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 October 26, 2018
WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER... LIFE
Easy Halloween Costumes on a College Budget
PAGE 8
“In other words, those who love pumpkin spice want to get their fix before it is too late, thereby leading to an annual overconsumption of this sugary, warm, comforting goodness.” -P.9
CULTURE
“Black Panther” acknowledges and celebrates everything from traditional African society to the preservation of identity within the exuberant confines of the fictional African nation of Wakanda.” -P.12
OPINIONS “The current food insecurity that young adults face is a very real problem that leads many to make tough choices about their health and education based purely upon economics.” -P.14
SPORTS
“While the effects of sleep deprivation may go unnoticed to the average person, it can have catastrophic effects in regards to professions where individuals’ lives are at stake.” -P.17
WJREDANDBLACK.COM
Courtesy Nicole Walters
2 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
26 october 2018
Club Spotlight: Young Entrepreneurship Society Michael Nejak Red & Black Contributor
This week's Club Spotlight shines upon the Washington & Jefferson College Young Entrepreneurship Society. W&J’s Young Entrepreneurship Society (YES) exists to provide a framework for members to share and collaborate on their ideas for small business startups. When explaining the overall position of the Society, the former president Nate Repine ‘18 said, “Our goal
and mission is to learn how to succeed in our members’ endeavors through connecting with alumni, and to embody the spirit of entrepreneurship within the college and the surrounding communities.” Membership is open to all students at W&J who demonstrate an active willingness to both learn from and contribute to the opportunities of collaboration and guidance that this society strives to provide for its members as young businesspeople. Professor Max Miller, who is in charge of the Entrepreneurial Studies program here at W&J, advises the Young Entrepreneurship Society and serves as the chairperson. One of the great benefits that this club provides
for its members is allowing students to explore ways to project their business opportunity ideas through a small business incubator. A business incubator is a company that helps small and new companies to develop by providing management training or office space. The YES club runs through the small business incubator located in the city of Washington. The Society also participates in numerous events, such as attending the Draymond John’s Success Formula Event, where Draymond John, a successful entrepreneur featured on the show Shark Tank, speaks about success in a business as well as risks and rewards of potential business oppor-
tunities. These events allow members to see firsthand professional success. Some of the events that are sponsored and held by the Young Entrepreneurship Society here on campus include our own Shark Tank elevator pitch competition, in addition to the Business Planning competition. The events held by the YES club can play a very beneficial role for people who may be interested in business planning or have an idea for a potential business startup opportunity. The Young Entrepreneurship Society holds meetings every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Ski Lodge under the Commons. They encourage membership of all students that are interested and willing to learn and participate.
Courtesy Michael Nejak
Courtesy Michael Nejak
The Society provides an opportunity for students to attend Draymond John’s Success Formula Event.
The Young Entrepreneurship Society at W&J allows students on campus to share and collaborate on ideas they may have about small businesses.
26 october 2018
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3 CAMPUS NEWS
Student Spotlight: Reilly Oliverio Dr. Quifang’s Chinese Energy Lecture Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Reilly Oliverio ‘21 is an accounting major at Washington & Jefferson College. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school and receive a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He plans to pursue a career in finance analysis. Oliverio chose to study accounting because he has always enjoyed math and using numbers to find a logical solution to a problem. “I am an accounting major because it creates many job opportunities upon graduation,” Oliverio said. “On top of [that], working with money can be difficult, but I am looking forward to the challenge to keep life interesting.” Oliverio and ten other students plan on reinstating the W&J Student Investment Club. The club’s goal is to give students experience in the business world. They plan to go on trips to New York or Chicago to see how the stock market works in person. The club plans to be official within the next month. All students, especially accounting, finance, economics and business majors, are welcome to join. Oliverio is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (ALD) Honors Society. After earning an exceptional GPA his first semester, he was inducted into the society. He participates in service with the group and hopes it will stand out on his resume. Outside of the classroom, Oliverio is a member of the W&J men’s lacrosse team. He has been playing lacrosse for eight years.
He plays midfield for the team and is looking forward to the upcoming spring season. The team had a strong finish to the last season, so the team members intend to keep the momentum going into this year and clinch a playoff berth. “I love going out, competing and having fun with a great group of guys on the lacrosse team,” Oliverio said. “We are eager for the spring season, and I hope that we can get positive results that will lead us to PAC playoffs.” Oliverio is a brother of the Phi Kappa Psi (Phi Psi) fraternity on campus. Oliverio volunteers at the Lemoyne Center in Washington with Phi Psi. He helps young students do homework, play board games and play on the playground. Oliverio is very glad he chose to attend W&J. It has given him multiple opportunities to advance his education. Additionally, it has brought him close to some of his best friends. He cannot wait to see what the next two and a half years hold for him.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Reilly Oliverio is accounting major.
