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The Miami
Vol. 93, Issue 39 | March 5 - March 18, 2015
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STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI IN CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, SINCE 1929
ISABELLA CUETO |STAFF WRITER JACKIE YANG | OPINION EDITOR
The “F-word” is greeted by such mixed reactions, ranging from zealousness to skittishness, that it sometimes seems dirtier than true obscenities. This word that could rally a crowd or pause a conversation between friends is riddled with polarizing interpretations, making it difficult to pinpoint what it means to fulfill the label of “feminist.”
Students seem to be turned away by negative connotations of the word, said Michelle Maldonado, associate professor of religious studies. “I often find students at my classes who say ‘I’m a feminist, but I don’t embrace that label,’” said Maldonado, who is also the faculty master of Hecht Residential College. This March, Women’s History Month will be celebrated at the University of Miami by the Yellow Rose Society (YRS), a minority women’s
rights organization, and various partner organizations. As attention is turned toward women’s struggles and advancements in our society, understanding our past is key to motivating our generation to leave its own legacy, said senior Phalande Jean, the president of YRS and Women’s History Month chair.
SEE FEMINISM, PAGE 8
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GREEK LIFE
Fraternity suspension reversed, members enthused Kappa Kappa Gamma to continue chapter operations BY ALEXANDER GONZALEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The decision to suspend the University of Miami chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity (KKG) for two years was reversed Wednesday, according to a prepared statement from UM and Kappa nationals. The decision, which would have taken effect May 2015, was reversed after UM administrators had “several heartfelt conversations” with Kappa nationals, the statement added. “The University of Miami is elated that Kappa Kappa Gamma has reconsidered their decision of the Delta Kappa chapter,” said Patricia Whitely, vice president for Student Affairs, in a press release. “We are committed to working collaboratively with our present student members of the Delta Kappa chapter, the UM Greek community, our alumnae and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Fraternity headquarters to ensure the continuing success of this chapter.”
Keelin Bielski, president of the Delta Kappa chapter, is thankful for the support from President Donna E. Shalala, Whitely, Tony Lake, associate dean of students and Steve Priepke, assistant director of students and director of Greek life. “I’m completely overwhelmed, excited and appreciative,” Bielski said in an email. “The university has been amazing in all of the support that they have given us these past few days.” Kappa will provide a chapter consultant who will work solely with the Delta Kappa chapter to serve as a resource for two years, effective August 2015. Additionally, the university and Kappa nationals will partner to increase alumnae support for the chapter. “The chapter is looking forward to working with the chapter consultant over the next two years,” Bielski said. On Saturday, Kappa nationals announced that UM’s chapter was suspended for not maintaining competitive recruitment numbers, according to Elizabeth Baily, vice president of KKG nationals. The Delta Kappa chapter will have 126 members once its new members are initiated. The average Panhellenic sorority chapter has about 177, according to Lake.
Upon news of the suspension, KKG alumnae emailed The Miami Hurricane claiming that nationals had not provided “ongoing support,” as was written in Bailey’s email statement. “In reality, national officers arrived to campus on the last day of Greek Week without giving the chapter any advance warning and called a meeting to inform them that the chapter would be suspended,” wrote Elyse Mowle, a UM alumna who graduated in 2013. Shannon Bartlett, who graduated in 2012, was also “extremely disappointed in the news.” Bartlett continues to be active in a local alumnae chapter in Michigan and estimated that there were about 120 to 160 members when she attended UM. “Kappa does not make these decisions without careful consideration,” according to the joint statement. “The Fraternity has been consistently working with Delta Kappa chapter to provide extensive recruitment assistance, multiple consultant visits each year and other Kappa resources.” Established in 1938, KKG has been raising money for Reading Is Fundamental, an organization promoting literacy nationwide, for the past 11 years. The sorority started a gofundme.com site and has raised about $3,900 of its $20,000 goal.
CRIME AND SAFETY
Multiple accidents bring pedestrian safety issue to forefront failed to stop before leaving the wellness center parking lot. “The driver looked at me like it was my fault,” she recalls. Though it was a close call, Torres said she wasn’t hurt. She considered trying to get information about the vehicle that hit her, but since she felt fine at the time, she decided against taking action. Gulla urges students to take even minor collisions seriously and to make sure they call UMPD. “You don’t have to criminalize anyone,” he said. “The police can determine that somebody was at fault but dealing with that is up to the insurance companies.”
UMPD plans to raise collision awareness BY AMANDA WOOD CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER
Two major accidents involving pedestrians occurred around campus this semester. Most recently, junior Matthew Wisehaupt was struck by a car just outside the University Village (UV). He was hospitalized and suffered “non-life-threatening injuries,” according to a report published by The Miami Hurricane, and was released from the hospital two days after he was hit. The UM Police Department (UMPD) said they are not taking any more chances. Last week, officers passed out fliers to commuter students near the UV that outlined basic steps for walking and biking with a “defensive” mindset. The police department also organized a pedestrian awareness event on Monday to urge students to pay attention when walking around campus. John Gulla, crime prevention officer at UMPD, said a “defensive” mindset means students are fully aware of their surroundings, especially when walking in high-risk areas. Gulla said pedestrian awareness is key to reducing the amount of pedestrian-vehicle collisions. Compared to other major areas in the U.S., South Florida is one of the most dangerous places for these kinds of accidents, and distractions like cell phones don’t help the situation. He added that it is just as dangerous to text while walking, biking and longboarding than it is by driving. 2
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MAP COURTESY UM WATCH OUT: The red circles indicate crime hot spots as pointed out by crime prevention at UMPD. The yellow circles are accident hot spots as described during UMPD interviews.
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
Gulla said that he often deals with accidents where both the driver and pedestrian were distracted by their phone or other personal device. “The convergence of these two issues has made a high-risk area even higher risk,” he said. Though UMPD doesn’t see an extraordinary amount of pedestrian collisions on campus, Gulla recognized that there were minor accidents that go unreported. Campus police attempt to prevent vehiclepedestrian collisions by narrowing their focus on accident hot spots. The police department works closely with Campus Planning and Development to change unsafe areas when necessary. Gulla cited the new crosswalk and signs around the intersection of George Merrick Drive March 5 - March 18, 2015
and Stanford Drive (across from the Health Center) as an example of this reactionary approach. UMPD can’t, however, solve problems that they are unaware of. The department relies on feedback from the UM community to make campus safer. For that reason, Gulla urges students to contact UMPD if they have safety concerns for specific areas in and around campus. Despite the seemingly normal number of collisions that UMPD sees in a year, students like junior Maite Torres cite several collisions within the last two years. Torres was on her bike when she was clipped by a car last year. While riding from the Flipse building and heading toward Stanford and Hecht, her back tire was bumped by a car that
HOW TO AVOID GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT If you’re biking, wear a helmet. Not only is it a state law, but a helmet can provide life-saving protection in the event of an accident. If you’re walking and listening to music, make sure you can still hear your surroundings. This is as easy as only wearing one headphone, or keeping the volume of your music at a low level. Stay alert, and don’t assume that cars will stop for you to cross the street – even if you’re in a crosswalk. The same goes for crossing roads that leave parking lots. Many of these intersections on campus are obscured by bushes, so it’s essential to stop before crossing.
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CGIU
Clinton initiative to support innovative proposals Delegates tackle world issues at annual collegiate conference BY HAYNES STEPHENS CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER
The eighth annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU) meeting will be hosted at UM from March 6-8, bringing together more than 1,000 college students from around the world. UM will become the first school to host CGIU twice, having previously hosted it in 2010.
Solar Saver BY WILLIAM RIGGIN STAFF WRITER
Architecture students Sammy Schneider and Catherine Crotty want to help lower electricity costs for people living in low-income housing areas by making the windows in such houses create the power for the rest of the house. The “transparent luminescent solar concentrator” is a material that could cover windows and possibly even cell phone screens, and concentrate solar power to create energy without making the material change color. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Michigan State University have recently been making strides in their research with the material.
The material has a tongue-tying name, but Crotty and Schneider just refer to it as the “solar saver,” because they’d like to use the technology to power low-income homes with Habitat for Humanity. “The main goal is to eventually establish a net-zero home so that people who are impoverished and living in these homes don’t have to pay for electricity bills and energy bills,” said Schneider. The problem for them is that the technology is still underdeveloped and being researched, so it could be five years before there is a finished product. “Our idea is that you would do the testing and research in Habitat for Humanity homes,” Crotty explained. “So we’re collecting their data and they’re giving us technology to use and help someone.”
CROWN BY COURTNEY FIORINI SPORTS EDITOR
Sophomore Martina Sandoval is working on the CROWN Nutrition and Education project for CGIU. The project will be involved in the education section. “I am excited because CGIU is a great opportunity to meet powerful leaders of the world, some of which I have looked up to all of my life, as well as students from all over that are passionate about the work that they do,” Sandoval said. “But, most importantly, because it is actually giving me the opportunity to change people’s lives through our actions.” CROWN is an umbrella initiative that encompasses the three areas of nutrition and education, micro-financing and health. The group aims to target communities and their
specific needs and to provide them with the resources to become self-sufficient in those three areas. Sandoval is one of the members responsible for the education and nutrition group, and one of the initiatives this summer is to help a fishing town in Brazil by teaching English to the fishermen’s children. The group believes they will help the community regain a sense of wellness and welfare by working directly with community members. “I am excited about my project because it is the first time that this type of aid is reaching Ilha Grande in Brazil,” Sandoval said. “The thing that I think is most important is that we are focusing on what the community needs, things that they have directly expressed interest in and how we are approaching the project in a cultural-sensitive way.”
Students will create and present projects to tackle issues within CGIU’s five focus areas of education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation and public health. This year, more than $900,000 in funding opportunities will be available to select CGIU 2015 students to help them turn their ideas into actions. Andrew Wiemer, director of the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, is co-chairing CGIU with Gail ColeAvent, executive director of student life and assessment, and Patricia Whitely, vice president for Student Affairs. According to Wiemer, there will be 95 projects at this year’s meeting and 150 UM studen ts will be participating. Here is a sampling of projects created by UM students.
The upWARD Scholarship BY S. MOLLY DOMINICK STAFF WRITER
Regular full-time and part-time employees of UM can be granted tuition remission after two to five years of work, for either themselves or their dependents. But this policy does not extend to campus Chartwells and Unico employees. Senior economics major Andre Buchanan and junior anthropology major Yazmine De La Cruz plan to change that. Working under the education focus area for CGIU, they are creating a scholarship for these employees modeled after conventional tuition remission. It will be called The upWARD Scholarship.
