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Thursday Feb. 27, 2022
THELOQUITUR.COM
Vol. LXIII • Issue 7
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DONALD TAYLOR RESIGNS By Loquitur Staff
Photo by Marion Callahan
Cabrini’s historical connection to the Underground Railroad By Toniann Gooden, Sydnee Reddy, Christopher Schaller Lifestyles Editor, Multimedia Editor, Sports Editor Motioning to a small, wooden table that typically wouldn’t get much attention, Armani Parker spoke passionately about its significance. “This isn’t just a table; this is apart of our ancestry,” Parker, president of the Black Student Union, said. The table came from Vachel Catlin, who traveled through the Underground Railroad with just one piece of furniture. Now, 200 years later, that same table resides at Cabrini. On Tuesday, Feb. 8, an event was held at the Bruckmann Chapel that celebrated the inauguration of Catlin’s table at the university. As part of Cabrini’s Black History Month, campus leaders held the event to honor the Underground Railroad by telling the story behind the valuable piece of furniture that was donated to the university by the Catlin family. While the table was the focal point of the event, there was a layout of guest speakers. Dr. Lailah Dunbar-Keeys, director of the office of the DEI and Belonging, gave the introduction and the libation. The ritual was derived from Africa, and Dunbar-Keeys emphasized that the first trace of humanity is traced to central Africa. After escaping to the north, the Catlin family settled in Western Pennsylvania. Vachel’s son, George, opened up a barbershop there. During the daily operations of the shop, the table was always sitting in the window overlooking the town of West Newtown, Pennsylvania. George retired after more than 70 years as a barber and left his family table to a longtime friend and customer, John Sarnosky, who maintained it in his home until his death in 1980. At the time, his grandson, John
Bachkay, who was studying to be a priest at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., was given the table. In 1983, Fr. John was ordained as a priest for the Pittsburgh Dioceses. He took the table with him to all of his church duties. He gave the Catlin family table to Cabrini University after his retirement in 2021. Father Driesch, Bruckmann Chapel pastor, gave his remarks on the importance of the table being donated to the university. “After many years of traveling, this table has now found its home and we are honored to possess something with as much historical significance as this table. “ Driesch said. Perry Brisbon, vocal instructor and choir director, sung two breathtaking spirituals, a city called heaven and witness. “Negro spirituals” were a form of American folksong sung by Black Americans (mostly among enslaved Blacks) dating to the early 1600s to late 1800s. Spirituals combines African cultural legacy with the experiences of slavery and community of people in bondage initially during the transatlantic slave trade—the greatest and most horrific forced migrations in recorded human history. Music was vital to people’s lives in Africa, with music making pervading significant life events and daily routines. The white colonists of North America, on the other hand, were worried and disapproved of the slaves’ African-infused form of worship, which they regarded idolatrous and barbaric. As a result, the gatherings were frequently prohibited and had to be held in secret. “Spirituals were and are an important aspect of uplifting Black Americans and expressing the struggles and aspirations we were going through via singing,” Brisbon said.
Photo from cabrini.edu
African Libation is a ritual pouring of water. The significance is that of a West African tradition that has passed through the enslaved Africans on their travels to America. It is the meaning of everlasting and continuous life. Dunbar-Keeys welcomed everyone to participate in the ritual by saying “Ashe” after pouring water over a plant while saying the names of the ancestors. Ase or ashe (from Yoruba å) is a Yoruba philosophical notion that describes the power of the Yoruba of Nigeria to make things happen and for them to prosper. There are many Ashe meanings. It makes each and every one of us, gives us our movement, gives us our breath, grants our speech and could mean Amen. “It pays respect to our ancestors as we pay respect to those ancestors who have touched this table, such as St. Josephine Bakhita and all of the people, who cause of their lives we are here because of them,” DunbarKeeys said. Dunbar-Keeys highlighted that it is important to acknowledge God and our ancestors before doing this ceremony, and to give them the only thing they want, to be remembered. “The big key takeaway is the impact our ancestors had on the society we live in today,” Parker said. Parker presented the students with a historical perspective on the table. It reminds us of what Black people had to go through to obtain even the tiniest of belongings in their quest for freedom.Starting at Cabrini, a new tradition will be established in which the tiny wooden table will remain in the Chapel before being transported throughout the many offices at Cabrini, as it has done throughout history. The significance of the table will allow Cabrini to have a strong sense of community.
Cabrini University President Donald Taylor announced Tuesday morning that he is resigning to take a job as president at the University of Detroit Mercy. His resignation in a Cabrini-wide email, is effective at the end of this academic year. Taylor, 57, said that a transition plan is underway, and details will come from Cabrini’s Board Chair Amy Lambert, “as soon as they are available.” Detroit Mercy reported the announcement minutes after the email was sent this morning, saying “Taylor was selected for his three decades of experiences with developing academic programs, fostering alumni relations, partnering with communities, fundraising and other administrative responsibilities at other Catholic institutions.” “It has been a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as the eighth president of Cabrini University, since taking office in July 2014,” Taylor said in the Feb. 22 email. “A special thanks to Sisters Christine Marie Baltas and Grace Waters who have blessed our campus with their daily example of what an Education of the Heart means. Servant leadership of a university requires collaboration, and I would like to thank every Cabinet member I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside during my time at Cabrini.” During his leadership, Taylor’s many accomplishments as president include: •
Transitioning the University from a College to a University in 2016.
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Creation of four distinct schools in the University, each headed by a dean: School of Education; School of Business, Arts, and Media; School of Humanities and Social Sciences; and School of Natural Sciences and Allied Health.
See Donald Taylor Page 2
Editorial
2 WE ARE THE
LoQUITUR 2021-2022
Editorial Staff
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF SOPHIA GERNER WRITING MANAGING EDITOR MATTHEW RUTHERFORD MEDIA MANAGING EDITOR SYDNEE REDDY NEWS EDITORS ANNA SCHMADER CIERRA SOUTHARD MAX SILVERMAN SPORTS EDITORS RYAN CHYBINSKI CHRIS SCHALLER LIFESTYLES EDITORS TONIANN GOODEN PRYCE JAMISON PERSPECTIVES EDITORS MARK FINLEY TROY SCOTT LAYOUT AND DESIGN EDITOR SOPHIA GERNER
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The future hasn’t been written yet, what story will you tell? By Sophia Gerner, Matthew Rutherford, Sydnee Reddy Editor-in-Chief, Writing Managing Editor, Multimedia Editor Imagine walking into a school where not one teacher looks like you do. This is the sad reality that many students face in our school every day. Patching the Leaky Pipeline: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers of Color in Pennsylvania found that “only 4 percent of Pennsylvania’s teachers are people of color,” making this the lowest in the nation. A 2019-2020 report also found that out of 119,966 teachers in the state of Pennsylvania, only one percent are Asian, four percent are Black, one percent are Hispanic and 94 percent are white. The 2019-2020 report also stated that 50 percent of Pennsylvania’s public schools and 37 percent of all school districts only employed white teachers. This percentage is taken from 138 school districts and 1,078 of Pennsylvania’s public school’s that have zero teachers of color over any of the last seven school years. Pennsylvania has one of the highest disparities between students and teachers of color in the nation. Without equal representation throughout a school and classroom, how are students supposed to envision themselves accomplishing all of their dreams?
