The Signal: Vol. 89 No. 3

VOL. 89 | NO. 03

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Independent, Impactful & Impartial

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BLOTTER SEPT. 2

AUG. 31

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Sexual Assault

AUG. 31 - CLARKSTON

Hey, didn’t you park over here?

A student reported a sexual assault that occurred outside of Student Center West, the case is still active.

Hey, what are you doing back here?

A Georgia State offender was arrested for criminal trespass and damage to property on the Clarkston Campus.

NEWS BRIEFS

EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matthew Siciliano-Salazar signaleditor@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Kenneth Lockett III signalmanagingeditor@gmail.com MARKETING MANAGER Ruth Mang signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com

Well that’s a big hole.

An employee reported property damage to Student Center East, the case is still active.

Leave me alone please!

A Georgia State-affiliated person reported harassment and threats against them, the case is still active.

An employee reported stole vehicles from Student Center West, it’s unclear if the stolen vehicles and the damage to SCE are connected. The case is still active.

LOCAL

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

A mass shooting occurred outside of an ATL Pride Event.

Biden to sue those who block abortions in Texas

Georgia State and China research COVID-19’s effects.

Atlanta police are investigating a shooting outside a club that was hosting a Black Pride event on Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. Five people went to the hospital with gunshot wounds. The names and conditions of the victims have not been released.

After Texas passed a new law banning most abortions, the Justice Department said it would “protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services” under a federal law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

“You really don’t want to get COVID, is ultimately one of the messages that this is supporting,” said Vince Calhoun, director of Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science Center at Georgia State. In fact, COVID-19 survivors in the study showed higher levels of stress symptoms that include anxiety, depression, PTSD and a relationship in certain brain patterns.

NEWS

September 07, 2021

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

ILLUSTRATION BY ARIEL WALTER | THE SIGNAL

Ida is now gone, but the end is nowhere near The path of destruction left by the latest Hurricane to make landfall in the US COBY DAWKINS Staff Reporter

H

urricane Katrina is etched it the memories of many. 1,800 people lost their lives in one of the worst hurricanes ever to hit the U.S. mainland. Exactly 16 years later, Louisiana experienced another hurricane that was even more powerful than the first.

Hurricane Ida was a Category-4 hurricane and was the fifth-largest storm to hit the United States when she made landfall. The storm blasted the coast, causing widespread flooding, catastrophic damage and spawned tornadoes in some areas. Ida brought havoc and chaos to most of the US, killing at least 61 people in eight different states.

The Associated Press reported that more than one million homes and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi were left without power when the storm hit. Officials have warned that the damage is so extensive that it will take them weeks to repair the damage to the power grids.

What causes a storm to intensify like Hurricane Ida? Many Scientists and researchers have argued that climate change impacts hurricanes and plays a significant role in why storm numbers have doubled in recent years.

Philip Klotzbach, a research scientist, told ABC News that this could be due to the warmer water available. As the planet continues to warm, people need to face the reality that climate change reform is necessary to counteract these disasters.

Where did this all start? According to World Vision, Ida developed in the Caribbean Sea as a Category 2 hurricane on Saturday, August 28, and rapidly strengthened as it moved towards Louisiana.

As the storm neared, rescue and relief efforts were already underway. According to the National Guard’s

website, the Louisiana National Guard deployed 4,800 members to protect property and to ensure evacuation efforts were underway.

By Monday, 5,009 National Guardsmen were in Louisiana, 150 in Mississippi, 100 in Texas and 40 in Alabama. The Louisiana National Guard had already rescued 359 people and 55 pets in the powerful surges

by Tuesday.

As the end is nowhere near, many organizations have rallied around Louisiana to offer their love and support. The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and FEMA are a couple of the many organizations helping with the relief efforts.

According to the American Red Cross, they have served 29,600 meals and snacks, provided 6,800 stays in emergency lodging, distributed 10,800 relief items and deployed over 630 disaster workers. The Red Cross is also working with its partners to set up mobile kitchens in the affected areas.

These kitchens have plans to distribute food to thousands who were in the hardest-hit areas. To donate or learn more about the American Red Cross, visit www.redcross.org/donate or call (1-800-435-7669).

The Salvation Army has been steadfast in bringing relief and peace to Louisiana and many US citizens.

According to their website, the organization has already donated 59,365 meals and 45,817 Drinks, and 22,618 snacks.

According to a press release, The Salvation Army was a recipient of a donation made by the Walmart Foundation. The organization received $750,000 to help expand its relief efforts with Hurricane Ida. Their website states “Through the help of a gift of $750,000 from the Walmart Foundation, The Salvation Army will be

further equipped to tackle the daunting task of providing meals to hundreds of individuals displaced and impacted by Hurricane Ida.” To donate to The Salvation Army, visit give. helpsalvationarmy.org or call (1-800-725-2769).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, is a government division whose primary purpose is to support and protect citizens from disasters in the US. FEMA has deployed over 1,300 employees to support the Ida recovery and response efforts. FEMA also assists with patient transport to local hospitals and has deployed over 150 ambulances, including 30 air ambulances.

Having a hurricane of this size means this is not a one-person job. FEMA is working closely and diligently with over 12 government agencies and with hundreds of local organizations around the country.

To learn more about what FEMA is doing, visit www. fema.gov.

