Observer Issue 11Fall 2018

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Memorial Mass Offers Healing As Campus Grieves

October 11, 2018 VOLUME XXXV, ISSUE 11

By RUBY GARA News Editor

On the afternoon of Oct. 2, members of the Fordham community mourned the loss of 18-year-old Nicholas Booker at the candlelit memorial mass in the University Church at Fordham College at Rose Hill.

University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. and Vice President for Mission Integration and Planning Rev. Michael C. McCarthy, S.J, led the hour-long service of remembrance. Executive Director of Campus Ministry, Rev. Jose Luis Salazar, S.J. also concelebrated the mass.

Nicholas Booker had only spent one month as a freshman at Rose Hill before his tragic death on Sept. 27. He passed away two days after collapsing from a sudden asthmatic attack in the Lombardi Fieldhouse.

“There is nothing good about the death of a bright young man such as Nicholas Booker,” McCarthy said. “We are left with broken hearts and deep feelings of sadness.”

Campus Ministry organized the mass over a week-long planning process for McCarthy and the Director of University Church Ministry Rev. Mark Zittle, O. Carm, which included convening with Booker’s friends. Together, the group sought to develop a process conducive to healing while allowing people to grieve.

“The consensus was that gathering the greater university community in prayer was important,” Zittle said. “We thought a Memorial Mass in Fordham University Church would be an appropriate way to acknowledge Nick’s death, celebrate his life and speak a word of hope to all those grieving.”

McCarthy also shared Booker’s friends’ fondest memories of him.

His “infectious” laugh remained his most memorable trait for all of them, in addition to his “short, short, short corduroy shorts” that only “he could get away with.”

His friends from Martyrs’ Court told McCarthy they would want Booker to know they all miss him. see MEMORIAL MASS pg. 3

OPINIONS

Jesuit Education Contrary to Kavanaugh

PAGE 6 FEATURES

Yoga to the People Free classes for all ages and abilities

PAGE 13 FUN & GAMES

Crossword Inside

Not quite The New York Times, but still a brain-teaser!

PAGE 15

SHAMYA ZINDANI/THE OBSERVER

Fordham students rally to protest Kavanaugh’s appointment and stand with survivors.

Fordham Law Stages Walk-Out

Fordham law and undergraduate students protest Kavanaugh appointment

By COURTNEY BROGLE Arts & Culture Editor

“Hey hey, ho ho, the patriarchy has got to go!”

Chants and cheers rang outside the main entrance of the Lowenstein Building at Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC). There, on Tuesday, Oct. 2, a university-wide walkout demonstration, organized by 14 law students, assembled to the surprise of unsuspecting passersby and students.

More than 200 undergraduate and law students, professors and faculty members objected to Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s (at the time) potential confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, standing in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

Cramped on the entryway terrace and plaza stairwell, protestors stood shoulder to shoulder with #StopKavanaugh signs raised high above their heads.

Below, organizers from the law school and undergraduate programs referred to the Sept.

27 public hearings of Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford

“ It’s important that we support our friends, it’s important that we support people in our communities ... who might not be the perfect witness.”

LEERA WIDDI ,

Year 3 Law Student as but one example of the farther-reaching culture of white male privilege and sexual assault. As many protesters recorded powerful moments of speech for their social media followings, all stood on FLC grounds to make their voices heard among the whole community.

Opening remarks on Kavanaugh’s past were made by Leena Widdi, a year three law student.

“He was credibly accused by three women and had the au-

dacity to make himself the victim and to get upset that he, this man who went to Georgetown Prep and Yale and Yale Law School, was being questioned about his integrity and his qualifications for the Supreme Court,” Widdi said.

The organizers, who call themselves the Fordham Law Coalition of Concerned Students according to their Facebook page, also drafted an open letter to the U.S. Senate. By the time of the vote, 271 law students, faculty, alumni and staff had signed along with 103 students, faculty and alumni from other schools within Fordham University.

Widdi, who spoke as the event’s de facto emcee, explained the walkout’s origins.

After spotting a poster reading “Believe Survivors” on the CUNY School of Law campus, she and Jessie Boas, another year three law student, quickly reached out to like-minded peers. “We asked ourselves: ‘Why are we not doing anything at Fordham?’” Widdi said. “This is a legal issue that directly affects members of our

community.” Two hours and one conference call later and she and her peers agreed that the most effective protest was a walkout on campus.

A host of mostly female Fordham University School of Law students spoke over the course of an hour to assert communal outrage over Kavanaugh’s alleged past behavior and the insufficient discourse on sexual violence and survival in America.

The prevailing theme was the level of hypocrisy in America’s gender politics between men and women.

“I’m particularly encouraged to see all the men that showed up today, thank you for being here,” Year 3 law student Leanne Fornelli said. “Men, we need you as allies. When you see discrimination and you see harassment, we need you to speak up and you know what this looks like.”

This was not the only time speakers emphasized the gendered theatrics in the face of sexual misconduct. see PROTEST pg. 8

USG Engages Fordham’s Inter-Club Community

By CARMEN BORCA-CARRILLO News Editor

When the spring 2018 semester came to an end, United Student Government at Lincoln Center (USG) had three vacant positions on its e-board. Now, after fall elections, the e-board is full and nearly all senate seats are at capacity. Now, through student-led initiatives and inter-club coordination, Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC)’s student body government hopes to channel this new enthusiasm into a campus-wide goal: networks of communication to reflect an engaged

campus community.

Like many other clubs, USG benefitted from the influx of excited freshmen in the class of 2022, FLC’s largest yet, brought to campus. The current, well-populated, general assembly is quite different from what it was last semester. When USG President Demetrios Stratis, Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’19, entered office in spring of 2018, multiple e-board positions, including those of vice president of facilities, vice president of student affairs and all junior senator seats, remained vacant until the end of the semester.

This year’s elections, Stratis said, engaged some of the largest numbers of candidates and voters alike: 16 people ran for 11 slots in the general assembly. By the end of elections, all FCLC freshmen and senior seats were filled. The assembly’s junior seats, as well as senior Gabelli School of Business (GSB) seats, however, remain vacant.

“I am very pleased to see such an uptick in participation because it will enable us to better fulfill our functions as a government and evidences the new wave of enthusiasm from the class of 2022,” Stratis said. “With a full

THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM LINCOLN CENTER

e-board working together and a body of motivated senators, we’re in good shape for the year.”

Despite the enthusiasm for the new year, Stratis said, USG must remain focused with this new energy. “In order to maintain a club, you need not only excited freshmen, but also a strong and committed e-board,” Stratis said.

USG’s movement for better communication began within their own ranks, after their elected spring ’18 treasurer resigned the post in September due to what Stratis called a misunderstanding see USG pg. 2

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News

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

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Ignatian Week Inspires Mindfulness on Campus

By YUNUEN CHO Contributing Writer

From Sept. 29 to Oct. 6, Fordham University launched its annual Ignatian Week, a series of events celebrating St. Ignatius and the formation of the Jesuit community at Fordham.

Ignatian Week opened with a mass at the Blessed Rupert Mayer Chapel at Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC). The chapel was full of students and staff alike.

Ignatian Week featured other events that tied the Jesuit messages spread by St. Ignatius to the daily concerns of students at the university. These included lunch with the topic “What Matters to Me and Why,” community engagement networking events and a very popular discussion titled “Religion and Resistance: Spirituality & Activism in the Trump Era.” Erin Hoffman, director of Campus Ministry, said that the topic of this year’s Ignatian Week is “embracing solidarity.”

“The Creative Arts Festival is what I’m most excited for,” Hoffman said. “It is our first ever student film festival that we are also expanding to all varieties of art.

Spoken word, film, dance and anything students want to perform.”

To Hoffman, embracing solidarity is about mutually walking with one another. “Solidarity is embracing one another’s stories and narratives in a way that isn’t just hearing and giving service,” she said. “If we are truly going to be in solidarity, it has to be a longterm commitment and not singular occurrences.”

Emma Quinn, Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’20 and a student employee at Campus Ministry, hung up posters last week laying out all of the events.

“I think students will see the schedule and hopefully there are

LENA ROSE/THE OBSERVER

Professors and students alike attended Ignatian Week events.

events that interest them, even if they are not a part of campus ministry,” Quinn said.

Fordham uses many of the Jesuit messages spread by St. Ignatius. For example, magis, cura personalis and men and women for others are messages that everyone on campus is taught at one point attending Fordham, Quinn explained.

Julianne Holmquist, FCLC ’21, is a student Sacristan involved in Campus Ministry. Holmquist said she was excited for the resistance in the Trump era talk because “it is important to not ascribe religion to traditional Republicanism

“ It is important to

not ascribe religion to traditional Republicanism and instead see it as a place to help liberate society.”

JULIANNE HOLMQUIST, FCLC ‘21

and instead see it as a place to help liberate society.”

Kyle Kilkenny, FCLC ’19, a peer

minister and resident assistant, attended the Trump era talk. This was the event he most looked forward to. “I think spirituality could illuminate a way to bring communities together in a polarized nation.”

Not all students attended the events at Ignatian Week. Despite this, students still understood the Ignatian message the week intended to promote.

Maria Helena Carvallo, FCLC ‘21 and a peer minister, did not attend many events during the week since she was busy with classes and clubs. “Even though I don’t attend every event from

Ignatian Week, I still think that campus ministry is a place where I can be myself and share my perspective on life,” she said.

Jamie Tao, FCLC ’21, said she doesn’t plan on attending any events. She does, however, see the Jesuit message throughout Fordham’s curriculum.

“Fordham’s education helped me kickstart my internships last summer,” Tao said. “There was an internship class that sprinkled in a lot about not stressing yourself out at work and keeping life balanced. They talked about spiritual elements that help, like meditation and prayer.”

USG Aims for Inclusivity, Engagement, Communication in 2018 USG FROM PAGE 1

of the job’s time commitment and responsibilities. The role of treasurer, Stratis said, requires a “conservative estimate” of 6-7 hours of work outside of e-board meetings, a detail the previous treasurer felt unprepared for.

The new treasurer, Robert Stryczek, GSB ’21, agrees with Stratis that communication should be better emphasized. After attending USG meetings throughout his freshman year, Stryczek felt capable of taking on the role of treasurer and said he plans to run the year on the campaign of “efficiency is key.”

“I feel like the treasurer role is what needs the most work, since it’s been up in the air in recent years,” Stryczek said. “The treasurer has to be the numbers guy … it’s like, we need to do A, B, C, to get to [a goal] and then get that done. And that’s what I’m bringing to it and what needed to happen.”

Precisely in order to avoid the pitfalls of miscommunication, the first initiative of USG’s fall campaign aims to strengthen club life by keeping club leaders well-informed on campus happenings.

In conjunction with the Office of Student Involvement, USG arranged for club leader training to move online, rather than the in-person sessions of previous years. This new medium for training, Stratis hoped, will ensure leaders understand the responsibilities of their roles and better inform them for the semester ahead.

Additionally, Stratis has met with several clubs and is currently running a club survey that he

CARLA DE MIRANDA/THE OBSERVER

United Student Government aims to engage students and generate inter-club connections this year.

hopes will enable USG to “stay on top of concerns and updates from club leaders.”

Vice President for Operations Austin Tong, GSB ’21, admitted that USG has “a lot of work to do … especially with social media and direct involvement of student officers with the student population.”

Tong listed some of his ideas to connect with the student body, including holding USG meetings in open areas such as the indoor and outdoor plazas, inviting students to participate in the discussion.

“We want to hear the voices and

the opinions of everyone in the school,” Tong said. “It shouldn’t just be about a club, it should be about a government and a people.”