Not only does it affect how students see themselves, but the lack of diverse educators also reflects a lack of urgency among those hiring who fail to see the importance of keeping diversity in mind and how a diverse staff can lead to many other positive impacts. According to Research for Action, teachers of color have been shown to: • • • • • • •
Promote higher expectations for students of color Contribute to positive outcomes for students of color inside and outside of school Decrease the chances that students of color face discipline that gets them removed from school Lead to long-term positive outcomes and lower dropout rates Limit bias in all students Improve school atmospheres Hiring with diversity in mind needs to be of the utmost importance in order to ensure student success. Many students find school not enjoyable for these very reasons and it’s up to the schools’ administration to stop this recurring issue.
Before we even begin to think about ways to solve this problem, we need to become educated on how this not only affects students, but also why it is an important
concern to be addressed. After this we are able to solve this problem through creating financial encouragement for students of color to enroll in teacher programs that have developed diversity standards, set diversity goals and intentionally seek out diverse candidates and create more teacher programs where student teachers work with mentors for a school-year while working towards their degree. According to Research for Action, these programs could be part of a solution to help construct more diversity in the teaching workforce. Now imagine a school where any singular person of any background can walk into a school and be represented throughout the classrooms. Students can walk through this building and look up at the teachers, staff and administration with a sense of belonging and a sense of hope that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. The future is never set in stone and can be altered by enacting change and initiating more diverse hirings amongst the education system. We hold the power in our hands; what we do with it is up to us. The statistics don’t lie.
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ADVISER MARION CALLAHAN MISSION The Loquitur student newspaper and website are integral parts of the educational mission of the Cabrini communication department, namely, to educate students to take their places in the public media. Loquitur Media provides a forum of free expression. All members of the university community may submit work to the editors for possible inclusion. Publication is based on the editorial decision of the editors.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Loquitur accepts letters to the editor. The letter should be less than five hundred words, usually in response to a current issue on Cabrini University’s campus or community area and are printed as space permits. Name, phone number and address should be included with submissions for verification purposes. All letters to the editor must be sent via email to
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loquitur@cabrini.edu.
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Creation of four academic centers of excellence at the University: Center on Immigration; Center on Urban Education, Equity, and Improvement; Center on Domestic Violence & Early Childhood Education; and the Center on Global Business. Securing a partnership for Cabrini to become the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s first college partner with TheDream.US, an initiative that provides scholarship support for DACA students. Introducing the Cabrini 2020 Roadmap to Growth Strategic Plan and the Cabrini Promise. Created educational pathways for students to attend Cabrini by establishing nearly two dozen partnerships with K–12 schools (dual credit), institutions of higher education (4+1 degrees), and educational nonprofits across the region, the nation, and the world Introducing Cabrini’s first two doctoral programs, Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) and Organizational Development
Donald Taylor
(Ph.D.).
“He (Taylor) had a good impact on my life and I’m very sad that he left,” Jennifer Sinchi, accounting major, said. “He was very welcoming to me and my family, and was the main reason I chose to go to Cabrini.” Despite these achievements, Taylor’s presidency has also been met with challenges. Taylor, who has a total annual compensation package of $477,702, announced his resignation following several years of financial hardships facing the university. The University has been steadily losing money during his tenure as president. During his first year at Cabrini, the school had a $900,000 deficit. According to the IRS Form 990, a public federal tax document, Cabrini reports that each year he served, from 2015 to 2020, the university reported a deficit between $3 and $6 million. Also during his leadership, many departments
and academic programs were cut in an attempt to save money. Brianie Ramos, sophomore accounting major and Spanish minor, felt blinded by the Spanish department getting cut, and felt silenced as a minority student. In Detroit Mercy’s announcement posted Tuesday, Taylor expressed his excitement for his new post: “It is a great honor and I am humbled to be selected to serve as the next president of one of the great Catholic Universities in our nation at this time in its institutional history, building from the tremendous success and momentum of President Garibaldi’s long tenure at Detroit Mercy. In partnership with an engaged Board of Trustees, the Jesuits, Sisters of Mercy, faculty, staff, students, alumni and the greater Detroit metropolitan community, we look forward to leading Detroit Mercy to become the best comprehensive Catholic University in the Midwest.” His presidency at Detroit Mercy will begin on July 1, 2022.
In The Spotlight Supporting Black owned businesses is not only important but crucial THELOQUITUR.COM
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By Erica Zebrowski Staff Writer In the beginning of the pandemic we saw a lot of people supporting small local businesses. Lots of people ordered take out from momand-pop stores and local cuisine as well as purchased apparel and accessories, but one business sector that everyone seemed to breeze over was Black owned businesses. This has seemed to be a trend throughout American history with how Black ownership hasn’t been something often brought to the forefront. In May of 2020, Black owned businesses were at an all-time low at -40 percent. Lots of these businesses had to shut down because of low sales and revenue. Black owned businesses were also financially hit by COVID-19 because minority businesses such as Black owned businesses were late to receive loans given out by the federal Paycheck Protection Program. “Black owned businesses impact African American communities because it could give more African American people jobs under people who look like them. It could also serve as motivation for young African Americans to grow up and want to start their own businesses,” Aquil Stewart, sophomore exercise science major, said.
So why should we care? When you support or buy from these businesses you are helping create jobs and opportunities for others. You are giving young people motivation to become entrepreneurs.
The soft dough is infused with essential oils that release when you play with the dough. Reid currently has three scents Lavender, Spearmint and Creamsicle. You can find more on her website.
These entrepreneurs can then help their families grow, go from low income status to the middle class and change the narratives for many unemployed African Americans. Buying from small Black owned businesses also creates job opportunities for the business to hire unemployed African Americans.
“I think Black owned businesses are important because they show the progress in being successful for an African American in the United States,” Stewart said. He also believes that these businesses give people who have grown up in poor neighborhoods a chance to be successful in the real world.
