NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 42, No. 70
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014
nyunews.com
University policy
UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
Value of listening sessions disputed
Sexual conduct policy changes By Suebin Kim Contributing Writer
Media coverage of Greek debt crisis analyzed Maria Kakavoulia (right), a professor at Panteion University in Greece, discusses different representations of the Greek debt crisis in the media with students.
FIT exhibit connects dance, fashion
A dimly lit hall, displaying photographs and video footage from photographer Ann Deniau preceeds the main room of the “Dance & Fashion” exhibit at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. The shots portray dancers in their designer performance outfits, mostly in extreme poses to depict their characters’ emotions. The exhibit, which opened on Sept. 13, brings together these two extraordinary art forms in a new light. Costume has long played a role in the performing arts, and fashion designers have in turn been inspired by the way dancers move
inside this issue
during performances. In recent years, the two industries have combined, with many designers such as Valentino, Rodarte and Prabal Gurung being asked to create costumes for shows. This presents an entirely new challenge to designers — to create clothes that not only look beautiful walking down a runway, but can also allow a dancer to move fluidly. The exhibition at FIT, open until Jan. 3, 2015, explores the connection between dance and fashion, with a combination of ensembles created for and inspired by dancers. Entering the main room,
dance continued on PG. 4
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By Sophie Lewis Contributing Writer
Listening continued on PG. 3
STORY ON PAGE 3
FEATURES
Paris Fashion Week presents classic styles This season’s collections paired classic cuts with feminine styles. Story on PG. 4
The Presidential Search Committee held two listening sessions on Sept. 30, giving faculty, staff and administrators a chance to voice their opinions on the search process and selection of the university’s next president after NYU President John Sexton steps down in 2016. Approximately 50 people were in attendance during each listening session. CAS professor Allen Mincer, who attended the faculty listening session, said he believes it was a good forum for the faculty to discuss pertinent issues. “I think the committee members who were here were very open to hear what the faculty had to say, and there was clear voice from the faculty in what are the things that are important to them going forward, so I thought it was
music
Ron Pope captivates in performance By Allison Stubblebine Contributing Writer
Artists like Ron Pope are rare these days. It is not often that a talented, humble artist can write meaningful lyrics that connect with audiences. But, when one does, it is truly magical. That magic was felt when Pope, an NYU alumnus, returned to the East Village on Sept. 28 to perform at Webster Hall. Von Grey, a synth rock band from Atlanta, Georgia, opened the show. The four members are all sisters, and their tight harmonies made their strong relationships apparent. While the synthetic drum tracks and little stage presence made the performance somewhat un-
exciting, the band’s unique sound captured the audience’s attention and offered a fun introduction to the evening. The second act of the night was Frances Cone, an indiepop band from Brooklyn. Each song was enjoyable, but the set as a whole was static, carrying the same emotion and tone throughout. The crowd was brought to life when Pope jumped onstage to sing harmonies for one of Cone’s songs. At around 9 p.m., Pope began his three-part, 20-song set. Joining him were his bandmates, who happen to be friends he made through a songwriting circle during his time at NYU. Pope transferred to NYU from Rutgers University to
New film explores Nazi perspective “The Decent One” takes an in-depth, surprisingly humanist look at a Nazi. story on PG. 5
pursue music after his baseball career ended in injury. He majored in anthropology in the College of Arts and Science, while also building a following for his band The District. The District toured across the United States for two years after the members graduated. Since then, the band has recorded three albums. Had anyone walked into the room having only heard “A Drop In The Ocean” prior to the show, they would have been pleasantly surprised by the energetic pop-rock show that ensued. The obvious chemistry between Pope and his bandmates made for a fun performance. Pope played
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illustration by jourdan enriquez
policy continued on PG. 3
PHOTO BY SANGJUN BAE
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NYU sent an email on the afternoon of Sept. 30 announcing the updated sexual misconduct policy. The new policy includes many modifications that clarify the definition of consent, simplify the process by which all investigations follow and explain resources available for complainants and respondents. In addition to the revisions, the Department of Student Affairs added new initiatives, including a new website that focuses on sexual respect and the Center for Sexual Misconduct Support Services. The center will provide complainants with a safe, confidential contact who will connect them with the necessary services. NYU spokesman John Beckman said the center’s director will likely be hired in mid-November. Another addition to the policy is mandatory training programs for students and faculty that will
By John Ambrosio and Valentina Duque Bojanini News Editors
NYU’s recent policies explored NYU must ensure that the new sexual assault policies are carried through. story on PG. 7
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Washington Square news | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
staFf recommendations
Washington Square News
For those tired of hearing about Shonda Rhimes and “Game of Thrones,” here are four recommended cult TV shows, featuring everything from aliens to weird nutcrackers.
