Print Edition for The Observer for Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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Volume 56, Issue 5 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

University to observe full MLK Jr. Day Two Notre Dame students share their experience of advocating for full observance of the holiday

By MIA MORAN News Writer

THOMAS MURPHY | The Observer

Members of the community gathered last semester for a candlelight prayer service to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The service was the first event in Walk the Walk Week 2021.

University professors have the final say on masks

By MAGGIE EASTLAND Associate News Editor

Last year, University professors lectured to rooms of half-faced students or two-dimensional squares lighting up the projector screen. This fall, they have an opportunity to dictate their own classroom mask policy.

According to the Notre Dame health and safety protocols released this August, there is no mask requirement in the classroom setting. Students always have the option to wear a mask, and professors can require their students to wear a mask.

Eager to see their students’ full faces and expressions, some professors have adopted completely mask-optional classrooms. Some maintain mask requirements, citing the delta variant and personal family concerns as their justification.

Others seek to find a healthy middle ground that maximizes both safety and personal connection.

Jenn Cronin, associate teaching professor of management and organization, is not asking her students to wear masks, but she is maintaining more physical distance than normal.

As a professor who specializes

in communications and teaches classes on data storytelling, Cronin understands the value of complete face-to-face interaction with her students.

“It is so hard to teach when you’re looking at a room full of masks,” she said.

At the same time, Cronin is pregnant and wants to protect both herself and her child.

“It’s something that I’m always thinking about,” she said about her pregnancy and the delta variant.

Since pregnant women have a higher risk of becoming see MASKS PAGE 5

Professors speak on U.S. presence in Afghanistan

By CAROLINE COLLINS News Writer

According to USA today, over 2,400 U.S. service members have died in Afghanistan in the last 20 years.

The 13 troops who were killed in the Kabul airport attack on Thursday

NEWS PAGE 3

were the first U.S. casualties since February 2020.

In addition to American casualties in Afghanistan, many Afghan service members have also lost their lives. According to Mahan Mirza, executive director of the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with

VIEWPOINT PAGE 6

Religion at Notre Dame, more than 65,000 Afghan service members have died, and this number does not reportedly account for civilian casualties.

Mirza said he believes see AFGHANISTAN PAGE 4

SCENE PAGE 8

Last Wednesday, student government announced the Universit y’s full obser vance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day for this academic year. The announcement followed the senate resolution calling for its full obser vance passed last March and a Letter to the Editor addressing how MLK deser ved more than a photo in June.

The process for the full obser vance of MLK Jr. Day was initiated by junior Eliza Smith, who w rote the

original Senate resolution. “[The lack of a full obser vance of MLK Jr. Day is] something I’ve always felt off about even when talking to other diverse students and potential new students when I’m asked about diversit y or inclusion on campus,” Smith said.

To gain input on the resolution, Smith reached out to the Multicultural Student Program and Ser v ices. The resolution then received cosignatures and was passed

see COALITION PAGE 4

University clubs kick off more normal semester

ISA SHEIKH | The Observer

Students filled the concourse of the stadium on Monday night, investigating hundreds of clubs, groups and organizations.

By ISA SHEIKH News Writer

Students toting free green bags and large color-coded maps filed into the stadium concourse Monday night for the Student Activ ities Fair, organized by the Student Activ ities Office (SAO).

More than 350 undergraduate clubs and organizations were present to meet Notre Dame students, primarily first-years and sophomores, and recruit them to their groups.

Tables adorned w ith

ND M SOCCER PAGE 16

posters, QR codes and endless free swag lined up, filling half of the stadium’s concourse and prov iding an over whelming number of choices for students looking to get involved.

Student organizations, academic clubs, social ser v ice clubs, performing arts clubs, cultural clubs, campus partners, communit y partners, special interest clubs and athletic clubs all had dedicated sections.

The fair’s bustle struck see CLUBS PAGE 5

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE 16

2

TODAY

The observer | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Question of the Day: ndsmcobserver.com

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What was the first concert you ever attended?

P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Clay Hayden

Tahira Vera

junior Keough Hall

sophomore Welsh Family Hall

“Zac Brown Band.”

“Taylor Swift.”

Eliza Wall

Charlie Chmelik

junior Pasquerilla East Hall

junior Morrissey Manor

“Taylor Swift.”

“Lollapalooza.”

(574) 631-6900 ads@ndsmcobserver.com

Stephanie One

Ava DeCroix

Editor-in-Chief

sophomore Badin Hall

sophomore Farley Hall

“Never been to a concert before.”

“Symphony Orchestra concert.”

Editor-in-Chief Adriana Perez Managing Editor Evan McKenna

Asst. Managing Editor: Isabella Volmert Asst. Managing Editor: Colin Capece Asst. Managing Editor: Nelisha Silva

Notre Dame News Editor: Saint Mary’s News Editor:

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Ph: (574) 631-7471 Fax: (574) 631-6927 Advertising

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webmaster@ndsmcobserver.com Policies The Observer is the independent, daily newspaper published in print and online by the students of the University of Notre Dame du Lac, Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College. Editorial content, including advertisements, is not governed by policies of the administration of any institution. The Observer reserves the right to refuse advertisements based on content.

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Today’s Staff News

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Alysa Guffey Bella Laufenberg Isa Sheikh

Emily DeFazio

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Photo

Scene

SARAH GRISHAM | The Observer

Some students enjoy lunch at the tables in between LaFortune Student Center and Stonehenge on Tuesday. LaFortune now offers new options including the Noodle Nook and expanded offerings in the Huddle. Food trucks are also available on North Quad.

The next Five days:

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Willoughby Thom

Viewpoint Carolina Jimenez

Sarah Grisham

Corrections The Observer regards itself as a professional publication and strives for the highest standards of journalism at all times. We do, however, recognize that we will make mistakes. If we have made a mistake, please contact us at (574) 631-4541 so we can correct our error.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Talk on Sept. 11: Cause & Effect 1030 Nanovic Hall 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

All are welcome.

RSVP required.

Schitt’s Creek Trivia Night Legends 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Test your knowledge on Schitt’s Creek.

Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 11:30 a.m. & 5:15 p.m.

All are welcome to attend.

Jim Dine: American Icon Reception Snite Museum of Art 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Complimentary refreshments offered.

Basilica Mass Basilica of the Sacred Heart 10 a.m. & noon All are welcome to attend.

The Healthy City after COVID- 19 virtual 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Lecture by Gabriele Tagliaventi.

Best of LaFortune LaFortune Student Center 9 p.m. - 11.p.m.

Get to know everything LaFortune has to offer.

Live Band Karaoke Legends 8 p.m. - midnight Perform karaoke with a live band. Open to students only.

Movie Night Montgomery Auditorium 5:15 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Come to watch “Fast and Furious 9.”

Liturgical Minister Training Basilica of the Sacred Heart 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Open to the public.

News

ndsmcobserver.com | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | The Observer

3

Notre Dame student choirs gear up for noisy year, resume pre-pandemic performances

By ANNEMARIE FOY News Writer

As the 2021-22 After over a year disrupted by the COV ID-19 pandemic, Notre Dame’s many choirs are excited to get back to normal performances.

To learn more about how some of the choirs on campus dealt w ith the pandemic and what they’re planning for the new year, the Obser ver spoke w ith Frank Gomulka, president of the Notre Dame Glee Club; Maggie Laurence, president of the Notre Dame Liturgical Choir; Julia McKenna, v ice president of Voices of Faith Gospel Choir; and Kinsey Nally, newsletter editor for the Notre Dame Chorale.

Getting pandemic

through

the

Choirs at Notre Dame and across the world were hit particularly hard by pandemic-induced restrictions, as singing has been found to expel aerosols in larger quantities and more aggressively than many other activ ities. Campus choir leaders had to quick ly find new ways to boost morale and make music.

“Glee Club got creative w ith our v irtual personalit y once COV ID hit,” Gomulka said.

The club used social media to lift spirits and retain v isibilit y during the pandemic, including posting music v ideos. They hosted auditions v irtually in 2020 and in a hybrid form in 2021 to ensure that membership numbers remained stable.

For Laurence and the Liturgical Choir, a renewed sense of purpose helped weather the pandemic.

W hen the choir could no longer sing at Sunday Mass in the Basilica as before, their identit y as a ser v ice to the church had to adapt to “recognizing that we could still be a good” for the communit y, Laurence said. Their motto for the year was “Minor Setback, Major Comeback,” in anticipation of a brighter future.

“We come together because we love this music, but it’s a lot more than that,” Laurence said. “It’s ver y much a family. Even if we weren’t able to do the things we do, we were able to be together.”

Chorale also “got a little bit creative,” Nally said, w ith modified rehearsal policies, an outdoor concert and formal and many outdoor dinners. Nally almost enjoyed that outdoor concert more

than pre-COV ID concerts.

“The sun was shining and birds were chirping,” Nally said.

Likew ise, Voices of Faith “tried to keep some sense of communit y,” McKenna said, focusing on communit y in part by keeping a similar schedule to prev ious years — albeit outside and masked.

One of the biggest obstacles for Notre Dame choirs was the w inter weather.

Choral groups around the world were discouraged from singing indoors because of singing’s elevated risk of spreading COV ID-19. At Notre Dame, this meant that choirs practiced outside, even in the notoriously cold South Bend w inter. However, Gomulka said, “most of us preferred this to not singing at all.”

Chorale sometimes practiced inside — masked and socially distanced — during the coldest times of the year, but Nally explained this actually made learning music more difficult, as singers couldn’t hear each other well.

However, choir members expressed gratitude that these limited rehearsals and performances were even possible.

“We knew we were really luck y to be continuing to sing because a lot of schools didn’t have choirs,” McKenna said.

Lingering precautions W hile

the

Universit y

doesn’t require masks for vaccinated students, facult y and staff in most spaces, Notre Dame choirs have determined their ow n level of comfort w ith the new policies.

Glee Club has decided to wear masks while actively singing indoors, at least for now, Gomulka said.

“We want to take as many precautions as possible while we ease back into our club’s normalcy,” Gomulka said, noting the spread of the delta variant. Chorale also remains masked for now, but they are able to return to their normal practice space.

In accordance w ith Universit y policies, Liturgical Choir currently doesn’t wear masks while rehearsing or performing.

Neither does Voices of Faith, although McKenna noted that this changes in different performance spaces, such as DPAC, which requires masks indoors.

Return to a regular schedule A lthough the semester is barely one week old, Notre Dame choirs have already jumped eagerly into a full schedule of rehearsals and events.

The Glee Club performed at the grand opening of the Trader Joe’s on Eddy Street and w ill also perform at several outreach concerts in the communit y as the year progresses. The group is excited for the hustle and bustle of football Saturdays when

they perform a fun repertoire to “channel the crowd’s passionate energ y into support for the Fighting Irish,” Gomulka said.

Liturgical Choir sang at the final vows for the Congregation of the Holy Cross in August and w ill resume singing in the loft of the Basilica at 10 a.m. Sunday Masses.

“It’s such a beautiful feeling to be able to sing w ith and for the congregation and pray w ith them through music,” Laurence said.

Chorale hosted a new member welcome picnic Saturday and had its first rehearsal Monday. Nally is excited for the fall concert and the group’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, which was canceled last year.

Voices of Faith is “hoping to do some communit y engagement in South Bend and w ith local Black churches,” McKenna said, building on past collaborations on music v ideos and concerts. They have already performed at Feed Your Faith and Art Attack at the beginning of this semester.

In addition to local performances and ser v ices, many Notre Dame choirs go on tours throughout the year, both domestically and abroad. These trips were curtailed by the pandemic over the last 18 months, but choirs are hoping to resume their travels soon.

The Glee Club is planning a fall tour to the Northeast,

a spring tour to the Pacific Northwest and a post-commencement tour to Puerto Rico and Mex ico. Chorale intends to travel to the Northeast in Januar y and to Spain and Portugal after commencement. Liturgical Choir hopes to finally undertake its spring tour to Atlanta, originally planned for 2020.

