WSN092314 by Washington Square News

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

washington square news Vol. 42, No. 65

Tuesday, september 23, 2014

nyunews.com

Politics

Joint event spotlights genocide, oppression

university affairs

Although many people associate genocide primarily with the Holocaust, the crime is a major part of North America’s, and New York City’s, past. Experts from NYU, Columbia University and Yale University spoke on the history of genocide in North America and current issues facing indigenous people at a U.N. teach-in panel at NYU on Sept. 22. The event was in conjunction with the United Nations’ World Conference on Indigenous People. Tiffany Hale, a doctoral student with the Yale Group for the Study of Native America, discussed the city’s history with the audience. “Here in Manhattan, we are on Indian land,” Hale said. “Unfortunately, we are here speaking mostly English tonight, but it’s important to remember this was not always the case.” Columbia professor Audra Simpson

NYU Langone Medical Center withdrew its offer to take over the emergency services and ambulatory care at Long Island College Hospital on Sept. 19, after a Brooklyn judge stalled the deal by granting the New York State Nurses Association a temporary restraining order. The restraining order, which was filed on Sept. 3, prevents developer Fortis Property Group and Langone from firing any nurses currently working at LICH. Fortis and Langone were prepared to buy LICH for $240 million, with an expected takeover date set for Sept. 1. “This evening the Court ordered NYU Langone’s direct involvement in the lawsuit between New York State Nurses Association and [the] State University of New York,” an NYU Langone spokesperson said in

Langone backs out of hospital agreement

By Natalie Hansford Contributing Writer

photo by william martin

Flood Wall Street protest brings crowds, arrests Elliot Hughes is one of many arrested Sept. 22 while protesting capitalism’s perpetuation of climate change.

STORY ON PAGE 3

Arts

Strokes frontman debuts solo album

inside this issue

the Strokes. The Voidz create their own sense of DIY chaos, from the industrial sounding “Take Me in Your Army,” to the heavy metal “Business Dog.” It is refreshing to hear an album as unpredictable as “Tyranny.” “This isn’t for everybody, this is for nobody,” Casablancas croons on the eerie opener “Take Me in Your Army,” and it could not be a more apt motto for this mix of sonic experiments. New genres, noises, vocal effects and song structures are peppered throughout the album to create something more nuanced than Casablancas’ recent efforts with the Strokes. The fury on “Where No Eagles Fly” and “Business Dog,” paired with the

Battle of the dumplings Two local restaurants, Vanessa’s Dumplings and Prosperity Dumpling, draw in hungry students. story on PG. 4

tyranny continued on PG. 5

via wikipedia.org

It has been 13 years since the Strokes, fronted by sunglassessporting Julian Casablancas, broke onto the scene with their debut album “Is This It.” Since its 2001 release, that album has been hailed as one of the greatest albums of the 21st century so far. But now, the Strokes have gone from the new kids on the scene to veterans of indie music. After a five-year hiatus, the Strokes had mostly slipped off the radar — two mediocre albums later, Casablancas was in jeopardy of slipping into obscurity. “Tyranny,” released today, is Casablancas’ first solo album since 2009 and is anything but dull or lifeless. After two stellar singles — the 11-minute “Hu-

man Sadness” and the garage rock-inspired “Where No Eagles Fly” — “Tyranny” seemed like a breath of fresh air, a complete turnaround from his past few albums with the Strokes. The new singles with backing band the Voidz are passionate, layered, catchy and refreshingly off-kilter. The vocoder vocals paired with swirling keyboard effects on top of muffled rock instrumentation on the leading single “Human Sadness,” is a good example of the album’s pleasantly strange sound. “Tyranny” has one distinct vibe, which is something Casablancas was striving for. He and the Voidz do not have the time nor the desire to make a boring, calculated rock album like “Comedown Machine” was for

staff photo by hannah luu

By Kieran Graulich Contributing Writer

lawsuit continued on PG. 3

Dining

Best shops for enjoying classic Italian dessert By Morgan Sperry Contributing Writer

Each September, Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro attracts over a million people from around the world. The festival features a splendid array of food stands, music, parades, carnival games and trinket vendors, but perhaps its greatest lure is the promise of one specific Italian classic: the cannoli. This classic Italian pastry, which is made up of a tubular fried pastry shell filled with sweet ricotta filling, has delighted generations of San Gennaro visitors. Not only does the feast boast a world-famous cannolieating competition, but this year it unveiled the world’s largest cannoli.

MSG to host EDM artist DJ Eric Prydz is taking his innovative performance to Madison Square Garden on Sept. 27. Story on PG. 5

Though the festival ended on Sept. 21, you can check out its famous cannoli year-round at these classic Italian spots.