Inter-club connectivity is also an area of focus, which Katina Smith, FCLC ’19 and vice president of USG, feels will strengthen the campus community. “If people are in one club, that’s great,” she said, “but we need to have clubs that are active … with some clubs, it’s a struggle to get anyone to come.”

Smith’s greatest venture into fostering that sense of community are Fordham Fridays, a week-

ly event that, thus far, has been a resounding success: every Friday, if FLC students wear maroon or university gear, they can pick up a free slice of pizza. Smith said her budget for the event doubled from the first week of school to the next and continues to grow.

“Fordham Fridays foster festivity at Lincoln Center,” Smith said in tongue-twisting exclamation. “It’s really exciting because I think people pretend sometimes they intern more than they go to school, but Fordham is still your home within the city. So if you wear something that represents that, it just fosters

a community where there is more not just inclusion but also pride around it.”

USG will continue to develop inter-club connections by teaming up with the other two student governing bodies, Residence Hall Association (RHA) and Commuting Students Association (CSA) to better the student experience, Stratis said. The three clubs plan to engage in “information-sharing initiatives” and “dialogue” with each other and with other campus clubs, he added, “since in the past, the branches of student government have often forgotten that we’re all part of the same tree.”

Stratis said USG intends to focus on the controversial guest policy RHA had pursued over the past year. With CSA, Stratis said a major area of concentration is helping commuter freshmen adjust to life on campus and making the class registration policy easier for commuters.

Other initiatives, he said, included securing $5 of free printing per FCLC student and overseeing the transformation of PL100, the room next to the South Lounge in Lowenstein, into a student lounge that will accommodate both on-campus students and commuting students. Additionally, the USG general assembly plans to create a subcommittee dedicated to remodeling the McMahon fitness center.

Again, Stratis stressed the importance of student engagement with USG initiatives, saying that beyond attending meetings and communicating with each other, “the most important work is done outside of the meeting.”

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THE OBSERVER October 11, 2018

News

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RUBY GARA/THE OBSERVER

Campus Ministry and university officials ran and attended Rose Hill freshman Nicholas Booker’s memorial service on Oct. 2.

University Honors Freshman with Memorial Mass MEMORIAL MASS FROM PAGE 1

In light of the suddenness of Booker’s death, McCarthy reminded the attendants to appreciate and “choose life.”

He said that a consolation for Nick’s family was his ability to help others as an organ donor. “Because of Nick’s clear eyes, those who were blind can see today,” McCarthy stated. His mother, Tonya Booker, told The Observer “he gave two people the gift of sight.”

Booker’s roommate, Joseph

Russo, Gabelli School of Business (GSB) ’22, served as a lector for the service toward the end of the mass. Russo’s reflection “beautifully captured the life and spirit of Nick Booker,” said Zittle.

“The deep bonds of friendship that developed so quickly between Nick and his classmates, especially between Nick and his roommate, is remarkable,” Zittle said.

“Nick’s death is a significant loss not only for the Booker family but also for his close friends here at Fordham,” he continued.

Some of his friends were also gift bearers.

Born in St. Louis, Booker had only been to New York a few times. Russo reminisced over their second weekend in the city, when he and Booker explored downtown and met some friends from New York University. Russo also remembered Booker’s “special potato chips from St. Louis,” that he always enjoyed sharing with his friends.

At McShane’s offering at the mass, the president recalled his time spent with the Booker fami-

In light of the suddenness of Booker’s death, McCarthy reminded the attendants to appreciate and “choose life.” ly at St. Barnabas hospital during Booker’s final hours. “Nick’s grandfather told us in the hospital that he had many options,” McShane said, “but he chose New York and he chose Fordham.”

“Nick was a native of St. Lou-

is, but he was a New Yorker by adoption, so I think it is right for us to give him a proper and a right New York farewell,” concluded McShane as the University Church exploded with thunders of applause.

SAGES Hosts “A People’s History of Fordham”

By DANIELLE COWAN Contributing Writer

Due to popular demand, the Students for Sex and Gender Equity and Safety (SAGES) Coalition organized an additional Fordham Disorientation to discuss elements of Fordham’s history that members believe are not well known, intentionally suppressed by the university or lost in time. Disorientaion II occurred Oct. 3 in a law school lecture room on Fordham’s Lincoln Center (FLC). Designated “The People’s History of Fordham University,” students in the unofficial club spoke about diverse subjects including Fordham’s connection to Robert Moses, the college’s gender-based dorm visitation policy and student activism on campus.

The event’s presentation brought special attention to Fordham’s past regarding social justice, paying close attention to protests (both official and unofficial) on the university’s campuses.

Examples stretched as far back as anti-Vietnam War protests in the 1960s and forward to present-day protests still fresh in students’ minds like the fight for a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) club,

ELIZA PUTNAM/THE OBSERVER

Members of SAGES organized to educate the Fordham community about its past with protests.

the 2017 vote of no confidence on University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J.’s leadership and various anti-racist, pro-LGBTQ and anti-sexual violence rallies in the recent past.

Samantha Norman, FCLC ’18, spoke to The Observer about the importance of SAGES’ work on

campus. “One of the core understandings that motivates SAGES is that university administrations rely on stall tactics to defer and deny student power,” she said.

“Students will realize in their first or second year that their school’s administration ... will facilitate the successes of wealthy students

while ignoring students who cannot pay fee after fee without accruing debt, and will outright deny [minority students] the resources they are promised when they sign a contract with the university and start to obtain their degree.”

Norman explained that the purpose of this Disorientation was

to inform students of the history of student protest at Fordham in order to preserve the effects of such protests beyond the four years students spend at the university. “The problems don’t disappear and we need to know what students have done before us in order to effectively organize and achieve the school we pay for.”

Attendees ranged from freshmen to law school students and alumni. The gathering took the form of an informal conversation where everyone, including presenters, sat around a table.

Anyone could ask questions or add to the topic during and after each segment. During presentations, a sign-up sheet was passed around for The Positive II, a student-run organization dedicated to addressing social justice issues, in addition to a flyer with a number to text for free condoms.

Future Disorientation events are in the works, Norman told The Observer, as a follow-up to the popularity of the first two gatherings this year.

An ongoing institutional history project expanding on Disorientation II’s topic is in the works to release online this fall.

Opinions

Opinions Editors Jordan Meltzer - jmeltzer3@fordham.edu Owen Roche - oroche2@fordham.edu

WE MUST LISTEN TO SURVIVORS Trigger Warning/Content Warning for readers: This staff editorial contains information about sexual assault and/or violence which may be triggering for some people.

A

must address the respect with which we treat survivors. At least 94 percent of the time, allegations of sexual assault are true. We must not dismiss accusations of any level of severity as fake, fabricated or politically motivated. We owe it so each and every survivor.

In the wake of the Kavanaugh hearing and confirmation which dominated news cycles for weeks, Fordham University made no

The editorial board acknowledges that this is an extremely frustrating and confusing time for Fordham’s students and staff, so we find it necessary to express sympathy and support to survivors in our community. We believe you. statement and provided no reminder of the resources that are available for victims of sexual assault on campus.

In fact, English Department Chair Jordan Stein sent an email to students and faculty in that department outlining the resources that students who “seek confidential counseling” for “sexual assault and abuse” have — and it’s worth noting that the list featured far more off-campus options than on-campus ones. Stein’s words prompt us to question why Fordham’s CARE program, CPS or any another proper authority had not done this earlier.

We must ensure that the institutions within our community are sensitive and supportive to survivors of sexual misconduct. The school administration must supply appropriate internal and external resources

Observer the

STAFF EDITORIAL

fter weeks of controversy, a hearing and a brief FBI investigation, Judge Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court despite several sexual assault allegations against him.

One of the women who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault was Christine Blasey Ford, Ph.D., who testified in front of the U.S. Senate two weeks ago. Following her brave retelling of her traumatic experience, Kavanaugh was nevertheless confirmed. Many senators argued that Ford’s testimony was not credible enough to deny Kavanaugh the seat.

This politically-motivated dismissal sends the wrong message to the public about sexual assault.

The editorial board acknowledges that this is an extremely frustrating and confusing time for Fordham’s students and staff, so we find it necessary to extend sympathy and support to survivors in our community. We believe you.

The process by which Kavanaugh became a Supreme Court justice was a disgrace to the American principle of due process. While the presumption of Kavanaugh’s innocence is an American value, the women who brought forth the allegations against him were treated unfairly by both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the general public. By confirming Kavanaugh after hearing the women’s testimonies, our government has set a precedent that the voices of women and survivors do not matter. It has also made it clear that it does not matter what one does in high school or college, so long as they possess the right sort of privilege. We, however, are college students. The idea and looming threat of a high school or college rape is still extremely fresh and relevant.

The ordeal that eventually resulted in Kavanaugh’s confirmation warrants a renewed conversation about sexual assault. Firstly, we

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

for victims. These resources should provide survivors with not only assistance, but also a true community of support, one that strives to foster a collegiate community that genuinely believes and supports survivors.

Sexual assault on college campuses has a long history of going unrecognized or unreported. Only 20 percent of female college students in the United States report their sexual assaults. Per Fordham’s 2016-17 Campus Climate Survey, the number of students that feel Fordham’s administration would take action if they reported an assault is less than 80 percent. It is unacceptable that more than 20 percent of our student body feel uncomfortable about coming forward about assault. This is a testament to how unfortunately prevalent the issue of sexual assault is on our campus. The resources provided on campus for victims of sexual assault must be better. Although Fordham’s Campus Assault and Relationship Education (CARE) program is designed to provide victims of sexual assault with confidential medical and psychological resources and assist with incident reports, there still appears to be a disconnect between this program’s outreach and the well-being of survivors at Fordham.

The loss in this battle is not a political loss for Democrats or Republicans — rather, it is a discouraging blow to survivors of sexual assault and sexual violence.

And, in general, it is a loss for marginalized groups consistently silenced by those in power. Especially to young adults fighting for justice, it is easy to grow desensitized and lose faith in the system as the survivors in our midst are invalidated. We must remember that we have a responsibility to show respect to survivors of harassment, abuse or any other atrocity. This is not a matter of politics. This is a matter of human compassion and decency.

Editor-in-Chief Colin Sheeley Managing Editor Izzi Duprey Business Manager Luis Navarro Layout Editor Sabrina Jen Asst. Layout Editors Esmé Bleecker-Adams Steph Lawlor News Editors Carmen Borca-Carrillo Ruby Gara Opinions Editors Jordan Meltzer Owen Roche Arts & Culture Editors Courtney Brogle Marielle Sarmiento Asst. Arts & Culture Editor Kevin Christopher Robles Features Editors Lindsay Jorgensen Jeffrey Umbrell Asst. Features Editor Gianna Smeraglia Sports & Health Editor Luke Osborn Social Media Editor Madison Leto Photo Editors Andrew Beecher Lena Rose Copy Editors Lulu Schmieta Sami Umani Visual Advisor Molly Bedford Editorial Advisor Anthony Hazell Comma Coordinators Tatiana Gallardo Cat Reynolds Alexandra Richardson Abby Wheat

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Opinions

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The Difficulty of Celebrating the Term “Hispanic” ALEJANDRA GARCÍA Staff Writer

Although it was theoretically established to provide a space for Latino and Hispanic individuals to celebrate themselves — and to be celebrated by those outside of their communities — as a Mexican woman, it is difficult for me to support Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) fully. During this month, I appreciate that many Latino and Hispanic artists, filmmakers, journalists and other notable figures are praised in HHM programming. It is nice to get one month out of the year to feel not entirely invisible in the media. What I don’t appreciate is when non-Latino people patronize Latino and Hispanic cultures by trying to connect to us through offensive stereotypes.

This is often veiled under the motive of being an ally or someone who “gets it.”