Optimism for the upcoming year The choir leaders all expressed their excitement for a new season filled w ith activ ities and performances. Nobody is taking these experiences for granted any more.

“We are incredibly grateful to be back singing,” Gomulka said.

At a recent 3.5-hour music rehearsal retreat, “most of the club was happily in attendance.”

Laurence described a feeling of anticipation among both new and returning members of the group.

“We’re so excited to be able to do these things we love so much,” Laurence said.

McKenna said gospel music is all about bringing joy, which bringing people together can accomplish.

Nally said Chorale is ready to perform this year.

“Not to brag or any thing, but we’re going to sound really good,” Nally said w ith a smile.

Contact Annemarie Foy at afoy@nd.edu

Courtesy of Maggie Laurence

Notre Dame Liturgical Choir holds post-rehersal dinner at South Dining for the first time since the pandemic struck in March 2020. The co-ed choir will resume singing in the loft of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at 10 a.m. Sunday Masses this academic year.

4

NEWS

The observer | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Coalition Continued from page 1

by the student senate.

Smith then proceeded to work with senior Cassidy Ferrell, director of student empowerment, and was advised by student body president and senior Allan Njomo to contact the administration.

The resolution passed through the Campus Life Council — where all resolutions must pass before being approved by the University.

Smith and Ferrell started working with last year’s vice president of student affairs Erin Hoffmann Harding and then with the new vice president of student affairs Fr. Gerard Olinger.

“We really love and appreciate [Olinger] because of his advocacy during this whole process,” Ferrell said. “After the first meeting, he saw that this was something students really cared about.”

Olinger brought the open letter Smith and Ferrel wrote to the Observer to the administration. The initial lack of a response by the administration then led to the MLK Jr. Day coalition that included Smith, Ferrell and several other students.

The coalition began an Instagram campaign, enlisted historically Black clubs on campus to sign on to the open letter and reached out to people via GroupMe and other

Afghanistan Continued from page 1

the United States is, to some extent, responsible for the conditions that Afghans are currently facing.

“The past 40 years for Afghanistan have been very wild and violent and we have played a part in the dire conditions that their society faces today, especially because we instrumentalized both religion and [their] culture in order to be armed with them,” Mirza said.

Mirza explained that American exceptionalism is what began the war in Afghanistan since the U.S. believed it was powerful enough to go into Afghanistan and bring about long-lasting and systemic change.

Consequently, the war and violence that Afghanistan experienced as a result of this exceptionalism have left a lasting trauma on its society, he said.

“Instead of trying to work with the world to help them heal and think of our interests as being intertwined, we left them, and then we isolated them,” Mirza said.

Mirza also said the U.S. has treated non-American lives as “lesser” than American lives in its affairs in Afghanistan.

“We need to begin to be able to see our concerns and

platforms.

“We saw that a lot of change specifically regarding minority students happened when students got together,” Smith said.

Smith and Ferrell reached out to senior football player Max Siegel who helped get the word out about the MLK Jr. Day coalition to athletes.

Smith and Ferrell also contacted senior and director of the department of diversity and inclusion Amaya Medeiros, who helped connect them to historical Black clubs on campus.

“A lot of issues at Notre Dame regarding diversity and inclusion need a lot of student support and organization to actually get attention,” Ferrell said. “So that’s something that we kept at the front of our minds when we decided to start the coalition.”

The coalition also gained faculty support. The Progressive Faculty Organization gave several statements of support.

Faculty statements included speeches regarding their experience at the University, other institutions and some who personally worked with Fr. Theodore Hesburgh.

In addition, Smith and Ferrell held meetings with Olinger over the summer.

“He was a huge support system,” Smith said. “He made sure we got to the right people.”

Olinger pushed for MLK Jr. Day to be on the undergraduate

council calendar that governs the academic schedule for undergraduate students. The resolution then passed the full academic council for graduate students last Monday.

Smith and Ferrell hope to organize programming around MLK Jr. Day using student government resources. Also in regard to student government, Smith and Ferrell noted the importance of follow-through

interests as being connected to a larger human family,” Mirza said.

Learning to view the deaths of others as tragic and viewing their lives as valuable as our own is an important step towards resolving the conf lict in Afghanistan, Mirza said.

Ebrahim Moosa, the Mirza Family Professor of Islamic Thought and Muslim Societies at Notre Dame, said the political leaders of America that got the U.S. involved in this conf lict need to be held accountable, so it is important for the American public and voters to be made aware of the situation.

“We always want to hold other people accountable, for example, other leaders and other parts of the world, but we don’t want ourselves to be held accountable,” Moosa said.

In an opinion piece Mirza wrote for The Hill, he discussed the United States’s need to take into account Sharia law and U.S. imperialism in order to “work with the international community to constructively engage the Taliban in what the Kroc Institute at Notre Dame calls strategic peace-building: establishing sustained relationships across all levels of society to build

trust.”

Additionally, in the virtual f lash panel “The Unfolding Situation in Afghanistan” hosted Thursday by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, Mirza and his colleagues posed the question “Is the U.S. willing to rethink its militaryindustrial complex?” This question then became the backdrop for other discussions concerning “finding a

and creating connections after resolutions pass the student senate to truly enact change.

With MLK Jr. Day’s full observance, Ferrell mentioned they are “hoping that students will be able to have a reflection period on that day — as two hours, we thought, wasn’t a significant enough time for students to actually think about diversity, about MLK Jr.’s work and about civil and human rights on campus.”

Olinger And the student government office is always open to any student who wants to utilize it, Njomo said.

“If you ever need a space to take a call, use my office,” he said. “If you ever need a place to do some homework, feel free to take any desk and do so.”

Contact Mia Moran at miamoran@nd.edu

Write News.

Email us at news@ndsmcobserver.com

bridge that reconciles adversaries through moral imagination” to achieve peace.

The War in Afghanistan has been the longest war in American history.

“Therefore, it is important for this generation of students to learn about these conf licts in a very detailed and unvarnished manner,” Moosa said. “If we’re not going to have that conversation, we’re

going to repeatedly make this mistake.”

Mirza also addressed the global effects of the conf lict in the Middle East.

“If the violence escalates, it will eventually touch all of us in some way; none of us live in isolation,” Mirza said.

Contact Caroline Collins at ccolli23@nd.edu

Courtesy of Mahan Mirza | The Observer

Pictured here, Mahan Mirza serves as the executive director of the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion. He is also a teaching professor specializing in Islamic Studies.

News

Clubs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

many as chaotic.

“It’s crazy, it’s a madhouse. It’s so much fun,” said Vincenzo Torsiello, a Stanford Hall junior and co-president of The Humor Artists improv group.

At one point, Aubree Davis, a sophomore in Pasquerilla West and co-president of the Hawaii Club, stood on her chair to get potential members’ attention.

“I want to get on this chair to let everyone know that we welcome everybody, and that’s the culture we try to bring to the Notre Dame campus,” she said.

The fair represented student groups’ return to in person recruiting and activities after more than a year of operations hampered by the spread of COVID-19.

While first-years may be new to campus, sophomores missed many opportunities to explore their interests through student groups during their first year. Attendees and presenters catered to both firstyears and sophomores.

As Grace Fjermedal, president of The Shirt Project, said, “It’s just so empowering and exciting to see so many excited faces of freshmen and all the Notre Dame community coming together. I’m just so thrilled to be here.”

Matthew Doktorczyk, a sophomore living in Baumer Hall, described the experience as vastly different from his first year.

“Last year, this was all just a slideshow that they sent to us,” he said.

Far from the plain nature of an emailed slideshow, the fair was bursting with festivities.

“We’re having fun, we’re playing music,” Ify Nwebube, president of the Black Student Association said. “I’m really excited for how the year is going to go, being able to

ndsmcobserver.com | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | The Observer

actually meet all these people in-person, rather than meeting them over Zoom.”

Student body vice president Matthew Bisner noted the significance of the night, saying, “It is crazy to think that a year ago, we were shut down for two weeks because our COVID cases were so high, and now we are one of the safest places in the nation because of high vaccinations.

So tonight, I’m super excited to meet new first-years and bring them into the student government family.

[We’re] very mindful of the fact that we’re so lucky and privileged to be able to go to this event.”

For Notre Dame’s most diverse class, the Student Activities Fair offered many opportunities for first-years to find the communities they belong to, as well as explore completely new areas.

Mariana Bombardier, a freshman in Pasquerilla East, said the fair surprised her.

“I thought I was going to come in and see just three or four tables, but no, it was long — so many options. There’s a club for everything, and it made me feel really included,” she said.

Bombardier took interest in the Texas Club, several premed clubs and Latino clubs, all important aspects of her identity.

“Even though it can be overwhelming to look at over 300 organizations, there’s something about being able to go out there, meet with those organizations, and learn what you can do on campus,” student body president Allan Njomo said.

Readers interested in pursuing any of the organizations present at the Student Activities Fair can visit the SAO website.

Contact Isa Sheikh at isheikh@nd.edu

Masks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

seriously ill from COV ID-19 and are more likely to experience preterm birth, Cronin came to a compromise that considers both safet y and student-professor engagement. She does not wear a mask or require her students to wear one, but she remains close to the podium instead of venturing around the room to interact w ith students as she normally would.

On the more cautious side of the spectrum, a few departments, including the Program of Liberal Studies and Art, Art Histor y and Design require all students to wear a mask in department classes and spaces.

In a department-w ide email, Scott Shim, director of Art, Art Histor y and Design, said the facult y came to the decision together, in light of the delta variant and family health concerns.

The Program of Liberal Studies (PLS) also instituted a mask requirement that applies to at least the first three weeks of classes. The department plans to reevaluate the situation after three weeks, considering student input and COV ID-19 trends w ithin the Notre Dame communit y.

Arriv ing at its policy after a unanimous facult y vote, exempting one facult y member who is not teaching this semester and abstained, masks are required in all PLS classes and indiv idual facult y offices.

Masks are welcome, but not required in common spaces and the PLS student lounge.

The policy explains that masks were deemed necessar y in light of new information about the high transmission rate of the delta variant, recent reports

of pediatric hospitalizations and some ev idence of mRNA vaccine effectiveness declining over time. The intimate, discussion-st yle classes characteristic of PLS also contributed to the decision.

An August CDC report verified that the efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines last at least 24 weeks, but more long-term r esearch is needed, the report said.

The CDC maintains that vaccines are “highly effective” against the delta variant, though breakthrough infections can occur. Some studies suggest that breakthrough cases of the delta variant in vaccinated indiv iduals may cause more severe illness than prev ious variants.

As the PLS mask policy explains, the delta variant may pose a minimal risk for Notre Dame students who are recently vaccinated and interacting mainly w ith fellow vaccinated peers, but facult y are in a different situation.

“A ll of us have a much greater possibilit y than students of being vectors to v ulnerable people,” the policy reads.

Notre Dame facult y have reached a 95 percent vaccination rate, Universit y spokesperson Dennis Brow n said, but many staff, including PLS facult y, have family members or children who are not vaccinated, fall into high-risk groups themselves or care for high-risk indiv iduals.

Gretchen Reydams-Schils, an ethics professor in the Program of Liberal Studies, is not personally concerned about contracting COV ID-19 but wants to protect others and assume responsibilit y for the greater good.

“As facult y, we interact w ith many communities,

5

not just this campus, not just people close to us,” Reydams-Schils said.

“I don’t have small children or v ulnerable people in my immediate surroundings, but I’m only t wo steps or one step away from v ulnerable people.”

Reydams-Schils said she w ishes the Universit y would institute a mask mandate for all classes, such as the classroom mask requirement at Saint Mar y’s College, require sur veillance testing this semester and create stricter Cov id-19 guidelines for football games.

Ernesto Verdeja, a political science professor, shares many of ReydamsSchils’ concerns. Verdeja teaches t wo undergraduate classes and requires masks in both.

Verdeja experienced the implications of a breakout case in one of his vaccinated family members before his first class had the chance to meet in person.

