The event allowed students to indulge in a meal while practicing proper etiquette.
The faculty lounge of St. John’s University’s Sun Yet Sen Memorial Building was transformed into a five-star restaurant on April 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. With placemats, polished glasses, gently folded red napkins scattered across the tables in the room and an abundance of silverware, the stage was set for the exclusive experience called “Dining Etiquette,” attended by 50 students.
The “mock interview” event allowed students to learn how to properly eat a formal meal during a professional interview while practicing networking skills with fellow St. John’s students throughout the twohour-long event.
“Dining Etiquette” was put together by Ellen Burti, the director of advising at St. John’s University Career Services. Although she was unable to attend the event because of a last-minute arrangement, Cheresa Fewell, the associate director of Career Advising for the Tobin School of Business and Amber Wilson, the director of First Year Mentoring, swiftly took her place to keep the event running.
The event was a joint partnership between the mentoring program, known as the R.I.S.E Network, and the University Career Services . It was the first time that R.I.S.E participated in the event. According to Wilson, the initiative was to make sure that students had the opportunity to become more comfortable in professional dining settings, such as award ceremonies or interviews.
“[Career Services] has done it in the past,” Fewell continued, “But this was our first joint collaboration, and it was a really good run.”
Fewell began the night with an introduction of the host of the evening, Elizabeth Schwind, an expert on dining etiquette who has been running this particular event for seven years. She currently works as a community relations manager at St. Joseph Hospital and Mercy Medical Center and has been in the dining industry for the past 23 years.
Schwind took the students through a complete four-course dining experience, starting with side salads and ending with an apple pie.
She began the event by showing students some of the basics, such as how a proper table is set up, and which forks and knives to use first –reminding them to always go “out to in.” As the food was being served she simultaneously taught the students some of the more unknown dining rules.
“This isn’t your last supper,” Schwind kept reiterating. There is no
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reason to scoff down your food or take two helpings at the buffet table while sitting through an interview with a potential employer.
As students prepared to eat each course, including a small pasta dish and roasted chicken, Schwind continued to give advice.
“Don’t start eating until everyone at the table has gotten their food,” she reminded the students who sat at tables of either four, five or six people. “If you don’t like your meal, pretend it’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten in your entire life.”
For a good rule of thumb, find a meal that is in the middle of expensive and cheap. In other words, don’t order the lobster, but don’t settle for a small salad.
All tips that were highlighted throughout the dinner were printed out for students to take home with them at the end of the event. The extensive list covers everything from where the proper place to put your handbag is, to telling someone that there’s something in their teeth in the most polite way possible.
Throughout her time with the students, Schwind emphasized the key point of the event, “first impressions are lasting impressions.”
At the end of the evening, Fewell spoke about how the students stepped up their game and tested their skills throughout the evening.
“It was a learning environment,” she said. “Even for the students who came in late, the people at their table took the time to show them what to do. The whole collaboration part, the energy in the room was positive.”
Juanita Apple, a first-year student at St. John’s had some experience with etiquette training before the event, but only from the service side.
“I definitely appreciated being on the other side [of dining] and interacting with all of my tablemates,” she told The Torch.
“If someone is inviting you to a restaurant then you really want to make sure you’re catering towards their expectations of you, and not trying to overdo or oversell yourself, but being your best and most respectful self,” Apple continued.
From start to finish, the chatter throughout the room never stopped. Schwind said she hadn’t seen such engagement since before COVID-19.
“It was so interactive,” she said to The Torch after the event. “This group was so amazing with their questions. They had a lot of great feedback as each course came out, and I really believe they learned something.”
Students packed the Great Lawn to experience this year’s solar eclipse.
April 8, 2024 marks the first total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. in seven years, with the last occurring on Aug. 21. It will be another 20 years until the next eclipse in 2044.
A solar eclipse occurs when the sun, moon and earth are aligned, or in syzygy, and the moon casts a shadow on the Earth. If you’re in the dark part of the shadow, the umbra, you will see a total eclipse.
However, if you’re in the light part, the penumbra, you’ll see a partial eclipse. Everyone in the continental U.S. will see at least a partial eclipse.
In Queens, the eclipse occurred from 2:51 p.m. to 4:36 p.m. with peak visibility at 3:25 p.m., with up to 90.9 percent totality. To safely view the eclipse, viewers are advised to wear specific glasses to block out any harmful light that harms the retina.
St. John’s University students on the Queens campus anxiously awaited this phenomenon while gathered on the Great Lawn, and The Torch asked them what they thought about this experience.
tha Agoursalidis shared her knowledge about eclipses and the effect she believes they can have astrological.
“I know it’s in Aries because I’m an Aries and it’s been messing with me,” she continued. “I think the next one isn’t until 2040, so
For others, the solar eclipse serves as a basis for conspiracy. From government plans, total inevitable darkness and the end of the world, the internet has run wild with theories surrounding the eclipse.
St. John’s junior TJ Hourigan is not convinced, stating, “I’m here to experience it all! If the world ends, it ends, but I’m still doing my work because I’m expecting to go to class tomorrow.”
it’s pretty cool that it’s happening right now.”
“We’re getting 90 percent coverage, which is wild,” said junior Jillian Schneider. “That hasn’t happened, at least in our lifetime.”
People often believe that solar eclipses can affect astrological signs. Freshman Saman-
It’s believed that the signs Aries, Libra, Capricorn and Cancer will be most affected due to their placements. Whether this phenomenon brings change into people’s lives or not is debatable, but many people do believe that the eclipse is a time for introspection and new beginnings.
Visibility differed all over New York and the path of totality spanned 124 miles across 29 counties. Niagara Falls was one of various state parks that opened their campgrounds for the eclipse since it lands right in the path of totality.
Cities like Syracuse and Rochester generated revenue from tourists hoping to catch the best view of the eclipse. Hotels were fully booked and many charged three times their usual rate.
Encouraging visitors to “Come for the Eclipse, Stay for New York,” many New York state officials urged tourists to extend their stay to avoid traffic and mayhem following the eclipse.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, St. John’s students made sure to get out and experience one of nature’s most unique phenomenons.
The change from “winter mode” to “summer mode” will be completed on May 6.
In an email sent to the St. John’s University community on April 15, the Department of Campus Facilities and Services will “switch the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems on all buildings from winter to summer mode by Monday, May 6.”
According to the University’s academic calendar, the Spring 2024 semester ends on May 8, just two days after the switch will be complete. This week’s temperatures will hit highs of 76 degrees as April continues, leaving many resident students residing in less-than-ideal living situations.
Third-year student Anastina Marcantonio was “appalled” to hear the announcement. The Carey Hall resident told The Torch, “With global temperatures rising every year, and warmer weather coming earlier and earlier, giving students access to more suitable
temperature controls so that they can live comfortably shouldn’t be granted so late in the semester.”
“Many students call their dorms home. Why should we be uncomfortable in our own homes? It’s not fair,” she continued.
Junior student Katie Scanlan and resident of the Founder’s Village Townhouses said, “At that point, turning on the AC at all is useless. All resident students must move out of the dorms by May 9 and many people move out before that including myself.”
In April 2023, the Office of Residence Life offered free ice cream for resident students in response to a lack of air conditioning in the residence halls during the three-day heatwave, a decision that similarly angered students. The announcement affects commuter stu-
dents as well, who spend most of their time in classrooms. Fourth-year pharmacy student Jamila Chowdhury told The Torch, “For us students to perform at our best, we need proper working conditions, which include regulated temperatures according to the weather.”
“Basically, we need Air Conditioning,” she continued.
Brian Baumer, associate vice president of the Department of Campus Facilities and Services, acknowledges the impact this may have on the University community.
“Maintaining optimum temperature conditions over the next few weeks may be difficult. During this period, we carefully monitor and adjust the system to minimize any discomfort. Please contact the Facilities Service Desk at 718-990-6254 to report a temperature issue,” the email said.
The April 26 Event will feature performances, rides, food and more.
