NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 84
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014
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Experts reflect on Sandy, future planning By CHRISTINE WANG Staff Writer
Today marks the two-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy hitting New York, yet some are not sure the city is entirely prepared to deal with another storm. Klaus Jacob, a professor at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, spoke at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner building on Oct. 28 about disaster preparedness and resiliency in a changing climate. While he cited many examples of positive changes and mitigation projects, Jacob said the city has ultimately fallen short of its goals. “I think in our attempt to really make a difference in our present situation and economy, we’ve fallen short in finding a long-term solution and resilience,” Jacob said. The event included a panel discussion with Nupur Chaudhury, senior project manager at Rebuild by Design, and Katherine Greig, senior policy adviser at the New York City STAFF PHOTO BY ALEX GREENBERGER
Chris Ofili’s colorful paintings, on display at the New Museum in an exhibit titled “Chris Ofili: Night and Day,” reveal his jarring approach. ARTS
Exhibit proves shocking, thrilling
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
religious art. Then there is the elephant dung, which at this exhibit replaces Mary’s breast and is thankfully scentless. The painting is propped against the wall instead of hung and, like all others in the gallery, it sits on two big balls of dung. Dung is a running motif in Ofili’s work, and it is used to defile his black subjects, who engage in all sorts of unspeakable activities. Though these works use it for shock value, his later red, black and green paintings, produced for the Great Britain pavilion at the 2003 Venice Biennale, use it as a more poetic means by incorporating dung into the garish, colorful compositions. Ofili’s influences are sometimes
Use makeup to top off your costume This year, use the right makeup to make your costume more authentic. STORY on PG. 4
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“Chris Ofili: Night and Day,” the New Museum’s retrospective of the controversial British artist, opens with a shock to the system, the kind that makes it easy to forget that the rest of the exhibition even exists. Ofili’s work should not be surprising anymore — the almost two-decade-old, acrylic-on-linen paintings strewn with map pins, glitter and resin featuring blaxploitation-like heroes are known for their shock value. In a classic moment in New York art history, former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani temporarily pulled city funding from the Brooklyn Museum after it showed Ofili’s “The
Holy Virgin Mary” (1996) in its 1999 show “Sensation.” The work of art, like any of the paintings in this gallery, is still sensational today. It depicts a familiar personage — the blue-robed Virgin Mary, shown with her left breast exposed, depicted just as any Renaissance painter might have done it. It is not outlandish, however, to say no Renaissance artist would have painted the Virgin Mary as a black mother figure. Few other painters in the history of art would have been so daring as to underline Mary’s sexuality by juxtaposing her with collaged porn images of black women exposing themselves. Fingers are ready for insertion while a religious figure sits ready for her portrait. This is not your grandma’s
PHOTO BY RACHEL LIQUINDOLI
By ALEX GREENBERGER Arts Editor
Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience. The event was moderated by John Gershman, professor of public service. Jacob said the effects of Hurricane Sandy were as bad as the predictions he and a team of colleagues made a year before Sandy hit: parts of the city flooded within 40 minutes, it took three weeks for infrastructure services to be restored and transportation infrastructure alone sustained $10 billion in damage. After observing the mitigation measures the city took, however, Jacob said he noticed that there were ways to prevent such disastrous consequences. For example, putting up plywood water barriers and removing sensitive subway signal and control systems were effective forms of damage prevention. Jacob added that the latter method in particular saved the city two weeks of recovery time and billions of dollars after Sandy. Jacob also said although many
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BEAUTY & STYLE
Fashion inspires Halloween costumes By LAUREN CRADDOCK Staff Writer
As Halloween approaches, high fashion costumes are proving to be easy to create and fun to wear. What better day than Halloween to be avant-garde in style? The nostalgic trend-setter is already contemplating which faux Manolo Blahniks to wear as Carrie Bradshaw, or which oversized sunnies will best present Anna Wintour. Although they are fashion icons, costumes for Bradshaw and Wintour are dated and predictable. To stay fashion-forward for Halloween, make a high-fashion statement with one of these simple looks. One TV show character many are obsessed with is Olivia Pope of the ABC series “Scandal.” The trendy po-
litical crisis manager is said to be the new Carrie Bradshaw. The character’s style is the buzz of the industry and inspires ready-to-wear fashion. Played by Kerry Washington, Olivia evokes presidential chic. To pull off this costume, find the cross between elegant, trendy and office-appropriate. A beige coat, fall gloves, trousers and high heel pumps would do the trick. Add in a watch and tote bag — the bigger the designer the better — for accent. To differentiate between the average business woman walking down the street, commit to being Olivia with side bangs, a blowout and an air of independence. If you are feeling extra chic this Halloween, look to those who are responsible for worldwide trends. Instead of Anna Wintour, a unique
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Yusuf comes out with third album
NYC prison
With his newest album, Yusuf is able to creatively articulate his faith with unique sounds.
