Red & Black
The Free
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 November 20, 2020
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... CURRENT EVENTS
Campus Employs Sustainable Efforts PAGE 2
Alex Trebek, host of ‘Jeopardy!,’ sadly lost his battle with stage four pancreatic cancer on Nov 8., 2020 at age 80. -P.8
DIVERSITY
Indigenous Americans showed up to help Biden win in Ariz., yet they remain overlooked and subjected to discrimination. -P.11
OPINIONS The term sustainability means the capacity to endure. This is something that is practiced right here at Washington & Jefferson College. -P.15
SPORTS
Ng not only has been announced as the first woman to ever hold the position of general manager, but she also has become the first ever Asian American to hold this role in the MLB. -P.17 Courtesy WashJeff.edu
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
2 CAMPUS NEWS
20 November 2020
Red & Black
Campus Employs Sustainable Efforts
Courtesy WashJeff.edu
Even though W&J College does not advertise it heavily, The Campus is trying to make sustainable decisions despite COVID-19.
Ryan Morley Red & Black Contributor
While living on the Washington & Jefferson campus for a semester, students are able to witness sustainability in action. Although the sustainability was not widely advertised, sustainable practices could be seen throughout the campus. This makes the intentions all the more noble. Had these practices been advertised, whether that be on the school website or on posters hung around the
campus, the appearance would be that W&J was simply being sustainable to try and lure in potential applicants. The most recognizable sustainable practice is the large amount of recycling bins scattered throughout the campus. Additionally, single-use objects are limited as much as possible. Unfortunately, with the coronavirus, a lot of items had to be made single use. However, W&J still limited the use of plastics. Instead of using plastic packaging, single use items are made using paper or other biodegradable materials. Both of these practices help reduce W&J’s waste. Waste output, as we learned in Dr. East’s Sustainability, is a crucial part of obtaining sustainability. The goal of sustainability is to prevent harm to the present and the future all
while achieving the needs of the present. Disposal of waste may not provide immediate harm, but it poses a risk to the future. In order to dispose of the waste, it is often dumped in landfills. Landfills prove to be a dangerous solution. In multiple scenarios, wastes stored in landfills ended up causing damage to the community. For example, look at the landfills that were built in Emelle, Alabama. Emelle was chosen because the ground possessed a unique material, Selma chalk. Selma chalk was advertised as being able to hold waste for hundreds of years without leakage. However, within a few decades, leaks began occurring. The drinking water became polluted with the toxic chemicals. In turn, the families that relied on this water for
drinking water would become infected with diseases. By limiting waste, W&J is preventing additional landfills. As mentioned above, the coronavirus pandemic puts a damper on what the college can do with sustainability. Unfortunately, this is not really something W&J can do anything about. The pandemic has caused businesses and restaurants all around to use single use objects. W&J has done well limiting the use of plastics. When the pandemic is over and normal capacity is allowed in dining areas, the use of plastic and single use containers will largely diminish. Instead, there will be utensils that can be washed and used again. Ultimately, it would help reduce waste. By reducing waste, W&J can become even more sustainable.
20 November 2020
Red & Black
CAMPUS NEWS 3
Students Weigh in on Sustainable Communitites Noah Allen Red & Black Contributor
We are currently living in a world where things are not as usual. Masks are being worn and businesses are being shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic that has been going on worldwide. These unforeseen times have caused many different effects on the world, both good and bad, but one of the main things affected was air and water pollution. Now that people have been stuck at home quarantining and businesses are shutting down, there is less of a reason for people to drive which is causing pollution rates to go down. Washington and Jefferson College freshman Amanda Graves says that “since Covid-19 has begun, I think pollution rates have been much lower than the past. This has been very good for the environment and the people who live there, but it will not stay this way forever. Once everything goes back to normal, pollution rates will rise again.” Yes, the situation that is going on now is not ideal, but it is been very helpful to the environment around us. These new experiences that we are having is allowing the environment to thrive which will be very beneficial in the long run. Looking into the future, everything will eventually go back to normal. All businesses will be open again and people will be on the move. This will affect the quality of the air and
Courtesy Noah Allen
Various students on campus voice their concerns on the environmental effects pre- and post-COVID-19 has had on the Earth.
water because pollutants will be abundant in the environment once again.
