Mace & Crown - February 15, 2017 by Mace and Crown

WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 60, Issue 17

LOCAL MUSIC SCENE

DEAR ADAMUS ROCKS SHAKAS LIVE

Visa Session

Lindsey Lanham Assistant A&E Editor

T.J. Thompson Staff Writer

When it comes to the local area music scene, bands are the base of art culture. They play at tiny clubs for $10 a ticket to a crowd of no more than 100 people–and they thrive off of it. “Shakas, put your f---ing hands up!” Raytheon Dunn, lead singer of Dear Adamus, shouted at Shaka's Live on Feb. 4. The 45-minute-long set was solely originals that the band has released over the years. In an interview before the show, the band sat around and talked touring, what they’re currently listening to and music. “Of course!” Dunn said when asked if the band plans on releasing a fulllength album anytime soon. “We were going to put out a fulllength this year, or actually 2016, with some of the songs on ‘Afterlight.’ Then we thought, ‘the smart thing to do would be to take the good songs,

the more organized songs, the ones that we actually like more and put that into a record.’” The “Afterlight” EP, released last February, is just a teaser of what Dear Adamus can achieve with their music. Dear Adamus opened their set Saturday with “Somber Face,” which features both Dunn and additional vocalist Chris Wilkins. It’s easily the most complex song from the EP, telling a story of the harsh reality of a relationship. Dunn formed the band in 2011. In 2012, Wilkins (guitar, vocals and keyboard) and Severin Dí Croce (percussion) joined as permanent members. Just in the past year, two additional members joined the group. Jon Callahan (lead guitar) joined in April after the band played a set at Shaggfest. Chelsea Elliot (bass guitar) joined last October when the group performed with Emarosa. Dear Adamus began with a dream.

Photo by Lindsay Prekker “It’s kind of like an enigma of a person that’s the good and bad in all of us,” Dunn explained when asked what Adamus was. “It kind of came from a dream that I had.” Dear Adamus’ music is heavily influenced by bands such as Circa Survive and From Indian Lakes. The group even saw Circa Survive when they performed at The NorVa on Jan. 26. “I fangirled,” Dunn admitted when he said he met the band. “I feel like

they changed me as a person.” Dunn also mentioned that he’s been listening to a lot of Local Natives and Young the Giant lately. He explained that he likes the dynamic of Local Natives and how he hopes that Dear Adamus can achieve some of that. “And Young the Giant – they just write some really good s---,” Dunn laughed. see ADAMUS, page B3

'For Honor' Ross Reelachart Technology Editor

For Sure

The world of Ubisoft’s upcoming medieval multiplayer hack-and-slashem-up “For Honor” is one where knights, Vikings and samurai wage war forever in a clash swords, shields and axes. The beta for “For Honor” was opened to the public in preparation for its release, and I got a chance to try it out. The flurry of blades and battle cries was quick and tactical, but was also slightly marred by questionable mechanical choices and Ubisoft’s familiar annoying design decisions. Please note: Experience in a game's beta aren't necessarily representative of the final release product. But considering that the beta is occurring immediately before release, it's plausibly safe to assume that most of the game

is final. While the beta was strictly a multiplayer-only affair, an opening cinematic gave a glimpse of the setting of “For Honor,” which would presumably also give context to asof-yet unseen singleplayer campaign. From what could be gathered, some kind of apocalyptic event literally tore the world apart such that the distance native lands of knights, Vikings and samurai were smashed together. Now that these medieval factions are within walking distance of each other, they fight forever because of the machinations of some mysterious warlord named Apollyon. It seems silly to have an actual explanation why these three factions are fighting each other, but it does give some amount of flimsy context for the game.

But no matter what the reason, there’s a certain amount of adolescent fun to be had in having some of history’s most romanticized warriors going head-to-head on the battlefield. Clashing blades and shields is the meat of “For Honor,” and it boasts a surprisingly in-depth battle system that’s equal parts twitch reflexes and quick tactics. In one-on-one duels, both warriors determine the direction of their guards and their attacks while maneuvering around their opponent. A swing from the right will be blocked by a right-facing guard and so forth. This element of prediction and anticipation shows that “For Honor” shares some of its mechanical DNA with traditional fighting games. The direction of an attack needs to be carefully

watched, and the tells for a light or heavy attack need to be memorized. Combined with blocks, grabs, parries and unique attack sets for each warrior, “For Honor” has found a way to demonstrate the realistically methodical nature of deadly combat. However, there is at least one mechanic that’s quite worrisome and dilutes the strength of the rest of the game. Since “For Honor” is often team-based, it’s not uncommon to be ganged-up on by multiple enemy players, and the normal battle system cannot target more than one enemy. To compensate, “For Honor” has a ‘revenge’ meter that builds up and then can activated for a brief health and attack buff. see FOR HONOR, page D1

Based upon the recent presidential executive order titled “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States," the Office of Visa and Immigration Service Advising hosted a video-conference with two Richmond-based immigration lawyers on Feb. 7. This executive order has been litigated through the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where a three-judge panel upheld the lower courts’ rulings. The current status as of Saturday is the restraining order issued against the ban from the lower courts is still in effect. This means the ban is unenforceable unless it is litigated further or redrafted. Attendees filled up the viewing gallery in the Strome Entrepreneurial Center while lawyers David Gluckman and Jonathan Moore from McCandish Holton Morris Law Firm in Richmond joined the audience through a video conference feed. Other universities from across Virginia were also able to view and listen to the session. The main issue discussed in the session was about how students and faculty would be affected by the order. The debate centered on the banning of citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. 52 students and one faculty member were affected by the ban, according to an article from the Virginian-Pilot. The discussion began with the definition and scope of an executive order. Gluckman and Moore stated that an executive order gives direction on how to execute laws which have already been passed by Congress. They also stated that these orders are not able to force anyone to commit an unlawful act and must be carried out within the boundaries of the law A better understanding of an executive order was the perfect starting point. The air felt lighter in the room once attendees realized that this is all part of the checks and balances of the different branches of the federal government. Once this definition was established, Gluckman and Moore discussed more detailed aspects of the recent immigration order. . see STROME, page A4

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Face in the Mace

Hashtag #ODU to See Your Face in the M ace

M&C 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 Adam Flores Editor-in-Chief editorinchief@ maceandcrown.com

Ross Reelachart Technology Editor technology@ maceandcrown.com Harry Howard Jr. Sports Editor sports@ maceandcrown.com Timothy Pace Graphic Designer tpace003@odu.edu

Zach Moeller Copy Editor zmoel001@odu.edu Morgan Engelhardt News Editor news@maceandcrown.com Kelsey Walker Arts & Entertainment Editor artsandentertainment@ maceandcrown.com Tayla Mallory Photography Editor photo@ maceandcrown.com Distribution Manager grive006@odu.edu

Kavita Butani Advertising & Business Manager advertising@ maceandcrown.com Emily Rogers Social Media Director social@maceandcrown.com Girish Sreevatsan Digital Editor gnand002@odu.edu

STAFF WRITERS Kim Bering Lindsey Lanham Tyler Passarge Audra Reigle T.J. Thompson

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Kam Nedd Lindsay Prekker T.J. Thompson

Guillermo Rivera-Hernandez

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Mace & Crown is committed to accuracy. To reach us, email the Editor-in-Chief at editorinchief@maceandcrown. com. Please indicate whether you are responding to content in the newspaper or online.

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M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Crime Log

Read more campus crime information at maceandcrown.com/interactive-crime-log

FEBRUARY 9 A robbery was reported to have occurred on 50th Street at 1:50 p.m.

FEBRUARY 10 A theft was reported to have occurred on Mayflower Road at 6 p.m.

FEBRUARY 6 Vandalism was reported to have occurred on Mayflower Road at 6 p.m.

