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EDITORIAL NEWS EDITOR Olivia Nash signalnewseditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Vacant OPINIONS EDITOR Raquel Croston signalopinions@gmail.com ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Vacant ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Hannah Jones signalliving@gmail.com ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Jada Jones SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Freedman signalsport1@gmail.com ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Erik Indrisano COPY EDITOR Miro Georgiev signalcopyeditor@gmail.com PRODUCTION PRODUCTION EDITOR Monique Rojas signalprod@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION EDITOR Vacant PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR Matt Siciliano-Salazar signalphoto2@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Vacant DIGITAL DIGITAL EDITOR Caitlin Whisby signalmanaging@gmail.com ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR Vacant VIDEO EDITOR Andre Walker signalvideoeditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE VIDEO EDITOR Vacant PODCAST EDITOR Timo Clark THE SIGNAL BUREAUS ALPHARETTA BUREAU CHIEF Vacant CLARKSTON BUREAU CHIEF Chris Bryant DECATUR BUREAU CHIEF Vacant DUNWOODY BUREAU CHIEF Vacant NEWTON BUREAU CHIEF Vacant ADVERTISING STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Bryce McNeil bmcneil1@gsu.edu BUSINESS COORDINATOR Wakesha Henley whenley@gsu.edu PERIMETER STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Zoana Price zprice@gsu.edu ADVERTISING The deadline for all advertising is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the desired issue of publication. Ads must be printready and in PDF format; files must be delivered via e-mail at signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com. Please visit our website at www.georgiastatesignal. com/advertise for more information, including rates and payment methods. MISSION STATEMENT The Signal shall provide, in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and significance to the Georgia State community and serve as a forum for the expression of ideas of members of that community. Furthermore, The Signal shall provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment. The Signal shall also provide truthful and ethical advertising of interest to the Georgia State community. COVERAGE REQUESTS Requests for coverage and tips should be subwmitted to the Editor in Chief and/or the relevant section editor. SUBMIT LETTER TO EDITOR Letters must be submitted to the Editor in Chief via e-mail and must include the text of the letter in the body of the message. Letters should be 400-500 words maximum. The Signal will allow longer letters, but only in rare circumstances. Letters must include the full name(s) of the writer(s) and include their year and major. If the writer is a faculty member, they must include their title and department. Letters will be fact-checked prior to publication. The writer may be obligated to make changes to the letter for publication. Letters will be edited for grammar, clarity, length, factual accuracy and adherence to The Signal’s policy. The Signal reserves the right to modify and/ or reject letters at the discretion of the editorial staff. DISCLAIMER Opinions and Letters to the Editor expressed in The Signal are the opinions of the writers and readers. It does not reflect the opinions of The Signal. OFFICE INFORMATION The Signal Student Center West, Suite 250 P.O. Box 3968 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: 404-413-1620 Fax: 404-413-162
At 9:19 a.m., a nonGeorgia State offender criminally trespassed the parking deck at the Clarkston campus. The case was exceptionally cleared. OCT. 12
“If it’s common, why can’t I be here?”
A Georgia State student criminally trespassed the University Commons at 2:14 a.m. The case was exceptionally cleared.
OCT. 13
Like two perps in prison
At 9:20 p.m., police arrested two non-Georgia State offenders for a drug violation. OCT. 14
“I want free education!”
A non-Georgia State offender criminally trespassed the University Lofts parking deck at 9:30 a.m. The case was exceptionally cleared.
OCT. 14
This really is outstanding
At 4:04 p.m., a nonGeorgia State offender was arrested for having outstanding warrants and criminally trespassing Sparks Hall. OCT. 15
Do you study PoliSci?
A Georgia State student received a judicial referral for a drug law violation at 2:14 p.m.
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Clarkston’s cleared case
LOCAL
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GLOBAL
President Trump returns to Georgia
Women’s marchers protest Amy Coney Barrett
Nigeria protests police brutality
Though the fourth annual Women’s March took place on Jan. 18, a second march was held to protest President Donald Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. Trump nominated Barrett to replace the late Ruth Ginsburg, but there is opposition because many believe that Trump nominated Barrett to “tip the scales” and secure a Republican vote. Demonstrators marched from Freedom Plaza to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
For years, Nigerians have been protesting against police brutality. But on Oct. 3, someone tweeted that “SARS just shot a young boy dead at Ughelli, Delta State … They left him for dead on the [roadside], and drove away with the deceased Lexus [J]eep.” SARS is the Nigerian Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The squad has allegedly abused their power for a long time. Videos emerged of the incident, and demonstrators took to the streets.
On Friday, President Donald Trump held a rally in Macon less than a month before the election. Before the rally, Republican Sen. David Perdue mocked Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris by intentionally mispronouncing her name. Trump arrived around 7:20 p.m.; he was campaigning in Florida before his Macon rally. Trump is traveling across the southeast to keep swing states from turning blue. The rally lasted almost 2 hours.
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NEWS
October 20, 2020
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS
Almost nine thousand students withdraw so far Georgia State extends withdrawal period to evaluate semester feedback OLIVIA NASH News Editor
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he statistics show that students are notably overwhelmed. The circumstances have caused many students to withdraw from one, if not all, of their
courses. Compared to last year’s fall semester, an increased number of students have withdrawn from their courses during the pandemic. According to an open records request done by The Signal, a total number of 8,823 Georgia State students have dropped one course or multiple courses between Aug. 24 and Oct. 13 of this year. These numbers include students of all levels; associate, bachelors, graduate and Georgia State Law students. But the numbers exclude the students who were dropped from courses due to nonpayment. Dropping a course in the first week of classes does not negatively affect a student. Instead, students can simply drop it from their schedule without receiving a “W” on their transcript. But students who choose to withdraw are willing to risk the outcome that results from a grade of a “W.” Around the same time last year, a total number of 7,948 students dropped a course or multiple courses between Aug. 26 and Oct. 15 of the fall 2019 semester. In comparison, 875 more students (and counting) withdrew from a course this semester. According to the Georgia State News Hub, around 54,000 students are enrolled across Georgia State’s campuses. Almost 20% of students throughout the university have withdrawn from their courses. University Registrar Tarrah Mirus said that a blend of withdrawals is occurring. Some students are withdrawing from one class, while others are dropping their course schedule altogether. “At this time, there is a reasonable mix of students who are withdrawing from a single course or two versus their full schedule,” she said. “This is normal for any given semester. We are monitoring both individual withdrawal and full withdraw processes at this time.” Samaria Clair, a sophomore and former staff reporter at The Signal, fully withdrew from her course schedule. She recounted
that the withdrawal process was easy but discouraging. “Physically, it was easy because I just woke up and withdrew from the class by just clicking drop, [but] emotionally and mentally [it was not easy],” she said. “Although I only took one class this semester, it was still frustrating [to withdraw]. Not only because of the class itself but dealing with personal issues as well.” Knowing that she needed a light course load, Clair decided to take only one class this semester. However, the pressure and the pandemic led her to withdraw. “It’s hard for a student to balance out school and personal issues, especially around this time during the pandemic,” Clair said. “I received a full refund since I withdrew before the end of the withdrawal period.” According to the student financial services website, students who withdraw from their courses by the deadline are eligible for refunds. “Not attending classes for which you have registered does not entitle you to a refund,” the website states. “You must drop your courses before the withdrawal period begins for a full refund. Refunds for withdrawals are only issued if you withdraw from ALL courses during the withdrawal period each semester. Refund percentages are calculated based on the date you withdraw from ALL courses.” The original academic calendar states that this year’s withdrawal period was to begin on Sept. 2 and end on Oct. 13. However, Georgia State extended the withdrawal period to Oct. 30, at the advantage of students and faculty. “The extended deadline was given to help those students who have been working hard, but maybe feeling unsure of how they are doing to get a stronger feeling of where they stand after midpoint,” Mirus said. “Whether through conversations with faculty and students or just in reviewing recent data points, we recognize that this is a difficult time for students and faculty alike.” The fall 2019 withdraw period was Sep. 4 to Oct. 15. This year, the university extended it by two weeks. “We felt this was the best choice available to help alleviate stress and strain on students as well as faculty
