April 13

WEDNESDAY | 4.13.2016 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 59, Issue 11

WHAT’S INSIDE

A Young Korean's Experience in America

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LGBT Lit Slam Provides Voice for ODU Community

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Sha kespea re 400 YEARS AFTER

Will Donald Trump Be a Good or Bad President?

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“The object of the event is not just to worship Shakespeare, but to connect Shakespeare’s influence to Virginia. Because it was his world that came here in 1607 and the result through a series of consequences, is us. Here we are today.”

- Imtiaz Habib, ODU Professor of English and Shakespeare Scholar.

APRIL 13-20

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Face in the m ace

Hashtag #ODU to see your face in the m ace

SOCIAL MEDIA

Mace & Crown Mace & Crown is a newspaper published by and written for the students of Old Dominion once a week throughout each semester and once in the summer. Originally founded in 1930 as The High Hat, the paper became the Mace & Crown in 1961. The Mace & Crown is a primarily self-supporting newspaper, maintaining journalistic independence from the university. All views expressed in this collegiate paper are those of the author, not of the University, Mace & Crown or the editors.

EDITORIAL BOARD Amy Poulter Editor-in-Chief editorinchief @maceandcrown.com Stef Wasko Copy Editor swask002@odu.edu Jonah Grinkewitz News Editor news@maceandcrown.com

Ross Reelachart Technology Editor technology@maceandcrown. com Matt O’Brien Sports Editor sports@maceandcrown. com Sabrina Brooks Graphic Designer sbroo029@odu.edu

Adam Flores Arts & Entertainment Editor artsandentertainment@ maceandcrown.com

Jason Kazi Assistant Digital Editor Advertising Manager advertising@maceandcrown. com

Joshua Boone Photography Editor photo@maceandcrown. com

Jugal Patel Digital Editor jpate016@odu.edu

STAFF WRITERS Kimberly Bering Shannon Jay Lindsey Lanham Ben Maxie Zachary Moeller George Plank Elizabeth Proffitt Megan Snyder Erin Sudek

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STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Jonathan Harding Josef Hicks Shamon Jones Jomar Pablo Brian Vliet

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News LOCAL NEWS

For updated community crime information, visit maceandcrown.com.

PHOTOS: WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES

CREDIT: KAM NEDD

First Unity Fest to Celebrate Diversity at ODU Old Dominion University will hold its first ever Unity Fest on Thursday, April 21 on Kaufman Mall to celebrate its tradition of diversity and inclusion. The event is being organized by the Office of Intercultural Relations along with student organizations. The festival will allow different students and organizations to interact, as well as unveil the Unity Wall Banner which will showcase contributing student organization names and logos as a symbol of committed unity.

Fourth Annual Poetry Slam to be Hosted by University Libraries To celebrate National Library Week and National Poetry Month, the ODU Libraries will host their fourth annual Poetry Slam, on Thursday, April 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Learning Commons at Perry Library. Participants will present original poetry to a live audience and a panel chosen by the audience will judge the quality and presentation of their performances and winning poets will receive prizes.

Senator Mark Warner Visits Norfolk Senator Mark Warner visited downtown Norfolk on April 1 to see first hand the issues that Norfolk faces with sea level rise and recurrent flooding. He met with experts from ODU, the City of Norfolk, and the Hampton Roads District Planning Commission present collaborative efforts to help the community adapt and develop a plan for these challenges. In the most recent state budget, funding was included to address the issue and experts want to go further to create a national center for sea level rise research.

On March 29, participants had the opportunity to be a part of the solution to stop sexual and relationship violence against women. Members of the ODU community slipped on provided pairs of heels and walked around campus showing fellow Monarchs that they are allies in the movement to end violence. Information tables were set up in the Webb Center where participants could learn about the various ways to show support and participate in the Men of Quality photo / video shoot.

At the end of the walk, the Green Dot ODU Campus Challenge was kicked off with remarks given

by ODU President John Broderick.

Charles the Monarch to Remain in Custody until Court Hearing Charles the Monarch, otherwise known as Norfolk’s “lion dog,” will remain in custody of Norfolk Animal Protection until a court hearing. On March 30, a resident spotted Charles running around at 38th and Colley Avenue and picked him up and turned him over to Animal Protection officers. They want to charge the owner, Daniel Painter, with having a nuisance animal. After a previous incident in 2013, Painter was ordered to keep the dog on a leash.

THE ODU POLICE DEPARTMENT FAILED TO UPDATE THEIR ONLINE CRIME LOG, AS OF SATURDAY, APRIL 9.

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NEWS

Check back next week for another international student profile!

Hwa Jeong Lee poses with the South Korean flag in front of a world map hanging at the Office of Intercultural Relations on the second floor of the Webb Center.

Photo by Girish Sreevatsan Nandakumar

Struck by Wanderlust: A Young Korean's Experience in America Girish Sreevatsan Nandakumar Contributing Writer Hwa Jeong Lee is an international student from Daejeon, South Korea.

She is at ODU through the Global Undergraduate Exchange (UGRAD) Program funded by the United States Department of State. In South Korea, she attends Chungnam National University where she studies political science and diplomacy and agricultural economics. She spoke to the Mace about how spending a semester abroad is a dream come true for her.

Lee has always wanted to visit the United States. The seeds of her love for traveling the world were planted when she was 15 years old. One of her teachers, Hanbiya, who was struck by wanderlust herself, described how Turkey was the most fascinating among all the places she had been to. This made a lasting impression on Lee and made her want to visit Turkey herself one day. When Lee turned 19, she took a year off from college to save money in order to travel abroad. She

wanted to travel as much as possible while she was young. Her mother did not like the idea as it is not common in Korea for a young girl like Lee to travel abroad alone. It took a lot of convincing, but Lee eventually got her way.

Lee left for Turkey by herself and stayed there for about a month, spending most of her time on the West Coast. Lee loved the food, the bazaar and the confluence of diverse cultural elements. Since she had some money left and wanted to see more countries, she explored her options nearby. Due to political instability in Egypt and other nearby places at that time, she chose the Czech Republic.

Lee went to Prague, the first major European city she had ever been to, and spent about a week there. She was mesmerized by the city. She especially loved the city at night. It was almost exactly how she had imagined it.

After returning to South Korea, she realized she wanted to travel more and study abroad to broaden her perspectives. She had always been inter-

ested in learning English and wanted to study in the U.S. She had been accepted into an American university soon after she finished high school, but since tuition was too high in spite of the scholarships she was offered, she had decided to go to school in Korea. She remained hopeful and kept looking for a program best suited for her. The highly competitive UGRAD program was perfect as it paid for all her expenses.

Lee recalls how surreal the trip felt when she first landed in Norfolk.

“This is American air I’m breathing!,” she said recalling her experience.