If you don’t know how you can start to support Black owned businesses, here are some perfect small businesses rooted in the area that you can support.
The growth in Black owned businesses can also help Black communities make financial leaps for their environments, as taking more ownership can do wonders for the next generation.
AroDough from A Little Mental is a cute online shop that sells aromatherapy playdough for adults! Morgan Reid is the founder and creator of this fun stress relieving activity. She graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology and a Masters of Science in Education degree in Counseling and Mental Health Services.
Her and her brother, Dara Ajayi, now run the successful business that was founded out of Elabors King of Prussia studio apartment. They sell everything from women’s to kid’s clothing with lots of different options in sizing.
Reid created AroDough so adults could have a self care product that has the benefits of aromatherapy and fidget toys all in one.
Building awareness for these Black owned businesses can be crucial to their success. Supporting Black owned businesses is easy and it should be encouraged that people should support them more.
Cabrini’s Black Student Union offers safe space for all
By Thomas Ryan Staff Writer
Armani Parker, president of Cabrini’s Black Student Union, said it took multiple racial incidents on Cabrini’s campus “to have us say enough is enough.” Ongoing reports of racial incidents is why the Black Student Union is an atmosphere where people can be free and proud to express themselves and their culture. The purpose of the BSU is to incorporate people of all races, sexual orientation and genders to gain insight and tell their side of the story while understanding how others feel. Ever since their establishment back in 2013, the BSU has made a massive name for themselves here at Cabrini’s campus. Parker believes she has brought new life to Cabrini by showcasing her leadership and involvement within the BSU. “I feel like ever since coming to Cabrini I have been able to revamp the BSU in a new way with my uniqueness and passion for such a serious matter,” Parker said. “We wanted to create a safe space where people of all backgrounds, races and ethnicities talk about these heavy topics and teach those who are not informed about
what it is like to fight everyday just because of the color of my skin.” In April 2021, the BSU orchestrated what was “the proudest moment and most impactful moment in BSU history,” according to Geraldine Brown, secretary and social media coordinator of the BSU. The members of the BSU that led a several hundred students in the solidarity march showed their support for their fellow Black students here at Cabrini by marching around campus chanting and speaking up for those who were and are affected by these injustices. “It was a great experience that brought a lot of awareness to the topic of Black injustices not only on this campus but in all of our communities around the United States and the world,” Brown said. “It was such a powerful experience and what made it even more special is that people from the entire university, both the student body and staff included came to show their support for the Black community.” Ever since the beginning of the pandemic the BSU’s lack of events has lessened the amount of awareness being raised but that does
not stop them from doing their best to raise awareness in other ways. The BSU held a virtual event called “Black Table Talk” in the height of the pandemic in an effort to keep the conversation in the minds of the public. The event, attended by students and faculty members, welcomed a faculty member in the SEAL office at Cabrini who is a person of color. They discussed issues that have occurred here on campus as well as racism in general. “I was surprised at how many people attended this event, but more importantly I was proud at the impression it made on those who attended,” Parker said. The BSU held an event this past Friday, Feb. 18, in Grace Hall from 7-9 p.m. called “The Melanin Within.” This event supported local Black owned businesses. If students wish to get involved with this club or have any questions regarding the BSU, the office is located in the Diversity office across from the SEaL office near the campus bookstore in the bottom of the Widener building. Armani Parker leading chants at the solidarity march. Photo by Karena McDaniel.
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In The Spotlight
THELOQUITUR.COM
Why embracing Black History Month requires looking ‘beyond the textbooks’ By Toniann Gooden, Marcus Alvarez Lifestyles Editor, News Assistant Editor Thomas Edison, the man who invented light bulbs, is well-known. But who is familiar with Lewis Howard Latimer? Latimer was a gifted inventor and engineer who helped Edison in the development of a longer-lasting filament for the light bulb. Going beyond the textbook results in a far more true view of history. Ruby Bridges, Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, Marcus Gravey and others have all made significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. From Black activists, musicians, artists, athletes, writers, dancers, inventors and leaders, the list goes on and on. They, like so many others, are significant Black figures in AfricanAmerican history who have had a lasting impact. They are what makes America what it is in terms of music, food, history and culture. What is the purpose of Black History Month? In the United States and Canada, the whole month of Feb. is a holiday. It’s a chance to celebrate Black accomplishments while also acting as a timely reminder to analyze where systematic racism still exists and to recognize the people and organizations working to eliminate it. It’s a way to honor Black people throughout history, the present and the future for their hard work, abilities and contributions.
Black History Month is celebrated by Black people all around the world because it honors diversity. Within the Black community, there are so many great and beautiful cultures. This is a festival that extends beyond honoring African Americans’ achievements. It pays tribute to these brave men and women. It shares their inspiring stories in a way that helps us understand how much they’ve influenced our lives—and how different our lives would be if these people hadn’t taken chances to achieve incredible things. Junior Niamah Washington said, “Black history is a way we can remember people from our culture that fought and raise awareness to many systematic racism issues in our world.” Black History Month goes beyond textbooks, which primarily portrays what white history wants children to remember. Black History Month was not even a full month, let alone a fulllength year. Carter G. Woodson first established “Negro Week” in 1925. He hoped to teach others and spread awareness about the contributions made by African Americans who shaped the nation. The week took place during the birthdays of President Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, two significant figures in abolishing slavery –
hence why Black History Month takes place in February. The fight for civil rights for Black and African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s raised the consciousness of Black history, a.k.a the Black Awakening, for Black and African Americans. It wasn’t until 1976 that President Gerald R. Ford nationally recognized Black History Month in a speech that urged Americans to appreciate and honor the accomplishments of Black and African Americans. In 1986, Congress passed “National Black History Month” into law and henceforth made Black History Month a formal observance. Black History Month is an opportunity to understand and become educated on Black issues that have been hidden in the nation’s fabric. However, Black History Month is also a symbolic spotlight of celebrating Black and African American culture. Black appreciation is light turned on all year, but it is put in the spotlight for all to see during Feb. It is a month to go beyond surface-level discussions on slavery, the Civil Rights Movement or explicit racism. It’s time to highlight Black leaders, accomplishments and culture. Cabrini University is dedicated to Black History Month, “today and every day.” Cabrini has a lounge space near the bookstore for Black History, showcasing strong leaders.
