10.7.19- Fourth Estate

October 7, 2019

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Volume 7 Issue 6

FOURTH ESTATE Student Government sponsors campus clean-up of offensive chalking

@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com

THE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT (P. 4) || LADAMA’S WEEK AT MASON (P. 7) || PLAYING SOFTBALL ABROAD (P. 11) || ENSLAVED PEOPLE MEMORIAL (P.15) Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media.

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10.07.2019

FOURTH ESTATE

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

DANA NICKEL HAILEY BULLIS Co Editor-in-Chief

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE Art Director

Dear Patriots,

LAURA SCUDDER DELANEY HARRISON Copy Editors

In life, you can’t please everyone. And in this job, we hardly please anyone sometimes.

In the two years I have worked as a reporter, I have seldom written something that made me feel all warm and fuzzy. I have covered a wide array of pieces, some surrounding addiction at the college level, undue donor influence on campus and sexual assault, to name a few.

I, along with other reporters and editors on staff, have had to cover heavier topics such as these. With our issues coming out weekly, it is easy to become overwhelmed sometimes.

This will be our last issue until Oct. 28, so I’m encouraging our staff to get some well-deserved R&R. I think all of you deserve some relaxation time too.

It’s important that we all take care of ourselves and each other, and that’s a part of my job that I take very seriously. I think we all do here at Fourth Estate. We are here for you all, the students.

That being said, we have some great content for you guys this week. For our News section, my Co Editor profiled Mason’s Student Body President, Camden Layton. Our Sports section profiled a Mason student who played softball on the Croatian National Softball Team.

Our Culture section wrote an excellent piece on international music collective that came together to form a band. Opinions addressed the news of the memorial to enslaved people in Wilkins Plaza, otherwise known as North Plaza.

As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to reach out to us at masonfourthestate@gmail.com.

ABIGAIL ADCOX News Editor JACK HARVEY Assistant News Editor PETER NJOROGE Culture Editor IZZ LAMAGDELEINE Assistant Culture Editor NATALIE HEAVREN Sports Editor DOMENIC ALLEGRA Assistant Sports Editor CHRIS KERNAN-SCHMIDT Opinions Editor BILLY FERGUSON Online Director LEXI REYES Social Media Editor DOMINIQUE BERNARDINO Multimedia Editor

Sincerely,

EMMETT SMITH Distribution Manager

Dana Nickel

KATHRYN MANGUS Director

Co Editor-in-Chief

DAVID CARROLL Associate Director JASON HARTSEL Assistant Director

We are always recruiting volunteers for: - WRITERS - VIDEOGRAPHERS - ILLUSTRATORS - PHOTOGRAPHERS

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There are no outside parties that play a role in the newspaper’s content, and should there be a question or complaint regarding this policy, the Co Editor-in-Chiefs should be notified at the email provided.

Fourth Estate is a free publication, limit one copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents payable to the Office of Student Media.

COVER PHOTO CREDITS Dominique Bernardino / Fourth Estate

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10.07.2019

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GENERAL MANAGER OF EAGLEBANK ARENA TO RETIRE Barry Giesler retiring in January after 34 years at Mason SUDIKSHA KOCHI STAFF WRITER

FOURTH ESTATE NICOLAS MACOTTO

“Many of our shows were challenges,’’ explained Geisler of programming at the arena. “Because the building was designed as a basketball-only building.

We used it for many, many other things after it opened, so logistically this is a challenging place to put on a large production.”

After working as the general manager of EagleBank Arena for 34 years, Barry Giesler is set to retire Jan. 2, 2020.

Geisler’s responsibilities at the arena are to oversee events such as shows and games, and to make sure his staff have what they need to make sure that those events are appropriate for the building in terms of size and changes that may need to happen in order to accommodate the booker.

Geisler moved to Washington, D.C.

in 1985 to work at the arena, then called the Patriot Center. He was promoted to Patriot Center General Manager in 1987, according to an interview published in Monumental Sports. During his tenure, the arena has hosted a wide variety of events and performances, from rock concerts to bull riding, alongside sports games.

“Today is our 34th birthday. We opened October 4, 1985,” Geisler said Friday.

In the first quarter of 2018, EagleBank

Asked about his favorite performances at the arena, Geisler stated, “I mean, Neil Young and Crazy Horse played here twice ... Prince played here 3 times; those shows were very memorable … I remember those being really special shows.”

“I will certainly miss some aspects of my job, but I will not miss the tiny conflicts that arise when overseeing some responsibilities,” Giesler said.

Once he retires, Giesler plans to spend more time doing activities he enjoys, such as playing golf and attending social events that he would usually

miss out on.

memories about his time at the Arena.

“{Often], there would be special occasions that my children would be involved in — one is 26 and one is 19 — and I’ve had to miss them because there would be events here. I’m looking forward to being able to participate in more of those functions,” Giesler said.

“2006, when we went to the final four, the East Regional was at Downtown … I went to the game with my family — I live in Maryland — we drove to my house, I didn’t even get out of the car, I let my family out of the car and I came back to [the arena] because we knew we’d have a large crowd here.

We had about 7,500 people show up at the building to greet [Mason’s team] as they came back from DC — that was really a special time.”

In addition to spending more time with family, Giesler is planning on traveling more and exploring new areas.

He said that another positive of retiring is having to commute less on weekdays — Giesler lives in Maryland and so it takes about an hour to get to campus.

“I am tired of the traffic. I drive the beltway to and from work and if I don’t leave here by 5 p.m., it takes me an hour to get home,” Giesler said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BARRY GEISLER

was rated number one in the world for concert and event tickets by Pollstar.

“As much as I would love to think the building is what is the attraction, the reality is it’s the performances; and the attractions are the attractions,” Geisler stated in 2018.

“One of the key things in retiring is that I work a lot on nights and weekends, which as I’m moving on in life, I’m 60 years old so I don’t want to work as much. This isn’t a job where I can work half of what I’m doing. It is either all [of the] work or none,” Giesler said.

Geisler recounted one of his fondest

LAST WEEK IN THE NEWS Monday, Sept. 30 The Federal Aviation Administration certifies UPS drone delivery business; becomes nation’s first.

House committee chairs subpoenas Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani.

GOP Rep. Chris Collins resigns from congress following insider trading charges.

Trump reportedly pressured Austrailian prime minister to help Attorney General William Bar find information on the mueller investigation.

Tuesday, Oct. 1 Senator and democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders experienced chest discomfort during campaign event undergoes heart surgery to put two stents into place. It was later confirmed that Sanders had a heart attack.

A federal court rules that the FCC cannot bar states from passing their own net neutrality laws.

Republican Chuck Grassely defends the Ukraine whistleblower.

Wednesday, Oct. 2

Thursday, Oct. 3

Ex-Dallas police officer is sentenced to 10 years after entering the wrong apartment and killing her neighbor.

House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy calls on Speaker Nancy Pelosi to suspend impeachment inquiry into President Trump.

Pompeo confirms he was on call with President Trump during call with Ukraine president.

Four officers stabbed to death by employee in Paris police headquarters.

Ed Buck, well-known Democratic donor, was indicted for distributing meth.

Authorities extend curfew to more Iraqi cities as death toll rises from protests.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry expected to resign in November.

Friday, Oct. 4 Iran-linked group tried to hack U.S. 2020 presidential campaigns, Microsoft says.

Actress Diahann Carroll dies at the age of 84.

Supreme Court will hear arguments on issue of abortion for the first time since Kavanaugh’s appointment.

According to The Hill, the U.S. added 136,000 jobs in Sept.

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10.07.2019

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NEWS

FROM UNDERSECRETARY TO PRESIDENT How Camden Layton became student body president HAILEY BULLIS CO EDITOR IN CHIEF

are two Mason stickers and a student government sticker completing the ensemble.

Layton never planned on being the student body president. Coming from Horseheads, New York — where he had previously taken part in student council at his high school — he had vowed to never take part in student government at Mason.

His plans changed towards the end of his freshman year, when the former Student Government vice president approached Layton about joining student government in his sophomore year. From there, he became undersecretary for federal affairs. The position was eventually written out of the code and Layton then became the undersecretary for student civic engagement instead.

Sitting in a conference room in the back of the Office of Student Involvement, senior Camden Layton, Mason’s student body president, sits at the head of a large table. He is flanked

by Vice President Adia McLaughlin and Speaker of the 40th Student Senate Cedric Price.

“I have a test in an hour and I haven’t read the book,” joked Layton, as he and his fellow student government members prepared to start their weekly lead team meeting — and Layton’s second meeting of the day.

The lead team meeting came directly after another meeting that Layton and Price attended to discuss with representatives from the black community at Mason how to go about removing the chalk that spells out “TOADS” around Mason’s campus. The term, while

assumed to not have been started with racist intent, can be used to describe black male inmates and has connotations with another racial slur.

In response to the potential backlash student government could receive if they took the lead on removing the words around campus, Layton said, “Those are problems I’m willing to have.”

