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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 r e d a n d b l a c ko n l i n e . c o m w a s h i n g t o n , p e n n s y lva n i a F e b ru a ry 1 9 , 2 0 1 6
MODEL UN Participates in hnmUN Conference page 2 Courtesy Elizabeth Ekstrand
OPINIONS: BARBIE’S NEW IMAGE PAGE 15
SPORTS: RACHEL BELLHY PAGE 19
2 CAMPUS NEWS
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19 F ebruary 2016
Model UN Participates in HNMUN Conference Jonathan Tripi Sanam Bhalla Elizabeth Ekstrand Red&Black Contributors
This past weekend, the W&J Model United Nations team, led by Dr. Zheya Gai and Head Delegate Jonathan Tripi, participated in the Harvard National Model United Nations Conference (HNMUN). The team of 12 represented the Ukraine in a host of different committees, ranging from General Assembly committees to the Economic and Social Council. The goal during the fourday conference is to make a comprehensive resolution paper on a specific topic, such as water scarcity or the rights of stateless people. The team partners with other countries to best represent their country’s interests, even if it conflicts with their own personal opinion. Joe Ulomi (class of 2019) stated that it was, “an extremely amazing opportunity to meet people from all over the world and network with them academically and personally.” He worked with 24 different countries in The Disarmament and International Security Committee. HNMUN is the largest and oldest model United National conference in the world with 3,000 delegates from 70 different countries. Because Model United
Nations is a practical test of a student’s knowledge of international relations, it is a perfect culmination of the international studies major. In fact, many students used this experience for their International Studies Senior Capstone. Nicole Luben (class of 2016) expressed her sentiments, “I learned through the Model UN experience that international diplomacy is often complex, and this experience is going to be very valuable to me as I continue my learning with my internship in NATO in Belgium after graduation. I was able to apply and expand upon what I had learned from the past 4 years as an International Studies major at HNMUN in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee. I’m glad I was able to culminate my studies in the international field with Model UN.” There are many students who compete at Harvard all four years. Elizabeth Ekstrand (class of 2016) also using HNMUN for her Capstone and first time Model UN participant, noted that, “One thing I regret is that I didn’t participate in Model UN in any of my previous years at W&J. It was a great learning experience, and you definitely gain a lot more knowledge and comfort of the different parliamentary procedures each time you do it.” The
Courtesy una-gp.org
W&J Model UN team has been preparing for HNMUN since the beginning of the fall semester. Countless hours were spent researching Ukraine’s position on the topics to be debated in each of the 27 possible committees. Sanam Bhalla (class of 2016) had an extra challenge because due to a last minute change, she was moved to the Specialized Agencies Committee, specifically the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Afghanistan 1978. In fact, this was the first time in W&J Model UN history where we had
been offered a position in a Specialized Agencies Committee. She portrayed Muhammad Ismail Danesh as the Minister of Mines & Industry. She was switched the night before the first committee session, which left her with little time to research the crisis and her character. Bhalla remarked upon her experience, “I was very nervous because I had always been a part of bigger General Assembly committees when I did Model UN in high school, but this committee had a total of only 15 people. I ended up loving it because I was able to speak a lot more, and the
Directors would throw intense situations at us in which we needed to work together to fix. It was entertaining, but it also showed how difficult things can be in government when everybody has a different idea of what is best for a nation.” When asked about her thoughts about this year’s team, Dr. Gai said, “We have a very good team this year. As in the past, the students gained insights on current global issues and international diplomacy through this fantastic experience. I am very proud of the team’s accomplishment on this 10th anniversary of the W&J Model UN program.”
19 F ebruary 2016
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Student Spotlight: Minh Le (Class of 2018) Jordan Toohey Red&Black Staff
Minh Le (class of 2018)was been born and raised in Hanoi, Vietnam. She then spent six years in the United States when she attended Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, CT. At the time, she felt indifferent about being fifteen years old and living on her own in a dorm on the other side of the world. Now when she looks back on it, she realizes that it was a great decision that has helped her grow as a person. Le is currently an economics major, and although she doesn’t know where her future will take her, her dream job is to work at Google. She believes that W&J has been a great choice for her personality and believes it is helping her grow as a person. “I chose W&J because I just happened to talk to a representative from the school during a college fair in high school. I loved the idea of a small liberal arts college because I can study what I want and I can really get to know the other students and profes-
sors.” She views the school as a good fit for herself and really likes the connections and new life skills she has learned from being a student at W&J. “W&J is such a diverse community. Each faculty, staff and student brings to the table a completely different perspective. The campus is small so I get to meet a lot of people all the time and everyone is more than just a person on campus. You can be whatever you want and the school greatly encourages you to pursue what you want to do and strive in achieving those goals." Traveling is a huge part of Minh’s life. Every summer she flies back to Vietnam to be with her family. The flight takes thirty hours in total with two different layovers in the United Stats and in other countries. Throughout her childhood, she traveled to many Asian countries such as Thailand, China and Singapore and hopes to travel more because she loves it. She is currently applying to do a Magellan in Seoul, South Korea. She really likes K-pop and has always wanted to learn more about Korea’s culture, language, and cuisine. On campus, Minh is involved with many things in-
cluding being the Vice Present of Membership for Pi Beta Phi, she is a Resident Assistant, the Historian of the Asian Culture Association and is a Chinese PAL tutor. Her sorority sister, Carolyn Tomlinson (class of 2016) remarked that she, "is expanding her horizons and pushing herself. She has this uncanny ability to bring light into a room. You wouldn't know right away, but she is extremely funny and unquestionably bright. I feel so lucky to have met her because she brings out the best in people, especially me." She is also a member of the Washington Fellows, Alpha Lambda Delta, a Beta Scholar and has made the Dean’s list in her first three semesters of college. Along with those extra curricular activities and accomplishments, she has many outside interest including arts and crafts, watching Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean and American TV shows and dramas and loves listening to music in any of the above languages. Other interesting things abut her is that she can knit a lot and will always make her friends hand-knitted scarfs, hats and mittens during the winter. She can also snowboard and loves learning new languages.
Courtesy Jordan Toohey
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Date: 11/18/2015 Incident: Illegal Drugs
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19 F ebruary 2016
SECURITY LOGS
Campus and Public Safety responded to Alexander Hall where a student reported another student who was selling drugs. An investigation was started but no charges were filed. Date: 11/19/2015 Incident: Illegal Drugs Campus and Public Safety responded to Upperclass Hall where there was a report of the smell of marijuana led to a small amount being taken as evidence. No charges were filed. Date: 11/20/2015 Incident: Criminal Mischief Campus and Public Safety responded to New Residence Hall where an unknown person took a parking meter from College Street and smashed it in the ground floor hallway. No charges were filed. Date: 11/20/2015 Incident: Criminal Mischief Campus and Public Safety responded to the Admissions House where an unknown person took a sign from a post from the parking area. No charges were filed. Date: 11/19/2015 Incident: Theft Campus and Public Safety responded to Henry Parking Lot where someone took several signs. No charges were filed. Date: 12/01/2015 Incident: Criminal Trespass Campus and Public Safety responded to Rossin Campus Center where a former worker entered the building and was escorted off campus and warned not to return. No charges were filed.
