T H E HOFS T R A
HEMPSTEAD, NY VOLUME 86 ISSUE 2
CHRONICLE
TUESDAY October 13, 2020
KEEPING THE HOFSTRA COMMUNITY INFORMED SINCE 1935. A&E
NEWS
Nazi symbolism found in Hofstra theater returns with new prodcution elevator By George Concannon
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Photo courtesy of Hofstra Clocktower The swastika, a symbol of anti-Semitism, found in a residence hall, sparked outrage.
By Marjorie Rogers
A S S I S TA N T N E W S E D I T O R
Hofstra officials are investigating two acts of anti-Semitic vandalism that took place in Constitution Hall between late September and early October this year. During the Jewish High Holy Day of Rosh Hashana, residents of Constitution Hall discovered a swastika carved into the elevator wall. On Saturday, Oct. 3, another swastika was found carved in the elevator of Constitution Hall along with the name “Bibi,” a nickname for Benjamin Netanyahu, the current prime minister of Israel. “We condemn discrimination, bias and prejudice in all its forms, and reaffirm our commitment to hold accountable any member of our community who fails to live up to Hofstra’s core values of diversity and inclusion,” Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz wrote in an email to students on Thursday, Oct. 8, addressing the vandalism. “There is no place for anti-Semitism or any other form of discrimination at Hofstra University.” Rabinowitz announced the University’s ongoing investiga-
tion into the two incidents, as well as its plans to reinforce the Code of Community Standards through the University’s “No Hate @ Hofstra” initiative. The latest two cases of antiSemitic vandalism on campus have generated strong responses from Jewish students at Hofstra, some of whom feel frustrated with the University’s response to what they perceive to be a persistent anti-Semitism problem on campus. “‘No Hate @ Hofstra’ is the stupidest thing ever because it’s not going to do anything,” said Maxie DeBiso, a sophomore Jewish studies major. “And you’re never going to catch the person who drew a swastika in an elevator. I’m sorry, you’re just never going to catch that person, so why open an investigation?” Other students feel frustrated with what they say is a consistent delay by the University to comment on anti-Semitic incidents. “What took Rabinowitz so long to even tell us?” said Theo Scheiner, a sophomore biology major and Jewish student at Hofstra. Scheiner pointed out
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Kicking off the fall semester was the Hofstra Drama Department’s first mainstage show, Neil Simon’s comedy “Barefoot in the Park.” The show played from Thursday, Oct. 1, to Sunday, Oct. 4, in the Black Box Theater in Shapiro Family Hall. Simon’s play, originally written and performed in 1963, focuses on a newlywed couple, Corie and Paul Bratter, moving into their first house together in New York City. The couple is joined by Corie’s mother, Mrs. Banks, and they are soon introduced to their eccentric upstairs neighbor, Victor Velasco. Corie, carefree and ever the optimist, decides to set up her mother and Victor on a blind date, and hilarity ensues. Performing a play written by a legendary playwright like Neil Simon is no easy job, but the cast handled it beautifully. Senior Thea Fogel (Corie) and junior Ellis Craig (Paul) ruled the stage in their scenes, under the direction of Rod Gomez.
The two actors’ quick wit and natural comedic timing shone through with this production. Photo courtesy of Hofstra University Department of Fogel and Drama and Dance Craig’s “Barefoot in the Park” was the drama department’s chemistry first production of the Fall 2020 semester. together tworth as Victor Velasco had on stage, considering the polar audiences dying of laughter opposite nature of their charnight after night. Her character’s acters, made their performance quirks and eccentricities comas the happy couple Broadwaypared to the relative normality worthy, and made their break-up of the other characters heightscenes all the more dramatic. ened the comedy of the show, Mrs. Banks was portrayed by and Wentworth’s ability to take senior Margaret Engel, and her a comedic character seriously talent to dig out the nuances of was apparent. her character was especially apRounding out the cast were parent. Engel’s ability to play a junior Ralph Barone Jr. as the character adjusting to the culture Telephone Repairman and senior shock of not only her own life, Autumn Dion as the Delivery but Corie and Paul’s as well, Person. Both Barone and Dion made her one of the highlights more than made up for their lack of the show. CONTINUED ON B2 Sophomore Arianna Wen-
NEWS
Trump supporters neglect to wear PPE
Photo courtesy of NY Post Demonstrators unite to support law enforcement in a Blue Lives Matter protest turned pro-Trump rally in Minnesota.
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NEWS
A2 •October 13, 2020
Political rallies unmask different COVID-19 precautions
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Editor-at-Large
Sarah Emily Baum The Chronicle is published on Tuesdays during the academic year by the students of Hofstra University. The Chronicle is located in Room 203 Student Center, 200 Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y. 11549. Advertising and subscription rates may be obtained by calling (516) 463-6921. The Chronicle reserves the right to reject any submission, in accordance with our written policies. All advertising which may be considered fraudulent, misleading, libelous or offensive to the University community, The Chronicle or its advertisers may be refused. The products and opinions expressed within advertisement are not endorsed by The Chronicle or its staff.
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Amudalat Ajasa / The Hofstra Chronicle Demonstrators unite to support law enforcement in a Blue Lives Matter protest.
By Amudalat Ajasa S TA F F W R I T E R
The COVID-19 pandemic is not keeping protesters from standing up for justice. In Minnesota’s Twin Cities, Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter protests were held only hours apart and 15 minutes away from each other. However, there were key differences in the groups’ attitudes toward enforcing coronavirus precautions. “No one wears masks at Blue Lives Matter protests,” said Callie Dochterman, a Minnesota activist who has been to about four counterprotests against Blue Lives Matter. “I’ve yet to see a single Blue Lives Matter protest participant wearing a mask.” A recent “United We Stand and Patriots March for America” rally reaffirmed Dochterman’s sentiments. Of the over 500 protesters at the march, ranging from children to elders, only some of the state patrol officers and a few protesters were seen wearing masks. The march’s purpose was to support first responders, according to Jen Leigh, the lead organizer for the rally. However, demonstrators seemed to have a different idea. Many protesters walked with Trump 2020 flags and signs, chanting “four more years,” “USA” and “back the blue” and singing “The StarSpangled Banner.” “This rally is not really about COVID-19 one way or another … It’s [about] personal accountability,” Leigh said. Protestors are encouraged to
abide by the COVID-19 safety guidelines, but they are not enforced. “I cannot, nor do I want to ever think I have the right to, control someone else,” Leigh said. Even though Leigh cannot “control” the choices of people at the rallies, the event description on Facebook did not encourage or acknowledge COVID-19 precautions. On the other hand, Black Lives Matter protests consistently ask protesters to take health and safety precautions in their Facebook event descriptions. “This will be a socially distanced protest,” read one post. “Please wear a mask and expect to maintain a six-foot distance.” Another post asked protestors to “bring hand sanitizer and practice social distancing.” “In my experience, at Black Lives Matter protests, almost everyone is wearing a mask,” Dochterman confirmed. “Masks are really encouraged.” “For [Trump supporters] to completely disregard safety – even for their own people – it’s inhumane and careless,” said Tori Gens, a medic for Justice Frontline Aid. “A lot of times at right-leaning protests, no one is wearing a mask, and if they [are], it’s [only] a few people.” Justice Frontline Aid is a non-profit organization with the goal of equipping protesters in the fight for justice. The organization, formed shortly after George Floyd’s death, provides protesters with water, food, medical aid and masks and blocks off intersections for protesters with bikes and mo-
torcycles. Justice Frontline Aid has not been asked to give aid at any Blue Lives Matter or Trump rallies in Minnesota, according to Gens. “We wanted everyone here to wear a mask, and we have the Justice Frontline Aid marshal here … [Justice Frontline Aid has] free masks and free hand sanitizer if people don’t have their own,” said Omonigho Egi, the lead organizer for a “Black Lives Matter Woodbury” (Minn.) protest. “Since this is a public forum, we are also wiping down the mic after each speaker.” Outdoor demonstrations where most participants wore masks have not been found to cause a direct increase in positive COVID-19 cases, according to an article from Healthline. “I would say 99% of people at Black Lives Matter protests are wearing masks. That shows a lot [about] what they care about versus no one wearing masks at the other protests and what they care about,” Gens said. “I wish that people would take safety more seriously.” Pictures and videos of proTrump rallies posted on social media illustrate the lack of COVID-19 precautions taken by the president’s supporters. Images from recent Trump rallies in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and Virginia show protesters in tightly packed crowds with only a few masks visible. Since COVID-19 became the topic of all news at the begining of 2020, Trump has repeatedly downplayed the virus, going against health experts and
scientists. He has also publicly countered Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, according to Bob Woodward’s book “Rage.” During a campaign rally in South Carolina on Feb. 28, 2020, Trump accused the Democrats of politicizing the ongoing outbreaks in an effort to impeach him: “This is their new hoax.” Since then, he has encouraged states to reopen prematurely, cut funding for the World Health Organization, predicted the virus would disappear by the summer due to warmer weather and encouraged students to return to school in the fall. Most recently, at the first presidential debate, Trump attempted to belittle former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing masks during the pandemic. “I wear masks when needed. When needed, I wear masks,” he said. “I don’t wear masks like him. Every time you see him, he’s got a mask [on].” Trump’s attitude toward coronavirus precautions and against health experts and scientists has molded the attitudes of his supporters, and this national lack of precautions could be one of the reasons that the United States currently leads the world in COVID-19 cases.
Amudalat Ajasa / The Hofstra Chronicle Black Lives Matter protesters took to the streets wearing PPE.
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NEWS
October 13, 2020 • A3
Trump train stops in Huntington to let off steam
By Marjorie Rogers
A S S I S TA N T N E W S E D I T O R
Hundreds of President Donald Trump’s supporters took to the streets of Huntington on Sunday, Sept. 27, to voice their support for his reelection campaign. A parade of supporters drove down Main Street, while participants on the side of the road expressed their support and others counterprotested. “This is the most important election in the entire history of this country,” said Thomas, a parade attendee who declined to give his last name. Thomas, 33, of Rocky Point, said he came to the Huntington rally to voice his support for Trump and champion local businesses, many of which are faced with major financial difficulties due to the coronavirus pandemic. He added that the biggest issue for him in the upcoming election is gun control. “I am a big Second Amendment supporter,” said Thomas, who identified himself as a “single-issue” voter. “I can’t vote for a liberal who wants to restrict our rights.” Thomas dismissed the coun-
terprotests as insignificant to the are gender equality, racial equal- Cervantes Wilson, a sophomore overall event and the election. ity and universal healthcare. TV production major who iden“The left doesn’t have a unify“We always tell people there’s tifies as Black and Latino. ing message,” he said. “Do you one race and it’s humanity,” said Other students cited concerns see Biden parades?” Leah, another Trump supporter over Trump’s nominee for Counterprotesters at the rally who attended the rally but deSupreme Court Justice, Amy drove through with LGBTQ+ clined to give her last name. Coney Barrett, in terms of racial flags and Black Lives Matter The election is a hot topic on equality. banners on their cars. Others campus as well, with many Hof“Race relations are at the forestood on the front of my streets holding mind,” said up campaign Steven Curd, signs for a sophomore former Vice biology President Joe major. “[I’m] Biden. also worried “I was takabout equaliing my mom ty, in general, out to lunch for all groups and I fell into because with the midst of [Ruth Bader this,” said Ginsburg’s] Susan Bloom, sad death, a Locust Valit’s making a ley resident lot of people and Biden worried over Marjorie Rogers / The Hofstra Chronicle supporter reproducAttendees hung out of their cars and held flags supporting law who attended enforcement, Trump and America at the Huntington rally. tive rights the Trump and [many] rally to counterprotest. “I took stra students thinking about the fear that some strides in the my mom home and came back Black Lives Matter movement LGBTQ+ community will be because I have to stand up for this election. pushed back.” what I believe.” “My concern is with my Hofstra’s LGBTQ+ commuBloom said the issues that people. Black people and Latino nity has also expressed concerns stand out to her in this election people, you need to vote,” said over Barrett’s nomination for
the Supreme Court. “I am scared of Amy Coney Barrett being sworn into the court because she has very conservative views and truly believes in making the U.S. ‘a kingdom of God,’” said Aiden Holubeck, a sophomore drama major. “As a queer person myself, I would like to have rights and be protected by the government.” Some Hofstra students think Long Island Trump supporters’ efforts to flip New York, a solid blue state, are a long shot. “The Democratic presence of urban New York is a little [too] powerful to be contested by Trump voters,” Curd said. Wilson emphasized that it is crucial for young people to vote this year and stay politically engaged. He added that members of disadvantaged groups cannot afford to stay out of politics and must stand up for their rights. “You can’t complain [about] how bad this country is if you’re not taking action,” Wilson said. “If you don’t like something, verbalize it, but put some action behind it.”
have similar workout goals. for women to reach their fitness 2012 to “show college girls CHAARG also hosts events and goals, no matter what level. everywhere that owning your socials over the course of the “It’s kind of challenging not fitness is owning your life,” acsemester that serve as fitness going to the Fitness Center, but cording to their website. community builders. we are making do,” said Falyn Each week, the Long Island Students can get involved Wanatick, a sophomore audio/ chapter hosts two workouts that through the Facebook group radio production major. “It is are run by trainers from local something we gyms. There have to get are also small used to but it group workhas been fun outs that meet so far.” either through Wanatick Zoom or at emphasized a local park how motiwhere social vational the distancing CHAARG guidelines are women are enforced. during their To join the workouts. local chapter, Members and there is a fee Photo courtesy of Ally Montana trainers play of $47 for music and the semester. A CHAARG session in action. motivate one another, creating a Compared to other gym memfor Hofstra members, which fun environment for students to berships, however, the subscrip- offers the opportunity for the tion price is a cheaper option participants to make connections work out in. Crystal Bermudez joined for college students and offers with other fitness enthusiasts on women the chance to interact campus. Several of the members the chapter as soon as it was founded. “I joined CHAARG with peers of the same age who see CHAARG as a safe space
to be around other women that are motivated and promote ways [of] being healthy,” said Bermudez, a sophomore journalism major. “It also gives an advantage [to] those who are part of this program [because we can] access workouts, in person or virtually, whether in a group or alone ... and [we can connect with] others who enjoy fitness.” An integral part of CHAARG is showing women that fitness can be fun, as well as a way to form relationships with other women on both local and national scales. “I have met other women that I may not have gotten the chance to meet,” Bermudez said. “So it’s nice to have that outlet with people that share [the] same motivation.”
