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 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 November 13, 2015
SAIL Presents: The REal Deal Crazy Game SHow by Carolyn Tomlinson, page 2 Courtesy Carolyn Tomlinson
OPINIONS: CONSTRUCTION NOISE PAGE 14
SPORTS: WOMEN’S FIELD HOCKEY PAGE 19
2 CAMPUS NEWS
13 N ovember 2015
SAIL Presents The Real Deal Crazy Game Show Red & Black
Courtesy Carolyn Tomlinson
Carolyn Tomlinson Red&Black editor On Friday, Nov. 6, Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership brought a unique event to campus. The Real Deal Crazy Game Show, run by Ralph Tetta, featured trivia and physical challenges in exchange for cash and prizes. True to most game shows, there is a risk in choosing prizes. Tetta allowed contestants to choose between cash, a secret box that either contained a Dollar Store prize or one worth upwards of $20, or an envelope that held cash or whatever was inside the box. Contestants were chosen by Tetta depending on their level of enthusiasm. The contestant begins their round by picking a number that corresponds with a trivia question. The questions
ranged from easy geography questions to knowing what words mean in a foreign language. Tetta requested the audience be completely silent so as to not give away the answer. If the contestant answered correctly, they were given a chance to spin a wheel that determined the amount of money they would win. If the answer was wrong, they were given a physical challenge to complete. The challenges ranged from throwing three playing cards into a hat to unraveling an entire roll of toilet paper in less than one minute. If the challenge was completed within the time limit, the contestant was given a change to spin the wheel. After determining the amount of money at stake, Tetta then gave each contestant the option to return the money and choose
the prize in the box. Some contestants chose the box and were rewarded: Lauren Frazetta (Class of 2017) won a set of pocket phone chargers. Unfortunately, others were not as lucky. One contestant gave up the cash and ended up with a can of Spaghetti-O’s and a batteryoperated tea light candle, advertised as a romantic meal for two. Each contestant won a t-shirt worth $10. Some students decided to make a deal with Tetta: if they surrendered half the cash they won, he allowed them to pick an envelope. Inside the envelope, Tetta had written things such as: “Open the box,” “Name all the states beginning with M” and “Bark like a dog.” If the contestant followed the instructions, they received more money. Tetta noted which student had won the
most money, and at the end of the night, that student was called back on stage for a chance to win a bigger prize. Two boxes were presented to the contestant; one contained a Dollar Store prize, and one contained a prize worth around $100. Frazetta was the lucky winner at the end of the night. Unfortunately, she chose the wrong box and missed her chance to win an iHome after surrendering her previously won prizes. Fortunately, Tetta decided to be generous and allowed her to keep the chargers, t-shirt and cash. The game show was met with mixed reviews from attendees. Lauren Lamm (Class of 2016) was impressed with the event. “It was a nice change of pace from the performers we usually bring to campus. It also helped that there was a chance to win cash and real
prizes. Hopefully more events like this will be brought to campus in the future,” said Lamm. Seth Rimdzius (Class of 2017) had high hopes for Tetta’s show, but felt it didn’t live up to his expectations: “While it was a good idea in theory, I think the execution made it fall flat. I felt like there was too much downtime in between contestants and the show was predictable. It was nice to have something unique brought to campus, though. I also appreciated the comedy aspect of the show too, but it felt like not all his jokes resonated with those in attendance.” While there may be some bugs to work out in Tetta’s show, it seemed like the majority of students in attendance were pleased with the event, and many hope to see more events like this on campus in the future.
13 N ovember 2015
Red & Black
3 CAMPUS NEWS
Campus Question: What do you like most about W&J? "One of my favorite things about W&J is that there is such a great atmosphere here. The people are so welcoming and great. I also think we have great faculty that are willing to help us succeed." - Morgan Miller (Class of 2018)
"I love the history of W&J. Everything is great on this small campus. I think it such a great school and it has definitely impacted my life for the better. I could not have picked a greater school." - Ryan Bush (Class of 2018)
Professor Spotlight: Dr. Heather Liebling Mario Tiberie Red&Black Contributor
If you have ever been inside the Burnett Center or have taken a Communication Arts class, chances are that you have met the spectacular Professor Heather Liebling. Professor Liebling was born and raised in Long Island, New York, but ended up working on her dissertation at the University of Pittsburgh. While there, a friend who was
working at W&J (but was also leaving) told her that she was looking for a replacement and recommended the job to her. Now Professor Liebling is a freshman academic advisor and teaches a variety of Communication Arts classes at W&J. Professor Liebling found a love for media while growing up near the cultural powerhouse of New York City, but she also gained a respect for the arts from her parents. “My parents often took me to see Broadway shows, and I gained my love of film from
my dad,” she stated. Although Professor Liebling changed her mind a couple of times, she ultimately chose to become what her mom was: a teacher. There are many aspects of teaching at W&J that appeal to Professor Liebling such as the intimate nature of the campus and the close relationships between the students and faculty. “I was genuinely surprised when I came here and saw members of the administration and faculty calling students on the street by their names and having conversa-
tions with them. I love making connections and being able to give personal attention to my students,” she said. Professor Liebling especially loves being a part of the Communication Arts Department here at W&J, which she feels has a variety of strong emphases and crossover options with other majors. About the department, she said, “Our Communication Arts Department’s strong roster of faculty members easily helps arm students for life outside of the classroom by providing them with tools
that are highly applicable in the real world for a variety of professions.” Outside of the classroom, Professor Liebling is a selfproclaimed television addict, film buff and, as anyone who has a class with her knows, an "I Love Lucy" connoisseur. She is also a make-up enthusiast and enjoys practicing both yoga and tennis. Professor Liebling teaches TV & Society (freshmen only), Public Speaking, Children’s Media during Intersession and Film Form and Genre during the summer.