It’s that time of the year again: classes are wrapping up, final exam dates are being posted and the Stormin’ Loud Committee begins to finalize “the ultimate end-of-the-year festival for St. John’s students’ on April 26 starting at 4 p.m.
The event, which began in 2022, is put on by the Resident Student Association, Student Programming, Student Government Inc., WSJU Radio and the Stormin’ Loud Planning Committee.
The committee sent out an email to all University students releasing information on this year’s event on April 10. The email detailed ticketing policies, general information and other attractions.
Although general admission is free, tickets are mandatory upon entry. However, the event offers paid ticket tiers, such as Orange or Purple VIP packages that go for $40 and $55, respectively. Orange package holders will receive exclusive merchandise, two guaranteed food truck vouchers and a “Fast Pass” that allows attendees to skip rides. The Purple package shares the same advantages as the Orange, however, they will receive an additional merchandise item and are also able to skip lines for food trucks as well.
Students need to go to the Campus Concierge in the D’Angelo Center on the second floor to obtain their tickets. Ticket sales begin April 11 at 10 a.m. and run until April 22 at 4 p.m.
The first 1,000 registrations will be entered into a raffle for exclusive merchandise.
This year’s attractions include LED Foosball, Street Hoops and Glo Hockey. Food trucks will include The Hub, Island Empanada and Uncle Gussys.
The event also features performances from student groups and other artists. The full line-up has yet to be released.
Current and accepted students, as well as alumni, are all invited to the event. Johnnies are also entitled to bring one non-St. John’s affiliated guest. Tickets for guests are also available at Campus Concierge.
The Marketing Club event featured five different content creators in five different fields of work isabella Cautero | MarCh 25, 2024
The St. John’s University Career Services and Marketing Club hosted the “#CreativeChat: A Panel on Student Content Creation” event on March 20 in the D’Angelo Center (DAC) to lead an engaging conversation on the innovative ways to have a career in content creation.
The event was led by Nikki Pebbles- Perretti, a Career Services Advisor who also creates online content about well-being and career advice on her own social media accounts. Following the event she spoke to The Torch about what the “#CreativeChat” strives to do.
“[Content creation] is such an important skill for students to learn, whether you want to be a content creator, or you’re just looking for your next job,” she said
Of the five panelists that spoke to a crowd of about 50 students were Kaiya Williams from the KAW Management Group, Sarah Alice Liddy of VaynerMedia, Krystal Nicholson, a recent St. John’s alumni as well as an Influencer Marketing Manager for Dentsu International, content creator Pamela Valdez and lastly Amarra Lopez, a current sophomore at St. John’s and the Vice President of the Marketing Club..
Panelists highlighted the several pathways that aspiring content creators could take to get into the industry, including fashion, sports
and podcasts.
Williams’ path was much different from the audience of college students, as she never attended college herself. She started her own agency working alongside professional athletes as a sophomore in highschool, and has been an entrepreneur ever since. As an online creator she told the crowd to “get comfortable with rejection.”
Nicholson works as a creative marketer where she manages influencer marketing for Burger King. She’s responsible for putting together campaigns, strategizing influencers and videos to use and overviewing contracts. She formerly wanted to work in fashion, and noted to the audience that your career path can split in many different ways.
Nicholson pulled from her experience at St. John’s, saying that internships shaped her entire career.
She told students attending to be themselves because “there is always room at the table for you.”
The youngest panelist, sophomore Amarra Lopez, helped the Marketing Club set up the panel of speakers.
Last November, the Marketing Club had a one-on-one content creation event. Lopez said that the attraction from that event and the
spring activities fair in 2023 garnered more attention from Pebbles-Perretti, who approached Lopez and suggested they do a panel on content creation.
Fast forward a few months, and the event came to fruition.
“With my [own] content creation and social media presence I was able to build awareness through my own accounts, but also bring awareness to the actual account for the Marketing Club,” Lopez said after the event.
She was very pleased with the large crowd in attendance. She also serves as the Captain of the Video Content Committee, which focuses on building personal brands for other students.
“Content creation was always just a hobby to me,” she continued. “I realized how much of a passion it was for me, and that’s why I started investing more time in it.”
As an aspiring content creator herself, sophomore student Autumn Hill took full advantage of the time given after the event to speak to each content creator individually.
“The main reason I came today was to ask questions to people who are already in the field that I want to get into,” she said after the event. “Just to learn more on what I’m already building myself.”
Current SJU Law students provide advice for incoming students.
Law school can be daunting for anyone — from students attending in the upcoming semester, those currently filling out applications or even considering law as a career down the line. From start to finish, the process of law school is undoubtedly overwhelming.
As time goes on, students compile tips and tricks that allow for a well-balanced academic, work and social life. St. John’s Law students gave The Torch insight into law school, providing personal habits that will hopefully inspire and make the transition a little easier for inter- ested students.
At St. John’s Law, full-time student years are split up into three differ- ent levels, starting with introductory courses in students’ 1L year, then moving on to 2L, then finally 3L. The curriculum is designed to meet seven basic learning outcomes over the course of those three years. Students gain abilities spanning a variety of targets, allowing them to be able to exercise skills in their understanding of substantive and procedural law, effective communication, fulfilling professional and ethical responsibilities, performing research and engaging with legal concepts and analyses at an advanced level.
Current students at St. John’s Law provided The Torch with ways both inside and outside the classroom to bring the outlined curricu- lum to life.
A key component to any application process is preparation — build- ing foundations before law school in essential areas like networking, self-promotion, and time management skills will help ensure prospec- tive students get the most experience and knowledge from their program.
2L law student Kylie Ruff says that network building is crucial when both preparing for law school and even while you’re enrolled, as know- ing people in the field is a fundamental necessity that will benefit you as an undergraduate student and future law student.
“Build your network now, whether it’s with fellow classmates or attor- neys in the field or just reaching out to people on LinkedIn and asking them to have a 10-minute phone call about their job,” Ruff said. “Even if that person didn’t get you a job, you still learned so much from having a conversation with them.”
Fellow 2L student, Natalie McIntosh, notes the importance of put- ting your name out there in any way possible. “It’s definitely worth it to be in a journal because it looks really good on your resume and it will help you with your legal writing skills in the future.”
However, if law school is fast approaching and there’s minimal time for making meaningful connections and contacts, 3L law student Anthony Gambino advises that students “relish in the summer before- hand…once you’re in they’ll whip you into shape.”
Law schools are teeming with opportunities for students to succeed in their budding careers, making it imperative, according to current St. John’s Law students, to actively participate in anything of interest as often as possible.
Hope Salts, a 2L student, emphasized her appreciation for the St. John’s community. “There’s always somebody to hang out with, every- body is very social and even if it’s not around law school, people get to know each other because of the sports they like or musicals they’re into,” Salts said.
McIntosh expressed similar sentiments to Salts’ in-school advice by saying that “all of the student groups are very involved, and you can get involved in many different groups without it being an overload on yourFindingschedule.” that balance between studies and extracurriculars will come with time, but students have noted that it’s imperative to take advan- tage of the community and opportunities available.
Time management is a challenge across all specialties, but McIntosh admits her regret for letting certain skill-growth opportunities pass her by. “Something that I probably wouldn’t do again is skimp on briefing my 1L year,” she said. “I really should have sharpened those skills.” While building community is incredibly important to your law school experience, Salts notes that the competition aspect is undeni- able throughout law school. Placing emphasis on not letting outside perceptions undermine hard work, Salts told The Torch, “One thing I would definitely recommend doing is not comparing yourself to other people.”
“So many people come into law school with so many different per- spectives, so many different abilities,” Salts continued. “Some people can be amazing in the classroom but they might really suck when it comes to exams, and you might be like ‘Oh my God, I’m an idiot, they clearly understand everything, what am I doing here?’”
Each field has its share of difficulties, but the goal for students of any program is to get the full experience of the field they put so much effort into. By taking advantage of all you can while in law school, you’re bound to find what you excel in and where you can make some changes.
