VOL. 89 | NO. 26 04 / 26 / 22 EST. 1933
Independent, Impactful & Impartial
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IN THIS ISSUE : In News: Student government elections are finalized Pg. 05 In Sports: Who is Head Coach Jonas Hayes? Pg. 12
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Editor’s Note As I wrap up my time at Georgia State, I can’t help but be grateful for the things I’ve learned, the experiences I’ve had and the remarkable people I’ve met while working on The Signal. I am so proud of the commitment, time and effort every member of this team dedicated to creating such wonderful work. As I walk across the graduation stage and begin a new chapter of my life, my heart will always hold a place for not only Georgia State but for the paper that taught me so much about what it means to be a journalist. I want to thank all the students, supporters and friends who took the time to read and appreciate what we work so hard to create, it truly means so much to us all. For the last time, thank you so much to all of our readers and supporters, please enjoy our special Sex Issue of The Singal -Deena
EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Deena Kayyali signaleditor@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Erik Indrisano signalmanagingeditor@gmail.com MARKETING MANAGER Vacant signalmarketingmanager@gmail. com EDITORIAL NEWS EDITOR Adam Duffy signalnewseditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Vacant OPINIONS EDITOR Callie McNorton signalopinions@gmail.com ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Vacant ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Desmond Leake signalliving@gmail.com ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Grace Braswell SPORTS EDITOR Malikai Collins signalsport1@gmail.com ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Vacant COPY EDITORS Emma Barrett Annalise Ray signalcopyeditor@gmail.com
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ADVERTISING STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Bryce McNeil bmcneil1@gsu.edu BUSINESS COORDINATOR Wakesha Henley whenley@gsu.edu PERIMETER STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Zoana Price zprice@gsu.edu ADVERTISING The deadline for all advertising is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the desired issue of publication. Ads must be print-ready and in PDF format; files must be delivered via e-mail at signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com. Please visit our website at www.georgiastatesignal.com/advertise for more information, including rates and payment methods. MISSION STATEMENT The Signal shall provide, in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and significance to the Georgia State community and serve as a forum for the expression of ideas of members of that community. Furthermore, The Signal shall provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment. The Signal shall also provide truthful and ethical advertising of interest to the Georgia State community. COVERAGE REQUESTS Requests for coverage and tips should be subwmitted to the Editor in Chief and/or the relevant section editor. SUBMIT LETTER TO EDITOR Letters must be submitted to the Editor in Chief via e-mail and must include the text of the letter in the body of the message. Letters should be 400-500 words maximum. The Signal will allow longer letters, but only in rare circumstances. Letters must include the full name(s) of the writer(s) and include their year and major. If the writer is a faculty member, they must include their title and department. Letters will be fact-checked prior to publication. The writer may be obligated to make changes to the letter for publication. Letters will be edited for grammar, clarity, length, factual accuracy and adherence to The Signal’s policy. The Signal reserves the right to modify and/ or reject letters at the discretion of the editorial staff. DISCLAIMER Opinions and Letters to the Editor expressed in The Signal are the opinions of the writers and readers. It does not reflect the opinions of The Signal. OFFICE INFORMATION The Signal Student Center West, Suite 250 P.O. Box 3968 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: 404-413-1620 Fax: 404-413-162
THE BLOTTER
April 26, 2022
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS
CRIME BLOTTER
4-20
“They probably just forgot where they parked their car”
On Wednesday, 18 cars were broken into at the University Lofts parking deck. This occurred between 9:15-10:55 PM. The investigation is still active.
“American Vandal”
around midnight. The investigation is still active.
“Another reason to feel bad for guys named Larson” On Wednesday, a Georgia State affiliated person was the victim of larceny. This occurred at University Commons between 2:153:25 PM. The investigation is still active.
“Maybe they just wanted to get in some nightly reading” On Wednesday, a nonGeorgia State affiliated person was cleared after trespassing at Library North. This occurred between 7:48-7:56 PM.
On Wednesday, a Georgia State affiliated person was the victim of vandalism. This occurred outside One Park Place
NEWS BRIEFS
LOCAL
NATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL
Downtown shooting leaves five teens injured
Airplane mask mandate no longer in effect
Russia revitalizes offensive in Eastern Ukraine
At around 10 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to calls of gunshots near Centennial Olympic Park. When police arrived they found three teenagers injured outside of a Waffle House. Police later found out that two other teens had been shot but had driven themselves to Grady Memorial Hospital in a stolen vehicle. All of the teenagers are in stable condition. No names or suspects have been revealed at this moment.
A federal Judge struck down the mandate that requires passengers to wear face masks on airlines. The Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce mask mandates at airports around the country. Judge Kathryn Kimbal Mizelle ruled that the CDC and the Biden administration overstepped their bounds by not providing clear evidence for the continuation of the mandate. This decision is currently being appealed by the CDC, who feels that mask mandates are still necessary.
The Russian military has increased efforts in Ukraine. The super power has committed more personnel and weaponry to the fighting in the Luhansk, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. This comes after another round of peace talks bore no fruit. This increased fighting points to Russia’s desire to assume total control of those more eastern and Russian aligned parts of Ukraine. If Russia is able to annex those regions from Ukraine, it may be used as a pretext to declare a victory in their campaign and put an end to a war that has otherwise cost them hundreds of lives and billions of dollars.
NEWS
April 26, 2022
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS
Lobbying at the Capitol
THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHARED IN THIS SECTION BELONG TO FEMINIST WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER.