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
“Antiques Roadshow”
Before the explosion of reality shows about pawn shops, there was just one program to get your action house fix. “Antiques Roadshow” documents appraisal events from around the country, where people are given the opportunity to find out how much their strange family heirlooms cost. Though not the most colorful genre of television, you’ll find yourself tearing up with your mom and dog about the guy who just found out he is a thousand dollars richer because he owns a weird nutcracker. — Dana Reszutek, Managing Editor
Julie ciccone olivia martin
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
In true Joss Whedon fashion, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” walks the line between emotionally turbulent and hilariously playful. This well-written drama follows Buffy Summers, a seemingly average high school girl by day and vampire hunter by night, and her ragtag group of friends. Watching Buffy deal with first loves, family losses and difficult sacrifices can be heartbreaking and gut-wrenching. But quick, sharp dialogue and episodes that verge on ridiculous, including one where the characters are cursed into a musical-like reality, makes for an addictive and enjoyable seven seasons. — Bryna Shuman, Assistant Managing Editor
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
“The X-Files”
Over the course of its 202-episode run, “The X-Files” became something more than just another sci-fi procedural, creating two lovable characters (FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully) who investigated not only one supernatural mystery each week, but also a larger government conspiracy about aliens. Scully and Mulder wanted to believe — they knew the truth was out there — and still, 12 years after the series ended, it is hard not to be just as invested in unearthing the U.S. government’s secrets as the show’s main characters were. — Alex Greenberger, Arts Editor
opinion page opinion editor
photos via facebook.com
“The Chris Gethard Show”
Essentially a late-night talk show, “The Chris Gethard Show” features a panel of comedians — including host and UCB veteran Chris Gethard — who use bizarre, crowd-driven bits to create some of the fringiest humor out there. Past episodes have included “Who Needs a Haircut?” during which Zach Galifianakis gave audience members terrible haircuts, and “Belly Burrito,” in which the audience made and ate a burrito on Gethard’s stomach. The show recently returned from hiatus and relaunched as “Season 2,” so now is as good a time as any to get sucked into the show’s weird, in-joke-heavy insanity. — John Ambrosio, News Editor
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
CHRISTINA COLEBURN deputy opinion editors
OMAR ETMAN, ADAM FAZLIBEGU, TESS WOOSLEY
advertising business manager
ALISON LIZZIO University and alumni coordinator
claire mahany sales manager
ARIANA DIVALENTINO
SNAPSHOT
today on campus Chat with John Sexton Come to the first town hall of the semester, where students can ask NYU President John Sexton any questions. It will be held in room 914 of the Kimmel Center for University Life from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Do Not Tamper with the Clues: What the Goldman Sachs Group Can Tell Us About Religion Visiting professor of religious studies Kathryn Lofton will examine the relationship between religion and a capitalist society in a discussion in the Jurow Lecture Hall of the Silver Center from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Introduction to 3-D Printing at AMS A student reads a book in Washington Square as the sun sets on an early fall day.
STAFF PHOTO BY DANIEL COLE
sales representative
amy lu jillian branchaud Sales associate
luxi peng, mike grott Graphic DesignerS
KALEEL MUNROE circulation manager
JESSICA TIEN
advising DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER
JIM LUTTRELL EDITORs-AT-LARGE
KRISTINA BOGOS, rachel kaplan, MICHELLE LIM, CLIO MCCONNELL, jordan melendrez, jonathan tan
The Advanced Media Studio will hold a workshop on the basics of 3-D modeling from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the second floor of 35 W. Fourth St. RSVP required.
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.
today’s events are free for NYU students.
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.