Caffé Palermo Caffé Palermo’s “Baby John” DeLutro is the mastermind behind his family business and what he dubs “the best cannoli on the planet.” Here, crispy shells are filled with a generous portion of what is kindly explained to inquisitive customers as “traditional Italian filling” — sweet ricotta mixed with chocolate chips and finished with a touch of citrus zest. The treats are topped with powdered sugar, and it is difficult to find

cannoli continued on PG. 4

via gonyuathletics.com

genocide continued on PG. 3

By Stephanie Grella Contributing Writer

Men’s tennis ends on a high The Violets look forward to continuing their strong record during the spring season. story on PG. 8

Washington Square news | Tuesday, september 23, 2014 | nyunews.com

on the side

Compiled by the

WSN staff

Student spotlight

Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief

nicole brown Managing Editors

emily bell dana reszutek Assistant Managing Editors

casey dalrymple bryna shuman Web Managing Editors

cicek erel kavish harjai Creative Director, Special Editions

lyanne natividad Creative Directors

Julie ciccone olivia martin Copy Chief

Thomas Devlin

senior staff

news JOHN AMBROSIO, VALENTINA

DUQUE BOJANINI features HANNAH TREASURE arts ALEX GREENBERGER sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia SHAWN PAIK under the arch blog JONATHAN

KESHISHOGLOU global Joey bui social media ARIANA DIVALENTINO senior editors SCOTT MULLEN, VALERIE NELSON, MARINA ZHENG

deputy staff

news LARSON BINZER, RAHUL

KRISHNAMOORTHY, MARITA VLACHOU

Photo by leo lien

Jane Lee

AJ Jeon

(left)

(right)

What do you miss most about home?

Liberal Studies

interested in French and International Studies

interested in Media or Communications

Class of 2018

“Food! Spicy food! Nothing here is spicy enough.”

-Jane and AJ

features BAILEY EVANS beauty & style DAVID BOLOGNA violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining REBECCA RIDDLE film ISABEL JONES entertainment IFE OLUJOBI music ALEXA SPIELER theater/books NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO the highlighter blog MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE sports TONY CHAU multimedia hannah luu video daniel cole

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OMAR ETMAN, ADAM FAZLIBEGU, TESS WOOSLEY

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ARIANA DIVALENTINO

SNAPSHOT

today on campus Crisis on the Southern Border NYU Wagner’s Conflict, Security and Development Series will host a discussion on the 56,000 unaccompanied children that crossed the U.S. southern border this summer in the Puck Building, 295 Lafayette St., at 12:30 p.m.

Men’s soccer game The men’s soccer team will play on their home field, Gaelic Park in Riverdale, Bronx, against the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The game starts at 7 p.m. Students can attend the game by taking the 1 train to Van Cortlandt Park - 242nd Street.

Startup bootcamp for scientists and engineers Matthew Silver, dressed in a checkered leotard and a neon green pair of undies, dances in Washington Square Park with a passerby.

PHOTO BY sang bae

The NYU Entrepreneurial Institute is hosting an event in the Leslie eLab (16 Washington Place) from noon to 4:30 p.m. for students who are interested in startups. today’s events are free for NYU students.

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advising DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

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KRISTINA BOGOS, rachel kaplan, MICHELLE LIM, CLIO MCCONNELL, jordan melendrez, jonathan tan About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact the managing editors at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.

nyunews.com | Tuesday, september 23, 2014 | Washington Square news

Lawsuit continued from PG. 1

genocide continued from PG. 1

Speakers discuss American injustices

added that the same can be said of Canada and pointed to the issue of the Disappeared Women, which has become a serious issue in the country. Simpson said indigenous women are often raped, kidnapped and murdered. “[Indigenous women] are two times more likely to be victims of crime than other women,” Simpson said. Simpson said Canada’s government has been derelict in its efforts to solve these crimes. Women’s rights organization Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women has repeatedly asked Canada to condemn all unfair treatment of women. However, their concerns have gone nearly unnoticed. CAS freshman Savannah Fitzgerald-Brown said this inaction worries her. “I’m partially Native American, so I’m interested in the topic,” Fitzgerald-Brown said. “It was glazed over when I was in school, but understanding the past will make us more

After lawsuit, NYU splits from LICH

staff photo by felipe de la hoz

NYU, Yale and Columbia host the U.N. teach-in on Sept. 22. knowledgeable about the present.” The panelists said the problems that plagued Native Americans in the past continue to follow them today. NYU professor Andrew Needham said cities such as Phoenix rely on coal factories that reside upon Navajo land. Despite protests, the voices of the Navajo people remain unheard, leading many to wonder what comes next for Native Americans. Former president of Quebec Native Women’s Association Ellen Gabriel said everyone needs to educate themselves on the issue. “We need to decolonize our minds,” Gabriel said. “You’re a taxpayer, and you have a right to see what’s going on in your country.” Simpson agreed that education is a major part of the fight for indigenous equality. “Stay active before knowl-

edge,” Simpson said. “Think about social justice, and think about decolonization.” Needham said connecting with other organizations around the area can affect change in a major way. She added that for the indigenous issues to come to light, schools such as NYU, Columbia and Yale must support each other. Yale junior Autumn Shone agreed and is looking forward to working with NYU students in the future. “I definitely feel more empowered to do something about the issue,” Shone said. “I’ve had my own experiences where people try to deny that what happened to the indigenous people was genocide. I really want to talk to more people and let them know the truth.” Email Natalie Hansford at news@nyunews.com.