Highlighting Black creators on Cabrini’s campus By Hannah Poggi Assistant Lifestyles Editor The art of creativity and the dedication for it shines through students at Cabrini. Calvin Rolland, a junior content creator, and Tariq Mines, a senior music artist, are two examples of creators on campus who have a voice and are enthusiastic about their work. Every Feb. is Black History Month and it is celebrated at Cabrini and famous, public figures are celebrated as well as those in the Cabrini community. Rolland and Mines both take pride in their work and are eager to grow and expand their experience as creators as well as gaining more exposure and credit from those around them. Whether that’s managing and putting out impactful messages on social media or making and producing music, Rolland and Mines describe their role as creators and provide an inside look on what they do.
Besides wanting more people to get involved in the community, Rolland describes the value of giving Black creators a voice and a platform.
“I Made Many Singles & 2 Solid Ep Projects. I started off with poetry when I was in high school making poems. I was winning “REC Philly handles the majority of our film production and competitions and almost was performing at every school function. recognizes the importance of creators in our community. They However, when I got to college is when I started making music. recognize that racial biases may make it difficult for Black creators All because a person by the name of Tahira Gant who I consider a sister; told me I Photo from @theqadergroup instagram should start making music. So, with the beginning of that, I had my first single called ‘Ever Met Somebody’ ft. Kxng Charisma and her. Following, later an EP called ‘Like a horizon’ the project was mainly poetry,” Mines said. The passion for making music that Mines has acquired, has evolved from his poetry writing and his influences along the way, which has led him to some great opportunities to collaborate and create his own singles.
“I’ve been working with the Qader Group for nearly a year. Our team manages social media for Philadelphia-area community leaders and organizations. I’ve had the opportunity to work on some really cool projects with some really cool people,” Rolland said.
When it comes to getting his name out there, Mines is still finding ways to market himself.
The Qader Group is in charge of supporting businesses with digital communication as well as personal branding and social media management. Rolland is involved with this group and has had the chance to interview some well-known people/ organizations. “We are currently collaborating with Danielle DiLeo Kim to plan the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence in Philadelphia. Through Philadelphia250, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on content with a variety of nonprofit organizations, including Philabundance. During winter break, I had the opportunity to film Loree D Jones and learn about the impact Philabundance has on our community,” Rolland said. With this experience under his belt and the collaborations he has endured in, Rolland is eager to continue to work with the Qader Group and wants more people to get involved. “Philadelphia 250 is asking the public to help make Philadelphia a more equitable, just and resilient city by 2026 and beyond. If you have any bold ideas or projects that have the potential to make a lasting impact in Philadelphia, please contact Philadelphia 250,” Rolland said. Rolland believes that more emphasis should be dedicated to making an influence in Philadelphia, and he seeks the community’s assistance in doing so.
grown so much since high school with it.
to find work. The REC has partnered with businesses to provide opportunities to underrepresented creators in our city, as well as free memberships,” Rolland said. Rolland expresses his feelings towards the Black creators who are overlooked and depreciated and feels that they need more light shed on them despite the efforts made by the REC to get more of them to land a job and work. Similar to Rolland, Mines believes Black creators having a voice is important. “We have been limited for so long; Music has been a platform for us as a culture to come together. So, it’s very important for us as Black creators to be storytellers and to create our own narrative,” Mines said. Mines identifies the importance of a voice for Black creators and how special it is to encapsulate the culture and narrative everyone has when it comes to storytelling and music. Speaking of music, Mines has had his fair share in creating music and has started and
“The question and the answer are something I’m trying to figure out for myself. I try my best to execute every time I’m doing something from making a song, marketing, content or anything related. I’m trying to build a fanbase but it’s hard and I know I just got to have faith and keep pushing. I try to pass out flyers around school to promote my music and some people listened. However, I guess the way to support is to go on Spotify, listen to my songs and share it. That is a way to gain attraction and bring awareness about what I do,” Mines said. When it comes to growing a fanbase and gaining followers, Mines is finding what works best for him in terms of that and highlights the idea that it’s a work in progress. He also brings up the idea to get as many people on campus to listen to his music and promote his work, but it’s often that people have listened or have not listened. Both Rolland and Mines are creators who are producing content and music that are meant for people and they continue to brand themselves in ways to be seen and heard, which is the key factor in giving them a platform that will be shared and related to others in order to create change and maintain happiness. “Creativity is the real exposure of imagination, where dreams come true,” Mines said.
News
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Brotherly love no more: How Philadelphia’s hike in violent crime affects people who live there
By Cierra Southard News Editor
Today, it’s hard to say that the city of Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love anymore. With the rise of gun violence and crime rummaging through the streets of Philadelphia, the city you love doesn’t seem to love itself anymore. As crimes are soaring, people of color and the city’s youth seem to be at the brunt of it. “I feel like I have to watch my back everywhere I go. I also feel that the police are very limited but it leads to laziness which is ineffective when it comes to protecting the community,” Justin Wiley, a resident of Philadelphia said. The numbers Almost 95 percent of shooting victims were people of color in 2021, police records show. Black men accounted for three-quarters of both shooting fatalities and total victims. “I’m not even proud or happy to be a resident in Philly anymore,” an anonymous source said about the violence in Philadelphia. Since 2013, there has been a steady rise of homicides within the city, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Police reports show that 2021 ended the year with 562 homicides, 85 percent of those were committed with a firearm. The deadliest year on record. Fatal shootings have jumped to 95 percent compared to five years ago. In Philadelphia, shooting deaths in 2020 were 50 percent higher than the previous year. Not every shot fired results in death. When examining both fatal and nonfatal events, there were a total of 2,327 shootings in 2021, a 76 percent increase since 2016. “It’s a shame that you can’t feel safe or be at peace,” said the anonymous source. “Most of them are kids, teenagers… it’s awful how people just have easy access to weapons.”
In 2021, there were 486 fatal shootings and 1,846 non-fatal. Along with homicides, the biggest spike of shootings occurred in 2020 during the pandemic, which saw 561 more shootings than the year prior. People ages 18 to 24 made up one-fourth of 2021’s fatal and nonfatal shooting incidents. Carjackings have nearly tripled since 2019. The city is already on track to pass the number of carjackings from 2021, which had roughly about 750. Since Feb. 6 2022, there have been 154 carjackings over the course of 37 days. Statistics show that between 2010-2019, there was an average of 230 carjackings each year in the city. The number increased to 409 in 2020 and rose to 757 in 2021. Police say most carjackings are being carried out by minors between the ages of 14 and 17, and that most of them are happening at gunpoint after someone has parked their car. Why is this happening? To first understand why this is happening, it is important to know where the most heavily impacted areas are. Where is it happening: Gun violence data is often examined at the ZIP code level. Philadelphia districts are tighter areas, so data from these areas can be helpful for community members, leaders and researchers who are looking to reduce violence. With districts, they can hone in on a specific targeted area. However, each district covers many blocks and can group together communities that don’t necessarily have access to the same resources. The neighborhoods that people live in and the resources that they have access to can be correlated to the violence within those areas.