CHAARG jumpstarts fitness during the pandemic for women at Hofstra
By Rachel Fisch
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
As gyms temporarily shut down due to COVID-19, thousands of people opted to use virtual home workout programs. One of these programs is CHAARG, a national organization that encourages women to live a healthy lifestyle. The organization recently established a new chapter on Long Island thanks to founder Isabella Massucci. Massucci, who is now a junior majoring in health sciences, transferred to Hofstra after her freshman year at Syracuse University, where she was a member of their CHAARG chapter. When she enrolled at Hofstra, she decided to become an ambassador and present the program to the women on campus. “It’s such a positive community, especially during your college [years],” she said. CHAARG was created in
A4 •October 13, 2020
NEWS
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Hofstra grad’s mental health apps provide support during COVID-19 By Samantha Sivert A S S I S TA N T N E W S E D I T O R
When Hofstra graduate Michael Lai first came up with the idea to develop an app to help people with mental health in his sophomore year at the University, he never would have imagined the impact his development would have in a world where social interaction is limited. Lai designed his first app, “Cress,” to offer confidential peer support to users by placing them in group chats with others who are similar to them. Now amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lai has made changes to his app and even developed a second one. “With the advent of COVID-19, health care workers were really thrown into the middle of an unforeseen crisis in which hospitals were inundated with patients,” Lai said. “It caused a tremendous amount of burnout and psychological trauma, which would have had a significant long-term ramification on not only our health care workforce, but also the health care system as a whole, so what we did is that we recognized this need and really wanted to make as great of an impact as possible on this problem.” Cress now offers confidential peer support to health care workers who are struggling with mental health problems, especially those caused by the pandemic. Through the Cress application, health care workers are personally matched and put into group chats with others who are facing similar circumstances. The app also features daily journaling, as well as personal insights and analytics based on users’ responses. The Cress application is currently being used by health care workers who work for AMITA Health, one of the largest health care systems in the Midwest. In the near future, Cress will be used by other health care systems around the country, such as Lifespan Health and the Rhode Island Medical Society. Although Lai changed the design of his original application, he did not give up on his dream of providing mental health resources to all people. To accom-
plish this goal, Lai designed a second app, called Callie, which will be available for purchase in the Apple and Google app stores starting in mid-October. Lai said his inspiration for Callie was fueled by the pandemic. “It was just heartbreaking to see all around the nation, really all around the world, people, especially people our age – Generation Z, millennials – [suffering],” Lai said. “There were a lot of incidents of loneliness as a result of isolation, and obviously loneliness is a tremendous precursor to mental health problems. That’s really what motivated us to also create the Callie application – just seeing people suffering.” Dr. John Guthman, director of the Student Health and Counseling Center at Hofstra University, said he has seen trends in students’ mental health as a result of the pandemic. “In terms of how the pandemic has affected students, they’ve had to find new and diverse ways to connect with peers,” Guthman said. “Students have had to find new ways of engaging in recreational and leisure activities, students have had to adjust to new learning styles as we’ve adjusted to video-remote platforms for courses, and students have had to manage the anxiety and uncertainty of different environments and the potential exposure to this COVID-19 virus.” Hofstra students said adjusting to online classes, having limited social interactions and adhering to new health and safety protocols have had a negative impact on their mental health. “During the pandemic, I had a hard time concentrating on my classes and I had other family issues that I was dealing with, which really led me to being sad and [feeling] extra stress,” said Annie Wong, a sophomore pre-med psychology major. “It was not a good time while I was in quarantine and I’m pretty sure it impacted my social skills, since I haven’t been in contact with other people besides my family.” Another student shared similar sentiments about mental
well-being during the pandemic. “Maintaining positive mental health in the midst of a pandemic can be challenging,” said Angela Greco, a sophomore philosophy major. “It’s important to remember that practicing mindfulness is a good tactic to persevere through this tough time.” While Cress offers peer groups where users can interact and discuss problems they are facing anonymously, Callie takes a more personal look at one’s lifestyle. A virtual companion driven by artificial intelligence crafts personalized wellness regiments based on a user’s unique lifestyle and interests. To do this, the app asks the user to journal daily and answer personalized questions about their lifestyle. Based on the responses, the app will give users suggestions on what to do to better their mental health. “We know that journaling or writing down of one’s thoughts and feelings can have a positive impact on how individuals cope with situational and emotional challenges,” Guthman said. “It certainly helps the individual to identify thoughts and feelings ... At times, it gives us an opportunity to look back on what we’ve written and reflect on how we cope. In other words, it can create a perspective.” “Having an app to communicate with, in a time when interpersonal communication is so limited, would have been such a great way to still ensure emotions were recognized and managed,” said Heather Sanders, a sophomore secondary education and Spanish double major. “I look forward to exploring an idea like this more in the future.” This year Lai and his business partner, Justin Kim, received a COVID-19 grant from the Clinton Foundation’s Student Action fund. They have used this grant to fund their Cress Cares initiative, which focuses on providing mental health support to people around the globe. Lai said he and his team work with multiple global partners, including the United Nations Refugee Agency, the Jesuit Refugee Service and Step Up for Kakuma, to deliver the Cress
app and mental wellness educational resources to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwest Kenya. “We’re also ... able to work with community partners in Liberia as well as in Nairobi to deliver mental health educational resources to women affected by sexual and gender-based violence and to adolescents,” Lai said. In August 2020, after the explosion in Beirut, Lai teamed up with a nonprofit organization called Uplift Beirut to deliver the Cress app to local physicians and health care workers in the
Red Cross. Most recently, Lai and Kim were named to Rhode Island Inno’s “Under 25” list. Lai now offers internship opportunities to college students interested in mental health advocacy so he can help students who are passionate about mental health like him. Since he first developed the idea for Cress, Lai’s motto has been: “We believe that everyone deserves support.” Now more than ever, during the pandemic, he wants people to know that there are resources for them if they are struggling.
Anti-Semitic vandalism found in residence hall during Jewish High Holy Days CONTINUED FROM A1 that these two incidents happened several days prior to Rabinowitz’s email. He also said that in the past, the University’s comment on anti-Semitic events has come out far after the fact. “This is what they’ve done every time something has happened,” Scheiner said. “Something needs to be addressed or changed.” Hofstra Dean of Students Gabrielle St. Léger sent out a subsequent email on Friday, Oct. 10, addressing the incidents. “As Dean of Students, I am deeply hurt and disappointed that our Jewish students have been exposed to and made a target of hate during their
season of celebrating the Jewish [High Holy Days],” St. Léger wrote in the email. She added that students can report cases of discrimination anonymously through the University’s new online reporting system. As the University tries to investigate the incident and reinforce the Code of Community Standards, the carved swastikas are still at the forefront of many Jewish students’ minds. “How do you think that makes every Jewish student on campus feel?” DeBiso said. “It puts everyone on edge. Being a Jewish student in general, you very much walk around with a target on your back. I just want people to understand that we are targeted a majority of the time.”
Photo courtesy of The Hofstra Clocktower On Saturday, Oct. 3, the name “Bibi,” a nickname for Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was found carved in the elevator of Constitution Hall.
THE CHRONICLE
By Ahjané Forbes & Annemarie LePard
October 13, 2020 • A5
NEWS
Trump pushes to replace RBG with only weeks until the 2020 election
A S S I S TA N T N E W S E D I T O R & NEWS EDITOR
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, died Friday, Sept. 18, after serving for 27 years on the highest court. President Donald Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, to replace Ginsburg on Saturday, Sept. 26, sparking national controversy. “She is an absolute disgrace to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s name,” said Leilah Abelman, a junior political science major. “Yes, she’s a woman, but she stands against everything that Ruth Bader Ginsburg stood for.” Ginsburg was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993, and served as the second woman to sit on the Supreme Court bench. She is most notably remembered as a pioneer for gender equality. In a conversation with her granddaughter Clara Spera, just days before her death, Ginsburg said, “My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed,” according to NPR. Ginsburg’s death has given Republicans the chance to shift the political weight of the Supreme Court to heavily conservative with a 6-3 majority. “With Judge Barrett in the Supreme Court, [the Court] would be constituted by six extremely conservative justices out of nine members,” said James Sample, a professor of law at Hofstra. “Consequently, the incentive for any one of those justices to moderate their views and reach compromise[s] and resolutions will be minimized.” Alongside a conservative majority, Barrett’s vote could make the difference for decades ahead, especially on issues tending to cause disagreements, such as abortion rights and the Affordable Care Act. “While Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought her entire life to expand rights for women, Amy Coney
Barrett’s going to do the complete opposite,” Abelman said. “She’s going to restrict women’s rights.” Barrett’s religious affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church has been at the forefront of her legal work, particularly in terms of abortion rights and gay marriage. She has repeatedly insisted that her faith does not compromise her work, but others beg to differ. “Religion is such a big deal to her that it’s going to influence her way of thinking regarding anything,” said Karys Tipton, a senior music and political science double major. “She has said that she basically just sees being a judge as a means to an end to get people into the kingdom of heaven.” There is growing concern
very unlikely at this point that the Court is going to overturn Roe [v. Wade], or Roe [v. Wade] as curbed by [Planned Parenthood v.] Casey,” she said. “The fundamental element that a woman has a right to choose abortion will probably stand.” Sample argued Barrett “will be a vote that will overturn Roe v. Wade.” On the other hand, Tipton is
anyone in the LGBTQ+ community,” she said. “A lot of people like her are more likely to rule according to the Constitution as it is plainly written.” As far as health care goes, “Judge Barrett has been extremely critical of the Supreme Court decisions related to health care,” Sample said. “She quite likely will support a vote that [strikes] down the protections in the Affordable Care Act.” Despite these growing concerns, Barrett’s qualifications have yet to be questioned. “She’s a very accomplished, young appeal court judge. She would be the youngest member of the Supreme Court at 48 years old,” Sample said. “However, I think that her nomination is being rushed in the weeks prior to the
“She is an absolute disgrace to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s name.” more concerned about the recent rulings on abortion as far as the states’ ability to restrict access to it. “I don’t think [Roe v. Wade] will be overturned, but I am concerned that the freedom that we were given with Roe v.
Photo courtesy of Foundation for Economic Education The late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg may be replaced by Trump’s nominee, conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett.
among the American people that Barrett could be the one to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark Supreme Court decision that protects a pregnant woman’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restriction. In a “Professors for Lunch” series at the University of Notre Dame in 2013, Barrett denied the possibility of Roe v. Wade being reversed: “I think it is
Wade will be limited,” she said. Tipton is mostly concerned with the status of Obergefell v. Hodges, a landmark civil rights case in which the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. “[Barrett] reads the Constitution as it was originally written; originally they saw marriage as being between a man and a woman, and there is no straight up constitutional provision for
most consequential election in presidential history, [and that] is dangerous to our democracy.” Barrett will potentially be Trump’s third appointed nominee to the Supreme Court, following Neil Gorsuch in 2017 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2018, both of whom were controversial nominees. Gorsuch replaced the late Antonin Scalia despite Scalia’s death occurring during President
Barack Obama’s term. Congressional Republicans denied the Democrats the opportunity to replace Scalia, citing the proximity of the general election as a deterrent in confirming Obama’s nomination. However, people are calling the Republican party hypocritical since Ginsburg died less than two months before an election and Trump has been granted permission to nominate a new justice despite the precedent set in 2016. Twenty-eight percent of Trump’s appointees to the federal judiciary have been women, according to the Pew Research Center. Some students argued the nomination of Barrett is only to increase Trump’s presidential polls. “It’s a PR move to [nominate] a woman [to the Supreme Court],” said David Frattaroli, a senior marketing major. “She’s an intelligent woman, and she’s got the resume and background for [the Supreme Court], but I think overall for [Trump], he doesn’t give a shit about that.” Other students viewed Trump’s selection in a similar manner. “Some presidents – Trump is one of them – will appoint people to the federal judiciary on the basis of ideology,” said Thomas Nielsen, a senior political science major. “At the end of the day, it’s another white person – white Christian person – in a position of power,” Frattaroli continued. “It’s just a big ‘for show’ deal with him, but it just so happens that she happens to be a good candidate for the job.” Barrett may be a qualified justice for the Supreme Court, but most assert that she will not live up to the legacy of Ginsburg. “Justice Ginsburg [was] a giant in the law,” Sample said. “Justice Ginsburg’s career prior to taking the bench was that of a remarkable, driven [and] talented woman who broke through glass ceiling after glass ceiling ... I see no indication that Judge Barrett would do anything of the sort.”