Courtesy Mace & Crown

Date

Category

Location

Agency

Incident Number

2-11-2017

LARCENY (ALL OTHERS)

2600 BLOCK TIDEWATER DRIVE

Norfolk Police

170211000076

2-11-2017

VANDALISM

600 BLOCK MUSKOGEE AVE.

Norfolk Police

170211000094

2-11-2017

VANDALISM

3300 BLOCK ARGONNE AVE.

Norfolk Police

170211000049

2-11-2017

LARCENY-FROM AUTO

2000 BLOCK WILLOW WOOD DRIVE

Norfolk Police

170211000054

2-10-2017

LARCENY-FROM AUTO

Norfolk Police

170210000092

2-10-2017

LARCENY (ALL OTHERS)

4500 BLOCK MAYFLOWER ROAD

Norfolk Police

170211000045

2-10-2017

ST.OLEN VEHICLE

2000 BLOCK CROMWELL DRIVE

Norfolk Police

170210000080

2-10-2017

LARCENY (ALL OTHERS)

1400 BLOCK HAMPTON BLVD.

Norfolk Police

170211000039

2-10-2017

LARCENY (ALL OTHERS)

900 BLOCK COLLEY AVE.

Norfolk Police

170210000088

2-10-2017

BURGLARY-RESIDENCE

2500 BLOCK VILLA CIRCLE

Norfolk Police

170210000044

2-10-2017

ST.OLEN VEHICLE

1300 BLOCK W 26TH ST.

Norfolk Police

170211000017

2-9-2017

SHOOT INTO OCCUPIED DWELLING

700 BLOCK W 28TH ST.

Norfolk Police

170209000103

2-9-2017

VANDALISM

7600 BLOCK NEWPORT AVE.

Norfolk Police

170209246501

2-9-2017

ROBBERY-INDIVIDUAL

2700 BLOCK TIDEWATER DRIVE

Norfolk Police

170209000096

2-9-2017

VANDALISM

3000 BLOCK VIMY RIDGE AVE.

Norfolk Police

170209000094

2-9-2017

LARCENY-PARTS FROM AUTO

200 BLOCK W 29TH ST.

Norfolk Police

170210000053

FOR MORE CRIME INFORMATION, VISIT MACEANDCROWN.COM/INTERACTIVE-CRIME-LOG

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NEWS

Read more news at maceandcrown.com/category/news

Strome Hosts Visa Information Session

Continued from front

One detail discussed was about the people who are affected by this order. Anyone already in the U.S. is not affected by this ban. It only affects those applying for visas currently or during the executive order’s time period. Travelers from the seven listed countries are also free to travel about the U.S. if they are already in the country. If the ban were to be reinstated, they would not be able to exit the U.S. and would have to re-apply for a visa. While awaiting the next steps from the federal government , all visas that were suspended initially have been reinstated. This could change at any moment depending upon the ruling of the courts or how the executive branch responds to litigation. Any visa processing that was suspended when this order was issued has also resumed. The best way to resume

this process is to contact their home embassies. International travelers were reminded that the U.S. extends no right for foreign nationals to enter the country and should keep that in mind if detained. Visitors to the U.S. are always required to present proof of admissibility. When traveling, Gluckman and Moore reminded everyone to secure all information since customs can legally seize belongings and view any items contained within suitcases and bags. There is also no guaranteed right to counsel when being questioned by customs and immigration officers. It is best to seek legal counsel following these interactions if there are any questions. The courts have stated that the federal government did not show a likelihood of the success of its appeal. Furthermore, they determined the federal government was unable to

prove the current situation of the restraining order against the executive order would cause more harm while the proceedings play out. “To rule on the Government’s motion, we must consider several factors, including whether the Government has shown that it is likely to succeed on the merits of its appeal, the degree of hardship caused by a stay or its denial and the public interest in granting or denying a stay,” the 9th U.S. Circuit Court stated. As of Saturday, the ban has been sent back to the U.S. District Court, which ruled in favor of the state of Washington and placed a restraining order against the travel ban. Washington proved this executive order would cause harm if it were enforced. President Trump is now faced with at least three potential paths in pursuing this travel ban. He could allow the case to go to trial in the lower court, appeal to the Supreme Court or re-

write the executive order. These options for the Executive Branch are all on timelines while Trump is awaiting the confirmation of his Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch. If Trump were to allow this to play out in the lower court, he could bide his time. Waiting for this to happen could also carry the executive order through its lifespan without being enforced, as it was initially issued for a 90-day period. This article is not intended to replace proper legal advice. Travel to the U.S. is currently not impacted by this ban, yet that can change at any moment. For further information, contact the Office of Visa and Immigration Service Advising at 757-683-4756 or through email at intlstu@odu.edu.

LOCAL NEWS Walk for Freedom, Unity and Equality The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula will be holding an “#EraseTheRace” walk on March 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The march’s main goal is to bring all races together in a peaceful manner during a time when the country feels divided, all while helping raise awareness of racism and showing support of law enforcement. The march will begin at York Middle School, ending at Yorktown Beach where there will be speakers, music, food and vendors. For more information, contact D’Shawn Wright at info@dshawnwright.com. Q.U.E.E.N.S. Recognition Dinner The Q.U.E.E.N.S. program, which stands for Qualified, Unrecognized, Exceptionally, Empowering, Noteworthy Sisters, will be holding a recognition dinner on Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in Webb Center’s Hampton/Newport News Room. The program is held by “Females Inspired by Reaching Success Together” and focuses on the work of African-American women, both past and present. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP at https:// goo.gl/JWLVWD. Celebrate Mardi Gras with a Climb The Women’s Center will be holding a special Women’s Climb Night with a Mardi Gras theme on Feb. 22 in the Student Recreation Center. The women only rock wall climbing session will be from 4 to 7 p.m. All participants must bring their insurance information to participate. Questions can be addressed to the Women’s Center at womenctr@odu.edu. Brown Bag Lunch Series The Office of Intercultural Relations will be holding their first Brown Bag Lunch Series event of the semester with a talk on LGBTQ and Biracial identities on Feb. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. in the River Rooms located within Webb Center. Students are encouraged to bring their lunches for an interactive discussion on relevant LGBTQ community topics. For more information, contact the Office of Intercultural Relations at 757-683-4406.

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Miki Agrawal, social entrepreneur, assesses the audience Photo by T.J. Thompson

Miki Agrawal Discusses Taboos of Menstruation at Strome T.J. Thompson Staff Writer The word taboo has its roots from the Polynesian word tapua, which translates to menstruation in English. The Economics Club of Hampton Roads hosted social entrepreneur Miki Agrawal on Feb. 8. Agrawal focuses her current endeavors on ending the taboo of women’s menstruation. Strome Entrepreneurial Center hosted a table of business and finance students. Prior to the luncheon, Agrawal spoke on campus with some of those students. Agrawal was born and raised in Canada by immigrant parents. She cites growing up and watching their resourcefulness in creating opportunities as her inspiration to further her New York City business endeavors. Opportunities she already seized are a farm-to-table glutenfree pizzeria in New York City, “Thinx,” a pair of underwear for women to wear during menstruation, “Tushy,” a bidet attachment for toilets and a reusable tampon applicator that is currently being developed. When beginning a new business, Agrawal stated that she asks herself three questions: “What sucks in my world? Does it suck for a lot of people? Can I be passionate about the issue, cause or community for a really long time?” She followed those questions up with advice directly to students. “When engaging with new opportunities, lead with how you can help them versus how they can help you,” Agrawal said. When the luncheon concluded, students were able to engage and network with business and community leaders from around Hampton Roads. Find out more about Miki Agrawal at www.mikiagrawal.com.

WODU Director Applications for 2017-18 WODU Studios is opening applications for the 2017-18 Academic Year for Executive Board Positions. These are stipend positions that are paid from the first day of the semester to the last day of the semester. WODU is an organization committed to helping students interested in

television and radio success in pursuing their interests. With creativity as one of the main contributors to our success, we offer the tools necessary for students to reach their creative goals. If you have an interest in Radio Broadcasting, Broadcast Journalism, On-Air Hosting (Both TV and

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Radio), Entertainment Management, Studio Operations, Broadcast Engineering and Management, Radio Business Operations, Promotions or Public Relations, please submit you application today!

Arts &

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

For Grammy Awards updates, check maceandcrown.com/category/artsentertainment

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

Album Review

David W. Jacobsen’s 'Begin the Chagrin' Adam Flores Editor-in-Chief Singer-songwriter David W. Jacobsen’s latest release, “Begin the Chagrin,” continues his trademark acoustic, folk rock meanderings combining poetry, satire and storytelling. His latest effort presents an entertaining narrative of characters defined as noble, relatable, pitiable and revolting who deal with disappointment or cause it for someone else. The lead track, “Settle,” sets the narrative tone of the album. Provided by a quirky upbeat delivery, the character knows they are not the best alternative for a relationship, yet quietly cries out, “I could make you happy / Though maybe not the most you could be / I’m here for now / So settle for me.” Continuing in the classic narrative forms of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, Jacobsen’s 71-minute, 20-track musical storybook continues this dystopian aura with satirical, humoristic energy and vibrant delivery. Though enjoyable for a range of listeners start-

ing with young adults, this setlist appeals, perhaps, more to the thirtysomething crowd and beyond. Musical arrangements are simplistic and somewhat predictable. They offer occasional surprise chord progressions and unconventional phrasings. Lyrically, each song possesses catchy, narrative hooks and a plot that draw listeners into an often, relatable life story. “Guitar Guy” is an example of Jacobsen’s connection with listeners. Reminiscent of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” the song reflects the perspective of a working musician catering cover songs to listeners whose dreams succumb to various worldly pitfalls. In essence, it is the storyteller bringing to the forefront the various stories of their listeners, a continual evolution of the narrative. Similar in ideology is “Free Bird,” where working musicians dream and strive to find their big break, yet get lost in the stigma of low-paying melancholy, stereotypical gigs. The monotony of playing cover songs in

