PHOTO BY TONY WU
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
VIA WIKIMEDIA.ORG
Researchers combine weeks of psychotherapy with a single dose of Psilocybin to improve the quality of life of recently diagnosed cancer patients.
By MIRANDA LEVINGSTON News Editor
Cancer Therapy Could Be Psychedelic
The NYU Department of Public Safety received 16 reports of larceny, one report of criminal mischief, two reports of trespassing, one report of simple assault, one report of found property, four reports of harassment and one report of controlled substance between Sept. 14 and Sept. 21.
Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Langone Health Dr. Stephen Ross gave a lecture about the future of psychedelic science at the World’s Fair Nano on Sept. 16, delving into the potential of psychedelics in the world of medicine. This speech came only months after Ross and his associates finished their experiment called “Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.” This paper, published last April, analyzed the outcome of giving a onetime dose of synthetically-created Psilocybin, combined with weeks of psychotherapy, to recently diagnosed cancer patients with high levels of depression and anxiety. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug that is an active component in some psychedelic mushrooms and LSD. Alexander Belser, a fellow in the Department of Applied Psychology at Steinhardt and a contributor to the experiment write-up, explained that the experiment placed emphasis both on the singular dose of Psilocybin and on the controlled and comfortable environment created by the therapists. “It’s important that [the patients] are not just getting the drug,” Belser said. “They work with a therapy team over many months to establish basic trust, safety and a deep level of rapport so that when they do the work, if they get anxious, they can resolve that within the course of treatment.” The results of the research were overtly positive, with 78 percent of the participants stating that it increased their quality of life and 68 percent rating it as one of top five most meaningful experiences of their lives. According to the study, the treatment also positively contributed to the way patients viewed themselves, the course of their lives, their faith and their acceptance of death. “What’s promising about it, and why I’m so excited about it, is that in our trial both acutely and in the six and a half month follow up, there was a response rate from 60 to 80 percent for anxiety and depression in our subjects,” Belser said. “That’s double the leading treatment for cancer related anxi-
On Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. Public Safety received a report that a student’s bed sheets were missing from the laundry room in Second Street Residence Hall. The case was closed and the sheets were returned. Police notification was declined. On Sept. 15 at 5:25 p.m. Public Safety received a report from the NYU Bookstore that three unidentified men stole three BOSE headphones from the Computer Lab in the NYU Bookstore on Sept. 12 at 3:04 p.m. A police report was filed and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 17 at 1:59 p.m. Public Safety received a report from two NYU students that their bath mat was missing from the laundry room in Brittany Residence Hall. Police notification was declined and the case is open and under investigation. On Sept. 17 at 2:15 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that her bike was missing from the 721 Broadway bike rack. A police report was filed and the case is open and under investigation. On Sept. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that her handbag was missing from a classroom at 726 Broadway. A police report was filed. On Sept. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that his NYU ID was missing from the laundry room in Othmer Residence Hall. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 18 at 5:07 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that her hand creams were missing from her desk drawer at 41 E. 11th St. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 18 at 4:50 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that his wallet was missing from a treadmill at the Palladium Athletic Center. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 18 at 10:00 p.m. Public Safety received a report from
By KRISTINA HAYHURST Contributing Writer
ety and depression.” Belser said that the use of Psilocybin is not limited to cancer patients. One study at NYU’s School of Medicine is currently working on a trial pertaining to patients with refractory alcoholism. Belser also said they were beginning to do research into giving the treatment to people with no defined mental or clinical illness, specifically targeting leaders in religious and spiritual groups to see how they interact with the drug. “We’re also working with some healthy people too because people have, often times, a strong religious experience with this medicine,” Belser said. “We’ve been giving Psilocybin to people who are religious leaders … across multiple faiths and wisdom tradition backgrounds.” As for the future of psychedelic science, Dr. Jeffrey Guss, a clinical assistant professor of Psychiatry at Langone and contributor to Ross’s paper, said their next goal was to get Psilocybin scientifically rescheduled from a Schedule 1 drug, defined as having no medical value, to a Schedule 2 drug that could be used by some doctors. “It’s our position that psychedelics have medical value and are not addictive at all,” Guss said. “It’s our goal to generate the kind of data that the FDA will respect and reschedule.” Oregon is already taking initiative to decriminalize the use of psychedelics. The Oregon Psilocybin Society is moving to get a referendum on the ballot in 2020 to legalize Psilocybin. Not only would this decriminalize the drug in Oregon, but it would also give terminally ill cancer patients access to it near the end of their lives. As for recreational use, Guss emphasizes that psychedelics come from a very cultural and spiritual origin. Mushrooms and teas like Ayahuasca were and still are used as a part of healing, transformative and guided rituals. When it comes to using the drug for fun, Dr. Guss advises against it. “The more recreational and fun oriented the intention is, the less powerful, transformative and therapeutic it will be,” Guss said. “I think taking mushrooms recreationally trivializes what they can be and what they can do.” Email Kristina Hayhurst at news@nyunews.com.
Larceny
an NYU student that her bike was missing from the Meyer Hall bike rack. The report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 18 at 11:07 a.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that her backpack was missing from a study room in Kimball Hall. Police notification was declined and the case is open and under investigation. On Sept. 19 at 9:00 a.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that his bike was missing from the bike rack in Schwartz Plaza. Police notification was declined, but the student filed a police report on Sept. 20. The report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 20 at 4:35 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that her bike was missing from the Schwartz Plaza bike rack. A police report was filed and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 20 at 9:35 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that his bike was missing from a bike rack in Schwartz Plaza. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 21 at 4:15 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU staff member that a short throw projector was missing from a cart in a classroom in Rogers Hall. A police report was filed and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 21 at 8:20 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU affiliate that her glasses were missing from the Weinstein Hall cafeteria kitchen. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 21 at 9:00 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that her bike seat was missing from her bike located at the 726 Broadway bike racks. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation.
Criminal Mischief
On Sept.15 10:24 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU Resident Assistant that she found graffiti on a poster hanging in a hallway in Weinstein Residence Hall. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation.
Trespass
On Sept. 16 at 4:13 a.m. a Public Safety staff member reports that an NYU student-on-leave was in Meyer Hall without permission. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 21 at 3:10 p.m. Public Safety reported that an NYU
student swiped a non-NYU affiliate into the Kimmel Center for University Life. A Public Safety Officer stopped them and confiscated the ID. The case was closed and the students were referred to Student Affairs.
Simple Assault
On Sept. 17 at 2:40 a.m. Public Safety received a report from two NYU students that an unidentified man struck one of them with a plastic bat repeatedly at Othmer Residence Hall. Medical attention was declined. A police report was filed and the report is open and under investigation.
Found Property
On Sept. 17 at 10:30 a.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that a school leased camera was missing from Lipton Residence Hall where he left it. A police report was filed and the case was closed as the camera was returned.
Harassment
On Sept. 17 at 10:10 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that she was verbally harassed and followed by an unidentified man on Broadway and 10th Street. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed and the student was referred to NYU’s Title IX Office. On Sept. 19 at 12:28 p.m. Public Safety received a report from NYU students that an unidentified man followed them to Brittany Hall. The report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU affiliate that she was subject to harassment at 2 Washington Square Village. Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 20 at 2:45 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that she was subject to harassment on MacDougal and W 4th Street Police notification was declined and the report is open and under investigation. On Sept. 21 at 8:20 p.m. Public Safety received a report from an NYU student that she was followed by an unidentified man to 80 Lafayette St. Police notification was declined and the case is open and under investigation.
Controlled Substance
On Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Public Safety responded to a report of an alleged controlled substance violation and recovered a small amount of marijuana from a resident in Alumni Residence Hall. The case was closed and the student was referred to the Office of Community Standards. Email the News Desk at news@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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Albert and NYU Gmail Out Students as Transgender By CAROLINE HASKINS Deputy News Editor
Transgender students are sometimes misnamed and misgendered on platforms that rely on Albert and NYU Gmail, even after indicating their preferred names and gender identities within these systems. Because Albert populates attendance sheets, some professors inadvertently misname, misgender or out transgender students on the first day of class. When NYU sends out mass emails, some students are addressed using names they no longer identify with. Since NetIDs are unchangeable, they sometimes reflect a student’s former initials. A Steinhardt freshman, who will remain anonymous in order not to be outed as transgender, said that his birth name was called out by multiple professors. “I think the school could help students by being more responsive to complaints,” he said. “I also think
teachers could help by letting students introduce themselves in class so that even if technological problems occur, students can avoid being outed to their peers.” Some NYU administrators also fail to provide transgender students with the appropriate resources. For one NYU freshman, who will remain anonymous in order not to be outed as transgender, these problems began before he started school. After struggling to make Albert and NYU Gmail reflect his preferred name and gender identity, the student emailed the Coordinator of Applicant Relations for Undergraduate Admissions. He was repeatedly misnamed and misgendered and falsely told that he would have to change his legal name — a $225 cost in his home state of Connecticut — in order for his preferred name and gender identity to be recognized. WSN reached out the Coordinator of Applicant Relations for Undergraduate Admissions, but did not re-
ceive a comment. The student said that since NYU has a reputation for being friendly to LGBTQ students, he was surprised that the Admissions employee continually misgendered him and did not address him by his preferred name. “If she doesn’t know how to deal with preferred names, she could have referred me to somebody who does,” he said. “For this reason, there really isn’t any excuse — either she gave me misinformation out of bias, or she acted like she knew more than she did.” Since the student could not resolve the issue, he was misgendered by professors and faculty who assumed that his name on NYU Gmail was correct. He also receives mass emails addressed to his birth name. “I now avoid sending emails from my NYU address as much as possible,” he said. “Sometimes when I sign in for school events on a tablet outside the location, my birth name pops up and I feel like I have to quickly hide it before
Letter Urges NYU Law Trans Support By PATRICK PAULEY Contributing Writer
The U.S. military will be visiting NYU School of Law this fall to interview those seeking employment in the armed forces. The military’s presence in such a capacity, however, will violate NYU’s nondiscrimination policy, according to a letter addressed to NYU’s Law School Dean Trevor Morrison and its administration. The letter cited President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals to serve in the military in any capacity, which he announced via Twitter. In response, the open letter called on NYU Law to work with NYU OUTLaw, an NYU Law LGBTQ Group, and “to identify and provide resources for professional development and empowerment of transgender students at NYU Law.” “Not only does this deny transgender and gender-nonconforming students equal access to employers utilizing NYU resources to recruit, it sends a message
that such bias and bigotry will be tolerated on our campus,” the letter said. The open letter exists as a Google Form where students can express solidarity with the transgender community and sign their names. The letter expressed disappointment but also understanding of the military’s presence to recruit. “We understand that, due to the Solomon Amendment, New York University must allow military recruiters on campus or potentially lose hundreds of millions of dollars each year,” the letter said. “This funding is critical to NYU’s continued existence, and we understand that this puts the administration in an extremely difficult position.” OUTLaw is a student group within NYU Law that focuses on supporting LGBT-positive policies and legislation. OUTLaw did not return WSN’s requests for comment. Before the open letter was published, Morrison sent an email
VIA ANONYMOUS
A letter written by NYU OutLaw, urges the administration of NYU Law to include admissions efforts and scholarship opportunities to increase transgender representation at NYU Law.
