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s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f w a s h i n g t o n a n d j e f f e r s o n c o l l e g e w j r e da n d b l ac k . c o m W a s h i n g t o n , P e n n s y lva n i a M a rc h 2 6 , 2 0 2 1
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... CURRENT EVENTS
N.Y. Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to refuse to resign following accusations of sexual assault. -P.7
Mountain Earns 500th Career Win PAGE 17
DIVERSITY
The Women’s+ Health Collective (WHC) is a gynecology and sexual health practice in western Mich. that opened its doors in June of 2020 and has amassed over 1000 new patients in a mere seven months. -P.11
OPINIONS Within this name erasure and condemnation of Suu Kyi is a key aspect of the rest of the world’s response: they continue to not care. -P.14
SPORTS
The [W&J men’s soccer team] is currently 2-0-0 while the [women’s team] sits at 0-1-1 early in the season. -P.18
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy Observer Reporter
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Student Spotlight: Ben Fisher ‘21 Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Editor
Ben Fisher is a Washington and Jefferson student set out to graduate this coming May. He is from Johnstown, Pennsylvania where is attended Rich-
land High school. While there heparticipated in many different activities such as mock trial which he would later continue in college here at Washington and Jefferson. Ben first heard about Washington and Jefferson because he “loved the Pittsburgh area and knew I wanted to be involved with the area.” He decided to attend the college for mayn reasons including, “I really liked the small classroom feel and the support I would
get from the teachers. The college also offered me a good scholarship that I did not want to pass up. All in all it was a win-win situation for me.” Fisher is a double major in Economics and Philosphy. These subjects interested him as he’s always been interested in “knowing how things work at a deeper level.” One of Ben’s teachers Dr. Osborne has been left an impression on Ben during his time at W&J, “He helped with the transition into college and has trained me to be a better critical thinker.” While at Washington and Jefferson Ben has been apart of alot of clubs and orgainizations includung, mock trial, washington fellows, a student suporvisor for the library, a brother of Phi Kappa Psi, an intern for the ethics and comliance department and worked for admissions. Ben wanted to be apart of these various organizations for many reasons. He wanted to be apart of the school
and challenge himself buiilding off of what he was involved in in highschool. Mock trial was a “rewarding challenge” in collge and working for admissions he had the chance to “share my experiences with prospective students and families looking to join Washington and Jefferson.” In his off time Ben enjoys many different hobbies such as readiing, music and chess. Which he found himself doing to occupy his time over quarantine this past year. When he finds himself off campus Ben enjoys hiking and camping. Ben’s goals here at Washington and Jefferson is to “leave a legacy in the organizations I have been apart of at the college and allow students to build off of foundations I tried to set.” After graduating Ben will be attending law school in the Pittsburgh area after careful consideration of different offers of acceptance and where he wants to continue his education.
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@rednblackWJ @wjrednblack Courtesy Ben Fisher
Fisher anticipates attending law school after graduation.
26 March 2021
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CAMPUS NEWS 3
Good Weather Means New Oppurtunities Reilly Oliverio Red & Black Editor
With Spring approaching campus more and more activities and possibilities are coming around. After a long and snowy winter it is a big relief to the students at Washington and Jefferson. The campus is now coming alive with studetns are they are participating in the many activities the campus has to offer. Walking down Chestnut St. one can see the members of their housees on their porches, in hammocks, studying, reading or just enjoying the sun. In a place like Washington, Pennsylvania no day with the sun is taken for granted! Alex Strain ‘22 said, “being on the porch is a great change to being inside. I like to people watch who walks by the house and I will take my laptop and textbooks outside to do my work. I also set up a hammock on the porch where I can relax and enjoy the warm spring weather.” On campus there are many places to take some time and move outdoors to study. The Clark Family Library offers a sitting area outside the door. Areas like these are all around the campus and with being able to access wifi from anywhere on campus on can use their laptops or phones in any location. The campus also offers manny locations to sit and eat outside and even enjoy some company with friends. With being able to take food to-go this semester these areas are being more and more active with students. Outside the main commons area there are
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
The lawn at Old Main offers one of the most spacious and peaceful areas on Washington and Jefferson’s campus.
picnic tables where students can sit and enjoy their meals. There is also a great sitting area outside of GnTs and X’Prez’O where one can sit drink some coffee and catch up with some friends. The school has also provided some hammock areas where students can set up hammocks in the sun. One of these areas is on the grassy hill behind the Burnett Center. These areas are great to hang out with some frrends, do some reading or just taking a nap. The year old amphitheater outside of the Tech center is also an area that can be seen getting more use. The long lawns are great for students to play some cornhole, kamjam or throw the frisbee around. Bren-
dan Tribeck ‘21 talked about his experiencese outside saying, “I am so glad that the weather is getting nicer, I am enjoying my walks to class through the quads and I find myslef spending more and more time out in the sun. Many times I will take my work with me find a quiet spot outside and enjoy the warmth. It helps clear my mind and I get to leave the confinds of my room I have become too accustomed too.” The walkways and paths throughout campus are great ways to get outside and get some exercise. The lawn outside of the Swanson Center has many nice sitting areas and walkways for when students need to get away from the stresses of school. Washing-
ton and Jefferson has put a lot of emphasis on their green spaces and now students can finally take advantage. And of course the great lawn in front of old main is one of the more beautiful and peaceful areas on campus. With many sitting areas set up there is plenty of room to relax whether on a blanket, in picnic chairs or up against a tree. With the weather improving everyday it is a great time to take advantage of these great outdoor areas the school provides for its students. After the snowy couple of winter months, Washington and Jefferson students are finally getting a breath of fresh air when studying and relaxing outside.