“These unforseen times have caused many different effects on the world, good and bad” When asked about what will happen once the pandemic is over, fresh-
man Mia Shipley says, “Personally I think when people are able to return to normal, vehicle traffic will experience a rise. Not only will new freedom cause people to want to do more, [but] due to Covid-19 worries, more people will stray from public transit.” The people that choose to resort to new sources of transit will cause pollution that was less abundant during pandemic times. Everyone is hoping for the rules and restrictions to be lifted so that they can live as they used to, but no one ever thinks of the environmental factors. We are currently helping those who come after us in the world because there will be lower pollution levels until the pandemic is over. Future generations may have a better life be-
cause of the precautions that we are taking now; the small details that we must deal with are not as bad as people make them out to be.
Courtesy clarkgreenproject.com
4 CAMPUS NEWS
20 November 2020
Red & Black
Fun With Foreign Languages: Quarantine and Finals Edition German:
French:
So ein Mist! Crap! Direct translation: Manure! Ich glaub’ mein Schwein pfeift. I can’t believe it! Direct translation: I think my piggy whistles. Ich hab’ die Nase voll! I am done! Direct translation: My nose is full! Das geht mir so auf den Geist. It gets on my nerves! Direct translation: It gets on my ghost! Das bringt mich auf die Palme! That makes me so mad! Direct translation: That brings me onto a palm tree. Das geht mir so auf den Wecker! This annoys me so much! Direct translation: This goes onto my alarm clock! Jetzt war alles für die Katz! Great! Now all of this was for nothing! Direct translation: Everything was for the cat!
Russian: Интернет медленный, Zoom постоянно не работает, мои дети тоже всегда хотят участвовать! The internet is slow, Zoom constantly doesn’t work, my children always want to participate, too!
Photo translation: Your garden on March 17. Your garden on day 15 of confinement.
20 November 2020
Campus News 5
Red & Black
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!
A Note from the Editor-In-Chief Congrats W&J students on adapting to the challenges presented by the pandemic and perservering through the semester. This issue will feature several articles from Dr. East’s First Year Seminar class, “Sustainability.” The articles focus on sustainability in our local community, around the world and in context of the coronavirus. This is the Red & Black’s final issue of the 2020 year. Thank you to our Editorial Board, writers and all those who contributed to the paper this semester. See you in 2021! - Marcy Saldivar ‘21
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20 November 2020
Red & Black
Meet the Editorial Board
Social Media Manager: Grace Depaul Grace Depaul manages the social media accounts for the Red and Black newspaper. Grace
Red & Black Established 1909
is a sophomore at W&J and a business administration and communication arts double major. Grace is a member of Delta Gamma and she is the philanthropy chair for Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). “I hope to provide a new and efficient aesthetic for the Red & Black social media pages so that students can easily access and engage with the newspaper and remain updated on important information.�
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Campus News Editor Current Events Editor Diversity Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Social Media Manager Website Design Manager Distribution Manager Interim Faculty Advisor
Marcy Saldivar Erin Herock Reilly Oliverio Molly Kilbourne Amanda Fitzpatrick Paul Collier Nick Krugh Kelsey Julien McKayla Rollison Grace Depaul Raheem Clemons Alex Wagner Kellin Cavanaugh
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Current Events 7
Current Events COVID-19 Impacts Water and Air Pollution Hayden Stein Red & Black Contributor
In response to the global COVID-19 outbreak, many countries went on a shut down, closing all non-essential businesses and travel in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Many of these business shutdowns resulted in a change in air pollution (specifically nitrogen dioxide levels) and water pollution for the countries that demanded them. In China, nitrogen dioxide levels decreased the most out of all the air pollutants with a 54 percent reduction. China’s water also had more dissolved oxygen concentration, which is an indicator of good quality. These changes in air and water quality are due to China’s strict business and travel laws since they saw an outbreak. In Italy, another country affected heavily by the virus, strict laws similar to China’s helped see an
