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NORTHEAST TRIANGLE REDESIGN REVEALED PAGE 4

MEN’S SOCCER LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK PAGE 6

‘SHORT TERM 12’ IS LEGITIMATELY GREAT PAGE 10

Georgetown University’s Weekly Newsmagazine Since 1969 w August 29, 2013 w Volume 49, Issue 3 w georgetownvoice.com

2 the georgetown voice

august 29, 2013

correction In the Voice’s NSO special edition, the editorial “Forward with decriminalization in the District” erroneously reported that “14 states and the District of Columbia have decriminalized recreational amounts of marijuana.” Only 14 states have decriminalized recreational amounts of marijuana.

Voice Crossword “GU Student Groups” by Tyler Pierce25. Rope­a­dope boxer

Across 1. Breaking Bad villian 4. Not you 6. Georgetown radio station 10. A couple of 2­ Down 13. Portfolio part, in brief 15. Roman painter from Cyzicus

16. Number of problems 18. Fish organ 19. “Comin’ ___ the Rye” 20. Link between the administration and the residence halls 22. Like the Who, in the 60’s 24. Back muscle, familiarly

28. Put down 31. “Poppycock!”

34. Doctor Who villainess, with “the” 36. ___ apso (dog) 39. Where my thought’s escaping, my music’s playing, and my love lies waiting silently for me 40. The lifeblood of the Georgetown social structure 41. Loads from lodes 42. Port of ancient Rome 43. Some bent pipes 44. ___ King Cole 45. Liberal ___ 47. Iris’s place 48. With 61 ­Down, the campus barristas and snack dealers 51. And so on 53. Group that books shows for student bands around campus 59. Campus military org.

62. Jack­in­the­pulpit, e.g.

63. 3D structure with flat faces and edges 65. Remove from a manuscript 66. Catch a few Z’s 67. Couples 68. Declares

69. Esse, or etre, or soy 70. Mail place: Abbr.

Down 1. Starter’s need 2. Newton, e.g.

3. Trig function 4. Series opener?

5. “___ go bragh” 6. There’s an Isle of it 7. Greek earth goddess: Var. 8. Cash cache 9. Event attended by Cinderella 11. Kind of paper 12. Rose 14. Aardvark’s morsel 17. Unagi, at a sushi bar 21. Dorm queen 23. Girls night in 25. About 1 percent of the atmosphere 26. Mrs. Bush 27. Map within a map 29. The Beatles’ “___

answers at georgetownvoice.com

Leaving Home” 30. Kids sit on his lap at the mall 31. French loaf 32. sufficiently 33. “Siddhartha” author 35. __­It San Francisco ice cream sandwich 37. Arouse 38. Marble material 39. Clod chopper 46. ___ throat 48. Makes docile 49. “I wonder..”

50. Clairvoyance, e.g.

52. Musical finale 53. Miner’s tools 54. Kindey chemical 55. Fireworks month 56. Many millennia 57. Concrete section 58. Hoopla 60. Kind of function 61. With 48 ­Across, the campus barristas and snack dealers 64. Group for 2014­-2015

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Share your love of words and help us write crosswords.

Email crossword@georgetownvoice.com

editorial

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VOICE the georgetown

Volume 49.03 August 29, 2013 Editor-in-Chief: Gavin Bade Managing Editor: Connor Jones Blog Editor: Julia Tanaka News Editor: Lucia He Sports Editor: Chris Almeida Feature Editor: Patricia Cipollitti Cover Editor: Kathleen Soriano-Taylor Leisure Editor: Heather Regen Voices Editor: Ana Smith Photo Editor: Andres Rengifo Design Editors: Lauren Ashley Panawa, Teddy Schaffer Projects Editors: Alec Graham, John Sapunor, Cannon Warren Puzzles Editor: Tyler Pierce Creative Directors: Madhuri Vairapandi, Amanda Dominguez Assistant Blog Editors: Minali Aggarwal, Isabel Echarte, Ryan Greene, Laura Kurek Assistant News Editors: Jeffrey Lin, Claire Zeng Assistant Sports Editors: Chris Castano, Brendan Crowley, Joe Pollicino Assistant Cover Editor: Neha Ghanshamdas Assistant Leisure Editors: Rio Djiwandana, Dayana Morales Gonzalez Assistant Photo Editors: Kathryn Easop, Joshua Raftis Assistant Design Editor: John Delgado-McCollum

Staff Writers:

Tim Barnicle, Emilia Brahm, Will Collins, Emlyn Crenshaw, Maria Lappas, Claire McDaniel, Liana Mehring, Dzarif Wan, Sam Wolter

Staff Photographers:

Elizabeth Coscia, John Delgado-McCollum, Robin Go, Alan Liu

Staff Designers:

Karen Bu, John Delgado-McCollum, Mike Pacheco, Tom Pacheco, Sebastian Sotelo

Copy Chief: Sonia Okolie Copy Editors:

Grace Funsten, Rina Li, Natalie Muller, Dana Suekoff, Kim Tay, Suzanne Trivette

Editorial Board Chair: Caitriona Pagni Editorial Board:

Gavin Bade, Patricia Cipollitti, Lucia He, Quaila Hugh, Connor Jones, Julia Tanaka

General Manager: Michael Grasso The Georgetown Voice

The Georgetown Voice is published every Thursday.

the georgetown voice 3 SAVE SOME GREEN

Prospects for North East Triangle Disappoint Wednesday night, administrators and University architects unveiled a redesigned plan for the North East Triangle, the latest attempt to placate the neighbors by moving students back on campus. The dorm, to be situated on one of the few green spaces on campus across from Reiss Science Center, has been a point of contention since plans for it were released in July and sparked rage from students and Georgetown residents alike.

Following the plan’s initial release, most of the complaints had to do with the hideous design. Whether the new, stonier exterior of the Northeast Triangle is an improvement is a matter of taste. What’s more troubling is that the University is looking to build a new dorm at all.

If the Northeast Triangle is constructed, many juniors and seniors who would otherwise opt to live off-campus will be moved back on campus. These

students generally don’t want what Northeast Triangle offers—suite-style dorm living. They want apartments or houses. So, the Northeast Triangle is to be primarily sophomore dorms. The University understands this fact, and Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson told the crowd at the forum they plan to renovate on-campus apartments like Henle and Village A to attract older students. Such improvements would be welcome, but it strikes this board as unlikely that a large number of upperclassmen would elect to live on campus if they have reasonably-priced options a few blocks away.

And if they do, the consequences could be as painful for students. If upperclassmen return to campus in droves, seniors will take the townhouses, Alumni Square, and the choicest Village A and Nevils apartments. Juniors would oc-

cupy the rest of the apartments, with sophomores all in dorms. That arrangement would amount to a decrease in the quality of housing for everyone, even if the apartments were renovated.

Either way, if the University ever wants to completely placate the neighbors, a new dorm is not enough.

If students shun Henle and other oncampus options in favor of off-campus living, the University will likely be pressured to take bigger steps, and the easy ones include subsidizing on-campus housing or even forcing juniors to live within the gates. Of course, no administrator would dare propose those things now, but if they don’t come up with a better solution for the neighbors than the Northeast Triangle, more drastic steps could be just around the corner.

CANON BALL

Gtown Catholic identity strong among diveristy Last June, William Blatty (COL ’50), author of The Exorcist, started a petition to sue Georgetown in canon court to strip it of its Catholic status.

Blatty filed a complaint with the Archbishop of Washington, David Wuerl, on May 31, claiming that Georgetown does not comply with Ex Corde Ecclesiae, Pope John Paul II’s 1991 decree on Catholic higher education.

In the petition, Blatty writes that the theology and philosophy requirement, as well as offering Mass on campus, does not constitute a true Catholic identity. “It grieves me that Georgetown University today almost seems to take pride in insulting the Church and offending the faithful,” he wrote.

It goes without saying that if Blatty’s petition were successful, Georgetown would not be the same school it is today. Every student’s

time here opens with a benediction at Convocation and closes with one at graduation. Without the guidance of chaplains-in-residence, without the exploration encouraged by those very theology classes Blatty so disdains, Georgetown would not be the school we chose to come to.

Blatty also ignores the most essential aspect of this entire case—that Georgetown is not a convent or a monastery, but a university. As Pope John Paul II wrote in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, “[Universities have] always been recognized as an incomparable center of creativity and dissemination of knowledge for the good of humanity. “If Georgetown adhered strictly to Catholic doctrine, many areas of student life such as the LGBTQ Resource Center and interfaith parts of campus ministry would be constricted. This paper would undoubtedly be heavily censored.

What Georgetown takes pride in is being a community of scholars, a place where students of all backgrounds can flourish. By allowing a diverse body of students to fully participate in student life, Georgetown opens the doors of Catholic spirituality to a community of intelligent young people.

The word “Catholic” comes from the Greek word “katholikos”, meaning “universal.” It continues to hold this meaning in both religious and non-ecclesiastical contexts, and Georgetown’s education embodies the best of this quality. The theology requirement and the Jesuit identity are an inextricable part of the school, soaked deep into the stones of Healey Hall. It’s a unique feature of our school and an important part of being a Hoya, and Blatty’s claims are completely ignorant of that fact.

WHAT’S IN A NUMBER?

This newspaper was made possible in part with the support of Campus Progress, a project of the Center for American Progress, online at CampusProgress.org. Campus Progress works to help young people — advocates, activists, journalists, artists — make their voices heard on issues that matter. Learn more at CampusProgress.org.

Mailing Address: Georgetown University The Georgetown Voice Box 571066 Washington, D.C. 20057

Office: Leavey Center Room 424 Georgetown University Washington, D.C. 20057

Email: editor@georgetownvoice.com Advertising: business@georgetownvoice.com Web Site: georgetownvoice.com The opinions expressed in the Georgetown Voice do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of Georgetown University, unless specifically stated. Unsigned editorials represent the views of the Editorial Board. Columns, advertisements, cartoons and opinion pieces do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or the General Board of the Georgetown Voice.

The University subscribes to the principle of responsible freedom of expression of its student editors. The Georgetown Voice is produced in the Georgetown Voice office and composed on Macintosh computers using the Adobe InDesign publishing system and is printed

by Silver Communications. All materials copyright the Georgetown Voice. All rights reserved.

On this week’s cover: The Bar Issue Cover Design: Kathleen Soriano-Taylor (COL ‘14)

New university ranking system inconsequential Last week, President Obama unveiled his new plan to make college more affordable, speaking to high school students in Syracuse, NY. His proposal aims to incentivize efficiency and reduce tuition costs by creating a national university rating system based on a school’s overall value to students.

But while there are a few laudable initiatives included in his plan, the president’s proposal is far too modest to make much difference for students and their families.

The administration’s College Scorecard compares universities across the nation using a rubric inspired by discussions with students, education professionals, and state leaders. By 2018, the ranking system will help determine the amount federal student aid schools receive.

