Niner Times: February 27, 2018 by Niner Times

FEB. 27, 2018 NINERTIMES.COM

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Hunter Heilman editor@ninertimes.com EDITORIAL

Emily Hickey MANAGING EDITOR Alex Sands NEWS EDITOR Kathleen Cook SPORTS EDITOR Jeffrey Kopp A&E EDITOR Hailey Turpin LIFESTYLE EDITOR Salina Dickie COPY EDITOR Mia Shelton OPINION EDITOR Leysha Caraballo PHOTO COORDINATOR Pooja Pasupula PHOTO COORDINATOR Joshua Worley VIDEO PRODUCER Carmen Westra COMMUNITY EDITOR Natasha Morehouse LAYOUT EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITORS

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SPORTS

Softball goes 0-2 against USC Upstate Wolfpack send Niners home Charlotte basketball drops 13th straight at Western Kentucky

A&E • • •

TV REVIEW: ʻStar Wars Rebelsʼ – ʻJedi Nightʼ & ʻDUMEʼ TV REVIEW: ʻThe Challenge: Vendettasʼ – Episode 8 TV REVIEW: ʻAmericaʼs Next Top Modelʼ – ʻBeauty is Pride/Beauty is Rawʼ

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LIFESTYLE • •

Keep an eye out in 2018 Humans of UNCC: Meet Jonathan Idarra

LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE STUDENT UNION

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FEB. 27, 2018

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STUDENT ORGS STAKE THEIR CLAIM Political organizations make history, sign first-ever campus Political Expo into order

NEWS

By John Patrick Photo courtesy of Elijah Acosta

A number of prominent UNC Charlotte The four campus organizations represented at student organizations met this past Thursday the signing ceremony were the College Democrats, to officially codify a political Expo into order by College Republicans, Young American’s for Liberty rule of pen. Through this seal of approval, the and the Roosevelt Institute. Their delegates signees — represented by four civically-oriented included president Matthew Washington, university programs — formally president Keith Maples, commemorated the landmark president Ben Waldman and vice accord that is to serve as a president Kiley Murray. platform for public discourse. The document is worded The Political Expo is slated to in such a way as to promote convene on Thursday, April 5. fellowship and to assign The signing of such a each organization equitable charter is monumental in stake and responsibility to that it is the first of its kind carry out the duties of the to take place on Charlotte’s Expo. campus. The National Society of The objective of the Political Leadership and Success Expo is to break bread among (NSLS), an Honor Society bodies of students who, dedicated to developing the while holding differing views next generation of leaders, is on controversial subjects, responsible for coordinating are nonetheless open to the joint venture. honest dialogue and healthy The president of NSLS conference. The producers and chief architect of the of the Expo seek to foster Expo’s birth, Elijah Acosta, a sense of unity and freely helped broker the facilitation welcome an exchange of of the aforementioned diversity of thought. A number of organizations and presided over PRESIDENT OF NSLS talks and panel-discussions are the singing of the charter. ELIJAH ACOSTA scheduled for April 5. “Though we are a small “When we first heard the idea, collection of college students we looked at it more so about coming into partnership with 49ers coming together, no matter one another, the message of what the political affiliation,” Tracey Allsbrook, student we have done this evening is far greater than could body president, said regarding the event. “In be imagined,” he said. “That despite our differences today’s world, there’s so much division that it’s and disagreements, we can come together, we can hard just to be in the room with one another. The work together, we can bridge the factional gap.” expo is allowing that to take place and for voices to It’s worth mentioning this form of multi-partisan be heard.” communion can serve as a noble stepping stone on The event is sanctioned and supported by the which future compromises emanate. To a greater Student Government Association. extent, Vi Lyles, Charlotte’s Democratic mayor, is

“DESPITE OUR DIFFERENCES AND DISAGREEMENTS, WE CAN COME TOGETHER, WE CAN WORK TOGETHER, WE CAN BRIDGE THE FACTIONAL GAP.”

President of College Democrats Matthew Washington (left), President of the National Society of Leadership and Success Elijah Acosta (center) and President College Republicans Keith Maples (right)

currently in the bidding process for the city to host the Republican National Convention in 2020. The defining moment of the evening was when the presidents of the College Democrats and College Republicans shook hands to symbolically seal the agreement, ushering in a newfound alliance and willingness for prospective collaboration.

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FEB. 27, 2018

POLICE BLOTTER FEB. 16 - FEB. 20 ARREST FEB. 17 •

Hunt Hall Lane, during a traffic stop, it was determined that the subject has an outstanding warrant. Subject was arrested.

ASSAULT FEB. 17 •

Via Telephone, officer took a report in reference to a subject receiving threating phone calls and messages from a known person who is not affiliated with the university. Officers issued the suspect a trespass order.

BREAKING AND ENTERING FEB. 20 •

Winningham, officers took a report of an attempted breaking and entering. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the damage to the door handle was caused by an internal malfunction and the marks on the door were from approximately a year ago. Maintenance responded and fixed the door handle.

VANDALISM JAN. 16 •

Lot 4A, officers took a report of a broken window in a vehicle. No items were missing from the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle stated that the window had broken prior to this incident.

