The Miami Hurricane: August 27, 2019

Vol. 97, Issue 2 | August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

Class of 2023 looks back on their first week at the U NEWS // Page 2 EDGE // Page 10E

Fires blaze on in the Amazon; what are we doing about it?

OPINION // Page 8

INTRODUCING:

THE NEW MIAMI

“IT Chapter Two” director gives sneak peek into finale EDGE // Page 11

SPORTS // Page 13 HURRICANE HUDDLE: Hurricanes offense huddles up for the first game of 2019 versus the University of Florida Gators during the ‘Camping World Kickoff’ in Orlando, Florida this past Saturday.

Haylee Blitch // Contributing Photographer

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August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

STUDENT LIFE

Freshmen reflect on their first week of class at the U

By Amir Mahmoud Staff News Writer

Freshmen have finished their first week of classes and many agreed that so far, they have nothing but praise for the University of Miami and its people.

Students are adjusting to college, being away from parents for the first time and out of high school. Dylan Fields, a freshman business management major, touted the freedom that comes with the college lifestyle.

“I would say my first week of college was kind of a surprise because you have all this free time and you need to figure out what you are going to do with it,” said Fields.

As a student athlete on the cross country team, Fields said “It’s easy to prioritize running and whatnot when you have all of this free time.” He added that juggling his activities and school work isn’t too difficult once he’s “in the groove.”

For others, like freshman Hannah Meyer, an architecture major from Washington D.C., the first week involved a lot of adjustment. Getting the syllabi was a bit “daunting,” Meyer said, but she concluded that her first week was “definitely more inclusive than high school.”

Starting the first week of college for freshman Sakina Qazi “was a combination of nervousness and excitement.”

Qazi is currently on a pre-med track, and said her first week was certainly “busy,” but it wasn’t bad by any standard. The STEM classes she’s currently taking for her major are “a lot of work,” but will certainly serve her well in her future endeavors.

When comparing her high school experience in Long Island, New York, to her first week at UM, Qazi said “College feels more laid back. In high school I took so many AP classes and never slept. Here it feels more laid back but not necessarily easier.”

After just one week, many students said they are already appreciative of the diversity and multicultural experiences found at UM. Matthew Rossi says he already “loves it here.”

“I came to Miami from Ohio to sort of get out of my cultural comfort zone,” said Rossi, who is a computer science and mathematics major.

In his first week at UM, Rossi has met people from all over the world.

“I was thinking about it today,” he said. “My roommate was born in Nepal. One of my friends was born in the

Cameron Tavakoly// Photo & Visuals Editor SEBASTIAN SHUFFLE: Freshmen students dance with Sebastian the Ibis at the annual Toppel Fest during ‘Cane Kickoff orientation programming.

year students was inclusion and acceptance among their peers and role models on campus.

After a strong start on campus, these students said they are excited to get involved in their respective student organizations.

“I joined racquetball club

Netherlands and another one was born in South Africa. And that was just at breakfast.”

In general, many young Hurricanes agree that Miami has lived up to the hype.

The one consistent theme among all four of these first-

THE FRESHMAN CLASS DATA FROM THE OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS, AS OF JUNE 17, 2019

29% OF

FRESHMEN ARE FLORIDA RESIDENTS

55%

52% 48% FEMALE MALE

5% WHITE

11%

SPEAK TWO OR MORE LANGUAGES

HISPANIC ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER

47%

GENDER RATIO

4%

RACE/ETHNICITY

11%

INTERNATIONAL

STUDENTS

14%

BLACK OTHER TWO OR MORE RACES

19%

and am so happy I did,” said Rossi.

The other three are still waiting for their first club meetings, but with a good first week under their belt, they said they feel more than ready to thrive in Miami.

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TRANSPORTATION

Spin Scooters to offer alternative transportation for Coral Gables campus

By Esther Animalu Assistant News Editor

Picture this: a student seamlessly moving through the streets equipped with a helmet and backpack, passing by pedestrians and accelerating under the palm trees. He arrives to class on time having successfully bypassed most on-campus foot traffic and avoided the challenge of maneuvering a bulky bike.

According to Spin, a shared electric scooter company, this vision will soon be a reality.

The company, which began as a San Francisco startup in 2016, is now partnering with the University of Miami’s parking and transportation services to bring ride and park scooters to campus.

“We want to get the word out about Spin because I feel that these scooters will serve as a transformable way of mobility on campus for students and reduce traffic,” said Samantha Jimenez, the parking and transportation co-liaison for student government. “Overall, this is a viable tool that can make getting around easier and practical.”

The scooters will not be permitted on sidewalks, so there should not be issues with pedestrians, Jimenez said.

Syed also addressed concerns from the community about potential safety hazards that these high-speed scooters could bring on campus.

“Safety is also one of our most important concerns,” Syed said.

“With this new tool for mobility, we want to encourage students to be cautious when operating it and be respectful of pedestrians and sidewalks. By exercising these habits I feel that these scooters can be a very safe and useful transportation option.”

Spin scooters provide individuals with personal mobility in the Coral Gables area and an environmentally-friendly alternative to other transportation options.

“I think that there are a number of ways that the Spin scooters can benefit students and the broader community,” said Nabil Syed, the southeast regional general manager of Spin. “This can be another option for more mobility and eliminates parking concerns.”

Syed also cited the scooters’ affordability, speed and independence from unreliable public transportation systems as benefits to Spin.

Users can pick up a scooter through the Spin app, which is available for free on the IOS and Android stores. The app tracks

where scooters are located to make finding transportation easy and effective. Users can unlock scooters using the app and ride them anywhere in Coral Gables.

