11.6.17 - Fourth Estate

FOURTH ESTATE Nov. 6, 2017 Volume 5 Issue 9

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

@ivestate | gmufourthestate.com

PATRIOT PANTRY PROVIDES FOR MASON

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Over 60 Mason Patriots use the pantry weekly for food and hygienic products. If you need support or if can donate, read on page 5

LIFESTYLE

NEWS Mason Cru students raise money to pack 40,000 meals for eighth annual Mason Love Week

Is “Stranger Things” season 2 worth the watch? Find out how Netflix’s hit followed a successful first season… page 4

LIFESTYLE

OPINIONS #MeToo: Yes, even at George Mason. Roosevelt @ Mason member weighs in on the movement

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Embracing your background: How are Mason students celebrating Native American Heritage Month?

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FOURTH ESTATE

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

WE ARE HIRING! We are currently looking to fill the following paid editor positions for the Fall 2017 semester:

Fareeha Rehman Sosan Malik

As my peers and I packed up on Oct. 31, I heard the boy next to me say something along the lines of, “Did you hear what happened in New York?... Some guy ran his truck into pedestrians and killed eight people,” to another student.

My heart sank not only at the horrific news, but also at what he uttered next.

“Yeah, he’s Muslim.”

I closed my eyes for a moment. My heart raced. Not knowing how the media would portray this event made me restless.

It’s times like these that being an American Muslim is particularly difficult. I knew that the media would put the New York incident on blast and completely bury the Las Vegas shooting. Sure enough, President Trump ordered homeland security to take measures on ‘extreme vetting’ while gun control remains an unresolved issue.

Just as we all fear terror attacks, I also fear hate crimes against members of my community. We should use these times of terror to come together rather than spread fear.

I encourage all my fellow patriots to give feedback and support. Our paper is a platform for all of you.

Co-Editors-in-Chief

Katya Beisel Copy Chief

Michael D. Eberhart News Editor

Alex Shedd News Assistant Editor

Dinanda Pramesti Lifestyle Editor

Basma Humadi Lifestyle Assistant Editor

Jamie Beliveau Opinions Editor

Catherine McKay Online Editor

Billy Ferguson

Sosan Malik Co-Editor-in-Chief

Art Director

Michelle Gardner Photo Editor

Emmett Smith Distribution Manager

Kathryn Mangus Director

- GRAPHICS EDITOR

We are always recruiting volunteers for:

David Carroll Copy Chief Katya Beisel

Photo Editor News Editor Michelle Gardner Michael D. Eberhart

Associate Director

Lifestyle Editor Dinanda Pramesti

Jason Hartsel Assistant Director

Lottye Lockhart Communicaion Manager

- NEWS WRITERS

Jessica Smith Business Office Manager

- LIFESTYLE WRITERS - SPORTS WRITERS

Co-Editor-in-Chief Sosan Malik

Co-Editor-in-Chief Fareeha Rehman

- COPY EDITORS

COVER PHOTO CREDITS Fourth Estate/Allie Thompson

- DESIGNERS

News Love Week Fourth Estate/Michael Eberhart

- PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lifestyle Stranger Things Still

For all inquiries, please email and resume and two clips (or samples of work for visuals) to: frehman3@gmu.edu

Opinions #Metoo Ron Aira/Creative Services Lifestyle Asst. Editor Online Editor Basma Humadi Catherine McKay

News Asst. Editor Alex Shedd

Art Director Billy Ferguson

Lifestyle Embrace Backgrounds Fourth Estate/ Morgan McCarthy

Fourth Estate is printed each Monday for George Mason University and its surrounding Fairfax community.

The editors of Fourth Estate have exclusive authority over the content that is published.

AND

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 Editor-in-Chief should be notified at the email provided.

apply online at

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

http://c2ms.info/osmapply

George Mason University Mail stop 2C5 4400 University Drive Fairfax, Va. 22030 Phone 703-993-2950

NEWS

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Photo courtesy of TRANSPARENT GMU

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TRANSPARENT GMU ORGANIZES BUCHANAN HALL PROTEST FOURTH ESTATE/MICHAEL EBERHART

The student group rallied support for their lawsuit against the school and GMU Foundation ASHLEY STEWART STAFF WRITER

Students from Transparent GMU recently organized a demonstration at Buchanan Hall in support of their ongoing lawsuit against the school’s administration and the George Mason University Foundation.

was named to honor former Mason economics professor James Buchanan.

Buchanan won a Nobel prize in economics for his work on public choice theory, and he was a senior fellow at the Cato Institute.

“I hope that it raises awareness about this issue and shows people how important it is,” said senior Elizabeth Mathews, a Transparent GMU member. “This case could set a precedent for transparency in education.”

The Cato Institute is a libertarian think tank founded by the Charles Koch Foundation in 1974. The Charles Koch Foundation is also one of the major donors to Mason through the private GMU Foundation.

Transparent is suing the school and the GMU Foundation for access to records of those donations.

The student organization projected messages of public support against the side of Buchanan Hall during the Oct. 25 demonstration, the night before their case’s second hearing in court.

“We’re seeing how the public views this issue,” said junior Janine Gaspari, another Transparent GMU member.

“It’s really amazing to see the response and support to our case.”

Photo courtesy of TRANSPARENT GMU

The group chose Buchanan Hall as the site of their demonstration because it houses the Mason economics department on the second floor and

Buchanan Hall also houses several rooms of the Mercatus Center.

The Mercatus Center is a policy think tank at Mason that focuses on policy research and bridging the gap between academic ideas and realworld problems. The Mercatus Center is another focus for Transparent GMU because it has received significant funding from private donors, and the student group is concerned with the center’s presence at Mason as a potential obstacle to academic freedom.

CHIPOTLE BACK ON TRACK FOR SPRING 2018 OPENING

Construction is underway after early approval problems

LAUREN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER

“When is Chipotle opening?” This question can be heard throughout the JC and anywhere students are found on campus. We did some digging so you can know when you’ll be able to order a rice bowl or burrito anytime you want.

Mark Kraner, Executive Director of Campus Retail Operations, explained that the permit process for Chipotle proved to be a challenge. The state agency with approval authority is called Building Capital Outlay Management (BCOM).

Since the announcement of Chipotle’s imminent arrival last spring, students have been anxious to have one of the most popular Mexican dining options on campus. Originally projected to open at the beginning of fall like this semester’s other new dining options, Mason students are becoming frustrated at the ongoing construction at Chipotle’s location in the Johnson Center.

“They do all the permitting and the reviews before [construction], and give them their occupancy certificate so they can open,” said Kraner.

There is still no confirmed date for Chipotle’s grand opening at Mason.

Director of Strategic Communications Michael Sandler said that the current schedule has the projected opening set for some time before the start of the spring semester. He added that this schedule is subject to change, but Chipotle and the school are hoping to be open for business by then.

“The delay was getting their original drawings approved through BCOM,” he explained. “That is not unusual… we had that same problem with Panda Express and Manhattan Pizza.”

“Chipotle has not been in a college before and every permitting agency has different requirements,” Kraner said. “[Going from] working with Fairfax county to working with BCOM is very different in what standards they approve to, and working with BCOM will go to the highest level and standards because it is going into a state building.”

The lengthy approval process starts

over each time construction plans are resubmitted.

“It takes 10-12 weeks - up to three months – to get the plans approved, and if there are any problems it can take a little longer,” said Kraner.

But the hurdles for opening in a public facility like Mason don’t end there.