Though one might expect Lee would have experienced major culture shock, it was quite the opposite. She had always been a big fan of American music and movies, which were her window into American culture. The biggest reason she didn't struggle with culture shock was Matthew, Lee’s long-time pen pal from Buffalo, New York. They met through a website which connected

students wanting to learn English to native English speakers. Lee’s interest in learning English had lead her to find such opportunities to practice English back in Korea. Matthew and Lee had become close over the years, and he had prepared her well. Lee was elated when they finally met in person, after knowing each other for eight years. Thanks to Matthew, Lee was comfortable adapting to most aspects of life in America.

Lee feels she is "too extroverted" for Korea, and she fits perfectly here in the US. Even random people she met during her trip to Washington, D.C. told her they thought she was American. One particular aspect of American culture which Lee was initially taken aback by was the way American students engage in discussion with their professors in class.

This was quite different from what she was used to in Korea, where only the professors speak. Lee likes the way American classes are and believes that participation is good as it encourages critical thinking, which

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leads to change and progress. She is now scared of a ‘reverse culture shock’ as she will be going back to Korea after this semester.

While she was in Washington, D.C. for a conference hosted by the State Department for UGRAD students, she observed how driven and idealistic most of them were. She was overjoyed to be in the midst of people like her, because in Korea, the emphasis was always more on getting a job or making money. She recalls constantly being criticized for being too idealistic. Lee now feels empowered and inspired thanks to her new friends. She is confident that creating big changes is possible when people work together. Lee is thankful to the State Department for this life changing opportunity and plans to encourage and help more Korean students study and travel abroad so that they too can learn more about the world the way she has.

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NEWS

For more updates on SGA affairs, visit maceandcrown.com/category/news/studentgovernment

2016 LGBT Lit Slam Provides a Voice for the ODU Community Star LaBranche Contributing Writer The “2016 LGBT Lit Slam,” held on April 4 in the Strome Entrepreneurial Center, was an open mic event focused on inclusivity and diversity for the ODU and surrounding Hampton Roads community.

The event, hosted by Dexter Gore, featured special guest reader, ODU professor and accomplished author, Janet Peery. The event was a fun and laid-back sampling of campus talent and appreciation of the literary arts.

Gore, a graduate student in the MFA fiction program, was excited to bring people together to discuss the experiences of LGBT people. He said, “The objective of the event is to invite members of the Hampton Roads community to share their insight on what they believe diversity is, as well as their interpretation and understanding of LGBTQIA culture.”

“It is my personal belief that if people come together to change and expand on the written word, then the oral word will follow suit. While pos-

itive strives are made on the political and economic fronts, advocates for diversity should not forget to address the social front, meaning advocates need to target cultural discourse and how people read and write in respect to diversity, specifically LGBTQIA culture,” Gore said.

Peery performed her first reading from her new novel, “Across the Stars and Sky.” She had been working on her novel for ten years. The story revolves around seven family members, one of whom struggles with drug addiction and is HIV-positive.

Her emotionally charged reading was dedicated to her late brother.

Peery shared that she chose the Lit Slam as the place for her first public reading in order to honor her younger brother, who is the model for the central character. Excited that students had an opportunity for an open mic event, she stated that she wanted to support students and community members by providing a meeting place such as this one.

The open mic part of the event had modest participation, but provided a variety of readers and material. Some

A map which can be found on the ODU website showing the fifteen designated gender neutral rest rooms on campus.

performances were original pieces, while others read works from established authors in the LGBT community. Readers presented selections of both poetry and prose.

The event was enjoyable and engaging. There is also a tremendous potential for growth. Providing a place for students to have their voices heard is the first step, and greater student involvement is the next.

Courtesy: ODU Website

SGA Leads Initiative to Designate Gender Neutral Rest Rooms in Webb Center Jason Kazi Staff Writer Norfolk school board candidate Dr. Noelle Gabriel was the special guest at the April 5 meeting of the student government association senate. She currently holds the position and was appointed at first but the position is now elected. She graduated from ODU and then went to study pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS).

Senator Carina Wicker mentioned that some schools in the area do not allow parents to come inside of the school building if their children are under six years old. Gabriel responded by telling Wicker that she regularly visits schools but wasn't aware of the issue and that if Wicker had a specific school name to tell her.

When asked about safety on school grounds, Gabriel said that expulsion and suspensions are not working. She mentioned that they

are working to establish an in-school suspension program.

On second reading status, the ODU Vex-U Robotics organization was allocated $3,540.50 for their conference trip.

ODU's homecoming organization was allocated $999.20 for a new computer, specifically for their graphic designer.

A contingency for Students for Christ for a leadership and education event to combine the elderly and their wisdom with young people

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and be better prepared for their future. The bill was moved to second reading status.

Webb Council decided upon having the gender-neutral bathrooms located in the Webb Center near the information technology services office. Vice president Bret Folger also mentioned that a late-night breakfast eatery and a custom-made pizza parlor will be opening soon in the University Village.

Director of transportation and safety Clara Hernandez asked the

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meeting attendees if they would be interested in paying $1.50 more as part of their transportation fee to be able to pay for parking meters on campus using your smartphone.

Director of legislative affairs and diversity Rachael Edmonds mentioned that there will be a Norfolk Mayoral Candidate on April 13 at the Big Blue Room in the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

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NEWS

Follow the News secton on Twitter: @ODU_MACENEWS

Visiting Philosopher Explores Issues of Climate Change and Responsibility Ben Maxie Staff Writer Old Dominion University’s institute for ethics and public affairs held a lecture on Tuesday, April 5 on designating blame for climate change, the responsibilities of fixing it and how to help people in developing parts of the world.

In his presentation, “Climate Change Injustice: Responsibility and Response,” philosopher Madison Powers of Georgetown University and the Kennedy Institute of Ethics discussed the outcome of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change

Conference, or COP 21, and its impacts on global climate change policy.

Powers said these turn out to be not much of an impact. He said since the beginning of the talks in 1992, world powers have moved from binding, enforceable, transparent pledges to non binding, non enforced, classified agreements.

The talks put our planet on a path to reducing carbon dioxide output, but the global 7 percent reduction agreed to is “lower than the least ambitious [environmentally sound] target,” according to Powers. The restrictions adopted at COP 21 are projected to

keep global temperatures just below catastrophic conditions, provided that all countries involved follow through with their commitments.

Many places, prominently island nations, would still see devastating effects with these reductions. Global carbon dioxide concentrations are already above the threshold needed to raise sea level enough to flood island nations such as the Maldives, Powers said.

The United Nations conservatively estimates that there will be 200-400 million climate change refugees by 2100, one factor that makes Pow-

ers and others think climate change qualifies as a human rights issue.

