The Miami Hurricane: February 5, 2019

Vol. 96, Issue 16 | February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

COCKROACH CONUNDRUM IN DORMS NEWS // Page 4

A LOOK AT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING OPINION // Page 7

HOW TO DO DORM DECOR EDGE // Page 11

UM TENNIS STAR SETS HER SIGHTS HIGH SPORTS // Page 12

THE HOUSING EDITION THE BEST AND WORST OF ON-CAMPUS LIVING UPPERCLASSMEN ACCOMODATIONS: The University Village provides apartment-style housing for students with more than 60 credits that is a short walk or bus ride away from classes.

Hunter Crenian // Photo & Visuals Editor

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February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

HOUSING

Commuter students reflect on their campus experience

By Amir Mahmoud Contributing New Writer

While commuters may not be footsteps away from their classes like those that choose to live in the residential colleges, many argue that there are a lot of overlooked perks that come with living off campus.

For commuters with cars, they cite the ability to explore the city at their leisure as an added benefit to living off campus.

Kira Quintana, a freshman at UM, said she believes “the mobility and freedom a car gives you is truly a blessing, especially when you are in such a vibrant and lively city like Miami.”

Kevin Fernandez, a junior that commutes to campus from Miami Lakes, says that he has always found UM to be “very accommodating towards commuter students.”

Commuter students involved in the Association of Commuter Students (ACS) at UM have access to their own lounge and lockers to store their things on the second floor of the Student Shalala Center.

Another perk to commuting, Fernandez said, is the ability to save money and go

home for a nice home-cooked meal.

Isabella Aires, a junior commuter student, offered insight into the negative aspects of living off campus.

“Sometimes extracurriculars forget that we are commuters and don’t always have the luxury of living on campus, where meetings are,” Aires said. “This is even worse when meetings are during weekends or late night hours because you either have to stay on campus really late or drive long distances in traffic.”

She stressed the fact that commuters are “sometimes forgotten” by student organizations. To her, they often assume that everyone lives on campus or has easy access to the UM grounds when that is not necessarily the case.

But Marcos Serur, a commuter and senior at UM, says that he has had a very positive experience as a commuter and that he does not find it hard for to remain involved in UM activities, such as the quidditch team.

“I have my own car. I’m able to move around quickly and change parking spots around campus. I can go to any meetings, helping me stay more involved.”

Cameron Tavakoly// Staff Photographer BUCKLE UP: Freshman biomedial engineering Muhammet Enes Erkoc commutes home after a full day of classes.

CAMPUS LIFE

Social Justice Week features hoodie art installation

By Esther Animalu Assistant News Editor

A hooded sculpture, standing at 9 feet tall, towered over its onlookers during Social Justice Week at the University of Miami. The UM community experienced mixed reactions of grief, shock and an intense desire for justice in response to the iconic art form.

Social Justice Week, which ran from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1, began and ended with an art installation in the Whitten University Center composed by Bill Grace Lynn, a University of Miami associate professor of sculpture in the Department of Art and Art History. The sculpture confronted the preconceived notions made about black males who wear hoodies.

“The main inspiration for my piece arose after the death of Trayvon Martin, and I was utterly horrified by what had happened to him,” Lynn said. “I believe that the hooded sweatshirt that he was

wearing seems to be a part of the reason why he was targeted and racially profiled.

The hoodie became this potent symbol and object of what can happen to a young person of color.”

Members of UM’s community were able to use a paint marker and write directly on the hoodie about their perspectives surrounding racial profiling, prejudice and many other social issues present today.

Khaila Prather, a senior majoring in public health, was one of many students who chose to write her own response on the hoodie.

“I wrote ‘choose love over hate’ because people should treat one another with love and kindness. People should be raised to always give love first and not to hate anyone based on their appearance, beliefs or culture,” Prather said.

DeAndre Athias, a freshman majoring in health science, said he saw pictures and videos of the hoodie on a lot of social media accounts from UM students and

wanted to check it out in person. As a black male in a majority white university, he said he feels that by writing his thoughts onto the sculpture, it would give black people a voice to speak out against discrimination and racism.

“I wrote ‘We Are Kings and Queens’ because I feel like, as a society, much of the black race feels unloved and rejected due to our complexion,” Athias said.

“So by writing on this hoodie, I want my fellow black men and women to know that we are better than how society and the stereotypes portray us out to be.”

Other students, like Sasha Baranov, a senior majoring in Political Science and International Studies, did not feel comfortable expressing their thoughts on the sculpture.

“I chose not to write on the hoodie because I feel like it’s still not my place,” Baranov said. “Being a white male, I feel like there’s almost nothing I could say that could atone for the acts committed by my

race. Instead of writing something, I feel that the only thing that I can do is actually try to go out there and tell people of all backgrounds that we can make a difference by being vocal and civically engaged.”

The hoodie sculpture is the first stage of Lynn’s complete “Hoodie Project,” which will showcase a 24-foot black hoodie sculpture at the Lowe Art Museum this summer. Lynn will also include voice recordings by individuals who have faced discrimination or racism as a whole.

People will be able to walk inside of the sculpture and hear each story.

“The main question I want to invoke when people look at the hoodie is for them to ask themselves: Am I holding stereotypical racist ideas about people of color, especially if they are wearing certain types of clothing? I want people to examine their characters and look at race and discrimination from a different perspective,” Lynn said.

