Jerk March 2016 by Jerk Magazine

MARCH 2016 VOL XVIII ISSUE X • SYRACUSE NEW YORK YOUR STUDENT FEE

MAY 2015 VOL XIV ISSUE VI SYRACUSE NEW YORK Your student fee

INSIDE COVER AD HERE

JERK TO THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN DRUM

jerkmagazine.net

CAPTURING A CULTURE

JERK THIS What you should hit up and bitch about this month.

21 +/Winter is Here

REWIND Full House

ALTRUIST Justin Bieber

AMPLIFIED Wild Adriatic

SYNAPSE Marching through Life

SMUT FEATURES 30

FRAMED Night Light

CONTENTS MARCH 2016

Safe space isn’t a code word for coddling. Zuck It Mark Zuckerberg is in a net-neutrality war, and he is losing.

TOTALLY UNSCIENTIFIC POLL Weed SEX Kinky Boots

Safe and Unsound

My Lucky Tummy Food is forging kindship in Syracuse's refugee community. Capturing A Culture Newhouse professor helps Liberian journalists find their voice.

BACK OF BOOK 62

DISCOVERSYR Toggenburg Mountain

SPEAKEASY Brought to Life

OBITCHUARY Hoverboards

CLOSET CASE These items are a Godsend.

FORM AND FUNCTION How to Dress For Initiation

GAWK FASHION

Outside the Sandbox 24 With entrepreneurial hubs all over campus, Syracuse has become the perfect incubator for startup culture. Students and alumni are taking their big ideas and testing them out in the real world.

7 8 9 12

EDITOR'S LETTER FEEDBACK PEEPS CLICKBATE

BITCH OPINIONS 16

Giving Up the Gun Giving the thumbs up on guns on campuses isn't just irresponsible, it's unsafe.

Sex Crimes in Prime Time TV shows are making rape and sexual assault profitable, and even worse: alluring.

Heavy Metal 38

Scout's Orders 48 The Syracuse drama department takes a stab at this influential Harper Lee novel. Considering movements in the past year such as Black Lives Matter, To Kill a Mockingbird has become even more relevant.

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MARCH 2016 VOL XVIII ISSUE X • SYRACUSE NEW YORK YOUR STUDENT FEE

Outshine the competition by replacing dainty pastels with hardcore metallic pieces this spring—'cause at Jerk, you go hard or you go home.

MAY 2015 VOL XIV ISSUE VI SYRACUSE NEW YORK Your student fee

Cover Design by Simon Abranowicz and Photography by Allen Chiu

Dissin' Gone a Missin' Are modern rap battles for the money and fame or for the game?

STRIPPED What to expect from the fashion and beauty dream teams of the year.

NOISE ARTS & MUSIC 52

An American Affair The donkey and the elephant take on the red carpet. Jerk’s here to tell you who wore it best.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Gigi Antonelle EDITOR

Eric King

Susanna Heller

Ensley Rivers

Lianna Hursh

EXECUETIVE EDITOR

MANAGING EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DIGITAL DIRECTOR

EDITORIAL

Michaela Quigley ASST. FEATURES EDITOR Chelsea Portner ARTS AND MUSIC EDITOR Caley Wildermuth ASST. ARTS AND MUSIC EDITOR Caroline Schagrin OPINIONS EDITOR Julia Smith ASST. OPINIONS EDITOR Ben Farr STYLE EDITOR Lydia Chan ASST. STYLE EDITOR Trusha Bhatt ASST. STYLE EDITOR Hairol Ma RESEARCH EDITOR Bronte Schmit COPY EDITOR Danny Yarnall COPY EDITOR Hana Maeda FOB EDITOR Sarah Martinez FACT CHECKER Connor Layden FRESHMAN INTERN Divya Murthy FRESHMAN INTERN Mary Catalfamo FEATURES EDITOR

DESIGN

Diana Steinmetz Talley Larkin, Janela Mendl, Jordana Rubin, Carly Beck, Halie Bonfiglio DESIGN DIRECTOR DESIGNERS

ART

Madelyn Minicozzi Bridget Willams STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Lilly Steucklen, Alexandra Moreo, Shelley Kendall, Fiona Lenz, Kasey Lanese, Laura Hegsetter ILLUSTRATORS Daisy Gan, Autumn Wilson, Claudia Lewis, Vera Feng, Laura Norton, Vanessa Castillo ILLUSTRATION DIRECTOR

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Eric Chuang, Alaina

Galiano WEB

Kelly O'Sullivan ASST. WEB EDITOR Cori Rosen ASST. WEB EDITOR Aiden Meyer ASST. WEB EDITOR Leah Strassburg WEB DESIGNER Brittany Isdith PHOTO EDITOR Erica Mack DIGITAL INTERN Gabriela Robles WEB EDITOR

Zainab Pixler, Serena Sarch, Spencer Bistricer PR REPRESENTATIVES

BUSINESS

Esmeralda Murray Christina Tornetta AD REPRESENTATIVE Michelle Levitch PUBLISHER

AD DIRECTOR

CONTRIBUTORS MULTIMEDIA

Chris Sechler ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Sarah Komjathy ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Adriana Ascencio SOCIAL EDITOR Erica Chuang MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

Bridget Hallinan, Delany VanWey, Clare Ramirez, Christina DiPietro, Tiffany Moran, Sophia Caraballo, Jamie Zaslav, Alexi McCammond,

My first real cooking experience, like many of ours, was at the beginning my sophomore year of college. Okay, I had cooked eggs and pancakes and stuff before, but I’m talking my first real cooking experience. After purchasing some high-quality chicken and vegetables—the good stuff, obviously—at Goldstein, I began my mission of cooking what I thought would be a simple, chicken cutlet. I didn’t put oil or butter in the pan. It began burning immediately. Within about 10 seconds, the fire alarms in my South Campus apartment were blaring. That day, I learned two things: You should not cook things on the stove without oil at maximum heat, and on South, nobody comes when the fire alarms start going off. Now, a year and a half later, I am proud to be a self-proclaimed chef that very rarely burns her food, as well as a beer and wine connoisseur. I make a mean chicken parm, and it is almost always accompanied by a glass of red vino—that’s wine in French in case you didn’t know. If you are anything like me and enjoy food and drink even in the slightest, then look no further, because this issue of Jerk has everything you need. On page meet Adam Sudmann, the founder of My Lucky Tummy, an organization that gives refugees in the Syracuse community the opportunity to cook foods from their homeland. On page 24, we give you an inside-look at some awesome— and delicious—startups native to SU. And that’s not all. This issue, we’re proud to present to you a new page, 21+/-, to provide you with some inspiration to spice up your drinking life. So here’s to another semester of creativity, innovation, and let’s be real, lots of eating and drinking. Cheers!

Eric Dunay, AbbyLeigh Charbonneau, Nicole Engleman, Hairol Ma, Nisha Stickles, Angela Anastasi, Lily Burch, Lily Gradante, Jessica Fricker, Rachel Blackman, Allen Chiu, Simon Abranowicz, Meagan

Keep on Jerking,

Rafferty, Kevin Yeo, Andrew Stranahan, Dina Eldaway, Richard Yang, Xien Wei

Melissa Chessher ADVISER

Through its content, Jerk is dedicated to enhancing insight through communication by providing an informal platform for the freedom of expression. The writing contained within this publication expresses the opinions of the individual writers. The ideas presented in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Jerk Editorial Board. Furthermore, Jerk will not be held responsible for the individual opinions expressed within. Submissions, suggestions, and opinions are welcomed and may be printed without contacting the writer. Jerk reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions at the discretion of its editors. Jerk Magazine is published monthly during the Syracuse University academic year. All contents of the publication are copyright 2016 by their respective creators. No content may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the Jerk Editorial Board.

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FEEDBACK

If you don't have anything nice to say, @ us. We may not always act on your feedback, but trust us: Whether you're a fan or a hater, a long-timer or a firsttimer, we always at least read it. Keep the compliments and jibes coming.

SHOW US SOME LOVE Jerk Magazine 126 Schine Student Center Syracuse, NY 13244 @jerkmagazine jerk@jerkmagazine.net jerkmagazine.net

Glenn Allen @glenn_a_allen [January 17] Enjoyed reading about @YBActors in @jerkmagazine. What a wonderful way to help sick kids in the hospital. Best of luck!!!

Baeyonetta @thekidwizard [December 15] This article was so slut shamey..not feeling it. JERK Magazine @jerkmagazine. Take the "where a guy cums on you" personality evaluation: ow.ly/VUubg

Adam @AdamLabo [December 11] @jerkmagazine Great article by Zoya Davis! "One Nation Under What?" should be read by everyone

Kennedy Rose @KennedyRose_ [December 9] @jerkmagazine is out and it’s the bomb and everybody at cuse should read it okay cool bye

FOLLOW, DON’T LEAD youtube.com/jerkmagazine

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Jerk Contributors Photography by Bridget Williams

JESSICA FRICKER / Sophomore / Justin Bieber Jessica Fricker eats Frank’s RedHot sauce by itself and wears the same outfit whenever she has a test because she made a good grade once. She’d probably cry if she broke a mirror, hich could very well happen since she’s a self-proclaimed clutz. The sophomore television, radio, film and finance major isn’t a fool for saying that Justin Bieber is redeeming himself. Hear her out in this month’s Altruist piece and become a belieber all over again. ALLEN "DANGER" CHIU / Senior / Heavy Metal Jerk and Allen “Danger” Chiu go way back—freshman year he came to the general interest meeting where his application to design for the magazine was rejected. Three years later they still haven’t responded to his design inquiry e-mail, however he is having a blast shooting their fashion feature every month. We asked Allen if there was anything he’d like to say to this year’s freshman class. “Do whatever it takes,” he replied. Allen will be shooting next month’s fashion feature as well, and is excited for “amazing things to come.” TALU CHAMPION / Sophmore / Gawk Stylist Talu is such a good dog! Yes she is! She can sit, she can stay, and she can name every Tony winner for Best Musical in order. The sophomore ceramics major wanted to be very clear about her contribution to the March issue. “Bark bark bark, bark bark bark bark,” she says. "Bark bark bark bark!”

