Fordham Observer - Issue 5

Observer the

MARCH 26, 2015 VOLUME XXXIV, ISSUE 5

www.fordhamobserver.com

Observer Launches New Website

Photo Feature

By TYLER MARTINS Editor-in-Chief

While everyone was catching up on sleep or “House of Cards,” or laying on a tropical beach in the middle of the Caribbean, a team of Observer editors (Ben Moore, our online editor, Adriana Gallina, our News Editor, and myself) locked ourselves in our newsroom for over 30 hours and revamped our online presence. Everything was on the table: from the Fordham Observer website to how we interact with online audience via social media, to even to what color maroon we wanted associated with our brand.

After spending the past few months discussing our online presence with the Editorial Board, we implemented certain changes.

While reevaluating our mission and our online presence, we didn’t want to stray far from the history of The Observer, and its almost 35 years of service to the Lincoln Center community. This letter will introduce some of the more notable changes that we have implemented.

First, on the chopping block, was the website. After heavy consultation with the Editorial Board as well as our advisors (Professor of English Elizabeth Stone, Ph.D., Reporting; freelance artist and former MTV producer Roopa Vasudevan, Multimedia; New York Times designer Kim Moy, Layout; and Bloomberg BusinessWeek Picture Editor Amelia Hennighausen, Photo), we chose a new theme that allowed for easy navigation, that was stylish yet sophisticated and had strong video and photo storytelling capabilities. The new theme allows for various ways to showcase our content, as well as keeping it fresh and more visually appealing.

You may have noticed, while scrolling on Twitter or Facebook, that the Fordham Observer is no longer using the Fordham University seal as its profile picture or avatar. Instead, a new logo was designed, that took into account the history of The Observer’s past logos see LAUNCH pg. 2

JESSICA HANLEY/THE OBSERVER

The Observer photographers captured scenes from their Spring Break.

College Council Talks Politics, Advising & More

By TYLER BURDICK Asst. Opinions Editor

The Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) College Council discussed professor political conduct at their latest meeting just before spring break on March 12. While the meeting was planned to take place the week prior, on March 5, Lincoln Center’s closing due to the snowstorm had delayed the faculty meeting. Other topics included the upcoming academic registration period, Admitted Students Days and a proposed joint math and computer science major.

Rev. Robert R. Grimes, S.J., dean of FCLC, asked those present at the Council meeting to ensure that the academic departments re-

main “rant-free zones” and not be used as “bullying pulpits.” Grimes then took the opportunity to mention an email he had received from a student who had identified as a “conservative” and who felt particularly victimized by a professor.

Without using any names, the student claimed that the professor had used “foul language” and “went into a rage” against those who did not agree with their particular viewpoint, including the complaining student.

Grimes stated that he was initially hesitant to bring up this matter to the College Council, questioning whether or not the forum was appropriate, but ultimately decided to follow through after receiving support from various fac-

ulty members. Grimes agreed with the sentiment that reactions such as that of the mentioned professor “stifle the development of critical thinking” and therefore have no place here at FCLC. Timing for the Academic Advising Registration Period was also discussed. Robert K. Moniot, associate dean of FCLC, announced that he had heard some grumblings over the placement of the advising period in the academic calendar and had been requested to relocate it. “I need to start collecting arguments pro and con,” Moniot announced to the council. Professor Gwenyth Jackaway, associate chair of the communication and media studies department and associate professor at FCLC, seconded the

sentiments of those who wished to relocate the advising period, arguing that, since the period is located so close to if not overlapping with midterm period, it creates an exorbitant amount of work for FCLC’s professors. According to Jackaway, advising period is the key tool used by professors to check in with students and ensure that everything is alright, but the ability to do so is severely hampered if they must juggle this task with that of grading midterms. “Registration isn’t what’s labor intensive; advising is,” Jackaway said. “Does it all have to happen at the same time?”

Moniot suggested that advising for freshmen and sophomores could be delayed until the week when juniors and seniors register for see COLLEGE COUNCILpg. 4

Inside

Literary

Comma Fordham students get creative

PAGE 7

FEATURES

SPORTS

GO! NOLA

Villanova Wildcats

Student reflects on Spring Break of Who can beat them?

Service PAGE 19 Page 18

ARTS & CULTURE

House of Cards

OPINIONS

Waka Flocka

Changing Political Views in US & FCLC Repercussions of Gangsta Rap

PAGE 15

THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM LINCOLN CENTER

PAGE 6

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News

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

FORDHAM UNDERGRADUATE DEMOGRAPHICS

INFOGRAPHIC BY ADRIANA GALLINA

Almost three-fourths of the Fordham student body identify as white.

COURTESY OF BSA

Jalen Glenn, FCLC ’16, is one student featured on the Tumblr.

BSA Creates Social Awareness Tumblr

By JUSTIN REBELLO Asst. News Co-Editor

“My skin is not a fetish! My hair is not a trend! Black is BEAUTIFUL!” reads one of Black Student Alliance’s (BSA) posts from their “I, Too, Am Fordham” Tumblr page launched early last week.

The page is a collection of 16 pictures of students holding up handwritten statements. The statements describe black/African-American students’ experiences.

Jodi Hines, FCLC ’15 and President of BSA, explained the group’s reason behind launching the Tumblr in an email interview.

“We decided to create the campaign to raise awareness about black/ African-American students at FCLC. We also thought that it would serve as a conversation-starter that would go beyond the typical dialogues that focus on race that we have seen, since each participant shared an honest message and or experience,” Hines wrote.

Harvard students launched “I, Too, Am Harvard” in March 2014.

“The idea arrived from Harvard University’s campaign, ‘I, Too, Am Harvard,’ which is also on Tumblr, as well as on BuzzFeed. Other universities and colleges have done very similar campaigns. In fact, a year or two ago, several students of color here at FCLC did a collection about microaggressions and released it on BuzzFeed. So, the concept is not really original, but what we have created is essentially BSA’s version of that concept,” Hines

said.

“The first time I realized I was black I was 14. That was the day I learned my innocence has NOTHING to do with my verdict,” reads another post from “I, Too, Am Fordham.”

In regards to the strength of the messages and experiences from the Tumblr Hines said: “Some of the messages have shock-value but are nonetheless 100 percent real and authentic. Many of the pictures will make a person stop and think, ‘wow, some-

one actually said that to that person?’ which is essentially what would spark questions and conversation.”

The Tumblr page has “gotten several shares and likes online for it.

We have also had faculty members express how great they think the campaign is. We hope to continue to spread it, as we will post posters of each picture around Lowenstein soon. We also hope to continue to add pictures of more students who want to participate as the semester continues.”

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER March 26, 2015

News

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Concerns About Admitted Student Days COLLEGE COUNCIL FROM PAGE 1

classes in order to ease the tension on professors. Jackaway, however, insisted that the advising period be delayed for at least a couple weeks after midterms so as to be certain that the two do not overlap. It was ultimately decided that the advising period for the fall 2015 semester would occur in the two weeks prior to Thanksgiving Break while the period for the spring 2016 semester would occur after Easter.

Dr. Arthur Werschulz, professor of computer science and the associate chair for undergraduate studies in his department, spoke to the council about the number of students at FCLC interested in a focus in both mathematics and computer science. However, the math major requires 11 total courses while the computer science major requires 15, and few to no courses exist that count for both.

Because of this, and because of the major workload demanded by both departments, a double-major in both subjects is effectively impossible. In response, it was proposed that a new joint mathematics and computer science major be ap-

TYLER MARTINS/ THE OBSERVER

College Council unanimously approved a joint mathematics and computer science major.

proved. “The beautiful thing is that it won’t cost Fordham anything in terms of resources,” David Swinarsky, assistant professor of mathematics, said. “The courses already exist.”

Courses with mathematics and computer science focuses would be offered on a cyclical basis, and it would be up to the student to time when to take the required courses, though Swinarsky assured the

council that it would not matter whether a student started the major taking courses on either side. When put to a vote, the new joint major was approved with absolutely no objections or abstentions.

Admitted Students Days were announced to be on Wednesday, April 8, Friday, April 17, and Friday, April 24. At the mention of these upcoming days, Jackaway, expressed concern that the tours through the Leon Lowenstein Building, which are an essential educational portion of the Admitted Students Days, could potentially disrupt classes. Jackaway stated that she has often had to shut the door on students as a tour passed by her classroom in order to keep the class focused. She not only felt that this is rude to the students on tour, but also that it deprives them of the very reason they came in the first place; to see a Fordham classroom.

“It would be great if they could be respectful and quiet when passing by the classrooms,” Jackaway said.

Grimes agreed and said he would keep this in mind.

Grimes expressed pride in FCLC’s senior class. Fordham’s Law School has received 23 applications from members of FCLC’s senior class and all 23 applications have resulted in acceptances. “I don’t think this has ever happened during my time in the dean’s office.”

New Site Shows Push for Digital Content NEW WEBSITE FROM PAGE 1

and branding, while launching that into the 21st century.

You’ll find that new photo has carried over to the new website, as well, in terms of colors, font and design. We’ve struggled in the past with having the best photos to illustrate our stories in the past and have often had to find a photo that doesn’t necessarily work well with the story just so we can publish it online. Now, we’ve created “placeholder” photos for each section, so we can publish breaking news stories quickly and efficiently and then go back and add a photo once we’ve obtained it.

We’ve done the same for Staff Editorials, which will allow us to share our editorial board’s views and ideas more easily, instead of having them buried on the website for a lack of

photo.

In addition to these changes, we’re also launching a new way to reach audiences: a weekly newsletter. During off-production weeks, a round-up of online content, including multimedia and photo essays, will be sent to our subscribers under the title “Observer Online.” During production weeks, content that appears within the new print edition will be sent to subscribers under the title of “Inside The Observer.” We also hope to establish a precedent of using our subscriber list to push out breaking news stories alerts since we do not have the capabilities of sending push alerts to people’s iPhone’s like the New York Times or CNN. All these changes, some more major than others, are a way to push the Observer into the digital world -

which is long overdue, considering the current state of journalism today. For that reason, you’ll begin to notice a heavier integration between print and online, with print stories pointing to an online only component and vice versa.

As Fordham grows here at Lincoln Center, The Observer wants to grow with it, so that we can actively act as the voice of the student population. And as the student population grows here at Lincoln Center, The Observer’s reach has to as well, and that means conquering the online and digital world, one step at a time.

Tweet us your thoughts about the new Fordham Observer website at @FordhamObserver.

The new website includes a helpful sidebar with links to our social sites.

Deciding on Majors: Passion Versus Profit

By ANA FOTA Staff Writer

As freshmen contemplate what majors they will choose next year and as upperclassmen reflect on their recent choices, students at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) had trouble reconciling choosing between money and passion.

According to a study by Georgetown University, there is a wide payment gap between lucrative majors such as the STEM ones (science, technology, engineering, math), and majors such as social work or architecture. The study shows that engineering majors earn on average $57,000 per year, while arts, psychology or social work majors earn roughly $31,000 per year.

For students like Benjamin Conlin, FCLC ’17, the work itself is more rewarding than the pay. Conlin has a personal interest in the social sciences. He initially wanted to double major in anthropology and English, but switched to a double major in English and communications.“I want to get into writing, and I find the topic of communications very interesting. I’m interested in writing for TV shows, so they work well together,” he stated.

Anitra Singh, FCLC ’15, chose the economics major with both potential salary and her interests in mind. “Going into college I was definitely interested in it, but I also picked it know-

ing that it would help me earn more money,” she stated. “I really thought that New York was the hub of finance related jobs.” However interest played its part as well. “Now I’m shifting more towards picking passion over money,” Singh continued.

For Nicholas Primiano, FCLC ’16, salary was of secondary importance, preceded by the amount of time spent in college and interest in the field.

He is part of a five-year combined plan program that Fordham has with Columbia University, first studying computer science and mathematics at Fordham for three years and then bio-medical engineering for two years at Columbia.

“I have always been interested in computer science,” he stated, “ but I also liked that it gave me more time to decide.” Primiano wants to pursue a medical degree after college, so he also considered “what would be the best hack to get into a good medical school.” According to Primiano, “money was a factor, but it certainly was not the only one, as my decision was a compromise between something that I love and a way that I could have a good salary.”

Nicole Kucik, FCLC ’17, decided to pursue a major in computer science her freshman year. “It’s the best way for me to help people,” she said.

When asked if she was planning on pursuing a master’s degree, Kucik stated that graduate school “definitely helps,” as “there’s only so much you

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JESS LUSZCZYK/THE OBSERVER

Acevedo and Moniot agree, money shouldn’t be a deciding factor when it comes to picking a major.

can learn in [undergraduate] college.”