“They have to go through reviews once they get construction done, and all of that is dependent on getting the state fire marshal and folks from Richmond to come up and approve it,” said Kraner.

Still, he was confident that the new Chipotle is back on track after the initial setbacks.

“It is under construction, they are closing in the walls and everything looks to be on target,” he confirmed.

“Odds are they will be done at the end of the current semester and ready to hire and train employees for the spring.”

Until then, Mason students will have to make Chipotle runs off campus.

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NEWS

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MASON LOVE WEEK FEEDS SYRIAN REFUGEES Students raise awareness and pack meals for annual humanitarian aid project MICHAEL EBERHART NEWS EDITOR

lentils to feed families displaced by the conflict in Syria. Mason Cru will host the packing event in Hanover Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOURTH ESTATE/MICHAEL EBERHART

“GAIN will be coming with their truck, bringing all of the materials,” said senior Jeremiah Ludwinski, another student leader in Mason Cru. “We’ll be setting up different tables and different lines so there will be a bunch of different stations, each doing their own task so it will go assembly linestyle, which will then be boxed up, put in the truck, and sent over.”

The Syrian Civil War has been an ongoing humanitarian crisis since 2011, with hundreds of thousands killed and millions forced to flee from their homes. Students from Mason Cru decided to help by raising money to pack 40,000 meals for refugees as a part of their annual Love Week.

“We were trying to look at the needs of the world,” said senior Bridget Borton, one of Mason Cru’s student

leaders and a community health major.

“Obviously the Syrian refugee crisis is huge and affects people from many different countries, so that’s where our vision went for a cause that we would support this year.”

The centerpiece of this year’s Love Week is a partnership between Mason Cru and the Global Aid Network (GAIN) to pack thousands of simple, non-perishable meals of rice and

According to Borton, Mason Cru is an interdenominational Christian organization with chapters on college campuses around the world.

“One of the reasons that we do Love Week in general is that we believe that God loves all people,” she said. “There are examples in the Bible of where God provides for people’s physical needs…

That is our heart behind this, because there’s people suffering and oppressed in other places and they should know that God cares about them and loves them.”

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The campus tradition helping survivors of humanitarian crises after the earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. The annual project starts when Mason Cru students choose a country and a cause for a humanitarian aid project.

“Every year is a different theme,” explained Ludwinski. “This past year, we did Love India. We worked with the International Justice Mission and raised funds to help build a safe house for those rescued from sex trafficking.”

“I got invited to help out as a freshman, which was Love Guatemala,” said Borton. “This is my fourth year and my last, sadly.”

This year’s first Love Week event was a fundraiser through the Panda Express in Merten Hall on Thursday, Nov. 2.

“Every Love Week, Panda Express lets us do a fundraiser so 20 percent of what people buy goes to the meals for refugees,” explained Borton.

Mason Cru members gathered outside to hand out flyers and sell t-shirts promoting this year’s project. The t-shirts each cost $20, and the proceeds will go toward Wednesday’s event with GAIN. “We’re trying to raise $12,000 this year,” said Borton. “That’s our goal to pack 40,000 meals, and so this hopefully will help in raising the money.”

The next Love Week event will be on Monday, Nov. 6, when Mason Cru students will have tables set up in North Plaza. “We will be selling our t-shirts, raising awareness, pointing people toward the packing event on Wednesday and help asking for donations.”

On Tuesday, there will be a talent show from 8-10 p.m. in the Center for the Arts. According to Ludwinski, the contest will be open “to anyone who wants to come showcase their talent, whether it’s singing, something acrobatic, something odd and funny, really anything.” The event will also include a fundraising raffle for gift cards donated by local businesses including Chipotle, Potbelly, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and movie tickets from the University Mall theater.

The project’s last event will be a lecture and Q&A with Jenny Yang, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy on Refugee Resettlement at World Relief.

“They are an organization that does a lot of different humanitarian projects,” explained Borton. “She is going to come talk about the refugee crisis, so that we are all a little more informed of what’s going on.”

This year’s final event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 8-10 p.m. in the Hub Ballroom.

MASON CELEBRATES VETERANS DAY

OMS, ROTC and others plan week of events to honor military service ISABELLA LAMAGDELEINE STAFF WRITER

OMS will organize a week of events and activities to honor Mason veterans, including live performances, a luncheon, and a celebration for members of the Marine Corps.

To begin the week, priority registration will open for active duty members, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Students using education benefits like the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill must also complete the Veterans Registration Reporting Form, or VRRF, and submit it to OMS. This form is how the school certifies classes for education benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VRRF will be available

for students beginning Friday, Nov. 10.

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, OMS will host service officers from Disabled American Veterans (DAV) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The officers will be available to answer any questions that Mason’s student veterans have about how to apply for benefits.

Because the federal and state benefits processes can be difficult to navigate, their expert advice can be extremely helpful. According to DAV, they assist more than 292,000 veterans every year prepare and submit benefit claims.

Then on Friday, Nov. 10, a Veterans Day Luncheon will be held in the Concert Hall Lobby at the Center for the Arts from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

The annual event will be hosted by the Office of the President and George Mason ROTC to honor veterans who work at Mason and their invited guests.

Also on Nov. 10, the Hub’s Corner Pocket will host a celebration of the

Marine Corps’ 242nd birthday. The event will feature light refreshments and free games from noon to 1 p.m. to celebrate the founding of this military service branch.

The final event on Veterans Day itself is Celebrating Veterans and the Arts at the Hylton Performing Arts Center at Mason’s Science and Technology Campus. Starting at 1 p.m., everyone is welcome to enjoy live chamber music, a guitar workshop, a new art exhibition and presentation by veteran Martin J. Cervantez titled “War and Recovery.”

“Since 2014, the Veterans and the Arts Initiative has served as an arts and community hub,” according to Dr. Niyati Dhokai, program manager for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative. “On Veterans Day, we bring together veterans service organizations, community groups, and arts organizations that serve and support

Photo courtesy of ALEXIS GLENN/CREATIVE SERVICES

As Veterans Day approaches on Nov. 11, the Office of Military Services (OMS) and other campus organizations are ready to celebrate the brave members of the Mason community that have served our country in uniform.

our veterans, service members, their families, and military caregivers so we can facilitate community engagement through local arts organizations that establishes lasting connections to the arts and supports strong social relationships within the community.”

The event will conclude with a concert featuring performers including Darden

Purcell and Mason Jazz Voices, vocalist Jim Van Slaughe, and dancer Luke Sprig. The concert will start at 4 p.m. and will be free to veterans and their families, but admission for the general public will cost $15. All other events that day will be free of charge to all.

NEWS

PATRIOT PANTRY PROVIDES FOR STUDENTS IN NEED

Over 60 students use the pantry weekly for food and hygienic products.

GEMMA CARRETTA STAFF WRITER FAREEHA REHMAN CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mason’s diversity includes students from upper, middle, and lower economic classes. According to a New York Times study of Mason’s class of 2013, 4.1 percent of Mason students come from families that make $20,000 per year or less. Patriot Pantry is an extra support system on-campus for these students.

Patriot Pantry is run and managed by student volunteers in conjunction with Mason’s Student Support and Advocacy Center to supply basic necessities like food, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies.

“We try to get as close as we can to offer them all the possible things they might need on a day-to-day basis to be healthy and feel comfortable and safe” said Noah Shoates, a student director at Patriot Pantry.

Students can schedule an appointment to receive up to 25.2 lbs of necessities.