CHRISTINA DIPIETRO / Junior / Toggenburg Mountain Christina DiPietro is a jack-of-all-trades. If you get the chance, ask her to play a song with only her tongue. Her "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" will move you. DiPietro can also read and write Braille. The New Hampshire native wanted to be a professional skateboarder as a kid, but that’s the one thing she hasn’t mastered yet. Instead DiPietro found her talent as a skier. Join her on Toggenburg Mountain in this month’s DiscoverSYR spotlight. JERK

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21+/-

HIT

JERK THIS DJ Hardwell at the F Shed

7th Annual Irish Road Bowling Tournament

March 4 Bring a Poland Spring bottle full of vodka and your most offensively bright fanny pack for some pre-spring break raving.

March 13 Skip the St. Patrick’s Day parade this year. Bring out the 25 percent Irish in you and get your golf/ bocce/bowling game on.

March 2 Don’t be a jerk. Be a Jerk and take the pledge to stop using the R-word.

March 4 Show your support for local musicians at the Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony.

The Day of the Dude March 6 Swap your beer for a White Russian and chill in honor of The Dude from The Big Lebowski.

Shit we like

Experience Hendrix at Landmark Theatre March 16 You definitely will not experience the late guitar legend at this shitty tribute concert.

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Monster Jam March 5 Like we don't already lose sleep during those loudass basketball games.

Shit we like to avoid

BITCH

March 6 Channel your junior high self and indulge in some guilty-pleasure tunes. Don't forget to pick up a new outfit at Hot Topic first. We can't promise we won't judge you.

Photography by Bridget Williams

Spread the Word to End the Word

2016 SAMMYS Syracuse Area Music Awards

Fall Out Boy at the OnCenter

WINTER IS HERE

Ingredients 1.5 oz of Strawberry Syrup 1.5 oz of UV Blue (we know) Sprite to Taste

Easier SAT format March 1 The required essay was the only reason I got into Newhouse.

House of Cards Season 4 March 4 Spoiler alert: Frank Underwood is going to be a grade-A dick.

Nothing says mourning the “death” of John Snow like a too-sweet concoction that will bring you back to the first time you ever bartended for yourself in your parents’ basement. Drink to forget, drink to remember, drink until the season premiere in April for all we care.

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CLICKBATE

TOTALLY UNSCIENTIFIC POLL What We're Getting Off To On The Web This Month

JERKMAGAZINE.NET

IN THE HOT BOX We rolled up to Bird Library to ask 100 students their favorite way to smoke it, joke it, and toke it.

We know you have it bookmarked, but just in case.

Drunken Marshall Street Food Review

http://www.instagram.com/therealc_max/ Pounding a calzone with your #squad when you’re shit-faced is a part of the Syracuse experience. Expand your palette and try a new place on Marshall Street the next time you’re out with a bottomless, drunken appetite. This semester take your caloric afterhours aome place new.

People Thoughts When Stuck in Elevators

http://jadedviewer.blogspot.com/2012/ 08/elevator-review.html The horror and panic of getting stuck in an elevator is real. You suddenly have to pee but get super thirsty at the same time. Or maybe worse, you get stuck with someone who starts playing their shitty music. Just take the stairs next time, kid.

WHICH SU COLLEGES WOULD YOU MOST EXPECT TO BE STONERS? a) Whitman: They'll get on Jordan Belfort's level someday. 6% b) VPA: It gets their creative juices flowing. 23% c) Anyone from ESF: It's natural and green, makes sense. 64% d) L.C. Smith: Maybe they'll put all of that chemical knowledge to good use. 7% WHAT DO YOU DO BEST WHEN HIGH? a) Homework: Who needs Adderall when you have marijuana? 12% b) Sex: Everyone fucks better when they're high. 24% c) Work out: Yeah bro, I lift. 5% d) Nothing: I'm not functional. 55% e) Blank: 4%

WHEN SHOULD WEED APPRECIATION DAY BE?

4/20. 53%

WHO WOULD BE THE MOST FUN TO GET HIGH? Boeheim: Everything is better with Boeheim. 31%

WHILE YOU'RE CLICKING AROUND... DJ Khaled Snapchat (@djkhaled305)

Emo Kylo Ren Twitter (@KyloR3n)

The key to success is to follow DJ Khaled's wise words. From motivational snaps to the inside look at his life in the studio and feasts prepared by Chef Dee, his story will leave you feeling inspired and maybe a bit salty.

He bitches about life, his parents, and Starbucks getting his name wrong, all while praising Darth Vader. This parody account is perfect for every Star Wars nerd or former My Chemical Romance fanatic.

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WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR MUNCHIES FROM? a) Alto Cinco: Burrito? Quesadilla? Both. 8% b) Kimmel: Mmmm, Sal's wings. 38% c) Insomnia Cookies: The two-hour wait for your delivery is torture. 21% d) Acropolis: Excuse me while I inhale a buffalo chicken pizza. 29%

HOW DO YOU PLAY OFF BEING STONED?

Acting "normal": But actually freaking the fuck out. 49% JERK

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SEX

FRAMED

KINKY BOOTS We swiped up shameless sex adventures from our kinkiest readers. He Want That Cake, Cake, Cake I was messaging a man on Grindr. He appeared very normal: blond, nice, a real Midwestern type. I went to his place, and we didn't even have sex, just blew each other. Before he came, he said, “Wait—this is weird, but would you try something for me?” He left the room and came back with a singular cupcake. He asked if I would shove it in his face while he came—in the bathtub. And you bet I did.

Toe Blow I was hooking up with this guy when he confessed that he was really into bondage. I was a little nervous, but I let him tie me up anyway. I was pretty into it until he told me, “Don’t even think about moving.” I held completely still as I felt him put something along the arches of my feet. It wasn’t until I saw him rolling up a dollar bill out of the corner of my eye that I realized it was cocaine. Turns out, his kink was snorting lines off of helpless girls’ feet.

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ART IMAGE

Cowabunga, Dude! I was hooking up with the costume "designer of my high school theater department. After a few meetings he asked, "Are you into water sports?" Being a young, impressionable boy, I was looking to please. When the day came, I stood over him and —after overcoming my crippling peeshyness— let loose on him. To my surprise, he opened his mouth and started to drink it. I was really perturbed when weeks later one of my friends asked me to send him a video of me peeing. Maybe I just have that look.

Choking Me Softly This summer I met an older German man. I asked him to hit my face and choke me. He was a banker, so he was innately evil. It was a wicked, good time. We met up again a few months later, but this time I tried to hit and choke him. He didn’t like it.

Night Light Kelly Bova Sophomore, Undeclared "My interest in the natural world, coupled with my compulsion to render it on paper, have both been central parts of my identity for as long as I can remember. Like most self-taught artists, I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil and just never stopped. I get such enjoyment from drawing creatures and landscapes that I often feel that need to keep it all private and personal, rather than attempt to make a career out of it and risk forfeiting the Zen effect it has on me. I’ve been attempting to loosely intersect my affinity for nature and eco conservation with my talent for drawing them, academically speaking."

To showcase your work in "Framed," email art@jerkmagazine.net. JERK

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BITCH

Giving Up the Gun Guns on campuses will do anything but protect students. By Alexi McCammond : Illustration by Madelyn Minicozzi In a weekly convocation at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., university president Jerry Falwell Jr. urged his students to arm themselves. In the wake of the San Bernadino, Ca. shooting, where 14 people died, Falwell Jr. was taking no chances. "I always thought that if more good people had concealed-carry permits, then we could end those Muslims before they walk in and kill," Falwell Jr. said. Not only is this statement charged with ethnocentrism and misguided hatred, but it is also completely backward to encourage a student body to holster up in fear of an entire religious group. Let’s keep in mind this is the same university that has a code of conduct that prevents students from watching R-rated movies. There have been 165 school shootings in America since 2013, says Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, a nonprofit research organization. At a time when the U.S. gun related murder rate is 20 times higher than any other developed country, LU, a campus with 14,500 people, is encouraging students to carry concealed weapons on campus. Imagine what Syracuse University’s campus of more than 21,000 students would look like if everyone 21 and older could carry a concealed gun around campus. Picture a dystopia in which students—many of whom

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barely know how to handle themselves at Chuck’s are suddenly trusted to handle a firearm around other students. A consequence beyond accidental shootings, is something even more serious and invisible: mental illness. Putting guns into the hands of students has large implications for students’ safety. Suicide is the second highest cause of death among American college students, according to the Suicide Prevention Network. In 2013, nearly 22,000 people committed suicide with a gun, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. These stats should not be taken lightly. Giving students nearly-unrestricted access to guns would be deadly. Many students are away from our families for the first time, classes aren’t easy anymore, and a pop quiz can feel like the end of the world. Without a strong support system at school, previously-latent mental health issues have a strange way of coming to ahead. These are prime years for students to discover mental illness, and mixing guns into this stage is not a risk worth taking.

Typically, up to half of all substance abuse and mental disorders have roots or can be identified before age 14. The number climbs to three-quarters by age 24 according to Dual Diagnosis, a treatment and research organization. It is absolutely absurd to allow and to encourage students to carry concealed weapons on campus. As legal institutions that are responsible for the lives of their thousands of students, putting guns in their hands isn’t necessary. If these universities provided proper security staff—individuals specifically trained to handle active shooter situations—then they could ensure campuswide safety without lethal weapons abound. Also, allowing more people to carry guns on campus could very likely lead to more shootings. Between 2005 and 2014, 1,950 victims of unintentional shootings were younger than 25 years old, according to the CDC. For the universities that permit guns, the main argument seems to be for selfprotection, hoping their students can stop an active shooter on campus. In late December, students and alumni tweeted at President Falwell Jr. after making his statement. One alumni tweeted, @LibertyU y'all make it really hard to admit I graduated from here." While a current student, Dustin Wahl, wrote on his blog, "President Falwell told the Washington Post today that support on campus for his comments is 'almost universal.' This is blatantly false. Many, many people I have spoken to are ashamed and embarrassed by their president’s insensitivity. Isn’t our goal as followers of Christ to spread the gospel lovingly, to all people?" What is more concerning were the overwhelming tweets in support of the president. Maybe it is a different set of norms and conservative thinking at LU, but the sight of a gun holstered on a police

officer can put some on edge as is. Seeing a peer casually toting one certainly won’t make students feel safer. There’s no need for students to have guns on campus at SU; we have 42 DPS officers and 14 Community Services Officers who patrol campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These officers carry guns while they are on duty