a
sophomore
John Teslovich Red & Black Contributor
On the evening of Oct. 17 at Washington & Jefferson College, Dr. Fan Quifang, an economics professor at the China University of Petroleum, gave a lecture to students interested in Chinese energy and development, along with policies and challenges of developing infrastructure for China. Dr. Quifang came to W&J through the Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment Grant (LIASE). While she visited W&J on the LIASE Grant, she was supplied a student translator by the Chinese Studies department. At the lecture, Dr. Quifang explained the complexities of the Chinese energy policy as directed in the Middle East, Africa, Russia and the South China Sea. As explained by Dr. Quifang, policy focuses on the protection of holdings in the Middle East, investing in African energy supplies and cooperation with Russia for energy and development. She explained that China’s goals include developing as a highly industrialized nation in the process of energy efficiency and progress in implementing green energy. In pursuit of these goals, Dr. Quifang explained that China is currently engaging with Russia and others to utilize natural gas over oil. The aforementioned complexities play a role in the challenges that plague development in China. For example, China has remained a member of the Paris Climate Accord, an agreement that limits emissions from member countries. However, with increased production and consumption of resources,
China’s emissions are difficult to control. This is a challenge because as a member, China must adhere to the Accord’s guidelines by 2030. The only way for this to occur is for China to utilize green energy resources that other countries have already developed. Utilizing their own engineering, coupled with the help of the U.S. and Germany, China should begin to see development. Dr. Quifang explained that the U.S. could serve as a good example for Chinese industry in some ways, as our country issues government sanctions and laws for the development and regulation of energy sources from oil to natural gas. Overall, the lecture concluded that China has much to consider as the country moves on with the green-energy implementation plan. W&J is very fortunate to have had Dr. Quifang as an expert speaker, and the student body looks forward to learning more about the subject.
Courtesy washjeff.edu
Students and faculty collaborate with the China University of Petroleum.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
Red & Black
26 october 2018
Magellan Spotlight: Kara Waters ’20 Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Over the summer of 2018, Kara Waters ’20 travelled to Ireland, Scotland and England. She spent a week in each country, and she visited several cities in each country throughout the course of her trip. For her research, Waters studied the effects of medical technology upon the practice of optometry. She interviewed optometrists in different areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland and then asked them a series of questions about the negative and positive effects technology has had on their practice. She then compared their answers to optometry in the United States. Waters chose these locations because western Europe has always fascinated her. She has always been interested in how the landscape and culture of the United Kingdom and Ireland are similar to that of the United States, but she also found that the countries are unique in their own ways. Also, by picking these specific European countries, she did not have to struggle with a language barrier, and this allowed her to talk to more people inside and outside of her research. She was able to fully immerse herself in the culture. “The culture was also prevalent while walking the streets of each major city,” Waters said. “In Ireland, there were often street performers dancing to classical Irish music. In Scotland, the architecture exemplified the rich history of the country, and in London, the famous buildings were
highly regarded and well-respected by everyone.” The biggest culture shock that Waters faced revolved around the locals. In all three countries, the cities she visited were mostly populated with business men and women dressed in business casual attire. However, not far outside of the cities, people often lived in very small houses and sold handmade goods or owned small farms. In her interactions, Waters found the locals to be kind and proud of their country. In her spare time, Waters traveled to do some sightseeing. She went on tours, tried new foods, went window shopping and even visited small towns unpopular to typical tourists. She specifically enjoyed the comfort food in Ireland and the large market selling fresh produce in London. “Overall, I enjoyed the rural scenes more than the cities,” said Waters. “There were some spectacular views traveling through the countryside of Ireland. I went on a bus trip to the Cliffs of Moher. The expansive grassy coasts with huge rocks and cliffs that plummeted to the ocean were breathtaking.” Waters strongly encourages anyone considering a Magellan to do it and to not be afraid to ask past Magellan recipients for advice and faculty members for suggestions. She believes that even if a student does not know exactly what they want to do, the Magellan advisors are great at helping students come up with a project. They guide students to study something that they are passionate about, and they also help them make contact with other students who may have done a Magellan similar to theirs who can offer advice.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Waters spent her summer traveling through Ireland, Scotland and England to study the effects of medical technology upon optometry practices.
26 october 2018
CAMPUS NEWS 5
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Senior Spotlight: Caitlin Wass Study Abroad Spotlight: Molly Kellam Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Caitlin Wass ’19 is a psychology major and a business administration minor at Washington & Jefferson College. While she finds psychology extremely interesting and while a social science degree will help her relationships with future clients, studying business will prepare her for the financial reality of owning a business. Upon graduation, Wass hopes to pursue a career in management, human resources or criminal justice. “I wanted to pursue a career that would keep me on my toes and moving. I enjoy collaborating with others and innovating,” said Wass. “I feel that either of these career paths could offer me that, and that’s why I was drawn towards them.” One of Wass’s main interests includes health and wellness. In her free time, she is a personal trainer. Many of her trainees are W&J students. Eventually, Wass would like to own her own gym and fully exercise her passion for fitness. “Health and wellness is an integral part of my life,” Wass said. “For many years I watched myself and family members struggle to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Sports were just not enough for me. Once I began pursuing the gym, I found so many more opportunities.” Personal training was a logical next step for Wass. “Becoming a personal trainer was probably one of my favorite decisions because it not only helps to hold myself accountable to maintain a certain standard of health, but it also allows me to help others. Starting on the path to a healthier lifestyle can be really difficult at times, especial-
ly if you are on that journey alone,” said Wass. Being able to help people is Wass’s true passion, and she said, “I wanted to be the person for others that helped push them through the hard days because at the beginning of my journey I wish I had that. I hope to one day own my own gym and expand my services!” Wass is the Vice President of Social Standards for Delta Gamma (DG) on campus. With DG, she participates in service benefitting the visually impaired and blind. Additionally, she is appreciative of the girls that DG introduced her to, who have become lifelong friends. This fall, she was nominated onto the W&J homecoming court. Her close friend, Hannah Dailey ‘19, won the title of Homecoming Queen, and Wass felt very fortunate to be able to walk the field alongside such an exceptional young woman like Dailey. Overall, Wass has loved her time at W&J. She learned many lessons will resonate with her beyond graduation and for the rest of her life.