Date: 12/01/2015 Incident: Criminal Mischief Campus and Public Safety responded to Beau Hall where an unknown person took decorations from a student’s door. No charges were filed. Date: 12/06/2015 Incident: Criminal Mischief Campus and Public Safety responded to Rossin Campus Center where an unknown person damaged a string of icicle lights. No charges were filed. Date: 12/10/2015 Incident: Theft Campus and Public Safety responded to U. Grant Miller Library where a student left a computer unattended, when the student returned from eating dinner it was gone. No charges were filed. Date: 2/02/2016 Incident: Threats and Intimidation Campus and Public Safety responded to Bica-Ross Hall where students in a suite were defacing the door of another suite. A video was sent to the people being harassed. No charges were filed. Date: 2/03/2016 Incident: Theft Campus and Public Safety responded to the Wellness Center where a student stored some items in the bins in the hallway while exercising, one item was stolen. No charges were filed. Date: 2/06/2016 Incident: Illegal Drugs Campus and Public Safety responded to Buchanan Hall where a report was received of the smell of marijuana. The drugs and various related devices were taken. No charges filed currently.
19 F ebruary 2016
Campus Question: In lieu of I <3 W&J Week, why do you love it here? "I love W&J for many reasons, but one of the best things is the relationships with professors that I have developed here. I know I can count on them to help me succeed, and I know that I would have never found that at a big school. I could not have found a better fit for me." - Michael Kost (Class of 2018) "I love W&J because I have so many friends here and I feel so welcomed here. They offer great classes and have some really awesome professors too! I love my fraternity brothers and they make me feel like I'm at home. P.S. It's lit." - Ryan Bush (Class of 2018) "It's great here! There are so many opportunities to succeed and try new things. I love the campus, and all the faces I see around me everyday. I have had some great professors and classes, and I look forward to more semesters here! I could not imagine myself anywhere else but at W&J." - Morgan Miller (Class of 2018)
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THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS
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Friday - Parkhurst Event - Late Night Wings, G&T's - 11:00 a.m. - I <3 W&J Week: Donuts & Donations (until 2:00), G&T's - 12:00 p.m. - Pie a President Fundraiser (until 1:00), Commons Lobby - 1:00 p.m. - Free Bowling with W&J ID (until 3:00), Alpine Lanes - 6:30 p.m. - Pittsburgh Pipeline (departs 6:30, 8:30, & 10:30), Campus Ctr. Circle - 9:00 p.m. - Monticello's, Hub LL Saturday - 9:00 a.m. - Green Club Trip to Chatham University departs, Campus Ctr. Circle - 11:00 a.m. - Pittsburgh Pipeline (11:00, 1:00, & 3:00), Campus Ctr. Circle - 2:00 p.m. - Film Club Showing "Mad Max: Fury Road", Yost Auditorium - 6:30 p.m. - Pittsburgh Pipeline (departs 6:30, 8:30, & 10:30), Campus Ctr. Circle - 9:00 p.m. - Monticello's, Hub LL Sunday - 7:00 p.m. - Mass, Newman Center
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19 F ebruary 2016
Wendy’s New Menu Item: Alligator Bailey Mudrick Red&Black Editor In Cheif
We all have ordered food from a fast food restaurant drivethru before, right? Well have you ever ordered food and then threw a live alligator through the window just for fun? No? Well one Florida man did. Joshua James, 24, threw a 3.5-foot alligator through a Palm Beach County Wendy’s drive-thru window back in October. James now faces charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession and transportation of an alligator. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission incident report James admitted to picking up the gator on the side of the road and bringing it to the fast food restaurant. When an employee handed James his drink, he tossed an alligator through the window when the employee
turned around and sped off. According to an interview done by local New Channel 5, WPTV, in South Florida his parents, Ed and Linda James, said it was just a prank. James’s parents described him to the TV station as an outdoorsman and harmless prankster, adding that he viewed famous crocodile hunter and conservationist Steve Irwin as an idol. His parents told the station that their son was pranking a Wendy’s employee whom he knew. “It was just a stupid prank that he did that’s now turning into this; it’s stupid,” his mother told WPTV. “He’s a prankster. He does stuff like this because he thinks it’s funny.” No one was hurt, the alligator was captured and released into the wild. Video surveillance cameras finally tracked down James. During his first court appearance in early February a judge ordered James to stay out of all Wendy's restaurants, to avoid contact or possession with any animals other than
Courtesy criminalelement.com
his mother's dog, to undergo a mental health evaluation and to avoid possessing any weapons. If he fails a random drug and alcohol test his bond will be rescinded. WPTV spoke with James after his first court appearance and he said he had no idea how viral this story had gone
because he had been sitting in jail. He did not realize the severity of the situation until he was told what the charges against him were. James faces three charges related to the incident: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession or transporting of an alligator, and petty theft. “I got in a lot
of trouble for doing this,” he told WPTV, “so I defiantly don’t recommend doing it, like I said this is probably one of the last times I’m going to do this.” We all know that “coning” was a popular prank a couple years ago, so lets this doesn’t become a popular trend too, especially as it’s so dangerous.
19 F ebruary 2016
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Life Lessons Revealed from Greek Manuscript Capri Backus Red&Black Contributor
Our nation and cultural identity is the unrivaled product of hundreds of years of immigrating spices, religions, and people seeking American opportunity and liberalism with optimistic, clear eyes, while often violently pushing out the native populations. This nation is one that has dynamically evolved to reflect its multi-faceted population and their perspectives and ethnicities-but can also irritably oppose change in the hopes of remaining true to what it perceives to make it unique, or American. It’s a struggle that we all face-what balance do we want between the culture we were born with, and the ones we come to know? As Roman territory expanded, Roman people and culture similarly contradicted between creating a vibrantly unique cultural identity and incorporating external influences, and often times, proving to be quite hypocritical-at one point. Roman satirists in 200-100 BCE even “sought to distance themselves from Greek excesses by imagining a rustic past,” in order to preserve its image of the “stoic, frugal” citizen-soldier-largely ignoring its culture’s penchant for resplendent civic banquets.
