9/09/21 Full Edition

News: Reflecting on Sept. 11, 2001 on campus Page 6

Opinion: University conceals vital details of shooting Page 7

Sports: Wake Forest takes down Old Dominion Page 10

Life: Marvel releases Shang Chi's origin Page 15

Old Gold&Black

WAKE FOREST’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1916 VOL. 108, NO. 4

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 9 , 2 0 21 “Cover s the campus like the magnolias”

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Malcolm Gladwell to visit WFU The bestselling author will kick off the Fall 2021 iteration of Wake Forest's Face-to-Face series

BY CHRISTA DUTTON Staff Writer duttcd20@wfu.edu

Aine Pierre/ Old Gold & Black

Students in Dr. Hana Brown's class on race and racism (AAS 390-G) can now get credit toward an African American Studies major or minor. The program also has a new director, Dr. Cory Walker.

African American studies major program is complete The African American Studies major program is complete and has a new innaugural director

BY EMILY TORO Staff Writer toroer20@wfu.edu Amidst a year of heightened racial tensions and political unrest, Wake Forest University recently provided another outlet for students to ponder thought-provoking questions and establish a community that enshrines the university's motto, Pro Humanitate. After years of work, Wake Forest launched the African American Studies Program on Aug. 31.

“Faculty have long wanted an African American Studies Program, and it is rather remarkable that Wake Forest did not

create one decades ago, frankly,” Dean of the College Michelle Gillespie told the Old Gold & Black. “The work of the President's Commission helped drive this need forward. The college was fortunate in hiring Cory Walker into an endowed interdisciplinary professorship to lead this initiative last year . . . The program received unanimous approval for a 2021-22 academic year launch.”

As Dean Gillespie noted, Walker teaches Introduction to African American Studies. Before helping to lead the program, Walker was the chair of the Africana Studies Department at Brown University. Walker believes the program launch is very applicable given the circumstances surrounding the country today.

“In this climate of heightened tension in our society and global crises ranging from environmental catastrophes to po-

litical struggles for deep democracy to the pandemic, it’s vitally important to launch such a critical, intellectual project with the broad support and backing of the community and the University to change relationships between knowledge and power,” Walker said in a Wake Forest University press release. “We are excited to engage students in all aspects of African American Studies at Wake Forest.”

Alongside Walker, the program encompasses 22 other professors from several disciplines, including Professor Julia Jordan-Zachery, chair of the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department, and Professor and Director of Wake Forest’s Food, Health and Ecological Wellbeing program Melanie L. Harris. Harris also teaches Black feminist thought and womanist theology.

See AAS, Page 4

The Face to Face Speaker Series is finally back to being just that — face to face.

After a year of virtual events, bestselling author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell will kick off the in-person 2021-2022 series on Sept. 14.

Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers: “The Tipping Point”, “Blink”, “Outliers”, “What the Dog Saw” and “David and Goliath”. He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker for over 20 years and is also the cofounder of Pushkin Industries, a podcast and audiobook production company that produces several podcasts, including “Revisionist History”, Gladwell’s own podcast about things “overlooked and misunderstood.” Gladwell was also listed on Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list.

Gladwell will be speaking at two events while on campus, both of which will be free to students. First, he will be speaking Sept. 14 at 5:15 p.m. in Wait Chapel for a student-only Q&A style event. Students can submit questions for Gladwell via a Google form which can be found on the Face-to-Face webpage.

Students are also welcome to the keynote address later that evening at 7:30 p.m. in LJVM Coliseum. Gladwell will engage in a conversation with Wake Forest Vice President for University Advancement Mark Petersen.

Each year, the forum features three to four speakers who are selected for their influence and expertise in one of four fields: political affairs, social justice and global issues; arts and culture; or innovation and business. Gladwell was chosen as a leader in innovation and business.

“We chose Gladwell for the category of business and innovation [because] he is a world-renowned thought leader,” Face-to-Face Executive Director Sue Henderson said. “He is one of the most influential [voices] in terms of thought leadership in the country.”

Event coordinators believe this experience will be an incredible and inspiring opportunity for students. It will be a chance for students and community members to hear from someone who has been a leader and changemaker in society.

See Gladwell, Page 5

Old Gold & Black

“ Communication must be improved This column represents the views of the Old Gold & Black Editorial Board.

The past few weeks have proven incredibly challenging for our student body and the Winston-Salem community. In more ways than one, these recent events have shone a light onto Wake Forest, illuminating the numerous cracks and crevices which reside beneath our university’s surface. Though frustrating, these kinks have a distinct value in that they reveal places in which we can improve, reform and grow.

With all that has unfolded this semester, we have expressed more than our fair share of sorrow, grief, outrage and — above all — a desire for permanent, positive change.

Great journalism puts you in the center of the action.

Great journalism spreads informative, innovative ideas that inspire change."

Students, we hear you. We will not stop fighting to make your voices heard. As a publication, we will continue to work every week to tell those stories that need to be told.

We here at the Old Gold & Black have been put in a unique position.

It is in our job description to tell both sides of every story, and that is a responsibility we take very seriously. Good journalism allows a

story to tell itself. Great journalism puts you in the center of the action.

Great journalism spreads informative, innovative ideas that inspire change.

We will continue to strive for greatness.

Throughout the past several weeks, we have done our best to view these tumultuous events through a journalistic lens. In doing so, we hope to provide the most accurate and reliable coverage possible. Going forward, we will continue to do so. That is what you, our fellow Demon Deacons, deserve.

However, there is no rule against us using our platform to express

how proud we are of the student body and your collective desire to being agents of change. We are proud to see you stand up and voice your concerns. We are proud of you for not being content with the university’s silence, for realizing that we deserve better.

Communication is a powerful tool — it is the way ideas are communicated and warnings are given.

But communication is important because it brings people togeth-

er and serves as a catalyst for change, too. Let’s work together to improve communication between students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Old Gold&Black THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF WAKE FOREST UNIVERSIT Y SINCE 1916 ALEXANDRA KARLINCHAK EDITOR-IN-CHIEF karlae18@wfu.edu

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The Old Gold & Black is published Thursdays during the school year, except during examinations, summer and holiday periods, by Triangle Printing of Durham. © 2014 WFU Media Board. All rights reserved. The views expressed in all editorials and advertisements contained within this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the OGB. As part of our commitment to reporting news fairly and accurately, we will not remove any previously published content. If an error in either our online or print content is brought to our attention, we will revise the originally published article with an appended correction. In order to facilitate thoughtful and appropriate debate, profane, vulgar, or inflammatory comments on our website are not allowed and will be deleted. For more information on our commenting policy, please see our website. We reserve the right to reject advertisements deemed inappropriate. Our full policy, and how to advertise with the OGB, can be found on our website.

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News | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, September 9, 2021 | Page 3

Deacon Profile: Kristina Gupta that we're preventing it before it happens, and respond to it appropriately when it does happen? What happens is incredibly important because it has a huge impact on people. But can we put more thought and effort into preventing it from happening in the first place?

A lot of what folks have talked about in terms of sexual violence at college campuses, specifically, is in regards to rethinking things like the social scene and the party scene. There's quite a bit of evidence that how a party is set up can make sexual misconduct more likely. So, what can we change to decrease that risk? Picking people up, driving them to a fraternity house, dropping them off, but not giving them any way to leave or confiscating their cell phones can contribute to that risk. And those are some of the things that can be changed — not easily — but can be changed and would reduce risk.

So those are some of the practical studies along with the kind of broader societal changes about respecting people's bodily autonomy, practicing consent — good consent practices — and challenging power imbalances in general.

BY COOPER SULLIVAN Asst. News Editor sullcg20@wfu.edu

Dr. Kristina Gupta has been a professor in the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department since 2014, receiving tenure status in 2020. Gupta recently published a book titled “Medical Entanglements: Rethinking Feminist Debates about Healthcare” and is in the process of writing a book about contemporary asexual identities.

How did you get started in the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies field?

I sort of always considered myself a feminist. I went to Georgetown for undergrad, and although they're technically not Catholic in a lot of ways — in terms of reproductive health — they're still very Catholic. So I got involved in a sexual and reproductive health and rights group right away. And then I found out that there was a department of women's studies — at the time it was just called women's studies. So I took my first class and I really, really enjoyed it. I was basically hooked from that point on.

What I think it did for me and what I hope it does for students is that it just offered me a whole new lens through which to see the world. It gives you a lens through to start asking questions about power, like, “what's going on here?”, “how does it come to be?”, “who's benefiting from it, and who's being disadvantaged by it?”; and “what processes are sustaining it?”. It’s empowering to realize that things can seem to be natural or are a certain way, but in fact, they came to be in this way, and they don't always have to be that way.

So that was what was really exciting about women's studies for me, and what I hope is still exciting about it for students.

You said that your role as an instructor is half scholar, half teacher. What are you working on research-wise?

So, I finished my book, then got tenure on the basis of that book, and then the pandemic hit. So, in that sense, there was this lull in my scholarship. But what I'm working on right now has to do with my dissertation on contemporary asexual identities. I didn't end up turning my dissertation into a book, which a lot of people do, and so now I'm actually going back to some of that work. I want to expand it into a book that's focused on asexuality and science, and basically how different scientific research has enforced what we

These are loaded emotional topics. How do you go about talking about this to your classes?

Photo courtesy of Kristina Gupta

call compulsory sexuality — or the idea that somebody should have a certain level of sexual desire — and that being asexual is somehow dysfunctional in some way. So looking at how different scientific research has contributed to the idea of the norms of compulsory sexuality.

Last week you sent out an email in support of students expressing their concerns about sexual abuse but you also harped on the need for intersectionality.

What do you think the best course of action is, both short-term and long-term?

It's really complicated, it's multi-layered and it's intensely difficult. We can’t ignore this racist history in regards to sexual violence in the present. That racist history is

part of any kind of response to or understanding of sexual violence. So, it's actually quite difficult to support survivors and — in this case — not reinforce racist ideas about who's a sexual predator, for example. So it's quite, quite complicated.

I think in terms of moving forward, it'd be helpful to try to use this as an opportunity to sit and think more systemically about what contributes to rape culture, how can we address that and simultaneously address how institutional racism is present at Wake Forest. Let's address that.

Women's gender and sexuality studies is trying to say “okay, let's see what systems are at play here, and let's see about how we can alter those systems such that it's better in the future.” And in terms of sexual violence, can we alter those systems such

In most classes I teach, there are folks who are either direct survivors of some kind of sexual violence or who know how this has affected somebody they're close to. Different faculty handle it in different ways — I mean, there's a whole conversation about trigger warnings. But for me, I made it very clear on my syllabus. When you're going into this class, we're going to be talking about these kinds of issues.

For my intro class, I do say in my syllabus if you think that this is going to be difficult for you to discuss, you can come talk to me and we'll figure out what about it might be difficult for you and if there are alternative ways that we can do this.

I find that for me, particularly, reading an academic discussion of survey results is not as difficult as reading a personal narrative in which there's a graphic depiction of a sexual assault. There is also some material that is just more difficult, and I tend not to assign that in class. It's important to grapple with that kind of stuff, too, but not in a sort of “everybody has to do it right now in this particular way” kind of manner.

Editor's Note: This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.

POLICE BEAT Underage Consumption/Alcohol/Drug Offenses • An underage student consumed alcohol at Gate 4 of Truist Field. Emergency Medical Services were requested and the student was cleared to return to their dorm. The report was filed at 6:49 p.m. on Sept. 3.

• An underage student consumed punch at a Sigma Pi party and was brought by an unknown person to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. University Police brought the student home. The report was filed at 6:35 a.m. on Sept. 4.

• A student was found carrying a Winston-Salem Transit Authority sign at the Polo Gate after having consumed alcohol underage. The report was filed at 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 4.

• An underaged student entered the wrong suite in Magnolia while drunk and vomited in the common area. The report was filed at 2:38 a.m. on Sept. 5.

• A student was found unconscious and drunk on Peters Creek Parkway and was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center by Winston-Salem Police. The report was filed at 2:59 a.m. on Sept. 6.

Miscellaneous • A VIP at the Winston-Salem Open reported $500 worth of shirts were missing. Video cameras were checked, but to no avail. The report was filed at 10:01 p.m. on Aug. 31.