“Applying to the CGIU helped us take a small problem that we saw, being two students who eat at the dining hall everyday, and really make a plan to make it happen,” Buchanan said. Buchanan and De La Cruz are still deciding on the specific eligibility requirements for future recipients of The upWARD scholarship. The next step in the process is networking and fundraising, which De La Cruz said will be facilitated by attending CGIU. “We can meet different kinds of people who have won grants before, so we can gain experience from them and how they’ve done so,” De La Cruz said.
The “F” Word BY COURTNEY FIORINI SPORTS EDITOR
Junior Daniela Lorenzo is working with junior Mariana Gaviria on a Human Rights project called The “F” word. “Our goal is to bring social change through gender equality by making it a two-sided conversation,” Lorenzo said. “Oftentimes, gender issues are seen as a female issue exclusively, and activism and feminism really has gotten a bad name, so we want to change that.” The group wants men to be a part of the conversation and to enact positive change. The “F” word works to target the UM campus by attempting to raise awareness. “People try to fix issues far away even though there are plenty of problems in their
March 5 - March 18, 2015
own backyard, so we wanted to stay close to home,” Lorenzo said. The group hopes to develop a coalition that unites already existing, on-campus groups that deal with the issues of gender. The project will work alongside these organizations to create programming in the fall that sheds light on the many facets of gender inequality. This would be a longstanding committee that would create yearly awareness planning and facilitate open conversation about gender on campus. They also want to form a model that other schools and institutions could later pick up. “Conversations nowadays center on rape or violence, but these are issues that stem from the idea that men and women aren’t equal,” Lorenzo said. “You can’t fix many issues until you fix the root problem.” THE MIAMI HURRICANE
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PROFILE
Man behind Sebastian mascot represents ‘U’ spirit Energy brings Maniac, Sebastian icons to life BY SHERMAN HEWITT ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR
Rumors say Sebastian the Ibis was once arrested. “I was detained, not arrested,” chuckled John Routh, executive director of the Hall of Fame and former Sebastian the Ibis. “There is no record of Sebastian being arrested.” Routh, 55, professionally portrayed Sebastian from 1984 to 1992. His tenure, which included three football national championship
wins, ran through a high point in UM sport’s history. “Quite a few of Sebastian’s notorieties resulted from John and what he was able to accomplish, mostly on the football field in front of national TV audiences,” said Norman Parsons, former executive director of the Wellness Center. “It seemed to be where he was most spectacular.” One such notoriety includes a run-in with Tallahassee, Florida police. As Sebastian, Routh aimed to have additional decorations on the ibis costume. For the ‘87 Florida State University game, he decided to make Sebastian a fireman, fire extinguisher included. The goal, however, was to spray the crowd, rather than Chief Osceola’s burning spear.
DETAINED IN TALLAHASSEE: Sebastian the Ibis, dressed as a fireman, went on the field during the 1989 FSU game to trick fans into thinking that he would extingush the Seminoles’ burning spear.
NEWS BRIEFS
“I knew that if I’d done that, I wouldn’t have gotten out of Tallahassee alive,” Routh said. Tallahassee police thought otherwise. Initially, one deputy tried to slow fireman Sebastian, ROUTH but an accidental extinguisher blast caused a call for backup. Sebastian was detained until Chief Osceola left the field. “I was considered one of the renegade mascots,” Routh said. “I was just a guy in a bird costume having fun.” Connie Nickel, assistant director for recreational sports and camp at the Wellness Center, has many memories of Routh’s work during the time she managed him. “He was the most creative of people,” she said. “He had such a mind for everything silly.” Routh’s silliness extended beyond Sebastian. The Miami Maniac, the baseball mascot, had the same man behind its antics from 1982 to 1993. As the Maniac, Routh performed at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska every year. During Routh’s tenure, UM baseball won two national championships. The Maniac had its own winning performances. During a baseball game that was broadcast nationwide, the Maniac “married” Mrs. Maniac. The mascot matrimony, which was planned to last about five minutes, went on for fourteen. Sebastian, the Maniac’s best man, was in attendance. During that time, Nickel was managing the production of spirit groups on campus and saw Routh in action.
CRISIS OF ISLAMIC MASCULINITIES Amanullah De Sondy, assistant professor of Religious Studies, will present his book “The Crisis of Islamic Masculinities.” He connects the study of religion to the key themes of gender, ethnicity, race and pluralism. The event is free and open to the public at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, Fla. 33134. For more information, visit humanities.miami.edu/calendar.
‘THE U’ SURVEY NICK GANGEMI // PHOTO EDITOR BONES ON THE BALCONY: Junior Christian Perez, freshman Patricia Colon, junior Daniel Cantrelle and freshman Ashley Bahamonde (left to right) play a game of dominos on the Moss Terrace as part of Week of Cuban Culture.
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Over 5,000 University of Miami freshmen and seniors were selected to participate in a national web-based survey about their college experience. Students who completed
March 5 - March 18, 2015
“Everything was just so well thought out and meticulous and funny,” Nickel said. One maniac example that’s become a permanent fixture in UM’s culture is the Canes Spell Out. Thought to be football’s and Sebastian’s main act today, the spell out actually originated with Routh as the Miami Maniac. It was a fateful football game against Notre Dame in ‘89 that solidified the spell out’s place in history. “He led the people through the costume,” Parsons said. “He had such a special personality that set the stage for what many people think is the best mascot in college sports.” Even Sebastian’s good looks today are a result of Routh’s handiwork. According to Routh, the ibis’ original costume was too big and bulky to properly move around in. “I performed in that costume one time, and I told them that I was not going to do it in that costume,” Routh said. That reaction in 1984 ultimately lead to the design that is in use today. MASCOT MANIA Routh’s mascot career began with his desire to stand out from the crowd. “I was always thinking of crazy ways to do things differently from everybody else,” Routh said. Once during his time at the University of South Carolina, Routh was invited to a cowboy and indian-themed party. He came dressed as a Cleveland Indians baseball player, to the surprise of some at the party.
the survey will be receiving a USB adapter with the UM logo. After completing the survey, students are entered in a raffle to win a 32GB iPad Mini. The winner of the iPad will be contacted directly in the beginning of April. To see the schedule to pick-up the USB adapters, visit tinyurl.com/USBPickUp.
CARNEGIE FELLOWSHIP The Carnegie Foundation Post-Baccalaureate Fellowship introduces recent college graduates to a two-year program about improving work in education, education policy, improvement science, researchpractice partnerships and collaborative networks. Benefits include networking and collaboration opportunities to work with leaders, a national conference and $38,500
To read more about Routh, visit themiamihurricane.com
annual compensation. Students interested must apply before March 16 on tinyurl.com/ CFoundation.
WHITE HOUSE ADVISER Vice President Joe Biden announced the appointment of Carolina Bettinger-Lopez as the new White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, which handles issues about domestic violence and sexual assault. As a leading advocate for gender-based equality, Bettinger-Lopez will collaborate with federal agencies to address violence against women and girls domestically and globally. Alina Zerpa may be contacted at azerpa@themiamihurricane.com.
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THE THE UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION PLANNING COLLEGE OF DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION ANDAND PLANNING
GRADUATE PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE MARCH 20, 2015 - 1:15 TO 7 P.M. ARCHITECTURE BUILDING GALLERY Join us to learn more about our outstanding facilities and nationally recognized resident graduate programs. For more information and schedule, visit: dcp.ufl.edu/graduate-open-house
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
March 5 - March 18, 2015
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OPINION
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HURRICANE Founded 1929 An Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame Newspaper BUSINESS OFFICE: 305-284-4401 FAX: 305-284-4404 For advertising rates call 305-284-4401 or fax 305-284-4404.
STAFF EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alexander Gonzalez
Stop fearing the feminist label Connotations powerfully shape the way we use and choose our words. We are quick to describe ourselves in positive terms and distance ourselves from negative ones. It is easily better to be “decisive” than “bossy,” “spontaneous” rather than “unorganized.” However, sometimes words are not as clear-cut. When contradictory connotations are associated with a single word, we may find ourselves at odds with its usage. While the word “feminist” is worn as a badge of pride by many, others treat it as a scarlet letter, dodging around the label with qualifiers and even straightforward objections. A pervasive discrepancy exists between those who believe in the denotation of feminism, the advocacy of women’s social, economic and political equality to men, and those who self-identify as feminists. Comedian Aziz Ansari, of “Parks and Recreation” fame, jokes about this phenomenon. “If you believe that men and women have equal rights, [and] if someone asks if you’re feminist, you have to say ‘yes’ because that is how words work,” he says, drawing a ludicrous analogy to a skin doctor who refuses to call himself a dermatologist. Yet why is it that identifying as a feminist is so much more difficult than identifying as a
dermatologist? Why is it that so many are tentative and fearful of the label, even when they align with the basic tenets of feminist ideology? Although Ansari gives a much-needed calling-out of this perplexing gap of understanding, wearing the label of “feminist” is not completely comparable with making a nameplate that says “dermatologist.” One is a hotly debated adjective associated with a deeply Balkanized movement, while the other is a clear-cut professional role defined by a medical degree. As with any large ideological movement, there will always be demagogues and zealots, and part of the taboo of the feminist label arises from the general public’s skewed perception of “radical” feminists, or those who seem hostile, accusatory or policing. Unfortunately, John and Jane Q. Public, who may not be in touch with activist or social justice issues, could spend a disproportionate amount of time noticing these voices rather than those of everyday, girl-nextdoor (or guy-next-door) feminists. Thus, they associate these negative impressions with the feminist label and distance themselves from it. Part of the “radicalism” also has to do with the fact that the movement itself has become increasingly divisive, resulting in different ideas about how the principle behind feminism should
speak UP WHAT DOES THE WORD “FEMINISM” MEAN TO YOU? DO YOU IDENTIFY AS A FEMINIST?
RYAN KRAMER GRAD STUDENT
“I would say I’m a supporter of the feminism movement; I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a feminist. I don’t know why I wouldn’t, I guess. But, to me, feminism is the empowerment of women, their ability to have equal rights and equal treatment compared to men.”