improvement on air and water quality as well. The Italian Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, claimed “We cannot waste time, we must put in place measures to avoid a generalized lockdown, which could severely compromise the economy.” While the first priority of these measures was no doubt the economy, the environment of Italy also benefited. The Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite footage revealed the nitrogen dioxide levels over Italy have significantly dropped from January to March and have stayed lower than what they were at before Italy restricted business and travel. The manager of the satellite, Callus Zehner, had this to say about the findings: “Although there could be slight variations in the data due to cloud cover and changing weather, we are very confident that the reduction in concentrations that we can see, coincides with the lockdown in Italy causing less traffic and industrial activities.” In addition to China and Italy, the United States has also seen an improvement in air quality. Nitrogen dioxide levels from Boston, Massachusetts to Washington, D.C. were down 30 percent from January to March, according to NASA satellite. The impact of COVID-19 on water quality in the United States is unclear, but efforts are being made to find a relationship between them. Maria
Courtesy Insider
Venice canals clear as residents self-isolate and tourists evacuate amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tzortziou, a professor at the City College of New York, said that “this project will help fill a gap in our fundamental understanding of the air-water exchange of nutrients and pollutants and how this affects and is influenced by environmental regulations, socioeconomic policy responses and decision making.” Although
these countries have seen an increase in air quality due to their social distancing laws, they will most likely be temporary. This increase has come at the expense of business owners and employees sacrificing their livelihoods, and the laws that caused these sacrifices will be lifted as soon as it is safely possible.
8 Current Events
Red & Black
20 November 2020
‘Jeopardy’ Host Alex Trebek Dies at Age 80
Courtesy Associated Press
Alex Trebek asks contestants trivia questions on ‘Jeopardy.’
Sofia Jenkins Red & Black Contributor
‘Jeopardy!’, one of the most popular game shows of all time, the show with the highest amount of Emmy Awards of all time (35) and arguably, the game show with the most well-known and loved hosts of all time. Alex Trebek, host of ‘Jeopardy!,’ sadly lost his battle with stage four
pancreatic cancer on Nov 8., 2020 at age 80. Trebek announced to the world that he was fighting this battle on Mar 6., 2019 and was completely transparent with what he was going through. “There were moments of great pain, days when certain bodily functions no longer functioned and sudden, massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on,” said Trebek. The amount of loyalty that Trebek showed to the show ‘Jeopardy!’ is unlike any host in history. Trebek began hosting the show in 1984 when the show was first aired, and has been with the show ever since,
only missing one episode in that 37year span so he could swap shows with fellow game show host Pat Sajak of ‘Wheel-of-Fortune.’ ‘Jeopardy!’ became such a well-liked and watched show because of how orderly and consistent the show was. Through having a consistent host who knew every direct answer to every question he asked, was very satisfying and comforting to viewers. Throughout the last two years, there have been shows where Trebek would walk off stage afterwards and begin to cry because of how much pain he was in, yet he believed that he should fight on because of all of the people surrounding him, helping him survive.
‘Jeopardy!’ is a show that millions of family center their nights around. To these families, Trebek was a staple at 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. “Ooh, noooo, I’m sorry that is not correct,” Trebek would say when a contestant would get an “obvious” answer wrong, deliberately meaning that this was an answer that Trebek thought he would have answered correctly if he were a contestant. This is a phrase that will be remembered by everyone who has watched ‘Jeopardy!’ with Alex Trebek. While the producers have not named who will be replacing Trebek, no one will be able to fill the big shoes that Trebek has left behind.