It isn’t acceptable to celebrate hundreds of distinct cultures by eating tacos and spicy food. (For one, taco shells are an American invention.) Latin America is home to many different cultures with many different foods and traditions. Among different subcultures, we listen to different kinds of music, wear different clothing, style our hair differently and more.

Hosting Mexican fiestas and wearing sombreros, zarapes and stick-on mustaches is blatantly racist and disrespectful. Oh, and greeting your Latino/Hispanic co-worker with an enthusiastic “Hola amigo!” isn’t cool either.

Don’t do it.

When asked about the term Hispanic and about HHM in general, I find it hard to give an answer that completely supports either subject. As a Mexican woman, I identify as both Latina and Hispanic; it only makes sense, right? Mexico is in Latin America, and I’m Hispanic because I speak Spanish and have Spanish lineage.

But the Hispanic label is a dif-

DENNIS JARVIS VIA FLICKR

“Hispanic” denotes more than present culture; it implies a rich and diverse history marred by colonialism. Pictured: Mayan ruins at Comalcalo.

ficult one to claim. It is rooted in the genocide of countless indigenous cultures in Latin America

by Spanish conquistadors who forced their language into the mouths of the few indigenous peoples that survived their ruthless conquest. The introduction of Hispanic culture into Latin America was inherently evil as it necessitated the obliteration of indigenous languages, practices, cultures and people.

It is sometimes difficult to take pride in a culture bloodied by the avarice and brutality of Spanish conquistadors. Mexico is the country I love most; it is the country where I feel the most rooted and at home. And yet it is drastically different from

its indigenous, pre-colonized state. The buildings that line the road, the garments that clothe Mexican people and the very language that we speak reflect the European influence that Latin America was forced to adopt.

When considering the label “Hispanic,” I cannot detach this history from the terminology or, ultimately, from my identity.

Hispanic Heritage Month has become a time for me to reflect upon colonialism in Latin America, its irreparable effects and its integration into my identity and that of so many other Latino peoples.

HHM is important because it calls to mind the long-lasting and harmful effects of colonial-

ism. The erasure of rich indigenous cultures is felt today, but it is not remembered by enough people. My hope for this month and beyond, is for people within and outside of the Latino community to become more educated on the colonization of Latin America — to understand how pained the history of Latin America has been and continues to be because of the notion that the European way of life is not only preferable but indeed superior to that of indigenous cultures.

The disregard I see for this history is widespread and detrimental to the few indigenous cultures that are left in Latin America. It is critical that we honor indigenous Latin American

cultures as well as those that have been completely lost by learning about Latin American history and refusing to see indigenous cultures as inferior.

What you can do to celebrate HHM — apart from actively listening to HHM-focused programming — is educate yourself on issues concerning Latino and Hispanic people that aren’t often discussed. Research indigenous cultures that were obliterated by European colonization of Latin America, as well as the few indigenous cultures that still exist.

Listen to Latino and Hispanic people when they share their experiences with you, and do not attempt to inject your own experiences and identities into theirs.

We All Handled the Kavanaugh Case Wrong JORDAN MELTZER Opinions Editor

Almost every single American has badly botched their interpretation of the sexual misconduct allegations against Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Just about everyone, regardless of party affiliation, mishandled the Kavanaugh case in a way that is both abhorrent and dangerous.

I am no exception.

Republicans absolved Kavanaugh of all guilt in the same way that Sen. Lindsey Graham did at the hearing: viciously dismissing the accusers’ claims without waiting for due process to proceed. They did this with little to no concern about the accuracy or inaccuracy of the accusers’ claims, all in the name of advancing a conservative candidate for Supreme Court Justice.

Meanwhile, Democrats seized the allegations as an excuse to advance their agenda to delay the vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation or prevent him from serving altogether, once again with less than adequate concern for the accuracy of the claims of anyone involved.

Libertarians, independents and moderates usually chose one of either of these sides as well. Both mainstream interpretations of the witness testimonies are hypo

NINIAN REID VIA FLICKR

Not so fast — both sides have over-politicized the Kavanaugh hearings.

critical, willfully ignorant and disgusting.

Let’s take a step back and remember that we were talking about accusations of sexual assault — no small crime. One accuser even went so far as to say Kavanaugh and his friends committed gang rape. While some of these claims were not corroborated by other witnesses before Kavanaugh’s confirmation, they are incredibly serious allegations.

And yet most of us were largely calling for either his vindication

or his retribution without thoroughly investigating these severe claims or waiting for a proper authority to do so.

If these allegations are true, the American public appropriated the sexual assaults of multiple women by a rich, white and powerful man. Many Americans irresponsibly used Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick as pawns for their own respective agendas.

With little exception, the bravery of their testimonies was met with

less compassion than objectification, which is exactly what they feared would happen. Society has failed women and victims of sexual assault by continuing to view them as little more than political marionettes.

In Dr. Ford’s own words: “My motivation in coming forward was to provide the facts about how Mr. Kavanaugh’s actions have damaged my life … It is not my responsibility to determine whether Mr. Kavanaugh deserves to sit on the Supreme Court. My responsibility is to tell the truth.”

She is absolutely right, but her argument begs the question: Who was justified in determining Kavanaugh’s eligibility?

Without a proper and lengthy FBI investigation, the answer is none of us. Only after an extensive and exhaustive investigation into each woman’s claims should any of us have made judgments about their validity — especially the Senate Judiciary Committee and the rest of the Senate.

Having watched Dr. Ford’s testimony and questioning, I believe that she was telling the truth about Kavanaugh. But my interpretation is not canon, and perhaps there is no way to find out what is fact in this particular situation — at least not from simply listening to testimonial as the American senators and general public did.

The best way, and maybe the only way, to discern the truth would have been to conduct an investigation under the full scope of the FBI’s power — not a rushed, weeklong glance — into the testimonies, evidence and facts provided by the accused and the accusers. It was not the responsibility of, nor even the place for, me or any other layperson to make a definitive judgment about the truthfulness of these allegations, and it was especially inappropriate for us to use those allegations to deliver a verdict on Kavanaugh’s fitness to serve on the Supreme Court. We should have left that job to the people who were elected and appointed to figure it out.

In the case of Justice Kavanaugh, who is now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, it might be too late to push for a proper investigation. But in the future, whether an allegation targets a Supreme Court nominee or someone in your theology class, the worst thing to do is to see accusers as mere pawns. Let us remember to listen — truly listen — to accusers, as studies show there is at least a 94 percent chance that they are telling the truth. Let us commend the bravery of survivors strong enough to come forward.

And let us treat each other with the respect and dignity that humans inherently deserve.

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Opinions

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

In Defense of Jesuit Education

ANDREW BEECHER Photo Editor

In light of the alleged conduct of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, an alumnus of Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Md., the idea of Jesuit education and the culture it promotes has come under heavy fire. More specifically, the all-male education common in Jesuit high schools has been portrayed as a breeding ground for toxic masculinity, elitism, secrecy and binge drinking.

I attended an all-male Jesuit high school in Buffalo, N.Y., and from my experience and the experiences of my friends at Jesuit schools around the country, these allegations are at best outdated and, at worse, false. They are sweeping generalizations based on a lack of knowledge of Jesuit schools.

Contrary to the claims of long-graduated alumni propagated by many media outlets, all-male Jesuit schools are no hotbeds of toxic masculinity. I do not doubt that these institutions may have once failed to adequately address this kind of behavior, especially during Kavanaugh’s high school years, well before the term “toxic masculinity” had even entered the common American vocabulary. However, I do not believe that these corrupted values were ever integral to all-male Jesuit education.

Now, as perceptions of masculinity are evolving, it is in fact the all-male Jesuit schools that are leading this charge against unhealthy ideas of male identity.

Toxic masculinity views the expression of feelings as a weakness, Jesuit schools confront this by recognizing and aiding the development of boys’ emotional sides. During retreats designed to facilitate emotional discovery, in-class reflections and a capstone project at all Jesuit high schools called the Graduate at Graduation, young men are encouraged to examine and process their feelings.

For many of us, it was not easy at first. Even by 14, we had been conditioned by societal standards of masculinity to reject the expression of emotion and ensure that we were always seen as tough and stoic. The

ANDREW BEECHER/THE OBSERVER

Some Jesuit students make St. Ignatius Loyola more proud than others.

Jesuit mantra of cura personalis rejects this distorted view; we were taught to care for ourselves and our feelings, regardless of what standards we saw on television or heard in music.

We learned that humans are emotional creatures by nature, and understood that ignoring our emotions would result in a disconnect from our humanity.

Toxic masculinity is not just the rejection of emotions; it also designates manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression. We were taught not only to reflect on how warped perceptions of masculinity influence ourselves but also our interactions with others. Our teachers and administrators, both women and men, ingrained in us a respect for women. It was well-known that if any teacher overheard a disrespectful comment about a woman, they

would not hesitate to pull the offender aside and explain their wrongdoing. Referring to girls as the “whores on the hill,” as students in the ’80s allegedly did, would lead to an immediate reprimand. The Graduate at Graduation document states that a student should have begun to “identify and work against personal prejudices and stereotypes,” which would certainly include the use of the word “whore” as a reference to girls.

That’s not to say we were all angels. I will be the first to admit that I made inappropriate comments, especially when I first started high school. Every teenage boy says things they should not, but most of us understood the problem with the derogatory nature of vulgar comments by the time we graduated. It was because of our Jesuit education that we outgrew those offensive

statements.

There are also, of course, the boys who will never learn the importance of respect. There are alumni who will make inappropriate comments throughout their lives, but, from my experience in the two years since graduation, I can say that there are far fewer of these boys than there are graduates who live as men for others.

There have been accusations of elitism at Jesuit schools. These claims are not unfounded, but they stem from a simple misunderstanding. It was best described by Fr. James Van Dyke, S.J., in a letter to the Georgetown Prep community: “That we are elite, we cannot deny … But we are not entitled.”

This distinction is necessary to understand the difference between students educated at Jesuit institutions and those taught at other private schools.

Students at Jesuit schools, like all of us here at Fordham, are admitted by their academic and extracurricular merits and are accepted without regard to financial need. We are privileged here at Fordham because we are offered an elite education in one of the world’s greatest cities.

Most of us, however, do not feel entitled to our privileges; instead, we feel grateful for them.

Michael Finnan, Gabelli School of Business (GSB) ’21, a graduate of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, explained the mindset of Jesuit students well.

“The mindset was: ‘I’m grateful my parents are able to spend this money,’” he said. We both agreed that it was much more common that students enter school, whether it be high school or college, with elitist tendencies and graduate without them than it is for students to develop an elitist mentality while attending a Jesuit school. Elitist attitudes are not a product of Jesuit education; rather, they are in spite of the Graduate at Graduation principles that students are taught to embody.

As it goes for wild parties and binge drinking, I will not dispute the fact that many high school students drink underage. However, there is little to no distinction between the frequency and amount of consumption between private, specifically all-male Jesuit schools and public schools.

As Finnan recalled, public and

private school parties were “the same because we were friends with a lot of the public school students so we would be at the same parties.” The elitist parties that Kavanaugh attended in the ’80s are a far cry from the social scene in high school today.

Furthermore, schools today would never look the other way on underage drinking. In my experience, the dean of students carried a breathalyzer at all school events, and anyone suspected of drinking would be asked to submit to a breathalyzer test or leave immediately.

Their punishment would then be assessed at school the following day. It would also be a shock and scandal if anyone listed themselves as “Keg City Club (Treasurer)” in their yearbook. As editor-in-chief of the yearbook, I can confirm that every single page had to be approved by a school official, and all suspected references to sex, drugs and alcohol were removed.

Drug use was treated even more stringently than drinking.