Associate Professor of Social Service Gregory Acevedo Ph.D. knows that social work is an area that is “not as lucrative with only a bachelor’s degree.” In this particular area, job prospects are greater for students who go further after they graduate, and become Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). In this case, a master’s degree usually serves as a stepping stone to a doctorate, according to Acevedo. Fordham University has one of the largest schools of social work in the country. Given the University’s Jesuit mission, “it is a crucial

profession, especially when it comes to social change and the pursuit of justice,” Acevedo said.

Dr. Robert Moniot, associate dean of FCLC and associate professor, echoed Fordham’s Jesuit tradition, stating that college is not about the major and chosen career path but about the experience.

“Succeeding depends more on your character, a big part of getting a job is how you present yourself,” Moniot said. Both Acevedo and Moniot believed that financial prospects should not be a deciding factor when it comes to students’ majors.

A majority of Fordham graduates do not pursue a Master’s degree.

According to Career Insights, a tool developed by Career Services to help gather data on graduating classes, 21 percent of liberal arts graduates in the class of 2014 pursued graduate school. Graduate schools across the nation have seen an overall decrease in enrollment.

“If you are smart and you maintain a high GPA, you can major in anything and they will be interested in hiring you. It depends more on your character,” Moniot stated.

Opinions

Rachel Shmulevich — Opinions Editor rshmulevich@fordham.edu

STAFF EDITORIAL

THE STORY HERE IS THE CAMPAIGN

W

hile Senator Ted Cruz just announced his bid for the presidency early this week, and while everyone is waiting for former Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to do the same, election season has hit Fordham at Lincoln Center. With United Student Government (USG) elections on April 8 and 9, it’s an important time for students to think about who they want to have represent their interests in the coming year, a decision not to be taken lightly.

The USG Elections Committee has announced new policies, including a new policy that will allow campus clubs and organizations to endorse candidates for office, as per our coverage in the last issue of The Observer.

Though most newspapers, from the New York Times to the Columbia Daily Spectator endorse candidates for office, The Observer will abstain from endorsing any candidate. After dedicating an editorial board meeting to the subject, The Observer

will choose to instead devote more time and manpower to covering the campaign trail, including everything from online video profiles of candidates to livestreaming the

“The Observer will abstain from endorsing any candidate for office.” debate that will be held on April 8.

The story here is the campaign. By endorsing a candidate, The Observer would become part of the story and would not be able to accurately cover events and candidates running for office without the suggestion of a bias.

We applaud the USG Elections committee for allowing clubs on campus to endorse candidates, however. USG represents the interest of the student body, but also acts

as a governing body for all clubs on campus: club policies are regulated and enforced by the Vice President of Operations; and clubs receive funding through the Student Activities Budget Committee (SABC), chaired by the USG Treasurer. Clubs as a whole should have a say in who represents them for this very reason.

By allowing clubs to have a say, the USG Elections Committee is not just allowing clubs to take a more active role but also encouraging every student on campus to get involved and vote, because we all have a stake in this.

Though the Observer is abstaining, we encourage every club to endorse a candidate - or at least have a conversation about endorsing a candidate.

Each candidate has new and exciting ideas that will change student life and club life at Fordham. No matter who wins the election, the infrastructure of Fordham will be altered--at this pivotal each Ram’s voice should be heard.

ONLINE @ FORDHAMOBSERVER.COM

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

Observer the

Editor-in-Chief Tyler Martins Managing Editor Kamrun Nesa News Editor Adriana Gallina Asst. News Co-Editors Justin Rebollo Connor Mannion Opinions Editor Rachel Shmulevich Asst. Opinions Co-Editors Tyler Burdick Alexa McMenamin Arts & Culture Editor Ramona Venturanza Asst. Arts & Culture Editors Joseph Rametta Loulou Chryssides Features Editor Alanna Kilkeary Asst. Features Editor Hansi Weedagama Literary Co-Editors Meredith Summers Mark Lee Asst. Literary Editor Nina Bergbauer Sports Editor Dylan Penza Copy Editor Meredith Summers Asst. Copy Editor Terry Zang Layout Editor Jennifer McNary Asst. Layout Editor Elodie Huston Layout Staff Jackson Landry Cornelia Azariah Kate Axford Payton Vincelette Photo Editor Jessica Hanley Asst. Photo Editors Jess Luszczyk Ben Moore Online Editor Ben Moore Business Manager Victoria Leon Faculty Advisor Prof. Elizabeth Stone Faculty Layout Advisor Kim Moy

CLUB SPOTLIGHT Brought to you through a partnership between the United Student Government and The Observer, the “Club Spotlight” will feature a club at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC) that has shone throughout the month through their events and programming. This month’s Club Spotlight will feature:

Black Students Association

Faculty Photo Advisor Amelia Hennighausen Faculty Multimedia Advisor Roopa Vasudevan Faculty Literary Advisor Amy Benson PUBLIC NOTICE

No part of The Observer may be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written consent of The Observer board. The Observer is published on alternate Thursdays during the academic year.

Printed by Five Star Printing Flushing, N.Y

To reach an editor by e-mail, visit www.fordhamobserver.com

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES “Black Student Alliance (BSA) is thrilled to be chosen as the Club of the Month! BSA’s mission is to give students at Fordham a safe and comfortable place to dialogue at about various topics and issues relating to the black community, such as Black History Month or police brutality and the events in Ferguson and Staten Island, as well as raise awareness of these issues within the wider Fordham community. In addition to that, we have fun too! BSA has hosted an amazing 90s House Party, eaten soul food at Sylvia’s, and danced the night away at Motown the musical. We’re always looking for more people to join us and all are welcome!” - Zann Ballsun-Simms, BSA Public Relations Officer BSA meets every Wednesday at 3 p.m. in LL 508.

• Letters to the Editor should be typed and sent to The Observer, Fordham University, 113 West 60th Street, Room 408, New York, NY 10023, or e-mailed to fordhamobserver@gmail.com. Length should not exceed 200 words. All letters must be signed and include contact information, official titles, and year of graduation (if applicable) for verification.

• If submitters fail to include this information, the editorial board will do so at its own discretion.

• The Observer has the right to withhold any submissions from publication and will not consider more than two letters from the same individual on one topic. The Observer reserves the right to edit all letters and submissions for content, clarity and length.

• Opinions articles and commentaries represent the view of their authors. These articles are in no way the views held by the editorial board of The Observer or Fordham University.

• The Editorial is the opinion held by a majority of The Observer’s editorial board. The Editorial does not reflect the views held by Fordham University.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER March 26, 2015

Opinions

5

RAM THE VOTE 2015

USG Needs ‘U’ to Vote Louise Lingat

With Spring Break over and only a little over a month left of classes, elections season is now approaching.

Clubs are now beginning to decide when to hold elections and members are thinking about which positions they may be interested in running for.

Most clubs have minimal trouble in holding elections as it is sometimes clear who the next President will be.

Other clubs have competitive elections for specific positions since there may be more than one qualified candidate. Regardless, each club is now figuring out its executive board for next year, including United Student Government (USG).

USG is one of the three student governments on campus, and it serves

as the voice of the entire student body.

There are four main committees that fall under USG: Student Affairs, Operations, Facilities and the Student Activities Budget Committee (SABC).

The Student Affairs Committee focuses on bringing community with the student body which is done through planning events like Winter Ball, the Club Leader Networking Dinner and the Undergraduate Awards (UNDYs), as well as forming unity on campus through RamTips and Fordham Thursdays. The Operations Committee helps create new clubs on campus and works with existing ones to make sure that each club can be successful in achieving their mission. The Facilities Committee works with the Fordham Dining Services Team to ensure quality food on campus and the Facilities Management Team to ensure the facilities around Fordham are being taken care of. Last but not least,

A message from Louise Lingat, FCLC ’15 and outgoing United Student Government (USG) President.

SABC is responsible for allocating funds to clubs so that they can have events on and off campus. As the current President, I help oversee all four committees as well as the Senate and General Meetings. USG takes on different initiatives throughout the year, such as Title IX, where this committee was formed, in collaboration with the Residence Hall Association (RHA), Commuting Students Association (CSA), In Strength, I Stand (ISIS) and The Positive, to think of ways to get

Ever Forward Jacob Azrilyant

In our duty to remain united, we have a mandate to progress forward. Fordham Lincoln Center is not a stagnant campus, for we do not survive by maintaining the status quo of the past. We are an ever-changing community, evolutionary with the times and progressive in our ways. For this reason, we need a president who is not only a representative of the people, but a catalyst for progress. It is for this reason that I announce my candidacy for president of United Student Government (USG) at Fordham Lincoln Center.

We are in a definitive stage in Fordham’s history, at the edge of a precipice which promises us trials and tribulations. But we are of Fordham: where others see a chasm too dangerous to cross, we see a bridge that is yet to be built. We will not be stalled by questions of possibility, for when our strengths are put together there is little that can stand in our way. For we are of Fordham, and together we are better than either of us alone.

The tasks that lie before us will test our convictions, our fortitude and our resolve.

Some will be simple and others more difficult. There may come a time when we have to choose between what is right, and what is easy, and we need a leader not only with the wisdom to know the difference, but with the courage to go down the right path.

The questions that affect our community today are of a wide variety, and each deserve our undivided attention, even if they only affect a certain portion of the population. For we are of Fordham,

and the needs of the few are the concerns of the many.

We are tasked with addressing the needs of the LGBTQ community, answering the call for genderneutral bathrooms, housing, signage and of overall making the school more inclusive of those who do not conform to archaic norms. Advocacy is not enough, and the time has come for us to make a difference. This is the 21st century, and we will not live in 2015 while pretending like it’s 1520.

We are also tasked with promoting positive mental health. It is easy to look past an individual who wears the mask of a smile, but bears the burden of pain. For this reason, we must treat each and every individual with the utmost of care and respect, for you may never know who is fighting the silent fight. We must defeat the stigma surrounding mental illness, for there is no shame in it. The only shame is that of stigma itself, which shames us all.

But that is not all, as our society continues to be rocked by racism, sexism, violence and prejudice. We have a duty to stand up to such horrendous violations toward humanity and pave the way forward toward a society that buries prejudice and hatred deep underground. These are issues we cannot ignore.

Through tabling, outreach and programming, we have an obligation to each other to fight these injustices, and to provide support for those who find themselves in need of it.

This year we saw the start of the Campus Assault and Relationship Education (CARE) initiative, but that was only the beginning. The road may seem long and endless, but know that it is not. We may face roadblocks ahead, and it

students informed about the Title IX policies on sexual assault and misconduct.

So why am I talking to you about USG and elections? USG will be having their elections on April 8 and 9 via OrgSync. This is one of the very few instances in which there will be competitive elections, particularly for the presidency. Each vote matters! I encourage you to vote for the person you think would best represent your voice and the student body.

There has been a low participation rate in USG elections over the years, and that may be a result of uncompetitive elections. With competitive elections, one vote can truly make all the difference. Please take the time to look at each candidate’s platform and what they hope to bring to Fordham Lincoln Center next year in their respective positions. Remember, this is your student government, and your

voice should be heard! Over the years, USG has helped bring a lot of change on campus and has been open in hearing out the voices and concerns of the student body. USG will continue to do so, but it needs your voice!

I have had the privilege and honor of serving as your USG President for the past two years. It has been a presidency full of experiences, memories, fun and blessings. I am and will be forever grateful for everything I have learned, the students, faculty and administrators I have worked with, and the experiences I have had during my involvement on USG. I truly hope that whoever takes the position next year feels the same way. With that said, it is time for you, the student body, to elect a new President, a new Executive Board and Senate. You all have a significant voice on who represents you on USG next year as there really is no USG without you.

Everyone is a Member of USG can be easy to feel discouraged. But just because we find ourselves in times of darkness and cannot see the road, does not mean that it is not there.

In times like these, we need only remember to turn on the light.

Furthermore, USG should not only be tasked with the support of social progress, but also with the simplification and optimization of the college experience for every student that calls Lincoln Center their home. Whether it means reforming course registration such that required classes are not scheduled at identical times, or dealing with Sodexo’s inability to change food items between lunch and dinner, we have a mandate to do everything we can to help the students in the short term, as well as act as a beacon of support for the long term.

In order to help achieve these tasks, I invite The Observer to establish a USG correspondent to come to all of our general meetings, not only to act as the press, but to oversee our promises and efforts to achieve them.

Furthermore, in the spirit of transparency, USG must release a semester report, which includes how Student Activities Budget Committee (SABC) funds were distributed to clubs by category, such as Academic, Sports & Recreation, among others.

We may be a government, but we should not be secretive like one.

The road ahead will test us, and some will try to stop us with red tape, while others with cries of traditionalism.

