Georgia State University is one of the most diverse universities in the United States and proudly claims to be a “University for all.” U.S. news reports GSU has a 77% minority enrollment and as the recipient of many awards for inclusion, one of the many appeals to attend GSU is its diversity.
The university claims to be committed to protecting that diversity and supporting students regardless of “race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nation of origin, socioeconomic status or other individual characteristics and intersectionalities that define you as an individual.”
Despite this written commitment, the university’s history of discrimination continues to permeate the Panther experience.
On September 8th, an X account under the username @StopArabHate highlighted a series of posts allegedly made by an adjunct professor at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, which contained anti-arab and anti-muslim messaging.
“What would the Arab Middle East have if they didn’t have hate? Oil I guess,” the user said in a now-deleted post. “It’s time to send the Muslims back to the dysfunctional Arab Middle East,” the user said in another deleted post in April.
There is an ongoing investigation to verify the accounts identity and the professor’s ties to GSU.
The alleged posts violate the University System of Georgia’s and GSU’s faculty and student handbook standards for discrimination. Item 101.17b in the Georgia State University employee handbook lists the “Fundamental Tenets and Expectations of Faculty.”
It states, “Each employee of the USG community and at Georgia State University will: Refrain from discriminating against, harassing or threatening others.”
The student handbook, on page 31 item B.1 states, “Georgia State University does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender, disability, national origin, or veteran status in employment or the administration of the program and activities conducted by Georgia State University or any of its several departments now in existence or hereafter established.”
The Signal recognizes every staff member’s and student’s expression of free speech, but by examining the statements made alongside the university guidelines, the posts made on X are incongruent with university standards.
The professor has yet to respond to our attempts to reach out.
Unfortunately, hate has hurt this campus before. Last year in October, The Signal investigated the admission of a student with a history of white supremacy to the College of Law.
Two years ago, on a board inside of Sensational Subs, antisemitic messages were written, being adorned with hateful symbols, causing outrage amongst the Jewish fraternities, student organizations and community at GSU.
The student response to all instances was similar, calling for an examination of the university’s standard for admittance and employment as one of the most diverse colleges in the U.S.
With over 50,000 enrolled students, Georgia State University is the largest institution in Georgia based on enrollment. In 2021, the university received Insight Into Diversity’s 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.
If the university is going to continue that standard of excellence many of these issues must be faced.
The Center for the Advancement of Students and Alumni at Georgia State promotes inclusion in teaching and encourages faculty to strive towards “inclusive excellence.” On their website it states, “We define inclusivity to mean that all our faculty and students feel welcomed, safe, respected, and valued.”
Hate has no place at Georgia State University. We encourage all students and staff to speak up about the discrimination and harassment they experience at GSU.
You can report discrimination by a student organization to the Dean of Students. You can contact them through their email at deanofstudents@gsu. edu, phone at 404-413-1515 or in person at 55 Gilmer Street Student Center East, Suite 303.
Discrimination by staff should be reported to Ann Williamson, Associate VP of HR Administration and Chief HR Officer. Reach out to hrhelp@gsu.edu or call 404-413-4747 to get into contact with the right HR representatives and make your voice heard.
The Signal condemns hate of all kinds and denounces its presence in our University. One of the many great things about being a Panther is being surrounded by people from all walks of life. We take pride in the diversity of our campus and are committed to upholding those standards in our own organization. Please, if at any point you think you are being discriminated against, utilize the resources you have, including contacting The Signal.
Story by: Raymond Tran
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Volume 92 | Issue 3
THE BLOTTER
www.georgiastatesignal.com
Sept. 16
“A wheely bad decision”
A GSU Student was the victim of larceny at 11 a.m. at the bike rack outside the Arts & Humanities building.
LOCAL
Last Monday, protesters against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, coined by the public as “Cop City,” disrupted a meeting by the Atlanta City Council. Protesters crashed the meeting and began throwing ping pong balls throughout the gallery while chanting the phrase “You dropped the ball.” Protesters then uncovered a banner in front of the chamber that read “Andre Dickens, you dropped the ball on democracy” and the number “116,000,” the alleged number of city residents who signed a petition calling for a referendum to be placed on the ballot to allow those residents to vote on the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.