Rome throughout the years, however, largely stepped up its game, incorporating and assimilating different cultures and art and people into its identity, and its language followed suit-boys, if they could afford to, pursued education in the Roman republic that emphasized Latin as well as Greek literature. Although Roman education largely disregarded Greek studies like science, philosophy, music, and gymnastics in the narrow focus of studying rhetoric. As the republic, and later, empire, grew through military conquest, Latin absorbed and molded the dialects of its neighbors to produce its own: aspects of “neighboring Sabines, Aequians, Marsians, Volscians, etc…[and] later the Umbrian, Etruscan, Venetic, Celtic, etc., [and] the Oscan, and Greek” were absorbed and shaped into the Roman’s dominant tongue, one that’s grown to father the beauty of Spanish and French and Italian and Portuguese....and irregular verbs. Latin prospered and flourished in regions of Roman in-
fluence, stretching from “Mesopotamia in Asia Minor down into Northern Africa over to Spain and Portugal and up into Great Britain,” leaving traces of its culture and vernacular in logical, yet surprising countries: “The oldest versions of the texts exist as fragments on papyri in Egypt, where the climate meant they survived.” In researching and compil-
ing ancient Latin textbooks, or colloquia, Professor Eleanor Dickey, a classics professor at the University of Reading, recently published her English translations in Learning Latin the Ancient Way: Latin Textbooks in the Ancient World. In its proliferation, these texts “introduced more mistakes” like an ancient game of Telephone, but also reveal its popularity. In an interview
with the Guardian, Professor Dickey remarked that “at least six different versions were floating around Europe by 600 AD. This is actually more common than many better-known ancient texts: there was only one copy of Catullus, and fewer than six of Caesar.” These texts, which were directed at Greek students in the process of learning Latin, were composed of example dialogues and scenarios similar to the skits and stories found in current modern languages textbooksand for Professor Dickey, it prov i d e d valuable insight Courtesy dailyreadlist.com into the day-to-day lives of typical Romans. Citizens (as well as women and children and the typical Romans) are typically overshadowed by the ones that make Rome famous: its statesmen and generals and charismatic characters. Historians, she remarked, “try to correct this bias by telling us about the masses of ordinary Romans, but rarely do we have works written by
or about these people. These colloquia give us real, contemporary stories about their lives and I hope my work gives a fairer and truer vision of ancient society.” Rome during its Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, created a “cultural flowering and economic growth in the Greek world,” in its first two centuries AD, including even “integrating Greeks into the ruling elite of its empire” in the central areas of the empire. The Roman decentralized administration in its provinces and the minimal financial obligations allowed local men and Greeks to enter the Roman Senate, and also allowed the growth and affluence of cities like Athens, Corinth and Smyrna. During this time, which might not apply to the entire length of Roman history (especially with the razing of Corinth yikes), politics and economics gave life to the blending of Roman and Greco culture. “Life in Greek cities incorporated Roman features, and the new generations of “Romanized” Greek citizens appeared.” Roman emperors like Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius in turn “actively embraced Greek culture and traditions” and “encouraged the Hellenization of Roman culture.” These two forces, languages, and cultures became the dominant zeitgeists of its time, becoming a “vital part of the Roman Empire.”
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19 F ebruary 2016
AP Test Can Be Aced Perfect Valentine’s Gift for A Vet Leah Segal Red&Black Staff
Kayla Marasia Red&Black Editor
Every year high schools across the country arm countless students with the knowledge to tackle the most grueling two weeks of the year—AP testing. That being said, whether you took advanced placement classes yourself or knew someone who did, the difficulty and stress associated with these exams are widespread. However, Landon Labuskes, a junior at Paul VI Catholic High school in Aldie, Va., proved to rise above the intimidating stigma, and managed to slay the beast— otherwise known as the Calculus AB Exam. Labuskes, a sophomore at the time, is one of twelve students to ever ace the exam. As if that fact itself is not mindboggling—the rarity of such an occurrence is taken to the next level. In an article by the Washington Post, “of the 302,532 students who took an Advanced Placement test to gauge their performance in college-level calculus last May, exactly 66,045 got the highest grade on the exam’s 5-point scale.” From that pool of over 60,000, the 12 “perfect scores” amount to only “0.004 percent of last year’s test takers.” Such a feat is not taken lightly—and came as a shock to Labuskes himself. Upon being notified of his accomplishment,
After over seventy years of being separated, 93-yearold WWII veteran Norwood Thomas was reunited with his wartime girlfriend, Joyce Morris. The pair first met in London in 1944, shortly before D-Day. Thomas was a 21-year-old paratrooper when he met the 17-year-old Morris. The two parted when Thomas was deployed to Normandy, but they continued to write letters to each other, even after Thomas returned to the U.S. He asked Morris to come to the U.S. and marry him, but Morris misunderstood his letter and thought that he had found someone else, so she stopped writing. Thomas and Morris eventually married other people, and Morris moved to a large city in southern Australia. However, Morris divorced her husband after thirty years, and Thomas’ wife. Last year, Morris asked her son Rob to do an online search for Thomas, and the two found Thomas’ name in an article about WWII veterans in a Virginia newspaper. Rob searched for Thomas’ contact information, and the pair finally reconnected over Skype. Two weeks ago, Thomas and Morris wrote a new chapter in their story. After
Labuskes admitted “I was definitely surprised. It’s a matter of knowing the math, but also being fortunate to not make any silly mistakes.” And as far as any secrets to “crack the Calculus Code,” it seems Labuskes subscribed to a regimen of old-fashioned hard work, but was also graced with an innate talent for mathematics. From a young age, Labuskes was fascinated with numbers and problem solving. Barbara Labuskes, his mother, even recounts him “[coming] out of the shower and [telling] me these things he was thinking about. In essence, he was doing algebraic equations, trying to solve and figure things out.” Perhaps his early interest paved the road for his success down the road. Overall, whether you have a predisposition for mathematics or not, Labuskes’ success in acing the Calculus AB Exam is to be celebrated. In terms of the other “perfect pupils,” they too deserve recognition. Spanning the globe, from the United States to Canada, and even Istanbul, Turkey—they represent a high achieving minority that was able to beat the exam to end all exams.
Courtesy dailymail.co.uk
Above, Norwood Thomas and his long-lost sweetheart, Joyce Morris
news of the couple’s online reunion inspired hundreds of people to make donations, Air New Zealand booked a flight for Thomas and his son to visit Morris in Australia. The Thomases also want to experience the culture in Australia during their travels. “I want to see some kangaroos close-up and I want to eat some kangaroo steak,” mused Thomas about his trip. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Thomas and his son Steve boarded a plane at Norfolk International Airport on the first leg of their journey to the other side of the world. “I have a little a card and I have sent her a gift,” said Thomas before embarking on his trip. “When I get there
I will, of course, buy some flowers.” When Thomas and his son arrived in Australia on February 9th, the couple embraced, rekindling a friendship and romance after seventy years. Thomas and Morris spent Valentine’s Day together. The Thomases plan to remain in Australia until the end of February. “I think it’s touching and I feel that, if true love is meant to be,” starts Sarah Janczewski (class of 2019), “people will always find their way back together.” This statement stands true for Norwood Thomas and Joyce Morris, whose timeless story touched hearts across the world.
19 F ebruary 2016
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Just in: Horses Can Read Emotion Leah Segal Red&Black Staff
With the limelight on cats and dogs these days, a groundbreaking discovery concerning horses comes as a breath of fresh air. Recently, psychologists at Sussex University have determined horses are able to distinguish between positive and negative human facial expressions. Through the in-depth study, scientists were not only able to better understand the relationships between horses and their human counterparts, but the nature of horse
emotions as well. To test the original hypothesis—whether horses were able to recognize emotion— psychologists captured images of volunteers. A collection of photos portraying people smiling, frowning, sneering and baring teeth were then blown up in size and shown to 28 horses (from stables in Sussex in Surrey). After multiple trails, psychologists discovered startling results. Amy Smith, a doctoral student at Sussex University’s mammal vocal communication and cognition research group, stated “what’s really interesting about this research is
that it shows horses have the ability to read emotions across the species barrier.” Each time a photo depicting a human baring their teeth in anger or disgust, the horses repeatedly casted a sinister look themselves. “The reaction to angry facial expressions was particularly clear – there was a quicker increase in their heart rate, and the horses moved their heads to look at the angry faces with their left eye,” said Smith. Although the horses positively reacted to photos of traditionally happy individuals, their response to angry faces proves to be much more
revealing. Scientists have assigned the use of the left eye in recognition of negative emotions as their “sinister side.” This behavior is also seen in dogs as they “have been shown to look at angry human faces with the left eye,” said Tim Radford, a writer for The Guardian. “The reasoning is that the brain’s right hemisphere – where information from the left eye is recorded and interpreted - is specialized for dealing with scary or threatening stimuli,” said Radford. That being said, with this information scientists have become increasingly interested in looking at the evolution-
ary process of horses. Scientist Karen Macomb, head of the study states “horses may have adopted an ancestral ability for reading emotional cues in other horses to respond appropriately to human facial expressions during their coevolution. Alternatively, individual horses may have learned to interpret human expressions during their own lifetime.” On the whole, this study paves the way for further experimentation, and allows more groundbreaking information to be revealed concerning horses and how they interpret the world around them.