For more information on Mecklenburg County arrests, visit arrestinquiryweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us

FEB. 27, 2018

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Professor Emerita recounts Holocaust experience

By Megan Bird

“You didn’t have very much time for God. What first crematorium. There was an incredible smell. A God would be there?” stink. Nobody could identify it because who in his Students shifted in their seats, uncomfortable right mind would have known that there were at and saddened by the words of Holocaust survivor least one thousand human corpses burning under Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz. On Feb. 20, the UNC these flames.” Charlotte professor emerita of German literature She was selected for work and received a Russian gave a lecture that ensured students would never uniform, taken from Russian prisoners of war who forget the atrocities of that period. She sat almost were persecuted second only to the Jews. She was hidden behind a table that held a microphone and branded with an identifying number, which she a dimly lit lamp that would set the somber mood of unabashedly pulled down her sleeve to show the the hour. audience. “34042,” it read in small black numerals, Cernyak-Spatz was born in Vienna in 1922. She with a tiny triangle underneath to distinguish lived in Berlin with her mother and her as Jewish. “Only the Jewish father from 1929 to 1936. prisoners could be put into the “My family was upper middle ovens without any questions,” class,” she said. “We were never Cernyak-Spatz explained really bothered by persecution frankly. before World War II.” Then she received what would But when the Nazi army be her only possession: a bowl for occupied Austria in the 1938 drinking, washing and relieving Anschluss, Cernyak-Spatz and herself. To Cernyak-Spatz, it her family were forced to flee to represented “the total abyss of Prague. Soon after, her father dehumanization.” escaped to Brussels via Poland, “Dying was very easy. If you leaving the two women behind. wanted to live, you had to work In May of 1942, Cernyak-Spatz very hard.” and her mother were deported And she did just that. She to Theresienstadt, the “special slept on the top bunk to avoid ghetto,” where people were held having urine poured on her, before transport to concentration washed her hands and face every camps. Once they arrived, her day to give the impression that mother was sent to the Sobibór she was healthy and fit for work camp where she was murdered and avoided the water fountains, — a death, as Cernyak-Spatz put which were full of typhoid. Her most PROFESSOR EMERTIA it, “probably more merciful than useful trick of all, though, was her DR. SUSAN CERNYAK-SPATZ multilingualism. She spoke English, Auschwitz.” Cernyak-Spatz stayed at the German, Czech and French. She ghetto until 1943 when she was became an interpreter for the deported to Auschwitz. Auschwitz was the largest Slovak block leader, who would often invite her into camp established by the Nazis, overseeing the the blockroom to repay her for her duties. Cernyakdeaths of 1.1 million of the 1.3 million sent to the Spatz made connections and was promoted to a camp. Cernyak-Spatz was sent to the second camp, bookkeeper, registering prisoners’ names, numbers Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was here that she watched and professions. the so-called “Final Solution” unfold. After a brief period of hospitalization in February She described the four large crematoriums, of 1944, Cernyak-Spatz returned to Birkenau to each with a disrobing area, gas chamber and work in the Kanada-Kommando, sorting food and crematorium oven. transports’ property. She found some sort of haven “When the train drove into the camp the only within the camp. thing you could see was one chimney. It was the “It was the most luxurious department,” she said.

“IF YOU WANTED TO LIVE, YOU HAD TO WORK VERY HARD.”

Life was yet again disrupted on Jan. 17, 1945, when the head of the Kommando went into the barracks and instructed the inmates to grab as many supplies as they would need for a “very long walk.” The next day, 58,000 people from all three Auschwitz camps were sent on the Death March, a 39-mile journey in the freezing German winter. “Fuhrer (Hitler) is dead!” people would shout, but they walked through the excitement. 15,000 died along the way. They arrived in Loslau, where CernyakSpatz and the other women were sent to KZ Ravensbrueck, the largest women’s concentration camp. She stayed there until April of 1945 when they were again deported, this time to the West to avoid the Russian advance. Upon arrival at the American checkpoint, Cernyak-Spatz and her group met an American GI. They told him they came from extermination camps and his eyes widened like she had never seen before. “What the hell is an extermination camp?” It had been three years since the arrest of Cernyak-Spatz and her mother. “All of a sudden I could run and jump, sit down, do whatever I wanted. I was free. And that was my liberation,” she said. Cernyak-Spatz took advantage of that freedom. She worked for the American Counter Intelligence Corps as an interpreter and met someone who reconnected her with her father. On July 4, 1946, she came to America after marrying an American GI. She raised two children, worked in a shoe store, went back to school starting as a freshman in 1963 and obtained her PhD in 1972. She continues to lecture on her experience during the Holocaust and has even gone back with her children and husband to visit the concentration camps. “It wasn’t easy, but anything was a joy to do as long as I was free and had the chance to have a goal and be alive and productive.” And what does Cernyak-Spatz want to see in the world now? “Please stay human,” she said, seeming to lock eyes with each audience member as she asked them to learn from the atrocities of the powerful SS officers and the Nazi regime. “Please try not to forget and please stay human.”