Sounds promising, but Obama must get Congressional approval to move forward, and the public won’t even know what the scorecard will look like until 2015. The loose timeframe and the need to consult what will likely still be a gridlocked Congress means the most substanitive parts of the President’s plan are nearly impossible to put into practice.

Even if the rating system could be easily implemented, it still lacks the ability to reverse the recent explosion in higher education costs. According to Bloomberg, college tuition and fees have increased 1,120 percent in the last 30 years—while food has increased 244 percent over the same time period. A national rating system would give students and their families more information when selecting colleges, but information

in an intrinsically flawed education market can’t slow the rise of tuition costs fast enough to benefit students.

A brighter part of the new plan is Obama’s proposal to reform the Pell Grant system to promote efficiency and cap mandatory payments on student loan debt at 10 percent of monthly income. Like the other parts of the President’s plan, there’s little hope for loan relief without unilateral executive branch action.

If he’s able to pull it off, such a cap on payments could do real and lasting good for millions of students suffocating under debt burdens and high interest rates. But until the President decides to risk serious political capital on a fight to give students relief, we are left with largely the same option as the beginning of his administration: hope.

news

4 the georgetown voice

august 29, 2013

Northeast Triangle redesign revealed to students

by Ryan Greene

At a forum held Wednesday night in Sellinger Lounge, architects from Sasaki Associates presented their revised designs for the new Northeast Triangle dorm, following criticism of the initial design. Although most of those present expressed appreciation for the architects’ amendments, many students raised

lash against the original presentation, which included a change.org petition with nearly 800 supporters for a different, more traditional design.

Most of the criticism against the designs concerned the new dorm’s modern look, with its boxy shape and grey color.

Principal architect Ricardo Dumont began Sasaki’s second presentation by outlining the forms of criticism the old design received

courtesy of sasaki strategies

Plans of the redisign of the Northeast Triangle were presented to students. more questions and concerns over the new dorm.

The architects spent the past month altering their initial design because of student and alumni back-

and demonstrating how that feedback was incorporated into a new look for the dorm.

“The idea that came strongly in the previous forum … is that this new

building should be, in part, mostly stone to match exactly the stone of the main quad.”

Attempting to match the stone look of Georgetown’s main campus, Dumont and the other architects decided that the Northeast Triangle dorm should be made mostly out of limestone and carderock, with wood on the first level and around the entranceways. These materials mirror the aesthetic of Georgetown’s neo-gothic buildings, such as Copley and White Gravenor.

To temper previous concerns that the new dorm will eliminate the green space across from Reiss, Dumont explained that it will occupy only 50 percent of the space in that area. He said that it would actually improves the green space there.

“One of the goals is to enhance the green space opportunity and to save most of the great oak trees that are out there,” Dumont said.

He went on to introduce the green terraces behind and adjacent to the building and the dorm’s new green roof, which will not only channel rainwater into the soil, but will give students more green space on the roof of the building.

Principal architect Katia Lucic conducted the second half of the presentation, which focused much more on the architectural look of the building. Lucic pointed out that the new design is less “boxy”

and imposing than the original concept. Part of the roof of the dorm was lowered and many of the windows were offset at different heights and depths. According to Lucic, this gives the dorm’s exterior design an “intricacy” similar to White Gravenor’s design.

Finally, Lucic displayed images of the new design, along with concepts of a redesigned Reiss. Although she was careful to emphasize that no details have been decided on for an updated Reiss, Lucic pointed to the inevitability of remodeling the science building.

“Reiss, in these renderings, is changed,” Lucic said. “These two buildings need to talk together and create this open space in between that we call the promenade.”

In an interview with the Voice held after the forum, Todd Olson, Vice President for Student Affairs, spoke about how the new dorm will affect life on campus.

When asked if the new dorm will prevent sophomores from living in apartments, Olson said he was unsure. “I don’t know that [sophomores living in apartments] won’t be a possibility,” Olson said.

“My colleagues in residential living are planning to do a lot of student engagement about the whole housing selection process, so I want to be clear that there’s not some detailed, final plan.”

Changes at Leo’s to improve dining experience

by Caitriona Pagni This semester, the management of Leo O’Donovan Dining Hall has implemented several major changes to their dining options and vendor selections with the aim of creating a lasting change in Georgetown’s student dining experience.

The changes instituted this semester came largely from student feedback from a variety of social media outlets including Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, the Food Service Committee played a role in suggesting improvements to the O’Donovan’s staff. “We focused on taking the feedback we received via Facebook pages and one-on-one interactions,” said Craig Cassey Jr. (COL’15), a student member of the committee.

This semester will see the reintroduction of a permanent burrito stand as well as a permanent station that offers options made exclusively

with ingredients from local vendors.

In addition, the dining hall plans to incorporate more fresh, local produce into its normal menu rotation.

However, despite its efforts to cater to the preferences of as many students as possible, Georgetown Dining faces the challenge of balancing the provision of “market-style” dining options while keeping meal plans affordable for students.

Signage and nutrition information proved to be the main concerns voiced by students and a major focus for Leo’s staff. “Students would feel like they were going up to something and not know what they were eating, so they really wanted the signage piece,” said Debby Morey, Associate Vice President and Chief Business Officer of Leo’s.

Leo’s has added clear signs offering nutrition information to all stations and has installed an interactive Nutrition Corner on the the lower level, which links to online

menus and offers nutrition breakdowns, as well as supplemental information from the staff dietician, Allison Marco.

Marco will seek to engage the student population and cater to their needs by offering personalized nutrition counseling. Marco will also be a key part of Georgetown Dining’s efforts to engage students in residence halls with nutritionbased programing.

“The dietician piece was a big piece for the students. We wanted to make sure that students knew there was a dietician on the premises, a nutritionist that can help guide you if you need that help,” Morey said.

In addition, Morey explained that Campus Dining’s increased emphasis on the total welfare of the student plays out as a part of Aramark’s efforts to improve student experiences. Aramark has dubbed this year a “Wow” Year of Service in order to demonstrate George-

town Dining’s renewed effort to improve the customer service experience. “We want people to feel good when they come in, not just at this location, but at the bookstore, Epicurean, or wherever they are going. We want it to be a positive experience,” Morey said.

Morey expressed optimism looking forward to the coming months. “We are really focusing on customer service and making sure our staff is educating students on what they’re eating and where it’s coming from. Giving that ‘wow’ service is something that I expect this year, and I think we’re on the right track.”

The Food Service Committee echoed Moore’s sentiments. “We desire, we strive to offer the best food possible,” Cassey said. “We want you to feel that this is not just any run-of the mill cafeteria, that this definitely is a part of Georgetown that you want to come to.”

Olson also said that existing apartment space on campus will be renovated in coming years, but was similarly unsure of any details on this process. He did reveal, however, that the Leavey Center is being considered as a possible location for additional University dining, to address the impending increase in students living on campus.

GUSA Vice President Adam Ramadan (SFS ’14) attended the forum and held ambivalent feelings over the improvements.

“The project as a whole really showed their willingness to take on feedback, which is very encouraging,” Ramadan said.

“That’s something we can keep pressing, but … if that was possible without sacrificing some of the other things we’ve been talking about, they would have done it.”

Despite his desire for a dorm that everyone will be happy with, Ramadan recognizes that no dorm can be perfect in as dense an area as Georgetown.

“They spoke about the 385 number,” Ramadan said, referring to the number of new beds that must be added before 2015. “I think this is their attempt to getting the number of beds to reach that number, but [without] sacrificing what students want. They could have easily made the dorm all doubles.”

News Hit

GU commemorates 50th MLK anniversary Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Over a hundred students and faculty took a moment to reflect on the significance of King’s time-honored speech delivered almost at that very moment half a century prior.

Georgetown commemorated the occasion by ringing of Healy bells at 3 p.m. followed by a reading of excerpts of King’s address by multiple student leaders.

“I think [this occasion is exciting] because of who we are as a university, that we are to reflect on great moments of our time. …It’s great timing that it’s on the first day of classes,” said Father Kevin O’Brien, S.J.

—Claire Zeng

news

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the georgetown voice 5

New School of Continuing Studies campus opens downtown

by Jeffrey Lin Wednesday morning, students at the Georgetown School of Continuing Studies (SCS) began their classes in a new building at 640 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., in downtown D.C. Planning for the move began several years ago because the administration realized that the SCS, which offers a wide range of degree programs for students and professionals, would need an expansion to keep up with enrollment growth.

“SCS has grown fairly rapidly over the past five years in terms of the number of academic programs offered and total number of students,” wrote Walter Rankin, the Interim Dean of the SCS, in an email to the Voice. “With our move downtown we brought more than 1,100 graduate students with us to a part of the city that offers opportunities to enhance their educations.”

The administration incorporated students into the discussion through surveys of current students, alumni, and potential students, which re-

vealed that the two most pressing issues were transportation and availability of University services.

“We were able to secure reduced, more affordable parking rates for our students and faculty at multiple private parking lots and garages in the area,” Rankin wrote.

Rankin believes that the move will also provide students with easier access to opportunities unique to D.C. “For our students, the move downtown offers them geographic proximity to their fields and industries of study, which expands opportunities for them, such as internships and externships, applied research, and pro bono consulting,” Rankin wrote.

Student response to the move has been mostly positive. “The staff, administrators, and faculty who were there from the SCS were really enthusiastic about seeing the integration of students from different programs,” Lauralyn Lee, Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, said.

Waging out the District

Ask any progressive Washingtonian about the Large Retailer Accountability Act (LRAA) passed by the D.C. Council back in late June, and they’ll likely tell you there’s a lot of good stuff there. Not only would the bill raise the minimum wage from $8.25 to $12.50 an hour for employees of the District’s largest retailers—defined as being over 75,000 square feet and having a parent company with revenue over $1 billion—it also promotes unionization and gives local businesses an edge in today’s global economy.

But D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray doesn’t seem to see it that way.

More than two months since the Council passed the LRAA in an 8-to-5 vote, the Mayor still has not indicated whether he will veto the bill or sign it, and the messages from his office suggest the former.

Last month, he went on local radio station WTOP and worried aloud about how forcing giant retailers to pay employees a living wage could slow development. This past week, his Deputy Mayor, Victor Hoskins, knocked the rhetoric up a notch, saying that the bill has already had “a chilling effect” on the city’s efforts to attract retailers.

By retailers what Hoskins really means is Walmart. Amer-

ica’s largest retailer is planning to move into the District with six new locations over the next few years, but threatened to walk away from three and reassess the three others if Gray signs the bill. The company has been on a media blitz since the LRAA passed the Council, and was recently joined by six other retailers who sent a letter to Gray urging a veto and decrying what they describe as “arbitrary” and “unfair” treatment.

But singling out large retailers for wage hikes is anything but arbitrary. It’s just common sense. Everyone knows it’s near impossible to support one person in this city on $8.25 an hour—let alone an entire family, even if both parents work.