“That’s the average amount of goods people go through a week […] most of the time people honestly don’t even hit that [limit] because we’re straying from canned foods, the typical items we have are a bit lighter.” said Shoates.

The pantry, located in SUB 1 room 3011, was stocked with ramen and canned food at the time of Fourth Estate’s visit, but they are looking for higher-quality donations.

Shoates added “shelf-stable meals are our biggest focus,” such as quinoa bowls, Tasty Bite meals, and Seeds of Change rice. “If you were hungry, what would you actually eat from your pantry?”

Patriot Pantry also raises awareness

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about food insecurity and homelessness within the Mason student population, however homeless students are only a portion of the students that need their services.

Some students are “able to make ends meet for housing but they don’t have enough disposable income, and various circumstances come up to make it harder to get food on a consistent basis,” said Shoates.

In addition to food donations, Patriot Pantry is looking for donations of hygienic needs such as tampons, shaving equipment, and laundry detergent. Shoates says that students sometimes have to prioritize food over these necessities.

He says visitors always say things like “I’m so glad you have toilet paper, I’m always out and I don’t know what to do.”

According to Shoates, many students see Patriot Pantry as a judgement-free place to vent. To create an appointment, students can go to Patriotpantry. mypaysimple.com. If you want to support Patriot Pantry, you can find more information about the FILL THE PANTRY collection drive in the sidebar.

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

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FILL THE PANTRY! November 6-17 | The Hub 2300 The Well-Being Team is hosting a campus-wide FILL THE PANTRY competition to help support community members who are in need of food and other essentials. The pantry is currently very low so let’s come together to show our Mason spirit and FILL THE PANTRY!

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

Prizes will be awarded to those who donate the most items and residence hall floors, departmental student groups, RSO’s and university offices can all participate.

All donations should be brought to Student Involvement in The Hub 2300 no later than November 17. Please drop off all the items you collect as a group at one time.

Items Needed: body wash, shampoo, lotion, dryer sheets, detergent, pasta/sauce, shelf stable meals, quinoa bowls, nut/trail mixes, Sun Chips, Chef Boyardee, canned chicken, and more.

Student Group Prize: P An hour of free play in the Corner Pocket P FREE 1/4 page advertising space in the Fourth Estate to promote your org or event OFfice Prize: P Tickets to a Men’s Basketball game in January P FREE 1/4 page advertising space in the Fourth Estate to promote your office or event Got a question?

Lyla Byers, lbyers2@gmu.edu Well-Being Team Graduate Asst.

Jena Chalmers, jchalme2@gmu. edu,Well-Being Team Chair

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SCALIA LAW STUDENTS HELP WIN ASYLUM CASE FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

Their pro bono work on immigration case won in court SABRINA ACERRA STAFF WRITER

Two George Mason law students working at a D.C. law firm over the summer helped secure asylum for a teenage refugee who fled criminal activity and homelessness in Honduras.

The refugee, Carlos*, faced two years in detention and had no family here in the U.S. The students, Paul Coyle and Anna Schaffner, were working at Wiley Rein LLP and offered to work on the firm’s pro bono case to gain career experience.

Coyle is a legal assistant at Wiley Rein, and Schaffner was a summer associate.

The case was their first major pro bono assignment..

“A few days after starting at Wiley, Ted reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in working on Carlos’s case on remand,” explained Schaffner.

“I jumped at the opportunity to fight for Carlos’s relief and to work alongside such skilled advocates. I started pouring over past briefs and began researching case law and country conditions.”

Schaffner had previous experience with immigration cases as a legal intern for the Detained Adults Program with the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (CAIR).

Photo courtesy of EVAN CANTWELL/CREATIVE SERVICES

“I traveled to detention centers, spoke with detained immigrants, conducted

legal intakes to gather information on their eligibility for relief, and worked on follow up cases regarding bond, parole, and U visas,” she explained.

“With my supervising attorney [at CAIR], I briefed three forms of relief – Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Convention Against Torture – and submitted the brief to the court.”

Wiley Rein’s pro bono practice is led by Ted Howard, one of the firm’s partners.

In March 2016, Howard approached Coyle and invited him to serve as a paralegal on the case they accepted from CAIR. “This was my first time working on an immigration matter so I was learning everything on the job,” said Coyle. “I learned a lot about asylum law, the legal apparatus of the U.S. immigration system, and current conditions in the Northern Triangle region of Central America.”

“I also learned that immigration law practice requires patience,” Coyle added.

Fighting the case was a long process that went on for over a year.

“Carlos has applied for asylum, appealed an asylum denial, earned a favorable appeals decision and remand, earned a release from detention on bond pending appeal, and earned asylum status,” said

Coyle.

Charles Lemley, a professor at Mason and a partner at Wiley Rein, worked closely with Coyle and Schaffner and spoke highly of their work on the case.

“The bottom line is that Paul and Anna were instrumental in saving a courageous young man from a serious, specific and imminent threat of torture or death,” said Lemley. “Few lawyers can say that they have done so much in the course of an entire career, but I have every reason to believe this is just the first for these two.”

“Working on Carlos’s case with the Wiley team was one of the most influential and rewarding experiences of my life,” said Schaffner. “I encourage Mason students to seek out opportunities to volunteer with immigrants and refugees.”

“This case reminds me that some people in our community have been dealt incredibly difficult hands,” Coyle agreed. “It’s important to be kind to strangers because we don’t know what type of adversity they face on a daily basis.” *Carlos is a pseudonym to protect his identity.

GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES OFFER THEIR EDUCATION PLANS

Northam and Gillespie answer questions about how to make college more affordable LYDIA ANTONIO-VILA STAFF WRITER

The race for Virginia’s next governor will be decided this week, but many Mason students are still on the fence.

Fortunately, both candidates have recently come out with plans to make college more affordable – a subject that almost everyone can agree on.

Democrat Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie recently answered an affordable college candidate questionnaire from the organization Partners 4 Affordable Excellence @EDU. The group published the complete results from both candidates on their website, partners4edu.org.

education less vulnerable to economic swings and more reliable and predictable.” Gillespie also explained that he would “work to get spending and tuition under control through incentives and governance reforms.”

The questionnaire also addressed college debt. Innovation and new ideas are important considerations for tackling financial issues in higher education. Both candidates were asked the question, “how will you encourage innovation at state colleges and universities to drive down costs and minimize student debt?”

One of the candidates’ first questions related to how state colleges and universities will contain costs and control tuition. Both candidates agreed that college affordability is an important issue that they tried to address in their campaigns.

Gillespie responded by saying that his plan was to pursue “increasing financial aid and work-study opportunities for both low and middle income families.” He also said, as governor, he work with the community to establish “incentives tied to post-graduation employment.”

When asked if they would support a cap on tuition increases, Northam said that he would implement the “Virginia Promise.” The plan would involve the state “working with our public universities to guarantee level tuition” for all students. In return, Virginia would provide increased funding to public universities.

In Northam’s answer, he explained his plan to create a “centralized website for online learning at all the public colleges and universities.” As governor, Northam also said he would create a “voluntary shared services center to support financial aid and back office services and business transactions for the smaller universities and colleges.”

“To the extent possible, universities will guarantee financial aid packages will be the same all four years,” Northam said.

No matter who you plan to vote for, remember that election day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. For student voters registered at Mason, the polls in Merten Hall will be open from 6-7 p.m. For those who live off campus, make sure you know where to find your designated polling place. And no matter where you live, remember to bring your ID.