“Personally, I’d much rather have no one feel uncomfortable on campus than have a larger majority not have this, like, tradition,” said Layton.

Throughout the meeting, Layton took notes on his laptop, which is littered with stickers that represent his time at Mason. “2020 Gillibrand” reads one; another is from his fraternity, Chi Psi, in which Layton is the treasurer. There

“He actually messaged me on Facebook, and I was studying abroad in Africa, and I got a message saying, ‘Hey, like, when you’re back in the States, like, give me a call.’ I was like ‘God, like, am I in trouble? What could I have possibly done?” McLaughlin said.

the “Vote For Nobody” campaign.

“That was like really tense at first,” said Layton.

“We understood why they were doing it. And like we valued that opinion to be like well, they weren’t necessarily against student government, they were anti ‘administration not listening to us,’” said Layton.

Price continued, “He’s someone who is committed to his goals and he’s committed to seeing change on campus.”

“I just thought it was not the best way to go about [it], like if you wanted to make change on campus then like run and take the position and then fight for that — which is what [McLaughlin] and I were doing — whereas they were like, ‘Don’t elect anyone,’” said Layton.

Layton explained that the frustrating part was the student body’s response to student government during the abstain campaign. “They did not like [McLaughlin] and I, and I don’t understand why because we’re all fighting for the same thing — we’re just doing it in different ways. So I didn’t understand why they didn’t like us. ” Price, who was a member of the Student Senate at the time, endorsed

Still, Layton, McLaughin and Price have found a working balance, according to Price. “The relationship that we’ve developed and had since the beginning of our positions has been nothing but great.”

McLaughlin shared similar thoughts about Layton. “He’s just so innovative and some of the things that he can do is just like so, I don’t know, it shocks me sometimes. He’s just very multifaceted and is really adaptable to any situation.

But [he] is always looking to solve and figure out the problem,” she said.

Currently, Layton is working towards the goals outlined in his and McLaughlin’s campaign. Recently, student government appointed junior Sarah Kurian the undersecretary for Title IX and Clery Act Compliance.

Layton is also focusing on affordable student housing, and recently attended a Fairfax County Board meeting to advocate for more affordable housing.

“If I didn’t want to help students, then I wouldn’t be here,” said Layton.

Both being in their first year of student government, the pair felt that they weren’t ingrained into the student government mindset. “Adia [McLaughlin] and I, we ran on not necessarily being the outsider but not being ingrained in that student government-like stereotype that so many people disliked, and so like we liked being like the outsider kind of coming in,” said Layton.

When McLaughlin got back to Fairfax, the duo officially started to lay down plans for their campaign. Among those plans, Title IX reform and affordable student housing topped the list.

Layton’s election cycle was marked by an “atypical” election season, where he and McLaughlin ran against Micah Mudlaff and Davide Genoese-Zerbi.

FHOTO COURTESY OF CAMDEN LAYTON

FHOTO COURTESY OF CAMDEN LAYTON

Around November, he then started to think seriously about running for student body president. McLaughlin was at the top of his list of potential running mates, according to Layton.

At that point in time, McLaughlin was studying abroad in Africa.

Mudlaff and Genoses-Zerbi ran to encourage students to “Vote for Nobody” for student body president to send a message that students wanted change. The campaign encouraged students to choose the “abstain” option on the ballot. Mudlaff and GenosesZerbi dropped out of the race before voting began.

NEWS

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10.07.2019

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CAMPUS WIPED CLEAN OF ALLEGED RACIAL SLUR Student Government passes resolution to conduct clean-up of potentially offensive campus chalking SAMI GIBBS STAFF WRITER JACK HARVEY ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Dominique Dowling, president of Mason’s NAACP, expressed that she is happy student voices were heard and that “[Student Government] was very considerate of how we as a community felt.”

FOURTH ESTATE DOMINIQUE BERNARDINO

Following the meeting, Adams and Speaker of the 40th Student Senate Cedric Price wrote a resolution to address concerns.

Speaker Pro Tempore Cassidy Whitehurst co-sponsored the resolution as well.

Adams revealed that they were uncertain of the motive behind “toads” being written on campus and “[didn’t] want to say it was definitely racially motivated.”

SAMI GIBBS STAFF WRITER JACK HARVEY ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR ABIGAIL ADCOX Student Government is responding to students’ discomfort over the word “toads,” which has been associated with alleged racist connotations.

“TOADS” has been written multiple times across campus over the past two years in chalk.

Student Body President Camden Layton claimed that he became aware of the issue after a member of the Black Student Alliance (BSA) approached him with concerns over the vandalism in recent weeks. The

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON POLICE

MASON WEEKLY CRIME LOG

same student, whose name remains unknown, expressed her concerns to Student Government’s Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and Multicultural Affairs Committee.

From there, Student Government leadership — as well as the Chair of Diversity Shelby Adams — discussed ways to handle the situation.

Members of Student Government held a meeting with leaders from several black organizations, including BSA, NAACP, and Black, AfricanHeritage, and Caribbean Coalition (BLACC) to hear their concerns on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

She added, “What I do know is that, whether this is a joke or acronym, this is affecting the black community.

That’s why it needs to be addressed.”

The resolution was unanimously passed on Thursday Oct. 3 by the 39 present Student Government senators.

Layton stated that he “assumes there were no ill-intentions when [the writing of toads] started … [but] if [a] community feels impacted by it, we should be working towards eliminating that.”

Steven Bredin, a senior at Mason, has come forward as the alleged creator of “toads” to explain his intentions behind

the chalking. Bredin said he’s been writing the phrase across surfaces for years, even before coming to Mason.

and frogs and want to get that message out,” said Bredin.

Bredin said that he first started writing it across campus after a large windstorm two years ago that blew shingles off buildings. The day after this storm, he picked up shingles and spelled out “toads” with them, and placed them on Wilkins Plaza. He has been writing them on other surfaces across campus since then. Bredin said that he had no knowledge of its racist connotations until last year when people he knew started approaching him about it.

A press release regarding the “toads” vandalism and impact is expected to be published online late Monday by Student Government.

“I realized that some people were taking it the wrong way and exactly the way I didn’t intend it,” he said. Bredin acknowledged that he knew people would misinterpret it, but not in the way that he thought. He said he had thought people might be confused or find it funny, not offensive.

Bredin allegedly started it because of his fondness for amphibians. He is currently studying to be a herpetologist (a snake biologist).

Bredin said that after he found out that his “toads” message was being misconstrued, he stopped writing it. He hopes to find another way to get his message across that is not offensive to others.

“I do not want to do something if it hurts people, but I still really like toads

According to Bredin, any current chalking was not his doing; he has not written the message across campus since last semester after he learned of its racist connotations.

Student Government voluntarily cleaned the chalking on Friday, something typically done by Facilities Management.

“Chalking is still vandalism,” Joe Pagan, a sophomore student senator, explained during the cleanup. As such, he explained, an “inkling of anything derogatory” being written was sufficient reason for its removal.

Steve Vollmer, assistant director of operation of Facilities Management, confirmed that two work orders were filed on Sept. 19 and 20, respectively. Both instances were cleaned off by staff shortly after, according to Vollmer.

Vollmer also expressed that Facilities Management had no prior knowledge of the meaning behind the graffiti.

Vollmer said that he “will make an announcement to staff to be on the lookout for this particular type of graffiti and to report it.”

Tuesday, Oct. 1 — PV Lot

Sunday, Sept. 29 — Tidewater Hall

Drug Law Violations: Subject (GMU) was issued a releasable summons for possessing

Drug Law Violations/Liquor Law Violations: Subject (GMU) was issued a releasable summons for possessing illegal drugs.

illegal drugs.

Case 2019-009458 — Cleared by Summons

Case 2019-009531 — Cleared by Summons

Monday, Sept. 30 — Hampton Roads

Sunday, Sept. 29 — Lot K

Drug Law Violations/Liquor Law Violations: Subject (GMU) was referred to Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for possessing illegal drugs.

Theft From Auto: Complainant (GMU) reported the theft of a parking pass from a vehicle.

Case 2019-009503 — Referred to OSC

Case 2019-009455 — Inactive

Monday, Sept. 30 — Sandbridge Hall

Friday, Sept. 27 — Presidents Park Drive Bus Stop

Trespassing: Complainant (GMU) reported a known Subject (GMU) trespassing in a residence hall.

Destruction/Damage/Vandalism of Property: Three Subjects (GMU) were referred to Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for damaging a window.

Case 2019-009496 — Information Only

Case 2019-009373 — Referred to OSC

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10.07.2019

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CIVILITY COMES TOGETHER AT MASON Round table promotes civility in online political speech IZZ LAMAGDELEINE ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

interactions could be increased online in both private and public interactions.

The event was co-sponsored by the Association of Americans for Civic Responsibility (AACR) and Mason’s Insight Committee. The main goal of AACR is to keep advancing civic

FOURTH ESTTATE DOMINIQUE BERNARDINO

On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Mason hosted a civility round table in Merten Hall from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. titled “Coming Together in the Age of Division: Social Media, Civic Engagement and the Future of American Participatory Democracy.” It focused on how civil

responsibility for society’s benefit, while the Insight Committee focuses on maintaining the relationship between members of the Mason Communication department like students, faculty and the community.

hearing, or add to it, or add another perspective is not allowed a seat at the table. And that’s the way that a lot of people feel was the world before the internet and before social media.”