members,” Mirus said. A day before the initial withdrawal deadline, The Registrar sent a campus broadcast to students informing them of the change. “The standard withdrawal deadline for the University has been extended from Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Friday, Oct. 30,” the email stated. “This extension will allow faculty ample time to manage midterm grading and will allow students more time to receive feedback on their academic performance this semester.“ Georgia State allows students a limit of six withdrawals before it begins to count against them and affect their grade point average. However, there are various types of withdrawals that do not affect a student’s GPA, including withdrawals for nonpayment, military withdrawals and emergency withdrawals. Though some students are withdrawing due to family issues or COVID-19-related incidents, the registrar reserves emergency withdrawals for outside of the withdrawal period. “Emergency withdrawals are not necessary during the regular withdrawal period for any given semester,” Mirus said. “We would only begin to receive this type of request after the standard withdrawal period has ended, which is now extended to Oct. 30.” Georgia State junior German Hernandez believes that the increased number of withdrawals mirrors the decreased amount of provision that the country and university had for COVID-19. “I think the mass withdrawal from courses reflects four things,” Hernandez said. “[It reflects] how the nation handled the COVID situation, the varying styles of home life, the overall effort of a student and how professors are handling it as well.” He said that many students are withdrawing due to either lack of motivation or a troubling home life. He believes that any relational or at-home dynamic is amplified during the pandemic. Hernandez also believes that the faculty is a component of students withdrawing from their courses. Some professors have difficulty adapting to virtual learning, causing students to become disengaged and unmotivated. Hernandez said that everything is connected by the overarching issue: COVID-19. INFOGRAPHIC BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL
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NEWS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
Learn how advisors are accommodating students this semester despite the online and in-person discrepancies.
PHOTO BY OLIVIA NASH | THE SIGNAL
Advisors are overworked and overwhelmed The advisement department struggles to operate under wage gaps NIDA MERCHANT Staff Reporter
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espite a majority of students attending online courses, the Academic Advisement Center remains accessible. The center offers various student services like creating or adjusting academic plans via Webex so that advisors can better accommodate students. But how are students responding to the virtual advisement format? The Georgia State University Advisement Center serves all freshman, sophomores and juniors. Seniors, however, are served by the Office of Academic Assistance in their major college. The National Academic Advising Association developed the Academic Advisement Core Competencies Model. Within the model, advisors must be knowledgeable in student relationships. Yet Georgia State students have had disparate experiences with their advisors and have reported instances that do not reflect the model’s criteria of understanding and knowledge. Ndubuisi Onwumere, a junior, commented on the difficulty he had in contacting his advisor. He said that he was once given an unpleasant attitude without reason. “I understand every[one] is just trying to do their job, but I wasn’t having the condescending tone she used,” Onwumere
said. “[She spoke] to me like I was a child or her child.” Many members of Georgia State’s subreddit weighed in on the matter and saw inconsistency in communication, random advisor switches and incorrect information. Students also noted the difference in advisement experience at Georgia State’s Honors College. One Reddit user said that advisors at the Honors College are “miles ahead of the regular advisors.” The varying student experiences may be due to an understaffed department. Budget cuts are the main cause. The Faculty Affairs Committee of the University Senate held a meeting on Thursday to discuss racial inequality of minority staff members and overall employment. According to the committee’s report, there is an average of -1.91% difference in pay gap for Black faculty members. “It is quite abysmal,” Galchinsky from the Office of Provost said. The faculty wage gap extends to Georgia State advisors, since many advisors are Black. Mistreatment of advisors then extends to how the advisors treat the students. The Signal recently reported on overflow requests and other
Georgia State’s students can vote on campus Student-run polling location open for operation
Georgia State hosts a free COVID-19 testing site
Volunteers organize testing at Clarkston campus OLIVIA NASH News Editor
MARY A. BRASSFIELD Staff Reporter In March, Georgia State student and voting rights activist Evan Malbrough made history when he opened the firstever student-run polling location on a college campus. Malbrough is an ambassador of Vote Everywhere, a national, nonpartisan civic engagement program of the Andrew Goodman Foundation, which encourages young people to become active, engaged citizens. “Fulton County reached out to Vote Everywhere to see how we can expand voter access and student participation within the university,” Malbrough told the Georgia State News Hub. “We proposed [Georgia State] operate an early polling location for two days.” On campus or off, any student who is registered to vote in Fulton County can cast their ballot at the Atlanta campus
faculty services. But the growing number of requests were too much for the amount of faculty. “Courses are not disappearing, but the mode in which some courses are being offered continues to change based on faculty availability,” Associate Vice President for Public Relations Andrea Jones said. The limited amount of staff leads to a lack of student engagement on campus, specifically at the semester midpoint when class registration is at its peak. A student-worker at Atlanta’s Advisement Office said that the office is flooded with student requests to discuss schedules for the next semester, and student academic plans during the semester midpoint. During the last two weeks of October, advisors free their availability for walk-ins and do not schedule appointments. The goal is to help many students without reserving specific time slots, before students register for classes. As a result, advisors are often overworked and are not as responsive to students by email or availability. Especially as the semester reaches a midpoint.
polling location from Tuesday, Oct. 27 until Thursday, Oct. 29. The early voting site is located in the Student Center East Ballroom and is open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Though this voting location is not open throughout the entire election season, Malbrough and Georgia State are taking several steps to ensure students use it. Malbrough and the Vote Everywhere team hosted voting drives for the past three years to register people to vote in Fulton County. According to the Georgia State News Hub, Malbrough has registered more than 400 people to vote. Like other voting sites, students must bring one of the acceptable forms of identification or a Georgia’s Voter Identification card. Students are also allowed to use their college IDs.
The Prevention Research Center and School of Public Health at Georgia State took the initiative of holding a free, drive-in or walk-up COVID-19 testing site at the Clarkston campus. At the Oct. 8 Student Government Association University-Wide Senate meeting, Student Emergency Relief Team ambassador Jake Coldiron acknowledged that there are minimal outlets for COVID-19 testing at the university. “The only testing location on the [Georgia State] campus currently is the Student Health Clinic, and they’re fairly restrictive on who can get a test,” he said. But from Oct. 8 to Oct. 10, Georgia State opened a free coronavirus testing site to the public. Each day, the testing site was available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Atlanta community could register on-site. Those
wanting a test could pre-register for faster service. The testing site did not require ID, and the results were left confidential. Compared to the COVID-19 testing at the student health clinic, this testing site made it easy. Volunteers from the Community Organization Relief Effort, or CORE, helped at the three-day event. According to its website, CORE’s mission is to “save lives and strengthen communities impacted by or vulnerable to crisis.” The organization, founded by actor Sean Penn, was created in 2010 in response to Haiti’s earthquake. The School of Public Health will host another event on Oct. 21 from 12 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Participants will get to hear more about the pandemic and how to stay healthy.