to the law school community addressing the issues raised by the open letter. In his email, Dean Morrison reassures students of NYU’s commitment to its transgender community. “We oppose a policy that prevents members of [the transgender] community from serving in the military on the basis of their gender identity,” Dean Morrison wrote. “Such a policy directly contradicts our antidiscrimination policy, as well as the values of inclusion and diversity at the heart of our community.” NYU Law’s Public Affairs Director Michael Orey said that NYU had already taken steps to express its disappointment with the Trump Administration’s decision. “Current plans to demonstrate the Law School’s disagreement with the military’s discriminatory employment policy include prominently publicizing NYU Law’s nondiscrimination policy when military recruiters are present on campus — including posting the policy at interview locations — and organizing a discussion for our community on the issue of transgender service in the military,” Orey said. Additionally, NYU Law is showing that it is willing to fully comply with the demands of the open letter. “Law School administrators are also consulting with representatives from OUTLaw and Students for the Education and Representation of Veterans to identify additional steps the school can take to not only demonstrate our support for transgender and gender nonconforming students, but to ensure they feel included at the Law School and can enjoy full opportunity for professional development and advancement,” Orey said. Email Patrick Pauley at news@nyunews.com.
somebody over my shoulder sees it.” Once school began, transgender students told him that it is possible to change his name and gender identity in NYU information systems. “It’s taken me a long time to revisit this issue since my interaction with the Applicant Relations Coordinator,” he said. “After that incident, I gave up and thought that there was no way for my preferred name to appear on my email.” The student approached his Residence Hall Director, who offered to meet with him and connect him with NYU Information Technology. As of Sept. 22, he believes that his email is working correctly. He submitted a Bias Response Line Form about his experience with the Coordinator of Applicant Relations, but has not received any follow-up. Some students have had no difficulties communicating with NYU administrators. Tisch freshman Jamie Paynton said that after being incorrectly named during attendance, his
advisor helped resolve the issue. Quinn Weirts, a freshman in Tisch, said that he wishes his NetID reflected his correct initials, but that he did not receive mass emails addressed to his birth name. “It’s been better than I thought it would,” Weirts said. “It’s not fantastic and has a long way to go, but it could be worse.” Email Caroline Haskins at chaskins@nyunews.com.
EDITED BY CAROLINE HASKINS
The email exchange between this student and the NYU Admissions employee. Edits were made to protect the identities of the student and the employee.
Tandon Gun Safety Group Wins $1 Million By MACK DEGEURIN Deputy News Editor
Last week a group of NYU students and faculty calling themselves the Autonomous Ballistics beat out five other teams to win a $1 million prize for their Smart gun design. While the competition urged the use of technology to increase gun safety, the minds at Autonomous Ballistics removed the firearm from the equation altogether by creating a fingerprint-reading, voice-recognizing firearm holster. If brought to market, their design has the potential to save lives. Last year, over 15,078 Americans lost their lives to firearms. While mass shootings and murders gain the majority of media attention, over a third of all firearm deaths are self inflicted or accidental. Tragically, over 1,300 of these suicide victims are children. Hoping to encourage innovation and promote safety, Eric Adams, the Brooklyn Borough City president, created the Smart Gun Design Competition. The prize was $1 million. Autonomous Ballistics is led by Tandon graduate Sy Cohen. Cohen worked alongside Ph.D. student Ashwin Raj Kumar, Masters student Edilene Paola Cordero Pardo and graduate student Jonathan Ng. The team designed the holster to fit the New York Police Department’s standard issue gun Glock 19. Holster security ranges from high to low confidence levels. At the high confidence level the holster registers the user’s fingerprint. If unsuccessful, the holster will attempt to recognize the user through voice recognition and radio frequency. Should both of these steps fail, the hol-
ster uses a mechanical override to prevent the user from removing the firearms altogether. Brian Greco, a Gallatin senior and gun rights supporter said he is in support of technology that improves gun safety, but is concerned that the device’s fingerprint reader may infringe on personal security. Greco is against decreasing the accessibility of firearms. “The more technological limits we place on people’s ability to use products, the more chance for a 1984 style of control over them,” Greco said. Greco is not alone in his skepticism. Smart gun technologies have historically faced fierce opposition from gun manufacturers and gun lobbyist groups. Interest groups like the National Rifle Association have used legislation and even boycotts to stymie Smart gun technologies. Despite a storied resistance from manufacturers, Kumar believes the Autonomous Ballistic design will work well with companies because it does not alter the way the gun functions. “Even the gun industry is looking at safety options,” Kumar said. “They are just against changing their design.” The team intends to use its $1 million prize to build prototypes and bring the device to the market. With the $1 million made out to NYU Tandon, Kumar said the team has yet to receive any information on how they will be able to access the funds. If implemented properly, this device could save countless lives. Design and production, however, require immense funding and will take time. Email Mack DeGeurin at mdegeurin@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
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‘Bugs’ Is Surprisingly Appetizing By ALI HASSAN Contributing Writer
“Bugs” opens with a grave warning of an impending humanitarian crisis: by 2050, the world’s population will have reached nine billion. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, food production will have to increase by a staggering 70 percent to cope with our bulging numbers. “Bugs” challenges the unsustainability of the world’s food consumption patterns and exposes viewers to the appeal of the edible insect movement. The documentary’s subjects, Ben Reade and Josh Evans, recognize the importance of insects to humans in the near future. They travel the globe to learn how different cultures incorporate insects into their cuisines. Their aim is to present insects not as disgusting creatures unfit for consumption, but as sources of protein that are as delectable as any meat. As long as an insect has grown naturally, it is fair game for Reade and Evans, who have no inhibitions concerning bugs and are only too curious to try new ones. Viewers may occasionally find some scenes of insect consumption disconcerting — seeing the bulbous body of a queen termite constantly expand and contract is particularly unsettling — but not unbearable. Through
COURTESY OF KINO LORBER
In Reade and Evans’ documentary “Bugs,” the two show the ways in which bugs might become a very important staple in the human diet as humanity deals with the world’s food consumption crisis.
Reade and Evans’ insights and their genuine enthusiasm, the scenes are enlightening and even enticing to the prospect of bugs as a food source. Reade and Evans work at Nordic Food Lab, a nonprofit in Copenhagen, co-founded by renowned Danish chef Rene Redzepi as a space in which people with different food backgrounds can collaborate and experiment using unconventional ingredients, with sustainability as the end goal. The two import bugs into their kitchen and prepare them for taste testers using standard cooking techniques. Their hope is to show that insects can substitute almost any protein in both nutrient count and palatability. All one needs is curiosity and an open mind. Reade and Evans are ambitious, but not disconnected from reality. They understand that insects on their own cannot resolve the problem of food scarcity and that people’s consumption patterns are what pose a major threat. People currently consume far more protein than necessary; food distribution patterns leave some countries with excess food and others with scarcity. In order to find a sustainable solution to the food epidemic, we need to start asking different questions. However, it is vital that we don’t lose sight of the poor labor conditions in which bugs are primed for consumption. While in an unnamed African country, Reade and Evans visit a cricket farm whose lights are bright enough to blind the boys who work the night shifts. Traumatized, they highlight this experience because they do not want to glamorize this process and contribute to a scheme causes human misery. After watching “Bugs,” viewers may not just walk out with a new perception of insects, but perhaps of food in its entirety. The film’s main function is to suggest that the audience reconsider the meaning of food sustainability and whether the issue lies in the amount of food supplied or in its distribution. “Bugs” opens at the Film Forum at 209 W. Houston St. on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Email Ali Hassan at film@nyunews.com.