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FEB. 27, 2018

SPORTS

After cleaning house at the end of 2017, Lambert rounds out his staff in time for Spring Ball

Story by Kathleen Cook Photo by Chris Crews After head coach Brad Lambert had to clean house at the end of the 2017 season, there were multiple voids that had to be filled on his coaching staff. Now, a few months later, he has finally locked in his staff for the 2018 season. “I’m really pleased with this group as a whole. It’s a group of men and good leaders. There’s a lot of experience in each area. We’re really excited about getting started with our players with our full unit,” Lambert said. Shane Montgomery will serve as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the team. Montgomery is somewhat familiar with the area, playing his collegiate ball up I-85 as a quarterback for NC State. There, he led the Pack to two straight bowl games. Montgomery comes to the Queen City after spending eight seasons with Youngstown State. In all of his years with the Penguins, the team posted at least 2,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards. He said he wanted his team to be “wellbalanced.” He also spent eight years with Miami University in Ohio, four of which were spent as the head coach. His time as quarterbacks coach for the RedHawks coincided with now-Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s time with the team. He also spent time at Chattanooga where he became introduced to Lambert when the team squared up against Marshall. “I’m excited to be joining the 49ers

FEB. 27, 2018

COACHING STAFF SET FOR 2018 program. I’ve known coach Lambert for over 25 years and I’m looking forward to helping him continue to build the program. It’s an up-andcoming program and it’s exciting to get in on the front end. Getting in and helping build a program is very attractive,” Montgomery said. Glenn Spencer and Chip West will split the duties as defensive coordinator for the team. Spencer brings 18 years of experience at the FBS level to the 49ers. Throughout his almost 20 years on the sidelines for the FBS, he has appeared in 12 bowl games. The past 10 years he has been with the Cowboys at Oklahoma State, serving the last four as their defensive coordinator. Last season, the Cowboys’ defense ranked fourth in the Big-12 conference, which holds other teams like Oklahoma, Texas and West Virginia. “Fundamentally we want to be sound: leveraging the football, getting off blocks and tackling and creating turnovers which was one thing we were known for out there,” Spencer said. “What can we do on our side of the ball to win games? We want to dictate tempo and keep them off balance with pressure and maximize the talent that we have returning. What I enjoy about this game transcends more than tackling and getting off blocks. I enjoy being able to impact lives, to lead a room and lead a unit with the ultimate goal to win championships.” The Douglasville, Georgia-native

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was a defensive tackle at Georgia Tech. He will also serve as the linebackers coach for the Niners. West spent last year at Howard where he filled the roles of defensive coordinator, cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator. Previously he has coached at Virginia, where he consistently brought in impressive recruiting classes and conference opponent Old Dominion. “He’s been a successful recruiting coordinator who has familiarity with North Carolina and Virginia. He brings experience from the ACC and he was at ODU when they started that program.” He also has experience working with 49er coach Ulrick Edmonds and strength coach Jim Durning during his tenure at James Madison University. He was with the team when they won their 2004 Championship. In addition to his role as the defensive coordinator, West will also coach the cornerbacks. James Adams, who was a secondary coach last season will move and oversee the safeties next year. Brad Queen who served as the defensive line assistant last year was promoted to defensive tackles coach. Charlie Skalaski joined the coaching staff last season as special teams coordinator. He will continue to wear that hat for the 2018 season, but he will also add receivers coach to his plate. Edmonds will continue to

be the recruiting coordinator as well as coaching the defensive ends. Greg Adkins, who filled in as the offensive coordinator last season, will return to solely as the offensive line coach. Johnson Richardson and Keith Henry will return to coach the tight ends and running backs respectively. The new coaching staff can be seen in action during the 2018 Spring Game, which takes place April 21 at 6 p.m. in Jerry Richardson Stadium.

WANT SOME MO?

Freshman Mariah Linney has grown into a strength for the 49ers women’s basketball team Story by Zach Timmons Photo by Chris Crews

Mariah Linney emerges from the locker room, swagged out per usual. Her hair is tied in a high bun, secured by a white headband. Her green Nikes still untied, Linney extends her right arm out for a fist bump before walking down the hallway toward the entrance of Halton Arena. It’s Thursday, and the 49ers are fresh off a weekend that featured back to back home wins. Linney tallied seven points, seven boards and four dimes against the Marshall Thundering Herd and followed that up with 12 points and five boards against the FIU Panthers two days later. If Linney keeps hooping like this, she may need to swap out her headband for a chef’s hat, because it’s clear that she’s been working with the sauce. Any outside observer would be able to note Mariah’s demeanor. Her swagger on the court matches her persona off of it: quiet and observant (until she feels comfortable and gets in her zone) with a bit of flashiness mixed in. “I get it from my dad, to be honest,” Linney said. True enough, Linney’s confidence and demeanor have been a big source of positivity for the 49ers. Linney’s development can’t be overlooked. After her 12-point outing versus the Panthers (then a season-high), Linney outdid herself days later, notching a career-high 16 points against UTSA in the annual Play4Kay Game. Linney had her finest all-around performance of the season against the Roadrunners, as she scored her 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting off the bench. She went 4-6 from the charity stripe and also added three assists, three boards, three steals and two blocks. She did it all while wearing her trademarked headband, bright pink Nikes for breast cancer awareness and the Niners’ sleek black sleeved uniforms. But those game uniforms aren’t the only thing that caught people’s attention. Linney’s personal shoe and jersey collections are in their infancies, but but every hooper knows that shoes and jerseys are a major ingredient to the sauce. “I want to start my jersey collection. I only have two right now, but I like shoes a lot. I’m trying to expand my variety of shoes,” Linney says. “I post [pictures of] them on social media, they get likes. I do it for the fun of it.”