As rescue efforts are well underway, many of the low-lying portions of the state are still underwater, and many homes and businesses still have no power or running water. As of Wednesday, September 1, 989,000 homes and businesses were still without power, reported by AP News. That number continues to lower as crews assess the situation and the aftermath of Ida. Every year, Hurricane Season comes around, affecting many people around the world. In the North Pacific, Hurricane season starts on May 15, and in the Atlantic and Caribbean, it begins on June 1. Some evacuation warnings happen in seconds. Having a plan before the storm hits or even the season starts could save your life as well as your loved ones’ lives too.

NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2021

4

The Forgotten Americans Hundreds of Americans left in Afghanistan KENNETH LOCKETT III Managing Editor

A

s the United States military began to wrap up its historic departure from Afghanistan, they made many promises. They have not met those promises to this day, and the most important of those promises was that they would get everyone out. Meanwhile, nearly a week after the last fights took off from Kabul, several Americans and their allies remain stranded in the country. Unable to leave, unable to go home.

When asked if there was a timeline to get everyone else out, a US State Department spokesperson said, “At this time no, but once we have made arrangements, they will be getting out.”

That leaves the families of those still in Afghanistan very concerned. Nearly 30 students are unaccounted for after they left with their families in a California school district.

ILLUSTRATION BY EVAN KOENIGS | THE SIGNAL

Editorial: Vax up and Mask up It’s up to us to stop this pandemic.

KENNETH LOCKETT III Managing Editor

I

t’s time to have the conversation we all have been dreading. How many of you have been fully vaccinated?

As of September 5th, only 41% of Georgia citizens have chosen to be vaccinated.

Even the nearby COVID-19 hot spot, Flordia, has vaccinated over 50% of its population. As we quickly approach the twoyear mark, many are rightfully questioning. “When will this ever end?”

If you drive around the country, almost every entrylevel job location is hiring. Even Chick-Fil-a is struggling to hold employees. And this still comes after many companies have raised their minimum wage to $12-15 an hour.

Yet, the people asking why their local Dunkin Doughnuts is closed are the very same ones with no masks and who are not vaccinated.

There is a sense of security for many that it can’t happen to them, to us.

They tell themselves that they

are young and healthy. Tell that to the family of 19-year-old Breanna Gray. She was in the final weeks of her summer before her first semester at Navarro College.

She had no health issues but had not received the vaccine. Within a few weeks, she died of COVID-19.

We already see a rapid surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths within the state. Hospital beds are filling up, and the pandemic has torn families apart. Factoring in the crowds from Labor Day, we are bound to see a rise in cases within the next few weeks.

“College students should seriously consider getting vaccinated,” said Kathy Maloney, the Director of Health Services at Monmouth University. “This is not just for one’s health but for the health and well-being of family members, friends and the greater community. Vaccination is our primary defense against the COVID-19 virus. If we can eliminate people serving as hosts for viral replication, we can reduce case incidence on campus and in

the community.”

That is the critical reason for us students getting the vaccine.

Not to keep us safe but to keep everyone else safe while still enjoying life and my college experience. I understand the pain of my fellow students.

Online University was horrible.

I miss seeing my friends, going out to hot pot, Kung Fu Tea and Rosa’s. Even though I hated it, I do miss walking through the College of Law wind tunnel. I miss going to The Living Room on Monday nights and the all-night study sessions in the commons.

That’s why I got vaccinated.

That’s why I wear a mask. So that my friends and I can go on those late-night waffle house and race track runs. It is our responsibility to fix this country.

We can’t do it if we are stuck home because people don’t want to wear masks. We must mask up and vax up because I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go into another lockdown.

“

“It’s heart -breaking; I love America.

I [have] lived there for half my life. My parents are there. My friends are there. And I’m stuck here, with nowhere to go.”

”

— GEORGIA STATE STUDENT Back home, we’ve been attempting to contact at least five Georgia State students who have yet to return to Atlanta after

visiting family over the summer. The Signal has chosen to keep the names of these student’s from the story to protect them.

“It’s heartbreaking; I love America. I [have] lived there for half my life.

My parents are there. My friends are there. And I’m stuck here, with nowhere to go.” one student said.

While their safety is in the minds of many, they are more worried about their education. “I don’t even know if they dropped me from my classes yet, thousands of dollars down the drain for seemingly nothing.”

We attempted to reach out to both the Office of the Registrar and the Office of Advisement. However, we got no responses from either. Georgia State has not made any public comments regarding how many students are in Afghanistan, much to the dismay of the students still stuck in the country.

“I feel forgotten, I’ve attempted to reach out to the university about my situation, and I’ve gotten no response. I don’t even have internet access to submit a Panther Answer. I’m stuck here until I can manage to find my way out.” The student said.

“Don’t get me wrong. I am safe. I’m grateful that my uncle let me stay here until I can leave. It’s just crazy that I’m enjoying my family one day and the next day I’m being rushed to the airport.

Hoping and praying that I can get a spot on the plane.”

According to the Department of State, there are 100-200 known Americans still in Afghanistan. However, the Department of State has ensured the safety of all citizens still in the country.

However, that’s not enough. As the weeks roll on, students have begun to question whether or not coming is possible. The situation in Afghanistan is heartbreaking. Still, they hold out hope that they can return home and return to their studies.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2021

First Game of the Season : Georgia State vs Army

PHOTOS BY HARRY WYMAN AND OWAIS KHAN | THE SIGNAL

THE SIGNAL

5

OPINIONS

September 07, 2021

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS

ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA MADRZYK | THE SIGNAL

Minimum wage equals minimum living

The cost of living in Atlanta is too high for full-time students working part-time jobs

W

ALYSSIA HARDGE

Staff Columnist

e are what some people would call “baby adults.” Most college students have never been on their own before. Students are discovering just how rewarding and how expensive college is.