In fact, St. Ignatius required its students to take an annual drug test, and if students failed, they were not punished; they were provided with substance-abuse counseling. This is an incredibly progressive way of addressing the abuse of drugs at a young age. The school did not sanction, condone or ignore the use of alcohol or illicit drugs. The ideal of cura personalis requires one to care for their whole body, which includes refraining from the abuse of drugs and alcohol.

High school students of all genders are not perfect. I will never claim that they are. But I do dispute the claims that it is Jesuit schools like Georgetown Prep, St. Ignatius and my alma mater, Canisius High School, that raise men like Kavanaugh.

The toxic masculinity that leads to binge drinking, bar fights, sexual assault and elitism is not a byproduct of all-male Jesuit schools. Young men enter these schools already guilty of these character flaws. It is the mission and determination of Jesuit educators to combat them and reinforce healthy ideas of masculinity. Though Brett Kavanaugh attended a Jesuit school, he clearly did not embrace the Jesuit mission of “Men and Women for Others.” Kavanaugh rejected his Jesuit education.

Amy Coney-Barrett: The Future Woman of the Supreme Court BRANDON SAPIENZA Contributing Writer

The Supreme Court is in a disarray that the United States has not seen since John Adams and the Midnight Judges in 1801, when outgoing president John Adams appointed numerous judges before his term in office expired and before the Democratic-Republicans lost control of the White House.

With Justice Brett Kavanaugh confirmed under such arduous circumstances, questions have arisen about the legitimacy of the highest court in the country.

With the possibility of President Donald Trump nominating an unprecedented third justice to the court, he has the power to restore the authentic image of the third branch of our government. To do that, he must nominate the best possible person for the job: Judge Amy Coney-Barrett.

Since Oct. 31, 2017, Coney-Bar-

rett has served on the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals which covers territory in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

The 43-year-old judge holds many right-wing values, including her stances on abortion and religious freedom, which would surely

es that Republicans are solely old, out-of-touch white men. Democrats, who claim they represent women’s values, could no longer hurl at Coney-Barrett the typical insults they might throw at any other conservative man, as she breaks the mold of what left-wing-

With the possibility of nominating an unprecedented third justice to the court, President Trump has the power to restore the authentic image of the third branch of our government. usher the U.S. into a new level of freedom and morality that seems to have disappeared from American life.

Most importantly, Coney-Barrett is a Catholic woman. Her nomination and subsequent confirmation would not only add a new perspective to the court but also put an end to left wing excus-

ers think a conservative is.

For Trump, nominating Coney-Barrett is a strategic decision that could turn the tide for Republicans. Moreover it could expose the weaknesses of Democratic leaders like Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who once criticized Coney-Barrett’s faith during her confirmation hearing. “The dogma lives

inside you,” Feinstein chided, “And I think whatever a religion is, it has its own dogma. The law is totally different.”

Unlike the woman she would likely replace, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Coney-Barrett respects the Constitution. Ginsburg once said to Egyptian activists years ago that she “would not look to the U.S. Constitution if [she] were drafting a constitution in the year 2012.” What would she look to, then? As the founders intended, the court is supposed to be operated on a judicial restraint basis as opposed to the judicial activism commonly used by Ginsburg.

On abortion, Ginsburg turned the argument against abortion into an unrealistic reality that killing another human being is sexist, saying “The conflict is not simply one between a fetus’ interest and a woman’s interest . . . Also in the balance is a woman’s autonomous charge of her full life’s course, her ability to stand in relation to men, society and to stay as an independent, self-sus-

taining equal citizen.” Ginsburg failed to recognize that abortion denies another human being to a self-sustaining equal citizen and more importantly, takes away a right to life.

This is why we need a woman like Coney-Barrett. Women in this country can’t live in a society where our court — or at least some justices on it — believe that any human life is worthless.

Coney-Barrett, a mother of seven and a pro-life woman, realizes that life holds an inherent value that can’t be taken away by any law, ruling or person. Moreover, she is committed to upholding the constitution, an unpopular position in today’s world.

The balance of the Supreme Court would be shifted dramatically if Trump gets another selection. If he wants to stay focused on the maintenance of conservative values, selecting Amy Coney-Barrett would not only make the most sense, but would also return ethical decisions and behavior to our country.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER October 11, 2018

Opinions

7

Brazil’s Presidential Elections Reactionary, Worrying PATRICK RIZZI Staff Writer

There are two elections that will be of massive global significance in 2018 and beyond. The first are the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 6, 2018. The second is Brazil’s presidential election.

The latter’s intensely polarizing campaign has raised concerns about the future of the country’s relatively young democracy that sprouted from the collapse of a military dictatorship in 1985.

The frontrunner, after all, is an extremely right-leaning candidate threatening to nudge Brazilians back into a time in their history they might rather forget. On Oct. 7, 2018, Jair Bolsonaro received 46 percent of the vote. He will now face off in a runoff election scheduled for Oct. 28 against Fernando Haddad, a center-left establishment candidate from the Workers’ Party. Given that Bolsonaro’s margin of victory was over 16 points above Haddad’s, there is a troubling possibility that he could win the runoff.

The Brazilian electorate is becoming increasingly enraged with routine political corruption, currency inflation and rising crime (64,000 murders last year). To his supporters, Bolsonaro represents the answer to such social ills.

Despite his fringe views, he produces simplistic answers to serious and often deadly problems.

His “law-and-order” rhetoric goes as far as defending the country’s former military dictatorship as well as often appalling rhetoric on other topics such as LGBTQ issues. His campaign even calls for sterilization of the poor to prevent crime as well as arming private citizens so they can personally take on criminals, which other candidates in the race have

JANINE MORAES/CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES OF BRAZIL VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Jair Bolsonaro’s popular rhetoric calls for a return to Brazil’s fascist past, and his followers are all for it.

dismissed as ludicrous. This enrages his political opponents, yet his likely voters give such cavalier rhetoric a thumbs-up because they believe more authoritarian tactics could actually drive down crime.

Bolsonaro stirred enormous controversy by saying what sounds more like a line from “The Purge” than real life: “We’ve got to let everyone have guns, just like in the United States. I’d let truck drivers and security guards have guns, for example. It’s like the Wild West out here, but only one side is allowed to shoot.”

With his divisive style and general lack of detail to his campaign

platform, Bolsonaro is considered by some to be the Latin American version of Donald Trump. Yet he has several very stark differences from the current U.S. president. In contrast with Trump, who was a political neophyte before the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Bolsonaro is a seasoned politician who has groomed his sons as well as himself to stand as prominent political figures in Brazil. He knows just how far he can go in shocking the population without losing his own base, and he is aware that pie-in-the-sky solutions to serious problems in Brazilian society are what many voters want to hear.

Unlike Trump’s mostly working-class and less educated voter base, Bolsonaro’s tends to be wealthy and highly educated.

It is true, however, that Bolsonaro and Trump have clearly turned polarization into a successful political weapon in their home countries. Even if Bolsonaro loses the runoff election, much of the damage to Brazil’s social fabric will have already been done.

In early September of 2018, Bolsonaro was stabbed in the intestine in broad daylight while on the campaign trail. He allegedly lost 40 percent of the blood in his body, and spent the following

weekend recovering in the hospital. Authorities confirmed the suspect to be a 40-year-old, left-wing activist known for their heated opposition to Bolsonaro and his policies. All major politicians in Brazil condemned the attack.

Even Bolasonaro’s staunchest critics were appalled that a near-murder could occur during a political campaign for the top office in their home country.

While Bolsonaro’s rhetoric is often reprehensible and incredibly disturbing to those who care deeply about the preservation of democratic institutions, the fact that a presidential candidate could be targeted in a politically motivated stabbing serves as yet another ten-alarm fire for the fragility of Latin America’s largest democracy. Since the stabbing, Bolsonaro has climbed in the polls, his campaign exploiting his stabbing as ground zero for an aggressive, far-right agenda against out-of-control violence that dogs Brazilian life.

Regardless of whether Bolsonaro wins or loses, Brazil’s position on the world stage is an issue with major global implications. Many corporations and investors would rather invest in a country they perceive as stable and safe (yet still not too expensive to conduct business in). Regional examples of this include Chile and, increasingly, Colombia. Brazil’s economy is, after all, in need of heightened development to counter its stagnant wages and high poverty rates.

Yet the country still has much to offer to the world, both financially and culturally. We can only hope the people of Brazil will find their way out of this messy situation, but even if the country dodges the bullet of Bolsonaro this fall, it will not be easy to chart a path forward.

Trump and the Hierarchy of Hurricanes GRACE GETMAN

Contributing Writer

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, hurricane season officially ends in November, but the storm of public controversy has only just begun. As we face an increasing number of major storms in quick succession, many of them are direct results of global warming. How we and our government respond is key to the safety and security of our people and, ultimately, our nation.

That our government should perform disaster relief quickly, effectively and without bias is an expectation so basic it should even not have to be said. Hurricanes are life-threatening, fires are unflaggingly destructive, earthquakes can ruin lives and the government ought to protect its people from all of these things.

Or so one would think.

President Trump’s handling of disaster relief has never been great, from telling people in a storm shelter after Hurricane Harvey to “have fun,” to throwing paper towels into a crowd while distributing supplies in Puerto Rico, and even recently calling the number of people declared dead by Hurricane Maria “lies” spread by Democrats for their political gain. His various gaffes, improprieties and

lack of compassion absorb media attention and public outrage, distracting Americans from the very real suffering survivors are experiencing and hindering disaster relief efforts.

The height of this incompetence was reached with Hurricane Maria in 2017. It is clear, through both his words and his

icate their full resources to it.

After the storm, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) awarded a $300 million contract to restore electricity to Puerto Rico to Whitefish Energy, a small Montana-based com-

Deaths 48 Dollars spent 38 billion Days before visiting 4 actions, that Trump is biased against and ignorant of the struggles faced

by Puerto Rico and the other territories impacted by Maria.

The Trump administration barely prepared Puerto Rico for the hurricane. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) waited weeks to ded-

pany with two employees, zero experience and one investor who prominently supported Trump during his 2016 campaign.

The good news is that after a full 11 months, electricity has been completely restored to

Trump has even refrained from misinformed claims and/or shameless lies about Hurricane Florence.

What a world of difference.

This is not to belittle either or to declare which hurricane was worse — one of the few things the entire American population agrees on in 2018 is that hurricanes are, by their very nature, bad.Each should be given an adequate and humane response. The 3057 Deaths Trump administration’s simultaneous 90 billion Dollars spent blatant dismissal of and peculiar 7 Days before visiting obsession with Hurricane Maria lends neither.

The people affected by Hurricane Florence deserve help; however, that shouldn’t stand in mutual exclusion with the people (still) affected by Hurricane Maria.

It seems to be more than an unfortunate coincidence that Trump won the majority of the states Hurricane this Florence hit (Virginia being the with only exception). Meanwhile, Hurricane Puerto Rico is unable to take Florence. The affected part in the presidential electoral states were prepared early and process. adequately. FEMA and the army In the wake of Hurricane dedicated their full resources Maria, the people of Puerto to helping the states get ready.

Rico, the U.S. Virgins Islands Though reconstruction is just and other territories affected starting, it looks promising as deserved better. Every American responders are moving quickly. deserves better.

Puerto Rico and life is slowly but surely returning to normal. This has come at the cost of more than 300,000 Puerto Ricans forced to emigrate to Florida, $90 billion in damage and tarnished American prestige the world over.

Now let’s contrast

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News

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

Fordham Law and Undergraduate Students Protest Kavanaugh Appointment

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATIONS BY STEPH LAWLOR/THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

www.fordhamobserver.com

PROTEST FROM PAGE 1

Widdi noted how Ford was deemed by many to be “the perfect victim,” but the same may not be said for women of color and those from the LGBTQ community. “It’s important that we support women, it’s important that we support Dr. Christine Baisley Ford, that we still support Anita Hill, it’s important that we support our friends, it’s important that we support people in our communities, that we support people we don’t know, who aren’t the perfect witness, who might not be so easy to support,” Widdi said.