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26 March 2021
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26 March 2021
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Campus News 5
Follow @wandjcareerservices on Instagram The Career Services Office would like to know if you are following us on Instagram? If you are not, you definitely should be! Not only will you be kept well-informed about the events and programs we sponsor, but you will be entered into raffles all semester long. Names will be drawn from our followers for great prizes such as: a limited edition HydroFlask, Starbucks gift cards, W&J swag, and much more!
Coming Soon: New Red & Black Website! Over the fall semester, Raheem Clemons, our Website Design Manager, built a new website for the Red & Black. In the next month, we will transition away from Issuu (our current online platform) and launch the new website that will list our articles in a blogpost format. Until the new website’s launch, find the Red & Black in the major academic buildings on campus and digitially on Issuu (at https://issuu.com/rednblackwj/docs).
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“I really like this restaurant called Al and Rubens. It’s a local restaurant with great service and excellent food! I always get the chicken parm.” - Abby Hipkins ‘24
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26 March 2021
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Current Events 7
Current Events
Cuomo Called On to Resign
Courtesy NPR
Governor Cuomo believes investigations will help clear his name despite pressure to resign.
Paul Collier Red & Black Editor
N.Y. Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to refuse to resign following accusations of sexual assault. This exacerbates the previous scandal of underreporting COVID-19 deaths as a result of a policy allowing for recovering COVID patients to be admitted to nursing homes, which
caused other residents to become infected and moved to hospitals, where they had been counted as dying despite infection beginning in the nursing homes. Following the sexual assault allegations, most N.Y. Democrats in the US House have called on Cuomo to resign. N.Y. mayor Bill de Blasio and 60 state Democrats have further called on Cuomo to resign, and the Democratic Assembly Speaker has now opened an impeachment investigation into the allegations. The allegations come from three former aides, while a fourth woman currently working for Cuomo also accused him of assault. Cuomo
claims the allegations come from some outside motivation to cause his political downfall, but no actual motive has yet been presented. He has also attacked the Democrats calling for his resignation. He claims this is only an issue of the truth that he’s done nothing wrong, and the Democrats are politically positioning and taking popular stances despite not having enough information to make claims about if he committed the assaults or not. He further says this positioning is reckless without facts, and he has been elected by the people, not politicians. It is important to note the impeachment investigation will also
be investigating his conduct in under reporting COVID deaths alongside his conduct towards women. He maintains, however, that he is supportive of the ongoing investigations and hope they are done quickly and thoroughly, claiming they will clear his name. He also claims he will not continue to argue about the assault allegations or investigations in the press, as the press is not where this should be discussed, another dig at Democrats attempting to hold Cuomo accountable. The investigations will include the New York Assembly impeachment probe and an investigation by N. Y. Attorney General Letitia James.
8 Current Events
Red & Black
26 March 2021
Pittsburgh Announces “Art in Parks” Project
Courtesy Tribune-Review
Large pieces of art will be place in Pittsburgh park, such as Schenley Park, with a $500,000 grant.
Lily Bonasso Red & Black Staff
The city of Pittsburgh recently announced a new program called “Art in Parks,” through which a Regional Asset District grant of $500,000 will be disbursed among its major parks: Frick, Schenley, Riverview, Emerald View and Highland. These locations, strategically placed throughout the city, at present provide natural havens in an otherwise quite industrial environment. The project aims to enhance these parks through the addition of largescale pieces of artwork, including
“object-based sculptures, site-specific installations, and landscape works.” As part of the project, artists are able to submit designs for a chance to win funding of up to $100,000 each. The current timeline projects for selections to be made during the spring and installations to begin during the fall of 2021. The project managers note that they are looking for ideas that combine a focus on the future with relevant reflection that contributes to the community. They also hope to have designs that are site-specific. Historically, public art began as monuments constructed to recognize prominent figures but has developed over time into pieces that are more connected to the site and the
community, explains Morton Brown, the former Public Art Manager for the city of Pittsburgh. Hannah Bado ’22, when asked about her past experiences in Schenley Park specifically, points out that it was “large but barren,” and she is happy to hear that efforts are being made to bring some culture into the park. While it has been proven that added green space in cities is a source for plenty of physical and mental health benefits, it is also important that these areas remain interesting for community members to continue visiting. As Bado points out, these new art installments may serve as attractions to draw people to the parks and even potentially provoke community-
building conversations. On another note, Isabelle Kratz ’22 says, “I am excited to hear that the city will be funding the artists not only for the sake of the parks, but also because the arts are always underfunded and could use the extra promotion.” It is quite encouraging to see the city supporting artists, especially since many artists and their projects have suffered due to the pandemic over the past year. As spring rolls in and people become increasingly weary of the pandemic lifestyle, the news of this “Art in Parks” project will hopefully inspire Pittsburgh community members and visitors to find beauty in their surroundings and pride in their local communities.