4 CAMPUS NEWS
Alumni Spotlight : Dr. Kurt W. King Red & Black
Lauren Virgin Red&Black Staff
Committing to W&J was not a hard decision. With three uncles and a grandfather as alumni, it is easy to say that President blood runs in the family. My uncle, Dr. Kurt King has always been a big influence in my life. I have admired his intelligence, successful career and determination. His accomplishments inspired me to continue the family legacy at W&J. King graduated from W&J in 1990 with a BA in biology. He then went on to graduate from medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. King is currently working as a family physician in Peters Township with the Allegheny Health System. King decided to attend W&J based on his family history and the school’s stellar reputation. His father, Arthur H. King, was also a W&J alum and a family physician. King wished to follow in his father’s footsteps: “[My father] had nothing but praises of the college. I had decided I wanted to be a doctor and knew W&J had a good prehealth program,” he said. King gives credit to W&J for his success in postgraduate education. He said, “Most of the classes had tests that were essay based, and studying
13 N ovember 2015
SECURITY LOGS Date: 10/03/2015 Incident: Alcohol Possession Campus and Public Safety responded to Upperclass Hall where an underage student was intoxicated and vomited. The student was transported to the hospital. Date: 10/09/2015 Incident: Illegal Drugs Campus and Public Safety responded to Bica-Ross Hall where the smell of marijuana was reported. The resident turned over a tiny amount. No charges were filed, the school will handle the incident. Date: 10/11/2015 Incident: Harassment Campus and Public Safety responded to Grant Hall where female students walking by were yelled at by a group of males who fled and could not be identified. No charges were filed. Date: 10/15/2015 Incident: Theft
Courtesy Lauren Virgin
Dr. Kurt W. King is a 1990 graduate of W&J College. He is currently working as a physician in Allegheny County.
required critical thinking and application of concepts. W&J education required a lot of self-study and time commitment for a higher level of understanding, which definitely prepared me well for medical school.” One of King’s daughters is beginning her college search, and she and her father have already visited W&J’s campus. King said, “If she chose to go to W&J, I would be happy knowing she would get a great education.” King did
note, however, that the tuition has vastly increased since he graduated. King’s advice for current pre-health students looking to get into medical school is “to get good grades, do well on the MCATS, and know that research opportunities help and extracurricular activities show you are a well rounded applicant. [The] most important [piece of advice] is to apply to many schools. It doesn’t matter where you go, just get in!”
Campus and Public Safety responded to 325 Parking Lot where an unknown person forced open the window of a locked car belonging to a student and took a computer. No charges were filed. Date: 10/25/2015 Incident: Alcohol Other Campus and Public Safety responded to Bica-Ross Hall where it was reported that a student was passed out in a suite. The student was not intoxicated. The school will handle the incident. Date: 10/27/2015 Incident: Harassment Campus and Public Safety responded to Marshall Hall where a student reported having terminated a relationship and the other student has sent rude messages by voice and e-mail. The student did not wish to pursue charges at this time.
13 N ovember 2015
W&J Local Business Ambassador Program
5 CAMPUS NEWS
THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS
Red & Black
Participating Businesses:
• Barbiere - $3.00 off hair cut with W&J Student ID • Chicco Baccello - 10% discount with W&J College ID • China Express - 10% discount with W&J Student ID • Eat N' Park - 10% discount with W&J Student ID • Fanatic Impressions - Authorized emblems for all W&J fraternities and sororities and with orders of 12 or more t-shirts, a donation of $1.00 per shirt will be made to your group's philanthropy • Fortuitea Cafe and Bakery - 10% off total bill, free delivery ($20 minimum), 15% special occasion cakes, with W&J Student ID • How Lee - 10% discount on order of $10 or more; free delivery to residence halls with W&J Student ID • Hyatt Place Pittsburgh South - W&J College locked-in rate of $119 a night with complementary hot breakfast • Los Patrones Tacos - $6.00 daily specials Monday-Sunday, anytime throughout business hours with W&J Student ID • Mark Shrader's MMA Academy - $69 a month for any offered programs with W&J Student ID • Menchie's Frozen Yogurt - 20% off with W&J Student ID • Mr. Gyros - 20% off entire bill anytime with W&J Student/Employee ID • Napoli Restaurant and Lounge - 10% discount with W&J College ID (student, faculty, or staff) • Nunnie's Place at the Southside - 15% off total bill (excluding alcohol and tax) with W&J Student ID • Papa John's Pizza - One large one-topping pizza for $8.99 with W&J Student ID • Peppinos - 15% discount with W&J Student ID • Southside Hair Designs - 20% off all hair care services with W&J Student ID • Sweet Frog Washington - 25% off yogurt purchase with W&J Student ID • Tanger Outlets - Free coupon book every visit with W&J Student ID • Three Guys Pizza Piez - 15% discount with W&J Student ID • The Upper Crust Italian Bistro - 5% discount with W&J College ID • Vocelli Pizza - 10% discount with W&J Student ID • Wong's Wok - 10% discount with W&J Student ID
Friday: - Student Appreciation Sale – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Campus Store - Free Bowling with W&J ID – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Alpine Lanes - Frisbee Friday – 4 p.m. on Tech Center Lawn - SAIL Movies in the Commons: Ant Man – 5:30 at Parcell Room - 1781 Pub Inaugural Happy Hour – 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Faculty/Staff Dining Room - Monticello's – 9 p.m. at Hub LL
Saturday: - W&J Wrestling Invitational – 9:30 a.m. at Henry Gymnasium - Football vs Waynesburg – 1:30 p.m. at Cameron Stadium - SAIL Movies in the Alley: Ant Man – 2 p.m. at The Alley (Hub LL) - Monticello's Live Performer: Brett Young – 9 p.m. at Hub LL - SAIL Movies in the Alley: Ant Man – 9:30 p.m. at The Alley (Hub LL) Sunday: - SAIL Movies in the Alley: Ant Man – 2 p.m. at The Alley (Hub LL) - Men's Basketball vs Baldwin Wallace – 3 p.m. at Henry Gymnasium - SAIL Movies in the Alley: Ant Man – 9:30 p.m. at The Alley (Hub LL)
Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Social Media Chair Recruitment Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Arts Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser
emily sterk amiti sharma lauryn halahurich bailey mudrick brittany graft shannon adams carolyn tomlinson katherine campbell siddhanta bista lauren lamm carolyn wilson jack myint mackenzie jakobs mike kovak
6 life
Red & Black
13 N ovember 2015
Missouri Executing Mentally Handicapped Man for Murder
Courtesy huffingtonpost.com
Ben Langdon Red&Black Contributor The state of Missouri is set to execute a man with an IQ of 63, Ernest Lee Johnson, for the murder of three convenience store workers in 1994. Johnson’s lawyers have attempted to prevent his lethal injection many times throughout the years. Due to the special circumstances surrounding Johnson’s mental state, the United States Supreme Court issued an order granting a
temporary stay of execution on Tuesday, No 3, 2015. The order stated, “The application is granted pending the disposition of petitioner’s appeal. Petitioner’s complaint alleges that Missouri’s method of execution violates the Eighth Amendment as applied to a person with his particular medical condition.” In 2008, Johnson had the majority of a benign brain tumor removed. A recent MRI shows that 20 percent of his brain tissue was removed. One appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court claims that due to the
condition of Johnson’s brain, the execution drug will cause a violent and painful seizure. Another appeal claims that Johnson should not be executed because he is mentally handicapped. The Missouri attorney general’s office states that both of Johnson’s lawyers’ claims are without merit. A medical report by Dr. Joel Zivot states, “Mr. Johnson faces a significant medical risk for a serious seizure as the direct result of the combination of the Missouri lethal injection protocol and
Mr. Johnson’s permanent and disabling neurologic disease.” While Johnson was on death row in 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that executing the mentally handicapped was unconstitutional. In 2003, Johnson was sentenced to death again. Soon after, the Missouri Supreme Court tossed out that sentence, as well. In 2006, Johnson was sentenced to death for the third time. Johnson’s lawyers are currently appealing for Missouri to use a different
form of execution that will not cause severe pain to Johnson. The only other legal form of execution in Missouri is the gas chamber. Since Missouri has not executed someone with lethal gas since 1965 and there are no working gas chambers within Missouri, the Missouri attorney general’s office is claiming that a gas chamber execution is not a feasible or readily available alternative. As it stands now, the Missouri Supreme Court will have to set a new execution date for Johnson.