Let’s talk about sex, baby
Feminist Women’s Health Center removes the government, stigma from reproductive health care TARA WOODIN Staff Reporter
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efore the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years ago, abortions were still performed in nonsterile back-alley rooms, often not by trained physicians, by methods such as the wire hanger, which often ended in the death of the patient. Some estimate that nearly 1.2 million abortions were performed in the United States annually in the years leading up to Roe. This case ruled to legalize abortion in every state. Since then, pro-life citizens and government officials have been fighting to make abortion illegal again . Additionally, several southern states, such as Texas, have pushedanti-transgender legislation. These restrictions on healthcare make it more difficult for women to receive the treatment they need. So far, Georgia has been able to move around these legislations, for now. Feminist Women’s Health Center in Atlanta is an allencompassing women’s health care with services ranging from sexual health and wellness to various sexual health services and transgender healthcare. They take pride in providing a safe place for women to get the care they need without judgment. “We are unapologetically a Black woman-led, independent, non-profit, multi-generational, multi-racial reproductive health, rights and justice organization,” Executive Director Kwajelyn Jackson said. “[We are] committed to a vision of accessible and judgment-free reproductive health care and access in the south for all who need it. [We] will not shy away from the tough conversations and reckoning necessary for us to more fully live into our values and become the organization that our community needs us to be.” In 2019, they treated 5,089 patients. 3,363 were abortion cases, and 1,726 were sexual health and wellness patients, including trans health initiative. During COVID-19, the number of women they were able to help dropped by about 2,000, but they provided basic care services despite the pandemic.
Since 2000, they have offered health care to transgender, gender non-conforming and intersex individuals. “Professional and wonderful staff,” a patient said. “Made a girl feel like she wasn’t alone in this world during one of the most vulnerable times in my life.”
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-committed to a vision of accessible and judgment-free reproductive health care and access in the south for all who need it. — KWAJELYN JACKSON
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Executive Director of the Feminist Women’s Health Center
These reproductive rights issues disproportionately affect women of color and inequity that Feminist Center is trying to correct. Black women are three to five times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women. Tennis star Serena Williams is a living example, as she faced life-threatening failures in her care in the time surrounding her childbirth. “Being heard and appropriately treated was the
difference between life or death for me,” Williams said. I know those statistics would be different if the medical establishment listened to every black woman’s experience.” Feminist Center also works with Black Mamas Matter, an organization centered on liberating Black mothers, Black families and black care systems. Feminist Center said they are more than a clinic, they are a movement. They developed community programs that specifically seek to address the systematic inequalities in healthcare and society that affect women, people of color, immigrant families and people from the trans and LGBQIA+ communities. Their various community programs are geared to help these specific communities. Their community programs include The Lifting Latinx Voices Initiative (LLVI), Errin J. Vuley Fellows Program, and a Legislative Advocacy Program. The Lifting Latinx Voices Initiative (LLVI) is the only Latinx-led program in Georgia that addresses comprehensive reproductive and sexual health issues faced by Latinx families. They offer workshops, training, and house parties to address the challenges of language barriers, immigration status and the cultural stigma attached to sex and abortion. Feminist Center also looks at all the issues surrounding reproductive justice and holds events to bring awareness. Thursday and Friday night, they had a game night where attendants could check their voter registration status and register to vote. Apr. 20 , they had free COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Students who need any of the provided services can make an appointment on the website. And students wishing to intern, volunteer, participate in events or start a career with Feminist Women’s Health Center can also find resources on the website. https://feministcenter.org/
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
5
THE SIGNAL
Alleged Georgia cult leader arrested
Eligio Bishop charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and false imprisonment MATTHEW MONROE Staff Reporter
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Newly elected SGA President Anthonio Prince(left) and Speaker of the Senate Jordan Madden(right).
PHOTOS FROM THE CANDIDATES.
Student government elections are finalized SGA judiciary decides not to hold runoff election ADAM DUFFY News Editor
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n Mar. 21, the judiciary board of SGA met to decide whether or not a runoff election would be held in light of a formal petition from Ira Livnat’s presidential campaign. The judiciary board has ruled that there will not be a runoff election. The results will hold, and Anthonio Prince and Jordan Madden will be the SGA president and Speaker of the Senate for the 93rd Administration, respectively. The Livnat campaign submitted the petition because they felt that the bylaws regarding the election did not accurately discern a winner based on the vote totals. After a few hours of deliberation on Thursday, the judiciary board came to their decision and released a statement explaining their reasoning. The SGA justices lay out why they decided not to hold a runoff election in the letter. “While there are potential inconsistencies in the bylaws, where Article 10§ A can be read to be inconsistent with §D, we believe it can also be read in a way that it is not inconsistent.” “While §A does state that “ winners . . . will be determined by [the] majority of first-choice votes”, it does not state what to do if there is no majority. [As]
the Bylaws are currently written, §D guides us on to the next step by stating that we proceed to a second-round using RCV. §D and §A allow a candidate to receive a majority of votes and win, but §D subsequently provides further details on what to do if a majority is not met. Therefore, we hold that §A and §D are not inconsistent with each other, but rather §D logically completes §A.”
Our 93rd Administration:
Now that it has been decided that the votes will hold, we can officially declare that the executive offices of the 93rd Administration of the student body will be occupied by Anthonio Prince, Devi Patel and Jordan Madden. Prince is a third-year biology student. In a statement Prince gave to The Signal, he expressed his gratitude for his victory and doubled down on his promises to the student body. “I want to offer my heartfelt gratitude to God and every student that voted in this election. In addition, I would like to express my appreciation to my family and my friends for their continued love and support.” “The future looks bright, and I believe we can build on the SGA’s
achievements and continue to address all student concerns and enhance student life at Georgia State University.” Madden is a first-year political science major. In a statement to The Signal, Madden conveyed his dedication to serving the student body. “I want to thank everyone. A huge thank you to my supporters and the voters who took a chance on me to represent this prestigious university.” “It is my honor and privilege to answer the call and serve as your 93rd Speaker of the Atlanta Senate and represent 33,000 students on the downtown campus and, in turn, 55,000 students with honesty, integrity and humility.” “I have always believed from the beginning that we could make a difference, and I am beyond joyful that we could do it together.” Alongside Patel, who was in the only executive race to not be met with controversy as she ran uncontested, these three and the many senators within SGA will serve as our student representatives at Georgia State for the following year. The broad goals that seem to be the main focus of this administration will be to improve campus safety and increase student engagement with student organizations and campus life.