Like any educational experience, you’re going to learn more than just what’s in the classroom. As you embark on your own law school journey you’ll establish your own survival guide, but these are some tips and tricks you can add to your list to ensure you get the best out of your law school years.
The incoming warm weather calls for planning your own outdoor celebration.
With the arrival of spring, there’s no better time to embrace the beauty of nature by hosting a garden party. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply gathering friends and family for a sunny afternoon, a garden-style party offers both a charming and relaxing atmosphere. Below is a guide to help plan and execute your next memorable outdoor event.
An essential component when deciding how to decorate for any party is the color scheme. Basing every detail off two or three specific colors creates a clean and aesthetic look when finding plates, choosing flowers or picking a tablecloth. Some simple colors to match for spring would be pastels like pale pinks, yellows or greens.
Setting a table runner with two contrasting colors is the perfect way to set up where the food goes in relation to the plates — since it creates an open space in the middle of the table. This allows them to stand out while staying out of guests’ way.
Centerpieces are a staple of any garden party. Flowers in Mason jars provide a simple look. Baby’s Breath is a pocket-friendly choice and versatile with any color. Fake flowers are also a cost-efficient option because they can be reused for another event. Evenly alternating the flowers with candlesticks, or even regular candles, creates a welcoming table for your guests.
If you have large backyard space to work with, finding ways to incorporate the area into the theme makes for a cozier atmosphere. Hanging lights, lanterns or even tapestries can help the party setting. Even if the party is inside, the same can be done! Adding anything from pictures to soft lighting can transform an outdoor, or indoor, space.
For a spring menu, keep the dishes light and complimentary to the season. Some dishes include various salads, pastas and small sandwiches. The best way to embrace the season is by using fresh spring produce in your meals, specifically salads, which allows for an abundance of recipes. For a tea party aesthetic, any finger food that can be easily served on a platter or tray is perfect for guests to enjoy.
Dessert is the most important part, and one of the best recipes to make is a honey chamomile tea cake. Combining a basic cake recipe with three chamomile tea bags and honey creates an airy and flavorful cake for a garden party. Top it off with powdered sugar or fresh fruit and serve!
One of the most obvious drinks for a garden party is tea, but there are many ways to serve it! Whether it’s hot or iced, explore different flavors — from fruit to green teas — and display your beverages in a drink dispenser to serve easily. Many other drinks, from shirley temples to sodas, can also be presented in a dispenser with ice to keep it cold for the duration of the event.
Having a little drink bar where guests can fashion their own creations could also be both an activity and refreshment. Allowing guests to choose from their own beverage along with fresh fruit slices or herbs to put in the drinks makes for the perfect tea party drink.
As for activities, glass painting is a fun way to show off your creative side while being able to bring home a momentum from the party. Glasses can be painted with waterproof acrylic paint, but a cleaner alternative is paint markers. Just as effective and requires less cleanup, paint markers may be the way to go for a large group participating in the activity.
Perfume making is another creative craft and is much easier than it sounds. With alcohol, distilled water, essential oils and glycerine, you and your guests can create your own signature scent. Decorating the perfume bottles or spray canisters based on the scent also allows an extra personal touch.
For the non-crafty, an at-home outdoor movie projector is a relaxing activity that can easily be put together. All you need is some kind of projector, a computer to plug it into and a sheet to display the movie. Even if you don’t have outdoor furniture, fashioning blankets and cushions on the ground is an easy alternative.
By following these tips and putting your own creative spin on the festivities, you can host a spectacular garden party that delights you and your guests and celebrates the beauty of outdoor living.
Students are loving the warmer weather — but what if March refuses to return this affection?
In mid-March, love was found on St. John’s University’s Great Lawn. Students from all walks of life connected through feelings of warmth and were reminded that brighter days are ahead. A lively campus presence communicated student’s admiration for the sudden swing in temperature, but what if March refuses to continue to return these sentiments?
Fluctuating climates are destined for the month. While “March Madness” is coined terminology, perhaps an alternative meaning to the phrase can be crafted to represent the confusion of unpredicted weather patterns.
In response to March’s climate and the moodiness that accompanies it, The Torch sought out the opinions of students.
“The warmer weather makes it a lot easier to start my day,” said freshman Phillip Palmer.
Palmer expressed his affection for the warmer conditions which act as an uplifting force in his daily endeavors. “If the weather doesn’t stay like this, it’s going to be more difficult for me to go out and just do things in general,” he continued.
This commonality isn’t unique to the St. John’s student body — it extends to college students universally, as this population may be more susceptible to seasonal changes.
Generally, weather conditions influence the thoughts, feelings and even behaviors of individuals.
Sunshine and an increase in warm temperatures have proven to affect mood behavior because they induce a surge of energy, which can enhance well-being.
their speaker.
“This kind of weather motivates me to get outside, especially on campus because there’s a lot of spots to study,” Gueye expressed.
“If the weather changes, I’ll be looking forward to the sun coming back out and for it to be warm again,” added Charriot.
Those who have felt the personal effects of unrequited love and longing know from experience the struggles that result from the nature of its uncertainty.
Sophomore Noah Thomas voiced his preexisting unfamiliarity with mood shifts and seasonal patterns.
“I’m from Florida, so I never really had to deal with seasonal depression until I came here,” Thomas confessed. “Especially at this time of year, I definitely feel the effects of the colder weather being demotivating.”
Sophomores Salmata Gueye and Bettina Charriot were found on the Great Lawn portraying a postcard of college life: casually reading and basking in the sunlight on campus grounds as Tame Impala’s “Borderline” echoed from
March’s weather can surface some of this “madness” with its slow transition into springtime. However, students like freshman Jackson Smith brought to light what can be accomplished when you choose to “enjoy the weather for what it is at the moment.”
In a month full of “what-if’s,” a sunny day on the Great Lawn catered to students by serving as a spiritual anchor — grounding them in hope for future days to come.
“We chose to have our writer’s meeting outside today. We’re usually stuck in Maralliac, so it’s a nice escape — being outside and breathing in some fresh air,” said senior and WRED-TV president Koda Blue.
Blue, along with other impassioned club members, felt inclined to speak in support of the sunlight and warmth in March, even though forecasts may fail to stay consistent.
Third-year member TJ Hourigan said, “It was rainy, cloudy and cold. Now it’s warm and sunny, so we’re going to make the most out of this as we can!”
While this isn’t your usual love story, it’s one that emphasizes the power of perspective, especially when trying to cope with a relationship that feels one-sided. March isn’t necessarily a product of unrequited love, but it provides an opportunity to refocus attention and direction in times of uncertainty. In the words of junior Kelly Evers, “I remember how nice St. John’s is when everyone is out and about, all thanks to a sunny day.”
Hope for a better tomorrow — that’s the feeling students have fallen for this month.
St. John’s University students share how they manage senioritis during their last semester.
As the final semester of undergraduate studies approaches for graduating seniors, many students find themselves grappling with the phenomenon known as senioritis. Senioritis is essentially a lack of motivation, decreased academic performance and a general feeling of burnout as students anticipate graduation.
“Senioritis is like Thanksgiving dinner,” St. John’s University senior Gregory Urena said. “You enjoy yourself at first but by the end, you feel drained and sleepy.”
Senior Victoria Lincinsky has been managing her senioritis since November. The finance major said, “To try to keep motivated, I put everything in my planner so I can check it off. Seeing it written down keeps me motivated, but unfortunately, there’s not a lot motivation-wise.”
Fellow senior Amanda Sinclair expressed similar sentiments, saying that “writing my assignments down in my planner, using stickers and different colors to check off completed assignments is pretty satisfying. It gives an extra push of motivation to get it all done.”
When asked what he does to combat his senioritis, Urena expressed that he does not have much time in his schedule to have senioritis.
“I’m not the best to ask about that considering I’m taking 18 credits which includes four research projects, working on a paper and submitting to a
Psychology conference,” the psychology major said. “But, I can say that I am tired and want everything to be done.”
