Volume XLII Issue 4 by Fordham Observer

OBSERVER THE

March 23, 2022

The STudenT Voice of fordham LincoLn cenTer

VOLUME XLII, ISSUE 4

Russia’s War on Ukraine, as Seen From London Students

By AVA PEABODY Former Opinions Editor

When I pictured studying abroad in London for the spring 2022 semester, I did not consider that I might encounter the start of a war. I wasn’t imagining there would be peace on Earth either, but I thought we as a planet had reached our quota for news stories that dominate every moment with their urgency.

I was wrong. On Feb. 24, I learned that Russia had invaded Ukraine from the televisions in the student lounge of the Fordham London Centre campus, which are often set to BBC News. At the time, I recognized that the event was momentous, but I didn’t realize how quickly the situation would escalate. Over the next few days, more news poured in and more conversations

Campus Ministry to Host Ignatius Art Exhibit By OLIVIA STERN Arts & Culture Editor

Five hundred years ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola was struck in the leg by a cannonball, forcing his military career to an end and inspiring the beginning of his spiritual conversion. To honor this moment and transport it into the present, Fordham’s Campus Ministry is inviting submissions to an art exhibit titled “Seeds of Transformation: Envisioning Hope for the Environment with Ignatian Imagination.” The idea behind the exhibit traces back to the Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice in October 2021. Carol Gibney, director of Campus Ministry, Solidarity and Leadership, watched Brian Hennings, Fordham Gradu-

ate School of Arts and Science ’03 and philosophy professor at Gonzaga University, speak at the conference on “Telling a New Story About Climate Change.” Hennings described in his speech how we can connect the dots between Ignatian spirituality and environmental sustainability, considering morals and compassion for the Earth and those living on it. “There were many people that watched (the speech) from Fordham, and all of us had the same strong reaction to his talk,” Gibney said. “Of course, the environment, and many things are front and center, but instead of looking at (Earth as) a ‘Wall-E’ world, how do we reimagine it? see ST. IGNATIUS page 15

around me were centered around Russia’s invasion. Protests then broke out across London and the rest of the United Kingdom in support of Ukraine.

AVA PEABODY/THE OBSERVER

see UKRAINE page 5

The Cambridge University Ukrainian Society hosted a protest on Feb. 26 with a sea of blue and yellow in support of the Ukrainian people.

Graduate Student Workers Fight to Unionize By MEGAN YERRABELLI Contributing Writer

After more than a four-year hiatus, the effort toward a Fordham Graduate Student Workers Union (FGSWU) reemerged at the beginning of February with the launch of a union card campaign. The campaign relied on workers signing cards to advocate for union representation from the Communications Workers of America, one of the largest media and communications unions in the United States. Its major employers include AT&T, The New York Times and the state of New Jersey. The FGSWU movement to unionize began in September 2016, following a landmark decision by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) which ruled that the Student Workers of Columbia (SWC) are considered employees and are allowed

to unionize. This decision was initially agreed upon in 2000 but was then overturned in 2004. FGSWU previously supported the Fordham Faculty United unionization, which is a union composed of Fordham’s adjunct professors. In November 2017, 94% of adjunct professors voted in favor of unionization and opted for representation by the Service Employees International Union. In a letter sent on May 19, 2017, University President the Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., announced that Fordham would not object to the unionization of adjunct faculty. The current FGSWU is hoping for the same response instead of that which Columbia University gave to the SWC. Columbia appealed the NLRB decision and refused to recognize the union. Despite the NLRB upholding their ruling, Columbia still refused to

bargain with the members of the SWC, which prompted intermittent strikes from the union. At the end of the spring semester in 2017, the FGSWU suspended its social media accounts. After four years, the FGSWU revamped its Twitter campaign, created a new website and launched an Instagram account. Benjamin Van Dyne, head of FGSWU media outreach and current theology graduate student at Fordham, credits the relaunch to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic increased the urgency of long-standing issues among graduate student workers,” he said. “During the pandemic many of us were asked to do increased work, in my own case twice as many hours, without a penny of additional compensation.” see UNION page 4

NEWS PAGE 4

SPORTS & HEALTH PAGE 7

FUN & GAMES PAGE 8

OPINIONS PAGE 11

ARTS & CULTURE PAGE 15

Mask Survey

Edona Thaqi

Mega Crossword

Rams Debate

Daredevil

Students weigh in on the lifting of mask mandates

Graduating player leaves mark on women's basketball

A love letter to Fordham's most famous alum

Writers share opposing opinions on campus mask mandates

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Fordham Goes Maskless In an anonymous survey, 45.6% of respondents said that masks should still be required in labs and classrooms By ALLIE STOFER News Editor

Following NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to make masks optional for all public schools citywide, Fordham announced that it would no longer require masks for most spaces, effective March 5. Masks are now optional in all settings except Ram Vans and University Health Services, although faculty can choose to require masks in their classrooms if they deem it necessary. According to Marco Valera, vice president for administration and COVID-19 coordinator, the decision to lift the mask mandate was based on the city’s declining COVID-19 cases, as well as updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. He also explained that Fordham has been working consistently with an epidemiologist from a consulting pandemic. “It was three or four weeks ago that we started to look at the dropping caseloads and then had some conversations and discussions about what that would mean to our policies,” Valera said.

“ I normally try (to)

be considerate of other people’s health and comfort. But, with that being said, cases are very low in NYS overall, and most people at this point have had COVID. ” survey respondent

Prior to the outbreak of the omicron variant in December and the increase in COVID-19 cases that followed, the Fordham administration had originally begun to discuss lifting the mask mandate, according to Valera. Between Dec. 9 to Dec. 22, Fordham reached an all-time high number of COVID-19 cases. There was a total of 359 cases between both campuses, with 120 at Lincoln

Center and 239 at Rose Hill. Due to the sharp uptick in cases, many students and faculty expressed concern over returning to in-person learning for the spring semester. To address faculty concerns, Dennis Jacobs, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, said in an email on Jan. 17 to faculty that a majority of the cases among students had “been traced back to unmasked socializing off campus.” Although the masking was initially instated to help keep students safe in classes, Valera explained that the change in masking policies between the beginning of the semester to now was motivated by the decrease in cases. He also highlighted that since the overwhelming majority of the Fordham population is required to be vaccinated and boosted, their COVID-19 symptoms are likely to be less severe. Students Respond to the City’s Decision ing responses to both the city and Fordham’s decision to lift the mask mandate. The Observer conducted an anonymous survey on March 7 to collect student opinions on the updated policy and received 68 responses from undergraduate students by March 22. In the survey, 36.8% of respondents said that they completely supported the decision to lift the mask mandate at all public schools, while 29.4% said that they completely disagree. The remaining respondents either somewhat agreed or were unsure as to their opinion. Many of the students who completely supported the decision cited the decline in case numbers in the state for shaping their point of view. At the peak of the omicron variant on Jan. 9, New York state had a daily average of 74,182 new cases. Less than two months later, on March 5, New York state (NYS)’s new daily average decreased to 1,803. “I normally try (to) be considerate of other people’s health and comfort. But, with that being said, cases are very low in NYS overall, and most people at this point have had COVID,” a respondent said. “Also, the vaccine coupled with natural immunity and a weaker variant make serious illness less of a threat.”

Other students disagreed that public schools should get rid of the mask mandate as NYC public schools do not require all students to receive the COVID-19 vaccination unless they are involved in “high-risk” extracurriculars or sports. One respondent said they were worried that children under the age of 5 who cannot yet be vaccinated may get COVID-19 from a sibling. In New York state, 36% of individuals between the ages of 5 and 11, and 58% of individuals between the ages of 12 to 17, are fully vaccinated, meaning they have received their vaccination but may not have yet received the booster dose. The CDC recommends that all individuals eligible receive the the omicron variant. Individuals over the age of 12 are eligible to receive their dose, however, only children between the ages of 5 and 11 with weakened immune systems can be boosted.

“ Just because cases

are low now doesn’t mean that there won’t be another variant that can cause them to go back up. ” survey respondent

Unmasking in Classrooms Students are also split in their level of support for Fordham’s decision to no longer require masks in classrooms. In the survey, 39.5% of respondents said that they believe masks should not be required in classrooms or labs, while 45.6% said that they should be. One reason that respondents said they feel nervous about lifting the mask mandate is that they still feel uneasy after the spike in cases from the omicron variant. “Just because cases are low now doesn’t mean that there won’t be another variant that can cause them to go back up,” a respondent said. Some of the other causes for concern regarding the lifting of the mask mandate were how crowded classrooms can be and the poor ventilation in the buildings. One respondent added that most classrooms are not ventilated enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19, causing concern for them because “attendance is not optional.” “Classrooms are crowded, and students are sitting together in close proximity for extended periods of time,” another respondent said. “Masks in no way impede on the educational experience.” Other students disagreed, stating that masking was impacting their education. “Masks are unnecessary,” one student said in the survey. “If they weren’t so uncomfortable, I wouldn’t care, but it’s not like requiring us to wear socks– they (masks) make many people’s faces feel crummy.” In the announcement of the lifting of the mask mandate at Fordham, one of the regulations is that faculty will be allowed to continue to require masks “if they believe the particular circumstances warrant such measures.” “We thought it would be best to leave it up to the faculty’s decision based on their particular circumstances and classroom setting,” Valera said. “So that’s a measure that we thought would be prudent to take at this point.”