In order to maintain their current standard of living, developed countries must keep energy production high, resulting in more carbon output. This is problematic, as carbon emissions impact global climate. In other words, developed nations are endangering developing nations for the sake of cheap energy.

“Nation states are deeply entangled with energy sectors,” Powers said.

Since many developing nations are in no economic position to be carbon conscious, many believe that

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Sigma Pi Hosts 15th Annual 'Firefighter Day' Erin Sudek Staff Writer Brothers of Sigma Pi hosted the 15th annual “Firefighter Day” on Saturday, April 2, in spite of the rainy weather conditions. More than 150 students and members of the community attended the event that afternoon to express their gratitude to the firefighters at Station 7.

“It feels awesome to give back to the firefighters and just to give them a chance to break from their routines,” senior Tommey Kiesner said. “Every year this is one of the more anticipated events that the fraternity holds.

It’s a good time and something for the whole community to look forward to.”

Founding brother and Sigma Pi alumnus Steven Yeats began this tradition 15 years ago to involve the community in thanking these men and women for their bravery and for helping keep Norfolk and the ODU community safe.

In addition, Sigma Pi donates different items every year to the station.

Donations have ranged anywhere from basketball hoops to monetary donations, but the firefighters are always appreciative and enjoy the event each year.

The brothers of Sigma Pi generously roasted a 125-pound pig throughout the night before and provided other food to those who came to hang out and eat. All of the garage doors to the station were open and tables were set up so the crowd could eat and mingle. The music and atmosphere made the event pleasant despite the dismal weather that persisted through the afternoon.

Outdoor activities were limited due to weather, but there were still some lighthearted jousting matches in the inflatable ring set up outside.

Inside the station were different firefighter and relay games children and adults from the community participated in, including an obstacle course while wearing all the heavy firefighter gear and attire.

Guests were taken on a tour of the station, which had a weight room, lounge and full-size kitchen.

In the large outdoor space, three fire engines and an ambulance were on display to anyone curious about the equipment and vehicles.

Most importantly, attendees had the chance to get to know the firefighters from their local fire department in a casual environment, understand more of what they do for the community. Additionally, the firefighters were able to become more familiar with and be thanked more directly by the people they serve everyday.

“We all took a lot of pictures with the firefighters and Lucy, our fraternity dog,” sophomore and Sigma Pi brother Mark Abbott said. “That was when we really started talking together. I got to know the fire chief too, which was really cool.”

“Firefighter Day” is about making connections and expressing gratitude to those brave individuals who risk their lives to benefit the community. Thanks to the members of Sigma Pi, this event successfully demonstrated the ODU community’s support and appreciation for our firefighters in the most enjoyable and direct way possible.

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developed countries should do more to relieve the burden on more coal-dependent nations. The United States, Canada and Australia insisted that a ‘fairness clause’ be eliminated before past talks proceeded.

Powers pointed out that citizens have no responsibility to follow the orders of nations who deny human rights, and that such actions may be appropriate for climate change as well.

“One thing is clear, [climate change] is a cumulative action problem,” Powers said.

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NEWS

Visit shakespeare400yearsafter. digitalodu.com for more information.

Celebrating 'Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event' Elizabeth Proffitt Staff Writer

Old Dominion University will be hosting the weeklong festival “Shakespeare Four Hundred Years After: A Public Event” April 13- 20. It marks the 400-year anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with events honoring and connecting the bard to today’s world.

The festival was the brainchild of Imtiaz Habib, English professor and Shakespeare scholar, who believed it was important to recognize this anniversary but also to broaden the topic and connect it to life today.

“The object of the event is not just to worship Shakespeare, but to connect Shakespeare’s influence to Virginia because it was his world that came here in 1607 and the result through a series of consequences, is us. Here we are today,” Habib said.

This ability to make personal connections influenced how the events and speakers were chosen.

“We wanted to make this not just a celebration but an event in the cultural horizon of this state that something that people will remember in public discourse,” Habib said.

The festival has a varied list of events, including a scholarly conference as well as plays and musical performances to give festival attendees a well-rounded and entertaining experience.

“It’ll have many levels in it, so those who have a scholarly interest in this, we have the conference. Those who are historically minded, we have an exhibition here in the Gordon Galleries as well as a documentary that I produced that will trace the effects of Shakespeare on Virginia,” Habib said.

The festival has gained statewide recognition.

“The state got involved in such an initiative headed by the Virginia Foundation for Humanities, about six months after we started to coordinate all the activities and were bowled over because it turns out we were the biggest festival,” Habib said. “We’ve had some struggles getting everything together but all’s well that ends well, right?"

One of the main events of the Shakespeare Festival is the “Shakespeare and Our Times Conference” that runs from

April 14-16. It will feature scholars from all over the world, who were chosen through a paper selection process.

Conference committee member Elizabeth Black, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures, explained the selection process.

“When we got all the proposals together, it was a question of just seeing which papers would actually fit well together as panels. So do we have a theme running to try and make a cohesive panel where the scholars whose interests are similar enough could have a dialogue on that day,” Black said.

Black also said she believes it is important to make connections, personal or historical, through this conference and in general in Shakespeare’s influence and the present time.

“The society we see today that was built out of that colony [Jamestown] really can see its origins in Shakespeare’s world. I think that also the range of topics and the range of human experience that you see and feel in his plays, from love to loss, etcetera. Even though these plays were written so long ago, we still feel that. Those things don’t change,” Black said.

The preparations for the festival are in the final stages of completion and it’s been a labor of love trying to tie up loose ends.

“There’s always a last minute rush at the end when all the logistics you’ve been planning for two years come together, and you also have to think about it from a visitors perspective especially being involved with the conference because we have people coming from across the country and across the world,” Black said.

The conference’s main theme sums up the real need for this festival on campus and in the community.

“The question we’re really interested in is what does Shakespeare mean for us today and why? How do scholars work with Shakespeare and how do they make him relevant for our times?” Black said.

For each person, Shakespeare can mean many different things and that is ultimately the reason why this festival is so important.

“Shakespeare means wonder and marvel. It means hearing something that can transport you and I think we look for that in our media and we look for it all over and a Shakespeare play can still do that,” Black said.

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Arts &

Visit 'Writing Lightly,' at Work | Release through May 7!

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BITS OF A&E Department of Music Concerts The ODU Madrigal Singers, directed by Bianca Hall, will perform in conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event,” Brock Commons, April 15 at 3 p.m.

The ODU Madrigal Singers, directed by Bianca Hall, will perform in conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event,” Brock Commons, April 16 at 1 p.m.

Virtuoso jazz vocalist Kenny Washington will join the ODU Jazz Choir and Jazz Orchestra in concert in Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center for the Performing Arts, April 17 at 4 p.m.