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Current Events 9
Did Biden Win by a Landslide or Narrow Margin?
Courtesy Associated Press
President Trump and President-elect Biden speak on the 2020 campaign trail.
Molly Kilbourne Red & Black Editor
A presidential election in the midst of a pandemic added new complications and uncertainty to a process already full of tension. As states continue to report their election results, the margin between President Trump and President-elect Biden grow. However, with mail-in ballots, discrepancies regarding utensils used and false accusations of voter fraud, what do we know about these results,
and how do they compare to past elections? Wis., Mich., Pa. and Ga. were monumental for Biden’s victory. The Midwest has traditionally been the battleground for swing-state votes and Trump maintained many counties his second time running. Flipping historically Republican states like Ga. was unprecedented by many in securing Biden’s victory. Despite the margin of victory being so thin, their role in the election was monumental: Biden won Wisc. by .63 percent compared to Trump’s win of the state by .82 percent in 2016, and Biden’s win in Mich. of 2.69 percent blows Trump’s slim claim of .24 percent in 2016. In regard to the popular vote, Biden made
history in attaining the most votes for a presidential candidate. The record was, ironically, held by Barack Obama for his 2008 win, when Biden was his Vice-Presidential running mate. Even amidst a global pandemic, the 2020 election is expected to have the highest voter turnout for a presidential election in over a century. A pause is necessary here as we know that, due to the Electoral College system, it is possible for a presidential candidate to win the popular vote and still lose the presidency. This is how Trump beat Hillary Clinton just four years ago. Ga. is subject to a recount because of how thin the margins are but Biden is still poised to win the state. If he
succeeds in winning the state, he will claim the same number of electoral votes as Trump in 2016: 306. After that victory, Trump stated that he won in a “massive landslide victory;” now, he casts doubt over not only the results, but the entire voting process. Effort was immediately shifted from campaigning to throwing baseless accusations of fraud in an attempt to pout his way to the presidency. Going forward, we will await the final counts in both swing states and flipped states in addition to the establishment of security in the votes themselves. Trump’s accusations will continue to be proven false as we move towards the end of the most tumultuous year in history.
10 Diversity
20 November 2020 Red & Black
Diversity What Does Kamala Harris Mean for BIPOC? Akansha Das Red & Black Staff
The election of Kamala Harris to the second highest office of the land has sparked waves of social media adoration and has made her an “icon” in the eyes of many young women of color. Harris’s election is certainly historic for its strides in representation and the varied voices of the working class and minority interests she can voice at the table of power. In the words of Representative AOC “For so many of us, especially women, we’ve grown up being told women are too emotional and this country would never elect, first, a Black president...but now a woman of color, no less a Black woman to the second highest office of the land.” However, as TIME reporter Brittney Cooper has said “Representation is not everything. But it is absolutely something.” Ultimately, changing the racial makeup of our leadership does not change the deep structural problems plaguing this country nor does it change Harris’s embodiment of neoliberalism, identity politics and lack of fundamental change. With the much-needed spotlight finally falling on the faulty criminal justice system, it’s important to look at Harris’s record as district attorney of
San Francisco and eventually Attorney General of California speaks to what she could potentially do as Vice President of America on criminal justice reform. Harris ran as a moderate progressive in California trying to appease both the large proportion of conservatives in the state along with the clearly known left-wing individuals. It is also important to note that many of the progressive policies that Harris began advocating for such as distance from the death penalty were not popular positions of progressive and establishment Democrats in the 1990s and early 2000s which permits Harris a bit of leniency. Additionally, Harris did begin the “Back on Track” program in California that provided first-time, nonviolent offenders pathway for removing a felony from their record and co-introduced a piece of legislation into Congress that would enact meaningful police reform. However, it’s clear that Harris may not have had as working-class committed views as her identity politics might suggest. The fact is that Wall Street pushed for Joe Biden to add Harris to the ticket shows that Harris may be more lenient to corporations than the working class and underserved communities she claims to be elected by. Additionally, Harris has projected conflicting stances on the legalization of marijuana (despite seeing first-hand how its criminalization affects people of color) and overcrowded prisons. Moreover, Harris is fundamentally a
moderate Democrat willing to shift her views based on what will help her move up the ranks. If that means a symbolic mention of working-class individuals in her speech without enacting enough meaningful change in order to increase their voter turnout past post-Obama numbers, so be it. At the end of the day, what Vice President-elect Harris means for people of color is more nuanced than the
skin-deep diversity she provides as the second vice president of color (Charles Curtis under the Hoover administration was the first). The main takeaway is that knowing Harris’s love for media moments, symbolic gestures and identity politics, it is important that the nation continually press her on issues facing disadvantaged communities. Because in the end, that is the only way we will be able to move forward.