INFOGRAPHICS BY ROXANNE CUBERO/THE OBSERVER

In the survey, 64.7% of students said that they believe faculty should be able to decide if masks are required in their classroom. Many of the respondents explained that faculty should be able to choose in case they have family members who are immunocompromised or at high risk. “One of my professors has four making them (ineligible) to be vaccinated,” a respondent said. “In that case, masking makes sense.” Other students were upset with Fordham’s decision to allow faculty to decide if masks are required in their classrooms. Out of all respondents, 14.7% said that faculty should not be allowed to choose if masks are required in their classrooms. “If the school does not require it, faculty should not be able to override that,” one student said. “They can’t make their own rules for other things like grades, exams, requirements etc., so it should be kept consistent.” Opinions on Unmasking in Public Spaces Fordham will also no longer require masks in public spaces such as lounges or the Garden Level by Argo Tea. The majority of students supported this decision, with 54.4% of students agreeing that masks should be optional and 22.1% believing they should still be required. According to respondents in support of the decision, many believe these dining spaces are more socially distanced than classrooms. “Thanks to spacing in these vena respondent said. “I’m more comfortable in those spaces than many others.” Although many students expressed support for masks to no longer be mandatory in dining spaces, many still argued that masks should be required in other public spaces where there is no dining, such as the library. “When people sit down to eat they take off their masks anyways so it doesn’t make a huge difference in a place like argo tea, but I feel like in a library there is really no reason for your mask to be off,” one respondent said.

Fear of Outbreak After Spring Break The decision to no longer require masks went into effect only one week before spring break, causing many students concern over returning to a maskless campus. “Students will be coming back to campus from all over the world after spring break, so it doesn’t make sense to let everyone choose whether they want to mask or not,” a respondent said. Valera explained that the university remains hopeful that there will not be an outbreak following spring break since the majority of the United States is trending lower in caseloads. “We hope that in any travel, they’ll be in areas that the risk exposure is less than or similar to what one faces in New York City,” he said. In addition, Valera added that he felt the risk would be substantially reduced since public transportation such as trains and airplanes still require masks. He also said that if a student were to become infected, the symptoms of COVID-19 should be reduced since students are required to be vaccinated and boosted. In order to mitigate the risk posed by spring break travel, Fordham will require all students to upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test in order to gain access to campus. Students will be required to complete this test between March 16 and March 30, regardless of whether they left campus during the break. In the event that there is a spike in cases, Fordham is prepared to reinstate other procedures if necessary, according to Valera. At the same time, the university is also examining other restrictions to determine if they can remove any other rules, such as the campus being closed to the public. Valera emphasized that regardless of the lifting of the mask mandate, students should feel welcome to continue wearing masks in any situation that they feel is necessary. “I do wear masks in certain situations because I feel that’s something I want to do,” he said. “We want to make sure that our students know that they’re completely supported if they decide to wear a mask in any situation.”

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March 23, 2022

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International Travel Resumes for Study Abroad Students protested the restriction until Fordham announced its recent decision to repeal the policy in March By SOFIA VAN NATTA Contributing Writer

After two years of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, Fordham’s study abroad program lifted its ban on travel outside of a student’s host country on Feb. 28. Prior to the release of the university’s decision, students were eager to see the world and travel freely during their study abroad programs, leading some to petition against Fordham’s policy. When a student chooses to study abroad, the university is able to conduct random passport checks to ensure that they have not left the country, according to Emma Bainbridge, Gabelli School of Business at Rose Hill ’23 and participant in the study abroad program at Fordham London Centre. If a student chose to leave the U.K. against Fordham’s previous policy and the university discovered this violation through the passport check, the student is then subjected to academic probations, which may include expulsion. Bob Howe, assistant vice president for communications, said that the students who chose to study abroad in London were made aware of the travel restrictions and agreed to them as a condition for participating in the program. Howe explained that being in a foreign country can make isolation and staying on top of classes harder for students if they contract COVID-19. He noted that students who are abroad are unable to return home to quarantine, as some may do when at Fordham in the United States. It is essential to avoid an increase in COVID-19 cases because some professors choose to take their classes out onto the streets of

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Students can now resume international travel to enhance the learning experience during their semesters abroad.

London, according to Howe. The structure of these classes would then have to be adapted for any students who are infected. In addition to the structure of classes being altered, Howe noted that another reason the university restricted travel outside of the U.K. was because most other countries in Europe have a higher seven-day infection rate than the U.K. does. “If a Fordham student were to travel to the continent and become infected, their ability to return to London could be impeded by travel protocols,” he said. “If they return to London infected but asymptomatic, they may unknowingly infect Fordham students upon their return.”

Prior to the restrictions being lifted, Bainbridge created a petition to help repeal the university’s travel ban. The petition collected 359 signatures from fellow students and parents who agreed with the petition’s goal. “We have been taught that it is about educating the whole being but by banning our travel they are banning our education,” Bainbridge said about the restriction prior to its lifting. “We want to be able to see the historic monuments, museums, and culture around Europe.” Bainbridge also stated that she believed students should not be told what they can and can-

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not do in their free time, since the restriction was from Fordham and not the U.K. The United Kingdom’s Parliament has no travel restrictions, mask mandates or isolation protocols. In the email from Feb. 28 announcing the change to the travel policy, Dennis C. Jacobs, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Marco Valera, vice president for administration and COVID-19 coordinator, explained that the university was able to revise its decision due to “evolving circumstances.” The policy changes made it so that university-sponsored travel was once again permitted for facul-

ty, staff and students. International travel is now allowed as long as it does not pose a threat to a student’s health, safety or security. Although the suspension on international travel has been lifted, there are still rules in place regarding where members of the Fordham community can travel. Fordham based its policy on the State Department’s Travel Advisory for different countries. Countries that have been issued a level 1 or 2 travel advisory do not require additional approval besides the standard budgetary review. These countries have been granted the conditions of either “exercise normal precautions” or “exercise increased caution.” Those who have received a level 3 or 4 travel advisory, however, have different requirements. A level 3 country receives the recommendation of “reconsider travel,” while individuals interested in a level four country are told “do not travel.” If an individual wants to travel to a levsubmit a travel request at least 10 days prior to their intended departure date. Fordham’s International Travel Risk Assessment Committee will then conduct an assessment and forward it to the individual’s dean or vice presiThe changes made to the yearlong suspension on university-sponsored travel went into effect on March 12. Individuals wanting to travel must be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster dose if eligible. They must also be enrolled in both Fordham’s Travel Registry and the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

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Fordham Recognized for Environmental Impact The trees and greenery across the university’s three campuses serve as an opportunity for academic research By ALEXA VILLATORO Staff Writer

The Arbor Day Foundation honored Fordham for its protection, preservation and continued tree conservation efforts across its since 2015. The foundation’s Tree Campus Higher Education program recognizes colleges across the nation that show a commitment to the environment and dedication to their students. In 2015, Fordham joined the Tree Campus Higher Education program, a project created by the Arbor Day Foundation in 2008 to help recognize the efforts of different universities across the U.S. in their promotion of tree conservation. Fordham’s “Tree Care Plan,” an annual report that outlines the anticipated care of on-campus greenery, notes its aim to inspire learning, build commu-

nity and become a more sustainable institution. In addition to protecting Fordham’s tree population, which involves integrated pest management and a contracted arborist, the Tree Care Plan also intends to engage students with the natural environment available across the campuses. In order to participate in the Tree Campus Higher Education program and to achieve these goals, the uniAdvisory Committee. Marco Valera, vice president of administration and member of the Tree Advisory Committee, explained that the purpose of the committee is to oversee the university’s tree care efforts. university sets aside approximately $75,000 out of its $562,000 annual greenery maintenance budget for tree care. The breakdown of the total budget includes tree purchas-

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Fordham has been recognized for its continued preservation of trees on campus. Walkways at Rose Hill are often lined with well-maintained trees and shrubs.

es, labor and equipment for planting and watering different parts of campus, maintenance of grass and lawns, and other expenses. The university’s contracted arborist conducts annual inspections

at Rose Hill for learning species ue to use the trees for my non-majors classes, as a way of introducing students to the wide range of species we have here.”