The NYC review of prison suicide may set the city on track to lead the nation in better prison conditions.
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STORY on PG. 7
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS “American Horror Story”
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“House of Leaves”
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WSN STAFF s In honor of Halloween, here are four ways to get creeped out by art.
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Filling the gap that has been empty since the era of “Twin Peaks” and “The X-Files,” the latest gripping series to hit television is Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s “American Horror Story.” The show is presented as an anthology, with the same cast members being the only commonality between the otherwise stand-alone storylines. From a family living in a haunted house with the ghosts of its former inhabitants to patients trapped in a 1960s mental institution, the show sways between fascinating and terrifying. Set in 1950s Florida, the latest and fourth season, features a band of freakshow misfits and a murderous clown, all characters that may inspire Halloween costumes this year. Dana Reszutek, Managing Editor
“Goosebumps”
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“House of Leaves,” Mark Z. Danielewski’s wild novel, is a fake nonfiction book about a documentary made by a man whose house kept growing. This is only a simple way of explaining the novel’s structure — the book’s frame narratives concern people finding books about books and films about films. On each narrative level, there is a frantic exploration of insanity, which Danielewski portrays by having the book randomly explode into visual poetry. The narrators lose their minds as they get lost in the depths of the house, whether experienced directly or indirectly. Readers will have similar experiences because of Danielewski’s chilling prose — a style that is both disorienting and engrossing in equal measure. Alex Greenberger, Arts Editor
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OPINION PAGE
This Halloweekend, take a trip back to your childhood with “Goosebumps.” Gather your friends, make a fort and turn off the lights, open up any of the novels in R.L. Stine’s horror series and be prepared to be terrified. Rediscover the roots of your fear of dolls in “Night of the Living Dummy,” or relive the torment of Carly Beth when her Halloween mask got stuck to her face in “The Haunted Mask.” If you are looking to revisit your childhood and also pregame, play one of the many “Goosebumps” TV show drinking games that you can find online. Kavish Harjai, Web Managing Editor
opinion editor
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Of course, there are many Halloween-themed movies that need to be watched this time of year (“Halloweentown,” we’re looking at you). If you want to branch out from Disney Channel and ABC Family fare while still keeping things PG, return to the spooky glory that is 1985’s “The Goonies.” There are creepy attics, skeletons galore and, most importantly, plenty of booby traps. Even three decades after they originally hit the big screen, Goonies never say die. Clio McConnell, Editor-at-Large
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TODAY ON CAMPUS Interesting Times: Reflections on America’s Colleges with Andrew Delbanco Professor Andrew Delbanco, author of “College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be,” will discuss his book and other issues facing higher education in the United States in room 914 of the Kimmel Center for University Life at 5 p.m.
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Author reading and signing with Miriam Frank Professor Miriam Frank will discuss her latest book, “Out of the Union: A Labor History of Queer America,” which details labor politics as it interweaves with queer activism. The event will take place in the NYU Bookstore at 6 p.m.
NYU World Tour: “Gringo Trails” Film Screening A scenic view from the Brooklyn Bridge captures the early birds of New York.
STAFF PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER
“Gringo Trails” is a documentary that shows the darker side of tourism in South America, Africa and Asia. The screening will be at 7 p.m. in room 101 of 5 Washington Place. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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KRISTINA BOGOS, RACHEL KAPLAN, CLIO MCCONNELL, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact the managing editors at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.
NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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EPA speaker discusses economic effects of climate policy By ELIZABETH GURDUS Contributing Writer
Climate change is expected to hurt the U.S. economy, said associate administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Policy Joel Beauvais. Beauvais spoke about the relationship between economics and climate change, as well as the EPA’s Clean Power Plant, at NYU School of Law’s Greenberg Lounge in Vanderbilt Hall on Oct. 28. The event was sponsored by the Institute for Policy Integrity at NYU Law. During the event, Beauvais explained his view that the ongoing environmental public policy debate ultimately rests on economic arguments. “The heart of the debate on the future of U.S. climate policy is not the science,” Beauvais said. “It’s actually not the technology; it may not even be the policies that we’re talking about here today. From the immortal words of campaign strategist James Carville, ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’” Beauvais said the economy and climate are interdependent. He said the EPA’s efficiency in battling climate issues while maintaining economic stability. “We’re not taking action on climate in spite of the economy, we’re taking action on climate because of the economy,” Beauvais said. Focusing on the potential economic effects of implementing more climate policy, Beauvais compared the EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan to the Clean Air Act of 1990. He noted that when the latter passed, leading industry groups offered dire
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predictions of its impact. “When the Clean Air Act amendments were enacted in 1990, the pundits claimed that it would result in economic ruin: in the words of one leading industry group, a quiet death for businesses across the country,” Beauvais said. Beauvais said the Clean Air Act helped cut air pollution by 70 percent and is projected to produce $2
trillion in savings by 2020. He also acknowledged the importance of performing extensive regulatory impact analysis on the proposal. He said the development in the financial estimate of the damages caused by carbon emissions continues to play a strong role in the steps the EPA has taken toward climate policy implementation in recent years.
Email Elizabeth Gurdus at news@nyunews.com.
NYU Law hosts climate panel
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By STEPHANIE GRELLA Staff Writer
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE WANG
Left to right, John Gershman, Nupur Chaudhury, Katherine Greig and Klaus Jacob speak at a panel about disaster preparedness.
Panelist says city has fallen short of goals
plans may collectively benefit the city, people do not want to elevate their homes and reduce their value. Hannah Kates, Wagner graduate student, said people who do not want to leave homes during times of disaster must be prepared for potential dangers. “To a certain extent, if people don’t want to leave the area they’re in, that they have to assume some risk that they’re taking on by staying,” Kates said. “The city has to ultimately kind of decide what their stance is going to be regarding this conflict. Like
“Central to this effort, as Ricky highlighted, is the social cost of carbon, an estimate of the monetary value of the damages associated with carbon emissions,” Beauvais said. Beauvais discussed the details of the Clean Power Plan’s impact analysis, drawing the conclusion that not only would the benefits outweigh the costs, but the plan would lead to creating a more produc-
tive economy, driving investments and helping businesses involved in energy efficiency flourish. He also mentioned that the plan could ultimately cost less than originally anticipated, based on past retrospective analyses. “The market and policy flywheel is already spinning,” Beauvais said. “The Clean Power Plan is specifically designed to build on that momentum.” Burcin Unel, a fellow at the Institute for Policy Integrity who attended the event, said the points raised by Beauvais were effective arguments against the opposition to climate regulation. “We need to take action now, and I think this is a good way to go,” Unel said. “Most of every debate is about the economy, the heart of politics is about the economy, so always the economy is driving these arguments. Some may argue that regulation will kill jobs, but the economic impact of climate change is exactly why we need to take action now.” CAS sophomore Isabelle Bank said Beauvais’s speech convinced her that the Clean Power Plan was an effective way to combat pollution. “I definitely liked Mr. Beauvais’ speech, and I really like the Clean Power Plan,” Bank said. “It’s definitely cool how much it can actually do for the environment.”
whether they prefer people living in a higher elevation and then having some kind of system in place where the people who decide to stay are assuming the risk on their own.” Shawn Sippin, Wagner graduate student, said he was surprised by the range of views on the issue. “I think that, the biggest thing that struck me was the bringing together of three completely different perspectives and creating a dialogue between them,” Sippin said. Email Christine Wang at news@nyunews.com.