Nicole Walters Red & Black Staff
Molly Kellam ‘19 is double majoring in Spanish and psychology at Washington & Jefferson College. She is a wellversed student who has always been interested in many areas of the world. This interest in the world, as well as places she has not traveled to, has fueled a lot of her adventures during her time at W&J. For her time studying abroad during the spring semester of 2017, she studied in Burgos, Spain, at the University of Burgos. “I picked this school because it was in a very small town, and it was pretty close to Madrid. I wanted to do a lot of traveling outside of Burgos, and I didn’t want a long commute to the airport,” Kellam said. During her time in Burgos she took three classes: the History of the America, Spanish Film and Movies and a language course that focused on grammar and terminology. This last course was incredibly helpful to her because it allowed her to keep up with the way the people in Burgos spoke compared to other Spanish speaking areas of the world. “This course really helped me to improve my speaking ability and confidence,”
Kellam said. Kellam found that her time abroad speaking both English and Spanish helped her to discover her love for teaching the language to people who are learning to speak English as their second language. She discovered this interest when working as an English tutor in an elementary school. Kellam had lessons with her students a couple of times throughout the week, and she built up to working with six students at one point. “ If doing something with psychology doesn’t pan out, I’d love to live in Spain and be an American English teacher; the demand there is so high,” Kellam said. Traveling for her semester studying abroad was not the only time Molly has left the United States. She has also studied abroad for short periods over two Intersessions. The first time was for her trip to Nicaragua, and the other Intersession trip took her to Athens, Greece. Kellam loved both experiences, and she said they were great countries to visit for a new traveler. Kellam is finishing up her senior year at W&J, but she looks forward to many more adventures abroad after graduation. Kellam also suggests traveling abroad for at least one semester.
Courtesy Marcy Saldivar
Wass was nominated for Homecoming Court alongside fellow Delta Gamma member Hannah Dailey.
Courtesy Nicole Walters
Kellam studied at the University of Burgos in Spain.
CAMPUS NEWS 6
26 October 2018
Red & Black
Speak Out: What is your favorite Halloween costume you have worn? “I would have to say being Woody when I was a child.” -Reed Relosky ’19 Courtesy gopresidents.com
“My favorite costume was when I was a cat.” -Beth Boyles ’20 Courtesy gopresidents.com
“My favorite costume was being the Green Teletubbie, because my sister and I were fighting over purple, but neither of us got to be it in the end.” -Grace Rangel ’21
Courtesy gopresidents.com
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life
26 October 2018
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7 Life
Flu Shots: Are They Actually Protecting You? Brooke Beck Red & Black Staff
Community living in college creates a breeding ground for illness at this time of year, especially for the flu virus. Although it is true that flu vaccines do not always protect against the virus, it is still highly recommended that everyone receive it. Each year, it is up to scientists to predict which strains of the flu will be most prevalent and then to create the corresponding vaccines. Their predictions may not always be correct, but the vaccine will still protect against its targeted strains, which are still likely to be around even if they are not the main strain. By exposing the body to a small amount of the virus, the immune system learns how to recognize and fight it off. Therefore, when encountered with the actual flu, the body will be prepared to fight it off aggressively before it results in illness. Vaccines give the body this advantage and ease its exertion when one finally encounters the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “the flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40 percent and 60 percent
Courtesy Middle Class Fury
Your body learns how to fight off the flu by being introduced to small amounts of the virus by way of a vaccination.
among the overall population during seasons.” The CDC also recognizes that other factors such as age, health and the community in which one resides contribute to the overall effectiveness of the flu vaccine. Although an annual flu vaccine does not guarantee immunity from the virus, there are several other benefits to vaccination. These include reducing the risk of flu-associated hospitalization, working as a preventive tool for those with chronic health conditions, protecting women during and after pregnancy, saving the lives of children and reducing the severity of illness in
people who fall ill. The CDC recommends that everyone six months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza, and the CDC has stated its strong stance in support of the vaccine. “Getting a flu vaccine each year is the best way to prevent the flu,” said the CDC. “In addition to getting the flu shot, people should take the same everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of flu, including covering coughs, washing hands often and avoiding people who are sick.” Washington & Jefferson College Health Services currently has flu shots available for a $20 fee Monday through
Friday from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. at the Student Health Center on the ground floor of New Res Hall. Another option for students is Giant Eagle Pharmacy, which offers free flu, pneumonia and shingles shots through Jan. 31 with a Giant Eagle Advantage Card and proof of insurance. In addition, Giant Eagle will add a $5 grocery voucher to the advantage card for each vaccine within 24 hours of receiving it. This is a great incentive for students, as well as others, to reduce the risk of illness, and everyone should consider it.