“The addition of the Spin scooters to UM will definitely be convenient because there will be more of a variety of transportation for the student body,” said sophomore Sasa Middleton. “One of my classes is more than 20 minutes away from my other classes, so instead of walking or waiting for the shuttle, it would be so much easier and stress free to have access to a scooter.”

However, the process for returning the scooters is more specific. On campus, Spin scooters must be parked adjacent to a bike rack. Off campus, users can park the scooters on any public property in Coral Gables.

“The Spin staff also check the scooters daily to make sure they are in the right position and working correctly, so by taking these extra measures it reduces safety risks,” Jimenez said.

Spin scooters will not be directly deployed on campus, but they will be readily available nearby at Red Road Commons, Miracle Mile, Merrick Park and other areas around UM. If a student wishes to bring a scooter

Rebecca Goddard // Editor-in-Chief SPIN TO WIN: Spin Scooters will soon be usable on UM’s Coral Gables campus. Currently, they are available at numerous off-campus locations, including popular apartment complexes such as Red Road Commons.

to campus, they must pick it up off campus and ride it to the university.

“I think that by bringing in the Spin scooters, it would give us more of a variety for transportation,” said Leslie Dominique, a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism.

“Sometimes students have to race to class at the last minute and

that’s when these scooters would come in handy.”

“We are very grateful for the university to allow Spin to be used on campus,” Syed said. “We want to ensure that the community will have a convenient way of transporting in order to save time, space and clutter.”

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First football game: Students cheer on team at packed Rat watch party

By Arryana Jordan Contributing News Writer

For the first time since 2013, the Hurricanes football team faced the Florida Gators, one of its greatest

in-state rivalries. Many students who were unable trek all the way to Orlando for the long-awaited season opener gathered at the Rathskeller watch party to cheer their team on.

An hour before kickoff, the

restaurant reached capacity, with a line of students wrapped around the Shalala Student Center, waiting to enter the Rat to watch the Canes take on the Gators. After the Rat reached capacity about half of the

Cameron Tavakoly// Photo & Visuals Editor CROWD CHEER: Student fans celebrate a success by the Hurricanes football team. The students gathered to watch the Canes season opener at the Rathskeller.

students had to go find a new place to watch the game.

“We need a second Rat,” joked Joe Ricca, a junior studying marine biology. Many students that decided they couldn’t wait any longer admitted that they came a bit late for such a hyped-up event. Those who stayed in line were able to make it in as people filtered out.

At the watch party, students enjoyed food, drinks and a great time overall. Even several students who aren’t dedicated football followers said they were excited about the game and the upcoming season.

Michelle Marino, a senior majoring in public relations and electronic media, emphasized her love for the U. “Anything Canes related, I’m just excited,” Marino said. “I have FOMO that I didn’t go to Orlando. I wish I could have.”

Others shared the same wish, but between the ticket cost and fourhour drive, the trip wasn’t feasible for everyone. Freshmen, still settling into life at Miami and many students

lacking a car, were especially limited in their ability to attend the game.

For those unable to make it, the Rat provided students with an experience four hours away from the field. The first 100 students received meal vouchers and tickets for free airbrushed t-shirts at the door.

Later, during half-time, students participated in a trivia game about general UM football knowledge.

Ultimately, the game did not end in Miami’s favor, but everyone at the Rat was fully invested in the action nonetheless. Every play earned responses from the crowd—students couldn’t turn away.

Despite the loss, students cheered and showed their support until the end. While many did leave the Rat worn out and disappointed, the watch party still kicked off a new season of football and got students ready to cheer for the next game with the same enthusiasm as the first.

“People were very emotional,” Baker said. “But I’m hopeful for the rest of the season.”

Summer study abroad programs open doors to cultural experiences, different curriculum styles

By Juan Carlos Ramirez Staff News Writer

Many University of Miami students boarded a plane and embarked on the journey of a lifetime, spending their summer studying abroad.

This summer, UM’s Study Abroad department launched two new faculty-led programs–– one in London and another in Lugano, Switzerland.

Both provided students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that broadened their experiences as citizens of the world.

For some students, such as junior Noah DeBickero, studying abroad this summer was their first time traveling outside of the country.

DeBickero went to Switzerland with Abess Center faculty members Meryl Shriver-Rice and Hunter Vaughan. While abroad, he learned skills in environmental communication through the science, media and storytelling program while enjoying life in the city of

Lugano.

Graduate student Daniel Braz participated in the London facultyled research program with the UM School of Communication.

On his trip, he was able to visit various mass media firms located in London and see for himself the work put forth to produce news content.

“Professor Carr and professor Treaster organized visits to some of the most prestigious television studios, newspapers and PR agencies in the world,” Braz said. “I can name some: the BBC, the Daily Express, Edelman, Saatchi and Saatchi.”

As far as what he learned and gained from the experience, Braz said he learned how to present himself in a new and more professional way.

“I learned how to comport myself in a professional and a very high level,” Braz said. “I also learned how to operate on a strict deadline and through all distractions from daily life.”

Senior political science major and communications minor Marelyn Martinez also went to London and had her own unique experience while studying abroad.

Martinez decided to participate specifically in the London program in the hopes of tying together her studies in political science and communications.

During her time abroad, Martinez said she was able to witness in-person how Brexit has affected England and its people.

“We got to talk to journalists about it,” Martinez said. “Some of them actually interviewed Boris Johnson that morning.”

For her project, Martinez did a capstone on combating fake news, which allowed her to reach out to large news firms and get their input on the situation.