In this age of social media and instant replay, Linney has proven to be a capable highlight reel. At Charlotte, Linney can often be found getting steals and forcing the issue on the fastbreak, often looking ahead for teammates with flashy passes. “I haven’t been the big star that I was in high school, but hopefully that will come about sooner or later… you gotta start somewhere,” Linney says. “I feel like I’m finally getting my rhythm and hopefully I will become how I was in high school when I was recruited by Coach Cara.” Head coach Cara Consuegra has been vocal about Linney’s development as the season has gone along, noting her improvement during the Feb. 12 episode of Gold Mine Live. “Every game, she’s just getting better,” Consuegra said after the UTSA game. “Mo and I had a conversation... and I said, ‘Look, I want to play you more. I think you’re ready.’ ... I feel like ever since that conversation, she has been exactly what we’ve needed her to be. I’m happy for her and really proud of her.”

Consuegra also noted that the emergence of Linney has resulted in teams defending the backcourt differently as the conference slate has moved along. “Mo’s development has really helped because now I can have two ballhandlers on the court,” Consuegra said. “Earlier in the year, everybody knew about Laia and how great she was and we needed Laia to do everything. Late game, everybody knew she was gonna get the touch... teams were coming out and face-denying Laia because they knew she ran everything for us. Now, with Mo playing so much better, it’s taken a lot of pressure off of Laia. And because of that, she’s not turning the ball over as much because she doesn’t have to make every pressure decision.” Back at the arena, Linney notes her own development as the days go by. “I have become more comfortable and became more observant of what’s going on. I learned to play the pace,” she says. “I’ve been focusing more on my defense since I’ve gotten here and I feel like my defense has given me the energy to do other things.” When asked who her favorite player is and who she models her game after, Mo responds with no hesitation. “My favorite all time player is Jason Williams, aka White Chocolate, but my role model is my dad,” she says. “The type of player he is… he doesn’t talk on the court, but lets his game talk for him and that’s the kind of person I want to be. “ With crossovers and behind-the-back moves galore, it’s easy to see how Williams’ game influences Linney’s. If she continues to add more ingredients to the sauce, there’s no telling how far this Charlotte team can go. Given her all-around abilities, Linney likely could become a positionless threat (a la Lefty Webster): someone with the ability to score at will, pass and rebound at a high rate and be a pest on defense. As Linney ties her shoes and heads over to her teammates, the music in the gym is turned up a little louder and the team prepares to stretch. Only time will tell what else Linney and the 49ers can cook up for the rest of this season.

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FEB. 27, 2018

OPINION

The Painful Secre Te e n d a t i n g v i o l e n c e , t h e a w a r e n e s

By Mia Shelton Photos courtesy of Pixabay and Joint Base San Antonio

It’s an amazing feeling, going out on a first date with a handsome guy. You have so much in common. He is sweet, charismatic and funny. One date turns into three, then five, then seven, now you are exclusive and you tell everyone you know you have a boyfriend/significant other. Months go by, you are in a blissful haze of love, lust and joy, and you think nothing can go wrong. Soon the honeymoon phase is over and you notice a side to your partner you never have before. A side of jealousy, rage and possessiveness. Then one day an argument goes too far and you get hit. You are shocked, scared and numb. You don’t know what to think. They say it was an accident; they didn’t mean it and it will never happen again. You work through it because you love them. A few months go by and it happens again, then again, soon it becomes a habit. They stop apologizing and tell you, “you shouldn’t have made them angry, or you brought on yourself.” This becomes your life. You don’t know how you got here, how could a relationship that started out so great and a partner that loved and cherished you, turn so abusive and oppressive. This is a reality for a lot of teen relationships and it needs to change. February is teen dating violence awareness month. Many people put a big focus on day Black History and ironically Valentine’s day when it comes to February. Both of which are important, everyone deserves to be loved and a day devoted to just how much someone loves them and everyone, especially the black community, needs to learn about and celebrate the history of this country. However, teen dating violence is something that needs to be addressed because it affects the lives of many teenagers and young adults. Teen dating violence (TDV) is defined as a pattern of abuse or threat of abuse against teenaged dating partners, occurring in different forms, including verbal, emotional, physical, sexual and digital. Every year, approximately 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner. 1 in 10 teens reported being hit or physically hurt by a boyfriend/girlfriend. Across studies, 15-40 percent of youth report perpetrating some form of violence towards a dating partner. Crystal Sanchez, a teen dating survivor, shared her story in an entry to the Huff Post. “My story begins at the age of 14 and continues off and on until I was 22. I found out that he had cheated on me again. I broke up with him during lunchtime. He became enraged. After class had begun, I heard the door swing open, which was at the front of the classroom. He stayed at the door and looked toward the teacher and said to him in front of the whole class, ‘I need to speak to that fucking whore right there.’ He