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nyunews.com | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 | Washington Square news
listening continued from PG. 1
Faculty react to search committee meeting
a good exchange,” Mincer said. Tisch academic advisor Katrina Denney echoed these sentiments and said the staff and administration meeting was productive and even approached a consensus on what those in attendance were looking for in a president. “It was really a good chance for people to voice their opinions,” Denney said. “There was a general consensus that they were looking for someone who could build a community.” WSN was not allowed to attend either meeting. Kwame Anthony Appiah, a CAS professor and member of the committee, said press was barred from the meetings to encourage free and open discussion. “It was a good session, very glad to hear from people,” Appiah said. “The idea is that these are forums where people speak frankly, and we want to be able to hear them.” Others at the faculty listening session, however, criticised the committee for being unresponsive to their concerns. CAS professor Andrew Ross said he was told to sit down after he brought up the principles of the American Association of University Professors, which outline the group’s standards for NYU’s next president. “My comments at the session today were considered to be out of order by the chair-elect William Berkeley,” Ross said. “I have never
seen a faculty voice silenced in this way before. All the more ironic since this was supposed to be a listening session for the trustees.” NYU spokesman John Beckman said Ross was asked to sit down in order to allow others to speak. “After extensive comments from one faculty member at today’s session, he was asked to conclude his remarks both to ensure that all attendees could be heard and to keep the meeting on track and focused on the presidential search,” Beckman said. CAS professor Rebecca Karl said she did not attend the faculty listening session because she felt it was not actually listening to the faculty. “These [listening sessions] are a farce and I have no intention of giving them any credibility,” Karl said. “If [the board of trustees] were interested not merely in listening but in hearing, the faculty on the committee would have been elected, not handpicked, and the committee would not be majority trustees. Who, by the way, have not one academic among them.” The final student listening session will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 in the Kimmel Center for University Life. Additional reporting by Emily Bell and Nicole Brown. Email them at news@nyunews.com.
Policy continued from PG. 1
Required training programs to begin
attempt to teach bystander intervention and prevention in general. The revised policy will also be implemented at Abu Dhabi, Shanghai and all other global campuses. Tisch junior Mark Morin said the training is an important step, but he hopes it will lead to a real dialogue. “I’m sure I’m not alone in wanting to turn this education and this drive for cultural change into a conversation beyond training workshops and programs online,” Morin said. CAS senior Nicholas Guarriello, however, said the educational programs could be effective in eliminating rape-culture. “By dispelling myths about socalled mannerisms or signals, like what type or article of clothing was she wearing, we are creating a culture of education to promote a clear definition of consent, which is not based on these so-called mannerisms or sign-posts, but actually communicating with the person for explicit permission,” Guarriello said.
STAFF GRAPHIC BY KAVISH HARJAI
While CAS junior Swan Cho is not convinced the policy will be completely effective, she said it should empower victims to speak out. “It will hopefully allow the victims of assault not to hesitate when reporting their attack and will give the perpetrators their rightful punishment,” Cho said. Steinhardt junior Lamar Harmon expects the policy to change the atmosphere on campus. “I do believe that the changes will have a positive effect, because they transcend the traditional methods of attempting to tackle the problem,” Harmon said. “With the community education and training, there is a step toward confronting the gender power dynamic, which I believe to be the root of most sexual assault.” Beckman said the university will look for feedback from the NYU community regarding the changes to the policy. For more information on the updated policy visit nyunews.com. Email Suebin Kim at news@nyunews.com.
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Lecture examines portrayal of Greece By Marita Vlachou Deputy News Editor
The A.S. Onassis Program in Hellenic Studies hosted Maria Kakavoulia, a professor of rhetoric and narratology at Panteion University in Greece, on Sept. 30 in a lecture about the media representation of the Greek debt crisis. Liana Theodoratou, the director of the NYU Onassis Program, made the opening remarks for the event, welcoming Kakavoulia to the states. Kakavoulia discussed the media representations of the Greek crisis from three points of view including the German-Greek relations with the media, the British press and the representation of elections in 2012 in Greek social media. The lecture started with an introduction to the main facts about the crisis that has affected the country since 2008. Kakavoulia noted several examples of articles on the coverage of the Greek crisis by foreign news organizations. She highlighted the two main representations of Greece in these media. “Two frequently used metaphors to depict Greece are first, Greece as the weakest member of the EU family, and second, Greece as a starting point of a potentially contagious financial crisis,” Kakavoulia said. CAS senior Scott Cairns said he found the presentation interesting because of the different points of view she presented.
PHOTO BY SANGJUN BAE
Maria Kakavoulia talks with students in a table discussion.
“She was an excellent speaker, and I think she touched on various representations of the crisis through very different lenses,” Cairns said. Kakavoulia also emphasized the change in media coverage of events that occurred as a result of the crisis. She added that the widespread use of new media can be combined with traditional media to open up new possibilities for news coverage. “Social media brings out a very different power of media representation when they are used to express the peoples’ feelings,” Kakavoulia said. “In a way, they give the crisis from within.” Cairns said the presentation was a good foundation for getting started when thinking about media coverage of major news events. “She created an excellent jumping off point for further research, which is what an event
like that should do,” Cairns said. Niki Marie, a Steinhardt senior, took note of the argument Kakavoulia made about the impact the crisis had on the collective European identity. “When our lecturer brought it up, I thought it was really important, because that affected Europe on a larger scale and portrayed Greece as the part of the equation that could disrupt the idea of Europe that the entire world has held all along,” Marie said. Marie said the lecture helped her put media coverage of the Greek crisis into perspective. “I think it was important and useful for me to attend this lecture because it helped contextualize so much of the media whirlwind that happened throughout the last six years,” Marie said. Email Marita Vlachou at mvlachou@nyunews.com.