“W hile we know that the majorit y of breakout cases for people who are vaccinated don’t end up in the hospital, they could still be prett y serious,” Verdeja said.

Vaccinated indiv iduals can also transmit the v irus, though for a shorter amount of time than those unvaccinated, according to the CDC. Verdeja believes the Universit y’s current policy is a “prudent approach that has some f lex ibilit y,” but he still believes masks should be worn in class since vaccinated facult y could carr y the v irus to someone more v ulnerable.

“My sense is that we should have masks in class to the extent possible, as an additional safeguard,“ he said.

Contact Maggie Eastland at meastlan@nd.edu

MAGGIE EASTLAND | The Observer

Students in Introduction to Business Technology and Analytics collaborate in class, able to see each others’ faces for the first time in over a year. Professors get to decide whether students must mask in class.

6

The observer | Wednesday, September 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Inside Column

The Mystery of Marve the Malevolent Succulent Isabella Volmert Assisting Managing Editor

‘Tis the season for dorm setup, information tables and free giveaways from various clubs and organizations around campus. As such, I’m reminded of a horror story involving a free succulent and the greatest mystery of my life. Story time.

My first year at Notre Dame, my roommate-of-two-years Meagan and I each brought home a succulent from one of those giveaway events. At the event, we planted little plants in plastic terracotta-esque pots and wrote their names on the side in white sharpie. Meagan named her succulent Elliot and I called mine Marve.

For several months, these succulents sat in our window in Walsh Hall through the autumn and the winter months until January of our first year. We turned out to be pretty poor plant parents and they definitely never grew a millimeter. We kept them in the only spot where they could receive sunlight, but the windowsill was consequently also the place the South Bend cold creeps in during the winter.

When we moved out for our first college Christmas break, Meagan and I consulted about what to do with the sickly succulents. Would they survive the three weeks without care? Would they survive a trip home? I think at this point, we had just given up anyway, so we decided to see what fate would do to the unlucky succulents. The last I saw of Marve, he looked very sickly and on his last legs, with dull and sparser leaves than what he started with. With only a little remorse, I left for Christmas break. Meagan returned to campus before me for the second semester of our first year and she told me our succulents had died over the break. She later described to me how she placed our neglected succulent offspring into our room’s trash bin, tied it up, then placed that trash bag in the third floor’s larger trash bin. I thought no more of Marve for eight months.

Sophomore year began; I moved into Walsh several days before Meagan into our quint on the first floor. Then, on August 23, 2019 (a date marked by a saved Snapchat memory), I wandered into the first floor kitchen and I stopped dead in my tracks, the hair on the back of my neck raised. There, on the windowsill, next to a few other larger potted plants, was Marve. Yes, the very same Marve we threw away. Much of the soil was missing from his pot and he was shorter than before.

Barely a few leaves poked out of the soil. Was it some kind of coincidence? No, my own unmistakable and incriminating wobbly handwriting identified the pot as the one and the same succulent I had left to die.

I ran back to my room and immediately sent a video to Meagan. When she moved into Walsh a few days later, we confirmed it was Marve. But how did he end up on that windowsill? How did he find his way out of two trash bags on the third floor and to the first floor kitchen?

I still don’t know, and I don’t think I ever will. If you go into Walsh’s first floor kitchen now, Marve the mysterious marvel is still in that windowsill. Not only is he still alive, now he is thriving, three years from his potting at a McWell event. He has grown tall if not skinny, with many bright green leaves despite his plastic home of scrabbly soil. I must thank whoever who has been caring for him since, although it is possible he is somehow watering himself. He survived not one, but now three South Bend winters, being literally thrown in the garbage, the virtual evacuation of the tri-campus in the spring of 2020 and the literal pandemic.

This is not a metaphor about standing strong against literally all odds or an allegory for resilience in the face of challenge. This is a warning. This is a plea for help.

I know every time I look at Marve he knows who I am. I’m the mother who left him to die. If I’m found missing before the night of my graduation, know that it was Marve and I have paid for my sins.

You can contact Isabella at ivolmert@nd.edu The views expressed in this Inside Column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Submit a Letter to the Editor: viewpoint@ndsmcobserver.com

The story of us (Notre Dame and me) Ellie Konfrst Butterfly Effects

I have moved five times during my four years at Notre Dame, and every time I am shocked by the sheer amount of stuff I have. Sure, I wouldn’t ever say I’m a minimalist, but somehow I always find myself packing my car to the absolute brim with posters, storage bins, clothes, command strips and extension cords. Some stuff has made the cut year after year for reasons unbeknownst to me (without fail, I always pack a three-hole punch that I used maybe once freshman year) and some stuff I cannot wait to display each year (ask me about my poster wall!). I don’t really pack systematically, either, so many of the items that make it in my Honda Civic each time I move are more a result of chance than deliberate planning.

There is one item, however, that I have brought with me every semester of college despite its questionable utility. There’s a great story behind it, too — one which I have found myself telling over and over again since I arrived in South Bend for my senior year.

I have always been a big homebody, and I’m the oldest child, so moving into Ryan Hall three years ago was a bit of a harrowing experience for both me and my parents. During Welcome Weekend, I was of course, beyond excited to start my freshman year, but I was really dreading the moment my parents would leave me alone in my dorm room. When that moment finally came, and I walked my parents to their car, my dad said: “Wait, we forgot to get you an umbrella.” He proceeded to give me the umbrella that had been living on the floor of his car — a purple, rusting, struggling-to-maintain-structural-integrity umbrella. It was the last gift from my parents before they drove away, and I have used this umbrella and only this umbrella through every South Bend rainstorm I have weathered.

I’ve always loved thinking about this moment. It felt poetic, dramatic, heartwarming — everything you’d expect from a coming-of-age film or an episode of “Parenthood.” It felt like the first page of a real, distinctive chapter in my life, one in which I would discover my passion, explore the world and find myself.

Now I am here, three years later, sitting on my apartment patio, realizing the chapter that followed that incident has not made for a very good story. It started off strong, but things took a real hard left in the middle, and now, with the final pages terrifyingly within reach, I am having serious doubts about the author’s ability to wrap this all up in a satisfying way.

I have spent most of my college classes and internships figuring out what I am not passionate about, and I’m still struggling to figure out what that means for my post-graduation plans. I did not get to explore the world in the way I envisioned after my study abroad semester got cancelled twice, and I do not feel like I am close to settling the question of who I am — in fact, I feel further from that answer than I did when I was eighteen.

It’s hard to ignore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diverting this

story — nearly half of my semesters at Notre Dame (and counting) have been affected by the pandemic, and it seems to have screwed up the stories of pretty much everyone I know. At the same time, however, I’m questioning whether I would have reached a satisfactory ending even without a world-shattering global event.

So what do we do when our stories don’t lend themselves to satisfactory conclusions? Do we give up on the whole enterprise, start over from the beginning? Or do we just approach the whole thing from a new perspective? My metaphor is being stretched a bit thin here, as I’m sure my parents wouldn’t appreciate me choosing either of the former options in regards to college. So the only option that we really have is to reevaluate.

I am very proud of a lot of the work I’ve done in college, but at times I’ve still felt like I’m failing at the act of being in college. I’m not as social as some of my friends, I still miss home and my parents immensely and I certainly do not feel like I’ve made any grand discoveries about myself or my place in this world. But this past week I’ve been thinking a lot about my freshman year, and I’ve started to reevaluate.

If this chapter of my life has not made for a very good novel, perhaps it has made for an entertaining collection of short stories. Perhaps my time at college is not the story itself, but the setting for a wide array of smaller stories. When I was walking around campus on the first day of class, memories of all these little moments kept popping into my head. I remember staying at the Hesburgh Library long after my friends and I finished our work because we were waiting for a delivery of Insomnia Cookies. I remember how it felt walking out of my last final of my freshman fall, filled with a newfound sense of knowledge and confidence. I remember walking past the Morris Inn late at night in the dead of winter, trying to get a brief wave of the warm air.

I still have this whole year, so I’m not trying to write a premature eulogy for my college experience. I’m beyond excited for my senior year, and hope I continue to grow as a person, experience new things and make memories that I’ll still be reminiscing about in thirty years. It’s given me a lot of comfort, though, to know that there’s no required endpoint, and instead I am allowed to enjoy moments as they come. If you’re also feeling overwhelmed by the expectation of a satisfying ending, I encourage you to take a step back with me and appreciate the short stories, instead.

Ellie Konfrst is a senior studying political science with a minor in the Hesburgh Program for Public Service. Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she’s excited people will once again be forced to listen to her extremely good takes. You can find her off campus trying to decide whether or not she’ll go to law school or bragging that Taylor Swift follows her on Tumblr. She can be reached at egloverk@nd.edu or @elliekonfrst13 on Twitter.

The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

The observer | Wednesday, September 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

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Who’s to say?

Sydni Brooks Everything is Fine

While preparing Flaherty Hall for Welcome Week, a fellow member of hall staff asked us if we believed in ghosts or aliens. While most of our hall staff answered ‘yes’ to one of these questions, only two of us answered ‘yes’ to both. Personally, I don’t believe I can discredit the existence of anything that I can’t see because I have no proof that it doesn’t exist. Though I also have no proof that these extraterrestrial beings do exist, I’d rather give them the benefit of the doubt than be unpleasantly surprised when they eventually do find us and make us their minions. In the event that they are not real, my belief in aliens and ghosts isn’t hurting anyone, and there is no shame in having a trivial inclination that the otherworld is closer than we think.

This conversation, however, sparked a recurring discussion I constantly find difficulty having with myself, though I also find it to be an interesting discourse: What is considered “real,” how do we know what is real and who is to say what we don’t perceive is real, isn’t?

I am a huge believer that this life is a simulation, but I am also a believer in God, and both of these phenomena lead me to believe and trust in things that I cannot see. I have never seen God before, or at least not in the capacity that a Middle Eastern being in a white cloak and a halo hasn’t descended from the sky any time recently. However, I also have no reason to believe that this experience couldn’t possibly happen at some point in my life or in another life. Sure, we have never seen anyone come down from the stratosphere with a choir of angels before, but who’s to say it couldn’t happen at some point? In addition to my inability to believe that we are simply here on Earth to live and die and become worm food, I see no reason to not believe that there are outside forces monitoring the ins and outs of our lives as if we were Sims waiting to be tasked with something. Whether this outside force is God or some coalition of life-givers directing the world as we know it, what real evidence is there that any of these things don’t exist? To step into a more spooky realization of our existence, what happens if these things do exist?

On a more tangible scale, so much of what we know to believe is true today has been proven to be at the very least inaccurate, if not flat out wrong. In my previous column “Ask Me About George Washington’s Teeth,” I commented on how much of our American history, specifically the history of civil rights and slavery, are inaccurate and missing volumes upon volumes of information which not only directly correlates to how our country operates and visualizes people of color, but also challenges the narrative of how we chose to repair the damage done to people of color in this country. What was presented in our history classes and textbooks hides countless underlying levels that we as learners are just now discovering and developing. The documentation and knowledge we are learning now might be completely jarring, but what about the texts, literature and history that were destroyed or unable to be saved? What about the languages and cultures we haven’t stumbled across and taken over so that we could narrate their stories as our own? (Colonization, am I right?) What about the civilizations. empires and narratives of people that were not documented and thus have no record of ever existing? Since we have no proof of their existence, at least not yet, how can we say they don’t exist, especially now knowing the small capacity of things we didn’t think existed before?

On an even smaller lens, we ask ourselves these jarring questions in some capacity every day. What is real love? What does it mean to be a good (insert relational human occupation here)? How do I know if I’m doing life right? What if (insert probable experience here) happens? We can give general answers to these questions and similar ones, but ultimately the answers are completely up to us. We perceive these questions however our minds choose to, so there is no singular way to understand them. Therefore, all of our answers will be just as unique, boundless and probably pretty vague. Real love could mean that someone cares about you exponentially, but what does that look like? Most people would simply give up and say “when you know, you know,” but what does that even mean? These questions and answers aren’t concepts we are meant to visualize or completely understand; they just exist, and we leave it up to chance and hope to believe that

there is an answer out there somewhere.