Monday, September 23, 2024
Sept. 17
“Sorry, it’s been checked out” On Sept. 17, a GSU Student was the victim of larceny at 9 a.m. in Library North.
NEWS BRIEFS
NATIONAL
On Sept. 15, an armed gunman was arrested in what appeared to be a second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump’s life. Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, was arrested and charged with firearm offenses after Secret Service agents spotted him with a rifle at the former president’s Mar-aLago estate in West Palm Beach, Fla. Routh was spotted 400-500 yards from Trump when the Secret Service spotted and opened fire on him.
INTERNATIONAL
As of Sept. 17, four Americans have been arrested in Venezuela over claims of planning an assassination of authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro in the aftermath of his controversial reelection. The American’s name has yet to be released, but according to an announcement made by the Venezuelan government, they were arrested in Caracas after “taking photos of electrical installations, oil facilities, and military units,” in a plot to harm the president. This arrest comes after a controversial election that has torn the country. Members of Maduro’s opposition contest that the Maduro “stole” the election, with tally sheets collected from 80% of the nation’s electronic voting machines showing that opposing diplomat Edmundo González won the election with twice as many votes as Maduro according to members of that opposition.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Photo by Eduarda Gedoz Speggiorin
School of Music students raise concerns over facility conditions
Aging infrastructure and safety issues prompt efforts from administration and SGA.
SEditor David Hoffman
tudents in the School of Music have spent years watching other get shiny new upgrades while their facilities are falling apart. This year, they’ve had enough.
The School of Music was welcomed into its current building back in 1996. In the 28 years they’ve called the Standard Building, the Haas-Howell Building and the Rialto Theater home, renovations to the building’s facilities have been little to none according to students.
Students within the School of Music have seen the condition of their buildings worsening for a while. Reports of closed down bathrooms, shattered windows and broken ADA door buttons have all come in and fallen on deaf ears for years, shared students.
Recently, the buildings have received a bit more attention from school administrators in getting repairs, getting new acoustic panels and weather stripping for its doors. But certain issues have still gone unresolved and for the more than 500 students in the school, there is still a long way to go.
“Some of these buildings are almost 100 years old,” said SGA Executive Vice President Sarah Forberger during a walkthrough of some of the building’s problem areas. “It’s absolutely ridiculous the state they are in”.
Walking through the halls of The Haas-Howel and Standard Building, it’s clear that the School of Music’s facilities are showing their age. Students have said that they’ve experienced issues with some of the building’s offices not having air-conditioning, out of tune pianos in practice rooms, and water fountains not working.
“One of my biggest issues is with the water fountains,” shared Naj Hughes, a student within the school. “There are two for the entire building.”
Forberger has begun work with the School of Music’s administration to solve the building’s worsening issues.
Currently, the School of Music is under the leadership of an Interim Director and just this school year appointed a new Dean. They shared with Forberger that out of the school’s $4 million budget, 90% of it goes to funding its salary.
The school did share with Forberger that it plans on fixing some of these problems. The school was given a sustainability grant from the University to put more water fountains in their lecture halls. They also plan on using a $50,000 grant gained from student fees to renovate area’s like The Standard Building’s student lounge.
Having the money to make these changes is only one part of a solution however. The School of Music’s administration also shared with Forberger that they’ve also been facing issues with the University’s maintenance team to physically fix issues with the building’s bathroom and lounge spaces.
These delays in making change have been felt by students.
“There are always projects and proposals in the works but getting them executed seems to take too long,” said Hughes. “I hope moving forward, they can communicate more effectively between departments to actually get things done”.
SGA and the School of Music haven’t announced specifics on their plans to improve the school’s condition but an initiative to solve some of the problems has been started by Forberger and SGA.
Construction on Student Center West’s “Panther Lounge” continues into the new school year
Construction on a new lounge across the hall from Georgia State University bookstore has been ongoing since last summer.
Anew Active Zone and Front Desk is being built in Student Center West to replace a popular space for
commuter students on campus. Construction on a new lounge across the hall from Georgia State University bookstore has been ongoing since last summer. What used to be the “Panther Place” lounge has been shut down for months, and new details on the construction are few and far between.
The third-floor hallway of Student Center West is covered in cardboard and tape blocking off the space. With such a long closure and so little news, one can’t help but wonder what they are building.
