated as a top team in the nation,” McElderry said. Following the 1-0 victory over Brown, Fordham can now afford to look in the mirror and, perhaps, expect more. With the new crew of players, the team has the potential to improve as well as maintain the level of dominance on the defensive side of the ball they showed against Brown. “We have a lot of new players on this team, so we have worked hard over the past month to come together as a team. Our team defense has been very good, led by senior captain Ryan Curran from Carlow, Ireland,” McElderry said. One of the key returning players selected to the All-Tournament team was midfielder Nathaniel Bekoe, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’14, who was named MVP for his superb play on the defensive side of the ball. Kalle Sotka (FCRH ’15), Ryan Curran (FCRH ’13), and Kyle Bitterman (FCRH ’16) were also named All-Tournament for their contributions to the
COURTESY OF FORDHAM SPORTS
Nathaniel Bekoe, FCRH ’14, was named All-Tournament MVP for his dominant performance.
Rams’ 2-0 performance. Bitterman, being a freshman, earned his first point with the assist on the winning and only goal versus Brown. McElderry said he also has plenty of confidence in Jack Bouchard (FCRH ’14) and Michael Valencia
(FCRH ’13). Fordham has a lot to look forward to in the upcoming weeks. Starting in October, they will face nine conference opponents, largely determining the season’s outcome. Upon being challenged with
the question of how confident he feels with his group, McElderry responded, “I know we still have a long way to go in order for this group to reach its potential, but as always I have high expectations for this team.”
High expectations don’t make a final stop at the coaches table, as the Fordham community is eager to see how much this season can contribute to key players breaking out. Time can only tell once they enter October.
Fordham Football Victorious at Homecoming, Defeats Cornell 34-27 By MICHAEL O’DONNELL Contributing Writer
On Saturday Sept. 15, the Fordham football team treated their loyal fans to an exciting victory over Cornell University at Jack Coffey Field. As homecoming festivities took place on Edwards Parade, the Rams were able to improve their record to 2-1, showing glimpses of a potentially potent offense in the 34-27 win. The star of the day was Fordham running back Carlton Koonce, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’13, who rushed for a career high 176 yards and two touchdowns. Koonce was quiet in the first half—rushing for only 31 yards— but was able to find more running room later in the game, eluding visibly tired defenders and helping Fordham maintain possession. Not to be outdone, quarterback Ryan Higgins, FCRH ’14, passed for 281 yards and two scores, orchestrating several important second half drives. After Cornell took a 14-6 lead early in the third quarter, Higgins connected with receiver Brian Wetzel, FCRH ’15, on a 63yard pass and catch. Koonce was able to finish off the drive with a 15-yard run into the end zone. The three play 83-yard drive sparked an offensive unit that struggled to move the ball in the first half. On their next series, Higgins connected with Wetzel on a pivotal third down play. Several downs later, Higgins found Sam Ajala, FCRH ’15, who outran defenders on his way to another touchdown.
The third quarter marked the turning point of this game, as the offense gained momentum and the defense was able to secure several stops, helped by missed opportunities on the part of Cornell. They missed a 50-yard field goal that gave Fordham great field position, which resulted in a touchdown pass to Wetzel. Wetzel also had a career day, grabbing eight passes for 156 yards, both career highs for the sophomore. Jeff Mathews, Cornell’s junior quarterback, threw the ball 56 times and tallied almost 500 yards through the air in addition to three touchdowns. However, the impressive statistics were not enough, as Cornell’s defense could not find an answer to Koonce and Higgins. The environment at Jack Coffey field was lively and enthusiastic, with student sections breaking into chants of “F-U” and “Let’s go Rams!” throughout the game. Everyone was in good spirits after filling their stomachs with free cheeseburgers and hotdogs in the homecoming tent. For students of age, Fordham provided beer and wine, contributing to the excitement of the crowd. Camille Cua, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’13, noted that the atmosphere felt like a natural college experience—that is, everyone gathering for the big game, socializing with others in the Fordham community. “It’s weird, we don’t see that a lot at Lincoln Center,” she said. “Most people kind of just do their own thing and no one really cares about football.”