With motivation stemming from an extensive course load, Urena has set an academic and a non-academic goal at once: complete the semester. This is an extremely effective way to maintain motivation in light of senioritis. Defining specific and achievable goals during the semester such as maintaining a certain grade point average (GPA) or completing a senior project can help students stay focused.
Despite this being a worldwide phenomenon, some students did not anticipate being hit with such a harsh wave of senioritis.
“I wasn’t expecting to be so burnt out,” Sinclair said. “I just keep telling myself ‘Don’t quit right at the finish line, I’m so close,’ but it is a mental battle sometimes to submit my assignments.”
One of the biggest motivators is to remember what you’re working towards. Whether you’re eager to earn your degree or simply looking for the relaxing summer months, both are great and effective motivators to keep pushing through the rest of the semester.
It’s normal for students to experience ups and downs during college, especially with graduation right around the corner, and prioritizing self-care and goal-setting can help you finish on a high note.
How the healthy existence of the female runner is not guaranteed so long as we are silent
To be a female runner is to understand your body in relation to its surroundings. Your feet on the pavement. Your shirt against your stomach. Your eyes and ears must be open even when they’re being clogged with sweat. You’re aware that you’re running incredibly heavy and slow today because you’re on your period. You’re aware of the jiggle in your thigh and the flattening of your chest. Of the rustle you hear in the bushes, and of the one you don’t.
To make sure you don’t get murdered, be alert at all times. No headphones, nothing to obscure your vision. Even while your eyes are watering and your nose is dripping and your body hurts and you’re just trying to make it to the next mile marker before you turn around, make sure that you’re aware of every single thing around you at all times.
Running is promoted as a great way to ease stress and provide a number of mental and physical health benefits. But it doesn’t seem to be all that stress-relieving if it’s making women feel and act like hunted animals. It doesn’t matter where a woman runs, the current state of our society affirms that she is not guaranteed safety.
Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student recently murdered in Georgia is a bright soul to be added to the list of women killed when running. A list that is forecasted to grow longer and longer until something changes.
But from what it seems, the only change being offered is for women to do more. Local Atlanta, G.A. station WSB-TV interviewed Alec Sunwoo, a running goods store owner who offered, “Sunwoo said they should always run in groups. They should try to run different routes so predators don’t know their every move. Also don’t wear headphones or earbuds and get a device that will sound an alarm easily if you need help.” Sunwoo isn’t alone in this advice.
Even this ABC article by Katie Kindelan does a great job of laying out the anger in women runners following this casualty and all the others, and yet still offers at the end “Tips from self-defense experts.” Until change is made it seems all women can do is take care of themselves, but that doesn’t feel like enough.
Riley’s murderer was discovered to be Jose
Ibarra, 26, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, allowing for heated discussion to perpetuate about the border crisis, as now legal officials are pushing harder for change.
One can’t help but wonder that if this was not a white woman killed by an illegal immigrant would lawmakers and media would be calling for change? When a tragedy fits it makes national, long term discussion. 21 people were shot, one killed, at the Super Bowl celebratory parade, but it didn’t fit an agenda, so we got plenty of discourse during the event, but not after.
Even when it fits the agenda, nothing but band-aid solutions are slapped on to make it look like something is being done. According to Georgia’s WSB-TV, “A state House committee passed a bill that would make it a crime for any Georgia sheriff to refuse to report to federal authorities any suspected undocumented immigrants in their county jails.” Fine, but Riley’s murderer was not detained prior to this event.
Riley’s murderer being an illegal immigrant proves that this is only a current topic of national discussion because it pertains to a talking point for politicians to capitalize on. Which, to be real for a second, are words I’m disgusted to write out.
The media is looking to use Riley’s death as a push for border security, but most rhetoric surrounding border issues are just racist whining and weak policies put into place by complacent lawmakers and influence holders on both sides who seek nothing but personal gain from their gated communities.
Politicians only care now because a woman was killed in relation to something that can get them votes. That can make them say “look what we did! We did xyz to close the border so nothing like this happens again!”
But it’s been happening and it’s going to keep happening. Eliza Fletcher was on her morning run when she was kidnapped, beaten, and shot in the back of the head. Sydney Sutherland was run down with a pick-up truck, raped then beaten to death when all she wanted to do was go out for a jog. The family of St. John’s University alumna Karina Vetrano is still seeking
justice after she was raped and murdered on an evening run near her home.
If you look into those cases, you’ll see the assailants’ race, demographic or legal status doesn’t mean anything.
In 2020 the United States government shut down our world in a matter of days. They could stop rampant crime if they wanted to, they could prevent tragedies like this but it’s easier to offer thoughts and prayers up on the podium that towers over heartbroken citizens.
What needs to change cannot be summed up in a catchy, highlighterable sentence. This issue is political, it’s systematic, it’s cultural and it’s not something to be taken advantage of for votes.
Legal action is good and it’s effective when it’s actually put into place, and not just put into place but productive. We can’t keep implementing flimsy efforts of over policing, it does nothing for legitimate change.
I’d say let’s speak up, but we’ve been speaking up. This isn’t anything new. Sure women (and men who care) can adopt “see something say something” attitudes and carry a weapon, but the only people who have been silent and careless are our lawmakers.
Until they decide to speak up, us women will continue to live our lives to the fullest extent we can, like we have always done. Taking the advice of Alec Sunwoo and Katie Kindelan, because we’ve been left with no choice. We have formed running communities and have accomplished incredible feats, athletic and not, never because of but in spite of those in charge. So we’ll run, we’ll take public transportation, we’ll go out when we want, and we’ll be okay or we’ll die with no help from the United States government. It’s nothing we haven’t done before.
Olivia Seaman/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kyler Fox/ MANAGING EDITOR Nicholas DiagostiNo
Abigail Grieco
Elizabeth Kaufmann
Daniel Meisel
Catherine Pascal
Sabrina Sarwar
. Columns and other content are the opinions of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of the TOrch Opinions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily those of the student body, faculty or administration of St. John’s University. All contents are the sole responsibility of the editors and the editorial board and do not necessarily represent the views of the administration, faculty or students of St. John’s University unless specifically stated.
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What lies behind the hushed tones surrounding this epidemic?
Catherine PasCal | MarCh 25, 2024
It is imperative to dive into the complex and often overlooked issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, tracing its roots through a labyrinth of historical and systemic factors, especially during Women’s History Month,
Colonization, with its devastating impact on Indigenous communities, disrupted traditional societal structures and inflicted long-lasting wounds. Racism, deeply entrenched in societal attitudes and policies, has perpetuated the marginalization and invisibility of Indigenous women, rendering them vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
Seeking awareness of the injustices brought to this community, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Red Hand is the symbol for the growing movement centered around all the missing and murdered sisters whose voices are not heard. It represents the silence of the media and law enforcement during this crisis. It’s appalling and unacceptable that an entire community is being systematically targeted and neglected by both media coverage and support systems while facing violence and disappearances.
What is behind the widespread silence surrounding the MMIW issue?
The lack of attention on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) issue is largely rooted in historical factors like the Indian Relocation Act and federal policies, which have contributed to the displacement of Native American populations from tribal lands.
The Indian Relocation Act of 1956 was part of a broader policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans into mainstream American society by encouraging them to leave reservations and relocate to urban areas. The act provided financial incentives and job training programs to facilitate this relocation. However, it led to the displacement of Native Americans from their traditional lands and communities,
disrupting their social, cultural and economic structures. With only 22% of Native Americans living on reservations, reporting challenges arise due to jurisdictional complexities and coordination issues among various agencies, hindering effective response and accountability mechanisms for addressing MMIW cases.
Native Americans living in urban areas lack resources connected to their culture and tribal community, facing a pipeline of vulnerability due to factors like food insecurity, foster care backgrounds and emotional isolation.