But it is here, today, that we lay the foundation to cross the chasm toward the future. And for every stone that is demolished, we will place two in its place. We will trudge onward, we will not falter and we will progress - ever forward.

“A commuter from Brooklyn, Jacob is a junior at FCLC double majoring in political science and international studies.

He is currently serving his second term as the United Student Government Vice President of Operations and was a senator his freshman year. He’s overseen the creation of 16 new clubs on campus, as well as the monthly Club Spotlight. He is also currently an intern at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, working in Accounting Operations since June 2013.”

Leighton Magoon

At the peak of my class’ New Student Orientation (NSO) in late August of 2013, in the course of the Club Leader Picnic on the Robert Moses Plaza, I was eagerly and nervously searching for clubs to get involved in. Since I had dabbled in student government in my high school days, I sought out and ultimately stumbled upon the United Student Government (USG) in the Plaza and was inspired by the following phrase one of their representatives said to me: “Everyone is a member of USG.” That phrase left a significant impact with me. The idea of a collective student body coming together to make a college campus the best it could be was a powerful thought. I envisioned huge groups of students gathering every week to serve the campus, working hand-inhand with fellow students and fix every problem. Inspired, I picked up my USG election packet and started my Senate campaign. I served as a Freshman Senator for a year and then began serving as USG’s Treasurer and the Chairperson of the Student Activities Budget Committee (SABC) this academic year. It was during this time I began to notice a disconnect between USG and our fellow students.

Most of our general meetings garnered the attendance of the Senate, Executive Board, USG’s advisor and perhaps a guest or two on a good day. This has been the case for the two years I have served on USG. At first I was satisfied with the limited attendance because it fostered a tight-knit community between the USG members, but something was missing for me.

What happened to “everyone” being a part of United Student Government?

There are routine reasons for not being able to attend club meetings: interfering class schedules, internships, students not knowing the meeting location, commitments with other clubs, potential lack of interest, forgetfulness - the list goes on. But it was when USG held our student-body town halls and received a minimal turnout that I wondered if there was something we were not doing. I became concerned about whether USG had advertised enough to the student body the whereabouts of our meetings and events or if people even knew what we do as the main student government group on campus.

I want people to know what we do in USG. Whether that is improved and consistent advertising via social media outlets, creating more posters or tabling more on the Plaza Level, students at Fordham University at Lincoln Center should know what USG does for them. It is an organization that exists for the students and I want everyone to know that. Why am I so determined about issues such as visibility and participation?

Because many important changes are happening here on campus: The new Law School building and McKeon Hall have completely changed and continue to change the culture and appearance of our campus for the better. Freshman class sizes continue to grow larger and larger. The Gabelli School of Business has opened its doors on our campus, bringing new business-minded students and hundreds more in the years to come. The old Law School building is being renovated and will be open in 2016-2017 with new services for undergraduates. Groups such as The Positive have reached out and

worked with USG to provide gender-neutral bathrooms on campus. Conversations regarding Title IX and sexual assault have continued to develop on our campus. So much is happening on our campus. I want you all to know about it and be involved in the conversation.

That is what United Student Government is here for: to provide that outlet for conversation.

So, I will gladly let you know there is always a chair saved for you on Thursday afternoons at 12:30 p.m. in LL502 for our USG general meetings. Anyone is free to come and hear what is taking place at their home away from home. I want everyone to know that USG and its members represent the students’ best wishes at heart and want the campus to flourish as much as the students do. We have had constructive conversations and dialogues for years within our small group, but I want to see more people participating.

I dream of the day when we need to request a larger room to host our general meetings to fit all our dozens of members.

However, I am realistic about how busy the students on our campus are, with clubs, classwork, GO! Projects, internships and all. So let me offer you this: if you have a free spot in your schedule on Thursday at 12:30 p.m., come to LL502, bring your friends, roommate(s), girlfriend, boyfriend, spouse or whoever and see what USG has been working on for you and your fellow students. Join the conversation and important conversations to come. Come and help us spread the phrase: “Everyone is a member of USG.” As I begin my campaign for President of United Student Government, these are the values I take to heart and hope to convey to the great student body of Fordham University at Lincoln Center.

“Leighton Magoon is a sophomore from South Berwick, Maine. A political science major and music minor, Leighton currently serves as Treasurer of United Student Government and Chairperson of the Student Activities Budget Committee.

He is a Social Justice Leader for the Dorothy Day Center for Service and Justice. Leighton is running for USG President to continue the progress USG has done to become the one, true representative body of all FCLC and GSBLC students.”

6

Opinions

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

Evaluating Our Evaluations ANNUNZIATA SANTELLI Staff Writer

Evaluations of colleges and their various courses and teachers have become more and more important with the rise of social media’s prominence in the lives of this college-age generation. For better or for worse, every one of us faces an onslaught of personal qualms, self-help guides and Answer.com-esque sites, all centered around the promotion of individual opinions on a public and global scale. Fordham’s class evaluation system, our school’s most professional medium of opinionbased research, is widely unpopular among the student body, most of whom feel as if their thoughts could be better shared elsewhere.

To keep the teacher complaints off YikYak and in the hands of people who could foster the growth of more beneficial classroom environments, the current evaluation form needs to be updated. Currently, it contains long, generalized ranking lists of Fordham’s courses and teachers. Although the purpose of this online quiz is to locate and fix problems within Fordham’s classes and teachers, the teachers cannot be expected to improve their ability to engage their students if Fordham’s own survey cannot.

Logistically, the format of the current course evaluation needs to be shortened. This will positively affect Fordham students’ engagement with the evaluation process, and it will ultimately result in more honest and clear reviews of courses and teachers. The goal of the course evaluations is to obtain enlighten-

PAYTON VINCELETTE/THE OBSERVER

ing testimonials that Fordham’s deans and administration can create a consensus from about the quality of their courses. First of all, the 1-9 ranking of specific classroom elements should be deleted entirely: its ambiguous and general catego-

ries confuse students, making for unclear input. Since these officials cannot be present during each class session to determine its success on their own, they should make sure that their aggregated information stems from honest and straightfor-

ward sources. The large number of multiple-choice ranking questions must be replaced by a smaller number of detailed short answer questions. This is the most basic change that Fordham’s administration can make to their evaluations.

Thus, when looking for specific areas for improvement, Fordham should look first at the professor section of their course evaluations. The anonymous style of the evaluations already allows for students to share honest feelings about their courses.

However, to keep the students interested in sharing their most important and perhaps detailed opinions, in the professor section of the evaluations there should be specific questions such as, “In what specific ways do you see your instructor showing interest in his/her material?”, or “How does your professor’s means of conveying his/her material to you increase your personal interest in the material, and where, if anywhere, can they improve upon this?”. Just as a student’s interest in their education determines how well they succeed in school, the course evaluations should focus on how well the professors’ interest in their careers and the futures of their students is expressed.

In terms of information available to Fordham’s prospective students, the biggest problem lies in their accuracy and air of accuracy.

This means that the professors and students providing their opinions should again be engaged and invested during the entire process.

Also, the way that their testimonials are published should eliminate any obvious bias. First and foremost, the number of questions should be small, their wording should be suc-

cinct and specific, and the answers should be in a short answer format provided anonymously.

The types of questions on a general school evaluation should be no less detailed than the ones about the teachers, and they should ask about a broad spectrum of Fordham’s services. For example, possible questions could be: “How does Fordham’s on-campus housing environment compare to the classroom environment, and how can the less successful place be changed to better match the other?”, “How do Fordham’s instructors stand out from other educational professionals that you have worked with in the past?” and “How did/does Fordham’s small population, specifically seen in the teacher to student ratio, shape the growth of your education?”

All of these questions share many common traits, but most importantly, they are all personal and allow for a variety of answers.

Plus, in three questions, many elements of life at Fordham have been touched upon. Other questions should focus on extra-curricular activities and means for social expression on campus, such as volunteering, journalism and the visual and theatrical arts.

Ultimately, Fordham should shape its course and school evaluations to accommodate the many unique perspectives of their students. If the people providing the opinions and information feel valued, then the information will be more accurate, honest and useful.

Then, Fordham’s administration can shape their classes, professors and the reputation of the school most productively.

Did Gangsta Rap Make Them Do It? JALEN GLENN Contributing Writer

In 2008, Ice Cube forcefully (though ironically) rapped, “I can say what I want to say ain’t nothing to it, gangsta rap made me do it.” These lyrics, and the rest of the song “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It,” satirize how gangsta rap, a subgenre of hip-hop, is constantly blamed for America’s problems. This scapegoating began in response to one of the sub-genre’s earliest releases: N.W.A’s 1988 album “Straight Outta Compton.” Many saw the violent and misogynist lyrics of the album as harmful to society, and as a reason for the poor living conditions of cities like Compton, Calif. This rhetoric surrounding gangsta rap has not changed, and MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski’s recent comments regarding the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) incident at the University of Oklahoma attest to this.

In response to the viral video of SAE members chanting a racist song, rapper Waka Flocka Flame decided to cancel his upcoming concert at the school. Flocka, as he is called by fans, told CNN’s Brianna Kelier in an interview that he was “hurt” and “disgusted” by the video, mainly because he had performed for these same kids before. During the next morning’s broadcast of “Morning Joe,” Brzezinski offered her opinion on Flocka’s comments. According to Brzezinski, Flocka “shouldn’t be disgusted with them.” Instead, he “should be disgusted with himself.”

Brzezinski highlighted Flocka’s lyrics, which according to her are “full of n-words” and “full of f-words,” as support for her conclusions. Through these statements, she perpetuated the narrative that has surrounded gangsta rap since 1988. But this same narrative has been, and continues to be, inaccurate.

Brzezinski’s inaccuracy specifically stems from her contradictory logic. Again, she claims that because Flocka’s songs are “full of n-words” and “full of f-words,” he should not be “disgusted” with the SAE members’ racist language, but rather, he “should be disgusted with himself.”

However, if she can be disgusted

by Flocka’s use of these words, and if Flocka should be disgusted with himself for using these words, then what inhibits him from being disgusted by the SAE members’ racism?

This visible conflict calls attention to the crux of Brzezinski’s argument: Flocka’s use of these words influenced how these individuals talked and acted, and for this reason, he should be blamed.

During the broadcast, she used a sample of Flocka’s lyrics as evidence to demonstrate her criticisms of his music. By suddenly implicating herself as an expert on Flocka’s music however, she should have noticed that he never explicitly expresses that individuals should use these words.

Moreover, if Brzezinski’s logic is to identify Flocka’s use of these words as the cause of the SAE members’ actions, she then would have to call every media figure who uses these words into question. This would include her “Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough, who back in 2008 dropped the f-bomb on live television. Obviously, this comparison would be illogical, just like her blaming of Flocka.

Equally wrong with Brzezinski’s quotation is how she successfully distracted the panel (and the viewing public) from contending with SAE’s racism. By blaming Flocka’s lyrics for SAE’s actions, she redirected the conversation from one that was focused on the issue at hand, to ridicule of the rapper (a panelist made a comment that the rapper should be addressed as Mr. Flame). Rather than seeking a quick way out via Flocka’s lyrics, Brzezinski would have done

COURTESY OF JASON JIRON VIA FLICKR

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame.

well to listen to his thoughts on how he believed the SAE members’ racism was “passed down.” Unpacking this portion of the CNN interview would have led to a more productive conversation on the roots of racism within this fraternity and America at large.

But Brzezinski’s blame of Flocka performed the opposite and implied an even more troublesome notion: that Flocka’s lyrics are the source of the SAE members’ racism. In other words, to her, the SAE members’ rac-

ist sentiments were a result of the “nwords” and “f-words” that are within Flocka’s lyrics. As a consequence, Brzezinski effectively ignored, and in fact, concealed, the ideological and structural foundations of America that have caused more harm than any Waka Flocka Flame lyric ever has.

Suggesting that Flocka’s lyrics are not at times problematic or offensive would be as imprecise as Brzezinski’s remarks. These songs can and do at times impart sexist, homophobic and

classist ideals. Nevertheless, Brzezinski’s identification of Flocka as the cause of the SAE members’ actions does not begin to solve the issues discussed above. If Flocka were to clear his lyrics of the foul language that she is crusading so hard against, America would still have to deal with racism, sexism, homophobia and classism. Thus, in order to work to abolish these oppressions, one needs to locate where they come from. Only then can productive conversations occur and true social justice emerge.

COURTESY OF MEREDITH SUMMERS

8

The Comma

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

A Postcard to the City Where We Fell in Love

Self-Expression

By MEREDITH SUMMERS

By KERRY MCCABE

Darling, Mon doudou, You, I moved. I thought I would be easier to redefine myself in a city where I didn’t have someone else to define me.