13 N ovember 2015
7 life
Red & Black
Police Enforce "Safe Zones" for Craiglist Buyers and Sellers
Courtesy theamericangenius.com
Leah Segal Red&Black Staff In past years, the horror stories associated with utilizing exchange websites such as Craigslist have grown substantially and have caused fear within the buying and selling community. Since 2009 alone, the Huffington Post reports there have been 45 murders tied to Craigslist. That being said, the threat of being harmed, robbed or even murdered certainly outweighs a need for a couch or car. However, police forces around the country have found ways to combat this problem, while ensuring both the buying and selling party are content. Starting last year
in Boca Raton, Fla., local police stations began to offer their parking lots to Craigslist consumers, to provide security during a transaction. Generally, the consumer will contact the police station
havens in Florida, they can be found in Virginia, and are spreading all across the nation. Without these zones, the use of Craigslist would otherwise be few and far between. Last summer alone in
of “Craigslist crimes,” as there are less people who would risk committing crimes right under the nose of the police. Besides the initial creation of these “safe zones,” police stations are hoping to remind
Meeting people at a private residence is never a good idea, as there are many possible dangers, and even public parking losts still pose a threat. and ask to use the lot for their transaction. “Officers do not get involved or actively monitor the transaction, although many police parking lots and lobbies have surveillance cameras as an added backup,” said Tom Jackman of the Washington Post. Since the implementation of these police safe
Boca Raton, there were cases of “three of four robberies [that] took place where a victim made plans to see an iPhone or computer” in public places, said Boca Raton Officer Sandra Boonenberg. Therefore, the use of actual police stations help to drastically cut down on the amount
others of their positive influence in the community. City Chief Carl Pardiny even stated, “I’ll gladly give up two of my parking spaces, to create an atmosphere that we’re at a location that’s safe. Policing is not about lawenforcing completely. It is about providing quality-of-
life-based services to our residents and business owners.” Police officers are making an extended effort to ensure their citizens remain safe, while receiving the product they are purchasing. Overall, whether you are buying a computer, car or phone off of Craigslist, always be smart. Meeting at a private residence is never a good idea, as there are many possible dangers, and even public parking lots still pose a threat when making a deal with a brazen criminal. That being said, if those concert tickets or refrigerator are a must, contacting the local police station may be the best option. In the end, the buyer and the seller remain safe and receive exactly what they expect.
8 life
Red & Black
13 N ovember 2015
Hitting Home: Suicide Rates of Small Towns Katie Campbell Red&Black editor
I grew up in an extremely small town in Pennsylvania near the West Virginia border. Growing up in a small town meant many things: the roads always had giant potholes, the smell of farm animals was nearly inescapable, the tractor parade was one of the highlights of the school year and suicide, while still uncommon in practice, was a common thought among many community members. Suicide is now the tenth leading cause of death among Americans, accounting for 12.6 deaths in every 100,000 people. In metropolitan areas, suicide rates rose 7 percent between 2004 and 2013. However, in rural areas, suicide rates between the same years saw a 20 percent increase. This difference in suicide rates between metropolitan and rural areas can be attributed to many things: mainly isolation, a lack of privacy, a higher instance of the mentality that you have to solve your own problems and reduced access to mental health treatment. One of the most unique aspects of small-town life is how everyone knows what is going on in your life and yet you can often feel extremely alone. People in rural areas often feel isolated partially due to the fact that they often live far away from other people, and more so due to the fact they often are part of or are
raised by an older generation that believes you should not have to call on others to solve your problems for you. Because of this mentality, people do not often share their feelings and problems with others and instead just bottleup their negative thoughts instead of addressing them. Contrary to what you might believe, however, people in rural areas do not often enjoy a great deal of privacy due to the fact that everyone knows you and your family; they can recognize your car parked in a strange parking lot, and news travels like wildfire. Because of isolation, people often harbor depressive thoughts, and, because of a lack of privacy, people do not want to seek help because they do not want to let their problems be known to the entire community. Even if they did want to seek help, however, most small towns barely have a doctor’s office much less access to a mental health professional. In fact, according to the
Courtesy japanconsidered.com
Above, small Pennsylvania town, Shellesburg, with a whopping population of 334.
and feelings themselves and, eventually, committing suicide because the strain is too much. Garrett Cilli (Class of 2019), who grew up in the
knows everyone and is in everyone else’s business” as taking a role in small town suicides because no one wants to risk looking weak in front
Suicide is a problem that can rattle and leave a lasting effect on any community, particularly small towns. Department of Health and Human Services, 55 percent of counties in the United States, all of them rural, do not have even one psychologist, psychiatrist or social worker. All of these problems lead to people attempting to handle all of their negative thoughts
small town of Hookstown, Pa., identified an additional problem that can lead to an increased rate of suicide in small towns. “Alcohol and substance abuse plays a big role in small-town suicides,” said Cilli. Cilli also identified the problem that “everyone
of the entire community. Like I said, suicide in the town where I grew up was not common, but it was not unheard of. I can remember writing a student’s name on my wrist my freshman year of high school in memory of a boy who committed suicide at a neighboring school; I
remember talking to a tearful family friend about how his friend took his own life; and I remember my mother sitting me down and explaining to me that I wouldn’t be seeing one of our neighbors anymore because he had died at his own hand the week before. Suicide is a problem that can rattle and leave a lasting effect on any community, particularly small towns. Katilyn Vogel (Class of 2018) best summed it up when she said, “No matter if you live in a big town or small town, suicide can have an impact on everyone in the community. Whether it is a student or a parent, the community as a whole grieves.”