“ With the stress and

campus’ diversity of bird and insect species, trees become a foundation for biodiversity since animals rely on trees for food and shelter. Valera noted that he believes Fordham’s investments in trees, while modest, is important to students because trees engage students with the campus, absorb carbon and provide a micro-environment in the fully developed area of the Bronx. He also added that while Fordham has not tried to measure its trees’ carbon absorption, the university “realizes it’s a

pressure of doing well in school, students need that freshness of trees strength. ”

Ryan Chen, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’24

of all trees across the three campuses and the use of integrated pest management. Valera pointed to the maintenance of a variety of tree species native to America, the oldest of which is a nearly 300-year-old west elm oak tree at Rose Hill. Valera added that there are over 500 birchwood trees that belong to the Fordham Rose Hill campus alone. ed in Armonk, New York, is another location where students and researchers within the biological sciences department can engage with trees. The department of biological sciences works directly with the trees at the 113-acre site, a natural forest preserve that does not require tree care. The Calder Center offers programs for graduate and undergraduate students, with some online options as well. A few of the undergraduate student projects available online include studies of tree diversity and landscape ecology. partment of biological sciences, said that at the Rose Hill campus, trees are used to learn about biodiversity. “When (the course) Plant Biology was offered, we used the trees

Ryan Chen, Fordham College ronmental studies student who believes it is important for schools to provide access to nature. He said these areas strengthen the mental health and well-being of students. “With the stress and pressure of doing well in school, students need regain their strength,” Chen said. It is essential for people to connect with nature through engaging with green spaces, according to Chen. He pointed to Fordham accessing these areas in urban locations across Manhattan. ter is quite the perfect place to rest your eyes from the concrete jungle our school is in,” Chen explained. Jason Munshi-South, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Calder Center, said that he is working with the United Student GovernCenter to cultivate the food gardens across both campuses. The goal of the project is to develop the use of native plants, which will improve landscaping and increase sustainability.

“(Native plants) store more carbon in their root systems, don’t require fertilizer or watering, and sustain populations of native pollinators,” Munshi-South said. “They are also just as beautiful as the typical nonnative plants.” The university’s environmental studies program also interacts garden, located on the plaza by the McMahon entrance, and Rose Hill’s St. Rose’s food garden, loAccording to John van Buren, director of the environmental studies department, the Introduction to Environmental Studies classes at Fordham use the campus’ organic food gardens as “a practicum for students.” Fordham also partners with the New York Botanical Gardens, allowing students free access to the garden’s grounds in exchange for visitor access to the university’s parking. Steven Franks, the department chair and a professor in the biological sciences department, explained that graduate students can also take courses at the gardens. He said several of his students have conducted research at the grounds and undergraduate lab groups also visit the gardens. with the environment elevates the learning experience for students. For their Honors Interdiscitheir students to observe species and leaf morphology in local ecosystems such as the Rose Hill their research at the Calder Center, they point to trees at Fordham Rose Hill as an opportunity for non-major students to explore what the microenvironment has to offer. “Because the trees are so visually present in the landscape, they provide, for example, a nice steppingstone for discussing the broader plant diversity on cam-

Workers Launch Union Card Campaign The Graduate Student Workers Union resumed its outreach with the goal of being recognized by Fordham UNION from page 1

According to Van Dyne, graduate student workers have attempted to address these issues through individual conversations with administrators. “The fact that those conversations have not resulted in meaningful solutions is one reason why an overwhelming majority of eligible workers signed union cards indicating their desire for a union,” he said.

“ What anyone can

see is that despite their protests that they want to stay neutral, Fordham’s administration has hired one of the most notorious the country, Jackson Lewis. ”

Benjamin Van Dyne, head of FGSWU media outreach

On Feb. 28, 2022, three weeks after the start of the union card campaign, the FGSWU hand-delivered a letter to McShane seeking voluntary recognition from the university in order to begin contract negotiations.

In their letter, the students enclosed a vision statement with a list of objectives they hope to achieve through unionizing that would give them more power over their working conditions. Some demands in their list include increasing their income, which is currently between $15,000 to $20,000 a year and is below the NYC yearly minimum wage for 2022 of $27,456. They also seek affordable health insurance, accommodations for working parents and international students, increased funding for graduate employees, and formal grievance structures that provide protection and recourse against harassment, overwork and other workplace issues. Provost released a formal statement to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences community. The statement recognized the value of graduate student workers and their contribution to the university. “The educational relationship between students and the University is, especially at the graduate level, foundational to our intellectual community and to our commitment to promoting learning and wisdom through research and scholarship,” said Dennis C. Jacobs, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, in the statement. The university also recognized that student workers have the right to unionize under an election process.

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Fordham graduate student workers are continuing their efforts to unionize with a union card campaign.

Fordham also created a Frequently Asked Questions page dedicated to FGSWU’s process of unionization on the university’s main website under Academic and Faculty Resources. This page states that Fordham recognizes its graduate student assistants as stu“From time to time, graduate students also are assigned duties, such as teaching or research, as part of their training toward a graduate degree,” the page noted. Bob Howe, assistant vice president for communications, said that Fordham respects the rights of its graduate student workers to decide whether to form a union.

According to Howe, the university wants to ensure a free and fair election and is working with the union to schedule one. The university has also en-

the most notorious anti-union

many companies, such as Burger King and Target. In 2019, Jackson

like that typically cost a university hundreds or even thousands of dollars per hour and help disseminate misleading information about the union.” The next step for the FGSWU is voting in the election overseen

help employers remain “Union Free.” The FGSWU believes that this directly goes against Fordham’s neutral stance. “What anyone can see is that despite their protests that they want to stay neutral, Fordham’s administration has hired one of

Board in accordance with its processes. The graduate students’ efforts continue as they urge Fordham’s administration to sign a neutrality agreement in that election so that graduate student workers can add input into their workplace conditions.

for advice as they navigate the

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The war has sparked protests throughout the United Kingdom in support of the Ukrainian people UKRAINE from page 1

Long-Standing Tensions Russian troops began assembling on Ukraine’s border last autumn, and Russia has been encroaching on Ukrainian territory since the Crimean annexation in 2014, but this invasion represents an escalation in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan to expand the country’s territory. Russia has now captured Kherson, an important port in Ukraine, as well as Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. So far, the invasion has caused nearly 3.5 other neighboring countries. In response to the Russia-Ukraine war, the United States and the United Kingdom have both responded with boycotts and sanctions on Russia: The Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Europe has been halted, golden passports have been limited, and the United States has cut off Russians’ access to funds held in American dollars, among others.

“ Protest is a good form

of showing support, advocacy and mobilizing ourselves as a society, reminding each other that everyone matters. ”

Kaavya Muthuraman, Rutgers University ’23

Many corporations have pulled their business out of Russia, and the United States has also implemented a ban on importing Russian oil, gas and coal. These measures are intended to isolate Russia until Putin is forced to retreat from Ukraine. So far, the Russian stock market has crashed, the ruble’s value has fallen drastically and interest rates have doubled. We have discussed Russia’s war on Ukraine and its political, logistical and human consequences in There has been somber recognition of the situation, often alongside a brief probe to see if any students in class have a Russian or Ukrainian nationality or know anyone near the center of the war. In my History of British Political Thought class, we discussed the widespread fear of what will happen to Ukrainian intellectuals, artists and activists who speak out

against Putin. My European Politics class discussed Ukraine’s rapid application for membership in the European Union, which would provide citizens with greater protection across the continent but logistically wouldn’t be viable for some time. I wanted to know more about how students’ experience of the compared to the experience of students back in New York City, which is home to the highest number of Ukrainians of any city in the U.S. as well as an epicenter of Russian-American culture. Salma Elazab, Fordham Coland currently located in New York, said that her communication and journalism professors have been lessons, but in some of her other non-communication classes, the war was barely mentioned. Student Reactions to Protests Outside of classes, I have seen protests outside 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with people standing in solidarity with Ukrainians and urging the British government to help “stop the war.” The United Kingdom has promised to accept Ukrainian refugees and their extended families for an initial year, along with sending 220 million pounds ($290 million) in aid to Ukraine, but protesters are asking for more. Kaavya Muthuraman, former Fordham undergraduate student and Rutgers University ’23 who is studying abroad at City, Universiprotests on Downing Street and politicians on Downing Street to allocate resources for Ukraine. “Protest is a good form of showing support, advocacy and mobilizing ourselves as a society, reminding each other that everyone matters,” she said. “The general English population cannot do too much more than show their supthrough protest.” that a lot of Fordham students, as well as others, have been sharing their thoughts on Instagram and Twitter. Muthuraman agreed with this note, saying that social media has been huge in spreading information and being a platform for people to share their opinions. On March 6, demonstrations in

AVA PEABODY/THE OBSERVER

people as the situation in Ukraine grew more dire and Brits felt increasingly inclined to take action. Jeremy Corbyn, a member of Parliament and the former leadParliament Square protest to warn against the dangers of a potential nuclear escalation and to call for the British government to welcome more refugees. While many like Muthuraman turn to protests as an accessible and reliable way to show support, some wonder about the efin the face of real violence, particularly at protests with little organization or available resources. Muthuraman noted that although the protest at 10 Downing

“ It frustrates me that

the same acceptance and refuge is not given to non-white victims of war from Syria and Afghanistan.”