Courtesy Politico
Kamala Harris,vice-president elect, is set to assume office as the first woman, first Black person and first person of South Asian descent elected as VP.
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Diversity 11
Indigenous Voters Swing the 2020 Election Bavi Makkar Red & Black Staff
Once all the votes are counted, the margins in Ariz. are slim but leaning towards Presidential Nominee Joe Biden. On the northeast corner of the state, a frequently overlooked population of those living in Navajo Nation had a significant power in swinging the
votes in the 2020 presidential election. These Indigenous Americans showed up to help Biden win in Ariz., yet they remain overlooked and subjected to discrimination. The Native Americans’ right to vote has been systemically violated for generations. They did not even receive the full right to vote until 1975. No one ever tailors to this population and they are underrepresented in government. Unfortunately, the Native Americans frequently lack voter registration due to no home address. A project called the Rural Utah Project actually worked to register and turn out Indigenous voters. Just in this year alone, they were able to help
over 4,000 Native Americans register for their democratic right. However, while “this one instance of 89% Navajo Nation voter turnout is incredible; it really shows how united people must come together to make a change. This is just one awesome instance, but classic American voter suppression is still making is hard for other Indigenous Americans to speak out,” said Brendan Troesch ‘21. Constantly, this population feels like the government is working against them as they face devastating consequences for access to clean air and water, health, education, economic opportunities, housing and sovereignty. Yet, outside of these obstacles, the
Native Americans in Ariz. face plenty more. Some live in isolated areas with badly maintained roads, which can hamper postal delivery, including getting and mailing back absentee ballots, as well as voting in-person. Some states do not even accept tribal IDs to use as valid ID. Furthermore, COVID-19 hit Indigenous lands disproportionately hard with a significant shortage of healthcare providers. Despite of all of this, “the vote in Ariz. was one on tribal lands. These people had to fight to get to the polls and they still made it. This shows the fight that all Americans should have for democracy,” said Dylan Bertovich ‘21.
Courtesy Buzzfeed News
Native Americans go to vote by horseback at the Navajo County early voting location, showing up for Biden in force as COVID-19 ravages tribal nations.