I know I probably won’t ever be able to completely verbalize a real answer to these questions in my lifetime, let alone in a 900-word Viewpoint column, and I’ve probably asked several more questions than I have provided answers, but I find that this conversation always challenges, frustrates and inspires me. I am not saying we should start blindly believing in everything that comes our way, especially if there is evidence of its existence or lack thereof. However, the belief in the unknown does provide me with the opportunity to believe in myself, especially when I am unable to see the outcome. Who’s to say I won’t be great at the things I desire and work at? Who am I to say I am incapable of doing something when there is no proof at the present time that I can’t? Whether it’s your belief in Bigfoot or the occupation of your next moment, the perception of the unknown deceptively and interestingly takes up so much of our lives.

KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer

Sydni Brooks is a senior studying English and gender studies. She hopes to continue her work in writing and editing in her career while advocating for women’s health issues. She can be reached through her email sbrooks2@nd.edu or @sydnimaree22 on Twitter.

The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

A sad alumnus To the editors of the Obser ver and students of the Universit y of Notre Dame, I never thought myself the t y pe of person to w rite to the Obser ver after I graduated from Notre Dame, but — and allow me to be cliché — desperate times call for the most desperate measures. The rumor mills that churn information from current students, to recent graduates, to those in the “beyond,” has burped up a spicy piece of information regarding the reduction of hours of one of the most hallowed spaces on campus. I speak not of the Basilica, nor the Grotto but of the Taco Bell in the basement of LaFun. I am being completely and utterly serious when I say that Taco Bell (especially its hours post-midnight) is the beating heart of Our Lady’s campus. And if rumors are to be believed, a 5 p.m. closure wouldn’t even give my grandma time to get her ‘dilla fill. If you don’t believe me, let me brief ly illustrate just how important Taco Bell has been to campus: Spring 2004: Notre Dame cancels contract w ith original LaFun Taco Bell due to student protests regarding concerns of laborers working for parent company Yum! Brands are not being treated decently. (Look at student activ ism in action!)

W hile the controversy was resolved, the taste left in the mouths of students and administrators was not fire.

Fall 2012: Taco Bell opens on campus in the

basement of LaFun, replacing a disused Sbarro, ending the years long Taco Bell shortage for students on campus. This opening coincided w ith the promotional Doritos Locos Taco — arguably the greatest food item to ever ex ist. Then …

Fall 2012: Notre Dame Football goes 12-0 and goes on to play in the BCS College Football Championship. Rumors sw irl that the loss to A labama was due to a lack of Crunchw rap Supremes the night before the game.

Fall 2014: Taco Bell Launches a breathtaking breakfast menu and the unimaginably perfect Quesarito. Then ….

Winter 2014: I get accepted to Notre Dame.

I mean, yes, some of the connections are tenuous, but they are also made up. The point being, Taco Bell was my home at Notre Dame. I ate there at 1: 00 a.m. and 1: 00 p.m. I stopped there to treat myself after a hard test, or night. I had some of the deepest conversations about God, life, the env ironment and my role in it, all over Cheesy Gordita Crunches. Taco Bell is a staple of that basement and of late-night food and my Notre Dame experience would not be the same w ithout those precious moments. It isn’t only about me however, so I asked t wo people I know what the Taco Bell in LaFun meant to them in wake of the hours change. They did not respond to my text, so I can only assume that they were stunned to silence. Two other former ND grads

whom I asked to edit this editorial masterpiece were dumbstruck and mentioned the 11 p.m. bean burritos that kept them alive throughout their sophomore year. It is clear to me that no more ev idence is needed to see how just important the late-night hours at Taco Bell truly are.

The saddest thing isn’t that there w ill no longer be a line from LaFun to Zahm on a Saturday night, but that these reduced hours are an omen of what’s to come for my beloved. Taco Bell is going to go the way of Reckers and Burger King — off this mortal coil. First the hours are reduced, then the business is replaced. W hen Taco Bell inev itably is forced off campus, like some unloved miscreant, I won’t know what to say. I only hope that day never comes, or I would only be able to reminisce about what was and what mediocrit y is left in its wake (I’m looking at you Subway). And while I do know that Chick-fil-A is the new golden boy of campus dining and Flex point expenditure, that “chicken little” cannot fill the Baja Blast needs of the faithful.

Live Más, P.S. As far as I am concerned, there was not a Pizza Hut on Campus. It would have been a cold day in hell if you saw me order cheesy bread.

Daniel Hopkinson class of 2019 Aug. 30

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The observer | Wednesday, September 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

Keep moving forward: A three-step guide to living in a new city Krista Akiki The Lifestyle Nomad

If the world you live in doesn’t allow you to dream and grow, then move to one where you can. That’s what I did when I traveled over 6,000 miles and started building a new life for myself at Notre Dame. And yet again, I set my bags down in a new city as I prepare to spend the semester in Silicon Valley. I keep moving to new places that I know will prompt growth and offer unparalleled opportunities because I religiously believe that all things magical happen outside one’s comfort zone. I hate feeling fenced in by a place that no longer challenges me and tests my limits.

None can deny, though, that moving around so much and repeatedly starting over can be quite nerve wracking.

It’s terrifying even. So for my first column of the semester, I decided to write about the three things that have made new cities slightly less daunting and a lot more inviting.

1. Learn how to live with yourself Whenever we’re in an unfamiliar location, our social nature often entices us to start looking for people to surround ourselves with. We make small talk or attend functions that bore us half to death because we want to feel included in this new place. We become comically aggressive in our efforts to make new friends and find our crew. It is indeed great to meet new people and forge new friendships, yet we

so often become entranced by that goal that we forget to enjoy our own company. When you move to a new place, try to really learn how to live with yourself: enjoy the new quiet apartment, take yourself out for dinner or coffee, go for walks or read at a nearby park. Whatever you enjoy doing, enjoy doing it by yourself as well. At first, it will be quite intimidating to walk in a cafe and sit at a table for one. You might be tempted to just pull out your computer or even sit on your phone to pretend you’re waiting for someone. But trust me when I say there is so much you will learn about yourself by just being with yourself. Your energy will shift as you better understand your own needs and actually take care of yourself. Give it a shot; I promise it’s worth it.

2. Hit the ground walking.

When you’re in a new city, you really need to maximize the time you spend exploring. So try to walk or bike around as much as possible. I really believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in a new neighborhood and find local gems that could become your favorite spots. It’s also a great way to locate the farmer’s market, a cute bakery or your favorite brand stores. So come on, stop worrying about getting lost and start hitting the ground walking.

3. Find your constants.

Being surrounded by so much unfamiliarity keeps you on high alert. Constantly being on your toes can be exhausting. So, wherever you can, try to find some comfort

with familiar constants. Find a coffee shop or restaurant you love and become a regular customer. Routinely schedule some activities you enjoy doing. Schedule times to Facetime family members. Prepare some delicious meals that remind you of home. The list could go on for pages, but I’m pretty confident that you got the message by now: try to find your constants.

It definitely took me a while and a whole lot of practice to apply these strategies every time I move to a new place. It’s always big. It’s always scary. It’s always intimidating. But it’s also exhilarating. It’s also fun. It’s also magical. So be patient and gracious with yourself and remember to keep moving forward, because all things magical happen outside your comfort zone.

Krista Akiki is a junior living in McGlinn Hall, majoring in business analytics and minoring in computing and digital technologies. She grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and moved back to the U.S. to pursue her undergraduate degree. She loves learning new languages, traveling and of course trying new foods. She craves adventure and new experiences and hopes to share these with readers through her writing. She can be reached at kakiki@nd.edu or @kristalourdesakiki via Twitter.

The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

Roll Tide? The darker side of #BamaRush Claire Miller Better Everyday

Search #BamaRush on TikTok and you will find a huge collection of videos that have amassed over 439 million views as of Tuesday. Many, myself included, have found the trend entertaining and have closely followed along as thousands of young women try to be recruited into one of the University of Alabama’s 17 sororities. The recruitment process, also known as Bama Rush, is a weeklong series of events in which these women “rush” for the sororities by getting to know the organizations and putting their best selves forward in hopes that one of the sororities will invite them to join or offer them a “bid.” The culmination of Rush Week is Bid Day, in which potential new members, also known as “PNMs,” officially accept their bid to join a sorority.

But before receiving that coveted bid, the freshman women dress up according to a dress code or theme.

Many of these outfits were showcased on TikTok by the women sharing their “OOTD,” or “outfit of the day,” and telling viewers where they bought each item using the hashtag. #BamaRush has not only been used for showcasing outfits, however. Many women have published TikToks sharing both their great and not-so-great experiences in a sorority at Alabama, and at other schools with Greek life.

These bad experiences range from women sharing that they were “dropped” or kicked out of their sorority, to expressing the social-anxiety nightmare of Rush Week, and more.

However, the “darker side” of Bama Rush that I wanted to explore is not limited to the unfavorable experiences of these women. The most troubling part, in my opinion, is the classism and elitism that a Greek system unfortunately perpetuates. First, according to the University of Alabama’s website, 35% of their undergraduates participate in the university’s fraternities and sororities. Besides not receiving a bid, many students are excluded from the Greek system because of its hefty price tag. Members of sororities and fraternities have to pay dues to be considered an active member. Dues range by

sorority and fraternity and by university, but usually add up to more than a couple thousand per semester. This does not include the cost of outfits for rush week, and the registration fee that freshman pay to even be involved in the recruitment process, along with other miscellaneous costs.

Since sororities and fraternities create a strong social network for students that can be leveraged for networking and finding a future career, the price tag of Greek Life excludes low-income students from these opportunities. Not to mention that sorority and fraternity recruitment favors “legacies,” or students with a parent who was once an active member. I am far from the first person to call out Greek life for perpetuating cycles of wealth and privilege; however, Greek life at Alabama has also been called out by its own students for perpetuating a discriminatory and racist system. In 2001, the Crimson White, Alabama’s own student-run newsletter, reported that a female freshman was trying to be the first black student to join an all-white sorority at UA. This student, Christina Houston, did in fact join a sorority in 2000, Gamma Phi, but was only considered an active member for one semester.

In 2013, only 10 Black or African American students participated in Greek Life at UA, and in 2018, that number had increased on to 92, just 3.9% of Black or African American students at UA Fraternities are even less diverse than sororities. Despite the fact that African American and Black students comprised about 10% of the student body in January 2018, only 0.8% students in traditionally white fraternities were black or African American. The data speaks for itself here.

Now why should you, someone who might be somehow affiliated with the University of Notre Dame, which does not have a Greek system, care?

The Greek life system, not just at the University of Alabama, should force us to think critically and reflectively about our own residence hall system and social scene. Many agree that residential hall life at Notre Dame actually mirrors a Greek life system, just one that does not involve rushing. Perhaps many of you came to Notre Dame for that exact reason: to experience a deep sense of sisterhood or

brotherhood without participating in the less desirable aspects of Greek life. After all, if you are an undergraduate enrolled at Notre Dame, you have no choice but to participate in residential life at least at some point in your academic career. Zahm Hall, which was highly criticized for having a fraternity environment before it was disbanded, and the controversy that ensued when the University officially disbanded it, highlighted the good and bad of residence hall life. Meanwhile, my own positive experiences in residential life inspired me to write a Letter to the Editor last spring titled “Dear Flaherty Hall.”

Whether your residence hall is deeply attached to your identity at college or just a place where you sleep, it is important to analyze and consider both the positives and drawbacks of it. Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Roll Tide, but mostly Go Irish.

KERRY SCHNEEMAN | The Observer

Claire Miller is a junior majoring in political science, with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

She is a proud resident of Flaherty Hall and the state of Texas. She can be reached at cmille45@nd.edu over email.

The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and not necessarily those of The Observer.