n Apr. 14, Dekalb County Police took an accused cult leader into custody. This cult leader is a 40-year-old man, Eligio Bishop, who refers to himself as “Nature Boy” and “3God”. According to the Dekalb County Police Department, authorities arrested him on charges of rape, false imprisonment and three additional counts of “prohibition on nude or sexually explicit electronic transmission.” The leader was arrested after a former member told police that he posted revenge porn after she left the group. According to the former member, she claimed that Bishop posted four explicit videos of her on Twitter. She also mentioned that Bishop ordered other women in the group to hit her after attempting to run away on multiple occasions. The alleged cult Bishop runs called Carbon Nation initially centered around sexual and naturalist themes but has now gravitated towards worshipping him and proclaiming him as the “Messiah.” His followers posted a video of a jail cell call in response to his arrest, where he says he is “simply misunderstood” and is “trying to help people.” “They want to crucify me. They want me dead, [and] there’s hate that surrounds me. You can feel it, just like any other prophet — only me, I’m the return of the Christ,” Bishop said. The group in nudism, polygamy, refraining from bathing, veganism, and even defecating on trees. Bishop requires all members to surrender their credit cards, bank account information, and money. The group frequently uses the number 3 in its imagery, and his followers
call him God. “3 God is a very loving being, he is very caring, and he is very holy,” said one female member of the group in response to his arrest. The group’s followers were also very vocal about the charges brought against Bishop. “We teach sexual education, and we believe in nudity, and so that’s why the charges that are trying to be brought against my chief is for revenge porn.” “[However]. the female that was here gave consent actually to release it for sexual education. It’s not just like porn; it’s for educational purposes. This is yet another targeted attack against 3God,” a male follower said on the charges brought against Bishop. In December 2019, authorities kicked the group out of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama after being labeled a “threat to national security.” However, the group was soon banned from boarding a flight to the US because of their body odor. Carbon Nation’s YouTube channel has almost 85,000 subscribers and features music videos, spiritual videos, and sermons from the group’s leader. Bishop also boasts a following of nearly 25,000 under the username The33God on Instagram. Bishop was arrested at the group’s home in Decatur. SWAT Team members broke down the front door and were met by 14 other followers, including a child, before arresting Bishop. After police interviewed the group’s followers, they were given the opportunity to leave the premises if they wished. While it remains unclear how the charges brought against Bishop will play out, his followers continue to support Bishop.
OPINIONS
April 26, 2022
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS
The five love languages
How knowledge of your love language can benefit every relationship in your life
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ALANNA JACOB Staff Columnist
ou’re trying. Your partner has expressed dissatisfaction in your relationship, so you decide to go the extra mile to express your love for them. You ask your friends for gift ideas that they like and try to remember that date night your ex enjoyed, and you plan a special night for your significant other. After the gifts are given and your date night comes to a close, you still feel like your love is lost in translation by your partner, causing lingering issues in your relationship. Poor communication is to blame for this, specifically about your love languages. Love languages are ways to express feelings of love in a deep and meaningful way best received by someone you have a relationship with. The renowned marriage counselor and author Gary Chapman created the concept of love languages. Chapman focused on romantic relationships in his novel “The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate,” he explains that people usually express love in ways that they prefer to receive it. People can accomplish strong communication in relationships when each person can demonstrate love in the language the other person understands. Many published studies have proven the validity of love languages by sharing how it increases happiness and longevity in relationships. What I am saying is when it comes to relationships, throw away everything you have learned about treating others the way you want to be treated and learn about your partner, your family, and your friend’s needs.
when you’re swamped with school work and other priorities.
Gift Giving: You’re not materialistic. You appreciate visual expressions of love.
This could look like a friend giving you their old sweatshirt because you told them you loved it or your partner buying you a Chanel purse, either way, you feel loved.
Physical Touch: This is not limited to the bedroom. You’re someone who gets
butterflies when your partner holds your hand in public. A hug gives you security and belonging in your relationship. So, what is your love language? In my experience, I cannot settle on one way I receive love best. I want to think I resonate with all five love languages. Thankfully, you can take a short online quiz that tells you your primary love language and a percentage of importance for each of the other love languages. Have you and your partner take the quiz and go from there. You will see how much your relationship flourishes with this new knowledge about one another.
What are the five love languages?
Words of Affirmation: Nope, actions do not always speak louder
than words. If unsolicited compliments, words of encouragement from a loved one, and the words like “I love you” mean the world to you, this might be your primary love language. This love language focuses on verbal reassurance. Someone with this love language might need their partner to tell them that they’re proud of them for turning their day from misery to bliss.
Quality Time: Maybe your loved one telling you they’re proud of you isn’t enough to turn your day around. You’d rather have them come over to your house and spend leisure time with you, even if you guys choose not to exchange many words. Someone who appreciates quality time above all else wants to spend a lot of uninterrupted time with the people they love.
Acts of Service: To a person with this love language, taking out the trash and running an errand for them is the most expensive gift you can give. One of the best feelings is having someone to help you out
ILLUSTRATION BY SHEMAR DEBELLOTTE | THE SIGNAL
Ladies first
If your man isn’t making you come, dump him.