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HOUSING

Pesky pests: Freshmen live with cockroaches in dorms

By Anna Timmons News Editor

An ongoing cockroach problem in the freshman dorms has students calling for action from the department of Housing and Residential Life .

In addition to dealing with the typical stresses of a first year college student, several students have reported that their freshman year has also been marked by disturbing roach incidents.

The cockroaches are typically spotted hiding out in the communal bathrooms in the stalls, showers and by the trashcan.

Stanford resident Nicole Rodriguez said that she has to endure “a colony of cockroaches living in the floor bathroom.”

The situation has gotten so severe, she said, that she is worried for her own health and well-being.

“The roaches here are so bad,” Rodriguez said. “Facilities needs to get on it.”

Many freshman have reported that the problem has escalated to such an extent that it impacts their daily life.

Stanford resident Margot Mather said she now checks every single bathroom, stall, shower and sink for any lingering cockroaches.

Sophomore Grace Bolandian, previously a Hecht resident, said she recalls giving up on using her floor bathroom entirely.

“We had cockroaches for about a week and I wouldn’t shower on my floor. They were all over the bathroom and sometimes got into bedrooms.”

Students are expected to contact facilities whenever they encounter a health or sanitary issue. Facilities manages pest control and works alongside UM’s custodial and environmental services partner, ABM. According to the facilities department, their employees work to identify pest entry points and address conditions in the dorm that are likely to harbor bugs.

Representatives from the department work to limit moisture, keep a standard of cleanliness and conduct inspections throughout the year.

The Facilities and Operations Department said that once they receive a pest complaint, they take action “immediately and aggressively.”

However, many students contest the responsiveness and success of the facilities department’s efforts.

“It has often taken three people on the floor to call HRL or facilities to get anybody to fumigate the bathroom,” said

freshman Rachel Lange. She said the problem still isn’t getting any better.

An RA from Stanford, who requested to remain anonymous, said that while HRL is helpful in working to solve the problem, pests are still present in many of the dorms.

She said she has seen interesting attempts from residents to take matters into their own hands.

“There are times when you see like eight residents crowded around a single cockroach trying to kill it with body spray and bug spray and lysol. It’s a whole mess.”

In regards to the issue, Facilities and

Operations said they “can’t do it alone;” everyone needs to take part in working proactively to solve the pest problem.

The Department of Facilities and Operations suggests that students maintain a strict standard of cleanliness, empty out their trash bins regularly and refrain from leaving out food or cleaning supplies that might attract pests.

Until the issue is further resolved, Mather said bugs will simply be “an unfortunate fact of living in the freshman towers.”

Naomi Feinstein also contributed to this reporting.

Rebecca Goddard// Editor-in-Chief COCKROACH COMBAT: In an effort to kill cockroaches, many students set up bug traps or poisons in their dorm rooms.

HOUSING

Housing application deadline for fall 2019 approaches

By Esther Animalu Assistant News Editor

Continuing students and current residents at the University of Miami campus have begun to register for housing for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Registration started Monday, Jan. 28 and ends Feb. 6.

Kate Lewandowski, a junior majoring in marine science and biology said she currently lives in a single in Eaton and intends to apply for a single again next semester. She enjoys the fact that housing gives priority to the students who have

lived on campus the longest.

“When you live on campus it keeps you engaged in clubs and makes you more available for school events. Students who live off-campus or commute may not always have the convenience or time for college events,” Lewandowski said.

Students who currently reside on campus and apply by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6th will be able to participate in the room selection process that follows.

Freshman Paulina Corcoran said she hopes to live in a single in MahoneyPearson or Eaton next year.

“I currently live in Stanford, but I want a

change,” said Corcoran, a communication studies major on the public advocacy track.

“I love the company of all my friends here at college; however, I feel like I need my own space. I never had to share a room growing up and I miss that privacy.”

Continuing students who live off campus will be assigned to remaining available spaces following the conclusion of the room selection process, which ends Wednesday, Feb. 27.

But many students will not be participating in the HRL housing application process, instead opting to seek off-campus housing.

Freshman Brianna Martin said she is one of these students.

“I want my own space and want to experience the Miami-Dade area more outside of Coral Gables,” Martin said.

The housing application process consists of 11 multi-layered tiers ranging from student contact information to meal plan selection. Students must also sign the housing contract and submit the $500 housing prepayment to solidify the processing of their application and room requests.

POLITICS

THEMIAMIHURRICANE

NEWS

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

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Venezuelan community responds to political developments

By Noor Khaled Contributing News Writer

The events of the Venezuelan crisis have recently intensified, growing into a global affair that has affected millions of people around the world, including the more than 130 Venezuelan international students who study at the University of Miami.

Many students, such as junior Astrid Pena, have family members back in Venezuela. Pena is an active member of the University of Miami’s Union de Venezolanos. She said the situation aches her to her core.

“I am constantly worried about what is going to happen, not only with the government but with my friends and family,” said Pena, who is a sociology and psychology major.

Pena said her loved ones are divided as a result of the conflict.

“Some of my family members left the country looking for a better future; others did not have the opportunity to leave Venezuela,” Pena said.

As of now, the country is filled with conflict, strikes and upheaval. Recently, the situation has evolved, tying in two other important actors: the United States and a new opposition quasi-president, Juan Guaidó. The people of Venezuela, the U.S., the E.U., and other important figures have recognized Guaidó as the true president of Venezuela, essentially erasing Nicolás Maduro as nation’s ruler.