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The observer | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

By JP SPOONMORE Scene Writer

Deep beneath the rubble and ashes of Chicago’s Cabrini-Green lies a secret. Its history is written on the very souls of its last remaining residents, always lurking behind them. His face may change over time, but the name will always be remembered, along with that bloody hook. After almost 30 years since his original summoning, “Candyman” returns with new blood behind the camera.

Written by Jordan Peele and directed by Nia DaCosta, this sequel steps deeper into the hive of racial hatred and social commentary to uncover truths its predecessor could never achieve. Serving as both a direct sequel but also a fresh reboot, it is more than just a retelling. The entire craft is renovated with the most calculated execution. The themes are expanded, the symbolism is perfected and with a sprinkle of Peele’s comedic timing, the scares are just as effective. Looking at every element of the 1992 classic, “Candyman” serves as the perfect sequel.

Peele’s screenplay evolves the original story in a fresh perspective, giving the victims the voice rather than an outsider peeking through the blinds. Peele also utilizes this shift as an opportunity to redeem his own craft: he finally got the chance to write the ending he wanted to make for “Get Out.” Real life tragedy rots

By WILLOUGHBY THOM Associate Scene Editor

Documentaries have the reputation of being relatively simple; full of indiv idual talking heads, firsthand v ideo footage, photo montages and a logical progression. It’s predictable. Of course, there are many different t y pes of documentaries covering a w ide range of subjects, but the formula in which stories are told doesn’t var y much from film to film and director to director. This t y pe of cinematic practice is difficult, because the film places so much value on telling a real stor y that directors often forget to add a dash of creativ it y and uniqueness. Nevertheless, due to the genre’s predictabilit y, there is plent y of room to totally reinvent the genre while still remaining true to the essence of documentar y film making. There is a fine line between creatively spicing up the genre and v isual distraction, so directors need to find a nice middle-ground. Earlier this year, on Januar y 30th, 2021, to be exact, at the Sundance Film Festival, critically acclaimed English director, producer and screenw riter Edgar Wright found the sweet spot by ingeniously balancing stor ytelling and aesthetics while remaining true to the people, subjects and topics necessar y to create a documentary in his film “The Sparks Brothers.”

into cathartic horror, swarming around you to feed on your skin. It is a jaw-dropping experience, spared to the very end as a mic drop to audiences worldwide.

It is because of the final scene that Peele achieves the true symbolism of the Candyman even better than its creator, Clive Barker.

With the original towers of Cabrini-Green long gone, one of the recurring themes is the cultural destruction of gentrification. What was once discarded brick and graffiti is now painted over white with clean furnishings. This re-polishing of CabriniGreen’s ghetto is where DaCosta’s directing shines, because the film itself can be seen as a gentrification of itsw predecessor. She takes the f loating camerawork of the 1992 classic to new levels, sweeping through the streets of Chicago as if on the prowl for its next meal. Peele himself favored her directing over his, seeing it as “refined, elegant,” which can be the coinable term for not only the neighborhood’s new apartments, but the main protagonist himself. He starts as a sculpted artist, distanced from his work with a clean conscience, but once the truth of his own soul is unmasked, he sinks deeper into the f loors until it stains his very skin. The gentrified imagery lingers in the background, suffocating Cabrini-Green and serving as the true opposing force inside the walls.

Near the end of the story, the film begins to trip on its own inspiration. 1992’s Candyman was more of a

prophetic voice seeking direct revenge rather than a true force of nature, so even though Peele’s evolved symbol in the hook resonates long after the credits roll, the plot decides to cur ve its momentum for a more faithful conf lict. A contrived t w ist that squashes the true scale of what the themes were tr y ing to achieve, which is ver y similar to the ending of its predecessor.

If this film had the chance to be released when it was supposed to, it would be just as inf luential and timeless as “Get Out.” Sadly, w ith it only coming out in theaters rather than streaming, I don’t see it gaining any longstanding follow ing.

It’s a fun watch w ith beautiful v isuals and a great rev ival of the original score, enough to pick up the slack when the plot falters. From beginning to end, it sinks its hook into your heart, and w ith a chilling voice, whispers, “Say my name.”

Now, you may be asking, “W ho the heck are these Sparks brothers, and why does one of them have a ver y suspicious looking mustache? ” Well, allow me to tell you about your new favorite band.

I am not surprised if you don’t know who the Sparks are — even some of their most dedicated fans are left wondering about their stor y. They may be one of the most prolific bands in the industr y, w ith 25 studio albums since 1966, but despite their consistent presence, they remain a myster y. This vagueness surrounding their existence is not due to a lack of public appearance and/or reception, but I believe it’s because they are almost too intelligent, w itt y and eccentric for the general public to fully grasp. Before I get to the nuances of their entit y, let me tell you a bit about them. Sparks is a pop/rock duo consisting of brothers Ron and Russell Mael; Ron is the mustached man on the keys while Russell is the dynamic frontman.

The band’s make-up is simple: Ron w rites the ly rics and the music and Russell charismatically delivers the songs. It’s a musical recipe that has been seen time and time again, but the eccentricit y and w it of their ly rics is what pushes their music to the forefront. A lbums like “A Woofer in Tweeters Clothing,” “Kimono My House” and “Angst in my Pants” not only bring about a sense

of humor, but also a great amount of depth, introspection and insight into a world that is uniquely Ron Mael’s. We might be liv ing on the same planet as the Sparks, but they have the abilit y to reach beyond what we are able to see in order to give us fun, exciting and dy namic music that is exclusively theirs.

Edgar Wright does an incredible job of delivering their stor y in a fresh way that captivates you from the moment the film begins to roll. The documentar y preser ved a few classic elements such as indiv idual talking heads and firsthand footage, but in a way that demonstrates their impact across generations of music and the subtle ways in which they are the true founding fathers of modern pop music.

They are your favorite band’s favorite band; they w ill soon be yours too.

Contact JP Spoonmore at jspoonmo@nd.edu

Candyman Director: Nia DaCosta Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, If you like: “Get Out,” “Lovecraft Country’

Contact Willoughby Thom at wthom@nd.edu

The Sparks Brothers Director: Edgar Wright Where to Watch: AppleTV, Amazon Prime

EMMA KIRNER | The Observer

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The observer | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

MAGGIE KLAERS | The Observer

By ALEJANDRO MUJICA Scene Writer

In today’s music industry, all that matters is the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Everybody wants it, and fans are willing to do anything to get their fave song up there. We have seen Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Jason Derulo and many others employ questionable tactics to achieve the coveted prize, but up to now, these fraudulent fan practices have fallen short of making a lasting impact on a song’s chart performance.

Songs that were hits remained hits, only now with a “#1” attached to them, and songs that were not on the charts were still not; their lack of staying power reveals their true colors as “inorganic” #1’s. Until Butter, that is.

On May 21, 2021, BTS released their highly anticipated single “Butter,” and they broke the internet. With unarguably the most devoted fan base in the world, called the ARMY, the single’s music video achieved a whopping 10 million YouTube views in under 15 minutes, and 11 million first-day streams on Spotify Global, breaking record after record on opening day.

During its first week, it racked up a massive total of 242,000 digital sales, which is almost 40 times higher than the average amount of digital sales for the Hot 100 top 10 this week. With record-high streaming numbers and high airplay numbers to back up their enormous

sales, the song easily notched the the #1 on the Hot 100 the week of June 5. It would go on to remain on top of the chart for nine non-consecutive weeks, setting the record for longest-lasting #1 hit of 2021 in the United States.

There is no denying that “Butter” is a monster hit.

Trying to discredit BTS’s success would be ridiculous.

However… it wouldn’t. BTS’s “Butter” cheated its way to #1; just “let me show you ‘cause talk is cheap.”

Those 242,000 sales seem too good to be true, and they are. For starters, they released an instrumental version of the song during the first week, whose sales would also add up to the single’s final tally for its Billboard placement. On top of this, both versions of the song were discounted to $0.69 (they would later lower prices to $ 0.39), while almost ever y other song currently on the iTunes top 100 costs $1.29.

This practice is termed predator y pricing, and is a well-established opening week maneuver to rack up sales and get a higher chart debut. If that were the end of the stor y, though, nobody would be cr y ing about it; many others have done it before, after all. This is where mass buy ing comes in.

Most of BTS’s sales don’t come from the normal avenues — iTunes, Ama zon, etc.— they come from the band’s official website. W hy does this matter?

Because iTunes and Amazon don’t allow the same credit card to buy more than one copy of a song,

and BTS’s website does. Essentially, one fan could buy a hundred copies of Butter, which he’d never listen to, and every purchase would count towards the single’s sales tally. The underhanded tactics utilized are innumerable: releasing a total of six “Butter” versions, fans across the globe organizing PayPal crowdfunding for U.S.-based fans to buy the song en masse on the band’s website and re-releasing the single with different cover art so it would count as a distinct song purchase are among the ARMY’s most notable efforts.

They would really do anything for their fave.

Today, 14 weeks after its debut, Butter is out of the top 50 on Spotify US, it has been removed from pop radio stations for not reaching the minimum audience approval rating to stay on rotation, and yet it sits at #7 of the Hot 100. There is a lot wrong with this picture, and the future of the Billboard Hot 100 may not be the same because of it. Billboard enjoys enormous online engagement from ARMY members, so they’re keeping the fandom happy by failing to acknowledge the all-too-evident chart manipulation. Will Billboard eventually rectify the glaring loopholes that allow this to happen, or will they continue acting as if nothing’s wrong? We may very well be witnessing a turning point in the music industry — here’s to hoping common sense becomes a corporate interest in the wake of it all.

Contact Alejandro Mujica at amujicav@nd.edu

MAKAYLA HERNANDEZ | The Observer

By NICOLE BILYAK Scene Writer

TikTok has left its explosive impact on not only the younger generation but also the older generation. Users often use the social media platform as a way to make kook y v ideos that are lighthearted and humorous, but there is another side of TikTok that people often sw ipe up on while scrolling through. Those v ideos involve historically “accurate” interpretations of historical groups of people; one of these groups that are portrayed is the Viking people from the 8th to the 11th centuries.

In order to look more closely at how the Vikings are portrayed in the media, we first must understand who the Vikings are. The term “v iking” is a modern name for the Scandinav ian seafaring people who raided, pirated, traded and settled through many parts of Europe. Scandinavia is the northern part of Europe that includes present-day Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The Vikings are now associated today with their signature longships, their use of the Old Norse language, and their use of the rune writing system. The Vikings also are known for their pagan religion. Norse Paganism is known for being polytheistic, which entails the belief of many gods and goddesses that the modern world

may recognize today such as Thor (god of thunder), Odin (the All-Father of the gods) and Loki (the trickster god). Their religion is inf luential in the sense that they also begin to explore Christianit y from the western world.

With the diverse histor y of the Vikings, the modern world has begun to portray the Vikings in media that sometimes can be historically inaccurate, or the media portrayals can be historically accurate. It is even highly arguable that one of the earliest media portrayals of the Viking culture is technically media because of its age. This portrayal is the epic poem “Beow ulf,” which was w ritten somewhere bet ween 975 and 1025. This 3,182-line poem tells the stor y of how Beow ulf from the Geats who comes to the aid of Hrothgar, slays the monster Grendel and his mother, and is mortally wounded after a battle w ith a dragon.

Even though this is an Old English poem, it is technically inspired on the Vikings because Beow ulf is from a Germanic tribe in modern-day Sweden.

This poem has been adapted into several films, a particularly well-known version being the 2007 one starring Ray Winstone as the titular character.

One particular adaptation of the Viking people is the 2013 History Channel original titled “Vikings.”

The show, which ran for six seasons, starred

Australian actor Travis Fimmel as Ragnar Lothbrok, a Viking who was known for his scourge throughout Anglo-Saxon England and West Francia, which is now modern France. This show, though successful, was notorious for being historically inaccurate.