Environmental and economic professionals gathered at the NYU School of Law to discuss the recent regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act and offer the NYU community an opportunity to foster connections with professionals in law and economics. The panel was held on Oct. 28, hosted by the Institute of Policy Integrity and moderated by Richard Stewart, faculty director of the Frank J. Guarini Center of Environmental Energy and Land Use Law. The speakers discussed rate-based versus mass-based approaches to regulating greenhouse gases. A mass-based approach regulates greenhouse gases by providing a total number of tons that can be emitted, while a rate-based model regulates the amount of greenhouse gas that can be emitted per hour. The panel included several policy experts, including Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Jackson Morris, director of the Eastern Energy for Natural Resources Defense Council, who spoke about the benefits of regulating emissions
by mass. “It’s a very attractive proposition to look at a mass-based approach because you don’t have to recreate an entirely new system,” Morris said. “You simply need to adopt smart policies that then will determine whether or not the economic benefit is positive or negative for your state.” Diane Simon, an international student from France and a recent business management graduate from CUNY said she was impressed with the issues discussed. “I had a perspective about Americans as being less involved in terms of sustainability, and I’m happy to see that many leaders are willing to make these things happen,” Simon said. “It’s really important that more local people, like those in business or in the military, also advocate for climate change, and not only those from the U.N. or Green Peace.” In his keynote address, Whitehouse promoted a more universal awareness of upcoming climate change policies, proposing a possible tax on carbon. Whitehouse said 2016 presidential candidates will need a strong climate platform
to win. Derek Sylvan, communications director of Policy Integrity, said he was excited about this year’s workshop, as Policy Integrity has been recently addressing energy and climate issues. “A lot of us felt that regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act has the chance to be one of the more transformative public policy issues,” Sylvan said. “I think we were able to get a lot of people here with knowledge about these issues, and we’re hoping it’s something that will contribute to policy discussions at NYU and in New York.” Simon added that he felt the panel was productive because it gave people with widely varying views on climate regulation a chance to have a conversation. “There is a real need to see the points of view from people who are creating these policies,” Simon said. “I believe in the invisible hand, but it cannot manage everything, so this event is important in seeing what is done. This is a good step.” Email Stephanie Grella at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DAVID BOLOGNA BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Makeup to perfect, complement costumes By AMBER HUNTER Contributing Writer
The right Halloween makeup can mask the wearer with an unrecognizable facade and put the finishing touches on the perfect costume. With Halloween just a few days away, it is time to break out the brushes, powders and paints to truly transform into a different character. Wednesday Addams is the perfect guise for those looking to embrace their moodier side this Halloween. To imitate her pallor, use a foundation one or two shades lighter than normal and don a mauve nude lipstick that casts a gray tint on your lips. Wednesday appears without eye makeup, but you can amp up the grunge factor with some black eyeliner and mascara. Part your hair — or black wig — down the middle and tightly braid it into two pigtails to finish the look. Pay homage to HBO’s “Game of Thrones” by embodying the characters of Khal Drogo or Daenerys Targaryen. For Drogo, make sure to braid your long black hair and artfully arrange your beard. For those lacking Drogo’s locks, wear a wig and fake beard. Create smokey eyes
by filling in the lids with black kohl liner and smudging outward. Blend in the liner with black eyeshadow and bring it down into the lower lash line. While an eyebrow scar is not necessary, it adds an undeniably Dothraki touch. Unlike Drogo, everything about Daenerys, Drogo’s beau, is light. Skip the foundation and use concealer where necessary. For the eyes, use a nude matte eyeshadow, brown eyeliner and a swipe of brown mascara. Fill in the brows with a heavier hand, but keep it natural by using a light powder. Add a pink stain to the lips and cheeks for a pretty but natural flush. The finishing touch is a white-blonde wig with intricate braids. Edward Scissorhands, perhaps one of Tim Burton’s most memorable characters, is also a great option for Halloween. A pale, white face foundation is necessary for this look, as well as a shaggy black wig. Eyebrows can be covered with two or three layers of a nontoxic glue stick, a layer of powder to set and a dab of concealer on top. Use a gray eyeshadow with purple undertones all the way around the eyes and, with a dark purple lipstick, fill in the center
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Unique ensembles emanate high fashion
costume for the year is Grace Coddington. A former Vogue model and now its creative director, Coddington is responsible for creating the Vogue look on every page of the publication. Her signature style includes big red hair, a red lip, neutral color clothing and minimal eye makeup. Coddington is simple, so a white button down and black trousers would work well. An added bonus: unlike a Wintour costume, flats are appropriate. Some of the most entertaining costumes for Halloween come in groups. Charlie’s Angels, the Spice Girls and the cast of Bridesmaids are all crowd-winners for Halloween. For the trendy couple’s look, the perfect pair is Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Although acting as duplicate Michelle Tanners would be fun, the modern-day twins are symbols of high fashion. Their style put into a costume embodies bohemian chic. Oversized knitwear in black or neutral colors, along with massive sunglasses, creates this look. For hair, try the twins’ signature style with either bohemian waves or a low pony. An easy Halloween costume is a favorite fictional character, Blair Waldorf of Gossip Girl. Preppy and feminine, the New York socialite is both recognizable as a costume and wearable for day activities. Essential characteristics of the costume include a skirt or dress with lady-
PHOTO BY RACHEL LIQUINDOLI
Embody Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones with natural makeup and a bold braid.