Having bills, paying rent and buying our groceries is a stiff bill to pay.

For Georgia State students who live in Atlanta, that cost is even worse.

With city living being more expensive than ever, it is time to reevaluate our economy and make this city a more affordable place to stay for us, “baby adults.”

The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed in 1938, creating overtime and inventing the minimum wage. Due to the Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal rate is $7.25, and with some limited exceptions, the federal minimum wage applies.

In our case, these exceptions apply to many jobs here in Georgia. As of 2021, the base rate of pay in Georgia is $5.15.

Using basic math and multiple sources, many have concluded that even with a minimum wage job working maximum hours, paying for your basic needs and being a full-time student comes with sacrifices.

There are not enough hours in the day. Based on a survey conducted with 13 full-time Georgia State students who also have part-time jobs, the average student works 15-19 hours per week. Meaning they have enough time out of their week to focus on school and maybe go out with their friends. That’s not the case for all students.

Starting in October 2020, I started working part-time at a Starbucks here in Atlanta. At Starbucks, employees make an average of $11.64 an hour.

When I started, my base pay was $10.25. While I’m not complaining, working 19 hours a week, getting paid every two weeks, barely making $270 after the government took taxes out, and being a full-time student at the time was not the best living situation.

Having many dietary restrictions, I am subject to spending more money on groceries than the average student. The average amount I spend on basic needs, including food, a month would probably be around $400-$450.

Although my pay rate has increased twice, and I have been able to fix my schedule to allow for a more healthy work and life balance, not all students

have that luxury.

In an interview with a Georgia State sophomore, who wished not to be named, we discussed her current living status, how many hours per week she works and the sacrifices she had to make to continue her education.

The student told me that she averages 30-32 hours at her part-time job in Atlanta each week.

“I think I work more than the 32-year-olds at my job, and they have a family to feed.” The average rent in Atlanta for an apartment is $1,645.

Around campus, we have multiple student living apartments.

The student currently resides at The Mix. “I remember telling my parents that I thought it would be good if I was to get an apartment by myself... you know, to learn how to be by myself. Never thought I would have to be responsible for the bill that came with it.” She said.

The student told me that their current rent is $1,697 per month, including parking, a fully furnished apartment and utilities.

“I believe I spend about $250 on groceries and other things each month, seeing that most of my money goes towards my rent. I learned what I truly needed and how to budget. The hardest part is telling parents everything is fine when in reality I just want to move back home.”

The average amount spent on groceries in America per month is $387, while the average utility bill is $240. For many students, all of these prices added together equal their entire paycheck. The price tag of Atlanta has to go down.

City living is a dream for countless students. I still want to move to New York and live out my social media marketer dreams.

My experiences living in Atlanta for the past year have taught me that our lives are expensive.

We are going to have to make sacrifices to achieve the life we want. Until our economy reflects a better standard of living for the lower and middleclass citizens, affordable living will be hard to find. Expenses are a part of the Atlanta college experience, and it has to change.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2021

OPINIONS

7

ILLUSTRATION BY EVAN KOENIGS | THE SIGNAL

An American Century, Cut Short

A select few have won in Afghanistan; their truth is now ours.

B TREVOR KOSLOSKI

Staff Columnist

ack in January 2002, then President George W. Bush affirmed in his State of the Union Address: “our cause is just, and it continues.”

27 Afghan allies were mistakenly killed and bound by U.S. forces north of Kandahar five days prior. Their deaths received no mention.

The great American idea was then borne on the march across the world, carried by so many serried rows of crew-cuts and alabaster faces drifting seamlessly between the porous membrane off the beltway and Kabul.

Among the rows is David Frum, having co-written that same address where the new centennial enemies of the great idea are rapturously named the “Axis of Evil.”

20-some years later, he quotes himself through Bush as his intermediary in The Atlantic, delivering a prophecy – the great idea will endure. The United States would leave subordinate ones to “the unmarked grave of discarded lies.”

Iran and North Korea are today strangled by sanctions. Saddam Hussein is dead, with the region left to the Islamic State. The century was cut short.

That great American idea marches on, bloodied and wearing its treasures as evidence of itself in its procession back across the world, rerouting to the cloistered halls of think tanks and diplomatic appointments, basking among the commentariat. David Frum has reason to be vain; he won. A better truth did not – but that won’t matter. The truth is now what we have done.

A conservative 71,000 civilians have been killed directly by the occupation of Afghanistan. The Pentagon affords little towards scrupulously compiling an accurate tally.

If there is a normative statement about American politics, it is this: there should be none. Whether we figure politics to be attainment to history’s truth or restrained to the negotiation of justice – those of us concerned with moral imperatives have lost, anyway. I have lost, too.

If you’re thinking about writing a think piece on America’s credibility – don’t. Don’t share that infographic. Don’t entertain a reflection on our great idea, on the political concept of justice. Don’t waste your time now, and do not waste mine.

The great American idea is, principally, pragmatism.

Shed your pretenses of liberalism. The stunning weight of violent practicality has annihilated the nebula of civic values.

You might lighten this weight with a counter-practice. You might build yourself an anti-war movement, you might construct channels of international solidarity – but for every moment forever preceding that, we have lost. I am done losing.

Our time in Afghanistan had little to do with the concept of justice and everything to do with the act of continuing. The concept of justice means nothing to an air-to-ground missile. The explosion becomes the truth.

The Taliban will preside over Afghanistan for the coming future. The Taliban maintains no pretenses of liberalism. We are readying ourselves for pragmatic negotiations.