Students like Alejandra Garcia Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’21, agreed with these statements, cheering and clapping to display their approval. “Though I wasn’t able to be present for the entire Kavanaugh walkout, the sentiments expressed by the student speakers were extremely powerful and important for the Fordham community to hear,” Garcia said. “The Kavanaugh hearings have clearly exhibited the exorbitant amount of power and privilege assigned to men — particularly white men — in positions of authority.”

Third year law student Ryan Partelow was the only male speaker at the rally and one of two male contributors in the coalition. He highlighted the activism of the community of color in their efforts to change the social narrative of the country.

Partelow also said that just as women of color should be applauded for their dedication to stopping the Kavanaugh campaign, they should not forage ahead alone. “Why is it that we — and I’m specifically talking to all the other white men here — often feel as though we can sit on the sidelines and let women and vulnerable communities lead the fight in these battles without our help?” he asked. “Women and people of color have been shouting from the rooftops these past few weeks about this nominee, and I saw a poll on MSNBC … that only 36 percent of white men in America are currently opposed to the Kavanaugh nomination, and this is after the hearings. It’s shameful, and it’s an indictment of all white men.”

“If you consider yourself a good white man and a good ally who cares about fighting injustice, it’s your responsibility to make sure they’re not alone in this fight,” Partelow continued. “It falls on us to call out rape culture and problematic statements wherever we see them, even if it’s among close friends or family. We don’t have the luxury of sitting on the sidelines anymore … I fight for these issues because women and people of color are human beings, period.”

The diverse student body in attendance did indeed make their mark. In between speeches, Widdi led rallying chants to uplift morale. Attendees yelled that “Fordham Law says no Kavanaugh.” Succinctly put in their own words, “No justice, no peace.” During one

THE OBSERVER October 11, 2018

speech, the men in the crowd shouted out, “We’ve got your back,” in solidarity with the victims of sexual assault in the crowd.

The university as an institution was quiet regarding the walkout. As the crowd arrived to prepare for the event, a Public Safety officer asked that students move away from the doors so students could enter and exit without issue. Members of Fordham’s faculty and administrators who attended the rally did not respond to requests for comment.

Undergrad speaker Gabriela Ramos-King, FCLC ’20 and vice president of Coalition Against Relationship and Sexual Violence (CARS-V), underlined the importance of both believing and supporting survivors. She spoke about the work she does with CARS-V, which is the only group on campus granted

“We have to reject the complicity and reinforcement of rape culture everywhere we go; that starts right here, that starts with everything we’re doing today by all of us showing [up] and speaking out.” official club status by the University that specifically fights for justice for sexual assault survivors.

She spoke about accountability, and what voters can do to combat priviledged men like Kavanaugh.

“We need to tear down the structures of violence and patriarchy and replace them with a culture of consent and equity,” Ramos-King said. “It doesn’t end after a person attends a consent workshop or the abuser is punished. It will take constant work, self-reflection and communication if we want to create a culture free from violence and oppression.”

Speaker Eliza Putnam, FCLC ’18, pointed to a toxic patriarchal culture within the walls of Fordham itself. This past spring, the University charged her and her classmate Samantha Norman with dishonesty — a charge on her student record — for attempting to inform classmates about a philosophy professor’s alleged history of misconduct. Though the professor in question was not explicitly named in her speech, she alluded to Professor William Jaworski’s history of Title IX complaints filed against him and his suspension effective this past April.

News

Putnam did, however, name one former professor in particular: Deal Hudson. Known among conservatives for his Catholic activism, he taught at Fordham from 1989-1994, during which time he allegedly raped and sexually abused an intoxicated 18-year-old freshman student after inviting her out to a bar. The student reported him to both an advisor and then the dean of students at Rose Hill, now University President Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J. “McShane appeared sympathetic and she recalled that he gave every indication that he believed her and he was going to try to help her,” Putnam said of the student. “He told her the university would deal with Hudson once the semester concluded; she continued attending Hudson’s classes and was advised not to tell her friends what had happened.”

However, as Putnam explained, Hudson was able to discreetly resign from his tenured position, where he went on to have a fruitful political career and publish a conservative weekly magazine working as a campaign proxy for President George W. Bush in both election cycles. The student, however, withdrew from the University once her merit scholarship was rescinded for the poor grades she received the semester of the incident.

Putnam compared the Kavanaugh controversy to Hudson and the Fordham community. “Fordham failed this student in 1994 like so many students before and since, and the administration also failed our whole community by allowing Hudson to leave here as he did and go on to have the career he did,” Putnam said.

While ruminating on her disciplinary proceedings this past spring in relation to the larger national conversation surrounding Kavanaugh’s past, Putnam said: “We have to reject the complicity and reinforcement of rape culture everywhere we go; that starts right here, that starts with everything we’re doing today by all of us showing [up] and speaking out.”

As the rally wrapped up, students and faculty held one another closely and spoke intimately with one another. Some overheard conversations reiterating the importance of voting, especially for candidates who will act as a voice for those made most vulnerable by the actions of men like Kavanaugh. Fornelli cited the campaigns of women like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Danica Roem and Fordham’s own Professor of Law Zephyr Teachout as key reasons why every vote counts.

Reflecting upon her experience at the walkout, Garcia said, “My hope is that people will actively seek to provide survivors with support and will fight against perpetrators of sexual violence both in our government and in our more immediate communities. They need to be held accountable for their actions, and we need to demand consent education.”

9

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editors Courtney Brogle - cbrogle@fordham.edu Marielle Sarmiento -msarmiento3@fordham.edu October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

Award Season — Coming Soon to a Screen Near You

By RIYA RAJIV Contributing Writer

Filmmakers and actors woke up this year feeling ambitious and ready to churn out some of the most revolutionary, award-worthy movies viewers have seen in a while. 2018 has been a year when representation and diversity on film won big on a global level.

From an all-black cast in “Black Panther,” to an all-East Asian cast in “Crazy Rich Asians,” the manner in which compelling stories are being told faces a dramatic shift.

The best part of any good movie is undoubtedly the story — one that is brought to life through the collaborative efforts of the actors, producers, crews and directors.

Before we bid adieu to 2018, we get closer and closer to welcoming the creative brain-children of these talented artists that are not only going to wow audiences, but will garner critical acclaim worldwide.

“First Man,” – Damien Chazelle, dir.

Damien Chazelle is the youngest person in history to win an Academy Award for his directing in “La La Land” in 2016; this alone makes one want to see what stories this new director has in store for us in the future. Ryan Gosling, who worked with Chazelle in “La La Land,” plays the titular ‘first man’ on the moon, Neil Armstrong, while “The Crown” alumna Claire Foy plays his first wife, Janet Shearon. Albeit a step down from portraying Queen Elizabeth II, Foy’s character is just as strong, playing the part as elegantly as she does the reigning royal. The film details the years leading up to the groundbreaking Apollo 11 mission. Judging by Gosling’s constant brooding and subtle brilliance in the trailer, the Oscar nomination almost seems to cast itself. It had an extremely successful festival run and, if Chazelle is lucky, this time it’ll be his movie that wins Best Picture.

Release date: Oct. 12, 2018.

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“Roma,” – Alfonso Cuarón, dir.

VIA IMBD “A Star is Born,” – Bradley Cooper, dir.

“A Star is Born” is one of the most anticipated movies this fall. A remake of the 1937 film of the same name, it stars Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who are making their debuts as a film actor and a director, respectively. The romantic musical drama follows the life of an amateur singer (Gaga) whose career is launched by an established country musician (Cooper), wherein the two inevitably fall in love with each other. Cliche aside, this storyline has been a hit with audiences many times before, which is why it doesn’t come as a surprise that the movie premiered to rave reviews at the 2018 Venice Film Festival. While Lady Gaga’s majestic performance was applauded, Cooper earned unanimous praise for his directorial skills.

Powerful music, passionate love and impeccable storytelling makes this film a sure candidate for multiple wins during award season.

Release date: Oct. 5, 2018.

“BlacKkKlansman,” – Spike Lee, dir.

VIA IMBD

Although not an upcoming film, this is a movie with one of the most unique storylines of the year. The comedy-drama based on a true story, from director Spike Lee, follows the journey of the first African American detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department, in the 1970s, as he sets out to join the local Ku Klux Klan chapter.

Elements of satire and black comedy are peppered throughout the film. John David Washington proves that he’s not just Denzel Washington’s son, but that he can hold his own quite well in a production of this size. Paired with actors like Adam Driver, Laura Harrier and Topher Grace and produced by the brilliant Jordan Peele, the film ensures that viewers will have one hell of a time watching and hoping that it wins every award possible. Release date: Aug. 10, 2018

A beautiful drama helmed almost entirely by “Gravity” director Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma” tells the story of a middle class family and their live-in housekeeper Cleo in Mexico City in the early 1970s. The film is said to be semi-autobiographical, with Cuarón basing much of it on his own upbringing. There is a sense of warmth when watching the trailer; it is simple yet elegant, which is why it exudes a sort of calming profundity about familial relationships, community and life. In the history of the Academy Awards, a foreign language film has only been nominated for Best Picture ten times and has never won. “Roma,” by all estimates, is a strong contender for being the 11th nominee. Even if it doesn’t win Best Picture at the Oscars, there are myriad other ceremonies where you can bet that it’ll take all the awards home. Release date: Dec. 14, 2018.

Inside a Fordham Mainstage Production Rehearsal: ‘Antigonick’

By COURTNEY BROGLE Arts & Culture Editor

The room was still but for a moment. Crew members relaxed before getting to work, with tasks expected to last until late into the night. Players on and off stage tossed inside jokes around and laughed among themselves.

Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) Stage Managers Chloe Morrell, FCLC ’19, and Nat DiMario, FCLC ’20, entered and gave brief introductions. Then, it was off to work.

The rehearsal in Franny’s Space was lit and set as the Pope Auditorium will be from Oct. 4-6 and from 10-12 for the first mainstage show this season, “Antigonick,” a provocative retelling of “Antigone” from Anne Carson’s fresh perspective. Places were taken; the cast scattered.

Over the course of the next hour, the cast and crew ran

through the last few scenes of the play. In a 2018-19 season that ponders the question, “What happens when?” Carson’s translation, or rather reimagining, offers a fresh visual and textual experience for audiences and performers alike.

In the rehearsal, Antigone, performed by Brittani Murphy, FCLC ’21, plots to bury her fallen brother, Polyneikes. He is viewed as a traitor in the eyes of their tyrannical king, Kreon, who decreed that Polyneikes be shamed and forgotten. In the face of fierce authoritarian opposition, Antigone becomes the first protagonist this season to question the power of the patriarchy.

Murphy reflected deeply on the meaning of her character in a modern retelling. “I believe Antigone’s role is hope,” she said.

“The thing that matters here, the love, the hope, the humanity is leaving. And it takes one act to

spoil the whole land. So Antigone is the hope. She’s trying to bring it back. She’s doing it for her brother but really she’s doing it for the entire nation of Thebes.”

Even as she conceded that Kreon’s actions may technically be in the interest of justice, she said: “There’s hypocrisy within Antigone. I mean there’s hypocrisy within anyone, especially when you take an extreme stance … But it’s also who’s making the laws. And is the law of man bigger than the law of the Gods and the law of humanity?”

During a quick break, Morrell and DiMario spoke on the rehearsal process as a whole.