8 LIFE
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26 October 2018
Easy Halloween Costumes on a College Budget Nicole Walters Red & Black Contributor
Halloween is a great and spooky time of the year, and the holiday is filled with things that go “bump” in the night and excessive amounts of sweets. An essential part of this holiday is, of course, the costume; children go as crazy as their parents’ budgets allow them. When these kids grow up and go to college, the costumes they gravitate towards may no longer be the craziest pirates, princesses or pizza. Now college students need to find functional costumes that are easy to make and, most importantly, easy on their wallets. There are many costumes that students can choose from. Some pick word puns that require the combination of words and just a few simple props to complete the ensemble. An example of this would be the phrase, “when life gives you lemons.” This costume requires only two parts, the first is a name tag. On the name tag, the person can write “Life.” The second part is a bag of lemons, and these can be fake or real. Both cost around five dollars. This way, the person can wear the name tag and hand people lemons, which adequately represents the phrase in a dry, tongue-in-cheek way. Another cheap costume is to become sushi, a fun food that lot of students splurge on. For this costume, the only items one requires are a small light-colored pillow, a black shirt or scarf and a white t-shirt. If the small pillow is not the sushi color one desires, a bright t-shirt can easily be wrapped around the pillow
Courtesy Kayla Marasia
Kayla Marasia ‘19 keeps the costs of her Halloween costumes low. In high school, she spent less than five dollars to be a bag of jelly beans, as the costume only required a trash bag, balloons and some printer paper.
to change the shade. The black scarf is the seaweed that will wrap the “fish” around the torso. A final, fun costume for the friend groups that want to do a costume together, is a mix of a hippie, a lumberjack and a tree. The hippie can wear a tie-dyed t-shirt. The only possible item you would have to purchase would be
some temporary tattoos or rose-colored glasses. The lumberjack just needs a flannel, a toy axe and some hiking boots. All of these items are typically already owned by students. The final costume is the tree. This costume only requires some dark-colored pants and shirt. Either
black or brown will work. Leaves or vines can be found at a dollar store or outdoors shop. These can be attached to the arms or around the head. When combined, it is a fun trio for friends to work together and save some money while having lots of fun on Halloween.
26 October 2018
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9 Life
Why Are We Obsessed With Pumpkin Spice? Brooke Beck Red & Black Staff
It is that time of year again—the time when seemingly every marketed product in America has a limited pumpkin spice edition. Anything with the label of “pumpkin spice” seems to sell out immediately. “When I was grocery shopping, I saw limited edition pumpkin spice-flavored Mini Wheats and I immediately bought two family-sized boxes,” said Kayla Marasia ‘19. The question is why this craze returns every autumn. Science has the answers. The human obsession with limited time offers stems from a psychological phenomenon called reactance. Psychological reactance is a type of “motivational arousal” to certain offers, persons, rules or regulations which limit specific freedoms. This occurs when a person feels that someone or something is restricting their choices or shortening the list of alternatives. In other words, those who love pumpkin spice want to get their fix before it is too late, thereby leading to an annual overconsumption of this sugary, warm, comforting goodness. Those who may not necessarily label themselves as obsessed with the pumpkin spice trend are still likely to purchase the products. Whether it is an attempt to fit in on a coffee date, a desire to feel that fall sensation or simply to get a seasonally appropriate sugar fix, even pump-
Courtesy Wide Open Eats
As the colder months aproach, companies prepare for a long season of pumpkin spice everything, including Starbucks’s famously popular Pumpkin Spice Latte.
kin spice skeptics partake. A popular example of their participation is purchasing gifts for others. Because so many are obsessed with the trend, people are likely to purchase “pumpkin spice and everything nice” shirts, paintings and more for friends and family—a tribute to marketing genius. The history of this obsession has been studied quite a bit and has some believing that it goes all the way back to the tradition of pumpkin pies on
Thanksgiving. This trend has clearly increased over the last few years, especially with Starbucks’s release of its famous Pumpkin Spice Latte in August 2014. Each year, it seems that Starbucks releases the famous drink earlier and keeps it around longer, even as it begins to release its peppermint flavors for the holidays. From the famous latte to cereal, candles, dog treats and even deodorant, pumpkin spice is every-
where this time of year, and it has seen endless success in popularity. While comedian John Oliver expressed his distaste for the flavor when he said, “it tastes like a candle,” the curiosity of American consumers triggers the purchases, because they want to understand the fad. The reactance behavioral habit of the human brain is unlikely to change, and therefore it seems that the pumpkin spice obsession will not fade anytime soon.