Plastered on the walls of the construction site are flyers titled “Pardon Our Progress!” These flyers share what the new area may look like, which is the ‘Active Zone and Front Desk.” Ymanie Foote, a third-year and team lead at the Georgia State University bookstore says this area has been shut down since the Spring of 2022.
“It used to have a steak and shake cafeteria and everything else in the restaurant,” she says. “On the side center, it used to be a waiting area for commuting students so they could sit down and eat. They have been under construction since the summertime.”
The lounge used to be one of the few spaces for commuter students to sit down and eat on campus. Before its closure, it provided group seating, microwaves and quiet spaces for students to work in. With the lounge now closed, students driving to campus for class have experienced issues finding places to be between classes. When asked, Georgia State workers said they weren’t “sure” of what was being built but they heard they were “moving offices.”
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News Writer Emily Wahner
“They are building an active zone and front desk, so going to be a sitting area for commuter students to eat lunch, and student center service centers to my knowledge so lost and found, panthercard office and the transportation office, said Foote. Parker Allen, a fourth-year student at Georgia State, saw glimpses of the construction.
“When I was going to the elevator across the bookstore in the student center, I saw they had broken down the wall and there was a room that looked like they were in the process of building charging stations,” said Allen. “It looked like there were about 40 of them”
Ymanie Foote went on to say that she thinks the construction will be a good renovation however, other parts of campus need more focus. “For example, Sparks Hall. There are also other things they could be paying attention to. For example, putting up more street lights and cameras” said Foote. “Also, the elevators across the bookstore are always broken.”
The Student Center hasn’t announced an opening date for the new Active Zone and Front Desk area. At the time of publishing, construction is still underway.
News
Illustrations by Shemar DeBellotte
Photo by Noah Zeches
www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions
The Clash of the Titans: Kamala Harris vs. Donald Trump
An opinion on the show that was the 2024 Presidential Debate.
The clash of the titans that was the 2024 presidential debate. Kamala Harris versus Donald Trump is the most anticipated moment of the year in politics. The discussion was everything we expected—dramatic, chaotic and thoroughly entertaining in a way that only American politics can be. And as much as I wanted to focus on policy, the economy, and facts, what I got more of was that debates in 2024 are less about policy and more about personality.
Let’s start with Donald Trump. If it’s one thing we’ve all learned by now, it’s that Trump is a showman. He says things for shock and the American people take the bait every time. We all know he bends the rules for his benefit. From the moment he walked on stage, he was there to dominate and bulldoze. He interrupted as he felt and took as long as he wanted to answer questions.
He’s like that guy in class who doesn’t raise his hands and just blurts out the answer, whether or not he’s right or wrong, without consequence. Like saying Haitians are eating cats and dogs, absurd claims but so outlandish that you can’t help but keep watching.
He spent all his time looking for a moment, something for the media to create viral clips of. The strategy seemed to be all over the place for Trump. To his supporters, it was a masterclass in political theater; to his critics, it was a familiar display of bombast with little substance. The concern seemed more focused on Harris rather than appealing to the American people.
Contributor Julian Weems
This is where his opponent excelled. Harris knew who she was making her case to, for her, the stakes were much higher. This was her first real main stage moment to show that she was a threat to Trump’s run.
Instead of taking Trump’s bait, she spoke of uniting the country appealing to liberals and conservatives alike. Harris has great discernment, she knew how long to let Trump ramble and to let go of his petty comments. This is ultimately where Trump failed, he focused on defense instead of offense.
Now, what made this debate so fascinating wasn’t just the clash of personalities, though that alone was enough to make you reach for the popcorn. It was the sheer contrast in styles, a battle between two very different visions of leadership. Trump is all about power, charisma and a force of will. He wanted to dominate, to control the narrative, to be the loudest voice in the room. Harris, on the other hand, led with a little more strategy and a steady hand.
That is where the real tension lies. Trump represents the redemption he is seeking from his “stolen election.” Trump played to his audience, stoking the flames of outrage, while Harris coolly tried to stay above the fray. Harris is aiming for the “collected and focused future” look.
At the end of the night, no one “won” in the traditional sense. However, once metrics came in, several celebrity endorsements, and the consensus from the public it was deemed that Harris “won.” The CNN flash poll says that registered voters voted 63% to 37% that Harris had a better performance.