of the lips. Finish off the look with some store-bought scars. Rather than a Disney princess, embrace the other side of the spectrum with Maleficent. Start off with a pale base and then go in heavy with the contour. To achieve the look of heavily sculpted cheekbones, use a gray contouring powder or cream rather than a bronze
one. To imitate Maleficent’s pout, first line and fill in the lips with a red liner before dabbing your lipstick on top. This guarantees a precise and long-lasting lip color. To ensure your makeup lasts through the night, use foundation and eyeshadow primers as well as a finishing spray. If you plan to take photos, wear a foundation
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like print, a fitted blazer, tights, flats and the signature headband. Blair’s style is a classy emblem for the ultimate New Yorker. Email Lauren Craddock at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Email Amber Hunter at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Thrift your spooky look for less By FRANCESCA CONLIN Contributing Writer
It is that time of year again, and thanks to the Gregorian calendar, Halloween has finally fallen on a Friday. That means there is absolutely no excuse for not dressing up. Choosing to purchase a costume for Halloween also means that you have to fork over some cash. On a college budget, however, it is hard to justify spending money on a costume. Luckily, with a plethora of thrift shops around every New York City borough, it is easy to find a costume, even at the last minute.
breros. You can assemble a complete costume with items from here for roughly $30 or less. 118 Knickerbocker Ave.
Beacon’s Closet With locations in Greenpoint, Manhattan, Bushwick and Park Slope, Beacon’s Closet offers a variety of items in each location because of the diverse crowd that flocks there to sell clothes. You will experience the thrill of the find when shopping for a Halloween costume there as you scour the racks to find a $5 Harley Davidson T-shirt next to a vintage pair of Prada slingbacks. Manhattan Location: 10 W. 13th St.
No Relation Vintage
Combine layering and bohemian styles to portray an Olsen twin.
without SPF to avoid unwanted shine. Whether it be a barbaric Dothraki soldier or a villainous witch, the transformative power of makeup is the extra touch to successfully embody another character for All Hallows Eve.
Talk about an enlarged version of your grandmother’s closet, No Relation Vintage boasts a massive inventory, with pieces including workman’s overalls, ’60s mod dresses and shell suits. Although it looks as if it is right out of the Midwest, No Relation is conveniently located in the East Village and boasts cheap prices, making this a one-stop shop you cannot miss. 204 First Ave.
Urban Jungle If you are feeling adventurous, take a trip across the East River to Urban Jungle in Williamsburg. You will walk in to find skateboards and toboggans hanging from the ceiling, but do not let that distract you from the numerous camouflage jackets, basketball jerseys and various hats, including som-
Housing Works Housing Works never disappoints when it comes to finding a costume for a themed occasion. There is at least one in every neighborhood, and the clothes, shoes and accessories range from brands like Ann Taylor to Louis Vuitton. You can find a great Halloween costume at an extremely discounted price, and when you shop at Housing Works, you also help a great charity that benefits the city’s homeless as well as those affected by HIV and AIDS. 245 West 10th St. All of these thrift stores have great inventory, but choosing an outfit can be a bit overwhelming. Here are some easy tips to best utilize your thrifting skills. Margot Tenenbaum: Search at
No Relation Vintage and Urban Jungle for options for this look. All you need to replicate Gwyneth Paltrow’s famous look from “The Royal Tenenbaums” is a polo dress (even a men’s extra-large T-shirt will do the trick), a red barrette, loafers, a pair of pink gloves (you can cut one of the fingers off yourself) and a faux-fur jacket. Grab your bag and a cigarette and you are ready to head out — Richie Tenenbaum, her father, not included. Freudian Slip: Stop by Beacon’s Closet for some vintage slip dresses, if you do not already have one. All you need to do is make a sign with string attached that reads “Freudian Slip” and wear it over your newly purchased slip dress. Pair it with any pair of heels and you have a witty costume at little or not cost. Foxxy Cleopatra: If you are a fan of the ’70s trends that are making a comeback, you might opt for purchasing a pair of bell-bottoms and a gold bralette or shirt that can tie to emulate Queen Bey in her role as Foxxy Cleopatra Brown in “Austin Powers in Goldmember.” A store like Housing Works will definitely have items like these, as well as the jewelry and shoes to match. Big hoops and platform heels have never been more fun to wear, especially as a Halloween homage to the queen herself. Email Francesca Conlin at bstyle@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY ALEX GREENBERGER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Gavin DeGraw talks collaborations, songs