“It is time to follow through on plans to create a higher education reserve fund in Virginia,” Gillespie answered when asked the same question, “one that will make state support for higher

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CSP HOLDS WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE ABIGAIL ADCOX STAFF WRITER

Mason’s College Service Project will host a winter clothing drive for items to deliver to the homeless in Washington, D.C. The drive will be held on Monday, Nov. 6 through Thursday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at kiosks in the Johnson Center.

College Service Project is a college chapter of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), which was first brought to Mason’s campus in 2016 by Emalie Freitas. Freitas participated in ASP during high school and wanted to continue her experience at her time at Mason.

“When considering service projects we could do this semester, I wanted to keep it within the realm of housing,” said Freitas. “Since we aren’t ready for home repair in Fairfax County, helping the homeless was the next closest thing to a housing project we could do.”

According to Freitas, socks are one of the most needed clothing items in homeless shelters. College Service Project hopes to collect them, along with other new and lightly-used items like scarves, hats and gloves, from Mason students as they prepare for the season.

“As the winter months approach, these items are vital in preventing hypothermia and keeping people warm,” she said.

College Service Project will deliver the items they collect next week to the Department of Human Services in Washington, D.C. If students have something they would like to donate but are unable to make it to campus during one of the collection days, they can contact Freitas directly at efreita4@gmu.edu.

“The motto of the Appalachia Service Project is ‘warmer, safer, drier,’ referring to the homes that are repaired by volunteer groups in Appalachia,” explained Freitas.

“Through this event, we hope to help the homeless of DC be warmer, safer, drier this winter.”

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MEDIA AND THE ARAB UPRISING PANEL

Panel discussing the politics and culture of the Middle East and how they are portrayed in the media NICK PUZZANGHERA STAFF WRITER

On Nov. 1, the department of Middle East and Islamic Studies and the department of Film and Video Studies sponsored a panel titled “Media and the Afterlife of the Arab Uprisings” in Research Hall.

simultaneously be lauded as a platform for activists and artists of resistance as well as a treacherous tool for extremist recruitment. Kraidy states the importance of thinking about what is portrayed on the screen.

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THE HISTORY OF FOOD The Smithsonian National Museum of American History had their 3rd annual food history weekend on Oct. 26-28th.

HAILEY BULLIS STAFF WRITER

From Chinese food, Japanese, Mexican, or Italian, there are many different types of food readily available in American culture.

However, the history of those foods and cultures are often overlooked.

To teach America about the foods they eat, the National Museum of American History hosted their third annual Smithsonian Food History this past weekend, Oct. 26-28. The event included various panels and events that showcased various dishes and chefs from around the globe.

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLIE THOMPSON

On Oct. 27, the museum had various chefs speak while doing a live cooking demonstration for the audience. One such chef was Sheldon Simeon, who was a contestant on the show Top Chef in season ten and fourteen, where he was voted fan favorite during both runs.

Moderated by George Mason’s own director of Middle East Studies, Bassam Haddad, three panelists and a respondent aimed to propose new ways of thinking about the role of media before, during, and especially after the Arab Spring uprisings.

The panelists—Marwan Kraidy and Rayya El Zein from the University of Pennsylvania, and Hatim EL-Hibri from George Mason University— proposed and discussed a wide variety of ideas about art, resistance, and social media and their relationship to how we perceive the Middle East and the politics of resistance.

Amal Amireh acted as the respondent, providing counterpoints to the panelists’ ideas.

Kraidy, giving his input to the panel over Skype, proposed that journalistic attitudes toward the role of media in revolution and resistance is oriented around policy issues and goals, and that these are short-term.

For example, social media can

At length, El Zein discusses her concept of neoliberal orientalism with the audience and her fellow panelists. She finds the painting range of emerging politics as resistance problematic.

Simeon is originally from Hawai’i and his presentation was titled the “Many Flavors of Hawai’i” in honor of that. When one thinks of Hawaiian cuisine, they might think of the the fruit drizzles or coconut drinks travel agencies made the identity of Hawaii, but through his presentation Simeon showed that Hawaiian cuisine is so much more and so much simpler than what advertisements show.

Hawaiian cuisine started with the polynesian voyagers, who in Simeon’s words, took with them “very simple ingredients: sea salt, kukui nuts, some bananas, and some coconut, and some bread fruit.” Beyond that, Hawai’i was visited by many other groups over the centuries from spanish cowboys to the Japanese who came to work on sugar plantations. Because of this, Hawaiian

cuisine has influences from Spain, China, Portugal, Japan, Puerto Rico, Korea, and the Philippines.

For his live cooking demonstration Simeon made Chicken Hekka, a dish with roots in Japan, and influences from China and Okinawa. The dish includes long rice, vegetables, chicken and special sauce consisting of brown sugar, mirin, and soy sauce mixed together.

Simeon decided to make Chicken Hekka because he wanted a unique dish that was central to Hawaiian culture.

“What is being resisted?” she questions.

“And how?”

The history of radical ideas on how to deal with power, she says, is often left out of the media’s portrayal of the Arab Uprisings.

“I wanted to do a dish that you wouldn’t hear of anywhere else and it’s a blending of three different cultures, which is what goes on with a lot of dishes in Hawai’i,” said Siemon, “This is a dish I grew up eating, although my parents were filipino, we cooked a lot of [ethnic foods].”

Instead, sensational imagery that portrays a specific demographic as the epitome of global resistance is circulated in art and on social media. She argues that instead of treating specific voices as more authentic in the context of resistance of power, we would do better to rethink sensational images of resistance.

Beyond Simeon’s demonstration, the weekend included deep dish dialogues, a gala, kid’s tables, book signings, and panels focusing on topics like immigration’s influence on American cuisine and how working in the food industry controlled the experiences of immigrants

The panel offered a compelling discussion about the understanding of the politics of the Arab Uprisings as well as the politics of global art and media as both a tool and an influence.

FOURTH ESTATE/HAILEY BULLIS

LIFESTYLE

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11.6.2017

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REVIEW: LOU THE HUMAN – “HUMANIAC” New York native drops debut mixtape JAMES STEMPLE STAFF WRITER

Raised in Staten Island, New York, Lou has been a rapper for years and started doing rap battles in middle school. His tape shows he’s been at it for a while through a dark and twisted, yet somehow funny lyrical composition.

The tape is short with only 10 songs, but it’s impressive considering that Lou produced the beats himself and has no features on it.

Lou seeks to experiment with rap. The tape has a variety of voices throughout that accompany Lou as if they really were voices in his head. Though these voices can sometimes be distracting and intrusive, they’re all a part of the

experience Lou is trying to convey, like in songs ‘Schizophrenia’ and ‘Halal.’

This voice is commonly represented by a guy in a Freddy Krueger mask in his music videos and live performances.

Lou is always focused on bars. On songs like ‘Brink,’ which was his first song, he raps over a simple beat and isn’t concerned with hooks or choruses—which is common in all of his songs—his words flow to the point where you have to stop and really listen.

But when you do stop and listen, you can really see how dark it can get. In the very first song on the tape, ‘Lou’s Dead,’ he raps “I’ve been thinkin’ bout/Jumping off of a building just to see if I can fly/Or see if I could die, I’m a conceited kinda guy.” He really just doesn’t care what others think and goes for shock value. He throws humor into his twisted, lyrics like in

‘Roseanne,’ where he raps “I stopped tryna figure out what life’s about/I’d rather be on WorldStar for knockin’ Mike Tyson out.”