Soccer Mommy Brings Bedroom to Stage By AMELIA HENRY Contributing Writer
On Sept. 21, Oakland artist Jay Som killed the Bowery Ballroom with Detroit-based singer-songwriter Stef Chura and NYU’s own Soccer Mommy. The three prominent bedroom pop bands hit New York on their national tour and pleased audiences with both energetic and emotional performances. NYU junior Sophie Allison, better known as Soccer Mommy, opened the show with songs from her first full album, “For Young Hearts,” as well as “Collection,” which was released just last month. She brought the house down with “Inside Out,” a wistful melody about not wanting to fall for someone new. She played the last couple of songs without a backing band, letting the full emotional weight of songs like “Allison” fall on her lone voice and guitar. Blue light surrounded her as she sang “Allison, I’ll tell you something/you just broke this child’s heart,” culminating her set with real feeling rather than noise. Stef Chura’s set was much like Soccer Mommy’s, playing the louder and more energetic songs from her album “Messes” with a backing band and the heavier tracks by herself. The wailing hook and punchy guitars of her song “You” made the audience dance while the sad, imagery-filled lyrics of “Thin” had them swaying to her lone guitar. Stef Chura’s music is more influenced by the ‘90s than Soccer Mommy’s, with a grungier sound and fluttering vocals. However, the two sets affected audiences in a similar way and played well on the emotional tones of one another. Melina Duterte, known musically as Jay Som, headlined the show and played favorites from her new album, “Everybody Works,” and from last year’s “Turn Into.” Her set was quite a production, turning her acclaimed album into a sensory experience. For example, during her song “One More Time, Please,” a tune about feeling a new crush lose interest, the groovy bass could be felt through the floor, the lights changed with the beat
PHOTO BY AMELIA HENRY
Soccer Mommy opened a show at the Bowery Ballroom with songs off of her first full length album “For Young Hearts.” of the song and Duterte’s vocals floated through the venue in a way that felt like the song was in and of everything in the room. Yes, the band created a sea of sound, but at times it dwindled down until the only thing that could be heard in a room full of hundreds of people was the faint, soft clatter of a cymbal every couple of seconds, still keeping a beat. Their use of noise, silence and light astonished the crowd while the chemistry between the band members in their light-hearted joking around on stage entertained. This show, and particularly this lineup, was amazing in that every set built on the lyrical content and musical style of the last, and they changed while still maintaining a similar core feeling or sound. It’s astounding that all of these artists started making music by themselves in their bedrooms, which shows that anyone can live out their dreams by just putting themselves and their work out there. Though they had modest beginnings, all three bands are supremely talented and are definitely artists to watch. Email Amelia Henry at music@nyunews.com.
Swami Sound Enters the Dreamscape with EP
By CONNOR GATESMAN Music Editor
Marcus Harley, also known by his stage name Swami Sound, is an NYU musician studying at Silver School of Social Work who recently dropped an EP titled “Quiet Storm.” The project is a follow-up to his “Walk Forward” EP that dropped in early July. “Wythe,” the first track on the EP, evokes a kind of vapor-drenched malaise that harkens back to the summer days long since forgotten. As the EP rolls on, each track exudes a dreamy state of contemplation, with a kind of department store cool that dwells on shimmering pianos and cloudy swells. The song “Midnight Dominator” is another beachy dive into the ethereal world of Swami Sound. Its plodding drums and shimmering accents make for a wonderful nighttime soundtrack. The break into more driven percussion about one-third of the way into the track is timed just right, embodying a Tycho-esque
level of thoughtful pacing. The sound of the seashore envelopes the soundscape and nicely fills the gap between the guitar and the bass. As the track comes to a close, the strumming guitar lead and muffled vocal samples leave the listener with a rose-tinted sense of nostalgia. The final track, “Mad,” takes a trap-influenced approach on the sample-based melodies Swami had been articulating on prior tracks. The heavy 808s come with a significant punch and interlace nicely with the intermittent vocal snippets. The aggressive alternating chords and brief yet foreboding narration start a tune that has vocal snippets battle against the relentless percussion. Swami has been particularly active recently. While this EP dropped Sept. 16, he has since released five more tracks, most notably “G’ Tunes (302 Mix),” a remix of a song from his previous EP. It evokes a smooth yet sinister blend of atmospheric emotion, sampling sounds from Dragonball to Animal Collective. Of these releases, it is clear that “Quiet Storm” is his most coherent; the tracks have
a very evident flow to them that drifts effortlessly from the first track to the last. “Quiet Storm” is, by all means, an enjoyable listen. However, the listener will at times be pressed to find any sense of significant fluidity through the track list. The samples incorporated by Swami are no doubt fitting, but the tracks are often cut too short. Equally so, many of the tunes have the necessary blueprint for a stellar song but are missing out on some form of lyrics. A tune like “Mad” begs for a rapper that unfortunately never arrives. The EP is more a proof of thematic concept; the mood is there, the production is there, but the tracks have a habit of omitting the kind of emotional build that would make the EP as a whole more memorable. Issues aside, Master Swami still comes through with an incredibly consistent vibe on his latest project. It is no doubt an effective proof of concept for the up-and-coming producer, which is ultimately what an artist sets out to accomplish with an extended play.
This EP is proof that Swami has what it takes to bring his audience a more fleshed out fulllength project down the road. Stream the EP, as well as all of Swami’s work, for free on Soundcloud. Email Connor Gatesman at cgatesman@nyunews.com.
VIA SOUNDCLOUD.COM
NYU Silver student Marcus Harley is also known by the stage name Swami Sound and recently released his EP “Quiet Storm.”
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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Mac DeMarco Charms Audience at Bowery Ballroom By JILLIAN HARRINGTON Contributing Writer
PHOTO BY JILLIAN HARRINGTON
Mac Demarco played a spur of the moment show at the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday, Sept. 23.
On Saturday night, more than 500 devoted Mac DeMarco fans, clad in baseball caps and Vans, flocked to a last-minute performance at The Bowery Ballroom. This followed his biggest New York City performance yet at Radio City Musical Hall the night before. California-based punk band The Garden, costumed as court jesters complete with makeup, opened the show and set an animated and energetic tone for the rest of the night. The crowd was rowdy — singing, moshing, dancing, pushing, chanting and crowd-surfing in one collective mob. DeMarco played a two-hour set of new songs from his May release, “This Old Dog,” as well as many old favorites and multiple covers. At the end of the show, the band returned to perform a lengthy medley of songs ranging from “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” to a unique rendition of “A Thousand Miles” by Vanessa Carlton. DeMarco’s shows are notoriously offbeat, to the delight of his fans. Saturday’s show
was no exception. He was extremely interactive with the crowd, and the crowd was eager to call back. He rattled off joke after joke, many of which were New York-centric, harkening back to his fond memories as a New York resident. These elements created a casual and, therefore, intimate concert environment. Fans regularly crowd-surfed toward the stage to the point where DeMarco began pushing them back in good spirit. A couple slow-danced to “This Old Dog,” two boys played the shaker for “My Old Man” with guitarist Andy White and one girl commandeered the stage to belt the end of “Chamber of Reflection.” In the last half of the show, DeMarco flung himself into the crowd and floated toward the balcony, reaching up and then climbing to greet his friends and family gathered there. From above, he entertained his audience, precariously perched and holding onto the railings as he danced and spit water into the fans, who pressed in closer, preparing to catch him again when the time came. The set felt less like a traditional show and more like a jam
session for the band, as they stretched out songs and wove in covers at whim. Further demonstrating the freeform structure of the night, at one point DeMarco swapped roles with drummer Joe McMurray, who dove into the ocean of fans and eventually began singing his own version of Crazy Town’s “Butterfly.” DeMarco commanded the attention of his audience, encouraging fans to repeat after him and sing along loudly or quietly when the song required it. After the series of covers alternately sung by him and his band members, DeMarco came back onstage for one last song during the encore. He crouched down, and his fans mimicked the stance. To a nearly silent audience, he sang a few verses of “Watching Him Fade Away” until he finally brought the crowd back in to help him finish out the song, and then the night. With that, DeMarco himself slowly faded out (though he was more than happy to meet lucky fans who waited for him after the show). Email Jillian Harrington at music@nyunews.com.
What Is Lady Footlocker?
By JACOB P. FOX Contributing Writer
Tisch sophomores Ryan Peete, Katie Cunningham, Madeline Boreham and Molly Kirschenbaum have a lot to say about women in music, studying in the Clive Davis program and the absurdity of Lady Footlocker. Together, they make up the core four women of Tigris Records’ roster, the recent brainchild of NYU’s Evan Candelmo, a sophomore in Clive Davis. All with their own eclectic musical influences that reach back to their parents’ records and mix in with today’s neosoul, pop and R&B sounds, Peete, Cunningham, Boreham and Kirschenbaum (stage name Moollz) write, play and produce their own tracks, both on and off campus. Keeping pace with those high expectations can “overwhelm you with stress and fear of failure,” as Peete explains, but beyond the healthy dose of college anxiety, they have all faced a rancid cocktail of gender- and race-related issues that anchor both the program and the industry at large in the wrong part of history. Boreham, who grew up as a singer-songwriter in Dallas and attended one of the more distinguished performing arts schools of the city, Booker T.