What Exactly is the Zika Virus? Aysha Nuhuman Red&Black Contributor
A lot of new discoveries on health and wellness are being revealed as time has gone by. However, one of our main concerns are based on the Zika Virus. The Zika disease is caused by the Zika virus that is predominantly spread to humans though the bite of an infected mosquito of the Aedes species. The Aedes mosquitos are also known for spreading dengue, yellow fever and Chikungunya. These mosquitos are known to be aggressive during
both daytime and nighttime. The first outbreak of the Zika virus was seen in 2013 and 2015, in French Polynesia and Brazil respectively. At least 1.3 million people have been affected in Brazil alone, and 1 out of 5 people infected with the Zika virus will get sick. The illness is mild, and usually mirrors the symptoms of a flu. The most common symptoms are a fever, joint pain, rashes and conjunctivitis (or otherwise known as red eyes). The symptoms usually begin 2 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. It causes birth defects
if pregnant women have the Zika virus. One of the most serious – and most common – birth defect known to be a result of pregnant women with the Zika virus is called microcephaly, a condition where a baby’s head is smaller than expected in comparison to babies of the same age and sex. The Zika virus is being analyzed by the CDC as a cause for the Guillian-Barré syndrome, which they haven’t figured out as of yet due to the difficulties in the causes of the Guillian-Barré syndrome itself. However, the places in which the Zika virus has had
an outbreak have shown an increase in the number of people affected with the syndrome. There is currently no vaccine to prevent Zika. If you’re already in the “Zika hotspots”, make sure to wear long-sleeved shirts and
Courtesy popsci.com
long pants to prevent mosquitos from biting you, and stick to EPA-registered insect repellents! Make sure you know the risks and the ways to protect yourself from the virus before you go to a place known to have had Zika outbreaks.
10 ARTS
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19 F ebruary 2016
Panic! At The Disco Album Causes a Panic With Fans Tyler Phillips Red&Black Staff
Panic! At the Disco released Death of a Bachelor on January 15, marking the first record with singer Brendon Urie as the sole member of the band. After the departure of original drummer Spencer Smith in 2015, Urie was the only original member remaining, which he took as a sign to become the multiinstrumentalist and record guitar, bass, and drums for Death of a Bachelor. Panic! At The Disco retained many of the “baroque-punk” elements that propelled the band to fame in 2005 with debut “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.” Sampling and hiphop influences are spread throughout the album,
particularly on “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time.” The guitar riff from The B-52’s song “Rock Lobster” is sampled here, which Urie noted as one of the many influences for his creativity on the album. Like the other songs on “Death of a Bachelor,” it was written with several writers and producers outside of the one-man band, with this song featuring the most authors. In the bridge, Urie leaves a joking excuse that will soon be used by college students at parties: “I told you time and time again / I’m not as think as you drunk I am.” “Hallelujah,” the first single for the album, appropriately uses a choir to provide backup to Urie as he sings to deal with issues. “Being blue is better than being over it” is one of the song’s unique lyrics that Urie calmly delivers. The song also samples a portion of Questions 67 and
68 by rock band Chicago. “Emperor’s New Clothes” features multiple layers of Urie’s vocal tracks (thirtyeight, according to Urie during a live performance) in a brief but dark song that paints the image of a carnival nightmare. The album’s title track utilizes an unexpected combination of Urie doing his best Frank Sinatra impression over a hip-hop beat as he sings about the state of his life today. “Golden Days” highlight Urie’s vocal ability. The song deals with Urie trying to capture the best moments of his life and freeze them in time. He sings “Oh don't you wonder when the light begins to fade? / And the clock just makes the colors turn to grey” before going into a powerful chorus. Urie stated that he wrote “Death of a Bachelor” after reflecting on how his life has changed since getting married
Courtesy upload.wikimedia.org
to his wife in 2013. Despite being only thirty-six minutes in length, Death of a Bachelor uses every minute of music for fun songs that make you want to replay them over and over again. Even with Urie alone as multi-instrumentalist at the moment (save for his touring band), it doesn’t look like
there is an end in the near future for Panic! At The Disco. Their live setlists have even recently incorporated a spoton cover of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody. The energy is at an all-time high, and even since the days of “I Write Sins Not Tragedies,” nobody has “ever heard of closing the g*d damn door” on Urie’s career.
19 F ebruary 2016
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Sopor Aeternus Album Haunts with Poe Allusions Tyler Mattes Red&Black Contributor
Concept albums are often dedicated to a narrative or a persona the artist adopts in making it, but “Poetica: All Beauty Sleeps” by Sopor Aeternus breaks that mold, every bit as idiosyncratic as the brilliant and tortured songstress who produced it: Anna-Varney Cantodea. The album is a collection of pieces done in tribute to the literary icon, Edgar Allan Poe. Each piece is titled to correspond with one of Poe's works, and all but the three instrumentals have vocals that consist of Cantodea delivering the poems' words over her
own instrumental accompaniment. Musically, “Poetica” is downtempo, and features heavy use of lute, violin, classical percussion, and modern touches of synthesizer that inspire a sense of temporal dislocation. The opening track, “The Oblong Box,” is titled after a short story. It is an extremely short instrumental piece that takes the listener by the hand and leads them into the dark, haunted world Cantodea and Poe seem to share. Then “Dreamland” begins with malevolent plucking of strings and a lugubrious bassline which suits Poe's vi-
sion of a dreamscape perfectly. The vocals come in, fragmented and ghostly, as Cantodea recites the poem, with soaring instrumental passages between verses heightening the piece's otherworldly drama. Its most striking aspect is how well Cantodea does at making the words of the poem her own; she seems to personally feel the desolation it conveys. The final track is Cantodea's rendition of “A Dream within a Dream.” It opens with a percussive melody followed by the entry of lute, drums, ambient percussion and violin to sketch a reflective, graceful track that takes its time climbing to full
Courtesy fanpop.com
intensity of feeling. The meter of the lines lends itself to a faster tempo, making this track more accessible than “Dreamland,” but maintains its slow pace. In all, “Poetica” is worth a listen, preferably with a collection of Poe's works nearby.
Its virtues are many, and Cantodea's vocals are incredibly expressive. The music itself is impressive in its own right. It is not, however, an exciting ride; it is a haunted house, not a roller coaster, and so may not be for the faint of heart.