One panel, “The Limits of Online Political Speech and Virtual Civics,” included discussions around how the media should utilize social media.

Its speakers included Jordan Allott, a documentary filmmaker who has made projects in more than 25 countries, and Steven Springer, the news standards and best practices editor at Voice of America.

Springer shared a story about how he once posted an article he wanted his friends to read on his Facebook page. A woman he’d attended grammar school with began to argue with another friend from school she disagreed with politically in the comments section.

When Springer asked them to take their argument some place else, the woman commented on his political views and disappeared.

“Imagine living in a world where news [and] information is controlled by a relatively small group of like-minded individuals,” Allott said. “And that anybody who tries to [in] any way work against the news that they’re

“I don’t think that would have happened if they had been sitting as close as we are to each other,” Springer said. “I think there’s something about the [separation] of just being able to sit there and type words, and not have to

face that person that makes it more of a disease now.”

The panel also discussed the best ways to cope with harassment on social media. They recommended that any harassment or hate received should be ignored, and that if it persists the perpetrators should be blocked.

“I think you have to be smart and thoughtful in how you reply to something like that,” Springer said. “I still think the smartest thing to do is to take the high road.”

Other panels included a focus on social media platforms and how much they contribute to the problem of civility, as well as how divisiveness began on social media. Near the end of the event, the group moved towards consensus on the topic and gave their final thoughts.

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE FOREFRONT OF MASON’S NEW INITIATIVE

Over 500 faculty join Mason’s new Institute for a Sustainable Earth BRAD BYRNE STAFF WRITER

The institute is led by Executive Director Dr. Aurali Dade and Scientific Director Dr. Thomas Lovejoy. The program was initially launched in February and is starting to implement changes across Mason on a larger scale.

“We have the potential to make changes at all scales,” said Dade.

Members of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth are actively involved with local and global communities to ensure a deep understanding of the challenges of developing and adopting f sustainable solutions.

Lovejoy has recently been named a 2019 Virginia Outstanding Scientist for his efforts in conservation biology,

which explored the effects of global warming on biodiversity.

The Institute for a Sustainable Earth strives for sustainability by working with the Office of Sustainability, implementing eco-friendly programs around campus.

“The Office of Sustainability is guided by our climate action plan. We are going to update that document this year as part of an overall plan for sustainability. These documents will provide overall direction for our efforts going forward. We are in the process of filling our vacant sustainability position, [and the person who fills it] will be responsible for leading this effort,” said Chris Bois, interim director of the Office of Sustainability.

According to the George Mason 2019 Climate Action Plan Climate Report, Mason has implemented energy efficiency and water usage

policies in buildings around campus, with 8 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified buildings and four more being certified in the near future.

Mason has also reduced single-occupancy vehicle use by 15 percent from 2009 to 2016, as there has been a focus on alternative transportation with over 1.2 million rides being taken per year on Mason shuttles.

Waste minimization has also been a recent focus at operations around campus. In 2018, Mason implemented composting food waste in the dining halls, while also partnering with ITT Cannon to encourage scanning and default double-sided printing to reduce paper use.

Non-renewable energy use, specifically electricity and natural gas per building square footage, has gone down 30 percent from 2006 to 2016.

Mason has invested in 43 energy

saving programs that save $2.5 million annually.

The Patriot Green Fund’s annual budget of $100,000 is also devoted to implementing more sustainable practices across campus through infrastructure improvements and funding student research projects focused on sustainability.

The fund in 2019 has been successfully implemented in the Presidents Park hydroponic greenhouse, which is responsible for 2,000 pounds of fresh produce per year — produce which raises $20,000 in revenue per year, according to the

Office of Sustainability.

They also have supported other projects like recycling centers, solar charging tables, green roof research, water bottle refill stations, the Innovation Food Forest, bee apiaries, bike rehabilitation and rental and the Piedmont Rain Garden.

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

Over 500 new faculty members have joined Mason’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth, which is focused on tackling climate and environmental issues concerning the earth.

CULTURE

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09.09.2019

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FIRST ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE SPEND THE WEEK AT MASON LADAMA performs in Center for the Arts, schools, masterclasses and more CAYLA CADE STAFF WRITER PETER NJOROGE CULTURE EDITOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF LADAMA

working for the artists and being on tour,” Bryant Godwin said. “Normally when artists are touring, their schedules are so crazy.

[The residency prog ram] allowed us to get outside of the four walls of the

LADAMA, the first group of Mason Artists-in-Residence, spent the week on campus visiting and performing at a variety of venues, leading up to a show at the Center for the Arts (CFA) on Friday, Oct. 4.

Started by Program Manager Adrienna Bryant Godwin, the initiative was created to build connections between artists and students, as well as to deepen the cultural experience for the Mason community.

“My entire career has been split with being a presenter and then also

Center for the Arts.”

LADAMA is made up of a diverse group of international musicians that blend a variety of sounds from across the Americas. The collective is mainly comprised of four women that met in California in 2014. Since then, the group has performed around the world and participated in NPR’s popular Tiny Desk series.

In an interview with the CFA, vocalist and guitarist Sara Lucas said, “We hope to communicate to audiences

and students that they can use creativity, improvisation and cultural understanding of one’s own roots to succeed in any capacity — whether in regards to work, creative pursuits and being a part of the social fabric of our communities.”

“We also hope to get folks off their feet and feel the music with every part of their beings,” she continued.

According to ladamaproject.org, the members of the band met at a OneBeat fellowship and residency.

Begun by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in 2012, musicians from around the world collaborate for one month to create music focused on social engagement.

“They were chosen specifically because they’re amazing musicians and education is a huge part of their mission,” said Bryant Godwin. “[With LADAMA], we were really looking for breadth of connection. We were trying to reach as many communities

as we possibly could.”

During their week of residence, LADAMA visited Old Town Hall in Fairfax and Laurel Ridge Elementary School, had dinner with the Hispanic Student Association, held masterclasses and visited a variety of classes within the school of the visual arts.

After many of their performances, they would answer questions about their mission and background and explain some of the unique instrumentation that defines the group.

The concert at CFA was an interactive experience as well. During the show, the ladies insisted the audience get up and dance with them.

“My very good friend invited me today,” first-year psychology graduate student Tamera Toney said. “It was really uplifting and a lot of energy.”

Another student in attendance met the band at one of the events scheduled earlier in the week.

“Luckily, I am in Jazz Ensemble and

we have a masterclass,” freshman Shahov Tehranchi said. “It just so happened to be that I have a masterclass that involved [LADAMA].”

“I was smiling the entire time through,” Tehranchi continued. “The smile that you can’t control, like that’s the power of their music, and their originality and their creativity. And it is very inspiring. I want to be involved very much into this kind of music, it’s great overall.”

After the performance, some people scurried out the door, but some decided to stay and chant the band’s name and encore. LADAMA happily walked back on stage to perform another song.

After their last song, the collective spent time meeting with their audience at the merch table and took some pictures with them.

Following LADAMA, Bill T. Jones, an acclaimed choreographer, will spend a week at Mason in the next installment of the residency in early 2020.

SECOND CITY AND MASON IMPROV ASSOCIATION PERFORM AT HYLTON Legendary Chicago comedy company comes to the Hylton Performing Arts Center IZZ LAMAGDELEINE ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF SECOND CITY

On Friday, Oct. 4, the Mason Improv Association and Second City On Tour performed fun, audience-based improv shows at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on the Science and Technology Campus in Manasses.

Second City On Tour is a traveling comedy troupe based in Chicago.

Second City has been open since 1959, and it claims to be “the most influential and prolific comedy empire in the world.” They performed in Merchant Hall from 8 to 10 p.m.

They performed in Merchant Hall

from 8 to 10 p.m. Past members of the Second City On Tour include Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Stephen Colbert.

father appearing before his child so she would be motivated to win the baseball game and defeat her nemesis, even if she had to play dirty to do so.

After the Second City show, students from Mason Improv Association performed in Gregory Mechant Hall.

However, the act was short — less than 30 minutes long — and some of the material was a little strained.

Some improvisations seemed hesitant, almost like the performers were not exactly sure about what they were doing.

The Mason Improv Association’s material included a man staging car crashes with marbles and a tour guide whose best friend is everyone.

The group’s set held sketches, short prepared comedic skits and scenes improvised on the spot with help from the audience.

In one skit, cast members not in the scene would shout, “Oscar winning performance.” Then, the members performing would have to act in a way that would win them an Oscar.

Several of the performers put their money where their mouth was and delivered more than what was expected.

Scenes from this bit included a dead

Second City On Tour’s show was around two hours long with a short intermission in between. Between skits about fall and palm reading, audience members were invited onstage to name the periodic table of elements alphabetically, and be a cast member’s fake girlfriend.