Salma Elazab FCLC ’22

Street was a kind and open environment, she felt that it was a bit fruitless. “I loved showing my support, but I wondered what our chanting was actually doing to help,” she said.

AVA PEABODY/THE OBSERVER

Protest organizers hand out sheets with QR codes with letter templates to send to representatives and links to donate.

Middle Eastern American, brought up comparisons to recent attacks on the sovereignty of countries with majority nonwhite populations, arguing that the differing Western response to situations in Ukraine and in Palestine, for example, is a display of hypocrisy. “It’s been quite jarring to me hearing about how Western countries are letting Ukrainians into their countries without a visa, no questions asked,” Elazab said. “It frustrates me that the same acceptance and refuge is not given to non-white victims of war from Syria and Afghanistan, for example.” Ultimately, there appears to be nitely good, but displays of support can feel futile in the face of so much power, destruction and bureaucracy.

Proximity to the War Despite this concern, many are simply trying to let Ukrainians know that the world is watching and is on their side. This sentiment was exhibited by Muthuraman and I both take classes, when the administration emailed study abroad students reiterating their support. “We understand that some of you may have connections to Ukraine or family members there, so may be more directly affected. Please don’t hesitate to seek out help and support at the University should you need it,” the email read, linking counseling services. Muthuraman said that our “proximity is kind of alarming — City, University has sent us information on what to do in regards to travel and safety. They have provided information on what students with family in Ukraine should do.” Fordham sent a similar email offering similar services and a population who deserves our prayer. On Feb. 26, I stopped by a protest in Cambridge that was held by the Cambridge University Ukrainian Society. There were 60 people in attendance holda larger transient crowd that stopped to listen. Several organizers moved through the crowd to pass out informational sheets with actions people should take to help Ukraine. These sheets included QR codes that linked to templates of letters to send to representatives, ways to donate to humanitarian aid funds and to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and future dates of protests in The presence of Russians at in the country disagree with the imposition on Ukraine’s sovereignty, not only because they believe it’s wrong, but also because the global sanctions imposed on Russia have hurt certain population groups there. Some signs held by Russians read “Putin is the shame of my country.” Banners featured hashtags like #closethesky, referencing over Ukraine. Although the U.S.

President Joe Biden and other NATO leaders have declined to do so for fear of igniting a NAU.S. military would be shooting down Russian planes. There was also #banrussiafromswift, the Russian banks be removed from SWIFT, a messaging system that facilitates international trade. Chants included “Stand with Ukraine” and “Stop the war,” which periodically gave way to speeches from the organizers. One speaker cautioned that “with every hour the chances can change dramatically” regarding Ukrainian people’s safety and implored the crowd to contact their members of Parliament to keep them “updated on the situation in Ukraine” and to “keep Ukraine’s sovereignty a visible topic in the media and government policy.” attendee at the Cambridge protest, said the protest was “powerful and emotional, especially because there were children who should’ve been playing and enjoying the gorgeous day it was in Cambridge, not protesting an unnecessary war.” Curtin’s concern for the children affected by the war mirrors Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s emotional plea that “We have a desire to see our children alive.” She felt that the protest served a necessary purpose by allowing people to convene with one common goal. “I think gathering and symbolically standing with the Ukrainian people is cathartic — especially for those with loved ones directly impacted,” she said. Resources to help Ukraine CARE: The global humanitarian organization is providing food, water and other items to refugees Project Hope: The global health and humanitarian relief organization is providing on-the-ground support, working in and around Ukraine to deliver medical supplies. Kyiv Independent. The Ukrainian media outlet launched a GoFundMe campaign asking for monetary support to provide news from on-the-ground.

Sports & Health Editors Patrick Moquin Chris Murray sportsandhealth@fordhamobserver.com

Sports & Health

March 23, 2022 THE OBSERVER

Underneath the Umbrella of Martial Arts

COURTESY OF GABBY ETZEL AND SEAN YADIMARCO

By GABRIELLA BERMUDEZ Asst. Sports & Health Editor

How to Mitigate Anxiety Caused by Current Events Tips for keeping a positive outlook while still remaining informed about challenging world events What Is Anxiety? -

JOHN ENGLART VIA FLICKR

Even those not directly involved in world events can still be impacted.

By GUS DUPREE Asst. Sports & Health Editor

How to Navigate Stress

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March 23, 2022

Sports & Health

Beloved Teammate Edona Thaqi Looks Back on B-Ball Career By PATRICK MOQUIN Sports & Health Editor

Becoming a Team Player

COURTESY OF BRIAN KRITCHNER

Brian Kriftcher mentored Edona Thaqi from adolescence to her last game.

The Path to Fordham -

A Family Starts a New Life -

Celebrating the Final Days -

An Enthusiastic Athlete -

COURTESY OF FORDHAM ATHLETICS

1. Teleport spot after death in Minecraft 4. For 7. Breeze through, as in a class 12. Speed measure (Abbr.) 15. * Quote, part 1 22. “If you’re asking me,” over text 23. Household rival, often (Abbr.) 24. Appearing on radio or television 25. Schwartz, high-end toy store 26. “Theoretically” (2 wds) 27. Awarding, on Reddit 29. First prime minister of India 30. Sign language (Abbr.)

49. Category for late-night TV, like “The Daily Show” 50. McMahon apartment 53. * Quote, part 3 57. Tractor-trailers 58. Held tightly 59. Vow words 62. Saw 63. Available 65. Dog doc. 66. Citrus fruits 67. Chief enemy 69. “ Jones,” 2001 biology-themed buddy cop movie with Bill Murray and Chris Rock 71. Fraudster 72. Secular, en français 73. Eye infection 76. Celtic horse goddess 77. Many cars in Rome 78. An abbreviation for this paper 81. Mid-range singer 84. Part of an alternate representation of the RGB color model, along with HSV 85. Highly unconventional 86. Region 87. Shear, as in branches

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31. Spanish alcoholic punch 32. Leer 33. “In ,” attuned 35. Info. in an airport 37. Uses a keyboard 39. Ideology ending 40. * Quote, part 2 47. Philadelphia rail system authority (Abbr.) 48. Taken by mouth

cartoon starring Mickey Mouse 92. * Quote, part 4 94. Ado 97. Isles 98. Ship jail 99. Kleenex product 100. Political à la Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

103. Jump back 105. Berlin to Milan dir.

106. McGuire of “SpiderMan: No Way Home” 107. Becomes acquainted with 108. Helpful page on a website 109. Compass readings 111. Back of the neck 115. Editorial section of a newspaper (Abbr.) 116. Divisions 117. Opposite of plus 119. Equipment

121. Lightbulb moment 122. Sings one’s heart out 123. Swedes, Norwegians and Finns 125. Common sights on wrists

1. Homophobes, racists and their ilk 2. Person who leaves their country, primarily for a political reason 3. Beautify (2 wds) 4. 23rd Greek letter 5. Laundry cycle 6. Doc. who could write a script for birth control 7. Capital of New Hampshire 8. Direction 9. Spa sound 10. Fathered, for a horse 11. “We hold these to be self-evident” 12. Advanced degree in writing or drawing 13. They’ve gone and won’t come back 14. The Bible 15. Meanders on over 16. Pancreatic enzyme 17. IV nutrition feeding (Abbr.) 18. Old T-shirt used for cleaning 19. Rebellion 20. “ is smart. is kind.” 21. British stroller 28. COVID-19 variant 34. Norse god of the sea, 36. Days (Port.) 38. Dameron of “Star Wars” and Edgar Allen, for two

127. Japanese warrior 130. “12 Angry ,” Henry 131. Lima, black or brown 132. Nevada city 133. With 173 Across, the solid form of carbon dioxide 134. Common word on an Observer masthead 135. South Asian title of royalty 137. “I Write Sins Not ,” 2005 emo smash hit 140. Trash 141. Camera accessory (2 wds) 143. Institutional budget and expense leaders (Abbr.) 144. Avatars 148. * Quote, part 5 153. Birthday cake candle number 155. “The ground,” in French 156. Lock opener 157. Genealogy IDs 158. Taro roots 159. Grizzly’s hand 162. Vogue or Elle, for short 164. Genoa commune known for its focaccia 167. En (chess play) 169. Home of Mike Pence 170. Cleopatra killer 171. Counting everything together (2 wds) 172. Heart test initials 173. See 133 Across 174. Ruin 175. Brit. health care provider 176. Tacqueria topping 177. Opposite of bro 178. Rock band known for “Losing My Religion” and “Orange Crush”