Black Mountain Channels Rock Gods of the '70s in 'IV' Moriah Morrison Contributing Writer After a six-year hiatus, the Canadian psychedelic rock band, Black Mountain, returns with their ‘70s-infused studio album, “IV.” An obvious attempt to echo rock gods of the ‘70s, Black Mountain has reinvented their sound and are quickly being compared to innovative artists such as Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath.

This futuristic anthem to the stars takes a classical approach to rock, while incorporating modern influences evident in innovative aesthetics. The album cover with its mixture of classic architecture and modern technology, symbolizes the roots of their music and where it is heading.

“IV” kicks off with two featured singles: “Mothers of the Sun” and “Florian Saucer Attack.” These singles have accompanying music videos, which contrast each other while remaining equally colorful. Black Mountain’s visuals are interesting to watch. They are just as confusing

as they are vibrant and give the impression of a perplexing Star Trek episode.

“Mothers of the Sun” is an approximately eightminute long intro infused with gorgeous guitar riffs and Amber Webber’s powerful one-woman choir. Contrary to the bold music video, the actual song is a beautiful blend of Webber’s strong vocals, which overlap with co-vocalist Stephen McBean’s to create a strong conversation which carries the lengthy song.

“Florian Saucer Attack” is where the album really picks up. Again, Webber’s vocals lead the song, paired with stellar electric guitar and ambitious synthesizers. It is an essential track to the album, making the necessary transition from the methodical beginning to the more deserving tracks.

Black Mountain carries a futuristic, celestial theme throughout the entire album. If a more acoustic sound is being sought, however, “Crucify Me” is more of an easy listen instrumentally, primarily using guitar and tastefully sprinkled

drum grooves. Lyrically, it is well-written and compelling.

This album takes from classic roots of psychedelic rock and showcases powerful vocals. Each track works together, drawing the listener’s ear closer to the lyrics. Their tasteful channeling of psych rock legends gives their music a timeless effect which will likely keep fans around for years to come.

The band has come an astronomic distance from their previous albums, both lyrically and musically. The closest they will come to the Hampton Roads area in the near future will be in Washington, D.C. on June 25. It may be worth the road trip.

Black Mountain’s psychedelic genre may not be for all audiences. “IV” is definitely a worthwhile listen. Avid listeners may appreciate the vinyl recording of this album for a more authentic ‘70s listen.

The ODU Sacbut Consort, directed by Mike Hall will perform in conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event,” Kaufman Mall, April 18 at noon.

The ODU Madrigal Singers, directed by Bianca Hall in conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event,” Kaufman Mall, April 18 at 2 p.m.

Invencia Piano Duo, Andrey Kasparov and Oksana Lutsyshyn, present a lecture-recital in conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event” on the two major works by the two most famous Soviet composers -- Sergey Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich -- inspired by Shakespeare in Chandler Recital Hall, Diehn Center for the Performing Arts, April 19 at 7:30 p.m.

The ODU Sacbut Consort, directed by Mike Hall will perform in conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event,” Kaufman Mall, April 20 at noon.

The ODU Symphony Orchestra: Shakespeare in Concert, directed

by Paul S. Kim, is the final performance in conjunction with “Shakespeare 400 Years After: A Public Event,” April 20 at 7:30 p.m. George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Theater, Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place, Norfolk. Tickets: $15 general admission at ODUArtsTix.com or call 757-683-5305.

"Return to Hieroglyphics," by James Akers and "Crimson," by Bryan Riehl.

Photos by: Alyssa Branch

'WRITING LIGHTLY': LANGUAGE LIGHT Alyssa Branch Contributing Writer Neon light is bold and vibrant, almost impossible to miss. It has been used in advertising to present straightforward messages to distant spectators.

Presented by the Rutter Family Art Foundation, “Writing Lightly” exhibits the use of neon and light as a form of interpretation of language. The opening of the neon exhibition at Work | Release was on April 1 along with music by Smeedz, DJ Fayo and #WEGOLD. The early 5 p.m. opening of the exhibit was comprised of a few interested art lovers. But as the night went on, it became more of a social event. The neon lights brought a lively crowd and exceedingly diverse groups. Some looked as if they were artists themselves or high class art enthusiasts, while others just wanted a fun night out. Either way, the neon exhibition appeals to everyone and doesn’t require knowledge of art to enjoy.

The exhibit’s opening weekend was meant to celebrate Work | Release’s one year anniversary.

Along with the presentation of the "Writing Light-

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ly" exhibit, there was dining, dancing, live music and DJ sets by OH!BOY, Blood Diamond and Gabe Niles. Throughout the month-long exhibit there will be more music performances along with an artist talk with Alicia Eggert, creator of “The Future” in the “Writing Lightly" exhibit.

Hannah Kirkpatrick, assisted by Ali Feeney, curated the twelve-piece neon exhibition. Thirteen artists were involved in the making of the brilliant display. Some artists repurposed old, abandoned signs, while others resorted to the art of bending glass. The pieces shed light on our relationship with product advertising, identity, societal standards, the ideas of the personal and the handwritten and the evolution of language and communication.

As you arrive, the blazing, peculiarly-arranged bulbs of “the Future” welcomes you into the luminous exhibit. Alicia Eggert and Safwat Saleem created this 206-bulb sculpture to collectively spell out the word “FUTURE.” The base of each bulb has been labeled with a sovereign state. The lit bulbs represent states at peace, while unlit bulbs represent states in conflict. The status of the individual states are determined weekly, and the lights

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are changed accordingly. Wandering around the staggered walls, certain neon works begin to stand out. “Crimson” by Bryan Riehl is among them.

This piece is inspired by the first description of neon by Morris W. Travers: “The blaze of the crimson light from the tube told its own story and was a sight to dwell upon and never forget.”

“Queen” is another conspicuous piece created by Liss Lafleur. The artist used a 1987 Dairy Queen sign along with fabricated glass to create a selfportrait, flashing between “Queen” and “Queer.”

“Return to Hieroglyphics” is a three piece electric light display of emoticons by James Akers. The piece signifies how written language began with images and now the technological age has brought back the importance of their use in language.

Clay McGlamory, Craig Kraft, George Horner, Helen Lee, Jen Elek, Jeremy Bert, Kristi Totoritis and Nari Ward are the other eight artists who contributed to the “Writing Lightly” exhibit. Exhibition and restaurant hours for Work | Release are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. until late night. The neon exhibit will continue until May 7 and is free to all ages.

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MONARCH MUSIC MINUTE Hell YES!

I’ll Listen to it Twice, Even.

ADAM FLORES, A&E EDITOR

We’re Getting There...

Eh...

Face Palm.

Lukas Graham ‘Lukas Graham’

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The Danish pop-soul frontman Lukas Graham Forchhammer’s band known as Lukas Graham, has released their eponymous second studio album with the same title, "Lukas Graham" (Blue Album), on April 1.