They affirmed their repudiations to give money to the Maduro administration from the oil they import, enacting a new and unique “soft” sanction, quite uncommon for the U.S. to use in place of the military.

Instead, they are backing Guaidó and will push for his incumbency until Maduro is ousted for good.

Pena said her loved ones are divided as a result of the conflict.

“Some of my family members left the country looking for a better future; others did not have the opportunity to leave Venezuela,” she said.

According to a new estimate reported by the United Nations, over 3 million Venezuelans have fled their homes since 2015, migrating to places such as Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.

The recent magnitude of protests has also instilled an uneasy feeling in many of those on the outside of it all. Pena

described the distress she endures when she hears of the events.

“Venezuelans have taken to the streets without fear of leaving anything behind in the protests, including their lives,” she said. “Every time I hear of a friend or family members is going out to protest, although I am proud of their courage, I can’t help to fear for their lives.”

There is an identity attachment that comes with being Venezuelan, especially in times of crisis, Pena said.

“I feel like I am with them in Venezuela because my mind and heart is with them even though many times I’m simply sitting in my classroom at UM. I left Venezuela but Venezuela never left me.”

Another member of UNIVEN, Joanna Valencia, expressed her own identity attachment that the conflict has revealed in her.

“The current situation in Venezuela affects me personally because although miles separate me from my birthplace, no amount of distance can take away the pain I feel when I see what my people are going through,” said Valencia, a senior majoring in Health Sciences. “Even though my heart hurts for my people I can feel the hope among us and see our liberty on the horizon.”

The situation in Venezuela is fickle; there are new headlines every day and updates every hour. Maria Pardo, a proud Venezuelan and a professor within the Department of Modern Languages and Literature, said she believes there are misconceptions about what’s happening.

Pardo said she wants people to know that there is no far-right movement in Venezuela, something Maduro has expressed a fear towards and is actively trying to prevent.

“Juan Guaidó is relatively a centrist, not a radical rightist, but the people support him because he’s a representation of democracy,” said Pardo.

Another misconception she addressed is that Guaidó was not elected by Trump but was rather elected by the people to represent the National Assembly.

That role requires him to fulfill the responsibilities of the executive branch, where a currently void lies.

Pardo emphasized that the Venezuelan crisis is such a complex and unique situation that it’s hard to truly make any judgments about the course of action we should pursue.

She also said she wants people to know that there is no far-right movement in Venezuela, something Maduro has expressed a fear towards and is actively trying to prevent.

Pardo said the situation is so complex that it’s hard to truly make any judgments about the course of action the U.S. should pursue.

In a survey of 10 Venezuelans, every person strongly suggested that the United States should avoid pursuing military intervention in Venezuela. The proposed alternatives were diverse: one student said the only way to resolve this situation is a domestic coup d’etat while another student encouraged strategic international collaboration.

“Nobody knows what we should do,” said another sophomore who has a large

$

portion of his family residing in Venezuela.

“The situation is so complicated and messy that there is no one true solution for now.

But I know we will find one eventually.”

Another student, sophomore Arturo Galan suggested a more positive approach.

Despite being a Miami native, Galan said he maintains a strong connection to his Venezuelan roots.

“Although the situation is terrible and things are progressively getting worse, the Venezuelan people are hopeful,” Galan said. “They stay happy throughout it all. You still see kids in the street, and people are holding on to family values more than ever. People carry on with their lives even though all this is going on. You have to keep going. That’s the thing about Venezuelans, my people–they’re hopeful.”

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February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

CAMPUS LIFE

Annual SportsFest competition returns Feb. 8-9

By Jaime Harn Copy Chief

Hecht Residential College challenged Stanford Residential College to a sporting contest in 1986. As years passed, additional residential colleges, the University Villages and commuter students were invited to participate in the competition, and the tradition of SportsFest was created.

Thirty-three years later, SportsFest is still one of the most anticipated weekends and draws more than 2,000 people from all parts of campus to participate.

This year, the competition is set to be on Feb. 8-9.

Alfonso Pocho Cuellar – a senior majoring in physics, math and political science – has participated in SportsFest three times, once as a resident and twice as a resident assistant.

As a freshman, he participated and cheered along with his floor mates. Now as a resident assistant, he must focus on the logistics.

“I have to make sure my team is ready, that we have enough people playing in each of the sports, when they are playing and obviously, we have to train a little because we have to make sure we’re winning,” Cuellar said.

Cuellar has many great memories participating in SportsFest.

Among these memories is when the building he lived in won the competition his freshman year.

“We thought Stanford was not going to win,” Cuellar said. “And then they announced the victory, and you saw all of these Stanford people just jumping up and down with absolute excitement.”

This year, Cuellar is ready to dominate SportsFest again, as all of his residents have signed up to participate, whether it be through playing the sports or cheering their teammates on.

There are many reasons why students participate in SportsFest.

Alec Chao, a freshman majoring in international studies and history, is participating in laser tag- the newest activity that was added to SportsFest- because it’s something he doesn’t get to do often.

“I’m participating, mostly just to find out what it’s like. I’ve found it’s better to do something and find out it’s not for you than to avoid it and wonder what could have been,” Chao said.

In addition to being a competitive person and loving sports, freshman Juliette van Heerden heard from many upperclassmen about how fun

Photo by The Miami Hurricane Staff 2015 VILLAGE VICTORS: The University Village, winners of SportsFest 2014, lead the Torch Run to the Lakeside Patio Stage for 2015 Opening Ceremony.