DeBickero said that the biggest takeaway from the trip was that it made him more open to exploring his surroundings. Studying abroad gave him a valuable perspective on how life is lived in other parts of the

Photo courtesy Hunter Vaughan SWISS STUDIES: Students and professor Meryl Shriver-Rice in the science, media and storytelling program in Lugano, Switzerland explore a nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site (left to right: Natalia Horvath, Olivia Lawton, Adam Roberti, Gwendolyn Snyder, Meryl Shriver-Rice, Gabriela Beverly)

world, he said.

“It’s important to get exposed to different cultures,” he added.

“Interacting with new cultures has helped me be more curious about the world and left me wanting to learn more about the people around

me.”

DeBickero’s advice for students who are considering studying abroad is simple: “Do it.”

“It’s so much more than just a class, especially if you haven’t taken the time to travel that far,” he said.

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August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

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UM students spend summer break traveling, working, learning

By TMH Staff

Standing in front of the Jordan River this summer, University of Miami sophomore Landon Coles was reminded of where John the Baptist, the Old Testament prophet, baptized Christ. A few moments later, Coles was submerged into that historic river, formalizing his spiritual journey.

Coles, a legal studies major, traveled to Israel for two weeks with 59 other student leaders from across the country. The trip was sponsored by the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israeli policies. Although Coles grew up attending a Baptist church in his hometown, Tallahassee, Florida, he had never been baptized.

So the highlight of his first summer vacation as a UM student, he said, was his baptism in Israel.

“To give my life over to God in front of friends who I now consider to be family, and to have one of the vulnerable moments of my life be where Jesus was baptized was lifechanging,” Coles said.

Coles is not alone in experiencing life-changing events in Israel this summer.

Matthew Katz, a senior business technology major, spent 10 days in Israel with Hillel’s

Birthright Israel, a program that sponsors young Jewish adults to visit Israel, exposing them to the country’s history and culture.

“It was awesome,” Katz said. “I made a lot of friends. I had been to Israel a few times before but nothing like the Birthright experience.”

Like Coles and Katz, scores of UM students, faculty, administrators and staff say they too made the most of their summer break, from traveling to far-away places to spending time with family at home, to gaining career experience through internships, to catching up or getting ahead with their academic goals.

Over the three-month summer break, students delved into internships, from positions at the United Nations in New York, which senior anthropology and ecosystem science major Georgia Young had, to working locally with the Miami Dade County League of Women Voters, a job UM political science major Maia Hunter grabbed.

Junior political science major Randy Fitzgerald was accepted into the White House Intern Program.

“I’m still in shock that I was there,” said Fitzgerald, who interned at the White House in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. His role included communicating with people who have sent gifts to the president to

answering phone calls.

Interns sat in on lectures and heard from a number of guest speakers, including Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president; Alex Azar, secretary of Health and Human Services; Ben Carson, secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and even the president himself.

The White House Intern Program has a long legacy of being bipartisan for college students or recent graduates and people in the military, Fitzgerald said.

“We had Democrats and Republicans in the program,” he said. It’s a program for people who really have an affinity for politics, for government.”

One of his favorite part of his internship was being able to attend Bible study in the vice president’s office every Wednesday with coworkers and interns.

“The vice president did make an impromptu appearance on occasion,” Fitzgerald said of Mike Pence. “It was really cool to get to go and be a part of that.”

Locally, Angelica Toruno-Rios, a second-year graduate student in the School of Communication, interviewed a bevy of celebrities during her 10-week internship with NBC6.

“I had fun getting to know Barbie Ferreira and Hunter Schafer,

BACK TO THEIR ROOTS: Senior Matthew Katz smiles in front of a mountain peak in Masada, Israel during his 10-day birthright trip.

Photo courtesy Matthew Katz

stars of the new HBO show “Euphoria,” said Toruno-Rios, who interviewed them formally for the station.

Several students, including Danielle Glassman, a senior creative advertising and psychology major, headed to New York for internships.

Glassman said she lived in the dorms at Marymount Manhattan College, a liberal arts college on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, during her summer internship at Vector Media, an advertising company in New York, where she helped with graphic designs for the marketing team.

Glassman said she came away with some marketable skills: “I am proficient in Photoshop now,” said Glassman. But the experience showed her that graphic design at an advertising agency may not be the best career choice for her.

“I don’t see myself sitting at a desk for the rest of my life for design because it gets really repetitive.”

Cool takeaway: “I lived in Midtown East, which was nice because I was a subway ride away from a lot of cool places in Manhattan. “ Summer school was in the picture for several UM students.

Oliveah “Veah” Hope, a sophomore public relations and media management major, took two classes at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Perhaps she thought attending a school north of southern Florida would provide a respite from the heat. Wrong.

“It was hot, hotter than Miami,” she said.

Hope noted the difference in attending a public university, adding that many classes at UNC are taught by grad students.

“Since UNC is public, you have to pay for a lot of stuff that you don’t normally have to pay for at the University of Miami, like laundry and the gym,” Hope said.

Meanwhile, Jenna Ferolie, a junior majoring in legal studies, spent the “Summer 1” session in a finance class at UM. “It was a challenging class,” Ferolie said, “but I am so glad that I took it over the summer.”

UM staff members say they like to take advantage of the less-hectic atmosphere in summer.

Jennifer Ruggiero, a staff associate in UM’s Multicultural Student Affairs Office, took summer classes at UM to pursue an undergraduate degree in general studies, a continuing education program designed to help staff members and others finish their bachelor’s degree.

Her summer consisted of classes and work, “with a little fun in between,” she said, but now she is two classes closer to graduating in December.

Faculty used the summer months to travel, do research and like many students, unwind.

Jaime Correa, an associate professor in practice in the School of Architecture, spent most of his summer working on various School of Architecture projects.

