3/03/22 Full Edition

NEWS | 3 RIPI begins spring 2022 speaker series

FEATURES | 5

OPINION | 9

SPORTS | 11

LIFE | 14

deserve access to procedures

issues

Old Gold&Black

VOL. 108, NO. 21

WA K E F O R E S T ’ S S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R S I N C E 1 9 1 6

MARCH 3, 2022

“Covers the campus like the magnolias”

University to lift indoor mask mandates Beginning March 5, WFU will rescind campus-wide mask mandates in two phases CHRISTA DUTTON & EMILY TORO News Editors

Starting March 5, Wake Forest will begin to lift its campus mask requirements in phases, it announced in a Feb. 24 email.

This decision comes one week after the city of Winston-Salem announced that it will lift its city-wide mask mandate by the end of the month and just a week after Governor Roy Cooper encouraged schools and local governments to end their mask mandates.

Per advice from infectious disease expert Dr. Christopher Ohl, the university will implement the new mask protocols in a two-step approach. On Saturday, March 5, the first day of spring break on the Reynolda campus, masks will be optional in all indoor campus spaces, excluding classrooms, healthcare facilities and university transportation. On Saturday, March 19, masks will no longer be required in classrooms but will continue to be required in healthcare facilities and transportation.

“Each week, a group of campus leaders meets to discuss new questions and decisions that relate to the pandemic,” Vice President for Campus Life Dr. Shea Kidd-Brown said. “This is a collaborative group that represents various functions on campus. In reviewing the campus COVID-19 dashboard daily, observing a steady decline in cases, overlaying that with the city’s updated policies and in accordance with the ad-

Katie Fox / Old Gold & Black

Per a Feb. 24 email, Wake Forest University will begin revising mask mandates on March 5 and no longer require masks in classrooms starting March 19. vice and guidance of Dr. Ohl and endocrinologist Dr. Catherine Price, we felt ready to make changes appropriate for this stage of the pandemic.”

Before these two dates, on Tuesday, March 1 at 4 p.m., a virtual forum was held for faculty and staff to provide thorough details on the new policy and

the public health rationale behind this decision.

Since masking has been required in classrooms and indoor spaces since August 2020, university administrators are expecting the implementation of the new policy to be a major time of transition. Those who have been in-

volved with the university’s response to the pandemic are hopeful that the phased approach will allow the university to align itself with the city’s new policies while also continuing to exercise caution.

See COVID-19, Page 3

Environmental justice series catalyzes conversation The Indigenous Environmental Justice Leadership series hosts two keynote speakers LUCY ROBERTS Contributing Writer

On Feb. 23 and 24, the Wake Forest University Intercultural Center and the Program for Leadership and Character hosted the Indigenous Environmental Justice Leadership series, which consisted of three events that amplified the voices of Indigenous environmental justice leaders.

The goal of the Indigenous Environmental Justice Leadership series is to encourage participants to

broaden their ideas of leadership, especially as it pertains to the environmental justice movement.

The first event was a film screening of “The Condor and the Eagle”, a film depicting the story of four Indigenous environmental justice leaders and their communities, whose shared voices proved powerful in the fight against threats such as the environmental contamination of and forced removal from ancestral lands.

The second event began with a lecture and Q&A session with Dina Gilio-Whitaker, a scholar, journal-

ist and author who teaches American Indian studies at California State University at San Marcos.

A member of the Colville Confederated Tribes, Gilio-Whitaker has been concerned about environmental issues from a young age and was a Native American studies major at the University of New Mexico.

However, as she continued her studies, she found that there were gaping holes in the literature concerning environmental issues and justice.

“It became really clear to me that the way mainstream ideas of envi-

ronmental justice are written about are really incomplete for Native people,” Gilio-Whitaker said.

While environmental racism — or the racialized discrimination in environmental policies and regulations — is present and harmful to many marginalized communities, Gilio-Whitaker emphasized that environmental justice theory “must also acknowledge that there is a political difference of American Indians as nations, not ethnic minorities.”

See Environment, Page 4

Old Gold & Black This column represents the views of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board.

Right now on Wake Forest’s campus, there is a palpable sense of stress and tension among the student body — a feeling that only midterms could bring.

As the spring semester has progressed, students have worked hard through many difficult periods of time — including that of the Weaver Fertilizer Co. fire, which disrupted the academic calendar. They have continued to experience the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and have watched war rage on the screens of their TVs phones.

And yet, students continue to persevere.

With spring break on the horizon, it is important to reflect on the hard work and dedication that students have shown in the past year.

In the midst of adversity, time and time again, the Wake Forest community has

continued to stand tall against the challenges posed against it.

Now, as the administration plans to lift the school mask mandate, we are headed towards a new and exciting era of life in the Forest.

This step forward could not have been made possible without the strong resolve of Wake Forest’s student body, which has been evident throughout this semester. Students have risen to the challenge of protecting each other and preserving their wellbeing — and not only through adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, but also through measures of their own design.

During Mental Health Week, students organized events in order to spread awareness and end the stigma surrounding the

promotion of mental health and wellbeing. In the Weaver Fertilizer crisis, student leaders like Student Body President Ally Swartzberg responded by working tirelessly to accommodate the concerns of her fellow students.

The week after break, the administration will be releasing the Campus Climate Survey, a measure heavily advocated for by student leaders which will gauge the level of response needed for repeated instances of sexual assault and harassment on campus.

These examples of action taken by the student body represent a substantial amount of the positive change that has taken place on campus, but not the full amount that we can still accomplish together.

“

These examples of action taken by the student body represent a substantial amount of the positive change that has taken place on campus, but not the full amount that we can still accomplish together."

As you approach your midterm exams and spring break, consider how much we have accomplished as a community of students and what lies ahead.

Take each and every moment to remember what makes us human, and let that reflection and rest carry you into our bright new future.

Old Gold&Black

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>> OPINION

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News | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, March 3, 2022 | Page 3

COVID-19: Wake Forest updates mask policy Continued from Page 1 “As we were making the decision about relaxing the mask mandate, we imagined there would be a number of questions, particularly as it relates to the classroom and other spaces that typically require close proximity,” Kidd-Brown said. “The phased approach allows us to be in alignment with the city’s mask policy but also gives us a bit more time to transition to relaxing the mask policy in the classroom and other spaces on campus that might require nuanced approaches.”

The lifting of mask mandates has been long-awaited by students and faculty alike.

“I think it will boost morale significantly,” Kidd Brown said. “We have all craved the ability to see smiles on faces and connect in closer

proximity, and the updated requireAlthough the mandate is being ments will allow for more of that. lifted, faculty and staff are permitOn a very personal note, as a new ted to require masks in their classvice president, I will look forward to rooms, meeting spaces and offices seeing full faces as I continue to get throughout the semester. The unito know faculty, staff and students.” versity also encourages students to She continued: “Just as spring ap- continue to carry a mask with them proaches, we will return to new and during this time of transition and to meaningful ways to connect with wear one if they need or prefer to. our students, and while some may be Additionally, individuals with unapprehensive, I think there is a lot of derlying health conditions have the excitement and relief regarding this option to request reasonable accommodations during this time. update.”

The university will continue to Sophomore Hasan Pyarali is also communicate with public health ofoptimistic about the university’s new ficials regarding their decision. approach.

“For the majority of students and “It is a great development that staff I know, this is a positive step shows the university has final- forward in coming out of this dark ly started following the science,” period in our lifetimes,” Pyarali Pyarali said. “We have a 96% rate for said. vaccines and boosters, and it’s about time we begin to approach this as an Contact Christa Dutton & Emily Toro at endemic rather than a pandemic.” duttcd20@wfu.edu & toroer20@wfu.edu

Katie Fox / Old Gold & Black

U n ive r s i t y w i l l l i f t m a s k m a n d a t e s i n t wo p h a s e s .

RIPI begins spring 2022 speaker series Dr. Julia Jordan-Zachery discusses the effects of the pandemic on Black women KATHLEEN KERR Staff Writer

The Race, Inequality, and Policy Initiative (RIPI) kicked off their spring 2022 speaker series on Feb. 23 with a virtual event called “Black Women and de ‘Rona”. RIPI Director and Wake Forest Politics Department Associate Chair Dr. Betina Wilkinson spoke with Wake Forest Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Department Chair Dr. Julia Jordan-Zachery about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Black women.

RIPI is an initiative that aims to embody Pro Humanitate by educating the Wake Forest community primarily on how domestic policies and institutions perpetuate inequality based on race, ethnicity and gender.

RIPI’s work is multidisciplinary and involves faculty members across many departments. “Black Women and de ‘Rona” was made possible by the collaboration of the Intercultural Center, the African American Studies program,

the Department of Politics and International Affairs and the Department of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies.

The event’s speaker, Jordan-Zachery, has published six books on Black feminism and will soon release two books that focus on the experiences of Black women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation was centered around this particular facet of her research.

“This semester, we are focusing on women of color and policy issues,” Wilkinson said. “Each semester’s speaker series seeks to address and enhance our understanding of the racial, ethnic and gender inequities and inequalities that exist in the U.S.” Jordan-Zachery began by discussing how stereotypes impact Black women, especially through the use of certain language. She focused on how these existing stereotypes led to higher consequences for Black women than any other group in terms of their jobs, families and health care during the pandem-

ic. She pointed out that the pandemic took many Black and brown women away from their families because they were considered essential workers. She also noted that older Black women were often tasked with caring for young children if a primary guardian passed away due to COVID-19, putting even more stress on Black families during an already trying time.

She also spoke on the increased obstacles for Black women seeking healthcare. Prior to the pandemic, it was already difficult for Black women to obtain access to healthcare, but the spread of COVID-19 made it even more challenging. This obstacle to healthcare had dire consequences — Black people were 1.7 times more likely to die during the pandemic than white people. According to Jordan-Zachery, over the past couple of years, it has also become more difficult for Black women to gain access to prenatal care or therapy in a time when they need it most, according to JordanZachery.

After the conversation, senior Edna Ulysse moderated a Q&A session where students got the opportunity to ask Jordan-Zachery questions about her research and how the Wake Forest community can challenge existing stereotypes. Jordan-Zachery emphasized the importance of always remembering the humanity of Black women, particularly in difficult times.

“Black women’s humanity is often forgotten,” Jordan-Zachery said. “We need to move away from asking questions about who deserves what and move towards asking questions about humanity.”

RIPI will continue to host events both in person and virtually during the semester. Their next event “Race, Gender and Voting: A Presentation by Dr. Lorrie Frasure” will be held on April 13 at 4 p.m. in the ZSR Auditorium. Students can learn more about RIPI’s work by engaging with the virtual library on their website: ripi. wfu.edu.

Contact Kathleen Kerr at kerrke21@wfu.edu

POLICE BEAT Underage Consumption/Drugs: • • • • •

A student in Luter requested to be transported to the emergency room due to an infection. While on scene, WFUPD observed alcohol in plain view. The report was filed on Feb. 21 at 10:07 a.m.

A student was intoxicated and would not leave Last Resort. The student left shortly after WFUPD arrived. The report was filed on Feb. 25 at 12:11 a.m.

An intoxicated visiting student in Kitchin who was over the age of 21 was transported to WFUBMC. The report was filed on Feb. 26 at 1:38 a.m.

WFUPD responded to an underage intoxicated student in Magnolia. The student was transported to WFUBMC. The report was filed on Feb. 26 at 1:43 a.m.

WFUPD responded to a call of cannabis odor in Collins. The responding officer found a student in possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia. The underaged student was also in possession of alcohol. The report was filed on Feb. 27 at 12:54 a.m Larceny:

• • • • • •

Unknown subject(s) took a plant from the kitchen in Luter. The report was filed on Feb. 22 at 9:37 a.m.

Unknown subject(s) took a Black Pelican case from the Track and Field locker room. The report was filed on Feb. 22 at 12:05 p.m.

Unknown subject(s) took a backpack while eating lunch in the Magnolia Room. A possible suspect is involved, and that person is suspected for other larcenies reported on this date. The report was filed on Feb. 23 at 12:54 p.m.

Unknown subject(s) took a iPad and AirPods from a classroom in Manchester. The report was filed on Feb. 23 at 1:09 p.m.

Unknown subject(s) took a MacBook Pro 13 and AirPods from a study room in Worrell. The report was filed on Feb. 23 at 1:35 p.m.