So, what’s the takeaway? In a world where the lines between entertainment and politics have been blurred, this debate was the perfect encapsulation of the moment we’re living in. We’re not just watching leaders debate policy anymore—we’re watching the clash of personalities and power. It is now up to us to ignore all the noise, focus on the facts and put our judgment to the test and vote.
The true cost of Apple’s new iPhone
With Apple’s new iPhone release, it’s important to think critically about whether or not it is the most ethical (or necessary) decision.
EMaria Victoria Sponar Opinions Writer
very September, social media begins to spread the newest Apple product. Despite plastering its logo onto the same iPhone as previous years with only slight modifications, advertisements enthusiastically convince you it is an absolute must-have.
With social media being more popular and influential than ever, it comes as no surprise that the buzz of the new iPhone has been heard across the GSU halls just as much as it has on influencer’s feeds. Add the ever-growing pressure to conform to a hyper-consumerist society, whose insatiable hunger for the ‘next best thing’ will never be filled, and you have the perfect recipe to feed millions of people who are easily influenced to feel compelled to buy the latest iPhone.
There are a multitude of reasons why you should not buy the newest iPhone, and these reasons range from things as well-known and widely recognized as the typical “don’t-buy-it-justbecause-it’s-new” reasoning to the less commonly known “don’t-buy-it-because-Apple-contributes-to-violating-human-rights-violations” rationale. Apple has been dominating the market for years now, particularly in the United States – so much so, that it is not uncommon to hear people taunting those who use other products such as Androids or Samsungs. Apple’s advertising has done a phenomenal job convincing its users to continue needlessly consuming more of its products every year – but it has done an even better job at hiding its murky supply chains.
More and more people have begun to question where exactly Apple is getting its products from, and when the supply chain is followed, a suspicious record of ethically concerning questions appears. Earlier this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo warned Apple with a letter threatening a potential lawsuit if their actions – which include purchasing illegally exploited blood minerals from their country – continue.
The DRC’s government has told Apple that they are particularly concerned over the ways that its supply chain has been linked to conflict minerals being smuggled from their country and into Rwanda, where they find their way into Apple’s distribution network.
What raises even more concern is how the region from which these blood minerals are extracted is known to be operated by “armed rebel groups... some of whom have been accused of carrying out mass killings of civilians”, along with other “grave violations of human rights” that are worsening with each passing day
These allegations should not be taken lightly by Apple product users. Instead of focusing on the shiny, ever-so-slightly modified new version of the iPhone, Apple users should begin to recognize the true cost of this unnecessary purchase. For people living in a first-world country, it can be easy to ignore what is happening on the other side of the world, but spreading awareness on this issue can help educate those who are unaware of the controversy the tech company is dealing with. The more people become aware of these serious allegations, the less needless products will be bought. In turn, this will help cut down the continuation of a supply chain that is being blamed for horrific human rights violations.
While choosing ethics over material-driven consumption may not be the best financial decision for some influencers, it needs to happen for a variety of reasons. Not buying into these yearly overconsumption marketing strategies will let giant companies like Apple know that if they want to continue being successful, they need to find more ethical ways to produce their products. This will help push for innovation that does not need to come at the cost of human lives.
I have – an unfortunately pervasive habit. If I am in class, and someone in my line of sight begins to browse the internet, my eyes are drawn to their screen. Over the years, I have watched an increasing number of classmates gamble on sports during class. It is rare to see activity become ubiquitous as quickly as sports gambling. Not long ago, links to sports gambling could severely tarnish an athlete’s career. Today, countless athletes and sports teams have long-term endorsement deals with wagering companies. Sports gambling arrived in Georgia long ago. Now, state legislators can ensure that this activity benefits the students of Georgia.
Sports gambling has proven to be especially popular among college students. 58% of 18 to 22-year-olds surveyed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association reported engaging in sports betting activity. According to Ted Hartwell, the Executive Director of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, around two-thirds of on-campus college students bet on sports. University students are frequently exposed to gambling advertising, principally through television, social media and on-campus promotional campaigns.
To the surprise of many, sports gambling is illegal in the state of Georgia. It is one of 12 states that has yet to pass legislation authorizing the activity following the 2012 Supreme Court case that struck down its prohibition. Many Georgia residents still routinely wager on sports through a legal loophole; daily fantasy sports (DFS). While DFS and sports gambling are similar, the former’s legality is justified by its status as a game of skill, since a wagerer must bet on multiple players’ individual performances rather than the outcome of a particular game. Through this legal gray area, PrizePicks, the country’s largest DFS app, can be headquartered in Georgia.