Originally released in Denmark in June of 2015, the Danish band saw the record released with no promotion, yet it entered the Danish Albums Chart at No. 1 and spent 19 non-consecutive weeks at the top the chart.

With Forchhammer as frontman, the rest of the group’s roster includes keyboardist Kasper Daugaard, bassist Magnus Larsson and drummer Mark “Lovestick” Falgren. Their de-

but album in 2012 saw Lukas Graham quickly become a popular live act in Denmark and spreading through the rest of Europe.

After catching the attention of and eventually co-signing with Warner Bros. Records in 2013, they garnered worldwide attention with the release of their two singles, “7 Years” and “Mama Said” in October of 2015.

Their infectious sound is reflected in an eclectic mix of pop, soul and funk with bits of other genres which contribute to their unique sound and energy.

Lyrically, Lukas Graham has been defined as diaristic and honest,

which combined with their music and Forchhammer’s crooning, heartfelt vocals makes listening to their music fun. The new album’s “7 Years,” “Mama Said” and “Strip No More” made their way to No. 1 on the Danish singles chart.

“Better Than Yourself (Criminal Mind Pt. 2)” displays a unique variation on Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” creating a new sense of urgency belting out, “I hope you know you’re not alone in that hell.”

Lukas Graham will be making a stop at The NorVa in support of their new record on Sunday, April 24.

Laura Gibson ‘Empire Builder' Oregon-born Laura Gibson’s “Empire Builder,” released on April 1, showcases the folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s vast writing and composition talents. Gibson, who currently resides in New York City, is completing a MFA in fiction at Hunter College. She graduated from Linfield College completing pre-medicine requirements as well as competing in women’s basketball and track and field.

Though “Empire Builder” is Gibson’s fourth studio release, she has been busy in other music outlets.

She has composed music and lyrics for multiple commercials including a version of “Hey There Little Red

Riding Hood” for Volvo. Her music can also be heard in Microsoft and the Humane Society advertisements.

With original music contributions for theater and collaborations with sound artist and minimalist composer Ethan Rose, it was also Gibson’s 2008 performance at SXSW where she invoked the inspiration for NPR music’s Tiny Desk Concert series. She performed the first and 200th Tiny Desk Concert.

“Empire Builder” possesses a quietly resilient aesthetic. Her haunting vocal timbre draws you in as if you were safe in a comfortable, long night.

A brooding darkness in the sonic landscapes of each track presents

her deliberate, yet intricate focus on her lyrical message over a carefully balanced musical accompaniment.

From the title track to other offerings such as “The Cause,” “Two Kids” and the appropriately titled closer, “The Last One,” each cut delivers a message of personal awareness and, perhaps, a story we can relate to in terms of emotions and longing.

Each track draws the listener into a story, fitting for Gibson’s unique writing style in fiction. “Empire Builder” is a strong album, but stays on the safe side musically.

Courtesy of Barsuk / City Slang

Weezer ‘Weezer’

Courtesy of Atlantic / Rush

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LA-based band Weezer has released its eponymous new album dubbed, White Album, on April 1.

The band, which falls into several subgenres of rock including alternative, power pop, pop punk, emo and indie rock continue to present new anthems fans are sure to embrace, especially in their live concert set.

Since the band’s inception in 1992, they have undergone some personnel changes in their lineup over the years.

Weezer’s current roster includes frontman and lead guitarist Rivers Cuomo, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Brian Bell, Scott Shriner on bass, backing vocals

and keyboards and drummer Patrick Wilson.

Cuomo considers the new album a “beach album” based on his experiences hanging out on the Westside of Los Angeles. The lead track on the “White Album,” “California Kids,” was chosen from Cuomo’s extensive backlog of around 250 songs. Their debut single, released in October 2015, “Thank God for Girls,” explores gender stereotypes and examines modern online dating with apps like Tinder.

Weezer released four more singles prior to their new album release: “Do You Wanna Get High?” in November

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2015: the January 2016 promotional single “King of the World,” “L.A. Girlz” in February and “California Kids” in March. All songs are carefully thought out with rooted influences from various films and poetry and themes like drug addiction and human longing.

This may be some of the best material yet from Weezer in terms of content and production along with the new record as a successor to their eponymous “Blue Album.” Weezer will co-headline with Panic! At the Disco on their “Summer Tour 2016” in Virginia Beach on June 22.

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Arts &

Watch trailers of this week’s featured movies on our website.

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH MOVIE MINUTE Mind Blown

A Must See

Add to my Queue

MEGAN SNYDER

Well, there goes 2 hours of my life

Straight to DVD

‘Lila & Eve’

2015 | R | 84 min.

Her teenage son tragically died in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting.

The police have no leads and don’t even recognize her face. With the help of fellow grieving mother Eve (Jennifer Lopez), Lila (Viola Davis) takes matters into her own hands, scouring the crime-ridden streets of Atlanta for retribution in “Lila & Eve.” Davis’ riveting performance garnered the attention of both the 2016 Black Reel Awards and the 2016 Image Awards where she was nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. Her exceptional work, however, could not elevate Lopez’s trite rendition of a cut-throat femme fatale.

With a lengthy history of disappointing stabs at acting, “Lila & Eve” is just another stain on Jenny’s uninspiring filmography.

Of course, the comically transparent twist ending doesn’t help. You almost hope it’s a distraction from the real twist, but alas! It’s just that bad. Even if its elements were better disguised, the effect of such a commonplace manipulation in contemporary thrillers is nonetheless lost in its gross overuse.

In spite of these glaring stylistic blunders, “Lila & Eve” addresses relevant themes. A mother’s vengeful and destructive enterprise directly

challenges the indifference of society’s elected justice seekers while simultaneously shedding light on the sparse availability of quality mental healthcare and post-traumatic support for the economically disadvantaged.

The use of flashbacks also adds a layer of interest to the film. Lila’s fondest memories of her son starkly juxtapose some of her most vile actions to create an unavoidable tension, a tension that drives home “Lila & Eve’s” well-crafted tone.

This film is available on Netflix.

‘Brotherly Love’ 2015 | R | 89 min.

Part social commentary, part modern Shakespearian tragedy and 100 percent unique, “Brotherly Love” tells the rags-to-riches tale of the Taylor family. Narrator Jackie (Keke Palmer) and promising young basketball player Sergio (Eric D. Hill Jr.) have it all, thanks to their older brother June (Cory Hardrict) who raised his siblings after the death of their father.

Rivalry between the destitute side of West Philadelphia where the Taylors live and the more affluent Hillside neighborhood threatens Jackie’s dreams of becoming a famous singer and Sergio’s chances of playing in the college league. Prepared to do

whatever it takes to protect his family’s livelihood and ensure his siblings don’t turn to a life of crime like he did, June inadvertently places a bounty on his head.