“The academic summer is one of my favorite moments of the year,” Correa said. “It gives me an opportunity to relax, to catch up with unfinished projects and halfcooked ideas, and to prepare with greater enthusiasm for years to come.”

Correa is especially proud of his work on Capstone Charrette, an accelerated planning and design workshop to complete Brickell Center in downtown Miami. He also led a trip to New York City with the urban design senior class.

Correa also found time to visit his daughter’s family in Mexico for a short trip.

Ferolie, the student who attended summer school at UM, also spent time with family, which included a vacation to Turks and Caicos Islands.

“It finally felt like I was on summer vacation,” said Ferolie, who is winding down from summer mode.

“I am happy to be back and super motivated for this year,” she said. “It was a very fun summer, but I am ready to get back to work.”

Alexa Binday, Sydney Boyo, Ozzy Dominguez III, Jayda Graham, Jamie Harn, Jacqueline Lopez, Isabel Tragos, Mackenzie Trexler, Greta West contributed to this report.

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Opinion

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August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

EDITORIAL

We need to talk about the Amazon fires If you have been watching the news or scrolling on the timeline of your favorite social media account, then you might know that there is something devastating happening: The Amazon rainforest is burning.

Brazil itself has been burning for a while too; the fires aren’t new. According to scientists at Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research, there have been more than 74,000 fires across Brazil— nearly double 2018’s total of around 40,000.

These fires are alarming for several reasons. Naturallystarted forest fires are rarely the reason for large wildfires; the primary reason these recent fires started is political.

Environmentalists say these blazes were human-made, probably started by loggers and ranchers empowered and emboldened by President Jair Bolsanaro’s pro-deforestation policies. Bolsanaro, who once said that environmental issues mattered only to “vegans, who eat only vegetables,” has rolled back numerous environmental policies and has allowed loggers to roam free without punishment.

The effects these fires will have on humans will be weighty. Several indigenous tribes, many of which live in

voluntary isolation, are being displaced, and their homes are being wiped out right in front of them. And the fires spell trouble for people outside of Brazil too. The Amazon has served as a haven of protected and revered biodiversity. The

deforestation, harmful waste management and emission of chemicals that erode our ozone layer, our environment is suffering. Temperatures are always scorching, ice caps are melting and the Amazon rainforest has experienced

“The wildfires are foreboding in nature: we are in a time of rapid change that is threatening our existence.” rainforest is home to thousands of species of insects, plants and mammals and has the highest biodiversity of plants in the world. It’s regularly called “the Earth’s lungs” as it produces 20 percent of the atmosphere’s oxygen. This place is extremely vital.

The wildfires are foreboding in nature: We are in a time of rapid change that is threatening our existence.

Coupled with actions of

three major droughts, considered “once-in-acentury events.”

It’s hard to talk about solutions for another country when we Americans aren’t so great at solutions ourselves.

The years from 2014 to 2018 were the hottest years ever recorded in the last 139 years that they have been recording temperatures, and our government dilly-dallies on environmental issues so

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much that by the time they get it together, we’ll all be melted and gone. In fact, President Trump was absent from Monday’s G-7 climate meeting in France where leaders from around the world gathered to discuss how to stop the Amazon fires and reduce carbon emissions.

Still, we must take action. Those with the means and power should devote their resources to the cause.

Global meetings like the G-7 summit must continue.

Celebrities should donate money to reputable causes— Earth Alliance and Leonardo DiCaprio have pledged $5 million to relief efforts.

And the rest of us have a responsibility too. We must do all we can in the fight for environmental repair.

The Amazon fires aren’t just a wake-up for us— it’s a microcosm that represents everything wrong with our world’s climate policies. If we don’t make a major change now, long-lasting destruction will become only a matter of time.

Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board.

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August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

OPINION

97

COMMENTARY

Black families in America are scared. Why aren’t we helping?

F i v e years ago, Eric Garner uttered his last words, “I can’t breathe,” on a Staten I s l a n d sidewalk as

By Daniela Perez a New York Staff Columnist City Police Department officer, Daniel Pantaleo, placed him in a chokehold.

Garner was a father of six and a grandfather of three. But, beyond that, Garner was a black man who fell victim to a painful reality facing communities of color every day— police brutality.

Garner’s death was ultimately ruled a homicide.

However, Daniel Pantaleo faced no indictment or punishment up until his firing on Aug. 19, 2019— five years after the

incident. With the firing being the only morsel of justice for Eric Garner’s family, tensions amongst African-American families continue to rise.

By 2019, the Washington Post reported that for four years in a row, “police nationwide fatally shot nearly 1,000 people each year.” Yet, despite years of controversial police shootings, protests and increased public awareness, convictions are extremely rare.

The Los Angeles Times reported that getting killed by police is “a leading cause of death for young black men in America.” According to the findings published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one in 1,000 black men and boys in the United States die at the hands of law enforcement officers— that makes them 2.5 times more likely to die during a police encounter than white men and boys.

Black men and boys in the United States are facing symptoms of trauma as the search for justice continues.

According to an article published by the New Republic, the virality of content displaying police brutality is shaking people of color to their cores. “Because the images of police violence are so pervasive, they inflict a unique harm on viewers, particularly African Americans, who see themselves and those they love in these fatal encounters,” wrote Kia Gregory, the article’s author.

This is particularly worrisome for our black students at the University of Miami; are we addressing these issues and listening?

As the University of Miami’s enrollment continues shifting towards more diverse statistics, students who consider themselves “Black or African American” still make up only 7.9 percent of the enrollment

population, according to the National Center of Education’s IPEDS 2017-2018 data report.

Therefore, 7.9 percent of students might be facing a lack of empathy or understanding of the racial concerns that often consume them.