White Textured Paintings: Minimalism or Innovation? Benjamin Langdon Red&Black Staff
When Dia: Chelsea, an art foundation located in New York City, opened a Robert Ryman exhibit in early December, many visitors found themselves face to face with an array of square, seemingly all white paintings. At first glance, one could be forgiven for assuming that this was a display of a middle schooler’s procrastinated art homework. This criticism of Ryman’s work is quite common as he flirts with the line
between minimalism and what some see as the selling of a blank canvas. Ryman is well aware of the criticism that his paintings face, and said, “Some people say they look like clouds, or that they look blank. But that’s because they’re looking at them as if they were pictures of something. So, of course they’re going to see nothing, or they’re going to see something—something that is white. I don’t have any control over that.” Not everyone who is exposed to Ryman’s work rejects it as the lowest level of minimalism. Ryman also has a fair amount of devotees. These fans claim that Ryman’s work goes far beyond just the white
square. A closer inspection of Ryman’s work, his supporters argue, reveals a web of paintings that are meticulously thought out and executed. Every aspect of Ryman’s paintings, from the base colors to the painting’s frame, are chosen for a specific purpose. One common technique that Ryman employs in his paintings is using vivid colors as a base before applying a white layer over the canvas. This allows for glimmers of color and shadow to peek through when the painting is displayed in a well-lit art gallery. Ryman is also known for extending his paintings’ frames off the wall, creating a three dimensional effect. For
Courtesy pacegallery.com
example, his 1982 painting, “Counsel” is projected off the wall using steel brackets. Courtney J. Martin, the art historian who organized the Dia show explained the effect that these steel brackets create, “Even though you can’t walk around this [the “Counsel” painting], there is this sensa-
tion that you can look around it, that you can see what’s on the other side.” Ultimately, the debate over Ryman’s work will not be settled anytime soon. Until then, these white squares will occupy a rather interesting corner of the art world.
12 ARTS
Red & Black
19 F ebruary 2016
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Has a Feministic Bite Diana Ciarallo Red&Black Staff
“A zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” As the original Pride and Prejudice author Jane Austen’s classical character, Elizabeth Bennett (Lily James), narrates these opening lines, audiences are immediately aware that this film is anything but the classic world of Austen’s original novel. Yes, we do have one of the most legendary romantic male leads in all of the literary worldMr. Fitzwilliam Darcy (Sam Riley)- making a dashing entrance upon a charging horse. Yes, the setting is the nineteenth century realm of class, opportunistic social climbers, and complicated romantic relationships. Yes, the film’s plot is set to play host to the story of the five unmarried Bennett sisters and their various courtships with Mr. Bingley (Douglas Booth), Mr. Darcy and all of the rest. Yet, hold on for just one second there, for this is certainly not the same novel that you may have read in any of your literature courses. This exquisite, time-honored
literary work has been combined with the inelegance of a second-rate zombie apocalypse film, with a twist of satire thrown into the mix. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, co-written by authors Jane Austen and Seth Graham Green, completely rewrites British history, revealing the full legacy of a horrible war taking place between the living and the legions of the brain-munching undead, a plague that has ravaged England for centuries. This plague is a constant threat in the daily lives of the knife-wielding Bennett sisters, in which elegant balls are frequently turned into blood-soaked battlefields and zombies are decapitated in high-class drawing rooms by dashing gentlemen armed with swords and corpsedetecting flies. Quick-witted and independent as always, Elizabeth Bennett has absolutely no interest whatsoever in playing the role that has been prescribed to her by nineteenth century society. Instead, she would much rather spend her time practicing her martial arts skills and polishing guns than go out hunting for a husband. “I don’t know which I admire more Miss Bennett, your skill as a warrior or your resolve as a woman.”
Courtesy hitflix.com
Fearlessly taking on hordes of zombies alongside her four sisters and never without a sword, knife or gun on hand, this adaptation of Elizabeth Bennett is the kind of heroine that big screen features are sorely lacking in an industry that is completely enamored with overly masculine male heroes. “My daughters are trained for battle, not the kitchen.” It is amidst this onslaught of Quentin Tarantino-style zombie blood and gore, that audiences witness the deconstruction of traditional gender roles in what was obviously a very patriarchal society; feminist values are highlighted in the film by several strong characters that
seem incongrous in typical Victorian times. For instance, you have the patriarch of the Bennett family himself (Charles Dance) who is portrayed as a man ahead of his time, encouraging his five daughters to train diligently with their weapons and sparring sessions. He makes it clear that his concerns are much more invested in his daughters being able to protect themselves than in his wife’s obsession with having them all marry well. However, there are still traces of sexism to be found in this revamped history as exhibited in one of Elizabeth Bennett’s suitors. The sexist Mr. Collins (Matt Smith)
is the exact opposite of Mr. Bennett. Being a man of his time, he believes that a woman must relinquish her independence in exchange for “marital submission.” “Pots and pans must take the place of your swords and daggers.” Yet, this patriarchal sexism is portrayed in a comical manner, making Mr. Collins look like a foolish wimp in comparison to the Bennett sisters who bravely walk into a dangerous situation with their guns ready whilst he cowers behind them. Romance, dashing suitors, zombies, action, explosions and girls kicking butt, this dark satire is pretty much everything rolled into one!
19 F ebruary 2016
Poetry Corner Diana Ciarallo Red&Black Staff
ARTS 13
Red & Black
Deadpool: The Adult Superhero Mario Tiberie Red&Black Contributor
“A Touch of Warmth” The flavors are apple cider and hot chocolate Warm and sweet on your tongue The air is seasoned with falling sugar Simple, sweet and gone in a heartbeat The snow crackles and crunches under boots Fingers tingle from the cold inside your gloves You wonder what it’d be like to share a kiss in winter A surge of warmth amidst the cold A moment of love
"Dock's Edge" I walked along a boatyard once And caught sight With my imagination’s eye Of a mermaid swimming there Her skin was slick With the turquoise hue of the waters And the floating green weeds Served as her hair She lurked amongst the boats Along the dock’s edge Waiting for someone to walk close For a man or a woman or a child To drag in
With Deadpool, Twentieth Century Fox aims to add to the recent streak of superhero films currently playing at the movies by introducing a character who is definitely super, but who may not be a hero. Directed by Tim Miller and starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin and Ed Skrein, the film introduces one of the most famous “XMen” comic book characters as he embarks on a comical, raunchy and thrilling adventure. Set in the X-Men universe, Deadpool focuses on Wade Wilson (Reynolds) using his new superhuman abilities to track down the scientist Ajax (Skrein) who is responsible for scarring his body and kidnapping his girlfriend Vanessa (Baccarin). After being diagnosed with multiple forms of terminal cancer, Wade agrees to take part in a new program offering to cure his cancer while granting him new superhuman powers. Wade, however, discovered that the process involved prolonged torture (in hopes that extreme stress would trigger mutant abilities), and after eventually gaining superhuman strength, speed and
healing, his body became scarred and disfigured. Taking the name Deadpool, Wade encounters two X-Men, Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), who help him complete his search and battle his enemies. The film was a thrilling experience with exciting action sequences, interesting characterization, hysterical jokes and fantastic acting across the board. Deadpool also utilized a unique framework for the plot by integrating flashbacks with the present-day in order to fully tell the story. Although this cinematic style was fresher and more appealing, it also left me wanting a little bit more. Sometimes the change from flashback to present-day and vice versa had me wishing that a few more scenes from each time period could have been shown. Reynolds shines as the “Merc with a Mouth” who
Courtesy foxmovies.com
consistently breaks the “fourth wall” by acknowledging the audience, which always kept me engaged in the story. From integrating the XMen universe, to having the traditional Stan Lee cameo, Deadpool provides a fresh take on the superhero genre, while incorporating many of the traditional comic book aspects that we love. Rated “R,” the movie does contain various content such as graphic violence, nudity and strong language which are aspects not suitable for younger children. The theme of the story, however, of embracing yourself and accepting your loves ones, is clear throughout the duration of the movie and is a moral that all generations can learn from and enjoy. So if you have free time this upcoming week and would love to see a new take on the classic superhero genre, stop by the local movie theater to see Deadpool, which I rate as an 8.5 out of 10.