41. Trump Department of Justice resignee Sally 42. Once-popular email site 43. Pass, as time

83. Ukrainians, Poles and Serbs 85. Vegetable you may cry over 86. Partner of Old Lace in a

45. Residents of China, Japan and Korea 46. Common nose attribute when sick 51. Golf supporter 52. Sheeran, Helms and Harris 54. Some memos 55. West (Fr.) 56. Home of Kathy Bates, Herman Cain and Morgan Freeman 58. Argues against 59. “To Live & Die ,” 1985 Californian neonoir thriller (2 wds) 60. Put up (with) 61. Not include 64. Rope loop 66. Fictional Scarlett of “Gone With the Wind” 68. Study of relationships between living organisms 70. Skit comedy mainstay based at “30 Rock” (Abbr.) 71. White inner skin of a citrus fruit 74. Conifer 75. Draws out 77. Not being entirely truthful 78. Mine materials 79. Lover 80. Satisfy

88. Ship stick 89. Bicuspid tooth 91. Corrosive cleaning chemical 92. Characters have one on a show 93. Soldiers (Abbr.) 94. Misbehaving with no good 95. Thing in a play 96. Steals 98. Librarian order (2 wds) 101. Tanzanian coins 102. Watches 103. Genre of Frank Ocean and Beyoncé 104. Harper of “To Kill a Mockingbird” 108. Conifer 110. Carved 112. Percy Jackson condition 113. Colleague a video game 116. Targets (in on) 117. Home of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III 118. Rare 120. Wife of a raja 122. Flat-topped hill 123. Sarcastic introduction to an announcement 124. Oopsie-daisy 126. “ is human, to forgive, divine” Hamlet quote (2 wds)

127. Stitch 128. Lovelace of computer science history 129. Incorrectly interprets 132. Natural glue 135. Japanese PCs 136. Tree’s outer layer 138. Venetian transport 139. Return-postage enclosures (Abbr.) 141. Room to move 142. Genus of ferns whose name derives from the Greek for “feathery” 146. “I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, then all ”: John Green quote (2 wds) 147. Order 149. Dallas suburb 150. “Lion King” lackey 151. Uses e-cigarettes 152. Japanese Nobel Prize winner Leo 153. Put in for (2 wds) 154. “Star Trek” showrunner Roddenberry 160. College west of RPI 161. Golf goal 163. Digital roadmapper (Abbr.) 165. Poly, West Coast school 166. Ivy League school of future JDs in NYC (Abbr.) Annan (Abbr.)

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Opinions Editor Clara Gerlach Isabella Scipioni opinions@fordhamobserver.com

Opinions

March 23, 2022 THE OBSERVER

OBSERVER THE

STAFF EDITORIAL

OUR RESPONSE TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE MATTERS

t has been almost a month since Russia began its most recent invasion of Ukraine. We are reminded of the plights of the Ukrainian people everywhere we turn, from viral TikTok slogans to Instagram feeds to news articles, all detailing the lives lost, brutal strikes and tales of Ukrainian heroism. National landmarks — including the Empire State Building — bear the colors of Ukraine, seen hanging in windows and pinned to clothing. We should be giving attention to this issue and supporting Russian and Ukrainian citizens in our community and abroad as best we can. In doing so, however, we shouldn’t forget to think critically about the actors in this story, both those involved and those left out. In the midst of violence, it is of the utmost importance that we remain mindful of our treatment of Russian nationals — both those situated in Europe and abroad — and refrain from exhibiting hostile behavior toward them. Innocent citizens should not have to suffer for the actions and decisions of their leader, and such unwarranted shows of animosity only serve to brew further aggression. As more people have taken to social media to express

outrage and disapproval toward Russia’s actions in the war, so too has anti-Russian sentiment grown. Hatred directed toward the country that stems from the failure to separate citizens from their government has negatively impacted Russian and Russian-associated establishments. While anger toward of peace is natural, it should not be directed at those who have had neither part in nor a say in the war.

Racial disparities about who has the right to peace are evident both outside and inside Ukraine. In addition, racial disparities about who has the right to peace are evident both outside and inside Ukraine. There have been reports of South Asian, Middle Eastern and Black Ukrainians facing discrimination as they is linked to larger conversations about the geopolitics of race, religion and ethnicity and why European countries like Poland and Romania that have been reluctant to admit

the Middle East for years are willing to accept Ukrainian refugees on such short notice. The issue of how the media frames who the refugees from Ukraine are — middle-class, white and “civilized” — contrasts sharply with how refugees from the Middle East are often described, pointing to racial and religious biases. We need to be more aware of the insidious ways race plays a role in the attention we give to certain issues and groups over others. outlets reporting on an ongoing war in real time makes it more important than ever to ensure that the news we consume is well balanced. Whether it stems from ignorance or concerted efforts by bad actors, misinformation threatens our perceptions of the war and invites opinions and prejudice to form that may not be based in reality. It is on each of us to educate ourselves and those around us responsibly and notice where we may be hurting those who are left out or attitudes toward them. We may not be directly involved in the violence, but we can still cause harm with our ignorance.

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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES • No part of The Observer may be reprinted or reproduced without the expressed written consent of The Observer board. • Letters to the Editor should be typed and sent to The Observer, Fordham University, 140 West 62nd Street, Room G32, New York, NY 10023, or emailed to editor@fordhamobserver.com. Length should not exceed 200 words. All letters must be signed and include contact information, official titles and year of graduation (if applicable) for verification. If submitters fail to include this information, the editorial board will do so at its own discretion. • The Observer has the right to withhold any submissions from publication and will not consider more than two letters from the same individual on one topic. The Observer reserves the right to edit all letters and submissions for content, clarity and length. • Opinions articles and commentaries represent the view of their authors. These articles are in no way the views held by the editorial board of The Observer or Fordham University. • The Editorial is the opinion held by a majority of The Observer’s editorial board. The Editorial does not necessarily reflect the views held by Fordham University. • To reach an editor by e-mail, visit www.fordhamobserver.com

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Opinions

March 23, 2022

Rams Debate: To Mask Or Not To Mask? Fordham students share their thoughts on lifted mask mandates and how to proceed during this stage of the pandemic

PRO-MASK: PROCEEDING WITH CAUTION countries are dialing back restrictions and not pushing the point of mask mandates. The world has begun to think that COVID-19 is going away, but that is not the case. This is where tearing that Band-Aid off too soon comes in. The crisis is still here; just because things have quieted down does not make it safe to go out without a mask. Ever take a bandage off too soon? You think by the new scab it’s all healed, and then a few days later, it hurts like hell. Well, this is where we are heading if we become too complacent. I do want to breathe air freely and feel great in a killer

ANGELA LOCASCIO Staff Writer

Why do we still wear masks today? After all, most people we know have been vaccinated, so why be so cautious? Unfortunately, there are still those people who refuse to be vaccinated and who could transmit COVID-19 to us in just a simple sneeze, cough or touch. COVID-19 is airborne, and despite vaccination efforts, it is still a dangerous virus that has no mercy on the most vulnerable members of our community. Epidemiologists warn us that although this virus is in its third year, we should not let our guard down yet. It’s too early to lift all pandemic precautions, and we can’t be sure what the future holds. Don’t expect omicron to be the last variant we have to contend with. Removing masks right now is like pulling the Band-Aid off before the wound is healed. Yes, I fully understand that we cannot go on for the rest of our lives wearing masks. After two years of masking, I am exhausted by it.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TARA LENTELL/THE OBSERVER

But I need to make sure that I do not get sick. I am immunocompromised. I have hypothyroidism, heart issues and high blood pressure. Yes, I take daily medication, and I do feel healthy, thank God. But feeling healthy and remaining healthy is the key here. At 64 years old (65 next month), I am not willing to risk my health.

I know that it is not fun to wear these things on our faces. I want to go out with my makeup on — my red, rosy lipstick— and to feel sexy. Heck, I may be in my 60s, but yes, I think that when I am all dressed up in my pretty dresses and heels that I do feel and look good. Putting on a mask can put a damper on dressing up, but it doesn’t have to take away

from a special occasion. Take my son’s Nov. 5 wedding, for example. Some of my son and daughter-in-law’s guests took them off for the evening, and we respected that. Yet I did wear mine — gown, hair and all — and I still had a great time. We are seeing a wave of milder infections. Other

my face to not feel dry and my eyes not to itch due to the mask and my own breath drying my face out. Then again, that is why I carry lotion and lip balm with me. I ask: Are we settling for complacency that will come back to hurt us in the end? I fear we may be, but according to New York state and Fordham’s recent decisions to lift mask mandates, it’s up to you to answer that.