Morrell appreciated the universal and transcendent currency of Carson’s text, explaining, “This translation is contemporary. I think it’s important now … to show how defiance of authority sometimes on what you know is humanly right is important to re-

member. Regardless of the fear that it can cause.”

DiMario was struck by the retelling’s inclusion of Nick, a silent but always visible character typically seen measuring things on the stage. “I think he shows an under-layer, he physically represents the underrepresented characters,” they explained. “For me, I think [his presence] is the pivotal moment.”

“Just kind of giving a physical representation to the people who we don’t hear and being able to connect people and bring people from these two different worlds together, that’s really his place in the play,” DiMario added.

The scene drew to a close; the Chorus implored the last words — wisdom. “Better get some,” they echoed, “even too late.”

Perhaps it is now more than ever in this intemperate political landscape that audiences need to hear such provocative terms.

COLIN SHEELEY/THE OBSERVER

“Antigonick” runs from Oct. 4-6 and 10-12.

But for this cast and crew at that moment, there is more tinkering to be done before audiences are ready for this hard-hitting material.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER October 11, 2018

Ram Jams: Diverse, Fun, Horrific

By JORDAN MELTZER Opinions Editor

Arts

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VIA FUTURE FRIENDS, RISE RECORDS, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT

VIA QUESTION EVERYTHING, INC., RCA RECORDS, SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Artist: Brockhampton Genre: Alternative hip-hop This was my first true exposure to Los Angeles-based, 14-person “boy band” Brockhampton, and boy, am I happy I took the time to listen.

From the first five seconds of the album, I knew I was in for a treat. The beat of “NEW ORLEANS” hit hard immediately. Every verse in this song is exciting and hyped up, especially those from Dom McLennon and Joba. Meanwhile, Kevin Abstract’s chorus is relatable (I, too, want a crib in London). Jaden Smith gets a feature on this track, and while it’s just a replication of Kevin’s chorus, it’s still enjoyable.

But “NEW ORLEANS” is far from the only banger on this album. “HONEY” and “DISTRICT” both feature strong production and catchy hooks — from the latter, it’s hard not to vocalize the “Woo! Simmer down, simmer down, simmer down, simmer down” along with Joba. But I can’t mention bangers without emphasizing “J’OUVERT,” as this track has the best verse on the record. This verse, the second on the track, features Joba screaming at the top of his lungs about his fair-weather friends in the wake of Brockhampton’s rise to fame: “Should have known better, wish that I was better/ At dealing with the fame and you fake motherf---ers/guess I’m too real.” The anger in this impassioned verse is palpable, voice cracks and all. Joba truly snapped.

The bottom line: “iridescence” is marked by quirky production, a healthy mix of bangers and ballads, and the same Brockhampton brand you know and love. And if you don’t know this act yet, this album is a good place to start.

Album: “The Skeptic” Artist: Tilian

Album: “A New Kind of Horror”

Genre: Pop-rock, indie pop

Album: “iridescence”

VIA METAL BLADE RECORDS

Artist: Anaal Nathrakh

Meet Tilian Pearson, singer of proggy post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance by day, solo pop-rock artist by night. He excels at both his day job and his night job.

Tilian’s third full-length solo effort “The Skeptic,” his third deliverable from his night gig, harkens back to his first, which is to say it’s fun again. His second album, which came out in 2015, was full of moodier, slower songs, which made for a good album in its own right; but this album is certainly a return to his original style of dance-inducing pop-rock.

The album opens on a strong note, as “Made of Plastic” immediately generates good vibes. The song builds on some impressive vocal delivery from Tilian into a chorus so catchy and exciting that I’m getting hyped up just writing about it. This song uses an acoustic (yet heavily EQ’d) drum kit and electric guitar to play a surprisingly funky beat that makes for a memorable moment on the album, despite it coming so early in the tracklist.

The strange thing about “The Skeptic” is that the first half and the second half are two completely different records instrumentally. While the entire album is certainly a pop album, the first half uses “real” instruments to achieve this sound and the second half utilizes computer-generated sounds. The producers make this distinction clear by featuring instruments like drum machines and synthesizers in lieu of the precedent set by acoustic drum kits and electric guitars in the first section of the album.

The bottom line: Despite an inconsistent use of instrumentation and sound, “The Skeptic” is a testament to Tilian’s vocal and songwriting abilities.

Genre: Blackened death metal, industrial metal, grindcore If you’ve never listened to British extreme metal duo Anaal Nathrakh (AN) before, the best way for me to introduce them to you is to quote from the band’s announcement of the album: “[This album] is bitter, vengeful, sarcastic, sardonic, violent, terrified and horrified — terrifying and horrifying in equal measure.”

What follows are the chugging breakdowns of “Forward!,” which was the first single on the album, and appropriately so; this song is groovy, heavy and powerful, the lyrics speaking to the horrors of war. After a synthesizer intro warns us of the sonic boom about to come, the guitar riff attacks, accented by faux gunshot sound effects for good measure. This song is the only one for which AN has ever released lyrics, and I can see why they chose this one; they wanted to convey the important message that war is horrible and unjust. In the chorus, Hunt bellows of the horrid hypocrisy: “Forward!/Who gives a f--- if your enemy’s starving?/ Forward!/No place for cowards, up and over!/ Forward!/Your country needs you, so start killing!”

Regardless, almost every song on this album is really good (save for the forgettable “Right Side”). This album is rife with bops, and Tilian’s extremely wide vocal range is the cherry on top of the tasty treat that is “The Skeptic.”

The bottom line: Anaal Nathrakh sacrifices intricate composition for experimentation on “A New Kind of Horror,” but the duo does not give up its ability to create powerful sonic assault and elicit a Stockholm Syndrome-esque sort of fear in the listener that makes them beg to keep listening.

An Evening of Dance, Fashion and Progress

By BETHANY GREENHO Contributing Writer

On Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, the annual Fall Gala at the New York City Ballet (NYCB) unofficially kicked off the start of the fall season with an unprecedented concentration on politics, fashion and rap music. While it may have only been one night of the 2018-19 season, this year’s gala revealed an NYCB season that is taking steps to change the discussion and relevancy of ballet.

At the start of the evening, before the dancing and couture took the stage, the curtain rose on the company’s 90 dancers. Principal dancers Adrian Danching-Waring and Teresa Reichlen read from a prepared statement acknowledging the impact of the recent sexual harassment allegations made against the company and three former dancers, stating that “with the world changing — and our beloved institution in the spotlight — we continue to hold ourselves to the high moral standards that were instilled in us when we decided to become professional dancers.” Perhaps seen as necessary to the company and patrons to reestablish a clean image, the statement instead read as an attempt to promote various policies that might provide absolution this season.

After a brief video about the costume designers and their work this evening, choreographer Matthew Neenan’s piece, “The Exchange,” commenced. While the music was purley classical, the sharp, dark red and black costumes, designed by Gareth Pugh, created problematic contrasts.

Neenan seemed confused about the opening mood of his piece; he was torn between adhering to the music and following Pugh’s intent to bring ugliness to the ballet.

With an overused motif of flexed hands and feet, Neenan tried to represent that ugliness but instead created awkwardness. Initial formations were not formations at all. The stage was littered with dancers in disconnected groups each doing different steps or just standing in an awkward pose in the background. Without a central focus, the piece came off as chaotic and in sore need of another rehearsal. Despite, its initial bumps, towards the halfway point, the choreography started to match the crescendo of the music, and the entire cast ran out to fill the stage with appealing formations. By the end of the piece Neenan had overcome an uncomfortable start.

Next up was Gianna Reisen’s “Judah,” her second choreographic commission for NYCB. Reisen, a 19-year-old dancer with the L.A. Dance Project, created a visual

feast with her geometric formations that were accentuated by Alberta Ferretti’s colorful, flowing wave-like costumes that twirled with the dancers as they glided across the stage. Reisen played with the intricacies of John Ad-

CELIA PATTERSON/THE OBSERVER

ams’ music, allowing the dancers to bring to life the music with their movements. With her choreography, Reisen made basic steps, a tendu, port de bras and even a straight line something artistic and beautiful. The balanced formations and choreography of the corps dancers rendered an organic, aesthetically pleasing composition of pyramids that framed the

soloists on center stage. She also experimented a bit in the partnering work between Lauren Lovett and Preston Chamblee with her diving into his circular arms and Lovette sliding into an assisted arabesque promenade. The choreography was intricate and quick, and, while not every moment worked well, specifically in Megan LeCrone’s solo where she shuffled backwards in a squat, overall Reisen created a ballet that NCYB founder Balanchine himself would have enjoyed seeing on his stage.

The highlight of the evening, however, was Kyle Abraham’s piece, “The Runaway,” a true 21st century ballet. With choreography that combined elements of ballet, modern and street dance to a medley of piano, violin, Kanye West and Jay-Z, Abraham challenged NYCB to go beyond the limits of what a ballet is “supposed to be.”

Abraham’s choreography was innovative, primarily because the male dancers — Taylor Stanley, a standout among them — adapted and molded themselves to this new musical language. Stanley showcased such fluidity that a ripple through his shoulders appeared as a wave crashing through his body.

Then in an instant he displayed extreme strength and control in his developes. In certain moments, such as when Kanye West and JayZ’s “Gotta Have It” started, the

choreography did not match the music’s energy and the women’s execution did appear somewhat awkward. Yet the atmosphere in the theater and the creativity that Abraham brought to that stage is what shone brightly that night.

Overall, Abraham’s piece was a triumph, not just for the evening but for what it signals for NYCB’s future. By combining various forms of music, dance and lighting, “The Runaway” stripped the ethereal, elitist aspect from ballet; it made it more than just something pretty to watch. This piece gave ballet depth, challenging each traditional audiences on what they thought they knew about NYCB and ballet.

And by bringing in both a young female choreographer and an African-American choreographer, NYCB, one of the premiere ballet companies in the U.S., is starting to realize that dance, especially ballet, is diverse.

While the Fall Gala is only one evening, its performances embodied the theme of the 2018-19 season, one defined by combining old and new works that showcase all forms of dance. In October the “La Sylphide” program, highlights Balanchine pieces alongside those influenced by Bernstein.

To read the full story, visit www.fordhamobserver.com

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Arts

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

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SOL Art Submissions In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month, members of the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) submitted culturally-inspired art pieces that help them connect to their Hispanic heritage

ARTWORK BY MEMBERS OF SOL

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage month, members of the Student Organization of Latinos (SOL) submitted culturally-inspired art pieces that connect them to their Hispanic heritage.

Diabla Santisima - Alejandra Garcia, FCLC ’21 Growing up, I didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me represented in the media or in popular art, which had a really negative impact on my ideals of beauty. Over the years, I have used art to explore different aspects of my Mexican culture. This particular piece features religious imagery and traditional Mexican clothing, both of which have been very present throughout my life.

Romeo Santos - Laura Vasquez, FCLC ’22 Romeo Santos is the bachata artist depicted in my drawing. He is known by the Latino community as “el Rey de la Bachata.” Bachata is a genre of music that originates from the Dominican Republic, where I am from. It is a fusion of musical elements from African slaves, European colonizers and Indigenous people. Romeo was the lead singer in the band Aventura which brought Bachata to an international level and really put the Dominican Republic on the map. He really makes the country proud! I’m going to go see Romeo in concert for the second time this year and there’s something about his music that makes it unique and special to me. I connect to it on a whole other level.

Fuego Bajo Las Estrellas- Diego Oliverio GSB ’22 My image emphasizes the roots of storytelling in a modern way. My picture depicts a boy draped in a sarape surrounded by flames and darkness, under a starry sky. The fire represents the inspiration and motivation that stories give to a blank canvas. The flames were created by waving a torch in the background during a six-second exposure. The boy in the sarape symbolizes my heritage as a Mexican and the boundless lore of Mexican culture. The starry sky resembles the common ancestor that stories share across various cultures.