The widespread legalization of sports gambling its economic potential. States and policymakers dustry which would be met with high initial enue and allow for higher numbers of job creation. 2021, states that legalized sports gambling revenue. This new income can be used to revitalize funding public schools and in treatment for
In the state of Georgia, a form of gambling programs. The HOPE Scholarship, which covers students, is funded by the Georgia Lottery. transferred into the state treasury’s Lottery HOPE Scholarship and the Georgia Pre-Kindergarten revenue from sports gambling could enhance potentially allowing for their expansion.
gambling throughout the country was fueled by policymakers believed that introducing this new ininitial demand, would create enormous tax revcreation. This has proved to be true. As of have created millions of dollars in new tax revitalize struggling social programs, aid in problem gamblers.
already supports our most popular social covers tuition costs for eligible college Net proceeds from lottery ticket sales are for Education account, which funds the Pre-Kindergarten Program. Potential added tax enhance the fund used to finance both programs,
Unfortunately, gambling is not an unproblematic activity. According to the MayoClinic, gambling can stimulate one’s brain similarly to drugs and alcohol, potentially leading to addiction. Any legislation concerning the legalization of the sports gambling industry should include provisions for funding gambling disorder programs and mandate the inclusion of in-app mechanisms that identify problematic betting patterns.
While it may seem far-fetched, the technology to identify and protect potential problem gamblers from their own addictions already exists. In order to form lucrative partnerships with professional sports leagues, betting and DFS companies created mechanisms dedicated to identifying incidents of point-shaving or match-fixing. Sports gambling companies hire experts in statistics and data analysis to find “abnormal betting patterns”, which suggest bettors were acting with information unbeknownst to the general public. These mechanisms served as the impetus for investigations that resulted in the indictment of basketball player Jontay Porter and the charges brought against Brazilian soccer player Lucas Paquetá. Evidently, these tools are efficient in flagging abnormal betting patterns. It would be rather simple to adapt this technology to identify customers who place bets in problematic volumes across multiple platforms.
Georgia’s refusal to pass legislation authorizing sports gambling has put it in an advantageous position. State legislator’s yearly efforts to pass bills legalizing the activity suggest that gambling will eventually be legalized. Allowing other states to experiment with legalization for a substantial period of time has given state legislators the resources to study the best way to implement sports gambling in Georgia, maximizing tax revenue, increasing public funding for schooling and protecting vulnerable populations.
ARTS+LIVING
What’s buzzing about comic cons and pop culture cons?
Looking into the popularity of comic cons and culture cons in Atlanta.
Cartoon lovers, pop culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors can all find
common ground with comic conventions. Comic cons provide a wide range of opportunities for people to feel more connected to their fandom and the creators of their beloved entertainment franchise. Over the years, comic and pop culture cons have continued to grow in size and popularity.
What Draws People to Comic Cons and Pop Culture Cons?
Comic cons and pop culture cons provide an immersive experience for guests to be involved with their favorite movie, TV show, comic or game on a deeper level. According to the University of Central Florida, “[Comic and pop culture] conventions provide fans the opportunity to meet other people who share their interests, interact with favorite content creators, receive sneak peeks at upcoming content, and purchase merchandise.” These conventions also allow artists and storytellers to learn from the creators of their favorite franchises. They can ask questions and gain insights that will help them with their artistic endeavors and with their own journey in the entertainment industry. Comic cons and pop culture cons never fail to draw in a large number of people. Many people travel to different cities to attend these events. Atlanta hosts several comic and pop culture conventions that bring in a huge crowd annually.
DragonCon
DragonCon is a large pop culture convention that attracts a wide variety of fans from various genres and mediums. “DragonCon is the largest multi-media, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film in the universe,” says DragonCon. The convention has many activities, including contests, workshops, events, art shows, awards and more. A few events from 2024’s convention included the art show, the animation/anime costuming contest and mad makeup mashup. DragonCon also brings in featured guests who have made their mark in the art and entertainment industry. Featured guests include voice actors, best-selling authors, producers, comedians and artists. There are also several ways to get involved, as a volunteer, performer, vendor and guest. Next year’s DragonCon will take place from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1, 2025.