13 N ovember 2015
9 life
Red & Black
Travel Accessory to the Philippines:Plastic Wrap
Courtesy cnbc.com
Christopher Frydryck Red&Black Staff
Airport security has been taken more seriously around the globe for the past two decades. Primarily because airports and airplanes are a hub for public involvement in confined spaces, terroristic attacks have been on the rise. This led to many countries implementing their own security check before entering their preferred terminal. However, in the capital of the Philippines, Manila, an airport has been implementing a frightening travel scam that has ended in hefty fines,
and for some in prision. Staff of the Manila Airport have been subtly dropping ammunition into people’s luggage and carry-on bags in order to extort the victims for money. Essentially, the airport security will drop a bullet in one’s luggage, follow security protocol, then blackmail the innocent passengers with jail time if they do not pay them a large fine. In one case, an American Missionary had a bullet planted in his luggage and was interrogated, soon leading to a 30,000 Peso request ($USD 636.) The anonymous American had declined the bribe, landing him in prison for “il-
legal possession of live ammunition” and later released on bail. Possession of live ammunition in an airport is rather unfortunate for anybody in the Philippines. In fact, the possession of ammunition off private property within the country is horrific since in the Philippines, possession of live ammunition is punishable by six to 12 years in jail. This law is enforced also outside of the Philippines airports, and in the past couple years, including the Republic Act 10591 which enforces firearm registration renewal and gunsmith repair registration, as well as the live ammunition laws that
are being abused at the Manila Airport. This extortion scheme held by the security agents of the airport has been taken rather seriously around the globe. The United Nations has been informing diplomats and other tourists about this scheme and have publicly announced in a statement from Manila, “In its advisory, the United Nations warned its employees to lock their luggage, never keep bags out of sight and consider wrapping them in plastic.” Extortion schemes and tricks are nothing new to foreign countries preying on tourism. With a lack of knowledge and a gen-
eral language barrier, tourists are an easy target to get extra money from. However, this used to be an issue with gypsies and low-life con-artists, but now it is in the people we trust: airport security. On Nov. 18, President of the United States Barrack Obama, as well as several other world leaders intend to visit the Philippines for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. By this date, Manila intends to have extra security cameras at terminals as well as security checks in order to look carefully at the real menace of the airport, their employees.
A R T S
10 arts
Red & Black
13
november
2015
Movie Review: “The Last Witch Hunter”
Courtesy wearemoviegeeks.com
Diana Ciarallo Red&Black staff “Remember your death….” One’s past can craft the course of one’s life and, sometimes, no matter what we do, it can be inexorably tied to the future. As the Witch Hunter opens amidst a vast, snowy wilderness 800 years ago, audiences discover how one man’s death will act as the missing puzzle piece that will predetermine not just his own future, but also that of the entire world order. Fast forward eight centuries or so and the viewer finds that,
even in our modern day and age, there is an epic, largely unknown struggle between good and evil being waged every day. No one knows this better than the immortal witch hunter, Kaulder (Vin Diesel). The Witch Hunter is cursed to live forever by the Witch Queen (Julie Engelbrecht). Kaulder has spent his endless life acting as a living “weapon” for the Axe and Cross –a secret, religious order that upholds the fragile, centuries old truce that exists between witches and the rest of humanity. He maintains peace between good and
evil by bringing justice to witches who cause any harm to humans. Kaulder killed the Witch Queen 800 years ago. Kaulder expected to die in his battle with the witch but did not mind because he would be reunited with his wife and daughter, both of whom died of the black plague that the Witch Queen released. Instead, the witch queen cursed Kaulder with immortality and inadvertently created an immortal enemy for her kind. Kaulder initially views his immortality as a curse but parlays it into a lucrative modern day
arrangement with the Axe and Cross. For centuries, this unsteady peace is maintained. The truce is now threatened when Dolan the 36th (Michael Caine) is afflicted with dark magic. Dolan the 36th is one man in a long succession of assistant-priests assigned by the order to aid Kaulder. The last witch hunter discovers a rogue Warlock Witch has afflicted Dolan the 36th and plans to use this to resurrect the Witch Queen. The Witch Queen intends to return and sink her evil tree roots into the world once more by unleashing the Black Plague again. Acquiring the
help of Dolan the 37th (Elijah Wood) and that of a good witch (Rose Leslie), Kaulder discovers that he must dive head on into his tragic past, requiring him, at times, to navigate the treacherous world of dreams, in order to recover the full, shocking details of what happened on the day of his fateful encounter with the Queen. In the world of “The Last Witch Hunter”, magic works as curiously as the drugs and alcohol that some of these witches so fondly consumeproducing visions that are all strange, beautiful, horrible and, at times, deadly as well.
13
november
2015
Red & Black
"Becoming Beyoncé" Biography Published Carolyn Wilson Red&Black Staff
Who doesn’t know Queen Bey? If you do not, then you are living under a rock because our lives have been blessed with the goddess that is Beyoncé since the formation of Destiny’s Child in 1990. I understand people have their “I’m so over Beyoncé” hipster nonsense, but anyone who says her music and voice cannot make you move is a liar. However, if you are a part of the Bey Hive then you probably know that famed celebrity biographer, J. Randy Taraborrelli recently released "Becoming Beyoncé," an unauthorized biography of Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter. It may not be conclusive- it is unauthorized- but Taraborrelli dishes out some interesting tidbits of Beyoncé’s life. For starters, Beyoncé has dealt with sinus infections her whole life. Before concerts Beyoncé would have a piece of paper at her feet, hold one nostril and blow. When recording "XO", she decided to keep the “rawness” of her vocals. So the next time you listen to "XO" remember, that it is the work of a sinus infection. Furthermore, she almost signed with Prince when Destiny’s Child was called Girls Tyme. Former Destiny’s Child, LaTavia Roberson and Beyoncé almost formed a duo with Roberson rapping and Beyoncé singing. Prince heard it and loved it, but as you can
11 arts
Poetry Corner By Diana Ciarallo “Coffin Nails”
Courtesy factmag.com
The first comprehensive biography of Beyoncé was published this past October.
