Torch Photo / James Williams
Torch Photo / Sara Kiernan
St. John’s University Responds to Federal Guidelines in ‘Dear Colleague Letter’
The University is reviewing policies as directive threatens funding.
St. John’s University is reaffirming its commitment to “upholding Catholic and Vincentian values while remaining compliant with the law” following a Feb. 14 directive from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights that calls for ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education, University Spokesperson Brian Browne said.
The directive, titled “Dear Colleague Letter,” writes that educational institutions have promoted the “false premise” that the U.S. is founded on systemic racism, using DEI initiatives to “smuggle racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming and discipline.”
“Federal law thus prohibits covered entities from using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of student, academic and campus life,” wrote Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights for the Education Department.
The Department of Education then threatened federal funding to any institution that failed to comply with the directive, geared toward all federally funded preschool, elementry, secondary, and postsecondary educational institutions, as well as state educational agencies.
This decision comes after the Supreme Court’s landmark 2023 decision, Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, that eliminated the use of race-conscious admissions for Black and Latino students. At the time, former President Donald Trump called it a “great day for America.”
The directive has received major criticism and could deeply affect the St. John’s University community. With about half of the student body composed of students of color, according to College Factual, the changes could be especially consequential.
Browne recognized the confusion the directive has on the campus community, saying “The University continues to monitor policymaking, the legislative process and the legal landscape as we review our existing policies,
programs and practices.”
He said the University believes its policies are compliant and is “undertaking a close review to affirm that belief and better understand our responsibilities under the directives [of the letter].”
Programs such as the Critical Race and Ethnic Studies major could also be affected, though Browne reaffirmed the University’s commitment to its Vincentian values while adhering to federal law.
Browne encouraged students to utilize various resources like “Counseling and Psychological Services, the International Student and Scholar Services, the Office of Campus Ministry, the Division of Student Success, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Department of Public Safety” to provide support.
While the University has said they will communicate any impact on “academics and living and learning on campus,” he said a group of University leaders is “gathering information and reviewing programs and policies” based on the directive.
Pre-Dental Club Assists Students With Applications
Session offered tips on how to present a well-rounded dental school application.
The St. John’s Pre-Dental Club held a Dental School Application Information Session on Feb. 20 from 1:50 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Marillac 224. The session offered students interested in dentistry the opportunity to learn about dental school applications, the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and tips to enhance resumes and portfolios. About 15 students were in attendance.
To supplement the presentation, attendees were provided with a “pre-dental timeline” handout that included the primary application components, prerequisite and recommended courses and an empty timeline for students to custmize their path to dental school.
“A lot of people don’t know that dentistry is something they want to do,” David Suleymanob, the co-events coordinator said. “They just hear it from someone or their parents encourage them to do it, but they don’t know anyhing about it.”
While executive board members encouraged
malak kaSSem
| Feb. 24, 2025
students to aim for a minimum of a 3.4 GPA for their applications, they acknowledged that not every student would reach that threshold and many wouldn’t achieve perfect scores on the DAT.
“They are going to look at your application holistically,” said Secretary MD Islam. “If you think it’s going to be hard to have a high GPA or DAT score, you want to ensure you have other good stats.”
This means that you can put down extracurricular involvement, achievements and good recommendation letters.
According to the handout, dental school applicants must also shadow a dentist for at least 100 hours throughout their undergraduate career.
It’s also important to take the application process slowly to ensure students can put their best foot forward.
“If you write something that’s very generic, the people reviewing your work won’t look at
your application the way you want them to look at it,” Eric Lee, the vice president said.
The session also covered online resources for preparing for the DAT including DAT Bootcamp, DATBooster and Chad’s Prep Attendees were also encouraged to utilize St. John’s resources including the Pre-Health Professions Advosity Committee and the dental preceptorship one-credit course.
E-board members also shared that manual dexterity is particularly important. To showcase or improve these skills, students should consider enrolling in courses like jewelry making or sign language.
“It’s really significant for pre-dental students to attend these sessions because a lot of students lack the guidance,” Tyler Foster, a biology major who attended the event said.
“Sometimes you are given the run around so it’s really nice to find people who are as interested as you in the field and everyone can bounce off of each other’s knowledge.”
Torch Photos / Nicholas St. Cyr
Olivia Seaman | Feb. 24, 2025
Student Outrage Grows Over Limited Ticket Access for St. John’s vs. UConn
With the Johnnies ranked in the top 10, basketball tickets are difficult to procure.
After a weeklong fight for tickets for the highly anticipated Feb. 23 Men’s Basketball game at Madison Square Garden vs. UConn, St. John’s University students have voiced frustration due to lack of ticketing.
On Monday, Feb. 18, students gathered outside the Carnesecca Ticket Office to purchase tickets for the student sections — 20 rows of seats in both sections two and eight at The Garden. After approximately one-third of the line was served, students were notified that the tickets were “sold out.”
Students were frustrated at tickets being sold out within minutes, despite only limited tickets being sold.