I do not care that we have withdrawn from Afghanistan. I care that we were there in the first place.

I care about what has happened. I care that those who have lost for these past two decades have no foreseeable path to winning. I care about the truth – about what we allowed to happen. I care about what we have done.

The singular task of any person is the preservation of human life. The attainment towards or failure of this task is the truth of history.

The great idea now off elsewhere, we will withdraw from Afghanistan.

We will callously preserve human life in that capacity, tacitly engaging talks with the Taliban. I do not care. Until we act otherwise, we have gotten the geopolitics we deserve.

Frum’s unmarked grave of discarded lies only contains what has failed to happen. What has transpired in Afghanistan now lives, and we will live with it forever.

The cause assumes its own concept of justice, and that concept continues. Until we act otherwise, and until we can act at all – the cause as truth hangs over us, emanating through us.

The most fundamental ethical approach to Afghanistan was having never entered at all. The next closest is decades of reparations for having entered.

Though both of these things have failed to happen – we settle for other things as truth. We have failed the historical task – the great American idea has failed it, as well. Whereas we have thus far lost, it has long won.

We have no counter-practice.

Every moment until we win, the anti-war counter-practice is the discarded lie. I am unsure we will win. I am uncertain that we can ever be forgiven – but should we lose, I hope we are never.

This Week’s Spread: Arts & Living WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

Street artists cover Atlanta’s walls, bridges and walkways with all kinds of art The importance of street art in Atlanta

A

Written By : Grace Braswell Staff Reporter

rtists have covered the streets of Atlanta with a punk flavor. The sides of buildings are decorated with influential sayings, paintings of civil rights leaders and symbols of protests, marked by the art of the street.

Street art in Atlanta is immensely diverse, as street artists like VAYNE and SLAW take on a style of art that features popping words in a train graffiti-like style. Tagging, a form of street art where artists write names in bubble lettering, is another common occurrence around the city and can be seen everywhere.

Street art is often controversial, raising the debate of whether it is art or vandalism. Several spots in Atlanta, such as Little Five Points, The Beltline and Krog Street Tunnel embrace graffiti as a part of the city’s charm. However, there are several places where people view tagging and graffiti as criminal offenses.

As of now, graffiti, most forms of street art and tagging are illegal. That is why artists around the Atlanta area go by different names to conceal their identity and create a community of artists who work in the streets to share their work. VAYNE, mentioned earlier, is one of the more notorious of these street artists.

VAYNE, who hides their real name to the public for their protection, is known for his large block letters spray-painted in various Atlanta areas. His work is one of the first things seen coming into Atlanta from i85-South, his tag VAYNE looming over the city on an overpass bridge.

Another notorious Atlanta Street artist, SLAW, also displays art on bridges seen when driving into the city. While dangerous and potentially incriminating, street art is one of the many staples of Atlanta.

Street art is part of the city’s culture. Empty bridges, walls and walkways give artists a canvas to display their work and show off their talents in a public setting.

Apart from street art, SLAW and VAYNE’s work can sometimes be seen in galleries, still using his aliases to hide their identities. Recently, Cat Eye

Creative displayed VAYNE’s art in a downtown gallery.

These artists work together in their art both on the street and in a gallery setting, and in Cat Eye Creative’s exhibit “Summer in the City,” VAYNE and SLAW created a piece of art called “Pack of Smokes.” This piece is a 37” by 10” by 24” sized replica of a pack of Marlboro Red cigarettes.

SLAW’s street tag name is on the top of the sculpture, in the artist’s usual street style.

A lot of the street art and work around Atlanta is made famous through social media. People from all over the country come to see places like Krog Street Tunnel and the immense amount of Graffiti featured around that area.

Instagram accounts such as @bucket_head77 and @atlantastreetart showcase a lot of art involving VAYNE and SLAW. Despite legalities, several groups in Atlanta advocate for street artists and want them to have a safe and legal way to display their art. Living Walls ATL is one of those groups working to evolve the landscape of the city constantly.

“We love Atlanta,” Living Walls ATL’s website states. “Our ultimate goal is to create thought-provoking and community-informed public art for many more years to come.”

Through Living Walls ATL, artists bring avoided and neglected public spaces to life, keeping the art scene in Atlanta flourishing, lively and beautiful. Art is a highly impactful source of entertainment, and it is crucial to the city of Atlanta that art in all forms remains protected.

“We believe in our artist’s visions and their ability to represent and honor our communities responsibly,” The group’s website states. “Our process involves facilitating conversations between communities and artists to create work that represents the diverse cultures that make this city so beautiful.”

Maddie Bass, a sophomore Georgia State art student, is an avid believer in street art and stands firmly with the ideology that street art is the soul of Atlanta. She believes that all forms of art are valid, pushing towards the legalization of graffiti.

Bass sees graffiti as more of an art form rather than vandalization, but she also recognizes that this form of art is both. She is a big fan of Atlanta street artists, a favorite being Chris Veal, a man who started as a tag artist but now gets paid to create murals around the city.

“I know some people see graffiti as trashy, but as an artist, I appreciate everything from murals to just someone’s tag on a light pole,” Bass said.

“The city would definitely be a bit dull and less personable with no graffiti. It provides a sort of voice [and] a way for people driving through to relate to Atlantans. If it’s driven by malice with the purpose of damaging something or someone, I am less eager to support it.”

In the past, Bass worked with spray paint in a few of her pieces. It’s a medium she loves and appreciates, and it is also something she loves and appreciates with other artists.