Caused by the lack of tribal jurisdiction that doesn’t extend beyond reservation boundaries, urban Native American women receive insufficient assistance when a loved one goes missing. According to nativehope.org, before colonization, Native societies traditionally esteemed and respected the sacred status of women. Women held positions of authority and carried out significant labor within their communities. However, European colonists, influenced by patriarchal views, subjected women to servitude under men. Consequently, Native women became victims of rape, violence, and subjugation. The statistics are clear: Native American women constitute a substantial proportion of missing and murdered cases. The murder rate for women residing on reservations is ten times higher than the national average, with murder ranking as the third leading cause of death among Native women. These statistics underscore a deeply troubling reality of systemic neglect and injustice within our society, invoking a demand for urgent attention and action to address the systemic issues contributing to this disproportionate violence and loss of life.
The Oscars have yet again snubbed women deserving of nominations in this year’s list.
When the Oscars revealed the nominations for this year, it is safe to say that many people, specifically women, were extremely disappointed. Despite making history at the box office, “Barbie” lacked two very important nominations — Greta Gerwig for director and Margot Robbie for best actress.
As the host of the 96th Academy Awards, talkshow host Jimmy Kimmel released a promotional video in preparation for the March 10 ceremony. Featuring the world of Barbieland, Kimmel receives the help of Kate McKinnon, Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera to find his way to the Oscars.
In what appears at first to be a light-hearted and comedic video, Gosling innocently states “Good thing Greta’s got director in the bag,” only to be corrected by Ferrera that Gerwig, in fact, was not nominated.
Following this revelation, the last 30 seconds of the video feature Gosling, and later everyone, screaming in horror.
ble for this history-making, globally-celebrated film.”
When a film is the highest grossing nominee of the year, the lead actor, actress and director should be recognized for their performance — not just the man. This is a leading issue across numerous award shows where women are left in the dust despite their dedicated work.
person to win a Golden Globe for best actress, and is now the first Indigenous woman from the United States to be nominated for an Oscar. This is a massive step in the diversification of Hollywood, and Gladstone is very deserving of it.
For a video showcasing the hosting of the Oscars, the reference to the snubbing of Gerwig on the hand of Kimmel and Gosling is an interesting promotional, or satirical, tactic. Calling the snub a “disappointment,” Gosling had previously released a statement after the nominations: “But there is no Ken without Barbie, and there is no Barbie movie without Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie, the two people most responsi-
The Oscars have been a boys club since origination, and this year is no outlier. Since the Oscars debuted in 1929, only seven female directors have been nominated — and only three have won.
However, there are some exceptions when it comes to the recognition of women by the Academy.
Lily Gladstone, lead actress in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” was recently the first Indigenous
This is just one victory in a long battle for women to be recognized and rewarded. It seems as if there can only be a certain number of nominations or awards for women in the cinematic world, and we are just supposed to be content with that.
While we can commend men like Gosling and Kimmel for speaking out against the academy, we shouldn’t have to even be praising them. We shouldn’t have to thank the men who acknowledge the discrepancies with the system of Oscars nominations. There should not be anything or anyone to thank about it in the first place.
It’s also interesting to note that the snubbing of Gerwig and Robbie has generated a lot of Oscars buzz. Is it possible that leaving them out was purposeful in order to rile up viewers and create greater publicity? Or was it purposeful negligence due to the variety of films being recognized this year?
The Oscars are, and may always be, made for men and men only.
America’s relationships with other countries matter at the ballot box, despite citizens’ lack of knowledge on them.
International politics are just beyond Americans’ reach. It seems that everything America does has to do with every single other country. Whether it is our allies or enemies shaking hands with the President or flexing our imperial muscles for war, labor or oil, it seems that every issue has the American flag written all over it. One would think that because of this citizens would be more involved in world affairs, but a concerning number of Americans know nothing about foreign policy.
A study by the Council on Foreign Relations surveyed Americans and their relationship with international relations. Despite seven in ten respondents believing that education on this topic needs to be emphasized and expanded, many could not understand why we went to war in Afghanistan.
They had no idea it was because the country was a safe haven for terrorist group Al Qaeda. They could not even identify Iraq on a map. This is not the fault of the average person, but once that fault is identified, it needs to be fixed at the source.
How are we supposed to peel the layers of the onion that is America’s role in world affairs? America, a ginormous octopus with its tentacles in Ukraine, the Gaza Strip and the Dominican Republic, gives little insight to the world outside of the inner conflict between states.
When tasked with topics like reproductive rights, healthcare and the attack on our education, many are so busy keeping track of which states allow abortions and which do not, they do not have the time to then sit there and ask themselves about what America is doing abroad. But the leaders of the country care, and therefore so should we.
You, yes I’m looking at you. You wake up in the morning and attend your classes. You spend time with friends and family. Maybe you take your partner out on a date after working a minimum wage job. Your life is split between what you have to do to make it through the day and what you want to do, which could involve any number of hobbies or rotting in your bed. There is no space for further learning, you are drained and exhausted. While
you’re busy with that, the United States recently voted against a ceasefire in Gaza, according to AP News. This allows for Israel to continue bombing the Gaza Strip completely unchecked. This is just one of the many times that America relied on its citizens’ ignorance so that they can continue to assault the rights of people abroad without facing any repercussions back home.
It is imperative to pay attention to things that are not happening on American soil. Conflicts and wars might be fought elsewhere, but it is Americans’ tax dollars and soldiers that are being shipped off to back these efforts.
It is our representatives that we vote for that are making decisions that create a ripple effect around the world. International politics matters specifically because we, in some small way, affect things on a global scale by our vote. If you are thinking about voting for a specific party or person this November, see how they treat other countries before putting their name on the ballot.
The franchise’s newest installment becomes an instant classic.
“Dune: Part Two” is a sci-fi epic for the ages: a story of revenge told through the ascension of a reluctant messiah-figure and the fight over the desert planet, Arrakis.
This marks the third adaptation of the famous novel by Frank Herbert, following in the footsteps of the 1984 film and a three-part miniseries released in 2000. “Dune: Part Two” adapts the events of the latter half of the 1965 novel, following the events of the previous “Dune” (2021).
We follow Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he and his mother, Lady Jessica Atreides (Rebecca Ferguson), seek refuge among the Fremen after a vicious attack. The Fremen are Arrakis natives, the two most prominent ones being Chani (Zendaya) and Stilgar (Javier Bardem).
They fight Against the villainous Harkonnens (Stellan Skarsgård, Austin Butler and Dave Bautista) that control the production of spice, a miracle drug only found on Arrakis that grants the user unnatural psychic powers that the entire galaxy hinges on.
Complimenting the star-studded cast are the beautiful visuals, as the 200 million dollar budget
Daniel Meisel | March 19, 2024
is displayed with beautiful and jaw-dropping visual effects (VFX) work. Despite being only a desert, Arrakis’s deadly beauty is wonderful to behold, especially when it comes to the sandworms, the VFX artists spared no effort in making these mammoth creatures feel real.
The sequences that take place on different planets are just as breathtaking, with the stark black and white colors of the Harkonnen homeworld standing out as unique and inventive. The decision to focus so much on the background aesthetics of the galaxy and flesh out each faction’s home planets, architecture and fashion adds depth to this far-off future and makes it feel lived in.
Though “Dune: Part Two” is a novel adaptation, director Denis Villeneuve makes sure he doesn’t stick too closely to the source material for the film. Instead, opting to change several key points in the plot and emphasize the background elements of the book.
Key characters are given new spins and different arcs than book readers will remember. These changes ensure Dune superfans are on their toes just as much as the regular audience.
Currently sitting with a 94% critics rating and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has been immensely well received, making 82.5 million on its opening weekend at the box office.
Due to the critical acclaim of the film, it caused its predecessor, “Dune,” to become the most streamed movie on Max since its release.
It’s clear that “Dune: Part Two” is a classic, so don’t miss out on the next big Sci-Fi epic and watch as characters wrestle with Paul’s destiny, causing relationships to be strained and whole empires to shudder.