20 November 2020
opinions Red & Black
Opinions 13
Biden’s Constituency Demands Progress Bavi Makkar Red & Black Staff
After a hard election, the real work in the White House can finally begin. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris inherited a pretty much split congress as well as a more conservative Supreme Court than what was wanted by the American population. Given a country that is more divided than it has been since the Civil War, the president will have to address numerous ongoing issues. Brendan Troesch ’21 felt that “since Biden was elected, we cannot ignore the rampant racism and classism that plagues this country, along with the actual COVID-19 plague. We need to address our problems locally and then work our way up to higher levels”. Biden and his followers have a
unique challenge as over 70 million people voted against him. Due to this, he will have to win more people over than usual when creating his policies and reform. This president will have to communicate frequently with his followers and help them become comfortable with widespread ambiguity, uncertainty and constant change, something the current administration does not do. With Trump leaving, “gone from the White House will be an administration who has threatened countless lives through policies from the Muslim bans to the human rights violations at the southern border, an administration who held a photo-op with a Bible following the gassing of nonviolent protestors, and an administration who has dismissed science in the face of a pandemic.” Biden has been pushing his “return to normalcy,” but the old normal is not enough to satisfy the people and the movements that have
been emerging. To improve America, “Biden must listen. He must listen to activists, apply the mission of Black Lives Matter to his own, and addresses issues of police brutality and systemic racism. He must listen to scientists, as he is doing, to battle both the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. He must listen to people of other countries and address America’s longstanding actions of imperialism aboard and our broken immigration system at home. He must listen to the people and work towards providing healthcare, college and a livable wage for all. Ultimately, we need big, bold changes and Biden has to be willing to enact them,” said Amanda Fitzpatrick ’21. Biden has been handed a broken country that will constantly fight against him; however, he cannot just appease all people. Instead, he has to push to prevent an even greater disaster in the subsequent election.
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
College or its students, faculty, or administration. The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency. The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions.
Courtesy New York Magazine
President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, wave at his supporters.
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.
Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:
(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301
14 Opinions
20 November 2020 Red & Black
Lilly Singh’s Sketchy Times Provides Ironic Comedy Akansha Das Red & Black Staff
Lilly Singh, best known for her rise to fame as a Youtuber, her current night show “A Little Late With Lilly,” and her overall platform as a spreader of positivity and unconditional love, has released her newest special “Sketchy Times” for free on the streaming channel Peacock. While the special ranks mediocrely in terms of the comedy that I enjoy and have seen, the special certainly provides a laugh and is characteristic of the relatable and ironic comedy that she normally presents. Beginning with the creativity and content itself, it was very typical of Lilly Singh. Many of the sketches/scenes were exaggerations of problems caused the pandemic (such as relationship conflicts during quarantining together— a quarantine special of the bachelor), parodies of events that have happened during the pandemic (the entertaining vice presidential debates) or simply hilarious references to and innuendos regarding public health related “buzzwords” that have become part of our vernacular. Perhaps one of the most amusing the parts of Singh’s comedies are the seemingly simple one-liners that can stick with viewers long after their delivery. Her parody of a Drake song during the pandemic was a prime use of this comedic strength and constantly had lines about Dr. Fauci, flattening the curve and social distancing that were funnier than I expected. The amazing
construction and context of the scene where she plays a paranoid dad requesting a COVID-19 vaccine and saying that his COVID-19 had gotten so bad it progressed to ‘COVID-20’ and was the best one of all. Having gained decent camera and production experience while filming her own videos, the production elements were excellent in the special. Additionally, Singh’s ability to play a wide variety of characters from a Southern son-in-law to multiple variants of a “Karen” to self-centered reality show contestants to Indian parent archetypes was incredibly impressive and it was astounding to watch her wide range in accent and acting ability, even if it was only for a couple of minutes each scene. Singh also slipped in some subtle social commentary that I personally appreciated. When talking about the large number of couples who had to cancel their weddings she plays on the stereotypic concept of a Bridezilla and exaggerates the archetype. Yet, it was refreshing to see that she displayed a very similar exaggeration of the husband for his seemingly trivial interests so as not to add to the prevalent gender stereotypes. Additionally, her continual and obnoxious repetition of “Yass queen” during her debate sketch– unintended or not – really addresses the problem of identity politics and idealization many women do of Vice Presidentelect Kamala Harris while ignoring her political shortcomings. All in all, Lilly Singh’s “Sketchy Times” was by no means a comedic masterpiece but for people who have enjoyed her comedy before, it serves its heartwarming purpose: giving viewers a laugh in light of the truly “sketchy” and uncertain times that we are in.
Courtesy Peacock Films
Lilly Singh poses as all the characters she portrays in this promotional poster for her movie, Sketchy Times.