wedding and party bands reveals doldrums of a musician’s life. Hence, the audience shout out, “Play Freebird!” to a cover band: Just how many times can the band play a common song request with authentic conviction and delivery each time before the excitement is gone and is relinquished to the group’s setlist under “awful eight” or “dirty dozen.” As a wordsmith, Jacobsen packs his songs with cultural and social markers identifiable with his audience. With a writing flair and style similar to "Family Guy” and “Gilmore Girls,” each chapter of “Begin the Chagrin’s” plot is coded with quick wit reflecting his story. Mixed with sparse but quick, intricate vocal phrasings and rhythms, hitting “rewind” is necessary to capture each word of the narrative. This may be Jacobsen’s intent in his craftsmanship of keeping his audience engaged in the details of the story he presents. The periodic musical embellishments throughout the record lay flat and contribute little other than an occasional change in sonic ambiance

to certain tracks. In most cases, the instrumental line, stab or break has the freedom within the arrangement to take the song to a new place musically but seldom soars. While the important mechanics of music structure and form are essential in original song development and composition, Jacobsen’s production chops are slightly lacking throughout the record. Most notably are several points where the overall mix found some instrumentation hiding vocal lines, creating the “What did he say?” issue. Aside from some production issues, overall, the album shows Jacobsen equally encompassing his musicianship and songwriting craft in a wellthought-out format. Style and genre, the narrative art of Jacobsen’s works featuring a musical storybook of characters, is partly due to listening to songs by other artists today and the lack of meaning along with musical repetition present. Refusing to adhere to what the music industry promotes in popular music today, Jacobsen values a lyri-

Courtesy Zbokth Productions cally well-crafted song with a message that strives to connect directly with the listener. “To make successful music money, you don’t write on inspiration,” Jacobsen said. “You write for what someone else wants to hear.” Aside from slight production and musical issues, “Begin the Chagrin” is a welcome addition to any satirical, acoustic and folk rock collection. Clever in its lyrical approach and musical delivery, David W. Jacobsen presents another collection of humorous, engaging musical tracks in a storybook format that is sure to be read over and over again by listeners. For more on David W. Jacobsen, visit his website: davidwj.com

BITS OF A&E Meet A-Boogie Wit da Hoodie A-Boogie Wit da Hoodie will be on campus Feb. 20 for a meetand- greet, presented by the Nu Theta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha. Best-known for his breakout single, “My S**t,” the artist will be in town for a performance at The NorVa that evening. The meet-andgreet will take place in Webb Center’s Hampton/Newport News room from 4-5:30 p.m. and is open only to students. Admission requires a gently used hoodie, which will be donated to Union Mission. Gallery Talk: Contemporary African-American Artists To honor Black History Month, Chrysler Museum of Art will host a gallery talk focused on the museum’s collection of AfricanAmerican art. The tour will include Kehinde Wiley’s larger-thanlife “St. Andrew” and renowned works by Elizabeth Catlett and Robert Colescott. The talk will take place on Feb. 19 from 2-3 p.m. Ebony Impact Gospel Choir Holds 40th Anniversary Concert The Ebony Impact Gospel Choir will hold their 40th Anniversary Concert on Feb. 18 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in Webb Center’s North Café. The Ebony Impact Choir sings traditional and contemporary gospel music along with encouraging students to visit or sit-in at rehearsals, which take place every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. in MGB 101. Student tickets for the concert are on sale for $5. Lava MiniFest: March Edition Local music festival Lava MiniFest will return to Toast on March 15. The event will include both indoor and outdoor stages and boasts 12 performers at the cost of $10 per ticket. Bands performing include Wyteshayds, Long Division, LADADA, True Body and more. Llive DJ performances also will take place inside Toast. Doors open at 5 p.m. Monkey’s Fist Returns to Bold Mariner The Bold Mariner Brewing Company will hold a release party to bring back Monkey’s Fist, a fan-favorite coconut wheat beer, on March 4 from noon to 9 p.m. Food will be provided by Cubania, the first Cuban food truck in Hampton Roads. Artist Zoëe Nutt and Nashville-based Roanoke will be providing live music from 5-8 p.m.

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Courtesy grooverecordshop.com

Vinyl Gets Its Groove Back in Downtown Norfolk

Lindsey Lanham Assistant A&E Editor

In recent years, there’s been a resurgence of vinyl records, meaning that there’s also been a growth in record stores. Taking advantage of the rebirth of vinyl, Paul Levine opened The Groove Record Shop in downtown Norfolk. Located on Granby Street in Norfolk, only one block over from MacArthur Center, The Groove opened in 2014 after Levine got an email from a friend at Capital Records.

“I get an email in big letters: ‘It’s time,’” Levine recalled. He said that he has noticed a definite surge in vinyl sales in recent years, and could not be happier that vinyl is coming back. “Listening to digital…You're just listening to songs. When you put on an album, you’re listening to music,” Levine said. The Groove keeps a solid collection of music ranging from Bowie to The Fugees, Run The Jewels to Adele. Curating a diverse collection is something that The Groove has always prided themselves on.

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Levine has always strived to make The Groove a comfortable place for his customers to come and relax. Though he admittedly may not know any of the current hits, he can offer help to anybody looking to get into old school rock. Whether you’re a vinyl collector or just beginning to get into the hobby, The Groove Record Shop is the perfect place to stop by and ask for recommendations, pick up the latest release or even just to hang out on a Saturday.

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Arts &

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E N T ER T A I NM E N T

Weekend Double Feature

'The LEGO Batman Movie'

Ross Reelachart Technology Editor “The LEGO Batman Movie” has the unenviable, and yet inevitable, task of living up to the precedent set by the original “LEGO Movie.” A genuinely great film that was both riotously funny and incredibly clever, “LEGO Movie” also had a rocksolid emotional core. While “Lego Batman” doesn’t quite reach the thematic heights of its predecessor, it still ends up as an incredibly funny take on Batman, perhaps understanding the character better than the last decade of feature films featuring the

Courtesy DC Entertainment superhero. The breakout character from the “LEGO Movie,” Batman (Will Arnett) is the star and hero of Gotham City. Yet when he goes home to Wayne Manor, he sits alone watching “Jerry Maguire” and eating microwaved lobster thermidor. When the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) hatches a plan to unleash all the universe’s biggest bad guys in Gotham City, Batman will need to learn to open up and accept the help and love of Robin (Michael Cera), Commissioner Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson) and his butler Alfred (Ralph

Fiennes). These relationships and Batman’s dogged refusal of them are the heart of “LEGO Batman.” The movie seems to know that fans and media have long been enamored with Batman as a dark, brooding vigilante, yet that’s only a surface-level element to his character. Beneath the cape and cowl is a character who is ultimately very alone and very sad, rocked by the death of his family and unable to let himself get close to other people for fear of it happening all over again. The movie manages to examine this core quality of Batman while also still being incredibly funny and appealing to kids. Will Arnett is perfectly cast as a parody of the brooding loner, gravelly voice Batman archetype, managing to make Batman’s trademark coolness seem like childish arrogance. Whether he’s constantly talking about his sick abs or how he credits his “bat rope” more than his friends, Arnett’s Batman is equally funny to laugh at as he is to sympathize with.

Speaking of voices, everyone on the cast is bringing their A-game. Michael Cera’s Dick Grayson/Robin is the definition of adorable. He’s a quickwitted and (literally) wide-eyed boy that just wants the approval of his daddies, Bruce Wayne and Batman. Practically every moment with him will elicit “awws” from the audience. Rosario Dawson’s Barbara Gordon manages to be just as funny and capable as her comedic counterparts, while also serving as the empathetic voice of reason and understanding in a crazy LEGO world. Ralph Fiennes’ Alfred is refined and fatherly, while also having his own moment of dry wit. Zach Galifianakis’ Joker is a real stand out, especially considering that he now joins the company of every other Joker portrayal. He manages to find the right tone for a LEGO Joker – one that is both insane, clever and crazy for Batman. Again, this is a movie about relationships, and the Batman/Joker relationship is the biggest one. Because of this, “LEGO

Batman” manages the surprising task of making the Joker a sympathetic figure. The villain only wants the “hate” of his longtime “nemesis” Batman and the confirmation that they are “destined to be together.” Everything else in the movie is a whirling and charming cavalcade of color, jokes and the amazing animation technique that makes the LEGO figurines and toys actually look like have been brought to life. Taking a page from “The Muppets,” “LEGO Batman” even filled out its bit parts with celebrity voices. Doug Benson as Bane, Conan O’Brien as Riddler and Channing Tatum as Superman are just a sampling of the many, “Hey, it’s that voice!” moments in the movie. While “The LEGO Batman Movie” errs more on the side of kid-friendly than the original “LEGO Movie,” it still manages to be a fun and heartwarming experience for all, and Will Arnett’s Batman may even be a more interesting version than Ben Affleck’s.