COURTESY OF FORDHAM SPOR
Running back Carlton Koonce, Fordham College at Rose Hill ’13, ran for 176 yards.
David Mendes, FCLC ’13, held a similar sentiment. “It’s just nice being outside, eating a burger and watching football. It feels right. I’m thinking about doing this more of-
ten. I just wish Fordham would always provide free food, but I guess I can’t be too picky.” Fordham’s next game is Saturday against Columbia in the annual Lib-
erty Cup game uptown. Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. It should be interesting to see if Fordham can maintain this momentum and come away with another win.
18
Sports
September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
www.fordhamobserver.com
Sophomore Trio Defends 3-on-3 Title By JENNIFER KHEDAROO Contributing Writer
Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC)’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament kicked off on Sept. 15 at the McMahon Hall basketball court. Four teams competed intensely but in the end, it was the trio of Yuta Kobayashi, FCLC ’15, Tristan Paguio, FCLC ’15, and Josh Tarpav, FCLC ’15, who earned the title of Lincoln Center’s best team for the second year in a row after winning the final game with a score of 15-10. The three sophomores met in their freshman year. Tarpav and Kobayashi were suitemates and held similar interests in basketball. During their freshman year, they noticed a post made by Paguio on a Fordham Facebook page looking for someone to play basketball with. The three boys all had previous experience playing on their high school basketball teams and decided to become a team for last April’s 3-on-3 tournament. There they won the seven team competition. This year the teams played a round-robin styled tournament. This meant that each team played every other team once and the two teams with the best record faced off in the final round. Playing a roundrobin tournament has its advantages. For instance, if the teams played with elimination rounds, then the final round would come instantly after the first. Each team would be left with only one opportunity to prove themselves. “Two games and everyone would be gone, and that’s not good,” Tarpav said. Paguio added, “For the amount of teams we had, round-robin was the best option.” The event’s organizer, Sunny Khahera, FCLC ’14 and resident assistant, spoke of the challenge of getting the teams together for the tournament. “The tournament means a lot to me, especially since I’ve played in the tournament for years now. I put up signup sheets
to know who is coming ahead of time, but not a lot of people signed up, which is scary because you don’t know who is going to show up. I personally called and texted some people from last year’s tournament and created a Facebook group to get people’s attention.” Khahera also noted that most of the competitors were residents because it is difficult to get commuters to travel from the outer boroughs, and seniors were most likely to attend the homecoming event than come to the tournament. The round-robin tournament also had its disadvantages. While observing the three rounds of competition, it was noticeable that the players were getting more and more tired with every game played. By the last stage, Paguio and Kobayashi had both taken a beating, with Paguio hurting his arm, chin, groin and leg. Still, the trio pulled through to a win of 15-10 after being down 5-0 early. The dynamic between the three helped them to succeed. “We’re like soul sisters,” the Tarpav joked. “But really, I’m the high energy one, Yuta’s the relaxed, chill one, and Tristan’s the one who says ‘guys, let’s go play basketball’ all the time,” Tarpav said. Their chemistry was shown in each round, especially when calling out for one another to “calm down!” when getting tangled up by defenders. The teammates knew how to play with each other’s strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to go on a 15-5 run against the opposition. Another story coming from the tournament was that of Katherine Destefano. Destefano, a third year law student and resident assistant, was the only girl who participated in this year’s tournament, a step up from last April when no girls participated at all. When asked about being the only girl, Destefano responded “I’ve played basketball my entire life. I’m used to being the only girl who plays basketball with the boys, but I do wish that more
JENNIFER KHEDAROO/THE OBSERVER
The sophomore trio of Kobayashi, Paguio and Tarpav returned and successfully defended their title.
girls would play.” Unfortunately, the chances of more girls playing in the 3 on 3 tournament is unlikely due to the courts closing down soon in order for the school to pay for the new law school and dorm building. Kobayashi, Tarpav and Paguio are
very upset with the Lincoln Center courts closing down. “We’ll still play together,” Kobayashi said. For the moment, however, the boys are satisfied with their prizes of a $15 gift card each for Best Buy, an improvement from last April’s
prize of a $5 gift card each for Starbucks. How did they celebrate their win? Tarpav and Paguio planned on going to a Kendrick Lamar concert while Kobayashi felt sleeping was absolutely necessary.