Unknown subject(s) took a sweatshirt and pair of shorts from the Babcock laundry room. The report was filed on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Page 4 | Thursday, March 3, 2022

Old Gold & Black | News

Environment: Speakers address injustice Continued from Page 1 “Native people are not just a race of people in the United States,” she said.

“Although we are ethnic minorities and communities, our communities are actually nations with a political relationship to the state and very different relationships to the land.”

The idea that there must be an indigenized concept of environmental justice for the movement to be fully complete and inclusive is the focus of Gilio-Whitaker’s master’s thesis and has continued to shape her work decades later.

The last event of the Indigenous Environmental Justice Leadership series featured a keynote address by activist and member of the Lumbee nation, Donna Chavis. Chavis currently serves as the senior climate campaigner with Friends of the Earth U.S., an environmental organization that seeks to affect policy change.

Chavis played an instrumental role in ending the construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and describes herself as someone who “is rooted in the location and culture of North Carolina, and specifically, Indigenous culture.”

“How you be” is a phrase that guides Chavis’ work, meaning, “not how are you doing, but ‘how you be’ in relation to the world and the environment you are in, which includes your human relations as well as your relation to the other animal world and plant life.

When asked the frequent question of what brought her to environmental justice work, Chavis said, “I can’t say that I was brought to environmental justice work — environmental justice has been something that was born and bred in me.”

The specific work she does now began when she became involved in the planning of the First National People of Color Leadership Summit in 1991, bringing a

critical Indigenous voice to the table and playing a role in the formation of the Principles of Environmental Justice.

The lack of Indigenous voices in the planning of the opposition to the pipeline brought Chavis out of retirement “to organize within the Indigenous community to help them become aware of what they were facing and what some of the answers might be.”

Chavis believes the importance of listening to Indigenous voices in environmental justice discussions cannot be understated.

“The voice of Indigenous peoples and the relationship to the environment and to other beings around them became a part of the conversation of stopping the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and now those voices are more present in other activities,” Chavis said.

The university has previously implemented other methods of honoring indig-

enous peoples and tribal nations, such as Wake Forest University’s Land Acknowledgement Statement, which addresses the local history of the school, stating as follows: “This statement honors the land on which Wake Forest University now resides and the land on which the original campus resided. This land served for centuries as a place for exchange and interaction for Indigenous peoples, specifically Saura (saw-ra), Catawba (katah-buh), Cherokee (chair-o-kee) and Lumbee (lum-bee) in this location and Shakori (shu-kor-ee), Eno (ee-no), Sissipahaw (sis-suh-pa-hah) and Occaneechi (oak-a-nee-chee) in the original campus location. Today Wake Forest continues to be a place of learning and engagement for Indigenous students, faculty and staff regionally, nationally and globally.”

Contact Lucy Roberts at robels20@wfu.edu

Winston-Salem Symphony performs annual concert The 10th annual Concert for Community features amateur and professional musicians MADDIE STOPYRA Staff Writer

The Winston-Salem Symphony held their 10th-annual Concert for Community in Wait Chapel on Saturday, Feb. 27 in tandem with the Winston- Salem Youth Symphony. The event honored student musicians and composers through a showcase of six musical pieces.

The Winston-Salem Youth Symphony was founded in 1973 by co-conductors Lynn Peters and Nancy Kredel. Since then, the program has developed multiple musical ensembles such as the Youth Philharmonic and the Premiere Strings.

According to assistant conductor Karen Ní Bhroin, the goal of the Youth Symphony is to bridge the gap between a string orchestra and a full orchestra while strengthening children’s musical knowledge.

“A lot of our kids come up through our program,” Ní Bhroin said. “It allows a child’s music education to develop from one stage to another.”

Generously funded by the WinstonSalem community, the Concert for Community highlights talent from individual soloists as well as student conductors from The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA).

Ní Bhroin explained the significance of connecting young musicians to professional members of the Winston-Salem Symphony.

“Concert for Community bridges the gap between the student and the professional,” Ní Bhroin said. “These kids may not all go into music, but they will always appreciate their involvement. The event also reminds the professional orchestra members of where they started as young students.”

The concert opened with the introduction of Arti Phoncharoensri, the junior division winner of the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search. The young violin soloist led the first performance of the concert, playing “Winter (The Four Seasons)” by Antonio Vivaldi. Audience

member Tyler Gaither commented on Phoncharoensri’s extraordinary ability to not only play the violin but also to act as the conductor of a full symphony orchestra.

“To see his level of prestige and understanding of the instrument was mind-blowing,” Gaither said. “He is so young, yet so talented.”

After receiving a standing ovation for his performance, Phoncharoensri exited the stage, and Sam Tripp, senior division winner of the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search, took center stage alongside conductor Ní Bhroin. Ní Bhroin led the symphony in “Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor”.

When the piece was finished, Ní Bhroin shifted the focus of the event to two student composers from UNCSA. As conductor of the Youth Symphony as well as a visiting professor at UNCSA, Ní Bhroin communicated her desire to unite the musical community in Winston-Salem.

“My goal in Winston-Salem is to have as many students as possible crossing musical borders,” Ní Bhroin said.

The first student composer, Andrew Harris, found inspiration for his piece “The Stars Above” while on a camping trip in 2019. The four-movement composition reflects a childlike dream of soaring into space.

“I liked ‘The Stars Above’, because it was from the perspective of a child,” high school senior Ana Jennings said.

“I could hear his imagination and how light and bouncy it was.”

After Harris received recognition as a UNCSA composition competition winner, the symphony then began to play the second student composition, which was K. Christopher Pyle’s “Dances with Incandescence”. When asked about his connection to his composition and the Winston-Salem Symphony, Pyle recounted his experience with the symphony as a Winston-Salem native.

“I know the symphony does a lot of outreach, and I was first exposed to it

Photo courtesy of Winston-Salem Symphony

The Winston-Salem Symphony, along with the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony, founded in 1973, holds their 10th annual Concert for Community in Wait Chapel. at my elementary school in WinstonSalem,” Pyle said. “To be able to have them play something that I wrote all this time later is really great.”

After a brief intermission, the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony joined the professional ensemble on stage. The students learned the first piece they played — Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” — over Zoom in 2020 while being mentored by the Winston-Salem Symphony.

The concert concluded with a performance of both “Romeo and Juliet”, and Antonín Dvořák’s “The Golden Spinning Wheel”.

“I would definitely recommend attending a Concert for Community,” Jennings said. “It is a great environment to be in, and you get to listen to really good music from talented people.”

The Winston-Salem Symphony has many upcoming events scheduled. On March 5, the Stevens Center at UNCSA will hold the P.L.A.Y Music Spring Seminario Concert. More information about the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Youth Symphony can be found on their website: www.wssymphony.org.

Contact Maddie Stopyra at stopmf21@wfu.edu

FEATURES

Chase Bagnall-Koger, bagncm21@wfu.edu Meredith Prince, prinmc21@wfu.edu Asst: Una Wilson, wilsui20@wfu.edu

OLD GOLD & BLACK

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

PAGE 5 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

DEACON PROFILE

Caroline Phillips a “Munchies Zone” that rivals any food festival that you’ve ever been to in the United States.

I think that we have all of the fun components to the festival, all of the music that you would find at a music festival, plus a pretty heavy serving of social justice and cannabis education. It’s a really fun day for people to come out. And I think everybody leaves now a little something more than they came in with.

MEREDITH PRINCE Features Editor Caroline Phillips, Wake Forest’ 03, is a Washington D.C.-based entrepreneur and social justice advocate who is a rising star in the cannabis industry.

In 2016, Phillips founded the National Cannabis Festival, now the largest ticketed cannabis event in the nation. Two years later, she launched the National Cannabis Policy Summit, an agendasetting, nationally-televised gathering of lawmakers, industry heavyweights and policy experts. As a board member of Supernova Women, she has helped to bring issues of equity and representation of Black and brown people in the cannabis industry into the national conversation.

Can you speak to the challenges of accessibility and equity in the field of live events?

I do not know many of any other women that own music festivals, let alone cannabis events. I can say the same thing for Black and brown people in this space. We are grossly underrepresented in executive and leadership positions in live music and live events. So, I set out and I started my own festival and my own production company.

I’m really proud to say that our entire company is fueled by Black and brown people and that we are led by women of color. I think that is something very important because we all know how much representation matters. I really hope that anybody working in live events today can take that extra step to seek out young Black and brown people who are up and coming and who are looking for opportunities in this space.

How did you first get involved in the cannabis industry?

After leaving Wake Forest, I worked for a lot of different nonprofits in the D.C. area and found my way into human rights. When cannabis was first legalized in D.C., I noticed that while there were a lot of people coming to the city for really expensive conferences and bidding millions of dollars on cannabis businesses, there were also still a lot of people in our city who were incarcerated for cannabis offenses. So I wanted to make sure that there was an event that talks about all of the progress on drug policy and cannabis legalization, but also points out all of the challenges that still remain.

Why are you so passionate about Cannabis legalization, and why should others care too?

How did your time at Wake Forest (if at all) prepare you for your work and entrepreneurship?

I think that my time at Wake Forest really helped highlight some of the disparities and gaps that we see in society today, from racial justice and social justice issues, even as far as how students experienced cannabis on campus.

There were certain bodies of students that were able to experience cannabis with relative ease, while perhaps Black and brown students had greater repercussions. I think that’s something that I learned firsthand while I was on campus that I then saw more and more of out in the real world. Wake Forest gave me the toolkit that I needed to be able to go out into the world and articulate some of these things that I’ve noticed, and then take those things and use them to fuel the work that I do now.

What issues of equity and representation of Black and brown people in the cannabis space do you fight to raise awareness for?

In addition to my work on the National Cannabis Festival, I’m also the deputy director of Supernova Women. We’re an organization that is run entirely by Black and brown women. We work to ensure that Black and brown people are stakeholders in the cannabis economy. Right now, less than 3% of business owners in the cannabis industry are Black and brown-owned.

On the other hand, if you look at the percent-

Photo courtesy of Greg Powers

I think cannabis has been part of my life in one way or another since I was at Wake Forest. I’ve seen it impact people’s lives in such a positive way as far as being a medicine they’ve turned to or something they’ve turned to in times of stress. I know that we have a safer society when we have regulations around things like alcohol, and I know the same thing goes for cannabis.

I’m passionate about this because I think we’ve all had friends who have stories of people they know who are treated badly. It’s tough to see, suddenly, folks in boardrooms making millions of dollars in the cannabis industry while other people are still suffering so much.

It’s not just about the people who are locked up. It’s about the generational trauma. It’s about the children who grew up without parents. It’s about the kids who got kicked out of universities and were told they were bad people and had their lives thrown off track. It’s a pretty complex topic, but I think that with a compassionate and engaged society, which I think we’re hopefully growing towards, we have a chance to take new industries like the cannabis industry and not just make them another industry, but make them a better industry.

age of people incarcerated for crimes related to cannabis, the numbers on that are vastly different. Black people are four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis use or possession than white people. I think that those are issues that everybody should be looking at as we start to consider a legalized and regulated cannabis industry. It’s not just about recreation, it’s also about medicine and criminal justice reform.

away is the D.C. jail, in which the vast majority of folks incarcerated for cannabis offenses are young Black men — that’s something that we cannot ignore today.

Can you tell me about the National Cannabis Festival and what went into creating/executing the event?

I think folks are attracted to the festival because they’re curious about cannabis. They’re not used to seeing it in the mainstream. We use artists like Wiz Khalifa, Lettuce and Ghostface Killah to bring in folks who are interested in entertainment. We hope that by drawing them in with the artists, they end up running into one of the 30 nonprofit advocacy groups exhibiting on-site.

We also have tons of exhibitors at the festival who promote cannabis culture, accessories, products and lifestyle — and people can shop there. We have five education pavilions where you can learn about cannabis policy, homegrown techniques and how cannabis can be part Contact Meredith Prince at of your everyday wellness routine. We also have prinmc21@wfu.edu

I started the festival back in 2015 when I noticed that there were a lot of folks interested in finding ways into the cannabis industry or learning about cannabis as medicine. There weren’t a lot of affordable or accessible outlets for doing that, so I wanted to create a space that felt safe and accessible, specifically to Black and brown people.

I also wanted to create an event that talked about the challenges that still remained in the industry. The festival takes place at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. Less than a mile

The National Cannabis Festival is set for April in D.C. with headliner Wiz Khalifa.

What do you hope people will get out of this event, and how do you get people involved?