A6 • OCTOBER 13, 2020
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Three weeks with RBG: No words could do her justice up was the experience of simply being a woman. Ginsburg was not only a political pioneer, but a wife and mother. On that trip, she shared the challenges of fulfilling all those roles, a struggle Longmire feels most women can relate to. Photo Courtesy of Linda Longmire “This is one Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg enjoys a summer day in Italy as part of Hofstra’s 2007 Summer of the chalLaw School Program. lenges that women have; who Longmire described as “a By Betty Araya [it] is how you balance all of the delightful person, charming, brilFEATURES EDITOR above and still be active, not only liant and very interesting.” in one’s career [and] one’s work, As Linda Longmire saw the This opportunity, a chance to but to be an active citizen ... So late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spend quality time with one of that was something that was so walking toward her at Naples the most influential women in impressive; that she was able to International Airport, the first our democracy, was everything somehow – so gracefully, so elethought that came into her mind Longmire imagined it would be. gantly, so successfully – balance was that she would be protecting “There is so much to see [in all of that,” Longmire said. a symbol of western democracy. Italy] every day ... I left a few As an educator herself, “I do remember it very vividly, little gaps just for her to recuperthat airport encounter,” Longate and to catch mire said. “She played, already her breath because then at that stage, such a key role it was otherwise in not only U.S. politics, but sort going to be a of as a world representative of pretty breakneck women’s rights particularly. So, schedule, [but] she I remember this feeling of sort of didn’t want any awesome responsibility.” gaps in that schedIn 2007, Ginsburg was teachule,” Longmire ing constitutional law alongside said. “She wanted Longmire practices a pedagogy her old friend, Professor Leon every moment filled in and of truly encouraging learning, Friedman, through Hofstra’s wanted to see and do as much as a process that involves making Summer Law School Program possible.” mistakes. She described seeing in Sorrento, Italy. The university “She was interested in evthis same grace in Ginsburg needed someone with knowledge erything; she had an incredible when she taught. of the region to serve as a guide passion for life and incredible “Sometimes students can ask for her and her husband, Martin energy,” Longmire said, recountquestions that either aren’t clear Ginsburg. Longmire, a global ing their visits to archaeologor aren’t relevant, [but] she studies professor at Hofstra Uniical ruins and historical sites. would always listen very carefulversity who had run the EuropeGinsburg’s desire to experience ly and respond almost intuitively an Odyssey with her husband for everything was a character trait to the question they might actual27 years, was given the honor of that deeply impacted Longmire. ly be trying to ask ... And she did directing the program and receivTheir busy days were broken that with such, again, generosing Ginsburg. up by moments spent in meanity and pedagogical elegance,” Longmire became a sort of ingful conversation. “It was so Longmire said. “And I think that tour guide, planning excursions, fun to hear her stories as she as a teacher, that’s an art. And to dinners and conversations for relaxed and we got to know be able to do that at that level of their party of eight, a group each other,” Longmire said. “So experience and with that depth of which included herself, her late many personal glimpses into the detail was just an extraordinary husband, two other Hofstra extraordinary.” thing to witness.” professors and their spouses and One of the topics that came But the greatest virtue that Ginsburg and her late husband,
Longmire saw in Ginsburg was her ability to truly embrace life and all the beauty it had to offer, despite the pain she saw and felt in her profession. “Another one [moment] that I remember very fondly was when we were going to Positano, which is a town down the coast, a very beautiful little town on the beach,” Longmire said. “She [Ginsburg] was on her phone checking with her office in Washington, and it was something about a very burdensome case that had to do with the death penalty ... And so, I remember just her intensity. And I remember turning around and seeing that there was some real sorrow on her face. I don’t even remember the resolution of things, but it was clear how passionately concerned she was about this case. Someone [was] about to be executed.” This warranted concern left Ginsburg very quiet the rest of the drive. The load Ginsburg carried appeared to be too heavy for any one person. However, Longmire caught a glimpse of how she may have managed. “When we got to Positano, I saw her just sort of shake off this sorrow for a moment, and she jumped out and, almost like a little girl, ran into the water,” Longmire said. “I could see this full spectrum of her experience. On the one hand, this enormous responsibility and this case, something that was very difficult and sorrowful, but then her ability to face forward and to try to nonetheless embrace life as she dashed into the water and splashed around.” “I think that will always remain with me; that we as human beings run the gamut,” Longmire continued. “And that is both our gift and our burden; to be a human being in the midst of that very, very complex world. And she modeled that. She modeled this pioneering advocacy for women and for marginalized persons in general, and I think that’s also the abiding inspiration ...
“She was this icon of justice, but she was also a delightful human being.”
She was this icon of justice, but she was also a delightful human being.” Longmire was inspired not only by the wisdom Ginsburg shared with her during their three weeks together, but by the way she lived. “One of the things that she really wanted to do was to go on a boat excursion to escape to some of the other islands,” Longmire said. Ginsburg had heard from her dear friend Justice Antonin Scalia, who had been there the summer before, that it was one of the highlights of his trip. “When he had been there, an Italian organization – because he was an eminent Italian American – had hosted him and had provided this very beautiful yacht to take him around. So, she wanted to do the same,” Longmire explained. Longmire was then faced with the challenge of securing a boat fit for a Supreme Court justice. “We managed to find the boat and then our party of eight again ... set off on our little day excursion off the Bay of Naples, and it was absolutely glorious.” “It was also just such a joy to see her for a few moments, for a few hours, set down these huge responsibilities that she had on her tiny shoulders,” Longmire said. “What was really interesting though, was at one point she climbed up onto the bow of the boat ... And that’s the image, I think, that I’ll always remember of her; sort of leading the way, pointing forward through these troubled waters ... Almost a kind of solitary, elegant figure pointing to the future.” Ginsburg left behind a much larger legacy than just her court rulings, and it was clear to Longmire after these few but intimate weeks that the weight Ginsburg carried was a testament to her selflessness. Yet through her troubles and well-deserved notoriety, her character shone with brilliant grace as she modeled what it truly means to be an extraordinary woman, an extraordinary person.
THE CHRONICLE
September 15, 2020 • A7
FEATURES Understanding the “reasons behind the reasons” for COVID-19’s impact on Indigenous communities
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons Members of the Navajo Nation marching.
By Becca Lo Presti STAFF WRITER
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted at his brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, saying, “This virus is the great equalizer. Stay strong little brother. You are a sweet, beautiful guy and my best friend.” At the time, Chris Cuomo was quarantining in the basement of his family home after testing positive for COVID-19. While the governor’s tweet began with the simple phrase, “This virus is the great equalizer,” Dr. Martine Hackett, director of the Master of Public Health program at Hofstra University, explained that Gov. Cuomo’s declaration is a misstatement. “It’s a seemingly logical understanding that everyone is at equal risk for COVID-19; however, it’s not true because this is not an equal system that we are living in,” Hackett said. In fact, the Center for Disease Control has already identified that “people from racial and ethnic minority groups are at increased risk of getting sick and dying” from the virus. “A public health perspective says that a person’s health is influenced not by whether or not they have access to health care alone, but also [by asking], ‘Where do they live? Who [do] they live with? What is the environment that they are living in [and] what are the resources that they have access to or they don’t have access to?’” Hackett said.
Indigenous people in the United States are experiencing the highest rates of hospitalization and second-highest death rates among minority populations.
resources and economic support continue to manifest today as inadequate plumbing, among other things: Indigenous peoples’ households are 3.7 times more likely to not have a complete indoor plumbing system. On the Navajo reservation, for example, approximately 20% of homes face this problem. The U.S. government displaced Indigenous peoples without providing necessary tax-funded utilities, such as running water. COVID-19 is an infectious disease spread through respiratory droplets. The risk of infection is therefore greatly reduced when people have access to masks, hand sanitizer and the resources needed to frequently wash their hands. “One of the main ways to be able to prevent the spread of a communicable disease is to be
brought by European colonizers, or the 20th century influenza pandemic that decimated many Indigenous communities. “I think that [there is] sort of [a] connection between epidemics and indigenous populations and among Black and enslaved people,” Hackett said. “I think that historically in the United States enslaved people certainly were not treated as human beings. And that meant that basic human health needs were not provided for.” Communities that were historically mistreated by the public health system continue to face echoes of that treatment to this day. This may be why, despite the overwhelming historical evidence that a pandemic would have devastating effects on Indigenous people, the U.S.
“Public health crises are not solely indicative of current issues, but a culmination of historical experiences. Indigenous communities have long faced unequal medical treatment during pandemics. ” Hackett advises that to truly understand the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous people, we must look at the “reasons behind the reasons.” The history of the homes in which Indigenous people live must first be taken into account, and Hackett poses the necessary question to be raised: “Are those their lands to begin with?” Beginning in the 19th century, white American politicians created treaties that forced Indigenous nations to cede their land to white expansionists. Imposed immigration cost Indigenous nations not only their land, but also their people. “And then you layer on top of that, housing conditions [are] also too crowded,” Hackett said. “Housing conditions absolutely will play a role in something like this, a communicable disease.” The newly designated areas of relocation lacked infrastructure as well. This deprivation of
able to wash your hands, as your government took few preemphands touch your face and then tive measures that targeted these touch other objects that might communities. bring the virus into your body,” The true failure is in the lack Hackett explained. But statisof prevention. Public health tically, Indigenous people live is woefully “underfunded and in homes that lack the utilities underinvested in,” Hackett needed for protection during a explained. Pandemics and other pandemic. Applying, this situation to Hackett’s “reason behind the reason,” a surface explanation for the high COVID-19 rates among Indigenous people is the inaccessibility of proper sanitation – a visible symptom of the U.S. government’s systemic neglect of Indigenous communities. Public health crises are not solely indicative of current issues, but a culmination of historical experiences. Indigenous communities have long faced unequal medical treatment during pandemics. The coronavirus feels like a Landscape of the Navajo Region. repeated story of mass illness
health crises only exacerbate the existing inequalities embedded in the structure of America, and those who already face a lack of access to supplies and treatment are only further endangered. “The virus is invisible, but ... what’s [also] invisible is that those inequities put people on different levels of risk,” Hackett said. Although it might manifest differently now, racism in the American medical and housing systems have not gone away. Above all else, Hackett emphasized that there are no biological differences among minority ethnicities and races. Indigenous people are not dying at higher rates because of some nonexistent biological predisposition. “It used to be the height of science that people said that there are literally biological differences to the races. And that’s what everybody understood to be true, and that has not gone away.” Instead, Hackett stressed, “It is all about risk. Are you increasing your risk or decreasing your risk?” “The idea that you can separate a place, [the] history of a place and the people who live there from the health outcomes is ridiculous,” Hackett concluded. It is the lack of access to proper resources and the history of medical mistreatment that truly puts Indigenous communities at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
FEATURES
A8 • OCTOBER 13, 2020
The Humans of Hofstra
THE CHRONICLE
Overheard Z oo m
on
Person 1:
By L e a h D e H a em er
“I haven’t had a girlfriend in like six months.”
STAFF W R I T E R
Person 2: “Yeah, but how was it when you did?”
Person 1: “Honestly overrated, bruh.”
“I do agree drop shadows can be sexy.” Leah DeHaemer / The Hofstra Chronicle
Chris Ciarlo
“
I’m an exercise science major at Hofstra, this is my second year … I grew up playing sports, so I have a big interest in exercise science and in the field in general ... I work as a health ambassador, which is this new program that Hofstra has created to enforce the wearing of masks and social distancing, and it’s basically offered to all health science majors ... I’m in the Exercise is Medicine club, which is a club really directed [at] exercise science majors, but anyone can join. It doesn’t matter if you’re exercise science or not ... We’re going to be making a video soon that has to do with the precautions about the opening of the fitness center, and we’re also making a video about Exercise is Medicine, and what that really means ... For me personally, I guess it’s been fine adjusting to the [new campus] environment. It did kind of suck last year having to go back to Connecticut, but luckily we’re back now, if we can stay that way. But I mean it was rough at first, just like with the wearing of the masks. But it’s just a different change of lifestyle, and eventually I guess this’ll just be the way it’s going to be for the next couple of years at least. [But] the change has been fine for me, really ... A couple of classes that I wish were in person are online, which kind of sucks, cause me being an exercise science major, most of – not most, well a lot of the stuff is hands-on, so you can’t really do that, and reading in the textbook obviously isn’t the same as actually doing it ... I’m in a fraternity, I’m in Pi Lambda Phi at Hofstra. It’s relatively new; the Hofstra chapter was founded in 2016, so we’re still new and we’re still growing. We’re trying to make the most [of the situation], especially in these times, cause it’s hard to recruit kids. There’s different precautions now with COVID and everything, so we have to be careful with that, but we’re trying to expand, and hopefully we can just keep it going ... We are one of the smallest [fraternities] on campus, we have 15 to 20 actives. So, like I said, we’re also trying to expand, but I just like having a small group of friends that I can rely on, and that’ll help me out.
”
“I just have a lot of opinions right now; I think that’s the problem.”
“I don’t think film is an area of study.”
“I sat in my car thinking, ‘I feel so vulnerable right now, this is not fun.’”
“You never think of British people as children.”
Student: “Can we get partial credit?”
Professor: “Partial credit for what? Knowing you got something wrong?”