D LUIZA DE ABREU
Staff Columnist
id you know that during heterosexual sex, women are far less likely than men to have an orgasm? A 2016 study from the Archives of Sexual Behavior found that 95% of heterosexual men always orgasm during sex, while only 65% of women of heterosexual women usually do. This term, known as the orgasm gap, was coined by Dr. Laurie Mintz. Mintz blames this inequality in the bedroom on the inaccurate depictions of heterosexual sex in pornography, which has created a culture in which there is an over-emphasis on male sexuality while simultaneously creating an undervaluing of female sexuality. Some say this gap is the cultural ignorance surrounding women’s bodies and the lack of importance given to the clitoris during heterosexual intercourse. Many women are unable to orgasm solely through penetrative intercourse. Most women require clitoral stimulation to reach an orgasm, and unfortunately, many men do not know or care about how to pleasure a woman. In fact, according to a 2019 study done in the United Kingdom, 31% of men did not know where the clitoris was and more than half could not accurately locate the vagina. Heterosexual women were the least likely demographic to orgasm in bed. Women who love other women have been found to have more frequent orgasms than women who are in relationships with men.
I was shocked to find that many of my girlfriends, who have been in serious relationships for years, often do not orgasm when having sex with their long-term male partners. We, as women, have been taught to be submissive and put men’s needs above our own, especially in bed. We will even sometimes subject ourselves to discomfort to pleasure our partners. It can be hard to speak up and express what we want or feel good about, but we must start doing so. One of the most important things a woman can do for herself steps into her sexual power and own what she wants and needs in bed. Women often forget that our pleasure is essential too, and we deserve so much better than mediocre sex with mediocre men. It is heartbreaking to know that many women sometimes see sex as a chore or something that isn’t necessarily pleasurable for them. Sex can be fun for women! It should be enjoyable. If it isn’t, it is probably time to reevaluate who we are giving our time and energy. When you speak up about your needs and they still aren’t being met, you should not settle for that. No one deserves lousy sex. So to all the women reading this, if your man isn’t making you come, dump him. You can do better. After all, it’s supposed to be ladies first.
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
OPINIONS
7
Sex and platonicism
Why some of us are choosing not to having sex
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KALIN M. WILLIAMS
Staff Columnist
hy are some of us choosing not to have sex? A significant portion of all male-female relationships are characterized by mutual sexual attraction. When we meet someone we find attractive, it is natural to think about this person as a potential sexual partner. People do not need to view these thoughts as lustful or particularly debaucherous. The subtle inner confirmation we feel when attracted to another person could not be more natural. However, the presence of attraction doesn’t always forecast sexual entanglement. This insight may appear obvious. We don’t have sex with everyone who stimulates us physically or emotionally. However, it isn’t so obvious why we may choose not to, given the opportunity to engage in consensual intimacy with someone in a private space. Moral values around sexuality, purity, virginity, family and marriage provide many reasons one might refrain from casual sexual encounters with those they find attractive. Often though, we mysteriously suspend our adherence to moral considerations and practices when a desire for another is strong enough. While some people abstain from casual sexual relations with others and base their reasoning on moral principles, this may not be representative of everyone. Sexually transmitted diseases also create a disincentive to freely engage in casual intimacy with other people. However, given modern advances in sexual disease testing, prevention and the general slowing of STD contraction over time, at least in western nations, this appears to be an increasingly feeble argument. I think it is helpful to venture outside of traditional normative boundaries in considering why someone chooses not to engage in intimacy, even when the opportunity freely and openly presents itself. After all, many non-religious health-conscious people decide to maintain exclusively platonic relationships. One observation is that you might refrain from casual sex with someone if you believe in “romantic ownership.” One doesn’t need to be married to be committed emotionally and physically. This idea of “romantic ownership” may be inherent to what humans believe about romantic relationships. When we are involved with someone in a romantic or consistently intimate way, we see them as ‘ours.’. We say my boyfriend, my husband,
my girlfriend, my wife. While we generally endorse “my” in all human connections - my boss, my employee, my teacher-the placement of my in front of romantic labels foreshadows and eventually reveals an almost religious zeal in us to demonstrate our ownership of the other person. The sharpest emotions come out of us to defend romantic ties to one another. This zeal naturally implies adherence to a code of monogamy, hence more focus on platonic relationships. A second observation is that as one matures in all aspects of their being, they can gradually move past the ephemeralities and anxiety-inducing trends in romantic relationships. In addition to purely biological impulses, the desire for total acceptance and radical love from another generates inspiration for deep bonding and sexual connection. This yearning causes us to rush many times blindly into intimate relations with someone we find attractive yet know little about. But, through experience, as one becomes familiar with emotion and sexual desire and learns patience amid their urges, they find a space of awareness between themselves and their natural inclinations. In this space, this person can contemplate the future with another, observe how their interest thinks, and genuinely get to know them as a friend. If this happens, one will certainly be less inclined to engage in casual sexual activity immediately. This experiential process does not imply that this person no longer possesses sexual nature or desire. It only means that one may choose to build rapport sans the presence of the sexual element at any moment. A third observation is that some individuals possess self-esteem issues related to trauma. Their trauma prevents them from stepping into friendships, romantic or otherwise. If you feel you have difficulty speaking to others and developing friendships, check this out. Whether you choose to abstain from sex and cultivate platonic relationships, enjoy and share your sexuality with others, or some part of both, remember that everyone who chooses not to engage in sex right away isn’t weird or strange. Some are very prudent and judicious in who they choose to connect themselves with and so require time before they become intimate with you.