The ensemble cast includes Macy Gray as the Taylors’ distraught mother, Romeo Miller as Sergio’s best friend and teammate and Quincy Brown as Jackie’s love interest from the other side of town. Funnyman Faizon Love, who plays the Taylors’ uncle, also delivers one of the film’s most moving monologues about poverty’s way of breeding, as well as destroying, young talent.

“Brotherly Love” has been said to

‘Safelight’

2015 | R | 84 min.

Charles (“American Horror Story’s” Evan Peters) is 17 years old and works at a ramshackle truck stop in the desert of southern California. His limp makes him the victim of relentless bullying at school, and his dying father grows weaker by the day. To escape his troubled reality, Charles takes photos with his dead brother’s camera. He longs to travel the coast, taking photos of lighthouses to enter into the school contest, but has no means of transportation.

Late one night, Charles witnesses Vicki (Juno Temple) struggling to resist her drunken pimp outside the truck stop. Despite his physical dis-

ability, Charles hobbles to the girl’s defense wielding a baseball bat.

Sympathetic of Charles’ disadvantage, the pimp backs down. Smitten, Vicki offers to drive Charles to the lighthouses, and together, they embark on a road trip of self-discovery in “Safelight.”

Originally entitled “Truck Stop,” “Safelight” exploits the expected metaphor of a beacon of light guiding the lost through difficult times.

Perhaps first-time director Tony Aloupis should have stuck with his original title and made a film about the transient nature of relationships and the struggles of two young people

hoping to escape their traumatic pasts entrenched in the dusty roads of a small town. Oh, wait—he did. “Safelight” has a better ring to it anyway.

Reviews unanimously dub “Safelight” bad—“jaw-droppingly” so, as one puts it. Though visually appealing, the scenic landscapes and delightful costume design are just an afterthought to a lackluster script, awkward dialogue and a narrative arc that leaves audiences scratching their heads. “Safelight,” therefore, is best enjoyed muted as a slideshow of pretty pictures.

This film is available on Netflix.

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have had a similarly charged cultural impact as 1991’s “Boyz n the Hood.”

While its depictions of black-on-black crime and the “Catch-22”-like struggles of inner-city life are explored in depth, “Brotherly Love” overlooks several aspects of that life, including police brutality.

Palmer received the nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture at the 2016 Image Awards for her performance in “Brotherly Love.” The film was also nominated for Outstanding Independent Motion Picture.

This film is available on Netflix.

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Zeke's Beans & Bowls Norfolk Location Turns One Megan Snyder Staff Writer

Elle King performed at the NorVa in Norfolk on April 5.

Photo by: Jason Kazi

Elle King's Raw Intensity Incites The NorVa Anika Williams Contributing Writer The NorVa raged with whistles, howls and calls on April 5 at the start of the Elle King concert. The 26-year-old, sassy and soulful vocalist performed for a crowd of all ages set in position to watch her perform and move them with her swaying vocals.

Opening folk rock band Horse Thief pumped the crowd with a cover of David Bowie’s “Rebel Rebel” before King’s awaited arrival. Dedicated fans buzzed and chattered with excitement as they waited. The carefree singer opened her show to Al Green’s “Love and Happiness” and entered the stage with an effervescent glow.

Bold in all black and glimmering rhinestones placed under her eyes, King had a fire that incited The NorVa stage. She began with her song “Where The Devil Don’t Go,” the first track off of her 2015 debut album “Love Stuff.” She purred like Eartha Kitt with her soft and husky voice.

The soulful songstress held intense eye contact with her heart committed to every ‘whoa’ she released. King was one to chatter and the show was

filled with dialogue and lovable laughter. She interacted with the audience and expressed her love for all of her fans. She mentioned that this was one of her only shows that was not sold out but it didn’t matter because of the quality of her supportive and passionate fans.

The Ohio native talked about relationships and love, traveling the world and stressed the importance of having a good time.

She admittedly struggled throughout the night and gave a disclaimer about her new earpieces she couldn’t hear well with. She criticized her singing and called herself “pitchy.”

This was a problem that was not apparent to her fans, however, and led to her calling the dedicated audience “non-judgmental.”

Despite the difficulties, King held an extreme confidence. She laughed, smiled and told the crowd that she was as good as anybody else and they knew that. She said, “If I’m pitchy, just sing louder than me.” With that, she took a breath, looked to the crowd with a charismatic smile and said “pretend you’re on water, ‘cause I'ma take you on a real ride.”

King displayed versatility and a love for all types of music. Known

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for her covers, she delivered a few for the crowd to rock and vibe to.

Members of the crowd yelled “my neck, my back!” in reference to King’s popular 2012 Khia cover featured on her record, "The Elle King EP." She answered the calls by wittingly saying, “Somebody needs a doctor?” It was a disappointment that she did not perform the song but she did perform “Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy and “Ignition (Remix)”

by R. Kelly.

King also performed the songs she said got her signed, “Good To Be A Man” and “Under the Influence.”

King’s taste in music reflects in her voice and singing style, which is a combination of soul, rock, indie and country all meshed into one. She had a striking, confident and carefree presence but was also very humble.

Her music came to life as she passionately performed onstage.

Leaving the stage with the crowd wanting more, King fulfilled their desires by coming back out with an encore performance of her hit single “America’s Sweetheart.” The crowd was pleased and left with exactly what they came to hear: music from a raw, uncut and genuine woman.

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This month, Zeke’s Beans & Bowls celebrates its first year in the NEON arts district of Downtown Norfolk. Though this funky café’s namesake passed away in 2006, owners Nick Vitale and Mike Schirmer keep the memory of their friend alive by serving up fresh and authentic Hawaiian-style cuisine to East Coast city dwellers.

The beans -- coffee beans, that is -- are organic, direct trade and locally roasted. Ground to order, the beans are prepared pour-over style in a singleserve device similar to a French press. Full-bodied and piping hot, the resulting custom brew is well worth the wait. Zeke’s was the first to carry Three Ships Coffee, a roaster based in Virginia Beach. Ask for an Americano for the full effect.

The bowls are what Zeke’s is known for though. For a taste of the Pacific, order the poke bowl. Served raw, tender cubes of sushi-grade tuna are dressed in salty shoyu, toasty sesame oil and green onion nested atop a bed of alien green seaweed salad. Choose from a variety of combinations including the “Sweet & Spicy,” which adds chunks of juicy pineapple and crushed red pepper flakes. Add rice to make a bowl a meal and sub tuna for tofu, free of charge.

If you prefer fruit with your coffee, try one of the many variations of Zeke’s acai bowl. The standard “Breakfast Bowl” tops velvety smooth, deep purple acai purée with crunchy granola and fresh banana, strawberry and blueberry.