OFILI continued from PG. 1
Artist explores new themes in exhibit
put front and center. In one particularly memorable painting, he reimagines Rodin’s “Thinker” as something like a black stripper, making it more Gauguin than Rodin and critiquing the ways artists commonly depict black subjects. Unfortunately, Ofili’s inspirations become more obvious and his work becomes less risqué as the exhibition progresses. The beautiful 64-part “Afromuses” installation aside, “Night and Day” becomes less involved with ideas of racism, black images and ideology as the show continues. It also becomes less interesting. Though Ofili’s “Blue Rider” paintings depict that time of night when things are just barely visible, they lack any interesting subtext. They may recall the Rothko Chapel in their bluish darkness and installation style and they may be well-crafted, but they are plain. Only one painting, “Iscariot Blues,” in which a banjo player fails to notice a hanged man swinging among the leaves near his porch, has any lasting effect. “Night and Day” climaxes with
By ALEXA SPIELER Music Editor
STAFF PHOTO BY ALEX GREENBERGER
Chris Ofili utilizes various motifs, like color and sexuality, and combines them in his works. Ofili’s newest work, which is not memorable either. These thinly painted works about Trinidadian nightlife — Ofili has lived in Trinidad since 2005 — have little substance to their decidedly Cubist style. Still, they feel fresh, which is more than could be said for most artists’ work. The New Museum’s exciting show
is proof that Ofili cannot be pigeonholed into being a black artist who makes art about race. It may be less interesting when he leaves the topic he is known for, but “Night and Day” is nothing less than thrilling. Email Alex Greenberger at agreenberger@nyunews.com.
Yusuf drops reminiscent album By ZANE WARMAN Contributing Writer
It has been years since Cat Stevens rattled anyone’s cage. One would think there is no need for him to explain himself, yet the reclusive 66-year-old chose to set the record straight on “Tell ’Em I’m Gone,” the third album since his musical reincarnation as Yusuf Islam in 2006 and his first in five years. “Tell ’Em I’m Gone,” released on Oct. 27, follows the path other albums of its ilk have set, mingling new songs with arrangements of classics. Yet Yusuf and Rick Rubin’s nuanced production gives it a more distinct identity than his previous modern offerings. The twangy guitar and overdriven electric pianos fit into a developing canon where aging rock icons reach deeper into American blues roots. The album lacks the irresistible chemistry of Robert Plant and Alison Kraus’ “Raising Sand,” but it is not as trivial as Bob Dylan’s “Together Through Life.” The standout quality is Yusuf ’s ability to articulate his unique experiences, utilizing this musical tradition — far removed from the sounds people often associate with Islam — as a means of expressing his faith.
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VIA COMMONS.WIKIMEDIA.ORG
Yusuf’s latest album incorporates blues and rock roots. The personal struggles bleed into Yusuf ’s songwriting more than ever. The narrative of “Editing Floor Blues” is the first time he addresses his long-running miscommunication with the media with lyrics like, “We got down to the truth/But they never printed that.” These moments are proof that he has every right, as well as all the skill, to play the blues. Compared to modern folk albums, the 36 minutes of “Tell ’Em I’m Gone,” may seem bitesized. But the album’s length belies its emotional depth. Yusuf revisits his singer-songwriter chops. His cover of Edgar Winters’ “Dying to Live,” a highlight, could have easily been included on “Tea for the Tillerman.” The song references his beliefs and busts out his trusty soapbox. “I used to
serve the empire on which the sun set never, now times have turned/We thought our white skins would save us, then we got burned,” he croons on “I Was Raised In Babylon,” one of the songs which attests to his commitment to his beliefs. Yusuf is in his finest form when he strays from convention, a tendency he is not always above. The melodrama prevails here and there, and when it does it weighs down the entire experience. The album-closer “Doors,” for example, is presented as an anthem for new beginnings, yet its superficial, feel-good hopefulness comes across as a show-closing song in a Broadway musical. As a whole, “Tell ’Em I’m Gone” has a full helping of ruminations. It is hard to tell if it will be a tentpole for Yusuf ’s career because it is a portrait of old age — telling stories, recounting wisdom and toying about stylistically to stay relevant. Yusuf is emerging from his solitude to make long-overdue statements, and although they do not light a fire underneath as they might have done before, his new album cannot be missed. Email Zane Warman at music@nyunews.com.