ALICE MORENO/THE OBSERVER

Fordham’s mask mandate is lifted, but it is up to students to determine the necessity of still wearing masks around potentially at-risk groups.

ANTI-MASK: AN OPEN-FACED PREROGATIVE AASTHA AGGARWAL Asst. Features Editor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, masks offer protection against COVID-19. They prevent particles from entering the respiratory tract. They protect people from contracting COVID-19, suitable for the immunocompromised or those who wish to safeguard themselves against the virus. But they also offer the unparalleled opportunity for self-proclaimed “mask police” (healthy, nosy adults who demand one wear a mask despite a distance of more than 6 feet) to enforce a “recommended” measure against healthy, fully vaccinated adults who are not afraid of the virus. One must understand that some people have just accepted the inevitable realization that COVID-19 is something that most people will catch and recover from. They are not afraid of catching the virus and do not want the virus to be an inconvenience that prevents them from enjoying normal life.

Masks are an inconvenient accessory for these people. They prevent one from breathing freely, unobstructed by a mask. While they may prevent virus particles from entering the nose, they can also make it feel harder to breathe. Although scientists say that oxygen levels are not actually

depleted when wearing a mask, some researchers have begun to acknowledge that the discomfort of wearing a mask and the anxiety it causes for some are also relevant concerns. Since Fordham has required all eligible students and faculty to get vaccines and booster shots, and most students are

young, healthy individuals, I do not think that masking is necessary right now. In addition, cases in New York City are decreasing after the latest omicron surge, and while the risk is still there and we may continue to face new variants in the future, we are certainly not in a severely crit-

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TARA LENTELL/THE OBSERVER

ical moment of the pandemic right now. On a personal note, I’m naturally claustrophobic, and wearing a mask just fuels my claustrophobia. I hyperventilate while wearing a mask, especially an N95, which only serves to make me nauseous. Wearing a mask can also cause acne and other skin issues. Acne can stop me from booking modeling jobs. It is a major inconvenience to me and is getting in the way of a fruitful career path. While I admit that those who wish to protect themselves from the virus are welcome to wear their masks, I am against the mandatory imposition of wearing a mask at this time. The people who are not imperiled by the virus and do not wish to wear a mask should have the right to exercise this decision for themselves. They should not be shamed for making this decision by the “mask police.” If people wish to protect themselves from COVID-19, they can very well wear their own masks instead of enforcing a dictum that infringes on other’s boundaries.

Opinions

March 23, 2022

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THE OBSERVER

One Size Does Not Fit All CARRIE BERK Contributing Writer

Content Warning: body shaming I hate to love Fashion Week. I marvel at the annoyingly gorgeous dresses that grace the runways. I embrace agonizing hours the hundreds of dollars worth of Ubers. Fashion Week is an escape. me feel like a princess — even if just for a few days. But this past season, I felt anything but special. I was invited to attend the Bronx and Branco show and had the opportunity to be dressed by the brand. When I walked into their showroom, I was surrounded by several colorful clothing racks. There were mini dresses covered in sequins, blazers with feather sleeves, and an all-fringe me to pull a piece to wear when attending the show, and I was eager to try anything and everything on. But as I rummaged through the racks, I noticed an overarsample size, either a size 2 or 0. I encer to come pull a look if you know you don’t have her size? Nonetheless, a woman placed a bunch of hangers in my dressing room based on the colors and styles I chose (pink corset bodices are my favorite). Everything was a sample size. I tried a few pieces out of respect for the brand, fully “My boobs are too big for this,” I laughed, concealing my embarrassment. Every time the woman failed to zip up a dress, at the ground at my sweatpants, eager to get dressed in clothing I was comfortable in and get out of

there.

dence. I’d be lying if I said sometimes I didn’t compare myself to justify what happened to me at

myself, but it was no use. There was a cocktail party before the show, and I noticed the room. Several of them were wearing those size 0 dresses I

for diversity of body types. According to a 2016 study from the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education, the average size of an American woman is between 16 and 18. But brands are not recognizing this reality. They avoid producing plus-size pieces, whether because they lack the experience or the funds for excess fabric. Not to mention, most models do not surpass a sample size (0-4). Diversity in sizing is an industry-wide issue that needs to be addressed — Fashion Week is only one example of exclusivity. Regardless of how frustrated I was at that showroom, I didn’t come all the way to leave empty-handed. The designer was nice enough to dress me, so I felt like

as if they were showing off their

mini dress with underwire in the

designer that brushed past me. The models who walked the runway were no different. As I viewed them from the side, I noticed that none of them had a stomach over their waists. They did not have large breasts, and some of them just wore colorful pasties as tops. Almost every look had cutouts, whether on the collarbone, belly button, ankles, or all of the above. Not only did the

were too big for the dress, and it seemed lackluster compared to some of the other out-of-the-box ensembles. But I sucked it up, mustered a fake smile and took a shopping bag home, even though I cried in the car out of embarrassment. The day of the show, I felt okay in my dress. When I arrived at the venue, photographers snapped a bunch of photos of me. But instead of zooming in on my face close-ups of my bag, a novelty taxi clutch. This seems to be a trend: photographers favor skinnier incamera at myself. Why didn’t these photographers want to take photos of me? I tried my best to hide the features I disliked about

indirectly taunting me — they couldn’t. It hurt a lot. I couldn’t pull off a bodycon like they could. I couldn’t wear a blazer down to my belly button without some spillage. It was unfair. My eyes darted anxiously around the room, and I counted the minutes until the event was over. I even noticed a girl in the same dress as me. She looked at least 5’ 10”, sporting the same scanned my body: my toned arms and thighs, breasts, and measly 5’ 2” stature. One of us looked like a model, and one of us clearly didn’t. I continued to compare myself to that girl and every other

of the general population, but the models themselves did as well. resentation of body types. Why design clothes solely for the same mold? As soon as the runway ended, I rushed out of there, tears welling in my eyes. Street style photographers continued to shoot groups stood in the corner waiting for my

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ASHLEY YIU/THE OBSERVER

Uber. When I got inside the car, I broke down. The show killed know whether to crawl into bed or sweat out the sadness on my Peloton. Asking me to come to the showroom when the brand didn’t have my size to begin with is not OK. I was set up to be disappointed. Why weren’t they dressing a size 6 or a size 12? It’s unfair to who are thin when there are so many successful creators out there who aren’t a size 0. If they don’t create clothes for larger sizes, that’s their decision, and I can’t do anything to change that. But Week dressing, just because of their size, is toxic.

encers. Brands project unrealistic body standards to their customers by showing thinner models on the runway. I may have had a frontrow seat, but the poor message the brand was projecting most certainly transcended the venue. Any girl who sees that type of lineup — whether online or on an Instagram story — could feel triggered. It’s time to represent realistic body standards. We’re in 2022, and with today’s body positivity movement, the fashion industry should really know better. Brands

can’t expect every model or every a size 0. I’m an athlete who works out religiously and eats healthy. But these people have the power to make me feel fat. Why is a size 4 not thin enough? It feels cliché at this point to say every body is beautiful, but one cannot say it enough — some people still don’t recognize or believe it. This season, Fashion Week lost its sparkle. Instead of admiring all the lavish ensembles, I found myself wincing at the runways, watching one thin person after another show off their look. I critique myself for not having noticed this sooner; underrepresentation of different body types is nothing new. But now that I’ve new perspective. I will never view Fashion Week the same, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop attending. As an aspiring fashion journalist, I believe my recent experiences will make me a better, more informed writer and attendee. Modern runways are not just a clothing presentation — they’re a social experiment in diversity and inclusion. Fashion Week now means more to me than just feeling like a “princess.” The privilege to attend comes with responsibility to authentically report what I’m seeing — I’ll never take my ticket for granted.

Ask Em: Should I Get Back With My Ex? against rationality at all, they might be worth respecting. You have so many years in front of you to learn what you want from a relationship, and even if this fails again, you still learned something from it. As long as the relationship is not abusive or harmful to your mental health, it can teach you what you want from a romantic connection in the long run. This isn’t an easy decision to make, and I’m sorry that you are so stressed about it. But you’ll be OK no matter what you decide.