Jack Antonoff writes for himself, not the critics.
celina MullaDy | March 19, 2024
The New Jersey band Bleachers has returned with their fourth studio album titled “Bleachers,” released on March 8. The band’s frontman, Jack Antonoff, is most notable for his record production of some of the biggest names in pop, such as Taylor Swift, Lorde and Lana Del Rey. The band’s sound is a mix of pop, rock and alternative, and this album in particular is heavily influenced by the 80s and 90s, discussing themes of love, loss and maturity. Throughout his career, Antonoff mentions that a majority of his work is inspired by his sister, who lost her battle with cancer in 2001. “Woke Up Today” is an acoustic guitar track with beautiful harmonies between Antonoff and his band, describing Antonoff’s feelings when thinking about his sister, “Oh God it’s always on my mind, My loss is always on my mind.” In an interview with The Face, Antonoff states that the band’s last three albums have been heavily based on the grief he experienced.
Listeners can take all four albums and see his thoughts and feelings evolve and mature throughout time. For those who have experienced any type of grief, Antonoff does an amazing job of putting the thoughts and feelings experienced into words.
The lead single of the album “Modern Girl,” possesses a more 80s sound with an uplifting energy. The high-energy track is filled with energetic saxophones, similar to rock legends of the time like Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen. “Modern Girl” is a unique track showing a distinctive sound held by the band. Marking a shift for Bleachers, this new album is unlike anything in the current music industry.
“Bleachers” also has some standout features and background vocals, with the most prominent being Lana Del Rey on the track “Alma Mater.” Del Rey’s vocals shine through on this track, making it reminiscent of past songs Antonoff and Del Rey have collaborated on. The track feels like a journey through different songs, with tempo changes, synths and various instrumental aspects. Other stand-out tracks on the first listen are “Jesus is Dead” and “Hey Joe” which are both reminiscent of the 70s and 80s.
Since the album’s release, it has received mixed reviews from critics and listeners. Receiving a 6.4 rating on Pitchfork, many listeners found the project to be uninspired and lacking a narrative. For some listeners, “Bleachers” definitely takes a few listens to understand and enjoy the project entirely, but it is not uninspired. If anything, this project is individualistic. Bleachers have a distinct sound, different from anything we have seen in recent times. “Bleachers” is an album written and produced for Antonoff himself, not the critics.
This new album seems to promise a strong comeback on the horizon.
After two years without a release of new music, Wallows dropped the first single, “Your Apartment,” off their upcoming album, “Model” on Feb. 16. Now this second single, “Calling After You,” released March 21, continues to create excitement for their new era.
The band’s career started off unusually strong, with their debut album “Nothing Happens” coming out at a peak time for indie music. In 2019, this album was the epitome of indie pop, and for good reason. Every track on that first release felt like its own story line in a coming of age movie.
Following this peak in their career, their next EP, “Remote,” took a more experimental turn, which severely swayed from their original sound. After distaste for the EP, the band returned with their second studio album, “Tell Me That It’s Over,” which was nothing memorable, but more of a call back to their classic sound.
Molly DownS | april 10, 2024
Now with this newest addition to their discography, they seem to have found their footing once again. “Calling After Me” sounds like a matured version of their first hit album, which is only natural
as the band itself matures and changes. Both the bassline and melody are reminiscent of their earlier music, with their fast pace and upbeat energy. The repetition of both throughout the track makes for an incredibly catchy tune and an easy
listen. The snappy drums play nicely off of lead singer Dylan Minnettes’s smooth vocals.
Minnette sings softly — his vocals contrasting the vibrant instrumentals — about a relationship that’s been hidden, but seems to grow more serious. The chorus repeats, “And you’ve got everybody calling, but I know that you’re calling after me,” describing the feeling of becoming secure in this new relationship. The preparation for this new relationship could also reflect a preparation for a new era of music for Wallows.
After so long with no new music, this upcoming album has been greatly anticipated, and based on the quality of these first two singles, it seems very promising. The full album, “Model,” is set to be released on May 24, which leaves fans to listen to these singles on repeat until then.
Indie-pop singer, Nemahsis, uses music to craft harmony amidst struggle.
Born and raised in Toronto, Nemah Hasan — performing under the name Nemahsis — is a Palestinian-Canadian indie-pop Muslim singer whose journey into the music industry is unconventional. Initially recognized for her fashion and beauty content on TikTok, Hassan’s content began to become more musical with some glimpses of her captivating vocals, particularly in covers of songs. She sings snippets of songs with just a lyric or two, such as “Promiscuous” by Nelly Furtado or “Brooklyn Baby” by Lana Del Rey.
Though her discography is still relatively small, Nemahsis has no shortage of incredible music. Her first single and most popular track, “what if i took it off for you?” was released on June 23, 2021.
The song addresses the attitudes of society toward Hijabis — Muslim women who wear the hijab. It was created from Hasan’s personal experience of being exploited as a hijabi during an advertising campaign of a large makeup corporation.
Sabrina Sarwar | March 21, 2024
In the lyrics, “What a fool, I’m such a fool…” refers to her feeling foolish for letting a makeup brand take advantage of her, and using her images, despite denying permission.
Her newest single, “i wanna be your right hand,” released on Feb. 23, 2023, combines the emotional intensity of her voice with the cheeky and casual vibe of the melody. She mixes grunge-guitar elements with the playful and up beat pop synths of the Smashing Pumpkins.
“i wanna be your right hand” alludes to the concept taught in Islam that to do all beautiful acts with the right side of the body, such as handing water to someone with your right hand. Hasan must refer to being someone’s right hand; being reliable, or the “good” hand.
While navigating through the musical landscape her journey took a turn once she expressed her solidarity with Palestine, leading to her label, 11 acres, parting ways with her.
Undeterred by this industry setback, not only did she garner nominations and awards (such as the SOCAN Songwriting Prize in 2022 and the High-Fidelity Award in 2023) for her music videos and songwriting, while remaining fixed in her support for the Palestinian cause.
One pivotal moment on social media surrounding Hassan was when she covered Lorde’s song,“Team,” with images of Gaza before, during and after bombardment by the Israeli Occupation Forces. This cover was reposted by Lorde herself as
well as Palestinian-Dutch model, Bella Hadid, which gave Nemahsis more exposure.
Despite having an abrupt change in Hassan’s career, she continues to create angelic melodies, without the need of a label.
Being dropped by her label for showing her unwavering support for the Palestinian people, her own people, through raising awareness to the ongoing genocide in Gaza hasn’t hindered her career. In truth, it is their colossal loss to sever ties with a talented and fearless Palestinian woman.
Kanye West reaches a new low in the first installment of his “Vultures” trilogy.
“That’s enough, Mr. West, please, no more today” Kanye West states on his 2007 track “Everything I Am,” which is a statement that rings more true 17 years later.
On Feb. 9, Kanye West surprisingly released his much delayed and much anticipated album with Ty Dolla $ign, “VULTURES 1.” The release of his 13th studio album sees West under a myriad of controversies—mostly surrounding his appearance on Alex Jones’ “InfoWars” where West praised Adolf Hitler, which led to other anti semitic remarks West repeated on Twitter. In the months following this outburst, West continued to publicly unravel as Adidas and Balenciaga ended their sponsorships with him. Causing him to “apologize” on Instagram, saying that Jonah Hill’s performance in “21 Jump Street” made him “like jewish people again.”
After all the controversy, West still released “VULTURES 1” to mass divide. Some praised the project as continued brilliance from West while others saw it as a massive disappointment. So, which is it?
It is an absolute disaster in every sense of the word. The 16 song tracklist is home to West’s most uninspired work with some of the most distasteful lyrics to ever grace a mainstream rap album. The album is completely devoid of any of the self loathing or understanding seen in his previous projects. Take “The Life of Pablo” or the self-titled “ye,” which saw him accept his flaws and take some responsibility for his actions, but he almost doubles down on his remarks in “VULTURES 1.”
Many have run with this comparison to “The Life of Pablo,” due to the chaos and almost incoherent flow that “VULTURES 1” exhibits. But here this chaos is a casualty – disorientingly so – instead of the clever, deliberate anarchy woven into all of “The Life of Pablo.” This chaos stems from the horrid production of each track.