Diversity 9
26 March 2021 Red & Black
Diversity Women’s History Month: Lewinsky & Clinton
Courtesy University of Maryland
It is important to reflect back on cases such as the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal.
Akansha Das Red & Black Staff
Women are continually depicted as flat, one-dimensional characters in the media, whether it’s the martyr mother, the valueless slut or even the moxie pixie dream girl. Only recently with films such as “I, Tonya Harding’’ and tv shows such as “Little Fires Everywhere,” are we beginning to see nuance in complexity of women. No other situation illustrates this better than the Monica Lewisnky and Bill Clinton affair. As our conversations about gender change, it’s important that we start looking at the gray areas of feminism that lie in between saints and victims on the spec-
trum of female narratives, especially during a month dedicated to the celebration of women. Between 1995 and 1997, Lewisnky, a 22-year-old White House intern and Clinton had an 18-month long affair. Clinton was on trial after Paula Jones accused him of sexual assault and lawyers used his time under oath to question him about Lewisnky. Once details of the affair became public, Ken Starr led an independent counsel and drafted the STARR report initially investigating a Whitewater corruption scandal linked to the Clintons and eventually Clinton’s perjury (lying under oath). Lewisnky did receive job offers from the UN (a usually highly selective organization) and from many private sector companies through Clinton before the affair went public. Lewisnky was publicly shamed and called everything from a homewrecker to “that woman,” “skank,” “bimbo” and “seductress.” Much of this was due to the unfair and sexist ways she was reported by major news outlets and within legal documents themselves. The STARR Report included many lewd details (from the “cigar” to details about where and what specific activities during sexual encounters). Whether that was for political intentions to smear Clinton on the part of Republicans or as sexist attacks at Lewinsky herself, the end result was the destroyed credibility of a 22-year-old intern because she made a couple of
ill-thought-out mistakes. In her 2015 TedTalk “The Price of Shame,” Lewinsky chokes up talking about having to shower with the bathroom door open at her parent’s house as her mother was afraid Lewinsky would drown or kill herself. Whatever the gravity of her mistakes, it is completely unjust for a woman to be driven to this point because of a sexist media conglomerate and a few youthful miscalculations. But as many echo in the Hulu documentary “Truth and Lies: Bill and Monica,” Lewinsky arguably suffered the most throughout the whole ordeal. Many agree that the affair was objectively wrong - some argue this because it was adultery and others because of the power differential between the 49-year-old leader of the free world and a 22-year-old (only 7 years older than his daughter) intern. And yet in the words of Michael Hobbes on the “You’re Wrong About” Podcast, the moral conscience was not on Monica for she was not the married member of the affair handing out unjust favors because of it. This gets to the heart of the matter: Clinton was never given adequate blame in the situation. While Clinton was impeached, he is still a prominent figure in the Democratic party and a highly regarded speaker. The often-overlooked tragedy and irony is the news of the affair was occurring at same time he was being tried for sexual assault and another
woman (Katherin Weilly) brought forth another sexual assault case. Yes, Lewinsky did some subjectively stupid actions (e.g. engaging in the affair, calling Clinton continuously, and telling at least 11 other people before news of the affair became public), and yet Clinton, with his known history of sexual assault among women and his status as president should have received the bulk of the shame that was shifted to Lewinsky for his actions. Finally, the depiction of Hillary Clinton can’t be ignored, even though the affair was not her doing. As is the case with many affairs, the media and lawyers found ways to depict her as cold and frigid, while some of the American public blamed her for not leaving Bill Clinton or controlling him while he was in office. The STARR report ensures to cross-reference all the times Bill Clinton and Lewinsky spoke on the phone with times Hillary Clinton was out of the White House, and even details conversations Bill Clinton had with Lewinsky about Hillary Clinton not satisfying him sexually. Hillary Clinton got labeled as an anti-feminist for not leaving her husband and Lewisnky as everything from a victim to a seductress to a homewrecker. Beyond how sexist, inaccurate and unnuanced these images of women are, the bottom line is they only serve the patriarchy’s goal of detracting from the male role in the whole situation and should be called out as such.