• A student's car windows were broken. The report was filed at 12:37 a.m. on Aug. 31 • A student in Babcock reported another student urinating on their rug. Separate reports were filed at 3:21 a.m. on Sept. 3 and at 4:39 a.m. on Sept. 5.

• A student in NCA took the garment steamer from the front door. The report was filed at 3:11 p.m. on Sept. 3.

• A student was receiving harassing text messages from an unknown subject. The report was filed at 1:16 a.m. on Sept. 5.

• An unknown subject at the Water Tower Field stole an unsecured bag containing a student's phone and keys. The report was filed at 4:01 p.m. on Sept. 5.

• A student left their vehicle running near the Freshman Lot shuttle stop after they fell asleep waiting to hear from friends in Deacon Ridge. Security was called. The report was filed at 4:18 a.m. on Sept. 6.

Page 4 | Thursday, September 9, 2021

Old Gold & Black| News

AAS: New major program kicks off Continued from Page 1

In January 2021, an anonymous individual donated $1 million to support the vision of the program.

“The gift established the Dr. Dolly A. McPherson Fund for African American Studies, named for the long-time professor of English at Wake Forest who made significant contributions to African American literary studies,” Wake Forest’s press release read. “McPherson died in 2011 and was the first, full-time female African American faculty member at Wake Forest when she was hired in the 1970s.”

In a video discussing the $1 million donation, Walker said: “It’s an opportunity to grow the community of African American Studies across the nation and the world.”

Students have the opportunity to major or minor in African American studies. According to a university press release, Wake Forest is planning a graduate certificate for the program, too.

The major, according to the undergraduate bulletin, provides courses in three particular areas: arts, aesthetics and expressive culture; and ethics, politics and society and history, culture and theory.

Gillespie shared further insight into the program’s structure.

“African American Studies is an important academic discipline that studies the peoples, cultures and ideas of Africa and the African diaspora, and that’s what our new program is providing,” Gillespie said. “It is highly interdisciplinary in that it brings together the expertise of scholars in multiple disciplines to do this critical analysis.

Our program will also pay close attention to the particularity of the history and culture shaping our institution’s place in the American South.”

Photo courtesy of Wake Forest University

Inaugural director of the new African American Studies program Dr. Corey D. B. Walker lectures students during one of program’s classes in DeTamble Auditorium.

The program also intends to collaborate with the School of Divinity to incorporate ideas from other individuals, such as renowned scholar, philosopher and activist Cornel West and Washington Post reporter Robert Samuels, according to a university press release.

In the news article released following the donation, Gillespie expressed that a liberal arts education could not be fulfilled without the addition of an African American Studies program.

“To accomplish our institutional mission of providing students with a holistic, relevant and critical liberal arts education, we cannot do that without African American Studies,” Gillespie stated in a Wake Forest University news article. “I am thrilled that our new program

will facilitate the expansion of fields of inquiry that explore the formation and intersection of race, ethnicity, class, gender, and sexuality.”

Gillespie believes that many students will gain new perspectives on the world and explore new insights into making decisions after experiencing these courses.

“I believe deeply in the transformative power of our liberal arts education,” Gillespie said. “Our new African American Studies Program provides that transformative power.”

According to the press release, students already believe in the transformative power of the new program.

“Last year, I took Dr. Walker’s Black Radical Traditions course

and Dr. William Mosley’s Black Feminist Intimacies course, and that was my first time really engaging with the humanities,” senior Sierra DeVeaux said in the press release. “In class, Dr. Walker said African American Studies makes the audacious assumption that Black people are human, and that deserves emphasis because it dares students to think beyond the terms to which we’re accustomed in many classroom settings. Whereas a lot of our discussions about Blackness are usually grounded in ways that make Black people the object, African American Studies dares to make Black people the subject.”

Students will be able to learn more about the African American Studies major at the major/minor fair on Sept. 29 from 3-5 p.m.

Student Government releases charter guidelines Process announcing updated rules on how on-campus organizations are formed

BY HANNAH ABERNETHY Contributing Writer aberhe18@wfu.edu

The Student Organizations Council (SOC), an arm of Student Government, released new guidelines for the chartering process, which will no longer operate on a rolling basis.

Now, as outlined on the Office of Student Engagement’s website (OSE), student groups interested in acquiring a charter will contact the OSE within the first weeks of a given semester and will be assigned an adviser. Students will then apply for the charter on the SOC website,

and the application will remain open for two weeks. During the review period, each group will be invited to speak before the SOC, and charters will be granted if a majority vote is received.

Student Government Adviser and Director of Student Organizations Shauna McNeil recognized the lack of opportunities for new student organizations before the new guidelines were released.

“Student organizations applied for a charter and were able to present to the Student Organizations Council on a rolling basis,” McNeil said. “The SOC had an undefined level of support from the Office of Student Engagement, which fostered inconsistencies regarding support and resources for new student groups to flourish.”

Student groups have responded

positively to the changes, which they were notified of through email.

Many of these groups have already taken action, per McNeil.

“Those students who have been patiently waiting to have their groups chartered are excited, as are the students who serve on the SOC,” McNeil said. “The announcement was sent to over 20 proposed groups, and many have already scheduled their meeting with Erinn Forbes [Wake Forest’s assistant director of student engagement] or myself, who are both serving as advisors during the process.”

McNeil believes that the new guidelines will lead to more student engagement and a thriving extracurricular community at Wake Forest.

“Our hope is that this new process will allow organizations to become more prepared to be self-sufficient

prior to receiving a charter, which in turn will contribute to the longevity of their organizations,” she said. “It also provides an opportunity for the SOC to engage and support established student organizations as well.”

Students will be more likely to find community here at Wake Forest with this more inclusive chartering process. The proposed student groups are diverse and wide-ranging.

“The groups span a variety of types and interests,” McNeil said. “Some are academic in nature, and others are based more on student interests.

We will know more as we meet with them in the coming weeks” McNeil said that the changes will be formally announced after receiving approval from the Student Life Committee (SLC).

News | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, September 9, 2021 | Page 5

Gladwell: Face-to-Face kicks off Fall 2021 Continued from Page 1

“He has been an agent of change,” Henderson said. “Even if you haven’t read his books, come be inspired by this noted person who is making an impact in our society.”

The Face-to-Face speaker series has been bringing prominent voices to campus for over a year now. The pro-

gram launched in March 2020 and was originally designed as a series of in-person events. It had to shift to a series of virtual events just a couple of weeks later when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“We launched March of 2020, and the world changed two weeks later after we launched,” Henderson said.

“We spent two years creating an in-

person speaker series and then had to create a virtual series. We loved the virtual series and had huge success with viewership, but we are beyond excited to be back in person and to open with Malcolm Gladwell.”

This year’s series will also include former Secretaries of State Madeleine K. Albright and Colin L. Powell in November, Grammy award-

winning cellist and UN Ambassador of Peace Yo-Yo Ma in February 2022 and will finish up with neurosurgeon, the CNN chief medical correspondent and “Jeopardy!” guest host Dr. Sanjay Gupta in April 2022.

More information about the Malcolm Gladwell event and the rest of the series can be found on the Faceto-Face Speaker Series webpage.

Safer Sex Express plans new initiatives After a successful launch last spring, the initiative hopes to expand and provide menstrual products and sex ed

BY SOPHIE GUYMON Staff Writer guymsm20@wfu.edu

After a successful launch last semester, the Safer Sex Express is expanding to include sexual wellness outreach and menstrual product distribution initiatives.

The program, a collaboration between the university’s Women’s Center, Office of Wellbeing, Student Health Service and Office of Residence Life and Housing is now open for Fall 2021 orders. The program’s goal is to offer free deliveries of condoms and other barrier contraceptives to student P.O. boxes.

The idea for the service was conceived in 2019 by then-sophomore Olivia Thonson, who was a sexual wellness intern in the Women’s Center at the time. Thonson created Safer Sex Express with the support of the Women’s Center, and later the other departments which comprise the Sexual Health Working Group Committee.

Assistant Director of the Women’s Center Erin Adamson is overseeing a menstrual product initiative, which will launch later this semester.

“We’re planning to have dispensers installed in different places across campus that are going to have menstrual products and sexual health products [stocked],” Adamson said.

“We’re trying to go with a [carrier] that’s organic and possibly femaleowned — we’re interviewing different product companies right now and we [should be concluding that process] within the next two weeks or so.”

Other initiatives include a collaboration with the university’s Health and Exercise Science department to improve the sexual education component of HES 100, the mandatory health course taken by freshmen and incorporate other ideas into the curriculum.

Safer Sex Express is also hosting student events throughout the semester. One such event was Sex Jeopardy, held at Shorty’s on Aug. 22. There, participating students were educated through trivia questions surrounding topics such as sexual health, sexually transmitted infections, birth control, sexual pleasure and sex during COVID-19.

The first 25 students that walked in the door also received a free pair of Safer Sex Express boxer shorts as well as a goodie bag.

“We really just want to destigmatize the use of [different] types of [contraceptive] products,” Adamson said. “Moving forward with the Sexual Health Working Group, we have an educational aim and will be meeting this year to figure out how we want to reach students — whether

that’s [via a] class or through extracurriculars. We’re trying to branch out.”

The project was initially launched in early 2020 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic but was temporarily shut down until its relaunch this past spring.

“This year will be a good testament to our popularity,” Adamson said. “As far as last year, there was a lot of interest. We had [around] 4060 orders a week last semester and I’m excited to see what things look like this semester since we’re running at a higher capacity.”

Contraception options for delivery include male and female condoms, finger condoms — which cover cuts and prevent infections — dental dams, gloves and water-based lubricants. The brands offered are

Trojan, Trustex, SKYN, Durex and Satin.

“We want people to be fully informed about their sexual activities and be inclusive [of the student body],” Adamson said.

She continued: “A lot of times, if you’re just thinking about external condoms, you’re not really thinking about people who are engaging in different kinds of sexual activity, and we want [students] to [have optionality].”

Students are able to order online with a confidential order form, and materials will be discreetly delivered to their P.O. boxes within a week.

Safer Sex Express allows students to try out and learn about new products, increasing their education around consent, contraception and sexual health.

Katie Fox/ Old Gold & Black

The Safer Sex Express, which launched last spring, now hopes to expand its coverage beyond traditional contraceptives and into the world of menstrual products and safe sex education.

CORRECTIONS FROM LAST ISSUE Page 3 • In the Deacon Profile last issue, the internship program was incorrectly characterized as a five-year program. It is a nine-year program.

• In the Deacon Profile, there was ambiguity about Pfizer’s goal of expanding to 100 interns. That is the goal for 2025, not when the program ends.

Page 5 • The byline for the article titled “Parking fee changes cause mass anger” incorrectly stated that the article was written by News Editor Aine Pierre.

The article was written by Contributing Writer Chase Bagnall-Koger, whose email is bagncm21@wfu.edu.

Old Gold & Black | News

Page 6 | Thursday, September 9, 2021

Reflecting on Sept. 11, 2001 on campus Those who were on Wake Forest’s campus that fateful day share their stories, memories and frustrations

BY AINE PIERRE News Editor pierav20@wfu.edu Forthosewhohadearlymorningclassesat Wake Forest the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, professors and students who had maybe only met a few weeks prior became indelibly etched in each other’s memories.

Inpsychology,thereisaconceptknownas a“flashbulb memory”. Flashbulb memories resultinaverydetailedrecollectionoftheexactcircumstancesofacertainmoment,sucha momentwhenonelearnsoftraumaticnews.

Many people who were alive and conscious of existence on Sept. 11, 2001, remember exactly where they were and who they were with. A very similar set of circumstances occurred on Nov. 22, 1963, the date President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed.

Saturday will mark 20 years since four planes fell from the sky and into American history. To mark this anniversary, the Old Gold & Black spoke with individuals who were on Wake Forest’s campus that fateful dayandaskedthemtoreflectonhowcollege communitiescancometogetherinthefaceof difficult times.

One defining characteristic of the news coverage from Sept. 11, 2001 is that when the first plane struck, there was still reason to believe it might have been a tragic accident.

After all, in 1945, a B-25 crashed into the Empire State Building and killed 14 people.

It had happened before.

In Politics & International Affairs Professor KatyHarriger’sclassroom,thatwasthequestiononeveryone’smindasnewscoverageof the first impact flashed across the television.

“Studentsstartedcomingintoclasssaying that a plane had flown into one of the World Trade Towers and asked if we could turn on the TV in the classroom,” Harriger said. “At that point, it was unclear as to whether it was an attack or a terrible accident.”

Then, at 9:03 a.m., just nine minutes after the first attack: “The second one struck and we knew it was an attack,”Harriger said.“We spenttherestoftheclassperiodwatchingthe televisioncoverage.Clearly,thelessonforthe day was set aside.”

At almost that exact time, Class of 2003 alumnaDarcyEscherremembersherphone ringing off the hook, which she ignored until she had to be up for her 10 a.m. health class. When she picked up the phone, her then-boyfriend implored her to turn on the television.

“So I turn on the TV right as the second plane was going into the South Tower, and it was just incredibly shocking,” Escher said.

A little bit later, Seth Hennes, who graduated in the Class of 2003, was sitting in an educationclassaboutworldgeographyashis professorfiddledwiththeprojectorafterfinishing a video.

“Forwhateverreason,thenewspoppedup while the cable feed input was selected and wesawtheburningtowers,thesecondplane had hit,” Hennes said. “And we all kind of sat there,shellshocked.Ourprofessorcanceled class, and we kind of stumbled back to our dorm.”

Current Dean but then-Professor of History Michelle Gillespie’s First Year Seminar also turned on the TV as the second plane hit.

“I was teaching my First Year Seminar when someone in the Tribble hallway interrupted our class to tell us the U.S. was under attack,” Gillespie said. “We turned on the TV in our rooms and watched the second airplane fly into the towers. That experience of watchingtheplanecrashinreal-timebonded us as a class forever.”

Those classrooms were not alone. The Old Gold & Black reported in their Sept.

13, 2001 issue that “students congregated in Shorty’s, Pugh Auditorium … ZSR and numerous other makeshift locations across campus to watch the buildings collapse before their eyes.”

Then, the panic set in.

“We were all trying to contact people we knew were there,” Hennes said.

“When you’re a northerner at a southern college, you end up kind of knowing a lot of people from the Northeast,”Escher said.“So, youknewimmediatelythattherewerepeople whosefamiliesmightbeincrediblyaffected.”

“All of us were shocked and upset. Some of us had friends and family who worked near the towers,” Gillespie said.

Take Hennes, for example, who hailed from Orlando, FL, and had family in New York.Hisuncleworkedacrossthestreetfrom the twin towers, but he luckily was able to

Photo Courtesy of PBS

Students in classrooms and common spaces across campus watched the destruction up north unfold on Sept. 11, 2001.

Essex Thayer/ Old Gold & Black

The Old Gold & Black’s Sept. 13 issue featured extensive coverage of the attacks and aftermath on campus. get out in time. Hennes’ cousin worked as a police detective in North Shore on Long Island, so he was one of the first responders.

Hennes says his cousin still suffers from PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

After the initial panic, Wake Forest professorsandadministratorsbrainstormedhowto respond in the short term and the long term.

According to Escher, who remembers radio silence from Wake Forest administrators, they did not meet the mark in the short term.

“I was a 19-year-old,” Escher said. “I mean, you’re a pseudo-adult, you’re away from home, you’re not with your parents or your family members that are your source of comfort. Sure, you do have your friends, but they’re the same type of pseudo-adult that you are — it was just a lot to process as a young adult without very much structure from administration.”

Escherremembersthatshemissedmostof her classes the rest of the week to catch up on news, but her ballet professor held it against her,andnoneofherprofessorsseemedtounderstand.

There were services at Wait Chapel the afternoon and night of Sept. 11. At the night service,ThomasHearn,Jr.,thenthepresident of Wake Forest addressed the community: “It takes a catastrophe to overcome our reluctance to accept the lessons of human hate...,” Hearn said to students, as reported by the Old Gold & Black. “To your life, experience has added a bitter, yet inevitable lesson: there is evil and hatred in the human heart.”

Staff from the counseling center were on call to help students, according to Harriger.

Eschersaysshedoesnotremembercounseling services being available, however.

“It was a tense time in the sense that everyonefeltvulnerableandwonderedifmoreattackswerecomingandwheretheymightbe.

Air travel was shut down completely, so the only way to get anywhere was to drive,”Harriger said. “Given our location so far from major urban areas and likely targets, I don’t thinktherewasmuchfearthattheuniversity would be attacked. It was more just considerable uncertainty about what came next.”

Some professors also took it upon themselves to comfort students, like English Professor Anne Boyle. “​​I reached out to my students and advisees after noting their home states,” Boyle said. “Like me, many were having a difficult timeprocessingwhathadhappenedandwere watching the news unfold. Students with family or friends in the affected areas were

trying to get in touch with loved ones. Some students were very subdued, while others needed to talk and cry.”

Boyle said she remembers her students handled the events in different ways.

“Many students saw — I think for the first time — how vulnerable the United States was,howvulnerabletheyandtheirlovedone were,” Boyle said. “Some turned to religion; some were glued to the news.”

Inthelongterm,Harrigerremembershow the attack resulted in a shift in priorities on campus.

“The following weekend was the President’sLeadershipConferencesponsoredby StudentGovernmentandthePresident’sOffice,” Harriger said. “I attended that along withseveralothercolleaguesfromthePolitics department.”

She continued: “Usually, these meetings wereamongstudentleaders,faculty,student life administrators and the President’s office and we would discuss campus issues. 9/11 totallychangedtheagenda,andinstead,we focused on how, as an institution of higher learning, we might contribute to the discussionandhelpeducatepeopleaboutterrorism and its causes.”

In the Sept. 13 article, then-Chair of the ReligionDepartmentCharlesKimballissued a grave warning.

“It is extremely important that people understand that even if it turns out [the 9/11 attackers are from] an extremist group that claims a connection to Islam, the vast majority of Muslims are as horrified and offended as the rest of us,” Kimball told the Old Gold & Black in September 2001.

It did turn out that way, and history tells us that suspicion against Muslim Americans reached an all-time high in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.

However, Hennes said that his Muslim friends never came under suspicion, that Wake Forest camaraderie won the day over bigotry.

Many people have many takeaways from that harrowingTuesday in September 2001, but professors tried to impart a life lesson on theirstudents.Harrigerrecallsremindingher studentsthateventslikethishappenbecause people do not work out their differences — her class that morning was a First Year Seminar on democracy and deliberation, which sheco-taughtwithnow-retiredCommunications Professor Jill McMillan.

“It seemed like a teachable moment,”Harriger said. “But mostly we were not talking — we were glued to the news coverage.”

OPINION

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

“ University conceals vital details of shooting Wake Forest Administration

Wake Forest conceals details of Mount Tabor shooting in fear of "panicking" students

Ansley McNeel

Staff Columnist mcnear19@wfu.edu

On Sept. 1, a tragedy occurred at Mount Tabor High School. William Chavis Raynard Miller, Jr. died after being shot at his high school. The entire community mourns for him, and times like these make me question the safety procedures that keep our community safe when extraneous circumstances arise.

In this case, Winston-Salem police were made aware of the shooter on Mount Tabor’s campus at 12:07 p.m. Yet, a Wake Alert was not sent out until 1:19 p.m.

— Mount Tabor is only an eight-minute drive — or 3.3-mile walk — from my residence, Student Apartments.

For that hour and 12 minutes, I heard sirens wail as cop cars flew up and down Polo Road behind my residence. I received panicked texts from other students

We are college students. We can handle information. What we should not have to handle is a lack thereof.” who live in these Wake-dominated, offcampus areas, telling me to stay inside and be aware. My parents called me and asked me to hide and lock my doors. I calculated the fact that the shooter could have made it to us, even on foot, in the time since the incident occurred.

All of us slowly found out that something terrible had happened, and yet the school had not told us.

For this hour, and for many hours after, I lived in a state of fear. I was telling my friends who were not aware of the incident to stay indoors. I was tracking my roommates on Find My Friends to see if they were safe in a class building. After I texted one of my friends, she responded that she had just walked through an area where six cops were speeding by.

A second alert went out at 2:01 p.m., indicating that there was no reason to think that the shooter was near the school. While that is great to know, I feel strongly that this was not enough information to warrant the continuance of inperson classes. When children are shot, it is not the time to err on the side of trust.

It is time to exercise the greatest caution and awareness of tragedy.

When I called University Police to ask if Wake Forest was aware of the incident before the Wake Alert was published, they responded that they were. When I asked if they were planning on telling or protecting the students, two separate people responded that they were only at liberty to communicate what they were told to communicate. I asked to speak with a supervisor, and when this person finally called, they asked pointed questions.

Regarding my fears of the shooter being near Polo road — considering that the cops were swarming that area and had been blaring sirens near my dormitory for the last hour and a half — this person asked me if I knew that Polo was a long road. Then, they asked me if I thought that panicking the students would have been better in this situation.

Wake Forest, I know that Polo is a long road. If the sirens are close enough to me that I can hear them blaring for hours on end, then the sirens are close enough for me to deserve to know what is going on.

Wake Forest, we were already panicking. We heard from family members, siblings at local high schools in WinstonSalem and group chats with friends. We heard from a community of other people who were panicking.

A child died, and many of us were forced to go to class. A child died, and many of us walked about outdoors when the shooter had not yet been apprehended. A child died, and it was determined that “panicking” the students with more or earlier information would have been the wrong decision.

We are college students. We can handle information. What we should not have to handle is a lack of it, especially when we attend an institution that has a responsibility to protect and inform us on an adequate timeline.

The university policeman ultimately expressed that he understood where my concerns came from and he apologized if Wake Forest fell short in their communication throughout the day.

Later, an email went out saying that “Based on recent feedback, the University will communicate more extensively about incidents in the vicinity of campus for the sake of greater community awareness.”

While I do appreciate the sentiment that the school wants to communicate better, it does not erase the failure of what already happened. In the age of the internet and social media, there is no realistic way to shelter students from the reality of an event. There is only timely communication and protection.

“ Ideology split in post-Trump Republican Party American Politics

Republicans search for common vision in fallout of insurrection Maryum Khanum Staff Columnist khanmg20@wfu.edu

On Jan. 6, 2021, the nation observed arguably one of the most distinct affronts to American democracy when a mob of people supporting then-President Donald Trump ambushed the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The rioters aimed to interrupt the joint session of Congress being held in the building, during which electoral votes solidifying current President Joe Biden’s victory were being counted.

Amongst all the chaos, the rioters' goal had been to overturn a free and fair election, which their candidate impartially lost, through the use of violence and unjust force.

And yet, the most disturbing aspect of this entire story is the fact that the Republican Party continues to stand behind and support

Trump continued to slam $600,000 through the website for living ex- This sentiment is indicative of a unique thread of irony that permeates the rhetothe 35 Representatives penses and legal fees. that supported an investi- There are various avenues through which ric of Republican leaders; and, it's one that gation into... January 6 th.” these rioters receive support, excluding mon- has been perpetuated by former President the rioters, even now, eight months after the initial uprising.

Through the avenue of crowdfunding, defendants charged with engaging in the capitol riots have raised a rough total of $2 million to assist the rioters in confronting the charges. Of these funds, approximately half a million dollars have been raised by eight rioters from central Florida, with another $230,000 raised by Infowars host Owen Shroyer.

This crowdfunding has been enabled by a variety of networks, most notably the website GiveSendGo, which describes itself as the “#1 Free Christian Crowdfunding Site.” In order to provide more context regarding the affiliations of the site, journalist Talia Lavin interviewed the founders of the website this past April. She asked them if they would ever consider hosting a fundraising campaign for the Ku Klux Klan.

The founders responded by saying, “It would depend on what they were raising money for.” Furthermore, alleged murderer Kyle Rittenhouse was also able to raise about

etary donations. In May of this year, 34 Republican senators, including Senator John Thune, enlisted the filibuster in order to obstruct the creation of an objective commission to investigate the Jan. 6 riot, effectively shielding many of the perpetrators of this furor. Republican House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene voiced a similar disdain for the formation of the commission, calling it a democratic attempt to “smear Trump supporters.”

Furthermore, 45% of Republicans said they supported the Capitol Rioters in a survey conducted by YouGov. Worse yet, former President Donald Trump, who was ultimately impeached for the incitement of this very riot, has continued to advocate for the rioters despite initially condemning them earlier this year. In an interview in July, Trump said, “They were peaceful people. These were great people.”

Moreover, Trump continued to slam the 35 Republican House Representatives that supported an investigation into the events of Jan. 6, referring to them as “wayward” and “ineffective and weak.”

Trump himself. On May 31, 2021, he commented on the riots spurred by the unprovoked murder of George Floyd, saying, “Our nation has been gripped by professional anarchists, violent mobs, arsonists, looters, criminals, rioters, Antifa, and others. This includes Antifa and others who are leading instigators of this violence.”

Trump’s distinct contempt for violent mobs seems to reveal itself only when he perceives the mob to be politically aligned with the left, a rationale that many Republicans share. This is the same problematic logic that causes those aligned with the right-wing to label people like George Floyd as “criminals” and people like Ashli Babbitt as “martyrs.”

This brand of hypocrisy becomes particularly problematic in circumstances like these when it seeks to protect a fascist movement and perpetrators of anti-democratic sentiments. Ultimately, the Republican Party needs to decide what they stand for instead of blindly supporting a leader who cannot commit to a singular narrative.

Page 8 | Thursday, September 9, 2021

Opinion | Old Gold & Black

“ Trigger warnings do more harm than help Censorship

The purpose of trigger warnings has become obsolete; restrictions border on censorship

Ella Caldwell

Contributing Columnist calden21@wfu.edu

The emergence of trigger warnings in recent years as a tool to warn viewers of potentially sensitive information has caused undeniable controversy.

Though nearly always well-intentioned, in any given piece of media there is the potential of triggering content, and this begs the question: how far is too far? Has the idea of trigger warnings exhausted its purpose?

In general, trigger warnings have served the purpose of preventing people who suffer from past trauma from being exposed to content that could lead to the re-emergence of this trauma. This idea, in itself, is not bad; in fact, it shows a level of compassion and thoughtfulness from one person to another.

American Politics However, what is problematic is the extent to which people

In all of this, the original inThe original intention of trigtention of trigger warnings has ger warnings has been lost been lost and replaced with the and replaced with the incesincessant fear of offending othsant need to be offended.” ers — some people, it appears, are just looking for reasons to (possibly audiences who don’t be sensitive. even suffer from trauma) exWhat’s more, trigger warnings pect accommodation. To what actually seem to increase the efpoint can a student taking HES fects of PTSD by creating en100 expect a teacher to provide vironments in which survivors a trigger warning for eating begin to view their trauma as disorders or suicide? Is this not central to their identity, worsenthe content the student signed ing long-lasting effects. up to learn about when regisA Harvard study in 2018 shows tering for the course in the first higher levels of self-reported anxplace? iety when a trigger warning was The unrealistic expectations present, and a more recent study and high sensitivity of a global from the Atlantic (2019) recordaudience make it very difficult ed similar outcomes.

Many psyto create any sort of media that chologists have gone so far as to isn’t viewed as offensive or trigsay that trigger warnings have no gering (the other day, I saw a psychological benefit whatsoever. trigger warning on TikTok for There is no solid scientific evifeet. FEET. What kind of trauma does someone endure that dence that trigger warnings benrequires a non-satirical warn- efit any individuals, as they don’t stop the material from being preing for feet?).

The coddling of the academ- sented, but rather prolong the ic mind via trigger warnings expectation of potentially sensipresents a problem in and of tive material.

Furthermore, many believe that itself, as students might expect the same accommodations in trigger warnings, particularly in their workplace or other public an academic setting, promote places.​​In most cases, students censorship. In fact, this past won’t receive the level of ac- spring, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) commodation they desire.

gathered the opinions of nearly 800 members of the Modern Language Association (MLA) and the College Art Association (CAA), over half of the educators surveyed expressed concerns regarding the negative impact trigger warnings would have on classroom dynamics and academic freedom.

Whether it’s a satire or not, the primary purpose of trigger warnings has been lost to the ever-growing sensitivity of today’s society and has created an atmosphere in which people have come to expect accommodation, levels that often serve to invalidate the true intentions of these warnings.

In the end, we circle back to my original question: have trigger warnings been taken too far?

My answer? Yes. Too many people have become hyper-aware of even slightly upsetting topics and this results in academic settings that border on censorship, forever-unsatisfied students and concerning levels of sensitivity in a society that is already impassive to the concerns of the individual.

The real world doesn’t have trigger warnings, so let’s begin our preparation now.

On one of my first days back this It seems like we’re in a limbo between a normal freshman semester, I saw a freshman ask a and a normal sophomore. friend of mine where the Magnolia Room was. They didn’t know. AnAre we freshmen 2.0?” other friend barely knows where unadulterated college experience. half of the academic buildings on That begs the question, am I re- campus are. It seems like we’re in limbo between a normal freshman ally a sophomore?

Objectively, yes, I am. Yet, I’m and a normal sophomore. Are we still left asking myself whether freshmen 2.0? Or better yet, how I’m in the same space and place about 2nd-year freshmen?

It’s safe to say that we don’t that a sophomore would normally know many of the growing pains be without the heavily modified freshman year that we experi- that the freshman class is experiencing (like trying to find a group enced.

To be completely honest, I think of friends, then realizing you don’t the answer to that question is no. like those friends and trying to The current class of sophomores make new ones).

Still, there is a lot about this is far from the conventional idea of a sophomore. Division one school and campus that we aren’t sports are a staple of the tradi- familiar with, like seeing Benson tional Wake experience, and un- full of people and tables. We aren’t til this season’s opening game, I even familiar with the regular orhad never been to a full capacity der and alignment of tables and football game, basketball game or chairs in the Pit. Even small things sporting event of any type. The that the freshmen and upperclasssophomore class has never heard men wouldn’t notice — like seeing the fight song sung by a full sta- tables in Subway or down in the dium; the largest student gather- mail-room — are new to us.

Last year we got to explore caming I have ever been a part of was pus and dip our toes in the water the Aug. 28 protest.

of college. We learned how to be college students and grew as individuals. This year, we are getting out of the kiddie pool and jumping into the deep end. We’re saying goodbye to the watered-down college life that we lived last year and experiencing a fully alive Wake Forest for the first time.

We are privileged in that we get to see our university exuding life and energy, and we are a part of the mess of students swarming around campus between classes.

Instead of waking up and sitting at a desk behind a screen, we tie our shoelaces, sling our backpacks over our shoulders, and go to class.

This brings me back to my question of what we are. Are we just a second freshmen class? Are there any tangible differences between us and the freshman class? As irregular as our college experience has been so far, we’re still sophomores (albeit with an asterisk).

This year’s freshmen won’t face the same challenges that we did, but surely, they will experience unique hurdles.

“ Sophomores question their place on campus Campus Life

The class of 2024 is in a unique spot compared to the rest of the student body Robbie Santos

Contributing Columnist santrp20@wfu.edu

It’s weird being a sophomore right now; and that’s coming from a sophomore. We all remember what campus looked like last year when the majority of classes were being held online and a decent percentage of the student body lived off-campus. Because of this, the current sophomore class is experiencing a new type of college life this fall.

Last year was like the free-trial period of college. We had the same basic features of a normal college experience, but so much of what makes college, college, was lost.

This year, as we return to a more fully active campus, it’s like that free-trial period has expired and we’re getting the real deal: the full

Thursday, September 9, 2021 | Page 9

Opinion | Old Gold & Black

How to make“ a real impact in suicide prevention Mental Health

Suicide prevention is about being there for others any way you can Conor Metzger Staff Columnist metzcr19@wfu.edu

This week is the annual National Suicide Prevention Week. But what does that mean exactly?

Does it mean that for this week, only, we are nice to the quiet person? Does it mean we throw the suicide helpline on our Instagram stories without a second thought?

While this article is not meant to attack a certain type of person, a discussion must be had regarding the sincerity and purpose of what we are doing. Last week, an article was published in the Old Gold & Black about performative activism in the wake of the protests against sexual violence that published occurred on our campus. The questions the writer posed in their article are relevant again this week, as countless people will take to social media to throw their support towards people who struggle with

Being a kind person to everyone, year-round, is the best way to show your support for suicide prevention.”

thoughts of suicide, only to most likely leave those same people in the dust once the week concludes.

I wish to be clear here, posting resources and showing your support is important, but the point of a week like Suicide Prevention Week is to highlight an issue that occurs year-round and should be addressed in the same manner. If you are still unsure about whether or not you are engaging in performative activism, I encourage you to check out Isabella Mason’s article online and obtain a better understanding of the impacts your actions can have.

What we need to do is focus on how our actions affect others every day. You are not going to “cure suicide” by making that post or making that one comment. But what you could do is be a better neighbor by becoming more mindful of how your actions could affect someone who may or may not be in distress.

I don’t know if this sounds easy to you, but it shouldn’t. It would be naïve to think that every per-

son struggles with suicide in the same way. This makes the task of educating yourself that much more difficult, but it is not impossible. In order to illustrate this, I will present an experience I have observed personally.

Let’s say that you see someone you know at a party. You know this person enough to say hello, but they are not necessarily a close friend. During the party they seem “normal,” acting as they have the dozens of other times you have seen them at other parties. This is the case for the rest of the night, and so you think nothing of it.

The next day, you then hear that the person has tried to take their own life. What happened?

You spend the entire next day looking back through your memory, trying to recall any signs you saw that would indicate that the person was suicidal or depressed, but you can’t think of any. This is because during the time that someone is depressed or suicidal, they may not display any outward “symptoms.”

Our society has curated this picture of a suicidal person as someone who stands in the corner looking “sad”, but we can’t expect every person to display this behavior and indicate they’re hurting.

The truth is, there is nothing that should make us say, “You know what, I think I’ll be nice to this person,” as we should already be doing this. Being a kind person to everyone, year-round, is the best way to show your support for suicide prevention. You may never know if someone is feeling depressed or lonely, but if you are kind, compassionate, and make the effort to be a friend, you will have a more profound impact than whatever is posted on social media.

Suicide is not a new concept. But with the rise of social media and texting, FOMO (fear of missing out) has become increasingly real and apparent. A person can interpret a text or post in a way that makes them feel like they are not included or that they are not loved.

A person may also just feel as if they don’t have any goals to strive for or that they won’t succeed in any of their endeavors. A community of love and support can help with this.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention that Wake Forest University does offer no-cost counseling services at the UCC. Encourage the use of this service to everyone, not just the people who you think may need it. Know that there is always someone to talk to.

Major efforts of“ humanity necessitate deep introspection Cap’s Cabana

“Why?” becomes an increasingly crucial factor in humanity’s exploration of space Cap McLiney

Staff Columnist mclicp19@wfu.edu

Over the weekend, I went camping. While my friend and I were out under the stars, our campfire crackled near our feet and marshmallows sizzled. Overhead, the Milky Way stretched out like a white speckled blanket with its corners pulled taut.

A couple of exceptionally bright orbs stood out from the starscape and I wondered what they might be.

I had previously downloaded an app that utilizes your phone camera to identify whatever formation in the sky you direct it towards — Jupiter and Saturn ended up being the two shining bits that caught my eye.

Why do we care to do it? How much dos it really help the individual or world to know the resting temperature on Venus?”

It was amazing to see how the app could scan through the sky and detect the different constellations such as Cancer, Ares and the Big Dipper — which I would have otherwise never been able to identify with my naked eye. After admiring the stars in front of us, our group began to discuss the vastness of the universe and its infinite nature. The number of stars was humbling, it caused us to feel rather small in relation to our intergalactic existence.

As we discussed the various complexities of our universe, its ever-expanding nature and the amount of data we have collected in regards to outer space, I was led to a rather blunt question: What exactly do we do with all this information?

Now, this might seem to be grossly uninformed, oversimplified or even a stupid question.

However, I do think this question is valid because we rarely spend time considering the big picture implications of our society’s goals in space and beyond.

This is not an attack on scientific inquiry. I am thrilled that so much has been learned in regards to the natural world around us.

But, my question still stands.

Why do we care to do it? How much does it really help the individual or world to know the resting temperature on Venus? Why should we trouble ourselves with this daunting knowledge when we are so small in comparison to the rest of our universe?

I do not claim to provide any answers in regards to this question, nor am I saying that there are none. More than anything, I would simply like to prompt the reader to think about the underlying drives by which we structure our human pursuits.

I think that it is critical that we take a step back from our daily rhythms which often do not provide space for contemplation

and consider why we do what we do.

The practicality of considering the swaths of information we have about the universe was my jumping-off point for this piece.

However, I suppose the underlying thought that I had can be applied to most things we hold dear in our daily lives. When looking at any collection of information or input which confronts us, we must be able to find within it use for in our own individual lives.

Further, we must find a use that is constructive and helps to foster growth. Overall, this is simply a reminder not to get caught up in doing things.

Above all else, let us not get caught up in doing things without knowing why we are doing them. We must always know why we act.

By focusing on the greater purpose of our actions and in what capacities they contribute to those around us, we can conduct ourselves in a more mindful, deliberate and impactful manner.

SPORTS

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Online at: www.wfuogb.com Twitter: @sports_ogb Editors: Essex Thayer, thayse20@wfu.edu Christina DeNovio, denoca20@wfu.edu

OLD GOLD & BLACK

Wake Forest takes down Old Dominion Sam Hartman led the offense, passing for 188 yards and three touchdowns

BY ESSEX THAYER Sports Editor thayse20@wfu.edu On a warm Friday evening, football returned to Winston-Salem in full. The lights shined bright, a full student section cheered loudly, and paratroopers descended into the stadium. Wake Forest relished in the beauty of this slight return to pre-COVID normalcy, defeating Old Dominion 42-10 in convincing fashion.

With the Demon Deacons winning the toss and deferring to the second half, it was the Monarchs offense who took the field first. Under center was the predicted starter, D.J. Mack Jr., a transfer from UCF. In the preview for the game, it was predicted that Old Dominion would rely heavily on the run, and in the first drive, it became increasingly clear that that was the plan for Head Coach Ricky Rhane’s offense.

The Monarchs’ first two plays were runs that accumulated only five yards, forcing a passing situation on third down. Mack missed the throw to the right side, and in just three plays, the Wake Forest defense forced the Old Dominion offense off the field.

The Wake Forest offense did not do much better on their first drive, going three-andout following a miscommunication on a third down pass from redshirt sophomore

quarterback Sam Hartman. During the drive, it did become abundantly clear that Wake Forest would be returning to the hurry-up offense and the unique quarterback-option play, both of which were seen last season.

It was on Wake Forest’s second drive when the tables began to turn. On the first play of the drive, a pass was fumbled by redshirt junior wide receiver Jaquarii Roberson, which immediately seemed to take the wind out of the offense’s sails. Following a four-yard run to bring up third down, redshirt junior running back Christian Beal-Smith took the drive into his own hands, popping to the left side of his blockers and powering 44 yards down the field for a touchdown.

Following another Old Dominion threeand-out, Wake Forest found themselves with a prime opportunity to score. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver A.T. Perry had two steps on cornerback Corey Chapman, but an underthrown ball from Hartman allowed for Chapman to regain the lost ground and force an incompletion.

Wake Forest proceeded to run on the next two downs, leaving two yards left to gain on fourth down. At the Old Dominion 42 yard line, Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson made the risky call to go for the first down. The call went against the Demon Deacons, as freshman running back Justice Ellison was taken down from behind for a turnover-on-downs.

To add insult to injury, Old Dominion marched down the field off a 31-yard rush from Elijah Davis. From there, kicker Nick Rice knocked in a 38-yard field goal. Spectators could feel the concern in the air, as Old Dominion trailed by only four.

Fortunately for the Demon Deacons, that scoreline only lasted for one play. Senior defensive back and kick returner Ja’Sir Taylor returned the kickoff from the one yard line all the way to the house; he traveled 99 yards to extend the Wake Forest lead.

After falling further behind, Old Dominion pressed the gas pedal in hopes of bringing the game back within their reach.

After once again relying on the option run to the outside for the duration of the drive, Mack finally took a gamble, shooting a pass to the left side of the field. On the way, the ball was tipped, and redshirt senior cornerback Traveon Redd had just enough time to slip his fingers under the ball for a showstopping interception.

In response, Wake Forest took to the ground game once again, giving running back Christian Turner, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Michigan, his first carry of the game. Following two modest threeyard rushes from Turner, Hartman took to the air, finding none other than Perry once again streaking down the sideline.

With Perry a few steps ahead of the defender, Hartman once again underthrew the ball, but this time around, Perry was able to use his six-foot five-inch frame to come back and secure the pass for a touchdown.

In the postgame interview, Perry expressed how nervous he was for this particular game, and who he went to for help.

“I was anxious," he said. "I called [my mother] three times today … this morning, the afternoon, before the game. She just told me to focus on what I have to do … do my job and have fun.”

Later in the quarter, Hartman made up for his underthrown balls on what was his best series of the night. On a third down, he mishandled the snap, yet had the composure to seamlessly retrieve the ball and find Roberson for the first down. Later in the drive, in the red zone, Hartman threw the ball up for Roberson, who high-pointed the ball in the back of the end zone for another Wake Forest touchdown.

Despite the Demon Deacons being up 25 points at the half, Clawson decided that Hartman’s day was not done, giving him snaps in the third quarter as well. In his final quarter, Hartman led two scoring drives, the first ending with a Beal-Smith wildcat run. The second drive, highlighted by strong passes from Hartman, ended with a four-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Ke’Shawn Williams.

Hartman’s final statline featured 18 completions on 27 attempts for 188 yards and three touchdowns.

From that drive forward, Wake Forest allowed some of their reserves to take the field, including freshman quarterback Mitch Griffis, the second-string quarterback.

After the game, Clawson reflected on the return of a real crowd in Winston-Salem, with the gametime capacity listed at over 25,000.

“I want to thank our students,” he said.

“That's one of the best student crowds I've ever seen at Wake Forest. It was nice to sing the fight song with them [after the game].”

Next week, Wake Forest is set to face Norfolk State, an FCS team that Old Dominion beat in their most recent season.

Bishop Sycamore fools way to ESPN spotlight The online high school lied their way into playing IMG on national television

BY IAN STEFFENSEN Contributing Writer stefip21@wfu.edu On Aug. 29, the IMG Academy Ascenders squared off against the Bishop Sycamore Centurions in the Geico High School Football Kickoff live on ESPN. The nationally televised event would showcase future college stars on the biggest stage. That was the plan, at least.

IMG, a breeding ground for blue-chip recruits, absolutely dominated Bishop Sycamore on their way to a 58-0 victory.

Throughout the broadcast, the utter lack of competitiveness that Bishop Sycamore put forth left viewers and commentators dumbfounded and led many to question how and why this matchup was even arranged.

ESPN commentators began to call foul midway through the broadcast. They were told Bishop Sycamore had several Division I recruits on their roster, but nothing could be verified.

In the days since the now notorious beatdown, countless details have emerged exposing Bishop Sycamore, and the narrative that

resulted has the makings of a perfect Hollywood script. The drama is inherent, the villains are dramatic, and the plot continues to thicken with each passing day.

To begin, it’s important to understand that Bishop Sycamore advertises itself as an online-only charter school — as a result, the school does not exist in a traditional brickand-mortar sense. Based out of Columbus, Ohio, the school’s only listed address is a P.O. box. In fact, Bishop Sycamore is not even listed in the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s directory of schools.

Bishop Sycamore competes out of the Texas Christian Athletic League — mind you, this is a team from Ohio. What’s even crazier is that this “scam” has already been done before, and by the same supporting cast of characters! Bishop Sycamore’s head coach, Roy Johnson, started Christians of Faith Academy (COF) three years ago with a foundation and plans eerily similar to those of Bishop Sycamore.

COF was an online-only school devoted to helping at-risk youth. Yet, when the Ohio Department of Education visited Johnson’s “passion project,” they found no evidence of schooling or any students. This prompted state officials to revoke the school’s license and Johnson was investigation for fraud.

Undeterred by these events, Johnson recently teamed up with Andre Peterson,

founder of Bishop Sycamore, to upstart the program in 2020.

Before Sunday’s matchup against IMG, Bishop Sycamore played a game against StoRox on Friday. Two games within three days of one another is absurd by football standards and called player safety into question.

From the moment the broadcast began, ESPN tried to save face and explain the ridiculousness of the situation, mostly to no avail. In one claim, ESPN called out Paragon Marketing Group, blaming them for scheduling the matchup with such poor timing.

I can’t help but wonder how such a disastrous event could have come to fruition. In this day and age, with so much technology along with resources such as Hudl and MaxPreps at our fingertips, a quick background check of Bishop Sycamore could have mitigated the entire situation.

Last season, Bishop Sycamore posted an 0-6 record last and was outscored 22742. To make matters even worse, the team is composed of postgraduates (several of which even have Junior College (JUCO) experience). That’s right, this “high school” football team has players well over the age of 20 competing against other high school powerhouses. And they’re still losing badly.

Throughout Sunday’s broadcast, the signs were clear that this was not your typical

matchup. Bishop Sycamore lacked depth, only having approximately 32 players on their roster. These players wore mismatched helmets, and some even had to share. It doesn’t stop there though. Within the past few days, it has come to light that head coach Roy Johnson has an active arrest warrant.

To summarize: Bishop Sycamore has imposters who are older than high schoolers, they got manhandled and the head coach probably shouldn’t be a head coach given that he’s facing an arrest warrant for failing to appear in a domestic violence case (and multiple civil lawsuits for fraud).

On Tuesday, Peterson and Johnson agreed to part ways, with Johnson stepping down as head coach. Peterson continues to press on with the project and still hopes to salvage the season. Just this past week, Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, has ordered state investigators to probe the program, adding further insult to injury.

At some point, you have to feel sorry for Bishop Sycamore’s players — they were promised the opportunity to compete at a high level once again and fulfill their dreams of playing college ball. Instead, they were deceived and humiliated on a national stage.

This story will continue to develop, but we can be sure there will be a 30-for-30 documentary made at some point.

Sports | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, September 9, 2021 | Page 11

Alabama, Georgia and Virginia Tech start hot College Football sees a Week 1 was filled with surprises and upsets

BY JAKE STUART Assistant Sports Editor stuaja20@wfu.edu During Week 1 of the college football season, virtually nothing went as expected. Nail-biters, defensive battles, upsets and dominations all headlined the return to action.

No. 5 Georgia def. No. 3 Clemson 10-3 No better way to start a title chase than with a top-5 showcase that lived up to all the expectations. five took a defensive shutdown for Georgia to take down the defending National Champions — Clemson averaged 43 points per game in the 2020 season — in their opening week matchup. With the two teams trading punts across the first two quarters — seven to be exact — and a Georgia missed field goal, fans were eager to see the first points of the game. They couldn’t predict what would come next.

Defensive back Christopher Smith intercepted Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei and ran it back 74 yards for what would be the only touchdown of the game. Georgia’s relentless front seven recorded seven sacks and kept the pressure on all day long. For Uiagalelei, it was too much to handle.

The Tigers finished with just two yards rushing and Uiagalelei finished with 178 yards passing, zero touchdowns and one interception. Clemson is now faced with a daunting task — they must play to near perfection. No team has ever made the playoff with two losses since the fourteam playoff began in 2015.

Virginia Tech def. No. 10 North Carolina 17-10 The first big upset of the 2021 season: Virginia Tech took down North Carolina in a Blacksburg beauty.

The Hokies were positioned as a midtier ACC threat following a disappointing 2020 season in which they recorded just five wins. Conversely, the Tar Heels came into the opener with their highest preseason ranking since 1997.

North Carolina’s star quarterback Sam Howell threw three costly interceptions, and Braxton Burmeister did just enough to lead Virginia Tech to victory. The junior quarterback threw for a touchdown and ran for another as the Hokies marched off the field at halftime with a 14-0 lead. They wouldn’t look back.

The Tar Heels, after losing their toptwo running backs (Javonte Williams and Michael Carter) and their top wide receiver threats (Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome) to the 2021 NFL draft, proved that the ACC is truly up for grabs this season. They struggled to score all game long after averaging 41.7 points a season ago — good for ninth in all of FBS — and only looked competent once, on a late-game rally.

Down just one score with under a minute to go, Howell tossed his final interception. It was that dagger which truly put the Heels on their heels.

No. 1 Alabama def. No. 14 Miami 4413 Alabama rolled to a dominant victory thanks to a historic performance from sophomore quarterback Bryce Young.

In his first start donning the Crimson and White, Young threw for 344 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

The former No. 2 overall prospect in the 2020 class now holds the record for most touchdown passes by an Alabama quarterback in his debut, topping Joe Namath and Mac Jones, a rookie with the New England Patriots.

Up 27-3 just five minutes into the third quarter, the Tide and Young seemingly put the game away with a 94 yard strike — tied for the longest in program history — to Jameson Williams.

Miami quarterback D’Eriq King was flustered all day long — he was unable to lead his team past midfield until just before halftime. King finished with just one touchdown and two interceptions, throwing for a measly 179 yards.

Alabama — after putting up 510 yards in the win — appears in no way rattled from losing 21 players in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Crimson Tide head home to take on Mercer before battling Florida.

No. 9 Notre Dame def. Florida State 41-38 “God is real,” said Seminoles quarterback McKenzie Milton.

Formerly a player for UCF, Milton suffered a catastrophic leg injury in 2018 and saw game action for the first time in three years on Sunday night. The night was a special one, as Milton led a ferocious Florida State comeback that came just a field-goal away from the biggest win of his life.

The game went into overtime, but the Fighting Irish came away with a muchneeded victory.

The high-scoring affair featured seven lead changes before Notre Dame finally appeared to pull away. The Fighting Irish took a 38-20 lead to the fourth quarter, but then Florida State came storming back.

Andrew Parchment caught an eightyard touchdown and Treshaun Ward scored a two-yard rushing touchdown and the following two-point conversion — that score brought the Seminoles within three. Ryan Fitzgerald nailed a 43yard field goal with just 45 seconds left to force overtime.

Fitzgerald and the Seminoles had an opportunity to put the game away and shock the Fighting Irish — he drilled a 50-yard attempt, but the play was nullified by a timeout called by his own coach, Mike Norvell.

On the second attempt, this time from 35 yards out, Fitzgerald came up short.

Notre Dame kicker Jonathan Doerer didn’t. He ended the game and gave the Fighting Irish the win when he nailed a 41-yard attempt on the ensuing drive.

Men’s soccer wins thriller against Cornell Men’s Soccer takes on the Big Red, Holcomb secures double overtime win for the Deacs

BY CHARLES HORN Staff Writer horncs18@wfu.edu

After 100 minutes of missed opportunities, rebuffed attacks and physical play, Kyle Holcomb leaped into the air and netted a sudden-death winner to propel the No. 18 Demon Deacons to victory over unranked Cornell.

Following a tough opening two matches (including an upset loss to VCU), the Wake Forest men’s soccer team had hoped for a return to the plentiful goalscoring of seasons past on Sep. 4th. Yet, the Cornell Big Red, playing for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, proved to be a unique test for Wake Forest. They disrupted a usually settled midfield and scored late in the game to force overtime.

Chase Oliver had a career match, scoring an early goal dishing out the assist that set up Holcomb’s winner.

Yet, the Deacs’ scoring struggles kept Cornell in the game for far too long.

That pattern’s a troubling one considering the Deacs are soon set to begin the ACC play.

The match opened brightly for the Deacs. Just 10 minutes into the game,

Omar Hernandez found sophomore Chase Oliver in space on the right, and the wily winger shimmied past his defender before powering a low shot into the far corner. He turned back to the congregated Deacon fans and flipped in celebration of his first official collegiate goal.

From there, it was a story of frustration as relentless Cornell fouls and defensive pressure stymied Wake and prevented meaningful opportunities.

Injuries also piled up for the Deacs, as defenders Nico Benalcazar and Holland Rula did not dress for the match.

Midfielder Jake Swallen started the match but did not play after the half, watching from the sideline, while wearing a mask.

Following the halftime break, Cornell increased their attacking pressure, taking advantage of set piece opportunities that peppered netminder Cole McNally’s goal. The redshirt sophomore keeper made an acrobatic save to push a looping free kick wide, before another leap brought him crashing into the goalpost. McNally attempted to play on, but soon took a knee. That brought on freshman Trace Alphin on for his collegiate debut.

The tepid pace of the second half was followed by a high-paced and hectic final 10 minutes that began with a blistering Cornell counterattack. Cornell’s starting striker, Charles Touche, drifted

wide and played a centering ball that Griffin Gerrard expertly allowed to run through his legs, setting up Emeka Eneli, who equalized the game on a shot that trickled just past the outstretched arms of Alphin.

Now filled with tension, Spry Stadium sat silent as Cornell celebrated in the corner. Fans wondered if the fragile lead of 70 minutes was now at risk of becoming a late deficit. Soon after, the complexion of the game rapidly changed again when Touche picked up a second yellow card on a lunging sliding tackle to drop the Big Red down to 10 men.

From then on, Wake Forest dominated possession as Cornell sat back and hoped for overtime, relying on long balls that sought to expose Wake Forest’s increasingly high line. Despite the one-man advantage, the Demon Deacons struggled to create shots on goal.

On several occasions, sophomore Jahlane Forbes fired in crosses from the left side that fizzed past the Cornell goal without a goal-turning touch.

With under 30 seconds left, the match took another fateful turn. After winning the ball deep in his own half, Wake Forest defender Prince Amponsah turned and looked upfield. He found striker Roald Mitchell with a precise cross-field pass, and the Deacs looked set for a late opportunity un-

til Cornell’s Henry Hylbert felled the freshman with a challenge that resulted in Cornell’s second red card of the match.

After a scoreless first overtime, the action resumed and quickly concluded with Holcomb’s winner.

Wake Forest begins ACC play away at Louisville. The Deacs beat the University of Louisville Cardinals twice last season.

Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics

Senior forward Kyle Holcomb netted the winning goal.

Page 12 | Thursday, September 9, 2021

Old Gold & Black | Sports

Deacon Spotlight: Nico Benalcazar

BY CHRISTINA DENOVIO Sports Editor denoca20@wfu.edu

Now a junior on the Wake Forest men’s soccer team, Nico Benalcazar has tallied numerous significant accomplishments, both prior to attending Wake Forest and during his time here in Winston-Salem. The Wilton, Conn. native received two All-ACC Second-Team Selections in 2020, a 2020-21 TopDrawerSoccer Best XI SecondTeam Selection and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week in November of 2020. He also represented the United States by playing on three youth national teams.

Though his resumé is already quite impressive, Benalcazar always strives to accomplish more. The defensive player always keeps his family at the forefront of his mind, and he always works to make them proud.

NB: Yeah, my parents, all the time. I talk to my parents like three times a day, which I know is more than usual for college guys. But at the same time, they’re my best friends. I’d do anything for them, they’d do anything for me. That bond we’ve built since I was growing up is so important to me. Every time I go out, I always think about them, I always like to pray for them. I just want to thank them for everything they’ve given me. My siblings, too, of course. My parents sacrificed so much of their lives to make us happy, so anytime I play, I just try and play for them.

CD: Now that you’re a junior, do you fit the role of a leader to younger players?

CD: How was your time playing for the national team?

NB: Yeah, I definitely try to as an older guy on the team. The sophomore class still has no experience with a real crowd or a real college environment. We all try to help them through everything and lead Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics them in games, out of games, in class, out of class. I Benalcazar was one of just two players to like to create relationships off the pitch, and off the start all matches of the 2020-21 season. field, with my teammates. you need to perform well at your club — mine was CD: What will be some of the team’s strengths this NYCFC — and they have scouts all over the US. You season? need to play well there in order to be scouted to get invited to a camp. So, I would say the biggest thing I NB: I think we have the exact same team as we did took away from each camp was just trying to learn as in the spring, and we went to the Elite Eight. You much as possible from that coach that we had at the typically don’t get an entire team back two seasons in time, and implementing that into our games, because at the end of the day coaches like to see what they like. a row. It was a very, very young team, so the experiSo if you’re doing what he likes, then you’ll probably ence we all got from that, I think would only transhave a higher chance of getting called in. I would say, late positively into this season. We lost our first game, not being called into several camps in my age group but this team is super special. There’s a ton of differonly motivated me to work harder. I think that’s why ent guys, and the depth we have in every position is I’m here today, just because I never gave up. I guess I pretty crazy. Everyone here is super talented, and we could have gotten complacent with what I had done can all learn from each other, which is huge. at a young age, but your life is so much longer than that. You can’t sort of dwell on those things just be- CD: What are your goals for the rest of your time cause they’re good at the time — you need to keep here? working for more.

NB: At the end of the day, I want to be a profesCD: What made you choose Wake Forest? sional soccer player. I want to do whatever I can to help the team win games at the end of the day, that’s NB: At first, I just searched online for the top 10 soc- how scouts see you. I try to focus less on myself, just cer schools in the country. I had to go visit each one because when you do, you never really perform well. to see which ones would be the best fit. My top three Just helping the team and doing whatever I need to were Duke, Georgetown and Wake. Both Duke and do to help them is my main concern. I want to win a Georgetown are good and the coaches there are amaz- national championship with the team we have here. ing. But when I got to Wake, it gave me a sense of being at home because of the small environment. I lived in a small town where there was only one high school CD: What’s your favorite thing about playing defor everyone, and there were only about 1,100 people fense? there. I just felt at home, the coaches were super nice and welcoming. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy from NB: You have a lot of responsibility. If they don’t the start, playing-wise, but I knew if I performed well, score on you, you don’t lose. In any sport I watch, I just love watching the defense play. I only started then I’d get my chance someday. playing defense like four or five years ago. I’ve always CD: What are your favorite parts of being on the been sort of mesmerized by watching how all the defenders have their certain tricks and things that they team here at Wake Forest? do to not let their attackers beat them. I find being NB: Definitely the bond with all the players. We meet able to use different tactics against different players a new set of players every single semester just with super cool. Also, leading the group from the back, players leaving and coming in. Also, the fans at the you can see everything. Calling people out and telling games. Playing in front of my classmates here is such a them where the other team is, which spaces they need cool experience because we know all these people and to cover and stuff like that. we’ve shared so many experiences with them.

CD: What career path you would like to pursue after CD: Do you have a favorite game or memory that soccer? stands out to you since you first started playing here?

NB: My freshman year, the team made it to the Final NB: I’m not really sure what I would want to do after Four. The Elite Eight matchup against the University soccer just because I’m very focused on that. I want of California, Santa Barbara was here at Wake. And to do something with sports. My major is Economics there were like 6,000 people here watching. Everyone because I find it pretty fun. It’s always been a dream of was a little nervous, obviously, because it’s a big game, mine to be a sporting director for a team, or maybe a but at the same time, we all enjoyed seeing so many coach. I can’t imagine myself being in an office, ninepeople. People were crawling under the fences just to to-five every day, just because I like to move around and be outside. watch. We won, too, and everyone went crazy.

NB: That was also pretty cool. I was part of the U-16, U-18 and U-20 teams. For the domestic camps,

CD: Is there a person you think about when you’re playing or who you want to make proud?

Christina DeNovio: When did you first start playing soccer?

Nico Benalcazar: I started playing when I was three years old. I have two older siblings and they both played, so I was always at their games. That’s where I began playing. For the first seven years of my life, I was coached by my dad, so it was a family thing.

CD: At what age did you decide to take the sport seriously and when did you begin to see a future in it?

NB: Probably around 11 or 12 years old, just because around that time is when the U14 Academy started.

So that was a new league in the U.S. that brought together all the best players in each town or city into a regional team. I wanted to be on one of those teams, so I just put forth all my effort into trying to make one of those teams.

CD: How did you choose your jersey number, 23?

NB: Coming to Wake, the team asked us what number we wanted to wear, but all of the ones I wanted were taken by the upperclassmen. I’ve always worn number five or number 13, but at the same time, Michael Jordan was one of my biggest idols growing up.

Sharing a number with him, even if he’s in another sport, is really cool.

CD: Can you talk about your time playing for New York City FC Academy?

NB: I was there for about four or five years, and I was part of the inaugural Academy team. I was young, I was having fun. But to make the team you had to attend regional talent try-outs. I went to about eight out of the 12 they had. Not being invited to four of them, I started to wonder whether or not they liked me. But after they chose me to be a part of their first U-14 Academy team, I really took that with a grain of salt. I knew that the work wasn’t done, I had to still try to play well for them. A lot of friends I made there are now on professional teams around the world, which is pretty cool to see. I like to just look back on everything we accomplished, [including] back-toback national championships, and then a generation Adidas cup that we also won. I thought the group that we built from the inaugural season in 2014-2015 really stuck together through it all. They’re all still some of my best friends. It was like an hour and a half back and forth to practice every day, so it was like a huge commitment and sacrifice in my life and my parents’ lives, of course — they had to drive. But that was something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to be a professional soccer player, and that gave me the best chance at doing so.

Editors Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity.

Sports | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, September 9, 2021 | Page 13

Transfers provide spark for European teams Manchester City, Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain made the biggest splashes

BY JOHN KIMBALL Contributing Writer kimbjr20@wfu.edu

In arguably the most exciting transfer window ever, European clubs broke multiple records for money spent in a single window. Some of soccer’s biggest stars were on the move, and the English Premier League’s “big six” were very active throughout the window.

Last season’s Premier League champions, Manchester City, made the most expensive signing of the window in England international star Jack Grealish.

Grealish, the crafty attacking winger, became the most expensive English player of all time. A release clause of $129.25 million was enough for Aston Villa to part with their star player.

This past season’s Champions League winners, Chelsea F.C., made an impressive splash of their own in the market.

The club bought Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku for $126.50 million. The signing is a true homecoming for Lukaku, who spent three seasons with Chelsea from 2011-2014, making 15 appearances for the Blues. Lukaku should add the goalscoring threat that Chelsea lacked last season.

Manchester United debatably had the most impressive transfer haul in the Premier League this window. On the final day of the window, the European giant announced that Portuguese phenom

Courtesy of Jose Breton vis Getty Images

Lionel Messi left Barcelona following a financial nightmare. He now joins a stacked Paris Saint Germain squad, where he’ll be the premier forward.

Cristiano Ronaldo would be re-joining the club. (He previously won three Premier League titles and one Champions League title with Manchester United.)

One of soccer’s greatest players to ever grace the pitch, Ronaldo will team up with fellow transfers Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane to form a formidable United team that will challenge for the Premier League title.

Liverpool F.C., Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal F.C. were not as ambitious with their spending as their league counterparts, but still made important additions to their squads. The signings of English center back Ben White and Norwegian midfielder Martin Ødegaard should breathe fresh air into an Arsenal locker room that has become stale. The additions of Bryan Gil, Emerson Royal and Cristian Romero should aid in Tottenham’s hopes for a top-four finish. Liverpool was quiet this transfer window, and will look to pair a fully-healthy Virgil Van Dijk with new center back signing Ibrahima Konaté.

Across Europe, this transfer window’s biggest news involved Lionel Messi, who left Barcelona for the first time in his professional career. Due to Spanish La Liga regulations on player registration, Messi’s side and Barcelona officials could not come to a contract agreement to keep the Argentine international at Camp Nou for another season. It didn’t take long for Messi’s next destination to be revealed — he’ll be teaming up with former Barcelona teammate Neymar, Jr. at Paris Saint Germain.

The billion-dollar club had a monster of a transfer window. The French powerhouse signed center back Sergio Ramos, midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnaruma and right back Archaf Hakimi. With this lineup and returning players such as Kyl-

ian Mbappé, Marquinhos and Ángel di María, there is very little question that this PSG team is the most talented in the world and should be among the favorites to lift the Champions League trophy this season.

Multiple deals on transfer window closing day shocked many soccer fans as well. The return of Antoine Greizmann to Atletico Madrid was a surprising move, as the Frenchman was loaned

by Barcelona back to Atletico for the season. Griezmann, who previously had a lot of success in Madrid, could not replicate his same goal-scoring prowess at Barcelona and will look to rekindle some of that fire in his loan deal.

European giant Real Madrid signed Eduardo Camavinga, a promising French midfielder who will look to develop behind the legendary Madrid midfield of Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos and Casemiro. Marcel Sabitzer also joined German powerhouse Bayern Munich. Sabitzer spent the past five seasons competing against the German giants with R.B. Leipzig. Yet, Sabitzer will join Bayern, making a dangerous side that should win the German Bundesliga for the tenth-straight year.

This transfer window was also marked by several deals that did not happen. Norwegian super-star striker Erling Haaland stayed put at Borussia Dortmund, setting him up for a massive deal next summer. Kylian Mbappé, the electric French winger, had his eyes set on a Real Madrid move. Madrid’s $200 million bid for Mbappe was denied by PSG, which, considering Mbappe’s contract ends this season, is surprising.

The COVID-19 pandemic did little to halt the world’s largest soccer teams from spending big, and prices are only going to get larger for the world’s brightest players going forward.

Cantlay takes home FedEx Cup amidst new rules Patrick Cantlay wins his fourth major tournament, outdueling John Rahm in a thrilling finish

BY JUSTIN DEFINA Contributing Writer defijl20@wfu.edu

This week, the 2021 PGA Tour season reached its zenith with Patrick Cantlay winning his first FedEx Cup title and bringing home the whopping $15 million prize. Cantlay, who was widely regarded as a household name before this year, had burst onto the scene by winning three tournaments and leading the FedEx cup standings coming into the week.

Cantlay and runner-up John Rahm, who finished one shot behind, were paired together for the final round, and started the day several shots clear of third place. It was a two-man race for the entire day, with Cantlay trying desperately to fend off the charging Rahm. Rahm was steady, carding a bogey-free 68, but it was not enough to catch Cantlay, who started the day with a two-shot lead.

Despite the cushion, the match came down to the final hole, a par five at the historic East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta,

which has yielded many fantastic finishes over the years. This one was just as electrifying.

Down by one shot on the 72nd hole, Rahm gave it everything he had, nearly holing a 231 yard 5-iron, which would have almost definitely won him the tournament. With Rahm looking at a birdie that would move him into a tie for the lead, Cantlay knew he would have to answer with a shot of his own.

With $15 million on the line, Cantlay hit a perfect six-iron from 217 yards to 11 feet, all but guaranteeing himself the victory. Rahm’s chip from the fringe missed barely to the left, after which he hung his head, knowing what would come next.

An easy two-putt from Cantlay and the trophy was his. After a grueling 72 holes under some of the most intense pressure in golf, Cantlay prevailed, but not without some help from the relatively new format in place at the Tour Championship.

One major storyline that developed going into the Tour Championship was the controversial and somewhat quirky format which the PGA adopted in 2019.

The guidelines are as follows: throughout the season, players accumulate points that determine who moves on to the Tour Championship, and who is cut from the

field. The old format of the Tour Championship positioned it as the final opportunity to earn points.

More points than usual were up for grabs, and the winner of the championship often finished with the most points for the season, earning them the FedEx Cup. After Tiger Woods won the Tour Championship in 2018, but failed to earn the most points (Justin Rose would win the FedEx cup), the tour switched formats.

Now, players who come into the week with the most points have a head start, beginning the tournament already several strokes under par, depending on how many points they have. While this does prevent situations like 2018 from arising, the format feels strange to many fans.

Cantlay started the tournament at 10 under par and with a four-shot lead over Rahm, which would prove to be the deciding factor that led to his victory. Both Rahm and another golfer, Kevin Na, had the lowest four-day totals without the head starts awarded based on points.

The quest for the FedEx Cup wasn’t the only competition which captured fans’ attention over the weekend. Following Brooks Koepka’s withdrawal due to a wrist injury, the field was left with an odd number of players.

Because players usually go out in groups of two on the weekend, Joaquin Niemann, who started his Sunday last in the field, teed off alone to start the final round. With no one in front of him, and 22 shots off the lead to start the day, Niemann was free to play as fast as he liked.

What followed was one hour and 53 minutes of pure entertainment. Niemann raced around the course, literally running in between shots, in an effort to break the record for the fastest round on tour. That record was set at 1 hour and 59 minutes by Kevin Na, whose group was ironically warned for slow play the same day.

The highlight of Niemann’s day came on the difficult par-three 15th hole. After his approach landed safely aboard, he raced up the green and proceeded to pour in a 28 footer for his lone birdie on the day. Lost in this story is Niemann’s caddy, who was responsible for carrying Niemann’s bag for the nearly twohour round. Bags on the PGA tour can weigh up to 50 pounds, and caddy Gary Mathews was tasked with keeping up pace with the 22-year-old Niemannn.

Niemann finished last and won’t be in for much of a payday, but hopefully he’ll give his caddy a bit more than the customary 10%. He’s certainly earned it.

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Movie Review | "The Green Knight"

"The Green Knight" flees to the big screen "The Green Knight" is a cinematic adaptation of the arthurian legend

BY BEN WILCOX Staff Writer wilcbr19@wfu.edu

"The Green Knight," after having its release postponed due to the global pandemic, came out in theaters Aug. 30. From what we saw in trailers, it appeared as though director David Lowery intended to deliver an unusual, left-of-center film based on Arthurian legends, specifically Sir Gawain’s Christmas game against the Green Knight. With the release of the movie, it seems that Lowery delivered just that: a sprawling coming-of-age story that explores the Arthurian world of chivalry and notions of morality. From this point forward, it’s hard to discuss the film without delving into spoilers, so here is your customary spoiler warning.

The film opens with Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew, treading water in his day-today life and going out to drink and party at

night. Clearly, he falls far short of the legendary members of the roundtable that surround him.

However, on Christmas, his mother, Morgan Le Fay, summons the Green Knight to challenge the Knights of the Roundtable to his Christmas game.

Boiled down, the game is essentially “an eye for an eye.” Whatever blow that Gaiwan strikes onto the Green Knight, the Knight will return to him in a year’s time. Surprisingly, the Green Knight surrenders, which results in Gawain chopping his head off, only for the Green Knight to pick up his own head before riding off into the wild.

A crucial portion of this story involves Gaiwan’s journey to the Green Knight as he attempts to complete his game. Gaiwan undergoes various tests of honor and chivalry, virtues which he claims he would give his life for, but doesn't seem truly willing to. He receives a green girdle, said to be enchanted with a spell that would protect him from any blow. The ultimate test comes when he finally encounters the Green Knight.

The ending of "The Green Knight" is a bifurcated one, exploring the outcomes of

a crucial decision: to flee or to stay. If the Green Knight flees, Gawain clutches onto the girdle, protecting him from harm. He is able to save his life from the Green Knight but still must come to grips with what the Green Knight represents: the unstoppable march of time.

A recurrent idea present toward the end of the film is that, although we normally think of nature as a lush and rich environment, it is truly a cold and unforgiving force. The one certainty of life is that, no matter how much we build and accomplish, plants will overrun the houses we used to call home. In the end, everything will be washed over by this inevitable force. Gaiwan’s life slowly becomes a shallow attempt to hold back this erosion, yet it eventually overtakes him. He dies a friendless, loveless and reviled king.

At this point, the film jumps back to the Green Chapel when the Green Knight is about to slice off Gaiwan’s head, but this time he instead chooses to remove the girdle, preparing for his death. The film ends with Gawain passing a test of chivalry, and it’s left up to individual interpretation as to whether the Green Knight decapitates Gawain, po-

tentially confirming that this was all a test of character.

The film was masterfully crafted and one that I would wholeheartedly recommend watching as soon as possible.

Photo courtesy of IMDB

"The Green Knight" stars critically acclaimed actor Dev Patel as Gawain.

Food Review | Yamas

Students support Moe's Mediterranean successor There are mixed reviews among the student body towardsYamas

BY ABBY BERMEO Staff Writer bermag20@wfu.edu

The introduction of Yamas to the array of Wake Forest University dining options has been met with much enthusiasm, and the line for the Mediterranean outlet is known to be especially long right around the times of 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day.

Yamas was brought to Benson University Center this year to replace the beloved Moe’s. Most find the newly added Mediterranean station to be healthier and more versatile than Moe’s, but the arrival of Yamas is a point of contention for others.

A number of students have expressed a level of relief at the new station, while others find the restaurant to be lowquality. A debate over the merits of Yamas certainly exists, but more seem to be in favor of the addition than opposed to it. Yamas has proven to be versatile and is loved by many, though maybe not to the extent that Chick-fil-A is.

Yamas has a series of buildable meal options that can be made instantly behind the counter and are ready to be

eaten anywhere soon after. They offer a sandwich, in which various ingredients are piled into thick pita bread, or grain and salad bowls, where the ingredients are added on top of a choice of wheat grain, yellow rice or salad.

The pita bread is thick and simple, with no extra flavorings or spices. The bread would be even better toasted, but is consistently decent. Their yellow rice is a classic lemon basmati rice that pairs well with any of their topping options and is a popular staple. The rice is popular and, according to Wake Forest

sophomore Faith Hunt, “always sold out by the time I get there."

"It kind of tastes like boxed rice with a little bit of extra flavoring. Honestly, I prefer the rice at Cava (a Meditteranean restaurant in Winston-Salem)," Hunt said.

Beyond the classic options of grain bases, there are three protein options: chicken, falafel and traditional gyro.

The traditional gyro is the least popular option. The falafel and the chicken are well-liked but still have received some mixed reviews.

According to sophomore Eric Degter, the Yamas chicken is the “best quality chicken on campus.” The falafel, however, did not receive the same response, at least according to Wake Forest student Mia Reede, who claimed that the fried chickpea balls are "often soggy."

The protein options, however, are very important in defining the overall experience and favorability. When chicken can be had at many of the other Wake Forest dining locations, having a quality alternative is always appreciated.

Following the base and the protein, the diner can pick from a range of toppings that resemble a miniature version of those available at the off-campus Yamas location, including feta, peppers, tomatoes, chickpeas and more. These options are combined and drizzled with one of the six sauce options that Yamas has, the lemon-lime tahini being a classic.

If the lines at Yamas are any indication of its success, Yamas is well-liked by Wake Forest students and is a popular lunch and dinner spot. The ease of the takeout options and the simplicity and versatility of the meals make it easy to grab these Mediterranean bites and go.

While some ingredients could be fresher or more flavorful, the combiPhoto courtesy of EmilyToro nation of the choices allows for a tasty Yamas, the latest addition to the Benson food court, replaces Moe's meal that is certainly refreshing after the and features a Mediterranean cuisine unavailable elsewhere on campus. legacy of Moe’s.

Life | Old Gold & Black

Thursday, September 9, 2021 | Page 15

Music Review | Fleet Foxes

Student reminisces on Fleet Foxes “Helplessness Blues” is the perfect album to welcome the season of fall

BY ADAM COIL Contributing Writer coilat21@wfu.edu As summer winds down, many changes take place. T-shirts give way to cozy sweaters, green leaves turn marigold and crimson, pumpkins become ubiquitous and summer pop hits are replaced by ... nostalgic classics?

Perhaps I only speak for myself on the last one, but I think fall begets a distinct genre of music. I am referring to the kind of sonic experience that fills one’s mind with the crispness of a damp October morning and the scent of fresh-pressed apple cider. For this reason, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce you to my favorite fall album: “Helplessness Blues”.

Hailing from Seattle, Wa., the Fleet Foxes are an indie-folk band known for their soothing instrumentals and descriptive imagery. From the album cover to the closing song, everything about “Helpless-

ness Blues” exudes autumn. Music critic and renowned melon-head Anthony Fantano described the LP as “the most romantic album of 2011.” It features ambitious and ethereal instrumentals that complement the intricate, emotional storytelling of Robin Pecknold. Each track adds to the album in a cohesive manner, allowing the themes of self-discovery, existentialism, romance, nostalgia and rebirth to build upon each other and form a holistic and comprehensive picture.

While my favorite song on the album is undoubtedly the titular track, “Helplessness Blues” I would suggest to anyone looking to get into the Fleet Foxes to first listen to “Sim Sala Bim” or — if time permits — ​​ to listen to the album in its entirety. The juxtaposition between the upbeat drums and floaty atmosphere on “Lorelai” and the despondent lyricism on “Blue Spotted Tail” are indicative of a duality that transcends the entirety of the LP. The tension between growth and decay — along with joy and sadness — mirrors that of fall. The melancholy spectacle of barren trees is balanced out by the beauty of fallen leaves, and the lost warmth of summer is found in the crackle of a fireplace.

Every time I revisit this masterpiece, there is something entirely new to discover. The subtle intricacies are what make the project so great, and they make each listening experience feel fresh and unique.

Grounded in a light-academia aesthetic, the album does not shy away from the forlorn, but instead embraces it, putting these sentiments in a positive light. For example, “The Shrine/An Argument” follows an individual experiencing the grief of a failed relationship who ultimately concludes that they can find happiness anywhere and in anything. The message is a profound one: though times may be tough right now, there is always tomorrow.

I think Helplessness Blues is special because it encapsulates all of the emotions that accompany fall and also provides pleasant and soothing sounds that linger in the mind for days to come. It is both powerful and understated, and I think it has something for everyone. So, if you find yourself looking to branch out musically, or if you have been searching for the perfect album to accompany your leisurely stroll through an apple orchard at dusk, I hope you will give “Helplessness Blues” a chance. It may just become the soundtrack to your fall.

Movie Review |”Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”

Marvel releases Shang-Chi’s origin

Shang-Chi is the first Asian American superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

BY SELINNA TRAN Life Editor transn19@wfu.edu With the release of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, a new lead superhero was introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): Shang-Chi. As a die-hard Marvel fan — and I’ve been one since I first laid eyes upon a Spider-Man comic book many, many years ago — I was invested in seeing the establishment of a new lead superhero for the fourth phase of the MCU.

Photo courtesy of IMDB

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi.

However, no Marvel film had ever invoked within me the same emotions that I felt when I looked onto that giant theater screen — I could feel myself tearing up as I turned to my friend who accompanied me and said “she looks like me.”

On the screen was Leiko Wu, the guardian of Ta-Lo — an idyllic realm of the gods home to the Xian. Wu is portrayed by Fala Chen. Seeing someone that looked like me play a leading role in a Marvel film meant more to me than I had thought it would.

While Marvel has featured East Asian characters and actors before, Simu Liu is the first to portray a lead Marvel superhero. In doing so, Liu became a catalyst fueling the discussions surrounding Asian American representation in Western media.

As a Vietnamese person, the film brought me back to my childhood and “kiem hiep” films, the Vietnamese counterpart to Chinese “wuxia” films. It is these types of movies to which “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” pay homage.

“Wuxia” or “kiem hiep” are genres that tell a story of fantasy and martial arts set against a backdrop of Ancient Chinese or Vietnamese times. Prior to “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”, I had never seen any Western complement or equivalent to this genre of films. Further, I never thought I would see a scene in Western media that replicated an experience from my own life.

A feeling shared by many children of immigrant families is the notion of generational trauma. For many, including myself, being a first-generation Asian American involves the immigration of our parents — most of them

sacrificing their previous lives and ideals to provide a life for their children in America.

The scene in Katy’s (portrayed by Awkwafina) home as she faces disappointment expressed by her mother comments on this idea of generational trauma and expectations that are placed on first-generation students.

“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is a little over two hours long and tells an engaging story packed with action, humor and emotion. Shang-Chi, a master of martial arts and an assassin trained to perfection by his overlord father, the Mandarin and possessor of the Ten Rings, is expected to continue the legacy of power. However, Shang-Chi escapes at the age of 14, unable to handle the emotional repercussions of the assassination he was assigned to carry out.

Shang-Chi’s story is one of assimilation and identity. He escapes and lives his life in San Francisco as a valet driver with his best friend, Katy. A story of representation, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” also tackles the dynamic and complicated history of gender oppression as Shang-Chi’s sister, Xialing (portrayed by Meng’er Zhang), is denied the same training and attention her brother receives.

The film is a step in the right direction for Hollywood blockbuster films in terms of Asian-American representation, but there is much more to be done to combat the xenophobic climate that surrounds Asian American culture at large. Ultimately, the presence of an East Asian superhero in a major studio film will have reverberating and impressionable effects on Asian American children who, for the first time, are able to see a superhero that looks like them.

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TOP TEN SONGS ON DONDA

ARTS OF THE WEEK By: Selinna Tran

Photo Courtesy of @curatereynolda IG Reynolda House Museum of American Art: “Voyage of Life” “The Voyage of Life: Art, Allegory, and Community Response” is a new exhibit that opened at the Reynolda House that will last until Dec. 12. The exhibit features three centuries of American Art each telling a story of life, youth, age and experience. Students receive free admission.

Page 16 | Thursday, September 9, 2021

Old Gold & Black | Life

LIFE THROUGH THE LENS LENS... ...

This is Aine Pierre, she likes cats.

Joe Cho and I are extremely grateful for the support we received on last week’s edition of the Life Through The Lens column. We were hesitant — and honestly, a bit anxious — to publish and introduce the column, however, the support was tremendous and meant a lot to both Joe and I. That there was a genuine presence of empathy and support from students did not go unnoticed.

As such, I hope that this column will continue to be a platform where we can share the stories of individuals like Joe and I. If you are interested in writing for this column, please contact me (transn19@wfu.edu) In this edition, the column features Aine Pierre. Aine is a sophomore from Cherry Hill, NJ. She is currently majoring in Classical Studies and History. Aine works as the News Editor for the Old Gold & Black, and she also serves as parliamentarian for Student Government.

From Aine...

It’s a peculiar thing to watch your identity come to the fore in real-time.

When I was five years old, I couldn’t pronounce the word “store”, which speaks to the ineptness of my knowledge on the concepts of gender identity and being transgender. But I did know I wanted — more than anything in the world — to be a girl.

Somewhere in the “girls rule, boys drool”, cootiesfearing, princesses and monster trucks world of 2007 pre-kindergarten, I decided which team I was on.

Unfortunately, my body had other ideas, but that did not stop my curiosity nor my imagination.

In our nightly pre-bedtime talks, I would interrogate my mother about all aspects of traditionally

Photo courtesy of Aine Pierre

Photo courtesy of Aine Pierre

social femininity — makeup, dresses, etc. — and at night, I would dream about putting on a red dress and mascara and taking the town by storm.

Then, I made the mistake of telling my grandmother. My grandmother was raised by Polish immigrants in the 1940s, and her entire family is comprised of strict social conservatives. So, when I told her I wanted to be like one of the female characters from “We Sing in the Marvelous Musical Mansion,” it did not go well.

It was almost a decade before I brought up my fantasies of being a girl again. In the intervening years, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was a right, North Carolina passed — and repealed — one of the most restrictive “bathroom bills” in the United States, I became a Jewish adult, my cousins on my mother’s side made numerous transphobic

jokes and Donald Trump was elected president of the United States.

It was in a conversation with one of my friends that had already come out as transgender that I realized I identified with a lot of their experiences. I had pushed down the femininity in me in favor of the toxically masculine. I am still — three years on — trying to unlearn some of the things I did to mask my femininity.

Step one after realizing I was transgender was to decide on a new name: Aine Violet Pierre. My full name is actually a pun, which I think is a pretty accurate representation of myself. “Aine” means splendorous.

Violet is obviously a purple hue. Pierre is the French word for stone. So together, my name is a play on Amythest, which was also on my shortlist.

I had this eureka moment in a Chemistry class.

Two months after choosing my name, I went to a pride parade with one of my best friends, Nadia. After a day of being gendered correctly and called by the correct name, I never wanted to go back. On the train ride home from Philadelphia, I queued up an Instagram post and revealed my transness to the world.

That was June 10, 2018.

Three years later, and I am still navigating this new world I entered three-and-change years ago. I still get misgendered a lot, and it stings. I also sometimes have to use my deadname — the name I used before I came out — although I have to do that less often now that I’ve changed my legal name.

In many ways, I have been extraordinarily lucky.

Both of my parents are supportive, and I have never been abandoned for my transness (that I know of ). I have had isolated encounters with transphobia, but those have almost solely come from lay jerks hurling slurs. I can brush those off.

What I cannot brush off is the wave of anti-trans legislation that has swept the United States. My heart

hurts for trans people in Tennessee, Texas and Florida. Especially the children.

When you have a marginalized identity (or multiple), you realize that a lot of people are just going to hate you for who you are. You learn about the atrocities committed on your ancestors, and you pray that the world has changed, but also that you can do even more to change it. My identities are complicated, though; neither is always obvious.

You may be able to tell I’m Jewish by my curly hair or my affinity for humming Jewish prayers, but if you have no reference point, you might pass me by. If I’m presenting masculine or if I’m passing, you may not realize that I am a woman with a penis.

So, I’m often in a period of limbo, where I don’t know if people are nice — or at least, not hostile — to me because they genuinely accept me or because they do not know who I am in relation to society. As if my social anxiety weren’t bad enough.

I suspect I’ll live my entire life with that fear. But, I will also live my entire life with the joy that comes from my trans siblings’ camaraderie — the allies with whom I fight for a better world and most importantly, the knowledge that I have survived 100% of my worst days.

Photo courtesy of Aine Pierre