The beats themselves are interesting despite how simple they are. Lou produced them himself, proclaiming he’d been making beats since he was 12 years old. The beats range from sampling Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘Bring da Ruckus,’ to a smidgen of ‘Black Dog,’

by Led Zeppelin. The beats are really creative and serve to deliver Lou’s bars in the perfect way for a debut mixtape.

You can see Lou is just getting started.

Although you can clearly see who influenced him on this tape—Eminem is a huge influence—Lou has a lot of room to grow as an artist. If this is just the beginning, then I consider it a pleasure to be here watching Lou make more music.

REVIEW: “STRANGER THINGS” SEASON 2

the stage in more active and integral roles in season two.

How did the Netflix hit follow its season 1 success?

Officer Hopper, Joyce, Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, and a newer supporting character, Bob, all weave into the storyline as they each find ways to maneuver around the new challenges imposed by the “upside-down,” Will’s uneasiness and Eleven’s internal and external battle regarding her powers.

Putting the so-called “smaller” characters into the limelight magnifies the intensity of certain situations. The strength Officer Hopper instills, the intellect Bob provides, and Joyce’s determination showcase the layered complexity of this season’s storyline.

ANGELIQUE ARINTOK STAFF WRITER

Just a few days before Halloween, Netflix graced its viewers with a new season of its original creation “Stranger Things.” Ever since the first season’s release in 2016, the show has been critically acclaimed for its clever rendition of science fiction merged with thriller, as it takes place in Indiana circa the late 1970’s to 1980’s.

With many people having bingewatched the show since its release, the Mason populous surely included, the question comes about: “Is this season worth watching?” The short and long

STRANGER THINGS STILL

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLY MCALPINE

When Lou the Human released his first song back in 2016, he quickly developed a fanbase. Now, Lou has released his debut mixtape, “Humaniac,” on Oct. 13 with fans delighted and craving more.

answer is YES. This season’s storyline was fresh and something never-beforeseen, even when placed alongside the first season.

The main characters, such as Eleven, Will, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas are still pertinent to the overall arc of the storyline. However, Eleven’s distance from the boys, as demonstrated in the previous season, plays a key role within the children’s dynamics this time around. It seems that the bonds have shifted, but the group still remains strong as a whole.

Each of the main characters has his or her own problem to tackle this season. Seeing the ways in which each child tries to independently and interdependently solve these issues result in some fairly chaotic and struggling scenes. Nevertheless, the genuine friendship shared among the main characters amplifies their strength against the tamest of bullies to the most perilous of creatures.

This edition of “Stranger Things” introduces some fresh faces. Newer characters such as Maxine, better referred to as Max, and her brother Billy add both conflict and spice to the existing relationships within the show.

Max and Billy, new kids in town from California, are almost immediately introduced with no backstory. Max’s character, however, becomes more important later in the season. The lack of these characters’ backstories may confuse you at first, but it should not be something that detracts from the show’s main premise and storyline.

The introduction of a another new female character is also important to note. She is especially critical to Eleven’s the growth and development.

Previously supporting characters took

With respect to those who have not seen season 2 yet, we have maintained a degree of ambiguity so far. However, the details are just too intriguing not to discuss. So, please be warned that SPOILER ALERTS are to follow.

All the episodes are action packed. Even though Max had a rocky start with the boys, her growing affection towards Lucas embodies a coming-of-age story.

Similarly, Eleven and Mike’s reunion brings about harbored feelings, and even results in a kiss that will leave you with a smile.

The introduction of Eleven’s sister, Eight also known as Kali, falls a little flat. Although Kali helps Eleven channel a stronger sense of her powers, her introduction into the story was

abrupt and noncohesive. Kali and her gang may have been a setup for season three, but their inclusion in season two missed the mark.

What did not miss the mark, however, was Steve’s involvement with the kids this season. As he steps away from his dynamic with Nancy, his role as “babysitter” reveals him to be a kinder and more sympathetic character this time around. Steve and Dustin’s relationship, especially as they initially ward off the demo-dog, added humor and force to the storyline.

Finally, Will’s battle with the power of the “upside-down” was painful to witness. Although ultimately and thankfully defeated, Will’s battle led to the loss of a newer, yet beloved character Bob. The trending topic #JusticeforBob follows the same direction as when Barb exited the scene last season. The Duffer brothers, directors and creators of the series, have a way of pulling and tugging at their viewers’ heartstrings.

With all the hype about season two, season three is much awaited. But it is a long ways ahead. Perhaps it is better the Duffer brothers take their time, evident in the strong and solid season two for the Netflix hit, “Stranger Things.”

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LIFESTYLE

11.6.2017

RAISING THE IMPORTANCE OF CYBER SECURITY AFTER ITS AWARENESS MONTH Insight from Mason students MICHAEL ABLER STAFF WRITER

While I knew about the subject of cyber security and its importance in our world today in basic terms, I’ve only recently learned that October was National Cyber Security Awareness month. And even though October has already come and gone, technological advancements are still prevalent with the introduction of the Microsoft Surface laptop on June 15 and the iPhone X on Nov. 3, so I still think that it’s important to acknowledge the subject of cyber security because it protects us on the internet and in the real world.

But becoming aware is only one step toward fully understanding the importance of cyber security. The internet itself reflects the real world in a way.

Internet users can have good or bad intentions, or maybe even both.

Unfortunately, this diversity allows people to entice unsuspecting users through various forms of lures and traps, which can include scamming, catfishing, and phishing.

The situation worsens when simple threats can reach out from the internet and physically change a victim’s life, or when a person can become a victim because they failed to understand that their posts on the internet will stay there forever. Even though these situations continue to happen, I hope that all Mason students get a general understanding about internet safety to prevent these instances from occurring.

Developing a basic understanding of internet safety and cyber security will save a lot of time in the future by educating users about using the internet more efficiently and decreasing users’ anxiety about online potential dangers.

To get more insight about cyber security and how Mason students could possibly perceive it, I interviewed Hamid Sadr, a Mason sophomore majoring in Information Technology (IT), Namrha Aslam Chohan, a Mason freshman majoring in Cyber Security Engineering, and Jacob SelickBottos, a Mason freshman majoring

in Computer Engineering. After interviewing them, I learned some aspects about cybersecurity that I didn’t know before and I learned how some Mason students perceive cybersecurity.

“As [its] name implies, cyber security is essentially protection of technological information on all scales. This information, known as data in most places, has become a staple part of life in the modern era, and is practically impossible to go anywhere or do anything without having encountered or used data in some way, shape, or form,” says Sadr.

He goes on to say that, “[these factors] are why cyber security is necessary. Not only is it a matter of national security, but people’s daily lives would be completely flipped upside down if what they wouldn’t want to be shared or known to the general public is somehow put out there.”

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

• Cyber Security Awareness Month has been observed every October since its inception in 2004. It is designed to raise public awareness about the importance of cybersecurity and its impact on our daily lives. Through events, contests, and speakers on campus, we attempt to engage and educate students, faculty, and staff on how they can stay save online and provide them with tools and techniques to do so, all while increasing our resiliency to cyber attacks.

• The IT Security Office here at George Mason University is responsible for implementing policies and procedures for the university in order to prevent, detect, and respond to threats to digital information owned by the university.

• For those who are interested in learning more about information security or gaining experience are encouraged to apply to the office’s internship which will be posted within the next month on Hire Mason.