Washington High School, admits that Clive is a step up and creates the real-world music environment well, but she points out that they are replicating an environment fraught with profound social injustice. She and the rest are still waiting to see NYU disrupt some of
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You start to internalize your ineptitude when your teachers are almost always talking about male figures, and you’re literally one of two girls sitting in the room. MOLLY KIRSCHENBAUM
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the more corrupt practices that hold back young, aspirational women in music. “I come at writing music from much more of a production standpoint,” said Kirschenbaum, who recently co-pro-
duced her EP “Moon Fruit,” but the implicit expectation in Clive is that women sing — not produce. “You start to internalize your ineptitude when your teachers are almost always talking about male figures, and you’re literally one of two girls sitting in the room,” Kirschenbaum said. Katie adds that Clive needs to see women treated as musicians not just as singers. Peete, whose music skews more toward Bon Iver and other contemporary folk icons, defies the tendency of many to pigeonhole black women into certain genres or simply toss them in the basket of Urban A/C — a term they insist functions less as a musical description than it does a racial qualification. If not optimistic, the Tigris roster seems hopeful that big changes can shake up the game in the near future, pointing at the indie underground of artists like Girlpool and Snail Mail. Still, they insist that movements need to catch fire beyond the progressive hubs of LA and New York in order to break that glass ceiling between the underground and the larger market. From issues in the industry to everyday struggles in society, Cunningham says people, like
COURTESY OF KATIE CUNNINGHAM
Cunningham believes that choosing to take a part in changing the music industry will also help people take a step forward to change the everyday struggles of societies. herself, have the power to address issues in the industry and everyday struggles in society. “There’s no choosing to not be a part of change,” Cunningham said. “If you’re ignoring the issue, you are contributing to it.” In a climate of political chaos and entertainment’s corporate conglomerization, Boreham sees the perfect petri dish of is-
sues to spark a movement. “It’s at a moment of: ‘Don’t talk about it. Do it!’” Boreham said. Pushing onward, the Tigris ladies are hitting the stage this weekend to headline the Young Tigers Party Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Knockdown Center. Email Jacob P. Fox at music@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY KAITLYN WANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Costume Design Awards Absent From Emmys By NATALIE CHINN Contributing Writer
Calvin Klein, Chanel and Dior received praise after their looks were featured on the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet, but the ceremony lacked recognition for the designers who dressed actors for their roles on the big screen. Costume designers were quietly awarded a week before the Emmys went live on Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. A hodgepodge of miscellaneous awards, the Creative Arts Emmys honors those who work behind the scenes, such as makeup artists, sound editors and casting directors. The Costume Design and Supervision category consists of three awards: Contemporary Costumes for a Series, Limited Series or Movie; Period/Fantasy Costumes for a Series, Limited Series or Movie; and Costumes for Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Programming. Among the nominees this year
were “House of Cards,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Dancing with the Stars” and “Portlandia.” Each nomination focused on a specific episode with outstanding wardrobe and acknowledged the set’s Costume Designer, Assistant Costume Designer and Costume Supervisor. The award for Contemporary Costumes went to “Big Little Lies,” an HBO mini-series about a scandalous Californian community of mischief and murder. “Big Little Lies” took home a total of eight Emmys. The Period/Fantasy award was presented to “The Crown,” a Netflix original about the life of Queen Elizabeth II. This award was one of the show’s three Emmy wins this year. The last award, Variety, went to “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” a competition for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. RuPaul was awarded a total of two Emmys. Although these awards cannot fit within the strict time schedule of the main ceremony, the artistic and technical talents of the Cre-
Pizza Clash
By NATASHA ROY Assistant Managing Editor
Pizza is a New York staple. Whether you’re coming back from a late night out or you just want a quick bite to eat on your way home from class, you can find a pizza shop on any given street corner. Unfortunately, not all pizzas are created equal. We know you’re busy college students who do not have time to test every pizza place to find your favorite, so we did you a favor and tried out cheese pizza from several different places near NYU for you.
Lunetta Pizza 245 3RD AVE. Despite Lunetta’s variety of flavors, its simple cheese pizza did not deliver. The cheese was a little too thick, and it overwhelmed with almost every bite. I would have liked to taste more of the sauce to at least even it out, but it was lacking. I was almost willing to give Lunetta a three slice rating, but the crust did not finish it off enough — it almost hurt my gums to bite into it, and I did not feel satisfied after my slice. Lunetta is not a great first choice, but if you live in Gramercy Green Residence Hall and simply cannot be bothered to walk farther for your cheesy needs, you will have to settle for Lunetta.
Joe’s Pizza 150 E 14TH ST. Joe’s is a popular spot, and I have to admit that it used to be my favorite. However, the huge slices were overwhelming, and they dripped with oil. The cheese on Joe’s pizza is, in fact, incredible, but unlike Lunetta, Joe’s piles on the sauce almost to the point that it overpowers the cheese. Their sauce is fine enough, but their real selling point is the cheese, and
as such it should have had more emphasis. Additionally, Joe’s is not exactly the type of shop you can sit in to relax with your friends and enjoy pizza — you go in, quickly pay for your slice and head out to eat somewhere else. However, Joe’s is close to several NYU dorms — University Hall and Palladium Residence Hall, to name a few — and is still worth the walk, despite the imbalance of ingredients.
Gotham Pizza 88 3RD AVE. Gotham Pizza is truly a wonder. Their cheese pizza’s thinner crust and lack of excessive oil kept me from feeling gross after eating it, and its cheese-to-sauce ratio is amazing. The crust truly topped it off perfectly — it was crispy, but not so much so that I felt like I was just eating a cracker. Gotham goes above and beyond by providing a cute, diner-style environment to sit in and spend time with your friends while eating. Gotham is near Third North Residence Hall and Founders Residence Hall, and it is absolutely worth the walk for students living in dorms on Union Square.
99 Cent Fresh Pizza 388 6TH AVE. A slice of cheese pizza from 99 Cent Fresh Pizza will never let you down. The sauce-to-cheese ratio will never leave you feeling regretful in your choice, and the crust is delightful — not so thick that it overpowers the cheese and sauce, but thick enough that it provides a wonderful base for your toppings. Every single aspect of the pizza is taken into account at 99 Cent, and thus, every single slice comes out perfectly. Email Natasha Roy at nroy@nyunews.com.
ative Arts Emmys deserve higher acknowledgement, especially in departments like costume design, which have the ability to make or break a show. Costume design helps determine the realism and tone of television and film. It has the ability to make a show feel relevant and fresh or transport the audience 100 years into the past. What would “Gossip Girl” be without the headbands and high fashion? Without costuming, the show would lose its energy and Upper East Side feel. Similarly, “The Crown” would lose its historic accuracy without its detailed garments and accessories made by costume designer Michele Clapton, who also designs for “Game of Thrones.” For “The Crown’s” winning episode for costuming, Clapton completely recreated Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown, in addition to her bridesmaids’ and Queen Mary’s dresses. Costuming also helps create strong personalities and inspiring characters. Perry Meek designed a
drag costume for Lady Gaga’s appearance in “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” changing her appearance into something completely new. This can also be seen in “Big Little Lies,” in which Alix Friedberg designed garments to fit her strong female characters. Friedberg also proved how tirelessly designers work to help directors bring their vision to life. For “Big Little Lies’” winning episode, the wardrobe department was constantly on hand to repair clothing and keep everything looking fresh, as the cast was not working with any doubles. For little acknowledgement, designers put everything they have into their work. In the future, it would be amazing to see costume designers receive the recognition they deserve at the Emmys’ main ceremony. The Oscars have been awarding the Best Costume Design for years, and it’s about time the Emmys caught up. Email Natalie Chinn at bstyle@nyunews.com.
VIA FLICKR.COM
Although the Emmy Awards have a nomination for Contemporary Design, the awards ceremony still lacks a department that acknowledges the designers and their creative fashion pieces.
Students Run Wild for Naruto
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
On Sept. 8, upwards of 40 people ran through the Washington Square Arch like anime character Naruto. CAS sophomore Iffat Nur organized the viral event. By NICOLE ROSENTHAL Contributing Writer It was a sight to behold: an estimated 30 to 40 people running under the Washington Square Arch with their arms stretched out behind their backs in the style of the well-known anime character Naruto. On Sept. 8, CAS sophomore Iffat Nur’s Run Through the Washington Square Arch Naruto Style Facebook event came to life. The popular event had already made waves online. More than 5,000 people indicated they were interested in attending on the event’s Facebook page. Though Nur says that he was first inspired by a similar event based at McGill University in Montreal, his Washington Square Park event was the first to actually occur. Since then, it has garnered multiple copycat events at campuses across the nation. Nur himself created a spin-off event: Scream Like Goku in Front of Washington Square Arch, set a week earlier than the Naruto event to fall on the Friday of NYU’s
Welcome Week, even though it was created later. “It just came from me and my friends joking around together late at night,” Nur said. “The Naruto Run event and the Goku event were actually created a day apart from each other. [Me and] two of my friends were joking around, and we were like, ‘Hey, let’s just make some funny events.’” Nur said that beyond sharing the events on the NYU Class of 2021 Facebook page and the NYU meme pages, he did not have to do much advertising. “It just grew organically,” Nur said. “This was in the midst of the initial popularity of the events, so it was pretty easy for it to grow on its own.” Videos of the Washington Square events and the others they spawned racked up millions of views on Facebook, and Steinhardt freshman Nick Royall filmed one event that went viral on Facebook, according to Nur. Both students and members of the general public, like high school senior Skye Pozo, attended the events. “I attended and filmed both events, [and I filmed] the Naruto one with my professional camera,” Pozo said. “My friend and I went to Washington Square Park and then realized that it was the time and place of [the] Scream Like Goku event. Both events were probably the funniest things ever, everyone had a really good time and I had fun talking to everyone who showed up both times. For the Goku one, a guy drove all the way down from upstate and even got a hotel room.” Nur said that he is now widely recognized as the organizer and creator of these bizarre events, and he has even been met with some criticism. “In my first day of sophomore year,
I went to my organic chemistry class and this one student actually came up to me,” Nur said, “And when I gave my name, he went on this five-minute long rant about how he had to unfollow so many people on Facebook because people were sharing my event. But most of the people I’ve met have congratulated me.”