Volleyball Dominates Bucknell Invitational, Turns Season Around Their tournament wins came by way of two three-set sweeps and a four-set victory, with one of the sweeps being against the host Bucknell Bison.
By MIKE MCMAHON Sports Editor
After stumbling out of the gate, the Fordham volleyball team has found its footing as of late. The team has finally righted the ship since opening with six consecutive losses, winning the Bucknell Invitational in Lewisburg, Pa. in impressive fashion. While the overall record sitting at 8-9 isn’t going to blow anyone away, the team’s current four-game winning streak has gone a long way toward bringing them back in the competitive mix of things. More than that, the Rams have won seven of their last nine games. Their tournament wins came by way of two three-set sweeps and a four-set victory, with one of the sweeps being against the host Bucknell Bison. In the first match against Bucknell, outside hitter Brennan Delsing, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’16, led the charge with 15 kills and a .636 hitting percentage, as the Rams won in three sets by scores of 28-26, 25-22 and 25-9. After two tough, close sets, the Rams dominated the third, opening up with an 8-0 run and holding the Bison to single-digits. The second match saw the Rams take on the Providence Friars. This winning effort was spearheaded by middle hitter Randi Ewing, FCRH ’13, who contributed 12 kills and a stellar .688 hitting percentage on the way to winning 25-16, 27-25,
COURTESY OF FORDHAM SPORTS
Randi Ewing, Fordham College at Rose Hill ’13, dominated Fordham’s second match at the Bucknell Invitational.
and 25-16. The middle set was the challenge for Fordham, with the Rams needing to come back from 23-19, eventually winning the set on consecutive kills from Delsing and Lisa Hipp, FCRH ’14.
Match three, the only nonsweep of the tournament for Fordham, was still an extremely impressive outing. Fordham held the Quinnipiac Bobcats to a -.078 hitting percentage, as the team defense racked up 11 blocks
in the match. The last of the three tournament matches saw the Rams win the first, second and fourth sets by scores of 2513, 25-14 and 25-8 again closing out a match in dominant form. Delsing brought more tourna-
ment magic to the win, adding another 12 kills. For their efforts in the tournament, both Delsing and Ewing were named to the All-Tournament team. With in-conference games coming soon against volleyball powerhouses Virginia Commonwealth University and Temple University, currently sporting 12-1 and 10-4 records respectively, it’s tough to say that Fordham hasn’t picked the right moment to get hot. Skepticism and fear that once stemmed from the team’s abysmal start has been replaced by optimism and hope. As the team still has all 14 conference games remaining and some quality wins under their belt, the Rams can stand confident that they can be competitive, no matter the opponent. This team looks to continue riding the dominance and leadership of senior players like Ewing, as well as the young talent and strong performance of the freshman Delsing and hopefully will go deep into the A-10 playoffs in mid November.