Photo by The Miami Hurricane Staff 2013 CANE GANG: UM students celebrate the 2013 SportsFest festivities and their triumph over their fellow residential college competitors.

SportsFest was their freshman year, which persuaded her to participate in soccer and battleship.

“I played soccer in high school, so I’ve always enjoyed it. But I am most excited for battleship because based on the description, it seems very interesting and something that I have never done before,” van Heerden, a microbiology and immunology major, said.

Freshman Ajiri Uzere, an international studies and psychology major, also participated in sports during high school. Since she became a college student, she’s been focusing more on academics. So, SportsFest was a great chance to do what she loves for a weekend.

“SportsFest, for me, is a way to connect with my peers but also do something I love. I am looking forward to meeting new people. There are a lot of people in [Eaton] I don’t get to meet because we don’t live on the same floor,” said Uzere.

Even though SportsFest

attracts many students each year, many still choose to opt out of it.

Tanvi Bafna, a sophomore majoring in microbiology and immunology is living in the University Village and chose not participating this year.

“I am not participating in SportsFest mostly due to the fact that not a lot of people I know are doing it. I also don’t really know of how I can be involved since I don’t consider myself as an athletic person,” Bafna said.

Others don’t participate because they don’t find an activity that interests them, such as junior Daniel Nepomechie.

“I was excited that there were gaming events, but they’ve been consistently poorly run.

The rulesets for Smash aren’t competitive, and SportsFest this year isn’t even using the latest iteration of the series. It feels like a joke,” Nepomechie, a political science major, said.

Overall, SportsFest is meant to bring students from all over campus together to engage in some friendly competition.

“SportsFest is an opportunity for communities to be redeveloped and for people who perhaps are on the outside of the communities to become a part of them. More importantly, it is an opportunity to do something different. SportsFest is for everyone in the community,” Cuellar said.

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Opinion

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HURRICANE Founded 1929

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The Miami Hurricane is published weekly during the regular academic year and is edited and produced by undergraduate students at the University of Miami. The publication does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of advertisers or the university’s trustees, faculty or administration. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Miami Hurricane’s Editorial Board.

Commentaries, letters and cartoons represent only the views of their respective authors. The newsroom and business office of The Miami Hurricane are located in the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200.

LETTER POLICY The Miami Hurricane encourages all readers to voice their opinions on issues related to the university or in response to any report published in The Miami Hurricane. Letters to the editor may be submitted typed or handwritten to the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200, or mailed to P.O. Box 248132, Coral Gables, Fla., 33124-6922.

Letters must be signed with a copy of your Cane Card.

OPINION

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

If someone asked us if they should attend the University of Miami, we would wholeheartedly encourage them to join the UM community. From the f leeting festivities of Homecoming weekend to the ever-present beauty of Lake Osceola, there are a lot of things that make us worth it.

But our on-campus housing is not these strengths.

As a private institution, students and their parents are shelling out thousands for tuition and the cost of housing is also incredibly high. Currently, the price for a standard double room, shared with a roommate, is $4,060.

This is relatively reasonable, as a semester of on-campus housing at a private university is around $10,089. Still, it doesn’t seem fair what some students have to go through.

A sophomore living in Pearson Residential College posted a video to Twitter in December of last year detailing a leaking roof in the middle of

the lobby. Students have come back from winter break to mold in their room. Even our editorial board has their array of problems with housing ranging from dusty AC vents to mold in their mini-fridges.

The number of issues that students face living in oncampus dorms can sometimes be traumatizing.

The

busted pipes, creaky bed frames, rats and roaches the list goes on. It’s quite disheartening that students are paying so much to attend a school that has neglected the maintenance of some of our most inhabited residential colleges.

There is hope in sight— the university is in the process

“ It’s quite dishear tening that students are paying so much to attend a school that has neglected the maintenance of some of our most inhabited residential colleges.” residential colleges, especially Pearson and Mahoney, have been subject to several health concerns. Constantly students are complaining about mold, malfunctioning AC vents,

of constructing dorms, including the new Student Housing Village. The village was supposed to be unveiled for the 2019-2020 school year, which would have been

beneficial with our rising population numbers. Because of delays with Hurricane Irma, the completion date has been pushed back to the fall of 2020. Also, the Centennial Village, which is set to replace the Hecht and Stanford dorms, will be open in 2025.

Though it is nice to know that our future freshmen and other on-campus residents will be living in residential communities that ref lect the cost of attendance, it leaves those who are currently here in an unfortunate situation.

Students already have to worry about the cost of tuition, books and personal expenses— adding a housing crisis to that list is a recipe for disaster. The University of Miami has to do more now to ameliorate the conditions of living on campus. We pay a lot to attend this school. Where we live should ref lect that.

Staff editorials ref lect the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board.

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THEMIAMIHURRICANE

OPINION

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

COMMENTARY

How gentrification is flourishing in Miami Condos have replaced houses. Porsches have replaced Hondas. And wealthy people will replace the minorities who’ve birthed Miami.

Change is all around Miami, but the developments are

By Daniela Perez coming at the expense Staff Columist of the minorities who’ve built the city.

This phenomenon is called gentrification, and it’s leaving a bitter taste in mouths of many Miami natives.

Condos have replaced houses. Porsches have replaced Hondas. And wealthy people will replace the minorities who’ve birthed Miami.