'John Wick: Chapter 2'

Ross Reelachart Technology Editor

In a world where shaky-cam and rapid editing techniques have come to define most big name action movies, “John Wick: Chapter 2” is a bold renaissance that reminds us what real action looks like. Just like its 2014 sleeper-hit predecessor, “John Wick 2” is a beautiful dance of death and headshots brought to life by the always hardworking Keanu Reeves and stunt coordinator-turned-film director Chad Stahelski. The story of John Wick is a mythical one, but not in terms of proportions or size. No, John Wick movies are mythical because they take place in an underground crime world that exists alongside ours, though hidden from view. In this world of badass assassins and international crime syndicates, they have their own currency, terms and rules.

The rules of the “High Table” at the “Continental” are as absolute as cosmic decrees, such that the blood oath “marker” that drags John Wick back into the world of crime cannot be ignored. This world is more akin to Greek mythology than it is to real life, complete with lofty ambitions and god-like figures whom only deign to bend down and hear mere mortals. Putting aside the excellent themes, these movies are masterpieces of traditional action. Director Chad Stahelski comes from a stunt background, and was even the stunt double for Reeves in “The Matrix Reloaded.” Needless to say, he knows a thing or two about stunts and action set pieces. He knows that the best way to hit the audience is by providing action that they can see clearly and that is admittedly very difficult to pull off. Many action movies are shaky affairs with lots of cuts because those film techniques create the illusion of

action without actually having to do the action. Traditional action, with long takes and finely choreographed fights, is both expensive and timeconsuming. Everyone on “John Wick 2” was open for putting in the hours necessary to make every fight a glorious ballet of fists, kicks, guns, knives and real stunts. The camera lingers, steady and unerring, as we watch the consummate performer that is Keanu Reeves headshot and grapple tens or hundreds of goons in a single fight with minimal cuts. We watch as he gets hit by several real cars and thrown down several real flights of stairs. He reloads and shoots with precision accuracy and the professionalism to confirm his kills. Yet for all of the wonderful violence, Stahelski never slouches in terms of injecting artistry and cleverness into his running gun battles. The framing of any given shot ensures

that we see everything John Wick is doing, which is usually shooting people in the head, and that we clearly understand the geography of any action scene. There’s also a variety of clever settings for these fights to take place in, which makes sure no gun battle feels the same or occurs under the same circumstances. A personal favorite is when John Wick demonstrates his violent artistry in an art museum, where he paints the walls with his preferred medium of

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Courtesy Thunder Roads Pictures choice: blood. “John Wick: Chapter 2” manages to surpass the high bar of action that its predecessor set, which is no small feat considering the first John Wick movie was a master class in traditional action itself. Complete with a subtly mythical narrative that leaves you wanting more from his world of crime gods (and headshots), “John Wick: Chapter 2” leaves you full with some of the best action you can find in movies today.

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Arts &

Watch 'When the Bough Breaks' Feb. 15, 17-18 in MGB 102 at 8 p.m.

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

Dear Adamus Rocks Shaka's Live

Dear Adamus on stage at Shakas Live. Photo by Lindsay Prekker continued from front The night started off with a set from the indie-alternative band, Bonne Chére. Their first full-length album, “Good Cheer,” was released last May. The group relies heavily on jazz and their raw, rock sound. Lively and interactive, the group was the perfect opener. They even recruited members of Dear Adamus to shoot confetti cannons during their set. “You guys like Blink 182 covers? Well, too bad,” Wilkins joked with the crowd during Dear Adamus’ set.

The band gives off a nonchalant, no pressure attitude that complements their aesthetic. They’re not too worried about impressing others because their music will do that for them. Dear Adamus closed their set with “I’m Your Audience.” A newer track from the “Afterlight” EP, the song was a hit with the crowd. Though originally recorded acoustic, it was played as a rock hit built for the radio. Starcoast, also from Virginia Beach, closed the show. A perfect alternative rock compliment to Dear Adamus, the group played both new

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and old songs. By the end of the night, they had the crowd chanting, “One more song!” With much of the crowd singing along to the music, there’s no mistake that Dear Adamus has developed a strong following over the years. The band has made their impression on the Virginia Beach scene and Saturday night’s show proved that they will always be welcomed by fans. Dear Adamus has music available on Bandcamp, Spotify, Soundcloud and iTunes.

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MONARCH STYLE Best Bloggers to Follow in the Spring

Kim Bering Staff Writer Spring is right around the corner, which means an inevitable surplus of pastels, ruffles, dresses and floral galore. Along with students, bloggers adore spring fashion because it’s the perfect time to break out the pastel colors and feminine fits. But before delving into spring fashion, getting to know bloggers’ personalized style and why they love spring fashion is a good place to start. After the chilly weather and deep, sultry colors for fall and winter months, spring creates a breath of fresh air. All of the light pastel colors are bursting with creativity, inspiring a fresh outlook on style for the season. Most fashion bloggers blossom in the spring because of the romantic, airy raptures that this season brings. Perhaps one of the best trendy blogs to follow for fabulous spring style is Emily Herren of Champagne and Chanel. Herren’s style is continually simple, girly and perfect for campus wear. She is a southern blogger who constantly wears pastels and emphasizes in all things chic. She continually wears trendy clothing—like off-the-shoulder tops, rompers and over the knee boots, but pairs them with pieces that are reusable. The most appealing factor about Herren’s fashion is the comfortable versatility and color palette. She specializes in incredibly simple, yet adorable outfits. Minimal patterns, a nice pair of jeans and perhaps a slight heel or flats are all you need for class. The pastel and floral colors she clads herself in represent the girlish side of effortless spring fashion. Another blogger for superb spring fashion is Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific. Seldom seen in sneakers and jeans, Eadie is your go-to for exceptionally high class and chic fashion. Her specialty lies in the luxurious and classy style of light pinks and midi skirts. If you prefer girly to grunge, Eadie is your gal. Although the extravagance and neat nature of her fashion could be a bit superfluous for simply going to class, she provides the inspiration to look chic regardless of brand and the height of your heel. She fervently

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wears pastel hues, dresses and skirts, dainty heels and hardly any ripped denim. Her style certainly emphasizes the posh and collect side of feminine spring fashion. For a put-together but more practical approach to spring campus style, Alyson Haley of Sequins and Things provides cute, concrete outfits for everyday use. Haley posts numerous types of outfits for special occasions, fitness, everyday wear and several affordable pieces. The wide-ranged versatility appeals to the student on a budget who still aims to look stylish. Enough about individual bloggers, let’s talk about the best spring flings for the wardrobe that they all wear. Obviously, pastel colors are a given, but what about patterns? Floral, gingham, polka dots and embroidery are absolute musts. Embroidered blouses are particularly appropriate for spring, given the oncoming of blooming flowers. They are especially in style at Francesca’s and Freepeople. Also currently trending are ruffled tops and dresses, off-theshoulder and loosely fit. Perfect for a date night or simply a nice switch from jeans, these dresses are designed for the lighthearted season of spring to display a fun and stylish look. They pair perfectly with dainty heels or strappy sandals when the weather warms up. Thanks to bloggers’ innovational and eclectic styles, finding the proper pieces for a fresh spring wardrobe is easy. A few pastel blouses and romantic embroidered dresses are a nice switch from the darker colors and heavy sweaters of winter and fall. Happy shopping!

Courtesy Kim Bering

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Where Our Football Team Calls Home Girish Sreevatsan Digital Editor

Columbia, The ODU Football Team South Carolina Hometown

Muller, Name Cameron

Garner, North Carolina

Height 6-4

Position OL

Year Fr.

White, Keion 6-4

Fr.

Hampton, Virginia

Jordan, Janaz

6-4

Fr.

Hinesville, Georgia

White, Tracy 6-2

Fr.

Richmond, Virginia

Miller, Jack

6-7

Fr.

Rockwall, Texas

Hoy, Jordan

6-1

So.

Smyrna, Tennessee

Perkins, Casey

6-0

Fr.

Tampa, Florida

Feliciano, Estefano

6-1

Fr.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Washington, 6-4 Cameron

Fr.

Waldorf, Maryland

Wilson, Keisean

Fr.