But raising the minimum wage to $12.50 in one stroke would likely be too big a jump for many small businesses to endure, as they generally spend a larger portion of their revenue on wages and benefits. Without a doubt, the baseline minimum wage in D.C. should be more than $8.25, but the perfect shouldn’t be the enemy of the good.

Beyond the shallow gripes of unfairness, opponents of the legislation have a more convincing point—at least on the surface.

But some faculty have expressed concern that the move farther away from the main campus could mean students will lose a sense of the Georgetown tradition.

In response, efforts are being made to improve the connection between the SCS and the main campus.

“There has been a group of administrators and faculty from SCS meeting with the main campus administrators and faculty regularly for a better part of the year now about ways in which we consciously integrate SCS’s new campus, the main campus, and the law center,” Lee wrote.

Nevertheless, Rankin does not harbor many concerns about loss of tradition. He believes that students do not need to be on the main campus to have the true Georgetown experience.

“Georgetown is not defined by its buildings on the Hilltop,” Rankin wrote. “It’s defined by its Catholic and Jesuit heritage and values, its people, and its excellence in teaching and learning.”

Walmart, Macy’s, and other giant retailers say the largely low-wage, no-benefit jobs they create will disappear if their wages are hiked and they’ve had success selling their line. A litany of supposedly-liberal local commentators have come out against the LRAA, basically repeating Walmart’s mantra that plateauing job creation in the District means it would be damaging to raise wages.

This, upon further examination, proves to be an utterly empty and simplistic argument. Labor

city on a Hill

by Gavin Bade

A bi-weekly column about the District economists have documented since the early ‘90s how a rising minimum wage actually fosters more job creation—not less—and recent national-level studies confirm their conclusions.

Put simply, when the working class population is making more money, they tend to spend more on immediate consumption rather than packing the money away in stocks, bonds, or overseas accounts like the upper class. When people spend more, businesses make more money and can expand further, hiring new employees. It’s clearly in

JosHua raftis

The new SCS building features a modern design with open spaces. the interest of both job creation and and economic justice that the minimum wage be raised.

Let’s not kid ourselves. These large corporations have the money to pay a $12.50 an hour wage. Wal mart, after all, announced in June that it would spend $15 billion buying back its own stock.

What these giants fear isn’t the wage. They fear a large-scale movement for workers’ rights and fair pay. Although shamefully undercovered by the mainstream media, the last two years have seen a dramatic change in organizing tactics and a marked increase in the number of small, often wildcat strikes at low-pay retailers like Walmart.

Combine that new and growing activism with possible national headlines about the LRAA in D.C. and retailers are afraid a bill signing here could empower their employees to speak up. Even worse, it could give local governments across the nation another model to make their communities fairer for everyone. That could turn into a national conversation about our low-wage, low-benefit economy— exactly the talk Walmart doesn’t want to have.

At the end of the day, it’s unlikely we’ll see that scenario. Mayor Gray, despite his claims of progressivism, seems beholden to the cor-

porate interest on the bill, and the Council needs one more vote to override a veto. But even without it, there’s still a way forward for the LRAA and legislation like it. Gray faces reelection next year, and a veto would open up room on the left for a pro-living wage candidate. Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) voted for the measure in June, and his colleague Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) says he supports a “living wage for everyone” despite voting against it.

No bill is perfect, and the LRAA is far from an exception. But it does represent a legitimate and potentially effective effort to alter the fundamental logic of the contemporary American economy—one that favors depressed wages, business consolidation, inequality, and, as a result, low growth.

The LRAA doesn’t just help unions and working class employees. It helps the mom and pop shop. It helps families. It helps the whole economy grow.

And students should support it for those reasons, because, whether we think so or not, all of us could end up in a low wage job in the District someday.

Want to talk boycott Walmart?

Email Gavin at gbade@georgetownvoice.com

sports

6 the georgetown voice

august 29, 2013

Men’s soccer learning from preseason contests

by Chris Castano Despite ending last season on one of the highest notes in program history, retaining the majority of their starting lineup and recruiting a promising freshman class, the preseason hasn’t exactly been easy for Georgetown men’s soccer. The difficulties the team has faced in preparation for the upcoming season were highlighted in a 3-1 loss to familiar foes Syracuse University this past Sunday.

Coach Brian Wiese opened his remarks on the game by saying, “I think it’s a good lesson for us. Syracuse won the game in the first ten minutes with how they came out. Our guys came out like it was just a pre-season scrimmage. Then boom! We were down 2-0.”

True to coach Wiese’s word, the Hoyas started the game sluggishly as their orange counterparts buzzed around the field. In just the eighth minute, Hoya junior goalkeeper Tomas Gomez came out of his net to make a challenge on the onrushing Syracuse freshman forward Chris Nanco. Nanco went down and gave SU the resulting spot-kick opportunity.

Junior midfielder Nick Perea calmly converted to give the Orange the 1-0 lead.

Perea didn’t waste any time adding to Syracuse’s goal tally.

In the 11th minute, junior defender Jordan Murrell crossed a ball right to Perea, who calmly slotted the ball past Gomez to make the score 2-0. At this point, the Hoyas looked completely out of their element.

Perea’s involvement continued in the 56th minute when he played a pinpoint through ball to Syracuse sophomore midfielder Stefano Stamoulacatos who finished it off, putting the Hoyas behind 3-0. The only consolation the Hoyas could find in the game came in the form of another penalty, which senior midfielder Steve Neu-

mann converted to make the final score 3-1.

The loss brought the Hoyas preseason record to one loss and one tie, which is surprising given the strength of the squad and recent achievements.

“We played a game against a good team,” Wiese said following his team’s disappointing performance. “We scheduled a game against a good team because we wanted to see what things we needed to address and what some weaknesses were, areas that we needed to shore up. We certainly found those today.”

Defense is a particular point of concern for the Hoyas after thise two frustrating showings.

Of the back line that took the Blue and Gray to the College Cup Finals, only sophomores Keegan Rosenberry and Cole Seiler remain. Former seniors and defensive cornerstones Tommy Muller and Jimmy Nealis were both drafted to play professionally in Major League Soccer.

Freshman defender Joshua Yaro partnered with Seiler in central defense during the preseason.

However, left back remains a weak position for the Hoyas.

“Left back is a problem for us,” said Seiler. “There’s a lot of competition over there, but Josh Yaro has been starting for us in the center of defense and has been doing really well.”

While Georgetown’s defensive problems are being mulled over, the issues of understanding and touch are right at the forefront. The Hoyas struggled to link passes together due to the physical approach to the game taken by their opponents.

“There were a lot of set pieces in this game and a lot of fouls. It was a little chippier than we would’ve liked it,” said Wiese.

Despite a rash of free kicks and the efforts of super sophomore Brandon Allen, Georgetown failed to capitalize on

MILES GAVIN MENG

Men’s soccer hopes to right the ship after a rocky preseason start

any of the chances afforded to them. The Hoyas especially struggled when it came to executing set pieces.

“I would argue that we created nowhere near as many chances as we would have liked to,” Wiese said. “We needed to get a little more aggressive in terms of how we’re going to goal and attacking defenses. While we created some

chances, we need to get even better.”

Due to Allen’s success last year, his name and the Georgetown offense converting chances will likely be synonymous this season.

“He’s important. He’s a goal scorer. He missed a spring with us because he was away with the U-20 national team for a bit. That was maybe not the

best thing for him in terms of development. So he missed a big window there. He’s almost still finding his feet. But, when he gets his chances, he’s as lethal as anyone I’ve ever seen.”

The Hoyas are back in action in Berkeley against the University of California Golden Bears on the 30th at 5:00PM. They then challenge Stanford Cardinal on September 1.

the Sports Sermon

“It was stiff this morning after a soft bed and just one of those things, sleeping in hotels and I didn’t want to push it.“ -Tiger Woods Greg Monroe and company in the opening round of the tournament. It was another fluke, just a stretch of bad luck for the Blue and Gray.

In 2011, the Hoyas earned a sixth seed before being blown out by 11th-seeded Virginia Commonwealth, who rode the three-ball to the Final Four. A fluke. Again.

In 2012, the Hoyas once again played a strong regular season, finding their way into the top ten before receiving a third seed in the tournament.

The Hoyas managed to generate some hope by winning their first round matchup against Belmont, but floundered in the next round against 11th

including two against rival Syracuse in their final season One game can change evtogether in the Big East. Porter erything. We spend most of our was named Big East Player of year watching leagues move the Year and a First Team Allthrough their regular seasons.

American. John Thompson III We get riled up about every was named Big East Coach win and loss as well as every of the Year. Everything had change in standings and ranklined up correctly in a season ings. In the end, though, what where everybody had expectdoes it matter? ed mediocrity. Then, again The standings that we folcame March and “Dunk City” low so religiously don’t put brought the Hoyas’ season to the name on a trophy like the a miserable end.

Premier League Table does. InWhat was that magical seastead, they’re thrown away as son now? For me, it brings back soon as the postseason begins. little more than the memory of The Patriots played the only sitting in Sellinger looking at perfect 16-game season in NFL the floor in disbelief as Florida history but will always be reGulf Coast extended the nightmembered as the team that finmare that began as I stepped ished 18-1 without out of the Georgia Pete Rose Central a Lombardi Trophy.

Dome in 2007.

This mentality From the more Da bettin’ line is what has caused casual basketball Dookies Margin Hoyas us, the Hoya Faithfans that spout (underdogs) (duh!) ful, so much pain (favorites) off, “Georgetown over the past six sucks, they can’t Puig years. Each year, even beat crappy Hustle Bench with the excepteams in the tourHernandez PCP Sympathy tion of the 2008nament” to the Justice Money Manziel 2009 season in professional “anawhich the Hoyas struggled seeded North Carolina State. lysts” who, year-to-year leave against the strongest sched- By this point, nobody believed the Hoyas out of their Top 25 ule in college basketball, has that these tournament perfor- and Big East Champion projecbeen spectacular. Each year, mances were random. George- tions, everybody takes postthe Hoyas crack the top ten, town could not be relied upon season happenings and judges earn a high seed in the NCAA to come anywhere close to the team quality from one weekend tournament and then inex- Sweet Sixteen. in March. Any other team that plicably implode in its first Then came the narrative annually produces a top ten weekend in front of the entire most of us know all too well. program would be considered country.