tell nothing came of it. Another fact: She kicked her former manager’s son in the nuts. When Beyoncé’s manager was Andretta Tillman, both of their families were close and one of Tillman’s sons, Chris, would annoy Beyoncé, so she kicked him in the crotch. The biography also reveals that on a dare, Beyoncé mooned Usher back in her pre-Destiny’s Child days. Taraborrelli also notes that Diddy, or Sean Combs, had the opportunity to sign Beyoncé but decided she was not “hip enough.” Biggest mistake of the century. Readers discover that her first kiss was with Lyndall Locke at a Brian McKnight concert when Beyoncé was 13, and that when Destiny’s Child was breaking-up, Beyoncé isolated herself in her room for weeks, too depressed to come out. "Becoming Beyoncé" additionally notes that it was not love at first sight between Beyoncé and Jay-Z. When rumors were spreading that the two were a couple, her response was “ewww.” Harsh, Beyoncé. She took up painting while filming “Austin Powers
in Goldmember;” which she takes very seriously, as one of her associates came to find out. She may or may not have had breast implants. “Bigger boobs are sexy” Beyoncé was rumored to have said. Wondering where “Sasha Fierce” came from? Her cousin Angela Beyoncé gave her that nickname after Beyoncé threw a $250,000 pair of earrings into the crowd during a concert. From 2005-2006 Beyoncé and Jay-Z broke things off. It was rumored that Jay-Z and Rihanna had an affair, but a publicist said it was a PR stunt to get Rihanna into fame. Obama gave Beyoncé his number after she performed “At Last” at his inaugural ball in 2009. He gave her his private number and said “Call me anytime,” although no one knows if she has used it yet. Blue Ivy has “daily programs” set by Beyoncé. With two parents making millions, someone has to watch Blue Ivy. And that elevator incident? It was about Rihanna. Jay-Z wanted to go to a party hosted by Rihanna, which Beyoncé was not having. Not that exciting if Solange was not there.
The forge is busy at work Tray stands ready to receive Amidst the fire and smoke The blacksmith gasps for breath He pulls a finished nail from the forge Leaves it to cool on the tray Hordes of darkness slither from it A choking black veil More nails are finished Breath turns to tar He falls to the ground Nails clatter in their tray Sitting proudly Amidst their sooty brethren Waiting for the chance to seal Their creator’s coffin
“Pillow Talk” Going to sleep Like tumbling down a rabbit hole Into a fever dream world Of delirium and curiosity Winter defrosts into ocean-less beaches My mind is stretched And mashed and pulled Unsure of what is the truth anymore I met a cat on the way once Though he did not smile He tried to keep me there Make me stay for a while Though I never sat down at any tea parties There were plenty of madmen Who spoke to me in riddles Trying to teach me the mysteries of my mind.
12 arts
Red & Black
13
november
2015
Taylor Swift Announces Hiatus: Leaves Blank Space in the Hearts of Fans
Courtesy wordpress.com
Carolyn Tomlinson Red&Black Editor After nine years of being in the spotlight, Taylor Swift has decided to take a hiatus from music after her 1989 tour ends in December. It has been rumored that she is worried about becoming overexposed: after releasing three albums and going on three national tours in six years, the singer is worried her fans will become tired of her. This hiatus will allow Swift to be 25, and do things normal 25-year-olds do: spend her downtime with friends and her boyfriend of eight months,
Scottish DJ Calvin Harris. The break will also allow her to spend more time with her mother, who was diagnosed with cancer in April. Swift has said in previous interviews that she relies heavily on her mother when dealing with anxiety in the industry: “If you let your anxiety get the better of you, like everybody’s waiting for you to really mess up, then you’ll be done…a lot of the time I call my mom and talk for a really long time, just to remind myself of all the things that are great and that matter.” One of Swift’s main concerns is that her fans will get tired of her releasing new
material on a regular basis, and the idea for a hiatus was brought into play. Many fans are questioning whether or not Swift will continue to write music during her time off. Unfortunately, Swift has not given any hints about whether or not she will continue to write music during this time off. As Swift has been working non-stop since the release of “Shake It Off ” in August of 2014, she is worried her brain won’t be able to come up with new music that is up to her standards. Swift has commented on her next album, questioning how it
will turn out. “How could the next one be as big? Maybe the next album will be a bridge to somewhere else. Or maybe I’ll just go ahead and change everything,” said Swift. Faithful fans are taking the hiatus to heart; many who go to her concerts every year are left wondering when her next tour will be, or if there will be one at all. Lauren Lamm (Class of 2016), one of Swift’s devoted fans, hopes this time away from the limelight will be beneficial to Swift. “I’m surprised that after so much success, she’s taking a break. I hope that she takes time to relax and she comes back
even stronger. With each new album, she reinvents herself, so I hope that she will take this time to recenter herself,” said Lamm. Sue Tran (Class of 2017) agrees with Lamm: “You’re hearing about Taylor Swift so much lately, so I’m happy that she’ll be taking a break from the limelight.” Whether or not fans agree with Swift’s decision to take a hiatus from performing, the majority of them are hoping she comes back more relaxed and stronger than ever before. There is no word on how long she will be gone, but Swift fans are hopeful it will be soon.