"As legal institutions that are responsible for the lives of their thousands of students, putting guns in their hands isn’t necessary." and they are required to complete firearms proficiency training twice each year. They are trained to protect us. If it ever came down to it, I hope the SU administration would hire additional security staff to handle a campus shooting before they ever encouraged students to point their gun barrel at anyone else. As it stands now, the concealed carry movement for college campuses is irresponsible. I would never attend a university where students and visitors can carry guns around campus buildings, no matter how old they are. Think about any given classmate, or even a fellow regular at Chuck’s, and if there’s a single human that you wouldn’t feel comfortable around if they were carrying a gun around campus, then it’s probably a terrible idea for SU—or any other educational institution—to allow such a loose rule to take over. JM

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BITCH

America's obsession with sex has gone too far. By Sophia Caraballo : Illustration by Diana Steinmetz

After 20 minutes of jump scares and oozing emphasize the importance he places blood in the first episode of American on shock value instead of substance,” Horror Story: Hotel, Gabriel, a heroin addict, Julia Alexander says about the episode is anally raped to death by “The Addiction "Polygon". She says it’s difficult to convince Demon.” Despite being a fan of the show, an audience that a graphic rape scene is this scene took me by surprise. I was absolutely necessary to move the storyline shocked by its graphic nature and its almost forward. It really isn’t. comical portrayal. What shocked me even AHS is known for its disturbing storylines, more was the lack of trigger warning when and this is not the first time it maneuvered the scene aired in October. The scene ran a rape scene into the show. In all previous for over three minutes on a Wednesday seasons, rape was imminent. In Haunted night at 10 p.m. House, at least two rape scenes occurred; in “American Horror Story: Hotel is yet Asylum, many of the characters are raped; another perfect example of showrunner in Coven, Madison was gang raped and Zoe Ryan Murphy using depraved and killed a boy by having sex with him while unnecessary violent sexual attacks to he was in a coma; in Freak Show, Elsa was

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blackmailed by men who tried to release a video of her getting raped while her legs were amputated. Each season only seems to escalate, but all of these rape scenes were sexualized, potentially making the viewer doubt if what they were watching was really assault. The rape of women has also become routine on Game of Thrones. Cersei was raped by her brother and lover, Jaime, and Sansa was raped on her wedding night as Theon watched helplessly. Although female characters in this show fear sexual assault, when it happens, it’s brushed off right after. Scandal took a similar route when Mellie was raped and possibly impregnated by her father-in-law. The problem is that shows use assault as a shock factor, rather than a serious storyline. The only reason Gabriel was raped was to introduce the villainous entity of the show and demonstrate the hold addiction has on people—or so Ryan Murphy, the creator of the show, says. An incredibly traumatic event is widdled down to a plot twist. If the only reason to create such a scene was to introduce a character, Murphy should have found a more creative way to do so. What was also problematic was Murphy’s insensitivity to triggering scenes for survivors. Trivializing rape and adding it to a list of events that characters go through is insensive and inaccurate. It falsely demonstrates that rape and sexual assault are just a part of life and that there is no real consequence in the assaulted character’s life after. Shows that tap into the rape storyline effectively are those that use their rape scenes as character and storyline development. Examples of this are Orange is the New Black, where Pennsatucky believes rape is an everyday occurrence she has to endure. In the second season of American Crime, which premiered in

January, the crime in question is rape. A working-class boy is drugged and sexually assaulted at a high school basketball team party, and the administration will do anything to cover it up. The rape isn't a gimmick. It's the plot. The characters revolve around this accusation for the whole season, discrediting the victim, even going so far as to question if a boy can be raped. It is agonizing. There is nothing glamorous or sexy or histrionic about it. “If there’s anything women want from writers in regard to rape scenes—besides fewer rape scenes, or no rape scenes at all— it’s consciousness," says rape survivor Iman Hasan, in an XOJane article. Rather than focusing on the act itself and its sensitive nature, what some shows are doing correctly is showing rape from the victim’s perspective. Portraying rape as a serious societal problem rather than a shock factor makes it more sensitive and realistic to survivors. "The main problem we keep having with shows […] is their use of rape for shock value, without any consideration of the emotional, physical or psychological effects it might have on an audience" Hasan says. "In short, rape has become the clickbait of television." Rape is a psychological, physical and emotional torture of someone, it is not meant to appeal to someone’s twisted fantasy. It's primary objective to exert dominance over the victim and sexualizing this only makes the surviving viewer feel dismissed. It’s not a matter of whether rape should or should not be included in television shows. It’s a matter of whether the writers, directors, and producers know the type of message they are portraying by sexualizing it. If a show needs sexualized violence to get ratings, then maybe the show shouldn't have made it past the pitch table in the first place. JM

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BITCH

SAFE AND UNSOUND Safe spaces are a necessity for inclusivity. Diss tracks aren't just for the money.

By AbbyLeigh Charbonneau : Illustration by Halie Bonfiglio

By Jamie Zaslav : Illustration by Diana Steinmetz It all began with a rumor. Meek Mill took to Twitter calling out Drake, shortly after Meek Mill's album Dreams Worth More Than Money debuted: “Stop comparing drake to me too...He don't write his own raps!" What began as a collaboration together on the song “R.I.C.O.” from Meek’s album, ended in a Twitter feud turned rap battle. It’s hard to say if the late Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. of the infamous East Coast versus West Coast beef would take Meek and Drake’s tiff seriously. After all, rap feuds that started just 20 years ago came with violent threats and sometimes ended in death. However, they have one thing in common: authenticity. Claims of using ghost writers or not being true to one’s self are recurring themes regardless of the time; except today people are skeptical over the authenticity in the battles themselves. Diss tracks are a necessary part of rap because they give rappers an outlet to criticize one another. What might seem like a trivial feud to some, beefs and diss tracks provide a system of checks and balances; while Twitter and sales have become the court of public opinion. Meek was insulted at the idea that Drake would use a ghostwriter, and went so far as to threaten to remove Drake’s verse altogether from the album, putting authenticity at the core of the "R.I.C.O." Feud. Some say Drake and Meek were just using an old tactic to make new money, but these diss tracks still hold true to their roots. And yes, they did make massive amounts

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of money, but there’s nothing wrong with that. While Drake saw a 12 percent increase in sales in one week after the feud started, according to Billboard, Meek's sales declined 45 percent in the same period. If Meek started this beef to make money, he's one of the shittiest businessmen in rap. Drake, not one to take attacks on his credentials as a rapper, didn’t spare any time throwing his go-to-girl Nicki Minaj into the mix. Ten days after Meek's original tweet, he released “Back to Back,” slamming Meek for hiding behind his fiancé, Minaj. "Is that a world tour or your girl’s tour?/I know that you gotta be a thug for her/This ain’t what she meant when she told you to open up more," Drake raps. Just two decades before, artists used rap to propel themselves away from the poorest cities. The lyrics expressed what they saw and experienced on a daily basis in some of the most rough-and-tumble neighborhoods in America. When other rappers attacked them through their lyrics, they were attacking their reputation, credibility, and artful expression. Today artists are still doing it for the passion. Even though starting internet feuds is a smart PR stunt for any rapper, especially before an album comes out, at the end of the day, these artists are doing it for the passion. But focusing on money misses the point. Rap is a fluid, not static art form, and diss tracks are an essential contribution to the conversation. JM

Add it to the list along with narcissistic, technoholic, and coddled: the older and wiser generations have once again smiled upon millennials to shed their sage light and tell us what exactly is wrong with us. This time, it’s our affection for the politicallycorrect. This topic has received more attention this past year with an article published in The Atlantic claiming that “political correctness” is a rampant problem on college campuses and a widely circulated article in Vox from a liberal arts professor who claimed to be “terrified” of his left-wing students. This depiction of “safe spaces” as a way of pampered millennials further cushioning themselves from conflicting perspectives— the equivalent of putting our hands over our ears and shouting “I can’t hear you”— intentionally what the actual purpose of safe spaces is. The intention is not to simply surround yourself with people who have the same perspective and agree with you on every issue. The intention is to create a space where people are able to express themselves free of bias, microagressions and violence. And it shows in the data. In a 2014 study by Cornell University, a research team put men and women into mixed-sex groups and found that when told to be politically correct, the members were able to come up with more creative ideas. According to the study, “the PC norm promotes rather than suppresses members’ free expression of ideas.” When there are clearly defined boundaries, diverse groups can set their mind to the task at hand rather than navigating the invisible conversational norms.

A safe space is a place where everyone has agreed to embrace their differences and do what they can to make everyone feel like their feelings, ideas and experiences are valid, not to eradicate differences or exclude those with opposing opinions. Without a space that is designated for everyone to feel included and respected, it is impossible for important dialogues to take place. This doesn’t mean banning trigger words and passing out gold stars for participation; it means listening to everyone’s message with an open-mind and patience. These spaces are even more important for marginalized groups who tend to not be in control of a larger dialogue. A 2012 experiment at Brigham Young University showed that women spoke 75 percent less than men. “Women have something unique and important to add to the group, and that's being lost, at least under some circumstances,” says Chris Karpowitz, the lead study author. If spaces are closed off and unwelcome, these vital voices fade into the background. Safe spaces haven't sheltered us from opposing opinions. They have made those who are unaware, aware. It has given a space for those who were once afraid to speak, to come forward without fear of judgment. It’s not a cushy coddled adulthood; it’s just a space that’s safe. JM JERK

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Mark Zuckerberg is all about offering free Internet— with strings attached. By Eric Dunay : Illustration by Diana Steinmetz In the summer of 2014, John Oliver took his newly-founded HBO show and dove straight into one of the most important—yet least exposed—stories in our country: net neutrality. We freaked out and worried our Netflix would take too long to buffer if nothing was done. But, at the end of the year, we won. The Federal Communications Commission listened to us and our One Tree Hill and House of Cards were safe from decrepit loading speeds. The remarkable thing about the net neutrality fight was that this was an issue that had been debated for years, yet we were completely apathetic until—and even after—vanguards like Oliver let us know what was going on. Outside of our borders, this same battle is still being fought in less developed countries against the very businessmen who fought for neutrality here. Mark Zuckerberg has pioneered an organization called Internet.org which, as