The Hoyas were not projected “elite”. It’s sad, but seasons are When the 2008 team lost to be too successful after los- remembered by the way they to Davidson in the secound ing Jason Clark, Henry Sims, end, not by the way they begin round, you could say that the and Hollis Thompson, their or anything in between. loss was a fluke. The Hoyas had leading scorers from the preI can’t explain how each made the Final Four just a year vious year. Otto Porter Jr. was postseason has been more of earlier. They were a good team on the rise, but he wasn’t go- a disaster than the last. I can’t that ran into Stephen Curry at ing to be able to carry the change the minds of those the wrong time. After the dis- senior-less Hoyas on his own. who believe that only Duke or appointing NIT performance Greg Whittington had sus- North Carolina or Kentucky of 2009, the Hoyas were back in tained an injury, but instead can rebound from bad seasons form for the 2010 tournament, of steering the season into or tournament performances. I where they earned a third seed the ground, Whittington’s ab- also can’t tell you that March in their section of the draw. sence sparked a run in which is going to bring an end to a This time, the unknown the Hoyas won 12 of their slump that is coming dangerOhio University cut down last 13 regular season games, ously close to a curse.

by Chris Almeida

sports

georgetownvoice.com

the georgetown voice 7

Field hockey excited for new year Hoyas primed to recover

by Brendan Crowley For the Georgetown women’s field hockey team and head coach Tiffany Hubbard, the 2013 campaign is a chance to improve upon a disappointing 2012 season that left a lot to be desired. The Hoyas finished a subpar 2-17, stumbling to a winless record in Big East Conference play and losing their final thirteen games. With ten players lost to graduation and only two seniors remaining on the roster, Hubbard will look to a core of young players to anchor the Blue and Gray.

“Obviously, we lost a lot of girls from last year and we have a pretty big freshman incoming group this year,” Hubbard said. “But the level at which all these girls came back to campus with is higher than it ever has been for our program... Overall, the main focus of the season is going to be focusing on us and taking our brand and style of hockey up week by week.”

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Field hockey looks to prove themselves.

Also, for Hubbard, while the team may look young on paper, she insists that they have experience far beyond their years.

“We have a lot of experience in those returners,” Hubbard explained. “Just with the talent level that the freshman came in at, I think we have a really good balance out on the field right now.“ Even with the strength of the team’s returners, a lot has to change for the Hoyas in order to find success. The team managed only 26 goals over the course of 19 games last season and allowed 84 total from their opponents. Also, the loss of Annie Wilson, a two-time Big East Second team member and the 2012 team leader in points, goals, and assists, to graduation, leaves a large hole for the Hoyas to fill.

With Wilson gone, Georgetown’s leading returning scorer will be sophomore midfielder Emily Weinberg. As a freshman, Weinberg netted two goals and started all but one of the team’s 19 games.

Up front, sophomore Forward Sarah Butterfield, who scored one goal in her first college season, will look to contribute offensively as well.

D e s p i t e t h e s e c halle nge s , H u b b a rd i s e xc ite d ab o ut h e r t e a m ’s p ro s p e c ts , e s p e ci a l l y t h e u nity the y’v e s h o w e d i n t h e se as o n’s e arly stages.

A change of pace for the Pats

I’ve been a Pats fan my whole life. Born and bred a New Englander, I’m devoted to the red, white, and blue of the Patriots. Seasoned sportscasters are still on the bandwagon and believe that we’ll still have a double-digit win column by the end of the season, if not a Super Bowl run.

Patriot owner Robert Kraft is convinced that Tebow is a fantastic acquisition and that our team is just starting a new era.

But even with these new leads, what has been sacrificed for these prospective playoff runs? With the loss of major players, media scandal, and injuries, we could point our fingers in any number of directions. But I’m afraid that the Pats are over, and not because of any one of these factors. I’m afraid that Head Coach Bill Belichick is responsible for the decline of team morale, and, even more so, I’m afraid that he can’t fix it this time.

So we’ve got Tim Tebow.

So what? Behind Tom Brady, he’s not going to see much, if any, playing time, even with a sprained knee in the picture. Tebow can’t save us.

And he’s just one of the six or maybe seven players that any given weekend fan could name. When half the Patriots’ fan base can’t even name two hands worth of players but can discuss at length the scandals associated with each one they can name, there is a serious lack of depth.

One of these players is the infamous Aaron Hernandez, whose arraignment will make headlines the news next week.

The Pats have faced media scandals before, but never murder charges.

While that media assault certainly isn’t helping the Patriots, what is more concerning is Bill Belichick’s apparent ignorance of the issue. An upcoming Rolling Stone article will claim that

“They’re very team-focused, and they’re very driven to make a name for our program,” Hubbard said. “Having a group of girls who will come to practice everyday, wanting to work hard and wanting to get better, it makes my job really easy. Practice is fun; they have a great attitude with everything. You don’t always get that from team to team.”

The first test for Georgetown will be this Friday against Davidson University.

The Wildcats, who finished a pedestrian 9-13 last season, are a familiar opponent for the Hoyas. Last season, the Wildcats shut out Georgetown 4-0, capturing an early season contest that accounted for the first of the Hoyas’ 17 losses. This season, the Hoyas are prepared for a more even matchup.

“They always give us a tough game,” Hubbard said.

“I mean we’ve went into overtime, we’ve went into strokes. … It’s one of those things we feel like we always come back and we lose by a goal. They play a physical and really fast game. …We really want to go in and, with the start the of the game, play our style and set a tone, and really try to start the season out with a win.”

Friday’s season opener for Georgetown will be held at their de facto home field at the University of Maryland’s field hockey complex. The scheduled start time is 1 p.m.

Belichick not only knew about Hernandez’s poor mental health, but was also aware of his drug problem and intense paranoia.

As if murder charges weren’t disturbing enough to team morale, the obvious lack of compassion for their former teammate must be. The Patriots and Bill Belichick have been extremely quiet about the entire matter,

Sporty Spice

by Abby Sherburne A bi-weekly column about sports

which, sure, is in the best interest sof the team. But in the wake of a tragedy like this, can they really ignore his role in the Patriots and reject the claims that his concerns had arisen prior to the incident? Belichick’s soundbite, that he was “personally hurt” by the actions of Hernandez, is not the genuine response that the media praised him for. Instead, it is just an example of the robotic movements of the head coach.

by John Guzzetta Postseason disappointment has given way to preseason excitement on the Hilltop for men’s basketball. Though last season concluded in an all too familiar fashion, the offseason has been fruitful for the Blue and Gray. Here’s a short recap of what Georgetown has done since March.

There have been a couple of changes to Georgetown’s roster. Standout Hoya forward Otto Porter declared for the NBA and was drafted number 3 by the Washington Wizards.

Greg Whittington, a junior who was academically ineligible for the last half of this past season, has torn his ACL and will likely miss the entire season, a major blow to their chance of repeating as regular season Big East champions.

The only incoming freshman is Reggie Cameron, a 6’7’’ forward from New Jersey.

Cameron is a sharpshooter, and showcased his talent in the Kenner League this summer. Cameron’s marksmanship should help spread the floor for JT3’s Princeton offense and open up more room for playmakers like senior guard Markel Starks and junior guard/forward Jabril Trawick. Georgetown will also have 6 foot 10 inch UCLA transfer Josh Smith, who should be a dominant force in the paint.

Head coach John Thompson

But this isn’t another article about Aaron Hernandez. Wes Welker represents another side of this issue. When he was cast aside from the Patriots, Welker didn’t express surprise or disappointment. Belichick and the Patriot’s weren’t going to pay him, and he knew it. Like Brady, he was willing to take a paycut.

But even with the prospects of more playoffs, Welker chose to walk away because of Belichick.

He has not been shy about expressing his frustrations with the coach, who he said was a factor the team had to “endure.” Welker has alluded that Belichick is a bully who doesn’t respect the players and who doesn’t practice any sort of allegiance.

Only Vince Wilfork remains of the once famous linemen, and faster, fresh-faced players replace the barely injured regularly. Once upon a time, this method worked, when the Patriots were young and strong and relatively unaffected by career-ending tears and breaks.

But now this “turnover meth-

III has also been in the process of securing one of the top recruiting classes in the country for the class of 2014 (high school graduation year). The Hoyas secured commitments from Isaac Copeland, a 6’8’’ power forward from North Carolina who models his game after Otto Porter, point guard Tre Campbell from St. John’s College High in Washington D.C., and L.J. Peak, a 6’5’’ forward from Gaffney, South Carolina.

Georgetown will tip-off the college basketball season when it faces Oregon on Nov. 8 at Camp Humphreys, an U.S. army base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. On Dec. 21st the Hoyas will give an early Christmas gift to everyone as they travel to Allen Fieldhouse to face Kansas and hyped freshman Andrew Wiggins, expected to be the top pick in the 2014 NBA draft.

Georgetown will also play Michigan State, which is expected to be a top five ranked team, on Feb. 1 at Madison Square Garden as part of Super bowl weekend in New York City.

This upcoming season will certainly be an exciting one, however, we’ll have to wait and see to see what type of team Georgetown will be. The Hoyas have the talent to make a run in the tournament, but it remains to be seen what type of chemistry this team will have as the players adjusts to new roles and expectations.

od” just hinders the progress of the team and splinters the Patriot fanbase that was once so important to the morale and spirit of the “local team.”

When I was 13, I cut off the sleeves of my favorite sweatshirt in true fan-girl fashion and wore it for the playoffs. It didn’t really work (2006, ouch), but I was Belichick’s biggest fan nonetheless. For me, he was the Patriots.

But now, I’m convinced that his embodiment of “the Patriots” is over. The turnover method that has served the Pats for so many years is no longer sustainable.

From dumping our best players to his blatant refusal to deal with the mental and physical health of his team, Belichick’s quest to serve the “greater good” of the Patriots is really only helping his paycheck. As much as I hate to see the symbol of my team go down, I’m afraid that it’s time to for Belichick to become the next victim of his method: shape up or ship out.

Talk Pats with Abby at asherburne@georgetownvoice.com

8 the georgetown voice

feature

august 29, 2013

garden district kramerbooks & afterwords heather regen

I’m not a big fan of bars. While I studied in Spain last semester, I shied away from El Tigre, a sloppy international student magnet that served mountains of greasy tapas with massive cups that singlehandedly redefined “double fisting.” Instead, you could find me in the artsy Malasaña barrio at Café Manuela, sipping on a spiked coffee and playing Scrabble at 3am.

I thought I’d need to travel back to Madrid to have another ermitaño, but a similar Amaretto, ice cream, and coffee-based drink exists right in Dupont Circle. At Kramerbooks it’s called the Almond Eyes, and the only differing ingredient is crème de cacao. Like all the other coffee and ice cream based drinks at Kramer’s, it’s decadent—especially when paired with a good book.

These concoctions are sweeter than their Spanish counterparts, but nothing comes closer to drinking dessert than the Goober Pie Martini. With chocolate and vanilla vodkas drowning in peanut butter liqueur and Frangelico, it tastes just like the pie it’s named after. It’s a bit much, and the pie menu at Kramer’s is so good it doesn’t warrant kitschy alcoholic remakes.

Kramer’s bar has a solid beer menu as well, with a varied but well-curated mix of local and craft options. In fact, the first time I went to Kramer’s for the beer rather than the books was to meet with an old professor.

lucia he Just two blocks away from the bustle of U St., beer lovers will find their next refuge for easing back with some fine lagers in Garden District. With its outside patio and exclusive selection of beer, this bar is a pleasant relief from the often crowded and loud U St. bar scene.

Right on the corner of 14th and S, this German-inspired beer garden’s fenced-in courtyard, occupied by long wooden picnic tables shaded by blue umbrellas, easily gives newcomers the feeling that they’re enjoying a beer in Munich.