Most of the inaccuracies come from the portrayal of Christianit y and how the cultural aspects are portrayed on camera. These obser vations are something people could keep in mind, but in the grand scheme of things, we do not know what the Viking culture was like. We were never around to experience their culture so it is all up for interpretation as to what it culture was like, what clothing they wore, and especially w ith religion, we do not know how the Vikings practiced Norse paganism and how they perceive Christianit y.

The Vikings are a huge part of TikTok in that many users are promoting Norse paganism and are creating a large communit y of people who want to recreate the Viking culture. And, as someone who loves Viking culture, I think this new phenomenon is a sign that we need to bring back history into the modern world and provide our own interpretations of older cultures. You can check out VikingTok here.

Contact Nicole Bilyak at nbilyak01@saintmarys.edu

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Crossword | Will Shortz

11

Horoscope | Eugenia Last Happy Birthday: Put more thought into the changes you want to make before you proceed. Question your motives to ensure your emotions aren’t propelling you instead of practicality and common sense. Channel your energy where it will benefit you most and help bring in more cash, peace of mind and opportunities. When dealing with personal and professional relationships, trust facts, not hearsay. Your numbers are 8, 13, 20, 24, 32, 38, 46.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’ll advance if you shift your thoughts to what’s important to you and use your intelligence to fast-track what you want to accomplish. Change requires action and finishing what you start. Physical fitness and sharing with someone you love will bring good results.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Concentrate on getting ahead professionally and putting your energy into showing others how efficient and eager you are to use your skills diversely and navigate your way into a better position. An unusual encounter will lead to an emotional decision.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Distance yourself from people who nag or criticize you.

Trust your ability to get things done your way and on time. Use your intelligence and finesse to choose the direction you want to pursue. A romantic gesture will enhance your life.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You’ll gain insight if you listen and observe. Don’t trust anyone with personal information or someone handling financial or contractual matters for you. Take control, and bring about the changes you want to happen.

Avoid joint ventures and high-risk investments.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Resurrect old ideas and reconnect with people who have something to offer that will help you put your plans into play. A reunion will encourage you to partner with someone who shares your enthusiasm. Love and romance are favored.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take nothing for granted. If you want something done correctly, do it yourself. Choose your path, and follow through with your plans.

Letting someone lead the way won’t bring you the satisfaction or happiness you desire.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You are sitting in a good position, so don’t let an emotional incident sabotage your plans. Put serious thought into how you live, what you want to accomplish and where you stand on issues that affect others. Mindful action is encouraged.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Live within your budget. Pay attention to the cost of living and where you can cut corners. Do what you can yourself instead of paying someone. A change will encourage you to rethink the way and where you choose to live.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Pay more attention to the way you look, the services you can offer and exploring new ways to use your skills, knowledge and attributes. A partnership with someone who is just as dedicated to a common cause will blossom. Romance is favored.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t share personal or financial information. Put more into the way you present yourself physically instead of sharing opinions. You’ll get more in return if the people you deal with feel comfortable around you. Be a good listener.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look at the logistics of a situation you face, then make decisions based on facts, not emotions. A disciplined approach to money, health and rules will spare you being put in an awkward position. Make fitness and romance priorities.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get everything in order before you share your intentions with others. Expect someone jealous to rival you. Know your boundaries and put your energy into finishing what you start. A romantic gesture will take you by surprise.

Birthday Baby: You are appealing, energetic and wise. You are opportunistic and curious.

Sudoku | The Mepham Group

Jumble | David Hoyt and Jeff knurek

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Sports Authority

‘Super League’ absurdity most notably in England. stay w ith me for a second. be able to snap up the Even for you all, the world’s most valuable player The reason so many Sports Writer of us love the game $188 and $212 million on a free next summer.

The fact that PSG (Hint: It’s NOT watching offers from Real Madrid refused to f leece of telev ision to PSG for 22-year-old has In the face of worldw ide hundreds for $200 million sur veil a star Kylian Mbappe has Real condemnation for leading cameras they know the effort for a breakaway player’s home before an to be the final straw. when Not only is Perez Mbappe w ill leave his European Super League imminent move to a big cit y for the arrogant that he home in April, Florentino club) could not be further so capital next to cling to Spanish from Perez’s continues Perez told the football detached says a lot world that “the beautiful v ision of a self-selected his Super League vanit y summer the financial “closed shop” devoid of project, he does so while about game” was dy ing. of the Qatariattempting to make might integrit y.

“We have to save football. competitive club. signings that bankrolled Admittedly, this transfer immense Ever y thing I do is for the Meanwhile, the good of football, which is w indow has been quite f ly in the face of his ludicrous offers from Perez for it. spectacle.

After justifications in a critical moment,” the the his arguments Apparently, when Perez mean Real Madrid president said. Lionel Messi’s tear y-eyed A few days later, Perez departure from Barcelona said Real would be unable for a Super League were not tone-deaf but purchase a young only added that a “Galactico” to Paris Saint Germain to just lies.

Clearly, like Mbappe also the return of superstar signing, the club’s and traditional acquisition former Galactico Cristiano or Erling Haaland, it was Madrid can still spend a scare tactic, in ways that would be to Manchester just of a lav ishly expensive, Ronaldo he seems absurd even for many of v ia Juventus, because world-class player United GOAT candidates comfortable spending as Europe’s other elite clubs. ever y year or so, would two Of course, the same as ever, moved in the prof ligately be “impossible” w ithout have not be said for Super League or no. can summer. the Super League. same bitter Catalan The Mbappe offer their Now, if transfer In other words, Perez off as almost rivals and fellow Super is your thing, comes claimed that the game news holdouts.

True, he League could only sur v ive if elite fine. To each his ow n. nonsensical.

After years of astonishing the heir apparent If you are someone who is clubs were perpetually the Messi/Ronaldo m i s m a n a g e m e n t , wealthy enough to make actually liked the idea of to and it’s no Barcelona was unable to high-profile signings seeing Europe’s traditional throne, and secret his dream is to re-sign the most legendar y and have their behemoths for Los Blancos. figure in the Blaugrana’s nouveau-riche clubs play play hegemony guaranteed. even though However, the Parisian histor y, Even Perez’s monstrous each other ever y week was w illing to ego could not save the w ithout any real outside only has one year left Messi the ma x imum … on his deal w ith PSG, take Super League from an challenge Well, I’ll decide to hold meaning Perez w ill, in permitted pay cut of 50% . incredible collapse The club has reaped all certainly, follow ing fan protests, my tongue, and please almost Greg McKenna

what it has sow n, and I commend La Liga president Jav ier Tebas for maintaining the integrit y of the league’s salar y cap rules, despite Messi’s departure being a massive blow for Spanish football.

Many of the other members of the short-lived Super League mutiny, however, have also spent mindboggling amounts of money this summer.

Chelsea had no problem dishing out a club-record $135 million to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, while Manchester Cit y broke the British spending record by pay ing Aston Villa $139 million for Jack Grealish, which made the Birmingham native the most expensive English player ever.

So if you agree w ith Perez that these big-money moves are the lifeblood of football, fine.

Have it your way.

Just don’t tell me that’s why we need a Super League.

Contact at

Greg McKenna gmckenn2@nd.edu

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One day, when I came home at lunchtime / I heard a funny noise / Went out to the backyard to find out / If it was one of those rowdy boys / Stood there with my neighbor called Peter / And a Flux Capacitor / He told me he built a time machine / Like one in a film I’ve seen, yeah / He said, “I’ve been to the year 3000 / Not much has changed, but they

lived underwater / And your great-greatg r e at- g r a n d d a u g h te r / Is doin’ fine, doin’ fine” / He took me to the future in the flux thing / And I saw everything / Boy bands, and another one, and another one / And another one / Girls there with round hair like Star Wars / Float above the floor / We drove around in a time machine / Like one in a film I’ve seen, yeah, woo / He said, “I’ve been to the year 3000 / Not much has changed, but they lived

underwater / And your greatg r e a t - g r e a t g r a n d d a u g h ter / Is doin’ fine, doin’ fine” / I took a ship to the year 3000 / This song had gone multiplatinum / Everybody bought our seventh album / It had outsold Kelly Clarkson / I took a ship to the year 3000 / This song had gone multi-platinum / Everybody bought our seventh album / He told me he built a time machine / Like one in a film I’ve seen, yeah

sports

ndsmcobserver.com | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | The Observer

13

Sports Authority

The Confusing Case of Cam Newton Thomas Zwiller Sports Writer

Scheme fit I would consider myself to be someone who has a finger on the pulse of the NFL. I spend a good amount of my free time reading about football news, watching press conferences and listening to podcasts.

So, when I finished up my 9:30 a.m. class at 10 :15 a.m. and looked dow n at my phone to see what my best friend had just texted me, I was in shock.

“PATS RELE ASED CAM” greeted me as I scrolled through my notifications.

My mouth agape, I went to ESPN, and sure enough, the Patriots had released Cam New ton to slim dow n to the 53 man roster.

This move had come mere HOURS after Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had said Cam was “mov ing in the right direction.”

This proves that Belichick is the most ruthless head coach in sports, w illing to do any thing to w in, aspiring to “the Patriot Way.” It also indicates to me that Cam New ton is done as a starting QB in the NFL; the Patriots were probably the last team to offer him the position. But notice I said starting QB; I don’t think New ton is done in the NFL just yet.

I think he still has value.

To figure out where Cam w ill go next, it is crucial to figure out what went w rong w ith the Patriots.

I think three things went w rong in New England for Cam, and I

COV ID-19 (again)

don’t believe that most of them are Cam’s fault.

Firstly, Cam has just never really been a good fit for the Patriots. After lighting it up w ith the Patriots for the first three games in New England, Cam contracted COV ID-19 and returned, never really looking quite right. I don’t think the st yles of play fit ver y well.

Cam New ton won an MV P from a mobile rushing QB; he is at his best when not throw ing the football. The Patriots, meanwhile, ran the NFL for t wo decades w ith Tom Brady, a ver y traditional QB who can pick apart a defense while operating inside the pocket.

That brings me to my third point. Cam — despite being the second-best QB on the roster — is a liabilit y. As the backup, Cam has to be ready to step in at a moment’s notice. But, because Cam is not vaccinated, he could go into a COV ID-19 protocol for contact tracing or even catch the v irus.

We already saw that happen; Cam went into the protocol because of a “misunderstanding.” If that had occurred during the regular season and Mac got injured or went into protocol himself, the Patriots really would just be out of luck.

backup QB C.J. Beathard.

Houston Texans The Texans are certainly not tr y ing to w in games this season. Their most significant issue w ill be tr y ing to trade Deshaun Watson away and rebuilding the team from there. So, while the Texans may not want a backup, if your starter is Ty rod Taylor, it doesn’t hurt to have a decent option at backup.

Cam could potentially even steal the starting job.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos are a team that I heard mentioned by the folks on the “Dan Lebatard ——— Show w ith Stugotz,” and For better or for worse, I have to say I hate the Cam New ton is no longer take. I think that, given the Mac Attack a Patriot. If Cam is signed current roster construction, That leads to the second somewhere as a backup QB, Cam does not fit there. I problem for Cam in New I would not expect him do believe you can make England: Mac Jones. Mac to stay on the bench. a case for Cam being Jones was the Patriot’s first- But Cam is still someone better than Drew Lock.

Unfortunately for round draft pick this year worth hav ing on your roster, just not as Cam, Drew is no longer and is now the designated maybe the starting QB; Teddy starting QB. starter for the Patriots. a W hen the Patriots drafted Bridgewater is. I DO think Unlike Cam, Mac fits incredibly well into Mac Jones, I said on my that Teddy is a much better the Patriots system. podcast, “The Touchdow n fit and QB than Cam is.

It would also seem that Rundow n”: Keep Cam as Baltimore Ravens Mac is ahead of schedule, a Taysom Hill player. Let seeing as Cam had been him be someone fun who The Ravens are by far seen by many as the person can distract the defense who would start the season and step in as a backup QB. my favorite landing spot for Cam. I think he is an w ith Mac overtaking upgrade on backup Tyler the position later on. Jacksonville Huntley, but that is the case But that was what The Jaguars might for most of these teams. surprised me the most: Cam had always appeared seem a bit out of the box, The thing that makes me the Jaguars like Cam to the Ravens to be the eventual backup. considering that he is an Even if he did not start JUST sent away backup is schematic fit.