Page 6 | Thursday, March 3, 2022

Old Gold & Black | Features

Weaver fertilizer use at Wake Forest The Old Gold and Black investigates Wake Forest’s consumption of and connection to synthetic fertilizers UNA WILSON Asst.Features Editor

Ammonium nitrate, the synthetic fertilizer produced at the Weaver fertilizer plant, has been responsible for numerous devastating explosions, raising serious concerns about its production, storage and use in Winston-Salem.

In 2013, an ammonium nitrate explosion in Texas caused U.S. authorities to re-examine federal rules meant to prevent such accidents. Former President Barack Obama released an executive order that pushed officials to reduce the risks of hazardous chemicals, but agricultural businesses lobbied to block broad amendments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s risk management program, according to The Center for Public Integrity.

When the EPA finally released its Chemical Disaster Rule, ammonium nitrate was not added to the list of “highly hazardous” chemicals.

Despite its potential for serious harm, ammonium nitrate is still a commonly used fertilizer for many large-scale agriculture operations, as well as on fields and manicured lawns, including those at Wake Forest University.

“The University applies an industrystandard Weaver 18-24-12 Slow Release Fertilizer for lawn feeding in spring and fall to promote healthy root and plant development,” Director of Environmental Health and Safety Stephen Fisenne wrote in an email. “This organic method eliminates the need for additional applications of synthetic fertilizer during the growing season and supports sustainability.”

The Weaver slow-release fertilizer used on campus was not sourced directly from the plant that caught fire the week of Feb 1., according to Fisenne. “There are a variety of vendors that provide fertilizers,”

Fisenne said. “We did not get the fertilizer directly from the nearby Weaver plant, but through distributors selling the product.”

He continued: “Most distributors already had fertilizer in stock for the spring season, from the various producers they work with.

The current vendor used by Wake Forest is Green Resource in Winston-Salem.”

Although synthetic fertilizers are used on Wake Forest’s lawns, campus facilities work to make sure they are implemented in the most efficient, sustainable way possible. The synthetic fertilizer is used in combination with organic fertilizers, to minimize the need for the latter.

Additionally, Fisenne said that “campus mowers are fitted with mulching devices that will chop grass clippings into small pieces that can slowly break down and contribute needed nitrogen to the soil.

This organic method eliminates the need for additional applications of synthetic fertilizer during the growing season, and supports sustainability.”

Fisenne continued: “Compost and organic matter is used exclusively in flower beds, and for shrubs and trees. This allows us to re-use our own compostable material as fertilizer and ground cover for these plants, and also fits in with the University’s sustainability goals.” Fisenne went on to note that the over-application of synthetic fertilizer is a stormwater issue around the US. Excess nitrates from fertilizers can result in overstimulation of algae and fish kills.

On campus, in addition to being a waste of worker resources, over-fertilization is just as harmful as not fertilizing and results in damaged lawns and plants.

“Thankfully, this is not an issue at Wake Forest University as our Landscape professionals are aware of the correct application rates, based on timing, source and placement,” Fisenne said.

“Wake doesn’t store large quantities of synthetic fertilizers on campus. It is

“We need to reduce our dependence on synthetic fertilizers, since it isn’t possible to do away with them completely at the moment.” ordered as needed, and applied soon after shipment to eliminate any storage hazards.”

John Wise, Associate Vice President of Hospitality and Auxiliary Services, works as a liaison between campus dining and Harvest Table to coordinate food sourcing and sustainable dining operations. He echoed Fisenne’s claim that Wake Forest strives for progress, not perfection, in its sustainability practices.

“We need to reduce our dependence on synthetic fertilizers, since it isn’t possible to do away with them completely at the moment,” said Wise. “Right now, the supply chain doesn’t provide us with the ability to make one hundred percent of our products sustainably sourced without causing meal plan prices to go through the roof.”

In association with the Harvest Table, campus dining works to find a balance

Photo courtesy of Sky News

between culinary excellence, variety of menus for students, sustainable sourcing, satisfaction and having engaged consumers.

Campus dining strives to have their sources be Third-Party Verified (TPV), meaning the producer adheres to standards set by an independent organization such as how livestock are raised, how produce is grown and whether or not fertilizers are used.

“You might go to the grocery store and see some produce labeled ‘organic’, but what does that mean?,” Wise said.

“Farmers and consumers might have different definitions of what organic looks like, and that’s why we rely on a third party to set those standards and we source our food from farmers whose practices follow that ruleset. Within the term ‘Certified Organic’, the ‘certified’ comes from the third party.”

Synthetic fertilizer use is not allowed within the standards of Harvest Table’s Third-Party Verified Certified Organic sources.

As of this year, roughly 35% of Wake Forest’s food sources were Third-Party Verified. The U.S. collegiate norm is less than 10%.

However, as Wise noted, this doesn’t mean 35% of Wake Forest’s food is Certified Organic.

“We are 35% certified sustainable,” Wise said. “That sustainability umbrella includes Certified Organic, but another portion is Certified Fair Trade — are we buying from farmers who are paying fair wages, and are able to conduct their business in a way that allows them to earn a living? These things are all part of the sustainable-sourcing goal that we work towards.”

Sustainably-sourced food is only part of the journey towards decreasing economic demand for synthetic fertilizers. Brian Cohen, Assistant Director of Sustainability Engagement at Wake Forest, noted that educating students about where their food comes from and how it is grown is paramount.

He continued: “It is immensely important to educate students on why sustainably sourced food is important.

Once students move off-campus and start buying their own groceries, they become part of the demand-side of economics,” Cohen said.

“It’s great that, for students eating at the pit, a lot of those sustainability-related decisions have been made for them, in terms of how we sustainably source a lot of our food. There are still decisions they can make, however, that are impactful, such as eating a plant-forward diet.”

Plant-forward dining has been largely advertised by the Office of Sustainability for the past few years. It promotes eating more plants (fruits, vegetables, and plantbased proteins) and fewer animal products, instead of vegetarianism or veganism, which eliminates most animal products entirely.

“Plant-forward dining is the biggest area of growth our office has seen in terms of student knowledge and understanding of how they can make an impact with regards to sustainability and agriculture,” Cohen said.

“If students want to make an impact and support sustainability instead of synthetic fertilizer reliance, then plant-forward dining is a great place to start.”

Despite government warnings about health, safety and environmental hazards, Contact Una Wilson at the synthetic fertilizer ammonium nitrate is still widely used in the United States. wilsui20@wfu.edu

Thursday, March 3, 2022 | Page 7

Features | Old Gold & Black

Greek life partners with sustainability programs Greeks Go Green works to introduce new initiatives to on-campus chapters LANIE ALBERT Contributing Writer

With over 50% of Wake Forest’s population participating in on-campus Greek chapters, organizations that collaborate with sororities and fraternities can more efficiently reach a large number of students at once to spread ideas such as environmental initiatives. This inspired Greeks Go Green, an organization that brings together student representatives from every Greek organization on campus to engage members in sustainable practices.

Originally founded in 2011, Greeks Go Green currently has representatives from 18 Greek chapters on campus. Each representative in the organization is responsible for communicating information about sustainability programs on campus with their chapters, as well as proposing their own initiatives.

According to the Greeks Go Green mission statement on their website, each Greek organization is involved on campus, enabling members of each chapter to form a tie between environmental values and sustainability practices.

“My biggest project as part of Greeks Go Green has been the Instagram I created last semester called ‘Tri Delta Trea-

sures,’” said sophomore Alyssa Dendle, a Greeks Go Green representative of the Delta Delta Delta chapter. “This account serves as a platform for members to post dresses, costumes, books, or anything else helpful that other members can buy or borrow.”

This Instagram page helps contribute to sustainable practices by limiting wasteful consumption habits. Instead of buying a new dress for each event, chapter members can pick from outfits that are collectively shared on this account.

Tyler Petschek, a sophomore at Wake Forest and Alpha Sigma Phi chapter

Photo courtesy of @greeksgogreen.wfu

Greeks Go Green representatives celebrate Earth Day 2021 through activities.

change chair, has been working on developing a plan for the Spring 2022 semester that is specifically targeted at limiting single-use plastic waste.

This plan also involved the concept of a Greeks Go Green fair, in which each chapter would have a tent and provide passing students with information regarding climate change and ongoing sustainability programs within Greek Life on campus “Think of it somewhat like the club fair but for fun and education on sustainability,” Petscheck said.

The Greeks Go Green program is part of the broader sustainability program at Wake Forest which sets out a strategic plan for climate action. The sustainability branch at the university sets out two specific goals for the future on its website.

First, they aim to develop an action plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2040 and to create cross-curricular opportunities that introduce at least half of the student body to environmentally friendly practices.

The group is also working towards specific climate action goals that were set in 2012 in the areas of dining and food systems, teaching and research, transportation, waste reduction and recycling.

In 2018, the group achieved its goal of sourcing twenty percent of the food and beverages offered within campus dining programs from sustainable sources. In 2015, sustainable food sources were at just three percent; that figure now stands at above thirty percent.

The resources section of the Greeks Go Green website provides extensive answers to frequently asked questions regarding sustainability at Wake Forest. For example, if a student is wondering if Wake Forest offered a master’s degree in sustainability, this organization has the answers — students can pursue a master’s in Sustainability at the Center of Energy, Environment and Sustainability (EES). This 30-credit MA program is one of the few across the nation.

To become involved in this program, visit the ‘Get Involved’ tab on their website, sustainability.wfu.edu, to sign up for their monthly newsletter and learn about volunteer opportunities and internships.

You can find more information on Instagram @greeksgogreen.wfu.

Contact Lanie Albert at albele@wfu.edu

Wake n’ Shake unites community against cancer The annual 12-hour dance marathon will fundraise for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund BREANNA LAWS Staff Writer

The annual Wake ‘N Shake event is back in person for the first time since 2019. On March 19, 2022, hundreds of students will gather in the Sutton Center to “Turn the Tide” on cancer research initiatives. The program directors, seniors Lexi Colan and Jenny Foster, look forward to seeing students full enjoying the event again.

“It really is one of the most incredible experiences as an undergrad,” Foster said.

The event is a twelve-hour dance marathon that benefits the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. Brian Piccolo was a running back for the Wake Forest football team who passed away from cancer in 1970. Today, the fund under his name helps further innovative cancer research and has committed more than eight million dollars to the development of improved diagnostic tools and treatments.

“I feel like everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another,” Foster said. “It definitely unifies everybody under one goal, which I think is really unique.”

Wake ‘N Shake is the largest student-run philanthropy event on campus, and this year marks the event’s fifteenth anniversary. Over the past five years, the program has raised over $300,000 with each marathon, even with the virtual format during the pandemic.

This year’s marathon will last from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and will provide a wide variety of activities, food and speakers for students to enjoy. There is also a theme every year, with this year’s being “Turning the Tide.” On the day of the event, the Sutton Center will be

packed with decorations and entertainment geared towards a beach theme.

Every year, eight ‘champions’ are invited to the event to speak to and inspire the dancers.

These champions are either survivors of cancer or individuals currently fighting Cancer.

This year, one of the speakers will be Catherine Clawson, wife of Head Football Coach Dave Clawson. Catherine is a breast cancer survivor, and she underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment in 2017. During the pandemic, her husband had to completely isolate himself from her due to concerns for her health.

“We’re super excited to hear first-person stories from people about their experiences with cancer,” Colan said. “[We get] to meet some new people, celebrate them and stand by them in their battles.”

Registration for the event is simple. All students are eligible to participate in the marathon as a group or as an individual. The fee for signing up is twenty dollars, which pays for a signature Wake ‘N Shake 2022 T-shirt, as well as lunch and dinner on the day of the event. Links to sign up can be found on the official Wake ‘N Shake webpage, (wakenshake.wfu.edu) as well as on their Instagram page.

If a student wants to participate in the fundraising efforts but can’t attend the event, there are plenty of alternative opportunities for them. Firstly, students can make donations directly through the Wake ‘N Shake webpage. The event executives are also sponsoring profit share nights with different restaurants. These events will continue to be updated on the organization’s Instagram page.

“For any area you’re involved in on campus, there are ways to fundraise, get involved or support the cause,” Colan said.

Another opportunity for students unable to attend is the all-day live stream of the marathon. Family and friends can also join the live stream to support the fundraising efforts.

The link to the stream can be found on the official Wake ‘N Shake webpage.