KAILA PARTIN LAW STUDENT
REBECCA KOW FRESHMAN
manifest. Different labels, such as “womanists” or “humanists,” have come into use as previously identified “feminists” seek to differentiate themselves from certain strands of feminism. Yet the differences mainly arise over the practice of principle, not the principle itself. By and large, at the basis of feminism still lies the concepts of equality and respect. If we can recognize that and hold the word true to its denotative definition, there is no reason to retreat from the feminist label. In her paper, “The ‘F’ Word: How the Media Frame Feminism,” Debra Baker Beck of the University of Wyoming remarks that feminism has become “a national ‘dirty word’.” While her paper was written over a decade ago, it seems as if Beck’s words ring just as, if not more, true today. A popular children’s novelist once wrote that “fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself,” and since J.K. Rowling is never wrong, perhaps it’s time for us to stop fearing the F-word-that-must-not-be-named and be proud to call out our beliefs for what they are. Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board.
“Feminism, to me, is about bridging the gap between gender equality. I would definitely identify myself as a feminist.”
“I think that the idea of feminism shouldn’t be about women being better than men; it’s more of an equality issue, so in that way, I can identify as a feminist.”
RICHARD HOLMES FRESHMAN
JUSTIN BURNETT SOPHOMORE
SPEAK UP ANSWERS ARE EDITED FOR CLARITY, BREVITY AND ACCURACY. COMPILED BY JACKIE YANG
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MANAGING NEWS EDITOR Erika Glass
“I’m not necessarily a feminist, in terms of radical feminism, but I would say that the idea is just everybody trying to be equal, regardless of gender, and I support that. It’s hard not to.”
“Feminism is geared toward acquiring equal rights both professionally and socially. I’m pro-feminism. We’re on the right track toward equal opportunity, but there’s still a lot of work we can do.”
ART DIRECTOR Sarbani Ghosh PHOTO EDITOR Nick Gangemi ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Hallee Meltzer
ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR Sherman Hewitt ONLINE NEWS EDITOR Emily Dabau ONLINE SPORTS EDITOR AJ Ricketts MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Eddie Sanchez SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Dakota Orlando
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Alina Zerpa
WEBMASTER Georges Duplessy
OPINION EDITOR Jackie Yang
BUSINESS MANAGER Christopher Dalton
EDGE EDITOR Ashley Martinez SPORTS EDITOR Courtney Fiorini COPY CHIEF Julie Harans COPY EDITORS Alyssa Bolt Huixin Deng Asmae Fahmy DESIGNERS Emma Deardorff Madeleine Trtan Savanah DeBrosse ONLINE EDITOR Lyssa Goldberg
SALES REPRESENTATIVES Chris Daniels James Hillyer Kyle Stewart Grayson Tishko AD DESIGNER Michelle Lock ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Isabel Vichot FACULTY ADVISER Ileana Oroza FINANCIAL ADVISER Steve Priepke
To reach a member of the staff visit themiamihurricane.com’s contact page. ©2015 University of Miami The Miami Hurricane is published semi-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. ADVERTISING POLICY The Miami Hurricane’s business office is located at 1330 Miller Drive, Student Activities Center Student Media Suite 200. The Miami Hurricane is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the university’s fall and spring academic terms. Newspapers are distributed for free on the Coral Gables campus, the School of Medicine and off-campus locations. DEADLINES All ads must be received, cash with copy, in The Miami Hurricane business office, Student Activities Center Student Media Suite 200, by noon Tuesday for Thursday’s issue and noon Friday for Monday’s issue. SUBSCRIPTIONS The Miami Hurricane is available for subscription at the rate of $50 per year. AFFILIATIONS The Miami Hurricane is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Florida College Press Association.
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Feminism not female-only issue et me be clear: Men should understand and embrace feminist principles for their own sake. Feminism PATRICK QUINLAN is divisive. A STAFF July 2014 poll COLUMNIST conducted by YouGov.com showed only half of men consider themselves feminists, even when feminism was defined as belief in the “equality of the sexes.” Only half of men believe in equality? Men have more enthusiasm for the Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing match than that. First, I have to give my definition of the “F” word. The term “feminism” is convoluted and covers many different movements, all under the aforementioned banner of “equality of the sexes.” First-wave feminism from the turn of the 20th century is pretty settled. If you don’t agree with universal suffrage, this is not the column for you. Second-wave feminism, for cultural and economic acceptance, grew from the 1960s counterculture movement. Many of these ideals remain unrealized, but active individual discrimination has been decimated. Glass ceilings persist (and are cracking), but there aren’t many
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insisting that all women should be homemakers, “Pleasantville”-style. Numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that women have parity with men in higher education and are increasing in numbers in the workforce. The real fight to make men feminists is in the third wave. This is part of the contemporary social justice nexus pervading media like Tumblr and Buzzfeed. Systems of power are held up for scrutiny. In turn, those who are aware of privilege, including male privilege, can build a more nuanced identity for themselves. Feminism creates a healthier understanding of gender unique to each of our own lives. This is where men should listen up. How often have I faced pressure by dominant cultural expectations? When have I felt shame at lack of abs or a man bun? Where have I seen men suffer from male violence? When have I worried about being called a p*ssy? In his TED talk, Jackson Katz, founder of the program Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP), said “gender issues” does not mean “women’s issues.” Men have a gender, too. Feminism teaches that I can build my own understanding of masculinity. My view of masculinity focuses on my identity independent of others. I see masculinity not as the opposite of femininity, as soci-
ety posits, but as the acceptance of maturity that I’ve gained from my youth. Manliness as the opposite of womanliness is a superficial definition that is as indefinite as the changing role of women in society. Indeed, when women entered the workforce in the 1970s, the disruption of the male breadwinner archetype caused a crisis in men that remains unresolved at large. Gender is a continuum. Men and women can demonstrate shades of impulsiveness or aggression or other “typical” male characteristics. But my gender is firmly rooted. Manliness, as the opposite of childishness, exalts virtues like responsibility, respect and healthy resilience. It values brotherhood and comingof-age experiences sought throughout male cultures (including fraternities). Likewise, women can value these virtues and still remain feminine. Two different musical instruments playing the same notes will produce two different sounds. However, this is only my opinion. Truth may be different for different guys. The imperative question is not “Should men be feminists,” but instead, “What does it mean to be a man?” I would not have my answer without feminism. Patrick Quinlan is a junior majoring in international studies and political science.
Majors should be gender neutral n my business classes, I’m often the only African American woman in the room. Though TAYLOR DUCKETT there are usuSTAFF ally equal COLUMNIST numbers of male and female students, this ratio is not reflected in the faculty. Out of the 23 business classes that I have taken, only nine of them have been taught by women. The University of Miami student body is pretty gender balanced. The class of 2018 was 49 percent male and 51 percent female, according to UM’s website. This data is consistent with national trends of higher female enrollment in colleges and universities. However, if you look at female enrollment based on major, some fields still have a wide gender disparity. According to U.S. News & World Report, as of July 2013, only about 25 percent of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degree holders were women. The percentage of women studying business is higher, but the gender balance varies
I
across majors. According to data compiled by Bloomberg Business, in majors like information systems and finance, men outnumber the women 2 to 1. Because of lower female enrollment and retention rates in these majors, schools are actively working to change the perception that business and STEM are skewed toward males. In order to encourage more women to join these demanding but rewarding fields, we need to go and reach out to them. While many may have potential, some women may need help overcoming the initial impostor syndrome. Programs like the Society of Women Engineer’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day effectively do just this. There are also organizations housed at the School of Business, like Women in Business, that seek to provide a safe space for collegiate women. Though these schools are working on attracting and retaining top female students, there is still work to be done from both sides. We have to move beyond the mindset that our workplaces are “boys’ clubs” and instead consider it what it is: a career. Taylor Duckett is a senior majoring in business law.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Your past issue’s opinion piece on two bridges planned for construction was misguided and inaccurate. The university Campus Planning and Development Department works very hard to prioritize construction projects, often before they are announced. This Lake Osceola bridge is just one instance where we are planning for the future of this campus, which will offer more housing, activities and parking on one side of the lake. Currently, except for walking through the University Center, which is not open at all hours, there is no easy way to cross over to the Student Activities Center (SAC) to access all the activities happening on that side of the lake. In fact, The Miami Hurricane has run several recent articles about that bridge, which will skirt the lake patio area and is designed to move people from the Eaton Residential College side to the SAC side of the lake. This newspaper got it right on the news side. The bridge replaces one that was there previously, and is essential to moving people around campus, given future campus planning. Construction for this bridge would take place in the summer months, and will not “permanently block our beautiful view of the entire lake as we walk along.” Additionally, this bridge in no way “pressures the city [sic] to build a bridge over the highway,” nor is there any need to pressure our county leadership. To clarify, the pedestrian bridge which Miami-Dade County has designed to traverse U.S. 1 at Mariposa Court near the University Metrorail station is not on campus property, nor uses any university funding whatsoever. It will, in fact, have a ground breaking this spring. I would be happy to discuss this further with you before you put your pen to paper to write about it or any other campus projects in the future. Janet Gavarrete is associate vice president of UM Campus Planning and Development Department.
It is said that every tradition starts with a new idea. All it takes is a group of people, or even one bold person, to start something from its infancy. Many of these ideas fizzle out over time due to others challenging them or not believing that there’s a future for them. Other ideas flourish into longstanding traditions that are intertwined into our history. As the co-chairs of Orange Festival, we have been contemplating the concept of “tradition” a lot lately. Where do they come from? How do they start? Why do people support them while others openly mock them? These conversations are natural to occur for a tradition such as Orange Festival, which is celebrating only its third year on our campus at the University of Miami. Orange Festival is a new tradition, but a tradition nevertheless. For those that were actually in attendance at Orange Festival 2015 last Friday, the event was a tremendous success. More than 600 students, faculty members, administrators and alumni came to the Student Activities Center promenade for the day. Sebastian the Ibis, the Miami Maniac, and Obie the Orange, from the Orange Bowl, were all there. Attendees enjoyed learning about older tradiMarch 5 - March 18, 2015
tions from the different organizations and departments that define our school’s history. Free food, T-shirts, games and celebrations all took place as people enjoyed partaking in the third annual Orange Festival. We could not have been more proud of the work our team has accomplished since we first met to plan this year’s festival back in September. It is because of their support, and the support of our friends, that Orange Festival continues to become better. We challenged ideas, became creative with ways to improve the event, and brought more people together in orange than ever before. Our love for the University of Miami fueled our efforts to make this festival the best one yet and to continue making Orange Festival a part of our UM history. In the end, Orange Festival was created simply from an idea. An idea that ourselves and others have challenged, supported and hoped to make better for over three years now. That sounds like a tradition to us. Claire Kebodeaux is a senior majoring in psychology. Seth Furman is a senior majoring in business management. THE MIAMI HURRICANE
OPINION
7
FEMINISM FROM COVER
On Wednesday evening, the Yellow Rose Society (YRS) hosted its opening ceremony, coined “Rose ’s Lounge. ” The event highlighted female artists and performers from the local community, including UM students and guest performers from Florida International University. Despite the significance of Women ’s History Month, Jean said it was hard to find student support for the month ’s events. She also mentioned that the response she received back from other organizations for Women ’s History Month was “lacking. ”
FEMINISM ON CAMPUS Jean and Maldonado ’s experiences suggest that feminism and women ’s rights issues lack substantial support from the student body. However, a poll created by The Miami Hurricane asking students on campus whether they identified as feminists seems to indicate otherwise. The poll had a total of 354 responses at the time of publication and revealed that 61 percent of UM students surveyed identify as feminists. At face value, these statistics suggest an overall positive campus climate toward feminism and feminist ideals. However, the true picture of feminist sentiment within the student body resembles the movement itself – complex and multilayered, Jean said. “It ’s like a cake ... or an onion, ” she joked. “We ’re just peeling away one layer at a time. ” According to the Oxford American English Dictionary and many advocates of the feminist movement, feminism is the advocacy of women ’s rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality to men. Those who do not identify with the feminist movement may buy into the myth of a generic feminist archetype, said a first-year theatre arts professor who goes by her stage name, cfrancis blackchild.