With five studio albums under his belt at age 37, Gavin DeGraw released his greatest hits album, “Finest Hour: The Best of Gavin DeGraw.” After the album’s release on Oct. 17, DeGraw spoke with WSN over the phone to discuss his new tracks and what the future holds for the “Soldier” singer. From an outsider’s perspective, a collective release of greatest hits may seem premature for DeGraw. He said he made the album primarily to release his two new tracks, “You Got Me” and “Fire.” “I’ve been so excited about this new song, ‘Fire,’ I just wanted an excuse to get the song out there,” DeGraw said. “I was afraid that it would’ve lost its momentum and that excitement ... I needed any excuse that I could get to get the song out there.” For the creative process, DeGraw found himself working with the likes of Harry Styles of One Direction and Max Martin, whose name has been attached to a number of hit projects. Martin produced “Fire,” as well as the unreleased version of DeGraw’s “In Love With A Girl,” which is also featured on “Finest Hour.” “Max is legendary,” DeGraw said. “Before I met him, I thought that he was an old man. When I initially met him, I couldn’t believe how young he was. He had already written so many hits and, in a way, had already reached legendary sta-
tus, but he was this young guy.” The success that DeGraw witnessed in working with someone as young and precocious as Martin led him to collaborating with Styles, which ultimately worked out favorably. The pair worked together on “Not Our Fault,” which did not make it into the final track listing, despite DeGraw’s intention to include it on “Finest Hour.” “We got into the studio and he was as nice as can be and respectful,” DeGraw said. “He’s a talented writer. It’s a song that I’m very, very proud of.” With a greatest hits album in his discography, DeGraw continues to look toward the future. He is interested in other aspects of the industry, including publishing. “I’m very interested in cataloging and writing other people’s songs,” DeGraw said. “There’s so much great talent out there.” His goals do not all rest in his artistic endeavors, however. Despite enjoying creative projects, which keep his mind entertained, he wants to try new ventures that have nothing to do with music. “I don’t really think very often as far as five-year plan,” DeGraw said. “I think for the most part, I just want to be happy. I think that’s the key, to be happy and to stay happy. It can’t all be about your career, it has to be about your life.” Email Alexa Spieler at aspieler@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Bums around 6 Bellini opera 11 Night light, perhaps 14 Shoptalk 15 Weest of wee hours 16 Mint 17 Film about a Communist invasion? (1996) 19 Enthusiast 20 Casanova 21 Ties down 23 Moroccan headwear 25 Line on a baseball 26 Film about the woman most likely to catch men’s attention? (2001) 33 Computer mode 34 It’s usually between 3 and 5 35 Logic game with matchsticks
36 Battery containing a liquid electrolyte 39 The statue “David” on openair display in Florence, e.g. 42 Well-suited 43 Take a gander at 45 Captain and others 46 Film about an elegantly made crossword? (2009) 51 Collaborator with Disney on the film “Destino” 52 Add-on charge 53 First family of Germany, 1969-74 56 Licit 62 Brit’s washroom 63 Film about a romantic dentist’s daily routine? (2010) 65 Israeli gun 66 “Delphine” author Madame de ___
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57 Instrument for Orpheus 58 King Harald’s father 59 Told, as a yarn 60 Level 61 Shoulder muscle, for short 64 Member of the MTV generation, informally
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY CHRISTINA COLEBURN OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
STATE POLICY
Stand-your-ground not applied consistently By RICHARD SHU Staff Columnist
The reputation of stand-your-ground laws precedes them. They have been under scrutiny ever since Feb. 26, 2012, when George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watchman, followed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed teenager, through multiple streets, leading to a confrontation that left Martin dead. Critics of stand-your-ground laws argue that they enable violent individuals to provoke fights and then get away with murder. Some also argue that the laws enable prejudice and rash decision-making to kill innocent people. With situations involving women, however, the opposite seems to be the case. In 2012, after South Carolina woman Whitlee Jones killed her boyfriend Eric Lee when he was beating her, the judge struck down her standyour-ground defense. In another instance that took place on Aug. 1, 2010, Florida woman Marissa Alexander shot her gun at the ceiling in an attempt to scare off her husband, Rico Gray, who was in the process of strangling her. Her stand-your-ground defense was also thrown out. The precedent established by these cases is clear:
Comments
FROM
our readers
stand-your-ground laws do not apply to women who are threatened by their partners. We must ask ourselves who standyour-ground laws are really meant to protect. The Tampa Bay Times compiled a database of over 200 standyour-ground cases in Florida immediately following the killing of Trayvon Martin. In the majority of these cases, the victim was unarmed, the defendant was in pursuit or the defendant could have retreated to safety. Most stand-your-ground laws include provisions specifying that the defendant must have no other way out. Oftentimes, these qualifications are not met. Whether or not the defendant is acquitted is entirely left to the discretion of the judge. What matters in many stand-yourground cases, unfortunately, is how well the confrontation fits into a very
“Bronx can recover from Barnes & Noble closure” WSN Editorial Board Oct. 23
narrow cultural perception of what violence looks like. The stranger approaching with malice in his eyes is surely a threat, but a close relation or a domestic partner seems less menacing. Judges tend to rule based on these cultural perceptions. They understand the threat that a man feels when encountering a hooded black teenager in the middle of the night. However, they do not understand the threat of a woman’s abusive husband. But when women are 16 times more likely to be killed by a man they know than by a stranger, and when police brutality and institutionalized violence are becoming more and more common, it is time to rethink what violence is supposed to be. Regardless of whether the law itself is just, the unfairness in its execution necessitates serious examination. As it stands now, the stand-your-ground law feeds off of dangerous gut-based perceptions of what constitutes deadly violence and whether or not it can be avoided. Without regard for fairness, the law punishes the inculpable and feeds the confrontational. Email Richard Shu at opinion@nyunews.com.