Colan and Foster, now seniors, are a part of the last class currently on campus that got to experience an in-person Wake ‘N Shake.

While they only ever got this opportunity once in their freshman year, it impacted both of them greatly and inspired them to want to become involved in the program as executive directors.

“[The event] embodies Pro Humanitate at its core,” Colan said. “I’ve had a lot of family members pass away from cancer, unfortunately, so I’m very passionate about the cause and I knew I wanted [Wake ‘N Shake] to be a part of my experience here.”

Foster has also felt passionate about the event since her freshman year. “It really made Wake Forest feel like home for the first time for me.” She describes her experience being a director as “challenging and humbling,” but also notes that “it has been…such an honor to be able to lead with these incredible people.”

Contact Breanna Laws at lawsbn21@wfu.edu

Photo courtesy of @wfuwakenshake on Instagram

Wake Forest Students dance as they celebrate the 2020 edition of Wake n’ Shake, which marked the event’s 15-year anniversary.

OPINION

PAGE 8 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

OLD GOLD & BLACK

Sophie Guymon, guymsm20@wfu.edu Maryam Khanum, khanmg20@wfu.edu

The views expressed in all opinion columns represent those of the article’s author, not the opinions of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board

The F-Word

Afghan women demonstrate resilience Women in Afghanistan continue to advocate for their rights despite violent repression PAULINA HERNANDEZ

Contributing Columnist

In Aug. 2021, the Taliban officially took control of the Afghan government for the first time since 2001. The Taliban’s first measure of asserting government dominance was to pull back on women's rights. Not only have they denied women their rights by impeding their access to education, but they have also forcibly stopped thousands of women from working through threats of termination, confining them to their homes. In recent months, several small groups of Afghan women have responded to the Taliban's actions by protesting and striking back against the totalitarian regime, despite fears of being harmed or “disappearing.”

It is disheartening to see how other women are treated in foreign countries — I could have easily been in their shoes if I were born into a different family. Nevertheless, it is also empowering to see these women coming together to stand up against an oppressive figure of patriarchal authority.

Afghan women have continued to protest against the Taliban even after government officials invaded their meetings, threatened and insulted them, aimed loaded guns in their direction and called them “puppets of the West” and “whores”.

Many women have also begun to hold strikes and protests outside Kabul University, resulting in the Taliban physically shocking protesters with electrical devices, spraying chemicals similar to pepper spray into the surrounding air, and physically assaulting peaceful protesters.

Although women protesting against the Taliban continue to be physically and verbally assaulted, the will of Afghan women to fight for their rights remains, despite the fact that they have endured more than six months of persecution by the Taliban. Afghan women are by no means withdrawing into the shadows as the government wants them to. Afghan women are inspiring not only me but millions worldwide with their sheer strength and determination as they refuse to back down.

Nevertheless, in response to the protests, the Taliban is pursuing efforts to prohibit peaceful protests and restrict free speech in Afghanistan. As the country’s humanitarian crisis escalates, aid cutoffs create shortages of cash, food, water, shelter and other necessities provided by donor countries. Not only did this cause the nation to enter an emergency state, but it also triggered the “collapse of [Afghan women’s] rights and dreams and [in-

Photo courtesy of The New York Times

As the Taliban government in Afghanistan continues to place restrictions upon women's rights such as education, Afghan women resort to protesting by holding strikes, even in the face of violence. troduced] risks to their basic survival, per University of California, Santa Cruz Ph.D. student Halima Kazem Stojanovic.

The slow advancement of women’s rights in Afghanistan has been put to an abrupt halt since the Taliban took control of Ghazni on Aug. 12, 2021.

Before then, women could work in the government and attend university and graduate school. Now, the Taliban forbids young girls to finish high school, let alone achieve higher education. As a result of the Taliban becoming increasingly authoritative, women all over the country have gone into hiding, terrified to be interviewed, because more women’s rights advocates and activists are ‘disappearing’ around the country, as stated by NGOs such as Human Rights Watch.

One can only imagine how Afghan women are feeling at this point. All of the hard work the Afghan government and women have poured towards improving women’s rights has seemingly been erased, and the nation has reverted to the horrific condition it was in before the 2001 reconstruction effort.

I think it should be noted that neither my peers nor I have seen any coverage of these atrocities on social media or the news. I find this appalling

because the oppression of women in Afghanistan has been an ongoing issue for at least 20 years. Yet it seems like the media does not find this to be of much importance. This is most likely attributed to the fact that President Biden announced all American troops would vacate the country by Sep. 11, 2021. Without media coverage of the events occurring in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s agenda will not be as well documented, leaving Afghan women in the hands of abusive, merciless Taliban members.

I believe the best way to remove the Taliban from commanding the Afghan government is for the United States to intervene using military force and overthrow Taliban leaders from their positions of power. While I am not one to advocate for violence in conflict, I am convinced that this method would be successful. The United States utilized a very similar approach in 2001, succeeding in removing Al-Qaeda — who was under the protection of the Taliban — from the government.

Although I usually never condone violence, I know that this crisis will only fester if left alone, resulting in the suffering of innocent women all over the country. Therefore, it is best to take action swiftly and carefully to

eliminate the oppressive actors from controlling the government. Furthermore, it is evident that these women are reaching out to western countries, as many signs used in protests are written in English. For example, during a peaceful protest on Sept. 3, 2021, several Afghan women held signs saying: “why is the world watching us silently and cruelly?” Oppressive regimes depriving citizens of their rights can no longer go unnoticed. It is up to countries who are capable of helping those in need to take action and protect human rights.

I stand with Afghan women protesting the Taliban. All individuals, regardless of gender, should be able to receive an education, work, and travel publicly without the accompaniment of a male guardian. No one should be forced to remain in their home. All women must have the right to the freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom to choose how they want to live their lives.

I encourage all those who hold the same beliefs as I do to speak up: share what you have learned with friends, family, and loved ones.

Contact Paulina Hernandez at hernpa21@wfu.edu

Thursday, March 3, 2022 | Page 9

Opinion | Old Gold & Black

Women's Rights

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Decriminalization of abortion in Colombia spurns hope This ruling is a vital step to making healthcare more equitable and accessible Natasha Heisenberg Staff Columnist heisng20@wfu.edu

On Monday, Feb. 21, Colombia’s Constitutional Court decriminalized abortion.

As women across this predominantly Catholic and conservative nation celebrated, the region reveled in the success of this movement. Internationally, onlookers praised this victory. Eyes then fell upon countries caught in the midst of their own legal battles over abortion.

This monumental decision followed a trend sweeping across Latin America, propelled by grassroots organizations and women’s rights groups. The mounting support for reproductive rights ignited the movements that paved the way for the legalization of abortion in Mexico and Argentina, with individuals from these countries amplifying the voices of Colombian activists.

Conversely, critics from Colombia and beyond launched their own counterprotests in an attempt to prevent the decriminalization of abortion — including

Colombian President Iván Duque. Duque described abortion as a procedure that “goes against life,” and expressed his displeasure with the ruling. In addition, a multitude of anti-abortion demonstrations took place throughout Colombia before the Court’s verdict.

The controversy surrounding this verdict was also fueled by the fact that Colombia is a predominantly Catholic country. The Roman Catholic Church estimates that around 75% of Colombians are Catholic — a staggeringly high statistic in comparison to other nations in Latin America.

Christian groups — specifically Catholics — have traditionally stood in vehement opposition to abortion, which the Catholic Church has proclaimed to be “a moral evil.”

This accomplishment for women demonstrates that even in strikingly non-secular countries, courts have the ability to prioritize citizens over religion.

The decriminalization of abortion will undoubtedly yield a decrease in hospitalizations and deaths of women across the country, with the greatest impact being felt in lower-income and rural areas. According to the Colombian Health Ministry, approximately 70 deaths a year are attributed to illegal abortions — a number that will likely fall in the months following this decision.

The decision to decriminalize that women's voices will prevail in the face of adversity."

Furthermore, this ruling will lessen the health disparities that exist between those of higher and lower education levels, as women with fewer years of formal education were significantly less likely to have access to safe abortions under the ban.

Colombia’s strides towards reproductive rights run contrary to the recent developments in the United States regarding abortion. Following Donald Trump’s appointment of Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court, the conservative majority has been attempting to dismantle abortion protections and weaken women’s rights in the United States.

As cases dealing with abortion restrictions continue to rise throughout the United States’ court system, the integrity of the historic 1973 (Roe v. Wade) decision has become increasingly threatened, and women’s autonomy in dictating the decisions regarding their bodies is under attack.

However, Colombia's ruling exemplifies the effectiveness of civilian demonstrations

and public pressure in demanding more equitable treatment under the law. It also displays the shift in international norms that would elicit outcry and condemn any public decision to further restrict women’s rights.

As with any advancement in human and women’s rights, there is not one singular event that marks the end of the path to equality. Steps must be taken to ensure that progress does not stagnate and that all women will be protected under this law.

One such necessary measure will be to open clinics across the country and guarantee that these procedures will be accessible to those of all economic statuses — since women of lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately disadvantaged by the healthcare system.

While there is still much to be done, this victory in Colombia signifies the refusal of women to be passive constituents in issues regarding reproductive rights. The decision to decriminalize abortion in one of the most Catholic countries in the world serves as a beacon of hope that women’s voices will prevail in the face of adversity — whether in Colombia, the United States or abroad — and their independence as advocates for their own bodies will persist.

Transgender Rights

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Transgender children deserve access to procedures Children who come to terms with their identity at an early age should not be forced to live cis-heterosexual lives Aine Pierre

Online Managing Editor pierav20@wfu.edu

For LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender youth, a storm is brewing in the United States.

On Friday, Feb. 18, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wrote in an opinion that providing or abetting genderaffirming treatment in transgender youth was child abuse. Governor Greg Abbott followed this statement last Wednesday in a letter to Texas’s Family and Protective Services director, in which he ordered investigations into any parents who have allowed their children to undergo procedures like the ones Paxton outlined.

In Florida last week, a bill aimed at preventing teachers from discussing queer issues in the classroom passed the state’s House of Representatives. On Monday, Feb. 28, the Florida Senate passed the "Don't Say Gay" Bill. It now is heading to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it.

Anti-queer — specifically anti-trans — policies are nothing new. Throughout the last few years, Republicans in state legislatures across the country have made political hay out of the daily lives of trans folk. In 2016, North Carolina

led this charge, passing a bill — HB2 — which forced everyone in the state to use a restroom that corresponded with the sex on their birth certificate and not the gender identity to which they ascribed.

That bill was repealed, but the damage was done: anti-trans legislation had already become a new front line in the culture wars.

Efforts to isolate transgender children from the care they need are especially concerning. Proponents of policies like those in Texas say they are concerned that children may make the wrong decision and end up regretting transition, and thus, it is better to wait until they are older to start care. Proponents of laws like the one currently before the Florida legislature say that schools are no place to learn about complications in gender and sexuality. However, forcing queer children to live cis-heterosexual lives in a completely cis-heterosexual world is not the “safe” alternative one might expect.

I was 13 when I first heard the term transgender from an internet friend, and suddenly, everything about my life — especially the enduring sense that my body and my life just did not fit in with who I was and wanted to be — made complete sense. However, by that time, I had already completed male puberty, and it was too late to arrest the development of my deep voice and hairy face that I loathed.

Forbidding access to treatments to those lucky enough such a young age is ... unconscionable."

Maybe if I had learned about gender identity in school, then I could have come home and told my parents who I was earlier. I may have been spared years of torment from my own body.

Florida, Texas and states taking similar actions, are ensuring that their transgender children will have to go through what I went through.

Forbidding access to these — completely reversible — treatments to those who were lucky enough to figure out who they were at such a young age is nothing short of unconscionable. Forcing parents, under threat of being arrested for child abuse, to watch their child’s body develop in a way that is actively hostile to their very being, is cruel, too.

Another main argument against transgender children being allowed to live their lives is that we will be trapped in a world obsessed with pronouns and gender identity. To that, I say we already are. Any Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) class would tell you that sex and gender are socialized to an insane degree, but if you think WGSS classes are just liberal propaganda, at least take heed of a story from October 2018. In the midst of a lockdown,

a transgender student in Oklahoma was forced to stand out in the open because school administrators could not decide whether to shelter her with the boys or the girls. Our society is already obsessed with gender, so we may as well obsess with our minds as open as possible.