It shows we have a real crisis on our hands. It’s all about educating others and empowering others; it’s about the men in our lives. They aren’t knowledgeable about our issues; whose fault is that? Phalande Jean Yellow Rose Society president and Women’s History Month chair
8
FEMINISM
National Organization for Women (NOW) and UN Women. According to the women who lead these groups, one of the biggest obstacles has been opening the conversation to include everyone. They added that men often feel isolated and alienated from the feminist movement. The recorded participation of students in women ’s rights organizations is still modest – combining active members from YRS, NOW, UN Women and girl ’s empowerment program SPARK, there are around 65 students, not accounting for overlaps. “One of our biggest challenges in participation is definitely due to the fear of the word feminism, ” Chowdhury said. The lack of longevity of many of these organizations and fickle student participation in general may also be at fault, according to the student leaders of campus women ’s organizations. Junior Maleeha Riaz, president of UM ’s chapter of NOW, said that her organization had a lot of momentum when it first started. “When we were underground, there were so many people coming to the meetings. People were excited, ” she said. However, she said participation has since fallen off.
DESIGN BY SARBANI GHOSH
“The way the media decided to identify feminism was as people who were anti-male, people who were anti-beauty, people who were anti-motherhood and all this stuff, and so a lot of people were like, ‘Well, that ’s not me ’, ” blackchild explained. A male student who wished to remain anonymous said he agrees that there is a discrepancy between what feminism is and what it means to people. “While I know the most extreme people are not at all representative of all feminists, the craziest ones are the ones that get the most attention, ” he said. “And I find that their tone is often hostile and accusatory, and that ’s not how you get your message across, not by confronting people with an ‘I ’m right, you ’re wrong ’ type of attitude. ”
THE CHALLENGE OF UNDERSTANDING According to blackchild, changing methods of communication and media distribution may be to blame for this perception of increased radicalism within the feminist movement.
“Conversations that used to be kept in enclaves are now bursting forth in a way that now make them available to everyone, ” blackchild said. This openness could be considered both a benefit and a detriment to meaningful communication about the feminist movement. Strongly worded opinions on platforms like Yik Yak or UMiami Secrets, an anonymous Facebook account used to post submissions supposedly from UM students, were also brought up as indicators of campus climate. Posts like, “It is ridiculous where Feminism has gone. It is so toxic it is unbearable ” or “Feminism is just a thinly-veiled excuse for women to play the victim and hate on men ” are mild examples of anti-feminist remarks made on these platforms. Jean, who sat down to discuss feminism on campus with several other leaders of women ’s rights organizations, cited comments made at the “U Got Consent? ” event hosted by YRS as a prime example of how this negative backlash translates to face-to-face interactions. “When we held our event for ‘U Got Consent ’, we had some male counterparts say obscene comments like, ‘You know you like it, this is stupid, ’ or ‘What is this s**t? ’ ” she said. “They would not sign the banner. ” In addition, last semester ’s guest speaker Ted Bunch, co-founder of “A Call to Men, ”
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
March 5 - March 18, 2015
gave a talk intended to teach men to be a part of the solution to end gender inequality. Instead, she said, the event was met with harsh criticism from nameless and faceless online posts. Still, students like Jamil Mann, a junior majoring in broadcast journalism, feel feminism puts men in a detrimental position by being overly policing. “Sometimes I just feel like feminists go too far with it. One of my professors gave me a bad grade based off of a paper I wrote about manpower, ” Mann said. “He told me that the paper was good, but I [got a low grade] because I did not consider the female side. ” While these oppositional reactions may only be coming from a handful of people, their hostility indicates an undeniable gap in mutual understanding that must be addressed, according to Jean. Uninformed insults, however, gave YRS the fuel to do more in the UM community, she said. “It shows we have a real crisis on our hands, ” Jean said. “It ’s all about educating others and empowering others; it ’s about the men in our lives. They aren ’t knowledgeable about our
Reyes teaches “Isn ’t a bad girl almost a boy? ” – an English course named after a concept in Maxine Hong Kingston ’s memoir “The Woman Warrior ” and centered around literature from the women ’s rights movements beginning in the late 19th century. “I think this third wave is more about broadening our understanding of women, ” Reyes said. “Accepting, respecting, even celebrating these splintered aspects of the self. ” These “feminisms ” bring about the examination of different feminist experiences through the lens of intersectionality, a topic that recurred during discussion. Studying different combinations of socioeconomic circumstances – such as race, class, gender and sexual orientation – explains how they affect the individual experience to create a new breed of feminism. “Not one feminism works for everyone; we have to be aware of that. Women ’s stories are very different, ” blackchild said. “A Western feminism dropped in the middle of the Middle East or Sri Lanka, that ’s not going to work. They ’re not trying to go out and become CEOs. They ’re just trying to have basic human rights. ” Reyes shared similar sentiments. She said she thinks movements are not meant to please every onlooker or even every advocate. They are meant to bring about change, she added, which at times means taking risks. “Ultimately, movements agitate. They disturb. They provoke. I guess that ’s the point, ” Reyes said.
WHY FEMINISM?
issues; whose fault is that? ”
DEFINING FEMINISM, OR FEMINISMS According to blackchild, there are different forms of feminism, but the power lies in the hands of those who are the most vocal. “Every group has subgroups, ” she said. “There ’s always this question of who gets to speak for the monolithic idea of feminism. So that ’s why there are splinters within the feminist community. ” Blackchild said a gap exists between the early first-wave feminists who fought for rights such as suffrage and the rising generation of women pursuing wage equality and abolition of gender stereotypes. This tension, she said, arises not necessarily from a failure on the part of young feminists, but a lack of understanding of historical contexts and the needs of each generation of women. Blackchild also cited examples like how troubles faced by housewives looking to break into the workforce during the 1950s contrast those faced by a 22-year-old woman seeking justice for sexual harassment in 1995. The difference in objectives as societal changes occur casts doubt on the commitment of this generation of women to the movement, but it should not be dismissed as lack of progress, said English professor Lisa Reyes.
FEMINISM AND THE PUBLIC IMAGINATION Students like Jennifer Pierre, a senior marketing and entrepreneurship major and the public relations officer for Women in Business, said she thinks men feel like they ’re losing room from their identity. “That ’s where the animosity comes from, because they feel there ’s nothing left for them, ” she said. According to blackchild, historical foundations have largely shaped the perception that feminism threatens men. “[The movement] is thought of being female-centered because feminism came up in a time where it was in response to seemingly oppressive patriarchal systems and society, ” blackchild said. However, according to Safa Chowdhurry, vice president of UM ’s chapter of United Nations Women, the core of feminism is not bashing men or berating conventionally beautiful women, but achieving equal rights and freedom for both sexes and everyone on the spectrum of gender. “When people are arguing against feminism, what is it that they ’re arguing against? ” she said. “The definition behind the movement is just the political, social, economic equality of the sexes. ”
The phrase “gender roles ” is frequently brought into the feminism discussion. This is the generalization and expectation that men and women fulfill stereotypical “masculine ” and “feminine ” roles. According to Katharine Westway, a women and gender studies professor, the problem with these roles is the restrictions they place on individuality. Gender norms situate men in the dominant position and women in submissive, limiting the expansion of personal curiosities and condemning any deviation from the constructs, she said. “Feminism is actually a great thing for men. It liberates men like it liberates women, ” Westaway said. “It allows men to be sensitive, it allows them to show their emotions, it allows them to …not have to be the conqueror, not have to be the aggressor. ” Westaway added that to include all people in the conversation on equality, there must be a mutual understanding that feminism is not a movement for just one sector of the population. She mentioned that the pursuit of human rights liberates all people from the pressures of having to fit into one designated box. “I think it ’s time for men to step up and to realize that the feminist movement is for them and that we need their help, that we can never
achieve equality without their help, ” Westaway said.
ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVISM On UM ’s campus, the effects of having a female president are palpable. President Donna E. Shalala has brought notable figures such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laverne Cox and most recently, Gloria Steinem. “Just having her as a figurehead is such a huge boost to women ’s self-esteem on campus, ” Westaway said. Though President Shalala is the first female president of UM and several other high-ranking positions are filled by women, the university still struggles with unequal representation in the faculty. According to the Office of Faculty Affairs, the university faculty is made up of 62 percent men and 38 percent women, barely a shift from the 63 to 37 percent ratio from fall of 2012. These numbers contrast the higher number of female undergraduate students. UM currently has 51 percent female students and 49 percent male students. On the student end of the spectrum are the grassroots women ’s organizations such as YRS, Women in Business, and UM branches of the
While many obstacles or deterrents to feminist engagement exist, these student leaders attributed their passion for women ’s rights and feminism to their individual cultural backgrounds, family dynamics and educations. Each of their stories included themes of either strong matriarchal or patriarchal families as commonly cited reasons behind feminist awareness. “Growing up [in Haiti], you just grew up into a strong woman, ” Jean said. “It was only until I moved here that I learned about all of the American historical background for the inequality. ” For Riaz, who was raised in a Pakistani household, it was a different experience. “When I was younger, a family friend was visiting my family, and the first thing she asked my mom was ‘How is your son? ’ ” Riaz recalled. “I remember being so angry, and thinking, ‘Why didn ’t she ask about me or all of my sisters? ’ ” However, Riaz also credited her father for instilling a sense of ambition within her and her sisters by stressing the importance of education. “I have so many cousins who aren ’t being given the opportunities that I get here, ” Riaz said. “I need feminism because of my background. I want to take advantage of the opportunities I ’ve been given – I can ’t squander this. ” Others cited higher education as a gateway to understanding feminism and the language of activism. “I always grew up around many women who kind of pushed the tenets of feminism, subtly, ” Pierre said. “At UM, I am surrounded by women who are here to study and are pursuing the best for themselves. ” Though those who come from backgrounds where issues of gender inequality passed by unnoticed may find themselves less connected with the idea of feminism, religious studies professor Maldonado said that the present generation March 5 - March 18, 2015
may not realize how much it enjoys the progress made by women and men who fought for modern principles. Chowdhury expressed a similar frustration. “[Even] when you denounce feminism, you ’re living a comfortable lifestyle because of the actions of past feminists, because women were willing to go to jail for your rights, ” she said. Another obstacle to engagement with the ideology may be the rise of “slacktivism, ” Maldonado said. “Your generation thinks activism is just liking something on Facebook or retweeting something, ” Maldonado added. “While I ’m not downplaying the power of social media, I also think there ’s something to be said about grassroots activism. ” Renowned writer and feminist activist Gloria Steinem shared a similar message when she spoke at UM on Feb. 11. “Since we ’re communal people, since we need each other, nothing is more powerful than a group with mutual support and a vision and a spirit of inclusiveness, ” Steinem said.