Senior Mason Wood expressed his disappointment at not being able to secure a ticket:
“It is their most anticipated game in recent memory and they have made tickets inaccessible for the students that have supported them through their lowest lows.”
Students often have difficulty figuring out when exactly the tickets for each game go on sale, which creates even more frustration surrounding the ticketing process.
“Concession workers explained that although they had repeatedly said that Tuesday would be the first day of sales, a majority of tickets were given away the previous Friday,” senior Aldo Torres said.
Junior Laura Fierro described her failure to get tickets:
“I got here at 8:30 and the line was pretty
Olivia RainsOn | Feb. 21, 2025
long. They should say we have this amount of tickets and give out that number,” she said. “I feel bad for everyone behind us since we had some hope. But for the people behind us, it was pointless. There should be a little more structure.”
Adding that many students were “cutting” the line, Fierro emphasized the need for structure to limit the chaos that led to Public Safety having to perform crowd control and telling students to “disperse.”
Many students remained after the news of the tickets selling out to express frustration and even enter a verbal altercation with the ticket sellers.
Senior Katie McCarty waited 45 minutes with the knowledge that there was “a very limited number” of tickets.
“We just saw the fight happening since they said there were 45 tickets and 34 people got tickets,” she said.
Students expressed frustration at the ticket booth workers once they realized they were unable to receive a ticket despite the number that was expected to be sold. Expressing anger at waiting for no reason, this verbal altercation concerned the entire process of the ticket sales.
Law student Alfred Polizzotto was one of the few to be successful:
“I got there around 8:15 and the line was probably around 25 people. The line got much longer around 8:45 and stretched to the
back grass. I was able to get a ticket at 9:15, but they sold out 10 minutes later.”
When asked how students can guarantee tickets when waiting before the office even opens is not enough, Ed Kull, vice president and athletic director, said in a statement to The Torch:
“We encourage all students to purchase season tickets at the beginning of the year to guarantee their seat. Student tickets are not a revenue generator for Athletics; the price maintains a value perspective on the ticket compared to being free and perceiving no value.”
He continued by addressing the conflicts with purchasing tickets for the UConn game.
“Additionally, we released more seats for Sunday’s game for students beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday and urge students to purchase their tickets for the Seton Hall game on March 1. Our students make a profound impact as our sixth man, and we need as many as possible to support our men’s basketball program as we head into March.”
The statement concluded by expressing the excitement surrounding the “increased interest of our student body in attending games,” adding that “our students are pivotal to our success and are the backbone of creating a lively atmosphere at Madison Square Garden.”
Torch Photo / Olivia Rainson
Torch Photo / Olivia Rainson
How a St. John’s Sophomore Turned Her Poetry Into a Published Work
This student has a published book at only 18.
For St. John’s University student Sanaa Marie Omondi, achieving a major milestone went beyond completing her first semester of college. The now-sophomore also self-published her debut novel, “Who I Am & Who I Was” in January 2023, composed of a captivating, curated collection of poetry inspired by her innermost thoughts, feelings and reflections.
“Writing is my outlet and my safe place – it’s my personal form of art,” the nursing major told The Torch.
In middle school, Omondi discovered poetry was an avenue to “express her emotions without having to talk to someone.” As she advanced into early adulthood, she considered if her words could also impact others.
“Who I Am & Who I Was” is an ode to everything Omondi has lived through and felt in her coming-of-age years. The pieces expressively communicate who the sophomore was starting in the fifth grade, and extend to who she is until her senior year of high school.
“I tried to make it so that each poem has a different ‘life category’ that readers can put themselves in,” she said. “I think that the best way to describe the overarching theme of the book is growing up and experiencing life in different mindsets, which is why it’s helpful to read it chronologically.”
Writing the book was “therapeutic” as her work paints a raw and real portrait of many of her thoughts and feelings otherwise bottled up inside. The poems channel deeply relatable experiences for young people — from being your own worst enemy to embracing the “imperfections” that make us who we are.
“You can see a shift from darkness and negativity at the beginning of the book, to me still experiencing challenges towards the end, but not letting them make me feel less as I become more open-minded and optimistic,” she said. “I wanted to show the evolution of a mindset in the way I knew best, and thought that it could possibly help people who read it.”
The cover art, which depicts halves of a face separated by shades of color and slightly contrasting appearances, was said to have been heavily influenced by the book’s central theme. Omondi describes the visual as “being the same person with two faces” — signifying the themes of both youth and growing up in her novel.
While Omondi wrote the poems in the years
Isabella acIerno | Feb. 15, 2025
that have passed, creating the book commenced in 2022. The next year, she became a self-published author through Amazon.
She acknowledged that publishing a novel had its difficulties, especially when considering that these works are much like wearing her heart on her sleeve. However, Omondi is a self-starter, which has shined in her writing, her career path and other hobbies like modeling.
“When I have a fear, I have to conquer it, which is what I did with this book,” Omondi said. “I had a fear of needles, so I started donating blood. I had a fear that I would never travel alone, so I went to Greece by myself when I was fifteen.”