At the University of Miami, Landon Coles, a sophomore studying legal studies, confessed how close these police interactions hit close to home here on campus. As an active participant and leader in many clubs and organizations, Coles has often provided his presence as a safe haven for fellow black students facing challenges because of their race.

“We have had students confess to us that they are apprehensive or distrustful of UMPD,” Coles said. “They’ve shared stories of being profiled and being treated harshly by certain officers of UMPD. It’s a reality for so many students of

color.”

Coles reminds us of how close this anxiety hits home.

And it’s time we discuss that police brutality is demoralizing the foundation of the United States.

Communities of color have been grieving for decades if not centuries. They remain vulnerable targets, and we still aren’t protecting them as much as we need to. When we fight for Garner, we fight for Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Philando Castile and all black communities in the United States who do not feel safe within our borders. Because yes, black lives matter.

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

The inevitability of mass shootings in America On Dec. 14, 2012, Adam Lanza b r o u g h t a secret weapon to Sandy Hook Elementary School. Not only did he

By Daniel Schwartz carry with Contributing Writer him weapons of war, but in his arsenal was a dosage of a numbing agent so powerful, it would freeze the entire country for the foreseeable future. It made us unable to take any real action on gun violence, ensuring that attacks like his would be replicable in the future. The aftermath of this shooting was all the proof one needs: Not a single bill has become law to address the situation

As I sat myself down to write this piece, I felt a certain numbness. I’m numb to the idea that gun violence is epidemically present in American society.

I’m numb to the fact that no gun legislation will become law (at the very least) before 2021. I’m numb to the thought of the unspeakable anguish that thousands of people will experience knowing their loved ones will never come back.

Despite the utter vegetative state that we as a society have reached on the issue, we must continue to push toward an end to a preventable problem such as this.

After the massacre of 2012, we fell on our backs and refused to get up. We became numb and masked each tragedy with a new excuse to cover the cause of gun violence: guns. What was the

race of the shooter? What was his mental state? What kinds of video games did he play?

The pseudo-concerns that we diagnose range from sensible to racist to outright crazy. We are diagnosed with a disease, and we refuse to find a cure.

That numbing agent? Almost seven years later, and we’re still too numb to feel anything.

The majority of the United States Congress is confined to the labor camps of the NRA’s despot. To me, this is a case of king and servant– the inexplicable inaction combined with the endless lottery of cash that the NRA contributes to its choice candidates keeps the leash on tight, so tight that a mere mention of “gun control” in the public sphere is political suicide.

As a non-American, I feel

sorry for my American friends, having to be represented by spineless, cowardly and submissive representatives who bend and twist to the will of the gun lobby.

Ironically, I was prompted to write this piece based on the “shock” felt as a result of the spate of shootings over the last month. But I reconsidered: Was I really taken aback by yet another incidence of gun violence in America?

If you are anything like me, then you still feel an enduring numbness that seems to never disappear. I confess that I didn’t do any prior research about patterns or previous massacres that have occurred, but I can name 10 in recent memory which were no more “shocking” than the ones we saw recently.

Las Vegas, Orlando, San

Bernardino, Aurora, Charleston, Santa Fe, Washington Navy Yard, Chattanooga, Parkland, Sutherland Springs.

And I didn’t mention Newtown. Or Virginia Tech. Or Columbine. Or Dayton, El Paso or Gilroy.

When I debate gun policy with my colleagues, I conclude with a wager that often leaves the room silent: I will gladly bet any amount of money on the prediction that there will be another massacre in the near future, and it will be in the United States. The cycle will continue. I don’t usually gamble, but this is the safest bet I’ll ever make.

Any takers?

Daniel Schwartz is a masters student studying philosophy.

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OPINION

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

Why you should make the most of your senior year The start of senior year in college is definitely a mix of emotions.

While you’re excited for the year to come, as it is

By Nicole Macias your last as Contributing Writer an undergrad or maybe as a student in general, you can’t help but feel a bit daunted by the fact it’ll all be over in a few short months. You’ll inevitability close the chapter on 8 a.m. classes, cheering on your team from the student section and hanging out at the Rat after a hectic week. There’s also an added pressure that

wasn’t present when you were a senior in high school, because this time when you graduate, the “real world” truly begins.

For many people, their next step is a no brainer: grad school.

But the rest of us, myself included, who are content with our bachelor’s degree for the time being, will embark on a new journey. Some of us have worked during college, so we’ve gotten a glimpse into the socalled “real world,” but it’s not until we leave school behind that we become fully immersed in what that term means and gain the experience of working full time.

Some of us also don’t know if we want to leap into the workforce right away. There are also soon-to-be graduates

who don’t have a foolproof plan post senior year, and that’s okay too. Whether you’re thinking about finally ticking something off your bucket list to travel or taking a year at home to figure things out, it’s normal to be unsure about where you see yourself in the future.

Everyone doubts themselves and their abilities from time to time, but maintaining positive surroundings and relationships for ourselves can make all the difference when making tough decisions.

It’s also okay to consider an unconventional career. For me, as an English major and aspiring writer, I’m constantly grappling between a conventional career path or pursuing my dream of becoming a published author.

This dream is often met with raised eyebrows and rolled eyes, but I’m up for the challenge.

After all, magic happens when people underestimate you. You persevere and work harder to not only prove their misconceptions wrong, but also prove to yourself that your dreams, no matter how “different” they may seem, are indeed valid.

It’s bittersweet to be leaving behind an institution as lifechanging institution as UM. To me, being a senior means always being able to rely on the Canes community and having a home at UM. This school is such a special place and I’m so grateful for my time here. I look forward to representing my school with pride long after I graduate.