Gardner Minshew. excellent this season, there was no QB W hen you think of Lamar And because they reason for him to get cut. most people Trevor Law rence. Jackson, He was still the second- have best QB on the roster. However, I think Cam would compare him to Michael or Cam New ton. be an upgrade on current Vick

Write Sports.

Email Mannion McGinley mmcginl3@nd.edu

A QB who has elite mobilit y and can punish a defense w ith his legs.

If the Ravens want continuit y as a contingency, see if you can’t get Cam. New

York

Giants

This one makes sense to me just because it raises the qualit y of the QB room.

Of Cam and Mike Glennon, I think Cam is the better QB. He has a good chance of being needed, seeing that Daniel missed t wo games last season and has yet to play a complete season in his career.

Carolina

Panthers

This is mostly just a dream for Panthers fans.

I do not think there is a reason nor place for Cam on the Panthers roster.

The franchise moved on and is now all in on Sam Darnold.

Cam would likely run into some schematic fit problems w ith the Panther’s offense like he did in New England.

In the past, the Panthers offense was made custom-fit for Cam, but has changed since then.

I do not know where Cam w ill go, but Cam’s conduct (and the fact that he is a Panthers legend) have endeared him to me, and I w ill continue to root for him wherever he ends up. And we can all hate the Patriots again.

Contact Thomas Zwiller at tzwiller@hcc-nd.edu

14

Sports

The observer | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

The Observer’s College Football Roundtable: Week One Observer Staff Report

Back for its third season, The Observer is thrilled to announce the return of The Roundtable. Our season predictions are in, and with that here at the Roundtable, we will be giving our predictions for three college football games and three NFL games when the season returns. It is time; College Football is back!

NCAA Games of the Week: No. 19 Penn State @ No. 12 Wisconsin No. 1 Alabama @ No. 14 Miami No. 10 UNC @ Virginia Tech Sam Ouhaj The Penn State Nittany Lions take on the Wisconsin Badgers, and while this is two ranked teams going against one another, it is a game I feel will be a snooze fest, especially with some of the other matchups we are getting this weekend.

Neither team has been to the College Football Playoff in the last two years, nor will they this year. Graham Mertz is a better QB than Sean Clifford by a mile, which is not saying much, and though PSU has the advantage in head-to-head matchups, I am going with the more polished team in this scenario.

Give me Wisconsin 27 PSU 14.

The reigning national champions open up at Miami this weekend and honestly, I am not sure if they are going to dominate as they have years prior.

After losing their big three, the Crimson Tide are now relying on Bryce Young to guide them to success.

However, Miami is a team I believe is going to surprise a ton of people. D’Eriq King is a potential Heisman candidate and will be a first or second-round draft pick when he declares for the NFL at the end of the season. While the Crimson Tide will not be upset this week, the game will be closer than most people think.

Bama 35 Miami 28 Sam Howell is my dark horse pick for the Heisman this year and opening up against unranked Virginia Tech is going to get him off on the right foot. Despite the Tar Heels losing their star running backs, I have full faith that Howell is going to be just fine. Virginia Tech’s offense disappointed and while Braxton Burmeister is set to return, the former Oregon Duck is going to be terrorized by the Tar Heels’ defense. Hokies fans are going to be leaving the stadium disappointed after this one.

North Carolina 42 Virginia Tech 21

Tom Zwiller After two very disappointing seasons last year, it’s understandable to look at this game and be unimpressed. However, during his appearance on the Dan Patrick show, Kirk Herbstreit said that the winner of this game could “have a legitimate shot to get up into the top 10 pretty quickly”. So, anticipate seeing Wisconsin in the top 10, with the credit going to a great defense against a young Penn State offense.

Penn State 17 Wisconsin 28 Easily the best game on the schedule, the defending National Champions will take on the Canes at MercedesBenz Stadium. While I fully expect Alabama to win the game, I think Miami will cover the spread. Why? Alabama is a young team taking on a Miami squad that is much more seasoned. The last time that occurred was when #5 ranked Alabama opened the season by playing, then ranked #7 Virginia Tech, and Tech kept it close, losing 24-34. This one should be close early, but for Alabama to pull away in the second half.

Alabama 35 Miami 24 Despite some skepticism here at the Observer, when North Carolina faces down Virginia Tech, I expect the Heels to take home the victory.

UNC will miss RBs, Javonte Williams, and Micheal Carter, but they added transfer Ty Chandler at RB and have WRs Khafre Brown and Beau Corrales. Though this roster may have a lack of chemistry, I think they will be fine. VA Tech has a defense that ranked 83rd and 108th against the rush and pass, respectively, last season. I see no signs of that improving.

And while UNC doesn’t have the world’s most impressive defensive unit, I still expect the Hokies to struggle to move the ball.

UNC 35 VA Tech 24 Jamison Cook Ranked 19th and 12th, respectively, Penn State and Wisconsin are two teams that seem to me as if they are ranked way too high. Both teams will have fantastic defenses, but with weak running games on both sides, a lot of pressure will be put on the two quarterbacks, neither of whom I trust very much. When it comes down to it, I trust Wisconsin’s Mertz more than Penn State’s Clifford.

Expect a physical, low-scoring, classic Big 10 game dominated by the defenses.

Wisconsin 20, Penn State 16 Alabama opens the game against Miami as 18.5-point favorites. News flash: Miami is the

14th-ranked team in the country. Is Alabama really that much better than everyone else? They might be. But Miami is a good team with an elite quarterback in D’Eriq King, and Alabama’s sophomore quarterback Bryce Young has more NIL endorsements than passes attempted, so I think this game will be a lot closer than most people think.

Alabama’s superior talent will prevent them from getting upset, but the Crimson Tide won’t cover.

Alabama 37, Miami 24 Virginia Tech has one of the best atmospheres in college football, and I am sure Lane Stadium will be rocking to “Enter Sandman” before kickoff, but I don’t expect the Hokies to be cheering when the fourth quarter ends.

Yes, North Carolina has lost a lot – namely RBs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter and WR Dyami Brown – but they still have QB Sam Howell.

This guy is good enough to win the Heisman, and if he wants to be in the conversation, he needs to start the season off on the right foot. Lots of offense in this one.

North Carolina 41, Virginia Tech 34 Matt Smith Following disappointing 2020 seasons, Penn State and Wisconsin start the year fast with a highly anticipated top-20 matchup. Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz came out firing last year, but after testing positive for COVID-19, he and the Badger offense couldn’t recover. I think Mertz will turn things around and make some big plays with a healthy receiving corps, although he’ll have to stay away from Nittany Lions’ star safety Jaquan Brisker.

Penn State brings back quarterback Sean Clifford, but its poor offensive line won’t be able to handle a Wisconsin defense that should be one of the best in the country.

Wisconsin 27, Penn State 17 Even though Alabama tied the NFL record with six players selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide should be dominant this season. The offense lost many of its best playmakers, but quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver John Metchie III should be very dangerous together.

I’m excited to see Miami quarterback D’Eriq King return from his torn ACL, and his athleticism will create some issues for Alabama’s defense. The Hurricanes just can’t match the talent or depth of the Tide, however, and Alabama will roll its way to an easy victory.

Alabama 38, Miami 21 Despite the loss of most of their skill position talent, I still think the Tar Heels are going to be explosive on offense due to the return of quarterback Sam Howell. He has frequently appeared on preseason Heisman lists, and his NFL-level arm and playmaking ability should help his new receivers.

Virginia Tech also struggled mightily on defense last year, and I’m not convinced they’ll be able to do much to stop the Tar Heels. The Hokies bring back two of their leading receivers in Tayvion Robinson and Tré Turner, but North Carolina’s deep secondary should keep them in check.

North Carolina 35, Virginia Tech 14 Nate Moller Both of these Big Ten teams are slightly overrated in my opinion based on the poor seasons they had last year.

Wisconsin’s success this season depends on Graham Mertz’s ability to make plays and run the offense. The Nittany Lions will also need a lot more out of quarterback Sean Clifford if they are going to turn around from a disappointing season.

Clifford threw for 9 interceptions and just 16 touchdowns last year, and he has to be better for the Nittany Lions.

As far as this game goes, I expect the Badgers to use the energy from the home crowd at Camp Randall Stadium to get

the job done. Mertz leads the Badgers on a game-winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.

Wisconsin 27, Penn State 24 There is a lot of hype surrounding Bryce Young heading into this season, and he will finally have the chance to prove himself against Miami. The Canes return quarterback D’Eriq King, and he will look to spoil the start of the season for the Tide.

I think Young will struggle for Bama at times, but the superior offensive line and defensive line will get the job done for Bama. Overall, Bama has so much more talent on both sides of the ball, and I expect the Tide to roll in this one.

Alabama 44, Miami 20 Although the Hokies have been struggling the last few seasons, they have shown that they can give good teams a tough game at home. Last year the Hokies challenged Clemson well into the second half before the Tigers pulled away.

There are high expectations for Tar Heel quarterback Sam Howell this year, but I am interested to see how he responds to losing a plethora of options on offense.

I think the Tar Heels are caught off guard in this one and a late Howell interception leads to a last-second field goal for the Hokies to secure the upset win.

Virginia Tech 27, North Carolina 24

ERIN FENNESSY | The Observer

Former Irish quarterback Ian Book rushes down the field against BC.

Sports

Football Continued from page 16

—schedule, I’ve begun to fall victim to the optimism that has led to constant pain during my tenure as an Irish fan and writer.

The rebuilt offensive line looks to be solidifying, with Cain Madden garnering preseason All-American honors. The backfield remains electric, Jack Coan won a competitive quarterback battle and the receiving corps has been frequently hailed by Brian Kelly as a vastly improved group.

Throw in All-American safety Kyle Hamilton, two experienced returning pass-rushers on the defensive line, a deep linebacker room and a secondary that has looked vastly improved in practice from 2020, and a promising 2021 campaign seems very possible.

Four top-15 matchups litter the schedule. However, I think the only game Notre Dame falters in is at home, breaking a three-year home winning streak. The USC game makes me very nervous, as I believe the Trojans will be really good behind quarterback Kedon Slovis, and they’ll come out fired up to break a losing streak in this rivalry. A mediocre USC squad lost by just three points in 2019, and this team figures to be much better. Notre Dame will lose that one, but run the table the rest of the way and secure a New Year’s Six bowl game and a top-10 ranking.

Season Prediction: 11-1 Nate Moller For a while, it appeared that Notre Dame’s 2021 season would be used as a bridge year between the Ian Book and Tyler Buchner eras. The addition of graduate student transfer Jack Coan at quarterback has completely changed the narrative surrounding the season, as his experience at the quarterback position should allow the Irish to be very competitive in 2021.

I think a lot of people are still underestimating Coan, but I firmly believe Coan has the experience and capability to lead the Irish to a very successful season.

Coan will have plenty of tools at his disposal on offense as well.

The Irish possess one of the most dynamic backfields in college football with Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree, and I expect both

M Soccer Continued from page 16

it would be another twenty minutes into the second half until the Irish would make a run again.

After relatively uneventful play, with neither side being able to get close to a score, a succession of one-touch passes culminated in an assist from senior midfielder Ben Giacobello to secure Roou’s first career goal.

Riley remarked on the freshman talent that was exhibited in the gameplay.

ndsmcobserver.com | monday,SEPTEMBER february 18, 2019 | The Observer ndsmcobserver.com | WEDNESDAY, 1, 2021

running backs to get plenty of touches and have career years.

The wide receiver position is still a question mark, but there are enough talented athletes on the roster, and I am certain a couple of players will step up. On the defensive side of the ball, Kyle Hamilton will be invaluable, and the pieces around him should be in place to have a top-tier defense.