According to finance education site Investopedia, Miami is the only southern U.S. city ranking on the top 10 most expensive cities to live in. The report highlights real estate and unemployment rate as defining factors.

It costs $77,000 to live comfortably in Miami. The term living “comfortably” insinuates that you should be able to afford basic lifestyle amenities while funding long-term needs without stress. In other words, a comfortable life is characterized by financial stability.

However, most people don’t have the means nor the salary to achieve financial independence. In 2017, the average median income in Miami was $46,000.

The average Miami resident works in office management, marketing, teaching or human resources. Most people here are not millionaires.

Of the top 25 metropolitan areas, Miami has the second-lowest median household income. People living in poverty account for 16.7 percent of the population. There is almost a $30,000 gap between the average person’s salary and a what an individual needs to make in order to live a “comfortable” life.

That gap will continue to widen if gentrification continues.

In December 2018, the Miami Herald interviewed Paulette Richards, a decadeslong resident of Liberty City, one of Miami’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.

The average household income in Liberty City is $33,000, a full $44,000 less than Miami’s comfortable living salary. The neighborhood’s violent crime rate is one of the highest in Florida, and now, investors and city officials are pretending that the only way to reduce the crime rate is to increase the number of wealthy residents.

This leaves homeowners like Richards potentially without a home.

According to the Herald, Richards, a 58-year-old great-grandmother, was startled to find two realtors at her door.

“Someone filed foreclosure on your property today, and we’re here to see if you’re interested in selling,” the realtors told her.

Richards was struggling to pay her

mortgage after being diagnosed with cancer and having insufficient insurance. This led to crippling medical debt and a foreclosed home. Richards attributes a scarcity of affordable housing and rising sea levels to Miami’s rampant gentrification.

“We’re what you call ‘prime real estate,’” Richards said. “We’re on high ground.”

Like Richards, several inner Miami residents have been receiving requests from prospective buyers, sellers and developers for their Miami homes. Miami’s two existential problems— climate change and the shortage of affordable housing— are intersecting with low-income communities of color.

Admittedly, many aspects of the gentrification process sound appealing.

Gentrification reduces crime, provides new investment opportunities and increases economic activity in neighborhoods.

However, this process is only enjoyed by the new arrivals, and therefore marginalizes the established residents.

As costs of living continue to rise, the benefits of staying in gentrified neighborhoods continues to decrease for many long-term residents. Small businesses disappear, homes are be sold and the quality of public school education sometimes worsens. It also doesn’t help that when higher income families move into lower-income neighborhoods, they normally refuse to integrate themselves into the community that they forced

themselves upon.

What the city fails to forget is its history. Historically black and minority communities such as Liberty City and Little Haiti were primarily set in place by racist “redlining” mortgage lending practices.

Redlined neighborhoods were described as “close to a dump and Negro” areas by local assessors. White neighborhoods often tried to protect their property by adding restrictive clauses to their home sales that prevented black families from purchasing property. As a result of this racist technique, the rise of AfricanAmericans renting homes rather than purchasing them increased at exorbitant rates. Over the years, the neighborhoods that minorities were allowed to live in have now become vulnerable and susceptible to high crime rates.

That’s why gentrification mimics racist history.

While several residents are considering a permanent exodus from Miami, others are refusing to succumb to gentrification.

They are calling for better policies to benefit the present residents rather than kicking them out and replacing them.

“I didn’t buy a house for investment.

I bought this to live in, to die in,” said Richards. “It’s my legacy, my home, my worth. Without that what else do I have?”

Daniela Perez is a junior majoring in journalism and political science.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A view on modern socialism in the United States

By Stewart B. Epstein

I believe that the new “Democratic Socialist” members of the U.S. Congress have their hearts in the right place but not their heads. Like them, I too believe that our federal government should do more and spend more to help make the lives of our citizens better just like our traditional allies do.

However, there has never been a truly “socialist” economy in the history of the world that was ever

able to produce enough wealth to meet the needs of its citizens. It has never worked. So, it is foolish to call yourself a socialist. You are just giving conservatives a new insult to call you.

A lot has been said about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-New York) proposal to tax the income of those earning over $10 million a year by 70 percent. The problem with this is that we need to start taxing WEALTH because that’s where we can get enough revenue to pass a Canadianstyle national health insurance

program to cover and greatly help 99 percent of Americans (except for the richest 1 percent). Her income tax won’t raise anywhere close to what a “National Wealth Tax” of 10 percent on all those individuals with a net wealth and net worth of $10 million and higher would raise.

It is possible that we might have a much more equal and a truly “socialist” society one day, but that day is at least 1,000 to 2,000 years away. We will all have to evolve and transform spiritually, emotionally and

mentally into much more loving, caring, empathetic, compassionate and altruistic human beings before we are ready for that. Right now, we are simply too individualistic, too selfish, too self-centered, too selfabsorbed, too “full of ourselves” and too much into believing that we are “all that” for it to work.

Because, as the philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin observed, humankind is presently at the spiritual, emotional and mental level of a 12-year-old child. Sometimes I think that it is

more like a 7-year-old child.

I include myself in that because every day I fall short of being the kind of human being that I know that I can and should be. And I make mistakes every day of my life.

So, I am not judging anyone else here.

Stewart B. Epstein is a UM alumnus who writes from Rochester, New York.

THEMIAMIHURRICANE

OPINION

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

9

PERSONAL FOCUS

The time for action on climate change is now For the majority of my young life, I was a climate change skeptic.