With the 2019-2020 school

year officially underway, it’s important that we take a moment amid all the hustle and bustle of senior year to pause and breathe. Reflection is crucial so we can look back a few months from now and be satisfied with the life we created at UM. In the meantime, there’s so much to look forward to and enjoy right now. When we’re feeling doubtful, we should keep in mind that no matter what we choose to do after graduation, as long we choose the path that we feel will bring us the most happiness and internal peace, we’ll be alright.

Nicole Macias is majoring in English.

a

senior

Feeling ‘Blonde:’ Why Frank Ocean remains relevant In 2016, Frank Ocean f i n a l l y released his second album after four long years.

Fans waited impatiently for this album

By Camila Munera to drop after Contributing Writer the criticallyacclaimed success Ocean received on his first album, Channel Orange.

Three years later, Blonde lives up to its expectations as being a deep and lasting album. Blonde speaks to me in ways unlike any album. To this day, I still listen

to the songs on the album and blast it in my car. Every time I listen to a track off Blonde, it feels like the first time.

Frank Ocean has a way with music that I’ve never seen in any musician before. The way he expresses himself in his music through poetry is so beautifully done. He not only relates to so many individuals, but his songs, at least for me, give me the sense that I’m not really alone, no matter how lonely I may feel at times.

Frank Ocean also reminds me and others how far we have come as humans in society. Ocean is one of the most popular artists today and to see a Black bisexual

man respected and praised in such a manner is beautiful.

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way because this is one of the reasons why fans waited for so long for Frank Ocean to release his second album. All of his songs may not make you feel happy, but they will instantly bring you a sense of peace.

One of the most successful tracks off the album out of all 17 is “Pink & White.” Not many people know that the soothing, harrowing vocals in the background are from Beyonce.

This song always creates a peaceful atmosphere for me, one that makes me feel like I’m

almost floating on a cloud.

“Pink & White” also sends the message of just letting things be. That’s the way everyday goes/Every time we have no control/If the sky is pink and white/If the ground is black and yellow. These lyrics mean a lot to me because, from a young age, it reminded me how we can’t always control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it.

Also, one of the other tracks off the album entitled “Nights” actually helped me go through various tough times in my life. This song especially has a beautiful melody that just makes you feel blessed to

be alive and able to hear this work of art. Ocean continuously echoes “everybody needs you,” reminding me that I am in fact important.

Ocean has helped people of all ages and backgrounds overcome their fears of being different and helped people tackle mental health issues with strength. Blonde especially helped me when it came to depression. The album has so much soul and passion in it, it doesn’t just feel like Ocean is talking to you— you just know he is.

Camila Munera is a junior majoring in advertising.

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

‘IT’ director Andrés Muschietti talks ‘IT Chapter Two,’ end of an era

By Jordan Lewis Edge Editor

Halloween came a little early this year, with horror films completely taking over the summer lineup.

From “Annabelle Comes Home” to “Midsommar” to “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” theaters across the country have been filled with shrieks of terror (and the nervous laughter that often follows) for the past two months.

Luckily for us self-proclaimed horror movie enthusiasts, the fun is not over. In less than two weeks, “IT Chapter Two” hits theaters, providing a highlyanticipated conclusion to the highest grossing horror film of all time.

And according to director Andrés Muschietti, fans are in for a treat.

“I tried to do justice to the spirit of the book, of the story,” Muschietti said of the adaptation, set to release Sept. 6.

“Probably the most unique thing that you get from it is that it’s a horror film, but it’s also filled with emotions and fun. We’re not used to seeing those kind of movies, and I think that people appreciate that kind of roller coaster, you know?”

That “roller coaster” seemed to really resonate with Muschietti, who frequently

referred back to depth and versatility of the story as one of its biggest selling points.

“It’s not just about the supernatural monster; it also talks about adult fears based on childhood trauma,” he said.

“It’s a pretty rich landscape of the human journey. It offers a little more than just one source of dread. It goes a little deeper— more real.”

For those unfamiliar, “IT,” the 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name, follows seven kids through a horrifying summer of battling Pennywise, a murderous clown who lives in the sewer.

Twenty-seven years later— in “IT Chapter Two”— Pennywise returns, and the now grown up children must come together to end the madness once and for all.

Why did this 30-year-old tale do so well in the box office?

Muschietti had a very simple answer.

“Because it’s great,” he said through laughter. I could hear the excitement in his voice as he spoke about the project he had dedicated so much time to.

“But really, I think there’s a few factors that come into play there,” he said. “One is that it’s a story that has been sort of dormant for a while. Of course, the book was a big success, but

the miniseries from the ‘90s left a big dent on a generation of people.”

Muschietti made sure to pay homage to IT’s dedicated fan base before moving on, adding that their support really helped the first film thrive.

A main concern among fans regarding “IT Chapter Two” is the adult cast and whether they will be able to achieve the same chemistry as the children did in the first film. But according to Muschietti, that was not a problem at all. “[My favorite part of filming] was the Chinese restaurant scene.

It’s not an action scene or a horror scene; [the characters] are just catching up,” he explained.

“It was the first week of shooting and that was— when I saw them perform— confirmation for me that it what working. I could see the bonding happening before my eyes.”

Careful not to give too much away, that was all Muschietti said.

However, he did have a message for anyone planning to watch this beloved story come to an end: “I want them to know that this is the conclusion of the story. I want them to know that they are in for a bigger adventure, not just a horror or drama. I want them to know that they’re going to have a lot of fun.”

Movie poster for “It Chapter Two,” set to release Sept. 6, 2019. Source: imdb.com

EDGE

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EDGE

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

6 secrets for a successful semester By: Essien Duke Contributing Writer

Know your campus resources Back to school season has come and gone, and now, we are already in our second week of classes. We all know what that means: cramming in last-minute homework, pushing deadlines and pulling lots of all-nighters.