Separated by geographic barriers, many cultures turned to the same starry sky for answers and stories. The stars were taken using a 25-second exposure then overlaid using Photoshop. This picture was captured at the sand dunes outside of Los Algodones, Mexico.

Local Cafes to Get You Through Midterms

By ETHAN COUGHLIN Contributing Writer

ETHAN COUGHLIN/THE OBSERVER

Birch Coffee 4 out of 5 Birch Coffee has your standard selection of espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites and more, as well as a variety of hot teas.

You can’t go wrong with any of the coffees; however, their chai tea latte is the best in the area. It’s not as spiced as a Starbucks chai latte, but not as sweet as something cheap, creating a perfect sweater-weather treat. Birch falls short, however, in the snack and pastry department. It isn’t that their snacks aren’t good; rather that they have a small selection that rotates often, so your favorite scone, muffin or donut may not be there when you really crave it.

Rex 2 out of 5 Rex has a comfortable seating area, which makes it a good location to visit if you’re trying to get some work done off-campus. They have a nice sandwich selection, but their coffee is ultimately inferior to most other places in the area. If you want to sit down and have a bite to eat, this is the place for you, but if you’re just trying to grab something to go, you’d probably be better going somewhere else.

Magnolia Bakery 3 out of 5 Magnolia Bakery has a variety of drinks that are not bad, just know that the real reason to go is for the food. They have a massive collection of breakfast pastries, cakes, cookies and other sweets.

They’re specifically known for their banana pudding that is supposed to be fantastic (I’m allergic to bananas unfortunately, but I’ve heard great things); however, eating the cappuccino chocolate chip muffin may be the closest I have ever gotten to seeing God, so that is a must have for cappuccino and muffin fans alike. Though they have a seating area, it is a popular tourist destination so it is often crowded.

JOE 4 out of 5 JOE has a large drink menu but a very limited selection of food. They have a nice indoor and outdoor seating area making it a great place to settle inpark and get some work done this fall.

JOE’s most outstandingbest quality is their amazing service. Their employees are always very sociable, won’t hesitate to give you ayour free drink for free if they feel they’ve messed up, and will even refer you to other cafes if they don’t have what you’re looking for. All in all, every experience at JOE will be a pleasant one.

Starbucks 2 out of 5 I’m only including Starbucks because I feel obligated. In fact, I encourage you to try a local chain and support small businesses. However, Starbucks has by far the largest drink selection of any cafe with half a dozen locations within walking distance of campus, it is often the most convenient. They have a fantastic seasonal drink menu including the classic pumpkin spiced latte, pumpkin spice creme or the new salted caramel mocha frappuccino. Their snack selection is generally basic, but definitely not too bad.

Features

Features Editor Jeffrey Umbrell - jumbrell@fordham.edu Lindsay Jorgensen - ljorgensen@fordham.edu

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

Yoga to the People Brings Free Classes to NYC

By KRISTEN SKINNER Contributing Writer

In today’s world, everyone could use a little peace of mind.

Many individuals, now more than ever, long for the chance to relax, unwind and unplug. Yoga gives people the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Something that turns people away from yoga, however, is the cost. Many yoga classes in New York City are expensive, costing at least $15 per session and even more if one doesn’t own a mat. For students on a budget, yoga classes are simply not feasible.

Even so, those who feel passionately about yoga want to continue sharing this powerful practice with the world. Individuals are working toward easing the monetary burden so yoga can be more accessible for all.

In 2006, Greg Gumucio, founder of Yoga to the People, had this exact thought in mind. His establishment has since expanded to nine different locations, six of which are in New York City. As listed on the company’s web page, all of the studios share one common goal: “Yoga made available to everyone.”

Holding true to their mission, multiple Yoga to the People locations offer yoga classes, taught in the style of power vinyasa, that have no required fee — relying on donations from students. Power vinyasa classes flow from one posture to the next in an energetic flow, connecting breath with movement.

In addition to regular power yoga, traditional hot yoga and hot vinyasa yoga are offered at most Yoga to the People locations. Hot yoga classes consist of two breathing exercises and several postures in a heated room of 105 degrees

KRISTEN SKINNER/THE OBSERVER

Yoga to the People provides free yoga classes regardless of experience or commitment.

Fahrenheit, which allows people to sweat out their negative endorphins. These classes cost $8 each, still considerably cheaper than what a typical hot yoga class costs, which is usually around $20.

The cost is not always what pushes yoga-skeptics away, though. Some fear that they are not physically equipped to be a yogi: they claim that they are too inflexible, too old, too weak or have too many injuries.

Yoga to the People demonstrates the true universality of yoga and welcomes everyone, despite the physical concerns that some may feel that they have.

Tasha, a power vinyasa yoga instructor at the Upper West Side location, finds that the freedom encouraged in class is what makes Yoga to the People such a reward-

ing space to practice in. “The beauty of the practice is there are no expectations,” she said.

Upon walking into the yoga space on the Upper West Side, visitors are welcomed by the instructor and calm, peaceful music.

People can place their belongings in a cubby, rent a mat and choose any open spot in the room. Some might like a spot next to the big windows or perhaps by the fresh green plants. Others sit next to friends and quietly mingle before class begins.

Taking class at Yoga to the People is different from other studios because the focus is completely on, as per the name of the establishment, the people. The teacher walks around giving instructions, but does not judge or correct anyone’s movements. Throughout the class, individuals are given

the opportunity to do some of the flows at their own pace, to their own breath. The sense of unity typical of the yoga practice remains, however, as the class lets out relieving “Ha” or “Ohm” sounds together throughout the flow. Many yoga students, new or well-practiced, come out of class feeling more calm, happy and grateful for both the gift of yoga and the world around them.

Everyone has their own daily struggles and yoga can help to deal with these challenges in a healthy way. Yoga shines in its benefits for the mind, body and soul. It not only helps people become more physically and mentally flexible, but it also helps them let go of that which they cannot control. In becoming more present, one learns to become more mindful with both themselves

and with others.

Because yoga is a constant journey, it is often referred to as a “practice.” There is no perfect posture or perfect state in yoga.

Some days are easier than others, but yoga challenges people to keep trying and to keep coming back to their mats. By learning to control their breath and relax their mind and get rid of the negativity in their lives, people can grow as a yogi both on and off the mat.

Tasha believes everyone should try yoga to “connect with their inner self and imagination.” She described the child and dance-like quality of the practice that allows one to free both their body and their mind in the 60 minutes that they are on the mat.

“The more you practice yoga, the more life gets a little easier.

Routine difficulties can get easier because you find an inner calm you retract yourself day-to-day,” Tasha said. “This is not just a physical practice,” she continued.

She explained how the practice helps her focus with the world around her.

No matter who you are or where you come from, yoga studios are there for Fordham students to go and partake in a rewarding experience. Everyone deserves the opportunity to destress and let go, especially after midterms. Though Fordham Lincoln Center is fortunate to have a Yoga and Mindfulness Club on campus, Yoga to the People locations are open every day for those who just cannot wait for that weekly meeting.

It is important, for college students especially, to keep both mental and physical health in check. So take a break from your studies, roll out a mat and channel your inner zen.

Lincoln Center’s Peer Health Exchange Prepares for First Year

By RITAMARIE PEPE Contributing Writer

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, only 12 percent of the 77 million adults in the U.S. had a proficient health education. To combat this insufficient education in public high schools, the Peer Health Exchange (PHE) strives to create equity in education and health. In turn, it empowers students with the knowledge and resources needed to make healthy decisions.

PHE began at Yale University, and now has chapters in major universities across the United States. Volunteers attend weekly meetings to review materials, workbooks, lesson plans and powerpoints provided by the program. Half of the meeting is dedicated to learning about a particular skill or topic, such as mental health, while the other half is comprised of teaching demonstrations and simulations about what the volunteers reviewed. Later in the week, volunteers report in pairs to their assigned public high school classroom to teach their students about sexual, mental, emotional and physical health.

This is the first year that Fordham Lincoln Center (FLC) will have its own PHE chapter, which thrills Lincoln Center’s PHE Coordinator Chevasia Hawkins, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’18. “I love PHE because of our mission,” Hawkins said. “I believe that health education is extremely important to all people

especially young people. We are doing important work and I am so happy and honored to be part of that.”

Enrolled in Fordham University’s five-year graduate education program, Hawkins needed teaching experience to earn her degree, so she decided to join the PHE program during her sophomore year. At the time, however, the program was only available at the Rose Hill campus, so Hawkins and four other Lincoln Center students commuted biweekly to the Bronx. Between travel time, teaching and training, each trip took about three hours.

When Hawkins was promoted to leadership council member, she advocated to reorganize the structure of Fordham University’s PHE. As a result, last year Lincoln Center volunteers were allowed to host their weekly meetings at the Lincoln Center campus; however, they were still expected to teach at Bronx public high schools. But due in large part to Hawkins’ perseverance, this year Lincoln Center will have its own chapter and work with Manhattan public high schools — one of which is right down the street from FLC at the High School for Law, Advocacy and Community Justice.

Since PHE is a national organization and not a Fordham University club, Fordham’s chapter has not faced any direct backlash from administration. In fact, Hawkins is thankful for the program’s partnership with the Center for Community Engaged Learning,

which has helped PHE reserve rooms for meetings and trainings.

Instead, Fordham University’s PHE has suffered from having to navigate around Fordham’s traditional education and policies in order to avoid being reprimanded. Hawkins recalls hearing a story that, a number of years ago, the Rose Hill chapter wanted to make the PHE a greater part of the Fordham University community. Unsurprisingly, their efforts fell through since PHE’s mission directly contradicts Fordham University’s abstinence-only sex education.

Generally, PHE chapters use provocative tactics that relate to the Exchange’s mission to recruit volunteers and increase organization awareness, such as handing out condoms with the PHE logo and raffling off vibrators. Unlike New York University’s and Columbia University’s, Fordham’s policies prevent Lincoln Center’s chapter from hosting such events.

Not only does this put Lincoln Center’s chapter at a disadvantage during recruitment, but Hawkins feels as though it unintentionally isolates volunteers from other chapters who bond over these events and experience full support from the PHE organization.

Despite this, Hawkins believes Lincoln Center’s PHE chapter is on track for a successful year.

Hawkins was worried that there would not be enough volunteers to establish Lincoln Center’s own program, but the team has recruited over 30 students ready to

LENA ROSE/THE OBSERVER

Chevasia Hawkins is the FLC Peer Health Exchange coordinator.

serve their community.

Deirdre Cuff, FCLC ’21, hopes that this growth continues as students see the impact PHE has on its community. “People come to PHE for all different reasons but they all leave with the same feeling of accomplishment,” Cuff said. “Being a part of getting students involved in something they care about makes me care about it more. I think we all bounce our excitement off of each other and the more people that get involved, the more the excitement grows.”

Hawkins is looking forward to the upcoming year. “This is truly

a dream come true and it’s a lot of work but I am filled with joy that there is finally a Peer Health Exchange chapter at Lincoln Center,” she said. “I am also very thankful for everyone that helped establish the PHE Lincoln Center chapter: the members of last year’s Lincoln Center Workshop Group, the current leadership team of our chapter and of course veverybody that has joined.

“Everybody who made this possible is amazing,” she said.

“I am really looking forward to a wonderful year and I am so happy.”

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Features

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

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You’re Invited: Fordham Theatre’s Studio Shows

By CATHLEEN FREEDMAN Contributing Writer

Not every university can claim to have the number one B.A. theatre program in the nation; Fordham University, however, can.

The students in this program are highly driven and talented, resulting in theater that is just as impressive.