6-2

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M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM The ODU Football Team Hometown

Name

Height

Position

Year

Atlanta, Georgia

Hall, Geronda

5-10

Fr.

Birmingham, Woods, Alabama DeAndre

6-3

Jr.

Bowie, Maryland

6-4

Fr.

Burtonsville, Valle, James 6-4 Maryland

Fr.

Chesapeake, Wood, Virginia Austin

Fr.

Chesterfield, Rivers, Elijah 6-5 Virginia

Fr.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Meiser, Jeremy

6-3

Fr.

Columbia, South Carolina

Muller, Cameron

6-4

Fr.

Position DT TE

Year Fr. Fr.

Haynes, Marcus

6-3

Virginia The ODU Football Team Beach, Virginia Hometown Garner, North Carolina

Washington, Name Height Cameron 6-4 White, Keion 6-4

Waldorf, Maryland

Wilson, Keisean

6-2

Fr.

Warner Robins, Georgia

Colbert, Amari

6-3

Fr.

6-4

Fr.

Washington, Williams, D.C. Steven

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M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Arts &

Follow 'A&E Mace&Crown' on Spotify for our favorite tracks

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH MUSIC MINUTE Hell YES!

I’ll Listen to it Twice, Even.

ADAM FLORES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

We’re Getting There...

Eh...

Face Palm.

Lupe Fiasco ‘DROGAS Light’

Courtesy 1st & 15th Entertainment

“DROGAS Light” is the latest offering by the American rapper, record producer and entrepreneur Wasalu Muhammud Jaco, known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco. Fiasco takes the stage under his real name when fronting rock band, Japanese Cartoon. As an entrepreneur, he is CEO of 1st & 15th Entertainment. Fiasco’s sixth studio compilation showcases his hip-hop songwriting and musicianship to date as he continues writing from the antiestablishment spectrum. Each track delivers clever and insightful lyricism over the ingenious background of carefully scored instrumental tracks. Enlisting the services of fellow artists Ty Dolla $ign, Bianca Sings

and Simon Sayz among others, the new record, which dropped on Feb. 10, proves a hip-hop powerhouse. Lyrically, there is a lot to take in. The Chicago-raised Fiasco does not hold back exploring social issues in a unique, street language, a voice he accrued as part of his highly cultured upbringing. Tracks such as “Promise,” “Tranquillo (feat. Rick Ross & Big K.R.I.T.),” “Pick Up the Phone,” “Wild Child (feat. Jake Torrey)” and “More Than My Heart (feat. Rxmn and Salim)” present an eclectic range of sound on the 14-track setlist. “It’s Not Design (feat. Salim)” brings a creative changeup later on the album. Fueled on today’s hip-hop

laced connotations musically and lyrically, the ‘70s “Soul Train” vibe with stacked vocal lines in the chorus brings forward a refreshing, updated hybrid sound. Though Fiasco rejects vulgarity and misogynistic themes found within hip-hop, he is against censorship in music. “DROGAS Light” is a must for hip-hop fans. Lupe Fiasco’s high production standards, carefully choreographed mix of sounds and vocals, A-list guest appearances and an infectious energy continues a prominent trek for the multifaceted, hip-hop artist.

Hollyn

‘One-Way Conversations’ Ohio-born Holly Marie Miller, better known by her stage name Hollyn, presented her debut release, “One-Way Conversations,” on Feb. 10. A 2013 “American Idol” season 12 alumna, she is currently known for her vocal mix of pop, R&B and Christian music. Identified as a singer-songwriter within the Contemporary Christian music (CCM) world, the 11-track offering showcases Hollyn’s dance-pop crossover sensibilities. Her exposition, “Can’t Live Without,” lyrically forges not just a retrospection of her Christian faith, but also in every day, of this world relationships. This lyrically unique presentation

proves the album’s worth to a wide audience. With catchy beats and sonic textures, each track strives to reach out and convey a message of faith, hope and love. “Love with Your Life” further displays the soaring urgency and dynamic range embedded in Hollyn’s voice. “Obvious?” and “Waiting For” exemplify the more introspective moments: hurt, pain and difficult decisions. These notions are reflective of trials for anyone, regardless of gender; yet, they typify the emotional outcry from the female point-of-view, a cliché seen too often in the female pop idiom. Hollyn enlists the help of fellow

CCM veteran and crossover artist tobyMac on the track “Go,” also featuring Diverse City. She will be touring alongside tobyMac this spring. Hollyn’s new record shifts effortlessly from track to track. Most cuts rely on and carry the Ellie Goulding vibe further marking the genre crossover tendencies. Her voice leans on a raw, honest delivery similar to CCM artist Kari Jobe, but with a stronger, deliberate approach. There is not a strong sense of facing more contemporary social issues, lyrically. Challenging themes presented are sugarcoated and softened. A more aggressive, overall approach would set apart this album. Courtesy Gotee Records

Overkill

‘The Grinding Wheel’ New Jersey thrash metal outfit OverKill return with their 18th studio effort, “The Grinding Wheel.” Released on Feb. 10, this epic assault on the sonic senses continues the legacy of what the band is renown for in their long, coveted history spanning more than three decades. The new record continues the “loud and proud” trademark fans have come to expect from the veteran metal moguls. Since 1980, Overkill has had plenty of success and some rough turbulence in their musical presentations to fans. However, “The Grinding Wheel” outdoes itself, even to the surprise of the band. “It’s always best to try to make it

better or at least think in your mind that it is going to be better. That becomes the challenge. I think that is what keeps the band rolling,” frontman Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth said. Lead track “Mean, Green, Killing Machine” sets the pace for an unequivocal, brutal onslaught of razor sharp guitars, deafening drums and screaming vocals. Occasional progressive elements such as abrupt tempo and mood variances, intricate instrumental lines and unique, distortion-ladened guitar passages set this collection of tracks apart from others. Through their volatile setlist, “Our Finest Hour” and “Come Heavy” confirm Overkill’s unmatched songwrit-

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Courtesy Nuclear Blast

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ing abilities, similar to a Judas Priest and Accept tonal approach. While most thrash metal bands attempt to capture the aesthetic, Overkill defines the genre. Along with their “Anthrax” counterpart, they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon. “The Grinding Wheel” is a welcome addition and kick in the ass to the metal set. With articulate vocal delivery, incendiary musicianship, and a no-holds-barred approach, Overkill has raised the bar of thrash metal, exceeding expectations of fans along with their own.

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Arts &

The 89th Annual Academy Awards will air on Feb. 26

E N T ER T A I NM E N T

MONARCH MOVIE MINUTE Taking home the gold

The Contender

TYLER PASSARGE STAFF WRITER

Just happy to be Nominated

All Politics

Should've Been Snubbed

‘O.J.: Made in America’ 2016 | Unrated | 467 min.

If one were around during the murder trial of legendary football star O.J. Simpson, they knew that it was a moment of history. The rise and fall of Simpson was something that boiled into something much more culturally significant. Simpson’s story became a symbol for a post-Rodney King climate that tested the people’s stance on justice. In “O.J: Made in America,” Simpson’s epic story is told in a 5-part documentary that originally aired on ESPN. After a successful career in football, Simpson had made himself a brand that was marketed to a white American audience. O.J. Simpson, or “The

Juice” as many called him, took the steps to transcend his skin color and other civil rights movements at the time to make himself a marketable figure. As he described himself in the film, “I’m not black. I’m O.J.” His image took a sharp hit after being placed a suspect in the grisly murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown. During the heavily televised trial, Simpson’s lawyers took a man who had distanced himself from social injustices and made him the face of it. This turned the trial from a chance for justice to a moment of retribution for Rodney King and the injustices by the Los Angeles Police Department.

What filmmaker Ezra Edelman does here is amazing. In “O.J.: Made in America,” Simpson is crafted into a Shakespearean figure whose gravitas and hubris became his demise. Themes of justice and its confusion with revenge feel heated and create a narrative of epic proportions. The 450-minute runtime is staggering, but its comprehensive narrative is addictive and crafted to perfection. It’s a long one, but “O.J.: Made in America” is a masterful work of storytelling that comprehends a star’s fall from grace. This film is available on Hulu. Courtesy ESPN Films

‘13th’

2016 | Unrated | 100 min.