THE CHRONICLE
September 15, 2020 • A9
FEATURES
Haire Cosmetics: Hofstra alumnus Sean Davenport is giving the beauty industry a makeover By Madeline Armstrong STAFF WRITER
Imagine a beauty company that is not only 100% cruelty-free but prioritizes ethics, a beauty company devoted to reversing the damage of the beauty industry. Haire Cosmetics is such a company. Founded in 2019 by Hofstra University alumnus Sean Davenport, Haire Cosmetics is dedicated to combating the negative aspects of the beauty industry. Davenport graduated from Hofstra in 2020 with a degree in Public Relations. He started making beauty products for himself in 2019 to avoid spending large amounts of money at beauty stores. But when his friends first gave him the idea to start his own beauty company, Davenport had his reservations. “I just [didn’t] want to make another business when there’s
literally a million beauty companies out there,” Davenport said. “What’s going to make me special?” Davenport eventually realized that his commitment to ethics and sustainability could set him apart from established beauty companies, giving him the idea to start Haire Cosmetics. “There’s a lot of toxic energy in the beauty community,” Davenport said. “There’s terrible beauty standards, animal testing [and] poor sustainability.” “What if I am able to take something that I’m [passionate] about, which is saving the planet [and] helping animals, and then combine that with the products that I was already making?” Davenport said. “That’s where I settled down with the idea of making this business to reverse all that damage.” Davenport has worked hard to
make Haire Cosmetics one-of-akind, a company that truly turns his values into actions. Since the company’s launch, Davenport has created a variety of cruelty-free hair and skin products, all while promoting a message of progress. “Companies are cruelty-free,
es to participate in animal testing and uses their blog and social media platforms to promote their commitment to change. Haire Cosmetics also donates their proceeds to protect animal welfare. “We personally donate to animal shelters that are housing animals that were abused,” Davenport said. “We donate to the rescue missions themselves. They [rescue missions] are organizations that are going into labs and rescuing animals that are being unnecessarily tested.” Animal testing and cruelty are still prevalent in the beauty industry. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Estee Lauder, Clinique, Maybelline, Mary Kay and Victoria’s Secret are just a few of the many beauty companies that still participate in animal testing – something that is avoidable,
“Nobody should have to choose between feeling good and doing good.” but nobody is anti-cruelty,” he said. “Nobody is going against other companies to stop it. Nobody is really donating to the shelters or the organizations that are doing this stuff or if they do, it’s a partial afterthought, not a structural part of their company.” Haire Cosmetics is actively anti-cruelty. The company refus-
according to Davenport. “There are ways we can go around [animal] testing,” he said. “We can do testing on ourselves ... [Animal testing] is not a necessary component, it’s just a cheaper component.” Davenport also explained that there are new technologies being developed that eliminate the need for testing in general. Along with donating to shelters and rescue missions, Haire Cosmetics also supports lobbyists and legislations that are working to force companies within the U.S. to stop animal testing. They also offer clean, natural and vegan products with plastic-free shipping and pre-recycled product packaging. Haire Cosmetics is actively working to reverse the damage of the beauty industry and believes that “nobody should have to choose between feeling good and doing good.”
Chron Cooks ft. Athena Dawson: Gluten-Free Sour Cream Pound Cake Ingredients:
Instructions:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F and line a 9x5 loaf pan or small Bundt pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup sour cream
Athena Dawson / The Hofstra Chronicle
By Athena Dawson SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
After being diagnosed with a gluten sensitivity, I was devastated. Thankfully, my passion for baking has been paying off, and after much trial and error, I created a delicious gluten-free pound cake that everyone can enjoy. If you are gluten-free, you know that some glutenfree baked goods can end up being overly dry, but the secret to solving that problem is sour cream. Hope you enjoy!
2. In a mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric whisk until mixture is fluffy. Then, mix in the sour cream and eggs. Add eggs one at a time until well-blended. Add vanilla.
3 eggs
3. Very important: Sift gluten-free flour and baking powder into a separate bowl. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients slowly until combined.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4. Pour batter into the prepared parchment-lined pan.
1 1/2 cup gluten-free flour containing xanthan gum (I recommend Pillsbury’s gluten-free flour) 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
5. Bake for 50 to 80 minutes. The time varies depending on your oven. 6. After 50 minutes, stick a toothpick into the middle of the cake. If the cake is done, the toothpick will come out clean, but if not, put the cake back in the oven for 10 minute increments. 7. Once the cake is done, take it out of the oven and let it sit in the pan for 20 minutes. Then remove the cake from the pan and put it on a wire rack to cool.
Play on, Pride! With sports of every level postponed and the Fitness Center closed until last week, members of the student body have found other ways to stay active. Now more than ever, Hofstra’s intramural fields are home to games of whiffle ball, volleyball, Spikeball and other socially distanced activities.
Photos by Adam Flash / The Hofstra Chronicle
Spread by Adam Flash
Arts and Entertainment
VOL. 86 ISSUE 2
‘Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2’ embodies individuality B2 Courtesy of PopSugar
B2 •OCTOBER 13, 2020
A&E
THE CHRONICLE
A walk in the park: ‘Barefoot in the Park’ at Hofstra
Courtesy of Hofstra University Department of Drama and Dance From left: Thea Fogel, Ellis Craig, Arianna Wentworth and Margaret Engel in Hofstra’s production of “Barefoot in the Park.”
CONTINUED FROM A1
of stage time with the gags their characters provided. In particular, Dion’s first entrance had her gasping for air after climbing five flights of stairs, and she didn’t need words for her point to come across. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Drama Depart-
ment instituted new guidelines in order to ensure the safety of both the actors and the audience. Both groups were required to wear masks at all times, even during the performance. Seating was limited to a select few students chosen by a lottery, and seats in the theater were socially dis-
tanced. Having to wear a mask during a performance presented an interesting situation for the actors. “A challenge that all the actors faced was diction and portrayal of emotion because half of our face was covered with a mask,” Fogel said. “We had to rely more on our voices and bodies to do the storytelling.” The cast faced this challenge head on, and they took full advantage of the comedic potential. In one scene of the show, Corie helps her mother prepare for the date with Mr. Velasco. When Corie tells her to just smile, she is met with an unamused look and a sarcastic motion toward the mask her mother is wearing. Despite all of these setbacks and challenges, the cast and crew were able to put on an amaz-
ing show that demonstrated the resilience of the Hofstra community. “Barefoot in the Park” was the perfect choice to open the semester with, and was an inspiration to thespians struggling with the new restrictions. Ellis Craig recounted his time in the show, saying, “It was a great opportunity to learn something new, especially when it comes to overcoming and adapting to the world. I think that’s what I’m most thankful for overall: such a great experience with great, talented people and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” If you missed seeing “Barefoot,” have no fear; the Drama Department continues their season throughout the first semester, and their next shows are sure to be ones to remember.
‘Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2’ embodies individuality By Victoria Bell ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
With 138 hours of dance rehearsal and 165 looks, Rihanna’s “Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2” was a multifaceted fashion experience that aimed to embrace originality and self-expression. Streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, this fashion show served as a sequel to the hit singer’s debut, “Savage X Fenty Show,” which occurred last year. Though following a similar format, this year’s production brought its own special flair to the table and offered pure and complete entertainment for all to enjoy. Inclusivity is one of the main focuses of Savage X Fenty lingerie. People of all shapes and sizes could be seen strutting down the runway. From extrasmall to triple extra-large, Savage X Fenty definitely does not discriminate. A variety of genders and sexualities were represented, and those with disabilities were also highlighted throughout. Considering Rihanna’s legacy in the music industry, it’s no surprise that musical performances played a large role in this event. Miguel, Rosalía, Bad Bunny, Mustard, Roddy
Rich, Travis Scott and Ella Mai were all headliners set to take the Savage X Fenty stage. Several celebrities made cameos in just about every scene, including Rihanna herself. Lizzo, Cara Delevingne, Bella Hadid, Willow Smith, Big Sean,
while eyeing herself in front of a mirror. It’s safe to say dancing also played a huge role in this visual performance. The powerful movements of New Zealand choreographer Parris Goebel beautifully featured the
Courtesy of Allure The entire Savage X Fenty line is available to purchase online at both Savage X Fenty and Amazon.
Paris Hilton, Normani, Rico Nasty and Shea Couleé were among the many other notable famous features. Lizzo, however, certainly took the spotlight by dancing an entire routine to D’Angelo’s “Brown Sugar”
numerous confident dancers who also served as models. The diversity of the cast and dance styles made for both a unique and engaging show. From hardhitting Afrobeats to emotional contemporary-lyrical, each piece
told its own story. The sets on which these performances took place were decked out with breathtaking lighting and props that transported viewers into the mystical world of fashion. The garden scene, for instance, featured a flower that expanded to reveal the fashion creator herself, Rihanna. In the workshop setting, the bold neon designs were matched by the bright colors of the dancers’ attire. It was clear to see that both the scenery and lingerie worked hand in hand to complement each other, creating a magical viewer experience. “Savage X Fenty Show Vol. 2” was simply an iconic fashion, music and dance show. This work of art seamlessly blended together various expressions of creativity into one cohesive display. Viewers can only be left with one question: Will it be a trilogy? If so, the second installment will, without a doubt, be a challenge to follow. However, fans would not put it past Rihanna to succeed flawlessly.
Quick Hits
Courtesy of Vulture
Eddie Van Halen, co-founder and lead guitarist for Van Halen, died at the age of 65.
Courtesy of TVLine
Disney’s “Soul,” which was set to release in November, will now premiere on Disney+ on Christmas Day.
Courtesy of Wall Street Journal
A recent announcement revealed Broadway and off-Broadway productions will not reopen until at least May 30, 2021.
Courtesy of Bloody Disgusting
“Dune,” “The Batman” and “James Bond: No Time to Die” are among several movies with release dates that have been pushed back to late 2021 or early 2022.
Courtesy of Today Show
Mindy Kaling announced that she had welcomed her second child, a baby boy, earlier this year.
THE CHRONICLE
By Kat Salmon
A&E
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • B3
‘Tickets to My Downfall’ is punk rock with a twist
ASSISTANT ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Rapper, actor and punk rocker Colson Baker, professionally known as Machine Gun Kelly, released his highly anticipated pop-punk album “Tickets to My Downfall” on Friday, Sept. 25. The album, which was produced by blink-182 drummer Travis Barker and filled with a handful of collaborations, is one for the books. Kelly straying from the rap genre was nothing new to fans. In his previous release, “Hotel Diablo,” MGK had sampled Linkin Park on the song “Hollywood Whore” and collaborated with Barker and English punk singer YUNGBLUD on the hit song “I Think I’m OKAY.” The first single off the album, “bloody valentine,” entered charts and playlists with a bang, showing fans that Kelly was not playing around with this album. The second single, “concert for
aliens,” transported listeners to a whole other planet in a “UFO crash landing.” The third and final single, “my ex’s best friend,” which featured blackbear, gave fans a new collaboration between the two artists for the first time since blackbear’s 2017 song “e.z.” The three singles were great, but fans were hungry for more music. Come release day, fans got what they were patiently waiting for. “Tickets to My Downfall” is the perfect mix of punk rock, goofiness, seriousness and an acoustic track at the end. The first song, “title track,” slowly starts to reel fans into MGK’s “downfall,” but is really his message to his so-called friends who were never really there for him. In a recent tweet, he confirmed that the lyric “I use a razor to take off the edge” is not a reference to self-harm or drug use. The next two tracks, “kiss kiss” and “drunk face,” are songs about being young and setting the
serious matters aside for another day. The song “forget me too” marks the first musical collaboration between MGK and Halsey, and is one of the album’s gems. The song is about knowing that your relationship with someone is unhealthy, but still feeling confused by your emotions. Another gem from the album is “lonely.” Kelly is pouring his
heart out over the loss of his father, who passed away earlier this year. Any listener who has dealt with losing a loved one will be able to relate to the song’s powerful lyrics. The final track on the album’s initial release is “play me when i’m gone.” In an Instagram post from December 2019, MGK confirmed that he wrote this song for his daughter. In the song, he says, “I wrote you this song to keep when I’m gone, if you ever feel alone. You’re going to cry and baby, that’s alright.” He loves his daughter with all of his heart and wants all of his fans to know that. Less than a week after the album’s initial release, Kelly announced that the deluxe version would be available for streaming and purchasing. Four new unreleased songs were added to album: “body bag” with YUNGBLUD and Bert McCracken from The Used, “hangover cure,” “split a pill” and “can’t look back.”
in one of the students on screen, whether they’re deaf or not.” The cast of “Deaf U” is full of complex and multidimensional people who face issues that many people can relate to, including problems with relationships, religion, family, sexuality and depression. Where “Deaf U” falls short is in its lack of diversity. While two of the main cast members are Black, they are frequently seen within the context of praising the white deaf “elite,” and there are no Black women represented in the show. This may, to some extent, reflect the lack of diversity in Gallaudet University as a whole. The show follows seven students, Alexa, Daequan, Cheyenna, Renate, Rodney, Dalton and Tessa, who fall into different categories within the deaf community. “Deaf U” makes a point to draw attention to Deaf culture and the hierarchy within it. There are the deaf “elite,” who are part of multigenerational deaf families and who have attended American Sign Language (ASL) schools throughout their lives. Those who are not part of the “elite”
are judged within the deaf community based on “how deaf” they are, which causes drama between the students. The drama at Gallaudet University can best be described as jaw-dropping and scalding hot. With only eight episodes at around 20 minutes each, you would not expect for there to be as much drama as there is, but Gallaudet is a small university where everyone is in each other’s business. Gossip spreads like wildfire; their relationships are incredibly complex and judgment against people not within the deaf “elite” is rampant. A major focus of the series is on relationships, as it seems everyone is in some sort of messy, warped love triangle. College relationships are hard enough, and things are only made more difficult by the overlap between romantic partners due to the tight-knit community at Gallaudet University. While dealing with the stress and pressure of romantic relationships, these students also have to navigate their relationship with their disability. While Gallaudet caters specifically to
Courtesy of Genius In addition to “Tickets to My Downfall,” Machine Gun Kelly has four other studio albums, including “Lace Up” and “bloom.”