MomoCon
MomoCon is a 4-day “geek culture convention” that brings together fans of anime, comics, gaming and animation. There is so much to do at MomoCon for all types of fans. There are gaming events, contests, panelists, speakers, karaoke, workshops and parties. According to the MomoCon website, “MomoCon brings together fans of Japanese Anime, American Animation, Comics, Video Games and Tabletop Games.” Fans at MomoCon celebrate their passion by cosplaying, browsing the huge exhibitor’s hall and meeting the creatives behind their franchises. There are also many ways to get involved, with volunteering, sponsorships, workshops, content creation and more. Registration is currently open for MomoCon 2025. The convention will be from May 22 to May 25, 2025.
Atlanta Comic Convention
The Atlanta Comic Convention is “the fan friendliest show in the South,” according to its website. The convention is celebrating 30 years of bringing fans, artists and creators together. A few of their dealers that will be at the convention include Action Figure Plus, Heroes and Dragons, Titan Books and Comics, Comic City and TNT Comics. Their upcoming convention will be on Sept. 29, 2024.
Rejuvenation (2023)—A GSU student film that surpasses expectations
A comprehensive movie review of the student film.
When I first sat down to watch “Rejuvenation” (2023), a student film from
GSU, my expectations weren’t sky-high. I imagined a stereotypical story: struggling athlete, battling drug addiction, a rehab stint, maybe some strained relationships along the way. I braced myself for a production riddled with choppy editing, awkward transitions - hallmarks of many a student film. However, from the moment the film began, I was pleasantly surprised.
At its core, “Rejuvenation” follows Trinity (Imani Okwuosa), a college track star who’s battling addiction and enters a rehab clinic with a dark secret. On the surface, it appears to follow the predictable beats of a recovery narrative. As Trinity checks into a rehab facility, things quickly take an unsettling turn and the film evolves into something far more unexpected. What begins as a serious exploration of recovery subtly morphs into a high-stakes thriller.
The film doesn’t shy away from serious topics like drug addiction, recovery and the inherent vulnerabilities that come with it. While the climax dips into fantastical elements—a blood-extraction ritual reminiscent of vampire lore—it also cleverly sheds light on the dark underbelly of the healthcare industry and dangers of fraudulent schemes. Sure, it’s far-fetched that two women would choose to drain the youth and vitality of their patients to stay forever young, but what’s more absurd is that they do it only to return to work day after day. The absurdity lies not in the act itself, but in what these two women—the facility’s doctors—do with their immortality. Instead of world domination or infinite wealth, they clock into work every day as if immortality is a minor inconvenience rather than a gift. It’s the ultimate tragicomic irony: the drudgery of eternal life, spent at the same old day job. But hey, I guess eternal friendship is worth more than billions of dollars. Who knew?
The film’s darker moments are balanced by occasional injections of humor and absurdity. A standout scene involves Trinity attempting to salvage someone else’s urine for her own drug test, only to watch helplessly as it flushes down the toilet. That sequence alone earned the film an extra .5 in my overall rating—it was hilarious and yet pathetically heartbreaking, a great example of how the film handles the more human aspects of its story. The film’s final moments, particularly Anna’s vampire-like bite into her therapist’s arm, were satisfying but also left me wanting more. I hoped for a full-blown horror twist, but it never quite pushed into “Suspiria” territory. Instead, “Rejuvenation” remains relatively grounded, save for its wild blood rituals.
Visually, “Rejuvenation” impressed me even further with its effects. The VFX seen in the “rejuvenation room” were particularly impressive. Even the injection scenes, which are seemingly difficult to make look real, were shockingly well done - I was almost expecting them to just cut away at those moments.
On a more personal level, the film’s setting offers an amusing meta-layer for GSU students watching it. Recognizable campus locations—a hallway here, a bathroom there—add a layer of intimacy for local audiences, reminiscent of the thrill and pride of spotting familiar Atlanta landmarks in “Baby Driver.” It’s that “I know that spot” moment that draws you deeper into the film’s world.