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THE SIGNAL
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
In-person classes lack student attendance Provost claims some students use COVID-19 as an excuse OLIVIA NASH News Editor
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The Rialto Center has begun doing livestream series and collaborations with GSU TV.
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
COVID-19 won’t ruin The Rialto Rialto Center for The Arts livestreams events J.P. IRIE Staff Reporter
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espite its silent halls, the Rialto Center for the Arts has rediscovered its voice through a different instrument: livestreams. The Rialto Center was built in 1968 and is owned by Georgia State. It’s been silent since the beginning of quarantine. However, Lee Foster, the Rialto Center’s executive director, said that the center would host various online music series in collaboration with GSUTV. Lee Foster is a relatively new face at the Rialto Center. Georgia State appointed her last October to promote and fundraise for the Rialto Center. Foster explained that, before quarantine, the Rialto Center’s priority was to connect with students. “My job was to … create a season every year of performances to try to get the Rialto to interface with the rest of the campus more,” Foster said. “The Provost wanted me to [make the Rialto Center] more of an opportunity for students.” Now, the executive director is working to keep the Rialto Center and Atlanta’s music scene as alive and engaged as before. “What I was brought in for before
COVID is way different from what I’m doing after COVID,” she said. “Four shows were canceled because of quarantine, [and] the last show we hosted [was by] Dee Dee Bridgewater.” Dee Dee Bridgewater sang the national anthem for the second Democratic debate in 2019. “It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen,” Foster said. Last season’s performers included Gladys Knight, widely regarded as the “Empress of Soul,” and Terence Blanchard, a jazz trumpeter from New Orleans who worked on the score for the Golden Globe-nominated movie “BlacKkKlansman.” “Last year was a great season, and I was so happy to be a part of it,” Foster said. Foster hoped to transform the Rialto Center into a makers’ space where one can just come in and play. According to Foster, quarantine hit immediately after she introduced the makers’ space. Two days after Dee Dee Bridgewater’s performance, the Rialto Center had to close. The pandemic added another challenge: having the funds to run and
promote the Rialto Center. Foster said the Rialto Center reached $5,000 in funds, partly from donations from a lot of people during State Day, which totaled $1,420. “After March, when we were no longer able to do anything in the theater … we pivoted, and then we started streaming lots of different things,” Foster said. One of these series is “Homegrown,” in which local artists send a tape of themselves playing music, and the Rialto Center plays it on a livestream. Another series, “Feed Your Senses,” allows students to listen to a livestreamed performance while eating lunch. These livestreams have received thousands of unique visitors. The Rialto Center, collaborating with GSUTV, hosts “Crucial Conversations,” in which a medley of speakers discuss issues in the community. In its latest episode, GSUPD Chief of Police and former APD deputy Joseph Spillane, spoke with two student activists about police brutality and rebuilding trust between civilians and police. “We’re gonna be doing [these series] at least as long as COVID lasts,” Foster said.
ecause it’s the semester midpoint, faculty and staff will evaluate how the school year has progressed thus far. The Georgia State community has experienced a lot of change this year, from Georgia State University President Mark Becker’s resignation to hybrid learning. The University Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs held a meeting on Thursday to discuss plans moving forward. There are 19 University Senate committees. According to the University Senate website, the Faculty Affairs Committee is responsible for “review[ing] and recommend[ing] to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. [The committee must also review] the University Senate policies which relate to faculty members and their welfare.” At Thursday’s meeting, the committee addressed students and hybrid learning. Provost Wendy Hensel began the discussion by telling her colleagues that students need to be attending class. “As a faculty, [we need to] come together and start having conversations,” she said. “How do we use that in-person time for blended classes? How do we communicate with students that they have to attend? Because right now, I think that the message has been [that] students can come or not come, depending on what they want.” Hensel said that students who choose not to come to class tend to “communicate something different.” She believes that some students use COVID-19 to their advantage when opting out of going to class, relaying that “they don’t have the opportunity.” “We want to actively control as much of this as we can from outside interference because that interference is not
expert interference,” she said. “Everybody wants a simple answer to an extraordinarily complex situation.” As the spring semester approaches, professors need to decide “right now” if they can adapt to the 25% in-person model. Students are slowly returning to in-person classes. Professors will either have a 50% inperson class or higher, but there is no higher capacity for Georgia State to hold more courses online. There will be more hybrid courses in the upcoming semester. “You all have had far more flexibility, because of the [hybrid] process that we have created, in identifying whether you are comfortable in the classroom or whether you wanted to teach online,” Hensel said. Georgia State’s administration has to accommodate both the University System of Georgia and professors when considering different course structures. Hensel said that holding a minimum number of in-person courses is mandatory, but “the good news is” that the hybrid model seems to be safe. “I’m not gonna guarantee your safety any more than I can guarantee your safety crossing Piedmont Road,” she said. “But at the bottom line, we have to do something concrete to serve our students who are struggling in this space.” Students who are exposed to COVID-19 are granted a “liberal attendance policy”, but students who are not diagnosed with the virus must show up to their hybrid course’s in-person segment. “We need to re-instill the expectation, and there will be a communication process parallel to what I’m telling you, to students. They need to show up,” Hensel said.
OPINIONS
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS
October 20, 2020
Free speech is not an excuse for malice
Don’t disrespect religious figures under the guise of satire ABIR ODEH Staff Columnist
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ILLUSTRATION BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL
Cringey poetry is good for the mind and soul
Destigmatize reading, writing and listening to bad poetry JENELLE RYAN Staff Columnist
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o you remember a time when you could write without a second thought? Your goal wasn’t to follow a style of formatting, get a grade on your perceived proficiency or abide by socially acceptable ideas. You wrote from the heart, no matter how much reading your thoughts later would make your skin crawl. As an art form, poetry has become the butt of jokes in recent years, often called “cringeworthy” for its content. The phrase “I’m 14 and this is deep” is believed to have originated from criticizing poetry shared on social networks like Facebook and Instagram. The once-popular poetry collection, “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur, once acclaimed as a “must-have poetry collection about healing and hope,” has now fallen into heavy criticism for its simplicity. Critics condescendingly refer to Kaur’s poetic style as “Instagram poetry,” something created only to garner social media attention rather than express an idea tactfully or with substance. Similarly, many people hate spoken word poetry and competitive slam poetry because of their emphatic delivery and cringeworthy “deep” messages. Andrew Paul Wood writes in his article for New Zealand publication The Spinoff that “[n]oble social protest is lost beneath all the posturing [self-
aggrandizement], faux patois and, ironically, ‘keeping it real.’” We must take a step back from heavily judging these poetic works to understand why they exist at all. Poetry is an art form believed to predate written language, dating to at least 2300 B.C. when Sumerian poet Enheduanna wrote the Sumerian Temple Hymns. People have used poetry to document religious practices, oral histories, laws and genealogical records, giving it an important place in our historical understanding of past and present cultures. Writing and performing poetry is an outlet that not many people take advantage of for fear of judgment. While not all poetry will be considered a masterpiece, and not every poet is destined to be one of the greats, we should recognize that poetry is a form of expression worthy of appreciation. By documenting history, expressing emotion and sharing one’s worldview through poetry, people can better understand one another and have an outlet for their ideas. While you may find a work cliche, clumsy or cringey, it might resonate with someone who has had a different experience from you. It should not matter if others view a work of poetry as cringey or bad because it is a pure creative expression of someone’s emotions. Finding enjoyment in Instagram poetry or
dramatic slam poetry isn’t a reflection of your taste or sophistication, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed that others don’t enjoy it in the same way as you. Take joy in appreciating the artful simplicities of Instagram poetry. Listen to and resonate with spoken word poetry unashamedly. Write from your heart without considering what scrutiny you may face from your peers. Understand that your work will not be loved by everyone, as you may not love every piece of art you come across. “For me,” said Harry Baker in his TedxExeter talk Grand Slam Poetry Champion “Poetry has been the ultimate way of ideas without frontiers...I could create these worlds where I could talk about my experiences and dreams and beliefs”. Poetry gives people a powerful outlet for expression, even if the poems they write aren’t good. “Everybody writes terrible poems” states Jake Freidman, Arizona State University’s Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing Marketing and Outreach Specialist in an interview for The State Press.“I think the only difference between someone who writes a good poem and someone who writes a bad poem is that the person who writes a good poem just kept writing.” Cringey poetry is good for the soul, and it’s time we give it the love that it deserves.