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Red & Black
26 March 2021
The Gendered Impact of the Climate Crisis Amanda Fitzpatrick Red & Black Staff
The world is changing. Temperatures are warming, seas are rising, pollution is increasing and the climate crisis appears to be worsening each day. The effects are overwhelming – species are dying, land is becoming unsuitable for farming and natural disasters are becoming more destructive. It is unquestionable that climate change is having negative impacts on our environment. But who bears the weight of these consequences? The most marginalized people are enduring the worst effects of climate change. Oftentimes, these people are women. Climate change is a women’s rights issue and was recognized as such by the United Nations on Feb. 7, 2018 with the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) enacting its first general recommendation which focuses on climate change and the gendered impact of disasters entitled: General Recommendation No. 37 on Gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change. The gendered impact of climate disasters on women and girls occurs for a number of reasons. Girls and boys are ultimately affected differently by climate change and disasters due to women and girls experiencing greater risks, burdens and impacts. Because women have limited control over decisions governing their lives in a number of places around the world,
they are more likely to be exposed to disaster induced risks and losses related to their livelihoods. Without full legal autonomy, many women are therefore less able to adapt to changes in climate conditions. Additionally, women and girls have higher levels of mortality and morbidity in situations of disasters such as natural disasters. Genderbased economic inequality results in women, and specifically households headed by women, at higher risk of poverty. As a result, women are more likely to live in inadequate housing in urban and rural areas of lower land value. Not so coincidentally, these areas are also more vulnerable to the impact of climate related events such as floods, storms, avalanches, earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes and other climate hazards. The situation is even more dire for women and girls in conflict situations. Women and girls also face a heightened risk of gender-based violence during and following disasters. Ultimately, the failure of the United States and international governments to engage in genderresponsive disaster planning and implementation results in protective facilities and infrastructure such as early warning mechanisms, shelters and relief programs that are illequipped and frequently neglect the specific accessibility needs of diverse groups of women like women with disabilities, older women and BIPOC women. The gendered implications of climate change must be at the forefront of governments, politicians, and policy makers when creating climate policy. However, categorizing women and girls as a passive “vulnerable group” in need of protection from these grave impacts of climate disasters
is not the answer. In many ways, it fails to recognize the important contributions that women are already making to disaster risk reduction, post disaster management and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. In fact, women are the leaders of the climate movement. Women, specifically women of color and of the Global South, who are disproportionately affected by climate change are also the ones at the forefront of fighting for and creating solutions for people and the planet. Nemonte Nenquimo, an Indigenous Waorani leader from the Ecuadorian Amazon and the co-founder of the Indigenous-led nonprofit organization Ceibo Alliance, is a rainforest protector and won a lawsuit against the Ecuadorian government to protect 500,000 acres of rainforest from oil
extraction. Vanessa Nakate, a Ugandan climate justice activist, a prominent member of the Fridays For Future movement in Uganda and founder of The Rise Up Climate Movement, has been fighting for environmental racism in the Global South to be included in climate catastrophe conversations. Mari Copeny is a 13-year-old activist from Flint, Mich. and has been bringing attention to the water crisis since she was eight years old and now works with other communities in dealing with toxic water. She has given away over a million water bottles and partnered with Hydroviv to create her own water filter used in places with toxic drinking water. These are just a few of the countless women who deserve to be celebrated for their work in leading the climate movement and addressing its gendered implications.
Courtesy PopSugar
Mari Copeny, 13-year-old activist, helped improve Flint’s water crisis and has expanded to working with other communities dealing with toxic water.
26 March 2021
Red & Black
Diversity 11
Spotlight: The Women’s+ Health Collective Akansha Das Red & Black Staff
The Women’s+ Health Collective (WHC) is a gynecology and sexual health practice in western Mich. that opened its doors in June of 2020 and has amassed over 1000 new patients in a mere seven months. In the largely conservative city of Grand Rapids, WHC is unique with their progressive and sex-positive environment and collaborative patient care model. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest collaborative and holistic based care can make great strides in patient outcomes. Founder and owner of WHC, Nisha McKenzie, PA-C says that she has intentionally tried to blend western and data-supported eastern medicine to provide a tailored and whole-body treatment plan for patients. WHC offers a range of services including gynecological checkups and procedures (annual exams, pap smears and pelvic exams, hormone consultation, IUD checks and insertions and ablations, to name a few), pelvic floor PT, psychiatry consultations, acupuncture, Reiki therapy, body-positive dietician visits and yoga therapy along with collaborating with sex therapists and counselors at Grand Rapids Specialty Therapy and massage therapists at The Little Dipper. McKenzie, PA-C says that when she visits a patient, she really takes a big-picture approach to see how she can best help this patient achieve good health and wellness. Her definition of collaborative care includes collaborating with other medical providers but also collaborating with, rather than dictating to the pa-
tient, what their treatment should look like. By not wearing white coats and having computer stands where providers can sit at, she aims to make medical care as friendly as possible. The inclusive nature of WHC is visible from the first steps into the clinic. Lining their walls is art from their currently featured artist, Esmeralda Perez, whose pieces echo themes of her Mexican heritage and women’s empowerment. In an environment when many galleries are closed because of COVID, WHC has attempted to amplify the voices of BIPOC artists. Even the superscript “+” in WHC’s name is to include all the people who identify as female may prefer (including womxn, womyn, wombyn, wimmin, etc.)
But beyond this, WHC intentionally considers diversity and equity with every decision along with having tough conversations about their own implicit biases. McKenzie says she understands all the “isms” [racism, sexism and ableism to name a small few] and has strived to create a practice that truly “gets past them” to provide equitable care to everyone. Since opening, the center has had three DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) trainings during which they close for half a day to dedicate themselves to becoming allies to marginalized individuals. Perhaps most surprisingly, WHC currently consists of a majority female staff which inherently increases the atmosphere of understanding patients
feel. While you don’t need to walk a mile in someone’s shoes to necessarily understand their troubles, that fact that many of the staff have undergone similar medical conditions to the ones they are treating increases the gravity of the work they do and quality of patient care they provide. WHC offers many telehealth services, including psychiatry and sex counseling, certain medication checkups and more. They can also be contacted with any additional questions about (616)-600-4950 and info@whcollective.com To learn more about WHC or women’s health overall, you can visit whcollective.com and follow @whcollective on Facebook and Instagram.