Sexton discusses global education By Samuel Kim Contributing Writer
Leaders from the private and public sector gathered to deliberate the future of college education on Sept. 30 for the inaugural Higher Education Forum hosted by The Economist. NYU President John Sexton and global head of human capital management at Goldman Sachs Edith Cooper led the discussion on the importance of global workers and academia’s response in dealing with the pros and cons of globalizing a student initiative. Sexton said academia is on the cusp of deciding what its future will be. “This is the century where we build community within communities or this is the century where we fail at doing so,” Sexton said. “We’re going to give you, in addition to a great education, an education in building a community within communities.” Within this system, students have a choice between 13
abroad sites — two of which are fully functional four-year campuses. Sexton said each site has the quality of NYU’s academics along with individual cultural benefits. Stern senior Jonathan Bach, NYU’s global vice chair and a student senator, attributed his most significant academic experience abroad to the university’s global character. “Immersing yourself within another country was an experience I couldn’t get if I was just back at school,” Bach said. “Having a professor from the native country added so much more value to the education I received abroad.” Cooper said transferring these global experiences and global skill sets is indispensable to firms that serve clients around the world. “The point is not just to be physically located, but to have a culture where the people think and act globally,” Cooper said. “We are searching for people that will thrive being uncomfortable because
we need to add value to our clients in an ever-dynamic, ever-changing industry.” Cooper said not all students have the type of global exposure that NYU students receive, and it is a challenge to provide resources to search for talent outside of top-tier schools. “Primarily from a scale perspective, it’s very difficult because we recruit on a person to person basis,” Cooper said. “We believe that in order to bring the best people, we really challenge ourselves to bring in the diversity, it is important for the future of our firm.” Sexton provided NYU Abu Dhabi as an example of his initiative to allow top students to receive a global education. He added that sites like these allow the university to draw from a new talent pool. “We want to maximize the potential of talented people, we want to look for talent in places that are typically not looked in,” Sexton said. Email Samuel King at news@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 | nyunews.com
BEAUTY & STYLE
edited by david bologna bstyle@nyunews.com
Classic beauty spotted at Paris FW By Sophie Lewis Contributing Writer
illustration by kari sonde
Men venture into world of makeup By Goktug Saatcioglu Contributing Writer
While its everyday use has traditionally been reserved for women, makeup is an integral tool for people of all genders in industries that involve being photographed or performing live. Additionally, recent collections of makeup targeting the everyday male are slowly making their way toward the cosmetics market. Jean Paul Gaultier, Clinique and Tom Ford have all released their own lines of men’s makeup aimed at regular use. In an interview with Ask Men, Ford described his makeup as something that is “not a feminizing product; it’s designed to make your skin look better.” Overall, male makeup is marketed as a tool to provide subtle but dynamic changes to a person’s face. To better understand this emerging trend, I investigated similar men’s products at the Sephora store in Union Square, along with LS freshman Jeremy Truong and Tisch freshman Jack Launder. Here, makeup artist Efron Bethey agreed to apply tester makeup on my face and walk me through the process. The first step was to use primer as preparation for the makeup and as a way of hydrating the skin. Bethey proceeded to use color-correcting cream as foundation. The final step was to apply bronzer, concealer and lip balm. At the end of the session, I was met with the shocked faces of the friends that had accompanied me
to see the makeover. Makeup made an immediate difference Truong said. “You look flawless; your face looks more defined and has a glow to it,” Truong said. Bethey noted that the whole process should differ from person to person because of varying skin types. He also explained his family’s widespread use of the products. “I have five brothers, and we all use makeup to some extent,” Bethey said. I left Sephora to reconvene with friends who had no knowledge of my transformation. My peers did not notice any change from my usual appearance until I mentioned that I had makeup on. The makeup achieved the subtlety and skin care goals it set for itself. Though the general consensus from students was that men should wear makeup if they want to, one concern raised by CAS freshman Annesha Sengupta pertained to the marketing strategy carried out by these companies. “A sense of gender equality is still lacking because the advertisements for male makeup are still focused on making men more masculine,” Sengupta said. While there is a long way to go in overcoming this biased aspect of the product, men’s makeup is certainly taking the right steps in changing our perception of male beauty products. Email Goktug Saatcioglu at bstyle@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com
This year’s Paris Fashion Week amazed the style industy as designers showcased collections that returned to a simple beauty. With the cool street style looks that have been consistent on the runways lately, it was refreshing to see classic garments as a primary theme emerging this Spring/Summer ’15 season.