Like millions of other Americans, I doubted the that

By David Gordon impact Contributing human beings Columnist could have on something as vastly complex as planet Earth. I questioned whether or not regulations to limit carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants were worth the strain they would put on the American economy. I feared that the government would over reach in their efforts to solve a problem

based in disputed science.

But that all changed.

Altering my views on climate change was about accepting my own ignorance on the issue and actively working to become informed. Just like me, the American people have changed their outlook on environmental issues. According to a Monmouth poll published in November 2018, 69 percent of Americans support the U.S. government doing more to reduce the type of activities that cause climate change and rising sea levels.

This growing consensus among Americans is promising.

However, the issue lies not in the views of the American people but rather in the views of those at the highest levels of government.

In Senate, 52 out of 100 members are climate change deniers. In the House of Representatives, 212 out of 435 members are also climate change deniers. Our president, Donald Trump, refuses to accept the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community and instead clutches onto the claim that global warming is a hoax created by the Chinese government.

Perhaps these politicians are being held hostage by the fossil fuel lobbyists who contribute massive amounts of money to their re-election campaigns. Or perhaps the lack of action on global warming has more to do with human nature than politics.

We have become too focused on the present while disregarding

the problems of the future.

It’s why we demand action on issues like terrorism and illegal immigration yet ignore our rising national debt and increasing global temperatures.

As President Obama said in a 2015 interview with Vice News, “Climate change is an example of one of the hardest problems to solve. The hardest thing in politics and in government is to make a sacrifice now for a longterm payoff.”

As temperatures around the world rise and ice caps melt, the timeframe that allows for impactful action on climate change shrinks.

According to the United Nations, 2018 was the fourth warmest year in recorded human

history. Scientists estimate that by the year 2100, the Earth’s average temperature will rise by at least 6 degrees.

It may be easy for the president to joke on Twitter about “needing global warming” during this cold winter. But what won’t be easy is for future generations to live on an Earth that is afflicted with frequent and extreme natural disasters. Earth with cities underwater. An Earth that is utterly unsustainable.

If we continue on our current path and refuse to change our ways, our inaction on climate change will be the greatest moral failure of our generation.

David Gordon is a freshman majoring in business.

CARTOON

Cartoon by Alec Castillo

For more opinion columns, visit themiamihurricane.com.

10

EDGE

THEMIAMIHURRICANE

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

Hunter Crenian // Photo/Visuals Editor

Architecture student expresses passion outside classroom

By Osarume Ikhinmwin Contributing Edge Writer

Mariel Lindsey has been interested in art since she was 7 years old. Now, she’s using her passion to inspire her work as a second-year architecture student.

“As a kid, I would see cartoons and vibrant pictures and want to replicate them,” Lindsey said.

She combined her two interests in geometry and art to foster the interest she now has for architecture.

Most of Lindsey’s work is abstract and portraiture, but she said she doesn’t restrict herself stylistically.

“I don’t like to limit myself and say I’ll only do this. Whatever art I feel, that’s what I do,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey also enjoys hand-drawn pieces, which include pencil drawings, charcoal and any medium that is not paint.

She sold her first piece during her sophomore year of high school. It was a

still-life for her art class that was featured in her school’s end-of-year art show. The piece, titled “Wine and Cheese,” caught the eye of one of the judges who ended up purchasing it.

“It’s rewarding,” Lindsey said. “It’s great to feel appreciated and know people like your work. It gets your name out there.”

Lindsey has a website for people to buy both originals and prints. She is working on T-shirt designs with a friend, commission pieces and an online gallery which she believes will be instrumental in growing her brand. this is an image Lindsey said the price of each piece depends on the time spent on the project, the materials used and what the piece means to her.

“It’s hard to put a price tag on something I’ve poured my everything into,” Lindsey said.

However, certain pieces contain too

much sentimental value to sell.

“It was my first piece that won a big award. It really pushed me to pursue my art. I don’t think I could ever sell that piece,” Lindsey said, describing a selfportrait that she created during her junior year of high school.

Lindsey’s said her parents are in complete support of her dreams. They tell their coworkers and friends about her art to help build her brand via word-ofmouth. Her father is her biggest advocate, Lindsey said.

“He’s always pushing me to do more, to charge more. He’s always helping me.”

After graduation, Lindsey said she plans on getting her master’s degree in architecture.

“I’ll always continue my art. I don’t think I’ll ever want to stop.”

Lindsey’s art can be found on Instagram @Mar_lindsee or purchased on www. mariellindsey.com.

Interested in writing or designing for The Miami Hurricane?

Email editor@ themiamihurricane. com

THEMIAMIHURRICANE

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

EDGE

11

Dorm decor for every style: Must-know decorating tips for students

By Jordan Lewis Edge Editor

Since your dorm or apartment is where you will spend the majority of your time, it’s important for it to be completely perfect and suited for your needs.

I know what you’re thinking. “Don’t you think it’s a little late to be giving decorating advice since we’ve all already settled in for the new semester?”

Well no, I don’t think it is. On-campus housing applications for next year have already opened. Next, we will all be picking our prospective living arrangements, and before you know it, we’ll be meeting our new roommates on move-in day. Since your dorm or apartment is where you will spend the majority of your time, it’s important for it to be completely perfect and suited for your needs.