Garden District’s beer menu does nothing but underscore this feeling. The limited but high-quality selection of American and German draft beers come in two sizes, served in liter or half-liter mugs. Though your instinct may be to order a Hofbrau original lager or any of the other great German beer offerings, don’t be afraid to try an American brew—Michigan’s smooth and refreshing Bell’s Amber Ale, for example, is sure to surprise.

However, beware that the popularity of this beer garden has dramatically increased in the past months. Finding a spot can be hard, so plan to arrive early for late afternoon drinks and dinner. They’re also famous for their pulled-pork sandwiches and barbecue. Or stop by for a beer once your body’s had its fill of U Street’s excitement. It’ll be sure to put a hopping end to your evening—Prost!

the georgetown voice 9

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science club cannon warren In a rare attempt to leave my regular campus debauchery scene, I rolled into Science Club in Dupont Circle for the first time with a few friends late Saturday night. After passing through an inner courtyard, we climbed upstairs to find an incredibly empty, dark room with blaring but energetic electronic music and a strobe light on rampage.

We retreated and headed down to the basement where the lighting and music remained at more reasonable levels. The ambiance was enjoyable, though the only connections to the bar’s supposed theme were a few graduated cylinders and a periodic table. After looking through the menu we chose the cheapest beer, $3 PBRs, but there was a good selection of wines and vegan/vegetarian options. The service at the bar was slow, so we left one person to get the brews while we went outside to find a spot on the stoop, the only seats left in the packed courtyard.

We lit some cigarettes and took in the crowd, who were mostly in their late 20’s and early 30’s, professional looking, and pretty attractive. I don’t know if the bar is fake-friendly since we were all over 21, but I can tell you that the crowd is not fake-friendly. They are in fact quite blunt. One patron complemented my friend’s Yoshi shirt, and then his girlfriend called me a dork and laughed as they walked away. All in all it was a pleasant bar with danceable music, and not too pricey to boot. I’ll be heading back there, as soon as I pop this frothy Georgetown bubble.

mr. smith’s tiffany lachhonna

18Th Street Lounge madhuri vairapandi I was initially sketched out the first time I stepped into 18th Street Lounge. The narrow stairs and dark atmosphere made it seem like a place where dark, sexy things happen. But I have to admit, the night time haunt has quickly become one of my D.C. guilty pleasures.

The large building is filled with uniquely-themed rooms that have been transformed into bar and lounge areas with attitude. The first room you enter is the biggest and is split between a lounge and a scandalous dance floor. No other room ever seems as handsy as this part of ESL—I only ever dare enter when I’m at least five drinks deep and willing to get groped and grope in kind.

If you manage to get past this floor unscathed, you enter a deck area with another bar and a much larger dance floor. As a plus, this open-air space allows revelers to smoke, drink, and grind all at the same time. The music is generally faster, and, thankfully, it’s not difficult to find yourself in the middle of a dance-off. This is my favorite part of ESL, because it really doesn’t matter how terrible your moves are. Trust me, I’ve jumped into a danceoff and did the lightbulb, only to be cheered on by strangers.

And if neither of these spaces suits your dancing fancy, I bet you’ll find a dancefloor just for you in one of ESL’s many ambiances. Because if I know one thing from many an evening spent in ESL’s dimly lit rooms, it’s that whatever your scene, ESL can at least guarantee you a place to literally dance the night away.

With the addition of two new SafeRide routes to Dupont and Adams Morgan and the lifting of the one keg rule for on-campus parties, one thing has become painfully clear to the student population: The administration either wants us on campus or miles away from it. Those classy West Georgetown parties where all your sophisticated friends would sniff coke off their granite countertops? They may become a thing of the past.

But, despair not! D.C. offers many a night time dives, ranging from laid-back beer gardens to lively joints to dance the night away. So, if you find yourself already tired of hosting sticky, Burnett’s-fueled ragers under the watchful eye of DPS, check out the Voice’s suggestions for a quality night out at the District’s bars. Just don’t be too loud getting out of the taxi on your way back to campus.

Among Georgetown’s charming shops and eateries, you’ll find Mr. Smith’s, “The Friendliest Saloon in Town,” on M right before you hit Wisconsin.

Though a mediocre restaurant by day, don’t let their blah-burgers deceive you—once happy-hour gets going, a hearty crowd sweeps in for good drinks and great vibes.

Proudly home to Georgetown’s only piano bar, Mr. Smith’s boasts a different charismatic pianist every night of the week. Grab their craft beer of the month at only $3 a pop, sit back, and take in the show tunes until next thing you know, you are belting out Bohemian Rhapsody with your new friends from across town. Sound a little hokey? Sure, but I dare you to give it a shot—or four. I assure you that you’ll be at the piano requesting the next song and maybe throwing a dollar or two the piano man’s way for such roaring entertainment. If you’re still convinced a piano bar isn’t your hot toddy, move on back to Mr. Smith’s delightful outdoor beer garden. Either way, it’s difficult not to just find a spot and enjoy the company at this cozy outside-inside bar.

And with a no cover charge policy, there’s nothing to lose in trying out this Georgetown gem.

kramerbooks & afterwords

Three Hoyas walk into a bar...

18th street lounge

Trust me when I say there exists a Georgetown bar that isn’t an hormoneraging freshman-meet-jock dance floor or a scene so hip that it justifies a $15+ vodka cocktail. As a lively yet affordable dive, Mr. Smith’s certainly steps out of the M Street ordinary.

madam’s organ neha ghanshamdas Situated on 18th St. in colorful Adams Morgan, Madam’s Organ may be the bar where you have to put a napkin over your drink when you go to the bathroom, but it’s a raging good time. Some say it’s seedy, but the three-story bar is a perfect place to meet people with its quirky mix of young professionals, college kids, and townies—and rumor has it that BJ’s are liberally administered on the dance floor.

If live music is your thing, Mondays are jazz nights, Wednesdays are for open-stage bluegrass, and every Thursday night a jazzy latin band gets rowdy. From personal experience, I can tell you that it is perfectly acceptable to grab the tambourine and join the ensemble.

Up a grimy set of stairs, on the second level a District D.J. spins music at several decibels above a 747 engine. Make it all the way to the top floor for a nice view of the city, some conversation, and a smoke at the open-air bar. And if you need a reason to justify the naughty escapades that are sure to happen at Madam’s Organ, do know that on Thursdays some of the money you spend eventually makes it to a nonprofit.

leisure

10 the georgetown voice

august 29, 2013

Cretton’s Short Term 12 leaves a long-term impression

by Heather Regen When Jayden first joins Short Term 12—a group home for atrisk teens—she introduces herself with an apology. She’s sure the people sitting around her are nice enough, but she doesn’t want to get to know them.

“Don’t take it personally,” she says as she makes her antiintroduction. Jayden knows the drill all too well: Take your meds, follow the rules, don’t freak out. If you don’t make friends at the foster care facility, it’s easier to leave.

But Jayden, played with enormous heart by Kaitlyn Denver, soon realizes what the audience knows from the start—that it’s impossible not to get drawn into the community at Short Term 12.

Director Destin Cretton begins the film with what seems like a funny-but-banal conversation between friends. The camera shakes as if filmed on a hand-held camera while Mason (John Gallagher Jr.) tells a story about his first few weeks working at the group home. Fellow social workers Grace (Brie Larson) and Nate (Rami Malek) lean against a white picket fence and look out over the yard. The scene is drenched in what looks like the warm, yellow glow of an Instagram filter, which immediately prompts a feeling of dread.

Not another cutesy indie movie about troubled teens.

But it’s not. A shrieking young boy bolts from a bungalow nearby, and Mason’s story is cut short.

Cussing and kicking as the social workers catch him and pin him down, he slowly calms as Grace strokes his hair. In the first 10 minutes, Short Term 12 jerks back and forth between calm and panic, carefree conversations and life-threat-

ening emergencies. The film keeps pace for the next two hours, never stopping but never crossing the line into hyper-dramatic after school special territory either. There’s a reason it won both the Grand Jury Narrative Feature and the Narrative Audience Award at this year’s SXSW film fest.

The characters in Short Term 12 are brilliantly broken.

Throughout the film, Marcus slowly processes his impending 18th birthday—a celebrationturned-curse because it means he has to leave the foster home and make it on his own. Grace helps him along, but she’s dealing with her own issues even as she puts on a perfect front for the teens.

Her father’s about to be released from prison, and her anxiety creates tension between her and Mason. Their relationship guides the movie, slowly unfurling in unexpected and delightful ways.

Just as the storyline never loses sight of the teens, neither does the camera. In many unrelated shots they’re playing in the background, seemingly unaffected kids from afar. The camera blurs and jerks and closes in to reflect their emotional breakdowns, but never too often.

Strikingly complex, the beauty in Short Term 12 is in the details. And the film is truly gorgeous. The joy of small moments is heightened by the intensity of the pain that Cretton shows through his characters with full force. The set for the solitary confinement room—blue carpeted walls stained with fading crimson blood marks—becomes a place of laughter as Grace and Jayden punch a blow-up toy inside. Their sky-colored shirts blend into the room’s walls, anchoring them to the space.

I know you’re phoning home, but E.T. called: he wants his bike back.

iMDB

In another scene, Jayden smashes icing into Grace’s face as she attempts to lock herself in her room and self-harm.

Grace keeps the young girl down, and Mason breaks the tension in an instant, looking at

the cream cheese frosting and red velvet crumbs hanging from her cheekbones: “Grace, how’s my cupcake?”

It’s this play between lightheartedness and despair that gives Short Term 12 its depth—

Mediterranean Munchies

I hail from the great culinary tradition of the American South, with our masterpieces of grits, cornbread, fried chicken, and peach cobbler. My friend Colleen is from Minnesota, where you can find fried everything at the State Fair. Through a series of conscious decisions, happenstance, and a little bit of spontaneity, we spent our last two weeks of summer traveling through the great nations of Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.

While Turks and Greeks share both historical depth and culinary richness, they also share a rivalry whose roots are rife with hot-button political issues, and whose practical, day-to-day ramifications center primarily on football (not the American kind) and debates over who really created baklava.

So when Colleen and I decided on a whim to fly from Istanbul to Athens one Tuesday evening, we were intrigued by this idea of rivalry—especially when it comes to food. Both of us have lived in Turkey, so we attempted to push aside any prejudices and appoint ourselves, two American girls, as the arbiters of the GreekTurkish culinary divide. Our Southern and Midwest culinary roots aside, we decided, rather presumptuously, to add our own judgment to the Greek-Turkish culinary debate. Here are three of our primary findings, dish by dish: Döner/Souvlaki: A question that haunts many is how to properly pronounce the word gyro. While I cannot advise you with any authority there, I can tell you about the difference between gyro (souvlaki) in Greece and gyro (döner) in Turkey. In principle, döner is the same at most Turkish restaurants: a spinning column of meat, either chicken or lamb, sliced thinly and wrapped up in thin bread

with tomatoes, onions, pickles, french fries, and sauce.