harlie Hebdo is a satirical magazine that features cartoons and polemics. It is known for its diverse critical content and its reputation for leaving no topic or group uncriticized. They believe that free speech is unconditional — all or nothing. On Jan. 7, 2015, at about 11:30 in the morning, shooters entered the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices in Paris, France, killing 12 of their employees. Of their most controversial publications are those featuring the Prophet Muhammad. In 2006, the magazine had reprinted a cartoon initially published at a Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, in 2005. It caused mass outrage; nevertheless, the magazine did not leave it an isolated incident. More cartoons of the Prophet were drawn and published between the initial publication and the attack in 2015. The remainder of January 2015 was heavy with the burdens of protests, vigilances, and funerals. On Jan. 14, 2015, Charlie Hebdo featured an illustration of the Prophet Muhammad, holding up a sign reading “Je Suis Charlie,” or “I am Charlie” in French. I am not Charlie. Despite the violence that the magazine spawned due to their provocation, they didn’t back down. There is honor in standing your ground and standing firm for a cause worth fighting. Some believe that if someone is willing to kill for something you said, it is worth telling. But I am not Charlie. Last month, France opened a trial for the Charlie Hebdo attacks, and to “honor” the lives of those lost and to protect “free speech,” the magazine republished the illustrations that initiated the attacks. The French magazine
defends its actions as “free speech,” protecting French secularism and delegitimizing terrorism. Muslims believe otherwise, believing that the intent was not of critique but ridicule and insult, especially since the religion prohibits images and idols depicting human or animal subjects since it paves a path back to idolatry. To them, the attack was a mode of disrespect and was vilification and stigmatization of Islam. While free speech is a worthy cause, this isn’t an issue for its defense because this was not an attack on free speech. Instead, it is an act of intolerance. Let’s not make excuses: The magazine had to have known that there would be a response to their illustrations. Everybody knows that you will get bitten if you poke the bear. The editorial staff at Charlie Hebdo fancied themselves iconoclasts looking to provoke, not to criticize. We have to acknowledge that this was defamatory action. We should condemn brutality while also condemning the activities that caused it. It is not okay to be intolerant. We cannot correct two wrongs with another wrong. Let us also not diminish Islam’s history in Europe. The Prophet Muhammad is depicted maliciously in several historical works, creating Muslims as Europe’s enemies. In many ways, the Charlie Hebdo cartoons are an attempt to unify the West against Islam. The illustrations are another way to exert ideological power over the East. Free speech is a right that Charlie Hebdo abused. Violence is never the answer, and you don’t take a pen to a gunfight, but you also don’t spit in the face of a revered figure, no matter your beliefs.
OPINIONS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
7
Music artists, try to stay independent
Don’t let the music industry take advantage of your craft! KELVIN COLLINS Staff Columnist
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any young aspiring artists have seen multiple occurrences of fellow artists getting screwed over by record deals. The music industry is structured to take advantage of artists and their value. Even the most famous music artists struggle with hidden contract details and shady dealings. Maybe you recollect the story of Megan Thee Stallion’s unfair percentages issue earlier this year. Or you’re more fixated on Kanye West’s rants about proper ownership. Many artists aren’t fully aware of what’s in their contract and what they do not control. Georgia State student Maharan Masum, also known simply as Maharan, is a rapper. He has extensive knowledge of the record labels’ shady actions. He made it apparent that a recording deal can either be a tool to build an artist’s empire or a mistake that can become their downfall. “You have to understand that the record label is a business. They’re using your talent to generate income,” said Masum. The recording industry has been hungry as of late with the increased popularity of the 360 deal. Through a 360 deal, labels can collect from entities other than music such as merchandise, endorsements and even television appearances. Citigroup reported in 2018 that musicians only earn 12% of the money the music industry makes as a whole. It is virtually inevitable that a record label deceives and scams musical artists out of their actual worth. This known fact is why artists must use whatever resources they have to attempt the independent route. There is no question that record labels can substantially impact an artist’s career, as a deal
helps pay for certain expenses. However, having control and ownership is essential. Do not leave it up to a record label to decide whether your talent and product is worth anything. “You have to have the grit to do it,” Masum said. “I’m trying to build an organic fanbase where people still listen to me in, like, 10 years.” The record label is becoming less vital for a musician’s career. We exist in the digital age, where it’s easier than ever to get your music out there, allowing artists plenty of time to find themselves and grow their sound. It also gives artists an opportunity to build their personal brand. With so many people posting songs on the internet, it’s crucial to find a way to separate yourself. There’s a reason why Lil Nas X’s cowboy schtick lasted the way it did. Tunecore is an online service that assists independent music publishing and distribution without a record deal. The service is responsible for helping popular recording artist Russ receive a platinum plaque for a single he released in 2017. Bandcamp is also an online service that champions independent success and exposure. The company started Bandcamp Fridays to help artists financially during the pandemic as the platform has received upwards of $75 million since March. This money spread out, reaching independent artists and independent labels. There are many things to consider before signing the dotted line. Know that it’s possible to have success with full creative control and ownership.
ILLUSTRATION BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL
You don’t have to turn your passions into profit
Turning a creative outlet into a business isn’t for everyone ASHLAR BYLECKIE Staff Columnist
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t its birth, we did not create art with ideas such as profit or career in mind. Capitalism has duped us all into thinking that we must only put effort into passions from which we can eventually profit. Art is a healthy form of expression that is good for the mind. We need to abandon the notion that you have to monetize the things you love. Humans created art to express emotion and thought in ways that words or physical action never could. It allows people with imagination to turn their thoughts into reality, or internally process feelings, events and trauma. Art has existed for as long as man has existed and supersedes capitalism’s creation. Late-stage capitalism differs from earlystage capitalism because it is less beneficial for artists. Late capitalism fosters oligopolies, allowing a small but powerful group of sellers to dominate the market. Oligopolies dispirit creative thought and encourage worker-bee-like behavior. Early capitalism was dependent on individual sellers and creativity. It’s a matter of who holds creative control over the product. Some of the modern enforcers of this idea that everything must be profitable are known as “rise-andgrind” Twitter.