At Fordham, the Theatre Program stages eight shows a year open to students, faculty and the general public. Students direct or write each show that is produced.

Each student is paired with a mentor, either a professional director or dramaturg, who assists them throughout the show’s production.

Each student made a play proposal and explained why they wanted their play performed.

Many of the student-written plays were written last spring and have been developed since then.

During class, the playwriting students worked on a character-building exercise that pushed some of the writers out of their element. “I started out with a theme and moral,” Kiernan Westrick, Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’21, said about their play “Intelligence.” This is a first for the playwright who usually writes a play with the characters first.

Acting student James Kenna, FCLC ’19, said the entire studio season is “like a laboratory.” It’s an opportunity for theater students to experiment with new and innovative forms. For instance, Jennifer Ogasian, FCLC ’21, wrote a musical about the domestic abuse of multiple women across generations, while Kaylie Groff, FCLC ’20, is directing “The Dybbuk,” a

SYNDEE DRAKE PETERSON/THE OBSERVER

Sophia Swettenham, FCLC ’21, and Ryan Boloix, FCLC ’22, are involved in a studio producion of Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw.”

play about a Jewish couple during Sabbath dinner.

For many of the plays written by student playwrights, these shows are works in progress. Alexis Chapin, FCLC ’21, compared the productions to large-scale workshops for the playwrights.

The Fordham Theatre Program allows writers the chance to see their shows performed to their fullest capacity, but not necessarily in their final form. Writers are expected to continue the revision process long after the studio season is over.

Two Fordham theatre students described the department as “insular.” As a result of being such

a tight-knit and time-consuming program, there isn’t much interaction between non-theatre students and theatre students, they said. “It would be really great to see people from outside of the major come to see some of these shows,” Ashlyn Frank, FCLC ’20, said. “A lot of the time I feel like I go to Fordham Theater instead of Fordham University.”

There are interdisciplinary shows, like Daria Kent’s “Erotophobia,” in which actors receive training from the Ailey School instructors; however, most studio productions aren’t as collaborative. Frank speculates that this could be because of the rigor-

ous schedule the shows demand.

Hours of rehearsal isn’t a commitment everyone is cut out for, she said, adding: “It’s scary, I think that’s why a lot of people don’t go for it. But I think more people don’t know about it.”

Students who aren’t theatre majors are welcome to get involved in studio season shows.

Those interested should look out for an email blast from the department publicist that specifies when casting calls go out for studio season shows. Those who want to work behind the scenes should reach out to stage managers and offer to help with productions.

“It’s so fun. Nothing is a bet-

ter sensation than working with people and putting something out there that other people watch and take from,” Frank, said of being part of the studio shows. If you’re looking for a free way to spend your night this season, “There’s nothing like the Fordham Studio!”

The plays run intermittently from Oct. 1 to Dec. 5. While the Mainstage shows are $5 for students, the studio shows are entirely free. Tickets are available through email reservations two weeks before the shows run. Each show has a specific ticket email address, which can be found on the shows’ posters located around campus.

Fun & Games

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

Crossword

EDITED BY DAN NASTA

ACROSS

1. Attention duration 5. Letters from ____ Jima 8. E.T. vehicles 12. Much hailed NYC transport 13. Chow (down) 15. Cole follower 16. Long poem 17. Precedes view or galactic

18. Family plan, of sorts 19. Masters of the New World Order 21. Prince before kiss 23. Bashful 24. Abandoned space 25. Flood figure 27. Motifs

Word Scramble Question: What form do you fill out to take a multiple choice test?

MRAC

GITSUNDY

L E DA DN E I

YESAS

OREBTOC

EFOCEF

Answer

EDITED BY ESME BLEECKER-ADAMS

30. Dual-wielding 32. Weep 33. With Young, one of the Big Four Firms (ask a Gabelli friend) 35. Post-processed bread 37. Adm.’s right hand 39. Type of phone 41. Strikebreaker 42. KFC tool 44. Itsy bitsy teeny ____ 46. Lbs. across the pond 47. Unshakable 49. “Settle down, private!”

51. Beneficiary 52. Evil old woman, considered frightful or ugly 53. Coffee 55. Utters 58. Beaver State 62. KGB nation 64. Grieve 66. Hawkeye State 67. Ice that may have serious or unpleasant consequences if you skate too hard on it!

68. Impressive range 69. ____ Up 2: The Streets 70. Give lip 71. Legend 72. Internet RAs

DOWN

1. Flower holder 2. Racist pizza man 3. World War II villains 4. Snooki’s Christian name

5. Bed and breakfast 6. Power unit 7. Sandwich you can dip in milk 8. Amer. money 9. Scenes from the past 10. Inauguration main event 11. Concert dance, during a ballad 13. Anna and Elsa, for example 14. Dog, at Coney Island 20. Alaskan city that Balto mushed to 22. New just Kapernick motto 26. Famous cookie 27. Nabs 28. Provable idea 29. 20 Down’s weather 30. Out of port 31. August: ____ County 32. Includes in an email 34. Prosecute 36. Conan channel 38. Honest 40. Silence of the Lambs’ Hopkins 43. “Momager” Jenner 45. 12 months 48. In theatre or bad friendships 50. Discrimination over years 53. Sticks (out) 54. Workplace safety org.

56. New New Amsterdam namesake 57. Certain 59. All Dogs ____ Heaven 60. Deserved 61. Mid-day rests 63. OR aides 65. Sunbeam

Sports & Health

Sports & Health Editor Luke Osborn - losborn1@fordham.edu

October 11, 2018 THE OBSERVER

The Frightening Presence of Eating Disorders Among Queer Men

By LUKE OSBORN Sports & Health Editor

Historically, most eating disorder research has primarily focused on women, but recently there has been a remarkable trend among men that requires attention. Male sexual minorities (gay, bisexual and questioning) show higher rates of eating disordered behavior than their heterosexual counterparts. Though a significant number of heterosexual men still face eating disordered behavior and body dissatisfaction, men of sexual minorities face these issues at significantly higher rates.

In 2014, researchers reviewed data published from university health centers in the United States and found a striking discrepancy between heterosexual individuals and sexual minorities. Queer and heterosexual men shared the highest discrepancy; that is, queer men were more likely to report engaging in eating disordered behavior than heterosexual men.

A significant amount of research has been conducted toward eating disorders among sexual minorities, but some research reaches deeper into the root cause of the issue. Psychologists at Chapman University recently released data that supports the disparity in body confidence between gay men and heterosexual men. The basis of this review surveyed over 116,000 men from five national studies. As much as 40 percent of all men in the studies reported feeling dissatisfaction with their overall appearance, however, the data showed differences in how gay men and heterosexual men perceive their bodies in social contexts.

For example, gay men are 8 percent more likely to feel dissatisfied with their appearance in

LENA ROSE/THE OBSERVER

Studies show that body negativity is higher among queer men.

general, 15 percent more likely to be dissatisfied with their muscle size and tone and 10 percent more likely to feel uncomfortable wearing a swimsuit in public.

Moreover, gay men are 16 percent more likely to feel constantly judged on the basis of their physical appearance, 19 percent more likely to consistently think about their appearance, 17 percent more likely to compare their bodies to others at social events and 29 percent more likely to feel pressure from media to strive for an ideal body.

Gay and heterosexual men also approach sex differently because of their body perception.

Five percent of average-weight heterosexual men reported having avoided sex in the past month because of their dissatisfaction with their bodies and 10 percent of obese heterosexual men reported having avoided sex for the same reasons. When asked the same question, gay men responded very differently: Twenty percent of average-weight gay men and 32 percent of obese gay men avoided sex. Gay men are at least

four times as likely to let body dissatisfaction affect their socio-sexual decisions.

These behaviors and decisions do not always lead to eating disordered behavior, but always come out of a place similar to body dysmorphia. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a “persistent and intrusive” fixation on a slight imperfection or perceived imperfection of one’s body. BDD can manifest over any area of the body, even if the defect is nonexistent. Individ-

uals with BDD constantly obsess over their perceived body defects, causing disruptions in their daily routines and functioning.

Dr. Elizabeth Clark, a resident psychologist at Counseling and Psychological Services Rose Hill, sees two major causes of this phenomenon in the queer male community: male body representation in queer media and the male gaze. On posters in queer communities, queer magazines and queer television and film, the image of a lean, muscular figure pervades.

Queer men of all body types constantly see these images, which almost forces individuals to view these bodies as the ideal.

The male gaze refers to the representation of women as sexual objects for a male’s pleasure.

The psychological ramifications of the male gaze often manifest as body negativity, and it is not limited to cis-women; cis and trans queer men and transwomen are just as affected by this phenomenon. To demonstrate this point, Clark cited studies revealing that a smaller share of queer women exhibited eating disordered behavior. In contrast, demographics that are sexually attracted to men have higher rates of eating disordered behavior.

Though the causes of this behavior are prevalent, they are not the only sources of the issue in the male queer community. Clark emphasizes that psychological distress arises from myriad causes, and many are personal rather than systemic. Nevertheless, a culture that emphasizes body ideation can give an at-risk individual the extra push to manifest eating disordered behavior.

For more information, visit www.fordhamobserver.com

Ugly Finish Costs Fordham Against Georgetown

By JEFFREY UMBRELL Features Editor

One of the most puzzling, and certainly one of the most consequential coaching decisions in Fordham’s 23-11 loss to Georgetown Saturday afternoon came late in the fourth quarter. Freshman quarterback, Tim DeMorat, in his second career start, had just thrown an interception, but otherwise was playing competently. Nevertheless, head coach Joe Conlin decided to bench DeMorat in favor of senior Luke Medlock.

Medlock’s first pass went incomplete; his second was intercepted and nearly returned for a touchdown. One play later, Georgetown found the end zone, and the game was put decidedly out of Fordham’s reach.

“We just wanted to give Luke a chance,” Conlin said after the game, “and see if he could change something up.”

Medlock was benched two weeks prior due to poor play. Unlike Medlock, DeMorat had, for the most part, kept both of the games he started competitive.

After Medlock’s interception, DeMorat returned to the game with just over two minutes left to play. He was sacked three consecutive times, the third resulting in a safety. Fordham had to kick the ball away, and Georgetown

ZOEY LIU/THE OBSERVER

Junior Jesse Bramble (6) played strong coverage against Georgetown.

kneeled until time expired.

It was one of the Rams’ worst offensive series of the season, and highlighted one of their biggest weaknesses — a struggling, inexperienced offensive line.

The disastrous end to the

game left Conlin’s 0-5 team with far more questions than answers.

“What could we have done dating back to fall camp differently?” he said. “You look at the whole game-planning process ... Any time you lose, you better look at

everything.”

Everything, for Conlin, includes his own coaching decisions and abilities. Poor play calling, including a failed fourth down conversion late in the fourth quarter, undoubtedly contributed to the loss as

much as or more than players failing to execute on the field. “I told the team that this loss is on me,” Conlin said. “I have to get better and learn as a head coach.”

“It seems to be a common theme,” he continued, recalling the countless chances the Rams had two weeks ago to win the game against Central Connecticut State.

“We just put [the offense] in too many difficult situations. We have to do a better job at protecting our quarterback.”

As the midpoint of the season approaches, Fordham is, to put it mildly, in a less-than-ideal position.

The Rams haven’t gone 0-5 since 2005, when the team did not win a game until Week 8. They finished that season with a 2-9 record.

If Conlin is looking to avoid the Rams’ first winless year since 1999, changes will have to be implemented quickly. “We’ve got some good football teams coming up,” he said, looking ahead to a schedule that includes a matchup against a 4-1 Bryant team in two weeks.

“It’s not hard to self-evaluate at 0-5,” Conlin said, and he and his team will have to do just that if they hope to salvage their season.

Devin Taylor contributed reporting.