The album has been a critical and commerical success. In an Instagram post where he thanked fans and smashed a pink electric guitar-shaped cake on a windshield, MGK said, “WE DID IT. #1 album. 126,000 units first week. to the fans + EST you really made it happen the way we talked about 10 years ago. today is a celebration. sorry random car.” If fans are looking for an album reminiscent of the early 2000s, this is the album they need to listen to. It has the emotional angst and punk vibes that defined a whole generation and showcases another side of Machine Gun Kelly. The album is available for streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music. Fans can purchase the album on iTunes. If any fans prefer the old-school way of listening to albums, CDs are also available for purchase.
‘Deaf U’: A deeper look into the complexity of Deaf culture
Courtesy of Seventeen Magazine “Deaf U” is set in Gallaudet University, the only higher education institution in the world that is primarily for hard of hearing and deaf students.
By Eleni Kothesakis ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Netflix’s latest documentary series, “Deaf U,” premiered on Netflix on Friday, Oct. 9. The series follows a group of students at Gallaudet University, a school primarily for the deaf and hard of hearing, as they navigate the complexities of the college experience. Executive produced by Nyle DiMarco, “Deaf U” is not a series that pities those with disabilities like many shows do today, but rather aims to highlight and explore the intricacies of Deaf culture. What DiMarco
really tries to put at the forefront in this series is that people with a hearing impairment are not defined by it, despite the media’s tendency to oversimplify their experiences. “Deaf characters in media are portrayed as one dimensional, limiting them to an overused trope in Hollywood – their deaf struggle. I wanted to veer away from that, and I wanted people to forget that they were watching a deaf show,” DiMarco said in an interview with Daily Front Row magazine. “So many people will be able to see themselves, their friends or family members
the deaf and hard of hearing, there is not one definition of what it means to be deaf and not one label that can be placed on someone who is a part of deaf culture. Daequan and Rodney are both hard of hearing, but they are not completely deaf and can speak. Daequan, as someone who is only deaf in his left ear, feels judged for not signing all the time. Cheyenna, who mouths when signing, especially to cater toward her fanbase as an influencer, is ridiculed throughout the series by the deaf “elite,” who view her as a poor representative for the Deaf community. At one point in the series, she asks, “Am I not deaf enough?” The insight into these seven students’ lives proves how not all deaf people share the same experiences, even though they are often shown that way in the media: Deaf culture is rich, complex and very much real despite what the media may portray. As messy as “Deaf U” is, it is one of the realest shows on television today. These are real people whose problems will break your heart and whose triumphs will piece it back together again.
A&E
B4 •OCTOBER 13, 2020
THE CHRONICLE
From stage to screen: ‘The Boys in the Band’ comes to Netflix
Courtesy of Rolling Stone “The Boys in the Band” received an audience score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.
By Madeline Armstrong STAFF WRITER
“The Boys in the Band” is a brilliant story about seven gay friends who gather for a party that turns serious, uncovering truth and heartache through a surprise guest and a drinking game. Originally a play by Mart Crowley, “The Boys in the Band” premiered on Netflix
on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The cast includes many prominent actors, such as Matt Bomer (Donald), Jim Parsons (Michael), Andrew Rannells (Larry) and Zachary Quinto (Harold). These actors worked well together to create an astonishingly well-done film. The story follows main character Michael, who is planning
a birthday party for his friend, Harold. The party starts off without a hitch, the only tension being between lovers Larry and Hank (Tuc Watkins). Harold has not yet shown up to his own party, but it is typical for him to be late. However, the party gets thrown off the rails when a surprise visitor shows up unannounced: Michael’s old college roommate, Alan, played by Brian Hutchison. Alan does not know that Michael is gay and makes it obvious upon arrival that he disapproves of Michael’s more flamboyant friends. Tensions rise, resulting in Alan punching one of the friends, Emory (Robin de Jesus). Shortly after, Harold finally arrives. As the night goes on, people keep drinking and buried thoughts and tensions are revealed. Realizing that everyone at the party, including Michael, is gay, Alan says he is going to leave the party. However, highly intoxicated, Michael refuses to let him leave until they play a game: He challenges everyone to pick up
the phone, call the person they love and tell them that they love them. It is unclear where this new resentment and cruelty has come from in Michael. It seems to be a response to the judgement from Alan, but Michael is also hurting friends he cares about. The friends then proceed to play the game, calling those they have loved with more heartache and sorrow resulting from each call. Finally, Michael confronts Alan saying he knows Alan was in love with a boy from college, and urges Alan to call him. However, what results from the phone call is not what Michael expected. Throughout the movie, each person shares parts of their life story that emphasize the trials and struggles of being gay. From coming out to religious guilt to being in love with someone who does not love them back, they have confronted it all. Eventually, people begin to leave the party until only Michael and Donald are left. Suddenly panicked by the cruelty he has shown his friends, Michael falls
to the floor and sobs in Donald’s arms. He gains control of himself and says, “Show me a happy homosexual and I’ll show you a gay corpse.” He then gets up and goes to a midnight Mass. The movie ends, showing each person hurting, but finding ways to cope and make it through. The very last scene of the movie shows Michael walking down a street and then slowly breaking into a run. “The Boys in the Band” is an impactful film that gives the audience a small glimpse into the pain and heartache of these seven gay men. The movie ends feeling unfinished; everyone is still in pain and nothing has been resolved. However, that is perfectly reflective of life: The pain never really goes away, people just learn how to live with it.
‘Emily in Paris’: So beautiful to look at, you can almost forgive its flaws By Allie Millette SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
“Emily in Paris,” the new Netflix comedy from “90210” and “Sex and the City” creator Darren Star, follows the titular character as she makes an unexpected move to Paris for work. A soapy drama with beautiful aesthetics but incredibly low stakes, “Emily in Paris” offers audiences a muchneeded sense of escapism through ten episodes of bingeable Parisian escapades. The show’s opening scenes follow Emily Cooper (Lily Collins) living her standard and well-adjusted life in Chicago, Illinois. Almost immediately, the audience learns that Emily’s boss has offered her an unforeseen yearlong opportunity to bring an American marketing perspective to an esteemed marketing agency in Paris, France. Emily takes the role in Paris instantaneously after little to no deliberation with family, friends or even her longtime boyfriend. This is the first point in the story where the plot seems to give way to an oversim-
plistic life for Emily, but certainly into this role, Emily would probcity, expecting that everyone not the last. ably become incredibly boring should cater to her inability to Throughout the rest of the and insanely irritating. Instead speak French instead of the other series, Emily’s biggest issues of her flaws creating the sense way around. are consistently As much as the disappointing early episodes of the her boss Sylvie show are centered (Philippine on her feelings of Leroy-Beaulieu), loneliness and exclubeing painfully sion, she does make unable to speak friends, like Mindy French and Chen (Ashley Park), being generally an aspiring singer disliked by her who moved to Paris fellow employees to nanny and who at Savoir (who also conveniently magically begin speaks perfect communicatEnglish. Emily ing with her in meets her downstairs Courtesy of Glamour English around neighbor Gabriel Lead actress Lily Collins is the daughter of famous English drummer the second epi(Lucas Bravo) after Phil Collins. sode). As Emily proving unable to struggles to navigate the culture of a three-dimensional character, count the floors in her building clash and the language barrier Emily seems overly privileged and correctly. He is a charming and that she brought upon herself, the spoiled at best. She is naively suralluring French chef who instantly becomes attracted to Emily when stakes seem to exponentially drop prised that her coworkers Sylvie, they meet. as the show progresses. Luc (Bruno Gouery) and Julien If there is one area where this The fundamental issues with (Samuel Arnold) don’t take well to this show boil down to the her presence. However, even as an show exceeded expectations, it is the aesthetics. It is difficult to look groundwork of Emily’s character. audience member it was practiaway from the sweeping shots If it were not for Lily Collins’ cally unbearable to watch her of the Parisian lifestyle, be it the tremendous job of breathing life parade ignorantly around another
food, the fashion or the beautiful language (although it would have been more favorable if the show employed the use of subtitled French more often). The fashion in the show doesn’t necessarily scream “Paris!” but still took my breath away as an audience member. When all is said and done, the plot of “Emily in Paris” boils down to one of privilege. Emily is able to make mistakes with little to no backlash and even when she does face repercussions, there is a sense that the troubles won’t stick. She doesn’t learn from the people around her – instead she just reiterates her points, hoping to change people’s perspectives through repetition. Don’t get me wrong, this show is incredibly entertaining, and I would be lying if I said that I did not binge the entirety of it in an embarrassingly short amount of time; however, for a show that takes on complex issues such as culture clash and feminism, I would have loved to see more delicate work put into Emily’s character and experiences.
OP-ED
A12 • OCTOBER 13, 2020
THE CHRONICLE
The views and opinions expressed in the Editorial section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of The Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.
Amy Coney Barrett is an enemy of the LGBTQ+ community
By Marjorie Rogers
I was 13 years old the day same-sex marriage was legalized nationwide. I remember it clearly because that was also the day I decided to sneak into the local gym under false pretenses. Anyone younger than 14 had to be accompanied by an adult and I lied about my age to the front desk employee to get in. I curbed my youthful exuberance when the news came on the television in the weight room. Surely showing any emotion would reveal my true age, and I was not ready for Rikers Island, where I seemingly thought underage kids who snuck into the gym went when they got caught. Although I made no sound, my mouth dropped and my eyes widened. Suddenly it no longer mattered to me if the homophobes in my small Appalachian town in North Carolina disapproved of two men kissing; the law was on our side. The Supreme Court of the United States upheld equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community – and
in turn validated my existence as pansexual. Now, as a 19-year-old, it is hard to believe that just over five years ago, same-sex couples could not wed in my state. What is even harder to think about now is how this ruling could be overturned if Amy Coney Barrett is appointed to the Supreme Court. When I found out Barrett only has three years of prior judicial experience, it confirmed for me just how rushed the Trump administration’s attempt to appoint her to the Supreme Court was. Why does Barrett’s lack of judicial experience matter so much in relation to LGBTQ+ issues? If there’s one thing Trump’s presidency has taught us, it’s that a lack of experience combined with dangerous ideas can lead to reliable and longlasting chaos. In the past, judicial rulings could not simply be overturned, as precedent had to be followed and judges were not supposed to rule along party lines. However, Barrett’s role as a Supreme
Court justice with extreme views and a lack of experience would be just that: to uphold conservative ideas and rule in favor of Republican party politics. In turn, she would likely work to abruptly overturn cases such as Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
“If there’s one thing Trump’s presidency has taught us, it’s that a lack of experience combined with dangerous ideas can lead to steadfast and long-lasting chaos.” Barrett, who once described marriage as “the indissoluble commitment of a man and a woman,” will likely abuse her power as a Supreme Court justice to impose her beliefs on the rest of the nation. And boy, does she have some questionable beliefs. Barrett is affiliated with People of Praise, a secretive Christian covenant
community that condemns abortion and believes men are divinely appointed as the heads of their households. People of Praise has a reputation for aggressively pushing its beliefs on others; in fact, in 2014 Pope Francis warned groups such as Barrett’s about forcefully restricting others’ freedom and forcing their beliefs on people. Should Barrett be appointed to the Supreme Court, she could restrict reproductive healthcare for women, force women back into submission to their husbands and undo everything Ruth Bader Ginsburg and countless women before her fought for. So now, at 19, I find myself once again staring speechlessly at the news. I find myself once again justifying my own queer identity to the radically religious. However, this time I also find myself questioning whether I will even have the same guaranteed rights that I grew up with as an adult. We cannot afford to let Amy Coney Barrett shut every single
door she used to get ahead in life for countless other women behind her. And we cannot afford to let a religious fanatic impose her beliefs on queer couples who didn’t ask for her opinion – and who certainly didn’t invite her to their wedding! If Barrett has an issue with gay marriage and women’s rights, she is free to live a blissful life of heterosexuality herself. But she has a duty to uphold the Constitution, and in doing so, she should keep her church out of everyone’s state.
Marjorie Rogers is a senior journalism major who serves as an Assistant News Editor for The Chronicle.