As the locals would say, je vole de mes propres ailes. The weather is lovely. I spend all day eating baguettes and frolicking on nude beaches. Sometimes it’s almost like I don’t think of you constantly. I’m thinking of getting a poodle.

Curled up next to the furnace in the corner This apartment’s too big for just one unit The heat doesn’t circulate from the front to the back Crumpled on the couch to avoid confrontation This apartment’s too small for two whole people I read your secret journal from the front to the back “Darling, don’t take things so personally,” you say But I am a person I don’t know how else to take it

Love, Ce ne sont pas vos oignons, Me

City Stars

By ERIKA ORTIZ

It troubles a lot of people when they can’t see the stars. That’s what’s so disconcerting about cities. You can cast your eyes overhead at night, searching, but all you see are sleek metal buildings against a luminescent gray background. These pillars that embody modern living reach for a sky that can never be the inky black it is in other places, striving to find the stars they drove out of town because the city wasn’t big enough for the both of them.

It troubles a lot of people when they can’t see the stars. I think they serve to ground people, to remind them that the world is so big and yet so small at the same time. Kids wish on stars because they seem magical, as if they possess some otherworldly power.

Others look to the stars for guidance when they’re lost, physically or otherwise. The stars offer the comfort of proving that you are both incredibly important and not important at all.

I was never troubled when I couldn’t see the stars.

When I was a kid, I used to wish on them like every-

body else, but I got tired of wishing and wishing with no result. Instead of grounding me, stars only fed my existential crises. The stars tied me to a small town where I had felt too much pain to live comfortably.

Instead of the celestial bodies that embodied false hope, I longed for the shine of city lights; to me, city lights were far more appealing.

I dreamt of becoming one of them. I wanted to be a city light. I wanted to twinkle and glow with the multitude of others just like me, creating something real and beautiful and otherworldly in its own right.

These manmade stars were full of promise, but unlike the stars of my childhood, these stars promised something attainable. They were both incredible and real. I could nestle myself among them. I could actually become one of them.

It troubles a lot of people when they can’t see the stars. But maybe one day, if you’re lucky, you’ll get to be one yourself.

MARIA KOVOROS/THE OBSERVER

(w)hole

By HANNA TADEVICH

She was born into the world gasping for air and in that first inhalation gathered so much breath it expanded her heart and left it gaping, in want of being filled. Whatever she saw, whatever she touched; it seeped into her veins and became her lifeblood. Never did she collect a stamp or a coin, but she greedily stockpiled handfuls of dirt and images of faces, the mingling of voices and words that felt like hers.

One day in between collecting choir chords and nighttime sighs, she discovered she could collect friendship.

She was jealous with the desire to own it all, to gather everything that one person could share; in exchange she would give away all the creaky floor boards and rustling leaves, the bubble wrap and clingy seaweed, her mother’s paintbrush and her father’s voice. This was power; this was a treaty of trade; this meant their collections would be twice as worthy.

She and her friend profited from the pact for years. Now they each owned a great many more memories. Every puddle splash and broken heart was felt double; every chocolate tasted twice. Other, smaller treaties were made with other, less important friends; but they were still honored and valued, and sometimes brought into the collection a risky dare or exhilarating brush of lips or the splintering of a broken collarbone.

Eventually her friend broke the agreement for a new ally. She knew she’d lose everything. She had given away the voices and words, the dirt and the ocean, the paintbrush and maybe the mother. Even the shared collection – the bare feet slapping concrete and the roughness of the roof tiles on their thighs – her friend had taken it away, was giving it to someone new.

For a while, she grew very thin. New people told her she was beautiful but she didn’t have the heart to collect their voices, much less their words; so she felt uglier and uglier instead. She tried to pretend she was an island. A tree. A rock. Something that could stand alone. But it wasn’t working; the thoughts slid away from what used to be a steel trap mind.

She floated, tripped through the air with nothing tying her to the earth or the sky; until finally she smacked into an old oak tree. He took one look at her and said, “Your soul is beautiful but your body has shrunken so that the heart grows smaller every day. Here, let me show you what food the earth has when you plant yourself here.” A branch reached tenderly for the withered girl’s hand, and too tired to resist, she let him pull her feet to the ground.

“Take off your shoes,” said the oak tree. She did. “Now grab some dirt with your toes,” said the oak tree. She did. And suddenly her breath was caught in her throat as handfuls of dirt and images of faces came flooding back to her body. She closed her eyes and held the oak tree’s hand tightly, letting his voice be the one that reminded her of others. The voices crept up from her toes to her ankles and calves, sending a shivering up her thighs and into her pelvis. They turned to words and suddenly letters and whispers and even whole chapters came pushing their way into her heart.

She opened her eyes. “Did you find your friend’s voice yet?” asked the oak tree. “Did you find the puddle splashes and broken hearts? The calluses from the concrete or the sunburned thighs?” The girl shook her head. “No,” she whispered hoarsely, “those ones didn’t come back.” The oak tree hummed lowly, “Mmmm they will though. Go find the whipping winds and the searing sun, the gaze of new eyes and brush of new lips. Soon you’ll have learned that the faces, the voices, the sounds, and the senses… they are yours forever. Your heart is a house built on love and it’s got rubber walls.”

The girl stayed with the oak tree for months, confused by his words but collecting them anyway, allowing her roots to feed her emaciated frame until it was strong and bold once again. Then she set out in the new house she had built for herself: it was a heart house full of all the people who gave her home, even the ones who had left long ago… she stored their ghosts there in hope that she would meet their spirits in someone new.

The 13th Mourner at a Funeral

By PATRICK J. SKEA

Nibbling dry bread Loves a woman who is dead Springs through a trapdoor Points a long accusing finger [Bloom meeting his maker; maybe] Notorious fireraiser; dog Of a Christian Shoot him! So much for Walking the lonely canyon What self-involved enigma, not Comprehending…

Yes, I saw him Where has he disappeared to?

Not a sign; Silly superstition about thirteen…

Passed swiftly and unscathed Prize tidbit story Death; Poor Paddy Where’d he disappear to?

Thank you.

How grand are we this morning!

COURTESY OF MEREDITH SUMMERS

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER March 26, 2015

“Where are we?” she said. She was standing in line for the bathroom. She spoke no French. She prayed nobody would speak to her in the toilets.

By SAMANTHA NORMAN

New York you look murky with chill but you’re tense, dense, and humid Disease isn’t stupid Though those emerald city’s rose-tinted lenses the sun doesn’t shine and the clouds stitch the corners of a blanket to each end of the horizon and the tent is a dull carnal hunter green, a green that’s itching, wishing to rot New York, now, you’re slacking They told you that you’re visited invaded and entered to be loved but it doesn’t feel

New York your street signs are spelled sideways but everything’s rising and not without your leaky heaving sigh and a puffed-up self-impression that floats like a plastic ghost between the tires and the traffic lines You and I we take turns holding tongues and we stagger our silences New York, you woke up next to me and I was too polite to kiss your shoulder through the scaffolding but your contorted spine cried for caress like an aching bloom stretches for sunlight New York my mouth can’t form the words to tell you that I’m angry New York I want to love you back New York, cry harder.

Empty, New York, empty Autumn is blushing across the Hudson

We were at a college party, or a school dance, we couldn’t tell. We were far from our château. We were further from home.

The metro was closed and a taxi would cost €20. We had spent what we had on three bottles of wine and baguettes for dinner.

“It is the best party in Paris tonight,” a man said on the train car earlier that night. We didn’t mean to speak to him.

He was looking at us because we were “foreign” and we were looking at him because he was “foreign.” We took the address from him but continued on the train. We told him we’d be there later. We got off and wandered to the American bar where we downed Amstel Lights. We danced with older ladies there; their arms jiggled as they did their two-step to “Single Ladies.” One lady’s bifocals fell off her face and to the floor.

“I can’t see without them,” she said.

Their husbands looked on. We couldn’t tell if they were angry that we were dancing with their wives or pleased that they didn’t have to do it themselves. We left, though.

We were there. We were there, but we had lost some of our crew along the way, to sleepiness, to drunkenness, to boredom, to the allure of a night alone in Paris or to a night accompanied in Paris. We had lost some members.

The room smelt of sweat and movement. It could’ve been trapped in the spongy material of the bench presses. It probably wasn’t.

Bodies slammed together, drawn magnetically, on the dance floor, swelling with the beat of the decidedly-not French music. Americana, in the worst sense, pervaded the gymnasium. It had a quick pace and sounded as if Pan were giggling. ¬Was it imperialism echoing through the tall ceilings or was it love?

A man ripped off his shirt. Several followed. They danced together. They danced away from me.

I left. I left and I took my dignity with me. Or I left my dignity there. But I took my Heineken with me. The next morning, over tea and bread, a friend listed the many notable and important people who had attended that school in the past.

After Midnight in Paris

New York I’m angry, because you got quiet, too and I am not silent and my friends back home they know that but it sits, this island state, in a muted sea They know my quiet isn’t diagnosed by passionlessness but a line of elmer’s glue asphyxiates a heart that thickens thought and keeps the roots from warming until its trunk, its arteries get big New York we’re bloated

like love it feels like necrophilic doting with your object as a mirror but you still yes you still want to prove it’s possible to fall in love New York, you’re beautiful when you smile.

Your traffic light eyes kill me twice through the fog

9

Three holes marked the wall next to where I stood standing, waiting for her.

I could see pipes and concrete and the strobe light shined in the darkest parts of the holes. Gym equipment had been cleared out of the basketball court and pushed against the wall. In their place were the carcasses of consumed champagne bottles. I counted fifty-three corks before me. I couldn’t count the kegs.

By IAN MCKENNA

The New Yorker

New York you woke up in a film Covered in cellophane and ash like an untouched scratch-off lotto ticket, pillowcasing crimson gold and a prize you’re too afraid to win

The Comma

I sipped my tea and nodded. He was never quiet and I needed quiet.

I wondered if Sartre had ever seen a man, topless and grinding, in the gym.

I wondered if it had shaken him. I wondered if he had recovered. I wondered if that’s why he wrote “Nausea.”

COURTESY OF IAN MCKENNA

hip s n o i n a Comp L

By KAY

GELO A D’AN

It wasn’t that James had never heard of therapy dogs for PTSD. It was just that he didn’t want one. He didn’t need a guard dog. His therapist liked to talk about how recovering from PTSD is a process, and how a dog could help him through that process as well as the medication he refused to take or the group therapy sessions run by Veteran’s Affairs that he refused to go to. James had been adamantly against getting a therapy dog, but he could admit he had always wanted a dog growing up. And his therapist said he needed companionship. He’d argued that Steve was companionship, but she’d only countered that hiding in his apartment with his boyfriend wasn’t healthy. A dog would give him a reason to go outside, which considering the fact that he’d been forced to admit the only time he left the apartment was for his therapy sessions, was something sorely needed. And she wasn’t exactly wrong about him hiding in his apartment with his boyfriend, so they’d compromised— this weekend, James and Steve were going to the nearest shelter to adopt a dog for their apartment. Steve really wanted a Golden Retriever. James didn’t know what he wanted, as long as it didn’t bark like a Pomeranian.

He vaguely remembers that their landlady at their old apartment used to have a Pomeranian, and he never wants to hear that annoying yipping sound ever again.

He expects the shelter to be loud. It doesn’t make it easier to walk in, even linked arm-in-arm with Steve. It’s not exactly the wrong sort of loud of construction sites or busy streets where the sudden noises echo like gunshots, but he can’t quite shake the buzzing in his ears when he hears the cacophony of barks. Steve squeezes his wrist to reassure him, and James tries to remember to take slow, deep breaths, the way his therapist taught him.

Breathe in four, hold it four, breathe out four, breathe normally four.

Repeat.

After he goes through this cycle a few times, his legs following Steve automatically, they’ve reached the front desk and the barking has become mostly background noise. He ignores the conversation Steve has with the receptionist in favor of looking around. Before the PTSD, James was the charmer, but since its onset Steve has taken over. There are several pens set up in the front for dogs that play well with others, and they seem to be separated by size. They’re all puppies, however. He’s not sure he wants a puppy. He knows from his research that older dogs are much less likely to be adopted, and don’t they deserve a home too? But his therapist wants him to have a secure bond with the dog, which comes easier with puppies.

Not that he expects anything about this to be easy.

While he’s staring at a fluffy golden dog chewing on another one’s ear,

Steve nudges him. “C’mon, the older ones are in the back.” James’s not entirely sure he does want an older one, but he wants to at least see, so he nods and follows.