For an additional 50 cents, opt for a pitaya, or dragon fruit, bowl, the cousin of the acai bowl. Zeke’s also serves stuffed pitas, poke nachos, salads, juices and smoothies to satisfy the post-surf session munchies. For little diners, a kids menu is available as well. Dine-in customers have the added luxury of sipping their latte from any number of heavy, mix-matched mugs that feel like they came straight out of your cupboard. Heaping portions of all meals are served in plastic to-go bowls with lids for ease of travel. Recycling is strongly encouraged.

A hodgepodge of found furniture adds personality to the intimate space and provides several interesting seating options. Curl up in a cozy armchair to enjoy your beans and bowls solo, sit elbow to elbow at the bar with a friend or share a meal family style at a cafeteria table. On gusty urban mornings, warm up by the electric fireplace or soak up the spring time sunshine on the newly built outdoor patio.

As you wait for your meal, pour yourself a glass of cucumber water and browse the ever-changing display of local artwork. Monthly exhibitions are advertised on the restaurant’s Facebook and Instagram. In March, Virginiabased artist Markus Fussell’s acrylic spray paint space-scapes adorned Zeke's walls.

Zeke’s Beans & Bowls is located at 800 Granby Street in Downtown Norfolk and is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Hours are subject to change.

Zeke's 'poke nachos' served at their Norfolk location.

Photo by Megan Snyder

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Arts &

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E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH STYLE

THE POWER OF WEARING RED Kimberly Bering Staff Writer Red demonstrates power, vivacity, danger, authority and self-assurance. This vibrant shade is known as a dominant color. When wearing red, it not only resonates with selfconfidence, but also gives off an assertive and bold demeanor. Believe it or not, gravitating towards the color red when formulating an outfit could reveal something about your personality.

We see variations of red on a daily basis.

Stop signs, emergency vehicles, lipstick and professors' red pens are a few examples. We are trained to associate red with risk, confidence, passion and authority. Red psychologically triggers specific emotions. It demands a reaction to be processed and contemplated.

In the world of art, red is a color that evokes

strong emotions of anger, passion, lust and bravado. All of the various hues of red on the color wheel, like pink and burgundy, conjure up an emotions affiliated with passion and energy. By wearing red, we can impart the same sensations.

Even iconic fashion designers value the understated power of red. Classic fashion designer Bill Blass revealed, “When in doubt, wear red.” He also said, “Red is the ultimate cure for sadness.” Blass received several awards in his career as a fashion designer, and no one would know better than him. Wearing red cures insecurity and doubt.

The political season is perhaps the best time to dress in red. Even if you take no interest in politics or which party to vote for, wearing red is the quintessential political color. In politics, red means victory and power. Quite

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often, politicians will add a subtle red tribute to their ensemble. Men often wear a red tie, and for women, a red pantsuit, lipstick or shoes.

Presidential candidates and politicians utilize the color red to symbolize their motivation and power in an election. Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump, candidates in the 2016 presidential election, constantly wear red to communicate their aggressive determination in the election, disguised by one of the three patriotic colors in the American flag.

So, how do we create our own personal approach to wearing a bold color without being too politically overbearing? Avoid red pantsuits. The key is coordinating audacious colors with muted hues. Black and white are the perfect colors to pair with red. They are classic, simple and vivacious. Black represents an elegant and sophisticated color, white symbol-

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izes innocence while red compliments them all by tying together elegance, innocence and passion.

Wearing red lipstick, adding a red clutch or slipping into a pair of red shoes are subtle ways of throwing some pop in an ensemble to display self-assurance and flair. It can be worn for special events in the form of a little red dress or on a daily basis with a casual pair of flats.

A black and white striped blouse paired with blue jeans and red flats is the perfect recipe for a classy and audacious appearance.

Whether your favorite color happens to be red or if you prefer to add a faint hint of it in an outfit, red demonstrates a sense of confidence and exuberance. Red is simply a bold, intrepid and meaningful color. Given the political season is here, now is the perfect time to flaunt this color to show a dynamic personality.

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Technology

Attend Norfolk's startup job fair - 'Circuit - The Job Fair That Doesn't Suck' on April 21 at the Slover Library!

TECH IN A SEC Tesla Model 3 reservations top 300,000+ The goal with the Tesla Model 3 car was to be able to provide a mainstream all-electric vehicle that was also within the price range of the average consumer. Judging by the fact that reservations for the Model 3, which only recently was made available, are up by over 300,000 it would seem consumers are ready and eager for it.

Trucks drive themselves across Europe As part of the “European Truck Platooning Challenge” several large trucks drove themselves across Europe to prove that not only could it be done, but that self-driving trucks could save money and be better for the environment. By grouping themselves tightly together while traveling, these trucks can reduce fuel use and travel longer than human drivers.

Blizzard shuts down private vanilla WoW server A private “pirate” World of Warcraft that runs the original version of the game, before any expansions, has been shutdown by Blizzard. The Nostalrius servers had over 800,000 accounts and over 150,000 active players before being told to cease and desist. A petition with over 25,000 signatures to Blizzard hopes to allow the servers to continue running.

FAA considering updated drone regulations Last year, the FAA approved a set of regulations regarding commercial and private drone usage. Now the FAA is reviewing the regulations and considering amending new rules that would allow drones of certain sizes to fly over people, with larger sizes being able to do so but with more restrictions.

"BREAKING IN' TO ESCAPE ROOM VIRGINIA BEACH:

AN INTERVIEW WITH SHANNON MOORE Ross Reelachart Technology Editor When ODU senior Shannon Moore met David Blackstock, she had no idea the friendship would lead to becoming a game master at Escape Room Virginia Beach. As it turned out, designing devious puzzles for teams to solve involved much more than simply channeling her inner riddler.

Moore is a graduating senior with a major in sports management and a minor in communications. While she initially intended on pursuing a career as a TV sports personality, she discovered she needed a completely different major. Fortunately, sports management still has a mass media option she can pursue. Either way, few of her learned skills were being put to use at her job at a yogurt shop.

After meeting Blackstone at the Student Recreation Center, they “immediately became friends."

She learned he was the assistant manager at Escape Room and that they were currently in the process of designing the titular rooms. He asked her to help design their second one, with a “Traveling Crook” theme. Even though she had never even heard of an escape room before, the experience was enough to convince her to get a job there.

“Escape rooms” are a relatively recent invention,

with the earliest recorded one being the Silicon Valley escape room “Origin” in 2006. They are described as “physical adventure games” where teams of people are locked in a room and tasked with escaping via a series of puzzles and clues.

Usually the rooms are given a theme or story to complete the experience. While Moore was tasked with designing one room, actually working Escape Room involved far more than an ability to devise devious puzzles.