Democrats can’t stop alienating progressives
By Robert Kinnaird
“This is the vote to defeat fascism, this is the vote to defend democracy.” This wseems to be the message Democrats are using to defeat Trump this election season, insisting everyone needs to fall in line with the party, no matter how little that party does for an individual. The way Democrats are using “fascism” as a buzzword doesn’t feel entirely different from Republicans insisting milquetoast, neoliberal Democratic candidates are radical socialists, hell-bent on destroying the economy. Both “fascism” and “communism” have lost almost all meaning in an American politician’s mouth. The Democrats are right, of course, to point out the fascist
talking points Trump embraces. I’m not here to waste ink over the tired debate of whether the Republican party is fascist – Umberto Eco’s 1995 article “Ur-Fascism” makes that clear enough. But the fact that Democrats fancy themselves better when it comes to issues of democracy and fairness in elections, while refusing to acknowledge their own disregard for democracy, makes their statements that four more years of Trump will be the death of democracy ring hollow. Democrats have recently pushed to remove their largest third-party rival, the Green Party, from ballots across the country. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are the most recent states to give the finger to Howie Hawkins and the
progressives that support him, removing their choice from the ballot. The Democratic Party seem to worry that the Greens will act as a “spoiler” in 2020, taking votes away from Biden, even though they only received 1,457,050 votes in 2016. When you compare the Green Party to the Libertarian Party, the spoiler with which Republicans contend that received 4,488,931 votes the same year, it seems silly to be so concerned. Libertarians are a significantly more powerful electoral force than the Green Party, but the Republicans do not waste their time suing to remove them from ballots. The reason for this is obvious: A third-party voter is incredibly unlikely to cast a vote for the party that sued to remove their candidate
from the ballot. Republicans understand how to deal with a third party that threatens their power: by leaving them alone. You can’t vote-shame a third-party voter into a different alignment. You can’t suppress third parties out of existence. You can compromise with them, pick up some of their ideals, use their talking points and hope a reasonable number of their votes in important states go your way. However, giving those voters no option will never work. When you attack the party, you only demonize yourself in the eyes of their supporters. The Democrats would have much better luck walking the streets, knocking on doors and manning the phones to convince voters to get on board. The millions of Americans that did
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not vote in 2016 or 2018 are obtainable, but you have to call them. You have to knock on their doors. You have to do actual outreach. The 1.5 million Green Party voters are not worth your time. Removing their candidates from the ballot is a waste of energy, a gross display of authoritarianism and a losing strategy.
Robert Kinnaird is a senior majoring in global studies and journalism.
THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • A13
OP-ED
A freer future for Thailand and why you should care about it By Aja Ward Living in America has become an embarrassment for many. Our country, which prides itself on democracy and equal opportunity, has left a multitude of Americans feeling hopeless and as though they are feeding into a broken system. While our nation will never be perfect, there must be a time when we zoom out on the global map and recognize where we fall. Since late February, the streets of Thailand have been engulfed by protesters voicing their desires for a transparent democratic governmental system. While this might sound similar to the political climate in America, there is one fundamental difference that makes the assemblies in Thailand all the more pressing. A brief history of Thai law reveals that while freedom of speech is a known and accepted concept within the country, the scope of speech that is actually protected in Thailand is quite limited. In 2014, Thailand put in place
By Jacob Lewis By now, we’ve all seen the posts on Instagram or Twitter about how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. It’s almost impossible to not have seen them when they’re nearly everywhere you look. Even I – someone who isn’t active on social media often – posted about voting, because I think knowing how to verify your registration status and how to request an absentee ballot is valuable information for people my age. After all, voting by mail is the only option for many college students who don’t live in the district where they are registered. However, these posts don’t address how the process of mail-in voting creates barriers that actively prevent college students from participating in elections. Despite this, every college student should vote. Every state has different rules when it comes to registering to vote and requesting an
a law prohibiting politically motivated gatherings of more than five individuals. This essentially eliminates the people’s right to oppose the government through powerful protest. Along with this ban, Thailand follows the law of lese-majeste, meaning that anyone who speaks or publishes seditious statements regarding the royal monarchy will be sentenced to jail. Ambitious for change, hundreds of thousands of young adults have taken to the streets of Thailand to vocalize their grievances, even if it means risking jail time. These legal limitations placed on Thai citizens make it evident that the values of democracy within the country are blurred. This has created the controversial upheaval that now pegs Thailand and a country-wide censorship of citizens’ views. According to the BBC, nine Thai pro-democracy activists were recently arrested for violating the lese-majeste laws in place, which could land them up to seven years in prison. This punishment should be
unjust in a country which presents itself as democratic on the global stage. Although arrests can understandably be made at protests if tensions escalate and erupt, each Thai protest has consisted of large peaceful gatherings in which individuals hold signs and three fingers in the air to symbolize resistance.
“Ambitious for change, hundreds of thousands of young adults and students have taken to the streets of Thailand to vocalize their grievances, even if it means breaking the law and risking jail time.” Rights aside, these protests also call for reform to the monarchical system within the country. Throughout its history, Thailand has had 17 constitutions. While each differs in detail, the overall government system in place – which originally mirrored that of the constitutional monarchy in the United Kingdom
– remained fundamentally the same until 2014. A coup staged by the Royal Thai Armed Forces then put in place the military dictatorship that now manages the country. Rather than reverting to the previously weak democratic roots of the country, protesters are uniting under the hope for a new Thailand – one in which the government is transparent with the people and safeguards individuals’ rights. Although some may argue that the negations toward the government do not reflect the entirety of Thailand’s population as many protesters are youth, the Thai Inquirer revealed through a poll that 89.51% of the overall population doesn’t believe that Thailand is truly democratic. This statistic sheds light on the broad support for change within the country. Culturally, Thai people are raised understanding that they must respect and admire the monarchy in place. However, this love for the monarchy is not only instilled through cultural disposition, but by a fear
Mail-in voting is a mess
absentee ballot. Certain states require registration forms to be mailed a month before an election but allow people to register in person on Election Day. For those who don’t plan on voting in person, many states require all absentee ballots to be requested by early October, while other states don’t require requests until right before the election. Along with all of those odd rules, some states require that absentee ballots are submitted over a week before Election Day, while others only require the ballots to be postmarked by Election Day. These hurdles and inconsistent regulations can make it difficult for college students – who are mostly first time voters – to get their ballots in on time, which can seriously impact the election. According to a Pew Research Center study published this past May, one out of every ten eligible voters is a member of Gen Z. This is a significant portion of the electorate, especially when taking into con-
sideration that many members of Gen Z are too young to vote. My generation has the power to determine who gets put in office, but we might not get the chance because of electoral inconsistencies. When I requested an absentee ballot, I was shocked to receive an email that indicated my municipal clerk was unable to process my request. How could this be? I’m registered, so this is voter suppression in action! Then, in a moment of clarity, I remembered my critical reading skills. I continued to the next part of the email, which stated the reason for my rejection. It all made sense when I read the words, “voter is not registered to vote at the address listed on the application.” My family moved to a different house a month before school started, which meant my voter registration was no longer up to date. “No worries,” I thought. This could be easily fixed; I had seen posts about register-
ing to vote online. However, after a quick Google search, I discovered that my state does not have online voter registration. Alright, maybe it would be a little more complicated than it initially seemed. I have a printer and the ability to address an envelope, so I wasn’t overly concerned. I printed and sent my voter registration card to one of the two addresses listed on the notice. It said it should take about a week to process. A week and a half later, I attempted a second time to request an absentee ballot and was denied for the same reason. I panicked. Did my registration card get lost in the mail? Did I accidentally commit voter fraud? After a few frantic phone calls, I discovered that my state’s election committee only sorts the mail, and I should have sent my request straight to my municipal clerk. After two more weeks, I was finally registered in the system and able to request my absentee ballot. After that,
of unrightful imprisonment for petitioning the government – a terror that many Americans have never experienced. By educating ourselves on other nations’ domestic issues, we can learn to appreciate our own rights. Whether you are embarrassed to be an American or not, at least you have the right to be. We might not be able to directly impact the situation in Thailand, but we can stand in solidarity with the protesters’ efforts by showing our support for a better, more democratic Thailand by acknowledging and appreciating the rights we tend to take for granted every day. Only then will we step back and gain a greater understanding of what the safeguards to our freedom actually mean.
Aja Ward is a sophomore journalism major from California who serves as an Assistant OpEd Editor for The Chronicle.
filling out and mailing back my absentee ballot was relatively easy. My own experience with voting through mail has been incredibly frustrating, but the red tape didn’t stop me from trying. During these times of racial and social injustice, the upcoming election is critical in determining what direction the country will take, and it’s important for the voices of the youth to be heard. Voting by mail is a hassle, but you should do it anyway.
Jacob Lewis is a freshman film studies and production major from Maine. His social media handle is @jacoblewismedia.
OP-ED
A14 • OCTOBER 13, 2020
THE CHRONICLE
The debates were milquetoast and insufferable
By Daniel Cody
The first of the presidential debates aired on Tuesday, Sept. 29. As any keen observer would note, the “debating” that occurred was anything but the civil and contained discussions touted by history textbooks. I found both debates to be lacking in substance and fairly pointless. Moments after the first presidential debate started, Donald Trump and Joe Biden gratingly competed to maintain dominance during their designated speaking periods. The conversations that followed weren’t exactly productive. Afterwards, the public lens shifted to the vice presidential debates, which showcased the clash between Senator Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence. That time, the conversation involved less shouting and name calling. However, Harris’s grimaces and the deadpan, ominous facial expressions of Pence heightened the obvious tension. It was an odd and busy news
week to say the least. Here are a few topics the debates touched on: Race relations and racial justice: The debates come in the midst of the nationwide protests demanding justice for George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, which highlight the need for police and criminal justice reform across the country. All candidates were asked a range of questions addressing their policy prescriptions and moral fixes to racial tensions and injustice. Overall, the discussions involving racism and police brutality were dysfunctional. Excluding Trump’s idiotic outbursts directed toward white supremacists, I found the Republican side to be lacking in substance. Attacking the Democrats for racist policies while denying that policing is inherently racist is contradictory. To that same point, the Democrats should be criticized for their leadership, as only a handful of Democratic representatives have
actually taken action against abusive policing. As Cornel West says, “Racism is a moral catastrophe, most graphically seen in the prison industrial complex and targeted police surveillance in Black and brown ghettos rendered invisible in public discourse.” The economy and climate: In both the presidential and vice presidential debates, discussions of the economy largely revolved around Trump’s tax reform, which drastically decreased taxes for the ultrawealthy. Trump and Pence also pivoted the conversation toward Green New Deal legislation and a possible ban on fracking, both of which they demonized as detrimental to jobs and the economy. On the other hand, Harris and Biden condemned the enrichment of the ultrawealthy and emphasized the growing wealth gap, also saying they would not ban fracking. When the economy was discussed during the debates, I found it to be completely empty
in meaning. The Democrats and Republicans seem to be two sides of the same coin. For Harris and Biden to argue that their platform is different from the progressive Green New Deal – that they want fracking to continue – is disheartening, almost as if they were aligning themselves with conservatives. The COVID-19 pandemic: The most contemporary topic of the debates was the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden consistently mentioned the virus’ current death toll of over 200,000 Americans, claiming that more people will die unless Trump, “gets a lot smarter.” To counter, Trump claimed that millions, rather than hundreds of thousands, would be dead if Biden had been in the White House during the current health crisis. To top it all off, Trump also stated a vaccine would be readily available “very soon.” In the days after the Sept. 29 debate, reports surfaced that Trump, along with the first lady and many White House staff
members, had tested positive for coronavirus. This would prime the vice presidential debate to be centered around the virus, as Harris and Pence went back and forth on comparisons between H1N1 and COVID-19 and the necessity of shutdowns. I am not a public health expert or an epidemiologist, but these remarks show the total lack of response from the Trump administration. Their conspiratorial propaganda that downplays the deadliness of the coronavirus, along with the denial of a stimulus package, is representative of the Republicans’s lack of compassion for the American people. However, I’m not at all convinced a Biden administration would handle it any better. Daniel Cody is a sophomore studying journalism, Spanish and political science. He also serves as an Op-Ed Editor for The Chronicle.
Dear Stuart Rabinowitz, please listen to Hofstra’s Black student organizations By Brandon Allen As racial issues continue to drive the country into further turmoil, many colleges are beginning to listen to the voices of their students. At Hofstra, though, it seems a lot of these voices have fallen on deaf ears. There is a rising demand for justice and acknowledgment of Black people that Hofstra is falling behind on. I want this piece to be a direct call to action for you, President Stuart Rabinowitz. The need for specifically Black spaces is so very important right now, if only for the fact that in this time of social upheaval, we as a community need to support and rally alongside each other. It is in this same vein that the Black Leaders Advocating for Change (BLAC) included in their list of demands a greater presence of Black staff and cultural foods, as well as a stronger African Studies department. We as
people want to have our identity and our culture acknowledged, to feel related to, and especially as Black people in America, we want to be represented and heard and to feel safe when faced with unjust circumstances. These resources would allow us to connect with ourselves as a community and feel valid in this social climate. We are seeing our own attacked and killed, and currently, the only things we can connect with on campus are the reminders of our pain. We want something more. In regard to painful reminders of the past, President Rabinowitz, this brings me to the most brazen and concrete example of Hofstra’s failure to truly listen to its Black students – the Thomas Jefferson statue. As statues and names of oppressive and racist figures come down at other campuses and throughout the entire country, Hofstra remains in a years-long conflict about the removal of
the Thomas Jefferson statue. Nowhere does this insensitivity toward Black students and staff show more literally than in this statue’s continued presence. What I would like to know is, what does Hofstra have to lose in placing this statue in the museum? You would think Thomas Jefferson must have held an integral role in the founding of Hofstra University, but no, he actually has nothing to do with the University. Somehow, after years of protests and counterprotests, the statue still stands in public view. I have to know if Hofstra’s administration thinks activism is a game. Was there a purposeful misdirection and irony in mind when Hofstra addressed the statue’s movement? President Rabinowitz, I am asking that you truly acknowledge the Black population on campus. President Rabinowitz, I’m asking that you actually help your student population, actu-
ally hold council and speak directly with these organizations and these students. Please don’t read the list of demands and send a press release of pseudo-considerate jargon a week later. When we ask these things of you, we don’t have to settle for only half of the demand being fulfilled, like the statue that was moved instead of completely removed. Don’t give the Black communities of Hofstra a meaningless gesture or a one-day deal – we want these issues addressed and there can be no silence until they are. Please don’t solely consider your fiscal responsibility to Hofstra; consider the social responsibility as well, because these social aspects are what really keep Hofstra functioning and thriving. We are a liberal arts institution first, and humanity and culture are some of the biggest parts of that. This is in the name – the humanities. Ultimately, my actions and
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my input are insignificant to the situation at hand. This power lies with you, President Rabinowitz. It is your hand that can bring these changes to the students of Hofstra, and yes, you can just as easily retire next year without considering any of this, but can you really? In this time of upheaval and reform, your legacy as a president of Hofstra University could be immortalized as one that ultimately helped an eternally marginalized people, or one that infamously did nothing for them, that let down those minds that this institution so wants to claim it enriches and uplifts. I only ask that you truly help us now, as the University and the nation look to you.