The back isn’t as open as that front room. The shelter needs to make use of what space is available as much as anyone else in New York—more, probably—and cages line the walls. Steve immediately makes friends with a German Shepherd near the front; the receptionist says his name is Duke and he walks with a limp. Steve turns around to beam at James, and while Duke does sound very sweet, James isn’t looking. He’s staring at the end of the hall where a pair of ears is sticking out from behind a stack of food bags. Steve follows his gaze and can’t hold back a giggle of all things, and the girl guiding them immediately turns around to see what they’re looking at. Her face drops.

“Anderson!” She dashes towards the ears, which retreat, but in seconds there’s a furry little creature in her arms, which she brings back to the pair. The dog is still chewing on its prize, crunching happily as though it hadn’t just been scolded. She sighed and turned it to face them. “This is Anderson Pooper. His owner dropped him off awhile ago, said he couldn’t be trained. At first we thought it was just the owner, but he’s a wily little rascal. I’ll just go put him away.”

“Can I hold him?” The words are out of James’s mouth before he realizes he’s saying them, the first words he’s spoken to anyone besides Steve or his therapist in months, but he’s too embarrassed to take them back afterwards. And he kind of really wants to hold the dog. It has stubby little legs and huge ears—Corgi, his mind supplies—and it just looks so happy despite being stuck in this dismal place, and he wants to hold the dog. It feels strange to want something so strongly after months of feeling through a fog. He can just barely see Steve raising an eyebrow at him in his peripheral vision, but he ignores it. Somehow it’s even easier to ignore the strange look the receptionist is giving him even though she’s the one standing in front of him, because she’s still handing Anderson over to him, and that’s enough. Anderson Pooper—what a name. If the owner hadn’t been the one who’d dumped him here, he’d want to meet the guy who came up with that pun.

Anderson settles into James’s arms happily, rubbing his snout against the leather jacket he was wearing, and something in his chest feels lighter than it did walking in. And even though James hadn’t known what he wanted, hadn’t even known if he really wanted a dog, the decision wells up in him the same way his words had when he asked for Anderson in the first place. He was going home with a dog that day, and that dog’s name was Anderson Pooper.

JESS LUSZCZYK/THE OBSERVER

10

Photo

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

SPRING BREAK The Observer photographers documented their spring breaks and where they spent time in various cities throughout the United States.

ALEX BANDEA/THE OBSERVER

ALEX BANDEA/THE OBSERVER

MICHELLE QUINN/THE OBSERVER

JESS LUSZCZYK/THE OBSERVER

PAULA MADERO/THE OBSERVER

MARIA KOVOROS/THE OBSERVER

JESSICA HANLEY/THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER March 26, 2015

Photo

11

SPRING BREAK

PAULA MADERO/THE OBSERVER

MICHELLE QUINN/THE OBSERVER

MARIA KOVOROS/THE OBSERVER

MICHELLE QUINN/THE OBSERVER

JESSICA HANLEY/THE OBSERVER

JESSICA HANLEY/THE OBSERVER

12

The Comma

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

ns o y a r C ect Imperf By

SHEW BETH ELIZA

Harper disappears the moment I ask for a toothbrush. I hear her speaking to her mother in the master bedroom, their voices muffled by the door. She sounds upset, but I didn’t know I was sleeping over; it’s not my fault that I don’t have toiletries. If Harper really didn’t want to lend me anything, the she should have told me to call my parents and get a ride home. I put on my borrowed pajamas, and then I sit on Harper’s bed while I wait for her to bring the toothbursh. Harper’s room, like the rest of her house, belongs in a magazine: pale blue walls, floaty drapes, and warm Christmas lights. I’ve always thought it too splendid to live in.

When the toothbrush arrives, it’s introduced by Harper’s mom, not harper.

“Here you are,” Mrs. Dabney says, and she hands me the box.

“I just bought this yesterday.”

I don’t know how to reply. After my discussion with Harper, every simple exchange feels like a test. Am I a good guest or a bad one? A worthy friend or a loser?

“Thanks,” I fumble, and retreat into the bathroom. I realize as I’m brushing my teeth that I forgot to make eye contact.

When I return, Harper is on the floor in a sleeping bag, her back to the doorway.

“You can have my bed, “ she says without preamble. I hesitate, but she doesn’t turn over, so I turn off the light and crawl into Harper’s bed. We lie there in daunting silence.

“Thanks for letting me sleep over,” I venture finally. It’s already one-thirty in the morning.

“No problem,” Harper says, but—I must be imagining it—the words sound merely civil.

“I’m glad we got to talk,” I add. Harper must feel better now, too. My mom always says that a good discussion can save a marriage, so surely a three-hour talk was enough to save a middleschool friendship?

“Yeah.”

I don’t know what to make of Harper’s reticence. Maybe she’s tired.

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“Hey Miranda?” Harper asks. I turn and squint at her in the dark.

“Yeah?”

“You know how you said that Ava’s selfish?”

I sigh into Harper’s pillow, because I’m really sick of talking about Ava. I’m not her friend anymore, and that’s fine, because I never liked her that much anyways. I just don’t understand why Harper keeps bringing her up.

“Yeah, I do. Why?” “Well, remember when you and I were desk buddies in first grade?”

“Yes...?”

“There was a day when they passed out crayon boxes,” Harper says, and I really wish she’d lower her voice; it feels like a moment for whispers. “Half of your crayons were broken, but mine were all new. You said that we should switch boxes, because it was better to appreciate a broken thing than a whole thing. But—and here’s what I don’t understand—if it was better to have the broken box, then why did you try to take mine?”

I stare at Harper in the dark. My memory feels like a murky video with the audio cut out. This is the problem with “lifelong friends,” I think angrily, they remember all the things they shouldn’t.

“That was ages ago,” I say defensively. “Ava’s doing the same thing, it’s just with friends instead of crayons this time. She’s trying to keep you all to herself.”

Harper doesn’t reply. We’re back to the same place we were three hours ago, and I feel frustration lodge in my throat like some kind of hairball. I wonder if this is what it feels like when mom and dad try to sleep after an argument.

But I’ve always thought that waking up means a new start: the argument is over, the relationships remain. I close my eyes and try to envision the next morning, a morning when Harper will call Ava and confess that she only wants to be friends with me. I dream of pink whales instead, and when Harper says good-bye to me the next morning, it sounds unnervingly final.

PAULA MADERO/THE OBSERVER

The Pharaoh’s Request Nameless

By AREEG ABDELHAMID

I don’t know if I should say that you are gone, my dear or about to find an end.

And when he called, I swore that I’d leave or believe but he kept calling since he remembered you, and remembered your sin.

So next time, remind me to tell him you’re dead.

By VALERIA SHATILOVA

Sonnet

STE CEBO YU OMEZ-A G IA IL C

By CE

Take me, little death, in your sweet embrace, Tell Hypnos it’s his time to carry me From the lit plains of sunflower faces And lay me to rest under moon lilies.

Shower me with your kiss – I’ll drink it all But parched will start dreaming. Let us be shy, Your blush will meet mine, caress, we will fall As others have in life’s greatest lie – But we, we will lie otherwise, ourselves As one, in two, evermore intimate.

Under the lightless pillows we must delve, Hide me, little death, for the sun is late.

I have no memory, but still my mind, Insists on dreaming of your skin on mine.

The sun heavily rises in the sky Your painting hangs undone on the wall The portrait of an unknown woman Lost to history She sat for you Long hours filled with longing The paint is wet on her neck Her dress falling A finite love Shallow, like the creek where she belongs She gazes beyond me Unsatisfied Her eyes lack shadows Why did you love her?

The black velvet that I throw upon her It hangs heavily with sorrow She sleeps peacefully somewhere A broken soul And I sigh with defeat She sat for you, not I You chased me away into the silent night While the young Princess has it all And the young Knight wanders the world’s edge But he left her unfinished And hanging on the wall

MARIA KOVOROS/THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

I remembered the wind in the now-rotted trees.

I remembered the shadows cast around me like I was in some run down haunted house. I remembered the puddle of standing water that I would always manage to step in, and yet I made the same mistake again. I smiled as I walked deeper into the woods in search of the thing I still couldn’t explain: the footprint.

This is where I grew up. When I was younger, I climbed past my flimsy chain link fence and went into the woods. They were greener than I think they are now. I ran, walked, discovered, played knights and dragons. Typical childhood fare. Then I found the real dragon. I fell into a footprint of something big, massive. I remember thinking that nothing could be that big wandering around some little Appalachian suburbs’ backwoods. Trying to rationalize it when I was younger, I thought there could be no place this monster in the woods could hide, except for maybe the old factory in the clearing. It was only a few steps away, it’d be easy to check right?

With the sheet metal rusted away, the windows shattered, and where there should have been a garage door was just a gaping maw of darkness, I didn’t feel up to task at that time. The time when I was younger.

I was not young anymore, but not old as I would like. I felt the scar on the base of my neck, stepping through the fallen dead branches, I remem-

THE OBSERVER March 26, 2015

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us r au s o n n a r Ty

bered the new dragon now. I’m home now because of him. He’s real now.

But I had to meet this old dragon, I had to know if he was there as I was sure he was when I was younger. The footprint was gone, the cliff that housed it was strip mined for new land. There was no place I felt like was my home here anymore.

Except for that factory, and as I reached the clearing: the last part remained.

By

ION NN A M OR NN CO

One last mystery to be solved. One last game of knights and dragons. I held my breath and walked into the darkness.

I opened my eyes, and saw nothing. Then I made out the shapes of the darkness, then the shapes of the things in the darkness. Old car parts, some debris, a old scaffold that had long given out. I felt my scar again, and thought of the new dragon.

I took a picture of the old factory, the one last mystery of my life. I walked out in disappointment only to have it further compounded by my tripping on the way out.

It was a footprint and it was fresh. And as I turned back, I heard a guttural roar of either the roof of the old unsafe factory finally giving way or something else entirely. I ran free and I did not look back. I knew it.

And as I ran back through the forest in fear of the old dragon reborn, I felt alive.

COURTESY OF MEREDITH SUMMERS

Millennial Romance

By MADELINE LAMBERT

I look like such an idiot. Do not wear sunglasses in Whole Foods at night; people will either assume you are blind or trying to steal groceries. I am obviously not blind. I will confess, I did steal a tube of lipstick from CVS on two separate occasions during my time as an adolescent still clinging to the false hope that I might perhaps be a wild child. But now the thought of stealing just makes me sweaty. I also realized that two things of lipstick is basically all the lipstick you need.

Have too many colors and you’ll begin to look like a kleptomaniac. People don’t really invite you over if they think you are a compulsive thief.

I do not usually frequent Whole Foods because it is crowded, the aisles are organized in a stupid way, and the people who shop here tend to be annoying. You can be a vegan pediatrician and still be an asshole. But of course I am not the best judge of character. I used to make up my second grade journal entries. Despite what Mrs. Woods believes, my mother never birthed baby girl triplets and I never won a blue ribbon in horseback riding. In this constant disappointment that is reality, I possess only brothers and am afraid of horses.

There is solid reasoning behind my shades-inside look. First, my parents gave me an expensive pair last Christmas which I have been trying to wear more often. I am extremely fond of eyewear but have perfect vision and also dislike the sun and going outside. As a little girl I lied my way into glasses. The eye exam is perhaps the easiest of the medical tests to fake; you simply make up letters. I had a very chic pair of pink readers, which I wore low on my nose and peered over for a full year and a half before my parents were made aware of my flawless eyesight. I am nothing if not committed. I only really lie in the face of extreme boredom or any degree of uncomfortableness. This is perhaps the reason why I have declared myself a college senior named Ivy studying art history at nearly every party I have attended since age thirteen, despite having very little interest in either art or history.

But the main reason I am in this terrible, terrible store is I had to drop my friend off on her blind date.

Really my job is to walk past them pretending to be a complete stranger while judging if he is hideous or going to kidnap/murder her. Simple. Why they decided

to meet in front of a major grocery store I am uncertain. I also now realize that I have never met the man and he does not know what I look like, so the whole sunglasses thing is slightly without purpose.

I do not know why she believed I would be able to recognize insanity with only a glance considering the only boy I’ve ever really dated turned out to be an antique doll collector. The first and only time I was in his apartment all I could do was imagine his strangled mother buried somewhere underneath the many, many fully outfitted dolls. I then proceed to date him for three additional weeks.

But I owe this friend because I threw up in her bed six days ago after going to Jamba Juice twice in under forty-five minutes. It was the color of rainbows. So I did a brief walk by, texted her confirming he was mildly attractive with no apparent murderous tendencies, and am now wandering the aisles of Whole Foods wondering why chocolate covered almonds cost six and a half dollars. Another reason I hate this store.