“Instead of seeing beautiful homes, all you see are houses that have bars and gates on their windows because they don’t feel safe,” an anonymous source said. “It’s a shame you have to look and feel like you’re in prison.” Districts with a high concentration of shootings are likely to predict shootings in the surrounding area(s). Just because an area sees a high concentration of shootings one year doesn’t mean it will see the same in the following years. Shifts in areas could have to do with the pandemic altering drug markets or gang activity, as well as changes in housing values throughout the city. The reason behind the surge is a spike in gun violence, that could take time to combat and understand. There have been several once-in-a-lifetime events all happening at the same time. A pandemic most of the generation has never experienced, economic turmoil, a nationwide uprising over racial inequity and a time of social and political unrest. All of these events can cause mass anxiety and distress which could be behind the rise of gun crime. The increase has also been concentrated in communities of color where residents have endured higher violence levels alongside systemic issues, such as poverty. The spike To finish reading the story, has also occurred, while scan the QR code rapes and assaults committed without a gun have unusually declined.
SCANME
With the rise of gun violence, two law enforcement trends in Philadelphia have overlapped: police have arrested fewer people, and prosecutors have secured fewer convictions in court.
Examining how Black trauma has been made profitable in American entertainment By Pyrce Jamison Lifestyles Editor Does everyone have a different definition of what Black culture is? What is truly the image of Black innovation that has been portrayed in media and influenced entertainment? From viewing films and mass media, people may not even realize that they are getting such a limited view of who Black Americans really are. While it’s essential to keep in mind all of the oppression that has been fought by African Americans for generations for civil lifestyle when diving into this topic, much of African American history has gone untold. One can vividly see how poets, musicians, filmmakers and different types of artists have reflected on their struggle in their work, but how have the big companies promoted and encouraged this? There are negative consequences of spotlighting only a few pieces of Black history. One student said the stereotypical portrayal of Black Americans in film does not reflect true Black American culture. “It’s no secret that there are certain roles in movies, skits that revolve around what’s looked at as “humorous” in our culture and messages in music, that are pushed out more than others that can get stereotypical,” Malik Bailey, junior psychology major, said. “And in a way, these companies and social media websites know these things but still want us Black people to be painted a certain way that doesn’t tell the full story of our culture.” The trend among production studios and music recording labels to hone in on the oppressive and negative parts of history has proven to be profitable, but at what cost? Once film production studios and record labels discovered what audiences viewed as “cool” and Black, profiting off of the traumatic stories of the Black man in America seemed to be more accessible and more profitable direction for them to turn to for decades. For example, start with film. Look at the aggressive, inner-city
based films that started in the 90s such as Boyz N the Hood, Menace II Society, Juice, and many more as there are still shows and films being released along those lines up to this day, as well as the many slavery and civil rights films that exist that are still very important. The historic content in these films are valuable. There’s nothing wrong with these types of films, but where the issue lies is that mostly all-Black casts seem to have been only used for stories that many Americans have associated with “Black culture.” Black culture is much more than the negative aspects that are presented to the world in entertainment. Luckily in recent years, more types of Black-led roles and films have made these opportunities more accessible such as 2018’s Black Panther based on the Marvel comic, and other recent films such as The Harder They Fall and Us which are putting things in the right direction from the standpoint of certain African Americans. “I don’t see myself casting a white dude as the lead in my movie, not that I don’t like white dudes,” Filmmaker Jordan Peele said. “But I’ve seen that movie.” Some did take offense from the Get Out and Us filmmaker when he said this back in 2019, in which he was only trying to make a point of how he’s dedicated to bringing minority actors to the spotlight with more diverse roles.
hip-hop culture, but these corporations and the mainstream have decided to push that type of sound to the forefront more than ever, in a blind effort to keep feeding it to both inner city and suburban middle class consumers. This can result in continued stereotypes of what makes a community and music genre Black and in style, that further adds labels on the culture that is hard to shake off because of the mainstream. This resonates with the Black youth the most who are believing more and more about how they should act based on media expectations. Once again, there is nothing wrong with the music and movie entertainment examples that were given, as there is value and enjoyment that Black folk can take away from all of these pieces of work. The discussion at hand is about diversifying and mixing up the things that the Black community can stand for in the media, which appears to be a bit overdue in film and fading away in music. This has proved to be essential because at the end of the day, African Americans aren’t even the ones that are profiting the most off of their “culture” as you start to look even more below the surface.
Similar to music, African Americans have been evolving and putting their twists on it throughout the 20th century. It is no secret how major record labels have found ways to snag the rights of creator’s work for decades, which has been most apparent with the hip-hop and R&B genres. Gangsta rap has taken fame even beyond the control of the US government who tried to put a stop to it when N.W.A first hit the scene. In modern times and what makes this troubling, is that yes, this type of hardcore rap has always been a beloved part of
Photo by boyznthehoodpics’ Instagram.
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How rap culture has helped Black communities express themselves
By Victoria Giordano Assistant News Editor
When Public Enemy released “Fight the Power” in the ‘80s, it shook the world. “At the time of the song’s release, it was during the riots happening in Detroit,” Brianna Mack, freshman communications, music industry and business major, said. “So, it talks about police brutality, pop culture and a lot of important pressing issues that were important to Black people at that time, and still are now.”
“It has shed light on things that weren’t shown before,” Grieco said. “Unfortunately, a lot of the themes and things that happened back then in the ‘70s and the ‘80s are still today, prominently happening.” According to Mack, hip-hop, rap or hip-hop and rap was created by Black people for Black people. She also highlighted a few famous artists’ fashion styles, like Mary J. Blige and Lil Kim. “Any celebrity you see wearing a similar outfit to the ones they wore, it was because they were inspired by them,” Mack said. “If you look up the artists, you’ll see their outfits.” Whether it’d be through the music or the clothes, “hip-hop/rap has been a staple in American culture since it came out,” Mack said.
Grieco mentions a few components, such as the continuous COVID-19 pandemic and how this is a great chance for people to come together. He also talks about how hip-hop, rap or hip-hop and rap become a major force in the music industry. Whether it’d be at the half-time show for the Super Bowl or a concert, hip-hop/rap is effortlessly and constantly changing daily aspects for Black people. “Rappers can express themselves and show that rap isn’t what you just hear on your phone,” Rogers said. “There’s never been a popular group of rappers on the half-time show that has helped rap expand for Black communities.”
Super Bowl LVI Half-Time Show On the evening of Feb. 13, five of the biggest names in the rap game, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, preformed on the sports world’s biggest stage, Super Bowl LVI.