Due to its budget-friendliness, accessibility, and high levels of protein, I ate a lot of döner in Turkey. Still, only a couple of times has it been anything especially memorable—overjoyed at my first discovery of french fries in the wrap, and I haven’t forgotten the secret sauce at a hidden stand in the back streets of Adana.

Souvlaki, though similar in concept, proved to be quite a treat. Per a recommendation from our kindly hostel owner, Colleen and I walked to an unmarked place by Victoria Square, where we went up to the counter and ordered two chick-

Plate of the Union

by Rebecca Barr & Colleen Wood A bi-weekly column about food en souvlaki. To our delight, two thick, hot pieces of pita were laid before us and piled high with chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and—the most important ingredient in my humble opinion—tzatziki sauce, a delicious mix of yogurt, cucumber, and spices. On my first bite, I was astonished by how delicious the ingredients were, how well they went together, and how quickly I was able to devour them. Throughout our days in Athens, we came back to this place several times, and we were never disappointed.

Souvlaki stole our hearts—and our stomachs.

Dolmades/Yaprak Sarması: Both dolmades and yaprak sarması consist of grape leaves tightly wrapped around a mixture of rice, spices, and occasionally meat. The Turkish version, yaprak sarması, can safely be numbered among my favorite foods of all time. Squeezed into tiny, finger-like cylinders (traditionally, women are judged by how small they can squeeze

everyone in the movie wants to be happy, but sometimes the point is not to fix the pain, but to carry on through it. When Mason finally finishes his interrupted story, you feel like a part of the conversation.

their sarma), the Turkish version is served either hot or cold, often with a yogurt topping. My best sarma experiences have been in Turkish homes, with the grandmother and several neighbors working all morning to craft an entire platter.

The Greek dolmades that we ate at a rooftop restaurant in Athens were thicker, shorter, and meatier. Perhaps an avid carnivore would prefer them, but the taste of the meat overwhelmed the bouquet of spices that I came to appreciate in Turkish sarma. The best part of the dish was the tzatziki sauce that covered the dolmades. It’s safe to say that pretty much anything covered in tzatziki is delicious.

Baklava: Finally we come to baklava, a hotly contested issue on both sides of the Aegean. While living in Turkey, baklava was my downfall—it was difficult for me to pass up an opportunity to try it, whether served in a fancy Istanbul bakery or the back streets of Antakya. Every piece of baklava is a unique and overwhelmingly sweet experience. So of course Colleen and I had to try the Greek Cypriot version.

We got some baklava to go one night in Lanarca, and the sugar high gave us enough energy to enthusiastically dance to Greek MTV before immediately crashing. The Greek baklava was packed with walnuts and was bigger, sweeter, and thicker than most Turkish baklava I have eaten.

On the baklava debate, I can only say that to make a proper judgment, I must certainly try more of the sticky dessert from both countries at every opportunity. This will be a lifelong quest for me, and I look forward to the sugar highs and the weight gain that will ensue.

Solve the Greece-Turkey crisis with Rebecca and Colleen at rbarr@ georgetownvoice.com and cwood@ georgetownvoice.com

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“Truth is, I’ve always been thirsty.” — Big Fish

Custom Fuel: A pizza you can’t refuse

by Rebecca Anthony Custom Fuel is an indecisive person’s greatest nightmare. With three different crusts, nine types of cheeses, seven kinds of sauces, 19 veggies, 10 types of protein, and 10 varying cold toppings to choose from, the possibilities for delicious combinations are fodder for a statistics quiz. But for creative types, adventurers, and hungry students, the newest design-your-own pizza joint in D.C. is heaven.

Located in Farragut West by the GW Hospital and corporate business towers—and with no Chipotle in sight—Custom Fuel could easily become a new hot spot for young professionals and students alike.

While it is the newest craftyour-own-pie place, Custom

Fuel isn’t the only pizza joint of its kind. Located a few blocks down, &pizza on H and 13th Street is a hefty competitor. Despite the competition, Custom Fuel has nothing to worry about.

Each pie is about 13 inches and each crust—whether original, whole wheat, or glutenfree—is as fluffy as the next.

While whole wheat and glutenfree doughs usually come out of the oven tough or foam-like in comparison with original crusts, Custom Fuel avoided that mistake.

I created my own pizza, rather than try any of the suggested pies. The overwhelming options pushed me overboard, and I went with a whole-wheat crust, classic tomato sauce, chevre goat cheese, arugula, mushrooms, roasted garlic,

CUSTOM FUEL

Metallica’s “Fuel” was actually written about this partiular pie.

prosciutto, and basil. Custom Fuel’s sauce-to-cheese ratio is overwhelmingly in favor of the former, but their cheese still carries enough flavor to hold its own. The toppings are prepared so well that they’re not an afterthought either, so the rich and amply applied sauce doesn’t completely steal the show.

Among the conscious eater’s options include all natural, antibiotic-free chicken, unbleached, unbromated flour, and locally grown vegetables and herbs.

For the less creative, there are pre-crafted “Vintage Pizzas,” including pies with names like “Old Bay Shrimp” and “Gorgonzola, Pear & Prosciutto.”

Custom Fuel wouldn’t be a pizza place if it didn’t also provide the simpler pleasures like “Just Cheese” and pepperoni.

The cheapest pizza, “Just Cheese,” starts at $6.57, while a Custom Model Pizza starts at $7.97. The gluten-free crust is an extra $2.50, and fresh mozzarella, burrata, daiya, and shrimp, run an extra $.97. Getting creative with toppings can get pricey, but as long as you can restrain yourself, Custom Fuel is worth its price.

The menu offers salads as well, although with so many pizza combinations—including a Nutella and fruit dessert pizza—to get anything other than a pie would be a cop-out.

the georgetown voice 11

CONCERT CALENDAR Friday 8/30 Big Country Express with Down to Everything, Cherry Tree Black Cat, 9 p.m., $12

Tuesday 9/17 Screaming Females with Waxahatchee and Tenement Black Cat, 8 p.m., $13

Citizens Band Radio Hill Country Barbecue and Market Boot Bar, 9:30 p.m., No cover

Saturday 9/21 Virgin Mobile FreeFest Vampire Weekend, Robin Thicke, MGMT, Cascade, Icona Pop, Pretty Lights, Chvrches, The Avett Brothers, and others Merriweather Post Pavilion, 11 a.m., $0-50

Sunday 9/1 Fire and the Wheel with The NRIs Black Cat Club, 8 p.m., $10 M0nday 9/2 Empire of the Sun with Alpine 9:30 Club, 7 p.m., $25 Wednesday 9/4 Starfucker with Small Black, Feelings 9:30 Club, 7 p.m., $25

Deerhunter with Crystal Stilts 9:30 Club, 7 p.m., $20 Saturday 9/28 ZZ Ward with The Wild Feathers and James Bay 9:30 Club, 5:30 p.m., $18

MOnday 9/9 Blondie and X 9:30 Club, 7 p.m., $43

Monday 9/30 Stars with High Highs 9:30 Club, 7 p.m., $25

Sunday 9/15 Pinback with Deathfix 9:30 Club, 7 p.m., $20

Thursday 10/3 Surfer Blood Rock and Roll Hotel D.C., 8 p.m., $16

Monday 9/16 Youth Lagoon with Pure X 9:30 Club, 7 p.m., $18

Friday 10/4 Two Door Cinema Club with St. Lucia, Peace DAR Constitution Hall, 7 p.m., $55

Permanent Summer heats up the Civilian Art Projects

by Dayana Morales Gomez Gone are the days of summer festivals and beach bonfires. The school year has officially started, brining with it the beginning of the fall season and colder days. Nonetheless, Permanent Summer successfully reminds its visitors how much fun we’ve had since the end of springtime.

The gallery highlights a collection of surrealist paintings and silkscreen images, all with some tie to the summer. This theme wavers a bit in its cohesiveness: Some pieces are concert posters from the season, while others simply fit the right color scheme. The variety stems in part from the range of artists that contributed to the exhibit, now on display at Civilian Art Projects. Self-described as “pop

psychedelia,” the gallery also contains a host of animated styles commonly associated with graffiti art.

Brain Chippendale, like many of the visual artists featured in Permanent Summer, is also a musician. His pieces show clear influence from his musical endeavors, and, without cliché or redundancy, his multiple works convey the voice and power that come with a youthful infatuation with music.

Influences from rock to retro are woven throughout the musicians’ contributions to the collection. Yet beyond the concert posters, there is no blatant recognition of this theme. Permanent Summer loses cohesion as soon as its pieces venture further. Still, so much is brought to the collection by posters that

look like striking stills of music videos. The Arctic Monkeys’ new video for their track “Do I Want to Know?” provides an inverse interpretation of the collection’s posters, envisioning the rise of animated art’s influence on music—rather than music’s influence on visual art.

Street artist from Brooklyn Maya Hayouk also shines as one of the collection’s stronger contributors. Her screen prints are especially vibrant in color, effective at attracting the eye and focusing attention. She doesn’t overdo the catchy color pallet, however. Hayouk’s piece Apocapliss brings cooler colors to balance out hot pinks reminiscent of 70s and 80s fashion.

Multiple pieces of the gallery carry on that same effect.

Bright hues and highlighter colors remind viewers of a time

that has passed, and not just in the sense of an ending summer.

Silkscreen images of pizza and rock artists alike collaborate visually throughout the gallery.

With painted floors reflecting color onto prints only available in a limited quantity, the gallery

lends all its visitors hipster cred just for walking through it.

Permanent Summer is on display at the Civilian Art Projects gallery in downtown D.C. and will remain open until Sept. 7.

The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Civilian Art ProjectS

Fortunately, this prediction of Obama’s America did not come to fruition.

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12 the georgetown voice

august 29, 2013

C ri t i c a l V o i c es

Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks, Columbia Records With Hesitation Marks, Nine Inch Nails isn’t just selling an album—they’re telling a story. Unlike the common LP, the concept album represents the careful crafting of a collection of songs into a single work, unified musically, lyrically, and aesthetically. Nine Inch Nails does just that with Hesitation Marks, adding another great entry to the genres canon.

A number of the songs flow together a la Dark Side of the Moon, merging into an overarching aesthetic. The lyrics tell the story of a man with a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde inspired ailment, and his journey of working through his dual nature.

The tale starts with the creation of his Hyde persona in “Copy of a” and “Came Back Haunted.” Then NIN dives into the man’s Jekyll-

like despair over his condition in “All Time Low,” and lyrically charts his attempts to break away from himself in “Various Means of Escape.” The conflict climaxes during a confrontation described in “Two of Us,” and “While I’m Still Here” paints the aftermath of the album’s compelling narrative.