NEXT STEPS UM may not have swarms of women in uproar, but the feminist movement is present in the support from fellow students. According to senior Seth Furman, a self-proclaimed feminist, both male and female students have an open mindset and are accepting of various forms of expression. “I think UM is at the forefront when it comes to being inclusive with new gender roles for women and men, ” said Furman, a business major and the philanthropy chair for the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. However, there is still room to improve. The general consensus among the student leaders of the women ’s organizations was that the feminist presence on campus had the potential to be stronger and more cohesive. “I feel like, on this campus, there are so many organizations, so we kind of disperse between them, but there ’s no unifying place where we can all come together and discuss ideas and rally together, ” Pierre said. Though the unification will not be immediate, these leaders are already taking steps to improve cooperation and communication among the women ’s rights groups. YRS hopes to open up constructive, respectful dialogue about feminism at the university by hosting events throughout Women ’s History Month. Along with discourse, however, there must be a genuine consideration of others ’ experiences, blackchild said. “In any movement, I think the way to move conversation along is listening, ” Pierre said. “[Just] because it ’s not your life experience, it doesn ’t mean it ’s not truthful. ”
TO FIND MORE: To read about the meninist movement, visit themiamihurricane.com. THE MIAMI HURRICANE
FEMINISM
9
FEMINISM FROM COVER
On Wednesday evening, the Yellow Rose Society (YRS) hosted its opening ceremony, coined “Rose ’s Lounge. ” The event highlighted female artists and performers from the local community, including UM students and guest performers from Florida International University. Despite the significance of Women ’s History Month, Jean said it was hard to find student support for the month ’s events. She also mentioned that the response she received back from other organizations for Women ’s History Month was “lacking. ”
FEMINISM ON CAMPUS Jean and Maldonado ’s experiences suggest that feminism and women ’s rights issues lack substantial support from the student body. However, a poll created by The Miami Hurricane asking students on campus whether they identified as feminists seems to indicate otherwise. The poll had a total of 354 responses at the time of publication and revealed that 61 percent of UM students surveyed identify as feminists. At face value, these statistics suggest an overall positive campus climate toward feminism and feminist ideals. However, the true picture of feminist sentiment within the student body resembles the movement itself – complex and multilayered, Jean said. “It ’s like a cake ... or an onion, ” she joked. “We ’re just peeling away one layer at a time. ” According to the Oxford American English Dictionary and many advocates of the feminist movement, feminism is the advocacy of women ’s rights on the grounds of political, social and economic equality to men. Those who do not identify with the feminist movement may buy into the myth of a generic feminist archetype, said a first-year theatre arts professor who goes by her stage name, cfrancis blackchild.
It shows we have a real crisis on our hands. It’s all about educating others and empowering others; it’s about the men in our lives. They aren’t knowledgeable about our issues; whose fault is that? Phalande Jean Yellow Rose Society president and Women’s History Month chair
8
FEMINISM
National Organization for Women (NOW) and UN Women. According to the women who lead these groups, one of the biggest obstacles has been opening the conversation to include everyone. They added that men often feel isolated and alienated from the feminist movement. The recorded participation of students in women ’s rights organizations is still modest – combining active members from YRS, NOW, UN Women and girl ’s empowerment program SPARK, there are around 65 students, not accounting for overlaps. “One of our biggest challenges in participation is definitely due to the fear of the word feminism, ” Chowdhury said. The lack of longevity of many of these organizations and fickle student participation in general may also be at fault, according to the student leaders of campus women ’s organizations. Junior Maleeha Riaz, president of UM ’s chapter of NOW, said that her organization had a lot of momentum when it first started. “When we were underground, there were so many people coming to the meetings. People were excited, ” she said. However, she said participation has since fallen off.
DESIGN BY SARBANI GHOSH
“The way the media decided to identify feminism was as people who were anti-male, people who were anti-beauty, people who were anti-motherhood and all this stuff, and so a lot of people were like, ‘Well, that ’s not me ’, ” blackchild explained. A male student who wished to remain anonymous said he agrees that there is a discrepancy between what feminism is and what it means to people. “While I know the most extreme people are not at all representative of all feminists, the craziest ones are the ones that get the most attention, ” he said. “And I find that their tone is often hostile and accusatory, and that ’s not how you get your message across, not by confronting people with an ‘I ’m right, you ’re wrong ’ type of attitude. ”
THE CHALLENGE OF UNDERSTANDING According to blackchild, changing methods of communication and media distribution may be to blame for this perception of increased radicalism within the feminist movement.
“Conversations that used to be kept in enclaves are now bursting forth in a way that now make them available to everyone, ” blackchild said. This openness could be considered both a benefit and a detriment to meaningful communication about the feminist movement. Strongly worded opinions on platforms like Yik Yak or UMiami Secrets, an anonymous Facebook account used to post submissions supposedly from UM students, were also brought up as indicators of campus climate. Posts like, “It is ridiculous where Feminism has gone. It is so toxic it is unbearable ” or “Feminism is just a thinly-veiled excuse for women to play the victim and hate on men ” are mild examples of anti-feminist remarks made on these platforms. Jean, who sat down to discuss feminism on campus with several other leaders of women ’s rights organizations, cited comments made at the “U Got Consent? ” event hosted by YRS as a prime example of how this negative backlash translates to face-to-face interactions. “When we held our event for ‘U Got Consent ’, we had some male counterparts say obscene comments like, ‘You know you like it, this is stupid, ’ or ‘What is this s**t? ’ ” she said. “They would not sign the banner. ” In addition, last semester ’s guest speaker Ted Bunch, co-founder of “A Call to Men, ”
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
March 5 - March 18, 2015
gave a talk intended to teach men to be a part of the solution to end gender inequality. Instead, she said, the event was met with harsh criticism from nameless and faceless online posts. Still, students like Jamil Mann, a junior majoring in broadcast journalism, feel feminism puts men in a detrimental position by being overly policing. “Sometimes I just feel like feminists go too far with it. One of my professors gave me a bad grade based off of a paper I wrote about manpower, ” Mann said. “He told me that the paper was good, but I [got a low grade] because I did not consider the female side. ” While these oppositional reactions may only be coming from a handful of people, their hostility indicates an undeniable gap in mutual understanding that must be addressed, according to Jean. Uninformed insults, however, gave YRS the fuel to do more in the UM community, she said. “It shows we have a real crisis on our hands, ” Jean said. “It ’s all about educating others and empowering others; it ’s about the men in our lives. They aren ’t knowledgeable about our
Reyes teaches “Isn ’t a bad girl almost a boy? ” – an English course named after a concept in Maxine Hong Kingston ’s memoir “The Woman Warrior ” and centered around literature from the women ’s rights movements beginning in the late 19th century. “I think this third wave is more about broadening our understanding of women, ” Reyes said. “Accepting, respecting, even celebrating these splintered aspects of the self. ” These “feminisms ” bring about the examination of different feminist experiences through the lens of intersectionality, a topic that recurred during discussion. Studying different combinations of socioeconomic circumstances – such as race, class, gender and sexual orientation – explains how they affect the individual experience to create a new breed of feminism. “Not one feminism works for everyone; we have to be aware of that. Women ’s stories are very different, ” blackchild said. “A Western feminism dropped in the middle of the Middle East or Sri Lanka, that ’s not going to work. They ’re not trying to go out and become CEOs. They ’re just trying to have basic human rights. ” Reyes shared similar sentiments. She said she thinks movements are not meant to please every onlooker or even every advocate. They are meant to bring about change, she added, which at times means taking risks. “Ultimately, movements agitate. They disturb. They provoke. I guess that ’s the point, ” Reyes said.
WHY FEMINISM?
issues; whose fault is that? ”
DEFINING FEMINISM, OR FEMINISMS According to blackchild, there are different forms of feminism, but the power lies in the hands of those who are the most vocal. “Every group has subgroups, ” she said. “There ’s always this question of who gets to speak for the monolithic idea of feminism. So that ’s why there are splinters within the feminist community. ” Blackchild said a gap exists between the early first-wave feminists who fought for rights such as suffrage and the rising generation of women pursuing wage equality and abolition of gender stereotypes. This tension, she said, arises not necessarily from a failure on the part of young feminists, but a lack of understanding of historical contexts and the needs of each generation of women. Blackchild also cited examples like how troubles faced by housewives looking to break into the workforce during the 1950s contrast those faced by a 22-year-old woman seeking justice for sexual harassment in 1995. The difference in objectives as societal changes occur casts doubt on the commitment of this generation of women to the movement, but it should not be dismissed as lack of progress, said English professor Lisa Reyes.