Courtesy Kandoo Films

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay (“Selma”) explores the prison system and its connection to racial inequality in her documentary, “13th.” The film’s title is in reference to the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution which ended the era of slavery. However, as DuVernay theorizes in her film, slavery is something that subtly still exists within the amendment. While the amendment forbids slavery, it’s written with the exception of anyone who is charged with a crime. Although many people would say that anyone who commits a crime should be thrown into the system, DuVernay sees this as a statement of ignorance. In her film, DuVernay

demonstrates the injustices of the prison system with startling images and statistics that only heighten the anxiety over the system. Within her contextualized argument, DuVernay forces her audience to reflect on the shameful parts of American history laced in violence and racial discrimination. As the documentary delves deeper into its material, viewers are exposed to matters of politics that enforce the thesis. No one from either political party is safe from the exploration since both the right and left have had some role in the law making that enforced extended jail time for petty crimes.

With the political landscape being as charged as it is, the resonance and importance of “13th” should not be overlooked. This film serves as a striking piece of filmmaking with its unflinching information and a stylistic means of communicating that information. Every injustice presented in “13th” is heartbreaking to watch, and this is a film where every broken soul’s story is told with justice. Haunting in its subject matter and artful in its execution, “13th” tells the stories that shouldn’t have happened but that need to be exposed. This film is available on Netflix.

‘Life, Animated’ 2016 | PG | 92 min.

During the ‘90s, autism and anything related to the spectrum was something that very few people held a grasp on. When Ron and Cornelia Suskind were informed of their young son Owen’s autism, they were lost in a realm of confusion. As hard as it was for his parents, Owen’s struggle with communication birthed a sense of isolation. His only retreat from reality was the intake of Disney films. As it turns out, Disney films were helping Owen relate to the world again. In “Life, Animated,” audiences are reminded of the wonders of Disney and the effect it had on them as chil-

dren. These films dealt with issues of growing up and death while putting them in ways that children could comprehend. In that sense, it’s easy to understand how these films were able to be Owen’s saving grace. The documentary follows a now 23-year-old Owen who is facing the prospect of leaving his group home and moving into an apartment by himself. Spliced into this narrative are stories of Owen’s childhood recollected by his parents and older brother. Stories of isolation and bullying are accompanied by animated reimagining’s that grow to be as magical and

colorful as a Disney movie would be. Where many of these types of stories could be bogged down by sappiness, “Life, Animated” earns its moments of joy and wonder. Many stories of Owen’s childhood get right down to the heart of relatable issues and are dictated in ways that can be easily understood. Although it may pale in comparison to the other nominees for best documentary, “Life, Animated” is a heartfelt story that reinvigorates Disney’s trademark magic. This film is available on Amazon Prime.

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Courtesy Motto Pictures

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Sports Monarchs Destroy Blazers Follow @macecrownsports for updates on Monarch basketball

Brittany Reigelsperger Contributing Writer

On the road, the Monarchs (1510, 8-5 C-USA) were determined to destroy the University of AlabamaBirmingham Blazers (15-11, 8-5 CUSA) in their Saturday night matchup. Their superior effort allowed them to achieve their first win against UAB since moving into Conference USA in 2013. UAB never led and fell to the Monarchs, 80-63. The loss ended the Blazers 25-game C-USA home game win streak. B.J. Stith achieved his first career

double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds while adding four assists for good measure. Stith's backcourt mate Ahmad Caver scored an astonishing 23 points in addition to dishing out eight assists, grabbing five rebounds, and two steals. Zoran Talley netted 12 points and snatched two rebounds, while Trey Porter didn't miss a shot scoring 10 points. Forward Brandan Stith contributed 11 points, four rebounds and two steals in 30 minutes of play. “To bounce back like this after our last two games, we could’ve hung our heads, and our guys did not. We talk-

ed about believing, we talked about leaving it all out there on the court, and we did exactly that tonight. Every one of our guys contributed to this win and has ownership in this performance. The big thing now is trying to keep this momentum going and showing maturity, and see if we can play at this level again next Saturday,” ODU head coach Jeff Jones said. Collectively the Monarchs shot an outstanding 66 percent (33-of-50) from two, 50 percent (9-of-18) from three and a surprising 73 percent (811) from the free-throw line which has been an area of uncertainty all

season. Fourteen out of 15 ODU players made an appearance in this match up while only eight of them scored. Coach Jones diversified from his typical rotation substituting players such as Stephen Vassor, Alassane Kah and Keith Pinckney. “This was a big-time win for us,” Jones said. The Monarchs entered halftime leading the Dragons 39-30. UAB failed to get back into the game and would only be able to strike ODU's point lead within four points to 4945 in the second half of the contest. ODU garnered their largest lead of 27

points in the second half of the game, and they trampled over the Dragons leading for a total of 39:02 out of the possible 40 minutes of competition. This victory over UAB ended the tie between these two teams and bumped the Dragons into the fourth place in Conference USA. The Monarchs' next matchup will be against the Charlotte 49ers who are under .500 including conference play. ODU will face off against the 49ers Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Ted. The game will air live on ESPN3.

Photo by Kam Nedd

Scores by period ODU UAB

1 2 Total 39 44 83 30 32 62

SPORTS RECAP Simms Named National Player of the Week Jennie Simms continues to garner accolades. This past week, she was named the USBWA National Player of the Week and C-USA Player of the Week for the fourth time this season. She averaged 36.5 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three blocks in wins at FAU and FIU. “She's a tremendous player, but an even better person. She's passionate about the game, she loves her teammates and she takes pride in playing here at Old Dominion," ODU head coach Karen Barefoot said. Two Lady Monarch Golfers Finish Top 25 at UCF Challenge Sophomores Charlotte De Corte and Sana Tufail led the team to a 15th place finish at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando. De Corte finished in 23rd place shooting (-1) and Tufail shot even finishing 25th. Junior Maggie Simmermacher was the only other Lady Monarch to place within the top 50 with her 45th place finish. Assistant Coach McVea Returns The Monarch soccer team happily welcomes back Tennant McVea to their staff as an assistant coach. McVea coached at ODU for three seasons before leaving to assist with team operations at Elon University last season. He has plenty of experience, both coaching and playing soccer. He showcased his talents overseas with the Irish Premier League (2004-06), Veikkausliiga Professional Soccer Club (2010-11) and college ball stateside at Loyola University Maryland. Lady Monarchs Soccer Adds Six Players Head coach Angie Hind signed six recruits from five different states. Defender Josie Sauro from Minnesota, defender Emily Roberts of Maryland, midfielder Emma Gervase from New York, forward Morgan Hall from Virginia, defender Ryann Harris from Ohio and forward Blair Vilov from Maryland. “We as a staff and team are very excited to welcome these six players to our program for the fall,” Hind said.

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Monarch Baseball Is Back

Harry Howard Jr. Sports Editor

ODU will open up their season this weekend with a three-game home stand against LIU Brooklyn at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. The series will be the start of the Monarchs' favorable schedule that is loaded with home games. "We are all very excited about our 2017 schedule. With 36 home games and 19 of our first 20 at home, our fans will get used to seeing us at The Bud," ODU baseball

Feb 17-19 Feb 24 Feb 25 Feb 26 Feb 28 Mar 3-5 Mar 7-8 Mar 10-12 Mar 14-15 Mar 17-19 Mar 21-22 Mar 24-26 Mar 29 Mar 31-Apr 2 * C-USA games

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head coach Chris Finwood said. After going 32-24 last season, the Monarchs were picked to finish fourth in the C-USA coaches' preseason poll. They return eight starters led by Sam Sinnen who went 6-1 last season in 13 starts with a 3.84 earned run average. His brother, catcher Kurt Sinnen, third baseman/outfielder Nick Walker and shortstop Zach Rutherford are key returning position players. Following the LIU Brooklyn series, ODU will host Kentucky, Saint Josephs and Deleware in their

annual ODU Baseball tournament. "With non-conference games against teams from the SEC (Kentucky), ACC (Virginia and Virginia Tech), Big Ten (Rutgers) and Big 12 (West Virginia), we are challenging ourselves against some great competition. We are also adding Virginia Tech to our Harbor Park schedule this year which should be exciting for all the Hokie fans here in Tidewater," Finwood said. ODU's Conference USA play begins in March with a home series against Rice March 17-19.

2017 SCHEDULE

LIU Brooklyn Delaware Kentucky Saint Joseph's VCU Rutgers James Madison West Virginia VMI Rice* Princeton UTSA* William & Mary Charlotte*

Apr 4 Apr 7-9 Apr 11 Apr 14-16 Apr 21-23 Apr 28-30 May 5-7 May 9 May 10 May 12-14 May 16 May 19-21 May 24-28

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Virginia Middle Tennessee* William & Mary LA Tech* Southern Miss* Marshall* UAB* Richmond VCU FIU* Virginia Tech Florida Atlantic* C-USA Tourney

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Sports ODU Off-Beat Against Middle Tennessee

Read more about Monarch athletics at Maceandcrown.com/categories/sports

Roberto Castro Contributing Writer

Old Dominion (14-10, 7-5) took on C-USA defending champions Middle Tennessee (21-4, 11-1) at the Murphy Center Complex. It’s always tough to win on the road in conference play, and it looked every bit of that for the Monarchs Thursday night as they never could seem to find a groove as they ultimately fell 64-51 to the Blue Raiders.