When I was 15, I finally told my mother the truth about who I was. I told my teachers, too. All of them welcomed me with open arms, discussed logistical issues with me earnestly and went to bat for me when anyone wanted to mess with me because I was transgender.

When I was 16, I ran to hug my mother after receiving my first CVS bag full of estrogen.

When I was 17, my mother took me out of school to attend the court session during which my legal name change was approved.

My mother’s affirmation of who I am brought us closer together and was the furthest thing in the world from abuse.

My teachers’ candidness with me about being queer in school helped me navigate through what would otherwise have been an awful time. The thought of either of those being considered illegal breaks my heart.

Lastly, to President Joe Biden, who said in his first address to Congress last April and his state of his state of the union address Tuesday night that he had our back: now would be a great time to show it.

Page 10 | Thursday, March 3, 2022

Old Gold & Black | Opinion

Sabermetrics

WAR baseball statistic is ineffective “ The widely-used statistic does not account for all relevant variables

Conor Metzger Staff Writer metzcr19@wfu.edu

Having won all of its games, the Wake Forest Baseball team's season is off to a great start, and the team is looking to continue their season with spectacular fielding and ferocious batting.

It feels incredible to watch our players take the field and show how great it is to be a Demon Deacon. Watching the Demon Deacons also has me looking forward to the upcoming MLB season, which — as of Tuesday, March 1 — is in the midst of a player lockout due to financial concerns from the team owners. Among these concerns is the use of divisive statistics.

Over the past few decades, the MLB has moved to a more computational model when observing player and team performances. Bill James’ “Sabermetrics” approach is concerned with analyzing players’ statistics to rank their effectiveness. This has been helpful to managers and coaches, and the advances of sabermetrics are getting us closer

to something all baseball fans crave: one number that will answer the question of how much a player is worth.

The human mind is a rather lazy tool that is always seeking the simplest analysis possible. A statistic called “Wins Above Replacement” (WAR) has recently emerged in an attempt to fulfill this desire.

According to the MLB, WAR measures a player’s value in all facets of the game by comparing their contributions on the field to a replacement, such as a player from the minor league. In the 2021 season, Aaron Judge — a rightfielder for the New York Yankees — had a WAR of about 6.0 and Trevor Story — a shortstop for the Colorado Rockies — had a WAR of around 4.2. These are high measures that mark these players as definite keepers over any replacement, with a 6.0 as the MVP level.

However, there are issues surrounding this so-called MVP level. There are many different ways to calculate WAR, depending on which factors are being considered, leading to a lot of variability in WAR statistics. Most MLB statisticians consider how many runs are produced by a player, as well as how many runs the player has stopped on defense. A different equation is applied

We need to be more mindful of when we are taking the easy way out instead of putting in the work." to pitchers — so how do you compare them?

FanCast, a third-party site for MLB statistics, chooses to account for park adjustments when evaluating pitching because some stadiums are better for pitchers, while others are better for batters. But not all sites use this. Other sites, like Baseball-Reference, choose not to account for independent factors in pitching, meaning that the outfielder's abilities may be factored into a pitcher’s calculation.

While there are other issues with WAR, the main one is that there is not a standardized way to calculate the statistic. Yet, MLB and baseball writers are increasingly using it when deciding an MVP or — even more concerningly — the keeping or trading of certain players. Bill James himself — who is one of the leading champions of sabermetrics within the baseball community has criticized the WAR statistic.

James’ main issue is that WAR does not account for what occurs in between

wins. Some players are more valuable in close, late-inning situations, and WAR does not take this into account. There is also just a lot of variability in the statistic, and, when evaluating MVP candidates, scores are typically within one standard deviation of each other.

These shortcomings leave a lot to be desired. The Wall Street Journal recently published an article reflecting on the current MLB lockout, which raised some of the same concerns that I have expressed. In part, the lockout stems from team owners looking to use WAR to determine bonuses for players, something that many athletes are not happy about While I do not think the league will move in this direction, it is important when considering our own Demon Deacon ballplayers. Will their compensation and ability to move up in the baseball world be affected by a biased number?

We need to be more mindful of when we are taking the easy way out instead of putting in the work. As the WAR statistic shows, sometimes our cognitive bias of always seeking the simplest answer has dire consequences for others, and we must be aware of this if we are to evaluate others effectively and fairly.

Russia-Ukraine Invasion

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The contrast between depictions of Ukrainian and non-European refugees displays discriminatory biases Sophie Guymon Opinion Editor guymsm20@wfu.edu

As conflict rages on between Russia and Ukraine, people from all walks of life and sides of the political spectrum have come together in support of Ukraine.

However, this support of Ukraine — when compared to the lack of support faced by those from the Global South in similar times of crisis — highlights the persistence of xenophobic and racist attitudes in the Western world.

On Feb. 25, Bulgarian prime minister Kiril Petkov was asked about the possibility of accepting refugees from Ukraine.

“These are not the refugees we are used to … these people are Europeans,” Petkov said to journalists. “These people are intelligent, they are educated people ...

This is not the refugee wave we have been used to, people we were not sure about their identity, people with unclear pasts, who could have been even terrorists … there is not a single European country now which is afraid of the current wave of refugees.”

CBS News foreign correspondent Charlie D'Agata made similar comments. "[Ukraine] isn't a place, with all due respect, like Iraq or Afghanistan that

has seen conflict raging for decades," D'Agata said. "This is a relatively civilized, relatively European — I have to choose those words carefully, too — city where you wouldn't expect that or hope that it's going to happen."

D'Agata has since apologized for his comments.

These statements display racism and Islamophobia which — unfortunately — are not uncommon, and have been echoed in many other statements to the media.

“They seem so like us. That is what makes it so shocking. Ukraine is a European country. Its people watch Netflix and have Instagram accounts, vote in free elections and read uncensored newspapers,” Daily Telegraph reporter Daniel Hannan wrote. “War is no longer something visited upon impoverished and remote populations. It can happen to anyone.”

This implication that war only matters when it affects wealthier populations and people “like us” comes from a place of privilege and is deeply problematic.

Even when Western populations choose to care about the suffering of people that are not “like them,” this so-called concern often manifests itself in the form of white saviorism — which paints nonEuropeans as passive recipients of white benevolence and white people as their liberators or rescuers.

These comments are especially disconcerting when considering recent trends

The grace and support that the West is currently extending to Ukraine should reach beyond manity as a whole." in European foreign policy. Over the past couple of years, governments across Europe have toughened migration and asylum policies and doubled down on border surveillance, earning the continent the nickname “Fortress Europe”.

Yet now that Europeans are refugees, leaders such as Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban are making comments such as, “We’re letting everyone in.”

This demonstrates how leaders’ past issues with immigration don’t stem from immigration itself, but from the identities of prospective immigrants. Racial and religious identities should not prevent someone from being able to seek refuge — yet they do.

As author Ibram X. Kendi tweeted in response to Hannan’s article, “If only human beings recognized all human beings as 'like us.' If only racist ideas did not transform peoples of color into 'remote' populations. If only 'anyone' included everyone.”

In 2015, Russia intervened in Syria, unleashing levels of death and suffering not yet seen in Ukraine — but the Western response was not as empathetic.

U.S. invasions and military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Saudi-led war

in Yemen and the Israeli occupation of Palestine have been met with similar responses —that is the lack thereof.

European refugees are treated with more compassion than their Global South counterparts. What is happening in Ukraine is not fair or just, but neither is the human suffering and war that has occurred beyond the Global North.

We have seen this before — and many people are failing to acknowledge that.

“This is arguably the first war we’ve seen (actually seen in real-time) take place in the age of social media,” a Vanity Fair special correspondent said in a now-deleted tweet.

This demonstrates another problem in the Western media: how, rather than taking accountability for comments such as these, culprits often just sweep them under the rug — which only serves to perpetuate the issue further.

I have seen countless people post photos and infographics on their Instagram stories condemning the war in Ukraine — people who remained silent when non-European populations faced similar threats.

The grace and support that the West is currently extending to Ukraine should reach beyond the scope of this conflict to humanity as a whole. I hope when non-Western countries are threatened — as they already have been — the West remembers and echoes the support that they have given to Ukraine, rather than minimizing their suffering.

SPORTS

Christina DeNovio, denoca20@wfu.edu Essex Thayer, thayse20@wfu.edu

Follow us on Twitter @wfuogbsports OLD GOLD & BLACK

PAGE 11 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

Photo Courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics

Men's basketball dominates Louisville CHRISTIAN ODJAKJIAN Staff Writer

Following a tough road loss to Clemson three days prior, Wake Forest bounced back in a big way on Saturday, beating Louisville 99-77.

“Give these guys credit for being resilient,” Wake Forest Head Coach Steve Forbes said after the game. “I thought we played with a great edge tonight.”

The Demon Deacons (12-8, 12-7) jumped out to an electric 17-2 start, which fired up a crowd of over 8,000 at the Joel Coliseum. Louisville (12-16, 6-12) was able to cut the lead to just six early in the second half, but Wake Forest responded, and led by as many as 32 late in the contest.

“Forbes had us inspired to play tonight,” said graduate center Dallas Walton, who tied his career high with 22 points in the win. “It was nice to get off to the start that we did and be able to maintain that level throughout the game.”

Walton put together an impressive and efficient performance offensively. He connected on 8-9 field goals, including 4-4 from long range. In his three previ-

ous collegiate seasons, he never even attempted more than two three-pointers in a game. He received a warm ovation from the crowd when he was substituted out in the final minutes. “[Walton] didn't play great on Wednesday night,” said Forbes. “But he came back like a good player does, and he played really well tonight.”

Wake Forest shot 32-of-55 from the field (58.2%), and 13-of-27 (48.1%) from downtown. All five Wake Forest starters finished the game in double figures.

Junior forward Jake LaRavia also had a down game versus Clemson but got back on track Saturday with 23 points, including the 1000th point of his college career.

He added seven boards, five assists and made 13-14 free throws.

Senior guard Davien Williamson scored 15 points on just five field-goal attempts. Graduate guard Alondes Williams didn’t have a big game for his standards but added 12 points with five assists.

Senior forward Isaiah Mucius scored 12 points and drilled four three-pointers himself. He emphatically yelled, “I’m back,” after drilling back-to-back threes

in the opening minutes of the game, referring to his absence from the Clemson game due to an illness. Forbes praised his impact after the game.

“He’s become one of the better defenders in the league,” said Forbes. “He rebounds the ball, he’s a great communicator, he’s got tremendous spirit. We need that. We missed him last game.”

On the other hand, Louisville did not get much production at all from their starting five. They combined for just 18 points.

“We found five guys (on the bench) who competed, had a really good rhythm, and played together, who cut the lead to single digits,” said Louisville acting Head Coach Mike Pegues. “We dug ourselves another hole in the second half that we weren’t able to climb out of. Rough, rough night for everybody involved.”

One Cardinal, however, put together an excellent effort in the loss, junior forward Sydney Curry. Entering Saturday, Curry was averaging just 4.8 points per game, but he was very effective against the Demon Deacons, scoring 28 points on 13-18 shooting.

Wake Forest secured the win without the services of graduate big man Khadim

Sy, who injured his foot versus Clemson.

Forbes revealed after the game that his MRI came back negative and that he has a chance to play Wednesday on Senior Night against North Carolina State.

“Losing [Sy] hurts us defensively, it doesn't give us the opportunity to play as big as we like to sometimes,” said Forbes.

“But that's why you have depth and why you have guys ready to play.”

British freshman Matthew Marsh and Cameron Hildreth saw an increase in minutes and performed admirably. If the coaching staff can rely on them for quality minutes off of the bench moving forward, depth can finally be a strength for this team.

Another highlight off the bench was the play of senior guard Miles Lester. The fan-favorite drilled a three-pointer in the final minute of the game, igniting the crowd of over 1,000 students in attendance at the Joel Coliseum.

Wake Forest can tie its single-season record of 13 ACC wins if they take care of business on Senior Night on Wednesday, March 2, against North Carolina State.

Page 12 | Thursday, March 3, 2022

Old Gold & Black | Sports

Baseball sweeps weekend series with NJIT ESSEX THAYER

Following a victory over UNC Greensboro in a mid-week contest, Wake Forest baseball swept New Jersey Tech — a 2021 NCAA Tournament team — in a four-game, weekend series. The wins moved the Demon Deacons to 8-0 for the first time since 1964.