FEMINISM AND THE PUBLIC IMAGINATION Students like Jennifer Pierre, a senior marketing and entrepreneurship major and the public relations officer for Women in Business, said she thinks men feel like they ’re losing room from their identity. “That ’s where the animosity comes from, because they feel there ’s nothing left for them, ” she said. According to blackchild, historical foundations have largely shaped the perception that feminism threatens men. “[The movement] is thought of being female-centered because feminism came up in a time where it was in response to seemingly oppressive patriarchal systems and society, ” blackchild said. However, according to Safa Chowdhurry, vice president of UM ’s chapter of United Nations Women, the core of feminism is not bashing men or berating conventionally beautiful women, but achieving equal rights and freedom for both sexes and everyone on the spectrum of gender. “When people are arguing against feminism, what is it that they ’re arguing against? ” she said. “The definition behind the movement is just the political, social, economic equality of the sexes. ”
The phrase “gender roles ” is frequently brought into the feminism discussion. This is the generalization and expectation that men and women fulfill stereotypical “masculine ” and “feminine ” roles. According to Katharine Westway, a women and gender studies professor, the problem with these roles is the restrictions they place on individuality. Gender norms situate men in the dominant position and women in submissive, limiting the expansion of personal curiosities and condemning any deviation from the constructs, she said. “Feminism is actually a great thing for men. It liberates men like it liberates women, ” Westaway said. “It allows men to be sensitive, it allows them to show their emotions, it allows them to …not have to be the conqueror, not have to be the aggressor. ” Westaway added that to include all people in the conversation on equality, there must be a mutual understanding that feminism is not a movement for just one sector of the population. She mentioned that the pursuit of human rights liberates all people from the pressures of having to fit into one designated box. “I think it ’s time for men to step up and to realize that the feminist movement is for them and that we need their help, that we can never
achieve equality without their help, ” Westaway said.
ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVISM On UM ’s campus, the effects of having a female president are palpable. President Donna E. Shalala has brought notable figures such as Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laverne Cox and most recently, Gloria Steinem. “Just having her as a figurehead is such a huge boost to women ’s self-esteem on campus, ” Westaway said. Though President Shalala is the first female president of UM and several other high-ranking positions are filled by women, the university still struggles with unequal representation in the faculty. According to the Office of Faculty Affairs, the university faculty is made up of 62 percent men and 38 percent women, barely a shift from the 63 to 37 percent ratio from fall of 2012. These numbers contrast the higher number of female undergraduate students. UM currently has 51 percent female students and 49 percent male students. On the student end of the spectrum are the grassroots women ’s organizations such as YRS, Women in Business, and UM branches of the
While many obstacles or deterrents to feminist engagement exist, these student leaders attributed their passion for women ’s rights and feminism to their individual cultural backgrounds, family dynamics and educations. Each of their stories included themes of either strong matriarchal or patriarchal families as commonly cited reasons behind feminist awareness. “Growing up [in Haiti], you just grew up into a strong woman, ” Jean said. “It was only until I moved here that I learned about all of the American historical background for the inequality. ” For Riaz, who was raised in a Pakistani household, it was a different experience. “When I was younger, a family friend was visiting my family, and the first thing she asked my mom was ‘How is your son? ’ ” Riaz recalled. “I remember being so angry, and thinking, ‘Why didn ’t she ask about me or all of my sisters? ’ ” However, Riaz also credited her father for instilling a sense of ambition within her and her sisters by stressing the importance of education. “I have so many cousins who aren ’t being given the opportunities that I get here, ” Riaz said. “I need feminism because of my background. I want to take advantage of the opportunities I ’ve been given – I can ’t squander this. ” Others cited higher education as a gateway to understanding feminism and the language of activism. “I always grew up around many women who kind of pushed the tenets of feminism, subtly, ” Pierre said. “At UM, I am surrounded by women who are here to study and are pursuing the best for themselves. ” Though those who come from backgrounds where issues of gender inequality passed by unnoticed may find themselves less connected with the idea of feminism, religious studies professor Maldonado said that the present generation March 5 - March 18, 2015
may not realize how much it enjoys the progress made by women and men who fought for modern principles. Chowdhury expressed a similar frustration. “[Even] when you denounce feminism, you ’re living a comfortable lifestyle because of the actions of past feminists, because women were willing to go to jail for your rights, ” she said. Another obstacle to engagement with the ideology may be the rise of “slacktivism, ” Maldonado said. “Your generation thinks activism is just liking something on Facebook or retweeting something, ” Maldonado added. “While I ’m not downplaying the power of social media, I also think there ’s something to be said about grassroots activism. ” Renowned writer and feminist activist Gloria Steinem shared a similar message when she spoke at UM on Feb. 11. “Since we ’re communal people, since we need each other, nothing is more powerful than a group with mutual support and a vision and a spirit of inclusiveness, ” Steinem said.
NEXT STEPS UM may not have swarms of women in uproar, but the feminist movement is present in the support from fellow students. According to senior Seth Furman, a self-proclaimed feminist, both male and female students have an open mindset and are accepting of various forms of expression. “I think UM is at the forefront when it comes to being inclusive with new gender roles for women and men, ” said Furman, a business major and the philanthropy chair for the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity. However, there is still room to improve. The general consensus among the student leaders of the women ’s organizations was that the feminist presence on campus had the potential to be stronger and more cohesive. “I feel like, on this campus, there are so many organizations, so we kind of disperse between them, but there ’s no unifying place where we can all come together and discuss ideas and rally together, ” Pierre said. Though the unification will not be immediate, these leaders are already taking steps to improve cooperation and communication among the women ’s rights groups. YRS hopes to open up constructive, respectful dialogue about feminism at the university by hosting events throughout Women ’s History Month. Along with discourse, however, there must be a genuine consideration of others ’ experiences, blackchild said. “In any movement, I think the way to move conversation along is listening, ” Pierre said. “[Just] because it ’s not your life experience, it doesn ’t mean it ’s not truthful. ”
TO FIND MORE: To read about the meninist movement, visit themiamihurricane.com. THE MIAMI HURRICANE
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48 percent of gamers identify as female and 52 percent identify as male.
36%
Women age 18 or older represent a greater portion of the gameplaying population (36%) than boys age 18 or younger (17%).
the number of female gamers age 50 and older increased by 32 percent from 2012 to 2013.
13 years
32%
adult gamers have been playing for an average of 16 years, with adult men averaging 18 years and adult women averaging 13 years.
of the most frequent game purchasers, 50 percent are made by males and 50 percent by females.
29%
48%
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29 percent of game players are under 18 , 32 percent are 18-35 , and 39 percent are 36 or older.
Information from Entertainment Software Association's 2014 Essential Facts About the Computer and Video Game Industry Report
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BY ASHLEY MARTINEZ EDGE EDITOR
Angry comments flashed across the screen. “Oh, looks like we’ve got a girl here,” “Let’s kick her out.” In just a moment, junior Samantha Manus was booted off the server of the video game “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” before firing a single shot. Before getting a chance to show her skills, Manus was not allowed to play online with a group of gamers simply because she is a girl. “I didn’t even get to play; they didn’t even get to see my skills. They didn’t know if I’d be an asset to the team, and they booted me out of the server,” Manus said. Manus and the other female members of the University of Miami’s Video Games Club (VGC) have watched this scenario play out time and again: angry and degrading comments directed at their skills because they are female gamers in a predominately male realm. “I don’t think ‘gamer girls’ want to be posers or want attention, man, I just want to play video games with people,” said junior Kathleen Wang, a VGC member. The club has about 60 active members, of which seven are female. VGC began two years ago, when junior Heather Zons was a freshman. Now, as the president, she is passionate about enhancing VGC’s presence on campus. Zons saw VGC as a place to fit in. During her freshman year, she found she didn’t relate to girls on her floor because she played video games and none of the other girls did. “When I discovered Video Games Club and how new they were, I really wanted to help them, because they helped me grow in terms of being more confident with how I am as a person in terms of a girl gamer,” she said. Despite her experience with the organization, Zons was initially concerned about running for president. “I was scared to try and run for president last semester because I didn’t think that people would take me seriously as a female president, but it’s working out so far,” she said. Female VGC members feel completely comfortable with the gaming community and find their friends to be kind and accepting, Manus said. “At UM it’s a wonderful experience,” she said. “The community that goes to Video
Games Club are all nice people … everyone has good sportsmanship.” Senior Nicholas Sanchez, VGC vice president, believes the club is very accepting and that members do not treat female gamers differently. “I just want to iterate it’s a very small minority,” he said. “I believe that most guys would want more girls to play, like I would. I guess developers have always catered toward guys, so they feel it’s their own world, that it should only be theirs, but those guys are dumb.” Wang agreed, noting that she has never been told anything offensive, except for a microaggression by a member who told her she plays Super Smash Bros. “really well, for a girl.” “You just feel excluded,” Wang said of the negative comments. “You don’t really want to be excluded, especially from people you consider your friends … maybe he can say that girls that play games competitively in general are uncommon, but I think people should be aware of what they’re saying more.” However, for these players, online gaming is a different story. There, they fight a battle separate from the video game – one for respect in the field. In online gaming culture, there is an unspoken rule to never show a picture of a gamer’s face and, instead, use avatars or game characters, according to Manus. When she first created an online profile, she used a photo of herself. Her boyfriend told her if she didn’t immediately take it down, she was going to receive threats, and men would post rude messages to her page as well as laugh at and mock her. “Online is a scary place,” she said. “I don’t know why we can’t play together. Sure, there’s more guys in video games, I will absolutely give them that, but give us equal respect because anyone can be good and anyone can have fun with it.” To avoid this treatment, it is also common for gamers to avoid mentioning gender at all. According to Manus, unless a player blatantly says she is a girl, other players assume they are playing with men, and she has often gone along with that to avoid getting treated negatively. Throughout the years, Zons has chosen to embrace the fact that she’s a girl gamer, especially when practicing online for competitive competitions. When Zons plays online, she uses a photo of herself and uses her name as her screen name to make known that she is a female gamer. The rude comments she receives insult her skills, her looks and her abilities, but she has learned to not take it seriously.
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PHOTO COURTESY VIDEO GAMES CLUB GAME ON: Junior Heather Zons plays “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” during the Video Games Club’s meeting in April. Zons is the president of VGC, which hosts two tournaments a year for the Miami gaming community to attend. VGC meets 6 p.m. every Friday in Dooley Memorial 110.