“Cyber security is the act of protecting patents against cyber crimes such as viruses, hacks, and identity thefts. We should care about it because as a nation we should try our level best to protect ourselves from online thieves trying to steal confidential information that can harm the security of us citizens,” says Namrha.

“I don’t know much about how the security works, but I do know that it’s very important. Databases like the school’s hold a lot of valuable personal information that scammers and hackers could use to commit fraud,” says Jacob.

Even though Sadr, Namrha, and Jacob don’t represent Mason students as a whole, their responses prove that there

are Mason students out there who are well aware of cyber security and the potential risks of lacking cyber security.

It’s important for every student to get a basic understanding of cyber security because we live in a technologically advanced world with people that have different intentions.

Most classes at George Mason use the internet for research, even classes you would not normally think of when someone talks about a computer-based class, such as English and History. If you use Blackboard or Mason-related apps on your phone, you are still be using the internet, so you should still to stay alert.

PERKS OF BEING A MASON STUDENT BASMA HUMADI ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

Being a Mason student comes with its advantages. Aside from its crisp red and yellow leaves lining trees across campus in autumn, diverse student body, and coming-soon Chipotle, there is an abundance of perks, either discounted or free, which comes with being a Mason student. These perks are especially helpful for the struggling college student.

Free Movie Ticket for University Mall: Getting to kick back and catch a flick once the week’s over is a nice stress reliever from the pressures of everyday homework and assignments.

Mason students can receive one free weekly movie ticket for University Mall Theatres. Students can receive them by stopping by the Student Involvement office in the Hub. Free Donut with Drink Purchase at Dunkin Donuts: At the Dunkin Donuts in University Mall, Mason students can receive a free donut with any drink purchase if they show their Mason ID. For the coffee deprived and hungry, it’s worth the trip.

NYTimes and

other Newspaper/Magazine Subscriptions: Mason offers free online subscriptions and access to the New York Times, The Economist, Financial Times, the Chronicle of Higher Education and Dow Jones’ Factiva News Page. As college students, staying informed is always important and relevant.

Discounted Subscription Services: Of course, the essentials: discounted Amazon Prime, which entails a six month free-trial for students and 50% off Amazon Prime membership for any college student, a reduced monthly fee of $4.99 for Apple Music, and a reduced monthly fee of $4.99 and access to Hulu with any student Spotify subscription.

Renting Camera Equipment: Mason’s IT Services, through STAR Lab, gives students access to check out any camera equipment they may need: tripods, microphones, light kits, audio recorders and high-end video and shoot cameras. Start that YouTube channel. Make that award-winning film festival movie.

It’s possible.

Free Courses at Lynda.com: Lynda.com is an online learning platform where individuals can watch tutorials and take video courses in various subjects. Subjects focus on topics stemming from software, creative, and business skills and courses can be taken in up to five different languages. Mason students and faculty get free access to lynda.com and work on building tools they’ll need to have in the future.

languages with Rosetta Stone. Picking up a language is now a potential pastime thanks to the convenience of learning languages with Rosetta Stone.

HBO GO for on-campus students: Get caught up on the much-discussed and always-watched “Game of Thrones” or reminiscence in the comfort of Carrie Bradshaw and her girl group in “Sex and the City”. From movies, television, documentaries, and comedy specials, HBO and Mason has you covered. Maybe now you can stop sharing your Netflix or mooching off your friend’s HBO account.

Not free but discounts in the area:

Access to Rosetta Stone: “I can teach you how to speak my language, Rosetta Stone,” rapper Drake says in his song, ‘Over’. Luckily, this is an option since Mason students can get access and learn thirty different

Jump start from Parking Services: Hopefully your car battery doesn’t die and you don’t need to jump start your car. Yet, if that just so happens and your car is parked on campus, call Parking Services at Mason and they’ll give you a jump free-of-charge.

Buy one get one free Tuesdays at Qdoba: Located at the Main Street Marketplace, any customer can come in on Tuesdays and buy one entree and get another one free. It’s perfect for lunch dates with friends or if you’re just really, really hungry.

Smoothie King $5 Fridays: The #SmoothieSquad can finally reunite with Smoothie King’s $5 Fridays for medium-sized smoothies. Located at the Main Street Marketplace, Smoothie King is the place to be.

LIFESTYLE

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

11.6.2017

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FACES OF MASON delves into the lives of Mason students, faculty or alumni, and organizations every week. This week we take a close look at Mason student Mounika Nauduri, Mason professor Peter Becker, and TEDxGeorgeMasonU. If you know of a Mason student, faculty member, alumnus or alumna, or organization that would like to be featured on FACES OF MASON please submit your request via: https://goo.gl/HZ4SMd INTERVIEWS BY HUONG CAO AND HAILEY BULLIS

Photo courtesy of MOUNIKA NAUDURI

STUDENT Student: Mounika Nauduri (Senior, Major in Finance and Management)

Why did you decide to involved in organizations on campus?

What is your dream job and why?

I am a dancer for Mason Mahima. I used to be a Costco dancer and I just want to try again. I’m a treasurer for TEDxGeorgeMasonU because I like watching TED talks and being a part of TED organization. I’m also involved with the Indian Student Association because I want to be a part of my

I want to be an investment banker.

My aunt and uncle work on the Wall Street. I have been growing up around them, which comes to the point that I become interested in that world and keep talking about it.

Indian culture side. The organization creates events surrounding our Indian culture and highlights the diversity of Mason.

time to study at night when I get home.

Everything is all planned out based on my planner, which is very helpful.

What organization system do you employ?

I like drawing, singing, and listening to music. Also, I absolutely love reading books. Being in a quiet corner with a book is my ideal relaxation.

I use a planner. I use different colors for my classes and organizations. Each class or organization has its own color.

I layout my schedule beforehand. I take

What do you do in your free time?

FA C U LT Y / A L U M Peter Becker, Astronomy Professor

FOURTH ESTATE/HAILEY BULLIS

How did you come to teach astronomy?

Becker: I got my PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1987 and then at that time I really didn’t think I was going to be able to become a professor because it’s very competitive and there are multi-levels and you sort of get eliminated at different levels in your career. So first I was a post-doctoral scientist in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia for two years from 87-89, and then I was at the Naval Research lab in Washington for three years until 92, and that’s when I actually was invited to join the faculty at Mason. So I’ve been here since 92 and for me it was

a very big deal because I kept thinking - ‘you keep working towards your goal you have in mind but you’re not really sure you’re going to be able to achieve it’.

for me, I just pretty much play by feel because my analytical thing is my day job so I don’t want to be too analytical about music when I’m having the chance to do that.

What are your hobbies?

W hat is your accomplishment?

Becker: “Well I’m in a band actually, a kind of classical rock, pop band. We play all throughout the whole area, so that’s my other thing that I do in my life.

What do you play?

Becker: Guitar, so that’s totally different from my day job here but it’s a nice thing. I actually like it because a lot of people get very analytical about guitar, you know. You could do a lot of studies of music theory and stuff like that but

proudest

Becker: “ Well lets see, in the field we published a paper about ten years ago on some things called pulsars, which are rotating neutron stars so we developed a new theory. I worked with a guy from the research lab in Washington and like I said, we published this paper about ten years ago and it’s become the kind of standard model in the field now, so I guess that model for pulsars is my my proudest professional accomplishment.

What made you pursue that concept or paper, even though people were telling you not to?

Becker: “Well there was a certain key idea that I was sort of playing around with, trying to put together to make this new picture I had in mind and I just kept seeing how these pieces would fit together, almost like a jigsaw puzzle.