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culture
26 October 2018
Fallingwater: A 20th Century Marvel John Teslovich Red & Black Contributor
Frank Lloyd Wright was a prominent American architect from the 20th century who is best known for his house Fallingwater. Fallingwater is an architectural marvel that adorns the Laurel Highlands in Fayette County. Designs for the home were completed in 1935 and construction began the following year. After completion, the total cost of inputs for the construction of the masterpiece totaled $155,000. To add some perspective, the amount that this house would cost in 2017 dollars is a staggering $2.7 million. Edgar J. Kaufmann, a prominent Jewish German-American businessman and owner of Kaufmann’s Department Store, commissioned the designs from Wright to serve as a weekend home for his family. After his father’s passing, Edgar J. Kaufmann Jr. entrusted the house into the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC), in addition to 1500 surrounding acres in anticipation of its future as a national wonder. The masterpiece of architecture was named by Time magazine as Wright’s “most beautiful job,” and was listed
on Smithsonian’s “Life List of 28 places to visit before you die.” It was also awarded the title of National Historic Landmark in 1966. In addition to all of these prestigious awards, Fallingwater was named the “best all-time work of American architecture” in 1991 by the American Institute of Architects. To date, over 5.5 million people have visited and explored the grounds of Fallingwater. In consideration of the house’s great significance to American art, the WPC strives to maintain and protect the philosophy and dreams of the Kaufmann family and Wright’s great innovation. With the help of 12,000 volunteers, the WPC uses all of its resources to fully support Fallingwater in addition to similar sites and projects. A major draw for Wright’s style comes from what he called “organic architecture.” This incorporates nature and localizes the atmosphere of his works. This is a central focus of Fallingwater, as the house straddles the Bear Run nature reserve and incorporates a waterfall into the centerpiece. Wright believed that a building should grow and harmonize with its environment. From Pennsylvania to California, each architectural entity can have its own style within the natural environment. One can see how Wright’s art
has influenced art and architecture, and we are fortunate to have Fallingwater, a prominent piece of American
art, so close to campus. Students are highly encouraged to visit and learn about the amazing house.
Courtesy Wikipedia
More than 5.5 million people have visited Fallingwater since it was constructed in 1936.
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Culture 11
Movie Review: ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’
Courtesy YouTube
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” grossed nearly $400 million. Most Star Wars fans did not enjoy this movie, which is probably why it did not do well in the box office.
Michael Nejak Red & Black Contributor
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” is a 2018 American Space Western film based on the renowned Star Wars character Han Solo. Directed by Ron Howard, “Solo” is the second installment of the Star Wars anthology films following “Rogue One” in 2016. The film is produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. In 2013, Lucasfilm announced that it would release an anthology film focusing on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker would
eventually encounter in “Star Wars IV: A New Hope.” In the new film, actor Aiden Ehrenreich stars as Han Solo, a cynical smuggler who later befriends Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia and joins them on their journey to save the galaxy. The plot takes place approximately ten years prior to the events of “Star Wars IV: A New Hope,” and explores the early adventures of Chewbacca and Han Solo. The movie begins on the planet Corellia, a place where orphaned children have to steal in order to survive. Han and his lover Qi’ra escape the grasp of a local gang and try to bribe an Imperial officer with coaxium, a powerful hyperspace fuel, in order to achieve a safe passage off the terrible planet. Before they can leave, Qi’ra is captured by their pursuers. In order to recover his stolen lover, Han enlists in
the Imperial Navy to become a flight cadet vowing that one day he will return and find her. In training for the Imperial Navy, an officer asks for his last name, and Solo responds by saying that he is alone and has no family, therefore giving him his name: Solo. After his expulsion from the Imperial Flight Academy, Solo finds a group of criminals led by Tobias Beckett. As he tries to blackmail Beckett, he is thrown into a pit to be fed to a Wookie named Chewbacca. However, Solo is able to understand Chewbacca’s language, and therefore befriends the Wookie. They both escape the prison and join Beckett’s gang to steal a large shipment of coaxium. Their plan to steal the shipment goes bad and ends in the deaths of two of the gang members. Now in debt to a high-ranking crime boss and hunted
by mercenaries and other local gangs, the plot becomes a race for Han Solo to keep his promise to find Qi’ra before pursuing other goals. Overall, “Solo: A Star Wars Story” grossed at $392.9 million in the box office, a seemingly large amount of money. However, despite receiving favorable reviews from critics, the film unfortunately did not meet the expectations of Star Wars fanatics—their main audience. After the movie’s debut, the Variety newspaper wrote that the film would cause Disney to lose millions of dollars. In spite of the film’s poor quality according to many fans, director Ron Howard Tweeted that although he was sorry fans did not enjoy it, he was proud of the film and happy for those who enjoyed it.
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26 october 2018
Netflix Review: Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ Michael Nejak Red & Black Contributor
“Black Panther” is a 2018 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics’ character, Black Panther. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the 18th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After its addition to Netflix, the film has quickly become one of the most viewed films in recent times. The movie begins with the crowning of T’Challa as king of Wakanda after the death of his father. After being
named the Black Panther, he ingests a heart-shaped herb infused with a meteorite made of vibranium metal, which gives superhuman abilities to whoever consumes it. This gives him his powers as the Black Panther. However, shortly after his crowning, T’Challa is challenged by his cousin, N’Jadaka, for the position of the Panther. This is due to his dissenting opinion of how Wakanda should be ruled. The movie turns into a power struggle between Wakandans and outsiders over the use of their precious vibranium. It has been used by citizens of Wakanda to develop advanced technology and isolate themselves from the rest of the world by posing as a
“third-world” country. Interestingly, “Black Panther” is the first Marvel film with a predominantly black cast and has received praise from many critics for the overall production, acting, screenplay and costuming. “Black Panther” made $1.3 billion worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film in 2018. It came in second to Marvel’s “Avengers: Infinity War.” It has also received several awards and nominations for its overall performance as a film. Manohla Dargis of the New York Times expressed her appreciation of the movie’s focus on black imagination, creation and liberation when she called it, “a jolt of a movie.” She also said, “It is an emblem of a past that was denied and a future that feels
very present.” The movie represents some of the struggles that African Americans face in today’s world, both politically and socially. Dwayne Wong of the Huffington Post said he views the film and its origins as “addressing serious political issues concerning Africa’s relationship to the West that is rarely given the serious attention that it deserves.” “Black Panther” acknowledges and celebrates everything from traditional African society to the preservation of identity within the exuberant confines of the fictional African nation of Wakanda. “Black Panther” a highly praised film which is available on Netflix, and partaking in this Wakandan adventure is highly encouraged.