Courtesy Akansha Das
Nisha McKenzie, PA-C Founder and Owner of the Women’s+ Health Collective (left). Original artwork by artist Esmeralda Perez paying homage to the roots of Hispanic people and women in Michigan with her piece “La Mano: I Live There” (right).
12 Diversity
Red & Black
26 March 2021
The Tigray Crisis: Genocidal War in Ethiopia Dylan Bertovich Red & Black Staff
Many people have never heard of the Tigray region, a region in northwestern Ethiopia that has been the subject of years of fighting. This came to a head in 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched an offensive to oust the region’s ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) party after its fighters captured federal military bases. This has led to serious allegations of mass murders, rapes and ethnic cleansing that some consider genocide. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Saturday that the U.S. was “gravely concerned by reported atrocities and the overall deteriorating situation,” and called for Eritrean and Amhara regional forces to withdraw immediately. The situation is being made more complicated by the presence of Eritrean troops in the region. Eritrea is an unstable country to the north of the Tigray region that has sent troops to the fight. These troops are some of the main perpetrators of the violence that is hitting the region. There has been a general consensus of events described by the U.N. observers, “Some women have also reportedly been forced by military elements to have sex in exchange for basic commodities, while medical centres have indicated an increase in the demand for emergency contraception and testing for sexually transmitted infections, which is often an indicator of sexual violence
in conflict.” Eritrea’s government denied involvement in the atrocities and claimed to be a peacekeeping organization. Leaders around the world are calling on the Biden administration to keep the pressure on the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments. “We want to have peace in this region, in this
country so we want [the U.S.] to continue to push [for the withdrawal] of invader forces from Tigray to stop the atrocities, genocide and destruction. We need, you know, humanitarian assistance as well... The whole Tigray is in social and economic crisis. Our people need assistance, they need hu-
manitarian support. So, it’s an urgent call. We need this push from the [U.S.] President.” The people of the United States need to continue to push the government on the issue of the Tigray region. If the violence is left to continue, there will only be continued violence.
Courtesy Aljazeera
Thousands of Ethiopians are fleeing the worsening conflict in the northern region of Tigray to seek shelter in Sudan as international alarm over a humanitarian crisis grows.
26 March 2021
opinions Red & Black
Opinions 13
Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia Promotes Diversity Akansha Das Red & Black Staff
Netflix’s recent TV show drama “Ginny & Georgia” is more than the chronicling of the Gilmore Girls— like mother and daughter bond it appears like. Taking place in affluent Wellsbury, Massachusetts, the show follows the life of a family of three that is new in town – Georgia and her two children Ginny (15-years-old) and Austin (9-years-old). While the show starts off with a focus on typical teenage issues and “new girl” issues that Ginny faces, it continues with wonderfully complex backstories on almost all the characters that makes the show so fascinating and intriguing to watch. One of the most
noticeable aspects of the show is its diversity. From diversity in ethnicity and race to sexual orientation and diverse family structures, I was highly impressed with the way the show didn’t use standard tokenism and exploit the “IT Indian guy,” “gay best friend” and “angry, Black woman tropes,” but instead developed rich story lines for each. Seeing Indians play the role of both a girlfriend and a diner owner on the show may seem small, but honestly elevated my impression of the whole show. Even characters like Abby, one of Ginny’s friends, is more than the insecure high school girl she looks like. Through key scenes, the show really explains how her family issues contribute to her dependency on her friends and how insecure she feels about her body image. But the show extended beyond populating with the screen with diverse characters to actually having tough conversations
about inclusion. In a particularly poignant scene, Ginny and one of her romantic interests, Hunter, get into a heated debate about different ways their ethnicities are portrayed. Ginny talks about how tough it is for her when teachers and others assume that she isn’t interested in academics because she is Black and a woman. When Hunter begins talking about how tough it is to be biracial and not be Taiwanese enough or American enough, Ginny critiques him, saying that the model minority myth essentially means “he doesn’t have it as bad.” This specific conversation about race was incredibly important at a time when the Asian-American community is facing a severe uptick in racist attacks, yet also possesses much anti-Blackness within itself. The style of the show is also unique with a blending of light motherdaughter and teenage interactions with
E ditorial P olicy The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Fridays with the exception of exams and break periods. Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the
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dark and tough parts of high school (body image issues and mental health issues) and of Georgia’s life. The style of the show enhances Georgia’s depiction of a survivor to the audience. Seeing and hearing the abuse she endured and the ways some her illegal actions were arguably survival mechanisms provides an interesting complexity to her surface-level sweet and innocent nature. But the show is not completely perfect. Singer Taylor Swift did respond with backlash to the show for a joke Ginny makes about her mother saying she goes through men “faster than Taylor Swift.” I agree that Taylor was right to call the show out for this sexist comment that judges Swift for a characteristic that we have a double standard of men for. Despite this, I believe that the show is well worth the watch—especially if you are looking for a quick, well-designed and unpredictable storyline.