13
november
2015
Red & Black
Book Review: "Where Women Are Kings" Emily Sterk Red&Black Editor-In-Chief In her novel, "Where Women are Kings," Christie Watson explores the sensitive and emotional topics of child abuse, infertility and the bonds adopted children form with their new parents. The novel centers on a biracial couple Nikki and her Nigerian husband, Obi, who live in London. Struggling with fertility, Nikki and Obi have suffered numerous miscarriages and a stillbirth; the couple therefore turn to adoption in the hopes of helping a child in need. Nikki and Obi adopt a seven-year-old boy named Elijah, who also shares Obi’s Nigerian heritage. Although the adoption is initially considered to be a smooth transition for all members of the new family, Nikki and Obi soon become aware of the severity of Elijah’s experiences of psychological trauma and abuse that he suffered from while living with his mentally ill biological mother, Deborah. After the premature death of her husband, Deborah comes to believe that her son is possessed by an evil spirit, falling trap to hallucinations and paranoia. She brainwashes Elijah into believing that was born with sin and that a demonic wizard has taken control of his body. Deborah turns to extreme measures such as physical abuse to banish the wizard from her son. In an effort to ease Elijah’s
13 arts
Puzzle Corner
Courtesy amazon.com
transition and relieve his psychological trauma, Nikki and Obi do all they can to make their new son feel loved and to make him feel as though he belongs in their family. They integrate Elijah into the extended family, including Obi’s father, who forms a close bond with Elijah as they both cherish their Nigerian roots, and Jasmin, Nikki’s niece. The three also attend family therapy sessions and keep in close contact with Elijah’s social worker. Unfortunately, Elijah cannot combat the wizard he believes is inside of him, as he views the wizard as the only remaining link he has with his birth mother. Watson writes from different perspectives of Nikki, Elijah and Deborah in order to convey the complexity of the situation and the cultur-
ally sensitivities underlying it. Instead of depicting Deborah as a villainous character, Watson explains the mother’s back-story through confessional letters. Not only does this technique allow Deborah to become a complex, humanized figure, but it also highlights the cross-cultural differences between the English and Nigerian families. Watson emphasizes that Deborah’s mental illness is not the result of a character flaw, but rather because of immense grief and alienation. Watson takes on a heavy social issues – child abuse, race, religion and mental health – and writes with intelligence and empathy. As readers, we come to gradually comprehend the actions of Deborah and Elijah and form a sense of compassion for all characters in the story.
Courtesy upload.wikimedia.org
Word Wheel Instructions: Your aim is to create as many words of two letters or more using the letters in the word wheel only once in each word, and always including the letter in the center of the wheel.
Courtesy puzzle-magazine.com
14 opinions However, the noise of cranes, diggers and construction workers...
Red & Black
13 N ovember 2015
OPINIONS
Prohibitionist laws have led to unprecedented levels of violence...
New Construction is Distrubing Student Sleep Schedules Leah Segal Red&Black Staff Like any student here at W&J, upon the announcement of construction to begin on the James David Ross Family Recreation Center, I was happy and excited at opportunity to be able to enjoy a brand new facility. However, the noise of cranes, diggers and construction workers waking me up and disturbing my work is not welcome. I am a resident of the Mellon Dormitory, which is directly next to the construction site. From waking up to the sound of birds chirpings at the beginning of the semester to the obnoxious beeping of the cranes, I have to wonder “Why must the construction start so early in the morn-
ing?” No matter what day of the week, I get woken up prematurely with the sounds of construction that never ceases and only seems to grow louder as the day goes on. And as an added bonus, the abnormally warm weather lately causes my air condition-less room to become a sauna. However, if I open the windows, I am only inviting more noise in the room. I understand that the construction is necessary to complete the building of the recreation center but shouldn’t the school accommodate students by starting the construction later in the day? After all, with finals coming up soon and the student workload growing, staying up later and later seems to becoming a reality, and having what little sleep we receive being interrupted feels like a cruel joke.
Courtesy washjeff.edu
The ground-breaking ceremony for the new recreational center was on Oct. 8. Since then, construction workers have been working where the old tennis courts used to be, causing some students to complain about noise.
There are many alternatives to starting--what seems to bethe crack of dawn- that would lessen the impact of the noise. Most students are up and about by 8:00 a.m., and classes are in session. By waiting to start construction at 8:00 a.m. or even 8:30 a.m., the amount of interrupted student sleep would
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.
be drastically reduced, making for happy and healthier students. Another possibility would to alternate start times each day, so that if our sleep must be interrupted, it is not a constant annoyance. Overall, I appreciate the donor and the school’s desire to improve the campus so that we, as students, are able
to become the best version of ourselves inside and out. As college President Tori Haring-Smith states the building is being built to “ensure all students develop strong bodies to compliment their strong minds.” However, without sleep, the possibility of having a strong mind is difficult to achieve.
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
13 N ovember 2015
15 Opinions
Red & Black
The Endless Presidential Campaign Cycle
Courtesy middleweb.com
Emily Sterk Red&Black Editor-In-Chief As of this week, the United States is one year away from the 2016 presidential election. This past week also marks the one year anniversary of the onset of the 2016 presidential campaign, which unofficially began after the 2014 midterm elections. While the media is eager to follow the campaign, I am one of the few who has paid very little attention to what this line of presidential hopefuls has to say. Of course I do care about who our next president will be, but we just had state and local elections this past Tuesday. Quite frankly, there are far more important political issues we can focus our at-
tention on before we become completely immersed in the upcoming election. Over the past several decades, the campaigning season in the United States has started earlier and earlier each year. The United States, in fact, holds the longest election process than any other country around the world. The United Kingdom does not initiate its election hype until five weeks beforehand. In Canada, the 2015 campaign period was a record-long 78 days. Countries such as Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Nigeria and Australia all have campaign cycles that last less than 100 days. Yet, the United States election process is considered a marathon that lasts for well over a year with additional years of previous planning before the official campaign
even begins. There must be a reexamination of the American presidential election process for one of many reasons. For starters, the two yearlong campaign exhausts candidates before he or she even enters the White House, where he or she will work for the next four to eight straight years. The length of the campaign is an unnecessary toll on the presidential elect who will be required to deal with an even far more demanding schedule than the campaign asked for once his or her term begins. A major flaw in the political campaign system of the United States is that like most things in this country, the campaign has become a commercialized event. The grandiose nature of the presidential campaign has led to skyrocketing campaign
costs, which makes it very difficult for political figures with less money, fewer super PACs or insufficient public recognition to compete with the wealthier and more wellknown politicians. The demanding schedule of the campaign permits only the candidates whose jobs allow for them to leave their workplace for months on end the ability to run for office. Most important of all, the constant media coverage of the campaign has transformed the election into a reality show. After a while, this reality show of an election becomes monotonous and boring. Less focus is placed on actual policy making, while more interest is taken into the candidates’ quirks and personal lives with trivial interview questions that are intended to entertain
the American viewers. Thus far into the campaign, there have been four out of eleven scheduled republican debates--one each month since August--and two debates out of the seven planned for the Democratic Party. Debating the same political and social concerns over and over again is unnecessary. Furthermore, the continual coverage of the presidential election this early into the game causes the political discussion to become redundant, which makes people less willing to become involved with politics by the time the election actually arrives. Essentially, if “Saturday Night Live� has the ability to have a cold open featuring Larry David as Bernie Sanders in two consecutive weeks, the country is far too focused on November 2016.