www.fordhamobserver.com
THE OBSERVER September 20, 2012
Sports
19
Early Returns a Mixed Bag for Jets, Giants Both Sit at 1-1 By MICKEY CONNOLLY Contributing Writer
Coming in to the season, expectations were high for the reigning champion New York Giants, while concerns prevailed about the Jets offense, unable to muster more than a lone touchdown in the preseason. In week one, the New York Giants lost 24-17 to the Dallas Cowboys and panic began to set in. The returning champs redeemed themselves the following week with a hard-fought, come-from-behind victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their neighbors, the New York Jets, returned last with an exciting win, 48-28, against the Buffalo Bills, leading fans to believe that the offensive concerns were overblown. The Jets faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week two, but scored only ten points in a losing effort on the road. Welcome to New York, the most confusing city in football. Week one was not satisfactory for Giants fans. The 2011-2012 season proved to be quite successful for the Giants. Eli Manning claimed his position among the “elite” quarterbacks of the NFL throwing 359 completions for 4,933 yards, 29 touchdowns and only 16 interceptions. Not only did they win their second Super Bowl in five years, but they beat the powerhouse New England Patriots each time. Naturally, after such success, fans have high expectations. These were not met, as the Giants became the first reigning champions to lose the season opener since the reigning NFL champions began hosting the season’s first game in 2004. In week two, the Giants’ future looked dim as they headed into halftime trailing the Bucs 21-7. However, they showed their true colors as they came out in the second half and took control of the game, winning it 41-34. While the Giants’ performance against the Cowboys was less than perfect, fans can rest assured that the Big Blue offense is still capable of having a big season. The Giants have one of the best leaders in the league in Eli Manning. Manning has already thrown for 723 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with receiver Hakeem Nicks for one. Receiver Victor Cruz has also been sharing the load with one touchdown. Both Cruz and Nicks have 237 yards this season. If the Giants’ offense keeps fighting the way they have in weeks one and two, they will be poised to defend
RON JENKINS/FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM/MCT
The Giants pass defense is a concern for the otherwise promising team. .
their championship in the 2013 Super Bowl. The New York Jets did not enter the 2012 season with such high expectations. Having reached the AFC East championship two years in a row in 2010 and 2011, last year’s 8-8 record was heartbreaking to Jets fans. The team found somewhat of a distraction from the poor season this summer amidst the hype about new backup quarterback Tim Tebow.
Many questions about the depth chart and the relationship between Tebow and starting quarterback Mark Sanchez were raised, as it seemed a perfect storm for quarterback controversy. In spite of having the league’s most famous backup breathing down his neck, Sanchez has shown a great deal of improvement and maturity so far this year, throwing for 404 yards and four touchdowns. Perhaps having the threat of a
talented, eager quarterback brought in was just the right motivation for Sanchez to prove his worth as the leader of the New York Jets. Though the Jets lost in week two, fans need not be discouraged. The Jets faced some extenuating circumstances in week two, both on and off the field. Key players such as defensive back Darrelle Revis and tight end Dustin Keller were injured, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are a tough opponent to face on the road.
Given the ups and downs of both New York teams, it’s safe to say that there is little certainly through two weeks. The Giants have an elite and resilient quarterback, to be sure, and the Jets are capable of lighting it up, but what remains to be seen is what sort of consistency each team can muster. At this point, the two teams sit firmly beside other .500 teams, and they look to have a good a chance as any to enter the 20122013 playoffs.
Sports Round-Up Football Fordham 34 Cornell 27
Fordham football advanced to 2-1 after winning their homecoming game against Cornell. Since the start of the season, kicker/punter Patrick Murray, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’13, was twice named National Placekicker player of the week and running back Carlton Koonce, FCRH ’13, was named Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week. The
team’s lone loss at Villanova was to an annual contender and was a game in which the Rams showed promise, leading 13-7 at halftime. So far, this year’s football team has shown quite a bit of promise under first-year head coach Joe Moorhead, playing competitively and winning both home games.
Men’s Soccer
Women’s Soccer
Volleyball
Fordham Stony Brook
1 2
Fordham Columbia
0 2
Fordham Providence
3 0
Fordham Brown
1 0
Fordham Dartmouth
0 3
Fordham Quinnipiac
3 1
Water Polo Fordham 3 Johns Hopkins 13
20
Sports
September 20, 2012 THE OBSERVER
www.fordhamobserver.com
Pinch Your Pennies
TheY Won’T crY
renT TexTbooks From AmAzon
sAve uP To 70%