Of course, when you’re having casual conversations with people they aren’t necessarily seeing the pieces of the puzzle the way I’m seeing them, so I don’t mean to denigrate those folks because I had huge respect for them and I still do, but they just hadn’t focused on that particular thing the way I had so they didn’t quite see the pieces the way I did.

O R G A N I Z AT I O N

FOURTH ESTATE/MICHELLE GARDNER

Organization: Rohma Hassan - Co Director of TEDxGeorgeMasonU Why did you decide to be the Co-Director of TEDxGeorgeMasonU? Originally, I was interested in TED talks because the speakers were able to condense one idea to just a few minutes. When the club was reshaping, different people were leaving for graduation. The Director position was available and I realized that the club

would not be active for the next years if nobody was going to take the position.

Also, I wanted to be a part of the club.

It seems like the best way to do that was to lead the club even though I did not think that I was able to. But, it has been over a year and everything has worked out.

How does the organization benefit Mason students ?

People often ask me why I like TED

talks. To me, TED talks show me that learning does not only happen in a classroom. Learning is something you can do outside and forever. TED talks are able to provide you with knowledge while you do not have to face quizzes or exams and finals!

What is the upcoming event of TEDxGeorgeMasonU? On Nov.29, we will be having our next Discussion Night featuring

“Well-being”. What we do during the discussion night is that we choose a topic, a guest speaker, a few TED talks on the topic and attendees will discuss the topic after listening to the guest speaker and TED talks.

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LIFESTYLE

11.6.2017

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EMBRACING YOUR BACKGROUND: NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

What is the importance of Native American Heritage Month?

MICHAEL ABLER STAFF WRITER

Kylie Stamm, the assistant director of Mason’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education group feels that celebrating one’s heritage is, “important because it impacts who we are, and every single culture have a rich history that can teach us a lot of things, there’s always something to learn.”

“We are currently preparing for this upcoming month by planning and organizing this month’s upcoming events. One of which occurs next Tuesday at 7 p.m., there’s an event at the Hub (meeting rooms three and four) that discusses these particular aspects of heritage, there are at least three more events that take place this month for the heritage month,” said Stamm.

There are about five of these culture clubs on our campus, (Native American, African American, Asian/Pacific American, Hispanic/Latino, and Middle Eastern/North African) and they are all connected to ODIME, and they each have their respective months of celebration. These groups also have one representative you can contact via email, which can be found on ODIME’s website.

As far as the statement about celebrating heritage now being more significant in today’s society, Stamm feels strongly that, “while I understand the logic behind that statement, I believe, that it has always important to celebrate diversity and one’s heritage,” adding that, “The current times just magnify the importance of this idea, it doesn’t make this celebration more important or less important than it was before.”

In a country like ours that preaches the idea of equality for all, this is an important lesson to learn, especially when it comes to creating a peaceful coexistence for everybody in our future.

FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCCARTHY

Throughout November, George Mason University will host a series of events -- including one that occurred on Monday Oct. 30 -- to celebrate Native American heritage. The events will focus on indigenous culture, talking about the past and the need for diversity.

FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCCARTHY

Native Americans account for only 0.14% of the students attending Mason, according to the ODIME’s website, making them the smallest ethnic group on Mason’s campus. Some of these 53 individuals are, “very engaged in our school’s activities,” according to Stamm, although, she also said that, “this statement is only based on the few student leaders that I directly work with as a part

of my job.”

FOURTH ESTATE/MORGAN MCCARTHY

In a nation divided over political views and ethnicities, celebrating other cultures and their respective ancestors can be even more important than ever.

But is it becoming more important than it was before?

Monday, Nov. 6- Sage Bundling Ceremony

Discuss the barriers that inhibit racial and ethnic minorities

Tuesday, Nov. 14- Faculty Lecture: Reclaiming Historical Narratives

6pm-9pm

Thursday, Nov. 9- Activism and Free Speech

SUB 1, Suite 2400 Join NAIA for demonstration on how to wrap sage bundles.

5pm-6pm

Wednesday, Nov. 8- The “T” Word Therapy

Dr. Dennis Webster will discuss the value of advocacy, constitutional protections, state and campus policies associated with activism and freedom of expression, and legal rights

5:30-7:30pm SUB 1 Room 4210

SUB 1, Suite 2400

7pm-8pm

Wednesday, Nov. 15- Film Screening: When Two Worlds Collide

Wednesday, Nov. 29- Celebrating Resistance: The Power of Our Roots

The HUB, Meeting Rooms 3 & 4

Begins 7pm

7pm-12am

Join Dr. Genetin-Pilawa for a presentation and discussion about “comfortable factions” in U.S. culture and what we can learn if view these stories with fresh eyes.

JC Cinema

Doors Open 6:30

An indigenous environmental activist from Peru takes on the large businesses that are destroying the Indigenous Amazon for the extraction of oil, mineral, and gas.

JC Dewberry Hall Join us in our closing celebration of Indigenous heritage with food, dialogue, and music by Indigenous DJ’s.

They will be speaking on the injustices against Indigenous communities.

OPINIONS

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11.6.2017

Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to jebelive2@gmu.edu

13

WHY I DON’T VOTE MICHELLE GARDNER

A few weeks after the election, I checked my mailbox to find a letter from Virginia Department of Elections saying that my ballot was not counted because I sent it past the deadline. I was devastated, and I felt disconnected from my peers. I did not have any impact in Obama’s election, yet he still won. I sulked for a few days before I began to do research to figure out some key facts that changed my mind about voting and what purpose it serves.

FOURTH ESTATE/ALLY MCALPINE

“During the general election, Americans head to the polls to cast their vote for president. But the tally of those votes—the popular vote— does not determine the winner.

Instead, presidential elections use the Electoral College. To win the election, a candidate must receive a majority of electoral votes. In the event no

candidate receives the majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President and the Senate chooses the vice president.” (USA.gov).

We are all taught this in grade school government class, but do we ever really think about this process? The popular vote is not what determines the winner of the election. The majority of the country does not decide the winner of our presidential election but 538 electors’ votes do.

Although the electoral college is comprised of senators and representatives elected by the public, these officials have just as much of a choice as all of us to vote for their candidate of choice. These elected officials make decisions for the entire population of each state. I firmly believe that this process is a backward way for the population not to have true control over the government that controls us.

FOURTH ESTATE/MARY JANE DECARLO

I grew up in Nokesville, Virginia, a small town in the northern Virginia county of Fauquier. I turned 18 in the fall of 2007 and was excited to cast my vote for Barack Obama the following year. I was accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University and moved to Richmond in August of 2008. Unfamiliar with the city, I did not want to venture out to vote and instead sent in an absentee ballot. Passionate about my choice for our country and future president, I joined my friends and neighbors as we watched the votes tally up on TV. When Obama’s victory over John McCain was announced, my entire dormitory complex roared with excitement for the future of our country.

Anytime I tell someone I do not vote, they almost always tell me, “If you don’t vote, you don’t have the right to complain.”

How many people live in the United States that do not have the right to vote? Felons, non-U.S. citizens, citizens under the age of 18 are not allowed to vote. Are they expected to not comment, converse, or have emotions about the events happening in their home? A lack of information and understanding of our voting processes can cause anyone to become passionate about their decision to cast a vote and have their opinion heard, even if it is at a local level.