Her relationship with street art as a medium is a bit blurry, as she loves the art form but does not participate herself. Bass sees street art as something that is typically very public and unrestricted. She sees forms of street art as a way to search for identity, cry for help or display something beautiful and necessary.

According to Bass, these walls provide a place for artists to express their talents and emotions. “No one can say no, or that it’s too much. The artist holds free reign and can create whatever they like. That’s the best part about street art,” Bass said. “ She, as an artist, is a big fan of artists such as SLAW and VAYNE because they are both so influential. Bass holds a heart for Atlanta artists, and she feels as if these two, in particular, are some of the most recognizable based on their work on the streets.

“They’re (SLAW and VAYNE) everywhere,” Bass said. “They’re so consistent in Atlanta. It almost reminds me of the book ‘1984’ because those names consume the walls like the character ‘Big Brother,’ but there is no feeling of an overarching plot. It’s just a freeing reminder that these artists are out here constantly doing what they love.”

Atlanta is for dreamers, and it is a city that provides a home for those who create, love and live in an often unconventional way. It is an accepting place. Atlanta’s walls are a symbol of that acceptance.

LAYOUT AND PHOTOS BY EVAN KOENIGS | THE SIGNAL

ARTS & LIVING

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

The National Park Service’s nearly $25,000 grant will create a Historic Context Statement for important sites of LGBTQ+ history in Atlanta.

September 07, 2021

PHOTO BY HARRY WYMAN | THE SIGNAL

Atlanta awarded $25,000 to preserve LGBT history

Donation to the city will pave way for Georgia LGBT historical sites to enter the National Register.

COLE PODANY Staff Reporter

T

he U.S Department of the Interior’s National Park Service has provided the City of Atlanta with a nearly $25,000 Federal Historic Preservation Grant last month to preserve LGBTQA+ history in the Metro Atlanta area.

The competitive grant, supported by the National Park Service’s Underrepresented Community Grants program, will fund a Historic Context Statement for areas critical to the LGBTQA+ community in Atlanta. A Historic Context Statement is a document that historic preservationists use to identify and evaluate potential landmarks. Then, the National Park Service can designate them as federally significant historic sites.

Atlanta’s Historic Context Statement will focus on LGBTQA+ rights in the city. It will address the founding of gay and lesbian rights organizations, the development of LGBT-friendly nodes throughout the city, the LGBTQA+ Rights Movement since the 1970s, LGBTQA+ culture and the 1980’s AIDS epidemic, among other topics.

The effort to create a Historic Context Statement combines Historic Atlanta, Inc., the Midtown Neighbors Association, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Mailchimp and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation in addition to individual donors. “[The Historic Context Statement] is such an important first step,” Charles Lawrence, Historic Atlanta’s board chair, said. “Nothing like it [has] been done in the state of Georgia [or] in the Southeast.

Atlanta [has] always been the refuge for the LGBTQ+ community in the Southeast.”

Historic Atlanta, a non-profit founded in 2018, leads the effort to complete the city’s LGBTQA+ Historic Context Statement. To create a Historic Context Statement, the group will first study local historically

rich locations in the city.

The research will take about one year to complete and determine which locations the National Park Service deems federally recognized historic sites. The group could also amend preservation efforts for existing historical sites to include LGBTQA+ history that historians previously neglected.

The National Park Service’s Underrepresented Community Grants share the group’s mission to diversify preserved historical sites.

The grants seek to include locations relevant to various underrepresented groups in the National Register of Historic Places. To do this, they require their recipients’ work to result in “the submission of a new nomination to the National Register of Historic Places or National Historic Landmark program,” or “an amendment to an existing National Register or National Historic Landmark nomination to include underrepresented communities.”

There aren’t any registered in Georgia under the National Register of Historic Places that focus on LGBTQA+ history. Recognition in the National Register of Historic Places is essential for a historic site to survive.

A location listed on the Register has access to extra federal financial benefits and encourages the community to acknowledge and respect its importance.

Without this support and recognition, many historic buildings fall victim to neglect or demolition.

“An Atlanta LGBT Historic Context Statement would provide the State Historic Preservation Office with the framework to identify and evaluate historic resources for their association to LGBT rights and culture for inclusion on the Georgia and National Registers of Historic Places,” said Historic Atlanta’s LGBTQA+

Historic Preservation Advisory Committee Chair Charlie Paine. “Additionally, it would provide the City of Atlanta with similar guidance to meaningfully protect these sites through the City’s Historic Preservation Ordinance. [Being recognized] is a huge step forward for LGBTQ+ historic preservation in the South.”

COVID-19 temporarily slowed down plans to finish the Historic Context Statement, so the Federal Historic Preservation Grant was a breath of fresh air for Historic Atlanta. The group had been working to secure the $40,000 needed for the project for two years.

They were well on their way with a $10,000 donation from Mailchimp and multiple contributions from independent donors. However, they still needed about half of the funds. The grant provided by the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund, which matched past donations, was the final piece of the puzzle.

While the City passed on the grant to Historic Atlanta, who will hire a firm to complete the Historic Context Statement, the Atlanta Department of City Planning claimed they were not further involved with the research.

Still, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms offered her support for the study in a press release.

“Atlanta’s leading role in human and civil rights on both the national and international stage is due in large part to the contributions from our LGBTQ community over many years,” Mayor Bottoms said. “Thank you to Historic Atlanta, Inc. and the many partners who have assisted this collective effort to preserve LGBTQ sites of significance and enshrine the LGBTQ community’s story in Atlanta history.”