That’s what I’m here for. I have created five room layouts, each representing a different kind of living space. I do not claim to be an interior designer, but I can assure you that this list includes something

for everyone. Maybe you don’t like the entire design, but the basic principles could be the first step in transforming a dull, white room into a place that you are proud to call home.

The Man Cave Every man cave needs two things: an entertainment system like no other and lots of snacks. So, a TV, video game console, sound system and mini fridge are absolute necessities. Adding some repurposed liquor bottles like this JackDaniels-turned-hand-sanitizer adds a nice pop of personality, and the framed posters from your favorite sports teams can turn an ordinary dorm into the masculine hideout of your dreams.

An Organized Haven Sometimes, there’s nothing more satisfying than ending a stressful day in a clean, fresh room where everything is in its place. If that sounds like paradise, consider getting ample storage space and a wall calendar to help keep track of the semester’s big events. A collapsible hamper can help you keep tidy, too, since it can be tucked away when you’re not using it.

A Creative Hideaway You’ve been stuck in a creative rut.

Maybe it’s time for a change of scenery.

Not only are plants pretty to look at, but they also increase the air quality around you, stimulating your thought processes and increasing positive energy. Sure, blue and green are nice colors aesthetically, but did you also know that they are also proven to foster creativity? Adding art that stirs your emotions, memorabilia from your favorite films and your favorite music (on vinyl, of course, because everything sounds better on vinyl) are the perfect finishing touches to turn your drab dorm or apartment into the creative space you’ve been craving.

A Serene Sanctuary We often think of gigantic windows and zen gardens as the only ways to make a home truly relaxing. Unfortunately, that just isn’t a reality for most of us. Luckily, there are some tried-and-true ways to turn any space into a stress-free sanctuary.

Filling your space with plants brings positive energy and motivation. Cool, neutral colors spark innovation, while a cluster of brightly-colored items creates a

For more arts and entertainment news, visit

themiamihurricane.com

fun area that will bring you joy every time you walk by. While comfortable on your feet, a nice rug–when made from the right material– can serve the additional purpose of stopping sounds from echoing. Lastly, bright rooms can make you feel more alive, and while natural light is ideal, there are other ways to get the desired effect.

Stocking up on lamps and as many mirrors are you’re comfortable with is a great trick to bring light to a room with limited windows.

The Girl’s night hangout Much like a man cave, the ultimate girl’s-night-in destination must have two things: comfort and lots of snacks. If you suspect you’ll frequently have guests, be sure to always have extra blankets and pillows on hand. Decorating your walls with fun and inspirational posters will make you and your gal pals feel like complete bad asses, and keeping emergency games nearby– including my personal favorite, What do you Meme– will make sure there’s never a dull moment.

To see examples of the other dorm styles, visit themiamihurricane.com.

Graphics by Jordan Lewis// Edge Editor

12 SPORTS

THEMIAMIHURRICANE

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

TENNIS

Despite success, Perez-Somarriba remains hungry for more

Photo Courtesy of JC Ridley // Miami Athletics SWINGING FOR SUCCESS: Junior Estela Perez-Somarriba is 91-19 in singles play throughout her collegiate career. Perez-Somarriba is the reigning ACC Player of the Year and was named an ITA All-American her freshman and sophomore seasons.

By Josh White Sports Editor @_JoshRWhite sports@themiamihurricane.com

The kitchen door wasn’t big enough.

Estela Perez-Somarriba spent hours taking her father’s tennis racket and rocketing the ball off the wall in her home.

From an early age, PerezSomarriba was determined, but her court needed an upgrade.

Perez-Somarriba’s parents quickly took her to a tennis club on the weekends about 30 minutes away from her house in Madrid.

But Perez-Somarriba defeated the kids her age with ease. So, she went on to play kids five years older than her and still won.

“I first realized that I could play for a long time when one of the

coaches told me when I was six, that I could be really good and that I had a lot of talent,” Perez-Somarriba said.

She trained three days during the week and competed in matches over the weekend.

Yet, her parents still held her to a high standard off the court, emphasizing that school was fundamental to playing tennis.

Balancing both at an early age, Perez-Somarriba swiftly rose up the ranks. She competed in the U-10 Madrid Championship and the European Summer and Winter Cups, giving her a better perspective of tennis at the international level.

Her hard work paid off. In 2015, Perez-Somarriba won the Madrid Championship and participated in the European Summer Cup. Despite the success, she was hungry for more.

Perez-Somarriba was narrowing

down her college choices and got a phone call that would ultimately change her life.

It was the University of Miami.

“I heard before how tough the Miami coaches were,” PerezSomarriba said. “I really liked that.

I thought that was really important in my development. I saw myself practicing here, with the teammates, going to class, living here and enjoying the culture. It was easy.”

Nearly 4,500 miles away from home, she had to adjust to life in the United States.

“I was homesick,” PerezSomarriba said. “But I remember, [associate head coach Laura Vallverdu] talked to me after two weeks and told me ‘Why aren’t you smiling? When you came as a recruit, you were smiling the whole time. We want you to be as happy as possible.’ After that point, I realized I wasn’t enjoying this as much as I

could. It became a point of reference for me. I understood that I just needed to be myself.”

At first, the English language and her longing for Spanish ham, paella and tapas were a challenge, but Perez-Somarriba adapted to her South Florida surroundings.

“I’ve learned to enjoy the process,” she said. “I’ve learned to enjoy every single moment of my life. I go to class, I have finals, I have matches and I’m still enjoying this. I try and find the positive in everything I do.”