She proceeded by engaging in third-person self-talk on the subject, stating “‘Oh, you have anxieties about your words not being received well or being perceived in a judgmental way? You’re putting it on Amazon where everybody can read it.”
Upon release, a pool of supporters from all different age groups reached out to Omondi and suggested that her words transcend with time. The majority of these individuals were in their thirties and forties and found themselves reminiscing on experiences from their younger years, still resonating now.
The author additionally earned support from a younger population and one that she identifies strongly with — seventh graders in the Academic Intervention Services (AIS) reading class at Highland Middle School.
Omondi’s former AIS teacher and seventh-grade students dedicated a book club day to her and provided students with their own copies. To the author’s surprise, the students highlighted their favorite verses and spoke with her about their favorite poems.
“Sometimes, you feel a type of way when you’re younger and are not at grade level for reading and comprehension,” she said. “But that day, I got to speak in a classroom I once sat in and say ‘Look at me! I was in the same AIS read-
ing class that you’re in, and now I have a book published.”
Omondi has even been recognized and awarded by several government leaders and organizations for her work, including the Social Action Ministry’s 37th Annual Black Achievers Award of 2024 and the Black Achiever Outstanding Youth Community Service Recognition Leadership Award.
When asked about future projects, Omondi confirmed that another book is on its way.
“I have a second book in the drafts, but the next poems are quite dark, so I’m taking my time,” she said. “I really want to make sure that this one is perceived well, considering that there have been some troublesome events that have taken place in my life over the past year, and this is where the new poems are stemming from – that place of tragedy.”
Until then, readers can purchase “Who I Am & Who I Was” on Amazon in paperback or Kindle Edition.
A new force in the publishing world, Omondi leaves those passionate about their writing but are choosing to hold back for their own reasons with some personal words of encouragement.
“The main thing is to be confident in your work and to have a purpose,” she said. “The rest will come together.”
While it’s empowering at any age to unmask your authentic self with an aspiration to help others, it is extra special when you’re at the young age of 18 like Omondi.
Photo Courtesy / YouTubeLaura in the Kitchen
Photo Courtesy / Unsplash Iñaki del Olmo
Torch Photo / Isabella Acierno
Three Black SJU Student Leaders Who are Breaking Barriers
Leaders of prominent SJU organizations share their stories.
Olivia RainsOn | Feb. 24, 2025
In a world where only five percent of executives at top companies are Black, with the percentage of Black women in roles being even lower, the fear of setbacks can be debilitating. Or, as shown by these students, it can be an inspiration to defy these statistics and cultivate community in higher leadership roles.
The Torch spoke with three prominent Black female student leaders to learn how their background shapes the roles they have embraced.
Jeneé Raymond is a junior leading the top position of St. John’s Pan-African Student Coalition, Haraya. Serving as their president, she shared how the community she is involved in has propelled her passion for leadership:
“I didn’t really know how much it meant to me until I got to this campus and I found my place in Haraya, and then I realized this is something that I enjoy doing.
It’s not only being there and being in Black spaces but also creating spaces for other Black people,” she said.
Stating how fulfilling it is to see people coming together in meetings and for events, Raymond emphasized the importance of having conversations about community happenings. Her major goal is “encouraging more Black students to get involved.”
Noting how there has been more diverse involvement as her time at St. John’s progressed, Raymond is hoping to see and inspire even more as she continues her academic journey. Her goal in fostering more Black leadership relates to having more “voice in different spaces,” especially in higher roles.
When asked why diversity is so significant on college campuses, Raymond said:
“It lies not only in the connections and the
networking you can have but the way that it branches you out to so many different places.”
Crediting her time in Haraya for the opportunities she has been presented with, Raymond emphasized how important it is to put yourself out there since she never knew that she would end up in this role.
Speaking on DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), she stressed the significance of knowledge and having important conversations during times of uncertainty:
“The more knowledge and education you have about this topic the more you’re able to understand it, the more you’re able to see how it directly affects you and other people, your peers, your friends, your family and all these other things.”
Junior Ava Wilson, secretary of Student Government Inc. (SGi), wants others to know one specific thing about her:
“I want people to see that I’m a person who cares about other people.”
Beginning her journey as a Senator and Political Action Chair for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in her sophomore year, Wilson was focused on fostering an environment of inclusion.
Noting how “there was not a lot of diversity,” she expressed how she could “count the amount of people that looked like me on one hand.”
When asked what influenced her in continuing to rise in leadership, Wilson said:
“I was tired of letting things just be the way they are, simply because this is how it has always been. How can I make something better? How can I be a part of that change,” she said. Not only is the secretary representing students of color, but specifically Black women as well. Affirming that “We always need another Black woman in the leadership atmosphere,” Wilson is contributing to this positive change through her position.
Working towards creating more seats at the table for women, she asks, “How do we encourage women to want to run, if we don’t even give them the environment to feel safe to run?”