Essentially, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed, money should be your main objective. It’s the mindset that you can’t truly be happy with what you’re doing unless you make money from it. This stigma is the trickle-down effect of late-stage capitalism. Part of what makes the gears of such a wheel turn is the discouragement of hobbies and passions that cannot generate profit. The pressures of late capitalism have pushed people to feel that they must put all of their time and effort into creative passions to turn into a career. Otherwise, they must give them up. Therefore, capitalism is antithetical to the idea of creating for pleasure, of “art for art’s sake.” People feel like they have to go all in and be artists, but the artist’s lifestyle isn’t for everyone. Life is even more fast-paced and competitive than it was 20 years ago. Being an artist for profit is extremely demanding, and requires non-stop work. Up-and-coming artists are always creating content or working on branding. Marketing, creating, posting, selling and shipping are all broad ideas in terms of what goes into being an artist. Work doesn’t just follow you home; it is your life. So for people who create to relieve
tension, the idea of marketing their art defeats the purpose of making it. It’s never as simple as the comments on social media telling you to “just sell your art!” Rise-and-grind is an unhealthy and unsustainable mentality. Humans cannot work nonstop without fun. That’s why we have hobbies. It’s also why we need to keep hobbies as hobbies, and not make everything about the hustle.
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We need to abandon the notion that you have to monetize the things you love.
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— ASHLAR BYLECKIE Staff Columnist Ignore the pressure that’s calling for profit over passion and keep pursuing your hobbies and interests. Keep it simple, and don’t feel like your creativity is only as valuable financially.
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wo colorful murals cover The West End Goodwill’s walls, each side depicting critical, larger-than-life citizens of Atlanta. One wall is dedicated to Rev. James E. Orange, and the other side serves as a tribute to influential women within the city. The murals are part of the annual ELEVATE, an Atlanta public art program designed to “[provide] free, quality cultural experiences that highlight what makes Atlanta unique.” This year’s program centers around the themes of equity, activism and engagement. “Rev. James E. Orange: Hey Leader!” is the work of artists Keif Schleifer, Golden, Tom Davii and George F. Baker III. The mural shows the late reverend surrounded by broad strokes of blue and magenta, overlooking the words “Hey Leader!” Orange, sometimes known as “Shackdaddy,” was a civil rights activist who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, helped organize the March on Washington and the Selma-to-Montgomery march. Georgia STAND-UP sponsors the mural and serves as a “think and act tank for working communities,” focusing on economic development. Executive Director Deborah Scott met Orange on Clark Atlanta University’s campus in 1983, when he called out “Hey, leader,” and she responded. Scott describes Orange as her mentor since arriving in Atlanta. “I [later asked] Rev. Orange, ‘Why did he call us a leader? And how did he know I was going to be a leader?’” she said. “He says, ‘I said leader to everyone, it’s not everyone that answered. So, it was those that answered the call, [who heard] that little voice in there, then they said ‘I am somebody, and I can make a difference in my own way.’” Scott has many fond memories in the West End and sees the mural’s placement as “iconic.” Scott helped Davii and the other artists encapsulate Orange’s essence. Davii emphasizes the importance of using the right colors to tell a story, and chooses shades that bring energy into the artwork. “I knew from the jump that I wanted to bring him to life,” Davii said. “I didn't want him to look like he was gone. I wanted him to look like he was still a part of the city.” He only had black and white photos of Orange for reference, so Davii used his own skin as a template. “[In my skin] I’m seeing oranges. I see red and some pinks. I see more than just brown,” he said. “Looking at myself as a person, that’s how I connected with him because we’re both brothers, so that was the easy part.” Schleifer has worked on hundreds of murals, but this is the first tribute to someone she’s known. When Schleifer was in graduate school, she heard Rev. Joseph Lowery and Coretta Scott King speaking on the radio. She realized that many civil rights activists were in her vicinity, inspiring her to take a hiatus from
Equity, act engage
ELEVATE highlights prom HANNAH JONES Arts and Living Editor
school to learn from the leaders. Schleifer spent time with Orange and Lowery, participating in events like the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. Today, she hopes the mural can serve as a tribute to Orange’s life and values. “We're not here just for remembrance,” Schleifer said. “Maybe you can feel the vitality of this mural. You can Maybe you can feel the v feel the energy and people who knew Rev. can feel the energy and Orange can look at this Orange can look at this and remember him.” Jamida Orange describes her father as a bridge-builder and is thankful for the tribute to his hard work. “Let me first say, I love my city,” she said. “I thank you all for keeping my dad in people's minds and in the memory. A lot of people like to rewrite history, but the City of Atlanta won't let us forget. I’m humbled for this honor.” Ashley Dopson created “Heroine: Unsung Women in Civil and Social
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tivism and ement
minent leaders in Atlanta
Justice,” which displays large portraits of several women protestors lining the wall and “HERSTORY” written in block letters. The painting features nine influential women, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, including Irene Dobbs Jackson, mother of Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson, an activist who desegregated the city’s libraries. The mural also features activist Lottie vitality of this mural. You Watkins, the first Black female real-estate agent d people who knew Rev. in Atlanta, and Pearl and remember him. Cleage, a playwright and speechwriter for Maynard Jackson. — KIEF SCHLEIFER The women’s Collaborative Artist on Rev. Orange's Mural portraits are large, overlooking another generation of activists and the West End community. Dopson describes them as “giants.” “This mural is phenomenal to me because it shows that the civil rights movement never ended,” Dopson said. “It makes me feel good to know that there's such a thing as community now because we're in an age where
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everybody's focus is on [themselves, and thinking] ‘I'm going to come up, I got to come up.’ For me, if my kids don't come up, then what's the point of me coming up?” Karcheik Sims-Alvarado served as a historian, helping guide the artists and mural creations. SimsAlvarado said the main focus was how individuals in the West End community and Dopson wanted to create an homage for strong women. “We see [women] as giants within the community,” Sims-Alvarado said. “They hold us up. They provide support, but we also see them as leaders.” A Georgia State Ph.D. student interviewed instrumental people within Atlanta, like Mayor Andrew Young and U.S. Representative John Lewis. Young said he spent the years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s death trying to achieve his goals. “I chased Martin Luther King’s dream for 50 years after his death,” he said. “His dream was to redeem the soul of America from the triple evil of racism, war and poverty. When he started talking about poverty, he got killed. The kids still think everything’s racial.” Lewis described moving to Venetian Hills as a newlywed, where he became well acquainted with neighborhoods and people in Southwest Atlanta. “I fell in love with the city,” Lewis said. “If it hadn’t been for Southwest Atlanta, I probably wouldn’t be the person that I am today.” Lewis was subjected to discrimination before and throughout his successes, which only intensified his gratitude for former President Barack Obama, the first Black president in the country’s history. He recalls attending Obama’s 2008 inauguration and attending lunch after the swearing-in process. Lewis presented Obama with a piece of paper and asked him to sign it. Obama returned it and had written, “It’s because of you, John.” Lewis mentioned the importance of art, particularly music, within his life and the greater community. He added that good music could always get him to dance. Lewis recalls getting out of jail with just a few quarters and using them to play music on a jukebox. “There’s something about music,” Lewis said. “It was in the movement. It’s in our churches. The music lifted us, brought us together as one, and it gave us a sense of hope, a sense of optimism. I can never ever forget it.” Schleifer admires advocates of the civil rights movement. She gained many experiences and lessons through her time spent with Orange and Lowery, solidifying her commitment to activism. “This is not a time for any of us to be sitting still,” she said. “We all must take an active role in whatever way we can. Artists have done this forever. If you were in the presence of Rev. Orange at some time, you know the importance of getting up and being active.” PAGE LAYOUT BY MONIQUE ROJAS & PHOTOS BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
ARTS & LIVING
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING
October 20, 2020
Panthers want a new creative media major
Students interested in studying animation speak up DEENA KAYYALI Staff Reporter
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Fashion has been a tool for people to express themselves and their beliefs.