Cover of “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy. Photo was taken from Wikipedia.
For over 40 years, hip-hop and rap has originally set an outlet for the Black communities to express themselves and the challenges they face daily considering their culture and skin color. “I think hip-hop/rap is a way for them to say whatever they want to say,” Griffin Rogers, sophomore business management major, said. “It’s a way for them to share their stories of upbringing.” Stephen Grieco, the head of the music department, said hip-hop, rap or hip-hop and rap has been used as a voice for Black people to express themselves and on what is occurring in their communities.
This is the first time that rap artists had performed at the legendary game’s halftime show. “Everyone in our generation knows these famous artists and their songs of the older generation,” Rogers said. “This shows it doesn’t have to be a pop or R&B artist.” Despite other rappers that had performed at the half-time show, this one in particular, is significant because of the key people that performed. “You’ve got Dr. Dre and Snoop Dog passing the baton, more or less to the younger hip-hop/rap artists, like Kendrick Lamar,” Grieco said. “So, I think it celebrates all of that. Hip-hop/rap has surpassed rock nowadays.”
Half-time show performers: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem, which shows how much hip-hop/rap is a pawrt of American culture. Photo from NFL’s Instagram.
Award shows are still suppressing Black artists and actors By Isaiah Dickson Assistant Perspectives Editor The name Hattie McDaniel is a name not many people are familiar with. She was an African American actress born on June 10, 1893 in Wichita, Kansas.
However, there are many Black artists who make music in different genres. Music award shows like the Grammys often fail to recognize them.
Her most notable acting contribution was her role in the 1939 film, Gone with the Wind. In the film, she played the role of Mammy, a role that would later lead to a common film and television trope.
“When I hear that, I’m just like why can’t we be in Pop? Half of me feels like the Rap nomination was just a backhanded compliment. Like, my little cousin wants to play the game. Let’s give him the unplugged controller so he can shut up and feel good about it, that’s what it felt like a bit,” Tyler said.
In the following year, McDaniel made history by becoming the first African American to win an Oscar. The category was best supporting actress. It’s no secret that Black musicians and Black actors have influenced culture. Yet, they often get put into a box or ignored all together by the people voting on these awards. Ella Fitzgerald, a Jazz music icon, became the first African American to win a Grammy in 1958. She took home the prize for her contributions in the best female vocal performance and best Jazz vocal performance categories. The Grammys have a habit of suppressing Black artists. They normally win awards for categories that many might consider to be “Black music” such as Jazz, R&B and Hip-Hop. In 2020, Tyler, the Creator won his first Grammy for his album Igor. He won in the category of best Rap album, and then reflected on the conflicted feelings he had about this win in an interview. “It sucks that whenever we, and I mean guys that look like me, do anything that’s genre-bending or that’s anything they always put it in a Rap or Urban category. I don’t like that urban word, it’s just a politically correct way to say the n-word to me,” Tyler said in a televised post-Grammy interview. Tyler’s criticism of how the Grammys categorize Black artists is a view that many have had for a while. Armani Parker, president of the Black Student Union, is of the same mindset. “Some people in the Grammys would rather see us be separated,” Parker said. “Most people would rather see our downfall instead of us being successful.” For many Black artists, those Urban categories will be the only way they can win that award.
Throughout the history of the Grammys, there has only been ten artists to win album of the year, only two of them have been Rap albums. The first being Lauryn Hill in 1999 for her album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The most recent Rap album to win the category was the Hip-Hop duo, OutKast. They won in 2004 for their album, Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below. While the Grammys is at fault for excluding Black artists, they aren’t the only award show guilty of it. The most recent example of this can be seen in the 2021 Emmys.
Photo of Hattie McDaniel from the Academy’s Instagram
In a show that had a record number of diverse nominees, not a single person of color won an award for an acting category. The winners were completely white-washed in the perspectives of many. It’s true that award shows are attempting to be more diverse with their nominees, but still not allowing Black artists, actors and other people of color to win awards they deserve at times is blocking this attempt. “They need to be more diverse, I am emphasizing this,” Parker puts simply. “Some people scream all about equality and how they stand, but they don’t show it. That is performative activism.” In a time where Black voices are being heard more than ever, their art is still being suppressed. When consumers of Black art and artists like Tyler, the Creator call out the racism rooted award shows, they can create change. They can open the door for Black artists and actors to be recognized no matter the genre of their art.
Photo of Alicia Keys from the Recording Academy’s Instagram
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Perspectives
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A Black Student-Athlete’s Cabrini Experience By Troy Scott Perspectives Editor Jan. 20 2019. That is the day that I decided to commit to Cabrini University for soccer. It marked a long and treacherous process that was finally over, allowing me to focus on the rest of my high school career and my next four years of playing soccer at the next level. I had met some of the other students who committed at an I.D. camp held by Cabrini, and everyone was looking forward to the 2019 season. One thing that I had been blessed with growing up in Burlington is how diverse my school and my team were. Teammates in my high school were African, Asian, Black, White, Latinx and Arabic. I had Muslim teammates, Christian teammates, Jewish teammates, Sikh and atheist teammates.
Black coaches. The only sport where there is more than one Black coach is men’s basketball. In the athletic office, there is one Black person on the staff. The lack of representation is what caught my eye.
to people who are from that background, it’s interesting to see how a person’s high school experience carries on to college in terms of who they decide to hang out with, what issues they deem most important and how Catholic teachings shaped them.
The counter-argument for my observation is that the people who are in these positions deserve it. I am not questioning that by any means, all of the coaches worked their way to where they are at. I just want to know why there aren’t many Black sports administrators as well as Black coaches. For a higher-education university that prides itself on diversity, social justice and civility, I think that ques-
A lot of kids from that background never really had a plethora of Black friends and/or leaders. Comparing how I grew up, it seemed impossible for that to be the case. But looking at demographics and dynamics, it all makes sense now.
I enjoy talking to people with different perspectives because the only outcome for me is that I learned something and hopefully I taught a person about my experience.