In their mid-week contest, Wake Forest’s three six-run innings — the first, third and sixth — led them to a comfortable 23-3 win over the Spartans. In the opening game of the weekend series, the Demon Deacons fended off a Highlander comeback attempt by scoring six runs in the seventh inning; they won 16-5.

Josh Hartle led Wake Forest with a 6.2 inning, no earned run performance in the opening game of the Saturday doubleheader, allowing the team to coast to a 9-2 win. In the second game of the doubleheader, though, the Demon Deacons had to mount a comeback for the first time all season, scoring seven runs in the final two innings to win 8-5. In the closing game of the week, Wake Forest knocked three home runs, leading to an 11-5 victory.

On Wednesday against UNCG, Wake Forest opened the game with three home runs — one each by sophomore Brock Wilken, redshirt sophomore Adam Cecere and freshman Danny Corona — in the first inning to build a 6-0 lead. Following a solo home run by redshirt junior Michael Turconi in the second inning, the Demon Deacons tacked on six more runs in the third led by RBIs from Wilkin, Cecere and redshirt junior Brandon Tinsman.

With the game well in hand, sophomores Lucas Costello and Mark Black added late-game grand slams for the Demon Deacons, extending their lead to nearly 20 runs and allowing them to coast to a comfortable win.

Starting pitcher Seth Keener earned the win despite only pitching two innings, which enabled him to pitch in the fourgame weekend series. The bullpen closed out the final seven innings, only giving up four hits and one run.

In the series opening game against New Jersey Tech on Friday, Wake Forest showcased its prolific offense in a sixrun second inning, led by a grand slam from Costello, his second in two games.

In the fourth inning, the Demon Deacons added four additional runs with hits

by Wilken, Cecere and sophomore Jake Reinisch.

The Highlanders did not score their first run until the top of the seventh inning, when they knocked Wake Forest starting pitcher Rhett Lowder with two runs (one earned). During the rest of the inning, New Jersey Tech brought in another three runs against graduate relief pitcher Jacob Grzebinski to cut the Demon Deacons’ lead to five runs.

Wake Forest responded in the next half inning, scoring six runs in the bottom of the seventh. Two walks with loaded bases began the scoring spree, while a two-RBI single by graduate infielder Zach Sehgal gave the Demon Deacons a 16-5 lead, which became the final score.

For Wake Forest Head Coach Tom Walter, there was much to be pleased with, including the 1.2 hitless innings to close the game from redshirt sophomore Reed Mascolo.

“The best thing I saw tonight was Reed,” Walter said. “That’s the best I’ve seen him throw in a long time.”

In the first game of the doubleheader on Saturday, Wake Forest rode a strong offensive start along with a solid pitching performance by Hartle to victory. The Demon Deacons brought in four runs in the first two innings with RBI singles by Cecere, who hit two, Corona and Wilken.

After two Highlander runs were scored in the top of the fourth inning, Wake

Forest responded in the bottom half with Turconi knocking in two runs with a triple to left field. Two sacrifice outs brought in two additional runs, leading the Demon Deacons to a comfortable 9-2 victory.

Hartle’s performance — two runs, none earned in 6.2 innings — gives him a 0.77 season ERA two games into his career in Winston-Salem.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Wake Forest went right back to their offense in the first inning, with Cecere hitting a sacrifice fly to right field to bring in the first run of the game. However, the Demon Deacons would not score another run until the seventh inning.

Between the third and sixth innings, New Jersey Tech scored four runs, including a solo home run by Nick Hussey that knocked starting pitcher Teddy McGraw out of the game. Wake Forest recovered, though, with sophomore Camden Minacci pitching 1.1 hitless innings in relief.

On offense, the Demon Deacons responded in the bottom of the seventh, with Reinisch hitting a two-run home run to cut the deficit to one. Then, the Highlanders walked two straight batters with the bases loaded to give Wake Forest the lead. To extend their newfound lead, redshirt sophomore Pierce Bennett hit a sacrifice fly to center field.

With redshirt sophomore Eric Adler pitching, Hussey hit an RBI double to bring the Highlanders within one run, but in the next half inning, a two-run home run from freshman Nick Kurtz extended Wake Forest’s lead to three. From there, Adler closed the game with a threeup, three-down ninth inning.

In the final game of the series, it was New Jersey Tech that got on the board first with a solo home run by Julio Marcano. In the third inning, though, a solo home run from Reinisch and a two-run home run by Turconi gave Wake Forest

its first lead of the day. In response to another Highlander run in the fourth, the Demon Deacons tacked on seven runs between the fourth and seventh innings, highlighted by a home run hit by Tinsman. From there, Wake Forest was able to close out the win.

“Winning a doubleheader is hard to do in college baseball,” Walter said after the game. “I am really happy with the way we battled back in that second game. More than anything, I am happy that our guys did not rest on the fact that we already won two games and they believed they were going to win.”

Despite their victories, the Demon Deacons have yet to be ranked in the Baseball America Top 25. The team will look to continue their undefeated start to the season with a mid-week game against Elon and a weekend set against UMass Lowell and Central Michigan.

Photo courtesy Wake Forest Athletics

Sophomore Rhett Lowder allowed only one run in 6.1 innings pitched.

WBB goes 1-1 leading into ACC Tournament IAN STEFFENSEN

Wake Forest women’s basketball closed out the regular season this week by facing off against Syracuse and Georgia Tech. Coming off back-to-back losses, the Demon Deacons were able to turn it around against Syracuse but came up short against Georgia Tech in their regular-season finale.

On Thursday night against the Orange, Wake Forest put up a dominant performance to earn a 76-60 victory. Senior forward Christina Morra was a force to be reckoned with, scoring a career-high 21 points and controlling the boards with a career-high 15 rebounds.

“Christina played so well tonight, achieving career highs in both points and rebounds,” Wake Forest Head Coach Jen Hoover said. “When we get a kind of night like that from her, we are very hard to defend because it opens up so much for us offensively.”

The Demon Deacons jumped out to a quick 8-0 run to start the game and controlled much of the momentum from there. Syracuse could not get anything going and tended to only capitalize on unsettled transition points. Once Wake Forest tightened up their offense and possessed the ball, Syracuse had no answer. The Orange defense opened up, and Wake Forest took full advantage, scoring 44 points in the paint. For the sixth straight game, the Demon Deacons had four players scoring double-digits. In addition to Morra’s 21, freshman guard Elise Williams scored 11 points, junior forward Niyah Becker added 13 and sophomore guard and ACC scoring leader Jewel Spear had 19. All around, it was a dominant performance for the Demon Deacons and was their largest margin of victory against an ACC opponent this season.

In the regular season finale, the Demon Deacons looked to upset No. 22 Georgia Tech. Hailed as one of the best defenses in the nation, the Yellow Jackets were

looking to lock down Wake Forest early, but they could not do so. Spear opened the game with a three-ball and Morra followed up with back-to-back scores, allowing Wake Forest to jump out to a 7-3 lead.

Spear added another three-pointer before the quarter ended. Spear and Morra combined for 13 of the Demon Deacons’ 16 points in the first, yet Georgia Tech held the lead after the first quarter.

Six straight points by the Yellow Jackets in the first two minutes of the second quarter shifted the momentum their way, but Wake Forest was not out of it yet. Junior forward Olivia Summiel hit a corner three to bring the Demon Deacons back to within four. On the final possession of the first half, the ball went to none other than Spear who hit a deep three to put Wake Forest up 33-32 going into the locker room.

After the half, the game became a backand-forth affair with both sides trading blows. Georgia Tech took advantage of the paint to build upon their lead and led by seven entering the fourth. With

the shot-clock winding down, Becker hit a bank shot from the elbow to pull to within one. She also came up clutch with a block on the defensive end, but a scoring drought late in the fourth quarter allowed the Yellow Jackets to pull ahead. A small glimpse of a comeback came when Summiel hit another clutch three to cut the deficit to five with a minute and a half left. In its last few possessions, though, Wake Forest came up short and fell 6456.

Despite the loss, the competitiveness and drive shown by the Demon Deacons is crucial for this time of year.

“I am proud of the effort we are playing with headed into the postseason,” Hoover said after the game. “We will continue to work this week before heading to Greensboro.”

Wake Forest women’s basketball will face Virginia in the first round of the ACC Tournament. They previously beat the Cavaliers 68-53 in the regular season.

Contact Ian Steffensen at

Sports | Old Gold & Black CHRISTINA DENOVIO Sports Editor

After claiming his first collegiate title this past weekend, sophomore Clay Stirsman is looking to ride this wave of success into Wake Forest Invitational at Pinehurst on March 7. The golfer from Carmel, Indiana captured the Wolfpack Invitational on Feb. 7, winning by five strokes in the 41-player field.

While Stirsman enjoyed his first win in his two years as a Demon Deacon, he is keeping his sights set on the future as he hopes to garner more accomplishments in his college career. With the support of his family, teammates and coaches, Stirsman’s ultimate goal is to play professionally and continue in the footsteps of Wake Forest alumni who have found great success in the world of professional golf.

Christina DeNovio: When did you start playing golf?

Clay Stirsman: I would say I started just fooling around with golf when I was three. I didn’t play tournament golf until I was around 10 years old. And ever since then I’ve been pretty serious about it.

CD: Did you play other sports growing up? What made you choose golf?

CS: I grew up playing basketball and soccer up until almost high school. I played football for a couple years, as well. My dad played football and was injured a lot, so he kind of steered me towards the golf direction. My mom’s side of the family all played golf, too. I really enjoyed basketball, but I felt like I had a better shot of being a golfer than I did at being a basketball player.

CD: How did you choose Wake Forest?

CS: It’s a long process to choose a college. A lot of people go through it. All athletes, obviously, take a lot of visits. There’s a lot of different factors that influence your decision. But overall, I liked the proximity to campus for our facilities here, and we have really good coaches. The academic reputation around here is very strong, and the tradition associated with the golf program was big. So that’s kind of how I ended up here, and I’m happy with where I’m at.

I’d say there are 10 Division I programs that have a reputation for putting guys on the PGA Tour. Georgia, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma — a lot of guys make it out of there. Wake Forest has certainly been one of those with Bill Haas, Webb Simpson, Will Zalatoris and Cameron Young. But, Arnold Palmer for sure is l the guy that kind of made Wake Forest the golf school that it is. Everyone after that was just kind of looking to follow in his footsteps. We have a huge statue outside of our golf house of Arnold Palmer, which is pretty cool to look at every day.

CD: What’s your favorite part of being on the golf team?

CS: I would say the camaraderie of our team — we have 11 guys on our team this year. It’s kind of like a family. It’s a very competitive atmosphere in some ways — everyone’s trying to beat the other guy trying to get into a lineup and play at the tournaments. But at the end of the day,

Thursday, March 3, 2022 | Page 13

Clay Stirsman

Deacon “Sportlight”

we’re lucky to be able to hang out with each other, and everyone respects one another. The team atmosphere that we have, paired with the coaches and the facilities we have is pretty special.

CD: What does a typical day look like?

CS: We generally have to get out of class by 1:45 p.m.

We start practice around 2 p.m. I’ll go through my classes, whether it’s two or three a day. Then from there, we usually grab lunch somewhere on campus, and then it’s pretty much all practice. We mix it up between structured time and practicing on our own. But we’ll go until 5:30 or 6:00 p.m.

We’ll probably play two to three times a week. So if we’re playing, we go to Old Town or Forsyth Country Club at around 2:30 p.m. We’ll be done by 7 p.m. and then get homework finished after that. Then, there’s some downtime at the end of the day. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays we have workouts 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. with Coach David Bass. Those are the same whether it’s offseason or in-season.

CD: How did it feel to claim your first collegiate title this past weekend?

CS: It was awesome. I’m grateful to have played so well Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics this weekend. It was not as big of a tournament as some of the other ones we’ve had, but I was fortunate enough tournament of the spring on Monday. to have an individual spot and play with a few of the other guys. We went down there and had a great week- sional golf — it can take a long time. I haven’t really end. It was not the best weather conditions, but I was thought in-depth about how long I would be willing to able to string a couple good rounds together and fortu- try before I get a job and settle down. Right now, my nately came out with a win. It’s nice to say that I’ve won passion for the game remains as strong as it was when I a collegiate tournament, but I’ve learned a lot from the came here, and it’s growing too. So in a perfect world, negative outcomes of the rounds that I’ve had. I’m just one day I would play professional golf. trying to stay focused for the rest of the time I have here and see if I can do more.

CD: Do you have anyone you keep in mind or play for when you’re golfing?

CD: What are you looking forward to this season?

CS: Definitely my maternal grandfather. He’s one of CS: We have Pinehurst next week, which starts on the main reasons why I play golf. My uncle and my Monday. It’s one of our two home events — we host grandpa both played golf, and my cousin does as well. one in the fall and one in the spring. It’s our first home My grandpa was a really good golfer, and that was one event of the spring season, but we had the Old Town of the main reasons why my dad put me in this sport. event in the fall, and so it’d be great to win again. I He had seen the career that my grandpa had just on would say everyone’s got their eyes set on one tourna- small-level Indiana tournaments back in his time. He’s ment at a time. It’s pretty easy to get caught up in the definitely the reason why I play golf, and I play for him. future with the ACC Championship and the regionals I play for a lot of people, but he’s definitely my role and the national championship ahead, but we can re- model. Everyone faces adversity, and I’ve certainly ally only focus on one step at a time right now. struggled in the game. I had a good weekend and I do not like to look too far ahead in the future, be- played well, but it’s been a lot of up and down over the cause in golf, you really can’t control how you’re playing past couple years of playing the game. My grandpa has at any given time. So right now I hope I can carry the pushed me to be better and to play as well as I can in momentum that I have from this weekend into next the time I have with the game. week. I’m going to be practicing really hard on the types of grasses that we have here on a facility that are CD: What is your major? Do you have a dream job going to be the same type of grass that we’re going to for when you’re done playing golf? be playing on at Pinehurst. From a team and individual perspective, we want to do as best we can and show our CS: I am an Economics major with a minor in Spanskill levels. ish. Having the Spanish attached to it is really nice — I think it opens a different potential avenue in the fuCD: Do you have aspirations to play professional ture. I’d like to do something in the business world, golf? potentially real estate. I think economics pairs well as real estate because you can understand how the general CS: I definitely do. As of right now, it’s kind of always economy is working and moving in the future. something that maybe is changing, depending on how I don’t really know exactly which area I’d like to go my golf career is going. I would definitely love to try into. Math is not really a strong suit of mine, so I probto play some form of professional golf. I think anyone ably wouldn’t go into finance or accounting. Something who wants to play professional golf understands how in the business world would be great -— maybe indifficult it is. There’s a growing number of opportuni- ternational business one day. Anything that deals with ties to play professional golf out there nowadays in a relationships I feel is where my best chances would be. lot of different countries, including the United States.

It’s a really challenging process which gets down to a Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for clarity select few. and brevity.

I would say that I definitely do want to play. If things turn out to be going in the right direction, I would love Contact Christina DeNovio at to. A lot of guys spend 10 years trying to play profes- denoca20@wfu.edu

PAGE 14 THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

LIFE OLD GOLD & BLACK

Adam Coil, coilat21@wfu.edu Josie Scratchard, scraja20@wfu.edu

'Euphoria' explores complex issues SOPHIE GUYMON Opinion Editor

This article contains spoilers for "Euphoria". Reader discretion is advised.

Since season two of HBO’s “Euphoria” premiered on Jan. 9, it has been one of the most talked-about shows on television — and for good reason. According to Twitter analytics, it is now the most-tweetedabout show of the decade.

“Euphoria” is certainly not perfectly produced — there are a number of character and plot decisions that director and executive producer Sam Levinson could be rightfully criticized for — but the show is almost perfectly nuanced. Unfortunately, much of the audience is unable to look past their superficial issues with certain characters and plot points to appreciate the show’s incredible portrayals of issues such as substance use and abuse, trauma, grief, identity and relationships.

As Zendaya once told costume designer Heidi Bivens, “There [are] two versions of Euphoria: the TikTok version and the real story that digs a lot deeper.”

Not every character has to be as likable as they were in the first season — and development isn’t linear. While characters such as Cassie and Jules went from being fan-favorites in the first season to being

hated in the second, the choices Levinson made regarding these characters were not without reason.

Cassie’s decisions in season two make a lot of sense, especially when considering her background — particularly her relationship with her dad and her abortion at the end of season one. The same can be said for Jules — in her special episode that aired between the first and second seasons Jules discussed her struggles with femininity as a transgender woman, providing vital context for her character and decisions.

Almost none of the decisions made on “Euphoria” are baseless. I may not be thrilled with Levinson’s decision to kill off Ashtray in the finale, but I cannot say that it wasn’t thought out. Fez and Ash lead an incredibly dangerous lifestyle — and while Fez has some memories of a life before drug dealing, it is all Ash has ever known. He doesn’t have a legal name or identity records. Physically, he is still a child, but he never really had a childhood.

Ash’s fate effectively portrays the brutality and tragedy of his lifestyle.

However, where “Euphoria” really shines is in its portrayal of teenage addiction, which is based on Levinson’s lived experience. It doesn’t paint a pretty picture — the accusations of Levinson glamorizing drugs are almost laughable.

Addiction has the capacity to transform good, kind people into selfish, heart-

less ones. “Euphoria” really hammers in this truth — not only through the main character Rue but also through peripheral characters such as Lexi's and Cassie’s dad, who effectively abandoned his family after becoming addicted to heroin.

Rue has come close to irreparably damaging many of her valued relationships because of her addiction, treating her friends, family and peers in ways that she would never do when she was sober. By the end of season two, she makes amends with many of the people she cares about — like her mother, sister and sponsor, Ali — and remains clean through the end of the school year.

Photo courtesy of IMDb

However, the troubles of her addiction are far from over — the threat of repaying Laurie and the possibility of being sex-trafficked are still hanging over her head and will likely be explored in Season 3. She is still learning how to move forward and live her life without the substances that had become her crutch.

Rue, in spite of her flaws, tries to be a good person — if not for the sake of herself, then for the sake of the people she cares about.

She remains a sympathetic character through it all, and among the tragedy and brutality of “Euphoria”, there is still a message of hope.

No character or action is irredeemable — with the exception of Nate Jacobs — and everyone deserves grace, both on and off the television screen.

It’s incredibly important that shows like “Euphoria” be approached with a certain mindset. Every episode begins with a disclaimer that its content may be disturbing to viewers and discretion is advised — and these should be taken to heart when watching, interpreting and discussing the show.

People should not watch “Euphoria” to escape from real-world problems or put fictional characters on pedestals. People like to see things wrapped up in a pretty bow with no loose ends. “Euphoria” may not satisfy that desire, but that is the point.

Zendaya's character battles a drug addiction in the show "Euphoria".

Romantic comedy relies on delicate dance of key ingredients OLIVIA FONDIE Staff Writer

Romantic comedies are an especially polarizing genre of movie. Regardless, in unsteady and unpredictable times, one can always rely on the comforting presence of a romantic comedy. The genre inspires joy, laughter and sometimes tears — mostly the happy kind. I often gravitate towards more complex genres, yet something about the occasional mindless and blissful film makes me feel warm and cozy. In this article, I chose to look at the dichotomy of romantic comedies — the good and the bad — because I hope to help viewers reassess the genre. Romantic comedies have more to them than what meets the eye and I hope to differentiate between quality and shoddy work.

What makes a romantic comedy fail: Cheese. If a romantic comedy maxes out on the cheesiness scale then in my mind it loses its integrity as a film. When I watch a romantic comedy I look for three key ingredients: characters I care about, a fun setting — whether that be a workplace or New York City — and a tumultuous but entertaining journey.

If a film lacks any of these three components, then I don't want to watch it. If I find the leading lady to be annoying or overly frustrating, I cannot get on board with want-

low those simple guidelines, then you have yourself the makings of a fantastic romantic comedy.

What makes a romantic comedy succeed: For many, these films bring comfort, escape and a dream-like state where “happily ever after” seems more possible than ever.

As aforementioned, the success and appeal of a romantic comedy is the combination of loveable characters, adventures and a fun setting.

I personally enjoy the following tropes: workplace romance, enemies-to-lovers, friends slowly realizing their love for one another and the joining of two unlikely people. Yes, those tropes cover a lot of territory, but I cannot help but be a sucker for love!

Another component that propels a roPhoto courtesy of IMDb mantic comedy to the top of the list is a Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln co-star in "Love Actually", great soundtrack. One of my absolute favora film that follows multiple romances during the holidays. ites is “The Holiday” (2006). This film score was composed by none other than Oscaring to see her love life succeed. If the male is there are so many storylines to follow, the sto- winner Hans Zimmer himself, composer reasonably unappealing and falls into the ste- ry of the main characters is lost. Feeling either for films such as “The Dark Knight” (2008), reotype of a womanizer, I am not interested. empathy or sympathy for a character is a slow "Interstellar" (2014) and "Dune" (2021). A On another note, romantic comedies don't burn as you see their triumphs and failures. In classical film score that intensifies the love work when the viewer is bombarded with the previously mentioned ensemble of films, in the air is a guaranteed recipe for success. numerous storylines. Yes, I am bashing the the audience doesn't get to know any of the Beautiful setting, beautiful music, beautiful Christmas classic “Love Actually” (2003), characters well enough to really care about people — now that's the perfect melody. along with its other holiday companions their storylines. Basically, do not put a bunch “Mother’s Day” (2016), “Valentines Day” of annoying people in a boring location and (2010) and “New Years Eve” (2011). When give their story no complexity. If you fol-

Life | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, March 3, 2022 | Page 15

'Survivor' moves forward alongside America 'Survivor' prepares for its 42nd season in Fiji ISABELLA MASON Staff Writer "Survivor" is a show that is older than I am. Episode one of "Survivor: Borneo" — the show’s first season — aired in May 2000. "Survivor" predates my entire life, and yet I’ve become engrossed in all that it has to offer. Believe it or not, the show is still airing — "Survivor" is currently in its offseason, the show regularly airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. on CBS. Season 42 is set to premiere on Mar. 9, 2022.

There is something really special about "Survivor". I began watching it when Netflix put two seasons on its streaming platform — those seasons were "Survivor 20: Heroes vs. Villains" and “Survivor 28: Cagayan”. It took me about six months to watch the rest of the series — all 600-odd hours of it. All 40 seasons. I watched season 41 live.

"Survivor" is a show for the people.

"Survivor" represents America in so many ways — at times, it is progressive and edgy, and at others, it is stagnant and re-

petitive. In "Borneo", the winner is gay, which is incredible because it was 2001.

Richard Hatch is not a typical stereotype of the “loveable gay person,” either — he’s hated due to his sarcastic and frank nature.

"Borneo" showed America the nature of the game — you don’t have to be kind or warm to win, you just have to be clever and, typically, respected. Isn’t this widely representative of the American dream? In an ideal world, you can get far without being considerate of others — all you need is charisma and to be a few rungs up on the social ladder.

"Survivor" is noted as a game of social politics, and it stays true to that descriptor throughout all 41 seasons. The show is incredibly edgy at times. In "Survivor 13: Cook Islands", which aired in 2006, the tribes are divided by race — white, Latinx, Black and Asian. In Nov. 2020, over 15 years later, it was finally announced that, going forward, at least 50% of the cast would be made up of people of color. It is incredible to me that, for a show which claimed to be so representative of America,

it took 20 years for "Survivor" to make a commitment to some form of diversity.

"Survivor" is far from perfect, but turning America on to a survival game show is no easy feat. With complicated challenges, unique contestants every season and innovations in gameplay and advantages given to players, the makers of the show — and its loyal host, Jeff Probst — pour themselves into making the game great and to helping it grow with America.

I wouldn’t have watched 40 seasons of "Survivor" if I didn’t love it as much as I did, and if it didn't have so much to offer analytically. It’s complex — every season offers a unique challenge to viewers, and while it does have patterns, they’re hard to follow, which just makes the show that much more interesting. I have seen "Survivor" grow and change in incredible ways, as has the rest of America. It is my hope that this truly special show will continue on for years, as its loyal fanbase never seems to waver.

I have faith that the show will continue to grow in the right direction, building on their previous successes.

Ocean formations serve as metaphors ABBY KOMISKE Staff Writer Any ocean-lover knows of the fabled “green room”. As swells are generated by wind energy, water molecules rise and fall across the ocean surface. Waves travel abruptly from deep to shallow water and the bottom of the waves are hampered by the ocean floor, while the topmost waves continue forward. As the tops are forced to steepen, the upper layers cascade down the edge, creating barrels. The inside of a barrel is vibrant and beautiful, energetic yet calm, chaotic yet ordered.

It is difficult to find the perfect barrel but once you enter that sweet spot in the forceful water, the moment transcends all else. The beauty of the tunnel lies in its brevity. Time stands still for a moment, allowing the viewer to see through a narrow — yet simultaneously complete — view of the world. If the viewer is lucky, the tunnel crosses all the way to the outside world of sun, sand and people. It is an unforgettable experience, being so fully contained within the barrel while also knowing that life is continuing outside of the transient tunnel. The force of the tunnel — the water violently pushing towards the sky — makes one feel so powerful and helpless at the same time.

Tunnel vision makes barrels so exceptionally fascinating. The viewer understands immediacy — the water curling around one’s body and the path ahead — as the hole of blue sky narrows.

While in the tunnel, one can only focus on the celerity of the moment, even knowing that within milliseconds the experience will come crashing down.

One must take it all in — the crisp water and array of blue-green reflections surrounded by crescendos of crashing water playing like an all-immersive soundtrack — and enjoy the ride for the sake of the experience alone. Even after the swell flattens, climbs up the shoreline and recedes back into its abyss, the kinetic energy of the rushing water and the all-encompassing salty smell never really leave.

It’s a nice thought that life rolls much like barrel waves and that people see with tunnel vision for their own experiences. Life is simultaneously ordered and chaotic, much like how a barrel follows such a rhythmic and physical motion while being so unpredictable. Furthermore, the experience of the barrel depends on the viewer's receptiveness to his or her surroundings, much like how people care about certain aspects of life but not others.

Is one looking out of the tunnel as an outsider, touching the thin but powerful wall of water nar-

Abby Komiske/Old Gold & Black

rowing around the body, or are one’s eyes closed to heighten the sensation of the descending wave? Similarly, does one focus on others and their own complex, unique lives, or do they allow themselves to freefall into their own world and leave behind today's stressors? There is no correct way to experience tunnel vision in a barrel like there is no correct way to experience life’s many journeys. There are simply a plethora of individual opportunities that people handle differently.

I have never felt so aware of my own life and the energy of the world around me as I have in a barrel, which is why I always return to the ocean when I’m feeling out of place. I often think of my own individuality in reference to tunnel vision. The water has always drawn me in, calmed me when the world has been too much and healed me physically and emotionally.

I can vividly recall how it feels to be fully immersed in the ocean even when I am hundreds of miles away whenever I need a moment to breathe. I can imagine plummeting to the sandy ground from the peak of a wave, flattening out on the shoreline as the water leaves me behind. I can visualize the energy of a windy high tide and drying in the sand afterwards, coming to life on a hot summer day. Nothing in life is perfect, that flawless tunnel is fleeting. There is always the omnipresent sand wave that wrecks your hair, a barrel that collapses on your shoulders or an underwhelming swell, but all the half-rides make me appreciate the best waves all the more.

If the water has taught me anything, it is that you must care equally about yourself as you do the world around you. Take in the thrilling moments but know they will eventually settle into a calm. Always give in to the excitement of life and cherish what the world has in store for you.

Most of all, I recognize my tunnel vision in everyday life. I try my best to take beauty, passion and knowledge into myself so I can appreciate everything this precarious world has to offer — and perhaps add a little of my own post-wave clarity to the mix as well.

The crash of a wave in the ocean forms the perfect tunnel to Contact Abby Komiske at surf through while appreciating the beauty of life and nature. komiak21@wfu.edu

Photo courtesy of IMDb

Jeff Probst discusses the game with the contestants during tribal council.

Contact Isabella Mason at masoif20@wfu.edu

THE HOT LIST "TOP 10 ROMANTIC COMEDIES"

BY OLIVIA FONDIE

1.

"The Holiday" (2006)

2.

"About Time" (2013)

3.

"13 Going on 30" (2004)

4.

"How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" (2004)

5.

"When Harry Met Sally" (1989)

6.

"Serendipity" (2001)

7.

"Bridget Jones Diary" (2001)

8.

"The Princess Bride" (1987)

9.

"Clueless" (1995)

10.

"Love, Rosie" (2014)

Page 16 | Thursday, March 3, 2022

Old Gold & Black | Life

Dive into gate-keepable music ADAM COIL & BRODY LEO Life Editor & Staff Writer In Flannery O’ Connor’s short story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find”, she writes, “it’s no real pleasure in life.” She’s wrong — gatekeeping good music exists. And it’s the ultimate pleasure in life. Here is your starter guide for finding more unique music to listen to in obscurity.

SHOEGAZE — Adam Coil Shoegaze, also known as dream pop, got its name from its reliance on the use of guitar pedals, which prompted musicians to ‘gaze’ at their shoes while performing.

To have a perfunctory knowledge of shoegaze, you will need to know about the big three shoegaze bands: Cocteau Twins, Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. All three of these bands rose to prominence in the early 90s, defining the sound that originated in the UK in the 80s.

Shoegaze is known for its distorted sound, abstract yet poignant lyrics and soothing melodies. Because Shoegaze singers tend to prioritize how their songs feel, there is often a lack of clarity in their lyrical content.

The lead for Cocteau Twins, Elizabeth Fraser, said, “people tend to put too much focus on the lyrics. It’s not the beall and end-all of our songs.”

I fell in love with shoegaze when I discovered Alvvays — a band that is my classic go-to recommendation. Despite coming onto the scene in the mid10s, Alvvays has found new space to work within in the Shoegaze genre and makes some of the most pleasing music out there. Some other shoegaze tracks I would recommend are “Kick The Tragedy” by Drop Nineteens, “When The Sun Hits” by Slowdive, “Milk” by Sweet Trip and “Starting Over” by LSD and the Search for God. The best Shoegaze songs feel like a warm hug.

EXPERIMENTAL RAP — Brody Leo There’s no signature sound to experimental hip-hop — the genre is just comprised of anything that pushes the limits of what hip-hop can be. So, when people ask me how to get into experimental hip-hop, I give them two albums that show off the breadth of the genre: “Madvillainy” by MF DOOM and “The Money Store” by Death Grips.

“Madvillainy” pairs the raw, choppedup jazz-sampling beats from Madlib with the blunted, nonchalant rhyming schemes and wordplay from MF DOOM to create a truly abstract masterpiece that Pitchfork perfectly describes as “avant-meets-antique.” Instrumentally, Madlib keeps you guessing on each track, and you’ll find yourself asking two questions: did Madlib just make a beat with an out-of-tune accordion, and how does it actually work? “Meat Grinder” is definitely a highlight from this album.

Death Grips, on the other hand, makes music that would cause a pilgrim to spontaneously combust if you gave them your AirPods. Similar to Madvillainy, a producer-vocalist duo is behind this album, yet the duos’ styles are radi-

cally different. Producer Zach Hill’s instrumentation is harsh and percussionheavy with blaring synths that remain unique throughout the tracklist, and MC Ride’s in-your-face, heavily filtered vocals mesh perfectly with Hill’s production. The result is innovative but undoubtedly a difficult listen. If I showed my parents this music, they would probably recommend that I get back on mood stabilizers. My favorite track from this project is probably “Hacker”.

If you enjoyed “Madvillainy”, I’d recommend some more abstract hip-hop

posures can build vivid, visual worlds through their soundscapes. In “Seraphim”, the music visually represents a serene ocean at midnight. It’s dark and distant, but still somewhat comforting.

The tonal, world-building elements of ambient music have influenced artists outside of the genre too. For example, Radiohead’s “Kid A” has tons of ambient influence, most noticeable in the track “Treefingers”.

The genre is diverse, but pioneer Brian Eno pointed out one common characteristic of good ambient music: it’s “just as ignorable as it is interesting.”

VAPORWAVE — BL As a subgenre of electronic music, vaporwave is focused on reviving synthwave sounds of the 80s and 90s and recontextualizing them into a futuristic, melodic soundscape. It originated in the early 2010s — and while there’s not a single album the sound can be traced to — I’d recommend starting with Macintosh Plus’s “Floral Shoppe”. It’s a warm, inviting introduction to the genre that makes you feel nostalgic for a time you were not even alive.

From there, I’d recommend my favorite artist in the genre, ESPRIT. He has a lot of great projects out there, but my favorite would probably be 200% Electronica. He offers the same synth-heavy warm nostalgia as Macintosh Plus, but the instrumentation is a bit more diverse and there are some really cool distorted vocal manipulations woven throughout the album.

Despite rarely having lyrical content, vaporwave projects often have very powerful social messaging behind them. For example, James Ferraro’s “Far Side Virtual” interpolates melodies that sound like soulless, corporate jingles to create a vision of a dystopian, hypercapitalist future.

Unfortunately, this genre has seemed to fade into irrelevance in recent years, alongside the cyberpunk, neon-dominated subculture that grew with it.

HYPERPOP — AC I think that Hyperpop — or glitchcore, as some people call it — gets a bad rap. It is a genre in its infant stage, and Photo courtesy of Adam Coil it is clear that as time progresses it will Collage of album covers visually represents the diversity continue to grow and adapt. The seeds Hyperpop date back some time to waiting to be discovered in niche music genres. of pioneers in various genres such as rap, indie and EDM as people started to exalbums like Earl Sweatshirt’s “Some SLOWCORE — AC plore exactly how new technology could Rap Songs” or MIKE’s “Weight of the Likely due to its origins in the obscure integrate futuristic, electronic sounds World”. If you enjoyed “The Money underground, Slowcore is a genre that is into music and make it work.

Store”, there’s a lot more industrial and relatively hard to define. Like Shoegaze, When talking about modern Hyharsh hip-hop that has been inspired it began in the early 90s, but as a coun- perpop, two specific trendsetters come by them. My two personal favorites are terreaction to the aggressive grunge and to mind: Charli XCX and 100 gecs.

JPEGMAFIA’s “Veteran” and Injury Re- shallow pop music that dominated the Propelled by internet memes, 100 gecs serve’s “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”. charts. crashed into the mainstream in the sumSome of the biggest influences on the mer of 2019, defining the genre almost AMBIENT — BL entirely by themselves and paving the What elements make up a song? early sound were Galaxie 500, Low and way for the generation of SoundCloud Mazzy Star.

In my opinion, though, the Rhythm, melodies and lyrics are probably the answers that come to mind. best that Slowcore has to offer followed artists that followed.

Hyperpop abuses autotune to the Ambient music throws all of that out in subsequent years with acts like Beach point that the artist’s real voice is unrecthe window and focuses on tone and House, Mojave 3, Grouper and Duster. ognizable and then layers it over abraWith Slowcore, you can expect subtle, mood more than anything else. The sive, dynamic instrumentals that are layered instrumentation that pairs perbirth of the modern genre is usually seen as Brian Eno’s “Ambient 1: Music fectly with soft vocals and emotionally electronically synthesized. It’s definitely for Airports” in 1978 that does not fea- vulnerable lyrics that can bring you to a hit-or-miss genre, but it’s one that I ture any percussion or lyrics. Eno always tears or send you off into a peaceful gravitate to at times when I need some energizing tunes. found airports anxiety-inducing, so he slumber.

To me, Hyperpop is something you composed the album as a way to soothe You can see the influence of the genre can’t enjoy if you take it too seriously — himself through his travels. in popular contemporary artists such as My favorite ambient release of all Alex G, Radiohead and Sprain who uti- just embrace the wackiness and laugh time is Aphex Twin’s “Selected Ambi- lize similar lethargic, drawn-out melo- along as it pumps you up. I recommend ent Works Volume II” from 1994. The dies.

“Astrid” by glaive, “2008” by ericdoa tracklist is incredibly varied — tracks Slowcore has a uniquely calming ef- and “hand crushed by a mallet” by 100 like #3 and #20 are ethereal and warm, gecs. perfect for quiet sunset walks on the fect — one that grows on you over time.

Hyperpop is not concerned with beReynolda Trail. On the other hand, It’s a type of music that is really reward- ing elegant or poetic, but it is nonethetracks like #4 are cold and almost eerie, ing when you spend some time with less interesting because of how much like the most brilliant horror soundtrack it. Some Slowcore songs that you need ground it has covered and the territory to listen to are “Crumbling Together” it promises to explore. you’ve ever heard.

A more recent favorite release is “Sera- by Mid-Air Thief, “Constellations” by phim” by How to Disappear Complete- Duster, “Love Songs on the Radio” by Contact Adam Coil and Brody Leo at ly. The most successful ambient com- Mojave 3 and “I’m So Tired” by Fugazi. coilat21@wfu.edu & leomb21@wfu.edu