Sex in today’s society How the media sees sex
I GABBY MILLER Staff Columnist
n today’s society, it is common to read about sex. So it is in movies, TV shows, books, and magazines. It is hard to go anywhere without looking at different exposés of a celebrities sex life. It is no secret that the media thrives on this kind of talk. Sex is something people feel a need to brag about even though it is supposed to be intimate. The media puts unrealistic expectations regarding sex, especially when it is in movies and books. People often like to get lost in a character’s relationship. Whether it is out of boredom or if it is out of curiosity. Media gets to penetrative sex far too quickly than it does in reality. Sure, people could often have a fling here or there, but it does not show a realistic situation when it comes to a fling. In movies, the casual fling ends up falling in love when in reality, falling in love over a one-time event does not happen. It starts giving people high expectations reagrding love and their sex life. Another thing that the media shows us that is too far out there is the fast pace when it comes to having sex with your partner. Usually, people start thinking about what the media says about sex and start rushing into things about having sex with their partners. Sex is not something you should rush. You should take your time with it, especially if you do not fully trust your partner. These unrealistic expectations could make people feel inadequate when it comes to sex. This perception is based on what they see in the media. In the media, they take in every day that becomes a person’s new normal. So, when it comes to sex, they often refer to the media they are exposed to. If they cannot match what the media says, it can make people feel like they are not good enough. The media puts unrealistic expectations when it comes to sex. Society gets different opinions based on what type of media they are being exposed to. Sex is no different. Sex is constantly being thrown out onto different media websites, and it makes society have different opinions when it comes to sex. The media can put different expectations regarding sex, but it does not mean it is true. People in society start getting unrealistic expectations about sex depending on what type of media they are exposed to. One of the unrealistic expectations is that sex is only a casual thing. Most of the time, sex is exposed as something casual instead of something intimate. Because this is seen as something casual, many people get misconceptions about sex as a whole.
A lot of the time, people use media as a type of sex education. This is terrible because most of the time, people read unreliable sources and take them as fact. This is harmful, especially to the young and impressionable. Kids go through a hormonal phase where talking about sex is an awkward topic to talk about with parents. So these kids would use the internet as their sex education. This is so bad because these kids will believe the first thing they read and take it as fact. This can create different misconceptions about a topic, and it can harm how they feel about sex. Sex is a standard topic the media uses to entertain people. It makes people have different opinions about sex. But how can someone differentiate facts from what they have seen in the media?
PHOTO BY BRIAN ACH/WIREIMAGE (SEX AND THE CITY)
Spread: Arts & Living WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTS & LIVING
The fear of female sexual liberation Why society keeps so many restraints on a woman’s body Grace Braswell - Associate Arts & Living Editor
F
or decades, sexual stereotypes have roped women into a constant cycle of yearning for sexual
desire while keeping up with the societal pressures of sex as a woman. Stereotypically speaking, women are supposed to be nurturing, submissive and quiet. These stereotypes keep constraints on female sexuality. Many women feel that they do not have much of a say when it comes to sex due to the fact that it is tough to break away from some of the misogynistic expectations of women in the bedroom. Despite efforts to try and neutralize these sexual stereotypes, the truth of the matter is that it is really hard to steer away from them because of just how narrow they can be. There is always some sort of societal downside no matter what women do because of the abundance of rules and regulations placed on a woman’s body. Society constrains female sexuality in many different ways, shapes and forms. A lot of the time, there are double standards for men versus women regarding sex and sexuality. If a woman decides to have sex with mulitple partners, people call her a “slut” or a “whore,” while if a man decides to have sex with multiple partners, he is congradulated. Woman are constantly being judged for what they wear, who they’re sleeping with, their body size and so many other things that take a toll on the sex lives of women all across the globe. These stereotypes can result in a fear of sex, mainly because women are scared of being judged for her sex life and her sexual identity. A lot of the time, it is stereotypically assumed that a woman dresses to appeal to men. From a young age, women are taught to dress modestly and cover up in order to prevent the sexual arousal of male counterparts.
Dress codes are placed in schools for children starting as young as elementary school when sexualization is not even something that should be regarded. The importance of sexual modesty is placed into the minds of women at such a young age, and it is normalized to be ridiculed for showing more skin than society deems appropriate, or to dress in a way that might be “distracting” to male counterparts. When women are taught these things their whole life, it has proven to make women feel inferior to men due to the fact women are constantly told to cover up, while men never have the same rules and regulations on their bodies. Women will be judged differently than a man for the same sexual behavior because of the sexual double standard. It is a large trope in society that men are constantly thinking about sex, and that they only want women and are interested in women so that they can have sexual intercorse. Stereotypically speaking, it is not normal for women to constantly thinking about sex, and if she is, it is considered to be “whore behavior,” while it is perfectly fine for men to constantly be thinking about women in a sexual context. When the topic of rape is brought up in courts or in schools, one of the first questions asked is “what was she wearing?” or “was she intoxicated?” The fact that what type of clothes a woman is wearing or whether or not she consumed alcohol when sexually assulted proves how society works and functions when it comes to the body and mind of a woman. Female sexuality is a topic so little discussed in society, and a lot of it has to do with the fact
that society is not ready to fully liberate women and allow them to live and do as they please without the constraints to her body in place. Sex is a natural, normal part of life. It is not something that should be feared, nor is it something that should be judged. Female sexuality is so misguided, and society is so threatened by a woman who “fucks like a guy,” meaning she has sex, enjoys it and doesn’t have to worry about her body count or sexual history ruining her reputation.
PHOTO BY LLOYD D’SOUZA ON PIXABAY.COM & LAYOUT BY EVAN KOENIGS
ARTS & LIVING
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING
Two versions of the popular videogame saga Grand Theft Auto Five.
April 26, 2022
PHOTO BY STEFANO CHIACCHIARINI ‘74 ON SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Video games are not always stimulating Sex and video games, a constantly evolving relationship GARET WEHS Staff Reporter
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hen it comes to the depiction of sex in any media, it is never gauranteed to be a good one. Video games are certainly no exception to this rule, and the range of scenes and games that have sex scenes in them is certainly interesting. Videogames have long been a form of media that has had a bizarre relationship with sex, as early videogames barely had the fidelity to support characters in the first place. From the earliest days to now, sex in video games has been a constantly evolving idea. Like many other elements of videogame design and creation, the earliest depictions of sex in videogames were extremely rudimentary. The earliest games that involved sex did not have to adhere to any sort of rating system, and as such they were free to indulge in the nastiest and most vulgar depictions that they wanted to, even if their visuals were hardly able to keep up. As video games have matured and improved, the visuals have begun to come in line with the aim of many creators, with mixed results. Sex scenes and romances have become an extremely common feature in a lot of RPGs, or role playing games. Bioware and their various IPs, such as “Mass Effect’’ and “Dragon Age’’ have become poster children for this trend. Generally speaking, players are only ‘awarded’ a sex scene for completeing a long and usually tedious quest-line in these games. However, the scenes are not necessarily the most pleasing things to watch. Since these scenes focus on close-up movement of the models, and the game usually is operating further away from the characters, these scenes tend to end up being janky and the opposite of smooth. Speaking of janky, there has also been a fair share of outright awkward scenes, one of the most notable ones coming
from the game “Heavy Rain.” The game revolves around a murder-mystery plot about hunting down a serial killer, however the tone of the entire game falls apart in this scene.