Focusing on comfortability and inclusion, the goal of this student leader is to encourage belonging, specifically encouraging students to feel they belong. Through fulfilling her role to help students, Wilson is as personal as possible when communicating with her peers:
“What brought you to St John’s? What is keeping you here and why? What do you want to do? How can I help you see that you belong here?”
Senior Madison Coombs has been the president of SJU’s fashion club, Red House, for two semesters. From their annual fashion show to modeling workshops, the organization allows for creative expression on the St. John’s campus.
“I wanted the club to be very inclusive and diverse,” was Coombs’ opening statement.
She added that by “being a Black woman, I wanted everyone to feel welcome” and rejected the idea there was a certain type of person preferred in their organization while encouraging inclusion.
When asked about the importance of diverse leadership on campus, Coombs responded:
“I think it inspires other people who maybe, in the past, have felt like they weren’t seen or heard due to their race. They may have felt overlooked because of it. It’s nice to be in a position to inspire other people to want to be in presidential or higher leadership roles.”
Fighting to “break the stereotypes and stigmas,” the president emphasized how being a woman of color can create doubt surrounding her voice being “respected or understood.”
To Coombs, being that voice and example for others is what continuously inspires her dedication to her role and organization.
She highlighted the self-doubt that can occur for Black women holding positions of power while demonstrating the falsehood behind these feelings:
“My younger self probably wouldn’t have ever thought I would be able to hold a position like this, given what I grew up seeing or hearing. So I think it’s nice to prove myself wrong in a way.”
Torch Photo / Alexandra Prettitore
From left to right: Jeneé Raymond, Ava Wilson and Madison Coombs
Eric Adams Is Letting Us Down
The NYC mayor’s response to Trump perfectly represents the Democratic Party’s incompetence
The liberal resistance movement against President Trump has been disappointing at best, and utterly nonexistent at worst.
A prime example of this is New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
On Feb. 11, the United States Department of Justice dropped the mayor’s federal bribery and corruption charges. The indictment, filed in September 2024, accused Adams of leveraging his political position with foreign countries in exchange for illegal campaign contributions and luxury travel.
Whether or not Adams accepted illegal gifts from Turkish citizens and government officials has been up for debate for months, but the fact a sitting Republican president used his executive authority to bail out a Democratic mayor should invoke an immediate sense of investigation.
That is until you realize exactly who you’re dealing with in Adams.
MiCah GraysOn | Feb. 19, 2025
Either the mayor is strikingly unknowledgeable about the current state of affairs, or he simply does not care for the innocents who potentially will have their lives taken away from them. He took the easy way out.
The devastating effects of a potential series of ICE raids on the economy of the city cannot be understated.
New York City is a place that relies on undocumented labor for many of its key sec-
lowed, the evidence is abundantly clear.
With leaders such as Adams or Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who himself has openly conceded to the president concerning his gutting of federal agencies, the Democratic Party’s resistance movement seems to be becoming less and less inspiring by the day.
The president’s main reason for dropping Adams’ cases revolves around the signature policy of his agenda thus far, his treatment of the migrant crisis. Trump trusts him to cooperate with federal immigration authorities because the mayor has been appeasing Trump’s narrative on the crisis and hasn’t expressed interest in defending the rights of the millions of migrants that he has jurisdiction over.
Adams has stated he is willing to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who will come to the city. He’s stated that these agents will simply show up to deal with violent criminals and repeat offenders, but that’s simply not how it’s played out in areas where ICE has already targeted.
In states such as Colorado, the enforcement teams have been targeting any person who is suspected to be undocumented, and most criminals that have been ascertained have only been convicted of smaller crimes such as petty theft.
tors. According to the Center for Migration Studies over 10,000 undocumented laborers work in Construction, Housekeeping, Home Health Aid, Carpentry, Cashiering, and other important fields. In 2022, there were a total of 470,110 undocumented citizens working within the five boroughs.
The simple fact of the matter, which has become increasingly evident due to this saga and previous ones, is that Adams doesn’t care about anyone but himself and those closest to him.
Whether it be the significant spending cuts for key programs, the constant catering to the interests of his former colleagues in the NYPD or the litany of investigations, convictions and resignations that fol-
This can be emphasized through a simple contrast to a similar liberal democracy such as South Korea. In December 2024, the president declared martial law on the country, threatening the fabric of the nation and the liberties of its citizens. A move not dissimilar to Trump’s immigration and federal lay-off agendas. What’s not indistinguishable was the response by those in opposition. Members of Parliament and their staff fought back against the soldiers who were enforcing the president’s wishes, with some even engaging in physical struggle with armed soldiers at the Capitol. They did what politicians are supposed to do in times of crisis, not back down.
The Democratic Party, whether it’s those in Congress or mayors such as Adams, need to take notes. Compromise and fecklessness in the face of potential devastation cannot be tolerated.
Photo Courtesy / YouTube Sky News Australia
102ND EDITORIAL BOARD
Olivia Seaman EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kyler Fox MANAGING EDITOR
MalaK KasseM
NEWS EDITOR
Isabella athanasIou
ASST.