Brandon Allen is a junior journalism major.
THE CHRONICLE
SPORTS
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • A15
For Paul Markovina, hard work is the key to success
By David Lazar S P O RT S E D I T O R
Runners are a special breed. Their work ethic, dedication and perseverance are unmatched. Hofstra University cross country and track athlete Paul Markovina is no exception. Growing up in Old Westbury, Markovina played soccer for Jericho High School. He was recruited by Division III colleges to continue his soccer career, but decided to switch it up. “I started running seriously at the end of my junior year in high school,” Markovina said. “I wanted to play a sport in college and I could not see myself playing soccer. I like running because you have a team, but it is an individual sport. If you put in the work, you will succeed.” His father, Vinko, was a
four-year letterman at Fairleigh Dickinson University and was the program’s top runner. “I was a chunkier kid,” said Markovina, who is now a junior at Hofstra. “Earlier in my life, when my father and I would run,
path in high school, but it ended with many accolades. He holds Jericho High School’s 4000-meter and 1600-meter records and was named to the All-Nassau County Cross Country team as a high school
left off. While many runners have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Markovina started running 100 miles a week, including an 18to 20-mile run every Sunday. “Right when the pandemic
“I am driven. If I want to set my mind to something, I will do it. There is no time for stupid stuff.” – Paul Markovina
I would go hide. Eventually, my dad swayed me to start running because he knew I could make it in this sport. After 10th grade, he really pushed me to do it and finally got to me.” Markovina had an interesting
senior. “I am driven,” Markovina said. “If I want to set my mind to something, I will do it. There is no time for stupid stuff.” At Hofstra, Markovina is continuing right where he
hit, I increased my workload,” Markovina said. “I have been working harder than ever. Thankfully, I have stayed healthy during COVID-19.” Running is not Markovina’s only means of training. After
suffering injuries early in his collegiate career, he now focuses on stretching and lifting to prepare himself for competition. “I do not just go out and run,” Markovina said. “I lift three times a week to make sure my muscles stay strong. I had a string of injuries from the spring of freshman year until the fall of my sophomore year of college, and that caused a major turning point in my running career. Things needed to change.” With a strong support system, structured regimen and a work ethic like no other, the future is bright for Markovina. “The quote I live by is, ‘hard work is the key to success,’” Markovina said. “I might not be the most talented, but I will sure as hell be the hardest working.”
Mansur and Pride eager for Hofstra volleyball’s return By Julia Presti S TA F F W R I T E R
Last season did not end in triumph or success for the Hofstra volleyball team, but rather heartbreak and disappointment as they saw their season come to a halt. Tears ran down the players’ faces as they knew their chance to be back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) champions slipped away after the No. 6 ranked University of Delaware had a comeback win against the Pride on their home court during the CAA Tournament. After their season ended, the returning players and coaches looked forward to the 2020 season as they hoped to turn their luck around and make another run at the CAA Championship. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the Pride does not know when they will get to play again, but head coach Emily Mansur won’t take any match for granted, no matter if it is the first match of the season or the NCAA Tournament. “This was definitely a learning factor for all of us,” Mansur said. “We don’t know what
the future will bring, so every time we get on the court, we are like, ‘Hey, let’s really value it because we just don’t know [about] tomorrow.’” Senior captain Ana Martinovic says she wants to relive the feeling from their 2018 championship again. “It was amazing. It is one of those feelings you can’t really explain in words,” Martinovic said. “I always think about that every game when I start playing, I want it again.” The Pride will look to make another run at the CAA championship and NCAA tournament, but this season they’ll be doing it without two of the team’s staples. Former senior captains Luisa Sydlik and Laura Masciullo broke records and racked up numerous awards during their four seasons in the Pride uniform. Masciullo finished her career ranked second all-time in kills at Hofstra with 1,739 and Sydlik ended her time at Hofstra ranked second all-time in assists with 4,426. “We are going to miss them, there is no question. They brought so many wonderful things to our program. But if we as coaches do our job, we are
going to get the next two stars,” Mansur said. “The goal is every time a big player leaves, we help someone foster and become that. We are looking forward to seeing who the next stars are. We are going to miss them, we are thankful for them but it’s the time for someone else and other players to just step up.” Mansur normally names two players as team captains, but for now she has only named Martinovic as captain. “Everyone besides [Martinovic] went home. [She] was really afraid as her senior year was coming, to take the chance and go home and not knowing the future, so she decided to stay and it is one of the big reasons why she is one of our captains now, it’s just how much of a sacrifice she made,” Mansur said. “Ana is doing a wonderful job leading and we are excited to see what Ana’s era as a captain here is going to bring.” While it was a tough decision for Martinovic to stay in the U.S. rather than go home to Serbia, she is happy with her choice. “When we started going online [in the spring], I stayed on campus. This was [my] first
summer I stayed in the United States, usually I go home. I have a good friend living in Connecticut, so I stayed with her for about two and a half months and I loved it,” Martinovic added. As Martinovic spent her first full year in the United States, her summer was different than
most but she still had her team to spend time with. Martinovic and the team worked out together constantly, doing off-season workouts given by their strength and conditioning coaches, which brought the team together even when they were miles apart. C O N T I N U E D O N A 16
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics In six seasons as head coach, Emily Mansur has 129 wins with Hofstra.
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THE CHRONICLE
Martinovic has high hopes for Hofstra volleyball C O N T I N U E D F R O M A 15
“The good thing with my team is we do a lot of things together, so we would usually all get on Zoom together and follow the program ... it was great, throughout the whole summer we would connect over Zoom and have workouts, so it’s kind of together but it is not, so it was good since we still stuck together,” Martinovic said. Besides the workouts over the summer, the girls also had downtime together to build their friendships. “We had a few movie parties, obviously over Zoom. From time to time we would talk with the coaches, but we also had our own team parties, which were really fun because every party would have different topics,” Martinovic said. “For example, everyone would share pictures from their childhood or them doing something crazy and we would laugh a lot, so it was really a lot of fun.” Mansur is happy that the team is still working to build team camaraderie in spite of the limitations of the current situation. “I think right now this is the only thing that we can get better, so if we really buy in, if the team really takes this responsibility, this is going to help once we get back on the court,” Mansur said. Even though the team is back on campus, they are itching to get on the court and play their favorite sport. Hofstra Athletics
said. “Right now, until things get better, we just don’t know what the future brings, but the goal and the expectation and everything that we are working toward right now is to get a chance to play in the spring.” Mansur misses being on the court with her team, but knows it’s been months since the girls have played volleyball together and it will take some time for everyone to get back into the swing of things. “I think once we start back we have to be very slow, just to be cautious about their bodies because they haven’t played volleyball in so long. I think a lot of them haven’t been this long without playing since they started playing volleyball,” Mansur said. “I think it is an adjustment for me as a coach and our whole coaching staff because we love to get in and get a lot of hard work but we just have to be a lot more mindful ... we really can’t wait to do something with them.” Martinovic is looking forward to this season, as it is possibly her last season in a Pride uniform, depending on what happens in the spring – in August 2020, the NCAA granted fall athletes an additional year of eligibility, leaving many seniors considering their options. “It means a lot that my senior year is not just cancelled. Being a senior, you always want to finish the best way possible. It is a weird last season but if I just think about myself, it’s selfish,
to win another championship ring. Instead, she wants to take it match by match. “It’s a big thing for us, match by match, because every match is a new opportunity. I think last year, me as the head coach of this program with the wonderful coaching staff I had, we really learned a lot about us, about our team,” Mansur said. “We felt the pressure of, ‘Hey let’s win again, it’s at home and get this opportunity to do this in front of the people we love, that love to come watch us play.’ So that was a very tough thing. And I just think we are going to get to mature and learn how to handle the high expectations that we have in a better way.” Martinovic has a different mindset. “When I think about senior year, I think about a ring, that’s it. [The] only way I would like to end my college career [is] with a ring. It leaves that feeling of fulfillment. It’s just about the ring,” Martinovic said. “I love that she wants to win. I think if you don’t have that desire and you don’t have that goal of, ‘Hey, I want to become this,’ it’s really hard to achieve. So I love that it’s clear on what we want to achieve,” Mansur said. “We have been seeing that Ana is putting in a lot of work to help us get that. She is the coach right now, because we can’t be around them, and she is really stepping up with the help of other players.” Last season, the Pride added several new players to the team,
“We are mentally ready to work and give everything we have. I think it’s possible to win the CAA, I really do.” – Ana Martinovic hopes to allow the fall teams to have their seasons during the spring as long as it is safe for the players and coaches. “We hope it’s going to be in the spring. We are very positive, we are making our plans and our goals based on [having] the season in the spring,” Mansur
so I haven’t really thought about it much,” Martinovic said. “I am just thinking about getting the team together, going back to our normal activities and hopefully starting soon.” This season – unlike last season – Mansur isn’t going to put a lot of pressure on the team
including Madeline Matheny, Athina Dimitriadis, Luz Divina Nunez Sierra, Juliana Vaz and others. They each had a major role to play on the team and brought much-needed height to the front of the net. “It was definitely a big switch in the team. It was different and
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics Ana Martinovic had 293 kills and 28 aces during the 2019 season.
when you have a lot of new players, you need some time to adjust, but I think at this point, that specific generation is the future of Hofstra,” Martinovic said. “I think it is very beneficial to have them here. It was new [and] it was different, but I think it was great because now it’s a generation that can bring a lot to Hofstra.” Last season, the team lost three graduating seniors and has some key holes to fill. This season, Mansur added four new players to the roster. “It’s been a long time since I have seen them all play. We are excited,” Mansur said. “Bianca Bucciarelli is coming from Italy and we expect her to play a big role from the beginning. [She’s] a very similar player to Laura Masciullo: She understands the shoes she has to fill and [will] fight for that position,” Mansur said. “We have Damla Tokman, who is coming from Turkey. She is actually still in Turkey right now trying to figure out a way to get here. She is a middle blocker, I think she is going to get in and be competing for a starting spot from the moment that she gets here.” “Mackenzie Jefferson is a setter from Texas, and we are super excited to have her here with us. She is going to be competing for the starting role as setter,” Mansur added. The Pride will also be without
assistant coach Brian Toron this season. Toron oversaw all of the team’s recruiting efforts, as well as several other things on and off the court. “I miss Brian, there is no question. I am so excited for him, he took the next step in his career and it’s a wonderful opportunity,” Mansur said. “He was cool. I would say he was a lot about stats and the background of the game and the teams we were facing. He had a great work ethic and he was an example of a hard worker, so obviously we will miss him. He has been here for two years, so stepping on the court without him will be different, but as I said, you have to go forward. We will miss him, that’s for sure, but we will adjust,” Martinovic added. Martinovic and the Pride are ready to start practicing and get back on the court as they look to earn another CAA ring. “I think this team has a good work ethic. Thinking about it now, everyone was really engaged all summer. No one was slacking or anything, it’s a big sign we are ready, we are mentally ready to work and give everything we have,” Martinovic said. “I think it’s possible to win the CAA, I really do.”
THE CHRONICLE
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • A17
SPORTS
Heller brings ‘fearless’ mindset in final year with Pride By Will Wiegelman S TA F F W R I T E R
Hofstra wrestling redshirt senior Sage Heller is about to embark on his final season for the blue and gold. It will be his fifth year with the program. “I don’t think I could have asked for a better experience overall these past four years,” Heller said. A large part of this experience has been a family connection. Sage’s brothers, Holden and Reece Heller, in their junior and sophomore years respectively, have been a big part of Sage’s time at Hofstra. “I love having my brothers here,” Heller said. “It’s a good motivator to have that family energy. Having brothers on the team makes everyone closer.”