Second City On Tour had many talented performers that knew how to bring both seriousness and hilarity to their performances. In one skit, a man who suppresses his emotions confesses his love to his partner. The audience could hear the nervousness in the

actor’s voice as he discussed how scared he was of embarrassment if she didn’t love him back. Her response was, “Wamp wamp,” as he said earlier in the skit when she tried to confess her emotions to him.

All in all, Second City On Tour was funny, with many scenes leaving the audience cracking up.

Unlike the Mason Improv Association, their show was simply too long. Most of the group’s best material was used in the first part, with the second containing sketches that went longer than they probably should have. The highlight of the second half was the very last bit. The cast picked an audience member, had him describe a day in his life and then performed a dramatized version of what he had said.

Second City On Tour and the Mason Improv Association were both full of fun jokes and quick-thinking wit. If you have the opportunity to see either of the groups perform, you should.

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CULTURE

10.07.2019

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

OCTOBER HOROSCOPES

Libra season brings the much needed balance into our lives IZZ LAMAGDELEINE ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpios, keep your social life in check by making space for both positivity and negativity. For every person you destroy with your fiery tongue, give a compliment or crack a joke too.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): With the Sagittarius sense of humor, you might take everything a little less seriously than you should. Things don’t have to be heavy all the time, but try to add some seriousness in your life for balance.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Yes, Capricorns are responsible — maybe even too responsible. It's great that you have your life together, but make sure to schedule some time for fun.

Balancing work with play will keep

your head from exploding.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquariuses are progressive and original, always having an amazing new idea to keep things spicy.

However, sometimes people or situations can become too much. Take some time to recharge so you can bring emotional balance back to the forefront of your life.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): Friendly Pisces always want to meet new people and have a good time.

With the semester starting to pick up, keep making a dent in your workload so you can balance both your professional and personal life.

Aries (March 21-April 19): Aries are confident, always making moves and working on something that changes the game. Balance that with some relaxation before you burn out way, way too soon.

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Tauruses are often respected — as

they should be — for their reliable nature and hard work ethic. However, they can also be possessive and uncompromising, which can cause problems for the people around them. Balance your feelings with the knowledge you have of the people around you, and it should all work out.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Geminis might come across as two-faced, but that’s because you have the personal strength to balance a lot.

Consider opening up to someone you trust. The next time someone tries to slander your good name with Gemini stereotypes your friend can attack right back.

time to end a relationship and when it’s time to stick it out.

a better leader and person instead of just taking over like you always do.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Leos love to lead the pack with their incredible insights (and, for this Leo editor, journalistic skills.) This time, whether at work or in your personal life, balance the commitments you make and let someone else take the lead. You might learn something about how to become

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It's good to be careful and methodical, but it's also good to have fun, too. Virgos are incredibly ambitious, so ensuring that there is balance between what you are trying to achieve and what you are just doing for a laugh is highly important.

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXANDRIA MCALPINE

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Happy Libra season! This sign seeks balance as much as possible, from their love life to financial situations to relationships with friends and family. Even if it's a small fix you need to make, it's better to address it now than later.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Cancers are the sign that I'd want close to me if the world was going to end. With this sign's sensitivity and intuition, Cancers are a good fit to help when trouble comes knocking. However, don't allow loyalty to keep you in toxic environments or relationships.

Balance involves knowing when it's

MOVIE REVIEW: JUDY

The incredibly raw biopic delves into the life of the late “Wizard of Oz” actor DANA NICKEL CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

I remember the first time I learned who Judy Garland was. My mother was obsessed with her iconic role in “The Wizard of Oz.” She constantly played “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which echoed throughout the halls of our tiny

New England house. “She was just this beautiful, graceful woman,” my mother said.

For me, there was this sense of magic surrounding Garland. Her poised sense of beauty and noir-style singing

voice dazzled me as a child. The persona her studio carefully crafted represented the notion that anyone can achieve their biggest dreams. As we grow older, we realize things aren’t always so black and white. Lines aren’t fine — they’re often blurry — and magic wears off a little bit.

homeless, and was unable to book any roles or gigs in Hollywood.

Much of “Judy” focuses on Judy Garland (Renee Zellweger) later in her life. While the actress was navigating life through her 40s, there were flashbacks to her early days in Hollywood as a child star. The flashbacks portrayed a young Garland (Darci Shaw) working tirelessly for her roles, specifically as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.” During these flashbacks, she was denied simple pleasures, such as swimming in pools and even eating hamburgers and fries.

Zelleweger displays immense talent in her role as Garland. It is exceptional to see someone excel in portraying one of the greatest icons in American cinema. Garland is flawed, but Zelleweger displays, in even the darkest moments of the film, a kind of tragic beauty that makes the audience unable to look away.

Despite Garland being a household name, decades later she struggled financially and was unable to support her young children. She became

When offered a gig and residency in London, she had no choice but to leave her children with their father, her estranged husband, until she had enough money to support them and battle for full custody.

The best supporting actors were, arguably, Andy Nyman and Daniel Cerqueria, who portrayed a gay couple that idiolized Garland and attended all her shows in London. One night, Garland meets the couple after one of her shows and invites them to dinner.

Since nothing is open in the middle of

the night in London, the couple cooks her dinner in their shared home.

The couple drew inspiration from Garland, driving home the idea that people’s art matters. Art is what brings people together, and it can change lives, as it did for the couple that is immediately taken with Garland.

Finn Wittrock of “American Crime Story” portrays Mickey Deans, Garland’s fifth and final husband. Wittrock and Zelleweger’s on-screen whirlwind of a romance brings a sense of heartbreak later on in the story.

Based on a true story, we as an audience know the ending of this story. But Zellweger’s performance makes us want to root for Garland as she struggles between her desires to perform and get back to her family, and falling victim to her vices.

CULTURE

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

09.09.2019

9

Find work that works for you SHYLOH-SYMONE BAILEY STAFF WRITER

As college students, it’s highly probable that both are very limited assets in our lives. In 2015, a study from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce reported that more than 70 percent of college students are working while completing their degree.

Properly managing your time and money is essential to future success.

The problem lies in finding employers that are sensitive to the demands of college coursework.

Many companies need workers that are always able to come in, but for students flexibility is key. Fortunately, there are many emerging companies that are catering to this need. The art of the side hustle is in full effect in the modern world.

Freelancing can go a long way. Apps like Shipt and Instacart allow you to shop and deliver groceries to customers in your area. They serve as

an opportunity to help other people in your community that are unable to make it out to the grocery store.

I will never forget one of my first orders with Shipt. I delivered to a mom who was pregnant and raising a two-year-old. She thanked me for simply picking up a few things from Target so she could stay home and get dinner started. It’s a win-win situation.

There is also an option for customers to tip you in addition to your pay.

If you don’t have the wheels to become Northern Virginia’s personal shopper, that is very much understandable.

Companies like Snag Work offer employment to the D.C. Metro area.

The beauty of Snag Work rests in the fact that you can pick up shifts with various companies (within a 50 mile radius) whenever you have time.

Simply clicking “Claim Shift” on the app will get you into your next shift at places like Five Guys, CAVA or &Pizza.

There is often a brief training required

to ensure safety and efficiency. It’s similar to a temp agency in many aspects. Workers choose when they can work, and there is no consequence if you can’t pick up a shift on any given day.

Companies like Lyft, Postmates and Grubhub are just the beginning of what is to come for workers who are in need of flexibility. There are several options.

If you need help with your next job or career move, make an appointment with a career advisor, located in Career Services within SUB I.

If you don’t like a particular job, no one forces you to go back, but at least you gained experience and learned your limits. What’s important to freelance companies is that you are flexible and ready to meet the needs of whatever company or customer you work with.

Even if freelance jobs are outside of your major, it’s important to get into the workforce and network with other people who have a stake in your community. These are people that can vouch for you and your work ethic in the future — regardless of industry.

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

Let’s be honest: Time is money.

HIDDEN HANGOUTS: CHING CHING CHA Tea and serenity in the middle of bustling Georgetown PETER NJOROGE CULTURE EDITOR

Step into Ching Ching Cha, a tiny tea shop in Georgetown, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.

FOURTH ESTATE PETER NJOROGE

The tearoom is located a few steps away from the popular M Street strip on Wisconsin Avenue in D.C. It can

easily fly under the radar because it’s sandwiched between the other retail spaces and restaurants that Georgetown is known for.

accompaniment to most of the teas. All of the teas are served in unique vessels that help to compliment the particular tea chosen.

At the store, tea is approached like an art, and there is a visual

Each rosewood table at Ching Ching Cha is outfitted with a kettle in the center, provided to give access to fresh boiling water for patrons.

Additionally, there is an elevated space for those who prefer an even more traditional experience (no shoes allowed).

The menu is filled with expressive teas that aren’t always for the faint of heart. Some are intensely savory, some are flowery and some have an intense minerality.

All the teas are loose leaf and brewed right at your table. For the more

adventurous, I’d recommend picking something from the pu-erh or oolong section of the menu. For those who prefer a safer option, something from the scented menu will be undoubtedly delicious and visually stunning.