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its website brags, has “brought more than 15 million people online who otherwise would not be and introduced them to the incredible value of the internet.” The program essentially provides internet services—aptly entitled “Free Basics”—to less-advantaged populations in Southeast Asia. Seems like a great idea. This is an area that has a population over four times the size of America’s with lots of potential. This is an area where only 20 percent of people have internet access, barely 15 percent actually use the internet, and a mere 14 percent own a smartphone, according to The Indian Express. So what exactly is the issue with Zuckerberg opening more doors for these humans? Well, the doors are “chaching” every time they open. Free Basics only offers access to roughly 100 websites and access is streamlined through Facebook. That means every time a user goes to their browser's homepage they

are brought to Facebook’s homepage. The population almost like a colonist in a social media platform essentially acts as the "new world". Just because India's society sole search engine. How? Because users has been placed at a developmental can’t even access Google. Why? Because disadvantage doesn’t mean their simple Google didn’t pay Facebook millions of rights of Internet access should be degraded dollars to make profit in new, unsuspecting into a Facebook search bar. It may be a markets. Not to mention that Google stretch today, but internet access is quickly already makes nearly five times more than becoming a human right, a right that Facebook does off of its users. Internet.org is still trying to restrict access to But we all know what happens when you in other developing countries. let Facebook act as a search engine. Yeah, When you look at it, this story shouts that’s when your uncle starts to convince out the idea that Zuckerberg is trying to you that Donald Trump would make a great establish a new frontier for a dying social president because of that meme he saw. media platform. But just to confuse us Zuckerberg has compared his service to all, Facebook signed a petition to the FCC the epicenter of information comparable to protect net neutrality here in America. to libraries and hospitals. But last time I Zuckerberg sure is brandishing a doublechecked, hospitals don’t refuse to fix your edged sword. broken leg because the cast company didn’t “And that’s the problem…if you want pay them a million dollars. to do something evil, put it in something

OUTSIDE OF OUR BORDERS, THIS SAME BATTLE IS STILL BEING FOUGHT IN LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AGAINST THE VERY BUSINESSMEN WHO FOUGHT FOR NEUTRALITY HERE. In December, India's Telecom Regulatory Authority told Internet.org's partners to halt the program for violating Net Neutrality rules. Google, on the other hand, is actually providing Indians with opportunity by setting up free broadband Wi-Fi access at hundreds of train stations throughout the country—eventually hoping to expand further into neighboring towns and villages. It seems like Zuckerberg thought he could force his views on an unsuspecting

boring,” Oliver says as he digresses on Comcast and Time Warner’s atrocities in America. While Internet.org may be no more in India, it continues to operate throughout Southeast Asia. The next great generation of entrepreneurship and innovation is on the line, and Southeast Asia could hold the answer. But Zuckerberg is obviously lost on this concept; instead he is playing gatekeeper and only letting those with firstworld privilege cut the line. JM

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OUTSIDE THE

SANDBOX From food to fun, startups are taking over all of it and Syracuse University is joining in on the trend. By Bridget Hallinan : Photography by Fiona Lenz Syracuse University is a hub of great ideas and entrepreneurial minds. With one of the top entrepreneurship programs in the nation, students are encouraged to pursue their own path. This has transformed the campus into an incubator for student-run businesses and startups. Resources like the Student Sandbox and Newhouse Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship are the fuel that gets these businesses up and running. Professor John Liddy, who’s been working at Student Sandbox since its start in 2009,

calls it a place of venture creation and innovation, taking things you learned in class and appling them to the real world. People from all different majors can come to the Sandbox, pitch their ideas, and mold them into strong business plans. Startups are continuing to infiltrate the mainstream, popping up as clothing brands, restaurants, apps, and more. Syracuse University students and alumni alike are jumping on this startup movement. Jerk profited three startups that have found their success here on the hill and beyond.

Adkins and Thakore get creative with their recipes for their pop-up dining experience.

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ROUX Two years ago, industrial design recipes work, as they usually test the majors Rohan Thakore and Kathryn recipes the week before. But sometimes, Adkins were paired together for a the recipe doesn’t taste edible. Thakore project in an information technology, and Adkins laughed as they agreed on design, and startup class. As they their worst recipe disaster: “beer cheese.” made business plans, they realized their They also want to educate people about ideas had one thing in common: food. Syracuse’s history, its local food, and “We realized that not everyone had ultimately get them excited about what that family connection with food. There their city has to offer. Due to Syracuse’s were really beautiful memories of cooking history as a major salt town, the company in the kitchen and how people celebrate focused the dining experience around and laugh together,” Adkins says. salt. Using blown-up pictures from the With that, Roux was born. In french local library, infographics, a seven-course cooking, a roux is equal parts flour and butter tasting menu and a wall showcasing and serves as the base for many dishes. “We salts from around the world, Thakore ourselves are a base where we can create and Adkins created an interactive dining our ideas from, and other people can latch experience that highlighted the Salt City’s on to them and be inspired,” Thakore says. history from the 1600s to present day. Roux is a pop-up dining experience, Roux wasn't easy to start, though. meaning the duo brings their own “Every event has its own challenges, from temporary cooking station to prepare sourcing things to coming up with a menu,” the meal where ever they are hosting the Thakore says. They work long hours event. Thakore and Adkins also create an before events, typically 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. atmosphere to match the dinner they are Without a crew, it’s even more difficult to serving. They create artwork to complement get organized. But even while trudging their food so the event is also aesthetically through the taxes, permits, and other tricky pleasing. It’s a mélange of creative cooking aspects of a startup, Adkins and Thakore and industrial design, which Liddy calls still have full confidence in their business. a “passion-play with a great market.” They also cherish the relationships This artistic liberty transfers into they’ve forged since Roux began— especially everything they produce. Roux creates their own. “Maybe that’s the best success,” their own recipes and they often find Thakore says. “We became best friends, so themselves winging it entirely. Most I think that’s the best thing that happened.”

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Kim's ultimate goal is to have the bag sold in stores.

BREVITE As an avid photographer since eighth grade, combing through a thesaurus, the brothers Dylan Kim loved to shoot and explore, but finally came across “brevity,” meaning, hated carrying two bags around—after clear, concise, and to the point. After nixing a while, he just left his camera behind. the “y” at the end of the word and opting “I was very forgetful, and I was for the phonetic spelling, Brevite was born. terrified that I would leave it somewhere,” With everything in place, the founders Kim says. But buying two bags can launched their Kickstarter. They began to add up quickly, with up to $70 for a test the validity of their product by pushing backpack and $150 for a camera bag. the bags onto consumers, collecting To solve this problem, Kim and his feedback, and getting crucial funding. brother, an industrial design major at “We’re not putting up all this money Rhode Island School of Design, created ourselves. We're students, we’ve got loans, a prototype, and the initial results were that fun stuff to look forward to,” he says. unexpected. “He made a really badly sewn Bag orders shipped, and though it [bag]. It kind of looked like a bowling ball, was an unbelievable amount of work, it to be honest,” Kim says. “And I was like, quickly paid off. Their Instagram took off I don’t know what that is, but I want it.” and garnered attention from accounts Eventually, they work shopped a clean with massive followings. Two popular design they liked. From there, they needed photography Instagram accounts promoted a name, and that process went back the Brevite bags, and in the last three and forth for two to three months. After days of the Kickstarter, their followers

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Instagram accounts promoting Brevite bags have helped the startup make money.

tripled and the start up made $15,000 in donations. At the end of the month-long funding period, Brevite raised $38,000. Now, Kim is looking to expand even further. He wants Brevite to be an aspirational brand that inspires and educates people about photography. “I love sharing my passion with other people and that’s what this brand allows me to do,” Kim says. “We’re focusing more on where our bag can take you, and allow you to do more with your art and photography.” Though he’s still adjusting to the

rhythm of business, Kim is extremely happy with his success. He eventually wants the bag in stores, and he and his brother have also been brainstorming new designs that go way beyond bags. Ultimately, Kim wants to use his experience to help others. He’s already helped several startups with their kickstarters and crowd-funding campaigns, through the Newhouse Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship. “It’s all kind of about giving back,” Kim says. “If I can allow others to use the knowledge I

HYPEIST CAPTION.

Two ’Cuse alumni, Max Doblin and Blake Danzig, have created a treasure hunt that would make Nicholas Cage blush: It spans around a city. The startup, Hypeist, uses merchandise given to them for free to promote their partnering

clients. Winners could take home a free pair of Yeezy boots, Back to the Futureinspired gear, or a new bike. All you have to do is follow them on Instagram. The team got the idea from a socialexperiment in San Francisco called

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SMUT with grabbed their laptop, ran to Starbucks, and set up shop to research and decrypt the clues while he rode around to the different locations.” Thankfully, however, the two say most participants are respectful and that they’ve built a great community among their users. As Hypeist plans for the future, there’s a lot more to accomplish. One of their main goals is to start an app since Instagram is currently their main social media distributor and they want to expand. Hypeist ideally wants to become an immersive brand experience, and according to Liddy, they have a lot of potential. “They have an interesting space, an untapped market, and if they time it right, they’re

going to do great,” he says. “It takes a lot more to execute on companies than it does to just say, wouldn’t it be cool if I did this?” Doblin says. “The number one obstacle is being aware that, if you’re trying to start a company, nothing is ever complete.” Starting Hypeist has been extremely rewarding for its founders. Doblin is still amazed that huge companies have participated in their hunts and the loyalty they’ve established with their users. Doblin says that if they stopped everything, their fans would be disappointed. “That’s kind of proof for us that as this continues to grow, there’s an opportunity to do more and more.” JM

Hypeist thrives in city environments.

“Hidden Cash.” A real estate broker hid $100 bills all over Silicon Valley for people to find. He used a Twitter account to tweet locations of money, and up to 3,000 people participated in the search. After “Hidden Cash,” Doblin and Danzig, two seniors at the time, immediately went to the Newhouse Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship and later to the Student Sandbox to see if the idea could apply to Syracuse. The duo started test runs, utilizing Marshall Street brands as their first clients. "We couldn’t have done this without Syracuse and the Newhouse Center for entrepreneurship,” Danzig says. During the beginning stages of Hypeist, Doblin and Danzig found Sean Branagan, the director of the Newhouse Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship, indispensible. Branagan set their plans into motion and helped them to begin turning a profit. After winning $10,000 at the RvD IDEA

Awards competition, Hypeist received money to form an LLC and launch a website. Their next move was to go to New York City. The city is an optimal atmosphere for them, becuase of its ready access to clients and users alike. Like an advertising agency, the team partners directly with clients who pay them to promote their brand. Doblin and Danzig then plan elaborate scavenger hunts to advertise the products, using a series of encrypted clues to make the hunts challenging but fun. “New York City is very underratedly difficult to do a scavenger hunt in,” Danzig says. Participants go to great lengths to take on these challenging hunts. Competitors have left jobs without permission and even tag-teamed to make sure they’re ahead of the game. “[One guy] came with a team,” Doblin says. “He hopped on a Citi bike right when he started, and the person he came Instagram is Hypeist's main social media distributor.