I was in an environment where all the sports teams reflected that diversity. People from all ends of the world were attending my high school.Transitioning into college was a culture shock. Firstly, I attended public schooling my whole life so going to a private Catholic institution was different. The first day of classes made me realize that my experience would be entirely different from my high school. Different doesn’t mean negative or positive. Just different. The experience of being a Black student-athlete at a predominantly white institution is something I will forever be grateful for. Being one of six Black players on the soccer team and comparing the other sports teams at Cabrini. Despite only having six Black players, my team was one of the most diverse college teams.That was eyeopening. I was surprised by that because whether it’s people who had never had a Black teammate, or people who went to private schools, that insight provided me with further learning and helped me get a better understanding of the world. With anything, there are positives as well as negatives. I am a firm believer of sports being a reflection of how the world is. I didn’t want this to be a propaganda piece for Cabrini, or a feel-bad pity story either. I want people to know what it is like to be at Cabrini University as a Black student-athlete. Viewpoint on Cabrini Athletics When looking at the school’s coaching dynamic, there aren’t many
It is human nature to be comfortable with people who look and sound like themselves. This is a barrier that needs to be broken by communicating and trying to actively fix the problem.
Playing Experience Being a part of the men’s soccer team has opened many opportunities, but I think my impact off the field has been more evident than on it. Winning the conference championship was an amazing moment I will never forget, but at the end of the day, it’s not the most important.
Provided by TJ Scott
tion deserves to be answered. Having the athletic director be a woman is very good. Kate Corcoran, Brittany Runyen and Laura Patton are three women who continue to pave the way for women in the sports industry. One recurring theme that I see in Cabrini athletics is its dedication to success. This starts from the top-down and the athletic achievements from the past are proof of that. Social Experience The first thing that I noticed when experiencing Cabrini is how many people come from Catholic schooling. Catholic schools in general don’t have a great Black population unless it’s an athlete or a person who has the money to go to those schools. When talking
What I find most important are my connections, especially when soccer is the gateway to those opportunities. I love to talk to my teammates about how bad Anthony Martial is or how soft Ben Simmons is (even more now that Harden is in Philly). I also enjoy talking about real-world issues that make things uncomfortable as well. Being uncomfortable is something I had to do my whole life, and that is something that has made me into the person that I am today. The trials on the field with your teammates help lower that barrier just because of the camaraderie that all of us have for each other. That being said, people that look like me on campus shouldn’t be the only ones who have to bring up tough discussions. I want to be able to talk about this without having people think that they can’t say certain things or feel suppressed. At the end of the day, people should be empathetic and have an open mind to different ideas and perspectives.
Can we cancel ‘cancel culture?’ By Angel Halas Staff Writer Olivia Jade. Kevin Hart. Logan Paul. Rachael Kirkconnell. What do they all have in common? They’ve all been canceled at one point during their career. But what’s different between them? Some have been welcomed back into the spotlight and are flourishing, while others continue to be ridiculed for past mistakes. There are many ways that we could look at and define cancel culture, but Vox offers the definition that being canceled means being “culturally blocked from having a prominent public platform or career.” Many celebrities are canceled through social media and face the most backlash on those sites. My problem with cancel culture is that it doesn’t seem to make sense. How do we pick and choose who gets to come back into society? How do we know one apology is meant more than another, especially if the apology is just text on a screen? Does it show what we value more? Olivia Jade is probably a name that many college students are familiar with. She is the daughter of actress Lori Loughlin and was famously involved in the college admissions scandal of 2019, where it was discovered that Jade’s parents were involved in bribery and forging documents to get both of their daughters into college. While Jade’s parents were facing jail time, Jade herself lost some friends, some of her following and her brand relationships, which was her career. While she has come back to social media, began making her usual YouTube videos once again and has received some different brand deals, she constantly faces hate and continuous backlash in the comments of everything she posts. . While I can understand the outrage that many people have over what happened, is it really fair if we blame an 18-year-old girl [at the time of the scandal] over what actually happened? How many of us had made major mistakes at that age? Yes, she’s old enough to know the difference between right and wrong, but on her Red Table Talk, she opens up about not knowing the full extent of what her parents were doing but also apologizes for what she was a part
of. Yet, she still gets hate. Why isn’t she allowed to have a second chance? I know people who have barely done an ounce of work on their own as college students. Just because they don’t have a huge following, why are they not held accountable? Why should they be in college? Kevin Hart was supposed to host the Oscars in 2019 but was met with backlash after the announcement due to the fact he had posted homophobic tweets between 2010-2011. He ultimately stepped down from hosting the ceremony. Hart originally did not post an apology since he claimed that he had spoken on the issue previously and noted that he had acknowledged what was right and what was wrong. However, the next day he tweeted his apology and said that he is evolving. Hart had a successful career as a comedian and actor before these tweets resurfaced and continues to have success after the fact. The issues haven’t been talked about since 2019 publicly. A lot of people held Hart accountable for his tweets made in 2010 -2011 and yet, he still has a successful career. I’m not saying he shouldn’t have a successful career because I believe he should, and it’s smart for us to move on from the past and allow people to grow from their mistakes. But why do people accept his apology moreover than Olivia Jade’s? Why was he so quickly signed on to other movies if these scandals can be so destructive? There are other people out there that are constantly homophobic and don’t get punished for it. Why? Another celebrity that has been canceled, yet welcomed back, is Logan Paul. Paul came across a dead body in a forest while in Japan, recorded it, made jokes and uploaded the video. Paul posted an apology and took down the video, saying he never should have posted it. However, many people believed Paul knew exactly what he was doing and his apology wasn’t real. While Paul did lose followers over the incident, he continued to be cast in television and movie appearances, along with recently starting to box. Again, while I believe everyone deserves a second
chance and we all make mistakes, what makes it okay for Logan Paul not to receive as much hate as someone Screenshot taken from @loganpaul Instagram like Olivia Jade? So, as a society, we’re okay with someone mocking suicide and not okay with someone’s parents bribing colleges to get their children into college? At what level can we compare these two things and put one over the other? A previous contestant on The Bachelor, who is now dating Bachelor alum, Matt James, Rachael Kirkconnell was under fire for a long time during her season. In 2018, while she was in college, she attended a plantation-themed fraternity party. She did publicly apologize for the photos that resurfaced, for attending the event and for being blind to how that must have made other people feel. She has openly discussed her apology and how she has worked on herself and constantly receives supportive comments. Again, how do we value one apology over another? How can we tell if one is more genuine? How is it fair for certain people not to get berated for their past mistakes and be able to move on, while others will face backlash every day? These are just examples of a few celebrities who have been canceled and the effect (or lack thereof) it has had on their career. I don’t understand why we aren’t willing to forgive some of these canceled celebrities. We all make mistakes. Our friends and our families make mistakes and we forgive them. We forgive ourselves when we mess up. Just because celebrities have a higher followwing and a larger audience, does that mean they aren’t allowed to make mistakes? Celebrities are human just like the rest of us, and we don’t seem to treat them all as human beings.