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These events are often looked at as strange by outsiders, however from my experience, they are all good-natured and are just meant to bring people together. ANDREW DONOVAN
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Though there is criticism of the events, others found them to be fun and freeing. Andrew Donovan, a Five Towns College graduate who attended, said he wanted to attend as many as he could. “It felt good to have people coming together to do something so fun,” Donovan said. “These events are often looked at as strange by outsiders, however from my experience, they are all good-natured and are just meant to bring people together.” Disclaimer: Iffat Nur is a staff photographer at Washington Square News. Email Nicole Rosenthal at features@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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FEATURES
EDITED BY KAITLYN WANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Will Nina Garcia Reinvent Elle? By SHERAH NDJONGO Staff Writer
The name Nina Garcia might ring a bell. Best known as the former creative director for Marie Claire Magazine and as a judge for the fashion design reality show Project Runway since its beginning, the highly acclaimed journalist will soon be moving to a different floor of Hearst Tower. Recently, it was announced that Robbie Myers, the latest editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine, would be stepping down from the prestigious role. The next
PHOTO BY ALYSSA DICKSON
Nina Garcia will be the new Editor-in-Chief of Elle magazine, leaving her Creative Director position at Marie Claire.
day, Garcia was chosen to fill in the position. Elle Magazine is not completely foreign territory to Garcia. She previously served as the fashion director from 2000 to 2008, so she has a strong sense of the inner workings of Elle, showing there is one reason why it is safe to say that the future of the publication is in good hands. Still, this is not the only fact that leads devoted readers to believe this decision was the right one. Besides her familiarity with Elle, Garcia’s influence and astonishing talent are highly valued yet rare traits which are so sought after in this cutthroat industry. As a fashion critic, Garcia dissected pieces stitch by stitch with her outspoken yet reasonable tone. During her Project Runway run, she approached fashion from a unique analytical point of view. Garcia has the capability to expand Elle’s already extensive audience by working her creative and management traits into the publication’s pages. Her other accomplishments set her apart from other fashion icons. For one, she has a great eye for detail as well as exten-
sive knowledge for outreach, especially since she spent the first few years of her fashion career at Mirabella, working as an assistant stylist and as a marketing editor. From working behind the scenes to being on screen, Garcia can translate this double role into her new position. Hopefully the experience will produce an updated image for Elle along with freshly pitched editorials that will leave readers in awe. Therefore, in preparation for Garcia’s new title, the only thing left to do is raise the bar high. Why? Because she deserves nothing less. Garcia has already earned her place as a fashion expert. By joining Elle, she is not trying to prove herself as capable, but rather she is elevating the position of the magazine by asking it to meet her standards and innovate and differentiate its pages from the rest. In the end, knowing the particular type of overachiever Garcia is, she has most likely already set an agenda for Elle. And she is going to achieve it. Email Sherah Ndjongo at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Violet Pride: Missing in Action By LIV CHAI Staff Writer
Oh, the immense school spirit NYU has. Go NYU! Go Violets! Go Bobcats? Fun fact: The NYU sports team is still known as NYU Violets. The Bobcat was adopted as a mascot in 1984, but this is separate from the Violets. With quite the confusion regarding the mascot, it comes as no surprise that a severe lack of school spirit would follow. The most school spirit seen on campus? Probably students putting NYU stickers on their laptops and the occasional use of the free swag that was handed out during freshman year Welcome Week (shoutout to the NYU stationery that has replaced the need to go buy anything). Oh, and of course rocking the NYU Class of __ shirt that screams “I just rolled out of bed, so please don’t talk to me” is one of the prime examples of the mediocre way students express their spirit. “I knew that NYU didn’t have school spirit when I applied,” LS freshman Alice Lammers said. “That’s what everybody warned me about because I went to a high school that had a lot of school spirit. It doesn’t really matter to me because I just don’t really care much.” Meanwhile Will Schmacker, an LS freshman who is also on the basketball team, said “I
like not having a lot of school spirit, but it would be cool if people would go to the basketball games more.” What about the rest of the NYU student body who has been reaping the benefits of attending this school for over at least a year now? LS sophomore Maria Ortega addressed the lack of spirit, saying it is annoying that there is no unity among students and that no one goes to sports games. “I don’t even know what the mascot is,” Ortega said. “What is a Violet ... or is it the Bobcats?” The lack of school spirit is no secret, but all three students agree they love NYU and being in a city that never disappoints. Showcasing school spirit for NYU is quite different for any other
school, but the love that NYU students have for their school is not any less than that of students at state schools that may bleed their school colors 24/7. As students, rocking a hue of violet just for the sake of representing NYU seems unnecessary, when attending unique classes and priceless school-sponsored events is embedded with school pride. For a school that is not quite conventional, its spirit is out of the ordinary. As a student body, there is a kinship knowing there will be at least one NYU alumnus who has shared the same indescribable experience as you in a city with people from all over the world. Email Liv Chai at features@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY KEVIN JIANG
School spirit at NYU has been long debated, but one way that students show their support is through NYU branded apparel.
PHOTO BY JULIANA FONSECA-ALESSO
Patrick Pauley spent an entire week solely eating tacos, which were at times made at home but also out at various taco restaurants in the the neighborhood.
I Tried… The Taco Cleanse By PATRICK PAULEY Contributing Writer
At first I was reluctant to agree to do this cleanse. However, the more I thought about it, I figured, ‘Why not?’ I like tacos, and I was willing to see just how far my appetite for them would go. A quick Google search revealed that the original cleanse, which is vegan, originates from a book called “The Taco Cleanse: The Tortilla-Based Diet Proven to Change Your Life,” written by taco enthusiasts Wes Allison, Stephanie Bogdanich, Molly Frisinger and Jessica Morris. I would not be following the book.
Sunday On Sunday night I went to the new Trader Joe’s at City Point in Brooklyn. Flying by the seat of my pants, I picked out whatever I thought would go well in tacos — or whatever I was craving at the time — and whatever was the cheapest. I picked up the taco staples, but I also added items I thought would be interesting. These included sweet potatoes, leafy greens besides lettuce and a ball of mozzarella. I finally checked out and my total was not more than $45.
Monday I decided to wake up early and prepare food. It was a little bit of a struggle, but I managed to leave my apartment by 8:30 a.m. for class. For breakfast I ate a simple breakfast taco — only eggs and cheese I grated myself were inside, all on a whole wheat tortilla. I packed three corn tortilla tacos for lunch consisting of sliced mushrooms seared on a dry pan– a sans grill grilled version of mushrooms– and a spicy sweet potato hash, all topped with homemade pico de gallo. When I finally got around to eating them in between classes I was pleasantly surprised by how tasty they
were. I got home and quickly made some pan-seared, spiced chicken to put inside three flour tortillas with pico and freshly grated cheese.
Tuesday Since I had no classes, I got up at around noon and coated the bottom of two whole wheat tortillas with salsa verde, added some black beans and some cheese and then topped it off with a fried egg. This was my huevos rancheros taco. For dinner I went to Tacombi in Nolita with some friends for Taco Tuesday and ate about seven different tacos.
Wednesday and Thursday Wednesday and Thursday were similar, but I had some marinated flank steak tacos that were more like fajitas for dinner.
Friday Friday morning, which was the last day of my taco cleanse, I had sliced mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper over a bed of arugula tacos. Lunch was the shredded chicken tacos again, and then dinner was three flour tortillas with pico, freshly grated cheese and pan-seared spiced chicken. Overall, I really enjoyed this cleanse and feel I have proven my devotion to the traditional Mexican dish. Am I tired of tacos now? Not in the slightest. I think I varied the taste enough for a five day cleanse, so I never got tired of whatever I was eating. As an added benefit, I still have a lot of groceries left and feel like I saved a lot of money by actually utilizing my apartment’s kitchen. Additionally, my week was more productive than it has been in a long time. Waking up early and prepping meals motivated me to actually do what I needed to do. The verdict: try the taco cleanse. Email Patrick Pauley at dining@nyunews.com.
1. Waterfall Trail By NATASHA ROY | Assistant Managing Editor Prospect Park has much to offer New Yorkers who yearn to escape the city and get into nature for a bit, and one of its most lovely sites is the Waterfall Hiking Trail. The trail has six waterfalls to explore, according to the NYC Parks website. Additionally, handicap-accessible facilities are available near the trails. The park’s website classifies the Waterfall Trail as one of the easier trails at Prospect Park, so gather a group of friends for an afternoon of hiking.
PHOTO BY TONY WU
2. Central Park By ABIGAIL WEINBERG | Editor-in-Chief At 843 acres in area, Central Park provides countless places to explore. My favorite is the 72nd Street memorial to John Lennon: Strawberry Fields, located across Central Park West from where Lennon was shot in front of The Dakota. The Imagine mosaic is usually surrounded by people performing Beatles songs, but the rest of the area, which includes a garden, is a designated quiet space which allows visitors to reflect on their experiences before emerging once again into hectic city life. PHOTO BY JULIA DRAYSON
3. LaGuardia Corner Gardens By ABIGAIL WEINBERG | Editor-in-Chief When the walls of Bobst are closing in on you, the perfect place of repose is just around the corner at LaGuardia Corner Gardens located at 511 LaGuardia Pl. Separated from the street by a chainlink fence, the garden, maintained entirely by volunteers, houses flowers, vegetables and fruit trees spread over 25 plots. The space is small, but it is sure to distract you from both your homework and the glowing lights of the nearby Morton Williams. PHOTO BY SHIVA DARSHAN
4. Elevated Acre By PAMELA JEW | Copy Chief Known as an escape for the Wall Street elite, Elevated Acre is three stories above the Financial District. The park features a full seven-row amphitheater and a green lawn to lie in and soak up the sun. If you are over 21, Elevated Acre just installed a full Beer Garden. Otherwise, hang out with some friends in the lawn while overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge.