ARTS&LIVING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2021

11

Hispanic Heritage Month at Georgia State

Students celebrate the month with festivals and food KARA MARTIN Staff Reporter

S

panning from September 15 to October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated by millions of people each year. The United States created this holiday to acknowledge and appreciate the numerous Hispanic and Latinx cultures, as well as their contributions throughout history.

In June of 1968, the holiday was introduced by California Congressman George E. Brown. He was the face and voice of the various Hispanic and Latinx communities in the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley areas.

In September of that year, President Lydon B. Johnson declared September 15th and 16th as Hispanic Heritage Week for the United States.

The government selected the date of September 15th because Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua all declared their independence from Spain on that day in 1821.

On September 16th of 1810, Mexico declared its independence from Spain as well.

Finally, on September 14, 1989, former President George H.W. Bush declared that the weeks between September 15th and October 15th would be recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month.

Bush is quoted in Proclamation 6021 stating that “Hispanic Americans have enriched our nation beyond measure with the quiet strength of closelyknit families and proud communities.”

With this celebration being right around the corner, many Hispanic and Latino students at Georgia State are excited to enjoy the celebration with their family and friends.

Senior psychology major, Ana Rodriguez, was born and raised in Colombia for various times of her life.

Hispanic Heritage Month is an exciting time for her, as she continues to embrace her culture and learn more

about others.

“Even though I am no longer in my home country, this holiday is a time to listen to and honor other Latin stories and experiences,” Rodriguez said. “ I wish I knew more about other countries’ language, dialects, and ways they communicate interpersonally.”

Rodriguez encourages her family and friends to explore other Hispanic and Latinx cultures whenever they can.

“My family doesn’t, but I try to eat as many new Hispanic foods in Atlanta [when] I can,” she said.

“I also enjoy listening to people’s stories and journeys during this month and every other month.”

Many view this holiday as a way to tap back into their roots and stay connected to their families back home.

For some, celebrating means continuing their family’s traditions. For others, it means creating their own new cultural traditions.

Nursing major Jazlyn Cardoza grew up in a bicultural house. With her mother being Mexican and her father Honduran, she was raised with the best of both worlds. Her family recognizes the importance of this holiday and the rich history behind it.

“I celebrate with familyfriends since the majority of my extended family lives outside of Georgia,” said Cardoza. “We typically host a gathering, and everyone brings a dish from their home country.”

Much like other cultural holidays such as Black History Month, Pride Month and Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor those who have made national contributions and educate those unfamiliar with the holiday.

“This holiday highlights not just the traditions we celebrate in our culture, but the important contributions from notable historical figures that represent us as a community,” said Cardoza.

Roller derby at Georgia State is a sport that is female and non-binary led. The sport is aggressive in all the right ways, allowing women to break out of society’s standards.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GSU ROLLER DERBY

Georgia State’s roller derby team defies social standards

Georgia State roller derby breaks the definition of femininity GRACE BRASWELL Staff Reporter

A

tlanta is an all-inclusive and diverse city filled with students from different backgrounds. Georgia State’s Roller Derby team is no exception to this Atlanta ideology, as the team opens its arms to all female and nonbinary students.

Georgia State’s roller skating team began around 2016. Since then, its team members have been growing their skills and working towards gaining and training new members.

Although the group is new, they are working on being better than the competition.

Roller derby is a sport primarily centered on women. This is a rare occurrence in today’s male-oriented society, deeming it as profoundly empowering.

Roller derby is a high contact sport, meaning players constantly collide with one another. The sport encourages women to break free of societal standards and be tough, rough and aggressive to succeed.

While most sports usually require a specific body type to play, roller derby is more flexible. Roller people do not have to look at a particular way to play or fit a particular body type to participate.

Charde Franklin, Georgia State junior and member of the Georgia State roller derby team, says that the team is an inclusive and diverse group with a powerful bond. Apart from practices, the team would

constantly meet up and hang out with one another.

“

Roller derby is a sport primarily centered on women.

This is a rare occurrence in today’s maleoriented society, deeming it as profoundly empowering.

”

— GRACE BRASWELL

Staff Reporter

“We would work on techniques and plays, but we would also spend a lot of time hanging out and getting to know each other,” Franklin said.

“We really formed a nice team bond.”

Franklin joined the team her freshman year because she felt a personal connection with skating.

Franklin skated with her dad from a young age and grew up participating in many activities involving skating.

“I started to learn about roller derby, and I thought this was something I could do,” Franklin said. “When I got to Georgia State, I knew this was the group I wanted to be a part of. I loved what they stood for and what they supported, and I fell in love with the atmosphere.”

The Georgia State roller team stands for womanhood, inclusivity and empowerment. Society often tells women that femininity is a soft trait and that women must look, dress and act a certain way. In roller derby, these stereotypes are nonexistent.

“I can be strong, and I can push people around,” Franklin said.

“We get to be aggressive, which for women is usually looked at as a bad thing, and it’s not.”

Since the start of the pandemic, the team members have not met due to safety precautions. According to Franklin, the team plans on starting back up again in the spring semester of 2022. Before then, the team would meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 pm to 6 pm, the same rink the Atlanta Roller girls meet.

SPORTS

September 07, 2021

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS

Panthers falter in home opener, Elliott takes blame Georgia State gives up over 250 yards on the ground in loss JULIAN HARDEN Staff Reporter

T

he Georgia State Panthers’ home opener ended in a resounding thud, with the scoreboard reading 43-10 as the Army Black Knights stole the afternoon in Atlanta.