a public statement. “We fear this would ultimately force NYU Langone to remove the highly qualified nursing staff we had hired and constrain our ability to choose nurses who meet our standards.” The statement further expands on NYU Langone’s hiring process and said, of the 25 registered nurses hired, seven of them were current or former LICH nurses. NYSNA, however, condemns Langone’s decision to pull out of this long-awaited deal. “NYU has walked away from its commitment to Brooklyn patients,” NYSNA executive director Jill Furillo said. “NYU’s unwillingness to live up to the commitments made in the proposal at this early stage in the process was a terrible omen for the future of care for the community served by LICH. How could LICH patients trust NYU to live up to any of its commitments in the long run if NYU was already failing to keep its word?” This withdrawal marks the third collapse of a deal between LICH and other groups in the past year and raise,

questions and concerns about the future of the hospital and its patients. SUNY spokesman David Doyle said there are no winners in this situation. “A highly complicated health care transaction that would have brought world class patient services and jobs to Brooklyn unraveled,” Doyle said. “The future of the facility is uncertain and SUNY will assess all available options it is entitled to under the stipulation and order.” Until a further deal is made, SUNY will continue to manage the LICH walk-in emergency room and ambulatory care unit. “LICH nurses have a proven track record for quality care and commitment in the community,” Furillo said. “We are ready to work with any healthcare provider that will join us in protecting care for Brooklyn patients and preserving the legacy of excellent care at LICH provided by dedicated nurses and caregivers.” Email Stephanie Grella at news@nyunews.com.

Flood Wall Street sets sights on capitalism, arrests made By Felipe de la Hoz Contributing Writer

A man climbed a lamppost in the financial district and addressed the crowd in a symbolic moment on Sept. 22. Yelling that money was worthless, he reached into his pocket and threw a loose wad of cash at police officers below.

role in climate change. Dressed in blue, the activists, many of whom participated in the Climate March, settled on Broadway within sight of the NYSE. They were surrounded by NYPD officers. The activists estimated their turnout to be 3,000 people in a press release, though an officer at the scene

Staff photo by felipe de la hoz

A protester confronts a policeman at the demonstration. The man was part of a crowd of protesters who gathered near the New York Stock Exchange for the Flood Wall Street protest, a direct rebuke to Wall Street’s supposed

said she believed the number was closer to 1,000. Unlike the Climate March’s largely nonviolent demonstration, several protesters were

arrested in sporadic flare-ups of violence. On at least one occasion, police officers used pepper spray on the demonstrators while horse-mounted officers stood at the ready. “It felt very peaceful until we got to the barricades and the police got aggressive,” said Aaron McAuliffe, a self-described queer liberation and anti-war activist. “But I think we’re channeling our aggression productively.” Flood Wall Street spokeswoman Bessie Shwarz stressed that the aim of the march was to start a public dialogue, not violence. “There were only a very small handful of arrests, but we feel confident that our message got out,” Shwarz said. Activists made sure to point out that, though the People’s Climate March and Flood Wall Street were part of the same overall movement, the demonstrations had a different tone and different objectives. Anthony Robledo, one of the activists, said the group used the momentum from the Climate March to further their specific message. “The tone here is more radical liberal,” Robledo said. “People are mad at the beast.” Marvin Knight, a retiree, said though the two protests were intertwined, this one focuses on Wall Street. He stood draped in a sign that read “Blacks. Time to flee, you are mere props, commodities.” McAuliffe said the demonstra-

staff photo by felipe de la hoz

A man perches on a lamppost during Monday’s protest. tion continues to unite people. “[Climate change] is an issue that can bring everyone together, from all the different movements, queer, people of

color, whatever,” McAuliffe said. “It affects everyone.” Email Felipe De La Hoz at fdelahoz@nyunews.com.

Washington Square news | Tuesday, september 23, 2014 | nyunews.com

dining

edited by rebecca riddle dining@nyunews.com cannoli continued from PG. 1

Explore Little Italy for best cannolis

a cannoli more beautiful or more delicious. Caffé Palermo offers traditional mini cannolis for $2 apiece, as well as regular sizes for $4. 148 Mulberry St.

Ferrara Bakery and Café

Staff photos by ward pettibone

Little Italy’s Feast of San Gennaro showcased the cannoli from multiple vendors.