“Unions need to help increase minimum wage” Richard Shu
“The Bronx never recovOct. 22 ered from NYU’s with“University should “Unions are not absent strengthen smoking policy” drawal from its landmarked from the minimum wage University Heights campus.” Matthew Tessler conversation. Keep up to Oct. 15 — BOB GODFRIED date with any international labor union on twitter and “Yes! Thank you. The ar“Quarantine of aid you’ll see that minimum gument that ‘I should be workers reprehensible” wage and living wages are able to smoke anywhere’ WSN Editorial Board frequently an issue talked is ridiculous because Oct. 27 about. AFSCME, IBEW, it’s a habit that bothers other people and makes “Well the ‘self quarantine’ UAW, AFL-CIO, Teamsters … them uncomfortable. It’s obviously didn’t work in at With state general elections a straw man argument least one case. This is a pre- just around the corner the made by lazy people. All caution, and one for good minimum wage conversathe smoke outside Bobst measure. If she HAD been tion is even more relevant is such a nuisance.” infected and going about to progressive labor groups normal business, you’d be than ever.” — CLASS OF ‘15
screaming for a quarantine.”
— JULLIAN
—D
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STAFF EDITORIAL
NYC jail suicide review tackles ignored problem
New York City officials announced the launch of a review of suicides and self-harm in jails using a $400,000 grant from the Department of Justice on Oct. 28. Officials say the review will take the “sentinel event” approach, which tries to determine the cause of events. This approach is appropriate for the issue of jail suicides, given that procedures for preventing such suicides are not always followed. The need to follow suicide prevention procedure is especially important in prisons, because the environment is conducive to self-harm and the demographics of inmates tend to be those that are most susceptible to suicide. Given that New York’s jail suicide rate is already lower than the national average, this review gives the city the opportunity to lead the nation in addressing an issue that has persisted for years. The National Institute of Corrections’ suicide training guide explains that jails increase the risk of suicide because they diminish personal control and remove inmates from social support networks. Furthermore, inmates are isolated and do not have access to proper mental health resources. It is easy for citizens to take their access to mental health support for granted and ignore the adverse situations that inmates face. In addition, jails house high suicide risk demographics including young men, mentally ill individuals and substance abusers. The guide notes that these factors, when coupled with the shame of incarceration and fear of other inmates, have caused jail suicide rates to be significantly higher than the norm. The review, which is expected to last three years, is expected to address current procedures and the communication between the Department of Correction and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Communication is a pivotal element in addressing these issues because prison conditions are often hidden from the outside world. Earlier this summer, Jose Bautista attempted suicide in his cell on Rikers Island after he was unable to post bail. Correction officers quickly stopped Bautista, handcuffed him and proceeded to beat him until he needed surgery. This is only one instance of how prisoner abuse often goes underreported and procedures are ignored. New York City is the epicenter of social progress, so it is reassuring to see it live up its progressive image. More than that, the suicide review is a reminder that the city has not given up on an often forgotten population, though it might sometimes seem like it has. The United States has the highest incarceration rate of any developed nation. This has had serious consequences in overcrowded and underserved prisons. New York is taking steps toward a solution. While the review is unlikely to change much, it at least proves that the city government recognizes the issue and has taken the initiative to examine prison conditions.
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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