Ultimately, “Rejuvenation” delivers a thoughtful, eerie, if occasionally uneven take on addiction, healthcare and personal transformation, and it does so with a surprising level of finesse. While not entirely unpredictable, it kept me invested and offered some memorable performances and moments of genuine creativity, it’s got the heart and ambition for sure. The GSU team behind it deserve recognition, and I highly recommend checking it out—it’s not every day you can say you’ve watched a well-made piece of art by people you pass on campus. Plus, you never know - you might be watching the early work of the next big thing in Hollywood. Or at least someone who knows how to make a killer fake injection scene.
Verdict: It’s a film worth celebrating.
You can stream “Rejuvenation” on Amazon and Tubi for free.
Merissa Ware
Contributor Lamisha Rahman
Arts & Living Editor
Illustration by: Jamari Stokes
SPORTS
Braves battle injuries and slumping offense in final push for wild-card spot
Struggles at the plate and injuries to key players test Atlanta’s postseason aspirations.
Sports Writer D.J. Smith
s the final month of the MLB regular season winds down, the Braves are battling to secure the last playoff spot in the National League.
Sitting third in the NL East, they find themselves in a tight race with the division rival New York Mets for the final wild-card berth.
After leading the league with 104 wins in 2023, Atlanta entered the season as one of the top favorites to win the World Series. Unfortunately, injuries have become a significant hurdle.
Key All-Stars from last year’s playoff run—including Ronald Acuña Jr., Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, and Spencer Strider—have all spent time on the injured list.
Just as things were starting to look up for the Braves, all-star pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was placed on the 15-day injured list after exiting his start early against the Washington Nationals due to right shoulder inflammation.
Atlanta acquired Lopez in the offseason, and he’s been a vital piece to their rotation this year. In 24 starts, Lopez has an 8-5 record, 137 strikeouts, 2.03 ERA and made his all-star debut.
Pitching, however, is the least of the Braves’ concerns, with most of their struggles stemming from issues at the plate.
Last season, the Braves hit an MLB-record 307 home runs. However, 2024 has told a
different story. This year the Braves’ .240 batting average ranks 18th in the majors and 11th in the National League. Hall of Famer and former Braves infielder Chipper Jones recently appeared on the Casa de Klub podcast, where he discussed his former team’s recent issues at the plate.
“I can’t stand every once in a while not laying down a bunt for your best hitters,” Jones said. “All these things help you accumulate numbers. They don’t care. ‘One hundred RBIs? So what. I wanna hit 40 dingers.’ This is truly a ‘chicks dig the long ball’ kind of era.”
Jones highlighted Atlanta’s focus on “slug” and “power” when it comes to hitting, rather than finding any way to get on base and generate runs.
Until the reigning NL East champs can find that lost spark in the batter’s box, they continue to lean on their star-studded bullpen.
Starting pitcher Chris Sale is the frontrunner for the National League Cy Young Award. In 24 starts, Sale owns a 16-3 record, leading the league with a 2.38 ERA and racking up 213 strikeouts (as of Sept. 13).
Atlanta acquired the eight-time all-star from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason and he looks to join elite company and become the fifth Cy Young winner in Braves history. (Warren Spahn, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz)
With five series remaining, the Braves continue their push for a wild-card spot. Sale, Charlie Morton and Max Fried are set to start in a crucial three-game showdown against their West Coast rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Atlanta will then embark on a six-day road trip to face the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins, before wrapping up the regular season at home against the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals.
COMIC
Illustration by Lilli Regnier
Photo by Bizunesh Keith
9/22
KICKBACK
Sept/Oct 2024
9/23
Meet Your Personal Librarian: Coffee, Tea and Sandwich Reception
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. College of Law, 245
9/24
LaunchGSU Open
House Day One
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
LaunchGSU - Georgia State University
Karaoke Night
6 p.m. - 9 p..m.
Student Center East Ballroom
THURSDAY 9/29
9/30
Public Interest Organizations Fair
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
College of Law, Atrium
10/1
Day 1 Fall 2024 All Majors Co-Op & Internship Fair
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Student Center East Ballroom
GA + GSU MFA Exhibition “HOMEWORK,” Opening Reception
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. The Works
Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
9/25
Cake & Sip
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Student Center EastBallroom
Georgia State University
Women’s Soccer at Troy
8 p.m - 10 p.m. Troy, AL
FRIDAY
10/2
Day 2 Fall 2024 All Majors Co-Op & Internship Fair