16 opinions
Red & Black
13 N ovember 2015
Polyamorous Relationships are Difficult But Doable
Courtesy everydayfeminism.com
Kriss Giles Red&Black Contributor
Traditionally, a relationship is two people, committed both emotionally and sexually to each other exclusively. In this day and age, does that have to be the case? Quite a few people these days are opening their eyes to open relationships, also called polyamory. Broken down into its roots, it means “many lovers,” which differs from polygamy, or “marrying many.” Polygamy is not the topic here, that is considered a legal
term and is considered among the polygamous community to be very different and not what they stand for. There are a few ways a polyamous relationships can work. They can be in a polyfidelity style, where three or more people are in a relationship and all are dating each other equally. They can also be in a hierarchical relationship where in the couple, one person has a primary partner and the other person is a secondary partner. Another form is an egalitarian relationship, where one person has many partners
equally. The last common type is a relationship anarchy where a person doesn’t date in a traditional sense, but has free flowing, multiple relationships without regard to terms like partner girlfriend/boyfriend. While all of these are legitimate, many people still have a negative response. According to a 2015 Avvo survey, 45 percent of surveyed men are morally against open relationships and 62 percent of women surveyed said the same. While this data is convincing, I decided to do my own research. Out of the about 30 people I asked, over 90 percent of people said
they would not be in an open relationship, while about 75 percent said they were morally opposed to it in some way. On the other side, two people I surveyed said they had a direct connection to someone who was in an open relationship One had a neighbor who was in an open marriage with children from their marriage and both spouses had partners on the side. The other was a young person who has been in an open relationship, where there was a primary couple and other partners on the side. This person said: “Open relationships are based on
communication,” and went on to say that in the open relationship, as soon as either party in the primary relationship felt discomfort or jealousy, they had to tell the other. Considering the personal stories and general societal opinions, I would say that open relationships are not easy. They require a lot of trust and a lot of communication on behalf of every person involved. Open relationships are at the discretion of the people involved, and though they aren’t easy, they can be worth it if done with trust, compassion and communication.
13 N ovember 2015
Red & Black
17 opinions
Should the U.S. Legalize Recreational Marijuna Use? Bailey Mudrick Red&Black Staff Should the United States legalize marijuana? This is a highly debated topic even in this upcoming presidential election. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a bill last Wednesday that would end the federal prohibition on marijuana, an issue that has boosted his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. The bill calls for marijuana to be removed from the Drug Enforcement Administration's schedule of controlled substances. Currently 23 states and the District of Columbia have laws legalizing marijuana in some form. Of those 23 states only four of those state — Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska — have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. The other states have passed medical marijuana laws allowing for limited use of the drug. There are multiple pros and cons to the legalization of marijuana. Critics of marijuana worry that the legalization of the drug will increase its usage among young adults. It is still a relevant theory that marijuana is a gateway drug. The biggest argument against marijuana is that it a state should protect its citizens against harmful substances, because the goal of the state is to protect citizens’ health and not to expose them to risk. However, supporters of
marijuana say regulating and taxing marijuana will bring in much needed revenue to state funds. Many supporters argue that that marijuana use is no more dangerous than alcohol use. I would agree that alcohol is just as bad of a drug, and the same with tobacco. I acknowledge that all these substances are drugs and they are unhealthy for human health, yet many people continue to use these substances daily. According to a February 2014 Pew Research survey, about seven-in-ten Americans believe alcohol is more harmful to a person’s health than marijuana while 15 percent pick marijuana as worse, and 14 percent say both or neither. When America tried alcohol prohibition between 1919 and 1931, the country and its lawmakers discovered that the crime and violence associated with prohibition law ended up being more damaging than consumption of the drug itself. The United States spends billions of dollars enforcing marijuana laws even for lowlevel offenses and incarcerating and penalizing marijuana users. Prohibitionist laws have led to unprecedented levels of violence and corruption, while marijuana remains widely consumed and almost universally available to young people. Even if states legalize marijuana people still have freewill if they want to use it or not.
Courtesy nbcnews.com
Even though recreational marijuana use is currently illegal, many people still partake in consumption of the substance.
18 Opinions
Red & Black
13 N ovember 2015
Should Kids Be Allowed to Believe in Santa Claus?
Courtesy inspireimaginations.com
Some parents are choosing to not let their children believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and other childhood fantasies.
Kayla Marasia Red&Black Staff
Close your eyes for a moment and think about the holidays when you were a child. If you celebrated Christmas, the first sensations that come to mind are likely those of hot chocolate with marshmallows, snowy evenings under blankets, cookies fresh from the oven, gingerbread houses complete with sugar plums and the jolly image of a rosy-cheeked Santa Claus. Amidst the caroling and family gatherings, Christmas is the time of year when magic
floats on the air. However, through the years, there has been controversy about filling children’s minds with ideas of Santa Claus and his elves. Is it okay for parents to lie to their children about the existence of holiday creatures? I believe that parents are perfectly just in raising their children with the beliefs of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy and other festive folklore. Children, in their youthful innocence, develop their own illusions. As they grow older, these illusions are sometimes shattered by reality, but this is merely part of the coming-
of-age process. I feel that the idea of Santa creates much of the glittering magic of Christmastime for children. “I agree [with this notion] to the point where, if your kid asks if Santa’s real, you tell them the truth,” says Jaqualynn Anderson (Class of 2018). Also, Santa is hardly a contraband figure in our society; on the contrary, he represents benevolence, love and the joy of the holidays. His jovial image prompts many children to form similar values. This small lie should not pave the way for lies about bigger issues. Parents should be truthful to their children in order to
establish a lasting, trusting relationship. However, telling children about Santa is no more harmful than reading them bedtime stories about talking hedgehogs and faraway kingdoms, as many children tend to believe in these fantasy worlds regardless of their absurdity. When a child grows older and learns the truth about their bearded benefactor, they hardly feel betrayed, as they are often at the age where they can realize and appreciate the magic that Santa still holds for younger children. “I found out the truth when I was a freshman in high school, in World
History class,” says Nikha In-Amkha (Class of 2019). “But I didn’t feel betrayed.” While open honesty between parent and child is vital to a prosperous, communicative relationship, the myth of Santa Claus is not harmful to a child’s developing mind or to their future relationships. The festive tale is merely a manifestation of loving parents’ desire to make their children’s innocent lives more magical. So remember to put out the plate of cookies next Christmas; Santa’s festive, giving spirit can always be present in our hearts around the holidays.