Georgia State played without three key starters, including wide receiver Sam Pinckney, cornerback Quavian White and linebacker Jontrey Hunter. All three were entered into COVID-19 health & safety protocols.

Pinckney’s absence proved to be the most apparent.

The Panther offense struggled in the air with only 129 total passing yards for redshirt sophomore quarterback Cornelious Brown. Central Florida transfer Ja’Cyais Credle also missed the game due to COVID-19 protocols, undoubtedly hampering the offense at the wide receiver position.

Following an offseason filled with promise, the Panthers looked lost against Army. Georgia State got off to a rough start on their opening drive when running back Destin Coates fumbled at the Panthers’ 40-yard line and the Black Knights recovered deep in Georgia State territory.

“This game was about toughness and you quickly saw who was the tougher team.” Georgia State Head Coach Shawn Elliott said following the game.

The Black Knights capitalized off the Coates fumble, with Tyson Riley finding room for a fouryear touchdown to put Army up 7-0 with 9:17 to go in the first quarter. Army would go on to capitalize on mistakes made by the Panthers to put the game out of reach.

However, things looked bright for the Panthers following a muffed Micheal Hayes punt that the Panthers special teams recovered. However, the

Georgia States falls in the home opener against Army 43-10

Panthers were flagged for holding, losing a prime starting offensive position inside 30 yard-line with 8:42 remaining in the first quarter.

Georgia State held again on the ensuing punt, backing up Hayes another 10 yards, forcing another. Once again, Army muffed it, with the Panthers recovering. Quite a strange sight for both fans and coaches.

“I don’t think I’ve ever punted in a possession three times, recovered two fumbles and have two holds,” Elliott said following the game.

After Army received the Panther punt near midfield the Black Knights triple option easily decimated the Panthers as they took a 14-0 lead with under two minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Army played to their strengths and dominated time of possession through a strong rushing attack. The Black Knights controlled the ball for 42 minutes compared to the Panthers 17 minutes of possession.

Down two touchdowns the Panthers received their second possession with 1:59 remaining in the first quarter. The possession resulted in negative yards as Army got to brown for one of their three sacks, this one for a loss of seven yards on third down.

Georgia State and Army traded touchdowns in the next possessions with the Black Knights leading 21-7 with 4:03 remaining in the half.

The Black Knights tacked on another touchdown to end the first half with a two-yard touchdown from quarterback Christian Anderson. After a blocked extra point, the Panthers went to the locker room trailing 27-7.

The Black Knights received the second-half kickoff and picked up right where they had left off in the first.

The Army faithful who were far louder than the nonexistent Panther fansbase and Center Parc Stadium quickly sounded like a home game for Army.

With 9:41 in the third the Black Knights put the nail in the Panther’s coffin with a 40-yard touchdown to go up 33-7. The Panthers struggled to move the ball as Brown was constantly pressured by an aggressive Army defense.

Georgia State made it 33-10 after a 33-yard field goal

by Noel Ruiz, but the Black Knights returned the favor with a field goal of their own to make it 36-10 with 12:10 left in fourth.

Army tacked on another touchdown late in the fourth quarter; a 32-yard touchdown to Braheam Murphy with 5:36 remaining. The Panthers gave up 356 yards of total offense, including 98 yards on just three pass completions.

Overall, the game was a slow and painful experience for the home crowd at Center Parc Stadium as the Black Knights grinded out the Georgia State defense. The Panthers offense that scored over 30 points per game last season managed just 10, while the defense allowed over 30 points.

However, one bright spot came for the Panthers, who were deeply lacking depth at receiver. Jamari Thrash had an excellent performance, hauling in all seven of his targets for 87 yards. The redshirt sophomore could become a promising target for Brown this year––he only caught nine passes for 161 yards last year.

It’s back to the drawing board for the Panthers as they face Mack Brown and the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday in Kenan Memorial Stadium with a 7:30 p.m.

EST kickoff time.

PHOTO BY HARRY WYMAN | THE SIGNAL

SPORTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2021

13

Ceez may have found a home in Atlanta Hawks Talon standout rookie hungry for more ANDREW FREEDMAN Sports Editor

I

t was a learning curve for Hawks Talon Gaming Club this season; the team returned three players and picked up three more––none bigger than Caesar Martinez. The first-year NBA 2K League pro was a standout both as a scorer and facilitator, finishing top-25 both points and assists. A Connecticut native, Martinez, who plays under the name “Ceez,” excelled in a career-altering year and a lead role with the team.

He established himself as one of the top rookies from the 2021 season early with his marvelous scoring numbers, including a franchise-record of 50 points against Heat Check Gaming in June.

Moments like those are why he enjoyed his first season, even as the team faced adversity. They missed the playoffs, and Hawks Talon’s primary ball-handler had to take a step back and realize that the league was filled with talented players.

“

Never let losses bring you down, always keep your head high,” Ceez said. “Just always come out there and hoop.

Always.”

”

Hawks Talon GC point The point guard became so accustomed to winning, he had to learn how to take losses.

“One thing about me is in the past, I never used to take

a lot of losses in video games.

I had to learn to take losses the hard way,” Ceez said. “You have to know how to take a loss, watch film, [know] what you did wrong.”

For the small-town kid from Connecticut, playing in State Farm Arena is a “dope, mindblowing” idea that has become reality. He enjoyed going to the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola, but COVID-19 made him and the team a bit hesitant to go out and explore restaurants. Ceez and the team usually went to Zaxby’s, which is something he couldn’t enjoy at home–– there isn’t a single Zaxby’s in the state.