NEWS EDITOR
JaMes WIllIaMs
SPORTS EDITOR
Molly DoWns
CULTURE EDITOR
CelIna MullaDy ASST.
CULTURE EDITOR
Carlyann
MICah
alexanDra PrettItore ASST. FEATURES EDITOR
sebastIan Zelaya PHOTO EDITOR olIvIa raInson SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Isabella aCIerno OUTREACH MANAGER
nICholas DIaGostIno CO-BUSINESS MANAGER
Carter KIZIK CO-BUSINESS MANAGER
suZanne C eChalsKI ADVISER
STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS
EDITorIAL PoLIcY
Editorials are the opinions of the Editorial Board of the TOrch. 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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coNTrIBUTIoNS
Attacking Artists Isn’t the Answer
On Feb. 2, the 67th Grammy Awards took place, and Beyoncé — one of the most influential artists of the century — took home the coveted Album of the Year Award. While many agree that she should have won the award in previous years for either “Lemonade” or “Renaissance,” there is much more controversy when discussing if her country project “Cowboy Carter” should have taken home the accolade.
unique and expansive approach to the country genre, the album has an even larger purpose which it effectively executes. It delves into the history of Black culture in relation to country music, highlighting the often unknown yet impactful influence of it on the genre.
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Fans of young pop star Billie Eilish were especially upset by Beyoncé’s victory over her album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Eilish was nominated for seven awards at this year’s ceremony but walked away empty-handed. Despite the overall wash for the album, many fans were pointedly outraged that “Cowboy Carter” in particular won over “Hit Me Hard and Soft” in the Album of the Year category. This seems particularly strange — artists such as Sabrina Carpenter also won out over Eilish, yet online outrage was exclusively centered on Beyoncé’s “undeserved” victory. This is linked to the narrow-minded idea that only a specific type of music — pop music — is worthy of a win.
Many took to social media to criticize the Recording Academy’s decision, with one of the main arguments against Beyoncé’s win being that Eilish’s streaming numbers for her respective album were much higher. Other cherry-picked lyrics from each album, making Eilish’s songs seem significantly more poetic than ones from “Cowboy Carter.” The lead single “Texas Hold ‘Em” was particularly mocked. These arguments are inherently flawed.
In terms of Beyoncé’s win, the reaction of Eilish’s fanbase shows a lack of understanding of her project. As many “Hit Me Hard and Soft” supporters admitted, the majority hadn’t listened to the whole album or researched the deep history behind “Cowboy Carter” before criticizing it. In addition to its
Although “Cowboy Carter” didn’t match the streaming numbers or have as many hit singles as “Hit Me Hard and Soft,” its cultural significance along with its strong vocals and production made it worthy of the Album of the Year Award.
The reaction to the album’s victory brings up questions about how fanbases should respond in general when their favorite artist doesn’t win.
There is speculation that “Hit Me Hard and Soft” wasn’t even in close range to the amount of votes needed to secure the Album of the Year Award. Many believe that Charli XCX’s dance pop project, “Brat,” was the runner-up. Instead of reacting with attacks towards Beyoncé, fans were relatively quiet about the defeat, celebrating the impact “Brat” had without tearing down “Cowboy Carter.” This is a much more reasonable, healthy response to the Grammy’s results.
Further, it also seems hypocritical for Eilish’s fanbase to bash and question the validity of Beyoncé’s win so harshly because, at the 2020 awards, Eilish had a similar experience. Her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?” swept the awards, leaving fans of Lana del Rey’s record “Norman F***ing Rockwell” outraged and confused. In theory, seeing this reaction towards their favorite artist in 2020 should have led Eilish fans to treat other artists in similar situations with more kindness. It doesn’t make much sense to attack a victorious artist when you feel their achievement is invalid. The Recording Academy ultimately made the decision, so it is misguided to fault the artist for merely accepting an award.
Jason Petrucci
AlexAndrA Prettitore | Feb. 17, 2025
Five Essential Films by Black Directors for Black History Month
A collection highlighting the talents of Black directors.
As Black History Month comes to a close, it’s important to remember and celebrate — not only this month — the many Black creators whose art contributes to the culture of the United States. While there have been Black directors releasing films since Oscar Micheaux in 1919, there has been a severe lack of representation and value given to them within The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Since 1991, there have been six Black directors nominated at the Oscars for Best Director, but none have won the category.
To celebrate some Black directors who are not always recognized by the Academy, here’s a list of five Black-directed films from the past decade. From comedic friendships to eye-opening documentation, this list contains immensely talented filmmakers from this generation.
Lawrence Lamont’s “One of Them Days” (2025)
Released on Jan. 17, “One of Them Days” is a comedic buddy film directed by Lawrence Lamont. The film stars SZA and Keke Palmer as Alyssa and Drew, two roommates who have to come up with $1,500 for rent in one day after Alyssa’s boyfriend takes the money. The obstacles they go through to get their money back are filled with drama and hilarity.