EMILY ELLIS Head Copy Copy EEditor dittor di

Dear Em, Should I take back my ex? I recently got over our break-up, but now my ex has reached out to me again. They want to try and make things work, and they apologized for the problems in our relationship in the past. Is it worth trying to reconnect with someone I love, or should I look forward to the future? Sincerely, Cautious Communications Major Dear Cautious Communications Major, Relationships are never easy. They are rarely linear, and they rarely progress the way that you expect them to in your head. When they end, it can feel like you settle into a routine of loneliness and despair. Breakups are hard. It’s all too easy to fall back into a relationship in order to escape

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MADDIE SANDHOLM/THE OBSERVER

the crushing realization that being single means having to do some things alone. If this breakup is recent, don’t fall victim to this mindset. Give yourself the time and space that you need to build up your own routine and realize that you are fully capable of standing on your own two feet. To put it simply, don’t get back with an ex just because it’s the easiest and least painful route. Grieving the end of a relationship is an incredible, soul-crushing pain, but you will get through it to the other side. Make sure your grass before you even start to con-

sider getting back into a relationship with an ex. That being said, it’s important not to rule out the idea that a relationship can grow and adapt over time. While it might not have worked earlier, you both have had priorities and recenter. While I do believe that people rarely change in drastic, life-altering ways, they and changing their lifestyle. Call me an optimist, but love is always worth a second shot. If you feel that strongly about this person, don’t let a past failure deter you from a potential future success.

Many people will tell you to run for the hills. They will say that the relationship ended for a reason, and that people rarely ever change, especially in the relationship category. Perhaps, in your case, they will even be right. But you are never a fool for seeing something through, and if your gut tells you that your ex deserves another chance, follow it. You are the only person who can determine what is best for you in this current moment, so trust your instincts. Your emotions and your mind might battle, but if your emo-

Have questions about love or relationships in NYC or Fordham? Ask Em! Submit your dilemma with a pseudonym to opinions@fordhamobserver.com. All questions will be anonymous, and names will be changed. Submissions may be edited for grammar and brevity.

Arts & Culture Editors Isabella Gonzalez Olivia Stern arts@fordhamobserver.com

Arts & Culture

March 23, 2022 THE OBSERVER

PHOTOS BY OLIVIA STERN/THE OBSERVER

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick Take Their Romance to the Stage in ‘Plaza Suite’ The off-screen couple returns to Broadway at the Hudson Theatre in Neil Simon’s 1968 comedy play By OLIVIA STERN Arts & Culture Editor

It was March of 2020 when dynamic acting couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick were set to debut in Neil Simon’s comedy “Plaza Suite.” Then, a day before previews were set to begin for the play, COVID-19 shut down Broadway shows entirely. Now, two years later, they are ready to return to Broadway on March 28 for their official opening night.

The conversation felt like the classic married couple banter that you would see on 1960s television. I felt the annoyance of the bickering myself, as if Sam and Karen were my own parents.

The play is structured into three acts — all taking place in The Plaza’s Hotel Suite 719 — showing three completely different relationships, but each features characters played by Parker and Broderick. The set was simple and, for the most part, consistent across all three acts. Suite 719 had a bedroom and a sitting area, with a fake wall separating the two so the audience could see through to both sides. I thought it could have changed a bit more throughout the show, but the consistency is an homage to how The Plaza stands the test of time. The fake wall between the rooms of the suite allowed for the audience to have an omniscient perspective of the entire room, unlike the characters. The entrances and exits to the stage were straightforward. Some doors led to the bathroom and hallway and the windows looked out on the city skyline — one of which Broderick’s character climbs out of, which provided some comedic relief.

The Hudson Theatre’s ornate decorations paralleled that of the regal setting of the famous hotel. Even the lobby looked like a hotel bar. Act 1: Visitor From Mamaroneck In the opening act, the husband-and-wife duo Sam (Broderick) and Karen (Parker), who are visiting from Mamaroneck, are celebrating their wedding anniversary in the city. Despite the expectation that this stay would be celebratory, it was anything but. The conversation felt like the classic married couple banter that you would see on 1960s television. I felt the annoyance of the bickering myself, as if Sam and Karen were my own parents. The annoyance also came from the plot’s repetitiveness. Maybe part of this was intentional as to genuinely invoke that ally have a plot. Sam and Karen take turns going to the door and turning back to argue with their get more complicated than their failing marriage. The tones change quickly, with humorous remarks transforming into Karen’s yelling pleas for Sam not to leave her. Some of the jokes were evidently from a different generation, and they didn’t land as well as one might have hoped — unlike Karen’s paper airplane that landed perfectly next to Sam’s head from across the room. There were casual mentions

From the moment Broderick slid across the an Austin Powers-like fashion, I could tell this character was a stark contrast from the uptight, workaholic Sam.

of disordered eating and suicide that might have gotten some

more laughs back in the day, but I couldn’t help but cringe in the audience as they delivered these lines. Despite the comedy, I started to pity Karen — love is complicated, especially with a husband like Sam. Parker portrayed the dissonance and internal struggle to either forgive the husband she loves for cheating on her with his secretary or to make him leave their decades-long marriage. With an affair thrown in the mix, I don’t envy her situation. Just like her, the audience is left not knowing when, or if, Sam will return to Suite 719. Act 2: Visitor From Hollywood The second act provided a lightheartedness that lifted the (Parker) and Jesse (Broderick), former high school sweethearts, are reuniting at The Plaza to catch up. Jesse is now a big-shot movie producer in Hollywood, and Muriel is living in the suburbs with her husband and kids. From the moment Broderick slid across the woodtin Powers-like fashion, I could tell this character was a stark contrast from the uptight, workaholic Sam. Parker’s new character was pretty similar to Karen, but a bit more chaotic. Muriel almost reminded me of Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett with her awkward body language and frazzled energy, which I absolutely loved. In fact, Burnett starred in the 1987 television movie version of “Plaza Suite.” es toward Muriel, her naive and distracted self doesn’t notice his hand sliding up her leg. It didn’t help that she was entranced by his celebrity and the escape of suburbia that Jesse represented. Her constant giving-in to his pleas to stay felt like a less-consensual version of “Bad Idea” from “Waitress.” to see the back-and-forth played out on stage, I thought the more overt sexual advances could aware and current audience.

Act 3: Visitor From Forest Hills The third act introduces Mimsey (Molly Ranson), the daughter of Norma (Parker) and Roy (Broderick), who is unwilling to leave the bathroom of the hotel room to attend her own wedding. This situation adds a other two acts lack. The visitors from Forest Hills also prey on a very relatable anxiety — that marriage means you’re ending up like your parents. It was clear from the laughs in the room when Mimsey’s greatest fear was revealed that the audience could empathize with it. Norma has that same chaotic energy as Karen and Muriel, all of them emblematic of how the media portrayed women at that time. Not only did the show illustrate in vignettes the

complexities of marriage and romantic relationships — or the absence of either — but it also is a 53-year-old time capsule showcasing the societal roles of men and women in the context of these partnerships. The aged jokes still garnered laughs from the audience members who were older than myself, but I could have done without some of them. Besides the plot point of Jesse’s interest in were really central to the plot or dynamic of the relationships — they could easily be replaced with different, more current jokes. Previews began at the Hudson Theatre on West 44th Street on Feb. 25, and shows will continue to run in a limited engagement until June 26.

Arts & Culture

March 23, 2022

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Ti West’s ‘X’: A Good Dirty Movie By ANA KEVORKIAN Head Copy Editor

What do you think when you

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March 23, 2022

Arts & Culture

How Marvel’s ‘Daredevil’ Saved Gritty Superhero Television The series from Marvel Television had a major impact on modern superhero TV shows By CHRISTIAN MADLANSACAY Podcast Host

Marvel’s “Daredevil” raised the bar for modern superhero TV shows. Although the show was dios recently decided to bring the characters from the series to the their respective roles. Throughout the past few years, many superhero TV shows tried to replicate the grittiness that “Daredevil” brought throughout premiered in 2015, series such as “The Boys” (2019) and “Umbrella Academy” (2019) were inspired by the show and also grounded their approach in a reality where superheroes exist. While both shows were stellar in their narratives and themes, they did not capture the same magic that the “Daredevil” series brought to its audience in every episode. As the March 30 release of “Moon Knight” (2022), the newest Disney+ Marvel show and one that draws inspiration from “Daredevil,” approaches, it is time to analyze the show’s impact on its viewers and modern superhero television. Series Highlights Season one of “Daredevil” had a lot of pressure from the comic book community. As it was the in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