While some of the teas can run up to $20 dollars, you can re-use and re-steep the leaves as many times as you’d like — unlike at Starbucks. Make sure that you have a chunk of time to get your money’s worth.

A friendly server can help you pick out the right tea and provide you with a short set of instructions for how to make the most out of your brew. It is a collaborative experience between server and customer.

It’s important to pay attention to get the most out of your leaves. Brew times can differ greatly between two different teas. If your tea brews too long, it will be bitter and you’ll want to start again.

Also, caffeine content can be high in some teas and over-caffeination is a

real risk.

The space is incredibly open and bright. Sunlight streams through the skylight, and the walls are decorated with a combination of exotic teas and brewing material that are available for purchase.

Ching Ching Cha also has a quaint menu of tasty bites to accompany their drinks, including dumplings, sweets and other traditional tea fare.

The contrast between the shop and its surroundings is intense. The hectic nature of Georgetown streets and the serenity inside are both amplified as you enter and exit the store.

If you’re looking for to break out your laptop or hang out with 10 people, this may not be the place for you. Ching Ching Cha is an intimate space for quiet conversation, and one of the best ways to get away from it all.

Faces of Mason

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10.07.2019

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty, alumni and organizations every week. This week, we take a closer look at Ishaan Gupta and Logrolling Club

INTERVIEWS BY TREVOR SMITH AND NAYOMI SANTOS

Ishaan Gupta finance and I want to work in the business field.

FOURTH ESTATE TREVOR SMITH

What do you enjoy about your work?

Why did you choose to work in real estate?

It’s a very flexible job with good earning potential. It is also a very relaxing and enjoyable business. You are your own boss. That has its own responsibilities and own stress with it, but I love it. I enjoy every aspect

of the business, from the beginning confrontation with the customerto the final closing of the sale at the end. The main reason I love the job is because it is verybusiness-centered, and it’s almost like running your own business. It ties in with my future plans [because] I’m majoring in

It is really fun to work with people.

There is something so satisfying in helping a client with the next stage of their life, as buying or selling a home is a very big life decision. I like to work the most with buyers [because] sellers usually just need their current house sold. Helping buyers, however, is really exciting; it’s almost like a rush to find people their new home. You work very closely with them to find the perfect match, and sometimes it takes a lot of showings.

It’s a lot of work, but eventually you find the right one and a sale is made.

Is it hard work?

It is extremely difficult. First of all, it’s a very hustler type of business. There is no salary involved, it’s 100 percent sale commissions. If you’re not making any sales, you’re not doing

any business. That’s why it’s so tough.

Even just getting a listing or a client looking for a house is very hard. 95 percent of the time all the business you get is from your own personal marketing and rigorous prospecting [to find] new business.

One way to get new business is through cold calling, and it’s very hard to land a sale this way because you’re reaching out to them instead of vice versa. Usually, there are good leads to call, but sometimes you have to call random homeowners in hopes that they are looking to buy or sell. You have to be very persistent because a lot of prospects hang up.

It is very rare to get new clients who reach out to you or people walking in to the office. Throughout my entire career, I have only made four deals [through cold calling potential buyers for my boss.]. But if the house is average or above average in price, your commission can be really good.

Is it difficult to balance school

with your work?

It is, surprisingly, very easy. Usually, client showings are all done on their time and people areusually free after 5 p.m. and on weekends. That works out for me because all my classes are in he morning and afternoon, and I am always free in the evenings and on the weekends. As a part time job, the money I get is enough to help out with tuition and other college expenses. It’s a great job for me, as it fits in with my school schedule, despite seeming like such a rigorous business.

Will you be doing this full time after college?

I don’t think I will. However, it has definitely led me to think about what my future career options are.

I feel like if I get a job in finance or business, I will have the necessary experience from working at the place I’m at now.

Log Rolling Club

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIANNA SOUS

What made you want to start a log rolling club at Mason?

Well, if I’m being really serious, so I didn’t have to pay for myself to go to another tournament. Being the only person and [with] no funding to back it up, I would have to raise my own money to go and workww hard to do it.

Luckily, my aunt was there to help me, and she chipped in and paid for some hotels and then I drove. For the most part, that was what it was. But [also] being able to say I’ve done something and [left] behind something at George Mason, and hope that the legacy continues and grows. I think at the end of the day, that’s super cool. To leave my mark.

What are the club’s greatest accomplishments?

Something that I am super happy that we have, that not a lot of organizations have, is a good sense of community and friendship. You can say that you’re a part of an organization, but do you really know anyone

who is a part of that organization?

We always come together outside [of meetings], whether it be like going to volleyball, or meeting to just talk and hang out [to see] how each other is doing. Even when we’re practicing, we have those side conversations, like, we aren’t sitting there bored waiting to get on to the log. I think that is something that I am really happy that we have. We made our own trophies for last competition, which was really dope.

What do you think is special about bringing such a unique sport to Mason?

Well, it’s kind of like you said. It’s something unique and different for people to try. We’re also one of the first colleges to have it, so getting a head start now can put us ahead of the game when tournaments start becoming more frequent and other colleges start catching on to the trend.

Also, the way we have it set up here doesn’t require you to be good, or

even be competitive. Before I became competitive, I used it as a way to relax after a stressful day or week of school.

What are your goals for the club?

Definitely to expand the club, but at a reasonable pace. Right now, we only have one log. The whole, year-long goal is to get a new log. One of the challenges in that is that we have nationals to go to. And we definitely will try to go, but we have to limit who will go, or see how we can fit that into our budget so we have to fundraise.

So, growing at a reasonable pace so that no one is just sitting there but also participating.

And just really improving upon what we have. I think we have a really solid foundation. It’s not something that is super hard to get into. You pick it up and learn it pretty fast.

SPORTS

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE @IVESTATE_SPORTS

10.07.2019

11

PITCHING OVER THE POND

Senior softball pitcher discusses her unique opportunities playing softball abroad ROSS SHINBERG STAFF WRITER

Before her adventures across the pond, Vitalich was highly sought after coming out of high school after deciding to pursue softball instead of basketball.

During the recruitment process, she had interest from multiple Division I schools, including Mason.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS

“I originally was not planning on coming this far away from home,” the San Pedro, California native said.

“I ended up choosing Mason after a showcase in Texas. I met the coach, and after that, we developed a rapport.

Then I visited the campus, and I really liked the area. So I felt like Mason was a good fit.”

In hindsight, it was a tremendous fit for both Mason and Vitalich.

Over the past four years at Mason, redshirt senior Marina Vitalich has set the standard for pitching in the green and gold uniform.

However, those are not the only two colors in which she pitches.

In Europe, Vitalich steps onto softball diamonds in a red and white uniform as a player on the Croatian National Softball Team. Most notably, she has represented Croatia multiple times in the European Women’s Softball Championship.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARINA VITALICH

She has played in the European Women’s Softball Championship three times and has also played for the Under-19 Junior’s team during one

tournament.

citizenship,” Vitalich said.

When Vitalich played travel softball, an employee of the training facility she used approached her about the opportunity to play internationally. The employee, who was a member of the Colombian National Softball Team, told her to reach out to the Croatian team and inquire about playing.

After finalizing the citizenship process at the Croatian consulate in Los Angeles, she was set to play with her new team in the tournament.

After connecting with and getting a response back from the Croatian team, both Vitalich and her younger sister, Amanda, applied for citizenship in an attempt to join the national team.

Reflecting on her time with the Croatian National Team at the various European championships, she noted that the game is still the same, but that the number of different cultures and countries represented at the tournament gives her some unique experiences and memories that she cannot necessarily get at Mason.

“I could play anywhere in the world with any country on club teams. But for a national team, you have to have

“In our dugout, we’re speaking Croatian, and the girls speak English also. But our opponent could be

With 501 career strikeouts, Vitalich sits alone in first place on Mason softball’s all-time strikeout leaderboard. She has thrown nearly 500 innings at Mason over 102 appearances, including 73 starts. Over those 73 starts, 40 of them are complete games. Of the 40 complete games, 9 are shutouts.

With the gaudy stats Vitalich put up, the accolades soon followed. After her freshman season in 2016, she earned All-Rookie and Second-Team All-Conference honors. Her efforts during her sophomore season, which include 32 starts, a 1.87 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP, earned her the Atlantic 10 Co-Pitcher of the Year honor, along with a spot on the First-Team

All-Conference list.

Her time on the mound at Mason has been nothing short of phenomenal, but her journey has not been entierly smooth sailing. “[During] my junior year, I got super sick. I ended up sitting out of my junior season,” Vitalich said. “I was not sure if I would actually ever be able to play softball again.”

After six months of medications and recovery, she got approval to play from her doctor.

“I finally went to the doctor’s, and they said that I could actually play again.

That was probably the greatest thing I could ever hear,” Vitalich explained.