20 November 2020
Red & Black
Opinions 15
Sustainability for Dummies: How to Help the Environment
Courtesy Washington & Jefferson College
W&J students can combat global warming in small ways: recycling and reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Nate Sciarro Red & Black Contributor
The term sustainability means the capacity to endure. This is something that is practiced right here at Washington & Jefferson College. Now one could probably argue if this is the first time you’re seeing the word sustainability and W&J together, then you most likely have no idea what I’m talking about. Sustainability, in simpler words, can be described by a simple question: how can we preserve the world? I use the term “world,” as opposed to “planet,” because sustainability is more than just environmental concerns. It
is heavily correlated to economics, including small businesses and urban planning, as well as social aspects such as race, gender, age, dealing with environmental injustice and disproportionate siting’s of landfill sites. At W&J, the constant aspiration to become sustainable is a large goal of the faculty and staff of the college. Each day, the college is looking for new ways to be sustainable, on top of the steps already taking place. For example, a project began by 2014 W&J graduate Evan Rosenberg to generate solar power on campus acted in 2012 and has since then been able to power 90 homes in Washington. W&J has also been taking part and collaborating with the local Main Street Farmers Market to inform students of the importance of local and small businesses. I recently took the time to survey a couple of
current students, to ask them about sustainability. Freshman football player Justin Huss had this to say when asked: What is Sustainability? “I’ve heard of it, but don’t know anything about it.” As I have experienced firsthand, our generation is unsure and uninformed about sustainability, which is quite frightening considering that the world we find ourselves living in could be drastically different in the coming years. Global warming, which is an increase of the earth’s atmospheric pressure, is a topic relevant to sustainability and is also quite an alarming topic when discussing the future of our planet. According to a recent study done by Michelle Tigchelaar, a member of the Atmospheric Sciences Department at Washington University, “At a twodegree Celsius global temperature rise, the planet will reach irreversible
tipping points.” Currently, global temperatures are one-degree Celsius above pre-industrial averages, and if the two-degree increase becomes relevant, the world as we know it is going to change. Regular citizens like you can help combat the advancement of global warming by doing small things like recycling, and reducing the use of fossil fuels to help reduce your carbon footprint, which is simply the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere. Like Huss, freshman Brandon Brown is unsure about what sustainability means, and knows nothing about it. The first step to becoming sustainable is helping younger generations to understand the meaning and importance of sustainability, and how making our planet more sustainable, will better the world, for years and years to come.
sports
16 Sports
Red & Black
20 November 2020
Steelers Continue Undefeated Season
Courtesy FanDuel
Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger attampts a pass against the Bengals.
Grant Allison Red & Black Staff
The Pittsburgh Steelers have moved on to 9-0 for the first time in franchise history. Their latest win against the Cincinnati Bengals was fortunately not a nail biter like the past few narrow victories, with the Steelers winning 38-10. Big Ben and the young wide receiver corps
shined on Nov. 15, with Roethlisberger securing the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for the first time this season. He threw for 333 yards and had four touchdown passes. The offensive line has been an unsung hero of the offense, although fielding numerous injuries to the starting five. Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson was the only receiver to eclipse 100 yards and reeled in six catches, with one of them for a touchdown. 23-year-old veteran receiver Juju was able to make his mark on the game by catching nine passes for 77 yards
and a touchdown. Dynamic rookie Chase Claypool continues his breakout inaugural year in the league catching two touchdown passes during the game. Pittsburgh offense lead by so much entering the 4th quarter that the second-string players got to finish out the game, which doesn’t happen often. The defense continues to remain dominant over the league, stifling this years’ first overall pick Joe Burrow. The new age steel curtain was able to sack the young Bengals QB 4 times, adding to the already impressive sack totals for the Steelers. Holding the Bengals
to only ten points is not the greatest accomplishment for the defense, but overall, the team is firing on all cylinders. This season is a historic one to say the least for Steelers fans with the team looking to secure its 7th Super Bowl. Pittsburgh plays the Jacksonville Jaguars Nov. 22, which is a rematch of the 2017 playoffs that saw Jacksonville take down the Steelers at home. To improve to 10-0 this game would solidify this Steelers team as one of the greatest in franchise history, and even the best team in the NFL.