Courtesy Cosmopolitan
“Black Panther” grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, making it the second highest grossing film of 2018.
26 october 2018
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Poetry Corner Water Line Destruction: The Great Flood
Red & Black Editors
breathing in water soggy newspapers soggy carpet soggy computers, sticky! musty, moldy, muggy, the inhalation of wet ink and water and sogginess. The Great Flood and Noah’s ark have brought nothing but soggy newspapers and despair.
Culture 13
14 Opinions
opinions Red & Black
26 October 2018
The Crisis of Food Insecurity in College Sydney Kightlinger Red & Black Editor
buying a case of Ramen noodles and instant macaroni and cheese instead of fresh produce and protein because you only have ten dollars for the entire week. It is a running gag that college students are broke and living off of Ramen
On college campuses across the nation, the “freshman fifteen” is a common refrain to explain the weight many college students gain during their first year on their own. It is a joke we all participate in to explain the terrible food we eat at odd hours simply because it is cheap or easy to obtain. However, the “freshman fifteen” is the manifestation of something much more pressing in America today: food insecurity. By definition, food insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. In practice, that means
cans. Nationally, this is a pressing issue that does not receive the coverage it deserves, but in academia, it is virtually not discussed. It is scientifically proven that the human body burns three times as many calories while thinking as op-
It is a running gag that college students are broke and living off of Ramen noodles, and unfortunately, many just accept that this is where we are supposed to be at this point in our lives. noodles, and unfortunately, many just accept that this is where we are supposed to be at this point in our lives. According to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, about 40 million people live in food-insecure households, which is 12 percent of Ameri-
posed to relaxing, so it is important to eat a balanced meal in order to perform well in academic endeavors. Recently, I attended a conference at Point Park University about how the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education is trying to combat this issue on the ten campuses within the city of
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.
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.
Pittsburgh. Many schools have started food pantries to assist students with identifiable need. Food banks and pantries across the nation try to curb this issue, but it is not enough. Furthermore, this problem cannot simply be solved on college campuses by instituting mandatory meal plans with limited options. “Sometimes they run out of food, and the students are forced to eat leftovers, which they may or may not be able to eat, but the menus do not change to accommodate the food switch,” said KT Tice ’19. “It is incredibly difficult to eat on campus with allergies because of the constantly changing availability of food in the Commons.” The current food insecurity that young adults face is a very real problem that leads many to make tough choices about their health and education based purely upon economics.
C ontac t 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
26 October 2018
Red & Black
15 Opinions
We Are All Americans and We Should Listen to Each Other
Courtesy Shutterstock.com
The current political landscape is hostile and polarized, but as members of the upcoming generation, it is our responsibility to allow for civil discourse with each other.
John Teslovich Red & Black Contributor
No matter your race, gender, sex or political affiliations, we can all agree that politics are something that many do not like to talk about, and for good reason. Politics by nature are extremely divisive, and no matter what you think of any persons or groups holding an office of significance, someone will either strongly agree or strongly disagree. As citizens of a democracy, we must agree to disagree in many uncomfortable situations because of our relationships with the people we have struck
up conversations with. Our political atmosphere has set up barriers that divide friends and family simply because of their beliefs. Families who used to clown and laugh at dinner now sit and eat without saying a word. People who typically would not care about politics are now shouting about Russian collusion or the failure of Venezuelan socialism, and they are dividing the political aisle even further. The best way for us to deal with this aggressive political climate is for everyone to accept that others have differing opinions and understand that we cannot force others to believe in everything we do. We can engage in civil discussions even with the most polarized of political opposites without raising any problems. “I want to hear everyone’s opinion. I do not mind if it is a viewpoint I dis-
agree with,” said Sydney Kightlinger ’21. “I know on some topics I lean more conservative than the normal college student, but ultimately I want everyone to have the right to self-determination and be open to personal evolution.” Kayla Marasia ‘19 agrees with the latter notion, but she is troubled by the contemporary political climate. “Unfortunately, it’s not a matter of opinions anymore; it’s a matter of values,” she said. “While I am always happy to have a respectful discussion with someone, I do not respect those who maintain intolerance for someone based on their sex, race, gender or other identities. But I understand the importance of a respectful dialogue about these topics.” We can engage with others by seeing everyone’s opinions as their own.