14 arts
Red & Black
19 F ebruary 2016
A Play in Miniature: "It Hurts Less"
This is an excerpt of Lauryn Halahurich's play. To see how it ends, come to Winter Tales on March 3-5 in Room 102.
Right after that guy. God I can’t even remember his name… I had just moved to a new job. I came out of work and found that someone hit my bike. The wheel was bent up under itself and the frame turned into a pretzel. There was a bike repair store a block down from my apartment so I carried the thing 15 blocks from work to the shop and set on the counter. It took a minute or two before anyone appeared. I had to ring the bell three times before they came out from the back. Won’t lie, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I spaced out for a second… (pause) Anyway, when I went to pick up the bike the next day, they weren’t there, but there was a card attached to the receipt with a number on it. Yeah, she wasn’t very subtle. And it didn’t help that I had no idea what to do with it. I may or may not have called the next night — After writing a pros and cons list. And running through every possible scenario in my head. What? I like to be prepared. Either way, I called them. We went on a date the next day. And it just kept going and surprisingly it kept going. It was strange. It was a whirlwind of emotions that I’m not totally comfortable with. I don’t remember much of it. I was too busy trying not to f*** up. I just remember bits and pieces. Nights passing out on the couch watching old movies. Walking in the park in the middle of a snowstorm. I mainly remember the good stuff. That’s how it works right? Especially with the first time around. You make up memories to cover the bad days. All the arguing, the fighting… (long pause) What really stuck with me was this feeling of being inadequate. You wait for that moment that everyone says will happen. That you’ll find that person and all of the interactions between people on the streets and in movies finally make sense. You finally understand why people hold hands, why they kiss, why they get married. You really hope it happens even though you know it’s not going to happen. There is always going to be that gut feeling where you want something so bad but you self-sabotage. Saying it will never work out. It’s not who I am. It doesn’t make sense. You say you can’t give them what you want before you even know what they need. You’ll just end up hurting them. That s*** makes its way into a perfectly good relationship. Rotting it from the inside out. It gets to the point where you feel real f***ing useless. Like you’re a waste of their time. It’s not fun feeling like you wasted their time. It’s not like playing a game. You don’t just end it and forget it. In the real world, you can’t just play house. You can’t turn it off. And in the end you just end up hurting them even more. (long pause) Get resigned to the fact that some people aren’t designed for a happy ending. They’re designed to have their heart ripped out of their chest. It’s gets to the point where you just have to give up. Let it go. Recognize that you don’t get to be happy. I wish there was a class that taught you that.
19 F ebruary 2016 ...women should be required to enlist in the draft. P. 17
15 opinions
Red & Black
OPINIONS
To me, Bernie Sanders is a gift to the Democratic Party... P. 18
Barbie’s New Look is All About Changing Body Image Elaine Nalikka Red&Black Contributor
Arguably one of the most wellknown women in history, this Wisconsin native continues to stir up controversy. After over than 5 decades of 150 careers (including a nurse, rock star, TV anchor, president and an astronaut) the creators of this sensation refuse to accept the slide in sales that have unseated her and been replaced by Lego as the most popular toy brand in the United States. That’s not to say she isn’t doing well; every second, three of these are sold around the world- that's almost 24 times the average 4,000,000 babies born in the U.S. each year. She refuses to leave the public eye and continues to
stir up plenty of controversy. After appearing in a spread in the 50th anniversary of Sports Illustrated’s 2014 issue, the repercussions that followed led her company, Mattel, to write a coercive essay calling for women to be less judgmental and teach girls to "celebrate who they are," whether they're leading a company or posing in a swimsuit. I am not talking about a person, but actually, I’m talking about Barbie. Due to celebrate her 55th anniversary on March 9, this doll is about to undergo her biggest update since 1959. Since Barbie first hit the market, she has been notorious for promoting unrealistic and virtually impossible standards of beauty for young girls. In 1963, the doll came with a book entitled ‘How to Lose Weight’. Guess what the
instructions were? Don’t eat. This has had a lasting impact on societies that apprize Barbie. In a 2006 British study, girls “exposed to Barbie reported lower body esteem and greater desire for a thinner body shape” than girls who had been given other dolls that reflected larger body types and girls not given dolls at all. The toy is banned in Saudi Arabia by the country's religious police. An announcement on their website states: “Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories and tools are a symbol of decadence to the perverted West." Several organizations have voiced their support for the changes. Liam Preston, a spokesman for the YMCA’s Be Real campaign said “it’s about
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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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.
time that companies accepted responsibility for the images that they have projected onto young girls and teenagers.” Barbie has ditched her traditional bright blue eyes and blinding blonde hair for a variety of skin tones, eye colors, and hair styles while her thigh gap is on its way to becoming history. The shift was a calculated one, coming a year after Mattel introduced Barbies with moveable ankles that would allow the dolls to wear flat shoes for the first time ever. Her perpetually pointed toes meant only to fit into high-heels are finally a thing of the past. The 33 dolls will include “tall”, “petite” and “curvy” and will be hitting stores March 1st, right in time for Barbie’s birthday (March 9th). After over 40 years of boosting unhealthy
representations of the female form Mattel is finally setting things right. Many mothers were beginning to reject Barbie. Coined ‘millennial mums’, Mattel is hoping its new diverse range will appeal to the new more socially conscious mothers that hold a negative view of the doll’s previous proportions. “This is about drawing a wider demographic that had turned away from Barbie back to Barbie,” said Jim Silver, the editor of TTPM, a toy review website. Barbie is fighting to remain relevant and this is definitely a step in the right direction. But will this haphazard release of a new line of Barbies actually have the power to positively impact girls’ (and boys’) expectations of body image and beauty standards after decades of preserving the opposite?
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(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301
16 opinions
Red & Black
19 F ebruary 2016
Fraternities and Rape Culture Ben Langdon Red&Black Staff
Is the Future of Automobiles Here? Originally announced in 2015, a new company called “Faraday Future” had announced a breakthrough automobile that begs the question, “if we were to begin the automotive industry today, how would it be different than the one we are still following from the late 17th century?” Faraday claims to have answered this question quite vigorously with their new car, the FFZERO1. The FFZERO1 is Faraday Future’s electric “hypercar” which makes 1000 horsepower and can reach speeds up to 200mph. It has a modular chassis that can reduce weight by removing batteries and shortening the car, or add more to increase range. And it doesn’t stop there. The steering wheel is compatible with a smartphone and gives the details on the speed, torque, battery status and more; while a helmet that comes with this single seater car assists the driver with water and oxygen. It is a carbon fiber utopia, and with such a lightweight modular body, expect it to theoretically accelerate from 0-60 in under three seconds. It sounds astonishing, and it looks astonishing, but there are some issues that I believe need to be addressed. For starters: the car’s ambitious attitude. Today, electric
cars have a long way to go, whether this be with harvesting power by new methods, or making them cheaper, electric cars just aren’t there yet. Faraday Future is also merely two years old, and has the ignorance to go into a market that is so vastly competitive, that they may just be swallowed whole. People claim that this car is a “Tesla killer,” but I beg to differ. Tesla has no ambition to make a hypercar, they are much more interested in making commuter friendly automobiles. So who is the FFZERO1 targeting? Well, there is the BMW i8, the Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell, McLaren P1, Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918, Audi R8 e-tron and a wide variety of the Lotus lineup. So what makes Faraday think they can interrupt the market? The FFZERO1 also is not practical. With all of its competitors in the electric hypercar market, you get two seats, a rich and reliable legacy and speeds well over 235mph. You get none of these with the FFZERO1. The Verge writer, Tamara Warren, talked to Faraday spokesperson Stacy Morris, and had the immediate impression that, “the FFZERO1 isn’t a production car.” Mor-
ris had also claimed that this is quite possibly not the first Faraday car to touch the streets, and other projects are currently ensuing. My final issue with the FFZERO1 is the company itself. Faraday is not only new, but is also secretive. They claim they received a billion dollar investment from an anonymous person in China. Their battery supercell setup is “secretive” and cannot be released, and the car is held tightly under wraps. It seems that the company has big dreams, and hides the real specifications underneath its Tron-like aesthetic styling. However, Faraday still is claiming that, “Faraday Future plans to break ground on the factory north of Las Vegas in the next few weeks.” So is the FFZERO1 the car of the future? Well, maybe. It is innovative, and could change the automotive industry forever. But electric cars and the market just isn’t there. It is hard to find somebody out there that claims, “I want a supercar, and I don’t want an i8, a LaFerrari, a 918 or even a Tesla. I want something completely unknown, new to the market and prone to fail.” I give Faraday props for its tenacity and utter willpower, but all I can say is I wish them the best of luck.