This year is bizarre in the sense that there is no one game that stands out, like Clemson last year, but there are four top15 opponents. I expect the Irish to take care of business against the Badgers at Soldier Field, but I think the Irish drop a game the next week at home against a very dangerous Cincinnati team.

Despite the loss, the Irish will win their remaining games with notable victories at home against USC and UNC and solidify their spot in a New Year’s Six bowl.

Season Prediction: 11-1 Emily DeFazio For the majority of the spring semester, I did not have the highest hopes for the 2021 season Notre Dame would have to face.

With the offensive line and quarterback positions still largely undecided — not to mention the threat of some formidable opponents on the schedule — I struggled to see how our offense would be solid enough to make the plays they needed to make to secure the wins they needed to secure.

When August rolled around and QB1 was still unknown, it only reinforced the notion. With the fall season upon us, however, I have come to see that the time I sat fretting was the time Notre Dame was fine-tuning.

Not knowing the starting quarterback for so long can only attest to the capabilities of the contenders. Jack Coan can lead the team knowing he, in the words of Brian Kelly, “gives us the best chance of success” in the coming weeks while having two talented successors behind him. He comes in with a knowledge of the field and accuracy in his passes, and we can be confident in his ability to take over. With Coan, Kelly’s glowing reports of the up-andcoming receiving corps, and the return of the unassailable running back squad, a strong offensive showing does not seem as far-fetched.

Pair the reshuffled offense with “They continue to do what we know they can do,” Riley said of Nto and Roou. “They are good attacking players, but they also help us on both sides of the ball, so it was nice to see them get rewarded with a couple goals.”

It looked as though Notre Dame would make it 3-0 in the final moments of the game, but two goals were all the Huskies would allow as the Irish finished with the clean slate.

“It was a good win,” Riley said of the shutout. “We knew Northern Illinois was going to be a tough game.”

Though the offensive play

Kyle Hamilton and the extensive defensive roster and we may just stand a chance at a NY6 or CFP bid. Maybe.

Then the knowledge of just who it is Notre Dame will have to stack up against comes into play, and things get a little dicey. I think the Irish will make it through unscathed until the UNC battle at home. They will have just made it through the five-game stretch in the toughest part of their schedule, and the only way they make it to October 30 undefeated is by taking down the rival Trojans. I think the Irish will have it in them to do so, but then comes the question of whether they can pull out two big wins in a row. They will enter the game tired, and that could cost them a perfect regular season against Sam Howell and his squad. In the end, Notre Dame gets a NY6 slot to cap off the season, missing out on two consecutive CFP showings.

Season Prediction: 11-1 Colin Capece Back in May, my former boss Hayden Adams claimed that the 2021 season would be a complete wash for Notre Dame. I’m not trying to take shots at Hayden while he’s not here, but the Irish can absolutely compete in 2021.

It’s no secret that the Irish are going to be a run-heavy offense, with 2020 All-ACC Second Team junior Kyren Williams and former five-star recruit sophomore Chris Tyree in the backfield, as well as a retooled offensive line that knows how to punish opponents in the trenches.

What may surprise some people is the play of newly-minted starting quarterback Jack Coan.

While he doesn’t possess the mobility of his predecessor, the graduate transfer can make throws to every level of the field, preventing defenses from stacking the box against the Irish.

Coan won’t just be a bridge to five-star Tyler Buchner and can be more than just a game manager in this offense.

The Irish defensive front should once again be stout against the run, but an inexperienced secondary is a cause for concern.

Defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman should want to move junior safety, Kyle Hamilton, around his formation, but he may be planted in the secondary secured the victory, it was the defense that was the quiet constant for the team.

Sophomore goalkeeper Bryan Dowd posted five saves over the course of the game, and Riley mentioned how the group aided in denying NIU any chance at a goal in the second half.

“Defending is always a team thing,” Riley said. “It starts from the two strikers all the way through the goalkeeper, and we did a good job of that.”

Contact Emily DeFazio at edefazio@nd.edu

until more reliable defensive backs emerge.

Unlike last season, where the Irish were essentially building to the Clemson game in early November, Notre Dame faces a brutal late September-October stretch, matching up with four preseason AP top 15 teams in five games.

I think the Irish will handle Wisconsin at Soldier Field and Cincinnati and USC at home, but UNC will beat the Irish at home on October 30. Potential Top-5 pick Sam Howell will be ready to play under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium, and Notre Dame will be worn down after trudging through their midseason gauntlet.

The Irish won’t make the CFP in consecutive years, but their strength of schedule is tough enough to grab a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl game.

Season Prediction: 11-1 Mannion McGinley The 2021 season has space for both success and growth, and it has to fill both those shoes. With Coan starting in the opener, Kelly set the team up for success in the first game. Coan easily has the experience and the skill to ride the home wins, and then some.

The problem comes in when we look to the future.

Buchner or Pyne should sta rt eventually this season if we want to see any progression or success next season, though neither of them has had a chance to get their feet under them on the field.

That being said, when to start them is the big question. Coan will take the stage and should have a decent time at it against Cincinnati, USC and UNC. The final two home games, though, against Navy and Georgia Tech should have wiggle room for a non-starter to see the field significantly.

I think it’s even worth that game being closer than the Irish might prefer, especially since Kelly doesn’t often choose to run up the score anyway.

When it comes down to it, though, that isn’t worth a loss on the season.

Ignoring mental factors (yes looking at you, USC game, postbye week), the Irish at their best will have their toughest match against UNC.

15

There we will have to be at our best on all fronts, including in the pocket.

The way the season is structured, however, builds in plenty of time for the offense to tighten up before any major games and the defense to be in a good spot.

They’ll get to know each other in a true game setting and under pressure. So much so that I think the undefeated season is within reach.

With Tyree and Williams as options in the backfield and Hamilton holding together the defense, the Irish have weapons at their disposal, and if they work together smoothly, the Irish can have the undefeated season.

Optimistic season prediction: 12-0 Jimmy Ward I tend to be pretty optimistic when it comes to these things; however, I don’t have that optimistic, worry-free feeling most Notre Dame fans have come to enjoy ever so often over the past 100 years or so.

I’m pretty certain that Jack Coan won’t be playing 100% of the snaps that could potentially swing a game. I’m not saying he’s not the guy right now, I’m just saying that this quarterback battle might not be finished just yet.

The Irish have a schedule that will surely provide some major tests for them. Games against Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Virginia Tech, USC and UNC, in that order, don’t give me a great deal of confidence.

I think the Irish are likely to drop at least one or two of these games and miss out on a New Year’s Six bid in consequence.

I don’t see Brian Kelly leading this squad to put up 2016 numbers, but it will certainly be a trying season for the head coach of the Irish.

Season Prediction: 10-2

Contact Colin Capece at ccapece@nd.edu; Mannion McGinley at mmcginl3@ nd.edu; Jimmy Ward at wward@hcc-nd.edu; Emily DeFazio at edefazio@nd.edu; Aidan Thomas at athoma28@ nd.edu; and Nate Moller at nmoller2@nd.edu

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Donate to The Observer. ndsmcobserver.com/donate

16

The observer | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 | ndsmcobserver.com

ND Women’s Soccer

ND Men’s Soccer

ND sweeps first away showing

By JAY POST Sports Writer

Notre Dame soccer enjoyed a successful first road swing of the season last week, downing Wisconsin 2-1 and Marquette 1-0 in a pair of matches in the Badger state.

The first of the two matches, a trip to McClimon Field in Madison to face the Big Ten’s Wisconsin Badgers, was a thriller of a match, with the Fighting Irish opening the scoring with a goal from freshman midfielder Korbin Albert. Wisconsin would go on to equalize with a penalty kick in the 60th minute. The game would head to extra time, where graduate student midfielder Sammi Fisher converted a golden goal penalty kick to send Notre Dame home victorious.

Head Coach Nate Norman praised his team after the win, remarking on the squad’s mentality in getting back on the front foot after conceding an equalizer in front of a noisy road environment.

“Obviously we gave up the goal in the second half, but just to kind of roll back our sleeves and get that attacking mentality back and win it — that showed a lot of character,

ND posts first victory in freshman-dominated game

resilience and a lot of competitiveness,” Norman said.

The second leg of the trip saw the Fighting Irish head to Milwaukee to face Marquette, where Norman’s squad would dispatch the Golden Eagles 1-0 behind a 27th minute goal from freshman midfielder Sophia Fisher. The goal was Fisher’s first for Notre Dame, marking the third time in four games that a freshman has registered their first career goal for the Irish. Norman commented on the contributions of the freshman class so early on in the season.

“It’s a very talented group,” Norman said. “They just come in with a lot of confidence. They add a lot to our team, whether they’re starting or they’re on the bench. I think like today’s game you see we just have a tremendous amount of substitutes.”

Notre Dame has two more weeks and four more games of non-conference play to complete before they begin their ACC regular season schedule. A visit from in-state rivals Purdue on Thursday at Alumni Stadium is next on the docket for the Fighting Irish.

Contact Jay Post at jpost2@nd.edu

By EMILY DeFAZIO Associate Sports Editor

ALEX CHILIKINA BROWN | The Observer

It was a freshman-dominated game Monday night as Notre Dame men’s soccer posted their first victory of the season against NIU. Newcomers Eno Nto and Matthew Roou both found the net to start off their Notre Dame careers, contributing to the 2-0 shutout for the Irish.

The first half was full of close calls for the Huskies as Notre Dame senior forward Jack Lynn put himself in position to score the first goal of the night. Though none of his attempts added points to the Irish scoreboard, Head Coach Chad Riley commented on the impressive playmaking that was conducted by the team.

“I’m really proud of the way the group handled it,” Riley said.

“We created some really quality chances.”

Nto was the one to eventually evade the goalie as he took advantage of a corner, putting the Irish up 1-0. Notre Dame kept the lead heading into halftime, and

Irish sophomore midfielder Matthew McLaughlin goes for the ball during their home match against Virginia Tech Apr. 9, 2020.

see M SOCCER PAGE 15

Football

Observer Roundtable: Football season predictions

By COLIN CAPECE, MANNION McGINLEY, JIMMY WARD, EMILY DeFAZIO, AIDAN THOMAS and NATE MOLLER

Observer Staff Report

With the 2021 football season rapidly approaching, the Observer football beat writers were forced to sit down and consider how the months ahead will unfold for the team. Word of high-stakes rivalry matchups, an undefeated season and a potential CFP or NY6 bid have all been tossed around the Notre Dame fan base … now it’s time to see how the Roundtable thinks the season will really shake out for the Irish.

Aidan Thomas For a long time, I didn’t think I was going to be optimistic about the prospects of Notre Dame’s 2021 season. But behind an encouraging spring and start to fall camp, coupled with a tough — but winnable see FOOTBALL PAGE 15

Grewe takes gold in Tokyo

Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics

Former Irish running back Jafar Armstrong makes a play during the match against USF at Nortre Dame Stadium on Sept. 19, 2020 .

Former Irish track and field athlete Sam Grewe ’21 took home the gold medal in the Men’s T63 Paraly mpic high jump in Tok yo on Tuesday.

At 23, the American Paraly mpian has already won t wo world championships: a Pan American gold medal and a Paraly mpic silver medal.

He also holds the world record for T63 high jump at 1.90m.

To earn the gold, and add it to his impressive collection, he cleared 1.88m — roughly 6’2”.

Grewe cleared the first several heights w ithout a problem but had his first miss at 1.86m

when he knocked the bar on his first jump.

He cleared it on his second but then missed his first t wo attempts at 1.88m.

M a r i y a p p a n Thangavelu, 2016 champion, missed on all three jumps at 1.88m.

On his last attempt, Grewe finally cleared it despite his feet splashing through puddles for his entire approach.

Grewe w ill now turn his attention back to his schooling as he begins his first year of medical school at the Universit y of Michigan.

However, he has discussed the possibilit y of returning to the Paraly mpic stage for the Paris games in 2024.