But, it does not have to be that way. There is no rule saying that college has

to be extra stressful or at least more stressful due to lack of preparation and organization.

So, let’s start the school year off on the right foot.

Because let’s face it, we all need a little help. Here are six tips for staying organized and motivated this school year.

PLAN!

It can be hard to get back into the school groove after summer break. Luckily, there are plenty of resources on campus to help us ease into the school year. From the Counseling Center to the Richter Library to peer tutoring, UM has us covered.

Find out what works best for you, and use it to stay on track this school year.

Create a routine Creating a somewhat consistent routine can help with organization— and keep you sane— when things start to get busy. Whether that means waking up at the same time every day or devoting specific time to self-care, it is helpful to be consistent in at least one aspect of life. Even something as small as making your bed can help alleviate unneeded stress; school can be stressful enough as it is.

Build good habits Tweaking small habits can make a big difference in the long run. Keeping logs like “habit trackers” or “mood trackers” can help you see what your tendencies are and how you react to outside factors like stress. If you prefer not to manually track your habits, there are also plenty of apps that do the same thing. Once you figure out what works for you, make it permanent.

Set small, realistic goals With the same routine every week, it can be easy to fall into a school slump.

That’s why setting small, personal goals can help you stay motivated throughout the school year. From staying on top of homework to watching that one TV series you’ve had your eye on, setting personal goals keeps life interesting and motivates you with small victories.

To read more Edge stories, visit

themiamihurricane.com

Keep track of events We have all had that one event we meant attend but entirely forgot about. Save yourself from the hassle of remembering dates and events by organizing them into a calendar. Whether that includes UM events or doctor’s appointments, it helps to keep everything in one place. Apps like Google Calendar are great, but do not be afraid to use the old-fashioned, pen-and-paper method if that’s what you prefer. What matters is being able to visualize everything you have going on.

Have a “dump book” No, the title isn’t what it seems. A “dump book” is essentially a notebook where you keep everything— yes, everything. Doodles, rants, late-night song lyrics, illegible scribbles, you name it. It feels good knowing you have a place to keep all of your thoughts, with no one to judge you for what you wrote. Keeping a “dump book” or something similar can be great for cathartic release, especially as classes get harder, exams get closer and deadlines get tighter.

Whatever you decide, do what’s best for you, and do what you enjoy.

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

SPORTS 13

FOOTBALL

Canes fall to No. 8 Gators in Camping World Kickoff matchup

By Maxwell Trink Assistant Sports Editor

College football’s 150th year kicked off with a thriller.

Camping World Stadium was packed with over 60,000 fans. The stadium was divided in half, one side featuring a sea of orange and blue that traveled south from Gainsville. The other wore the colors of the Florida orange tree: green, orange and white.

Both sides were energetic as they anticipated a new year of college football and the renewal of a longtime rivalry between the Gators and the Hurricanes.

But despite the fresh bling and a strong fight, the Miami Hurricanes, led by new head coach Manny Diaz, failed to defeat the No. 8 Gators in a 2420 loss.

“Everybody in that locker room feels the pain of that right now,’’ Diaz said. “We did not come here to play with courage and effort. We came here to win the game, and it’s not okay at the University of Miami ever to lose to the University of Florida.”

The game stayed close throughout the entire contest.

There was a total of five lead changes between the Gators and Canes.

The Miami offensive line struggled, allowing 10 sacks on quarterback Jarren Williams.

Williams, the redshirt freshman, was spot-on in his first start despite a weak offensive line. He went five-forfive and finished 19-for-29 with 214 yards.

Gators quarterback Felipe Franks wasn’t as solid but still finished 17-for-27 with touchdown passes and two interceptions.

The Canes defense forced four turnovers and brought out the turnover chain 3.0. The new chain is a 305 emblem with a U logo on top of it.

The offense also received their own bling with new golden and sapphire touchdown rings that span four knuckles on each hand and read “Hurricanes” when held together.

Miami tight end Brevin Jordan was the first to sport the touchdown rings. Jordan caught

65.5% 50 yards 10 sacks

five passes and totaled 88 yards.

Hurricanes running back DeeJay Dallas also sparked the offense with 95 yards. Dallas also had a 50-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The game-changer of the night was a muffed punt by Canes receiver Jeff Thomas in the third quarter. This swung the motivation in favor of the Gators.

Additionally, the Gators were a perfect four-for-four on fourth down conversions. The Hurricanes also had 14 penalties, costing them 125 yards.

Miami had the potential to take the lead with less than two minutes in the fourth quarter but couldn’t execute, even with the ball in Florida territory.

The momentum was even in their favor following an interception by striker Romeo Finely, which brought the ball into Gator territory.

“I thought a crucial point in the game was when we got the big interception,” Diaz said. “And this just shows we’re not ready to be a big-

of passes completed by redshirt freshman Jarren Williams rushed by running back DeeJay Dallas for a touchdown allowed by the offensive line Haylee Blitch // Contributing Photographer

SCHOOL JEWELS: Striker Romeo Finley throws up the hand signal for “305” while sporting the new turnover chain.

time team yet. We get a 15-yard penalty for taunting. And on the next play, we got a 15-yard penalty for a chop block. We gave away 30 yards on really what might have been the winning change of possession play the game. And that just means we don’t have the maturity level to see a victory through.”

There were five fumbles between both teams, and both sides had individual struggles throughout the entire game.

Canes kicker Bubba Baxa notched two of his three fieldgoal attempts. He missed a 27-yard kick in the f o u r t h quarter.