In October 2013, a Phi Kappa Tau fraternity member at Georgia Tech circulated an email with his brothers on tactics to “succeed at parties” by “luring your rapebait.” When the email went public, there was—as one would expect—significant backlash. The Phi Kappa Tau fraternity was eventually shut down following an investigation that revealed that the fraternity engaged in a “pattern of sexual violence that… suggests a deep-rooted culture within the fraternity that is obscene, indecent and endangers women.” Fortunately, this case was handled appropriately by the administration, which cannot be said for most rape related fraternity cases. What can be learned from the Phi Kappa Tau email scandal is this: rape culture is thriving within college fraternities. It should be noted that not all fraternities are infested with rapists, nor are fraternities’ sole existence based around the college party atmosphere. Fraternities engage in other services, like philanthropy and volunteerism, which actually improve campus life. However, there is a growing problem within fraternities that needs to be addressed. Socially, fraternities allow communities of young men to form a bond in which power within the brotherhood is based around sexual conquests. Although how much a man “gets laid” has decided
his power in the social hierarchy for much of the past century, it has been elevated to a new level within college fraternities. During weekend parties, fraternities are known for encouraging sexual competitions between brothers where women are seen simply as pawns in a game of sexual chess. When women are dehumanized in this nature, it is no wonder that a 2007 study found that fraternity men are three times more likely to rape than their non-fraternity male classmates. Structurally, fraternities and college administrations are set up in a way that favors rapists and not rape victims. In recent years, there has been an outpouring of stories of college administrators ignoring rape allegations in order to avoid bad publicity. Most of these rape allegations stem from parties at fraternity houses. Since sororities are not allowed to have alcohol, sorority members are forced into being reliant on male fraternities for alcohol. By giving fraternities control over the party life at college and by the administration failing to look into rape allegations, fraternity members are given too many opportunities to engage in heinous activity. Fraternities are supposed to be about camaraderie and fostering strong college communities. For some people, college fraternities do just that. For many people, however, fraternities are viewed as places where rape culture and misogyny can live in perpetuity.
19 F ebruary 2016
Red & Black
The Political Corner
17 opinions
Do Not Fear the Bern I Want My Party Back:
Ben Langdon Red&Black Staff When Bernie Sanders entered the Presidential race in May 2015, many Democratic insiders saw a token candidacy. Sanders would try to insert the issues he cares about into the conversation, but would ultimately fall short of any real electoral success. After all, how could a 74 year old selfdescribed “democratic socialist” from Vermont defeat the fundraising juggernaut that is Hillary Clinton? Now, the Democratic establishment is not so indifferent to the Sanders campaign. As Sanders continues to have success in the Democratic primaries, many long-time Democrats are worried that his campaign threatens the party’s chances in the 2016 general election and beyond. As a Democrat who is not afraid of the establishment label, I am not worried. To me, Bernie Sanders is a gift to the Democratic Party, not a curse. Voters, especially young voters, are falling in love with the idea of a Sanders presidency. Ideologically, Sanders is not something new to Democratic politics. Sanders is the quintessential tax-and-spend liberal that the members of the Reagan revolution tried to take out back and shoot during the 1980’s. Like Lyndon Johnson and Franklin D. Roo-
sevelt, Sanders is proposing large government undertakings to fight issues like poverty and income inequality. Clinton, conversely, is less idealistic and more pragmatic. Realizing that the current political climate does not allow for such fundamental changes (the Democrats are not likely to hold the House of Representatives anytime soon), Clinton is more concerned with incremental changes that gently nudges the country leftward. This ideological fight between big sweeping change and gradual progress has been a cornerstone of the Democratic Party since the party’s inception. And every time this debate has occurred, it has made the party stronger. Sanders is not only striking a chord ideologically, but is also harnessing an emotional appeal that can easily carry over into a general election, no matter who the Democratic nominee is. By appealing to young voters, Sanders is creating a new generation of Democratic voters. In order for the party to grow, young voters need to be encouraged to participate in the political process. Sanders is giving them the chance to do just that. Take a deep breath, Democratic insiders. Bernie Sanders will not be the death of the party. Actually, he just might save it.
A Letter From Nathan Kanuch The 2016 presidential election has not yet reached the general election stage, and it already has a claim to being one of the craziest and most chaotic in American history. The country has seen an arrogant businessman who wants to ban Muslims from entering the country surge to the top of the Republican field and a self-described democratic-socialist present a serious challenge to the supposed coronation of Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side. Indeed, it has been the year of the outsider. For the Republican Party in particular, the year of the outsider has begun to firmly wrench away the heart, soul, and foundation of the GOP. Simply put, I and many others, want our Republican Party back from the populist surge that threatens to destroy a highly crucial political enterprise. Before becoming hostage to the Tea Party and other ultra-conservative elements, the Republican Party was founded in the 1850s with the goal of stopping the expansion of slavery. One of our greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln, defined what the Republican Party would stand for: it would be a party devoted to free land, free soil, and free
labor. With an emphasis on individual enterprise and the idea that equality of opportunity should be available to all, the Republican Party was founded as a place where conservative, liberal, and moderate views could always converge. Yet the founding principles of my party have been ripped away. Beginning with the exodus of Southern Democrats away from the Democratic Party, a racist and bigoted element started to subvert some. Social conservatives then flourished in the 1980s, giving the Democratic Party the advantage on social issues like abortion and gay marriage. Though strongly pro-life myself, I am abundantly aware of the fact that when Republicans are knocked into the arena of wedge issues, we lose. Think, for instance, of Todd Akin’s remarks before the 2012 election. The original Republican message of economic freedom, individualism, and personal responsibility that appeals to the majority of the country seems to have been lost in the midst of all the shouting by the ultra-conservative wing of the Republican Party. Thankfully, recent polls and primary results may be pointing to a return of san-
ity in the party. It may be too premature to analyze if the Republican Party can be saved from the angry and raging rhetoric of Donald Trump. After all, he still leads in the national polls with a commanding lead. Yet after New Hampshire, Governor John Kasich of Ohio has gained momentum with sound policy proposals and a positive message. Governor Kasich was the architect of balancing the budget as House Budget Committee Chairman under President Bill Clinton in the 1990s and has rebuilt Ohio after the Great Recession. Governor Kasich is the voice of sane, rational Republicans across the country. Nominating Kasich can go a long way in fixing what ails the Republican Party. Republicans ended slavery after the Civil War, and there is a strong tradition of compelling policy ideas that originated from the GOP. That tradition must not be lost to history. There are plenty of problems that the United States currently faces. I am positive that the Republican Party can contribute to finding ways to overcome what we face as a country, as long as it can fix its own problems within the party.