P.S. Her date went terribly and we’re all going to die alone.

MARIA KOVOROS/THE OBSERVER

14

The Comma

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

www.fordhamobserver.com

Black is Beautiful: A Commentary on Black Fetishization

By SAVONNE ANDERSON

Growing up, I was made very aware that I was beautiful. My family never let me forget it, and despite the media’s portrayal of black women as undesirable, I’ve never felt the desire to be lighter or have white features. I am proud as hell of my brown skin, black nose, big lips, and everything else Black Girl. Although I knew that everyone didn’t think black women were perfection, it didn’t matter to me because I didn’t care about those people’s opinions.

In recent years, though, it has become clear to me that saying “black is ugly” isn’t the only way that our beauty is downplayed and saying “black is beautiful” isn’t always in support of black people. Many people think of blackness as a cool trend, a fad, something different and foreign to be exoticized or sexualized. So when some people (usually white) comment on my beauty, because many times they just have an odd fascination with things about black people. Going to a predominately white high school and university, I have been made very aware of the ways that nonblack men and women perceive certain things about my beauty, but not really me.

In the ways that women talk about my hair and my body and in the ways that men compliment me and show interest in dating me, it is obvious that they don’t view my appearance as something more than a trend or fetish.

You can compliment me without comparing me to food, as if I’m something for you to consume. A “black girl butt” isn’t achieved with squats or eating cornbread, despite the myths you’ve been fed. My naturally curly and big hair is not something that I can show you how to do, because it is who I am. I can’t teach you to be black. Being with me is not something you “try out” just to see what it’s like to be close to brown skin. People who say these types of things don’t think Black is Beautiful; they think it’s sexy and that our hair is cool.

These comments and sentiments are what inspired my submission to my school’s Black Student Alliance “I Too Am Fordham” campaign. I posted the photo onto my Tumblr a few weeks ago and am happy that it’s been reblogged and liked so much. I really hope that in addition to other black people sharing my sentiments, that this message reaches nonblack people who will educate themselves and others on how to not fetishize black beauty.

Fireflies

By CAITLIN ORLANDO

If I get too close maybe they’ll manifest Manipulate each other into fuzzy monsters floating just above itchy flimsy stalks waiting to be plucked from stark white roots I float alongside not quite planting myself ignorance never begets innocence and mature curses eventually forget their youth when they would flail about

screeching delusional dreams: “what if I had been born a blessing” Reconcile their malcontent Tiny beady bodies engulfing brethren bauble bottoms until the thick curtailing of the squid inked sky engulfed every last bright butt So menacingly ominously dark even demons decide to go home.

Loaded “nothings” shoot from my lips Aced aerialists dipping ducking and diving sneakily deciding when to dart up and out and in Waiting to brand my flesh with an electrical PULSE No safety net when the only cure is to be pierced again by a sturdy sword sharpened through osmosis Diffusion: a captive in my pentagonal room overpowering scents that dare not speak their own names Will I let slip how everything really might be just dirt or can I bleed golden beets forever Boiling over and over until my mismatched shapes haphazardly chopped are tender enough to fork into the moist cavern that holds steady and heavy breathing in my boiled blood It’s a fleeting poisonous kind of pretty that compels me to S T R E T C H out my arm then my hand then my fingers gingerly uncoiled from self-aware fists (who were shocked to realize protection is a joke) Forever trying to touch, never quite reaching the cusp Beautiful lies are formidable saviors

JESS LUSZCZYK/THE OBSERVER

COURTESY OF MEREDITH SUMMERS

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor Ramona Venturanza — ramonaventuranza@gmail.com

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

“House of Cards” Changes Views of Politics at FCLC

By JOSEPH RAMETTA Asst. Arts & Culture Co-Editor

For many, American politics is a very sensitive subject. But for approximately 5 million viewers from the ages 16 to 24 on Netflix, the show “House of Cards” has successfully turned this hesitant view of American politics around, including students and faculty at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC).

On March 31 in the South Lounge at FCLC, “House of Cards” creator Beau Willimon will discuss the various aspects of this hit Netflix series.

Beth Knobel, professor of communication and media studies at Fordham College Rose Hill (FCRH) and coordinator of the event, said, “Willimon, creator and executive producer of ‘House of Cards,’ will be coming to Lincoln Center to talk about many aspects of the show, such as what it is about, how it came about, how they come up with story lines … et cetera.”

As the show leaves many people with questions waiting to be answered, this will be a great opportunity for students to get an inside scoop of “House of Cards” from the creator himself. “[The event] will also operate as a question and answer session with the students. The students will have the opportunity to ask [Willimon] any type of question about the show. It will be an open question and answer session,” Knobel said.

In regards to the show, Paul Levinson, professor of communication and media studies at FCLC, said that “House of Cards” transcends the way audiences watch television and politics. “The show has sparked a new light on politics by putting together an interesting plot and dramatizing it to a point that makes it attractive to a mass audience,” he said.

Furthermore, “House of Cards” successfully makes viewers think about what really goes on in the White House. Jennifer Clark, assistant professor of communication and media studies at FCLC, said, “The producers structured the show in a way where it is up to the

JESSICA HANLEY/ THE OBSERVER

“House of Cards” is now available on Netflix, and is in its third season.

audience’s imagination to figure out what goes on in the White House.

As much of the show is fictional or dramatized, the truth of the White House will away remain a question to Americans.”

The combination of the show’s drama and fiction spark a sense of entertainment about American politics. Sara Jackson, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ‘15, said, “A show can never fully portray the operations of the government because honestly it would be boring. It would be like watching C-span all day. And nobody wants to do that.”

There are multiple elements of

the show that students find fascinating. For instance, many are drawn to the show’s main character, Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), who is the ruthless congressman. Through violence, manipulation and collaboration with his wife, Claire Underwood (Robin Wright), Spacey’s character rises to power in the White House. In regards to the show and Spacey, Alex Hladick, FCLC ’17, said, “When I see Frank Underwood, I find it really hard to picture him as the president; he’s done so much evil in the show.”

Even with its drama, “House of Cards” finds a way to maintain a

sense of realism, as it connects to current events. Connor McHugh, Fordham Gabelli School of Business (GSBRH) ’17, said, “I really like how it keeps up with current events and what is actually going on in the world.”

Another factor of the show, which many feel is a key to its success, is the show’s premiere strategy. While many shows premiere once a week at a particular time and date, “House of Cards” releases its series all at once.

In addition, being an Internet series, the show allows people to watch the show on the go from tablet devices, mobile phones and personal laptops.

Arianna Miskel, (GSBRH) ’17, said, “Regardless of the platform that ‘House of Cards’ is aired on, I believe the show has grabbed the interest of millennials. Although it was bound to be an influential show, ‘House of Cards’ definitely has more young viewers because it is aired on Netflix.

Airing the show on the Internet enables more people to watch it.”

“House of Cards” has succeeded in attracting attention. If you’re a fan or not, it cannot be argued that “House of Cards” has become a major topic of interest for many people. both young and old.

The Comma Interrobang

50 Shades of Growl

By MEREDITH SUMMERS Literary Co-Editor & Copy Editor

I’m not proud to say it, but I saw “50 Shades of Grey” (and before you get upset, I made proper amends for feeding into the franchise). I didn’t go into it with high expectations. I read the first book and couldn’t bear to read the other two. As I anticipated, the movie showcased all the things that bothered me in the book: the fetishization of domestic violence, the inaccurate representation of what a consensual BDSM relationship looks like, the fact that I couldn’t stop seeing the characters as one dimensional reproductions of the “Twilight” characters, and so much more.

However, what ended up bothering me the most was something I’m not sure was even in the books--the fact that every time Ana tries to eat something someone else takes it from her or stops her. When Ana comes home from in-

terviewing Christian for the school newspaper, she offers to make her roommate a sandwich. The roommate turns her down, but as soon as Ana has finished making her own sandwich, her roommate gets up off the couch, takes it off her plate and walks away. So instead of eating, Ana Googles Christian Grey.

The next time it happens is the morning after Christian throws a fit and drags a blackout drunk Ana back to his hotel room. She wakes up and he hands her a piece of toast and says she needs to eat. She takes a bite and he then takes his shirt off, climbs on top of her and eats most of the toast. I don’t know about everyone else, but there aren’t many things I find less sexy than eating my food without my permission.

Finally, the morning after she and Christian sleep to-

gether, Ana gets up and makes a huge breakfast for the two of them. As she finishes cooking her food and sits down, Christian grabs her hand, kisses her wrist, and says it’s time for her to go get cleaned up. It seems that the poor girl hasn’t eaten in days at this point. The freaking contract says that she has to eat (albeit off a list of foods Christian makes, but eat none the less).

I’m not sure if this was just some oversight on the part of the people making the movie or if they are trying to encourage some sort of starvation and body image issues among their ardent fans, but as someone who gets pretty territorial about her food, I couldn’t help but notice that Ana apparently cannot have her cake and eat it too. Forget “50 Shades of Grey” for Anastasia’s stomach it was more like “50 Shades of Growl.”

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Fordham Professor Announces Release of New Book Margaret Schwartz Releases “Dead Matter: The Meaning of Iconic Corpses” this November

By ANAMARIA GLAVIN Contributing Writer

“A corpse is much more than a dead body,” Margaret Schwartz, associate professor of communication and media studies at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), said.

In her new book, “Dead Matter: The Meaning of Iconic Corpses,” which comes out Nov. 25, 2015, Schwartz suggests that corpses are more alive than one would think.

With a cover of a green stick-figure wearing a white glove (alluding to Michael Jackson), the book highlights two things: the first being a reference to a discipline of academia known as “new materialism,” which focuses on the cultural and political significance of objects. Second, she emphasizes the role of corpses that were once public figures, ranging from politicians to entertainers.

First, “Dead Matter” looks at how society has dealt with corpses and mourning in photography. For example, Schwartz points out that the practice of post-mortem photography was once an acceptable mourning ritual. “Post-mortem photography was very popular in the early days of [the photograph]. Most photographers could count on making a living by photographing the bodies of people, especially if it was a child that hadn’t had their photo taken before,” Schwartz said.

However, this changed, and with the introduction of embalming, photography faded away. “Embalming allowed for the preservation of the appearance of the body much as the photograph does, and in the period that it is displayed, [the embalmed body] will look very much like the deceased,” she said.

According to Schwartz, embalm-

MARIA KOVOROS/THE OBSERVER

Associate Professor of Communications Margaret Schwartz releases “Dead Matter” this fall.

ing also transformed a corpse in a negative way. “[The corpse] not only is an object, a thing or a body, but it also became an important memorial object in a way or representation,”

she said.

A major example Schwartz provides is that of the body of Eva Peron, former First Lady of Argentina, which was initially put on display.

“There are people there who have to maintain the reverence looking at the body because it’s almost like going to the circus or something: it doesn’t mean the same thing it did.”

Contrastingly, Schwartz argues that there are bodies that can become a powerful message. “There are iconic figures that have become powerful public images through their deaths,” Schwartz said. According to Schwartz, an example of this loss of dignity is noticeable in the corpse of Emmett Till, a young African-American boy who was brutally murdered in 1954. He became an iconic corpse when his mother chose to publish photos of his disfigured body. In this sense, Till became an image for oppression and social inequality.

Lastly, the book highlights “tabloid bodies,” or corpses of public figures who were very much alive in our media outlets. According to Schwartz, “The people who we have the most images of in life and as living people, the images of that change. Now every picture you see of Michael Jackson is a way in which you know the seeds of his death are somehow in there.”

Schwartz refers to as a “body politic, where the corpse is representing a political or nation state.”

A major point throughout “Dead Matter” is the idea that, essentially, corpses can enable people to avoid the process of mourning. “You don’t want to confront that death, you want to continue to consume the images. So on the one hand it takes away dignity and on the other hand it allows, at a psychological level, to believe that person is not dead and allow them to continue to produce cultural meaning,” Schwartz said.

With a release date of this fall, what does Schwartz hope readers will take away from the book?

“Death matters; death is important and that mourning is a process that deserves our attention and our dignity,” she said.

A Tour of The Church of St. Paul the Apostle

By SRI STEWART Staff Writer

As the third largest church in New York City, The Church of St. Paul the Apostle is full of history and unique architecture design.

Standing next door to Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), its elaborate history connects to the Fordham community in a subtle way. On Thursday, March 12, Robert J. Reilly, assistant dean of the Law School, and Campus Ministry hosted a tour, discussing the church’s rich history, architecture and art.

According to Reilly, the history of this church began in the 18th century. “The construction of the church was a response to the anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic sentiment in New York,” he said.

At the time, the Know Nothing Party emerged as anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic leaders; as a result, there were many attacks and threats on Catholic churches.