FEB. 27, 2018

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pointed at me, then he turned to me and said, ‘B*tch, get your f*cking stupid a** out here now.’ I walked out because I was mortified. I never imagined such shame and at 15 years old, understood it even less. As we walked down the hall, he spit in my face, pulled my necklace off my neck, threw it in the trashcan and he threw me up against the lockers. He threatened me. It was in those moments when I felt most alone. It was those incidents that left long-lasting emotional scars. My dignity was stripped and selfworth eroded. I began believing I deserved the abuse and thought everybody else believed I was who he said I was. The hell became so familiar that it was easier to stay rather than leave. It was easier to live with the shame and guilt in secrecy. It was easier to stay and suffer in private than to try to leave and be humiliated in public.” “I tried to leave a few times, he would threaten to commit suicide, or worse. The relationship took an emotional toll to the point where I was getting severe panic attacks. I ended up in the hospital a few times and was put in counseling but I never spoke about the abuse. I didn’t want anybody to know. I lied for and about him. I told nobody. Nobody knew I had been threatened with a gun. Nobody knew I had been punched so hard I was almost knocked out. Nobody knew about the head butts each time he didn’t agree with something I did or didn’t do. Nobody knew about the many deliberate close call, head-on collisions while he was threatening to “kill us both.” “After almost eight years of abuse, I knew I had to leave. Not because of

ets Behind the Passion s, the prevention and the silent cry for help

some fight or big blowout, I was just done. I was tired. I can’t explain it. I just didn’t want to feel that way any longer. It took many years to repair the mental and emotional damage, but I’m here to say that it is possible. I am not bitter or resentful, I forgave him the day I left, but I knew I wanted more out of life. Although I had been stripped of all remnants of self-worth, I found an ounce of esteem that told me I deserved better.” “In those moments, I desperately needed somebody who understood. Somebody who could guide me back to myself, my voice and my truth. But I chose to keep my secret hidden, I chose to protect the people I loved, I chose to find my own way. It took years to heal, but I did it. I found my voice and rebuilt my foundation on self-acceptance and self-love. I now live an extraordinary life full of purpose, with a grand vision to change the world. I have married the man of my dreams which would not have been possible if I hadn’t worked to change my beliefs about myself. Today, my mission is to help survivors of domestic violence reclaim their power, forgive themselves, repair their brokenness, heal their soul and discover their magic. For all of those times he said I was ugly and worthless, I have made it my mission. For all of those times he called me a tramp and a whore, I have made it my mission. All of those times he felt strong because I looked weak, only made me stronger. And for all those times he tried to strip me of my spirit and I felt I had no value, I made it my mission.”

Many people have been through or are going through a relationship like Sanchez’s. It goes unnoticed because a lot of times, people don’t know the signs of teen dating violence. There are five warning signs that tell whether or not a teen or young adult is involved in an abusive relationship; extreme mood swings, isolation, physical harm, bad grades and sexual activity. If we start to educate ourselves about teen dating violence and how to identify it and prevent it, we could keep teens and young adults safe. Another reason people don’t know that a teen is involved in an abusive relationship is because they keep it to themselves. Like Sanchez said, it was easier to keep quiet and deal with what was going on than to tell. This has to change as well. No one will know that you need help if you don’t tell them. There are many different ways to ask for and get help. One way is to call the police. Telling the police can be a very beneficial because at the least it starts a paper trail. By telling the police you start a log of events that can later be used for your defense. Also by telling the police you can press charges that can range from assault, battery or domestic violence. The consequences of this for the inflictor are jail time, fines and a criminal record. If you don’t want to call the police, you can file a restraining order from the court, which guarantees that they can’t come within a certain distance for you or your property, which will keep you safe. You can also file a personal injury claim, which is where you are given money to pay for injuries and harm you suffered from the abuse including; medical bills, rehabilitation, emotional stress, etc. Ask for help. No one deserves to be beaten or berated. Its only half the battle to get people to help and support you, the other half is asking and accepting it. Teen dating violence is something many teens and young adults are experiencing and it is unacceptable. People need to know that they can’t put their hands on their partner. We need to be more aware of this situation. I know that people have this mind set of staying in their own lanes and not getting involved, but this is the time to merge. We need to help these victims and help prevent others from going through the same. There are many resources available to provide information and support to victims and assist service providers and communities to decrease the prevalence of dating violence among young people. Anyone can make this happen by raising awareness about the issue, saying something about abuse when you see it can make a difference. Everyone deserves love, but no one deserves to be abused.