18 opinions
Red & Black
19 F ebruary 2016
Women Should Be Required to Register With the Draft
Courtesy womenadvancenc.org
Leah Segal Red&Black Staff
Each year, more than 180,000 U.S. citizens enlist in the armed forces—most of them being men. Nevertheless, in recent years, women’s involvement in the military and other branches has expanded, with 14% of the armed forces made up of female soldiers. Although the involvement of women in the military exposes the influence of strong women in society and aids in the construction of American feminism, there remains one important controversy— whether women should be
required to enlist in the draft. Since its implementation in 1940 when President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act, the draft has not been used since 1973 for the Vietnam War. Luckily the American people have entered into an age where young brave men and women volunteer to protect our country—and are not pulled from a birthday based lottery. However, along with the tentative retirement of the draft, other changes have since taken place on American soil. The American feminist movement is currently a large topic in our society— discussing the equality of women in the workplace, public space as well as politics.
That being said, with the increased attention towards topics such as wage equality and paid maternity leave, I believe women should be required to enroll in the draft. Although some may claim I am far too harsh or outright disagree, I am a firm believer in women being required to enlist in the armed forces. If the feminist movement wishes to fight their own battle against a patriarchal society— claiming they want equality— then it is only fair and just that women be required to sign up for the draft. Each year thousands upon thousands of wideeyed eighteen year old men mail back the government mandated letter in return
for their draft number, while young females fly under the radar. With the pressure from feminists for equality, then why would they not want to register for the draft? After all, it has been proven time and time again women are able to perform just as well as men in terms of physical trials and endure the grueling training accompanied with the job description of a soldier. Although personally I know I am not fit for an occupation in the armed forces, I full-heartedly believe it is my responsibility as an American citizen to enroll in the draft. After all, there are many positions in the military and its branches, and if you are physically unprepared,
there is always a way to help the cause. If the freedoms given to American citizens do not discriminate between men and women, then women should be able to give back just as much as their male counterparts. Although the implementation of the draft will hopefully not be necessary any time soon, the use of women in the military may be looming in the near future. With spokeswomen such Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai, women may join the ranks of young men registering for the draft, all the while breaking down the barriers of gender inequality in America.
19 F ebruary 2016
19 sports
Student Athlete Spotlight: Rachel Bellhy Red & Black
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Jordan Toohey Red&Black Staff
Rachel Bellhy, a sophomore English major with a minor in business and professional writing, from Fort Cherry High School, has made quite an impact on the basketball court. Along with the rest of her siblings, Bellhy has already had great success both on and off the court. She started playing basketball in third grade and she soon came to love the game. Having all of her siblings before her play and her mom running the youth program at the school initially started her love for the game and she knew that she didn’t want her athletic career to end in high school. “Basketball has been a
big part of my life since I was little. I have learned to not ever take it for granted because you really never know when your last game will be. I am just blessed to still have the opportunity and ability to play,” said Bellhy. In high school she was a member of the 1000 point club where she finished with 1102 points and over the ears she made all section teams, first team all-district, and had multiple athlete of the week awards. That success continues on in college where she averages 9.4 points per game, a field goal percentage of .521, a free throw percentage of .771, 5.4 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game and 1.7 blocks per game. This year she recently netted a career high 22 points in
a game against Chatham University and looks to continue her success as the team hits the final stretch of the season and prepares for playoffs. Bellhy saw W&J as a great opportunity to continue playing basketball while also getting a quality education. She plans on pursuing a career in something that she is passionate about and has the intentions on going to grad school for English. Aside from sleeping, eating and breathing basketball, Bellhy also works at the Registrar’s office and in her free time like to read. Although basketball takes up most of her time, she wouldn’t want it any other way. “Being part of the team here at W&J is a lot of fun. There is always someone around cracking jokes and
making you laugh or dancing in the locker room before games to lighten the mood. We really came together as a team this year and I think that shows on the court as well,” said Bellhy. Bellhy has also enjoyed having two of her college years being able to play with her sister Beka again. “We have played together our entire lives so being able to play together in college is even better,” said Bellhy. ” We just have this connection on the court where we see each other where normally others wouldn’t. She can basically predict my every move, so it is a lot of fun.” Bellhy along with the rest of the team has high expectations for the rest of the season. Winning PACs is the goal and are also striving to get an
NCAA tournament bid. Bellhy feels that if they continue playing like they have recently than they can have great success. “We have worked so hard to be where we are and have been playing together as a team. I hope we can keep this momentum going, give Thomas More a run for their money, and continue making a run in the playoffs,” said Bellhy. Come support the women’s basketball team in their final two home games against Thomas More on Saturday February 13 at 1 p.m. against Thomas More and Wednesday February 17 against Westminster for Senior Night. And continue to follow them as they make a run at a PAC Championship with the playoffs starting on February 26.
19 F ebruary 2016
Red & Black
20 sports
Potential Risks of Zika Virus at Rioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic Games Jordan Toohey Red&Black Staff
On top of all the other issues facing Rio, they now have to worry about the threat of the Zika virus pushing tourists and even athletes from not wanting to come or participate in the 2016 games. Brazil used to have a stable economy when it hosted the 2009 Olympics although now they are slipping into a recession with their president facing a possiblity of impeachment as Brazil falls into economic tailspin. People are really debating on whether or not it is safe for them to travel to Brazil for the upcoming games. There are also other issues being faced in Rio, including the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failure to deliver in cleaning up the pollution in the Guanabara Bay and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, which is where the sailing and rowing events will be taking place. Most of these problems are said to be normal in regards to most cities who host the Olympics, because they seem to suffer in getting last minute preparations done due to all the stress related to the upcoming Olympic Games. Most likely all of these other problems are going to get fixed, but the Zika virus is a problem that cannot be controlled, therefore the government does not know where this will stand when it comes times for the games.
Primarily mosquitoes spread Zika, causing a debilitating but nonfatal disease. This disease has been associated with a surge in cases of microcephaly (small head) among newborns in Brazil. The disease has very serious consequences, therefore has led the World Health Organization to declare a global medical emergency due to how fast the disease is spreading. The other problem with this virus is that there is little information on how it can be transmitted, so researchers have been studying the issue to see if the disease can be transmitted through other means. Although Mario Andrada, the head communications director for Brazilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olympic Committee, guarantees that Rio will welcome all athletes and spectators to a safe environment where they have nothing to worry about. He believes that due to the winter weather arriving before the games, mosquitos will become scares and the rare infections from the bites will drop drastically and eventually reach near zero. There is still time between now and the Olympic games in Rio so by the time the games come around the government, the rest of the city is going to do everything they can do in their power to make sure the athletes and spectators have a safe and enjoyable trip whenever they come to the city for the games.
Courtesy bbc.co.uk
Courtesy popsci.com