T h e Hurricanes are now 8-3 in their last 11 match-ups

against the Gators.

The last time Miami lost to Florida was in Gainsville back in 2008. The Gators were ranked number 5 that year.

The Canes will take on the North Carolina Tar Heels at 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at Kenan Memorial Stadium and with new offensive coordinator Dan Enos.

“Coach Enos is an offensive wizard,” Dallas said. “I know he’s going to come back with a game plan for North Carolina ,and we’re going to be ready.”

14 SPORTS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

FOOTBALL COMMENTARY

Despite loss, Hurricanes show promise in season opener

By Anthony Kean Assitant Sports Editor

After squandering several opportunities, the Miami Hurricanes fell short late in the fourth quarter against the Florida Gators. While holding onto a 13-10 lead, the Hurricanes were about to regain possession late in the third quarter. Unfortunately, wide receiver Jeff Thomas muffed the punt, giving Florida the ball at the 11-yard line.

This was a major gamechanging play. Up until that point, the Hurricanes were in control of the game and playing with a lead; the defense was dominating and preventing UF from moving the ball.

“There were a couple of major blunders on special teams, and the short fields right there really ended up being telling in a very low scoring game where everything mattered,” said head coach Manny Diaz.

Another crucial missed opportunity came in the fourth quarter with the Hurricanes up 20-17. A drive stalled out in the red zone and sophomore

kicker Bubba Baxa missed a 27-yard field goal that would have given the Canes a sixpoint lead. The missed field goal prevented the Hurricanes from being in position to kick a game-winning field goal on their final possession. Special teams are crucial in football, and Diaz understands that they were the difference in a very tight game.

The Canes’ inexperienced offensive line struggled, allowing 10 sacks. The offensive line is going to need to perform much better to give freshman quarterback Jarren Williams time to make plays.

“We just made too many mistakes, gotta clean them up, and once we clean up all our play, I feel like we will be better,” Dallas said.

Although the final score may suggest otherwise, the young Hurricanes team had quite a few successes. Sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan led Canes receivers with five catches for 88 yards. Running back DeeJay Dallas exploded for 95 yards with his best run being a 50-yard touchdown. Williams passed for 214 along with one passing

touchdown to Jordan.

“You probably can’t put a guy in a more adverse situation than in this stadium— the amazing atmosphere from both sets of fans— Jarren never blinked,” Diaz said of the new quarterback. “A lot of the times, he did not have a lot of time, and I thought he displayed a lot of courage. I think you could see why we picked him to be our guy.”

The Hurricanes defense also played well, forcing four turnovers and very much keeping the Canes in the game.

Linebacker Romeo Finley and safety Amari Carter each recorded an interception.

The Canes offense dominated the time of possession, having the ball for 36 minutes and 13 seconds, almost 13 minutes longer than Florida. In the future, it will be important for the Hurricanes offense to show the ability to sustain drives and not keep their defense on the field all game.

So despite the outcome, the team’s overall performance was a step in the right direction for the Manny Diaz era.

Haylee Blitch // Contributing Photographer COURAGEOUS QUARTERBACK: Starting quarterback Jarren Williams points as he heads towards sideline.

BASEBALL

Hurricanes baseball walk-on tryouts to be held Sept. 19

By Maxwell Trink Assistant Sports Editor

The University of Miami baseball team will be holding walk-on tryouts at 5 p.m. on

Sept. 19 at the Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

All currently enrolled, full-time University of Miami students are eligible to participate in tryouts. Interested students must fill out the proper

paperwork located in the Ron Fraser Building prior to a mandatory compliance meeting on Sept. 12 in order to partake in the tryouts.

The Ron Fraser Building is located above the first base

dugout at the Alex Rodriguez Park.

The mandatory compliance meeting for tryouts will start at 3 p.m. in the baseball team meeting room on the second floor of the Alex Rodriguez Park.

For more sports coverage,

visit themiamihurricane.com

To be qualified for tryouts, paperwork must be filled out in advance, and all potential participants must be cleared by the Miami Athletics Compliance Office.

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

V’S TAKE

August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019

He’s got the yum yum sauce Dear V,

Have a question for V? Email

dearv@themiamihurricane.com.

There is this really hot waiter that works at the Benihana in the Grove. The first time I laid eyes on the epitome of tall, dark and handsome, he was singing a Japanese birthday song to my friend with the rest of the staff. How do I get him to give me some of his yum yum sauce without spending all my college budget on fried rice and onion volcanoes, hoping he will notice me?

Dear Reader, I’m committed to getting you an encore of his performance, except the Japanese birthday song will be

sung in private and between your legs.

Let’s weigh the risks. If you succeed, you will be ingesting more yum yum sauce this fall than students at the hibachi stand on Market Wednesdays. If you fail, there are always other places to get your fix.

Your bank account will not allow you to be subtle, since you can’t leave Benihana without spending at least a third of your weekly budget. The next time you make a reservation, you have to make it count.

Ask to sit in his section. When he approaches your table, tell him you remember him from when you were at the birthday dinner. Make conversation and maintain good eye

contact. Just seeming interested will go a long way, since most customers only communicate with staff when they need to bark their orders.

At the end of your dinner, it’s time to shoot your shot. After you fill out the receipt, leave him your number and a flirty message. Let him know that you also accept tips.

Big tips.

If he asks if you want a box for your leftovers, throw him a wink and tell him you would rather wrestle for it.

Best, V

' RESUME BUILDER// WORK EXPERIENCE // MAKE MONEY

The Miami Hurricane is looking for hardworking individuals to join our sales team for the 2019-20 academic year.

austin@themiamihurricane.com for more information, contact:

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THE MIAMI HURRICANE

August 27, 2019 - September 2, 2019