IS CHEM TOO DISCOURAGING? PARESHA KHAN COLUMNIST

General Chemistry 211 is a class at Mason that is known to be very challenging and is always discussed among students. Because of the difficulty of this course, I strongly believe that it’s a weed-out class at Mason.

In general, a weed-out class is intended to weed out or eliminate students who do not do the work, are unable to keep up with the work, or do not have the ability to advance in the subject beyond the introductory level. As an introductory chemistry course, Chemistry 211 is designed for students majoring in science, engineering, or mathematics. It is also a prerequisite course for Chemistry 212. Many non-science majors are required to take at least one science course that corresponds to a lab class and Chemistry 211 is an option.

As a freshman biology major taking the honors section of this course right now, the difficulty level can be overwhelming. Students are encouraged to apply the material into math-driven problems, and the exams can be very challenging. My class’ average grade

for our first midterm was 75 percent.

On top of being a full time student who’s taking 15 credits this semester, setting aside a few hours each night for chemistry can be hard. Along with the course, students must take a one credit laboratory course. Grades are received separately for chemistry and chemistry lab, unlike my Biology 103 class, which combines the lecture and lab grades together.

Chemistry lab at Mason can be very strict. Students will receive a 20 percent deduction on their lab report for not signing out of the classroom. Students cannot make up chemistry labs, and students that receive less than a 70 percent on three labs will automatically receive an unsatisfactory mark and will not pass the lab portion of the course.

Although Suzanne Slayden, the writer for the lab manual, states that “it is not purposefully ‘made’ difficult. It is a fairly standard first semester college-level laboratory,” I personally feel that taking both the course with lab can be very stressful. When studying for exams,

understanding the concepts simply isn’t enough because there are many different problems that can be derived from a single concept. On the other hand, chemistry labs are graded quite harshly. For example, points are taken off if the data inside the lab notebook does not have lines running across.

With a few weeks remaining in the semester, I have finally adjusted to Chemistry 211 at Mason. To students who are required to take the course, I recommend attending the professor’s or learning assistant’s office hours, or going to the chemistry tutoring center.

These are great resources for students who are intent on succeeding in the course. Extra practice opportunities are always given and concepts are clarified.

Because general chemistry is a course that many students are required to take, it is important to keep working hard and studying the material, even when it becomes challenging.

OPINIONS

11.6.2017

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Opinions do not reflect the views of Fourth Estate. Submit opinions to jebelive2@gmu.edu

Photo courtesy of RON AIRA/CREATIVE SERVICES

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#METOO: YES, EVEN AT GEORGE MASON LAUREN AGNELLO CONTRIBUTOR FROM ROOSEVELT @ MASON

Sexual Assault/Interpersonal Violence Trigger Warning: for immediate support, Mason students can call the GMU 24-hour hotline at 703-380-1434. Non-Mason students can call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in their area.

Across the country, social media was buzzing with a common phrase that morphed into a rallying cry: “Me too.”

This call-to-arms appealed to people who experienced sexual assault and harassment. Though it was started ten years ago by activist Tarana Burke, a youth camp director for young women of color, her effort gained momentum thanks to actress Alyssa Milano, who tweeted, “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted, write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.”

The #MeToo movement caught fire, spread from Twitter to Facebook, and has been posted more than a million times. The purpose of Burke’s campaign was to remove the stigma of sexual assault and harassment by encouraging women to shed the shield of secrecy - a shield which some argue

has actually perpetuated the sense of shame that many victims feel.

People who have experienced assault or harassment often feel alone and don’t talk about the issue, fearing stigmatization or further isolation. From my perspective, #MeToo started a conversation that was long overdue.

When our houses are broken into, we tell the police. We alert our friends and neighbors. When our wallets are snatched, we spread the word. But when we are sexually assaulted or harassed, many of us are - and have historically been - quiet about it.

And that silence suggests that we are ashamed.

Of what do we have to be ashamed?

We did not ask to be harassed or assaulted, just as we would never ask to have our wallets stolen. When we, as a society, realize that being a victim of harassment or assault carries no shame, we can begin to have conversations about how to stop these things from happening again. Giving voice to an idea can lead to change. The change we seek is the empowerment

of so-called victims - so they will not see themselves or be seen by others any longer as victims, but rather as survivors.

Another critical benefit of this growing campaign is increased awareness of the prevalence and scope of sexual abuse.

But, awareness of the issue will not be enough to bring about the end to assault and harassment. Sexual crimes still occur, even here at Mason, where many would argue that most people have some level of awareness of sexual abuse. There are statistics that could verify that sexual abuse is still very much alive on college campuses, but as this campaign demonstrates, the statistics don’t begin to portray the issue accurately.

To support the students who do experience sexual abuse or interpersonal violence, George Mason has multiple resources to available. The Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) offers one-on-one support to survivors and can connect students to other campus resources, such as the Title IX Coordinator, Counseling

and Psychological Services, and all reporting options available to Mason students. For immediate support, the SSAC has a 24-hour hotline (703-3801434) that is covered by SSAC Peer Advocates who are trained to help survivors in a crisis. Otherwise, the SSAC can be contacted by emailing ssac@gmu.edu, or in person in SUB I, Suite 3200. Additionally, the Mason Title IX Coordinator can be reached by emailing jhammat@gmu.edu, or in person in Aquia Building, Room 373.

These resources are highly underutilized, considering the number of assaults that are statistically likely to be occurring. As an SSAC Peer Advocate, I encourage you to spread the word about the SSAC and the other services that are awaiting anyone who needs them.

Even as you spread the word about the resources here to help, remember that we each can play a part in spreading change. We must understand that no means no and the absence of no does not mean yes. We have to listen to people who say they are victims and open up about their experiences.

Only two to ten percent of sexual assault accusations are false, which is far below the average for other crimes.

We need to remember that survivors of a significant trauma are more than just survivors of that trauma. They are not defined by that one experience.

Every social media movement has an end, but this conversation must continue, and action must be a part of that conversation. It’s the little things that matter most. If someone tells a joke about rape, tell them that it’s not funny. Speak up if you see someone who looks uncomfortable with someone else at a party. Don’t condone “locker room talk,” by anyone. If you’re a Mason student or staff member, get involved with the SSAC or another supportive office on campus and lend a hand to help survivors. For non-Mason readers, volunteer with or donate to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), or find an organization with similar values. If everyone actively takes these steps, there won’t have to be another #MeToo.

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

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Recipe of the Week

LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE

Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwich Ingredients: Store bought Guacamole or make your own: To make guacamole: 2 ripe avocados 1/2 small onion, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small jalapeño, stems and seeds

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Obtained from Twopeasandtheirpod.com removed, minced 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt A dash of freshly grated black pepper 1 Roma tomato, chopped For grilled cheese: 4 slices crusty white bread 4 slices Cheddar cheese Butter, for buttering bread 1. To make the guacamole-cut avocados in half. Remove seed.

Scoop out avocado from the peel, put in a large bowl. Using a fork,

mash the avocado. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Add the chopped tomato and stir.

2. Heat a pan or griddle to medium-high heat. Spread desired amount of guacamole on both slices of bread then top with cheese. Butter outer slices of bread and grill on one side for about 2 minutes or until golden and crispy. Flip the sandwich and grill until golden brown.

Make the other sandwich the same way and serve warm.

LAST WEEK’S GO FIGURE!

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LAST WEEK’S MAGIC MAZE

LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU

GMUFOURTHESTATE.COM @IVESTATE

COMICS FOURTH ESTATE/BILLY FERGUSON