C ontac t Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number. Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu.
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14 Opinions
26 march 2021 Red & Black
Burmese People Fight for Democracy in Myanmar Paul Collier Red & Black Editor
A month and a half ago, the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) began a coup that has left 235 dead and 2,330 arrested, including a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Tatmadaw troops have also seized Myanmar hospitals and universities in an attempt to further consolidate their power over the country. The protests begun as a result of an election in November 2020, in which the aforementioned Nobel Prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, led the National League for Democracy Party to a major victory, earning enough parliamentary seats to form a new government. Despite international election watchers claiming there was no fraud, the Tatmadaw eventually overtook the government and imprisoned Suu Kyi for inciting fear and alarm and breaking COVID protocol, which are simply charges to keep her arrested because they don’t want her in power. This is because she has fought for Myanmar democracy since 1989, when the military first created a major suppression of democracy and renamed the country from Burma. With their leader arrested and their democracy stolen, Burmese people began simple protests by banging pots and pans and dancing in the streets. When the Tatmadaw tried to oppress this protest, riots broke out, with Molotov cocktails being thrown by protestors in retaliation to Tatmadaw soldiers and police firing into crowds with live ammunition,
while Burmese people have had social media repressed by the military government to keep the atrocities committed against them from being broadcasted to the world. Now, Myanmar is swiftly falling into debt as food and fuel prices increase, and 38 journalists have been arrested as information is repressed, including AP reporter Thein Zaw, whose trial is this week. Following U.S. sanctions against Myanmar and the withholding of 1 billion dollars in governmental funds held in the U.S., no action has been taken by the United Nations, though Thailand seems to be allowing refugees to shelter along the border. Furthermore, a member of the NLDP has been killed in police custody. The international community also has little desire to help because Suu Kyi did not condemn or fight against the Tatmadaw for persecuting Rohingya Muslims, leading her to falling out of favor despite her continued popularity in Myanmar, which should also be noted to be properly called Burma, as that was the country’s name before the first major military takeover and Myanmar is only its more formal, Anglicized name. Within this name erasure and condemnation of Suu Kyi is a key aspect of the rest of the world’s response: they continue to not care. They placated the militaryran government for far too long, empowering them to eventually carry out a takeover of power like this one, leaving the Burmese people without much hope, and now our media tries to find inspiration in their fight despite the world’s assistance in perpetuating the Tatmadaw injustices by respecting the choices of a government that does not respect its people.
Courtesy Financial Times
A Burmese protestor holds up a picture of Aung San Suu Kyi as he protests for democracy in Myanmar.
26 march 2021
Red & Black
Opinions 15
Meghan Markle Made an Anti-Institutional Symbol Akansha Das Red & Black Staff
After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tell-all interview with Oprah aired on Sunday, March 7th, many conservatives took issue, from Candace Owens casting Meghan as a hysteric faking suicidal thoughts to tear Harry away to Ben Shapiro and Piers Morgan saying the timing of the interview was especially insensitive as Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Phillip lies in a hospital bed. This has many wondering why right-wing activists are so quick to defend the monarchy, especially after Meghan revealed she was having suicidal thoughts and her mental health took a deep dive in the toxic environment of the royal family as her security was revoked and she dealt with racism from the family and the press. My initial thoughts for this stark defense by the right is what the royal family represents. Though largely ceremonial, the Royal Family is a deeprooted institution that has survived for many decades by maintaining the status quo and this continued view of perfection. In a world where America is finally to change its institutions and address systemic “isms,” the royal family’s immobility to do so may be solace for much of the right. Trump supporters so desperately want to return to a nostalgic way of being in the country echoed in “Make America Great Again” and the British Monarchy encapsulates that romanticized nostalgia. Yet as POLITICO reports, the debate also represents one of the most
Courtesy US Weekly
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry answer Oprah’s interview questions.
fundamental disagreements between liberals and conservatives: How much of our life is determined by our individual actions and how much is determined by the systems and institutions we live in? Conservatives may be able to dismiss Meghan’s very frightening claims of suicidal thoughts and allegations of racism because they can argue she simply didn’t “stand her ground” or fight it off for long enough. Yet many left-of-the-aisle individuals argue that the toxic environment that she was living in didn’t even allow her seek help and, therefore, even if the unfair press coverage (which was also laced with racism) and other troubles were endurable, she wasn’t given the tools or support to do so. In very contested debates, very rarely is any
side completely virtuous and the other completely evil. As we tackle the issue of the rightwing response to the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry interview, we need to keep this in mind. For “throwing out the baby with the bathwater” and completely dismissing all claims they make along with taking away their right to freedom of press while introducing governmental intervention is a dangerous and slippery slope towards censorship. This treacherous dynamic played out with outspoken critic of Meghan Markle Piers Morgan, the host of Good Morning Britain. Piers Morgan was fired by the network after comments he made questioning the validity of Meghan’s allegations of racism and whether she did experience
suicidal thoughts. I personally agree his comments were offensive and believe that the network was well within their rights to ask him to leave as they did not feel he represented their values. Yet, I found it interesting that a branch of the U.K. government, U.K. Media Regulator Ofcom, was beginning to investigate the case. For a democracy to function, freedom of expression is critical, and this requires that the government and press maintain a distinct relationship. A complete silencing of conservatives by the government should be viewed with the same scrutiny as if such were happening to popular progressive figures such as Bernie Sanders and AOC for simply speaking their opinion.