Isaac Hecker, a Catholic convert, was the founder of building The Church of St. Paul the Apostle.

Hecker converted to Catholicism and was baptized by the first president of Fordham, Cardinal John McCloskey, Archbishop of New York. After Hecker converted to Catholicism, Archbishop Hughes, who was founder of Fordham and protector of New York Catholics in the 18th century, allowed Hecker to have a church built on 59th Street.

This church was The Church of St. Paul the Apostle.

The Church of St. Paul the Apostle was originally built in a Late Gothic Revival style; its design was made to be American. Since Hecker was originally a Protestant, he wanted the church’s design ap-

PAULA MADERO/ THE OBSERVER

Campus Ministry and Assistant Dean of the Law School Robert J. Reilly, host a tour of St. Paul the Apostle.

peal more to a non-Catholic crowd by making the church’s style more European.

Because the church has a strong

European influence, elements of The Church of St. Paul the Apostle differ from that of other churches in New York City. For instance, the

church has a grand step entranceway, which is uncommon for American churches.

Hecker wanted the church to be

dark and contemplative; he bought stones from a dismantled reservoir to build walls 8-feet thick. These dirty stones contributed to the dark atmosphere of the church. However, in 1992, the stones were cleaned up and returned to their original pink hue. Since then, the church no longer has the dark interior of old.

Unlike many Catholic churches, there is plenty of modern artwork inside The Church of St. Paul the Apostle. In addition, another unique element of the church is the strong angelic theme at the main altar. The gold cross at the altar does not have Jesus on it, a rarity in a Catholic Church. However, a cross with crucifixion was later added to satisfy Catholics.

Some students have never been to the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, but are still eager to see it. “I’ve been wanting to check it out for a while,” Stephanie Ali, FCLC ’16, said.

Students think that the church, as well as campus ministry, helps tie together the Fordham community. “I think that Fr. Gil has really done an amazing job of creating and cultivating this community of love and inclusion. It’s great that they opened up the young adult mass to the Fordham community because of the energy and the unity that it brings,” Mike Macalintal, FCLC ’15, said.

There seems to be a goal in fostering a stronger community, whether it is for church or not. A member of campus ministry, Andrew Abenssett, FCLC ’16, said, “Campus Ministry wants a stronger presence. Hosting this would have people [the Fordham community] know we’re always there for them and their spiritual needs.”

Features

Features Editor Alanna Kilkeary—alannamartine@gmail.com

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

Understanding Fordham’s Fashionable New Minor

By KAYLA OGLE Staff Writer

New York is one of the fashion capitals of the world: Designers, models and anyone wanting to make a career for themselves in fashion typically find themselves in New York City. As of Fall 2014, Fordham University created a minor in fashion studies, and it is quickly becoming popular among students.

This interdisciplinary minor is broken into three parts: fashion design, fashion marketing and fashion studies. Marissa Legnini, Fordham College Lincoln Center (FCLC) ’16, said that she’s learned a lot from her fashion classes so far. “To truly appreciate fashion, I think a little bit of knowledge in each category is necessary, and it also broadens student perspectives on fashion as a whole,” Legnini, who is a communications and media studies major, said.

Another student, Eavan Schmitt, FCLC ’16 , who is a visual arts major, also said that including the minor into her courses was an easy transition. “The minor is technically under the umbrella of the theater and fines arts department, so I didn’t have to make too far of a leap. As a matter of fact, the project which I plan to propose with my junior review application is grounded in my fashion training.” Schmitt said that the courses that she’s taken this far teach the fundamentals of fashion along with “the importance of

EMILY TIBERIO/ THE OBSERVER

A student works on a garment in FCLC costume shop.

creative collaboration and critical thinking” showing how the application of this minor can be beneficial for many different reasons.

Like many minors, fashion studies requires six classes in order to be complete; three required introductory courses and then one class in each of the three possible fields.

Classes range from anthropology to business marketing, showing just

how broad and universal the minor can become. Some classes include “The History of Women’s Magazines,” “Consumer Behavior” and “Stage Makeup and Hair,” making the minor universal for all majors and interests. Fordham Law School (LAW) also has one of the first fashion law institutes in the country, making the minor even possible at the graduate level.

“What sold me on this program above the ones offered at other schools were the three components,” Legnini said. When speaking about the design class requirement, she said, “[Professor] Kai Brothers taught us how the fashion process starts with inspiration to the actual design and the finished product.” Which differs some of the

other required courses, like fashion anthropology; “Dr. (Aimee) Cox taught us how to recognize the cultural implications of fashion and how fashion potentially acts as a mechanism of class distinction, perceived status symbols and hegemonic influence in people’s lives.”

By taking just a few classes so far, Legnini has already incorporated the minor into her major, so she can graduate in time and can tailor it to her liking.

New York is home to many schools that caters to fashion specifically, like Fashion Institute of Technology, LIM College and Parson’s School for Design. However, these schools do not offer the liberal arts education that students at Fordham receive. “What I appreciate about the Fordham program is that it provides us with the opportunity to study fashion in its many facets while also receiving a top quality education from an acclaimed school,” Legnini stated as one of the few reasons why she decided to take up the minor. Schmitt also said that “given our location near the site of Fashion Week and our existing connections to creative fields, I was frankly surprised when I arrived at Fordham that a similar program didn’t already exist.” After being introduced only two semesters ago, the fashion studies minor is well on its way to becoming a new popular field of study here at Fordham.

How To Succeed in Business: Right Reasons Required!

By ALANNA KILKEARY Features Editor

“Can’t wait to put this on my resume,” she let out a sigh as I finished helping her put away the rest of the photographs into my boss’ folder. I looked over at her. Really?

I couldn’t believe my ears. She, too, was a college student living in the city and was assisting my blogger boss’ friend, helping out at photoshoots and filing some stuff away, which included giving me some photos to bring back to my boss. For a budding photographer, you would think she would have been a little more enthusiastic: her boss was a well-acclaimed photographer in the city, who had previously worked for Condé Nast, as well as a few other stellar publications. And all she wanted to do was put this on her resume? That didn’t sound right to me.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in October 2013, 74.2 percent of high school graduates who were attending college in the fall were working or looking to work during their next four years.

As someone who currently attends college myself, I would not be surprised if this number has increased over the past two years. This could mean any type of work: paid or unpaid, retail jobs, IT jobs, jobs in the food-industry and many more.

For many of the students here at Fordham College at Lincoln Center (FCLC), our peers are working at TV production companies like CNN, arenas like Madison Square Garden, major publishing houses like Random House, startups like the Lala and many other brands, both big and small. Our student body is ambitious, and with our wide variety of experiences, we must learn to take a step back and realize that we should be in this to learn, not solely for the ability to boast about what we’ve done on our resumes. Of course, your experience is going to be recorded on your resume for the next job you seek out, but it’s impor-

THREE GOLDEN QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE TAKING ON A JOB ARE YOU DOING THIS FOR YOURSELF?

ALANNA KILKEARY/THE OBSERVER

LinkedIn is a great source to connect with colleagues in your field!

tant to take on a job with honorable intentions: most significantly, curiosity and a desire to learn.

In my experience, I’ve always gotten slack for following around the people I’ve worked for like a puppy-dog, and I’m well aware of it. But, I’ve always done it for the sole purpose of learning. I’ve lived by the motto: you have to be bossed around before you can become the boss.

First was back in high school when I was in a Shakespearian teenacting company. Our director was not only bat-out-of-hell crazy (in a great way), but she also had a knack for ordering some of us around, and guilty-as-charged, that “some of us,” was mostly me. I did what I was told about 99 percent of the time and worked really hard for her, whether it was organizing costumes on a rack or putting away props in bagsbasically tedious things she didn’t want to do. The second instance has been with my blogger boss, who I’m on-call with just about 24/7. Need a show covered? On it. Need photos edited and sent in to you? Done.

I’ve learned to be that type of person that just hustles. If it’s not done within five to 10 minutes of the request, I’m not doing the job right.

I’ve come to understand that obvi-

ously not everyone works this way, but that’s how I’ve learned to be on top of every job that I handle.

But, I didn’t accept these positions so I could put a gold star next to them on my resume, I accepted them so I could build a unique work ethic that not many people have.

The reality is just that: not everyone has the ability to hustle in the way that I’ve learned to. Moreover, not everyone wants to be bossed around or do the jobs that the boss doesn’t want to. But I can do these things: I’ve built up the skillset where I know that sometimes you have to do these things, especially when you’re just starting out. I truly believe these skills are vital when building a career and have the ability to better shape you as a leader in your professional future- because guess what, you’ll one day have someone following you around like a puppy-dog.

Throughout all of this, I’ve learned that it’s important to be honest with yourself when you’re taking on a job. You have to ask yourself if this is something that is going to be beneficial for your process of learning, if it’s something you want to learn how to do and most importantly- that it’s something that you’re doing for yourself.

This is so important. You aren’t going to gain full experience of the job you take on if it’s not for you. Chances are, you won’t like it very much, and you’ll grow to resent it. Take on a job that you think will better you as a person. If it’s a job you need financially and you don’t like it, try to search for the parts about it that you do like, and focus solely on those. Not everyone is going to like everything about a job they take on- but if you are able to pinpoint the positive in it, you’ll be able to get through it better than you ever expected.

WILL THIS JOB PROPEL ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? Is this a job that will better your career professionally? Will you be able to make it past all the tedious work? If this is an internship or job that has you running around Manhattan dropping of samples for a magazine, it may seem miserable at first, but could actually gain you incredible access to that magazine in the future. It may be busy work, but you have to start at the bottom before you can rise to the top. Also, remember that often companies hire within their staff, so keep those internships going for as long as you can- chances are, you’ll be looking at a job offer in no time.

WILL I GAIN VALUES THAT WILL BETTER ME PROFESSIONALLY? Will you learn how to hustle? Will you develop skills that will set you a part from others? Every job has it’s own set of skills and values that you’ll gain from it-you just have to believe that these are the very skills and values that will fit you. What are some things you are lacking in professionally? Not always on time with deadlines? Or have trouble working with certain computer programs? Challenge yourself in the next job you take on- work on getting things in early or practice Adobe Photoshop for hours-you’ll learn that a big part of working is teaching yourself a lot. Will this job allow me to learn what I want to learn? Taking on new jobs, whatever they may be, isn’t just a sign of resume growth, it’s a sign of personal growth.

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER

March 26, 2015

Features

18

“The Grandma Rule,” Beignets And Some Paint Cans: My GO! New Orleans Experience

By NANOR HARTOUNIAN Contributing Writer

As my team and I spent our first night in New Orleans sitting on steps overlooking Jackson Square, sipping on Café Du Monde’s famous coffee and munching on beignets that were prepared to perfection, I came to a realization: of all the decisions I’ve made throughout my college career thus far, choosing to apply to Global Outreach (GO!) New Orleans was by far one of the best.

Prior to applying, I’d only heard positive things about GO!. It held the promise of being a learning opportunity in a multitude of ways, including the strengthening of one’s spirituality and sense of community on campus. With those incentives in mind, I applied without knowing just how deeply the decision would impact my life in the weeks to come.

Each GO! program is unique to the needs of its location. My team and I were given the opportunity to work with the St. Bernard Project, a non-profit organization that rebuilds homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina within St. Bernard Parish, located in Southeast Louisiana. As we began our week on Monday, March 16, at a 6 a.m. orientation, I don’t think any of us knew what we were truly in for.

Our days were long, but incredibly full. We began each day by waking up at 5 a.m., eating breakfast, packing lunch and driving to the site of our project, where we worked the 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. shift. We were assigned to work on the home of a woman named Ms. Patricia, who was forced to evacuate her home with her granddaughter, then relocated to Texas to live with her brother and was unable to return to New Orleans

COURTESY OF NANOR HARTOUNIAN

The GO! New Orleans team snacking on some NOLA treats!

until many years later.

Meeting her and getting the chance to hear her story were instrumental in how I, as well as the rest of my team, treated working on her home. During orientation, one of the co-founders of the St. Bernard Project stressed that each of its vol-

unteers must keep “The Grandma Rule” in mind when working on their respective homes. In other words, we were expected to handle each task with the care and dedication we would channel if we were working on our own grandmothers’ homes. Ms. Patricia’s constant posi-

tive presence and willingness to talk to us about her tough journey added a personal connotation to the home that I believe made each working day more rewarding.

As a team, 11 of us helped to paint, fix up and refurbish Ms. Patricia’s home. Throughout the week, my

team and I constantly pushed ourselves to new heights. Each of us conquered fears that tested both physical and mental resilience that we weren’t expecting to deal with. By the end of the week, we were all left with a bittersweet feeling. Sure, we all felt a bit homesick for the familiar. However, as our working days went on and we saw the slow but sure progress we were making on Ms. Patricia’s house, we all wanted to ensure that the next volunteer group would feel a similar sense of connection the home and work just as hard to revitalize it.