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FEB. 27, 2018

OP-ED: A Little Rouge The psychology behind the use of make-up

By Taylor Maness Photos courtesy of Pixabay The cosmetics industry has evolved into an industry worth over and estimated $80 billion, and growing. Makeup has been around for thousands of years, but with the rise of social media and millennial’s craving for self-expression, the cosmetic industry is booming. Although the cosmetics industry continues to swell, so does the controversy surrounding it. Cosmetic advertising has been under scrutiny for years. The claims that people, women especially, are being targeted and manipulated have been well publicized. Not only does the cosmetic industry catch flack, so do makeup wearers themselves. Some claim that the use of makeup promotes vanity or is a way to hide underlying self-esteem issues. It can be easy to jump to conclusions of people among first meeting them, but one shouldn’t infer such things about someone just because they have a little rouge on their cheeks. There is so much more to wearing makeup than meets the Cat Eye. There is an element of empowerment that goes along with wearing makeup. Though some may want to argue the opposite, closer examination of what empowerment is may set things in place. Empowerment is defined as: “authority or power given to someone to do something.” Makeup gives the opportunity to take control of personal appearance. How a person is presented to others, and how a person is presented to themselves, is in the hands of the individual. Having the ability to convey a personalized version of yourself to the world encapsulates what empowerment is. Men and women are given the choice be any version of themselves that they want to be. Makeup is paint and your face is a blank canvas. This metaphor, often used by makeup enthusiasts, illustrates the link between makeup and creativity. People crave self-expression. We are constantly seeking out ways to project our true selves to the world. The Pew Research Center states millennials especially crave self-expression and champion it in many different forms. With makeup, there are no limitations. The options for what individuals are capable of creating are infinite. People can tap into the creative centers that aren’t normally permitted in everyday life. This can be incredibly therapeutic for these individuals. Having makeup as an outlet can bring some muchneeded artistic relief to one’s how seldom get the chance foster it. Some claim that the use of makeup promotes vanity. This, to a certain degree, is true. Makeup is worn to promote confidence in one’s self. What,

10 FEB. 27, 2018

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may I ask, is wrong with that? Having a positive self-attitude is incredibly important for a person to have a happy, healthy life. Also, as much as we hate to admit it, people are vain by nature. Nicholas Epley, Professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, believes that there are varying degrees of self-centeredness, and every person fits on some part of this scale. How is wearing makeup any different from picking out clothes that match or making sure a necktie is adequately tied? They are all done to ensure we look and feel our best. This shouldn’t be considered vanity. It’s the simple act of taking pride in your appearance. Before the outcries about the patriarchy begin, it’s worth noting that both sides have a plausible case. Yes, the cosmetics industry has gone out of its way to convince women and men that makeup is a necessity. Billions of dollars are spent every year to convince the public they aren’t beautiful. This psychological manipulation is what turns makeup into something harmful. Images are conveyed to the public that are unattainable and massively distorted. Advertisers try to set a narrow standard of beauty and convince consumers that they must conform to that. This can absolutely destroy a person’s selfesteem. This is when a person’s relationship with makeup can turn into an unhealthy one. This article isn’t defending the makeup industry itself, but supporting a person’s choice to use makeup as a way to express individuality. It is important to realize makeup shouldn’t be used as a crutch. Beauty is such a broad term. To say that there is only one way to be considered beautiful is absurd. It’s completely subjective and means a different thing to every person. The narrow beauty standards cosmetic advertisers portray to the public are just wrong. Makeup should not be a substitute for a healthy self-esteem. Every person is beautiful as they are. Makeup can be a great confidence booster, but self-love should always be in place whether you are wearing makeup or not. The debate surrounding makeup has been going on for as long as makeup has existed. What some see as a vapid, self-indulgent ritual, others see as the only way to express themselves. Makeup can offer so much more than just a little bit of shimmer. It offers individuals the opportunity to take control of the way they look in a way that is rather creative and empowering. Although applying makeup can be restorative for some, a positive self-image should always be in place.

A&E

ANNIHILATION

Alex Garland’s follow up to ‘Ex Machina’ is everything a modern sci-fi story should be by Hunter Heilman Photos courtesy of Paramount Pictures Harkening back to my freshman year, one of the more surprising filmgoing experiences came in Alex Garland’s debut film, “Ex Machina,” a film that took the film world by storm in the absolutely genius way it went about handling a minimalist sci-fi tale of incredibly intellectual proportions. The film ended up being A24’s biggest release of the time and ended up even taking home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects, made independently on a budget of only $15 million. To this day, I’m still haunted by many of the grand questions that “Ex Machina” posed, and even more so by Alicia Vikander’s stunning performance as Ava, but before long, we all knew that Garland would have to make a follow up to his show-stopper of a debut. Shrouded in secrecy, his follow up, set up at Paramount and Skydance, was to be an adaption of Jeff VanderMeer’s novel “Annihilation.” Still, one has to wonder if Garland just had a lucky shot on his first outing, or if “Annihilation” would be the true sign of a long and prosperous career behind the camera. Lena (Natalie Portman) is a biology professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Her husband, Kane (Oscar Isaac) is a soldier in the Army, who has been missing for nearly a year after he went off on a secretive mission that no one can tell Lena of. When Kane mysteriously arrives home one evening, he soon begins to seize and convulse. Soon after, Lena learns her husband was sent on a mission into “The Shimmer,” a mysterious wall of undetectable chemical construction slowly expanding from the focal point of a lighthouse located in the Southern Reach. With Kane now in a coma suffering from massive internal bleeding and organ failure, Lena requests a spot on the team entering The Shimmer to find out what has happened to each of the teams that have disappeared before them. Along with Lena, she’s joined by psychologist Dr. Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh), physicist Josie Radek