The LP provides ample opportunity for Reznor to showcase his often overlooked vocal ability. On “Copy of a,” instead of just singing the same word again and again, Reznor’s voice at times repeats as if the record is skipping—a great change of pace from his usual vocals. On “Running,” Reznor sings as if out of breath, adding an intelligent realism to the LP. Musically, Reznor creates a haunted atmosphere. The arrangements on the tracks vary greatly, from large and layered to scant and eerily vacant. Between the sparse drum beats and synth loops, the wildly distorted guitar, and eclectic mixes of other electronic sounds, Reznor and Co. (including Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham on guitar) create the musical landscape and world of Hesitation Marks.

While piano only makes a few appearances over the course of the LP, it shines every time it does. In simple, lingering, Chopin-like lines,

The hero Gotham deserves

About one week ago, Ben Affleck signed a contract to star as Batman in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel. Citing Affleck’s role in creating the monsters that are Gigli and Pearl Harbor, the internet reacted with a mix of incredulity and sheer outrage. However, the impetuously crafted rants against Affleck have been far off the mark. Little do the haters know that Affleck may be the best Batman to date.

A common fear among these online diatribes is Ben Affleck’s inability to appear as anyone other than Ben Affleck. This case would make sense five years ago, but the Affleck we see onscreen today is a beast of an entirely different nature.

Since his recent turn as a director, Affleck has matured into the promising filmmaker audiences awaited since his

days as the precocious brains behind Good Will Hunting. His filmmaking prowess has been matched by a newfound subtle approach to acting. The melodramatic Pearl Harbor Affleck is out; the nuanced Argo Affleck is in. The role of Batman has already been inhabited by big-name actors who did a fine job shielding audiences from their public personas.

Look no further than Michael Keaton, Tim Burton’s Batmanof-choice. He was able to master the role despite having Mr. Mom under his belt.

Unfortunately, some people may find it impossible to get over Affleck’s blemishes.

He has appeared in some notoriously hated films (thanks a lot Michael Bay), but to say he’s responsible for the atrocity that is Jersey Girl is unfair. Every actor lands in

Reznor creates strikingly dark yet fantastically beautiful moments.

Hesitation Marks has something for everybody, between the heavy synth/electronic tracks like “I Would For You” and rockers like “Everything,” — a sort of NIN meets Beach Boys. It is a masterfully crafted album, and, in my opinion, is one of the best of the year. If the lyrics’ story doesn’t hold you, the music will.

Voice’s Choices: “Copy of a,” “Various Methods of Escape” —Jackson Sinneberg

The Rides, Can’t Get Enough, 429 Records When an all-star lineup gets together, expectations tend to become insurmountable. The Rides face this very obstacle with debut album Can’t Get Enough. After all, Stephen Stills, some god-awful role now and then—Affleck just has an uncanny propensity for appearing in movies that become famous for being bad. While this may not be a mere coincidence, it sure required some bad luck (and some attention from Team America: World Po-

reel Talk

by John Sapunor a bi-weekly column about film lice). If people are capable of forgiving Sir Ben Kingsley for The Love Guru, then they can surely find a soft spot in their hearts for Affleck.

So he can act. Does that make him qualified to take on the role of a superhero? He already spectacularly failed at that with Daredevil, but as I already mentioned, we live in the age of a new Ben Affleck.

To search for the perfect for-

Barry Goldberg, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd make up the newly formed blues rock group.

Fortunately, the three come together to produce a well-oiled machine nearly incapable of producing a single fault.

Stills, a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, played in Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young.

Goldberg performed with Muddy Waters and Otis Rush. Shepherd’s expert blues guitar playing fits effortlessly amid of the work of the former masters.

Even so, the lead track “Roadhouse” creates cause for concern. Stills uses his artistic license liberally, allowing the rhythm of the vocals to suffer.

Despite occasional awkward accents on lyrics, the song itself is instrumentally infallible.

An up-tempo cover of Big Maybelle’s “That’s a Pretty Good Love” immediately compensates for the minor blunder with seamless instrumentation backed by Goldberg’s bouncing keys and Shepherd’s ringing guitar solo amid instantly recognizable chord progressions.

The prevalent covers serve as the highlights of the album, a fact that underscores the success of Can’t Get Enough. After mula for Bruce Wayne would be a futile task. Every actor approaches the role differently.

Ever since the recent “dark” superhero movie phase, audiences have expected a troubled, introverted Batman, Superman, etc. Christian Bale fit the role perfectly. He is known for his immersive acting methods, and the Bruce Wayne he delivered reflected the stoic nature of this acting process.

But that Batman is no longer. Chris Nolan is out of the picture, and Zack Snyder is in.

Putting two superheroes in the same movie demands chemistry between actors, and Snyder apparently sees on screen potential between Affleck and Man of Steel’s Henry Cavill. The more matured Affleck has proven his ability to convey the melancholy of Bale’s Batman. His charismatic side, showcased in Kevin Smith’s raunchy comedies, adds that bit of personality

all, most of the tracks are tributes to blues rock legends. The Stooges’ “Search and Destroy” is especially vibrant, as Shepherd’s ornamentation-free vocals and rampaging, dynamic solos rival the delivery of the original.

Another gem, “Rockin’ in the Free World,” creates nostalgia for the age of Neil Young’s 1989 version. The harmonies of the three blues men serve to further demonstrate the phenomenal production of the album as Shepherd and Stills occasionally trade verses over crunchy rhythm guitar sections.

Astoundingly, the album only improves from there. The Rides presents Elmore James’ classic “Talk to Me Baby” and Stills’s original “Word Game” as a more than worthy homage to the blues rock of decades past.

As the final oscillating guitar note fades, only one inevitable conclusion remains: Can’t Get Enough could not be more appropriately titled. Just start the album on repeat to save time between listens.

Voice’s Choices: “Search and Destroy,” “Word Game” —Kirill Makarenko demanded by this tricky twosuperhero conundrum.

The stigma against Ben Affleck had its day, and rightfully so. He’s starred in some of the worst movies of the 2000s, making him the butt of more Late Night jokes than you can count. Still, the public has a short memory. Affleck has proven his willingness to be taken seriously again, and the Academy responded by handing him a Best Picture Oscar for his pet project Argo. Mark my words: the recent salvos against Affleck will soon be diluted by the wave of accolades headed his way. These impending awards and a little “How do ya like them apples?” taunt should teach his detractors a lesson. The age of Affleck is upon us.

Become a kick-ass superhero with John at jsapunor@georgetownvoice.com

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14 the georgetown voice

august 29, 2013

Jeremy Lin proves that Asians can be ballers too

by Jeffrey Lin On Feb. 10, 2012, right after the legendary game against the Lakers in the bright lights of New York City, my future became wide open. Ever since that day, no one has referred to me as “Jeffrey Lin.” I became “Jeremy Lin.” More than a year after the birth of Linsanity, friends, teachers, and people still frequently refer to me as that electrifying point guard who took the NBA by storm when he became the first player in NBA history to score 136 points in five starts.

Although I am still annoyed when people call me by the wrong name, I can’t help but feel flattered that people subconsciously associate me with a Harvard graduate and NBA superstar, especially because of what he means to me and the Asian-American community.

Before Linsanity, people saw Asian-Americans as only “book-smart,” not as a possible

physical threat. Action movie stars such as Bruce Lee and Jet Li attempted to escape the mold of the bookworm Asian, but they never held a national spotlight that could help shatter the Asian stereotype.

Some people may believe that this typecast of the smart Asian is a good thing. They believe we should be happy that we apparently have an inherent proclivity for academics and we don’t have to work those endless hours for excellence.

This belief isn’t true, however.

We don’t all have that inherent genius, and ascribing our achievements to anything but our hard work is insulting.

The “model minority” stereotype of Asian-Americans still pervades American culture, in part because of the lack of Asian-American role models who disprove the standardization. Even Asian-American athletes such as Hines Ward, a Super Bowl Champion and former wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is not of-

ten recognized as an AsianAmerican.

Jeremy Lin helps solve that problem. Not only is he unmistakably Asian-American, but he also embodies all of the “positive” stereotypes of Asian-Americans without being constrained by them. Lin is a Harvard graduate, but his incredible work ethic shows that he did not succeed because of natural talent alone. He worked hard to become the player who caught the eye of anyone who even remotely follows basketball and showed the world that Asian-Americans can attend the best schools in the world, while scoring 38 points on Kobe Bryant.

His new documentary, Linsanity, scheduled to open in Washington on Oct. 4, details every minute of Lin’s truly inspiring story from his time dominating the court in Palo Alto High to his ascension during Linsanity. He overcame a variety of hardships including going undrafted in 2010

and being on the bench for the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks before his big break against the Lakers.

More importantly, he has inspired a whole generation of Asian-American boys and girls to follow their dreams instead of pursuing the careers that have been preordained for them: doctor, engineer, or researcher. Asian-Americans can now drop their SAT prep books and pick up a basketball to fulfill their dreams.

Now that the days of Lin regularly posting superstar statistics has ended, some people have said that he can’t play on an NBA level. Others even accuse me of supporting Lin only because he’s Asian.

True, Lin is not averaging the 20 points and 7 assists he did during the peak of Linsanity, but averaging 13 points and 6.5 assists on a Houston Rockets team that frequently lets James Harden dominate the ball is not a minimal achievement.

I will be the first to admit that one major reason I support Lin is because he is an AsianAmerican. As an Asian-American, Jeremy Lin has helped shatter preconceptions about Asian-Americans. We are no longer a bunch of meek, booksmart, “model-minority” people. We are a diverse group who have worked hard to achieve every bit of our success.

For some, Linsanity may only live on as an anomaly in the career of an “average, marginal NBA player,” but for the AsianAmerican community Linsanity continues to exist as a symbol of change. Lin is our Dr. J, Michael Jordan, and Bill Russell. Jeremy Lin has helped pave the way for other Asian-Americans to follow him, and he has made sure that we must respect his game.

Jeffrey Lin is a sophomore in the SFS. No one knew they were calling him the wrong name until he wrote this piece. Awkward.

Sexual assault survivors deserve support, not blame

by Kathleen Kelley “They call it the ‘Red Zone’—the first six weeks of college, when students are most vulnerable to being sexually assaulted,” I tell my little sister on the morning of her graduation from high school.

Her eyes widen as she asks, “Well, how can I prevent myself from being sexually assaulted?”

I sigh, as I always do, when I hear the word “prevention” in the same sentence as “sexual assault,” primarily because “sexual assault prevention” is a complete misnomer. Sexual assault prevention tips generally promote the common sexual assault myths.

Our language both reflects and shapes our world, and the term “sexual assault preven-

tion” reflects and further promotes our notions—including our myths and misconceptions— regarding sexual assault.

“Sexual assault prevention” tips frequently advise women to “watch their drinks,” “dress modestly,” or “walk in lighted areas.” While these actions may, in specific situations, reduce the risk, women alone do not have the power to prevent sexual assault. The utterly terrifying truth is that the only person who can truly prevent an incident of sexual assault is the perpetrator.