One of the most inspiring aspects of this trip was realizing the optimistic and unwavering way in which New Orleans as a whole responded to the effects of Katrina. After experiencing such a disastrous tragedy, you would expect there to be a loss of unity and hope among the community.

Throughout my week in Louisiana, I learned that this couldn’t be farther from the truth. There is a sense of resolute support among those we met while volunteering that is almost unbelievable. I am confident that while relief efforts largely contributed to the city’s progress, much of why New Orleans stands strong today is due to the community’s solidarity.

With Katrina’s 10th anniversary coming up this August, we all found ourselves volunteering in New Orleans during a pivotal time. Personally, I couldn’t have asked for a better support system in my GO! team.

Together, we got the opportunity to explore the unique NOLA community, contribute to the Katrina relief efforts, grow as human beings and – most importantly – become a family.

And I wouldn’t trade it for the world (well, maybe a freshly baked beignet, but that’s up for debate).

Sports

Sports Editor Dylan Penza - dpenza@fordham.edu

March 26, 2015 THE OBSERVER

A Look at the 2015 Yankees Team

By MARCELA ALVAREZ Contributing Writer

From the end of the 2014 season to the start of the 2015 season many changes have occurred for the Yankees that will affect their contention for a World Series this fall.

The number of games that Alex Rodriguez was suspended for taking performance-enhancing drugs is 162.

Prior to his suspension, Rodriguez was hitting a batting average of .240 in 2013, and he had an on-base percentage of .348, showing that he was a valuable player. However, what really makes him an asset to the Yankees is his ability to deliver home runs. With his current career record of 654 home runs according to MLB, Rodriguez has the fifth most all time home runs.

The concern for this upcoming season is whether or not Rodriguez can continue to deliver runs and wins for the Yankees. According to ESPN, in a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Rodriguez hit a single and took a walk before being taken out of the game. While this is not an accurate representation of how he will play for the rest of the season, it is better for him to start off on a high note. Therefore, something to watch out for is how he plays now, without any performance enhancing drugs.

At the end of the 2014 season, Derek Jeter retired, after having played

with the Yankees for 20 years. Ever since he made his major league debut, Jeter has been helping the Yankees obtain wins. As the shortstop with the most all-time hits, with five Gold Glove awards and four Silver Slugger awards, Jeter is a 12-time All-Star player, five-time World Series winner and quite possibly the best player that the Yankees have. Now with his retirement, the Yankees face a dilemma of how reliable their new shortstop will be. Yankees are filling in their shortstop position with Didi Gregorius. Therefore, something to keep an eye on is Gregorius’s performance as the new Yankees’s shortstop.

Baseball players are no strangers to injuries. From minor injuries, such as overuse soreness, to major injuries, such as broken bones, which is a season-ending injury as was seen in 2011 with Buster Posey, current Catcher for the San Francisco Giants.

However, more important than the injuries themselves is how the player recovers and plays after the injury. For the Yankees, one of their main concerns is Masahiro Tanaka.

During the 2014, he was out 2 1/2 months due to a partially torn ulnar collateral-ligament. After being out for physical therapy, Tanaka came back to pitch for two games, during which commentators noted that he was not the same pitcher as before.

The main concern for the Yankees

COURTESY OF WILL VRAGOVIC/TAMPA BAY TIMES VIA TNS

With the help of returning, new and evolving players, the Yankees have an exciting season ahead.

is that because Tanaka chose not to have Tommy John surgery, his injury could come back and take him out for possibly the whole season. As a star pitcher for the Yankees, making sure he is healthy this season will be key to the Yankee’s success.

Another player prone to injury is pitcher CC Sabathia. His 2014 season ended prematurely due to a degenera-

tive right knee condition. According to MLB.com, he had arthroscopic debridement surgery and then underwent rehabilitation. However, the concern now is whether or not he will be healthy enough to continue pitching and if he will be the same ace pitcher as before. Sabathia pitched in a spring training game and the pitching coach noted that he is on his way to

becoming the pitcher he was. So while Sabathia has improvements to make, he seems to be in good shape to help the Yankees contend for a World Series championship.

With the help of returning players, new players and evolving players, the Yankees have an exciting season ahead of them that may end in a World Series title.

Get Your Head in the Game: Who Can Defeat the Wildcats?

POINT

The Blue Devils Can Defeat the Wildcats to be lottery picks in this year’s NBA draft, and the smallest of whom is Lyles at 6 feet, Staff Writer 10 inches. This trio poses significant threats to opposing defenses and also swarms the paint and protects the rim on defense. They As the Kentucky Wildcats pounced combined for 28 points, 20 rebounds and on the Cincinnati Bearcats this weekend, seven blocks against Cincinnati on Saturday. advancing to the Sweet 16 with a 64-51 vicIn a tournament where most teams don’t tory, they also moved to 36-0 on the season. have a legitimate center or a player over 6 Although they are heavily favored to win the feet, 8 inches, the Wildcats have three great NCAA Tournament, and rightfully so, they ones and four overall if you include backup have a target on their backs. While they have 7-footer Dakari Johnson. yet to be beaten and feature the best roster in That’s where Duke comes in. Their center, the nation, they aren’t necessarily unbeatfreshman Jahlil Okafor, is a strong candidate able. to be this year’s number 1 pick in the NBA That isn’t to say that I would bet on them Draft and is arguably the most talented big losing to anyone. man in the naHow could you? tion. His scoring With that prowess - to the being said, I filled tune of 17.8 points out two brackets per game on 67.4 this March, each percent shootwith the same ing - can pose final game: Kenproblems for Kentucky vs. Duke. I tucky’s big men. had Duke winning His fluid post on the second only moves and fakes because I was sure could get some of almost everyone their aggressive else had Kentucky and sometimes going all the way, overzealous bigs and this would in foul trouble, give me an adwhich could give vantage if Coach the Blue Devils a Mike Krzyzewski fighting chance. and the Blue DevPlus, it’s ils can pull it off. not like Duke And, although it is a bunch of COURTESY OF JEFF SINER/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER may not be likely, underdog scrubs, VIA TNS it certainly is posanyway. The Blue Freshman Jahlil Okafor is a strong candidate sible.

Devils are now to be this year’s no.

1 pick in the NBA Draft.

Kentucky is le31-4 and have thal because of its won 14 of their number of impact last 15 games. players on the roster and the team’s overall Coach K, who has won 10 gold medals physical prowess, each of which is simply coaching Team USA in Olympic competiunsurpassed in the world of college bastions, can certainly hold his own against ketball. There’s no way a team should have Kentucky’s John Calipari. If Okafor has a 12 capable players, most of whom are top good game and they get good productivity recruits and freshmen, like Kentucky does. from Justise Winslow and Quinn Cook, it It should also be illegal to have a frontcourt isn’t farfetched to envision Duke knocking of Trey Lyles, Willie Cauley-Stein and Karl off Kentucky in the NCAA championship Anthony-Towns - all of whom are projected game on April 6.

Dan Ferrara

COUNTERPOINT

North Carolina is the Only Team Capable of Challenging Kentucky further into the tournament. Williams often utilizes his entire bench throughout games, Staff Writer usually giving eight or nine players significant time on the court.

North Carolina’s success this season can be With a win over the Florida Gators on attributed to the play of Marcus Paige. Named March 7, the Kentucky Wildcats finished to the All-ACC third team, the junior point the regular season an uncontested 31-0. The guard is finally living up to preseason expectaWildcats are the consensus number one team tions. Paige scored a team-high 22 points in in the country, with the University of North the win over Arkansas and has been steadily Carolina and Duke vying for second place. improving since his foot injury earlier this On March 21, UNC defeated the Arkansas season. He’s averaging 13.3 points per game Razorbacks 87-78 to advance the Sweet 16 of and has played a pivotal role in many of UNC’s the NCAA tournament. The Tar Heels are close games this season, including shooting a playing better than they have all season due to game-winning shot against Louisville. the dominance of junior Marcus Paige, arguOutside of Paige, Kennedy Meeks was ably the best point the most improved guard in the nation. player on the Finishing second in Tar Heels roster, the ACC tournament, especially on UNC will be looking defense. The 6-foot to return to the Final 9-inch sophomore Four for the first time forward averaged 7.4 since the 2009 season rebounds per game when they won the this season while title over Michigan adding an average of State.

11.6 points per game The win over on offense. However, Arkansas gave Head he sprained his Coach Roy Williams knee in the win his 750th career over Arkansas and win, becoming only his availability for the 15th coach in the round of 16 is Division I history to still up in the air.

COURTESY OF ROBERT WILLETT/RALEIGH NEWS & accomplish the feat.

Junior forward OBSERVER VIA TNS It was also his 32nd Brice Johnson North Carolina’s success this season can be NCAA tournament should be able to fill attributed to Marcus Paige. victory, which ties Meeks’ role if he is the most in North unavailable. Johnson Carolina’s history. has averaged 12.9 He has already won two March Madness titles points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season. in 2005 and 2009. This season, Williams orWhile both North Carolina and Duke are chestrated the Tar Heels’ 17th ranked scoring formidable teams, the Tar Heels are clearly offense, averaging almost 78 points per game. built to unseat Kentucky as the number one The North Carolina offense also finished team in the country. UNC will meet either second in both rebounds and assists per game. top-seeded Wisconsin or eighth-ranked The dominant attack provides the perfect Oregon in the round of 16 on Thursday, March antithesis to Kentucky’s defense that is only al- 26. Hall of Fame Head Coach Roy Williams lowing 53.9 points per game. If any team is gois looking to win his third NCAA title with ing to beat the undefeated Wildcats, it will be the Tar Heels. Marcus Paige should be able to one fueled by a strong offense that can spread carry North Carolina past the round of 16 and the ball across the court. UNC’s depth will to an eventual matchup with the Kentucky also play a critical role as the team advances Wildcats.

Matthew McCarthy

www.fordhamobserver.com

THE OBSERVER March 26, 2015

Sports

20

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Marshall?

Jets Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall is Full of On-Field Potential and Off-Field Problems

By THOMAS O’CALLAGHAN Staff Writer

Following several years of questionable trades and mismanagement, the New York Jets have made major changes over this offseason, including firing Head Coach Rex Ryan and trading for embattled wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

While major changes have been on tap for the Jets for years now, there are still several question marks on the roster and in the front office.

One of the major wild cards is Marshall, who is full of on-field potential, but also off-field problems. Can this trade be a game-changer for the Jets or another failed experiment like the Percy Harvin deal?

On one hand, the Jets have dealt for a capable receiver that can help the team’s quarterback corps, which is almost definitely the biggest problem for Gang Green. Having a reliable receiver like Marshall will certainly help the young Geno Smith take the next step in his development as a starting NFL quarterback. As a team that has been without a “go-to” receiver for a while now, Marshall should be able to improve the Jets passing offense, which ranked 32nd in the league last season. The team has made several moves this offseason to put themselves in a “winnow” mode, but it is too early to see if this will pay off.

While Marshall should benefit the Jets on the field, he has had a troubled past, which seems to be a narrative that is becoming too common in the NFL. Marshall does have several off-field issues, including a borderline personality disorder that has been well publicized. In fact, admirably, he has become an advocate for mental health treatment.

However, the wide receiver has had several charges leveled against him, including multiple allegations of domestic abuse. In today’s NFL, domestic abuse is taken with utmost significance, as it should be, but players that are accused of this crime are becoming increasingly ostracized in the league. Liabilities in a player’s personal life are beginning to outweigh ability, and this is a concern regarding Marshall. De-

COURTESY OF CHRIS SWEDA/ CHICAGO TRIBUNE VIA TNS

One of the major wild cards for the Jets is embattled wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who is full of on-field potentials but off-field problems.

spite his ability to be a great asset in the Jets’ emaciated passing offense, Marshall’s private problems might doom his tenure with the Jets.

The New York Jets have made strides toward contention this offseason, but Marshall, perhaps the

team’s savior on the offense, is a large question mark looming on their roster. The team has made a good trade that should benefit the team in games, but Marshall has the propensity to cause the Jets headaches off the field. The Marshall

trade has shored up a weak wide receiver position, which especially helps the team, as they can now look to the draft to fill other holes on the roster. At the moment, the Jets seem to have gotten the best of this deal, but the team has a long history of

being unable to handle personality problems on the roster. There is no doubt that Brandon Marshall will be a significant roster-changing player for New York, but the question remains about whether or not this change will be positive or negative.