Battle sizzles for NYU dumpling demand By Kari Sonde Staff Writer

For anyone with an empty pocket and an equally empty stomach, dumplings are an easy fix. While New York offers an abundance of places to buy dumplings, two spots have become favorites. Vanessa’s Dumpling House, having locations near Union Square, in Chinatown and in Williamsburg, is easily accessible. Upon walking inside the various locations, customers are greeted with a completely open kitchen where they can watch their dumplings be scooped out of huge pans into takeout boxes. While there is seating available inside, takeout is the best way to go, as seating is minimal. At Vanessa’s, price depends on the location. The pork and chive dumplings in Chinatown are four for $1, whereas the same pork and chive dumplings at Union Square are four for $1.59. Regardless of the price, the pork and chive dumplings are delicious, as are the popular shrimp dumplings ($5.39 for eight). Vanessa’s delivers through both Seamless and delivery.com. Prosperity Dumpling has both of its locations in Chinatown. The original shop on Eldridge Street — close to the original Vanessa’s — is a tiny hole-in-thewall with a long, open kitchen and approximately 10 square feet of space to stand in. A trip to Prosperity offers a unique dining experience. As you stand among the few people who are able to cram themselves inside the shop to eat, it does not take long to browse the fairly limited

menu. Prosperity offers pork and chive dumplings that are four for $1. An order of boiled vegetable dumplings run just $3 for eight. Unlike Vanessa’s, Prosperity does not deliver, but they do takeout. SPS junior Emily Zerella said she prefers Prosperity because of what she has heard about Vanessa’s. “I’ve avoided Vanessa’s because I heard they’re very doughy,” Zerella said. “The ones at Prosperity aren’t like that. They’re not the most amazing, mind-blowing dumplings you’ve ever had, but they do seem to be better than the doughy, dry ones I’ve heard about at Vanessa’s.” Because of Prosperity Dumpling’s location in Chinatown, its much smaller menu and the lack of delivery, Vanessa’s is much more accessible to NYU students. Vanessa’s extensive menu also offers many non-dumpling options. Vanessa’s is slightly more expensive, but insignificantly so. Gallatin sophomore Luke Lindenbusch said Prosperity Dumplings are still worth venturing downtown for. “Vanessa’s numbers among the great cheap eats on 14th,” Lindenbusch said. “But four pearls of unparalleled fried pork and chive delight for a dollar? That requires a trip to Chinatown. Prosperity takes the cake.” In the end, it is up to the customer to choose a favorite, and there will never be complete consensus about which of the two restaurants is the better place to go for dumplings. Email Kari Sonde at dining@nyunews.com.

Ferrara Bakery and Café, the shop behind the creation of the world’s largest cannoli, offers its own version of a traditional Italian cannoli for $4. Its thick shell, notably absent of the greasiness that often plagues deep-fried pastry, holds ricotta combined with miniature chocolate chips and finely chopped candied fruit. Perhaps due to the complexity of the filling’s flavor, Ferrara’s cannolis are not too sugary, so the consumer can enjoy the whole pastry without being overwhelmed by sweetness. 195 Grand St.

Piccola Casa Dolce

Each year, Piccola Casa Dolce brings its cannoli to the Feast of San Gennaro. This New York-based online pastry company offers fresh and crunchy cannoli shells, which are filled-to-order with the company’s own special blend of ricotta, chocolate chips and lemon zest. The bakery is passionate and extremely knowledgeable about cannolis and cannoli history. The emphasis on freshness, the rich history of Italian pastry excellence and the quest to educate the common cannoli-eater about the food’s creation all make Piccola Casa Dolce a great option for meeting anyone’s cannoli needs. piccolacasadolce.com facebook.com/piccolacasadolce Email Morgan Sperry at dining@nyunews.com.

Chain restaurants inundate area By Tejas Sawant Contributing Writer

As you walk through New York City, you certainly can not ignore the dominating presence of national chain restaurants.

New York, and who are striving to eat both quickly and economically, are often drawn to chains. Chelsea Valentine, a CAS freshman from Virginia, enjoys the comfortable environment chain restaurants offer.

photo by christian forte

Taco Bell and other chains compete with authentic restaurants. The area around the NYU campus has also been experiencing the proliferation of chain restaurants, with students frequenting them not only for the food, but also for financial reasons. Several chains such as Pie Face and Cosi, accept NYU Campus Cash, just as Starbucks and Argo Tea accept Dining Dollars. For busy New Yorkers and busy students, chains pose an additional advantage. They provide quick meals to grab on the go. For those new to New York City who are wary of trying new places, chains might seem like a good option. The taste and price of the food are relatively consistent at all outlets. Students who are not from