16 Opinions
Red & Black
26 march 2021
Democrats Stall on Defunding Police Budgets Paul Collier Red & Black Editor
In recent weeks, conservatives have been fighting for reasons to defend police departments after major cities made commitments to defunding police in the summer of 2020 and using that money in community rehabilitation programs and violence prevention programs instead. A major target for this has come from the House Democrats considering a 20 percent increase in federal police budget following the attack on the Capitol. The same day these measures were considered, the
House passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, to reduce police brutality and aggression committed against Black Americans. Conservatives are right in questioning this action. We know that a key part of the risk coming from defunding police so rapidly is that communities will become, for a time, more dangerous as violent crime increases in prevalence and police departments struggle to respond. The goal is long term, as prevention education begins to deter violent crime in communities. The Democrats that publicly supported defunding police departments to begin focusing on education knew this, and their seeming opposition for it in protecting themselves seems hypocritical for many Americans fighting to take
these next steps forward. However, conservatives railing against the Democrats efforts seem to also not be aware that his defunding on a wide scale hasn’t actually happened. According to Bloomberg, the aggregate decrease in police budget across the 50 largest U.S. cities was 5.2 percent, but the general expenditures relating to law enforcement increased slightly. Even in cities where Democrats built or gained majorities, like Phoenix, Atlanta and Omaha, police budgets are set to increase this year. In fact, 24 of the 42 major cities controlled by Democrats will be raising their police budgets in 2021. This is not to say focus on the issue hasn’t increased, but the point is moot if action isn’t being taken. This also means the House Democrats are
exemplifying the results of efforts in cities across America to reduce police budgets. Conservatives are essentially fighting against this increase for no reason; it might be an easy way to call out hypocrisy to earn political points, but it’s difficult to call out hypocrisy when Democrats aren’t trying to defund police across the board. They simply aren’t doing what they’ve been called on to try to do by their constituents. We do not have the time to wait for racial injustice and police brutality to spread. Democrats need to actually take the first steps to defund police and make their communities safer—they need to give something for conservatives to actually fight against—and they need to do it before Democrat voters completely lose hope that change is going to happen.
Courtesy CBS News
Rioters attack the Capitol Building in January, prompting a recent budget increase request for capitol police.
sports
26 March 2021
Red & Black
17 Sports
Mountain Earns 500th Career Win
Courtesy Observer-Reporter
Coach Jeff Mountain earns his 500th career win on opening weekend.
Nick Krugh Red & Black Editor
Heading into the 2020 season his 18th year at the helm of Washington & Jefferson College baseball team, Jeff Mountain was seven wins away from his career 500th. A tasks most certainly expecting to be accomplished in the 2020 season was put on hold at the hands of the Coronavirus pandemic.. With the 2020 season in the rear
view mirror and the 2021 season ready to begin, Coach Mountain was just four wins away from career number 500. However, you could never tell by Coach Mountain’s behavior. It was like business as usual. As excitement built within the team, Coach Mountain became more and more calm. The Presidents opened the 2021 season with a four game series againt the Bethany Bison. The Presidents took game one of the four game series 10-4 over the Bison. The Presidents where carried by a power surge at the plate. First baseman
Adam Moore ‘21 and outfielder Evan Sante ‘23 both hit homeruns. Moore’s homerun was a grand slam in the third inning. Henry Litman ‘22 threw six and two thirds to get the win. Game two went the Presidents way finishing 5-1. Tyler Horvat ‘23 let the charge on the mound throwing seven innings allowing one run and striking out nine Bethany hitters. Adam Moore ‘21 added his second homerun of the day and catcher Peter Kalinski ‘22 added his first homer of the year. On sunday the Bison traveled to Washington to face the Presidents, just
two wins away from Coach Mountain’s 500th win. Game one of Sunday finished with a score of 7-1. Pitcher Nick Drake ‘21 threw seven innings not allowing one run, while punching out three. The offense was a balanced attack with Michael Zito ‘21 adding two hits. The final game of the weekend the Presidents fell behind early 4-0. However, came storming back on the heals of two seven run innings. Beating the Bison with a final score of 19-4, and clinching Coach Mountain’s 500th career win on opening weekend.
18 Sports
Red & Black
26 March 2021
W&J Soccer Splits Opening Weekend
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Erin Herock ‘21 looks forward to the 2021 season.