“I use my gender to fuel more competitiveness rather than trying to stop it,” she said. “The fact that I went out of my way to be a competitive gamer, that’s kind of why I keep my name as Heathermarie and keep my picture as myself. It’s more proof to you that you got beat by a girl. It’s so worth it.” This online behavior made national headlines with “Gamergate” in August 2014. It erupted into a full-scale culture war about sexism in video game culture, pitting those who wanted to hold on to the traditional, male-dominated gaming culture against those who asked for more inclusion and diversity in the gaming industry. The catalyst for this furious debate, which took place through online forums and on Twitter with “#gamergate,” involved death and rape threats being made toward video game designers Zoe Quinn and Brianna Wu and feminist writer and media critic Anita Sarkeesian, The Washington Post reported. After their addresses and personal information were leaked online, they called the police and left their homes to escape the threats. “I’m sure the Internet is bad because people can hide behind their computers and they have nothing better to do, but it just sucks, like there’s really no other way to put it. Just because you’re a girl, doesn’t mean anything,” Manus said. The portrayal of female video game characters has also been criticized for unrealistic body proportions, sexual outfits, a lack of personality and the fact that females are rarely the main characters. “Companies know what their demographic is,” Zons said. “It’s really saying a lot because if they are overly sexualized, it’s just cause that’s what the people want – not what the girls want, just what their demographic wants.” Wang also realizes fictional characters are often designed to appeal to men and does not mind that, as long as gamers don’t expect
people in reality to look and act the same way. When growing up, all her favorite characters were male because she did not have a female character to look up to. “I would want to be a male because I would think that, I don’t know, just the stuff they did, it was like, man, they’re so cool, they’re my heroes, but there are no female ones,” she said. There has been a movement to add more female characters into popular games, such as “Call of Duty” and “Mass Effect.” “There are some female protagonists that are on the rise, but it’s just what the people want; they don’t usually want to play as that,” Zons said. “They enjoy choosing themselves, like you can represent yourself in a game rather than forcing you to play as a person.” In the future, Sanchez hopes that companies will implement changes into the industry. “I don’t know what exact steps need to be taken,” he said. “Maybe more developers show the way. They’re making it like girls can do this too, but obviously you don’t want to separate or divide the community, you want to bring them all in together.” Zons, however, is not optimistic about the gaming culture changing as the next generation consoles are shifting toward more online play, where the majority of the negative remarks take place. Instead, she believes there need to be more communities of players that come together to play, like VGC, rather than online chat rooms. She is proud of the work VGC has been doing and is glad to foster a group of gamers who enjoy coming together to play, regardless of gender. “Just bring your stuff and come play with us, there’s no restriction, just come play,” Zons said. “As much as we try to, I don’t say we try and get more female gamers, but we’re very accepting of them. But we understand how oppressed they are, because we are the ones who are oppressed.”
Netflix is known as a source for nostalgia with its broad selection of childhood favorites. Now, Netflix promises to be even more of a “link” to the past with plans to create a television adaptation of “The Legend of Zelda.” Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Netflix will collaborate with Nintendo to create a TV series based on the classic video game. This adaptation will bring courageous Link to life, following his quest to defeat the evil Ganondorf in order to rescue the beautiful Princess Zelda and her kingdom from darkness. “My very first and favorite ‘Legend of Zelda’ memory was when I was barely five years old,” recalled Brianna Allen, a University of Miami alumna who was a member of the Video Games Club. “My cousin let me play for a bit, and I made Link ride Epona through an open field in ‘Ocarina of Time.’ That small moment was so enchanting, and I’ve been interested in the series since.” Members like sophomore Nikhil Delahaye were excited to hear about the announcement, especially because Netflix will produce it. “It has the potential to be good,” Delahaye said. “Netflix doesn’t really have its own original fantasy series right now, so it can really corner a market.” At the same time, members have seen television adaptations of the video game before, with the 1989 animated series. The series left a lot to be desired, according to alumnus John Stevenson. “When I was a child, I watched it a lot and enjoyed it then, but looking back … some of the dialogue doesn’t make any sense,” Stevenson said. Still, members of the club keep their hopes high. The Wall Street Journal called the adaptation a family-friendly version of “Game of Thrones.” Because it focuses on character development, “Game of Thrones” is a popular series. Delahaye hopes to see a fan base of similar size grow after Netflix airs “The Legend of Zelda.” “It’s a fantastical setting, but it’s carried by its characters and writing,” Delahaye said. “You can have as fantastic a setting as you want, but if the characters are solid and good, it makes the show that much better.” Freshman Jack Williams and other members of the club hope to see an original plotline, not a show based on the plots of the video games. “Maybe just take loose ideas from them, but try to make the show its own thing,” he said. “If they make an original story and it is good, Nintendo can make a video game out of it, and that would be another way for them to make a lot of money.” An original plot line would also allow the directors, actors and writers more flexibility with characters, an important aspect considering Link is almost completely silent during the games. Although Video Games Club members think Netflix will do a good job with its adaptation of “The Legend of Zelda,” members like freshman Zack Di Lello recognize the difficulty of translating a video game to television. “When you’re in a video game, you don’t want the main character to have a ton of personality, because it lets the player reflect their personality onto them. Whereas in a TV show, you can identify with a character, but to identify with them they need to have a personality,” Di Lello said.
IF YOU GO WHAT: Video Games Club meetings WHEN: 6 p.m. every Friday WHERE: Dooley Memorial Room 110 They will have a Super Smash Bros. Melee Tournament from noon to 6 p.m. March 21 in the StormSurge room in the University Center.
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No. 14
ITA ranking of women’s tennis team
MEN’S BASKETBALL
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Team wins sans captainʼs support
Hurricanes prevail despite low ranking Disappointing national standing motivates team BY ALEXA PAPPAS SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
NICK GANGEMI // PHOTO EDITOR FURIOUSLY FOCUSED: Redshirt Junior Angel Rodriguez dribbles during the February home game against Louisville.
Hurricanes secure victory despite injured star players COURTNEY FIORINI SPORTS EDITOR LYSSA GOLDBERG ONLINE EDITOR
An air of uncertainty surrounded the Miami Hurricanes matchup against the Panthers on Wednesday night. Two of Miami’s key players were listed as injured, and the team’s season outlook remained unclear. Despite setbacks, the Canes were able to pull off a 67-63 win over the Panthers, led by Sheldon McClellan and Davon Reed, who tied his career-high of 19 points. Miami improved to 19-11 overall and 9-8 in the ACC. On Feb. 25, team captain Angel Rodriguez sustained a wrist injury while taking a charge against Florida State, but he still remained in the game. In the Hurricanes’ subsequent game against North Carolina, however, he played for only three minutes. The Hurricanes went on to lose against North Carolina Saturday – a hit to the Canes’ run at the NCAA tournament. To make matters worse, leading scorer McClellan also sustained a groin injury. He still started Wednesday night’s game against Pittsburgh (19-12, 8-9 ACC). 12
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McClellan and Rodriguez are the team’s two leading scorers. The team has struggled when both players were off the court. Despite poor performance in the first half, McClellan gained momentum in the second, surpassing Reed’s 19 points with 20 of his own. McClellan attempted 16 two-pointers and made six. McClellan has been one of the best shooting guards in the nation this season, shooting 51 percent from the field. In the first three minutes, the Canes jumped to a 7-0 lead, initiated by a three-pointer by Reed. Then, Panthers junior point guard James Robinson sunk a three-point jumper to put them on the board. The Panthers continued a 9-0 run and Miami ultimately trailed for most of the first half. Miami kept the game close, with the Panthers leading 33-29 at halftime. ACC leading rebounder Tonye Jekiri had 11 rebounds in the game. Reed dominated in the first half, leading the Canes with 12 points, which is significantly better than his average 7.3 points per game. He shot 7 of 8 from the field and 3 of 3 outside the arc. This victory was the Hurricanes’ first win at Pittsburgh since 2000 and their first road win since Feb. 15. The Canes will play their final season game on the road against Virginia Tech at 2 p.m. Saturday.
March 5 - March 18, 2015
Falling 11 spots in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings usually makes for a discouraged and unmotivated team. However, the University of Miami women’s tennis team has not faltered since – in fact, it retaliated with a 7-0 sweep of Wake Forest, losing only one set in the entire match. The team also defeated No. 14 Clemson, 7-0, just two days later. The doubles performance of senior Lina Lileikite and junior Stephanie Wagner nearly toppled the topranked doubles team in the country against Clemson. Lileikite and Wagner led 7-4 and were two points away from defeating Beatrice Gumulya and Jessy Rompies when the match ended. On top of that, star senior Clementina Riobueno was named ACC Player of the Week. Maybe the ITA should question the Hurricanes’ talent more often. On Tuesday, the ITA ranked the Hurricanes as No. 14. “We’re excited for March. March is a tough month for us, and to start [ACC play] the way we did was great,” head coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews told hurricanesports.com. “They came out and they just played with incredible energy and did a great job … I thought they played well; I thought they played clean.” The Hurricanes have yet to lose a single match in head-to-head ACC play, but they must continue to play with the right amount of confidence and motivation. As one of the most competitive conferences in the ITA, the ACC is bound to throw tough matches at Miami with University of North Carolina (UNC), Duke and Florida State University (FSU). Four of the top 15 teams and six in the top 25 in the ITA are in the ACC. UNC handed Miami one of its hardest losses of the season last month at the ITA National Indoor Championships, and rival FSU always puts up a tough match. Both of Miami’s losses in 2015 are to teams that have been ranked No. 1 in the country. Six of Miami’s eight dual matches have come against nationally ranked teams. The Canes defeated four of them; three of them were shutouts. This Friday, the Hurricanes will head north to Syracuse, N.Y. to take on the Orange at 3 p.m.
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Star sophomore shows promise
SPORTS BRIEFS BASEBALL The No. 11 Miami Hurricanes traveled to Roger Dean Stadium for their annual exhibition with the Marlins Tuesday. With a final score of 7-1, the Canes lost to the Major League Baseball (MLB) team, who played without star player Giancarlo Stanton. The Marlins lineup featured Ichiro Suzuki, Christian Yelich, Adeiny Hechavarria and other regular starters. Canes starter Ryan Otero pitched two scoreless innings to open the game. Otero got help from his defense, including back-to-back diving plays from shortstop Brandon Lopez that kept the score at 0-0 in the second inning. The Canes hit a snag in the third, when Marlins third baseman Martín Prado singled to put runners on first and third base against relief pitcher Daniel Briggi. Justin Bour brought in a run with an RBI single and the Marlins jumped ahead 7-0. Miami went scoreless until the seventh, when Zack Collins connected on a double to open the inning and scored on an RBI groundout from Peter Crocitto, but it was not enough.