(Tessa Thompson), soldier Anya Thorensen (Gina Rodriguez) and surveyor Cass Shepard (Tuva Novotny). Inside, they begin to see the world they once thought they knew unravel around them, defying all known laws of science into something far more terrifying. A lot of these mixed tones of the film come in the score by Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury, which combines a bevy of different music types into something that surprisingly feels cohesive. When a film doesn’t constrain itself to a certain genre or feeling, it gives creatives like a composer the ability to go outside the box and do things one might not expect. One might think a film like “Annihilation” might have a synth-heavy score, which it does have a good deal of, but the film also relies heavily on acoustic guitar and orchestral might. It’s three separate facets of film scoring that shouldn’t work well together, but in “Annihilation,” they do. “Annihilation” looks like a dream. No, I don’t mean because it’s exceptionally shot, which it is, but because it literally has a hazy, dreamlike effect to its aesthetic that lends itself really well to the idea of physical and mental unraveling at the behest of the unknown. There’s never any real indication that what’s happening isn’t real, but the look of the film might often make you think otherwise, casting this shadow of doubt over everything in “Annihilation” and its events. It makes you think about the state of reality in a way that not many other films have gotten me to do and I’m not even sure that was a main component of the construction of the world of “Annihilation.” But don’t let my raving on the dreamlike wonder of the film dissuade you, “Annihilation” is very much a horror film. There are a few elements of surprise at play here, but nothing ever turns into anything that really resembles much of what we see today on screen. This is a cerebral horror with some really

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wonderful visceral moments of, for lack of a better term, levity. It’s a hard-R descent into madness that maintains its beauty while ramping up its suspense and terror as it goes along. A big complaint about “Annihilation” thus far is that its non-linear structure gives away the fate of a few characters early on, but I never once found myself fearing who would live and who would die in the film, as “Annihilation” poses much larger questions than that for me to care about a simple death order. And that’s where “Annihilation” soars the highest: it’s smart as hell. It’s no wonder that Skydance CEO and local Booboo The Fool cosplayer Megan Ellison’s brother found the film to be “too intellectual,” convincing Paramount to sell the international distribution rights to Netflix for fear of mainstream audiences not embracing the film and its complex nature. This isn’t a film that lays everything, or even close to everything, out on the table for you to decipher. This is a film that requires multiple viewings, analysis and debate among viewers of the film. Leaving the theater, I heard many people immediately dismiss the film because it “didn’t have a point” or “they didn’t get it,” which is an understandable reaction to the content, but to completely throw away a film because you don’t understand it. Most times with films like this, there’s underlying subtext that the film is selectively keeping from the audience that’s hidden elsewhere in the film to rediscover; “Ex Machina” had it, “mother!” had it and “Annihilation” has it. I cannot wait to see this movie again. And those are the best types of movies to me as a viewer and film lover. While I enjoy films that are entertaining at face value, for a film to ask such large questions and do so in such a daring, genre-bending manner are the type of films I get out of bed to see. Everything about “Annihilation” is what I wanted from it, from the aesthetic, to the performances, to the score and the insanely intimidating questions that the film poses, to its batshit stunning way of answering them. It’s a stunning achievement on so many levels that I fear will go unappreciated due to its esoteric nature, as well as it opening a mere seven days after “Black Panther,” a stunning achievement in film of its own kind. “Annihilation” is more up my alley than “Black Panther,” but when your choices are between these two films when going to the movies, you know you’ve reached an incredibly special time for film. “Annihilation” slayed me.

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ACROSS 1 Perp chaser 4 “E pluribus unum” language 9 Agreement to stop fighting 14 Tycoon Onassis, familiarly 15 Enticing smell 16 Steam, e.g. 17 School group excursion 19 Santa __ racetrack 20 Absolute 21 Ad infinitum 23 Oakland’s county 26 WWII craft 27 Prime rib au __ 30 Costner’s “The Untouchables” role 31 First single by a rapper to reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 34 Feudal drudge 35 In the altogether 36 Somewhat conservative, politically ... and where

the first word of 17-, 31-, 43- and 60-Across can literally be found 41 Pink cocktail, for short 42 Greek “i” 43 Economize 46 __ Linda, Calif. 50 Vintage auto 51 Earl Grey, for one 52 Optometrist’s test 54 Infant in a crèche 56 Railroad in Monopoly 57 Continuous humming sound 60 Actor’s pseudonym 63 Reeves of “Bill & Ted” films 64 More than ready 65 Civil War soldier 66 Winning 67 Operative 68 Evidence on “CSI” DOWN 1 Lounging robe 2 Baltimore bird