Paul Collier Red & Black Editor
Both of W&J’s Men’s and Women’s soccer teams began their seasons on Mar. 13 at Westminster. The men are currently 2-0-0 while the women sit at 0-1-1 early in the season. The men’s team defeated Westminster 4-2, outscoring them 2-1 in each period despite Westminster scoring the first goal. Quinn Pickering ‘22
opened the season’s scoring with his first goal for W&J on an assist from Jake Fetterman ‘21. McKinley Joseph ‘24 also contributed a goal while Jake Klonowski ‘24 scored the final two for the Presidents. Jayden Da ‘24 had two assists in the victory. This win extended W&J’s win streak over PAC competition to ten games. The women’s team opened their season with a 1-2 loss to Westminster. The score was 0-0 after the first half before Westminster opened a 2-0 lead in the second. McKenna Lewis ‘22 provided W&J’s lone goal late in the game
on a penalty kick. Abby Hipkins ‘24 also had three saves in her first game for W&J. The men’s team would also outshoot St Vincent 13-4 on the way to a 4-0 victory to improve to 2-0 in the conference. After Thomas Einolf ‘22 scored on an assist from Jake Rajotte ‘24 late in the first half, the Presidents would score three in the second. Jayden Da ‘24 had the second goal of the game on a penalty kick and would have a second goal on an assist from Nicholas Maknoon ‘21. Joel Winters ‘22 contributed the fourth goal of the
game. The women’s team would battle St Vincent to a 0-0 tie in double overtime despite having 17 shots on goal. Goalkeeper Abby Hipkins ‘24 had four saves in her second game. Katie Hahn ‘22 and Katie Brown ‘24 led W&J with 4 shots each, while Hahn had 4 shots on goal and Brown had 2 shots on goal. Lexey Finney ‘21 had 3 shots with 2 on goal, and Erin Herock ‘21 had 3 shots on goal. The women play again on Saturday against Chatham at home at 1 pm in an attempt to get their first win of the season following a strong effort against St Vincent.
26 March 2021
Red & Black
19 Sports
Women’s Basketball Falls in PAC Final
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Lauren Gilbert ‘21 drives looking to score.
Paul Collier Red & Black Editor
Beginning Mar. 15, W&J’s Women’s Basketball team competed in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference tournament, culminating in a runner-up finish to St. Vincent in the championship game. After earning a first round bye as the second seed in the tourna-
ment, W&J began their tournament run playing Bethany in the quarterfinals, winning 66-62 following a 16 day break due to late season game cancellations. They powered through a Bethany defense that held the Presidents to only 34% from the field while leading for over 36 minutes of game time despite the close score. Alie Seto ‘21, Maria Lawhorne ‘21, and Lauren Gilbert ‘21 led scoring for W&J with 17, 16 and 12 points respectively on Senior night. In the semifinals, W&J defeated Grove City 62-40 after holding the Grove City’s PAC high-scoring offense
to only 4 points in the fourth quarter. Grove City would also finish with 17 turnovers and a field goal percentage of only 25%. The Presidents were led by Hannah Johnston ‘21 in her first career double-double, finishing with 10 point and 11 rebounds as well as 4 steals in the game. Alie Seto ‘21 had 19 points, a game-high, and Lauren Gilbert ‘21 also had 17 points. W&J played first-seeded St Vincent in the PAC Finals, where they lost 6561 and finished their season with a record of 8-1. It was the fourth season in a row the women had advanced to the PAC championship, and the senior
class would finish with an overall record of 68-26. W&J was led by the seniors in their runner-up effort, as Maria Lawhorne ‘21 would finish with 17 points and 6 rebounds, Alie Seto ‘21 would finish with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals, Hannah Johnston ‘21 would finish with 11 points and 6 rebounds, and Lauren Gilbert ‘21 would add 9 points. This was the fifth consecutive season W&J and St Vincent had played in the PAC tournament, and St Vincent finished 10-0 on their season. W&J Women’s Basketball had a great season, and the entire campus community congratulates them on their success.
20 Sports
Red & Black
26 March 2021
Last Week’s Scores Mar. 20
W&J Baseball vs. Grove City: 4-2 W W&J Baseball vs. Grove City: 6-5 W Men’s Lacrosse vs. St. Vincent: 8-13 L Women’s Lacrosse vs. St. Vincent: 19-4 W Women’s Basketball at. St. Vincent: 61-65 L
Mar. 21
Men’s Soccer at St. Vincent: 4-0 W Women’s Soccer at St. Vincent: 0-0 T
Mar. 22
W&J Baseball at Grove City: 6-5 W W&J Baseball at Grove City: 6-5 W
Courtesy GoPresidents.com
This Weekend’s Games Mar. 26 W&J Volleyball vs. Franciscan: 7:00 PM W&J Football at Waynesburg: 7:00 PM
Mar. 27
Men’s Lacrosse vs. Thiel: 12:00 PM Women’s Soccer vs. Chatham: 1:00 PM W&J Baseball vs. Westminster: 1:00 PM Women’s Lacrosse vs. Thiel: 3:00 PM W&J Baseball vs. Westminster: 3:30 PM Men’s Soccer vs. Chatham: 4:00 PM
Mar. 28
W&J Baseball at Westminster: 1:00 PM W&J Baseball at Westminster: 3:30 PM
Courtesy GoPresidents.com