ODU trailed 32-21 at the half despite a hot start from guard Ahmad Caver, who went 4-of-6 from the field scoring nine points leading the Monarchs at halftime, and ultimately finishing the game with 13 points. Despite Caver's start, the Monarch offense struggled to find a rhythm to ultimately get them back into the game. The Monarchs never led in this game despite multiple efforts to shave the lead down to single digits,

including a nine-point deficit at 39-30 at the 14-minute mark of the half and a six-point deficit at 48-42 with 8:20 left in regulation. Middle Tennesse responded to the latter with a 16-4 run, essentially putting the game to rest. “Middle Tennessee is a very good basketball team. Against such a good team, there is so little room for error and we had some uncharacteristic errors tonight," ODU head coach Jeff Jones said. The Blue Raiders were led by for-

Scores by period ODU Middle Tenn

ward Reggie Upshaw, who tallied 18 points and four rebounds and guard Giddy Potts who notched 14 points to go along with six rebounds. ODU was led by guard B.J. Stith who had 17 points and six rebounds, along with guard Ahmad Caver posting 13 points and three assists. The Monarchs also received a quality contribution from Trey Porter off the bench ten points and three rebounds. ODU shot an underwhelming 20 percent from the three-point line,

something that has plagued the Monarchs all year, as well as a consistent go-to scorer. Middle Tennessee was able to take advantage of that by hitting some threes of their own in the second half. "There were times we played some very good defense and Middle Tennessee still hit big time shots. We have to work our way through this and find a way to get better,” Jones said.

1 2 Total 21 30 51 32 32 64

1 2 3 4 Total 12 18 25 8 63 21 18 22 17 86

Lady Raiders Run Over Lady Monarchs Brittany Reigelsperger Contributing Writer On the road, the Monarchs (15-Tensions were high as the Lady Monarchs (12-11, 7-5 C-USA) took to the court against reigning Conference USA Champions Middle Tennessee Lady Raiders (15-8, 10-2 C-USA) and were taken down by a score of 80-63. The game quickly became flashback to last year's C-USA Championship game where ODU fell to Middle Tennessee 70-54.

Reigning USBWA National Player of the Week Jennie Simms was no match for the determined Lady Raiders, who ended the Lady Monarchs four-game win streak. Middle Tennessee immediately took control opening the game with an 8-1 run. It became evident that ODU would be in for an uphill battle against the Lady Raiders. Middle Tennesse led 21-12 after one-quarter. While the Lady Monarchs were able to close the lead to as little as five points in the second quarter they

were unable to maintain this momentum. At the half, they trailed the Lady Raiders 41-30. Jennie Simms led the Lady Monarchs with 19 points, nine rebounds, and five assists while forward Odegua Oigbokie scored a career-high 15 points. Senior Destinee Young contributed seven points and hauled in an astounding 14 rebounds. The Lady Monarchs returned from the half recharged and were able to engineer a 12-0 run at the beginning of the third period to take a 42-41

lead. This would be the only lead the Lady Monarchs would hold throughout the contest. Old Dominion outscored Middle Tennessee 25-22 in the third quarter, but they couldn't keep up in the fourth quarter. "We knew it was going to be a tough battle. The fourth quarter has been good to us recently, but they pulled away in the fourth and made shots and we didn't," ODU head coach Karen Barefoot said. Middle Tennessee outscored Old Dominion 17-8 in the fourth period

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to seal their 17-point victory. The combination of 18 turnovers, Simms shooting just 8-for-22 from the field, and the 37:56 in which the Raiders led contributed to the demise of the Lady Monarchs. "Little things got to us. We have to learn from this and we have to be tough," Barefoot said. Follow MaceCrownSports on twitter for live updates, or tune into ESPN3 to watch the Lady Monarchs live.

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Technology

Watch maceandcrown.com for the review of new Souls-like game, 'Nioh'

Social Media Cracks Down on Fakea News parliamentary election in Sep-

Audra Reigle Assistant Technology Editor

News and social media outlets are cracking down on "fake news" after wide distribution during last year’s presidential election cycle made its dangers apparent. While the U.S. presidential election has passed and President Trump has officially taken office, other countries are gearing up for their own presidential elections. Social media outlets outside the U.S. are working to prevent false information from being spread as other countries start their election processes. Facebook and Google have agreed to work with French news organizations to prevent fake news from being disseminated, according to Scientific American. This is after Facebook received criticism over not doing enough to prevent fake news during the U.S. presidential election last year. The German government is also concerned “that false stories and hate speech online could influence

tember in which chancellor Angela Merkel will seek a fourth term in office.” Facebook has also started an initiative against fake news in Germany as well. Even though the U.S. election cycle has come and gone, Facebook still plans to work on issues of fake news. They plan to work with Snopes, ABC News and the Associated Press to verify the authenticity of stories. Users will also be able to flag fake articles in the future. The project has been dubbed “CrossCheck,” according to CNET. Google and Facebook are the force behind this initiative. Their goal is to help the public figure out who and what to trust on their social media and online when it comes to news. It was designed as a response to criticism faced in the wake of last year’s U.S. presidential election. For users who want some kind of solution right now, there also exists the Google Chrome add-on "This is Fake" that allows users to flag fake news in most social media.

TECH IN A SEC ‘Zoom and Enhance!’ is Now Real The Google Brain research team has now devised software that can create detailed images from small, pixelated images. This software makes real the crime show cliché of “extracting” a perfectly clear image by just zooming-in to a small part of another picture. In reality, such a task would be impossible because a picture’s resolution is absolute, and zooming-in simply makes the pixels larger on screen. Solar Power Creating Twice as Many Jobs as Coal In a recent survey conducted by the nonprofit Solar Foundation, solar power created more than 260,000 jobs in 2016, twice as many as coal and “slightly more” than natural gas. The survey also noted that job growth in solar power has grown 20 percent per year over the last four years, and surveyed employers expect that to increase by an additional 10 percent in the next year. Most of the jobs are in installation, with a median wage of $25.96 per hour. Bill Requiring Warrants to Search Old Email Passes The U.S. House of Representative voted on and passed a measure that would require law enforcement to obtain a search warrant in order to search old emails from technology companies. Security and privacy advocates see this passing as a victory, which updates a measure that was written in 1986. Currently, law enforcement only requires a subpoena to obtain the information, which has less judicial oversight. The measure still needs to pass the Senate, where it’s expected to encounter resistance. New Internet and Tech Words Added to Dictionary In its annual dictionary update, Merriam-Webster has announced the addition of over 1000 words including oft-used internet and technology terms. For example, common web terms “clickbait” and “listicle” are now official alongside formerly-unrecognized computer terms such as “open source” and “ping.” Also, new slang terms were made official, like “throw shade,” “face-palm,” “weak sauce” and “humblebrag.”

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Courtesy Ubisoft.com

'For Honor' Beta Impressions

Continued from front

In theory, ‘revenge mode’ would let you fight back against multiple attackers. In execution, it’s almost like a “get out of jail free” card for a player regardless if they were losing or winning. ‘Revenge’ is accumulated so quickly and easily, and the buffs it gives are so powerful, that there’s never a bad time to use it, even if you were winning. So a player can just wait for their revenge to fill up and

then counterattack with ease, making the rest of the mechanics almost meaningless. Then there’s the problem of Ubisoft’s dedication to using peer-to-peer connection instead of dedicated servers for a multiplayer game. Basically, this decision ensures that a player’s internet connection can be directly related to their ability to play game. A player with faster or more consistent connection just has a plain advantage over other players. Hopefully,

this something that can be changed before release. “For Honor” shows a lot of promise for a multiplayer-centric game, especially one that one relies on melee combat or over shooting and guns. Its mechanics are just deep enough to be engrossing, but not so much as to slow down the pace of combat or a multiplayer round. But a few poor choices in mechanics and networking could prove distasteful for most players.