The 2019-20 season was a return of sorts for Heller. After a back injury, he returned to the mat and had his best season, going 21-8 and finishing ranked 30th in the country by WrestleStat. He credits his rehab as a reason for his career year. “It was a lot of core and back strengthening,” Heller said. “Doing that stuff really helped my wrestling over all, and I had much better results.” Heading into the 2019-2020 season, Heller had a newfound confidence in himself and
his abilities. “I just felt like it was my time, and I knew when I stepped on the mat, I could compete with and beat everyone I wrestled,” Heller said. “I just wanted to wrestle
This year, Heller wants to focus on the little things in pursuit of his larger goals. “Obviously I want to be an All-American and National Champion in my last year here, but I feel like it’s more important to focus on the little goals,” he said. “I feel like that is something I didn’t do my first few years, and that’s why [I] didn’t make as many gains and get better.” Heller hopes he can build on these goals to push him to the top of the mountain. “Those things are more important
“I knew when I stepped on the mat, I could compete with and beat everyone I wrestled. I just wanted to wrestle fearless.” – Sage Heller fearless[ly] and attack nonstop and put myself in a position to win every match.” His mindset helped him win the team MVP award.
than my end goal, in my mind, because focusing on those is what’s going to get me to the end goal,” Heller said. Apart from competing at Hofstra, Heller participated in the 2017 Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem, which is open to Jewish athletes around the world. “That was a really cool experience,” he said. “I got to be with a whole different group of guys, a whole different dynamic halfway across the world.” He won a bronze medal that year and hopes to return after completing his career with the Pride. “The next one is next year,” Heller said. “It will be my retirement party.”
Grace Langella uses academics to open doors for the future By Quentin Thorne S TA F F W R I T E R
Heading into her third year at Hofstra University, women’s lacrosse attacker Grace Langella has big plans on and off the field. After two impressive seasons, Langella is poised to become one of Hofstra athletics’ more recognizable names. But her journey goes much further back. The Long Island native, who learned the sport at a young age, has lacrosse running through her veins. “When I was in the second grade, my uncle gave me a lacrosse stick for Christmas,” Langella said. “After that, I would play with my cousin a lot and we both got super into it.” “I was a shy little girl who didn’t have much confidence,” she said. “Now I’ve worked up a lot of confidence through the game of lacrosse, through my grades and all the friends that I have made.” Her passion for the sport translated to dominance on the field during her time in high school under Smithtown West coach Carrie Bodo. “She is an unbelievable coach,” Langella said. “She definitely set the standard for me. She used to be a coach at
Hofstra before going to the high school level. She had so much experience and really helped me build my mental toughness.” Besides being a talented player, Langella also serves as a coach for a youth lacrosse team. Along with her friends and family, the girls she coaches cheer her on in the stands when Langella plays for the Pride. “When they are out there in the stands, I know I have to play my best and put on a show,” Langella said. Langella has also benefited from the guidance of her fellow teammates at the collegiate level. Most notably, Alyssa Parrella has served as a formative role model. “When I got here as a freshman, we’d have team sisters and I was her little sister,” Langella said. “She took me under her wing and would always make sure that I was okay. She would sit down with me and go over plays, and on the field, she would talk me through things.” Hofstra head coach Shannon Smith also provides Langella with one-on-one practices, allowing her to put in the extra time she needs to be better. “I [put in] a lot of work with Coach Smith,” Langella said. “I go with her two times a week in
the morning before practice and we work on my shooting and my dodging.” Langella has played well against some of the country’s best opponents. To start her sophomore year, she scored two goals against the No. 16 ranked University of Southern California (USC). “I was super excited to get out there finally and showcase what I had been working on,” Langella said. “That was a big moment for me and it helped me in the games to come. USC is an amazing team and being able to perform against them like that gave me a better mindset going into the season.” When play resumes, Langella and her teammates are eyeing that coveted Colonial Athletic Association Championship trophy. With many returning seniors, including Parella, the team has the talent to make a run. “This coming year, whenever we get to play as a team again, I think that we have high expectations,” Langella said. “We have great chemistry, we all play really well together. We have so many amazing players out on the field.” Langella, a scholar by nature, is consistently on the dean’s list at the end of each semester.
“Academics have always been a super important aspect of my life,” she said. “I make sure that I stay on top of my work and plan out everything. If I have an assignment due next week, I’ll do it the week before just in case other things pop up.” Her academic focus is on the art of communication. “I’m a public relations major, and something that stands out particularly to me in that field is international public relations,” she said. “Having Spanish as a minor is very helpful for me because in that world, having the ability to speak another language really creates a lot of opportunities.”
When she is not on the field or in the classroom, Langella still makes the time to participate in academic hobbies. “People think it’s nerdy, but I really am a big reader,” Langella said. “I love to read and write, as those are two of my two biggest hobbies outside of spending time with my friends.” Langella demonstrates an incredible work ethic both on the field and in the classroom. She is a model student-athlete. And along with the rest of her team, Langella will attempt to guide Hofstra’s women’s lacrosse program to model status as well.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics In seven games last season, Grace Langella scored 12 goals for Hofstra.
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THE CHRONICLE
From youth to college, Suttner brings competitive attitude to the pitch By Ryan Gineo SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
For many soccer players, it would be a dream to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world, even if it’s just for their youth division. Anja Suttner lived out that dream with Bayern Munich. Suttner, a sophomore center back for the Hofstra women’s soccer team, grew up in a small village in Germany called Binabiburg, home to around 650 people. Binabiburg is about an hour away from Munich, where she played for Bayern’s under-17 and under-20 teams. “I still remember the first game we had,” Suttner said. “When I got the chance to wear the Bayern Munich jersey, the jersey of my favorite club, it just felt so unreal. I couldn’t realize that I was part of the team. It was always an honor to wear their jersey.” As Suttner’s time with Bayern came to a close, she didn’t have a plan for after high school. However, Marlene Fries, who played alongside Suttner at Bayern and now at Hofstra,
convinced her to move abroad to continue playing soccer. “She told me about the opportunity to go to America,” Suttner said. “Hofstra told me and Marlene that we can both come and play for the team. Without Marlene I wouldn’t have come to America. I would have just stayed in Germany to study there and try to play for a professional team.” Adjusting to life in America was not easy. While Suttner learned English for five years back in Germany, she said the language barrier was still the most difficult aspect of adapting to Hofstra. But she had plenty of support from her new teammates. “The seniors now really helped us to adapt ourselves and also with some academic stuff,” Suttner said. “In the beginning, you’re just overwhelmed by everything, especially because of the language barrier. Our captains helped us a lot and they tried to do their best in order to help us.” Suttner also had to adjust to a different playing style in the United States.
“Basically everything I was told in Munich was wrong here, and everything I was told here would be wrong in Munich,” Suttner said. “For example, for me as a center back, I was never allowed to go on dribblings back home. And here my coach just told me, ‘Anja, when you get the ball, just try to pass as many players as you can and try to move with the ball.’ Back home, that was the worst thing you could do. I had some difficulties with that in the beginning, but in the end, I got why [head coach] Simon [Riddiough] wanted to play that way.” It didn’t take long for Suttner to adapt to American soccer, starting 20 of the Pride’s 22 games in her first season. She helped the Pride win their third straight Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Championship and appear in the NCAA Tournament. She also won a host of individual accolades, including the CAA Rookie of the Year and the CAA Co-Defender of the Year. The Pride will have to wait a little longer to defend their CAA title with the fall season being
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics Anja Suttner was ranked the 11th-best freshman by Top Drawer Soccer.
suspended due to COVID-19. But whenever it is safe to return to soccer, Suttner is eager to get back on the field. “The thing I look forward to most is the competition part of it,” Suttner said. “Also the team part of it, because I was part
of a team my whole life, and I love being part of a team and not just on my own. That’s why I decided to play soccer: to be part of something bigger.”
added that he will be getting a master’s degree in economics, but he’s unsure whether it will be at Hofstra or at a school in Germany. Tausch decided to come to America for school because he wanted to combine his academics with his soccer career, and thought that the U.S. was the best place for that. He said he chose Hofstra because the school had everything he was looking for. “The coaches made me feel important [and] welcomed,” he said. “My head coach and assistant coaches really wanted me here.” He said that he does not regret his decision in choosing Hofstra. When Tausch found out that Hofstra was canceling fall sports he was devastated, but it was something that he and his teammates had been expecting. Since then, his training routine has undergone some changes: For example, he has had to do
more individual workouts, such as push-ups and sit-ups, since he cannot use Hofstra’s soccer field like he used to. Tausch is excited to get back on the field whenever team sports resume. However, he and his teammates understand that the season will be different than in years past. “At this point, all we want to do is play competitive games,” he said. “I love being on the field with my teammates. [They] are unbelievable and I just love playing with them.” Tausch’s decision to return to campus was not easy, as he was unsure about the situation from a health perspective. However, in the end, he did decide to return to campus despite the current COVID-19 situation. “Football is my life,” he said. “I missed my teammates and I just wanted to get back on the field.”
COVID-19 won’t stop Luca Tausch from achieving his goals By Lucas Pino S TA F F W R I T E R
Luca Tausch, a junior economics major on the Hofstra University men’s soccer team, was not in his home country of Germany when COVID-19 forced the world into a lockdown: He was in South Africa visiting his girlfriend,
who was an exchange student there. “It was meant to be for one week, for spring break, but then I eventually got stuck there,” Tausch said. He wound up staying in lockdown in South Africa for four weeks. Once he was allowed to leave and return to Germany, Tausch had to quarantine for three more
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics Luca Tausch has started in all 39 games he has played in two years.
weeks. “I think [Germany] actually did quite well,” he said. “We saw the developments in Italy and then we reacted quite well ... The government took the right actions.” Tausch also commented on the cooperation of the German citizens. “People were obeying the rules and respected the severity of the pandemic,” he said. Overall, he called the pandemic “a unique experience.” Tausch began playing soccer, or “football” as he calls it, at six years old, when he and most of his friends joined a team that his dad coached. His dream is to be a professional soccer player, but he has other alternatives in mind as an economics major. “My main focus is going to be on sustainability, climate crisis, climate change,” he said. “Economics plays a huge role in that ... I’m also interested in some nonprofit organizations that focus on sustainability.” He
THE CHRONICLE
SPORTS
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • A19
Isaac Kante speaks up about diversity in sports
By Tino Pattigno
SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR
Hofstra men’s basketball player Isaac Kante is a growing star on and off the court. In the 2019-2020 season, he started all 34 games for the Pride. Averaging 11.4 points per game and 7.7 rebounds, he led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in field goal percentage, making the All-CAA Third team. It is clear that Kante has been a leader for the Pride ever since he transferred from the University of Georgia in 2018. Before last season’s tournament was ultimately canceled due to COVID-19, the Pride punched their ticket to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness Tournament for the first time in 19 years. Getting Hofstra back to their winning ways is definitely on Isaac’s mind this year. “We let our new players that are with us now know from day one: We’re trying to repeat. We want to go back to the championship and finish what we started last year,” Kante
said. “Being able to make the tournament back-to-back would absolutely make the hurt from not being able to play last year better. We would feel great doing that again as a team for our school.” But getting Hofstra back into the NCAA Tournament has taken a back seat in Kante’s mind lately, as he now feels the importance of being a leader off the court, using his voice to speak up about the social injustices in our world today. “The issues in our world today are very disappointing to me, as a man of color. We need change. But that change is not something that happens now or tomorrow: Real change takes time,” Kante said. “I feel like everyone as a society really needs to keep the conversations going. We all really need to take that step of coming together.” Togetherness is something that has been instilled in Kante since he was a child. With the help of his family, he has gone through life trying to express his values of love and peace to others around him. “My mom always used to preach love and peace to
my family. Over time, that is something that made me who I am today,” Kante said. “My character and the way I treat others with respect comes from the mindset that was taught to me and that is just how I think – with peace and love.” As a person of color who wants to see change happen in our world, Kante was impressed with how Hofstra and the athletic department gave student athletes an opportunity to speak on how they felt about the social injustices people face every day. “Earlier this year, we actually had a diversity and inclusion meeting with the school president, athletic director and some student athletes. They let us speak out about how we were feeling, but more importantly, they listened to us,” Kante said. “I think it’s great to know that Hofstra is behind us and that they are supportive of this movement being made.” “I think the conversations we had with the athletic directors and people who are higherups here at Hofstra need to be had at other schools as well. For people like myself, who are young Black people, as we
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics Isaac Kante led the CAA in field goal percentage last season.
move on from college into the real world, it helps us to know that our voices are being heard by people like them who are willing to help bring change,” Kante added. Kante’s goal is to make it to the National Basketball Association (NBA) one day. In the NBA, various teams boycotted their playoff games, showing their desire to make change by using their platforms. LeBron James, who is Kante’s favorite player, was someone who really pushed these ideals to the forefront. At one point during the boycott, James suggested the NBA’s season should be canceled completely. “A part of me felt like [James] was right to say that the season should end. But another part of me thought at the time that they should keep playing,” Kante said. “It is important to keep that message of change going, and the NBA is a big platform, so players should definitely use that platform to get the message out there.” Kante and the Hofstra Pride men’s basketball team have their own way of keeping the message of change and the need for diversity going: When they get the chance to step back onto the court this season, the Pride’s uniforms may look a little different.
“After speaking to some of my teammates and coaches, we heard we are going to be able to put certain quotes on the back of our jerseys,” Kante said. “Aside from that, during interviews I would love to shed some light on the social injustice issues we have talked about – all in hopes to keep the conversation going.” In order to come together as a community, as a society and as a nation; to change the problems people of color face every day and to create a step forward in the push for diversity in all areas of the world; Kante encourages others to do what he has learned to do himself. “First step is to move on with love. Let go of the hate, anger and all of those negative things. The best course of action for anyone to take in order to help this change is to lead with love and peace,” Kante said. “Violence doesn’t solve anything, but more peace and love can make a real difference in our world today.”
THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE
SP ORTS
October 13, 2020
Back on Track As the Pride begins preparation for next season, Paul Markovina is getting into the best shape of his life.
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics