NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 42, No. 74
wednesday, october 8, 2014
nyunews.com University affairs
Silver MA program to start in Shanghai By Stephanie Grella Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY FELIPE DE LA HOZ
A new NYU Master of Social Work program will allow students who are fluent in both Mandarin and English to study for one year in Shanghai and one year in New York City. The NYU Silver School of Social Work announced the program on Oct. 3 and invited students to begin applying for the inaugural fall 2015 semester. Modeled after NYU New York’s two-year MSW program, all courses in the new MSW will be taught in English. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both Shanghai and New York City by working in social service agencies, as well as health settings. The program’s field instruction will be taught in Mandarin when students are in Shanghai. Wen-Jui Han, co-director of NYUECNU Institute for Social Development at NYU Shanghai, said she believes that this globalized program
Kristen Stewart sits on stage at Tishman Auditorium in the NYU School of Law on Oct. 7 for a discussion on her new film, “Camp X-Ray.” shanghai continued on PG. 3
STORY ON PAGE 4 film
Lead actors shine in psychological drama By Zack Grullon Staff Writer
The film “Whiplash” features a recurring story told about the time Charlie “Bird” Parker messed up during a music performance, which caused drummer Jo Jones to nearly decapitate him by throwing a cymbal at his head. Writer-director Damien Chazelle evidently used the story as an influence for the film’s grim tone, a foreboding one that hovers over the relationship between young jazz drummer Andrew (Miles Teller) and his heartless conductor Terence (J.K. Simmons). What “Black Swan” did for
ballet, “Whiplash” does for jazz music. In fact, besides the hallucinations and kinky sexual content featured in “Black Swan,” “Whiplash” has a similar feel and overall story arc — a young New York City artist striving for perfection in his or her craft at whatever cost and under the tutelage of a ruthless trainer. The film starts with Andrew, an ambitious jazz drummer at a prestigious music school. After Terence, the conductor for the school’s competitive jazz band, sees Andrew’s drumming skills, he asks him to be the core drummer. Andrew risks his personal
WHIPLASH continued on PG. 4
beauty & style
Ditch your JanSport, find new style By Sophie Lewis Contributing Writer
The school year is in full swing, and achy shoulders from last year’s tattered backpacks are likely starting to appear. It is time to trade in last year’s bag for something a bit more fashionable, comfortable and practical. Alternative backpacks have been a huge trend on the runway the past few seasons, and now they are starting to appear on everyone from street style stars to NYU students. The most common backpack alternative is the classic tote bag. The rectangular shape is perfect for laptops, textbooks and binders, and they are so popular they can be found at virtually any price, from a $30 col-
orblocked version at Forever 21 to a $200 nylon bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs, which is a cult favorite. Students with all kinds of aesthetics can be seen strolling to class with this chic look, versatile enough for any outfit. Steinhardt freshman Cassidy Miller enjoys the classic style. “I use a black Longchamp [tote] bag because I like the way it looks more than a backpack,” Miller said. “I like having my bag at my side instead of facing away from me. To me, it’s more versatile because it matches with more and is both chic and casual.” Another student favorite is the Cambridge Satchel. The long strap allows for comfort and versatility, the spacious inside has room for books and the large buckles prevent the
bag’s contents from falling out. While the largest size of the original runs for $190, countless brands have come out with their own versions at a much more college-friendly price. Asos is well-known for making these Cambridge look-alikes, usually starting at $34, and they are just as sturdy. They also come in a wide range of colors and sizes. Another popular choice is an oversized shoulder bag with a long strap attached. These sprouted from the Céline bag street style trend that has appeared during the last few seasons, and now the structured and sophisticated purse is everywhere. Stern freshman Louise Lai follows this practical and
Backpack continued on PG. 8
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Washington Square news | wednesDAy, october 8, 2014 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS During the school year, many students do not have time for pleasure reading because they have so much homework to do. But what better way to spend a four-day weekend than with a good book? Here are four books to read over fall break.
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
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“This Way to the Sugar”
If you’re planning to have any sort of existential crisis while on fall break, make sure to have “This Way to the Sugar” by your side. This poetry collection is a story of surviving, of decomposing and of rebuilding again. Hieu Minh Nguyen’s confessional style will bring readers through the haunted house that is the author’s mind, but he holds their hand as he does so — for some of the journey, at least. — Hannah Treasure, Features Editor
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senior staff
news JOHN AMBROSIO, VALENTINA
DUQUE BOJANINI
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“Persepolis”
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“Nine Stories”
Many know J.D. Salinger only as the man who wrote “The Catcher in the Rye,” the coming-of-age tale to end all coming-of-age tales. But the greatness of “Nine Stories,” a collection of short works by Salinger, surpasses even the beautiful angst of Holden Caulfield. This lovely pocket-sized book proves that a master storyteller only needs a few pages to make his readers fall in love with a story, and these will hook you so deeply that you may read the whole volume in one sitting. All of the pieces in “Nine Stories” are wonderful, but “A Perfect Day for Bananafish” and “The Laughing Man” are particularly memorable. — Clio McConnell, Editor-at-Large
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Chronicling the author’s childhood in Iran and Paris during the ’80s, Marjane Satrapi’s two-volume graphic novel is by turns a moving autobiography and a horrifying depiction of violence and political revolution in the Middle East. Satrapi’s beautiful blackand-white images contrast her disturbing story with deliberately naive prose that is both humorous and sad. “Persepolis” is a great coming-of-age story, and not just because it takes on the uncommon perspective of a young Iranian girl. —Alex Greenberger, Arts Editor
“Invisible Monsters”
For anyone who has ever felt beautiful — or ugly — this gritty, grotesque caricature of the fashion world follows a motley crew led by a disfigured former model. Chuck Palahniuk’s third novel explores selfconcept, self-image and self-identity in the alternating hilarious and stomach-churning way that only Palahniuk can do. Easily as entertaining as any pulpy TV show, “Invisible Monsters” will help your break go by — but not without leaving a few scars. — Ariana DiValentino, Social Media Editor PHOTOS 1, 3 AND 4 VIA FACEBOOK.COM PHOTO 2 VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
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 kevin burns, SCOTT MULLEN, VALERIE NELSON, MARINA ZHENG
deputy staff
news LARSON BINZER, RAHUL
KRISHNAMOORTHY, MARITA VLACHOU 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
opinion page opinion editor
CHRISTINA COLEBURN deputy opinion editors
OMAR ETMAN, ADAM FAZLIBEGU, TESS WOOSLEY
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ALISON LIZZIO University and alumni coordinator
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ARIANA DIVALENTINO
SNAPSHOT
today on campus
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2014 NYU Wellness Expo
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The annual Wellness Expo will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Washington Place between Washington Square East and Greene Street. Students can get free flu shots and information about NYU’s health resources.
Global Lecture Series: Ishmael Beah Human rights advocate Ishmael Beah will discuss his childhood and later advocacy work in war-torn Sierra Leone from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life.
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Media and Electoral Politics in India
Three goldfish swim around in their new home at the WSN office.
Senior Fellow Siddarth Varadarajan will give a lecture on the recent Indian election and the effect of social media, television and newsprint in shaping Indian electoral politics at 5 p.m. on the eighth floor of 239 Greene St.
STAFF PHOTO BY shawn paik today’s events are free for NYU students.
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KRISTINA BOGOS, rachel kaplan, CLIO MCCONNELL, jordan melendrez, kaleel munroe, 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.
wnyunews.com | wednesDAy, october 8, 2014 | Washington Square news
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NYU Reacts: Pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong By Olivia Rhyoos Contributing Writer Students gathered in the streets of Hong Kong to protest the government’s decision to keep the committee of Beijing supporters who will select candidates for the Hong Kong 2017 elections. While the number of people has decreased since the protests began on Sept. 22, hundreds of students have remained in the streets protesting for more direct representation. Compromises were made on Monday night, Oct. 6, after the protesters and government officials created a plan for future
negotiations to find a resolution. These talks occurred after previous plans to have a meeting on Oct. 4 fell through, as the two sides argued over the actions of police and topics to be discussed at the forum. Protesters demand electoral reform and a more democratic government. They have vowed to return to the streets in greater numbers if their demands are not met. Students and professors at NYU Shanghai voiced their observations and opinions on the ongoing conflict. Email Olivia Rhyoos at news@nyunews.com.
“When the sun was going down, people started to take their phones out with lights on, and it was amazing to see waving lights among thousands of people. There were no conflicts at all while I was there. The day after about a thousand anti-protest people came and created havoc destroying tents and starting fights. But after the tear gas incident, the police have been very passive, almost too passive, as people were mad the police did not prevent the triads from creating havoc.” — NYU Shanghai sophomore Kinsa Durst
“I believe that the talks will yield some compromise, as the 2012 protests and talks did on China’s insistence on moral education. The protesters will not get most of what they want, but I believe they will get something — probably a changed composition of the electoral board — because talking but providing nothing will risk rekindling the protests.” — NYU Shanghai journalism professor Clay Shirky “The protest was very inspiring. The protesters were not only peaceful, but were kind to one another. Volunteers passed out food, collected garbage, separated recyclables and helped people safely get over barricades. It was inspiring to see the civility of the entire affair, but I feel anxious when I think of the barbaric violence that seems to loom overhead the student protesters.”— NYU Shanghai sophomore Nicole Chan
Legislation to alter immigration laws By Stephanie Grella Contributing Writer
The New York City Council announced new legislation that will reform immigrant detention laws to better protect undocumented workers and their families. The legislation aims to limit the involvement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement by no longer honoring requests from immigration authorities unless a federal judge issues a warrant. Once a federal warrant is acquired, detention requests will only be honored if the person in question has committed a serious crime in the past five years, or is on the FBI terrorist watchlist. Spearheading the effort, City Council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito introduced this legislation at the Oct. 7 City Council meeting. In a public statement on Oct. 2, MarkViverito expressed her enthusiasm for rectifying the city’s detention laws, hoping to improve the well-being of all New York immigrants. “By further limiting ICE’s role in the detention and deportation of immigrant New Yorkers, we set the national standard for the treatment of our immigrant population,” Mark-Viverito said. “We cannot allow for immigrant families looking for a better life for themselves and their chil-
dren to be needlessly torn apart because of gaps in our laws. As I’ve said before: if Congress won’t act, then we must.” According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the Department of Homeland Security held 429,000 immigrants in over 250 facilities across the country in 2011. Since 2008, more than 1 million immigrants have been detained and deported from the United States. New York’s role in immigration law enforcement has been a point of contention for the past several years. Mark-Viverito first suggested reform in 2011, when national immigrant detention was at its peak. Now, the speaker of the New York City Council has gained support from Mayor Bill de Blasio, Committee on Immigration chair Carlos Menchaca, New York City Council members and many others. Nancy Morawetz, a professor at the NYU School of Law who runs the Immigration Rights Clinic at NYU Law, said the legislation is necessary to improve the relationship between immigrants and police. Morawetz said documented immigrants will benefit from this legislation just as much as undocumented workers and families will. “If they are arrested, they can be placed in immigration detention even when criminal charges are dismissed,” Morawetz said.
“Without this proposal, immigration authorities impose detainers with little cause and certainly not the kind of process that is required to honor constitutional rights.” While the Council praises Mark-Viverito for successfully bringing this proposal to fruition, ICE remains determined to detain those arrested on criminal charges in an attempt to assure that dangerous criminals are not released into the community. “ICE will continue to work cooperatively with law enforcement partners throughout New York as the agency seeks to enforce its priorities through the identification and removal of convicted criminals and other public safety threats,” a public statement from ICE read. Morawetz said the proposal is important for improving the relationship between the New York Police Department and members of the community. “Without this proposal, any encounter between an immigrant and the police raises the risk of immigration detention,” Morawetz said. “Separating the criminal justice system from the immigration system fosters better relationships between the police and the community.” Email Stephanie Grella at news@nyunews.com.
“The protests will highlight that we want democracy, but personally democracy for democracy’s sake serves no purpose unless it is for the well-being of the people. We have a lot more social concerns to be worried about, like rising housing prices … many small business owners have not been able to open for days due to the protesters … the important thing to do at this point is to focus on the social issues.” — NYU Shanghai junior and Hong Kong native Jeffrey Lee
Courtesy of Clay Shirky
Hundreds of people gather on the streets to promote a prodemocracy government.
Courtesy of Clay Shirky
Two protestors set up camp to occupy space in Hong Kong. Occupants created an efficent system to distribute supplies. shanghai continued from PG. 1
Global program unites language, social work
will be ideal for students studying social work, fusing academic excellence with field experience. “This rich and diverse experience is the foundation for every [aspect of] social work learning and education, and MSW program in Shanghai-New York is structured to provide just that,” Han said. “This program also provides the important platform and infrastructure for students to develop and grow to be a global citizen.” Silver published a press release on Oct. 3 emphasizing the importance of student immersion in a country as economically driven and culturally rich as China. “China holds particular importance for the social work profession as its government has embarked on a national initiative to increase the country’s social workers tenfold to 2 million by 2020,” the press release reads. “Graduates from this program will be fully equipped to work with populations in China or Chinese immigrant populations around the world.” Silver dean Lynn Videka said the program is unique in its field, offering students a foundational education, both academically and culturally. “This program is going to give a very important opportunity for students to study social work and social welfare in two very different
cultures, and I think the graduates of this program will have a very keen intercultural understanding,” Videka said. “NYU is providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have strong university infrastructures together with a closely focused program.” With the program beginning in fall 2015, Han said NYU has begun recruiting prospective students. The first academic year will take place at NYU’s third degree-granting campus in Shanghai, while the following year will bring students to New York to study at NYU’s Washington Square campus. “What is going to set this program apart from others is our deliberate attention to infuse global content into every one of our courses in the curriculum,” Han said. “This program allows students to get at least one step closer to be a global citizen by opening their eyes and minds about different issues, cultures, beliefs and values.” Videka notes that Silver’s undergraduate program was recently ranked number two in the country for social work. “We are very, very proud of that,” Videka said. “It all reflects the students and faculty, so the credit goes to them.” Email Stephanie Grella at news@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | wednesDAy, october 8, 2014 | nyunews.com
arts
edited by alex greenberger arts@nyunews.com
NYU Law hosts Kristen Stewart
whiplash continued from PG. 1
By Larson Binzer Deputy News Editor
Courtesy of Sony Picture Classics
Melissa Benoist (left) and Miles Teller (right) act in “Whiplash.”
Psychological thriller brought to new level
life, sanity and even well-being to become this generation’s Buddy Rich. Chazelle immerses viewers in a world that at first may seem unbelievable, given Terrence’s abusive behavior. Although certainly tense, the fast editing causes certain characters to feel underdeveloped, leading viewers to suspect that necessary information was lost. Yet, the film hooks viewers with tension, creating anticipation for the outcome of each main character’s arc. It is not just Chazelle’s solid direction and well-written script that makes the film great. Watching Teller and Simmons deliver career-best performances adds to “Whiplash’s” overall intensity. Particularly with the character of Terence, viewers may find themselves wondering why the school board never penalizes the conductor’s sadistic methods. Then, the film skillfully delivers on that notion in the third act. Terence tells Andrew, “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job.’” At first, Terence seems like Sgt. Hartman from “Full Metal Jacket,” who wants to dehumanize individuals and make them his slaves. But viewers begin to realize that Terence wants a musician to become the best at his craft, even if it means stepping out of one’s comfort zone in the most extreme ways. Then there is Teller, who is known for his portray-
als of grounded yet affable characters. While there are small parts throughout the film where he plays to those strengths, the scenes involving his character’s descent into madness allow Teller to push the boundaries of his acting skills. Though more understated than Simmons, Teller still delivers, while also convincingly playing the drums without a stunt double for the majority of the film. “Whiplash” is one of this year’s best films. There are no hallucinations, nightmares,
Actor Kirsten Stewart and director Peter Sattler came to NYU on Oct. 7 to discuss their new film, “Camp X-Ray.” The Forum on Law, Culture and Society at the NYU School of Law held an advanced screening of the film at Tishman Auditorium. “Camp X-Ray” tells the story of private Amy Cole (Stewart), a young woman enlisted in the army who befriends a prisoner of Guantanamo Bay (Peyman Moaadi). “Camp X-Ray,” which will be released on Oct. 17, was screened as part of the annual Forum Film Festival, a series of events designed to “illuminate the triumphs, failures, moral dilemmas and dramatic moments of the legal system,” with screenings of seven films over the next month at three venues. Following the screening, Stewart and Sattler joined Forum director Thane Rosenbaum for a discussion of the movie’s themes, background and filming. Sattler got the idea to write the screenplay from the documentary “Inside Guantanamo Bay,” a movie that strove to show the
STAFF PHOTO BY FELIPE DE LA HOZ
Thane Rosenbaum (left), Kristen Stewart (center) and Peter Sattler (right) talk at the forum on Oct. 7. interactions of day-to-day life in the infamous prison. He said his intention was to do something wholly different. “Camp X-Ray” is not meant to sway people one way or another, which is why he intentionally left out graphic torture scenes. Instead, the movie is meant to provide insight into the lives of detainees and privates. “The movie forces people to acknowledge that there are two sides to every coin,” Stewart said. “I think the movie is more of a reminder than a statement or any definitive commentary on [Guantanamo Bay], it’s just a fairly objective depiction of what we learned about the place.” Stewart said she unintentionally deviated from the type of character she usually plays, but she found Amy to be relatable to herself. “I’d love to say that I wanted to make a statement or distance
myself from other projects I’ve done,” Stewart said. “But really, it was just the sense I got from [the character.] I wanted something that scared me, that I could really jump into head first.” CAS junior Heba Allam said the depth and strength of Amy and her relationship with the detainee led to a surprising angle on a Guantanamo Bay story that avoided portraying either privates or detainees negatively. “I think it was interesting because they didn’t leave it as black and white, as we normally all think it is,” Allam said. “I thought it was very emotional because it is very human. It’s not looking at the detainee as a terrorist, it’s looking at him as a person.” Email Larson Binzer at lbinzer@nyunews.com.
MoMA exhibits artist’s worldview By Jack Barker Contributing Writer
Courtesy of Sony Picture Classics
J.K. Simmons plays Fletcher in “Whiplash.”
ghosts or anything one would expect from psychological horror that verges on a traditional horror film. Even so, viewers will find themselves on the edge of their seats for 106 minutes, which is exactly what Chazelle wants. Email Zach Grullon at film@nyunews.com.
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Like some of the best contemporary art exhibitions, “The Heart is Not a Metaphor” aims for a fun viewing experience. Even those who do not consider themselves art-world denizens can still find enjoyment in Robert Gober’s new exhibit, currently on view at the Museum of Modern Art. Covering 40 years of the surrealist’s career, the retrospective is spread out across a surprising number of rooms. The exhibition certainly is not boring. Each room is an exciting change from the last, and at the end of the exhibition viewers will feel as though they have come full circle in the exploration of the artist’s life. Gober does not shy away from topics of race, terrorism, sexuality and what it means to be human. “Hanging Man/ Sleeping Man,” a wallpaper that covers the walls of an entire room juxtaposes images of a sleeping white man with images of a lynched black man.
The thought-provoking impact of this installation is rare for contemporary art. It is works like this that make “The Heart Is Not a Metaphor” appealing to all audiences — those who can identify the nuances of the art and those who just want to see something interesting. Gober and MoMA collaborated to bring the revolutionary exhibit together. Certain pieces required the creation of smaller rooms, drilling through the floor and the addition of elements onto the outside of the building. There is no shortage of spectacular tactics that hold the attention of the audience. The range of pieces is quite impressive as well, from a few inches of a rag to six-foot-long cigars. The sketches directly related to the physical pieces in the gallery are also intriguing. One can see the planning and forethought that went into a number of the pieces in the exhibit, constituting a peek behind the curtains rarely afforded in most galleries. The most powerful piece in
the exhibit is Gober’s tribute to 9/11. Adorning the walls of a makeshift chapel are newspapers from Sept. 12, 2001, and drawn on them are bodies embracing each other passionately. With this piece, Gober asserts himself not only as a man who understands the weight of the events going on in the world, but also as a person who realizes the need to live an enjoyable life in spite of tragedy. It is this idea of a life in chaos that runs through the exhibition. A first viewing may feel overwhelming, full of disconnected pieces that are weird to a fault. It is only upon closer inspection of individual pieces that one comes to appreciate Gober’s strange exploration of what it means to be alive. Gober takes the ideas that he feels deserve attention and projects them through objects and images. Because of that, “The Heart is Not a Metaphor” is one of the most important museum shows of the season. Email Jack Barker at arts@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | wednesDAy, october 8, 2014 | Washington Square news
arts
edited by alex greenberger arts@nyunews.com
Ali documentary features home videos By Ethan Sapienza Contibuting Writer
Clare Lewins’ documentary “I Am Ali” is perfectly summarized during an interview with George Foreman, in which the former boxing champ firmly states, “Boxing is no way to define Muhammad Ali.” Though that may not be the case, Lewins’ portrayal of Ali, who is often called the greatest boxer of all time, strives to portray him holistically. At times it achieves that goal, but its grand scope and ambition often detracts from the film’s overall quality. The highlight of the film is undoubtedly its unprecedented access to audiotapes and home footage of Ali and his interactions with his family. The brief, insightful snippets grant the viewer an overwhelmingly positive look at Ali, delving into the man behind the media portrait. While Ali may have talked to reporters as if they were enemies — using his words like they were jabs in a fight — he quietly speaks to his young daughter on the phone about her purpose in the world. He
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then asks for her thoughts on his comeback. These moments are remarkably touching and do a tremendous job in humanizing a polarizing icon. Many of the interviews share equally revealing glimpses into who Ali truly was as a person. Former NFL star Jim Brown shares how tenacious Ali was in fighting for racial equality. Carl Fischer, a photographer for Esquire magazine, discusses the lengths he went to achieve the iconic “Passion of Muhammad Ali” cover, which was based on paintings of Saint Sebastian. In the most powerful interview in the documentary, boxer Joe Frazier’s son, Marvis Frazier, clarifies how much Ali’s ruthless criticisms impacted Joe Frazier. Juxtaposed with the praise of Ali’s children, the interview illuminates the destruction Ali’s fierce nature caused. Marvis Frazier said Ali was shaken to know how much damage he caused Joe Frazier, becoming tearful over the pain he inflicted and making sure to reconcile the deep-seated conflict with his longtime adversary before his death. Unfortunately, there are too
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Clare Lewins’ “I Am Ali” shows a new side of Muhammad Ali. many interviews throughout the film. Each person featured receives a grand title card of introduction, though very few last for more than two minutes, and almost no one returns after his or her segment. Much of the film also tends to lean toward the theatrical, which makes little sense because the movie is a documentary. Its attempts at immersing the viewer with car-ride interviews and old television sets in ancient living rooms break the film’s charm and come off as corny. The movie as a whole frequently lacks focus. The beginning and the end of the film do not have the
chronological order the middle establishes, causing confusion, especially for the less avid Ali fans. The ending ultimately comes off as forced — it wishes to reach a cathartic close, but instead drags on and makes an all-too-blatant comparison to God. This is not to say the film is not worth seeing. For the most diehard Ali fans, “I Am Ali” is a mustsee. For just about everyone else, it is an insightful and thoughtful depiction of a famous athlete that could have been better. Email Ethan Sapienza at film@nyunews.com.
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Crossword ACROSS 1 2013 Tonto portrayer 5 Artwork and furnishings 10 Flaky mineral 14 Word at the bottom of a page, perhaps 15 Eye: Prefix 16 Slippery ___ eel 17 Metaphorical mess 19 Bloods or Crips 20 Working stiff 21 Stage, say 23 Monarch’s advisers 26 1960s TV show featuring the cross-eyed lion Clarence 29 Wizards of aahs, for short? 30 Postings at LAX and ORD 31 Twice tetra34 Sharply dressed 37 ___ Lemon (“30 Rock” role)
38 “St. Louis Blues” composer 40 Period sometimes named after a president 41 Author Calvino 43 Himalayan legend 44 Push 45 “Get Smart” adversary 47 Micronesia’s home 49 Only president to win a Pulitzer 53 Manhattan region 54 “You’re wrong about me!” 58 Mex. miss 59 Race advantages … or a hint to 17-, 23-, 38and 49-Across 62 ___ Parker, first president of Facebook 63 Fired up 64 “Oh, why not?!” 65 “Giant” novelist Ferber
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46 Part of Waldo’s wear in “Where’s Waldo?” 38 Scares a cat, in a 48 Shorten, say 22 Undercooked, as way an egg 49 Track great Owens 24 Old stock car 39 Chop up inits. 50 Worked on a trireme 25 French spa locale 42 Showy flower 51 Plant swelling 44 Biweekly 26 Place where occurrences, for 52 Minimum-range people pick lox? many tides 27 Bickering 18 Words with time or song
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55 Traditional ingredient in cookies and cream ice cream 56 Certain court order 57 Workplace rules setter, for short 60 Joey ___ & the Starliters 61 1960s antiwar grp.
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nyunews.com | wednesDAy, october 8, 2014 | Washington Square news
opinion
edited by CHRISTINA COLEBURN opinion@nyunews.com
social issues
Catcalling epidemic must be recognized By Dana Reszutek Managing Editor
Walking down Grand Street on a sunny day, you would expect nothing but the quiet hum of traffic and pedestrians toting shopping bags. But instead, you notice a white van slowing down next to you as its window rolls down. A man with a smile begins to shout sexual expletives at you, and you freeze — should you speak up or should you stay silent? Are you safe? I was placed in this position earlier in the semester, and it was not my first time experiencing catcalling on the streets of New York. Although verbal harassment affects all genders and sexualities, women experience the majority of gender-specific harassment. It is time for NYU to speak up against the verbal abuse that occurs daily. This past week, the topic of catcalling went viral once again thanks to Jessica Williams’ segment on “The Daily Show,” which discussed verbal sexual harassment on the streets of New York. But what Williams presents as a joke cleverly widens the eyes of the audience — all of her “fun solutions” for avoiding catcallers are techniques that many female students
have needed to try. Not everyone believes in the negativity of catcalling, however. Controversy struck when New York Post writer Doree Lewak’s Aug. 18 piece about catcalling urged women to “deal with it,” and compared being called out on the street to a “euphoria.” This very public statement of sexual harassment as a confidence-booster is one of the reasons that such behavior continues today. Solidifying a dialogue against catcalling is the first step to ameliorate the city streets. NYU released their reformed sexual misconduct policy on Sept. 30, consisting of positive changes regarding rulings on sexual assault, consent and stalking. Though these alterations are necessary, there was not an opening of dialogue on catcalling in the new policies, such as including catcalling in its awareness programs.
Some local organizations have attempted to take action against catcalling, including Hollaback and Stop Street Harassment, two nonprofits that raise awareness of the issue of street harassment and offer methods and resources for feeling safer on the streets. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority also has plans to further action against sexual harassment on subways through public service announcements and the installation of 900 surveillance cameras. Those who are catcalled are told that certain items of clothing “ask for” unwanted attention. A recent trend is to blame the wearer for inappropriate actions toward them, which instills and even defends such behavior. Continuing to teach people that dressing a certain way asks for inappropriate actions is not only incorrect, but also a dangerous mindset. NYU and other universities must work with existing organizations to create independent programs that not only identify street harassment as a problem, but also form policies to deal with this unrelenting issue. Email Dana Reszutek at dreszutek@nyunews.com.
media
Advertising feminism sparks conversation By Annie Cohen Contributing Columnist
Normally, the worlds of high fashion and social activism do not intersect. On Sept. 30, however, they collided spectacularly on a Parisian catwalk. During the grand finale of Chanel’s fashion show, models strutted down the runway waving signs emblazoned with distinctly feminist slogans such as “Ladies First” and “He for She” while “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan played in the background. This grand display of haute couture and flamboyant feminism was met with mixed reactions. Was Chanel expressing genuine support for a social movement or merely capitalizing on a trending issue? In fact, whatever Chanel’s motives may be, the company put a spotlight on feminism and made it a topic of conversation. This is, unequivocally, a positive thing. This principle of raising conversation also applies to the recent surge in female empowering advertisements on television and the Internet. For example, Verizon recently unveiled an ad campaign titled “Inspire Her Mind,” which
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poignantly depicts a young, scientifically inclined girl who was gradually conditioned to avoid science and engineering. Admittedly, this premise has little to do with promoting a cell phone plan, but that is beside the point. Rather than critique and overanalyze Verizon’s intentions, we should recognize how forward-thinking it is to create an advertisement based on this premise. In fact, the ad has promoted feminist ideals to over 3.5 million YouTube viewers. Under Armour’s “I Will What I Want” campaign is another example of a company employing an inspiring feminist narrative in its advertising. The ad campaign features female athletes, most prominently ballerina Misty Copeland, in order to send out an empowering message to women. Again, the logic be-
hind creating this ad is irrelevant. If it is enough to spur a dialogue about feminism or even inspire people to take action individually, the ad is successful. A common critique of companies that embrace different social movements is that they are aligning themselves with a cause simply because the cause is glamorous and of the moment. In other words, the company does not really care about the cause, but it wants to garner business from people who do. To that I say: so what? Profit and progress need not be mutually exclusive. Many people choose certain brands or products because their values are similar, and they would rather give money to people who share their core beliefs. If both the idea and product are promoted amass publicity and prosperity, it is a win for both sides. As feminism continues to be a hot topic, we will continue to see it manifested in advertisements and celebrity culture. Rather than being exploitative, all of this exposure serves to further encourage the cause. Email Annie Cohen at opinions@nyunews.com.
staff editorial
NYC finds balance between privacy, safety
New York City recently announced that it will be removing beacons that have the capability of tracking smartphone owners from payphone booths scattered around Manhattan. The 500 beacons were in the testing phase and were part of a larger proposal by outdoor media company Titan, which sells advertising space in phone kiosks. While the beacons are intended to send push notifications to nearby smartphones and are unable to collect any personal information, they could be used to track the location of smartphone users. Whether or not the beacons actually pose a threat, the city’s decision to remove them proves its commitment to finding a balance between personal privacy and public security. Beacons seem to be the next big thing in both marketing and privacy concerns. Unfortunately, general understanding of what beacons do seems hazy at best. While the technology could easily develop in worrying ways, the beacons installed by Titan are hardly dystopian tracking devices. Gimbal, the company that created Titan’s beacons, may collect information on users’ locations, but so does Google. For a passerby’s phone to interact with Gimbal’s beacons, the user must download a smartphone app, giving their phone permission to interpret beacons’ signals. In addition, the function of beacons vary based on a phone’s operating system: iPhones automatically receive beacon signals, while Android users must manually activate apps that use beacons. There is always potential for misuse, however, and beacons could easily become the type of invasive technology that they are currently perceived to be. But, America has bigger digital demons to slay. One of the fundamental concerns underlying the beacons is simply that the public was not informed of their presence. It was not until after Buzzfeed broke the story that City Hall decided to remove the devices. When the beacons were first installed, Titan told the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications that they were for “maintenance purposes only.” With this innocuous cover, Titan was able to duck obligations to inform the public about the nature of this maintenance. The lack of informed public consent surrounding the beacons only serves to further strain the balance between convenience and liberty. It echoes concerns about NSA and federal surveillance, which were conducted without publicly available information. At a time when distrust in surveillance has never been higher and government respect for privacy has never been lower, it is reassuring to know that there are still lines that can be drawn. While New York City may be implementing invasive security measures, the decision to nix the beacons proves that citizens’ privacy concerns are still taken into consideration. Moving forward, however, the city should seek greater transparency when making security decisions. Overall, this decision comes as a positive first step toward moderating the city’s security programs.
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
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nyunews.com | wednesDAy, october 8, 2014 | Washington Square news
BEAUTY & STYLE
edited by david bologna bstyle@nyunews.com
Fashion company now pays interns
backpack continued from PG. 1
Chic options to replace backpacks
fashionable trend. “I used to have a backpack, but now I use a handbag from Aldo designed specifically for books. There’s a dividing wall inside so my stuff doesn’t get messed up. It’s also deceptively roomy,” Lai said. “The bag makes any outfit look more put together.” If you are dying to hang on to the classic backpack style,
By Madison Reis Contributing Writer
When it comes to fashion internships in New York City, the unfortunate ratio stands 2,000 unpaid to 300 paid internships. With rent, food and the hours expected at work, these unpaid positions are unreasonable. Thankfully, one company is finally changing the status quo. Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy is a company that oversees some of the biggest names in fashion, including Céline, Loewe, Kenzo, Givenchy and Emilio Pucci. For the first time ever, every intern at one of those companies is receiving pay for their work this semester. It is likely this change is a response to the recent scandals concerning interns at competitive companies. The Condé Nast fiasco of paying interns less than $1 per hour and pushing students to work up to 55 hours a week resulted in the end of the internship program altogether at Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair and W Magazine. Mistreated interns on “Black Swan” sued Fox Searchlight Pictures, and the National Association of Broadcasters has started paying its interns after “Late Night” was sued. Before this semester, LVMH would give college credit for hours worked. This trend, which is also used by many other companies, sounds nice on the surface, but actually means that students are paying to work, as well as fees for
try a chic leather version to add a bit of trendiness to any look. Great and affordable styles can be found from Daily Look, Madewell and Topshop. These updated versions will certainly look more chic than a 10-year-old JanSport. Email Sophie Lewis at bstyle@nyunews.com.
photo by Matt D. Goldman
Jonathan Chan, is among LVMH’s newly paid interns. lunch, transportation and more. As the cost of tuition rises, so too does the cost of working an unpaid internship. And while the pay at some companies is only close to or at minimum wage, this is still a major step in the right direction. Jonathan Chan, Steinhardt senior and Céline intern, has been greatly affected by the new changes at LVMH. Chan shared his own knowledge on the relationship between a business and its interns, and how receiving payment can influence it. “If the company is willing to invest in you, the interns are more willing to invest in the company,” Chan said. Chan’s experience at Céline is also extremely different from what came out in the press over the Condé Nast scandal. He said he works three days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Part of being an intern is learning,” Chan said. “If your team needs you to stay late, you stay late. I always get paid overtime.” In contrast to the lawsuits against Condé Nast, Fox Searchlight Pictures
and the NAB, Chan said his own experience has been positive. “I love working at Céline,” Chan said. “What most people don’t know is that these are very lean teams of three to four people, so I get a lot of hands-on learning experience.” For the future of the fashion world, and for internships in general, this is a major change. It expedites increased competition for internships that students were already fighting for and also changes the internship culture through increased respect for their companies. For a while, Anne Hathaway’s character in “The Devil Wears Prada” was a pretty accurate depiction of intern life, but LVMH’s decision may be the start of an industry-wide change. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a trend that the rest of the fashion world will follow — increasing student standards of living, competition and, most of all, talent. Email Madison Reis at bstyle@nyunews.com.
top PHOTOS BY LEO LIEN, Bottom staff photo by shawn paik
Students sport a Longchamp (top left), satchel (top right), and a Céline bag (bottom).
Knee-slit jeans bring polished look to denim
By Caroline Ogulnick Contributing Writer
Jeans will never go out of style. Each season, the classic skinny, bootleg, flare and, more recently, boyfriend jeans return, but in a revamped form to match the current trends. This fall, knee-slit jeans are making a statement. The knee-slit trend is most popularly produced on skinny jeans. Colors vary from blues to blacks to acid washes, and the size of the knee-slit ranges depending on the look the designer is going for. While some of the jeans display more distressed slits that are wide, uneven and frayed, others exhibit a subtle take on the trend with a clean, straight cut. Knee-slit jeans are slashing the stigma of the casual, distressed jeans of the past. Even though they may still be placed into the distressed category, knee-slit denims give off
staff photo by daniel cole
A student demonstrates the DIY ease of knee-slit jeans. a more sophisticated vibe, as they represent a mixture of the plain and distressed type, offering a greater opportunity for styling. The more extreme version of the jeans, with prominent slits that expose your whole knee, favors the ca-
sual style but can still pair well with a basic tee and slip-on sneakers. This old trend has been transformed, however, into the more polished style with jeans that show a smaller and cleaner slit. A black blazer and pointed pumps match this style, cre-
ating a look for a night out or even a job interview. Although fall has just begun, kneeslit jeans are already popping up all around campus. Consistently fashion-focused students, like LS freshman Carly Berns, were quick to take
part in the trend and are sporting both casual and sophisticated styles. “They are a more conservative take on last year’s completely damaged jean, keeping it trendy and comfortable,” Berns said. “What makes them so great is that they can be dressed up with a nice blouse or dressed down with a simple tee or flannel.” While some may splurge on the pre-slit jeans from fashion stores, others must stick to a college budget and are forced to improvise. Luckily, this trend makes it easy, as you can take an old pair of skinny jeans and create your own slits, as subtle or distressed as you like. Whether you decide to spend or save on the knee-slit trend, participating either way lets you flaunt your inner fashionista with one of the staples of the season. Email Caroline Ogulnick at bstyle@nyunews.com.