“When you are new to a place, I feel it is better to start with restaurants and cafes that you already know,” Valentine said. “Familiarity matters.” CAS freshman Anthony McMillan, who is from Seattle, said ambience also matters. You can find a Ben & Jerry’s shop anywhere, but exploring Little Italy for authentic gelato is as memorable as it is delicious. Though Chipotle may be delicious, it does not offer the authentic cantina atmosphere that can be found at local burrito joints. “Small restaurants in the neighborhood are important for an authentic New York experience,” McMillan said. “I even tried out some restau-

rants [around the Square] and I loved the experience.” Alidia Findley, an LS freshman from Louisiana, prefers to eat at restaurants that are oneof-a-kind. “You don’t really identify chain restaurants with a city,” Findley said. “They aren’t unique. I definitely prefer local restaurants because they better show the unique elements of the neighborhood.” Though chain restaurants are easily identifiable, they are rarely personable. While chains often serve clients who appreciate grab-and-go meals, local restaurants are dedicated to making dining a one-of-akind experience. Jawahar Chirimar, co-founder of SoHo Tiffin Junction faces competition from chain restaurants. Chirmiar is realistic, yet positive about the future of his small business. “We do face competition from certain chains like Chipotle, but they have also helped popularize the format that we follow here,” Chirimar said. “It all depends on what the people want.” From massive businesses like McDonalds to smaller franchises like Pret A Manger, chains are a necessity in fast-paced city life. Though they may be convenient, they far from able to capture the New York City culinary scene. Small restaurants and neighborhood hangouts, however, will continue to thrive because personable and unique locations in the city are sure to receive patronage from genuine dining enthusiasts. Email Tejas Sawant at dining@nyunews.com.

nyunews.com | Tuesday, september 23, 2014 | Washington Square news

arts

edited by alex greenberger arts@nyunews.com

Prydz to bring new style to MSG By Daniel Moritz-Rabson Contributing Writer

Internationally acclaimed EDM artist Eric Prydz’s previous successes include performing at huge European venues and some of the largest electronic festivals in the world. Although he has already seen a large measure of success, he is gearing up to prove himself at the most important venue of them all — Madison Square Garden. After planning for his MSG show for over a year, Prydz intends to dazzle his fans on Sept. 27 with EPIC 3.0, his third EPIC show. In a phone interview with WSN, Prydz said the concert will be completely unique and largely improvisational. While coming up with the concept for the show, Prydz sought to create an event that differed from other electronic performances. “The thing with EPIC 3.0 is, it’s actually going to be totally live, as in it’s not a prerecorded or a pre-planned performance, which no one really is doing these days,” Prydz said. Aside from the first track, the entire show will be performed

on the fly. “The rest of [the show] is going to be improvisation from my side and also from … the visual guys,” Prydz said. “It’s [going to] be a live performance on a musical and a visual level.” At most electronic shows, the performing artists mix their songs with music created by others. At this show, however, Prydz will play only his own tracks during a set that will be longer than usual. “One of the biggest things that sets EPIC 3.0 from the previous ones we’ve done [is] we’re actually stretching it, and we’re going to make it a three-hour show this time around,” Prydz said. As with the previous two EPIC shows, Prydz has created a lot of new music for the show, which fans can hear only if they attend one of his concerts. Prydz has tailored this event to create an immersive and original experience for his most devoted fans. “[Fans] don’t expect to hear all the music they already know,” Prydz said. To further enhance the con-

cert experience, a unique holographic light show will premiere at EPIC 3.0. Prydz will utilize a monster holographic structure. Like the music, the holographic spectacle will be attuned to the show’s improvisational structure. While the production team has created the graphics it will employ during the show, it will still have to respond to the flow of the music, enabling the holograms to match each song’s vibe. While the show he is endeavoring to create would present a staggering challenge for any DJ, Prydz’s love of improvisation and desire to present fans with a memorable experience could potentially raise the standards for electronic shows. It is important to note that Prydz has demonstrated his artistic talent already — EPIC 1.0 and 2.0 both sold out many shows. Assuming his production team works as smoothly as it has in the past, EPIC 3.0’s immersive experience should be nothing less than spectacular. via wikipedia.org

Email Daniel Moritz-Rabson at music@nyunews.com.

Prydz will perfom a three-hour long show on Sept. 27.

Burlesque meets literature on stage By Benjamin Mok Contributing Writer

via facebook.com

Julian Casablancas releases “Tyranny,” a new blend of sounds. tyranny continued from PG. 1

‘Tyranny’ sparks with nuances, the Voidz

brooding and mopey mood on the album’s chilling closer “Off to War…,” gives “Tyranny” an emotional range. “Tyranny’s” sonic and lyrical range keeps the listener entertained and interested. While Casablancas’ experimentation pays off most of the time, there are some missteps. “Tyranny” is an album that is the exact opposite of a Strokes album — whereas the Strokes were too concentrated on their songwriting and sound, the Voidz are very invested in their style. As a result, the songwriting is sometimes dull. Songs like “Xerox” and “M.A.D.,” while appealing on first listen, offer very little under

the facade of interesting musical textures. Though this only happens rarely, it occasionally makes “Tyranny” feel choppy and causes the listener to doubt whether the risks taken were worth it. “Tyranny,” though not a groundbreaking record, is exactly what fans of Casablancas need — something exciting. That is certainly a step in the right direction for Casablancas, an aging rock star whose career needed “Tyranny’s” much-deserved jolt of energy. Email Kieran Graulich at music@nyunews.com.