(MCU), many viewers expected the character to immediately stand out in the franchise in terms of storytelling and action. The season took the time to introduce characters such as Matt Murdock, a lawyer and vigilante; Karen Page, a reporter; and Foggy Nelson, who is also a lawyer. Using the television show format to his advantage, creator Drew Goddard focused on character development more than blockbuster action sequences to create sequence enhances the plot and gives viewers a clear understanding of how characters became the people they are in the present. This season acts as an origin story for Matt and his transformation into “The Man Without Fear.” Season two expands on the son so great. By introducing many characters and splitting the season into two arcs, it expands on the story of the titular character. “New York’s Finest,” was a standout episode in the season. Matt and Frank Castle, also known as the Punisher, share their views on being heroes, which gives more depth to both characters and shows that they are traumatized by their past. The characters express anger toward what the city has become, but their ideas about making change constantly put the characters at odds with each other. Rather than using an action sequence

intrigue, the showrunners decided to use dialogue-heavy scenes as a means of characterization. While the second arc of the season is less critically acclaimed pletes the story by recognizing the imbalance between Matt’s career as a lawyer and his vigilante duties. Similar to the movie side of the universe, the setup for the crossover miniseries “The Defenders” (2017) was done well and made fans excited for the potential of the miniseries due to its continuation of the mature rating. Season three was the ultimate season of the show. Due to the cancellation of other shows set in the universe, such as “Jessica Jones” (2015), “Luke Cage” (2016), “Iron Fist” (2017) and “The Defenders” (2017), there was plenty of concern about the show’s cancellation. The season shows Matt at the lowest point of his life. The character questions his actions as a superhero, which drives the audience to understand his growth

The Future of Gritty Superheroes Marvel’s “Daredevil” proved to many that mature-rated superhero shows are just as impactful as general audience-rated shows. Despite its cancellation in power of storytelling with proper guidance and fewer limitations from major studios. Many superhero shows come close to the success of “Daredevil,” but

few stand out in the popularity of modern and mature superhero shows. “Moon Knight’’ seems like a very promising show to this superhero genre based on the footage released thus far. Fans do not have to worry about Matt Murdock’s next adventure, as his story in the MCU continues in “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021). The show is also now available on Disney+, which means that its legacy will still live on.

moments when Matt resorted to season’s emphasis on change. The season served as a redemption arc for all the characters and helped the show stand out even more, especially as it reached its inevitable cancellation. By having a setting fully developed in previous seasons and the crossover miniseries, the third season can also be viewed as the climax of Matt’s journey as Daredevil.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY JANINE BALTAZAR/THE OBSERVER

Campus Ministry’s Art Exhibit to Commemorate Ignatius’ Conversion and Inspire Action ‘Seeds of Transformation’ celebrates the 500th anniversary of Ignatius’ cannonball moment that inspired his spiritual conversion ST. IGNATIUS from page 1

“There were many people that watched (the speech) from Fordham, and all of us had the same strong reaction to his talk,” Gibney said. “Of course, the environment and many things are front and center, but instead of looking at (Earth as) a ‘Wall-E’ world, how do we reimagine it?” From there, the inspiration for connecting St. Ignatius’ conversion anniversary to the realities of climate change was born. Campus Ministry thought an art low students and members of the Fordham community to express their thoughts and perspectives in ways that words may not be able to capture. “Sometimes, there’s simply no words,” Gibney said. “Art is always a portal to the sacred, and expression of art, I think, in every variety — music, dance, graphic art — it invites us to

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“Seeds of Transformation” will debut at the beginning of April.

that’s at the heart of Ignatian spirituality.” Gibney explained the process of forming this concept into something tangible took “a lot of prayer,” organization and strategic planning. Campus Ministry staff and students across both campuses split into four committees to delegate the work, each in charge of a different aspect of planning. One committee manages submissions, another plans the opening receptions and the third leads marketing and promotion.

The fourth committee is looking into collaboration with community partners, like the Church of St. Paul the Apostle that sits next to the Lincoln Center campus. “We tried to keep it really strategic and keep it as simple as possible, recognizing that college students, their spring semester is always very busy,” Gibney said.

“ I think love transforms always, aand we as humans, when we’re disconnected from the environment, then naturally (we’re) not going to be as concerned about it.”

Carol Gibney, director of Campus Ministry, Solidarity and Leadership

Rather than focusing on the despair of climate change, “Seeds of Transformation” challenges participants to see through a positive lens of action and hope. Their call to submissions invites artists to think about “what our planet could look like when we commit ourselves to stewardship. What happens when we challenge ourselves to reimagine our presence on earth as hopeful and interconnected?”

“I think love transforms always, and we as humans, when we’re disconnected from the environment, then naturally (we’re) not going to be as concerned about it,” Gibney said. She said this choice also connects back to tenets of Ignatian spirituality. “Ignatian spirituality is very much about re-imagining the world,” Gibney explained. “(St. Ignatius) was someone who was very enamored with the world and worldly things.” She detailed how his conversion allowed him to open himself up to compassion and connection to others. “If you’re connected to them, then your world changes,” she said. With the “Seeds of Transformation” exhibit, Gibney hopes and expression of just one of the many issues troubling our world today. “At this moment in time, with the world hurting, and the pandemic and the war, for us to be as loving as compassionate for and with each other, we’re men and women for and with others,” she said. “We have to go a little bit deeper to extend that love and compassion to everybody around us because people are hurting.” Campus Ministry will be accepting submissions until March 31 via an online submission form or in person in the Campus Minisor other digital submissions can be sent to the campus ministry email, cm@fordham.edu.

Fun & Games Editor Kreena Vora puzzles@fordhamobserver.com

un & ames

R ea Da din ys g

April Fool’s Day

Syllab us Week Em Wate erg r en cy

Snow Day

ls a n Fi

Super Bowl

Del a y e d S t a rt

t s r Fi say Es

Easter

P th icni e c P a in r k

• • • •

To start the game, roll a six to begin your journey on the board. If you roll any number other than six, you lose your turn and must hold a squat until your next turn. Every time you roll a six, you may get another turn and may roll again so long as you eat a spoon of ketchup. Wherever you land, refer to the corresponding square. You cannot overshoot the last square. If you roll a number higher than needed to win, you are stuck on your current space and must wait until your next turn.

Water Emergency Flooded plaza: You must pour as much water as you can into a glass without it overflowing. Then, the player to your right must add at least a drop of water to the top of the glass. Continue moving around the group counterclockwise with each player adding one drop of water to the glass, until the glass overflows. The player who causes the water to overflow loses their next turn. Syllabus Week Scoping out the class: Pick a partner. Each time one of you performs an action described by the square, the other must too. Snow Day Freeze dance: You control the music — play and pause it as you please. Whichever player moves after the music stops must eat a spoonful of soy sauce. First Essay All-nighter: Drink a shot of espresso.

Delayed Start Inclement weather: The Ram Vans are not operating. Lose your next turn.

Campus Closure Roads are frozen: Hold an ice cube in your mouth until it melts.

Super Bowl Gameday: You and the player across from you are now competing in a paper football match. You must both make attempts at a point until one of you is successful. Other players must bet if you will score or not. Those who lose the bet must perform a cheer routine for the winning player. The losing player must lead the cheer for the winner.

Lawn Day Race: Choose an opponent and race them across the room. Everyone else must bet, and those who lose the bet must eat a pickle.

Valentine’s Day True love: If you have a partner, you must pay them a compliment. If not, pick a person to be your partner for the rest of the game and compliment them. Presidents’ Day Executive order: Make a rule that everyone must follow for the rest of the game.

Midterms Didn’t study: Go back to the “Delayed Start” square. Spring Break Home visit: Let the player to your left send a text from your phone. March Madness Hoops: Crumple up a piece of paper and attempt a toss at the nearest trash can. Everyone must bet on whether you make it in. Those who lose the bet must do five pushups. If you miss, you must do five pushups.

Pre s i d e Da nts’ y

How to play:

Campus Closu re

School’s Out

wn La y Da

Spring

Last Class

Hill Rose Visit

Lincoln

Mid term s

M us D eu m a y

h s c ar nes M d a M

Spring Break

e’s tin len Va Day

t ar St

Cut Out The Game Pieces!

March 23, 2022 THE OBSERVER

Miss the Crossword? Check the Centerfold for a BIG surprise!

April Fool’s Day Class clown: Tell a joke, whoever laughs must allow the joke-teller to draw on their hand. If nobody laughs, you must allow any player who wants to draw on your hand to do so. Picnic in the Park Lovely spread: Pick a letter and go around in a circle naming foods that start with it. The first person who repeats a food or can’t think of one must eat a spoonful of maple syrup. Easter Egg hunt: Someone hides your phone. If you find it within a minute, you get to send a text from the phone of the person who hid yours. If you cannot find it in a minute, you must allow them to send a text from yours. Museum Day Pictionary: You must draw another player’s portrait. All other players must guess who it is. If a player guesses incorrectly,

they must do an impression of the player being drawn. If nobody correctly guesses your drawing within a minute, you must imitate the player you were drawing. Rose Hill Visit Ram Van ride: Spin around for 30 seconds. Last Class Cram session: Move the person whose game piece is last place on the board to this square. Reading Days Literacy check: Read out the last text on your phone. Finals Real test: The player who lands on this must choose “Truth or Dare,” to be determined by the group. School’s Out You made it through the semester! You win!

GAME CREATED AND DESIGNED BY CORBIN GREGG AND KREENA VORA PAGE DESIGN BY KYLA MCCALLUM

Volume XLII Issue 4

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