Vitalich mentioned how she did not have high expectations for her senior season after spending so much time in recovery. But she did not miss a beat, throwing over 100 innings and sporting a 2.83 ERA. Her achievements earned her another spot on the A-10 All-Conference Second Team and a place on the A-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Now, as she begins preparations for her fifth and final season as a Patriot, Vitalich’s primary goal is to leave with no regrets.

She said, “Win or lose, I just want to give it all I have and make it the best season possible. I’m excited for this season because it’s going to be my last and I just want to make it the best that I can.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARINA VITALICH

speaking German, or they could be speaking Russian,” Vitalich said. “It was super cool to be around all that.”

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SPORTS

10.07.2019

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE @IVESTATE_SPORTS

MARKETING HER FUTURE

2019 Emerging Business Leader Award winner talks about her career on and off the field NATALIE HEAVREN SPORTS EDITOR

sales associate with OrangeTheory Fitness, was the only undergraduate to receive the award this year. She had not applied for any specific awards and was surprised when she received the email saying she had won.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS

“It was really surprising. And it was humbling. I mean, I immediately called my mom and my dad, and they were over the moon. And I had to share it with some of my mentors who you know, have really pushed me and gotten me to where I am.”

The most important thing that her experience has taught her is time management.

Junior softball pitcher Haellie Gordon has succeeded on and off the field in her time at Mason. She recently won the 2019 Emerging Business Leader Award for Mason’s School of Business while being one of the team’s top three pitchers in her first two seasons.

The marketing major came to Mason looking to spend four years studying government and international politics.

However, after her freshman year, she talked to her mentor about what she liked and did not like in school.

He suggested she switch her major to marketing to align more with her career goals.

Gordon wants to be a lawyer and

believes that marketing will help her develop the skills to become one.

going to be most attractive to different demographics.”

“I’m going to be able to develop my own skills with marketing myself. So whether I need to market myself to clients or market myself to potential employers, I’m going to be able to do that,” she said. “And I’m also going to be able to have more of a business mindset when it comes to being a lawyer.”

Gordon’s favorite marketing class so far has been her digital marketing class.

She added, “So I’m going to try to do what’s most financially feasible and in the best interest of my clients, and then also have those skills in the courtroom. So being able to kind of like frame things — like ways that are

“So far, we’re doing some really cool interactive stuff. I think we’re making like a BuzzFeed quiz this semester,” she said.

Gordon continued, “[It’s] a lot of cool things that I think are important to learn, especially in this digital age where things are becoming more [digitized], and a big bigger place on technology than anything else.”

Gordon, who has interned with multiple law firms and is currently a

“I’ve always thought of myself as someone who can really manage their time,” Gordon said. “But as my course load has kind of picked up and how this work has kind of had to fit in my schedule. And then I’ve got softball, I’m also working … [And] I’m looking forward to applying when I’m in law school and then in the field of law.”

Mason first got on Gordon’s radar after she attended a softball camp when she was in middle school, where she initially fell in love with both the campus and the softball program. When she began looking at colleges, she knew she had to look at the academic options. After learning Mason has programs in business and government, she knew it was a perfect fit.

“I grew up playing T-ball back in that field right behind my house,” Gordon said. “And I just ended up always playing with my dad, and whenever and so my dad coached me for a little while. And I guess I just never stopped loving it. So I just kept doing it.”

Gordon grew up in Salem, Virginia, and her father still comes up for many home games.

“It’s funny because … I used to be called ‘G,’ that was like my nickname growing up,” she said.

“So, I wasn’t called it here just because I was the only Haellie on the team.

But, it’s funny to always hear like the ‘Go G’s,’ like from the stands because it’s always him. And I know he’s up there. But, yeah, he’s always there and FaceTimes me after practice and stuff.

So he’s very involved in everything that’s going on.”

Gordon is thankful to Mason for helping to grow both on and off the field.

“I’ve gotten to grow both as an athlete and a student in ways that I didn’t know were possible. And it’s definitely helped me in my professional career,” Gordon said. “I mean, I’ve gotten to have some great experiences working for law firms in the area and that’s something that you wouldn’t really get anywhere else. So just really grateful for the business programs and stuff like that and being honored in that way.”

Gordon started playing softball because there was a field behind her house and because both her father and grandfather played baseball.

UPCOMING SPORTS WOMEN’S SOCCER

MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Oct. 17 vs. La Salle

Oct. 12 vs. Davidson

Oct. 11 vs. Dayton; RAC: 7 p.m.

George Mason Stadium: 7 p.m.

George Mason Stadium: 7 p.m.

Oct. 12 vs. Saint Louis; RAC: 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 vs. Saint Louis

Oct. 23 vs. La Salle

Oct. 18 vs. Duquesne; RAC: 7 p.m.

George Mason Stadium: 7 p.m.

George Mason Stadium: 7 p.m.

Oct. 19 vs. La Salle; RAC: 7 p.m.

ADVERTISEMENTS are important!

When we don’t have ADS, student journalism

PAYS THE PRICE

If you or an organization you know would like to advertise in Fourth Estate, let us know at masonfourthestate@gmail.com

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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

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AMERICA NEEDS TO FIX ITS BROKEN MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SAVANNAH MARTINCIC STAFF WRITER

In the wake of years of mass shootings, mental illness has become a frequent topic of discussion. However, mental health care in America remains a system that does not meet the needs of some 47.6 million people who experience mental illness in any given year.

rights program at the American Civil Liberties Union in an interview. “We need to get to a level of being able to meet the need.

Due to the overwhelming financial burden of mental health care, many

facilities. This has had a serious impact on hospitals’ abilities to care for mentally ill patients.

When a patient seeks in-patient care at the psychiatric ward of a hospital, they frequently have to go through the

More than 10 million Americans have an unmet need for mental health care, a number that has not decreased in the last decade, and over 70 percent of youth with major depression are in need of treatment.

And, with recent cuts to Medicaid, financial problems have only been further exacerbated for those seeking mental health care. An estimated 40 percent of recipients of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act have mental health issues and could soon lose coverage.

“We have had decades of cuts in mental health treatment,” said Susan Mizner, director of the disability

psychiatrist, but were sitting in emergency rooms waiting for treatment thanks to budget cuts and bogus insurance policies.

During the recession, states cut $1.8 billion from their mental health budgets, with the biggest cuts being made to long-term, in-patient care

FOURTH ESTATE BILLY FERGUSON

Then, President Reagan’s 1981 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Bill raised defense spending while slashing funding to domestic programs, including federal funding for state community mental health centers.

suffering from mental illness cannot pursue treatment.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that less than 50 percent of people with mental illness received treatment in 2017; these people who sought out treatment were not in clinics or seeing a

But the pain does not stop there.

The patient then can be detained for hours — and possibly days or weeks — in the hospital as they await their assignment to a mental health care facility for out-patient care, with some being eventually placed in overcrowded and understaffed clinics.

This dangerous practice is called “psychiatric boarding” and is often the only option for ER staff who cannot turn away mentally ill patients, but cannot find room in nearby clinics.

This leads to a lack of consistent and beneficial treatment and is putting the mentally ill at severe risk in more ways than one.

Those with mental illness have fallen victim to a historically broken mental health care system.

In the decades after deinstitutionalization in 1955, millions of mentally ill Americans were left behind, as state governments and counties were unwilling to pay for extensive networks of clinics.

care.

ER and then through triage — where staff are more prepared to deal with physical trauma over mental trauma. This long admissions process forces individuals in crisis to repeat their stories over and over again, until finally they are admitted to in-patient

According to a study by the Treatment Advocacy Center, people with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter than other people approached or stopped by law enforcement. The study also reports that while individuals with untreated severe mental illness number fewer than one in 50 adults, they are involved in at least one in four and at most half of all fatal police shootings.

“By dismantling the mental illness treatment system, we have turned mental health crisis from a medical issue into a police matter,” said John Snook, executive director and a co-author of the study.

The mentally ill as a whole are overrepresented in all aspects of the criminal justice system.

At least a fifth of all prisoners in the U.S. have a mental illness of some kind, and between 25 and 40 percent of mentally ill people will be incarcerated at some point in their lives.

The broken mental health care system has created a pipeline from the streets to the “big house.” Instead of helping to treat individuals suffering from mental illness, the country finds it easier to criminalize their very existence.

To put the overwhelming number of mentally ill individuals currently in prison, consider this: 1.2 million individuals living with mental illness sit in jail and prison each year.

That is enough to fill Madison Square Garden 60 times.

Mentally ill inmates may also experience prolonged delays for services due to lack of funding, making them more likely to remain in prison longer than other inmates. Not only is this extremely unfortunate for the individual, but it also is financially straining the budget of the states.

Politicians, however, only want to talk about mental illness after a shooting.

If they were actually serious about treating mental health, they would be passing policy to fix our broken mental health care system, rather than just using it to curb the gun control conversation.

WHY INSTAGRAM IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR MASKS CHRISTINA O’FARRELL STAFF WRITER

It’s easy to scroll through your best friend’s Instagram page and see all of their smiling selfies with perfect lighting and pictures of them out having a great time with others. Maybe the filter they use even creates a happy illusion. Seems like they’re having a pretty good time, right?