3 Michelangelo sculptures 4 Soup scoop 5 Singer Garfunkel 6 Canadian A.L. East team 7 “You can count on me!” 8 Seaport in Italia 9 “Rabbit ears” on an RCA cabinet, back in the day 10 Mapmaker __ McNally 11 News org. since 1958 12 Camper’s snoozing spot 13 Pitcher’s stat 18 Hightails it 22 Upper-left PC key 24 Lose weight 25 Prefix for phobia meaning “height” 27 One of the Blues Brothers 28 Ride for hire 29 Pink Floyd guitarist Barrett 32 Jennifer Hudson’s “Dreamgirls” role 33 Slugger’s club 34 Typical Western 36 Don Juan 37 Analogy words 38 Yukon automaker 39 Apple throwaway 40 Craftsy website 41 “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” band, initially 44 High-__ graphics 45 Queasy feeling 46 Like unfatty meat 47 Ventura County’s largest city 48 Lunatics 49 Single-celled organism 53 Film critic Roger 54 Jupiter’s wife 55 Guys-only 57 Boxing outcome, for short 58 Farm clucker 59 Stool pigeon 61 Cake candle count 62 Mil. bigwig

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FEB. 27, 2018

LIFESTYLE

MASK ON The go-to trendy masks for all your stubborn skin By Katherine Herrera Photos by Pixabay and Katherine Hererra Masks are life! Who doesn’t love a good facial every now and then. I will say I have an obsession with masks and do it about two to three times a week and all different types too. Now some of you may not have tried on a mask, but you should. Facial masks are amazing for treating the skin and more affordable than having to go to the spa frequently. There is a variety of facial masks that help treat any skin concerns like oil control, hydrating the skin, minimizing pores and removing impurities clarifying your skin. Not only does it help treat your skin, but you will feel and look good afterwards. When I got into facial masks, the first one I purchased was the Luminizing Black Charcoal Mask by Boscia. I loved the sensation of peeling it off and seeing everything it pulled off. Strangely it was interesting. The mask is rich in minerals and charcoal. As you know, activated charcoal has so many benefits that even celebrities are into anything charcoal. The mask is going to help reduce the appearance of pores, firms the skin, removes any impurities and dead skin. All you have to do is apply a thin layer over clean dry skin and leave for 25 minutes and peel it off. Interested? Well you can find this mask at Sephora for $34. M.A.C. cosmetics also has a great charcoal mask if you feel like peeling is too much. It’s called Mineralize, Reset and Revive Charcoal Mask. This mask has bamboo charcoal and mineral-rich white clay that purifies pores, minimizing blackheads and prevents future blemishes. It also gets deep into the skin removing impurities and excess oil leaving the skin more clarified and smooth. This is the mask I use before my makeup because it is

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less time and my skin is smoother and clearer, allowing my makeup to glide on and appear flawless. All you need is a thin layer all over the face, leave on for five to 10 minutes or until completely dry and wash it off with warm water. You can get the mask for $31. Glam Glow is a popular brand that have about 9 different masks and all target different things. They are much pricier, yet worth it. I have tried a few of them and they are amazing. I will share a few of them and the prices range from $49 to $79. One of the masks from Glam Glow that everyone was going crazy for was the Glitter mask. I got to try it and saw results right when I peeled it off. The Glitter mask will visibly firm, lift, tighten and tone your skin. I will say it is best to moisturize right after because it can make your skin feel dry. Apply a good layer all over the face and the glitter may feel like it is poking you, but the glitter is safe and just for fun. Leave it on till it dries and peel it off. Make sure you moisturize especially if you have dry skin already. Thirsty mud is a mask that’s more for dry skin because it restores and replenishes moisture into the skin. It can be used for all skin types because not only does it provide hydration, but it contains Hydra Pack that can leave the skin soft and supple while Green Energy leaves the skin feeling smooth and energizes the skin for a healthy glowing look. During the daytime apply an even layer all over the face and leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes and wipe off with tissue then massage it in with warm water. If your using this at night also apply an even layer and leave it on to infuse and you’ll wake up with plenty of hydration. Lastly, there’s a much more affordable mask you can get on Amazon for $13.99 that has five stars. I got the chance to try it and it’s amazing. It is called Dead Sea mask by HeaBea Body. The mask comes with a brush and sponge to help you prevent using your fingers that could have bacteria. That’s smart! If you have acne concerns this is the solution for you. The mask absorbs all the toxins, dirt, dead skin, excess oil and sebum that causes acne and blackheads. It minimizes pores and helps clear acne scars and dark spots as well as reduce the appearance of fine

lines and wrinkles. You can also use this for the face and body. Masks are amazing, fun and relaxing. They are great for your skin and there are so many out there that can do so many things for you and not all are expensive. Facial masks can also be fun as an activity you can do with your friends or relaxing when you have a day for yourself. Not only will you feel good, but you will a see a difference in your skin. Everyone wants to look good without makeup so why not give masks a try. I provided a few of the top best selling masks and most that I have tried and can say they work wonders. What mask are you going to try?

By Brianna Sumpter

“I love tailgating, especially for the UNC Charlotte Men’s Tennis team. My favorite part about tailgating is being able to hang out with friends and show school spirit. I also love the fact that I can bring my dog with me while I tailgate. It’s the best time of the year to enjoy the weather and hang out with friends.”

- Josh Hansell

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FEB. 27, 2018

16 FEB. 27, 2018

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