The film’s overarching themes emphasize the necessity and importance of female friendships, especially when they’re made up of two supportive women. With a playfully stressful plot and satisfying ending, Lamont’s film is certainly one worth viewing.
“One of Them Days” is playing in theaters and available to rent or purchase on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction” (2023)
Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut, “American Fiction,” tells the story of Thelonius “Monk” Ellison, a writer and professor struggling to make a living selling his novels, because publishers continue to tell him they aren’t “Black enough.” Frustrated and fed up, Monk writes a completely satirical manuscript, heavily feeding into the stereotypical “Black” novel publishers expect, which to his surprise is bought and garners massive praise as a piece of authentic literature.
Based on Percival Everett’s novel, “Erasure,” the film is a witty commentary on the distorted misconception of what Black literature — and media in general — is expected to be in the broader public eye.
“American Fiction’s” stacked cast, including Jeffrey Wright, Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown makes for an incredibly smart, comedic and timely film that is a must-watch.
“American Fiction” is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
Janicza Bravo’s “Zola” (2020)
Janicza Bravo’s film “Zola” follows Zola, a part-time stripper in Detroit, Michigan, as she goes on a road trip to Tampa, Florida with her new friend Stefani, who claims they can make even more money stripping there. Unfortunately, this leads to Zola becoming wrapped up in Stefani’s dangerous world. The film, starring Taylour Paige and Riley Keough, is inspired by the true story of Aziah Wells.
The escalating intensity of each scene, coupled with the moments of humor throughout, makes for an alluring yet dark watch. Written by both Bravo herself and Jeremy O. Harris, this story is truly eye-opening to the absurdity and extremity that strippers and sex workers experience within the occupation, particularly because the film is based on a true story.
“Zola” is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
Boots Riley’s “Sorry to Bother You” (2018)
“Sorry to Bother You” is Boots Riley’s directorial debut, starring numerous talented names such as LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson and Danny Glover. The film takes place in Oakland, California following Cassius “Cash” Green, who works as a telemarketer for a huge corporation. Cash begins to climb up the corporate ladder when he learns to speak over the phone using “white voice,” leaving behind his friends and co-workers who wish to unionize.
Cash’s glimpses behind the scenes reveal the depravity and twisted nature of his occupation, reflecting an extreme depiction of America’s capitalism. The science-fiction and artistic elements of the film make for a thoroughly unique viewing experience and one that is utterly enthralling.
“Sorry to Bother You” is available to stream on Hulu.
Ava DuVernay’s “13TH” (2016)
Ava Duvernay’s sobering documentary, “13TH,” explores the corruption that is the United States’ prison-industrial complex. The film tracks the disproportionate imprisonment of Black Americans all the way back to post-Civil War legislation, leading to the country’s rising incarceration rates from the 1970s up until President Trump’s first election in 2016. DuVernay also highlights issues of police brutality against minorities, private prison contractors and the monetization of mass incarceration.
With interviews with many well-known activists and politicians, such as Dr. Angela Davis, Michelle Alexander and Newt Gingrich, “13TH” is thoroughly educational and deeply necessary.
“13TH” is available to stream on Netflix.
Photo Courtesy / YouTube Amazon MGM Studios
Molly Downs | Feb. 24, 2025
Five Books to Read During Black History
A
collection of books by Black authors to read this month.
Celina Mullady | Feb. 7, 2025
Since 1976, every February has marked the start of Black History Month. The month is celebrated throughout the United States, and it recognizes Black Americans’ vital role in the country. Literature is just one area of culture that Black Americans have heavily influenced with little recognition.
Donald Trump has recently made an executive order resulting in the termination of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in the federal workforce. This removal makes it especially important to observe, celebrate and support marginalized groups. From non-fiction to poetry to romance, here is a list of five books from Black authors to read and support this month.
“Beloved” by Toni Morrison
“Beloved” is a historical fiction written in 1987 by famous American author Toni Morrison. The novel follows Sethe, who was born a slave and escaped to Ohio. Taking place eighteen years after her escape, readers are welcomed into her inner thoughts. She struggles to escape her past and sees reminders of her trauma in every aspect of life.
The novel has been relevant since its release for its ability to be applied to social injustices. “Beloved” is also banned in many states, specifically in Florida, Colorado and Georgia for its “inappropriate” material.
“Beloved” is a haunting story filled with sadness, hope and resilience. Readers should be aware of the dark and disturbing subject matter before reading.
“Seven Days in June” by Tia Williams
“Seven Days In June,” released in 2021, is the newest novel on this list. This romance follows Shane and Eva who were with one another for one week in June as teenagers and reconnected at a literary event years later. The two begin a relationship again and learn to grow together and embrace their differences.
The pair have rich backstories giving them depths that tend to lack in some romances. The novel’s substance makes for a rewarding, yet lighthearted and pleasant read. Above all “Seven Days In June” is a story of forgiveness and second chances.
“Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin
James Baldwin was an author and civil rights activist, most known for his essays and novels. “Giovanni’s Room” was released in 1956 and follows an American man David, who has just moved to Paris. There, he
meets Giovanni and the two men begin a relationship with one another. Baldwin, being an openly gay man himself, brings a uniquely raw and genuine perspective to the novel. “Giovanni’s Room” discovers heavy themes such as self-discovery, shame and human nature. More than anything this novel is a social commentary about queerness and the shame that David feels. At only 178 pages, “Giovanni’s Room” is a quick but dark read.
“Citizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankine
For fans of poetry, “Citizen: An American Lyric” is a great option. Released in 2014, Claudia Rankine’s book discusses issues with racism, police brutality and race in the 21st century. Rankine discusses notable black individuals like Serena Williams and uses images alongside her writing, making both the form and content an immersive experience. One of five books of poetry Rankine has published, “Citizen” argues that as citizens of the world, we all must speak up and fight against injustice. “Citizen: An American Lyric” mirrors the current political and social climate in the United States, making it important to read and understand more than ever before.
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou Maya Angelou was one of the most notable authors of her generation, known for both her writing and civil rights activism. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is an autobiography that details Angelou’s early life and the challenges she faced as a Black woman in America. The main message is that kindness and empathy take precedence over everything. Angelou’s persuasive and powerful written voice invokes real thoughts and urges for action to come from reading her works. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” just one of the several works from her lifetime, is a classic and speaks about valuable lessons that everyone can learn from.
Torch Photo / Celina Mullady
SPORTS PHOTOS
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
Torch Photo / James Williams
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
Torch Photo / James Williams
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
Aaron Scott celebrates a three-pointer against Creighton in the Johnnies’ Feb. 16 win.
Zuby Ejiofor prepares for a free throw in St. John’s victory over UConn on Feb. 23.
Filmmaker Spike Lee looks on as St. John’s bests UConn.
Skye Owen brings the ball up against Xavier in the Johnnies’ win on Feb. 2.
Jailah Donald drives into the paint against Butler.
Kylie Lavelle shoots a three-pointer in the St. John’s win over Butler on Feb. 16
Torch Photo / James Williams
Torch Photo / James Williams
Women’s Basketball Falls to Seton Hall, Struggles to Keep Pace in 66-57
Ber’Nyah Mayo scores 15 points, tying a career high in free throws.
The St. John’s Women’s Basketball team was unable to keep up with the Seton Hall Pirates, resulting in a 66-57 defeat on Feb. 23. The Red Storm returned home after falling just short on the road against No. 23 Creighton on Feb. 19, a matchup led offensively by senior guard Lashae Dwyer’s 18 point performance.
In the loss against the Pirates, Dwyer (17 pts.) and senior guard Ber’Nyah Mayo (15 pts.) led the team offensively, a day where the offense as a whole shot 39%.
The opposite could be said for the Pirates, who shot 42% as a team. The efforts were led by sophomore guard Savannah Catalon who scored 19 total points on seven makes from the field, a career high.
Mayo found multiple ways to score in the contest, showcasing her skills to draw fouls, along with pulling up for mid-range jumpers. The senior guard finished the contest making eight free throws, a career-high performance without missing a single one of her attempts.
“She’s a physical guard, when she can get to the line it’s certainly a way to manufacture points,” Head Coach Joe Tartamella said. Turnovers and fouls defined St. John’s performance in the first quarter, totaling seven turnovers and seven fouls. Seton Hall’s graduate student forward Yaya Lops started the afternoons scor-
ing with a triple, a shot the Red Storm didn’t match until the seven-minute mark in the quarter, provided by junior guard Jailah Donald.
The Johnnies’ ability to grab defensive rebounds went unmatched, totaling 10 in the first quarter, led by Ber’Nyah Mayo with four of her own. The Pirates ended the first quarter with a 16-11 lead, and the Red Storm stayed competitive due to their dominant paint defense, allowing only eight points in the paint.
“It’s an effect of them getting the ball more and having more attempts, us giving up offensive boards, lack of hustle and lack of competitiveness,” Tartamella said. “We had to get more boards because they had more shots.”
The Red Storm finished the day with 23 total defensive rebounds, out boarding the Pirates defensively by just six, a margin that wasn’t enough to cause a difference in the scoresheet.
Dwyer added six more points to the stat sheet in the second quarter, leading the way for the Johnnies, in a quarter where both teams struggled to score, combining for 21 total points.
The same story could be told for the second half. Lops again opened the half with another three-pointer, followed by a Dwyer turnover and foul in the same sequence. The Pirates sank three straight three-pointers, giving
Aaron Scott is the Glue that Binds
Every star player needs a sidekick, how Batman needs a Robin. But both Batman and Robin need an Alfred.
The “Alfred” term was coined by current Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach JJ Redick. He said every star player gets their day in the sun but to succeed those players need the complimentary pieces around them.
“Batman cannot succeed without Alfred, Robin cannot succeed without Alfred… in a team sport you need Alfreds.”
For Kadary Richmond or RJ Luis Jr.’s success this season, they needed Aaron Scott to act as their Alfred.
themselves the biggest lead of the day of 21 with 4:03 remaining in the third before Tartamella called a timeout.