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
Using fashion to send a message
Fashion can be a tool to express beliefs and create change ISA CARDONA Staff Reporter
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rom sustainable shopping to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s various judicial collars, people have used fashion to spread social and political messages for years. One of the most notable accessories that has become a political symbol is President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” or MAGA hat. Junior Peter Minetos is chairman of the Georgia College Republicans and is proud to express his political opinion by wearing the hat. “What the message of the MAGA hat means to me is returning the power back to the people to make America great again,” he said. He sees the use of fashion to spread a message as a form of peaceful demonstration. “I think that if [wearing clothing or accessories] is the way someone would like to express their political viewpoint, whether you’re in favor, or not in favor of a certain side, I think it’s good,” Minetos said. Fashion doesn’t need to have political affiliation to be significant or stimulate change. Trey Brown is a musician and
TikToker with nearly 50,000 followers, who gained fame from showcasing their love of skirts and gender nonconforming fashion. “[With non-conforming fashion,] it’s like walking into a store and not seeing a men's section and a women's section, but just seeing the store and taking advantage of the fact that you can express yourself in so many different ways,” Brown said. Brown’s style is inspired by street punk and gothic aesthetics, incorporating masculine and feminine stylistic elements and enjoys experimenting. Infinite Appeal is a fashion and modeling organization at Georgia State. Anyone can audition, despite the harsh standards that the modeling world imposes. Creative director Alyssa Attride uses her position to remove the binary from modeling. She also uses art and nonconformity to express herself. “When I get dressed every single day, I think about it as putting myself into drag almost,” Attride said. “I feel like sometimes I am putting on a performance and dressing up as what society perceives as a woman.” To Attride, art is one of the most
potent political and protesting tools. “I think makeup, art and fashion are huge tools to be able to speak your mind and show your opposition to societal or gender norms,” Attride said. Denise’Ann Shields is president of Infinite Appeal. She is proud that the organization focuses on embracing diversity and body positivity. “Modeling has always been seen as something where you have to look like this or that,” Shields said. “I think that everybody looks beautiful…however you were put on this earth, you are beautiful.” Shields applauds anyone who wears something that shows what they believe. “I definitely love that we can use clothes to make a political or social statement without saying anything,” Shields said. “I can show you that I believe Black Lives Matter just by wearing a T-shirt.” Fashion can be a non-verbal way for people to showcase parts of their personality, aesthetic and beliefs. Something as ordinary as getting dressed every day can spread a message.
eorgia State is one of the most versatile universities in the nation, ranking as the second-most innovative university according to the U.S. News & World Report. Modern programs are quick to catch popularity among students, which is especially true about the animation program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, animators are in high demand, and employment is projected to increase by 4% by 2029. The program is currently under the game design major, where students learn to combine game arts with advanced technology to create and conceptualize designs for video games. Students have options of taking 3D animation courses offered by the university but only to obtain a game design degree. However, that may change soon. The only program similar to an animation degree is the graphic design concentration within the Ernest G. Welch School of Arts and Design. There have been conversations about the program potentially transitioning into a separate major under the College of the Arts. Junior Rayan Ahmedy is a computer and information science major who is extremely supportive of Georgia State for creating an independent animation major. “Computers, coding and programming are the future of all jobs not only in this country, but the entire world,” Ahmedy said. “Having an extra major offered revolving around design and technology is something so many
students would definitely enjoy. Animation is more than just video games, so a separate major for the skill is definitely a great idea.” Senior Nathan Rapier is a game design major who also supports the creation of an animation major. “I feel that the field is definitely growing in importance,” he said. “The marketplace for people to use their skills is increasing and Georgia State is in a unique position to supply graduates to meet that demand.” Although many are thrilled with the idea, there have been some bumps along the way. “I haven’t heard much talk about the creation of a new program,” Rapier said. “I just heard that they are reconstructing the program.” Not many students are knowledgeable of animation at the university. Because many offices on campus are closed, getting in touch with advisement to receive information on the topic is very difficult. Students are left to find their desired information on their own, which can be quite tricky. Since the major is in the early stages of development, there’s not much online information concerning the university’s plans to create the program. There is no arguing the high level of interest concerning the program and its potential of being one of Georgia State’s most popular majors. However, until the university can create a solid foundation and create valued steps, the idea will continue to entrance many students waiting for the program’s future.
ARTS&LIVING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
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Blake Roberts opens up about entrepreneurship Founder of Cabin Ink Studios finds new home in Atlanta
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KARA MARTIN Staff Reporter
ith the buzzing sounds of tattoo needles and the vast array of colorful ink on display, tattoo studios are where creative ideas come to life. Georgia State senior Blake Roberts is the man, the artist and the magic behind his tattoo shop, Cabin Ink Studios. Roberts is a multi-talented artist who takes pride in all forms of his art, including murals, drawings and tattoos. He hones his skills at school, studying studio art as his major with a concentration in drawing, painting and printmaking. “I had already been interested in tattoos because I was a painter and muralist at the time, so they kind of coexisted,” Roberts said. “I felt like it would be different than me just painting on canvas because I look at tattooing as painting on people’s skin, and from then on, I started learning as much as I could about it.”
styles and mastering old ones. “I think I’ve always had the same style for a lot of my work, such as black and white illustrated, portraits and color illustrated, but now, I just know how to execute them better,” he said. “Since I started, my techniques have changed because I’ve gotten more experienced the more I tattoo, and I’ve learned tricks to make a tattoo look a certain way.” Taking his life savings, a dream and his tattoo needles, Roberts ventured out so he could put his talents to work. He refused to limit his business and brand to the comfort of his home or someone else’s shop, so he decided to create a space of his own. “I didn’t know much about commercial leasing, running a shop and other things of that nature,” Roberts said. “I had to educate myself about the rules and regulations for body art in Fulton County and just study it until I got it all together.” After much contemplation, Roberts finally found a perfect space and his vision. Just by looking at the building, he saw his business’s potential and future coming to life. “I finally found a place that I liked, so I sketched out how I wanted it to look on my iPad and brought my vision to life,” he said. “I started contacting people to put those plans in motion, and it was up from there.” Taking risks and doing thorough research played a significant part in Roberts’ journey to becoming a successful business owner. While he’s where he wants to be now, he has high hopes for his business’s future. He credits his success to his clients and supporters, who keep him motivated. “I hope that myself and — BLAKE ROBERTS my journey would inspire Georgia State Senior & some people to stay on a path Tattoo Artist of their own because that’s what motivates me the most,” Roberts became fully Roberts said. “I wouldn’t have invested in the world of tattoos once he started getting anything or gained ideas if ink of his own. He channeled it wasn’t for my clients that come to me and the people his curiosity and desire to do that supported me and more with his art by learning new tattooing techniques and helped me along the way.”
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I hope that myself and my journey would inspire some people to stay on a path of their own because that’s what motivates me the most.