WILLIAM RIGGIN // CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING AIM: Sophomore Daniela Darquea putts at the Hurricane Invitational at the Biltmore Tuesday. She tied with senior Rika Park for 13th. The Hurricanes placed second behind Northwestern at the conclusion of the three-day tournament on Wednesday
Athlete remains grounded despite consistent success BY WILLIAM RIGGIN STAFF WRITER
Daniela Darquea’s home in Ecuador is right between the capital city Quito and the club her family belongs to, where she first learned golf at the age of five. But after spending some time with her, it’s clear that her sights are set on the golf course, not the bright lights of the city. Ranked as the 13th best amateur women’s golfer, according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking, sophomore Darquea is already one of the University of Miami’s most decorated golfers. As a freshman last season, Darquea became the Hurricane’s first Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Honorable Mention All-American since 1994, with her 73shot scoring average and five top-10 individual finishes in competitions. Both Darquea and her coaches say she’s very laid back and calm, but it’s clear her focus doesn’t stray far from the course. “I try to follow my routine all the time. I try to do my best all the time, not just in tournaments; so I try to go to bed early, eat properly, I try to work out regularly and try to do my homework on time so I don’t have to stress,” Darquea said. Before going back to her laid back demeanor, she added, “I’m not super focused, I like to have fun when I’m playing tournaments.” Darquea is able to do what many athletes struggle with: focus on the game without letting it overwhelm her. “She has a strong competitive side in tournaments, where she sets really high standards for herself, but if she does mess up, she doesn’t beat herself up about it for the rest of the day,” assistant coach John Koskinen explained. “She’s super efficient at letting something go and moving on to the next shot, and that’s one of the reasons she’s so good.” Before she left Eduardo for UM, Darquea first learned the game at a club near the house she grew up in. She said her parents joined the club for the leisure that comes with a pool and
tennis court. But around the age of five, she asked her mom to let her try golf lessons at the club. By seven, she was playing in national tournaments and around the age of 10, she was playing in competitions around South America. Her talent was evident as she played in U.S. tournaments by the age of 14. Soon after, UM women’s golf head coach Patti Rizzo, a 20-year veteran of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour, was tracking her progress in tournaments. Growing up, Darquea’s favorite golfers were Tiger Woods and Lorena Ochoa, who were unanimously known as the best golfers on the men and women sides during their respective peaks. Rizzo, a 1982 LPGA Rookie of the Year, says that the best players, like Ochoa and Woods, are the ones who are strong in all areas of the game. Darquea fits that profile. “Daniela doesn’t have a weakness in her game, and she’s going to make it big, not doubt,” Rizzo said. Darquea, an All-ACC Academic selection last year, said she wasn’t ever thinking of going pro when she first came to Miami. But her commitment to being the best is clear. In her free time, she enjoys having dinner with her teammates and watching movies with them. “Happy Gilmore,” the golf comedy with Adam Sandler, is her favorite. Even the city of Miami, where so many people come to escape their work, can’t take her away from the course. “I feel like when I’m here in Miami, since I’m not from here, I like to focus on golf. I practice a lot in my off time. I’d rather go out and putt for a while and then maybe watch a movie with a teammate,” Darquea said. At home in Ecuador this past summer, after her first year away from home, Darquea and her parents went on a road trip to see the mountains, forests and beaches of Ecuador. This must have been the farthest she’s been from the game she loves. With all the accolades and promise of professional success after school, Darquea still holds a measured view of herself, and that calm approach may be her best asset. “The thing that me and Coach Rizzo talk about with her sometimes is, she’ll see another player and go, ‘Oh my god, she’s so good,’” Koskinen said. “And we’ll say, ‘Hey, why don’t you look in the mirror,’ because she’s a pretty good player herself.”
TRACK AND FIELD Seven Miami Hurricanes have qualified to compete in the 2015 NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Championships. Shakima Wimbley, Lea Johnson, Tiffany Okieme, Kelsey Balkwill, Taneisha Cordell, Anthonia Moore and Jamika Glades will represent the Canes against the nation’s top track and field athletes. The championships will begin March 13-14 in Fayetteville, Ark. Wimbley will compete in the women’s 400m. She entered the NCAA Indoor Championships with the sixth-fastest qualifying time in the country. Wimbley also had a 200m time of 23.08 seconds that ranked among the top 16 in the country, but elected compete in the 400m for the competition. Johnson will head to nationals after earning first team All-ACC honors and repeating as the ACC Indoor Champion in the women’s weight throw. Okieme earned first team All-ACC in the women’s weight throw as well, earning a bronze medal in the ACC championships. Balkwill, Cordell, Glades, Moore and Wimbley will make up a 4x400m relay.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL The eighth-seeded Hurricanes (18-11, 8-8 ACC) have a bye in the first round of the ACC Tournament, then face ninth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers (17-12, 7-9 ACC) at 2 p.m. Thursday in round two at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The Canes have won five of the past six meetings against the Cavaliers and trail 8-6 in the all-time series. This season, Miami came back from an early 10-0 deficit to defeat Virginia 67-58 at the BankUnited Center in January. Sophomore guard Adrienne Motley has scored double digits 26 times in 29 games this season, become a Blue Ribbon Panel All-ACC First Team selection and was named both the espnW National Player of the Week and ACC Player of the Week Jan. 12. She is one of two players to start every game this season, along with redshirt senior forward Jassany Williams. Under coach Katie Meier, the Canes have made five consecutive postseason appearances, three in the NCAA Tournament and two in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).They also had over 20 wins in four of the past five seasons. Courtney Fiorini may be emailed at sports@themiamihurricane.com.
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V, DEAR V DEAR V Stuck in the friend zone...
Living in Miami, I am constantly surrounded by fake boobs, sculpted abs and the ever-present sight of the bottom half of girls’ butt cheeks. As a girl of a larger size (and I don’t mean Meghan Trainor, more like Adele pre-weight loss or a Jill Scott), how do I grab a guy’s attention? I am very comfortable in my skin and have a lot of male friends who think I am “real cool.” How do I make guys stop seeing me as the homegirl and let them see me as the girl they want to bring home to their mom? Sincerely, Sexless in the City
Dear Sexless in the City, You’re stuck in the role that Katy Perry hated, “One of the Boys.” Hey, you’ve got good company, right? Guys drool over Katy and her assets. It’s tough being a chameleon. You change yourself to fit in with the gang, but once it’s too late, you realize you’d rather be the girl that guys are chasing than part of “The Hangover’s” Wolfpack. Being included is nice, but what about when you want a kiss instead of a bro-fist? First, stay comfortable in your skin. Remember sexiness comes in all different-sized packages. Just because Miami seems to prefer the bleached-blonde bobblehead doesn’t mean you shouldn’t love what you have to offer – curves, brains, and a personality, to boot. You could always change your hair, start wearing more makeup, and flirt with your “bros,” but then you’d be risking being burned and make it awkward for the clique.
Instead, find a guy outside your circle. He won’t know that you laugh at fart jokes, that you can whoop anyone’s butt at Xbox, or that you actually know how football works. He won’t know that you prefer “Breaking Bad” to “Gossip Girl” or that you’d skip a day out shopping to go to the bar and watch the game over some cheesy fries and a beer. Don’t change who you actually are, just embrace that chameleon spirit of yours and adjust to the situation. Go on a few dates with this new guy while you’re experimenting with your girly side. Playing a new role can be fun – and with him, you’ll be center stage, rather than a costar. And who knows? Maybe if your boys see eye-candy around your arm a few times, they might start to get “jelly” and see you in a different light. So, just branch out of your normal circle, and see what happens when you flaunt your femininity. V
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miami.edu/calendar Thursday, March 5 A Week of Cuban Culture Division of Student Affairs Presents: Carnaval Cubano Q N t 6$ 3PDL The Carnaval is a explosion of Cuban flavor with traditional food and various vendors displaying Cuban art.
Patio Jams ft. Brothers and Sisters Q N t 4"$ -BLFTJEF 4UBHF Come see student rocker Conor McCarthy and his band from Philadelphia, Brothers & Sisters, jam out on the patio stage! This will be our last event before break so be sure not to miss it! We’ll have sno cones and free giveaways while supplies last!
WVUM Sports ‘Cane Talk Q N t 3BUITLFMMFS Catch up on Hurricane sports news with WVUM live from the Rathskeller every Thursday from 1-2 p.m.
Friday, March 6 Men’s Tennis vs. George Washington Q N t /FJM 4DIJò 5FOOJT $FOUFS
Cosford Cinema Presents: SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Have a fun and safe Spring Break... Go ‘Canes!
Cosford Cinema Presents: WILD CANARIES
Cosford Cinema Presents: SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Saturday, March 7 Cosford Cinema Presents: SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
Cosford Cinema Presents: WILD CANARIES Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Cosford Cinema Presents: SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
Cosford Cinema Presents: WILD CANARIES
Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Cosford Cinema Presents: WILD CANARIES
Cosford Cinema Presents: SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS
Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
Cosford Cinema Presents: THE STRANGER Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB
CAC Presents: THE BIG LEBOWSKI Q N t $PTGPSE $JOFNB When “The Dude� Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire, a classic and comedic adventure ensues. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Julianne Moore. Free with your CaneCard.
Sunday, March 8 Men’s Tennis vs. Georgia Tech
Herbert Wellness Center Spring Break Hours 3/7 3/8 3/9 3/10 3/11 3/12 3/13 3/14 3/15
8 a.m. 8 a.m. 6 a.m. 6 a.m. 6 a.m. 6 a.m. 6 a.m. 8 a.m. 8 a.m.
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9 p.m. 9 p.m. 10 p.m. 10 p.m. 10 p.m. 10 p.m. 10 p.m. 9 p.m. 9 p.m.
Sebastian suggests...
‘Canes Calendar
Commencement The deadline to apply for graduation is this Friday, March 6th, 2015. The Office of Commencement is searching for a graduating senior to speak at this year’s commencement! To apply, applicants must: - Have a 3.0 GPA or higher - Be a currently enrolled full-time undergraduate student - Be eligible to graduate and scheduled to complete degree requirements - Be in good standing with the University - Must apply to graduate by Friday, March 6th, 2015.
Q N t /FJM 4DIJò 5FOOJT $FOUFS
Canes After Dark: Pirates of the Caribbean
5VFTEBZ .BSDI t Q N t -$ Learn about careers in financial services and get professional insight on how to be successful in the industry. The event will feature Julio Velis; CFP, VP, and branch manager of Fidelity Investments.
'SJEBZ .BSDI t Q N t 4UVEFOU "DUJWJUJFT $FOUFS Aargh! Follow the treasure map around the SAC and find a treasure at each stop. The treasures include making your own treasure chest, creating a message in a bottle, sand art, Sports Grill wings, and more!
Have an event that you would like to see posted in the ad? Please submit your information at least two weeks in advance to STUDENT-ACTIVITIES@MIAMI.EDU. 16
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THE MIAMI HURRICANE
March 5 - March 18, 2015
Next week...
An Inside Look on Investing ft. Julio Velis