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Local Syracuse man, Adam Sudmann, created My Lucky Tummy to strengthen the refugee community through one of the things everyone loves: food.

five to six refugees, or new Americans, to cook dishes from their home countries for gatherings as large as 400 people. His chefs are from all over the world, including Bhutan, Iraq, Burma, and Sudan. He helps them source ingredients from local ethnic markets, where he and his chefs have formed relationships with the vendors, and then pays them a fee for their service. The idea for My Lucky Tummy came to Sudmann when he was just up the road from where the future eatery is taking shape. After spending 16 years in New York City planning events for the rich and the famous, Sudmann and his family decided to move upstate, he says. On a particularly snowy day, they got lost and found themselves on Syracuse’s Northside, where many of the city’s refugees have settled. After getting to know the neighborhood better, he realized how much diversity was concentrated in a small geographic space.

By Delaney Van Wey : Photography by Bridget Williams

In a gutted-out storefront on North Salina Street, only a few of the tables remain from the previous tenants. But signs of a new, more vibrant life are beginning to take root. German-made maps of Sub-Saharan Africa and India hang from the ceilings. An Afghan cookbook is on hand for inspiration. And Adam Sudmann is watching over it all. In July, that gutted-out storefront will be transformed into a restaurant that Sudmann will manage. For years, he has been working to change the misconceptions surrounding the refugee community. This restaurant, which will provide a place for job-skills training for those in need in the community, is the next step of that process.

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To develop the eatery, Sudmann, 40, has been working with Onondaga Community College’s Food Service Management program. The program is footing the bill for the project through a federal grant and its students will make up the restaurant’s staff. “The narrative around refugees in this town—and a lot of places—is to help them out, which is a great thing to do,” Sudmann says. "But when the only narrative around someone is helping them out, I think that doesn’t answer the problem. They have so much to offer us.” To showcase those offerings, Sudmann created My Lucky Tummy in 2013. Every few months, My Lucky Tummy brings together

Sudmann was able to settle into this diverse community because of his travel experiences. Between organizing what he called "wasteful” parties for the “.0001 percent,” Sudmann would take off

long periods of time for his sojourns. In Morocco and Vietnam, he saw food courts where cooks made one or two specialty items. Sudmann thought he could pull off something like that in Syracuse. “It kind of started off as just a foodie thing, to be about travel and other people,” he says. “But I guess as we went on, it became more about how people in this community are siloed off from one another.” So he set out to bring people back together. But first he needed people to cook. He reached out to Julie Norman, who at the time was working as a resettlement case manager at Catholic Charities, an organization that helps refugees settle in the U.S. "I called her and said, ‘I’ve got a nice bottle of scotch, you just got back from Congo and seem interesting, let’s talk,’” Sudmann explains. One empty bottle later, Norman was completely on board. Norman, who is now pursuing her master’s degree in social work and disaster resilience leadership at Tulane University, had been working closely with refugees for nearly eight years when Sudmann approached her. She loved his idea immediately. “One of the perks of working with refugees was that they often want to share delicious food with you,” she says. “It was food you couldn’t find anywhere else in Syracuse. I wanted to bring that talent to the public.” It was not hard to convince people to participate, she says. They were excited to share an important part of their culture with others. Sharing it with Sudmann made it even more fun because he was familiar with their culture. His enthusiasm to learn about other cultures helped him connect with more people.

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Although the first party took place then, she said she has gained courage only four days after his family moved to and a stronger sense of community. Syracuse, the event managed to bring "People will stop me on the street and together eight chefs from six different compliment me on my cooking,” she says. countries. “It was what I call a ‘happy Oyat was raised in South Sudan but shit show,’” Sudmann says. About 180 fled to a refugee camp in Uganda when people came to the event, and they had her country was engulfed by civil war. She to turn 150 away for lack of space in the was offered asylum in the U.S. in 2010, venue. “I was on a huge high,” Sudmann which brought her to Syracuse. Now, she says. That evening, one of the chefs cried lives on the Northside, along with some after the event because she had never felt of her siblings. Her mother taught her to closer to her neighbors and community. cook. "My mother told me," Cooking is Sudmann is modest about the very important for anyone in life because effect the organization has had on the we cook to live. Cooking is life,’" Oyat says. community. They only throw a few events “I’ve kept these words for a long time.” a year and he says they do not have the Oyat's most popular dish is presence for widespread change. On gwenomakitilo and malakwang, which the individual level, though, My Lucky she makes with smoked guinea hen, Tummy’s parties have helped alleviate homemade peanut butter, pri pri chili people’s loneliness, Sudmann says. and aromatic greens. “People run for Patience Oyat, a Sudanese refugee, that and it disappears while other food says My Lucky Tummy has changed her life. is still there,” Oyat says with a smile. Sudmann approached her in 2014 to cook The reason that Oyat and so many her first meal for My Lucky Tummy. Since other refugees are placed in Syracuse is

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because of the low cost of living, smaller population, and greater availability of resources, Norman says. She adds that the average wait time for refugees in camps is 12 years before they even undergo the three-year screening for acceptance into the U.S. “ People see how they are heading into Europe unscreened,” Norman says.“It’s unfortunate that politicians jump on that fear.” Since Sudmann actively seeks out refugees to work with, he has to deal with impact of xenophobia. "I got to learn very quickly that people’s backs stiffen when you ask them where they’re from,” Sudmann says. "In this country’s history and a lot of countries' histories, if you’re new, you’re vulnerable. You’re not empowered. So some stranger asks you if you’re from Somalia, you’re going to get scared.” The rhetoric surrounding refugees is quite the opposite of what she experienced working with them,“ Norman says. They come from their lives being on hold and being afraid for their lives,” she says. “But they have dreams about starting a life, and they’re

ready to take advantage of opportunities.” Oyat’s sentiment is much the same. She says the refugees she knows work hard and contribute to the development of the economy. To her, refugees are just trying to find an escape in the place they have heard is the greatest country—the U.S. Sudmann has learned that the best way to quell their fears was to start talking about food and ingredients they were familiar with.“ It was about making a connection with them,” he says. After Sudmann asked if a group of men were from Pakistan, the men went running. Sudmann ran after them, but the second he yelled, “Falooda!” the men stopped. They asked if Sudmann knew where to get this traditional South Asian dessert, which was actually what Sudmann wanted to find out from them. Although these issues are serious and deeply ingrained, he says he thinks shoving multiculturalism down people’s throats is not the answer, either. Sudmann says his first priority is to make sure everyone has fun. His motto is, “Let’s fuckin’ get together and have some good food.” JM

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Liberian reporter and photojournalist Peter N. Toby, 38, working on two pieces at The New Democrat, one of the several daily newspapers in Liberia.

Syracuse University, the University of Oregon, and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gathered $40,000 to $50,000 worth of communications equipment to give to Liberian students and professionals. "It’s training them to be able to speak on on an international level so they can write for the BBC or The Guardian or get a job at the United Nations," Harper says. "It’s understanding how to get the word out." Although Liberian journalists were benefitting from the workshops, Harper knew something more needed to happen. "The kind of issues that they deal with in Liberia and the post-conflict environments are really beyond anything I can understand," Harper says. "Whatever I could do to help

people speak for themselves was the whole point, getting them to speak for their culture."

"WHATEVER I COULD DO TO HELP PEOPLE SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES WAS THE WHOLE POINT, GETTING THEM TO SPEAK FOR THEIR CULTURE." In 2011, the project brought Harper and Thomas Karyah, a Liberian journalist, together. Karyah praised Harper and Together Liberia for not just teaching the group how to use the equipment, but helping them to execute and perform in real life situations.

CAPTURING A CULTURE Professor Ken Harper and a team of journalists take their multimedia skills to Liberia, a nation that once lacked a voice. By Clare Ramirez : Photography Provided by Ken Harper

Four Liberian journalists sit in a small, dim room with turquoise walls and poor Internet connection, their faces illuminated by the glow of their laptops. They have finished a day working at their professional jobs and are staying up well into the night to learn about the power of online media. This training lab in Liberia is where

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Ken Harper, a multimedia, design, and photography professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, teaches local journalists as part of the Together Liberia project. Forty to fifty American journalists traveled to Liberia to share their expertise in fields related to photography and multimedia with native journalists.

Monrovia's locsls get their news from Daily Tak, a chalkboard full of mini articles located off Tubman Boulevard.

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Behind the scenes of Together Liberia, an interview with journalist Tecee Boley in the Ducor Hotel.

As a result of the relationship formed from Together Liberia in 2011, Harper and Karyah worked on an online data visualization project in 2014, which provided accurate statistics about the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. "The entire country is not properly represented online and newspapers don’t go beyond the border," Karyah says. "The only way we can break this barrier is to improve our understanding of technology so that we can start having our own voices." Years later, Karyah and Harper still keep

in touch, continuing to discuss how to use new media to improve the spread of information. Karyah works for the United Nations Mission in Liberia while remaining a digital consultant for The New Democrat, a newspaper and runs his own company, Annex Technologies. "Together Liberia came not just wanting to teach, but knowing exactly why we needed to learn," Karyah says. "They tried to find what was in demand, and that is exactly what changed our lives." JM

TOP: Liberian journalists stay up late after work to educate themselves on new media techniques. BELOW: Professor Ken Harper is interviewed by MICAT-TV about the project.

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Whoever said the party season was over, clearly doesn’t go to ‘Cuse. We update our spring wardrobe with metallic pieces proving all that glitters is definitely gold.