Intolerance of other people’s opinions simply because they are not your own is not the way to go about life. Engaging in debate does not mean that we have to vehemently attack one another or strive to “win” the debate. We should seek what is best for our families, our community and ourselves. We can debate whose ideology or ideas are better, whether conservatism or liberalism, socialism or capitalism, and whether we support some causes over others. We should seek to do the best we can so that we can do better by others, and it is important that we stick to our values in political dialogues and inform others of our points and opinions, but that we remain civil and communicate our views in the most appropriate manner.
sports
16 Sports
26 October 2018
Red & Black
Student Athlete Spotlight: Megan Berard ’20 Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
Megan Berard ‘20 is from Yardley, near the Philadelphia area, and she attended Pennsbury Senior High School. At Washington & Jefferson College, Berard is a financial economics major. Outside of the classroom, Berard is a member of the W&J women’s tennis team. Berard chose to play at W&J not only due to the distinguished athletic program, but also for the rigorous academics. “I fell in love with the school after I went to an overnight with my now-teammate Emily Green ‘19. We instantly connected, and after meeting the rest of the team, I knew this is where I belonged,” Berard said. She has been playing tennis since she was six. Berard started competing when she was 13. For most of her high school career, she only played doubles. However, in her senior year of high school, she started competing in singles, and at W&J she does both. Berard explained how tennis is one of the most complicated sports to master. She believes the most difficult part of tennis is deciding tactically and correctly what she is going to do and how she is going to play a point in about a
half a second after her opponent hits the ball. Also, she explained that a player’s mental state is crucial while playing a match. The last thing a player wants is to be nervous, anxious or even angry that their opponent's parents are cheering during your miss-hits. In order to play their best tennis game, a player must remain cool and collected. The W&J women’s tennis team just finished the 2018 season, finishing third in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). The team ended with a 6-1 record in the conference and ranked second in the PAC going into playoffs. This year, they were able to play Division II schools like California University of Pennsylvania, Ohio Northern University and Fairmont State University. The matches were fun and challenging, and Berard believes she played some of her best tennis during these matches. Berard has had a great experience playing at W&J. Each season brings challenges and lessons and has connected her with some of her closest friends. Her favorite memory occurred during the 2016 season. “I played 5th singles against another freshman on [Grove City’s] team. In the first set, I was down 5-1 and won six straight games to finish the set 7-5. The second
set, I cruised along and came out with the match win,” Berard said. This was the last point she needed to win the entire match against Grove City. “My teammates were the happiest I have ever seen them. It turns out that it was the first time we beat them in 30-some years. It felt amazing to be
part of that as a freshman and make my teammates proud,” Berard said. Overall, Berard is extremely grateful to play at W&J. Even though the team did not get the result that they wanted this season, Berard is thankful for the opportunity and is eager to train for next season.
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Megan Berard is on the women’s tennis team at W&J.
26 October 2018
Red & Black
Sports 17
Health and Fitness: The Importance of Sleep
Sydney Kightlinger ‘21 tries to get sleep during any free moment she has -- even in the newspaper office -- in order to keep her health in check.
Marcy Saldivar Red & Black Staff
A group of researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) conducted a sleep experiment on the largest scale ever recorded. Due to the large amounts of data the researchers were able to collect, this study magnified the already existing belief that sleep deprivation hinders people’s ability to carry out daily tasks. While the effects of sleep deprivation may go unnoticed to the average person, it can have catastrophic effects in regards to professions where indi-
viduals’ lives are at stake. Kimberly Fenn, associate professor of psychology and director of the MSU Sleep and Learning Lab, said, “If you look at mistakes and accidents in surgery, public transportation and even operating nuclear power plants, lack of sleep is one of the primary reasons for human error. There are many people in critical professions who are sleep-deprived. Research has found that nearly one-quarter of the people with procedure-heavy jobs have fallen asleep on the job.” Daily car and train accidents, air traffic control mistakes and surgery complications are commonly caused by the human error of someone suffering from sleep deprivation. Looking at historical disasters, such as Chernobyl, the Exxon Valdez oil spill and
the Challenger explosion, lack of sleep was a major contributor to the human error behind these events. To test the effects of sleep deprivation, Fenn’s team gathered roughly 250 people and had them complete a task-based test, evaluating their ability to memorize information and perform after being given specific directions. At 10 p.m., everyone took the test and, based on the results, met performance criteria. One half of the group was sent home to sleep, while the other half spent the night awake. All participants were re-tested the next morning. The group found that 15 percent of those who stayed awake failed in the morning, while only one percent of those who slept failed. “Sleep-deprived participants not only showed more errors
Courtesy Kayla Marasia
than those who slept, but they also showed a progressive increase in errors associated with memory as they performed the task -- an effect not observed in those who slept,” Fenn said. “This shows that the sleep-deprived group experienced a great deal of difficulty remembering where they were in the sequence during interruptions.” For students, this proves the theory that staying awake the night before an exam in order to study is actually harmful. Students are more likely to perform better if they get a full night’s sleep before the exam. This research is significant because it highlights the importance of sleep for those with risky jobs. When people’s lives are in danger, it is necessary for employees to get adequate sleep in order to keep the public -- and themselves -- safe.
18 Sports
Red & Black
26 October 2018
Penguins Have a Rocky Start to the Season
Courtesy WPXI.como
Although the Penguins are off to a rocky start, they are hoping to pick things back up for the rest of the season to come out on top once again.