“
From the earliest days to now, sex in video games has been a constantly evolving idea — GARET WEHS
”
Staff Reporter
The animation in the scene is frankly not good enough for the cinematic appeal that the game strives for. The game is built to be an interactive experience with a strong focus on intimate storytelling. The story until this point was somber and melancholy, with a suffocating atmosphere that effectively got those emotions across. That is, until the sex scene between main characters Ethan and Madison occurs. The scene and the act of sex itself do not lend themselves well to being played out in the format of a videogame. This is painfully clear as the game prompts
the player to make a series of button presses, and sucks any enjoyment or emotional impact that may come with the scene itself. The image of a player pressing the up-arrow in order to remove Ethan’s shirt is one of the funniest and least impactful prompts that has been seen in a long time. Another infamous moment in the history of sex in video games is the Hot Coffee mod for “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.” Made from leftover code that saw a sequence of the main character, CJ, having sex with his girlfriend the mod shocked a lot of players. At the time, it caused immense problems for Rockstar Games, the developer. Since it wasn’t disclosed to ratings boards, the game saw it’s rating increased, and Rockstar has since refrained from sex in any of their games. Aside from these examples of funnier or more ridiculous examples of sex throughout the medium and game industry, there is a darker trend in the depiction of sex. “Rape Day” is an infamous example of this, and generated a great deal of controversy before it’s removal from the online storefront “Steam.” The game plays out much like the title might suggest, and is extremely callous in its depiction of the actions within the game. The creator of the game has only since doubled down on the message and themes of the game unapologetically. An important function of sex scenes is to try and make the player more emotionally connected to certain characters, but the effectiveness of this is questionable. Given the nature of video games, the actions within a game are a series of tasks to be completed. Sex scenes and romances are usually just another set of tasks to be completed. This does occasionally take away from the emotional impact that these interactions are meant to have, regardless of how well it is depicted.
ARTS&LIVING
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
11
The importance of aftercare after sex
A special time after sex dedicated to comfort and care
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KARA MARTIN Staff Reporter
aving sex is one of the most intimate bonds someone can form with another person. Although sex can be fun, it is also one of those things people should perform with consent and care. Many people put a significant emphasis on the things that take place before and during sex, such as the foreplay, mood and ambiance . Many people fail to consider is the aftercare that needs to take place once all the fun is over and both parties have cooled down. Aftercare is the process after sexual intercourse where both parties take time to care for and nurture one another, especially after an intense session. Aftercare can look like many things, such as cuddling, reflecting on what happened, or gently embracing each other. Although participating in aftercare is stressed more when people experience more intense and aggressive forms of sex, such as BDSM and other kink play, it is still just as important even when people have regular sex. This fact opens the door for love and compassion to co-exist within such an intimate space. Aftercare is not reserved only for those in relationships, as aftercare within friends with benefits situations or even a one-night stand is just as important. It allows both participants to checkin , regroup from their activities and discuss how everything went. Taking that extra step to check in with a partner can create a deeper bond with the other person but also create more trust in the bedroom between both parties. When partners create this safe space for one another, they will be able to understand each other’s experiences and learn how to make it better for the next time. Along with making
the other partner feel better and understand their sexual experience, talking after sex can also demolish those shameful or guilty feelings that people associate with sex. Some people may link these unhappy feelings with sex because of the shame they may have received from society, family, or previous partners. These same unpleasant emotions people feel after sex are not only experienced by women but men as well. Often,men can be dismissed or overlooked in the emotions department because societal norms deem them solid and emotionless when in reality, everyone is allowed to be sensitive. After sex care is also crucial for those who experience post-coital dysmorphia or after sex blues. This blues is an unexplainable feeling of sadnessand irritability people can get after having intercourse. The negative feelings that occur after intercourse have no clear source according to some research. , Still, some studies have concluded that they can be caused by stress, past abuse or trauma, hormones or overall feelings about sex. In one study done in 2015, researchers found that 46.2% of women reported feelings of postcoital dysmorphia. In another study conducted in 2019, researchers saw that 41% of men reported having experienced these same feelings within their lifetime and 20.2% reported having felt this way in the last four weeks. Although these studies represent only a fraction of sexually active adults, it shows that both men and women need to prioritize caring for one another in the bedroom. Sex should be a positive and fun experience for both parties where no one is left feeling guilty, ashamed, or unhappy afterward.
A couple laying in bed together.
PHOTO BY RAWPIXEL ON DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM
Finding intimacy post-pandemic
Where does social media stand post-pandemic? JORDAN ARNOW Staff Reporter
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ith the start of the pandemic, people were forced to shift their entire lives online. From family get togethers to work meetings to comedy shows, the internet became the new social space. While ‘essential’ workers and other industries, such as service work or warehouse work, never went online like many 9 to 5 office jobs, they still faced businesses closing early, socially distanced spaces, and friends who could isolate. As a result, people are generally more distant in America than they were a few years ago. Understanding the effects of the pandemic will be on-going, and, to some, the pandemic isn’t over. However, most places have shifted to mask-optional policies. In more rural areas, the residents have been enjoying mask-free living for months. In Atlanta, people have taken on the new freedom to gather inside as a chance in droves. Nightlife scenes that were near empty or completely shut down now are flooded with mask-less bodies. Many people at these spaces say they are simply tired of not being around friends. Some are reuniting after spending years apart. The Pew Research Center found
that, pre-pandemic, 51% of people living with their partners said their partner was using their phone when they were talking, and 40% said the amount of time their partner was on the phone bothered them.