Naked Girls Reading is an experiment in the strange but wonderful world of burlesque. At one of the shows, audience members may find themselves enraptured by the strong voices of the performers reading poetry and prose, guffawing at the bawdy humor or tearing up to soft, melancholic whispers of Dr. Seuss. Started in 2009, Naked Girls Reading held its first performances in Chicago, styling itself as a literary event with an unprecedented degree of intimacy. Bursting onto the burlesque and literary scene, people started flocking to the shows, intrigued by the attention-grabbing premise it presented. Now, Naked Girls are reading in more than a dozen cities worldwide including New York, where they hold performances monthly on St. Mark’s Place and will be celebrating their five-year anniversary in the city on Oct. 15. The premise itself is simple. A group of three to four women —

some performers, others authors or librarians — stand on a stage in front of an audience, remove their clothes, and proceed to read aloud a small selection of literature. While one woman reads, the others inject their own comments, ranging from thoughtprovoking to downright hilarious. Featuring women with names such as Nasty and St. Stella, it can be easy to mistake such an event for being less than wholesome. It is made immediately apparent, however, that these women are not merely eye candy. They are performers carefully acting out a script. They stand boldly in front of the audience, belting out intense action sequences before quieting down to a hushed whisper as the tension builds. Then, they burst out in a flurry of words and motion, striding across the room as they bare their bodies and shed their own inhibitions and the audience’s insecurities. It is not merely mindless recitation that the audience enjoys. Inflections of tone add a humorous twist to a badly written bodice-ripper, or a croaking voice turns a vampire novel

into a shiver-inducing thriller. The choice of literary works is eclectic, derived from the personal interests of the performers and leading to comic results — a busty blonde performer reading sensually from her grandmother’s cookbook, for example. Yet the majority of the readings fall within acceptable bounds of literary taste, with particular gems including books by Kurt Vonnegut, Ray Bradbury, Jim Henson, Dr. Seuss and other classics making an appearance. These stories are treated mostly with reverence. A short introduction by the performer shows the audience her personal connection with the book, creating a certain intimacy in the performance that most other shows in the city simply are not able to provide. Don’t be misled by the name. Naked Girls Reading is not pornographic or overly vulgar. The troupe of women creates a thrillingly fun time and an intensely engaging literary experience. Email Benjamin Mok at theatre@nyunews.com.

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Washington Square news | Tuesday, september 23, 2014 | nyunews.com

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66 Charge of the 1% against Occupy Wall Street 67 Feels DOWN 1 Degs. held by Romney and Bush 2 The Emerald Isle 3 Possible outcome of an eHarmony match 4 2001 Will Smith biopic 5 Boost 6 Top of a mountain? 7 Film special FX 8 Southern constellation 9 David Axelrod or Karl Rove, for short 10 Rubber ducky locale 11 Erect 12 Horse hue 13 City west of Tulsa 14 Figs. with two hyphens 18 “Cold, hard” money 22 Quid pro ___ 23 See 37-Across 24 Fancy-schmancy 25 Responsibility 26 Israel’s ___ Heights 27 Clear 28 Electric car company 29 Abbreviate 30 ___ Goldsman, Oscar-winning screenwriter of “A Beautiful Mind”

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46 Wyoming senator Mike 47 Library area 37 “___ what I’m 48 Jeer talkin’ ’bout!” 51 Match up 38 Plains tribe 52 Green-blue 39 Friend of Pooh 53 ___-Seltzer 43 ___ Lingus 55 i’s and j’s have them 45 What Stolichnaya is sold in 56 Bulldoze 32 Apply, as force

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nyunews.com | Tuesday, september 23, 2014 | Washington Square news

opinion

edited by CHRISTINA COLEBURN opinion@nyunews.com

environment

Sustainability of water consumption crucial By Dana Brown Contributing Columnist

A student grabs a bottle of water, downs it and responsibly tosses the empty plastic into a recycling container. By doing so, the student has supposedly negated the environmental impact of his or her plastic bottle and can now pat him or herself on the back for being green. Even the two out of 10 plastic water bottles actually recycled, however, have significant negative consequences for the environment. Recycling is not enough to stop the impact of bottled water, and students should strive to cut plastic bottle use on campus as much as possible. There are numerous problems with bottled water. Most bottles are not made of recycled plastic. For example, Pepsi’s U.S. operations only use recycled plastic in 10 percent of their resulting bottle. The production of PET plastic — a supposedly safe, recyclable packaging material used in most water bottles — uses crude oil and natural gas. The extraction of these nonrenewable resources creates air pollution that leads to health problems. Often, the bottles are not even the most harmful part of bottled water.