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Junior, Andrew Buckmire, is a hip-hop/rap artist who shares his music on Apple Music under the name “Christopher Knox.”
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY ANDREW BUCKMIRE
Georgia State musicians create artwork meant for the ears
Student musicians share their creative inspiration CATHERINE USHER Staff Reporter
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usic is more than just the sounds we listen to. Music is inspirational, authentic and complex. These three Georgia State students express what music means to them and how it inspires them. Junior Andrew Buckmire is a hip hop and rap artist. He shares his music on Apple Music under the name “Christopher Knox.” Buckmire has always had a knack for music. He started writing at five years old but did not seriously pursue a music career until 2015. Rappers like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Young Thug inspire him. “I admire Kendrick and Cole because they are deep lyricists, but I feel that Young Thug is one of the most creative music artists of this generation when it comes to music visuals,” Buckmire said. Buckmire writes his music to be completely authentic with himself and his listeners. “Most of my music expresses my everyday life,” he said. “It is important for artists to talk about personal experiences because more people can relate to it.” Buckmire hopes to deepen his passion for music by gaining more knowledge about the music industry and letting his music make positive statements. Junior Caleb Both is a musician who creates concert and film scores. He shares his music on his YouTube channel, “Caleb J.” Both has taken classical piano lessons for nine years and has composed for five years. “My primary inspiration and reason
for creating music is to tell stories that inspire others,” he said. His story-telling furthered when he decided to start making film score music.
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They go outside of the box and don’t put on a fake persona in order to be what is considered the norm.
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— TAYLER JOHNSON
Georgia State Junior & Musician
producing or orchestrating music. “Hopefully, I’ll be doing a musicrelated job that not only helps me grow but helps Atlanta in its journey toward becoming the ‘Hollywood of the South,’” Both said. Junior Tayler Johnson is an R&B musician. She shares her music on her SoundCloud account, “Jae Indigo.” Although she has always had a passion for music, Johnson did not desire to create her own music until a year ago. Artists like SZA, Tyler, the Creator and Thundercat inspire her the most. “These artists are undeniably themselves, and they face loads of criticism,” she said. “They go outside of the box and don’t put on a fake persona in order to be what is considered to be the norm.” Johnson makes music generated from her personal feelings, which puts listeners into deep thought. “I started creating music to enrich people,” she said. “It makes me feel good when people tell me that my music helped them get through tough times.” Johnson aims for her music to reach the ears of millions. “I see my music connecting me to more people and affecting the lives of many in a positive way,” Johnson said. Buckmire, Both and Johnson all create different genres of music and have walked on different musical paths. Despite their differences, they all aim to create authentic music that inspires those who listen to it.
Panthers dominate Georgia Southern in Statesboro “Film music is a lot more diverse when it comes to genre, style and theme,” Both said. “I have written concert pieces about fictional stories, from space adventures to cartoon chipmunks, as well as pieces reflecting on [the] human experience.” Both hopes to become a professional musician, working in a studio either
SPORTS
October 20, 2020
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS
ILLUSTRATION BY MONTENEZ LOWERY | THE SIGNAL
Panthers in sports are using music to motivate themselves Through their favorite artists, student-athletes thrive in action ERIK INDRISANO Associate Sports Editor
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or people worldwide, whoever you are, you share a love and appreciation for music. Its ability to bring cultures together, bring out emotions and give people a platform, among others, allows people to express themselves. In sports, it’s the exact same thing. Whether a boxer is strutting to the ring with his theme song, a basketball player putting their headphones on during pre-game routines or simply someone seeking motivation to crush their lifting session, all athletes use music to their advantage. At Georgia State, with 14 sports teams and over 400 athletes, the plethora of team locker rooms are bound to hear almost every genre of music in hopes of boosting the Panthers’ success on the court or field. Currently, the Panthers have quite a few sports in season. Men’s football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and women’s cross country have all kicked off their 2020 seasons. Let’s see these athletes’ playlist picks to get them pumped up for victory.
Women’s Volleyball
When they are not spiking their Sun Belt rivals, the women’s volleyball team has excellent taste in music. For freshman Katie Strickland, a long list of artists gets her motivated for upcoming matches. “Some of the artists I’ll listen to are Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, Migos, Big Sean, Kanye [West] and so many others. I have so many different types of music that I’ll listen to before a game,” Strickland said. Strickland also knows the importance of what music does for the team as a whole. “Listening to music during practice always gets everyone in a good and positive mindset ready to work,” Strickland said. “I think listening to music before a game can really put our team in a great headspace ready to bring it and take home a win.” But the real question on the minds of most is, “Who
gets the aux in the locker room?” “In our locker room, a lot of the time freshman Clara Bednarek will have the best playlist,” Strickland said.
Women’s Soccer
The Georgia State women’s soccer team has started off the season red hot, holding a record of 6-1-1 through the first half of the year. Is that in part due to a good playlist? Probably not, but a unique taste in music still helps the team focus. During full practices, the team locks in without music, but individual workouts are when the players open their music streaming apps. “During team training, we don’t listen to music. But most of us need music to get through the fitness test,” junior midfielder Emily Burke said. Specifically, for her, this means “EDM or anything with a good beat.” Everyone does get a chance to play their own playlist from time to time, however. “Our team has a variety of music tastes, so it’s hard to pick one playlist. Lexie [Knox] hypes everyone with rap and techno, Maria [Sabies] is always dancing to Spanish pop and Liz [Anne Fogarty], Alex [Addington] and our trainer sneak a little bit of country here and there,” Burke said. However, when it comes down to it, one player seems to get the aux more times than not. “Lexie [Knox] for sure,” Burke said.
Football
For Georgia State’s men’s football team, the large roster ensures a long list of artists and genres in the locker room. The team-wide playlist electrifies the already red-hot. Star-wide receiver Sam Pinckney knows the importance of a right playlist to to improve his skill set to the max. “Music motivates me to work harder,” Pinckney said. In Pinckney’s playlist, you will find just about every
genre, showing how he embodies a diverse playlist. “In my playlist, you’ll find rap, country, blues and R&B,” Pinckney said. But come crunch time, Pinckney turns to one artist, in particular, to really get him going before a big game. “I enjoy listening to Lil Baby,” Pinckney said. And on the defensive side? Something is getting the Georgia State defense ready to dominate from shutting down a team’s offense on the ground or in the air. For senior linebacker Trajan Stephens-McQueen, he sticks to more upbeat music to get him fired up. “A lot of hip hop [and] rap, upbeat tempo music,” Stephens-McQueen said. As far as his favorite musicians, Stephens-McQueen has three in mind. “No cap, Lil Baby and Kodak Black every time,” Stephens-McQueen said. But it is only fair to include the special teams in this list as well. Long snapper Charlie Flint takes the crown for the most diverse playlist. “Anything from Taylor Swift to Travis Scott,’’ Flint said. “I like all genres. You can hit shuffle on my phone, and literally, anything will pop up. Same with artists.” But with a large locker room, the question of “Who gets aux?” has just a little more honor to it. “[For sure] Cornelius McCoy,” Pinckney said. Some could not narrow the list down to just one player. “[It’s] between Akeem Smith and DeAndre Bowman,” Stephens-McQueen said. Others give the honor to themselves. “I always get aux. DJ Papa C in the building,” Flint said. With such a variety of music blaring over the speakers, the Panthers express themselves each day and will continue to hone their skills while humming their favorite tunes.