GAWK FEATURE

Gradante (Left) Dress:Clothing: Topshop Brand $20 MODEL Stylists: Lydia Chan and Trusha Bhatt Photography and Design: Allen Chiu and Simon Abranowicz (Qual Agency) Models: Lily Burch, Lily Gradante, Meagan Rafferty Assistant: Hairol Ma

$XX. MODEL Clothing: Burch Brand $XX; Clothing: Necklace: Model’s Own Bra: Out From Under $29 Arm Band: Free People $28

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GAWK FEATURE

GAWK FEATURE Rafferty Crown: Free People $45 Jacket: Free People $100 Bandana: Free People $48 Boots: Modern Vice $250 Gradante Jacket: Helmut Lang Boots: Zara $50 Burch Choker: Urban Outfitters $20 Necklace: Urban Outfitters $28 Dress: Free People $100 Jeans: BDG $58 Boots: Model’s Own

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GAWK FEATURE

Rafferty Choker: Free People $28 Necklaces: Model’s Own Dress: Free People $150 Burch (Right) Vest: Model’s Own Top: Urban Outfitters $16 Leggings: Topshop $12 Bangles: Lucky Brand $20

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GAWK FEATURE

Gradante Backpack: Topshop $85 Jacket: Nasty Gal $98 Rafferty Burch

T-Shirt: adidas $35

Jacket: Model’s Own

Socks: Topshop $6

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Double Dippin'

WHAT THEY BRING TO THE BRAND: Posen's known for his exquisite tailoring when it comes to his red carpet designs, so expect the same expertise in his sophisticated color palette.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: This spring, MAC has a bevy of cool collaborations, but the one we're most excited for is the collection with fashion designer and Zac Posen. Look out for a lil' red carpet glam in our favorite cosmetics. WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE UP FOR IT: Because everyone deserves a little high-class glam for their 8 a.m. WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: "Posen's dressed Sofia Vergara and Rihanna and I'm wearing his lipstick, so I'm basically friends with them."

Zac Posen for Mac

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Taking a cue from the music industry, we look into the most anticipated fashion and beauty duets of the year.

WHAT THEY BRING TO THE BRAND: B's line is perfect for #bootylicious folk. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: Queen B teams up with a high-street favorite to create an athleisureline—think workout clothes cute enough to wear to class. WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE UP FOR IT: Because she's the queen, nuf said. WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: "I'm feelin' myself, I'm feelin' my, feelin' myself..."

WHAT THEY BRING TO THE BRAND: Named the brand's global ambassador, Hadid brings her West Coast style to Tommy Hilfiger's signature prep. WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: The capsule collection—set to be released in Fall 2016—features a nautical theme mixed with Hadid's personal off-dutymodel style. WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE UP FOR IT: So, you can be just as #Vogue as her: bomber jackets with nautical patches, and lots of red, blue, and white on cropped tops and joggers. WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: "Gigi can have New York Fashion Week, I'll take 5th Ave",

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: Target's latest collab with is a joint effort with the fashion experts at whowhatwear.com, so expect street-style inspired looks at affordable prices. WHAT THIS SAYS ABOUT YOU: "I'm pretty broke but you wouldn't know it based off of today's outfit." WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE UP FOR IT: The collection, which came out in February, releases new pieces every month. WHAT THEY BRING TO THE BRAND: Expect casual workwear pieces like l lightwear trench coats that can easily transition from day to night.

r a e W t a h Who W For Target

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Fifty-six years later, Harper Lee's classic American story of courage, justice, and racial inequality is taking the stage once again. By Nisha Stickles : Illustration by Madelyn Mincozzi

To Kill a Mockingbird’s message of compassion captured America’s heart. While compassion seems so elementary, compassion is still one thing that as a nation we struggl to practice. We like to think that we’re beyond the foul racism prior to the Civil Rights Movement. Yes, we’re better, but not by much. As a society, we are uncompassionate to those who are different. The deaths of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner and the riots in Cleveland and Ferguson aren’t indicative of the general compassion towards the African-American community. They are, however instances that bring attention to the differential treatment that AfricanAmericans receive because of their race. This truth, although painful to accept, is worth discussion—and it is a discussion that the Syracuse Stage

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is eager to partake in with its next theatrical production of To Kill a Mockingbird. The Syracuse Stage will run To Kill a Mockingbird from Feb. 24 until March 26. The production will bring in actors from around the nation and the Syracuse community, particularly school children in the city district. Dramaturg Kyle Bass explained that the production team was drawn to the play because of its wide appeal. “Sometimes stories of the past speak to the present in very piquant ways,” Bass says. “Syracuse students who come to see To Kill a Mockingbird on stage will see and hear the very strong ways in which the events shown are echoed in today’s culture, in particular with what we’re seeing with the African-American male.” As the production’s dramaturg, Bass conducts research on the production to

create context for the cast of a historical sense of the world in 1935—the time when the novel is set. Bass is particularly concerned with educating the young actors who are furthest away from the events situated in the Jim Crow era. Until 1965, the Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation—mainly, but not exclusively—in the South, based upon the concept that African-Americans were “separate but equal”. In other words, pompous pseudoscience regurgitated fallacy in the hopes of legitimizing racism. The “Land of the Free" became a gross paradox for African-Americans; most major societal institutions and media supported this oppression. Newspapers freely printed the n-word; all public facilities were segregated. For example, a black male could not offer his hand to shake hands with a white male because it implied being socially equal. Additionally, black people were not allowed to show public affection toward one another, because it offended whites. Today, with the pervasiveness of political correctness and sensitivity, it is inconceivable to live in a time of overt racism. Sadly enough, the setting of the sweet, little Southern town of Maycomb has a striking contrast to its categorization of AfricanAmericans as disadvantaged and despised. Furthermore, children, like Scout, who were shaped by this poisonous environment also lived under the constant exertion of pressures, including economic instability after the Depression, judicial injunctions, and single parent households. To Kill a Mockingbird goes beyond simply acknowledging that racial inequality is a product of discrimination by whites. Through Atticus Finch’s involvement in Tom Robinson’s

fight to plead non-guilty to rape, Harper Lee touches upon the fear that African-Americans have towards the criminal justice system. Tom Robinson’ s unfair prosecution evidences the disenfranchisement of African-Americans in the legal system that, unfortunately, is paralleled in contemporary society. “The audience will see and hear the very strong kinds of ways with that we’ re seeing with the African-American male, not only with police, but with the whiter kind of prison complex,” says Bass. “There is a nation state of black and brown people—men behind bars in this country. It’s shocking.” Society has progressed to a point to where we are able to label once "earthshattering" events—such as the Topeka v. the Board of Education decision of 1954— as an unquestionable decision of "separate could never be equal.” Nonetheless, the validity of black lives remains a poignant dialogue. For now, in 2016, the status of AfricanAmericas has manifested into another sense of urgency. The Black Lives Matter movement is a response to the ways African Americans are left defenseless against the state. The movement is a live manifestation of what Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird symbolized: the virulent racism that subjects African Americans to police brutality, disregard for their lives’ value, and biased trials. The swift prosecution of Tom Robinson is not unique to 1935. African Americans to this day have to live with this obscurity—and it’s no coincidence. In 2014, the Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics issued a report on the demographics of the estimated 1,561,500 prisoners detained in state and federal custody. An estimated 516,900 black

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An estimated 516,900 black males—37 percent— were in custody, compared to 32 percent of white males, and 22 percent of Hispanic males. males—37 percent—were in custody, compared to 32 percent of white males, and 22 percent of Hispanic males. The Bureau reported that black men had the highest incarceration rate a nd were in “federal facilities 3.8 to 10.5 times more often than white men." In the same year, blacks made up 13.2 percent of the U.S. total population, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates Program. We have become conditioned to believe that issues of black incarceration are not problems that concern us on a collective level. The popular mind frame is that if it does not affect us as individuals, then it should not concern us as a nation. Lee was able to temporarily bridge this level of disconnect in 1960, but as evidenced by current events, the Syracuse Stage will once again try to make sense of the ridiculous reality. “The story is relevant today since [1960] because racism doesn’t go away. It hasn't gone away,” says Joseph Whelan, the Syracuse Stage’s director of marketing and communications. Whelan's position entails producing the market materials for the Syracuse Stage’s productions. Whelan has to persuade prospective audience members of To Kill a Mockingbird’s relevance. Racism is very prominent in the news; police shootings have gotten a lot of

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attention; there are coded messages of certain political candidates speaking to [minorities]. These are things that don’t go away,” Whelan says. It must be noted that that this is not a declaration of the United States’ inherent racism. The United States is not characteristically racist. Donald Trump is not our national spokesperson. We are better than that. Yet, this also doesn’t mean that racism and diversity are mutually exclusive. The United States is a melting pot, though, as explained by of Harvard political scientist, Samuel Huntington, it is like tomato soup: “Celery, croutons, spices, parsley and other ingredients enrich the mixture. But it remains tomato soup.” Every American is an ingredient in this large, cauldron of soup. This soup, however, retains a particular flavor, which in this case is the Anglo-Protestant, or white narrative. This analogy shows how minorities, despite being an important part of society, are forgotten. If Tom Robinson were a tomato or one of Maycomb’s white citizens, he would not be subjected to incarceration. “Our production wants to convey Maycomb’s lack of justice, need for justice, and the overall importance of justice,” stressed Whelan. “The i nherent racism, that’s prevalent in the

story, and of course the underlying prejudice in To Kill a Mockingbird, is courage it takes to ask for justice.” the moral breath that society needs Tom Robinson is not just a literary in its suffocation from racial injustice. figure. He is a cautionary tale “Atticus doesn’t necessarily believe in that foreshadows the injustices the Civil Rights Movement, but he takes brought upon his African American the case because he believes in the peers. Case in point: Trayvon Martin. judicial process,” Whelan says. But the Martin assumed the archetype of principles of the movement were there. Tom Robinson since the very moment “[Atticus] was standing on a very firm George Zimmerman decided to chase principle that all men are equal under down a "dangerous" unarmed black the law and that all men are innocent teenager in a "frightening" gated until proven guilty,” says Murphey. community for his own safety. The world is different for AfricanThe most prominent parallel of it American people than it is for whites, and all is that, like the Tom Robinson case, this is a truth that, although difficult to a colorblind narrative blanketed accept, is one that needs to be conveyed. the prosecution of George Zimmerman. Theatre creates a sense of community, so In this time of insecurity, there is a the fear and prejudice that many of us need for a reaffirmation of justice— are fortunate enough not to experience a role that Atticus Finch fulfills. will destroy the fourth wall, bringing “[Atticus] is a lawyer who’s defending students to the realization that inequality an innocent man, and the innocent in America is actually a problem.JM guy happens to be black, which puts his life in danger as well as Atticus’ and his children. It’s a brave thing to do,” says actor Mark Murphey (in an interview with Whelan for Stageview. Murphey will play Atticus Finch in the Syracuse Stage’s upcoming production, though this is not his first time in the role; Murphey played Atticus in 2011 at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Atticus, being the least influenced by

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An American

Affair

Donald Trump’s toupée, Larry David as Bernie Sanders, and Hillary Clinton declairing herself a hair icon. If these are the only things you know about the election, then we have a problem. But don’t fret, Jerk is here to break down all the political bullshit for you.