As areas of North America, especially in the west, struggle with dwindling water supplies, the extraction of water for bottling places additional strain on damaged aquifers. It is ridiculous that companies are allowed to sell consumers a public resource for at least 240 times more than it costs from home. Adding insult to injury, many bottled water companies extract their supplies from areas currently suffering from severe drought, namely California. One Nestlé bottling plant in California uses enough water annually to serve 500 homes. Bottled water is not an environmentally friendly option. Bottled water is actually subject to less stringent purity standards than municipal water. The Environmental Protection Agency requires tap water to be completely free of E. coli, fecal coliform bacteria, asbestos and parasites, yet all of these

are allowed in trace amounts or not regulated at all under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s bottled water rules. As of 2009, 47.8 percent of bottled water came from the tap. At NYU, the Take Back the Tap project has campaigned for the elimination of water bottle sales in NYU dining halls and vending machines, as well as advocating for the introduction of more fill stations for reusable water bottles. While the complete removal of water bottles could leave some on campus in the lurch — even environmentally conscious students forget their refillable bottle sometimes and need water — NYU could definitely use more fill stations, in addition to the ones in Upstein, the Kimmel Center for University Life and Bobst Library. One in every dorm would be a good start. Instead of endlessly shelling out hard-earned cash for disposable water bottles, invest in a refillable, long lasting water bottle. If not near a filling station, remember that the tap at home is an excellent alternative — especially in New York. Email Dana Brown at opinion@nyunews.com.

domestic Policy

Violence problem in United States

By Richard Shu Contributing Columnist

The criminal justice system in the United States has a violence problem. While the media has addressed the issue of wrongful execution, the process of supposedly rightful executions has gently puttered along — despite affronts to human decency. The difficulties began in July 2013, when European drug companies stopped exporting drugs used in lethal injections to the United States. Without their triedand-true formula, state executioners have resorted to insufficiently tested drugs to dispense what they believe to be justice. The botched execution of Clayton Lockett in Oklahoma on April 29, then, was a gruesome reminder of why most of the Western world has abandoned the practice. The grisly timeline released by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections details Lockett’s pained gasps and flickering consciousness during the procedure. The vein in which the technicians had placed the needle had collapsed, spilling drugs into his muscle tissue. Lockett died of a heart attack 40 min-

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utes after the initial injection. Such an incident, coupled with the apparent international disrepute for the death penalty, ought to have prompted some examination of the practice. Hardly three months later, the execution of Joseph R. Wood III took nearly two hours to complete, during which he was reportedly gasping and snorting. Pharmacologists speculated that his body was fighting off the insufficiently dosed sedative he had been given. At 7 percent, lethal injection has the highest rate of failure among any means of execution used in the United States. Yet, it is considered more humane. It is much more pacifying, after all, to imagine a man going to sleep and never waking up than to imagine him swinging from a noose or convulsing in an electric chair.

Perhaps that is what all executions are about: creating the image of peace and to display to the public that societal ills are being addressed in the swiftest and most final of fashions. This is a similar drive for justice that resulted in the senseless deaths of too many young black men at the hands of law enforcement. Though other factors, namely racism and militarization of local police forces, have led to bloodshed, the realities of the death penalty and police brutality stem from the same culture of violence. Most executions legitimate this cycle of violence. Botched executions, however, have an opposite effect, stirring public outrage and igniting overdue conversations. We must consider the flaws in our justice system that contribute to a climate that is accepting of brutality in the first place. Ending the death penalty would not fix our country’s violence problem, but it would be an important first step in shifting the culture that allows it. Email Richard Shu at opinion@nyunews.com.

staff editorial

Feminism thrives at NYU, not elsewhere

Feminism has had a rough few years. Many people have soured on the term feminism, claiming that the movement fuels “man hate.” Emma Watson, at the introduction of the “He For She” United Nations campaign on Saturday, spoke passionately about the struggle that feminism has faced and what men can do to help improve the state of gender inequality. NYU students, however, are less divided on the issue, and understandably so. In our progressive bubble within liberal New York, feminism has not faced the polarized challenges it has elsewhere. Feminism plays a large role in NYU extracurriculars. For instance, the all-female comedy troupe, Bechdel Test, recently came onto the NYU entertainment scene. The group provides a great environment for female comics to hone their craft. The Head Bitch In Charge Project is another manifestation of the university’s progressive mindset. HBIC encourages women to go out into the professional field with confidence and hopes to abolish certain stereotypes that the media attaches to young women. Last week, HBIC hosted a Women’s Night Out event, which allowed feminists at NYU to connect. Additionally, The Feminist Society at NYU has much influence. The Society strives to redefine the current perceptions of feminism and give students a place to discuss topics related to gender inequality. The Feminist Society deals with many issues that are important to the feminist cause, such as rape and street harassment. Women still receive less pay for equal work and are continually denied control over the representation of their body image. We live in a world where Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is critiqued by colleagues — fellow elected lawmakers — on her weight, and rape in India is not appropriately addressed. There’s much work left to do. NYU’s recruitment pamphlets insist that the university’s students are “of the world” and “global citizens,” and this might be the case. As NYU students, then, we must leverage our access to the educational network to spread the feminist ideas we have gained from our time spent within a progressive community. Yes, feminism is alive and well at NYU, but just because equality for the sexes is an accepted principle within our community does not mean the same equality is embraced elsewhere. We must remember this. Watson concluded her speech with a call to action: “If not now, when? If not us, who?”