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A model wears a romantic dress at Chloé’s S/S ’15 show.
Leading the pack of beautiful collections was Dries Van Noten. Models glided down a tapestry runway to the sounds of chirping birds and shuffling leaves. The dozens of colors, textures and patterns came together in a breathtaking way that could only be attributed to Van Noten’s aesthetic. The collection featured
via facebook.com
Dries Van Noten models sit on the runway in the S/S ’15 show. tailored pants, flowy maxi dresses, clunky flatforms and a range of quirky jackets in contrasting prints and colors that brought festival fashion to a new level. Instead of stomping down the runway, the models proceeded to sit or lie down in a final romantic display that left the audience feeling as though they were one with nature. Unexpectedly, a stunning collection came out of Chloé this season. The pieces were delicate, feminine and, simply put, pretty. There were fluid dresses of all lengths with floral embroidery, eyelets and knee-high gladiator sandals, all in earthy shades of beige, mustard, green and yellow. The runway’s polished wood floor, along with the models’ natural wavy hair and nude makeup, further enhanced the gorgeous yet simple aesthetic. Stella McCartney evoked the same easy vibe that was found at the Chloé show. The collection featured wide-legged pants, denim dresses, uniquely placed cutouts and a continuation of the belt theme of the season. McCartney tinkered with buckles as shoulder straps, all in a color palette of white, navy and beige. Plaid and multicolor abstract patterns adorned a variety of cascading dresses of all lengths. These patterns were a standout in the collection, incorporating
vibrant shades with classic cuts. Once again, Isabel Marant produced a stunning collection that will undoubtedly be featured on every blog this spring. Her foolproof formula of mini skirts, slouchy jeans and what will certainly be the new it-shoe has proved effective once again. The distinctly Parisian clothes featured the biggest trends of the season: waist-cinching belts, intricate fringe details and a muted color palette that conveyed African inspiration throughout. The clothes are chic, cool and certainly must-haves for every spring and summer closet. Balmain’s modern Spring/Summer ’15 collection featured feminine touches of sheer fabric, cutout detailing and cinched waists. Colors included pops of electric blues, reds and yellows. Some pieces in the collection were a bit too embellished to be worn practically. While the star pieces — bandeau dresses with elegantly placed cutouts, streamlined pencil skirts with Mondrianesque prints and boxy blazers with sheer dresses underneath — were simple and sensual. From cutouts to airy dresses, the unmatched style of Parisian designers sparked a return to femininity. Email Sophie Lewis at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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Dance, fashion meet in FIT exhibit
there is an immediate sense of drama. The room is sparsely lit, giving the illusion of being in a theater. A soundtrack with recognizable music includes orchestral pieces from a range of shows. The pieces in the show are a mix of dance costumes created by designers, runway pieces inspired by dance itself and a few outfits worn by dancers in rehearsal. There are also a few shoes throughout, including old-fashioned ballet flats and precariously sexy heels, crafted by Christian Louboutin and Alexander McQueen and inspired by pointe shoes. Some of the prominent designertheater collaborations on display include Halston for Martha Graham Dance Company, Narcisco Rodri-
guez for Petrino Dance Company, and Gianni Versace for American Ballet Theater. Others such as Olivier Theyskens for New York City Ballet and Yves Saint Laurent for Opera National de Paris also stunned spectators. Runway works from Balenciaga, Chanel and Oscar de la Renta are also featured in the exhibit. The fabrics captivated viewers with a collection of tulle, lace embroidery, ruffled organza and beautifully draped jersey. On the small square descriptions below each piece, designers note that the pieces are inspired by the way dancers move, with attention to athleticism, the lines of the body, and the beauty of it in motion. They capture the freedom of movement. The array of designer pieces is
beautifully overwhelming, but the atmosphere of the exhibit provides a calming environment to experience them. The entire exhibit takes one’s breath away, similar to leaving a show after a performance. FIT sophomore Ashley Yang said the exhibit is an incredible success. “This whole exhibition is mindblowing,” Yang said. “It gives us a substantial understanding toward the evolution in dance costumes throughout the centres. From Christian Dior to Rick Owens, the designers portray such a perfect fusion between the two exquisite art forms.” Email Sophie Lewis at bstyle@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 | Washington Square news
arts
edited by alex greenberger arts@nyunews.com
Film shows new side of Nazi leader By Kathy Dimaya Contributing Writer
Neither a traditional documentary nor a biopic, “The Decent One” introduces a unique storytelling style, one entirely told through firsthand accounts. The film consists of candid diary entries, letters, family pictures and home videos from the personal safe of Nazi military leader Heinrich Himmler. Although the stylistic choices are strong, the style of the film makes it difficult to classify, and prevents it from standing out as something truly new. The origin of this unusual documentary, which does not includ talking heads, is the U.S. Armed Forces raid of Himmler’s home in 1945. Against orders, the soldiers did not hand over the documents, pictures, files and diaries found during the raid. The film spans most of Himmler’s life, from his first diary entries as a troubled youth and self-contemptuous college student to his courtship of his wife and party activities in Nazi Germany. Most striking in “The Decent One” is the portrayal of Himmler as a human being, albeit one with radical and racist propensities. Considering the way Nazis are often demonized on film, it feels rather peculiar to watch this movie and identify this easily hated person as exactly the opposite of a monster — a man with intense passion for his wife, his children and his country.