Since then, Perez-Somarriba has hit the ground running.

Her freshman season, PerezSomarriba burst onto the scene.

The 5-foot-5 Spaniard became just the eighth Hurricane, and the lone freshman in program history, to make the Final Four of the NCAA Singles Championship.

Perez-Somarriba finished the

2016-17 campaign with a 34-7 record in singles play and was named an ITA All-American as well as a First Team All-ACC honoree.

However, all that was just the beginning.

She followed up her rookie season storming back to the NCAA Singles Championship Sweet 16.

Perez-Somarriba, who went 39-8 in singles, was named the 2017-18 ACC Player of the Year and earned her second ITA All-American honors in as many seasons.

“Mentally, my improvement has been amazing,” Perez-Somarriba said. “In tough moments, I trust my tennis and I trust my mind so much that I think failure is not an option.”

Although, the best was yet to come.

In the fall of 2018, PerezSomarriba claimed the elite Oracle ITA Masters tournament title and earned the back draw title at

THEMIAMIHURRICANE the Riviera/ITA Women’s AllAmerican Championships.

“This is the first time I won a college tournament, so it was definitely a special tournament,” she said about winning the Oracle ITA Masters Tournament. “This is the best fall I’ve had so far. I’m really excited for this year.”

Perez-Somarriba, who was tapped into the prestigious Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society with an impressive 3.97 GPA, wrapped up her junior fall ranked seventh nationally and secured a 12-2 mark.

“She wants to truly excel in everything she does,” Hurricanes coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said.

“She truly wants to be the best in whatever she is doing.”

Perez-Somarriba has started her 2019 spring campaign going a combined 13-3 in singles and doubles action. Yet, she remains determined on accomplishing bigger things.

“I want to be ranked first, honestly,” Perez-Somarriba said.

“That’s the reason why I wake up in the morning and I go to practice and give my best. Obviously, winning the national title is in my mind.

Daily work is the only way to impact those results. All the accolades are extra. I’m improving so much as a person. I’m learning so much from my coaches, from my teammates so all these accolades are great, but they’re extra.”

While Perez-Somarriba is focused when it comes to tennis, she has found ways to build strong bonds off the court.

“When she’s on the court, she is very intense,” senior Daniella Roldan said. “When I first met her she seemed like in her own world.

She was very quiet, but now I see a different Stela. She’s very outgoing.”

Perez-Somarriba picked up the guitar at eight years old and said she enjoys spending time playing and listening to music.

“She plays the guitar and I sing,” Roldan said, smiling. “We have a duo going on. We’ve performed in front of our team a few times.”

January 29, 2019 - February 4, 2019

Whether it’s Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, or Spanish music, PerezSomarriba tries to find time for her love of music.

“Music in my family has been involved forever,” she said. “My mom plays the guitar and sings really well. We all got something from her. My oldest sister is a professional pianist. I really enjoy that when I have a break. We spend hours singing, all together. I don’t think we play amazing, but I enjoy being all together.”

Perez-Somarriba has her sights set on playing professionally following her time at UM and continues to remain focused on her dream while balancing the rigorous life of a student-athlete.

“Every great player that has come through here has been very similar to her with their approach,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “It’s business when they’re between the lines and it’s something that is a priority for them in their life. They’re going to make a lot of sacrifices. Nothing is going to get in their way.”

SPORTS 13

Photo Courtesy of JC Ridley // Miami Athletics DOMINANCE: Estela Perez-Somarriba boasts a 6-2 record in singles action in 2019. Next, Perez-Somarriba and the Hurricanes host No. 20 Texas Tech on Feb. 9 at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.

14

THEMIAMIHURRICANE

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THEMIAMIHURRICANE

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

V’S TAKE

Countdown to V Day

Have a question for V? Email

dearv@themiamihurricane.com.

We’re less than ten days out, and you’ve successfully convinced your boyfriend not to break up with you before Valentine’s Day. It’s the holiday of romantic dinners, secret love notes, bouquets of red roses (which your man bought at Publix), dirty Snapchats, chocolate strawberries, and of course, pregnancy scares! I mean, if you didn’t go to CVS the morning after to awkwardly ask the counter attendant for Plan B, does it even count as a Valentine’s Day date?

Please don’t answer that.

So you’ve already planned out that outfit you’ve been dying to wear with the plunging neckline your parents definitely wouldn’t approve

of. You already know you’re going to eat a light dinner (as the real meal comes afterwards) and you’re making up your mind of whether this special occasion is getting the profile post treatment on Instagram versus the always classy story post with caption #phoneseatfirst. To all my basic bitches out there spending Thursday nights at Komodo in South Beach, you know what I’m talking about.

Whatever your plans may be, make sure to grab a handful of those free condoms that are surprisingly accessible in the freshman dorms or Mahoney-Pearson lobbies. The university spends thousands on them each month, so put them to work.

Forget the Netflix and skip right to the chill. Crack open the wine (if you’re 21+), load up those Lionel Richie records, and crack open the coconut oil you swore you’d only use for cooking. Cupid won’t be the only one with a magic arrow come next Thursday night.

And for those without partner to spend Valentine’s Day with, we haven’t forgot about you. Come back next week for “Surviving V-Day Alone,” which is your guide to escaping the single person’s worst nightmare.

15

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THEMIAMIHURRICANE

February 5, 2019 - February 11, 2019

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