Everyone wants to have a pictureperfect life on Instagram, which to some means going on extravagant trips, having the newest shoes, posting your newest hairstyle, having that Instagram model physique, and many other attributions of having

a so-called perfect life. The feeling of being envied somehow makes you feel powerful. So no matter how awful a person is feeling mentally, they can put on a mask on Instagram and pretend that everything is great.

There’s a huge flaw in this outlook, and unfortunately, it’s an increasingly normalized activity. The sad truth for some is that Instagram is a great mask to hide behind.

I’ve learned this truth the hard way from the friends around me and even from myself. Talking about the way you’re really feeling is much harder

than uploading a selfie in golden hour lighting. It has become too normal to hide someone’s mental health because of the stigma around it. The stigma basically states that the way you feel is something you can control and it’s just something you’re going to have to overcome by yourself. It almost makes people feel like it’s their fault for feeling that way. But science proves that feeling mentally unwell is not something that can be controlled.

In our culture today, social media is on top. No one wants to post how they’re truly feeling on Instagram because no

one wants to look weak. But the bigger issue is that some people don’t want to open up about what they’re really feeling and would rather carry on with this hidden burden.

It might be hard to believe, but even celebrities go through waves of sadness and difficulty. In fact, Olivia Culpo, former Miss USA and Miss Universe 2012, opened up about going through depression. Culpo has millions of followers on Instagram and is someone that many would deem an “Instagram model.”

It’s important to note that your friends

are there for a reason. Your friends are there to uplift you and remind you that you’re loved. It’s so important to check up on your friends and make sure they’re doing okay. The feeling of being a burden is very strong today in our society, so just checking up on someone could really help them out. It could even potentially save their life, or encourage them to go to professional to talk about how they’re really feeling. Mental illness is very easy to hide, but just talking about it can make a huge difference.

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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

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THE ENSLAVED PEOPLE MEMORIAL IS A BEAUTIFUL BALANCING ACT

DOMINIC PINO STAFF WRITER

If you’ve ever taken a history class, you know history is complicated. The lines between good and evil are rarely as clear as we want them to be, and many of our heroes had tremendous faults. This goes for all of history, from Martin Luther, who wrote some despicable and vile things about Jews, to Martin Luther King, Jr., who cheated on his wife — a lot.

The Virginia planter and namesake of our university owned around 100 people throughout his lifetime, which was abnormally high for the time.

His Gunston Hall plantation would have been unsustainable without slave labor running household affairs and agricultural production. He purchased children as young as 8 years old. He was a knowing and willing participant in one of the most horrific systems of oppression that humans have yet conceived of.

Mason also wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights in May 1776, which would influence the Declaration of Independence two months later, the Bill of Rights fifteen years later and the founders of West Virginia almost one hundred years later. Mason was also a very active participant at the Constitutional Convention, but ultimately refused to sign the Constitution. He listed sixteen reasons for his refusal to sign.

One of those reasons being: “The general legislature is restrained from prohibiting the further importation of slaves for twenty odd years; though such importations render the United States weaker, more vulnerable, and less capable of defense.”

That’s right, one of the reasons Mason — who owned around 100 slaves — refused to sign the Constitution was because it didn’t allow Congress to end the slave trade fast enough. Was Mason the worst kind of hypocrite?

Or was he a good man tormented by his conscience? The truth is probably somewhere between those two extremes.

Our namesake holds a complicated legacy, and that puts the university in a tough spot. We’ve got a larger-thanlife statue of the guy at the center of our campus, greeting visitors and providing a focal point for student life.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

It also goes for George Mason, who owned enslaved people.

Is that right?

The university has worked hard to answer that extremely challenging question. As part of the Campus Core project, they have unveiled a redesign of Roger Wilkins Plaza (commonly known as North Plaza) that features a new memorial to the enslaved people of George Mason. The memorial is equal parts artistic, just and welcome.

The memorial features the work of the Enslaved Children of George Mason project, led by history and art history professors Wendi Manuel-Scott and Benedict Carton, with help from five student research assistants working with an OSCAR grant. They compiled an impressive amount of information on the history of Mason’s slaveholding — all of which is easily accessible on the project’s website.

Finding information on people deemed subhuman by the society in which they lived is next to impossible, but the research team was able to find an inordinate amount of information on two enslaved people, Penny and James. Penny was a 10-year-old girl who would have done household chores. James was Mason’s personal attendant and had much authority over Mason’s residence.

The fruits of that research project will be prominently displayed in the new

Wilkins Plaza, with Penny and James’ personal stories being shared with the world for the first time, along with the names of all of Mason’s slaves for whom records exist. A silhouette of Penny depicts her doing one of the tasks she was forced to do, serving tea. A silhouette of James depicts him writing with a quill pen, standing tall.

James’ silhouette features a striking quote from Roger Wilkins: “They did not just endure: they lived and created and passed down strength and power and hope and love.”

The ingenious part of the memorial is how the designers play with lines of sight. There will be a spot where you can stand and see Penny’s silhouette line up with the Mason statue. It’s honest about the oppression of slavery, admirably avoiding sugarcoating a difficult issue. The spot where you stand will include this injunction: “Consider how slavery and freedom coexisted in America.” Finally taking that question seriously is vital to understanding the past and creating a better future.

The spot where James’ silhouette lines up with the Mason statue presents a different injunction: “Consider how rights have changed since Mason’s time.” Nowadays, we would all give James the credit for the success of Gunston Hall since he actually did

the work, but Mason unjustly got the credit in the 1700s.

The memorial is a beautiful display of balance. It balances Mason’s preeminence with his flaws. It balances the oppressive and cruel past of slavery with a sober and hopeful look to the future. It balances students and faculty and administrators. And it balances, at least in part, our view of history as Mason Patriots.

Everyone would be wise to read up on the plans for the memorial, and the university has provided copious amounts of material to read and watch. You’ll learn something new and appreciate the work that was put into the project.

If you’re going to criticize the project, don’t do it from a place of ignorance like the Resident Student Association (RSA) did in an open letter to President Holton on the subject.

The letter states, “The Association’s fear is that individuals coming to the university will miss the intent of the memorials being a conversation starter and a place to reflect, but rather will see them as being a means of the university glorifying the fact of George Mason IV owning slaves.”

Leaving open the possibility that anyone at this university is glorifying Mason’s slaveholding is grotesque and demonstrates a clear failure to even

attempt to understand the purpose of the memorial. RSA did not respond to a request for comment for this article.

Student Body President Camden Layton quote-tweeted RSA’s letter with “lol what.”

In an email to me, he said, “I absolutely love this memorial … After hearing from Dr. Wendi N. Manuel-Scott at the Board of Visitors meeting last spring in regards to this, I was absolutely blown away by the thought and attention that went into this. Honestly, the concept of this coming out of a student research project just goes to show Mason’s commitment to not only the subject of the memorial, but also to our commitment to education and research.” He added that he can’t wait to come back after graduation and see it in real life.

Neither can I. History is complicated, and Mason has come up with a beautifully balanced memorial on an incredibly difficult subject.

The university’s behavior on this issue should serve as a model to other organizations presented with challenging questions. Nothing can ever make slavery right or erase George Mason’s flaws. His memorial does not attempt to do either of those things — and for that it deserves our applause.

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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

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GETTING FIT WITH MASON FITNESS

CLAUDE MCVICKER STAFF WRITER

Mason offers plenty of opportunities for students to work out. Between the three gym facilities and numerous clubs available, students can find all kinds of things to do that appeal to their style of exercising.

I’ve already paid a visit to two of the three athletic facilities, the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC) and Skyline Fitness. Both offer a great

variety of equipment for students to use like treadmills, bicycles, elliptical machines, bench presses, squat racks, dumbbells, and a plethora of other machines that can target basically every muscle group you can think of.

That being said, the RAC leaves room to be desired and feels a bit cramped, in my opinion. However, the smaller space doesn’t impede students from getting a good workout in.

Skyline is by far my favorite gym facility to go to. It’s big, it’s open, and the structure of the building lets in a lot of natural light, which may not be very important when you’re working out, but makes it a more pleasant place to be in.

I haven’t been to the Aquatic Fitness Center (AFC) yet, which as the name suggests, contains swimming pools and saunas, however the distance it is from my classes makes it impractical for me to go.

Mason also offers Mason Trails: 2.9

miles worth of trails that connect to Fairfax city and county, great for walking, running or biking on.

In addition to the trails there are tennis courts, the RAC and West Campus Park fields, and the EDGE, an elevated, outdoor team-building exercise located on the Science and Technology Campus.

work out in between my classes.

I think it’s really great that Mason offers so many opportunities for students to work out. As I discussed in a previous article, it’s very easy for college students to put on weight due to the sedentary lifestyle that is

brought about through many hours of studying. Having easily accessible methods of exercise is a great way to help students maintain good health, motivate them to work out and have some fun!