Automation and the Future of Jobs

Audra Reigle Assistant Technology Editor Robots are seemingly taking over the world. Specifically, it can feel like they’re taking over your jobs and job opportunities. Slowly but surely, more companies are bringing on robots to replace humans as employees. Between the politics of wage and the cost-effectiveness of machines, the switch to automation seems inevitable. Around the world and across the U.S., companies are transitioning to automation to meet the demands of the current market. A Chinese factory has replaced its workers with robots, according to ZME Science. Changying Precision Technology Company has dropped their employee count from 650 to 60. The company’s general manager, Luo Weiqiang, plans to drop that number to 20. There has been a 250 percent increase at the company, which focuses on cell phone production, despite only having 60 workers. Then there was the first automated factory by Adidas that was announced in 2015. Dubbed Speedfactory, the company planned to open a factory in Germany in 2016 to produce 500 pairs of shoes. The German factory was a pilot, but there were plans to set up similar factories that would be connected across the world. Adidas now has plans to open a Speedfactory in Atlanta this year,

according to TechCrunch. This will be the second factory opened by the company, and it has an output of 50,000 shoes per year. However, the factory will also have humans in the building, as the company plans to create about 160 jobs to oversee the factory. The question of what jobs could be automated depends on the job itself. Somewhat surprisingly, automation is not concerned with whether or not a job is manual, according to The Economist. It is concerned with whether or not the job is routine. “Machines can already do many forms of routine manual labor, and are now able to perform some routine cognitive tasks,” The Economist article said. As time passes, more and more jobs will be able to have complex tasks broken down into routine tasks. That will allow for automation to work on those routine tasks instead of a human. However, that does not mean that humans will be out of a job. “Automating a particular task, so that it can be done more quickly and cheaply, increases the demand for human workers to do the other tasks around it that have not been automated,” The Economist said. For those hoping that the current administration would be bringing back their jobs, it would seem that promise might be getting more distant. Reuters reports that more jobs could turn to automation under the

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Trump Administration. Carrier, an air conditioning company that planned to move jobs to Mexico, has announced that they are going to move towards automation instead. “Some 80 percent of companies that plan to cut jobs in the next year expect to partially replace workers with automation,” according to Reuters. “Currently, only 5 percent of occupations can be entirely automated, but 60 percent of occupations could soon see machines doing 30 percent or more of the work,” according to the Washington Post. Automation could take over 45 percent of jobs in the U.S. So for those fearful of losing their jobs, perhaps it was not other people who are to blame. While it’s going to be a while before robots completely take over jobs, the switch is inevitable. There are robots and 3D printers that can do jobs quicker and efficiently, allowing businesses to produce more for less money in less time. However, that doesn’t mean jobs will be completely lost. Humans will still be needed to make sure the robots are operating properly and fix them if there are any issues. There also lies some hope in the fact that machines are still incapable of performing much more specialized and nuanced jobs, those that were once dubbed as “artisan” jobs. So maybe robots taking our rote and routine jobs will allow us to focus on more creative or unique professions.

M&C | WEDNESDAY | 2.15.2017 | MACEANDCROWN.COM

Opinion Matthew Kemper Contributing Writer Hello, to the Traditional Nationalist American. I ask you, what do you define to be the unifying trait–the common cohesive that binds a people–what institutional norm, from collective recognition, will grant immunity from initial hostility? As agreement supplies safety, through which medium will one realize acceptance, and then impose restrictions to those opposed or opposite in social requirements? The function of a homogeneous patriotic virtue in every citizen is evident: an identity beyond any one person is promising of cooperation, but only if the prerequisites are vapid of meticulous indoctrination which abbreviate the interactions and inclusion of a broad census. Factional sensitivity of preference has been an ever invasive practice when discussing universal right and wrong. My question arises, not because I doubt a constant morality contained by each person to effectively bond all, but as a result of the subjective restraints by ideological hegemony that establishes a clear and focused correctness, which ultimately exiles so many to an erroneous existence. And of those excluded, abrasive characters, poisonously threatening to a specific code of conduct and survival, how many are encompassed as enemies? If the intention is to band a country together, I suggest there be an expanse of the properties valued. Otherwise, the purpose is failed. Unification does not translate to assimilation, nor adhering to the special interests of a single group that attests to a perfect testimony of proper personalities.

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The Failure and Falsehood of Nationalism

True Nationalism should not be of dominating origins where there is the enforcement of those pertaining to a certain essence that, in many ways, is impossible for the unlike to achieve; rather, the formula must be to conjure all observing and reactionary persons as an ally so no domestic individual is a threat. Traditional Nationalist Americans: this current tactic, redrafted from the past, is so flawed and backwards, for there are standards made by, and only for a few people to suit, which then nullifies the possibility of the end goal that Nationalism desires: unity. True Nationalism would not work to eradicate differences, but to override seeing each as defining separations, and the common trait all citizens are to contain is acceptance of varying personal aspects from race and sexuality, to culture and religion. The American ground I stand on, the soil I see as enriched, the very kind from which I have flourished, a variety of vessels are successful in institutional participation. Personas need no stake to grow straight, set by the reigning officials of a previous date. There is no rate one must mimic–no vector one must follow. I, rather we, do not allow incompatible conformity caused by the arrogance of a sector of a species whose theories are a fallacy when concerning an approved apparatus. The Traditional Nationalists see diversity as a blemish. We see beauty marks, unique identifiers–not red flags. We do not tag the un-identical as dangerous. We do not target masses of citizens as dismissive solely for possessing a difference. To elaborate on excruciating consequences of failed Nationalism, I would like to share current evidence

of the suffocating division, in hopes of disclosing the destruction behind an ideology that proclaims success is to section off human beings who do not align with what an institution glorifies. My friend, a fellow ODU student, must tear down the glory that is his flag of pride and hide it within a pillowcase when his parents come back for retrieval, for he can only dream of one day being open. What a nightmare it must be to live in a shadow that begrudges iridescence. No one is confused if you, the Traditional Nationalist American, cannot comprehend that love must always win. Another companion, a student as well, declares that her struggles of being an African-American were much too common to distinguish specific events, and that in itself is haunting, but she further goes on to discuss how she was constantly depicted as a spectacle for being the, “black friend.” This scenario is not one where her majority-white community is praising her complexion, which is truthfully blessed with melanin–no; she was being used as an object, a scapegoat to the viewing world that her white “friends” were not racist because they had her, but how horrid is it that individuals must dangle their one member which makes the group not completely void of diversity? That is not inclusion. That is a false portrayal to the vast spectrum of citizens that everyone may be a part in the Nationalist ideal, all while socially abusing the presence of a young, black woman with limitless potential as an inanimate accessory with the purpose to prove that, what was once an allwhite group, is not completely racist. So, to all Traditional Nationalists who only point out minorities to

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convey innocence, remember that bigotry is also strategically utilizing a human being as a pawn for political gain and not understanding that it is just as problematic. No one is riotous if it is you, the Traditional Nationalist American, who wars on to deny that black lives matter. Lastly, and may I say, the saddest of examples I have observed: the demonetization of Islam by, just as religious, Christians. To begin, no war should ever be raged over faith, as it is a concept that will never be answered, declaring a winner, if any, until death, and I am shocked that monotheistic religions promote conflict over how to worship the exact same God. The broad scene could solely stand as evidence against the atrocity that Traditional Nationalism will create between individuals that could–if not for an institution deciding what is correct–unite, but an anecdotal example is most needed. As I strolled through the Nation’s forum, I saw many faces of varying ethnicity and cultures, yet there was the constant euphoria of being in the presence of a tangible symbol of freedom. A woman, who I wish I spoke to, was proud to charter her children around Capitol Hill, and even happier to cloak herself in her religion with the elegance of a hijab. As we intersected, I grinned, hoping my expression, just as the bright Dome of the Capitol, may shine in her mind, cemented her experience as wondrous, yet my smile was quickly smothered with the surrounding scowls of passersby. I worried. Why did that occur? Could it be that cloth connected to what she peacefully worships signifies to others that there is radicalism, yet that very opinion is irrational, so who

is really the extremist? Why is her attire seen as arbitrary? The negative reaction to her public presentation of specific morality affirms that many Americans, even standing on the grounds of democracy, are prejudice. Stunned by the observation, and stagnated by the lack of response from the women as if the incident was inevitable, all I could think was: no one is a terrorist if you, the Traditional Nationalist American, ceases tolerance. A mind is sovereign, but our freedoms have been usurped, so again, you, the Traditional Nationalist American, what is your image of America? Too many times, there is the tendency of institutionalized racism to save the skin of specific kind, and I commit these crimes of absolute criticism, but will you withhold judgement because I'm privileged enough to be white? Why are you blind to your delusion of democracy, yet scout to sustain the maintenance of superiority? Do not tell me that you uphold American creed when it is your greed that gives reason to why we still continue the progression towards a recession of fatal lessons that countless, carelessly corroded equity though genocidal oppression. Where is your confession to the reinstatement of white supremacy? Your state stands behind the sadistic values of the past that last to stain the ground on which we all stand. Donald Trump, and your Traditional Nationalist posse, if your faction–your Klan–plans to infectiously invade our home, we have no other option than to deploy the duty of the private power as a suture and abolish any government procedure that desires a divided future.

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