Whether it be the annoying earworm sample in “HOODRAT” or the incessant repeating of an even more annoying phrase from the film “Dogma” in the fifth track “BACK TO ME,” it’s clear that West has completely lost his ear for sampling. All of these beats are abrasive and sound completely unfinished; it doesn’t help that the aforementioned lyrical content is disgusting at best. Kanye West is no stranger to questionable lyrics but “VULTURES 1” contains his most insensitive verses. The highlight of this insensitivity being on the most popular track: “CARNI-
VAL.” In a shameless display, West compares himself to R. Kelly, Bill Cosby and Puff Daddy (three known sex offenders) then says he is “MeToo rich,” which is perhaps the most tasteless way to say you’re wealthy.
As the project goes on, West continues with jarring lyricism such as his verse on the title track. On this verse he disputes those that call him anti-semetic by speaking of his past relations with a Jewish woman and then mentioning the Columbine tragedy, a line that repeats a number of times in the song. West closes this album with the track “KING,” he dispels the labels he has garnered. “Crazy, bipolar, antisemite and I’m still the king” he proudly proclaims which could not be further from the truth.
The second half of this collab album, Ty Dolla $ign, is barely even worth mentioning. Sure, he has some solid crooning moments and nice choruses but any contribution he has is dwarfed by the massive ego of Kanye West.
Just like any other Kanye West album, there are a number of guest features from some big names. Artists like Travis Scott, Quavo, Chris Brown and YG make appearances but these features feel a little weak and don’t add much to the final product. Travis Scott specifically disappoints with a very disjointed and awkward verse on “FUK SUMN.”
Playboi Carti also appears on this track, being one of his two appearances on the album. Carti is not a saving grace for this project but he does fine with what he is given. His verse on “CARNIVAL” is fun, as is Rich The Kid’s performance on the same song.
Likely the best addition to this project is Freddie Gibbs, who does his best to salvage “BACK TO ME” with a solid feature. North West is funnily enough more enjoyable to listen to than most other features with her goofiness on “TALKING.” While these features don’t make the whole experience worth enduring at all, they add some value to this trainwreck.
“VULTURES 1” can best serve as a warning sign to other artists, showing how hard someone so successful can fall. It is borderline unlistenable and in comparison to West’s other work it seems like a joke. For the crowd saying to separate the artist from the art; it is impossible when the art is the artist and especially when the art is this bad.
Ryan Garcia’s social media meltdown ahead of April showdown.
Professional boxer Ryan Garcia’s upcoming fight against Devin Haney in Brooklyn on April 20 has been recently shadowed by controversy following his alarming social media claims against perceived elite influence.
Garcia, known for his lightning-fast hands and outspoken personality, took to platforms Instagram and X to air his grievances and make startling claims. In a series of posts, he accused the so-called elite class of controlling the world through secretive gatherings and rituals, specifically mentioning the infamous Bohemian Grove in Northern California.
The Bohemian Grove, a private club frequented by politicians, businessmen and celebrities, has long been the subject of conspiracy theories and speculation due to its secretive nature. Garcia’s posts reignited interest in the club, alleging that its members wield immense power and influence over global affairs, and are actively committing sinister acts. For instance, it is known that the club participates in a ritual known as the Cremation of Care, where members of the club dress in hooded robes, place an effigy on an altar and set it on fire.
killed every second innocent babies’ lives lost and you want me to stop,” said Garcia.
“They auction off kids,” said Garcia in another post from the same day, making the same assertions.
Videos were also uploaded to Garcia’s Instagram
ing, sports and my fight.” said Garcia.
The boxer’s claims and behavior drew a mixed response from fans and followers, with some applauding his courage for speaking out against injustices, while others dismissed his assertions as just conspiracy theories. Concerns about Garcia’s mental state also arose following the posts, with some wondering if his behavior is an attempt to get his upcoming fight called off.
On March 6, the 25-year-old boxing prodigy posted a string of bold messages to his verified X account, all of which reiterated his concern about the institution.
“Imagine you exposing the world and the people closest want you to stop while there is kids being
on March 7, a day after the startling posts on X. In one particular video, Garcia acknowledges his claims but expresses that he will no longer be discussing them on his platforms.
“Now over these past couple of days, you guys have seen some pretty intense things. I understand what they are and I understand what they look like. But I am coming back to announce, I’m not going to speak on any other topic other than box-
Timothy Bradley, Hall of Fame boxer and ESPN analyst, addressed Garcia’s controversy during an appearance on ProBox TV, where he expressed his view on the upcoming fight.
“I think he’s crying out for help, people, I really do,’’ said Bradley “...I don’t think this fight will happen.’’
This would not be the first time Garcia has backed out of a fight. In 2021 he withdrew from a fight against Javier Fortuna after saying “At this time it is important to manage my health and wellbeing” in an Instagram post.
As of right now, Garcia has made it clear that the fight is still on. As the fight against Haney approaches, many people in the boxing community are left wondering how the controversy will affect his performance in the ring. While some believe that the added attention and motivation could propel Garcia to victory, others worry that the distractions may detract from his focus and preparation, potentially putting his record at risk.
The 17-13 Johnnies will be the third seed in the upcoming Big East Tournament.
The St. John’s Women’s Basketball team ended their regular season on Feb. 27 with a win over Marquette and began Big East Tournament play at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut on Mar. 9. After an impressive season last year, how did the team fare this season overall?
With an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time in seven years, expectations were high coming into the 2023-2024 season.
The Johnnies came out the gates firing with an emphatic 81-44 win in the season opener against Long Island University on Nov. 6. Captains Unique Drake and Jillian Archer both had impressive performances, setting the tone for the rest of their campaigns.
Back-to-back losses followed but a win against Manhattan on Nov. 19 seemed to steady the ship as the team prepared for the Discover Puerto Rico tournament.
The Johnnies entered the tournament with a 2-2 record and left 2-5 after this disastrous turn. Shooting woes plagued the team’s stint in Puerto Rico, highlighted by a 61-48 loss to the University of Central Florida which saw the team shoot 31.8% from the field.
In order to turn the season around, head coach Joe Tartamella needed his squad to bounce back quickly which is exactly what happened. The
Johnnies won five out of their next six games, improving to 7-6. The most important game of this stretch was a 51-46 victory against Villanova on Dec. 16 in the first Big East matchup of the season held at Madison Square Garden.
After this remarkable turn around, the Red Storm had their work cut out facing two ranked opponents back to back. They split both games, losing to No. 21 Creighton on Dec. 30 but beating No. 19 Marquette on Jan. 3 dramatically by one point.
Following this test, they went on another run winning six of their next eight games. One of the most important wins of the season came in a double overtime victory against DePaul in which Drake set a St. John’s record for points scored in a single game. Drake scored a whopping 36 points and had six three-pointers in this historic performance.
With only seven games remaining in the season and sitting at a 14-9 record, the Johnnies looked to finish strong with formidable opponents such as the No. 11 ranked Uconn Huskies standing in their way.
After dropping two consecutive games to Uconn and Butler, the Johnnies limped to the finish line losing four of their final seven games.
The Red Storm finished the season 17-13, while going 11-7 in conference games tying Villanova and Marquette for the No. 3 seed in the Big East
Tournament. Perhaps the most staggering statistic was the home and away splits; the Johnnies could not seem to lose at home as they went 11-3 in Carnesecca Arena while only going 6-7 in away games.
The best performers of the season were Drake and Archer: Drake’s 18 points per game was enough to earn her a unanimous place on the First Team All-Big East and a “Women’s College Basketball All-Star Game Watch List ‘’ honor. Archer was an honorable mention on the All-Big East teams as well, averaging 11 points and eight rebounds per game this season. Senior guard Ber’Nyah Mayo had a noteworthy season as well, leading the team with 3.5 assists per game, two steals and scoring 12 points.
A hopeful third quarter could not get the job done.