From this point on, the Red Storm showed fight, battling back on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 51-36 entering the fourth quarter. They cut Seton Hall’s lead to just 11 with three minutes left to play, junior forward Kylie Lavelle led the team with seven points, bringing the crowd to their feet in hopes of a remarkable comeback.
This hope from fans was quickly shot down when Dwyer committed her fifth foul, ending her day and any chances for the Red Storm to lead.
“I don’t think she was overly effective today,” Tartamella said. “[She committed] too many fouls that kind of affected the game.”
One of the biggest struggles for the Red Storm in the defeat was the ability for bench involvement, scoring just six bench points. This was their fewest in a game since the 67-60 loss suffered to DePaul on Jan. 7.
With just two games remaining, St. John’s sits in ninth place with a conference record of 4-12, a different story compared to last season’s 11-7 fifth-place finish. The team is now poised for a difficult seed in the Big East Tournament.
But most recently against the Villanova Wildcats, Scott’s excellence from long-range led to his best scoring performance in a St. John’s uniform.
With an undermanned rotation, Rick Pitino played Aaron Scott a career-high 39 minutes against the Wildcats as Scott torched the Villanova defense. Scott scored a season-high 22 points while connecting on five three-pointers.
Scott’s three three-pointers in the first half were enough to keep the game within two points at halftime and even as Richmond heated up, Scott’s marksmanship was essential for the Johnnies offense.
Despite his 13 points in the second half and some clutch baskets, St. John’s lost their first game of 2025 to the Wildcats.
Following his 22-point performance, Scott retreated into his role against Creighton. Richmond and Luis combined for 42 points which left Scott to focus on the other half of the court while still getting his shots from beyond the arc.
Scott converted on two of his five three-point attempts for his eight points which stretched the court for Luis and Richmond to drive for more scoring opportunities.
Scott plays a thankless role on St. John’s but a necessary one. Scott’s play as a glue guy within St. John’s is vital to their meteoric rise.
Jason Petrucci | Feb. 23, 2025
James Williams | Feb. 19, 2025
Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
SPORTS
No. 7 St. JOhn's Dismantles
UConn For a season sweep
After getting little-brothered three times last season by the eventual champion UConn Huskies, Rick Pitino and No. 10 St. John’s seized control of the rivalry this year. With an emphatic 89-75 win on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, the Red Storm completed their first season sweep of the defending champs since 1999-2000.
The triumph was the latest installment of Pitino’s magical second season at the helm, as the Hall of Famer has positioned his squad to earn its first Big East regular season title in 33 years.
“Winning the Big East would mean a lot,” Pitino said postgame.
Spearheading the Red Storm’s all-around effort was Kadary Richmond, continuing his sensational fifth year while fighting through a slew of injuries, per Pitino. Richmond tallied 18 points and four assists despite seeing limited action in the first half due to foul trouble.
Once the Seton Hall transfer picked up an early second foul, the offensive facilitating responsibilities fell to Deivon Smith. The high-flying 6-foot guard continued to be an X-factor since returning from his own injury
struggles, adding 12 points and a game-high eight assists through 31 minutes of action.
“I think once Deivon got healthy, our offense picked up. It’s not about shooting, it’s about the type of shots that you get,” Pitino said. “And he got everybody great shots in the first half.”
Following the extreme hype built up by the rival fanbases online — and at Madison Square Garden — the bout quickly turned into a rout late in the opening frame.
Despite an inconsistent showing from an injury-hindered RJ Luis Jr., Smith, Zuby Ejiofor and Aaron Scott led a 19-4 run to essentially end the game through just 15 minutes of play.
Once St. John’s scored eight points on a single possession — a Luis three-pointer, Ejiofor free throws after a Samson Johnson flagrant and a Scott three-pointer on the extra possession — the Red Storm had officially completed the season sweep.
While Hurley’s group did rally, eventually trimming the once-18-point advantage to just nine early in the second half, the push wouldn’t be anywhere near enough. Simeon Wilcher made sure of that.
The sophomore guard logged just 32 seconds through the contest’s opening 20 minutes but filled the role of closer as Richmond received some much-needed rest down the stretch.
Working in the mid-range, he scored three paramount baskets late in the ballgame before rejecting a Hassan Diarra layup attempt.
However, Wilcher was the lone Johnnie to play more than eight minutes and not tally double-digits in the scoring column. All five starters posted double figures, none more efficient than Ejiofor.
The Red Storm’s co-captain turned in 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two monstrous putback dunks on a ridiculous 83% clip from the field. He also converted eight of his nine free-throw attempts, an area which the team has struggled as a whole this season.
With Spike Lee sitting courtside, St. John’s delivered one of its most complete performances of the 2024-25 season before a packed crowd of 19,812 fans.
“We want this Big East Crown badly, not only for the players but for the fans who came back like I never expected,” Pitino said.
Kyler Fox | Feb. 23 , 2025
Torch Photo / James Williams