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Who emerges the pandemic more attached to their phone than ever, and who emerges sick of screentime?
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— JORDAN ARNOW Staff Reporter
This study doesn’t even consider partners who are not
living together and those who are perhaps dating around. Due to the pandemic, Americans have effectively been forced to find digital intimacy. Digital intimacy seems to be ineffective. Studies find that social media has to potential to both weaken and strengthen relationships. For relationships, romantic or not, that are already strong and rich with affection, social media acts as another dimension through which to express love and to engage with loved ones. For others, though, social media can intensify the sense of distance. Even worse, it can brew jealously. According to Atlanta locals, there is an even split on whether they have been able to find intimacy online. Despite it being hit or miss, the options in apps is massive. Any smartphone user can pick between Tinder or Her or Hinge. If looking for a broader range or socializing, they have platforms like Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. As we transition back to inperson interactions, we are entering a new gray-area. Who emerges the pandemic more attached to their phone than ever, and who emerges sick of screentime?
SPORTS
April 26, 2022
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS
Women’s soccer spring review
Six game schedule to prepare for the fall season ADEBANJI BAMIDELE Staff Reporter
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Georgia State aquires the former coach of Xaiver Jonas Hayes as the new Head Coach of the Basketball Team.
PHOTO BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS
Who is head coach Jonas Hayes
Jonas Hayes coaching career comes full circle as he ends up back home in Atlanta. SKYLER HILL Staff Reporter
I
’m gonna start off by saying, never would I have imagined this many people coming to see me. Are you serious?” Jonas Hayes said at his introductory press conference at the University Club Trophy in Center Parc Stadium. Yes, coach, it’s really happening, and Georgia State Athletics couldn’t be happier to have you as the new head coach of Georgia State Basketball. For Jonas Hayes, the journey to sitting at that podium, announcing his new position as head coach on ESPN, didn’t come easy. It all started 14 years ago when he graduated from the University of Georgia and had to decide on his future. To use his newly acquired child and family development degree or continue his basketball career? He decided when his dad, James L. Hayes, sat him down, away from the outside noise, and said something that sticks with Coach Hayes to this day. “Jonas, I need you to put yourself ten years down the road, and I want you to [decide] today that you think you’re gonna really live with.” From that day forward, Jonas Hayes became known as Coach Hayes. His journey began in 2005, in Atlanta, GA, at Morehouse College. The late-great Grady Brewer gave Hayes his first opportunity to be an assistant coach. He saw something
in Hayes, and this decision changed Hayes’ life. A year later, Hayes transitioned from Division II basketball to Division I as he became an assistant coach for the South Carolina State Bulldogs. After spending a year coaching there, he took his talents to Belmont Abbey, where he spent the next five years. At this point, Hayes’ resume was stacked. In 2013, he joined Mark Fox’s staff at the University of Georgia. He got his first chance to be a part of a high-major college basketball team. After spending five years in Athens with the Bulldogs, Fox was fired in 2018, leaving Hayes to begin his next adventure. He landed a position at Xavier University alongside head coach Travis Steele. Steele made Hayes his first hire on his new coaching staff at Xavier. Fast forward four years later, Coach Hayes was promoted as the interim head coach following the firing of Travis Steele. Hayes took over the position just in the nick of time as the team was going for the chance to win a championship in the NIT tournament. Xavier went on to win the 2021-22 NIT tournament in Madison Square Garden. The phone was ringing following the championship, and Hayes wasn’t declining. During this long path to becoming a
head coach, Hayes’s dad had begun to suffer from dementia. Before passing away, Hayes had a prayer: he hoped for his dad to live long enough to see him become a head coach. During his introductory press conference, he spoke about his father and the synergy of him taking on this new position. “My dad died on Monday, Apr. 4 2016,” said Hayes. “I got a call from [my] Athletic Director Charlie Cobb on Monday, Apr. 4 2022. While my father is not here in the flesh, that’s confirmation for me that he’s here.” Coach Hayes is taking over a program that’s already performing well. When asked whether he feels any pressure to perform well, he had one response. “There’s not a lot of pressure,” said Hayes. “I don’t want to put more pressure on myself. When you focus on these guys and focus on building relationships, the wins and losses will take care of itself. My focus will be on these guys and the student experience.” After an NCAA tournament appearance, Georgia State Athletics look to be trending upwards. Next year, the team will be playing at the newly built Convocation Center on 455 Capitol Ave.