John Teslovich Red & Black Contributor
With the Pittsburgh Penguins’ shaky performances recently, Pens fans are finding themselves asking, “Can the favorite team in our area make a comeback?” Unfortunately, this possibility is seeming more and more unlikely as the season progresses. After failing to pull off the heavily sought after three-peat of the 2017 season, many fans were frustrated that
their team could not clutch the coveted three season winning streak. This season has already left the team with an overall 2-3 win-lose deficit that it can hardly afford. With the Pens’ forceful loss of beloved goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, fans have been forced to put their remaining faith into Matt Murray. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old goalie suffered a concussion in the first game against the Montreal Canadiens. Coming out with a first game loss of 5-1 against the Canadiens, the Pens’ season is already off to a rocky start. In the third game of the season, Pittsburgh met up with the Canadiens again and slimmed the gap to a 3-4 loss. On the other hand, the two
wins that the Pens have achieved have shown the team some amount of favor. The Pens pulled in a 2-4 win over the Vegas Golden Knights and a 3-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Oct. 18. Fans are hopeful that the rest of the season will provide better outcomes than the first five games, but there is a big mountain to climb in the rest of the season. The next few games against the Edmonton Oilers, the Calgary Flames and the second matchup against the Vancouver Canucks can provide opportunities for the Penguins to pull ahead. While it is still too early to tell how the 2018 season will turn out, there is still hope for the Pens to take it
home. With the hopeful possibility of turning this season around, Pens fans still cheer on their home team with pride and a positive outlook. Fortunately, coming off the blocks with some rest after an early end to last season can provide the Pens with enough endurance to run through this season. Additionally, some young players coming into the mix with other aging players is helping to build a “dream team” to fill in the voids and coach the younger players into the next generation. Only time will tell how the season will run, but one thing is important, and that is that fans must keep faith in the beloved team of Pittsburgh.
26 October 2018
Red & Black
19 sports
Steelers Athlete Spotlight: JuJu Smith-Schuster Michael Nejak Red & Black Contributor
John “JuJu” Smith-Schuster, from Long Beach, Calif., is a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Before he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played college football at the University of Southern California (USC). On May 17, 2017, Smith-Schuster was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to a four-year $4.19 million contract with a $1.19 million signing bonus. He was drafted in the second round (62nd
which is given to the most outstanding Steelers rookie each year. In the 2018 season, Smith-Schuster is already having an impressive performance. However, he still has room for improvement. During the Steelers’ most recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Smith-Shuster made a vicious hit against the Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. This caused a lot of controversy and tension to build throughout the week between the two of them. In reference to the dirty hit he made on Antonio Brown last season, Burfict threatened that the same was going to happen to Smith-Schuster the next time they play each other. “You’re next,” Burfict said. Athough he avoided any fines from the NFL for the
Due to the remarkable performance he had in the 2017 season, Smith-Schuster received the Joe Greene Great Performance Award, which is given to the most outstanding Steelers rookie each year. overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. Upon his debut for the Steelers, he was the youngest player in the entire National Football League. During his rookie year playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he appeared in a total of fourteen games. Within those games, Smith-Shuster made 58 receptions for 917 yards, averaging 15.8 yards per reception. At the end of the season, he had a total of eight touchdowns and 39 first downs. Due to the remarkable performance he had in the 2017 season, Smith-Schuster received the Joe Greene Great Performance Award,
hit, the Bengals players and fans were making threats against Smith-Schuster, saying that he spit on Burfict after the dirty hit. “I'm not worried about revenge from the Bengals for the hit I made on Vontaze Burfict,” Smith-Schuster commented. Looking past this recent controversy, Smith-Schuster is a remarkable athlete that is full of energy. He is one of the best examples of how the game of football can still be fun. With the season underway, hopefully Smith-Schuster is able to make an impact yet again.
Courtesy Yahoo! Sports
Courtesy BehindtheSteelCurtain.com
Juju Smith- Schuster wears number 19 and plays wide receiver for the Steelers.
20 sports
Red & Black
26 October 2018
Last Week’s Scores
Oct. 16
Women’s Tennis v. Thiel 9-0 Win Volleyball v. Waynesburg 3-0 Win Field Hockey v. Wooster 2-1 Win
Oct. 17
Men’s Soccer v. Saint Vincent 3-0 Win Women’s Soccer v. Saint Vincent 4-1 Win
Oct. 18
Volleyball v. Geneva 3-1 Win Men’s Water Polo v. Penn State Behrend 11-9 Win
Oct. 19
Women’s Tennis v. Westminster 3-5 Loss
Oct. 20
Volleyball v. Saint Vincent 3-1 Win Field Hockey v. Houghton 2-0 Win Football v. Westminster 20-27 Loss Men’s Soccer v. Westminster 2-4 Loss Women’s Tennis v. Geneva 5-2 Win Women’s Soccer v. Westminster 1-0 Win
Courtesy gopresidents.com
Next Week’s Games Oct. 27
Oct. 21
Men’s Golf at Denison Virtues Fall Shoot Out 7th of 7
Men’s Cross Country at PAC Championships (A) Women’s Cross Country at PAC Championships (A) Volleyball v. Grove City (H)- 11am Men’s Water Polo v. McKendree (A)- 12pm Women’s Soccer v. Waynesburg (A)- 1pm Field Hockey v. Elmira (H)- 1pm Men’s Soccer v. Waynesburg (A)- 3:30pm Men’s Water Polo v. Monmouth (A)- 6:30pm
Oct. 28
Men’s Water Polo v. Lindenwood (A)- 9am
Oct. 30
Volleyball at PAC Quarterfinals (A)
Oct. 31 Courtesy gopresidents.com
Women’s Basketball v. Youngstown State (A)- 7pm