20 November 2020
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Sports 17
Kim Ng Becomes the First Woman GM in the MLB
Courtesy New Jersey Monthly Magazine
Kim Ng is the first woman General Manager in MLB history.
Alexandra Wagner Red & Black Staff
On Nov. 13, Kim Ng was officially announced as the new general manager for the Miami Marlins baseball team. This was no easy feat for Ng, as it was almost 15 years ago that she first attempted to get this position. She had interviewed for the general manager position for the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2005 with no luck. However, one must consider the difficulty of gaining this position in
the MLB, as it has been a full 93 years since the last general manager was hired. It was in 1927 that Billy Evans was the first person ever to hold that title within the MLB; he was hired for the Cleveland Indians. Within the past 93 years, numerous qualified women have made enormous strides within the MLB but have always failed to secure the role of general manager. In a male dominated industry, it is no surprise that these previous women have had issues in breaking the glass ceiling, regardless of their hard work and fearless attitude. Ng not only has been announced as the first woman to ever hold the posi-
tion of general manager, but she also has become the first ever Asian American to hold this role in the MLB. It is easy to see how Ng is overqualified to be in this position, given her 30 years of experience in a baseball career. Ng’s baseball career started with the Chicago White Sox as an intern at the young age of 21. She then worked her way up, gaining the position as the American League’s director of waivers and records. At age 29, Ng became the youngest assistant general manager in MLB, working specifically for the New York Yankees under GM, Brian Cashman. In 2001, she became the Dodgers’ vice president and assistant GM.
She then in 2011 became the senior vice president of baseball operations for MLB. This was her last position before being named the new general manager for the Miami Marlins. However before getting hired, Ng had interviewed and was ultimately rejected for five other general manager positions for opposing teams in the MLB. Congratulations to Ng for becoming the highest-ranking woman in professional sports management. Ng shared her gratitude and excitement saying, “I am both humbled and eager to continue building the winning culture our fans expect and deserve.”
18 Sports
Red & Black
20 November 2020
Fantasy Football: Start Them or Sit Them Start Them Taysom Hill
New Orleans Saints QB
Drew Brees is going to be out some time with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung which he suffered last weekend. Either Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston will start at QB this week against the Falcons. Even if Winston gets the starting nod, I think Hill will play a huge role this week. I like Sean Payton to call Hill’s number a lot in the redzone on Sunday. Which could mean a 20 plus-point-day for Hill. Joe Burrow
Cinncinati Bengals QB
This one could be a little more risky. Burrow and the Bengals square off against the Washington Football Team this weekend. Washington has a very talented pass rush and the Bengals offensive line could be the worst in the league. However, if the line can manage to give Burrow even a little bit of time I think he and his recievers will shread this Football Team secondary. Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens QB
The Ravens are coming off a bad loss against a very average Patriots team last week. A team that so many thought would be just as good if not better than last years Baltimore squad has severely come up short. The Ravens are almost in a must win game this weekend against the Titans. Look for the Ravens to steady the corse this week on the back of Jackson. I’m not saying this because Jackson is going to have a breakout game as a passer this weekend, but rather the Titans pass rush is nonexistant and their third down defense is one of the worst in the league. Jackson will use his feet and score a couple times with his arm and his feet.
Courtesy NOLA.com
Sit Them James Robinson Jacksonville Jaguars HB
The trend continues this week. James Robinson, one of the lone bright spots on what has been a bad Jags team is going to get shut down by this elite Steeler’s defense. Robinson has been all the Jaguars fans have been able to get excited about while watching them play this year but unfortunatly this Sunday it is going to be a long one for an already suffering fanbase. Courtesy Florida Times-Union