THELOQUITUR.COM Sports Cabrini outruns Centenary on Senior Night; McDonald secures 100 wins
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By Edward Martin Staff Writter Wednesday, Feb. 16, caps the last time five Cabrini men’s basketball seniors stepped foot on Nerney Fieldhouse’s hardwood. Billy Warren, Brice Parks, Ryan Byers, Brendon Fisher and Pat Costa all took on unique leadership roles for the Cavaliers.
tered, making each of their final seven field goals, and went 13-19 from the free-throw line to keep the game out of reach. Stewart and Byars combined for 63 of Cabrini’s 96 points, while 19 of Stewart’s points were recorded in the second half.
With an underclassmen-led roster, the Cavaliers sat last in the Atlantic East Conference standings with a 7-14 overall record (8-14 in league play). This didn’t bother the Cavaliers, as they were on a quest to capture head coach, Tim McDonald’s, 100th career win.
Chris Labelle led the Cyclones in scoring, finishing with 24 while Billy Veras and Harrison Lucibello recorded 20-plus points respectively. Parks, Byars and Warren emphasize the impact the 2022 senior class had on the underclassmen and the program.
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“We were ready from the moment we woke up that morning, it being senior day and having the opportunity to get Coach McDonald’s 100th win,” Byars said. Cabrini outpaced Centenary University 96-90. The energy spewed minutes after tipoff, as Cabrini came out running offensively. Byars, who finished with a career-high 35 points on 11-16 shooting while adding 15 rebounds, initiated the tempo early as the Cavaliers stormed out to an early lead. The first half consisted of 10 lead changes and six ties. Cabrini went on a 12-4 run late while the Cyclones countered with an 8-0 run of their own to end the half.
The second half proved to be a bit Graphic By Cabrini Athletics closer than the first. The two teams were squared at 69 apiece with 4:14 remaining. Sophomore Aquil Stewart, was the catalyst to what sparked a 12-5 Cabrini run down the stretch. A steal by sophomore Milton Robinson, led to a Centenary foul and a subsequent technical foul. Stewart took advantage, knocking down both free throws. Robinson then connected with Byars on a lay-up to extend the Cavalier’s led to 83-74 with 1:42 to play. The Cyclones made a push at the end, hitting six of their last nine field goals. But the Cavaliers coun
“I just tried to be there for the younger guys and help them grow mentally on the court. Helping them understand how things are is the best way for them to grow since at this level everyone can play,” Parks said. “Mentoring the underclassmen was simple because they genuinely want to get better and soak in as much as possible,” Warren said. “Our biggest thing in mentoring the underclassmen is to just make sure they enjoy every moment of it because it goes by so fast. Within enjoying, keep growing and never stop learning and listening,” Byars said. Parks touched on the mental aspects of playing basketball at the collegiate level. “It’s the mental part that some players don’t grasp, and they have this year. I just try to show the guys that I give it my all and as long as you are going as hard as you can the problems that you face will be solvable,” Parks said. Byars and Warren touched on the relationship within the 2022 senior class and how their bond has evolved over their four-year tenure. “I love these four guys. Through our four years, we had a lot of ups and downs on the court, but have continued to grow off the court. They went from being my friends to becoming my legitimate brothers,” Warren said. “The relationship and bond this senior class has built over the years is unmatched, lifelong brothers. We have grown so much from young high school kids to grown men who all have great wisdom and knowledge now,” Byars said. The blue and white strive to build off of their 2021-22 campaign, as they return 10 of their 15 athletes.
Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores sues the NFL for racial discrimination By Jake Rader Assistant Multimedia Editor In a league that is nearly 70 percent African American, there are only three coaches of color to represent the majority of players in the National Football League. Former Miami Dolphins coach, Brian Flores is trying to change that. However, instead of fighting the league on the field, he’s taking his battle to the courts. Flores recently amended his lawsuit to include the Houston Texans, adding to the claims of racial injustice already filed against the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and the NFL.
Flores cited text messages with New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichick, as evidence for his lawsuit. In the messages, Belichick appeared to congratulate Flores on being named the head coach of the New York Giants. However, Belichick meant to text Brian Daboll, whom the Giants eventually hired for the job. Belichick also sent this congratulatory text to Flores before he had even interviewed for the job. This revelation insinuated that the Giants Head Coaching choice had been predetermined and that Flores was only granted an interview to fulfill the Giants Rooney Rule requirement. Flores is prepared to prove this by taking the biggest sports league in the world head-on and is willing to risk everything by doing so. “I understand that I may be risking coaching the game that I love,” Flores told ESPN after filing the lawsuit. While Flores appears to be shut out of a head coaching job at this time, multiple minority coaches appear to be finding their way into NFL locker rooms. Just days after the Flores allegations the final two NFL head coaching vacancies were filled by Black coaches in Miami’s Mike McDaniels, and Houston’s Lovie Smith.
There is a growing Photo by Chris Unger belief around the NFL that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will be forced to sell the team due to claims made by Flores. In the lawsuit, Flores states that Ross offered him an extra $100,000 per Dolphins loss in the 2019 NFL season. Flores claims this was done by Ross in order for the Dolphins to get a higher draft pick in the following year’s draft.
However, it appears that Flores won’t be completely shut out of an NFL locker room, as this past weekend Flores was announced as an assistant defensive coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This claim of match-fixing by Flores is just a footnote in the lawsuit, as the statements of racial discrimination are prevalent throughout.
This story has captured the attention of the sports fans throughout the Cabrini student body, specifically within the athletic department.
The suit depicts an abuse of the Rooney Rule, a process set in place to provide Black coaches and front office members more opportunities to coach in the NFL.
“It’s just unfortunate that Flores has to risk his entire livelihood in order to provide more opportunities for African Americans,” Jalen Hammond, junior computer and science information student, said.
The Rooney Rule requires all NFL teams to interview at least one African American candidate when they have a head coaching vacancy, and two African Americans for general manager positions. Flores interviewed with four NFL teams after being fired by the Dolphins, which fulfilled the teams’ Rooney Rule requirement.
Hammond expressed a sentiment that it is disheartening that in a league of mostly African American players, there are few coaches to represent the majority population in African Americans.
However, Flores is claiming that when he interviewed for these head coaching vacancies, the jobs were already predetermined. Flores believes this was racial discrimination as his interviews were just another box for the teams to check off.
This is where the latest developments of the lawsuit come into play, as Flores was reportedly the front runner for the Texans job before filing the lawsuit against the league.
The NFL prides itself in preaching diversity, and league commissioner Roger Goodell has already taken steps to ensure this. This past week, Goodell and multiple team owners meet with civil rights leaders to discuss the situation. In the meeting, the main topic of conversation was how the league can achieve diversity in their hiring practices.