PHOTO BY SYDNEY KINSEY
5. Brooklyn Bridge Park By JEMIMA MCEVOY | Managing Editor There is a reason that so many New York City-set movies end with the protagonist dramatically overlooking the city’s skyline from Brooklyn Bridge Park — the twinkling view from Dumbo, Brooklyn is nothing short of ethereal. It is the perfect date spot, and conversation is sure to flow as you overlook the water. However, the daytime uses of the Brooklyn Bridge Park are often overlooked. For those with an adventurous streak, the Dumbo Boulders, a rock climbing gym located directly underneath the Manhattan Bridge, is a way to better know the city while getting in that workout. PHOTO BY MEGAN BROWN
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY ANDREW HEYING OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
UNIVERSITY LIFE
Against The Hiring of Preet Bharara to The NYU School of Law By CIE SHARP Guest Writer
Dear President Hamilton, I am an alumnus of New York University. As the youngest one to graduate at age 18, I was the torchbearer at the 1997 commencement ceremony. I write this message to protest the hiring of former U.S. Attorney of the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara to the NYU School of Law. I was informed that during the
prosecution of Mitch Cohen of Buy-a-Home for Housing and Urban Development mortgage fraud, Cohen’s business partner, attorney Gregg Star, was given immunity by Bharara and his office. Star went on to defraud my family and myself. My family and I owned a 16-unit apartment building at 72-74 Eldert Street, Brooklyn, NY, which we painstakingly renovated from a dilapidated state. That building was stolen from us — through the criminal actions of Gregg Star. Not only did
Star illegally sign away our building to a shell company, but he forged my father’s signature on an affidavit in an effort to mask the theft. We discovered that we were unable to report Star to the Kings
County District Attorney. We could not even get the District Attorney to honor freedom of information requests to know why we were not allowed to file a criminal complaint with them. Apparently the immunity he enjoyed from Bharara’s office extended to the state level as well. Bharara had a duty to protect New Yorkers from criminals, which he failed miserably. Bharara’s act of mercy to the fraudster Star created a monster which robbed my family of millions of
dollars and violated the due process and 14th amendment constitutional rights of my family and myself. Bharara was in gross dereliction of his duty to the law and his failure to enforce the law set a criminal monster against us. As an NYU alumnus, Bharara’s hiring sickens me. Sincerely, Cie Sharp Email the Opinion Desk at opinion@nyunews.com.
CULTURE
AIDS Crisis Should Be More Culturally Emphasized By LAURA SHKOURATOFF Creative Director At the beginning of my freshman year, my friend and I went for a run and wound up at the World Trade Center. We walked through the memorial, stopping to look at one of the sunken waterfalls. One of the security guards came up to us and asked us to leave, looking disdainfully at our running shoes and sweaty t-shirts. “No sports allowed here,” he told us. “I need you to leave.” That December, the official New York City AIDS Memorial opened on a small street intersection on W. 12th St. and Greenwich Ave. When I looked it up on Google Maps, it took me to the wrong place. The memorial itself is beautiful — a towering triangular structure, the ground engraved with an excerpt of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” a serene waterfall flowing in its center. The location was chosen because it is where St. Vincent’s hospital used to
stand, the first hospital in New York City to open a specific AIDS ward. It’s small but lovely, and one of my favorite places to write. The design was chosen through a contest and pays a beautiful homage to those lost in the tragedy over the years. Others don’t seem to notice it, though — hoards of tourists pass it by without stopping for a photo. No security guards stand by, and parents let their children play in the fountain. On 9/11, 2,606 people died in New York City. To date, more than 100,000 New Yorkers have died of AIDS. The memorial holds no names, because their tragedies were hidden as cultural blasphemy. While both 9/11 and the AIDS epidemic resulted in tragic losses of young people, AIDS targeted the gay community. This stark contrast is a more serious reflection of our society’s morphed views of 9/11 and the AIDS epidemic as a whole. On Sept. 11 this year, my social media was filled with the
#neverforget hashtag and photos of the towers, often with a patriotic U.S. flag edited in on the side. I understand and respect the fact that 9/11 was a massive moment for our nation, yet America’s intense, one-sided perspective of the event isn’t necessarily healthy. The fear that we will ever forget the terrorist attacks is unwarranted, as the event so deeply shifted both American and global culture that it would be almost impossible to let it go. The AIDS epidemic, however, still remains a neglected topic of discussion in our society, massively because of the demographic of those who passed away. At the time of the initial
epidemic, people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS struggled immensely to get pharmaceutical companies to run tests on potentially life-saving drugs, and the infected population was considered too small for there to be an economic benefit to producing a drug. AIDS hit the U.S. and New York, specifically, harder than it did any other developed nation. It turned many against the LGBT community, and people cited the epidemic as something deserved, something brought down by God to punish their lifestyles. Parents didn’t explain to their children what was going on while victims died by the hour for years on end. Little changed until the LGBT community stood up on its own and fought for its rights, yet there were still few supporters from the outside. The stark difference between the two New York City memorials is a small testament to the continual ignorance and isolation of the LGBT community in our society today. As the LGBT community con-
tinues to struggle with different issues today, from marriage to transgender rights, it is still important that the LGBT community receives alliance and recognition from the rest of our nation. The community is not one to be feared, it is one that intertwines through race, gender and culture across every neighborhood in America. The AIDS epidemic affected the friends and families of millions of Americans — just as 9/11 did. In order to move forward, we need to let go of the marginalization of LGBT members and recognize them as equal members of our society. The AIDS epidemic needs to be taught in schools, embedded thickly and accurately into our society for what it was — a tragedy. Tragedy can’t be quantified, but it can be ignored, and we cannot keep acting as if one matters more than another. Email Laura Shkouratoff at lshkouratoff@nyunews.com.
GOVERNMENT
We Must Stand Together Against Sexual Assault By STUDENTS FOR SEXUAL RESPECT Guest Editorial On Friday, The Department of Education issued a statement withdrawing an Obama administration guidance on Title IX compliance and enforcement and issued an interim guidance that puts survivors of sexual violence at risk. As a survivor-driven group, Students for Sexual Respect at NYU is deeply concerned by the flagrant disregard Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has shown for the rights and safety of sexual
assault victims. Despite this new guidance, Title IX is unchanged. All Title IX compliant campuses — including NYU — offer an adjudication process that allows both sides to present evidence and relevant witnesses. If a school fails to meet its obligations under Title IX, the Department of Education is supposed to enforce the law. By rescinding the Obama-era guidance, DeVos undermined it. We write this to tell the NYU community, and specifically the survivors among us, that we will
continue to fight for our right to education — free from gender-based violence and discrimination. NYU’s Counseling and Wellness Center, the Office of Equal Opportunity and the Governance Council on Minority and Marginalized Students sup-
port Students for Sexual Respect in our efforts to ensure that NYU maintains prevention programs, crisis services and disciplinary procedures in compliance with relevant state and federal law. As outlined in university-wide policy, NYU upholds each student’s right to report an incident of sexual misconduct to Public Safety and-or law enforcement and be protected from retaliation. We invite students to access the Wellness Exchange, its 24-hour hotline and counseling services at Student Health Center for support and
crisis services. We understand that this a difficult time for many, and we stand in solidarity with survivors at NYU and across the country. Students for Sexual Respect will always prioritize the health, safety and rights of survivors and will work to support you in whatever way we can. We will not let this administration succeed in its extralegal attack on our civil right to a safe and equitable education. Email the Opinion Desk at opinion@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY ANDREW HEYING OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
INTERNATIONAL
Angela Merkel, You Are a Feminist By J. METJE Contributing Writer
This Sunday, Angela Merkel was re-elected for her fourth term as Germany’s chancellor. Despite arguably being one of the most recognized women in the world, Merkel recently left the world confused on whether she is a feminist. When asked if she identified as one at a Women20 Summit panel discussion in Berlin, Merkel described wearing the label by saying, “I don’t want to adorn myself with these feathers.” However, though I recognize this is from a male perspective, I would like to say to Angela Merkel, to non-feminists everywhere and to my best friend: here is why you need to call yourself a feminist. Even though the term feminism is misinterpreted every now and then, it refers to a movement formed by people who believe all human beings should be treated equally, regardless of sex and gender. Nowhere is feminism defined or related to misandry or any other negative ideology. Feminism is equality, plain and simple.
However, as with many other movements, members of feminism can radicalize. Because of this, feminism is now often equated with men-hating. Extremists of any group do not represent that group as a whole. My best friend says she does not identify as a feminist because she thinks men have just as many problems as women do — just in different areas. She cites the increasing issue of male mental health as her primary defense. What I have so desperately tried to explain to her is that by calling yourself a feminist, you are identifying yourself as an advocate for men’s mental health. You are also telling the public you believe the gender wage gap should be closed, men can ignore harmful concepts of
body image, women have the right to their own bodies and both men and women can choose the career they are passionate about. Feminism is the defining power of allowing people to live their lives how they choose, and because of that, I sincerely think all people who believe in equality must call themselves feminists. By doing so, you are spreading a universal message of acceptance and positive growth. Angela Merkel, you are a feminist. Do not shy away from the label, do not question its authenticity or accuracy. You advocate for a world where women can lead just as well as men can. You are a feminist. My best friend, you are a feminist. You advocate for a world where men can live open, healthy lives. You are a feminist. Reader, you must be a feminist. Only with the voices of enough people that refuse to be silenced can we achieve the goals we are working toward. Stand up and say, “I am a feminist.” Email J. Metje at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Trump Disregards Military Members By THEO WAYT Contributing Writer
Even though the United States has been at war my entire memorable life — then-president George Bush opted for invasion over negotiation in Afghanistan shortly after my fourth birthday — the thought of joining the military never seriously crossed my mind. As far as I know, none of my childhood friends considered enlistment, and no one in my high school graduating class chose to do so. For us, for some unspoken reason, the military was never an option. Perhaps this had something to do with our parents: my father never served, though many of his peers did, and if the government had selected him, he would have been sent to Vietnam. For him, if war was not in his face, it was at least in his peripheral vision. Yet despite my separation from anything military, I am involved in a boundaryless war: The War On Terror. In middle school, I celebrated with students and teachers alike when American soldiers killed Osama Bin Laden. These days, I feel a gnawing dread every time President Donald Trump and Chairman Kim Jong-un exchange puerile, nuclear-backed insults. And, as a student, I am appalled at the Senate’s bipartisan, mostly uncontested (89-8) vote for an increase in already exorbi-
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tant military spending. This $80 billion increase could pay for about 800 F-35 fighter jets, or make public colleges and universities tuition-free for all, with $33 billion to spare. That is to say I have strong emotions and opinions about the military as a concept, but like most Americans my age, I have little-to-no connection to the realities of military life. Seventy-seven percent of Americans 50 and older have an immediate family member who has served in the military; only 33 percent of those under 30 can say the same. Perhaps this is a signal of progress — an indication that my generation is closer to peace than that of my parents. But, remember, the U.S. has been at war nearly my entire life. Could this disconnect instead be a symptom of war’s normalization? Has conflict become a perpetual, violently relay presence for a patriotic class of Americans over there yet elusive to the rest of the world? “The military draws many recruits from the same communities and the
same families, isolating those in uniform from society and vice versa,” writes analyst Amy Schafer. “In essence, the self-selection dynamics have created a ‘warrior caste.’” This so-called warrior caste, whether or not we think about it, pays dearly and invisibly as they prop up our comfortable lifestyles. These Americans are ignorable, and the war in Afghanistan is proof. This war has all but vanished from American consciousness. Now, Trump is courting conflict in Korea, Iran, Syria, Venezuela — did I miss any? — but has given no timeline for withdrawal from Afghanistan. He has also proposed food-stamp cuts likely to hit already suffering military families — he wants the intimidating weapons, but doesn’t want to take care of the people who use them. The rhetoric of war may seem noble and glorious to power-drunk leaders like Trump, and his proposal to nuke ISIS may appeal to his horribly misguided supporters, but war itself is far more than macho mouthing off. Despite the American public’s privileged distance from military life, we cannot stand idly by as Trump steers us toward further conflict. Trump himself got out of the draft. But if it were reinstated, not all Americans would be so lucky.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Fraternities Must Be Held Accountable
On Tuesday, Cornell University informed its chapter of Psi Upsilon that it would be closed indefinitely. The decision came after members of Psi Upsilon were “accused of attacking a black student, beating him and calling him by a racial epithet,” as stated by the New York Times. While Cornell did the right thing in shutting down the fraternity, their response is still lacking. As of now, it does not appear that the Cornell administration will be punishing the specific students involved in the incident, just the fraternity as a whole. This is unacceptable. Racist incidents are still too common on college campuses — including here at NYU — and they must not be swept under the rug. It is important to note that one student involved in the incident, John Greenwood, has been arrested and charged with third-degree assault. However, Cornell has yet to issue a statement that Greenwood and the other students involved in the incident will be punished by the university. This silence allows the students involved in this incident — and all Cornell students involved with discriminatory actions — to feel emboldened by their university. Speaking out against racism generally is great for optics, but it does nothing to prevent these incidents in the future. After all, in 2016, Psi Absalom was punished, only after Cornell received over 30 complaints regarding discriminatory instances. Obviously, frat members feel as though they can get away with far too much under the guise of a fraternity. Greek life chapters on most college campuses are, as argued by a Cornell parent, notoriously segregated. As the parent believes, this is a continuation of an existing status quo seen in many aspects of American life: communities are segregated, schools are segregated and places of worship are segregated years after segregation was supposedly outlawed. Usually, fraternities are not required to enforce any sort of diversity quotas, leading people to recruit who they are comfortable with — people who look like themselves. Of course, this is largely unintentional. However, overt segregation in Greek life leads to far too many racist incidents. The first step to ending this is holding students involved in discriminatory incidents accountable. Racism of any kind is not and will not be tolerated at NYU; fraternities and sororities are no exception. All students involved in this lynching, and any instance of discriminatory behavior, must be held accountable for their inexcusable actions. Finally, in light of this despicable act, members of NYU Greek life, especially those at NYU’s Psi Upsilon chapter, must double-down on their commitment to diversity and equality.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at opinion@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Andrew Heying (Chair), Adryan Barlia (Co-chair), Carine Zambrano (Co-chair)
Email Theo Wayt at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY MADDIE HOWARD SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
NYU Reacts: Ezekiel Elliott By JOEY MANCINI Contributing Writer
There has been serious controversy as of late surrounding Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. In August, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Elliott for six games after a year-long investigation into his alleged repeated assault of his then-girlfriend Tiffany Thompson over the course of six months. While legal action was dropped by Thompson and her legal team, the NFL continued its investigation of Elliott, which led to his suspension. Elliott appealed his suspension, and it was upheld. But then, Judge Amos Mazzant, a member of the U.S. District Court in Texas, issued an injunction allowing Elliott to continue playing football. Various students across campus reacted to what they thought of the entire situation, and whether or not they think Elliott should be allowed to play after everything that has been revealed. Email Joey Mancini at sports@nyunews.com.
“I think the rules are very lenient towards professional athletes, much more so than regular people, especially minority groups. Courts tend to be very harsh on minorities, but less so when they are athletes. I think the courts should have upheld [the suspension] because the evidence was very clear, and I think he was only let off because he is a star player.” DARBY MCCUSKER, LS FRESHMAN
“Obviously, I hate the domestic abuse. That’s just plain awful. But I think since there were no legal repercussions, I do not understand why the NFL should suspend Zeke, and I’m glad to see him out on the field.” EMILIE SWAN, STEINHARDT FRESHMAN
“Our judicial system states that people are innocent until proven guilty. The NFL shouldn’t try to manipulate that just because it helps their case.” GARRETT SHERMAN, LS SOPHOMORE
“He should not be allowed to play. Some form of punishment should be given, because if there are no repercussions, who is to say these actions will not happen again.” SARAH WHITE, TISCH FRESHMAN
“The women he has harassed need some kind of justice, and if there are no legal consequences, then he should at least face consequences at work. He should be suspended.” MIRIAM ALYAN, LS FRESHMAN
“Elliott shouldn’t be allowed to play as it reflects poorly on the league. The only reason the NFL would allow him to play is to increase TV revenues and ticket sales since he is a top three running back in the league.” SAYAK GHOSH, CAS FRESHMAN
“I have a bias because I am a diehard Giants fan, but I totally believe he should be allowed to play as of right now. That being said, he needs to be kept in check because of the multiple allegations against him. There was an event where he pulled a girl’s shirt up at a parade, and it makes the organization and the NFL look bad. He should be in some way disciplined.” NICK TROIA, LS FRESHMAN
“I don’t think it is fair that the NFL would punish him even though he wasn’t charged because of inconsistent information given by his girlfriend.” NIKHIL MEKA, CAS SOPHOMORE
“I do not believe Ezekiel Elliott should be allowed to play as I do not have him on my fantasy team.” MAX KAPLAN III, SPS JUNIOR
WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Sept. 17 to Sept. 23 By TYLER CREWS Contributing Writer
Women’s Golf On Sunday, Sept. 17 and Monday, Sept. 18, the women’s golf team traveled to Howey-in-theHills, Florida to compete in the 2017 NCAA Division III Fall Preview. The Violets finished in first place as a team, which was their second consecutive tournament victory. GLS sophomore Arisa Kimura tied for the individual championship with Berry College’s Jorie Hadapp. The 2018 DIII Women’s Golf National Championship will take place on the same course in May. The team returned to action the following Saturday, Sept 23. and Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Mount Holyoke Invitational. After Saturday’s play, the Violets are in first place out of 18 teams participating, an improvement from their third place finish last season. Women’s golf has a small break and will be returning on Saturday, Oct. 7 for the Williams Women’s Fall Invitational in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Men’s Golf After the first day of the Liberty League Championship in Baldwinsville, New York, NYU men’s golf is in fourth place out of seven teams competing. NYU is behind Skidmore College by only two strokes, and Clarkson, in fifth place, is trailing the Violets by 27 strokes. Men’s golf is coming off of a victory after winning the St. Lawrence University Invitational, which was its first match of the season. The team returns this Saturday, Sept. 30 for the ECAC Championship at Ravenswood CC.
Women’s Soccer The women’s soccer team played the University of Scranton on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at its home field, Gaelic Park. Although the Violets outshot Scranton, they could not make contact with the net, resulting in a scoreless draw following overtime. Stern freshman Meghan Marhan earned her first career start in goal, which was also her first shutout. The team played again on Saturday, Sept. 23, defeating Farmingdale State College and moving its record up to 4-2-1. This was the Violets’ third shutout in a row, with a final score of 3-0. Meghan Marhan’s second college start in goal resulted in her second shutout game. Women’s soccer is traveling to the College of Staten Island this Wednesday.
Men’s Soccer The men’s soccer team played on Saturday, Sept. 23 against
Manhattanville College at Gaelic Park. The team earned its fifth straight win with a 2-0 victory over Manhattanville. The Violets are currently playing their best start of a season since 2011, when they won their first eight games. Their winning streak will be tested on Tuesday, Sept. 26, when the team travels to Madison, New Jersey to play Drew University.
Women’s Volleyball On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the women’s volleyball team fell to Stevens Institute of Technology, losing in three close sets. The Violets returned to action on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Ramapo Tri-Match in Mahwah, New Jersey. The team competed against Williams College and Middlebury College, falling short in both four set matches. The Violets won a set in each match and proved to be strong competition, keeping the sets close throughout both matches. Women’s volleyball is scheduled to play next at the UAA Round Robin, at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Women’s Tennis NYU women’s tennis competed at the ITA Northeast Regional Championships at Skidmore on Friday and Saturday and is set to complete the match on Sunday Sept. 24. On Friday, five Violets competed in singles and four of them — Stern freshman Anna Maria Buraya, Stern junior Flyora Shiyanova, Stern sophomore Judy Kam and CAS freshman Coco Kulle — advanced to Saturday’s round of 16. In doubles, Buraya and Kam, as well as Shiyanova and Kulle, won both of their matches on Friday and advanced to the quarterfinals. On Saturday, Kulle and Buraya each won two matches and advanced to the semifinals. In doubles, Buraya and Kam, and Kulle and Shiyanova, both won their quarterfinal and semifinal matches, and are facing off in the championship on Sunday.
Men’s Tennis NYU men’s tennis competed this Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Stevens Singles Invitational in New Jersey. The Violets finished with a 10-5 record against both Stevens Institute of Technology and the College of New Jersey, preparing themselves for the ITA Northeast Regionals. The Northeast Regionals will take place on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Skidmore College. Email Tyler Crews at sports@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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SPORTS
EDITED BY MADDIE HOWARD SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
What Serena Williams’ Pregnancy Means for Women By HELEN XIE Contributing Writer
Tennis is traditionally a sport dominated by white males and attended by the white elite. Serena Williams diverges from the mold of the traditional player, and her audience does as well. While she is one of the greatest tennis players of all time, she still faces discrimination on and off the court for her race, gender and body. She is black excellence in the flesh, yet people still maintain their doubts about her. Because of her differences, people downplay her capabilities, talent and prowess, which they believe she derives from her so-called manly figure, bringing in their racist and sexist beliefs on black women. They end up disregarding the effort Williams puts into the sport because per-
haps the thought of a black woman being the top tennis player is an idea that is too hard to bear. This year, Williams revealed that she was pregnant. Naturally, this sent ripples through the tennis community and had major implications for feminism in the sport and Williams’ legacy as a player. To understand her pregnancy, we must first understand the player herself. She is a woman of strength, not just in the physical sense. Each year she faces critics of her race and gender, bad calls on the tennis court and an even harsher crowd at times. Through all the hardships, she has remained a champion, defeating opponents on the court, as well as racists and sexists in press conferences. This time around, with the news of the baby, she has had to emulate that strength in different ways, in one that can prove to those
critics that she, and women in general, are powerful and ought to be respected. When competing for her 23rd Grand Slam, Williams was almost two months pregnant. Playing with that knowledge, Williams had to focus on competing and not on the baby’s potential impacts on her performance. Furthermore, while athletes tend to retire as they age and start families, Williams, at 36, still intends to return for the 2018 season after just less than a year of maternity leave. Her determination in this field is unmatched and represents a strong feminist attitude. Commenting on her decision to return to touring, Williams told CBS’s Gayle King, “I’m not done yet. My story isn’t over,” as pregnancy will not stop her from keeping her title as number one. Williams’ ability to win her 23rd
Grand Slam while pregnant silenced traditional critics claiming that pregnancy inhibits a woman’s ability to perform basic, much less physically grueling tasks. Pregnancy, even in the early stages, greatly affects a woman’s body, so Williams’ tenacity showcases to women everywhere, particularly athletes, that being a woman should not stop anyone from doing her job. There is often a stigma surrounding women’s bodies — that they are weaker because they menstruate or because they can carry children, but Williams has shown us otherwise. She is a harbinger of change for the acceptance of women as equals in sports because no one stops the world’s number one from taking her 23rd Grand Slam. Email Helen Xie at sports@nyunews.com.
VIA WIKIMEDIA
Serena Wiliams won her 23rd Grand Slam while pregnant, silencing critics and exceeding expectations.
Sports Illustrated Is Antiquated By TORI BIANCO Contributing Writer
VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM
The NYU Swimming and Diving team hopes to conquer a new victory this upcoming season
Splashing Into a New Season
By ALICE LI Contributing Writer
Fading suits and goggle tan lines indicate the start to the fall season for NYU’s swimming and diving team. With countless hours in the pool, a tight circle of support and the taste of last season’s victories as fuel, the team is all on deck and ready to make a splash. Preseason is arguably the most vital component in the equation for success. NYU swimmers are putting their competitive streaks into the preparation process, exacting their technique and stretching their endurance. There’s no doubt the Violets conquered in the pool last season. Nursing sophomore Jaime Robinson’s memories of last season still linger as the fall season is fast approaching. After having earned strong performance times and inducted several All-American players, the new members have some big shoes to fill. “One highlight that sticks out to me from last year was that our girl’s team went undefeated in the dual meet season,” Robinson said. “We also finished second at UAA’s, as well as eighth at NCAA’s, [and] our men’s team finished 5th at NCAA’s.” The mutual support between team members radiates. LS sophomore Honore Collins is an NCAA Champion and NYU’s first national champion. From memories of momentous relays and the first taper in fast suits, Collins surely has memories that will last long after the pool closes. She is incredibly
supportive of her teammates and notes their big moments as well as hers. “Watching Tim Kou finish the 200 breaststroke at nationals [was a highlight from last season],” Collins said. “He was going so fast the entire race and then he got the biggest smile when he saw his time and put up a bobcat paw.” In terms of personal goals, Collins hopes to bring back some big titles. She is setting the bar high for herself to lead the team. “I hope to win nationals again, and maybe break the national record in the 200 IM,” Collins said. “I also hope to final in all three of my events at nationals. Last year we got 8th at nationals, so I hope that we do better and I hope everyone has fun while swimming.” Stern junior Joe Del Buono is particularly enthusiastic regarding the dynamics of the team and looks forward to making new memories and improving solid times. “We have a lot of great talent in the freshman class and have the potential to place really high at nationals this year,” Del Buono said. “I’m looking forward to becoming closer with the new swimmers. I am also looking forward to seeing how fast we can swim. I think it’s going to be a great year. As a men’s team, I think and hope we can place top three at NCAA’s. Overall, top five would be a great next step in the rise of the NYU swim team.” Email Alice Li at sports@nyunews.com.
Sports Illustrated is an acclaimed magazine known for celebrating the success and stories of athletes. However, every February this is not the case. Instead of properly representing and celebrating female athletes, Sports Illustrated promotes sexual objectification of women with its swimsuit edition of the magazine. With the addition of plus-sized models and the Olympic athletes in the past years, the publication attempted to promote a view supporting women and their bodies, yet still fell short. Sports Illustrated has a set of tabs on the specific website designated for its swimsuit edition. Such tabs discriminated between labels like models, rookies and athletes. Why is there a need to separate the athletes from the professional models? It sends the message that women with athletic bodies do not reach the standard of beauty that society claims models possess. Why are models used in the first place? Sports Illustrated encom-
passes all types of sports-related articles, so why not exclusively use female athletes? Nevertheless, the lack of legitimate purpose in the swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated is evident and needs to be addressed. Feminists continue to urge the media to cease the continuous objectification of women, and some progress has been made. However, the conversation must continue. Society passively accepts, and even celebrates, the swimsuit issue each year. If changes to the thematic purpose of this issue fail to improve, such archaic sexism will only endure. The manner in which women are projected in the swimsuit issue should serve as a call to action; the time for women to remove themselves from this sexual objectification narrative is now. In order to end the vicious cycle, both men and women need to speak out and take a stand to support women and denounce the legitimacy of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. Additionally, the website includes an interview with Serena Williams, one of the athletes
VIA FLICKR.COM
Model Hilary Rhoda signs a copy of the yearly Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue for a man at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Many people feel the issue promotes sexual objectification.
featured in the 2017 issue. The interview included surface-level questions, primarily focusing on the concept of swimwear and the swimsuit issue as a whole. More specifically, one question stated, “Did you train for the SI Swimsuit issue any different than you’d train for a big match?” Such mundane and borderline condescending questions caused the article to fall short. As one of the most successful and talented athletes of our time, Williams has so much more insight to offer about life and body acceptance. Rather than focusing on that, the interview focused on irrelevant aspects of Williams’ life. Instead of concentrating on the swimsuits the women wear and their bodies, Sports Illustrated should alter the issue to showcase female athletes in their most confident state. Whether that be in a swimsuit, uniform or a dress, the decision should lie in the hands of the athletes. Body acceptance and positivity should not rely on models in swimsuits or body paint, but rather women of all walks of life wearing what makes them feel comfortable in their own skin, whatever that may be. In order to create a new capacity for the swimsuit edition, Sports Illustrated should feature female athletes and discuss their journeys with body image, setting an example for young girls that an athletic body can be beautiful. Sometimes confidence is hard, but it is possible. Although being an athlete isn’t always pretty, that does not mean female athletes aren’t beautiful. Maybe one day Sports Illustrated will successfully illustrate women in sports, but until that day, remember that female athletes are strong both physically and mentally, and within this strength lies their beauty. Email Tori Bianco at sports@nyunews.com.
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