The Georgetown Hoyas came out victorious in their overall season series with the Red Storm (2-1) on Saturday night, after a 53-44 victory in the Big East quarterfinals at Mohegan Sun Arena. St. John’s battled through the No. 1 ranked Hoya defense for all four quarters but was forced into a hole they simply could not recover from.
The No. 3 Red Storm last played on Feb. 27 against Marquette, and their well deserved bye into the tournament also earned them a 9:30 p.m. start in Uncasville, CT. One can only assume that the time off took a toll on the team.
Seeing the effects of 11 days off early on, the Johnnies offense needed time to warm up. Georgetown pressed early and often, not letting up for anything in the first half and halting St. John’s to only 16 points – the fewest amount scored for the Red Storm in a half this season.
Unanimous first team all-conference guard Unique Drake finished the contest in double-figures with 10 points on the night. The Hoyas had a relentless watch on her, double and triple teaming at all opportunities and limiting her shot options from the start.
Georgetown started out the contest on a 10-0 run, courtesy to three Red Storm turnovers in the opening minutes of play. Their defense was the difference maker in the game as they stag-
geringly halted St. John’s to zero points in the paint in the first half.
The second quarter momentum could not be stopped for Georgetown as they continued to go up 25-16 at the half. Although St. John’s was able to close the gap to single digits, they were still struggling on the offensive end. In a highly physical contest between the old-school Big East rivalry, St. John’s appeared to be taking all of the beating. The Hoyas (18) had double the amount of rebounds than St. John’s at the end of the first half.
When the third quarter rolled around it looked as if there was finally a light being shed on St. John’s.
Big East honorable mention and graduate forward, Jillian Archer, launched into four points made on two quick jumpers to get St. John’s started. If there was a lifeline for St. John’s throughout the game, it was seen in Archer. The former Hoya finished with 16 points for the Red Storm, but was uncharacteristically outnumbered on the boards. She collected only three rebounds on the night.
Senior guard Ber’Nyah Mayo missed the entire second quarter after falling into some foul trouble. After coming back in for the second half she was able to take the pressure off of the press on Drake, matching her with 10 points by the end of the game.
The energy in the second half was lifted. St. John’s was able to go on a 9-4 run to close the scoring gap to as little as three, and only allowed 10 Hoya points in the third quarter. They finally came up with some timely rebounds as sophomore guard Jailah Donald battled for one on the boards and fired a long pass to Mayo for an easy Archer bucket.
Then, the fourth quarter hit. Although Georgetown would only go on an 18-14 scoring run, St. John’s could not recover from the points lost in the previous quarters. Kelsey Ransom and Garceann Bennet combined for 39 points for Georgetown, just five points shy of St. John’s’ total on the night.
Despite the offensive struggles, St. John’s was able to capitalize on Georgetown fouls, going 12-14 on free throw attempts. They finished the game shooting 14.3% from beyond the arc. St. John’s averaged 60 points per game this season, and came up with only 44 in Saturday night’s contest. From here, they will have to wait for a slightly less hopeful NCAA tournament bid next week.
Following the end of the season Drake participated in the 2024 ThreePoint Contest and the Women’s AllStar Game in Cleveland where she had 27 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds, earning herself MVP.
Following their loss in the Big East semi-finals to UConn, St. John’s seemingly punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, and even made an appearance on the back cover of the New York Post.
“Let’s Dance!” the headline read. “Johnnies pull away from [Seton] Hall to punch their NCAA ticket.”
In the sarcastic words of head coach Rick Pitino, “If the NY Post is not the Bible who am I going to believe?”
Unfortunately, it appears he knew something the rest of us didn’t.
On the Saturday before Selection Sunday, a cluster of teams likely to miss the tournament secured spots through conference championship upsets. Bid-stealers included NC State over UNC, Oregon over Colorado and Temple over FAU. As each hour passed, the Red Storm’s once-guaranteed spot became a long-shot.
Heading into Selection Sunday, many bracketologists had St. John’s either in the ‘Last Four In’ or ‘First Four Out’ categories.
Despite landing 25th on KenPom and 32nd on NET, Pitino and company waited as teams like UVA (KenPom 69, NET 54) and previously mentioned FAU (KenPom 41, NET 39) heard their names called.
As bids ran dry, the Johnnies weren’t even mentioned. The committee felt they were much further from making the tournament than bracketologists expected.
St. John’s became the second highest-ranked NET team ever to be left out.
Almost more egregiously, conference rivals Providence and Seton Hall didn’t hear their names called either. The decisions from the selection committee left Big East coaches Dan Hurley, Greg McDermott and Kim English just as dumbfounded as fans. While disappointed, Pitino isn’t dwelling on the snub.
“I believe in getting better, not bitter,” the hall-of-famer announced. “Most of our time now needs to be spent recruiting because we’re going to have to bring in probably seven or eight new players. We’re not going to say we got screwed. None of that helps. Bitterness does not help. I’ve had enough bitterness in my life to last a lifetime.”
With their season now over, St. John’s shifts focus to the transfer portal.
As Daniss Jenkins, Jordan Dingle, Chris Ledlum, Nahiem Alleyne, Sean Conway and team captain Joel Soriano are all out of eligibility, six roster spots will open. Additionally, redshirt sophomore Cruz Davis, and junior Glenn Taylor Jr. have entered the transfer portal.
After blasting Seton Hall in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament, head coach Rick Pitino and company earned a third rematch with the Huskies in the semifinals. Thanks to the aforementioned blowout win, St. John’s didn’t need to take down the Connecticut powerhouse for the right to dance. They were playing with house money.
And they nearly robbed the casino.
In a contest that provided a slew of whistles (looking at you, James Breeding), sideline antics and gutsy performances, the Red Storm fell to Dan Hurley’s crew for the third time this season, 9590.
Through the first two minutes of the contest, the Huskies were held scoreless. On the contrary, Daniss Jenkins (27 pts., 5 asst.) exploded for 11 points in just 1:49 of action. For the majority of the opening stretch, Jenkins was playing one-
on-five. As he was scoring seemingly every time down the court, with seven minutes remaining in the half any Red Storm player not named Jenkins was a combined 3-of-13 from the field.
Then, the ‘short guy in a red blazer’ got involved.
After angrily disagreeing with one of Breeding’s several egregious first half calls, Pitino was assigned a technical. A courtside fan, sporting a red blazer, also animatedly disagreed, allegedly spewing expletives, something Hurley couldn’t handle. He began pleading his case to Breeding for why the fan should be ejected, only to receive a technical himself.
Following five minutes of non-basketball chaos, the players were allowed to resume.
It was at this point that Jenkins finally began to receive some help from his teammates, but the usual suspects were not the primary supporters. Zuby Ejiofor (8 pts.,
3-4 FG) packed on all eight of his points in the first half. Brady Dunlap (5 pts., 2 rebs.) provided an instant impact, forcing two turnovers shortly after entering the game.
After Breeding waved off a buzzer-beating layup from Jenkins, the Johnnies only trailed by five at the break.
The second half offered much less drama than the first, and displayed why UConn may roll through the NCAA Tournament. Despite a late surge from Jordan Dingle (19 pts., 3-5 3PM), they just couldn’t miss. Whether it was Big East Player of the Year runner-up Tristen Newton, Cam Spencer or Alex Karaban, any time the Red Storm snuck back into the game, the Huskies always had an answer.
Faced with any other conference foe, the Red Storm win this game. It’s very rare to put up 90 points and lose, unless you are playing
the defending champs, a sentiment Pitino echoed.
“You score 90 points against the defending national champions, I think you’re doing a lot of things right,” the hall-of-famer said. “We’re making our free throws, we’re passing the ball well, but Connecticut’s Connecticut, and they’re just a machine.”
Following the game, the Red Storm ranged between a nine seed and 11 seed in the majority of major NCAA Tournament brackets. One popular pairing many bracket-makers had? St. John’s vs. New Mexico (25-9). Rick Pitino vs. Richard Pitino.
They were not selected for the NCAA tournament.
UConn went on to repeat as National Champions.