As a game master, Moore was tasked with interacting directly with guests during their escape room experience, in addition to all the usual administrative tasks of taking phone calls and arranging private bookings. Moore emphasized the kind of skills she learned in public speaking classes, as she is often faced with explaining and speaking to groups of guests of over 50 people. She learned how to properly speak to them and how to make sure everyone could see her.

Not only that, Moore learned the value of patience and being personable. Even after setting a team of guests loose in an escape room, she still had to be there for them in case they had questions or concerns. She not only needed to learn how to communicate with people in a fun and professional way, but she needed to learn the art of giving clues without giving away answers. It was these skills

that help attract new guests and entice others to come back.

Moore recounted several stories of teams and people she encountered who exposed her to new experiences and helped shape her ability to work with customers. There was a family she ran into three separate times, each time trying a new room.

Though they failed the first two, they completed the third and she shared in their elation. There was a story of a seemingly nice group who, not surprisingly, didn’t solve their room. It was later discovered, after they had left, that someone in the group had changed the locks and combinations.

Shannon Moore continues to work at Escape Room Virginia Beach, and she continues to learn from both the business and the experiences. She advises other students, those looking to get into the escape room business to “know your goal” and “know who you want working for you and know the outcome you want in the end.” She also emphasizes the importance of working with other people, to bounce ideas off of, and getting help from people in the business if you’re lacking the experience. Much like getting out of an escape room, it’s better to be “prepared to deal with things not going as planned, which is something you can plan on.”

University of the People launches MBA program The university has begun accepting applications for its new MBA program. The cost is substantially less than other colleges at only $2,400 total.

This new program is an addition to the university's already existing undergraduate programs.

Some of the rooms at Escape Room Virginia Beach.

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Courtesy: Escape Room Virginia Beach Facebook

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Opinion

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Read more student opinions online at maceandcrown.com

Will Donald Trump Be a Good or Bad President?

Maria D'erizans Contributing Writer When I hear the name Donald Trump and his ongoing nomination for the Presidency of the United States, I can't help but feel worried about the possibility for such an arrogant and pretentious man to win the presidential election.

Some American people seem to respond very well to his outspoken personality, but what they don't realize is that the same racist and bashing accusations he makes can create more problems than solutions within our country.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has long been under intense scrutiny for not providing adequate care for veterans, often linking these problems to mismanagement within VA facilities. According to Patricia Kime, a reporter for the Military Times, in 2014, an independent review was ordered by United States Congress to investigate the current ongoing problems the VA is facing. What they found out is that there is "a significant leadership crisis within VA as well as staffing shortages, a demoralized workforce, inconsistent care throughout and a system that needs to realign its footprint to serve veterans where they live."

Trump has publicly announced his complete opposition to the VA department administration and will strive for the improvement of healthcare provided to veterans. As a U.S. Navy veteran, I have witnessed the hardships veterans have to face to receive medical care.

Just because Trump has a great position in his favor, that doesn't mean it makes him an excellent candidate for the presidency.

Trump has turned into a bully. He has deliberately insulted several news reporters by calling them incompetent and unprofessional.

He's had the most popular media feud with anchor Megyn Kelly.

"Mr. Trump's attacks on Ms. Kelly date to August when she asked him at a debate about his history of disparaging remarks toward women. Afterward, he called the questioning unfairly and suggested that Ms. Kelly had been menstruating," said journalist Nick Corasaniti.

Trump is the type of man that does not like to be contradicted and will do everything in his power to make wrong things look or sound right. As an American citizen, I do not wish to have a bully for a president. I believe in tolerance and mutual respect within our society and those in power should set a moral example for the rest of the American people.

Illegal immigration has become a greatly debated issue during the past several years.

Trump has said he believes that all illegal immigrants who cross the border are rapists and criminals. According to the Pew research center, “unauthorized immigrants make up 5.1 percent of the U.S. labor force.” Not only does Trump want a massive deportation of all illegal immigrants back to their respective countries, but he also intends to build an impenetrable wall along the south border of the

United States.

All of these alleged accusations made by Trump have put his credibility and competence for the presidency as a big question mark. As a foreign immigrant, I have always felt varying levels of discrimination. Not only is Trump being prejudicial, but he is incentivizing hatred towards immigrants among his supporters to the point where several violent breakouts have taken place during his rallies.

Trump cannot become the next President of the United States. His outspoken, arrogant and prejudicial personality could potentially create more local problems within our society.

To strive for a better nation, we need a political leader that can help bring us together. We also need an excellent political leader that can represent the U.S. in international affairs.

So far, Trump has attacked every Muslim immigrant in our country, he has accused every illegal immigrant of being a rapist or criminal and has insulted several public figures of our society, including his opponents for the presidential candidacy of the United States. Does this sound like our next President? I only hope America can make an educated vote in the November election.

My Brothers, My Sisters, My Friends Christopher Tucker Contributing Writer From the very beginning of our time here, the university has assured us that safety is of the highest priority. They have created policies to protect students, but do these policies protect us? From what I have observed while attending this school, these policies just further place us in danger.

The major policy I am referring to is the university’s ban on concealed carry. I myself am a conceal carry permit holder and every time I am forced to leave my gun at home to come to school I feel vulnerable. I am a Marine Corps veteran and I know the severity of needing a gun and

not having one. The school must allow qualified students to carry on campus for their safety and the safety of the university as a whole.

There is one simple fact that we must take into account and that is criminals don’t obey the law. This is true by virtue of the definition of the word alone. Criminals don’t care what policies or laws the school has in place.

If a criminal wants to brings a gun onto campus to kill people, they will find a way.

Policies alone will not stop them. Even building a wall around the whole campus and metal detectors at every entrance would not keep guns out. The only thing that stops a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun.

What about the police? The

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police have a responsibility to protect and keep us safe. The police can’t be everywhere at once. Walking around campus on a daily basis, I am lucky to see a police officer once a day. According to the university, the police patrol the 251-acre area of the campus and surrounding areas.

Can so few officers cover such a large area?

Students must have a way to protect not only themselves, but their fellow students. You wouldn’t just let a criminal come into your home and kill your family while you wait on the police to finally arrive.

No, you have an obligation to fight back and protect your family from harm. We are a family here at Old Dominion and we must take care of each other.

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Will allowing people to legally carry firearms lead to an increase in violent crime and death, or will it make us safer? Step back and look at the data. Guns save lives. Dr. Gary Kleck, a Criminologist from Florida State University boasts, “Guns prevent an estimated 2.5 million crimes a year or 6,849 every day.”

Most times, the gun is never fired. If the gun is never fired, there is no bloodshed. Think about that!

With the lack of police presence and the university not being able to provide a reasonable level of safety through its policies, there is only one clear option: Allow me, a firearm-trained Marine Corps Veteran, to protect my fellow students.

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