That may be the objective of this film — to see the humanity in some of the people who orchestrated the Holocaust, not just the soldiers, the officers and the officials who committed heinous crimes. It forces the viewers to decide whether or not to consider this person a real man or revert back to seeing him as the largest facilitator of the worst genocide in history. “The Decent One” proposes that it is possible to view him with both characterizations. The film’s style is sometimes effective at portraying this conflict. The score, a selection of classical pieces, was exactly right for the tone — lighthearted when necessary and mysterious at the appropriate times. Visually, Himmler’s home videos present an uncomfortable perspective, making him an evil police chief on the surface, but a sensitive, homesick father on the inside. It is clear, based on his love letters, how much he loves his family, and it remains ambiguous as to how this man could instigate the murder of thousands of families like his. Yet, the film is too reliant on material from Himmler’s time period — it uses too many home videos, too much stock footage of World War II for visuals and too many voiceovers and orchestral score for audio. Although this is all conceptually interesting, the execution is far from perfect. Midway through the movie, the storytelling begins to feel repetitive. It becomes a cycle of
diary voiceovers, ominous music and black-and-white footage. The subject of the film would have been better conveyed through a book or a TV series that could have been read or seen in parts to avoid repetition.
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Heinrich Himmler appears on the “The Decent One” cover.
Still, the film poses troublesome questions, not only about our perception of history, but also our perception of people — whether they are the crimes they commit. These questions are truly worthwhile ones. “The Decent One” creates strong feelings of guilt in the viewer for relating to a Nazi and exposes interesting historical contradictions in the process. Email Kathy Dimaya at film@nyunews.com.
Pope continued from PG. 1
Alumnus connects with fans at Webster
many songs never heard before by a live audience, including “White River Junction” and “The Stage.” During the first part of his performance, Pope brought out solo artist Alexz Johnson, who joined in on “Nothing.” Johnson showed off her soulful voice through powerful verses, and her voice blended with Pope’s, creating remarkable harmonies during the chorus. As the second part started, Pope accidentally broke his electric guitar while going solo for “Hotel Room.” Left without it, his talents especially shined when he dropped the PA system and picked up his acoustic guitar for an intimate moment with the audience during his song “Perfect For Me.” The entire
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Photo by Allison Stubblebine
Ron Pope sings to the crowd at Webster Hall.
room was silent, except for the fans who were softly singing along. Pope chose “A Drop in the Ocean” as his encore. There could not have been a better choice to end the night’s performance, as fans confidently sang along to his lyrics. After the show, Pope joined the friendly crowd on the VIP deck. Pope recalled a poor review he received whe he was a student. The District competed in a Battle of the
Bands on campus, and the reviewer did not like the performance. Pope now looks back on this negative review without any embarrassment. Based on the Webster Hall performance, The District and Pope have matured into something much better than anyone could have imagined. Email Allison Stubblebine at music@nyunews.com.
Famous hip-hop album inspires film By Ethan Sapienza Contributing Writer
Documentaries often paint a remarkably heavy-handed picture of their subjects — an overflow of positive information is shown on the screen and little negative information is offered. “Nas: Time is Illmatic” falls into this trap, though understandably so. Nas’ “Illmatic” is readily agreed upon as being one of the greatest rap albums of all time, and this documentary concerning the process of its creation is certainly worthy of praise. The album itself is a nearly perfect work. “Illmatic” discusses the tribulations of growing up in the Queensbridge projects during the ’80s and ’90s. The film acts as a companion, delving into the ideas and messages contained in some of the album’s most well-known tracks. On “NY State of Mind,” the record’s opening song, Nas describes what living in an inner city is like at night. As his narration flows into the lyrics of the song, the documentary uses stock footage depicting police raids and arrests. The track’s aggressive tone complements the video perfectly. The song “One Love” is meant as a tribute to all those imprisoned, an open letter expressing and sympathizing with their woes. Celebrated rapper Q-Tip, who produced the track, analyzes the song in the documentary. In particular, he focuses on specific lines that concern the lack of correspondence between an inmate and his significant other. As cruel and unfair the rapper thinks the prison system is, Q-Tip says one of the most devastating effects is its ability to destroy relationships. Nas emphasizes the devastating effect imprisonment had on his friends with the lines: “Plus congratulations you know you got a son/I heard he looks like you, why don’t your lady write you?” The film also acts as an informative lesson on the crack epidemic, as well as the unforgiving projects themselves. As director One9 explains, the suburbs allowed whites to leave the city and remain close within homog-
enous communities. With cities now less desirable than the suburbs, crack addiction and dealing consumed many left behind in urban neighborhoods. The profit gained through dealing drugs was undeniable, though its consequences were obvious as well — gang violence, arrest and the likelihood of being trapped in the projects. The film remains, for the most part, focused on the upbringing and maturity of Nas. His love and bond with his neighbor “Ill Will” Graham caused him to pursue music, and Graham’s untimely death pushed Nas to make even angrier rap songs.
Courtesy of Tribeca Film
“Nas: Time is Illmatic” is in theaters Oct. 3. To those in Queensbridge, Nas is a hero. Loved for bringing attention to the neighborhood, ending a rap battle in the Bronx and uniting many opposing gang members in Queens, he is recognized by all and treated like a close friend or family member. Through “Nas: Time is Illmatic,” the impact of Nas’ classic album is fully recognized, 20 years after its release. Through the comparisons between the album’s modern rap and older tracks and a brief history lesson, One9 has made a proper memorial to one of the most important albums of all time. Email Ethan Sapienza at film@nyunews.com.
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The new york times crossword & daily sudoku Crossword ACROSS 1 Showing hopelessness 7 “West Side Story” weapon 11 Do Not Call Registry org. 14 Truckers’ contest 15 Colombian city of 2+ million 16 Dig this! 17 Libretto for “Eel Trovatore”? 19 FEMA offering 20 Green-light 21 Want ad abbr. 22 Lightning setting 24 Microwave for hot dogs? 27 Sequel to “Twilight” 31 90° from sur 32 Sound of an allergic reaction 33 ___ factor 34 Porter’s cousin 37 Actor Sheen after starting a new career in piano maintenance? 42 “Salem’s ___”
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opinion
edited by CHRISTINA COLEBURN opinion@nyunews.com
voting rights
Students must fight partisanship by voting By Christina Coleburn Opinion Editor
Despite a lower court’s decision to block Ohio’s new election provisions, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled to delay the start of early voting. This decision represents only one of the bitter political battles waged since the 5-4 verdict in Shelby County v. Holder, which struck down a portion of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It required states with histories of racial discrimination to obtain federal approval before changing voting procedures. Changes in largely conservative state legislatures call for limiting voter registration, voting times and identification requirements under the duplicitous guise of protecting voter integrity. A previously discounted demographic has since taken a stand for voting rights — students. Young Americans’ use of legal activism and journalism to promote civic engagement demonstrates that millennials can indeed empower themselves through the political process. Student journalists, in states with voting restrictions, have extensively investigated the impact of these limitations, both through news and opinion cov-
erage. College newspapers from Dartmouth College, Duke University, UNCChapel Hill and UW-Madison, among others, have reported on the challenges the laws pose for youth voting rights. College students have also challenged North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin laws in court, drawing awareness to the importance of civic participation. Youth efforts have helped disprove the flawed arguments conservatives have presented. Voting, a constitutional right, is compared to privileges like driving, drinking and airplane travel. This false equivalency usually invokes the claim that identification is needed to purchase a firearm when private party sales do not require it, while neglecting to mention that Texas considers student identification cards illegitimate for voting, but will accept concealed weapons permits. Surveys that indicate support for identifica-
tion laws are touted without prefacing that the question’s framing can easily shift the results. Suggestions are made that Florida’s 2000 election controversy that led to Bush v. Gore should inspire stricter voting laws rather than skepticism of partisanship within state legislatures and the Supreme Court. Millennials’ refusal to permit these falsehoods to go unchallenged is an encouraging sign that they recognize the power of their votes. The initiative that youth have taken in the past year via journalism and legal action signifies that young people are not as passive as the public is led to believe. Young people advocating on behalf of voter protections evince that they are not only engaged with the political landscape, but are prepared to act, rather than stand idly on the sidelines. Their efforts reflect a healthy dose of skepticism with government, as well as a willingness to thoughtfully examine their place in it. Those who do not know their rights are in danger of losing them — it is encouraging to see that students will not abdicate their votes without a fight. Email Christina Coleburn at ccoleburn@nyunews.com.