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Christina Coleburn (Chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Adam Fazlibegu (Co-chair), Tess Woosley (Co-chair)

Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.

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nyunews.com | Tuesday, september 23, 2014 | Washington Square news

sports

edited by CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO SPORTS@nyunews.com

US hoops should be appreciated By Bobby Wagner Contributing Columnist

VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM

Junior Aaron Meltzer made it to quarterfinals this season.

Men’s tennis ends season strong

By Jonathan Schifman Contributing Writer

The NYU men’s tennis team had a successful conclusion to their fall season, competing at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Northeast Regional Championships from Sept. 20 to 22, in Geneva, New York. The Violets started the tournament on day one with an overall record, going 9-5 in singles and 1-3 in doubles. In singles, juniors Aaron Meltzer and Sidd Thangirala, seeded at five and 15 respectively, each advanced to the round of 16. Freshman Karan Goyal, who was unseeded, also advanced. In addition, Goyal won a doubles match with senior Billy Smithline. The duo lost in the round of 16. “I was very impressed with the team’s performance this weekend at the ITAs,” Smithline said. “Everyone who traveled with the team this weekend contributed wins.” In day two of the tournament, Thangirala came up short of reaching the quarterfinals, losing his first match. However, both Meltzer and Goyal won their matches, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they coincidentally had to play against each other. The match lasted three sets, in which Goyal won 6-3, 3-6 and 7-5. This propelled the freshman into

the semifinals on Monday in a match against The College of New Jersey’s Pierce Cooper, the number two seed. Goyal took the first set 6-4, but was ultimately defeated by Cooper in the next two sets by scores of 6-1 and 6-2. “It was a great run for the NYU team as a whole and for me to reach the semis,” Goyal said. “This tournament gives me motivation to work hard and hopefully continue the success into the regular season in the spring.” Smithline said he was impressed with Goyal’s performance. “It was exciting to see freshman Karan Goyal make a deep run in the draw,” he said. “He will definitely be an asset to the team in the coming years.” As the Violets prepare for the spring season, freshman Samuel Khoshbin is confident the team will be able to carry over its strong play. “I believe the team is poised for great success in the upcoming spring season,” he said. “The practices have been intense, and every one of us has taken to the court with a definite purpose.” The team will not take the court again until Feb. 28, 2015, against Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. Email Jonathan Schifman at sports@nyunews.com.

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Last Sunday, Sept. 14, was the FIBA World Cup final, the second largest event in international basketball, just behind the Olympic gold medal game. The U.S. men’s basketball team trounced Serbia by a final score of 129-92. The United States’ recent dominance has been unprecedented in any world sport competition up to this point, and it is time for Americans to take notice of this success. The month of July saw the FIFA World Cup take over the sporting discourse in the United States, even though the U.S. National Team pales in comparison to the vast majority of international competition. Soccer dominates a hold over culture in the majority of the sports-playing world. No team has yet exercised such effortless victory on a global scale as the U.S. team did. Italy has been underwhelming since winning the 2006 cup, and two of their previous three victories came before World War II. Brazil took home the cup in 1994 and 2002, but even then they were not blowing teams away. They were the favorite, but not a shoe-in, and the benefactor of a combination of aging stars and young guns. Yet, America has progressed so much further than the rest of the world in basketball. The United States is the birthplace of basketball, but it is also a country that markets baseball as its pastime. For a while, the common argument was that basketball was not as widely enjoyed across the world. It was not easy to play from a young age unless taught, nor was it fun for people of all sizes. That is not the case anymore. Countries like Spain, France,

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Tyson Chandler, 4, blocks a shot for the men’s national team. Serbia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Turkey all have legitimate basketball leagues. In China, aging NBA stars are practically bigger than One Direction. With the absence of many of the United States’ and the NBA’s best players, such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant, who would have been the best player on every other international team, the competition was not even close. In the FIFA semi-finals this year, Brazil was without its two best players and they were dismantled 7-1 by Germany. In comparison, the United States basketball team still dominates when its backup players are on the court. The United States is so far ahead of world basketball competition that the only thing that can possibly challenge them is their own lack of effort. There were lulls for this year’s squad. There were halftime deficits for a team that won every game by at least 22 points. The fact of the matter

is that the United States owns the world basketball scene. The team may not have the killer instincts that the ’92 Dream Team did. It may not have the full arsenal of talent that the country has to offer. But, it is still king of the hill. It is time basketball started getting more credit as the true representation of American athletics. It has drama, it has excitement, it has grace and it has force. America might do well by starting to love its basketball more than it loves its football. In a world where the NFL is spiraling in the wake of multiple scandals, MLB viewership is plummeting and the MLS is years away from being nearly as competitive as many other soccer leagues, maybe what U.S. sports fans need is something to hang their hat on. That something could be a gold medal every two years in hoops. Email Bobby Wagner at sports@nyunews.com.