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Four score and seven years ago–or something like that–

a nation, founded on the principles of democracy, equality, and political independence was born. The fledgling nation gave a big F U to the Brits and went on their merry way to create a soon-to-be international powerhouse. But who led this adolescent child to success? Our presidents, of course. And it was the American campaign culture that gave them their gusto to take charge. From the political machine, vote-stealing days of the early 1900s to the paranoia-fueled Watergate scandal that destroyed Richard Nixon, American campaigns have been pinned as dirty, Hunger Gameesque blood baths that only the politically fittest can survive. Candidates use the media to sucker punch their opponents into oblivion, cue the “Daisy” as by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. And we Americans, live for this campaign warfare. We create drinking games for presidential debates, endlessly share posts demeaning Trump’s hair, and gather around the TV to devour Saturday Night Live’s on-point candidate impersonations. The campaign political machine isn’t going anywhere and it is time to sit back and watch the 2016 chaos ensue. JERK

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Jerk’s Guide to Not Being a Political Idiot

Candidate Breakdown:

It’s election season. Did you know that? Or did you only know that Donald Trump’s hair looks like a cornhusk? Reality check: It’s time to get political and Jerk is here to give you all the tools to win your dormroom debates.

Test your knowledge:

Super PAC

When almost every state and their mother holds primaries or caucuses for presidential candidates.

Primary

What Obama is right now and what conservatives think he was his whole term.

Caucus

A grand town meeting where everyone shares a laugh, a drink, and raunchy stories—oh and votes for the presidential candidates of both parties.

NOISE PACKAGE

Mudslinging

Voting process where all residents cast their vote in support of a particular party candidate prior to the presidential election.

Quid Pro Quo

Don’t you love those outrageous political ads? These groups fund them, but they don’t actually fund the candidates or their campaigns.

Lame Duck

The act of throwing shit at your opponent both literally and figuratively.

We polled SU students from all walks of campus to fill you in on just what candidate the Orange are rooting for.

Democrats: Bernie Sanders 55%

Hilary Clinton 18%

Current Position: Vermont senator Years in Politics: Over 30 years Quote that Sums Them Up: “If a financial institution is too big to fail, it is too big to exist.”

Current Position: U.S. secretary of state from 20092013; self-proclaimed hair icon circa 2016 Years in Politics: 35 years, give or take Quote that Sums Them Up: ”The last time I actually drove a car myself was 1996.”

NOISE Republicans: 9% 3% PACKAGE

Marco Rubio

Current Position: Florida senator Years in Politics: 19 years Quote that Sums Them Up: “The way to turn our economy around is not by making rich people poorer, it’s by making poor people richer.”

Donald Trump

Current Position: American Millionaire Years in Politics: ZERO Quote that Sums Them Up: “I probably identify more as a Democrat” – Trump in 2004

Are You Registered to Vote?

Syrian Refugees & Counterterrorism: 18% The Economy: 32%

Cast:

Gun Violence: 22.% War on Drugs: 1% ISIS: 22%

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*results from Jerk’s online poll of SU students

Senile Old Man Who Has a Weird Fascination with Couple Overbearing Matriarch Handsome Young Man with a Wicked, Troubled Past

YES: 75% NO: 12%

Current Position: Texas senator Years in Politics: 17 years Quote that Sums Them Up: “The problem with climate change is there’s never been a day in the history of the world in which the climate is not changing.”

Jerk Casts a Nicholas Sparks Move: A Political Romance Overly Obsessed Couple

What Do You Consider the Most Important Thing this Presidential Election?

Ted Cruz 1%

High School Boyfriend Who Uses ExGirlfriend’s Amnesia as a Way to Win Her Back Silver Fox Father Striving for His Family’s Approval

Donald Trump & Donald Trump Bernie Sanders Hillary Clinton Marco Rubio Ted Cruz

Jeb Bush

Special Appearance By:

DON’T KNOW HOW: 13 %

The Woman Who Changes her Identity

Megyn Kelly JERK

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Political Shenanigans

Which Candidate Do You Side with Based on Your Favorite Alcoholic Beverage?

Match the President to the Scandal:

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman.”

Richard Nixon and Watergate

“Happy birthday, Mr. President.”

Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings

Since when is it not cool to break into your opponent’s office and spy on them?

Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky

This yeoman farmer would plow your field any day.

Ulysses S. Grant and Cabinet on the Whiskey Ring Scandal

NOISE PACKAGE

Whiskey is as whiskey does, so let’s pocket the money from whiskey taxes for ourselves.

JFK and Marilyn Monroe

Take That!: Five Funniest Presidential Debate Tweets

Fireball Shots: You are Donald Trump. You know it’s terrible for you and it burns all the way down, but you just can’t seem to get enough. And you like the acid shits.

Absinthe: You are Bernie Sanders. You live in the clouds and like to hallucinate rainbows and bunnies and love. You may also live in a hut with no electricity and consider yourself a selfproclaimed hermit.

Dirty Martini:

NOISE PACKAGE

You are Hillary Clinton. You dress conservatively and use big words, but deep down we all know you’re a freak in the sheets.

Red Wine:

You are Jeb Bush. You’re the awkward middle child who spends nights crying over being stuck in the shadow of your glamorous older brother.

Mimosa: You are Ben Carson. You show up to brunch so hungover you’re barely able to keep your eyes open.

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ALTRUIST

REWIND

By Jessica Fricker

Good news for Andrea Barber! By Angela Anastasi : Illustration Vanessa Castillo Whatever happened to predictability? The milkman, the paperboy, evening TV? Well, all of that stuff died in the 21st century when the iPhone took over millennials’ lives. But if you’re longing for the days when there was time for afterschool TV and Capri Sun juice pouches, there’s hope. The 90s are back this March with Fuller House, the Netflix spinoff of TV’s only family that has mastered how to give and receive dad talks. For many of us, Full House was a guiding light through the ever-changing times of childhood and the angsty teenage years. Want to audition for the school play? That worked out pretty well for Tanner when she got to kiss her Romeo on stage. Struggling to jump the commitment gun? Bad boy Uncle Jesse’s love for Aunt Becky showed us all that we will get past the “we’re just hanging out” phase of our lives—or end up selling Greek yogurt after our acting careers peak in 1995. Don’t worry Uncle Jesse, you’re still a DILF. In Fuller House, fans will see what the crew is up to after their return from rehab and DUIs, cue John Stamos. The new show is set in the original house with most of the main characters back for the

WE JUDGE

ALBUMS

BY THEIR SINGLES.

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Artist

reunion. Stephanie and DJ have kids, and Bob Saget hopefully leaves the booger sugar in the trailer now that he’s moved on to grandfather status. The Olsen twins have moved on too, so much that they are not returning for the homecoming. The twins stated that they have not acted since they were 17 years old, and with two award-winning fashion lines, no longer consider themselves members of the field. Their desire to stay away from the limelight may spur from their encounters with the child star syndrome, especially Mary-Kate who has consistently battled a drug addiction. Nonetheless, Michelle Tanner—who annoyingly bounced around with pigtails and stole cookies from Uncle Joey’s cookie jar—will surely be missed. Regardless of missing cast members and the show’s attempt to ride the coattails of the Netflix revival circle jerk, Fuller House will still be a glorious moment for all Tanner family fans. And let’s face it: Even if the show sucks, it offers us all a chance to Netflix and Chill back to a simpler time for 28 minutes. So when your 2 a.m. hook up suggests the show, we say: You got it, dude. JM

Album

The Joy Formidable Hitch Gwen Stefani This Is What the Truth Feels Like Stiff White Denim

Song

Release Date

“The Last Thing on My Mind” March 25 March 18 “Make Me Like You” “Ha Ha Ha Ha (Yeah)”

March 25

Rating

THE DEAL: The young, blond teenage boy, who rose to fame through YouTube with his first hit song “One Time,” has been in the media spotlight way more than just one time. Justin Bieber has definitely had his ups and downs. As a pop sensation, Bieber is doomed to be loved by some, despised by others, idolized by fans, and mocked by haters. Whether you love him or hate him, you definitely know his music and his outlandish behavior. THE ISSUE: Every celebrity has a bad PR, rebellious stage. Brittney Spears shaved her head, Amanda Bynes was placed in a psychiatric hold, and Miley Cyrus twerked with bears and moved her tongue in ways no one wanted to see. Bieber has been there too. He has gone from long hair to short hair. He went from having no tattoos to sleeves of owls, falcons, and creepy clowns. He went from being a middle class boy in Canada to a spoiled rich musician in America. As his image changed, his behavior did as well. He was no longer the innocent and adorable kid with floppy hair on YouTube, but a self-proclaimed bad boy who punched cameramen. THE (BIGGER) ISSUE: From 2013 to 2015, Bieber went on a musical hiatus and instead passed his time by peeing in public, smoking weed, having his pet monkey confiscated in Germany, driving under the influence and resisting arrest in Miami. In 2013, at his lowest, Bieber insisted Anne Frank would have been a belieber. Not to mention

that during his “bad boy” phase he was also dating Selena Gomez which eventually ended as well. He was not fulfilling the iconic role as he was supposed to and was instead demonstrating dangerous and illegal behavior. In response to his marijuana use, fans began to cut themselves and post about it on Twitter in hopes of getting Justin to stop. As a star that is constantly in the public eye, Bieber has a responsibility to uphold and he failed miserably. THE DEFENSE: Justin Bieber was still a growing teenager, and was inevitably doomed to slip up at one point, and he did, big time. But let’s credit him with his new album and new image. He allowed himself to publicly be made fun of when he appeared on the Comedy Central Roast. Then he impressed many during his AMA performances of “What Do You Mean,”“Where Are You Now,” and “Sorry,” when he ended with tears in his eyes. Many now-recovered beliebers are no longer ashamed to admit that his new album, Purpose, kills it. Even though Bieber has not been the ideal celeb, his comeback is noteworthy, and his new songs have substance, meaning, and are relatable to many. Let’s also not forget that the songs are great party tunes and it seems guys get more excited than girls when “Sorry” blares through frat speakers. So give J-biebs a little credit. He may have had his rough times, but it’s never too late to say sorry. JM JERK

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AMPLIFIED

SYNAPSE

KEEP ON GRINDIN' Whether you’re a senior braving the last few months before you enter adulthood or a freshman struggling to figure out where the hell Bowne Hall is, Jerk would like to take this moment to congratulate you. You have almost reached the finish line to another fantastic—or mediocre—year in your life. To keep the positivity alive, Jerk has pulled together a list of energetic new media to keep you inspired the rest of the semester.