tlanta in the spring is a beautiful sight, with flowers blooming, the sun shining with the cool 70-degree weather. Nothing pairs better than hopping down to the GSU Soccer Complex and watching women’s soccer. Three Panthers were called up to the Puerto Rico National Team to compete in the 2022 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship before the Spring season. “We are proud of Ana, Alondra, and Brooke,” head coach Ed Joyce said. “For them to get an opportunity to represent their country is outstanding, and we look forward to supporting them!” Ana Diaz, Brooke Hart and Alondra Nieves traveled to the Dominican Republic and played their hearts out as the team advanced out of the group stage and elimination games. Unfortunately, the Puerto Rican team’s hopes for a World Cup Qualification dwindled with a loss in the semis to eventual winners the United States and a loss in the Third Place Match against Canada. With stellar play and consistent scoring, Hart was named to the Best XI for the Concacaf Under-20 Championship Tournament. With three significant contributors returning home, the women’s soccer team was set for the six-game spring schedule. The spring schedule kicked off with a showdown against the Truett Mcconnell Bears. The Bears play in the American Athletic Conference and held a 19-4 regular-season record last year. Their season ended in heartbreak as they lost in the AAC championship to Reinhardt University 3-2. The Panthers struck twice as goals by Eva Diez Lois and Maddie Johnston surged the Panthers past the Bears and a 1-0 Spring record. Up next to visit the Soccer Complex was the Life University Running Eagles. The Running Eagles
competed in the Mid-South Conference and held an 11-7 overall regular-season record. Their season came to an end in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament to Cumberland University 4-2. This matchup was not even close; the Panthers had control of the match from the beginning. Six Panthers scored as Maddie Johnston and Kelsee Holloway scored two goals apiece in Life’s 8-1 rout. After the complete decimation of Life the previous week, the Panthers swiftly moved on to a familiar foe in the Furman Paladins. Last season, the Paladins game came down to the wire as the Panthers overcame a 0-2 halftime deficit to end the bout in a 2-2 draw. The spring matchup was just as daunting as the previous meeting, as the game wasn’t decided until a late header from Alondra Nieves finally slew the Paladins. After such a thrilling match the previous week, the next game on the schedule was against the in-state opponent, the Georgia Gwinnett College Grizzlies. The Grizzlies had a successful 2021 campaign as they finished the regular season with an 11-7-1 record and dominated the postseason as they captured the Continental Athletic Conference Championship. The tournament dominance did not manifest itself against the Panthers as they controlled the majority of the game and scored a barrage of goals, mauling Gwinnett College 5-0. The final two games were played mere hours apart, but the fatigue wasn’t a factor for the Panthers as they secured two more victories against the Clayton State Lakers and the Middle Georgia State Knights. The Panthers went six for six in the spring and will continue to build chemistry over the summer as they prepare to open up for the fall season.
SPORTS
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
13
Men’s
Upcoming Games
VS. Georgia
Women’s
Away Game @ University of Georgia 04 / 26 / 22 6:00 p.m.
Griffin Chaney, Number 21 Infielder for the Georgia State Baseball Team.
VS. Kennesaw
Men’s
Away Game @ Kennesaw State University 04 / 27 / 22 5:00 p.m.
VS. Troy
Away Game @ Troy University 04 / 29 / 22
7:00 p.m.
PHOTO BY DALE ZANINE/GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS
Ryerson and Cheney have put GSU baseball on the map
Georgia State baseball is looking better than ever JASON RICHBURG Staff Reporter
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he Georgia State Panthers’ baseball team is having one of its best seasons since joining the Sun Belt back in 2014. Since being introduced as the Panthers’ head coach back in 2019, Brad Stromdahl has the Panthers sitting third in the Sun Belt Conference, which has been as competitive as ever, with eight teams having an above .500 record. However, this season the Panthers would not be where it’s at if it wasn’t for outfielder Max Ryerson and infielder Griffin Cheney. Cheney and Ryerson are not just two of the best players in the Sunbelt but also have two of the best players in all of Division I baseball. Currently, Cheney is leading the Sun Belt in batting average with a monstrous .384, which puts him top 60 in all of division one baseball, and Ryerson is not far behind as he is batting an impressive .347. In the slug category, both have percentages of over .700, which puts them top 50 in the country. Outside of being some of the best pure hitters in the country, the two are also some of the best
homerun hitters in the country, with both being in the top 30 for homers. They are both on pace to break the Georgia State single-season home run record. The record currently stands at 18, with the record set by Nic Wilson in 2015. Ryerson leads the way in home runs with 13 and has hit two or more in four games this season. Cheney is not that far behind as he has hit 12 homers, this season with three coming against Clemson back in March. Since arriving at Georgia State in 2018, Cheney has seen the baseball program’s ups and downs and now is part of a Panthers team that has flourished all year. After starting his collegiate career at Charleston Southern, Ryerson has found a home in Atlanta, and has made a definitive impact on the Georgia State baseball program. Outside of Ryerson and Cheney, the team has been menacing in the Sunbelt. Cameron Jones is tied for second on the team in hits with 43, and pitcher Chad Treadway has a 4-0 record while allowing only 15 hits with 26 strikeouts.
The team has been struggling as of late. After winning eight in a row, the team has since lost three straight in a series against in-state rival and 25th ranked Georgia Southern Eagles. In the next two weeks, the Panthers have an opportunity to change their misfortunes as they play Kennesaw State, Louisiana, Georgia and Troy. Right now, the Panthers are 23-13 and have been playing some of the best baseball Panthers fans have seen since the 2015 season, where the team went 30-27. This season can be the beginning of something special for the Georgia State baseball program as it has an opportunity to lay the foundation of Panther baseball for years to come. The team hasn’t won the regular season conference championship since 1998, and haven’t won the conference championship since 2009 where the team made its only NCAA tournament appearance in the school’s history. In three years, coach Stromdahl has made this program a welloiled machine.
The Kickback
April 26, 2022
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
GSU’s Collegiate Recovery Community Coffee Connection 12:00 p.m. - 1:30p.m. CRC Room
Live Journaling with BeWellPanthers #JournalTimeGSU 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Virtual
FLAGS Talent Showcase 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Dahlberg Hall
Wellness Walk with the Counselling Center 11:00 p.m. - 12:00 p.m. Virtual
RYJO Combo Concert 7:30 p.m. - 8:30p.m. Kopleff Recital Hall
MONDAY MAY 2
SUNDAY MAY 1
SATURDAY
APR 29
THURSDAY APR 28
WEDNESDAY APR 27
TUESDAY
APR 30
APR 26
THE KICKBACK
RYJO COmbo COncert Kopleff Recital Hall 7:30p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 2022
THE KICKBACK
15
GAMES SUDOKU
GAMES WORD FIND ASS BOOTY DICK LUBE PERSONALITY SEX VIBRATOR BLOW COWGIRL DOGGY MASTURBATE PORN SIXTYNINE VIRGIN BOOB CUM HANDHOLDING NUDES PURE VAGINA
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