13 N ovember 2015
19 sports
Red & Black
Women's Field Hockey on a Winning Streak Tyler Phillips Red&Black Contributor W&J’s Women’s Field Hockey team clinched the fourth seed in their playoff tournament with their seventh straight win on Oct. 31, 2015. True to the holiday spirit, the game was a Halloween massacre with the Presidents beating the Houghton College Highlanders 6-0. Right midfielder Caroline Kallos was very proud and commented on her team’s recent success. “It took a while for our team to find the chemistry to propel us to the Empire 8 tournament, but we knew from the start that we had the talent to make it there,” said Kallos. Highlights of the game include a determined offense that scored on the Highlanders five times in a strong first half and a solid defense that did not al-
low any goals in the second half. Scores from Laura O’Malley, Amanda Steffey, Claire Shaak, Alana Boyd and Allison Morrissey with two goals led the team to victory. This was the Field Hockey team’s Senior Day as well, with a large crowd full of many of the players’ family members and friends. Preceding that game, the team defeated St. John Fisher College, the previous number one seed, and Hartwick College. The confidence that the team gained after defeating those tough teams is what motivated them to win in the game against Houghton. In their practices, the girls took every day as an opportunity to develop new drills that would help them in the upcoming games. The team also experienced bonding outside of practice. “It’s unusual to come across a team that looks forward to practice
Courtesy gopresidents.com
The W&J field hockey team has won seventh straight games this fall season and made it into the playoff games on Nov. 6, 2015.
every day to work toward a common goal,” Kallos remarked on the overall dynamic between her teammates. This kind of cohesion is an important factor to any sports team, and is crucial to winning in
field hockey. Unfortunately, the Presidents lost in the first round of playoffs on Nov. 6 against the Ithaca College Bombers who were the new first seed, but the team had no reason to hang their heads; the team’s record went
from 4-7 to 11-7 over the past few weeks. This is remarkable to both the players and the coaches. The team is now excited for what next season holds and the players look forward to continuing this success.
a manifesto. The manifesto urged the club to never sign either “dark skinned” players or gay players. A new report by the Moscowbased research organization SOVA Center states that there were 85 episodes of discriminatory behavior in Russia from May 2014 to May 2015. The report also states that although the rate of incidents are increasing, they have been “less aggressive” than in the past. “Before, it was murders and attacks — they were using knives, and it was much more danger-
ous. Now, it is more symbols, like flags and shirts and banners,” Natalia Yudina, a SOVA Center employee, stated. According to many officials within Russia, the racism problem is most common among the younger generation. Many young people, they claim, are simply imitating old traditions that are hard to get rid of. “All fans have different levels of cultural education,” Yevgeny Selemenev, a longtime fan of Spartak Moscow, a Russian soccer club, said. “I did monkey
chants when I was 15 or 20, and the average age of fans in present Russian stadiums is about that age, and they do what they remember. They do it because it was done before and because they don’t know any better.” Many officials who are concerned with combatting racism within Russia are calling for diversity education programs for Russian youth. Whatever the methods, it is clear that Russia will have a difficult problem to fix ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
Russia Tackles Racism Ahead of the Game Ben Langdon Red&Black Contributor
Throughout the years, Russia has had a persistent problem with racism within the country’s soccer stadiums. Monkey chants directed at black players and Nazi salutes have become an uncomfortable commonplace within Russian soccer. However, as the country prepares for the 2018 World Cup, preparations are being made to tackle the racism problem head
on. A new position has been created in order to prevent racism within Russian stadiums: antiracism inspector. Alexei Tolkachev, the current holder of this title, has pledged his office’s commitment to eliminate racism within Russian soccer stadiums. “We in Russia take this problem very seriously,” Tolkachev stated in an interview. Examples of racism within Russian soccer are widespread and common. In 2012, for example, fans of Zenit St. Petersburg, a Russian soccer team, published
20 sports
Red & Black
13 N ovember 2015
Beijing prepares to Host the 2022 Winter Olympics
Courtesy brandchannel.com
Kaitlyn Vogel Red&Black Contributor The 2022 Winter Olympics venue has been selected and the winning bid went to Beijing, China. The Chinese capital will be the first city in Olympic history to host both a summer and winter Games. Beijing is the only city to have won bids for both Games and it is said that they were basing its appeal on that experience, financial strength and the possibly of expanding interest in winter sports among the 300 million Chinese living in the country’s north.“It is interesting
that Beijing was the first city to host both a summer and winter Olympic Games considering China’s relatively recent history with communism, widespread famine, class struggles, and other problems. It seems that the country wished to secure that spot on being the first city to host both in order to show that they are still a strong country and to bring money into their economy,” said Katie Campbell (Class of 2018). Beijing won the bid by a vote of 44 to 40 over Almaty. The International Olympic Committee said that Beijing was awarded the Winter
Games because it fitted its new agenda for a “stronger focus on sustainability, legacy, and transparency.” The International Olympic Committee estimates the costs of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games to be around 1.5 billion dollars for Olympic villages, sports venues and other infrastructures. It helps that in 2008 when the Summer Games were held in Beijing, they still have several venues that they will rely heavily on. Beijing is confident that they will either break even or make a profit from the spectators and other enthusiasts coming to support the Winter
Games. Even though Beijing already hosted one Olympic Game, they are going to have to make a few adjustments for the Winter Games. With the key differences between hosting a Winter Games and a Summer Games, Beijing should be able to make full use of the natural resources to create a good environment for the outdoor sports. Despite concerns about a lack of natural snow in the mountains, and protests from human rights groups, Beijing had been the clear favorite to win the vote after it successfully hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, not all feel as if Beijing should have
won the bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics. “I feel as though Beijing did not deserve to win the bid of the 2022 Winter Olympics since they already hosted one Olympic Game back in 2008. Other countries such as Mexico or South Korea should instead because the revenue from hosting such a big event would help to stabilize their economy,” said Rider Daas (Class of 2019). Despite protest, winning the bid will surely make more people know about China and that they are a major power now. The victory will surely allow the Chinese to speak more confidently in the world.