WILD ADRIATIC Members: Travis Grey (singer and guitar), Rich Derbyshire (bass), Mateo Vosganian (drums) | Active since: 2011 | What they jerk to: Led Zeppelin, Mute Math, Black Keys By Rachel Blackman : Photography provided by Wild Adriatic

JM: When did you know the three of you worked well together on your own? I know there was some loss of other band members and some drastic changes there. Mateo Vosganian: We had a few instances where me and the singer talked about “maybe this fourth guy isn’t really the guy” and we were trying to find out who else could play guitar in the band. We just realized, this just sucks, and we decided to kick him out. Then just Travis was like, “you know what? I’ll just play guitar.” So we did that first tour and then we kicked him out.

JM: You guys have had some pretty cool publicity in magazines like Rolling Stone and USA Today— what has been the most exciting part of the come up, if you will, of Wild Adriatic? MV: I guess, you know, it’s funny, the most exciting part would be a certain amount of validation. Being a musician for your livelihood is not often looked at as the soundest of career choices or even a real career for most people.

JM: You've been at music festivals as well as little venues, what’s the best part of being in that environment? MV: We meet a lot of different people from a lot of different walks of life. We meet people from all over the world, and it’s been really cool to be able to just be in a lot of different cultures and commune with people over music. JM: Is there anything in particular that draws you to Syracuse? MV: We’ve had a really cool, core group of fans that have come to every one of our shows since day one. It’s awesome. And the waffles are great. JM: Is there anything we can expect out of [your new album] that you can tell us? MV: We just think it’s going to be another foot forward. If you listen to our last three albums, you can tell there’s a progression, and I think the next one is just going to be a little more polished of an approach. JM

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ALBUM: iii, Miike Snow This progressive indie pop artist has been dropping heart-pumping beats since 2007. You probably know him for his road trip and workout-inspiring single “Animal.” It’s been three years since he’s dropped any original tunes, so this new album will get you amped and maybe motivate you to hit the gym for the first time since you abandoned your New Year’s resolution. Catch it on March 4.

NETFLIX: My Own Man This one’s for you, seniors. We know you are about to enter a quarter-life crisis, but don’t fret. Instead, join documentarian David Sampliner on a journey as he spills out his real-life emotional and comical quest to discover what it means not only to be a man, but also a father to his new son. The film premires on Netflix on March 6.

MOVIE: Batman v Superman Add some action to your exam-filled life as your two favorite superheroes go head-tohead on the big screen. If you have any personal vendettas that you’ve been trying to take care of before the year is over, relax. You can live vicariously through Batman, played by Ben Affleck, as he embarks on a personal mission to destroy Superman, played by Henry Cavill on March 25.

BOOK: The Nest On March 22 take a break from the midterm chaos and indulge in the page-turning world of dysfunctional families. Enter the life of the Plumbs—a chaotic foursome reunited to confront their reckless, older brother who’s put their beloved trust fund at risk after their father’s death. Combine family, money, and a heavy dose of mistrust and you get an inevitable shit show. JM JERK

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DISCOVERSYR

student day pass. It is conveniently open for of people that make it so great," says Ben night skiing, too. Ludke, Syracuse University’s ski team coach. Toggenburg, meaning goat, was named Tallying roughly 1,400 runs each season, after the mountain that the ski resort is "Ice Man" is Toggenburg’s living legend. He situated on. The mountain used to be a has been part of this ski community since goat farm in the mid 1900s. The trail names the mid 1980s. He was dubbed "Ice Man" as continue with the goat theme and include a result of his enteral passion for the slopes, names like "Billy’s Butt" and "Oh My Goat." as well as the distinct "Ice Man" sticker The 21 trails range from expert level, pasted to the front of his black helmet. which are steep and require quick turns, to Although the slopes are the main beginner level, which allow novice skiers reason for visiting the mountain, the to take wide turns. The mountain also has food at Tog completes the day. Skiers and two terrain parks and off-trail glades that snowboarders rarely leave the mountain wind through wooded areas to test athletes’ without satisfying their craving for "crack" agility. Employees create their own trails fries. But there is nothing better than through the natural terrain as they carve ending a long day of skiing and riding in runs into the snow. The Foggy Goggle Restaurant, double "Tog is different than any other Central fisting with a beer in one hand and a New York ski mountain. It’s the community handful of hot nachos in another. JM

Oh My Goat

Fight the cold with a hot drink from the Foggy Goggle's restaurant and sports

Just 30 minutes away from Syracuse, Toggenburg Mountain provides a snowy escape for all trailblazers. By Christina DiPietro : Photography by Alexandra Moreo

As I step into my bindings, I hear my boots click into my skies. I reach the double chairlift, where I make my way to the top of Toggenburg Mountain. The tips of my skies hang over the steep and narrow pitch of Kneeknocker trail. I look up from terrain below me and see the dim light of a hut in the distance. This familiar image gives me

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a sense of comfort that I am back on the slopes. I push forward and feel myself drop into the trail skies first. Located 30 minutes away from Syracuse University, Toggenburg Mountain, known to regulars as "Tog," is situated in Fabius, New York. The mountain is easily accessible and affordable tostudents, with a $15 college

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SPEAKEASY

OBITCHUARY

Brought To Life VPA graduate student Ioana Turcan’s films have been shown globally but she finds her inspiration here in Syracuse.

HOVERBOARDS CAUSE OF DEATH: Lithium Ion Batteries

By Nicole Engelman : Illustration by Madelyn Minicozzi

By Tiffany Moran : Photography by Kasey Lanese

Jerk Magazine: How do you choose to film a certain story? Ioana Turcan: I think they pick me. I’ll come across one and it gets stuck in my head. I have to deal with it and I can’t easily move on if it’s something that really bothers me. JM: With filmmaking, is it harder to get started or to keep going? IT: One of the reasons I stay with film is because it is my only passion that has never changed through a lot of years. I’m so passionate about a lot of things, but the film industry held me and I never thought about quitting. I’ll always just find other ways to express myself. JM: Who and what inspires you? IT: Traveling is the best teacher because you meet so many different people from so many different cultures. There’s a huge difference in mentality depending on the region, geography, culture, or regime. They’re just crazy, beautiful people that

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might be doing something that is weird to me or to the world. JM: What was it like to have your films shown at festivals, like the Cannes Film Festival? IT: It’s a very diverse feeling depending on where it’s going, how it’s shown, how people react to it, and if you get feedback. When I’m making it, I never think about that. I just do it because I want to see it brought to life. As long as it gets people’s attention, I just hope they will be interested in what I want to show or talk about. JM: What are your plans for the future? IT: I’m working on a project about an African-American barbershop and beauty shop here. I wanted to go there because they have this craft that is passed down through generations. It’s amazing how it supports their family and how the kids to go to school, but they still invest back into it. JM

“Roads? Where we’re going we don't need roads.” These famous words uttered by Doc Brown in 1989’s Back to the Future Part II, promised 2015 to be the year of flying cars and hoverboards. Well, that was bullshit. On Oct. 21, 2015, the supposed Back to the Future day came and went, and to the disappointment of 80s-nerds-turned-dads, the sky was not filled with cars. No, instead we were blessed with an armless Segway, dubbed hoverboard—despite the fact that he neither hovered, nor was a board. The hoverboard, as we had come to know him, was born in 2011 to inventor Shane Chen. The board, originally named Hovertrax, was the first of its kind to be made for consumer use. After just a year, the hoverboard had already developed into today’s model. He possessed new features like USB connectivity and longer battery life. It wasn’t long before celebrities began to take notice. The hoverboard began his ascent to fame after drawing the attention of stars like Justin Bieber, who could be seen wheeling around like a complete dweeb, and rapper Wiz Khalifa wheeling and dealing around an airport. After being

knocked on the ground by police for riding his hoverboard through LAX, he lovingly tweeted, “I stand for our generation and our generation is gonna be riding hoverboards so if you don’t like it eat a dick.” Unfortunately, he was proven right as the hoverboard reached his peak this holiday season; though it was short-lived. How short-lived? As long as his batteries would allow before spontaneously combusting. His batteries would burst into flames if you even looked at him the wrong way. The hoverboard wreaked havoc among countless families, even leaving some without homes for the holidays. As the hoverboard continued his fiery descent into madness, companies like Amazon and Target decided it was time to cut ties. He continues to be banned on sidewalks and streets, forcing him to live a secluded life of shame inside the homes of the same douchebags who rocked Heelys in the early 2000s. The hoverboard is survived by his true legacy: hilarious Vines of people crashing into walls, moms trying out their children’s Christmas gifts, and generally uncoordinated bitches. JM

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FORM & FUNCTION

CLOSET CASE

DIVINE INTERVENTION These Syracuse students show off their holy stuff.

How To Dress for Initiation

Blindfold: "Anastasia didn’t seem to mind it in Fifty Shades of Grey, hopefully you won’t either."

Flame: "Maybe it's to brand your butt, maybe it's for voodoo practice; you’ll find out soon enough."

Photography by Xiang Wei

Chalice: "Within holds the blood of the brothers and sisters who came before you or Franzia."

“My bracelet was given to me by my uncle as a graduation gift. It symbolizes protection from evil as well as promising good fortune. According to Buddhists, it’s also supposed to be worn only on the left arm since it allows good energy to flow into the body, rather than letting it escape on the right arm.”

—RICHARD YANG

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“I personally see the hijab as a symbol of power and control because it allows women to have full control over their bodies and the way people perceive them. It should be a choice women make and stick to for the rest of their lives. It becomes part of a woman's identity, and one day I hope it will be part of my identity as well.”

—DIYA ELDAWY

“I personally didn’t start wearing my saint medals until junior year of high school, when my mom put them onto a necklace. It came at a time when I was rekindling my faith from a period of silence—I say silence because that’s what I was dealing with at the time, a period of what I perceived as silence from God."

—ANDREW STRANAHAN

Pig: "Nothing about this is kosher."

White Robe: "A symbol of your purity, only to be destroyed come nightfall."

Model: Kevin Yeo Stylist: Trusha Bhatt Photographer: Xiang Wei JERK

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