Not only did the players click, but Ceez and Hawks Talon head coach and general manager Wesley Acuff grew into more than just a playercoach relationship. Acuff led a project that saw the Atlanta Hawks organization build a brand new facility in State Farm Arena, gifting the team jackets and equipping their Gaming House with a ping pong table and customized NBA lockers.

It’s funny how quickly Ceez became comfortable around such new faces in a brand new region of the country.

Entering the season, Ceez told media that he was looking to make an impact on the team. He did just that, finishing eighth in scoring at 27 points and a team-high 7.6 assists per game. Reflecting on the weeks following March 13’s draft, he gave that inexperienced player entering the league advice.

“Never be too hard on yourself. I always put too much pressure on myself, so I always want to better myself and play better every game. I always tell myself to try and be better. Never let losses bring you down, always keep your head high,” Ceez said.

“Just always come out there and hoop. Always.”

NBA 2K League rules allow teams to retain up to three players. Last season, Hawks Talon held onto Bp, Lee and Kel. Next year, it may be Ceez who sees his name on a Hawks Talon jersey as he continues to live his dream.

During the offseason, the Hawks made sure to keep their core in head coach Nate McMillan to a long-term deal to be their head coach, and gave All-Star point guard Trae Young a contract extension

PHOTO BY POSTMODERNMEDIA | DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

An early analysis of the Hawks 2021-22 roster

The East Finals is an obstacle, but not impossible JASON RICHBURG Staff Reporter

I

f the Atlanta Hawks taught NBA fans anything last spring, it’s that they’ll be an exciting team for the foreseeable future.

During the offseason, the Hawks made sure to keep their core in head coach Nate McMillan to a long-term deal to be their head coach, re-signed John Collins and Clint Capela, and gave All-Star point guard Trae Young a contract extension.

The team will try and duplicate the same success they had last season when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, it’s never a bad thing to lose to the eventual NBA champions with their defending two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. But, more could be in store for the Hawks.

Even with the five-year contract extensions of Young and Collins, this season will present a deep conference, and a trip back to the East Finals isn’t going to come easy. The playoffs won’t come until the middle of April, but there are expectations that the Hawks could set for themselves right now.

Trae Young as a top-10 NBA MVP Candidate

Young will forever be paired with Dallas Mavericks guard and current 2021-22 NBA MVP favorite Luka Donacic for the rest of his career, but this past season showed why the Hawks traded for Young during the 2018 NBA Draft.

Young took his game to an entirely different level in his first playoff appearance, averaging 29 points and ten assists in 18 playoff games. He scored over 30 points in eight of those, including 48 points against the Bucks in Game 1 of the East Finals.

After showcasing his potential this postseason, the Hawks and NBA fans expect Young to become an early MVP candidate this upcoming year and take the Hawks back to the playoffs.

Cam Reddish and De’Andre Hunter’s next steps in their third seasons

De’Andre Hunter and Cam Reddish struggled with injuries, each failing to play more than 30 regular-season games.

Hunter built a quiet case for an AllStar appearance with All-NBA caliber defense and 19 points per game. He only played in 23 games during the regular season and managed to play all five games in the first round against the New York Knicks. However, the Hawks shut him down for the rest of the season. Across the board, Hunter’s numbers increased, and his improvement as a shooter could continue to mold him into a threeand-d threat.

On the flip side, Reddish had his moment during the Hawks’ final game of the season on June 25. He put up 21 points, including six three-pointers, in nearly 29 minutes as State Farm Arena

cheered on the second-year pro who hasn’t played in four months. During the playoffs, Reddish averaged 13 points on 54% shooting from the field and 64% from three with excellent defense in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Bucks.

Both Reddish and Hunter have a chance to become great two-way players this year due to their talent on both ends of the court and take their game to the next level.

A trip back to the ECF

Teams such as the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Bucks all boast multiple All-Star caliber players.

A trip back to the conference finals presents one of the most challenging tasks for a younger team like the Hawks. The Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Bucks all boast multiple All-Star caliber players and more experienced rosters.

But the Hawks roster presents a group filled with great vets and young players. Young, Collins, Hunter, Clint Capela, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Kevin Huerter, Reddish, Danilo Gallinari will all have significant roles on a team seeking another captivating run.

The Hawks have a great roster and an excellent coaching staff that can get them back to the Eastern Conference Finals and a chance to compete in the NBA Finals come June, but it will take even more work and dedication than last year.

September 07, 2021

GAMES SUDOKU

THE KICKBACK

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2021

GAMES

15

COMIC

Your Comic Should be Here!

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

A Day of Study Abroad 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Online

Nutrition Student Network Webex Chapter Meeting 11:00 a.m. -12:15 p.m.

Online

Bienvenides 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Online

Debate Union Interest Meeting 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Online

Question, Persuade, Refer: Suicide Prevention Training 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Student Center West

Swim Club Practice & TryMe Week Recruiting Day 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Aquatic Center at the Student Recreation Center

Underground Rebirth Release Party 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Troy Moore Library

SUNDAY

MONDAY

ISAC Leadership Retreat 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Indian Creek Recreation Area

Suit Up! with JCPenney 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

JCPenney - Town Center Mall

Activism and Policy: Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Student Center West

SEP 13

SATURDAY SEP 12

Conflict Resolution Workshop 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Online

SEP 10

THURSDAY SEP 09

WEDNESDAY SEP 08

TUESDAY

SEP 11

SEP 07

THE KICKBACK

Music Monday 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Online