Of course, there are ways to reduce your risk. The popular image of sexual assault on campus is flawed. No one ever deserves to be sexually assaulted, which may seem obvious., though it apparently isn’t. Sexual assault prevention advice

We have the right to wear bondage if we want to!

TEDDY SCHAFFER

often puts the responsibility on the survivors. They are expected to change their behavior to prevent sexual assault, implying that they—along with their mini skirts and eight tequila shots— were asking for it.

The truth is I should be able to wear whatever I want. Sexual assault happens to people in basketball shorts and sequins alike, the only thing that should dictate my attire is my level of comfort and feelings of safety.

No clothing choices sanction sexual assault. Yet these apparently simple facts are rarely agreed upon in our society.

On college campuses, 90 percent of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the survivor. Carrying mace, learning self-defense, or holding a key between your fingers are aimed at preventing assault from a stranger, which only represents 10 percent of incidents. The real value of these strategies is that they make us feel safe and empowered, not in actually deterring a perpetrator. Perpetrators are calculating. They are looking for vulnerability. So, if carrying mace makes you feel safe, then by all means, carry mace, but you should not be blamed if you cannot fend off assault.

There are no accidental perpetrators, enticed by improperly behaving victims. The average campus-based perpetrator commits six assaults. The “Red

Zone” occurs because perpetrators know what they are doing, and freshmen don’t. Incoming students are vulnerable because they are in a foreign environment—they are trying things for the first time and are experiencing increased independence. They don’t necessarily know how much they can drink or who they can trust, and they may ignore their instincts and do things they aren’t comfortable with to try to fit in.

We all have an obligation to change the context in which sexual assault occurs and to address these facts.

While sexual assault often occurs within the context of private, closed spaces, there is still space for bystander intervention. While it is unlikely that any one person will witness an incident of sexual assault, we can also look out for questionable situations.

In order to be an active bystander, you should be aware and trust your instincts. If you see a fellow Hoya who seems to be uncomfortable, incoherent, or disempowered, just check in with them. Bystander intervention doesn’t have to be a heroic, brazen action. Just take a minute, make eye contact, and ask your fellow Hoya “Is everything okay here?” or “Who are you with? Do you have any friends here?” A moment of awkwardness or a dismissive “no” is un-

deniably worth the small chance that they do need help.

Serial perpetrators, who comprise the majority of offenders, commit sexual assault because they know they can get away with it. They know that if the survivor was drinking, others will call it a “gray area” or a “misunderstanding.” They know that people won’t believe a survivor with a “reputation” or that an “upstanding” person would commit sexual assault.

They realize that, in the right situation, the victim will be unable to fend them off.

By believing survivors of sexual assault, we undermine perpetrators and hold them accountable. By supporting survivors of sexual assault, we not only help them heal, but we empower them to speak up and to take action. And while it is never the responsibility of a survivor to report or to prevent future assaults, it can at minimum send a strong message to the perpetrator, and at maximum punish them for their actions.

We must start holding perpetrators accountable, support sing urvivors, and being active, aware bystanders.

Kathleen Kelley is a senior in the SFS. She also told her sister about Miley Cyrus twerking, JJ being fired, and the Boogeyman.

voices

georgetownvoice.com

the georgetown voice

15

Lackluster advising forces pre-meds to scramble for guidance

by Rebecca Packwood As I toured the Georgetown campus as a prospective student, I felt a mixture of awe, anticipation, and mind-numbing fear about what the next few years would bring. But, even as a young and naïve 17-year-old, I knew I wanted to apply to medical school, and so I was excited to hear there would be a pre-med advisor to help me through the three years of prerequisites and then the terrifying application process. Unfortunately, after the end of my four years, I had yet to meet this elusive pre-med advisor who was supposedly critical in my acceptance to medical school.

During my first two years at Georgetown, I didn’t have any

interaction with the Pre-Medical Studies faculty. The only advising for freshman and sophomore pre-meds in the NHS came from my Dean, who gave me a list of course pre-requisites for applying to medical school. I already knew these, of course, in order to build my class schedules. The kind of advising I needed was how to build my resumé, improve my writing skills, and become a more attractive candidate to medical schools.

During my junior year, in anticipation of applying, I was finally alerted to a pre-med information session for my class. Instead of being informed by an official, however, a friend provided me with the date and time. Apparently I wasn’t on the pre-med student listserv. I didn’t

TEDDY SCHAFFER

They also taught pre-meds that McDonald’s was the ideal brain food.

You can handle the truth

Edward Snowden is a controversial figure. Some say he’s a leaker who threatened U.S. national security, while others call him the most notorious whistleblower since Daniel Ellsberg.

Either way, the media circus surrounding his leaks has once again brought the question of how the U.S. government responds to whistleblowers into the spotlight.

The first recorded U.S. government whistleblowers were ten marines and sailors in 1777 who blew the whistle on the commander-in-chief of the Continental Navy for torturing British POWs. This incident led to the enactment of the whistleblower protection law in 1778 which established that it was “the duty of all persons in the service of the United States” to give information to the U.S. government concerning “misconduct,

frauds, or misdemeanors committed by any officers or persons in the service of these states.” When two of the whistleblowers were slapped with libel suits, the Continental Congress paid their legal fees and released all documents concerning the case to ensure that the whistleblowers could fight against the charges.

Our founding fathers’ clear support of whistleblowers did not last. Federal law no longer holds that whistleblowing is the duty of civil servants. The Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 protects informants in federal agencies from retaliatory personnel action due to disclosure but leaves open loopholes when it pertains to national security. National Security Agency and Central Intelligence Agency employees are not covered under the law,

Let the Voice be your voice. We accept opinions, letters to the editor, personal experiences, and creative writing that are exclusive to the Voice. Submissions do not express the opinion of the board of the Voice. The Voice reserves the right to edit submissions for accuracy, length, and clarity. To submit, email voices@georgetownvoice. com or come to the Voice office in Leavey 424.

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even know that a listserv existed.

So, by word of mouth, I finally made it to this meeting sponsored by pre-med “advisors.” During it, I discovered that a Georgetown pre-med committee application was due in April with a personal statement, activities, and all four recommendations.

Who knew? Not me, and apparently not very many people. A friend of mine, also a current junior, did not realize that a Georgetown pre-med committee even existed until April 1. He almost missed the deadline for their premed committee application registration because he had no idea that this committee was necessary in order to recommend him for medical school. Top students and excellent candidates for medical school almost couldn’t apply because Georgetown failed to disseminate this information to them.

Once I realized that Georgetown would not be helping me with any information about the process at all, I started researching it myself.

Soon I started the essay writing process. All good students know that a first draft needs extensive editing to become a final product. Unfortunately, I had nowhere to turn for this essay writing and editing expertise. The pre-med society website only had a power point slide on “Do’s and Don’ts” for your medical and whistleblowers who are fired for exposing the wrongdoing of national security agencies are not protected in federal court.

According to the law, there are a number of “independent” federal agencies that protect the interests of whistleblowers. The Office of Special Counsel investigates the complaints, the Merit Systems Protection Board adjudicates, and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit handles appeals.

Carrying On

by Sara Ainsworth

A rotating column by senior Voice staffers

These agencies present several problems. President Obama only appointed special counsel in 2011, so, from 2008 to 2011, there was no attorney’s office responsible for protecting whistleblowers. The Merit Systems Protection Board and the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit consistently rule against claimants and have been criticized by Congress.

Even though these agencies were created to assist whistleblowers and prevent their persecution, they are doing the exact opposite.

Along with these agencies’

school essay. The “resource” tab on their website links you to other websites such as the Association of American Medical Colleges, rather than listing any faculty or resources on campus. And so I found myself sending my essays to my mother for editing. I was a 21-year-old college student and I had no one except my mother to give me feedback.

As a caveat to this point, there are some very good advisors at Georgetown, both in the NHS and the College. One of my friends had access to an excellent advisor who was instrumental in my friend’s medical school application process.

But, unless you were one of the lucky few, there were no additional advisors assigned or available for you.

In the NHS, we have the amazing Dr. Allan Angerio, who gives advice on applying to medical school even though he is not an official pre-med advisor. Even so, he is not the appropriate resource for intense medical school essay editing, but rather a guide for larger questions.

The Pre-med Studies website claims to provide “group and individual advising to undergraduate students” but, other than general information sessions, I couldn’t find any resources to help me with this process when I went through it. If it does exist, they certainly didn’t publicize it. The only contact on the website is a generic

failure to perform their duties, the treatment of whistleblowers demonstrates the flaws of the law.

Robert J. McCarthy, a Field Solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior, reported abuse by the International Boundary and Water Commission on the U.S.Mexico border. Even though federal law promised protection, he was fired for his actions.

Sibel Edwards, an FBI translator, was fired for trying to report FBI cover-ups. She was gagged under the State Secrets Privilege, which allows the exclusion of evidence that touches on matters of national security.

Edwards and McCarthy are prime examples of how the U.S. government has treated whistleblowers in the past decade. Bureaucracies have a tendency to be wasteful, so it’s important that employees alert their superiors to such issues.

The Administration’s unswerving policy of gagging whistleblowers, particularly those who expose national security agencies’ unchecked power, creates an environment where employees will simply watch abuses happen.

Whistleblowers acting in the interest of the U.S. government

“pre-med” e-mail address, while the rest of the website is riddled with broken links and empty pages.

Georgetown students are motivated and self-sufficient and so the University has luckily maintained a good rate of medical school acceptance, in spite of the pre-med advising provided here at Georgetown.

To provide more guidance, Georgetown should assign each pre-medical student a specific premed advisor upon learning they want to go to medical school. This advisor would remain with the student through all four years in order to advise on resumé strengthening, academic choices, timelines, MCAT preparation, and writing applications. Regular and publicized information sessions, as well as improving the pre-med website with up-to-date information would be helpful as well.

Although these are minimal suggestions, I hope that Georgetown takes steps to solve this problem because some of its most talented students struggle to achieve their goals due to the lack of advising at this institution.

Rebecca Packwood is a recent graduate of the NHS. At least she knew about Wisey’s Chicken Madness during her time here.

should not be treated like criminals by fellow citizens.

The Obama administration should ensure that the agencies tasked with helping whistleblowers are independent bodies, which would allow them to do their jobs without pressure from the government. Additionally, every federal agency should work to foster a culture in which whistleblowing is accepted. Federal employees should be able to pick up the phone to the Office of Special Counsel and report instances of fraud or mismanagement without fear of retribution.

The government should keep certain things confidential due to the potential threat to national security. At the same time, creating an avenue for whistleblowers prevents leaks by making them unnecessary. If potential whistleblowers feel their superiors will respond to their claims adequately, they are less likely to seek a public reaction.

Whistleblowing was critical in the early days of this country, and members of Congress and officials in the Administration often hearken back to the ideals and values of the founding fathers. It’s time they start listening to them.

Information Session Tuesday Sept. 3 White Gravenor 201A 8pm georgetownvoice.com/recruitment

Open Houses Fridays Aug. 30 & Sept. 6 Leavey 424 5pm Free Pizza