And finally, club sports. Mason offers: club badminton, Brazilian jiu jitsu, crew, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, log rolling, powerlifting, quidditch, running, squash, swimming, tae kwon do, tennis, trap and skeet, and underwater hockey. So there really is something for everyone.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALEXIS GENN

Three years ago I entered the world of weightlifting, and the impact it’s had on my life is monumental. I felt bigger, stronger and more confident, and now, I always try to find time to stop by the gym during the week. When I heard about the amount of work I could expect in college, I was worried that I would no longer have the time to do the activity that I loved so much. So I was relieved during orientation to hear that there was a presentation regarding opportunities for on-campus physical activity. And I can say that I was really impressed.

Having recreation so easily accessible has helped me maintain a regular workout schedule. Because of the workload I have from my classes, I don’t have as much time to go to the gym as I used to. Having gym facilities on campus has really helped me stay in shape, as I am able to stop by one and

WHY ANIMATION IS AN ASSET SAMUEL FELDHOUSEN STAFF WRITER

Animation is widely considered to be a medium oriented towards children, and it’s not hard to understand why that is. The bright colors and visually appealing style seen in many children’s media make them strongly appealing to younger viewers, giving rise to this stereotype.

FOURTH ESATE ALEX TRUSTY

As a result of the amount of animation

oriented towards children, many people earnestly believe that animation is a childish medium that isn’t suitable for more mature topics or audiences.

To make matters worse, many creators of adult-oriented cartoons think that fart jokes and generalized bigotry is a substitute for anything of value, seen in TV shows such as “Family Guy” and the shockingly profitable movie

“Sausage Party.”

Animation has almost infinite potential for creation, regardless of the intended audience. Animation allows for an extreme amount of control over what occurs in a scene, thus allowing animators to achieve things that wouldn’t be possible in a live action movie — or at least would be extremely difficult. But most importantly, animation — if given proper resources and talented artists — can be absolutely incredible, regardless of the targeted age group.

The best example of a fantastic animated movie for all ages is “SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse.” The creators of “Spider-Verse” have an incredibly strong understanding of how powerful animation is; they make fantastic use of the potential of animation, which allows them to create beautiful scenes without having to worry about weather conditions or anything else that a conventional movie would. It also allows them to stay close to the traditional style of comic books. The scene “What’s

Up Danger” functions as both the visual and the thematic crescendo to the main character’s story arc as he takes a leap of faith and finds his true strength.

Another example is “Akira,” an animated sci-fi set in the city of Neo-Tokyo. As a young biker realizes he has psychic abilities, he quickly begins to abuse his powers, bringing the city to its knees. “Akira” is another solid example of the usefulness of animation, as many of its more spectacular scenes — especially the horrifying finale — wouldn’t be nearly as appealing as after effects in a live action movie. Glass shatters violently, machines are torn to shreds and the earth itself is torn asunder by the psychic power on display. Each piece of shrapnel and dirt behaves exactly how the animators want them to.

“Akira” doesn’t shy away from heavier topics either. A major part of the movie is the ever-present threat of their own hyper-oppressive military. The city itself is absolutely beautiful, from the flashing neon lights of the shopping

district to the grungy back alley bars.

All of this showcases how vibrant and awe-inspiring animation can be.

While animation is hailed as childish and unprofitable in the U.S., the opposite is true in Japan. Animated media is very prevalent in Japan, with countless movies and TV shows airing each year. Furthermore, animated movies made in Japan pay no mind to the stereotype that animation is childish, allowing creators to make classics such as “Ghost in the Shell” — a movie so influential that its themes can be traced directly to “The Matrix,” a live action classic.

If we want animation to reach its fullest potential, we need to dispel the harmful myths around the medium.

Animated movies can be for every age group, and there really isn’t any need for every adult-oriented animated movie to have childish and sometimes outright bigoted humor. Animation has almost unlimited potential, and we’d be foolish not to use it!

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OPINIONS Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to ckernans@gmu.edu

10.07.2019

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WHAT THE HECK’S A VSCO GIRL? ARIANNA GOODMAN STAFF WRITER

What the heck’s a VSCO girl? I have never felt as old as I did when I asked this question. My boyfriend’s two little sisters walked up to us going, “sksksksks” and “and I oop” over and over again until we were forced to ask what on earth they were saying. They turned to us and, with the utmost sincerity, stated that they were acting like VSCO (pronounced vis-coh) girls.

When asked what that was, they simply explained that it is someone who says the aforementioned phrases. Needless to say, I was thoroughly confused and felt as though I had aged 20 years.

Instagram models and social media influencers presenting a highly curated laid back look. Although the ingredients for this stereotype have been around for quite a while, creators on Tik Tok can be credited with putting it all together and churning out the newest slang.

Sometimes considered attention seekers, VSCO girls can be seen as an upgrade to the “basic white girl.”

Instead of pumpkin spiced lattes and Ugg boots, the hip kids today love Fjällräven Kånken backpacks and

puka shell necklaces. However, at its core, the two are practically the same.

In truth, there seems to be a larger trend at play here. No matter what the minutiae of the exact term is, the archetype always seems to revolve around mostly white and middle class teenage girls. The media fixation with this demographic, and their media and brand consumption is astounding considering how little weight their opinions and words carry.

Like hipster, emo and all other slang before it, VSCO is sometimes used

as an insult aimed at young girls for following a particular trend. It focuses on painting teen girls as vapid and vain — doing so without acknowledging their agency or experiences. A lot of these girls would consider themselves to be environmentally conscious, but that part seems to get overlooked with great ease. Metal straws and stainless steel canisters are being mocked as part of the VSCO girl’s ensemble, but these are potentially very good indicators that she thinks about the future and about making a difference

in the world.

No matter what they’re called, such fashion and internet trends appear and disappear quickly. In fact, by the time I finish writing this, the term is probably already considered archaic if Google Trends is any indicator. Even so, the VSCO girl will live on and most likely be reincarnated again under a new name, this time making those after me feel old and outdated just like the Boomers before me.

FOURTH ESTATE ALEXIANDRIA MCALPINE

For those of you who are as confused as I was, allow me to paint a better picture. A VSCO girl is best described as a fashion and behavioural archetype categorized by scrunchies, Birkenstock sandals, Hydro Flasks and stale meme quotes. Many of the branded hallmarks of a so-called VSCO girl come with quite a hefty price tag. The Fjällräven Kånken bag ranges from $70 to over $100, the Birkenstock sandals are roughly $100, and the smallest size of a Hydro Flask bottle is currently around $30.

The origin of the name is from the photo editing app VSCO, which is often used by self-proclaimed

M INIMU M WAGE HURTS WO R K ER S ALEX MADAJIAN STAFF WRITER

As I sit down after a long class, grasping my chicken sandwich, my first bite is interrupted by the yells of my fellow students outside of Southside demanding “higher wages, better benefits and more respectful working conditions.” That’s according to the petition set forth by Radical Organizers for Socialism and Equity (ROSE) on behalf of the dining halls’ workers.

Now that sounds really nice, doesn’t it? Well sure, if you only focus on the theoretical gains and not the inevitable consequences. But the moment anyone considers the full scope of what will happen if said demands are met, this flowery dream hurts those most vulnerable.

The Congressional Budget Office reported over 1.3 million workers would lose their jobs with a federal minimum wage increase to $15. It also noted that because women, teenagers and adults who only have a high school diploma occupy more low-income jobs, they are at greater risk.

Let’s consider the basic facts. An increase in expenses (wages and benefits) needs to be offset by a decrease in some other expenses, otherwise the business will go bankrupt and no one — meaning both the owner and workers — will be paid. To avoid this, the first thing a business usually does is let go of its least skilled workers or cut their hours.

The minimum wage has been around

for many years and is set at different rates in many different jurisdictions.

Therefore, we have a great understanding of what will happen when or if it is raised at the federal level. The Washington Post reported after an increase to $15, workers in Seattle lost a net $125 a month because of slashed hours. Similar negative results have happened in New York and California.

Although the petition does not offer any clear specifics on how much of a wage increase or what exact benefits ROSE is demanding, one thing remains clear: this is not an effort driven by facts, data or anything remotely resembling pragmatism, but rather emotions. Emotions which

will probably cost the workers they are seeking to help the jobs they were hoping to improve.

Now, I should note two things. First, unions are not inherently bad, in fact, they are a result of a truly free market.

If the workers wish to unionize to negotiate a better contract, then I laud their efforts to do so. Second, I am assuming that because the workers at Sodexo (the management company for the dining hall workers) are contracted by a public institution (Mason), they can simply get more funds by having the state or local government increase taxes or ask the school to raise tuition.

Although I am unaware of the specifics of Mason and Sodexo’s official relationship, the principle stands that

an increase in taxes would cause an increase in living expenses, that would increase the desire for a higher wages — putting us right back where we started, except with more inflation.

So what will probably happen is that we will receive an increase in our tuition in order to foot the bill.

Have all those protesting considered this? Is it really moral, fair, kind or loving to raise everyone’s tuition — even international, out-of-state or low-income students — for this cause?

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