SPORTS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
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Panthers dominate Georgia Southern in Statesboro At the forefront, Aris Briggs continued his brilliant play MICHAEL CUNEO Staff Reporter
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eorgia State beat rival Georgia Southern 3-0 on Friday night, giving the team back-to-back victories this season. The win marks the third time this year that the Panthers have beaten Southern, advancing their overall record to 7-1. The Panthers are riding a hot streak after winning 4-1 last week against the UAB Blazers, a game that saw a goal scored within 50 seconds of kickoff. The Georgia State-Georgia Southern rivalry follows each of the school’s sports teams, from basketball and football to soccer. The Panthers’ dominant play on the pitch this season has led to just one loss, good enough to tie the team for first place in the Sun Belt Conference. Aris Briggs has contributed to the Panthers’ success on the pitch significantly, notching a team-leading five goals on the season. While all eyes may be on Briggs, freshman Andrew Bennett proved his skill, scoring twice on the night, giving the Panthers back to back wins. Bennett scored his first career goal midway through the first period of play after receiving an assist from Ross Finnie in the 33rd minute. Junior Matthew Fearnley scored his fourth goal of the year on the night after receiving Bennett's assist in the 57th minute. The dagger came in the 74th minute after Bennett once again found the back of the net, giving the Panthers a commanding 3-0 lead. The win marks the second time that the Panthers have beaten Southern in just two weeks as the two schools met on Oct. 4. That game was decided by two
The Men’s Soccer team is off to a great start this season, with their most recent dominating win against Georgia Southern.
goals, one from both Briggs and Fearnley. Georgia State remains in a redemption position as the team was eliminated by Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament last year. The match saw the team lose devastatingly, resulting in their absence from the NCAA Tournament. The loss was a crippling one, as the team found lots of success in the SBC Tournament, scoring six goals in just three games. Despite such a severe loss to end the 2019 season, the Panthers are rolling in 2020, losing only one game so far. The season may look slightly different, as just four teams take place in regular season play due to coronavirus concerns, but things seem to be getting
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GSU ATHLETICS
back to some semblance of normalcy. The bright side of playing with so few teams is the familiarity that teams will acquire in opponents’ play style, which seems to have some validity as the Panthers have now swept Southern 3-0. Briggs’ and the Panthers’ success on the pitch usually tie into each other, but with Bennett’s standout performance on Friday, the team may be able to put forward an attack that has multiple dangerous strikers. Right now, the Panthers are riding high, and the team will need to continue that streak to remain atop the Sun Belt Conference. The Panthers will take a short break before tackling their next obstacle on Oct. 24 as the team faces the Central Arkansas Bears.
A scholar first, and football player second Jonathan Ifedi’s inspirational journey to national recognition MARQUIS CHAMBERS Staff Reporter
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f it was easy, everyone would be able to do it” is a common line that most people hear when striving for success or something bigger in life. The line remains true for most competitors in sports. Georgia State redshirt senior wide receiver Jonathan Ifedi knows about the grind of academic and athletic success. He did not always play football, though. “My mom, at first, didn’t want me playing football,” Ifedi said. “I was in basketball, then my basketball coach got a football team, and [I] got to sign up and fell in love from day one.” As a Division I student-athlete, balancing academics and playing a sport is something only a few gifted individuals understand. The mental and physical challenges take a toll on an individual’s body every day. Parents of student-athletes often encourage their children to get their education first, which is what Ifedi’s parents have continuously informed him to do. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in 2019 and will receive his master’ss in cybersecurity. “The thing about the information system is it kinda bridges the gap between the technical and business world,” Ifedi said. “I knew I definitely wanted to be
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It definitely means a lot. I wasn’t even expecting this. Just the fact I’m a semifinalist is unbelievable. — JONATHAN IFEDI Georgia State Wide Receiver
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between those two realms, but I just didn’t know exactly what. And I was presented with that major in undergrad and liked it from day one and hadn’t regretted it since.” Ifedi’s success in the classroom opened the door for him to receive several accolades from his school and the Sun Belt Conference: Sun Belt Commissioners List in 2017-2018’ Sun Belt Honor-Roll in 2018-2019; Dean’s List in 2017, 2018 and spring of 2020 and Athletics Director Honor Roll in 2016, 2018 and 2019. But his inspirational academic success reached a new height when the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced him as a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy earlier this month. “This award makes me feel great, just the fact I’m in the conversation with some Georgia State greats, definitely something I’m thankful for,” Ifedi said. “It definitely means a lot. I wasn’t even expecting this. Just the fact I’m a semifinalist is unbelievable.” Ifedi and the Panthers are currently 1-2 following a tough 59-52 loss on Thursday to the Arkansas State Red Wolves. But, the offense and defense look sharp and confident to make a hard push to win the Sun Belt Conference and a bowl game this year.
October 20, 2020
THREE BIG THINGS
GAMES SUDOKU
UNIVERSITY
STATE
NATIONAL
Women’s cross country regular season concludes
No Dan Quinnm no problem: Falcons pick up first win of 2020
The World Series begins tonight with Los Angeles and Tampa Bay
The Panthers women’s cross country team finished their regular season in Birmingham, Alabama, on Friday with the UAB Blazer Classic. Headlining the team’s results, junior Marine Garnier recorded a time of 22:20:09; junior Emma Devis with a time of 24:14:84; and sophomore Frankie Muldoon posted a time of 24:37:77. The team will take the next couple of weeks to prepare for Oct. 31 and the Sun Belt Conference Championships.
Sunday seemed like the day for the Falcons to have their best game right from the get-go: Deion Jones’ intercepted Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on the game’s first play. From there, Atlanta took control. Matt Ryan dominated, throwing for 374 yards and four touchdowns. He found Julio Jones eight times for 137 yards and, to the delight of Falcons’ fans, Jones’ first two touchdowns of 2020.
Tonight, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays begin a highly-anticipated World Series. After defeating their opponent in seven games, each team earned their spot: the Rays over the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series and the Dodgers winning three straight after trailing the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers will make their third Fall Classic appearance in the last four seasons, while the Rays return for the first time since 2008.
THE KICKBACK
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
GAMES
15
COMIC
Your Comic Should be Here!
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
Talk To Me Tuesday 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Virtual Alumni Association: Tuesday Night Trivia 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Virtual
Pounce Happy Hour 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Unity Plaza, Atlanta campus Locations vary for Perimeter campuses LibMovie Chat & Chew: Black Panther 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Virtual
Wellness on the Web: Live Cooking Demonstration 12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Virtual Black Men’s Dialogue 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Virtual
Virtual Fun Fitness Friday 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Virtual Escape Room: Escape into the Spotlight 12:00 p.m. - 11:45 p.m. Virtual
OCT 23
THURSDAY OCT 22
WEDNESDAY OCT 21
TUESDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Atlanta High School Art Exhibition All day Ponce City Market Netherworld 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Stone Mountain
Spooktacular TRICK-ORTREAT Mini Golf 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Fringe Miniature Golf in Roswell, GA Ghost Hunting 101: Southeastern Institute of Paranormal Research 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Virtual
Panther Pink Day: Scavenger hunt 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Blended International Coffee Hour: Featuring India 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Virtual
OCT 26
SATURDAY OCT 25
OCT 24
OCT 20
THE KICKBACK
Election Day is November 3. You can vote early. You can vote by mail. You can vote on Election Day. Go to voteamerica.com/students
VoteAmerica.com