Student life
Tinder gives equal power to both sexes By Richard Shu Contributing Writer
The design of Tinder alone appears a bit appalling. For a dating app, it seems staggeringly impersonal. Names and Facebook profile pictures are all you are given to decide if you want to make a connection. A single swipe dictates a person’s fate — left for no, right for yes. The action is so simple, and yet I found myself strangely hesitant when using it for the first time, due to its portrayal of women’s bodies as a meat market — as if the media did not do that enough already. A decision once so wrought with complications suddenly becomes incredibly simple. Tinder’s fans, men and women alike, regularly discuss attraction to the app, passing hours upon hours fixated on their primal attraction with strangers miles away. Almost overnight, Tinder has become one of the fastest-growing online dating tools in the United States. Not only are its demographics skewed toward a younger population — 18- to 20-year-olds make up 51 percent of its user base — but
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also it boasts one of the most balanced gender ratios of any online dating service. As such, it speaks to the ways our modern attitudes of dating have changed. Or perhaps more accurately, how they have always been the same. We are all familiar with the classical tropes of dating. The male, in an attempt to woo the female, performs some feat of great strength and masculine virility. The peacock brandishes its tail feathers. The buck fights off fellow suitors with his horns. The man works out, makes money and fashions himself into some arbitrary masculine ideal. In doing so, society tells us, the women will naturally follow. Courtship thus becomes an act of pursuit, with the man as the hunter and the woman as the prey. This stereotype belittles sexually
assertive women, unassertive men and anyone else who does not fit into its suffocating gender roles. In this patriarchal system, then, it is almost reassuring that Tinder remembers that female desire exists. The meat market presents both genders in equal measure. Tinder gives women a feeling of control over their sexuality with its allpowerful swipes in a manner few other dating tools do. It helps, in its small way, to normalize female lust. No longer is pursuit merely in the realm of men — now women can gawk all they like. Save the romance and discovery for the personal conversations, Tinder knows you want to ogle. Whatever my personal reservations of Tinder’s design may be, I hold no judgment. More power to those who can enjoy themselves on the app. Tinder speaks to a new irreverence for notions of traditional courtship in an era of sexual liberation. It makes romantic trysts for women easy, accessible and, for the first time in a long time, shameless. Email Richard Shu at opinion@nyunews.com.
staff editorial
NYU must ensure policies are applied
NYU released its updated policies and practices regarding sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking on Sept. 30. These policies are a response to an Oct. 1 deadline imposed by federal mandates. The changes are a critical step toward tackling a national trend of sexual offenses at colleges. The updates include a Center for Sexual Misconduct Support Services, dedicated confidential counseling services, an expansion of preventative training and a clearer definition of consent. However, whether or not the changes are actually effective depends on whether NYU remains dedicated to them. Studies and students tell the unfortunate truth that sexual assault is a rampant problem on many college campuses. According to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s 2014 survey, one in four women will be sexually assaulted during their academic career. In addition, the same source revealed that a rape occurs on an American college campus on average every 21 hours. While 43 percent of men have admitted to using coercive behavior in order to achieve sexual relations with a woman, only 15 percent refer to their encounter as rape. As a result of this national trend, the federal government implemented stricter mandates for colleges regarding sexual assault. The email that the NYU community received yesterday covers the new policies prompted by the aforementioned mandate. Perhaps most significant is the establishment of the Center for Sexual Misconduct Support Services. This center will give students a single point of contact, who will connect the student with many services. Policies, procedures and resources can also be found on the new Sexual Respect website. The new policy is an improvement, but the important part is ensuring its goals are carried out. Columbia University prohibits “all forms of gender-based misconduct,” including sexual assault, harassment, stalking and more. Yet Columbia has become infamous for having a “rape problem,” as students joining in senior Emma Sulkowicz’s well-known mattress protest declared. It is easy for NYU to phrase a policy but, if it fails to enforce it, NYU may find itself in the same boat as Columbia: possessing an unsavory reputation and students wronged by university centers. NYU’s policy changes address a pressing national issue that all universities face. These new resources and organizations will give students the ability to find help and counseling in new and efficient manners. Overall, NYU’s policy is positive. Without continued dedication, however, these changes will fall short of their purpose. NYU needs to remain as adamant as they are now about addressing the important issues of sexual misconduct, relationship violence and stalking.
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) illustration by jourdan enriquez
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.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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